Wakefield Hospice 23rd March Photos Jane Barr Videos Jane Barr
A small but nevertheless eager contingent of Wakeylele players arrived at the Hospice on a hazy March afternoon, ready to bring musical memories back to a dementia group, accompanied by a very supportive staff. Thelma, who had been busy doing all the preparatory work, leading to this event, was naturally feeling a bit apprehensive as we set up. She needn’t have worried.
Chris was introduced to a staff member called Chris, who, apart from having the misfortune of being born on the wrong side of the Pennines, proved to be a very positive and extrovert character in not only responding to our leader’s banter but acting as an influencer to all the residents and staff, who were in any case really up for it.
From the confident introduction to ‘Bring Me Sunshine’, right through to the final song, ‘You’re Sixteen’, there were very few slip – ups and whenever they did occur, they were overcome in the blink of an eye. Any Dream Will Do was delivered in fine melodic style as was Singing the Blues and return to Sender, with both staff and residents, giving it, not only in Roy’s phrase, ‘some big lips’ but also getting up on the dance floor to give the whole occasion, a feel – good vibe. As if this wasn’t enough, Roy and Magz performed a great duet, to produce an instant sugar rush as you will soon see from the video, which was much appreciated by the audience, who again joined in to enhance the song. As the interval fast approached our leader was feeling so high on endorphins that he couldn’t wait for Mags to complete the fourth tick – tock intro to Green Door on her wooden blocks, but such was the positive atmosphere in the room that everyone adapted in an instant.
The interval meant there was time not only for Roy to intercept me for more corny jokes but also for Dave Flatters to recall the time he saw Tommy Cooper on stage in Wakefield. Mini packs of biscuits were also produced from a cupboard to supplement tea and coffee. There was also time to inspect Chris’s very smart and colourful short – sleeved shirt with Italian tomatoes, lemons and herbs motifs.
Ready for action again, we resumed with the very appropriate I’m Into Something Good, followed by George Formby’s Lamp Post chestnut, again very popular with this audience before Val and Magz once again showed their versatility to perform a very smooth rendition of In the Light of A Silvery Moon, which as with Roy and Mags, received enthusiastic applause and such was the fervour of the crowd that with Amarillo in full swing, they were largely responsible for adding an extra chorus, temporarily befuddling Chris and the band who, quickly ‘reading the room’ just went along with it. Val then demonstrated her mastery of the bass riff in ‘Da Doo Ron Ron’, being in perfect sync with the band, which again brought the dance floor alive, with Thelma, by now in celebratory mood, foregoing her uke to display her skills with a nifty hand jive, of which The Crystals would have been proud. Another faultless performance of Steve Harley’s classic led to the finale as the years were rolled back with way past sixty year olds once again taking to the floor en masse to prove that they can still match some sixteen year olds.
A very big hand to Chris for his excellent hosting and precise direction in leading the band – his finest performance to date – and to Thelma for all her hard work which was richly rewarded. All the band were good which augers well for the future.
Next up, as soon as this Friday (!) at 10:30 for 11 a.m. is another Ridings gig with Mike Carr taking the reins, so with the cast list steadily growing, it’s yet another chance to show our credentials.