Gale force winds and high seas
were not enough to put off members from making the trip to Blackpool for
the first convention of 2008.
As usual there was an almost full house for the Saturday afternoon session
but the attendance reduced for the evening concert, it seems that many
members like to watch the film and then go off to sample other Blackpool
attractions for the rest of the evening. The event once again took place
in the splendid looking Pavilion Theatre, this venue appears to now be
our permanent home within the Winter Gardens complex.
Members and visitors were greeted on the door by new Subscription Secretary
Andrew Gatherer who has taken over the role from myself. Andrew along
with Neil Forshaw, Tony Bunnell and Vivien Mawdsley were kept busy by
a steady stream of members and potential members throughout both days
of the event.
Behind the counter of the GFS shop Pat Taylor and Kathryn Pollard were
also kept busy selling the many and varied items available there.
George Formby's niece Geraldine was presented with a ukulele that had
been stored in our archives for some years, the instrument originally
belonged and was played on stage by Geraldine's mother, George's sister
Ethel.
I cannot help but notice that the younger members of the GFS is on the
increase and this of course is just what we need to ensure that the George
Formby Society continues to flourish as we approach (in 2011) the 50th
anniversary.
Let me say that once again there were some first class performances throughout
the weekend. Always impressive is the brilliant Martin Harrison but I
personally was quite taken with the ever-improving performance of Dennis
Maisey. Jon Shreeve made a welcome return to Blackpool and was quite brilliant,
a fabulous player.
For this convention the Society introduced a rule that restricted ukulele-selling
members to offer a maximum of two instruments on the selling table. This
move was greeted with unanimous favour by all interested parties.
The attendance was less on the Sunday and it seems that many people just
make the trip for the Saturday. Considering that the weather on Friday
and Saturday was particularly bad I feel that the overall attendance was
reasonable and in the Circle Foyer room we would (certainly on Saturday)
have had a full house.
