Central Shakespeare News

A new exhibition has opened at Shakespeare's Birthplace.

It features unique and priceless treasures that are now on public display for the first time.

The exhibition, which is called: 'Shakespeare's Treasures', includes the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust copy of the Cobbe portrait. That is the only portrait of Shakespeare that is believed to be have been painted from life.

Other rare items on display for the first time include a map of 'Shakespeare's county' in Warwickshire and the only surviving letter written to the man himself.

• UK
• Shakespeare
• Warwickshire

The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust will today open a new exhibition featuring unique and priceless treasures from its collection – many of them on public display for the first time.

The only portrait of Shakespeare thought to have been painted from life will be the main feature. It was bought by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in 2010.

Other rare items on display for the first time include the only surviving letter written to Shakespeare and a map of 'Shakespeare's county' of Warwickshire in 1576.

• Entertainment
• Shakespeare
• Stratford-upon-Avon

Campaigners in Stratford-upon-Avon have submitted proposals to The Queen to create a 'Shakespeare Day'.

The annual celebration would be similar to Burns Night in Scotland.

23rd April is St George's Day, but campaigners also want this day to be Shakespeare's Day, as this was the birthday of William Shakespeare.

Andy Bevan has the story.

• Royal
• Shakespeare
• Stratford-upon-Avon

Shakespeare enthusiasts have written to the Queen in hope of support for a national day of celebration in the playwright's name.

A team at the Tudor Museum in Stratford-upon-Avon is calling for a Shakespeare Supper Night to rival Scotland's Burns Night. It would be held on April 23rd – the date of his birth and death.

The team received a response from the Queen, telling them that she would forward the proposal to Maria Miller – the Culture Secretary.

• Royal
• Shakespeare
• Stratford-upon-Avon

Bloor Homes want to buy land near to Anne Hathaway's Cottage in Shottery to build new homes.

The Communities Secretary Eric Pickle gave the deal the go-ahead but the County Council has said that it is against it.

The trust knows it can't rule out being forced to sell the land at some point.

Peter Kyle is the Chairman of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

• Money
• Shakespeare
• Anne Hathaway's Cottage

The Shakepeare Birthplace Trust has confirmed its opposition to selling land near to Anne Hathaway's cottage.

Developers, Bloor Homes, want the land for housing.

Earlier this year Communities Secretary Eric Pickles gave permission for the deal to go through.

Residents and the council are also against the proposals but the Trust says it can't rule out being forced to sell.

• Money
• Shakespeare
• Anne Hathaway's Cottage

Stage and screen legend Judi Dench has lent her world-famous voice to a new collection of Shakespeare's best-known works. She's returned to her second home - the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford - to tell Andy Bevan why, for her, the Bard is a family affair.

• Entertainment
• Shakespeare
• Dench

Six people have been taken to hospital after a crash in the centre of Stratford-Upon-Avon this afternoon.

A vehicle collided with the front of a shop near the roundabout at the junction of Henley Street and Bridge Street. The collision took place at 2.30pm and involved a black Volkswagen.

The driver and a passenger from the car, together with four members of the public, were injured.

They are all described as being in a serious condition, although none of their injuries are described as life threatening.

Two people were taken by air ambulance to the University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire, two were taken to Warwick Hospital and two were taken to the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch by air ambulance.

• UK
• Shakespeare
• Stratford-upon-Avon