York Minster’s pioneering Centre of Excellence plans receive council approval

York Minster’s plans to establish world class campus facilities for research, education and training in ancient craft skills have been approved by City of York Council.

The Centre of Excellence for Heritage Craft Skills and Estate Management will be a first-of-its-kind project encouraging learning and knowledge sharing on an international scale.

Comprising a Heritage Quad and a Works and Technology Hub, the Centre of Excellence will allow current and prospective apprentices to learn cutting-edge digital techniques such as modern saw technology, data scanning and computer aided design. It will also enable the Minster to offer international exchange programmes with cathedrals and universities as far afield as Milan, Washington and Singapore, to enable the further development of these skills.

Existing buildings within the Precinct will be sustainably reordered, repurposed and renewed to provide new workspace and associated facilities, enable greater engagement and interaction with the public around key crafts and trades and allow improved links with education. Through this, the Minster will also be able to offer dedicated residential accommodation for its first and second-year apprentices, as well as for its international exchange visitors and trainees.

Alex McCallion, Director of Works and Precinct at York Minster, said: “We are delighted that our pioneering plans for preserving the ancient craft skills necessary to secure the future of the Minster have received approval from City of York Council. These skills have long been the lifeblood to the fabric of York Minster and the creation of the Centre of Excellence will enable us to continue to develop and pass down these skills with the help of modern digital technology.

“We thank City of York Council for recognising the importance of the Centre of Excellence, the establishment of which will be crucial in allowing us to safeguard the Minster’s long-term environmental, financial and heritage sustainability for future generations to enjoy as we do today.  This is also a major project for the city and will continue to raise our profile not only as a leading international city for heritage and education, but also a city that is forward looking.”

The £5m fully funded project is being co-ordinated by the York Minster Fund, and is expected to be delivered in early 2024.

The plans form the next stage of the implementation of the York Minster Neighbourhood Plan, an ambitious masterplan to secure a sustainable future for York Minster, which was recently ratified by City of York Council. Delivery of the Neighbourhood Plan will herald the largest planned programme of works at the Minster and its surrounding Precinct since the Victorian era. The York Minster Refectory, Minster Garden and the conversion of Church House to residential accommodation are all underway, having received planning permission earlier in the year.

Richard Shaw, Chairman of York Minster Fund (YMF), said: “The Centre of Excellence is the culmination of a three year research and development project, which benchmarked the Minster against other heritage sites around the world. With sustainability at its heart, the Centre of Excellence vision will allow us to maintain and enhance the cultural significance of the Minster.

Not only will the Centre of Excellence create opportunities for education and knowledge exchange on a local, national and international level, but it will also act as a shining example of best practice in managing and preserving complex heritage estates.

We are delighted that the City of York Council is supporting this project and we are pleased to announce that purchase orders worth over £600,000 have now been placed for key machinery to be housed in the Technology Hub.”

York Minster consults on new Constitution and Statutes

The Chapter of York, the governing body of York Minster, today opened a public consultation on its proposed new Constitution and Statutes – the governing documents for the cathedral.

In 2017, following high profile governance issues in a number of cathedrals, the Church of England set up a working party to look at the governance of English cathedrals.  The working party’s recommendations formed the basis of new legislation – the Cathedrals Measure – which was approved by the General Synod of the Church of England and came into law in 2021.

The 2021 Measure introduced revised provisions for the governance, management, property and financial affairs of English cathedrals.  All cathedrals in England are required to prepare a new set of Constitutions and Statutes and must also apply to the UK Charity Commission for registration as a charity.

Working to a strict template provided and approved by the Church Commissioners, the statutory regulator for cathedrals in England, York Minster is in a pilot group of cathedrals working to revise and update their structures, processes and documents in order to comply with the new Measure. Some of the key changes for York Minster include:

• As a result of the Charity Commission registration, members of the Chapter of York will become Charity Trustees and will be subject to the oversight of the Charity Commission, rather than just the Church Commissioners
• The size, composition and membership of the Chapter of York will change
• The three bodies that currently form the governing corporation of York Minster – Chapter, Cathedral Council and the College of Canons – will change. Chapter will be reconstituted as the primary governing and oversight body for the cathedral
• The Cathedral Council will cease to exist and the College of Canons will no longer be part of the “body corporate” nor have any formal governance role.

