november 2022
Something For Everyone!
EXPECTATIONS WERE HIGH
After the doom and gloom of the recent weeks caused by the escalating
cost of living, the budget, the colder, shorter, and darker days, the
Blackpool convention was a place to have some fun cocooned from the
outside world. The convention had been widely publicised on social media
so expectations were high. It didn’t disappoint so well organised, so well
attended, and packed with something for everyone. Cathy Stanniland
remarked “Britain’s got talent- well all the talent is here in Blackpool in the
Washington suite. Just think you could have been at home watching the
news or I’m a Celebrity….”
There were fifteen new members, four of whom came from the South
Yorkshire Branch.
There were ukulele sales.
There was an interesting display with one panel devoted to the history of
the society…and two of the original founder members were in the meeting.
There were tuition classes, with Andy Poppleton teaching the elusive
Formby stroke. Especially, for those members who didn’t know, weren’t
sure or not confident about changing a Vellum on their ukulele Tom
Cutler’s class put that right.
Since the weather outside was dreadful there was plenty of opportunity
inside for some retail therapy. The society shop took over one corner of
the room and photo sales the other. Then there were raffle tickets which sold like gold dust thanks to the dedication of Helen Weathers,
Cathy Staniland and Kathryn Pollard who weren’t going to take no for an answer and proved good at parting the audience from their
pennies. Together with the auction for which members put in sealed bids for a eclectic mix of items raised £464.00 for much needed society
funds.
THE CINEMA
Fact: George’s films on television in the 1950’s and 60’s only lasted for one hour as 20 minutes were cut to allow for adverts.
The films showing this weekend ‘I See Ice’ and ‘I Didn’t Do It’ were the real deal, nothing cut out and no need to stray far as the films were
shown in the Washington Suite. ‘I See Ice’ sees George as a photographer’s assistant with a miniature camera hidden in his bow tie. Of
course, this lands him in trouble, lands him in jail and finally he ends up refereeing an ice hockey match!
‘I Didn’t Do It’ sounds like a good excuse. However, George, a stage struck young man, in a theatrical boarding house ends up being framed
for the murder of an acrobat…and of course he ‘Didn’t Do It’. The ukulele solos in the two films were superb with the camera zooming in on
George’s famous right hand.
HUGH RANGE OF PERSONALITIES
There were forty-two performers on stage over the weekend, producing a varied mix of music, with interesting song titles, so a huge range of
personalities on stage, something for everyone to enjoy. Impossible to mention everyone who performed but everyone on stage did the
society proud.
Not too sure about what it was that was “In The Air” at this convention but there was a lot of it going on, on stage. Thanks to the dedicated
compères and their organisers the usual concerts ran smoothly. As Frances Lister remarked ‘Isn’t it nice to have so much power!’, but the
performers often complicated matters and added their own individual
comments… it was a recipe for a good time enjoyed by all.
Christian Lee was delighted to be announced as ‘young, unattached and
single’ by one compere and then was mistaken for Helen Weathers by
the next one. ‘It’s the hair’ was the the lame excuse! Maybe the culprit
needs to visit Specsavers.
Matt Richards told the audience that ‘you can’t keep a going lad down.’
Johnny Key invited the audience to ‘Kiss your ‘Mansy Pansy’ and later
on slated the Turks with his ‘Low Down Lazy Turk’ which in today’s woke
climate maybe indeed needed a warning. Brian Poole confidently
informed everyone that ‘you don’t need a licence for that!’ Bernard
Gallery confessed to missing out the first verse and so sang the second
one twice when he was ‘Trailing around in a Trailer’. Helen Weathers
was insistent that ‘You Can’t Go Wrong In These’ and then she wanted
everyone to ‘Run Round Trafalgar Square’, whilst John Walley preferred
a ‘Pleasure Cruise’. Maybe they all needed a good dose of ‘Auntie
Maggie’s Remedy’. Hopefully ‘Levi’s Monkey Mike’ didn’t turn up at the
'Baby Show’ along with the ‘Thirty Thirsty Sailors. ’ It was good to have
some of the lesser known songs performed as well as the usual well
known favourites.
EXERCISE FOR THE AUDIENCE!
