I was delighted to hear President Macron announce that the Bayeux Tapestry is to come to the UK on loan whilst its current home at the Bayeux Museum is refurbished in 2021/2. As Chairman of the All arty Parliamentary British Museum Group this is something I have been working on behind the scenes with the British Museum and DCMS for some time.
This is a great opportunity for us to make the most of this iconic piece of British History on its first visit outside France, notwithstanding the fact that it was probably made in Canterbury though that is still hotly contested. Whilst the obvious location for it to be displayed is the British Museum as the most visited attraction in the UK and a world class museum, we should also look to make the most of the Sussex connections as the site of the Battle of Hastings.
I have already spoken to Worthing Museum and it would be good if we can set up a series of satellite exhibitions on the theme of the Bayeux Tapestry at regional museums and make sure that local schoolchildren especially make the most of this once in a lifetime opportunity.