Fiddling into a new year

THE first meeting of 2026 for the Dumfries Accordion and Fiddle Club was held last week at The Crichton Golf Club.

Those in attendance were treated to a great night of music from locals, supporting players and guest artistes alike.

The guest artistes for the evening and the club’s ‘First Foot’ of 2026 were Carlisle-based John Waugh and his band. John, a regular at the club, was joined in the band by John Douglas of Dumfries playing second accordion, Alan Brown of South Shields on piano, and Billy Porter from Gretna on drums. The quartet gave us two fine performances with many tunes John had heard from broadcasts of bands from yesteryear. Jigs, polkas waltzes, quicksteps and foxtrots were interspersed with lively reels and marches, a fine mix and well played by band.

Earlier in the evening John Caskie introduced accordionists Barbara Fisher (Dumfries), Bob Watson (Torthorwald), Matthew Murray (Dumfries), Robert Whitehead (Northumberland), Stuart Faulds (Ayr), Stephen McWhan (Locharbriggs), Gavin Foster (Heathhall), Newby Park (Carlisle), Eddie McMeekan (Thornhill).

Piano player for the night was William McRobert, of Moffat, with Billy Porter from the guest band playing drums with the local and supporting players. William Little, Dumfries, also entertained with his tin whistle.

Now in its 61st year, compère John Caskie expressed hope that ‘our kind of music’ will continue to thrive in 2026.

Jake Johnstone and his band from Biggar are the guest artistes next month at the golf club on Tuesday February 3.