The Prime Minister, an Angel and the Staffordshire Hoard
On Thursday 24 November 2011, Cllr Mike Wilcox, Leader of Lichfield District Council, presented a framed photograph of the Staffordshire Hoard to the Right Honourable, David Cameron Prime Minister, at a reception at Number 10 Downing Street, on behalf of the Staffordshire Hoard Mercian Trail Partnership.
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 could help residents through national policy setting, it was an opportunity to promote the district and region to the highest levels of government.
Cllr Mike Wilcox, Leader of Lichfield District Council, explained: “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 features images of the Staffordshire Hoard pectoral cross, the Lichfield Angel and a page from the St Chad Gospels.
Cllr Mike Wilcox, concluded: “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.”
