STOURBRIDGE GFS BRANCH - AUGUST 2014

Malcolm's Report

What a great meeting when 95% of the numbers performed were George Formby songs, after all it is the GFS Branch Meeting and not an open mic for other non Formby songs, because I have received complaints from some who attend that several of the numbers are not George Formby's - so at least please include at least ONE George Formby number in your act. Now I will get down off my soap box and say what a wonderful night it was. Several had travelled a great distance to attend like our very dear friend Paul Culkin from Yorkshire, and Jane & Dave Partington from Lytham St Annes, Pam & Dave Jenkins from Leamington Spa, Andrew Little & Karen Jones from Stoke on Trent and Macclesfield. A new comer from The Hurst Hill area of Sedgley (Joe Thomas) it was his first visit to our Branch and it will not be his last. With so many things going on in August it was a busy month for me, like being on the stand of the Shropshire Theatre Organ Trust in the Craft Marquee at the Shropshire Steam Rally at Onslow Park where I was raising money for our 3 Manual 12 Rank Wurlitzer Organ in the Butter Market Shrewsbury (see photo). I was in conversation with someone at the Rally who mentioned about a ukulele group who meet every Tuesday at the Bricklayers Arms near Shrewsbury, Copthorne Road (01743 366032). A week later on Sunday 31st August I was at the Telford Amateur Radio Rally where I came into contact with fellow radio amateur from the Telford Radio Club who is also a George Formby enthusiast and Mike Finch learning to play the ukulele with tuition from the Penn Bowling Club who meet on the first Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm, Manor Road, Penn, Wolverhampton, WV4 5PY. I have just started to learn line dancing at sessions held on Tuesday mornings at Lanesfield Methodist Church 11.00am - 12.00 noon. I must now thank everyone for attending the August meeting and Dave & Christine Richards for the PA equipment and Matthew Richards on Keyboard, Dave Partington on Guitar and Geoff Salminen on Washboard (standing in for Bernard who was not too well). Also very many thanks to Angie & John and all the Staff at the Summer House. Who knows how long it will continue, as the pub is up for sale - may be for building. In case it should happen I have already started along with others from the Branch looking for other premises. Saturday/Sunday 20th/21st September is the Blackpool George Formby Society Meeting, Sunday 21st September Organ Concert on the Mighty Wurlitzer at 3.00pm at the Butter Market Shrewsbury and 21st September when I will be another year older!

Turned Out Nice Again - Your Roving Report, Malcolm Palmer

  

 

PERFORMERS

 

Malcolm Palmer                                                                           Sam Griffiths

"Pleasure Cruise"                                                                          "Lancashire Toreador"

 

 

John Griffiths                                                                                Geoff Salminen

"Madam Moscovitch"                                                                   "It Might Have Been a Great Deal Worse"

 

 

Cameron Aitken                                                                           Jane Partington

"I Blew a Littloe Blast on My Whistle"                                          "Some Enchanted Evening"

"Leaning on a Lamp-post"                                                            "No Regret"

                                                                                                    "We'll Gather Lilacs"

 

 

Blake May                                                                                  Geoff Spence, Dave Jenkins & Pam Jenkins

"Jobs for the Boys"                                                                      War Time Medley

"Ballad of Boris the Menace"

 

 

Paul Culkin                                                                                  Gabriela La Foley

"Grandad's on Viagra Now"                                                         Medley

"Static in Skeggie"

"Give me a Chance to be 20 Again"

"In My Little Fiat 126"

 

 

Joe Thomas                                                                                 Matthew Richards

"Grandad's Flannelette Nightshirt"                                                 "Talking to the Moon About You"

"Daring Young Man"                                                                     "Swing it George Medley"

"Auntie Maggie's Remedy"

 

 

Roy Holloway                                                                               Alan Evans

"Hitting the High Spots Now"                                                         "Sitting on the Top of Blackpool Tower"

"Little Stick of Blackpool Rock"                                                     "Baby"

 

 

Ryan Willetts                                                                                Steve Willetts

"Mr Wu's a Window Cleaner Now"                                             "Mr Wu is Now an Air Raid Warden"

"Bell Bottom George"                                                                   "Our Sergeant Major"

 

Michael Adcock

"St Louis Blues"

"Twelfth Street Rag"

 

THRASH

 

 

 

 

THE BAND

Geoff Salminen (Washboard), Matt Richards (Keyboard), Dave Partington (Bass)

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER PHOTOS OF THE EVENING