In my first lesson with Patti Smith, we were taught how to play on the D string. I’m sure this is the hardest one, as the bow tended to screech on the other strings awfully. I remembered the phrase ‘Greg Does Actualise Everyone’ as a mnemonic to help me remember the strings. Patti was friendly and smiley and obviously knew that I was a determined type and so she showed me what to do and then let me practise on my own, in a corner, learning my first major scale.

After a few stamps of the foot and a bang on the table, I had mastered the scale and then learnt “The Grand Old Duke of York” and the good old “Twinkle, Twinkle little star” and “Egan’s” and a Welsh Tune, ‘Pwt ar y Bys’.

During the competition on the Saturday night, the juniors played tunes to such a high standard, I wish could have been put on a compilation CD. Then I could have learnt more for next year. Memorising music isn’t my strength, but folk is sometimes so fast that you have to know it inside and out to stand half a chance of playing it in a session.

I loved it. I felt the fiddle festival was such a fantastic introduction to the instrument. Everybody was understanding about how hard the instrument is. The family atmosphere and the kids enjoying the music was entertaining. I loved the workshops; having breakfast and then starting at 9:30, whilst my boyfriend went fishing. The rural centre was a great host place for the event: the swimming pool and sauna were a fantastic chill out on Sunday.