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New Surveyor of the fabric
Published: on 30th March 2006 by Eleanor Course in Press Releases
Andrew Arrol, of Arrol & Snell Architects in Shrewsbury, will be York Minster's new Surveyor of the Fabric. He replaces Richard Carr-Archer, who is retiring as the Minster's Surveyor after eight years. The role of Surveyor of the Fabric is held by a qualified Architect who reports on the state of the fabric of the Minster, and to supervise work on the building. Their hand-over comes on Friday 31 March, and coincides with the completion of work on Chapter House Buttress 4.
Andrew Arrol is also Architect for Chester Cathedral, where he has recently completed a new Song School as a major new extension to the Cathedral. He also oversaw work on repairs to the Tower roof, Library and Muniments Room roofs, and on-going masonry repairs to the Nave and South Aisle fabric. With Arrol & Snell Architects he has been involved with an extensive range of conservation and historic building projects for many churches across England, English Heritage, the National Trust and numerous local authorities. He has also worked on many large country houses and estates, in archaeological recording, and historic landscapes and gardens. Mr Arrol particularly specialises in medieval masonry structures and glass conservation.
Richard Carr-Archer, of York-based architects Ferrey & Mennim, started his work as Surveyor of the Fabric at York Minster in July 1998. During his time in office he has overseen the restoration of the West Front in 2000 and produced a comprehensive Quinquennial Report in 2001. He has worked on the buttresses of the Chapter House and vestibule, together with the roof, before starting to do a great deal of preparatory work on the East Front. He also oversaw the construction of the disabled access ramp at the West End, and the new floor in the Undercroft. Mr Carr-Archer is also Surveyor of the Fabric at St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Orkney, and Bradford Cathedral. He has worked on the fabric of about 200 churches, and says that working on York Minster has been his most satisfying job.
Andrew Arrol will oversee the restoration of the East Front, which will be the major project at the Minster for the next decade. The East Front features the magnificent Great East Window, which is the biggest single expanse of medieval stained glass in the world. Some of the East Front stonework has not been repaired since it was built in the early fifteenth century, and needs extensive work. Some high level masonry has become unsafe and needs securing, and widespread erosion of the stonework means that many of the stones will have to be replaced.
If you are able to help the restoration of the Minster's East Front, please contact 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.