SUNDERLAND LIBRARY GOERS SHOW THEIR SUPPORT FOR WORLD HERITAGE SITE BID

Friday 14 Nov 08

People visiting libraries across Sunderland are being asked to back the bid for a World Heritage Site in Sunderland.
The twin monastery of Wearmouth-Jarrow, centred on St Peter’s Church in Sunderland and St Paul’s Church in Jarrow, will be nominated for World Heritage Site status by the UK government in 2010.
If it is to be successful local people have to show they support the nomination. In a bid to get as many signatures as possible a ‘Book of Life’ will be touring the city’s libraries to collect signatures – starting Monkwearmouth Library, close to St Peter’s Church.
The books on tour are new versions of an old manuscript, which would have been used to record the names of supporters of particular monasteries over many centuries, from the days when the monasteries were first built. Once complete the signatures will be presented to UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee, the people who decide which sites are given the world-wide recognition.
Norma Burnett signed the book at Monkwearmouth library, she said: “ I’ve been a member of the congregation at St Peter’s for over 30 years, so I was delighted to pledge my support for the bid. The church is very special and it definitely deserves World Heritage Site status.”
Rev Mark Bryant Bishop of Jarrow, Chair of the Wearmouth-Jarrow Partnership, said: “These churches were at the heart of the monastery of Wearmouth-Jarrow – which was one of the most important and influential centres of learning in Europe at the time. They had one of the best libraries and as a result produced one of the greatest scholars who ever lived.
“If we are successful in the bid, then this site will be given the same world importance as the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China and the Pyramids.”
The book will be at Monkwearmouth until October 2nd, and then visit Southwick Library (6-23 Oct), Bunnyhill Library (27 Oct-13 Nov), Kayll Road Library (17 Nov –3 Dec), Ryhope Library (8-23 Dec), Fulwell Library (30 Dec – 15 Jan 2009), Houghton Library (19 Jan- 5 Feb), Sandhill Library (9-26 Feb), Shiney Row Library (2 –19 March), Washington Millenium Centre (23 March – 8 April) and City Library and Arts Centre (14-30 April)