Kohima Memorial Service
80th Anniversary Commemoration Service at York Minster: The Battle of Kohima – the turning point in the Far East Campaign during the Second World War
The Kohima Educational Trust, with 2 Signal Regiment and York Minster will hold a Service of Remembrance on Thursday 4th July at 11am in Dean’s Park at York Minster. The Service will commemorate all those who fought and died for their country during this crucial battle.
The service will be attended by descendants of veterans and friends of those who fought, together with The Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire; the Lord Mayor of York, and The Sheriff of York.
In April 1944 the town of Kohima was besieged by a Japanese division spearheading what they hoped would be the invasion of India. The defenders, 1500 men of the Royal West Kents, the Assam Regiment and the Assam Rifles, held out for two weeks until relieved by their comrades of the 2nd British Division. The ensuing battle, fought at close quarters for two months, was the first defeat of the Japanese by the British army, and a turning point in the war in Asia.
The town of Kohima was completely destroyed, but this did not prevent the local inhabitants from supporting the British and Indian troops as guides, porters and combatants. Without the help of the Naga people, it is doubtful if the battle could have been won.
Sylvia May, CEO of the Kohima Educational Trust comments:
“Our annual service, this year commemorating the 80th anniversary of the battle, is a marvellous occasion when families and friends gather in front of the 2nd Division memorial, a replica of the one that stands in Kohima, to remember those ‘who did not come home’. We are honoured to be hosted by the Dean who will conduct the service and we are delighted to welcome this year the Venerable Dr (Air Vice-Marshal) Giles Legood, Chaplain-in-Chief and Archdeacon for the RAF, who will give the Address.”
The Dean of York comments:
“In this major anniversary year, we are privileged to host this important memorial that recalls one of the signficant events of the war in the far east in World War II. The Kohima Educational Trust’s work with the Naga continues to be profoundly important and it is an honour for the Minster to be associated with this.”
York Minster celebrates Pride
On the eve of York Pride, at 7.30pm on Friday 31st May, Christians at Pride in York will be hosting a pre-Pride event at York Minster.
Come and enjoy the fabulous building after hours. Minster Guides will be on hand to answer any questions and there will be hot chocolate and brownies available for you.
At 8.30pm there will be an entirely optional service of Compline in the Quire for about 30 minutes which you would be most welcome to join.
7.30pm:
All are welcome to enjoy the building as we give thanks for those we love.
Experience the cathedral after hours with a welcome from York Minster clergy, the chance to add your hopes and wishes to a prayer tree, and to enjoy refreshments.
8.30pm:
Join a beautiful service of candlelit Compline with talented local musicians to end the evening in the knowledge we are loved by God.
All are welcome, no booking is required.
A Service of Commemoration
To mark the 40th anniversary of the 1984 fire, York Minster will be hosting a special service of Choral Evensong, remembering the devastation caused and giving thanks for the dedicated and talented individuals who helped to rebuild and restore the magnificent cathedral we see today.
The service will include special prayers and readings, as well as a sermon by the Archbishop of York.
The Choir of York Minster, led by Robert Sharpe, Director of Music, will perform a selection of reflective music including Bernard Rose’s responses; Psalms 47, 48, 49 for the 9th evening; Herbert Sumsion’s Magnificat and Nunc dimittis in A; and I Was Glad by Hubert Parry. Ben Morris, Assistant Director of Music, will play Cecilia McDowall’s Sacred and Hallowed Fire on the cathedral’s Grand Organ.
All are welcome, no booking required.
PHOENIX: lightshow
Tickets are available to book HERE or by calling 01904 557200.
Experience York Minster in a new light this autumn when the cathedral is illuminated with PHOENIX, a brand-new sound and light projection commemorating the 40th anniversary of the 1984 fire.
On Monday 9 July 1984, a devastating fire destroyed the roof of York Minster’s South Transept and sent shockwaves through York, which reverberated across the world. The story of this fire is not just one of damage caused to one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals, but also a story of bravery, resilience, and determination to rebuild.
Telling the story of that night and its aftermath, PHOENIX will commemorate the bravery, power and ingenuity of those that responded to the fire, celebrating the resilience of York Minster and the people of York through their own words, in the very place where it happened.
