Gloucester Bus Station – Artisanal Decorative Glass Panels
Daedalian are excited to announce our recent commission in collaboration with Gloucester City Council to design, manufacture and install 12 decorative glass panels for the Transport Hub – Gloucester Bus Station. These twelve panels follow the journey of Gloucester city, read on to find out more about what features on each panel.
Panel 1
Roman Fort – Glevum
This panel showcases the Roman Fort historically known as Glevum, which is now recognised as Gloucester. The name “Glevum” translates to ‘the bright city’ and denotes its significance as one of the few towns in Britain granted the highest legal status as a colony of Roman Citizens.
Design Concept
Completed Panel
Panel 2
King Alfred the Great’s mint
King Alfred the Great established a mint in Gloucester in 886. This mint continued to operate well into the reign of Henry III, reflecting the city’s significant status.
Queen Aethelfed
Queen Aethelfed is prominently featured on this panel as a highly influential figure in Gloucester’s Anglo-Saxon history from 911-918. The daughter of Alfred the Great, she was known as the Warrior Queen, ruling the kingdom of Mercia with effective military and political strategies. Her efforts unified England’s various kingdoms into the single nation we know today, she was also responsible for establishing Gloucester Minster.
The Four Gates
The four gates, Northgate, Southgate, Eastgate and Westgate are depicted on the middle left hand side of the panel, representing the entrances to the old city, with the connecting streets converging at ‘The Cross’. Today, this area is a bustling high street filled with shops, cafes and restaurants.
Design Concept
Completed Panel
Panel 3
King Henry III
King Henry III was crowned a the age of 10 in the Chapter House of Gloucester Cathedral. This event is depicted on the left hand side of panel 3.
John Hooper
John Hooper was appointed Bishop of Gloucester in 1552 after preaching before the king. Two years later, he was falsely accused of owing money to the queen, this lead him to imprisonment and his eventual death, which he faced with unwavering conviction and courage.
Design Concept
Completed Panel
Panel 4
Oaks from the King’s Forest of Dean
Oaks from the King’s Forest of Dean were transported up the Severn by barge and used in the construction of the Dominican and Franciscan friaries in Gloucester.
Pilgrims
On the right side of this panel you can see pilgrims flocking to Gloucester from all over England in the 14th century, seeking spiritual solace and renewal.
Design Concept
Completed Panel
Panel 5
The New Inn
The New Inn is depicted on the left side of this panel. Built in 1440 under the direction of the town monk, John Twining, it was constructed by the Abbey as a place for meetings and business, as well as lodging for travellers.
Gloucester Cathedral
Gloucester Cathedral is a remarkable architectural treasure, holding immense significance for the city. It serves as the final resting place of King Edward II, offering visitors the opportunity to pay homage at his tomb and explore notable features like the Cloister and the impressive Great East Window, which are widely regarded as key highlights of the Cathedral.
Monks
The depiction of monks departing from the Cathedral illustrates the dissolution of monasteries that took place between 1536 and 1541. During this period, King Henry VIII ordered the disbandment of monasteries, priories, convents, and friaries throughout England, Wales, and Ireland.
Design Concept
Completed Panel
Panel 6
The Monks and Humpty Dumpty Cannon
On the left, the monks are depicted departing from Gloucester, while on the right, the illustration showcases the Humpty Dumpty cannon, notable for its role during the siege of Gloucester. This cannon earned its nickname because it famously misfired and exploded on its first shot, rendering it irreparable.
Design Concept
Completed Panel
Panel 7
Siege of Gloucester in 1643
Continuing from panel 6, this scene portrays the siege of Gloucester in 1643, featuring soldiers defending the city against the assailants.
The Folk Museum
On the right-hand side, the Folk Museum stands, formerly a Tudor Merchants House dating back to the 1500s. Now designated as a Grade II listed building, it functions as a museum, offering visitors a glimpse into the history of Gloucester through its displays of objects, exhibitions, and events.
