Box and Fiddle
Year 05 No 07
March 1982
Price 25p
16 pages
8 month subscription £2.88
Editor – Ian Smith, 50 Mount Vernon Road, Stranraer Tele 4098
B&F Treasurer – Mrs Mary Plunkett, 2 Dounan Road, Dunragit, Wigtownshire
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
This month we have had two great Festivals, one at Govan and our own one at Musselburgh. Both threw up some new personalities and stars. What is needed is a national event in November, as there doesn’t seem to be much on that month.
The Shetland Folk Festival is from 29th April to 2nd May. They may have a new legend, ‘This Festival required a Government health warning – nobody sleeps!’
Granton-on-Spey must have the most informal Club, if you can call it a Club. The only rule is that they meet in Dunvegan Hotel all year on the first Thursdays. No guest artistes, no entrance fee, no closing down time, all you need is lots of stamina.
There are three more Festivals coming up shortly
Mid-Argyll at Lochgilphead 2nd and 3rd April
Newtongrange 18th April and
North East 15th May
By popular request, the AGM is being held at the Dunbland Hydro as a ‘weekend do’ similar to last year. That is 26th and 27th June. The actual AGM is to be held on Sunday, 27th June.
Those who wish to partake of the whole or part of the weekend can be assured of a great experience. There will be more details in next months issue.
We in the ‘B&F’ are going crazy this month. We have gone for a 16 page paper. Hope you enjoy it. Nothing but the best for our readers.
Musselburgh ‘82
by Ian Smith
Musselburgh ’82 Senior Accordion Championship was won for the third time by button-box player Alex Lindsay from Montrose. Alex won it in 1977 and 1978 and on his present-day form it will take someone special to win it from him next year.
There was an added drama beforehand. Alex’s box developed internal trouble and half-an-hour before his turn it was lying in bits on a table while a couple of experts probed its depths. Eventually the gremlins were dispelled and with just a minute to get his fingers warmed up, it was Alex’s day.
Competitions
Robbie Shepherd said on ‘TTF’ that all roads will lead to Musselburgh on Saturday, 6th March. This was so true, all day competitors lugged those heavy, awkward boxes and fiddlers strolled around with theirs, accompanied by parents and friends and lovers of traditional music. Hundreds of them wandering about, listening, approving, laughing, meeting old faces and new ones. Relaxing, getting excited as some acquaintance had succeeded. Consolations, sympathy, but above all a friendliness pervaded throughout the day and night.
Once again people were met from all over the Association, from Oban to Muir of Ord to Haltwhistle. Even from Preston, well done Miss Linda Williams coming all that way to compete. Such is the pull of traditional music that one lady whose car broke down on the motorway, forked out £33 to get it fixed so she could be here.
The organization was first-class and everything ran according to plan. Congratulations to Norrie and Sheila Williams and their helping band of stewards. The tea rooms were well attended and the service provided was fine and the quality of catering was good.
The Clinkscale Roadshowwas also a great success, with Paddy Neary in attendance, demonstrating and signing autographs. Jimmy himself was very pleased with the response.
Concert
After the competitions, there was a short break, then the concert started. Compere was Mr Alex Little who kept the concert going, even to the extent of a song from him too. This was the chance to hear the day’s winners. It was some concert.
The concert, the seats were cleared, tables and chairs set up and it was on with the dance. The music was provided by John Huband and the Tayside Sound.
A perfect end to a perfect day.
Here then is the winners list
Under 12 Traditional Solo
1) Dale Galley (Forfar)
2) Fiona Kenneth (Dundee)
3) Lynette Wood (Whitburn)
12 and Under 16 Traditional Solo
1) Duncan Black (Stanley)
2) Edward Galley (Forfar)
3) Colin Dewar (Kingskettle)
Senior Accordion Solo - Traditional
1) Alex Lindsay (Montrose)
2) John Bone (Inverallochy)
3) George Carmichael (Dundee)
4) Jacqueline Dick (Freuchie)
Junior Accordion Solo – Pipe Music
1) Ian Skinner (Blackridge)
2) Duncan Black (Stanley)
3) Colin Dewar (Kingskettle)
Senior Accordion Solo – Pipe Music
1) George Carmichael (Dundee)
2) Jennifer Brown (Keith)
3) Douglas Davidson (Perth)
Junior Duet – Traditional
1) Edward & Dale Galley (Forfar)
2) Donald Shaw (Taynault) & Joan McLaughlin (Oban)
3) Tracey Aitken & Lynette Wood (Whitburn)
Trio
1) Robert Black (Stanley)
2) Maureen Rutherford (Keith)
Band
Robert Black (Stanley) – Robert, Duncan Black (second box), Graeme Mitchell (piano), Brian Cruickshanks (fiddle), Neil McMillan (bass) & Gus Millar (drums)
Own Composition – Traditional
1) Raymond Laidlaw (Pencaitland)
2) Neil Barron (Edinburgh)
3) James Bell (Dunbar)
Under 12 Classical Solo
1) Tracey Aitken (Whitburn)
2) Alastair McLeod (Haddington)
3) Fiona Kenneth (Dundee)
Under 14 Classical Solo
1) Graham Jeffrey (Earlston)
2) Lynne Mathieson (Blackburn)
3) Michael Paton (Dunfermline)
Under 16 Classical Solo
1) Edward Galley (Forfar)
2) John Donald (Doonfoot)
3) Donald Shaw (Taynault)
Open Classical Solo
1) Shona Maitland (Prestwick)
2) Roy Hendrie (Glasgow)
3) Richard Ross (Glasgow)
Under 16 Classical Duet
1) May & Margo Taylor (Linlithgow)
2) Scott Leslie (Dunbar) & James Grant (Eyemouth)
3) Morag Cunningham (Dunbar) & Donna Lothian (Haddington)
Open Classical Duet
1) Stuart Duff & Douglas Caird (Glasgow)
2) Neil & Allan Copland (Dundee)
3) Roy Hendrie & Richard Ross (Glasgow)
Junior Fiddle Solo
1) Maureen Turnbull (Dundee)
2) Joan McLaughlin (Oban)
3) Alison Smith (Bearsden)
Senior Fiddle – Slow Air
1) Jane Rayworth (North Connel)
2) Kathleen Smith (Banchory)
3) Dick Rutter (Edinburgh)
Senior Fiddle Solo
1) Gregor Borland (Edinburgh)
2) Jane Rayworth (North Connel)
3) Kathleen Smith (Banchory)
The adjudicators for the day were John Huband, Davie Stewart, John Crawford, Archie Duncan and Angus Cameron. From the general consensus of opinion, they seem to have done a good job. One thing about being a judge, you can never please everyone, therefore a general opinion is quite good, that is praise indeed of an arduous job.
Perspective
It was left to Mr Alex Little to put it all into perspective, “It is not the winning, but the trying that counts, and there is always next year.”
One man over the moon about a button-box player winning the supreme event was the Chairman, Jimmy Blue. Jimmy said “That was the best result for years” – but then Jimmy could be a wee bit biased.
For me, the player who caught my eye was not the amazing dexterity of even the youngest competitor, it was the quite brilliant backing on the double bass of Neil McMillan of the Robert Black Band. See you all next year.
N.A.O. Festival
by Ian Smith
The South of Scotland Accordion Festival was held in the Govan Town Hall on 20th February 1982. Under the leadership of Mrs Loretta Blair it was voted a great success.
With competitors coming from all over the country, the competition was fierce, but very much on the friendly side.
The adjudicators were David Griffiths MA, ARCM, Kenny Thomson, Ron Hodgson, (Deputy Chairman, NAO), Jean Brown, Wilson Wood and Kenneth Green.
There were 31 different sections with over 300 competitors and it took five different venues being pressed into service. Therefore the organization had to be good to cope, and it was. Another section that deserves a mention were the catering staff who went all out all day to satisify a healthy, hungry mob. They were volunteers from the Jimmy Blair Parents/Pupils Association. Well done ladies.
The new Advanced Champion is Stuart Duff who has a lot going for him. The Bell Trophy was won by another Stuart, Stuart Russell, and the Senior Scottish by yet another up-and-coming youngster, Roy Hendrie.
These names will be heard more off in the future along with other, now familiar names.
Results of the competition
Bell Trophy
1) Stuart Russell
2) Isabel Rosie
3) Shona Maitland
Under 10 Solo
1) W. Scott Sneddon
2) Allan J. Frater
3) Iain Carmichael
Under 12 Solo
1) Lorraine Banford
2) Tracey Aitken
3) Lynne Mathieson
Under 14 Solo
1) Ian Skinner
2) Una Bryson
3) Graham Jeffrey
Elementary Solo
1) Catherine Owen
2) Cameron Clark
3) Neil Russell
Intermediate Solo
1) Shirley McLeod
2) Elaine Robertson
3) May Taylor
Advanced Championship
1) Stuart Duff
2) Linda McDonald
3) Brenda McKessock
Under 12 Scottish
1) W. Scott Sneddon
2) Lorraine Banford
3) Lynne Mathieson
Under 14 Scottish
1) Ian Skinner
2) Diane Armstrong
3) Lynne Mathieson
Under 16 Scottish
1) Michael Garvin
2) Karin Leitch
3) Ian Skinner
Senior Scottish
1) Roy Hendrie
2) Allan Black
3) Norma Brodie
Entertainer
Una Bryson
Free Bass Intermediate
Shaun Colin Gibson
After the excitement of the competitions it was time to relax with a dance to end the day, to which everyone got ‘tore intae’.
One happy parent, and proud of his son, was Mr Sneddon. His young son won the Under 10 Solo. And went on to win the Under 12 Scottish. He was young W. Scott Sneddon.
Another great attraction was the Accordion Orchestras Sections. Not only very pleasant to look at, but very easy on the ear. They provided some great musical arrangements and it’s great to see such a lot of the older youngsters enjoying their music. We need a lot more of these orchestras.
Bobby Brown’s Visit to Scotland
Bobby Brown was born in Denny Loanhead, near Falkirk, and emigrated to Canada in 1941 when 16 years of age. In Canada he started work in a Department Store in Winnipeg and progressed to become the General Sales Manager of a Toronto-based company before giving that occupation up to become a full-time musician at the age of 32. Bobby married a Canadian girl in 1964 and he and his wife Carol have a 16-year-old son Laird.
As a youngster Bobby could play the piano, but it was not until he went to Canada that he became an accordionist, mainly self-taught.
His family too were musical. Bobby’s mother Jean Day was a popular Scottish soprano in the 40’s and 50’s, working with Harry Gordon and singing at Clan Gatherings, mods and a variety of concerts. His father was a fiddler and several of his uncles were pipers and drummers. Uncle John Day formed one of the early dance bands (consisting of piano, bass, drums, trumpet and saxophone).
After many appearances at concerts and gatherings in Canada as a solo accordionist, Bobby joined Stan Hamilton’s Band in the late 1950’s, Stan’s band being one of the first Scottish Dance Bands of note in Canada, and he remained with the band for 18 years.
During this period, Bobby, always a fiddle enthusiast, worked a lot with fiddlers, playing the piano and producing albums, and in 1973 he formed the Cape Breton Symphony Fiddle, acting as its leader and arranger.
Five year ago he also formed the ’Scottish Accent’ Scottish Dance Band and has blended the two groups together for concert performances and recordings.
The other members of the Scottish Accent Band are Kathie Fraser (piano), Steve Ozorac (second box), Paul Langley (bass) and Fred Collins (drums).
The four fiddlers of the Cape Breton Symphony are John Donald Cameron, Wilfred Gillis, Sandy McIntyre and Buddy MacMaster.
The Cape Breton Symphony Fiddle have two albums released and the Scottish Accent have three. The latter, entitled ‘Tarry a While’ , ‘The Maid of the Mill’ and ‘The Island fling’ are albums for Scottish Country Dancing. All five albums are being released in the UK on the Ross Records label in the near future.
The Scottish Accent are also recording a new dance band album for release before August. It will also be released in the UK by Ross Records.
In North America, the Scottish Accent play mainly for the Royal Scottish Country Dance Association and have played in many American cities such as New York and Boston and also in Alaska.
Bobby’s company, Brownrigg Productions, was formed to provide and distribute Scottish records in North America and during his recent visit to Scotland agreements were made for albums on the Ross Records label to be pressed in Canada.