The new Constitution and Statutes have been drafted with the help of expert ecclesiastical lawyers using the templates provided and approved by the Church Commissioners.  The Archbishop of York, the Cathedral Council, Chapter, the Church Commissioners and the Charity Commissioners have all seen and are content with the drafted documents, subject to anything arising from the public consultation.

 About the consultation

Everyone who has an interest in York Minster is invited to review and comment on the proposed new Constitution and Statutes.  All comments and representations will be considered and responded to, as required under Section 32 of the Cathedrals Measure 2021. The consultation can be accessed in the following ways:

Via the York Minster Website

Go to https://yorkminster.org/about-us/ to view the proposed new Constitution and Statutes.

View a printed copy

Printed copies of the proposed new Constitution and Statutes are also available for inspection Monday – Friday during normal office hours.

Please contact:

Chapter Clerk’s Office

8-9 Minster Yard

York

YO1 7HH.

01904557210

Anyone who wishes to comment on the proposed new Constitutions and Statues either by:

• Indicating their approval for the changes, or
• Drawing to the attention of the Cathedral Council (the body responsible for putting the provisions of the Measure into effect for York Minster)

• any matters that they believe have been overlooked, or
• any errors that they believe have occurred, or
• any omissions that they believe have occurred

should send their comments by email to chapterclerk@yorkminster.org

All responses must be received by 2.00pm on Friday 16^th September 2022.

York Minster installs solar tiles in historic first

A ceremony has been held at York Minster to mark the installation of solar tiles on the roof of its Refectory building.

Attended by City of York Council members, including Cllr Paula Widdowson, Executive Member for Environment and Climate Change, the ceremony included a dedication by Acting Dean, The Rvd Canon Michael Smith.

This signals the first time that solar tiles have been installed on a listed building in the city and follows extensive consultations between York Minster, City of York Council and Historic England.

Brought to site following a successful planning decision in December 2022, the Refectory, located at 2 Deangate, is the first major project in the recently adopted York Minster Neighbourhood Plan. The former site of The Minster School, it is in the process of being transformed into a refectory-style restaurant café, and is set to open in 2023.

The Neighbourhood Plan forms part of York’s statutory development plan and sets out a 15-year route map to create a sustainable future for the Minster and its surrounding Precinct. It is the first time that a Neighbourhood Plan has been used to map the future care of a cathedral or heritage estate.

The discreetly placed solar tiles will produce approximately 10,000 kilowatt-hours of power every year and will support the Minster’s ambitions to achieve operational net zero carbon, as outlined in the Neighbourhood Plan.

Alex McCallion, Director of Works and Precinct at York Minster, said: “As with our recently ratified Neighbourhood Plan, York Minster is leading the way and setting a new precedent for other heritage organisations to follow. Currently, the biggest external threat to the Minster’s future is climate change, brought about by extreme weather events. The Neighbourhood Plan sets a policy-led approach to how we are going to address this as we move towards a low carbon estate. The installation of these solar tiles is an important milestone in delivering that pledge”.

Rvd Canon Michael Smith, Acting Dean of York Minster, said: “We are very excited to have installed these new solar tiles, which signify a first not just for the Minster, but for the wider city. We want to thank both City of York Council and Historic England for their support up to this point, and we hope to continue our partnership working as we seek to deliver our Neighbourhood Plan over the next 15 years which as sustainability at its heart, while also being sensitive to the Precinct’s historic architecture.”

Cllr. Paula Widdowson, Executive Member for Environment and Climate change at City of York Council, added: “I am delighted to see solar tiles installed on a listed building in the Minster Precinct. This has been delivered through City of York Council and the Minster working together to build a solution that satisfies both our climate ambition and our conservation requirements. I am looking forward to seeing many more of these projects delivered across the city in years to come.”

For more information on the Neighbourhood Plan, please visit: https://yorkminster.org/about-us/master-planning/.

New light and sound installation to illuminate York Minster this October

A new light and sound installation from the award winning creators of Northern Lights will illuminate York Minster during October half term to help raise funds to conserve the cathedral’s medieval stained glass and stonework.

Platinum and Light is a new projection and sound artwork from artists Ross Ashton and Karen Monid, who created the spectacular Northern Lights installation which ran at York Minster in October 2019.

