Due to the severe weather warning for this afternoon and this evening, the practise session is cancelled. Resume next week, weather permitting.

Alford Fiddlers are actively recruiting new members. Our numbers remain strong, but it would be nice to maintain a healthy group of fiddlers, accordion players and possibly other instruments. Other instruments which might be suitable may include double bass, cello, viola, mandolin, mandola and dulcimer, and small pipes and whistle/flute. We would also like to recruit a second keyboard player if at all possible. We have a number of links with other traditional music groups throughout the country and visiting players are always welcome (we may even be able to find you a spare instrument). Practices are held on Wednesday evenings, from 7.30pm until approximately 9.00pm, at Alford Heritage Centre, Mart Road, Alford. There is no membership fee, although a small donation is welcome to the Heritage Centre to cover the cost of heating and lighting for the practice sessions. We play a wide range of traditional music, but particularly that from the North East of Scotland and from Cape Breton, and our practices are a warm friendly evening where players of all abilities are welcome. We perform for charities and social events on six or seven occasions throughout the year, and frequently donate our performance fee to the organisation involved. If you would like us to play for your event, please make contact through this website.

The weather forecast for this coming Wednesday (03.02.10) is for more snow (and other wet stuff too) and frozen surfaces. I intend trying to travel down to the Heritage Centre providing my drive isn't blocked again, and I have spoken to Hugh who also intends turning up, weather permitting. The practice will, at this point in time, still run, but please take care and please do not travel in if at all unsure about so doing.....there's always next week! 

Currently there is a severe weather advisory notice from the Met Office covering the period which includes the first practice session in this New Year. The weather warning advises of the likelihood of icy roads and heavy snowfall in places throughout the Grampian region. I have consulted with Hugh and we feel that if you feel unable to travel to a practice at this time, then please do not feel obliged so to do.

The weather is predicted to ameliorate sometime in the next two to three weeks. If you choose to stay at home, please practice from the Tullynessle list and the 2009 playlist. The Burns tunes can be emailed to you from Wednesday 6th January, but are simple and should not prove too much of a problem if we only have (at worst) one practice session before the Lumsden Burns Supper.

I will attempt to reach Hugh (who is currently snowed in) on Wednesday evening in order to pick him up for the practice, but we both emphasize that if you do not feel able to travel, please stay at home on this occasion. If you wish to telephone to discuss the arrangements, please 'phone Jim before 6.00pm on Wednesday evening.

A happy New Year to all, and stay safe in this bad weather.

UPDATE 5th January...practice cancelled due to severe weather, check website this time next week for further information.

UPDATE 12th January...practice to go ahead tomorrow. Snow now melting fairly quickly. Please be careful when entering the Heritage Centre as the pavements and approach were quite icy when last viewed.