AIN’T THEY GOT FUN IN OTLEY

Backed by a cover version of the 1921 foxtrot Ain’t We Got Fun performed by community band the Otley Ukulele Orchestra, the film’s camera takes viewers on a journey through Otley’s fabulous community festive spirit.

On the way, visits are paid to community groups with members aged from nine to their nineties in the form of 2nd Otley Cub Scouts and Otley Action for Older People, local independent businesses such as the town’s three award-winning butchers and chocolatier-to-the-stars Patisserie Viennoise, a variety of pubs and cafés, and festive events including the annual Otley Victorian Fayre and Otley Christmas Tree Festival.

Over the years, Ain’t We Got Fun, written by Richard A. Whiting, Raymond B. Egan and Gus Khan, has been performed by everyone from Doris Day to Bing Crosby, with the most famous rendition (until now!) probably being Peggy Lee’s 1959 big band take on the classic. Visit Otley’s version has been re-worked with amended lyrics by Richard Sabey of Otley-based community arts organisation the Big Hoo-Ha Company, while lead vocals are by multi-instrumentalist and Otley Ukulele Orchestra founder Jennifer Pugh.

The film is the third festive offering from Visit Otley following the viral smashes of 2017’s Oak & The Ash that playfully mimicked the look and feel of large corporate Christmas adverts and 2018’s rousing Twelve Days of Otley Christmas.

Ain’t We Got Fun in Otley – the Visit Otley 2019 Christmas Video is available to view on Facebook and YouTube now.

A full list of Otley Christmas Events can be found at visitotley.co.uk