Box and Fiddle
Year 14 No 08
April 1991
Price 50p
16 pages
8 month subscription £5.00
Editor – Interim Editor – Doug Adamson, 22 Westfield Drive, Forfar, Angus, DD8 1EQ
B&F Treasurer – Mrs Margaret Smith, Smeaton Farm Cottage, Dalkeith, Midlothian.
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
Another month has gone and another ‘B&F’ has been produced. Like last month, it is a very full issue, and although things are definitely looking a bit brighter, we are still not completely out of the mire.
As many of you will know, I attended the Association Festival at Musselburgh and, along with the helpers at the door, distributed about 500 ‘Questionnaires’ for your comments. To date, nine replies have been received! Fortunately, these contain very worthwhile comments.
Last month, I introduced a ‘Point for Discussion’ item which I thought would stimulate interest. Sadly, to date, only three letters have been received. This however does not deter me from putting forward another topic for discussion in the hope that a few more comments will be in the post for inclusion in the September issue. I should add that any point I put forward for discussion is not necessarily my own view – it is only an effort to get you writing!
More short articles, away from Club reports, are still required and I would be interested to hear from anyone who would be willing to contribute. I would like to thank those who have contributed to the last two issues, namely, Charlie Todd, Ian Holmes, Jimmy Blue, Bill Wilkie, Malcolm Gee, Martin Bartling and of course, Norrie Williams, not forgetting all the advertisers.
Although most Clubs close down for the summer, quite a few keep going. These include Forres, Banchory, Banff, Blairgowrie, Montrose, Derwentside, Forfar and Lesmahagow. If you are in the area, do pop in – you will be made very welcome.
Finally, please come to the A.G.M. on Sunday, 23rd June at 11a.m. and support your paper – its future is in your hands!
Have a good holiday.
Doug Adamson
Musselburgh 1991
Buttons and Bowls
by Norrie Williams
By comparison with their domino-keyed counterparts real accordions (i.e. British Chromatic) are pretty thin on the ground. But on Saturday, 2nd March, two of these thoroughbreds managed to put ‘yours truly’ on a high. Attached to their respective handlers, they topped their particular classes, albeit small ones.
In the Under 12 Traditional Solo a ‘Hohner Gaelic’ in the hands of an eleven year old lad from Glenalmond in Perthshire, produced some grand steady playing with a good traditional feel. It is most encouraging to see one of the young generation taking up this particular type of instrument which in the earlier years of the Perth Festival was frequently the ‘choice of champions’, but is now an endangered species.
The other typewriter player who had been ‘airbourne’ is a shining example of one who lives up to the oft-quoted maxim uttered several years ago by my predecessor – “It’s not the winning that matters, it’s the trying that counts”.
Every year, for seven or eight years, Neil Lowrie (Shand Morino) has been making the arduous return journey from Ballynahinch in Northern Ireland to compete at 2 or 3 of our annual Scottish Accordion and Fiddle Festivals. Through dedication and hard work, he has steadily progressed from very shaky beginnings to become a competent player with a nice, relaxed style especially in the pipe idiom. His reception by the audiences at both the competition itself and the Winners’ Concert in the evening said it all. Mind you, yon cup would take some filling back in Ballynahinch!
Something has just occurred to me – we have an eleven year old grandson who lives in Glenalmond in Perthshire and plays a 3-row ‘Hohner Gaelic’. He is also a steady player with a good traditional feel – fancy that now!
Another plus this year, was that for the first time the whole Festival was under the one roof and all the vibrations we’ve had on this score so far have been positive ones. The atmosphere throughout the Brunton complex was as always, happy and relaxed, except perhaps for those intrepid souls who had to face that lonely spot centre stage with a ‘bogey man’ lurking behind a screen.
In the current climate with a tendency for entries to drop, we were encouraged by a rise of almost 10% which was a welcome boost after we hit an all-time low last year – in common with the majority of other similar Festivals I may add. The rise was almost entirely due to the new Classical Polka Classes which we introduced for the first time and which attracted 22 entries. Our thanks are due to those players and teachers who suggested the inclusion of this section.
And a very big thank you to the Newtongrange A&F Club for their donation of a fine shield for the Under 14 Polka class and also to Joan and Jimmy Blue for their gift of a most attractive cup, the ‘Tigh-na-Gorm’ (House of Blue) Trophy for the Open Polka.
Incidentally, quite a number of folk who don’t normally go along to the classical, went to hear the polka competitions and were pleasantly surprised, especially in the 14 and Under.
In general, the now expected high standard of playing was maintained throughout the majority of the classes with the junior fiddle and junior accordion (pipe) sections evoking much favourable comment.
And it was ladies’ day once again in the Scottish senior accordion competitions with both classes going to the fair sex.
The two classes with the greatest audience appeal, viz. the Trios and Bands, rallied comfortably this year with entries of eleven and six compared with only five and four in 1990, but the relatively small entries in the Button Key and Fiddle Group sections are giving some cause for concern.
Attendances at the Winners’ concert and the dance were down a bit, but both went with a swing, the former in the charge of Compere Andrew Nairn, who kept the ‘jam-packed’ programme going like a train, despite the turmoil in the wings. Andrew, who officiates at many big fiddle orchestra concerts, has a couthie humour which is absolutely right for a basically traditional fiddle and accordion function.
Simon Howie from Dunning and his band ‘worked like Trojans’ on our behalf for almost three hours at the dance, with a tight sound and some cracking sets of tunes. There were one or two dissenting voices about the decibel level of the band, but there seems to be an acoustics problem in that hall, which leads to an uneven distribution of sound across the area, so the amplification level was maintained so as to cater for the dead spots. Incidentally ‘Slipperene’ was not put down as promised last year, because the hall regulations preclude its use.
The success of a day like this requires an input from literally scores of people and on behalf of the Festival Committee, may I record our warmest thanks to the following :- To our team of adjudicators and their secretaries for an unenviable job very well done (no waves as yet); to the announcers, marshals, scrutineers, stewards, receptionists, door minders and accompanists for their uncomplaining, often unobtrusive but indispensable help. These valuable souls hailed from the following Clubs or areas :- Beith, Connon Bridge, Culross, Dundee, Dunfermline, East Kilbride, Fintry, Glasgow, Lesmahagow, Lochgelly, Mauchline, Milngavie, Newtongrange, Perth, Renfrew and Torthorwald.
