Ulverston Statue From Start To Finish

[bcalvert]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/engl ... 988051.stm

Laurel museum reopening on hold

The owner of Ulverston's Laurel and Hardy Museum has said she is "distraught" that it will not be able to reopen at a new location for Easter.

The museum is moving to the Roxy Cinema building but problems with access have ruled out a reopening on Thursday.

Owner Marion Grave said she had got herself into "another fine mess".

But she said she hoped the revamped and larger museum would reopen before a statue of the comedy duo was unveiled in Ulverston on 19 April.

The attraction, in Stan Laurel's home town, is moving from Upper Bridge Street to larger premises in Brogden Street, to cope with visitor numbers.

'Looks fabulous'

Mrs Grave said: "I'm distraught - we've got ourselves into another fine mess. We only discovered a problem with disabled access a few days ago and will have to install a lift.

"There are problems with general access so we won't be able to open in time for Easter, but we are hoping to open before the statue is unveiled on 19 April.

"The new museum looks fabulous."

Stan Laurel was born in a three-bedroom terrace in the town's Argyle Street and first arrived in America in 1910, where he achieved worldwide movie success with Oliver Hardy.

[flyingelephant]

A news item announcing the unveiling of the statue later in the day, was broadcast on Sky News (radio) this morning at 06.00. T'he bulletin explained that "Ulverston is Stan's home town", but the Sons were not mentioned.
The programme on the Talksport station following the news was "Fisherman's Blues", a 2-hour angling feature. The presenter, Nigel Botherway, read out a very informative, brilliant, well-written and...oh shut up, I sent it...e-mail, which prompted him to eulogise over memorable days' fishing in the Ulverston canal, just as Stan did as a boy. Nigel recalled breaking ice on the canal for pike fishing on winter mornings, and described the beautiful surroundings. He also explained the historical importance of the canal, and talked about Morecambe Bay. But he regarded the item as the highlight of his programme: "If you don't remember anything else from this programme this morning, you've learnt that Stan Laurel fished the Ulverston Canal as a boy, and went on to fish for marlin and tuna off California. Now what about that for some interesting information."
The programme can be replayed on the Talksport website, if you would like to hear it. The item is about 40 minutes into the show.

[Mr. Hall]

... The presenter... read out a very informative, brilliant, well-written and...oh shut up, I sent it...e-mail....

___________________________________________________________________________________________

A news item announcing the unveiling of the statue later in the day, was broadcast on Sky News (radio) this morning at 06.00. T'he bulletin explained that "Ulverston is Stan's home town"...
The programme on the Talksport station following the news was "Fisherman's Blues", a 2-hour angling feature.
The programme can be replayed on the Talksport website, if you would like to hear it. The item is about 40 minutes into the show.

[flyingelephant]

Well, my old daddy told me if you don't blow your own trumpet you can't expect anyone to complain about the noise. (I never really did understand the old fella).

[Neil]

We arrived in Ulverston Sat dinnertime and as we where leaving the chip shop we bumped into Mation from the Museum , we were at a loose end so she asked us to come and help move things into the new museum as they were rushing to get it ready for Sunday , we thought "oh moving a few boxes around easy !" as you would , she then got Simon and Gary to carry the irreplaceable waxworks of the boys from the basement , talk about worried (we certainly were) , and Marion should know better than this but she then asked the same two Laurel and Hardy fans to carry a heavy sideboard up a flight of stairs into the main room of the museum although we didn`t meet Billy Gilbert on the way up , it was great fun , and the Museum is now open for visitors despite our "help" and it is fantastic with loads of great info about the boys carere and lots of new exhibits well worth a visit

[Neil]

Some pictures I took through the weekend

this is a sign that was displayed on the wooden box before the unveiling



this is the actual unveiling cover made by a local special needs school and adult centre



Ken Dodd being interviewed for The National News



The Statue at night



My wife Anne with Laughing Gravy



and both of us just before we left Ulverston this morning



hope our non UK members enjoy the picture I am sure some of the others who were there will show theirs

[Kay]

hope our non UK members enjoy the picture

Yes, they are great. Thanks for sharing.

[john-Bogie]

Great Pics. Neil, and Good to meet you yesterday, What a great and unforgettable week-end I had.
Speak soon,
And thanks Kay, for the video footage Wonderful !

[Neil]

same here John , fantastic Weekend , Thanks for the clip Kay , every TV newscast shows that shot and there are hundreds of Sons just to the left of that shot and they dont show us ! , there were dozens (it seemed) of news crews and I havent seen anything different on any channel (and your welcome on the pics ,) , oh well at least we are in an archive somewhere

Oh by the way
This is Simon one of our "Dirty Work" members in the new Museum building , great isn`t it?



Really is a "Must Visit" now , there is so much to see

[Neil]

For anyone thinking of visiting the Museum maybe when the carnival is on , I have knocked up a rough map of where it is now

[olzielawzy]

hope our non UK members enjoy the picture

Yes, they are great. Thanks for sharing.

I saw that live. If it wasnt for Beat The Star being on just after...

[Neil]

we watched that in the Stan Laurel Pub with a few Birmingham sons , they all came running in from the main bar to watch it ,

[Mr. Hall]

What a beautiful day. Thank you for sharing
the photos and stories. l hope l can make it
over before long.... The statue's amazing.
lt fits in nicely with the surroundings. Funny
hearing 'Ollie' with an English accent...

[Greystoke]

Hi all,

Brand spanking newbie here. Thorougly enjoyed the statue unveiling in Ulverston yesterday and thought I would search the net to see what L&H stuff was out there. A mind-boggling amount of stuff as it turns out. I stumbled into this site and took the plunge: registered and started posting this, without even delving further into the wonders therein.

Does it show that I have never posted anything on a forum before? But with the prospect of being surrounded by hordes of rabid L&H fans, I threw caution to the wind and jumped in with both feet....

It goes without saying that L&H are the greatest comedians ever, but I thought I would mention it anyway, just in case anyone has an doubts. And the following they have created seems to be one of the nicest, most fun-loving group of people I have ever come across. A fine legacy, even beyond the timeless films they made.

I've been humming "Sons of the Desert" to myself all day

[hadeva]

Thanks for posting your memories of the day.hope to get to the new museum soon