Box and Fiddle Year 01 No 07
April 1978
Price 15p
8 pages
7 month subscription £1.75
Editor - Ian Smith, 50 Mount Vernon Road, Stranraer
Editorial
This is it folks, the last of the papers for this season. May I, as Editor, thank everyone who contributed in any way to making our paper so popular and successful. It has indeed been a busy season for me and some nail-biting moments too, but I wouldn’t have missed the experience. It was most satisfying and enjoyable.
The AGM comes before the paper resumes on 1st October, 1978. If you have any complaints or useful suggestions for next season, I hope to see you then. Come anyway and meet people whose names you’ve only seen in print. Come and take part in the debates for the good of the Association.
Paper Review
By Ray Milbourne (Association Secretary)
The headline of the first issue was ‘How It All Began’ and this, the last issue of the first season poses the question ‘How did we do?’ Very well thank you.
From humble beginnings our paper has increases, not in size, but in quality. Thanks for this is mainly due to the Clubs’ Press Secretaries for writing of their activities month after month without fail, to others for information that made interesting reading, to Derek Hamilton for his interpretations of the record side and the readers who wrote their points of view in letters. The success of the ‘Box and Fiddle’ is also due to the advertisers, the life-blood of any newspaper. You did us proud and may we see you again next season.
For the first time since the Association was formed, the Clubs have come together, much like a family, and that’s as it should be. Now we all know what other Clubs are doing and by taking the best ideas from them we make our own Club that much better.
The Chairman, Jimmy Blue, in his telegram in the first issue, expressed the hope that the paper would promote interest in accordion and fiddle playing. His hope has been turned into reality. It is a fact that with the advent of the ‘Box and Fiddle’ interest has increased not only among ourselves but in the folk scene, the TMSA, the Education Authorities and places and lands far away. Expatriate Scots can now read what’s happening at home and they are happy knowing that our music and heritage is very much alive (and a wee bit homesick).
The accordion came of age in our first season. No longer a toy but an instrument to be taken seriously. There are some doubts about the ‘stiffness’ of the ‘O’ Level Exams but no doubt these will come out right in the end.
As the season went on one began to realise how many festival are going on. Our own festival at Musselburgh was a huge success, good organization being the key to this. To make a festival a success you must have competitors and here we are again fortunate. There are so many young players of exceptional ability coming on that the adjudicators are finding it increasingly difficult to find outright winners. This is a fine state to be in.
In each edition there was always a page devoted to a brief resume of someone’s life. There are so many interesting and exciting people in the Association that Page 7 could go on forever. In the end it will be like a ‘Who’s Who!’
Of course we have made mistakes now and again, after all we wouldn’t be human if we didn’t. We trust these mistakes were little ones and that we have learned from them.
The start of the season saw us with 34 Clubs in the Association. Unfortunately one or two had to drop out but in their place we were happy to announce that Cumbria, Cumnock, Biggar, Banchory, Forres and Wellbank all joined us and the latest club we sincerely hope to join will be Kintore.
What then of the future? We can dream of a 12 page paper. We can dream of more new music to be published. We can dream of a sheet music review column, just like Derek’s Record Review. We can dream of a hundred Club Association. But, putting dreams aside, we will be endeavouring to bring to you a better paper next season. So all you Press Secretaries, writers and advertisers do keep sending us your material. It is all very much appreciated.
The Bert Shorthouse Story
By Ian Smith
It never ceases to amaze me what a wealth of interesting and talented people we have in our Association. We haven’t even scratched the surface and already some fantastic people have tuned up. The latest, in what will be a long line, is Bert Shorthouse.
Bert, as everyone knows, is the leader of that famous and, much in demand band, the Glenlomond. He was also born in that very lovely part of Scotland called Kinross. An area which seems to breed both the quality and quantity of our musicians.
Up to the age of eight he dabbled on an old spoon bass, button keyed melodeon and from there it was a natural step to the piano accordion. He was taught by Dr Sarafin of Dunfermline. Even at this early age he went for the classical style of music.
At the age of fourteen, he joined his first band where, for four years, the foundations were laid, playing locally for hours on end was great experience. In 1951 he was one of Carol Levis’ discoveries and played on his Radio Luxembourg show.
