April 2006

Biggar Accordion and Fiddle Club brought its season to a successful conclusion with the local accordion based group KODA as guests, under the watchful eye of their Musical Director, Keith Dickson.

Individually, KODA players have played a big part in revitalising the Club this season and it was most appropriate that they be given the opportunity to perform together on the last night. The band were supported on the night by their Junior Section “Kodetta” who amply demonstrated their individual and collective talents at the end of the first half Kodetta acts as a training ground for young players aged 10 to 14 before they move on to the senior group KODA.

KODA, who are performing at the Highlands and Islands Music Festival in Oban later this month, went on to perform a lively set with many of the tracks taken from their excellent recent CD release "Alternative Frequency"

  Other players in attendance on the night were accordionists Megan Bell, Emma Dickson, Sheena Dickson, Bobby Elder and Luke Crawford (two of Alan Small's pupils all the way down from Fife), Karen Ferguson, Blair Gardiner, Adam Gibb, Scott Nichol, Tom Orr and Charlie Todd. On fiddle Hannah Dickson, on keyboard Keith Dickson and Jim Nichol and on drums Ross Anderson, Andrew Barrie and James Dickson.

  Chairman Blair Gardiner thanked all the supporters and local players who have helped over the season to make the Club a great success. We look forward to our opening night of next season on 10th September when the Guest Artiste will be the Tom Orr Band from Hyndfordbridge, Lanark who had to be postponed last month due to the heavy snow.

March 2006

Unfortunately, due to adverse weather conditions, the March meeting was cancelled. The Tom Orr Band who were due to appear, have been rescheduled to play as the first guests in the new 2006/07 season starting on September 10th 2006.

February 2006

Full House to hear Simon and David

Biggar Accordion and Fiddle Club Chairman Blair Gardiner was delighted to welcome a “Full House” to the Municipal Hall on Sunday 12th February to hear local concertina maestro Simon Thoumire as well as being treated to some splendid playing by a host of local players.

On Accordion we had Roy Anderson, Gemma Coupland, Alan Gardiner, Blair Gardiner, Adam Gibb (8), Jim Gold, Duncan Hutchison, Gavin Jackson, Hannah Jamieson, David Kennedy, Ben McGill, Erin McGinley, Duncan Muir, Scott Nichol, Claire Noble, Robbie Paterson, Adele Queen, Sandy Scott (3 row), Allan Smith, Katie Todd (6) and Steven Todd. On Piano were Mike Anderson, Ross Anderson, Keith Dickson, David Ilgunas, Steven Todd and George Walker. On Drums (and Percussion) were Ross Anderson, Andrew Barrie, Lisa Coupland and Tom Hope. On Fiddle we had David Corner, Tom Gold, Robert Menzies and Fiona MacKay. Our thanks to them all for their marvellous performances. No doubt we'll be hearing a few of those selections at Musselburgh in a few weeks time!

It's always a pleasure to have a local musician as Guest Artiste and when that happens to be someone who displays the musicanship of Simon Thoumire then so much the better. Edinburgh born Simon, who undoubtedly takes the playing of the humble concertina to new heights, has lived for a few years nowjust along the road in Lamington and to compliment his skills he brought along his good friend David Milligan, virtuoso jazz pianist and Musical Director of "The Unusual Suspects". Together they make a formidable team, tackling everything from Sir Jimmy Shand's "Welcome Christmas Morning" to contemporary works by a Russian composer residing in Norway. Simon, who is probably better known for his work promoting the Scots Music Awards and BBC Young Trad Musician competition, was joined on stage for one set by his partner Claire McLaughlin, a most excellent fiddler. Many thanks to all three for a most captivating performance.

January 2006

On Sunday 8th January the New Year began with The Gemma Coupland Band as the guests for the evening and what an outstanding performance they put on. Gemma, only fourteen years of age, played lead accordion, supported with the talents of Claire Noble on second accordion, Robert Menzies on fiddle, Lisa Coupland on drums and completing the line up, Scott Nichol on piano. Together the band produced a strong and excellent sound with each player shining through and contributing their part so well to the overall balance. The attentive audience were treated to a fine selection of sets, all put together by Gemma. Well done to this fine young band who got the dancers on the floor and have made a lasting impression.

The visiting players who took part included, on accordion, Matt Ferguson, Charlie Todd, Andrew Gibb, Adam Gibb, Jim Gold, Duncan Hutchison, Emma Dickson, Calum Muir, Tom Orr and Angelo Pontone. On drums, James Dickson, Tom Hope and Charlie Todd. On piano, Sheena Dickson, Keith Dickson, Jim Nichol and David Ilgunas. On fiddle, Hannah Dickson and Tom Gold. On concertina, David Corner. Many thanks to everyone for playing.

