Archive 2004

BAGAS CROWD MEETS THE B.F.G.

by Frank Pickering

It had nothing to do with giants or snozzcumbers. They were the Blackford Fiddle Group, a fine body of feisty fiddlers from far off Scotland who, like Bagas Crowd, were formed to include and encourage all who wish to play fiddle at whatever level they may be. Our connection came via a chance meeting in a pub session in Cornwall, RNAS Culdrose, some Cornish relatives and the flood-defence scheme at Sladesbridge - don't ask. The result was an invitation in 2004 to join them for a long weekend on their home heather and to play at the big annual ceilidh in Auchterarder.

Blackford, in Perthshire, is two streets and the Highland Spring Mineral Water factory but our welcome after the long trek north (and being asked not to play at Killington Lake Services - don't ask) was anything but watery. Warm Scottish hospitality from Jan and Glenn Vickers (the Culdrose connection) and their daughter Kay, and Pete Cope (BFG founder) and his family, and all the other host families, was generously offered to this bunch of strangers from Kernow, and particularly to the en-suite Janes (don't ask).

Friday night saw us at the Moray Institute, Blackford, at the regular BFG meeting, the more advanced players helping the youngsters in a noisy atmosphere of support and fun. The beginners, wielding an impressive array of instruments of all colours and all sizes (fiddles are loaned to those who don't have one) launched happily into a mass "Twinkle, Twinkle" with the rest adding harmonies and twiddles. They clearly make progress. One lad, looking about ten years old, played a blistering solo of "Howling Wind" with nonchalant ease. (Don't you just hate that?) We moved on to their regular session at the Allanbank Hotel, Greenloaning, and threw in some Cornish tunes to go with their jigs and reels.

Saturday morning was the bring-and-buy at the village hall. Bagas Crowd played a brief, impromptu recital which was well received although the tombola stole the show by first collapsing and spilling out all its tickets and having to be re-filled, then having each ticket drawn commented on by the good ladies in charge: "Och, now that's Jocky Cameron's ticket - he'll be disappointed with the teddy bear. I know he was hoping for the round of golf at Gleneagles." etc. Saturday night was the big ceilidh at Auchterarder. Before the dancing there were solos, duets and massed fiddles by all ages and abilities, the emphasis being on fun. When Bagas Crowd played their set, all our Blackford friends seated in the front rows suddenly raised cards which read, "Smile!" We smile when we think of it. Someone once said that the difference between a violinist and a fiddler is that violinists look like they're working, fiddlers look like they're having fun. We had fun, for sure. Swapping tunes, talking fiddling (Frances and Pete trying to out-talk each other in their enthusiasm for fiddle groups, much to the amusement of Pete's daughters who had never seen anyone run him close), walking the hills, eating, drinking and playing together. Thanks, BFG - bonnie, friendly, generous. Our turn next time.