The ongoing restoration and maintenance of York Minster is in safe hands, thanks to new stonemasonry apprenticeships funded by the MCF

Three apprenticeships are being introduced over three years at York Minster with the support of £170,000 from the MCF. Each apprentice will learn their craft by working in the Minster’s Stoneyard and studying at York College.

The first apprentice to benefit is 27-year-old Lewis Morrison, who joined the Minster in August 2016. ‘I have an arts-based background and was looking for a career that was practical and creative,’ he explained. ‘I knew I wanted to work in the heritage sector and jumped at the opportunity to work at one of the world’s great medieval cathedrals. The apprenticeship offers me the opportunity to develop my skills alongside some of the country’s most talented craftspeople.’

MCF Deputy President and Chairman James Newman visited York Minster to present staff with a certificate for the grant. He said: ‘Being a Yorkshireman myself, I personally feel the significance that this building plays in many people’s lives. It is an honour to support this project and ensure the longevity of York Minster.’

John David, master mason at York Minster, said: ‘We’re hugely grateful to the Masonic Charitable Foundation for the donation. The funding allows us to provide young people with specialist training, while investing in the fabric and future of this ancient building.’

The Yorkshire, North and East Riding Freemasons have donated a £170,000 grant to the York Minster Fund which has helped to create three new stonemasonry apprenticeships

The three apprenticeships are being introduced over three years, with each individual learning their craft in the cathedral’s Stoneyard alongside award-winning craftspeople, while studying part-time at York College.

The grant comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons and their families from across England and Wales, and is being given in memory of Iain Ross Bryce, a former Provincial Grand Master of Yorkshire and East Riding Freemasons, who died in June 2015.

The first apprentice to benefit from the grant is 27-year-old Lewis Morrison, who joined the cathedral in August 2016 after completing an NVQ Level 2 stonemasonry qualification at York College.

Lewis, who moved to York from Aberdeen in 2015 to start a stonemasonry course at York College, commented: ‘I have an arts based background with a BA in Fine Art Printmaking and was looking for a career which was practical and creative.

‘After completing my course, I knew I wanted to work in the heritage sector and obviously jumped at the opportunity to work at one of the world’s great medieval cathedrals. The apprenticeship offers me the opportunity to develop my skills working alongside some of the country’s most talented craftspeople.’

The apprenticeships in architectural stonemasonry last for four years and include training in stone conservation and repair techniques and fixing masonry on site. The team uses traditional hand tools and the same techniques passed down over centuries by masons working at the cathedral. Individuals also complete a Level 3 NVQ course in banker masonry at York College.

John David, Master Mason, said: ‘We’re hugely grateful to the Masonic Charitable Foundation for the donation. Investing in future generations of craftspeople is something we’re committed to at the Minster and the funding allows us to provide young people with specialist training while investing in the fabric and future of this ancient building.’

Interviews for the second apprenticeship are due to take place this summer with the third opportunity recruited for in 2018.

Mrs Janet Bryce, the widow of Iain Ross Bryce, said: ‘I am very proud as Iain’s wife to be here today. As a long-standing Yorkshire Freemason, the heritage of this county was very close to my husband’s heart. He would have been absolutely delighted to see these new apprentices safeguarding the future of York Minster.’