As 2015 comes to a close, the members of the Ukulele Orchestra of Spalding can take a break until mid-January when we start to perform again.
This year has been very busy for the orchestra, as we have performed a total of 63 gigs for a variety of audiences in and around the local area – from Boston down to Peterborough, from Bourne to Sutton Bridge, and many villages around Spalding. We estimate that we have played for a total of 3,000 to 4,000 people during 2015, and all free of charge!
However, we do accept donations at the discretion of the groups or societies who have booked us, and those donations have reached an astonishing £3,000.
The support, enthusiasm and generosity of our audiences has been humbling, and their kind comments only add further to our appreciation.
All donated money is banked (we pay our own expenses for travel etc) and is distributed to local charities and good causes at the year’s end; these causes are chosen by votes from all orchestra members, and the chosen causes will shortly be receiving approximately £500 each. Last year the donations went to the Barnabas Hospice, The Garth School, Boston Woodland Trust and Anna’s Hope (children with severe medical issues); this year’s recipients will be announced after the Christmas break.
2016 looks like being at least as busy as this year, as we already have a full list of concerts booked in.
We have a full membership of 60 at present, with at least ten people on a waiting list.
The group has an age range of between 12 and 82. We get great pleasure and enjoyment out of playing for so many lovely people in this area, and those feelings are heightened by the fact that our audiences’ generosity can be used to help others.
Thank you most sincerely for your support and kindness, and we look forward to seeing many of you again during the coming year. You are wonderful!
John Baguley
Press Officer
Ukulele Orchestra of Spalding
