Valé Michael Bell
| Type of post: | Group news item |
| Sub-type: | No sub-type |
| Posted By: | Alison Davies |
| Status: | Current |
| Date Posted: | Tue, 7 Jan 2025 |
Our fearless founder and leader Michael has gone off to play his ukulele in the sky, following a long battle with cancer.
Michael was a wonderful man of enormous energy and enthusiasm, inclusive attitudes and devilish sense of humour. He has truly left an amazing legacy for so many ukulele players and musicians and he touched us all with his love of music, leadership and generosity.
We all owe him a debt for the many friends we have made through the little club that he started with 7 members in 2011, and now has in excess of 140 and continues to grow. LUKES membership is largely made up of seniors (though very young at heart), who play ukuleles and other instruments. The principal mission of the club Michael started, is for people to gather together and learn to play the ukulele. He went on to create a club that is inclusive, positive, welcoming, educational, empowering, but mostly just fun.
It has been totally life changing for so many and there wouldn’t be a member who knew him who didn’t admire his initiative and leadership skills, but most of all his ability to bring enormous joy to people of diverse backgrounds and abilities through the joy of music.
It’s imperative that the legacy he leaves is continued, to honour his passion and initiative. We’re so lucky that he founded such a well-structured, happy, stimulating, diverse, cohesive and unique club and one that we’re so proud to be a part of.
Michael was truly a legend and will always be in our thoughts when we get together to play music!
