Pledge your support for Wearmouth-Jarrow
The twin Anglo-Saxon monastery of Wearmouth-Jarrow, made up of St Peter's Church in Wearmouth, Sunderland and St Paul's Church in Jarrow, is the UK's nomination for World Heritage Site status in 2011.
Why it's important
The site was established in the 7th century by Benedict Biscop and became one of Europe's most important and influential cultural centres.
Unlike other 7th-century Northumbrian monasteries, where nothing original survives above ground, parts of Benedict Biscop’s original 7th century buildings survive in both churches. When the monastery was excavated, the largest collection of rare 7th-century coloured window glass from any European site was discovered.
Benedict Biscop's also built up one of the best libraries of the day. This enabled Bede to become the greatest scholar of the day, whose works are still in use internationally over 13 centuries on.
If successful, Wearmouth-Jarrow will rank alongside other global landmarks such as the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China and the Pyramids, along with places in Britain already on the UNESCO list such as Hadrian's Wall and Durham Castle and Cathedral.
Wearmouth-Jarrow's outstanding universal value lies in its influence on learning, its part in the emergence of European identity, the survival of original fabric, and as the home of one of scholarship's original giants - Bede.
Inscription will heighten awareness of the site, the region, and Britain; bring an uplift in tourism, potentially worth millions of pounds to the local economy, securing and creating many jobs; increase educational potential; and enrich community identity.
Wearmouth-Jarrow was once one of the most influential institutions in the western world, because of its contribution to learning, creativity and the shaping of European culture. Support is needed now to reawaken understanding of that fact, and so capitalise on the outstanding opportunity that exists to protect these unique places for future generations, and drive forward the cultural life and economy of the North East of England in which they stand.
How you can support the bid
The bid needs your support to make sure that this site gets the worldwide recognition it deserves, and remains protected for future generations.
UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisations) decide on World Heritage Site nominations, and are keen to see that local people are actively involved with nominating the site, so please pledge your support.
You can do this in two ways:
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Visit the wearmouth-jarrow website. Click on Pledge My Support and leave your details
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Visit one of the key venues and sign a Book of Life. The Books of Life are modern-day versions of manuscripts which were used in the 7th century to record the names of a monastery’s supporters
All of the names collected will be counted and used to demonstrate levels of public support.
The venues are:
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St Paul's Church – Jarrow
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St Peter's Church – Wearmouth, Sunderland
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Bede's World – Jarrow
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National Glass Centre – Wearmouth, Sunderland
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Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens – Sunderland City Centre
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