Castle Douglas Accordion and Fiddle Club's final meeting of the season was a great success

Daily Record

29-04-2025

Castle Douglas Accordion and Fiddle Club's final meeting of the season was a great occasion with so many local players contributing, they had to be rationed to one set each. Steven McWhan from Dumfries opened the show with a fine classical performance on his five row button accordion, and was followed by William Little from Dumfries on his whistle. Stuart Faulds from Dreghorn was next with his accordion, ably assisted by Graham Barbour, who accompanied most of the local players. Jenna Youngman from Kirkgunzeon was next with her accordion, followed by John Cowan from Kirkcudbright with his fiddle. Jimmy Little, all the way from Alnwick in Northumberland, gave a fine set of jigs on his mouth organ and then Newby Park from Carlisle entertained the audience on his accordion. Bob Watson from Torthorwald finished off the local players' first half contribution. The guest artistes were the Frank Morrison Band with Frank Morrison and Cal Smith on accordions, June Meikle and fiddle, Alex Graham on keyboard, Ruth Rintoul on bass fiddle and Billy Goodfellow on drums. This fine sextet provided music that was well balanced, giving a varied selection of tunes from Scotland and many other places which the audience were very appreciative of. After tea and biscuits and the raffle, George Shanks from Castle Douglas led off the local players on his mouth organ, then Graham Barbour and Pauline Swan from Dumfries gave a fine duet performance on their accordions, after which Graham treated us to a superb 'party piece' performance of Blue Suede Shoes. Jim McConnachie from Dumfries then gave a third mouth organ set, surely a very unusual happening for any accordion and fiddle club. The audience then had the pleasure of hearing Elisabeth Morrison from Law, wife of band leader Frank who played second accordion to her, and then Barbara Fisher and John Douglas from Dumfries played an accordion duet. The last of the local players was Tom Killean from Wishaw along with Frank, Alex and Billy from the band on second box, keyboard and drums. A fine afternoon which fully justifies the decision of the local committee to change the timing from Tuesday evenings to Sunday afternoons. There will be a special meeting on Sunday, July 27 to which all interested players and spectators are warmly invited.