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Work to begin on York Minster's East Front
Published: on 2nd May 2006 by Eleanor Course in Press Releases
Work will begin to restore York Minster's East Front on Friday 5th May 2006. The first area to be repaired and restored will be the eastern window bay of the North Quire Clerestory, known as Area 1. The work will be done by the men and women of the Minster Stoneyard, who will be dismantling decayed and dangerous stonework, and replacing it with newly carved Magnesian Limestone.
Area 1 is on the north east side of the Minster, where a supporting mullion needs urgent repair. In order to repair the mullion, the parapet wall, which it supports, must be held up with steel bars inserted into the stone, while the mullion is dismantled and replaced.
The work on the East Front is able to begin after permission to start on Area 1 was given by the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England, which oversees all restoration work on Cathedrals in England. The work on Area 1 should take under a year, during which time permission will be sought to start work on the south-east turret, another area in urgent need of repair.
In March 2005 the Dean and Chapter of York launched a Development Campaign to raise £23 million for the restoration of the East Front. The Campaign has so far raised £2.5 million in cash and pledges. This means there is enough money to restore Area 1, but more money needs to be raised to continue the work.
The Director of Development, Dr Richard Shephard said, "The support from the people of Yorkshire for their Minster has been marvellous. Hardly a day goes by without a donation coming in, and this is very encouraging. Many of these donations are in the form of bankers orders, where donors commit to the project over a number of years. This is splendid, and it is certainly reassuring to know that there is a steady stream of income over the next decade or so, but by 2007 we will need £2 million for the southeast turret. This is the second of 8 separate areas which will have to be paid for over the next ten years. It does seem ungrateful to thank people with one breath, and with the next tell them that more is required - but that is the truth of the matter."
Anyone wanting to help keep York Minster in its full glory can send a cheque, made payable to 'York Minster Fund' to The Development Office, Church House, Ogleforth, York, Y01 7JN, call 01904 557245, or email heidic@yorkminster.org.