Box and Fiddle
Year 42 No 05
January 2019
Price £3.00
52 Page Magazine
12 month subscription £33.60 + p&p £15.85 (UK)
Editor – Pia Walker, Cupar
B&F Treasurer –
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
Let me start by wishing you all a Happy New Year………
Pia Walker
MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2018
by Louis Decario
December 1st saw yet another invasion of The Fair City of Perth by musicians and people interested in various forms of traditional music for the televised Trad Awards. This was………….
The Kirrie Festival – Angus S&R Society Annual Fiddle Festival
by Joan Grant
There are confusingly two Kirrie Festivals, but this is all about the older of the two – the Angus S&R Society’s 51st Traditional Fiddle Festival, which was held on Saturday 10th November – simply glory in just fiddles! The other, also long-standing, is the TMSA Festival held in September. The AS&RS Festival was created by Angus Cameron away back in 1967 to foster and develop the quality of playing and preserve the distinction between the styles of the different Scottish traditional tunes. In its heyday, fiddlers would descend on Kirriemuir from all corners of Scotland and we could expect up to 8 or 9 orchestras to fight it out for the trophy. The lisy of champions down the years is impressive; Yla Steven, Dougie Lawrence, Frank Robb, Charlie McKerran, Gregor Borland, Kathryn Nicoll, Paul Anderson, George Smith, Kathryn Matthews, Maggie Adamson, George Davidson and many others.
While there are not so many competing musicians these days, we still had a day of glorious fiddling in the wonderful acoustics of St Andrews Parish /church, Kirriemuir. The Edinburgh Reel & Strathspey Society joined us to compete again as did the Shetland Fiddlers. The competitions started late as the Shetland Ferry was late owing to the weather. Thank you to all the other competitors and audiencefor their patience! It turned out that the wild ferry trip from Shetland was worth it as their players won 5 trophies.
We were very please to have Douglas Lawrence from Glasgow, a Kirrie Champion and formidable fiddler himself, as the adjudicator and the very competent and well-loved Joan Blue as accompanist. Dougie adjudicates with wisdom and wit, which all appreciated. As well as those from Shetland, we had young local competitors from Angus, Deeside, Perth and Edinburgh. The Perth fiddlers were all Polish pupils of Grazyna Mlynarczyk and they tackled Scottish fiddling very well.
Another highlight of the festival is the Composers’ Competition and, although not wishing to boast, I can say that this trophy has frequently stayed in Angus, courtesy of the impressive talent of Sandy Ingram of Glamis and Gus Scott of Arbroath. They have penned many a bonnie tune and Sandy has donated a considerable sum, from the sale of his published works, to Alzheimer Scotland. However, this year the Composers’ Trophy went to Charlie PacPherson from Bishopton.
It was a wonderful day of Fiddling and catching up with friends! Thank you to all who competed and we look forward to seeing you next year.
Competition 1 - (9 years and under)
1) Ellie Nicolson (Shetland)
2) Kirstie Williamson (Shetland)
3) Julia Pojda (Perth)
Competition 2 - (Aged 10 - 12 years)
1) Charlotte Slater (Ellon)
2) Holly Stephen (Shetland)
3) Murray Todd (Shetland)
Competition 3 - (Aged 13 – 16 years)
1) Calum Shepherd (Portlethen)
2) Rhiann Matthew (Tarland)
3) Emma Leask (Shetland)
Competition 4 - (Composition)
1) Yla Stephen (Blackford)
2) Sandy Ingram (Glamis)
Competition 5 - (Slow Air)
1) Maggie Adamson (Shetland)
2) Anne Mitchell (Inverurie)
3) George Davidson (Tarves)
Competition 6 - (Senior M,S&R)
1) Kit Storm (Carnoustie)
Competition 7 - (Hornpipe)
1) Maggie Adamson (Shetland)
2) George Davidson (Tarves)
3) Anne Mitchell (Inverurie)
Competition 8 - (Championship)
1) Maggie Adamson (Shetland)
2) George Davidson (Tarves)
3) Anne Mitchell (Inverurie)
Competition 9 - (Quartet)
1) The Deeside Loons & Quines Quartet
Competition 10 - (Orchestra)
1) Edinburgh Reel & Strathspey Society
Musical Memories – Part 4
by Denis Shepherd
I previously told you how I teamed up with the former jazz musician Sandy Rennie to form Denis and the Menace – a name thought up by Sandy’s wife Mary, with our first booking being at the Cliff House Nursing Home near Cults. The Cliff House residents entertained us as much as we entertained them. One interruption was by the slightly deaf man who kept asking his neighbour to take the paper off the sweetie. He could not hear the other chap, ever more loudly telling him it had no paper on it. Another was by the lady who stood up (in the middle of a recitation) and broke wind in front of us.
Sometimes Sandy would sing Three Craws while I carried out all the actions, dressed as a crow. No one ever knew what to expect – sometimes even we did not know! At an event in Aberdeen’s Cowdray Hall, which we did with three other musicians, the chairman of the organisation, in giving in his thank-you speech, made the remark, “I don’t know which one is the Menace – they all seem like menaces to me!” And at yet another, Mackie Burns, the late, great Shetland fiddler/guitarist, introduced himself to us and described Sandy’s chords as “very unusual but very exciting”. We are still not exactly sure what he meant – but I can guess!
Ken to be on TV, we volunteered to do a song for Aberdeen Cable Television, with technical and backing support in abundance including Calum Kennedy’s former pianist, Ian Milne. Unfortunately Ian didn’t understand the rhythm and pausing we used for comedy effect and his accompaniment on Sandy’s song, Square Bashin’, was finished before we got through the first verse!
On one occasion, our clowning almost got us lynched. Sandy’s daughter Fiona, often accompanied us and was given Sandy’s old trumpet (she could not play a single note!) with which she was instructed to come on stage at certain points of the show, apparently eager to play, only for us to send her off again for various reasons (an idea we got from Morecambe and Wise). The members of an Old Folks Club in Inverurie became so incensed – “It’s nae fair, nae lettin’ the lassie play her trumpet!” – that we were forced to make a quick exit in case Fiona was actually forced to attempt to play it!
