Welcome to the Isle of Wight Scottish Fiddlers!
The Isle of Wight's very own taste of Scottish Music and Entertainment!
There is a small piece of Scotland living and thriving here
on the Isle of Wight – in the form of the Isle of Wight Scottish Fiddlers.
The Isle of Wight Scottish Fiddlers is an open access
community group dedicated to raising money for good causes, whilst giving its
members an opportunity to enjoy playing the traditional fiddle music of
Scotland and other Countries. The group is entirely self-financing and does not
charge for its services or travelling expenses when playing at concerts across
the Isle of Wight.
Formed in 1986 by ex-pat Borders Scot, Jack Ellis, with the simple aim of
bringing together a few people who might enjoy playing Scottish fiddle music,
the present group, directed by Clive Rickards, is about 20 strong.
After the success of their first concert in the Autumn of 1986, the band has
featured on local TV, and played at many venues, including the Millennium Dome,
Medina Theatre, Appuldurcombe House, Freshwater Memorial Hall, Osborne House,
Ventnor Winter Gardens, Ventnor Botanic Gardens, the Quay Arts
Centre, Barton Manor, and numerous churches and village halls. They have
also given concerts in Hampshire, Devon and Cornwall, and even played out at
sea on board the Paddle Steamer Waverley during a storm!
Through their numerous concerts the Isle of Wight Scottish Fiddlers have raised
thousands of pounds for good causes at home and abroad including; the RNLI,
Macmillan Nurses, Cancer Research, the Earl Mountbatten Hospice, Romania,
Kosovo, countless Churches, and many other local community organisations.
Members (the youngest is 10 and the oldest is 91) come from
a wide variety of backgrounds, all sharing an enjoyment of traditional fiddle
music and the conviviality of membership. It is a mark of the friendliness of
the group that members who have flown the nest often come back & play
whenever they are on the island.
We look forward to seeing you all again in 2010.
If you are aware of any organisation which might be looking for musical support in their efforts to raise funds for Charity or other good causes, please do pass on our details - we will do our very best to try and be of help.
Helping us to help others!
We are grateful for help from HIWC towards our travelling costs when playing off the Island. However any support to help us with our running costs would be greatly appreciated.