More bits and pieces

Dougie Rimmer We would like to say "Thank you" for your kindness over the last few weeks. We know that like us you will miss our Douglas. He was a "One-off" and a friend to all who knew him. At our request flowers for his funeral were only from members of the family. Many of you instead gave to the Wisdom Hospice in Rochester and we are pleased to say that the total amount given comes to over £1,000. The hospice will be able to do a great deal with this to relieve the suffering of many more patients. Thanks to you all. With love from Peggy, Peter, Robert, Teresa and the rest of the family Sold on eBay The buyer could have bought it from your editor for 80p (inc p&p)! And that would have been a new copy, not a used one. Laurel and Hardy Forum It's that time of the year again, folks. This year we shall be asking you to nominate who you think should be in the list to be considered as Laurel and Hardy Website Of The Year. Please don't add lists - just one nomination per member will suffice. I know it's hard to single out one site, but it's all fun and the winning website will receive a permanant badge to display on their website just like last year's winner... lettersfromstan.com. There is no shame in nominating your own site... go for it. The winner will be decided by our independant judges. Closing date for your nominations is August 31st 2008. Remember this is not a vote... this is just your nominations. The judges will choose the winner from the overall list on September 1st. Also to be announced soon... FORUM MEMBER OF THE YEAR 2008. Ross Owen Laurel and Hardy Forum Men in Dressing Gowns A brand new original theatre production from Men in Dressing Gowns is entitled Les hommes dans robes de chambre. The production is not about, or an imitation of, the Boys, but a homage and draws inspiration from the great work they and their contemporaries produced. Set against the backdrop of the 1940s Manchester Theatre circuit and in the great tradition of vintage comedy double acts come Hancock and Langford as Thacker and Langhorn, two disparate and desperate music hall performers attempting to survive through catastrophe. It is at The Salford Arts Theatre, Kemsing Walk (off Liverpool Street), Salford, Manchester on 21st, 22nd, 23rd August 2008, at 7.30pm. Tickets: £5 (conc £4). Box office:  0161 925 0111. www.menindressinggowns.com Did Stan say "fine mess"? With reference to Nick Rich's query. . . "Did Laurel use the term "fine mess" And if so, which film was it in? Here is the answer, which is, "Yes." In Sugar Daddies, Stan to Fin. . . "A fine mess you've made of things." M Finn Laughing O'Gravy goes green On 9th September 1953, Stan and Babe entered the small port of Cobh, in Southern Ireland. Despite the fact that no publicity was given out about their arrival, it seems everyone in the small town came out to welcome them. Children took a day off school and, in the harbour, an armada of small boats sailed out to meet them. The Boys were genuinely touched by this warm reception. And when the bells of the local cathedral rang out the Ku-Ku Song they were overwhelmed, and wept with joy. To celebrate this wondrous event, Laughing O'Gravy will dedicate our September tent meeting to all things Irish. Raffle prizes will include a "drop of the black stuff", a nip of Jameson and some Irish potatoes! We will also be rolling out the green carpet for our special guests, Liam Muldowney and Stephen O'Crowley from the Jitterbugs Tent of Dublin. The meeting will take place at our usual venue The Bromford Club, on Thursday 4th September. John Ullah   Did you see? On Wednesday 30th July the Dave channel on Freeview showed an episode of Red Dwarf IV called Meltdown. The crew found themselves on a planet inhabited by "waxdrolds" (automated waxworks). The good waxworks were at war against the evil waxworks. The great and good included Ghandi, Mother Theresa, Einstein, Elvis and Stan Laurel. The part of Stan was played by Forbes Masson. Dean Carroll