Laurel and Hardy on Tyneside

May 22 2007 By The Journal

Beset by crowds, Civic reception at Shields., Friday July 29, 1932 - In the court of their tour of the "Old Country!" Messrs Stanley Laurel and Oliver Hardy, the famous cinema stars, will perhaps meet many crowds and received the warmest of receptions, but it is questionable if they will have to negotiate more boisterous receptions or more whole-heartedly warmer welcomes than they had to contend with yesterday when they visited Tynemouth, and incidentally North Shields, where Stanley Laurel really Mr Stanley Jefferson, spent part of his boyhood.

They arrived in the borough comparatively quietly, and made the Grand Hotel, Tynemouth, their head-quarters; but before long, although both the visitors were craving for a rest and a sleep, they were receiving visitors, all wishful to place something in the way of service at their disposal. Councillor Richard Irvin and Mr Norman G. Tate, for instance, wanted to take Mr Hardy round the Tynemouth golf course in a foursome, and other good folks wishes to conduct Mr Laurel on a round of visits to the old haunts of his boyhood in North Shields. All invitations had to be declined.

It had been arranged that at noon the actors and their friends would become the guests of the Mayor of the borough (Ald. John George Telford), but fully an hour before that hour the area in the vicinity of the Town Hall, in Saville Street, North Shields, was seriously congested. The police had to parade both pavements in order to keep the traffic clear, and they had the utmost difficulty in enabling motor and other road traffic to get through the area.

After leaving the coast the comedians drove to Newcastle, where they were due to appear at two cinemas. Their first call was at the Queen's Hall. They had an astonishing reception.

Crowds had gathered at the entrance to the cinema shortly after eight o'clock, and when an hour later, the distinguished pair were introduced from the stage there was a long pause before either could be heard above the applause. Their appearance was preceded by the "crazy time" that invariably opens their films.

Laurel said nothing. He stood twirling his forelock and becoming entangled with the curtain, while Hardy stood despondent and resigned - his funniest attitude - until his partner almost fell into the stalls. Then he rapped him over the head.

"We wish to say that we shall never forget the welcome you have given us," said Hardy, after Laurel had tied himself in a knot. "It is the most magnificent reception we have had anywhere in the world - I don't think anyone can feel the way we do. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts - we really do not feel we deserve such kindness."

Laurel grinned, waved, and threw his buttonhole at Hardy's feet. The fat man turned, smacked his friend, tumbled over the flower and the pair stumbled into the wings.

(Loud and prolonged cheers.)

Impressed with Team Estate

Wednesday February 22, 1939

Colonel Appleyard was with the King and Queen during the whole of the Trading Estate visit, and in an interview after the luncheon he said that their Majesties were greatly surprised at the at the manner in which the estate had been built up. The King remembered his inspection of the site in 1936 before work of development was started.

"He was very much impressed with the lay out and beauty of the estate, and was delighted with the construction of the factories and the modern facilities for the convenience of employees," said Colonel Appleyard.

"He seemed to have a very keen interest in the arrangements for giving financial help to tenants settling on the estate, through the Special Areas Reconstruction Association and the Nuffield Trust. He also commented vary favourably on the number of firms now in production on the estate, and added that he would like to see plenty of English firms taking sites, and especially some of the larger firms with strong financial backing."

Surprise for Queen

The Queen, said Colonel Appleyard, greatly admired the lay-out of the gardens and floral decorations and asked that the chief gardener should be presented to her.

Colonel Appleyard introduced Mr A McIntyre, who was responsible for the arrangements.

Mr McIntyre travelled to Balmoral three years ago, taking a pit pony from Messrs Bowes and Partners Collieries for the Princess. The Queen chatted with him about this occasion and seemed very happy to meet Mr McIntyre again.

She congratulated him and his staff.