The Prime Minister has been presented with a picture of the Staffordshire Hoard and Lichfield Cathedral’s Anglo Saxon treasures.
The presentation to David Cameron was made by the leader of Lichfield District Council, Mike Wilcox on behalf of the Staffordshire Hoard Mercian Trail Partnership.
Cllr Wilcox explained: “Leaders of local councils were invited to London to meet with the Prime Minister to learn more about the government’s plans and to speak personally to David Cameron about the issues local councils face.
“As well as speaking to the Prime Minister about how the government can help our residents through national policy setting, it was an opportunity to promote our district and region to the highest levels of government.”
Cllr Wilcox continued: “One of the things we are really proud of in Lichfield District is the Staffordshire Hoard and our own Anglo Saxon artefacts, the Lichfield Angel and St Chad Gospels, which is older than the famous Book of Kells.
“I wanted to share the story of these stunning treasures with the Prime Minister. I also wanted to explain our plans for a long-term exhibition of the Staffordshire Hoard at Lichfield Cathedral, which are being worked on by partners across the region, as part of the development of the Staffordshire Hoard Mercian Trail.
“The Prime Minister was bowled over by how many people attended our regional tour, and talked to me about the economic benefits a treasure like the Staffordshire Hoard can bring to a region, as well as how important culture and heritage is to local residents, businesses and to communities as a whole.”
The picture, which features images of the Staffordshire Hoard pectoral cross, the Lichfield Angel and a page from the St Chad Gospels, was framed by a Burntwood company, Lichfield Frame.
Nigel Camacho, owner of Lichfield Frames said: “I’m absolutely thrilled that images we framed will be displayed in Number 10!”
Cllr Mike Wilcox, added: “The Prime Minister asked me to keep him informed about how the Staffordshire Hoard Mercian Trail develops and explained that he would very much like to visit the region in future to see the Staffordshire Hoard on display, as part of the trail.”
It would make politicians seem a little less alien if they took a closer interest in our Anglo-Saxon treasures.