A statue in Bishop Auckland

The town of Bishop Auckland was awash with admirers of Laurel and Hardy on Saturday 30th August, when Nancy Wardell unveiled the statue of Stan Laurel. Grand Sheik Tony Hillman and his Hog Wild Tent, with considerable support from the tent's former Grand Sheik Stan Patterson and founding Grand Sheik John Land, laid on a day of celebration, fun and films. Lots of Laurel and Hardy lookalikes, plus numerous visiting Sons wearing fezzes, and even just plain curious local folk, all crowed around the statue excitedly awaiting the unveiling as a jazz band played. TV cameras, radio and the press recorded the proceedings. Nancy, representing the Laurel family, spoke of her delight at the statue being placed and there were no hitches as she pulled the cord to unveil the comical figure. Back at the Town Hall, refreshments were available. Historian John Land gave a talk on his research on the Laurel connections of the area, where the Jeffersons were well known for their theatre management. The standard Laurel and Hardy films were augmented with a scholarly presentation of rare material such as newsreel footage of Laurel and Hardy, presented by Roger Robinson and by arrangement with Dave Wyatt. There were even live performances for the audience's edification. And some went on the Stan Laurel Walk in Bishop Auckland, which includes houses where the Jefferson family lived, St Peters Church, where Arthur Stanley Jefferson (Stan) was baptised, the Theatre Royal (later renamed the Eden Theatre) which Stan's father ran, and the King James Grammar School, which Stan attended. There is even the Staff House, where Stan gave early performances. We had a lovely day and some of us Sons continued our pilgrimage the following day by visiting the former Gainford Academy, where Stan boarded, and then on to North Sheilds and the statue of Stan Laurel which adorns that town. Willie McIntyre Nancy admires the statue . . .from all angles Peter Jones as Stan Town Hall Tony and Richard Stan Patterson   Locals More locals   For earlier pieces on the statue