What a fantastic Sapphire Convention!

The 65th Anniversary of the founding of the society. Summer Valentine says that “the September 2026 convention was the best we’ve had in a long time. We had a brilliant turn out in terms of numbers – which meant an equally brilliant atmosphere” - and she “has heard nothing but positive feedback from everyone.” It was a resounding success. Much thought had been put into the planning to keep it fresh and interesting….and centred around George, just as it was when Bill Logan made his first speech in 1961, ending with the words… “And so we are gathered here today to pay tribute to George Formby. It shouldn't be difficult. He left us twenty-two films, hundreds of gramophone records, countless memories and the certain knowledge that wherever ukuleles and banjo-ukes are ever strummed or played, it will always be George Formby’s name that is fondly and affectionately remembered.” When the society was founded, the annual subs were 1guinea which in today’s money would be approximately £30.34. Two days, under a banner designed by Charlie Evered, we celebrated George’s achievements, shared memories of George and the society, watched a documentary about his life and work, enjoyed a collection of his ukuleles as well as all the usual activities of concerts, tuition, raffles and uke sales and gossip. So, what would George have made of it all if he was to walk into the society today, 65 years after his death? “Firstly, I think he'd be blown away that he was remembered. After being told there was a society in his name meeting up, playing ukes and talking about him, he would give a bewildered look and say "No, surely not, you mean in the North West?" Then when you told him there are branch and special meetings regularly all over the country with fans from all over the world, I think the only thing he could possibly say was "Well I'll go to the foot of our stairs!" I just know that dream meeting with George would end with the biggest Formby grin imaginable…..” (Nick Saunders)

George’s Concert…

The concert which took place on Saturday evening was the brainchild of Charlie Evered. The ‘songs from the Films concert’ was an inspired idea with performers taking extra care. If anyone played the wrong chords or forget their words, nobody noticed or cared. We had such a riveting good time. Everyone was ready for their ‘spot’ and the whole evening flowed seamlessly from films to performers. Jamie Routledge, so smart in a new suit (his mum said he had to grow into it cos he wasn’t getting another one!), Kyle Evans in his trademark hat…and mentioning hats…Where did they get those hats? Matt and Christine Richards were one of the highlights of Jamie Routledge’s weekend when they performed one his favourite songs ‘Hillbilly Willy’ wearing two cowboy hats. Christine Richards explained. “It was all about the hats - should we wear the standard brown cowboy hats or the pink fluffy ones from Blackpool?” Matt recalls being “under strict orders to keep (his) playing simple and not put in any fancy chords. But adds ‘I couldn't resist and managed to sneak a few in!’ With so many members taking part it’s impossible to single out individuals, only to thank all those who rose to the occasion and made it so memorable. Special thanks to our wonderful band, Matt Richards on keyboard, Steve Thomas playing base and Dale Norman on drums. And a massive thank you to Charlie for organising the whole concert.

Memories of George…

Most of our members will never know George Formby, only through his music and films as they were born after his death, so it was interesting to listen to the memories of two members who did see him perform live on stage. Mike Rotherham recalled seeing George in Blackpool in 1960, when he was just nine years old. It was Wakes Week. Blackpool was bustling with visitors arriving by train, finding their digs before heading to the booking offices to see what was on offer. George Formby was appearing at the Queen’s Theatre, behind the Tower (on the site where TK Max now stands). Mike remembers the excitement of seeing his favourite star in person. At the time, there were only two television channels, both in black and white, and George’s films were regularly shown on Sunday afternoons—something Mike loved watching. George’s performance was part of a variety bill that also featured Yana, Jimmy Clitheroe and a number of acrobats. Mike’s favourite George Formby song was “Mr Wu”, making the experience of finally seeing George perform live even more memorable. Founder member John Walley recalls that his first experience with George Formby was more bizarre. John supports Port Vale and in 1954 Port Vale had a terrific side and reached the FA Cup semi- finals, before that they drew Blackpool in Burslem and won. John accompanied his father to the match and there sitting in front of him sat George with Beryl and when it was over, they all went home! His second encounter with George came in the 1950’s John’s been a fan since 1954 when his parents took him to the Theatre Royal in Hanley to see ‘Too Young To Marry’ starring George Formby. John admits to being bored until one scene where George had to appear drunk and was acting his socks off! Finally, he went to a cupboard, picked up a ukulele and sang If you ‘Don’t’ Want The Goods Don’t Maul ‘Em’. By the solo the whole theatre was standing up and cheering…and John was hooked. Eventually he bought a uke, learnt a few chords, joined the society when it started in 1961, and the rest is history!

