30th Anniversary 1991

It is difficult to describe how I felt when I visited the exhibition (twice) in 1991. I remember watching newsreel clips in a special viewing area. Newsreel clips that I had never seen before (even though the film quality was poor), photographs of George Formby that I once again, had never seen before - and so many of them! George's instruments in special display cabinets which at that time I would have viewed differently as even though I had joined the society on my first visit, I had absolutely no intention of ever becoming a player. I clearly remember Stan Evans and Anthony Mason greeting people as they entered the building and Anthony playing Formby songs on his uke. I certainly remember thinking about how good Anthony was for such a young man! On my first visit, I went with a friend (Philip) from work and as we strolled around the exhibits, my pal casually mentioned that his dad would enjoy this. So we made a second visit and took Philip's dad with us, astonishingly he was greeted by Stan Evans as we entered the exhibit rooms and immediately was given a banjo-uke to play! I then learned that Philip's dad was a member of the Yorkshire Ukulele Circle and was also known within the GFS. The Warrington Exhibition was a total triumph even though in the early planning days, concern was expressed in the pages of The Vellum as to lack of support from the members. Obviously, without Alan Randall's collection, the exhibition would never have ever taken place. Alan had everything and I often wonder to myself just why Pat Howson would just give all those priceless items away? I am so glad that I took a video camera with me on my second visit, other than short media clips of the event, I have seen no other video clips by any of the members of the society although that does not mean that they are not in existence. The Yorkshire Ukulele Circle made a special trip to Warrington to view the display and afterwards retired to the Patton Arms in Warrington, the home of the Warrington branch of the GFS, to enjoy a buffet and to hold a concert. Dickie Speake took his keyboard and it seems that it completed a perfect Formby day! A nice, well-designed brochure was available to purchase and is available to view on this page. PP - June 2020