Latest news with #MorrisMen
Times
19-05-2025
- Climate
- Times
Morris dancers bring St George's Day revelry to City of London
It took two minutes to fell the dragon on St George's Day. At 10.44am, the bagman of the Ewell St Mary's Morris Men planted a flag showing a white dragon on a red field outside the Lamb Tavern to advertise their annual dance. At 10.46 a gust shot up the wind tunnel of Leadenhall Market and toppled it. 'Too early for a pint?' one of the dancers asked. It is never too early for a morris man to start drinking, especially when it is raining even inside a covered market — the chilly April showers came in horizontally — but these were hardy souls and a crowd had started to form so they began to jump and skip, as much to get the blood flowing
Daily Mirror
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Antiques Road Trip expert 'hits rival' in tense auction clash as profits soar
BBC Antiques Road Trip experts James Braxton and Raj Bisram went head to head in the latest episode of the show as they tried to score the biggest profit in the auction Antiques Road Trip stars James Braxton and Raj Bisram were in fierce competition during a memorable episode, which saw them journeying separately throughout Somerset before a heated auction kicked off in Woking. While James became one with the Morris Men, Raj braved life in a tank, only to meet later for a showdown with their quirky finds. The treasure hunt had them almost on par by the halfway mark, but James placed his bets on some slightly damaged Staffordshire figures, whereas Raj hoped for a win with his unique Moorcroft vase. The true game-changer was James revealing to a stunned Raj a Sir William Russell Flint print he'd cleverly bagged for just £8 - a piece adorned with the artist's signature. "I think James has done extremely well. He bought a Sir William Russell Flint print - signed - £8!" remarked an impressed Raj, unable to hide his shock at the low price: "£8? I can't believe it!" Excitement peaked at the auction as bids flew in both online and from the floor, culminating with the print going under the hammer for an impressive £150, leaving James over the moon with his lucrative find. James was positively buzzing after the auction delivered a smashing result, beaming as he declared: "Top estimate! £150. Put it there Raj. Come on," reports the Express. Raj, just as chuffed with how things turned out, gleefully agreed to a celebratory handshake, saying: "Top estimate. That is a good profit. That's worth a shake of the hand. Well done, well done James." In high spirits, Raj playfully tapped an elated James on the head with his papers in a fun show of camaraderie. The host, Tim Wonnacott, couldn't hold back his delight, laughing as he said: "Yes, that's a great result for print and it's profits all round." In another episode of the BBC show, Christina Trevanion and Mark Stacey were left astounded when a humble vegetable barrow they snapped up for a mere £10 transformed into a treasure at auction, commanding an unexpectedly high price. Renowned for their prowess in the world of collectables, the duo watched in disbelief as the bids for what was nearly dismissed as mere firewood skyrocketed during a frenzied bidding session among eager collectors. At the peak of the excitement, a shell-shocked Mark couldn't help exclaiming: "Good Lord. Why?" while Christina, equally puzzled, replied, "I have no idea." As the numbers soared higher, Mark could only jest: "Can I go home now?" but Christina, basking in the success of her find, quickly responded: "No! Stay here and hold my hand!" The sale of the vegetable barrow concluded at an impressive £130.
Wales Online
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Antiques Road Trip expert floored during auction clash as rival 'hits' him
Antiques Road Trip expert floored during auction clash as rival 'hits' him Antiques Road Trip experts James Braxton and Raj Bisram were left stunned by the profits they made in a tense auction clash, but it wasn't plain sailing for the pair Antiques Road Trip's James Braxton and Raj Bisram faced off in a thrilling episode, each seeking the highest profit. Their quest took them through Somerset, with James immersing himself among Morris Men and Raj venturing into a tank. Despite their individual escapades, they reconvened with mutual reservations about their finds. Their journey led to an auction in Woking, where both experts were closely matched. James took a risk on damaged Staffordshire figures, while Raj hoped his Moorcroft vase would draw attention. However, James had an ace in the hole: a Sir William Russell Flint print acquired for just £8. Raj was astounded when he saw the bargain print, immediately seeing its potential for a hefty return. Antiques Road Trip stars James Braxton and Raj Bisram went head to head (Image: (Image: BBC) ) The print, despite being a reproduction, bore the artist's signature, enhancing its worth, reports the Express. Raj couldn't hide his amazement, saying: "I think James has done extremely well. He bought a Sir William Russell Flint print - signed - £8!". In disbelief, Raj added: "£8? I can't believe it!" At the spirited auction, bids flew from both in-person and online participants. The print eventually sold for an impressive £150, leaving James delighted with the outcome. Article continues below James was visibly elated by the auction success, joyously declaring: "Top estimate! £150. Put it there Raj. Come on." Raj hit James on the head as he made a huge profit (Image: (Image: BBC) ) Raj shared in the jubilation, offering a congratulatory handshake: "Top estimate. That is a good profit. That's worth a shake of the hand. Well done, well done James." In an affectionate display, Raj then used his papers to playfully hit a grinning James on the head. Tim Wonnacott also expressed his pleasure at the outcome, humorously stating: "Yes, that's a great result for print and it's profits all round. In another episode of the BBC show, Christina Trevanion and Mark Stacey were left astounded when a humble vegetable barrow they snapped up for a mere £10 transformed into a treasure at auction, commanding an unexpectedly high price. Renowned for their prowess in the world of collectables, the duo watched in disbelief as the bids for what was nearly dismissed as mere firewood skyrocketed during a frenzied bidding session among eager collectors. At the peak of the excitement, a shell-shocked Mark couldn't help exclaiming: "Good Lord. Why?" while Christina, equally puzzled, replied, "I have no idea." As the numbers soared higher, Mark could only jest: "Can I go home now?" but Christina, basking in the success of her find, quickly responded: "No! Stay here and hold my hand!" The sale of the vegetable barrow concluded at an impressive £130. Article continues below Antiques Road Trip airs weekdays on BBC1 and is available on BBCiPlayer
BBC News
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Morris dancers perform for Cerne Abbas crowd on May Day
Around 200 people have gathered at sunrise to watch a Morris dancing performance for May Morris Men treated early risers to a display in Cerne Abbas, Chiplen, is the squire for the group, and has been welcoming in the coming summer every 1 May for nearly 50 a beer in hand at 05:15BST, he said: "This is the most important day in any morris man's dance season, it's just a fantastic morning to be here on the Cerne." Mr Chiplen said people had travelled from across the country to see them perform."It is a tradition that actually probably goes back to medieval times, bringing in the May," he was on hand to keep the dancers refreshed, he works for Cerne Abbas said they have been given out free beer to thirsty crowds every May for the last 11 years."It's quite exciting having to get up at 04:00 to hike two casks up a really steep hill, but it's nice to see the people here," he said. May Day birthday Tony from Poole was celebrating his 60th birthday at the morning event."All of my lovely family and friends have got up at 03:00. I tried to sell it to them as coming up the top of a hill and see a load of old men hitting sticks with a handkerchief and I sold it to them," he described it as a "peaceful" event and a chance to see "how things used to be and how simple life can be".He added: "It's just a moment everybody should come and see." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
