About Vikings Skiffle Group

The Vikings Skiffle Group was formed in early 2011, from members of Formby U3A. When I originally put the idea forward I imagined two or three people showing interest. In the event there were 13, all of whom are still with us. We may not be the best skiffle group in the world but we are certainly the largest I have ever heard of.

Click here to see us playing at Formby Live Music Weekend

In the best traditions of amateur skiffle groups, there was a wide range of musical backgrounds, from none to not much!  However over our two years we have developed a distinctive sound with banjo, 12-string guitar, 3 6-string guitars, 2 tea-chest basses, 2 washboards, spoons, tambourine, bells and kazoos. Various members act as lead singers for certain numbers, but we all take part in the singing generally.

Our repertoire consists mainly of skiffle classics from the late fifties and early sixties. However we also play some other numbers that lend themselves to the skiffle treatment. Our performances always go down well, whether to younger people who have never heard anything quite like it or to older people for whom it brings back happy memories of their youth.

We play regularly in Formby at the First Wednesday Folk Club, at Lifeboat Tea Rooms and fundraising outside Oxfam. We have also played at Formby Dickensian Day, Formby Live music weekend, Formby Diamond Jubilee concert, Formby Family Fun Day and the U3A Christmas Show.  Other performances have been to groups such as the Rotary Club, Alzheimers Society and Maryland Care Home.

We are open to invitations to any appropriate event or occasion.                    
Nic Dickson