2023 - 24 Season
Biggar Accordion & Fiddle Club
Biggar Accordion & Fiddle Club held their first meeting of the new season on Sunday, 12th November, 2023 and enjoyed a fine afternoon of traditional Scottish music. Accordionists on the day included Fin Hope, Marshall Harkness, George Syme, Calum Gardiner, James Watson, Andrea Balderston, Andrew Gibb, Calum Smith, Adam Gibb, James Milner, Roy Anderson, Erin Purdon and David Kennedy. Gilbert Logan entertained on fiddle, Alan Gardiner, Stevie Todd & Keith Dickson played keyboard and Tom Hope, Fin Hope, Ross Anderson and Ian McRobert entertained on drums. Guest artists for the afternoon were The Duncan Hutchison Scottish Dance Band from Moffat who treated the audience to fine music throughout the afternoon. Our next meeting with be a club afternoon featuring Lorna Johnstone on vocals and will be held on Sunday, 10th December, at the usual venue of Biggar Bowling Club with a 2pm start. We look forward to seeing everyone then.
Biggar Accordion & Fiddle Club
For our meeting on 10th December, 2023 the focus was on local players with no guest artiste as such, but extra time for the local players and an invitation to vocalist, Lorna Johnstone from Crawfordjohn, to sing a few songs for us. Accordionists for the afternoon were Davie Millar, Gus Lowrie, Marshall Harkness, George Syme, Calum Gardiner, Jim Gold, Fin Hope, James Milner, Lucy McLaren, Molly Tolson and Erin Purdon. On fiddle we had Gilbert Logan, on keyboard Jim Gold and Alan Gardiner and on drums Tom Hope, Fin Hope and Charlie Todd. Davie Millar surprised us all by giving us a selection on the moothie and Gus Lowrie added even more variety with some songs. Also in attendance were nine accordionists from the Edinburgh based Scots Music Group, namely Pat Drewitt, Rachel Frith, Alistair MacIntosh, Andrew Rushworth, Mary Stafford, John Steyn, Magnus Turpie, Bill Wallace and Pol Yates. The group performed three selections including the 4/4 marches Murdo’s Wedding & Kilkenneth Cottage and were accompanied by Keith and Sheena Dickson. Our guest singer Lorna Johnstone performed a variety of songs including Happy to be Home (Skerryvore) and A Thousand Years (Christina Perri) and was accompanied by husband Kenny on accordion, brother-in-law Stevie on keyboard, sons Jake and Ruaridh on accordion and drums/cajon and daughters, Jenna and Chloe on keyboard and fiddle. I don’t think we’ve ever had such an extended family with so much musical talent at the Club. As we round off another year, we send our thanks to Alex and Nettie on the bar, Biggar Bowling Club and the ladies who provide the excellent cakes and tray bakes at half time. Our next meeting is on Sunday, 14th January, 2024 at Biggar Bowling Club at 2pm when the guest will be the well-respected Jim Lindsay and his Scottish Dance Band from Perth. We look forward to seeing everyone there.
Biggar Accordion & Fiddle Club
The Club met on Sunday, 14th January with a full house looking forward to the music of the Jim Lindsay SDB from Perth. But to kick off, entertainment was provided by a host of local musicians. On accordions were Davy Millar, Mungo Riddell, Joan Kirk, Jamie Webster, Gus Lowrie, George McLarty, Marshall Harkness, James Watson, John Elliot, John Waugh, James Milner and Ian Woods. On keyboard we had Alan Gardiner, Jim Gold and Fiona Paul and on drums Tom Hope, Alec Lyall and Liam Forrest. Willie Little, from Dumfries, gave us a tune on the penny whistle.
Due to time constraints, players who were good enough to stand down were, accordionists Fin Hope, George Syme, Allan Smith, Calum Gardiner, Fiona Paul, Scott Wilson, Jim Gold and Charlie Todd and fiddlers Gilbert Logan, Tom Gold and Emma Gardiner.
