35th NAAFC Festival (2009) at MacDonald Inshyra Grange, Polmont
by James Coutts
B&F April 2009
Saturday 7th March 2009 saw the MacDonald Inshyra Grange Hotel host the 35th
NAAFC Festival. Despite a few problems with accommodation being cancelled for
the Friday night, everyone was in high spirits on the Saturday morning, even
those who had been quenching their thirst till half past four that morning (No names, no blames!)
By half past eight the foyer area was buzzing with the arrival of competitors, traders, enthusiasts and stewards, and by 9 o’clock the first of the competitions were underway in each of the five halls. Competition entries were slightly down on last year’s exceptional level but, by the time a few late entries were included, we were just short of the 220 mark.
The adjudicators spoke very highly about the standard of playing displayed, particularly among the younger competitors, which can only be good for future years. In keeping with previous years, the solo and duet competitions were finished by mid-afternoon, which allowed everyone to pack into the Inshyra Suite for the Bands competition. All six bands were of a high standard, but the winners were just awesome! Playing under the name ‘Tomfoolery’, they treated us to great set of Scottish tunes cleverly interspersed with excerpts from Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody! To top it all off, the bandleader confessed to me that the idea came to him while sitting on the toilet one day!
Highlights from the Band Competition and the Prizewinners Concert were once again recorded by BBC Radio Scotland and we are once again indebted to Jennifer Cruickshank and her team for their excellent coverage pre and post Festival. The concert was once again ably compered by Dave Millward and John Caskie, and was brought to a climax by Simon Howie and his SDB, who subsequently gave us a great night’s music at the Grand Dance. The size of hall and dance floor was ideal for the crowd, giving plenty of room for the dancers, but generating a great atmosphere, aided of course by the superb music from Simon and the Band.
The feedback I have received gave an overwhelming ‘thumbs up’ for the venue and we are delighted to tell you that it is booked already for next year. It will be one week later than usual and will take place on Saturday 13th March 2010. However, if anyone has any comments or suggestions regarding the venue or format of the Festival, please let us know.
As always, I’d like to finish by thanking everyone for their tremendous support in the lead up to the Festival and on the day itself. Without the competitors, parents, adjudicators, stewards, helpers, enthusiasts, raffle donors, traders, advertisers and BBC Radio Scotland there would simply be no Festival. But I’d like to extend extra special thank-yous to Mr Billy Hutton, who gave a substantial donation towards the ever-increasing running costs and to Lorna Mair, Richard Ross and the rest of the Festival Committee who, as always, went way above and beyond the call of duty in the work that they do.
Junior Accordion
Under 10 Traditional Accordion Solo – Islesteps Shield
1) Katie Todd (Dalkeith)
2) Alexander Girling (Glenfarg)
3)
Under 12 Traditional Accordion Solo – Pentland Cup
1) Emma Dickson (Dolphinton)
2) Adam Gibb (Biggar)
3) Jake Laing (Windygates)
12 and Under 16 Traditional Solo – Jim Johnstone Cup
1) Steven Todd (Dalkeith)
2) Sam Rutherford (Isle of Coll)
3) Calum Muir (Carnwath)
Junior Accordion Solo Pipe Music – Bill Black Cup
1) Calum Muir (Carnwath)
2) Duncan Muir (Closeburn)
3) Steven Todd (Dalkeith)
Junior Traditional Duet – Angus Howie Cups
1) Duncan Muir (Closeburn) & Roy Anderson (Rosewell)
2) Laura Crawford (Ladybank) & Caitlin Clark (Markinch)
3) Adin Graham (Windygates) & Victoria Murray (Cuparmuir)
Overall Junior Accordion Champion – Alex Little Memorial Trophy
Steven Todd (Dalkeith)
Senior Accordion
Senior Traditional Accordion Solo – Clinkscale Cup
1) Graeme Mackay (Inverness)
2) Matthew MacLennan (Kiltarlity)
3=) Craig Paton (Milnathort) & Gary Sutherland (Giffordtown)
Senior Accordion Pipe Music Solo – Bill Powrie Memorial Cup
1) Matthew MacLennan (Kiltarlity)
2) William Scott (Dumbarton)
