A new drinking fountain in Bishop Auckland has been blessed by the Archbishop of York.
The Archbishop blessed the water fountain in a small ceremony as part of his walking tour of the Diocese of Durham with the Bishop of Durham.
The Life Way water fountain was gifted to Durham County Council (DCC) by the organisation Camino, following an agreement with A Coruña Provincial Council in north west Spain.
Since 2016, DCC’s international team, supported by the authority’s tourism service, Visit County Durham, has partnered with representatives from Galicia in Spain to collaborate and explore opportunities for a region-to-region partnership.
The two councils agreed to work together to promote each other’s tourism and pilgrimage offer, mainly focusing on the walking routes of the Camino de Santiago, Camino Inglés and the Northern Saints Trails.
Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, said: “Water is a blessing, a source of life. This practical water fountain, where folk can fill their water bottles, is essential.
“But what makes this fountain even more special, is that it comes from Spain and is a reminder of a connection with the Camino de Santiago trail.
“I have walked this a number of times, each of which has refreshed my soul. The pilgrim route here is a reminder to hydrate our souls as well as our bodies.”
DCC installed the fountain outside the Spanish Gallery as part of its plans to improve the area around the Market Place through the Future High Streets Fund.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
