91-505: Royal Quays is an area of North Shields , North Tyneside , England , beside the River Tyne . Built on the site of former docks, and containing the pre-existing North Shields International Ferry Terminal, the area was renamed Royal Quays in 1990 and redeveloped with housing, a shopping centre , Brewers Fayre restaurant, large public parks and a water park known as Wet n Wild . A Premier Inn hotel, sports centre, ten-pin bowling complex and
182-574: A Royal Variety Performance in front of King George VI and his consort Queen Elizabeth in London. The success of the tour led them to spend the next seven years touring the UK and Europe. Around this time, Laurel found out that he had diabetes, so he encouraged Hardy to find solo projects, which he did, taking parts in John Wayne and Bing Crosby films. In 1950, Laurel and Hardy were invited to France to make
273-567: A 1925 production called Yes, Yes, Nanette (in which Oliver Hardy had a part under the name "Babe" Hardy). It had been his intention to work primarily as a writer and director. The same year, Hardy, a member of the Hal Roach Studios Comedy All Star players, was injured in a kitchen mishap and hospitalised. Because he was unable to work on the scheduled film, Get 'Em Young , Laurel was asked to return to acting to fill in. Starting early in 1927, Laurel and Hardy began sharing
364-465: A Man (1925). Laurel was credited for directing or co-directing ten silent shorts (between 1925 and 1927), but appeared in none of these. Laurel's future partner Hardy, however, did appear in three of the shorts directed by Laurel: Yes, Yes, Nanette ! (1925), Wandering Papas (1926) and Madame Mystery (1926). Laurel next signed with the Hal Roach studio, where he began directing films, including
455-592: A centre for fishing and exporting salt, produced at local saltpans. For a considerable period the Newcastle burgesses, known as the Hostmen , who controlled the export of coal from the Tyne, resisted the export of this commodity from North Shields. The town was originated on a narrow strip of land alongside the river (around the present-day Clive Street) because of the steep bank which hemmed it in. Eventually becoming overcrowded, in
546-552: A civic reception at the Coronation Hall and Laurel was presented with a copy of his birth certificate on the hall's balcony, watched on by hundreds of fans. Laurel and Hardy then visited 3 Argyle Street for a tour of Laurel's former home, posing for the North West Evening Mail 's photographer as they emerged from the house, crowded by fans and well-wishers. The comedy duo were appearing at Morecambe 's Winter Gardens at
637-602: A comedy double act known as the Barto Bros. Their act, which involved them dressing as Romans, finished when Laurel was offered a spot in an American touring troupe. After Laurel left England for America the pair maintained a life-long friendship, sending letters and photos that documented Laurel's rise from an unknown British comedy actor in 1913 to one of the biggest names in Hollywood in the 1950s. The correspondence, spanning around 50 years and including photos of them being reunited in
728-516: A community festival was organised on the fish quay, during which the fleet of fishing boats would be blessed and various local talents would entertain the crowds. At its peak, the festival attracted 600,000 visitors. A smaller-scale family festival, in order to save costs, was held annually between 2002 and 2006, before it too was scrapped as a money-saving measure. Stan Laurel Stan Laurel ( / ˈ l ɒr ə l / , LORR -əl ; born Arthur Stanley Jefferson ; 16 June 1890 – 23 February 1965)
819-461: A couple of days before his new marriage. The new marriage was very volatile, and Illeana accused him of trying to bury her alive in the back yard of their San Fernando Valley home. He and Illeana separated in 1939 and divorced in 1940, with Illeana surrendering all claim to the Laurel surname on 1 February 1940 in exchange for $ 6,500. In 1941, Laurel remarried Virginia Ruth Rogers; they were divorced for
910-502: A feature film. The film was a disaster, a Franco-Italian co-production titled Atoll K . (The film was entitled Utopia in the US and Robinson Crusoeland in the UK.) Both stars were noticeably ill during the filming. Upon returning to the United States, they spent most of their time recovering. In 1952, Laurel and Hardy toured Europe successfully, and they returned in 1953 for another tour of
1001-478: A grand processional way, now Howard Street, leading to the Georgian Northumberland Square. A railway tunnel, built in the 1840s, left the west and south sides of the square largely unfinished, until a 1960s library building was constructed, somewhat out of keeping with the rest of the architecture. In 1844–45, John Dobson built the town hall , on the corner of Howard and Saville Streets. The town
