House of prayer

After a week of MEWP (cherry picker) activity, clergy at the Priory were quite immune to ‘noises off’ during Morning Prayer. The gentle hum of the MEWP became as restful as a Bach pastorale played on the organ. From Monday the tonal picture changed with the arrival of percussion, in the form of scaffolding.

Scaffolders had arrived to build an amazing edifice in the North Transept. Reaching to the ceiling the substantial new creation will enable stonemasons to repair the stonework around a high level window. It’s hoped that the work, which is not part of Project Light and Space, will be completed before the autumn.

The clunks, crashes and percussive whirrings continued throughout the day, as the tower grew. Visitors watched in awe.
‘How can you work with that racket?’ the Curate was asked, as she worked beside the timelapse camera.
‘You don’t notice it after a bit’ came the honest reply.

The MEWP travelled up and down as experts from the York Glaziers Trust made surveys of the Medieval stained glass and its fixings (‘ferramenta’ - the ironwork structure designed to support the window), whilst others took photos. See them at work in the video below.

Throughout the ever-changing soundscape of the Priory, prayers were said, formally and informally, and candles lit. However it sounds, whatever its state of temporary dishevellment (all in a very good cause), the Priory remains a house of prayer.

Project Light and Space is long awaited and, if we are able to secure Delivery phase funding, will transform the Priory with much-needed facilities, whilst preserving the unique treasures for generations to come, thanks to the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The scaffolding tower and MEWP surveys are due to be complete by Wednesday morning, allowing visitors to move freely around the building once more by Thursday.