Year 4 No 01 September 1980
The last meeting of the season of Biggar A&F Club was held in the Clydesdale Hotel on Monday, 14th April. A total of 22 accordionists, three pianists, two drummers, three fiddlers, one piper and one concertina player, not including our guests honouring our company for our final fling of the year and what a night it was.
Our Secretary must be congratulated for keeping the ball rolling throughout the night. Our guests for the evening were Walter Beattie and Trio from Langholm. Their fine performance soon had the toes tapping in both their spots. Certainly not big names on the Scottish Dance music scene, we wonder why? These boys can put some fine playing together.
Our accordionists were mine host Alex MacArthur (hope you all heard his latest broadcast from Perth, it was a cracker), Lynn Clowe, Sandy Donald, Jim Divers, Sheena Anderson, John Anderson, Douglas & Elaine Hastie, Graham Ross, Ian Graham, Charlie Todd, Linda & Janice Gray, Jock Brockbank, Joyce McKenzie, Paul Johnstone (EK), Guy Biagi, Robin Anderson, Nelson Callan and Allan Smith. On concertina David Corner. On piano Iain Wilson, Alex MacArthur and Jim Laferty. Drums Rob Dickson and Bobby Park. Fiddle Iain Henderson (EK), Jock Houston and Annie Robertson and on pipes Heather Lyn.
In all, a grand line-up of talent to wind up the year’s club. Let’s hope September will bring them all back, eager to show their fine talent. May I finish with a round up of the year at Biggar Club with a wee poem?
BIGGAR ACCORDION CLUB
SEASON 1979-80
They came from far and near
Our first guest of the season
Was Ronnie Easton and his band
At that great night it was announced
That Ronnie was going away
Taking his fine style of music
To England far away
October saw the welcome return
Of that wee lad from the TV
From Thingummyjig to the Clydesdale
Was Walter Perrie
November came – once again
A full house we did view
Bert Shorthouse was the guest that night
Bringing some friends anew
December was a cold night
But the fans did not dismay
With Jimmy Lindsay’s playing
It chased the cold away
January brought in 1980
And a packed house we did have
To hear some fine playing
From Grace McCleaver and her band
February brought the house down
With jokes – fiddle playing
With Bobby Harvey and Ivor Britton
They soon had the crowds a-swaying
March brought Tommy Pringle
And his fine wee band
From reels and jigs and marches
A fine sound we had at hand
April was our last night
And what a way to go
With Walter Beattie and his band
A fine end for the show
So once again the season ends
Some great nights enjoyed by all
It’s just the annual dance to come
I’m sure we’ll have a ball
Peter Rae
Year 4 No 03 November 1980
Biggar A&F Club held their second night of the season in the Clydesdale Hotel, Biggar, on Monday, 13th October. Unlucky for some, but Biggar Club got the works. Because along with our guest artiste Graeme Mitchell came Ricci Franci, second accordion, Neil McMillan, keyboard, Gus Millar, drums plus 35 players. We apologise to anyone who did not get a turn.
Robin Brock of Radio Forth and the man himself, BBC’s Robbie Shepherd both spoke to us to keep digging the powers that be to get more Scottish Dance Music on the air.
Well, after the introductions it’s on with the write up. I must say it’s a long time since I have seen such talent around at Biggar from the juniors who appeared, including Jennifer Forrest from the Skye Festival to the 78 year-old who did a turn and the great stuff that our guest Graeme Mitchell put out. None of that fancy foreign stuff, pure Scottish music to set your feet tapping. Any tempo was no problem to him and his fellow artistes. Both spots were faultless and I hope Robbie Shepherd was taking note for a spot on ‘Take the Floor’.
Other artistes appearing were mine host Alex MacArthur, Accordoinists Sheena Anderson, Una Bryson, Charlie Todd, Jock Russell, Alex Linton, Douglas and Elaine Hastie, Guy Biaggi, Mrs Paterson, Keith Dickson, Alan Gardiner, Neil Barron, Graham Ross, Graham Edwardson, John Gibson, George Reid, Nelson Callan, David Russell, Alan Black, Jennifer Forrest, David Wilson, Berry, Andrew and James Oliver.
