Box and Fiddle
Year 09 No 04
December 1985
Price 30p
12 pages
8 month subscription £3.75
Editor – Ian Smith, 50 Mount Vernon Road, Stranraer Tele 4098
B&F Treasurer – Mrs Cathy Andrew, 22 Lochinver Crescent, Foxbar, Paisley Tele 2824
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
We are still trying to bring the publication date forward to the beginning of the month, as per instructions from the AGM. It’s not easy but we are getting there.
The last chance for guest artistes to get your name to the Association Secretary is now! The new list will be out shortly and if your name is not on it, well, you have had ample time, three months in fact.
Isn’t it about time that there were some guidelines for competitors before a competition. Something to give the aspiring competitor something to aim for, what not to do, what quality of tunes to pick from etc. I know that adjudicators differ from each other and have different attitudes but surely there must be a happy medium for guidelines.
Next month we hope to have an obituary to Andrew Rankine. Jimmy Clinkscale has kindly offered, as a life-long friend – one of his many – to write the tribute and he will deem it an honour to do so.
Young Star of the Music Scene – Moyra Fraser
by Jimmy Clinkscale
Although Aberdeen-based accordionist Moyra Fraser is still only 24, she already has had an eventful four years as a professional musician. In this profile, Jimmy Clinkscale, of the Clinkscale Music Centre, Aberdeen, takes an in-depth look at a young lady who will become an increasingly familiar face on the Accordion and Fiddle Club scene.
Moyra Fraser’s first flirtation in her love life with the accordion was far removed from the glitter of the showbusiness scene – in a back garden shed in Ross-shire, to be precise!
She recalls “I was nine at the time and we were up in Tain for my brother’s wedding. I was banished to the back garden and found this battered old Hohner 24-bass accordion in the shed.
“I began playing it and my mother said ‘If it keeps her quiet, please give it to her.’ So I took it back to Aberdeen.”
Although none of her immediate family had any musical associations, her grand-uncle Hughie Stewart was into that scene and he enthusiastically taught her to play be ear.
At secondary school – Old Aberdeen Academy – her musical talent was quickly spotted and she was introduced initially to the clarinet and then to other woodwind instruments.
“Of course, at that time, the accordion wasn’t looked upon as a school instrument. However, I much preferred playing it to the other instruments – much to the horror of the music teachers,” reflects Moyra with a big grin.
Aged 14, she was playing in a trio with vocalist Bob Caldwell and guitarist Tommy Allison, doing the rounds of British Legion, other Social Clubs, and lounge bars. “It was a great experience and that was me hooked.”
Other groups followed and then she was talent spotted by Alex Sutherland, the Musical Director of Grampian TV and given solo spots in two of their Scottish variety series.
She also began playing for Grampian Dancers and when that Scottish Country Dance team were invited to a four-week festival tour of Spain, Moyra was invited along – a splendid break for a 17-year-old.
In the interim she left school (with a ‘Higher’ in music) and began working in the Assessor’s Department of the Local Authority. Moyra was not too taken with the job and much preferred working virtually every night on the entertainment circuit.
When Grampian TV took their Johnny Beattie Show on the road, Moyra featured in the band and came into contact with that redoubtable Inverness impresario John Worth with whom she has worked very closely ever since.
Towards the end of 1981 she turned professional – giving up her full-time job much against the advice of her family and friends. And it was then that she was thrown in at the deep end on a major theatre show.
“A Mr Kennedy phoned and asked if I would appear at Eden Court Theatre. It was only when I got to the theatre that I discovered it was Calum Kennedy and I was backing him on my own for two sell-out performances.”
I was very nervous and worried about appearing on my own. There were rehearsals all day and I painstakingly practised the prepared programme. Imagine my panic when Calum promptly asked the audience for requests – some of the songs with which I was only barely familiar.”
However, Moyra survived and in 1982 she did a 16-week summer season at Cummings Hotel, Inverness. “We were working seven nights a week and I was staying in a freezing cold caravan at Coulmore Bay…….but I loved every minute of it. It was great fun.”
By now she had made a temporary base in Inverness and in 1983 again did the summer season at Cummings Hotel. However, as she was doing shows here, there and everywhere, and regularly commuting between Inverness and her Aberdeen home, she decided to return to Aberdeen permanently in 1984 and was hired by an Aberdeen musical instruments retail centre as a demonstrator both in-shop and at demonstration shows throughout Scotland.
Her association with the Grampian dancers saw her abroad again in 1984 – this time at the Brittany Celtic Festival and she was back again this year and will return there once more next year.
“The Festival is really magic. It is right up my street. I really like the music of many of the groups who take part – folk like Runrig, The Chieftains, Ossian and silly Wizzard.”
This typifies Moyra’s catholic tastes in music. In Brittany, two fellow Aberdonians – Bill Warrender (drums) and Dick Henderson (keyboards) joined her in a two week residency in a pub, predominantly playing jazz. “That really went down a bomb” she enthuses.
Her career to date has seen the blue-eyed, brunette accordionist appear in concert in the UK at venues from the Shetlands to Stratford Upon Avon, including prestigious theatres like Eden Court, Aberdeen’s Capitol and Dundee’s Caird Hall. And only recently she appeared at Edinburgh’s Playhouse in a show recorded by Radio Forth.
Surprisingly, she has recorded only one cassette to date – the 16-track ‘Always Welcome’ which has sold extremely well since it was released in 1983. However, she is contemplating another one shortly.
