The Boys at the Bull Inn 2026
DAVE TOMLINSON reports
The Nottingham Beau Hunks Tent once again invite everyone from everywhere to join us in a relaxed afternoon of film fun and frivolity at The Bull Inn, in Bottesford (between Nottingham & Grantham, NG13 0BW) on Saturday 13th June, 1pm until 6pm. The Bull Inn was the Boys’ favourite pub which at the time was run by Stan's sister, Beatrice Olga and her husband Bill Healey.
Stan & Ollie often visited the pub during their 1952 and 1953/4 variety theatre tours of the UK. The pub's lounge is now adorned with photographs and memorabilia all in memory of those very special visits. There are also plaques inside and outside the pub marking their visits.
This year, there will be an “Animal Magic” theme to our Laurel & Hardy film show as we celebrate the multitude of animals that appeared with the Boys in their films including... Ethel, Mr Jiggs, Laughing Gravy, Dinah, MGM, Blue Boy and of course the Flea circus! We hope to have a few eminent Laurel & Hardy book authors selling and signing their books, sellers selling all kinds of L&H related items... and yes, we will be having a raffle, an observational quiz and the usual long round of toasts.
Best of all, the event is again FREE this year, and all are welcome.
In the morning, we will again be visiting Barkston (4 miles north of Grantham) where Stan's father, Arthur Jefferson (AJ), and his sister, Beatrice Olga, once ran the Plough Inn pub during the 1940s - and where of course Stan & Ollie made at least one visit during their 1947 variety tour. We will also be visiting AJ’s grave and paying our due respects to a very special father. Those interested in this pre-event… please meet us at the Stag Inn at the centre of this small village (NG32 2NB) at 10.30 am.
The Beau Hunks Tent continues to meet with a Laurel & Hardy film show every 3rd Wednesday of the month at The Barge Inn, 177 Tamworth Road, Long Eaton, Nottingham NG10 1DH from 7pm to 10pm. All our meetings are free and all are very welcome to attend.
For more information please contact Dave Tomlinson at DTomlinson@tinyworld.co.uk
Bull Inn Bottesford, Easter Sunday 13th April 1952. This was taken on the day before they appeared for a week at the Nottingham Empire with their "A Spot of Trouble" sketch (courtesy of the Nottingham Evening Post from an article in the Nottinghamshire Guardian Apr il 19th 1952 then colorised by the Leicester Mercury in 2010).