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------Apologies for cross-postings, please distribute to your contacts as you feel appropriate------- PRESS RELEASE: Treasury acknowledges ‘genuine treasures’ in the North East. Government top brass turned out in droves to voice their support for the fantastic work carried out by museums, libraries and archives in the North East. Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, was joined by almost 100 ministers and MPs who viewed a hoard of North East treasures at a pioneering House of Commons reception. A clock forever frozen in time by the shelling of Hartlepool during World War I, a watercolour by England’s most famous painter and a painting of the Blaydon Races were among items on display from collections in the North East, the North West and Yorkshire. The event was organised by the Museums, Libraries and Archives (MLA) Partnership to celebrate the rich culture and history of the North. It also demonstrated culture’s contribution to the life and prosperity of the regions through tourism, learning, social identity and community. Launching the event last week (Wednesday, February 28), John Tarrant, MLA Board Member and Chairman of MLA Yorkshire, said: “This is a unique event, nothing like this has ever happened before. We are here to celebrate the wealth of culture and history looked after on our nation’s behalf by the North.” MPs and Lords from the North East, the North West, Yorkshire and the rest of the country were given the opportunity to see for themselves how government funding towards the Renaissance programme is transforming museums. They also discovered how further support and funding in the next Comprehensive Spending Review4 is vital to continuing the excellent work already accomplished by museums, libraries and archives. MLA regional chief executives and staff were on hand to answer queries, as were experienced curatorial and conservation staff from museums, libraries and archives across the North East. Other artifacts displayed included: • a mug commemorating the 1832 electioneering campaign of The Bowes Museum founder and anti-slavery campaigner John Bowes • a silver embroidered binding of Francis Bacon’s essays presented by the author to Charles I which is held at Durham University Library • a photograph album from the archives of Swan Hunter detailing the building of the Mauretania in Wallsend, looked after by Tyne and Wear Museums • a selection of folk art items created by members of the working classes living in the 19th century which is on display at Beamish Open Air Museum. Download the full press release at http://www.mlanortheast.org.uk/nemlac/page.php3?469 . Subscribe to MLA North East News at http://www.mlanortheast.org.uk/nemlac/page.php3?27 Subscribe to MLA North East Web Update Alert http://www.mlanortheast.org.uk/nemlac/mlist.php3?58 Many thanks, Richard Archer MLA North East House of Recovery Bath Lane Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5SQ Tel: 0191 222 1661 Minicom available Fax: 0191 261 4725 Mobile: 07708 379 741 e-Mail: [log in to unmask] Web site: http://www.mlanortheast.org.uk If you are visiting MLA North East offices for a meeting, training, or just a chat, please inform us beforehand if you have any access needs or requirements. ********************************************************************** This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. All incoming and outgoing e-mails are monitored for the presence of profanity and racist remarks, pornographic, sexually explicit or obscene material, and unsolicited content or spam. This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept by MIMEsweeper for the presence of computer viruses. www.mimesweeper.com City of Newcastle website:- http://www.newcastle.gov.uk Newcastle Schools website:- http://www.newcastle-schools.org.uk Visit NewcastleGateshead:- http://www.visitnewcastle.co.uk Directgov:- http://www.directgov.gov.uk **********************************************************************