The Heritage Lottery Fund has granted £10 million to the York Minster to be used for restoration works at the famous cathedral. The historical Great East Window will be repaired, among other parts of the building. Actress Dame Judi Dench, who was born in York, celebrated the monetary aid saying it was “marvelous news”.

“I was born in York and the Minster is particularly dear to my heart. It's also the backdrop to my theatrical heritage as I had my acting debut there in the Fifties when I performed in the Mystery Plays,” Dench explained. “It's marvelous news that the Heritage Lottery Fund has been so generous.”

The construction of the Minster started in 1220, which makes it the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe and one of the most important buildings in the United Kingdom. The fragile condition of the east end and the stonework will require several years of restoration, something that now will be possible thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund grant.

“York Minster is one of the world's greatest buildings, and now the Heritage Lottery Fund is helping us not just to keep it standing, but provide a dazzling experience for millions of people”, Reverend Keith Jones, Dean of York Minster said. “This is great for us all, and especially for York, for Yorkshire, and the North. It also puts us on the map at a time when the whole world will be coming to Britain.”

Currently, there are about 500 volunteers at the Minster and there are plans to attract students from the Universities of York and York St John, to get involved in the reconstruction of the cathedral.