TWO of Hereford’s most famous institutions have joined forces in an ambitious £1million project.

A sculpture and stained glass window is set to be installed in Hereford Cathedral dedicated to the SAS.

The project, named ‘Ascension’, has a seven-figure budget and is due to be completed by April.

It is being funded through donations by the SAS Regimental Association and aims to be a modern focus for reflection, pilgrimage and worship in the 1,300 year-old cathedral, already home to the world-famous Mappa Mundi and Chained Library.

The nine-metre high window installation includes 3,000 pieces of European glass in 40 different colours.

The base of the stone sculpture includes the famous SAS motto of Who Dares Wins, together with the SAS regimental badge.

A line of poetry will also be engraved in the marble, ‘Always A Little Further’, which has been used by the SAS since the 1960s.

The line is from the poem, The Golden Road to Samarkand, by James Elroy Flecker.

Colonel Rupert Prichard, president of the SAS Regimental Association, said the artwork will become a pilgrimage for SAS families and those who support the regiment.

He said: “We are proud to be able to commission such a striking and thought-provoking piece of art for Hereford Cathedral.

“We believe that ‘Ascension’ will become an important place for soldiers, their families and their children, and the wider community who support the SAS.

“The heritage of our regiment has strong ties with the people of Hereford and ‘Ascension’ is for the entire SAS family.

“It is also our hope that it will become an important global place of pilgrimage. The stillness of the stunning stonework and the bold blues and yellows of the stained glass, which rise from chaos to calm, create a truly spectacular and deeply moving tribute to the SAS and all that the regiment represents.”

Called ‘Ascension’, the installation is being created by the world-renowned, Royal Academy sculptor, John Maine.

The Dean of Hereford Cathedral, the Very Reverend Michael Tavinor, said that ‘Ascension’ will be one of the most important pieces of new cathedral art in the world.

He added: “Its bold colours and inspirational message will be a breathtaking addition to our historic cathedral and will mark the unique link between Hereford and the SAS.”

The parallax glazing of the glass window, which creates breathtaking movement and depth to the window, is being assembled by architectural glass specialists Derix, in their studios in Wiesbaden, Germany. 

The stone sculpture will be carved from Brazilian blue syenite, golden sandstone from Clashach Quarry, near Elgin in Scotland and black Tournai marble from Belgium.

“The starting point for me was the nave of Hereford Cathedral,” said Artist John Maine.

“Light streams in from the south-facing window and the wall below is cast into darkness by contrast. The physical challenge was to create unity between these diverse elements.

“This called for a robust response to the brief, which avoided rhetoric and bombast. I wanted to concentrate on an uplifting energy, hence the title ‘Ascension’. 

“The work ascends from the still contemplative stonework through a progression in the window, from darkness to light.

“I found the combination of stone and glass very stimulating and this has opened up a whole new world of creativity for me.”

St Martin's in South Wye has a SAS memorial stained glass window and a memorial ledger with the names in of the fallen. They are waiting for the latest battle honours to go onto the window. 

Members of the public are invited to be part of ‘Ascension’ by making donations via the SAS Regimental Association or Hereford Cathedral.

Details of how to donate are available at www.sasmemorial.co.uk  and www.herefordcathedral.org/SASmemorial.