mac mcgee
I wish to report the sad news of the passing of one of the GFS stalwarts, Walter ‘Mac’ McGee. Mac joined the Society in 1990 and in that first year was immediately involved with committee work as Assistant Treasurer. Mac along with his beloved wife Millie supported the Blackpool conventions so well and rarely missed a meeting until the pandemic and then ill health kept them both away. They were also great supporters of the Yorkshire Ukulele Circle and again, were always in attendance at the two meetings a month that we used to run. Over the years they involved themselves in all sorts of GFS activities, from a trip to Ireland in 1999 and always in the 1990’s, Mac sharing MC duties in Blackpool. In 1992 Alan Harris started the Leeds branch of the GFS and again, Mac was a very enthusiastic supporter. So much so, that in 1999 Mac started his own, “Pudsey Plonkers” branch. I think Mac was a little wary of naming the Plonkers as a branch of the GFS and it was not included in the list of branches in the Vellum but take it from me, it was definitely a vital source which encouraged many new GFS members from Leeds and the surrounding area. Mac and Millie enjoyed the good company and friendship of so many other dedicated GFS members from all over the UK and beyond. They enjoyed foreign holidays and Mac would always have a uke with him wherever they travelled to, even visiting Chris Webster and Barry Britten’s bar in sunny Spain. This lovely couple celebrated their 40 th and 60 th wedding anniversaries with special celebrations at the Uke Circle and I was delighted to film the 1996 concert for them. When Cathy and Kevin Staniland married at a GFS convention in 2017, Mac serenaded them from the stage with “Somebody’s Wedding Day. Even though ill health then kept them from travelling to Blackpool, they would still continue to surprise us all at the Uke Circle with occasional visits. Such loyalty to both the GFS and the Uke Circle is rare indeed and Mac will be sadly missed by the countless friends that he and Millie made over many years. On behalf of the committee and members of The George Formby Society, the Yorkshire Ukulele Circle and all those many friends who may read these words, I extend deepest sympathies to Millie and all the family. Peter Pollard 08/09/2022

THE funeral will NOW BE A JOINT FUNERAL AND WILL take

place on MONDAY 10 OCTOBER 2022 at 1:45 pm at Cottingley

Hall Crematorium, Elland Road, Leeds LS11 0EU

any friends who ARE attendING the funeral AND wish to

attend the reception, can they please send a text to

07983069512 BY 03 OCTOBER AT THE LATEST.

THE RECEPTION WILL BE HELD AT THE DRY SALTERS PUBLIC

HOUSE, ELLAND ROAD, BEESTON, LEEDS LS11 8AX

millie mcgee
1929 - 2022
It is with the greatest sadness that I now must announce, the passing of Mac’s beloved wife Millie on 21 September 2022.. Mac and Millie found it hard over this last year but are now re-united and at peace. This lovely couple were devoted to each other and had been married for 68 years this year. I cannot ever remember Mac without Millie and both will be so sadly missed by all their friends within The George Formby Society and the Yorkshire Ukulele Circle. Funeral arrangements are now changed. A joint funeral will now take place on Monday 10 October 2022 at 1:45pm at the same venue. The family have asked that anyone attending the funeral and wishing to attend the reception, please text 07983069512 by 03 October at the latest. If any George Formby Society members or Yorkshire Ukulele Circle members are able to attend, please bring a banjo-uke with you. The images at right are taken from a video I shot in April 1994 when we all met in Mirfield to celebrate Mac and Millie’s Ruby wedding, such a happy event. On behalf of all friends of Mac and Millie, I extend deepest sympathies to the family.

