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So Who Was That Guy Turning Cartwheels Inside Westminster Abbey?

So Who Was That Guy Turning Cartwheels Inside Westminster Abbey?

Meredith put one version of the video on our blog yesterday — that’s here.

A few additional notes today.  Especially now that I understand the term “verger.”

First let‘s take a look at another version of the video in case you haven’t seen it:

Here’s how the Daily Mail described it:

The relief of getting the wedding out of the way was etched not just on the faces of the people involved but also in the actions of one of the clergymen.

Verger Ben Sheward decided that after the majority of the guests had gone he would do some acrobatics and cartwheeled down the aisle at Westminster Abbey.

The joy of the nation was summed up in his actions caught on camera as ITV continued to film what was going on inside the abbey to millions of people watching worldwide.

So here is a replay with some of the commentary by ITV:


And for the record, here is the Wikipedia definition of “verger“:

A verger (or virger, so called after the staff of the office, Latin virga = twig, rod) is a person, usually a layman, who assists in the ordering of religious services, particularly in Anglican churches.

The Office of the Verger has its roots in the early days of the Church of England‘s history. The Order shares certain similarities with the former Minor Orders of Porter and Acolyte. Historically Vergers were responsible for the order and upkeep of the house of worship, including the care of the church buildings, its furnishings, and sacred relics, preparations for liturgy, conduct of the laity, and grave-digging responsibilities.

I did find one 2008 photo of Ben:

So Who Was That Guy Turning Cartwheels Inside Westminster Abbey?

But he will now be forever remembered for this way:

So Who Was That Guy Turning Cartwheels Inside Westminster Abbey?

Comments (63)

1 2
  • bringbacknixon
    Posted on April 30, 2011 at 4:59pm

    Ubviously God has a sense of humor. He causes clergy to do cartwheels and witless fools to draw hideously incompetent pictures of cat people.

    Report Post »  
    • Seddel Cougar
      Posted on April 30, 2011 at 8:09pm

      What about the pics that are not incompetent of cat people? How are those different?

      Report Post » Seddel Cougar  
  • oh_yeah
    Posted on April 30, 2011 at 4:50pm

    it wasnt me. i would have broke my hip.

    Report Post »  
  • Flyovergirl
    Posted on April 30, 2011 at 4:16pm

    Will the Queen be “amused”?

    Report Post »  
  • Bushie
    Posted on April 30, 2011 at 1:20pm

    this is what I will be doing if obama doesn’t get reelected in 2012.

    Report Post » Bushie  
  • Cherynn
    Posted on April 30, 2011 at 12:49pm

    In thier own way, the Brits still know how to have fun. He is just happy one big headache is finally over with. God bless him.

    Report Post » Cherynn  
  • DREAM_CATCHER
    Posted on April 30, 2011 at 12:19pm

    does anyone really care?

    Report Post » DREAM_CATCHER  
  • salvawhoray
    Posted on April 30, 2011 at 11:48am

    if i want weak ass news like this I’ll go to yahoo

    Report Post » salvawhoray  
  • numbers
    Posted on April 30, 2011 at 11:36am

    I doubt this guy knew he was on television. I’m certain it was a spur of the moment impulse because he was happy, relieved, and had one chance in a million to cartwheel down a red carpet in Westminster Abbey.

    Report Post »  
  • rediron69
    Posted on April 30, 2011 at 11:22am

    Wasn’t it the royal family that led to the Boston tea party?
    Why do we give any measure to this story. Could it be another media attempt to
    dull our senses to what is happenuing in our country?
    Royal wedding my butt.
    Free the people of the USA from the IVY LEAGUE and other monarchies.

    Report Post »  
  • Marine Recon Dad
    Posted on April 30, 2011 at 10:38am

    Good for those ‘stuffy’ Brits….. Even though we kicked their butts out of our country, we still want them as friends… :)

    Report Post »  
  • francesp44
    Posted on April 30, 2011 at 10:25am

    Snowleopard called it. His 15 minutes of fame. It was ‘very good’ though.

    Report Post » francesp44  
  • Sinista MACE
    Posted on April 30, 2011 at 10:21am

    “Yippie!! I’m a happy peon!”

    “Long live the Tyrants!”

