The new monarch, King Charles III, accompanied by The Queen Consort, has unveiled a statue of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, erected in a previously empty niche on the West Front of York Minster.

The statue had originally been intended to mark The Queen’s platinum jubilee this year, but has instead become a memorial to her following her death as Britain’s longest reigning monarch.

King Charles and Camilla were welcomed on arrival at the Minster by the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, Acting Dean Canon Michael Smith and members of the Chapter.

After attending a short service in the Quire, the royal couple met York Minster stonemason Richard Bossons, who was in charge of the design and production of the new statue.

The statue was unveiled by the royal couple as they left the Minster through the Great West Door. The statue of the late Queen is in a niche adjacent to the door on the West Front of the 800 year-old cathedral.

The Archbishop of York blessed the statue, which is 2m tall and weighs nearly two tonnes. It is carved from a block of Lepine stone, a French limestone that has previously been used for figurative carvings at the Minster as well as the restoration of the West Window in 2000. 

Stonemason Richard Bossons is an expert architectural carver and stone mason who has been a member of York Minster’s renowned Stoneyard team since 2011.

His skill in conjunction with laser scanning and CNC cutting produced the sculpture. He first produced a clay maquette of The Queen that was scanned in three dimensions and the stone roughed out under the guidance and instruction of Richard, who oversaw every aspect of the process. Using the scanning and CNC technology is calculated to have saved more than four months' work. Abbey Masonry and Measurement Solutions both played their part.

Richard's design depicts the Sovereign in her Order of the Garter robes with her orb and sceptre, the symbols of her office as Head of Church and State, and wearing the George IV State Diadem.

Richard’s initial concept design was developed in close consultation with York’s Fabric Advisory Committee and the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England, which gave its permission for the principle of the statue under the Care of Cathedrals Measure, the legal framework against which all major changes to cathedral buildings are considered.

Richard said before he started carving the statue earlier this year: “There have been several challenges to overcome with this project in terms of the design. First and foremost I have to complement the magnificent medieval façade of the Minster. The statue needs to be part of the fabric, not a distraction from it, yet it also has to have the poise and presence befitting of the Queen’s unique role as Head of Church and State. The figure is posed to form a protective gesture around the orb and sceptre, while Her Majesty’s gaze is aligned across the proposed Queen Elizabeth Square, the principal approach to York Minster.”

Following the unveiling The King said: “When this statue was first planned five years ago, during a reign of unprecedented duration and achievement, it was intended as a celebration of the late Queen’s platinum jubilee. Now, as we have witnessed, with great sadness, the passing of that reign, it is unveiled in her memory, as a tribute to a life of extraordinary service and devotion.”

He said: “The symbolism of the statue, combining the signs of Church and of State, is perfectly suited to its place on the West Front of this glorious building.” 

The Health & Safety Executive's targeted health initiative on respirable crystalline silica dust in manufacturing businesses across England, Wales and Scotland is continuing. And it warns it will be prosecuting companies found wanting. 

The inspections started at the beginning of October, focussing on the risks to lungs of respirable crystalline silica (RCS), which is found in various concentrations in most stone, rocks, sand and clay, and in products such as engineered quartz and porcelain.

HSE inspectors are visiting manufacturing business where these materials are used. This includes stone companies – and HSE says it will particularly focus on those producing kitchen and bathroom worktops.

HSE inspections will check whether employers and employees know the risks involved when dealing with silica and ensure that control measures are in place to protect workers’ respiratory health.

Prolonged exposure to airborne particles of RCS can lead to life-changing respiratory conditions such as silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer, warns HSE.

It reminds stone companies of its recently refreshed guidance on silica specifically for stone companies that can be downloaded here.

The HSE guidance for controlling exposure to stone dust (HSG201) has also been refreshed.

Silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer can all be caused by breathing in particles of silica of about five microns size. Over time, exposure to silica particles can harm a person's ability to breathe and cause irreversible, often fatal, lung disease.  

Employers have a legal duty to put in place suitable arrangements to manage health & safety and ensure they comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002.

Inspectors visiting companies will be looking for evidence that businesses have put in place effective measures, such as Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV), water suppression and, where appropriate, use of protective equipment such as respiratory protection (RPE) to reduce workers’ exposure to RCS.

If any health and safety breaches are discovered, HSE warns it will take enforcement action.

There is general information about silicosis, including a video, here. In the video, which you can also watch below, HSE’s Chief Medical Advisor, Professor David Fishwick, explains more about silicosis. 

And in case it has slipped your mind, 17 November is World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Day.

COPD describes a number of breathing problems where there is damage to the breathing tubes and air sacs in the lungs, conditions which can be caused by exposure to RCS.

More information on COPD can be found on the HSE website – click here to see it.

The prosecution of a company checking air quality and the effectiveness of local exhaust ventilation (LEV) for firms should be a warning to stone fabricators working with high silica content materials such as granites, slate, sandstone, engineered quartz and porcelain to make sure they accurately measure and record the risks in their factories and workshops.

