Year 5 No 1 September 1981
The East Kilbride A&F Club rounded off its first year’s Club meetings on 18th June in the Stuart hotel, EK, with a night to be remembered – John Huband and the Tayside Sound filled the guest spot superbly. John and his merry gang formed the six-piece band which entertained us not only musically with a polished performance, but ‘Mighty Mouse’ himself received a few laughs.
The feet-tapping Scottish music created an excellent atmosphere in the Ballroom. It was complimented by some ‘rather tricky’ Continental and jazz numbers, not to mention a few hornpipes and reels, played on the bass of John’s accordion. We were delighted to have a packed house in the Stuart Hotel.
The evening got off to a flying start with an impromptu stramash, followed by Grant Crawford, accordion. Others helping to make the evening an entertaining one were accordionists Una Bryson, regular attenders the Bulloch family, Colin, Ian and Bill, visitors from the Livingston A&F Club David Wilson and Graham Edwardson, Richard Ross, Lyn Shanks, Jennifer Forrest, Kirsty Bissett, Eddie Zwiercan and last months guest artistes Kerry Watson and David Steele.
Fiddlers were Iain Henderson and Eddie Gallagher. On button box we had Jimmy Divers and on piano was Bill Sinclair and Hugh Gebbie played drums. Iain Henderson, our Chairman, was compere for the evening.
Paul Johnstone
Year 5 No 2 October 1981
EK A&F Club got off to the start of the new season on Thursday, 24th September 81, in the Stuart Hotel, EK.
Despite the miserable weather most of the regulars faithfully came along. We would more than welcome more players from nearby Clubs in the future.
Our guest artiste for the evening was the wizard himself, Walter Perrie from Stirling. Walter was capably backed by Grant Crawford (accordion), and Hugh Gebbie (drums), both of whom are members of our Club. Walter gave us a broad spectrum of music which included some nice Continental and classical pieces.
The evening’s entertainment started with a stramash, after which everyone left the stage except myself, so I had to play a few numbers.
The supporting artistes were – the Bulloch family (Colin, Ian and father Bill), Jim Divers, Frank Harper, a new face to the club, Kirsty Bisset, thank you for your support once again, Bill Menzies, Gordon Gracie and Grant Crawford – all on accordions. Bobby Watt and Eddie Gallagher on fiddle. Bill Sinclair on piano and Hugh Gebbie on drums.
One of there nights we will take Hugh away from his drums and get him to give us a tune on the box. Perhaps next month Hugh?
After Walter’s second spot he led the stramash which completed the evening’s entertainment. I would like to thank all the supporting artistes and hope to see many more next month.
The guests for 29th October are Jimmy Yeaman and George Stirrat.
Paul Johnstone
Year 5 No 3 November 1981
EK A&F Club met in the Stuart Hotel, EK on 29th October. Jimmy Yeaman and George Stirrat were the ever popular guests.
The evening started with a stramash to get everyone into the swing of things. Irish fiddler, Eddie Gallagher, accompanied by Bill Sinclair on keyboard, gave us some jigs and reels.
A newcomer John Lang from Strathaven, followed on a three-row box. Una Bryson, fresh from her recent competition success, entertained us with some very well presented pieces. It’s nice to see you back at the Club, Una.
We then heard two players from Monklands Club, Morag Robertson and her son Finlay. Another youngster, local lad Colin Clark, followed on the accordion.
This month Hugh Gebbie actually got pulled away from his drums and gave us some interesting German waltzes on the box. He was accompanied by Grant Crawford on second box. Niall Kirkpatrick from Glasgow, then regular attender Jimmy Divers from the newly formed Cleland club, brought us up to the first guest spot.
Jimmy and George preceeded to entertain us with both music and wit (or rather lack of wit!)
After the interval Gordon Gracie played on a borrowed Farfisa – judging by his playing I think he’ll soon be looking for one. We were greatly honoured to hear some selections from Richard Ross who recently won the Senior Scottish at Perth. He was ably backed by Allan Smith.
A welcome change from the usual was provided by the two Jeans, harmony singers, who gave us melodic renditions of Scots favourites such as ‘Scapa Flow’ and ‘The Tartan’.
