NEWS RELEASE
For the first time in six years, the York Minster Fund is to open up the cathedral’s nave to host a gala dinner.
The Fund has partnered with York-based Langleys Solicitors for the Northern Lights Dinner, on 15 June, where up to 900 guests from Yorkshire and beyond will gather to experience fine dining and spectacular entertainment.
Langleys’ headline sponsorship marks the start of a new partnership between the law firm and the York Minster Fund which will see a programme of events unfold at the Minster over the coming months.
The Northern Lights Dinner will raise money towards an exciting project already underway at York Minster – a 20-year programme to provide cutting-edge protective glazing to all the windows within the Minster.
Of the 128 windows in the cathedral, 125 contain stained glass of either historic or artistic importance, with some of the glazing over 700 years old. The corrosive effects of weather and condensation over seven centuries have resulted in significant damage to the glass including thinning, flaking paintwork and even holes.
York Minster holds one of the greatest collections of medieval and post-medieval stained glass windows ever painted and they need to be preserved. The Northern Lights Dinner is part of a four- year campaign to build an ongoing endowment for the protection and restoration of the Minster’s priceless historic glass.
Contributions to this endowment will be match-funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, so doubling the proceeds of the Northern Lights Dinner.
Neil Sanderson, Director of the York Minster Fund, said: “The Northern Lights Dinner will be the event of the year and we are delighted that Langleys has chosen to support this great cause. We see this as the start of a journey together and are excited by the prospect of working with Langleys.”
“The support for the event so far has been fantastic, with only a few tables remaining to be sold. These exquisite windows are world-class masterpieces and must be protected for future generations. We are grateful to the sponsors who have already pledged their support for the event and we look forward to hearing from other potential sponsors wanting to get involved in this work.”
David Thompson, managing partner at Langleys Solicitors, said: “We are very pleased to enter into this exciting partnership with the York Minster Fund and help to drive its mission to preserve the Minster’s magnificent stained glass windows for the benefit of all to enjoy.”
“Like the Minster, Langleys is a landmark organisation in York and this partnership is a great opportunity to showcase the characteristics we share – history, heritage, long term planning and attention to detail.”
