Celebrations!

Today marks 400 years since William Shakespeare's death, he died when he was only 52 years old on his birthday 23rd April 1616.  There are great celebrations taking place in my home town of Stratford-upon-Avon to mark the occasion.

This is my 450 blog post and to celebrate I am offering the items below as a 'giveaway'.  All you have to do is leave a comment (just one!) and I will use a random number generator to pick the winner on 28th April.

"This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England"

From Richard II, Act 2 (Shakespeare)

Let me talk you through the items in the picture, there is a hand turned needle holder made from purple heart wood (not made by 'im in the garage but bought locally), a bone china thimble from the Coalport factory and a flat shuttle. They are photographed on a cloth bag which has the Union Jack displayed on it and the words 'Great Britain'.

Apart from being Shakespeare's birthday today is also St. George's Day the patron saint of England (and Scouting) and so that relates to the Union Jack which has the cross of St. George in the middle.  The rose on the thimble is a symbol of England, but it is usually a red one not pink!

"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet" 
Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare)

The top of the needle holder also looks like a crown to celebrate the 

Queen's 90th Birthday

So good luck and it does not matter where you live in the world 

you are very welcome to enter.