White Hot Rose Centre Gig, 26th June 2026

Report photos and videos Philip Barr 

On a sultry day of earlier thunder and lightning, and with the temperature soaring yet again we just needed one more band member to make it a baker’s dozen but as we were already feeling oven ready it ‘Didn’t Really Matter at All.’ Pop, having kindly volunteered to take the reins for today, was champing at the bit and, as a result, decided to make an early start. This eagerness immediately became obvious with the tempo raised to such a level on the band’s opening number that there was a ‘hold your horses’ intervention from Roy and our percussion section. With this impromptu sound check, (ahem) now complete, we were Back On The Road Again, this time within the normal speed limits.

Meanwhile, our Wakeylele banner had attracted the attention of a lady who informed us that the gentleman accompanying her had been responsible for the construction of a lake at Walton nature reserve. They stayed to enjoy a couple of songs including an express – paced Another Saturday Night as did a much younger couple who had no less than five young children with them (not all theirs), four of whom were sitting in a large pushchair, the size of a carriage.

At the same time, Mel’s young granddaughter was melting everyone’s hearts, looking pretty as a picture as she floated around in her colourful summer dress. With Pop doing his best to promote the YAA, whose stalls were located on the floor below and adding his own unique style to the introductions, the first set fairly raced along, concluding with a rousing performance of Urban Spaceman with Dave Flatters starring on lead (and sole) kazoo.

  The break allowed us time to take a breather with a few of us heading for Costa. Roy, being a loyal customer, had earned a free coffee, but Jane did less well with an obsolete card, which had a, so close, nine out of ten stamps on it. (I considered asking if my Barnsley season digital card would be accepted in lieu, but as this was Leeds United territory, this may have resulted in me being manhandled and bundled out dismissively onto the car park).  We joined Stuart and Glyn at a table, Stuart feeling quite chipper because a knee support he ordered from Amazon recently has enabled him to get up and down stairs more easily. We probably need to start a league table of condition of joints within the group.

   Then, having overcome a    problem of finding my way back through the heaving food and retail maze and fearing an embarrassing last man arrival back at our performance area, we were ready to go again with a creditable version of Come on Over to My Place, made even better by Roy’s masterful introductory solo.

After that, the majority of familiar numbers were performed with aplomb, including the final song, Come Up and See Me… which was also the downside of playing where we were, quite close to an entrance/ exit; i.e. shoppers had to come up and see us. Being allocated a spot on a different floor to where our YAA colleagues are is not ideal, certainly not from attracting people to pause a while and then maybe think of buying one or two of their products. I suppose, on the positive side, our presence together alongside a YAA poster could act as a signpost to their merchandise for those using that particular floor to reach one of several car parks

   Pop, as previously touched on, did a great job as an ambassador for the Air Ambulance and Wakeylele and led the group in his inimitable style as he reaches sage status within the band. Thanks to him, to Jane for the videos and photos, to both Richard’s for their different contributions and to Roy and team for helping with the equipment. 

    The next significant date on the calendar is the end of term lunch at the Spring on Monday 5th July at 12:30 for 1p.m.