MAC & MILLIE SING “BABY” AT THEIR RUBY WEDDING - APRIL 1994

I wish to report the sad news of the passing of one of the GFS stalwarts, Walter ‘Mac’ McGee. Mac joined the Society in 1990 and in that first year was immediately involved with committee work as Assistant Treasurer. Mac along with his beloved wife Millie supported the Blackpool conventions so well and rarely missed a meeting until the pandemic and then ill health kept them both away. They were also great supporters of the Yorkshire Ukulele Circle and again, were always in attendance at the two meetings a month that we used to run. Over the years they involved themselves in all sorts of GFS activities, from a trip to Ireland in 1999 and always in the 1990’s, Mac sharing MC duties in Blackpool. In 1992 Alan Harris started the Leeds branch of the GFS and again, Mac was a very enthusiastic supporter. So much so, that in 1999 Mac started his own, “Pudsey Plonkers” branch. I think Mac was a little wary of naming the Plonkers as a branch of the GFS and it was not included in the list of branches in the Vellum but take it from me, it was definitely a vital source which encouraged many new GFS members from Leeds and the surrounding area. Mac and Millie enjoyed the good company and friendship of so many other dedicated GFS members from all over the UK and beyond. They enjoyed foreign holidays and Mac would always have a uke with him wherever they travelled to, even visiting Chris Webster and Barry Britten’s bar in sunny Spain. This lovely couple celebrated their 40 th and 60 th wedding anniversaries with special celebrations at the Uke Circle and I was delighted to film the 1996 concert for them. When Cathy and Kevin Staniland married at a GFS convention in 2017, Mac serenaded them from the stage with “Somebody’s Wedding Day. Even though ill health then kept them from travelling to Blackpool, they would still continue to surprise us all at the Uke Circle with occasional visits. Such loyalty to both the GFS and the Uke Circle is rare indeed and Mac will be sadly missed by the countless friends that he and Millie made over many years. On behalf of the committee and members of The George Formby Society, the Yorkshire Ukulele Circle and all those many friends who may read these words, I extend deepest sympathies to Millie and all the family. Peter Pollard 08/09/2022
Mac Mcgee
1929-2022
millie Mcgee

THE funeral will NOW BE A JOINT FUNERAL

AND WILL take place on MONDAY 10 OCTOBER

2022 at 1:45 pm at Cottingley Hall

Crematorium, Elland Road, Leeds LS11 0EU

any friends who ARE attendING the funeral

AND wish to attend the reception, can they

please send a text to 07983069512 BY 03

OCTOBER AT THE LATEST.

It is with the greatest sadness that I now must announce, the passing of Mac’s beloved wife Millie on 21 September 2022.. Mac and Millie found it hard over this last year but are now re-united and at peace. This lovely couple were devoted to each other and had been married for 68 years this year. I cannot ever remember Mac without Millie and both will be so sadly missed by all their friends within The George Formby Society and the Yorkshire Ukulele Circle. Funeral arrangements are now changed. A joint funeral will now take place on Monday 10 October 2022 at 1:45pm at the same venue. The family have asked that anyone attending the funeral and wishing to attend the reception, please text 07983069512 by 03 October at the latest. If any George Formby Society members or Yorkshire Ukulele Circle members are able to attend, please bring a banjo-uke with you.
The images here are taken from a video I shot in April 1994 when we all met in Mirfield to celebrate Mac and Millie’s Ruby wedding, such a happy event. On behalf of all friends of Mac and Millie, I extend deepest sympathies to the family.
Peter Pollard 21/09/2022

MAC & MILLIE SING “BABY” AT THEIR RUBY WEDDING - APRIL 1994

THE funeral will NOW BE A JOINT FUNERAL AND

WILL take place on MONDAY 10 OCTOBER 2022

at 1:45 pm at Cottingley Hall Crematorium,

Elland Road, Leeds LS11 0EU

any friends who ARE attendING the funeral

AND wish to attend the reception, can they

please send a text to 07983069512 BY 03

OCTOBER AT THE LATEST.

THE RECEPTION WILL BE HELD AT THE DRY SALTERS

PUBLIC HOUSE, ELLAND ROAD, BEESTON, LEEDS

LS11 8AX