BIGGAR Club rounded off the year at its December meeting with a club afternoon highlighting the local players but with a little bit of ‘professional’ input.

Supporting players turned out in force to make it an afternoon to remember.

On accordions were Fin and Jamie Hope, Davy Millar, Ian Ramsay, Ann Wall, Andrew Gibb, Harry Tolson, Aimee-Mae Smith (her first accordion club performance) and grandfather John Gray, Jim Gold, India Smith, Charlie Todd, Ian Graham, Alan Gardiner, Rose Cursiter, Sheena Dickson and Fiona Paul.

On fiddle were Gilbert Logan, Emma Gardiner, Tom Gold and young Finlay Close from Pettinain, who was making his debut at the club.

On keyboard – Alan Gardiner, Keith Dickson, Molly Tolson, Evie Glen, Rosie Bowman Jim Gold and Fiona Paul. Drums were in the capable hands of Andrew Barrie, Tom and Fin Hope and Ian Graham.

Willie Little played the penny whistle and Shelley Clark sang modern Christmas songs. 

Alan Gardiner said: “We enjoyed a great diversity of entertainment including a Scots Christmas poem from Molly Tolson, a piano duet (Beauty and the Beast) from Evie Glen and Rosie Bowman, and an all-too-rare fiddle solo from Emma Gardiner proving what an excellent fiddler she is. 

“Our guest this month was well-known Dumfries-shire singer, raconteur, Burns enthusiast, Scottish country dance teacher and general all-rounder William Williamson. 

“Several of the club’s ‘auld hauns’ (Alan, Keith, Charlie and Andrew Barrie) have known William for many years so it was a case of reliving the days when traditional Scottish entertainment was a bit more widespread than it is these days. 

“William, backed by Alan, Keith and Andrew, gave a good account of himself and kept the audience well entertained with a variety old Scottish Song favourites as well as a well-danced Highland Fling as his finale.

"Thanks to William and wife Linda for making the journey up from Amisfield.

“Thanks also to the Biggar Bowling Club, Sheena Dickson and the KODA mums for an excellent tea at half time and Alan Gardiner and Joan Gold for steering us successfully through another afternoon.

“Our next meeting in on Sunday, January 8, at 2pm in the Biggar Bowling Club with guest artistes John Somerville (accordion) and Hamish Napier (piano).”