York's Early Music Foundation was today starting to take shape as work began on the £2m transformation of St Margaret's Church, Walmgate.

HIGH NOTE: Tim Bayley, of York Waits, welcomes the start of work on the National Centre for Early Music with Simpson Construction site manager Mark CreganPicture: Garry Atkinson

Organisers of the project were on hand to welcome in the builders after is the Arts Council of England confirmed a £1.5m lottery grant towards creating the National Centre For Early Music.

Delma Tomlin, administrative director of the foundation, said: "This project has taken a remarkably long time to get off the ground and I'm extraordinarily grateful to all those who have continued to keep faith with us over the past couple of years.

"But now we have finally got the confirmation from the Arts Council that we can create the national centre here in York, we will start work on the restoration of the church immediately.

"We will formally open the new building with a celebratory series of concerts, educational events and activities at Easter in the Millennium - what better time to re-open one of York's most remarkable Grade I listed buildings." Other organisations have already given their backing to the project and more than £500,000 has been pledged by organisations including English Heritage, the York Civic Trust and the Garfield Weston Foundation.

A contractor has been appointed to carry out the work and Simpson Construction, of Osbaldwick were piped on to the site by Tim Bayley of York Waits today.

The York-based company, which employs 103 people locally, said it was delighted to have won the contract, which will provide a unique facility.

The work is due to be completed in January 2000 and the company said it will provide a wonderful opportunity for York's craftsmen and tradesmen to demonstrate their skills and add to the heritage of the city.

Once the centre is opened it will provide opportunities for young musicians, professionals and amateurs to work with leading figures in early music in a variety of ways including masterclasses, residencies and performances as well as acting as a central office for the York Early Music Festival.

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