“I would also love to do more theatre shows and tours. I am beginning to get some bookings for Accordion and Fiddle Clubs and have played at the Turriff, Cults and Lerwick clubs recently.”
Meantime, she appears regularly with a combo at the Windsor Court Suite in Aberdeen where the music output tends to be pop, Country and Western and jazz.
“Although I have a day-time job, I could certainly earn a reasonable living playing professionally five or six nights a week. There is plenty of work about.”
She is also delighted to see more female accordionists, like Deirdre Adamson from Forfar, making a breakthrough. “When I started, there were a lot of lassies playing, but not in bands. That’s now changing significantly.
“When I was in Inverness, we palyed a lot of all-male functions. I was the only girl in the band and when I did my first one there wasn’t even a waitress. I am sure they thought I was a stripper with an accordion strapped on!”
Currently unattached, Moyra enjoys a comfortable lifestyle with her own Aberdeen flat and a red Talbot Horizon hatchback in which she zooms around the country.
Her favourite musician is Londoner Jack Emblow, the top-rated jazz accordionist, who is famous for his work with the BBC. “I am really hooked on Jack’s material,” she confesses. On the Scottish scene, she greatly admires the sound of the Jim Johnstone Band and the Wallochmor Ceilidh Band.
She is in no doubt about the highlight of her career so far. “I was invited by the Marlettes to play in Denmark earlier this year. They had been contacted by the head of a Dutch computer company to play at a private house and told us that a private jet would pick us up at Dalcross airport. To be quite honest we weren’t sure that it wasn’t all one big wind-up.
But we left the airport at 10am and were in Denmark by 3pm. There was an 8-door Cadillac at the airport which whisked us to a house which was like a Hollywood ranch. We were mixing with the guests who were dripping in diamonds – it was like a scene out of ‘Dallas’ and there we were – in our jeans!
“an orchestra was playing in the garden and there was a jazz band and classical pianists in separate rooms. Evidently, this man is extremely wealthy and takes acts from all over Europe for this big annual party he throws for his family, friends and business associates. It was an incredible experience. We played for only 20 minutes, but got a fabulous fee. The plane flew us home the next morning and that alone cost £3,000 to hire we found out. And the good news is that we went down so well that we have been invited back next year.”
It appears the businessman spotted the Marlettes at the summer season in Inverness while he was on holiday there.
Although appreciating such a marvelous extravaganza, Moyra, a highly-intelligent and very independent young lady, had her feet firmly on the ground. She likes continuity in her life and has had her Classique accordion for the past eight years.
And she is also a nostalgist. That battered old Hohner, which is more than 80 years old and came unscathed through WW2 with a Polish serviceman, is her most treasured possession.
Moyra’s first accordion venture may now be firmly in the past, but this attractive young Aberdonian is very much a lady of the future – and that’s for sure.
For those of you, like me, who weren't aware of the fact until I 'googled' Moyra's name (to see if anything came up!!) didn't it just - Morya married Mick Foster of 'Foster and Allen' fame and plays in the backing band and many other bands in Ireland to this day.
Musselburgh 1986
by Norrie Williams
P.P amd M.C. – (Perth’s past and Musselburgh’s coming) so no messing about, straight to the point, diaries out, Saturday, 1st March, 1986, Brunton Halls, Musselburgh, NAAFC Fiddle and Accordion Championships.
The first competitions kick off 9am sharp, then it’s through to ‘Auld Lang Syne’ at the end of the dance at 11.55pm with an awful lot happening in between – excitement, tension, every emotion imaginable running high, and countless happy meetings and reunions. Certainly a day not to be missed by fiddle and accordion enthusiasts.
Anything new this year? Yes! Because of the demise, for the present at any rate, of the ‘Daily Record golden fiddle Awards’ our senior fiddle classes, in addition to the current slow air, march strathspey and reel, will, by popular demand, include a slow strathspey to put players on their metal.
The SS will be incorporated into the existing MSR selection and will be used as the opening rhythm. It is to be hoped that this innovation will give further expression to the talents of the more experienced players and open up new fields to those with less mileage.
The slow air will remain as a class in its own right.
Because of the widening of the scope of the fiddle sections, two adjudicators have been appointed for 1986, both with enviable pedigrees as soloists and as Scottish dance band players and coincidentally both natives of the Dundee area. Taken alphabetically, firstly, Ronnie Kerr of the Cameron Kerr, Jimmy Blue and Iain MacPhail bands, and, secondly, Gordon Simpson, now resident in Bearsden, fiddler with The Wardlaw, Colin Finlayson and Colin Dewar broadcasting bands and erstwhile leader of the Glasgow ‘Caley’.
Both these gentlemen are very experienced players with their own characteristic styles, as witness their solo spots on ‘TTF’ and elsewhere. We eagerly welcome them aboard.
On the accordion side also we have increased our panel by one member to try and ease the ever increasing load on the individuals. This year we have the great pleasure in introducing no less than three faces new to Musselburgh.
To cope with the classical entries , Mr Renaldo Capaldi, who is coming all the way from Cheltenham to be with us. Mr Capaldi, a renowned musician in his own right and an ex-broadcaster on solo accordion, is the son of a famous father now 81 years old – Carmino Capaldi, who was the first artiste to have his own radio show in the ‘30s (i.e. the equivalent of a TV spectacular today) and is the cousin of Tony Capaldi of Glasgow. Incidentally, both Tony and Renaldo have done ‘TTF’ interviews with Robbie Shepherd. I don’t know what Mr Renaldo Capaldi does with his spare time, but in addition to playing (Hohner Gola straight tuning), adjudicating and instrument repairing, he teaches piano, classical guitar and organ).