Design Concept
Completed Panel
Panel 8
Railways
The advent of railways in the 1840s marked a pivotal moment in history. Initially, their introduction resulted in some disorder due to the existence of two different gauges of tracks. However, this challenge spurred efforts towards standardisation, ultimately leading to the uniformity of track width across Britain.
National Waterways Museum
At the bottom right, the National Waterways Museum is depicted, housed within a Grade II listed grain warehouse that underwent renovation in 1988. The museum serves as a tribute to the 200-year history of the docks and the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, showcasing their significance through exhibits and displays.
Design Concept
Completed Panel
Panel 9
River Severn and Vining’s Warehouse
In this panel, the River Severn takes centre stage, recognised as the longest river in Great Britain, stretching across 220 miles. The buildings depicted include Vining’s warehouse, another Grade II listed structure situated on the docks.
Design Concept
Completed Panel
Panel 10
Gloucester Ski and Snowboard Centre
To the left-hand side, a skier and a snowboarder are visible, representing the Gloucester Ski and Snowboard Centre, renowned for boasting the longest slope in England and Wales. This centre gained fame for its role in assisting Eddie the Eagle in his preparation for the Calgary Winter Olympics.
Fielding and Platt and Walls Ice Cream
Fielding and Platt, a celebrated engineering company that operated on the Gloucester Docks from 1866 to 2003, is commemorated in this panel. During World War II, the company gained recognition for manufacturing Spitfire parts. Additionally, on the right-hand side of the panel, a hand holding an ice cream serves as a subtle homage to Gloucester’s connection with Walls Ice Cream, which has been based in the city since 1959 and continues to operate to this day.
Cotton Motor Company Motorcycles
The motorcycle featured symbolises the iconic Cotton Motor Company, which was founded in Gloucester in 1918 by Frank Willoughby Cotton.
The Gloster Gladiator
At the top right, you can observe The Gloster Gladiator, a British biplane fighter utilised by the RAF and various other air forces during the 1930s.
Can you also spot the Rugby post on the skyline and the sheep?
Design Concept
Completed Panel
Panel 11
HMS Devastation as depicted on “England’s Glory” matchboxes
On the left-hand side, the small ship depicted is HMS Devastation, famously featured on “England’s Glory” matchboxes. The company behind these matchboxes, originally situated on Bristol Road in Gloucester, was S.J. Moorland and Sons.
Doctor Foster
Certainly! We’ve all heard the nursery rhyme “Doctor Foster went to Gloucester, in a shower of rain.” which dates back to 1844. In the panel, you can spot Doctor Foster in his puddle at the bottom, an iconic representation of the beloved character from the rhyme.
Hawker Typhoon
At the top, a Hawker Typhoon jet is depicted, a British single-seat fighter-bomber manufactured by the Gloster Aircraft Company and extensively used during the Second World War.
Design Concept
Completed Panel
Panel 12
HMS Gloucester
As seen in both this panel and panel 11, HMS Gloucester was a distinguished Royal Navy vessel with a rich history, serving primarily as a cruiser during various conflicts, including World War II. Renowned for her valour and service, HMS Gloucester played a significant role in safeguarding maritime interests and upholding naval supremacy.
Gloster Meteor and Gloster Javelin
At the top of the panel, the Gloster Meteor, the first British jet fighter to see combat during the Second World War, is depicted alongside the Gloster Javelin, which served with the RAF of Britain from the 1950s to the 1960s.
Hip Hop Dancer and Kings Square
The hip-hop dancer and flags symbolise the vibrant diversity of the city, while Kings Square stands prominently in the skyline, reflecting Gloucester’s dynamic cultural landscape.
Design Concept
Completed Panel
With such an important history to capture, Daedalian have focussed on using the best artisanal techniques starting by hand sketching bespoke artwork, then hand painting, etching and laminating to ensure the panels reflect all the city has to offer.
See our team hard at work in the video below to see this project come to life!
If you would like to discuss a design brief with our team, please contact [email protected] or call +44 (0)1253 702 531 to talk through your ideas. Our team are always happy to help, even if you just require a concept-stage exploratory chat around design feasibility and pricing.
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