Although he was the first professional musician in the family, his parents and even grandfolks on both sides were musical, on instruments such as violin, mandolin, pipes, melodeon, flute and piano. He has two brothers, Tommy and Billy. Tommy used to play drums in his first broadcasting band in 1952, and still takes an active interest. Billy does play the accordion and although an excellent player, he doesn’t play in public.
Wider Experience
His time in the Forces was spent with the Fleet Air Arm. During the three years there, he gained wider experience playing modern and jazz music with the forces bands.
In 1952 he was out and started his Scottish Dance Band consisting of piano, euphonium, brother on drums, cornet and, of course, accordion. This group being the first in Scotland to feature Continental music. This was all part-time and eventually he decided to go professional and played firstly with Bobby MacLeod and then with the Jimmy Shand Band. His chosen profession has been good to him. He has seen and played to the world, from Russia to Australia and places in between.
He is married with two daughters, who are busy learning the piano and are being helped along by his better half, Wilma. Wilma also helps behind the scenes with Bert’s career. Eldest daughter, Elouine, who is 15, has recently passed her Senior Grade 5 pianoforte exams with merit and is also keen on being a guitarist. Morna, on the other hand, would rather and, indeed excels at, gymnastics and Highland Dancing. Morna is 11.
It was in 1965 that he formed what is now the famous Glenlomond Scottish Dance Band. After 13 years it is still going strong. What is not generally known is that Bert plays a mean jazz accordion. He has also been, and still is, involved in the recording trade, having no less that 12 LPs to his credit with various companies.
He has fitted in with all the main Scottish dance bands at one time or another. Helping out in emergencies, playing the different styles and has backed most of the top Scottish artists on stage and has done many back-room record sessions.
The band will shortly be on the box in the programme ‘Thingummyjig’ and the immediate future sees him for the summer season at the Eurocorest Hotel, Edinburgh. Yet, no matter how professional or busy, he hasn’t forgotten his roots and is still available to the Clubs whenever it can be arranged.
Record Review
By Derek Hamilton
Sounds of Strathmore : Bill Douglas and his Band : Thistle BSLP 132S
Fire in the Hearth : Freeland Barbour REL 462
An Evening with the Tartan Lads REL 463
Presenting the Lothian Scottish Dance Band REL 461
ADVERT
University of Stirling – Summer School 1st – 14th July, 1978
The recent resurgence of activity in Scottish artistic and cultural matters has been one of the most encouraging by-products of Scotland’s increasing sense of natural identity. This re-kindling, which has created the present interest in Scottish music, history and literature, now demands the means to explore these topics in a depth which has rarely been possible before outside the confined of a full-time course of academic study.
It is appropriate then that Stirling University should venture into this field, by running a Summer School on certain aspects of the fiddle music, literature and history of Scotland. The course will take place in July, 1978, and the venue will be Airthrey Castle which is situated on the campus of the University itself.
CONTENT OF SCHOOL
The fiddle course will be divided into the following sections :
a) Beginners’ course – designed for those students with no previous experience of violin playing.
b) Shetland fiddle music.
c) North-east traditional style.
d) Highland west coast style.
e) Conversion course – designed for classically-orientated players desirous of acquiring knowledge and skill in fiddle playing.
Students in each section will be under the guidance of experts in their field –
Tom Anderson of Shetland (principal tutor)
Angus Grant (Fort William)
Alastair Hardie (Aberdeen)
Jackie Stewart (North East)
Etc
The Paddy Neary Story
By Ian Smith
Just after finishing a tour of the Scottish clubs is that All-Ireland accordion champion Paddy Neary. So here are a few background snippets of information that will be of interest to his many admirers.
Born in the town of Ardee in County Louth, 45 miles north of Dublin. This being the same place as that other fine accordionist Dermot O’Brien. It must be the air there, for a town of some 5,000 to produce not one but two great artists is quite something.
