We're standing in Saint George's
which has a unique set of stained glass
As you can see behind me.
And they are centered
namely the Aircraft Apprentice
This video explains the background
and uses a number of the windows
From its inception in 1919
to its demise in 1993.
Following World War One,
a massive expansion of military aviation
but was limited by a shortage
To maintain
a dedicated training unit
skilled mechanics needed.
The location selected
at Halton Park,
and the Aircraft
The apprentice scheme had up to 4000
The boys were trained
in all aspects of aircraft maintenance
of the engineering effort
The last entry graduated in 1993.
By which time the scheme had trained over
young men, known
I think it was
when the current Padre at the time,
Richard Lee, rang
I've got a proposition to make to you.
So I arrived and I said, well,
He said, but
They're rather plain and ugly,
So why don't you get the apprentices
I said, well, I'll give it a try.
So I contacted my friend,
Mike Hines who was top of the 63rd entry
He was doing stained glass windows.
Put the proposition to him.
He said I'll build an entry window.
He brought it down, and he and I fitted
And then 4 or 5 months later,
and about three
And at the end of the meeting
to the church where I have some ladies
Have a look at the stained glass window
and see what you think.
Well, much to my surprise, about 60 or 70
and immediately
Yes, we're going to fix entry
And so it all took off from there.