The Health & Safety Executive says one company offering to test workplace air quality and ensure ventilation systems were performing properly could have put hundreds of workers at risk of serious lung diseases by not adequately training its staff.

Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard on 4 November how Airtec Filtration Ltd was used by businesses across the UK to test extraction ventilation systems in workplaces.

But an investigation by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) found the firm, based in St Helens, Merseyside, provided its customers with reports that potentially left staff in those businesses facing risks to their health.

The issue came to light when HSE inspectors requested Through Examination & Tests (TExT) of local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems from a number of businesses as part of routine inspections and investigations.

Documents presented to inspectors based on tests carried out by Airtec Filtration Ltd raised concerns and an investigation by HSE determined that in 2018 and 2019 Airtec Filtration Ltd was providing TExT of local exhaust ventilation systems claiming its work met the requirements of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002. However, reports provided to businesses left hazardous substances inadequately identified and it became apparent local exhaust ventilation tests had not been carried out correctly.

HSE inspectors visited multiple sites where testing had been undertaken by Airtec and a number of significant and common failings were found.

As a result, Airtec was served with an Improvement Notice on 23 October 2019.

The Improvement Notice required Airtec to provide training to its engineers to ensure they had adequate knowledge and expertise in the assessment, evaluation and control of risk arising from exposure to hazardous substances.

HSE found that Airtec was aware of the need for a competent person who held professional qualifications to carry out the testing but did not provide the necessary training for its engineers.

As a result, Airtec Filtration Ltd, of Manor Street, St Helens, Merseyside, appeared before Manchester Magistrates’ Court on 4 November this year where it pleaded guilty to contravening Section 3(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £2,666 and ordered to pay costs of £4,074.

HSE inspector Rose Leese-Weller says: “Airtec Filtration Ltd provided inadequate training to their engineers while claiming to provide a thorough testing service for LEV systems.

“They provided businesses with unsatisfactory reports based on limited or inconclusive evidence, with little or no consideration of the level of risk of different hazardous substances.

“Inhalation of hazardous substances at work can have devastating consequences to workers leading to occupational asthma, cancer, chemical asphyxiation or neuro-toxic effects.

She said the company had potentially put hundreds of workers at serious risk, adding: "HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards. We hope this sentencing sends out a stark warning to the industry.”

HSE says people who believe they may have been exposed to a hazardous airborne substance in the workplace will understandably be anxious and concerned about the possible effects on their health.

Anyone who is concerned is advised to consult their GP and ask for a note to be made in their personal record about possible exposure, including date(s), duration, type of substance and likely exposure levels (if known).

In some circumstances, the GP may refer people to a specialist in respiratory medicine.

Many stone companies already offer annual silicosis checks to employees as part of their duty of care to employees.

Research from Imperial College London suggests that around 900 cases of lung cancer each year in Britain can be attributed to past exposure to silica dust in the workplace.

This year has seen the launch of a device, the Trolex Air XS, that specifically measures levels of RCS in the air in real time. It is easy to use and mobile. It is made in the UK and is being supplied to the stone industry by Stone Industry Group (SiG) based in Derbyshire. It has already won several awards. Read more about it here.

This year has also seen a new range of British-made face masks launched that have been designed to be more comfortable to wear for an extended period. It is called the Alpha Sentinal range from Globus Group. There is more about that here.

The new Levine Building at Trinity College in Oxford, for which Lovell Stone Group supplied 540m3 of Bath Stone block from Hartham Park underground quarry, received the 2022 Georgian Group Award for a New Building in a Georgian Context on 25 October and the following week an award from the Oxford Preservation Trust.

The Georgian Group Awards were presented at the RIBA headquarters in Portland Place, London, on 25 October. Sponsored by Savills, the Award was presented by Dr John Goodall, Architecture Editor of Country Life, to Hugh Petter, the Director of Adam Architecture who headed the design team for the new building.

Also involved in the project were contractor Gilbert-Ash, consultant Bidwells, consulting engineers Silcock Dawson & Partners, landscapers LDA Design, civil & structural engineers Price & Myers and Cotswold Natural Stone, who supplied the building stone.

The Levine Building comprises a cluster of four new builds on Trinity's historic site. The first major upgrade of the College’s academic facilities in more than 50 years, it provides 46 new student bedrooms, a major new auditorium, a suite of new world-class teaching rooms, a community space and café, function space with rooftop garden, and a new library wing that incorporates disabled access to the listed Trinity College Library.

On a site in a listed garden with significant historic trees nearby, as well as having archaeological interest, the new building sits comfortably with the College’s built and landscape heritage.

The Levine Building was officially opened in May by Prince (now King) Charles. He said at the time: “It’s a great responsibility to create new state-of-the-art facilities within an inspiring and historic setting – and indeed one that includes buildings by such giants as Christopher Wren. I offer my warmest congratulations to the many people who contributed their talents and expertise to create a building worthy of this historic site."

