Work starts to protect 600-year-old stained glass windows as part of £11m project at York Minster
The first phase of work to protect 600-year-old stained glass windows as part of an 11 year, £11m conservation and restoration project at York Minster will start next week.
The major project to repair and maintain stone and stained glass in the cathedral’s South Quire Aisle, which dates from the late 1300s, originally began in 2016, with activity to date focusing on replacing and conserving stonework.
Specialist conservators from York Glaziers Trust are now beginning work to protect the area’s medieval stained glass, starting with the removal of two windows from the upper Clerestory level.
The windows, which date from the early 1400s and are approximately 70 feet from the ground, currently have no protection from the elements and are showing the signs of six centuries of exposure, with the glass having cracked and buckled in places allowing water in.
The work is part of a wider 20-year partnership project between York Glaziers Trust and York Minster to ensure all the cathedral’s windows, which hold the largest collection of medieval stained glass in the country, have protection from the environment.
“The windows in the South Quire Clerestory have been unprotected for 600 years and are now heavily corroded, with extensive paint loss, fire damage and even holes in places,” explains Sarah Brown, Director of York Glaziers Trust.
“The conservation work will include removing all 72 panels from both windows over the next nine months so gentle cleaning can be undertaken in our studios, any glass fractures can be repaired and the lead nets can be stabilised.
“Once complete, the panels will be returned to the Minster in late 2019 with new, state-of-the-art protective glazing to prevent further decay and preserve the irreplaceable glass for future generations.”
The windows, part of a scheme of eight, are believed to have been created between 1404 and 1414 and tell the story of the triumph of Christianity in the North of England, and the crucial role played by York Minster.
The windows were severely damaged in 1829 during a fire started deliberately in the cathedral’s Quire by local resident Jonathan Martin. The graffiti marks of the 19th-century glaziers who repaired the windows following the fire can still be seen.
The windows are two of around 70 of the cathedral’s 128 mostly medieval windows which currently have no protective glazing, leaving their glass vulnerable to corrosion and decay.
The 20-year strategic glass plan will see state-of-the-art glazing extended to all of these windows, halting the decay and buying much needed time for conservation work. Funding for the £11m project has been kick-started with an endowment grant of up to £1m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF), which will be invested to create a regular source of income for the 20-year work.
The grant means that since the fundraising campaign launched in 2018, every £1 raised by the public and the YMF has been matched by the NLHF.
To help reach the £1m target and generate further funding for the project, the awe-inspiring Northern Lights sound and light projection will return to the cathedral by popular demand in October this year for a week-long run. The installation debuted in June last year playing to sell out audiences across two nights.
Tickets for the events, which will run from 24 to 31 October, are on sale from HERE
York Minster reveals emerging draft Neighbourhood Plan proposals
York Minster reveals emerging draft Neighbourhood Plan proposals
A new public square dedicated to Her Majesty the Queen – the first in the city of York in nearly 200 years – is one of the proposals in the emerging draft Neighbourhood Plan for the York Minster Precinct, published for consultation today.
Queen Elizabeth Square is part of a wider city initiative to improve Duncombe Place at the Minster’s west front by creating a new civic space for York and a ceremonial space for the county.
The new square will be pedestrianised and landscaped to provide a pleasant seating area for visitors, creating a comfortable and safe protected space where people can gather for major events such as Christmas markets and other activities. Access for local residents, businesses and the taxi rank will be retained.
A life-sized statue of the Queen, will be installed on one of the empty niches at the front of the Minster. Honouring her long reign on the throne, the statue will be carved by a stone mason from the Minster’s internationally renowned Stoneyard.
Queen Elizabeth Square is among the proposals in Phase 1 of the Neighbourhood Plan. The other key developments include:
- a new café and outdoor seating on the south side of the Minster
- a new ticket office and welcome centre for visitors
- a dedicated cycle path at Deangate allowing for safer segregation of cyclists and pedestrians
- a sensory garden with access to the ancient city walls
- improving storage capacity and back of house facilities for the Minster’s operations.
Phase 2 of the plan will focus on enhancements in education and learning with investment in the Minster School and the Old Palace to make it a centre of excellence for education, learning and as a museum space.