Pianists – John Gibson. Drums – Rob Dickson, Alistair McBeth and Graham Jamieson. Fiddle - John Houston and Annie Robertson.
In all, a first-class evening’s entertainment for both the listener and the player. Why pay your TV licence when this entertainment is on the go?
Next months guest artistes will be Max Houliston and Kenny Wilson.
Peter Rae
Year 4 No 04 December 1980
Biggar A&F Club held their November meeting on the 10th in the Clydesdale Hotel and again I am happy to report a full house of both players and listeners.
Our guest for the evening was the man who started it all, Max Houliston, accompanied by that fine fiddler Kenny Wilson. Max has a nice, relaxed style of playing, nothing too fancy or too easy but very nice for the listener, no effort was needed to capture the audiences ear. His two performances were immaculate in every sense of the word.
Of course, the night could not go by without the request for Kenny to do his masterpiece arrangement of the ‘Mason’s Apron’ and that is what I call magnifique, a tune heard hundreds of times, but never handled the way Kenny does it, it’s fantastic. His ‘Hen’s March to the Midden’ was a good second best. From both of the lads a fine performance.
Others taking part were accordionists Hugh Gebbie, Douglas and Elaine Hastie, John Anderson, Alex MacArthur (just back half-an-hour from his holidays in Tunisia), Sheena Anderson, Jock Russell, Charlie Todd, Jimmy Divers, Alan Gardiner, Allan Smith, Ian Graham, John Laidlaw, Graham Edwardson, David Wilson, Nelson Callan, Phil Sherbrook (Dalkeith – first time), Alan Black, Tony Dalton (Dumfries).
Concertina – David Corner. Keyboard – Alex MacArthur. Drums – Bruce Shaw, Alistair McBeth, Rob Dickson, Bill Weir. Fiddle – Jock Houston, Annie Robertson and Jack Finnigan.
I must point our that I do not list these names in order of performance, just as they came in the door.
Also, it’s not my fault the ‘B&F’ publish on the 15th of the month and members don’t see this column till next month, that’s up to the Editor, over to you.
Peter Rae
Year 4 No 05 January 1981
Biggar A&F Club held the final meeting of 1980 in the Clydesdale Hotel on Monday, 8th December.
As always, a well attended was held, both in players and listeners. We must apologise to those who did not get a tune this time, but time unfortunately catches up with us.
Our guests for the evening were Ian and Charlie Armour and what a programme they put on. Their act deserves a TV spot.
To play the fiddle and dance, birl and swing the kilt at the same time without dropping a note takes a bit of talent, and talent is what these lads have. Apart from a joke or two their performance was much enjoyed by the Biggar audience.
Also appearing on a surprise visit was young Ian Skinner, the Scottish Junior Champion and winner of the Will Starr Shield at Motherwell. For an 11-year-old his performance was perfect and a treat to listen to. His name, I think, will be hitting the headlines very soon.
After Ian’s fine performance the lads were saying they did not envy the person who was on next, but young Philip Sheucht put on a fine show and confidence was once more regained by all the lads.
Also contributing were accordionists – Dave Cook, Alex MacArthur, Douglas and Elaine Hastie, Charlie Todd, Jimmy Divers, Duncan Campbell, Alan Black, Alan Gardiner, Alex Graham, Philip Sheucht, Nelson Callan, Ian Skinner, John Laidlaw, Willie Duff, Bert Wilson, Grant Crawford, Gordon Clark. Piano – Iain Wilson and James Clark. Drums – Alistair McBeth. Fiddle – Iain Henderson from EK Club.
May I take this opportunity to wish you all the best for 1981.
Peter Rae
Year 4 No 07 March 1981
Biggar A&F Club held the first meeting of the year in the Clydesdale Hotel on Monday, 12th January.
