Minister Launches Festival

Submitted by Sophie Cringle on Thu, 2009-07-23 14:37
in

Culture Minister Barbara Follett visited York’s Hungate, DIG and Jorvik Viking Centre on Tuesday 21 July in order to launch the Festival of British Archaeology.

The Minister for Culture, Creative Industries and Tourism was on a visit to York in order to launch the 2009 Festival of British Archaeology, which runs from the 18 July to 2 August.

Barbara Follett, trying out a replica of the Sutton Hoo helmet, with York MP Hugh Bayley The Culture Minister, with CBA Director Mike Heyworth (centre) and York Archaeological Trust's Chief Executive John Walker Barbara Follett being interviewed outside the Jorvik Viking Centre Almost half a million budding archaeologists are expected to attend more than 650 digs, walks, talks, family fun and activity days across the UK, discovering Britain’s extraordinary past. She congratulated the Council for British Archaeology for organising this nationwide celebration, commenting that there is a huge and growing public enthusiasm for archaeology. It is important, she said, to bring together all of the different elements of the cultural heritage sector – professionals, voluntary groups, universities and others – to celebrate the best of British archaeology and inspire others to participate in helping to safeguard its future.

CBA Director Mike Heyworth spoke with the Minister about the the issue of raising standards within development control archaeology in order to maximise the public benefit of such work.

During her visit, Ms Follett also announced York Archaeological Trust’s plans to redevelop the world-famous JORVIK Viking Centre, which reflect the charity’s commitment to supporting the wider regional drive to increase annual visitor spend in Yorkshire by £300 million over the next three years.

Since it opened in York 25 years ago, the Viking Centre has had more than 15 million visitors. Speaking about the investment, Barbara Follett said: This is a major boost for tourism in Yorkshire. The JORVIK Viking Centre is without doubt one of the region’s flagship attractions. It has become one of the cultural ‘rites of passage’ for children, and investing in its future will help ensure that the tourism sector in the region remains buoyant.

Chief executive John Walker, said:

Domestic tourism is seeing a boost as the recession bites, but we want to see visitor numbers continue to climb as the economy recovers. It’s vital that the UK tourism industry – and historic attractions in particular – invests in its facilities to remain competitive in a fast moving world by staying relevant, interesting and inspiring. Our feedback shows that visitors to JORVIK are immensely interested in the authentic archaeology behind the centre, and this is at the heart of the redevelopment.