Aberdeen’s Atholl Hotel once invited Sandy and me to perform during a Burns Supper that the hotel was laying on for its customers and we readily agreed, considering all food and drink was on the house. Unfortunately, we could not take advantage of the latter as we still had to perform! After all the speeches were eventually concluded, we were all set to stand up and do our bit – only to be told that we now be doing it in the bar as the staff needed to clear up the dining room. It was a nigh-impossible task attempting to perform (without amplification, had been assured would not be necessary) to a crowd of people who had just been ‘released’ into the bar after sitting quietly listening to speeches for hours! At one point I stuck my head in during one of Sandy’s solo spots and asked if he was finished. “I was finished afore I started!” he said.
In the early days my own performances were mainly recitations but I gradually introduced some singing, especially after I won the Novice Prize at the Aberdeen Alternative Festival with the Rab the Rhymer song, The Kilt Society Ball. My friend Harry Williamson, who often came along with us to provide backing, proved the ideal accompanist for the type of songs I liked to sing. And as Sandy preferred to develop the comedy side of the act, it was a natural progression that we become a duo. We retained the Denis and the Menace name while Sandy is now known as Alexander Rennie (he is now the resident guest in Middlefield Matters, a weekly programme on the radio station SHMU).
I still see Sandy and some years ago went to be part of the audience at the recordings of the ‘Northern Nights’ series at the Grampian TV studios in Aberdeen. On one occasion, the Alexander Brothers were the closing act and Sandy, the moment the TV cameras stopped rolling, was up on stage getting his photo taken between Tom and Jack. “I telt them I was an entertainer tee – but I dinna think they were affa’ impressed”, Sandy said afterwards. If we happen to be at the same event, we occasionally attempt to give a rendition of our original trademark item, Grieve and Gordon. Sandy, or Alexander, at 84 is still very much to the fore and is always introduced by his radio co-host as, “octogenarian, legend of Pittodrie and the midge man himself.”
Alexander, since the Golden Games several years ago, has had an association with the Aberdeen FC Community Trust and often sings there at both football and other events. He is best known for his midge songs, but has written hundreds of songs, which have had thousands of ‘hits’ on the internet.
Unfortunately, one of his best songs never made it to the stage. The ideas came to him as he cycled home from work one day, and he kept stopping to jot them down on all he had in his pocket – a sweetie paper. However, the family dog was so keen on confectionary he did not always check whether there was anything in the wrapper and the song was eaten and lost forever.
Jim & Catherine Mackay
by
When going to Inverness in September to experience the Button Box Gathering I stayed with the Mackays in their B&B and, after the Show was invited into their cosy living room for a wee dram and a chat. I was interested in knowing more about this fascinating couple who are well-known in the area. Jim is known as a teacher of the button-box, with two All-Scotland champions having been tutored by him, and of course, as a bandleader. Catherine is known as the force behind the said Show, which she (with Jim as the band time-keeper) has run for 17 years, and you can’t really speak of one without mentioning the other.
Jim was originally from a farming family in Watten in Caithness. When he started his dance band in 1957 Catherine’s brother played the fiddle, and later his brothers George and Nichol also joined the band. It is still a family band today and widely known for its very consistent sound.
Jim played his first public dance in the John O’Groats Hotel, Caithness, one Friday night; he met and fell for a girl from another Caithness farming family and they had their first date the next day. This was Catherine. They married in 1960 and had two sons, Tom and Donald.
These two sons joined the band in the mid-seventies and the Jim Mackay Trio began its career, with Tom playing drums and Donald on keyboard and vocals. This trio became more and more popular with gigs throughout the country.
Even though he was busy playing and farming with Catherine working from 8 – 4, 5 days a week at Thurso College, Jim and Catherine still had time to get a Committee together and form Thurso Accordion & Fiddle Club in 1981. Music by then had become a full-time occupation, the band often traveling to gigs down south. In 1983 Jim decided to leave farming and he and Catherine moved to Inverness to make it easier for the band to travel to gigs. Catherine couldn’t see herself as a lady who lunched – indeed she is a born organiser – and they bought a house in Old Edinburgh Road, transforming it into a 7-bedroom guest house where at first farming boys going to college resided.
In 1984, their son Donald met with a fatal road accident which understandably meant that everything came to a halt for a while. However, with the help of good musical friends and the guesthouse work, life got back on a relatively even keel. Even today, it is obvious and, of course, understandable that the accident left a great mark on both Jim and Catherine.
The band continued to operate with friends filling in as and when. They were as popular as ever at home, and during the ‘90s also had many successful trips abroad. Catherine arranged these trips and up to three busloads of dancers would head for Glasgow airportlooking forward to fantastic dancing to Jim and his band each night. At this time the third Mackay generation, Jim and Catherine’s grandsons, joined the band. A fourth generation could well be on the way to join too as two of the great-grandchildren play drums in the Youth Pipe Band and a third is learning the chanter.
Jim has always loved the button-box, and used to travel to Windygates, Fife for their annual Shand Morino Day. One night on the way back, Jim stated to Catherine, “You could do that in Eden Court!” The answer promptly came back, “No way!” However, after some thought she decided that the idea could be transferred to Inverness in concert style. Determinedly she phoned the then director every second day for three weeks to try and get to talk to him and in the end resorted to putting pen to paper before he was finally persuaded to meet. He made it clear to Catherine that he didn’t think it would be feasible, but she insisted; and as a result, in the year 2000 the Button Box Gathering started with proceeds going to a number of charities. From then on, every single year, it has been a success with all the top button-box bands giving their time and helping to make every night such a huge success.
Catherine now runs a small B&B in the house to which they down-sized a few years ago. They are extremely family orientated. Their great-grandchildren (Craig, Michael, Scott, Ross and Jayson) are frequent visitors to the house and Catherine told me that they were going to take them all on holiday later in the year! Jim often visits the area’s A&F Clubs and still teaches the accortdion; and of course, there’s still the band too. In fact, sitting in their lovely living room, cuddled up with a wee dram, I became exhausted just listening to all this couple does for their family and their love of our kind of music.
Accordion Technique Course
by
During the October school holidays, a small group of young accordionists gathered in Edinburgh to attend and accordion technique course led by the French virtuoso and former world accordion champion Frederic Deschamps.
