Andy Cutting's first melodeon tutor was Pete Thompson - I was around when he had his first lesson. It was on a canal trip to the IWA National Rally at Hawksbury Junction, near Coventry. It was the year they re-opened Blisworth Tunnel and we had a wonderful floating Folk Session (about 6 boats), stopping at pubs lunchtime and evening. There were quite a lot of Herga members involved. Andy became Pete's apprentice (marine diesel fitter), but eventally left to persue his playing career. His later tutor was Ian Dedic.

I once asked Pete Thompson what he thought of his pupil's rise to fame. "What a waste", he said, "He had the gift to be a wonderful diesel fitter, and he threw it away - great diesel fitters are rare - anyone can learn to play melodeon". Mind you Pete does work on some lovely engines - his own boat has a Bolinder and he's the acknowledged expert on early Listers.