April 2021
Our final Virtual Accordion & Fiddle Club of the 2020 - 21 season, was held online on Sunday 18th April and was broadcast on our club website, YouTube channel and Facebook page.
This month’s club, which was presented by Alan Gardiner and Andrew Barrie, included performances from local musicians as well as a special feature presented by Evie Glen exploring the origins of Biggar’s “Cadgers Brig” which features on our club logo. A guest performance from Gunna Sound’s Johnny Scoular added even more variety to this specially extended 90-minute meeting.
Janet Graham
On accordion we had Alistair Adamson, Daisy Arnold, Emma Dickson, Joe Finkelstein, Alan Gardiner, Calum Gardiner, Adam Gibb, Andy Gibb, Emily Gold, Jim Gold, Alex Graham, Ian Graham, Janet Graham, Charlotte Hamlet, Fin Hope, Jake Johnstone, Kenny Johnstone, Angus Lyon, Allan Smith and Charlie Todd.
Gilbert Logan
On fiddle were Finlay Close, Emma Gardiner, Tom Gold, Gilbert Logan and Roddy Matthews. Piano accompaniment was provided by Keith Dickson, Evie Glen, Jim Gold, Jenna Johnstone, Angus Lyon and Fiona Paul. On drums we had Andrew Barrie, James Dickson, Andy Gibb and Tom Hope.
Ian Murray
Lorna Johnstone and Ian Murray provided vocals, with Ian also performing on banjo, double bass, guitar and mandolin. We also enjoyed performances from the Edinburgh based Scots Music Group Piano Accordion class and the Wallace Hall Accordionists from Thornhill.
Finlay Close
Janet Graham started proceedings with a Gay Gordons, followed by Thankerton’s Charlie Todd with the Andy Stewart classic Come In, Come In.
Young Pettinain fiddler Finlay Close then performed The Northlands followed by Kirkfieldbank’s Allan Smith playing his new composition Fergie MacDonald MBE. Accordionists Joe Finkelstein, Alistair Adamson and Fin Hope all entertained us, before the Wallace Hall Accordionists played a couple of pieces. The Scots Music Group accordionists then performed a new piece called Fyrish followed by Charlotte Hamlet and Daisy Arnold’s rendition of the accordion duet Style Musette.
We ended the first half with a song from Calum Gardiner and Ian Murray called Slip the Clutch by Marty Mone.
Young Pettinain fiddler Finlay Close then performed The Northlands followed by Kirkfieldbank’s Allan Smith playing his new composition Fergie MacDonald MBE. Accordionists Joe Finkelstein, Alistair Adamson and Fin Hope all entertained us, before the Wallace Hall Accordionists played a couple of pieces. The Scots Music Group accordionists then performed a new piece called Fyrish followed by Charlotte Hamlet and Daisy Arnold’s rendition of the accordion duet Style Musette.
We ended the first half with a song from Calum Gardiner and Ian Murray called Slip the Clutch by Marty Mone.
Angus Lyon
The second half began with a short feature, presented by Evie Glen, about Biggar. Evie introduced local musician Ian Murray who explored the history of the town and talked to a few local residents about the annual events which take place in Biggar.
The video was musically enhanced by The Biggar Cornets Song by Ian Murray and performances from former Biggar High School pupils Emma Dickson and Angus Lyon.
The video was musically enhanced by The Biggar Cornets Song by Ian Murray and performances from former Biggar High School pupils Emma Dickson and Angus Lyon.
The Biggar Band
This special Biggar feature was concluded with a performance from The Biggar Band – a group of musicians from the Biggar area – performing the 6/8 pipe march The Hills O’ Biggar composed by John Howie.
Johnny Scoular & The Gardiner Family
Janet Graham then performed a St Bernard’s Waltz followed by young Carnwath accordionist Emily Gold playing Highland Lassie. Our April guests should have been the popular band “Gunna Sound”, but COVID restrictions hampered our plans. However, we were delighted when Gunna Sound’s Johnny Scoular agreed to record a song for us, ably accompanied by The Gardiner Family, called Galway Girl. Our April meeting ended with the Johnstone Family from Crawfordjohn performing their version of The Beatles classic Let it Be.
Biggar Virtual Accordion & Fiddle Club 2020-21
This concludes the Biggar Virtual Accordion & Fiddle Club 2020-21 season – thank you to everyone (above) who has contributed to make our meetings such a great success.
