The Story So Far
Work started in 2019 with the erection of scaffolding to the south side of the quire for the re-roofing works. In June of 2020, work moved inside and the Chapter House conservation work began. There have been two teams of specialist builders working on the project, Heritage Conservation Restoration (HCR) were responsible for the roof works, while Croft are on site working on the Chapter House and the garden. It is anticipated that work will move outside by the end of 2020.
Behind the scenes, the project team, which includes Architects, Archaeologists, Minster staff, quantity surveyors, designers and project managers, is working together to ensure that the project is a success and reaches out to the community with opportunities to hear about the works as they progress and that there is a lasting legacy for the future. We are busy documenting and evaluating the work as it progresses, capturing its development for the future.
The Leaves Project Updates

Rediscovering Notts: The Leaves of Southwell
December 16, 2021Notts TV recently filmed an episode of their popular history programme Rediscovering Notts at Southwell Minster and you can view it here.

Leaves Talk Series Returns
October 4, 2021Our popular series of talks based on the Leaves of Southwell returns.

‘House of Houses’ – A ‘Leaves of Southwell’ Conference
August 11, 2021Join an international team of expert speakers to explore a vast array of fascinating topics including:

29: National Volunteers’ Week
June 4, 2021It’s National Volunteers’ Week and we want to take time to thank all our amazing volunteers who have contributed to the Leaves of Southwell project so far. Click photo for more

28: Introducing GCSE art students to the Chapter House
May 28, 2021Local school, Magnus CoE, given a sneak preview of the almost finished conservation works! Click photo for more

27: Let there be light!
May 21, 2021The new external lighting is up and running at Southwell Minster. Click photo for more.
Previous Events

Leaves Talk Series Returns
October 4, 2021Our popular series of talks based on the Leaves of Southwell returns.

‘House of Houses’ – A ‘Leaves of Southwell’ Conference
August 11, 2021Join an international team of expert speakers to explore a vast array of fascinating topics including:

Unlocking Nature’s Secrets – Photography Competition 2021 – Winners and best shots
May 13, 2021We had an amazing response to our photo competition earlier in the year, the standard was truly incredible – thanks to all who entered! Click the photo for more

Listening to the Leaves talk: view video
March 23, 2021The latest in the series of Leaves of Southwell online talks. Join two of our Minster Stewards as they explore what the Leaves of Southwell can teach us about medieval life in England when the Chapter House was built. Click on the photo to find out more and view the recording.

Carved in Stone talk: view video
March 9, 2021The latest in the series of Leaves of Southwell online talks. Cassie Harrington explores the iconography of Green Men during the High Gothic period. Click on the photo to find out more and view the recording.

Unlocking Nature’s Secrets – Photography Competition 2021
March 4, 2021Have you taken a beautiful shot of nature during lockdown? If so, why not enter our new competition and you could win yourself a great prize. Click on the photo for more.

Re-leaf talk: view video
February 24, 2021The latest in the series of Leaves of Southwell online talks. Cathedral Architect, Nick Rank explores the exciting and essential conservation work to the Chapter House over the last couple of year. Click on the photo to find out more and view the recording.

Fantastic Faces
February 20, 2021We had some fantastic pancake faces sent in to us as part of a recent competition. Click on the photo for more.

Masons and Carvers talk: view video
February 10, 2021Cathedral Archaeologist, Professor Philip Dixon explores the latest evidence of what is known about Southwell Minster and discusses the role of the medieval stonemason and carvers. Click on the photo to find out more and view the recording.

Nikolaus Pevsner talk: view video
January 27, 2021The third in the Leaves of Southwell series explores the life of Nikolaus Pevsner, author of the ‘Leaves of Southwell’. Dr Helen Bates provides an overview of his life and his connection to the Leaves of Southwell. Click on the photo to find out more and view the recording

Paint Detectives talk
January 13, 2021The second Leaves of Southwell online talk explored the latest analysis of the paint pigments in the Chapter House. Click on the photo to find out more.

Lost Traditions talk: view video
December 2, 2020This seasonal talk, with Dr Sophie Holllinshead, explores some of the customs, recipes, folklore and sayings that mark rural life as the days reach their shortest. Click on the image to find out more and view a recording.

Hard Hat Tours
September 25, 2020As part of the Leaves project, vital restoration work was completed on the Quire Roof and Chapter House. We had the unique opportunity to lead some hard hat tours, seeing the conservation work well underway.

Green Man Craft Competition 2020
September 20, 2020The Education Department ran a craft competition to find the best knitted/sewn/felted/crocheted Green Man or Woman, during Spring 2020. People were invited to create a ‘green man’ inspired by the incredible and world-renowned medieval carvings in the Minster’s Chapter House.
Music in the Chapter House
March 4, 2020Hannah Turner performing “After the Dust” in the Chapter House.

Family Fun Day 2020
February 18, 2020On the 18th February 2020, we had a family fun day filled with exciting crafts, games, trails and activities for all ages! Many of these activities were inspired by the Leaves of Southwell project.

Adult Leaf Printing Workshop
February 1, 2020A printmaking adult workshop was led in partnership with Inspire. All the students learnt how to create beautiful pieces of artwork using nature’s foliage inspired by the Chapter House carvings.
A series of videos created during the development phase of the ‘Leaves of Southwell’ Project, 2018
The Leaves of Southwell Project: An overview of the rationale in the development phase of the project.
Video © Taskscape Associates Ltd.
An Art Historical Interpretation of the Leaves: The leaves of Southwell, an art historical perspective with Professor Paul Binski, Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge.
Video © Taskscape Associates Ltd.
Naumberg Cathedral Visit: Staff research visit to compare the leaves at Naumberg Cathedral in Germany.
Video © Taskscape Associates Ltd.
After Pevsner: Revisiting the Leaves of Southwell, Conference 2018: The speakers comment on their perspective of the leaves.
Video © Taskscape Associates Ltd.
After Pevsner: Revisiting the Leaves of Southwell, conference feedback: Delegates give their views of the conference and topics.
Video © Taskscape Associates Ltd.