William Shakespeare

The tiny church in England where William Shakespeare was baptized and buried is falling apart, and fans of the Bard are being asked to help raise more than $6 million to repair the ravages Of eight centuries. Above the burial spot inscribed simply "Will Shakespeare, Gent," the spire of Holy Trinity Church of Stratford-upon-Avon is cracked, its windows are broken, its bricks are eroding and it is leaking rain.

"It's absolutely desperate," said Josephine Walker of the Friends of Shakespeare's Church.

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