The South Cheshire 'George Formby' Ukulele Society's 'Christmas Concert'

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston

The South Cheshire 'George Formby' Ukulele Society's 'Christmas Concert' took place on the evening of Friday 23rd December 2016 at Wistaston Memorial Hall, Church Lane, Wistaston.

The Concert contained group, duet and solo ukulele performances and featured George Formby songs including 'With My Little Ukelele In My Hand' and 'The Lancashire Toreador', along with Christmas songs such as 'Blue Christmas' and 'I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus'.

There were moving tributes throughout the evening to Society Founder Brian Edge who passed away earlier in the month.

Musicians travelled from Wistaston, other parts of Cheshire and counties beyond. The final song involved all the performers in a thrash to 'Leaning on a Lamp-post'.

Richard Batty was Master of Ceremonies and introduced each act with his usual quick fire repartee. Chris White was the Concert Producer.

Hot and cold drinks and mince pies were served during the interval. There was also a prize raffle.

The main hall, which had been decorated with festive bunting and a large decorated fibre-optic Christmas tree, was filled to capacity with over 150 attendees.

The Society was founded by Brian Edge in 1994 and performs a Concert at Wistaston Memorial Hall on the fourth Friday of every month throughout the year. There are no membership fees to pay to attend a Concert and the entrance fee is just £1 to cover the cost of hall rent and light refreshments. The curtain goes up at 7:30pm prompt.

The 2017 Friday Concert dates are: 27th January, 24th February, 24th March, 28th April, 26th May, 23rd June, 28th July, 25th August, 22nd September, 27th October, 24th November, and 22nd December. The Society are also playing on Easter Sunday 16th April 2017 at the annual Nantwich Jazz Festival http://nantwichjazz.com/ .

There are also rehearsal sessions, to which new ukulele players are always welcome, at Wistaston Memorial Hall on the third Tuesday (7:30pm) of every month throughout the year. The 2017 rehearsal dates are: 17th January, 21st February, 21st March, 18th April, 16th May, 20th June, 18th July, 15th August, 19th September, 17th October, 21st November, and 19th December.

For further details please contact Secretary D. Dodd via telephone: 01270 581920 or email: peterdodd9@aol.com