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Explore York Minster's Stoneyard
Published: on 11th August 2008 by Alix Peacock in Minster News
Visitors are to be given a chance to take a look behind the scenes at one of the UK’s top Cathedral Works’ Departments and meet the talented Masons, Carvers and Carpenters who help to keep York Minster in all its glory. York Minster Stoneyard will hold its annual open day this Friday 15th August 2008 between 9.30am and 3.00pm. Entrance to the Stoneyard, located on Deangate, will be free of charge, and everyone is welcome to come and look behind the scenes at one of the Minster’s most exciting areas. Donations to the York Minster Fund Development Office are invited.
Members of the public will be able to take a trip up York Minster’s East Front to view the essential and painstaking restoration work on this part of the building. The East Front is over 600 years old, and visitors can see how the years have taken their toll on the stone, with widespread erosion of the stonework, including the delicate tracery of the Great East Window. The restoration of the East Front forms part of the York Minster Revealed project to open up the beauty of the Minster for future generations. This project is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Trips up the East Front scaffolding are available throughout the day; weather permitting, for a minimum donation of £5. Tickets for the East Front Tours will be available from the Stoneyard on the day on a first come, first served basis. Children of 16 years and under must be accompanied by a responsible adult, and no children under 10 years old will be admitted.
Visitors can explore the progress of stone through the Stoneyard, see the work of the stone sawing and shaping machinery, and talk to York Minster’s Masons, Carvers and Carpenters about the work they do. Several of the Masons and Carvers have recently taken part at the European Stone Festival in Freiburg. There will also be guided tours of special areas of interest, including the drawing shop, where York Minster’s Master Mason creates the templates from which the masons produce each intricate stone. Visitors will also be able to view some of the work of the York Minster Broderers - a group of volunteers who create all the wonderful embroideries which can be seen inside the Minster. The Broderers’ current projects include a set of long altar rail kneelers and a Low Mass set.
Visitors will also have the chance to take home a piece of history as sections of the timber vaulting which survived the fire in 1984 - complete with the Dean and Chapter brand and a certificate of provenance will be available for sale on the day.