Saps at Sea Home Page

               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 The book is richly illustrated with over 200 photographs, many of which are rare and unpublished, and 50 reproductions of letters, adverts and documents about the visit.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

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


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, Bowler Desert and laughter galore. Sunday 8th APR Furniture Tables, chairs, lampshades, foot-stools and clocks all played their part in the world of Laurel and Hardy. We'll provide the seats to sit on tonight - but no breaking them! Sunday 13th MAY MUSICAL MOMENTS Tonight we will be enjoying some of those lovely musical moments in the Laurel & Hardy films. Don't forget to bring your singing voice - you'll need it	Sunday 10th JUN HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR LAUREL We are 6 days early, but the Saps will be celebrating Stan's 122nd Birthday. Ollie is invited to the party as well Sunday 8th JUL Accidents Can Happen We hope there will be no actual accidents at our meeting tonight as we watch some of the unfortunate Laurel & Hardy situations that we will feature from their films 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

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

IT'S HERE!
After four years of research and writing

"LAUREL and HARDY-The U.S Tours
by "A.J" Marriot

Click on title to read more