British Society of Master Glass Painters Conferences

The British Society of Master Glass Painters has for many years run an autumn conference weekend exploring in depth the stained glass heritage of the British Isles. It attracts a vibrant mix of stained glass artists, conservators, restorers, historians, researchers and other enthusiasts giving members an opportunity to share their knowledge and experience in a friendly and informal environment. Conferences are planned and led by expert guides in collaboration with members whose local knowledge and connections lead to a fascinating and often unusual programme of events.

In addition to the annual conference there may be occasional special events - see below for details of those planned for this year.

Enquiries to Annual Conferences

Autumn Conference 2013 - Worcester and Gloucester

29 Aug - 1 Sept 2013

BOOK ONLINE or

Download conference information and booking form (pdf format 4 Mb)

This year we will be based at the University of Worcester. It’s some time since we have been able to see a lot of medieval glass. On this conference we have the Gloucester Great East Window, the Tewkesbury choir and Fladbury (all early to mid-C14th) and the Gloucester lady chapel east window and Great Malvern Priory (late C15th – early C16th). The C19th will be well represented, with some especially fine work from the Clayton & Bell and Hardman workshops, as well as that of more local makers: Preedy, Rogers and Bell of Bristol. Whall’s windows in the Gloucester lady chapel are generally recognized as “the finest post-medieval glazing scheme in the country”. The Arts and Crafts theme is continued in the Madresfield Court chapel, with glass (and much else) from Henry Payne’s Birmingham Group. Later in C20th there is work from both Webbs, A K Nicholson and Comper, and from the last two decades we shall see glass from Caroline Swash, Alan Younger and Tom Denny. On Sunday morning a final treat will be Joshua Price’s ten early C18th windows at Great Witley, a gloriously baroque church.

Speakers will include Peter Cormack, Geoffrey Lane, Steve Clare, Tom Denny and Tim Bridges (Vic Soc), as well as local members Roy Albutt and Robin Lunn.

COST OF CONFERENCE: The residential fee of £345 includes three nights’ accommodation in single en-suite rooms with breakfast, lunch (including Sunday), afternoon tea, evening meal and Conference Dinner on Saturday night with pre-dinner drinks reception. Also included in the price is the coach travel, donations and entrance fees to all sites. All menus will cater for special dietary requirements. The price quoted is for fully paid up members of the Society and non-members should add £45*. Student price on application. Non-residential fee of £280 includes all the above except accommodation and breakfast.

EXTRA NIGHT; For those wishing to stay an extra night on Sunday 1 September the cost will be £55 including evening meal, bed and breakfast

PLEASE complete the application form in clear legible writing. You can secure your place with a non-refundable deposit of £45 (postal)/£47.50 (online).

PARKING: There is a charge for pre-booked parking from Thursday to Saturday of £5.70 per car with a £1 coin charge for Sunday payable at the meter. (This will save a daily return to your car. Please supply your car registration number when booking.)

*The £45 supplement for non-members is the same as our UK Ordinary membership subscription. Become a member online or by sending a £45 cheque made out to BSMGP TRUST to : CHRIS WYARD, HON.SECRETARY, PO BOX 15, MINEHEAD, SOMOERSET, TA24 8ZX

INSURANCE: THE BSMGP CANNOT GUARANTEE ANY REFUND ON LATE CANCELLATIONS AND STRONGLY ADVISE THAT INSURANCE IS TAKEN OUT TO COVER CANCELLATION.

Annual Conference retrospective

2012 - Glasgow ‘Town and Coast - West of Scotland stained glass’ with Peter Cormack and Iain Galbraith
2011 - The Wirral and over the waters with Tony Benyon and others
2010 - Winchester with Mary Calle and others
2009 - Tayside and the Kingdom of Fife guided by Peter Cormack
2008 - Bristol and Wells Guides and speakers Tim Ayers, Geoffrey Lane, Steve Clare and David O'Connor.
2007 - Lincoln Guides and speakers Jim Cheshire, Penny Hegbin Barnes, Tom Küpperand the Rev. Gordon Plumb.
2006 - Manchester Guides and speakers: Dr David O'Connor, Penny Hegbin-Barnes, Wendy and Barrie Armstrong and Neil Moat.
2005 - Edinburgh Guides and speakers: Peter Cormack FSA Hon FMGP, Dr Elizabeth Cumming, Douglas Hogg FSA(Scot), FRSA, FMGP, Dr Sally Rush Bambrough, Prof. John Hume OBE
2004 - Shropshire and Staffordshire Guides and speakers: Peter Cormack FSA, Hon. FMGP, Martin Harrison FSA, Hon. FMGP, Jane Gray FMGP
2003 - Exeter Guides and speakers: Peter Cormack FSA, Hon. FMGP, John Hayward FMGP, Dr David Evans, Mr Andrew Johnson
2002 - Aberdeen Guides and Speakers: Peter Cormack FSA, Hon. FMGP. Mike and Jennifer Jane Bayliss AMGP
2001 - London Guides and Speakers: Caroline Benyon FMGP, ACR, Tony Benyon, Sarah Brown FSA Hon. FMGP, Dr Donald Buttress, Caroline Swash FMGP, Peter Cormack FSA, Hon. FMGP, Kathy Shaw AMGP, Graham Jones FMGP, Dr Michael Peover
2000 – Cork Guides and Speakers: Dr Nicola Gordon Bowe, Debbie Dawson,
Mary Mackey.