York Minster Stoneyard
| York Minster Stoneyard | |
|---|---|
The stoneyard in 2015 | |
| General information | |
| Location | Minster Yard |
| Town or city | York |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 53°57′43″N 1°04′52″W / 53.962004°N 1.081054°W |
| Construction started | 11th century |
York Minster Stoneyard is the stonemasons dedicated to the upkeep of the stonework of York Minster in York, England.[1] Established in the 11th century, around 400 years before the current cathedral was completed,[2] it has been located in Minster Yard, adjacent to the minster's southeastern corner, since 1913.[3][4] It formerly stood on the site of today's Purey-Cust Lodge, adjacent to Dean's Park, on the minster's northwestern side.[3]
York Minster is one of nine cathedrals in England to possess a permanent masons' workshop.[3] A team of around sixteen stonemasons works at the stoneyard today, ranging from first-year apprentices to the Master Mason.[4] Lead stonemason Lee Godfrey has worked at the minster since 1990.[4]
In addition to York Minster, the masons maintain other buildings under the control of the Dean and Chapter of York.[5]
History
A permanent stoneyard was recommended in the late 18th century by architect John Carr, who had found various parts of the minster in need of repair.[3]
A fire broke out at the stoneyard in 2010, caused by faulty electrical wiring.[6]
Four grotesques dating to the 1700s were removed from the minster in 2019, to be replaced by new carvings.[7]
A statue of Elizabeth II was commissioned at the stoneyard. It was designed using computer-aided design and CNC machines. Charles III and the Queen Consort unveiled the statue in November 2022.[8]
In 2023, the development of a Centre of Excellent for Heritage Craft Skills and Estate Management was announced, including a new masons' workshop. Estimated to cost around £8.5 million,[9] it will be overlooked by York's city walls.[1][10]
References
- ^ a b "York Minster". York Minster. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
- ^ "York Minster to recruit five stonemasons to help preserve historic Gothic cathedral". Yorkshire Post. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
- ^ a b c d "York Minster". York Minster. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
- ^ a b c "Meet the skilled stonemasons working to keep York Minster's legacy alive". Great British Life. 20 October 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
- ^ Commons, Great Britain Parliament House of (1986). Sessional Papers. H.M. Stationery Office. p. 341.
- ^ "York Minster Stoneyard blaze caused by electrical fault". York Press. 1 January 2010. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
- ^ Kelly, Rosalind (29 August 2019). "York Minster". York Minster. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
- ^ "Meet the Stonemason at York Minster Who Created the Queen Elizabeth II Statue". Living North. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
- ^ "Ground broken on York Minster's new £8.5 million 'centre of excellence'". York Press. 10 August 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
- ^ York Minster Official (7 December 2023). Discover… our Centre of Excellence for Heritage Craft Skills and Estate Management. Retrieved 7 February 2025 – via YouTube.