The two other ‘new’ faces on our panel need no introduction to Scottish music buffs, Bill black of Stanley, All Scotland Accordion Champion in 1971 (Shand Morino) and Bobby Crowe from Balmullo (Hohner Gola – not straight tuned).
And, finally, two judges who have occupied the hot seats at Musselburgh on previous occasions. Jim Johnstone who will be partnering Bill and bobby in assessing the straight Scottish traditional MSR classes. The Pipe Music and Under-12 Traditional Sections will be under the scrutiny of Iain MacPhail, a piper himself in his younger days and very enthusiastic about this particular idiom.
The group classes (trio and band) will be judged by various combinations of all the aforementioned gentlemen. For the band section the panel will be joined by drummer Jack Cooper from Dundee.
Before leaving the competition side of the business, may I just comment briefly on the ‘Slow Hornpipe’ submissions in the Under-12 traditional section? Confusion seems to reign occasionally concerning this particular rhythm. Whilst appreciating that this can be controversial, what we are really after are tunes of the ‘Boys of Bluehill’, ‘Little Stacks of Barley’, ‘Jolly Beggarman’ – type or in the pipe idiom ‘The Man from Skye’ i.e. the rhythm bordering more on the schottische style than the reel.
Following the competitions we will, as before, have the concert featuring class winners and, of course, incorporating the finale of the Senior Scottish Traditional. The award for the best overall traditional accordion performance ‘The Bobby MacLeod’ will be decided at the play-off, always a real nail-biter.
To round off what promises once again to be a great day with great crack, etc, we have the dance at 9pm until midnight. This year it is most fitting that the band is that youthful group from Dundee ‘The Craigowl’. Some years back when their average age was only 13, this quintet gave the Musselburgh band section a tremendous shot in the arm which changed the whole name of the game. From then on they have gone from strength to strength. Come and judge for yourself – you won’t be disappointed.
Letters to the Editor
Sir – On 19th November, 1985, I sat back at the telly all ready to enjoy the BBC ‘Arena’ programme – ‘The Accordion Strikes Back’. No doubt like many of your readers will agree this programme (which was, no doubt, researched by tone deaf folk of zero musical ability) did a great disservice to the ‘Kist of Whistles’.
Apart from a few seconds of vintage Shand playing with John Huband at a dance, the remainder of the programme was given over to a Chinese expert playing some Kung-Fu-type music on a melodeon like object with holes – a rendition from Barry Manilow (ugh!!), a dissertation from Flaco Jimenez on Norteno music, which he is trying to introduce in Texas, a one handed performance by a lady called Queen Ida (who?) and a pub ceilidh by some Irish buskers.
The instrument in the main was shown as being a two-row button box and they were all poorly played (albeit with one hand only).
Attention was drawn to the fact that Tolstoy, Charles Dickens, Barry Manilow and a Chief Constable were all devotees of the box and then we were subjected to a pronouncement from a pompous music (?) critic of ‘The Times’ who stated the accordion would never be considered as an orchestral instrument and that it would always be classified as a ‘toy’.
It often makes you wonder how a piece of bent steel (triangle) and two dustbin-type lids (cymals), both orchestra instruments would be reviewed by him.
The impression in this programme was that the accordion could be picked up and after a few weeks could be played with ease. Indeed many of the ‘artistes’ confessed that they couldn’t ‘read’ and stated and stated it was not an instrument easy to write music for. I wonder why then it is costing me so much money for sheet music?
After this back-court concert I can imagine that many parents and their children will think twice about taking up the accordion, no doubt to the horror of the large music houses who have no doubt millions of pounds of accordions on offer….
Where were these researchers when the various Festivals were ongoing throughout Scotland this year? Have any of them ever been to an Accordion and Fiddle Club? This is just another example of the rubbish we are subjected to from down south. Another example is, of course, the annual Hogmanay throw-up. The chief perpetrator of this rubbish was one Robin Spence, Producer, Arena Programme, BBC Television, London. Let’s ‘strike back’ – write and tell him of your disgust – I HAVE!!!
John McIntee
Dunbeg, Oban.
Sir – ‘The Accordion Monthly News’ is arranging some coach tours of Scotland in 1986, on an accordion theme designed not only for accordionists and readers of the magazine, but also which will appeal to non-accordionists who may read about it in some of the general publicity to which we have access.
The rendezvous will be in a city such as Carlisle or Glasgow where we will stay overnight, beginning in the morning.
I am hoping that it will be possible to visit some of your Scottish Accordion Clubs. I have already had several invitations and am looking for any others who could welcome us in our itinerary. It would be nice if we could offer you a short interval spot perhaps in return, depending upon who comes on holiday with us.
It is well-known that I love traveling and looking up fellow accordionists elsewhere, and this is what I am trying to share with others. Hence any ideas or suggestions which you might like to make will be welcome, so that we can share and enjoy accordion music or camaraderie on some of our lunchtimes or evenings.
The tour will go via Oban, Fort William, Loch Ness to Inverness, and to Sutherland, where we have been enthusiastically invited, returning perhaps via Inverness, Spey Valley and Newtonmore, Perth and Edinburgh.
The dates and itinerary are at present flexible and will be chosen to coincide with anything special which may be taking place, for instance the Wildcat Festival in Spey Valley at the very end of July and the beginning of August.
