Biggar Accordion and Fiddle Club started the year with old friends and guest artiste – The Gary Donaldson SDB.

But first we had a wealth of local talent who had come along to entertain us.

On accordions were Fin Hope, Molly Tolson, India Smith, Brian Smith, Fiona Paul, Fiona Sinclair, Jamie Webster, Davy Millar, Andrew Gibb, Ann Wall, Newby Park, Jim Gold and Charlie Todd.

Our lone fiddler was Tom Gold and keyboard players were Alan Gardiner, Fiona Paul, Jim Gold and Shona Sinclair with Tom Hope, Andrew Barrie and Charlie Todd on drums.

Thanks to them all for their splendid music.

Our guest artiste, Gary Donaldson, was accompanied by Russell Hunter on fiddle, Keith Dickson on keyboard and Gordon Smith on drums.

As we all know Gary started young, as one half of The Donaldson Brothers, and the years have done nothing to detract from his dexterity on the accordion keyboard.

Everything was played with precision and swing and particularly outstanding were the two Continental pieces.

We usually see Russell in his periodic visits to Biggar on the keyboard but he demonstrated that he’s also a first class band fiddler.

Well done to all the boys for a thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable afternoon.

Thanks, as always, to our hosts the Biggar Bowling Club and to the KODA mums (and others) for the excellent half-time buffet not forgetting our Chairman and MC Alan Gardiner and Joan Gold who keep the afternoon running smoothly.

Next month sees a visit from The Jack Delaney SDB on Sunday, February 11 at 2pm at the BBC.

Jack has a long association with Biggar, right back to his days with Alex MacArthur’s band at the Clydesdale Hotel.

We look forward to seeing you all there.