Riddell Fiddles aims to allow anybody to learn the fiddle, by providing inexpensive fun-filled lessons for young and old alike. As pupils improve, trips to folk festivals, fiddle concerts and work shops with outstanding fiddle players are organised every three weeks or so, in order to appreciate traditional music and the wider culture involved.

Lessons are held in Midlem Village Hall, in the Scottish Borders, on Sundays and Tuesdays, see diary dates for details.

News

The Scottish Executive New Arts Sponsorship Awards Reception on Thursday 13th March at Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, was attended by Sheila, Karen, Allan and Pauline Williams and Ian Oliver. This important event was to celebrate the end of the second year of these Awards and recognise the arts and business partnerships that have been supported in this year. We just managed to grab for a quick photo opportunity with Linda Fabiani MSP, Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture (which is on the Gallery page). Allan and Pauline are of course from The Networking Company, who are our major business sponsors. Other sponsorship is always welcome!

¯ Performance sets are now available on teaching page. ¯ page - for the younger audience - now available. ¯ Dates for the Juniors schedule are now available here

¯The ceilidh raised over £700 which will help towards ceilidh band costs and hopefully Vancouver in 2009. There a few images in the gallery from the evening. Thanks to everyone for all the work - especially Kenny Paterson who slaved over the hot Stovies and Amy Geddes and Donald Knox for the ceilidh bands extravaganzas.

¯Iain Fraser's workshop on Slow Airs was well attended.The group learnt a Slow Air "Flower O' The Quern"

¯5th July 2008 - 95 Cape Breton Fiddlers are arriving at Lilliesleaf Village Hall for workshops / concert / ceilidh with us so don't go on holiday that date!

¯July 2009 Vancouver (Canada) - West Coast Fiddle Camp - http://coaststringfiddlers.com/. Details for our trip will be put on the new Vancouver page, available from here.

• Teribuskers, Hawick - Saturday 13th September

Performances

• Friday 30th May - Border Gaitherin', Coldstream - Borders Youth Showcase - young people performing

• Sunday 1st June, Group Performance at Historic Motoring Extravaganza at Thirlestane Castle, by Lauder

• Saturday 21st June : Playing at Redhall Open Gardens Day, Edinburgh

• 4th July : NHS 60th Anniversary - performance - Galashiels Academy - 4.15pm to 4.45pm

• Sunday 16th August - Perfomance in Traquair Walled Garden as part of Innerleithen Folk Festival

• August/September - Performance at Peebles Arts Festival (Date to be confirmed)

• Friday 5th September - Performance at Galashiels Walking Festival

• New Year 2009 Lilliesleaf Village Hall - Riddell Ceilidh bands - start practicing!