Wakeylele at Thorpe Audlin Summer Fair   29th June, 2025

Report Phil Barr video Joe Fisher photos Phil Barr

Late June with the thermometer rising as we arrived at Thorpe Audlin’s village sports ground – the question on everyone’s mind being what would other members of the band be wearing to keep the heat at bay; David had mentioned on Tuesday the possibility of allowing bikinis on condition that a Wakeylele badge was attached but had threatened to cancel anyone arriving in budgie smugglers, (with or without a badge I presume). Fortunately, especially with Pop being unavailable, a budgie smuggling controversy was avoided, and so there was nothing unpleasant on view apart from a few hairy legs – indeed the scene was nothing less than you would expect from an English summer fair with the usual array of colourful stalls dotted around the large field perimeter. (There may have been No Space for Bezos in Venice for his wedding but there was plenty of space for Wakeylele in Thorpe Audlin.)

  With the new sound system in place, we were ready for an early start and after a brief sound check it was all systems go with our leader sporting a natty Wakeylele cap worn at a jaunty angle. Linda swiftly delegated percussion responsibilities to Barbara, Goldie and Margaret in Mags absence as the Bennets had an appointment with a Duke and Duchess. 

  The first half produced nothing less than a polished performance, and, as the tempo increased with Bad Moon Rising, one gentleman’s Magnum ice cream was seen to be dribbling down his chin under the uncomfortable heat. Undeterred he remained a stalwart supporter throughout.  Having torn confidently through the first set an intended short break became an unexpectedly lengthy one as a person running the adjacent café tent gave David what turned out to be false information as to when we could resume. This put the main coordinator in an awkward position as she had to explain that a solo performer had a half hour slot booked but the crisis was soon over, fevered brows were mopped and it gave David Burgess and others time to having another go at hook – a –duck or to buy a ’99’.

Eventually it was back to the action with our other Magz returning to play alongside Val, who was doing an invaluable job on bass as usual on what wasn’t the easiest of afternoons with a gusty wind threatening to upset the applecart not to mention Sue’s music sheets, Peter A coming to the rescue with a nifty looking peg The strongish breeze was also in our faces making it harder to project our voices  – hopefully the sound system helped to save the day.  Everyone gave their all in any case even if there wasn’t the same crowd involvement as at Horbury but then this was on a much smaller scale and in a more exposed position. So overall if not quite a bunker – busting performance there was very little wrong with it and at least we have the video evidence to prove it without having to bring in the inspectors! 

 Many thanks once again to David for leading the group with such aplomb, to our excellent percussion/vocal/cheerleader trio who kept our spirits up and to Joe for his all – round contribution. 

 Footnote: On the way out, I stopped to check whether my strip of raffle tickets had won say a pair of ladies tights or a set of salad servers to find that inside an envelope handed to me were two adult and two child return tickets on the Pickering to Whitby Choo Choo – Whoo Hoo!

Next up is a return to the Ridings in Wakefield on 

Friday, 4th July at 10:30 for 11a m.