Show's over for brothers after 32 years

Their monthly cabaret evening at Holy Family Parish Centre was a Saturday night fixture for many and raised tens of thousands of pounds for charity along the way.

The Bellshill brothers learned to play musical instruments as boys - Hugh on the drums and Tommy on the accordion. They were regulars at clubs, birthday parties and weddings.

Tommy, a retired head teacher, said: “In days gone by there was lots of works for musicians in clubs such as Bellshill Miners, the Royal British Legion, Knights of St Columba and Stewarts and Lloyds.”

Hugh quipped: “If you could hold an instrument you got a job.”

Joe Murphy and MC Mick Lynn signed up the brothers for the first of their regular Holy Family gigs 32 years ago.

Tommy said: “It became a real parish and community event. We had singers, there was bingo and you got a pie and a cup of tea at the interval.

“Somebody said it was like having a party in your house.”

The brothers’ mix of ceilidh music, popular songs and banter attracted people from beyond the Mossend parish boundary.

All proceeds went to good causes and last month the final cheque for £850 was presented to the street charity Let the Children Live.

The brothers are keen to stress it wasn’t a two-man band.

Tommy stressed: “We fronted it but couldn’t have done it without the help of many others, and a special mention must go to Davie Carroll, our MC for the last 10 years. People were disappointed to hear we have finished, but it was just getting too much - I struggle with my shoulder after decades of accordion playing.”

Engineer Hugh is still playing though - he has a drum kit at his workplace to use during his tea break!

Parish priest Fr Jim Grant paid tribute to the Bradshaws, saying: “They provided an enormous amount of pleasure to many for no personal gain.

“The cabaret will be sadly missed, but they deserve a break after serving us so selflessly.”