York Minster

First Anniversary of York Minster Campaign

Published Monday 13th March 2006 by Eleanor Course

On the first anniversary of the launch of York Minster's Development Campaign, nearly £2.5 million has been raised in donations and pledges. The Campaign was launched on 15 March 2005, with the aim of raising £30 million for the restoration of the Minster's East Front, and to help the educational and musical life of the Cathedral.

The Development Campaign has captured the imagination of individuals, groups, schools and businesses. Rosalind Campbell, from Matlock in Derbyshire, walked the length of Hadrian's Wall to raise £1433.88 in September 2005. York-based Persimmon Homes pledged £700,000 in September 2005 to help train apprentices in the ancient craft skills, which will be used to repair and conserve the East Front of the Minster, and Shepherd Building Group donated £100,000 in January. Also in January this year, Bailey-Cooper Photography and Minster Jaguar of York joined forces to produce a limited edition print of the Jaguar R-Coupe Concept Car, photographed in front of the South Transept of the Minster, with all profits going to the Minster Campaign.

In December 2005 HRH the Duke of York, the patron of the Campaign, launched a scheme to allow people to sponsor a stone to be replaced on the East Front, for £5 a month for 10 years, or £10 a month for 5 years. This has proved to be very popular, with £50,000 raised in the first month.

Many celebrities have voiced their support for the Campaign, including Dame Judi Dench, Michael Palin Patrick Stewart, Lesley Garrett, Lynne Dawson and Greg Dyke. In November 2005 Douglas Hurd gave a lecture in the Minster entitled "More than a Board Game: Morality and Faith in Politics", to help raise money for the Minster?s choir.

The main focus of the Development Campaign is to raise money for the restoration of the East Front of York Minster, which will cost £23 million and take approximately ten years. A detailed study has revealed that both the stonework and glass require urgent attention, to repair damaged areas and conserve what is one of the finest examples of medieval architecture in the world. The Campaign is also raising £7 million for the educational work of the Minster, and the work of the Choir.

The Director of Development, Dr Richard Shephard, said today, "We are very encouraged by people's response in the first year of the Campaign. Raising £2.5 million in one year is a real achievement, and we are thankful to all who have donated or pledged money. The restoration of the East Front will last at least ten years, so we hope that people will continue to be generous over the next decade and help us raise our goal of £30 million. York Minster receives no direct Government funding, so we rely on the kindness of the public to help fund the restoration projects, and to help us maintain the musical and educational work of the cathedral."

If you are able to help preserve the fabric and work of York Minster, please contact Dr Richard Shephard at the Development Office, Church House, Ogleforth, York YO1 7JN; telephone 01904 557245 or email richards@yorkminster.org. Cheques should be made payable to the York Minster Fund.