Last May, York Minster launched a public consultation on the future development and use of the buildings and land within the Minster boundaries. 290 responses were received and the feedback was used to develop and refine the proposals in the Neighbourhood Plan published today.
Commenting on the consultation, Alex McCallion, Director of Works and Precinct at York Minster said the emerging Neighbourhood Plan was the result of detailed collaboration with the Minster’s immediate neighbours, the wider local community and statutory bodies including City of York Council and Historic England. Alex said:
“The future of the Minster Precinct is hugely important to many people, particularly to those who live and work in the neighbourhood. An early outcome from last year’s consultation was the establishment of a neighbourhood forum to ensure that any proposals are viable, sustainable and appropriate for the precinct and the local area.
“The York Minster Precinct Neighbourhood Forum was formally adopted by City of York Council in March. Chaired by local resident Mark Calvert, the forum is now 39 strong and will ensure the Neighbourhood Plan is community-led.”
Alex added that the proposals for Queen Elizabeth Square at Duncombe Place – a city wide initiative – will completely transform the public space at the west end of the Minster. He explained:
“The draft Neighbourhood Plan has become the catalyst for one of the most significant and exciting civic improvement projects anywhere in the country. This is a tremendous opportunity for the city of York to create an outstanding and accessible new public square that draws people to the space and is sympathetic to the city’s history and heritage.”
You can view all the proposals, and ask questions, in person on Friday and Saturday or online from Friday afternoon here. The online feedback survey will also be available from there until Sunday 10 June 2019.
Chair of the York Crown Nominations Commission appointed
The Prime Minister has appointed Joëlle Warren, MBE, DL as Chair of the York Crown Nominations Commission, Downing Street has announced today.
Joëlle Warren serves as Her Majesty’s Vice Lord-Lieutenant for Cheshire, Chair of Cheshire Community Foundation, and served 10 years on the Board of Manchester Metropolitan University, latterly as Vice Chair. She began her business career in banking before founding the executive search firm, Warren Partners, in 1999. She is a Member of the North West Business Leadership Team and the CBI’s Enterprise Forum. Joëlle is actively involved in her local church and in wider work for the Church of England nationally.
Joëlle was appointed MBE in January 2016 for her Services to Business.
The Crown Nominations Commission was established by the Church of England’s General Synod in February 1977. Its function is to nominate new Diocesan Bishops for appointment by The Queen. In the case of appointments to the Archbishoprics of Canterbury and York, the Commission is chaired by an independent person who is a communicant member of the Church of England and not ordained. For the appointment of the Archbishop of York it is a requirement that the Chair should be resident in the Northern Province.
Commenting on her appointment, Joëlle said: “I am honoured to have been asked to take on this role by the Prime Minister, and am humbled to lead the Crown Nomination Commission in its prayerful consideration of the next Archbishop of York.
“I look forward to playing my part in finding the person called by God to this ministry at this time.”
A new role for York Minster’s Canon Precentor
The Reverend Canon Peter Moger, who has been Canon Residentiary and Precentor of York Minster since 2010, has been appointed to a post in the Scottish Episcopal Church.
Peter will be the Episcopalian (Anglican) priest on the Island of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. He will be based in Stornoway, the largest town of the Western Isles of Lewis and Harris. Peter will have responsibility for two churches: St Peter’s, Stornoway and St Moluag’s, Eoropie.
The exact date of Peter and his wife Heather’s move to Lewis is still to be confirmed as there are some practical matters still to be arranged. However, they hope to move from York in the Autumn.
Commenting on his new role, Peter said:
“This post represents an enormous change—from the Church of England to the Scottish Episcopal Church, and from cathedral to local church ministry—but carries exciting challenges and possibilities. The Western Isles have a rich historic tradition of Christian faith and worship. It will be a privilege to be a part of that, following God’s call to share with the people of St Peter’s and St Moluag’s in ministry and mission to local communities and to the many visitors to the islands.”
Gender pay gap report 2018
The Chapter of York today published its gender pay gap report for the 256 full and part-time members of staff employed at York Minster at 5 April 2018.
