Minster advertises for new “Head of Bell Tower”

keep-calm-i-m-a-bell-ringerThe following job advert has been published by the Minster

Experienced Bell Ringers are invited to apply for the role of Head of Bell Tower at York Minster.  The successful applicant will help us to recruit and establish our new band of volunteer Bell Ringers. Initially a 12 month fixed term appointment (to be reviewed within 12 months), this is expected to require an average 10 hours per week.

York Minster is the Cathedral Church of the Diocese of York and the Metropolitical Cathedral for the Northern Province of the Church of England.   It is a masterpiece in stained glass and stone, with foundations rooted in the nation’s earliest history. Today, as a working cathedral, we invite everyone to share God’s love through our welcome, worship, learning and work.   Our values are courage, wisdom and trust.

The ring of 12 bells in York Minster are widely regarded by experienced change ringers as some of the best sounding bells in the country. The Head of Bell Tower will be responsible for the recruitment and development of a skilled band of York Minster Bell Ringers to lead change ringing for Sunday services and for other special services and occasions in York.

The role will average 10 hours a week including practice (currently Tuesday evenings) ringing on Sundays (9.30-10.30am) and special services and festivals.  Attendance during office hours will be required at least six times a year for training. Initial induction for the role will occur over three days.

Salary c.£7000 per annum

Fixed term appointment

To apply please download an application pack, application form and equality and diversity monitoring form. Completed applications should be emailed to jobs@yorkminster.org or addressed to Victoria Imada, HR and Volunteering Administrator, Church House, 10 – 14 Ogleforth, York, YO1 7JN.

Applications should arrive no later than 5pm on Sunday 26th February 2017. Interviews will be held in York on Saturday 11th March 2017.

Other jobs advertised at the Minster can be found by clicking here

Christmas carol services today in York

York’s Annual outdoor Christmas Carol event takes place today.  

christmas-stre-st-helens-sq-18th-dec-2016The service, which starts at 7.30pm on Saturday 24 December in St Helen’s Square, is supported by the Salvation Army band and involves the audience being encouraged to form the choir for a range of Christmas Carols.

The service is expected to finish at around 8.30pm.

As this is an outdoor event residents and visitors are encouraged to wear suitable clothing for the cold temperatures. Traffic restrictions will be in place at St Helen’s Square, Coney Street and Lendal, which will be closed to traffic from 6.30pm to 9pm as the event takes place.

Earlier the internationally renowned nine lessons and Carols service takes place in the Minster.

The service starts at 4:00pm but those wishing to gain  admittance are advised to be there by 3:00pm

What’s on in York: Brahms German Requiem: York Musical Society and Münster Philharmonic Choir 

York Minster :

Sat 12 Nov :

7.30pm – 10.00pm :

Tickets £5 – £20

Nov 12 YMSHear the marvellous, uplifting Requiem by Brahms, sung by York Musical Society and guests from Münster, accompanied by full orchestra and conducted by David Pipe, in the superb setting of York Minster. YMS performed this piece in German every autumn during the years of the First World War.

For more information click here.

What’s on in York: The Ebor Singers – Mystery and Miracle tomorrow (Sat) at York Minster

  • 22 Oct 16
Start: 19:30
Tickets from £5
BOOK TICKETS

Programme:

JOHN TAVERNER: Mass and motet O Wilhelme

ANON: 15th century York Mass

BRYARS | ROWARTH | MOORE

Following on from the 2016 Minster Mystery Plays, The Ebor Singers explore medieval York, a centre of culture and learning, tracing a path through three centuries of the city’s history. We move from music for the 14th century cycle of Mystery Plays, through to a late 15th century mass that was almost lost during the Reformation when the manuscript was used for binding legers in York Minster, and  a 16th century mass by John Taverner honouring St William of York. Works by Gavin Bryars, Ben Rowarth and Philip Moore provide contemporary reflections on York’s history.

What’s on in York: Illuminating York Minster, 26th – 29th October

 

click for more information

click for more information

Illuminating York is back and set to be more innovative than ever in 2016.  Jason Bruges Studio are creating a choreographed light work for York Minster.

This ticketed event offers festival-goers a unique opportunity to experience and explore York Minster by night in an entirely new way.

Jason Bruges Studio are internationally renowned for producing innovative installations, interventions and ground breaking works including the dynamic illumination of The Shard (London) for New Year’s Eve countdown in 2014.

