York Minster

York Minster receives a boost from the Gild of Freemen

Published Friday 3rd November 2006 by Alix Peacock

York Minster's Development campaign is to receive another boost this week, as it will be presented with a cheque from Susan Dudley-Smith, the former Master of the Gild of Freemen for the City of York. Mrs Dudley-Smith chose the Development Campaign as one of her two beneficiary charities. The presentation will take place at 3.00pm on Tuesday 8th November 2006 at Bedern Hall. The Rev'd Canon Glyn Webster, Canon Chancellor of York Minster will be there to receive the cheque on behalf of the Minster. Mr Ed Bracher, the Chief Executive of the Riding for the Disabled Association will also be there, as a representative from Mrs Dudley-Smith's second beneficiary charity.

The York Minster Development Campaign was chosen as one of the charities to benefit from Mrs Dudley Smith's year of service between June 2005 and July 2006 as Master of the Gild of Freemen of the City of York. Now, at the end of her year's service as Master of the Gild of Freemen, Mrs Dudley-Smith is delighted to present the York Minster Development Campaign, along with the Riding for the Disabled Association with their cheques. Mrs Dudley-Smith says "I am delighted that two such worthwhile causes are able to benefit from my year as Master of the Gild of Freemen. I wish thank everyone for their help and support." On 30 March 2006, York Minster has itself been linked with the Riding for the Disabled Association when it hosted a service entitled The Pageant of the Donkey. The Princess Royal attended this service.

The York Minster Development Campaign is aiming to raise £30,000,000 to fund the restoration of the East Front of the Minster, and aid the cathedral's music and educational life. The centrepiece of the East Front is the Great East Window, the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the world. The medieval glass and stonework of the East Front are badly in need of restoration and structural repair. If you are able to help keep York Minster in its full glory, please send cheques, made payable to 'York Minster Fund' to The Development Office, Church House, Ogleforth, York, Y01 7JN, or email richards@yorkminster.org

The Riding for the Disabled Association is a national voluntary organisation dedicated to making a real and lasting difference to the lives of disabled people, enabling them to ride or carriage drive to benefit their health and well-being. To find out more about the RDA please see their website at http://www.rda.org.uk/.