FUTURE CONVENTIONS

· As of 2024, Blackpool conventions will be reduced to three per year. These conventions will continue to be held at the Imperial Hotel, Blackpool. The reduction will result in a saving in excess of £2,000 per year and will optimistically encourage more members to attend the three conventions. · Alongside these three Blackpool conventions, there is scope to potentially hold a fourth one day convention elsewhere in the country. · Workshops will become a focus at our conventions. In April, Cathy Staniland will host a new ‘Absolute Beginners’ workshop, and there will be talks on artifacts from the GFS archives.

SUBSCRIPTION FEES

· The subscription fee for 2023/24 will see an increase. This will be the first increase in 4 years. · As from 2023, membership will increase from £22.00 to £25.00 full members and from £10.00 to £12.00 for associate members. This increase will help cover additional costs and postage.

REMOTE VOTING

· Remote voting for contested committee positions will be in place for the 2023 AGM. · Due to members concerns regarding voting anonymity, an email vote will not be offered at this time. · A robust postal ballot system will be outlined in the Spring 2023 issue of ‘The Vellum’.

VELLUM COSTS

· The committee have worked collectively to reduce the cost to produce and print our magazine, ‘The Vellum’. The changes put in place will not affect the quality of the publication whatsoever but will result in a saving of up to £1,600 per year.

MEMBERSHIP

· Despite countrywide industrial action, the cost-of-living crisis, and harsh winter weather, our November 2022 meeting turned out to be one of our most successful Winter conventions in recent years. Since November, 38 new members have joined the society.

APRIL CONVENTION – WARTIME THEME

· May 2023 will see the 80 th Anniversary of the Dambuster Raid. · To commemorate George Formby’s war efforts and the service personnel of the 617 Squadron, our Spring Blackpool Convention will be 1940’s themed. · Members are encouraged to come dressed from the era. · There will be a short presentation from John Walley on Saturday evening recalling Formby’s war years along with archive film footage.

LLANDUDNO VICTORIAN EXTRAVAGANZA

· The GFS has been invited back to play at the Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza during the May bank holiday. This event supported the GFS financially last year and brought new members into the Society. · The George Formby Society Committee - 10 January 2023