The project was the brainchild of Scottish musician Gordon Shand who, after meeting Fred in France last year at the CMA World championships, suggested the accordion workshop to the Falkirk Branch of the RSCDS who kindly agreed to sponsor the course.
Nine young musicians, Ellie Arnold 17 (Moniaive), India Smith 16 (Milton Bridge), Darroch Wood 14 (Keir Mill), Clelland shand 13 (Dunfermline), Kyle Anderson 12 (Penpont), Joe Finkelstein 12 (Currie), Blythe Shand 12 (Dunfermline),Molly Tolson 12 (Biggar) and Inver Shand 10 (Dunfermline) enrolled for the 5-day course held in Liberton golf Club. The young musicians spent the whole week with Fred who readily shared his innovative ideas and vast musical knowledge about the accordion with them.
Topics discussed included arm position, bellows control and technique, facial expression, finger control, hand position, head position, instrument position, practice technique and sitting position. In addition to studying and working on these technical aspects of accordion playing, the young accordionists had the opportunity to watch one of Fred’s star pupils, 21-year-old Ukranian virtuoso MAksym Hafych from Kiev, practice each dayand receive his daily tuition from Fred. Maks, who studies at the Petro Tchaikovski National Music Academy in Kiev, practices up to six hours each day and was recently awarded second place in the masters category at the CIA Coupe Mondiale, Kaunas, Lithuania. He was a great source of inspiration to the young Scottish players. Liberton Golf Club proved to be an ideal venue for Maks practice sessions and for the project in general, with the staff being very helpful and friendly.
On Wednesday evening 16 adult musicians attended an enjoyable and informative adult learners accordion technique master class led by Fred to learn about bellows control, expression and playing position. The class was fun based with Fred finishing by conducting a piece about the sea, wind, motor boats and stormy weather, which he had taught his newly formed ‘accordion orchestra’. The event was rounded off with Maks performing some classical accordion pieces which were well received by the adult musicians.
On Friday, the young musicians were invited to perform at an accordion youth showcase in Falkirk Trinity church organised by the Falkirk Branch of the RSCDS and kindly sponsored by Manfrini Accordions. Before traveling to the church the musicians took the opportunity to visit The Kelpies, with Kyle playing a tune on the accordion inside one of the structures – apparently this was the first time that music has been performed inside a Kelpie!
The showcase kicked off with lively Scottish traditional music from Adin Graham (accordion) and Emma Jane Dickson (piano). Adin and Emma had recently appeared on BBC Radio Scotland’s Take the Floor and proceeded to perform a few sets of tunes which had featured on the radio broadcast. Emma also performed a couple of pieces on accordion, including Libertango by Astor Piazzola.
The nine accordion technique students then performed a wide selection of pieces, all very well received by an attentive and appreciative Falkirk audience – and by Fred who had tutored them. Maksym Hafych then provided the audience with a fine classical accordion recital which included Baroque works by Scarlatti and Bach. He finished with a fine rendition of Rondo Capriccioso by Russian composer Vladislav Zolarariev.
The concert, which was well supported by the local community, proved a suitable finale to a most enjoyable week.
Centre Stage
Robin Waitt
In Memory – Hebbie Gray (13th Oct 1929 – 11th May 2018)
by Ian Cruickshanks (Kirrie)
I first met Hebbie whilst playing in Bruce Lindsay’s band, though I’d been aware of him from the mid 1970s having seen him on television. Hebbie then said if I was ever stuck for a fiddler to give him a call and subsequently he played with my band for a number of years. His last ever broadcast with us was just over 3 years ago.
Of course, Hebbie played with a lot of bands ; Alistair Hunter, Jim MacLeod, Graham Geddes. For many years he played for the drinks company Diageo’s events with Jane Farquharson accompanying on piano. Hebbie was able to play many genres of music ; classical, bluegrass and swing as well as Scottish. He seemed to be able to adapt to the different styles of various bands, but he loved playing the button-box and even had a Shand Morino for a few years. He had a long association with Alex Sutherland the musical director for Scottish shows on Grampian TV, and played on shows such as Calum Kennedy’s and Johnny Beattie’s, appearing on TV around 700 times.
For a number of years in the 60s he played with singer/guitarist Joss Esplin and later with Alan McKenzie doing Country & Western numbers etc. He made a few 45 single records. These can be accessed on Youtube with some lovely black and white photos of a young Hebbie, Joss and Alan. Search for Joss and Hebbie and admire his wonderful fiddle playing. He appears on other Youtube clips with Jim MacLeod’s band where his posture and his love of playing are seen well. He was lovely to watch as well as to listen to.
Hebbie traveled extensively with us, often staying here in Kirrie before heading back to Keith the next day, and was always great company having many interests. On a trip to Orkney, he was in awe of the wildlife, scenery, people, and archaeology and charmed everyone he met. We played a lot at Haddo House and the gentry just adored him!
His musical ability was just outstanding, on the alto sax as well as fiddle, and enhanced my band greatly. Hebbie told me many times how much he enjoyed the 2nd box playing of Ian McCallum in my band. Hebbie and Ian just hit it off with harmony etc.
He leaves a widow, Shona, sons Brian, Keith and Hebbie, and daughter Donna and Brenda and their families. Keith and Hebbie Jnr spoke very fondly about their father at the funeral service in Keith and highlighted his tremendous work ethic, his sense of humour and his passion for his family and his music.
It has been a great privilege to play with him and share his company. He was a great fiddler, character and friend.