To the following radio stations for their pre and post Festival coverage :-
Radio Clyde – Jim MacLeod and Alastair MacDonald
Radio Forth – Robin Brock
Radio Highland – Rory MacLeod
Radio Moray – Andy Ross
BBC Radio Scotland – Art Sutter and Robbie Shepherd
Radio Tay – Ian Anderson
Radio West Sound – John Carmichael
And, of course, a big thank you to B.B.C. Radio Scotland’s Ken Mutch and his team for once again recording the concert and for transmitting edited excerpts and comments on ‘Shepherd’s Fancy’ within 48 hours of the event. I just don’t know how they do it and you’d never know they were there.
Bowls – Thanks to all those individuals and clubs who contributed raffle prizes – Beith, Fintry, Mauchline, Milngavie, Newtongrange and Perth and a special thank you to ‘Loganair’ for the donation of crystal whisky glasses and especially to the company ‘Caithness Glass’ of Perth for the star prize. The company went to a great deal of trouble on our behalf and came up with something special, a magnificent large rose bowl (a la ‘Mastermind’) especially engraved with the N.A.A.F.C. logo and ‘Musselburgh, 1991’. A unique item, one to be treasured by the lucky winner.
And once again we are grateful to John McQueen of Dumfries, who donated two medals for the youngest competitors (boy and girl); to the caterer, Mr Lamb from Edinburgh, who looked after our every need in the solid and liquid nosh line, from very early to very late, and to the staff of the Brunton Halls for all their willing help and co-operation. And, of course, to all who came and supported the festival, the exhibitors, the listeners, the dancers and most importantly, the competitors from far and near. Without you, there would be no point in us even leaving the house. Hope to see you all next year.
Finally, my personal thanks to the N.A.A.F.C. Chairman, Jimmy Blue and his Executive Committee for all their help and support and to my own Festival Committee for all their patience and hard work – Joan Blue, Tom Clark, Eddie MacDonald, Bob and Ann Scott, Willie Wilson and to the organizing secretary/treasurer, my wife Sheila.
Junior Accordion
Under 12 Traditional Accordion Solo
1) Alexander Lindsay (Glenalmond)
2) Gill Blackburn (Hexham)
3) Philip Copland (Dundee)
12 and Under 16 Traditional Solo
1) Mhairi Coutts (Kirkcaldy)
2) Elizabeth Flanagan (Galashiels)
3) Andrew Gordon (Bonhill)
Junior Accordion Solo Pipe Music
1) Mhairi Coutts (Kirkcaldy)
2) Craig Skinner (Blackridge)
3) Alex Weir (Ayr)
Junior Traditional Duet
1)
2)
3)
Youngest Competitors
Jill Blackburn (Hexham)
Stuart Clements (Beith)
Senior Accordion
Senior Accordion Traditional Solo
1) Lynne Christie (Huntly)
2) Liam Howitt (Cambuslang)
3) Graham Bell (Chirnside)
Senior Accordion Pipe Music Solo
1) Lynn Gould (Huntly)
2) Wayne Robertson (Marywell)
3) Lynne Christie (Huntly)
Senior Overall Accordion Champion (The Bobby MacLeod Trophy)
Lynne Christie (Huntly)
Open Buttonkey
1) Neil Lowrie (Ballynahinch)
2) Bobby Coghill (Wick)
3) Bill McHardie (Friockheim)
Trio
1) James Coutts (Kirkcaldy)
2) Lindsay Weir (Culbokie)
Band (Iain MacPhail Cup)
Marian Anderson (Duns)
Band – Rhythm Section (Arthur Easson Memorial Trophy)
Ryan McGlynn (Lochgilphead)
Own Composition
1) John Burns (Cumbernauld)
2) Alan Morrison (Forfar)
3) Lindsay Weir (Culbokie)
Under 12 Classical Solo
1) Philip Copland (Dundee)
2) Jill Blackburn (Hexham)
3) Brian Aitchison (Galashiels)
Under 14 Classical Solo
1) Andrew Gordon (Bonhill)
2) Kevin Swinton (St Boswells)
3) Ian Shepherd (Dalkeith)
Under 16 Classical Solo
1) Suzanne Colraine (Clydebank)
2) Elizabeth Flanagan (Galashiels)
3) Kenneth Davidson (Falkirk)
Open Classical Solo
1) Michael Paton (Dunfermline)
2) Elizabeth Flanagan (Galashiels)
3) Roy Hendrie (Glasgow)
Under 16 Classical Duet
1) Stewart Wilson (Ormiston) & Ian Shepherd (Dalkeith)
2) Elizabeth Flanagan (Galashiels) & Lynne Bradshaw (Selkirk)
3) Mary Ellen Troup (Chapelhall) & Adele Millar (Chapelhall)
Open Classical Duet
1) Robert Muir (Dunfermline) & Robert Hutchison (Dunfermline)
2) Gail Smillie (Airdrie) & Lindsay Morrison (Chapelhall)
3) Suzanne & Craig Colraine (Clydebank)
Classical Polka
Under 14 Solo
1) Kevin Swinton (St Boswells)
2) Andrew Gordon (Bonhill)
3) Pauline Bradley (Balloch)
Open Classical Polka
1) Lynne Bradshaw (Selkirk)
2) Lesley Gibb (Balbeggie)
3) Lindsay Morrison (Airdrie)
Fiddle Sections
Junior Fiddle Solo - MSR
1) Karen Harper (Salmondsmuir)
2) Gilian Risi (Monifeith)
3) Hazel Kerr (Balmullo)
Junior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air
1) Fiona Ballantine (Perth)
2) Hazel Kerr (Balmullo)
3) Gillian Risi (Monifeith)
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Strathspey, MSR
1) Kathryn Nicoll (Kirriemuir)
2) Alistair McCulloch (Ayr)
3) Paul Anderson (Bucksburn)
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air
1) Alistair McCulloch (Ayr)
2) Judith Linton (Duns)
3) Douglas Ballantyne (Uddingston)
Senior Fiddle Overall Champion (The Angus Fitchet Trophy)
Alistair McCulloch (Ayr)
Fiddle Group
Auld Knight’s ‘Scratch’ Band (Newtongrange)
Tobermory R.N.L.I. Memorial to Bobby MacLeod
by Dougie MacNeilage
As is probably known to most, Bobby MacLeod’s great love apart from music, was the sea, and in particular a great attachment to the R.N.L.I., having at one stage been the youngest lifeboatman in Britain.