As you are probably aware, the ‘Accordion Monthly News’ together with the very successful events it has been organizing over the last few years, is making a very significant contribution to the general revival of interest in the accordion, and I do hope that I will hear from you both your ideas and encouragement.
Malcolm N. Gee
Kidderminster
Worcs
Tele 0562 746105
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Dee Motel) –
Alnwick (Nag’s Head) – members only
Armadale (Masonic Arms Hotel) – 9th Jan 1986 Jennifer Forrest Trio
Ayr (Aftongrange Hotel) –
Balloch (Griffin Hotel, Alexandria) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff (Royal Oak Hotel) –
Beith (Anderson Hotel) –
Belford (Community Club) –
Biggar (Clydesdale Hotel) –
Bridge of Allan (Walmer Hotel) -
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel) –
Callander (Glengarry Hotel) – 9th Jan 86 Jimmy Lindsay Band 13th Feb 86 The Elmbank Sound
Campbeltown (Royal Hotel) –
Castle Douglas (Thistle Inn) –
Cleland (Dalrymple House) –
Coupar Angus (Royal Hotel) –
Crieff & District (Arduthie Hotel) –
Dalriada (Royal Hotel, Lochgilphead) –
Derwentside (Working Men’s Club, Consett) –
Dingwall (venue? ) –
Dunblane (Hydro) –
Dundee (Queen’s Hotel, Nethergate) – Feb 86 Bill black SDB March 86 Graeme Mitchell SDB
Dunfermline (Northern Roadhouse) –
East Kilbride (King’s Park Hotel, Rutherglen) – 30th Jan 86 Rigadoon
Edinburgh (Abbey Suite, Abbey Lane) – 5th Feb 86 Tartan Lads
Ellon (Ladbroke Hotel) –
Falkirk (Park Hotel) –
Fintry (Clachan Hotel) –
Forres (Brig Motel) – 8th Jan 86 Paddy Neary
Fort William (Caol Community Club) –
Galashiels (Maxwell Hotel) –
Galston (Theo’s Restaurant, Galston) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) – members only -
Gorebridge (Rangers FC Social Club) –
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) – 16th Dec 86 Dingwall A&F Club 20th Jan 86 Tain Band 17th Feb 86 Armour Bros 17th Mar 86 Powrie & Blue
Islesteps (Cargenholm Hotel) –
Kelso (Ednam House Hotel) –
Kintore (Crown Hotel) –
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) – 9th Jan 86 Roger Dobson SDB
Livingston (Golden Hind, Blackburn) – 16th Jan 86 Mickey Ainsworth
Lockerbie (Bluebell Hotel) –
M.A.F.I.A. (Black Bull, Milngavie) –
Montrose (Park Hotel) –
Morecambe (Yorkshire Hotel, Lancaster) -
New Cumnock (Crown Hotel) –
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 27th Jan 86 Craig McCallum SDB
Newton St Boswells (Railway Hotel) –
North Cumbria (Howard Arms) (prev called Gretna Club) –
North East (Royal Hotel, Keith) –
Oban (Park Hotel) –
Orkney ( venue?) –
Ormiston (Miners’ Welfare Social Club) –
Peebles (Ex-Servicemen’s Club) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) –
Premier NI (Wilson’s of Crumlin) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel)
Shetland (venue?) -
Stranraer (Railway Club) – 13th Jan 86 Jennifer Forrest Trio
Thornhill (?)
Thurso (McKay’s Hotel) – 6th Jan 86 Tain Band
Turriff (Royal Oak Hotel) – 9th Jan 86 Members Night
Tynedale (The Royal Hotel, Hexham) –
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Armadale
3. Balloch
4. Banchory
5. Banff & District
6. Belford
7. Callander
8. Castle Douglas
9. Crieff & District
10. Derwentside
11. Dingwall & District
12. Dunblane & District
13. Dundee & District
14. Edinburgh
15. Forres
16. Fort William
17. Galston
18. Highland
19. Islesteps
20. Kelso
21. Livingston
22. Lockerbie
23. M.A.F.I.A.
24. Newtongrange
25. North East
26. Peebles
27. Perth & District
28. Renfrew
29. Shetland
30. Thurso
31. Tynedale
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT SEPT 1985 (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. Buchan A&F Club
12. Callander A&F Club (
13. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980)
15. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
16. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
17. Derwentside A&F Club
18. Dingwall & District (May 1979 – per first report)
19. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971)
20. Dundee & District A&F Club
21. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
22. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
23. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
24. Ellon A&F Club (
25. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
26. Fintry A&F Club
27. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
28. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
29. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
30. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
31. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
32. Highland A&F Club (Inverness)
33. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981)
34. Isle of Skye A&F Club (
35. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976)
36. Kintore A&F Club
37. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967)
38. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
39. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – per first edition)
40. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973)
41. M.A.F.I.A. (early)
42. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
43. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1979)
44. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
45. 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)
46. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971)
47. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975)
48. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978)
49. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club
50. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981)
51. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970)
52. Premier A&F Club NI (cNov 1980)
53. Rothbury Accordion Club (1987??)
54. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978)
55. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
56. Sutherland A&F Club (
57. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition)
58. Thurso A&F Club (cSept 1981)
59. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982)
60. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980)
61. 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?)
62. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
63. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
64. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
65. Club Accord
66. Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2?)
67. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
68. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
69. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
70. Dornoch
71. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
72. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
73. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
74. Gretna A&F Club (June 1966)
75. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
76. Kinlochsheil A&F Club (
77. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
78. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
79. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
80. Newcastleton Accordion Club
81. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
82. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
83. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
84. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
85. Wellbank A&F Club
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Full Page - £92
Half Page - £46
Quarter Page - £23
B&F Treasurer – Mrs Cathy Andrew, 22 Lochinver Crescent, Foxbar, Paisley Tele 2824
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
We are still trying to bring the publication date forward to the beginning of the month, as per instructions from the AGM. It’s not easy but we are getting there.
The last chance for guest artistes to get your name to the Association Secretary is now! The new list will be out shortly and if your name is not on it, well, you have had ample time, three months in fact.
Isn’t it about time that there were some guidelines for competitors before a competition. Something to give the aspiring competitor something to aim for, what not to do, what quality of tunes to pick from etc. I know that adjudicators differ from each other and have different attitudes but surely there must be a happy medium for guidelines.
Next month we hope to have an obituary to Andrew Rankine. Jimmy Clinkscale has kindly offered, as a life-long friend – one of his many – to write the tribute and he will deem it an honour to do so.
Young Star of the Music Scene – Moyra Fraser
by Jimmy Clinkscale
Although Aberdeen-based accordionist Moyra Fraser is still only 24, she already has had an eventful four years as a professional musician. In this profile, Jimmy Clinkscale, of the Clinkscale Music Centre, Aberdeen, takes an in-depth look at a young lady who will become an increasingly familiar face on the Accordion and Fiddle Club scene.
Moyra Fraser’s first flirtation in her love life with the accordion was far removed from the glitter of the showbusiness scene – in a back garden shed in Ross-shire, to be precise!
She recalls “I was nine at the time and we were up in Tain for my brother’s wedding. I was banished to the back garden and found this battered old Hohner 24-bass accordion in the shed.
“I began playing it and my mother said ‘If it keeps her quiet, please give it to her.’ So I took it back to Aberdeen.”
Although none of her immediate family had any musical associations, her grand-uncle Hughie Stewart was into that scene and he enthusiastically taught her to play be ear.
At secondary school – Old Aberdeen Academy – her musical talent was quickly spotted and she was introduced initially to the clarinet and then to other woodwind instruments.
“Of course, at that time, the accordion wasn’t looked upon as a school instrument. However, I much preferred playing it to the other instruments – much to the horror of the music teachers,” reflects Moyra with a big grin.
Aged 14, she was playing in a trio with vocalist Bob Caldwell and guitarist Tommy Allison, doing the rounds of British Legion, other Social Clubs, and lounge bars. “It was a great experience and that was me hooked.”
Other groups followed and then she was talent spotted by Alex Sutherland, the Musical Director of Grampian TV and given solo spots in two of their Scottish variety series.
She also began playing for Grampian Dancers and when that Scottish Country Dance team were invited to a four-week festival tour of Spain, Moyra was invited along – a splendid break for a 17-year-old.
In the interim she left school (with a ‘Higher’ in music) and began working in the Assessor’s Department of the Local Authority. Moyra was not too taken with the job and much preferred working virtually every night on the entertainment circuit.
When Grampian TV took their Johnny Beattie Show on the road, Moyra featured in the band and came into contact with that redoubtable Inverness impresario John Worth with whom she has worked very closely ever since.
Towards the end of 1981 she turned professional – giving up her full-time job much against the advice of her family and friends. And it was then that she was thrown in at the deep end on a major theatre show.
“A Mr Kennedy phoned and asked if I would appear at Eden Court Theatre. It was only when I got to the theatre that I discovered it was Calum Kennedy and I was backing him on my own for two sell-out performances.”
I was very nervous and worried about appearing on my own. There were rehearsals all day and I painstakingly practised the prepared programme. Imagine my panic when Calum promptly asked the audience for requests – some of the songs with which I was only barely familiar.”
However, Moyra survived and in 1982 she did a 16-week summer season at Cummings Hotel, Inverness. “We were working seven nights a week and I was staying in a freezing cold caravan at Coulmore Bay…….but I loved every minute of it. It was great fun.”
By now she had made a temporary base in Inverness and in 1983 again did the summer season at Cummings Hotel. However, as she was doing shows here, there and everywhere, and regularly commuting between Inverness and her Aberdeen home, she decided to return to Aberdeen permanently in 1984 and was hired by an Aberdeen musical instruments retail centre as a demonstrator both in-shop and at demonstration shows throughout Scotland.
Her association with the Grampian dancers saw her abroad again in 1984 – this time at the Brittany Celtic Festival and she was back again this year and will return there once more next year.
“The Festival is really magic. It is right up my street. I really like the music of many of the groups who take part – folk like Runrig, The Chieftains, Ossian and silly Wizzard.”
This typifies Moyra’s catholic tastes in music. In Brittany, two fellow Aberdonians – Bill Warrender (drums) and Dick Henderson (keyboards) joined her in a two week residency in a pub, predominantly playing jazz. “That really went down a bomb” she enthuses.
Her career to date has seen the blue-eyed, brunette accordionist appear in concert in the UK at venues from the Shetlands to Stratford Upon Avon, including prestigious theatres like Eden Court, Aberdeen’s Capitol and Dundee’s Caird Hall. And only recently she appeared at Edinburgh’s Playhouse in a show recorded by Radio Forth.
Surprisingly, she has recorded only one cassette to date – the 16-track ‘Always Welcome’ which has sold extremely well since it was released in 1983. However, she is contemplating another one shortly.
“I would also love to do more theatre shows and tours. I am beginning to get some bookings for Accordion and Fiddle Clubs and have played at the Turriff, Cults and Lerwick clubs recently.”
