On this day in 2016, hidden bones and a leather shoe, possibly intended to ward off evil spirits or witches, were discovered during the restoration of York's Mansion House.
The bones and glass fragments appeared to have been deliberately placed in a wall cavity in the basement, while the shoe was concealed in the void above the State Room ceiling, according to a newsletter about the restoration programme.
"The nature and position of these items suggest they may be ritual deposits, intended to ward off evil spirits or even protect the house from witches!" it said at the time.
A council spokesman indicated that the bones were thought to be from sheep and poultry, and experts were still attempting to date the shoe.
The newsletter also highlighted that repairing structural damage to the State Room ceiling was one of the largest tasks faced by contractors, William Anelay Ltd, in the Opening Doors restoration project.
It said: "Timber supports are now in place on the scaffolding, along with a walkway giving access to the ceiling from beneath. On the floor above, a complex procedure is taking place to insert the steel beams, which will reinforce the 18th-century structure.
"The beams, which must be precisely placed, are so heavy that they have to be laid in sections. There are 10 sections to every beam, and one section alone weighs 72kg."
The news coincided with preparations by former civic heads to stage a fundraising Ladies' Lunch the following day in the new Parade Ring Restaurant at York Racecourse.
The event was being organised by former Lord Mayor Janet Hopton, former Lady Mayoress Pat Kay, and former Sheriff’s Lady Ann Deller, all members of the Mansion House Restoration Fundraising Committee.
Ann noted that the sell-out event had attracted 100 paying guests, including the current Lord Mayor, Cllr Sonja Crisp, and Sheriff’s Lady, Debora Smith, alongside representatives and leaders from various sectors within the city, such as education, religion, business, the guilds, law, and politics.
She said: "The Racecourse Committee, and in particular CEO/Clerk of the Course William Derby, have partnered with the organisers for this event and indeed William Derby will give an after-lunch talk about the recent developments at York Racecourse and an optional tour of some of these exciting new initiatives."
A council spokesman confirmed that the restoration of the Mansion House in St Helen's Square was progressing well, with the main scheme fully funded by £1.2 million in lottery money and £736,000 from the council.
The restoration fund aimed to raise an additional £100,000 to enhance the project, with more than £50,000 already raised through Christmas card sales, grants, and donations.
This story was originally published in The York Press on May 16, 2016.
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