James Abbott Simons was a local builder and, as the dedication of this window declares, a long serving member of St Giles’ choir:
THE GIFT OF JAMES ABBOTT SIMONS
A MEMBER of the CHOIR of this CHURCH for SIXTY YEARS. 1886-1946
The window was by James Powell of London,1 and was dedicated on Sunday, 12 October 1947.2 At the top of the window is the shield of Southwell Cathedral, whilst in the very bottom left hand corner is a shield containing a deer and an arrow – a reference to St Giles. The remainder of the window depicts six figures with a musical theme, starting with the Te Deum“.
Each of the six figures is accompanied by an appropriate text:
St Ambrose – “We praise thee O God”
St Cecilia – “All the Earth doth worship thee”
David – “O come let us sing unto the Lord”
B.V. Mary – “My soul doth magnify the Lord, Holy is His name”
Zacharias – “Blessed be the Lord God”
Simeon – “Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace”
References
1. St Giles Parish Magazine February 1958
2. Nottingham Evening Post 3 October 1947