(Editors note – omitted in error in August 2018)
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
Coast to Coast – Roy Hendrie & Dave Morrice – RHDM01
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Gary Innes (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
5th Jan 2019 – TTF visit to Tartan Day in New York
12th Jan 2019 – Archive Session
19th Jan 2019 – Wayne Robertson SDB
26th Jan 2019 – Stuart Cameron SDB
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 29th Jan 2019 – Lynne MacIver SDB
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms)
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 20th Jan 2019 – Club Night
Arbroath (Arbroath Artisan Golf Club) - 6th Jan 2019 – Gavin Piper
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 20th Jan 2019 – Bon Accords
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 28th Jan 2019 – The Cruickshank Family Band
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 23rd Jan 2019 – Club Night
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) – 21st Jan 2019 – Claire Gullan Trio
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) – 13th Jan 2019 – Iain Anderson SDB
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 8th Jan 2019 – Johnny Duncan Duo
Button Key (Greig Institute, Windygates) – 9th Jan 2019 – Derek Hamilton & Friends
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 8th Jan 2019 – Alasdair MacLeod SDB
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Threave Rovers Football Club) – 15th Jan 2019 – Bon Accords
Clydesdale (St Mary’s Club Rooms, Lanark) - 6th Jan 2019 – Wayne Robertson & Claire Telford
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 17th Jan 2019 – Andrew Gibb SDB
Crieff & District (British Legion)
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) - 15th Jan 2019 – Ross MAcPherson
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 16th Jan 2019 – Jock Fraser SDB
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 16th Jan 2019 – Neil MAcEachern SDB
Dunfermline (Sportsman Bar, Rosyth) – 8th Jan 2019 – Club Night
Duns (Masonic Lodge) 21st Jan 2019 – Gavin Piper
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 22nd Jan 2019 – George Rennie Duo
Forfar (Forfar RBL) - 27th Jan 2019 - tbc
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 9th Jan 2019 – Alan Roy
Fort William (Railway Club, Inverlochy) - 8th Jan 2019 – Ian Cruickshanks Trio
Galashiels (Gala YM RFC) -
Glasgow (Scotstounhill Bowling Club) -
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 24th Jan 2019 – The Homelanders
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) -
Gretna (The Solway Lodge Hotel) - 6th Jan 2019 – Richard Smith Trio
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 21st Jan 2019 – Elizabeth Mackenzie SDB
Inveraray (Inveraray Inn) - 9th Jan 2019 – Craig MacFadyen Trio
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 10th Jan 2019 – Colin Donaldson SDB
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) – 8th Jan 2019 – Alex Ross Trio
Kelso (Kelso Rugby Club) – 30th Jan 2019 – Dave Husband Sound
Langholm (Langholm Social Club) – 13th Jan 2019 – Open Day 27th Jan 2019 – Club Night
Lewis & Harris (Caladh Inn, Stornoway) -
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 15th Jan 2019 – Richard Smith Trio
Lockerbie (Mid Annandale Comrades Club) 29th Jan 2019 – Cameronian SDB
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) - 20th Jan 2019 – Alan Small & Gemma Donald
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 15th Jan 2019 – Steven Carcary Duo
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 9th Jan 2019 –Tommy Newcomen
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) - 31st Jan 2019 – Marian Anderson SDB
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 28th Jan 2019 – Jim Cleland Band
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) –
Oban (The Royal Hotel) – 11th Jan 2019 – Dance to Charlie Kirkpatrick
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 9th 16th 23rd 30th Jan 2019 – Club Nights
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 31st Jan 2019 – Clappy Doo CB
Perth & District (Salutation Hotel) – 15th Jan 2019 – Glencraig SDB
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 9th Jan 2019 – Laurie Accordion Orchestra
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) -
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 15th 22nd Jan 2019 – Club Night 29th Jan 2019 – Bon Accords
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - 10th Jan 2019 – Club Night 28th Jan 2019 – Up-Helly-Aa
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) - 19th Jan 2019 – Club Night
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 8th Jan 2019 – Addie Harper
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) –
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) –
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 15th Jan 2019 – Local Bands
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Annan
4. Arbroath
5. Balloch
6. Banff & District
7. Beith
8. Blairgowrie
9. Button Key
10. Campsie
11. Castle Douglas
12. Coalburn
13. Crieff
14. Dingwall
15. Dunblane
16. Dunfermline
17. Ellon
18. Forfar
19. Forres
20. Glendale
21. Glenfarg
22. Gretna
23. Highland
24. Inveraray
25. Islesteps
26. Kelso
27. Langholm
28. Lewis & Harris
29. Livingston
30. Lockerbie
31. Mauchline & District
32. Montrose
33. Newburgh
34. North East
35. Peebles
36. Renfrew
37. Rothbury
38. Seghill
39. Shetland
40. Turriff & District
41. Tynedale
42. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2016
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
10. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
11. Button Key A&F Club (
12. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
13. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
15. Clydesdale A&F Club (Sept 2016 – present)
16. Coalburn A&F Club (
17. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
18. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
19. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
20. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
21. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
22. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
23. Ellon A&F Club (
24. Forfar A&F Club (
25. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
26. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
27. Glasgow A&F Club (Aug 2017 -
28. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
29. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
30. Gretna A&F Club (1991) Known as North Cumbria A&F Club previously (originally called Gretna when started in June 1966 but later had to move to venues in the North of England and changed name. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
31. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
32. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
33. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
34. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
35. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
36. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
37. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 – present)
38. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
39 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
40. Macmerry A&F Club (Feb 2016 – present)
41 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
42 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
43 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
44. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
45. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
46. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
47. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
48. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
49. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
50. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
51. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
52 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
53 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
54 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
55 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
56 Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975 - present)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
57. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
58. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
59. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
60. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
61. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
62. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
63. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
64. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
65. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
66. Buchan A&F Club
67. Callander A&F Club (
68. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
69. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
70. Club Accord
71. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
72 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
73. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
74. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
75. Cults A & F Club (
76. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
77. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
78. Derwentside A&F Club
79. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
80. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
81. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
82. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
83. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
84. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
85. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
86. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
87. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – ?)
88. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
89. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
90. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93? – left the Assoc c2013)
91. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
92. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
93. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 – 6th December 2015)
94. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
95. Kintore A&F Club (
96. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
97. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier -
98. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
99. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
100. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
101. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
102. Maine Valley A&F Club (
103. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
104. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
105. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
106. Mull A&F Club
107. Newcastleton Accordion Club
108. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
109. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
110. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
111. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
112. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
113. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
114. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
115. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
116. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
117. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
118. Selkirk A&F Club (
119. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
120. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
121. Stonehouse A&F Club (Opened 2003 - first report June 05 – Closed April 2018)
122. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
123 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
124 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
125. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
126. Tranent A&F Club
127. Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra
128. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
129. Wellbank A&F Club
130. West Barnes (1981? - April 2016?)
131. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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B&F Treasurer –
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
Let me start by wishing you all a Happy New Year………
Pia Walker
MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2018
by Louis Decario
December 1st saw yet another invasion of The Fair City of Perth by musicians and people interested in various forms of traditional music for the televised Trad Awards. This was………….
