Historic remains re-interred after Minster improvements

A service was held with members of the public, the Vicar of Rotherham, Canon David Bliss, and Mayor of Rotherham Rose McNeely, to mark the occasion.

The remains had been removed from the churchyard to allow the steps at the Minster to be widened.

Canon Bliss said “Many people asked what was happening when the archaeologists were on site.

This service was an opportunity for anyone to be present as the remains of former Rotherham residents were laid to rest.”

A total of £700,000 has been spent on transforming the area around Rotherham Minster.

The project involved lighting the Minster itself, putting in high-quality seating and York stone paving in All Saints’ Square, and extending the entrance steps to the Minster Yard. The stone boundary wall on Church Street was also curved round to create “a more inviting entrance”.

A total of £3.5m of funding came from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Rotherham Council and Yorkshire Forward for the Townscape Heritage Initiative, to improve the area around Rotherham’s High Street.

Much of the present Minster building dates back to the 15th century.