With the help of the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust, Merlyn Griffiths will be starting a two-year Masterʼs degree at the University of York. Merlyn is enrolled on the Stained Glass Conservation and Heritage Management MA, and will be taking up her position in October 2013.
The MA course will combine practical work with academic theory and will furnish Merlyn with the skills and knowledge to help preserve historic stained glass for future generations.
Merlyn – who is currently a paid intern at York Glaziers Trust, a role she will continue with part time alongside her studies – was chosen to receive the £15,000 grant, and was presented her award by the president of the Royal Warrant Holders Association at a ceremony in London on Tuesday 4 June.
She told Vidimus: ʻThanks to the award from QEST I can now study for my Masterʼs degree, which will teach me in depth about the history of stained glass and its conservation. When combined with the practical experience I gained at York Glaziers Trust, this knowledge will stand me in good stead to become a competent stained glass conservator in the future.ʼ
QEST grants scholarships of up to £18,000 to men and women of all ages twice a year, and since 1991 has awarded £2,000,000 to almost 300 craftsmen and women to develop their skills through study, training and work experience.