More seating called for

The 163 members who made the journey to the November Convention discovered that the Blackpool’s famous ‘fresh air and fun’ were on the menu. This was the last November convention, and we made it a good one. A terrific attendance increased as the meeting continued. We ran short of chairs. And with Christmas just around the corner, the meeting had a festive air. The scene was set on the Friday night when the invisible fairies organised the room. The chairs and tables were set out, notice boards, timetables, stage lighting, display boards and archives put in place and finally, most importantly the sound system was sorted. Everything was ready, just waiting for Saturday morning when the doors opened. All members had to do was find a chair, sign up for the concerts, chat with friends, examine the refreshments, peruse the shop, and buy raffle tickets. They had time to settle themselves down and wait for the first announcements of ‘Ukes in D’ as the first thrash which signalled the start of the meeting which was slightly delayed. A missing power lead was the culprit. Finally, Andy Poppleton welcomed members and with ukes in D, and charge for the stage, the thrash started and the meeting began. No reason to be bored. There was plenty to do. Uke sales saw members poring over and commenting on the offerings that were ‘laid out like a patient on a table’. ‘Sound wise it’s worth the money’ and ‘We’ve had some good uns in today.’ There was a range of ukes including Gibsons UB2, UB3 as well as wooden ukes and price ranges to suit all pockets because, ‘You just can’t have enough ukes can you?’ Reading matter was provided by the displays, photographs, with the archive material providing talking points with goodies including: • A 1957 Wintergardens Contract showing a fee of £900 for each week’s performance lasting no less than 25 minutes. He was to receive full top billing for 12 performances. • George’s negatives from his films and tours of Australia and Canada. • 1943 reply to George Formby from the Eighth Army HQ giving him and his party permission to enter Italy.

missing members

As compere Jonathan Baddeley reminded everyone ‘Christmas is coming’ so time to peruse the society shop for everything ukulele related, vellums, bridges, tuners, and tuition. The T-shirts soon disappeared and Peter Pollard’s DVDs were a sellout. Sadly Peter and Kathryn were unable to attend owing to Peter falling and breaking his shoulder. Their absence was keenly felt, no smiling face in the shop, no videoing of the meeting, no photos of performers. Many tributes were paid to the couple who do so much for the society. All the tuition classes were well supported. Stuart Lowther bravely stepped in at the last minute to demonstrate How to Change a Vellum. Andy Poppleton’s tuition contained new and old faces. The Wooden Ukulele Class is all about learning to play first and then being converted into the Formby style later as it’s easier to purchase a wooden uke than a banjo uke. Progress for the whole group depends on the amount of practice members put in and there is a place for both instruments. Such excitement as members purchasing raffle tickets were happily informed of a special offer - “£1 a strip, but if you buy two I’ll strip twice!” With all the prizes laid out, members had a lot of choices, but the alcohol still disappeared first. The auctions also provided distractions and excitement. This was the moment when we found out who’d won the blind bids and who would pay the most for a miscellany of items from Vellum skins, DVDs and a cuddly toy.

new members

The usual concerts and films filled the weekend. The seven new members attending for the first time came face to face with some very strange characters. Window Cleaners abounded whilst Mr Wu had a string of occupations and none of them permanent. Along came Auntie Maggie with her remedy, Frank on his Tank, Frigidaire Fanny, Banjo Boy and a Low Lazy Down Turk, just to name a few. If that wasn’t enough to put them off, these odd characters were doing very strange things. One was Saving up For Sally, others were Talking to the Moon or Leaning on a Lamp Post, whilst one was spotted Running Round the Fountains in Trafalgar Square. If that wasn’t enough, they came from everywhere from Out in the Middle East and had a reprieve from The Maginot Line. Along with the dubious characters, there were some ‘normal’ people on stage as well as those lamenting ‘they laughed when I started to sing’ or boasting that ‘You Can’t Fool Me, and the usual smattering of interesting quotes… • I’m going to sing one of my favourite songs (pause) I’m just trying to think what it’s called. • Hope you’re enjoying yourselves cos this is where it all goes downhill • My friend used to sing this to his wife, Not Stranger in the Night, but Strangler on the Floor. And good advice… If it helps, take your teeth out. And the dubious jokes. • The man who stole an advent calendar got 25 days! • Yesterday I received a compliment on my driving. The note on my windscreen said, Parking Fine! • I’m going to sell my Hoover, it just keeps collecting dust!