Hugh Petter from Adam Architecture said on winning the Georgian Group Award: “It is an honour to be awarded the Georgian Group Award 2022 and is testament to the exceptional team who have worked so well together to create a flexible, modern, multi-function building that is fit for the 21st century. The opportunity to put a major new building next to listed buildings by some of Britain’s finest architects in a listed garden and within a conservation area is a rare one.”

The Oxford Preservation Trust Award winners were announced on 1 November, when the Levine Building was a Certificate Winner in the New Building category. The award recognises the building’s positive contribution to Oxford’s built and natural environment in its design, contribution to its historic environment, and ability to engage the local community.

The Oxford Preservation Trust is dedicated to conserving the best of Oxford’s past and helping to create a positive future for the city through education, community outreach programmes and buildings, normally through conservation but also new build as appropriate. The Trust’s Awards seek to recognise the contribution that building projects, large and small, can make to Oxford’s character and communities.

Two more pictures of the Levine Building below.

Following the success of the lime mortar training day at the Abbey Ruins in Reading, Berkshire, in August, Cliveden Conservation, which presented the course, is planning more of the lime days at various locations next year.

In Reading, Cliveden, which is an Institute of Historic Building Conservation CPD Provider, partnered with Stone Federation to deliver the day-long lime mortar training course.

The course gave attendees the chance to learn more about using lime mortar on historic buildings, and to hone their skills on the historic Reading Abbey Ruins.

The course content included:

• An introduction to using lime mortar on historic buildings
• Walk down through the Reading Abbey Ruins to The Reredorter
• H&S toolbox talk
• Mixing demonstration of different binders
• Practical sessions on the application of mortar and techniques for pointing, consolidation and tending.

Jane Buxey, the Stone Federation Chief Executive, said of the event: "Training and the promotion of best practice is at the top of the Federation’s agenda. The opportunity to give those in the heritage stone sector the opportunity to hone their skills with the experts from Stone Federation member Cliveden Conservation has been fantastic."

Lewis Proudfoot, the Managing Director of Cliveden Conservation, added: "Our first lime training day was a great success, with Stone Federation members from around the country coming to learn about the practical implications of using lime mortar on historic buildings.

"It was wonderful to see companies showing their commitment to the continued professional development of their employees, especially in an area that is so critical for the sustainable success of our nation's heritage.

"Cliveden Conservation looks forward to hosting more training sessions around the country to further develop traditional skills."

If you would like to be among the first to know about next year's lime courses as they are arranged, email info@clivedenconservation.com and the company will inform you when and where they will be taking place.

There are more pictures from the Reading Abbey Ruins day below to whet your appetite.

The undercroft at Priory House in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, is a rare and almost complete example of 13th century stonework that is currently on Historic England's Heritage at Risk register. To get it off the register, a project began in September to safeguard the historically significant structure, which is suffering the effects of movement that is cracking the stonework.

The repair of Priory House is being run by Dunstable High Street Heritage Action Zone. The £95million Government-funded High Streets Heritage Action Zone programme, which is delivered by Historic England, is intended to unlock the potential of historic high streets, fuelling economic, social and cultural recovery. It is working in partnership with Dunstable Town Council and Historic England at the Priory House.

The project to repair the undercroft sensitively, protecting and retaining as much of the original 13th century fabric as possible, is being progressed by structural engineers The Morton Partnership, building contractor Messenger and conservation specialist Cliveden Conservation.

Trudi Hughes, Historic England Heritage at Risk Surveyor, says: “The really exciting thing is that the undercroft, about which we knew very little other than it was reported to be 13th century, now reveals itself as the ground floor and part of the first floor of a 13th century building, with evidence of partitions.

“There’s a lot more medieval fabric within that 18th and 19th century shell than anybody ever thought before. It’s important that we save, restore and protect this much-loved building for local people and visitors to continue to explore and enjoy.”

As specialist contractor, Cliveden Conservation is focusing on the conservation and repair of the stonework and the external render.

The first stages of the work involve investigating the deterioration of the clunch stone in the undercroft from above and below the vaults to determine the most effective and appropriate method of conservation treatment.

Sarah Tattersall, Conservation Accredited Engineer for The Morton Partnership, says: “The project team have worked hard to understand the causes of the complex structural and environmental issues that have resulted in deterioration to the stonework, through research, investigation and monitoring.

“On the basis of this detailed understanding, proposals have been developed to conserve and sensitively repair the fabric, sourcing clunch stone from the local quarry operated by H G Clarke & Son at Totternhoe.”

Alongside the repair and conservation work, new research will record the rare features of the medieval undercroft and look to understand its relationship with Dunstable Priory more fully. The repairs and renovation are expected to take approximately 10 months.

There is more about the project here and you can watch an eight-minute video about it below.