The Beau Hunks Tent of The Sons of the Desert
The Nottingham branch of the Laurel and Hardy appreciation society
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August Meeting 2026 12 August 2026

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,Our next film show is next week on Wednesday August 19th  in our NEW time slot of 7.00pm till 10.00pm at the usual venue, THE BARGE INN,  at 177 Tamworth Rd, Long Eaton, Nottingham NG10 1DH.  We are up on the upper deck.  

All are welcome –  entry is free.

This month we will be celebrating the anniversary of the births of two major Laurel & Hardy supporting actors…..Jimmy Finlayson, born 27th August 1887 (139 years ago) and Charlie Hall, born 19th August 1899 (exactly 127 years ago to the day) .    James Henderson Finlayson and Charlie Hall  respectively appeared in 33 and 48 Laurel & Hardy films.  Infact they appeared in many together.  On the night, we will be showing no less than 3 short films where they appear together, “Men Of War (1929)” (“but we’ve only got 15 cents..), “Thicker Than Water (1935)” (“he gave it to him to give to her...)  and “The Hoose Gow (1929)“( “the more wood you cut the more you can eat”)

We will also be showing the 1929 L&H silent short “Bacon Grabbers (1929)” with Edgar Kennedy, Jean Harlow and Charlie Hall who appears as a rather grumpy motorist.    This I will show from the latest HD Blu-ray set of 2025 restored films ….along with Randy Skredvedts brilliant commentary.

During the “What was happening at the Hal Roach studios 100 years ago”  slot I plan to show excerpts from “The Nickel Hopper (1926)”, a 3 reel silent written by Stan for a fading comedy star of the silver screen, Mabel Normand .  This includes  an appearance by Ollie, now over his injury, playing a frenetic drummer.  Interestingly, there is also an  appearance in this film of a young Boris “Frankenstein” Karloff.  He would later play the Tiger (Walter Longs role) in the French phonetic version of “Pardon Us”.  Stan was now back in front of the camera, and if time permits, we’ll show his brief Finlayson take-off in “45 minutes from Hollywood  (1926)”.  For many years it was believed that this cameo was shot in August 1926 but recent research by Randy Skredvedt now suggests this was shot in April 1926.  Doh! The film wasn’t released until Dec 1926 probably because of concern over the contractural disagreements with Joe Rock.  Babe Hardy plays a significant role in the film but he does not share a scene with Stan, though there is some interaction between them created by some good editing.  This film is deemed a Laurel & Hardy film…it’s no 2 in the L&H filmography and the first at Roach studios.  As it was released late in Dec 1926, we will show the full and restored version of the film in HD in January 2027.  This will be when  we begin to show each and every silent Laurel & Hardy film in the order that they were released 100 years ago.  Tell me that again….

We will end our film show with “One Good Turn (1931)” with Fin playing an evil landlord planning to evict an old lady….Stan & Ollie come to her rescue as they sell their Model T.

At the break, there will be a related L&H cartoon…this time, no 140 from the 156 Larry Harmon series  from July 1967 entitled “Franken-Stan” in a tip of the Derbie hat to Boris Karloff.  We’ll have  the usual raffle and of course the long roll-call of toasts in accordance with the Sons of the Desert constitution.

The annual Laurel & Harday is again in Wigan on Saturday September 5th with all the usual  activities including the “kneesie, earsey, nosey” world championships – see the Bowler Dessert website https://www.bowlerdessert.com for details.  I  recommend it as it’s always a good day out.  We hope to go and we are hoping that Martin can bring back the silverware this year.

Our September film show will be on the usual third Wednesday in the month..Septober 16th when we will be celebrating Billy Gilbert’s birthday and a long overdue showing of “Block-Heads(1938)” where Billy plays the big game hunter.

Before then, hopefully, we’ll see you on Wednesday.  Please bring friends and family – all are very welcome.