relaxed atmosphere

In spite of all this, or because of this lovely relaxed non-judgmental atmosphere members travelled clutching their ukes from the four corners of the UK. Thirty-six of them appeared on stage as individuals, in duos, trios or groups. Predictably the thrashes proved the largest group. Dale Norman whilst Swimming with the wimmin’, came a close second when he tried to beat Alan Kershaw’s record of 15 women on the stage in one go. He nearly made it but was five women short. Better luck next time. If the audience thought they were just going to spectate, sit, gossip, and play on phones then they were in for a shock. There were medleys, and sing-a-longs, clapping and tapping to be done. The new members weren’t put off. They joined in proving they were just as mad as the rest of us. Bjorn Hebden and his brother came from Sweden and enjoyed several spots on stage. Luckily, he spoke fluent English as nobody present spoke Swedish. He even translated the English songs into Swedish and treated us to Cleaning Windows in Swedish, it sounded lovely but nobody understood a word although they did recognise the tune. Bjorn deserved the thunderous applause. Two ladies, Joy Dansette and Briar Noonan came from Adderbury. Joy googled the GFS after being shortlisted for Mastermind and used George as her specialist subject. Briar learned about the society through Joy. Both enjoyed themselves. They ‘had a ball’ and both loved the weekend. Cathy Staniland’s group was perfect for them as both belonged to a wooden ukulele group. They can’t wait for the next convention.

charlie evered shines

Young and talented Charlie Evered proves that George’s magic is both ageless and timeless. Charlie, displaying confident poise and maturity was making only his second appearance on stage, and had the dubious pleasure to follow professional Andy Eastwood on stage and then Lewis Clifton had to follow Charlie! A daunting experience for them both! Fabulous performances from everyone who trod the boards and entertained us. Kyle showed off his new uke, Jon Baddeley showed off his clarinet, Francesca proved she really could play Lamppost in G. Good to see Brian Poole from Devon back again. Lovely to be taken down memory lane with music hall numbers from Ray Reynolds and hear a Formby senior number ‘Antonio’ performed by Pat and Geoff Silcock. Watch out Dale Norman, Lewis Clifton was spotted having a lesson on the drums on Sunday morning before the meeting began.

let george do it

Both films shown each evening were comedies and both helped keep the Society focused on George. For both the attendance was good. The first film Let George Do It, 1940 is one of his best comedies and Ealing’s first venture into a wartime subject. George, a ukulele player with the Dinky Doo Concert Party, is mistaken for a British intelligence agent and foils a plot by German spies. The film is an effective vehicle for wartime propaganda when in a dream sequence, George flies to Germany on a barrage balloon, descends upon a Nazi rally to punch Hitler on the nose. Contemporary reviews of the film said that ‘this scene raised the country’s morale to new heights’. George’s performance is lively, then bashful and then cheeky. The script is well written with a host of musical highlights. He sings 'Grandad's Flannelette Nightshirt' to a crowd of servicemen in a station bar. His uke solo is sung straight to camera with Ronald Neame, the cameraman, capturing George’s personality superbly. Mr Wu’s a Window Cleaner Now is another cracker of a number.

no limit

No Limit has George playing George Shuttleworth a chimney sweep's assistant from Wigan who has just one dream: to win the TT motorcycle race on the Isle of Man. He is convinced that he has the talent to win despite what his neighbours back home in Wigan may think. Unable to find sponsorship, he coerces his mother into borrowing some money from his tight-fisted grandfather and is soon on a boat heading for the Isle of Man with his beloved motorbike. During the trials, the brakes go on George's bike, 'The Shuttleworth Snap', which he made himself. As a result, he breaks the TT lap record, becoming an instant motor-cycling star. As the big race approaches, George soon realizes that other jealous riders will stop at nothing to make sure he does not take part in the race. One of the highlights is George singing Riding in the TT Races, whilst busking as a blacked-up minstrel on Douglas Beach and the utterly hilarious climactic motorbike chase The film has great nostalgia value, looking back to the musical hall tradition, of which Formby was himself a part, whilst providing an illuminating visual record of life in Britain in the 1930s. Earlier records reveal that the song ‘Isle of Man’ was included in the original screenplay but for reasons unknown was not included in the final cut of the film.

format is right

So, another convention and another year draws to a close. The format of ‘thrash’/concerts/films/auction seems to dominate each convention but it is a formula that the members want and enjoy, that is what the GFS is all about: friendship, enjoyment, and meeting our friends. See you all for another dose of Formby magic in March.