REWARDS WERE MANY

It is always nice to attend a Blackpool convention, they only happen four times a year but when they do, people say that they have never experienced anything like it. On a similar note, attending a branch meeting that I have not been to before also brings many rewards. I experienced this when, with GFS vice-president Andy Poppleton and fellow GFS member Tom Stratford, we made a 240-mile round trip to visit the Stourbridge branch. For Tom and Andy, it was their second visit but for me, it was a new experiencing. Whilst the journey was a long one and in very heavy traffic for much of the way, the rewards once we stepped inside the Pesnett Social Welfare Centre, were many. The greetings that we received from so many of the Stourbridge members was overwhelming. Everyone welcomed us with such enthusiasm and all went out of their way to make us feel welcomed.

HONOURED TO BE THERE

The club is quite large and my first thought was that it might like atmosphere but I was soon reassured that this is not the case. The branch is healthy, so many players! They only had time to perform one song each although Andrew and I were asked to perform two and then one later in the evening as a duo. We felt very honoured and humbled to be with these Formby-friendly people. The players performed all manner of songs including, of course, a good selection of George Formby material and it was such a good night of entertainment that sooner than expected, we were enjoying a magnificent buffet that was very welcome after our journey from Yorkshire.

CHRISTINE IS THE BOSS

Christine Richards runs the meeting and is a first-class compere. The stage is approached through a door at the side and then through a small area which is probably used as a dressing room, not unlike the new venue that we all enjoy in Castleford. My opportunity to play arrived sooner than I had expected and I was next to play after Andy Poppleton had done his bit. Chris Richards gave me a nice welcome and on entering the stage area I was greeted by the welcoming sight of the GFS Musical Director, Matt Richards whose friendly face and professionalism will always boost anyone's confidence.

STOURBRIDGE HISTORY

Stourbridge features very well in early editions of our magazine, The Vellum. One time GFS President Monty Montgomery hailed from Stourbridge and of course, my old friend Kevin Bridgewater also lives there. From 1989, Stourbridge was holding a yearly national meeting of the GFS and the Winter 1992 edition, President Dennis Taylor was saying how important branch meetings could be and listed Blackpool, Warrington, Sale, London and Stourbridge and welcomed a new branch just starting in Leeds. The early 1990s was a golden period in GFS history with membership increasing very quickly because of the wonderful Warrington exhibition which was held over three months in 1991.

MALCOLM PALMER

Malcolm Palmer was a guiding light in those early days (alas he could not be with us on this occasion which was a disappointment for all of us but could not be helped. Malcolm did so much to help the branch when it was officially founded in 1991 and his contributions in The Vellum as "Roving Reporter" are many. One man who was present last night (19 February 2020) was Tom Cutler who alongside his dad, attended his first Stourbridge meeting in 1993. Enough of history, suffice to say that Stourbridge has always been a strong branch and continues to maintain that strength.

JEWEL IN THE CROWN

The jewel in the crown is, of course, the brilliant Matt Richards. What a joy to stand next to Matt and play my two songs on Wednesday evening. Even my pathetic hearing could not disrupt my performance, safe in the knowledge that Matt was there to support and back me up. No matter what my limited talent could do to the two songs, Matt was there, accommodating all the ups and downs that come from a person's live performance. His confidence and professionalism are transmitted to those sharing his stage and to those in the audience and the evening is all the better for it.

FANTASTIC JOB

The journey both there and back home was a long one but all three of us enjoyed it so much and were so impressed with all the Stourbridge members. It is easy to see why the branch is still healthy after 28 years. Past efforts by Malcolm Palmer amongst others and the continued support of the present-day members are doing a fantastic job of keeping George Formby’s name alive in the West Midlands.