February Concert 2026

A great concert, with a splendid audience, a player improvement award, and two birthday boys.

A happy audience, 56 strong!
Alan praising the George Formby Society
Kyle, a Daring Young Man
Gabriella – Today is a Good Day
Laurine and Graham in Potholes.
Solos – ‘The High Cholesterol Blues’
and ‘Reinstalling Windows’
Peter recommending
Aunty Maggie’s Remedy
Alan – Had us counting to 10 and sang of The Reasons We Love Getting Old
Chris – Lovely little Petunia in an Onion patch
Maureen – afraid to grow old
Miles and Nigel
Raindrops falling on my head
Richard at the Baby Show
Bill eulogising his pigeons in the
‘King of Rome’
Martin putting a Shine on Your Shoes
Simon – spring is on its way!
the remedy for a ‘Cold Cold Heart’
Graham busted flat in Baton Rouge

A lovely concert, many thanks to MC Gabriella and organiser Simon.

Brian Edge Award 2025

At the February 26 concert we were proud to give the Brian Edge Award to Joyce Latham.

Simon and Gail on stage handing an award to Joyce who is also wearing her wooden ukulele.
Simon and Gail Kinrade present Joyce Latham with the Brian Edge Award at the February Concert.
(With apologies to Joyce for the picture … even AI could not successfully remove the microphone stand).

The Brian Edge Award commemorates the legacy of founder member and long-time leader of the South Cheshire Branch, Brian Edge who passed away in 2016. It consists of a trophy and a gift provided annually by Brian’s daughter Diane Edge-Robinson.

Joyce joined the branch just over a year ago as a relatively new ukulele player and has since been working hard to learn the instrument, playing both wooden ukulele and banjo ukulele. Joyce is now a regular in our ‘Thrashes’ and has performed several duets on our concert nights. In addition, from very early on, Joyce volunteered to help the branch run. Joyce is often found on the front desk and has provided key catering support for special events. Congratulations Joyce … this is well-deserved.

Brian was a well-known and loved banjolele player and promoter of George Formby’s considerable body of work. He also founded the Crewe and District Coin and Medal Society. He is much-missed by many who played with him and often features in reminiscences. We are proud that this award continues to keep his memory alive.

A picture of Brian Edge sporting blazer, bow tie, moustache and playing a banjolele. In particular he has two lapel badges - a banjolele and a lamppost in the form of The George Formby Society logo.
Brian Edge sporting the classic George Formby Society Lamppost pin on his lapel.
A photograph of the Brian Edge Award. It is curved glass stating: "South Cheshire Branch, George Formby Society. Brian Edge Award, Outstanding Contribution."
The Brian Edge Award for Outstanding Contributions as performers or supporters of the branch.

Love Hearts, Pancakes, Chocs, Noir and Hare. Next?

Yep, Feb rolls on – the time of love hearts, flowers and chocolate moving to sugar, lemon, Nutella or maple syrup before the March hare arrives. All these things have been in mind for posters this year. January saw our praised film noir lamppost edition, Feb on of our stars singing her heart out on shocking pink and then the mad March hare. Every month I aim to make the poster just a touch different rather than just changing the date. Posters should capture uke open-mic with a hint of seasonal and a hint of nostalgia and a huge dollop of fun.

So what should be the design seeds for April and May?

January Concert 2026

A Very Happy New Year Concert

Richard – an excellent MC as always, not to mention his jokes!
Kyle down the Old Coal Hole
Stokie Phil on the Blackpool Belle, with a very smart jacket
Newbie Alan blaming it on the ukulele
Cruiser Colin with Levi’s Monkey Mike
Newbie Martin with Ain’t She Sweet
Alan, with the Ukulele Banjo Blues
Christine – Eee but its a Grand and Healthy Life
Bill with St James Infirmary Blues
Gladys giving us a lovely Christmas monologue
Simon singing Michelle

Many thanks to MC Richard and Concert Organiser Simon for a great evening.

December 2025 Concert

A great Christmas Concert. Music is the Best Medicine!

Opening Thrash
Pamela and Jonathan with the Twelfth Day of Christmas. They were brilliant Concert Organiser and Master of Ceremonies.
The audience responding to Pamela and Jonathan’s Twelfth Day of Christmas.
Kyle at the TT Races.
The Alley Orchestra celebrating their 12th Anniversary, by blasting out Southbound!
Joyce and Colin, Talking to the Moon about You.
Simon in the dark, with a Dickensian HUMBUG.
Alan – Buena Sera Senorita, with Jonathan on castanets.
Rowena and Phil Sitting on the Ice on the Ice Rink.
Mike likes Bananas.
Richard baffling everybody with his tricks.

A splendid concert, not only for the MUSIC, but also for the FOOD prepared by Gail – a gastronomic delight!

November Concert 2025

Another great concert, in spite of the Wintry Weather!

Opening Thrash
Kyle hitting the High Spots
Alan – Far Better Off in a Home
Jonathan blessing ’em all
Simon cleaning windows
Christine making you feel my love
Joyce and Colin sitting on the top of Blackpool Tower
Richard doing his rope trick
Terry saying He’ll have to go
Nigel and Miles side by side
Chris – you don’t need a licence for that
Graham – I’ve been working on the railroad.

Many thanks to the two debutants, Nigel and Sue, who did a splendid job as Master of Ceremonies and Concert Organiser.

