the queen’s birthday party
Publicity
The George Formby Society received some wonderful free publicity by being associated with the Royal event, on this page are some radio interviews and newspaper clippings highlighting the historic day.
GFS chairman Caroline Stewart was featured on BBC Radio Tees and did a great job telling listeners all about the day and her reactions to playing in front of Her Majesty and a audience of over 5000 people.
John Walley, the most senior member of the Society, gave a short interview to Radio Stoke and reflected on how he felt on the big day and spoke about the Queen’s love of George Formby.
Harry Hill and Ed Balls chat shortly after their performance about the Society and their thoughts on playing with the other members of the group.

South Shields ukulele star schoolboys picked to play

George Formby classics at Queen’s birthday concert

Two young ukulele players will be hoping for the royal seal of approval when they show off their talents for the Queen. James Bassett - who is well- known in the borough for his talents with the musical instrument made famous by comedian George Formby - has been invited to take part in the Queen’s Birthday Concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall next Saturday. He will be joined on stage with Tai Steehouder, who was inspired to pick up the ukulele after seeing James play. The duo from South Tyneside are two of three young ukulele players from the George Formby Society who have been asked to perform at the event which will be televised. They will play alongside a 40-strong group of the society’s members. Her Majesty is a big fan of Formby, and once had desires to be a patron of the society. Harton Technology School pupil, James, 14, from Walworth Avenue, has been playing the ukulele for a number of years and last year was featured on ITV1’s Little Big Shots with Dawn French. Over the years he has played at a number of events and fundraisers across South Tyneside. James, who is a member of the George Formby Society, said: “It is all a bit surreal. When my mam got the phonecall. I thought it was a joke at first.
“I’ve played in front of crowds before and on TV but this is something different. I’ve never played to a crowd as big as this before. “When I was on Little Big Shots you had the cameras and an audience but it was just like playing in front of a normal crowd. But this is the Royal Albert Hall it is going to be massive and it is going to be live.” The event will be marking the Queen’s 92nd birthday and will feature performances from Sir Tom Jones, Kylie Minogue, Craig David, Sting and Shaggy among a host of other acts yet to be announced. The celebrations will be televised live on April 21. Tai, 12, from Stanhope Road, who attends St Wilfrid RC College started playing the ukulele last year after receiving the instrument as a Christmas present. He had been introduced to the music of George Formby following a trip to the Eden Camp. He has been receiving lessons from James and also attends sessions of the George Formby Society. He said: “It’s a mixture of being excited and being nervous. I’m excited to go and I’m excited to play.”

Geoff Shone and Lewis Clifton feature in The

Flintshire Leader

GFS drummer and one of the younger leading lights of the Society, Geoff Shone and Lewis Clifton featured twice in the Flintshire Leader, highlighting the forthcoming concert and then their thoughts on appearing were recorded in a later edition. Geoff said, "It was a real honour for me and Lewis, from Flintshire and Wrexham to represent North Wales and perform in front of the Queen and family. We had a great reception, the audience went wild and when we finished When I'm Cleaning Windows there was en eruption of applause. I think we did George Formby proud. It was unbelievable, we were all over the moon afterwards." Article by Rory Sheehan for The Filintshire Leader

Castleford GFS

The Castleford GFS branch, led by Andy Poppleton featured in the Pontefract and Castleford Express when they highlighted the fact that six members of the branch were on the trip to London. Peter Pollard, Dale Norman, Daz Barry, Tony Lister, Andy Poppleton and Cassie Dalton-Morris were the lucky members to be chosen. Article by Nick Frame for The Pontefract and Castleford Express

Jim and Daz make the news!

Jim Makin and Daz Barry representing the Barn Howlers Ukulele Club were featured in the Bolton News when they appeared at the Queen’s Birthday Party. It was an experience I’ll never forget. Playing alongside the live orchestra on stage at the Royal Albert Hall was absolutely amazing. I really enjoyed performing for the Queen and meeting all the celebrities and other performers.” Daz added, “It was a really emotional experience. Not only did we perform to the audience in the Royal Albert Hall, we also performed to millions of people around the world. It was just amazing and we've had some fantastic feedback. It was such an honour to play for the Queen and everyone really enjoyed it.”

Formby slot best bit for the Queen

This clip from the Sunday Telegraph highlights the fact that The George Formby Society performance all who paid their own hotel expenses was not disgraced when put alongside their fellow entertainers on the big night. The reporter said, “I have to say - aside from a couple of musical excerpts - I’m betting the nine- minute section with the George Formby Society plus celebs, was far more entertaining for her than Shaggy, Sting and Craig David.

TWO sisters performed George Formby’s most beloved hit for the Queen

during her 92nd birthday party.

