Summertime at the Ridings Centre         29th May 2026

Report by Phil Barr/ Photos and Videos by Phil Barr and Carolyn (Caz) Brown   

 I have it from reliable first-hand reports that Sean the Sheep unexpectedly took centre stage at the White Rose Centre on Wednesday, leaving a void as far as musical entertainment from Wakeylele was concerned. However, on the plus side, this meant that the band was champing at the bit to release their pent – up energy at the Ridings. Mike, showing he meant to take the ram by the horns, wore a statement bright yellow t- shirt on this pleasant but not too hot summer’s day and the band followed his example with plenty of legs on show, even Horbury Mike’s, allegedly making their first appearance for 54 years.  

  With the band primed for action, there was no better way to start proceedings than with On The Road Again, which immediately stopped people in their tracks as they paused to enjoy the sound of a local group giving their all. There was no let-up, either, throughout the first set as hit followed hit as we Let (our) Love Flow, knowing that we were Into Something Good. Even a technical issue with a microphone, which resulted in an eerie whistling sound, surprising those shoppers in Marks who were looking for an oven ready moussaka, was quickly overcome as Mike niftily unplugged a lead. 

   The interval arrived, with Stuart narrowly winning the unseemly scramble for the nearest café and before long half of Wakeylele were encamped there sipping lattes and discussing dentures. 

    Midday soon arrived, and it only remained for Thelma to surf over the jumble of bodies to regain her seat and we were ready to roll, starting with another refreshing Glass of Champagne which again had shoppers pausing, smiling and jigging about in the background.  Human and Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow are more recent additions to our gig songs but both are progressing, (apart from me singing the grey bits again) judging from the reception we got from a both seated and bystanding audience. Back to tried and trusted songs and all were performed with the self – assurance of a band near the top of their game, as you will hopefully see from the video of San Francisco Blues. It was then only right that we should again conclude with Mike’s favourite number.

 Maria’s recent summary on the morning says it all and I would be surprised if stock markets don’t rise when today’s video is viewed on You Tube. (Maybe the Straits of Hormuz will be open by then. Maybe pigs will fly.)

 Well done, Mike, thanks to Roy and Margaret for lugging the amps and speakers into the Ridings – I was only able to assist their mule train at the end, such was their nimbleness on arrival. Val again unfussily showed her worth on bass and in the background, Dave Flatters deserves thanks for his WhatsApp/ email ‘comms'(my attempt at keeping on trend), as does Richard for dealing with a variety of issues. 

 Next up is the popular Horbury Street Fair gig on 13th June, which David Blackburn is leading. David will, I’m sure be updating you on the finer details.