SCOUTS CENTENARY PARADE - 22nd April 2007.

On Sunday the 22nd April 2007, over 5000 Scouts from the Birmingham area marched from Five Ways, Edgbaston along Broad Street to Centenary Square to commemorate the centenary of the founding of the Scouting Movement. Thousands more people lined the route to cheer them on, They were greeted in Centenary Square by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, Councillor Mike Sharpe and his wife Thelma. Once there the Scouts were treated to a series of mini-gang-shows and lots of free chocolate bars (I had quite a lot myself!). The date was the day before St George's Day, the Scouts' patron saint who turned up in person to lead the parade.

The first of the Scouts start the parade along Broad Street.......

.... followed by a Scots marching band.

The Spitfire Group representing the Scouts of East Birmingham.

The 144th Scouts.

The 298th Scouts from Sheldon, Birmingham.

The band of the Sea Cadets of TS Sutton Coldfield.

The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress greet the Scouts as they arrive at Centenary Square.

St George and his squires join the Mayor and Mayoress to take the salute.

About 5000 Scouts packed into Centenary Square for the finale.

The assembled crowds were treated to three mini Gang-shows to round off the day.

The BIG BIRMINGHAM MORRIS CAPER 14th April 2007

Nearly 50 Morris-dancing sides descended on Birmingham to provide several hours of traditional entertainment around the city's squares, and quite a lot of unscheduled entertainment in the hostelries as well. The event was organized by the Jockey Morris Men.
The sunny weather was a blessing, and helped to draw the crowds. Everywhere you went around the city centre you were surrounded by the sounds of bells, sticks, clogs and dance tunes. And when I say everywhere...

St Philips Cathedral...

Here are Berkshire Bedlam Morris, see http://www.berkshirebedlam.org/index.html
They travelled from Wokingham for the day.....

.... and were pleased to pose for the camera.

Here are the Eryri Morris from Bethesda, Wales.

Still at the cathedral we have the Windsor Morris.

Victoria Square...

I sneaked away from the cathedral, along Colmore Row and to Victoria Square. Here I disovered the Cardiff Ladies Morris .

They were followed by the Full Moon Morris.

The pubs sell some very strong ale in Birmingham!

Chamberlain Square...

Here are the City Clickers, a clog team from Bristol. See http://www.taighmacanndra.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/iain/cityc/index.html

Central Library...

Even the hallowed halls of Birmingham's Central Library didn't escape the folk presence. The Adlington Morris Men from Cheshire performed the traditional Alderley Mummers Play. Here St George has issues with Colonel Slasher.

The quack doctor tries to revive Colonel Slasher.

Beelzebub.

Young Ball (the horse) with groom.

A farewell song from the Mummers.

An impromptu photo-call, thanks lads!

Baskerville House, Centenary Square...

I left the library seeking the relative solitude of Centenary Square, and ran into Bedcote Morris.

The passing Red Leicester Morris Men exchange banter with the dancers in pink...

...who are the Bunnies From Hell, well actually from somewhere near Wolverhampton.

More of the Bunnies.

The Rep, Centenary Square...

Not to be outdone, the other end of Centenary Square hosts Old Meg..........

.... and also The Maids of Clifton, see http://www.mmarwick.freeserve.co.uk/normal.htm

And finally, before leaving Centenary Square, a dance form the Silurian Border Morrismen from Ledbury, Herefordshire.

Back in Victoria Square...

Before the mayhem of mass Morris, a final display by Earlsdon Morris men.

The Massed Morris Mayhem Magic!

The Jockey Morris Men strut their stuff in front of the Council House. They were one of the host sides.

The Jockey musicians and friends.

Another local side, Black Adder Morris perform in front of the crowds.

Here are Green Man's Morris and Sword Club and yes, they too are a local side.

Dartington Young Morris.

The Glorishears of Brummagem, a ladies side from Birmingham. See http://www.glorishears.co.uk/

The Glorishears musicians.

Dartington Morris Men. See http://www.dartingtonmorrismen.org.uk/

Green Man Morris perform a traditional sword-dance, forming the swords into a lock.

A panaromic view of one of the line-ups of massed sides.

Testing the surface of the courtyard outside the Council House.

The Earl of Stamford Morris.

Another panoramic view of the massed sides.

Members of Mucky Mountain Morris reflect on the day's activities.

Meanwhile, back at Chamberlain Square...

Red Leicester Morris Men entertain in front of the Central Library.

A little later, at The Wellington...

The Bunnies have a hop.

A solo spot for one of the Jockey Morris Men as he tries to clear a cobweb off the ceiling.

Musicians of the Bunnies From Hell and Jockey get together for a session.

BITS and PIECES.

The wraps are off the Town Hall at last.

Here is what's happening to the Town Hall (click on picture to enlarge). Just saves me a load of typing.

This is (was) the Wagon and Horses on the Coventry Road, Sheldon. Don't ask but yes, another pub bites the dust. There has been a Wagon and Horses pub on or adjacent to this site for well over a 100 years but sadly an accidental (many disagree) fire finished this one off. Can't wait for the next half empty office block!

The MORRIS RING do! 14th April 2007

You have been warned! Do not belittle Morris Dancers because I used to do it myself and it's great fun!
On the 14th April hundreds of Morris Dancers from all over the country will descend upon our beautiful Birmingham to caper round the city centre. Great stuff, traditional and colourful, musical and energetic. A serious side effect.. by the evening there will probably be no real ale left in the city!
This is one of the last survivng traditions that political parties and football supporters have not managed to hijack (unlike Mayday and St George's Day, for example) so please go along and enjoy it. I'll be there and watch out for my future post on the event.
More info at http://freespace.virgin.net/steve.holder/april14th2007.htm