a visit with a pat taylor
We visited an old friend recently, Pat Taylor, who many older members will remember with affection alongside her much-missed late husband, the President of the GFS for fourteen years, Dennis Taylor. Kathryn, myself and Christine Kershaw made the journey to Maltby in South Yorkshire where we were warmly welcomed by Pat. Visiting Pat’s home itself brought back memories of the many times when we held Vellum packing sessions in the Taylor household. Those involved usually included Kathryn, myself plus Dennis Mitchell who made the journey from Halifax and Pete, Jenny and Adam Smith from Derbyshire. When the Vellum packing was complete, the barbecue would be lit and more GFS pals would join us. Then a grand concert would commence in the double garage at the side of the house and this would continue for the rest of the day. These were the days when the conventions were held in the Blackpool Winter Gardens in what many would agree were the greatest days of the George Formby Society when Dennis and his team took the GFS to new heights. Those days are a distant memory but I am delighted to state that when Pat opened the door to the three of us last week, she greeted us with such enthusiasm. Pat is fit and well (apart from some mobility issues) and was looking forward to our visit. We spent a nice afternoon reminiscing over good times (and a few sad ones). I have included a few photographs, mostly from Dennis and Pat’s home but also some from the Pollard household which also opened its doors to the Vellum packers on more than one occasion.

A Garage?

You might ask, “who would want to

spend all afternoon in a garage?” but

that never came in to it.

The garage used the GFS convention

backdrop behind the ‘stage’ which

Dennis had stored between conventions

and any spaces that did not have chairs,

tables and people in them were screened

off.

It was a great way to release your most

recently learned song on your pals and

the fellowship, food and drink and

entertainment were second to none.

PETER, KATHRYN, PAT AND CHRISTINE
DENNIS TAYLOR - THE BARBECUE KING!
We visited an old friend recently, Pat Taylor, who many older members will remember with affection alongside her much-missed late husband, the President of the GFS for fourteen years, Dennis Taylor. Kathryn, myself and Christine Kershaw made the journey to Maltby in South Yorkshire where we were warmly welcomed by Pat. Visiting Pat’s home itself brought back memories of the many times when we held Vellum packing sessions in the Taylor household. Those involved usually included Kathryn, myself plus Dennis Mitchell who made the journey from Halifax and Pete, Jenny and Adam Smith from Derbyshire. When the Vellum packing was complete, the barbecue would be lit and more GFS pals would join us. Then a grand concert would commence in the double garage at the side of the house and this would continue for the rest of the day. These were the days when the conventions were held in the Blackpool Winter Gardens in what many would agree were the greatest days of the George Formby Society when Dennis and his team took the GFS to new heights. Those days are a distant memory but I am delighted to state that when Pat opened the door to the three of us last week, she greeted us with such enthusiasm. Pat is fit and well (apart from some mobility issues) and was looking forward to our visit. We spent a nice afternoon reminiscing over good times (and a few sad ones). I have included a few photographs, mostly from Dennis and Pat’s home but also some from the Pollard household which also opened its doors to the Vellum packers on more than one occasion.

A Garage?

You might ask, “who would want to spend all

afternoon in a garage?” but that never came in

to it.

The garage used the GFS convention backdrop

behind the ‘stage’ which Dennis had stored

between conventions and any spaces that did

not have chairs, tables and people in them were

screened off.

It was a great way to release your most recently

learned song on your pals and the fellowship,

food and drink and entertainment were second

to none.

PETER, KATHRYN, PAT AND CHRISTINE
DENNIS TAYLOR - THE BARBECUE KING!
a visit with pat taylor
PP - 01 August 2024