Hexham Abbey is playing host to an unusual display about the Lindisfarne Gospels, which includes a beautiful copy of this amazing Northumbrian treasure.
Reverend Dagmar Winter, from Hexham Abbey, said: "After months of planning for the Lindisfarne Gospels, it is wonderful to see the Facsimile on Tour arriving with us. It will be displayed from Sunday 18th January until Sunday 22nd February.
We trust the manuscript will feel truly at home with us as we are the only church on the tour and St Cuthbert, in whose honour the Lindisfarne Gospels were written, had been Bishop of Hexham."
Hexham Abbey has created a programme of events to celebrate the Gospels, including sessions for school groups, where children can experience the life of a monk, concerts including the famous Black Voices on Friday 20th February, storytelling, calligraphy and a Gospels themed cheese and wine evening on Sunday 22nd February.
Reverend Winter added, "We are thrilled about the levels of demand for the workshops from local schools and are fully booked with groups coming every day during termtime. We hope that adults will also enjoy the exhibition in this special setting.
Hosting the Gospels here is a joint effort and we are grateful for members of the other churches as well as of our own for their generous help. The support of Hexham Community Partnership, our sponsors and others we've worked with on this event has been invaluable."
The original Lindisfarne Gospels is the most important surviving treasure from early Northumbria. It was written in honour of St Cuthbert, Bishop of Lindisfarne between 710 and 720 and is renowned for its intricately designed and decorated pages.
The Facsimile on Tour has been organised by the British Library and the North East Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. Stephanie Kenna, Manager of the British Library's Regional Programme, said "I hope that visitors and locals will make time to see this beautiful state of the art copy of one of the world's greatest religious treasures."
Karen Donaldson, Hexham's Regeneration Manager said, "Events like this one are extremely important to the town, particularly when they happen out of season. We are hoping that the publicity surrounding the Gospels will generate an increase of day visitors, who may make return trips later in the year."
The Gospels display in Hexham Abbey is open to the public, daily from 10.00am to 5.30pm, with a late night opening on Fridays to 7.00pm (all subject to special services). Entry is free, with any donations gratefully received. For further information, or a leaflet about the Gospels programme please telephone Hexham Tourist Information Centre on 01434 652220, or for concert bookings, please telephone the Queen's Hall Box Office on 01434 652476.
The Lindisfarne Gospels - Facsimile on Tour is funded by: The Northumberland Strategic Partnership, One NorthEast, Tynedale Council's Event's Grant Scheme and the North Pennines Leader+ Programme, in association with the British Library and North East Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (NEMLAC).
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