Synod in Minster charges battle

The Synod of the Diocese of York has passed an emergency motion calling for the reversal of the decision to introduce admission fees, which was announced last month by the Dean of York, the Very Rev Raymond Furnell.

Frank Harris, of Derwent Deanery, put forward the motion, which said: "This Synod regrets the decision taken by the Dean and Chapter of York Minster to introduce an admission charge for entry to the Minster.

"It believes that such a charge will be counterproductive and calls, therefore, for the Dean and Chapter to rescind the decision."

The Synod, which is the representative body of the Diocese of York, voted 65 to two against the fees, with ten abstentions.

Mr Harris said: "I was recognising that the decision had been made, but the level of charging had not. I was saying that I regretted that the charges had been made, and I hoped that they were fixed at a low rate in order not to deter many visitors and their families.

"There was very, very strong feeling against the charge, and many didn't feel my motion was strong enough."

The Archbishop of York, who chaired the meeting, did not use his vote. The Synod represents the 600 churches in the area, but its decisions are not binding on the Dean and Chapter of York Minster.

The Dean said: "The decision to introduce charges has already been made, and unfortunately we were not told that this emergency motion was put forward as a debate on the agenda so we were not there to have any input at the meeting.

"As such, I do not feel it can have been a very informed debate, but we will reflect on the views expressed further when we have been told officially what they are."

Martin Sheppard, spokesman for the diocese, said: "It was quite overwhelming that, although people understood the tremendous difficulties in funding a building of that size, age and character, the Synod's view is strongly against it."

Updated: 10:56 Monday, May 12, 2003