High-profile backing for ‘Laurel museum’ (From The Northern Echo)

Tony Blair backs plans for ‘Stan Laurel museum’

8:00am Monday 26th September 2011 in News By Duncan Leatherdale

TONY BLAIR and the daughter of Stan Laurel have added their support to plans to turn the comedian’s former school into a museum and arts centre.

Plans are progressing for the derelict King James I Grammar School for Boys, in Bishop Auckland, which was extensively damaged in a 2007 arson attack.

Known locally as the Stan Laurel Museum, the young Laurel was taught there in 1902 while his father ran the nearby Eden Theatre.

Now a new group, the Stan Laurel Community Building Group, has launched a campaign to save the old building from demolition and turn it into a landmark in the town.

Having already secured support from the Prince of Wales, the campaign group has added two high-profile supporters – the former prime minister and Sedgefield MP and Lois Laurel- Hawes, the daughter of Stan Laurel.

In a letter sent to campaigner Michael O’Neill, Annie Ferguson, who works in Mr Blair’s private office, said: “As a former resident of County Durham, the area remains very important to Mr Blair.

“On behalf of Mr Blair please accept my warmest wishes and the very best of luck with the renovation.”

Mr Blair also sent a signed copy of his autobiography to be auctioned to raise funds.

Mr O’Neill has also received an email from the Laurel and Hardy films website on behalf of Ms Laurel-Hawes, 83, in which she described the plans as “wonderful”.

She said: “Do keep me informed on what you are doing. Best of luck.

“My father always regretted not studying harder and staying longer in school.”

Parts of the grade-II listed school date from about 1605, when King James I approved a request from Anne Swyfte to teach Latin and Greek in Bishop Auckland.

After the school closed, it was used by Bishop Auckland’s operatic society and ballet group before it closed in 2000.

The group’s plans involve opening a drama centre and museum, part of which will be about Stan Laurel, as well as creating office space to lease to local groups.

Anyone wanting to get involved in the project is invited to a meeting at Tindale Crossing pub, Bishop Auckland, from 7.30pm on Thursday.

Alternatively, go to stanlaurelmuseumbishop auckland.yolasite.com