Our guest band was led by accordionist Jim Lindsay from Perth who was ably assisted on fiddle by Gillian Ramsay, on keyboard by Maureen (Mo) Rutherford and on drums by Malcolm Ross. Music ranged from well arranged Scottish medleys to less usual numbers such as Mozart’s Rondo Alla Turca and Billy Joel’s Root Beer Rag, both tremendous pieces. Gillian Ramsay gave us the slow air and waltz Catriona on the fiddle.
Thanks to the ladies who provided the excellent cakes and tray bakes for half time. Next month sees Daisy Arnold and Friends from Thornhill as our guest artistes at the Biggar Bowling Club on Sunday 11th February at 2pm. We look forward to seeing you there for another great afternoon.
Biggar Accordion & Fiddle Club
The Club met on Sunday, 11th February with Daisy Arnold and Friends as guests. But first we were entertained by a wealth of local talent. On accordions were George Syme, Davie Millar, James Watson, Stuart McKeown, Scott Wilson, John Waugh, Andrea Balderson, Fiona Paul, Newby Park, Jake Johnstone and Charlie Todd.
On fiddle were Chloe Johnstone, Gilbert Logan and Sarah Wilson and on whistle Willie Little. Keyboard players were Fiona Paul and Keith Dickson and on drums we had Andrew Gibb, Billy Parker and Charlie Todd.
Once a year, as our guests, we have some up-and-coming young players and this year it was the turn of Daisy Arnold (from Moniaive) and Friends. Assisting Daisy were Charlotte Hamlet (Lochfoot), Kirsten Fergusson and Aine O’Hara (both Carronbridge) and Skye Ross (Thornhill). The girls, who all attend Wallace Hall Academy in Thornhill where learning the accordion is very actively encouraged, played individually with piano backing by Keith Dickson in the first half and as a group in the second half. We were entertained by a wide variety of material, all very well arranged by Keith and played by this young group.
Thanks must go to Andrew Gibb, who in the absence of Chairman Alan Gardiner, carried out the duties of M.C. faultlessly and also to accordionists Marshall Harkness, Sheena Dickson and Andrew himself who stood down due to lack of time.
Next month we welcome Craig Paton and his Band as guests at the Biggar Bowling Club on Sunday, 10th March for a 2pm start. We look forward to seeing you there.
Biggar Accordion & Fiddle Club
The Club met on Sunday, 10th March in Biggar Bowling Club to be entertained by the Craig Paton Band. But before that we had a wealth of local talent on hand, namely accordionists George Syme, Gus Lowrie, Marshall Harkness, Roy Anderson, Janet Graham, Andrea Balderson, James Watson, Scott Wilson, Fin Hope, Jim Gold, Alan Gardiner, Fiona Paul, James Milner, Tom Cruickshank (Inverness), Jamie Webster, Sheena Dickson, Erin Purdon and Charlie Todd. On fiddle we had Ally Douglas and Sarah Wilson and on keyboard Fiona Paul, Jim Gold, Keith Dickson and Alan Gardiner. Drummers were Andrew Barrie, Ross Anderson, Tom Hope and Charlie Todd.
Our guests for the afternoon were Craig Paton and the Haggis Chasers Ceilidh Band. The band personnel (or is it Bon-Bons?) present were Craig on lead accordion, Duncan Black on second box, local lad Tom Orr on keyboard and Duncan Christie on drums. The latter three are all resident now in Aberdeenshire, so our thanks go to them all for making the long journey. Craig was playing a recently acquired Petosa piano-accordion manufactured in San Francisco in 1979 – a departure from the usual German and Italian accordions. All are accomplished musicians and they gave us a great afternoon’s entertainment. ‘Band Boys’, originally a German polka, made famous by Jimmy Blue and Micky Ainsworth back in the 1950s was a particular highlight – a great rendition. Good to see that the old tunes are not forgotten. Once again, we convey our thanks to the band for a great afternoon.