The other purpose of his visit was to arrange a tour of Scotland for later this year. The tour will start on Friday, 13th August, and continue through to Sunday, 22nd August. Already many Accordion and fiddle Clubs have come forward with offers to organize a night in their own particular area and venues booked include visits to Wick, Kirkwall, Lerwick (two nights), Elgin and Aberdeen, with the first four appearances being in the southern half of the country.
Anyone wishing further information on the tour should contact Gibson Ross at Turriff (08882) 2403. Robbie Shepherd will be compering the concerts in August.
Tour dates confirmed are :-
13 August - Dunblane Hydro
14 August - Brunton Halls, Musselburgh
15 August - Gaiety Theatre, Ayr
16 August - Bonar Hall, Dundee
17 August - Assembly Rooms, Wick
18 August – Arts Thertre, Kirkwall
19/20 August – Grand Hotel, Lerwick
21 August – Town Hall, Elgin
22 August – Amatola Hotel, Aberdeen
Jim Johnstone – Man of Many Talents
by Jimmy Clinkscale
Born in Tranent 44 years ago and raised in an environment passionately obsessed with Scottish music, it was inevitable that the young Jim Johnstone would follow in his father’s footsteps.
But Jim has done more, much more, than simply follow the dictates of his own, particularly impressive, talent.
During a career in which he has appeared with anyone who is anyone in the Scottish Dance Band scene, Jim has played an integral part in furthering the public’s enjoyment of their own unique musical heritage.
Interesting
It is interesting to look back at those days of Jim’s early development as he was extraordinarily fortunate to have been weaned at the very heart of a loving and varied musical environment.
Five of his father’s seven brothers could play the accordion, while another could ca’ oot a tune on the trumpet.
Jim soon developed an interest in the accordion – what else – and was sent for lessons with local teacher Bobby Anderson at the age of nine. “My dad was worried I was learning bad habits” laughs Jim.
Bobby taught the youngster all he knew but after a year “he was realistic enough to realise he had gone far enough and it was time I went to someone else.”
The ‘someone else’ was to be Chrissie Leatham whom Jim recalls as a “great character with a marvelous sense of humour.”
Lessons were not the painful experience akin to a visit to the dentist for young Jim. He took an extra lesson at Chrissie’s Haddington home on the Sundays and so keen was Jim that he remembers his Mum saying “for God’s sake put that thing down!”
Progressing
Jim was by now progressing with such vast leaps and bounds that he was capable of his first broadcast at the age of 13. But it was only through a bet with his father that the strains of ‘Dundee City Police’, ‘’The Atholl Highlanders’ and the ‘Black Mask Waltz’ as performed by a wiry young teenager from Tranent were ever heard on the BBC airwaves.
“My father bet me £1 – it was a lot of money in those days – that I couldn’t pass an audition to appear on ‘Children’s Hour’. I won my pound!”
Jim was attending Preston Lodge School at this time and eventually formed his own band two years later.
They played around East Lothian and the Borders for a time – “great days” – before Jim was forced to leave for his two-year period of National Service in England.
He didn’t want to go – who would? – but his regular visits home at weekends kept him in touch with the family and with playing, as his Uncle John’s Band needed him for Saturday night concerts.
He played with that band for four years – working in Tranent as a mechanic with his father during the day – but Jim was getting restless and looking for a way to develop his career.
Opportunity
The opportunity soon arose when, much to his surprise, he was approached by Andrew Rankine.
Now Jim had always liked Rankine’s band – “they used to swing” – and the offer was one he just couldn’t refuse. The family didn’t like it though. After all, Jim had been a Johnstone player ever since he was a wee laddie.
But off he went.
“It was a step in the right direction” he admits. “My family were all ‘lug’ players, but Rankine’s band were all legitimate musicians. They could read music and play nice arrangements. I felt I should be getting into that.”
And get into it Jim did. Thrown in at the deep end he was forced to either sink or swim. Used to spending weeks with his uncles rehearsing for one concert, he now found himself going into broadcast, with Rankine himself the only one who knew the music which was to be played.
Jim left the band when Andrew announced he was considering emigrating to Australia.
He spent a lot of time forming his own band, gathering around him friends and musicians he had known for a long time. Jim was happy with that line-up – Bobby Colgan on drums, Alan Johnston on fiddle, pianist Davie Flockhart and bassist Robin Brock – but then came the offer from Jimmy Shand and a vastly accelerated lifestyle.
That broadcast in Edinburgh’s Queen Street studios was not Jim’s first encounter with Shand, however. Jimmy had been a regular caller at George Johnstone’s house in Tranent just before the War, at a time when Jim’s father and his Uncle John were themselves weel-kent names in the broadcasting scene.
He says he found touring exhausting. Travel was one of the aspects he disliked most about playing in bands.
“Jimmy Shand was the exception” he says. “He thrived on it. Jimmy was a big, strong man and he had tremendous stamina.”
Jim, of course, is referring to the tours of Australia and New Zealand while he was a member of the great man’s band.
He recalls the first time he played with him “I had my own band at the time, but Jimmy phoned up and asked if I could help him out one night. Naturally, I said I would. It was an honour. After the broadcast he took me aside and said “It’s not the way you play that I like, but you can read music!”
After the exhaustion of touring with the self-styled marathon man, Jim decided to further his experience yet again. This time with Jimmy Blue who had just taken over the Ian Powrie Band.
Increasing the pace to overdrive Jim soon found himself being asked by BBC Producer Iain MacFadyen to form his own band for ‘The White Heather Club’ tours.
Jim was now in constant demand and not just from legitimate ‘White Heather’ dates.
“There were a lot of ‘White Heather Club’ shows at that time” says Jim “but unless Robin Hall, Jimmy McGregor and Andy Stewart were going to be in them I refused to do them. I just said ‘no way’ as they weren’t authentic.”
Yet another example of the thick streak of integrity running through Jim.
Performed
Besides leading his own band, in between playing with Andrew Rankine, Jimmy Shand and Jimmy Blue to name but three, Jim was involved with the incredible successes of the ‘White Heather Club’ TV Shows and tours and is now arranging for, among others, Andy Stewart, Calum Kennedy and the BBC.
One would think from that catalogue of talent that Jim would have enough on his plate. But no, he’s a man of many parts. Not only does he now arrange and play around the dances, but Jim also holds down a highly active job as Entertainments Manager with East Lothian District Council.
It is a post Jim has been in for almost eight years and he obviously thrives on it.
His work in Musselburgh’s Brunton Halls isn’t exactly nine-to-five but the flexible hours allow Jim to control the other aspects of his life and career to his own satisfaction
Convinced
He is convinced he made the right decision all those years ago when faced with the prospect of applying for the job, opening a music shop in Musselburgh or taking on a six-month engagement in an Edinburgh Hotel with Larry Marshall.
“I don’t think it is possible in this day and age to maintain a full-time band, as for instance Jimmy Shand did. There are not so many theatres left in Scotland now and gone are the days when you could become a household name through records.”
It is something Jim – a delightfully warm, friendly and honest character – does not personally regret regarding his own band.
Currently happy with the way things have turned out, he is satisfied to play around the village halls. “Finances don’t worry me” he laughs. “I really enjoy playing to people I know and experiencing that close relationship.”
As for recording, Jim has no immediate plans to make another LP.
“The market is saturated at the moment” he says “it has not done the Scottish record market any good. Anyway I feel I just don’t have the material to warrant bringing out another one.”
That’s our loss and not Jim’s!
Weekend Rally
Participants arrive for lunch 12.30pm to 2pm Saturday, 26th June, 1982.
The following activities are available during the day : putting, tennis, swimming, golf, sauna, informal ceilidhs.
Dinner will be served informally in the Restaurant from 6.30pm to 8pm. Following dinner, dancing will take place in the Ballroom.
At 11pm and until the ‘wee sam’ ‘oors’ we will have our own ceilidh music in the Ballroom and in other Function Rooms if so desired, the music, of course, being provided by ourselves.
Sunday 27th June, 1982
Breakfast will be served in the Restaurant from 8am till 10am. The AGM will be held at 11am.
A Special Lunch
The Special Lunch will commence at 2.30pm.
Should any guest wish to stay on Friday night, 25th June or Sunday night, 27th June, 1982, a special bed and breakfast rate of £26 per person will be allowed. Reduced rates will be offered to children sharing their parent’s room, under 5 years free of charge and between 5 and 13 years 50% reduction.
Tynedale Accordion Club
by Tom Cowing
In years gone by, Tynedale was renowned for its eminence in the musical life of the North of England. In those golden days, not so long ago, each town, village and even small hamlet housed a brass band, a champion choir, or a ‘specialist dance orchestra’ (in the old days, bands specialised in certain dances and used to be advertised as ‘Quadrille Bands’ or ‘Waltz bands’) or some local artiste inspired with special vocal or instrumental talents.
In those days almost all music was ‘live’, every musical performance to however small a company was expressly to ‘please the ear’ and to encourage others to improve and perfect their skills in the art.
In the field of ‘traditional music’ which is accepted to be special province of those who are likely to read this paper, ‘Tynedale’ sad to say, has neglected itself in recent years. Only in remote country areas can a traditional danceband leader safely accept a booking feeling sure that he will do justice to the job and that the people who attend will go home happy and satisfied with an enjoyable dance.
Nucleus
A nucleus of enthusiasts and musicians met at the home of our Secretary, Mrs Doreen Jewitt, to discuss a course of action to enable us to bring about the formation of a Club based on Accordion and fiddle Club lines, firstly to give a platform to local ‘instrumentalists’, the ‘younger’ players in particular, and secondly to provide some live entertainment in Tynedale.
After an evening’s discussion, the ‘nucleus’ decided to advertise in the local paper that ‘For those interested in the formation of a Tynedale Accordion Club’ , ‘A meeting would be held in the Royal Hotel in Hexham on 22nd September, 1980’.
As a result of this advertisement a goodly number of interested people attended the inaugural meeting.
At this inaugural meeting 20 people attended and agreed to form themselves into a Committee. They were Mr J. Cockram, Mr T. Cowing, Mr N. Fullard, Mr E. Harding, Mr J. Hind, Mr & Mrs G. Jewitt, Mr C. MacKenzie, Mr J. Nicholson, Mrs J. Richardson, Mr E. Stewart, Mr W. Stewart, Mr & Mrs N. Silk, Mr A. Smith, Mr B. Stokoe, Mr & Mrs H. Thorp and Mr & Mrs R. Tulip.
This newly formed Committee decided to name this new venture the ‘Tynedale Accordion Flub’ and that it should be held on the first Tuesday of every month excepting July and August.
It was also agreed that Bert Shorthouse should be our first guest artiste. Bert has for many years been a great favourite and indeed a great friend to us in Tynedale and we are deeply indebted to him not only for such a successful launching, but for his services so freely given whenever advice on any musical subject in our field has even been needed in the past.
At this stage it is only right that we should pay tribute to Mr Peter Kemp and his staff of the Royal Hotel for all their good work and efforts to ‘help us along’. Mr Kemp is the most popular hotelier in Tynedale and as a Committee we are sure he will be pleased to see our appreciation in print and to let it be know that he is a Scotsman.
Opening
At our first night, on the first Tuesday in November, 1980, we were supported by nine instrumentalists who gave us a fine example of the high standard of our local musicians.
Our opening artiste was Mr Charlie Mackenzie, probably our best known local accordionist and dance band leader. The Royal Hotel ballroom was filled to capacity to hear Bert Shorthouse and the whole evening was an outstanding success.
The December ‘80 Club night was, to our delight, another full house. Our guest artiste was the talented but elusive accordionist Eric Goodfellow, who came with his Trio and gave us his own special brand of our own music of the Borders as only he can. We were supported this time by 13 local artistes.
January 1981 was a highly successful night when we played host to our good friends, Robert Whitehead and drummer Ian Wilson. True to form, Robert filled the house for us once again and musically ‘did us proud’. We were supported by eight local players this time.
Problems
February 1981 brought us seating problems when Jim Johnstone, with his five-piece band, came down. The room was almost full at seven o’clock and when Jim arrived at eight-thirty, he and his boys had a hard job to reach the stage.
Having set up in the interval, Jim and his band played the entire second half of the evening. Ten local musicians also entertained us on that evening.
On Saturday, 28th February, 1981, eight instrumentalists together with our Club chairman and compere Mr Eddie Harding and several Committee members provided the entertainment in the form of an Accordion Club in miniature for the residents of our local Leonard Cheshire Home at Matfen Hall. This proved to be very well received by the residents as it was something new to them as a form of entertainment.
