Happy Birthday William Shakespeare!

Tomorrow, 23 April 2012, is William Shakespeare's 448th birthday! Here in Stratford-upon-Avon we have already started the celebration. Yesterday the community pulled together to kick of the festivities with a birthday procession in honor of Shakespeare. I was blessed to have been chosen as a representative of Birmingham University and the Shakespeare Institute.

We started the day in Town Hall where we were introduced to the Mayor of Stratford. We formerly had our names announce and shook hands.

Here we are in Town Hall with the Institute Head, Michael Dobson.

We then walked from Town Hall down to the river, up Bridge Street to our flag posts along Church Street.

Here we are with the Queen :)

We all carried flowers with us to lay on Shakespeare's grave at the end of the procession.

 Yellow and black balloons were released for remembrance.

We then flew our flag!

Here is our group in front of our flag post. From here we continued on to Holy Trinity Church.

At Holy Trinity we patently waited outside until it was our turn to go in.

When we arrived, we were greeted by these ladies who placed our flowers near Shakespeare's grave.

Shakespeare and me.

The flowers at the end of the day.

Celebrating Shakespeare's birthday in his home-town of Stratford-upon-Avon was a dream come true. They really rolled out he red carpet for him. Not to mention, yesterday was the kick-off of the World Shakespeare Festival.

If you have a story about Shakespeare's Birthday, or would just like to say "Happy birthday Shakespeare" please blog about it. Read about the movement at http://www.happybirthdayshakespeare.com/. 

Shakespeare Walking Tour

Highlights from today's walking tour directed by Johnathan Milton.

THE CLOCK
The American fountain/clock monument this stands in the market square on Rother Street and was donated by George W. Childs (1829 -1894), of Philadelphia, an American publisher in 1887 to mark Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. The large Gothic Clock Tower, with sculptures of eagles and lions is an imposing example of design and architecture of the period. The original tower incorporated a fountain which is now no longer functional. You will see not only American Eagles but also English Lions and a fairy from A Midsummer Night's Dream as part of the stonework. Portrayed above each clock face is a representation of a fairy inspired by Shakespeare in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.   




THE BIRTHPLACE
William Shakespeare grew up here and he played here. He ate meals in the hall and he slept and dreamed in these rooms. Shakespeare also spent the first five years of married life in this house with his new wife, Anne Hathaway. For millions of Shakespeare enthusiasts worldwide, the house is a shrine.



BAILIFF THOMAS ROGERS' HOUSE / GARRICK INN
Thomas Rogers of Stratford-on-Avon, father of William Rogers, was a bailiff and alderman. Actor, David Garrick revolutionized acting and brought new audiences to Shakespeare during his life.




GUILD CHAPEL
15th century chapel built for the Guild of the Holy Cross.

CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY
It is often known simply as Shakespeare's Church, due to its fame as the place of baptism and burial of William Shakespeare.