Black Country News: Animal magic, fun and frolics! DUDLEY: A small matter of life and death as pageant proves a hit with townfolk.Byline: By Tony Deeley FUN and frolics were the order of the day as hundreds of people enjoyed the fifth annual Dudley Pageant. The town's High Street was the setting for a coffin race, and Stone Street Square was turned into a medieval village as people celebrated in style. The now-traditional coffin race saw a humorous re-enactment of an English Civil War English civil war, 1642–48, the conflict between King Charles I of England and a large body of his subjects, generally called the "parliamentarians," that culminated in the defeat and execution of the king and the establishment of a republican commonwealth. event of 1646 when Cavalier and Roundhead armies called a temporary ceasefire to allow the body of Mistress Beaumont to be carried from Dudley Castle Dudley Castle is a ruined castle in the town of Dudley, West Midlands, England. Dudley Zoo is located in its grounds. The location, Castle Hill, is an outcrop of Wenlock Group limestone that was extensively quarried during the Industrial Revolution, and which now along with Wren's to Top Church for burial. Part of the route was retraced by the event, which saw teams race from the Duncan Edwards Duncan Edwards (October 1, 1936 - February 21, 1958) was an English international footballer. Born in Dudley, West Midlands, he signed for Manchester United in June 1952 as an amateur and turned professional on October 1 1953. statue to Top Church and back. The medieval part of the festivities fes·tiv·i·ty n. pl. fes·tiv·i·ties 1. A joyous feast, holiday, or celebration; a festival. 2. The pleasure, joy, and gaiety of a festival or celebration. 3. saw costumed characters demonstrate the ancient skills practised by their ancestors. Those hard at work included an alchemist, a plague doctor, a dyer, a barber surgeon, a coin maker and a blacksmith. There was also mask-making and displays of medieval combat, archery and falconry falconry (fôl`kənrē, fô`–, făl`–), sport of hunting birds or small animals with falcons or other types of hawks; eagles are used in some parts of the world. to keep the crowds amused, and entertainment in the town's Market Place was hosted by Beacon Radio. Rob Butler, of Historical Promotions, which organised the Stone Street displays, said: "We had a superb day and were very well received by the people. "There were lots of complimentary comments from the public and the children really enjoyed it." CAPTION(S): HAWK EYED... Tony Bryant, of Raptorcare, with a Lanner Falcon The Lanner Falcon (Falco biarmicus[2]) is a large bird of prey that breeds in Africa, southeast Europe and just into Asia. It is mainly resident, but some birds disperse more widely after the breeding season. . Photosales No.: MK080907PAGEA-03.JPG See JPEG. jpg - JPEG ; COFFIN DODGERS... Alison Bandurak, Debbie Worton, Adam Mannings and Andy Mackay, Summer Worton and Kay Parnham.from Wolverhampton Retired Greyhounds Trust. Photosales No.: MK080907PAGEA-08.JPG; Photosales No.: MK080907PAGEA-08.JPG IT'S A DEAD HEAT... coffin racers from Dudley College (left) and Beacon Radio vie for the best time. Pictures: Marc Kirsten; Photosales No.: MK080907PAGEA-07.JPG |
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