A Potted History

The Teifi Ukulele Group came into existence in 2012 when, at an AGM of the Cardigan U3a, one of their members, Sam Wharburton, enquired as to whether there was a local Ukulele group she could attend. Sadly, no such group existed at that time which prompted her to ask other people present if anyone would be interested in forming one. Thankfully someone was and that person was Peter (Pete) Ward.

Pete asked various friends if they would like to help which culminated in Sam, Pete together with his wife Pam and their friends, Sandra and John Wild, becoming the founder members of the Teifi Ukulele Group which then became included into the many group activities offered by the Cardigan U3a.

The group's first meeting was at the Cliff Hotel, Cardigan where they quickly realised that amongst them, Sam was the only one who possessed a Ukulele and more importantly, that none of them had the faintest idea of how to play one.

According to U3a rules members were supposed to find teachers/tutors (unpaid) from within their own groups which for most worked well. Not for us however so unless a suitable person could be found from outside the organisation and one whom we could pay, our group would cease to exist.

As new members were hoping to join, the U3a realising the situation, agreed and we were able to find a suitably qualified person to teach us. We were the first group allowed to do this which then opened the door for other U3a groups countrywide to be able to do the same.

Pete put himself forward as group leader, sourcing and arranging all the music and Sandra agreed to help as and when necessary. The membership grew to around eighteen, meeting in the Old School Hall, St. Dogmaels, every second Tuesday of the month.

Then came the Pandemic and all things ceased. Pete became ill, although not with Covid and we very sadly lost our dear friend and group leader just before
Christmas 2020.

The group came reformed in 2021 when a vote was taken as to whether to stay with the U3a or to become independent. However, after meetings with the U3a
it was decided that it would be more beneficial to us to stay with them. Pete had told the U3a that Sandra would become the group leader after him but she didn't wish to assume this position unless the group wished it. They did and Sandra then asked Chris Yeandle if he would become her second and run it with her, to which he readily agreed together with two more members of the group to form a Committee.

Unfortunately due to access/parking issues we also needed to find a new venue. The Reading Room at Newchapel then became our meeting place and is to
this day where we meet every Tuesday morning from 10.00am to 12.00noon.

Along the way we have lost many valued members of our group and we have missed them. To date, eight of our original members are still with us. New people
have joined and there are now twenty three in the group and we would be happy to welcome more.

As well as our amazing ukuleles we now have a guitarist and a bass player and make use of kazoos, bells, train whistles and anything else we may find to make our performance fun and enjoyable.

Now, building on the past, our group performs by invitation, at various venues throughout the year including the Fishguard Folk Festival. We have also been invited to participate in the Welsh Ukulele Project taking place at Pembroke Castle on Saturday 1st July 2023 where we will be showcasing two of our songs.

No experience is necessary so why not come and join our happy band?

Long may it continue!