An interesting travel piece written by Charles for The Vellum, Autumn 1992 We had a wonderful trip to Holland at the beginning of May. Anthony Mason and Martin Harrison were invited over by the Liberation Organisers to entertain in the wartime Formby manner. All war veterans remember George for his tireless efforts entertaining the troops, very often in danger areas close to the front Lines. He was considered a national asset after, some say, second only to Winston Churchill. General Montgomery certainly valued his services. The boys did us proud. They worked very hard and enthusiastically, bringing back memories to old soldiers of a youngish George Formby singing his chirpy songs for them. It was thrilling to hear their voices transmitted over loud speakers across Wageningen at midnight on May 5th. They sang in such unison, it was like one voice. Some Americans summed it up when they said, "Gee but your a couple of swell kids". Howard Miller and his wife Christina entertained us royally, we felt like part of their delightful family straight away. They send their best wishes to all their British Formby friends. For the interest of those who went on the now famous coach trip two years ago, wo stayed at the Internationa! Agricultural Centre which provides excellent accommodation when some of the students are not in residence. Howard made arrangements for us throughout and transported us everywhere. Many thanks Howard and Christina for your wonderful hospitality to us. The Sunday was memorable when we joined the Dutch players together with some very talented jazz musicians in the beautiful Junishoff Theatre for a concert. Eve was invited to M/C the proceedings which gave her great pleasure. Some members had travelled long distances to join us. We met Mario's charming sister and her husband, and eight of us shared a very good Chinese meal together in the evening. Because I am a war veteran myself (Royal Naval Patrol Service), Howard managed to get passes for Eve and I to attend the Memorial Gathering for the 1945 Capitulations, which is always honoured by the presence of H.R.H. Prince Bernhardt who is greatly respected by the Dutch people. After the laying of wreaths and the march past of Canadian, Polish and Dutch divisions mainly, the boys again gave their performance of Formby wartime numbers which were very popular, many singing along with them. It was a very memorable, and enjoyable experience and the lads were great company.

I have to report the death of long-term GFS member Charles Stewart. Whilst not a founder member, Charles joined the Society around 1964 and with his wife Eve, were both dedicated members especially in the 1990s. Anyone who joined the Society in the early 1990s would be very familiar with the name Stewart as Charles's wife Eve was the secretary of the GFS at this time and was a very popular figure in the Society. Charles and Eve resided in Blackpool and Eve freely admitted in an article in The Vellum that it was Charles who secured the Winter Gardens as a venue for the GFS. This arrangement went on for around twenty years and the fact that we had one of the most prominent venues in Blackpool, completely free for all that time, was a massive contribution to the Society, both in saving money and having such a prestigious location right in the centre of town. Charles became assistant secretary in 1992 supporting Eve and worked in that role until the end of 1994. Together they created the Blackpool branch of the GFS. He retired from running the branch in 2008, passing the management of it to Alan Chenery who still runs it to this day. Charles lost his wife Eve in September 2004. He was a retired lecturer in engineering and was 91 years of age. Peter Pollard, 20th April 2016