norman Faulkner
I am saddened to report the passing of long-term GFS member Norman
Faulkner. The news was revealed by Norman’s daughter, Melanie on the
GFS London branch Facebook page. The London branch is run by
Gladys Geoghegan and obviously Norman was a much valued member.
So much valued that he was made an Honorary member of the branch. I
can well image that Norman would have been delighted to receive the
honour. I remember him on many occasions when he would travel to
Blackpool along with the other loyal London members who make up such
a very important addition to every Blackpool meeting.
Norman joined the Society around 1994 and wrote to Vellum editor Stan
Evans from faraway China to say, “I travel quite regularly to and from
China, and always take my uke with me.”
He was for some years, a fairly regular letter writer to the editor with
news of the songs he would be singing or the branches he supported.
Those branches were the Surrey branch, the Essex branch and of course
the London branch plus regular visits to Blackpool.
I believe that Norman was also a keen supporter of the TT Races and
visited the Isle Of Man whenever he could to enjoy the racing.
When London branch leader Gladys Geoghegan presented Norman
with his Honorary membership, she informed the GFS with a report in
The Vellum. The words Gladys wrote are reproduced below and on
behalf of the committee and members throughout the George Formby
Society, I extend sincerest condolences to Norman’s daughter Melanie
and the rest of the family.
Peter Pollard - 07/01/2023
I first met Norman in 1995 at one of our London Branch meetings which
were then held in a pub in Islington.
Since then, Norman has been a true friend to me, and always
supported the London Branch meetings up until a few years ago when
he suffered some serious health problems and was unable to attend for
several months.
Norman fought back against the effects of his health problems, and
came back to the branch meetings again as soon as he was well
enough to do so.
Since then he has continued to attend the meetings as often as
possible, even though it’s a long drive from his home in Essex.
He has also managed a few trips to Blackpool for the conventions, and to the Isle of Man for the TT races, which are another passion of his.
In recognition of the inspiration that Norman has been to me and to members of the London Branch, and for the dedication he has shown and
for the support he has given to the branch meetings, he has been awarded Honorary Membership of the London Branch.
The presentation was made at the meeting at Tottenham on the 25 February 2017.
Gladys Geoghegan - 2017
Norman with Eric and Gladys
Norman with HELEN WEATHERS
OLD PALS TOGETHER - NORMAN & JOHN BECK
NORMAN AT A BLACKPOOL GFS CONVENTION
NORMAN SINGS AN OLD FAVOURITE - RIDING IN THE TT RACES
NORMAN WAS DELIGHTED AND OBVIOUSLY VERY PROUD TO RECEIVE HONORARY BRANCH MEMBERSHIP
WHEN PRESENTED TO HIM BY BRANCH LEADER GLADYS GEOGHEGAN IN 2017.