If the audience thought they were just going to idly sit and watch then they were sadly mistaken. There was no rest for the wicked…Fred
Martindale playing a harmonica in the interests of something different and told the audience to ‘hum it, sing it and tap it.’
On Sunday Peter Pollard appearing with Andy Poppleton went even further with his recipe of ‘How to avoid stiffness’ caused by sitting down
for too long. After each song the audience had to perform a few simple exercises…
stand up,
clap,
wave their arms and
shout for more.
And it worked. They fell for it!
On Sunday night, they even had to yodel!
Matt Richard’s medley had the audience spontaneously clapping,
stamping, singing and cheering… without needing any prompting for a
well-earned standing ovation. Matt admitted to ‘Talking to the Moon’. Andy
Higham was more down to earth he sang ‘You Can’t Fool Me’, Stuart
Lowther professed to have ‘Two Of Everything’ but then he was
celebrating 10 years of being in the GFS and responsible for keeping easy
Jet flying. Pamela Baddeley was celebrating a birthday and whilst Kyle
Evans didn’t get his ‘Photo In The Press’ he did manage a photo with the
Strictly Come Dancing Cast. As it would soon be the anniversary of Billy
Uke Scott’s death a wonderful tribute was performed by Lewis Clifton.
Thanks to the wonderful organisation, the band, the lighting and
performers themselves, our concerts become more professional and
entertaining with each passing year.
Fact - When asked why his ukulele was so dirty George Formby reportedly
replied, ‘I play them every night so you don’t expect me to clean them!’ So
now you know!
WALKING WOUNDED
There was good news too, Judge Henry recovered after a bout of ill health was seeking inspiration to enable his return to the stage, so no
performance this year but maybe next year…..
Tony Lister has now discarded his walking stick - his leg is much improved - so no plaster and no stick.
Tom Fletcher after a lengthy stay in hospital is now recovering at home and we look forward to seeing him next year. We sent him a video
message to cheer him up.
It was left to Jim Makin, compèring for the first time, to remind everyone that there were only 36 days left until Christmas (audible groan) and
to crack the first festive joke.
Q: Why don’t fir trees make good sowers?
Ans: Because they keep dropping their needles. (More groans)
AUDIO ENGINEERS
Whilst the committee, compères, organisers and helpers need
congratulations for a very successful meeting, a special mention should
go to Cathy and Kevin Staniland who were glued to the sound system all
weekend - setting up, running it during the convention and putting it away
afterwards. A special accolade for their dedication. Both found time to
perform, and it was while he was on stage that Kevin shared his troubles.
“I’ve had this recurring dream that I’m a horse - for five nights on the
trot!” Cathy, apart from performing, compèring also found time to sell
raffle tickets. How’s that for successful multi-tasking!
Finally in the words of Vera Lynn ‘We’ll Meet Again’ we know where and
we know when, so until then stay safe and see you all in April so don’t
miss out on the fun.
Gill Walley
22/11/2022
So that is it, another year in the GFS calendar completed.
Many highs in this year, the first complete convention year
since the pandemic and after the devastating effects of
COVID, membership is now on the increase once again.
We were in The Washington Suite for the first time this year
and personally, I feel that this room suits us much better than
the enormous Lancastrian Suite. A far better atmosphere with
the audience closer together made for a much better concert.
Some top-class players joined us this weekend including
Lewis Clifton, Stuart Lowther, Steve Duncan, Andy Eastwood
and Tom Cutler.
In only his second convention, Peter Furey once again
entertained and played really well. More importantly, he was
delighted to be back within our midst and was welcomed by all.
Travelling all the way from Devon, Brian Poole and his friend
and long-term member Valerie Payne were also very
welcome. Valerie of course brings back memories of the
happy times in The Winter Gardens in the 1990s. I am not
sure if Valerie has realised but next September she will
celebrate thirty years of membership within our Society.
Good attendances throughout the weekend with a good
crowd still there right to the end of Sunday evening
confirms the fact that The George Formby Society is back
to its best with much more to come in 2023
We now have the long Winter break before we are all
together again on April 01 and 02. Before that far off date
we can all savour good, warm memories of an unforgettable November weekend and the promise of
much more in the forthcoming sixty second year of The George Formby Society.
Peter Pollard - 27/11/2022