Saps at Sea Home Page

Site last updated 20 July 2017 -2018 Convention News Update

Dear friends,

I've got some big news: a brand-new Laurel & Hardy book is now available for preorder through the crowdfunding website Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2077802584/laurel-and-hardy-spot-on-book-and-cd

It is the brainchild of Michael Ehret, but I have also been heavily involved in its creation. As (some of) you may know, but many others may not, Michael has uncovered a one-of-a-kind audio recording of Laurel & Hardy performing live on stage during their 1952 British tour. It's not just a snippet, but the complete sketch, called 'On the Spot', running approximately 20 minutes.

If we succeed in reaching our crowdfunding goal by December 15, the book will be available in a beautiful hardcover edition with over 130 glossy pages, filled to the brim (or spine) with rare images such as tour snapshots, stage photos, letters, scripts, and much, much more. Of course a CD with the restored recording will also be included. The combination of book and CD will allow fans to (re)discover what Laurel & Hardy were like on tour. It's the next best thing to actually having been there!

Please note that I do not have a financial interest in the project. I'm just a fan who really wants this to get released, that's why Michael and I put a lot of time and effort in it. You won't be disappointed!

Feel free to share and pass on this message. If you have any questions, let me know.

Thanks in advance for your support, and... keep on spotting Laurel & Hardy!

Nico

Saps at sea Details
The Saps At Sea was launched in October 2000 and our venue for nearly 2 years was The Fish and Firkin in Alexandra Road. We had an enforced move when the pub, under new ownership, was no longer able to allow us to have children at our meetings. Fortunately we were able to find a different venue at The Railway Hotel in Clifftown Road. This has been our home for the last 8 ½ years during which time we have seen a number of changes. The Railway Hotel has served us well but had become less suitable. The challenge was, therefore, to find an alternative venue which met our primary requirements; it is in Central Southend area, it is available on 2nd Sunday of each month, it is inexpensive and it will be welcoming for our family events. It was quite a tall order, but I think we have found the ideal venue at the Naval & Military Club, 20 Royal Terrace. It also has additional bonuses that are welcome; all on ground level, own bar area in room and cheaper drink.

The Naval & Military club is the last building in Royal Terrace and overlooks the sea & Southend Pier. It is just 5 minutes walk from the Railway Hotel and, therefore, only about 7 minutes from Southend Central Station. There are 3 public car parks nearby and street parking which is FREE after 5pm on a Sunday, although it can be competitive, especially in the summer. There is a short pedestrian walk that joins Clifftown Parade and Royal Terrace and also paths that lead up through the stepped gardens of Western Esplanade along the seafront. Our map shows the one-way road system which is a bit confusing, but whether you are travelling by road, foot or public transport, we hope to see you mighty soon at the Navy and Military Club for a Saps At Sea meeting in the near future.
Coming Soon
Our next meetings are… (Usually on the 2^nd Sunday of the Month ) 5.30pm – 9.00pm With classic and rare films, information about L&H, memorabilia, fun quizzes, special trips, raffles, Sons of the Desert news, The Perry Winkle and laughter galore. Sunday July 9th Mae Day, Mae Day No this is not a distress signal! It is a celebration of the wonderful Australian actress who always shone on screen and sometimes sent a shiver down our spines. Sunday August 13th Little Saps Oldies and biggies step aside! Tonght a special show for youngsters has been devised and will be presented by Ray Dempsey. We hope to have a number of children in attendance to enjoy the timeless comedy of Laurel and Hardy. For most of us, that’s when we first saw the Boys. Let’s hope that our ‘Little Saps’ will also get the bug. Oh, oldies and biggies – you are also invited!	Sunday Septober 10th MODEL T FORDS Model T Fords were in abundance when Stan and Ollie were making films. Thanks to them though, a few Model T’s had very short lives! So ‘throw out the clutch’ as we enjoy some of the automobile antics with the Boys. For further information contact Roger Robinson 115 Neil Armstrong Way, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex SS9 5UE Tel: 01702 526 187 or roger.robinson5@btinternet.com

