Garforth Miners Welfare Hall Gig, 18th May 2025 (AD).

By Phil Barr Photo’s, video Joe Fisher

A musical bonanza was in prospect as we passed the Strawberry Fields Primary School in Garforth just before we arrived at the imposing looking venue on the High Street with the flamboyant leader of the Leeds group already exhibiting his ukulele skills as he walked up and down the road advertising the GULP event.

  Initially there was an anxious feeling pervading our group as our numbers were small as the start time arrived but we needn’t have worried as by the time we were due on stage those who had no doubt been tucking into their roast beef dinner had swelled the ranks to a decent number. 

  The Garforth group kicked off proceedings with the familiar Has Anyone Seen My Girl and did a good job with a Chuck Berry medley as they did with the majority of their set which included Calendar Girl and Sway, with a pleasing melodic sound enhanced by a talented sounding ‘plugged in’ female uke player.

   A nice extra touch was that at changeover times a retractable screen came down over the stage with songs on it for everyone to join in with. The only problem with this was that Roy was blocking everyone’s view by standing straight in the middle of it like a toddler does in front of a TV screen to make me worry that he was reverting (?) to his childhood but actually he had just left his reading glasses in the car. Anyway, the Leeds group then took over and went for a full welly strategy with Pop providing a welcome contrast with his tuneful harmonica cameos.

  Being the last of the ‘full’ bands to take to the stage there was a certain amount of trepidation as we readied ourselves for action but we were soon into our stride as I think Joe’s video shows.

There were a couple of stumbles over timings in very predictable places although the first one was expertly overcome by the collective experience of the band. Pop found the time to say a few words about Wakeylele and our association with YAA and his stamina was something to behold as having now completed two full stints with different bands he was    soon back in the limelight as part of the trio which as Dave F has alluded to include a great effort from Val on bass.

Hats off to Pop especially for taking on   this heavy load and yet still appearing like a spring chicken at the end of it – the only stimulant he needed was a glass of water. The applause we received after virtually every number seemed loud and genuine even allowing for the fact that there was mutual support from all attending so I think it’s fair to say that our present leader would have been satisfied that the standards he has worked for are being maintained. Incidentally, you may know that the home entry for the Eurovision was by a group called Remember Monday – they came 19th – well I would just like to point out that Wakeylele yesterday in the context of the groups appearing at Garforth (Remember Sunday) would certainly have been in the running for a top three slot! 

Dave Blackburn and Tony also performed a set on stage at Garforth on Sunday and according to independent sources they did a great job so well played to both of them. I got a lift home  before the end so wasn’t aware they were doing a separate set. As a result I’m in the doghouse but I hope this grovelling will help to make amends. Incidentally Dave also stepped up to do a solo tonight in his nonchalant and cheerful style, more crawling, which we all enjoyed and our leader also chipped in in fine style.  Another enjoyable evening thank you.

  Coming soon is a gig at Inwood Care Home on Saturday, 24th May at 2:30 for 3p.m.

*AD to be interpreted very loosely as After David as although he wasn’t there yesterday, he is fortunately very much still the go to man/ music guru for the foreseeable.