A historic statue at Norton Priory in Runcorn has served as an unexpected catalyst for a new summer cultural programme at Runcorn Museum and Gardens.
The 14th-century statue of St Christopher, dating back to 1390, features prominently in Lucy Boston’s mid-20th-century novels, The Children of Green Knowe. These books later inspired the 2009 feature film From Time to Time, starring Dame Maggie Smith and Hugh Bonneville.
This literary connection has led to the launch of Summer of Stories, a seasonal programme at the museum that will showcase a collection of Lucy Boston’s personal artefacts. Items on display will include original manuscripts, books, posters, and the Carnegie Medal awarded to Boston, all housed in the main gallery throughout the summer.
The programme will also offer a diverse lineup of events, including poetry readings, storytelling sessions, and open-air theatre productions. Featured performances will include Pride and Prejudice on June 25, Wind in the Willows on July 6, and Shakespeare’s The Tempest on August 24.
A highlight of the initiative is Stories from the Soil, an exploration of the history and artefacts found across Norton Priory’s 42-acre estate. Visitors can follow an interpretive trail around the gallery, discovering narratives linked to various historical objects—including a Japanese fairy tale concealed within 18th-century pottery and medieval bottles believed to offer protection from witchcraft.
Senior keeper at Norton Priory, Lynn Smith, emphasized the significance of the exhibition’s location: “We are thrilled to have this marvellous collection on display near to the Saint Christopher statue, which inspired some of the action in the story.”
Boston, born in Southport, lived in Norton village during the 1920s and 30s. Her work reflects the impression the statue left on her. In her 1954 novel, she vividly reimagines the figure: “Out into the moonlight came St Christopher himself, huge and gentle and with his head among the stars, taking the stone Child on his shoulders to Midnight Mass.”
The exhibition blends history, literature, and local heritage, offering visitors a rich tapestry of storytelling anchored by one of Runcorn’s most enduring landmarks.