Our next meeting will take place at Biggar Bowling Club at 2pm on Sunday, 14th April when the guests will be the Ross MacPherson SDB from the West Coast.
Biggar Accordion & Fiddle Club
The Club held their last meeting of the season on Sunday, 14th April in Biggar Bowling Club with the far travelled Ross MacPherson Trio as our guests. But firstly we were entertained by a wealth of supporting players with accordionists James Watson, Mungo Riddell, Joan Kirk, Newby Park, Barbara Fisher, Janet Graham, George McLarty, George Syme, Marshall Harkness, Gus Lowrie, Don MacDonald, Cal Smith, Lucy McLaren and Erin Purdon. On fiddle were Ellen Templeton and Sarah Wilson and on tin whistle Willie Little while Keith Dickson and Scott Wilson played piano and Tom Hope, Alex Lyall and Gordon Young shared the drumming duties. Thank you to them all – a great turnout.
Our guests Trio consisted of lead accordionist Ross MacPherson from Appin, fiddler Calum MacPhail from Dalmally and standing in on drums our very own Andrew Barrie. They gave us two excellent spots of dance music in the West Coast style with particular highlights, of course, being their sets of Gaelic Waltzes and 2/4 pipe marches. Calum, now 81, gave us two very entertaining solos on the fiddle. Thanks to the boys for making the long journey to entertain us.
Acting MC, Charlie Todd, announced that the Club resumes on Sunday 10th November when we celebrate our 50th Anniversary. We hope to have something suitably special to celebrate the occasion. He also thanked the Biggar Bowling Club, Alex and Nettie Maxwell for all their help over the season, the ladies who provide the buffet, Musical director Keith Dickson and all the local players who support the Club throughout the season.
We look forward to seeing everyone back on 10th November 24 at the B.B.C when the Club will resume under our new Chair, Jim Gold from Carnwath. Thanks to our retiring Chair and M.C., Alan Gardiner, for 17 years of devoted service.
Biggar Accordion & Fiddle Club held their first meeting of the new season on Sunday, 12th November, 2023 and enjoyed a fine afternoon of traditional Scottish music. Accordionists on the day included Fin Hope, Marshall Harkness, George Syme, Calum Gardiner, James Watson, Andrea Balderston, Andrew Gibb, Calum Smith, Adam Gibb, James Milner, Roy Anderson, Erin Purdon and David Kennedy. Gilbert Logan entertained on fiddle, Alan Gardiner, Stevie Todd & Keith Dickson played keyboard and Tom Hope, Fin Hope, Ross Anderson and Ian McRobert entertained on drums. Guest artists for the afternoon were The Duncan Hutchison Scottish Dance Band from Moffat who treated the audience to fine music throughout the afternoon. Our next meeting with be a club afternoon featuring Lorna Johnstone on vocals and will be held on Sunday, 10th December, at the usual venue of Biggar Bowling Club with a 2pm start. We look forward to seeing everyone then.