His father led his own Ceili Band for many years on fiddle – and his mother’s favourite composer was Beethoven. No wonder that Paddy was influenced at an early age. In fact he bagan having a formal education on piano at the age of five, and quickly impressed both teachers and parents. Having just gone 11 he took up the accordion, and later that year (now how’s that for a record) won first, second and third place in the same competition for the compositions of Irish airs at Newry Musical Fair. Tow of these airs being on his first recorded LP which has just been made with David Silver (Nevis Label) and due for release at the end of April.
Although one of the first Irish accordionists to perform ‘classical’ music written for the instrument as distinct from music arranged for same, having won the All-Ireland Accordion Championship in 1969 with Trelude and Fugue by Fugazza, most of his earlier years were spent on piano, organ and composing (in fact, his father used to give him 6d for every tune either learned or composed). Part of the All-Ireland prize was a trip to the Hohner State School of Music in Germany where he learned much about the trends of modern and contemporary music (which he was to write quite a bit of himself later on). For on his return he quickly began writing a piano quartet which, in 1970, won the Vandeleur Scholarship in the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dublin where he studied for a few years under composer Dr A. J. Potter.
Paddy put down the accordion and for about six years he taught the piano and it was not until 1977 when a gentleman by the name of Sandy MacArthur of Biggar (himself a fine musician) visited him, and what with one thing and another Paddy found himself booked to play at some of the Accordion and Fiddle Clubs last October. So great was the response that he has just finished this present tour which lasted four and a half weeks, travelling something in the region of 4,000 miles.
He has performed many time on Irish Radio and TV, including some notable appearances with Irish TV Orchestras. He has been twice to America, twice to Germany and many engagements in England.
He is now married and his wife June traveled with him on tour. They have a baby boy of four months – he’s called David, after June’s brother. Incidentally June also comes from Ardee and while travelling the baby is in the good hands of his grandmother.
Paddy’s stance at the Stranraer Club was certainly something to remember, where not one of the audience left to go home, a fitting tribute for any artist. To be able to hold an audience to the end is praise indeed. And Stranraer was by no means an exception!
His accordion is a smasher. It is a Clinkscale Electronic with Cassotto-Scottish tuning – an orchestra on its own. Paddy says he didn’t buy it – he invested in it. This is one investment that will not go wrong.
He has a quiet and unassuming nature and a fantastic memory for tunes being thrown at him. If he doesn’t know the name of the tune just whistle a few bars and he’s got it. We will be hearing a lot more of Paddy Neary in the future and our paper is pleased to be in at the beginning.
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Queen’s Hotel) 28th March 78 Jimmy Yeaman Trio
Alnwick (Nag’s Head) 10th May 78
Balloch (Riverside Hotel) 5th May 78 Dance Ronnie Easton SBDB
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel)
Beith (Anderson Hotel) 15th May 78
Biggar (Clydesdale Hotel)
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel)
Cumnock (Royal Hotel)
Dundee (Royal Central Hotel) 4th May 78 Charlie & Ian Armour and Ian MacDonald
Dunfermline (Kinema Ballroom) 2nd May 78 Yla Stevens and Annie Scott
Forres (Brig Motel) 10th May 78 Florence & Mackie Burns and Alex Green 14th June 78 Gordon Pattullo
Galston (Parakeet, Hurlford)
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler)
Highland/ Inverness (Drumossie Hotel) 15th May 78 Ron Gonella + Trio Competition
Keith (Seafield Arms Hotel)
Kelso (Queen’s Head Hotel) 17th May 78 Bobby MacLeod
Langholm (Crown Hotel)
Livingston (Cameron Ironworks Social Club) 18th May 78 Bobby MacLeod 26th May 78 Dinner Dance John McGregors SDB
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) 30th May 78
M.A.F.I.A. (Black Bull) 4th May 78
Newton St Boswells (Railway Hotel) 18th Apr 78 Bobby Crowe Trio 12th May 78 End of Season Dance with Bill black’s SDB in Dryburgh Abbey Hotel.
