Introducing the Clubs
No 8 Kelso
by John Crombie
The idea of forming Kelso A&F Club was conceived by Sandy White, Kenny Lees and John Crombie, and with initial investigation proving successful, friends were invited along to a meeting held on 26th May, 1976.
That evening a Committee was elected as follows :-
Office Bearers
President – Sandy White
Vice President – Jim Aberdein
Chairman – Kenny Lees and
Secretary – John Crombie.
Committee Members – George Dickson, Will Gillie and Alex Richardson. In July, John Cairns was also elected as a Member for the purpose of being Compere at the Club Nights, which were to be held on the last Wednesday in the month from September to May, culminating with the Annual General Meeting to be held at the beginning of June.
During that summer a constitution and Club Rules were formed by the Committee, then printed, which was issued to members when the advertisement for Club Membership appeared in the local press. Such was the response, that over 100 members joined within three days, and with the knowledge that Fire Regulations only allowed that number present at Club Nights, a waiting list for membership had to be created.
Club nights in The Queens Head Hotel were very successful, the guest artistes appearing that first session commenced with Rob Gordon who set us off to a great start, a raffle drawn, and tea and sandwiches were served at the interval.
Heedful of the fact that a Club’s fortunes are governed by its funds was the reason for having members who paid a £1.50 adults membership fee (now £3, Senior Citizens £2), with 60p entrance fee to Club Nights (now £1.20). This allowed a polict being adopted for Club owned sound equipment and an electric piano to be purchased, and what has been proved to be annual events, a Dinner/Dance and concert were organised. When deemed necessary, Club funds have been supplemented by a Prize Draw Raffle.
Kelso is fortunate in having the Tait Hall, a purpose built Concert and Dance Hall which has featured artistes like Harry Lauder, Robert Wilson and Will Starr during their heyday, and is an ideal venue for the Club’s Dinner/Dance and concert, the first session’s music in 1976/77 being provided by Rob Gordon’s SDB and John Leslie’s Orchestra respectively.
The creation of a waiting list which reached 75 names in November, 1979, was a constant reminder of the lack of space, so it was with some trepidation that the Club moved to the Cross Keys Hotel with its luxurious function room.
The Club constitution was then amended to cope with the increase in attendance, and the Committee members were increased to 5, with a 5 member Ladies Committee to run the raffles, and to provide the food for entertainers when it’s required at functions, for which we are all extremely grateful.
To show some appreciation to supporting artistes in a small way, it was decided in January, 1978, to introduce an Artistes Draw, and whoever plays at a Club Night, their name is drawn, and the name picked out received a gift token for £3 (now £5).
When the Club had over 400 members in October, 1980, as an incentive for visitors to join the Club, a Draw was introduced whereby the membership number drawn got a £5 gift token providing they show their membership card. If the winner is absent that evening when their name is called out, then the £5 is carried forward to the next night. It once reached £25.
In the 1980s, the regular order for the Box and Fiddle newspaper was 40 issues, sold for 10p each, now the order is 24 issues and sold for 20p each. It was decided when the Club first registered with the NAAFC in 1976, to give support to the Association, and encourage readership of the newspaper, the price would be compensated by the Club.
In December, 1982, circumstances dictated that the Club had to move to the Ednam House Hotel, and thanks are due to Mr and Mrs Alistair Brooks for their kind co-operation over these years. The Club is constrained to a 7 p.m. starting time, with stovies served about 8.30 p.m. to finish by 10.30 p.m. ; this arrangement appears to be quite acceptable, especially to people who travel a long distance.
Ceilidh evenings were organised in the summers of 1985, 1986 and 1987 and proved to be very successful, however they petered out due to lack of support.
Thanks are due to all who are associated with the Club, apologies for those missed out, unfortunately space does not allow everyone’s name to be mentioned who have contributed, but, to name a few, in no particular order: Sandy White, a fervent Jimmy Shand fan who owns most of Jimmy’s records, before resigning from the Committee in 1983, and Will Gillie, Committee member then Vice President for a total of 7 years, who regularly played the drums and accompanied guest artistes when required.
Dougie Welsh, who had been responsible for highlighting the Scottish music scene throughout the Borders, before his death in March, 1983. Dougie’s banter with George Butler during their accordion spot went down a treat.
Jim Aberdein, whose wry sense of humour, wit and sincerity was very much missed when he died in November, 1987.
Members of the Bill sharp Accordion Orchestra, Brian and Stuart Grant and Festival winners Lorna and Graham Jeffrey, and Tracy James, served the Club very well with their accordion selections, now with College and other commitments.
