MBE recognises efforts to help finance efforts to rescue Yorkshire’s treasured medieval Minster

SO FAR-REACHING is the landmark’s history, it is perhaps not surprising that ‘Services to York Minster’ can be included as descriptor for an award in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

And the Michael D’Arcy Benson, 76, has been given an MBE for just that reason.

The Malton man is credited with stabilising and improving the finances of the York Minister Fund from 2007 to 2016. He oversaw a £20m restoration and conservation project between 2011 and 2016 that transformed the cathedral.

Supported by a generous £10.5m grant from the National Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), the landmark project included the restoration and conservation of the Minster’s 600-year-old East Front and Great East Window, the largest single expanse of medieval stained glass in the country.

Mr Benson also spearheaded the establishment of York Minster Revealed, a joint scheme bringing together the Chapter and York Minster Fund in a legal partnership.

He worked closely with the professionals involved, most notably the masons and glaziers,

Further works on the Minster interior were also helped along by the former City of London investment fund manager.

He said: “For me, the modest medal which I’ve been awarded is a great honour – but it’s not for me. It’s for the project as a whole. It’s for the people who actually did the work. I’m just the lucky guy who goes to the Palace to get the medal.”

Speaking about the Minster, he said: “It’s probably the most iconic building in this part of England. It has a fantastic tradition going back nearly 1,000 years. If you go in there you can’t help but have a feeling of peace and feel that God is about.”

Meanwhile, Dr Keith Clarkson, of Filey, North Yorkshire, was awarded an OBE for services to wildlife conservation.

Valerie Jane Hepworth, from Richmond, gets a BEM for services to the Yorkshire Gardens Trust and to conservation.

It’s probably the most iconic building in this part of England.

Michael D’Arcy Benson, who has been awarded an MBE for his work at York Minster.