Hey everyone! I’m Paddy, a second year marketing student and I’m excited to share my passion for the incredible experiences you can get involved with outside of your studies at York.
Trust me, uni isn’t just about the lectures and modules. Some of the most memorable learnings have come from opportunities outside the classroom. Case in point: The York Festival of Ideas.
The York Festival of Ideas
Every June, the whole city completely comes alive for the York Festival of Ideas. The festival is an annual programme packed with inspiring cultural and academic events. The festival brings together leading figures from industry, science, politics and academia, and showcases the wealth of expertise found within York and beyond. As a York student, I’m proud to say that the festival is the creation of the university which extensively engages with both students and York residents.
The best part of it all is that every event is free! Just make sure to get tickets before they sell out!
An evening in the Minster (yes, really!)
To give you an idea of how cool this gets, I recently went to an event called “York Minster: A Sustainable Future”. Yes, it was actually hosted right inside the breathtaking, massive nave of York Minster itself! It really hits home how lucky we are as York students to have centuries of history as our literal backdrop.
We listened to Alex McCallion (Director of Works at York Minster), who basically has the coolest and most stressful job in York: keeping the Minster from falling down. It turns out, looking after a massive medieval cathedral in the 21st century is a logistical puzzle. Extreme weather and pollution are battering the old stone. Therefore, the team at the Minster are having to blend ancient craftsmanship with modern science to save it for future generations. From the intricate stained-glass windows to the maintenance of the medieval stonework, the Minster requires 24/7 attention.
Mixing 13th-century history with 21st-century tech
The biggest takeaway for me was how they are tackling sustainability. How on earth do you make a 13th-century building eco-friendly for the 21st century?
It turns out climate change is a massive threat to the Minster. Extreme weather and heavy rain are damaging the ancient stone faster than ever. It was eye-opening to hear how the conservation teams have to innovate, balancing historical authenticity with modern engineering to help the building survive.
My favourite part of the event was hearing about the Minster’s renowned Centre of Excellence. Through this institution the Minster is actively keeping ancient trades alive, such as traditional stonemasonry and glazing by training the next generation of craftspeople. It’s pretty inspiring to know that the skills keeping York’s history alive are also helping preserve historic buildings all over the UK.
York’s role in heritage conservation
The event demonstrated that heritage conservation is far more than simply repairing old buildings. It is an ongoing process that combines history, science, engineering, sustainability and craftsmanship. Listening to the challenges faced by the Minster’s conservation teams provided a fascinating perspective on how historic landmarks can remain relevant and resilient in a rapidly changing world.
Uni of York’s unique extracurricular offering
Experiences such as this are one of the many benefits of studying in York. The Festival of Ideas offers opportunities to engage with subjects beyond your degree, encounter experts working at the forefront of their fields, and discover unexpected interests. I certainly did not expect to spend an evening captivated by medieval stone conservation, yet I left with a newfound appreciation for the people and skills dedicated to protecting one of York’s most iconic landmarks for generations to come.
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