Phoenix Restaurant

The plight of the Laurel and Hardy Restaurant in Zandvoort, Netherlands, which was ravaged by fire just a few weeks after the Amsterdam Convention, saddened all Sons of the Desert. Those of us who previously have had the good fortune to enjoy delicious food amidst the array of Laurel and Hardy memorabilia that bedecked the walls felt we were in Laurel and Hardy Paradise. What a place it was and can you imagine the heartbreak the fire caused for owner Ron Brouwer and his family who live above the restaurant? Fortunately, when the fire occurred, they all got out safely, but the restaurant and all the memorabilia was destroyed. As several Saps have enjoyed the wonderful hospitality of Ollie lookalike Ron, I put out the rally cry to see what could be done in helping to replace some of the lost memorabilia. What a response I had! On Saturday 18th October, four Saps (Dave Dearle, Laurie Young, Ron Stokoe and myself) were able to drive to Zandvoort and meet up with Ron, his wife Gerda and their 13-year-old son, Stanley. We had a fine array of collectible memorabilia to pass on to Ron including statues, framed pictures, prints, original artwork, original posters, mirrors, ornaments, autographs, posters and clocks. Ron was delighted and truly moved by this response and asked me to say, "We are very, very grateful to everyone for their wonderful kindness in thinking of us. We are confident that the Laurel and Hardy Restaurant will reopen in November. Thank you, everybody." We enjoyed the company of Ron, Gerda, Stanley and Robert Radevan (who went out of his way to "spoil us" with a ride in his fabulous 1930 Citreon earlier in the day), with a great meal together in the Greek restaurant opposite. As I looked across the road from where we sat, I know that, like Phoenix from the flames, the Laurel and Hardy Restaurant will soon once again be the most happy, congenial and marvellous of places. I would like to thank the following persons for their generosity in donating memorabilia to Ron. It filled the boot of my car! Willie McIntyre, Tony Hillman, John Ullah, Tony Traynor, Lucy Southward, Amy McCloughan, Del Kempster, Steve Robinson, Ron Stokoe, Dave Dearle, Ray Dempsey, Paul Allen, Rob Brigstock, Laurie Young and Roger Robinson. Roger Robinson The Two Ronnies Ollie (Ron) and Stanley