The Equality Act 2010 (Gender Pay Gap Information) Regulations 2017, requires employers with 250 or more employees (including those who are self-employed), to publish statutory calculations every year showing how large the pay gap is between their male and female employees. The data is collected on 5 April each year.
Commenting on the 2018 report, the Right Reverend Dr Jonathan Frost, Dean of York said:
“We are proud of our commitment to equity of pay as well being an Accredited Living Wage employer and our figures reinforce our commitment to all forms of equality including gender equality. Nevertheless, it is our aim to maintain this level of gender pay equality and commit to conducting regular reviews of policies and procedures to further promote equality and inclusivity for all.”
Full report available here
New Head Teacher for The Minster School
The appointment of Mrs Angela Mitchell, currently Head Teacher of Ralph Butterfield Primary School, Haxby, York, as Head Teacher of The Minster School, was today confirmed by the Dean and Chapter of York. Founded in 627 AD, The Minster School is a co-educational independent day school for children aged 3-13 years.
The Dean of York, Dr Jonathan Frost, commented:
“As a Governing Body we looked to appoint a new Head Teacher who shares our commitment to excellence in academic progress, outstanding cultural enrichment and to a vibrant school community informed by generous Christian values.
“I am delighted, therefore, to announce Angela’s appointment as Head Teacher. With over 14 years’ experience in headship, Angela is exceptionally well placed to take these priorities forward. Angela will come to us from Ralph Butterfield where her inspirational leadership, professional drive and commitment to the flourishing of each child has been recognised by OFSTED in an ‘Outstanding’ rating for the school.”
Commenting on her new role Angela Mitchell said:
“First and foremost, I am a Head Teacher who places the greatest importance on knowing each pupil in my school. Nurturing, caring for and developing every child so that they are motivated and engaged in learning is a very high priority for me.
“I am under no illusion that this will be a challenging role but I have the experience and leadership skills to make a very positive difference to The Minster School and lead it into an exciting future.”
Angela will start her new role in September.
The UK’s leading open-air cinema returns to Dean’s Park this summer.
The UK’s leading open-air cinema returns to Dean’s Park this summer.
After a successful debut in Summer 2018, York Minster has announced the return of the nation’s favourite open-air cinema with a series of new feature-length blockbusters for visitors to enjoy under the night sky.
The run will begin with the ever-popular Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets on Tuesday 27 August before Oscar winner Rami Malek’s superstar performance as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody on Wednesday 28 August. The cinema season will end with Mamma Mia 2 on Thursday 29 August.
All films will begin at 8pm and are accompanied by the Luna Bar for refreshments throughout the evening.
Click HERE to book films showing at York Minster
Luna Cinema’s release reads as follows:
Established as a Summer staple, The Luna Cinema is back with a line up of incredible box office blockbusters in many of the country’s most iconic venues
Following an early blast of unseasonably good weather this year, we’re already getting excited for the summer and that can only mean one thing… The Luna Cinema’s open air film season is just around the corner! Cementing its place as the country’s number one producer of open air screenings, and after a packed calendar of indoor Winter screenings, The Luna Cinema returns with the UK’s largest ever season of cinema under the stars, packed with more screenings than ever before, from new award-winning blockbusters to cult classics.
From May to September, film-lovers up and down the country can pick from over 175 outdoor screenings in some of the UK’s most prestigious and historically important sites. Luna audiences get to enjoy films set to the backdrop of the stunning grounds of places such as Warwick Castle, Kensington Palace, Chatsworth House, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Hampton Court Palace, Leeds Castle, Westminster Abbey and Cardiff Castle. New sites for 2019 include the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, Thorpe Park in Surrey, Wrest Park in Bedfordshire, Anglesey Abbey near Cambridge, Marble Hill in London and York Minster in Yorkshire to name a few.
Cinema-lovers will be thrilled by a fantastic choice of films this summer season, with a selection of the year’s biggest hitters and award winners, including the iconic performance from Lady Gaga in A Star Is Born, and the multi-award winning Bohemian Rhapsody, featuring an Oscar winning performance from Rami Malek. Drama fans can have a royal time watching The Favourite at the actual location for the film, Hatfield House, and with a number of hit musical extravaganzas, musical lovers will be sure to be belting out the hits from Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, The Greatest Showman, and Mary Poppins Returns.