Meantime, she appears regularly with a combo at the Windsor Court Suite in Aberdeen where the music output tends to be pop, Country and Western and jazz.
“Although I have a day-time job, I could certainly earn a reasonable living playing professionally five or six nights a week. There is plenty of work about.”
She is also delighted to see more female accordionists, like Deirdre Adamson from Forfar, making a breakthrough. “When I started, there were a lot of lassies playing, but not in bands. That’s now changing significantly.
“When I was in Inverness, we palyed a lot of all-male functions. I was the only girl in the band and when I did my first one there wasn’t even a waitress. I am sure they thought I was a stripper with an accordion strapped on!”
Currently unattached, Moyra enjoys a comfortable lifestyle with her own Aberdeen flat and a red Talbot Horizon hatchback in which she zooms around the country.
Her favourite musician is Londoner Jack Emblow, the top-rated jazz accordionist, who is famous for his work with the BBC. “I am really hooked on Jack’s material,” she confesses. On the Scottish scene, she greatly admires the sound of the Jim Johnstone Band and the Wallochmor Ceilidh Band.
She is in no doubt about the highlight of her career so far. “I was invited by the Marlettes to play in Denmark earlier this year. They had been contacted by the head of a Dutch computer company to play at a private house and told us that a private jet would pick us up at Dalcross airport. To be quite honest we weren’t sure that it wasn’t all one big wind-up.
But we left the airport at 10am and were in Denmark by 3pm. There was an 8-door Cadillac at the airport which whisked us to a house which was like a Hollywood ranch. We were mixing with the guests who were dripping in diamonds – it was like a scene out of ‘Dallas’ and there we were – in our jeans!
“an orchestra was playing in the garden and there was a jazz band and classical pianists in separate rooms. Evidently, this man is extremely wealthy and takes acts from all over Europe for this big annual party he throws for his family, friends and business associates. It was an incredible experience. We played for only 20 minutes, but got a fabulous fee. The plane flew us home the next morning and that alone cost £3,000 to hire we found out. And the good news is that we went down so well that we have been invited back next year.”
It appears the businessman spotted the Marlettes at the summer season in Inverness while he was on holiday there.
Although appreciating such a marvelous extravaganza, Moyra, a highly-intelligent and very independent young lady, had her feet firmly on the ground. She likes continuity in her life and has had her Classique accordion for the past eight years.
And she is also a nostalgist. That battered old Hohner, which is more than 80 years old and came unscathed through WW2 with a Polish serviceman, is her most treasured possession.
Moyra’s first accordion venture may now be firmly in the past, but this attractive young Aberdonian is very much a lady of the future – and that’s for sure.
For those of you, like me, who weren't aware of the fact until I 'googled' Moyra's name (to see if anything came up!!) didn't it just - Morya married Mick Foster of 'Foster and Allen' fame and plays in the backing band and many other bands in Ireland to this day.
Musselburgh 1986
by Norrie Williams
P.P amd M.C. – (Perth’s past and Musselburgh’s coming) so no messing about, straight to the point, diaries out, Saturday, 1st March, 1986, Brunton Halls, Musselburgh, NAAFC Fiddle and Accordion Championships.
The first competitions kick off 9am sharp, then it’s through to ‘Auld Lang Syne’ at the end of the dance at 11.55pm with an awful lot happening in between – excitement, tension, every emotion imaginable running high, and countless happy meetings and reunions. Certainly a day not to be missed by fiddle and accordion enthusiasts.
Anything new this year? Yes! Because of the demise, for the present at any rate, of the ‘Daily Record golden fiddle Awards’ our senior fiddle classes, in addition to the current slow air, march strathspey and reel, will, by popular demand, include a slow strathspey to put players on their metal.
The SS will be incorporated into the existing MSR selection and will be used as the opening rhythm. It is to be hoped that this innovation will give further expression to the talents of the more experienced players and open up new fields to those with less mileage.
The slow air will remain as a class in its own right.
Because of the widening of the scope of the fiddle sections, two adjudicators have been appointed for 1986, both with enviable pedigrees as soloists and as Scottish dance band players and coincidentally both natives of the Dundee area. Taken alphabetically, firstly, Ronnie Kerr of the Cameron Kerr, Jimmy Blue and Iain MacPhail bands, and, secondly, Gordon Simpson, now resident in Bearsden, fiddler with The Wardlaw, Colin Finlayson and Colin Dewar broadcasting bands and erstwhile leader of the Glasgow ‘Caley’.
Both these gentlemen are very experienced players with their own characteristic styles, as witness their solo spots on ‘TTF’ and elsewhere. We eagerly welcome them aboard.
On the accordion side also we have increased our panel by one member to try and ease the ever increasing load on the individuals. This year we have the great pleasure in introducing no less than three faces new to Musselburgh.
To cope with the classical entries , Mr Renaldo Capaldi, who is coming all the way from Cheltenham to be with us. Mr Capaldi, a renowned musician in his own right and an ex-broadcaster on solo accordion, is the son of a famous father now 81 years old – Carmino Capaldi, who was the first artiste to have his own radio show in the ‘30s (i.e. the equivalent of a TV spectacular today) and is the cousin of Tony Capaldi of Glasgow. Incidentally, both Tony and Renaldo have done ‘TTF’ interviews with Robbie Shepherd. I don’t know what Mr Renaldo Capaldi does with his spare time, but in addition to playing (Hohner Gola straight tuning), adjudicating and instrument repairing, he teaches piano, classical guitar and organ).
