25/07/2026
Hi everyone,
Boring personal post alert.
I thought 100 times about not posting this but I thought it was important to be open and honest. Once I’ve posted this I only want to talk about all the AMAZING, POSITIVE things happening at UFOGB 2026.
A personal note from Matt
2026 is going to be the best year ever, but I think it’s really important to note that I know I’ve been rubbish at communication this year. I just wanted to apologise for not being more present and for not answering every email and message. I know how frustrating it is when you email and I don’t get back to you.
It wouldn't be right for me to go into every detail but this year has been a very challenging one for me personally with health issues and caring duties, on top of the usual day job and being a Dad and husband too. It's been really personally upsetting for me that I haven't been able to get back to you with all your queries. I have felt neglectful towards you lovely people. It has kept me awake at night.
Thankfully we have a great team of helpers for the weekend and we’re all going to make sure it is an amazing weekend of music, friendship and community.
This will be my last UFOGB as director and I'll miss you all greatly. I’ve made the difficult decision to step back from my role at UFOGB. I don’t feel I can give the event the attention it deserves. I’ll be taking some time out away from festival duties to care for my family, develop my ukulele teaching, create lots more content, and concentrate on smaller but equally amazing events such as Aloha Britain 2027 (which will replace the Summer Forest Ukulele Retreat from 2027 onwards.) I do not yet know what will become of the Ukulele Festival of Great Britain yet. There are some interested parties in taking it over but what will be will be. So either way let’s make 2026 a year to remember.
I just wanted to give my personal thanks to all the volunteers (and a special shout out to Mim), artists, vendors and our amazing sponsors that have given so much to the festival.
Please continue to be positive and kind to all involved. Please refrain from any negative comments as they can be quite hurtful. It’s important to know that everything I and all the volunteers do for UFOGB is because we love it and we love the community. Speaking personally, I do not take a wage and work throughout the year at no cost on UFOGB. Every penny of ticket sales goes to our amazing artists, travel, accomodation, venue hire etc and we make no profit. Sadly over the last two events I have made a personal loss of over £30,000, which has been financially difficult. The reason I disclose this isn’t for sympathy, I promise. It’s just I have received some abusive emails of late and I want the small minority that have sent them to know this is the reason that they can feel quite hurtful to me. I’m not, and we’re not some faceless capitalist organisation, but rather a bunch of caring ukulele players who thought - ‘this would be cool to bring back.’
And breeeaaatthe!!! :D
Anyways, onwards and upwards. Thank you for your amazing support. Thank you for every strum, every dance, every note, every hug, every memory and every smile. All I want from this year is for you guys to go away feeling happy, inspired and with a big smile on your face. That is what makes everything worth it. You are awesome and I love you.
Let’s make 2026 the best UFOGB ever!!!!
Can't wait to welcome you all to Cheltenham.
Matt