October Concert 2025

A Lovely Concert with a Great Turn-out

Pamela and Jonathan singing Baby
Andy and window cleaner Mr Wu
Alan and Graham jazzing along with Dapper Dan
Richard puzzled by his puzzle
Kyle – Mother what’ll I do Now
Simon about to Clean Windows
Alan dreaming while he’s awake
Colin sat on the top of Blackpool Tower
Arthur, the original Champagne Charlie
Christine singing like a Nightingale in Berkeley Square
Roy – I still can’t say goodbye
Maureen – and the Cares of Tomorrow must wait till this day is done
Phil, a.k.a. Andy the Handyman
Gabriella listing the names of every country in the world – la la la la la

Many thanks to Gabriella for doing a splendid job as Master of Ceremonies, not to mention her jokes! Also thanks to Nigel for organising the concert.

September Concert 2025

A splendid concert, not to mention the delicious cakes to celebrate Gail and Simon’s first year running the Branch.

Alan with Chinese Laundry Blues
Jonathan reminiscing about the founding of the Branch
Graham aboard the Freight Train
Kyle
Saving up for Sally
Pamela
You’re Everything to Me
Richard with his friend Kneel
Simon, Ian (cajon) and Joyce
Urban Spacemen and Hello Mary Lou
Matt – She Can’t Say No
Terry
Swimmin’ with the Wimmin
MC Rob
Mr Wu’s an Air Raid Warden Now
Chris – Whispering Grass
(also manages the sound desk).
Concert Organiser Phil
Down the Old Coal Hole
Gladys with one of her famous monologues
The Final Thrash – all together …
Leaning on a LampPost

Many thanks to Master of Ceremonies Rob and Concert Organiser Phil, plus all the other helpers.

February 25 Concert – If you weren’t there you missed a great night run by The Stokies

28 February. Clear evening, starry night and many people watching the stars that night for alignments and aurora.
We watched completely different stars light up the stage at Wistaston Memorial Hall. The Stokies are a regular trio of Phil, Peter and John. Phil is distinguished by his unflappable composure and unique hat, Peter by his cheeky call-outs and greeting the audience with ‘Hello Playmates’ and John a distinguished presence in a dapper red waistcoat. Phil took care of organising the performers – especially the important role of controlling of the clipboard. Peter and John shared the MC role.

It was a classic night. If you missed it there is always the next event on 28 March.
and before then the George Formby Society’s Blackpool Convention on Sat-Sun 15-16 March 25.

We were delighted to present the Brian Edge Award for Outstanding Contribution: to Kath Ollier for faithfully organising refreshments month-in, month-out which are widely welcomed by all. In the picture I am celebrating the work in the kitchen. Thank you Kath for all the work you do which makes each event even better.

George Formby was represented by:

  • Opening Thrash – all comers playing ‘It’s in the Air’, Chinese Blues and ‘Grandad’s Flannelette Nightshirt’ to open and the traditional close of ‘Leaning on the Lamp-post’ with players, singers and dancers.
  • Alan – ‘George Formby Society’ (a song an small plug for the Blackpool Convention, Imperial Hotel 15/16 March)
    and ‘Ordinary People’
  • The Stokies – Mr Wu’s a Window Cleaner
  • Kyle – ‘Frank on his Tank’, ‘Up in the Air or Down in the Dumps’ and ‘Blackpool Rock’
  • Phil – ‘Happy Go Lucky Me’
  • Chris – ‘The Lancashire Torreador’
  • Jonathan Baddeley – ‘Lancashire Lad and his Uke’ and ‘Chinese Blues’

Other great numbers and star performances:

  • Graham – ‘Hard Travelling’ … from his extensive collection of railway songs and ‘When You’re Lonely’
  • Des – ‘Penny Arcade’
  • Christine – ‘Nightgale Sang in Berkeley Square’
  • Chris – ‘Big Strong Man’
  • Simon – ‘Stray Cat Strut’
  • Maureen – ‘Cholesterol’ (a capella)
  • Nigel & Miles – ‘Side by Side’
  • Jonathan and Pam – ‘Noughts and Crosses’
  • Alan – ‘You Made Me Love You’
  • Terry – the ever-popular ‘Muckspreading’ and ‘HRH’
  • Gabi – ‘All I Do is Dream of You’ and ‘Mexican hat Dance’ (a spectacular feat of entertainment, memory and audience participation -reworded to name-check every country in the world).
  • and a short and sweet recital by Gladys.

Capturing the live action:

Ready folks?
Big finish, full throttle, full voice and nine ladies dancing
Gabi romps through every single country in the world with a triumphant finish “…Wales! Never forget the Welsh!”
Happy occasion and great performance from Alan and his one person duet
Miles and Nigel stand and sing Side by Side
Des and Roy Orbison’s Blackpool anthem, Penny Arcade
Performance, passion and some background knowledge from the Society’s VP, Jonathan
Graham’s Zambezi travelogue
Kyle gives peerless George performances including revelations about tanks
Maureen’s Defiant Anthem for cake lovers
Concert Manager tonight, Phil and a change of hat showing just how Happy Go lucky he is.
Christine and nocturnal birdsong
Terry sings and mucky song

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Just did what I enjoy most

Daily writing prompt
What do you enjoy doing most in your leisure time?
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Playing the ukulele is a big part and only last night we held our monthly concert with so many people standing up and playing their hearts out. Lots of laughs, great music and a masterful MC. My party piece though was the unveiling of our new stage banner.

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