Year 15 No 01 September 1991
The Club held their March meeting in the Municipal Hall on Sunday, 10th March, and this time we had no weather problems, and it was back to our usual large turnout to hear our fine music.
To start the proceedings it was Roger Dobson and his Scottish Dance Band, and get it underway he did with the dancers up at most sets. Roger gave us a wide variety of dances, and although it is an Accordion Club, the dancers are not noisy and it relaxes the band giving us a better performance than the Jury situation. All in all, an excellent performance.
Our local, and not so local talent, were, accordion : Charlie Thomson, Agnes Hope, Davie Coke, Bob Fortune, Alan Gardiner, Tom Porteous, Kenneth Johnstone, John Laidlaw, Jim Paterson, Jimmy Divers, Dorothy Lawson; on fiddle: Annie Robertson, Judith Linton, David Corner, Gilbert Logan; keyboard: George Walker, Dorothy Lawson, Alan Gardiner, Steven Johnstone; concertina: David Corner; drums: George Shiels, Alan Gardiner, Bill Weir, Ally McIntyre and lastly, John Anderson (come back ‘Grandfather Clock’ – all is forgiven).
After refreshments, it was back to Roger to round off the evening with another session of good Scottish dance music.
The Kello hospital received our cheque for £500 from Telethon last week, to be used to update the Treatment Room. So it shows that our efforts to raise money last year for Telethon, part of which has returned to a local cause, was worthwhile.
Peter Rae
Year 15 No 02 October 1991
Biggar held their final meeting for the season on Sunday, 14th April, in Biggar Municipal Hall.
With no adverse weather to hold the people back we were happy to report a full house of both listeners and players for the evening’s entertainment.
To start the ball rolling we had on stage Sandy Nixon and his Scottish Dance Band, our guest artistes for the evening.
Sandy gave us a full selection of music, both for listening and dancing and got us in fine fettle for the rest of the evening.
As usual, on our last meeting of the season we have a lot of new players, some as far as Dundee to give us a tune and to compliment our usual fine talented local musicians, and this evening was no exception.
On accordion – Jason Dove, Alan Gardiner, Davie Coke, Bob Fortune, Jim Paterson, Pamela Gray, Willie McFarlane, Karen Higgins, John Findlay, Colin Johnstone, Iain Cathcart, Marian Anderson, Graham Bell and Ian McCallum.
Players who stood down due to lack of time were Charlie Todd, John Anderson, Iain Henderson, Tom Porteous and Ian Graham.
On second accordion were Ian Graham, Jason Dove, Alan Gardiner and Colin Johnstone.
On fiddle – Gilbert Logan and Joanne Slater.
On keyboard – George Walker, Dorothy Lawson, Ian Wilson, Alan Gardiner and Jason Dove.
On bass was Suzanne Gray.
On drums Charlie Todd, Ally McIntyre and Ian Graham.
In all a tremendous performance from one and all.
After the interval it was back to Sandy Nixon and his band to round off our final evening of the year.
We would like to thank one and all for the support throughout the year. The players and the audience and all the helpers for their hard work getting it together.
For a change it was exceptionally good weather that gave our Club organisers a few anxious moments on our opening meeting of the new season in September. Would anyone come along to the Club after such a day of glorious sunshine or would they retire and put their feet up after a hard day in the deckchair?
Starting time revealed that our fears were groundless as a large crowd turned out to hear the excellent music provided by our guest artiste John Renton and his SDB. John demonstrated how even the trickiest reels can be handled on a Domino V as part of an interesting and varied programme.
Local artistes who turned out to open the new season were, on accordion John Anderson, Davy Coke, Grank Crawford, Jason Dove (now part of the ‘Clansmen Duo’), Bob Fortune, Alan Gardiner, Agnes Hope, John Laidlaw, Donnie McGregor, Jim Paterson, Tom Porteous, Morag Robertson, Ian Thompson and Charlie Todd.
On fiddle were Annie Robertson, Gilbert Logan and the dynamic duo Jane and Emma Rayworth.
Keyboard was in the capable hands of George Walker, Iain Wilson, Mabel Gray and Alan Gardiner with newcomer Bob Henderson from Penicuik and Charlie Todd looking after the drumming and Suzanne Gray on bass. A great opening night and hopefully the start of another great season.
Year 15 No 03 November 1991
It’s always reassuring for a Committee to see a full house at 7.30pm eagerly awaiting the guest artistes first spot. Such was the case at our October meeting with the John Douglas Trio doing the honours. John has a large following down in the Borders and listeners and dancers certainly seemed to be coming out of the woodwork in anticipation of a good night. Needless to say they weren’t disappointed and the Trio’s playing and patter provided us with a great night’s entertainment.
Local players who joined us for the evening were accordionists John Anderson, Jim Brodie, Davy Coke, Jimmy Edwards, Bill Finnigan, Bob Fortune, Alan Gardiner, Ian Graham, Wattie McMillan, Tom Porteous and Charlie Todd, with Annie Robertson our only fiddler of the evening.
On keyboard we had George Walker, Alan Gardiner and Ian Wilson and on drums Ian Marshall, Ian Graham and Charlie Todd.
A few tickets are still available for our Supper Dance on 23rd November to be held in Biggar Municipal Hall to Jim Johnstone’s Band.
John Anderson
Year 15 No 05 January 1992
There was a smaller than normal turnout at the November meeting of the Club and we were not surprised considering the very bad weather. I was sure some would have to paddle their way here, but those who did venture out were well rewarded.
