Award winners set in stone at York Minster
York Minster has been awarded a prestigious award for Craftsmanship by the Stone Federation of Great Britain at the Natural Stone Awards 2012.
The Works Department team hammered away strong competition from Britain and Northern Ireland as representatives collected the award in London on Friday. The specific project entered for the award was the restoration of the South Quire buttress, turret and spirelet of the East Front of York Minster (known as ‘Area 2’).
York Minster was particularly proud to win the Craftsmanship category as this is one of the key areas of focus for the team and includes apprenticeships and training in traditional craft skills, master masonry and international journeymen.
Categories in the awards included, New Build Modern Style Cladding; New Build Traditional Style; Stone Masonry; Repair and Restoration; Interiors; Landscape; New Technology; Art in Stone; Sustainability and the category York minster won – Craftsmanship.
Judges commented that there were a high number of entries received for each category and they had travelled the whole of Great Britain and Ireland to examine the projects for this extremely prestigious competition, and noted that the project at York Minster showed excellence in every aspect of stonemasonry from setting out, masonry, carving and fixing and training.
‘‘We have never won this award before, and are very proud to be part of it, the trophy has pride of place in the Stoneyard’’ comments Rebecca Thompson, Superintendent of Works at York Minster.
‘‘It’s such an honour to be able to work on such a magnificent building and I’m so pleased the teams hard work and skill has been recognised with this award. This section of the building was dismantled to the height of a seven storey building, and rebuilt due to its poor structural condition, the team kept as much of the original material as possible but had to ensure structural stability for generations to come. The grotesques are carved in the theme of Medieval Ailments and Illnesses and the detailing was researched to ensure accuracy of the clothing, heraldry and accessories, it was an extremely interesting and challenging project.’’
Visitors can learn more about the work of York Minster’s skilled stone team – current and historic – in new interactive displays in the East End and through special activities throughout the year. The work at the East Front is part of the York Minster Revealed project, one of the largest conservation and restoration projects in the UK.
For more information, please visit www.yorkminster.org
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Notes to editors:
About York Minster Revealed
The York Minster Revealed project is a five-year project scheduled for completion in early summer 2016. It is the largest restoration and conservation project of its kind in the UK. The cost of the whole York Minster Revealed Project is £20 million, of which £10.5m has been generously supported with a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). The remainder of the fund has been raised by York Minster.
State-of-the-art multi-media galleries, new displays of historic collections and interactive interpretations will create new learning opportunities for all ages. Also improved access to the South Transept, Undercroft, Treasury and Crypt will totally transform the experience of visiting York Minster.
The most recent part of York Minster Revealed was launched to the public in October 2012 and includes the contemporary elliptical stained-glass orb and interactive galleries in the East End of the Minster. Allowing visitors a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see, at close range, some of the magnificently restored panels of the Great East Window, England’s artistic equivalent to the Sistine Chapel.
Coming soon in Spring 2013 will see the opening of the Undercroft, visitors can take an inspirational journey into the underground chambers of the vast Undercroft and Treasury, revealing York Minster’s past, present and future. Dynamic, new interactive displays will reveal the significance behind York Minster’s most treasured artefacts as never before, in an inspirational two thousand-year journey.
About the Heritage Lottery Fund
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) aims to make a lasting difference for heritage, people and communities across the UK and help build a resilient heritage economy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported more than 33,000 projects with more than £5billion across the UK. www.hlf.org.uk.
For further information contact Pamela Simpson: pamelas@yorkminster.org 07785 615 497 or Lisa Sinclair lisas@yorkminster.org 07785 615 457.