Fraternally Yours,

Dave T

(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)

Beau hunks tent website: http://www.laurelandhardynottingham.uk

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July Meeting 2026 31 July 2026

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,

Our next film show is next week on Wednesday June 10th  in our NEW time slot of 7.00pm till 10.00pm at the usual venue, THE BARGE INN,  at 177 Tamworth Rd, Long Eaton, Nottingham NG10 1DH.  We are up on the upper deck.

All are welcome –  entry is free.

On Wednesday, we will be celebrating the anniversary of the birth of Ulverston born Stan Laurel on the 16th June 1890.  Our film show will therefore have a bit of a bias to  Stan and a  number of film firsts.
First of all, we will be showing Laurel & Hardy’s first ever film together as recorded in the various filmographies.  This is the silent short “Lucky Dog (1921)”.  Though deemed a Laurel & Hardy film, Stan Laurel is the lead comedian with Babe providing a supporting role as a villainous “heavy”.   Stan’s younger brother, Teddy Jefferson, also makes an appearance as a butler in the film.   It would be another 5 or 6 years before Laurel & Hardy would be seen together in front of the camera, this time, at the Hal Roach studios.  For the first time, we will show the recently restored version of this in full HD supported by a Randy Skredvedt commentary.
Our main feature of the evening will be a showing of “Sons of the Desert (1933)”, one of the Boys best features, where Stan reminds us that “honesty is the best politics”.   Stan was particularly influential in the creation of the Laurel & Hardy Appreciation Society aka The Sons of the Desert based on this film now over 60 years ago.  Again, we will show a restored version of this film in full HD.
After the break, we will continue to look at what was happening at the Hal Roach studios exactly 100 years ago…and in a tent first, we are going to show, the silent short “Get ‘Em Young (1926)”.  This was the film that Stan was supposed to direct Babe Hardy, but due to Babe having an unfortunate accident whilst basting a leg of lamb, Stan had to fill in for him.  This is quite a pivotal film in the history of Laurel & Hardy as it put Stan back into pictures and later created the opportunities for Laurel and Hardy to work together in front of the camera.  In the film, Stan plays a very significant supporting role to the fading star, Harry Myers.
We also plan to show “Unaccustomed As We Are (1929)”, the Boys first ever talkie short.  As a tent first we will show the very recently restored version of this film in full HD.
Yes, at the break we’ll have a birthday cake and I have few interesting film items to show  including a short documentary on the silents film restorations by Serge Bromberg and of course  another Larry Harmon L&H cartoon entitled “Flea’s a crowd (1967)”, shown as a precursor to our “Animal Magic” film show at the Bull Inn.
There’ll be the usual raffle – all donations gratefully accepted….and of course we will have the loyal toasts.   Again, we shall target to finish at 10pm.
Announcements…
1).   Talking Pictures TV are airing  a short season of Laurel & Hardy films between Saturday June 6th and Thursday June 11.  See attached
2).    Don’t forget, our afternoon Laurel & Hardy film show at the Bull Inn, Bottesford on the following Saturday, 13th June 1-6pm.  We have an “Animal Magic” theme to our show,  celebrating the animals that supported Laurel & Hardy…including the flea circus!  John Palmer is planning to be there with his super vintage Ford Model T motor car with Stan & Ollie.  Also there will be visitors from other tents selling all sorts of L&H merch and books.  Also, in the morning, we will be walking round Barkston, visiting AJs grave and the Plough Inn.   Meet 10.30am at the Stag Inn in the centre of Barkston.   Please  refer back to last months circular email or our website regarding all the details.
3).  Our July film show will be on  Wednesday July 22nd as the Barge Inn when I’m hoping to celebrate Thelma Todd.    After that, our meetings will return to the usual third Wednesday in the month.
So, hopefully, we’ll see you next Wednesday.
Please bring your friends and family – all are very welcome.

