George Formby Society

The George Formby Society was created after the death of British vaudeville entertainer George Formby in 1961. A small group of his fans, brought together by an ad in The Stage placed by Londoner George Wilson, met together in the Imperial Hotel in Blackpool to form the George Formby Society. The first meeting drew a lot of attention and many celebrities of the day were there, including Arthur Askey. Three conventions are held in Blackpool each year. Members are not required to have any musical ability to join.

The society publishes a regular magazine entitled "The Vellum." In 2011 the society celebrated its 50th anniversary, and today it has more than 650 members worldwide. George Harrison was a fan of Formby, a member of the Society and an advocate of the ukulele.

The various branches perform at local events and have regular meetings. On 21 April 2018, the Society played at the Royal Albert Hall at The Queen's Birthday Party with guest artists Frank Skinner, Ed Balls and Harry Hill.