Sailors at Wigan

On 3rd May 2008 the Sailors Beware Tent sent a delegation of four (Wayne, Kev, Lesley and myself) to the UK Convention, held in Wigan and organised by the Bacon Grabbers Tent. Fans of Laurel and Hardy came from far and wide, including Europe and America, to attend so we were in great company. We were entertained by watching Laurel and Hardy films in the company of other fans, and your very own Grand Sheik took part in the annual Kneesie-Earsie-Nosey Competition, but was disqualified with a rather dubious decision of having a feather in my bowler. Scholarly words from author John de Santo, artist Lucy Southward and cartoon researcher supremo Antony Mitchell-Waite were delivered, plus Jean Darling recited from her booklet entitled A Trip to Roach's which was specially written for the convention and which was also on sale in the main hall. A jigsaw puzzle was bravely tackled by conventioneers and (a surprise ending!) it was eventually discovered that there was no missing piece. On the Saturday evening of the convention the new Sailors Beware banner was unfurled in the hotel lobby, with great noises of appreciation and much photo-taking. All in all a good time was had by all. Before departure Marion Grave urged us to go to Grange-over-Sands and Ulverston for next year's UK Convention, to be hosted jointly by the Berth Marks Tent and the Chickens Come Home Tent. Graeme Green Wayne, Kevin and Graeme Jean and Lesley Paul (Allen), Graeme and Ant (Mitchell-Waite)