Iconic artwork depicting celebrated former British prime minister restored at Stourbridge Glass Museum after 30 years away from the public eye

The Churchill Memorial Screen once took pride of place in Dudley’s Churchill shopping centre, but was taken down decades ago as it needed significant restoration.

One of the panels from the much-loved piece of Black Country history has now been unveiled to the public for the first time in over 30 years at Stourbridge Glass Museum.

The event included a ceremonial ‘switch-on’ of the panel’s new, state-of-the-art back-lit housing unit, allowing visitors to experience the artwork as it was originally intended – ablaze with colour and light.

A major new permanent exhibition telling the screen’s extraordinary story will open to the public in April 2026 but the Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Pete Lee, got a sneak peek of the panel at an advance showing.

Created in 1969 by renowned artist Edward Bainbridge Copnall, the Churchill Screen weighing five and a half tonnes and consisting of 17 panels was integrated into the architecture of the Churchill Precinct by Borough Architect John T Lewis.

Alexander Goodger, the director of Stourbridge Glass Museum, said: “It was part of the fabric of Dudley, a backdrop to countless shopping trips and meetings.

“To finally bring a section of it back into public view, preserved for future generations, is a huge honour. 

“We are fundraising to get another panel conserved for the Churchill Shopping Centre if they want one.”