City says So Long, Soyuz, as capsule leaves cathedral

Peterborough said a fond farewell to the Soyuz space capsule on Monday after the ship had spent three months inspiring Peterborough’s next generation of scientists and explorers.

More than 160,000 people have been to visit the ship in the cathedral since it landed in Peterborough at the beginning of August - twice the number the cathedral normally sees in a year, and on Monday a small crowd gathered in the historic building to get a last view of the ship, before it is taken on it’s next voyage - this time to Cardiff, rather than outer space. The capsule took the British astronaut to the International Space Station - and back to Earth - safely with two other members of crew. Along with the capsule, the huge parachute, which allowed a (soft landing for the crew, and Tim’s space suit, were also on display in the cathedral.

Sparklers were lit in the cathedral cloisters, before hot dogs and burgers were eaten - and a special showing of The Clangers, Mr Benn and The Magic Roundabout was put on in the Cathedral.

There was also a special video message from Tim Peake, and some members of the crowd had the final chance to take part in the Virtual Reality experience, which has also been at the Cathedral while the space ship has been on display.

The Very Rev Chris Dalliston, Dean of Peterborough, said: “We have proved that science and faith are not opposed to each other, but they are complimentary - The full human experience involves the heart, the brain and the soul.”

The capusle