    “Peasantry for all!”

    Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
  • capitalismrocks
    Posted on April 30, 2011 at 10:17am

    Cool :-) Why not celebrate with a little silly fun, I applaud the guy.

    Report Post » capitalismrocks  
    • Shasta
      Posted on April 30, 2011 at 2:04pm

      I agree. I watched none of this on TV. But I think this guy was under termendous perssure and was overjoyed that it went of without a hitch. Regarding this entire wedding, although I thought it was over kill, when was the last time our country came together like this. I am afraid it was 9/11. We need something to rejoice over.

      Report Post » Shasta  
  • nobammy
    Posted on April 30, 2011 at 9:53am

    Love it! I can appreciate this…. Too often people take themselves too seriously!

    Report Post » nobammy  
  • loadingmyclips
    Posted on April 30, 2011 at 8:28am

    Julie Andrews in drag

    Report Post » loadingmyclips  
  • teddrunk
    Posted on April 30, 2011 at 8:15am

    Hmm…that pic…a type of clergy…speaking with young boys, offering what looks like a bag of candy…I’d hate to think of what made him so happy.

    Report Post »  
    • R and K
      Posted on April 30, 2011 at 8:23am

      You are repulsive, Drunk.

      Report Post »  
    • PA PATRIOT
      Posted on April 30, 2011 at 8:41am

      Hi Ted,
      I posted this idea above under the wrong name.
      Redundancy
      I think you are on to something here.
      To be real about it, ask the Diocese of Boston.
      It cost them 94 MIllion BUCKS

      Report Post » PA PATRIOT  
    • crackerone
      Posted on April 30, 2011 at 10:15am

      My bad! My first thought was, I hope he isn’t around young boys. Guess this is the times we live in.:(

      Report Post »  
    • teddrunk
      Posted on April 30, 2011 at 12:16pm

      No R & K, I’m a guy. I’m wired differently than a woman. I see a man acting strange, I start to wonder. I see a strange acting man around a kid, I get protective. Women don’t seem to pick up on creeps as easily as other guys do. Example: Why do you always hear that it’s a woman who ends up dating/shacking up/marrying some guy she knows is a violent ex convict, who eventually beats/injures/murders her or her kids, but you never seem to hear the reverse, a guy dating/shaking up/marrying a female ex convict, or ANY type?

      Report Post »  
  • BurntHills
    Posted on April 30, 2011 at 8:03am

    tell ya what, being that happy must be nice. lucky him.

    Report Post » BurntHills  
  • Tomfang
    Posted on April 30, 2011 at 8:03am

    He looks like he’s about my age…..wish I could still do a cartwheel !!

    Report Post »  
  • YHERALUNA
    Posted on April 30, 2011 at 7:59am

    A little fun before going back to grave digging :)

    Report Post » YHERALUNA  
  • WVBeagleMom
    Posted on April 30, 2011 at 7:43am

    Express your joy! He didn’t bother anyone and the Lord tells us to be “joyful always”.

    Report Post »  
  • staythecourse
    Posted on April 30, 2011 at 7:22am

    The world needs a little more laughter! Thanks for the story. (Wonder how many adults will now be caught in lawns (and emergency rooms) trying to do cart wheels.)

    Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on April 30, 2011 at 7:21am

    It’s nice to see a whole country rejoice. Congratulations Britain!
    I may do some cartwheels myself when Obama gets kicked to the curb next year.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Mainer forever
      Posted on April 30, 2011 at 8:19am

      I am with you on that one Gonzo!!!

      Report Post » Mainer forever  
    • smak
      Posted on April 30, 2011 at 8:53am

      Gonzo: “Let’s see. Wedding, cartwheels. How do I connect that to Obama?“ ”I got it!!!!!!”

      Report Post »  
    • crackerone
      Posted on April 30, 2011 at 10:00am

      I will be handing out cake, just like the Muslims!

      Report Post »  
  • Down2TheC
    Posted on April 30, 2011 at 7:19am

    pee ai es ai donia…. (thud) donia e requiem (thud)

    Report Post »  
  • heavyduty
    Posted on April 30, 2011 at 7:10am

    I am glad that he can still do cartwheels. I didn’t watch the wedding but that was my choice. Everyone have a blessed day.