North Cumbria (Huntsman Inn - Penton) May 78 Currie Brothers
Oban (MacTavish’s Kitchen) 3rd May 78 John Ellis and his Highland Country Band
Perth (Salutation Hotel) 16th May 78 Fraser McGlynn Band
Renfrew (Glynhill Hotel)
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) May Mickie Ainsworth and Jim Brown
Straiton (Black Bull Hotel) restart 27th Sept 78
Stranraer (North West Castle Hotel)
Torthorwald (Torr House Hotel)
Wellbank (venue?) May Bobby MacLeod, June Ron Gonella, July Club Committee
Wick (McKay’s Hotel)
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Alnwick
2. Balloch
3. Banchory
4. Beith
5. Buchan
6. Coquetdale
7. Dunfermline & District
8. Forres
9. Glendale
10. Highland / Inverness
11. Keith
12. Kelso
13. Kintore
14. Livingston
15. Lockerbie
16. North Cumbria
17. Oban
18. Perth
19. Straiton
20. Stranraer
21. Torthorwald
22. Wellbank
23. Wick
BASED ON THE ABOVE THE FULL CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT APRIL 1978 BECOMES :-
1. Aberdeen A&F Club
2. Alnwick A&F Club
3. Balloch A&F Club
4. Banchory A&F Club
5. Banff & District A&F Club
6. Beith & District A&F Club
7. Biggar A&F Club
8. Bonchester Accordion Club
9. Buchan A&F Club
10. Coquetdale
11. Cumbria (or North Cumbria) Accordion Club
12. Cumnock A&F Club
13. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughton’s)
14. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club
15. Dunblane & District A&F Club
16. Dundee & District A&F Club
17. Dunfermline & District A&F Club
18. Fintry A&F Club
19. Forres A&F Club
20. Galston A&F Club
21. Glendale Accordion Club
22. Greenhead Accordion Club (Hexham)
23. Highland A&F Club (Inverness)
24. Kelso A&F Club
25. Kintore A&F Club
26. Langholm A&F Club
27. Livingston A&F Club
28. Lockerbie A&F Club
29. M.A.F.I.A.
30. Newcastleton Accordion Club
31. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club
32. North East A&F Club (aka Keith Club)
33. Oban A&F Club
34. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club
35. Perth & District A&F Club
36. Renfrew A&F Club
37. Rothbury Accordion club
38. Straiton Accordion Club
39. Stranraer & District Accordion Club
40. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
41. Wellbank A&F Club
42. Wick A&F Club
This is it folks, the last of the papers for this season. May I, as Editor, thank everyone who contributed in any way to making our paper so popular and successful. It has indeed been a busy season for me and some nail-biting moments too, but I wouldn’t have missed the experience. It was most satisfying and enjoyable.
The AGM comes before the paper resumes on 1st October, 1978. If you have any complaints or useful suggestions for next season, I hope to see you then. Come anyway and meet people whose names you’ve only seen in print. Come and take part in the debates for the good of the Association.
Paper Review
By Ray Milbourne (Association Secretary)
The headline of the first issue was ‘How It All Began’ and this, the last issue of the first season poses the question ‘How did we do?’ Very well thank you.
From humble beginnings our paper has increases, not in size, but in quality. Thanks for this is mainly due to the Clubs’ Press Secretaries for writing of their activities month after month without fail, to others for information that made interesting reading, to Derek Hamilton for his interpretations of the record side and the readers who wrote their points of view in letters. The success of the ‘Box and Fiddle’ is also due to the advertisers, the life-blood of any newspaper. You did us proud and may we see you again next season.
For the first time since the Association was formed, the Clubs have come together, much like a family, and that’s as it should be. Now we all know what other Clubs are doing and by taking the best ideas from them we make our own Club that much better.
The Chairman, Jimmy Blue, in his telegram in the first issue, expressed the hope that the paper would promote interest in accordion and fiddle playing. His hope has been turned into reality. It is a fact that with the advent of the ‘Box and Fiddle’ interest has increased not only among ourselves but in the folk scene, the TMSA, the Education Authorities and places and lands far away. Expatriate Scots can now read what’s happening at home and they are happy knowing that our music and heritage is very much alive (and a wee bit homesick).
The accordion came of age in our first season. No longer a toy but an instrument to be taken seriously. There are some doubts about the ‘stiffness’ of the ‘O’ Level Exams but no doubt these will come out right in the end.