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#17330846183151092-478: A huge body of short films, including The Battle of the Century , Should Married Men Go Home? , Two Tars , Be Big! , Big Business and many others. Laurel and Hardy successfully made the transition to talking films with the short Unaccustomed As We Are in 1929. They also appeared in their first feature in one of the revue sequences of The Hollywood Revue of 1929 , and the following year they appeared as
1183-559: A long face, I'll never speak to him again." He is interred at Forest Lawn–Hollywood Hills Cemetery . Laurel and Hardy are featured on the cover of the Beatles ' 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band . In 1989, a statue of Laurel was erected in Dockwray Square, North Shields , Tyne and Wear , England, where he lived at No. 8 from 1897 to 1902. The steps down from the Square to
1274-458: A major stroke on 14 September 1956 and was unable to return to acting. When Oliver Hardy died on 7 August 1957, Laurel was devastated and never fully recovered from the loss. He was in fact too ill to attend Hardy's funeral and said, "Babe would understand". Although he continued to socialise with his fans, he refused to perform on stage or act in another film from then on, as he had no interest in working without Hardy, turning down every offer he
1365-475: A railway station was built in Oxford Street, off Tynemouth Road. Eventually, it was replaced by a new station further away from the river after new rail lines were developed. The riverside tracks were removed for the creation of Hadrian's Way , part of the national cycle network, but the remaining tracks were absorbed in the Tyne and Wear Metro system in 1982. The town centre station , originally constructed for
1456-615: A result. Work on the development recommenced in January 2021. In 1887, the town's businesses were listed as a marine engine, chain cable and anchor manufacturer, shipbuilding yards, roperies, salt-works, and an earthenware and stained glass manufacturer. Fishing was also a major industry of employment. The Smith's Dock Company was another major employer for many years, eventually closing in 1987. Shipyards have been in existence in North Shields since near its founding. The smaller yards built
1547-516: A rod to Ulverston's canal, learning from his uncle John Shaw. His favourite place was beyond the old North Lonsdale Iron and Steel Company Ltd, close to his home in Argyle Street. Just behind him was the viaduct carrying the railway from Carnforth . Laurel in later years would recall swinging on a pair of lock gates on the canal as he waited for a bite on his line. During these fishing expeditions, Laurel would have passed Ulverston's cemetery, where he
1638-566: A six-week tour of the United Kingdom performing in variety shows . Mobbed wherever they went, Laurel's homecoming to Ulverston took place in May, and the duo were greeted by thousands of fans outside the Coronation Hall. The Evening Mail noted: "Oliver Hardy remarked to our reporter that Stan had talked about Ulverston for the past 22 years and he thought he had to see it." The tour included
1729-643: A theatre in London 's Leicester Square , he said: Looks great but kind of wasteful, but you should see the lighthouse in the graveyard at Ulverston in Lancashire where I was born. They put it up when I was a kid, a tombstone with a light on top. It was the Eighth Wonder of the World to me. Ever since then it's been my ambition to have a tombstone like that. Laurel went on frequent excursions from Ulverston railway station into
1820-459: A three-tiered system: North Shields has a number of churches and religious groups: Many are members of the ecumenical Churches Together in North Shields, itself a member of Churches Together in England . Both are associate members of Churches Together in North Shields. In 2009, seating inspired by Plasticine , the inventor of which was born in North Shields, was installed on Bedford Street in
1911-456: A town square, renovation of Northumberland Square and the establishment of a transport hub. At the time of publication, the plan was not financed and the council sought the views of local residents and business owners. In summer 2020, work was being completed on the refurbishment of the terraced row to the north of Northumberland Square, as well as the development of a newly built row of homes on nearby Albion Road. The newly restored Wooden Dolly
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#17330846183152002-669: A trampolining centre are also part of the development. The area is centred on the Albert Edward Dock which now houses the Royal Quays Marina. The nearest Metro stations are Meadow Well and Percy Main which with local bus routes 10,11 and 317 serve the area. In addition to the North Shields International Ferry Terminal, cruise ships regularly dock at the Port of Tyne terminal. A car and lorry terminal
2093-457: A version of Laurel as well. Dick Van Dyke told a similar story. When he was just starting his career, he looked up Laurel's phone number, called him, and then visited him at his home. Van Dyke played Laurel on "The Sam Pomerantz Scandals" episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show . Director Stanley Kramer offered Laurel a cameo role in It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) alongside Buster Keaton and
