Long-serving Minster pair honoured

Cleaner Pat Adams, 71, and joiner Stephen Agar, 51, both of York, were awarded a certificate of service by the Dean of York, the Reverend Keith Jones, for their years of work at the historic building.

They both started at the Minster shortly after it had been engulfed in the massive fire of 1984.

Mr Agar was bought in to help repair the roof of the 13th century South Transept, which had been utterly destroyed.

He said: "The repair work took four-and-a-half years, it was a massive job but incredible to work on such an historic building.

Mr Agar was retained by the Minster and went on to repair almost every other roof in the building.

He is still a joiner in the works department and general handyman.

Pat Adams began her career working as a cleaner at the adjoining Deanery but was transferred to the Stoneyard after the 1984 fire to clean its offices – she has worked there ever since.

She said: "I've made a lot of friends during my time at the Minster.

"Working here gives you a great sense of belonging."