GEORGE FORMBY STOURBRIDGE BRANCH

GEORGE FORMBY STOURBRIDGE BRANCH - SEPTEMBER 2014

MALCOLM'S REPORT

The September meeting on 16th September was the last one to be held at the Summerhouse, which closed 1st October and will later be demolished and believe that the land is to be used for house building. It's been nine years since the GFS Branch moved here from the RAOB Club, Scotts Road, Stourbridge, our meetings there were short lived, three in all. Before that, after fifteen years, also in Scotts Road, The Robin Woods Community Centre - the last meeting was April 2005. It was after publicity in the local press and BBC Midlands Today that several venues were on offer and the RAOB was chosen when that suddenly closed before the August meeting of 2005. It was then back to the press publicity and Central News this time and after many venues on offer after publicity the Summerhouse was chosen. There were two meetings held at the Baggeridge Social Club where I have been a member since 1951. At least this gave us chance to try other venues. The Summerhouse has many memories and it is time now to thank all the licensees who looked after us during our nine years there. The last ones being John and Angie, I wish them all the best in finding work elsewhere. Our new Venue is The Swan, Stream Road, Kingswinford DY6 9NW. Kingswinford to Stourbridge Road is not far from Mills Motor Sales. Meals are also served at The Swan and a nice friendly welcome awaits from Vince the Licensee (see photos taken outside and in). Car park access is round the side, we are located at the front of the building in the extension - The Swan's webpage is http://www.swanpubkingswinford.co.uk/

I now must thank everyone who attended the last meeting at The Summerhouse and all the artistes and newcomers for taking part, especially Christine and David Richards for their PA equipment and their support in looking for other venues they visited before I made the decision on The Swan. Just a few hours before I visited The Swan I had a fall when climbing some steps to get to the Dudley Boat Festival. (Steps without a hand rail are not safe for me). Some friendly lady attended to me and sent for a paramedic. I must thank them through this report. I was shaken but not stirred and also thanks to Christine and David for calling on Roy and coming over to me. Others at our last meeting; Matthew on keyboard, Bernard on washboard and a newcomer on guitar. My son, Andrew, treated me on Saturday 20th September, on a coach trip to Blackpool and thus allowed me and him to visit the first day of the GFS weekend at the Imperial Hotel. Andrew has now become a GFS member. Our first Stourbridge Branch Meeting at the new venue will be a tribute to those who are no longer with us (Len Tuft, George Tummy, my wife Glenys and Johnnie Cartwright) of course the memories of George Formby of which at least one of his songs should be played by every player.

At a recent exhibition at the NEC I came in contact with someone who is keen to arrange a Ukulele Festival on the Severn Valley Railway next year - I hope you will give me some support. Dates for your diary: second Saturday of each month Western Music at Bloxwich Library in the Theatre part, and on the second Friday it is Jazz night at the Bonded Warehouse, on the third Sunday of every month. Finally first Tuesday of the month uke tuition at Penn Bowling Club, Manor Road, Penn, Wolverhampton. Progress with the Hippodrome is slow but sure, especially with different contacts who have joined The Friends of the Hippodrome. If only the council would let us have the building for five years, at no cost to rate payers, so it can be turned into a theatre once more and benefit Dudley.

On Sunday 5th October it was the meeting of The Ukulele Society of Great Britain at Digswell Village Hall, Nr Welwyn Garden City. There are two meetings a year that are always well attended and some travel a distance to get there - Leeds, Yorkshire, Oswestry, South Coast, Norwich and Dudley, there were a few from the Stourbridge Branch and my thanks to Roy Holloway for taking me there. Don't forget first Thursday of the month it is the Chester Branch Meeting at the Rugby Club.

Turned out nice again

Your Roving Reporter

Malcolm Palmer