Box and Fiddle
Year 24 No 02
October 2000
Price £1.20
36 Page Magazine
7 month subscription £10.00
Editor – Grant Crawford,
B&F Treasurer –
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
Hopefully by the time you are reading this the fuel crisis will be over and who knows with a bit of luck we may even be paying a few pence less for our petrol. A number of the Clubs were affected with numbers down, and indeed one or two had to be cancelled either as a result of guests artistes being unable to find petrol or through fear of far traveled guest artistes arriving to find only a handful of people in the hall.
Perhaps now those who complain about guest artistes’ fees being too high might take into consideration the cost of fuel before making their judgments. The debate over fees has been going on since the inception of the Clubs and will, no doubt, go on forever. Someone I spoke to recently recall the early days of the M.A.F.I.A. – that was the late, lamented Milngavie Accordionists, Fiddlers and Instrumentalists Association (one of the earliest clubs founded by fiddler bobby Harvey – for anyone who is wondering if we have underworld connections), when an old lum hat was passed round and audience and players were asked for a contribution to the guest’s fee. (If you’re too young to know what a lum hat is ask Jimmy Yeaman the next time you see him).
Incidentally, talking of lum hats, did you know that the Association Secretary’s shop, Music Corner, is situated beside the pub immortalised in the oft played tune Tam Bain’s Lum composed by Pipe Major Donald Shaw Ramsay? Morag assures me her choice of location was not influenced by the close proximity of licensed premises.
Finally, on behalf of Karin and myself, many thanks to all of you who have taken the time to write, telephone or speak to us personally at the clubs, thanking us for our efforts and offering your support. May we also pass on our thanks for the understanding and acceptance of the slight delay, which, due to a number of circumstances, was outwith our control. We would also like to suggest to the two people who complained to us that their excellent writing skills and wide vocabulary would be put to better use penning an article or two for the magazine.
Grant Crawford
The Gov’nor
by Grant Crawford
Mention jazz accordion and two names come to mind, Art Van Damme and Jack Emblow. Jack, along with fellow jazz accordionsist Tony Compton, appeared recently at the Buttonkey Club n Windygates and I managed a quick interview with him and found out a little about the man fellow musicians refer to as ‘The Gov’.
Jack was born in Lincoln on June 27th, 1930. His father sang a little and his mother played piano, although not professionally. He began his musical journey at the age of 9 by taking piano lessons. However he switched to the accordion at 11, playing a 24 bass Geraldi accordion that his father had bought for his older brother. As is often the case, the younger sibling showed more interest and, as a result, Jack transferred his affections to the accordion.
When Jack was 15, his father entered him in a talent show at the local cinema. Although he did not win, an important contact had been established. The talent show was organised by a local impresario by the name of Brian Mickey who toured around the South East of England producing variety shows. Three months after entering the talent show, Jack was contacted by Brian and invited to join the show. And so Jack’s professional career was underway and he was teamed up with a blind jazz pianist by the name of Eddie Thompson. As Jack recalls, “The audiences used to wonder what they were in for and we were often met with the sound of laughter when they saw a teenager come on to the stage leading this blind man by the hand to his piano. But after a few bars they soon quietened down and enjoyed our music”. Jack says the 4 years he spent touring the theatre circuit was a major part of his musical education and he will always be grateful to Eddie. Jack also started building his reputation working both as a soloist and with several stage bands.
After National Service in the RAF, he worked with various bands including The Melfi Trio, in many of the top London hotels and restaurants playing a variety of music ranging from gypsy to jazz. After three years residency at the Berkeley Hotel in London’s Piccadilly he took the decision to become a freelance musician and began to undertake studio work as a session player.
The Jack Emblow Sextet made over 400 broadcasts and, since June 1959, he has been an integral part of one of the world’s longest running radio programmes ‘Sing Something Simple’ with the cliff Adams’ Singers. Every Sunday of every year since June 1959 to date. Try working out how many broadcast that adds up to!
Jack has made over 20 albums of his own, many under the alias of Adriano and has lost count of the number of recordings he has made with other artistes. He has worked with many famous musical directors and bandleaders, and they include Ted Heath, Frank Sinatra’s MD, Nelson Riddle, Michel le Grand, Jack Parnell and Sir George Martin – ‘The Beatles’ producer. Jack confirmed that the photograph of a Hohner Gola being played by John Lennon in a previous issue of the B&F was indeed his and was taken at the famous Abbey Road Studios during the recording of The Beatles’ hit All You Need is Love.
Jack worked with top BBC musical director Ronnie Hazlehurst and this union led to some of the best-known TV themes, such as those for Allo Allo, Bergerac, Last Of The Summer Wine and The Singing Detective. Jack also worked with the late Henry Mancini and was involved with the music for many feature films including The Pink Panther series.
He played the accordion and conducted the orchestra at London Sadlers Well Theatre for a production of Astor Piazzola’s Libertango performer by Les Ballets Jazz De Montreal. In 1983 he was awarded the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors Gold Badge of Merit, for services to British music.
However, it is as one of the world’s top jazz accordionists that he is perhaps best known and he has worked in most of the major jazz venues in Britain including Ronnie Scott’s club. He was the first accordionist to play at International Jazz Festival in Cork, Jersey and Glasgow and featured in major festivals in places such as Vancouver and Los Angeles.
More recently he has worked closely with the top jazz guitarist Martin Taylor on The Spirit of Django series of recordings and concerts. One of the tracks was used in the well-known car advert featuring ‘Nicole and her Papa’.
