A Westminster Abbey verger who became an internet sensation after cart-wheeling down the nave of the magnificent 900 year old building after the Royal Wedding has been given a ticking off by humourless senior staff.
The verger, who has been named as Ben Sheward, either enjoyed the event so much, or he was merely relieved that the ceremony went perfectly, that he was caught on camera performing the stunt whilst giggling.
Although he is unlikely to face any formal disciplinary action, Abbey staff have warned him not to speak publicly about the incident.
The clip had already attracted 100,000 internet hits yesterday, and comments on various websites had come from as far afield as the United States and Australia.
One said: ‘I think this self-publicist should be sacked!’
Not very Abbey: Cart-wheeling verger carpeted by clerics after becoming wedding web sensation
By Jonathan Petre
1st May 2011
Daily Mail
The Westminster Abbey verger who became an internet sensation after cart-wheeling down the nave following the Royal Wedding has been rebuked by senior staff.
Sources at the Abbey said the man was feeling ‘fairly chastened’ after his impromptu display of acrobatics was caught on film.
Although he is unlikely to face any formal disciplinary action, Abbey staff have warned him not to speak publicly about the incident.
Preparing for the flip
Mid flip
Feet back on the ground
Flipping good time: Verger Ben Sheward lands with a smile after the wedding went without any hitches
While the Abbey has refused to identify him, sources have disclosed he is Ben Sheward, who lives in South London.
The sources said Mr Sheward is believed to have worked at the Abbey for ten years, and he has previously been pictured welcoming new choirboys by sharing sweets with them.
According to some sources, he has studied music in New Zealand and is an expert on the English composer Edward Elgar.
Mr Sheward waited until some 1,900 guests had left the Abbey before seizing his chance to cartwheel down the red carpet that William and Kate had just walked along for the first time as a married couple.
In the clip, the black-cassocked verger is shown strolling down the carpet.
As a number of apparent stragglers from the wedding service look on, he embarks on one cart-wheel, smiles, and then squeezes in at least one other before disappearing out of shot.
ITV cameras caught his antics, which were beamed to millions of viewers around the world, ensuring the unsuspecting verger became an international celebrity.
Splendour: Only an hour earlier, the new Duchess of Cambridge was was being walked down the aisle by her father
Spectacle: As well as billions who saw it on TV, thousands watched the occasion from outside the Abbey
The clip had already attracted 100,000 internet hits yesterday, and comments on various websites had come from as far afield as the United States and Australia. One said: ‘I think this self-publicist should be sacked!’
Most, however, praised him.
A Westminster Abbey spokesman said: ‘The verger, like all of us, was very pleased the service had gone according to plan, and was expressing his exuberance.’ He emphasised that the incident occurred some time after the wedding had finished.
But Abbey officials were keen to prevent the story spreading further yesterday with one saying: ‘We are just trying to keep a lid on this one. The verger has been spoken to a number of times and has been advised how to handle the situation.’
The official denied, however, that the man was in hiding, saying the Abbey had not resorted to such extreme measures.
Yesterday there was no sign of Mr Sheward amid the thousands of visitors to Westminster Abbey.
One verger, who was greeting the crowds, said: ‘We all found it jolly good fun when we heard but I don’t think he anticipated all the publicity.
Sight to behold: Prince William and Kate emerge from the Abbey... it was enough to make one man cart-wheel
‘I believe he thought the cameras would have been turned off by that point. Now some visitors are expecting all vergers to be doing cart-wheels.’
Another Abbey worker added: ‘It was lovely, just lovely. It reflected the joy we were all feeling at that point. But he really isn’t looking to become a media star – he isn’t that kind of guy.’
All of the carpets, furniture, fixtures and fittings which had been brought in for the wedding had been cleared away by Friday night.
The only evidence of the nuptials yesterday – besides the larger-than-usual number of visitors – were the 20ft potted trees lining the aisle.
A verger is usually a layman who assists in the ordering of religious services, particularly in Church of England churches or cathedrals.
A verger’s main role is to lead processions during services, and they often play a prominent part behind the scenes, helping to plan the logistical details of a service and discreetly shepherding the clergy through it. But they have a variety of other functions, from acting as odd-job men to guiding tourists around the buildings.
