ROMAN Catholics from York will descend on Westminster on November 5 - with far more peaceful intentions than the city's Gunpowder plotter Guy Fawkes.

York's Bar Convent is set to hold a reception in the House of Commons on Guy Fawkes Day to raise awareness of its £2 million refurbishment project.

A spokeswoman said invited guests, including MPs and Ministers, would hear how the Living Heritage Project was set to transform visitor facilities at England's oldest living convent, creating a state-of-the-art exhibition space and making it an accessible place of education, faith and hospitality fit for the 21st century.

She said that while November 5 was notorious for the Gunpowder Plot, the Yorkshire Catholics in London would have much more 'peaceable and productive intent".

She said: "For The Bar Convent, November 5 is a particularly poignant and significant date: Mary Ward, the founder of the Congregation of Jesus order which has been resident of the Convent since 1686, was the niece of two key conspirators in the Gunpowder Plot, John and Christopher Wright.

"An inspirational pioneer in education for girls and the role of women in the Church, Mary Ward founded the Congregation of Jesus in 1609, just four years after the Gunpowder Plot.

"To be able, four centuries after the Gunpowder Plot, to return and hold this reception at the Palace of Westminster is, we feel, particularly fitting."

She added that the appeal had already raised more than £700,000.

York Central MP Hugh Bayley said the Bar Convent had a very important place in York’s history, having been one of the very first institutions to press for rights and education for women.

"I strongly support their £2 million appeal to repair and improve their Grade I listed building, and I am very happy that the Bar Convent are in Westminster to share their exciting plans with my colleagues in Parliament," he said.