Laurel and Hardy - Ulverston, Cumbria
N 54° 11.679 W 003° 05.685
30U E 493818 N 6005183
The Laurel and Hardy statue was unveiled by Ken Dodd, who was "tickled" to be asked. Stanley Jefferson (Laurel) was born in Ulverston. Norwell Hardy was born in Harlem.
Waymark Code: WM9F45
Location: North West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 08/12/2010
Views: 6
Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy are the stage names for Arthur Stanley Jefferson and Norvell Hardy, who appeared in 106 silent and talking films. They are depicted here in their characters with a dog, probably from
Laughing Gravy film.
From the Guardian "Laurel and Hardy are presented to Ulverston as a "gift" from the duo's international appreciation society, the Sons of the Desert. Eric Woods, the society's Widnes "grand sheik", has been fund raising for 11 years to reach the £60,000 required. South Lakeland District Council, no doubt seduced by the huge boost in revenue from nearby parking meters the year after Eric Morecambe's unveiling, have placed "the boys" outside Coronation Hall, in County Square. It was here that the duo appeared on a balcony during a flying visit in 1947.
Eric Woods persuaded Ken Dodd, the 81-year-old comedian - already cast and destined for Liverpool's Lime Street station some time soon - to perform the unveiling. "We think it adds an awful lot to Ulverston," he said, pointing out that at the last Laurel and Hardy convention hotel rooms were fully booked within 50 miles and all the local pubs ran out of beer." Visit Link
A nearby plaque explains all. "The Laurel and Hardy statue was sculpted by Graham Ibbetson M.A. (R.C.A.) and presented to Ulverston Town Council by the Sons of the Desert, the worldwide Laurel and Hardy appreciation society. Stan Laurel was born in Ulverston on 16 June 1890. 'The boys brought laughter and comedy to the world.'"
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