Arthur Jefferson retires to Barkston

Stan and Olga’s father, Arthur Jefferson, known to all as `A.J.`, was himself a prominent theatrical figure in the north of England and in Scotland. From an early age he had learnt the full craft of the stage from being an actor, playwright and a manager, progressing to owning (as lessee) and managing a string of theatres. In 1940, `A.J.` took his final bow and retired from the theatre following the death of his wife, Venitia. For this dad, the Home Guard did not appeal and fearing the falling German bombs in London he went to live with Olga and Bill at the Plough in Barkston. Venitia was `A.J.`s second wife.

(`A.J.` c1900)

(Madge Metcalfe, Stan and Olga’s mother)

His first wife was Margaret (or Madge) Metcalfe. They met in Ulverston when he was actor and manager of a small wooden theatre called Spencer’s Gaff. They were married in 1884 and had five children including Arthur Stanley and Beatrice Olga, that is Stan and Olga. Madge continued to work with her husband on and off the stage and became quite an accomplished actress in her own right. Sadly, she died at a young age in 1908 and is buried in an unmarked grave at the Cathcart cemetery in Glasgow.

More can be read about Madge on the Bowler Dessert website at

http://freespace.virgin.net/bowler.dessert/madge_metcalfe.htm

Laurel & Hardy visit Barkston in 1947

On 10 February 1947, Laurel & Hardy sailed into Southampton Docks on the Queen Elizabeth to embark on their first theatrical tour of the UK, a tour that would take on 26 venues in 9 months. During the 1930s and early 1940s they had been the most popular comedy team in Hollywood and due to busy filming schedules and the advent of the Second World War they had not found the time to revisit the UK since 1932. This time, though, due to fading popularity in America, the Boys sought a new direction in theatre variety, masterminded by a young entrepreneur, Bernard Delfont. When they arrived in England they were astounded at the reception they received. Barkston was snowed under, so Olga and `A.J.` unfortunately missed the Boys homecoming. Sadly, there was little press coverage on their arrival but Pathe Newsreel did film a short interview where the Boys announced intentions to make a film whilst in England. This can be downloaded from the Pathe website at http://www.britishpathe.com/

This film was to be based on the legend of an English folk hero.......you’ve guessed it, Robin Hood! In the film, Ollie was to play `Friar Hardy` and Stan, `Little John Laurel`. Sadly, this film was never made - but I wonder where the basis of the idea came from?

More can be read about this unfilmed project on the Laurel & Hardy Helpmates UK website at http://members.aol.com/sons2222/robin.html.

(The Plough 16 March 1947) (The Plough today)

The snows in Barkston eventually abated and on Sunday 16 March 1947, at the end of their first week at the London Palladium, the Boys travelled north to Grantham for lunch at the Red Lion and then onto the Plough at Barkston. They stayed all afternoon at the Plough before travelling back to London to complete their 3-week run at the London Palladium.

The Grantham Journal was there to record Friar Hardy`s and Little John Laurel`s happy visit with many bows and several games of arrows:-

Click to see NEWSPAPER ARTICLE 1 - Darts Interlude during Grantham visit

Click to see NEWSPAPER ARTICLE 2 - Screen Comedian Stan Laurel meets his father after 13 years

AJ Marriot’s book `Laurel & Hardy- The British Tours` also recalls two other visits to Barkston, which straddled their theatrical appointment at the Butlins Theatre in Skegness during June 1947. On Sunday 22 June 1947, the celebrities stopped off at Grantham on their way through from Glasgow to Skegness. They had just enough time for a drink and quick chat at the Red Lion Hotel. On their return journey back from Skegness the following Sunday 29 June 1947, they had more time and called in at Barkston for a second visit to the Plough. They stayed very late into the afternoon before catching a train at Grantham for their theatrical engagement in Edinburgh.

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