MEL GIBSON MEMORABILIA UP FOR GRABS

Pic: Propstore
Beverley Lyons 
MEL Gibsons’s performance as William Wallace in iconic Scots film Braveheart would not have been the same without his trusty Claymore and now those with deep pockets have the chance to own one of the movie world’s most famed weapons. 
As legendary as Luke Skywalker’s original Star Wars light sabre, and arguably as important on screen as the protagonist himself, the signature Claymore was designed by noted armorer Simon Atherton and constructed with Del Tin blades based on real-world medieval-era Scottish broadswords.
It is now going on sale in auction from March 12 with a predicted price of between $60,000 - 120,000. 
The sword’s metal handle is said to be the only ‘screen match’ to that used by Gibson in the Award winning medieval biopic which first reached our cinemas on May 24 1995.
As the real Wallace was believed by some scholars to have wielded a customised sword of his own design, Atherton's version is similarly distinguished by personalised, yet historically accurate, detailing on its pommel and grip.
The Claymore is not perfect - as you would expect from one used in the movie which was best picture winner in 1996. 
The blade has been restored but the nicks and production distressing on this sword's pommel screen-match to when Wallace thrust his sword into the ground during the Battle of Falkirk.
Images from the fan-favourite moment later inspired the film's promotional campaign.
The handle features a distinctive cruciform crossguard, a matching scalloped pommel, and a brown leather ricasso and grip. 
According to auctioneers at Propstore, at an indeterminable time, the sword's original blade was removed just below the leather-wrapped ricasso, possibly for a specific effects shot. 
The sword has been restored to its original appearance by welding a replica metal blade to the ricasso. The replica blade was created from the exact dimensions of another production-used Wallace sword. 
The sword was intentionally distressed by production with nicks in the guard and pommel and discoloration to the ricasso to appear well-used in battle. It also exhibits some tearing from use. 
Propstore COO, Brandon Alinger added: “What makes this such a great piece is that we are able to match the sword to a specific scene in the movie.  The handle and all leatherwork is original and screen matches to Willaim Wallace thrusting the sword into the ground during an epic battle scene. It was that scene that inspired the film’s entire promotional campaign – so this one prop has multiple reasons to be prized and valued.”
The Claymore is not the only prized piece from the film that is up for grabs. 
The double bladed buckler used by Scots actor David O’Hara’s as Stephen of Ireland in the film is also for sale at a lesser estimate of $2,000 - 4,000.
Stephen wielded his signature buckler against the English as he battled alongside William Wallace. 
Constructed from metal and wood wrapped in red leatherette with solid metal blades extending from either side to create the double-bladed effect, the leatherette is studded with metal and a piece of tape across the front is hand-marked "Stephen." 
The weapon is intentionally distressed by production to give it a battle-worn appearance with nicks and grime applied to the metal. The buckler exhibits some discolouration from age and the blade was dulled by production.
Stewart's (Donal Gibson) bloodied stunt Battle of Stirling Bridge dagger which was used to slit the throats of English soldiers while fighting alongside William Wallace l in the Battle of Stirling Bridge is also for sale. 
The rubber stunt dagger is hand-painted silver and brown to resemble metal and wood, blood-stained, and erroneously labeled "MacGregor Stirling" on a piece of tape wrapped around the handle. It exhibits flaking paint and exposed rubber from production use and age and is estimated to sell for between $1,000 - 2,000. 

Those who also want to spend more on something less aggressive can get a vital piece from the historic wedding scene between William Wallace and Murron MacClannough (Catherine McCormack).

Pic: Propstore

William and Murron wrapped a wedding tartan around their hands when the priest (Robert Paterson) wed them in secret.
The red, black, and green wool tartan features a sewn straw "W and "M" for William and Murron alongside a flower-patterned arabesque design sewn with straw. 
The tartan exhibits intentionally frayed edges and loose thread from production use and is expected to sell for between $12,000 - 24,000.
Widely considered one of the greatest war epics of all time, Braveheart received 10 Academy Award nominations and won five, including Best Picture and Best Director for Gibson. 
The film also generated a great deal of tourism for Scotland and piqued interest in Scottish history, including into the real lives of Wallace and MacClannough.