All our virtual club videos are now available to view at:
www.biggarclub.co.uk
or
www.facebook.com/biggarboxandfiddle
All our virtual club videos are now available to view at:
www.biggarclub.co.uk
or
www.facebook.com/biggarboxandfiddle
Inver Shand
March 2021
Our Mother’s Day Virtual Accordion & Fiddle Club, presented by local musicians Alan Gardiner and Andrew Barrie, was held online on Sunday 14 th March and was broadcast as usual on our club website, YouTube channel and Facebook page. This month’s club included performances from musicians who were successful at the recent NAAFC Virtual Festival as well as a special feature exploring the origin of our theme tune Alex MacArthur of Biggar.
On accordion we had Alistair Adamson, Daisy Arnold, Alan Gardiner, Adam Gibb, Alex Graham, Emily Gold, Jim Gold, Charlotte Hamlet, Fin Hope, Jake Johnstone, Inver Shand, Brian Smith and Charlie Todd.
Hannah Dickson
On fiddle were Hannah Dickson, Emma Gardiner and Tom Gold. Piano accompaniment was provided by Keith Dickson, Jim Gold, Jenna Johnstone Fiona Paul and Steven Todd. Drums were in the capable hands of Andy Gibb and Ian Graham.
Biggar Accordion Club Band
Our Biggar Accordion & Fiddle Club Band of Jake Johnstone (lead accordion), Fin Hope (2 nd accordion), Tom Gold (fiddle), Jenna Johnstone (piano) and Andy Gibb (drums) got things started with our club’s winning entry at the recent NAAFC Virtual Festival. Thankerton accordionist Charlie Todd followed this with his rendition of The Washington Post and then Virtual Festival young prizewinners Emily Gold and Alistair Adamson entertained us with their successful festival performances. Brian Smith from Penicuik played a tango for us - Por Una Cabeza, before Inver Shand performed his lively NAAFC Festival prizewinning tune Comic West.
Charlotte Hamlet & Daisy Arnold
Charlotte Hamlet and Daisy Arnold then entertained us with the landler Tyrolienne Masquerade – an Alpine accordion duet which won them the Alex MacArthur Cups at the recent Virtual Festival.
Fin Hope Band
Local group the Fin Hope Band, who were awarded second place at the festival, closed the first half with their NAAFC Band Medley.
Jack Delaney
During the second half Alan enjoyed a relaxed chat with accordionist Jack Delaney about the 1981 LP The Biggar & Better Sound of Alex MacArthur & his Scottish Dance Band. This LP includes our theme tune Alex MacArthur of Biggar – and Jack performed on accordion in the band on this album. Several of our club players then went on to attempt to recreate three of the tracks from this record – Eight Men of Moidart, Old Comrades and Lamb Skinnet.
Adam |Gibb Band
Jake’s Johnstone’s Box Tunes at Boghouse clip featured next – this video has now received around 40,000 views on Facebook! Hannah Dickson from Dolphinton, but now living in Aberdeen, performed a lovely Slow Air, Mrs Major L Stewart of the Island of Java before our meeting was brought to a close with a lively Set of Reels from the Adam Gibb Band. Next month’s Virtual Club is the last of the season and is on Sunday April 11th
We hope that you’ll join us at 2.00pm at:
www.biggarclub.co.uk
or
www.facebook.com/biggarboxandfiddle
February 2021
Our Valentine’s Day Virtual Accordion & Fiddle Club was held online on Sunday 14th February and we were delighted to have 30 musicians participating.
The meeting, which was presented as usual by local musicians Alan Gardiner and Andrew Barrie, was broadcast on our club website and Facebook page.
Evie Glen
On accordion we had Alistair Adamson, Alan Gardiner, Calum Gardiner, Andy Gibb, Alex Graham, Ian Graham, Emily Gold, Fin Hope, David Kennedy, Scott Nichol, Fiona Paul, Allan Smith and Molly Tolson.
On fiddle were Finlay Close, Evie Glen, Tom Gold and Roddy Matthews, with Ian Murray playing the mandolin and guitar.
Piano accompaniment was provided by Katie Child, Keith Dickson, Alex Graham, Jim Gold and Steven Todd.
Andrew Barrie
On drums we had Andrew Barrie, James Dickson, Andy Gibb, Ian Graham, Tom Hope and Gordon Smith and on bass were Brian Cruickshank and Ian Murray.
Shelley Clark, Adam Gibb and Molly Tolson provided the vocals for a few songs.
Shelley Clark, Adam Gibb and Molly Tolson provided the vocals for a few songs.