The two other ‘new’ faces on our panel need no introduction to Scottish music buffs, Bill black of Stanley, All Scotland Accordion Champion in 1971 (Shand Morino) and Bobby Crowe from Balmullo (Hohner Gola – not straight tuned).
And, finally, two judges who have occupied the hot seats at Musselburgh on previous occasions. Jim Johnstone who will be partnering Bill and bobby in assessing the straight Scottish traditional MSR classes. The Pipe Music and Under-12 Traditional Sections will be under the scrutiny of Iain MacPhail, a piper himself in his younger days and very enthusiastic about this particular idiom.
The group classes (trio and band) will be judged by various combinations of all the aforementioned gentlemen. For the band section the panel will be joined by drummer Jack Cooper from Dundee.
Before leaving the competition side of the business, may I just comment briefly on the ‘Slow Hornpipe’ submissions in the Under-12 traditional section? Confusion seems to reign occasionally concerning this particular rhythm. Whilst appreciating that this can be controversial, what we are really after are tunes of the ‘Boys of Bluehill’, ‘Little Stacks of Barley’, ‘Jolly Beggarman’ – type or in the pipe idiom ‘The Man from Skye’ i.e. the rhythm bordering more on the schottische style than the reel.
Following the competitions we will, as before, have the concert featuring class winners and, of course, incorporating the finale of the Senior Scottish Traditional. The award for the best overall traditional accordion performance ‘The Bobby MacLeod’ will be decided at the play-off, always a real nail-biter.
To round off what promises once again to be a great day with great crack, etc, we have the dance at 9pm until midnight. This year it is most fitting that the band is that youthful group from Dundee ‘The Craigowl’. Some years back when their average age was only 13, this quintet gave the Musselburgh band section a tremendous shot in the arm which changed the whole name of the game. From then on they have gone from strength to strength. Come and judge for yourself – you won’t be disappointed.
Letters to the Editor
Sir – On 19th November, 1985, I sat back at the telly all ready to enjoy the BBC ‘Arena’ programme – ‘The Accordion Strikes Back’. No doubt like many of your readers will agree this programme (which was, no doubt, researched by tone deaf folk of zero musical ability) did a great disservice to the ‘Kist of Whistles’.
Apart from a few seconds of vintage Shand playing with John Huband at a dance, the remainder of the programme was given over to a Chinese expert playing some Kung-Fu-type music on a melodeon like object with holes – a rendition from Barry Manilow (ugh!!), a dissertation from Flaco Jimenez on Norteno music, which he is trying to introduce in Texas, a one handed performance by a lady called Queen Ida (who?) and a pub ceilidh by some Irish buskers.
The instrument in the main was shown as being a two-row button box and they were all poorly played (albeit with one hand only).
Attention was drawn to the fact that Tolstoy, Charles Dickens, Barry Manilow and a Chief Constable were all devotees of the box and then we were subjected to a pronouncement from a pompous music (?) critic of ‘The Times’ who stated the accordion would never be considered as an orchestral instrument and that it would always be classified as a ‘toy’.
It often makes you wonder how a piece of bent steel (triangle) and two dustbin-type lids (cymals), both orchestra instruments would be reviewed by him.
The impression in this programme was that the accordion could be picked up and after a few weeks could be played with ease. Indeed many of the ‘artistes’ confessed that they couldn’t ‘read’ and stated and stated it was not an instrument easy to write music for. I wonder why then it is costing me so much money for sheet music?
After this back-court concert I can imagine that many parents and their children will think twice about taking up the accordion, no doubt to the horror of the large music houses who have no doubt millions of pounds of accordions on offer….
Where were these researchers when the various Festivals were ongoing throughout Scotland this year? Have any of them ever been to an Accordion and Fiddle Club? This is just another example of the rubbish we are subjected to from down south. Another example is, of course, the annual Hogmanay throw-up. The chief perpetrator of this rubbish was one Robin Spence, Producer, Arena Programme, BBC Television, London. Let’s ‘strike back’ – write and tell him of your disgust – I HAVE!!!
John McIntee
Dunbeg, Oban.
Sir – ‘The Accordion Monthly News’ is arranging some coach tours of Scotland in 1986, on an accordion theme designed not only for accordionists and readers of the magazine, but also which will appeal to non-accordionists who may read about it in some of the general publicity to which we have access.
The rendezvous will be in a city such as Carlisle or Glasgow where we will stay overnight, beginning in the morning.
I am hoping that it will be possible to visit some of your Scottish Accordion Clubs. I have already had several invitations and am looking for any others who could welcome us in our itinerary. It would be nice if we could offer you a short interval spot perhaps in return, depending upon who comes on holiday with us.
It is well-known that I love traveling and looking up fellow accordionists elsewhere, and this is what I am trying to share with others. Hence any ideas or suggestions which you might like to make will be welcome, so that we can share and enjoy accordion music or camaraderie on some of our lunchtimes or evenings.
The tour will go via Oban, Fort William, Loch Ness to Inverness, and to Sutherland, where we have been enthusiastically invited, returning perhaps via Inverness, Spey Valley and Newtonmore, Perth and Edinburgh.
The dates and itinerary are at present flexible and will be chosen to coincide with anything special which may be taking place, for instance the Wildcat Festival in Spey Valley at the very end of July and the beginning of August.
As you are probably aware, the ‘Accordion Monthly News’ together with the very successful events it has been organizing over the last few years, is making a very significant contribution to the general revival of interest in the accordion, and I do hope that I will hear from you both your ideas and encouragement.
