FIDDLE and viola players from across the South West came to Okehampton last Saturday for an exciting day of music-making with a European flavour led by expert tutors.

The Wren Music Fiddle Day offered the chance for experienced players and complete beginners to develop their playing and their knowledge of the instrument. It is the seventh time the event has been held.

The day focused on learning new skills and techniques as well as repertoire development on both violin and viola, with a chance for other acoustic instruments to join in the afternoon.

This year's tutors were fiddle player Dave Shepherd (pictured right) from Euro dance band Blowzabella and Becki Driscoll.

Dave's workshop looked at tunes and techniques from all over Western Europe, with a particular focus on French music.

The beginner's workshop with Becki focused on basic technique and learning simple tunes.

They were joined in the afternoon by diatonic accordionist Anna Pack and Nick Wyke on guitar and fiddle, when the day was opened to other acoustic instrument players to create a massed folk orchestra.

In the evening, the tutors gave a concert at Fairplace Church. This concert featured the two duos of Dave and Anna and Nick and Becki playing a mix of English and European traditional music, along with new compositions and rousing songs.