It distressed Bobby when through crewing problems in 1948, the Tobermory lifeboat was transferred to Mallaig, so for many years he strove to persuade the R.N.L.I. to re-open a Lifeboat Station at Tobermory.
The dream was realised, and although not in the best of health, nobody stood prouder on Tobermory Pier on that memorable May afternoon of last year, when with his son, Robert, a crew member, the Waverly class ‘Ralph and Joy Swann’ sailed into Tobermory Bay to take up station on a year’s evalustion, with Bobby himself to serve as Hon. Secretary for the first five months and then to become Hon. Life President.
Sadly, Bobby was not to see the new Tobermory boat, the Arun class ‘City of Bradford IV’, as he passed away the morning after she left Poole on passage to Tobermory, arriving the evening before his funeral.
Since his death, many contributions to the R.N.L.I. Tobermory have been received in his memory, resulting in a special fund being opened.
On the 12th of February, Tobermory was confirmed a permanent station, and a decision was taken to obtain premises for the Boathouse which is required, and in appreciation of all Bobby did for the R.N.L.I., to name them the ‘Bobby MacLeod Building’, which will be the objective of this fund.
I would invite any individual or Club who might like to be associated with this worthy memorial to forward any contribution to me at the address below, where they will be greatly appreciated.
Any contributions will be recorded.
The Sicilian Connection
by Charlie Todd
Each year now for the last five years, a group of Scottish entertainers have spent the Festive Season in the unlikely surroundings of Sicily, the volcanic island off the toe of mainland Italy and home, of course, of the other M.A.F.I.A. – not so well publicized as the Milngavie variety, but still going strong it seems. Street parades are the order of the day with the trip sponsored by the Sicilian Tourist Board (who in turn as sponsored by the MAFIA).
The group consists of a pipe band, a team of Scottish Country Dancers and a brace of all-weather outdoor accordionists with an eye for cover and an impressive sprint time to get the boxes out of the not infrequent downpours.
Personnel on these annual trips has changed considerably over the years due to the necessity of being abroad on Christmas Day itself. The composite pipe band on this occasion consisted of players from Grampian Police, Vale of Atholl, Stonehaven and Gleneagles Strathearn under the guiding eye of none other than Pipe Major Andy Rennick, a figure well known to many of our younger accordionists since his ever elusive ‘ferret’ was set to music by Gordon Duncan of Scotrail Vale of Atholl Band.
Dancers were the usual mixed bag provided by the ‘New Scotland Country Dance Society’ from Edinburgh University. An additional bonus on the 1990 trip was the dual role performed by dancer Eric Wood from Edinburgh. In ‘real life’, Eric is a Sound Engineer with B.B.C. Radio Scotland (if you can cast your minds back, he was one of the engineers with Ken and Robbie at Musselburgh on the 2nd) and with the help of a Sony cassette recorder, a stereo microphone and endless patience, Eric recorded over seven hours of music and interviews during the trip, and back in the studio edited these into a half hour programme for Radio Scotland.
Now this is where this article falls apart, because I should now be telling readers when the programme will be broadcast so that everyone can have a good laugh at our expense, and indeed I could have done so up until the death of Kathleen Garscadden prompted the B.B.C. programme planners to re-allocate the spot to the tribute to that fine old lady. All I can say meantime is, Eric has entitles the programme ‘The Mount Etna Experience’. So if you see that appearing in the ‘Radio Times’ you’ll know what you are letting yourself in for.
And finally, the aforementioned all-weather accordionists. Well, on this occasion the earthquake dodging duo consisted of Jason Dove from Edinburgh, and the writer.
Brittania Airways, helpful as ever, sent Jason’s suitcase on a well earned holiday to France and kindly returned it, with their usual immaculate sense of timing, a week later, on the eve of our return home.
The weather was the wettest for many years and half the jobs were cancelled because of the earthquake in Catania the previous week, leaving us with plenty of free time at the ‘Hotel Euphemia’ which is discreetly located beside the cement factory on the outskirts of Palermo.
Other than that it was great, so here’s looking forward to next year.
Letters to the Editor
Dear Sir – In the last year I have taken on a limited number of guest spots at some of our more local clubs and visited a few further afield.
I have been consistently disappointed by the lack of young players turning up for a tune, not necessarily teenagers, but twenty to fortyish players of which there are plenty. However, none of them seem to be particularly interested, and I am no better than anyone else in that respect. In fact, the usual reason that I turn out at all is to hear a guest whom I have not seen for a while. I, like many other people tend to use the Club as a concert rather than a get together and a bit of crack with the other players.
The main reason for this situation may be the audience/player ratio is wrong, with not enough turning up.
One of the other reasons, with regard to the younger players is that young people like to be with other young people. At present we are faced with a situation whereby the majority of working SDBs are in the twenty to thirty age group and yet are playing a very large pergentage of gigs to an older audience, be it dancers or listeners.
The question arises, where are they going to be playing in ten years time? I have already heard of two Clubs in my area who may be forced to close, due to lack of support and I suspect there may be quite a few more just scraping past.
One of the most alarming aspects of this, is that some of the ‘Old Brigade’ seem to be totally unaware of the situation and carry on regardless, telling us how great this old player was, or that the music scene has never been better.
At the present moment we have more ‘great’ players, be it accordion, fiddle or anything else, than we have ever had in the past, and unfortunately they are being forced into playing to very mediocre audiences, those that want to go out and play at all that is.
If the Club scene is going to survive, then the reins are going to have to be taken over to a large extent by younger playing members. I do not mean to be disrespectful to a large number of serving committee members, but perhaps with their experience combined with the younger players energy, we may see an improvement in the situation and all benefit by it.
