News flash

The Rogue Song Tent A new oasis called The Rogue Song Tent has been founded. Its main goal is to locate the following lost Laurel and Hardy films, complete or in part: The Rogue Song, Hats Off, Battle of the Century and Now I'll Tell One. They request that any information, no matter how small or remote, be reported to the tent. The Grand Sheik is Robert Stowell, 43700 Payne Avenue, Hemet, CA 92544, USA. Telephone (951) 927-4326. The Sub Sheik is Trevor Dorman, e-mail Trevor_d55@yahoo.co.uk. The Sub Vice Viziers are Daniel Holthaus, e-mail 93304@sbcglobal.net and Ken Runyan, e-mail oxford0614@verizon.net. Podcast The Laurel and Hardy Forum has launched its Podcast. Ross Owen says, "Basically it is a Laurel and Hardy fan Internet Radio/TV channel. The podcast is free and we want you to be involved, so send us your video messages or audio comments/contributions and you could find yourself on the world's first and only Laurel and Hardy Fan Radio and TV Channel. Our podcasts will be 15 to 25 minutes long, so keep your contributions to a maximum of around 10 minutes. All you need is a mic and/or a webcam or even a mobile phone with a video camera built in." For details on how to record and send in your contributions, follow this link: http://laurelandhardyforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4938#62708.   Way Out West (Bromwich) Tent Grand Sheik Phil Ruston's tent meets on the first Thursday of each month. The meetings start at 8pm. If you require further information please contact Phil on 0121 532 5692 or 07814 440 054. The venue is The Royal Oak, 14 Newton Street, West Bromwich, B71 3RQ. Phil is the landlord and runs the pub with his wife Josie, both pictured above. TCM show Stan and Ollie TCM will be running Laurel and Hardy films on Saturdays all summer and will devote a whole day to the Boys on 23rd August. The Laurel and Hardy Forum has the line-up. Lucy's art Above are two photos from the open day of Lucy Southward's first solo exhibition. The event is in Whalley near Clitheroe, Lancashire and it runs from 1st till 29th June. Lucy says, "Everybody is welcome to go along to have a look at my work." Lucy has several Laurel and Hardy pieces there, including her first-prize winner from last year. Lucy tells us, "I have also ventured into landscapes, animals and emotive pieces so there is an extensive range of subjects." E-mail Lucy at lucysouthward@hotmail.com. Raining champions! Sunday 1st June saw two of the Sailors Beware Tent's crew take part in the Race for Life - Cancer Research UK's flagship event for women. The 5 kilometre course encompassed the landscaped grounds of Heaton Park, Manchester, first opened to the public in 1902. Despite the rain-soaked course the girls "sailed over" the finish line in just over thirty minutes. A big "Well done" to Lesley Green and Janet Ball for completing the run, especially in the adverse weather conditions. In keeping with the tent's objectives, Sailors Beware sponsored the girls with a donation of £50.00. Stuart Green How tickled we were! Barry Reeves has been a member of our Laughing Gravy Tent for three years. But, due to work commitments, our June meeting was his first visit. Incredibly, Barry has been Ken Dodd's scriptwriter for the past twenty years or so. As we all know, Ken Dodd is a great admirer of the Boys, and Barry very kindly answered a few questions about Ken and his work. I'm pleased to say that Barry had a great evening and hopes to make the trip to Ulverston for this year's carnival. How tickled we are to have him as a member! John Ullah