Slapstick as Roly leads congregation
Under normal circumstances, clowning around in church would be frowned upon.
But a congregation in Retford was doing just that on Sunday when professional clown and Anglican priest Roly Bain lead the worship at St Saviour's.
Roly, 55, was named Clown of the Year in 1994, and has picked up prizes for his slapstick as well as his alternative church services.
"His clowning is rooted in the Gospel, and his thought-provoking and entertaining presentation of themes never fails to provoke a profound response," said Rev Canon Tony Walker.
"When he was eight, he read the biography of Coco the clown and wrote in his school book about how he wanted to be a clown in Bertram Mills Circus, make people happy, visit hospitals and, of course, do it for nothing."
"Instead he ended up being ordained a priest in the Church of England in 1978, but he hadn't managed to forget clowning, and in 1982 he helped found Holy Fools, a loose-knit network of loose nits committed to clowning in ministry and worship."
"In 1990 he resigned his parish in London and did a year at Fool Time, the circus school in Bristol, and he's been clowning full-time ever since."
All the other Church of England and Methodist churches in the area closed their doors last weekend to allow as many people as possible to see Roly in action.
"He has clowned all over the UK, and throughout Europe, as well as at international events in the USA, Canada and Australia," said Canon Walker. "He has written three books about clowning and produced three videos."
"He is widely read on the subject and has a whole library of books on clowns and circus. He's an Equity member, and has also been a member of Clowns International for many years and is now their benevolent officer."
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Weather for Worksop
Saturday 04 February 2012
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Light snow
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