Nostalgia: Magheralin man taught accordion to scores of people

A Magheralin man who taught scores of people to play the accordion featured in the ‘Mail’ in 1977.

Freddie Gardiner also formed his own group. What was remarkable was that he did not read music and was almost totally blind, even before he began to play the accordion.

He took it upon himself to form Maralin Accordion Band and he used to march even though his sight was poor.

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“I kept my eyes on the girl in front who wore a brightly coloured uniform,” he said.

Later he also formed a group and over the years was a familiar figure at the local pub where he entertained customers with his accordion.

Freddie is pictured here with group members, from left, Trevor Gardiner, Andrew McCormack and Jennifer McCormack.

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