logo
Boston dancing witches disrobe cloaks for charity calendar

Boston dancing witches disrobe cloaks for charity calendar

BBC News16 hours ago
A group who perform witch dances around Lincolnshire have disrobed from their cloaks to bare almost all in a new calendar.The Boston Dancing Witches, who formed in 2024 to promote self-love and body positivity through movement, followed in the footsteps of the classic film Calendar Girls by releasing their own 2026 charity calendar.Ros Reynolds, 64, from Boston, who runs the group, said members of the group use crystal balls, spell books, brooms and wizard's hats to obscure parts of their bodies.Ms Reynolds added that since being set up last May, the group has already grown to "14 witches, two wizards and various people working behind the scenes".
She said: "I set up the group as I've always been interested in anything to do with witchcraft, so last year I put a post out on Facebook asking if anyone wanted to get involved, and it turns out they did."We get together every Thursday evening and chat, craft, eat cake and dance and the ages of people involved range from 12 to 88 years old – although those included in the calendar are all adults."We're just ordinary people that are now a family who want to inspire other people to get involved and express themselves in a different way. Anyone can join us."She said they have performed at village shows, children's parties, care homes and even do flash mobs.
Ms Reynolds added the group likes to dance together to a range of songs from rock 'n' roll to Halloween-themed songs as well as performing the witches' dance which was first performed in Germany by the Wolfshäger Hexenbrüts group in 2016Money raised from their calendar will go towards Lincs Ark Animal Welfare and Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance, as Ms Reynolds said the group wanted to support local causes.Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

I've found the ‘best summer job' that's made me £2k – I don't even do the work, but it's not for everyone
I've found the ‘best summer job' that's made me £2k – I don't even do the work, but it's not for everyone

Scottish Sun

time4 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

I've found the ‘best summer job' that's made me £2k – I don't even do the work, but it's not for everyone

The student claims the items 'sell straight away' PAWS AND CLAWS I've found the 'best summer job' that's made me £2k – I don't even do the work, but it's not for everyone Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A SAVVY teenager has revealed how she raked in a hefty £2,000 thanks to her unusual side hustle on Vinted. Ella Woodland, 18, from Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire, has described it as ''the best summer job in the world'' - and she doesn't even do the work. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Ella has made over £2000 from using her rats paws to create paintings Credit: SWNS:South West News Service 3 Prices started at £10 and demand has seen Ella increase her monthly sales from £80 to £500 Credit: SWNS:South West News Service 3 Since launching her side hustle, the student has made a whopping £2,000 Credit: SWNS:South West News Service The 18-year-old is flogging paintings done by her pet rats on the marketplace and says she plans on keeping the side hustle going for ''as long as they are alive''. Ella was curious to see whether her eight pet rodents had any artistic qualities and decided to let them play with paint in February. The teenager initially got the idea to explore their creative side after seeing a Facebook creator, TooGoods Tiny Paws, selling her rats' artwork online. To nurture their talent, she bought watercolour and kids' paints and encouraged her rats to run over them, using their paws to 'paint' on mini canvases. The student, who is currently waiting to start a degree in clinical psychology at the University of Worcester in September, now sells the unusual prints on Vinted. Prices started at £10 and demand has seen Ella increase her monthly sales from £80 to £500. Since taking to Vinted in March, Ella has made a staggering £2,000 thanks to her rats - Gubler, Rumple and Reid, aged one, and Hotch, Morgan, Luke, Rossi and Gideon, six months. The majority of the earnings goes towards the rats' care - including a £250 premium cage, tunnels and food mix with pasta, cereal and mealworms. However, Ella is also using the money to save up for driving lessons. Ella said: ''I didn't expect it to take off - I just posted a few pictures on Vinted and now it's my summer job. Why the 3-minute rule is essential when shopping on Vinted & how woman made £450 using it ''They just walk around [canvases] in kids' paint - then I sell them for £10 each with a mini easel. ''It just randomly blew up one day - it's a win/win because I can save up for a car and lessons to drive, and the rats have so much fun running around and eating lots of baby food. ''I plan to keep it going as long as the rats are alive.'' She went on: ''I started putting them in a little playpen I'd bought for them. They walk around in the paint, which is laid on the floor. ''Sometimes I have to put my finger in a jar of baby food and let them follow it around, so they can walk around the canvas. Do you need to pay tax on items sold on Vinted? QUICK facts on tax from the team at Vinted... The only time that an item might be taxable is if it sells for more than £6,000 and there is profit (sells for more than you paid for it). Even then, you can use your capital gains tax-free allowance of £3,000 to offset it. Generally, only business sellers trading for profit (buying goods with the purpose of selling for more than they paid for them) might need to pay tax. Business sellers who trade for profit can use a tax-free allowance of £1,000, which has been in place since 2017. More information here: ''The paint varies between watercolours and kids' paint, like poster paint.'' In February this year, the student began selling the mini-easels on Vinted for £10 each. S For the first few weeks, the sales were slow, with Ella only able to shift two to three easels per week - making £80 total in February. But just one month later, Ella says a stranger posted a picture of her rats' paintings on X, garnering seven million views - and since then, she's taken the marketplace by storm. ''I put 20 paintings on Vinted a week,'' she said. ''They each sell straight away - people really love them. ''It's become a summer job for me, and I'll continue to have it as my part-time job when I start uni. ''People are really positive - aside from a couple of people telling me how much rats scare them, I've only ever had good feedback. ''One of the reviews even said, 'Gubler's talent is unlimited'.''

