R2OK!

becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6851

That famous duo.... Wink

There were two items on the news tonight that caught my eye ...one on the main news and one on my local news..one talked of Edward Heath's home having to be sold.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11447637

And the other talked of Stan Laurel and an argument between Ulverston and Bishop Auckland about where Stan was born..he was born in Ulverston...

In the report about Stan it showed the house where he was born and it had a plaque on it commemorating that fact but it is still occupied by whoever bought it from Stan's relatives which amazed me...

I would hope that ways are found to save Edward Heath's home for the public and would like to see the same happen to Stan's birthplace....

ruddlescat · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 18010 Location: Near Chester

Absolutely agree Becky
History is or at least should be important because a sense of history defines how a society assesses its values and goes forward
I remember visiting the Laurel and Hardy Museum in Ulverston a few years ago and it was a very evocative and interesting experience
So far as Ted Heath is concerned I will always have total disrespect for the man being the person who took us into the disaster of the EEC now the EU but he was Prime Minister of this country and that is a matter of history so his house should be preserved for the nation

becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6851

I was never a fan of Edward Heath myself,ruddles, but totally agree with you why his house should be saved.....as for Stan Laurel I adore him ...and Olly... and can't believe his house hasn't been bought for the public to view.

Schizoidman · Joined: 20 Sep 2010 Posts: 1140 Location: Rural West Sussex

Laurel and Hardy: my favourite comics of all time, brilliant timing, expressions, mannerisms etc, true genius. They don't seem to be on TV much these days whereas they were on a lot when I were a lad.

He was born in Ulverston though I remember reading many years ago that he was born in Manchester.

John W · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 3367 Location: Warwickshire, UK

I was at uni during Edward Heath's government, I remember currency decimalisation, power cuts and 3-day weeks during that time while they grappled with unions over the Industrial Relations Act.

But now I mostly remember him as a musician, not playing an instrument but as a music director/conductor. He used to conduct at concerts and entertained (or was entertained) at No 10 by some of the finest musicians of the time. You couldn't imagine any other modern PM doing that.

I have a couple of LPs where Heath conducts, and I have his 'music' autobiography, a very entertaining read, which I bought at charity shops. He enjoyed his music very much and brought a lot of light music and classical to TV during and after his government years. I remember him saying he was most upset that the Yom Kippur war interrupted his music schedule at No 10. Smile

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John W

ruddlescat · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 18010 Location: Near Chester

Yes John he was a great musician and he was particularly fond of Church Organ Music
People who are old enough might remember him playing the organ at Christmas time at Carol concerts which I think used to be held in Broadstairs Kent as he was MP for Bexleyheath and Old Sidcup as I recall
Pity he wasn't as good at running the country though!

Ian Robinson · Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 11:44 am Post subject:

I think it's extremely egotistical for Heath to leave his house to the nation, but have no way of paying for it's upkeep! If they want to keep his art collection together he should have donated to a museum, instead of thinking hordes of people would just want to look round his house.

John W · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 3367 Location: Warwickshire, UK

Hardly egotistical. He had assembled a fine collection of art and sailing ephemera and political ephemera, and their artistic/historical value is enhanced by them being kept together.

As the speaker said, Heath made his plans without a good understanding of the maintenance and running costs.

It would worthwhile for someone to buy everything and keep it there, maybe turn the kitchens into a restaurant.
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John W

ColinB · Guest

I had zero respect for Heath as a politician and PM during the early 70s, though he redeemed himself when it became known that he absolutely hated Thatcher.