In the bar of the King’s Arms, Weymouth
Members of our Ukulele group, the D’Ukes, started November with a weekend of strumming and singing in Weymouth.
Joined by three members of the Lewes Lewkulele group we took over our weekend accommodation, the National Trust-owned Portland House, on Friday afternoon and after exploring our fabulous surroundings were soon unpacking our instruments for an informal jam session while supper was warming up.
Saturday morning saw us in the sitting room putting together and practising a few numbers for our afternoon get-together with the Weymouth Ukuleleans.
Meeting and playing along with a unfamiliar group is always slightly intimidating, but we were warmly welcomed by around 20 Ukuleleans in the busy bar area of the Kings Arms. We proceeded to entertain the regulars with many songs, both in our separate groups and all together, accompanied by various instruments including tambourine and spoons. After a fantastic couple of hours and with our voices starting to fail we sadly said goodbye to our new friends and made our way back to Portland House.
Sunday saw us in more relaxed mode, exploring the grounds and seashore, and experimenting with various songs, our ukuleles accompanied now and then by keyboard, guitar and bodhran.
After a final celebratory meal that evening we regretfully left Weymouth on Monday morning with sore fingers but great memories.
John Hammond