Horbury Street Fayre
15th June, 2024
With some dodgy goings on in the run up to the General Election I thought it best not to risk putting a bet on it raining on 15th June in Horbury even though I had a very good idea that it would. Never mind, there was plenty to look forward to in the way of free entertainment at this annual Fayre and what better way to kick off proceedings with a set of the old favourites from the Wakeylele band. In fact, we were introduced in grand style by the MC over the p.a system as The Wakeylele Band or Orchestra prior to a confident launch of the band medley and if that wasn’t enough to start a stampede of local folk sprinting up Church Street to get nearer to the action the church bells of St Leonard’s chimed out the hour as we were seconds into our first number. At this stage the grey clouds were gathering ominously but Mike Sidebottom’s bright pink shirt and socks together with Mike Hindley’s multi – coloured waistcoat kept the inclement weather in abeyance, not to mention Pop’s coordinated t- shirt and hat combo.
A real high spot of the first few songs was a response from a Steve Harley fan whose enthusiasm and involvement as we played Come Up and See Me was there for all to see as immediately on its conclusion she dashed up to the ‘stage’ and said how wonderful we were and that it was her favourite 60’s song. Well that kind of comment doesn’t go amiss and so the band moved confidently on through its greatest hits live repertoire which was just as well as the glowering clouds descended, the rain inevitably began to fall, the brollies went up, macs and their modern equivalents were produced and the temperature dropped another degree or two but … this is SUMMER and so there was no slacking until the last numbers were completed with the Union of Different Kinds drawing generous applause from the hardy and ever growing number of spectators followed by a final round of applause after the MC thanked us for our efforts. The main organiser also added her thanks and she seemed to thoroughly enjoy and appreciate what she had heard.
This was our first appearance at this event and a lovely location it was too with a warm and friendly atmosphere, colourful and varied stalls lining the street and around the church which also served up an excellent variety of cake along with tea or coffee which could be enjoyed whilst admiring the magnificent interior. Richard would have been in his element here and we all wish him well in his recovery as he was missed and not just on the back row!
Many thanks go once again to David for his trojan efforts. to Mike Hindley for making our appearance possible, (he had been biting his finger nails on the eve of the event with all the surrounding stalls set up but no gazebo) and to Jane (and John) for photos and videos.
Next up is a gig at The Green at Newmillerdam on Sunday, 23rd June at 2p.m.
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