As well as these fantastic box office hits, The Luna Cinema will also be screening cinematic throwbacks that’ll have you entertained all night long, from Some Like It Hot at Westminster Abbey, and Grease at Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire, to Pretty Woman at Wandsworth Park and Moulin Rouge! at both Kenwood House and Chiswick House in London.
George Wood, founder of The Luna Cinema, said: “We are hugely excited to be announcing our 2019 season, our biggest year of open-air cinema yet. With the incredible number of great films released in the last 12 months, it’s shaping up to be a really special one. Following last year’s phenomenal outdoor success with The Greatest Showman, we were hoping for a good crop of musical films and in A Star Is Born, Mary Poppins Returns, Bohemian Rhapsody and Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again, we got exactly that! We look forward to expanding our children’s outdoor cinema brand “Luna Kids Cinema” this summer, to visiting some incredible new venues far and wide from Yorkshire to Greenwich and to welcoming film fans from across the country for a night of cinema under the stars!”
Other season highlights include screenings of Mary Poppins Returns under the shadow of the Houses of Parliament (the setting for the film’s climax) at Victoria Tower Gardens, The Favourite and The Young Victoria at Kensington Palace (the latter to mark the 200th anniversary of Victoria’s birth, at the Palace), Monty Python’s Life of Brian at Cardiff Castle, and the critically acclaimed Stan and Ollie at Opera Holland Park. Moreover, Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody will be showing at Knebworth House and Cardiff Castle on the exact sites that Queen played live!
As always, The Luna Cinema audiences are welcome to bring along picnics to screenings. However, all events will have fantastic hot food for sale and a full bar on site, in partnership with headline bar sponsors, Estrella Damm. Premium tickets are available at all screenings, which include a branded director’s chair in prime position in the arena, fast track access and a complimentary drink at the Luna Bar.
A statement from the Archbishop of York following the death of the former Archbishop of York, John Habgood
The sad news of the death yesterday of former Archbishop of York, John Stapylton Habgood, comes as northern bishops gather for a Diocesan mission in Liverpool. As a hugely distinguished scientist, theologian and philosopher, Archbishop Habgood’s faith in Christ gave him a particular perspective and a persuasive witness both to church and nation for his time. His many books simplified big and complex questions, revealing an incredibly perceptive intellect. I’m very glad to have confirmed his grandchildren and dedicated a room in his honour at Bishopthorpe Palace.
His towering presence, physical, intellectual, and spiritual, was a gift to all who knew him. My prayers are with his family at this time. May he Rest in Peace, and rise in glory.’
+Ebor Sentamu
Lent and Easter Services at York Minster
York Minster today announced its services and events for Lent, Holy Week and Easter 2019. Beginning on Ash Wednesday (6 March), Christians throughout the world keep a period of penitence which intensifies in the solemn days leading up to Holy Week starting with Palm Sunday (14 April) which remembers Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, his last supper (Maundy Thursday) and his crucifixion and burial (Good Friday). On Easter Day (21 April), we begin our joyful celebration of Christ’s resurrection from the dead. The Day of Pentecost (9 June), commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Church and marks the end of the Easter season.
The key events and services are:
Tuesday 5 March – The arrival of the Lent Cross
Six metres tall, three metres wide and hewn from rough scaffolding wood in the Minster’s workshop, the Lent Cross, the central symbol of the Christian Faith, will be suspended from the Central Tower. It will remain in place until the Feast of Pentecost.
Wednesday 6 March Ash Wednesday – Imposition of the Ashes
We welcome visitors to receive the sign of the cross marked in ash on their foreheads as a reminder of our mortality and of our sharing of death in Christ. Imposition of the Ashes will take place at 11am and 2pm, during Holy Communion at 7.50am and 12.30pm, and during the Sung Eucharist at 5.15pm.
Stations of the Cross
Fridays during Lent – 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th March and 5th, 12th April at 11.30am and a special Stations of the Cross for Families on Good Friday, 19th April.
