Paddington welcomed as newest resident of the Cathedral Close

Norwich has officially welcomed its newest resident, with a brand-new Paddington statue being unveiled by STUDIOCANAL in the grounds of Norwich Cathedral today.

Arriving just in time for February half-term, the unveiling event was attended by excited local schoolchildren, Cathedral choristers and the Dean of Norwich, as everyone gathered to welcome their favourite marmalade-loving bear to the city.

The Dean of Norwich, the Very Revd Dr Andrew Braddock, said: “Norwich Cathedral is delighted to host a Paddington statue. Paddington, the bear from Peru, is known for his kindness and curiosity and is loved by all ages. We look forward to welcoming all those eager to have a picture taken alongside him.”

Sitting proudly on a bench near the Cathedral’s Herb Garden and dressed in his signature red hat and blue duffle coat, Norwich received the honour of hosting Paddington after triumphing over 90 other towns and cities to win a competition to find an exceptional home for a 24th specially commissioned statue.

Among the many brilliant competition entries was one from Laura Palmer, a local primary school teacher. She shared how Paddington inspires her pupils “to be brave and explore not only new places but also new ideas and challenges, even if things go wrong along the way.”

Mark Baker, a local parent, also contributed a heartfelt entry that described treasured moments with his Paddington-loving daughter, enjoying marmalade sandwiches while exploring scenic trails around Norwich. Mark suggested that Paddington would be a perfect addition to the city, describing it as a “permanent ray of happiness for all ages.”

Stefan Gurney, Executive Director of Norwich Business Improvement District, said: “Paddington has taken up residence in Norwich thanks to the amazing efforts of our community, including everyone from schoolchildren to shop owners who wrote heartfelt entries encouraging Paddington to pay a visit to our City of Stories!”

“It’s fantastic to see so many members of the community come together today to welcome Paddington. This city is full of adventure, rich stories, and a warm, friendly atmosphere, and Paddington is a wonderful addition.”

The Norwich statue now joins the Paddington Visits statue trail, which has already seen 23 statues appear in cities, towns and beauty spots all over the UK and Ireland since October last year. The trail has been a huge success, with fans from all over stopping for selfies with Paddington in locations from John O’Groats to County Mayo to Chester.

To help intrepid explorers like Paddington, STUDIOCANAL has partnered with Ordnance Survey to help UK and Irish fans find the statues, making it easier than ever to embark on your own marmalade-fueled adventure. For more details, visit Ordnance Survey’s website.