06.07.22.
Ulverston Carnival
The Sons of the Desert gathered in Ulverston on Saturday 2nd July 2022. Says Gary Winstanley, “It’s normally carnival day but we had our own unofficial parade, seeing as there wasn't an official one!”
Catch Gary’s super record of the day at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e0zU0DUju8.
Ulverston Carnival parade
I was intrigued as to why there was no carnival parade. Here is an explanation from a local newspaper.
https://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/20234780.ulverston-carnival-family-fun-day-return-changes/
Seems a shame, as the parade was the highlight, for many.
I remember a group of chaps, all dressed in red boiler suits, with flying helmets and goggles. Each pushing a wheelbarrow, performing circles, and figure of eights. They were preceded by a van with its back doors wide open, full of beers. At one point red smoke was issuing from the handles of the wheelbarrows.
Their name .... The Red Barrows.
All for charity. Needless to say, they were a huge hit.
Dave Williamson
2022 UK Convention photos
My convention photos are finally out there for public consumption. Go to Sons of the Desert 40th UK Convention 2022 Greenock | Flickr
Fred Terris
The Laurel & Hardy Movie Scripts Volume 2
Randy Skretvedt’s new book is on sale for £19.67 at amazon.co.uk. Publicity material reads:
It presents priceless, never-before-published documents created between 1927 and 1935 for 23 of the team’s movies. For the first time, you can read cutting continuities for the now-lost Hats Off! and The Rogue Song, and a missing portion of The Battle of the Century, all of which precisely describe the action in each shot.
Also featured is a never-filmed script, Tickets for Two, as well as complete scripts for favorites such as Two Tars, Helpmates, The Music Box, County Hospital, and more. The scripts differ substantially from the finished movies, with fascinating and hilarious scenes that were never shot. Plus, L&H expert Randy Skretvedt describes the changes and adds behind-the-scenes details on each film’s production and cast.
Read some thoughts on the book from MIKE JONES.
Men o’ War Tent
When we resume on 10th September, we will meet at the Brantham Village Hall - still close to Manningtree and just over the Suffolk border. The hall has a nice raised stage together with a large screen we can use to give a better viewing angle for everyone. We have tested the layout using both Nigel’s film projectors and the hall’s video projector with great results and we are confident this will give us great flexibility when compiling content for our programmes. We are sure that this will be a popular move and have provisionally booked two more dates in October and December.
Our next meeting:
Saturday, 10th September 2022
Brooklands Rd, Brantham, Cattawade, Manningtree CO11 1RF
Doors open 7:30pm. First film 7:45pm. Finish 10.20pm approx
Paul Harding
Special bottle of Bruichladdich whisky
July saw a very special bottle of Bruichladdich whisky release for Fèis Ìle. The bottle is adorned by the Laurel and Hardy lookalikes John MacDougall and Derek Mathers.
Bruichladdich is one of the most famous distilleries on the Isle of Islay on the West Coast of Scotland. These 500ml bottles called Valinch's are only available from the distillery in person. What's more each Valinch cask release one per month has a picture of an employee on it, in fact you *have* to be an employee. John and Derek are the first and only people who are not employees to adorn a cask bottling, in thanks for their contribution to the whisky brand.
John and Derek are huge Bruichladdich fans and Derek runs a Big Business restaurant in Wishaw, Scotland. His restaurant 'Artisan' has the biggest selection of Bruichladdichs in the world and largest whisky selection of 3,500 in the UK.
If you find yourself near Glasgow you can visit Derek and Fiona's awesome restaurant and have a few drams - https://artisan-restaurant.com/. Derek will even serve it in demi-tasse if you ask!
Glynne MacDonald
Best of British
There is an interesting two-page article about Jeffrey Holland in the July edition of ‘Best of British’. Of course, Laurel and Hardy get a mention!
Roger Robinson
Jeff takes the opportunity to give a 'plug' to Stan Laurel and his 'My friend Mr Laurel' play and his latest venture with Craig Shepherd - simply Ken.
Dave Dearle
On the telly
...and finally