3) Gary Sutherland (Giffordtown)
Open Accordion Championship – Todhills Trophy
1) Matthew MacLennan (Kiltarlity)
2) Gary Sutherland (Giffordtown)
3) Graeme Mackay (Inverness)
Senior Overall Accordion Champion - The Bobby MacLeod Trophy
Matthew MacLennan (Kiltarlity)
Open Buttonkey Accordion Solo – Windygates Trophy
1) Graeme Mackay (Inverness)
2) Robin Waitt (Canonbie)
3) John Weaks (Glasgow)
Trios – Jimmy Blue Trophy & Eric Goodfellow Memorial Shield
1) Tomfoolery (Lanark)
2) Craig Paton (Milnathort)
3) Cameron Kellow (Kinross)
Bands – Overall Winner - Iain MacPhail Cup
1) Tomfoolery (Lanark)
Runners Up John Fairbairn Memorial Trophy
2) Andrew Gibb (Biggar)
3=) Sam Rutherford (Isle of Coll) & Cameron Kellow (Kinross)
Band – Rhythm Section - Arthur Easson Memorial Trophy
Tomfoolery (Lanark)
Own Composition – Willie Wilson Cup
1) Susan MacFadyen (West Kilbride)
2) Stuart Cameron (Glasgow)
3) Nicol McLaren (Blairgowrie)
Under 12 Classical Solo – Kelso Cup
1) Adam Gibb (Biggar)
2) Emma Dickson (Dolphinton)
3) Alexander Girling (Glenfarg)
Under 14 Classical Solo – Aberdeen Cup
1)
2)
3)
Under 16 Classical Solo – Dundee Shield
1) Alistair Barr (Wishaw)
2) Calum Muir (Carnwath)
3) Rebekah Mitchell (Paisley)
Under 14 Classical Polka Solo – Newtongrange Shield
1)
2)
3)
Open Classical Solo – Jimmy Clinkscale Shield
1) Grant McFarlane (Paisley)
2) Craig Paton (Milnathort)
3) Gillian Taylor (Elderslie)
Under 13 Classical Duet – Beith & District A&F Club Cups (Willie Wilson Memorial Trophies)
1) Emma Dickson (Dolphinton) & Adam Gibb (Biggar)
2)
Under 16 Classical Duet - Alex MacArthur Cups
1) Duncan Muir (Closeburn) & Roy Anderson (Rosewell)
2)
3)
Open Classical Duet – Dunfermline Cup
1) Stuart Swindells (Inchinnan) & Alex Young (Houston)
2) Grant McFarlane (Paisley) & Stuart Taylor (Paisley)
3) Kirsten McSporran (Paisley) & Rebekah Mitchell (Paisley)
Classical Polka
Under 10 Classical Polka Solo – The Todhills Trophy
1)
2)
Under 14 Classical Polka Solo – Newtongrange Shield
1) Roy Anderson (Rosewell)
2)
3)
Open Classical Polka Solo – Tign-Na-Gorm Cup
1) Adele Queen (Thornhill)
2) Grant McFarlane (Paisley)
3) Gemma Telfer (Morpeth)
Under 14 Classical Musette Accordion Solo – John Laidlaw Memorial Trophy
1) Duncan Muir (Closeburn)
2) Claire Black (Thankerton)
3) Adin Graham (Windygates)
Open Classical Musette Accordion Solo – Christine Hunter Memorial Trophy
1) William Scott (Dumbarton)
2) Andrew Gibb (Biggar)
3) Alexander Young (Houston)
Fiddle Sections
Under 12 Fiddle Solo – NAAFC Musselburgh Festival Trophy
1) Hannah Renton (Aberdeen)
2) Sean Allan (Newmains)
3) Stuart Davidson (Tarland)
Junior Fiddle Solo – MSR – Strathspey and Reel Association Cup
1) Eilidh Anderson (Tarland)
2) Robbie Mackenzie (Inverness)
3) George Davidson (Tarves)
Junior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air – Dougie Welsh Cup
1) Jack Westwell (Edinburgh)
2) Hannah Renton (Aberdeen)
3) George Davidson (Tarves)
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Strathspey, MSR – St. Boswell Cup
1) Maggie Adamson (Shetland)
2) Barbara Anderson (Huntly)
3) Graham Mackenzie (Inverness)
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air – Ron Gonella Cup
1) Maggie Adamson (Shetland)
2) Fiona Henderson (Kirriemuir)
3) Graham Mackenzie (Inverness)
Open Fiddle Championship – Banchory S&R Society Trophy
1) Graham Mackenzie (Inverness)
2) Maggie Adamson (Shetland)
3) Jack Smedley (Cullen)
Overall Fiddle Champion - The Angus Fitchet Trophy
Maggie Adamson (Shetland)
Overall Junior Fiddle Champion – Judith Linton Trophy
Jack Westwell (Edinburgh)
Open Fiddle Groups – Lesmahagow Quaich
Andrew Kain fiddle Group (Newmains)
Youngest Girl Competitor – John McQueen Medal
Savanna Kenny (Cleghorn) & Anna Westwell (Edinburgh)
Youngest Boy Competitor – John McQueen Medal
Alexander Girling (Glenfarg)
By half past eight the foyer area was buzzing with the arrival of competitors, traders, enthusiasts and stewards, and by 9 o’clock the first of the competitions were underway in each of the five halls. Competition entries were slightly down on last year’s exceptional level but, by the time a few late entries were included, we were just short of the 220 mark.