Tuesday, 3rd March, 1981, brought us 15 local players, our highest number yet. Our guest artistes were Ian Holmes and Kenny Wilson.
As well as their traditional selections delivered in their own impeccable style, they treated us to some authentic Scandinavian music in the way in which it was originally intended to be heard.
Kenny certainly provided the authentic sound when he introduced his beautiful eight-stringed Hardanger violin from Scandinavia.
This was also the fourteenth birthday of one of our brightest young stars. Fiona Stewart is already a well known young figure in the Accordion Club scene and a highly successful competitor and winner of many local competitions and music festivals.
Fiona was presented with a bouquet and a local bandleader composed and played a new polka tune in her honour, names ‘Fiona’s Birthday’.
Our April ’81 Accordion club was supported by 12 local players when once again a capacity audience filled the ‘Royal’ ballroom to meet the popular Donaldson Brothers, who endeared themselves to us on their first visit to our part of the country.
Tuesday, 5th May, 1981, brought us a visit from a big man with a big heart, a great favourite in Tynedale, of course – Bill Black with his sons Robert and Duncan, with Alan Brown at the piano. This time we were grateful to nine local players who did their bit to entertain us.
Entertained
Tuesday, 2nd June, 1981, brought us Alex MacArthur, making his first visit to Hexham. Alex brought a quartet consisting of Ian Mearns, Ian Wilson and our old friend Bobby Colgan, making his first visit for ten years. We enjoyed a wonderful night’s entertainment from them. They played the whole second half of the evening, Alex and Bobby sang to us, told stories, ‘pulled our legs’, paid tribute to local players, eight of whom entertained us that evening, and generally gave us a most enjoyable evening to round off our first season.
Our current 1981/82 season began with a change from our regular first Tuesday night when on Wednesday, 2nd September, in our annual Town Fair Week, Roger Dobson, our well known Border button accordionist, and his quartet entertained us for the second half of the evening with a highly polished and energetic selection of music. Eight local artistes entertained us on this occasion.
In October we were back to our regular night, this time Tuesday 6th, when we were delighted to host Jim Dawson with his six-piece band. Jim’s big full band sound was greatly enjoyed and appreciated. This was Jim’s first visit to Hexham and we hope he enjoyed his night as much as we did. We were only sorry that Jim didn’t directly speak to the audience himself. Jim and his band played a full programme in the second half.
Lucky
We are lucky to have an excellent, quiet and attentive audience, and we do know that they like to feel that they know the guest artistes personally. Music can always stand on its own but it is also good policy to try to help the audience to feel that the artistes are accessible and are in fact ‘new friends’. Six local musicians played for our enjoyment on this evening.
In November we celebrated our first anniversary and George Stirrat and Jimmy Yeaman were our guest artistes.
The occasion was marked by the cutting of a cake by George and Jimmy, and Mr Jack Stephenson and Master Ian Stewart, the oldest regular member of the audience and one time bandleader, and the youngest accordionist respectively.
The photographer for our local weekly paper, the ‘Hexham Courant’ was in attendance to record the event which was duly reported in the weekend’s issue.
George and Jimmy gave us a very fine programme of music and an unforgettable evening of good fun. Seven local musicians were present and played for us on our anniversary night.
Popular
Tuesday, 1st December, 1981, again saw a full house when Iain MacPhail and his Trio honoured us with a visit. Iain is so popular down here that a good proportion of his programme consisted of music which had been requested by members of the audience. Iain may have felt that this restricted his musical presentation, but it is surely a compliment to ant artiste to receive requests. It proves that his work is already well appreciated and enjoyed.
This time the goodly number of 12 local artistes were kind enough to entertain us.
Our first Accordion Club of 1982 unfortunately did not take place. Kenny Thomson and his Band were all set to come south when a tremendous snowstorm enveloped the entire North of England. Roads were blocked, vehicles were stranded and the North of England ground to a frozen standstill.
We were forced to call it off and contact as many of our Committee members, local players and stalwart audience members as we could at a few hours’ notice, in the hope that they would pass the word around in order to stop other from coming out on that dreadful evening.
Despite our unfortunate bad weather cancellation in January, our February Accordion Club proved to be a sell-out. Our faithful and ‘good music hungry audience’ filled the room well in advance of our starting time of half past seven.
This time our guest artiste was Marian ‘Anderson’ (recently married). Marian played us a lovely and varied programme of music. She is a quiet and shy young lady. However, the warmth of her personality and the quality of her carefully planned programme impressed us all. Marian is high on our list for a return visit in the near future.
Regular
Our regular Club night on Tuesday, 2nd March ’82, brings us up to date when nine local musicians entertained us.
This being the eve of the birthday of our young local star, Fiona Stewart, a well known local bandleader played the polka ‘Fiona’s Birthday’, and proceeded to produce a bouquet of flowers from thin air for Fiona. His own magic seemed to turn on him, however, when during his rendering of the German ‘Goosey Goosey’ he was bedeviled by the appearance of a large web-footed bird which demonstrated its contempt for his playing by laying an egg!
The real magic began in the second half of the evening when Kenny Thomson and the Wardlaw SDB were our guest artistes.
For many years we in Tynedale have enjoyed and admired Kenny’s music and tried to book him for dances, but owing to previous engagements and other difficulties Kenny has hitherto been unable to come down. Even our January Accordion Club had to be called off because of the enormous falls of snow in the North of England.
At last Kenny made it! He and his boys carried us away with a perfection of musical sound, an unforgettable experience, well with waiting for!
We cannot speak too highly of Kenny and his Band for such an evening’s entertainment. We must say that we are very grateful to Kenny for his kindness to us by charging such a low fee.
We in Tynedale wish to thank all our past guest artistes, all of whom played for us for very, very reasonable fees. We do most sincerely thank them one and all and wish them all well.
We hope that all our guest artistes enjoyed their visits to Hexham and the Tynedale Accordion Club as much as we have enjoyed their playing and their entertainment.
Due to our efforts and the services of our guest artistes, we are quickly developing a new interest in traditional music. We have a great deal to offer from the Borders.
Useful
To help to add to our Club funds, with the help of our own local musicians, we have staged three Accordion Club dances, which helped to raise a useful sum of money to cover future expenses and the booking of future guest artistes.
It only now remains to list the names of our faithful local musicians, without whom we would not have an Accordion Club. They are
Mr Derek Archer
Mr Willie Atkinson
Mr Brian Armstrong
Miss Julie Best
Mr John Cockram
Miss Gail Common
Mr Jack Carruthers
Mr Frank Claffey
Mr Roger Dobson
Mr Eddie Dinning
Mr Charlie Ferguson and his brother Mr Walter Ferguson
Mr Ron Heardman
Mr Hill (Northumbrian piper)
Mr Tommy Hughes
Mr Mike Irving
Miss Paula Johnstone
Mr Charlie Mackenzie
Mr Dennis Ossleton
Mr Jonny Peaden
Mr Henry Robson
Mr Donald Ridley
Miss Fiona Stewart
Master Ian Stewart
Mr Julian Scrachard
Mr Brian Stokoe
Mr Stewart Sneddon
Mrs Mary Stewart
Mr Roger Stewart
Mr Ken Tweedy
Mr Ray Tulip
Mr Herby Thorp
Mr George Vorce
Miss Jane Wooton
and Miss Gillian Yellop.
Above all, we are most grateful to our compere, Mr Eddie Harding. His personality, his infectious love of music and all-round enthusiasm for live entertainment in general guarantees our success in our presentation of live musical entertainment to our public.
We set out to present a genuine live ‘instrumental’ musical show to our audience. So far we have been unbelievably successful.
We believe that the Club will only operate as well as it is organized, and we hope that our guest artistes have enjoyed their visits to Hexham as much as we have enjoyed their music.
The Reel Radio
by Derek Hamilton
Jim Dawson’s latest broadcast caused some discussion amongst quite a few people recently. Not that any of the comments were derogatory. Far from it. Praise where praise is due is the motto of this column. And praise was indeed due for an excellent performance by the band from Alloa. Tillicoultry and all stations east!
Ex-Kirkcaldy, now Perth, second box player James Lindsay may have produced some of the cheekiest harmonies ever on ‘TTF’ and Mabel’s ‘Black and White Rag’ certainly was not taken from any of the RSCDS publications (at least I don’t think it was!) but the whole thing just seemed to click.
Now I wish to make it perfectly clear that all the praise above has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that Andy Grant’s wife (Andy is the wee lad at the drums in Jim Dawson’s Band!!!) threatened a certain Derek Hamilton with just about every torture under the Majorcan sun in Santa Pensa last month if he didn’t say something good about the band. Now Andy’s wife is a big wumman!! I would not like to take a broken pay poke home to her – I can tell you!! However, she is a most enthusiastic dancer and supporter of James Dawson (as she calls him). And quite rightly too. I did enjoy the last Jim Dawson broadcast.
By the way, talking of Majorca, we had a real treat this year – Neil McMillan joined us on bass to replace that other prize idiot, Dave Watters, who was too busy selling Christmas cards (on 6th February!!!) to get time away. Neil’s contribution to the George Fleming Band was more than bass playing though. He joined Archie McHarg and I at the pool each day when we played for dancing and general listening. Neil played piano and box too! And he had us all in stitches with his antics at the pool and elsewhere too. Not only a first-class bass player and pianist – but a hell of a guy to boot!!
Neil is one of the most popular bass players on the scene today and as well as broadcasts with the Iain MacPhail Band, Grace McCleaver, Callum Wilson and, of course, the Wallochmore ceilidh Band, to name but a few, Neil has lined up broadcasts with some of the new bands emerging on the scene as a result of recent auditions by Freeland Barbour at the BBC.
Names like Colin Finlayson, Neil Barron, Charlie Kirkpatrick, Graham Geddes, Dennis Morrison, amongst others, will be appearing in the coming weeks.
On 20th March 82, Alan Doig makes his second broadcast with his own band after a long gap from his first. I remember he did No 1. at the same session as Ronnie Easton some three or four years ago.
Saturday, 27th March, sees the very first broadcast for a super new band from Central Scotland – Graham Ross and the Strathalmond Band.
It’s hoped to have George Stirrat on 3rd April, but as yet that isn’t finalised.
Thereafter look out for Robert MacLeod (son of the great Bobby MacLeod of Tobermory), Alex MacArthur, Ron Kerr (the Cameron Kerr Band), Ian Holmes and on 24th April a special from Coylumbridge Hotel with Jim MacLeod and Bill McCue. This will be recorded at the beginning of April.
A really special special will be transmitted on 1st May when Bobby Crowe and Hamish smith don their boxes, Stan Saunders gets his left hand on the bass, Muriel Johnstone tinkles the ivories and Malcolm Ross sits behind his drum kit. Collectively these five great musicians form the rest of the Angus Fitchet Band. Yes, Scotland’s best known fiddler, is doing a broadcast for both Radio Forth and the BBC. Now there’s something to look forward to.
I am reliably informed that May 1st will also herald another big surprise but as yet that’s firmly locked in the secrets department of Freeland Barbour’s office.
Looking back again, did you hear the Iain MacPhail Band broadcast on 27th February? Now that was a cracker? The band was in swinging form and the recording excellent and Fraser McGlynn, well there’s another knockout. The quality has really risen in recent weeks. I rate that as Fraser’s best for a long time. I enjoyed the pipe stuff immensely and Fraser always comes up with some new unheard stuff as well as including the best of the well-known tunes.
It’s a funny thing, but the bands of Iain MacPhail and Fraser McGlynn are really poles apart – yet so similar in many respects – notably in professionalism. They sound as different as Mantovani and Stephan Grapelli, yet their approach is very much the same. Yes, indeed, two great broadcast from two great bands.
By the way, look out for more pipey stuff when Graham Ross appears, as I said earlier, on 27th March.
Graham is a quiet, unassuming three-row player with a lift and lilt that will take you off your seat.
And a word about his drummer – Graham Jamieson – undoubtedly one of the up-and-coming youngsters of today. He is only 15, but give him a couple of years and he’ll be one of the tops in Scotland. Gus Millar had some very complimentary things to say about Graham at Armadale Club recently.
Hopefully, other radio stations will take up the opportunity to record sessions by the new bands coming on the scene.
I have to say that I believe that Robin Brock has been instrumental (how about that pun?) in improving the broadcast Scottish Dance Music scene. Radio Forth’s commentary of producing excellent sessions has led to a general all-round improvement in the broadcasts. And, of course, now that ‘TTF’ is in the hands of the very capable Freeland Barbour, I’ve no doubt that the future of our music is assured at least in the broadcasting sense.