While the majority of SDB accordionists favour the Hohner Morino, there is only one instrument for Jack – the American made Excelsior Art Van Damme Symphony Grand. This is a 3 voice, 39 treble, 5 voice 120 bass instrument but the treble keyboard has a range A-1 to C-3 unlike the usual F-1 to A3. There are two sets of 16” (bassoon) reeds and one set of 8” clarinet reeds, with one set of the 16” reeds in the cassotto tone chamber along with the 8” reeds and it also has a mute slide. Jack’s box has been fitted with a customized set of condenser microphones, 4 in the treble and 1 in the bass, and he plays through the Jack Emblow special, a 100 watt Combo amp built by Charlie Watkins (WEM). The Van Damme model cost $3,000 in 1959 – the same price as a new Ford Mustang car. Over the years Jack has played and endorsed many different makes of accordions including some electronic models. While he believes the midi equipped accordion, like all modern technology has a place, he has not ventured down that road but still embraces the acoustic properties of his Excelsior as the ideal instrument for his requirements.
Jack was greatly influenced by the playing of Art Van Damme and Ernie Felice, accordionists with the legendary Benny Goodman Band, but equally, other prominent jazz musicians such as Art Tatum, Teddy Wilson and Charlie Parker influenced him. Indeed when asked what advice he would offer to any accordionist interested in playing jazz he believes that, “listening to non-accordion jazz music and musicians along with a knowledge of chord structure is the key to success”.
Jack is also playing and gigging regularly with friend and fellow jazz accordionist Tony Compton.
Strangely, although they first met and nurtured their friendship in the early 1960s, it was not until 1985 that they actually played together during an impromptu session at the jazz master class at an accordion festival.
Away from the music scene Jack relaxes by flying radio controlled aircraft, a passion he shares with Tony, and tending his large garden. At the tender age of 70 he still looks as youthful as he did all those years ago and shows no signs of slowing down. Indeed Jack and Tony are very keen to put together a tour of Accordion and Fiddle clubs next year.
Their performance in Fife, which included jazz standards, French Musette, classical and easy listening medleys, even impressed the dyed-in-the-wool traditionalists and they would go down a storm at any Club.
The Scottish Traditions of Dance Trust
by Karin Ingram
In Scotland, at the start of the new Millennium, …………..
Newtongrange Competitions – Sunday 9th April 2000
by Margaret Smith
A good entry of competitors and a full house of enthusiasts…………..
Roddy Urquhart – An Appreciation
by RM
In the early 1960s The Roddy Urquhart Dance Band traveled the West Coast for a week long tour, with notable artistes such as George Clavey and Ann Draper and the concerts were introduced by Robbie Shepherd. Among the places visited were Broadford, Mallaig, Tarbert (Harris), Stornoway and Portree.
All these places have lasting memories of Roddy and the band.
When visiting Skye, the home of Roddy and Sheila Urquhart was always the place to visit and all the top Scottish Dance Bands including those of Bobby MacLeod, Andrew Rankine, Fergie MacDonald and John Carmichael dropped in for a tune and a dram when they played in the area. Sir Jimmy Shand, with his wife Ann and son David, stayed for three nights when he personally delivered the Hohner Morino ordered by Roddy, that he is seen playing in the photograph.
In the North of Scotland we are very fortunate to have loyal Club members who support their local Accordion and fiddle Clubs, and Roddy, until just before his passing was a regular at Highland, Dingwall and Forres.
Fond memories of a kind, gentle, musician who gave pleasure to many with his soft ‘West Coast’ style of playing will come to mind now each time I hear Eric Allan’s fine composition, Sheila and Roddy Urquhart’s Two-Step.
Our thoughts at this time are with Sheila and family.
The Dancing Days
by Karin Ingram
One of the most enjoyable things about working in the Traditional Dance and Music scene…….
Dingwall & District A&F Club
1979 - 2000
by
THE EARLY DAYS
The Dingwall and District club was the idea of Bill MacDonald, Dingwall and Neil Macdonald, Achterneed. In March 1979, they put an advert in the Ross-shire Journal asking for any person interested in forming a Club to meet at the Ross Country Social club. The meeting duly took place and the first Committee was formed as follows :-
Chairman / Secretary – Mike Shaw
Vice Chairman – Donald MacKillop
Treasurer – George MacKintosh
Committee – John Pirie, Bill MacDonald, Neil MacDonald, Frank Thompson & Calum MacLean.
The aim of the Club was to foster and encourage interest in accordion and fiddle music.
PRE-CLUB MEETINGS
Three meetings were arranged for the summer months in the Ross-shire Social Club, Dingwall to raise funds for the Club. Hamish Polson, Strathpeffer offered the loan of PA equipment. Ali McGregor and the Tain Band launched proceedings, supported by local artistes in June 1979. Ali has been one of the Club’s most regular players since then.
PIANO PROBLEMS
The loan of a piano was negotiated with Mr Terry Kennedy of the Strathpeffer Hotel, on condition it was returned to the hotel when required. This involved some weight-lifting for the Committee as the piano had to be lifted onto a trailer and transported back to the hotel. Eventually the Club was in a strong enough financial position to purchase its own piano which was housed in the Ross County Social Club. It also made several journeys round Dingwall’s one=way system as the Club met in different venues.
FIRST MEETINGS
The first official musical evening was on 12th Septembe r1979 with Bobby MacLeod as guest artiste. In October we had Graeme Mitchell’s Band as our second guests and a successful dance to John Ellis and his Highland Country Band. The November guest was Jim Johnstone and his SDB. Meetings were held on the first Wednesday of each month and have remained so.
Since those first early meetings, audiences at the Club have been entertained by a variety of bands, trios, duos and soloists from all over Scotland and beyond.
CHANGE OF VENUE
Although ideal in many respects the Ross County Social Club was a private club and consequently all entrants were required to be members. As such, they had to join the Social Club in addition to the A&F Club or else be signed in regularly by an existing Club member. This problem was never satisfactorily resolved so in 1983 a move to the National hotel was suggested. The National Hotel was state owned and the Club had to pay for the hire of the function room and any unsold sausage rolls. Thus the Committee could often be found munching away at the extras rather than see them going to waste. This situation put a strain on the Club’s finances (not to mention Committee members’ belts) but soon the hotel was to be sold. New owner, George MacLean was approached and he kindly dropped the fee for the use of the room and adopted a more flexible catering policy.
