FEROCIOUS winds did not stop the crowds flocking to Stratford for the Bard’s 455th birthday bash.
Thousands of visitors from around the world gathered for this year’s Shakespeare’s Birthday Celebrations over the weekend.
The proceedings were headed by Mr Shakespeare who lead the traditional celebration parade from Shakespeare’s Birthplace to lay flowers at the bard’s grave.
And for the first time the quill ceremony was led by a female as the first head girl of King Edward VI School, Tazmin Chape, made history and took on the starring role in the celebrations.
Meanwhile in Bancroft Gardens, more than 30 living statues withstood a battering from Storm Hannah as they competed in this year’s championships.
Street artists gathered from across the globe for the second year running to compete in the National Living Statue Championships – with the youngest competitor just seven-years-old.
A 13-year-old from Holland known as ‘The Teddy Bear’ was crowned the winner of the child category, while the ‘Sir Walter Raleigh and Queen Elizabeth I’ act, from Portugal, bagged first place among the adults.
Copenhagen’s Golden Fairy came in second, followed by Stratford’s own Statue Knight.
Stratford District Council chair Coun Christopher Kettle said: “It’s great to have so many visitors to Stratford to enjoy a wonderful weekend of celebrations.
“The living statues were very popular and it was wonderful to see people enjoying the markets and street entertainment put on by Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and RSC especially with it being so windy.”
