Minster gets £9.7m funding boost

Great East Window, York MinsterThe restoration project centres on the minster’s medieval Great East Window

A major project to restore glass and stonework at York Minster’s East Front has been given a £9.7m boost.

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant will go towards the York Minster Revealed project which will also help improve access for disabled visitors.

The 15-year project centres on the restoration of the Great East Window, the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the world.

The minster has already received an HLF grant of almost £10m in 2007.

The York Minster Revealed project also supports apprenticeship schemes in both the Minster Stoneyard and the York Glaziers’ Trust to help keep traditional skills alive.

The Dean of York, Keith Jones, said: “The grant will enable us to restore one of this country’s most important works of art, the East Window of York Minster.

“At the same time, it will help us welcome visitors to the minster with much improved facilities for them, so that their visit will be all the more rewarding.

“This is one of the country’s most loved places, and this enables us to make it known and enjoyed by many more people. It is very exciting, and the coming years of work will be well worth it.”

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, said: “The East Window, which tells the whole story of the Book of Revelation in painted glass, is a beautiful and historic work of art, which brings joy to so many people.

“I look forward seeing the window restored to its former glory.”

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

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