Despite the cold, severe weather a good turnout of players and audience welcomed our guests for the evening, George Stirrat and Jimmy Yeaman.
Both soon had the Clydesdale swinging with their distinct style of playing. Some of the finger-busting, speedy playing of George had the audience gasping. We used to hear this sound on the radio. What has happened now?
George played us his arrangement of Glasgow Week in Hamburg, not as a march but as a waltz. I must say it sounded good at this tempo, Stirrat style.
Jimmy, of course, gave us some fine fiddle playing for his solo spots. In all a fine pair of talented musicians.
Also on stage was our host, Alex MacArthur, who asked the audience to spot the deliberate mistake (I believe a packet of Paxo is coming your way, Derek, for that unfair crit in the December issue. I’ve heard others a lot worse ; anyway mistakes are not easily noticed if the sound is good) assisted by Alistair McBeth on drums and Iain Wilson on piano.
Alex played us a tune Angus Fitchet has composed called ‘Alex MacArthure of Biggar’ which went down very well.
Others on the first-half programme were ; accordions – Sandy Donald Snr and Jnr, Davy Coke (Auchenheath), Bert Wilson (Lanark), Sheena Anderson (Biggar), Alan Gardiner (Lamington), Jim Divers (Cleland), Guy Biaggi (Newmains), John Laidlaw (Peebles), John Russell (Larkhall). Fiddle – John Houston and Annie Roberton (Kirkfieldbank).
In the second-half we had Nelson Callan (Wishaw), Alec MacArthur, John Anderson (Biggar) and Duncan Campbell (Peebles). On piano Iain Wilson (Elvanfoot), Adam Anderson (Broughton) and a first timer Dorothy Lawson from West Linton. Drums Alistair McBeth (Peebles), Rob Dickson (Dolphinton) Brian Strew and Bill Weir (Peebles).
Biggar A&F Club held their February meeting in the Clydesdale Hotel on Monday 9th. A packed and enthuastic audience assembled to hear the sound of Tommy Ford from the Jim MacLeod Band. We had waited six years to book Tommy for a night and it was well worth waiting for. His programme in both spots ranged over the full scope of accordion playing and may I add using his box to the full where other would have turned to electronics. A delight to listen to and well worth the wait.
Along with the talents of Tommy, our regulars were in fine form. One young lad, Robert Pollock from Gifford, played us a tune after only 8 lessons. He has to be applauded for that.
Alex MacArthur gave us a preview of some of the material for his next broadcast, stating he had some new tunes picked out, so that it would not be so obvious if mistakes were being made!!
Also making a welcome return was Walter Beattie and son Stevie, and may I endorse what I said then, BBC take note of the name, the sound is pure velvet from a Shand button-box at that.
Nelson Callan from Wishaw gave us a fine sound from his spot after his teething trouble was sorted out. In actual fact the standard now at Biggar is rated very high, with both novices and the seasoned veterans all putting on fine performances (Secretary excused!) The audience loved every minute of it.
This month’s line-up : accordions David Sturgeon (Dalkeith), David Hume, Alex MAcArthur, John Anderson, Sheena Anderson, Robert Pollock, Dorothy Lawson (also grand on piano), Douglas and Elaine Hastie, Alan Black, David Hamilton, Charlie Todd, Ian Graham, Jim Divers, Bert Wilson, Walter Beattie, Nelson Callan and Stewart Lochie.
Piano – Dorothy Lawson, Adam Anderson, Alec Graham, James Clark and Iain Wilson.
Drums – Bruce Shaw, Alistair McBeth, Billy Weir, Stevie Beattie, Rob Dickson and Gordon Young, the well known drummer from the Ian Holmes Band.
Fiddle – John Houston and Annie Robertson and last but not least, who brought the house down with his off-beat piping Davy Ketchin from Penicuik, ably assisted by Alex MacArthur and his band.
Well, that’s it, a night to remember for all concerned. Roll on next month.
