On Sunday 18 September a service of dedication was held in St Peter’s Church, Oare in Kent for the church’s new stained glass window. The window commemorates the life and work of Allan Harry Beckett (1914-2005) who is buried in the church’s graveyard. The dedication was performed by the Venerable Sheila Watson Archdeacon of Canterbury in the presence of a packed church.

The three light window was designed by the renowned stained glass artist Petri Anderson who is seen with the window in the photograph. The window depicts a Mulberry tree in fruit together with an illustration of one of the World War 2 Mulberry Harbour floating roadways which were designed by Allan Beckett; in the right hand light there is a depiction of the ‘Kite’ anchor which Allan also designed as there was no other anchor available with sufficient holding power to secure the roadways in place. A leaflet with further details of the St Peter’s church window can be downloaded from here.

Following the service the church wardens invited Allan’s widow Ida Beckett to plant a Mulberry tree in the church grounds.