The new show, which will run for eight nights from Thursday 20 to Thursday 27 October, is inspired by Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and uses precious metals through the ages, including gold, silver and platinum, to journey through moments in York’s and the Minster’s history and their royal connections.

The events will help raise funds for the Minster’s current project to conserve the medieval St Cuthbert Window, which is one of the largest surviving narrative windows in Europe, and the stonework of the surrounding South Quire Transept.

Neil Sanderson, Director of the York Minster Fund, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Ross and Karen back to York Minster following the success of Northern Lights in 2019 and can’t wait to share this stunning new installation with our visitors.

“The light and sound projection will again illuminate the medieval Minster’s cavernous Nave, travelling down the full length of its ceiling and across the West End and Great West Window, highlighting elements of the cathedral’s architecture and taking inspiration from items in its historic collection.

“We were overwhelmed with the response to the events in 2019, and look forward to welcoming people to see this new installation and experience the Minster in a different light while supporting our work to conserve its world-renowned medieval stained glass and exquisite stonework.”

The events will open on Thursday 20 October with the first show at 9pm, and then run daily until Thursday 27 October with two showings each evening at 7.30pm and 9pm. On Sunday 23 October the shows will be at the earlier times of 6.30pm and 8pm.

Tickets are available here  and cost £7.50 each, or £25 for a family ticket for up to two adults and two children.

Bookings are available by ringing: 01904 557200

Watch the trailer:

The Very Revd Dominic Barrington to be the next Dean of York

The Very Revd Dominic Barrington, Dean of St James Cathedral in Chicago, since 2015, was today announced as the new Dean of York.

His appointment marks a return to the north of England for Dominic who served as a university chaplain at St Chad’s College Durham for five years.  He will take up his post as Dean of York in the Autumn.

Commenting on his appointment, Dominic said: “I am thrilled to be coming to York Minster at this exciting time as we move beyond the pandemic and look to a renewed call to mission and ministry. With my family I am much looking forward to joining the communities associated with this astonishing cathedral and working alongside Archbishop Stephen, the diocese and the province in seeking to Live Christ’s Story.”

Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell said: “Dominic’s extensive experience of parish, chaplaincy  and Cathedral ministry will be such a blessing to York Minster, helping us develop our service to the diocese of York, the northern province of the Church of England and all who come here as tourists or pilgrims.”

The Revd Canon Michael Smith, Acting Dean of York said:  “Dominic and his family will be welcomed by prayerful and committed worshippers, enthused volunteers and a highly skilled and motivated work force all eager to share with him in the next phase of the life of this great cathedral. York Minster is emerging from the pandemic in good heart. We are enjoying worshipping together in person, meeting together face to face again and welcoming increasing numbers of visitors every week to encounter God’s love in this great building.

“Dominic will lead us into an exciting future as we prepare to celebrate our 1400th Anniversary in 2027 and implement our newly approved, trail-blazing Neighbourhood Plan, the blueprint that will govern the development of the Minster Precinct for the next 30 years.”

Dominic began his ministry as curate in the Mortlake with East Sheen Team Ministry in the Diocese of Southwark. He served as a university chaplain at St Chad’s, Durham before becoming priest in charge, and subsequently rector at St Peter & Paul with St Michael’s in Kettering in the Diocese of Peterborough.  He was installed as Dean of St James Cathedral in September 2015 after twenty years of ordained ministry in the Church of England.

Dominic has previously worked with the Arts Council to create and fund new regional touring opportunities for the London Symphony, the Royal Philharmonic, and other orchestras. He also worked for several years with some of Britain’s leading professional choirs and vocal groups.

Dominic is married to Alison, a music therapist, who has worked in both clinical and academic contexts. They have two sons, Benedict and Linus.

Experience Summer at York Minster

Experience Summer at York Minster

Visitors to York Minster this summer will find worship, music, late openings, a thought provoking art installation, block-buster films and fun family activities and events throughout July and August.

Worship

All are welcome to experience worship at the cathedral with daily services of Matins, Holy Communion and Evensong as well as the weekly Sunday Eucharist service.  With the Choir of York Minster enjoying a well-earned summer break, Evensong services throughout July and August will be sung by a series of visiting choirs.

