The Millennium Window Webmaster Celebrating the Millennium in Wellow Several well-attended public meetings led to a total of  fifteen suggestions on how the millennium might best be  commemorated in Wellow; this wide-ranging discussion  led ultimately to the decision to install a stained-glass  window in our parish church of St. Swithin's.  Villagers were invited to help design the window, and the  chosen artist, Nicholas  Bechgaard of Stroud,  Gloucestershire used their sketches - especially those of  local artist, wood carver and nature lover Mrs Iris  Beetham - to inform his final design.  This window celebrates the Millennium for the  community and the Church of Wellow, and the whole  design reflects this aim.  Forming the background, with branches spreading up  and outwards is a tree, a reminder of the Tree of  Knowledge of Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden,  which led to the fall of man; it also signifies the Tree of  the Cross of our redemption, and the Tree of Life in the  Book of Revelation; it is in first leaf, symbolising  springtime and new life in Christ.  Set against the tree are images of village life, with  daffodils replicating those abundantly adorning the village  verges each spring with, in the background, the fields  and farms which have sustained Wellow down the ages.  The centre ground reveals some of the buildings around  the village including the Parish Church and the Old  Methodist Chapel.  Central is the famous Wellow  Maypole, showing the crowning of the May Queen  chosen by the villagers.  The spider's web of ribbons from  the Maypole links the dancers and symbolises the  interconnection of all aspects of village life.  The two kite windows at the top acknowledge the patron of  the church, Saint Swithin, represented  by a Bishop holding a  bridge.  Christ is signified by the Paschal Lamb holding a  banner, a symbol of resurrection.  At the very top the small quatrefoil window contains the image  of a dove, symbolising the Holy Spirit presiding over the  Church and the whole life of the village.     Without the assistance of any kind of Grant Aid, the village  and it's friends raised the necessary funding of £11,700.00  over eighteen months.  This was achieved by a number of  organised events, and also by monetary donations from  individuals and local businesses. The Parochial Church  Council funded the polycarbonate protection installed at the  same time.  The window was dedicated in front of a packed congregation  on 4th June 2000 by the Bishop of Sherwood, the Rt. Revd.  Alan Morgan, and the unveiling of the associated commemorative plaque was carried out by  Siân Preston, Millennium May Queen.  The service was led by the Priest-in-Charge, the Revd.  Canon Valerie Rampton, assisted by Revd. Corynne Cooper (Assistant Curate);the United  Benefice Choir was led by Mr. George Ward, with Mr Ian Bevell on the organ.  The service was followed by a celebration tea in the Memorial Hall which was catered by Mrs  Joan Eaglen. The tea was a mark of appreciation to everyone involved in the success of the  project.