Film swordsman receives honorary degree for his work in the arts
A professional sword master who trains actors and appears in films has been recognised for his work in the arts.Andy Wilkinson, who lives in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, has been made an honorary graduate of the Open University which is based in Milton Keynes.He has performed in films including Henry V starring Kenneth Branagh, and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves featuring Kevin Costner.Wilkinson said the Master of University award was "humbling" and said: "This is the very first time in my career I have been acknowledged."
Wilkinson has used his skills in fencing and other weaponry to help him gain an Equity card.The card serves as proof of membership in the trade union for actors and creative practitioners.
After discovering he was good at teaching, Wilkinson went on to gain a range of qualifications in coaching, eventually becoming head coach of his fencing club.During 35 years in the business, he has featured in dozens of productions, as well as screenwriting, producing and directing.He was a writer, choreographer and director for Golden Swords, a play first performed at London's Globe Theatre.Wilkinson led the British Academy of Fencing team to victory in the World Artistic Fencing Championships. He is an honorary professor of theatrical fencing for the academy.Wilkinson has also written books on his own life in the industry.
Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
33 minutes ago
- The Sun
Barbie star Margot Robbie reveals surprising activity she loves to do when she's in London
BARBIE actress Margot Robbie says she loves traipsing round London looking for ghouls. The Aussie, 34, revealed she gets spooked at The London Dungeon — but is too old for her former nightclub haunts. 1 She told a crowd at Glastonbury: 'Do you know what I do when my family comes down? The London Dungeons Tour. 'Has anyone else done that? Isn't it so good? It's so fun. I just love it — I have probably done it like four times.' Margot added: 'Then there is also a Ghosts, Galleries and Ghouls walking tour, which I highly recommend. 'It is so amazing — you'll be somewhere you walk around all the time and they will be like, 'There are 3,000-year-old skeletons under your feet right now.'' Margot, who was at Glastonbury with husband Tom Ackerley, revealed she no longer goes to her favourite London club Infernos in Clapham, where she used to live. She said at the Pilton Palais cinema: 'I'm 34 and I don't think they'd let me in. "They would be like, 'No go away old lady'. "Our roommate has a 99-year ban.'
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Tesco shoppers rushing to buy stunning ‘reduced to clear' summer garden furniture that's up to 40% off
TESCO shoppers are rushing to stores to buy stunning "reduced to clear" garden furniture that's up to 40% off. With temperatures soaring, the sale provides some great options to add to your outdoor spaces this summer - but be quick as the offers end soon. Shoppers can get their hands on the Outsunny Foldable Sun Lounger that comes with a side pocket and headrest for £23.19. Reduced from £28.99, this lounger is great for relaxing outdoors. It's complete with a 180 degree reclining back so you can set it to a position of your choice and the side pocket allows you to keep your small items, like your phone, nearby. With a supportive structure, it's fitted with a soft padded headrest for your comfort. What's better is that the foldable designs makes it easy to carry around too. You can also purchase in either black or dark blue. 5 If you're planning a garden bash this summer and need to give your gazebo frames a new lease of life, these Outsunny Gazebo Side Panels might just be for you. The side panels have been reduced to £25.59 and come in two different sizes, both of which have windows to let in that natural light. Made from thick Oxford cloth, the panels are great for outdoor use and also feature a zipped door so you can enter and leave your gazebo easily. What's better is that they're designed to fit most 3m x 3m and 3m x 6m frames. 5 The Charles Bentley 2m Garden Patio Market Umbrella at £23.99 is also a steal. Enhance your outdoor dining and relaxation with this stylish 2 metre parasol to provide ample shade on those warm sunny days. Crafted with a large canopy and durable steel frame, it can fit into any garden style with its sleek design and choice of colour options. It's easy to use too with a user-friendly crank winding system to easily open and close the umbrella. 