On Monday 9 July 1984 lightning struck York Minster’s South Transept.

Fire destroyed the roof and caused the Rose Window to crack in approximately 40,000 places. Skilled craftspeople undertook a four-year restoration project, returning the transept to its former glory.

“The whole chapel was covered in a thick layer of carbon dust, fallen timbers and fragments of charcoal.”

– Elizabeth Ingram, Head Broderer

As soon as the flames were extinguished the clean-up operation began. Ankle-deep water filled the South Transept and a massive volume of water was pumped out of the Undercroft, aided by the Roman drain which still functions beneath the Minster.

God our creator, help us to be ever mindful of our responsibility to care for this earth. Protect us all from the effects of extreme weather and the dangers it presents to life and habitat.

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Image reproduced from Alamy.