Prestigious regional property award for York Minster

York Minster has received a top prize at the Insider Yorkshire Property Industry Awards 2014, winning the “Restoration and Refurbishment” category for the programme of work currently in progress on the East Front of the 800 year-old cathedral.

Sponsored by the ‘Insider’ – the UK’s leading regional business-to-business media company – the Yorkshire Property Industry Awards highlight excellence in the property industry across the region. 

The Minster was recognised for the quality and craft of the repair, restoration and conservation work on the stained-glass in the Great East Window and on the stonework on the East front of the building.  Expert glaziers, conservators, stone masons and carvers have worked together to transform the Minster’s East Front.

The conservation of glass and stone is part of ‘York Minster Revealed’ - a five-year project generously supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and scheduled for completion by spring 2016.  It is currently the largest restoration and conservation project of its kind in the UK.  

Commenting on the award Rebecca Thompson, Superintendent of Works at York Minster said:

“We are delighted with this award.  It recognises the skill, energy, craftsmanship and enormous commitment on behalf of everyone connected with this enormously complex project.   

“We reached some exciting milestones this year including the installation of the new statue of St Peter at the very top of the East Front and most recently, beginning to return stained-glass to the Great East Window.  There is still some way to go but the work to transform and conserve this ancient building for future generations is very much on track.”

Notes for Editors

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 have created new learning opportunities for all ages. Also improved access to the South Transept, Undercroft, Treasury and Crypt have totally transformed the experience of visiting York Minster.

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 36,000 projects with more than £6bn across the UK.  www.hlf.org.uk.   For more information,

please contact Katie Owen, HLF press office, on tel: 020 7591 6036/07973 613820.

ENDS

For further media information or photographs, please contact:

Sharon Atkinson

Director of Communications

York Minster

Tel:         01904 557248

Email:    sharona@yorkminster.org