The office’s title comes from the ceremonial rod which a verger carries, a virge, from the Latin virga, meaning branch, staff or rod.
dailymail.co.uk
The verger, who has been named as Ben Sheward, either enjoyed the event so much, or he was merely relieved that the ceremony went perfectly, that he was caught on camera performing the stunt whilst giggling.
Although he is unlikely to face any formal disciplinary action, Abbey staff have warned him not to speak publicly about the incident.
The clip had already attracted 100,000 internet hits yesterday, and comments on various websites had come from as far afield as the United States and Australia.
One said: ‘I think this self-publicist should be sacked!’
Not very Abbey: Cart-wheeling verger carpeted by clerics after becoming wedding web sensation
By Jonathan Petre
1st May 2011
Daily Mail
The Westminster Abbey verger who became an internet sensation after cart-wheeling down the nave following the Royal Wedding has been rebuked by senior staff.
Sources at the Abbey said the man was feeling ‘fairly chastened’ after his impromptu display of acrobatics was caught on film.
Although he is unlikely to face any formal disciplinary action, Abbey staff have warned him not to speak publicly about the incident.
Preparing for the flip
Mid flip
Feet back on the ground
Flipping good time: Verger Ben Sheward lands with a smile after the wedding went without any hitches
While the Abbey has refused to identify him, sources have disclosed he is Ben Sheward, who lives in South London.
The sources said Mr Sheward is believed to have worked at the Abbey for ten years, and he has previously been pictured welcoming new choirboys by sharing sweets with them.
According to some sources, he has studied music in New Zealand and is an expert on the English composer Edward Elgar.
Mr Sheward waited until some 1,900 guests had left the Abbey before seizing his chance to cartwheel down the red carpet that William and Kate had just walked along for the first time as a married couple.
In the clip, the black-cassocked verger is shown strolling down the carpet.
As a number of apparent stragglers from the wedding service look on, he embarks on one cart-wheel, smiles, and then squeezes in at least one other before disappearing out of shot.
ITV cameras caught his antics, which were beamed to millions of viewers around the world, ensuring the unsuspecting verger became an international celebrity.
Splendour: Only an hour earlier, the new Duchess of Cambridge was was being walked down the aisle by her father
Spectacle: As well as billions who saw it on TV, thousands watched the occasion from outside the Abbey
The clip had already attracted 100,000 internet hits yesterday, and comments on various websites had come from as far afield as the United States and Australia. One said: ‘I think this self-publicist should be sacked!’
Most, however, praised him.
A Westminster Abbey spokesman said: ‘The verger, like all of us, was very pleased the service had gone according to plan, and was expressing his exuberance.’ He emphasised that the incident occurred some time after the wedding had finished.
But Abbey officials were keen to prevent the story spreading further yesterday with one saying: ‘We are just trying to keep a lid on this one. The verger has been spoken to a number of times and has been advised how to handle the situation.’
The official denied, however, that the man was in hiding, saying the Abbey had not resorted to such extreme measures.
Yesterday there was no sign of Mr Sheward amid the thousands of visitors to Westminster Abbey.
One verger, who was greeting the crowds, said: ‘We all found it jolly good fun when we heard but I don’t think he anticipated all the publicity.
Sight to behold: Prince William and Kate emerge from the Abbey... it was enough to make one man cart-wheel
‘I believe he thought the cameras would have been turned off by that point. Now some visitors are expecting all vergers to be doing cart-wheels.’
Another Abbey worker added: ‘It was lovely, just lovely. It reflected the joy we were all feeling at that point. But he really isn’t looking to become a media star – he isn’t that kind of guy.’
All of the carpets, furniture, fixtures and fittings which had been brought in for the wedding had been cleared away by Friday night.
The only evidence of the nuptials yesterday – besides the larger-than-usual number of visitors – were the 20ft potted trees lining the aisle.
A verger is usually a layman who assists in the ordering of religious services, particularly in Church of England churches or cathedrals.
A verger’s main role is to lead processions during services, and they often play a prominent part behind the scenes, helping to plan the logistical details of a service and discreetly shepherding the clergy through it. But they have a variety of other functions, from acting as odd-job men to guiding tourists around the buildings.
The office’s title comes from the ceremonial rod which a verger carries, a virge, from the Latin virga, meaning branch, staff or rod.
dailymail.co.uk