Alan Clark
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Dee Motel) – 30th Apr 91 Fraser McGlynn Trio
Alnwick (Golden Fleece) – members only
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 7th Apr 91 Glencraig SDB
Armadale (Masonic Lodge) – 4th Apr 91 Karen Higgins SDB
Ayr (Gartferry Hotel) – 7th Apr 91 Duncan Black SDB
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Hall) – 21st Apr 91 Richard Ross
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff & District (Knowes Hotel, Macduff) – 29th Apr 91 Paddy Neary
Beith & District (Hotel de Croft, Dalry) –
Belford (Community Club) –
Biggar (Municipal Hall) – 14th Apr 91 Sandy Nixon SDB
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 9th Apr 91 Alasdair McPhail SDB
Bridge of Allan (Walmer Hotel) -
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel) –
Button Key (Windygates Institute) –
Callander (Glengarry Hotel) –
Campbeltown (Royal Hotel) –
Castle Douglas (Ernespie Hotel) –
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 18th Apr 91 Ian Holmes & Kenny Wilson
Crieff & District (Drummond Arms Hotel)
Dalriada (Royal Hotel, Lochgilphead) –
Derwentside (Working Men’s Club, Consett) –
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 3rd Apr 91 Michael Garvin 20th Dance to Alan Gardiner SDB
Dunblane (Westlands Hotel) – 16th Apr 91 George Stirrat SDB
Dundee (The Marquee Function Suite) –
Dunfermline (Northern Roadhouse) –
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
East Kilbride (Sweepers, Cambuslang) – 25th Apr 91 Fraser McGlynn Trio
Ellon (Ladbroke Hotel) –
Ettrick & Yarrow (The Gordon Arms) - 17th Apr 91 Iona Runciman & Friends
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) –
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 28th Apr 91 Simon Howie SDB
Forres (Brig Motel) – 10th Apr 91 Lindsay Weir SDB
Fort William (Alexandra Hotel) –
Galashiels (Maxwell Hotel) –
Galston (Barr Castle Social Club) – 8th Apr 91 Lesmahagow Club
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) –
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) – 15th Apr 91 Deirdre Adamson Trio
Isle of Skye -
Islesteps (Mabie House Hotel) – 2nd Apr 91 David Cunningham Jnr Trio
Kelso (Ednam House Hotel) – 24th Apr 91 Scott Leslie SDB
Kinlochshiel (Tingle Creek Hotel) -
Kintore (Crown Hotel) – 3rd Apr 91 Dick Black Band
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) – 11th Apr 91 Ian Skinner Trio
Livingston (Golden Circle Hotel, Bathgate) 16th Apr 91 Glendale Band
Lockerbie (Bluebell Hotel) -
Mauchline (The Jean Armour Restaurant)
M.A.F.I.A. (Masonic Hall, Milngavie) –
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 3rd Apr 91 Garioch Bland
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North Cumbria (Golden Fleece, Ruleholme) (prev called Gretna Club) –
North East (Seafield Hotel, Keith) –
Oban (Highlander Restaurant) –
Orkney ( venue?) –
Ormiston (Miners’ Welfare Social Club) – 18th Apr 91 Fraser McGlynn Trio
Peebles (Greentree Hotel) – 18th Apr 91 Sandy Nixon SDB
Perth (Station Hotel) – 16th Apr 91 Angus Fitchet Trio & Renaldo Capaldi
Premier NI (Camlin function Rooms) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloom) – 9th Apr 91 Michael Philip SDB
Rothbury (Jubilee Hall) -
Shetland (venue?) -
Thornhill (?)
Thurso (McKay’s Hotel) –
Turriff (Royal Oak Hotel) –
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) –
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) –
Wooler ( ) -
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-1. Aberdeen
2. Arbroath
3. Banchory
4. Belford
5. Biggar
6. Blairgowrie
7. Dingwall
8. Dunblane
9. Dundee
10. East Kilbride
11. Ettrick & Yarrow
12. Fintry
13. Forfar
14. Galston
15. Gretna
16. Highland
17. Islesteps
18. Kintore
19. Lesmahagow
20. Livingston
21. Mauchline
22. Montrose
23. Newtongrange
24. Ormiston
25. Peebles
26. Perth
27. Renfrew
28. Rothbury
29. Tynedale
30. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT SEPT 1990 (Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Sept 1976)
3. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months)
4. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition)
9. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
10. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974)
11. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
12. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990
13. Button Key A&F Club (
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980)
15. Coalburn A&F Club
16. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
17. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
18. Derwentside A&F Club
19. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
20. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971)
21. Dundee & District A&F Club
22. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
23. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
24. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
25. Ellon A&F Club (
26. Etterick & Yarrow (Jan 1989 -
27. Fintry A&F Club
28. Forfar A&F Club
29. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
30. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
31. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
32. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
33. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
34. Highland A&F Club (Inverness)
35. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981)
36. Isle of Skye A&F Club (
37. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976)
38. Kintore A&F Club
39. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967)
40. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
41. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – per first edition)
42. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973)
43. M.A.F.I.A. (early)
44. Mauchline A&F Club (first mention 1986?)
45. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
46. Mull A&F Club
47. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1979)
48. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
49. North Cumbria A&F Club (originally Gretna started June 1966 – had to move to a venue in the North of England and changed name – eventually changed back when they returned to the Halcrow Stadium. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
50. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971)
51. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975)
52. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978)
53. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club
54. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981)
55. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970)
56. Premier A&F Club NI (cNov 1980)
57. Rothbury Accordion Club (1987??)
58. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978)
59. Sutherland A&F Club (
60. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition)
61. Thurso A&F Club (cSept 1981)
62. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982)
63. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980)
64. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
65. Acharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
66. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
67. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
68. Buchan A&F Club
69. Callander A&F Club (
70. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
71. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
72. Club Accord
73. Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2?)
74. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
75. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
76. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
77. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
78. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
79. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
80. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
81. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
82. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
83. Gretna A&F Club (June 1966)
84. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
85. Kinlochsheil A&F Club (
86. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
87. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
88. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
89. Newcastleton Accordion Club
90. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
91. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
92. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
93. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
94. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
95. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
96. Wellbank A&F Club
Advertising rates
Full Page - £92
Half Page - £46
Quarter Page - £23
B&F Treasurer – Mrs Margaret Smith, Smeaton Farm Cottage, Dalkeith, Midlothian.
