Joe Farquhar’s history of the Fiddlers

The Fiddlers visit Joe in May of 2015.

The Fiddlers visit Joe in May of 2015.

Hi Folks

Today is a rather special day, Joe Farquhar, one of the founders of the Wednesday Evening Fiddlers turns 96 today [22 Sept. 2015]. Joe played with the group for many years and through his family, grand children and friends, supplied us with many new fiddlers. Joe also made and repaired fiddles for the group.

Joe is also a bit of a historian and has written a number of accounts of life and times around Victoria County NB. In 2001 he wrote some memories of the fiddlers, included below. It is interesting to go back and read this from time to time.

We wish Joe a very Happy Birthday.

Garold
The Wednesday Evening Fiddlers
Perth-Andover NB

In April 2001, Joseph Farquhar was asked to write down his memories of the beginnings of the Wednesday Evening Fiddlers.

The following notes were prepared by Joe. The group was not named until 1988, the first suggested name was the Victoria County Fiddlers, however some of the members did not like the idea so Shirley Gamblin suggested the Wednesday Evening Fiddlers and that stuck.

The Wednesday Evening Fiddlers – by Joseph Farquhar.

The following is a brief history of how the fiddle band got started in a small NB town and covers a time period from 1986-87 to date.

To name people involved is fairly easy, when something took place is a little harder. This is not to relate the many little side effects of a personal nature; also if there are any errors I would be glad to see them corrected.

During the Fall & Winter season of 1986-87, it happened that 4 people, Cameron Bishop, his wife Dawn, Ed Love and Murray Grant began meeting at the music room at SVHS (Southern Victoria High School). They used the room on Wednesday evenings to have jam sessions from 7 to 9 PM. Cameron played banjo and fiddle. Dawn, a good piano player also read music, Ed Love and Murray Grant played guitars. Continue reading