Fraternally Yours,
Dave T
(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)
Beau hunks tent website: http://www.laurelandhardynottingham.uk
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Boys at the Bull 2026 13 June 2026

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,
Just a quick reminder that our annual film show is at the Bull Inn, Bottesford tomorrow, Saturday 13th June 1 to 6pm.  If you want to make a full day of it, we’ll be in Barkston in the morning to visit the Plough Inn and the final resting place of Stan Laurel’s father, Arthur Jefferson, for this meet at 10.30am at the Stagg Inn, Barkston.
if you are coming to the Bull Inn, can I please ask that you park your vehicles in the street – there’s usually plenty of parking spaces.  The available parking in the Bull Inn carpark has diminished over the years because of the pubs “pub garden”.  John, if he can make it,  will need much of the space for his car, trailer and his Model T,  as well as some space for photos.  Also I’ll need a space to unload.
I’ve ordered some good weather, so I hope to see you all tomorrow for our Animal Magic film show.
Fraternally Yours,
Dave T
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June Meeting 2026 5 June 2026

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,

Our next film show is next week on Wednesday June 10th  in our NEW time slot of 7.00pm till 10.00pm at the usual venue, THE BARGE INN,  at 177 Tamworth Rd, Long Eaton, Nottingham NG10 1DH.  We are up on the upper deck.

All are welcome –  entry is free.

On Wednesday, we will be celebrating the anniversary of the birth of Ulverston born Stan Laurel on the 16th June 1890.  Our film show will therefore have a bit of a bias to  Stan and a  number of film firsts.
First of all, we will be showing Laurel & Hardy’s first ever film together as recorded in the various filmographies.  This is the silent short “Lucky Dog (1921)”.  Though deemed a Laurel & Hardy film, Stan Laurel is the lead comedian with Babe providing a supporting role as a villainous “heavy”.   Stan’s younger brother, Teddy Jefferson, also makes an appearance as a butler in the film.   It would be another 5 or 6 years before Laurel & Hardy would be seen together in front of the camera, this time, at the Hal Roach studios.  For the first time, we will show the recently restored version of this in full HD supported by a Randy Skredvedt commentary.
Our main feature of the evening will be a showing of “Sons of the Desert (1933)”, one of the Boys best features, where Stan reminds us that “honesty is the best politics”.   Stan was particularly influential in the creation of the Laurel & Hardy Appreciation Society aka The Sons of the Desert based on this film now over 60 years ago.  Again, we will show a restored version of this film in full HD.
After the break, we will continue to look at what was happening at the Hal Roach studios exactly 100 years ago…and in a tent first, we are going to show, the silent short “Get ‘Em Young (1926)”.  This was the film that Stan was supposed to direct Babe Hardy, but due to Babe having an unfortunate accident whilst basting a leg of lamb, Stan had to fill in for him.  This is quite a pivotal film in the history of Laurel & Hardy as it put Stan back into pictures and later created the opportunities for Laurel and Hardy to work together in front of the camera.  In the film, Stan plays a very significant supporting role to the fading star, Harry Myers.
We also plan to show “Unaccustomed As We Are (1929)”, the Boys first ever talkie short.  As a tent first we will show the very recently restored version of this film in full HD.
Yes, at the break we’ll have a birthday cake and I have few interesting film items to show  including a short documentary on the silents film restorations by Serge Bromberg and of course  another Larry Harmon L&H cartoon entitled “Flea’s a crowd (1967)”, shown as a precursor to our “Animal Magic” film show at the Bull Inn.
There’ll be the usual raffle – all donations gratefully accepted….and of course we will have the loyal toasts.   Again, we shall target to finish at 10pm.
Announcements…
1).   Talking Pictures TV are airing  a short season of Laurel & Hardy films between Saturday June 6th and Thursday June 11.  See attached
2).    Don’t forget, our afternoon Laurel & Hardy film show at the Bull Inn, Bottesford on the following Saturday, 13th June 1-6pm.  We have an “Animal Magic” theme to our show,  celebrating the animals that supported Laurel & Hardy…including the flea circus!  John Palmer is planning to be there with his super vintage Ford Model T motor car with Stan & Ollie.  Also there will be visitors from other tents selling all sorts of L&H merch and books.  Also, in the morning, we will be walking round Barkston, visiting AJs grave and the Plough Inn.   Meet 10.30am at the Stag Inn in the centre of Barkston.   Please  refer back to last months circular email or our website regarding all the details.
3).  Our July film show will be on  Wednesday July 22nd as the Barge Inn when I’m hoping to celebrate Thelma Todd.    After that, our meetings will return to the usual third Wednesday in the month.
So, hopefully, we’ll see you next Wednesday.
Please bring your friends and family – all are very welcome.

