THE LANCASTRIAN SUITE

For the first time since September 2021 we were back in the much larger Lancastrian Suite for our first convention of 2024. A much larger room to fill but the members turned up and proved once again that The George Formby Society continues its progress in rebuilding after the vagaries of the pandemic and all the other issues in the outside world. Just under two hundred members attended on Saturday with the stage for the unique GFS Thrash sessions and photograph, overflowing. So once again, the meeting in Blackpool’s Imperial Hotel was off to a flying start.

THE GFS BAND

Members were rolling up all morning and by the designated start time for the first concert, the room was filling nicely and there was no shortage of performers waiting to sing their two songs supported by the GFS band of Matthew Richards on keyboard, Steve Thomas on bass and Dale Norman in his usual place as our resident drummer. Performing members from the four corners of the UK then proceeded to entertain throughout the afternoon. Sadly, Cathy Staniland was unable to attend this weekend owing to illness and her highly popular wooden ukulele tuition class was therefore postponed until the June meeting. A new feature of the Lancastrian Suite was a well stocked bar in the room that is usually used for banjo-ukulele sales, saving members the long corridor walk down to the Imperial Bar.

A BRAND NEW PROJECTOR

The first of the weekends two films was shown on the brand new projector operated by cinema manager Jim Makin. The ever popular Spare A Copper was enjoyed by a healthy attendance of Formby cinemagoers who must have seen all the films countless times but never fail to turn up and show their appreciation for the efforts of George and his twenty films. We may all know these films so well but the fact that we show two every weekend confirms the fact that George Formby is still with us and will always be remembered on our Blackpool weekends.

KITTY BARRETT

Whilst the meetings in Blackpool are always joyous occasions, this one was tinged with sadness over the loss of dear Kitty Barrett and in the evening after the cinema, Honorary member Dale Norman read some words written after it was learned of Kitty’s loss. The members warmly applauded and stood in the memory of Kitty and also Glynn Mitchell who also recently passed away. Glynn of course was responsible for the design of the GFS Lamp Post badge/logo. We then moved on quite appropriately to announce the results of Kitty’s Raffle, organised now by Kathryn Pollard and her team this weekend of Helen Weathers, Lynn Raybould and Christine Richards. Grateful thanks to all these ladies who together raised a very impressive two hundred and eighty pounds for the GFS.

A NEW HONORARY MEMBER

Kathryn Pollard and Nicki Sinclair-Smith had been kept busy throughout the afternoon in running The GFS Shop and again, helping to ensure that the vital funds are directed by our generous members to support our wonderful group. Christine Kershaw is also always on hand to help out wherever the need is greatest, Christine is another great lady supporter of the GFS. Before the musical entertainment could start, there was another very important duty for President Andrew Poppleton when he invited thirty-year-member and photographer/writer Gill Walley onto the stage to receive a very well deserved Honorary Membership. Further evidence of the important and vital role lady members always endeavour to play in raising monies to benefit our organisation. Gill has for many years, worked in tangent with the GFS shop, creating framed photos, fridge magnets, calenders and numerous other items and has always had a table available for member to pay a voluntary contribution and take the glossy prints of the countless images that Gill takes at the previous convention. Gill of course is wife to much-loved founder and Honorary member John who looked on proudly as Gill received her award and the audience warmly applauded to register their approval. Definitely an Honorary membership award really well earned. It must never be forgotten that the weekends in Blackpool are organised by many, not just committee members but the visiting members also do their best to assist wherever they are needed.

WILLING WORKERS

The band of course are always at the forefront of every meeting in Blackpool and are always appreciated by all. The lads are on stage for most of the time that the concerts are running and their musical knowledge is awesome. The ladies and gents who announce the artists must take a bow, they are ever ready to entertain and introduce and it all makes for a very professional show. Thanks this weekend to John Walley, Frances Lister, Stuart Lowther, Andrew Higham, Andrew Poppleton Jon Baddeley and Jim Makin who all did their best to entertain and add extra quality to the efforts of the many performers.

CHARLIE RIDES THE TT RACES

One other young man who deserves a special mention is thirteen- year-old Charlie Evered who took charge of the Sunday morning concert. He handled his job of Master of Ceremonies with aplomb and experience beyond his years. While Charlie entertained on stage, mum and dad Jeremy and Karen were selling Uke Raffle tickets. This family only attended their first convention last September but are already blending themselves into Formby Society fabric quite nicely, thank you very much. Charlie already has a vast knowledge of the who, what and when of the world of George Formby and our Society. He reminded us all of the fact that our opening convention day coincided with the day that legendary and never-to-be forgotten President Dennis Taylor passed away on 16 March 2011. He then proceeded to play Dennis’ favourite Riding In The TT Races with two solos and using the chords for the second solo that Dennis would always use. Just to round this off nicely, Charlie was also using the Ludwig instrument that is always associated with Dennis. Already Charlie is a convention favourite and his playing skills in the short time he has enjoyed membership are nothing short of stunning.

COLIN BOURDIEC - ALL OVER THE PLACE #1

Another special moment enjoyed by all was when veteran member Colin Bourdiec took to the stage. Colin has been seriously ill for quite some time but he was back in good health to entertain and his interpretation of Noel Gay’s All Over The Place was just brilliant, not just his singing but his dancing as well ensured that it was one of the performances of the weekend.

BRUCE COX - - ALL OVER THE PLACE #2

One gentleman who enjoys great popularity with his audience and was elected to the committee for the first time last September is Yorkshire man Bruce Cox. As well as playing and entertaining, Bruce literally was, all over the place, concert organising and fulfilling any role where he was needed. This is exactly what a good member/committee man does, without needing to be asked. Great work Bruce! On a personal note, I ended up missing most of Sunday night as I was stricken with the same virus that kept Cathy Staniland from coming to Blackpool but I still had the best of weekends. I was told that it was a very good Sunday night concert expertly and entertainingly compèred by Jim Makin.

a special guest

I was delighted to greet on Saturday afternoon, one member who, as well as being an honorary member, is also to many regarded as one of the greatest members in the George Formby Society’s history. I refer to none other than Dickie Speake who turned up unexpectedly just to enjoy the Saturday afternoon atmosphere, but also to donate two more valuable instruments for the benefit of the Society. The instruments were an Abbott and a lovely Keech wooden ukulele. Dickie of course also donated his main Abbott instrrument to the Society last September. Dickie Speake was Musical Director for many years as well as serving on the committee as Vice-President. Dickie and his keyboard were the first person to make backing tracks popular and many (including myself, always play to Dickie’s recorded backing.

a ludwig chat

Another nice feature of the weekend was a fascinating talk on Ludwig instruments with a table full of fine and unusual examples. Presenters were Lewis Clifton, Andy Poppleton, and John Walley and even I got to say a few words about Dennis Taylor's Ludwig and the mysterious 'JC' on the peg-head. The talk took place in one of the Imperial side rooms and is always well supported.

NOWHERE BETTER THAN A GFS CONVENTION

Believe me when I say that for anyone remotely interested in George Formby and his music, there is nowhere in the world that can compete with a Blackpool George Formby Convention in the Imperial Hotel. I urge all members to be in Blackpool on June 01-02 and I promise you the weekend you will never forget. Peter Pollard - 24/03/2024