Artwork – ‘Faith and Fracture’

A large-scale art work inspired by the Church of England’s “Living in Love and Faith” project will be on display at York Minster this summer. Suspended four metres above the transept and made of two and a half thousand pieces of fragile, luminous glass, ‘Faith and Fracture’ will be on public view from 10 July until 16 September.

The art work was commissioned by the bishops of the Church of England as part of the “Living in Love and Faith” project which saw an 18-month long discussion held across the Church on the subject of human identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage.  Designed by Alice Walker and David Ferrier, with an accompanying soundscape composed by Matt Eaton, the artists hope people will reflect on what faith might have to say in a world of conflict and fracture.

Seasonal Lates at York Minster

Fridays and Saturdays: 22 July – 3 September, 7pm – 9pm
Explore York Minster in the evening light when the cathedral opens its doors on Friday and Saturday evenings during the summer holidays for its seasonal lates. The Minster will be open for general admission giving visitors the chance to explore the medieval cathedral at their own pace, discover nearly 2,000 years of history in the Undercroft Museum and the opportunity to book Tower Trips.

Music

The Grand Organ Returns – The Inaugural Recital Series 2022
Thursdays 21 July – 18 August, 7pm
Join internationally renowned musicians for a special series of recitals celebrating the return of York Minster’s Grand Organ following its £2m, once-in-a-century refurbishment.

• 21 July, 7pm – Nathan Laube
• 28 July, 7pm – Benjamin Morris
• 4 August, 7pm – David Briggs
• 11 August, 7pm – Margaret Phillips
• 18 August, 7pm – Robert Sharpe.

Open Air Cinema

Luna Cinema
30 August – 1 September, 8pm
The UK’s leading open-air cinema is returning to York Minster’s Dean’s Park with a line-up of all the latest blockbusters, alongside classic feel-good favourites on the big screen. Luna’s 2022 summer programme includes the 25th masterpiece in the James Bond franchise ‘No Time to Die’, the magical ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’ and ‘Grease’ – the ultimate summer night movie.
With fantastic food and drink, VIP sofas, brand new two-seater deckchairs and the truly unique backdrop of York Minster, this is an unmissable event.

• Tuesday 30 August – No Time to Die
• Wednesday 31 August – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
• Thursday 1 September – Grease

Family fun and activities for the summer holidays
There will be a range of activities and events at York Minster for children and families throughout July and August.  Don’t forget that admission is free for children and York residents go free with valid proof of address.

Get crafty in Dean’s Park 
Thursdays and Fridays in August, 10am – 3pm

• Get hands-on with craft activities in our Summer Tent in Dean’s Park.
• 4 and 5 August – Sculpt a royal bust.
• 11 and 12 August – Make a Royal tile.
• 18 and 19 August – Create a crown.
• 25 and 26 August – Design your own shield.

Suitable for children aged 4+

York Bird of Prey Centre
Thursdays and Fridays 28 July – 2 September
The York Bird of Prey Centre from Huby, will join us in Dean’s Park to share and show off the wonderful variety of birds they care for. Drop in throughout the day for free educational talks and demonstrations.

Little Explorer Backpacks
Packed with gadgets including a map, binoculars, and a magnifying glass, our backpacks are perfect for helping little adventurers explore the medieval Minster.  The backpacks are available daily and are free to borrow with general admission on a first come, first served basis.

Dragon Quest Trail
Legendary knight, St George, requests help from the little ones to find all the dragons in York Minster to help him complete his noble quest. Little adventurers will have fun discovering the fascinating fiery creatures that decorate the building.

For more information about summer at York Minster go to: What’s on | York Minster

‘Faith and Fracture’ – Glass Sculpture focused on ‘Beauty of Every Human’ on display in York Minster

A large-scale art installation inspired by the Church of England’s “Living in Love and Faith” project will be on display at York Minster this summer.

Suspended four metres above the transept and made of two and a half thousand pieces of glass, ‘Faith and Fracture’ will be seen by the public from mid-July to mid- September.

The art work was commissioned by the bishops of the Church of England as part of the “Living in Love and Faith” project which saw an 18-month long discussion held across the Church on the subject of human identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage.

Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, said:  “Being human is about being creative and being connected. As the Church of England grapples with its own differences, this luminous sculpture reminds us of the uniqueness and beauty of every human being.

“Each and every human being is loved by God and called to love one another in the pattern of Jesus Christ.”

Visitors will also be able to access an audio recording which includes comments from people who took part in the Living and Love and Faith project.  Designed by Alice Walker and David Ferrier, with an accompanying soundscape composed by Matt Eaton, the artists hope people will reflect on what faith might have to say in a world of conflict and fracture.

Alice Walker said:  “The inspiration for this sculpture began with a piece of sea glass – a unique piece of colourful glass shaped and smoothed by sea and sand.

“Fragile yet luminous, glass can be found in a vibrant array of colours – a way of representing the rich diversity of people who have taken part in the ‘Living in Love and Faith’ project.”

‘Faith and Fracture’ will be on display at York Minster from 10 July until 16 September.  Entry is included with a standard admission ticket. Entry to the Minster is free for York residents with valid proof of address.

A £10,000 funding award for York Minster from the Scientists in Congregations Programme

York Minster has been awarded £10,000 to develop new learning trails that will reveal how science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), helped to build the 800 year-old medieval cathedral.

The Minster is one of ten worship communities to receive funds under the Scientists in Congregations programme, run by Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science. The successful projects span a range of denominations and ecumenical networks.

York Minster’s project – ‘Cathedral Thinking’ STEM Trails – will see the development of a suite of learning trails for children, families, school groups, visitors and worshippers highlighting how the building, its history, use and origins can be navigated via science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The Revd Canon Victoria Johnson, York Minster’s Precentor, was a Cancer Research scientist before ordination and has worked at the interface of science and religion for many years. She believes that science can help people to engage with the Christian faith in new and creative ways.  Canon Victoria said: “There is a scientific underpinning for almost everything that you find at York Minster:  the stunning geometry of the Chapter House roof and the Rose Window; the ancient stone and stained glass right, through to the contemporary structures such as the spectacular new Centre of Excellence that we are developing as part of the York Minster Neighbourhood Plan.

“We will use the Scientists in Congregations award to develop a set of exciting learning trails focused on key themes such as Astronomy, Light and Colour, Ecology, Engineering and Geometry.  Visitors will be able to explore trails both inside and outside stopping at stations and points of interest to learn how science, technology, engineering and mathematics helped to build York Minster.”

This is the fifth round of Scientists in Congregations awards. Since 2014, over 80 churches have received £750,000 through the Scientists in Congregations programme (including the latest round).

Scientists in Congregations is administered by Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science (ECLAS). ECLAS is led from St John’s College, Durham University in partnership with the University of York and the Church of England. ECLAS, and the Scientists in Congregations grants, are funded by the Templeton Religion Trust.

The Revd Prof David Wilkinson, ECLAS Project Co-Director, said: “We are thrilled to support church leaders to explore how science can enrich and expand our view of faith.

“These Scientists in Congregations projects imaginatively demonstrate how science is at the heart of Christian faith, recognising it as a gift from God and recognising the vocation of scientists.”

The full list of churches and organisations receiving funding to participate in Scientists in Congregations 2022-23 is:

•         St Albans Cathedral
•         Sunderland Connect Network
•         York Minster
•         Chester Cathedral
•         The Bible Reading Fellowship
•         Christ Church West Green, London
•         Baptist Union Environment Network (BUEN)
•         St Paul’s, Knightsbridge
•         Parish of Great Missenden with Ballinger and Little Hampden, Oxfordshire
•         St Mark’s Church/Xplore!, Wrexham.

Double Consecration at York Minster

The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell will preside at a double Consecration service at York Minster on Friday 15^th July at 11am.

The Reverend Canon Arun Arora, Vicar of St Nicholas Church, Durham, and Honorary Canon of Durham Cathedral will be consecrated as the Suffragan Bishop of Kirkstall, in the Diocese of Leeds. The Revd Canon Arun succeeds The Right Reverend Paul Slater following his retirement.

The Reverend Canon Robert Saner-Haigh, Residentiary Canon of Newcastle Cathedral and Director of Mission and Ministry for the Diocese of Newcastle, will be consecrated as the next Suffragan Bishop of Penrith in the Diocese of Carlisle. The Revd Canon Robert succeeds The Right Reverend Dr Emma Ineson, following her appointment in April 2021, as the Bishop to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York.

