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Finally made it! Grand Northern Ukulele Festival 2018

One of the things on my bucket list when we moved to Skipton was to attend Huddersfield's very own Grand Northern Ukulele Festival - GNUF. Then my busy diary got in the way... This year, I decided what the heck, I was going to go anyway, busy diary or no. Glad I did!

Receiving the Queen's Award
The full lineup information for GNUF2018 is still on the website. For 2018 there were events Thursday through to Sunday. I made it for Saturday and Sunday daytime. Contrary to my norm, I had not planned on which stage/any workshops etc. 

Saturday started well when I bumped into another ukulele acquaintance on the train at Leeds.  Good start! After collecting my wristband and a programme I chilled over lunchtime, catching the vibe on Mim's stage in the LBT courtyard. Including the presentation of the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service!!

Early afternoon I attended a talk by Rob Collins of Tinguitar about sustainability in ukulele design. Lots of interesting information and examples of different woods along with some really lovely sample ukuleles (London plane). 

After soaking up the atmosphere and thoroughly browsing the merch (if I ever get a winning lottery ticket I want a Ziegenspeck Harp Ukulele - tried this and it's amazing) I went to the Unplugthewood stage. I caught the end of Fake Plastic Tigers' set followed by fingerpicking by Oli Mansell  - so assured and he's still a teenager. I absolutely LOVED Belfast Ukulele Jam. Their set was super, bouncy, infectious fun and really good stagecraft. Queen, Prince - a right royal selection!
 
The downside to this amazingness was that I missed the Main Stage performance by Andy Eastwood with his premiere of new composition, SpaceScape. There are videos on the GNUF Facebook page which are worth a listen.

Breakfast Jam on Sunday
Sunday I arrived at the LBT in time for the end of the Breakfast Jam. After a brief pause in Queenie's chatting to Cool Cat Ukes aka Simon, I spent the next hour and a half jamming in the bar, mainly with Maldon Ukulele Group but really it was a bar full of ukers! Exhausted the GNUF 2018 songbook in time for the Main Stage shows, including highlights Amelia Coburn and Robin Evans Esq - folk and blues (world record blues, no less!). Hawaiian treats from Peter Luongo and ensemble, then time for the train home and a sleep. The weekend was by no means over...

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