Wentbridge House Hotel Yorks Air Ambulance Christmas Lunch 5th Dec 2025

      Report by Phil Barr Video Phil Barr

 It was with a hint of trepidation that an unusually small contingent of our band arrived outside the imposing stone building of Wentbridge House Hotel on a fresh but bright December morning with fine views of the swollen waters of the usually placid River Went from the upper car park.

  Indeed, on first entering the bar lounge playing area, our revered leader, Chris admitted to feeling unexpected pre – gig nerves but some soothing words together with a strong cup of complimentary coffee and mini mince pie did the trick although his Santa hat remained rather twitchy as you will discover in the warts and all video to follow. 

   Although the number of band  players available for this gig at this very busy time of the year was a bit of a worry, there was some late good news when Dave Flatters and Joe were able to make it and I had already  cajoled/ press – ganged Jane to sing – Mags then offered her the use of a maraca and bells to supplement the percussion section which she took to like a duck to water, which is perhaps not surprising with her being a good swimmer.

 So, the scene was set, and as the first dinner guests arrived to make their way into the plush dining room, Chris expertly counted us into that old favourite (!) Enjoy Yourself, which was sung with great gusto and actually worked a treat in terms of tempo, volume, and gay abandon. (Be quiet Roy.) With our up – beat host, too, conveying her backing for the rumbustious opener, confidence levels rose a notch as the seasonal numbers began in earnest, so that one of the craft stall holders suddenly appeared in her Let it Snow hand – knitted woollie jigging to the tune of that name. Interspersed skilfully with the Christmas songs were a very well received Sit Down and swaggering performance of Wagon Wheel and there was no let up as the guests made their way to the dining room taking in the likes of the softer tones of Mary’s Boy Child and the jolly Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Almost before we knew it, our contribution to the entertainment for the good folk of the air ambulance staff was coming to an end as, with a purposely delayed start allowing time for the guests to arrive, it meant that the booked cabaret act’s scheduled time had nearly arrived, meaning a swift editing of our set list was called for. A straw vote resulted in us closing with the wistful Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas before a full – on We Wish You A Merry Christmas, ending with the resounding tremolo allowing time for appropriate hooting, drumming of knives and forks and roars of appreciation from the baying crowd who by this time were threatening to get a bit unruly as they stepped over tables, trying to get video footage of the finale.

  Against the odds, Chris and his Merry band of Pluckers had once more produced the goods in the name of Wakeylele, confirmation of which was given by our host when she immediately invited us back to play again next year. 

   This was a great effort by Chris – Hear Here, although he can’t always – and the band especially appreciated his very, very judicious use of the metronome. Well done to him and Mags for providing the essential tempo and to Jane for her partly unexpected three in one role. (She’s given her permission for you to hear the unadulterated introduction to Winter Wonderland.) Also, watch out for what I thought looked like a considerate black bear crawling past in the foreground, followed soon after by a lady who, in contrast, wasn’t at all aware of the camera. (As Pop often says, this is what a live performance is all about.)

  Next up is the much-anticipated Christmas lunch on Monday at the Spring (12:30 for 1p.m) followed by the re-arranged gig at Wakefield Hospice with Thelma and Pop in charge on Friday, 12th December.