THE MIDDLE YEARS
With the problems of accommodation and catering happily resolved, Committee meetings became a lot shorter and more productive. George Hogg became the second chairman and a strong central core of Committee members met once a month to ensure the smooth running of the Club and undertook various duties. One of the major events to be organised was the Club’s 10th Anniversary celebration in September 1989. The celebrations were two-fold with the first being a buffet dance to the music of one of the early guests Graeme Mitchell and his band, while part two was a musical evening with another of our early guests, Jim johnstone and his SDB.
Sadly, over the years we have lost a few stalwarts of the Club including Heather Christie, John MacKenzie, Dan MacKenzie, Duncan MacLean. Their efforts and support for the Club will always be appreciated and they will be fondly remembered.
Another great loss to the Club was the passing of founder member Bill MacDonald. After Bill’s death the Committee decided he should be honoured and an annual competition for duos is now held for the Bill MacDonald Memorial Trophy. The inaugural winners in 1999 were Stephen and Graeme MacKay and they received the trophy from Bill’s daughter, Fiona.
CLUB ACTIVITIES
The Club also held 4 dances annually in September, November, February and April and they were always very popular and helpful in raising funds for the Club as is the raffle held at the monthly meetings. Indeed had it not been for the extra cash raised on occasions things could have been very different and, like all clubs, a great deal of gratitude is owed to all who either donate prizes or sell tickets.
Fortunately over the years the Club has been in the position to make donations to local charities and causes and they include Friends of Seaforth, Heart Start and the National Mod.
The Club was also asked by the local council to provide music outside the Town Hall in Dingwall and this was well received by passers-by. Another great success at the Club has been our Youth nights. On these nights, the guest artiste spot was filled by young, local players who regularly attend the Club. Over the years we have been fortunate to have some fine young musicians come up through our ranks, including Lindsay Weir and Mark MacDougall who have made several broadcasts.
ALASTAIR HUNTER TUITION
In 1990 the Committee decided to encourage younger and older players to improve. With this in mind an accordion and fiddle workshop was organised with tuition by Florence Burns (now Lawie) and Alastair Hunter and a total of 38 players attended.
It was agreed to have accordion tuition once a month with up to 14 students getting individual tuition. Initially, the Club was fortunate to be able to get Grants from Ross and Cromarty Leisure Services but the Club subsidized the tuition from funds generated by the club’s general success. A total of 45 people have benefited from tuition and this has given many the confidence to play in public at the Club. Thanks are due to the many Committee members who have given their time in organising and co-ordinating the workshops over the past ten years, not forgetting Alastair Hunter.
THE NEXT GENERATION
The future of the Club is secure in the hands and talents of a fine group of young players coming forward, some of who have been the products of the Club’s workshops. Names to look out for in coming years include : David & Alexander MacKenzie, Graeme, Stephen and Allan MacKay, Matthew MacLennan, John Devine, Roya MacLean, Arran Devine, Scott Crossley, George Stuart, Rebecca Fraser, Steven MacIver, Alison Fraser and Jonathan McKendry.
It is nice to know that Dingwall & District A&F Club has helped promote and foster Scotland’s music and preserve the traditions of our country and that there are youngsters coming through the Club to maintain that for at least another 21 years.
Northern Nights
by Grant Crawford
How do you fancy the following challenge? Organise,…….
CD Reviews
Iain MacPhail Celebrates in South America – Shielburn Associates CD010
Highly Strung – Alistair McCulloch – Fellside Recordings FECD154
My Heart’s in the highlands – Smith/Mearns Recordings SMR106V
Book Review
Fiddlers’ Burns – Compiled by Eric Allan and published by Balnain House
Ceol na Fidhle, The Fiddle Music of the Scottish Highlands Vols 5 & 6 – Compiled and arranged by Christine Martin and published by Taigh Na Teud Music, Skye
Letters to the Editor
Take the Floor – Saturdays at 6.30pm with Robbie Shepherd
7th Oct 2000 – Bill Black SDB
14th Oct 2000 – Lomond Ceilidh Band
21st Oct 2000 – Jim MacLeod SDB (OB)
28th Oct 2000 – Kenny Thomson & the Wardlaw SDB
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Dee Motel) – 31st Oct 2000 – Iain Anderson Trio
Alnwick (White Swan Hotel) – members only 11th Oct 2000 – Lothian SDB
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 15th Oct 2000 – John Renton SDB
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 1st Oct 2000 – Patsy Reid
Armadale (Masonic Hall) – 5th Oct 2000 – Andy Greig SDB
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Hall) – 18th Oct 2000 – Willie Simpson & Gordon Pattullo
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 30th Oct 2000 – Billy Anderson & Albany
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 25th Oct 2000 – Davie Stewart Trio
Beith & District (Hotel de Croft, Dalry) – 16th Oct 2000 – Jimmy Cassidy
Belford (Community Club) – 26th Oct 2000 – Grant Crawford Trio
Biggar (Municipal Hall) – 8th Oct 2000 – Fiona cuthbertson SDB
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 10th Oct 2000 – Simon Howie SDB
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) - 10th Oct 2000 – Deirdre Adamson
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 12th Oct 2000 – Ritchie Ahearne & the Dalcassian Irish DB
Campsie (Glazert House Hotel) - 3rd Oct 2000 – Morag Robertson Trio
Carlisle (Border Regiment Club, Carlisle Castle) - 12th Oct 2000 – Archie Duncan
Castle Douglas (Ernespie House Hotel) – 17th Oct 2000 – Jim Paterson & the Caberston CB
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 19th Oct 2000 – Tommy Ford
Crathes (Crathes Hall, Banchory) - 8th Oct 2000 – All Players Welcome
Crieff & District (Arduthie Hotel) 5th Oct 2000 – Peter Bruce & Willie Simpson
Cults (Cults Sports & Social Club) 11th Oct 2000 – David Cunningham Jnr SDB
Dalriada (Argyll Arms Hotel, Lochgilphead) 17th Oct 2000 – Burns Brothers
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 6th Oct 2000 – James Coutts SDB
Dunblane (Westlands Hotel) – 18th Oct 2000 – Marian Anderson SDB
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) – 10th Oct 2000 – Burns Brothers
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel) 13th Oct 2000 – Neil Sinclair
East Kilbride (Sweepers, Cambuslang) – 26th Oct 2000 – Alan Gardiner Duo
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 24th Oct 2000 – Nicol McLaren SDB
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 23rd Oct 2000 – Jim Paterson Trio
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 29th Oct 2000 – Burns Brothers
Forres (Brig Motel) – 11th Oct 2000 – tbc
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) – 5th Oct 2000 – Andrew Gordon
Galston (Barr Castle Social Club) – 9th Oct 2000 – Gregor Lowrey & Bob Turner
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) – 19th Oct 2000 – Meoran Ciuil
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 4th Oct 2000 – Donnie & Diane
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) - Oct 2000 – Club night
Gretna (Halcrow Stadium) - 1st Oct 2000 - tbc
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) – 16th Oct 2000 – Willie Simpson Trio
Inveraray (Loch Fyne Hotel) - 11th Oct 2000 – Hector MacFadyen SDB
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 5th Oct 2000 – tbc
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) – 3rd Oct 2000 – Bruce Lindsay Trio
Kelso (Ednam House Hotel) – 25th Oct 2000 – Dermot O’Brien
Kintore (Torryburn Hotel) – 11th Oct 2000 – The Wyvis Sound
Lanark (Masonic Hall) - 23rd Oct 2000 – James Coutts SDB
Langholm (Crown Hotel) – 11th Oct 2000 – Gary Donaldson
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) – 12th Oct 2000 – 21st Birthday Party with George Stirrat SDB
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 5th Oct 2000 – Jennifer Forrest SDB
Livingston (Cairn Hotel) - 17th Oct 2000 – Fintan Stanley
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) - 31st Oct 2000 – Andy Greig SDB
