LIKE A GOOD WINE

Over sixty years ago, the GFS was formed to perpetuate the name and music of George Formby - this is still evident today. There were many ‘Formby’ numbers performed on stage, Formby T- shirts and badges worn, Formby pens and notebooks on sale, Formby DVDs, bridges, songbooks and everything ukulele sold in the shop. There were tuition classes to teach George’s elusive ‘split stroke. Two Formby films were shown, one on each night. We have members who give talks about the life and music of George Formby and promote our society, but I wonder how many of those early members, when asked about what they were looking forward to, attending a convention would make the same comments as the members of today? Like a good wine the society has matured over the years, increased in size and stature, performed before the late Queen and now means so much more, to so many more members.

the attendance was brilliant

‘It’s ‘something to look forward’ to and to have ‘a jolly good time’. The attendance was brilliant for both the films and all the concerts. People were standing in groups chatting, sitting in groups talking, perched on the stage conversing and lurking behind the display boards discussing the articles, or bent over the display cabinet marveling at the contents, or just exchanging news and views. The display cabinet featured items from 1947 with photos of George and Beryl arriving in Australia, his souvenir programme from the Tivoli Theatre where he enjoyed a 10-week run and the drinks shaker which was presented to him by the stage crew. There was also a ukulele once owned by Eddie Latta and a song book.

Concert was well subscribed

‘Playing my new Gibson’ was a heartfelt desire. There was no danger of not playing a uke as there were so many ukes, different sizes, shapes, makes and models being strummed, shown off, played and proudly displayed throughout the weekend. The concerts were well subscribed and by Sunday night some members were being reduced to one song only. Not counting the thrash fifty performers performed on stage, which caused problems with one member declaring, ‘He’s pinched my song’ whilst another declared, ’I’ve run out of songs ’cos everyone keeps doing them!’

auction raised £500

Winning on the raffle, - was another aspiration. With just two colours of tickets to choose from and a table heaving under a plethora of prizes, like Christmas come early, there was a good chance of success, but if that wish wasn’t fulfilled there was always the chance of ‘Bagging a bargain in the auction'. - There were ukuleles, an auto harp, CDs, DVDs, a whole miscellany of odds and sods and a whole lot of money changed hands. The auction raised over £500 for society funds. If that still wasn’t enough there was always time to “Visit the uke sales.” The uke sales certainly had a lot of interest with many ukes covering the tables and sparking interesting conversations and exchanges of opinions.

finances much healthier

Oddly only two members claimed that they were looking forward to The AGM (really!) This was held on the Sunday morning - an early start for many and very wet so the member quoting it’s ’turned out nice again’ wasn’t referring to the weather but rather the smooth running of the event which was completed in the blink of an eye. Jonathan Baddeley was the only new member coming onto the committee. The usual agenda of minutes, and reports, proposer and seconder for approval were soon done. The financial report was the shortest ever lasting just five minutes. Our finances are now looking much healthier than previously and were further boosted by £1100.00 cheque Mike Rotherham presented on stage to Andy Poppleton during the convention. Sadly this money was due to the closure of the Sale Branch which had been run by Alan Newton for many years and latterly by Mike Rotherham. An exciting year was reported by Andy Poppleton with convention attendance increasing. Our appearances at Llandudno and Prestatyn and other outside events were very well received. He stated the importance of the branch meetings in attracting new members. He made the point that the conventions are run by volunteers with the desire to put something back into the society for everyone’s enjoyment. Unsurprisingly nobody offered help in setting out the room, volunteering for specific jobs or tidying everything away afterwards but that’s life! It makes one think, no Matt and we’ve no keyboard player, no keyboard player and no band: No Kevin and Cathy on the sound desk and we can’t hear the performers, no concert organizers and instant chaos, no shop and no retail opportunity…..

