·-Newsletter 72 June 2001
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THE NORTH - WEST GE()JlGE FORMBY Vol. 5 No.12 ·-Newsletter 72 June 2001 **********************" . ..... "·>'! .. * ' * * * * * * * * * * * * * Seventy Two * Months Old And Still Alive and Active. Specially Produced for George Formby Fans by Stan Evans, The Hollies, 19 Hall Nook, Penketh, Warrington, Cheshire W A5 2HN Tel or Fax 01925 727102 -1.- Welcome to Newsletter No.72 and Low and Behold we are 6 years old with this issue. It's hard to believe that we have been pro ducing our little Newsletter for so long with out a hitch. Never once have we been stuck for something to fill the pages with. The North-West Newsletter was the inspiration of the late Walter Cronshaw who, way back in 1995, ;,. hounded me every week at the meetings to launch the ~ki'h r Newsletter. At first I refused, thinking it would '"~\li' have an effect on the GFS Vellum, but Walter was adamant and wouldn't take no for an answer. Every meeting I ducked and dived from him because I knew that he would be asking the same question; "When are you going to launch a N.W. Newsletter?" Walter Cronshaw-he could sell sand to the Arabs!!! TRAPPED!!! - At a Sale meeting I walked on to the fire escape balcony to get some fresh air-and to keep off Walter's war path-and who should be on the balcony but Walter with John Broadhead, and I was trapped between them. So that I couldn't escape Walter immediately shut the door behind me and I was well and truly hooked!!! The first thing I noticed was that Walter didn't have the usual sparkle in his eyes. In fact he looked quite ill and desperate. It was then that he explained that he had been given just a short time to live and-here it comes, "What about launching aN. West Newsletter?" You've got to admire the man. He was a good salesman even during illness. How can anyone refuse such a gutsy man? Within a couple of weeks the very first Newsletter was on it's way and, since then, it has never failed to make its monthly appearance. My thanks goes to Walter for his determination and to all who constantly send in articles to keep the pages filled. Some of the members save their copies to have them bound every two years. They make interesting reading in later years. Fortunately the Newsletter, which is a book full of nitty gritty readers tales and jokes etc. has had no effect whatsoever on the GFS Vellum which produces excellent George Formby photos. ******************************************************************** Wigan-May Dayze-Town Centre-It's all set up for Saturday May 26th-lpm to 2pm at the comer of Hallgate and Market Street. Look your smartest and let's do George proud in his birth town. Let's show Wigan what they've missed. Page 19. -3- 0ne Of Britain's Best Tonics Newspaper Cutting- The packed houses at the Alhambra last Monday reminded me of an occasion at the Bradford Empire many years ago. I was seeking copy for my first article as "Mr Dangle" and George Formby, father of the present George, was topping the bill there. There was a house filled to capacity, but when I called upon George he could not talk to me, ''Nay, lad," he said, "I can't talk tonight; I really ought not to be going on, but when I saw a full house I couldn't disappoint my public." And so it was proved, for I found a doctor in attendance, and also a block of ice in the dressing room ready for an emer gency. It was generally admitted George Formby had never been seen better, for he did not let the public see how near he was to collapse. George Formby Senior I saw him a week later, and we became good friends. Know- ing what I did of what was going on behind the scenes made George a hero in my eyes from that Monday night. George junior is just as conscientious, and always anxious to give full measure to the public. He is the highest paid of British stage and film stars, but is not in the least swelled headed, nor has he much room for people who become so. George and Beryl are busier than ever. Last week, when they were appearing at Liver pool, they slipped up to Glasgow for a Charity Concert on Sunday-part of the pro ceeds of which were for George's fund-The Formby Fund in Aid of Widows and Children of those who have lost their lives in trawlers while mine sweeping. LIVERPOOL-It was George's intention to stay out of pantomime this season, but there will be a shortage of comedians, so he is going into one ofTom Arnold's shows. Tom left the choice to George, and he has selected Liverpool because he says the man ner in which the people of the city have stood up to recent events makes him want to be among and joke with them. LEEDS--30 men in the Ministry Of Pensions Hospital, Leeds, have formed a O.K. Club to help to raise money to buy such things as cigarettes for the wounded. And who id their President? None other than the great stage and film star, George Formby and one of his first engagements was to tour the wards at the Chapel town, Leeds hos pital. George sang his favourite songs and then went to shake hands with each of the wounded, and to thank them on behalf of the Army that is still fighting. "What's it to be" said George, and as quick as thought came back, "Cleaning Windows." - "No problem" said the star, "Here it is." I GO CLEANING WINDOWS TO EARN ... -4- Hip Hip Hooray! Our Newsletter is Seventy-two Today! Stan Evans has completed Volume Number Six of our excellent newsletter, which was the brainchild of Alice Cranshaw's late husband Walt. Six years of hard dedicated work and seventy-two interesting magazines without a break. The North West Newsletter which covers the activities of the North West Branches of the GFS helps to keep the pot boiling between issues of Vellum is read by hundreds of people around the country. Stan's effort has been a great help in maintaining member's interest and the sales commission has generated a large amount of money for branch funds. A special thanks to Stan for all his time and effort, freely given in the furtherance of the mem ory of George Formby. Thanks Brian. "Springtime's Here Again" at Crewe. Alan Newton appropriately opened Crewe's April concert singing "Springtime 's Here Again ". Alan brings this pleasant number out once a year and sings it in such a way that we really be· I lieve him, even though it happens to be pouring down with rain outside. Unfortunately Jean, Alison and Frankie missed our meeting for the first time due to illness, but I I have it on good authority that Alison is cooking up something new for us so that is something tc look forward too. I was pleased to be able to welcome Rose and Peter Hopley who were a1 I their first concert and I hope that they enjoyed the evening. Poor Vera Jones was in the war~ on the night and was unable to get up on stage as she had just had an argument with a concretf curb stone which was, it seems, harder than her head. She consequently landed in hospital to ge1 stitched up but I can tell you that she is on the mend and l have no doubts at all that she will bf back on stage entertaining us at the May concert. Walter Kirkland did an excellent job of his song after discarding his sheet music. What a differ· ence it has made to his performance. I also thought that Don Chalkley got his words over loud and clear and it was one of his best performances to date too. Walter, Colin, Alan Chenel) and Dennis Lee performed a quartet medley on the bones. What a happy scene it was, they al l had so much fun which was highly entertaining for the audience. Denis and Alan Newton per· formed "Wh o wants to be a Millionaire," a striking performance. I have to say that in thei1 classy red and white striped waistcoats they looked as if they actually were millionaires! It w~ good to see Steve back on the drums after a break of a few months. Glenys brought along he1 flu gel hom and gave an excellent performance of "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You ". De ~ Redfern tried out his new composition entitled "Nashville George" and followed up with thf untypical Formby number "Swing Mama. " Carl Basford was our Master of Ceremonies on the night and Cliff Royle who did a splendid jot arranging the concert ably aided him. Few members of our audience can imagine what a diffi· cult job the assistant MC has. He or she has to plan the concert, inform the M.C. the order ofthf performers, and tell each artiste where he is positioned in the show. Quite a big job. This is of· ten unnecessarily complicated hampered when artistes do not bother to put their names on thf concert sheet. So please, please take the trouble to write your name on the sheet indicating thf numbers you wish to perform and that will be your contribution to the smooth running of thf concert.