Click here to see some Southend Convention Photos

Highgate in North London has seen a remarkable occurrence this week. Stan Laurel has been re-born in the body of Jeffery Holland. Jeff was premiering his one-man play, which has been several years in the making, and as part of the Camden Festival the show has been at the 'Upstairs at the Gatehouse' Theatre. On Saturday 24th August 2013 thirty Sons of the Desert were in the packed audience, which also included Jeff's vivacious comedy actress mate Su Pollard and comedy playwright Ray Cooney, to witness something special. The play is set with Stan visiting Ollie near the end of his life. The set comprises of an empty bed where we imagine Ollie to be laying without the power of speech, a chair and a bowler hat. Jeff Holland's tribute to Stan and Ollie is beautiful. At times we had a tear in our eye as he was talking to his friend Mr Hardy. At other times we were laughing as we heard snippets of dialogue from their films delivered with great accuracy and perfect facial expressions. The Laurel and Hardy story unfolded cleverly in Stan's reminisces and touched upon the highs and the lows of duo's careers. How so much information could be compacted into this play is testimony to Jeff's love and knowledge of the Boys and the skills of his fellow scriptwriter Gail Louw. And the delivery? Well it was Stan Laurel that we saw and heard at the Gatehouse, Highgate talking to Babe Hardy. And do you know what? Babe was listening to every word he said.

Roger Robinson

Click Here to see an interview with Jefferey Holland

The late Bill Cubin was a remarkable man. He dedicated his life to promoting Laurel and Hardy and went out of his way to ensure that other people could also continue to enjoy their comedy. His achievements were many and included:-

	Creating the world’s first Laurel and Hardy Museum in Ulverston
	Hosting the first Laurel & Hardy Convention in the world
	Unveiled a plaque on Stan Laurel’s birthplace in Ulverston
	The first UK fan to attend an International L & H Convention in America
	Inspired the idea of having a Laurel & Hardy statue in Ulverston

He loved Ulverston and was so proud that Stan Laurel was born in the town in which he served as a Councillor and Mayor (twice). He was a lovely man with a heart of gold and a great sense of humour. Needless to say Laurel and Hardy were never very far away from anything that he did.

‘UlverSTAN – Laurel & Hardy Forever – the Bill Cubin Story’ reflects all of this in 100 pages A4 size paperback with over 200 photos and illustrations. Jeffrey Holland (Hi-de-Hi!) has written the Foreword and there are contributions from many Sons of the Desert including Willie McIntyre, John Ullah, Rob Lewis, Eric Woods, Irv Hyatt, Dwain Smith, Bram Reijhoudt and Hans van Terheijden as well as statue sculptor, Graham Ibbeson. The book has been written with the approval and great assistance of Bill’s family, Lucy Cubin, Marion Grave and Mark & Daniel Greenhow.

The original publication of this book raised £500 for the Museum and a further potential £1,500 with 150 copies donated to the Museum.
Due to requests, I have now had extra copies printed so that the book can be purchased (and signed and dedicated) direct from me

Cost is £10 (signed & dedicated by author if requested) + P& P {UK £2.50, Europe £6, USA £10}

Cheques payable to Roger Robinson, 115 Neil Armstrong Way, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 5UE
01702 526187 roger.robinson5@btinternet.com Please E-Mail for details of PAYPAL payments

THANK YOU for your support for this project .

Roger Robinson

Click Here for a PDF version of the Flyer

               To commemorate the 60th Anniversary since Laurel and Hardy appeared in Southend, life-long fan, Roger Robinson, has published 'A Spot of Trouble in Southend'. The A4 size book has 130 pages and as well as briefly telling the story of their roots and film careers, the book is essentially focussed on that week in August 1952 when Laurel and Hardy visited, stayed and performed in Southend. Roger has met and interviewed many people connected to their visit and relates their anecdotes and fascinating memories. There is new and extensive information about the supporting acts that not only toured with Laurel and Hardy but became lifelong friends with the comedy duo. The book is richly illustrated with over 200 photographs, many of which are rare and unpublished, and 50 reproductions of letters, adverts and documents about the visit.
              The Foreword is by Jeffrey Holland, popular star of stage, radio and many famous TV series including Hi-de-Hi, You Rang,M'Lord and Oh, Doctor Beeching!
              The Lastword is by Glenn Mitchell, a comedy aficionado, broadcaster and writer including encyclopaedias on Laurel and Hardy, the Marx Brothers, Charlie Chaplin and Silent Comedy

