Actor, writer, broadcaster and activist Sir Tony Robinson has been in York.
And it’s fair to say the visit had its ups and downs.
The man best loved for playing Baldrick in Blackadder, and who brought archaeology to millions via Channel 4’s Time Team, was here to film at York Minster – and everything began well.
He was shooting a new Channel 5 documentary series on Britain’s cathedrals.
“He has been here filming with his team all week and spent time in the Stoneyard, at York Glaziers’ Trust and extensively in the Minster itself,” a York Minster spokeswoman said.
During his time here, Tony had access all areas at the Minster…
Greetings from tiny York Minster and big York Minster pic.twitter.com/QD9Dv3Ppbt
— Tony Robinson (@Tony_Robinson) January 30, 2018
Pleasure to welcome @Tony_Robinson to the Minster this week as we go #BehindTheScenes with @channel5_tv for a special documentary on @engcathedrals.
This will air later in the year and we'll keep you posted on confirmed dates & times ? pic.twitter.com/0F7U7wIzY7
— York Minster (@York_Minster) January 30, 2018
…made some young fans’ day…
The Highflyers are having a fabulous time at @York_Minster for their diocesan day and to top it off we just got to meet @Tony_Robinson pic.twitter.com/Vzhxr1eu6S
— ristonprimary (@ristonschool) January 31, 2018
…and generally loved Europe’s largest Gothic Cathedral.
Richard the Lionheart. York Minster. pic.twitter.com/cWtWoINmsl
— Tony Robinson (@Tony_Robinson) February 1, 2018
The Crib. York Minster. Note the Ox’s Understudy. pic.twitter.com/AuxNOMmLdf
— Tony Robinson (@Tony_Robinson) February 2, 2018
A strange turn
Then Sir Tony headed on his way to his next filming location – Durham Cathedral.
And things took a strange turn.
After he’d gone on Friday (February 2) Goodramgate cafe Coffee Culture tweeted to the presenter to say that his team had not paid for a purchase, and asking for payment.
This unleashed all sorts of Twitter malarkey. Some accused Coffee Culture of bad manners for approaching the star publicly, but the cafe explained…
Here is just a sample of the exchanges…
For his part, Sir Tony wanted to sort everything out…
Although when York Minster joined in, he wondered publicly if he should do some more penance.
The whole kerfuffle sparked a few funny responses…
All’s well that ends well. Coffee Culture, a very fine small York business, got what they were due and Sir Tony tweeted that he was heading down the pub to celebrate.
And he knows where he’ll be having a coffee the next time he’s in York…
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