Three Aberdonians Graham Ritchie, Gordon Ledingham, both fiddlers, and myself, were next to take the stage. Gordon almost didn’t arrive at all since his car broke down north of Stonehaven – it’s a terrific start to a holiday Gordon!
Following this, two members of the Doublet SDB Allan Smith and Iain Henderson, combined well with Richard Ross and Hugh Gebbie, to play a couple of nice tight selections.
Charlie Kirkpatrick brought us up to the second guest spot. Jimmy and George, this time backed by Morag McAskill from Milngavie on piano once again proved how capable they are.
The evening ended with the usual grand finale led by our guest artistes.
The guest artistes for next month are David Morrice and Maureen Rutherford.
Paul Johnstone
Year 5 No 6 January 1982
East Kilbride A&F Club started off the new year’s meetings on 28th January. We met, as usual, in the Stuart hotel. The ever-popular guest artiste for the evening was Archie Duncan who demonstrated how years of experience can produce an effortless perfectionist. We were treated to a feat of Continental pieces, new and old, along with old time, classical and Scottish selections. Archie confused everyone with his intro to the popular ‘Birdie Dance’.
The Committee are all taking turns at being MC for the Club nights. It was Hugh Gebbie from Blantyre who was ‘volunteered’ by the Committee to complete this task. Hugh spent most of the evening on the move since he had to jump from his drum stool to the mike stand, but he kept on losing his glasses (spectacles, not what you were thinking) and his clipboard in between these moves.
Una Bryson from Strathaven came up to me discreetly before the evening’s entertainment commenced and asked if she could lead the evening’s stramash. This request was fulfilled, resulting in an excellent stramash to start the night off. Well done Una. She also gave us a polished solo performance later on in the evening.
We were honoured to have Ian Skinner at our club for the first time. Other newcomers to the club were Bob Berry and Bob Paterson, both accordionists from Larkhall and fiddler Jim Devlin. Justine Tennant entertained us with her distinctive style of violin playing. Visitors from the Livingston Club were David Wilson and Graham Edwardson. We must apologise to them for not having a piano in the hall.
Other players were Bill Menzies (Treasurer), Grant Crawford, Jimmy Divers, Frank Harper, Gary Blair and the talented young Jennifer Forrest from Airdrie (who recently won the Scottish Junior Championship) all on accordion. We also had Eddie Gallagher, Iain Henderson and Bobby Watt on fiddle and Hugh Gebbie on drums.
The next Club night is on 25th February when we have Mike Clark from Prestwick as guest artiste. Mike comes away with some terrific fingerwork, so don’t miss this night folks.
Paul Johnstone
Year 5 No 7 March 1982
The East Kilbride A&F Club met as usual in the Stuart Hotel on 25th February. We were fortunate to have Alistair McKenzie (Mod Gold Medalist 1969) as compere for the evening.
Guest for the evening was Mike Clark from Prestwick who, as far as I know, is a newcomer to the guest artiste scene. Mike captivated the audience by playing ‘Bel Fiore’, ‘Alpine Slopes’, ‘Czardas’, ‘Teddy Bears Picnic’, ‘Flying Scotsman’, ‘Carnival of Venice’, ‘Bel Viso’ and ‘Whistling Rufus’ to name but a few numbers in Mike’s programme. Club Secretaries please note. Hugh Gebbie, a Committee member who backed Mike on drums, was kept on his toes throughout Mike’s performance.
Players for the evening were – on accordion Gordon Gracie, Frank Harper, Jimmy Divers, Grant Crawford, myself and Una Bryson (Una certainly has come on by leaps and bounds this season) and Bill Queen. Bill has come along to our meetings as a spectator before, but this was the first time he plucked up the courage to entertain us on the box.
I think everyone got a surprise from our Treasurer Bill Menzies by his unusual choice of instruments for an A&F Club. He came up to the stage lumbered with his accordion case and a melodeon and proceeded to play a slow air, then produced the smallest instrument I’ve ever seen from the bottom of his case – a one-inch long moothie – and played a few jigs. What are you going to surprise us with next month, Bill.
Iain Henderson and Eddie Gallagher were the only two fiddlers for the evening. They were backed by Bill Sinclair on keyboard.
Next month we are having members of Livingston Club as guest artistes. Hope to see you all there.