As usual our guest, Paddy Neary, played his heart out and it was obvious that the audience were enjoying the music the way they all sat quietly and listened.
“How do we follow that?” I said, after Paddy had finished his first spot, only one thing for it, in at the deep end, I had to play first what a shambles (nothing new!) – but thanks to Jason Dove on keyboard and Gilbert Logan on fiddle. I scraped through.
Next on stage was Annie Robertson and Charlie Thomson with Iain Wilson on piano – nice playing.
Bobby Stenhouse from Bowden was next with his performing haggis – what a man – he fairly stirred the place up.
Just before the interval we had Davy Coke, Annie Robertson and Iain Wilson with some good tunes to get the feet tapping.
After the break we had Angus Lyon from Lamington to start us off – nice to see the young players on stage. Jason Dove from Edinburgh thought he was going to be let off scot free but but found him a box and he was on next with Iain Wilson – great stuff.
Last but not least, we had Jimmy Dovers from Cleland and keeping Iain and Jason on stage, played some fine tunes – one was my favourite ‘The Petite Waltz’.
Guest artiste time again with Paddy back on stage playing some rousing tunes. “Gosh, it must be my lucky night” included in his selection, ‘Old Comrades’ and ‘Innisfree’ – thanks Paddy. All too soon it was the last tune – “Fit a grand nicht”.
The Club held a very successful and enjoyable dance in the Municipal Hall on Saturday, 23rd November. Jim Johnstone’s SDB provided the music and once again proved to be in top form with the dance floor filled for every dance – many thanks to everyone who helped to make this such a successful evening.
John Anderson
Year 15 No 06 February 1992
We had a very good turnout at the December meeting when our guest for the evening was the Dick Black Band from Whitburn. There was not a lot of dancing in the first half, we were all happy just to sit and listen to the lovely sound and nice selections of tunes.
Supporting artistes were, on accordion Angus Lyon, Agnes Hope, Jimmy Edwards, Jim Paterson, John Laidlaw, Kirsty Bisset, Morag Robertson, Bob Abbot, Donny McGregor, Davie Coke, the Johnstone brothers, Jimmy Kirkpatrick, Wattie McMillan and Pauline Lavery. On drums Bob Henderson. Fiddle Annie Annie Robertson and Gilbert Logan.
Tonight I thought it was about time that we gave our regular pianists a spot on their own. First I asked Ian Wilson to take the stage and as it was coming near Christmas, Ian gave us a selection of Christmas carols. I also asked George Walker to show his talents on the keyboard and he also had us singing to a fine selection of well known tunes, Thanks boys.
Guest artiste time again and Dick and his band fairly had us dancing, this time with another fine selection of tunes. All too soon it was time to ask him to play his last selection for the evening.
J.A.
Year 15 No 07 March 1992
Reasonable weather conditions for the time of year encouraged a large audience for our January meeting.
After a couple of quieter months, players wise, we once again had a good turnout with accordionists John and Iain Anderson, Davie Coke, Jimmy Divers, Jason Dove, Bob fortune, Alan Gardiner, Ian Graham, Angus Lyon, David Harvey, Jim Paterson, Tom Porteous, Charlie Thomson and Charlie Todd.
On keyboard we had George Walker, Ian Wilson and Alan Gardiner. On fiddle Annie Robertson and Gilbert Logan and on drums Bob Henderson, Billy Goodfellow, Ian Graham and Charlie Todd.
Guest artiste for the evening was ever popular local bandleader from Peebles, John Laidlaw. John, together with Jock Mitchell (second box), Joanne Slater (fiddle) and Alex Dunnet (drums), has a large following in the Borders, many of whom came in tow and treated us to a wide variety of selections and dances. John’s undoubted enthusiasm for the music is evident from his inability to ‘sit at peace’ while playing and this never fails to transmit itself to the audience.
Thanks again to John and the band.
J.A.
Year 15 No 08 April 1992
Biggar held their March meeting on Sunday 8th. With a cracker of a day passing, we were hoping for a cracker of a night – were we disappointed – NO!
Taking the stage to start the evening’s entertainment was the Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio from Giffnock. Charlie soon had the crowd going with some fine selections. A great half-hour to get us started.
Next it was the turn of our local and not so local talent to take the stage –
On accordion – Jimmy Edwards, our senior member and very keen too. Jimmy arrived at the Club as we were still setting up raring to go – magic!
Other accordionists were – Charlie Thomson, Iain Anderson, John Anderson, Agnes Hope, Bob Logan, Ian Gracie, Stewart Couborough, Morag Robertson, Donny McGregor, Alan Gardiner, Tom Porteous, Jimmy Divers, Fiona Cuthbertson and Davy Coke.
On keyboard were George Walker and Ian Wilson, whilst on drums (due to a lack of drummers, John (improviser) Anderson and Alan Gardiner helped out by Bill Buchan our guest drummer.
On fiddles were Gilbert Logan, Annie Robertson, Emma Rayworth and Joanne Slater, In all, first class playing from one and all – well done.
After the soup and rolls, it was back to our guests for the evening to give us their best, with Derek joining in the banter and also giving us a couple of songs – in all, a great overall performance from a fine bunch of musicians.
Telethon is coming to Biggar in June, look out for further details and start saving your money as we want it – we must beat last year’s figure.
Peter Rae