Arun and Robert will be consecrated in front of family and friends who will be attending the first full consecration service at York Minster since March 2020.  The Choir of York Minster will perform at the service.  The service will be live streamed.

Commenting on the double consecration service, Archbishop Stephen said:  “Bishops are ordained to service in God’s church, participating in God’s mission, and encouraging and enabling the ministry of the whole of the people of God. They are the lead pastors and lead evangelists in the diocese – caring for their clergy and building up the Kingdom of God, preaching justice and peace for all. Please pray for Arun and Rob as they take up their new roles, pray for their families and pray for the communities among whom they will minister and serve.”

Sung Eucharist attended by the General Synod of the Church of England Sunday 10th July at York Minster

Officers and members of the General Synod of the Church of England will attend the Sung Eucharist service at York Minster at 11am on Sunday 10^th July for the first time since March 2020. The General Synod’s July meeting will take place in York from 8 -12 July.

The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell will preside at the service.  The sermon will be given by Archbishop Julio E Murray, Primate of the Anglican Church in Central America.  The Choir of York Minster will perform at the service.

The Revd Canon Dr Victoria Johnson, Precentor at York Minster said:  “We are delighted that the General Synod of the Church of England will join with the worshipping community here at York Minster to pray and break bread together. Worship transforms us as individuals and as a community, we belong to one another through worship, we become the people God wants us to be through worship and our faith in God is shaped through our worship. We pray that through our worship on this day, the mission and vision of the whole church may be enlivened and encouraged.”

The Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell said:  “It will be so good to welcome the General Synod of the Church of England back to York after a three year gap, and especially to York Minster itself.

“None of our business makes sense except that it is rooted in our worship of God, our fellowship around the table of the Lord, and the nourishment of word and sacrament.”

Synod members and officers will be among the first to view a spectacular, newly installed artwork at York Minster. ‘Faith and Fracture’ a large scale art installation inspired by the Church of England’s “Living in Love and Faith” project which will be on display at York Minster from mid-July to mid-September.  The art work was commissioned by the bishops of the Church of England as part of the “Living in Love and Faith” project which saw an 18-month long discussion held across the Church on the subject of human identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage.

Later that day, Synod members and officers will be invited to attend a special Evensong Service at 4pm celebrating 25 years of girl choristers at York Minster.  Former girl choristers will sing alongside the current group of girl choristers and the adult singers of York Minster for the celebratory service. The guest preacher will be the Bishop of Whitby, Paul Ferguson, who was Precentor of York Minster 25 years ago when the first group of girl choristers gave their debut performance at the Minster.

Annual Report and Accounts 2021

The Chapter of York, the governing body for York Minster, today published its Annual Report and Accounts for 2021.  Whilst the continuing impact of the Covid pandemic once again created extremely challenging economic conditions, the boom in UK staycation holidays contributed to hopeful signs of recovery at York Minster.

The return of paying visitors, together with healthy retail sales, helped to reduce the cathedral’s year end deficit at 31 December 2021 to £805,000 – a significant deficit reduction from the previous year.

After intermittent periods of permitted re-opening for worship and limited visiting, a new wave of Covid resulted in the complete closure of the Minster from December 2020 until 17 May 2021. The cathedral reopened with strict Covid-secure measures in place, an online-only booking system for general admissions and more online worship opportunities so that people could continue to worship from home.

The Accounts to the year ended 31 December 2021 show a net deficit of £805,000 before taking into account any gains and losses on investments.  This compares to a deficit of £2,304,000 in 2020, the first year of the pandemic.

Incoming resources amounted to £7,143,000 in 2021 (£6,484,000 in 2020).  The £659,000 increase was principally due to a moderate recovery in visitor income (from £868,000 in 2020 to £2,025,000 in 2021) and a notable increase in shop income (£726,000 compared to £344,000 in 2020).  Whilst hugely encouraging, the full recovery of the visitor business will take time: at 226,700 the 2021 visitor figure is 60% behind the 2019 level.

Total expenditure on mission was £7,948,000 (£8,788,000 in 2020) a decrease of £840,000 on the previous year. This was largely due to the lack of learning and outreach activities such as school visits and the absence of costs relating to the Minster School which closed in July 2020, due to the impact of the pandemic.

