SEPTEMBER MUCH ANTICIPATED

After a long hot summer, this September’s convention was much anticipated. There were decisions to be made at the AGM and new committee members to be elected. It was a chance to catch up with old friends, whilst enjoying the last warmth of summer. It was a time to remember George by watching his films, a time to enjoy performing on a stage with the luxury of a live band, a time to spend money in the raffle or the auction, and a time to perfect and develop ukulele skills in the tuition classes. It was a time to be entertained but more importantly, it was a time to meet old friends. Saturday morning saw the Lancaster Suite fill up - a buzz of expectation, of excitement, was in the air- It seemed ages since the last convention. Ukes were tuned, archives inspected, shops perused, uke sales displayed - refreshments purchased and the timetables read. Members met, exchanged news, propped up corners, chose their seats, inspected instruments, and readied themselves for a good weekend. The convention is more than who plays on stage. It is the whole experience of being there. This meeting saw an increase in day members, new members and happily members returning.

MEMBERS OLD AND NEW

Kitty Barratt’s family from Scotland stated it was so good to see their Formby Family. Sadly, Kitty is not so well, but Alex is doing fine - 'an amazing man’ Nick Saunders returned from the Isle of Man disguised with a beard, but still with his cheeky, happy smile took to the stage like a duck to water. Garry Wicket was back with us and a convention is never complete without Tommy Teapot with his with towel; the two Toms; and many more enthusiastic performers. Good that Andy Eastwood could pop in. Francesca Davies was busy on and off the stage, New members Joe Pollard from Plymouth, a real character, a confident performer who enjoyed his first time on stage made an important point that there was ‘no judgement’ and ‘anyone of any ability could perform.’ Peter Furey who joined the society this weekend was also on stage for the first time Peter admitted to being a fan for a long time, and it had taken a long time, 16-17 years to attend a meeting. He found his time on stage a ‘bit nerve-wracking’ but is looking forward to the next convention.

JAY TAYLOR THE PROFESSIONAL MC

Jay Taylor was not only compèring for the first time but was also in charge of the first concert. A task which he performed professionally and sympathetically, understanding the pressures of being on stage, and of putting the performers at their ease. Our compere team that weekend, Dennis Lee, Jonathan Baddeley, Ray Reynolds, John Walley, Frances Lister and Cathy Staniland were similarly enthusiastic about the performers and the concerts ran smoothly. However, it was left to the ladies to provide the glamour and razzmatazz! Jay commented, ’there was a good mix of players of different abilities which allowed the atmosphere of George to be felt.’ It’s not just about professional players or about ability but getting up there and playing and having fun. Such was the keenness to play on stage that the comperes and organisers were kept busy all weekend and the concert lists were soon filled. There were fast players, slow players, old players, young players, right-handed and left-handed players our wonderful band coped with them all. We are so inclusive. There was certainly a varied selection of instruments starting with the ukes - all makes, shapes, sizes, and states of repair. There were guitars, violins, and saws…Yes, a saw, played by Simon Rose when accompanying Gladys Geoghegan performing ‘The Ghost’. Like any family, the Society enjoys a bit of banter…. And the occasional mishap such as when Andy Poppleton was about to start a concert and then realised the band was missing!

Our comperes are experts in humour..…

Kyle Evans was renamed ‘The Hat Man’ - and performed Sergeant Major for all the bossy people in the room and then worried about his pronunciation of ‘Thirty Thirsty Sailors’ He wasn’t going to attempt to say it fast. Johnny Key was ‘Mr Microphone Man’ for his microphone sorting out duties. At one point he was going to be joined on stage by ‘Pan’s People’ aka Ray Reynolds, but as he later explained that didn’t happen because Ray’s tablets had worn off and he was having a nap! Good job they’re friends! Bernard Gallery was introduced as the ‘bionic man’ and much more mobile after all his repairs and replacements. Bernard, performed ‘Riding on a Blackpool Tram’ appropriate since this weekend coincided with the illuminations being switched on. Occasionally the comperes share stories of Beryl and George. Committee member Dennis Lee remembers seeing George when he was aged six on stage at Wigan. Beryl was known for not letting George tire himself out by performing too many encores. After his second encore, Beryl strode onto the stage and whispered in George’s ear. He turned to the audience and said, “Eeh, I’ll ‘ave to go, Beryl wants me to take her to the fish and chip shop!” With the rising costs of living, energy and room hire being of concern, the auction and the raffle proved wonderful fundraisers. The auction as usual was an eclectic mix of items, records, pictures, and ukuleles, all displayed so that members could place sealed bids. It raised £391 for society funds. Rumour has it that Lewis Clifton spent all his pocket money in one go on some rare Formby photographs! The raffle prizes disappeared as fast as snow in sunshine as members hurried to claim their prizes. Gladys won a prize for the very first time ever with her numbers being the first ones picked. Interestingly the alcohol disappeared first quickly followed by the chocolates and sweeties. It raised another £371 for the society.

TUITION CLASSES

New members (and some older ones) found the tuition class for beginners on Saturday morning run by President Andy Poppleton very helpful. Andy is extremely patient and explains the magic ‘Formby’ stroke clearly. Daz Barry was responsible for the Stage Craft tuition on Sunday- "How to present yourself on stage” He really had his work cut out this time, though Daz is good at solving problems. He asked the group what problems they had which prevented them from feeling confident on stage. Among the answers were…… I can’t sing, I can’t play, I can’t remember the words I can’t whistle and when I try my teeth fall out! Good luck Daz in solving that one! Our society is like a family; when something goes wrong we rally round. Tony Thornton was unexpectedly taken ill and ended up in hospital, His Formby family rallied round with their support for Pat. When you are away from home and totally unprepared it is a godsend. Our branches are a vital part of our Formby family. They promote the society, they keep friends in touch, and they provide a meeting point as well as help and support for new members. The branches also arrange and support different events, as in Rhyl, Llandudno and Prestatyn. Individual members have also promoted the society at other venues - vintage meetings. Kyle Evans was mentioned for handing out over 200 flyers. Well done Kyle.

THE FILMS

The two films shown over the weekend enjoyed a good attendance. It is essential to show George’s films because they keep the name of Formby alive. A show of hands at the meeting indicated that only four people in the room had memories of George performing on stage. He will soon have disappeared from living memory and so is in danger of becoming irrelevant to younger generations. That is a challenge for the Society but we will meet it with confidence.

THE AGM

Sunday morning was the AGM, such excitement, such anticipation, such tension as members checked their pockets to ensure that had their current membership cards and that they had a pen! Nobody was allowed in the room before 10 am. The queue snaking down the corridor gradually dispersed, voting slips given out, chairs sat on and the doors locked, all escape routes sealed off and the conversation ceased. The attendance was huge. Then the AGM began with the usual reports, apologies and statements and some decisions made… The Vellum is going to be an option as a PDF from February with members opting in although the paper one is not in any danger. Live Screening has been kicked into touch for the foreseeable future. And Postal voting will be introduced. Finally, a new dynamic committee was elected and is very aware of all the problems, financial and otherwise facing the society in the future.

THE SUNDAY NIGHT CONCERT

The final concerts on Sunday night saw the conclusion of a successful convention with increased attendance, a new dynamic committee elected and fresh optimism that the worst of Covid is now over and that the society is prepared for the demands of the future for its continued survival and growth. Compere Ray Reynolds summed it up perfectly when he declared that it had been a fantastic weekend with a varied programme and not too many repetitions’ of performers and songs. So, the GFS continues to grow, and we can all look forward to the future with optimism.