Clyde Valley Ceilidh Band
Kirkfieldbank accordionist Allan Smith & the Clyde Valley Ceilidh Band got things underway with a lovely selection of Robert Burns Waltzes followed by Carnwath musician Fiona Paul playing a couple of lively Angus Fitchet Marches. Young Pettinain fiddler Finlay Close then entertained us with a few tunes including Jay Ungar’s Ashokan Farewell.
Alex & Ian Graham
Carluke musicians Alex and Ian Graham performed Frank Morrison’s polka Davie Graham’s Bottle of Wine – with Alex playing both lead accordion and piano, joined by Ian on second accordion and drums.
Calum Gardiner & Shelley Clark
Emily Gold then performed the theme from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast before the Andy Gibb Band entertained us with their version of The Island by Skipinnish featuring Adam Gibb on vocals and ukulele. Fin Hope from Broughton treated us to Phil Cunningham’s Craic at Clashmore Hall and The Stomach Steinway Man by Ian Lowthian, before Calum Gardiner & Shelley Clark rounded off the first half with their version of Live is Life – a Tribute to Diego Maradona.
William Williamson
During the second half Alan enjoyed an informative chat with Dumfriesshire entertainer William Williamson about the Life of Robert Burns – with William also providing us with a couple of fine Burns songs.
David kennedy Band
Other musicians providing appropriate music for our second half “Burns Night” theme included Alistair Adamson, Katie Child, Evie Glen, Molly Tolson and Allan Smith & the Clyde Valley Ceilidh Band. Our meeting was brought to a close with a lively set of Irish Reels from Thornhill’s David Kennedy Band.
www.biggarclub.co.uk
or
www.facebook.com/biggarboxandfiddle
www.biggarclub.co.uk
or
www.facebook.com/biggarboxandfiddle
Alan Gardiner
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January 2021
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The first Biggar Virtual Accordion & Fiddle Club of 2021 was held online on Sunday 10th January and we were delighted to have so many local musicians participating. Our meeting, which lasted for approximately one hour, was divided into two sections and broadcast on our club website and Facebook page.
Ian Graham
On accordion we had Alistair Adamson, Keith Dickson, Sheena Dickson, Alan Gardiner, Andy Gibb, Alex Graham, Ian Graham, Emily Gold, Jim Gold, Fin Hope, Jake Johnstone, Kenny Johnstone, Fiona Paul, Skye Ross, Clelland Shand, Inver Shand, Charlie Todd, Molly Tolson, Jamie Young and Mary Young.
On fiddle were Gilbert Logan and Tom Gold.
Piano accompaniment was provided by Keith Dickson, Jim Gold, Jenna Johnstone, Fiona Paul and Blythe Shand.
On drums we had Ross Anderson, Andrew Barrie, Ian Graham, Tom Hope and Gordon Smith.
Scots Music Group
For the past few seasons, we have been visited regularly by the Piano Accordion 2 class from the Scots Music Group project in Edinburgh. We were delighted that the group of twenty accordionists performed for us again this month - playing a tune by accordionist and furniture maker Norman Mackay called MacKenzie Cottage. Group members: Alison Campbell, Linda Campbell, Fee Cowan, Pat Drewitt, Rachel Frith, Maggie Gilvray, Liz Hall, Billy Higgins, Hilary Kerr, Fiona Macaualy, Alistair MacIntosh, Calum Mack, Catriona Maplesden, Ed Murray, Elspeth Porter, Andrew Rushworth, John Steyn, Magnus Turpie, Bill Wallace and Maggie Wright.
Charlie Todd & his Band
Club regular Charlie Todd, accompanied by Fiona Paul, Fin Hope and Andrew Barrie kicked off our proceedings with his rendition of A Guid New Year followed by A Tribute to The Alexander Brothers.
Alistair Adamson & Mary Young
Biggar fiddler Gilbert Logan performed Looking for a Partner, Brian Smith from Penicuik treated us to a Scottish Waltz and Molly Tolson took us to the Hills of Mull.
The Shand Family played a new tune by Davie Hunter called Miss Emily and Alistair Adamson & Mary Young from Forth, complete with masks, performed their accordion version of You’ve Got a Friend in Me from Disney’s Toy Story.
The Shand Family played a new tune by Davie Hunter called Miss Emily and Alistair Adamson & Mary Young from Forth, complete with masks, performed their accordion version of You’ve Got a Friend in Me from Disney’s Toy Story.
Andy Gibb Band
The virtual meeting was presented by club chairman Alan Gardiner and Biggar drummer Andrew Barrie. During the second half Andrew had a chat with The Gold Family (Jim, Hannah, Emily & Iona) from Carnwath and Tom Gold & Shelley Clark from Sanquhar about their recent performances in our Christmas club videos.
