It's What's for Dinner

Grapevine wrangles a beefeater

Comments (0) By Michelle Mathews Thursday, Mar 8 2007

More About

America gets a little hot under the collar when the world community starts discussing our government's use of torture. England, on the other hand, smiles and charges you £16 to explore their history of torment and execution. Perhaps a couple of centuries will give us perspective too, but it's unlikely that the U.S. will ever offer interactive tours of Abu Ghraib to rival the Tower of London. Though no longer a working prison, the tower's current "inmates" include several ravens (Branwen, Hugine, Munin, Gwyllum, Thor and Baldrick) and about 35 Yeoman Warders or "beefeaters." Superstition says that if the ravens leave the tower, the monarchy will collapse (in the interest of Britain’s welfare, the Ravenmaster clips the birds' wings). Apparently the legend doesn't pertain to the beefeaters, though, since Yeoman Warder Richard Sands is visiting the British Emporium, 140 N. Main St. in Grapevine, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday to share stories about life in the Tower. A canned food donation is requested. Call 817-421-2311.
Wed., March 14, 6-8 p.m.