PRESS RELEASE Embargoed until 00.01 on Tuesday 29 th October 2002 ROYAL VISIT MARKS LAUNCH OF WORLD HERITAGE BID A bid to gain world-wide recognition for two of the North East's most historic sites was launched at Jarrow in the presence of His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester. The bid to make the twin monastic sites at St Peter's, Wearmouth and St Paul's, Jarrow a World Heritage Site was formally launched by The Bishop of Durham, Rev. Michael Turnbull at Bede's World on 29 th October 2002. The launch was attended by the Mayors of both Sunderland and South Tyneside as well as other local politicians, business people and community leaders. The Anglo-Saxon monastery was the home of the Venerable Bede, one of the most significant figures in early medieval history. He described Wearmouth Jarrow as "one monastery in two places". Standing remains of the original buildings from both sites remain in use today along with a number of important artefacts and a huge catalogue of writings by Bede which have been in continuous circulation for over 1300 years. If successful, Wearmouth-Jarrow would join the Taj Mahal, Pyramids and Great Wall of China as well as many of the best-known heritage sites in the world (including locally Hadrian's Wall and Durham Castle and Cathedral) on the UNESCO list. The Site has already passed the first hurdle by being listed on a shortlist produced by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Work is now needed on a management plan for the two sites which will.strengthen the case for nomination by the UK government to the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO. Director of Bede's World, Keith Merrin, is spokesman for the partnership leading the bid: "Becoming a World Heritage Site will bring huge benefits to the local area in terms of tourism, educational development and helping to encourage inward investment. We know that Wearmouth-Jarrow meets all of the criteria to become a World Heritage Site but we must now put together a strong case to secure the ongoing management of the twin sites. This process may take a number of years but we have today publicly stated our ambitions to have Wearmouth-Jarrow officially recognised as one of the most important historical sites in the World." The Bishop of Durham, Rev. Michael Turnbull, who launched the bid said: "Without a doubt the sites at Wearmouth and Jarrow were internationally important during the time of Bede but they also continue to be important for the local communities who continue to worship at the two churches and the many thousands of people who visit each year. I am pleased to be able to launch this bid and add my support to those working to make Wearmouth-Jarrow a World Heritage Site." ENDS Notes to Editors:
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