Billy Pigg did not play in pubs - or folk clubs - as the smoke was bad for his health. The sessions in which he was involved mainly took place as part of musical evenings at his - and others' houses.

These were a mixture of solo tunes and inclusive sets for anyone who wanted to join in. Guests to his house included on occasion the McPeakes, Leo Rowsome and the Doonans. Some of the Irish tunes in the North-East repertoire came from Radio Eireann which could be heard in the hills, some had been there for much longer than the C20.

Otherwise he played with The Border Minstrels - himself, Annie Snaith, John Armstrong of Carrick, and later Archie Dagg, or performed in various combinations or solo.

Musical evenings of this type certainly happened in the North-East through most of the C20, it was one way that pipers learnt tunes.

James Hill was a professional fiddler who entertained in the pubs of Tyneside where he and other top fiddlers were the jukeboxes of their day. Request your favourite tune, and wait for it to be played. A publican himself for a while, it is not known what other events he played at.

Paws