Peter Rae
The last meeting of the season of Biggar A&F Club was held in the Clydesdale Hotel on Monday, 14th April. A total of 22 accordionists, three pianists, two drummers, three fiddlers, one piper and one concertina player, not including our guests honouring our company for our final fling of the year and what a night it was.
Our Secretary must be congratulated for keeping the ball rolling throughout the night. Our guests for the evening were Walter Beattie and Trio from Langholm. Their fine performance soon had the toes tapping in both their spots. Certainly not big names on the Scottish Dance music scene, we wonder why? These boys can put some fine playing together.
Our accordionists were mine host Alex MacArthur (hope you all heard his latest broadcast from Perth, it was a cracker), Lynn Clowe, Sandy Donald, Jim Divers, Sheena Anderson, John Anderson, Douglas & Elaine Hastie, Graham Ross, Ian Graham, Charlie Todd, Linda & Janice Gray, Jock Brockbank, Joyce McKenzie, Paul Johnstone (EK), Guy Biagi, Robin Anderson, Nelson Callan and Allan Smith. On concertina David Corner. On piano Iain Wilson, Alex MacArthur and Jim Laferty. Drums Rob Dickson and Bobby Park. Fiddle Iain Henderson (EK), Jock Houston and Annie Robertson and on pipes Heather Lyn.
In all, a grand line-up of talent to wind up the year’s club. Let’s hope September will bring them all back, eager to show their fine talent. May I finish with a round up of the year at Biggar Club with a wee poem?
BIGGAR ACCORDION CLUB
SEASON 1979-80
They came from far and near
Our first guest of the season
Was Ronnie Easton and his band
At that great night it was announced
That Ronnie was going away
Taking his fine style of music
To England far away
October saw the welcome return
Of that wee lad from the TV
From Thingummyjig to the Clydesdale
Was Walter Perrie
November came – once again
A full house we did view
Bert Shorthouse was the guest that night
Bringing some friends anew
December was a cold night
But the fans did not dismay
With Jimmy Lindsay’s playing
It chased the cold away
January brought in 1980
And a packed house we did have
To hear some fine playing
From Grace McCleaver and her band
February brought the house down
With jokes – fiddle playing
With Bobby Harvey and Ivor Britton
They soon had the crowds a-swaying
March brought Tommy Pringle
And his fine wee band
From reels and jigs and marches
A fine sound we had at hand
April was our last night
And what a way to go
With Walter Beattie and his band
A fine end for the show
So once again the season ends
Some great nights enjoyed by all
It’s just the annual dance to come
I’m sure we’ll have a ball
Peter Rae
Year 4 No 03 November 1980
Biggar A&F Club held their second night of the season in the Clydesdale Hotel, Biggar, on Monday, 13th October. Unlucky for some, but Biggar Club got the works. Because along with our guest artiste Graeme Mitchell came Ricci Franci, second accordion, Neil McMillan, keyboard, Gus Millar, drums plus 35 players. We apologise to anyone who did not get a turn.
Robin Brock of Radio Forth and the man himself, BBC’s Robbie Shepherd both spoke to us to keep digging the powers that be to get more Scottish Dance Music on the air.
Well, after the introductions it’s on with the write up. I must say it’s a long time since I have seen such talent around at Biggar from the juniors who appeared, including Jennifer Forrest from the Skye Festival to the 78 year-old who did a turn and the great stuff that our guest Graeme Mitchell put out. None of that fancy foreign stuff, pure Scottish music to set your feet tapping. Any tempo was no problem to him and his fellow artistes. Both spots were faultless and I hope Robbie Shepherd was taking note for a spot on ‘Take the Floor’.
Other artistes appearing were mine host Alex MacArthur, Accordoinists Sheena Anderson, Una Bryson, Charlie Todd, Jock Russell, Alex Linton, Douglas and Elaine Hastie, Guy Biaggi, Mrs Paterson, Keith Dickson, Alan Gardiner, Neil Barron, Graham Ross, Graham Edwardson, John Gibson, George Reid, Nelson Callan, David Russell, Alan Black, Jennifer Forrest, David Wilson, Berry, Andrew and James Oliver.
