York Minster exhibition proving popular

Around 500 people a days are visiting a new exhibition at York Minster.

Running until 17 January 2021, the exhibition – The Heart of Yorkshire:  Creativity and Culture in York Minster’s Collections – takes place in the cathedral’s 13th century Chapter House and features around 50 items, including some rarely on public display.

Highlights include one of the oldest stained glass panels in Europe, ornate 13th century silver artefacts discovered in a former Archbishop’s grave and a copy of York’s first newspaper, printed in the city by an eminent female printer.

The exhibition also includes a copy of York’s first newspaper, the York Mercury, printed in the city by Grace White, who was one of three entrepreneurial female printers in the city operating in the 1600s and 1700s at a time when the industry was dominated by men.

Grace took over her husband’s printing press when she became a widow and ran the business between 1716 and 1721 leading the way with the creation of the local newspaper, with the city eventually boasting eight different titles.

Among the manuscripts on display in the exhibition is the Bolton Hours, a beautifully illuminated 15th century Book of Hours, the exquisite detail of which includes 47 full-page pictures of saints and biblical scenes, and six smaller miniatures.

The exhibition is open from during normal visiting times, currently Monday to Thursday 11am – 4.30pm, Friday and Saturday 10am – 4.30pm and Sunday 12.30pm – 2.30pm. Entry is included with a standard admission ticket and entry to the Minster is free for York residents with a valid proof of address.

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NB. The organ is currently being reinstalled in the Minster. Next comes the not inconsiderable task of tuning the instrument! The internal scaffolding should be coming down shortly

“Streets of York” book heading for sell out

Residents are being urged to “buy early” as the iconic “Streets of York” book heads for a first edition sell out.

The book will be available at the three remaining public exhibition days which are taking place at St Williams College  today, 2:30 – 4:30pm,   and tomorrow Wednesday between 2:30pm and 4:30 pm with a closing evening session between 6:30pm and 8:00pm.

Last chance to see the exhibition comes on Thursday between 2:30pm and 4:30pm. 

The exhibition, which has already attracted over 3000 visitors, must end this week.

Prints of some of the exhibits are still available for sale.

Experts are already describing the book as “collectable”. It is available for £20 per copy for those attending the exhibition