Iona Napier
A RAGS to riches story is unfolding in poverty-stricken County Durham in the UK.
Unassuming former mining town Bishop Auckland is set to house some of Spain’s greatest golden age masterpieces.
A former bank, school and pizzeria, Barrington House, is to be overhauled to become a €7.6 million Spanish art gallery and research institute housing work by El Greco, Ribera and Velazquez.
It is all thanks to philanthropist Jonathan Ruffer whose vision led him to donate €35 million to conserve and protect the nearby bishop dwelling Auckland Castle.