And as long as level-headed sensible musicians like young Graeme Mitchell continue to come to the fore then our music is safe in every sense. I doubt if anyone could fail to be impressed by this young man’s honesty and forthrightness in his ‘TTF’ interview recently. He came over as someone with his own ideas, but at least prepared to be guided by the other man’s point of view when he felt they were right. I hope the BBC will continue to give the younger point of view and thus keep a balance.
By the way, some of you may be glad to know that this is my second last Reel Radio column. April will see the end of my stint. Hopefully someone else will volunteer.
Record Review
by Derek Hamilton
Tom Hughes and his Border Fiddle – Springthyme SPR 1005
Nineteen tracks recorded over a period of about two years make up this real collector’s album. Tom Hughes is a Jethert man (Jedburgh to the non-Borderer) and he is now in his mid-70s. His collection of tunes for this album is rare to say the least. There are of course some well-known tunes like ‘The Old Rustic Bridge’ , ‘Orange and Blue’ and ‘Roxburgh Castle’ but there’s also a real helping of unknown or lesser-known pieces like ‘Fardenside Polka’ and ‘Henry Hughes’ Favourite’.
This album is just jam-packed with tradition and all played in the unique style of a man who has spent his life playing the fiddle.
There are solos from Tom throughout the record, but most of the tracks feature not only Tom, but some of his musical friends as well. Three other fiddlers appear with Tom
Wattie Robson from Denholm (five meiles from Hawick in Roxburghshire)
Tom Scott from Canonbie (on the road to Keilder) and
Bob Hobkirk from Dodburn (five miles due south of Hawick).
On guitar is Brian Miller from Penicuik in Midlothian and Sid Cairns from Hawick and completing the line-up is Jack Carruthers from Canonbie on the tin whistle.
As well as a first-class LP with a very helpful sleeve, you also get a music booklet with this record. This is a copy of the staff music for each tune on the record with the notation that Tom Hughes actually plays plus a potted biography of Tom himself and an informative note on every tune. There’s also plenty of photographs.
This is much, much more than a record of good, traditional fiddle music. It is an important historical document worthy of pride of place in any collection.
Congratulations to all who took part and particularly to Peter Shepherd for co-ordinating the whole. To compliment this album there is also a video tape available, entitled ‘Tom and Wattie – Border Fiddle Style’.
The Foundry Bar Band – Springthyme – SPR 1007
Anderson Ceilidh – Sandy Anderson – SRT Productions CUS 1143
Letters to the Editor
Sir – This is to give you some advance information about the ‘Accordions Galore’ concert in Ayr.
The concert will be held on Sunday, 4th April, from 7pm till 10.30pm in aid of the Arthritis and Rheumatism Council. Performers are John Carmichael SDB, Kenny Thomson and the Wardlaw SDM, Richard Ross (double Scottish Champion), the Jimmy Blair Orchestra, The Tartan Lassies (Shona & Karin Leitch, accordions Lynda Harkness, fiddle), Fiddle Group Stranraer Strathspey & Reel Society, John Morgan, accordion, Diane Armstrong, Sheila Johnston and Forbes Watson, singers; Nicola and Lynn Paterson, accordions; John McKenna Dancers and compere and singer Peter Paterson.
Tickets can be obtained from CMS Music Shop, Ayr; Harris McAllister, Travel Agents, Ayr, or from John Leitch, Wilmara, 47 Belmont Road, Ayr.
This is a concert not to be missed. £1.50, children and OAPs £1
John Leitch
Sir – Could anyone help me complete a book on the Scottish Dance Bands who have broadcast on radio?
If you know the addresses of the following please write to me : John Loch, 6 Dalblair Crescent, Coylton, by Ayr, as soon as possible.
These are the names, all I need are the addresses
Annie Shand Scott
Winifred Mathews
Allan Williams Trio
The Blue Bonnets
David Cunningham Trio
Eric Goodfellow
Robert Whitehead
The Tain Dance Band
The Hawthorne
The Glendarual
The Gie Gordons
Sandy Coghill
Yours etc
John Loch
Sir – Crieff, being a new Club, but very progressive and going from strength to strength, we find it difficult to get a variety of players (e.g. fiddlers in particular).
We were told that a list or artistes and bands etc would be sent to us eventually. This has not yet come to hand because it’s not ready, and, as it is near the end of the season – why bother now? However, with all due respect, may we suggest that if all those players who support the clubs, could send their names and addresses to the ‘B&F’ perhaps they could be compiled in one issue?
Every Club, assuming they take the ‘B&F’ would have a complete list of artistes with whom they could get in touch with the possibility of engaging them for their Club. Would it be possible Ed?
Tom Handy
Crieff & District A&F Club
Sir – Let me say right away to other Clubs, don’t close your doors, hang on to what you’ve got, we all know money’s scarce and this makes it hard for some Clubs to break even, this also applies to the guest artistes who should consider the amount of work they obtain through the A&F Clubs and consider them seriously when they quote their prices and think how much work they would lose if the Club scene becomes unstuck and they all fold up.
To find approximately £100 for a guest artiste for some of the Clubs is near impossible. If we put up the admission money, we will obviously chase away the support and if we don’t book the big names, we still won’t get support.
My own Club have been fortunate to say the least, with exceptional support we are given, both by players and enthusiasts. We keep our admission to non-members £1, members 75p, OAP, children and players 25p. Everyone receives a hot pie at half-time, hence the admission fee for players.
Our Club is not crying out for help as we are financially healthy in all respects, to the extent we even have in-between nights and again top guest artistes. And on top of that, we have booked the fabulous Dermot O’Brien Trio for the 15th April, we took the chance, many said it was a gamble, but after six weeks our tickets were completely sold out. We are fortunate that Electronic Accordions Ltd are partly sponsoring the show.
So take note other Clubs, don’t hesitate to book the big boys who draw the crowds and at the same time approach the suppliers for a bit of financial assistance, they will help us to help them as the saying goes, advertising is good for business.
To Club supporters we say Haste Ye Back.
Jack Gray
Chairman – Lesmahagow A&F Club
Byretown Cottage
Kirkfieldbank
Lanark
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Queen’s Hotel) –
Alnwick (Nag’s Head) – members only
Armadale (Rob Roy Inn) – 24 Mar 82 Donaldson Brothers
Balloch (Griffin Hotel, Alexandria) – 21 Mar 82 Peter Bruce (accordion) & Jim Brown (fiddle)
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 29 Mar 82 Addie Harper Trio
Banff (Royal Oak Hotel) – 25 Mar 82 Jim Ritchie (Kirriemuir)
Beith (Anderson Hotel) – 19 Mar 82 Duncan McCallum SDB
Biggar (Clydesdale Hotel) –
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel) –
Campbeltown (Argyll Arms) –
Castle Douglas (Ernespie Hotel) – 25 Mar 82 Rob Gordon SDB
Cleland (Dalrymple House) –
Coupar Angus (Royal Hotel) –
Crieff (Arduthie Hotel) – 1 Apr 82 Fraser McGlynn
Cumbria (Huntsman Inn – Penton) –
Cumnock (Tup Inn) –
Dalriada (Royal Hotel, Lochgilphead) –
Denny & Dunipace (Dunipace Junior Social Club) –
Derwentside (Working Men’s Club, Consett) –
Dingwall (venue? ) –
Dumfries (Oughton’s Restaurant) -
Dunblane (Hydro) – 13 Apr 82 Tommy Ford & Jim Cleland 19 Apr 82 Dermot O’Brien Trio
Dundee (Queen’s Hotel, Nethergate) – 1 Apr 82 Wallochmore Ceilidh Band
Dunfermline (Unitas Hall) – 6 Apr 82 Ian Anderson 4 May 82 Davie Stewart (Kirriemuir)
East Kilbride (Stuart Hotel) – 25 Mar 82 Livingston Club
Edinburgh (The Berry Suite, Abbey Hill) – 21 Apr Walter Perrie
Falkirk (Plough Hotel, Stenhousemuir) –
Fintry (Clachan Hotel) –
Forres (Brig Motel) – 14 Apr 82 Mayfield Fiddlers
Fort William (Highland Hotel) – 16 Mar 82 Oban Club
Galston (Barr Castle Social Club, Galston) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) – members only
Gorebridge (Rangers FC Social Club) –
Highland/ Inverness (Drumossie Hotel) – 26 Mar Annual Dance Jim Johnstone SDB 19 Apr Currie Brothers
Kelso (Cross Key’s Hotel) – 31Mar 82 Addie Harper Trio 2 Apr 82 Annual Dance John Huband & the Tayside Sound
Kintore (Crown Hotel) – 7 Apr 82 Tain SDB
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lesmahagow (Craignethan Hotel) – 1 Apr 82 Paddy Neary
Livingston (Cameron Ironworks Social Club) –
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) – 30 Mar 82 Ian Skinner
M.A.F.I.A. (Black Bull, Milngavie) – 1 Apr 82 Jimmy Lindsay Trio
Monkland (Eastercroft Hotel, Caldercruix, Airdrie) – 5 Apr 82 Club Members
New Cumnock (Crown Hotel) –
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 29 Mar 82 David Sturgeon and the Waverley SDB 18 Apr 82 Competitions
Newton St Boswells (Railway Hotel) -
North East (Seafield Arms, Keith) – 16 Apr 82 Dinner Dance Graham Geddes SDB 20 Apr 82 Dermot O’Brien Trio 15 May 82 Third Festival
Oban (Park Hotel) –
Orkney ( venue?) –
Ormiston (Miners’ Welfare Social Club) –
Peebles (Ex-Servicemen’s Club) – 25 Mar 82 Iain MacPhail SDB
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 20 Apr 82 Gordon Simpson Trio with Jacqueline Dick
Premier NI (Wilson’s of Crumlin) -
Renfrew (Glynhill Hotel)
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel)
Shetland (venue?)
Stranraer (Buck’s Head Hotel) – 5 Apr 82 Alastair Hunter
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 5 Apr 82 Marian Anderson
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Balloch
2. Banchory
3. Campbeltown
4. Castle Douglas
5. Crieff & District
6. Dalriada
7. Dingwall
8. Dunblane & District
9. Dundee& District
10. Dunfermline & District
11. East Kilbride
12. Falkirk
13. Forres
14. Fort William
15. Gorebridge
16. Highland
17. Kelso
18. Lesmahagow
19. Livingston
20. Lockerbie
21. M.A.F.I.A.
22. Monklands
23. Newtongrange
24. North East
25. Ormiston
26. Peebles
27. Perth & District
28. Premier
29. Shetland
30. Stranraer
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT SEPT 1981 (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 1980) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months)
4. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1971)
5. Banchory A&F Club (1978)
6. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973)
7. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1971)
8. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974)
9. Buchan A&F Club
10. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
11. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980)
12. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
13. Cumnock A&F Club
14. Dalriada A&F Club (cMar 1981)
15. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (c Nov 1980)
16. Derwentside A&F Club
17. Dingwall & District (Aug 1979)
18. Cleland (cNov 1981) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
19. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughton’s) (April 1965)
20. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971)
21. Dundee & District A&F Club
22. Dunfermline & District A&F Club
23. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
24. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
25. Falkirk A&F Club
26. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
27. Fort William A&F Club (Oct 1980)
28. Galston A&F Club (1969)
29. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
30. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
31. Greenhead Accordion Club (Hexham)
32. Highland A&F Club (Inverness)
33. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981)
34. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976)
35. Kintore A&F Club
36. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
37. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967)
38. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Oct 1980)
39. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973)
40. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973)
41. M.A.F.I.A.
42. Monkland A&F Club
43. Newcastleton Accordion Club
44. Newtongrange A&F Club (Oct 1977)
45. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club
46. North Cumbria A&F Club
47. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971)
48. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975)
49. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978)
50. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club
51. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981)
52. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970)
53. Premier A&F Club NI (cNov 1980)
54. Rothbury Accordion Club (Feb 1974)
55. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978)
56. Stranraer & District Accordion Club
57. Thurso A&F Club (cSept 1981)
58. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980)
59. 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?)
60. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
61. Club Accord
62. Coquetdale
63. Coupar Angus A&F Club
64. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
65. Fintry A&F Club
66. Gretna A&F Club (June 1966)
67. New Cumnock A&F Club
68. Renfrew A&F Club
69. Straiton Accordion Club (opened? 3rd club to open – closed March 1979)
70. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
71. Wellbank A&F Club
Advertising rates
Full Page - £70
Half Page - £35
Quarter Page - £17.50
B&F Treasurer – Mrs Mary Plunkett, 2 Dounan Road, Dunragit, Wigtownshire
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
This month we have had two great Festivals, one at Govan and our own one at Musselburgh. Both threw up some new personalities and stars. What is needed is a national event in November, as there doesn’t seem to be much on that month.
The Shetland Folk Festival is from 29th April to 2nd May. They may have a new legend, ‘This Festival required a Government health warning – nobody sleeps!’
Granton-on-Spey must have the most informal Club, if you can call it a Club. The only rule is that they meet in Dunvegan Hotel all year on the first Thursdays. No guest artistes, no entrance fee, no closing down time, all you need is lots of stamina.
There are three more Festivals coming up shortly
Mid-Argyll at Lochgilphead 2nd and 3rd April
Newtongrange 18th April and
North East 15th May
By popular request, the AGM is being held at the Dunbland Hydro as a ‘weekend do’ similar to last year. That is 26th and 27th June. The actual AGM is to be held on Sunday, 27th June.
Those who wish to partake of the whole or part of the weekend can be assured of a great experience. There will be more details in next months issue.
We in the ‘B&F’ are going crazy this month. We have gone for a 16 page paper. Hope you enjoy it. Nothing but the best for our readers.
Musselburgh ‘82
by Ian Smith
Musselburgh ’82 Senior Accordion Championship was won for the third time by button-box player Alex Lindsay from Montrose. Alex won it in 1977 and 1978 and on his present-day form it will take someone special to win it from him next year.
There was an added drama beforehand. Alex’s box developed internal trouble and half-an-hour before his turn it was lying in bits on a table while a couple of experts probed its depths. Eventually the gremlins were dispelled and with just a minute to get his fingers warmed up, it was Alex’s day.
Competitions
Robbie Shepherd said on ‘TTF’ that all roads will lead to Musselburgh on Saturday, 6th March. This was so true, all day competitors lugged those heavy, awkward boxes and fiddlers strolled around with theirs, accompanied by parents and friends and lovers of traditional music. Hundreds of them wandering about, listening, approving, laughing, meeting old faces and new ones. Relaxing, getting excited as some acquaintance had succeeded. Consolations, sympathy, but above all a friendliness pervaded throughout the day and night.
Once again people were met from all over the Association, from Oban to Muir of Ord to Haltwhistle. Even from Preston, well done Miss Linda Williams coming all that way to compete. Such is the pull of traditional music that one lady whose car broke down on the motorway, forked out £33 to get it fixed so she could be here.
The organization was first-class and everything ran according to plan. Congratulations to Norrie and Sheila Williams and their helping band of stewards. The tea rooms were well attended and the service provided was fine and the quality of catering was good.
The Clinkscale Roadshowwas also a great success, with Paddy Neary in attendance, demonstrating and signing autographs. Jimmy himself was very pleased with the response.
Concert
After the competitions, there was a short break, then the concert started. Compere was Mr Alex Little who kept the concert going, even to the extent of a song from him too. This was the chance to hear the day’s winners. It was some concert.
The concert, the seats were cleared, tables and chairs set up and it was on with the dance. The music was provided by John Huband and the Tayside Sound.
A perfect end to a perfect day.
Here then is the winners list
Under 12 Traditional Solo
1) Dale Galley (Forfar)
2) Fiona Kenneth (Dundee)
3) Lynette Wood (Whitburn)
12 and Under 16 Traditional Solo
1) Duncan Black (Stanley)
2) Edward Galley (Forfar)
3) Colin Dewar (Kingskettle)
Senior Accordion Solo - Traditional
1) Alex Lindsay (Montrose)
2) John Bone (Inverallochy)
3) George Carmichael (Dundee)
4) Jacqueline Dick (Freuchie)
Junior Accordion Solo – Pipe Music
1) Ian Skinner (Blackridge)
2) Duncan Black (Stanley)
3) Colin Dewar (Kingskettle)
Senior Accordion Solo – Pipe Music
1) George Carmichael (Dundee)
2) Jennifer Brown (Keith)
3) Douglas Davidson (Perth)
Junior Duet – Traditional
1) Edward & Dale Galley (Forfar)
2) Donald Shaw (Taynault) & Joan McLaughlin (Oban)
3) Tracey Aitken & Lynette Wood (Whitburn)
Trio
1) Robert Black (Stanley)
2) Maureen Rutherford (Keith)
Band
Robert Black (Stanley) – Robert, Duncan Black (second box), Graeme Mitchell (piano), Brian Cruickshanks (fiddle), Neil McMillan (bass) & Gus Millar (drums)
Own Composition – Traditional
1) Raymond Laidlaw (Pencaitland)
2) Neil Barron (Edinburgh)
3) James Bell (Dunbar)
Under 12 Classical Solo
1) Tracey Aitken (Whitburn)
2) Alastair McLeod (Haddington)
3) Fiona Kenneth (Dundee)
Under 14 Classical Solo
1) Graham Jeffrey (Earlston)
2) Lynne Mathieson (Blackburn)
3) Michael Paton (Dunfermline)
Under 16 Classical Solo
1) Edward Galley (Forfar)
2) John Donald (Doonfoot)
3) Donald Shaw (Taynault)
Open Classical Solo
1) Shona Maitland (Prestwick)
2) Roy Hendrie (Glasgow)
3) Richard Ross (Glasgow)
Under 16 Classical Duet
1) May & Margo Taylor (Linlithgow)
2) Scott Leslie (Dunbar) & James Grant (Eyemouth)
3) Morag Cunningham (Dunbar) & Donna Lothian (Haddington)
Open Classical Duet
1) Stuart Duff & Douglas Caird (Glasgow)
2) Neil & Allan Copland (Dundee)
3) Roy Hendrie & Richard Ross (Glasgow)
Junior Fiddle Solo
1) Maureen Turnbull (Dundee)
2) Joan McLaughlin (Oban)
3) Alison Smith (Bearsden)
Senior Fiddle – Slow Air
1) Jane Rayworth (North Connel)
2) Kathleen Smith (Banchory)
3) Dick Rutter (Edinburgh)
Senior Fiddle Solo
1) Gregor Borland (Edinburgh)
2) Jane Rayworth (North Connel)
3) Kathleen Smith (Banchory)
The adjudicators for the day were John Huband, Davie Stewart, John Crawford, Archie Duncan and Angus Cameron. From the general consensus of opinion, they seem to have done a good job. One thing about being a judge, you can never please everyone, therefore a general opinion is quite good, that is praise indeed of an arduous job.
Perspective
It was left to Mr Alex Little to put it all into perspective, “It is not the winning, but the trying that counts, and there is always next year.”
One man over the moon about a button-box player winning the supreme event was the Chairman, Jimmy Blue. Jimmy said “That was the best result for years” – but then Jimmy could be a wee bit biased.
For me, the player who caught my eye was not the amazing dexterity of even the youngest competitor, it was the quite brilliant backing on the double bass of Neil McMillan of the Robert Black Band. See you all next year.
N.A.O. Festival
by Ian Smith
The South of Scotland Accordion Festival was held in the Govan Town Hall on 20th February 1982. Under the leadership of Mrs Loretta Blair it was voted a great success.
With competitors coming from all over the country, the competition was fierce, but very much on the friendly side.
The adjudicators were David Griffiths MA, ARCM, Kenny Thomson, Ron Hodgson, (Deputy Chairman, NAO), Jean Brown, Wilson Wood and Kenneth Green.
There were 31 different sections with over 300 competitors and it took five different venues being pressed into service. Therefore the organization had to be good to cope, and it was. Another section that deserves a mention were the catering staff who went all out all day to satisify a healthy, hungry mob. They were volunteers from the Jimmy Blair Parents/Pupils Association. Well done ladies.
The new Advanced Champion is Stuart Duff who has a lot going for him. The Bell Trophy was won by another Stuart, Stuart Russell, and the Senior Scottish by yet another up-and-coming youngster, Roy Hendrie.
These names will be heard more off in the future along with other, now familiar names.
Results of the competition
Bell Trophy
1) Stuart Russell
2) Isabel Rosie
3) Shona Maitland
Under 10 Solo
1) W. Scott Sneddon
2) Allan J. Frater
3) Iain Carmichael
Under 12 Solo
1) Lorraine Banford
2) Tracey Aitken
3) Lynne Mathieson
Under 14 Solo
1) Ian Skinner
2) Una Bryson
3) Graham Jeffrey
Elementary Solo
1) Catherine Owen
2) Cameron Clark
3) Neil Russell
Intermediate Solo
1) Shirley McLeod
2) Elaine Robertson
3) May Taylor
Advanced Championship
1) Stuart Duff
2) Linda McDonald
3) Brenda McKessock
Under 12 Scottish
1) W. Scott Sneddon
2) Lorraine Banford
3) Lynne Mathieson
Under 14 Scottish
1) Ian Skinner
2) Diane Armstrong
3) Lynne Mathieson
Under 16 Scottish
1) Michael Garvin
2) Karin Leitch
3) Ian Skinner
Senior Scottish
1) Roy Hendrie
2) Allan Black
3) Norma Brodie
Entertainer
Una Bryson
Free Bass Intermediate
Shaun Colin Gibson
After the excitement of the competitions it was time to relax with a dance to end the day, to which everyone got ‘tore intae’.
One happy parent, and proud of his son, was Mr Sneddon. His young son won the Under 10 Solo. And went on to win the Under 12 Scottish. He was young W. Scott Sneddon.
Another great attraction was the Accordion Orchestras Sections. Not only very pleasant to look at, but very easy on the ear. They provided some great musical arrangements and it’s great to see such a lot of the older youngsters enjoying their music. We need a lot more of these orchestras.
Bobby Brown’s Visit to Scotland
Bobby Brown was born in Denny Loanhead, near Falkirk, and emigrated to Canada in 1941 when 16 years of age. In Canada he started work in a Department Store in Winnipeg and progressed to become the General Sales Manager of a Toronto-based company before giving that occupation up to become a full-time musician at the age of 32. Bobby married a Canadian girl in 1964 and he and his wife Carol have a 16-year-old son Laird.
As a youngster Bobby could play the piano, but it was not until he went to Canada that he became an accordionist, mainly self-taught.
His family too were musical. Bobby’s mother Jean Day was a popular Scottish soprano in the 40’s and 50’s, working with Harry Gordon and singing at Clan Gatherings, mods and a variety of concerts. His father was a fiddler and several of his uncles were pipers and drummers. Uncle John Day formed one of the early dance bands (consisting of piano, bass, drums, trumpet and saxophone).
After many appearances at concerts and gatherings in Canada as a solo accordionist, Bobby joined Stan Hamilton’s Band in the late 1950’s, Stan’s band being one of the first Scottish Dance Bands of note in Canada, and he remained with the band for 18 years.
During this period, Bobby, always a fiddle enthusiast, worked a lot with fiddlers, playing the piano and producing albums, and in 1973 he formed the Cape Breton Symphony Fiddle, acting as its leader and arranger.
Five year ago he also formed the ’Scottish Accent’ Scottish Dance Band and has blended the two groups together for concert performances and recordings.
The other members of the Scottish Accent Band are Kathie Fraser (piano), Steve Ozorac (second box), Paul Langley (bass) and Fred Collins (drums).
The four fiddlers of the Cape Breton Symphony are John Donald Cameron, Wilfred Gillis, Sandy McIntyre and Buddy MacMaster.
The Cape Breton Symphony Fiddle have two albums released and the Scottish Accent have three. The latter, entitled ‘Tarry a While’ , ‘The Maid of the Mill’ and ‘The Island fling’ are albums for Scottish Country Dancing. All five albums are being released in the UK on the Ross Records label in the near future.
The Scottish Accent are also recording a new dance band album for release before August. It will also be released in the UK by Ross Records.
In North America, the Scottish Accent play mainly for the Royal Scottish Country Dance Association and have played in many American cities such as New York and Boston and also in Alaska.
Bobby’s company, Brownrigg Productions, was formed to provide and distribute Scottish records in North America and during his recent visit to Scotland agreements were made for albums on the Ross Records label to be pressed in Canada.
The other purpose of his visit was to arrange a tour of Scotland for later this year. The tour will start on Friday, 13th August, and continue through to Sunday, 22nd August. Already many Accordion and fiddle Clubs have come forward with offers to organize a night in their own particular area and venues booked include visits to Wick, Kirkwall, Lerwick (two nights), Elgin and Aberdeen, with the first four appearances being in the southern half of the country.