Stations of the Cross echoes Jesus’ journey to crucifixion and the 14 stages along the way. During the journey around the Minster, hymns will be sung and each station will provide an opportunity for reflection. On Good Friday, families are welcome to share in the Stations of the Cross which will be on the railings in Dean’s Park. The service begins in the Chapter House at 11.30am, will last about an hour and will be followed by drinks and hot cross buns.
Silence in the Minster
Thursdays during Lent – 14th, 21st, 28th March and 11th April from 7.00-9.30pm
An event introducing the restorative and meditative power of silence. A member of the Cathedral clergy will give a short talk on how to use silence, drawing on the deep well of teaching, resources and experience in the Christian contemplative tradition – before leading periods of silent meditation. Poetry readings and music during the event will sustain the stillness and calm. The evenings will conclude with Choral Compline sung by the Ebor Singers in the Quire at 8.45pm. All are welcome to take part in Compline. The evenings are open to all, whether you are a person of faith or not. Those taking part will also have the opportunity to explore the Minster’s spaces by wandering around at will or just sitting in silence and letting the Minster ‘speak.’
Holy Week and Easter Day at York Minster
Palm Sunday
Sunday 14 April
Sung Eucharist and Procession with Palms
Meeting at the Mansion House, St Helen’s Square, York, at 9.45am.
Monday 15 April
Johann Sebastian Bach’s Jesu meine Freude 7.30-8.30pm and Compline.
Tuesday 16 April
Reading of the Passion Gospel with Charpentier’s Le reniement de Saint Pierre, 7.30-8.30pm and Compline.
Wednesday 17 April
The Ryedale Festival presents Wagner’s Parsifal conducted by Sir Mark Elder and performed by the Hallé Orchestra and Choir. Concert starts at 7.30pm.
Maundy Thursday – Thursday 18 April
Chrism Eucharist at 11am, Eucharist of the Last Supper at 7pm, Watch of the Passion from 8.15pm until midnight, with Tenebrae at 9.30pm
The Chrism Eucharist takes its name from Chrismation (anointing). The Archbishop of York, Dr John
Sentamu, will bless oils for anointing candidates for baptism and confirmation and for healing. The
Archbishop will gather members of the clergy from around the Diocese to renew the vows made at their ordinations. The Archbishop will wash the feet of 12 people, commemorating Jesus’ washing the feet of his disciples before the Last Supper. At the Eucharist of the Last Supper, the Dean will wash the feet of members of the Minster community. At the end of the service the consecrated bread will be taken to All Saints’ Chapel and will be placed on the altar where it will become the focus of the watch. Kept until midnight, the watch recalls Jesus’ time in the Garden of Gethsemane before his arrest, trial and crucifixion. During the watch, The Ebor Singers will sing the office of Tenebrae, recalling the gathering darkness as we move towards Good Friday.
Good Friday – Friday 19 April
The Liturgy of Good Friday at 10am, Stations of the Cross for families at 11.30am, Three Hours Devotion from 12-3pm
The Liturgy of Good Friday includes Bible readings, singing of the Passion from St John’s Gospel, and the procession of a large wooden cross and prayers. At 11.30am, families will be invited to gather in the Chapter House before setting out for Dean’s Park for a special family service of Stations of the Cross. Three Hours Devotion is a service of meditation, hymns and prayers with periods of silence for reflection.
Easter Eve – Saturday 20 April
The Easter Liturgy with Baptism and Confirmation from 8.30pm
Beginning in darkness, the service will consist of readings telling the story of the liberation from slavery in Egypt of the ancient Israelites, followed by the lighting of the Paschal (Easter) Candle. The proclamation of the Easter Gospel is followed by a procession to the Crypt for baptism, confirmation for candidates associated with the Minster, the annual reaffirmation of baptismal vows and concludes with the celebration of the First Eucharist of Easter. The President at the Easter Liturgy will be the Archbishop of York.
Easter Day – Sunday 21 April
Holy Communion at 8am, Solemn Eucharist at 10am, Choral Matins at 11.45am, Solemn Evensong with Blessing of the Easter Garden at 4pm. Free entry to all.
Our services will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu will preside at the 10am Solemn Eucharist service.
Evensong for Holy Week
Throughout Holy Week, Evensong will be sung daily at 5.15pm and at 4pm on Sundays.
