Toe-tapping times ahead in Riddell Fiddles' busy programme

Bows will be flying at Riddell Fiddles as playing steps up for what promises to be an exciting couple of months for local musicians and audiences.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Apr 2016, 12:52 BST
Updated 18th Apr 2016, 14:55 BST
Irish fiddle and banjo duo of Brendan Hendry and Jonny Tomas, who will be performing at a concert being hosted in Melrose by Riddell Fiddles.Irish fiddle and banjo duo of Brendan Hendry and Jonny Tomas, who will be performing at a concert being hosted in Melrose by Riddell Fiddles.
Irish fiddle and banjo duo of Brendan Hendry and Jonny Tomas, who will be performing at a concert being hosted in Melrose by Riddell Fiddles.

At the Riddell Fiddles Sunday hub at the Argus Centre in Selkirk, there will be open workshops with visiting musicians. The first is on Sunday, April 24, at 11am when fiddler Sally Simpson (RCS) and Magnus Rasanen, from Sweden, on accordion – both taking time out from Edinburgh’s Tradfest to lead the teaching session – will be livening up the morning.

In another exciting development, Selkirk musician Jenni Borthwick is working with Riddell Fiddles, with two group sessions coming up in May to work on a new multi-part piece she has written, which the group will premiere at Wilton Park Bandstand on June 12.

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“Jenni is a talented, classically trained musician and she brings incredible skills to the group,” said organiser Sheila Sapkota.

Irish fiddle and banjo duo of Brendan Hendry and Jonny Tomas, who will be performing at a concert being hosted in Melrose by Riddell Fiddles.Irish fiddle and banjo duo of Brendan Hendry and Jonny Tomas, who will be performing at a concert being hosted in Melrose by Riddell Fiddles.
Irish fiddle and banjo duo of Brendan Hendry and Jonny Tomas, who will be performing at a concert being hosted in Melrose by Riddell Fiddles.

Meanwhile at Bannerfield Buskers, song composing has also been the order of the day with groups of young people working and playing together on two compositions about Selkirk and the flood controls.

These talented young folk will be premiering their pieces at the Waterwheel café on Friday. May 6, at 2.30 pm. Guitarist Donald Knox and double bass/singer Tony Manning will be on hand to keep things on track.

On Saturday, May 7, Riddell Fiddles will be hosting a house concert in Melrose with the talented Irish fiddle/banjo duo of Brendan Hendry and Jonny Tomas, who will give a workshop the next day. Call 07719451444 for details.

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The busy schedule follows the very successful ‘Reels on Wheels’ railway sessions, which took members to Edinburgh, Glasgow and even a marathon ‘playathon’ to Mallaig over the Easter weekend.

Rain-soaked walkers climbing onto the train at Rannoch Moor were met by a blast of tunes from the Borders and responded enthusiastically.

More details on www.riddellfiddles.co.uk

Related topics:SelkirkEdinburgh