Thornbury ukulele jam sessions for kids kick off

Dozens of young people turned up at Turnberries to spend time learning how to play the ukulele on Wednesday, February 19.

Run by local music coach Dan Budd the hour long session saw students of all ages spend time learning how to play the popular Hawaiian instrument.

Instruments were provided during the session but children could bring their own ukulele if they had one. One little girl even sported her very own personalized pink ukulele.

Jam Sessions follows on from the tremendous success of Ukulele Jam for older musicians after its launch in early February.

Dan said: "Almost all of those who have come each week have had little or no experience playing the ukulele, so we are starting from scratch. But I think within three or four months, we will be at a place where we could be playing in public, and spreading our ukulele joy.

Ukulele Jam sessions were geared towards an adult audience but Dan, along with his Funkypunk Music co-founder Jonathan Darley, wanted to offer something to younger children interested in learning how to play the ukulele.

Dan led to Wednesday morning’s musical session which served as a taster for the new ukulele class for kids which will run from 6pm to 7pm at the Origin Cafe in Turnberries on Thursdays from this week on.

The group has been set up to create a fun environment for local schoolchildren to learn to play the ukulele and then have opportunities to perform in public.

This class will be followed by Ukulele Jam from 7pm to 8pm for older musicians.

"Through our partnership with Krunch South West who run the youth centre at Turnberries, we have obtained funding to run a weekly ukulele group for young people and children. We have also been able to purchase a number of instruments so they don't even need to own a ukulele at first."

The costs have been subsidised by Krunch South West to allow the places to be offered at just £3 per week.

More information at www.funkypunk.org.uk or email office@funkypunk.org.uk