SCOTS LAW FIRMS FIVE STAR INCENTIVE FOR FANS RETURNING TO HOME STADIUMS

EDINBURGH-based Watermans Solicitors have announced a ‘Home Advantage’ campaign to welcome loyal fans back into their home stadiums in style.

 

As the official legal and estate agency partner for both Hibs and Hearts, Watermans are giving Hibees and Jambos season ticket holders the chance to upgrade their matchday experience with free entrance to the clubs’ respective Capital Lounge and Strongbow Legends’ Lounge. 

 

With every Cinch Premiership game this season, a lucky fan can win a pair of tickets to their teams’ stylish lounge at either Tynecastle or Easter Road.

 

Winners have the chance to watch the match from an executive seat after a pre-game meal and can continue to enjoy the game with half-time refreshments and post-match entertainment.

 

Scott Whyte, managing director at Watermans, said: “We have a long-standing relationship with both clubs and wanted to thank both sets of fans for their continued support. The Home Advantage campaign not only offers supporters a great football incentive, but a range of deals and discounts on our services.”

 

Whyte continues: “The firm is now into its third year of partnership with Hibs, and we began work with Hearts last season. We’ve a good mix of Hibees and Jambos here in the office, so what a better way to shine a light on both clubs and enjoy their successes.”

 

Fans can take the Home Advantage by entering at: www.watermanslegal.co.uk/Hibswww.watermanslegal.co.uk/Hearts

 

This isn’t the first time Waterman’s has rewarded season ticket holders at both Easter Road and Tynecastle. Scott Whyte added: “In the summer’s season ticket renewal window, Watermans offered to pay for the season tickets of all Hibs and Hearts fans who chose to sell their home through their organisation. It’s just one of a number of incentives we offer to loyal fans of both Edinburgh clubs.”

 

Watermans provide a wide range of legal services to both individuals and businesses across Scotland, expertly delivered by a dedicated team of professionals. The firm has particular expertise in personal injury litigation, estate agency, residential property law, commercial property purchase, sales and letting, family law and wills and executrices. Find out more here: www.watermans.co.uk

 

SCOTSMAN GOES VIRAL DURING HIS FUNERAL IN IRELAND

A Scotsman has gone viral during his funeral - after speaking beyond the grave.  

Irish Defence force veteran Shay Bradley whose mother is from Glasgow got mourners  laughing hysterically when he started speaking to them from his coffin at his funeral in Ireland. 

As relatives and friends  watched his coffin being buried his voice could be heard shouting: “Hello, hello. Let me out.” 

As he knocked on the wood of the coffin Shay continued: “Where the f*** am I? Let me out, let me out. It’s fing dark in here. Is that the priest I  can hear. This is Is Shay I’m in the box. No in fing front of you. I’m dead.”

 Shay then sings: “Hello again hello, hello I just called to say goodbye.”

Mourners laughed hysterically as Shay who passed on October 8 following a long illness had the last laugh in saying his final goodbye. 

The video of the service has now gone viral and yesterday was shared by Irish Defense Forces veterans News who said: “ It is with great sadness that I was informed of the passing of our Military Brother and Veteran Colleague Shay Bradley. On behalf of the members of the IDFVA I extend our sincerest condolences and prayers to Anne and  family at this sad time. May Shay Rest in Peace.”

They later added: “Was asked a question the other day, it was what's the difference between military humour and Civilian Humour it's simple it's black. This video should say it all. This is the funeral of Shay Bradley on the 12 of October 2019 and it says it all......”

Shays daughter Andrea explained that the message was recorded before Shay passed and was put out via a speaker on the ground. She said on Twitter: “ He would love to know how many people he made laugh. He was an amazing character.”

Andrea said: “My dads mum was Susannah Mulligan from Glasgow and she married Jack Bradley who was a butcher from Dublin. It’s been a complete whirlwind - amazing and also very sad. We couldn’t believe it when we heard him speak from the coffin. We were all in hysterics laughing. My brother recorded it with my dad about a year ago and said you have to play it.” He told him ‘Let your mam hear it first but don’t let her say no. The grandkids and us heard it first but no one else knew apart from his immediate family. It’s made it so much easier for us with this prank. He was always joking through life. We’ve had absolutely tons of people contacting us.”

