Beatrice Olga Jefferson's House
To some people, Bishop Auckland might seem to be a fairly unremarkable market town in County Durham. However, to those in the know, the town has Laurel and Hardy connections. Number 22 Waldron Street, the very last house at the top of the hill, belonged to Arthur Jefferson, Stan's father. Stan's sister Beatrice Olga was born in this house, named "South View".
House Plaque
The plaque which can be seen next to the entry door reads :
Waldron Street
This is the view down Waldron Street, from the top of the hill. Beatrice Olga preferred to be known by her middle name, and around the time when she was born, the houses on both sides of Waldron Street were used as boarding houses by theatrical employees. I expect there were less cars in those days, though!
St Peter's Church
Five minutes' walk away is Princes Street. One of the outstanding buildings on this street is that of St Peter's Church. Stan was baptised in the church in 1891, and three years later, after the family had moved to "South View", he also attended Olga's baptism there. If you go into the church, a plaque commemmorates the baptisms next to the font.
63 Princes Street
Before the Jeffersons moved up to Waldron Street, they lived just down the hill at 63 Princes Street. The house is a small terraced one, and fairly unremarkable. Stan came to stay with his mother here for a short time, when he was sixteen months old. This was just a short stay before young Stan returned to Ulverston.
Site of the Eden Theatre
"The land in front of this plaque is the site of the former Eden Theatre 1852-1874". Seen from Theatre Corner, nobody would know A.J. owned this little plot of land, and that there was once a theatre here. The theatre was originally called the Theatre Royal. A.J. eventually sold his interests in the Eden in 1927.
King James Grammar School
Stan attended King James Grammar School in Bishop Auckland as a boarder in 1902 and 1903. The school catered for the sons of middle class gentlemen. He gave his first performances in the staff room here, and soon became popular with both pupils and teachers alike, for his abilities to make them laugh. But he neglected his school work. Naturally A.J. was not satisfied with this, and took Stan elsewhere for his education.
The nearest Sons of the Desert Tent is the Hog Wild Tent in Bishop Auckland. For more information about the tent, please click this link :
Alternatively, please contact :
"Hog Wild Tent Bishop Auckland of the Sons of the Desert - Stan Laurel's sister Beatrice Olga was born in this house on 16th December 1894."
Hog Wild Tent, Bishop Auckland
Dun Luce
2 Compton Grove
Bishop Auckland
DL14 6LX
