Generations of past pupils gathered for a surprise concert to mark the retirement of one of the north-east’s most beloved music teachers.
Accordion ace Willis Gerrard referred to the proteges she instructed during her 45-year teaching career in Aberdeen as “her bairns”.
The 85-year-old was forced to bring an end to her lessons earlier this year when she moved to a care home in Buckie.
Determined to pay tribute to Mrs Gerrard’s warm spirit and teaching skills, 30 of her former “bairns” gathered at Buckie’s Baptist Church Hall to stage a surprise bash in her honour.
More than 120 friends and well-wishers attended, and Mrs Gerrard was thrilled to hear the tunes she spent decades helping aspiring accordionists to master.
Banff woman Sandra Kemp, who was taught the accordion by Mrs Gerrard in the 1980s and has remained firm friends with her since, was the driving force behind the concert.
Mrs Kemp said: “When Mrs Gerrard retired in January, I thought we should do something to thank her for being such a fantastic teacher over such a long period.
“She didn’t know anything about the concert and she was really overwhelmed when she saw what we had planned for her.
“I put together a programme based on tunes she had taught us over the years, making sure to include a few of her favourites.
“She classed all of her pupils as ‘her bairns’ – she was an amazingly warm teacher to have.”
Youngsters from all over the north-east travelled to Aberdeen to receive accordion lessons from Mrs Gerrard during her career.
Pupils put on charity concerts at various venues in the region, and staged annual performances at Aberdeen’s St Machar Academy and Aberdeen Arts Centre.
Mrs Gerrard moved to Burnbank Care Home in Buckie to be near her son, who resides in the town.