York Minster’s Easter Garden – Sunday 14 April until Sunday 9 June
A much-loved tradition at York Minster, the Easter garden depicts key scenes from the Passion. Starting on Palm Sunday with just the tomb and three crosses, new elements will be added as the Easter story unfolds including palm branches, 30 pieces of silver (Judas Iscariot’s reward for his betrayal of Jesus), a crown of thorns and three nails and a length of material representing Jesus’ burial cloth.
During the Easter Vigil on Easter Eve, the tomb will be opened and illuminated and the garden festooned with flowers to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. The garden will be blessed by the Archbishop of York during the vigil. The Easter Garden will be in the North Transept under the Five Sisters Window from Palm Sunday until the Feast of Pentecost.
Tackling period poverty – Register for the Days for Girls, York workshop
York Minster is marking International Women’s Day by again hosting a Days for Girls,York workshop. In conjunction with Rotary York Ainsty, the Minster’s North Transept will be transformed into a giant sewing workshop on Thursday 7 March for this world-wide ‘hands on’ project. The initiative has one clear aim: ‘Education, Hygiene and Dignity for all girls – everywhere’.
Many girls in developing countries, due to poverty, are unable to go to school during menstruation because they cannot afford sanitary protection. The Days for Girls, York workshops make colourful washable feminine hygiene kits which will last girls up to three years.
Days for Girls has devised a practical, low cost, re-usable solution in the form of a kit which uses brightly patterned cottons to sew cleverly designed pads and covers which are then packed into attractive drawstring bags. These can be easily sewn by hand or with a sewing machine. Each kit includes underwear, a wash cloth and two one-gallon, super strong polythene zip-locked bags to enable the soiled items to be washed easily – particularly important in areas where water is scarce.
Once again, the workshop is taking place under the auspices of Rotary York Ainsty as one of their international projects and is being coordinated by the club’s 2018-2019 president, Mrs Issy Sanderson.
Commenting on this year’s workshop, Issy said: “Sewing machines, ironing boards and a mini- production line will be set up in the Minster’s North Transept for two sessions. These will run from 10.00am until 12.30pm and 1.30 until 4.00pm. Volunteers are needed to help cut patterns, sew items and pack finished kits. There are only 100 places available per session so volunteers will need to book a place in advance.”
A booking form for the Days for Girls York workshop can be found HERE
Issy explained that the workshops have had a global impact. “Days for Girls, York and associated groups sent 604 kits overseas last year. We also seed-funded self-help groups in Africa including Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Malawi, Tanzania, South Africa, Senegal and Zambia. Also, in India, Pakistan, Myanmar and Nepal. The global impact from the workshops in the Minster are amazing. These kits are making a tremendous difference to the lives of young girls and women. Come and help to change lives,” says Issy.
The workshop will also draw attention to the scandal of period poverty in the UK, one of the world’s richest countries. A recent study by Plan International UK, revealed that around 1 in 10 girls in the UK have experienced period poverty and 40 per cent reported having to use toilet roll because they cannot afford proper sanitary products.
A team from Soroptimist International – will be at the workshop to highlight period poverty in the UK and to explain how local organisations in York are working together to tackle the problem.
Jonathan Frost installed as 76th Dean of York
The Right Reverend Dr Jonathan Frost, formerly Bishop Suffragan of Southampton, was today installed as the 76th Dean of York at a service of Choral Evensong at York Minster. The new Dean of York succeeds the Very Reverend Dr Vivienne Faull who was consecrated Bishop of Bristol in July 2018.
In the first of three ceremonies today, the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, collated and licensed Jonathan for his ministry as Dean.
The second ceremony took place in the Chapter House. In an ancient ritual dating back to the Middle Ages, Jonathan was admitted as a member of Chapter, the Minster’s governing body. Letters Patent from Her Majesty the Queen were read and oaths were sworn on the 1000 year-old York Gospels.
Jonathan was formally received into the Chapter of York by the Canon-in-Residence, The Revd Canon Michael Smith, Canon Pastor. He was then placed in his seat by The Revd Canon Peter Moger, Acting Dean of York, at which point Jonathan officially became Dean of York.
