Photograph courtesy of Steve Moore-Vale
On the south side of St James’s Church is a fine stained-glass window dedicated to two members of long standing local families – Robert Barnard Lebbell and his wife Mary nèe Mann. I wonder how many of us have ever wondered who designed and created it.
In February 2025, I was delighted to receive an email from Mark Wescott. Mark is a great nephew of Joan Howson, a renowned Arts & Crafts stained-glass window painter. He happened to be looking through some of his great aunt’s work and found the connection to Great Ellingham’s stained-glass window.
Mark is able to confirm that Great Ellingham’s stained-glass window was indeed designed and made by his great aunt Joan Howson and her partner Caroline (Carrie) Townshend (also an eminent Arts & Craft stained-glass window painter). The window was completed in 1929.
Photograph courtesy of Steve Moore-Vale
You can find good examples of Howson and Townshend’s work (which are relatively close to Great Ellingham) at Syderstone, St Paul’s in Cambridge, Kirby le Soken, Essex and Pettaugh in Suffolk.
However, there are many more wonderful stained-glass windows created by these two talented women. These include a three-light Dove window in the north aisle of All Saints’ High Wycombe, Bucks. It was created as a tribute to the achievement of women through time.
1935. Joan Howson & Caroline Townshend in their workshop
Courtesy Mark Westcott
Joan Howson c.1960
Courtesy Mark Wescott
Acknowledgement
Many thanks to Mark Westcott DipLA (Leeds) BArch(Glas) DipArch(Mac), a great nephew of Joan Howson