Sir Billy Connolly warns fans of scammers impersonating him online
Sir Billy Connolly warns fans of scammers impersonating him online

Rhyl Journal

time4 hours ago

  • Rhyl Journal

Sir Billy Connolly warns fans of scammers impersonating him online

The Scottish actor and TV presenter, 82, said his wife Pamela Stephenson had also been impersonated and reminded members of the public that the sound of his voice can be recreated with artificial intelligence (AI). In a message on his website, he said: 'Dear friends, I have learned that, unfortunately, online scam artists are targeting my fans and supporters. 'They are impersonating me, often reaching out to fans soliciting direct messaging. 'They create multiple deceptive social media and email accounts, and there could well be criminal intent. 'For the protection of all my fans and supporters, please be aware of the following: 'My official Facebook page – Billy Connolly – is my ONLY social media account. 'I do not have an Instagram, X, Snapchat, Telegram or any other social media account. My only website is 'I NEVER interact directly with fans or supporters, and would never suggest they direct message me, meet me, send me money or purchase goods directly. 'I do not sell memberships, fan cards, meetings. I will never suggest meeting personally or ask for personal information. 'If you are asked for any of the above, it is a scam. 'My likeness and the sound of my voice can be created by AI … so beware! 'My wife Pamela is also being impersonated, but please be aware that neither she nor any of my children have public social media accounts or pages. 'Please be safe everyone! Love and cuddles, Billy.' Criminals can use voice cloning technology to replicate a person's voice from just a few seconds of audio, which can be easily captured from a video someone has uploaded online or to social media. Deepfake images of celebrities are often used in scams and fake adverts featuring public figures were the most reported scam adverts reported to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) in 2024. Sir Billy, who was knighted in 2017 for services to entertainment and charity, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2013 and retired from live stand-up performances five years later, but has continued to record programmes and make TV appearances. His most recent projects include TV shows such as 2018's Billy Connolly: Made In Scotland, Billy Connolly's Great American Trail in 2019 and Billy Connolly Does… which began airing in 2022.

Sir Billy Connolly warns fans of scammers impersonating him online
Sir Billy Connolly warns fans of scammers impersonating him online

South Wales Guardian

time4 hours ago

  • South Wales Guardian

Sir Billy Connolly warns fans of scammers impersonating him online

The Scottish actor and TV presenter, 82, said his wife Pamela Stephenson had also been impersonated and reminded members of the public that the sound of his voice can be recreated with artificial intelligence (AI). In a message on his website, he said: 'Dear friends, I have learned that, unfortunately, online scam artists are targeting my fans and supporters. 'They are impersonating me, often reaching out to fans soliciting direct messaging. 'They create multiple deceptive social media and email accounts, and there could well be criminal intent. 'For the protection of all my fans and supporters, please be aware of the following: 'My official Facebook page – Billy Connolly – is my ONLY social media account. 'I do not have an Instagram, X, Snapchat, Telegram or any other social media account. My only website is 'I NEVER interact directly with fans or supporters, and would never suggest they direct message me, meet me, send me money or purchase goods directly. 'I do not sell memberships, fan cards, meetings. I will never suggest meeting personally or ask for personal information. 'If you are asked for any of the above, it is a scam. 'My likeness and the sound of my voice can be created by AI … so beware! 'My wife Pamela is also being impersonated, but please be aware that neither she nor any of my children have public social media accounts or pages. 'Please be safe everyone! Love and cuddles, Billy.' Criminals can use voice cloning technology to replicate a person's voice from just a few seconds of audio, which can be easily captured from a video someone has uploaded online or to social media. Deepfake images of celebrities are often used in scams and fake adverts featuring public figures were the most reported scam adverts reported to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) in 2024. Sir Billy, who was knighted in 2017 for services to entertainment and charity, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2013 and retired from live stand-up performances five years later, but has continued to record programmes and make TV appearances. His most recent projects include TV shows such as 2018's Billy Connolly: Made In Scotland, Billy Connolly's Great American Trail in 2019 and Billy Connolly Does… which began airing in 2022.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store