The Wind in the Willows is one of the most beloved books of British children’s literature, but while most people think of the jolly adventures of Toad, Mole and Rat, Kenneth Grahame’s 1908 story has a darker side. And it was a step too far for the Beadle security guards at Westminster Abbey, who told a visitor wearing a sweatshirt with an illustration from the book that she had to take it off because it was “an image of the devil”.
Reader, it wasn't any such thing!
Chapter seven of the book is entitled Piper at the Gates of Dawn – borrowed by Pink Floyd for the title of their debut album in 1967 – in which the doughty animals encounter a variation of the Greek satyr-like god Pan while searching for Otter’s missing son. It was this image as envisaged by the artist W Graham Robertson for the cover of the first edition of the book that was used by folklore magazine Hellebore on its clothing and merchandise, and which Linsey Teggert – a self-confessed folklore fan and “history nerd” – was wearing on a visit to the abbey on Monday morning.
“We walked through the security scanner at the entrance but then one of the security guards called me back. I just thought he wanted to check my bag or something. “Then he said I’d have to take off the top or cover it up because it was an image of the devil and it might offend people in the abbey.”
If she had nothing but a bra undernreath would that not offend more people?
Linsey argued that it wasn’t the devil, but a representation of Pan.
Foolish to try to argue theology with some minimum wage security drone - he doesn't have any autonomy, and probably comes from a culture alien to British folklore or Greek mythology - he likely has a list of 'offensive things' spelled out for him he can't - nd won't - deviate from.
She said: “I started to tell him, because I’m a total history nerd, that there are loads of folklore and mythology-related carvings inside the abbey, and I was talking about the Green Man, but he wasn’t having it. He said: ‘Well, it’s got horns and it’s demonic.’
See?
A spokesperson for Westminster Abbey said the abbey has a dress code that says: “As Westminster Abbey is a church and place of daily worship, we ask you to show respect and sensitivity in the way you dress.”
She added: “I think it’s possible that the message on the clothing was misinterpreted. We will share this feedback with our security colleagues.”
Might I suggest a new T-Shirt for your next visir, Linsey? Probably get a smile and a thumb's up from security wearing this....
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