Fraternally Yours,
Dave T
(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)
Beau hunks tent website: http://www.laurelandhardynottingham.uk
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June & July meeting date changes 2026 23 May 2026

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,
It was inevitable that we would have to make changes to meeting dates due to the World Cup and holidays, etc.  As I didn’t want a summer shutdown, I’ve changed our next two meeting dates at The Barge Inn in Long Eaton  as follows…
1)  From Wednesday June 17th to a week earlier, that is Wednesday June 10th 7pm.  That’s because some country called Eng-er-Land  actually plays on the 17th!  We will be celebrating Stan’s birthday with a showing of the Boys 1st film appearing together, “The Lucky Dog (1921)” along with probably their best film, “Sons of the Desert (1933)”.
2) From Wednesday July 15th to a week later, that is Wednesday July 22nd 7pm.
The Bull Inn film show is unaffected…still on Saturday June 13th.
I’ll send out reminders nearer the time.
Fraternally Yours,
Dave T
(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)
Beau hunks tent website: http://www.laurelandhardynottingham.uk
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May Meeting 2026 15 May 2026

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,

Our next film show is next week on Wednesday May 20th  in our NEW time slot of 7.00pm till 10.00pm at the usual venue, THE BARGE INN,  at 177 Tamworth Rd, Long Eaton, Nottingham NG10 1DH.  We are up on the upper deck.

All are welcome –  entry is free.

This month in accordance with the tent tradition our film show is presented in tribute to the “eternally ever-popular” Mae Busch.  Though her birthday is next month (June 18th), it’s always over-shadowed by Stan’s birthday just a couple of days before.  So, our May show is dedicated to our Maisie.   Mae appeared in 13 films with the Boys…and I will be showing no less than 4 of them, all talkie shorts in the period from 1931-1935 using the best available prints, mostly recently restored and in HD.
Laurel & Hardy had many great supporting actors and actresses, all very well casted, making the films as wonderful as they are…and sadly many don’t get the full credit they deserve.    One of these actresses is the beautiful Vivien Oakland, born May 20th 1895.  She only appeared in 3 films with the Boys…all very memorable.  In celebration of her birth exactly 131 years ago, we will take a little time-out from our Maisie show to show 2 of her 3 films; the silent short “We Faw Down (1928)” where she is Mrs Hardy and the talkie short “Scram (1932)”where she’s the judge’s wife.   Again, we will show the recently restored versions of these films in HD.  She also appeared in “Way Out West (1937)” as the pestered lady in the stagecoach enrolee to Brushwood Gulch.  I intend to show this film at the Bull Inn, Bottesford next month.

We’ll also show another Larry Harmon L&H cartoon “Baul Maul (1966)”.   This is being shown in recognition of the Football World Cup finals that begin next month on June 11th.   Coincidentally, the cartoon was released just after that 1966 England World Cup win,  60 years ago.  In the cartoon, the Boys do actually play football in America …but sadly it’s football of the US kind.  Thankfully, none of our June meets clash with any of the big games.

We’ll also have another quick look at what was happening at the Hal Roach studios exactly 100 years ago…this time during May 1926, with a screening of the final 6 mins  of  Say it With Babies (1926) which was released  on May18th 1926.  This was a Glen Tryon comedy supported by Babe Hardy, Martha Sleeper and Vivien Oakland.  Babe plays a co-starring role in the film and amazingly appears and acts like the Ollie we know and love in future L&H films.
There’ll be the usual raffle – all donations gratefully accepted….and of course we will have the loyal toasts.   Again, we shall target to finish at 10pm.
Our June film show will be on the usual third Wednesday in the month..June 17th when we will be celebrating Stan’s 136th birthday, including the screening of Laurel & Hardy’s very first film in the Chronology “The Lucky Dog (1921)”.

