Volunteers from luxury fashion brand Mulberry swapped handbags for history this week, joining the education team at Wells Cathedral to help prepare materials for a popular schools programme.

Ten staff from Mulberry's development, Lifetime Service Centre and production teams visited the Cathedral on Wednesday 26 March to cut leather blanks for mini Chained Library books – part of the activities on offer during the Cathedral's educational visits. In total, the group prepared around 1,000 leather book covers for future workshops.

The day was part of a long-standing partnership between the Cathedral and the Somerset-based company, which has donated high-quality leather offcuts for several years to support children's learning.

Students visiting the Cathedral have the chance to explore the medieval Chained Library and create their own miniature leather books, complete with illumination. For older pupils, sessions also include comparisons between handwritten and printed religious texts from the 16th century.

Jess Witchell, Learning Manager at Wells Cathedral, said: "We are thrilled to work with Mulberry on this project. Their support is invaluable in helping us bring history to life for students and volunteers alike."

As well as getting hands-on in the Cathedral's education rooms, the volunteers also enjoyed a behind-the-scenes High Parts tour and a chance to learn more about the historic Chained Library itself.

More information about the Cathedral's learning programme can be found at: www.wellscathedral.org.uk/learning.

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