Borders Fiddle Group
Iain Fraser

The Borders Fiddle Group was originally started by Iain Fraser and Bill Muir in October 2000, to encourage local traditional music participation and appreciation. In October 2005 we became a formally registered charity (SC036861).

Our aim is to encourage other musicians - not just fiddle players - to join and benefit from group meetingsand performances. There are also plans to encourage participation in various annual music events, such as The Border Gaitherin' in Coldstream, Fiddle 2006 in Edinburgh and Hexham and Durham Folkworks Festivals.

We currently have a membership of over thirty and meet formally for tuition twice a month (usually on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of every month) on a Wednesday evening at 8pm, at either The Royal Hotel, Jedburgh or Smailholm Village Hall.

Aside from Iain Fraser, various other local, 'weel-kent' musicians currently associated with The BFG include Jimmy Nagle, (Chairman and tutor), Wattie Robson, Biddy Chamberlain and Jon Bews (RSAMD graduate, tutor and newly appointed Traditional and World Music Development Worker for Scottish Borders Council).

Stewart Hardy and Frank McLaughlin at Glendouglas Hall

Stewart and Frank

Those who made it along to the fiddle or guitar workshops on Saturday, 29th March at Glendouglas Hall taught by either Stewart Hardy or Frank McLaughlin, amid their Roots 2 tour, had a real treat in store with three hours of excellent and innovative tuition.

The duo followed this by performing a fantastic teatime concert – Stewart playing fiddle and Frank changing between guitar and pipes - which everybody enjoyed immensely. (Look out for their new CD, Root2, scheduled for release soon.)

Thanks guys – you were awesome and should you ever do something like this again, please keep us posted.

Other CDs available to buy after the concert included

• Compass, Stewart Hardy and Frank McLaughlin (4 track EP);
• A Poor Mans Labour, Mick West Band (CLCD042, Claytara Records);
• Out of the Wood, Frank McLaughlin and Gillian MacDonald (CLCD042, Claytara Records);
• Tods Assembly, Stewart Hardy (SYCD001)

all highly recommended and which can be purchased online from either www.cdbaby.com or by emailing Claytara.music@virgin.net

links to tunes:

9/8 hornpipes

The New Year's Gift

(See the gallery for more pictures)

Jimmy's Birthday

Jimmy Nagle's birthday card


Jimmy's Birthday Party

The BFG organised a surprise birthday party/session for tutor, Jimmy Nagle on Wednesday, 23rd January 2008 in The Royal Hotel, Jedburgh to show their appreciation for his time and commitment. Amongst the many who came along, besides the usual fiddle group members, were Sheila Sapkota and the Riddell Fiddlers, Jon Bews, Iain Fraser and Donald Knox. Everybody had a great time and Jimmy, initially confounded, took it all in his stride. Eryn and Wattie brought in the birthday cake and everybody signed the giant birthday card. A huge thanks to Kenny and The Royal Hotel, Jedburgh (yet again) for hosting the event, opening a bar specially and for putting-up with us all.

Party

Summer Holidays

The meeting on the 11th July in Smailholm Village Hall will be the last one before the Summer holidays. Next meetingafter that will be Wednesday the 10th of October

More tunes

Latest tunes from Jon here

 
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email: info@bordersfiddlegroup.org.uk | registered charity No. SC036861