£10 signed by author

Postage and Packing £3 to UK, £5 to Europe, £10 to USA

· Copies in UK can be purchased by cheque or Paypal

· Copies for Europe or USA can be purchased by cash or by Paypal – please do not pay by non UK cheques as the transaction charges are too costly

Cheques payable to Roger Robinson, 115 Neil Armstrong Way , Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS95UE

For Paypal link visit www.saps-at-sea.co.uk

Any further information or enquiries roger.robinson5@btinternet.com 01702 526187

STAN LAUREL & OLIVER HARDY CALENDAR - 2015

125th BIRTHDAY OF STAN LAUREL

Produced by Michael Ehret

This calendar celebrates the 125th BIRTHDAY OF STAN LAUREL in 2015. For this occasion I have put together a selection of my favorite photos taken from my private archive. A total of 13 rare, in large part unpublished snapshots and amateur photos show Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy privately as well as at filming and on tour in Europe and the US.

The calendar is produced in four-color printing in landscape format DIN A 3 (16.5 x 11.7 inches; folded out 16,5 x 23,4 inches). It provides space for notes and includes the most important holidays for Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Great Britain, Ireland, France, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium and the USA.

In this international Stan & Ollie Calendar all days of the week and months are given in German, English, French, Italian and Dutch.

Have fun with it!

PayPal order www.laurelandhardyshop.com:

EU (not GB): € 19.90 (incl. postage and packaging)

GB: £ 16.90 (incl. postage and packaging)

USA: $ 26.90 (incl. postage and packaging)

Saps At Sea new banner has celebrity launch

The Saps At Sea Tent, the Southend branch of the Sons of the Desert (the Laurel and Hardy Appreciation Society), were proud to launch their new banner on Sunday 10^th April 2011. Instead of their normal monthly meeting featuring classic and rare film and clips of the comedy duo, the Saps had arranged a rather special meeting to honour the memory of Norman Wisdom. Norman was starting his career in the 1950’s and when Laurel & Hardy were touring in the UK , they saw him performing on several occasions and were very impressed with the young comedian. The special guests at the fun evening in Southend, were Jacqueline Wisdom ( Norman ’s daughter), Steve Evans (his chauffeur), Michael Leader (from EastEnders) and husband and wife stars on stage and TV Jeffrey Holland (Spike from Hi-De-Hi) and Judy Buxton (Dennis Waterman's wife in "On The Up). The star-studded guests attracted a full house of 90 and the fun evening raised £400 for Abbotswood Nursing Home on the Isle of Man, where Norman spent his last few years.

How appropriate it was that the wonderful new Saps At Sea banner was unveiled and displayed at this special gathering. The wonderful caricature drawing by Steve Lilly really captures the spirit of the slapstick humour of Laurel and Hardy. Norman Wisdom created equal unintentional havoc in his films and sketches. Real comedy is an art and it is fitting that an artist with the skill of Steve Lilly has linked up with the Saps At Sea to help them display their heroes on the new Tent banner.

Roger Robinson, Saps at Sea

Judy Buxton & Jeffrey Holland with the new Saps banner

For a full PDF version of the above click Here or the article

Links sites showing the some of the fun had had by all during our 100th meeting events
Jitterbugs Tent - Netherlands
The Laurel and Hardy Magazine

Visitors since 18 April 2004

For any details regarding the SAPS AT SEA contact
Roger Robinson 115 Neil Armstrong Way, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex SS9 5UE
Tel: 01702 526 187 or roger.robinson5@btinternet.com

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