2184-593: A year, larger premises were needed. Meetings moved to 53 Tyne Street, North Shields and in 1879 to Camden Street, North Shields. In 1920 the YMCA moved to a building in Bedford Street (which is still owned by the YMCA and now occupied by the Citizens Advice Bureau) where it remained until 1938, when it moved to the present building and the current registered office at Church Way, North Shields. Between 1987 and 2001,
2275-590: Is 8 miles (13 km) north-east of Newcastle upon Tyne and borders nearby Wallsend and Tynemouth . Since 1974, it has been in the North Tyneside borough of Tyne and Wear: its historic administration was as part of the Castle ward in county of Northumberland . It was part of the Tynemouth County Borough; when abolished in 1974, the borough became an unparished area . It is on the northern bank of
2366-652: Is adjacent. Royal Quays Outlet Centre, officially known as Royal Quays Outlet & Independent Centre is an outlet centre in Royal Quays, North Shields . The centre has been used by the BBC to film scenes for children's programmes and ITV for an episode of Vera Vera (TV series)in July 2022. North Shields North Shields ( / ʃ iː l z / SHEELZ ) is a town in the borough of North Tyneside in Tyne and Wear , England. It
2457-576: Is bounded to the north by Whitley Bay and to the south by the River Tyne . The town of Tynemouth is to its east and the A19 road marks the boundary between North Shields and Wallsend to the west of the town. It is part of the North Tyneside conurbation . Over the years, North Shields has grown from a small fishing village to incorporate the nearby areas of Chirton, Preston , Billy Mill, Percy Main , East Howdon and Marden estate. The 2011 definition of
2548-429: Is close to Argyle Street and is where his parents were married. He was fond of Beer's treacle toffee from Gillam's general store on Market Street. Laurel remembered the treat in later life, writing to family in England in January 1950: I used to go shopping on Market Street with Grandma Metcalfe -- that was a big treat for me. Beers Treacle toffee, it sure was good! Laurel, who had a lifelong love of fishing, used to take
2639-653: Is set on the estate. Following the Meadow Well riots , in July 1992 the Government granted £37.5 million over five years to regenerate that area of the town, as part of the City Challenge scheme. An extensive regeneration programme costing £16 million saw the revitalisation of the redundant Albert Edward docks . Across an 80 hectare area, the former Tyne and Wear Development Corporation partnered with North Tyneside Council and
2730-511: The 33rd Academy Awards , Laurel was given an Academy Honorary Award for his pioneering work in comedy, and he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard. Laurel and Hardy were ranked top among best double acts and seventh overall in a 2005 UK poll to find the Comedians' Comedian . In 2019, Laurel topped a list of the greatest British comedians compiled by a panel on
2821-606: The Lake District with his cousins, grandparents and sometimes his parents. They visited his aunt and uncle John and Nant Shaw when they ran grocery shops, first at Flookburgh , and later Sawrey . Another favourite place to visit was the lake at Windermere . Laurel had his first taste of the theatre in Ulverston. The Hippodrome theatre, known as Spencer's Gaff, was just across the road from his home, in Lightburn Park. The theatre
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2912-570: The River Tyne , opposite to South Shields on the other bank. The name derives from Middle English schele meaning "temporary sheds or huts used by fishermen". North Shields is first recorded in 1225, when the Prior of Tynemouth , Germanus, decided to create a fishing port to provide fish for the Priory which was situated on the headland at the mouth of the River Tyne. He also supplied ships anchored near
3003-465: The Three Stooges , but Laurel declined. He reportedly said he did not want to be seen on screen in his old age, especially without Hardy. It appears, however, his involvement reached the stage of filming a background matching shot of his old time convertible, with a stand-in seated at the wheel, donning a derby hat. The cameo appearance was then given to Jack Benny , who wore Laurel's signature derby in
3094-435: The 18th century buildings began to be erected on the plateau 60 feet (20 m) above the old unsanitary dwellings alongside the river. Prosperous businessmen and shipowners occupied the new town whereas working people remained in the lower part of town. The low, riverside part of the town was linked to the newer, higher part of the town by a series of stairs. These stairs were initially surrounded by slum dwellings, and although
3185-552: The 1960s and 70s. Meadow Well was formerly known as the Ridges Estate – a name occasionally used today – since it was built on the site of the Ridges farm. Its present name is derived from a well situated in a meadow upon which the estate was built. On Monday, 9 September 1991, Meadow Well was featured heavily in the news across the UK as riots broke out which continued for three days. Many properties were damaged, cars burned out and