Pianists – John Gibson. Drums – Rob Dickson, Alistair McBeth and Graham Jamieson. Fiddle - John Houston and Annie Robertson.
In all, a first-class evening’s entertainment for both the listener and the player. Why pay your TV licence when this entertainment is on the go?
Next months guest artistes will be Max Houliston and Kenny Wilson.
Peter Rae
Year 4 No 04 December 1980
Biggar A&F Club held their November meeting on the 10th in the Clydesdale Hotel and again I am happy to report a full house of both players and listeners.
Our guest for the evening was the man who started it all, Max Houliston, accompanied by that fine fiddler Kenny Wilson. Max has a nice, relaxed style of playing, nothing too fancy or too easy but very nice for the listener, no effort was needed to capture the audiences ear. His two performances were immaculate in every sense of the word.
Of course, the night could not go by without the request for Kenny to do his masterpiece arrangement of the ‘Mason’s Apron’ and that is what I call magnifique, a tune heard hundreds of times, but never handled the way Kenny does it, it’s fantastic. His ‘Hen’s March to the Midden’ was a good second best. From both of the lads a fine performance.
Others taking part were accordionists Hugh Gebbie, Douglas and Elaine Hastie, John Anderson, Alex MacArthur (just back half-an-hour from his holidays in Tunisia), Sheena Anderson, Jock Russell, Charlie Todd, Jimmy Divers, Alan Gardiner, Allan Smith, Ian Graham, John Laidlaw, Graham Edwardson, David Wilson, Nelson Callan, Phil Sherbrook (Dalkeith – first time), Alan Black, Tony Dalton (Dumfries).
Concertina – David Corner. Keyboard – Alex MacArthur. Drums – Bruce Shaw, Alistair McBeth, Rob Dickson, Bill Weir. Fiddle – Jock Houston, Annie Robertson and Jack Finnigan.
I must point our that I do not list these names in order of performance, just as they came in the door.
Also, it’s not my fault the ‘B&F’ publish on the 15th of the month and members don’t see this column till next month, that’s up to the Editor, over to you.
Peter Rae
Year 4 No 05 January 1981
Biggar A&F Club held the final meeting of 1980 in the Clydesdale Hotel on Monday, 8th December.
As always, a well attended was held, both in players and listeners. We must apologise to those who did not get a tune this time, but time unfortunately catches up with us.
Our guests for the evening were Ian and Charlie Armour and what a programme they put on. Their act deserves a TV spot.
To play the fiddle and dance, birl and swing the kilt at the same time without dropping a note takes a bit of talent, and talent is what these lads have. Apart from a joke or two their performance was much enjoyed by the Biggar audience.
Also appearing on a surprise visit was young Ian Skinner, the Scottish Junior Champion and winner of the Will Starr Shield at Motherwell. For an 11-year-old his performance was perfect and a treat to listen to. His name, I think, will be hitting the headlines very soon.
After Ian’s fine performance the lads were saying they did not envy the person who was on next, but young Philip Sheucht put on a fine show and confidence was once more regained by all the lads.
Also contributing were accordionists – Dave Cook, Alex MacArthur, Douglas and Elaine Hastie, Charlie Todd, Jimmy Divers, Duncan Campbell, Alan Black, Alan Gardiner, Alex Graham, Philip Sheucht, Nelson Callan, Ian Skinner, John Laidlaw, Willie Duff, Bert Wilson, Grant Crawford, Gordon Clark. Piano – Iain Wilson and James Clark. Drums – Alistair McBeth. Fiddle – Iain Henderson from EK Club.
May I take this opportunity to wish you all the best for 1981.
Peter Rae
Year 4 No 07 March 1981
Biggar A&F Club held the first meeting of the year in the Clydesdale Hotel on Monday, 12th January.
