Lee and Mark’s Wedding 6th July

Report Phil Barr videos Joe Fisher, Daniella Hancock

One of the songs attempted by our Thursday group recently was Up on the Roof, originally chosen by Richard, which brought to mind how the various political parties might relate to this theme following the results of this week’s general election. The red team will presumably be shouting from the rooftops, someone from the blue team might well be calling Don’t Jump Off the Roof (Dad), whereas the leader of the orange team may well be volunteering to jump off the roof into a duck pond; the green team will be busy installing solar panels on the roof and the turquoise team may be seen to be training their telescopes on any suspicious activity on the English Channel from their vantage point. Meanwhile back in the real world, Wakeylele made their way to the Old Picture House in Barnsley for Richard’s granddaughter’s wedding. Peter A arrived in a rather flustered state, having toured half of the town centre looking for us residents of Walton who had arranged to meet him at some traffic lights but without success until Sue eventually managed to make contact with him. As it turned out the smallish number of band members available on this rather chilly but bright July day was a blessing as we squeezed onto the stage and into the limelight but there was still plenty of quality on show and after a brief sound check we were up and running with A World of our Own.

Now, Wakeylele, as you know are an adaptable bunch when it comes to venues and this was just as well, with very lively young members of this gathering darting excitedly hither and thither around the floor, lights arrowing around them amidst the celebratory atmosphere. On the band’s part, plectrums were utilised to up the volume together with our best town crier voices and so we pressed onto the interval with Come Up and See Me once again receiving a positive response and It’s Now or Never being sung at full throttle. A much-needed ten-minute interval followed although for those who dared leave the stage it was a risky business as by this time the youngest guests had been issued with fluorescent wands, with Dave F and myself being on the receiving end of them being used as light sabres by surprisingly strong under 7’s. However, when it was safe we were able to seek and find relative sanctuary back on the stage ready for round 2. Leaving flippancy aside for a moment, though, David chose this time to draw attention to the fact that there was a space reserved for Richard on the back row and it was good to know that his family were relaying the wedding day live to him as he continues his recovery. 

 So, to the remainder of the song list which went with a swing to the extent that we did them all, with the bride, (Lea) groom, (Mark) and family members all clapping along to the likes of Let Your Love Flow and Memories Are Made of This. 

   And so, a boisterous afternoon came to an end except that we had kindly been invited to partake of the buffet and as it was fast approaching his teatime Dave Burgess made sure that he was first to the table of tasty filled rolls, quiches, pork pies, salads and scotch eggs. (This, by the way, was only the first of several return visits by Dave and even then, I think I heard him say that he was couldn’t wait to get home for a treacle sponge and custard.)  

  Thanks must go to Sue Hancock for helping to select the songs along with Richard and Lea and for letting us be part of their special day – we were made to feel very welcome. Thanks also to Mags and Roy for liaising with Sue and Richard. David guided us through choppy waters with his usual aplomb and the band performed manfully and gave their all as did Joe with his all-round contribution. As with England we will stagger through to the next round

which is the Village Fete at Badsworth next Saturday at 10.30 a.m.