For York Minster they are creating an immersive experience – working as ‘light masons’ they will orchestrate moving beams of light to create new shapes and spaces within the cavernous nave of the Minster.

click for tickets

Adult:£8
Child: £3.50
Family (2 adults 2 children): £20 (saving £3 on the late ticket price)

Groups of 30+ get a free adult ticket for every ten adults.

 

Walmgate Bar restored to its former glory

Minster east end work completed

Following a £100,000 investment by City of York Council, Walmgate Bar has been fully reopened to the public after the completion of a programme of work to protect and preserve the historic structure.

Walmgate Bar 1830

Walmgate Bar 1830

Over the course of several months the bar, which is the most complete of the four medieval gateways in York, was carefully restored to its former glory. The walls themselves are the best example of medieval city walls still standing in England today.

The work saw the Bar Walls lifted by 10mm by a sophisticated set of hydraulic jacks to allow two of the supporting column capitals to be replaced and for the weight to be redistributed.

A viewing platform has also been added to the roof, enabling residents and visitors to enjoy the view. The thermal insulation of the Bar has been improved through the use of a lime render that incorporates hemp. A hand rail has also been installed on the Barbican walkway, enabling even more people to access it.

Walmgate Bar after restoration 2015

Over one million people walk on the bar walls each year which were originally built as defences. The focus is now on conservation and the council is working with Historic England to help preserve the walls for future generations. Walmgate Bar is a gatehouse to the city and is the only bar to still have its barbican, portcullis and wooden inner doors.

The City Walls are open every day from 8am to dusk. To find out more about the Walls or about the Walmgate Bar project visit:www.york.gov.uk/citywalls

 

Elsewhere the scaffolding has finally come down from the east end of York Minster
Minster East End work completed

Minster East End stonework work completed

 12 years. 16 miles of scaffolding. 2,500 stones…and this one’s the last. Huge news today:
Restoration work is currently taking place on the “CAMERA CANTORUM”. This is the section of the Minster to the left of the south door.
Workers will then move to the South Quire where each window bay needs restoration at a cost of up to £1 million (each).
A fund raising appeal is being led by the York Minster Fund.
CAMERA CANTORUM

CAMERA CANTORUM

South Quire window

South Quire window

York Minster window finally completed

The final piece of the Great East window in the Minster has been reinserted today

Great East Window, the largest single expanse of medieval stained glass in Britain and the master-piece of Coventry glazier John Thornton.

It was commissioned in 1405 and completed by 1408 with York Minster’s Chapter paying £56 for the work, according to information gleaned from 17th-century copies of the medieval contract.

The work is part of York Minster Revealed, a five year project which started in 2011 and is part funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The project involves a £20million investment to restore and conserve the Minster’s majestic East End, develop new visitor attractions including the state-of-the art Revealing York Minster in the Undercroft, improve access to the cathedral and expand training in traditional craft-skills.

The completion of the project is a great testament to the glaziers, stone masons and all the others who have worked so tirelessly to allow this all to happen.

NB. The Minster must raise through voluntary donations at least £1 million each year to keep the fabric of the building in good condition.
Shown above is Nick Teed putting back the last panel of glass

Shown above is Nick Teed putting back the last panel of glass

What’s on: “Recovery Sings” at the Minster

ChapterhouseCity of York Council, York in Recovery and Recovery Sings is delighted to present a celebration of recovery in The Chapter House, York Minster on Wednesday 14 October at 11am.

Recovery Sings is a group of singers based at the Recovery Service Oaktrees Project, which is an abstinence based day treatment centre for people with drug and alcohol addictions in York.   Everyone who is part of Recovery Sings is either in abstinent recovery or a supporter of recovery in the community.

Recovery Sings perform songs that are uplifting and reflect something of the life and journey that people in recovery have experienced, the joy of recovery and the discovery of a positive life without drugs and alcohol.

City of York Council’s Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health Councillor Carol Runciman said: “To be part of a group singing in York Minster is a brilliant opportunity for all members of the Recovery Sings choir.  Singing is great therapy and brings people together in a very special way.  I am delighted to see Recovery Sings being given such a high profile; making their fantastic work more visible.”

The council’s Interim Director of Public Health Sharon Stoltz, who will be speaking at the event, said: “A concert performed by people who have successfully completed the recovery journey is a great motivation to people who are embarking on the process.  York’s recovery programme working with Changing Lives is a very successful model and it is a great opportunity to celebrate its success in iconic surroundings.”

Tickets to the performance are free, but limited.  To reserve your tickets telephone 01904 621776 or email  oaktrees.york@changing-lives.org.uk