Wakeylele Return to the Ridings – again!

by Phil Barr. Photo and Videos Jane Barr

The Ridings in ‘Wakey’ seem to have become the band’s second home The difference being that on this occasion, a crisp mid- October morning, it was reluctant to let some of us go at the conclusion of the gig but more of that later.

Earlier in the week, it had appeared that numbers available to play might be thin on the ground but sure enough on the day people turned out in healthy numbers for the cause, Chris having made light of his recent misfortunes and Mike S too showing Yorkshire grit, prior to a full service on his leg. Moreover, Richard found himself in danger of missing the gig and more besides when he had to ‘dig’ himself out of a deep hole he had made when preparing the footings for his garden pergola project.

The Ridings new owners seem to be making a good fist of attracting people back there and Saturday morning was busy with market – style stalls running the length of the concourse on the middle tier.

The scene was set, with quite a number of curious onlookers gathering with expectant grins on their faces as the band made their final preparations and then we were off, firing on full cylinders from the start. The usual problems of the whole band staying in time, in an environment which is rather different than in a concert hall, (or in our case, village hall), were just under the surface. However, thanks to David jumping up and down at appropriate moments and stretching his facial muscles to full capacity, the music flowed and the punters were appreciative.

Apart from the popular easier numbers, it was good that a song like ‘Carolina in the Morning’ was performed with a measure of confidence. As in the last appearance here, there were some striking visual highlights with Mike S’s trousers in mustard tones for once putting Pop into the shade albeit a close-run thing. Harry meanwhile went for a cool dude look on the back row, contrasting nicely with Stuart’s immaculate attire.  The combination of music and Carnaby Street visuals worked a treat as the YAA stall was run off its feet as the people of Wakefield stopped to make purchases and to drop their coins in the buckets.  Before the end of the gig, a keen onlooker from the balcony above us even flicked a fiver towards us. (Pop read this as an invitation to do a pole dance in his speedos but we soon put a stop to that idea.

At the well earned interval, Jenny was seen scurrying off to collect free car park passes for the band, meaning in effect that we could grab a free coffee. Some went to ‘Grind’, although the first half had been anything but… (chuckle).

Suitably refreshed, the band launched into the cacophony of the Coconut song, (I may have used that word last time but I quite like it) only this time with even more volume aided by the new – no expense spared – addition of kazoos: it worked. 

San Francisco Blues made a welcome return and the Union of Different Kinds was well received despite a slight problem (again) with the resumption of the singing after the acapella section. This was soon forgotten though as Roy, who had to miss appearing on stage due to grandparent duties, was seen emerging through a crowd of young women, hoping to get a selfie with him, to support us for the successful closing numbers.

Hopefully the Yorkshire Air Ambulance had a bumper day to help keep the funds pouring in: many thanks to their Ridings volunteers for kind encouragement and indeed to Mike H for arranging the gig. David’s herculean efforts in attempting to keep us in time was to be rewarded along with Mags with returning to looking after grandchildren.  But .. first everyone had to get out of the Ridings. We happened to pass David in the longish queue for the pay machine – presumably having given the last parking pass to someone else. He must have sensed trouble ahead because we then joined a lengthy queue of cars leading to the exit barrier. At the barrier Wakeylele members were frantically trying, unsuccessfully, to get the QR code on their free passes to scan. Malcolm and Beryl may well have been involved and we struggled too and eventually pressed the help button to be let out by a human being. Thankfully there are still a few around.

 Next up is a premiere for the band at Xscape on 28th October. Watch out for details.