Malcolm N. Gee
Kidderminster
Worcs
Tele 0562 746105
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Dee Motel) –
Alnwick (Nag’s Head) – members only
Armadale (Masonic Arms Hotel) – 9th Jan 1986 Jennifer Forrest Trio
Ayr (Aftongrange Hotel) –
Balloch (Griffin Hotel, Alexandria) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff (Royal Oak Hotel) –
Beith (Anderson Hotel) –
Belford (Community Club) –
Biggar (Clydesdale Hotel) –
Bridge of Allan (Walmer Hotel) -
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel) –
Callander (Glengarry Hotel) – 9th Jan 86 Jimmy Lindsay Band 13th Feb 86 The Elmbank Sound
Campbeltown (Royal Hotel) –
Castle Douglas (Thistle Inn) –
Cleland (Dalrymple House) –
Coupar Angus (Royal Hotel) –
Crieff & District (Arduthie Hotel) –
Dalriada (Royal Hotel, Lochgilphead) –
Derwentside (Working Men’s Club, Consett) –
Dingwall (venue? ) –
Dunblane (Hydro) –
Dundee (Queen’s Hotel, Nethergate) – Feb 86 Bill black SDB March 86 Graeme Mitchell SDB
Dunfermline (Northern Roadhouse) –
East Kilbride (King’s Park Hotel, Rutherglen) – 30th Jan 86 Rigadoon
Edinburgh (Abbey Suite, Abbey Lane) – 5th Feb 86 Tartan Lads
Ellon (Ladbroke Hotel) –
Falkirk (Park Hotel) –
Fintry (Clachan Hotel) –
Forres (Brig Motel) – 8th Jan 86 Paddy Neary
Fort William (Caol Community Club) –
Galashiels (Maxwell Hotel) –
Galston (Theo’s Restaurant, Galston) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) – members only -
Gorebridge (Rangers FC Social Club) –
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) – 16th Dec 86 Dingwall A&F Club 20th Jan 86 Tain Band 17th Feb 86 Armour Bros 17th Mar 86 Powrie & Blue
Islesteps (Cargenholm Hotel) –
Kelso (Ednam House Hotel) –
Kintore (Crown Hotel) –
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) – 9th Jan 86 Roger Dobson SDB
Livingston (Golden Hind, Blackburn) – 16th Jan 86 Mickey Ainsworth
Lockerbie (Bluebell Hotel) –
M.A.F.I.A. (Black Bull, Milngavie) –
Montrose (Park Hotel) –
Morecambe (Yorkshire Hotel, Lancaster) -
New Cumnock (Crown Hotel) –
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 27th Jan 86 Craig McCallum SDB
Newton St Boswells (Railway Hotel) –
North Cumbria (Howard Arms) (prev called Gretna Club) –
North East (Royal Hotel, Keith) –
Oban (Park Hotel) –
Orkney ( venue?) –
Ormiston (Miners’ Welfare Social Club) –
Peebles (Ex-Servicemen’s Club) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) –
Premier NI (Wilson’s of Crumlin) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel)
Shetland (venue?) -
Stranraer (Railway Club) – 13th Jan 86 Jennifer Forrest Trio
Thornhill (?)
Thurso (McKay’s Hotel) – 6th Jan 86 Tain Band
Turriff (Royal Oak Hotel) – 9th Jan 86 Members Night
Tynedale (The Royal Hotel, Hexham) –
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Armadale
3. Balloch
4. Banchory
5. Banff & District
6. Belford
7. Callander
8. Castle Douglas
9. Crieff & District
10. Derwentside
11. Dingwall & District
12. Dunblane & District
13. Dundee & District
14. Edinburgh
15. Forres
16. Fort William
17. Galston
18. Highland
19. Islesteps
20. Kelso
21. Livingston
22. Lockerbie
23. M.A.F.I.A.
24. Newtongrange
25. North East
26. Peebles
27. Perth & District
28. Renfrew
29. Shetland
30. Thurso
31. Tynedale
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT SEPT 1985 (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. Buchan A&F Club
12. Callander A&F Club (
13. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980)
15. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
16. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
17. Derwentside A&F Club
18. Dingwall & District (May 1979 – per first report)
19. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971)
20. Dundee & District A&F Club
21. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
22. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
23. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
24. Ellon A&F Club (
25. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
26. Fintry A&F Club
27. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
28. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
29. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
30. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
31. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
32. Highland A&F Club (Inverness)
33. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981)
34. Isle of Skye A&F Club (
35. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976)
36. Kintore A&F Club
37. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967)
38. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
39. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – per first edition)
40. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973)
41. M.A.F.I.A. (early)
42. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
43. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1979)
44. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
45. 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)
46. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971)
47. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975)
48. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978)
49. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club
50. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981)
51. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970)
52. Premier A&F Club NI (cNov 1980)
53. Rothbury Accordion Club (1987??)
54. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978)
55. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
56. Sutherland A&F Club (
57. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition)
58. Thurso A&F Club (cSept 1981)
59. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982)
60. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980)
61. 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?)
62. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
63. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
64. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
65. Club Accord
66. Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2?)
67. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
68. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
69. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
70. Dornoch
71. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
72. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
73. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
74. Gretna A&F Club (June 1966)
75. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
76. Kinlochsheil A&F Club (
77. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
78. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
79. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
80. Newcastleton Accordion Club
81. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
82. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
83. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
84. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
85. Wellbank A&F Club
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