Reporter: Phil Barr Videos: John Sargent Photographs Andy Fox

You’re 16 – ish Party Gig

Walton Club, 18th November, 2022.

On a chilly autumn evening following a week where raindrops kept falling on everyone’s heads the band arrived ready to play their part in celebrating fellow group member Pippa’s special birthday. Initial problems with the heating meant that outer layers of clothing were shed gradually, but once they were, it was evident that there was plenty of party sparkle from a goodly number of players including Elsie, Beryl and Maria to name just three. Not to be outdone Mike S and Mike H looked suave in their outfits  while Richard, possibly under orders from home, sported a smart checked shirt in green and white. Peter A, meanwhile had recently deemed it safe to visit a barber for the first time since the outbreak of covid 19. (I didn’t need to -sob.)

So to the main event. Pippa’s guests arrived sporadically to begin with until Linda announced that  ‘the bus has arrived’ and suddenly the room was full, the fizz was poured and the band burst confidently into life with the Wakeylele introductory gig song followed by a very sure-footed and relaxed welcome by David, inviting guests to join in before continuing with a rumbustious rendition of Amarillo. This successfully overcame the problems we had in Tuesday’s rehearsal of segueing to a song in  a different key which although  amusing at the time resulted in sleepless nights and pillow biting for David.

Interspersed  with proven gig favourites were duets, trios and small group songs, including ‘You Made Me Love You’, ’57 Chevrolet’ and ‘Stray Cat Strut’, the latter featuring feline masks expertly crafted by Susan H. Special mention must also be made of 9 year old Phoebe for bravely standing up and singing a solo of the Cup song without cups – a star in the making!

  The interval proved to be very popular with everyone as Pippa and family had laid on some very tasty steak pie and peas, although memories were refreshed of the the difficulties caused at the Methodist Church gig by  shuffling of feet in and out of a small space. Here in the club it was a case of ‘orderly’ elbows as those passing through the doorway in the queue  for food had to avoid inadvertently knocking the outgoing plates of pie and mushy peas all over someone’s glittery top, smart waistcoats or green checked shirts. 

Special mention must go here to Pippa’s sons Phillip and John who did excellent jobs serving the pies as well as being cheerleader / distributor of the extra percussion instruments. 

  Before we kicked off proceedings for the second half Pippa, fresh from a two day trip to Abu Dhabi, where she raided a souk to purchase cloth for her birthday outfit, was presented with a bouquet of flowers from the group (She politely declined an invitation to Cop 27 but I’ve heard rumours that she intends to offset her carbon footprint with an apple orchard in her back garden – hopefully this will include Cox’s orange pippins.)

 Of the whole group songs in the second set, gig premieres of ‘Love Potion#9’ and ‘Top of the World’ were well received as was Pop’s always appreciated solo.

There were also debut small group performances of ‘My Guy’ and ‘Always look on the Bright Side of Life’

while Beryl’s interpretation of ‘It’s Getting Better’, expertly accompanied by Rob on electric uke was very apt as the mike she used seemed to play ball on this occasion, compared to earlier glitches. In fact Dave, (from Castleford) was spotted, soon after withdrawing the large amp box for misbehaving, wheeling it away suitcase – style, having to squeeze past Dave ( from Mirfield). Dave ( from Sharlston) , meanwhile had already sent his apologies for the evening saying how gutted he was, for which Dave  or David (from Crofton) could sympathise. A good job we haven’t got any Bruce’s. 

  As the evening rushed towards its conclusion the introductory bars of the floor – buster ‘YMCA’ were hammered out and  the atmosphere became fever pitched as the audience spilt onto the dance floor and provided the familiar moves to supplement the enthusiastic thrum of strings from the ukes. Even the seated and more restrained family and friends were caught up in the frenzy with beer and wine in glasses seen to tremble as if from a scene in Jurassic Park.

 Finally, to bring a semblance of civility back to proceedings, Pippa was serenaded with ‘You’re …’ ( see headline) before the band reluctantly agreed to playing two encores for the baying crowd, partly to ensure their personal safety on exiting the venue so that the sparkly tops  suave waistcoats and checked shirts were intact for another fun evening.

A massive thank you to Pippa and family for a lovely evening, to David for being such a committed leader, to John for all the videoing and Andy Fox for the photographs. 

Next up is an outdoor gig at Cannon Hall at 11a.m (tbc) outside the farm shop which may be weather dependent.