BEM for Milton of Campsie man

The founder of Campsie Accordion and Fiddle Club, Billy Hutton, has been presented with the British Empire Medal at a ceremony in Kirkintilloch.

He was awarded the BEM for services to Music and to the Community in Dunbartonshire, having founded the Campsie Accordion and Fiddle Club at the Glazert Country Hotel in Lennoxtown and run it for 30 years.

Billy said, “I have always loved music, my father was a musician and my aunt a church organist, I think I have music in my genes. We had a band playing at our Silver Wedding Anniversary party and the idea of setting up a club came to me that night. I got some musicians together and we started the club and we’ve been going strong ever since. We have a guest band come to play each month and individual players also get up and perform for everyone – it is always a great night and I thoroughly enjoy it.

Billy continued, “I am very honoured to receive the BEM and would like to thank my family, the club committee and the local community for all their support over the years.”

Lord-Lieutenant of Dunbartonshire, Mrs Jill Young MBE, presented Billy with his BEM on behalf of His Majesty the King at an investiture in the Council headquarters.

Mrs Young said, “For many years Billy has shared his love of music with his local community, providing an opportunity for people to come together to be entertained or to perform. His commitment to the Campsie Accordion and Fiddle Club has been unwavering and this dedication has been recognised, both by the BEM and the awards he has received from the National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs.'

“There are many elements to the work that I do as Lord-Lieutenant of Dunbartonshire, but meeting people like Billy who have made such a positive impact on their communities, is undoubtedly the highlight.”

The monthly club nights attract around 100 music lovers from the East Dunbartonshire area and further afield and the National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs has awarded the club the ‘Club of the Year’ award four times.  Billy himself has received the ‘Club Supporter of the Year’ award three times for his dedication to providing his community with a night of great music every month from September to May since the club launched.

East Dunbartonshire Provost, Gillian Renwick, said, “Billy was born and bred in Milton of Campsie and is a well-respected and much-admired member of the Campsie community and indeed the Accordion and Fiddle Club community.

“Billy is often off visiting Accordion and Fiddle Clubs all over the country, playing drums or listening to other performers. He has brought the music he loves to the people of East Dunbartonshire and will have undoubtedly touched the lives of many over the years. He is so well regarded that his club has written a song about him to honour his contribution over so many years.

The Investiture was also attended by Vice Lord-Lieutenant Miss Linda Moffat RD DL and Deputy Lieutenant Dr Gill Aikenhead MBE DL Hon DEd.