fun in the sun
Sounds of a Formby thrash echo through Majorca
The George Formby Society broke new ground in late April 2000 when 13 members took to the air for a week’s holiday in sunny Majorca. GFS members of course can’t be seen outdoors without the necessary black case and with this in mind they were well equipped with banjo/ukuleles for the forthcoming week. The idea of a break in the sun came when Peter Pollard was sitting in his hotel bar whilst holidaying the previous year in Benidorm. "I was listening to the sounds of the keyboard player. My fellow listeners were just having a drink, chatting or just staring into space and I remember thinking just what would happen if a few ukuleles were to be heard?" On his return home he then mentioned the idea to Pete, Jenny and Adam Smith who were immediately very enthusiastic. This is not surprising as the Smith’s must be the most travelled family within the Society; so another couple of thousand miles of travel to get to a meeting was hardly likely to bother them. So the week was fixed and flights arranged and in the meantime other Formby friends expressed an interest in the trip. So, on 30th April, the first meeting of the George Formby Society (Majorca Branch) was held in the Sportsman’s Bar in Cala Millor. The group in actual fact entertained on three separate evenings, performing two, one-hour spots on each occasion. It goes without saying that the three meetings were a marvellous success. After introducing the audience to the unique sound of the "Thrash", each of the players performed individually, and then at the end of the evening the concert was brought to a rousing finale with another dose of the same GFS ‘Thrash’. Even though the season hasn’t really got off the ground yet, and holidaymakers are still in short supply it has to be reported that the Sportsman’s Bar was full on all three evenings with many people stood outside the bar just gazing through the windows! All members of the troupe held their own and whilst this was a total group effort, praise must be given to Adam Smith who closed each show to rapturous applause from locals and holidaymakers alike. Owners of the Sportsman’s Bar, Angie and Tony Ashcroft were delighted with the entertainment and the response from the audience, at the end of the week many new friendships had been forged and thoughts were already being expressed as to next year’s trip! On the final evening, Angie gave the group a box full of bottles of brandy, to disperse amongst the group, these will be raffled at meetings of the Society and the Yorkshire Ukulele Circle. Members of the group were Peter & Kathryn Pollard, Pete, Adam and Jenny Smith, John and Sue Beevers, Charlie and Kath Hever, Neville and Sylvia Roe and George and Mary Atkinson.
HOME HOME
fun in the sun
Sounds of a GFS thrash echo through Majorca
The George Formby Society broke new ground in late April 2000 when 13 members took to the air for a week’s holiday in sunny Majorca. GFS members of course can’t be seen outdoors without the necessary black case and with this in mind they were well equipped with banjo/ukuleles for the forthcoming week. The idea of a break in the sun came when Peter Pollard was sitting in his hotel bar whilst holidaying the previous year in Benidorm. "I was listening to the sounds of the keyboard player. My fellow listeners were just having a drink, chatting or just staring into space and I remember thinking just what would happen if a few ukuleles were to be heard?" On his return home he then mentioned the idea to Pete, Jenny and Adam Smith who were immediately very enthusiastic. This is not surprising as the Smith’s must be the most travelled family within the Society; so another couple of thousand miles of travel to get to a meeting was hardly likely to bother them. So the week was fixed and flights arranged and in the meantime other Formby friends expressed an interest in the trip. So, on 30th April, the first meeting of the George Formby Society (Majorca Branch) was held in the Sportsman’s Bar in Cala Millor. The group in actual fact entertained on three separate evenings, performing two, one-hour spots on each occasion. It goes without saying that the three meetings were a marvellous success. After introducing the audience to the unique sound of the "Thrash", each of the players performed individually, and then at the end of the evening the concert was brought to a rousing finale with another dose of the same GFS ‘Thrash’. Even though the season hasn’t really got off the ground yet, and holidaymakers are still in short supply it has to be reported that the Sportsman’s Bar was full on all three evenings with many people stood outside the bar just gazing through the windows! All members of the troupe held their own and whilst this was a total group effort, praise must be given to Adam Smith who closed each show to rapturous applause from locals and holidaymakers alike. Owners of the Sportsman’s Bar, Angie and Tony Ashcroft were delighted with the entertainment and the response from the audience, at the end of the week many new friendships had been forged and thoughts were already being expressed as to next year’s trip! On the final evening, Angie gave the group a box full of bottles of brandy, to disperse amongst the group, these will be raffled at meetings of the Society and the Yorkshire Ukulele Circle. Members of the group were Peter & Kathryn Pollard, Pete, Adam and Jenny Smith, John and Sue Beevers, Charlie and Kath Hever, Neville and Sylvia Roe and George and Mary Atkinson.
Home Home