BUT before that….
Our afternoon Laurel & Hardy film show at the Bull Inn, Bottesford has been booked for Saturday 13th June.   We have an “Animal Magic” theme to our show,  celebrating the animals that supported Laurel & Hardy.
Yes, we will be having a raffle, quiz and the usual (long winded) round of toasts…including the eternally ever-popular Mae Busch.   The quiz will be an observational quiz on the “Way Out West (1937)” film with a few multiple choice curve ball questions thrown in…just to give everyone a chance of winning our quiz trophy.
For those that have not visited the Bull Inn before…this was the pub that Stan’s sister Beatrice Olga Healey ran in the 1950s with her husband Bill Healey.  Stan & Ollie visited the pub on a number of occasions whilst on a variety tour of the UK…most notably Christmas 1953 whilst performing at the Nottingham Empire.  They even served behind the bar on Christmas Day 1953….and there are photos in the pub that proves it along with other momentos in the pub lounge.  The film show will start at 1pm and finish at 6pm.  Come and go as you please.  The event is free to all and it will be great to see you.
For the more adventurous (early birds…how early?)…in the morning, we will also be visiting  the village of Barkston (4 miles north of Grantham).  This is where Stan Laurel’s father (Arthur Jefferson) has been laid to rest in the village’s very  small cemetery and there is the Plough Inn where he lived with Beatrice Olga and Bill on West Street during the 1940s.  The Plough Inn was visited by the Boys in March 1947 during their first variety tour of the UK…infact they were playing at the London Palladium.  I will be conducting the usual  walking tour of these sites starting from the Stag Inn in the centre of this very small village at 10.30am.  Again all are very welcome to join me.
There will be visitors from other tents including The Brats, Thicker Than water and the Helpmates.   Mark & Theresa Hammond from Brighton will be joining us from the Helpmates tent.  Mark was a regular writer for the Laurel & Hardy magazine and has an absolutely superb collection of L&H memorabilia including autographs, original photographs, posters and  programmes .   Also, we will be joined by members of the Sunderland “Beau Chumps” tent including GS Mike Jones.  Mike has recently written a couple of brilliant books, one covers his take on the L&H films entitled “‘Twas Ever Thus” , the other covers a miscellany of L&H facts entitled “You don’t believe me”.    These are good value at £10, fully recommended with proceeds going to charity.  He will be with us selling these books.   We will also be joined by members of the Saps At Sea tent from Southend, including Roger Robinson.  Roger also has items to sell including some of his wonderful books that he has authored over the years (including Pom! Pom!), also all fully recommended.
Finally, John Palmer is also hoping to bring his wonderful Model T.   Its should be a great day out…all I’ve got to do now is order some good weather!
Check out the Sons of the Desert website https://www.bowlerdessert.com
Click on “Coming events” and you’ll find “Boys at the Bull Inn 2026”.  This advertises the event.
It can also be seen on the Home page under “added recently”.
I’ll write again to remind/finalise everything nearer the time.
Finally, Graham Wale from the Tit for Tat tent and a few others have helped in supporting the BBC in putting a new 15mins audio documentary (BBC sounds) based on the Laurel & Hardy visits to Lincolnshire  and the surrounding areas including the Bull Inn and Barkston.   It is good and worth a listen
Graham will also be joining us on June 13th..

So, hopefully, we’ll see you next Wednesday….at 7pm!.  Please bring your friends and family – all are very welcome.

Fraternally Yours,
Dave T
(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)
Beau hunks tent website: http://www.laurelandhardynottingham.uk
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April Meeting 2026 11 April 2026

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,

Our next film show is next week on Wednesday April 15th  in our NEW time slot of 7.00pm till 10.00pm at the usual venue, THE BARGE INN,  at 177 Tamworth Rd, Long Eaton, Nottingham NG10 1DH.  We are up on the upper deck.

