Congratulations to Orkney Accordion & Fiddle Club who have been nominated in Club of the Year sponsored by Trac Scotland in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2015. Vote now!
We asked Bert Baikie of Orkney Accordion & Fiddle Club the following questions.
Tell us about yourself?
We were formed in 1977 and our present Chairman is one of the founder members. We meet every Weds night throughout the year in The Reel, the hub of traditional music run by The Wrigley Sisters. From April till September we have Open Nights once a month, often with visiting guests from south. These are well supported both by locals and tourists. Each week we welcome visitors from all over the world, especially in summer and encourage anyone who wishes to join us for a tune. We give on average £2000 per year to charity as well as playing at various old folks’ clubs and charity events.
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
We are involved in Scottish music because we enjoy playing it and we want to keep alive the tradition of Scottish dance music. We like to encourage young ones to join us and this year we are supporting a group of local schoolchildren who are invited to Monaco to play traditional music to Albert, Prince of Monaco.
Any particular career highlights?
For the last five years we are asked to play to a group of Australian visitors who come on a musical tour of Britain. This year the well known singer of the sixties, Frank Ifield, was in the party. We have welcomed Brandon MacPhee, Maggie Adamson, Leonard Brown along with many others and of course our own local Orkney lass, Kristan Harvey, now a member of Blazin Fiddles.
What are your plans for the future?
Our plans for the future are that we hope to carry on as we have for the last 38 years and to encourage young ones to join us and keep the Club going for the continued enjoyment of both players and audiences.
Club Website – www.wrigleyandthereel.com/page66.html