Visitors will see lightning strike the cathedral, lead pour down from the roof and the iconic Rose Window crack, before the clean-up operation begins and expert restoration leaves York Minster standing as a symbol of hope in the city once more.
PHOENIX is a major new projection mapping and sound installation by award-winning artists Ross Ashton and Karen Monid which will transform the nave of York Minster. The installation is bespoke, having been specially created to bring the cathedral’s unique architecture and history to life. Ashton and Monid also created ‘Northern Lights’ in 2019 and ‘Platinum and Light’ in 2022, two spectacular installations which attracted tens of thousands of people to the cathedral.
The events will help raise funds for the continuing restoration of the cathedral’s fabric. York Minster is one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals, but with the current building dating from the 13th century, it is a fragile masterpiece which needs constant care.
Commemorative badges:
Visitors can pre-order a ‘Restoration Rose’ pin badge when booking tickets and collect their order when they arrive at the event.
The specially created commemorative badges feature one of the winning Blue Peter boss designs, inspired by the cathedral’s iconic Rose Window surviving the flames.
Event times and prices
The events will open on Saturday 19 October and run each evening until Saturday 2 November.
Monday to Saturday, the projection will start at 7pm, with booking slots available every 20 minutes until 9pm. Doors will close at 9.30pm. On Sundays, the projection will start at 6pm, with booking slots available every 20 minutes until 8pm. Doors will close at 8.30pm.
The projection will be shown on a continuous loop throughout the evening. Visitors can stay for as long or as little as they like after their timed entrance slot, and are invited to move location in the Nave and experience the installation from a different perspective.
Tickets cost £7.50 each, or £25 for a family ticket for up to two adults and two children (aged 16 and under). Tickets are available now via this page, or by calling 01904 557200.
Please note that the projection includes flashing lights and loud music in places. The projection will also feature images of the cathedral on fire which some visitors may find distressing, viewer discretion is advised.
Peter and the Wolf
Join brave young Peter as he overcomes his fear of a big bad wolf in Sergei Prokofiev’s classic Peter and the Wolf played on York Minster’s recently-refurbished Grand Organ.
Hear captivating instrumental characterisations of Peter’s animal friends as a live feed of the cathedral’s marvellous organ being played by Ben Morris, Assistant Director of Music at York Minster, is shown on screens to the audience. Using special stops on the organ, Ben will guide young listeners through the sounds of this magnificent instrument. The performance will be narrated by Stuart Perry, the Silly History Boys’ silliest boy.
Prokofiev’s familiar and accessible composition is the perfect introduction to classical music. During the performance, children are encouraged to move and sit on cushions and rugs at the front of the Nave to get the best possible view of the organ.
The performance will take place on Tuesday 13 February and will last approximately one hour. Children are encouraged to bring a toy with them and are welcome to come dressed in their pyjamas ready for bed, but remember to wrap up warm! A buggy park will be available.
Tickets for the family concert are now on sale HERE or by calling our Bookings Team on 01904 557200. Tickets cost £8 for an adult and £6 for a child. A family ticket of £22 for two adults and two children is also available. Children over the age of two need their own seat.
The performance is recommended for ages 5 to 95!
Organist and narrator details:
Dr Benjamin Morris, organist
Benjamin Morris is Assistant Director of Music at York Minster. In this role, he plays for services and accompanies the choir in the Minster’s daily cycle of music, in concerts, tours, recordings and broadcasts, and assists in the training of the boy and girl choristers.
Prior to this, he was Organ Scholar and then Assistant Organist at Jesus College, Cambridge, graduating with First-class honours in Music. Before starting university, Ben spent a year as Organ Scholar at Gloucester Cathedral.
With recent venues including Sage Gateshead, Selby Abbey, Leeds Town Hall and Westminster Cathedral, Ben is active as a soloist for recitals and other performances. He has performed as organ soloist under Sir Roger Norrington, Howard Shelley, Paul McCreesh, and Sir Stephen Cleobury, and has played organ and harpsichord continuo alongside His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts, The Saraband Consort and Britten Sinfonia. He is a prizewinning Fellow of the Royal College of Organists.
Stuart Perry, narrator
Stuart Perry trained at Bretton Hall earning his BA (Hons) in Theatre Acting. He is an accomplished singer and actor with a specialism in theatrical combat.
