STOURBRIDGE BRANCH - AUGUST 2013

 

It was a big decision I had too make to attend the August meeting because I was still in a state of shock after loosing Glenys after 52 yrs of marriage &  also being only a week after the funeral at Gornal crematorium of which once again I thank You all for attending & representatives from all My other interests that Glenys and Myself were involved with, but I know She would have wished for Me to continue with all My interests so slowly I am getting back into them, it will take time, but I have health problems Myself since she passed away which I think have been caused by stress. I am suffering with aches & pains which after visits to the doctor & to the Hospital for tests I have Polymyalgia Rheumatica which is curable with tablets so I hope soon to get back to My normal self.   I was grateful for David & Christine Richards for the transport for taking Me to the meeting because I was in pain as many may have noticed but the tablets have started working now & some of it as gone [& never to return I hope so I can get mobile again] .     What a really great evening it was & so many there. I have a good many friends in the George Formby Society & I appreciate that, also in My other interests,  very much indeed so I have to keep going.  I was going to run a list of all who where at the meeting but it would take up too much space but here are a few who travelled a distance  like Andrew Little & Karen from Stoke On Trent & Maccersfield, Dave & Jane Partington  from Lytham St Annes,  Dave Jenkins from Leamington Spa, Teresa & Michael Adcock from Little Hereford which with everybody else who were there made a great evening. I was glad I was there after all, although times are sad for Me & will be for some time.  

 

Now there is the extra meeting in September on Thursday 12^th   September at 8pm to entertain members of The Gothenberg  [Sweden] Ukulele Society & then on Tuesday 17^th it will be our usual monthly meeting so two things to look forward to many thanks to Angie & John the new owners of The Summer House.

 

My thanks now for Our backing group Matthew Richards [Keyboard ] Dave Partington [Guitar] & Bernard Francis [washboard] and most of all thanking everyone who attended & not forgetting David & Christine Richards for getting Me there & also for the use of the PA equipment & our helpers Cameron Aitken on Mics & Michael Adcock arranging the Artistes which all helped the evening to flow smoothly. Zack & His Grandad Robert where seen in another showing of 'Priceless'  the Thursday & Friday after the meeting - How many saw the repeat ?   I have included photos taken at The Shropshire Steam Rally at Onslow Park near Shrewsbury on August Bank Holiday Sunday & thanks to My Son Andrew for taking me there as with  My health problems since Glenys passed away I have not been driving. The Shropshire Theatre Organ Trust had a stand there to raise money to pay for the costs of updates to wiring for The Trusts Wurlitzer Organ in The Buttermarket  Shrewsbury where I hope to see some of You for the first concert after three years which is I know is an awkward time because of the Blackpool weekend. It's Sunday 22^nd September starting at 2pm, there are four organists  Matthew Basson, David Lobam, Cameron Lloyd & Damien Willetts who have kindly agreed to play for free to assist with the large amount of money that was spent for the up dates as mentioned early in this report, this will be the start of  monthly Organ Concerts returning to the re-furbished Buttermarket & with top line Organists after three years when the venue was closed due to administration, so if You missed the 22^nd there will be more to follow so watch this space. I am delighted to say that everything is moving in the right direction for Dudley Hippodrome with business people getting involved  [to think it is two years this September at a Dudley Memorabilia Exhibition at The Station Hotel that I started collecting signatures ] I never realized it would get far [or did I ?  I never give up].  Finally Neither of Us must forget Our very dear colleague & entertainer George Tummy [The Bubble Man with His two songs about Bubbles] from Kidderminster who passed away in July [He will always be remembered] with all My problems I was unable to attend His Funeral but some from the Stourbridge Branch where able to.    Well That’s All For Now.  This is one occasion when I not using George's catch phase because of this sad time .    

 

See You All at The Next two September Meetings   Your Roving Reporter   Malcolm Palmer