3276-467: The 2018 film Stan & Ollie , Steve Coogan portrayed Laurel (a performance which saw him nominated for the BAFTA for Best Actor in a Leading Role ) and John C. Reilly played Hardy. Developed by BBC Films , the film is set in the twilight of their careers, and focuses on their farewell tour of Britain and Ireland's variety halls in 1953. In 2019 Laurel was voted the greatest ever British comedian by
3367-581: The Newcastle and North Shields Railway, was redeveloped between 1980 and 1982 for the Metro. It was subsequently refurbished in 2012. The Tyne and Wear Metro links North Shields to Newcastle city centre , and to other destinations in Tyne and Wear including Whitley Bay , Newcastle Airport and Sunderland . The town is also served by stations in Percy Main and Meadow Well . The Tyneside Tramways and Tramroads Company also operated an electric tramway service in
3458-708: The North Shields Fish Quay were said to have inspired the piano-moving scene in The Music Box . In a 2005 UK poll, Comedians' Comedian , Laurel and Hardy were ranked top double act and seventh overall. Along with Hardy, Laurel was inducted into the Grand Order of Water Rats . Neil Brand wrote a radio play entitled Stan , broadcast in 2004 on BBC Radio 4 and subsequently on BBC Radio 4 Extra , starring Tom Courtenay as Stan Laurel, in which Stan visits Oliver Hardy after Hardy has had his stroke and tries to say
3549-614: The Northumbrian coble , a small inshore fishing vessel with a lug sail , well known in the North East. Larger yards built wooden sailing collier brigs , used to transport local coal to London. Eventually these small yards were replaced by larger yards such as the Tyne Dock and Engineering Company and the Smith's Dock Company . These yards produced iron vessels for various uses, including fishing and
3640-520: The Stan Jefferson Trio. Amongst other performers, Laurel worked briefly alongside Oliver Hardy in the silent film short The Lucky Dog (1921), before the two were a team. It was around this time that Laurel met actress Mae Dahlberg . Around the same time, he adopted the stage name of Laurel at Dahlberg's suggestion that his stage name Stan Jefferson was unlucky, due to it having thirteen letters. The pair were performing together when Laurel
3731-525: The US, was put up for auction by Desmond's grandson, Geoffrey Nolan, in 2018. Laurel joined Fred Karno 's troupe of actors in 1910 with the stage name of "Stan Jefferson"; the troupe also included a young Charlie Chaplin . The music hall nurtured him, and he acted as Chaplin's understudy for some time. Karno was a pioneer of slapstick , and in his biography Laurel stated, "Fred Karno didn't teach Charlie [Chaplin] and me all we know about comedy. He just taught us most of it". Chaplin and Laurel arrived in
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3822-757: The United States on the same ship from Britain with the Karno troupe and toured the country. During the First World War , Laurel registered for military service in America on 5 June 1917, as required under the Selective Service Act . He was not called up; his registration card states his status as resident alien and his deafness as exemptions. The Karno troupe broke up in the spring of 1914. Stan joined with two other former Karno performers, Edgar Hurley and his wife Ethel (known as "Wren") to form "The Three Comiques". On
3913-626: The advice of booking agent Gordon Bostock, they called themselves "the Keystone Trio". Stan started to do his character as an imitation of Charlie Chaplin, and the Hurleys began to do their parts as silent comedians Chester Conklin and Mabel Normand . They played successfully from February through October 1915, until the Hurleys and Stan parted ways. Between 1916 and 1918, he teamed up with Alice Cooke and Baldwin Cooke , who became his lifelong friends, to form
4004-496: The coal trade. In later years the North Shields yards were used for ship repair work, with Smith's dock surviving until the 1990s. None of these yards remain. Esso formerly had an oil terminal on the banks of the Tyne, off Howdon Road. In April 1994, a bomb planted by the IRA exploded tearing a 3-foot square hole in one of the tanks. A second device, which did not detonate, was later found nearby. Six hundred gallons of crude oil leaked from
4095-466: The comic relief in the lavish all-colour (in Technicolor ) musical feature The Rogue Song . Their first starring feature Pardon Us was released in 1931. They continued to make both features and shorts until 1935, including their 1932 three-reeler The Music Box , which won an Academy Award for Best Short Subject . During the 1930s, Laurel was involved in a dispute with Hal Roach which resulted in