Biggar Accordion & Fiddle Club
For our meeting on 10th December, 2023 the focus was on local players with no guest artiste as such, but extra time for the local players and an invitation to vocalist, Lorna Johnstone from Crawfordjohn, to sing a few songs for us. Accordionists for the afternoon were Davie Millar, Gus Lowrie, Marshall Harkness, George Syme, Calum Gardiner, Jim Gold, Fin Hope, James Milner, Lucy McLaren, Molly Tolson and Erin Purdon. On fiddle we had Gilbert Logan, on keyboard Jim Gold and Alan Gardiner and on drums Tom Hope, Fin Hope and Charlie Todd. Davie Millar surprised us all by giving us a selection on the moothie and Gus Lowrie added even more variety with some songs. Also in attendance were nine accordionists from the Edinburgh based Scots Music Group, namely Pat Drewitt, Rachel Frith, Alistair MacIntosh, Andrew Rushworth, Mary Stafford, John Steyn, Magnus Turpie, Bill Wallace and Pol Yates. The group performed three selections including the 4/4 marches Murdo’s Wedding & Kilkenneth Cottage and were accompanied by Keith and Sheena Dickson. Our guest singer Lorna Johnstone performed a variety of songs including Happy to be Home (Skerryvore) and A Thousand Years (Christina Perri) and was accompanied by husband Kenny on accordion, brother-in-law Stevie on keyboard, sons Jake and Ruaridh on accordion and drums/cajon and daughters, Jenna and Chloe on keyboard and fiddle. I don’t think we’ve ever had such an extended family with so much musical talent at the Club. As we round off another year, we send our thanks to Alex and Nettie on the bar, Biggar Bowling Club and the ladies who provide the excellent cakes and tray bakes at half time. Our next meeting is on Sunday, 14th January, 2024 at Biggar Bowling Club at 2pm when the guest will be the well-respected Jim Lindsay and his Scottish Dance Band from Perth. We look forward to seeing everyone there.
Biggar Accordion & Fiddle Club
The Club met on Sunday, 14th January with a full house looking forward to the music of the Jim Lindsay SDB from Perth. But to kick off, entertainment was provided by a host of local musicians. On accordions were Davy Millar, Mungo Riddell, Joan Kirk, Jamie Webster, Gus Lowrie, George McLarty, Marshall Harkness, James Watson, John Elliot, John Waugh, James Milner and Ian Woods. On keyboard we had Alan Gardiner, Jim Gold and Fiona Paul and on drums Tom Hope, Alec Lyall and Liam Forrest. Willie Little, from Dumfries, gave us a tune on the penny whistle.
Due to time constraints, players who were good enough to stand down were, accordionists Fin Hope, George Syme, Allan Smith, Calum Gardiner, Fiona Paul, Scott Wilson, Jim Gold and Charlie Todd and fiddlers Gilbert Logan, Tom Gold and Emma Gardiner.
Our guest band was led by accordionist Jim Lindsay from Perth who was ably assisted on fiddle by Gillian Ramsay, on keyboard by Maureen (Mo) Rutherford and on drums by Malcolm Ross. Music ranged from well arranged Scottish medleys to less usual numbers such as Mozart’s Rondo Alla Turca and Billy Joel’s Root Beer Rag, both tremendous pieces. Gillian Ramsay gave us the slow air and waltz Catriona on the fiddle.
Thanks to the ladies who provided the excellent cakes and tray bakes for half time. Next month sees Daisy Arnold and Friends from Thornhill as our guest artistes at the Biggar Bowling Club on Sunday 11th February at 2pm. We look forward to seeing you there for another great afternoon.
Biggar Accordion & Fiddle Club
The Club met on Sunday, 11th February with Daisy Arnold and Friends as guests. But first we were entertained by a wealth of local talent. On accordions were George Syme, Davie Millar, James Watson, Stuart McKeown, Scott Wilson, John Waugh, Andrea Balderson, Fiona Paul, Newby Park, Jake Johnstone and Charlie Todd.
On fiddle were Chloe Johnstone, Gilbert Logan and Sarah Wilson and on whistle Willie Little. Keyboard players were Fiona Paul and Keith Dickson and on drums we had Andrew Gibb, Billy Parker and Charlie Todd.
Once a year, as our guests, we have some up-and-coming young players and this year it was the turn of Daisy Arnold (from Moniaive) and Friends. Assisting Daisy were Charlotte Hamlet (Lochfoot), Kirsten Fergusson and Aine O’Hara (both Carronbridge) and Skye Ross (Thornhill). The girls, who all attend Wallace Hall Academy in Thornhill where learning the accordion is very actively encouraged, played individually with piano backing by Keith Dickson in the first half and as a group in the second half. We were entertained by a wide variety of material, all very well arranged by Keith and played by this young group.