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
Another month has gone and another ‘B&F’ has been produced. Like last month, it is a very full issue, and although things are definitely looking a bit brighter, we are still not completely out of the mire.
As many of you will know, I attended the Association Festival at Musselburgh and, along with the helpers at the door, distributed about 500 ‘Questionnaires’ for your comments. To date, nine replies have been received! Fortunately, these contain very worthwhile comments.
Last month, I introduced a ‘Point for Discussion’ item which I thought would stimulate interest. Sadly, to date, only three letters have been received. This however does not deter me from putting forward another topic for discussion in the hope that a few more comments will be in the post for inclusion in the September issue. I should add that any point I put forward for discussion is not necessarily my own view – it is only an effort to get you writing!
More short articles, away from Club reports, are still required and I would be interested to hear from anyone who would be willing to contribute. I would like to thank those who have contributed to the last two issues, namely, Charlie Todd, Ian Holmes, Jimmy Blue, Bill Wilkie, Malcolm Gee, Martin Bartling and of course, Norrie Williams, not forgetting all the advertisers.
Although most Clubs close down for the summer, quite a few keep going. These include Forres, Banchory, Banff, Blairgowrie, Montrose, Derwentside, Forfar and Lesmahagow. If you are in the area, do pop in – you will be made very welcome.
Finally, please come to the A.G.M. on Sunday, 23rd June at 11a.m. and support your paper – its future is in your hands!
Have a good holiday.
Doug Adamson
Musselburgh 1991
Buttons and Bowls
by Norrie Williams
By comparison with their domino-keyed counterparts real accordions (i.e. British Chromatic) are pretty thin on the ground. But on Saturday, 2nd March, two of these thoroughbreds managed to put ‘yours truly’ on a high. Attached to their respective handlers, they topped their particular classes, albeit small ones.
In the Under 12 Traditional Solo a ‘Hohner Gaelic’ in the hands of an eleven year old lad from Glenalmond in Perthshire, produced some grand steady playing with a good traditional feel. It is most encouraging to see one of the young generation taking up this particular type of instrument which in the earlier years of the Perth Festival was frequently the ‘choice of champions’, but is now an endangered species.
The other typewriter player who had been ‘airbourne’ is a shining example of one who lives up to the oft-quoted maxim uttered several years ago by my predecessor – “It’s not the winning that matters, it’s the trying that counts”.
Every year, for seven or eight years, Neil Lowrie (Shand Morino) has been making the arduous return journey from Ballynahinch in Northern Ireland to compete at 2 or 3 of our annual Scottish Accordion and Fiddle Festivals. Through dedication and hard work, he has steadily progressed from very shaky beginnings to become a competent player with a nice, relaxed style especially in the pipe idiom. His reception by the audiences at both the competition itself and the Winners’ Concert in the evening said it all. Mind you, yon cup would take some filling back in Ballynahinch!
Something has just occurred to me – we have an eleven year old grandson who lives in Glenalmond in Perthshire and plays a 3-row ‘Hohner Gaelic’. He is also a steady player with a good traditional feel – fancy that now!
Another plus this year, was that for the first time the whole Festival was under the one roof and all the vibrations we’ve had on this score so far have been positive ones. The atmosphere throughout the Brunton complex was as always, happy and relaxed, except perhaps for those intrepid souls who had to face that lonely spot centre stage with a ‘bogey man’ lurking behind a screen.
In the current climate with a tendency for entries to drop, we were encouraged by a rise of almost 10% which was a welcome boost after we hit an all-time low last year – in common with the majority of other similar Festivals I may add. The rise was almost entirely due to the new Classical Polka Classes which we introduced for the first time and which attracted 22 entries. Our thanks are due to those players and teachers who suggested the inclusion of this section.
And a very big thank you to the Newtongrange A&F Club for their donation of a fine shield for the Under 14 Polka class and also to Joan and Jimmy Blue for their gift of a most attractive cup, the ‘Tigh-na-Gorm’ (House of Blue) Trophy for the Open Polka.
Incidentally, quite a number of folk who don’t normally go along to the classical, went to hear the polka competitions and were pleasantly surprised, especially in the 14 and Under.
In general, the now expected high standard of playing was maintained throughout the majority of the classes with the junior fiddle and junior accordion (pipe) sections evoking much favourable comment.
And it was ladies’ day once again in the Scottish senior accordion competitions with both classes going to the fair sex.
The two classes with the greatest audience appeal, viz. the Trios and Bands, rallied comfortably this year with entries of eleven and six compared with only five and four in 1990, but the relatively small entries in the Button Key and Fiddle Group sections are giving some cause for concern.
Attendances at the Winners’ concert and the dance were down a bit, but both went with a swing, the former in the charge of Compere Andrew Nairn, who kept the ‘jam-packed’ programme going like a train, despite the turmoil in the wings. Andrew, who officiates at many big fiddle orchestra concerts, has a couthie humour which is absolutely right for a basically traditional fiddle and accordion function.
Simon Howie from Dunning and his band ‘worked like Trojans’ on our behalf for almost three hours at the dance, with a tight sound and some cracking sets of tunes. There were one or two dissenting voices about the decibel level of the band, but there seems to be an acoustics problem in that hall, which leads to an uneven distribution of sound across the area, so the amplification level was maintained so as to cater for the dead spots. Incidentally ‘Slipperene’ was not put down as promised last year, because the hall regulations preclude its use.
The success of a day like this requires an input from literally scores of people and on behalf of the Festival Committee, may I record our warmest thanks to the following :- To our team of adjudicators and their secretaries for an unenviable job very well done (no waves as yet); to the announcers, marshals, scrutineers, stewards, receptionists, door minders and accompanists for their uncomplaining, often unobtrusive but indispensable help. These valuable souls hailed from the following Clubs or areas :- Beith, Connon Bridge, Culross, Dundee, Dunfermline, East Kilbride, Fintry, Glasgow, Lesmahagow, Lochgelly, Mauchline, Milngavie, Newtongrange, Perth, Renfrew and Torthorwald.