4186-439: The continent. During this tour, Laurel fell ill and was unable to perform for several weeks. In May 1954, Hardy had a heart attack and cancelled the tour. In 1955, they were planning to do a television series called Laurel and Hardy's Fabulous Fables based on children's stories. The plans were delayed after Laurel had a stroke on 25 April 1955, from which he recovered. But as the team was planning to get back to work, Hardy had
4277-411: The custom rights that they had enjoyed up till then, which covered the whole length of the river. They successfully petitioned the king in 1290 and managed to suspend trade from the new settlement. It was forbidden to victual ships or to load and unload cargoes at North Shields. The opposition of the Newcastle burgesses remained for a considerable time but despite this, North Shields continued to develop as
4368-463: The early twentieth century Stan Laurel lived at a house in Dockwray Square for a few years, before he became famous. The square has since been re-developed, initially in the 1960s, and again in the 1990s. A statue of Laurel stands in the middle to commemorate his stay there. The land on which the new town was built was largely owned by the Earl of Carlisle. In 1796, John Wright produced plans that included
4459-411: The end of October 2006. DFDS Seaways' sister company, DFDS Tor Line, continues to run scheduled freight ships between Gothenburg and several English ports, including Newcastle, but these have limited capacity for passengers and do not carry private vehicles. The passenger terminal regularly welcomes tourists travelling on cruises that call at North Shields as an access point for Newcastle upon Tyne and
4550-453: The houses have since been cleared the stairs remain. One of the first developments of the new town was Dockwray Square, built in 1763, a set of elegant town houses that was populated by wealthy families. Due to the poor provision of water and drainage facilities, however, the wealthy families soon moved to the more central part of the new town, and particularly the new Northumberland Square. Dockwray Square eventually deteriorated into slums. In
4641-549: The local community centre burned down. As a result of the riots, the local housing was gradually improved by the council over the next three years through demolition and rebuilding, as well as renovation. A number of community development organisations, including the Cedarwood Trust, Meadow Well Connected and the Phoenix Detached Youth Project, have worked in the area for many years. The film Dream On (1991)
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#17330846183154732-520: The local council announced plans to consider the feasibility of moving the ferry landing. In July 2021 it was announced that the planned relocation was delayed until 2023. From the International Ferry Terminal, based at Royal Quays, the Danish company DFDS Seaways operates a daily service to IJmuiden . The ferry service to Gothenburg , Sweden (run by DFDS Seaways), ceased operation at
4823-459: The main shopping thoroughfare of Bedford Street in order to better link the areas and decrease the dominance of motor vehicles. In 2017, North Tyneside Council granted planning permission for up to 400 new homes on formerly industrial land to the west of Norham Road. In April 2020, the developer, Miller Homes, announced that work had been halted by the Covid-19 pandemic and that plans may be altered as
4914-546: The plant is now demolished apart from the office building, now home to Cobalt Business Exchange. Cobalt is home to an Orange call centre . The town's association with the early days of the railways is recognised at the Stephenson Railway Museum on Middle Engine Lane near The Silverlink. Potts Print , based in Cramlington since 2006, was originally founded in North Shields in 1875. They occupied various sites in
5005-452: The priory. A number of rudimentary houses or 'shiels' were erected at the mouth of the Pow Burn where the stream enters the Tyne, as well as wooden quays which were used to unload the fishing boats. The quays were also used to ship coal from local collieries owned by the Priory. Soon the population of the new township numbered 1,000. The burgesses of Newcastle upon Tyne were determined to preserve
5096-495: The private sector to provide a mix of housing, leisure facilities, office space and industrial sites. The Wet N Wild indoor water park , an outlet shopping centre , a bowling alley, a soccer dome and a marina formed the centrepiece to the Royal Quays development to the west of the town. Mark di Suvero's Tyne Anew (1999), his only large-scale public artwork in the UK, can be seen at Albert Edward Dock. The shopping centre
5187-437: The scene. Laurel and Mae Dahlberg never married but lived together as common-law husband and wife from 1919 to 1925, before Dahlberg accepted a one-way ticket from Joe Rock to go back to her native Australia. In November 1937, Dahlberg was back in the US and sued Laurel for financial support. At the time, Laurel's second marriage was in the process of a divorce, with Dahlberg's legal suit adding to Laurel's woes. The matter
