York Minster

York Minster gets Heritage Lottery Fund earmarked grant

Published Thursday 26th July 2007 by Katie Owen and Alix Peacock

£10 million Heritage Lottery Fund investment for York Minster

York Minster has today been awarded a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) earmarked grant of £10million.  This massive injection of Lottery money will help the Dean and Chapter of York to undertake an ambitious programme of vital restoration work to the east end of the building, including the Great East Window, as well as put in place exciting plans for the training of skilled craftspeople and volunteers.  This project is the third piece in the Minster’s latest restoration jigsaw, with two previous phases also having been supported by HLF to the tune of £440,000.  

The Very Reverend Keith Jones, Dean of York Minster said:   "This is wonderful news. York Minster is one of the world's greatest buildings, and now the Heritage Lottery Fund is helping us not just to keep it standing, but provide a dazzling experience for millions of people.  This is great for us all, and especially for York, for Yorkshire, and the North.  It also puts us on the map at a time when the whole world will be coming to Britain.  Now we can make the Minster a place of which we can be even more proud.”

"It's a tribute to many people around York and in our own team who have helped us to prepare the bid, and we are now poised to make our dream a reality. It's a moment to thank all the people who have encouraged us, and had such brilliant ideas."

Carole Souter, Director of HLF, said “York Minster is a world famous building - rich in history and architectural complexity – which attracts huge numbers of visitors every year who gaze up at its inspirational stained-glass windows.  We are completely convinced by the future vision for the Minster, with its emphasis on making it a welcoming place, and continuing the strong tradition of craftsmanship which has been fostered there over the centuries.” 

James Purnell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said:  "York Minster is a magnificent building and an important part of British history. The National Lottery, through the HLF, has always had an important role in supporting our heritage, making it accessible for all. This grant will undoubtedly make an important difference to the preservation of one of our greatest landmarks so that it can be enjoyed for generations to come."

Dame Judi Dench, actress and long-term supporter of York Minster, commented:

"I was born in York and the Minster is particularly dear to my heart.  It's also the backdrop to my theatrical heritage as I had my acting debut there in the Fifties when I performed in the Mystery Plays.  It's marvellous news that the Heritage Lottery Fund has been so generous and ensured that the vital restoration work of this most wonderful and iconic building will now take place."

Urgent repairs

The current structure of York Minster was begun in 1220 to complete the replacement of the extended 11 th century Norman building already in existence.  The east end, begun in the late 14th century, is currently in an unstable condition with a noticeable tilt towards the east.  The stonework, much of it dating from the 14th and 15th centuries, is currently in a fragile condition and will be conserved along with the main glass panels of the much-photographed Great East Window.  Created by the renowned John Thornton of Coventry between 1405 and 1408, this spectacular window originally cost £56.

Nurturing heritage skills

The Dean and Chapter of York and the Heritage Lottery Fund have a shared passion for looking after the historic environment as well as nurturing traditional heritage skills. An important part of York Minster’s plans involve the training of new apprentices in the specialist skills of stone masonry and stained-glass conservation.  This will be the largest conservation project of its kind with five stonemasons and three stained glass conservation apprentices being taken on over the five-year period of work.  This is in addition to conservation staff at the York Glaziers Trust already being trained under the In the Beginning scheme, also funded by HLF.

Encouraging volunteering opportunities

There are currently around 500 volunteers at York Minster who will now receive more tailored training. Additionally, an initiative is being set up to target a more diverse range of individuals, including students from the nearby Universities of York and York St John, to get involved at the cathedral. 

(Photograph: Kippa Matthews/Heritage Lottery Fund)