“Windows and Dunfield! What sort of a title is that?”

“It’s a perfectly good title!”

“All about Microsoft and Dunfield coming up to date with its computer?”

“It’s not that sort of Windows, chump; it’s windows, things you look through, panes.”

“I imagine there could be a lot of pains keeping Dunfield going.”

“Are you just trying to be obtuse? Panes, p-a-n-e-s, not pains. Windows!”

“Do you mean to tell me that you can write a whole article about windows?”

“Of course I can, but I might mention something else as well.”

“Go on, then!”

“Well, first there’s the great Retreat fall-out!”

“You mean the people at Retreat fell out with each other?”

“No, I don’t! Will you be quiet for a bit?”

“Oh, all right, off you go!”

“Well the French doors in the lounge and the dining room needed replacing. The carpenter at Dunfield had prepared temporary frames while the right glue was obtained. Unfortunately the frames dried out, contracted, and one evening during a Church Retreat, when somebody opened or closed a door in the house, it meant that a cushion of air pushed the lounge windows out! It was a shock for everybody, but nobody was hurt. The mess was cleared up and the lounge windows were boarded up in double quick time (well under an hour, quite impressive really,) and the dining room windows were doubly fastened in, just in case! Since then the lounge windows have been finished and replaced.”

“And the dining room windows?”

“Yes, they should be finished too, as I write. The problem is that Dunfield is busy and you cannot really get enough time in the dining room without there being others in there. We know it is urgent, but it is difficult! However both windows will be replaced and fixed in place for a Church Reunion, starting on 2nd August. We are very grateful to the groups that have managed in the interim.”

“What other windows are you going to mention?”

“Well, you may remember that we have some stained glass on the staircase. This has been taken out and cleaned, and put in a smart, new part blown glass surround. Some of the glass is fourteenth century – it even makes Fred feel young!”

“And is that back in its place?”

“‘Fraid not, but it is back at Dunfield and will be soon put back in its place. In fact, all being well it will go in in the week commencing 2nd August too. In the meantime, of course, there is a window in there.”

“I’m pleased to hear it!”

“And then there is the chapel window. You know the chapel window; there are thirteen pretty drab panes of glass in the big window between the chapel and Fred and Helen’s cottage. We are not sure as to the state of the wood in the frame, and the windows have not opened, as they were designed to, for years. The carpenter, Keith, has designed and will, later this year, fit temporarily in the chapel a twelve-pane frame. The idea is that we arrange for a beautiful twelve-pane stained glass window to be fitted in Keith’s frame where the old thirteen-pane window is now. We think that individuals, groups and congregations may want to buy individual panes. Fred can give more information and prices. Each pane will cost under £100. Eventually the twelve panes will form one big double-glazed window – not too ecclesiastical, not too secular, but very beautiful and this will replace the old.”

“Great! But what about other news?”

“Well, you know how much people appreciate Fred Crane as House Manager at Dunfield? Fred was due to leave next year when his contract would run out, but I can now tell you that Fred has signed a new contract and should now, all being well and God willing, stay at Dunfield until the end of 2014. You see the best came last! Now go play in the stream!”

News Archive:

Dunfield House - June 2006

Dunfield House - Spring/Summer 2006

Dunfield House - Winter 2005/2006

Dunfield House - Winter/Spring 2004/2005

Dunfield House - Winter 2003/2004

Windows and Dunfield – a conversation

Dunfield House - Winter 2002/2003