The Diocese of Leeds recently welcomed university students from across the country as part of a training project to help widen access to the study of church monument conservation.
The project was part of the Church of England Conservation Grants Programme’s Special Projects scheme and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
It was overseen by Tracy Manning, Senior Conservation Officer in the Cathedral and Church Buildings Department, and Dr Gemma Shearwood from the Church Buildings and Pastoral Re-Organisation Team of the Diocese of Leeds.
Students underwent four weeks of intensive site-based training in surveying the material condition of monuments at Leeds Minster and Halifax Minster under the supervision of professional conservators David Carrington of Skillington Workshop and Jane Cowan from Lincoln Cathedral.
They also conducted extensive research in local archives and libraries to uncover hidden histories behind the monuments under the supervision of Gemma.
At the mid-point of the project, Leeds Minster welcomed a visit from Novelette-Aldoni Stewart, Chair of the Church Buildings Council, and two members of the Contested Heritage Committee.
The delegation was received by the Revd Canon Paul Maybury and Alexa Stephens, the inspecting architect for the minster along with Gemma, Tracy and Jane Cowan.
The Revd Canon Paul Maybury, vicar of Leeds Minster, said: “It was a delight to benefit from the project which was so very well planned and delivered.
“It was wonderful to have the energy and enthusiasm of the students and their tutors in the building and we look forward to sharing their work as soon as we're able.”
Students concluded their site-based training on Friday, July 10 and celebrated with a farewell meal.
They then spent two weeks writing their reports which will be finalised by Gemma, David, and Jane to be used by the minsters to inform their maintenance and public engagement programmes.
The project already has made some crucial interventions at Halifax Minster to a few unstable monuments.
Andy Barber, Operations Manager at the minster, said: “Halifax Minster was delighted to welcome the LMMA project.
“We’re looking forward to receiving the report on the condition and historical/artistic value of the many monuments in the Minster.
“We appreciated the warning about the physical condition and safety of a couple of the monuments and hope these can be restored in the future.
“The team led by Jane Cowan and David Carrington were a pleasure to work with and we wish the students well in their future careers.”
Reflecting on the project, Tracy said: “One of our aims was to bring together students from different backgrounds and perspectives, so they were not only gaining expert guidance from their supervisors, but learning from each other as well.
“They have enjoyed a unique training experience, and parishes have benefitted by gaining the information they need to understand and look after their monuments into the future.
“We hope to continue the project next year.”