Anyone wishing further information on the tour should contact Gibson Ross at Turriff (08882) 2403. Robbie Shepherd will be compering the concerts in August.
Tour dates confirmed are :-
13 August - Dunblane Hydro
14 August - Brunton Halls, Musselburgh
15 August - Gaiety Theatre, Ayr
16 August - Bonar Hall, Dundee
17 August - Assembly Rooms, Wick
18 August – Arts Thertre, Kirkwall
19/20 August – Grand Hotel, Lerwick
21 August – Town Hall, Elgin
22 August – Amatola Hotel, Aberdeen
Jim Johnstone – Man of Many Talents
by Jimmy Clinkscale
Born in Tranent 44 years ago and raised in an environment passionately obsessed with Scottish music, it was inevitable that the young Jim Johnstone would follow in his father’s footsteps.
But Jim has done more, much more, than simply follow the dictates of his own, particularly impressive, talent.
During a career in which he has appeared with anyone who is anyone in the Scottish Dance Band scene, Jim has played an integral part in furthering the public’s enjoyment of their own unique musical heritage.
Interesting
It is interesting to look back at those days of Jim’s early development as he was extraordinarily fortunate to have been weaned at the very heart of a loving and varied musical environment.
Five of his father’s seven brothers could play the accordion, while another could ca’ oot a tune on the trumpet.
Jim soon developed an interest in the accordion – what else – and was sent for lessons with local teacher Bobby Anderson at the age of nine. “My dad was worried I was learning bad habits” laughs Jim.
Bobby taught the youngster all he knew but after a year “he was realistic enough to realise he had gone far enough and it was time I went to someone else.”
The ‘someone else’ was to be Chrissie Leatham whom Jim recalls as a “great character with a marvelous sense of humour.”
Lessons were not the painful experience akin to a visit to the dentist for young Jim. He took an extra lesson at Chrissie’s Haddington home on the Sundays and so keen was Jim that he remembers his Mum saying “for God’s sake put that thing down!”
Progressing
Jim was by now progressing with such vast leaps and bounds that he was capable of his first broadcast at the age of 13. But it was only through a bet with his father that the strains of ‘Dundee City Police’, ‘’The Atholl Highlanders’ and the ‘Black Mask Waltz’ as performed by a wiry young teenager from Tranent were ever heard on the BBC airwaves.
“My father bet me £1 – it was a lot of money in those days – that I couldn’t pass an audition to appear on ‘Children’s Hour’. I won my pound!”
Jim was attending Preston Lodge School at this time and eventually formed his own band two years later.
They played around East Lothian and the Borders for a time – “great days” – before Jim was forced to leave for his two-year period of National Service in England.
He didn’t want to go – who would? – but his regular visits home at weekends kept him in touch with the family and with playing, as his Uncle John’s Band needed him for Saturday night concerts.
He played with that band for four years – working in Tranent as a mechanic with his father during the day – but Jim was getting restless and looking for a way to develop his career.
Opportunity
The opportunity soon arose when, much to his surprise, he was approached by Andrew Rankine.
Now Jim had always liked Rankine’s band – “they used to swing” – and the offer was one he just couldn’t refuse. The family didn’t like it though. After all, Jim had been a Johnstone player ever since he was a wee laddie.
But off he went.
“It was a step in the right direction” he admits. “My family were all ‘lug’ players, but Rankine’s band were all legitimate musicians. They could read music and play nice arrangements. I felt I should be getting into that.”
And get into it Jim did. Thrown in at the deep end he was forced to either sink or swim. Used to spending weeks with his uncles rehearsing for one concert, he now found himself going into broadcast, with Rankine himself the only one who knew the music which was to be played.
Jim left the band when Andrew announced he was considering emigrating to Australia.
He spent a lot of time forming his own band, gathering around him friends and musicians he had known for a long time. Jim was happy with that line-up – Bobby Colgan on drums, Alan Johnston on fiddle, pianist Davie Flockhart and bassist Robin Brock – but then came the offer from Jimmy Shand and a vastly accelerated lifestyle.
That broadcast in Edinburgh’s Queen Street studios was not Jim’s first encounter with Shand, however. Jimmy had been a regular caller at George Johnstone’s house in Tranent just before the War, at a time when Jim’s father and his Uncle John were themselves weel-kent names in the broadcasting scene.
He says he found touring exhausting. Travel was one of the aspects he disliked most about playing in bands.
“Jimmy Shand was the exception” he says. “He thrived on it. Jimmy was a big, strong man and he had tremendous stamina.”
Jim, of course, is referring to the tours of Australia and New Zealand while he was a member of the great man’s band.
He recalls the first time he played with him “I had my own band at the time, but Jimmy phoned up and asked if I could help him out one night. Naturally, I said I would. It was an honour. After the broadcast he took me aside and said “It’s not the way you play that I like, but you can read music!”
After the exhaustion of touring with the self-styled marathon man, Jim decided to further his experience yet again. This time with Jimmy Blue who had just taken over the Ian Powrie Band.
Increasing the pace to overdrive Jim soon found himself being asked by BBC Producer Iain MacFadyen to form his own band for ‘The White Heather Club’ tours.
Jim was now in constant demand and not just from legitimate ‘White Heather’ dates.
“There were a lot of ‘White Heather Club’ shows at that time” says Jim “but unless Robin Hall, Jimmy McGregor and Andy Stewart were going to be in them I refused to do them. I just said ‘no way’ as they weren’t authentic.”
Yet another example of the thick streak of integrity running through Jim.
Performed
Besides leading his own band, in between playing with Andrew Rankine, Jimmy Shand and Jimmy Blue to name but three, Jim was involved with the incredible successes of the ‘White Heather Club’ TV Shows and tours and is now arranging for, among others, Andy Stewart, Calum Kennedy and the BBC.
One would think from that catalogue of talent that Jim would have enough on his plate. But no, he’s a man of many parts. Not only does he now arrange and play around the dances, but Jim also holds down a highly active job as Entertainments Manager with East Lothian District Council.
It is a post Jim has been in for almost eight years and he obviously thrives on it.
His work in Musselburgh’s Brunton Halls isn’t exactly nine-to-five but the flexible hours allow Jim to control the other aspects of his life and career to his own satisfaction
Convinced
He is convinced he made the right decision all those years ago when faced with the prospect of applying for the job, opening a music shop in Musselburgh or taking on a six-month engagement in an Edinburgh Hotel with Larry Marshall.
“I don’t think it is possible in this day and age to maintain a full-time band, as for instance Jimmy Shand did. There are not so many theatres left in Scotland now and gone are the days when you could become a household name through records.”
It is something Jim – a delightfully warm, friendly and honest character – does not personally regret regarding his own band.
Currently happy with the way things have turned out, he is satisfied to play around the village halls. “Finances don’t worry me” he laughs. “I really enjoy playing to people I know and experiencing that close relationship.”
As for recording, Jim has no immediate plans to make another LP.
“The market is saturated at the moment” he says “it has not done the Scottish record market any good. Anyway I feel I just don’t have the material to warrant bringing out another one.”
That’s our loss and not Jim’s!
Weekend Rally
Participants arrive for lunch 12.30pm to 2pm Saturday, 26th June, 1982.
The following activities are available during the day : putting, tennis, swimming, golf, sauna, informal ceilidhs.
Dinner will be served informally in the Restaurant from 6.30pm to 8pm. Following dinner, dancing will take place in the Ballroom.
At 11pm and until the ‘wee sam’ ‘oors’ we will have our own ceilidh music in the Ballroom and in other Function Rooms if so desired, the music, of course, being provided by ourselves.
Sunday 27th June, 1982
Breakfast will be served in the Restaurant from 8am till 10am. The AGM will be held at 11am.
A Special Lunch
The Special Lunch will commence at 2.30pm.
Should any guest wish to stay on Friday night, 25th June or Sunday night, 27th June, 1982, a special bed and breakfast rate of £26 per person will be allowed. Reduced rates will be offered to children sharing their parent’s room, under 5 years free of charge and between 5 and 13 years 50% reduction.
Tynedale Accordion Club
by Tom Cowing
In years gone by, Tynedale was renowned for its eminence in the musical life of the North of England. In those golden days, not so long ago, each town, village and even small hamlet housed a brass band, a champion choir, or a ‘specialist dance orchestra’ (in the old days, bands specialised in certain dances and used to be advertised as ‘Quadrille Bands’ or ‘Waltz bands’) or some local artiste inspired with special vocal or instrumental talents.
In those days almost all music was ‘live’, every musical performance to however small a company was expressly to ‘please the ear’ and to encourage others to improve and perfect their skills in the art.
In the field of ‘traditional music’ which is accepted to be special province of those who are likely to read this paper, ‘Tynedale’ sad to say, has neglected itself in recent years. Only in remote country areas can a traditional danceband leader safely accept a booking feeling sure that he will do justice to the job and that the people who attend will go home happy and satisfied with an enjoyable dance.
Nucleus
A nucleus of enthusiasts and musicians met at the home of our Secretary, Mrs Doreen Jewitt, to discuss a course of action to enable us to bring about the formation of a Club based on Accordion and fiddle Club lines, firstly to give a platform to local ‘instrumentalists’, the ‘younger’ players in particular, and secondly to provide some live entertainment in Tynedale.
After an evening’s discussion, the ‘nucleus’ decided to advertise in the local paper that ‘For those interested in the formation of a Tynedale Accordion Club’ , ‘A meeting would be held in the Royal Hotel in Hexham on 22nd September, 1980’.
As a result of this advertisement a goodly number of interested people attended the inaugural meeting.
At this inaugural meeting 20 people attended and agreed to form themselves into a Committee. They were Mr J. Cockram, Mr T. Cowing, Mr N. Fullard, Mr E. Harding, Mr J. Hind, Mr & Mrs G. Jewitt, Mr C. MacKenzie, Mr J. Nicholson, Mrs J. Richardson, Mr E. Stewart, Mr W. Stewart, Mr & Mrs N. Silk, Mr A. Smith, Mr B. Stokoe, Mr & Mrs H. Thorp and Mr & Mrs R. Tulip.
This newly formed Committee decided to name this new venture the ‘Tynedale Accordion Flub’ and that it should be held on the first Tuesday of every month excepting July and August.
It was also agreed that Bert Shorthouse should be our first guest artiste. Bert has for many years been a great favourite and indeed a great friend to us in Tynedale and we are deeply indebted to him not only for such a successful launching, but for his services so freely given whenever advice on any musical subject in our field has even been needed in the past.
At this stage it is only right that we should pay tribute to Mr Peter Kemp and his staff of the Royal Hotel for all their good work and efforts to ‘help us along’. Mr Kemp is the most popular hotelier in Tynedale and as a Committee we are sure he will be pleased to see our appreciation in print and to let it be know that he is a Scotsman.
Opening
At our first night, on the first Tuesday in November, 1980, we were supported by nine instrumentalists who gave us a fine example of the high standard of our local musicians.
Our opening artiste was Mr Charlie Mackenzie, probably our best known local accordionist and dance band leader. The Royal Hotel ballroom was filled to capacity to hear Bert Shorthouse and the whole evening was an outstanding success.
The December ‘80 Club night was, to our delight, another full house. Our guest artiste was the talented but elusive accordionist Eric Goodfellow, who came with his Trio and gave us his own special brand of our own music of the Borders as only he can. We were supported this time by 13 local artistes.
January 1981 was a highly successful night when we played host to our good friends, Robert Whitehead and drummer Ian Wilson. True to form, Robert filled the house for us once again and musically ‘did us proud’. We were supported by eight local players this time.
Problems
February 1981 brought us seating problems when Jim Johnstone, with his five-piece band, came down. The room was almost full at seven o’clock and when Jim arrived at eight-thirty, he and his boys had a hard job to reach the stage.
Having set up in the interval, Jim and his band played the entire second half of the evening. Ten local musicians also entertained us on that evening.
On Saturday, 28th February, 1981, eight instrumentalists together with our Club chairman and compere Mr Eddie Harding and several Committee members provided the entertainment in the form of an Accordion Club in miniature for the residents of our local Leonard Cheshire Home at Matfen Hall. This proved to be very well received by the residents as it was something new to them as a form of entertainment.
Tuesday, 3rd March, 1981, brought us 15 local players, our highest number yet. Our guest artistes were Ian Holmes and Kenny Wilson.
