STOURBRIDGE BRANCH - MAY 2014

MALCOLM'S REPORT

Well, the May meeting was most certainly one which I will remember for some time having a visit for the very first time from Paul Culkin, who is well known in both the GFS and the Ukulele Society of Great Britain for writing his own numbers which are well scripted. It went very well with our own Blake who does the same thing but Blake sets his songs to George's music. This created a most entertaining evening along with the other artists who had also travelled some distance. Paul had come from Yorkshire, Jane and Dave Partington from Lythm St Annes, Dave Jenks from Leamington Spa, Alan and Eunice Evans from Astwood Bank Redditch, and all the others who where local. Everyone gave excellent performances, such is the high standard of the Stourbridge Branch, and even the up and coming youngsters get better each month and make an impact at the main meetings at Blackpool which are also entertaining weekends four times a year. Another event to look forward to is the 1940s on SVR at the end of June and also the first weekend in July, There is a new Branch meeting in Chester being started by Cathy Darlington. Give Cathy support - it is not easy starting something new. While drafting this report, I am on route to the NEC and noticing progress of the second phase of New Street Station, the London bound trains passes through Stechford where George Formby's brother Frank lived, until he passed away in February 1983 and buried in Handsworth cemetery. Back to the start of May (may the forth be with you) Andrew was in Llandudno with me for the Victorian Extravaganza weekend. It was some event with traction engine, marching bands and an electronic Wurlitzer played by Kevin Grunhill, who was on the same bill as me at Woodhall Spa, Kinema in the Woods. What should have been the highlight was meeting the North Wales GFS who have been there in the past but never materialized (they were not there) but one person who was there was John Taylor, his wife and daughters, so Andrew and myself had some time with them before driving home after a late dinner. I have got amateur radio connections - the Malcolm and Marjorie Pugh who had the radio and TV in Gornal Wood.  Marjorie is related to Roy Westwood from Worcester (a fellow GFS member). I was invited for an interview on the Bridge radio on Friday in connection with a fun day they are staging on 21st June. I had an hour air time on the Mark Williams show (see photo). There was also a mention again of me having a monthly spot on the same show featuring events I am connected with, which are many. My next outing was to Blackpool and the second weekend meeting of the GFS and a thoroughly enjoyable weekend it was. I made several new contacts and and saw old friends (see photos). Martin, Hillary, Terry and Carol whose friendship means a lot to me, also the Stourbridge Branch was well represented. A memorable weekend, Andy Eastwood was also there for the full weekend. For the future events: Old Time Music Hall at Little Hereford Village Hall on Saturday 28th June (which is the same weekend as the 1940s on SVR the second weekend of the 1940s will be the first weekend in July. Carolyn Stewart and her husband will be attending. He works as a firehand at North Yorkshire Moors Heritage Railway. Roy Holloway and myself are keen Jazz fans and attend monthly Jazz concerts at the Bonded Warehouse, Stourbridge. At our last visit I came into contact for the second time with Linda Angelis who is a versatile Jazz singer and ukulele player. She teaches the ukulele from her home in Telford. She also plays the trumpet (see website and Youtube) she was a member of the GFS when she was known as Linda Myers and after talking to some of the older members over the GFS weekend she is well known. Looking ahead to 12th July Leamington Spa Uke Festival at the Newbold Comyn Arms, same as last year (see poster).  Finally very many thanks to all who attended the May meeting and everyone who entertained, and not forgetting Paul Culkin from Yorkshire - hope you will visit us again. Thanks to David and Christine Richards (who is now my secretary) for use of their PA equipment, Matthew on keyboard, Dave Partington on bass guitar and Bernard Francis on washboard, also Gabriela for planning the running order, and last but not least John and Angie at the Summer House for their hospitality. Until next month - Turned Out Nice Again, Roving Reporter, Malcolm Palmer

PS - I have now started attending the Monday Club for over 50s at the Wesleyan Chapel School Room in Himley Road, Gornal Wood, where there are people like myself who have lost their loved ones. Each Monday there is something different going on. I can see a strong potential to do some good there so I will be asking some of you if you can assist in either talks or entertainment (2.00pm - 4.00pm). Soon it will be the Anniversary of Glenys' death on 2nd July 2013. I will be reliving the sad moments leading up to that as I do each day. There are others in the GFS who are going through the same experience over the past 12 months, like my friend Carol, Alan Chenery, family of Stan Evans, fellow radio amateur and GFS member Derek Pearce lost his wife and others John Beck's family - we at Stourbridge share there grief.

                                             

 

PERFORMERS

  

Gabriela La Foley                                          Malcolm Palmer

Medley                                                         "Who Do You Think You Are Kidding Mr Hitler"

"A Mouse Lives in a Windmill"                      "Daring Young Man

 

  

Thomas & Phil Leong                                     Roy Holloway

"Down on Jollity Farm"                                   "Little Stick of Blackpool Rock"

"2,000 Man"                                                  "Mr Wu's a Window Cleaner Now"

 

  

Alan Evans                                                     Paul Culkin

"I Blew a Little Blast on My Whistle"              "Sitting in My Static in Skeggie"

"Smile all the Time"                                        "Gay Wedding"

                                                                     "Grandad's on Viagra Now"

 

  

Sam Griffiths                                                   John Griffiths

"Rent a Ghost"                                                "The Nature of Monkey Magic"

"Auntie Maggies Remedy"                               "It Serves You Right"

 

  

Cameron Aitken                                              Dave Jenkins

"Swimmin with the Wimmin"                            "Jungle Book"

"Auntie Maggies Remedy"                               "I'm The Urban Spaceman"

                                                                      "Bring Me Sunshine"

 

  

Blake May                                                       Kevin Bridgwater

"Back Inside Again"                                          "Happy Go Lucky Me"

"Dodgy Little Lamb Kebab"

 

   

Matthew Richards                                             Edith

"In the Congo"                                                  "One Day at a Time"

Medley

 

Johnnie Cartwright                                                                     Johnnie Cartwright & Gabriela La Foley

"Far Away Places"                                                                     "Cotton Fields"

 

Garry Lynall, Zack Evans & Rob Evans                                    Garry Lynall & Rob Evans

"Rio De Janeiro"                                                                       "You'll Never Walk Alone"

 

        

Jane Partington                                                   Michael Adcock

Gracie Fields' Medley                                         "Moon Blue"

                                                                          "Bye Bye Blues"

 

          

Zack Evans

Hawaiian Medley

Lonnie Donegan"

 

THE BAND

Matthew Richards (Keyboard), Dave Partington (Bass), Bernard Francis (Washboard)

 

 

OTHER PHOTOS OF THE EVENING