Rivers of Ink -tour in the North-East of England

We are looking forward to increasing the awareness of the world's oldest bible in its place of birth, the North-East of England. In the 8th century, the monks from Wearmouth and Jarrow, produced three single volume bibles, one specifically designed as a gift to Rome. In collaboration with The Projection Studio's skilful artistry (who were involved in the previous Codex project) we are highlighting Codex Amiatinus in the North East during February 2026.

TOUR DATES

St Laurence's church, High Pittington, 1 Hallgarth Lane, Durham, DH6 1DA

View the installation alongside the early medieval wall painting of St. Cuthbert.

Printable poster here: RoI tour poster for Pittington.

Wed 11 Feb

2-7pm Light and sound projection show ongoing

6 pm Public event with a talk from Francis Watson on "Cuthbert, Bede, and Two Great Northumbrian Books"

“Professor Francis Watson is a New Testament specialist in the Durham Department of Theology and Religion, with a particular research focus on the formation of the biblical canon. His talk will highlight the importance of Codex Amiatinus, the oldest surviving complete Bible in any language, comparing and contrasting it with its better-known contemporary, the Lindisfarne Gospels.”

Church of St Mary the Virgin, Holy Island, Berwick-upon-Tweed TD15 2RX 

Check the safe crossing from the Northumberland County Council's Tide timetable.

Printable poster here: RoI Poster for Holy Island.

Fri 13th Feb

9am - 3pm Light and sound projection show ongoing

Sat 14th Feb

9am - 3pm Light and sound projection show ongoing

4.00pm Public event with talks from Francis Watson on “Cuthbert, Bede, and Two Great Northumbrian Books” and David Petts on "What can archaeology tell us about early medieval Lindisfarne?" 

"In his talk, Durham University Archaeology Professor David Petts will highlight some recent archaeological findings on Lindisfarne. Despite its importance as an early medieval ecclesiastical site, until recently there had been relatively little archaeological research into the archaeology of the monastery. However, a team from Durham University / DigVentures has recently completed their tenth season of excavation. This work has provided exciting new insights into the scale of the monastery, and opening up new understandings about life and death at early medieval Lindisfarne. It has also rewriting our long-held chronologies for the presence of the early monks and suggesting that the history of monasticism on the island is far more complex than previously appreciated."

Blackfriars Restaurant, Friars Street, Newcastle NE1 4XN (Pre-booking necessary!)

Blackfriars Restaurant reservations team is handling the bookings. To secure booking, email the team at info@blackfriarsrestaurant.co.uk together with any dietary requirements.

Printable poster here:  RoI Poster for Blackfriars.

Mon 16th Feb 

6pm-7.30pm Light and sound projection show ongoing  

7.30pm Francis Watson's talk on “Another Great Northumbrian Book”

St Paul’s Church, Jarrow, Church Bank, Jarrow NE32 3DY

Printable poster here: RoI Poster for Jarrow. 

Wed 18th

11am -3pm Light and sound projection show ongoing   

4pm Public talk by  Francis Watson on “Cuthbert, Bede, and Two Great Northumbrian Books”

“Professor Francis Watson is a New Testament specialist in the Durham Department of Theology and Religion, with a particular research focus on the formation of the biblical canon. His talk will highlight the importance of Codex Amiatinus, the oldest surviving complete Bible in any language, comparing and contrasting it with its better-known contemporary, the Lindisfarne Gospels.”

Thurs 19th

11am -3pm Light and sound projection show ongoing   

Galilee Chapel, Durham Cathedral, Durham DH1 3EH (Link to the Durham Cathedral booking site: https://www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/visit-us/concerts-events)

Printable poster here: RoI Poster for Cathedral.

Sat 21st Feb

10am – 5pm Light and sound projection show ongoing   

Drop-in workshops suitable for families

3pm Public talk by Francis Watson on “Cuthbert, Bede, and Two Great Northumbrian Books”

“Professor Francis Watson is a New Testament specialist in the Durham Department of Theology and Religion, with a particular research focus on the formation of the biblical canon. His talk will highlight the importance of Codex Amiatinus, the oldest surviving complete Bible in any language, comparing and contrasting it with its better-known contemporary, the Lindisfarne Gospels.”

Sun 22nd Feb

12.30-3.00pm Light and sound projection show ongoing 

Drop-in workshops suitable for families

2pm Public talk by Richard Gameson on "The Three Bibles of Wearmouth/Jarrow"  

Durham University History Professor Richard Gameson is an expert on the history of books, from Antiquity to Renaissance. He explains in his talk "The Three Bibles of Wearmouth/Jarrow" why the community may have wished, and was able, to produce not one but three Bibles, and the religious, scribal, and cultural context (including the textual exemplars) for such an endeavour.

Monday 23rd

10am-5pm Light and sound projection show ongoing 

Drop-in workshops suitable for families.

PEOPLE

Karen Monid and Ross Ashton from The Projection Studio are Honorary Fellows of IMEMS, the Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies.

FEEDBACK

If you have attended any of the venues, you are welcome to respond to our Rivers of Ink feedback questionnaire. Link to the feedback form is also in the QR code.