As well as their traditional selections delivered in their own impeccable style, they treated us to some authentic Scandinavian music in the way in which it was originally intended to be heard.
Kenny certainly provided the authentic sound when he introduced his beautiful eight-stringed Hardanger violin from Scandinavia.
This was also the fourteenth birthday of one of our brightest young stars. Fiona Stewart is already a well known young figure in the Accordion Club scene and a highly successful competitor and winner of many local competitions and music festivals.
Fiona was presented with a bouquet and a local bandleader composed and played a new polka tune in her honour, names ‘Fiona’s Birthday’.
Our April ’81 Accordion club was supported by 12 local players when once again a capacity audience filled the ‘Royal’ ballroom to meet the popular Donaldson Brothers, who endeared themselves to us on their first visit to our part of the country.
Tuesday, 5th May, 1981, brought us a visit from a big man with a big heart, a great favourite in Tynedale, of course – Bill Black with his sons Robert and Duncan, with Alan Brown at the piano. This time we were grateful to nine local players who did their bit to entertain us.
Entertained
Tuesday, 2nd June, 1981, brought us Alex MacArthur, making his first visit to Hexham. Alex brought a quartet consisting of Ian Mearns, Ian Wilson and our old friend Bobby Colgan, making his first visit for ten years. We enjoyed a wonderful night’s entertainment from them. They played the whole second half of the evening, Alex and Bobby sang to us, told stories, ‘pulled our legs’, paid tribute to local players, eight of whom entertained us that evening, and generally gave us a most enjoyable evening to round off our first season.
Our current 1981/82 season began with a change from our regular first Tuesday night when on Wednesday, 2nd September, in our annual Town Fair Week, Roger Dobson, our well known Border button accordionist, and his quartet entertained us for the second half of the evening with a highly polished and energetic selection of music. Eight local artistes entertained us on this occasion.
In October we were back to our regular night, this time Tuesday 6th, when we were delighted to host Jim Dawson with his six-piece band. Jim’s big full band sound was greatly enjoyed and appreciated. This was Jim’s first visit to Hexham and we hope he enjoyed his night as much as we did. We were only sorry that Jim didn’t directly speak to the audience himself. Jim and his band played a full programme in the second half.
Lucky
We are lucky to have an excellent, quiet and attentive audience, and we do know that they like to feel that they know the guest artistes personally. Music can always stand on its own but it is also good policy to try to help the audience to feel that the artistes are accessible and are in fact ‘new friends’. Six local musicians played for our enjoyment on this evening.
In November we celebrated our first anniversary and George Stirrat and Jimmy Yeaman were our guest artistes.
The occasion was marked by the cutting of a cake by George and Jimmy, and Mr Jack Stephenson and Master Ian Stewart, the oldest regular member of the audience and one time bandleader, and the youngest accordionist respectively.
The photographer for our local weekly paper, the ‘Hexham Courant’ was in attendance to record the event which was duly reported in the weekend’s issue.
George and Jimmy gave us a very fine programme of music and an unforgettable evening of good fun. Seven local musicians were present and played for us on our anniversary night.
Popular
Tuesday, 1st December, 1981, again saw a full house when Iain MacPhail and his Trio honoured us with a visit. Iain is so popular down here that a good proportion of his programme consisted of music which had been requested by members of the audience. Iain may have felt that this restricted his musical presentation, but it is surely a compliment to ant artiste to receive requests. It proves that his work is already well appreciated and enjoyed.
This time the goodly number of 12 local artistes were kind enough to entertain us.
Our first Accordion Club of 1982 unfortunately did not take place. Kenny Thomson and his Band were all set to come south when a tremendous snowstorm enveloped the entire North of England. Roads were blocked, vehicles were stranded and the North of England ground to a frozen standstill.
We were forced to call it off and contact as many of our Committee members, local players and stalwart audience members as we could at a few hours’ notice, in the hope that they would pass the word around in order to stop other from coming out on that dreadful evening.
Despite our unfortunate bad weather cancellation in January, our February Accordion Club proved to be a sell-out. Our faithful and ‘good music hungry audience’ filled the room well in advance of our starting time of half past seven.
This time our guest artiste was Marian ‘Anderson’ (recently married). Marian played us a lovely and varied programme of music. She is a quiet and shy young lady. However, the warmth of her personality and the quality of her carefully planned programme impressed us all. Marian is high on our list for a return visit in the near future.
Regular
Our regular Club night on Tuesday, 2nd March ’82, brings us up to date when nine local musicians entertained us.
This being the eve of the birthday of our young local star, Fiona Stewart, a well known local bandleader played the polka ‘Fiona’s Birthday’, and proceeded to produce a bouquet of flowers from thin air for Fiona. His own magic seemed to turn on him, however, when during his rendering of the German ‘Goosey Goosey’ he was bedeviled by the appearance of a large web-footed bird which demonstrated its contempt for his playing by laying an egg!
The real magic began in the second half of the evening when Kenny Thomson and the Wardlaw SDB were our guest artistes.
For many years we in Tynedale have enjoyed and admired Kenny’s music and tried to book him for dances, but owing to previous engagements and other difficulties Kenny has hitherto been unable to come down. Even our January Accordion Club had to be called off because of the enormous falls of snow in the North of England.
At last Kenny made it! He and his boys carried us away with a perfection of musical sound, an unforgettable experience, well with waiting for!
We cannot speak too highly of Kenny and his Band for such an evening’s entertainment. We must say that we are very grateful to Kenny for his kindness to us by charging such a low fee.
We in Tynedale wish to thank all our past guest artistes, all of whom played for us for very, very reasonable fees. We do most sincerely thank them one and all and wish them all well.
We hope that all our guest artistes enjoyed their visits to Hexham and the Tynedale Accordion Club as much as we have enjoyed their playing and their entertainment.
Due to our efforts and the services of our guest artistes, we are quickly developing a new interest in traditional music. We have a great deal to offer from the Borders.
Useful
To help to add to our Club funds, with the help of our own local musicians, we have staged three Accordion Club dances, which helped to raise a useful sum of money to cover future expenses and the booking of future guest artistes.
It only now remains to list the names of our faithful local musicians, without whom we would not have an Accordion Club. They are
Mr Derek Archer
Mr Willie Atkinson
Mr Brian Armstrong
Miss Julie Best
Mr John Cockram
Miss Gail Common
Mr Jack Carruthers
Mr Frank Claffey
Mr Roger Dobson
Mr Eddie Dinning
Mr Charlie Ferguson and his brother Mr Walter Ferguson
Mr Ron Heardman
Mr Hill (Northumbrian piper)
Mr Tommy Hughes
Mr Mike Irving
Miss Paula Johnstone
Mr Charlie Mackenzie
Mr Dennis Ossleton
Mr Jonny Peaden
Mr Henry Robson
Mr Donald Ridley
Miss Fiona Stewart
Master Ian Stewart
Mr Julian Scrachard
Mr Brian Stokoe
Mr Stewart Sneddon
Mrs Mary Stewart
Mr Roger Stewart
Mr Ken Tweedy
Mr Ray Tulip
Mr Herby Thorp
Mr George Vorce
Miss Jane Wooton
and Miss Gillian Yellop.
Above all, we are most grateful to our compere, Mr Eddie Harding. His personality, his infectious love of music and all-round enthusiasm for live entertainment in general guarantees our success in our presentation of live musical entertainment to our public.
We set out to present a genuine live ‘instrumental’ musical show to our audience. So far we have been unbelievably successful.
We believe that the Club will only operate as well as it is organized, and we hope that our guest artistes have enjoyed their visits to Hexham as much as we have enjoyed their music.
The Reel Radio
by Derek Hamilton
Jim Dawson’s latest broadcast caused some discussion amongst quite a few people recently. Not that any of the comments were derogatory. Far from it. Praise where praise is due is the motto of this column. And praise was indeed due for an excellent performance by the band from Alloa. Tillicoultry and all stations east!
Ex-Kirkcaldy, now Perth, second box player James Lindsay may have produced some of the cheekiest harmonies ever on ‘TTF’ and Mabel’s ‘Black and White Rag’ certainly was not taken from any of the RSCDS publications (at least I don’t think it was!) but the whole thing just seemed to click.
Now I wish to make it perfectly clear that all the praise above has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that Andy Grant’s wife (Andy is the wee lad at the drums in Jim Dawson’s Band!!!) threatened a certain Derek Hamilton with just about every torture under the Majorcan sun in Santa Pensa last month if he didn’t say something good about the band. Now Andy’s wife is a big wumman!! I would not like to take a broken pay poke home to her – I can tell you!! However, she is a most enthusiastic dancer and supporter of James Dawson (as she calls him). And quite rightly too. I did enjoy the last Jim Dawson broadcast.
By the way, talking of Majorca, we had a real treat this year – Neil McMillan joined us on bass to replace that other prize idiot, Dave Watters, who was too busy selling Christmas cards (on 6th February!!!) to get time away. Neil’s contribution to the George Fleming Band was more than bass playing though. He joined Archie McHarg and I at the pool each day when we played for dancing and general listening. Neil played piano and box too! And he had us all in stitches with his antics at the pool and elsewhere too. Not only a first-class bass player and pianist – but a hell of a guy to boot!!
Neil is one of the most popular bass players on the scene today and as well as broadcasts with the Iain MacPhail Band, Grace McCleaver, Callum Wilson and, of course, the Wallochmore ceilidh Band, to name but a few, Neil has lined up broadcasts with some of the new bands emerging on the scene as a result of recent auditions by Freeland Barbour at the BBC.
Names like Colin Finlayson, Neil Barron, Charlie Kirkpatrick, Graham Geddes, Dennis Morrison, amongst others, will be appearing in the coming weeks.
On 20th March 82, Alan Doig makes his second broadcast with his own band after a long gap from his first. I remember he did No 1. at the same session as Ronnie Easton some three or four years ago.
Saturday, 27th March, sees the very first broadcast for a super new band from Central Scotland – Graham Ross and the Strathalmond Band.
It’s hoped to have George Stirrat on 3rd April, but as yet that isn’t finalised.
Thereafter look out for Robert MacLeod (son of the great Bobby MacLeod of Tobermory), Alex MacArthur, Ron Kerr (the Cameron Kerr Band), Ian Holmes and on 24th April a special from Coylumbridge Hotel with Jim MacLeod and Bill McCue. This will be recorded at the beginning of April.
A really special special will be transmitted on 1st May when Bobby Crowe and Hamish smith don their boxes, Stan Saunders gets his left hand on the bass, Muriel Johnstone tinkles the ivories and Malcolm Ross sits behind his drum kit. Collectively these five great musicians form the rest of the Angus Fitchet Band. Yes, Scotland’s best known fiddler, is doing a broadcast for both Radio Forth and the BBC. Now there’s something to look forward to.
I am reliably informed that May 1st will also herald another big surprise but as yet that’s firmly locked in the secrets department of Freeland Barbour’s office.
Looking back again, did you hear the Iain MacPhail Band broadcast on 27th February? Now that was a cracker? The band was in swinging form and the recording excellent and Fraser McGlynn, well there’s another knockout. The quality has really risen in recent weeks. I rate that as Fraser’s best for a long time. I enjoyed the pipe stuff immensely and Fraser always comes up with some new unheard stuff as well as including the best of the well-known tunes.
It’s a funny thing, but the bands of Iain MacPhail and Fraser McGlynn are really poles apart – yet so similar in many respects – notably in professionalism. They sound as different as Mantovani and Stephan Grapelli, yet their approach is very much the same. Yes, indeed, two great broadcast from two great bands.
By the way, look out for more pipey stuff when Graham Ross appears, as I said earlier, on 27th March.
Graham is a quiet, unassuming three-row player with a lift and lilt that will take you off your seat.
And a word about his drummer – Graham Jamieson – undoubtedly one of the up-and-coming youngsters of today. He is only 15, but give him a couple of years and he’ll be one of the tops in Scotland. Gus Millar had some very complimentary things to say about Graham at Armadale Club recently.
Hopefully, other radio stations will take up the opportunity to record sessions by the new bands coming on the scene.
I have to say that I believe that Robin Brock has been instrumental (how about that pun?) in improving the broadcast Scottish Dance Music scene. Radio Forth’s commentary of producing excellent sessions has led to a general all-round improvement in the broadcasts. And, of course, now that ‘TTF’ is in the hands of the very capable Freeland Barbour, I’ve no doubt that the future of our music is assured at least in the broadcasting sense.
