FUNK WIRE
Many people have been put off singing in choirs by experiences at school or elsewhere, or may simply lack the confidence to join with others in collective music-making. But many of us also really enjoy a good sing and would like to enjoy the many proven physical and emotional benefits of singing together …. so this is where the Funk Wire, led by our "choir master" Ron Norman, comes in.
The Funk Wire is an inclusive community participation choir which we originally set up in 2016. No previous experience, ability to read music or musical ability needed!
With a wide repertoire of pop tunes from Abba to Zappa (well … maybe one day!) and other favourites, we sing primarily for our own pleasure, with occasional events with guests (such as our annual Christmas gathering) where we try to facilitate ‘singalongs’.
We normally meet fortnightly on Thursday afternoons from 2pm – 4pm at the Conistone with Kilnsey Village Hall, and anyone is very welcome to come along for a ‘taster’.
Funk Wire 2025
FUNK WIRE AUTUMN DATES 2025
Thursday September 18th and
Thursdays October 2nd and 16th (Normal pattern followed by 3 week gap – our holiday)
Thursdays November 6th, 13th, 27th (Extra one added)
Thursdays December 4th and 11th (Extra one added)
Christmas Singalong Friday December 12th
Please note the changes April to July
March 13th and 27th 2pm - 4pm at Conistone with Kilnsey Village Hall.
April 10th 2pm - 4pm at Conistone with Kilnsey Village Hall.
May 1st, 15th and 29th 2pm to 4 pm Conistone with Kilnsey Village Hall.
June 12th 2pm to 4 pm Conistone with Kilnsey Village Hall.
July 3rd and 17th 2pm to 4 pm Conistone with Kilnsey Village Hall.
2024 SUMMER SINGALONG
Thursday July 18th Grassington Town Hall
Full fat members:
• Start 9.30 am
• Tea & coffee available but bring own lunch + water
• Work intensively on new material for pm performance.
Semi-Skimmed choir members and Guests arrive 2pm for fizz, nibbles & bites
• Start 2.30pmish: hear a performance by the Full Fat Funk Wire!
• Followed by usual singalong
Finish 4.30pm
You can watch and participate in the Funk Wire YouTube videos here
Funk Wire – Past Performances
Sadly our 2020/21 events were severely curtailed due to the Covid Pandemic
9th May 2020: A singalong celebrating the anniversary of VE-Day, outside (and socially distanced) on the village green Arncliffe
Summer 2020 Ron established the YouTube videos for the choir to keep singing whilst in Covid lockdowns.
11th November 2021: The Funk Wire sessions restarted in Arncliffe village hall
10th December 2021: Christmas singalong at Kettlewell Village Hall
2019
29th June: Funk Wire sang in Grassington Square as part of the Grassington Festival encouraging the audience to sing along
13th December: Christmas singalong to a packed audience in Village Hall, Arncliffe
22nd December: Funk Wire took part in the Christmas Carol Service at St. Oswald's church in Arncliffe
2018
19thDecember : Christmas singalong to a packed audience in the Falcon Inn Arncliffe
10thJuly : Performance and singalong with Kettlewell WI at the Village Hall, Kettlewell
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the WW1 Armistice Funk Wire held two performances of period pieces at Cracoe Village Hall as part of the 1918 exhibition
14th December: the Choir held a Christmas singalong to a full audience in the Falcon Inn Arncliffe
23rd December: Played a part in the Christmas Carol Service at St. Oswald's church in Arncliffe
2017
17th August: Inaugural "Summer Singalong" at the Falcon Inn Arncliffe
The Funk Wire annual Christmas Sing along
Woodcut Printing Workshop led by Tilly Dagnall
Tilly has led workshops for us before and always receivesrave reviews. She will introduce you to the art of making woodcut prints, providing all the materials needed. No experience required!
Place: Conistone with Kilnsey Hall Date: Wednesday 17th September Time: 10am to 4pm Cost: £55 including tea, coffee etc. Please bring your own lunch.
To book your place: Email uwalsociety@gmail.com or phone 01756 770350
An Enamelling Workshop led by Emily Knight
Emily established Studio Vault, Settle in 2015 https://studiovault.co.uk/. Her background is originally in Jewellery, which she studied at the prestigious Glasgow School of Art. The workshop will give opportunities for sampling different ideas before working on a piece of your choice e.g. earrings or a wall plaque. The day will cater for everybody. DATE: Thursday 20th November TIME: 10am to 4pm VENUE : Conistone with Kilnsey Hall COST: £55 including all materials, tea, coffee etc. Please bring your own lunch.
To secure a place email uwalsociety@gmail.com or telephone 01756 770350
Cheese Tasting at The Courtyard Dairy, Settle
Since The opening of the Courtyard Dairy owners Kathy and Andy Swinscoe have won many awards and helped to promote British cheese in a multitude of ways. This is an opportunity to enjoy an afternoon cheese tasting guided by an expert in cheesemaking and learn about the history of. Anybody who cannot drive or arrange lifts, let us know and we will try to match people up with drivers
Date: Tuesday 30th September 2pm to 4pm at the
Courtyard Dairy, Settle. Cost: £11
Book your place by emailing uwalsociety@gmail.com or phoning 01756 77035