Joy on SHOW

Across the UK, women are finding happiness through joining performing arts groups

- KIM WILLIS

Amanda Crossland, 63, is the co-founder of the Dukeries Ukeries Ukulele Group. A learning experience designer, she lives in Worksop with her husband Michael, 73.

For Christmas 2018, Michael thought that it would be fun to buy me a ukulele. For a year it sat in the box, untouched. I had no musical experience but eventually summoned the courage to follow a YouTube tutorial to learn Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen. I enjoyed myself so much that I decided to join a local ukulele group.

Nine months later, lockdown hit. I entertained my friends by doing the annual 100 Days of Ukulele Challenge.

Soon after this, my friend John and I decided to create a ukulele band called the Dukeries Ukeries, appealing for players on Facebook. We jammed on Zoom and, when lockdown eased, started to meet and perform in person.

We have a broad repertoire and play everything from Misirlou - the tune from the movie Pulp Fiction - to Beethoven's Für Elise with a rock twist.

The ukelele brought music into my life but also friendship, community and happiness. Even just saying the word 'ukulele' makes me smile.