Catalina and Francesca Davies, aged 14 and 20 respectively, gave a rendition of When I’m Cleaning Windows with fellow George Formby Society members alongside Frank Skinner, Harry Hill and Ed Balls in front of around 5,000 people at the Royal Albert Hall. Their singing and ukulele performance was also screened live on TV to millions more viewers across the UK. While Catalina is ‘top of the class in music’ at Great Sankey High School, Francesca is currently coming to the end of her studies in music at Liverpool Hope University. Francesca, who has previously performed solo in venues including the Brindley in Runcorn and the Liverpool Philharmonic, said: “All the royal family were there and the Queen is a big fan of George Formby. “He performed for the Queen and the royal family in the 1930s and 1940s so she was nodding along to the song – apparently she wants to be the president of the George Formby Society. “Our president and secretary actually managed to meet her after the show and she asked them whether it was difficult to play the ukulele, and Prince Charles said they would have to join the society. “This has been a really big step and I’m absolutely honoured – it still hasn’t sunk in yet but it was the best experience ever.” Francesca’s love of George Formby’s work began when she was still in primary school, with the comedian inspiring her to pick up the ukulele. She said: “I used to be a big fan of Laurel and Hardy, and I over watched all their video cassettes so my uncle said I should watch George Formby’s films. When I watched I See Ice and I knew I had to get a ukulele - I was about seven years old and I haven’t stopped playing since. I just love his lyrics and the big ending where you can do the solos - they're brilliant.” The pair, who live in Newton-Le-Willows, also perform as an Andrews Sisters tribute act under the name of the Davies Sisters. Kylie Minogue, Tom Jones, Sting, Shaggy and the Prime Minister Theresa May were also present during their gig for the Queen’s birthday. With the society, they gave an impromptu performance at Euston Station after their big night when their train home was hit by delays. Francesca said: “There was an hour delay to our train so we performed at Euston Station – everyone was taking pictures and it ended up being the most trending hashtag on Twitter.” Proud dad Ivor added: “Francesca has been playing since the age of six and Catalina has grown up watching George Formby until the cows came home from when she was about 18 months old. Catalina is top of the class in music now and Francesca has been getting good grades at university. They’ve gone on and on and progressed and they’re playing venues all over the country now.” Article by Adam Everett for The Warrington Guardian
Article by Lisa Nightingale for The South Shields Gazette

John Walley features in The Sentinal

Founder member John Walley was the subject of a very nice article in his local newspaper, The Sentinal on the day of the Queen’s Birthday Party concert. Matt Jackson presented some detailed information about the big event and gave a brief potted history of John and his love of Formby and the banjo-uke. John said, “When I look at the line-up, we were the only ones most people won’t have heard of. I’ve never quite played a show like this but it will be a good chance to promote the Society.”
The George Formby Society received some wonderful free publicity by being associated with the Royal event, on this page are some radio interviews and newspaper clippings highlighting the historic day.

BBC Radio Tees

GFS chairman Caroline Stewart was featured on BBC Radio Tees and did a great job telling listeners all about the day and her reactions to playing in front of Her Majesty and a audience of over 5000 people.

BBC Radio Stoke

John Walley, the most senior member of the Society, gave a short interview to Radio Stoke and reflected on how he felt on the big day and spoke about the Queen’s love of George Formby.
Harry Hill and Ed Balls chat shortly after their performance about the Society and their thoughts on playing with the other members of the group.

South Shields ukulele star schoolboys picked to

play George Formby classics at Queen’s birth-

day concert

Two young ukulele players will be hoping for the royal seal of approval when they show off their talents for the Queen. James Bassett - who is well- known in the borough for his talents with the musical instrument made famous by comedian George Formby - has been invited to take part in the Queen’s Birthday Concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall next Saturday. He will be joined on stage with Tai Steehouder, who was inspired to pick up the ukulele after seeing James play. The duo from South Tyneside are two of three young ukulele players from the George Formby Society who have been asked to perform at the event which will be televised. They will play alongside a 40-strong group of the society’s members. Her Majesty is a big fan of Formby, and once had desires to be a patron of the society. Harton Technology School pupil, James, 14, from Walworth Avenue, has been playing the ukulele for a number of years and last year was featured on ITV1’s Little Big Shots with Dawn French. Over the years he has played at a number of events and fundraisers across South Tyneside. James, who is a member of the George Formby Society, said: “It is all a bit surreal. When my mam got the phonecall. I thought it was a joke at first. “I’ve played in front of crowds before and on TV but this is something different. I’ve never played to a crowd as big as this before. “When I was on Little Big Shots you had the cameras and an audience but it was just like playing in front of a normal crowd. But this is the Royal Albert Hall it is going to be massive and it is going to be live.” The event will be marking the Queen’s 92nd birthday and will feature performances from Sir Tom Jones, Kylie Minogue, Craig David, Sting and Shaggy among a host of other acts yet to be announced. The celebrations will be televised live on April 21. Tai, 12, from Stanhope Road, who attends St Wilfrid RC College started playing the ukulele last year after receiving the instrument as a Christmas present. He had been introduced to the music of George Formby following a trip to the Eden Camp. He has been receiving lessons from James and also attends sessions of the George Formby Society. He said: “It’s a mixture of being excited and being nervous. I’m excited to gvo and I’m excited to play.”