The Kirrie Festival – Angus S&R Society Annual Fiddle Festival
by Joan Grant
There are confusingly two Kirrie Festivals, but this is all about the older of the two – the Angus S&R Society’s 51st Traditional Fiddle Festival, which was held on Saturday 10th November – simply glory in just fiddles! The other, also long-standing, is the TMSA Festival held in September. The AS&RS Festival was created by Angus Cameron away back in 1967 to foster and develop the quality of playing and preserve the distinction between the styles of the different Scottish traditional tunes. In its heyday, fiddlers would descend on Kirriemuir from all corners of Scotland and we could expect up to 8 or 9 orchestras to fight it out for the trophy. The lisy of champions down the years is impressive; Yla Steven, Dougie Lawrence, Frank Robb, Charlie McKerran, Gregor Borland, Kathryn Nicoll, Paul Anderson, George Smith, Kathryn Matthews, Maggie Adamson, George Davidson and many others.
While there are not so many competing musicians these days, we still had a day of glorious fiddling in the wonderful acoustics of St Andrews Parish /church, Kirriemuir. The Edinburgh Reel & Strathspey Society joined us to compete again as did the Shetland Fiddlers. The competitions started late as the Shetland Ferry was late owing to the weather. Thank you to all the other competitors and audiencefor their patience! It turned out that the wild ferry trip from Shetland was worth it as their players won 5 trophies.
We were very please to have Douglas Lawrence from Glasgow, a Kirrie Champion and formidable fiddler himself, as the adjudicator and the very competent and well-loved Joan Blue as accompanist. Dougie adjudicates with wisdom and wit, which all appreciated. As well as those from Shetland, we had young local competitors from Angus, Deeside, Perth and Edinburgh. The Perth fiddlers were all Polish pupils of Grazyna Mlynarczyk and they tackled Scottish fiddling very well.
Another highlight of the festival is the Composers’ Competition and, although not wishing to boast, I can say that this trophy has frequently stayed in Angus, courtesy of the impressive talent of Sandy Ingram of Glamis and Gus Scott of Arbroath. They have penned many a bonnie tune and Sandy has donated a considerable sum, from the sale of his published works, to Alzheimer Scotland. However, this year the Composers’ Trophy went to Charlie PacPherson from Bishopton.
It was a wonderful day of Fiddling and catching up with friends! Thank you to all who competed and we look forward to seeing you next year.
Competition 1 - (9 years and under)
1) Ellie Nicolson (Shetland)
2) Kirstie Williamson (Shetland)
3) Julia Pojda (Perth)
Competition 2 - (Aged 10 - 12 years)
1) Charlotte Slater (Ellon)
2) Holly Stephen (Shetland)
3) Murray Todd (Shetland)
Competition 3 - (Aged 13 – 16 years)
1) Calum Shepherd (Portlethen)
2) Rhiann Matthew (Tarland)
3) Emma Leask (Shetland)
Competition 4 - (Composition)
1) Yla Stephen (Blackford)
2) Sandy Ingram (Glamis)
Competition 5 - (Slow Air)
1) Maggie Adamson (Shetland)
2) Anne Mitchell (Inverurie)
3) George Davidson (Tarves)
Competition 6 - (Senior M,S&R)
1) Kit Storm (Carnoustie)
Competition 7 - (Hornpipe)
1) Maggie Adamson (Shetland)
2) George Davidson (Tarves)
3) Anne Mitchell (Inverurie)
Competition 8 - (Championship)
1) Maggie Adamson (Shetland)
2) George Davidson (Tarves)
3) Anne Mitchell (Inverurie)
Competition 9 - (Quartet)
1) The Deeside Loons & Quines Quartet
Competition 10 - (Orchestra)
1) Edinburgh Reel & Strathspey Society
Musical Memories – Part 4
by Denis Shepherd
I previously told you how I teamed up with the former jazz musician Sandy Rennie to form Denis and the Menace – a name thought up by Sandy’s wife Mary, with our first booking being at the Cliff House Nursing Home near Cults. The Cliff House residents entertained us as much as we entertained them. One interruption was by the slightly deaf man who kept asking his neighbour to take the paper off the sweetie. He could not hear the other chap, ever more loudly telling him it had no paper on it. Another was by the lady who stood up (in the middle of a recitation) and broke wind in front of us.
Sometimes Sandy would sing Three Craws while I carried out all the actions, dressed as a crow. No one ever knew what to expect – sometimes even we did not know! At an event in Aberdeen’s Cowdray Hall, which we did with three other musicians, the chairman of the organisation, in giving in his thank-you speech, made the remark, “I don’t know which one is the Menace – they all seem like menaces to me!” And at yet another, Mackie Burns, the late, great Shetland fiddler/guitarist, introduced himself to us and described Sandy’s chords as “very unusual but very exciting”. We are still not exactly sure what he meant – but I can guess!
Ken to be on TV, we volunteered to do a song for Aberdeen Cable Television, with technical and backing support in abundance including Calum Kennedy’s former pianist, Ian Milne. Unfortunately Ian didn’t understand the rhythm and pausing we used for comedy effect and his accompaniment on Sandy’s song, Square Bashin’, was finished before we got through the first verse!
On one occasion, our clowning almost got us lynched. Sandy’s daughter Fiona, often accompanied us and was given Sandy’s old trumpet (she could not play a single note!) with which she was instructed to come on stage at certain points of the show, apparently eager to play, only for us to send her off again for various reasons (an idea we got from Morecambe and Wise). The members of an Old Folks Club in Inverurie became so incensed – “It’s nae fair, nae lettin’ the lassie play her trumpet!” – that we were forced to make a quick exit in case Fiona was actually forced to attempt to play it!
