21/01/2011

Issued by City of York Council

With less than three months before the city finds out whether it will be on the UK Tentative List of World Heritage Sites, York`s bid to become a World Heritage Site has received valuable support from seven influential people who have agreed to act as ambassadors for the bid:

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu
Professor Brian Cantor, Vice Chancellor, University of York
Professor David Fleming, Vice Chancellor, York St. John University
Professor Julian D. Richards, Head, Department of Archaeology, University of York
Professor Helen Weinstein, Director, Institute of the Public Understanding of the Past, University of York
Mrs. Sylvia Thomas, President, Yorkshire Archaeological Society
Mr. Gary Verity, Chief Executive, Welcome to Yorkshire

They will spread the word about York's bid to be placed on the new UK Tentative List of World Heritage Sites - an essential step in its ambitions to become a World Heritage Site. York's case to become one of the internationally recognised sites is based on the incredibly well preserved archaeological deposits that lie beneath the city, which tell the tale of York's history through everyday items used by the Romans, Saxons, and Vikings, as well as later settlers. 

Janet Hopton, chairman of York World Heritage Steering Group, said: "To have the support of such distinguished names is truly fantastic We know that York has a strong case to become a World Heritage Site - in fact most people are amazed that it isn't one already - and we hope that the work we are doing now to raise the profile of the bid will help its case."

York submitted an application for designation as a World Heritage Site last year, along with 37 other schemes hoping to be accepted on the UK's Tentative List of potential nominations for World Heritage status. A panel of experts will assess the city's application before the new Tentative List is announced in March. The first nomination on the UK list will be submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in 2012.

Residents can support the bid by ‘liking' York World Heritage Bid facebook page.

(ENDS)