The Laurel & HarDay

[neil]

you sure know how to plan a meal !

[Angus McLaurel]

11th September 2008



LAUREL & HARDY DAY SUCCESS





ANOTHER FINE MESS...Roger Robinson, left, and Kevin Hepplestone at the Laurel and Harday convention held at Upper Morris Street WMC by The Bacongrabbers Tent of the Sons of the Desert (The Laurel and Hardy Appreciation Society)



By Charles Graham


Adoring fans of the world's greatest comedy double act descended on Wigan again for the annual Laurel and Har-Day.
For the 16th year in a row, the town hosted one of the bigger events in the international calendar of the Sons of the Desert – Stan and Ollie's appreciation society.

It was feared that this could be the last such event after it was announced that its organiser since the start – former Grand Sheikh of the Bacon Grabbers UK tent, Chris Coffey – has decided to call it a day.

But, before the event was even over, other stalwarts of the Laurel and Hardy festival were plotting the formation of a new tent named after another of the duo's films, Dirty Work, to keep the Wigan tradition going. Thanks were offered to Chris for all his hard work and he said he would still be coming along as an interested punter in future.

Fans came from all over Britain and beyond to this year's festival at the Upper Morris Street Working Men's Club in Scholes.

Once again the guest star was the American actress Jean Darling who, as a child, appeared with Laurel and Hardy in their 1934 film Babes In Toyland. She was a member of Our Gang which had its own hit series of Hal Roach films and went on to be the first Broadway star of the musical Carousel.

Chris interviewed her about her career and star-touched memories and she proved that advancing years have not diminished an excellent singing voice, bringing a standing ovation from the audience.

Another highlight of the day included the annual staging of the official Easy Kneesy Nosy world championships in which intrepid contestants attempt a co-ordination game mastered by Stan.

The knees are slapped, then the hands cross, the right to grab the nose, the left to grab the right ear.
Then after another knee slap the left hand grabs the nose and the right hand the left ear.

Contestants are eliminated by a panel of eagle-eyed Grand Sheikhs spotting any slip-ups in technique. This year's winner was a Daughter of the Desert from Nottingham.

Acclaimed film archive expert David Wyatt returned to set a quiz which demonstrated how much Laurel and Hardy material was plundered by Three Stooges for gags – and they didn't do them half as well.

Several movies were screened. There was an update on the Laurel and Hardy statue appeal which is nearing completion after many years and should lead to an unveiling in Stan's home town of Ulverston next April. There was also a memorabilia sale.

[Angus McLaurel]

Sept 13, 2008 14:19:35 GMT Angus McLaurel said:

It was feared that this could be the last such event after it was announced that its organiser since the start – former Grand Sheikh of the Bacon Grabbers UK tent, Chris Coffey – has decided to call it a day.

But, before the event was even over, other stalwarts of the Laurel and Hardy festival were plotting the formation of a new tent named after another of the duo's films, Dirty Work, to keep the Wigan tradition going. Thanks were offered to Chris for all his hard work and he said he would still be coming along as an interested punter in future.

Thanks for the mention Mr. Graham


;D

[neil]

What a nice man ;D
nice report as well

[Angus McLaurel]

Sept 13, 2008 14:19:35 GMT Angus McLaurel said:

This year's winner was a Daughter of the Desert from Nottingham.

Is that an official term? I suppose it should be.

[Angus McLaurel]

Sept 13, 2008 14:19:35 GMT Angus McLaurel said:

Good old Jupiter!

[neil]

Should be an offical term I think
I have put up a short review of the day on www.laurel-and-harday.co.uk if anybody is interested
just click on the 2008 review link

[Angus McLaurel]

Great review Neil.

It's a shame there were no photos.

[Jessop]

Sept 13, 2008 14:19:35 GMT Angus McLaurel said:

11th September 2008



LAUREL & HARDY DAY SUCCESS





ANOTHER FINE MESS...Roger Robinson, left, and Kevin Hepplestone at the Laurel and Harday convention held at Upper Morris Street WMC by The Bacongrabbers Tent of the Sons of the Desert (The Laurel and Hardy Appreciation Society)



By Charles Graham


Adoring fans of the world's greatest comedy double act descended on Wigan again for the annual Laurel and Har-Day.
For the 16th year in a row, the town hosted one of the bigger events in the international calendar of the Sons of the Desert – Stan and Ollie's appreciation society.

