Time's running out to buy historic gold
A PUBLIC fund-raising campaign was today due to be launched to keep the Staffordshire Hoard in the region.
The appeal, which is being spearheaded by the Art Fund charity, hopes to raise £3.3 million to buy the treasure for the Potteries Museum in Hanley and Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery.
But the cash must be raised by April 17, and so far £500,000 has been donated.
TV historian Dr David Starkey, who was due to launch the appeal in Birmingham today, believes it is vital the Hoard, comprising around 1,500 items made of gold, silver and precious stones, remains as one collection.
He said: "Archaeological finds don't come any bigger than this. The Staffordshire Hoard is the largest and most valuable collection of Anglo-Saxon gold ever.
"It's the most important find for over half a century and, in terms of the history of Middle England, the most important ever. But break it up or move it and its meaning is lost."
The Art Fund's director, Dr Stephen Deuchar, will kick-start the public appeal by announcing an initial Art Fund grant of £300,000.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council will donate £100,000 to the campaign, and Birmingham City Council, is also giving an initial £100,000.
Dr Deuchar said: "This is the most significant and beautiful treasure find from any era that has ever been unearthed in England.
"We are thrilled to be leading the public campaign and making an initial grant of £300,000 towards the £3.3 million total.
"For years to come the treasure will be a source of awe and inspiration for all to experience.
"We, along with the rest of the nation, are very much looking forward to discovering its story."
The treasure, discovered in a field near Lichfield by Terry Herbert, was valued at £3.3 million in November after being declared to be treasure by the South Staffordshire coroner.
A display featuring 80 pieces will run at Hanley's Potteries Museum and Art Gallery from February 13 to March 7.
Councillor Hazel Lyth, Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for economic development and culture, said: "We are pleased to announce capital funding of £100,000 to support the acquisition of this incredible treasure.
"The Staffordshire Hoard is one of the most significant and important finds ever made in this country.
"Stoke-on-Trent City Council is committed, along with Birmingham City Council, to do everything it can to save the treasure for the country and ensure it stays in the region it was found. The funding will be offset by the tremendous long-term economic benefits this treasure will bring, in terms of attracting visitors and tourist spend.
"We are pursuing funding from other public funding bodies as well, and urge the public to support the campaign and make a donation."
Events and activities will be taking place throughout the West Midlands over the next 13 weeks to raise funds.
In addition to the £3.3 million needed to acquire the Hoard, a longer-term fund-raising strategy is also under way to raise a further £1.7 million to ensure that it can be properly conserved, studied and displayed.
The hoard was declared to be treasure at a coroner's inquest and, as treasure, the Hoard belongs to the Crown. But in practice interested museums can acquire it by paying the finder and landowner its commercial value.
5 Comments
by Councillor Gavin Webb, Staffordshire
Thursday, January 14 2010, 10:45AM
“I have no problems with people voluntarily putting their money to this. What I am objecting to is that the money used for this and other schemes that frankly aren't about life and death, is taken from people with the threat of violence, fine, confiscation or imprisonment.
Individuals work hard for their money and Government over the course of a year takes from them through direct and indirect taxes nearly half their income. Government, backed by a so-called democratic mandate (which is nothing more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for lunch) feels it is perfectly justified to steal your money. Does anyone support this?
To endorse the City Council giving away £100,000 of taxpayers money on this scheme merely results in you not having a voice whenever the majority of other people agree with another scheme being funded that you may not.
As I said previously, the Council is screaming poverty - so much so that most other councillors believe it would be grossly irresponsible 'not' to steal yet more money from taxpayers next year.
So if that's the case, why is it giving away £100,000 here; or £15,000 there, etc. on things that aren't about life and death?
Does it not make anyone else angry that when someone has a brain tumour that they are unable to get the medication they need to improve their quality of life because the NHS - despite receiving over £100bn of ill-gotten gains - can't afford it? It does me, and if I were to endorse this coercive tax system (which I don't by the way) I would prefer that money was spent on looking after genuinely sick and elderly people, and educating (not indoctrinating) our kids; not spending tax money on things like this.”
by anon, stoke-on-trent
Wednesday, January 13 2010, 10:02PM
“Money would have been better spent elsewhere, the days of tourists visiting Stoke have gone. I here people apoligising for bringing partners to hanley for shopping, I didn't think it would be like this, it didn't used to be like this, the usual comments, given all shopping centres have the same shops across the Country says how bad it is.”
by Pam, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
Wednesday, January 13 2010, 7:27PM
“I thank and applaud the Local Authority for the committment in time and money.
I have no doubt whatsoever that in the medium-long term the benefits will be immeasurable economically,educationally and in terms of the national and international and profile perceptions of our City.
This is just the sort of brave decision, initiative and vision we need to help kick start the economic uplift of this remarkable and resilient City.
Lets be proud!”
by andy, stoke
Wednesday, January 13 2010, 5:33PM
“Councillor Webb is really being churlish (an Anglo- Saxon word, I believe) about this. How many people will this display bring into the city? Thousands! How much will they spend in the city? Millions! Who benefits? Everyone in the city.
If the city can save money on tea and biccies in council meetings, it won't take long to cover that £100k. The Hoard will make us all money for ever.
Let's be a winner for a change.”
by Councillor Gavin Webb, Staffordshire
Wednesday, January 13 2010, 4:04PM
“Once again, and despite it screaming poverty, Stoke City Council's Tory, Lib Dem and City Independent leadership wish to steal taxpayers' money to fund something that, yes, some taxpayers may agree with funding but other may not.
Surely finding £100,000 is something that could be done on a voluntary basis, i.e. if it is important to people then they'll voluntarily cough up the money to the fund. If they choose not to, then they've decided that they've got far more pressing personal priorities.
Admittedly, £100,000 isn't that great a sum of money, but this isn't about how much money is being graciously bestowed to the arts by the glorious leaders. It is about the principle of forcing people to part with their money in taxation - with threats of fines and imprisonment - to fund projects that others, not the money earners themselves, feel are important.”