Paul Johnstone
The East Kilbride A&F Club rounded off its first year’s Club meetings on 18th June in the Stuart hotel, EK, with a night to be remembered – John Huband and the Tayside Sound filled the guest spot superbly. John and his merry gang formed the six-piece band which entertained us not only musically with a polished performance, but ‘Mighty Mouse’ himself received a few laughs.
The feet-tapping Scottish music created an excellent atmosphere in the Ballroom. It was complimented by some ‘rather tricky’ Continental and jazz numbers, not to mention a few hornpipes and reels, played on the bass of John’s accordion. We were delighted to have a packed house in the Stuart Hotel.
The evening got off to a flying start with an impromptu stramash, followed by Grant Crawford, accordion. Others helping to make the evening an entertaining one were accordionists Una Bryson, regular attenders the Bulloch family, Colin, Ian and Bill, visitors from the Livingston A&F Club David Wilson and Graham Edwardson, Richard Ross, Lyn Shanks, Jennifer Forrest, Kirsty Bissett, Eddie Zwiercan and last months guest artistes Kerry Watson and David Steele.
Fiddlers were Iain Henderson and Eddie Gallagher. On button box we had Jimmy Divers and on piano was Bill Sinclair and Hugh Gebbie played drums. Iain Henderson, our Chairman, was compere for the evening.
Paul Johnstone
Year 5 No 2 October 1981
EK A&F Club got off to the start of the new season on Thursday, 24th September 81, in the Stuart Hotel, EK.
Despite the miserable weather most of the regulars faithfully came along. We would more than welcome more players from nearby Clubs in the future.
Our guest artiste for the evening was the wizard himself, Walter Perrie from Stirling. Walter was capably backed by Grant Crawford (accordion), and Hugh Gebbie (drums), both of whom are members of our Club. Walter gave us a broad spectrum of music which included some nice Continental and classical pieces.
The evening’s entertainment started with a stramash, after which everyone left the stage except myself, so I had to play a few numbers.
The supporting artistes were – the Bulloch family (Colin, Ian and father Bill), Jim Divers, Frank Harper, a new face to the club, Kirsty Bisset, thank you for your support once again, Bill Menzies, Gordon Gracie and Grant Crawford – all on accordions. Bobby Watt and Eddie Gallagher on fiddle. Bill Sinclair on piano and Hugh Gebbie on drums.
One of there nights we will take Hugh away from his drums and get him to give us a tune on the box. Perhaps next month Hugh?
After Walter’s second spot he led the stramash which completed the evening’s entertainment. I would like to thank all the supporting artistes and hope to see many more next month.
The guests for 29th October are Jimmy Yeaman and George Stirrat.
Paul Johnstone
Year 5 No 3 November 1981
EK A&F Club met in the Stuart Hotel, EK on 29th October. Jimmy Yeaman and George Stirrat were the ever popular guests.
The evening started with a stramash to get everyone into the swing of things. Irish fiddler, Eddie Gallagher, accompanied by Bill Sinclair on keyboard, gave us some jigs and reels.
A newcomer John Lang from Strathaven, followed on a three-row box. Una Bryson, fresh from her recent competition success, entertained us with some very well presented pieces. It’s nice to see you back at the Club, Una.
We then heard two players from Monklands Club, Morag Robertson and her son Finlay. Another youngster, local lad Colin Clark, followed on the accordion.
This month Hugh Gebbie actually got pulled away from his drums and gave us some interesting German waltzes on the box. He was accompanied by Grant Crawford on second box. Niall Kirkpatrick from Glasgow, then regular attender Jimmy Divers from the newly formed Cleland club, brought us up to the first guest spot.
Jimmy and George preceeded to entertain us with both music and wit (or rather lack of wit!)
After the interval Gordon Gracie played on a borrowed Farfisa – judging by his playing I think he’ll soon be looking for one. We were greatly honoured to hear some selections from Richard Ross who recently won the Senior Scottish at Perth. He was ably backed by Allan Smith.
A welcome change from the usual was provided by the two Jeans, harmony singers, who gave us melodic renditions of Scots favourites such as ‘Scapa Flow’ and ‘The Tartan’.
