Hatfield, October 29th, 2000 at 11.am: After much hardwork and fundraising Hatfield Millennium Window (costing over £40 000) was unveiled at a dedication service at St. Lawrence Church, Hatfield. This Major work of art was dedicated by Bishop David Lunn (former bishop of Sheffield).

The community project costing over £40 000 was paid by a £15 000 grant from the Millennium Festival Fund through The Arts Council of England, personal donations and fundraising events including Supper Clubs, Coffee Mornings, Art Show, Open Gardens Weekend, Millennium Quilt, Handicrafts, Charity Ploughing Match, Hatfield Woodhouse Methodist Chapel, Scouts, Mr Jones H.M.Y.O.I., Mr M Skinner H.M.P. Moorlands, Hatfield Travis Infant School, Hatfield Manor Junior School, Hatfield Woodhouse Primary School, Hatfield/Dunsville Primary School, Hatfield High School, Grapefruit Records, Hatfield Town Council and many individual efforts.

The window contains ideas suggested by the local community of events, persons, discoveries etc. of local, national and international significance relevant to our community from the past 1000 years. Those ideas received include Conquering of Everest, Space Exploration, Signing of the Magna Carta, War(s), local man Thomas Crapper (famous plumber), his W.C. also appears on the window created by York stained glass artist Sep Waugh.

The original concept for this project came from Rev. John W. Sweed during 1996 and was accepted by Hatfield Church Council as a fitting project for the Millennium Year.

In 1998 project co-ordinator, Tim Sweed, was appointed and with the help of Betty Bateson and Noreen Sweed formed the Millennium Window Action Group to see the project to completion.

The Action Group are very conscious that this project would not have been possible without support from a large number of people and wish to extend their grateful thanks to all those who have contributed in any way at all to the completion of this major work of art.

All who wished to attend the celebration services on the Sunday 29th October were welcome. 11 am Unveiling and Dedication, 3 pm Childrens Celebration, 6.30 pm Evening Service.

The church was also open each day the following week 10 am - 12 pm & 1 pm - 3 pm. Also every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 2 - 4 (subject to services).

The project is to produce a new stained glass window for our 12th century church, involving partnerships with schools, businesses and local residents. The north facing window measuring 19ft by 9ft will have up to 22 panels chosen from your ideas, depicting events, personalities and discoveries of local, national and international significance drawn from the last 1000 years

Exhibitions will take place throughout the project life displaying the ideas to be included in the window and progress.

There will be visits by the stained Glass Artist. Demonstrating the production of the window.

A project booklet will be produced showing all the stages in the production of this window.

Unveiling and dedication will take place in the year 2000. The local school children will participate in this.

A braille booklet and audio tape describing the window will be produced for the visually impaired.

A video will be produced to show the processes involved in producing The Millennium Window.

An multi-media interactive CD Rom will be produced to make learning about the window more accessable.

A dedication book will be created and will be preserved for future generations showing all those involved in the project.

The Arts Council have given their support to Hatfield Church's Millenium Window Project. The project aims to involve as many people in our community that wish to, in various ways linking together schools, businesses and local residents.