As the season went on one began to realise how many festival are going on. Our own festival at Musselburgh was a huge success, good organization being the key to this. To make a festival a success you must have competitors and here we are again fortunate. There are so many young players of exceptional ability coming on that the adjudicators are finding it increasingly difficult to find outright winners. This is a fine state to be in.
In each edition there was always a page devoted to a brief resume of someone’s life. There are so many interesting and exciting people in the Association that Page 7 could go on forever. In the end it will be like a ‘Who’s Who!’
Of course we have made mistakes now and again, after all we wouldn’t be human if we didn’t. We trust these mistakes were little ones and that we have learned from them.
The start of the season saw us with 34 Clubs in the Association. Unfortunately one or two had to drop out but in their place we were happy to announce that Cumbria, Cumnock, Biggar, Banchory, Forres and Wellbank all joined us and the latest club we sincerely hope to join will be Kintore.
What then of the future? We can dream of a 12 page paper. We can dream of more new music to be published. We can dream of a sheet music review column, just like Derek’s Record Review. We can dream of a hundred Club Association. But, putting dreams aside, we will be endeavouring to bring to you a better paper next season. So all you Press Secretaries, writers and advertisers do keep sending us your material. It is all very much appreciated.
The Bert Shorthouse Story
By Ian Smith
It never ceases to amaze me what a wealth of interesting and talented people we have in our Association. We haven’t even scratched the surface and already some fantastic people have tuned up. The latest, in what will be a long line, is Bert Shorthouse.
Bert, as everyone knows, is the leader of that famous and, much in demand band, the Glenlomond. He was also born in that very lovely part of Scotland called Kinross. An area which seems to breed both the quality and quantity of our musicians.
Up to the age of eight he dabbled on an old spoon bass, button keyed melodeon and from there it was a natural step to the piano accordion. He was taught by Dr Sarafin of Dunfermline. Even at this early age he went for the classical style of music.
At the age of fourteen, he joined his first band where, for four years, the foundations were laid, playing locally for hours on end was great experience. In 1951 he was one of Carol Levis’ discoveries and played on his Radio Luxembourg show.
Although he was the first professional musician in the family, his parents and even grandfolks on both sides were musical, on instruments such as violin, mandolin, pipes, melodeon, flute and piano. He has two brothers, Tommy and Billy. Tommy used to play drums in his first broadcasting band in 1952, and still takes an active interest. Billy does play the accordion and although an excellent player, he doesn’t play in public.
Wider Experience
His time in the Forces was spent with the Fleet Air Arm. During the three years there, he gained wider experience playing modern and jazz music with the forces bands.
In 1952 he was out and started his Scottish Dance Band consisting of piano, euphonium, brother on drums, cornet and, of course, accordion. This group being the first in Scotland to feature Continental music. This was all part-time and eventually he decided to go professional and played firstly with Bobby MacLeod and then with the Jimmy Shand Band. His chosen profession has been good to him. He has seen and played to the world, from Russia to Australia and places in between.
He is married with two daughters, who are busy learning the piano and are being helped along by his better half, Wilma. Wilma also helps behind the scenes with Bert’s career. Eldest daughter, Elouine, who is 15, has recently passed her Senior Grade 5 pianoforte exams with merit and is also keen on being a guitarist. Morna, on the other hand, would rather and, indeed excels at, gymnastics and Highland Dancing. Morna is 11.
It was in 1965 that he formed what is now the famous Glenlomond Scottish Dance Band. After 13 years it is still going strong. What is not generally known is that Bert plays a mean jazz accordion. He has also been, and still is, involved in the recording trade, having no less that 12 LPs to his credit with various companies.
He has fitted in with all the main Scottish dance bands at one time or another. Helping out in emergencies, playing the different styles and has backed most of the top Scottish artists on stage and has done many back-room record sessions.
The band will shortly be on the box in the programme ‘Thingummyjig’ and the immediate future sees him for the summer season at the Eurocorest Hotel, Edinburgh. Yet, no matter how professional or busy, he hasn’t forgotten his roots and is still available to the Clubs whenever it can be arranged.