All are welcome –  entry is free.

This month we will be celebrating the birth of our favourite cop….Edgar Livingstone Kennedy born April 26th 1890…indeed, who was only a couple months older than Stan.  Edgar appeared in 11 films with the Boys, mostly between 1928 and 1930.  We are hoping to show 4 of these films, beginning with his first with Laurel & Hardy…and infact his first at the  Hal Roach studios, the silent “Leave em Laughing (1928)” .  In a tent first, we will be showing the recently restored version in full HD with a Randy Skredvedt commentary.  In the film the Boys pay a visit to the  dentist and become seriously intoxicated with Laughing Gas…Edgar Kennedy plays a disgruntled cop.
This month, we are also daring to show a 1940s feature that we’ve not seen for 10 years…it’s the MGM wartime feature “Air Raid Wardens (1943)“.  As I’ve mentioned before, the 1940s films are not to everyone’s taste as they tend to lack the playfulness and spontaneity that we are used to seeing on the Hal Roach lot.  This is a result of Stan losing a lot of creative control through tight scripting and filming schedules and also of poor editing.  But it is a Laurel & Hardy film and there are many good scenes with many good gags with echoes back to some familiar Hal Roach films…I promise you it’s worth a look.   In the film Stan & Ollie become heroes as they foil a Nazi plot to sabotage a Magnesium plant.  It’s Edgars last film with the Boys and he plays a tough guy, Joe Bledsoe.
After the break we plan to show a HD restored version of the talkie short “Perfect Day (1929)” with “gouty” uncle Edgar.  This will be  followed by the talkie short “Night Owls (1930)” with Edgar playing a failed cop….but will Kennedy fix it?

We’ll also show another Larry Harmon L&H cartoon “Always Leave ’em Giggling (1966)”  which has ties with the films we’re showing.  in this, the Boys, Zatman and Zatboy, foil a plot  to sabotage a water plant by the Giggler.  This is indeed a parody of the TV series with Batman and Robin foiling the exploits of the Joker.

We’ll also have another quick look at what was happening at the Hal Roach studios exactly 100 years ago…this time during April 1926, with a screening of the extant 3mins fragment of  Madame Mystery (1926) which was released  on April 18th 1926.  This was an All star comedy co-written and co-directed by Stan principally guesting the fading silent superstar Theda Bara as a spy, in her last ever film.  This was supported by Oliver Hardy and Jimmy Finlayson.
There’ll be the usual raffle – all donations gratefully accepted….and of course we will have the loyal toasts, including a toast to our friend and fellow tent member, Brian, who passed away last month and of course a toast to all our absent friends.   Again, we shall target to finish at 10pm.

Don’t forget…the  Bull Inn, Bottesford is booked for an afternoon of L&H films on  Saturday June 13th, 1pm-6pm.   I’m intending to show films where the Boys are strongly supported by various animals….and I don’t mean tough guys Walter long, Richard Cramer or Noah Young.   We’ll again be visiting the Plough Inn and Arthur Jeffersons grave in the morning.  All are very welcome.
I’ve also been informed that Ant and Jo Mitchell-Waite will be running a 2-day event of Laurel & hardy films on  Saturday and Sunday, July 11th and 12th at the Artisan Tap, Hartshill, Stoke.  it sounds very interesting.  Admission £3, kids free; films, raffle, sales stall, food truck etc.  See attached..more details to follow.
Next months meeting is on the usual 3rd Wednesday..May 20th (again at the new time of 7pm to 10pm), for our annual tribute to our Maisie….that’s Mae Busch.

So, hopefully, we’ll see you next Wednesday….at 7pm!.  Please bring friends and family – all are very welcome.