Three Aberdonians Graham Ritchie, Gordon Ledingham, both fiddlers, and myself, were next to take the stage. Gordon almost didn’t arrive at all since his car broke down north of Stonehaven – it’s a terrific start to a holiday Gordon!
Following this, two members of the Doublet SDB Allan Smith and Iain Henderson, combined well with Richard Ross and Hugh Gebbie, to play a couple of nice tight selections.
Charlie Kirkpatrick brought us up to the second guest spot. Jimmy and George, this time backed by Morag McAskill from Milngavie on piano once again proved how capable they are.
The evening ended with the usual grand finale led by our guest artistes.
The guest artistes for next month are David Morrice and Maureen Rutherford.
Paul Johnstone
Year 5 No 6 January 1982
East Kilbride A&F Club started off the new year’s meetings on 28th January. We met, as usual, in the Stuart hotel. The ever-popular guest artiste for the evening was Archie Duncan who demonstrated how years of experience can produce an effortless perfectionist. We were treated to a feat of Continental pieces, new and old, along with old time, classical and Scottish selections. Archie confused everyone with his intro to the popular ‘Birdie Dance’.
The Committee are all taking turns at being MC for the Club nights. It was Hugh Gebbie from Blantyre who was ‘volunteered’ by the Committee to complete this task. Hugh spent most of the evening on the move since he had to jump from his drum stool to the mike stand, but he kept on losing his glasses (spectacles, not what you were thinking) and his clipboard in between these moves.
Una Bryson from Strathaven came up to me discreetly before the evening’s entertainment commenced and asked if she could lead the evening’s stramash. This request was fulfilled, resulting in an excellent stramash to start the night off. Well done Una. She also gave us a polished solo performance later on in the evening.
We were honoured to have Ian Skinner at our club for the first time. Other newcomers to the club were Bob Berry and Bob Paterson, both accordionists from Larkhall and fiddler Jim Devlin. Justine Tennant entertained us with her distinctive style of violin playing. Visitors from the Livingston Club were David Wilson and Graham Edwardson. We must apologise to them for not having a piano in the hall.
Other players were Bill Menzies (Treasurer), Grant Crawford, Jimmy Divers, Frank Harper, Gary Blair and the talented young Jennifer Forrest from Airdrie (who recently won the Scottish Junior Championship) all on accordion. We also had Eddie Gallagher, Iain Henderson and Bobby Watt on fiddle and Hugh Gebbie on drums.
The next Club night is on 25th February when we have Mike Clark from Prestwick as guest artiste. Mike comes away with some terrific fingerwork, so don’t miss this night folks.
Paul Johnstone
Year 5 No 7 March 1982
The East Kilbride A&F Club met as usual in the Stuart Hotel on 25th February. We were fortunate to have Alistair McKenzie (Mod Gold Medalist 1969) as compere for the evening.
Guest for the evening was Mike Clark from Prestwick who, as far as I know, is a newcomer to the guest artiste scene. Mike captivated the audience by playing ‘Bel Fiore’, ‘Alpine Slopes’, ‘Czardas’, ‘Teddy Bears Picnic’, ‘Flying Scotsman’, ‘Carnival of Venice’, ‘Bel Viso’ and ‘Whistling Rufus’ to name but a few numbers in Mike’s programme. Club Secretaries please note. Hugh Gebbie, a Committee member who backed Mike on drums, was kept on his toes throughout Mike’s performance.
Players for the evening were – on accordion Gordon Gracie, Frank Harper, Jimmy Divers, Grant Crawford, myself and Una Bryson (Una certainly has come on by leaps and bounds this season) and Bill Queen. Bill has come along to our meetings as a spectator before, but this was the first time he plucked up the courage to entertain us on the box.
I think everyone got a surprise from our Treasurer Bill Menzies by his unusual choice of instruments for an A&F Club. He came up to the stage lumbered with his accordion case and a melodeon and proceeded to play a slow air, then produced the smallest instrument I’ve ever seen from the bottom of his case – a one-inch long moothie – and played a few jigs. What are you going to surprise us with next month, Bill.
Iain Henderson and Eddie Gallagher were the only two fiddlers for the evening. They were backed by Bill Sinclair on keyboard.
Next month we are having members of Livingston Club as guest artistes. Hope to see you all there.
Paul Johnstone