Borders trio launch ceilidh band

Well known Kelso accordionist Bob Liddle has joined forces with old school friend and fellow accordion player Charlie McIntee and fiddler Louise Douglas from Kirkton, Hawick, to form The Blackthorne Ceilidh Band.

The trio made their debut at The Cobbles Inn, Kelso, back in January and have a busy schedule in the coming months, with demand from a host of local events.

Their next engagement is a ceilidh at Wauchope Hall, Yetholm, tomorrow night, Friday, June 13, to kick off the festivities for Yetholm Civic Week.

All the old favourites are in the repertoire for the dance, including the Gay Gordons, Virginia Reel and St Bernard’s, and Bob said he hoped he, Charlie and Louise had all the right credentials to make a real success of Blackthorne.

Bob told us: “I know Charlie from way back; we’ve been playing accordion together on and off for 30 years,” he explained.

“We met Louise on the accordion club circuit and she’s a fantastic fiddle player.

“There are a few Scottish country dance bands in the region, but the difference is that we are pure ceilidh.

“We’re all pretty experienced players and we’ve already had quite a bit of interest.”

On top of their performance in Yetholm, Blackthorne also have a performance at Kelso Civic Week, plus guest spots at Lanark and Duns accordion clubs. They are also hoping to get bookings for weddings and functions.

For more information go to the Blackthorne Ceilidh Band section of Bob’s website- www.bobliddlemusic.com.