2023 saw a casual group of friends, playing ukulele together in our front room, become an established Community Group. The group has continued to grow throughout 2024. We have become more confident in our playing and performing. But our primary objective is, and always will be, to have fun and enjoy playing and singing together.
Social Night
Our first event of 2024 was our Members’ Social Night.
The Night was a great success, with around forty people in attendance. The Average White Van Band put on a fabulous show, and the DUGs put together a varied and confident performance.
Ken Fraser's Funeral
Some of our members attended a very sad event in January. The funeral of a popular member of our group, Ken Fraser.
Ken was a member of a number of ukulele groups around the area. As Doune was his hometown, the Doune Ukulele group was very special to him.
Representatives of each of the groups came together to perform California Blue, one of Ken’s favourites, at the funeral.
Ken is sadly missed
Group Performances
January and February saw the first of our performances with the Dunblane and the Doune Dementia Support Groups. Both these groups have thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated our sessions, singing and even dancing along.
We also played at Parklands Care Home in Stirling, Doune Beavers, Callander Arthritis Group, and Doune Ponds Family Day. Our biggest performance event was for the 3F Group at Briarlands Farm.
It is so nice to be able to go out and share our music and give something back to our communities. I’d like to see more of these this year, as long as we can put together enough players to make it worthwhile.
Our Second Birthday
24 of us raised a glass to the Group’s second birthday (a record turnout).
We also used the occasion to get an up-to-date group photo. As well as being a great addition to our new website, it highlights just how much our group has grown in its first two years.
D.U.G. second anniversary, March 2024
New Website
douneukulele.org went live at the end of March.
After much research, I found a web site builder that is free for community, and voluntary groups in the UK. We only have a small annual fee for the douneukulele.org domain name.
Over the last few months, it has become a useful resource as well as a platform to promote the group to prospective members.
Isobel Cunningham's Funeral
Sadly, April saw the funeral of another member. Isobel was a member of DUG for about eight months, but her various health issues meant she was only able to get to a handful of meetings. Her family have very kindly donated her ukulele to the group
Falkirk Ukulele Festival
In June, a dozen of us attended the new Falkirk Ukulele Festival.
A long day began with members of six ukulele groups from across the Central Belt joining together in song. There is something very special about over 100 ukulele players singing and strumming together.
Throughout the day, the individual groups performed their sets on the main stage. It was interesting to see the variety of styles and levels of abilities on show. One thing all the groups certainly had in abundance was a love of performing. Doune Ukulele Group performed their set mid-afternoon. As always, I was pleased and proud of our performance. All the practice paid off.
There were also two open-mic sessions. David Bright, David McDonald and John did a great little set in the first one. In the second session, I performed a couple of songs wot I wrote!
During the day, there was a selection of workshops. John, Ken and Sally were very impressed with the workshop tutor, Sarah Farren. Sarah is a highly experienced Ukulele Teacher and Community Leader based in Glasgow. She is also the leader of the Southside Strummers, probably the most impressive of all the groups who performed at the festival.
After the festival, I contacted Sarah to ask her to come along to Doune for monthly ukulele workshops.
Annual General Meeting
Our Annual General Meeting was held at the end of July.
At the meeting, we elected five committee members:
Joe Gilmour remained as Chair. John Gallacher swapped jobs to take over as Treasurer. Julia Gilbert was elected Secretary. Jackie Gilmour and James Coleman also joined the committee.
The Gathering, Callander
In August, the suicide prevention charity, Canmore Trust, put on an event at Ancaster Square, Callander. eleven members performed at the Gathering on a glorious sunny afternoon. Although we enjoyed ourselves, it was not without its challenges. Outdoor events are difficult, particularly when competing with nearby main road traffic. But our audience seemed appreciative, and it is always nice to get out and perform our songs after all the practice.
It was good to support such a worthwhile charity. A great big thank you to all those who were able to come along.
Ukulele Baby
Also in August, we had a very welcome distraction during one of our meetings. Gemma arrived with baby Rosie. It was lovely to see mum and baby (and Grandma!) doing so well 👶❤️
It was also nice to see Grandma take over baby duties for a while and let Gemma get some ukulele time with the group!
Doune Ponds Family Day
In September, we played at the Doune Ponds Family Fun Day. This event is organised by the Doune Woodland Group, to promote and support the volunteers who work to keep the Doune Ponds Nature Reserve in such good condition for wildlife and visitors.
Again, playing outdoors was not without its challenges but, despite one or two hiccups, we put on a good show. We also showed off our new music stand banners.
Ukulele Workshops
September also saw the first of our monthly Ukulele Workshops with Sarah.
In the first session, Sarah gave an all-round introduction to how she teaches and a mini taster of what can be expected.
Everyone seemed to enjoy Sarah's first session. I had a lot of positive feedback.
The session was certainly challenging, but nothing unattainable.
Notes and resources from Sarah’s Workshops can be found in the Members’ Area of our website. Sarah also has her YouTube cannel which is jam-packed with tips and encouragement for ukulele players of all abilities - https://www.youtube.com/@ukulelesaz
Loch Lomond Strumday
In October, twelve members attended the Loch Lomond Strumday.
With around 120 ukulele players crammed into one big room, playing and singing together, it really is quite an experience.
Once again, our set was very well received. The audience sang, clapped and cheered. We were amazed by all the congratulations on the performance on our way back to our seats.
Website Members' Area
In October, the Member's Area was set up on our website.
As well as play-along videos of some of our songs, the Members’ Area contains the songsheets, practice notes, and links to video tutorials for the songs we are working on with Sarah.
Over the next few months, I hope to build members’ resources on the site.
IT’S CHRISTMAAAAAAAAS!!!
The Festive Season comes early in Ukulele Land. At least, practicing Christmas songs does!
At the beginning of November, Sarah gave us some very useful tips about performing, as well as a couple of new Christmas songs to have a go at. I know not all of our members are quite as enthusiastic about Christmas songs as I am, but the weeks of practice certainly paid off in our Christmas performances.
Doune Dementia Christmas Party
At the beginning of December, we played at the Doune Dementia Christmas Party. Daytime/midweek gigs are always difficult as we often struggle for players. At the Dementia Party we even had to get Santa Claus to grab a ukulele to make up numbers!
It was, nevertheless, a lovely afternoon with lots of singing along with our Christmas songs.
Doune Village Christmas Fayre
Many of us were worried about playing at the Village Fayre as the weather forecast didn’t look good. As it turned out, the terrible weather did us a favour. At the last minute, the Fayre was relocated to the Rural Hall. While this was disappointing for the Fayre Committee and the traders on Main Street and The Cross, it suited us, as we were indoors, in familiar surroundings.
The Hall was very, very busy, with a lot of background noise. But having nine of us playing meant we were heard by everyone who took the time out from the festivities to listen and sing along. Having our new drummer, Duncan, join us made a big difference as, while we struggled to hear each other at times, the strong, steady drumbeat kept us all together.
Open Night
Our annual Open Night was not as well attended by the public as previous years, but we still had a great time.
We had twenty members playing on the stage, and all the practice really paid off – we were amazing (in my humble, unbiased, opinion!).
We managed to pressgang half a dozen audience members to join us on stage to have a go at Dance The Night Away. In previous years, this has brought us one or two new members. Time will tell if we do the same this year. But what it has done is convince one of our old members to re-join.
So, here’s looking forward to 2025, hoping it brings the Doune Ukulele Group continued success!
Happy New Strumming!