March 2018
FIRST CONVENTION OF 2018
The first convention of 2018 heralded the return of our old friend,
Frank Skinner, who was with us at the March 2010 convention
when the “Frank Skinner on George Formby” show was being
filmed. Frank returned this time with a BBC film crew to interview
John Walley and GFS President Gerry Mawdsley about the
forthcoming concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The film
crew then arranged for all the playing members that day, to be on
stage for a rendition of “Leaning on a Lamp Post” so hopefully
many of our membership will be seen on BBC TV in the near
future.
GOOD ATTENDANCE
The convention itself was as good as any other with the Lancaster
Suite almost full for most of Saturday. It is a long break between
November and March but of course these days there is usually a
branch somewhere to help us get through the dark winter months.
WE MISSED YOU
Two people who all the regulars missed this time were Alex and
Kitty Barrett who sadly could not attend owing to health problems.
Their daughter Mary, her husband Andy and another son-in-law in
Trevor Weston, all made the trip and we are hopeful that by
September, Kitty and Alex might just make a reappearance. Whilst
we certainly missed Alex and Kitty, we welcomed back Jon and
Pam Baddeley who missed the last year owing to other
commitments; it was nice to see them back again.
GREAT LINE UP
Another great line-up to entertain us all was provided throughout
the weekend and to get the ball rolling, we had 12-year old James
Fleming singing George’s favourite, “Leaning on a Lampost.”
James has made astonishing progress in the few months that he
has been with us and has rapidly made his mark on all who
recognise a good Formby player.
DAVE BARNES - LUTHIER
Long-term GFS member Dave Barnes travelled up from his Essex
home and brought with him (along with his mate Mike O’Dywer,)
four beautiful Baby Barnes banjo-ukes. All of course soon found
new owners. Dave makes wonderful instruments which sound
great; I got the chance to play one on Friday afternoon and the
action and setup was just right, Dave takes such pains to get the
instruments not just sounding right, but also looking good as well,
a real craftsman.
WELCOME ENTERTAINERS
Andy Eastwood found some time in his busy schedule to be with
us again and gave us a few performances over the weekend,
another professional entertainer.
Unfortunately I had to leave Blackpool after the Sunday afternoon
concert due to an unavoidable appointment on Monday morning, I
am told though that the Sunday cinema was quite full and that all
who stayed until the end of Sunday night had a great time in the
company of President Gerry Mawdsley together with the always
entertaining members on stage.
HARD WORKING PEOPLE
Hard working people who gave all or a part of their weekend to
help to ensure that the GFS convention ran as smoothly as we
have all come to expect and surely deserve a mention were
Frances Lister, Kate Howard, Bruce Cox, Dennis Lee, Gill Walley,
Kathryn Pollard, Dolwyn Shone, Pat Taylor, Geoff Shone,
Christine Kershaw, Steve Langford, Joe Sadler, Lesley Fowkes,
Jeanette Austin, Johnny Key, and Ray Reynolds, all those named
people and probably more, all helped to contribute to such a
great weekend and all deserve a mention on this page - plus of
course, our band who again, for the love of music and the love of
the Society will devote all their weekend to our enjoyment and the
thrill of allowing members to be supported by “proper” musicians -
and not forgetting of course, our hard working committee.
A SUCCESSFUL WEEKEND
All in all, a totally successful weekend and please don’t let anyone
tell you differently.
The news of the concert in the Royal Albert Hall was greeted with
great excitement by many of the members who know full well that
the few selected are there to represent the whole membership in
our task of keeping alive the name of George Formby.
Peter Pollard
GFS MARCH 2018 - THE PLAYERS
THE LOVELY, HARD WORKING SHOP LADIES
JOE SADLER & STEVE LANGFORD WORK ON THE SOUND
DAVE BARNES WITH THREE NEW OWNERS - NICE!
12-YEAR OLD JAMES FLEMING - A QUALITY PLAYER