This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/dec/16/york-minster-bellringers-christmas-leeds
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Silent night: bellringing row leaves York Minster facing quiet Christmas | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| York Minster is likely to remain silent over Christmas for the first time in more than 650 years after bellringers from Leeds refused to step in to replace their 30 sacked colleagues. | York Minster is likely to remain silent over Christmas for the first time in more than 650 years after bellringers from Leeds refused to step in to replace their 30 sacked colleagues. |
| Campanologists from Leeds Minster are the latest to reject an invitation from York to ring the historic bells over the festive period, calling the decision an “act of solidarity”. | Campanologists from Leeds Minster are the latest to reject an invitation from York to ring the historic bells over the festive period, calling the decision an “act of solidarity”. |
| The Central Council of Church Bell Ringers has advised members to follow their consciences when considering approaches from York Minster. | The Central Council of Church Bell Ringers has advised members to follow their consciences when considering approaches from York Minster. |
| The entire York team was abruptly dismissed in October by the chapter of York, the minster’s governing body, in the culmination of growing tensions within the walls of the 15th-century cathedral. | The entire York team was abruptly dismissed in October by the chapter of York, the minster’s governing body, in the culmination of growing tensions within the walls of the 15th-century cathedral. |
| Initially the minster said health and safety factors lay behind the move, but within days John Sentamu, the archbishop of York, held a press conference at which he disclosed that a safeguarding issue was the reason for the mass dismissal. | Initially the minster said health and safety factors lay behind the move, but within days John Sentamu, the archbishop of York, held a press conference at which he disclosed that a safeguarding issue was the reason for the mass dismissal. |
| Some campanologists had “consistently challenged the chapter’s authority on this and other important matters”, he added, requiring decisive action. | Some campanologists had “consistently challenged the chapter’s authority on this and other important matters”, he added, requiring decisive action. |
| In a tweet on Thursday, Vivienne Faull, the dean of York Minster, denied the chapter’s motives were petty, saying “serious concerns about both safety and safeguarding” lay behind the dismissals. | In a tweet on Thursday, Vivienne Faull, the dean of York Minster, denied the chapter’s motives were petty, saying “serious concerns about both safety and safeguarding” lay behind the dismissals. |
| No, Archbishop, not petty but serious concerns about both safety and safeguarding. https://t.co/cGMtIXz0rr | No, Archbishop, not petty but serious concerns about both safety and safeguarding. https://t.co/cGMtIXz0rr |
| Minster sources have suggested that the bellringing team was dominated by one extended family that demanded loyalty from other members, resulting in a “fiefdom”. | Minster sources have suggested that the bellringing team was dominated by one extended family that demanded loyalty from other members, resulting in a “fiefdom”. |
| The chapter said it would recruit a new team in the new year, and members of the sacked team would be eligible to apply. | The chapter said it would recruit a new team in the new year, and members of the sacked team would be eligible to apply. |
| The chapter’s actions caused an outcry among campanologists, who accused the minster authorities of being vindictive. An online petition supporting the bellringers has gathered about 17,000 signatures. | |
| A spokesperson for York Minster said: “The Chapter of York is making plans for future bell ringing arrangements at York Minster and we are drawing on expertise from around the county and country to help us shape those plans. | A spokesperson for York Minster said: “The Chapter of York is making plans for future bell ringing arrangements at York Minster and we are drawing on expertise from around the county and country to help us shape those plans. |
| “We are exploring options for ringing at Christmas but are not yet in a position to confirm if we will go ahead.” | “We are exploring options for ringing at Christmas but are not yet in a position to confirm if we will go ahead.” |