Mauchline (Sorn Village Hall) 17th Oct 2000 – Meoran Ciuil
Montrose (Park Hotel) – Tbc
Muirhead (Belmont Arms, Meigle) -
Newmill-on-Teviot (Newmill Country Inn) - 4th Oct 2000 – Scott Gordon SDB
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 30th Oct 2000 – Marian Anderson SDB
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 3rd Oct 2000 – Mayfield Players
Oban (McTavish’s Kitchen) – 5th Oct 2000 – Dochie McCallum SDB
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) – Oct 2000 -
Peebles (Green Tree Hotel) – 26th Oct 2000 – Iain Anderson Trio
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 17th Oct 2000 – Steven Carcary Duo 28th Oct 2000 After Festival Dance Jim Johnstone SDB & James Coutts SDB
Premier NI (Camlin Function Rooms) - 3rd Oct 2000 – Bill Black SDB
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 10th Oct 2000 - Stuart McKeown SDB
Rothbury (Queen’s Head) - 5th Oct 2000 – Bon Accords
Selkirk (Cricket Club) - 12th Oct 2000 – Gordon Pattullo
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - 12th/16th Oct 2000 – Shetland Festival
Stirling (Terraces Hotel) -
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) - tbc
Thornhill (Masonic Hall) - 4th Oct 2000 – Jean McConnachie Sound
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – Oct 2000 – John Bone & Robert Lovie
Turriff (Royal Oak Hotel) – 5th Oct 2000 – Ryan McGlynn
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – Oct 2000 – Lomond Ceilidh Band
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) – 17th Oct 2000 – Ness Lassies
Yarrow (Gordon Arms) - Tbc
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Biggar
3. Blairgowrie
4. Campsie
5. Crieff
6. Dalriada
7. Dingwall & District
8. Dunblane
9. Dunfermline & District
10. Dunoon & Cowal
11. Ellon
12. Forres
13. Glenrothes
14. Gretna
15. Highland
16. Islesteps
17. Kelso
18. Kintore
19. Langholm
20. Montrose
21. Newmill
22. North East
23. Premier
24. Renfrew
25. Rothbury
26. Turriff
26. Tynedale
27. Yarrow
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 1999
(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. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Closed
6. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
7. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
8. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
9. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
10. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
11. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
12. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
13. Bromley A&F Club
14. Button Key A&F Club (
15. Campbeltown A&F Club (
16. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
17. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
18. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
19. Coalburn A&F Club (
20. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
21. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
22. Cults A & F Club (
23. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
24. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
25. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
26. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
27. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
28. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
29. Ellon A&F Club (
30. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
31. Forfar A&F Club (
32. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
33. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
34. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
35. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
36. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
37. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
38. 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)
39. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
40. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
41. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
42. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
43. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
44. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
45. Kintore A&F Club (
46. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed
47. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – present)
48. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
49. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
50. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
51. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
52. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
53. Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
54. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
55. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
56. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999
57. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
58. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
59. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
60. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
61. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
62. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
63. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
64. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
65. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
66. Selkirk A&F Club (
67. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
68. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 - )
69. Sutherland A&F Club (
70. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
71. Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
72. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
73. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
74. Vancouver
75. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975 - present)
76. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 -
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
77. Acharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
78. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
79. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
80. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
81. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
82. Buchan A&F Club
83. Callander A&F Club (
84. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
85. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
86. Club Accord
87. Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
88. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
89. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
90. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
91. Derwentside A&F Club
92. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
93. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
94. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
95. Dundee & District A&F Club (1970? – 1995?)
96. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
97. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
98. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
99. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
100. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
101. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
102. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
103. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
104. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
105. Mull A&F Club
106. Newcastleton Accordion Club
107. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
108. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
109. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
110. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
111. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
112. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
113. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
114. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
115. Tranent A&F Club
116. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
117. Wellbank A&F Club
Advertising rates
Full Page - £120
Half Page - £60
Quarter Page - £30
B&F Treasurer –
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
Hopefully by the time you are reading this the fuel crisis will be over and who knows with a bit of luck we may even be paying a few pence less for our petrol. A number of the Clubs were affected with numbers down, and indeed one or two had to be cancelled either as a result of guests artistes being unable to find petrol or through fear of far traveled guest artistes arriving to find only a handful of people in the hall.