To the following radio stations for their pre and post Festival coverage :-
Radio Clyde – Jim MacLeod and Alastair MacDonald
Radio Forth – Robin Brock
Radio Highland – Rory MacLeod
Radio Moray – Andy Ross
BBC Radio Scotland – Art Sutter and Robbie Shepherd
Radio Tay – Ian Anderson
Radio West Sound – John Carmichael
And, of course, a big thank you to B.B.C. Radio Scotland’s Ken Mutch and his team for once again recording the concert and for transmitting edited excerpts and comments on ‘Shepherd’s Fancy’ within 48 hours of the event. I just don’t know how they do it and you’d never know they were there.
Bowls – Thanks to all those individuals and clubs who contributed raffle prizes – Beith, Fintry, Mauchline, Milngavie, Newtongrange and Perth and a special thank you to ‘Loganair’ for the donation of crystal whisky glasses and especially to the company ‘Caithness Glass’ of Perth for the star prize. The company went to a great deal of trouble on our behalf and came up with something special, a magnificent large rose bowl (a la ‘Mastermind’) especially engraved with the N.A.A.F.C. logo and ‘Musselburgh, 1991’. A unique item, one to be treasured by the lucky winner.
And once again we are grateful to John McQueen of Dumfries, who donated two medals for the youngest competitors (boy and girl); to the caterer, Mr Lamb from Edinburgh, who looked after our every need in the solid and liquid nosh line, from very early to very late, and to the staff of the Brunton Halls for all their willing help and co-operation. And, of course, to all who came and supported the festival, the exhibitors, the listeners, the dancers and most importantly, the competitors from far and near. Without you, there would be no point in us even leaving the house. Hope to see you all next year.
Finally, my personal thanks to the N.A.A.F.C. Chairman, Jimmy Blue and his Executive Committee for all their help and support and to my own Festival Committee for all their patience and hard work – Joan Blue, Tom Clark, Eddie MacDonald, Bob and Ann Scott, Willie Wilson and to the organizing secretary/treasurer, my wife Sheila.
Junior Accordion
Under 12 Traditional Accordion Solo
1) Alexander Lindsay (Glenalmond)
2) Gill Blackburn (Hexham)
3) Philip Copland (Dundee)
12 and Under 16 Traditional Solo
1) Mhairi Coutts (Kirkcaldy)
2) Elizabeth Flanagan (Galashiels)
3) Andrew Gordon (Bonhill)
Junior Accordion Solo Pipe Music
1) Mhairi Coutts (Kirkcaldy)
2) Craig Skinner (Blackridge)
3) Alex Weir (Ayr)
Junior Traditional Duet
1)
2)
3)
Youngest Competitors
Jill Blackburn (Hexham)
Stuart Clements (Beith)
Senior Accordion
Senior Accordion Traditional Solo
1) Lynne Christie (Huntly)
2) Liam Howitt (Cambuslang)
3) Graham Bell (Chirnside)
Senior Accordion Pipe Music Solo
1) Lynn Gould (Huntly)
2) Wayne Robertson (Marywell)
3) Lynne Christie (Huntly)
Senior Overall Accordion Champion (The Bobby MacLeod Trophy)
Lynne Christie (Huntly)
Open Buttonkey
1) Neil Lowrie (Ballynahinch)
2) Bobby Coghill (Wick)
3) Bill McHardie (Friockheim)
Trio
1) James Coutts (Kirkcaldy)
2) Lindsay Weir (Culbokie)
Band (Iain MacPhail Cup)
Marian Anderson (Duns)
Band – Rhythm Section (Arthur Easson Memorial Trophy)
Ryan McGlynn (Lochgilphead)
Own Composition
1) John Burns (Cumbernauld)
2) Alan Morrison (Forfar)
3) Lindsay Weir (Culbokie)
Under 12 Classical Solo
1) Philip Copland (Dundee)
2) Jill Blackburn (Hexham)
3) Brian Aitchison (Galashiels)
Under 14 Classical Solo
1) Andrew Gordon (Bonhill)
2) Kevin Swinton (St Boswells)
3) Ian Shepherd (Dalkeith)
Under 16 Classical Solo
1) Suzanne Colraine (Clydebank)
2) Elizabeth Flanagan (Galashiels)
3) Kenneth Davidson (Falkirk)
Open Classical Solo
1) Michael Paton (Dunfermline)
2) Elizabeth Flanagan (Galashiels)
3) Roy Hendrie (Glasgow)
Under 16 Classical Duet
1) Stewart Wilson (Ormiston) & Ian Shepherd (Dalkeith)
2) Elizabeth Flanagan (Galashiels) & Lynne Bradshaw (Selkirk)
3) Mary Ellen Troup (Chapelhall) & Adele Millar (Chapelhall)
Open Classical Duet
1) Robert Muir (Dunfermline) & Robert Hutchison (Dunfermline)
2) Gail Smillie (Airdrie) & Lindsay Morrison (Chapelhall)
3) Suzanne & Craig Colraine (Clydebank)
Classical Polka
Under 14 Solo
1) Kevin Swinton (St Boswells)
2) Andrew Gordon (Bonhill)
3) Pauline Bradley (Balloch)
Open Classical Polka
1) Lynne Bradshaw (Selkirk)
2) Lesley Gibb (Balbeggie)
3) Lindsay Morrison (Airdrie)
Fiddle Sections
Junior Fiddle Solo - MSR
1) Karen Harper (Salmondsmuir)
2) Gilian Risi (Monifeith)
3) Hazel Kerr (Balmullo)
Junior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air
1) Fiona Ballantine (Perth)
2) Hazel Kerr (Balmullo)
3) Gillian Risi (Monifeith)
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Strathspey, MSR
1) Kathryn Nicoll (Kirriemuir)
2) Alistair McCulloch (Ayr)
3) Paul Anderson (Bucksburn)
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air
1) Alistair McCulloch (Ayr)
2) Judith Linton (Duns)
3) Douglas Ballantyne (Uddingston)
Senior Fiddle Overall Champion (The Angus Fitchet Trophy)
Alistair McCulloch (Ayr)
Fiddle Group
Auld Knight’s ‘Scratch’ Band (Newtongrange)
Tobermory R.N.L.I. Memorial to Bobby MacLeod
by Dougie MacNeilage
As is probably known to most, Bobby MacLeod’s great love apart from music, was the sea, and in particular a great attachment to the R.N.L.I., having at one stage been the youngest lifeboatman in Britain.
