Royal window designer Megan Stacey wins scholarship

A woman who helped design a stained glass window for Westminster Hall in London as a gift to the Queen has been awarded a £10,000 scholarship.

Swansea Metropolitan University graduate Megan Stacey, from Neath, was part of the team commissioned by both Houses of Parliament.

The 23-year-old designer spent seven months working on the project.

"I was very, very lucky. It was my dream job and what I've always wanted to do," she said.

Ms Stacey studied a degree in architectural glass at Swansea, graduating in 2010.

During her time there, she was presented with the Award for Excellence at the Stevens Competition for Architectural Glass Design.

It was my dream job and what I've always wanted to do.”

As a result of receiving the award, Ms Stacey was able to spend 40 weeks travelling around the UK and Germany visiting stained glass companies.

It was during a two-week placement with glass artist John Reyntiens, who was bidding for the Diamond Jubilee project at the time, that she was able to contribute a sample design for the window.

Once the bid was successful, she was invited back to work on the project, which began in August last year.

She now plans to use the scholarship to fund the rest of a masters course in stained glass conservation and heritage management in York, which will enable her to set up her own studio.

"Conservation work inspires the designs I make," she said.

"I intend to focus my dissertation upon less researched issues of conservation specific to stained glass of the 16th to 18th Centuries suffering from enamel and paint loss."

She added: "This should provide conservators with a better understanding of the causes and enable improved treatment for such glass."

The scholarship was presented to her by the Duke of Gloucester at a ceremony in London on behalf of the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust, the charitable arm of The Royal Warrant Holders Association.

Ms Stacey said it was a "real privilege" for her work to be recognised.

"It is a huge help as I wouldn't be able to complete my studies without it," she said.

Since 1991, the trust has awarded £1.7m to 253 craftsmen and women.