Geoff Shone and Lewis

Clifton feature in The

Flintshire Leader

GFS drummer and one of the younger leading lights of the Society, Geoff Shone and Lewis Clifton featured twice in the Flintshire Leader, highlighting the forthcoming concert and then their thoughts on appearing were recorded in a later edition. Geoff said, "It was a real honour for me and Lewis, from Flintshire

Castleford GFS

The Castleford GFS branch, led by Andy Poppleton featured in the Pontefract and Castleford Express when they highlighted the fact that six members of the branch were on the trip to London. Peter Pollard, Dale Norman, Daz Barry, Tony Lister, Andy Poppleton and Cassie Dalton-Morris were the lucky members to be chosen.

Jim and Daz make the news!

Jim Makin and Daz Barry representing the Barn Howlers Ukulele Club were featured in the Bolton News when they appeared at the Queen’s Birthday Party. It was an experience I’ll never forget. Playing alongside the live orchestra on stage at the Royal Albert Hall was absolutely amazing. I really enjoyed performing for the Queen and meeting all the celebrities and other performers.” Daz added, “It was a really emotional experience. Not only did we perform to the audience in the Royal Albert Hall, we also performed to millions of people around the world. It was just amazing and we've had some fantastic feedback. It was such an honour to play for the Queen and everyone really enjoyed it.”

Formby slot best bit for the Queen

This clip from the Sunday Telegraph highlights the fact that The George Formby Society performance all who paid their own hotel expenses was not disgraced when put alongside their fellow entertainers on the big night. The reporter said, “I have to say - aside from a couple of musical excerpts - I’m betting the nine-minute section with the George Formby Society plus celebs, was far more entertaining for her than Shaggy, Sting and Craig David.
the queen’s birthday party
Publicity
and Wrexham to represent North Wales and perform in front of the Queen and family. We had a great reception, the audience went wild and when we finished When I'm Cleaning Windows there was en eruption of applause. I think we did George Formby proud. It was unbelievable, we were all over the moon afterwards."
Catalina and Francesca Davies, aged 14 and 20 respectively, gave a rendition of When I’m Cleaning Windows with fellow George Formby Society members alongside Frank Skinner, Harry Hill and Ed Balls in front of around 5,000 people at the Royal Albert Hall. Their singing and ukulele performance was also screened live on TV to millions more viewers across the UK. While Catalina is ‘top of the class in music’ at Great Sankey High School, Francesca is currently coming to the end of her studies in music at Liverpool Hope University. Francesca, who has previously performed solo in venues including the Brindley in Runcorn and the Liverpool Philharmonic, said: “All the royal family were there and the Queen is a big fan of George Formby. “He performed for the Queen and the royal family in the 1930s and 1940s so she was nodding along to the song – apparently she wants to be the president of the George Formby Society. “Our president and secretary actually managed to meet her after the show and she asked them whether it was difficult to play the ukulele, and Prince Charles said they would have to join the society. “This has been a really big step and I’m absolutely honoured – it still hasn’t sunk in yet but it was the best experience ever.” Francesca’s love of George Formby’s work began when she was still in primary school, with the comedian inspiring her to pick up the ukulele. She said: “I used to be a big fan of Laurel and Hardy, and I over watched all their video cassettes so my uncle said I should watch George Formby’s films. When I watched I See Ice and I knew I had to get a ukulele - I was about seven years old and I haven’t stopped playing since. I just love his lyrics and the big ending where you can do the solos - they're brilliant.” The pair, who live in Newton-Le-Willows, also perform as an Andrews Sisters tribute act under the name of the Davies Sisters. Kylie Minogue, Tom Jones, Sting, Shaggy and the Prime Minister Theresa May were also present during their gig for the Queen’s birthday. With the society, they gave an impromptu performance at Euston Station after their big night when their train home was hit by delays. Francesca said: “There was an hour delay to our train so we performed at Euston Station – everyone was taking pictures and it ended up being the most trending hashtag on Twitter.” Proud dad Ivor added: “Francesca has been playing since the age of six and Catalina has grown up watching George Formby until the cows came home from when she was about 18 months old. Catalina is top of the class in music now and Francesca has been getting good grades at university. They’ve gone on and on and progressed and they’re playing venues all over the country now.” Article by Adam Everett for The Warrington Guardian

TWO sisters performed George Formby’s most

beloved hit for the Queen during her 92nd

birthday party.

John Walley features in The Sentinal

Founder member John Walley was the subject of a very nice article in his local newspaper, The Sentinal on the day of the Queen’s Birthday Party concert. Matt Jackson presented some detailed information about the big event and gave a brief potted history of John and his love of Formby and the banjo-uke. John said, “When I look at the line-up, we were the only ones most people won’t have heard of. I’ve never quite played a show like this but it will be a good chance to promote the Society.”