Aberdeen’s Atholl Hotel once invited Sandy and me to perform during a Burns Supper that the hotel was laying on for its customers and we readily agreed, considering all food and drink was on the house. Unfortunately, we could not take advantage of the latter as we still had to perform! After all the speeches were eventually concluded, we were all set to stand up and do our bit – only to be told that we now be doing it in the bar as the staff needed to clear up the dining room. It was a nigh-impossible task attempting to perform (without amplification, had been assured would not be necessary) to a crowd of people who had just been ‘released’ into the bar after sitting quietly listening to speeches for hours! At one point I stuck my head in during one of Sandy’s solo spots and asked if he was finished. “I was finished afore I started!” he said.
In the early days my own performances were mainly recitations but I gradually introduced some singing, especially after I won the Novice Prize at the Aberdeen Alternative Festival with the Rab the Rhymer song, The Kilt Society Ball. My friend Harry Williamson, who often came along with us to provide backing, proved the ideal accompanist for the type of songs I liked to sing. And as Sandy preferred to develop the comedy side of the act, it was a natural progression that we become a duo. We retained the Denis and the Menace name while Sandy is now known as Alexander Rennie (he is now the resident guest in Middlefield Matters, a weekly programme on the radio station SHMU).
I still see Sandy and some years ago went to be part of the audience at the recordings of the ‘Northern Nights’ series at the Grampian TV studios in Aberdeen. On one occasion, the Alexander Brothers were the closing act and Sandy, the moment the TV cameras stopped rolling, was up on stage getting his photo taken between Tom and Jack. “I telt them I was an entertainer tee – but I dinna think they were affa’ impressed”, Sandy said afterwards. If we happen to be at the same event, we occasionally attempt to give a rendition of our original trademark item, Grieve and Gordon. Sandy, or Alexander, at 84 is still very much to the fore and is always introduced by his radio co-host as, “octogenarian, legend of Pittodrie and the midge man himself.”
Alexander, since the Golden Games several years ago, has had an association with the Aberdeen FC Community Trust and often sings there at both football and other events. He is best known for his midge songs, but has written hundreds of songs, which have had thousands of ‘hits’ on the internet.
Unfortunately, one of his best songs never made it to the stage. The ideas came to him as he cycled home from work one day, and he kept stopping to jot them down on all he had in his pocket – a sweetie paper. However, the family dog was so keen on confectionary he did not always check whether there was anything in the wrapper and the song was eaten and lost forever.
Jim & Catherine Mackay
by
When going to Inverness in September to experience the Button Box Gathering I stayed with the Mackays in their B&B and, after the Show was invited into their cosy living room for a wee dram and a chat. I was interested in knowing more about this fascinating couple who are well-known in the area. Jim is known as a teacher of the button-box, with two All-Scotland champions having been tutored by him, and of course, as a bandleader. Catherine is known as the force behind the said Show, which she (with Jim as the band time-keeper) has run for 17 years, and you can’t really speak of one without mentioning the other.
Jim was originally from a farming family in Watten in Caithness. When he started his dance band in 1957 Catherine’s brother played the fiddle, and later his brothers George and Nichol also joined the band. It is still a family band today and widely known for its very consistent sound.
Jim played his first public dance in the John O’Groats Hotel, Caithness, one Friday night; he met and fell for a girl from another Caithness farming family and they had their first date the next day. This was Catherine. They married in 1960 and had two sons, Tom and Donald.
These two sons joined the band in the mid-seventies and the Jim Mackay Trio began its career, with Tom playing drums and Donald on keyboard and vocals. This trio became more and more popular with gigs throughout the country.
Even though he was busy playing and farming with Catherine working from 8 – 4, 5 days a week at Thurso College, Jim and Catherine still had time to get a Committee together and form Thurso Accordion & Fiddle Club in 1981. Music by then had become a full-time occupation, the band often traveling to gigs down south. In 1983 Jim decided to leave farming and he and Catherine moved to Inverness to make it easier for the band to travel to gigs. Catherine couldn’t see herself as a lady who lunched – indeed she is a born organiser – and they bought a house in Old Edinburgh Road, transforming it into a 7-bedroom guest house where at first farming boys going to college resided.
In 1984, their son Donald met with a fatal road accident which understandably meant that everything came to a halt for a while. However, with the help of good musical friends and the guesthouse work, life got back on a relatively even keel. Even today, it is obvious and, of course, understandable that the accident left a great mark on both Jim and Catherine.
The band continued to operate with friends filling in as and when. They were as popular as ever at home, and during the ‘90s also had many successful trips abroad. Catherine arranged these trips and up to three busloads of dancers would head for Glasgow airportlooking forward to fantastic dancing to Jim and his band each night. At this time the third Mackay generation, Jim and Catherine’s grandsons, joined the band. A fourth generation could well be on the way to join too as two of the great-grandchildren play drums in the Youth Pipe Band and a third is learning the chanter.
Jim has always loved the button-box, and used to travel to Windygates, Fife for their annual Shand Morino Day. One night on the way back, Jim stated to Catherine, “You could do that in Eden Court!” The answer promptly came back, “No way!” However, after some thought she decided that the idea could be transferred to Inverness in concert style. Determinedly she phoned the then director every second day for three weeks to try and get to talk to him and in the end resorted to putting pen to paper before he was finally persuaded to meet. He made it clear to Catherine that he didn’t think it would be feasible, but she insisted; and as a result, in the year 2000 the Button Box Gathering started with proceeds going to a number of charities. From then on, every single year, it has been a success with all the top button-box bands giving their time and helping to make every night such a huge success.
Catherine now runs a small B&B in the house to which they down-sized a few years ago. They are extremely family orientated. Their great-grandchildren (Craig, Michael, Scott, Ross and Jayson) are frequent visitors to the house and Catherine told me that they were going to take them all on holiday later in the year! Jim often visits the area’s A&F Clubs and still teaches the accortdion; and of course, there’s still the band too. In fact, sitting in their lovely living room, cuddled up with a wee dram, I became exhausted just listening to all this couple does for their family and their love of our kind of music.
Accordion Technique Course
by
During the October school holidays, a small group of young accordionists gathered in Edinburgh to attend and accordion technique course led by the French virtuoso and former world accordion champion Frederic Deschamps.