Lynn Crombie featured at Club nights when her nursing duties permitted, and at the ceilidhs in particular with her band, comprising of singer Lynn Elliot, pianist Moira Butler and drummer Ian Goodall until they disbanded to go their various ways. The Club is very much indebted to Moira and Ian for their consistent backing to players when called on.
Marian Anderson’s accomplishments read like a ‘Who’s Who’, having won over 40 cups and medals at Festivals upo and down the country, including 5 times winner in succession at Alnwick, Scottish Ladies champion at Perth, Open Senior Scottish Champion at Musselburgh Festival, Band Section Winner, Own Composition Class with the tune, ‘Catherine Mackay’, and has recently composed ‘Jim and Christine Brown’s Silver Wedding’ which has been published in Iain Peterson’s new book. Her mum Grace, and dad Dod Wilson, provided support and encouragement during her career.
Another obliging constant artiste over the years has been Bob Liddle sometimes accompanied by Charlie MacIntee and providing an interesting variety. Bob composed the march ‘Kelso Accordion and Fiddle Club’.
Willie Atkinson, what is there to say about this canny, friendly man other than admiration to the highest degree, over 80 years old, and was recently even over in Spain entertaining with his mouth organ, as well as all over this country, maintaining a strict tempo beat throughout all his playing on stage – marvelous!
Sandy Ramage and Bobby Rae usually feature a great waltz tune in their selection which is a tonic for the ears, and Wiggy Brown with a different coupler sound, and a song, all adding to the spontaneity.
Alan and Margaret Cockburn, Tommy Herdman, Stuart Barron, Drew Dalgleish, all from further afield, adding to the entertainment.
Then there is what is accepted as the resident band, Bill Elliot and John Cairns, accordionists, and Alec Williamson on drums, real down to earth stuff, who can be relied on to fill in if the supporting artistes are thin on the ground.
Kenny Lees has been Chairman from the start, and Compere since 1980, is an excellent green bowler, and is sometimes absent for that reason. He doesn’t seem to get his priorities right!
Dedicated Committee members for years: Janet Middlemiss, George Dickson, Laurence Wallace and Jim Wilson, and Jimmy Thomson who can provide a tune on the accordion, or mix the sound from the stage with a selection on the bagpipes, or when required provide accompaniment for Highland dancers, and Jimmy Brown whose offspring Gordon and Heather have regularly featured at the Club, and for the local Senior Citizens Clubs, can be relied on to play some of their dad’s fine tunes that he has composed.
In recent years, our Club Membership has been 220 average, this session stands at 144. It is hoped that this is not a sign of things to come!
Box and Fiddle
April 1992
That evening a Committee was elected as follows :-
Office Bearers
President – Sandy White
Vice President – Jim Aberdein
Chairman – Kenny Lees and
Secretary – John Crombie.
Committee Members – George Dickson, Will Gillie and Alex Richardson. In July, John Cairns was also elected as a Member for the purpose of being Compere at the Club Nights, which were to be held on the last Wednesday in the month from September to May, culminating with the Annual General Meeting to be held at the beginning of June.
During that summer a constitution and Club Rules were formed by the Committee, then printed, which was issued to members when the advertisement for Club Membership appeared in the local press. Such was the response, that over 100 members joined within three days, and with the knowledge that Fire Regulations only allowed that number present at Club Nights, a waiting list for membership had to be created.
Club nights in The Queens Head Hotel were very successful, the guest artistes appearing that first session commenced with Rob Gordon who set us off to a great start, a raffle drawn, and tea and sandwiches were served at the interval.
Heedful of the fact that a Club’s fortunes are governed by its funds was the reason for having members who paid a £1.50 adults membership fee (now £3, Senior Citizens £2), with 60p entrance fee to Club Nights (now £1.20). This allowed a polict being adopted for Club owned sound equipment and an electric piano to be purchased, and what has been proved to be annual events, a Dinner/Dance and concert were organised. When deemed necessary, Club funds have been supplemented by a Prize Draw Raffle.
Kelso is fortunate in having the Tait Hall, a purpose built Concert and Dance Hall which has featured artistes like Harry Lauder, Robert Wilson and Will Starr during their heyday, and is an ideal venue for the Club’s Dinner/Dance and concert, the first session’s music in 1976/77 being provided by Rob Gordon’s SDB and John Leslie’s Orchestra respectively.
The creation of a waiting list which reached 75 names in November, 1979, was a constant reminder of the lack of space, so it was with some trepidation that the Club moved to the Cross Keys Hotel with its luxurious function room.
The Club constitution was then amended to cope with the increase in attendance, and the Committee members were increased to 5, with a 5 member Ladies Committee to run the raffles, and to provide the food for entertainers when it’s required at functions, for which we are all extremely grateful.
