British Library refuses short term loan of Gospels / Annual Dunner

Date: 2005-06-19, Publication: Sunday Sun

Cheeky library bosses in London say they won't even contemplate the idea of allowing the North to have the Lindisfarne Gospels for just a short stay . . . until 2014!

The beautiful 7th century book has been held by the British Library for more than 100 years, despite being created to stay with the remains of St Cuthbert at Durham Cathedral.

It's only been on display in the region twice in 11 years, so Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens felt sure their request to display the Gospels for a few months in 2006 would be granted.

Yet the British Library has said "no", claiming the journey North would be too risky and may even damage the script, which took Eadfrith the monk several years to craft during his stay on Holy Island.

The news has enraged Tyne and Wear Museums director Alec Coles and North MPs, who have now joined forces to lobby the Government over the regional injustice.

"We wanted to borrow them in 2006 but were told moving them would be too much of a risk," said Alec.

"But if they need to be moved to be rested for six months out of every 24 months it's not difficult to move them up here is it?

"But not to worry, the library says it will review the situation in 2014!

"I think it's scandalous that they continue to deny the people of the region their heritage so I want all the MPs to join me in lobbying the library, its trustees and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport."

Alec made his comments at the Northumbrian Association's House of Commons dinner, an annual event where the region's top business, cultural and political leaders gather in London to celebrate the North's heritage.

Stockton South MP Dari Taylor, who was also at the prestigious night, said: "We feel absolutely incensed. This is a serious injustice so we shall use Alec's words and forward them to the ministers.

"For us to make an impact and start shaming them publicly each of us should bring it up with senior ministers."

Berwick MP Alan Beith agreed: "I think we put forward ideal arrangements for a short-term loan.

"They most certainly could be properly cared for so the library is being unhelpfully stubborn.

"Discussions will go on to make sure the Gospels come back to the region they come from."

The Northumbrian Association has been leading the fight to bring the Gospels back to their rightful home, and backs the Sunday Sun's Give Our Gospels Back campaign.

The group's secretary John Danby said: "We're obviously delighted that the annual dinner has forged this union."

Dr missed a rare invitation

The grand old man of Ulster Unionism didn't realise that he had stumbled upon an annual celebration of everything different, special and to be treasured about the North East of England.

I spotted Dr Ian Paisley's gaunt and haunted features emerging on to the terrace overlooking the Thames running the length of the wonderfully ornate structure which is the nation's centre of political power.

If he'd been anyone else, I suspect that one of the MPs or Peers in our company would have hastened to greet him, offering a welcoming explanation and a glass of Northumbrian hospitality.

But Dr Paisley realised that he wasn't where he thought he was, frowned and retreated before I could spring to his side, make my pitch and offer him the bargain of Life Membership.

What a recruit that would have been. What a voice to have sounding the call for the return of our Gospels.

Instead, I returned to the politicians, business people, media types, movers and shakers.

Networking, it's called in elevated circles. Having a bit of crack is a more fitting description.

Some of our number are Northumbrians by birth who have been obliged to move away. Others, like me, are Northumbrians by choice, with all the passion of the converted.

It gives people of quite different backgrounds an important bond. Last year, I witnessed an incident which graphically illustrated this point.

Peter Atkinson, Tory MP for Hexham, enthusiastically greeted Ronnie Campbell, the Labour MP for Blyth.

In the bear pit of the Commons, they would have been at each other's throats. Here, they could relax on shared ground.

And this is precisely what makes the Northumbrian Association's House of Commons Dinner so important.

We can press our case on the Lindisfarne Gospels . . . and it's also enormous fun.

Back to Articles