The adjudicators spoke very highly about the standard of playing displayed, particularly among the younger competitors, which can only be good for future years. In keeping with previous years, the solo and duet competitions were finished by mid-afternoon, which allowed everyone to pack into the Inshyra Suite for the Bands competition. All six bands were of a high standard, but the winners were just awesome! Playing under the name ‘Tomfoolery’, they treated us to great set of Scottish tunes cleverly interspersed with excerpts from Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody! To top it all off, the bandleader confessed to me that the idea came to him while sitting on the toilet one day!
Highlights from the Band Competition and the Prizewinners Concert were once again recorded by BBC Radio Scotland and we are once again indebted to Jennifer Cruickshank and her team for their excellent coverage pre and post Festival. The concert was once again ably compered by Dave Millward and John Caskie, and was brought to a climax by Simon Howie and his SDB, who subsequently gave us a great night’s music at the Grand Dance. The size of hall and dance floor was ideal for the crowd, giving plenty of room for the dancers, but generating a great atmosphere, aided of course by the superb music from Simon and the Band.
The feedback I have received gave an overwhelming ‘thumbs up’ for the venue and we are delighted to tell you that it is booked already for next year. It will be one week later than usual and will take place on Saturday 13th March 2010. However, if anyone has any comments or suggestions regarding the venue or format of the Festival, please let us know.
As always, I’d like to finish by thanking everyone for their tremendous support in the lead up to the Festival and on the day itself. Without the competitors, parents, adjudicators, stewards, helpers, enthusiasts, raffle donors, traders, advertisers and BBC Radio Scotland there would simply be no Festival. But I’d like to extend extra special thank-yous to Mr Billy Hutton, who gave a substantial donation towards the ever-increasing running costs and to Lorna Mair, Richard Ross and the rest of the Festival Committee who, as always, went way above and beyond the call of duty in the work that they do.
Junior Accordion
Under 10 Traditional Accordion Solo – Islesteps Shield
1) Katie Todd (Dalkeith)
2) Alexander Girling (Glenfarg)
3)
Under 12 Traditional Accordion Solo – Pentland Cup
1) Emma Dickson (Dolphinton)
2) Adam Gibb (Biggar)
3) Jake Laing (Windygates)
12 and Under 16 Traditional Solo – Jim Johnstone Cup
1) Steven Todd (Dalkeith)
2) Sam Rutherford (Isle of Coll)
3) Calum Muir (Carnwath)
Junior Accordion Solo Pipe Music – Bill Black Cup
1) Calum Muir (Carnwath)
2) Duncan Muir (Closeburn)
3) Steven Todd (Dalkeith)
Junior Traditional Duet – Angus Howie Cups
1) Duncan Muir (Closeburn) & Roy Anderson (Rosewell)
2) Laura Crawford (Ladybank) & Caitlin Clark (Markinch)
3) Adin Graham (Windygates) & Victoria Murray (Cuparmuir)
Overall Junior Accordion Champion – Alex Little Memorial Trophy
Steven Todd (Dalkeith)
Senior Accordion
Senior Traditional Accordion Solo – Clinkscale Cup
1) Graeme Mackay (Inverness)
2) Matthew MacLennan (Kiltarlity)
3=) Craig Paton (Milnathort) & Gary Sutherland (Giffordtown)
Senior Accordion Pipe Music Solo – Bill Powrie Memorial Cup
1) Matthew MacLennan (Kiltarlity)
2) William Scott (Dumbarton)
3) Gary Sutherland (Giffordtown)
Open Accordion Championship – Todhills Trophy
1) Matthew MacLennan (Kiltarlity)
2) Gary Sutherland (Giffordtown)
3) Graeme Mackay (Inverness)
