Middle Day of May at the Ridings.

By Philip Barr.

16th May, 2024

On a grey morning, not exactly befitting of a scene from the seasonal Darling Buds of May, nineteen members of Wakeylele assembled on the middle floor of the Ridings ready to roll for what looks like being a busy summer schedule. As usual there was the usual mix of elegance and style in the clothes department from the likes of Elsie, Beryl, Thelma, Glyn, Linda, Margaret and Val with Malcolm leading the way for the male contingent with a snazzy, music motif waistcoat and designer stubble. Contrasting with them were what someone referred to as the Bad Boys on the back row who looked like extras for a Western from a previous era. But, no matter, they can play and, in any case, Roy would call himself and his two associates ‘eye candy.’

 Onto the music and David began with some nice chord sequences for the purposes of a sound check which turned out to be from The First Cut is the Deepest as well as a few chords from our regular opener, Side by Side which proved to be a confident first number. The Chas and Dave song followed on immediately and it is to be hoped that it did, unlike the title, actually please the majority of the passing folk! We were now well into our stride and everything was going swimmingly until some miscreant failed to pay due attention to the introductory count for Come Up and See Me. Luckily for him(?) David was wearing his Karma ‘hat’ and, showing admirable restraint, he started again from the top resulting in a near perfect rendition of Steve Harley’s song. This temporary blip having been overcome there was a smooth progression to the interval.

 After a generous 35-minute break the peace was shattered with Pop’s cry of “Wakey – Lele,” of which Billy Cotton would again have been proud, thereby kicking off the second half with you know what, followed by two songs from the same year; 1976. Let Your Love Flow and Love Really Hurts Without You. Both went well.   Then after a couple of well worn but still popular numbers came the real test: could we master Sit Down or would we be required to Stand Up as a punishment at the end? Well,  I counted 18 knitted brows of concentration, before we began, (19 including mine (although I couldn’t see them as I had forgotten my make – up mirror). The cheers and fist pumping at the end indicated that we could remain seated for the rest of the set which, not surprisingly concluded with a bit of a swagger, not least Sunny Afternoon, which is quite new as a gig number and DB’s clever interpretation of the Proclaimer’s hit; Pop Larkins may even have commented on them being ‘Perfic’ in fact.

   Thanks go once more to David for keeping us together, helped in no small part by Mags and Val, plus a special mention to

 Margaret Broadbent who was our main cheerleader today, supported also by Roy and Mag’s family and Joe’s wife. The YAA staff also made generous comments and offered moral support on what is a low-key day of the week where each ripple of applause was appreciated.

 As the band began to dismantle their stands there was a brief brouhaha when Mags berated one or two individuals who attempted to return their stand covers in an unruly fashion, declaring that Maria wouldn’t stand for it – Maria, we hope that your toe is feeling better! As this was happening, the owner of the nearby t- shirt design shop seemed to be making enthusiastic noises about the band to Richard, no doubt interested that a suggestion has been made about a set of sweatshirts to make the cooler months of the year more comfortable whilst offering neat practicality. No doubt, discussions will ensue.

Next up is a return to The White Rose Shopping Centre next Friday, 24th May, 10:30 for 11a.m.

March, 2024.