The project was the brainchild of Scottish musician Gordon Shand who, after meeting Fred in France last year at the CMA World championships, suggested the accordion workshop to the Falkirk Branch of the RSCDS who kindly agreed to sponsor the course.
Nine young musicians, Ellie Arnold 17 (Moniaive), India Smith 16 (Milton Bridge), Darroch Wood 14 (Keir Mill), Clelland shand 13 (Dunfermline), Kyle Anderson 12 (Penpont), Joe Finkelstein 12 (Currie), Blythe Shand 12 (Dunfermline),Molly Tolson 12 (Biggar) and Inver Shand 10 (Dunfermline) enrolled for the 5-day course held in Liberton golf Club. The young musicians spent the whole week with Fred who readily shared his innovative ideas and vast musical knowledge about the accordion with them.
Topics discussed included arm position, bellows control and technique, facial expression, finger control, hand position, head position, instrument position, practice technique and sitting position. In addition to studying and working on these technical aspects of accordion playing, the young accordionists had the opportunity to watch one of Fred’s star pupils, 21-year-old Ukranian virtuoso MAksym Hafych from Kiev, practice each dayand receive his daily tuition from Fred. Maks, who studies at the Petro Tchaikovski National Music Academy in Kiev, practices up to six hours each day and was recently awarded second place in the masters category at the CIA Coupe Mondiale, Kaunas, Lithuania. He was a great source of inspiration to the young Scottish players. Liberton Golf Club proved to be an ideal venue for Maks practice sessions and for the project in general, with the staff being very helpful and friendly.
On Wednesday evening 16 adult musicians attended an enjoyable and informative adult learners accordion technique master class led by Fred to learn about bellows control, expression and playing position. The class was fun based with Fred finishing by conducting a piece about the sea, wind, motor boats and stormy weather, which he had taught his newly formed ‘accordion orchestra’. The event was rounded off with Maks performing some classical accordion pieces which were well received by the adult musicians.
On Friday, the young musicians were invited to perform at an accordion youth showcase in Falkirk Trinity church organised by the Falkirk Branch of the RSCDS and kindly sponsored by Manfrini Accordions. Before traveling to the church the musicians took the opportunity to visit The Kelpies, with Kyle playing a tune on the accordion inside one of the structures – apparently this was the first time that music has been performed inside a Kelpie!
The showcase kicked off with lively Scottish traditional music from Adin Graham (accordion) and Emma Jane Dickson (piano). Adin and Emma had recently appeared on BBC Radio Scotland’s Take the Floor and proceeded to perform a few sets of tunes which had featured on the radio broadcast. Emma also performed a couple of pieces on accordion, including Libertango by Astor Piazzola.
The nine accordion technique students then performed a wide selection of pieces, all very well received by an attentive and appreciative Falkirk audience – and by Fred who had tutored them. Maksym Hafych then provided the audience with a fine classical accordion recital which included Baroque works by Scarlatti and Bach. He finished with a fine rendition of Rondo Capriccioso by Russian composer Vladislav Zolarariev.
The concert, which was well supported by the local community, proved a suitable finale to a most enjoyable week.
Centre Stage
Robin Waitt
In Memory – Hebbie Gray (13th Oct 1929 – 11th May 2018)
by Ian Cruickshanks (Kirrie)
I first met Hebbie whilst playing in Bruce Lindsay’s band, though I’d been aware of him from the mid 1970s having seen him on television. Hebbie then said if I was ever stuck for a fiddler to give him a call and subsequently he played with my band for a number of years. His last ever broadcast with us was just over 3 years ago.
Of course, Hebbie played with a lot of bands ; Alistair Hunter, Jim MacLeod, Graham Geddes. For many years he played for the drinks company Diageo’s events with Jane Farquharson accompanying on piano. Hebbie was able to play many genres of music ; classical, bluegrass and swing as well as Scottish. He seemed to be able to adapt to the different styles of various bands, but he loved playing the button-box and even had a Shand Morino for a few years. He had a long association with Alex Sutherland the musical director for Scottish shows on Grampian TV, and played on shows such as Calum Kennedy’s and Johnny Beattie’s, appearing on TV around 700 times.
For a number of years in the 60s he played with singer/guitarist Joss Esplin and later with Alan McKenzie doing Country & Western numbers etc. He made a few 45 single records. These can be accessed on Youtube with some lovely black and white photos of a young Hebbie, Joss and Alan. Search for Joss and Hebbie and admire his wonderful fiddle playing. He appears on other Youtube clips with Jim MacLeod’s band where his posture and his love of playing are seen well. He was lovely to watch as well as to listen to.
Hebbie traveled extensively with us, often staying here in Kirrie before heading back to Keith the next day, and was always great company having many interests. On a trip to Orkney, he was in awe of the wildlife, scenery, people, and archaeology and charmed everyone he met. We played a lot at Haddo House and the gentry just adored him!
His musical ability was just outstanding, on the alto sax as well as fiddle, and enhanced my band greatly. Hebbie told me many times how much he enjoyed the 2nd box playing of Ian McCallum in my band. Hebbie and Ian just hit it off with harmony etc.
He leaves a widow, Shona, sons Brian, Keith and Hebbie, and daughter Donna and Brenda and their families. Keith and Hebbie Jnr spoke very fondly about their father at the funeral service in Keith and highlighted his tremendous work ethic, his sense of humour and his passion for his family and his music.
It has been a great privilege to play with him and share his company. He was a great fiddler, character and friend.
