The tourist attraction at Jarrow announced their closure last month on their website stating: “It is with great regret that the Trustee Board took the decision for Bede’s World to cease operation from Friday 12 February 2016 due to a lack of funds.”
The museum was run by the Bede’s World Charitable Trust with funding assisted by the council, and now there’s a new proposal for it to be handed over to charity Groundwork South Tyneside and Newcastle is in the works.
Councillor Alan Kerr said, “Bede’s World was an important cultural and heritage attraction giving visitors a fascinating insight into Anglo Saxon life.”
The attraction is an Anglo-Saxon opened in 1993 and has welcomed thousands of visitors over the past 23 years. It celebrates the life and work of British Scholar, Venerable Bede.
When plans to close down the museum were under way, Gavin Moore started a petition to South Tyneside Council, saying: “without Bede, much history would have been lost. Bede’s World has been a living breathing museum for people of all ages, as well as a hugely important part of North East history. Lets not let it go.” Which was backed by more than 2,000 petition signatures from around the world.
While the council are discussing with the local charity over new plans, it’s clear to see that Bede’s World is clearly an attraction of the people and many are hoping for it to reopen.