Perhaps now those who complain about guest artistes’ fees being too high might take into consideration the cost of fuel before making their judgments. The debate over fees has been going on since the inception of the Clubs and will, no doubt, go on forever. Someone I spoke to recently recall the early days of the M.A.F.I.A. – that was the late, lamented Milngavie Accordionists, Fiddlers and Instrumentalists Association (one of the earliest clubs founded by fiddler bobby Harvey – for anyone who is wondering if we have underworld connections), when an old lum hat was passed round and audience and players were asked for a contribution to the guest’s fee. (If you’re too young to know what a lum hat is ask Jimmy Yeaman the next time you see him).
Incidentally, talking of lum hats, did you know that the Association Secretary’s shop, Music Corner, is situated beside the pub immortalised in the oft played tune Tam Bain’s Lum composed by Pipe Major Donald Shaw Ramsay? Morag assures me her choice of location was not influenced by the close proximity of licensed premises.
Finally, on behalf of Karin and myself, many thanks to all of you who have taken the time to write, telephone or speak to us personally at the clubs, thanking us for our efforts and offering your support. May we also pass on our thanks for the understanding and acceptance of the slight delay, which, due to a number of circumstances, was outwith our control. We would also like to suggest to the two people who complained to us that their excellent writing skills and wide vocabulary would be put to better use penning an article or two for the magazine.
Grant Crawford
The Gov’nor
by Grant Crawford
Mention jazz accordion and two names come to mind, Art Van Damme and Jack Emblow. Jack, along with fellow jazz accordionsist Tony Compton, appeared recently at the Buttonkey Club n Windygates and I managed a quick interview with him and found out a little about the man fellow musicians refer to as ‘The Gov’.
Jack was born in Lincoln on June 27th, 1930. His father sang a little and his mother played piano, although not professionally. He began his musical journey at the age of 9 by taking piano lessons. However he switched to the accordion at 11, playing a 24 bass Geraldi accordion that his father had bought for his older brother. As is often the case, the younger sibling showed more interest and, as a result, Jack transferred his affections to the accordion.
When Jack was 15, his father entered him in a talent show at the local cinema. Although he did not win, an important contact had been established. The talent show was organised by a local impresario by the name of Brian Mickey who toured around the South East of England producing variety shows. Three months after entering the talent show, Jack was contacted by Brian and invited to join the show. And so Jack’s professional career was underway and he was teamed up with a blind jazz pianist by the name of Eddie Thompson. As Jack recalls, “The audiences used to wonder what they were in for and we were often met with the sound of laughter when they saw a teenager come on to the stage leading this blind man by the hand to his piano. But after a few bars they soon quietened down and enjoyed our music”. Jack says the 4 years he spent touring the theatre circuit was a major part of his musical education and he will always be grateful to Eddie. Jack also started building his reputation working both as a soloist and with several stage bands.
After National Service in the RAF, he worked with various bands including The Melfi Trio, in many of the top London hotels and restaurants playing a variety of music ranging from gypsy to jazz. After three years residency at the Berkeley Hotel in London’s Piccadilly he took the decision to become a freelance musician and began to undertake studio work as a session player.
The Jack Emblow Sextet made over 400 broadcasts and, since June 1959, he has been an integral part of one of the world’s longest running radio programmes ‘Sing Something Simple’ with the cliff Adams’ Singers. Every Sunday of every year since June 1959 to date. Try working out how many broadcast that adds up to!
Jack has made over 20 albums of his own, many under the alias of Adriano and has lost count of the number of recordings he has made with other artistes. He has worked with many famous musical directors and bandleaders, and they include Ted Heath, Frank Sinatra’s MD, Nelson Riddle, Michel le Grand, Jack Parnell and Sir George Martin – ‘The Beatles’ producer. Jack confirmed that the photograph of a Hohner Gola being played by John Lennon in a previous issue of the B&F was indeed his and was taken at the famous Abbey Road Studios during the recording of The Beatles’ hit All You Need is Love.
Jack worked with top BBC musical director Ronnie Hazlehurst and this union led to some of the best-known TV themes, such as those for Allo Allo, Bergerac, Last Of The Summer Wine and The Singing Detective. Jack also worked with the late Henry Mancini and was involved with the music for many feature films including The Pink Panther series.
He played the accordion and conducted the orchestra at London Sadlers Well Theatre for a production of Astor Piazzola’s Libertango performer by Les Ballets Jazz De Montreal. In 1983 he was awarded the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors Gold Badge of Merit, for services to British music.
However, it is as one of the world’s top jazz accordionists that he is perhaps best known and he has worked in most of the major jazz venues in Britain including Ronnie Scott’s club. He was the first accordionist to play at International Jazz Festival in Cork, Jersey and Glasgow and featured in major festivals in places such as Vancouver and Los Angeles.
More recently he has worked closely with the top jazz guitarist Martin Taylor on The Spirit of Django series of recordings and concerts. One of the tracks was used in the well-known car advert featuring ‘Nicole and her Papa’.
While the majority of SDB accordionists favour the Hohner Morino, there is only one instrument for Jack – the American made Excelsior Art Van Damme Symphony Grand. This is a 3 voice, 39 treble, 5 voice 120 bass instrument but the treble keyboard has a range A-1 to C-3 unlike the usual F-1 to A3. There are two sets of 16” (bassoon) reeds and one set of 8” clarinet reeds, with one set of the 16” reeds in the cassotto tone chamber along with the 8” reeds and it also has a mute slide. Jack’s box has been fitted with a customized set of condenser microphones, 4 in the treble and 1 in the bass, and he plays through the Jack Emblow special, a 100 watt Combo amp built by Charlie Watkins (WEM). The Van Damme model cost $3,000 in 1959 – the same price as a new Ford Mustang car. Over the years Jack has played and endorsed many different makes of accordions including some electronic models. While he believes the midi equipped accordion, like all modern technology has a place, he has not ventured down that road but still embraces the acoustic properties of his Excelsior as the ideal instrument for his requirements.
Jack was greatly influenced by the playing of Art Van Damme and Ernie Felice, accordionists with the legendary Benny Goodman Band, but equally, other prominent jazz musicians such as Art Tatum, Teddy Wilson and Charlie Parker influenced him. Indeed when asked what advice he would offer to any accordionist interested in playing jazz he believes that, “listening to non-accordion jazz music and musicians along with a knowledge of chord structure is the key to success”.
Jack is also playing and gigging regularly with friend and fellow jazz accordionist Tony Compton.
Strangely, although they first met and nurtured their friendship in the early 1960s, it was not until 1985 that they actually played together during an impromptu session at the jazz master class at an accordion festival.
Away from the music scene Jack relaxes by flying radio controlled aircraft, a passion he shares with Tony, and tending his large garden. At the tender age of 70 he still looks as youthful as he did all those years ago and shows no signs of slowing down. Indeed Jack and Tony are very keen to put together a tour of Accordion and Fiddle clubs next year.
Their performance in Fife, which included jazz standards, French Musette, classical and easy listening medleys, even impressed the dyed-in-the-wool traditionalists and they would go down a storm at any Club.
The Scottish Traditions of Dance Trust
by Karin Ingram
In Scotland, at the start of the new Millennium, …………..
Newtongrange Competitions – Sunday 9th April 2000
by Margaret Smith
A good entry of competitors and a full house of enthusiasts…………..
Roddy Urquhart – An Appreciation
by RM
In the early 1960s The Roddy Urquhart Dance Band traveled the West Coast for a week long tour, with notable artistes such as George Clavey and Ann Draper and the concerts were introduced by Robbie Shepherd. Among the places visited were Broadford, Mallaig, Tarbert (Harris), Stornoway and Portree.
All these places have lasting memories of Roddy and the band.
When visiting Skye, the home of Roddy and Sheila Urquhart was always the place to visit and all the top Scottish Dance Bands including those of Bobby MacLeod, Andrew Rankine, Fergie MacDonald and John Carmichael dropped in for a tune and a dram when they played in the area. Sir Jimmy Shand, with his wife Ann and son David, stayed for three nights when he personally delivered the Hohner Morino ordered by Roddy, that he is seen playing in the photograph.
In the North of Scotland we are very fortunate to have loyal Club members who support their local Accordion and fiddle Clubs, and Roddy, until just before his passing was a regular at Highland, Dingwall and Forres.
Fond memories of a kind, gentle, musician who gave pleasure to many with his soft ‘West Coast’ style of playing will come to mind now each time I hear Eric Allan’s fine composition, Sheila and Roddy Urquhart’s Two-Step.
Our thoughts at this time are with Sheila and family.
The Dancing Days
by Karin Ingram
One of the most enjoyable things about working in the Traditional Dance and Music scene…….
Dingwall & District A&F Club
1979 - 2000
by
THE EARLY DAYS
The Dingwall and District club was the idea of Bill MacDonald, Dingwall and Neil Macdonald, Achterneed. In March 1979, they put an advert in the Ross-shire Journal asking for any person interested in forming a Club to meet at the Ross Country Social club. The meeting duly took place and the first Committee was formed as follows :-
Chairman / Secretary – Mike Shaw
Vice Chairman – Donald MacKillop
Treasurer – George MacKintosh
Committee – John Pirie, Bill MacDonald, Neil MacDonald, Frank Thompson & Calum MacLean.
The aim of the Club was to foster and encourage interest in accordion and fiddle music.
PRE-CLUB MEETINGS
Three meetings were arranged for the summer months in the Ross-shire Social Club, Dingwall to raise funds for the Club. Hamish Polson, Strathpeffer offered the loan of PA equipment. Ali McGregor and the Tain Band launched proceedings, supported by local artistes in June 1979. Ali has been one of the Club’s most regular players since then.
PIANO PROBLEMS
The loan of a piano was negotiated with Mr Terry Kennedy of the Strathpeffer Hotel, on condition it was returned to the hotel when required. This involved some weight-lifting for the Committee as the piano had to be lifted onto a trailer and transported back to the hotel. Eventually the Club was in a strong enough financial position to purchase its own piano which was housed in the Ross County Social Club. It also made several journeys round Dingwall’s one=way system as the Club met in different venues.
FIRST MEETINGS
The first official musical evening was on 12th Septembe r1979 with Bobby MacLeod as guest artiste. In October we had Graeme Mitchell’s Band as our second guests and a successful dance to John Ellis and his Highland Country Band. The November guest was Jim Johnstone and his SDB. Meetings were held on the first Wednesday of each month and have remained so.
Since those first early meetings, audiences at the Club have been entertained by a variety of bands, trios, duos and soloists from all over Scotland and beyond.
CHANGE OF VENUE
Although ideal in many respects the Ross County Social Club was a private club and consequently all entrants were required to be members. As such, they had to join the Social Club in addition to the A&F Club or else be signed in regularly by an existing Club member. This problem was never satisfactorily resolved so in 1983 a move to the National hotel was suggested. The National Hotel was state owned and the Club had to pay for the hire of the function room and any unsold sausage rolls. Thus the Committee could often be found munching away at the extras rather than see them going to waste. This situation put a strain on the Club’s finances (not to mention Committee members’ belts) but soon the hotel was to be sold. New owner, George MacLean was approached and he kindly dropped the fee for the use of the room and adopted a more flexible catering policy.
