Summer at The Ridings 9th Aug, 2025
Report Phil Barr videos Jane Barr
High summer and a high turn – out from the Wakeylele Band as they arrived at their home ground in the Ridings. With David stepping back from a distinguished career at the helm, it was Pop’s turn to front the band, and today, he opted for a sober outfit in band black to add some gravitas to his elevated position. Once Chris had sorted out the tuning on Sue’s troublesome uke, having already dealt with a pesky policeman knocking on his door earlier asking residents for home cctv images of a passing stolen car, we were ready for the off with a largely familiar set of songs. This was a very wise move in what is bound to be a transitional period; for example, Pop’s uke has a more mellow sound than David’s and against the background sounds of a Ridings environment, it was not always as easy to pick up the introductory chords. These kind of things are easily remedied, though, and soon we were attracting a large number of interested spectators lining the gallery above us, applauding enthusiastically at the end of Another Saturday Night, although it was still only Saturday morning. In fact, there was such a throng that I feared that some unfortunate individual may plunge over the rail, which would, no doubt, have spelt the end of one or two pedigree ukuleles, not to mention Mike Sidebottom’s hat being another likely casualty.
Come Up and See Me proved to be the first real challenge of the day as Pop lay a trap by playing on through a scheduled pause but such is the wealth of experience of the band that they stopped in unison before resuming also in perfect unison. The rendition of Country Roads that followed was faultless, and it wasn’t long before the Kinks Sunny Afternoon brought the first half to a satisfactory close.
A goodly number of the band then took over the Grind Cafe nearby and chewed the fat, or rather the scones and toasted teacakes before returning to the action beginning with a confident performance of Love Really Hurts. The YAA buckets continued to Jingle at regular intervals with one little girl in a beautiful dress deciding to drop coins into three separate buckets, one of which had Sooty perched on it. The little girl would most likely not have a clue who Sooty was, but who doesn’t like a soft toy bear. We were now in full concentrated mode and after the earlier faux pas with Steve Harley’s song no-one including Pop was going to settle for anything less than perfection with the timing of Sit Down and so it continued to the end with Pop’s assured solo ending on Wagon Wheel matching that at the conclusion of Bad Moon.
As always at this venue, a good time was had by all, Pop’s jovial attitude shone through thick and thin as when he pretended to break his uke over his knee, Pete Townsend style when reflecting on his brief senior moment. As well as a big pat on the back for Pop, the whole band deserves a mention for all their efforts at making this a success, including the vital parts played by Mags the magnificent and Val the valiant. It was also good to see Pippa returning to the Ridings after she had first tested the water alongside Thelma at the Hospice Gig. Thanks to Jane for her video work and for the cheerful support of the YAA volunteers.
The next gig during our summer ‘break’ is a provisional one at the moment, depending on numbers, as part of the Merrie Wakefield festival on Saturday, 23rd September at 3:30 for 4p.m on the cathedral steps. Thanks go to Richard for his conscientious work in the application and administration process.
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