 December 2005

A six piece band filled the stage for Biggar accordion and fiddle club with Scott Nichol as lead accordionist on Sunday, December 11th and the group produced an energetic sound throughout their performance. The audience were in great form with many of them up for a dance and the others clapping to the beat of the music as the band played their way through some fabulous selections. The band members with Scott were, Robert Menzies on 2nd box, Christine Legge on fiddle, Alan Irvine on drums, John Sinton on double bass and Jim Nichol on piano. What a great night that ended up being more like a Christmas party. A big thank you to the band.

There was a healthy turnout of supporting players including, on accordion, Gavin Jackson, Jamie Young, Jim Gold, Duncan Hutchison, Andrew Gibb, Duncan Muir, David Kennedy, Katie Todd, Steven Todd, Blair Gardiner, Calum Muir, Emma Dickson, Tom Orr, Nicky McMichan and Mel McLaren. On piano, Keith Dickson, Emily Short, Sheena Dickson and David Ilgunas. On drums, Lisa Coupland, Tom Hope, James Dickson, Ali MacIntyre, Andrew Barrie and George Shiels. On fiddle, Tom Gold, Ashleigh Short, Innes Kennedy and Hannah Dickson. David Corner played the concertina. Thanks to all the players for coming along and taking part.

At the end of the April club meeting, regular members of the audience expressed a desire to contribute towards a gift to mark the retiral of president John Anderson and the outgoing committee. On Sunday night, Charlie Todd, on behalf of the Biggar Accordion and Fiddle Club presented gifts purchased with the money collected to Joy Anderson, Ray Hope, Tom Hope and Gilbert Logan. A poignant moment for many reasons. A heartfelt thanks go to all those who contributed.

November 2005

Leo McCann and friends, Claire Mann and Aaron Jones put on a spirited and refreshing performance at the November meeting of the Biggar box and fiddle club. Leo, on a small button box and also at times playing the low whistle, was band leader for the evening. Claire was on fiddle, flute and the low whistle (although not all at the same time!) each with the same high standard of skill. Aaron played a bouzouki and also provided the vocals for the songs. Altogether the sound was an exciting mix of traditional Scottish and Irish music with more a slant on the folk side of traditional music rather than the dance band sound more commonly associated with box and fiddle clubs. With a wealth of experience among the three and the obvious enjoyment they were having while on stage, the atmosphere was set for a fabulous night, as it turned out to be. The club send thanks once again to the band.

The club would struggle to exist if it wasn't for the support of the local artistes and they were out in force on Sunday. Playing on accordion were Gemma Coupland, James Paterson, Erin McGinley, Steven Todd, Duncan Muir, Adele Queen, Emma Dickson, Jamie Young, Andrew Gibb, Jim Gold, Scott Nichol, Kirsty Glen and Robert Menzies. On piano, Keith Dickson, David Ilgunas, Claire Logan and Emily Short. On drums, George Shiels, Ross Anderson and James Dickson. Finally, on fiddle, Ashley Short and Tom Gold.

October 2005

On Sunday Oct. 30 as part of the “Biggar Little Festival” celebrations, we presented (in association with KODA ) a “Box and Fiddle Youth Showcase”. To celebrate the launch of the new KODA CD, recently retired Municipal Hall-keeper Mrs. Jannette Rae cut the special “Alternative Frequency” cake and received a token of appreciation from the band for her help and encouragement.

The capacity crowd then enjoyed over forty talented young musicians performing solo, duet and group pieces with KODA performing a lively finale.

 

September 2005

Little did we think when John Anderson handed over Chairmanship of the Club to Blair Gardiner in April, that he would not be joining us on our opening night of the new season. However I have no doubt that he would have thoroughly approved of the revamped format which, hopefully, will carry us forward in the years to come. To accommodate our younger players, and to some extent our more elderly supporters, the Club now starts at 7.00pm and finishes at 10.30pm – guaranteed.
MC’s Blair Gardiner and Stacey Paul introduced a wealth of local talent including; On accordion: Emma Dickson (7), Alan Gardiner, Blair Gardiner, Kevin Gardiner, Adam Gibb (7), Andrew Gibb, Jim Gold, Neil Hardie, Duncan Hutchison, Kenny Johnstone, David Kennedy, Calum Muir (11), Susan MacFadyen, Erin McGinley (10), Nicky McMichan, Scott Nichol, Claire Noble and Allan Smith. On fiddle: Hannah Dickson (10), Emma Gardiner, Caroline Hardie, Tom Gold, Robert Menzies and Vaila Tait. On keyboards: Keith Dickson, Steven Johnstone, Claire Logan, Jim Nichol and George Walker. On drums: Ross Anderson, Andrew Barrie, Lisa Coupland, James Dickson (7), Bob Henderson, Alison Menzies, Duncan Riley and George Sheils. On concertina was local maestro Simon Thoumire and on mandolin Ian Murray. Guests for the opening evening of the new season were the incomparable Alasdair MacCuish and The Black Rose Ceilidh Band. Alasdair, aided and abetted by Marie Fielding on fiddle, Gordon Smith on drums and former KODA member Tom Orr on piano delivered the usual blistering performance we’ve come to expect. To say that they played to a packed audience would be an understatement …all in all a very promising start to a new era for the club.