Despite the cold, severe weather a good turnout of players and audience welcomed our guests for the evening, George Stirrat and Jimmy Yeaman.
Both soon had the Clydesdale swinging with their distinct style of playing. Some of the finger-busting, speedy playing of George had the audience gasping. We used to hear this sound on the radio. What has happened now?
George played us his arrangement of Glasgow Week in Hamburg, not as a march but as a waltz. I must say it sounded good at this tempo, Stirrat style.
Jimmy, of course, gave us some fine fiddle playing for his solo spots. In all a fine pair of talented musicians.
Also on stage was our host, Alex MacArthur, who asked the audience to spot the deliberate mistake (I believe a packet of Paxo is coming your way, Derek, for that unfair crit in the December issue. I’ve heard others a lot worse ; anyway mistakes are not easily noticed if the sound is good) assisted by Alistair McBeth on drums and Iain Wilson on piano.
Alex played us a tune Angus Fitchet has composed called ‘Alex MacArthure of Biggar’ which went down very well.
Others on the first-half programme were ; accordions – Sandy Donald Snr and Jnr, Davy Coke (Auchenheath), Bert Wilson (Lanark), Sheena Anderson (Biggar), Alan Gardiner (Lamington), Jim Divers (Cleland), Guy Biaggi (Newmains), John Laidlaw (Peebles), John Russell (Larkhall). Fiddle – John Houston and Annie Roberton (Kirkfieldbank).
In the second-half we had Nelson Callan (Wishaw), Alec MacArthur, John Anderson (Biggar) and Duncan Campbell (Peebles). On piano Iain Wilson (Elvanfoot), Adam Anderson (Broughton) and a first timer Dorothy Lawson from West Linton. Drums Alistair McBeth (Peebles), Rob Dickson (Dolphinton) Brian Strew and Bill Weir (Peebles).
Biggar A&F Club held their February meeting in the Clydesdale Hotel on Monday 9th. A packed and enthuastic audience assembled to hear the sound of Tommy Ford from the Jim MacLeod Band. We had waited six years to book Tommy for a night and it was well worth waiting for. His programme in both spots ranged over the full scope of accordion playing and may I add using his box to the full where other would have turned to electronics. A delight to listen to and well worth the wait.
Along with the talents of Tommy, our regulars were in fine form. One young lad, Robert Pollock from Gifford, played us a tune after only 8 lessons. He has to be applauded for that.
Alex MacArthur gave us a preview of some of the material for his next broadcast, stating he had some new tunes picked out, so that it would not be so obvious if mistakes were being made!!
Also making a welcome return was Walter Beattie and son Stevie, and may I endorse what I said then, BBC take note of the name, the sound is pure velvet from a Shand button-box at that.
Nelson Callan from Wishaw gave us a fine sound from his spot after his teething trouble was sorted out. In actual fact the standard now at Biggar is rated very high, with both novices and the seasoned veterans all putting on fine performances (Secretary excused!) The audience loved every minute of it.
This month’s line-up : accordions David Sturgeon (Dalkeith), David Hume, Alex MAcArthur, John Anderson, Sheena Anderson, Robert Pollock, Dorothy Lawson (also grand on piano), Douglas and Elaine Hastie, Alan Black, David Hamilton, Charlie Todd, Ian Graham, Jim Divers, Bert Wilson, Walter Beattie, Nelson Callan and Stewart Lochie.
Piano – Dorothy Lawson, Adam Anderson, Alec Graham, James Clark and Iain Wilson.
Drums – Bruce Shaw, Alistair McBeth, Billy Weir, Stevie Beattie, Rob Dickson and Gordon Young, the well known drummer from the Ian Holmes Band.
Fiddle – John Houston and Annie Robertson and last but not least, who brought the house down with his off-beat piping Davy Ketchin from Penicuik, ably assisted by Alex MacArthur and his band.
Well, that’s it, a night to remember for all concerned. Roll on next month.
Peter Rae