Record Review
By Derek Hamilton
Sounds of Strathmore : Bill Douglas and his Band : Thistle BSLP 132S
Fire in the Hearth : Freeland Barbour REL 462
An Evening with the Tartan Lads REL 463
Presenting the Lothian Scottish Dance Band REL 461
ADVERT
University of Stirling – Summer School 1st – 14th July, 1978
The recent resurgence of activity in Scottish artistic and cultural matters has been one of the most encouraging by-products of Scotland’s increasing sense of natural identity. This re-kindling, which has created the present interest in Scottish music, history and literature, now demands the means to explore these topics in a depth which has rarely been possible before outside the confined of a full-time course of academic study.
It is appropriate then that Stirling University should venture into this field, by running a Summer School on certain aspects of the fiddle music, literature and history of Scotland. The course will take place in July, 1978, and the venue will be Airthrey Castle which is situated on the campus of the University itself.
CONTENT OF SCHOOL
The fiddle course will be divided into the following sections :
a) Beginners’ course – designed for those students with no previous experience of violin playing.
b) Shetland fiddle music.
c) North-east traditional style.
d) Highland west coast style.
e) Conversion course – designed for classically-orientated players desirous of acquiring knowledge and skill in fiddle playing.
Students in each section will be under the guidance of experts in their field –
Tom Anderson of Shetland (principal tutor)
Angus Grant (Fort William)
Alastair Hardie (Aberdeen)
Jackie Stewart (North East)
Etc
The Paddy Neary Story
By Ian Smith
Just after finishing a tour of the Scottish clubs is that All-Ireland accordion champion Paddy Neary. So here are a few background snippets of information that will be of interest to his many admirers.
Born in the town of Ardee in County Louth, 45 miles north of Dublin. This being the same place as that other fine accordionist Dermot O’Brien. It must be the air there, for a town of some 5,000 to produce not one but two great artists is quite something.
His father led his own Ceili Band for many years on fiddle – and his mother’s favourite composer was Beethoven. No wonder that Paddy was influenced at an early age. In fact he bagan having a formal education on piano at the age of five, and quickly impressed both teachers and parents. Having just gone 11 he took up the accordion, and later that year (now how’s that for a record) won first, second and third place in the same competition for the compositions of Irish airs at Newry Musical Fair. Tow of these airs being on his first recorded LP which has just been made with David Silver (Nevis Label) and due for release at the end of April.
Although one of the first Irish accordionists to perform ‘classical’ music written for the instrument as distinct from music arranged for same, having won the All-Ireland Accordion Championship in 1969 with Trelude and Fugue by Fugazza, most of his earlier years were spent on piano, organ and composing (in fact, his father used to give him 6d for every tune either learned or composed). Part of the All-Ireland prize was a trip to the Hohner State School of Music in Germany where he learned much about the trends of modern and contemporary music (which he was to write quite a bit of himself later on). For on his return he quickly began writing a piano quartet which, in 1970, won the Vandeleur Scholarship in the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dublin where he studied for a few years under composer Dr A. J. Potter.
Paddy put down the accordion and for about six years he taught the piano and it was not until 1977 when a gentleman by the name of Sandy MacArthur of Biggar (himself a fine musician) visited him, and what with one thing and another Paddy found himself booked to play at some of the Accordion and Fiddle Clubs last October. So great was the response that he has just finished this present tour which lasted four and a half weeks, travelling something in the region of 4,000 miles.
He has performed many time on Irish Radio and TV, including some notable appearances with Irish TV Orchestras. He has been twice to America, twice to Germany and many engagements in England.
He is now married and his wife June traveled with him on tour. They have a baby boy of four months – he’s called David, after June’s brother. Incidentally June also comes from Ardee and while travelling the baby is in the good hands of his grandmother.
Paddy’s stance at the Stranraer Club was certainly something to remember, where not one of the audience left to go home, a fitting tribute for any artist. To be able to hold an audience to the end is praise indeed. And Stranraer was by no means an exception!
His accordion is a smasher. It is a Clinkscale Electronic with Cassotto-Scottish tuning – an orchestra on its own. Paddy says he didn’t buy it – he invested in it. This is one investment that will not go wrong.
