Minster belle

The Duke waves to the crowd outside the Minster today as he shows one of the six bells to be installed in the Minster

The appeal aims to cast six new chime bells, each weighing between one and three tonnes, to accompany the famous Great Peter Bell in the Minster's North-West Tower.

The chimes will sound every quarter hour and also on the hour, prior to Great Peter - the deepest toned bell in England - chiming the hour for the first time.

The appeal was announced by the Duke during his visit to York today. If it is a success, the new chime bells will ring out across York on Friday, August 4, as a 100th birthday tribute to the Queen Mother.

The Dean of York, the Very Rev Raymond Furnell, said that three cheques totalling £60,000 had already been received from the Friends of York Minster, the York Minster Fund and the Dean and Chapter.

The Dukesaid: "I will be doing my own personal bit to help.

"I would hope that everybody will lend their support and find novel ways of raising money in their areas towards this scheme. I would hope that we can raise the money required in record time."

The Duke said how delighted and pleased he was to be in York once again. "I have a very close and fond relationship with York and Yorkshire."

The Lord Mayor of York, Councillor Peter Vaughan, said 16 cities, towns and districts from across Yorkshire had sent representatives for today's launch. "These bells will be a truly lasting tribute to the remarkable Queen Mother," he said.

Outside the Minster, scores of royal watchers cheered and applauded as the Duke emerged to inspect the first of the six bells.

David Hurlston, a student from the South Bank area of York, presented the Duke with an early birthday card.

He said: "I know his birthday is not until the 19th, but he seemed happy with the card, and thanked me for remembering."

And fellow royal follower Linda Mitchell, of Pontefract, handed over a 40th birthday balloon.

Susan Welsh, from Leeds, gave him a Yorkshire tea-towel.

She said: "I told him he was a new man, and he will be able to do the washing up, and think of Yorkshire. He said 'you are a little early,' but he was grateful."

The Queen Mother, who has been a patron of the Friends of York Minster since the 1930s, today expressed her delight at the Yorkshire tribute.

"As Patron of the Friends of York Minster, I have always had a special affection for the people of Yorkshire," she said.

"I am therefore delighted that the proposal to enhance the chiming bells of Great Peter in the North-West Tower of the Minster has been suggested to commemorate my 100th birthday.

"I hope that this project, when completed, will bring joy and pleasure to many people."

The bells are being cast at the John Taylor Bell Foundry in Loughborough, where Great Peter itself was re-cast in 1927.

Each bell will be designed to sound a different note on being struck mechanically by hammers, producing the hymn tune "York".

Earlier today, the Duke visited St Olave's School, the junior school of St Peter's School, to open a new extension to boarding facilities at Wentworth House.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the bells fund should send cheques, payable to York Minster Bells Appeal, to PO Box 419, York Y01 7YT, or pay them in at any Yorkshire branch of HSBC, Barclays, Bradford & Bingley, Halifax, Lloyds TSB or Nat West.

Alternatively, they can visit the appeal website at www.Yorkminsterbells.org and use the secure donation system.

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Laughing Duke grants day off school

Pupils at St Olave's School in York got their dearest wish today from the Duke of York - a day off school.

Pupils cheered madly when the Evening Press asked them for their reaction to the concession made during Prince Andrew's visit.

The Duke was touring an extension at Wentworth House, a girl's boarding house at St Olave's, the junior school for St Peter's School.

The day off was granted after Wentworth housemaster John Slingsby joked with the

Duke and told him that in 1895 the then Duke of York visited St Peter's and granted pupils a week's holiday. He asked the present-day Duke if he could do the same.

"I said I understand times are hard but could we make do with one day," said Mr Slingsby.

The Duke then smiled and said he would grant the pupils a day off. The master of St Olave's, Trevor Mulryne, said the day's holiday would be called Duke of York's Day and would take place later this year.

The Duke looked round new dormitories and living areas in the extension.Ruth Wheeler, 11, said she had told him she came from Linton-on-Ouse, a village he was familiar with from his days at RAF Linton-on-Ouse carrying out basic flying training.

The Duke also wished Sophie Rose, who was 13 today, a happy birthday.

"He was absolutely charming and fantastic with the children," said Mr Slingsby.

Earlier, a crowd of excited children had greeted the Duke as his helicopter landed in their school field.

Staff and pupils from St Olave's and Clifton Preparatory School nearby had been waiting in bright winter sunshine for around 20 minutes for the Duke's arrival.

He was welcomed by St Peter's head, Andrew Trotman, the vice-chairman of the school governors, Maj Gen Murray Naylor and the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Lord Crathorne, before starting his visit.

He chatted with pupils who lined his path up to the boarding house.Edward Diggory, nine, was one of the pupils who snatched a word.

"I told him my favourite subjects were maths and science. My dad's a doctor and when I grow up I want to be an eye specialist,." said Edward.

Rebecca Jacobs, 12, and Helen Ashman, 12, told him their favourite subjects were Latin and art. Peter Horwell, 13, said he told the Duke of his plans to move on to St Peter's.

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