Public Consultation launched by Culture Minister

Friday 03 Apr 09

Barbara Follett, Government Minister for Culture, Creative Industries and Tourism, has given her support to the Wearmouth-Jarrow World Heritage Site Status bid on a visit to the region (31st March 2009).
Ms Follett also officially launched the public consultation process for the bid after spending time at St Paul’s Church and Bede’s World in Jarrow.
After signing the Book of Life, a modern day ‘manuscript’ used to record comments and signatures of support, Ms Follett said: “World Heritage Site status would give this beautiful and unique site the recognition it deserves. The North East region is doing very well culturally and as well as the recognition, achieving World Heritage Site status would also have a fantastic effect on the local economy.”
A period of consultation will run from April-June where the general public and other interested parties are asked to provide comments and feedback on the bid. People can find out more about the nomination, give their thoughts and pledge support online or at any of the key Wearmouth-Jarrow venues: St Paul’s Church and Bede’s World in Jarrow, St Peter’s Church, National Glass Centre and Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens in Sunderland. The website address is www.wearmouth-jarrow.org.uk

Rt Rev Mark Bryant is Bishop of Jarrow and chairs the Wearmouth-Jarrow Partnership. He said: “It has been a great pleasure to show Ms Follett around this part of our historic site, and we are delighted she has given her official support. It is a huge boost for the nomination and we would now like to ask local people to get behind the bid and ensure world wide recognition for Wearmouth-Jarrow.”

Ms Follett joins a range of high profile people who have pledged their support for the bid, including MPs Gordon Brown, David Cameron, David Milliband and Nick Brown, HRH Duke of Gloucester, David Dimbleby, Niall Quinn and Steve Cram.