Obit: Bob Hobkirk : Border Fiddler

Subject: Obit: Bob Hobkirk : Border Fiddler
From: GUEST,Kathy Hobkirk
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 05:16 AM

Bob Hobkirk the Border Fiddler has died suddenly at home in Hawick on Sunday 17 November 2002. He was 81 and packed a lot into those 81 years. A self taught musician, he played at his first dance aged 15. He won the Scottish Championship 3 times in the late 1960's and early 1970's. He was also one of the founder members of the Newcastleton Folk Festival. His talent for playing fiddle got him to Russia 3 times,once for a Burns Supper!!! and also to Denmark with Alex Green the whistle player and Sheila Stewart the singer amongst others.
The recordings he made for the School of Scottish Studies were used in Dr Fred Freeman's Border Fiddler cd which was released two years ago and I know he was delighted but somewhat overwhelmed by the attention. This was not his first brush with fame, he was recorded on the Folkways label and notably by Pete Shepherd of Springtyme Records as one of the Border Fiddlers on "Tam Hughes and his Border Fiddle".
He is survied by his wife Lily, daughter Mary,son John and his grandchildren Andrew and Jane

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hobkirk : Border Fiddler
From: Noreen
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 06:03 AM

Sorry to hear of your loss, Kathy, and thank you for telling us about Bob. He must have had a very interesting life.

(And it's good to see you around here again!)

Noreen

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hobkirk : Border Fiddler
From: greg stephens
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 07:41 AM

Sad news. A great fiddler. I am listening to a recording now.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hobkirk : Border Fiddler
From: Bassic
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 08:00 AM

Being a new Folkie I havnt heard Bob`s recordings yet but we all owe Bob and the people of his ilk in the Boarders a huge dept of gratitude for giving us, and keeping alive, such wonderfull Music. Got my first taste of it in Rothbury this year. God bless and thanks.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hobkirk : Border Fiddler
From: Teribus
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 08:03 AM

Very sorry to hear your of your loss, please accept my condolences.

Last time I was in Hawick I bought the Border Fiddler CD for the Fiddle player in one of the local bands where I live.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hobkirk : Border Fiddler
From: greg stephens
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 08:34 AM

Some pass on but luckily some remain. I'm just re-enjoying a recording of Tom Hughes, Bob Hopkirk and Wattie Robson, and I'm glad to report young Wattie is still with us and I've had the pleasure of playing with him several times recently.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hobkirk : Border Fiddler
From: Fingerbuster
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 08:50 AM

*Greg* where did you play with Wattie?

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hobkirk : Border Fiddler
From: GUEST,Kathy Hobkirk
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 09:57 AM

In 1992 Bob was involved in a road accident while on his way to a gig, he was a back seat passenger and was very severely injured, his fiddle (his favorite) was smashed to smithereens. He wasn't expected to survive. When he did come round, his first words were an enquiry as to the wholeness and whereabouts of his best fiddle. They don't make em like that anymore :-)

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hobkirk : Border Fiddler
From: greg stephens
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 10:01 AM

Fingerbuster:Played with Wattie at Newfields Inn Festival, Duddon Valley Cumberland, Middlewich Boat Festival and Isle of Bute Folk Festival.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hobkirk : Border Fiddler
From: Micca
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 12:11 PM

Kathy, I am so sorry to hear of your and the families sad loss, he was the very spirit of a Gentleman and I am sure will be sadly missed, I offer my sincere condolences to Yourself, to John and the rest of the family, Micca

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hobkirk : Border Fiddler
From: GUEST,Kathy Hobkirk
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 01:35 PM

Thank you..he will be very much missed. Just received funeral details so I'll post them here. Beatties Chapel of Rest in Hawick, Friday 22 November at 10.30am,Burial at Hobkirk Parish Church at 11.30 and thereafter to the Horse and Hounds Bonchester Bridge. I think it fair to say bring an instrument and a voice and be prepared to use them :-))))) To those who cannot be there,please raise a glass and toast a life well lived and full of music.

Regards
Kathy

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hobkirk : Border Fiddler
From:
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 07:35 PM

Sorry to hear this. Sing your heart out for him

jack

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hobkirk : Border Fiddler
From: GUEST,Kathy Hobkirk
Date: 20 Nov 02 - 02:57 PM

I will Jack, I will.....been learning Piper MacNeil today,thought it was quite appropriate. Its going to be some party, a fitting celebration.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Hobkirk : Border Fiddler
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Sep 15 - 04:06 PM

Sorry to hear about bob I have a fiddle that must have been his and was repaired by him and signed on the inside in 1972 perhapse you could give me a bit of history about it, i bought it in Hawick about 2006 thanks Dave O'Dea
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