It was feared that this could be the last such event after it was announced that its organiser since the start – former Grand Sheikh of the Bacon Grabbers UK tent, Chris Coffey – has decided to call it a day.

But, before the event was even over, other stalwarts of the Laurel and Hardy festival were plotting the formation of a new tent named after another of the duo's films, Dirty Work, to keep the Wigan tradition going. Thanks were offered to Chris for all his hard work and he said he would still be coming along as an interested punter in future.

Fans came from all over Britain and beyond to this year's festival at the Upper Morris Street Working Men's Club in Scholes.

Once again the guest star was the American actress Jean Darling who, as a child, appeared with Laurel and Hardy in their 1934 film Babes In Toyland. She was a member of Our Gang which had its own hit series of Hal Roach films and went on to be the first Broadway star of the musical Carousel.

Chris interviewed her about her career and star-touched memories and she proved that advancing years have not diminished an excellent singing voice, bringing a standing ovation from the audience.

Another highlight of the day included the annual staging of the official Easy Kneesy Nosy world championships in which intrepid contestants attempt a co-ordination game mastered by Stan.

The knees are slapped, then the hands cross, the right to grab the nose, the left to grab the right ear.
Then after another knee slap the left hand grabs the nose and the right hand the left ear.

Contestants are eliminated by a panel of eagle-eyed Grand Sheikhs spotting any slip-ups in technique. This year's winner was a Daughter of the Desert from Nottingham.

Acclaimed film archive expert David Wyatt returned to set a quiz which demonstrated how much Laurel and Hardy material was plundered by Three Stooges for gags – and they didn't do them half as well.

Several movies were screened. There was an update on the Laurel and Hardy statue appeal which is nearing completion after many years and should lead to an unveiling in Stan's home town of Ulverston next April. There was also a memorabilia sale.

This is a good review....

Nice one Jupiter ;D ;D

[mgm]

Sept 13, 2008 14:19:35 GMT Angus McLaurel said:

By Charles Graham

It was feared that this could be the last such event after it was announced that its organiser since the start – former Grand Sheikh of the Bacon Grabbers UK tent, Chris Coffey – has decided to call it a day.

But, before the event was even over, other stalwarts of the Laurel and Hardy festival were plotting the formation of a new tent named after another of the duo's films, Dirty Work, to keep the Wigan tradition going. Thanks were offered to Chris for all his hard work and he said he would still be coming along as an interested punter in future.

Acclaimed film archive expert David Wyatt returned to set a quiz which demonstrated how much Laurel and Hardy material was plundered by Three Stooges for gags – and they didn't do them half as well.

1-Thanks to Charles
2-Are we not banning C ;D
3-Typical the year I'm not there the Stooges are mentiond...Love them!

[mgm]

Sept 14, 2008 12:25:34 GMT neil said:

Should be an offical term I think
I have put up a short review of the day on www.laurel-and-harday.co.uk if anybody is interested
just click on the 2008 review link

Not ignoring this but 'puter on go slow on some sites...

[mgm]

For those wondering about 2009...watch this space...

[Hives (aka Billy Gilbert)]

Is it being the "Laurel and Harday" or a "Perfect Day". I seem to recall some discussion about this.

[Angus McLaurel]

Mar 29, 2009 0:49:00 GMT Hives (aka Billy Gilbert) said:

Is it being the "Laurel and Harday" or a "Perfect Day". I seem to recall some discussion about this.

We did discuss this and even put it to a vote, but I feel the Laurel & HarDay will stick now no matter what we decide to do to try and change it. After all, it has been an annual event for 16 years now, this year being the 17th, so I think we may have been hasty in our early decision to change it.

I think it's a bit like when a pub changes it's name. People will still refer to it as what it WAS previously. Some folk don't like change. Simple as that. (if that makes any sense?)

[Angus McLaurel]

Less Than 2 Weeks Away now....



LOOK HERE