He has a quiet and unassuming nature and a fantastic memory for tunes being thrown at him. If he doesn’t know the name of the tune just whistle a few bars and he’s got it. We will be hearing a lot more of Paddy Neary in the future and our paper is pleased to be in at the beginning.
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Queen’s Hotel) 28th March 78 Jimmy Yeaman Trio
Alnwick (Nag’s Head) 10th May 78
Balloch (Riverside Hotel) 5th May 78 Dance Ronnie Easton SBDB
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel)
Beith (Anderson Hotel) 15th May 78
Biggar (Clydesdale Hotel)
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel)
Cumnock (Royal Hotel)
Dundee (Royal Central Hotel) 4th May 78 Charlie & Ian Armour and Ian MacDonald
Dunfermline (Kinema Ballroom) 2nd May 78 Yla Stevens and Annie Scott
Forres (Brig Motel) 10th May 78 Florence & Mackie Burns and Alex Green 14th June 78 Gordon Pattullo
Galston (Parakeet, Hurlford)
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler)
Highland/ Inverness (Drumossie Hotel) 15th May 78 Ron Gonella + Trio Competition
Keith (Seafield Arms Hotel)
Kelso (Queen’s Head Hotel) 17th May 78 Bobby MacLeod
Langholm (Crown Hotel)
Livingston (Cameron Ironworks Social Club) 18th May 78 Bobby MacLeod 26th May 78 Dinner Dance John McGregors SDB
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) 30th May 78
M.A.F.I.A. (Black Bull) 4th May 78
Newton St Boswells (Railway Hotel) 18th Apr 78 Bobby Crowe Trio 12th May 78 End of Season Dance with Bill black’s SDB in Dryburgh Abbey Hotel.
North Cumbria (Huntsman Inn - Penton) May 78 Currie Brothers
Oban (MacTavish’s Kitchen) 3rd May 78 John Ellis and his Highland Country Band
Perth (Salutation Hotel) 16th May 78 Fraser McGlynn Band
Renfrew (Glynhill Hotel)
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) May Mickie Ainsworth and Jim Brown
Straiton (Black Bull Hotel) restart 27th Sept 78
Stranraer (North West Castle Hotel)
Torthorwald (Torr House Hotel)
Wellbank (venue?) May Bobby MacLeod, June Ron Gonella, July Club Committee
Wick (McKay’s Hotel)
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Alnwick
2. Balloch
3. Banchory
4. Beith
5. Buchan
6. Coquetdale
7. Dunfermline & District
8. Forres
9. Glendale
10. Highland / Inverness
11. Keith
12. Kelso
13. Kintore
14. Livingston
15. Lockerbie
16. North Cumbria
17. Oban
18. Perth
19. Straiton
20. Stranraer
21. Torthorwald
22. Wellbank
23. Wick
BASED ON THE ABOVE THE FULL CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT APRIL 1978 BECOMES :-
1. Aberdeen A&F Club
2. Alnwick A&F Club
3. Balloch A&F Club
4. Banchory A&F Club
5. Banff & District A&F Club
6. Beith & District A&F Club
7. Biggar A&F Club
8. Bonchester Accordion Club
9. Buchan A&F Club
10. Coquetdale
11. Cumbria (or North Cumbria) Accordion Club
12. Cumnock A&F Club
13. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughton’s)
14. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club
15. Dunblane & District A&F Club
16. Dundee & District A&F Club
17. Dunfermline & District A&F Club
18. Fintry A&F Club
19. Forres A&F Club
20. Galston A&F Club
21. Glendale Accordion Club
22. Greenhead Accordion Club (Hexham)
23. Highland A&F Club (Inverness)
24. Kelso A&F Club
25. Kintore A&F Club
26. Langholm A&F Club
27. Livingston A&F Club
28. Lockerbie A&F Club
29. M.A.F.I.A.
30. Newcastleton Accordion Club
31. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club
32. North East A&F Club (aka Keith Club)
33. Oban A&F Club
34. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club
35. Perth & District A&F Club
36. Renfrew A&F Club
37. Rothbury Accordion club
38. Straiton Accordion Club
39. Stranraer & District Accordion Club
40. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
41. Wellbank A&F Club
42. Wick A&F Club