Fraternally Yours,
Dave T
(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)
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Brian Calladine 4 April 2026

Dear Laurel & Hardy friends,
It’s with great sadness that I have to inform you that Brian Calladine passed away peacefully at Stoke Hospital on 1st March 2026, aged 86.
Brian was a regular member of our tent for over 25 years and, even before that, he was a member of the Derby Hats Off tent.   I know that many knew him as a kindly, cheerful, thoughtful and a very unassuming fellow with a big laugh.  After I became GS in December 2014, Brian happily took over the role of a sub vice-vizier and became the tent’s treasurer and did a good job.  Whilst at the White Lion he would happily help set up the room before and after each meeting  – though he didn’t have much choice as we used to car share to the meeting!  Being early, he was always able to sit in the cushioned comfy seats at the back of the room at the White Lion.   Brian loved Laurel & Hardy and had a great sense of humour.  He used to work for the East Mids Electricity board as an electrician and had many a funny tale to tell about his wiring ventures.  At one time he was also a scout master.  In retirement he had a lot of different interests including the Chaddesden Historical society, regular reunions with his old mates at the “Leccy board”,  gardening and enjoying time with his rescue dogs.  He also loved to travel with his lovely and beloved wife, Hillary who looked after him.
Sadly, due to a long term illness, he couldn’t make the return to the tent after the Covid break in May 2022.   Hillary actively took care of him until she very unexpectedly passed away in August 2023.  I met him briefly in 2024 and it was quite clear that the loss of his beloved wife had very seriously affected him.  The house was sold and sadly I subsequently lost contact with him but I believe he was looked after by his large family.
A funeral service will be held at Derby Markeaton Crematorium (Main Chapel) on Thursday 9th April 2026 at 1.30pm.  The family has requested that: ” Family flowers only, but donations  in loving memory of Brian to benefit Alzheimer’s Society may be given online by visiting funeral-notices.co.uk or placed in the donation box at the service.  Any further enquiries to Central Coop funeral Chaddesden.  Tel 01332 281442″
We will certainly remember and toast Brian at our next meeting which is on Weds 15th April at the Barge Inn, Long Eaton.
Dave T
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March Meeting 2026 13 March 2026

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,

Our next film show is next week on Wednesday March 18th  in our NEW time slot 7.00pm till 10.00pm at the usual venue, THE BARGE INN,  at 177 Tamworth Rd, Long Eaton, Nottingham NG10 1DH.  We are up on the upper deck.

All are welcome –  entry is free.

This month we will be paying a very special tribute to our favourite L&H film villain….Walter “Mugsy/Tiger/Butch”  Long whose birthday it was on March 5th (1879).  For someone so recognised and revered by the Sons of Desert, it is quite unbelievable to tell you that Walter only appeared in 5 films with the Boys;  two feature films, Pardon us (1931) and Pick a Star (1937), and, 3 talkie shorts, Any Old port (1932), The Live Ghost (1934) and Going Bye Bye (1934).  Unfortunately, we won’t have time to show all of these films….but we do intend to show not one but all three of the talkie shorts.
We are also going to take the opportunity to show the 30 min Hats Off documentary to Walter Long  which was produced by the Dirty Work tent, principally the talented Gary Winstanley.  This was ably supported by a number of eminent Sons of the Desert from the UK…one or two of them you may well recognise from the Stoke tent (Antony and Jo Mitchell-Waite).  The documentary was premiered last year at the Laurel & Harday in Wigan to much acclaim.  The documentary presents many Laurel & Hardy film clips including clips from the two films we won’t be able to show, Pardon Us and Pick a Star.

This month we’ll also be paying a small tribute to Jean “Jeannie Weenie” Harlow who was also born this month;  March 3rd back in 1911.  So, we will begin the evening (at 7pm!) with a tent premiere showing of the recently restored version of the Laurel & Hardy silent Double Whoopee from the 1929 silents restoration HD US boxset.  This we will show  with another fine commentary by Richard Bann who eloquently describes( or I should say, exposes) the goings on (or I should say, off) during Jean Harlow’s scene with the Boys.

We’ll also show another Larry Harmon L&H cartoon “Ups and Downs” from 1967 where the Boys are employed to fix an elevator/lift which has a tenuous connection to Double Whoppee.  We’ll also have another quick look at what was happening at the Hal Roach studios exactly 100 years ago…this time during March 1926, with a screening of a small 5mins clip from Thundering Fleas (1926).  This was an Our gang film supported by Oliver Hardy as a policeman.   There’ll be the usual raffle – all donations gratefully accepted….and of course we will have the loyal toasts….with a target of finishing at 10pm.

