2009 UK Convention

Events: 2009 — 30th UK Convention

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Organised jointly by the Berth Marks Tent of Ulverston and the

Chickens Come Home Tent of Lancaster and Morecambe

The 30^th UK Convention of the Sons of the Desert will take place from Friday 1st until Monday 4th May 2009 in Ulverston, Grange-Over-Sands and Morecambe, England. The venue for this 30th Convention will be the previously tranquil surroundings of the Cumbria Grand Hotel.

The Cumbria Grand Hotel was built in 1880, is located 15 minutes from the M6 and is only six miles from Lake Windermere. Set in 20 acres of private gardens and woodlands and overlooking Morecambe Bay you will receive a warm and friendly welcome at this charming AA 3 Star Victorian Hotel. There is an outdoor tennis court, putting green, children's play area and woodland walk while indoors there is a full sized snooker table, table tennis table and dart-board. And bar. A horse in the corridor is optional.

(For further information on the event and the hotel visit the convention website.)

The programme of events is as follows:

Friday 1st May 2009

12.00 noon onwards — Registration (and Goody-Bags)

- Films from 3-5pm

- Dealers Tables 2-4pm

...Cocktails, Hard-boiled Eggs & Nuts

6.00 pm — Pre-Dinner Cocktails and informed conversation

7.00 pm — Tents' parade (please bring your banner) & Introductions

7.30 pm — Meal

9.30 pm — Cameron’s Cabaret band:

Chickens Come Home's Grand Vizier Cameron Seddon is a talented cabaret ‘artiste’, who alongside guitarist Matt, specialises in fun and sing-along from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Much fun and kazoo-ing will follow!!

11.00 pm — Late night Disco

...The bar will be open for more Cocktails and informed discussion.

Saturday 2nd May

Breakfast

10.00 am:

- Eric Wood's Quiz

- Chris Coffey's Film Show

- Dealers Tables

12.00 noon — Trip to Ulverston (packed lunch provided):

- County Hall: This is where Stan and Ollie greeted the crowds on Tuesday the 27th May 1947 - having performed the previous night in Morecambe for the first time.

- Stan's House: There will be a trip to the house where Stan was born where visitors may have their photographs taken and sign the guest book.

- The Statue: We will also (hopefully) be visiting the newly unveiled Statue of the boys! Watch this space...

- The Laurel & Hardy Museum : The Official opening of the New Laurel & Hardy Museum !!!

6.30 pm — Cocktails and light-hearted banter

7.30 pm — Meal at the Cumbria Grand Hotel

9.00 pm — The New Riverside Jazz Band - A top local New Orleans style Jazz Band featuring, amongst others, Mike D's Father on Trumpet and Mother on Banjo. Many favourite Songs to be included - Pom Pom!

Sunday 3rd May

Breakfast

9.30 am — Our very special guest from the States, author John DeSanto, will be introducing his latest book "What About those Great Ladies of Film (from Mabel Normand to Ida Lupino). John has kindly agreed to a short presentation (with friend Chris Coffey) on this book and they will also be talking about his 2007 film comedy book "So, What About Those Old Cars in Early Comedy Films?". John will then be available for further questions and a book signing!

10.30 am:

- Chris Coffey's Film Show

- Dealers Tables

- Bill Bailey’s Fun n' Games: The beloved Grand Sheik of Chickens Come Home will host a 'themed' inter-tent games tournament [Note: Low Quality Prizes and the honour of your tent are all at stake!!]

12.00 noon — Leave Hotel for lunch at Morecambe Winter Gardens.

- Performance of the Bad Apple Theatre Company Production of a brand new stage show! 'Laurel and Charlie' is a hilarious new take on the early years of Stan Laurel and Charlie Chaplin, as they tour together as part of Fred Karno's music hall troupe...

- Tour of the historic theatre (only just re-opened after years of disrepair) where Stan and Ollie played in week commencing 26th May 1947 .

- Traditional Lancashire Hotpot!!

- Film show (time permitting...)

5.00 pm — Travel Back to Hotel, stopping at the Statue of Eric Morecambe, on Morecambe Seafront, for photographs.

6.30 pm — Cocktails and debate

7.30 pm — Meal

9.00 pm — Fancy Dress and Sons Entertain - If it's not a strain to entertain... then why not represent your tent?!

There will be prizes for the best male and female fancy-dress costumes...

There will also be a very special award made to the most fancily-dressed tent. The Jim Davie Memorial Trophy is a prestigious annual prize, first awarded in 2006 and currently being looked after by the Saps at Sea tent. Will your tent be better dressed than the Saps - or will the trophy be going back home with them?

Monday 4th May

9.30 am — Dealers' Room

11.00 am — Open Grand Sheik's Meeting and fond farewells...

Cost / How To Book:

The cost is as follows:

Two adults sharing = £ 225.00 (per person), to be paid in full or by three instalments of £75.00

Child sharing with adults = £ 135.00, to be paid in full or by three instalments of £45.00

Only a small number of single rooms are available.

Please note that if paying by instalments, the following restrictions apply:

The Second instalment of £75 must reach us by Christmas Day 2008

The Third instalment of £75 must reach us by April 1st 2009

You can pay by cheque, BACS or Paypal.