remembering old friends

If the convention was the time for nostalgia, it was also a time to remember old friends who are sadly no longer with us. So many names were read out, followed by a minute’s silence, Those members will live on in the annals of the society’s history, captured on Peter Pollard’s DVDs for immortality. So many memories were shared. Johnny Key was wearing one of Glady’s iconic waistcoats, Mary Gibson was sporting a panda tattoo in remembrance of Kitty and Alex Barratt. Members dedicated songs so unreal to realize that we shall never see ‘their ilk again’. Strange to think they will never walk round the room again or appear on stage. What a void they’ve left for us to fill. Time for congratulations and celebrations. This meeting was the 90th anniversary of No Limit, although this film wasn’t shown. A couple in the audience were celebrating their thirtieth wedding anniversary, but 60 years ago, on the 25th September 1964, a Mr Edwin Uttley celebrated his 23rd birthday the day before he and Dale got married. So now the day after his 83rd birthday Dale & Edwin celebrate their Diamond Wedding Anniversary! Beat that!

many members in the thrash

Many comments referred to “the thrash,” with nobody mentioning the mad dash to the front or for prime spots on stage but rather the feel- good factor of being together. Lovely to see everybody on stage, playing together whether they are ‘good or not’. It doesn’t matter. Over fifty different people in different combinations performed although more members get up for the thrash than actually perform solo on stage. It’s the performers, on stage’. We certainly had all that, all ages, shapes and sizes, the good, the bad and the …! ‘Great to see the different mixes of young and old playing together, watching each other and checking each other to stay in time, like grandparents with grandchildren.’ There were groups, duets and single spots on stage throughout the meeting. There were returning members, new members up for the first time members as well as the seasoned old timers. Jamie Routledge all the way from Essex, back for his second meeting, bags of personality, performing the numbers he ‘wasn’t allowed to do at school’ ducked the question of whether he’d done his homework. Charlie Evered, quietly confident, was adamant that he’d completed his before apologizing for pinching Peter Pollard’s song, Summer Valentine, performed her first George Formby song and dedicated it to her dogs. First time on stage for John Richards, Peter Denmark. Great to see Andy Eastwood. For Peter Denmark it was a ‘fabulous weekend, his most enjoyable meeting in 22 years - actually, his only meeting in 22 years.’ He professed to being nervous about performing but with the help of Johnny Key and fiancé, Helen Weathers or ‘the three double Southern Comforts and two bottles of Strawberry and lime Koppaberg’ he made it! The highlight of his weekend was performing a duet with Helen. Next time it will be much easier, it’s just breaking the ice that first time. This is where Daz Barry’s stage craft class is so beneficial for the nervous and not so confident. He is patient and understanding and delivers some sound advice and tips in a non- threatening way.

tuition groups perform on stage

‘It’s the variety on stage’ Top of the bill, new to the stage, the top spots were taken by two groups appearing on Sunday. The first was the wooden ukulele group under the tuition of Cathy Stanniland. They performed ‘Don’t worry, be Happy’ under the name of ‘The High Spots’ and they were brilliant. Such a lovely idea to bring this group onto the stage with their own identity making them a part of the society. A fabulous performance, especially as they’d not performed in front of an audience previously and one lady had only been playing for a matter of weeks. It just proves that it doesn’t matter if you can’t do the split stroke. And…they’ll be back and are working on a medley for next March. The second group accompanied by Jim Makin were The Barnhowlers from Springhead, Saddleworth Ukulele Club, who’d never been on stage before. Two members, Steve and Brenda even had light up ukuleles, just like the illuminations. They performed their favourite song ‘Little Stick Of Blackpool Rock’ and hopefully they will also return.

ray reynolds - king of the swingers

No meeting is complete without the King of the Swingers. Ray Reynolds delighted everyone with his furry friend, taking us back or introducing the younger members to the bygone days of music hall and ‘top of the bill’ acts which would be familiar to George and the other performers of his time. Brilliant Ray. So, we did have a jolly good time. In the words of one member ‘it was the best meeting.’ The most appropriate summation of the convention is it’s “Friendliness! You can ask anybody any question at any time and get help and advice. There are no sides, no egos needing stroking and no hierarchy. Everyone is made welcome.’ (Daz Barry)