BBC documentary series goes behind-the-scenes at York Minster

TV viewers will get the chance to see behind-the-scenes of one of Britain’s great historic buildings this Sunday, 16 March. A small team from the BBC filmed at York Minster for most of 2013 - capturing the unsung heroes whose work ensures the largest medieval Gothic cathedral north of the Alps is kept open and vibrant for all to enjoy.

The results will be seen in the first of a three-part documentary series called 'The Minster' which starts this Sunday at 4.45pm on BBC One (Yorks and Lincs and North East). The programme will also be available on iPlayer.

Executive producer, Nicola Addyman, said: "The documentary goes right to the heart of York Minster during a year when it is in the middle of a huge restoration project and follows the people that make it tick - from the specialist stonemasons and glaziers to the choristers and choirmasters of the York Minster Choir as well as the vergers and the officers of the Minster’s own police force.

"This will be a hugely enjoyable series and will help people realise the massive amount of work - and love - that goes on behind the scenes to keep such a wonderful building alive for the whole country, if not the world, to enjoy."

The Dean of York, the Very Reverend Vivienne Faull, said: “Last year was a hugely busy year at York Minster with the conservation and restoration of the Great East Window well underway and the opening in the spring of our refurbished Undercroft exhibition which has been welcomed with enthusiasm.

“It’s been a great opportunity to have the BBC here to capture not only these major milestones but all the work and activity by staff and volunteers which happens on a daily basis and makes York Minster such a special place for the thousands of people who come to the Minster to attend a service or to experience the glory of the spaces of this huge church.”

The documentary series is a co-commission between BBC Yorkshire and BBC TWO and will be repeated on BBC TWO later this year.