Last updated at 08:59, Tuesday, 21 April 2009

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THOUSANDS of people descended on Ulverston to witness the unveiling of the Laurel and Hardy statue.

The £60,000 bronze sculpture, which depicts comedy double act Stan and Ollie and their dog Laughing Gravy, was unveiled by comic legend Ken Dodd in Stan’s home town.

Around 2,000 people basked in the County Square sunshine for an afternoon of entertainment.

Mr Dodd recreated the moment Laurel and Hardy waved to fans on the balcony of the Coronation Hall during their visit to the town in 1947.
The crowd included members of Laurel and Hardy fan club, Sons of the Desert, who had travelled from various parts of the globe to see the statue they paid for.

Harry Knowles, chairman of the Market Town Initiative, made a speech thanking all the people who made the day possible, including the late Bill Cubin, former Ulverston mayor and founder of the Laurel and Hardy Museum, who came up with the idea for the statue.

Eric Woods, representing Sons of the Desert, presented the statue to Ulverston Mayor, Councillor Jeanette Jenkinson, who accepted it on behalf of the people of Ulverston.

Mr Dodd said: “Laurel and Hardy made the world laugh. These two men brought so much love and they are universally loved.

“It is wonderful to think that somewhere in the world a Laurel and Hardy film is being shown all these years later.”

Ulverston councillor Dawn Wright said: “Today has been brilliant. It has been extremely well organised. The statue is fantastic

“The weather is wonderful too, you couldn’t have asked for a better day.” Cllr Jenkinson said: “Today has been a fantastic day for the people of Ulverston and we are delighted to welcome Sons of the Desert here.

“I think Ken Dodd was an excellent choice to unveil the statue. It looks wonderful and I hope the people of Ulverston and from elsewhere will come to visit it and enjoy it for many years to come.”

Stan Laurel was born in Argyle Street, Ulverston in 1890. He moved to County Durham when he was seven-years-old.
Laurel and Hardy appeared in 106 films together in total.

The statue is the centrepiece of the £500,000 County Square revamp.

The relocated Laurel and Hardy museum, now in the Roxy in Brogden Street opened its doors for the first time yesterday.

First published at 10:26, Monday, 20 April 2009
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk