Box and Fiddle
Year 37 No 09
May 2014
Price £2.70
44 Page Magazine
12 month subscription £29.70 + p&p £13.75 (UK)
Editor – Karin Ingram, Hawick
B&F Treasurer – Charlie Todd, Thankerton
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
BOX AND FIDDLE SUMMER ISSUES
As a result of falling subscriptions of the B&F magazine, the NAAFC Executive Committee has taken the decision to temporarily suspend the publication of the summer editions of the magazine. As our readers will be aware we are currently carrying out a tendering process with a view to reducing expenditure on the B&F to create a more sustainable business plan,. This issue will be the final publication of the 2013/14 season. The next issue of the B&F will be the September issue, which will be published by 1st September 2014 to coincide with the resumption of the new Accordion and fiddle Club Season.
The NAAFC Executive Committee fully intends to resume a 12 monthly magazine once a more sustainable business plan is in place.
We would like to thank our loyal readership for their support and any help in increasing our subscriptions and sales would be much appreciated at this stage. Subscribers who have paid in advance for the June, July and August 2014 issues will have their subscriptions extended by three issues commencing with the September 2014 issue.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused to our readers. Please note that the club diary will continue to be updated through our Website at www.boxandfiddle.com
NAAFC Executive Committee
April 2014
Hamish Smith – Guests of Honour
by Nicol McLaren
James Christie Smith was born in Glenfarg on 19th November 1945, the youngest of four children. The three boys and sister Zella all went to piano lessons with Miss Stevenson in Glenfarg before, at the age of seven, Hamish and eldest brother Stewart started accordion lessons with Bill Wilkie in Perth. Since then, Hamish has gone on to be one of the most respected second accordionists on the scene. Although we mostly associate Hamish with Sandy Nixon or Jimmy Shand Junior’s bands today, he has played with many bands over the years, including Jimmy Shand, Angus Fitchet, Bobby Crowe, Simon Howie, Bill Black, Nicol McLaren, Jim Johnstone, Rob Gordon and David Cunningham, to name but a few.
Hamish played with Bill Wilkie’s Accordion Orchestra before his first gig with a Scottish Dance Band, when he was sixteen, with Drew Simpson, a Shand Morino player from Milnathort. However, he says his real “grounding” in the Band Scene was with The Hawthorn Band. He used to “sit in” with the band at local events and became the “Live Entertainment” at half time. He still remembers when Andy Tosh first appeared with his Domino Morino.
Hamish did have his own band for a short time but was in such demand as a freelance second box player that he didn’t have time for his other gigs! He did, however, have a time as part of a duet entertaining in the Miners’ Clubs in Fife with singer Jim Hosie, also from Glenfarg, calling themselves “The Glen Lads”. It could have been such a different career had The Tartan Lads and The Alexander Brothers not muscled in on the idea.
He joined Rob Gordon’s Band in 1966 and played on Rob’s first LP two years later. In 1969, he joined Jimmy Shand Jnr and so commenced a forty-three year association between the two – and, he says, never a cross word! Similarly, he started playing with Sandy Nixon in 1989 and has been a fixture in the band ever since. He still remembers his first gig with Sandy, in Edinburgh, with a “makey-up” band of Sandy, Hamish and Alan Rintoul, his services having been secured at the very last minute. The accordionists immediately gelled and in twenty-five years have played all over the world together, as far away as Oman, Vienna, Seattle, Korea, Prague, Madeira… and Ardrishaig.
Away from playing, Hamish is an auto electrician, having served his apprenticeship at Calderwood’s of Perth under Jim Powrie, brother of Bill and Ian Powrie. Hamish says Jim was the only one in the Powrie family who didn’t play anything! Apart from a couple of years when he became an owner/operator long distance lorry driver, travelling all over Europe, he has remained dedicated to his profession, working on cars, boats, lorries and buses until he retired after sixteen years with Dundee Council, looking after the electrics on their fleet of buses. He didn’t work only locally though, but had spells working in Shetland, keeping the buses running to and fro from the then construction site of Sullom Voe, and in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) keeping trucks running for an Aberdeen company. He still wouldn’t be without his accordion and took it out to Africa in its standard Hohner case. “Airlines were a bit more careful with luggage in those days,” he says.
Speaking of accordions, Hamish has owned only three. Firstly, he started with a Hohner Verdi, had a spell with a Hohner Atlantic before, at the age of eighteen, acquiring his trusty, domino couplered, Hohner Morino VM, which has been his companion ever since. It wasn’t a new accordion and there was a bit of competition to buy it but Hamish just beat Mickie Ainsworth to the purchase.
In 1964, Hamish met his future wife Rita Lesslie – as a result of a snowball fight! Hearing this lad making cheeky comments towards her from his car, Rita decided to “answer back” by firing a snowball through the open window and catching Hamish a “beauty”. The ensuing playful chase down Kinross High Street ultimately resulted in the pair being married a few years later. Subsequently Hamish was surrounded by “his girls”, being blessed with four daughters, Donna, Sharlene, Tracy and Cheryl and now seven grandsons and one granddaughter. All four of the girls played piano, and two also had a spell learning accordion with Donna having lessons from Peter Bruce and Cheryl with John Huband.
When asked about his “style” as a second accordionist, Hamish says it depends on who he is playing with. His job, he says, is to complement the style and feeling that the band leader is conveying and so is different with every band. His advice? “Listen and Accommodate!” He says his greatest influence as a second accordionist was Jack Delaney – “I’ll never be a Jack, but I’ve used his technique as my inspiration.”
When asked about his most memorable gigs, Hamish says there really are too many to mention but maybe two different gigs come to mind, both with Jimmy Shand Junior. Firstly a night in Hammersmith Palais with over 2000 in the audience – and Jim Johnstone on piano, “What a buzz” and a tour of Ireland in 1969/70 at the height of the troubles in Northern Ireland where the music seemed to bring the people together.
Hamish sees today’s scene as very different to when he started. “There are fewer people dancing, in particular young people, fewer regular established bands, and fewer players in the bands. I fear that, as the audience ages, the young players may lose the greatness of our traditional dance music.”
“Would I do it all again? Absolutely! I still get a real ‘buzz’ every time I’m out for a tune.”
Hamish, long may that continue.
Falkland Traditional Music Festival
by Pete Clark
This year’s Traditional Music Festival…………………….
Webwatch
by Bill Young
www.
Book Review
The Call of Home – Ian Robertson
Letters to the Editor
I was clearing out some old files and found a copy of the last letter I wrote to members of Perth & district Accordion & Fiddle Club. This was when I resigned from the Committee, having been a founder member and Secretary for 22 years. I thought it might be of interest to readers of The B&F.
July 1992
As I write this, my last letter as Secretary, I find myself reflecting on some of the memorable nights we have had over the past 22 years at Perth Accordion and Fiddle Club. At the first meeting in September, 1970, 63 people paid for admission – and sandwiches for that number cost £4.00! By March, 1971, when a petition was handed round (to be presented to the BBC requesting the return of Scottish Dance Music to radio), 300 people put their signatures to it, in one night! In January 1972, instead of stovies, we had haggis, neeps and tatties at a cost of 25p per head – how things have changed. In May of that year, Will Starr and Angus Fitchet drew an audience of 426. In February 1973, 450 attended to hear Arthur Spink and Angus Cameron. We had two memorable visits from Dermot O’Brien, and Sean Maguire was another wonderful guest. In February 1975, the Committee entertained 344 people, the Committee at the time comprising Mickie Ainsworth, Jimmy Blue, Bill Powrie, Jim Brown, Joan Blue – and Maisie Ainsworth and June Brown who, if I remember rightly, were told they had to be strippers that night so that the whole Committee performed! The night The Hamefarers came from Shetland, we had 467 at the Club and in March, 1976, the BBC came and recorded a programme from Perth In the years that followed the numbers settled down to between 150 and 250, except for the great night we had in April 1985 when Jimmy Shand came, in person, as guest artiste and 328 came to hear him. Number shave dwindled quite a bit since these glory days but it was wonderful to have such a turnout at the 21st Birthday Party last year – that was, for me, one of the real highlights.
Joan Blue
What a fascinating article on Robin Brock. Surely the most interesting ever and even I, as a long-term friend, had no idea he’d done so much. Over the years, he deputized in my band playing bass or accordion and always with great enthusiasm. How could he run a successful business empire and still find time for all his musical activities?
During his time with Radio Forth, he often had us play on his ‘Folks Around Robin’ and in shows before audiences in towns in fife and the Lothians. I also played in the accordion shows in The Usher Hall and other Edinburgh theatres. Robin’s radio interviews were always a ‘hoot’ and, I remember, he suggested Kenny Wilson and I should have nick-names for our instruments used to play a Carl Jularbo waltz. My 5-row became ‘Hakon’ and Kenny’s Hardanger filled ‘Olaf’. Crazy stuff.
We’d play Carl’s tune for ‘Bandleader’s Choice’ which Robin had introduced, allowing us to play a ‘party-piece’ in contrast to our Scottish dance sets. There seems to be little doubt the BBC were listening to Robin, for soon after I’d described Carl Jularbo as the Jimmy Shand of Sweden, for like Jimmy, he sat bolt upright, had a neat wee moustache and just the hint of a smile, the presenter of the SD Music programme having played a Jularbo track, described Carl as I had.
When Chris Worral left Radio Forth to become producer of the BBC’s SDM, he introduced ‘Bandleader’s Choice’ and in fact, my band was the first, playing my own waltz ‘Memories of Norway’. In true Scandinavian style, I’d arranged it for three accordions, with myself playing the melody, fiddler Kenny playing second and the late Bobby McNeillie playing third. Of course BLC was eventually dropped, but Robin’s idea was once more introduced by the BBC, just a few years ago.
Ian Holmes
I hope you can find space in The Box and Fiddle for this, my letter of gratitude.
On Tuesday 7th January at the Islesteps Accordion Club, I led my six-piece band on what I decided would be my final public performance after 52 years as a bandleader (my first was a BBC broadcast on 7th May, 1962)
Although it had not been advertised as such, I’m told there was a record crowd, with top musicians and followers form all over. The band consisted of the usual stalwarts : Jim Clark (piano), John Sinton (bass), Gus Millar (drums), Ricki Franci (accordion) and local man, Ian Kirkpatrick on fiddle. (He’s addicted to the ‘Poorie Soond’ and plays the fiddle like Ian and the Shand Morino like Jimmy Blue). As over the past 44 years, there was nae practice, but each player gave it 100+% and we had a great tune.
At the last moment, Gavin Foster volunteered to be MC and his rather glowing verbal picture of my long career, had me looking forward to hearing myself playing once more (only joking). Thanks Gavin.
I’d like to thank Ian Gray and his Committee for the invitation and all other who have supported me in their own way, musicians and fans alike. On reflection, I was extremely fortunate, for I was able to surround myself with really top musicians and the list of those who deputised with my band included : Bobby Crowe, Robin Brock, Bobby MacLeod, Angus Fitchet and for five years our guest fiddler was Ian Powrie. Indeed, Ian’s final public performance in Scotland was with my band in December 1999.
Lastly, I’d like to thank my wife Margaret, for her unfailing support which sometimes must have been very difficult, for after a dance and the long drive home, I was tired and ‘gey crabbit’.
Disappointingly, the BBC did not see fit to celebrate my 50 years, although I’d broadcast for them, problem free, for 49 years.
Over and above Scottish dance music, I developed an equally keen interest in Scandinavian Music for which I used a special 5-row and a 2-row diatonic Corso. My other great interest was Swiss music, for which I use the same 5-row and the complicated Schwyzerorgeli (Swiss Accordion) with its own music notation. At Windygates in 2007 I played 7 different accordion systems.
Again my thanks to you all and keep enjoying your music. Much has changed, but there is still some really good stuff to be heard.
Ian Holmes
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
Not shown
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 27th May 2014 - AGM
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle)
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 18th May 2014 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 4th May 2014 – Carnoustie Traditionals
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 28th May 2014 – Nicky McMichan Trio
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) –
Biggar (Municipal Hall) –
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 13th May 2014 – Jim Lindsay SDB
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 8th May 2014 – Andy Greig & Friends
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 6th May 2014 – Addie Harper Jnr Band
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 2nd May 2014 – Lyne Valley Band
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) -
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 1st May 2014 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) -
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 7th May 2014 – James Coutts Trio
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 21st May 2014 – Fergie MacDonald Band
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) – 13th May 2014 - AGM
Duns (Royal British Legion Club, Langtongate) 19th May 2014 – AGM + Shirley Cathcart SDB
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 20th May 2014 – Kevin Cheyne SDB
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) –
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 25th May 2014 – Wayne Robertson Duo
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 14th May 2014 – Brandon McPhee Trio
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) –
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) -
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 7th May 2014 – Johnny Duncan Duo
Gretna (Athlitic & Social Club) -
Haddington (Railway Inn) -
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 19th May 2014 – Gary Donaldson SDB
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 1st May 2014 – Susie Simpson Trio 22nd / 24th May - Festival
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) –
Kelso (Cross Keys Hotel) – 28th May 2014 – Matthew MacLennan Trio
Ladybank (Ladybank Tavern) -
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) -
Langholm (Eskdale Hotel) –
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 1st May 2014 – Alexander & Jimmy Lindsay
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 20th May 2014 – Dick Black Band
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 7th May 2014 – Wayne Robertson Duo
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) -
Newmill-on-Teviot / Teviotdale (Buccleugh Bowling Club)
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 6th May 2014 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Northern (Lylehill Suite, Templepatrick, N.I.) - 7th May 2014 - tbc
Oban (The Argyllshire Gathering) –
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) –
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 20th May 2014 – Neil Hardie SDB
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 1st May 2014 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 20th May 2014 – Jimmy Lindsay Duo
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) -
Thornhill (Bowling Club Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 5th May 2014 – Lomond Ceilidh Band
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 1st May 2014 – Jennifer Forrest Trio
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 15th May 2014 – Scott Band Tio
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn)
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 20th May 2014 – Addie Harper SDB
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Annan
4. Arbroath
5. Biggar
6. Blairgowrie
7. Button-Key
8. Campsie
9. Castle Douglas
10. Coalburn
11. Dunblane
12. Dunfermline
13. Duns
14. Fintry
15. Forfar
16. Forres
17. Glendale
18. Gretna
19. Highland
20. Inveraray
21. Isle of Skye
22. Islesteps
23. Kelso
24. Ladybank
25. Lanark
26. Lewis & Harris
27. Livingston
28. Lockerbie
29. Mauchline
30. Montrose
31. Newburgh
32. North East
33. Northern
34. Oban
35. Orkney
36. Peebles
37. Perth
38. Seghill
39. Thornhill
40. Thurso
41. Turriff
42. Tynedale
43. West Barnes
44. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2013
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
10. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
11. Button Key A&F Club (
12. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
13. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
15. Coalburn A&F Club (
16. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
17. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
18. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
19. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
20. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
21. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
22. Ellon A&F Club (
23. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
24. Forfar A&F Club (
25. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
26. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
27. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
28. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
29. Gretna A&F Club (1991) Known as North Cumbria A&F Club previously (originally called Gretna when started in June 1966 but later had to move to venues in the North of England and changed name. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
30. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 - )
31. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
32. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
33. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
34. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
35. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
36. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier
37. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
38. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
39. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
40. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
41 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
42 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
43 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
44 Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
45 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
46. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
47. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
48. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
49. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
50. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
51. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
52. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
53. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
54. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
55 Stonehouse A&F Club (first report June 05 -
56 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
57 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
58 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
58 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
60 West Barnes ( - present)
61 Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975 - present)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
62. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
63. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
64. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
65. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
66. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
67. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
68. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
69. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
70. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
71. Buchan A&F Club
72. Callander A&F Club (
73. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
74. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
75. Club Accord
76. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
77 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
78. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
79. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
80. Cults A & F Club (
81. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
82. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
83. Derwentside A&F Club
84. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
85. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
86. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
87. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
88. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
89. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
90. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
91. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
92. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
93. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
94. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93? – left the Assoc c2013)
95. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
96. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
97. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
98. Kintore A&F Club (
99. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
100. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
101. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
102. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
103. Maine Valley A&F Club (
104. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
105. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
106. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
107. Mull A&F Club
108. Newcastleton Accordion Club
109. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
110. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
111. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
112. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
113. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
114. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
115. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
116. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
117. Selkirk A&F Club (
118. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
119. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
120. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
121 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
122 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
123. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
124. Tranent A&F Club
125. Vancouver
126. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
127. Wellbank A&F Club
128. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
Advertising rates
Back Page (colour) - £300
Full Page (colour) - £220
Full Page (b&w) - £140
Half Page (colour) - £110
Half Page (b&w) - £70
Quarter Page (colour) - £55
Quarter Page (b&w) - £35
Eighth Page - £18
Small Boxed £12
B&F Treasurer – Charlie Todd, Thankerton
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
BOX AND FIDDLE SUMMER ISSUES
As a result of falling subscriptions of the B&F magazine, the NAAFC Executive Committee has taken the decision to temporarily suspend the publication of the summer editions of the magazine. As our readers will be aware we are currently carrying out a tendering process with a view to reducing expenditure on the B&F to create a more sustainable business plan,. This issue will be the final publication of the 2013/14 season. The next issue of the B&F will be the September issue, which will be published by 1st September 2014 to coincide with the resumption of the new Accordion and fiddle Club Season.
The NAAFC Executive Committee fully intends to resume a 12 monthly magazine once a more sustainable business plan is in place.
We would like to thank our loyal readership for their support and any help in increasing our subscriptions and sales would be much appreciated at this stage. Subscribers who have paid in advance for the June, July and August 2014 issues will have their subscriptions extended by three issues commencing with the September 2014 issue.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused to our readers. Please note that the club diary will continue to be updated through our Website at www.boxandfiddle.com
NAAFC Executive Committee
April 2014
Hamish Smith – Guests of Honour
by Nicol McLaren
James Christie Smith was born in Glenfarg on 19th November 1945, the youngest of four children. The three boys and sister Zella all went to piano lessons with Miss Stevenson in Glenfarg before, at the age of seven, Hamish and eldest brother Stewart started accordion lessons with Bill Wilkie in Perth. Since then, Hamish has gone on to be one of the most respected second accordionists on the scene. Although we mostly associate Hamish with Sandy Nixon or Jimmy Shand Junior’s bands today, he has played with many bands over the years, including Jimmy Shand, Angus Fitchet, Bobby Crowe, Simon Howie, Bill Black, Nicol McLaren, Jim Johnstone, Rob Gordon and David Cunningham, to name but a few.
Hamish played with Bill Wilkie’s Accordion Orchestra before his first gig with a Scottish Dance Band, when he was sixteen, with Drew Simpson, a Shand Morino player from Milnathort. However, he says his real “grounding” in the Band Scene was with The Hawthorn Band. He used to “sit in” with the band at local events and became the “Live Entertainment” at half time. He still remembers when Andy Tosh first appeared with his Domino Morino.
Hamish did have his own band for a short time but was in such demand as a freelance second box player that he didn’t have time for his other gigs! He did, however, have a time as part of a duet entertaining in the Miners’ Clubs in Fife with singer Jim Hosie, also from Glenfarg, calling themselves “The Glen Lads”. It could have been such a different career had The Tartan Lads and The Alexander Brothers not muscled in on the idea.
He joined Rob Gordon’s Band in 1966 and played on Rob’s first LP two years later. In 1969, he joined Jimmy Shand Jnr and so commenced a forty-three year association between the two – and, he says, never a cross word! Similarly, he started playing with Sandy Nixon in 1989 and has been a fixture in the band ever since. He still remembers his first gig with Sandy, in Edinburgh, with a “makey-up” band of Sandy, Hamish and Alan Rintoul, his services having been secured at the very last minute. The accordionists immediately gelled and in twenty-five years have played all over the world together, as far away as Oman, Vienna, Seattle, Korea, Prague, Madeira… and Ardrishaig.
Away from playing, Hamish is an auto electrician, having served his apprenticeship at Calderwood’s of Perth under Jim Powrie, brother of Bill and Ian Powrie. Hamish says Jim was the only one in the Powrie family who didn’t play anything! Apart from a couple of years when he became an owner/operator long distance lorry driver, travelling all over Europe, he has remained dedicated to his profession, working on cars, boats, lorries and buses until he retired after sixteen years with Dundee Council, looking after the electrics on their fleet of buses. He didn’t work only locally though, but had spells working in Shetland, keeping the buses running to and fro from the then construction site of Sullom Voe, and in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) keeping trucks running for an Aberdeen company. He still wouldn’t be without his accordion and took it out to Africa in its standard Hohner case. “Airlines were a bit more careful with luggage in those days,” he says.
Speaking of accordions, Hamish has owned only three. Firstly, he started with a Hohner Verdi, had a spell with a Hohner Atlantic before, at the age of eighteen, acquiring his trusty, domino couplered, Hohner Morino VM, which has been his companion ever since. It wasn’t a new accordion and there was a bit of competition to buy it but Hamish just beat Mickie Ainsworth to the purchase.
In 1964, Hamish met his future wife Rita Lesslie – as a result of a snowball fight! Hearing this lad making cheeky comments towards her from his car, Rita decided to “answer back” by firing a snowball through the open window and catching Hamish a “beauty”. The ensuing playful chase down Kinross High Street ultimately resulted in the pair being married a few years later. Subsequently Hamish was surrounded by “his girls”, being blessed with four daughters, Donna, Sharlene, Tracy and Cheryl and now seven grandsons and one granddaughter. All four of the girls played piano, and two also had a spell learning accordion with Donna having lessons from Peter Bruce and Cheryl with John Huband.
When asked about his “style” as a second accordionist, Hamish says it depends on who he is playing with. His job, he says, is to complement the style and feeling that the band leader is conveying and so is different with every band. His advice? “Listen and Accommodate!” He says his greatest influence as a second accordionist was Jack Delaney – “I’ll never be a Jack, but I’ve used his technique as my inspiration.”
When asked about his most memorable gigs, Hamish says there really are too many to mention but maybe two different gigs come to mind, both with Jimmy Shand Junior. Firstly a night in Hammersmith Palais with over 2000 in the audience – and Jim Johnstone on piano, “What a buzz” and a tour of Ireland in 1969/70 at the height of the troubles in Northern Ireland where the music seemed to bring the people together.
Hamish sees today’s scene as very different to when he started. “There are fewer people dancing, in particular young people, fewer regular established bands, and fewer players in the bands. I fear that, as the audience ages, the young players may lose the greatness of our traditional dance music.”
“Would I do it all again? Absolutely! I still get a real ‘buzz’ every time I’m out for a tune.”
Hamish, long may that continue.
Falkland Traditional Music Festival
by Pete Clark
This year’s Traditional Music Festival…………………….
Webwatch
by Bill Young
www.
Book Review
The Call of Home – Ian Robertson
Letters to the Editor
I was clearing out some old files and found a copy of the last letter I wrote to members of Perth & district Accordion & Fiddle Club. This was when I resigned from the Committee, having been a founder member and Secretary for 22 years. I thought it might be of interest to readers of The B&F.
July 1992
As I write this, my last letter as Secretary, I find myself reflecting on some of the memorable nights we have had over the past 22 years at Perth Accordion and Fiddle Club. At the first meeting in September, 1970, 63 people paid for admission – and sandwiches for that number cost £4.00! By March, 1971, when a petition was handed round (to be presented to the BBC requesting the return of Scottish Dance Music to radio), 300 people put their signatures to it, in one night! In January 1972, instead of stovies, we had haggis, neeps and tatties at a cost of 25p per head – how things have changed. In May of that year, Will Starr and Angus Fitchet drew an audience of 426. In February 1973, 450 attended to hear Arthur Spink and Angus Cameron. We had two memorable visits from Dermot O’Brien, and Sean Maguire was another wonderful guest. In February 1975, the Committee entertained 344 people, the Committee at the time comprising Mickie Ainsworth, Jimmy Blue, Bill Powrie, Jim Brown, Joan Blue – and Maisie Ainsworth and June Brown who, if I remember rightly, were told they had to be strippers that night so that the whole Committee performed! The night The Hamefarers came from Shetland, we had 467 at the Club and in March, 1976, the BBC came and recorded a programme from Perth In the years that followed the numbers settled down to between 150 and 250, except for the great night we had in April 1985 when Jimmy Shand came, in person, as guest artiste and 328 came to hear him. Number shave dwindled quite a bit since these glory days but it was wonderful to have such a turnout at the 21st Birthday Party last year – that was, for me, one of the real highlights.
Joan Blue
What a fascinating article on Robin Brock. Surely the most interesting ever and even I, as a long-term friend, had no idea he’d done so much. Over the years, he deputized in my band playing bass or accordion and always with great enthusiasm. How could he run a successful business empire and still find time for all his musical activities?
During his time with Radio Forth, he often had us play on his ‘Folks Around Robin’ and in shows before audiences in towns in fife and the Lothians. I also played in the accordion shows in The Usher Hall and other Edinburgh theatres. Robin’s radio interviews were always a ‘hoot’ and, I remember, he suggested Kenny Wilson and I should have nick-names for our instruments used to play a Carl Jularbo waltz. My 5-row became ‘Hakon’ and Kenny’s Hardanger filled ‘Olaf’. Crazy stuff.
We’d play Carl’s tune for ‘Bandleader’s Choice’ which Robin had introduced, allowing us to play a ‘party-piece’ in contrast to our Scottish dance sets. There seems to be little doubt the BBC were listening to Robin, for soon after I’d described Carl Jularbo as the Jimmy Shand of Sweden, for like Jimmy, he sat bolt upright, had a neat wee moustache and just the hint of a smile, the presenter of the SD Music programme having played a Jularbo track, described Carl as I had.
When Chris Worral left Radio Forth to become producer of the BBC’s SDM, he introduced ‘Bandleader’s Choice’ and in fact, my band was the first, playing my own waltz ‘Memories of Norway’. In true Scandinavian style, I’d arranged it for three accordions, with myself playing the melody, fiddler Kenny playing second and the late Bobby McNeillie playing third. Of course BLC was eventually dropped, but Robin’s idea was once more introduced by the BBC, just a few years ago.
Ian Holmes
I hope you can find space in The Box and Fiddle for this, my letter of gratitude.
On Tuesday 7th January at the Islesteps Accordion Club, I led my six-piece band on what I decided would be my final public performance after 52 years as a bandleader (my first was a BBC broadcast on 7th May, 1962)
Although it had not been advertised as such, I’m told there was a record crowd, with top musicians and followers form all over. The band consisted of the usual stalwarts : Jim Clark (piano), John Sinton (bass), Gus Millar (drums), Ricki Franci (accordion) and local man, Ian Kirkpatrick on fiddle. (He’s addicted to the ‘Poorie Soond’ and plays the fiddle like Ian and the Shand Morino like Jimmy Blue). As over the past 44 years, there was nae practice, but each player gave it 100+% and we had a great tune.
At the last moment, Gavin Foster volunteered to be MC and his rather glowing verbal picture of my long career, had me looking forward to hearing myself playing once more (only joking). Thanks Gavin.
I’d like to thank Ian Gray and his Committee for the invitation and all other who have supported me in their own way, musicians and fans alike. On reflection, I was extremely fortunate, for I was able to surround myself with really top musicians and the list of those who deputised with my band included : Bobby Crowe, Robin Brock, Bobby MacLeod, Angus Fitchet and for five years our guest fiddler was Ian Powrie. Indeed, Ian’s final public performance in Scotland was with my band in December 1999.
Lastly, I’d like to thank my wife Margaret, for her unfailing support which sometimes must have been very difficult, for after a dance and the long drive home, I was tired and ‘gey crabbit’.
Disappointingly, the BBC did not see fit to celebrate my 50 years, although I’d broadcast for them, problem free, for 49 years.
Over and above Scottish dance music, I developed an equally keen interest in Scandinavian Music for which I used a special 5-row and a 2-row diatonic Corso. My other great interest was Swiss music, for which I use the same 5-row and the complicated Schwyzerorgeli (Swiss Accordion) with its own music notation. At Windygates in 2007 I played 7 different accordion systems.
Again my thanks to you all and keep enjoying your music. Much has changed, but there is still some really good stuff to be heard.
Ian Holmes
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
Not shown
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 27th May 2014 - AGM
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle)
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 18th May 2014 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 4th May 2014 – Carnoustie Traditionals
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 28th May 2014 – Nicky McMichan Trio
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) –
Biggar (Municipal Hall) –
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 13th May 2014 – Jim Lindsay SDB
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 8th May 2014 – Andy Greig & Friends
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 6th May 2014 – Addie Harper Jnr Band
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 2nd May 2014 – Lyne Valley Band
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) -
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 1st May 2014 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) -
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 7th May 2014 – James Coutts Trio
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 21st May 2014 – Fergie MacDonald Band
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) – 13th May 2014 - AGM
Duns (Royal British Legion Club, Langtongate) 19th May 2014 – AGM + Shirley Cathcart SDB
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 20th May 2014 – Kevin Cheyne SDB
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) –
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 25th May 2014 – Wayne Robertson Duo
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 14th May 2014 – Brandon McPhee Trio
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) –
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) -
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 7th May 2014 – Johnny Duncan Duo
Gretna (Athlitic & Social Club) -
Haddington (Railway Inn) -
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 19th May 2014 – Gary Donaldson SDB
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 1st May 2014 – Susie Simpson Trio 22nd / 24th May - Festival
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) –
Kelso (Cross Keys Hotel) – 28th May 2014 – Matthew MacLennan Trio
Ladybank (Ladybank Tavern) -
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) -
Langholm (Eskdale Hotel) –
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 1st May 2014 – Alexander & Jimmy Lindsay
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 20th May 2014 – Dick Black Band
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 7th May 2014 – Wayne Robertson Duo
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) -
Newmill-on-Teviot / Teviotdale (Buccleugh Bowling Club)
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 6th May 2014 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Northern (Lylehill Suite, Templepatrick, N.I.) - 7th May 2014 - tbc
Oban (The Argyllshire Gathering) –
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) –
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 20th May 2014 – Neil Hardie SDB
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 1st May 2014 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 20th May 2014 – Jimmy Lindsay Duo
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) -
Thornhill (Bowling Club Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 5th May 2014 – Lomond Ceilidh Band
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 1st May 2014 – Jennifer Forrest Trio
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 15th May 2014 – Scott Band Tio
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn)
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 20th May 2014 – Addie Harper SDB
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Annan
4. Arbroath
5. Biggar
6. Blairgowrie
7. Button-Key
8. Campsie
9. Castle Douglas
10. Coalburn
11. Dunblane
12. Dunfermline
13. Duns
14. Fintry
15. Forfar
16. Forres
17. Glendale
18. Gretna
19. Highland
20. Inveraray
21. Isle of Skye
22. Islesteps
23. Kelso
24. Ladybank
25. Lanark
26. Lewis & Harris
27. Livingston
28. Lockerbie
29. Mauchline
30. Montrose
31. Newburgh
32. North East
33. Northern
34. Oban
35. Orkney
36. Peebles
37. Perth
38. Seghill
39. Thornhill
40. Thurso
41. Turriff
42. Tynedale
43. West Barnes
44. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2013
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
10. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
11. Button Key A&F Club (
12. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
13. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
15. Coalburn A&F Club (
16. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
17. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
18. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
19. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
20. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
21. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
22. Ellon A&F Club (
23. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
24. Forfar A&F Club (
25. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
26. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
27. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
28. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
29. Gretna A&F Club (1991) Known as North Cumbria A&F Club previously (originally called Gretna when started in June 1966 but later had to move to venues in the North of England and changed name. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
30. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 - )
31. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
32. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
33. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
34. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
35. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
36. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier
37. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
38. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
39. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
40. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
41 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
42 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
43 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
44 Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
45 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
46. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
47. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
48. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
49. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
50. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
51. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
52. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
53. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
54. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
55 Stonehouse A&F Club (first report June 05 -
56 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
57 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
58 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
58 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
60 West Barnes ( - present)
61 Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975 - present)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
62. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
63. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
64. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
65. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
66. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
67. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
68. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
69. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
70. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
71. Buchan A&F Club
72. Callander A&F Club (
73. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
74. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
75. Club Accord
76. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
77 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
78. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
79. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
80. Cults A & F Club (
81. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
82. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
83. Derwentside A&F Club
84. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
85. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
86. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
87. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
88. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
89. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
90. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
91. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
92. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
93. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
94. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93? – left the Assoc c2013)
95. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
96. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
97. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
98. Kintore A&F Club (
99. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
100. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
101. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
102. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
103. Maine Valley A&F Club (
104. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
105. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
106. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
107. Mull A&F Club
108. Newcastleton Accordion Club
109. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
110. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
111. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
112. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
113. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
114. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
115. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
116. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
117. Selkirk A&F Club (
118. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
119. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
120. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
121 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
122 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
123. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
124. Tranent A&F Club
125. Vancouver
126. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
127. Wellbank A&F Club
128. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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