Chapter recorded a gain on investments of almost £3.3m in 2021 (up £335k on 2020).  However, much of this has been lost in the first months of 2022 due to stock market volatility, inflationary pressures, energy prices, the continuing impact of Covid in China and the global economic shock caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

These investments, together with Chapter’s property portfolio, have a total book value of £42.5m and are held for the long term. Income derived from them contributes to the revenue needed for the day-to-day operation and maintenance of York Minster and its precincts.

The Revd Canon Michael Smith, Acting Dean of York said:  “The tough decisions taken by Chapter in 2020, were vital in securing the cathedral’s future.  Those decisions have put us on the right track:  although we still finished 2021 with a deficit, it was much reduced on the previous year. We are in no doubt: there is still considerable work to do.  Careful stewardship of the cathedral’s resources will remain a priority for many years.

“We also continued to develop and work on the York Minster Precinct Neighbourhood Plan – a trail-blazing, collaborative community project led by the York Minster Neighbourhood Forum.  The plan sets out a 15-year route map to create a sustainable future for the cathedral and its seven-hectare estate. It will carry significant weight in the determination of future planning applications within the Minster Precinct.  The plan was voted through in a community referendum in May and formally ratified by City of York Council. Its delivery will herald the biggest planned programme of works within the Minster Precinct for 150 years.

“This Annual Report and Accounts tell the story of an organisation still recovering from the impact of the global pandemic.  The return of worshippers, visitors and the local community in such great numbers for worship, services, events and exhibitions has been joyous. We are cautiously optimistic for the future but we are in no doubt that recovery will take time.”

The document, ‘York Minster Annual Report and Accounts 2021’ is available here. 

York Minster Neighbourhood Plan is formally adopted

Following a vote by City of York Council’s Executive, the Neighbourhood Plan prepared by the York Minster Neighbourhood Forum has been formally adopted.

The plan sets out a 15-year route map to create a sustainable future for York Minster and its seven-hectare estate, and will carry significant weight in the determination of future planning applications within the Minster Precinct.

Having been voted through in a community referendum of all residents on the electoral register within the Minster Precinct Neighbourhood Area last month, the council voted last night to formally ratify the plan.

This pioneering approach to planning signals the first time that a Neighbourhood Plan has been used to map the future care of a cathedral or heritage estate, and its delivery will herald the biggest planned programme of works within the Minster Precinct Neighbourhood Area in 150 years.

The first stage of the Neighbourhood Plan includes the creation of an internationally renowned Centre of Excellence for the heritage craft skills responsible for the continued care of the Minster.

If approved, this will offer apprentices from the Minster and its network of international partners the opportunity to further develop their skills through cutting-edge digital techniques such as modern saw technology, data scanning and computer aided design.

Alex McCallion, Director of Works & Precinct at York Minster, said: “We are delighted that our trailblazing approach to planning has now been formally adopted by City of York Council, and want to thank our partners at the York Minster Fund and the York Minster Neighbourhood Forum, as well as the local community, for their support in helping to make this a reality.

“The Neighbourhood Plan will be crucial for allowing us to safeguard the Minster, creating a sustainable future for this hugely significant religious, historic and architectural monument, not just for York, but for millions around the world.”

Mark Calvert, Chair of the York Minster Neighbourhood Forum, said: “The York Minster Neighbourhood Plan is a genuinely community-led plan which intimately understands the complexities and sensitivities of planning for change both in a heritage setting and in a historic city such as York.

“It is the culmination of four years of hard work and extensive consultations, and with its official ratification, we are very proud to be leading the way for other heritage organisations to follow.”

Cllr Ashley Mason, Executive Member for Economy and Strategic Planning at City of York Council, added: “We have worked collaboratively with the Minster and its Neighbourhood Forum over a number of years to develop this pioneering Neighbourhood Plan and are pleased to support its formal adoption.

“The plan is truly unique in rooting itself in heritage to safeguard one of our city’s most significant and well known areas, whilst also embracing next generation technology and skills.

“The Minster is enormously important to York and, through delivery of the Neighbourhood Plan, we hope to work with our partners to cement its future for many generations to come.”