Stuart can now be seen travelling around the country with the Silly History Boys, a comedy history troupe that Stuart co-created. His storytelling and character work can be found on their ‘Silly History Boys Show’ podcast. Available for free on all good podcast platforms.
Vigil for peace in Israel and Gaza
Join us for a night of reflection and contemplation as religious, political and civic leaders from across York come together for a vigil to call for peace and an end to the conflict in Israel and Gaza.
The vigil will begin with a welcome and address from the Very Reverend Dominic Barrington, Dean of York, before reflections are shared by political, civic and religious leaders from across the city.
There will be a period of silence before members of the public are invited to write their thoughts and prayers onto provided pieces of white paper which will be placed on the cathedral’s altar platform to form a large white peace dove.
Candles will be lit at the end of the vigil as we continue to hold in our hearts the suffering of all those affected by the conflict.
The vigil will take place in the cathedral’s nave starting at 6.30pm and will last approximately an hour.
All are welcome, no booking is required.
Summer Holidays at York Minster
Keep the whole family entertained with activities to help young explorers discover the medieval Minster and learn more about the 1984 fire in the cathedral – all included with general admission.
Don’t forget, kids go free! Up to four children aged 17 and under can visit the Minster for free with a paying adult.
Explore our new exhibition ‘Out of the Ashes’
Discover the story behind the 1984 fire that threatened to destroy York Minster in our new commemorative exhibition ‘Out of the Ashes’.
See fire damaged furniture, interviews with those who remember the fire, and shocking photographs taken during and after the fire.
Follow our new photo trail ‘On This Spot’
Use a mobile phone to scan QR codes in and around the cathedral to unlock dramatic photos of the fire.
Each stop on the trail will include chance for reflection and prayer.
Take a family-friendly discovery tour
Saturdays at 11am
Learn about the roof bosses designed by children who won a Blue Peter competition following the fire, as well as discovering the answers to fun questions including ‘How many blue whales can fit inside the Minster?’ and ‘Which room has a special whispering trick?’.
Try our trails
Look for shapes, patterns, colours and creatures as you journey around York Minster on our special trails: Maths Quest, Light Quest and Nature Quest. Perfect to keep little brains busy over the holidays!
Collect your free trail maps from our Welcome Desks.
Little Explorer Backpacks
Borrow a Little Explorer Backpack filled with gadgets including maps, binoculars, and a magnifying glass to help your young adventurer explore the medieval Minster.
Undercroft Museum
Follow in the footsteps of Roman soldiers as you discover 2000 years of history in our state-of-the-art Undercroft Museum. Delve beneath the cathedral’s floor and see archaeological finds from across the centuries through digital displays and interactive chambers.
Explore our green spaces
Relax in Dean’s Park, Minster Gardens or College Green and take in these vibrant green spaces nestled in the heart of York.
Majesty: Monarchy and York Minster
Discover York Minster’s royal connections and collections through an exhibition exploring the cathedral’s centuries-old relationship with the monarchy in celebration of the Coronation of King Charles III.
The influence of the monarchy can be traced throughout York Minster’s history. From the humble baptism of King Edwin of Northumbria on Easter Day in 627 in a small wooden church built hastily for the service – the first York Minster, to HM King Charles III’s poignant return in November 2022 to unveil a statue of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. Explore these royal events and how they have shaped life and worship at York Minster over the centuries.
See a Minster Police truncheon emblazoned with royal arms, Maundy Money distributed by Queen Elizabeth II during her last visit to York Minster in 2012 and the Great Seal of Queen Anne used to authenticate important documents. Other highlights include Chinese silk gifted to Queen Victoria on her wedding day and a Victorian fire bucket with a royal crest.
Visitors can also try on regal robes, bear a crown and sceptre, and pose for a majestic photograph showing off their best royal wave with a soft-toy corgi, before adding their wishes for the Coronation year to a special crown-shaped tag.
The exhibition, which takes place in the cathedral’s Treasury, will run until Sunday 1 October.
Entrance to the exhibition is free with general admission – book your timed entry ticket here.
York Minster has a living collection which includes objects that are still used in the cathedral today. If you are making a special journey to see a specific object, please do contact us so we can check whether or not it will be on exhibition.