Minster window smashed by rugby ball undergoing repair

11 hours ago

Holly Phillips,East Yorkshire and Lincolnshireand

Natalie Glanvill,East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

News image — James Cameron, of Hull Minster, said he had been "overwhelmed" by the generosity of those who had raised funds to pay for the repairs

Jasmine Lowe/BBC News A man with brown hair, a cropped beard and glasses standing outside a large stone-built church. He is wearing a striped shirt, in shades of grey, and black coat. — James Cameron, of Hull Minster, said he had been "overwhelmed" by the generosity of those who had raised funds to pay for the repairs

Repairs are under way at Hull Minster after £18,000 was raised to fix a stained-glass window smashed by a rugby ball.

The ball broke part of the church's west window in February when, according to a witness, it was kicked about 26ft (8m) into the air.

The funding will also pay for repairs to the east window, which was previously damaged by air rifle pellets.

"We've been overwhelmed by the generosity of the community, of the city of Hull and of the congregation," said James Cameron, the minster's heritage project manager.

Hull Minster The front of Hull Minster, with a section of the stained-glass window missing. — Cameron says they need to keep the church well insulated before winter to keep the bills down

Experts from York Glaziers Trust are carrying out the repairs until Wednesday.

Cameron said he was "encouraged" and "relieved" to see that work had started because windows were an "important memorialisation" of some of Hull's most prominent citizens.

"We're incredibly fortunate to be in a position to make repairs to these stained glass windows," he added.

Hull Minster Two people on a crane fixing part of a stained-glass window inside Hull Minster. One is wearing a yellow high-visibility jacket, black trousers and a white hard hat. The other is wearing a black jumper, black trousers and a white hard hat. — Repairs on the two windows started on Monday

Following the incident, Cameron described the damage as worse than that inflicted on the church during the World War Two bombing raids.

While the £18,000 will be spent on the current repairs, a further £12,000 is needed to repair the north windows and those in the tower and will be raised through crowdfunding.

Hull Minster remains open during the work.

Listen to highlights fromHull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North.

Download the BBC News app from the App Storefor iPhone and iPad orGoogle Play for Android devices