Sunday February 23rd marked the 60th anniversary of the death of Stan Laurel, who passed away on that day in 1965.
The members of the Hog Wild Tent of the Sons of the Desert (Laurel and Hardy Appreciation Society) laid flowers at his statue at the Eden Theatre Corner, in remembrance of a comic genius who entertained audiences all over the world.
Laurel and Hardy films are still sold, watched and above all, enjoyed by many today.
Stan lived in Bishop Auckland from around 1891 when he was baptised at St. Peter’s Church, Princes Street until the family moved to North Shields in 1895.
He later attended King James I Grammar School in South Church Road, as a boarder, in 1902.
In a letter written in 1958, Stan wrote: “I think I have the honour of being the worst scholar that ever attended there!”
His headstone in Hollywood reads: ‘Stan Laurel 1890 – 1965 A MASTER OF COMEDY. His genius in the art of humor brought gladness to the world he loved.’
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
