2018 review

Laurel & Hardy in Bully-wood – Bull Inn, Bottesford 2018 

The Beau Hunks tent want to say a big thank to all the visiting Sons of the Desert on  making the “Boys at the Bull” event yet another special and memorable day, Saturday June 23rd.  Over 60 Sons (from 7 tents) and visitors from the village descended on the Bull Inn at Bottesford to enjoy an afternoon of films and fun at the pub that Stan Laurel’s sister ran during the 1950s and Stan & Ollie visited a number of times during their variety tours.  This year the film show was based on a theme of Laurel & Hardy in Bully-wood…with an emphasis on trees, wood, etc .

The highlight of the day was a re-showing of the near complete restored version of Battle of the Century with thanks to Dave Wyatt.   Special thanks also goes to Beau Hunks tent member John Palmer who brought his Model T Ford car and also Laurel & Hardy look-a-likes Gregg Taylor and Tom Seymour – who provided many photo opportunities in front of the car.    Authors Jo and Ant Mitchell-Waite were also on hand to give a brief and interesting  talk on their forthcoming books, which was followed by impromptu and similarly interesting short talks by authors Danny Lawrence and Roger Robinson on their recently issued books on Arthur Jefferson and on Laurel & Hardy at the London Palladium, respectively.   The sun certainly shone down on the Sons and many enjoyed socialising in the beer garden and later taking shade in the pub lounge, where Stan & Ollie served the beers on Christmas day 1953.

There were some surprise visitors on the day none more so than, Ron Stokoe.  As many of you will know, Ron was the Boys taxi driver during the Boys theatrical engagement at the Southend Odeon in 1952.  Ron hasn’t been well in recent months so it was an absolute massive thrill to have Ron join us on the day and in very good spirits.  The photo below shows Ron enjoying a moment re-enacting his duties from 1952 with Tom (Stan) and Gregg (Ollie).

In the morning, I had the great pleasure of taking a number of  people around the village of Barkston – visiting the Plough Inn (Stan’s sisters first pub from the 1940s) and Arthur Jefferson’s grave.  It was a particular pleasure to show Marion from the Laurel & Hardy museum the gravestone that her father Bill Cubin had endeavoured many years to make a reality.

…..And yes, we aim to do it all again next year!

Dave Tomlinson

GS Beau Hunks tent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2018

The Nottingham Beau Hunks Tent again invite everyone everywhere to join with them in an afternoon of film fun and frivolity at the Bull Inn in Bottesford (between Nottingham & Grantham, NG130BW) on Saturday 23rd June, 1pm until 6pm.  The Bull Inn was once run by Stan’s sister, Beatrice Olga and her husband Bill Healey.   Stan & Ollie occasionally visited the pub during their early 1950s theatrical tours of the UK.   The pub’s lounge is adorned with photographs and memorabilia all in memory of those very special visits.  

This year, we have entitled our film show “Laurel & Hardy in BULLY-WOOD”  ….with an emphasis on wood and trees in Laurel & Hardy films.  The highlight of the day will be a re-screening of the most complete version of the Battle of the Century (1927) by Dave Wyatt on 16mm format with a few other rarities thrown in.  

 

We will also have author Danny Lawrence selling and signing his latest book on Stan’s father, Arthur Jefferson (AJ),  and co-authors Antony and Jo Mitchell-Waite will be talking about  exciting news on their two forthcoming books.   John Palmer will also be bringing his fabulous Model T Ford, presenting an ideal opportunity for a photo with his life-size Laurel & Hardy figures and his wonderful car.    

 

The event is FREE and all kids aged from 4 to 104 are very welcome.

Boys at the Bull 2017

In the morning,  we will again be visiting The Plough Inn in Barkston (4 miles north of Grantham) where Stan’s father, AJ,  and his sister, Beatrice Olga, once lived and ran the small pub during the 1940s – and where Stan & Ollie made at least one visit during their 1947 tour.   We will also be visiting AJs grave in the village and paying our due respects to a special father.    Those interested in this pre-event …please meet at the Stag Inn at the centre of this small village (NG322NB) at 10.30 am, Saturday morning.  

 

The Beau Hunks Tent continue to meet every 3rd Wednesday of the month at the White Lion Pub,  24, Middle Street, Beeston, NG91FX, Nottingham at 7.30pm.   On Wednesday June 20th,  we will be screening  the Boys 1940s film “The Dancing Masters”….and of course we will also be celebrating the university of Stan’s birth.   All are welcome to join us.

 

For more information please contact Grand Sheik, Dave Tomlinson at DTomlinson@tinyworld.co.uk

 

2017

The Nottingham Beau Hunks Tent again invite all Sons (& Daughters) everywhere to join with them in an afternoon of film fun and frivolity at the Bull Inn in central Bottesford on Saturday 24th June 2017, 1pm until 6pm. The Bull Inn was once run by Stan’s sister, Beatrice Olga and her husband Bill Healey. Stan & Ollie occasionally visited the pub during their early 1950s theatrical tours of the UK. The pub’s lounge is adorned with photographs and memorabilia all in memory of those special visits.

This year, we have entitled our film show “The Bull Fighters” when we will be showing a number of short films where the Boys inadvertently start a “tit for tat” battle or just get caught up in a fight…..but of course, it’s where no-one really gets hurt….except for us watching …with pains of laughter. The highlight of the day will be a one-off and absolutely unique screening of the most complete version of the Battle of the Century (1927)…… Dave Wyatt has kindly agreed to make the trip up to the East Midlands to show a copy of the recently discovered full 2nd reel on 16mm format. This will show the full version of the pie fight, that was to end all pie-fights…and this will have its first screening in the East Midlands for about 90 years. The event is FREE and all kids aged from 4 to 104 are welcome.

In the morning, we will again be visiting The Plough Inn in Barkston (4 miles north of Grantham) where Stan’s father, AJ, and his sister, Beatrice Olga, once lived and ran the small pub during the 1940s – and where Stan & Ollie made at least one visit during their 1947 tour. We will also be visiting AJs grave in the village and paying our due respects. Those interested in this pre-event …please meet at the Stag Inn at the centre of this village at 10.30 am, Saturday morning.

The Beau Hunks Tent continue to meet every 3rd Wednesday of the month at the White Lion Pub, 24, Middle Street, Beeston, NG91FX, Nottingham at 7.30pm. On Wednesday, May 17th we screened Way Out West. On Wednesday June 21st, as a prequel to the “Boys at the Bull” event, we will be screening the Boys 1940s film “The Bullfighters”….and of course we will also be celebrating the university of Stan’s birth. All are welcome to join us.

For more information please contact Grand Sheik, Dave Tomlinson at DTomlinson@tinyworld.co.uk or tel 01332-673685.

Battle of the Century Restored version reviews…

http://www.laurelandhardy.org/THE_BATTLE_OF_THE_CENTURY.htm
http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2015/06/laurel_and_hardy_s_battle_of_the_century_pie_fight_reel_is_found.html
https://thelostlaugh.com/2017/02/23/the-rediscovery-of-the-century/