Sunshine came to Biggleswade

TOWNSFOLK turned out to meet well loved comedians Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise when they came to grace Biggleswade with their special brand of humour. The pair were here in 1974 to officially open Queensland Furniture Store which was on the site of today’s Homebase.

By The Newsroom

Published 20th Jul 2012, 11:32 BST

The photograph was kindly brought in by Sheila Tear who appears in the middle of the crowd at the back. To her left (partially obscured) is Sheila’s mother Mrs Langley, and the girl wearing a hair band in front of her is Sheila’s daughter Jackie who was around ten years old at the time.

The little blond boy front left who is about to get his autographs from the famous pair is Sheila’s son Alan who was then around eight.

Eric and Ern performed as one of the country’s most popular double acts from 1941 until Eric’s death in 1984 and were at the height of their popularity during the 1970s.

Two years after this photo was taken they were jointly awarded an OBE. Ernie died in March 1999.

Thanks go to Sheila for sharing this special photo.

Eric Morecambe