Laurel and Hardy and the Sons of the Desert are at the heart of Bowler Dessert magazine and Bowler Dessert Online

Twice Two and more in Southend-on-Sea

Saturday 12th September Laurel and Hardy lookalikes Gary Slade and Rob Graham at the entrance to the Clarence Hall in Southend-on-Sea welcomed Sons to the Twice Two event, which was being staged by the Saps at Sea Tent and the Laughing Gravy Tent. Sons came from England, Scotland, Germany, France and the Netherlands. Live entertainment provided a huge part of the evening's attractions and Grand Sheik John Ullah was the MC for Sons Entertain. Mandy Finney gave us a nostalgic monologue. Pat Finney read some funny announcements which had caught her fancy. Allan Davis and Ted Capper had a Flanagan and Allen routine. John proudly said that Roy Wood, a member of his tent, was joining us in Southend and Roy's rendering of a couple of his classic Wizard songs brought the house down. The next day I heard a rumour that "Roy" was in fact Kevin Pullinger in heavy makeup. Vincent Byrne is a very talented member of the Laughing Gravy Tent, who accompanied on a keyboard two of Stan and Ollie's silent shorts on the big screen. The Saps' own talent was also to the fore. Alexander Rowland had a very clever Oliver Hardy routine which he performed for the very first time, to much applause and laughter. TAGS is a splendid youthful foursome, who sang, danced, pranced and clowned. Dave Dearle's jazz band You're Darn Tootin' had feet tapping and went down well. An item which came as a surprise to Roger Robinson was a This is Your Life spot. Because it was Roger's sixtieth birthday, the Saps had put together a clever potted presentation on Roger's life. There was humour and love on the screen and in the book presentation, showing the tent's fondness for their retiring Grand Sheik. Sunday 13th September The Sons went to Leigh-on-Sea the following morning. Some went on a two-hour walk, while others ambled along the quayside and stopped off at a shop and a pub or two. At lunchtime the Laughing Gravy contingent had to head off home to Birmingham. I spent the afternoon in the company of Paul Allen, who kindly took me to see his latest venture (apart from his new Sheikdom, that is to say). Among other things, Paul has set himself up in business as a supplier and printer of mugs. He printed a mug for me before my eyes and it was a lovely gift. Paul can print them to any design and I recommend his services to all tents, businesses and individuals. Early in the evening the Saps met at the Military and Naval Club for their monthly meeting. What a pleasure it was to laugh with the Saps at some familiar Laurel and Hardy films and some footage of Laurel and Hardy which I had never seen before. There was a quiz, a raffle and toasts. Roger was officiating as Grand Sheik of the tent for the last time before handing over the reigns to his pal Paul. But Roger will continue to do many of the things for which he has become famous, including - thankfully - editing and producing The Perry Winkle. Congratulations and thanks go to everyone who made the weekend possible. It really was outstanding.   Willie McIntyre reports   For more photos