5278-453: The screen in several short films, including Duck Soup , Slipping Wives and With Love and Hisses . The two became friends and their comic chemistry soon became obvious. Roach Studios' supervising director Leo McCarey noticed the audience reaction to them and began teaming them, leading to the creation of the Laurel and Hardy series later that year. Together, the two men began producing
5369-417: The second time in early 1946. On 6 May 1946, he married Ida Kitaeva Raphael to whom he remained married until his death. In January 1965, he underwent a series of X-rays for an infection on the roof of his mouth. He died on 23 February 1965, aged 74, in his apartment, four days following a heart attack. Minutes before his death, he told his nurse that he would not mind going skiing, and she replied that she
5460-539: The staging, writing, or editing of the productions. When the films proved very successful, Laurel and Hardy were granted more freedom and gradually added more of their own material. They had made six Fox features when the studio suddenly abandoned B-picture production in December 1944. The team signed another contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1942, resulting in two more features. Revisiting his music hall days, Laurel returned to England in 1947 when he and Hardy went on
5551-489: The tank, but was caught in a channel designed to prevent leakages. A second explosion occurred in June 1994, perpetrated by the same bombers. With its fishing industry and shipbuilding history, a number of maritime related companies remain in the town. John Lilley and Gillie Ltd , a marine equipment manufacturer is headquartered there. Collieries in the town were located at three of the outlying villages since incorporated into
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#17330846183155642-453: The television channel Gold . In 2009, a bronze statue of the duo was unveiled in Laurel's hometown of Ulverston . Arthur Stanley Jefferson was born on 16 June 1890 in his grandparents' house in Ulverston , Lancashire , to Arthur J. Jefferson, an actor and theatre manager from Bishop Auckland , and Margaret (née Metcalfe), an actress from Ulverston. He was one of five children. One of them
5733-402: The termination of his contract. Roach maintained separate contracts for Laurel and Hardy that expired at different times, so Hardy remained at the studio and was "teamed" with Harry Langdon for the 1939 film Zenobia . The studio discussed a series of films co-starring Hardy with Patsy Kelly to be called "The Hardy Family". But Laurel sued Roach over the contract dispute. Eventually, the case
5824-529: The things to his dying friend and partner that have been left unsaid. In 2006, BBC Four showed a drama called Stan , based on Brand's radio play, in which Laurel meets Hardy on his deathbed and reminisces about their career. A plaque on the Bull Inn, Bottesford, Leicestershire , England, marks Laurel and Hardy appearing in Nottingham over Easter 1952 and Christmas 1953, and staying with Laurel's sister, Olga, who
5915-476: The time. Later, Laurel spent much time living with his maternal grandmother, Sarah Metcalfe in North Shields . He attended school at King James I Grammar School in Bishop Auckland , County Durham , and the King's School in Tynemouth , Northumberland . He moved with his parents to Glasgow , Scotland, where he completed his education at Stonelaw Public School . His father managed Glasgow's Metropole Theatre , where Laurel first worked. His boyhood hero
6006-465: The town centre. The seats proved unpopular as their shape prevented rainwater draining off, so they were replaced by more traditional metal benches and moved to the Royal Quays Marina in 2011. YMCA North Tyneside was founded in 1870 and was originally known as The Borough of Tynemouth YMCA. After an inaugural meeting on 7 June 1879, weekly meetings followed in the Sons of Temperance Hall, Norfolk Street, North Shields. The YMCA grew in popularity. Within
6097-400: The town of Tynemouth includes North Shields, which means a population figure can only be given as a combination of wards rather than as a USD. In September 2020, the North Tyneside Council published prospective plans for regeneration of the town centre, which include developing a distinctive route to the Fish Quay, pedestrianisation of key streets, consolidation of retail units, creation of
6188-401: The town of Harlem, and the other is a private museum owned and operated by Gary Russeth, a Harlem resident. Jefferson Drive in Ulverston is named after Laurel. In 2013 Gail Louw and Jeffrey Holland debuted a short one-man play "...And this is my friend Mr Laurel" at the Camden Fringe festival. The play, starring Holland as Laurel, was taken on tour of the UK in 2014 until June 2015. In
6279-419: The town over the years. Spicers has a large factory in the town, producing tea. It bought the site from Twinings in 2012. Donald Campbell 's Bluebird K7 , which crashed during a water speed record attempt on Coniston Water , was restored in a workshop in the town by local engineer Bill Smith. The Newcastle and North Shields Railway opened in 1839. In 1847, the railway was extended to Tynemouth when
