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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 […]

Middle Day of May at the Ridings. By Philip Barr. 16th May, 2024 On a grey morning, not exactly befitting of a scene from the seasonal Darling Buds of May, nineteen members of Wakeylele assembled on the middle floor of the Ridings ready to roll for what looks like being a busy summer schedule. As

Wakeylele Easter Eggstravaganza at The White Rose Centre. By Philip Barr. Videos/Photos Jenny Sidebottom 28th March, 2024. Wakeylele rolled up at the White Rose shopping centre brimming with confidence; at Tuesday\’s practice session Pop and Roy had performed Johnny Cash\’s Folsom Prison Blues with aplomb while at the end of the evening the whole band

Wakeylele Spring Into Life at the Ridings.s. 16th March, 2024. By Philip Barr. Videos/Photos Jenny Sidebottom As a soggy winter finally draws to an end, and is replaced by early blossom and hosts of daffodils then, on Saturday, it also followed that Wakeylele could discard their fingerless gloves, topcoats and handwarmers even on a day

Rhubarb Festival Weekend Gig at Ridings. 17th February By Philip Barr. Videos/Photos Jane Barr, Mrs Flatters Cars streamed incessantly into the Ridings multi – storey car park, the precinct was packed with people moving slowly between colourful stalls stacked with mouthwatering produce – pies, cheese, pasties, pastries, sausages and confectionery; a nearby fun fair was

Wakeylele leap into a New Year at the Ridings. YAA Gig 19th January 2024 By Philip Barr. Videos Jane Barr Here are some of the musical highlights following what was a very enjoyable and convivial afternoon with tasty Scottish fare served up by the willing catering students under the eagle eyes of their  supervisors who

Wakeylele leap into a New Year at the Ridings. YAA Gig 19th January 2024 By Philip Barr. Videos Jane Barr No doubt every member of the band woke up feeling positive on the first day of 2024, knowing that they had an extra day of the year in which to practise and hone their strumming

2023 Moments from the Year This video records moments from each of our 24 Gigs, Concerts and Celebrations which we completed in 2023, not forgetting the special club session at the end of the year. 48 participants appear in these moments, sometimes once, sometimes many times. Our gratitude goes out to our many supporters who

Wakeylele at Wentbridge House Hotel for YAA Christmas Lunch Event by Phil Barr. Photos and Videos Phil For those who couldn\’t make it to this session, you were missed but to soften the blow here are a few videos of the various numbers performed by our talented members. It was a case of \’ have

Wakeylele at Wentbridge House Hotel for YAA Christmas Lunch Event by Phil Barr. Photos Phil and Richard With the festive season gathering pace, members of the Wakeylele band arrived at the impressive grounds of Wentbridge House Hotel, standing above an abnormally swollen River Went following days of rain, snow and general wintry weather but undeterred

Wakeylele Band of Great Britain Wows the Ridings by Phil Barr. Photo and Videos Jane Barr With Wakefield surprisingly in the iron grip of winter, there was no better antidote than the comforting sight of the Wakeylele band assembling outside Marks and Spencer\’s in the Ridings, dressed for the large part in their festive outfits

Farmer Copley\’s Gig. Pontefract by Philip Barr. Photo\’s Phil, Richard, Jane Barr Videos Jenny Sidebottom, Jane On a raw, dreich (Bill Giles favourite weather word) November morning, coinciding with Remembrance Day, the band gathered under a gazebo in the grounds of Farmer Copley\’s where an icy breeze did its best to creep into the nether

Darby and Joan Gig. Crofton by Philip Barr. Photo\’s Phil, Richard Video Stan Hollins The venue – Crofton WMC. The location – Slack Lane; however, there was to be no slacking from Wakeylele as they entertained the Darby and Joan club in fine style to dispel the gloom of a dank November afternoon.  When I

Xscape with Wakeylele Band and dancing queen Donna! by Richard Hancock. Photo\’s and Videos John Sargent, Jenny Sidebottom & David Burgess Singing Happy Birthday to Charlotte and some uplifting dancing from Donna, an exuberant Xscape staff member were two of many highlights from our Yorkshire Air Ambulance fund raising gig at Castleford on Saturday. Donna

Wakeylele Return to the Ridings – again! by Phil Barr. Photo and Videos Jane Barr The Ridings in \’Wakey\’ seem to have become the band\’s second home The difference being that on this occasion, a crisp mid- October morning, it was reluctant to let some of us go at the conclusion of the gig but