The meeting was brought to a close with The Isle of Scalpay & Big Country from
Crawfordjohn’s Johnstone Family, a Burns Medley from Thornhill accordionist Skye Ross and a fine set of Andrew Rankine Jigs played by a local group - the Andy Gibb Band.
www.biggarclub.co.uk
or
www.facebook.com/biggarboxandfiddle
Calum Gardiner
December 2020
On accordion we had Alistair Adamson, Keith Dickson, Sheena Dickson, Alan Gardiner, Calum Gardiner, Ian Graham, Emily Gold, Jim Gold, Fin Hope, Jake Johnstone, Fiona Paul, Allan Smith, Charlie Todd and Molly Tolson.
On fiddle Emma Gardiner, Tom Gold, Gilbert Logan and Roddy Matthews.
Piano accompaniment was provided by Keith Dickson, Hannah Gold, Jim Gold, Jenna Johnstone and Fiona Paul.
Tom Hope
On drums we had Ross Anderson, Andrew Barrie, James Dickson, Andrew Gibb, Ian Graham, Fin Hope and Tom Hope.
Ian Murray played mandolin and double bass, and Shelley Clark and Molly Tolson provided us with a few songs to add even more variety.
Ian Murray played mandolin and double bass, and Shelley Clark and Molly Tolson provided us with a few songs to add even more variety.
Molly Tolson
Festive melodies included Santa Claus is Coming to Town by Alistair Adamson, Winter Wonderland by Molly Tolson, 12 Days of Christmas by Jake and Jenna Johnstone and Merry Christmas Everyone which was performed by the Gold Family. This track featured Emily and Jim on accordion, Hannah on piano and Tom on fiddle, with Shelley Clark on vocals and was enhanced further by Emily’s Makaton Singing and Iona’s dance moves.
Allan Smith & The Clyde Valley Ceilidh Band
The meeting was hosted by Club Chairman Alan Gardiner and local Biggar drummer Andrew Barrie. During part two Andrew had a chat with Kirkfieldbank accordionist Allan Smith about the launch of his new sheet music book “The Clyde Valley Collection” as well as asking Allan about his musical experiences performing at local accordion & fiddle clubs since the 1970s.
www.biggarclub.co.uk
or
www.facebook.com/biggarboxandfiddle
Andrew Barrie & Fin Hope
November 2020
Our meeting on Sunday 8th November saw our club run “virtually” for the first time in its forty-six year history due the current coronavirus situation.
However we were delighted that several hundred viewers tuned in to our meeting, divided into two parts, which was broadcast on the club’s website and facebook page.
Our 60-minute programme featured musicians who all previously performed at our club.
However we were delighted that several hundred viewers tuned in to our meeting, divided into two parts, which was broadcast on the club’s website and facebook page.
Our 60-minute programme featured musicians who all previously performed at our club.
Jenna Johnstone
On accordion we had Daisy Arnold, Ciorstaidh Chaimbeul, Keith Dickson, Alan Gardiner, Emily Gold, Jim Gold, Fin Hope, Jake Johnstone, Clelland Shand, Brian Smith and Charlie Todd.
On fiddle Emma Gardiner and Tom Gold.
Backing on piano was provided by Richard Currie, Keith Dickson, Jenna Johnstone, Tom Orr and Fiona Paul.
Drumming was handled by Andrew Barrie, Andrew Gibb, Tom Hope and Gordon Smith.
On fiddle Emma Gardiner and Tom Gold.
Backing on piano was provided by Richard Currie, Keith Dickson, Jenna Johnstone, Tom Orr and Fiona Paul.
Drumming was handled by Andrew Barrie, Andrew Gibb, Tom Hope and Gordon Smith.
Alistair Adamson
We also were delighted to welcome a new face to the club – young Forth accordionist Alistair Adamson – performing French Can-Can Polka.
Charlie Todd
The meeting was hosted by Club Chairman Alan Gardiner assisted by regular club drummer Andrew Barrie.
During part two Andrew had a chat with young local accordionist Fin Hope about his recent success at the Perth Virtual All-Scotland Accordion & Fiddle Festival as well as asking Alan Gardiner about his adjudicating experience at the event.
www.biggarclub.co.uk
www.facebook.com/biggarboxandfiddle
During part two Andrew had a chat with young local accordionist Fin Hope about his recent success at the Perth Virtual All-Scotland Accordion & Fiddle Festival as well as asking Alan Gardiner about his adjudicating experience at the event.
www.biggarclub.co.uk
www.facebook.com/biggarboxandfiddle
