Maldon Ukulele Festival saw hundreds of musicians from all over the country descend on South Woodham Ferrers earlier this month, raising £250 for Farleigh Hospice.

Organised by John Wathen, founder of the Maldon Ukulele Group (MUGS), the fifth ukulele festival was held at SWF Village Hall on August 12. Held annually, it is said to be the largest ukulele festival in Essex, with top bands from the UK, Europe, and even Hawaii often taking part.

Visitors came and went throughout the day, but up to 250 people took part altogether. Donations were collected from performers and audience members, in aid of local charity Farleigh Hospice.

Uke fanatic Mike Gradwell came all the way from Morecambe in Lancashire to take part. He performed punk rock and pop covers on his ukulele, including The Beatles' Here Comes the Sun. (Photo: John Wathen)

John started MUGS a decade ago, shortly after retiring as a bus driver. He used to discuss music with a regular passenger while working. One day, the passenger presented John with a ukulele as a retirement gift.

He soon fell in love with it, changing the strings to get the best sound possible out of his new instrument, but he needed somewhere to play.

"There were no groups around here at the time, so I put an advert up for local ukulele players," John recalled.

"I got about four replies, but we met up in somebody's house and it went from there."

The group moved to the Sunny Sailor in Maldon, where it was based until the pandemic. John had planned to hold last year's festival at the pub but had to cancel at the last minute when the new manager "pulled the plug".

A scaled-down festival was then rescheduled for last November at South Woodham Ferrers Village Hall.

Next year's Maldon Ukulele Festival is planned to be held at The Jolly Sailor in Heybridge Basin. Since they moved from the Waring Rooms in Heybridge, the pub is also the new home of the Maldon Ukulele Group.

The group's membership has fluctuated over the years, with around 25 current members. Ukulele players of all abilities are accepted, and other instruments are also welcome.

MUGS meets every Monday from 6.45pm at The Jolly Sailor, Heybridge Basin. For more information, visit the Maldon Ukulele Group Facebook page.

To join the group, get in touch with John via email.

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