Before the lockdown, Dennis Lee organised the GFS to play at the Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza each May bank holiday. This event covers the entire town including dancers, fairground rides, music, vintage car and bus rallies and many other local groups. Many people visit Llandudno just for the event. The event attracts over 30,000 people throughout the weekend. This year I was asked by Dennis to organise this event. Although time was short I managed to contact the organiser and soon had details for our members. This year the GFS was situated on the main stage and had two sets to play each day, however, we did play a further set on Sunday morning. We started our first performance on Saturday with “The Window Cleaner” and immediately the audience of around 80 people was soon in the mood for more Formby classics. In the second set, we seemed to become more popular and drew a larger crowd again. Cassie Morris Dalton and Dolwyn Shone both gave out GFS flyers and Vellum magazines to whoever wanted them or wanted to join. It was amazing to see how many people came up to the stage to enquire about membership. During the last song “Leaning on a Lamppost” I met George Formby’s godson. He showed me a picture of his Christening and there behind his parents stood George. He explained his parents were involved in show business and knew several artists. Sunday was cloudy but it didn’t dull the member's spirits even to the point where we played an additional set for the patient audience. Unfortunately, our normal start time had to be delayed and rather than let our fans down, we played a three-song concert unaccompanied. I am sure most members can guess which songs we played: Windows, Chinese Blues and Lamppost. During Sunday’s concerts, a lady came up to me to say how the music had brought back many memories of her family and late brother who played the ukulele. Carol was the niece of the first- ever GFS President Bill Logan. Throughout the entire weekend, the crowds became larger and larger and our supply of flyers and Vellum magazines became smaller as more people wanted to know about the society and perhaps join. The audiences we drew seemed to enjoy all the songs and performances and we had lots of positives from the sound crew and the audience. They appreciated the George Formby Society performance so much. What’s more, our members both players and non-players also had a fantastic time at Llandudno. The Society was very well represented and this event illustrates just how much people even today enjoy listening to George Formby music. Andy Poppleton - 08/05/2022

llandudno 2022