To show some appreciation to supporting artistes in a small way, it was decided in January, 1978, to introduce an Artistes Draw, and whoever plays at a Club Night, their name is drawn, and the name picked out received a gift token for £3 (now £5).
When the Club had over 400 members in October, 1980, as an incentive for visitors to join the Club, a Draw was introduced whereby the membership number drawn got a £5 gift token providing they show their membership card. If the winner is absent that evening when their name is called out, then the £5 is carried forward to the next night. It once reached £25.
In the 1980s, the regular order for the Box and Fiddle newspaper was 40 issues, sold for 10p each, now the order is 24 issues and sold for 20p each. It was decided when the Club first registered with the NAAFC in 1976, to give support to the Association, and encourage readership of the newspaper, the price would be compensated by the Club.
In December, 1982, circumstances dictated that the Club had to move to the Ednam House Hotel, and thanks are due to Mr and Mrs Alistair Brooks for their kind co-operation over these years. The Club is constrained to a 7 p.m. starting time, with stovies served about 8.30 p.m. to finish by 10.30 p.m. ; this arrangement appears to be quite acceptable, especially to people who travel a long distance.
Ceilidh evenings were organised in the summers of 1985, 1986 and 1987 and proved to be very successful, however they petered out due to lack of support.
Thanks are due to all who are associated with the Club, apologies for those missed out, unfortunately space does not allow everyone’s name to be mentioned who have contributed, but, to name a few, in no particular order: Sandy White, a fervent Jimmy Shand fan who owns most of Jimmy’s records, before resigning from the Committee in 1983, and Will Gillie, Committee member then Vice President for a total of 7 years, who regularly played the drums and accompanied guest artistes when required.
Dougie Welsh, who had been responsible for highlighting the Scottish music scene throughout the Borders, before his death in March, 1983. Dougie’s banter with George Butler during their accordion spot went down a treat.
Jim Aberdein, whose wry sense of humour, wit and sincerity was very much missed when he died in November, 1987.
Members of the Bill sharp Accordion Orchestra, Brian and Stuart Grant and Festival winners Lorna and Graham Jeffrey, and Tracy James, served the Club very well with their accordion selections, now with College and other commitments.
Lynn Crombie featured at Club nights when her nursing duties permitted, and at the ceilidhs in particular with her band, comprising of singer Lynn Elliot, pianist Moira Butler and drummer Ian Goodall until they disbanded to go their various ways. The Club is very much indebted to Moira and Ian for their consistent backing to players when called on.
Marian Anderson’s accomplishments read like a ‘Who’s Who’, having won over 40 cups and medals at Festivals upo and down the country, including 5 times winner in succession at Alnwick, Scottish Ladies champion at Perth, Open Senior Scottish Champion at Musselburgh Festival, Band Section Winner, Own Composition Class with the tune, ‘Catherine Mackay’, and has recently composed ‘Jim and Christine Brown’s Silver Wedding’ which has been published in Iain Peterson’s new book. Her mum Grace, and dad Dod Wilson, provided support and encouragement during her career.
Another obliging constant artiste over the years has been Bob Liddle sometimes accompanied by Charlie MacIntee and providing an interesting variety. Bob composed the march ‘Kelso Accordion and Fiddle Club’.
Willie Atkinson, what is there to say about this canny, friendly man other than admiration to the highest degree, over 80 years old, and was recently even over in Spain entertaining with his mouth organ, as well as all over this country, maintaining a strict tempo beat throughout all his playing on stage – marvelous!
Sandy Ramage and Bobby Rae usually feature a great waltz tune in their selection which is a tonic for the ears, and Wiggy Brown with a different coupler sound, and a song, all adding to the spontaneity.
Alan and Margaret Cockburn, Tommy Herdman, Stuart Barron, Drew Dalgleish, all from further afield, adding to the entertainment.
Then there is what is accepted as the resident band, Bill Elliot and John Cairns, accordionists, and Alec Williamson on drums, real down to earth stuff, who can be relied on to fill in if the supporting artistes are thin on the ground.
Kenny Lees has been Chairman from the start, and Compere since 1980, is an excellent green bowler, and is sometimes absent for that reason. He doesn’t seem to get his priorities right!
Dedicated Committee members for years: Janet Middlemiss, George Dickson, Laurence Wallace and Jim Wilson, and Jimmy Thomson who can provide a tune on the accordion, or mix the sound from the stage with a selection on the bagpipes, or when required provide accompaniment for Highland dancers, and Jimmy Brown whose offspring Gordon and Heather have regularly featured at the Club, and for the local Senior Citizens Clubs, can be relied on to play some of their dad’s fine tunes that he has composed.
In recent years, our Club Membership has been 220 average, this session stands at 144. It is hoped that this is not a sign of things to come!
Box and Fiddle
April 1992