Over the past few months, residents of Corby have become part of The Corby Ukulele project. Participants have had the opportunity to make their own ukulele, using an Utterly Butterly spread tub, some fishing line, some screw eyes and a piece of wood! Sound crazy eh? Well, these ukuleles actually play and sound just like the real thing!

Working in local primary schools and community workshops, the project team of Steve Nutter, Simon Ferraby, and Nick Penny helped over1100 people to make their own ukuleles.

What's more, they taught them to play their instruments too!

Click on the links below to hear Year 5 at Weldon Primary school singing and playing. They had spent just one morning making their ukuleles, learning to play them, and learning three songs they'd never done before!

     Wimoweh             The Utterly Butterly Song            Swing Low

Youtube video of a workshop in Corby Library

On 31st October 2009 at 2:00pm, ukulele players from across Corby gathered in the town centre and took part in a massed ukulele jam session!

Youtube video of the finale in Corby Town Centre

                    The Utterly Butterly Band

      Simon Ferraby          Nick Penny           Steve Nutter

Simon Ferraby masterminded the ukulele lessons, Nick Penny designed the ukulele and made the kits, and Steve Nutter coordinated the workshops in his role as Arts Officer for Corby Council.

Funding was provided by Corby Council, KCAP Arts, and Utterly Butterly.

Click on the link below to hear some of the background to the project