    Report Post »  
    • Showtime
      Posted on April 30, 2011 at 11:50am

      My thoughts exactly! I just cursored through the video until I got to the vows (I was afraid I’d see Camilla and have my day spoiled!) and on over to where she and William walked back up the aisle to the door.

      I can stand on my head but cannot do a cartwheel. Never have been able to. Psychological — never felt my arms would be strong enough to hold my weight, although I understood centrifugal force would have lightened the load. I loved his cartwheels!

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • Dale
      Posted on April 30, 2011 at 11:51am

      I’m with you heavy, this is the only video I watched; even it is boring.

      Report Post » Dale  
  • MOLLYPITCHER
    Posted on April 30, 2011 at 7:07am

    I don’t think that a career as a verger would be all that exciting. Maybe he just needed to amuse himself in some way. I guess getting on TV would be a way to do that.

    Report Post »  
    • teddrunk
      Posted on April 30, 2011 at 7:44am

      I agree. If I were him I would of tailgated with friends. Grilled some brats, had a cooler with MGD, threw a football around.

      Report Post »  
    • mill
      Posted on April 30, 2011 at 9:01am

      He will be reprimanded… count on it.

      Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on April 30, 2011 at 9:33am

      Interesting, maybe he just wanted his few minutes of fame and was able to do so on TV.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • beckisnuts
      Posted on April 30, 2011 at 10:39am

      So why is this FLUFF piece being featured here and important news like the political turmoil at the very top in Iran, one of Glenn’s hottest topics, being ignored???????

      http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/04/28/ahmadinejad-reportedly-showing-work-sparking-rumors-possible-power-shift/

      Report Post »  
    • Oil_Robb
      Posted on April 30, 2011 at 10:51am

      He’s happy that there will now be a never ending supply of gossip for his “STAR” subscription….that and hios bookie gave him great odds on his prop bet as wether they make it 10 years before one of them has sex with a body gaurd or old flame

      Report Post »  
    • SLARTIBARTFAST
      Posted on April 30, 2011 at 11:34am

      Are you guys so jaded that you can’t see this as what it appears to be? He‘s just a man who’s been running his tail off for who knows how long and shows his happiness by doing a couple of cartwheels. MORE POWER TO HIM!

      Report Post » SLARTIBARTFAST  
    • jblaze
      Posted on April 30, 2011 at 12:02pm

      In short, God promised King David that He would establish a royal dynasty beginning with his son Solomon, and that that royal lineage would continue ruling on a throne until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Believe it or not, Britain’s royals are descendants of King David—and therefore are living manifestations of God’s promise!

      Report Post » jblaze  
    • teddrunk
      Posted on April 30, 2011 at 12:32pm

      Actually I was being sarcastic. The cartwheeling clown was doing this INSIDE the church. Why not let the cattle & money changers in too.

      Report Post »  
    • GdHUs
      Posted on April 30, 2011 at 2:20pm

      @Beckisnuts
      For once in your life you’ve done something right. Thanks for the info!

      Report Post » GdHUs  
    • restorehope
      Posted on April 30, 2011 at 2:29pm

      Who knows, it may have been on his bucket list! It was harmless and brought a smile to my face when I watched it.

      Report Post »  
    • WhiteFang
      Posted on April 30, 2011 at 3:49pm

      JBlaze, – Believe it or not, Britain’s royals are descendants of King David—and therefore are living manifestations of God’s promise!

      I have never heard that before. Unless there is some proof available, I cannot accept that.
      Even Jews themselves cannot prove their lineage that far back. To prove something like that would require a DNA sample from King David. We know that can’t happen.

      Report Post » WhiteFang  
    • leftcoastslut
      Posted on April 30, 2011 at 9:46pm

      looks like pure bliss to me

      Report Post »  
    • mwallick
      Posted on May 1, 2011 at 7:10pm

      It puzzles me that Glenn Beck has not been trumpeting the story of Mr. & Mrs. Middleton, Kate’s parents. They came from coal miners. Became entrepreneurs & pulled themselves up by their bootstraps to marry their commoner daughter to the 2nd in line to the throne of England. :) That is quite a story.

      Report Post »  
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