6370-462: The town, at Preston , at the location of the present cemetery gates, Percy Main and New York . Following the demise of coal mining and shipbuilding in the area, several business parks , industrial estates and trading estates were established providing alternative employment. The biggest of these are The Silverlink and Cobalt Park , the UK's largest office park. Atmel had a plant located at Silverlink, previously occupied by Siemens but
6461-433: The town. A half-hourly ferry service connects North Shields to the town of South Shields on the opposite bank of the Tyne . The present Shields Ferry was established in 1972. Its first female skipper was appointed in 2016. Shieldsman , a former ferry retired in 2007, has since been moved to Shoreham, West Sussex, and transformed into a houseboat. From June to October, river trips by ferry operate. In November 2018,
6552-540: The wider North East of England. In 2017, 52 ships docked, bringing 120,000 visitors to the region. A number of "dudes" - red and blue powder coated figures designed by artist Perminder Kaur - can be seen on a grassy mound at the entrance to the terminal. A transport interchange, adjacent to the Metro station, opened in September 2023. It was the first council building in the borough to be fully carbon-neutral in its construction and operation. The town's schools are part of
6643-412: The working quay. In November 2018, North Tyneside Council announced plans for further development to enhance the area as a food and drink destination. The site of the former Smith's Docks was acquired by the developer Places For People in 2007. In January 2015 they sought planning permission for the construction of homes on the site. The first of those homes, including some designed by George Clarke ,
6734-674: Was Dan Leno , considered one of the greatest English music hall comedians. With a natural affinity for the theatre, Laurel gave his first professional performance on stage at the Panopticon in Glasgow at the age of sixteen, where he polished his skills at pantomime and music hall sketches. It was the music hall from where he drew his standard comic devices, including his bowler hat and nonsensical understatement. In 1912 Laurel worked together with Ted Desmond on tour in Netherlands and Belgium as
6825-431: Was Edward, an actor who appeared in four of Stan's shorts. His parents were very active in the theatre, frequently travelling around the country. Consequently, Laurel, who was too young to travel, lived in Ulverston with his grandparents, George and Sarah Metcalfe, for the first seven years of his life. He became very familiar with Ulverston. He attended services with his religious grandparents at Holy Trinity Church, which
6916-544: Was a member of " Fred Karno 's Army", where he was Charlie Chaplin 's understudy. He and Chaplin arrived in the United States on the same ship from the United Kingdom with the Karno troupe. Laurel began his film career in 1917 and made his final appearance in 1951. He appeared with his comic partner Oliver Hardy in the film short The Lucky Dog in 1921, although they did not become an official team until late 1927. He then appeared exclusively with Hardy until retiring after his comedy partner's death in 1957. In April 1961, at
7007-514: Was also returned to the Square. A new square, adjacent to Bedford Street, was completed as part of the Transport Hub development in September 2023. A large council estate, Meadow Well (alternatively spelt Meadowell or Meadowwell on local signs) to the west of the town, was constructed in the 1930s to house residents displaced by the clearance of the Dockwray Square and Low Town slum areas. These flats were replaced with better quality homes in
7098-465: Was an English comic actor, director and writer who was one half of the comedy duo Laurel and Hardy . He appeared with his comedy partner Oliver Hardy in 107 short films, feature films and cameo roles. Laurel began his career in music hall , where he developed a number of his standard comic devices, including the bowler hat , the deep comic gravity and the nonsensical understatement, and developed his skills in pantomime and music hall sketches. He
7189-518: Was born two months premature in May 1930, but died after nine days. Laurel and Neilson divorced in December 1934. Their daughter Lois died on ( 2017-07-27 ) 27 July 2017 aged 89. In 1935, Laurel married Virginia Ruth Rogers (known as Ruth). In 1937, he filed for divorce, confessing that he was not over his ex-wife Lois, but Lois decided against a reconciliation. On New Year's Day 1938, Laurel married Vera Ivanova Shuvalova (known as Illeana); Ruth accused him of bigamy, but their divorce had been finalised
7280-429: Was dropped and Laurel returned to Roach. The first film that Laurel and Hardy made after Laurel returned was A Chump at Oxford . Subsequently, they made Saps at Sea , which was their last film for Roach. In 1941, Laurel and Hardy signed a contract at 20th Century-Fox to make ten films over five years. Laurel found, to his shock, that he and Hardy were hired only as actors, and were not expected to contribute to