Thanks must go to Andrew Gibb, who in the absence of Chairman Alan Gardiner, carried out the duties of M.C. faultlessly and also to accordionists Marshall Harkness, Sheena Dickson and Andrew himself who stood down due to lack of time.
Next month we welcome Craig Paton and his Band as guests at the Biggar Bowling Club on Sunday, 10th March for a 2pm start. We look forward to seeing you there.
Biggar Accordion & Fiddle Club
The Club met on Sunday, 10th March in Biggar Bowling Club to be entertained by the Craig Paton Band. But before that we had a wealth of local talent on hand, namely accordionists George Syme, Gus Lowrie, Marshall Harkness, Roy Anderson, Janet Graham, Andrea Balderson, James Watson, Scott Wilson, Fin Hope, Jim Gold, Alan Gardiner, Fiona Paul, James Milner, Tom Cruickshank (Inverness), Jamie Webster, Sheena Dickson, Erin Purdon and Charlie Todd. On fiddle we had Ally Douglas and Sarah Wilson and on keyboard Fiona Paul, Jim Gold, Keith Dickson and Alan Gardiner. Drummers were Andrew Barrie, Ross Anderson, Tom Hope and Charlie Todd.
Our guests for the afternoon were Craig Paton and the Haggis Chasers Ceilidh Band. The band personnel (or is it Bon-Bons?) present were Craig on lead accordion, Duncan Black on second box, local lad Tom Orr on keyboard and Duncan Christie on drums. The latter three are all resident now in Aberdeenshire, so our thanks go to them all for making the long journey. Craig was playing a recently acquired Petosa piano-accordion manufactured in San Francisco in 1979 – a departure from the usual German and Italian accordions. All are accomplished musicians and they gave us a great afternoon’s entertainment. ‘Band Boys’, originally a German polka, made famous by Jimmy Blue and Micky Ainsworth back in the 1950s was a particular highlight – a great rendition. Good to see that the old tunes are not forgotten. Once again, we convey our thanks to the band for a great afternoon.
Our next meeting will take place at Biggar Bowling Club at 2pm on Sunday, 14th April when the guests will be the Ross MacPherson SDB from the West Coast.
Biggar Accordion & Fiddle Club
The Club held their last meeting of the season on Sunday, 14th April in Biggar Bowling Club with the far travelled Ross MacPherson Trio as our guests. But firstly we were entertained by a wealth of supporting players with accordionists James Watson, Mungo Riddell, Joan Kirk, Newby Park, Barbara Fisher, Janet Graham, George McLarty, George Syme, Marshall Harkness, Gus Lowrie, Don MacDonald, Cal Smith, Lucy McLaren and Erin Purdon. On fiddle were Ellen Templeton and Sarah Wilson and on tin whistle Willie Little while Keith Dickson and Scott Wilson played piano and Tom Hope, Alex Lyall and Gordon Young shared the drumming duties. Thank you to them all – a great turnout.
Our guests Trio consisted of lead accordionist Ross MacPherson from Appin, fiddler Calum MacPhail from Dalmally and standing in on drums our very own Andrew Barrie. They gave us two excellent spots of dance music in the West Coast style with particular highlights, of course, being their sets of Gaelic Waltzes and 2/4 pipe marches. Calum, now 81, gave us two very entertaining solos on the fiddle. Thanks to the boys for making the long journey to entertain us.
Acting MC, Charlie Todd, announced that the Club resumes on Sunday 10th November when we celebrate our 50th Anniversary. We hope to have something suitably special to celebrate the occasion. He also thanked the Biggar Bowling Club, Alex and Nettie Maxwell for all their help over the season, the ladies who provide the buffet, Musical director Keith Dickson and all the local players who support the Club throughout the season.
We look forward to seeing everyone back on 10th November 24 at the B.B.C when the Club will resume under our new Chair, Jim Gold from Carnwath. Thanks to our retiring Chair and M.C., Alan Gardiner, for 17 years of devoted service.