Window spotter

Rev Awdry was vicar of

Emneth (a village three miles southeast of Wisbech) for 12 years from 1953. Although he had begun to write the

Thomas the Tank Engine stories while living near the

Talyllyn Railway, after he moved to Emneth he became heavily influenced by the nearby Wisbech and Upwell Tramway. This inspired first ‘Toby the Tram’ and then ‘Bertie the Bus’ when the Beeching cuts threatened so many branch lines. The Upwell line itself closed in 1966, after which Rev Awdry retired and moved to Stroud.

The beautiful Emneth Church contains a memorial window with a stained glass picture of Thomas the Tank Engine. Are there any of other literary characters commemorated in stained glass windows I wonder?

Chris Clarke, Newcastle upon Tyne