Year 5 Trip To Ely

On Monday 21st November all of Year 5 set out on an expedition to discover the secrets of stained glass. At the Stained Glass Museum in Ely we travelled the time tunnel through the beautiful exhibits of the museum to reach Theophilus's workshop. This charming 12th century monk led us through a voyage of discovery. Any young Year 5 scholar will be able to tell you: Which 3 essential ingredients were used in medieval times to make glass? What is a muff and how is it changed into a sheet of glass? How are different colours of glass achieved and which colours need cobalt and gold?  

Mrs Hunt, a Stained Glass artist told us about the making of the panels and some of the stories behind the pictures in the glass. We had time to look closely at the exhibits and do some observational drawings, discovering glass both ancient and modern.

In the afternoon it was our turn to try our hand at creating our own masterpieces. One group used their drawings from the museum to outline and paint their own window, while the others designed and made a very special piece of jewellery, which may well find it's way into a few stockings this Christmas. As glass needs to be fired at high temperatures for 2 days to be fused, Anne the jeweller kindly took it back to her kiln to ensure this was done safely. The task of ensuring the 2000 degree temperatures over 2 days as described by Theopilus, was not one that would meet the approval of Health and Safety!

A wonderful day was had by all. Thank you to everyone involved for making it such a success.