Celebrate St. Cuthberts Day

Date: 2004-03-11, Publication: The Journal

A call went out last night to Cuthberts across the North-East to help celebrate what it is hoped will become a special annual day for the region.

The Northumbrian Association is organising an easy-going seven-mile walk on St Cuthberts Day on Saturday, March 20, from Chester-le-Street to Durham City via Finchale Abbey.

When the monks of Lindisfarne left the island, they took Cuthberts body to Chester-le-Street and established a shrine.

In 995 Cuthberts body was carried to Durham and the beginnings of the city were founded. Now the association, which is campaigning to bring the Lindisfarne Gospels back to the North-East, wants to make St Cuthberts Day a regional celebration.

Anyone can show their support by taking part in the walk, but organisers are hoping that as many people as possible with the christian or surname of Cuthbert will turn up.

One of the first to volunteer is John Cuthbert, managing director of Northumbrian Water, which is providing refreshments for the walkers at Finchale Abbey.

John and his wife Lynn both went to school in Chester-le-Street and were married in the towns St Marys and St Cuthberts Church - from where the walk will begin.

They also live in the town.

He said: \"The Northumbrian Association is trying to raise the profile of the history and heritage of the region and this walk is a brilliant idea.\"

Cuthbert is the patron saint of Northumbria and association vice chairman Dick Godfrey said: \"The walk will follow the approximate route along which Cuthberts body was carried.\"

Walkers are asked to gather at St Marys and St Cuthberts Church at 10am. More details from John Danby on (0191) 389-2699 or john.danby@ btopenworld.com

The association is also planning to repeat the event on September 4 this year.

Norths famed saint

St Cuthbert became Prior of Lindisfarne in 665 and was later ordained as Bishop.

He died in 687 and in the face of Norse raids the monks left Lindisfarne with Cuthberts coffin and the Gospels. The saints body rested at Chester-le-Street for 113 years but the monks took to the road again as new fears of Danish raids grew. They reached the site of what would become Durham in 995 and Cuthberts shrine was opened in 1104.

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