It is with great sadness that I have to
report this week, the death of our patron
and friend, Ted Formby. Ted was last in
the line of George’s immediate family. The
last close link we had with George
Formby. Ted was thirteen years younger
than George so obviously he must have
missed much of his brother as George
was of course constantly away
entertaining the masses. But Ted although
probably the only member of the family
who didn’t have a go at entertaining, was
always so very enthusiastic about his
famous brother and equally (in his day)
famous father.
Ted came to know and to love the GFS
rather late in life after we contacted him
for permission to conduct some renovation
work on the Formby monument in Warrington Cemetery. I can still clearly
remember the day when, with Dennis and Pat Taylor, I travelled to the home of
Mollie Cohen who was a long-time friend of the Formby family, to meet Ted and
Win for the very first time. This was initially to discuss how to go about the
restoration work but the evening went with such success that it was inevitable that
Ted would be drawn into the Society.
He attended many of the Blackpool conventions, always accompanied by his
lovely wife Win and was always ready to make himself available for the countless
Formby fans who really wanted just to get a little closer to George, but actually
found that Ted also had a good story to tell about his own life and times. He never
tired of meeting new faces and his visits were always a great success and
delighted members both old and new. He made so many friends on his visits and
everybody had a good word for him.
Ted always maintained a very private life, never wishing to bask in the glory of
either his father or his brother. He must therefore have given much thought before
agreeing to attend his first convention in September 1997. But he was an instant
success and was constantly in demand to sign vellums and membership cards
(including my own).
Some excellent TV appearances were made by Ted, and once again he carried
this off in his own inimitable style, always giving George and the GFS the best
possible publicity.
It seemed such a natural thing to honour him with the title of Patron of the George
Formby Society. The only person to hold this title within the George Formby
Society.
On behalf of Formby fans the world over, I would like to extend our deepest
sympathy to Ted’s wife Win and their family.
Win is overwhelmed by the messages, cards and flowers sent from friends known
and unknown over the last few days. The support that has been shown to her and
the family means so very much and she wishes to thank one and all for the
kindness and sympathy directed to her and her family. She says it would be
impossible to thank everyone personally but is strengthened and comforted by all
the support.
Peter Pollard
February 28th 2007
Society loses a friend and a Patron
TED FORMBY
It is with great sadness that I
have to report this week, the
death of our patron and
friend, Ted Formby. Ted was
last in the line of George’s
immediate family. The last
close link we had with
George Formby. Ted was
thirteen years younger than
George so obviously he
must have missed much of
his brother as George was
of course constantly away
entertaining the masses. But
Ted although probably the
only member of the family
who didn’t have a go at
entertaining, was always so
very enthusiastic about his
famous brother and equally
(in his day) famous father.
Ted came to know and to
love the GFS rather late in
life after we contacted him
for permission to conduct
some renovation work on
the Formby monument in
Warrington Cemetery. I can
still clearly remember the
day when, with Dennis and
Pat Taylor, I travelled to the
home of Mollie Cohen who
was a long-time friend of the
Formby family, to meet Ted
and Win for the very first
time. This was initially to
discuss how to go about the
restoration work but the
evening went with such
success that it was
inevitable that Ted would be
drawn into the Society.
He attended many of the
Blackpool conventions,
always accompanied by his
lovely wife Win and was
always ready to make
himself available for the
countless Formby fans who
really wanted just to get a
little closer to George, but
actually found that Ted also
had a good story to tell
about his own life and times.
He never tired of meeting
new faces and his visits
were always a great success
and delighted members both
old and new. He made so
many friends on his visits
and everybody had a good
word for him.
Ted always maintained a
very private life, never
wishing to bask in the glory
of either his father or his
brother. He must therefore
have given much thought before agreeing to attend his first
convention in September 1997. But he was an instant success
and was constantly in demand to sign vellums and membership
cards (including my own).
Some excellent TV appearances were made by Ted, and once
again he carried this off in his own inimitable style, always giving
George and the GFS the best possible publicity.
It seemed such a natural thing to honour him with the title of
Patron of the George Formby Society. The only person to hold
this title within the George Formby Society.
On behalf of Formby fans the world over, I would like to extend
our deepest sympathy to Ted’s wife Win and their family.
Win is overwhelmed by the messages, cards and flowers sent
from friends known and unknown over the last few days. The
support that has been shown to her and the family means so
very much and she wishes to thank one and all for the kindness
and sympathy directed to her and her family. She says it would
be impossible to thank everyone personally but is strengthened
and comforted by all the support.
Peter Pollard
February 28th 2007
