Julz Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 I was chating to my elderly Dad yesterday, and he was telling me of his times out on the Broads during the 60's and how he once moored alongside a Boat at Horning called 'Beryl' which once belonged to, and was named after George Formby's Wife. This would probably have been just after George's death in 1961, but as Beryl had already died about a year previously and they had not had any children, the chances were that it was in a new owners hands when spotted. dad did say the crew were very nice people, and didnt mind him double mooring with them one bit, which was a regular occurance during the busy tourist heydays of the Broads. Does anyone know what happened to this Boat please and if its still around today? My Dad Is a big George Formby fan, and we are planning to bring him down to landlub at Wroxham for a few days next year so he can see George's old house again. I am wondering if its ever open to the public, and if so when? Thanks Julz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antares_9 Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 Turned out nice again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 David, it's raining here you know! I had a search around a couple of places because I remember something about George Formby being mentioned before. Someone had said that his boat was called Lady Beryl but I have no way of knowing whether that's right or not Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pks1702 Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 The boat was called Lady Beryl according to this article http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/mai ... eryl19.xml Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antares_9 Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 "I'm leaning on the mooring post at the corner of the broad in case a certain little wake boarder goes by, oh me, oh my, in case a certain little wakeboarder goes by" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pks1702 Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 Your talent is wasted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Springsong Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 Hi Watergypsy Yes George Formby did have several boats called Lady Beryl , two or three were Windboats of Wroxham and at least one maybe more were built by Herbert Woods.I have a photo if I can upload it which I believe to be the launch of one at Windboats. Barry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julz Posted October 16, 2007 Author Share Posted October 16, 2007 Thanks Guys, im just about wetting myself laughing here! Dads memory is not as sharp as it used to be so indeed it could have been the 'Lady Beryl' Im Just wondering if it was eventually totally scrapped or if its around slowly rotting in a Boat graveyard somewhere? I would have thought if it had have been still around and restored there would have been some referance to it on the George Formby Enthusiasts site,or advertised as a visitor attraction in the Norfolk guides, but I cannot find anything. He did have a second home in Blackpool, but as far as i know all the memorabilia from his heyday is in the hands of private collectors, many of whom are members of his apprieciation society. Julz Thanks Barry for that info, I didnt realise there had been several boats in George's collection over the years, I will print off this page if you dont mind so I can show the Pic to Dad when I next see him. Im sure he will be very Pleased to add it to his collection of 'Formby' Bits and Bobs (mostly newspaper cuttings) he owns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julz Posted October 16, 2007 Author Share Posted October 16, 2007 Thanks Perry, that sure is an intresting newspaper artical, even I am getting to learn a lot here, and George was quite a bit before my time! I was enthusiastic at playing at being Mary Poppins around that era, which was the lastest cinema fad for kids I ruined dozens of umbrellas trying to fly! Julz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 Has to be the Most serious and then the most funniest thread so far Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Springsong Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 Watergypsy I have just recalled a conversation with someone recently who said a Lady Beryl was being restoed on the south coast but I don't recall where.I am almost certain there are none on the Broads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morris Man Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 Hi all, a number of years ago there was a wooden day boat on the hard at Acle Marina and I was told that it was called Beryl and used to belong to George Formby, this was restored at Russell Marine in South Walsham. Robin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julz Posted October 16, 2007 Author Share Posted October 16, 2007 I have spent a couple of hours surfing the net for more Info on George, and im finding out that his real self was just about as colourful as his songs and Jokes! Beryl was the one who had 'worn the trousers' in their relationship and was indeed his manager in all his business and entertainment life, and she was quite distant and sparing when it came to the intimate part of their marriage, causing George to look elsewhere to forefil his male needs. Indeed he had planned to marry one of his long term mistresses, and had arranged a wedding which was to have taken place two days after the date he died, the following year after Beryl had passed away They had several large houses around the UK, and each and every one of them she insisted was called Beryldene, including the smallest property they owned at Wroxham. This insistance obviously carried on when it came to naming their boats, with several Lady Beryls! After Beryl died he felt relieved at his new found freedom, and publically announced that he was glad to see the back of her :x They both enjoyed lavish and extravagent lifestyles, and Beryl spent the last couple of years of her life living in a drunken stupor Julz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gancanny Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 friends of ours have their boat moored at acle, it is about 3/4 way up acle dyke. around 4 years ago we went to look at a mooring up this dyke and after asking our friends about the old boat under this tatty tarpaulin we were told it used to belong to george formby so 4 years ago beryl was moored (still afloat) up acle dyke alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Seajay Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 Lady Beryl or Beryl A very smart dayboat of that name was restored by a Broads boatyard a couple of years or so ago. She had a logo of a ukelele/banjolele on her transom. I saw her in the shed but have not seen her out and about on the water. Regards Seajay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Jumping flea I think.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 Hi all I'm a newbie here, but I had just finished cleaning windows and was leaning on a lamp post when I found this on the internet. Seems to be one of the Lady Beryl craft mentioned in the thread. http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/BCU050 Regards Jhb Geoff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 man why dint it click this boat has been up for sale on boats and outboards for round two weeks now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdnamsGirl Posted November 24, 2008 Share Posted November 24, 2008 Bit late I know but .... if you are bringing your dad back to the Broads, the current owners of Heronby now operate it as a B&B. So your dad could actually stay in George Formby's old house, although I am sure that it has changed a lot since his time. http://www.heronbybedandbreakfast.co.uk/index.htm Carol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadAmbition Posted December 24, 2015 Share Posted December 24, 2015 Lady Beryl - Now undergoing restoration right alongside 'B.A' Griff 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamElla Posted December 26, 2015 Share Posted December 26, 2015 She gets around a bit:- http://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/register/2282/lady-beryl --- Sorry to contradict earlier info, but George Formby's "Heronby" is in Beech Rd, Wroxham, backing onto the river and the former B&B of the same name is in Belaugh (also backing onto the river). Steve 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oddfellow Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 There is also a day boat by the name of Beryl. Afloat and in use until about two years ago, she is now dry stored and could use a little tlc, but not in bad condition at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bortre Posted September 3, 2020 Share Posted September 3, 2020 Re Lady Beryl. I was on a Broads cruiser named Moudou or very similar in the late 40's/early 50's. I understand was built pre WW11 by Herbert Woods and was owned by my uncle Douglas Brock and his wife Anne who lived at Horning. When they moved abroad it was sold to George Formby who renamed it Lady Beryl. It was a superb craft with a large lounge area, big bedroom and a bathroom with a bath! Power was by a Morris Marine 6 cylinder Commodore petrol engine - I remember it was so quiet. I have been trying to find out more of its history. Somewhere on the web I have seen a photo of a Lady Beryl with a small Dunkirk plaque mounted by the wheel and strangely my uncle never mentioned Dunkirk. Can anybody provide any more infirmation? Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted September 4, 2020 Share Posted September 4, 2020 On 16/10/2007 at 18:46, Julz said: Beryl spent the last couple of years of her life living in a drunken stupor A true hero of the people. A role model to us all ... 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadAmbition Posted September 4, 2020 Share Posted September 4, 2020 It was a superb craft with a large lounge area, big bedroom and a bathroom with a bath! Power was by a Morris Marine 6 cylinder Commodore petrol engine - I remember it was so quiet. It still has the same engine fitted and it is even quieter now as despite the owners best efforts it is currently seized solid! The bath is still there along with as new shower fitting. I tiled the lot year before last, also had to tidy up and finish off the tiling in the galley area due to well intentioned ammeter help Griff 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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