One Accord
Our March meeting started with the usual business of upcoming trips, craft competitions and various group details and then moved on to the AGM. Our busy secretary gave a detailed report reminding us of all the activities carried out during the year. These included the Northumberland trip and Bicester shopping outlet. We hosted the Blythe Group meeting when we were entertained by thePrince Regent. We attended the Centenary Baton Relay at Butter Cross in Abbots Bromley when some of our members dressed in costumes from previous decades. Our own programme has also been varied - with talks on shoe making, belly dancing and a 60's singalong. Our main fund raising event was the May Market, which this year will be on Saturday 16th May-keep the date free! The money raised from the Xmas raffle was donated to the charity ' Homestart '. In November we laid a wreath at the war memorial; this is going to be an annual event. We are looking forward to a full and varied year ahead.
Following the election of the new committee we were treated to a fascinating talk by Pauline Hardwich entitled 'One Accord'. Pauline has two strings to her bow- she runs a yarn business with her husband and also has an interesting musical background.
What do the following people have in common- Idi Amin, Gandhi, Mark Twain, the Queen, Richard Nixon and Edith Piaff? They have all had lessons to play the accordion. Pauline is an accomplished accordion player and gave us an interesting insight into her background.
In 1924 her father was born into a musical family in Poland, but sadly orphaned at the age of 13. He became an apprentice engineer , and travelled to Germany. When war broke out he escaped to France and met up with the Polish commandoes. During this time he fell in love with playing the accordion.
Meanwhile, Paulines' mother started touring the theatres and met up with her father, who by this time had an act that included a unicycle, juggling rings and the accordion. They were noticed by the presenter Hughie Green and performed on the popular TV show Opportunity Knocks. Pauline's mother became an assistant in the act, was married a year later and Pauline was born the year after.
As a young girl, Pauline yearned for a small piano, and at 12 years old she was bought her first accordion.The family developed a variety act, which became very popular, as it was something different at the time. Pauline was able to show photos of the family dressed in their stage costumes.
Sadly, at the age of 52 her dad had a stroke and refused to play the accordion and could not be persuaded to change his mind. Many years passed; Pauline got married, had children ,and became a piano teacher. Then, after 30 years her father was finally persuaded to play again, much to the family's astonishment. We had been treated to a lovely family story, interspersed with sounds from the accordion.
Our next meeting is on Wednesday 8th April when Becky Bendall will be speaking on the charity 'Homestart'. We meet in Yoxall Parish Hall and visitors will be made very welcome. For further information please contact Penny Bailey through the link below.