Members of the Ukulele Orchestra of Spalding (UOOS) celebrated their 15th Birthday with a special ‘Ukes Got Talent’ style party.
As well as songs played on the ukulele, there were renditions on piano and guitar, as well as a visit from a ‘naughty Santa’.
A spokesman for the group said: “We were delighted to have two of the founder members with us with Bobbie Thorpe and John Baguley having now been members for all 15 years.
“Unfortunately, Jo Baguley, another founder member, was unable to be with us but was able to enjoy much of the show via the power of social media.
“It was a night of celebrating a wonderful community; for many they describe it as their ‘second family’ who joke that they ‘sometimes play the right chords and sometimes in the right order’.”
The Ukulele Orchestra of Spalding performs at a number of venues across the year – fetes, garden parties, care homes, garden centres to name a few – all for the purpose of raising money to donate to local charitable causes.
All members are volunteers who give up their time for weekly rehearsals on a Thursday nights at the Broad Street Methodist Church in Spalding (7.30-9.30pm) alongside as many gigs as they are able.
“It is a very relaxed group with a wide range of experience of players who welcome both beginner and experienced players.” the spokesman continued. “We’re an ‘orchestra’ as not only are there a variation of ukuleles but also banjoleles alongside percussion instruments and voice.
“The orchestra has five key objectives: To promote the playing of the ukulele as an enjoyable, social activity for people of all ages and abilities.
“To introduce the playing of the ukulele to new individuals.
“To perform voluntarily for local events and charities.
“To further such charitable purpose or purposes as the members think fit, in particular through the disbursement of funds to local charities.
“And to promote social cohesion, by mutual respect and support, for the wellbeing of our community family.”
If you are interested in joining the UOOS or just coming along to see what they do or would like to request a booking, contact booking.uoos@gmail.com or message us via Facebook.
