FIRST MEETING OF 2002
The first meeting of the George Formby Society in 2002 gave clear indications that the Society is on track to achieve even more acclaim than at any time in it's 41 year history. In spite of the fact that the holiday season doesn't start until April, we experienced record attendance's on both days of the weekend. By 3:30 on the Saturday afternoon the Opera House Foyer room was completely full with not a seat to be had. The high attendance was maintained throughout the weekend with a capacity crowd up to the close at around midnight on the Sunday.HIGHLIGHTS
The highlight of the weekend was a touching memorial to the late and much loved member, Jack Jones who died recently. Honorary member Dickie Speake introduced Peter Smith and Peter Pollard to sing Jack's favourite song "I Promised To be Home By Nine-O-Clock", he then introduced Alan Southworth to say a few words and to sing another JJ favourite and then Pat, Jack's close companion of the last few years made a sincere and touching address when she thanked certain members for helping Jack to get to the GFS gatherings. The memorial closed with some newly edited video footage of Jack which brought tremendous applause from the audience.FILMS
A George Formby film was not shown over the weekend but the members didn't miss out as in stead, they were treated to the screening of the complete collection of all the songs from all of George's twenty films. Once again the cinema boasted record attendance's for the double DVD presentation, Songs From The Films. The weekend is always full of quality performances and this one was no exception with players of all ages singing songs in the unique Formby style.ALAN RANDALL
It is always nice to meet Honorary members and there can be none more well known that Alan Randall, top jazz musician and Formby impersonator. Alan dropped in for a visit whilst in Blackpool were he is making final arrangements to appear in the forthcoming Summer season.THE WEEKEND
The whole weekend was held together by Dennis Mitchell, Jon Baddeley, Gerry Mawdsley and John Walley who all displayed complete professionalism in carrying out the Master of Ceremonies duties.
FIRST MEETING OF 2002
The first meeting of the George Formby Society in 2002 gave clear indications that the Society is on track to achieve even more acclaim than at any time in it's 41 year history. In spite of the fact that the holiday season doesn't start until April, we experienced record attendance's on both days of the weekend. By 3:30 on the Saturday afternoon the Opera House Foyer room was completely full with not a seat to be had. The high attendance was maintained throughout the weekend with a capacity crowd up to the close at around midnight on the Sunday.HIGHLIGHTS
The highlight of the weekend was a touching memorial to the late and much loved member, Jack Jones who died recently. Honorary member Dickie Speake introduced Peter Smith and Peter Pollard to sing Jack's favourite song "I Promised To be Home By Nine-O-Clock", he then introduced Alan Southworth to say a few words and to sing another JJ favourite and then Pat, Jack's close companion of the last few years made a sincere and touching address when she thanked certain members for helping Jack to get to the GFS gatherings. The memorial closed with some newly edited video footage of Jack which brought tremendous applause from the audience.FILMS
A George Formby film was not shown over the weekend but the members didn't miss out as in stead, they were treated to the screening of the complete collection of all the songs from all of George's twenty films. Once again the cinema boasted record attendance's for the double DVD presentation, Songs From The Films. The weekend is always full of quality performances and this one was no exception with players of all ages singing songs in the unique Formby style.ALAN RANDALL
It is always nice to meet Honorary members and there can be none more well known that Alan Randall, top jazz musician and Formby impersonator. Alan dropped in for a visit whilst in Blackpool were he is making final arrangements to appear in the forthcoming Summer season.THE WEEKEND
The whole weekend was held together by Dennis Mitchell, Jon Baddeley, Gerry Mawdsley and John Walley who all displayed complete professionalism in carrying out the Master of Ceremonies duties.