Senior Overall Accordion Champion - The Bobby MacLeod Trophy
Matthew MacLennan (Kiltarlity)
Open Buttonkey Accordion Solo – Windygates Trophy
1) Graeme Mackay (Inverness)
2) Robin Waitt (Canonbie)
3) John Weaks (Glasgow)
Trios – Jimmy Blue Trophy & Eric Goodfellow Memorial Shield
1) Tomfoolery (Lanark)
2) Craig Paton (Milnathort)
3) Cameron Kellow (Kinross)
Bands – Overall Winner - Iain MacPhail Cup
1) Tomfoolery (Lanark)
Runners Up John Fairbairn Memorial Trophy
2) Andrew Gibb (Biggar)
3=) Sam Rutherford (Isle of Coll) & Cameron Kellow (Kinross)
Band – Rhythm Section - Arthur Easson Memorial Trophy
Tomfoolery (Lanark)
Own Composition – Willie Wilson Cup
1) Susan MacFadyen (West Kilbride)
2) Stuart Cameron (Glasgow)
3) Nicol McLaren (Blairgowrie)
Under 12 Classical Solo – Kelso Cup
1) Adam Gibb (Biggar)
2) Emma Dickson (Dolphinton)
3) Alexander Girling (Glenfarg)
Under 14 Classical Solo – Aberdeen Cup
1)
2)
3)
Under 16 Classical Solo – Dundee Shield
1) Alistair Barr (Wishaw)
2) Calum Muir (Carnwath)
3) Rebekah Mitchell (Paisley)
Under 14 Classical Polka Solo – Newtongrange Shield
1)
2)
3)
Open Classical Solo – Jimmy Clinkscale Shield
1) Grant McFarlane (Paisley)
2) Craig Paton (Milnathort)
3) Gillian Taylor (Elderslie)
Under 13 Classical Duet – Beith & District A&F Club Cups (Willie Wilson Memorial Trophies)
1) Emma Dickson (Dolphinton) & Adam Gibb (Biggar)
2)
Under 16 Classical Duet - Alex MacArthur Cups
1) Duncan Muir (Closeburn) & Roy Anderson (Rosewell)
2)
3)
Open Classical Duet – Dunfermline Cup
1) Stuart Swindells (Inchinnan) & Alex Young (Houston)
2) Grant McFarlane (Paisley) & Stuart Taylor (Paisley)
3) Kirsten McSporran (Paisley) & Rebekah Mitchell (Paisley)
Classical Polka
Under 10 Classical Polka Solo – The Todhills Trophy
1)
2)
Under 14 Classical Polka Solo – Newtongrange Shield
1) Roy Anderson (Rosewell)
2)
3)
Open Classical Polka Solo – Tign-Na-Gorm Cup
1) Adele Queen (Thornhill)
2) Grant McFarlane (Paisley)
3) Gemma Telfer (Morpeth)
Under 14 Classical Musette Accordion Solo – John Laidlaw Memorial Trophy
1) Duncan Muir (Closeburn)
2) Claire Black (Thankerton)
3) Adin Graham (Windygates)
Open Classical Musette Accordion Solo – Christine Hunter Memorial Trophy
1) William Scott (Dumbarton)
2) Andrew Gibb (Biggar)
3) Alexander Young (Houston)
Fiddle Sections
Under 12 Fiddle Solo – NAAFC Musselburgh Festival Trophy
1) Hannah Renton (Aberdeen)
2) Sean Allan (Newmains)
3) Stuart Davidson (Tarland)
Junior Fiddle Solo – MSR – Strathspey and Reel Association Cup
1) Eilidh Anderson (Tarland)
2) Robbie Mackenzie (Inverness)
3) George Davidson (Tarves)
Junior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air – Dougie Welsh Cup
1) Jack Westwell (Edinburgh)
2) Hannah Renton (Aberdeen)
3) George Davidson (Tarves)
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Strathspey, MSR – St. Boswell Cup
1) Maggie Adamson (Shetland)
2) Barbara Anderson (Huntly)
3) Graham Mackenzie (Inverness)
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air – Ron Gonella Cup
1) Maggie Adamson (Shetland)
2) Fiona Henderson (Kirriemuir)
3) Graham Mackenzie (Inverness)
Open Fiddle Championship – Banchory S&R Society Trophy
1) Graham Mackenzie (Inverness)
2) Maggie Adamson (Shetland)
3) Jack Smedley (Cullen)
Overall Fiddle Champion - The Angus Fitchet Trophy
Maggie Adamson (Shetland)
Overall Junior Fiddle Champion – Judith Linton Trophy
Jack Westwell (Edinburgh)
Open Fiddle Groups – Lesmahagow Quaich
Andrew Kain fiddle Group (Newmains)
Youngest Girl Competitor – John McQueen Medal
Savanna Kenny (Cleghorn) & Anna Westwell (Edinburgh)
Youngest Boy Competitor – John McQueen Medal
Alexander Girling (Glenfarg)