News

The City of Durham Trust and the World Heritage Site are promoting a talk by
Martin Roberts on 24 May 2025 at 2.00 pm in Room ER201, Elvet Riverside, New Elvet, Durham. There is no charge and no booking is required.

Durham Cathedral: an eyecatcher in the landscape

It is said that medieval pilgrims approaching Durham from the southeast, stopped and crossed themselves when they first saw the central tower of the cathedral, five miles away. It was a beacon summoning them to the Shrine of St Cuthbert. But the importance of the cathedral view endured beyond the medieval period. Around the city in their rural estates, the local gentry were transforming their inward-looking gardens into wider, more expansive parkland that quite deliberately embraced the sight of the cathedral as an eyecatcher in the landscape.

The topic fits nicely with current work to update the Setting Study for the Durham Castle and Cathedral World Heritage Site. It will be promoted jointly with the World Heritage Site.

2025 April Newsletter - click to download the latest newsletter for our news, articles and member's events/talks.

Message from the Chair - Marian Morrison The chilly weather didn’t dampen the spirits of your committee. They have had a busy start to 2025 preparing for the AGM and exhibition, which if I say so myself, was a great day. Our two speakers did a grand job of pulling in an audience that weren’t disappointed by their excellent talks. The buzz amongst the tables and exhibitors reminded me that there is a lot of energy in the history and heritage community. I am sure this is something which can be difficult to remember when all our member committees are struggling for support for day to day running of the groups.

We, the committee, have even fitted in a meeting to prepare for the year ahead. We hope that our plans support the direction your feedback is pointing towards. You are telling us that our strength is in providing opportunities for networking and sharing your groups activities and where possible involving the general public and allowing a showcase of history and heritage associated activity in the County. If we create the opportunity all you have to do is turn up and show your projects. This seems be a good way for us to currently support you.

Another item from the AGM, was the Zoom Talks programme, also raised in the last newsletter where I asked for your views on them continuing in 2025-2026. Sadly very little feedback has resulted in the committee coming to the decision that they will not be continued (see Sarah’s report below).

So as an end note, since no one rushed forward to join the committee we have to be selective and use our time where it can maximise our objectives. Keep up to date with what’s happening by going to the Facebook page “County Durham Forum for History & Heritage – Let’s Talk Heritage“ . It’s there for you to “post on“ as well as catch up on what’s going on across the patch.