George’s Ukes

The ukulele is one of the greatest connections we still have with George Formby. Peter Nixon remarked. “The uke will keep George Formby’s memory alive forever!” Andy Poppleton invited John Croft to talk about his collection of George’s ukes, and the films in which they appeared and past experiences. John recalled that some had been through several owners. He bought a baby Gibson in the 1961 auction. His ‘Keech’ had appeared in “No Limit.” His ‘Big Gibson’ appeared in the film “I Didn’t Do It.” Later Jon Baddeley together with Andy Eastwood added their collection making eight ukes in total and generously invited members to play them, just like Bill Logan had done in the early meetings. It was the largest amount of George’s ukes in one room since the Beryldene Auction. Charlie mentioned that he spent a lot of time looking at George's ukes, “mainly in pure amazement that a collection of this magnitude had come together at our meeting.” Of course, also a few tinges of sadness with memories of the last uke George played on screen, and the amount of George's DNA on the ukes, most memorably the marks from where the buttons on his jacket were.” Sadly, Charlie only spent time looking at them and didn't end up playing one, and all because he didn't really “think about it at the time!”

George – Documented and Filmed

The Frank Skinner Documentary was a good choice for the Sapphire Jubilee. It put him first and centre stage, showed his place in history. It was made in 2015 here in Blackpool. It provided a chance to see and watch George play, to share his talent, his humour and mastery of the uke. It provided a chance ‘to spot your younger self, or a chance to spot old friends no longer with us. George made 20 films, he knocked Gracie Fields off the top spot. The Mancunian films were cheap and made over weeks…and often there was little plot. It was all about George, and his uke. The documentary really shows why George was so hugely popular- and still is-and it’s relevant because, it involved lots of members of the GFS and the publicity was phenomenal.

The Sunday Film

‘George in Civvy Street’ showed George’s magnificent uke solo for ‘You Don’t Need a License For That’. This has always been referenced as the ‘definitive right-hand technique’ and has inspired members to ‘have a go’ but still George’s unique style in this film song remains a firm favourite especially as he used his ‘Abbot Monarch’ for the first time in a Columbia Film. In the archives we have the trailer (remember them) for the film but, alas, never seem to show it. The rest of the weekend passed just as smoothly with the usual concerts, raffles, auctions and tuition. Apparently, there is a new rule for compères – you must remember who’s coming on next! Our archives had a new addition when Andy Poppleton donated the full film script of ‘Get Cracking’ to Andy Higham.

Good so see more new faces

Lovely to see Nick Saunders and Fiona Shaw from the Isle of Man. Nick would love to come more often but the cost is horrendous. Fiona thanked everyone for help in restoring the uke which she bought in a blind auction. It needed a lot of TLC and a total rebuild. Congratulations go to Tommy Bland, married now for two months and still looking good and to Reg Goldsmith for reaching his centenary. On Sunday the Jazz Band made an appearance, and good to see Simon Kinraid’s Wooden Ukulele Group performing in the afternoon using an upstroke. Garry Willets had a new take on one of George’s songs instead of cleaning windows he sang, ‘When I’m Cleaning Bedrooms.’ So many raffle prizes that Andy Poppleton was heard to remark, “Is there anyone who hasn’t won yet?” The auction contained the usual eclectic mix of ancient technology, ukes, pictures and books all loosely related to George and a generous donation from Hazel Lobo in memory of her father. Hazel has now joined the committee.

The AGM

The AGM passed without incident, with a new committee being selected, and a plea for more volunteers to help to run the meetings. Hopefully the November meeting in Nottingham will attract new members, and there will now be a November Vellum. The convention brings Formby fans together, just as the thrash brings everyone together to play the uke, with George’s strokes, singing his songs. Brilliant! By George, We did it! Gill Walley - 02/10/2026