WEBVTT Kind: captions Language: en-GB 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.000 Here to add my voice for the campaign to make Durham 00:00:03.000 --> 00:00:06.099 the City of Culture in 2025. 00:00:06.099 --> 00:00:09.511 Now I was born and raised on nearby Tyneside 00:00:09.511 --> 00:00:14.106 but in many ways, Durham has been the historic heart of the northeast. 00:00:14.106 --> 00:00:17.834 As a spiritual centre in the Middle Ages with its stunning cathedral, 00:00:17.834 --> 00:00:21.491 a centre of learning with one of the oldest universities in Britain, 00:00:21.491 --> 00:00:24.885 not to mention its importance to the industrial revolution 00:00:24.885 --> 00:00:29.241 where the mining community is still celebrated every year the miners gala. 00:00:29.241 --> 00:00:32.107 Now there is a lot of talk from the Government about levelling up, 00:00:32.107 --> 00:00:37.725 but more often than not, the region has been overlooked for decade after decade. 00:00:37.725 --> 00:00:39.458 So, for Durham to be selected 00:00:39.458 --> 00:00:41.534 would provide a much-needed spotlight 00:00:41.534 --> 00:00:45.959 on this unique and important culture that is the northeast.