News / Bristol Bus Boycott
Bristol bus boycott celebrated in church windows
A new stained glass mural at St Mary Redcliffe Church celebrates the Bristol Bus Boycott of 1963.
The boycott saw a colour bar, which banned black and Asian bus drivers, lifted in the UK and paved the way to the Race Relations Act of 1976.
Now for the first time, the event is celebrated in one of four new stained glass windows at the church.
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The new designs for the stained glass window were first revealed in September last year, and will replace windows that previously commemorated the slave trader Edward Colston.
Designs for the stained glass window were submitted to a judging panel in a competition.
One of the panels portrays the current refugee crisis and Jesus as a child refugee fleeing to Egypt – image: Ealish Swift
The winning design, by local junior doctor Ealish Swift, features four scenes that refer to Bristol’s rich multicultural past and present, including one from the bus boycott protests.
Ealish said his designs each depicted our shared Bristolian history.
“My design draws from the deep and complex history of Bristol, from atrocities of the past to modern day concerns, to remind us of the journeys of our neighbours and how we have come to be together at this moment, looking forwards towards a shared future”.
“God’s love is woven throughout the four panels, with a simple and powerful message that can be appreciated by locals, visitors, and pilgrims alike.
“The four panels each depict a crucial aspect of our shared Bristolian history as neighbours, and reference a relevant aspect of the character of Christ.”
Speaking about the designs, canon Dan Tindall, of St Mary Redcliffe Church, said he was “delighted” to host such a special event.
“The new designs, replacing those dedicated to the slaver Edward Colston, focus on the question ‘And who is my neighbour?’
“It is a timeless question we are continually asking ourselves as we seek to be open and inclusive to everyone; and, it seems to me, to have been at the heart of the Bristol Bus Boycott.”
A bus was unveiled earlier in the day with a mural celebrating the boycott – photo: Mia Vines Booth
Metro mayor Dan Norris, was also at the ceremony, and highlighted the importance of continuing the fight against racism today.
“I’m proud to honour the inspirational actions of Paul Stephenson, Roy Hackett, Guy Bailey, among many others involved in these protests,” he said.
“Their resolve and courage led to positive change that made our city and country better. It’s hugely important to recognise Bristol’s civil rights leaders of the past, as well as to continue efforts to stamp out racism today, taking the further necessary steps to ensure our city, and our wider West of England region, is one that, no matter your background, everyone can get on”
The new windows were created by Dora McCormack from Holy Well Glass, based in Wells, Somerset.
The unveiling of the mural marked the end of a day of events commemorating the Bristol Bus Boycott of 1963.
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Local businesses, community groups, local residents and city leaders, including the region’s metro mayor and MP for Bristol West, came together to celebrate the occasion.
As well as the stained glass window unveiling, a new bus with a mural designed by artist Alissa Thaler, was revealed at the First Bus depot in Lawrence Hill.
The new design, which will feature on the Bristol bus for at least the next 12 months, is dominated by the colours of the Jamaican flag in recognition of Guy Bailey who was refused a job as a bus driver sparking the Bristol Bus Boycott.
A ceremony and procession was also held at St Mary Redcliffe Church, with prominent speakers including University of Bristol vice-chancellor, Evelyn Welch, councillor Amira Cole and Bristol Bus Boycott pioneer, Guy Bailey.
Main photo: First Bus
Read next:
- How should we remember the Bristol Bus Boycott 60 years on?
- New mural commemorates 60th anniversary of the Bristol bus boycott
- Jesus joins Bristol bus boycott in new stained glass window
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