 |  | There are to be free tours of Coventry Cathedral's rare stained glass as part of Heritage Open Days, a national scheme where buildings not normally accessible to the public are opened.
| 听 |  | One of the cathedral stained glass panels
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This very rare opportunity is on 14-15 September 2002, when 15 sites across the city centre are to be open to the public for free.
Glass windows from the chancel of the old St Michael's Cathedral were removed for safety at the outbreak of the 1939-45 war. After the destruction of the cathedral in the blitz raid of November 1940, it was not possible to return the glass to the building.
Some of the glass was reused in the new cathedral, Sir Basil Spence's Church, and the remainder was restored by the York Glazier's trust, who created six glass panels.
| 听 |  | Detail of the cathedral stained glass
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Three of the panels are recreated sections of chancel window, depicting cherubims. The 15th century glass was painted by John Thornton of Coventry, who also painted the Great East Window at York Minster.
The remaining three, known as 'Medley' windows are made up of different sections of medieval stained glass, also from the chancel. These abstract designs contain a mixture of decorative elements and medieval faces.
| 听 |  | One of the cathedral stained glass panels
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The six windows are on extended loan from Coventry Cathedral to AXA and Heritage Open Days represents the first opportunity in several years for the public to see them.
The windows will be on display at AXA's offices in Corporation Street on Saturday 14 September. Guided tours of the glass led by staff will take place every half hour between 11am-4pm.
Places on the tours are very limited and spaces should be booked by calling Sarah Aspin on 024 7660 7002.
| 听 |  | Detail of the cathedral stained glass
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Heritage Open Days Organiser, Jane Wynn said:
"We are delighted that AXA are coming on board for the Heritage Weekend and offering people the chance to see the windows.
"The glass on display is absolutely stunning. It leaves you with a real sense of how beautiful the cathedral was before the bombing."
| 听 |  | One of the cathedral stained glass panels
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The sites open for Heritage Open Days 2002 are the Herbert Art Gallery, Priory Visitor's Centre, Tourist Information Cellar, St Mary's Guildhall, Coventry Cathedral, Holy Trinity Church, Blue Coat School, New Buildings, AXA, St John's Church, Bond's Hospital, Friends Meeting House, Spon Street tours, Retail Market and The Friends Meeting House.
A leaflet giving full details of the weekend is available from the Coventry Tourist Information Centre, Bayley Lane, 024 7622 7264 / 7266.
You can also email the toursit centre with the link on the left.
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