Henley Street & The Birthplace

William Shakespeare's Birthplace

Henley Street, in the summertime, offers visitors and locals alike a variety of entertainment. Firstly the buskers seem to be particularly attracted to it. Yesterday, for instance, there was a young guy outside the bank belting out his version of rock with a well amplified backing. Maybe he had dreams of being 'discovered' and up there with the uber-celebs and the correspondingly rich lifestyle. Over the road, and in complete contrast, was a 'golden oldie' playing his accordian to the somewhat dated 'Roll out the Barrel'. His thoughts were probably less ambitious, not going beyond attracting some dosh into his hat. A little further along were two pretty, sweet-faced girls, looking no older than sixteen, playing a violin and flute respectively. They were in national costume and said shyly, and in excellent English, that they were from Belarus and on holiday. Then outside the library there was the almost resident greyed-up Shakespeare figure standing on a small dais, whose modus operandi is to pose statue-like so that visitors can have their photos taken beside him. He seems to have put a twist on it this summer as once the punter is beside him he suddenly leans down and shouts loudly at which the poor soul screams and leaps about a couple of feet in the air, much to the delight of onlookers. They usually see the joke though and happily hand over some cash.

Of course the No. 1 attraction in this street is The Birthplace to which thousands of visitors flock each year. The doorway just has to be about the most photographed in the country as everyone wants to stand in front of it and have an 'I was there' picture to show the folks back home. Visitors pour in from all over the world, particularly Orientals who, I understand, have a wide knowledge of the Bard and his works. Coach loads of children come too, probably fulfilling part of the schools' cultural curriculum.

If you have got this far do go to the very end of the street to look at the charming statue of The Jester. This bronze is the work of James Butler, RA and around the plinth are quotations from 'As You Like It', 'Twelfth Night' and 'Hamlet' - all pertaining to various jesters in these plays. This specially commissioned work was, as the plaque shows, 'A Gift from Anthony Bird, OBE, to Stratford-on-Avon as a token of his esteem for the town in which he was born, lives and works and which has given him so much friendship, good fortune and pleasure'. - Charming!

Oh, and by the way, click on Shakespeare's birthplace image above and you can order one of the many great souvenirs bearing this fabulous digital watercolour by my son-in-law, Paul Wright.