| Status: | Active, open to new members |
| Convenor: | |
| Group admin: | Uke-Troupe group |
| When: | On Fridays 2:00 pm-4:00 pm 1st & 3rd Friday of month |
| Venue: | St Ives Methodist Church |
| Cost: | Shared charge for room hire |
Friday afternoons twice a month, St Ives Methodist Church
Band leader: Mark Taylor
Admin/Gig bookings: Joy Cooper and Mary Burbage
Uke-Troupe meets from 2-4pm on the first and third Friday afternoon each month
at the Methodist Church on The Waits, St Ives, usually in the upstairs meeting room.
The ukulele is a fun instrument and relatively easy to play. It is a very popular activity in many u3a groups around the country and requires no previous musical ability, expertise or knowledge. However, Uke-Troupe is no longer a beginner group and tuition is not offered during our sessions.
We play a variety of popular songs, both new and old, and create our own arrangements. Each member of the group has their own ukulele, digital tuner and music stand. Communication is by e-mail. Members receive a play list and new song attachments from Joy which they print off and bring to the following Uke-Troupe session. Regular practice and attendance is important.
Uke-Troupe now has approximately 25 members, and experienced players are welcome to join when there is space available. There is a charge for room hire which is payable termly, in advance.
If you would like more information, the Group Organiser, Joy Cooper, can be contacted via the blue envelope link. (When emailing the Group Organiser please ensure that you mention 'Uke-Troupe'). The sessions are led by the Troupe leader, Mark Taylor, and our gig arrangements are managed by Mary Burbage.
The group regularly accepts invitations to perform, often in care homes or day centres locally. In July 2023, we took part in a live broadcast from the Market Square on Radio Cambridgeshire. In October 2025, we once again took part in the Ukulele Festival held in St Ives Corn Exchange, when we dressed as Mods and Rockers! (see more pictures and video links on our Photographs page).
Click on the buttons below to see more photos, videos and information about the Troupe
MEETING DATES
Sessions are usually in the upstairs meting room at the Methodist Church on The Waits, St Ives, on a Friday afternoon, 2-4pm
Dates for 2026
Spring term:
- Jan 9, 23 (both in the Church)
(NB 2nd and 4th Fridays this month) - Feb 6, 20
- March 6, 20
- April 3, 17
Summer term:
- May 1, 15
- June 5, 19
- July 3, 17
- August no meetings
Autumn term:
- Sept 4, 18
- Oct 2, 16
- Nov 6, 20
- Dec 4, 18
CONCERT GROUP
Gigs booked for 2026
- Monday 2 February, Over Day Centre
- Wednesday 11 February, Hemingford Hub
- Saturday 28 March, Over Dementia Cafe
- Wednesday 27 May, Warboys Day Centre, 1.15pm
- Wednesday 10 June, Over Day Centre
- Wednesday 29 July, Warboys Day Centre, 1.15pm
- SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER, ST IVES UKULELE FESTIVAL
- Friday 16 October, u3a Music Evening 7pm
- Wednesday 28 October, Warboys Day Centre, 1.15pm
PERFORMANCE DRESS CODE
- • Shirts/blouses/tops (not T-shirts) - White
- • Trouser or skirts - Black
- • Shoes – Black
- • Belt (if worn) - Black
- • A single tie, bow-tie, scarf, cravat – yellows/oranges/burnt orange (to match the music stand banner).
- • No jackets, jumpers, waistcoats, hats, etc.
History of the group
Uke-Troupe was established by Brian Barnes in April 2015 and after just six sessions the group gave their first public performance at the Group Fair on Thursday 11th June 2015. Playing on the balcony of the Charter Hall in St Ives Corn Exchange we performed four songs, ‘Singing in the rain’, ‘Rocking all over the world’, ‘Blowing in the wind’ and ‘You are my sunshine’. Uke-Troupe also contributed some Christmas songs to the December monthly meeting of the U3A that year.
