Bolton fan sets up Laurel and Hardy Appreciation Society

The first meeting of the Flying Elephants, the title of a film from 1928, is appropriately at Hardy Hall, Little Lever, on July 2.

The appreciation society, known as a "tent", is to be a part of the body known as the Sons of the Desert set up by Laurel and Hardy's biographer John McCabe in the 1960s.

There are national conventions and international conventions which the founder of the Flying Elephants, Barrie Winnard, told The Bolton News were the inspiration for the idea.

Mr Winnard, from Bolton, said: "I was a fan for years and a friend was in the Sons of the Desert so I went to a couple of conventions including the international convention in Cork, Ireland, and it was brilliant. 

"I spoke to some people about a Bolton tent as there is a Wigan tent but they meet once a year rather than once a month.

"I sent an email to the Sons of the Desert and they sent an email to me to tell me they want to register us on their website.

"It's Bolton back on the map as well."

Stan Laurel, from Lancashire, and Oliver Hardy, from Georgia, USA, made more than 100 films together and many, many more as individuals including silent films and talkie films.

The comedy duo performed at Lido Cinema on Bradshawgate, Bolton, towards the end of their careers in the 1940s in a venue which was redeveloped into an apartment block.

Mr Winnard said: "Anyone who is interested in Laurel and Hardy is welcome. I think one or two of us are coming from other tents to support us on our first night. 

"Anyone who comes will see what is on and there will not be two meetings the same."

The first meeting of the Flying Elephants is at Hardy Hall, Little Lever, on July 2. Anyone interested can contact Barrie Winnard on barriewinnard@yahoo.co.uk.

For information go to sonsofthedesert.co.uk.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.