‘The Volunteers Window’ 2001-2002 Haslemere Museum, Surrey

Haslemere Museum is a local museum with a large garden and strong educational links. An extension was built, with help from the National Lottery, to upgrade the facilities. The window was commissioned to celebrate the contribution made to the museum by its many volunteers. The brief was to design a window that worked in harmony with the architecture and surrounding landscape; appealed to a wide range of people and age groups; retained natural light and still allowed a view of the Surrey hills; and be of use in the fresh water studies classes (pond-dipping). Rachel linked the separate panels with a flowing border inspired by transparent algae.

Dimensions: Overall window size 2.8m x 3.2m comprised of 16 panels 0.5m x 0.6m

‘Haslemere Coat of Arms’ 2006, Haslemere Town Hall

Haslemere Town Hall was restored in 2006. The mayor of Haslemere wanted a window showing the town’s coat of arms to celebrate the restoration. The border has a hazel leaf motif, and a small picture of the building in 1814 when it was first built and used as a jail, and one of the building now. The pink and yellow symbolise the heather and gorse found locally, the acorn is for the oak trees of Surrey, the two deer are the ‘Hind heads’, and the waves are for Waverley. The motto translates as “Life stems from the Arts”. The window is situated upstairs in the council chamber.

Dimensions: approximately 90cm x 75cm

Isleworth Heron’ 2000, Isleworth Public Hall

The Public Hall was renovated in 2000 and a new staircase and lift were installed. The stained glass window is on the first floor in the stairwell. It was commissioned to celebrate the millennium. At the time Rachel’s studio was in Isleworth. On a visit to the River Thames for inspiration she saw a heron just asking to be drawn. It was probably the quickest design she ever came up with. It includes the hairy snail found on Isleworth Ait, and boats that are moored there.

Dimensions: 0.5m x 1.28m

‘The Seasons’ 1999-2000 The Cassel Hospital, Ham

The Cassel Hospital in the Borough of Richmond provides mental healthcare for adults, adolescents and families. The patients mainly live-in during the week and the children are educated on site. It is unique in offering psychotherapy and nursing care with no drugs prescribed.

In 1999 a new unit was built to house families during their treatment at the hospital, which can last up to a year. The hospital is situated in extensive grounds rich in wildlife including a badger set. The windows are in the entrance to the grounds and in the stairwell above. Rachel wanted to reflect the changing seasons and local wildlife in a non-threatening, uplifting way.

It was the second commission Rachel has done there, and her links go back many years to when she used to do voluntary work there as a graduate.

Dimensions: Bay window 3.6m x 1.5m comprised of 12 panels 0.5m x 0.6m, and 8 panels 0.5m square beside door.

‘Bluebells’ 2001, Surrey

This house was originally a stable for a manor house in Milford designed by the Arts and Crafts architect Baillie Scott. The clients wanted something in keeping with the architecture and inspired by his work. Several designs were considered before settling on the final version.

Dimensions: 0.4m x 0.85m

‘Pockford Pheasants’ 1997, Surrey

These windows are situated in a sixteenth century black barn in the grounds of Pockford House. The barn was converted into an exhibition and entertaining space for family use. The window needed to obscure the view of a corrugated iron roof on the farm next door. The window shows the house, grounds, wildlife and interests of the clients.

Dimensions: Overall size 2.2m x 1.3m comprised of 32 panels 210mm x 275mm

‘Returning Triptych’ 1996

Rachel was commissioned to make this piece for an exhibition at Orleans House Gallery in Twickenham. She grew up in the area and the map shows her old haunts. The wildlife in the borders reflects the rich variety found in the London suburb. The text on the frame reads:

“At last the boiling summer broke and I returned home with countless tears. Back into the net I fell and I took comfort in the richness of my surroundings. At last I am free to sail the river or fly in the sweet night air”

Dimensions: 1.4m x 0.4m comprised of 3 panels

‘Birds in Beech Tree’ 2005, Surrey

This window is in a country house in Surrey that was divided up after the last war. It is above the front door to one of the apartments. Rachel wanted to create a feeling of looking up through the branches of a tree in autumn. The woodpecker and thrush were found in one of her favourite books, ‘The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady’ by Edith Holden.

Dimensions: 1.1m x 0.4m

‘Memorial for a Pilot’ 2010

Made to remember a family member who had spent his working life as a pilot, beginning in the Dam Busters squadron. The panel shows a Lancaster Bomber, a Stratocruiser, a Comet, and a Boeing 707, all planes which he flew.

Dimensions: 36cm x 40cm

‘The Children’s Nativity’ 2009-10

Rachel was inspired to make this panel when she saw her two young children in their school nativity play. She borrowed the costumes from the school and used some of the children as models.

Dimensions: 59cm x 45cm

‘Protect the Universe’ 2008, Surrey

A memorial window for a seven-year old boy called Jethro. This window incorporates Jethro’s drawings and writing. It has a rainbow-coloured border and a cut glass disc brings rainbows into the room. It creates a ‘happy, peaceful feeling’ in the family home.

Dimensions: 4 panels 34cm x 45cm