Another successful weekend when we had the Sunday Telegraph
in attendance on Saturday. I feel that the attendance of 400 wasn't
quite what they estimated and was probably around the 300 mark.
The weather was typical November Blackpool weather, cold,
windy and miserable but the convention never fails to entertain all
who attend it and certainly keeps thoughts of miserable weather at
bay.
In the Pavilion Theatre
Two good films in Feather Your Nest and Get Cracking and a full
program of excellent players throughout the weekend. Matt Richard's
and Chris Weightman's performances stood out, they were both
quite brilliant and another who never fails to entertain is Liverpool's
own Tommy Quirk, his singing and stage presence has always
brought warmth in to the room but over the years his playing
technique has improved out of all proportion, practice makes perfect!
Notable absentees were Kitty and Alex Barrett, Kitty always runs the
raffle and has raised thousands for the GFS over the years and Alex
is never away from his video camera as he always films the
complete weekend. This time though they couldn't be with us as Alex
is sorting out some health issues. They were both much missed and
the weekend was not the same without them. I look forward to March
when in all probability they will both be back with us in Blackpool.
In Kitty's absence Kathryn Pollard and Vivien Mawdsley did a grand
job with the raffle. Many people work hard over the weekend to make
sure that the convention is a success, the band is always there and
always professional. The MC's are always efficient but also
entertaining and the concert organiser and his clip board are all over
the place making sure that the entertainment is non-stop and always
interesting.
Away from the stage there are also people in vital roles, on the
reception were Andrew Gatherer, Vivien Mawdsley, Neil Forshaw and
Tony Bunnell. The GFS shop is always very popular and brings in vital
funds to ensure that the GFS keeps its head above water, Dennis and
Pat Taylor and Kathryn Pollard are always in attendance and deserve
a mention here, as does Jim Makin who runs the cinema at every
convention. When others are off enjoying their tea and a rest back at
the hotel, Jim is in attendance to make sure that GF films are always
available to be seen by the members. I have done both the reception
job and the cinema job and believe me, they are both thankless tasks.
All in all, a good weekend and the attendance was better than I had
hoped, especially when you consider that it was only seven weeks
from the September meeting.
You have to admire the interior of
the Pavilion Theatre, a throwback
to a different era when
Blackpool was the mecca of
entertainment. I have posted
an image of the Pavilion as it is
now and a painting taken from a
tourist brochure in the 1930's -
the good old days!
Well done to all those who helped
to organise the event and
especially well done to all
the members who travelled
far and wide to support our
hero, see you all in March
2009.
The Pavilion Theatre
Above:
In the 1930s
Left:
In 2008