High Summer at the Ridings July 25th Report Phil Barr video Jane Barr

So, the final gig of the summer season was upon us with David calculating that we have completed more than twenty gigs since September. Now, back on familiar territory at the beginning of the school holidays, there was a relaxed vibe following a similarly laid-back Tuesday evening session after last week’s pre – concert tension, the only slight concern being that Pop’s non – appearance last night might be of concern but we needn’t have worried as the familiar Paddington style that emerged from the top of an escalator. 

  Having begun by thanking the band for their magnificent efforts throughout the past 12 months David got things under way directly under the Ridings glitter ball and it was soon obvious that the band was in dazzling end – of – term form as we made our way smoothly through the first set of songs with Green Door and I Wanna Dance With You making successful returns and the lively Chattanooga Choo Choo, I think it was, attracting several people who stopped to take videos. Others could be seen swaying to various tunes as they appeared from the floor below before continuing their shopping missions. With the epic High Noon being omitted as the time approached twelve noon the interval arrived in no time and a few of us scurried off to buy coffees which nearly backfired as the cafe we ordered from then ran out of coffee. Mags sprang into action at this point to collect cold water, so that when the drinks did arrive, we had a fighting chance of getting back in time for the resumption. Alas, we arrived sixty seconds late and only avoided being sent to the naughty step by agreeing to add 3 points to our ukulele licences. David then attempted to soften the blow by telling us that our performances never ever disappointed him but the ironic smile suggested that someone we know well might be telling a bit of a porkie. Talking of which there was a chap dressed in a garish coloured top and plus fours sitting on the balcony all morning who looked as if he had eaten his fair share of bacon butties who, whilst he may have given up on the chance of making it to the Paris Olympics golf squad,

nevertheless appeared to be having an enjoyable day taking in the sights and sounds of Wakefield’s once iconic shopping centre. So on with the music and although the Coconuts belter of a song didn’t stir any interest on this occasion – as David said you win some, you lose some – things improved with On the Road Again with the irascible Pop being heard to say in a more than a loud whisper that everyone likes a bit of Willy. Fortunately, there was no security guard around at the time. Our music even attracted three young teenagers who stopped to listen to two or three songs which they genuinely applauded before reappearing on the balcony to take in the likes of Love Really Hurts and The Union of Different Kinds as well as Wagon Wheel

– all performed with a bit of a swagger before the finale and a rumbustious Old Time Medley with the uke strings almost glowing with frenzied friction as the final knees up was bashed out.  

   As the band gathered their belongings, no doubt looking forward to a well-earned break, I’m sure everyone’s thoughts were with Richard (highlighted so well by Joe), as he continues his recovery. Each time I go online to reference a song I think of the effort he has put in to make the whole website so accessible, not to mention his wise words and entertaining stories after Tuesday’s sessions and his appearances at gigs.   David deserves great credit for pushing us to become more accomplished – just listening to those around me is proof enough that we can now tackle music that was beyond some of us not so long ago and it was interesting to hear that the friendly bar lady at the club last night commented how

As the Ukulele season draws to a close, Joe Fisher has produced a video which is a collation of highlight from 2024 and 2023 . Here it is