The final ceremony took place at the end of a procession into Evensong when Jonathan was placed in his stall in the Minster’s Quire. Jonathan then emerged from the Quire into the Minster’s Nave where he was formally presented to the congregation as Dean of York.
Jonathan’s daughter Hannah read one of the bible passages. Representatives from the City of York, the County of North Yorkshire, the Church of England’s Northern Province and members of the Minster’s community and staff also took part in the service.
Following the sermon by the Archbishop of York, prayers were read by students from four local schools: the Minster School; Archbishop Holgate’s School; Manor Church of England Academy and St Peter’s School.
Commenting on his new role, Dean Jonathan said:
“I am honoured to have been called to serve in this beautiful place. I have received a very warm and generous welcome and I look forward to serving the community, the city and the wider diocese of York.”
Biographical details
The Right Reverend Dr Jonathan Frost, Dean of York
Jonathan comes to York Minster and Yorkshire from the Diocese of Winchester, where he served as Suffragan Bishop of Southampton from 2010-2019. He also served as an Honorary Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Portsmouth.
Jonathan represented the Suffragan Bishops of the Province of Canterbury at General Synod. He is a Trustee of USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel). Prior to his Southampton years, Jonathan was Anglican Chaplain at the University of Surrey, Residentiary Canon at Guildford Cathedral and the Bishop of Guildford’s Adviser for Inter-faith Relations. He previously served as a parish priest in Ash and in Nottingham where he was also police chaplain.
In the Diocese of Winchester, Jonathan focused on prayer and growing disciples, building strong community relations and engagement with young people. He was Chair of the Joint Portsmouth and Winchester Diocesan Board of Education overseeing the work of 160 schools. For the last eight years, Jonathan led an Annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Taizé community in Burgundy, France.
Jonathan co-founded Love Southampton, an initiative which involved churches partnering with Southampton City Council on a number of projects for the common good.
Jonathan is a graduate of the Universities of Aberdeen, Nottingham and Surrey. In April 2012 he was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of the University, by the University of Surrey for his work in promoting cohesive campus relations and religious literacy in universities.
Jonathan is married to Christine and they have three grown-up children, Hannah, Ben and Jake.
For Jonathan, Fulham Football Club and Test cricket are passions that endure. Sea swimming, walking and time spent with family and friend are, for him, intimations of heaven.
Tree planting and maintenance strategy for York Minster precinct
The maintenance of trees and shrubs within the York Minster Precinct will be the subject of a planting and maintenance strategy being developed in consultation with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
Commenting on the strategy, Alex McCallion, Director of Works and Precinct at York Minster, said:
“The trees and shrubs within the Precinct provide a peaceful and beautiful green haven that is greatly enjoyed by York’s residents, workers and visitors year round. They also have a huge biodiversity value for insects, wildlife and other plants and they soak up vast amounts of carbon dioxide and other pollutants from the air. This draft strategy sets out the approach that we will take to the management of trees and shrubs within the Precinct for the long term.”
Alex explained that as well as the care and maintenance of trees and shrubs, the strategy will also include a planting schedule for new trees such as beech, lime, crab apple and cherry and the continuation of the Minster’s policy to only remove trees and shrubs that are dead, diseased, dying or unsafe. He said:
“All trees have a natural life cycle and have to be managed when they become too big or sickly. In a few weeks’ time we will have to remove two laburnums which are now structurally unsound as a result of their crowns being damaged by storms. We will also have to fell a sycamore which has suffered years of squirrel damage, and an ash tree and a cherry tree – both with split trunks as a result of rot invading the heartwood. Removal is always a last resort and is only done on the advice of a qualified and experienced tree surgeon.”
However Alex added that every loss creates an opportunity for new trees. The Minster’s replanting programme focuses on native species wherever possible. He said:
“The five trees will be replaced with 12 new ones – crab apple trees (Malus Floribunda). Crab apples were selected following discussions with the RHS. The species is appropriate for this part of the Precinct and is resilient to both climate change and extreme weather events. The trees which are semi-established and are already three to four metres tall will offer abundant spring blossom for bees and fruit for birds in the winter.”
The draft planting and maintenance strategy will eventually form part of York Minster’s Neighbourhood Plan which sets out plans for the future care of the Minster and its Precinct.