THE MIDDLE YEARS
With the problems of accommodation and catering happily resolved, Committee meetings became a lot shorter and more productive. George Hogg became the second chairman and a strong central core of Committee members met once a month to ensure the smooth running of the Club and undertook various duties. One of the major events to be organised was the Club’s 10th Anniversary celebration in September 1989. The celebrations were two-fold with the first being a buffet dance to the music of one of the early guests Graeme Mitchell and his band, while part two was a musical evening with another of our early guests, Jim johnstone and his SDB.
Sadly, over the years we have lost a few stalwarts of the Club including Heather Christie, John MacKenzie, Dan MacKenzie, Duncan MacLean. Their efforts and support for the Club will always be appreciated and they will be fondly remembered.
Another great loss to the Club was the passing of founder member Bill MacDonald. After Bill’s death the Committee decided he should be honoured and an annual competition for duos is now held for the Bill MacDonald Memorial Trophy. The inaugural winners in 1999 were Stephen and Graeme MacKay and they received the trophy from Bill’s daughter, Fiona.
CLUB ACTIVITIES
The Club also held 4 dances annually in September, November, February and April and they were always very popular and helpful in raising funds for the Club as is the raffle held at the monthly meetings. Indeed had it not been for the extra cash raised on occasions things could have been very different and, like all clubs, a great deal of gratitude is owed to all who either donate prizes or sell tickets.
Fortunately over the years the Club has been in the position to make donations to local charities and causes and they include Friends of Seaforth, Heart Start and the National Mod.
The Club was also asked by the local council to provide music outside the Town Hall in Dingwall and this was well received by passers-by. Another great success at the Club has been our Youth nights. On these nights, the guest artiste spot was filled by young, local players who regularly attend the Club. Over the years we have been fortunate to have some fine young musicians come up through our ranks, including Lindsay Weir and Mark MacDougall who have made several broadcasts.
ALASTAIR HUNTER TUITION
In 1990 the Committee decided to encourage younger and older players to improve. With this in mind an accordion and fiddle workshop was organised with tuition by Florence Burns (now Lawie) and Alastair Hunter and a total of 38 players attended.
It was agreed to have accordion tuition once a month with up to 14 students getting individual tuition. Initially, the Club was fortunate to be able to get Grants from Ross and Cromarty Leisure Services but the Club subsidized the tuition from funds generated by the club’s general success. A total of 45 people have benefited from tuition and this has given many the confidence to play in public at the Club. Thanks are due to the many Committee members who have given their time in organising and co-ordinating the workshops over the past ten years, not forgetting Alastair Hunter.
THE NEXT GENERATION
The future of the Club is secure in the hands and talents of a fine group of young players coming forward, some of who have been the products of the Club’s workshops. Names to look out for in coming years include : David & Alexander MacKenzie, Graeme, Stephen and Allan MacKay, Matthew MacLennan, John Devine, Roya MacLean, Arran Devine, Scott Crossley, George Stuart, Rebecca Fraser, Steven MacIver, Alison Fraser and Jonathan McKendry.
It is nice to know that Dingwall & District A&F Club has helped promote and foster Scotland’s music and preserve the traditions of our country and that there are youngsters coming through the Club to maintain that for at least another 21 years.
Northern Nights
by Grant Crawford
How do you fancy the following challenge? Organise,…….
CD Reviews
Iain MacPhail Celebrates in South America – Shielburn Associates CD010
Highly Strung – Alistair McCulloch – Fellside Recordings FECD154
My Heart’s in the highlands – Smith/Mearns Recordings SMR106V
Book Review
Fiddlers’ Burns – Compiled by Eric Allan and published by Balnain House
Ceol na Fidhle, The Fiddle Music of the Scottish Highlands Vols 5 & 6 – Compiled and arranged by Christine Martin and published by Taigh Na Teud Music, Skye
Letters to the Editor
Take the Floor – Saturdays at 6.30pm with Robbie Shepherd
7th Oct 2000 – Bill Black SDB
14th Oct 2000 – Lomond Ceilidh Band
21st Oct 2000 – Jim MacLeod SDB (OB)
28th Oct 2000 – Kenny Thomson & the Wardlaw SDB
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Dee Motel) – 31st Oct 2000 – Iain Anderson Trio
Alnwick (White Swan Hotel) – members only 11th Oct 2000 – Lothian SDB
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 15th Oct 2000 – John Renton SDB
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 1st Oct 2000 – Patsy Reid
Armadale (Masonic Hall) – 5th Oct 2000 – Andy Greig SDB
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Hall) – 18th Oct 2000 – Willie Simpson & Gordon Pattullo
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 30th Oct 2000 – Billy Anderson & Albany
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 25th Oct 2000 – Davie Stewart Trio
Beith & District (Hotel de Croft, Dalry) – 16th Oct 2000 – Jimmy Cassidy
Belford (Community Club) – 26th Oct 2000 – Grant Crawford Trio
Biggar (Municipal Hall) – 8th Oct 2000 – Fiona cuthbertson SDB
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 10th Oct 2000 – Simon Howie SDB
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) - 10th Oct 2000 – Deirdre Adamson
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 12th Oct 2000 – Ritchie Ahearne & the Dalcassian Irish DB
Campsie (Glazert House Hotel) - 3rd Oct 2000 – Morag Robertson Trio
Carlisle (Border Regiment Club, Carlisle Castle) - 12th Oct 2000 – Archie Duncan
Castle Douglas (Ernespie House Hotel) – 17th Oct 2000 – Jim Paterson & the Caberston CB
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 19th Oct 2000 – Tommy Ford
Crathes (Crathes Hall, Banchory) - 8th Oct 2000 – All Players Welcome
Crieff & District (Arduthie Hotel) 5th Oct 2000 – Peter Bruce & Willie Simpson
Cults (Cults Sports & Social Club) 11th Oct 2000 – David Cunningham Jnr SDB
Dalriada (Argyll Arms Hotel, Lochgilphead) 17th Oct 2000 – Burns Brothers
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 6th Oct 2000 – James Coutts SDB
Dunblane (Westlands Hotel) – 18th Oct 2000 – Marian Anderson SDB
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) – 10th Oct 2000 – Burns Brothers
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel) 13th Oct 2000 – Neil Sinclair
East Kilbride (Sweepers, Cambuslang) – 26th Oct 2000 – Alan Gardiner Duo
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 24th Oct 2000 – Nicol McLaren SDB
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 23rd Oct 2000 – Jim Paterson Trio
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 29th Oct 2000 – Burns Brothers
Forres (Brig Motel) – 11th Oct 2000 – tbc
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) – 5th Oct 2000 – Andrew Gordon
Galston (Barr Castle Social Club) – 9th Oct 2000 – Gregor Lowrey & Bob Turner
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) – 19th Oct 2000 – Meoran Ciuil
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 4th Oct 2000 – Donnie & Diane
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) - Oct 2000 – Club night
Gretna (Halcrow Stadium) - 1st Oct 2000 - tbc
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) – 16th Oct 2000 – Willie Simpson Trio
Inveraray (Loch Fyne Hotel) - 11th Oct 2000 – Hector MacFadyen SDB
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 5th Oct 2000 – tbc
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) – 3rd Oct 2000 – Bruce Lindsay Trio
Kelso (Ednam House Hotel) – 25th Oct 2000 – Dermot O’Brien
Kintore (Torryburn Hotel) – 11th Oct 2000 – The Wyvis Sound
Lanark (Masonic Hall) - 23rd Oct 2000 – James Coutts SDB
Langholm (Crown Hotel) – 11th Oct 2000 – Gary Donaldson
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) – 12th Oct 2000 – 21st Birthday Party with George Stirrat SDB
