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25 Oct 05 13:55 14:55 UK |
An ancient manuscript containing some of the earliest surviving examples of written Welsh is returning to Wales - but only in a digital format.
Scholars are divided over whether the St Chad Gospels - or St Teilo Gospels - originated in England or Wales.
The book has been at Lichfield Cathedral for 1,000 years but some claim its rightful home is Llandeilo.
The original manuscript is too fragile to be displayed but a digital version will go on permanent show in Llandeilo.
The text of the 8th Century gospels was written in Latin but along the margins were notes written in Welsh, including references to the nearby village of Brechfa.
According to one school of thought the book was written in the Llandeilo area around 1,300 years ago but then stolen by light-fingered English monks at the beginning of the 11th Century.
Others say it was not Welsh in origin at all and was only loaned to Llandeilo from the Staffordshire area where it now rests.
Lichfield Cathedral has always subscribed to the latter view although has now teamed up with the British Library and the Parish of Llandeilo Fawr for the digital project.
Visitors will be able to view digital images of the book and turn the pages using touch-screen technology.
They will also be able to listen to bi-lingual commentary explaining the significance of each page.
The vicar of St Teilo's Church in Llandeilo, The Rev Dr Peter Bement, said the original manuscript was fragile and light-sensitive so an electronic copy was ideal for the church.
"It is wonderful to know that such an exciting project is coming to fruition.
"It has involved a lot of hard work and dedication from the community."
Dr Bement said the virtual reality book would be accompanied by an exhibition under the medieval tower - the oldest part of the church.
He hoped would help tourism and become an added attraction on the planned Towy Valley tourism trail.
A simplified version will also be available on the internet and for sale on CD Rom.
There will also be an exhibition in Lichfield Cathedral to celebrate the time the gospels were held there.
Almost £75,000 has come from the Carmarthenshire Council administered 1Fund with the British Library and Lichfield Cathedral funding the remaining £32,000 cost of the project.