First ever stained glass blue plaque unveiled

York-based stained glass business Barley Studio has created the ‘world’s first’ stained glass blue plaque, which has been unveiled at the Oliver Bonas store, located at 35 Stonegate in York, England.

Blue plaques are used across the UK as permanent public records, commemorating a historic link between a specific location and a famous person, event or building.

In this case, the plaque, commissioned by the York Civic Trust, honours 18th century writer and clergyman Laurence Sterne in the location where the first copies of his novel ‘The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman’ were sold on its publication in 1759. Interestingly, the building was also the home of stained glass manufacturers J W Knowles & Sons for over 100 years.

The plaque was created to replace a previous plaque, which was damaged during building works in 2022.

Founded by Keith Barley in 1973, Barley Studio specialises in stained glass creation and conservation for cathedrals, stately homes, parish churches and prestigious secular buildings, led by Keith Barley MBE and Helen Whittaker MBE.

Image courtesy of York Civic Trust.