As mentioned last month we have  booked the Bull Inn, Bottesford for an afternoon of L&H films on  Saturday June 13th.   And, yes, for the more adventurous, we’ll again be visiting the Plough Inn and Arthur Jeffersons grave in the morning.  All are very welcome.
Next months meeting is on the usual 3rd Wednesday..April 15th (again at the new time of 7pm to 10pm), when we will be having a tribute to Edgar Kennedy and we will also show the 1940s feature “Air Raid wardens”, a film we haven’t seen in a while.

So, hopefully, we’ll see you next Wednesday….at the new time of 7pm!.  Please bring friends and family – all are very welcome.

Fraternally Yours,
Dave T
(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)
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February Meeting 2026 13 February 2026

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,

Our next film show is next week on Wednesday February 18th  7.30pm till 10.30pm at the usual venue, THE BARGE INN,  at 177 Tamworth Rd, Long Eaton, Nottingham NG10 1DH.  We are up on the upper deck.

All are welcome –  entry is still free.

This month we’ll be celebrating the 120th university of the birth of Anita Francis Garvin, born February 11th 1906.    She appeared in 11 Laurel & Hardy films….7 silents, 2 talkie-shorts, and 2 features.  We plan to show 2 of these and  a nod of the Derbie hat to a third.  (NB This total excludes the foreign versions but Anita did appeared in all 3 versions of the film “Blotto” …English, Spanish &  French).
We will start the evening with the silent “From Soup to Nuts (1928)” where Anita plays the gracious and funny Mrs Culpepper, who hires the Boys to serve at a swanky dinner party.  This film will be shown from the US 1928 year3 restorations boxset in full HD with randy Skredvedt’s commentary.  This will be followed by the talkie feature “A Chump At Oxford (1940)”, which includes a reworking of the silent film, with Anita reprising her role, but this time as Mrs Vandevere!  Maybe she got divorced and remarried!  This would be Anita’s last film with Laurel & Hardy.  After the break, we will show a slideshow of film stills that reconstructs the Boys film, “Hats-Off(1927)”, which is now sadly lost. The Boys are door-to-door washing machine salesmen.  Anita is a potential buyer but she lives right on “top of the stoop” of a long flight of steps….plot sounds familiar?  Yes, “Hats Off”was later reworked as “The Music Box” in 1932.

I’ve also selected two talkie shorts we haven’t seen in quite a while.  The first is the rather politically scandalous film , “Chickens Come Home (1931)”, which is quite topical at the moment in the news.  The second film is  “They Go Boom (1929)” – this is the last talkie short to show that hasn’t been seen since the pandemic. 

I’ll also be showing yet Another Fine L&H based cartoon in the intermission – this will be  “Truancy or Consequences”  from the Larry Harmon series of “Laurel & Hardy Show” cartoons created by Hanna Barbera in 1967.   In this cartoon, the Boys discover the importance of a good education which links nicely with their Oxford education in our feature film.

There will be the usual raffle and toasts.
One key announcement – I’ve booked the Bull inn (Bottesford) for a Laurel & Hardy film show on Saturday June 13th, 1pm to 6pm.  I’m not sure exactly what we’re doing as yet…but yes, we will  certainly be going out to Barkston in the morning to pay our respects to Arthur jefferson Sr.
Finally, I like to hear your thoughts on potentially moving our meeting time from say 7pm to 10pm?  I know this might help with some of you with the distances you have to travel and having to make early starts the next morning….but it might make things more difficult for others if the meeting starts earlier.  Let me know, we can discuss it more on Wednesday.
Our March film show will be on the usual 3rd Wednesday, March 18th.
So, we hope to see you this Wednesday.  Please bring along your  friends and family – all are very welcome.
Fraternally Yours,
Dave T
(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)
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