5 Tesco is also selling its Living and Home Outdoor Waterproof Tufted Swing Seat Cushion for £22.90, reduced from £29.00. So if you're looking for some extra comfort on your swing or egg chair, this is a safe bet. Designed in solid neutral tones it blends effortlessly into your garden setting. The cushion is filled with dense cotton filling ensuring optimal support and comfort and remains securely in place. It's a great option for relaxation if you're inviting family and friends over. 5 And if you're looking to put your feet up, you can't go wrong with this HOMCOM Round Storage Ottoman Stool for £28.04. Wrapped in corduory, this product is both breathable and skin friendly. What's better is that it offers 32 litres of storage for all your essentials while doubling up as a chic vanity stool. That's not all Tesco has on offer either with other items such as base stands, garden furniture covers, gazebos and portable beds all up for grabs. But you'll have to be quick as the clearance prices are set to end in a matter of days.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
I tested quirky snacks from hot honey Jaffa Cakes to spicy cookie dough bites – some could easily become regular buys
MARKS & Spencer has aced it by serving up a Wimbledon-inspired sweet sandwich – with shoppers queuing up to try it. Launched last week, the £2.80 Red Diamond Strawberry & Creme sarnie, made with strawberries, whipped cream cheese and sweetened bread, has been flying out of stores. 7 But that is not the only unexpected food offering this summer. If you thought a dessert sarnie – inspired by the viral Japanese fruit sando – was quirky, Charlotte Owen reveals other strange-flavoured snacks you might like to try. Subway Grand Slam £1.55 7 BE quick, this is available tomorrow only – to celebrate the start of the Wimbeldon tennis. The sandwich chain has piggy-backed the strawberries-and-cream trend after M&S's success. It describes its take as a 'delicious rally between sweet and savoury'. But the carb-heavy sub version of the viral sarnie may only catch the eye of people who were not able to get one of the Marks & Spencer version. While it offers a healthy dose of cream and strawberries, the amount of bread in a bite looks to be about double that of what you get inside. Subway hopes to serve a winner by giving away 500 of the overwhelming sandwiches for free at Wimbledon tomorrow. Or grab yours at other select branches of the chain. Greggs taste test Greggs Lemon Meringue Muffin 114g, £1.55 7 A LIGHT, sweet treat that does everything you would expect it to do. It is a cheap delight for those wanting to pick up a summery snack. With a bit of jam in the middle to give it a kick, the fresh lemon meringue icing on the top is a proper taste of summer and the lemon sherbet shards pack a punch. Greggs is known for its easy food on the go, and this is no exception. It's a quick stomach-filler for those out and about in the heat. Doughlicious Extra Flamin' Hot Cookie Dough & Gelato Bites 192g, £5 IF there is one thing you don't expect from gelato, it's a burst of heat – but that's what you get with these snacks. The birdseye chilli-infused cookie-dough coating works in tandem with the ghost chilli- infused gelato to create a fire-and-ice effect. It's an interesting idea but not everyone will like the extra kick that comes with the added spice. Gü Mango Chilli Cheesecake 2 x 96g, £3.75 HERE'S a combination that works just perfectly. The mango-chilli compote and mascarpone cheesecake make for an indulgent and tropical flavour profile with just a hint of heat. As if that is not decadent enough, the dessert also features layers of chocolate ganache, salted caramel and a sprinkle of crunchy chocolate pieces for an irresistible touch of texture and a base of cocoa biscuit. You can enjoy this five-layer treat cold or whack it in the microwave and experience its molten- chocolate centre. What's not to love? Pizza Express Hawaiian Hot Dough Balls £7.95 THIS take on a Pizza Express classic reignites the perennial debate about pineapples on pizza. The dough balls are served with crispy pancetta and pieces of the fruit, with a 'fiery' pineapple-and- Habanero sauce. If you like your Italian feast a bit sweet, this could well be just the thing for you. If you're on the other side of the debate, the bizarre flavour combination won't do anything to change your mind. The supposedly fiery sauce you get is not even hot enough to bring a kick to this unusual dish. 7 THE makers of the treat we all know and love have taken the biscuit and added a bit of spice. While orange and chocolate are already a great combination, the addition of hot honey is sure to delight those with an even sweeter tooth. These could easily become a regular buy on supermarket shopping trips.
