FANS of the late great ukulele playing George Formby brought his best known tunes to visitors at Warrington market.
Local ukulele players and members of the George Formby Society, of all ages, put smiles on the faces of shoppers and diners at the Warrington Market with their fantastic renditions their local hero’s best known tunes. Members of the public sang and clapped along with classic tunes such as “Leaning on a lamp post” and “When I’m cleaning windows”.
The group of Formby aficionados were brought together by Eileen Fleming, a market trader who runs PJ’s jewellers, to promote the “Formby Thrash” which is taking place at the market on May 26 and will commemorate what would have been the local legends 114th birthday. Ukulele players from all over the country have been invited to play at the event which will also see the market set up for a 1940’s theme day.
Eileens son James, who only took up the “uke” seven months ago is already becoming a very accomplished player and he was joined by Andrew Mason of Warrington Radio fame, Derek Herbert, a professional variety entertainer and several other George Formby Society members and fans. Also playing was Andy Bibby who led the campaign which saw the George Formby Society raise the funds to have their hero’s grave at Warrington cemetery restored to its former glory.
George lived in Stockton Heath as a child and followed his father onto the stage. The actor, singer-songwriter and comedian became known to a worldwide audience through his films of the 1930s and 1940s. On stage, screen and record he sang light, comical songs, usually playing the ukulele or banjolele, and became the UK’s highest-paid entertainer.
The “Formby Thrash” is one of many forthcoming events laid on by Warrington Market, which include the Warrington Comic Con, The Record Fayre and lots of other exciting days.
Details of the Market events may be found here www.facebook.com/warringtonretailmarket