It distressed Bobby when through crewing problems in 1948, the Tobermory lifeboat was transferred to Mallaig, so for many years he strove to persuade the R.N.L.I. to re-open a Lifeboat Station at Tobermory.
The dream was realised, and although not in the best of health, nobody stood prouder on Tobermory Pier on that memorable May afternoon of last year, when with his son, Robert, a crew member, the Waverly class ‘Ralph and Joy Swann’ sailed into Tobermory Bay to take up station on a year’s evalustion, with Bobby himself to serve as Hon. Secretary for the first five months and then to become Hon. Life President.
Sadly, Bobby was not to see the new Tobermory boat, the Arun class ‘City of Bradford IV’, as he passed away the morning after she left Poole on passage to Tobermory, arriving the evening before his funeral.
Since his death, many contributions to the R.N.L.I. Tobermory have been received in his memory, resulting in a special fund being opened.
On the 12th of February, Tobermory was confirmed a permanent station, and a decision was taken to obtain premises for the Boathouse which is required, and in appreciation of all Bobby did for the R.N.L.I., to name them the ‘Bobby MacLeod Building’, which will be the objective of this fund.
I would invite any individual or Club who might like to be associated with this worthy memorial to forward any contribution to me at the address below, where they will be greatly appreciated.
Any contributions will be recorded.
The Sicilian Connection
by Charlie Todd
Each year now for the last five years, a group of Scottish entertainers have spent the Festive Season in the unlikely surroundings of Sicily, the volcanic island off the toe of mainland Italy and home, of course, of the other M.A.F.I.A. – not so well publicized as the Milngavie variety, but still going strong it seems. Street parades are the order of the day with the trip sponsored by the Sicilian Tourist Board (who in turn as sponsored by the MAFIA).
The group consists of a pipe band, a team of Scottish Country Dancers and a brace of all-weather outdoor accordionists with an eye for cover and an impressive sprint time to get the boxes out of the not infrequent downpours.
Personnel on these annual trips has changed considerably over the years due to the necessity of being abroad on Christmas Day itself. The composite pipe band on this occasion consisted of players from Grampian Police, Vale of Atholl, Stonehaven and Gleneagles Strathearn under the guiding eye of none other than Pipe Major Andy Rennick, a figure well known to many of our younger accordionists since his ever elusive ‘ferret’ was set to music by Gordon Duncan of Scotrail Vale of Atholl Band.
Dancers were the usual mixed bag provided by the ‘New Scotland Country Dance Society’ from Edinburgh University. An additional bonus on the 1990 trip was the dual role performed by dancer Eric Wood from Edinburgh. In ‘real life’, Eric is a Sound Engineer with B.B.C. Radio Scotland (if you can cast your minds back, he was one of the engineers with Ken and Robbie at Musselburgh on the 2nd) and with the help of a Sony cassette recorder, a stereo microphone and endless patience, Eric recorded over seven hours of music and interviews during the trip, and back in the studio edited these into a half hour programme for Radio Scotland.
Now this is where this article falls apart, because I should now be telling readers when the programme will be broadcast so that everyone can have a good laugh at our expense, and indeed I could have done so up until the death of Kathleen Garscadden prompted the B.B.C. programme planners to re-allocate the spot to the tribute to that fine old lady. All I can say meantime is, Eric has entitles the programme ‘The Mount Etna Experience’. So if you see that appearing in the ‘Radio Times’ you’ll know what you are letting yourself in for.
And finally, the aforementioned all-weather accordionists. Well, on this occasion the earthquake dodging duo consisted of Jason Dove from Edinburgh, and the writer.
Brittania Airways, helpful as ever, sent Jason’s suitcase on a well earned holiday to France and kindly returned it, with their usual immaculate sense of timing, a week later, on the eve of our return home.
The weather was the wettest for many years and half the jobs were cancelled because of the earthquake in Catania the previous week, leaving us with plenty of free time at the ‘Hotel Euphemia’ which is discreetly located beside the cement factory on the outskirts of Palermo.
Other than that it was great, so here’s looking forward to next year.
Letters to the Editor
Dear Sir – In the last year I have taken on a limited number of guest spots at some of our more local clubs and visited a few further afield.
I have been consistently disappointed by the lack of young players turning up for a tune, not necessarily teenagers, but twenty to fortyish players of which there are plenty. However, none of them seem to be particularly interested, and I am no better than anyone else in that respect. In fact, the usual reason that I turn out at all is to hear a guest whom I have not seen for a while. I, like many other people tend to use the Club as a concert rather than a get together and a bit of crack with the other players.
The main reason for this situation may be the audience/player ratio is wrong, with not enough turning up.
One of the other reasons, with regard to the younger players is that young people like to be with other young people. At present we are faced with a situation whereby the majority of working SDBs are in the twenty to thirty age group and yet are playing a very large pergentage of gigs to an older audience, be it dancers or listeners.
The question arises, where are they going to be playing in ten years time? I have already heard of two Clubs in my area who may be forced to close, due to lack of support and I suspect there may be quite a few more just scraping past.
One of the most alarming aspects of this, is that some of the ‘Old Brigade’ seem to be totally unaware of the situation and carry on regardless, telling us how great this old player was, or that the music scene has never been better.
At the present moment we have more ‘great’ players, be it accordion, fiddle or anything else, than we have ever had in the past, and unfortunately they are being forced into playing to very mediocre audiences, those that want to go out and play at all that is.
If the Club scene is going to survive, then the reins are going to have to be taken over to a large extent by younger playing members. I do not mean to be disrespectful to a large number of serving committee members, but perhaps with their experience combined with the younger players energy, we may see an improvement in the situation and all benefit by it.
