Heritage restoration programme completed at historic Minster

Crucial work to restore part of Beverley Minster’s crumbling fabric has been completed thanks to a grant of £406,700 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, the project focuses on the Minster’s Lesser South Transept.

Works have involved re-leading the roof, repairing the roof timbers, conserving crumbling stonework and improving the lead gutters.

The previous lead is thought to have been over 200 years old and was leaking, causing decay to the roof structure.

The timbers have been repaired and strengthened where necessary, gutters renewed and the roof recovered, all under the cover of a temporary roof to protect the Minster’s interior.

Restoration work has been carried out by Messenger Construction.

Whilst the extensive scaffold was in place, the Lesser South Transept’s stonework was also renovated using stone from a quarry in Tadcaster where the original stone was from.

The façade was surveyed and severely eroded stones at the higher levels were cut out and replaced to ensure that all the weathering features were functioning correctly.

Reverend Canon Jonathan Baker, vicar of Beverley Minster, said “Caring for the fabric of this important historic building is a big responsibility and so we are delighted to see the completion of the restoration work to the Lesser South Transept’s roof and stonework. We are thrilled to have received this support.

“Thanks to National Lottery players, the Beverley Minster Old Fund and the Friends of Beverley Minster.”

David Renwick, director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, added: “It’s great to see that the work to restore this part of Beverley Minster’s fabric to its former glory has been completed.

“Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, this heritage treasure of the North now boasts a wonderful new roof and renovated stonework, and can continue sharing the historic and nationally significant story of providing a right of sanctuary with its community and beyond.”