User:Fiddlygig

Fiddlygig were an award winning comedy showgroup formed in Lincoln in 1973 by three former RAF musicians, David Collingwood and brothers Paul and Jim Travis. Joined by drummer Steve Walenta and later by guitarist John Ireland the group played a dozen different instruments and featured strong harmony vocals alongside comedy routines and fun impressions of the top acts and groups of the time. Initially they performed on the northern club circuit but their talent was quickly recognised and led to long summer seasons with the Black and White Minstrel Show at the Opera House Blackpool and the Val Doonican Show at the Pavilion Theatre in Bournemouth. A two week engagement at The London Palladium with Lorna Luft and Eddie Fisher and TV appearances on Bruce Forsyth’s Generation Game, Seaside Special, The Black and White Minstrel Show and The Wheeltappers and Shunters Social Club followed between 1974 and 1978. The group won the coveted Club Mirror Comedy Group of the Year award 75/76. With some changes in personnel the group continued working into the 1980’s both at home and abroad.

To correct the above version the group Fiddlygig previously known as Lindum Festival Band later Lindum. Lindum which consisted of David Smith Jim Travers John ireland and Steve Walenta did a summer season at Pontins Wall Park holiday camp Brixham South Devon after Paul Travers brother of Jim left to pursue a solo career. Ron Baker was a Bluecoat at the camp and during the season i was asked to join the group which i did and later that year we headed back to Lincoln the groups base we were in Dave Smiths house in Lincoln we were trying to decide on a new name for the group i picked up a copy of Womans Own magazine from the coffee table and saw an article on knitted toys called Fiddlygigs the rest is history that was the start of Fiddlygig after lots of success over several years and a change of management i left and Paul Travers rejoined