Southwell Minster celebrates 140th anniversary of Cathedral status with community fun day and Victorian themed events

f.burrows@iliffepublishing.co.uk

Published: 05:00, 10 August 2024

| Updated: 09:18, 10 August 2024

Southwell Minster kicked off a month of celebrations with a community fun day last weekend.

To celebrate 140 years since it became a Cathedral town, Southwell is stepping back in time to the Victorian era throughout August.

The Minster, which was built around 900 years ago, was only given Cathedral status in 1884 when a new diocese for Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire was created.

Martin Sydee, a volunteer at the workhouse , giving a talk in the minster.

Beth, 8, and Georgia, 9, with Maria Hecht (Miss Huff 1840) a volunteer from the workhouse.

Beth 8 and Georga 9 with Maria Hecht (Miss Huff 1840) volunteer from the workhouse family fun day at Southwell Minster

Martin Sydee volunteer at workhouse play a poorer explaining Oakham picking - picking apart old rope family fun day at Southwell Minster

Bridget Rogers portraying Lady Laura ridding (wife of Bishop George Ridding ) at a workshop.

Now, to mark this milestone anniversary the stories and artefacts behind the historic building are being showcased in the Cathedral 140 Exhibition, which is free to visit.

During the weekend fun day, visitors were able to mingle with reinactors dressed as Victorians from Southwell Workhouse, who gave talks and told stories.

There were also themed activities for children including period games, and crafts such as stained glass window designing and lavender bag making.

Sol, 8, and Iris, 10, with try playing with the cup and ball.

Astrid Lowe 3 with Dad ross Lowe stain glass family fun day at Southwell Minster

Bell Mitchell, 6, making lavender bags at the family fun day.

Astrid Lowe 3 with Dad ross Lowe making stained glass.

Dieter Hecht, a volunteer from Southwell Workhouse playing Mr Thomas Weightman, master of workhouse 1838-1851.

Throughout August the celebrations will continue with the streets lined with bunting and shop windows displaying imaginative Victorian designs, organised in association with Shop Southwell and Southwell Shops and Traders.

There is also a Victoria Sponge trail, where visitors can try to spot all the baking ingredients hidden throughout the town, with a special cake recipe card for all those that complete the trail.

Human Interest Southwell Fionn Burrows