A MASTER glass maker has been commemorated with a Blue Plaque at his former home and workshop in Warwick.
William Holland was a 19th century master maker of stained glass who established his firm in Wallace Street, Warwick, in 1828.
By 1832, he was working out of 14 Smith Street, advertising his business as Midland Counties Stained Glass and Decorative Works.
In 1847, William purchased then demolished two houses on Priory Road. He commissioned the building of his family residence at 3 Priory Rd and adjoining workshops.
The 1851 Census shows that he employed twenty-six men at the Priory Road glassworks, including his nephew Frank Holt, who also became a renowned master stained glass painter.
William was one of twenty-five stained glass producers invited to exhibit his work at The Great Exhibition, held at the Crystal Palace, Hyde Park. He won medals for his stained glass work and decorative furniture.
William Holland retired in 1873. His business was continued by his son Thomas and nephew Frank Holt. By 1880 the firm had become F Holt & Co, glass stainers, glaziers and gilders and remained largely the same until the company ceased trading in the 1920s.
It is now the home of the Museum of the Queen’s Royal Hussars and Guy Goodwin’s antique restoration business.
William died at his granddaughter’s residence in Leamington on September 27 1883, aged 78 years. Examples of his work can be found locally today in St Mary’s Church, Warwick and in All Saints Church, Leamington.
Warwick Town Council worked with local stained glass enthusiast and researcher Lynne Hampson to create and erect this new plaque which adds to the growing number located around the town.
The unveiling was carried out by the Warwick mayor Coun Oliver
Jacques, and one of the current owners of the property, Fleur Moody.
