York Guides

Paul Jeeves and Julie Hemmings (Yorkshire Post)

DAME Judi Dench is heading a list of famous names who have given their support to the £30m restoration campaign for York Minster.
The Yorkshire Post gave its backing a fortnight ago to the mammoth fundraising task with the aim of repairing the Minster's East Front over the next decade in the most ambitious restoration of an English cathedral for more than two decades.
The fundraising total has now reached £500,000 since York Minster launched the project in March, more than £3,000 being donated by Yorkshire Post readers.
York-born Dame Judi is among a growing army of celebrities who have given their backing to the fundraising initiative, which includes the restoration of the largest expanse of stained glass in the world at a cost of £6m.
The East Window, which is as large as a tennis court and dates back to 1405, has been described as the Sistine Chapel of stained glass.
A further £15m from the £30m target will be used to repair stonework on the East Front, while the rest will help to fund the Minster's choir and library.
Oscar-winning actress Dame Judi urged Yorkshire Post readers to continue donating to the appeal to restore the cathedral, which holds a special place in her heart.
She said: "When I was a child, my father told me the scaffolding around the Minster would be down by the time I was 60.
"Now I am 70, it has gone up again. I would urge everyone to support the restoration of this splendid building which I hold so dear to ensure its future."
Among the other well-known names to lend their backing to the fundraising campaign is Greg Dyke, who lived in York between 1971 and 1974 while studying for a politics degree at the city's university.
The former director-general of the BBC is now the chancellor at York University.
He said: "I found myself with half a day spare when I was up in York recently, and I decided to have a wander around.
"I visited the house which I bought while I was a student for £1,200 and discovered that the house next door was going for £150,000.
"In some ways I wished I had kept hold of it.
"I also went to the Minster for the first time in 30 years, and I was struck by what a remarkable building it is. It is one of the greatest buildings in Europe. You are still awestruck by the architecture.
"It has always dominated York, and we used to go round the Minster a lot when I was a student. Whenever someone came to visit, I used to take them round as well.
"It would be awful if the money is not raised. We need to make sure that it is preserved for future generations to enjoy as well."
Lord Smith of Finsbury, the former Culture Secretary and now the leader of the arts and culture foundation, the Clore Leadership Programme, told the Yorkshire Post he was happy to lend his support to the appeal.
He said: "York Minster is one of the most glorious Gothic buildings in the world. It's unique and special and has enormous importance for all of us.
"We need to join together to make sure that can apply for future generations too."
The Duke of York is among those who have already pledged support to the fundraising campaign, and has welcomed the backing of the Yorkshire Post.
The Bishop of Birmingham John Sentamu, who will be enthroned as the new Archbishop of York later this year, has also spoken of his hope that the fundraising target will be reached.
His predecessor, Dr David Hope, now parish priest at St Margaret's Church in Ilkley, was the Archbishop of York from 1995 until his retirement in February.
He wholeheartedly endorsed the appeal and urged people to give as generously as they could. Dr Hope added that caring for the Minster was a daunting task similar to painting the Forth Bridge.
"It's a unique building, in the whole of England, let alone in Yorkshire," he said of the Minster.
"I'm aware of the enormous expenditure it consumes just simply in maintaining the fabric apart from services.
"The appeal is a huge challenge for the Minster authorities."
The Minster's director of development, Dr Richard Shephard, said he had been greatly encouraged by the response following the Yorkshire Post's involvement in the fundraising campaign.
He added: "We are all extremely grateful for the support of the many celebrities. It is clear that they share the affection for York Minster with countless others in the county and beyond.
"The minster belongs to all of us no matter what our beliefs or faiths may be. It stands as an emblem of Yorkshire and of the North of England, and the securing of its future is in the hands of this generation.
"This can, at times, seem a rather awe-inspiring responsibility, but it is also an amazing opportunity given to us. I should like to thank all, famous or unknown, who have rallied to the support of the minster."