HEALTHY TURN-OUT

The June convention continued the progress that we have seen throughout the latter part of 2023 into 2024. Another healthy crowd attended on Saturday and again, an excellent turn out on Sunday has proved that the George Formby Society is once again on the up.

CHARLIE EVERED

Back in the Washington Suite for this weekend, it was noticeable that amongst the members and day members we were delighted to see far more young people than we would normally expect. One young man who joined in September last year continues to make great progress, I refer to Charlie Evered. He and his parents, Jeremy and Karen were with us again and it is so nice to note that Charlie’s playing skills are really gathering pace. His repertoire is also growing with such interesting choices such as Pasadena, the Temperance Seven hit from 1961, a GFS concert favourite that Dickie Speake would feature in the 1990’s with all the skill and style that Dickie was renowned for. Charlie did an excellent version of this hit which was composed in 1923.

JAMIE ROUTLEDGE

Another young man who surprised everyone with his first ever performance and at his first convention was Jamie Routledge who came on stage and played like he had been coming to conventions for years – which takes some doing as this young man does not celebrate his fourteenth birthday until next December. With Charlie Evered and Jamie Routledge we have a young, dynamic spearhead to take The George Formby Society into an exciting new era.

SUMMER VALENTINE

Another new member was lovely Summer Valentine. Summer concentrates on the ukulele but it is easy to see that she has been bitten by the “Formby bug” and has already purchased Songbook No1 from the GFS Shop. Summer attends the GFS South Yorkshire branch.

BÖRN HEDEN

Also in attendance all weekend was Björn Heden who also joined our Society only recently and travelled for the second time all the way from Sweden. Björn comes from a long line of illustrious Swedish members and is a welcome addition to our overseas ranks.

LIONEL’S BUS

At the other end of the scale, 94-year-old Lionel Owen usually attends our meetings by travelling by rail, this time however, he did it in style when he encouraged his Yorkshire Ukulele Circle pals to travel with him. Lionel then commissioned a luxury coach to take them all to Blackpool for the day. Sadly Lionel does not get on stage these days but his membership of the GFS goes right back to the early 1960s and his appearances on the Blackpool stage were always up there with the best.

GFS SHOP

The GFS Shop run by Kathryn Pollard with solid backup from Nicki Sinclair-Smith did excellent sales and had their best weekend with the new credit card facility which is really proving itself with very healthy sales.

THE SOUND DESK

Kevin Staniland was in his usual seat at the sound desk and again, did all he could to ensure that all the performers and certainly all the audience had the best possible concert experience. My hearing is so bad that it would be quite impossible for me to play on stage without Kevin’s assistance and for that, I am eternally grateful. June is usually a quiet event with many people away on holiday but this time it surprised everyone.

EXPANDING MEMBERSHIP

The news of the GFS's expanding membership and thriving Blackpool conventions brings much satisfaction. The addition of fresh members can only enhance its future success. Peter Pollard - June 2024