In the Pavilion Theatre

Another successful weekend when we had the Sunday Telegraph in attendance on Saturday. I feel that the attendance of 400 wasn't quite what they estimated and was probably around the 300 mark. The weather was typical November Blackpool weather, cold, windy and miserable but the convention never fails to entertain all who attend it and certainly keeps thoughts of miserable weather at bay. Two good films in Feather Your Nest and Get Cracking and a full program of excellent players throughout the weekend. Matt Richard's and Chris Weightman's performances stood out, they were both quite brilliant and another who never fails to entertain is Liverpool's own Tommy Quirk, his singing and stage presence has always brought warmth in to the room but over the years his playing technique has improved out of all proportion, practice makes perfect! Notable absentees were Kitty and Alex Barrett, Kitty always runs the raffle and has raised thousands for the GFS over the years and Alex is never away from his video camera as he always films the complete weekend. This time though they couldn't be with us as Alex is sorting out some health issues. They were both much missed and the weekend was not the same without them. I look forward to March when in all probability they will both be back with us in Blackpool. In Kitty's absence Kathryn Pollard and Vivien Mawdsley did a grand job with the raffle. Many people work hard over the weekend to make sure that the convention is a success, the band is always there and always professional. The MC's are always efficient but also entertaining and the concert organiser and his clip board are all over the place making sure that the entertainment is non-stop and always interesting. Away from the stage there are also people in vital roles, on the reception were Andrew Gatherer, Vivien Mawdsley, Neil Forshaw and Tony Bunnell. The GFS shop is always very popular and brings in vital funds to ensure that the GFS keeps its head above water, Dennis and Pat Taylor and Kathryn Pollard are always in attendance and deserve a mention here, as does Jim Makin who runs the cinema at every convention. When others are off enjoying their tea and a rest back at the hotel, Jim is in attendance to make sure that GF films are always available to be seen by the members. I have done both the reception job and the cinema job and believe me, they are both thankless tasks. All in all, a good weekend and the attendance was better than I had hoped, especially when you consider that it was only seven weeks from the September meeting. You have to admire the interior of the Pavilion Theatre, a throwback to a different era when Blackpool was the mecca of entertainment. I have posted an image of the Pavilion as it is now and a painting taken from a tourist brochure in the 1930's - the good old days! Well done to all those who helped to organise the event and especially well done to all the members who travelled far and wide to support our hero, see you all in March 2009.