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 5th Oct 2000 – Jennifer Forrest SDB
Livingston (Cairn Hotel) - 17th Oct 2000 – Fintan Stanley
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) - 31st Oct 2000 – Andy Greig SDB
Mauchline (Sorn Village Hall) 17th Oct 2000 – Meoran Ciuil
Montrose (Park Hotel) – Tbc
Muirhead (Belmont Arms, Meigle) -
Newmill-on-Teviot (Newmill Country Inn) - 4th Oct 2000 – Scott Gordon SDB
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 30th Oct 2000 – Marian Anderson SDB
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 3rd Oct 2000 – Mayfield Players
Oban (McTavish’s Kitchen) – 5th Oct 2000 – Dochie McCallum SDB
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) – Oct 2000 -
Peebles (Green Tree Hotel) – 26th Oct 2000 – Iain Anderson Trio
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 17th Oct 2000 – Steven Carcary Duo 28th Oct 2000 After Festival Dance Jim Johnstone SDB & James Coutts SDB
Premier NI (Camlin Function Rooms) - 3rd Oct 2000 – Bill Black SDB
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 10th Oct 2000 - Stuart McKeown SDB
Rothbury (Queen’s Head) - 5th Oct 2000 – Bon Accords
Selkirk (Cricket Club) - 12th Oct 2000 – Gordon Pattullo
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - 12th/16th Oct 2000 – Shetland Festival
Stirling (Terraces Hotel) -
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) - tbc
Thornhill (Masonic Hall) - 4th Oct 2000 – Jean McConnachie Sound
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – Oct 2000 – John Bone & Robert Lovie
Turriff (Royal Oak Hotel) – 5th Oct 2000 – Ryan McGlynn
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – Oct 2000 – Lomond Ceilidh Band
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) – 17th Oct 2000 – Ness Lassies
Yarrow (Gordon Arms) - Tbc
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Biggar
3. Blairgowrie
4. Campsie
5. Crieff
6. Dalriada
7. Dingwall & District
8. Dunblane
9. Dunfermline & District
10. Dunoon & Cowal
11. Ellon
12. Forres
13. Glenrothes
14. Gretna
15. Highland
16. Islesteps
17. Kelso
18. Kintore
19. Langholm
20. Montrose
21. Newmill
22. North East
23. Premier
24. Renfrew
25. Rothbury
26. Turriff
26. Tynedale
27. Yarrow
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 1999
(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. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Closed
6. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
7. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
8. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
9. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
10. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
11. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
12. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
13. Bromley A&F Club
14. Button Key A&F Club (
15. Campbeltown A&F Club (
16. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
17. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
18. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
19. Coalburn A&F Club (
20. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
21. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
22. Cults A & F Club (
23. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
24. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
25. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
26. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
27. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
28. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
29. Ellon A&F Club (
30. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
31. Forfar A&F Club (
32. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
33. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
34. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
35. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
36. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
37. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
38. 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)
39. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
40. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
41. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
42. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
43. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
44. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
45. Kintore A&F Club (
46. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed
47. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – present)
48. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
49. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
50. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
51. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
52. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
53. Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
54. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
55. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
56. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999
57. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
58. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
59. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
60. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
61. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
62. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
63. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
64. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
65. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
66. Selkirk A&F Club (
67. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
68. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 - )
69. Sutherland A&F Club (
70. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
71. Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
72. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
73. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
74. Vancouver
75. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975 - present)
76. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 -
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
77. Acharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
78. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
79. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
80. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
81. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
82. Buchan A&F Club
83. Callander A&F Club (
84. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
85. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
86. Club Accord
87. Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
88. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
89. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
90. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
91. Derwentside A&F Club
92. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
93. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
94. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
95. Dundee & District A&F Club (1970? – 1995?)
96. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
97. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
98. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
99. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
100. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
101. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
102. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
103. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
104. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
105. Mull A&F Club
106. Newcastleton Accordion Club
107. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
108. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
109. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
110. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
111. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
112. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
113. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
114. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
115. Tranent A&F Club
116. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
117. Wellbank A&F Club
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