7371-550: Was given for a public appearance. In 1961, Stan Laurel was given an Academy Honorary Award "for his creative pioneering in the field of cinema comedy". Laurel was introduced by Bob Hope, and the award was accepted by Danny Kaye . Laurel had achieved his lifelong dream as a comedian and had been involved in nearly 190 films. He lived his final years in a small flat in the Oceana Apartments in Santa Monica, California . Laurel
7462-412: Was gracious to fans and spent much time answering fan mail. His phone number was also listed in the telephone directory and he would take calls from fans. Jerry Lewis was among the comedians to visit Laurel, and Lewis received suggestions from him for the production of The Bellboy (1960). Lewis paid tribute to Laurel by naming his main character Stanley in the film, and having Bill Richmond play
7553-403: Was impressed by a miniature lighthouse memorial built in memory of Dr Thomas Watkins Wilson. The lighthouse memorial, which is still there today, had a light at the top that was once lit 24 hours a day. The lighthouse memorial was designated as a Grade II listed building in 1996. In 1932, Laurel was being interviewed by a Daily Herald reporter and as they looked up at his name in lights above
7644-499: Was like a giant tent, made from wood with a canvas roof. Laurel's parents both trod the boards here and his father A. J. developed some of the plays he would later become known for here. The Hippodrome burnt down in 1910, the year Laurel sailed for America with the Fred Karno troupe. Laurel visited Ulverston with his comedy partner Oliver Hardy on Tuesday 27 May 1947 at the invitation of the town's urban council. The comedians were given
7735-582: Was not aware that he was a skier. "I'm not," said Laurel, "I'd rather be doing that than getting all these needles stuck in me!" A few minutes later he died quietly in his armchair. At his funeral service at Church of the Hills, Buster Keaton said, " Chaplin wasn't the funniest. I wasn't the funniest; this man was the funniest." Dick Van Dyke gave the eulogy as a friend, protégé and occasional impressionist of Laurel during his later years; he read The Clown's Prayer . Laurel had quipped, "If anyone at my funeral has
7826-697: Was not to appear in any of the films. Rock thought that her temperament was hindering Laurel's career. In 1925, she started interfering with Laurel's work, so Rock offered her a cash settlement and a one-way ticket back to her native Australia , which she accepted. The 12 two-reel comedies were Mandarin Mix-Up (1924), Detained (1924), Monsieur Don't Care (1924), West of Hot Dog (1924), Somewhere in Wrong (1925), Twins (1925), Pie-Eyed (1925), The Snow Hawk (1925), Navy Blue Days (1925), The Sleuth (1925), Dr. Pyckle and Mr. Pryde (1925) and Half
7917-484: Was offered $ 75 a week to star in two-reel comedies. After making his first film Nuts in May , Universal offered him a contract. The contract was soon cancelled during a reorganisation at the studio. Among the films in which Dahlberg and Laurel appeared together was the 1922 parody Mud and Sand . By 1924, Laurel had given up the stage for full-time film work, under contract with Joe Rock for 12 two-reel comedies. The contract had one unusual stipulation: that Dahlberg
8008-540: Was rebranded by new owners as the Newcastle Quays Retail in early 2024. The centre had declined over a number of years prior to the former owner being placed into administration in 2023. Similarly, major regeneration of the Fish Quay , on the riverside to the south-east of the town centre, has included the construction of luxury apartments and the conversion of existing buildings into restaurants and bars alongside
8099-468: Was settled out of court. Dahlberg was described as a "relief project worker" by the court. Laurel was one of several popular British actors in Hollywood who never became a naturalised US citizen. Laurel had four wives and married one of them a second time after their divorce. His first wife was Lois Neilson , whom he married on 13 August 1926. Together they had a daughter, Lois, who was born on ( 1927-12-10 ) 10 December 1927. Their second child, Stanley,
8190-556: Was sold in 2017 and as of April 2018, work continues on the site. The second phase, the Smokehouses, was completed in autumn 2018. Having been awarded £900,000 through the High Street Heritage Action Zone programme, North Tyneside Council plans to add £1 million additional funding to revive the conservation area around Howard Street and Northumberland Square. It will also see work done on the streetscape connecting to
8281-607: Was the landlady of the pub. In 2008, a statue of Stan Laurel was unveiled in Bishop Auckland , County Durham , on the site of the Eden Theatre. In April 2009, a bronze statue of Laurel and Hardy was unveiled in Ulverston. There is a Laurel and Hardy Museum in Stan's hometown of Ulverston. There are two Laurel and Hardy museums in Hardy's hometown of Harlem , Georgia . One is operated by
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