And as long as level-headed sensible musicians like young Graeme Mitchell continue to come to the fore then our music is safe in every sense. I doubt if anyone could fail to be impressed by this young man’s honesty and forthrightness in his ‘TTF’ interview recently. He came over as someone with his own ideas, but at least prepared to be guided by the other man’s point of view when he felt they were right. I hope the BBC will continue to give the younger point of view and thus keep a balance.
By the way, some of you may be glad to know that this is my second last Reel Radio column. April will see the end of my stint. Hopefully someone else will volunteer.
Record Review
by Derek Hamilton
Tom Hughes and his Border Fiddle – Springthyme SPR 1005
Nineteen tracks recorded over a period of about two years make up this real collector’s album. Tom Hughes is a Jethert man (Jedburgh to the non-Borderer) and he is now in his mid-70s. His collection of tunes for this album is rare to say the least. There are of course some well-known tunes like ‘The Old Rustic Bridge’ , ‘Orange and Blue’ and ‘Roxburgh Castle’ but there’s also a real helping of unknown or lesser-known pieces like ‘Fardenside Polka’ and ‘Henry Hughes’ Favourite’.
This album is just jam-packed with tradition and all played in the unique style of a man who has spent his life playing the fiddle.
There are solos from Tom throughout the record, but most of the tracks feature not only Tom, but some of his musical friends as well. Three other fiddlers appear with Tom
Wattie Robson from Denholm (five meiles from Hawick in Roxburghshire)
Tom Scott from Canonbie (on the road to Keilder) and
Bob Hobkirk from Dodburn (five miles due south of Hawick).
On guitar is Brian Miller from Penicuik in Midlothian and Sid Cairns from Hawick and completing the line-up is Jack Carruthers from Canonbie on the tin whistle.
As well as a first-class LP with a very helpful sleeve, you also get a music booklet with this record. This is a copy of the staff music for each tune on the record with the notation that Tom Hughes actually plays plus a potted biography of Tom himself and an informative note on every tune. There’s also plenty of photographs.
This is much, much more than a record of good, traditional fiddle music. It is an important historical document worthy of pride of place in any collection.
Congratulations to all who took part and particularly to Peter Shepherd for co-ordinating the whole. To compliment this album there is also a video tape available, entitled ‘Tom and Wattie – Border Fiddle Style’.
The Foundry Bar Band – Springthyme – SPR 1007
Anderson Ceilidh – Sandy Anderson – SRT Productions CUS 1143
Letters to the Editor
Sir – This is to give you some advance information about the ‘Accordions Galore’ concert in Ayr.
The concert will be held on Sunday, 4th April, from 7pm till 10.30pm in aid of the Arthritis and Rheumatism Council. Performers are John Carmichael SDB, Kenny Thomson and the Wardlaw SDM, Richard Ross (double Scottish Champion), the Jimmy Blair Orchestra, The Tartan Lassies (Shona & Karin Leitch, accordions Lynda Harkness, fiddle), Fiddle Group Stranraer Strathspey & Reel Society, John Morgan, accordion, Diane Armstrong, Sheila Johnston and Forbes Watson, singers; Nicola and Lynn Paterson, accordions; John McKenna Dancers and compere and singer Peter Paterson.
Tickets can be obtained from CMS Music Shop, Ayr; Harris McAllister, Travel Agents, Ayr, or from John Leitch, Wilmara, 47 Belmont Road, Ayr.
This is a concert not to be missed. £1.50, children and OAPs £1
John Leitch
Sir – Could anyone help me complete a book on the Scottish Dance Bands who have broadcast on radio?
If you know the addresses of the following please write to me : John Loch, 6 Dalblair Crescent, Coylton, by Ayr, as soon as possible.
These are the names, all I need are the addresses
Annie Shand Scott
Winifred Mathews
Allan Williams Trio
The Blue Bonnets
David Cunningham Trio
Eric Goodfellow
Robert Whitehead
The Tain Dance Band
The Hawthorne
The Glendarual
The Gie Gordons
Sandy Coghill
Yours etc
John Loch
Sir – Crieff, being a new Club, but very progressive and going from strength to strength, we find it difficult to get a variety of players (e.g. fiddlers in particular).
We were told that a list or artistes and bands etc would be sent to us eventually. This has not yet come to hand because it’s not ready, and, as it is near the end of the season – why bother now? However, with all due respect, may we suggest that if all those players who support the clubs, could send their names and addresses to the ‘B&F’ perhaps they could be compiled in one issue?
Every Club, assuming they take the ‘B&F’ would have a complete list of artistes with whom they could get in touch with the possibility of engaging them for their Club. Would it be possible Ed?
Tom Handy
Crieff & District A&F Club
Sir – Let me say right away to other Clubs, don’t close your doors, hang on to what you’ve got, we all know money’s scarce and this makes it hard for some Clubs to break even, this also applies to the guest artistes who should consider the amount of work they obtain through the A&F Clubs and consider them seriously when they quote their prices and think how much work they would lose if the Club scene becomes unstuck and they all fold up.
To find approximately £100 for a guest artiste for some of the Clubs is near impossible. If we put up the admission money, we will obviously chase away the support and if we don’t book the big names, we still won’t get support.
My own Club have been fortunate to say the least, with exceptional support we are given, both by players and enthusiasts. We keep our admission to non-members £1, members 75p, OAP, children and players 25p. Everyone receives a hot pie at half-time, hence the admission fee for players.
Our Club is not crying out for help as we are financially healthy in all respects, to the extent we even have in-between nights and again top guest artistes. And on top of that, we have booked the fabulous Dermot O’Brien Trio for the 15th April, we took the chance, many said it was a gamble, but after six weeks our tickets were completely sold out. We are fortunate that Electronic Accordions Ltd are partly sponsoring the show.
So take note other Clubs, don’t hesitate to book the big boys who draw the crowds and at the same time approach the suppliers for a bit of financial assistance, they will help us to help them as the saying goes, advertising is good for business.
To Club supporters we say Haste Ye Back.
Jack Gray
Chairman – Lesmahagow A&F Club
Byretown Cottage
Kirkfieldbank
Lanark
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Queen’s Hotel) –
Alnwick (Nag’s Head) – members only
Armadale (Rob Roy Inn) – 24 Mar 82 Donaldson Brothers
Balloch (Griffin Hotel, Alexandria) – 21 Mar 82 Peter Bruce (accordion) & Jim Brown (fiddle)
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 29 Mar 82 Addie Harper Trio
Banff (Royal Oak Hotel) – 25 Mar 82 Jim Ritchie (Kirriemuir)
Beith (Anderson Hotel) – 19 Mar 82 Duncan McCallum SDB
Biggar (Clydesdale Hotel) –
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel) –
Campbeltown (Argyll Arms) –
Castle Douglas (Ernespie Hotel) – 25 Mar 82 Rob Gordon SDB
Cleland (Dalrymple House) –
Coupar Angus (Royal Hotel) –
Crieff (Arduthie Hotel) – 1 Apr 82 Fraser McGlynn
Cumbria (Huntsman Inn – Penton) –
Cumnock (Tup Inn) –
Dalriada (Royal Hotel, Lochgilphead) –
Denny & Dunipace (Dunipace Junior Social Club) –
Derwentside (Working Men’s Club, Consett) –
Dingwall (venue? ) –
Dumfries (Oughton’s Restaurant) -
Dunblane (Hydro) – 13 Apr 82 Tommy Ford & Jim Cleland 19 Apr 82 Dermot O’Brien Trio
Dundee (Queen’s Hotel, Nethergate) – 1 Apr 82 Wallochmore Ceilidh Band
Dunfermline (Unitas Hall) – 6 Apr 82 Ian Anderson 4 May 82 Davie Stewart (Kirriemuir)
East Kilbride (Stuart Hotel) – 25 Mar 82 Livingston Club
Edinburgh (The Berry Suite, Abbey Hill) – 21 Apr Walter Perrie
Falkirk (Plough Hotel, Stenhousemuir) –
Fintry (Clachan Hotel) –
Forres (Brig Motel) – 14 Apr 82 Mayfield Fiddlers
Fort William (Highland Hotel) – 16 Mar 82 Oban Club
Galston (Barr Castle Social Club, Galston) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) – members only
Gorebridge (Rangers FC Social Club) –
Highland/ Inverness (Drumossie Hotel) – 26 Mar Annual Dance Jim Johnstone SDB 19 Apr Currie Brothers
Kelso (Cross Key’s Hotel) – 31Mar 82 Addie Harper Trio 2 Apr 82 Annual Dance John Huband & the Tayside Sound
Kintore (Crown Hotel) – 7 Apr 82 Tain SDB
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lesmahagow (Craignethan Hotel) – 1 Apr 82 Paddy Neary
Livingston (Cameron Ironworks Social Club) –
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) – 30 Mar 82 Ian Skinner
M.A.F.I.A. (Black Bull, Milngavie) – 1 Apr 82 Jimmy Lindsay Trio
Monkland (Eastercroft Hotel, Caldercruix, Airdrie) – 5 Apr 82 Club Members
New Cumnock (Crown Hotel) –
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 29 Mar 82 David Sturgeon and the Waverley SDB 18 Apr 82 Competitions
Newton St Boswells (Railway Hotel) -
North East (Seafield Arms, Keith) – 16 Apr 82 Dinner Dance Graham Geddes SDB 20 Apr 82 Dermot O’Brien Trio 15 May 82 Third Festival
Oban (Park Hotel) –
Orkney ( venue?) –
Ormiston (Miners’ Welfare Social Club) –
Peebles (Ex-Servicemen’s Club) – 25 Mar 82 Iain MacPhail SDB
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 20 Apr 82 Gordon Simpson Trio with Jacqueline Dick
Premier NI (Wilson’s of Crumlin) -
Renfrew (Glynhill Hotel)
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel)
Shetland (venue?)
Stranraer (Buck’s Head Hotel) – 5 Apr 82 Alastair Hunter
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 5 Apr 82 Marian Anderson
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Balloch
2. Banchory
3. Campbeltown
4. Castle Douglas
5. Crieff & District
6. Dalriada
7. Dingwall
8. Dunblane & District
9. Dundee& District
10. Dunfermline & District
11. East Kilbride
12. Falkirk
13. Forres
14. Fort William
15. Gorebridge
16. Highland
17. Kelso
18. Lesmahagow
19. Livingston
20. Lockerbie
21. M.A.F.I.A.
22. Monklands
23. Newtongrange
24. North East
25. Ormiston
26. Peebles
27. Perth & District
28. Premier
29. Shetland
30. Stranraer
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT SEPT 1981 (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 1980) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months)
4. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1971)
5. Banchory A&F Club (1978)
6. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973)
7. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1971)
8. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974)
9. Buchan A&F Club
10. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
11. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980)
12. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
13. Cumnock A&F Club
14. Dalriada A&F Club (cMar 1981)
15. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (c Nov 1980)
16. Derwentside A&F Club
17. Dingwall & District (Aug 1979)
18. Cleland (cNov 1981) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
19. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughton’s) (April 1965)
20. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971)
21. Dundee & District A&F Club
22. Dunfermline & District A&F Club
23. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
24. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
25. Falkirk A&F Club
26. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
27. Fort William A&F Club (Oct 1980)
28. Galston A&F Club (1969)
29. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
30. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
31. Greenhead Accordion Club (Hexham)
32. Highland A&F Club (Inverness)
33. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981)
34. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976)
35. Kintore A&F Club
36. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
37. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967)
38. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Oct 1980)
39. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973)
40. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973)
41. M.A.F.I.A.
42. Monkland A&F Club
43. Newcastleton Accordion Club
44. Newtongrange A&F Club (Oct 1977)
45. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club
46. North Cumbria A&F Club
47. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971)
48. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975)
49. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978)
50. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club
51. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981)
52. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970)
53. Premier A&F Club NI (cNov 1980)
54. Rothbury Accordion Club (Feb 1974)
55. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978)
56. Stranraer & District Accordion Club
57. Thurso A&F Club (cSept 1981)
58. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980)
59. 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?)
60. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
61. Club Accord
62. Coquetdale
63. Coupar Angus A&F Club
64. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
65. Fintry A&F Club
66. Gretna A&F Club (June 1966)
67. New Cumnock A&F Club
68. Renfrew A&F Club
69. Straiton Accordion Club (opened? 3rd club to open – closed March 1979)
70. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
71. Wellbank A&F Club
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