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The

Jason Eddie

 Story

The Variety

Club

 of Great Britain

Honour

Billy Fury

Guests of Honour

Jean Wycherley

Albie Wycherley

 Mr & Mrs

Stephen Crown (Chief Barker)

Lyn Staunton

(Chairman)

T. Staunton

Joe Brown

P.J.Proby

Tommy Bruce

Mr & Mrs

Jess Conrad

Maggie Stredder

& Husband

Vince Eager & his daughter Debbie

Billy Hatton

Mr & Mrs Billy Butler

Report Contributions

 by Mags Cummings

Thank you to everyone who attended and made this event the fastest selling Variety Club dinner ever. We are indebted to Lyn Staunton for the organisation which was first class.

 Mags Wrote
We were served with a smoked fish starter. The top table was announced and made their entrance, they were Jean and Albie, Stephen Crown (Chief Barker) and his wife, PJ Proby, Joe Brown, Tommy Bruce, Jess Conrad and his wife, Maggie Stredder and her husband, Vince Eager and his daughter Debbie, Billy Hatton (4Most and Billy's old frend)Billy Butler and his wife Lesley and last but by no means least Lyn Staunton who had arranged and organised the whole event.

The main course was lamb in a wine and tomato/basil sauce and for puddy we were served enormous pieces of Tia Maria Gateau. During the meal we were entertained by Craig Martin as Buddy Holly, Gina David as Brenda Lee, Ricky Aron as Elvis and Danny McCall singing some Billy Fury songs. Terrific entertainment from everyone - Gina was superb sounding just like Brenda.

After a video telling us about the Variety Club and messages from those who couldn't make it, notably Marty Wilde, we came to the speeches. Vince was eloquent as always telling us how Billy made such an impact on everyone and especially the girls!

Tommy, Maggie,Jess, Billy Hatton and Joe each told of their thoughts and memories of Billy. Joe telling of when he and Billy lived with Joe's Mum and one night took wheels off Larry Parnes's car and tied one of them to Buckinham Palace railings an were just about to throw one into the fountain when detained by the police. They explained that they were pop stars and told the police to ring Larry for confirmation which they did and Larry responded by telling the police that he'd never heard of them. They were locked up for the night in a cell but were thankfully released next morning to appear on stage that night. Joe hasn't changed a bit, he's still that Cockney cheeky chappie.

Maggie said that each of the Vernon Girls wanted to 'mother' him, she said that they were so innocent in those days and how she wished it had maybe been different.

Albie was next to speak saying that he was so proud of Billy He also talked of the shows he has done for Billy, always taking along his Mum to give him strength and support. He thanked the Variety Club for the tribute and informed us that there is now one of their coaches in Liverpool with Billy's name on the side!

Jean was next saying that she was proud of both her sons and saying that Albie had done a lot to preserve Billy's name and music and that she thought that Billy was guiding him. Albie was visibly moved by this and so were all of us. She was wonderful as always and we are so lucky to have her around at nearly 84 years of age.

There was then a presentation from the Variety Club made to Jean and Albie, a silver plate and a glass award.

On to the auction - there were several things in it, amongst them was the first cast in fibre glass taken from the original mould used for the bronze sculpture. It was painted bronze and looked amazing, went for £400 (I think - please anyone correct me if I'm wrong). Albie won a miniature bronze statue so now both of the Wycherleys have one.
The raffle next....non of us won anything but hopefully raised a lot of money for the Variety Club and Liverpool Echo Sunrise fund as each person had deposited £10 or more in an envelope for the raffle.

We then had some dancing but no more Billy Fury music until Albie appeared on stage and gave us a treat singing four or more songs finishing with HTP.

Wonderful night for a wonderful man who will never be forgotten and always have a special place in so many people's hearts.

Albie and Mum Jean signing Autographs on the night

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A few pictures from the event