Teacher helps heal rifts after Minster ding-dong
IT IS one of the best known historical monuments in northern England and its towering mound is the last remaining element of York’s medieval castle.
However, the famous landmark of Clifford’s Tower, which has inspired generations of artists and visitors, could be changed forever after campaigners lost their High Court challenge against a plan for a controversial visitor centre.
English Heritage wants to build the centre below the 13thcentury tower at the base of its green motte, which features in countless images of the city, including LS Lowry’s famous painting which has been displayed at York Art Gallery.
Last year York City Council approved the plan for a gift shop and interpretation centre, which also includes new stairs up to the castle and a range of improved visitor features inside the keep.
The decision was challenged by a group of local residents led by independent city councillor Johnny Hayes in an application for judicial review at the High Court in Leeds.
But Mr Justice Kerr yesterday rejected all grounds of challenge as he handed down his judgement in London and ordered Mr Hayes and the residents to pay £5,000 towards the council’s legal costs incurred defending the plan.
Mr Hayes said: “We are clearly disappointed with the decision, but we are not bowed. We will go back to our legal team and assess what to do next. Despite of everything I am still optimistic that we can persuade English Heritage to change its mind. We have to.”
It was largely due to the relentless optimism of Mr Hayes, who was described by his QC Anthony Crean “as a tribune of the people in the finest traditions of local democracy”, that the campaign against the plans gathered momentum. Within days of setting up an online petition it had garnered 4,000 signatures and a crowdfunding campaign successfully raised a £14,000 battle fund.
Their case centred on claims there had been a failure to identify and assess the significance of Clifford’s Tower and its setting and planning guidelines had been misinterpreted.
The judge acknowledged the new plans for the tower, which involve archaeological works and potential disturbance to buried YORK MINSTER has hired a local primary school headteacher to recruit a new team of bell ringers, following the removal of the previous volunteers for what the Archbishop of York called “repeated disregard” of policies for safeguarding the vulnerable.
The bells at the Minster fell silent after the team was told its services were no longer needed, although visiting ringers have since been drafted in.
Angela Mitchell, who was a member of the team for 20 years, and whose husband and daughter are also ringers, has now been appointed as the Head of Bell Tower, and will oversee the recruitment of a replacement team.
Mrs Mitchell, whose 12-month contract is worth £7,000 for a 10hour week, said: “The recent history of bell ringing at the Minster has been difficult and there is some healing to do. However, I am really looking forward to working with the new team and I hope that the news of my appointment will help to move things forward.”
She added: “The Minster needed someone with a set of specific skills including risk assessments, safeguarding, health and safety and safer recruitment, all of which I do as part of my everyday work as a headteacher.”
The tower’s 12 bells are regarded as among the best sounding in the country. An advertisement for new ringers in the specialist campanology magazine
attracted 42 applications. The advert stressed that previous experience was essential.
“They are some of the biggest bells in the country. They can only be rung by people who know what they are doing,” said Sharon Atkinson, the Minster’s director of communications. Most of the applications are from members of the previous team. Ms Atkinson said: “We had always said we would welcome them back.”