SOCIETY WEEKENDS

Weekends at the George Formby Society are all very much the same – but that isn’t to say that they aren’t all totally enjoyable. In fact, if it is George Formby that you crave, you just have to get to Blackpool. If you are on you’re own, maybe a little nervous about walking through the door, then don’t be! I guarantee that you will have made friends before the end of the day. There is something indefinable about a GFS meeting, but there is a warmth within the room that is there right throughout the weekend.

PERFORMERS

Of course, there is an abundance of performers all indulging in their own “15 minutes of fame” when they take to the stage to entertain an always forgiving but also a very knowledgeable audience. The songs pour out from many and varied players, right throughout the weekend and whilst the performances must obviously range from the total amateur, they can also climb to the heights of the total professional. Some of these players just have to be seen to be believed.

FILMS

There are of course, always two feature films shown. This weekend we had one of George’s best, “Let George Do It” and a recently found copy of “He Snoops To Conquer”. Specialist equipment is always hired so that the films can be viewed on a large screen and this gives them a totally different dimension as most people these days have only watched these classics on the small television screen.

LEARN TO PLAY

Fancy learning to play the uke? Then come to the Blackpool weekend, where you can always find quality players who will offer unstinting advice on the art of the ‘split-stroke’ and all other techniques involved in reproducing the “Formby Sound”. Of course, there are many member of the Society who don’t and never will play the ukulele and are just happy to be entertained by their fellow-members. These probably make up at least a good half of the audience but they too are always knowledgable and appreciative of the sounds emanating from the stage.

SOCIETY SHOP

There is an excellent Society Shop where you can buy anything from a CD to tie, waistcoat, photograph, mug to drink from, pendant, video…the list of items is endless – and every penny of profit is ploughed back into the Society to ensure that the name of George Formby can be maintained in the future in the same spirit that has sustained the Society for the last 40 years.

INSTRUMENTS FOR SALE

There is also, always a table full of instruments that are for sale. Try looking for a decent ukulele/banjo in your local music shop, it is odds on that you’ll end up disappointed, but there is always a decent instrument to be had in the Winter Gardens. Even after the evening’s entertainment has finally terminated (usually around midnight), the fun still carries on into the early hours of the morning in various hotels throughout Blackpool. In fact, if you fancy ukuleles with your evening meal, make sure you get a table at the Deansgate Kitchen (which is without a doubt the best value restaurant in the whole of Blackpool). Here you can always find Formby people who, after finishing their own meal, will entertain fellow-diners with the Formby Sound. This is definitely the place to be at around 5pm on both the Saturday and Sunday of the Blackpool weekend. Excellent food and plenty of it, and the chance to chat and listen to Formby members – brilliant! Roll on September when we can do it all again.