A memorial stone with historic links to Jarrow will make a temporary visit to the town from Surrey, where it has been located for 91 years.
Back in 1934, the people of Surrey contributed to a special fund to help alleviate deprivation in Jarrow. Known as the Surrey Fund, it raised almost £40,000, which was used to create parks and sports grounds, decorate homes and provide clothing and gifts to people in the town.
As a token of gratitude, Jarrow Council removed a stone from the monastery of the Venerable Bede (now known as St Paul’s Church) and presented it to the people of Surrey.
It was inscribed with Jarrow’s coat of arms and the date 1934 and installed into the walls within Guildford Cathedral, on the exterior of the Chapel of the Queen’s Royal Surrey Regiment.
The original stone, known as the Jarrow Stone can’t be moved, so Guildford Cathedral is loaning the ‘Practice Jarrow Stone’, which was used by stonemasons Trollope and Colls, as a preparatory piece before working on the actual Jarrow Stone.
The special loan has been arranged to coincide with a visit to St Paul’s, Jarrow, on 16 April by the family of Sir John Jarvis, the former High Sheriff of Surrey who set up the original fund. The visit will reflect the enduring link between Surrey and Jarrow, forged through philanthropy, history and faith.
The loan follows discussions led by the newly appointed Dean of Guildford (previously Archdeacon of Sunderland), the Very Revd Bob Cooper, and St Paul’s Church, Jarrow.
The practice stone was identified in Ursula’s Porch at Guildford Cathedral, following research undertaken by local Jarrow historian Tom Tweddell.
Bob’s familiarity with Tom’s research and the legacy of Sir John Jarvis made this an especially fitting collaboration.
Dean Bob said: “The link between Guildford Cathedral and the people of Jarrow is a significant one, and one which is being deepened with the loan of the practice stone.
“My own links to Jarrow, having lived in Boldon Colliery for seven years, are strong and I am delighted that this partnership with St Paul’s, Jarrow means that my connections are not diminished by moving to Surrey, rather they are enhanced.
“The contribution Sir John Jarvis made to the life and people of Jarrow was significant, and the continuing link between Guildford Cathedral and Jarrow will only be strengthened by the practice stone loan.”
Councillor Judith Taylor, Lead Member for Culture, Leisure and the Visitor Economy at South Tyneside Council said: “We are thrilled to see the Practice Jarrow Stone being loaned to St Paul’s Church.
“The former Jarrow Council’s donation of a stone from the monastery of the Venerable Bede to the people of Surrey demonstrated our area’s gratitude for Surrey’s support at a time of great economic hardship in the 1930’s. The loaning of this historical artefact marks the continuation of Sir John Jarvis’s legacy, while celebrating and reinforcing our special cultural connection with Surrey.”
Jarrow historian Tom Tweddell said: “My interest in these issues arose out of my curiosity about the effort Sir John made to support Jarrow. It was chance that brought the town to his attention. We now look back 90 years to find this jewel of charity and humanity.
“Examples of comparable jewels are few and far between. Sir John’s legacy is therefore an important reminder to us all about simple Christian values. I hope that people in Guildford and Jarrow see these two stones in their respective churches and ask not just what they are, but what they represent.”
Nicola Pratt, Head of Development at Guildford Cathedral, said: “Guildford Cathedral is delighted to facilitate this meaningful loan. The Practice Jarrow Stone is a tangible link to the past, and this loan highlights the deep historical connections between our communities. We are grateful to Tom Tweddell for his research and to St Paul’s Church, Jarrow, for welcoming this piece of history back to its spiritual home."
The Practice Jarrow Stone will be present at St Paul’s Church for the Jarvis family’s visit on 16 April, an event expected to celebrate the lasting ties between Jarrow and Guildford.
ENDS
Photo: Jarrow historian Tom Tweddell and Dean of Guildford, the Very Revd Bob Cooper with the 'Practice Jarrow Stone'.