Alan Clark
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Dee Motel) – 30th Apr 91 Fraser McGlynn Trio
Alnwick (Golden Fleece) – members only
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 7th Apr 91 Glencraig SDB
Armadale (Masonic Lodge) – 4th Apr 91 Karen Higgins SDB
Ayr (Gartferry Hotel) – 7th Apr 91 Duncan Black SDB
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Hall) – 21st Apr 91 Richard Ross
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff & District (Knowes Hotel, Macduff) – 29th Apr 91 Paddy Neary
Beith & District (Hotel de Croft, Dalry) –
Belford (Community Club) –
Biggar (Municipal Hall) – 14th Apr 91 Sandy Nixon SDB
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 9th Apr 91 Alasdair McPhail SDB
Bridge of Allan (Walmer Hotel) -
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel) –
Button Key (Windygates Institute) –
Callander (Glengarry Hotel) –
Campbeltown (Royal Hotel) –
Castle Douglas (Ernespie Hotel) –
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 18th Apr 91 Ian Holmes & Kenny Wilson
Crieff & District (Drummond Arms Hotel)
Dalriada (Royal Hotel, Lochgilphead) –
Derwentside (Working Men’s Club, Consett) –
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 3rd Apr 91 Michael Garvin 20th Dance to Alan Gardiner SDB
Dunblane (Westlands Hotel) – 16th Apr 91 George Stirrat SDB
Dundee (The Marquee Function Suite) –
Dunfermline (Northern Roadhouse) –
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
East Kilbride (Sweepers, Cambuslang) – 25th Apr 91 Fraser McGlynn Trio
Ellon (Ladbroke Hotel) –
Ettrick & Yarrow (The Gordon Arms) - 17th Apr 91 Iona Runciman & Friends
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) –
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 28th Apr 91 Simon Howie SDB
Forres (Brig Motel) – 10th Apr 91 Lindsay Weir SDB
Fort William (Alexandra Hotel) –
Galashiels (Maxwell Hotel) –
Galston (Barr Castle Social Club) – 8th Apr 91 Lesmahagow Club
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) –
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) – 15th Apr 91 Deirdre Adamson Trio
Isle of Skye -
Islesteps (Mabie House Hotel) – 2nd Apr 91 David Cunningham Jnr Trio
Kelso (Ednam House Hotel) – 24th Apr 91 Scott Leslie SDB
Kinlochshiel (Tingle Creek Hotel) -
Kintore (Crown Hotel) – 3rd Apr 91 Dick Black Band
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) – 11th Apr 91 Ian Skinner Trio
Livingston (Golden Circle Hotel, Bathgate) 16th Apr 91 Glendale Band
Lockerbie (Bluebell Hotel) -
Mauchline (The Jean Armour Restaurant)
M.A.F.I.A. (Masonic Hall, Milngavie) –
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 3rd Apr 91 Garioch Bland
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North Cumbria (Golden Fleece, Ruleholme) (prev called Gretna Club) –
North East (Seafield Hotel, Keith) –
Oban (Highlander Restaurant) –
Orkney ( venue?) –
Ormiston (Miners’ Welfare Social Club) – 18th Apr 91 Fraser McGlynn Trio
Peebles (Greentree Hotel) – 18th Apr 91 Sandy Nixon SDB
Perth (Station Hotel) – 16th Apr 91 Angus Fitchet Trio & Renaldo Capaldi
Premier NI (Camlin function Rooms) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloom) – 9th Apr 91 Michael Philip SDB
Rothbury (Jubilee Hall) -
Shetland (venue?) -
Thornhill (?)
Thurso (McKay’s Hotel) –
Turriff (Royal Oak Hotel) –
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) –
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) –
Wooler ( ) -
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-1. Aberdeen
2. Arbroath
3. Banchory
4. Belford
5. Biggar
6. Blairgowrie
7. Dingwall
8. Dunblane
9. Dundee
10. East Kilbride
11. Ettrick & Yarrow
12. Fintry
13. Forfar
14. Galston
15. Gretna
16. Highland
17. Islesteps
18. Kintore
19. Lesmahagow
20. Livingston
21. Mauchline
22. Montrose
23. Newtongrange
24. Ormiston
25. Peebles
26. Perth
27. Renfrew
28. Rothbury
29. Tynedale
30. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT SEPT 1990 (Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Sept 1976)
3. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months)
4. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition)
9. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
10. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974)
11. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
12. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990
13. Button Key A&F Club (
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980)
15. Coalburn A&F Club
16. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
17. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
18. Derwentside A&F Club
19. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
20. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971)
21. Dundee & District A&F Club
22. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
23. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
24. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
25. Ellon A&F Club (
26. Etterick & Yarrow (Jan 1989 -
27. Fintry A&F Club
28. Forfar A&F Club
29. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
30. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
31. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
32. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
33. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
34. Highland A&F Club (Inverness)
35. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981)
36. Isle of Skye A&F Club (
37. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976)
38. Kintore A&F Club
39. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967)
40. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
41. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – per first edition)
42. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973)
43. M.A.F.I.A. (early)
44. Mauchline A&F Club (first mention 1986?)
45. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
46. Mull A&F Club
47. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1979)
48. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
49. North Cumbria A&F Club (originally Gretna started June 1966 – had to move to a venue in the North of England and changed name – eventually changed back when they returned to the Halcrow Stadium. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
50. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971)
51. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975)
52. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978)
53. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club
54. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981)
55. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970)
56. Premier A&F Club NI (cNov 1980)
57. Rothbury Accordion Club (1987??)
58. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978)
59. Sutherland A&F Club (
60. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition)
61. Thurso A&F Club (cSept 1981)
62. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982)
63. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980)
64. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
65. Acharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
66. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
67. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
68. Buchan A&F Club
69. Callander A&F Club (
70. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
71. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
72. Club Accord
73. Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2?)
74. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
75. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
76. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
77. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
78. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
79. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
80. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
81. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
82. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
83. Gretna A&F Club (June 1966)
84. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
85. Kinlochsheil A&F Club (
86. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
87. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
88. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
89. Newcastleton Accordion Club
90. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
91. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
92. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
93. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
94. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
95. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
96. Wellbank A&F Club
Advertising rates
Full Page - £92
Half Page - £46
Quarter Page - £23