Durham favourite for housing Lindisfarne Gospels

Mar 27 2009 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

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EXACTLY where in the North East the Lindisfarne Gospels should be housed is today at the centre of huge speculation.

With an expected enormous upturn in visitor numbers as thousands flock to the region to see the Gospels, tourism and arts groups, historical experts, university staff and members of the Northumbrian Association are weighing up the pros and cons of various sites as a bid is prepared to loan St Cuthbert’s Book next year.

When the British Library announced its decision to allow a loan for three months every seven years campaigners immediately set to work on the detailed planning needed to safeguard the Gospels.

Durham is emerging as the front-runner in the list of likely locations, but members of the regional steering group admit there is nothing to stop another location challenging for the top spot.

The Cathedral’s credentials are boosted on account of it being home to St Cuthbert’s tomb, the saint in whose honour the Gospels were created.

Roberta Blackman-Woods, Labour MP for Durham City, is leading the bid to have the Gospels loaned out to the Cathedral.

And she claims many, including regional minister Nick Brown, have already backed the case for Durham.

“When we met with the Library we all agreed that Durham was best placed to take the Gospels.

“We certainly haven’t given up getting the Gospels back for good but for now we are happy that at least the Gospels are to return, even for a short while.