Minister visit for Narnia’s characters

The characters of Aslan, Mr Beaver and the White Witch made appearances in Southwell Minster on Saturday as part of a Narnia-themed family fun day.

Around 450 visitors attended the day, which incorporated elements of C. S. Lewis’s book The Lion The Witch And The Wardrobe.

Families and children had the chance to re-live the tale by looking at the cottage of Mr Tumnas and visiting the Beaver family.

The Christian overtones in the novel were highlighted as part of the activities.

Story-telling, puppetry and craft exhibitions took place in different sections of the Minster and there were face painting and craft making stations.

In the afternoon there was a procession with all the characters in costume and children were encouraged to wear masks.

The event was organised by Mrs Emma Anderton, from Southwell Minster’s children’s education department, who saw a similar event at Liverpool Cathedral and thought it should be brought to the Southwell area.

Mrs Anderton (38) from Hucknall, said: “ It was a fantastic day

“I was glad so many people came down to enjoy the minster.”

The marketing officer and one of the organisers, Kathyrn Anderson, said: “As well as running a day for the family to enjoy, we hoped the powerful allegory of C. S. Lewis’s novel would be discovered by visitors of all ages.”