STOURBRIDGE BRANCH

STOURBRIDGE BRANCH - JANUARY 2014

Happy New Year

How the time has quickly passed since our 22^nd anniversary December meeting 2013 and it was a night to be remembered, and now it is January 2014. I was in Blackpool on New Years Eve staying at Arties Hotel in St. Chads Road & there was a party and buffet arranged & in between party quizzes I managed to play a few George Formby numbers. In the hall way there was a poster of George when He was at the Opera House [see photo ] My Son Andrew transported Me there along with His two colleagues who he takes to speedway meetings. On New Years day Andrew & Myself where in The Tower Ballroom to watch the dancers & listen to the Tower Wurlitzer, I enjoyed the break & that’s the second time in 52 years that New Years Eve was not spent at home the last time was at Compton Lodge Sapcote & dancing to the Compton organ installed there. I missed Glenys over the festive season it's still early days I guess.

I was delighted with the attendance at the January meeting although not so many as the December meeting. I always consider January & February to be bad months weather wise especially those who travel some distance to attend, after having said that it was nice to see Dave & Jane Partington at the meeting who travel a round trip of around 240 miles. I am always delighted to see them, there was also one of My fellow committee members from The Stourbridge & District Amateur Radio Society who was there for the first time. Very many thanks for all who attended whether in the audience or taking part, special thanks to Christine,David & Matthew Richards for the use of PA & keyboard and the backing group Dave Partington on Guitar, Bernard Francis on Washboard & not forgetting Matthew Richards on Keyboard. But special thanks to Angie & John & all the staff at The Summer House for their hospitality.

Sunday 19^th January it was the 25^th Anniversary concert of the Shropshire Theatre Organ Trust at the Buttermarket Shrewsbury the organist for the event was Nicholas Martin in the second half He featured two George Formby numbers there were about 146 who attended I do hope a level like the 19^th can be maintained it is a great venue now which is better for our 3 manual 12 rank Wurlitzer Organ next concert Sunday 16^th February at 3pm David Redfern is the organist. Nicholas Martin was also at Kingswinford British Legion on 23thd January & again He featured two George Formby Numbers A offer as been made to Dudley Council to purchase the Hippodrome and turn it back into theatre the company who as made the bid Jonathan Kendrick [Events That Rok] His Father Vic Kendrick owned the Hippodrome in the 1960s Jazz Night at the Bonded Warehouse Stourbridge at 7.30 pm on Friday 14^th February on Saturday 1^st March Andy Eastwood will be appearing with Ken Dodd in The Ken Dodd Show at Dudley Town Hall. Ending on a sad note Stan Evans who was on the committee of The George Formby Society over 20 yrs ago & He started the shop going to raise funds He passed away in Warrington Friday 31^st January the funeral takes place at Warrington Crematorium on Wednesday 12^th February at 11 am. Our Sympathy goes to Stan's Family I will always remember how good Stan & his wife Eva were to Glenys & myself when they asked us to stay the night after the Warrington branch meeting which Glenys & myself attended while on our way back from a few days in Blackpool around 1991 I had a Migraine like seemed to have most weekends even though I intended to drive home Stan insisted that both of us stopped the night I also used to write items for His mini vellum never forgotten Stan RIP. Also John [Have You Got A Light Boy] is not very well. Finally Glenys plaque has been fitted in the flower room at Gornal Crematorium. That’s All For Now Turned Out Nice Again Malcolm Palmer Your Roving Reporter I mentioned about Amateur Radio at Our last meeting well the photo I have featured was taken in 2004 Derek Pearce G6WMU & John Cattermole G8NPK & Malcolm Palmer G8BOP.