His wife Anne said: “He was in the army in his early days and worked in his family butcher shop for a while but he was a salesman and sold everything and anything though never coffins. He always felt sorry for undertakers because he thought how could  they ever have a laugh.
He was sixty three and diagnosed with illness three years ago and made the recording around a year ago when my son popped into lunch to see him one day.
He always called himself Famous Seamus and he’d be so happy with this right now. In hospital he loved the nurses and all his careers and he was a larger than life character. He loved life and his family. I’m totally overwhelmed.”

Excerpts of this article have since appeared on the Mail Online. 

SIMON COWELL AND SCOTS DREAMMAKER CHARITY HELP CANCER TEENS

Beverley Lyons
SIMON Cowell has invited two Scots cancer teens and their families as VIPs during the live finals of Britain’s Got Talent after they presented him with a teddy bear and Tunnocks Teacakes for his son Eric.
The music mogul and reality show judge was in Manchester and held up the show recording with Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and David Williams when he met Sara Miller, 15 and Molly Cuddihy, 16.
The two girls and their mums had been invited down to watch the auditions of the shows by the Les Hoey MBE Dreammaker Foundation.
Sara who has suffered from non Hodgkins lymphoma and has had five phases of chemotherapy since 2017 said: “It was amazing and everyone was lovely, especially Simon who couldn’t have been nicer. I took him a teddy bear and said he should give it to Eric and he said Eric would love that and he would give it to him that night. He was a wee bit smaller than I expected but was amazing and asked us to come to the live shows. David Walliams is so funny too, hysterical. Me and my dad and brother love him and he was interested to hear about our conditions.”
Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and David Williams also welcomed Sara and Molly.
Molly, 16 from Gourock who was diagnosed woth Ewings Sarcoma and finds it hard to walk now said: “It was incredible. Simon was so friendly and not the cold personality you see on TV. He was quite taken aback we thought of Eric and he loved the Teacakes too and kept them beside him for the auditions.  They were all really lovely and really interested to talk to us even though we met them during the actual show. They said they would restart after our meeting. Ant and Dec even gave me a high five on the way down.






















From Scotland with Love Theshowbizlion.com

SCOTS SINGER MARK ANGELS ON NEW GARY BARLOW TV SHOW

SCOTS singer Mark Angels has been lined up as one of the new talents on Gary Barlow's latest reality show Let It Shine.
Mark, real name Mark Angelico, who is half Filipino and half Scottish can be seen in the latest trailer for the show which was released on New Years Day.
The talent told his friends he was 'scouted' for the series after he released his first self penned track Do It For Love earlier this year.


The 21 year old who lives in Glasgow describes himself as a singer/songwriter/producer and dancer.
He has built a strong Scots following after winning Unsigned Act of the Year 2013 when he was 18 at the Young Scot Awards.
As a result his song Drop Down Low was playlisted on Clyde One In:Demand Radio at the time.
An insider said: "Mark has made a real impression on the Let It Shine team. He's been flying back and forth to London and is pretty excited about things but has had to keep everything hush hush. He's built up a following through his pop music but this will see him show off another side of his musical talent."


Mark has also been writing songs with production outfit RedZone Entertainment who were responsible for Umbrella by Rihanna and hits by Bieber / Usher / Beyonce.
Let It Shine is the latest reality show offering by the BBC and begins on January 7, at 7pm the same night that The Voice U.K. launches on ITV.
As the brainchild of Take That’s Gary Barlow, over eight weeks, Gary and the judges will try and find five boys who will create a band to star in a theatre production.
Gary said: "We're looking for someone who can sing, someone who can move, someone who can keep an audience on the edge of their seats."
The five winning boys will get to tour the UK in a theatre production called The Band – a musical stage show featuring the music of Take That. Alongside Gary Barlow, the permanent judges will be Martin Kemp and Dannii Minogue. For the first stage of the competition, Glee and Dreamgirls star Amber Riley will be a judge on the panel. However, this will then change for stages two and three. Although Gary, Martin and Dannii will remain, Amber will be replaced by Lulu for stage two. Lulu said: “I have always loved working and sharing in the success story that is Take That. So the chance to bring my experience and knowledge of west end musicals, to help cast for a new show, feels a privilege and I am thrilled to do it."



- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com