(Editors note – omitted in error in August 2018)
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
Coast to Coast – Roy Hendrie & Dave Morrice – RHDM01
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Gary Innes (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
5th Jan 2019 – TTF visit to Tartan Day in New York
12th Jan 2019 – Archive Session
19th Jan 2019 – Wayne Robertson SDB
26th Jan 2019 – Stuart Cameron SDB
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 29th Jan 2019 – Lynne MacIver SDB
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms)
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 20th Jan 2019 – Club Night
Arbroath (Arbroath Artisan Golf Club) - 6th Jan 2019 – Gavin Piper
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 20th Jan 2019 – Bon Accords
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 28th Jan 2019 – The Cruickshank Family Band
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 23rd Jan 2019 – Club Night
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) – 21st Jan 2019 – Claire Gullan Trio
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) – 13th Jan 2019 – Iain Anderson SDB
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 8th Jan 2019 – Johnny Duncan Duo
Button Key (Greig Institute, Windygates) – 9th Jan 2019 – Derek Hamilton & Friends
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 8th Jan 2019 – Alasdair MacLeod SDB
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Threave Rovers Football Club) – 15th Jan 2019 – Bon Accords
Clydesdale (St Mary’s Club Rooms, Lanark) - 6th Jan 2019 – Wayne Robertson & Claire Telford
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 17th Jan 2019 – Andrew Gibb SDB
Crieff & District (British Legion)
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) - 15th Jan 2019 – Ross MAcPherson
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 16th Jan 2019 – Jock Fraser SDB
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 16th Jan 2019 – Neil MAcEachern SDB
Dunfermline (Sportsman Bar, Rosyth) – 8th Jan 2019 – Club Night
Duns (Masonic Lodge) 21st Jan 2019 – Gavin Piper
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 22nd Jan 2019 – George Rennie Duo
Forfar (Forfar RBL) - 27th Jan 2019 - tbc
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 9th Jan 2019 – Alan Roy
Fort William (Railway Club, Inverlochy) - 8th Jan 2019 – Ian Cruickshanks Trio
Galashiels (Gala YM RFC) -
Glasgow (Scotstounhill Bowling Club) -
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 24th Jan 2019 – The Homelanders
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) -
Gretna (The Solway Lodge Hotel) - 6th Jan 2019 – Richard Smith Trio
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 21st Jan 2019 – Elizabeth Mackenzie SDB
Inveraray (Inveraray Inn) - 9th Jan 2019 – Craig MacFadyen Trio
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 10th Jan 2019 – Colin Donaldson SDB
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) – 8th Jan 2019 – Alex Ross Trio
Kelso (Kelso Rugby Club) – 30th Jan 2019 – Dave Husband Sound
Langholm (Langholm Social Club) – 13th Jan 2019 – Open Day 27th Jan 2019 – Club Night
Lewis & Harris (Caladh Inn, Stornoway) -
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 15th Jan 2019 – Richard Smith Trio
Lockerbie (Mid Annandale Comrades Club) 29th Jan 2019 – Cameronian SDB
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) - 20th Jan 2019 – Alan Small & Gemma Donald
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 15th Jan 2019 – Steven Carcary Duo
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 9th Jan 2019 –Tommy Newcomen
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) - 31st Jan 2019 – Marian Anderson SDB
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 28th Jan 2019 – Jim Cleland Band
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) –
Oban (The Royal Hotel) – 11th Jan 2019 – Dance to Charlie Kirkpatrick
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 9th 16th 23rd 30th Jan 2019 – Club Nights
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 31st Jan 2019 – Clappy Doo CB
Perth & District (Salutation Hotel) – 15th Jan 2019 – Glencraig SDB
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 9th Jan 2019 – Laurie Accordion Orchestra
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) -
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 15th 22nd Jan 2019 – Club Night 29th Jan 2019 – Bon Accords
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - 10th Jan 2019 – Club Night 28th Jan 2019 – Up-Helly-Aa
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) - 19th Jan 2019 – Club Night
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 8th Jan 2019 – Addie Harper
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) –
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) –
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 15th Jan 2019 – Local Bands
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Annan
4. Arbroath
5. Balloch
6. Banff & District
7. Beith
8. Blairgowrie
9. Button Key
10. Campsie
11. Castle Douglas
12. Coalburn
13. Crieff
14. Dingwall
15. Dunblane
16. Dunfermline
17. Ellon
18. Forfar
19. Forres
20. Glendale
21. Glenfarg
22. Gretna
23. Highland
24. Inveraray
25. Islesteps
26. Kelso
27. Langholm
28. Lewis & Harris
29. Livingston
30. Lockerbie
31. Mauchline & District
32. Montrose
33. Newburgh
34. North East
35. Peebles
36. Renfrew
37. Rothbury
38. Seghill
39. Shetland
40. Turriff & District
41. Tynedale
42. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2016
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
10. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
11. Button Key A&F Club (
12. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
13. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
15. Clydesdale A&F Club (Sept 2016 – present)
16. Coalburn A&F Club (
17. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
18. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
19. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
20. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
21. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
22. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
23. Ellon A&F Club (
24. Forfar A&F Club (
25. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
26. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
27. Glasgow A&F Club (Aug 2017 -
28. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
29. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
30. Gretna A&F Club (1991) Known as North Cumbria A&F Club previously (originally called Gretna when started in June 1966 but later had to move to venues in the North of England and changed name. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
31. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
32. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
33. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
34. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
35. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
36. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
37. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 – present)
38. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
39 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
40. Macmerry A&F Club (Feb 2016 – present)
41 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
42 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
43 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
44. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
45. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
46. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
47. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
48. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
49. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
50. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
51. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
52 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
53 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
54 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
55 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
56 Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975 - present)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
57. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
58. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
59. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
60. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
61. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
62. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
63. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
64. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
65. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
66. Buchan A&F Club
67. Callander A&F Club (
68. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
69. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
70. Club Accord
71. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
72 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
73. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
74. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
75. Cults A & F Club (
76. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
77. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
78. Derwentside A&F Club
79. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
80. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
81. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
82. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
83. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
84. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
85. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
86. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
87. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – ?)
88. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
89. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
90. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93? – left the Assoc c2013)
91. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
92. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
93. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 – 6th December 2015)
94. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
95. Kintore A&F Club (
96. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
97. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier -
98. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
99. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
100. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
101. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
102. Maine Valley A&F Club (
103. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
104. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
105. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
106. Mull A&F Club
107. Newcastleton Accordion Club
108. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
109. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
110. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
111. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
112. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
113. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
114. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
115. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
116. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
117. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
118. Selkirk A&F Club (
119. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
120. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
121. Stonehouse A&F Club (Opened 2003 - first report June 05 – Closed April 2018)
122. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
123 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
124 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
125. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
126. Tranent A&F Club
127. Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra
128. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
129. Wellbank A&F Club
130. West Barnes (1981? - April 2016?)
131. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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