Box and Fiddle
Year 12 No 02
October/November 1988
Price 40p
12 pages
8 month subscription £4.60
Joint Editors – Tom Clark, 55 Sutherland Crescent, Dundee, DD2 2HP or Douglas Adamson, 22 Westfield Drive, Forfar, DD8 1EQ
B&F Treasurer – Mrs Cathy Andrew, 22 Lochinver Crescent, Foxbar, Paisley Tele 2824
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
October has been a disastrous month for the ‘B&F’. There have been times in the past when we have had our problems with shortage of material right up to the last minute, but we’ve always seemed to manage in the end. But October was different. The deadline passed and still we were so short it was not possible to go ahead. As some material started to arrive, we were than faced with the decision whether or not to go ahead with a late issue or cancel the October one. Before enough was at hand to produce a worthwhile effort, we were into November, so I decided reluctantly that October would have to be missed. This is the first time we have been in this position and my sincere apologies must go to those of you who many still be wondering what went wrong. Through the kind co-operation of Ken Mutch and Robbie Shepherd, the message was spread around via Shepherd’s Fancy.
This would seem to be a good time to remind all scribes that the deadline date is the first of the month with issue now on the 15th thus following the decision at this year’s A.G.M., so please send in your reports and other material as soon as possible after your Club meetings.
Tom Clark
39th Perth Festival 1988
by Tom Clark
The 39th Perth Festival got off to its usual early start with keen young accordionists and mums and dads in evidence heading for the various competition venues. The Salutation Hotel was once more the venue for many of the main N.A.O. events with Cyril Pasby having a very busy day ahead of him. Cyril always seems to be in a very relaxed mood, taking everything in his stride, with gentle words of encouragement to all competitors – winners and losers – especially the younger ones.
Equally hard-worked was the ever present Graham Romani at St Leonard’s Church Hall. Graham seems to have always been around at this Festival and I think it would be difficult to imagine a Perth Festival without him. I spoke to Graham later and he commented on the generally high standard of competition at Perth and how he has now come to expect this, enjoying his annual trip. “Just you take a look at the list of winners in the events at the National Festival – you will see that Scotland is always well represented – surely that speaks for itself”. It is surprising just how many Scottish players do well in these national events.
By late morning the events in the Large and Lesser Halls were well under way. The Senior Scottish Pipe Section produced some very fine performances and adjudicator John Crawford eventually produced his first three placings. First, Alan Morrison from Forfar, second, Michael Philip from Cardenden, with Melanie Christie from Alness third. I was surprised to see that the competition didn’t attract as many listeners as usual. Perhaps the Kirriemuir Festival being on the same day had something to do with this. There are many people who like to attend both Perth and Kirrie which are usually on different dates. This year they would have to make a choice. The attendance in the main hall seemed to be quite low at one stage in the early afternoon.
The Senior Traditional event followed on almost immediately after the Pipe Section with Iain MacPhail in the hotseat. Six finalists were chosen for the play-off at the evening concert ; Robert black of London (formerly Stanley) emerged as the winner (to the surprise of no-one), Brian Morrison from Forfar was second and Gordon Shand of Tillicoutry was third. Robert’s technical wizardry was almost beyond belief at times and it seemed to be the general opinion of most of the listeners that no-one else could pass him. This is Robert’s second Championship – well done! During this time I was sitting upstairs in the Gallery beside Iain Peterson and couldn’t help observing how close he was to the final results in the various events. His ‘unofficial adjudicators results’ were almost in total agreement with those of Messrs Crawford, MacPhail and Fitchet, so I suppose the official results must have been okay and fairly close to the general opinion of informed listeners. Just across the passageway from where I was sitting, Ian Powrie and Angus Fitchet were studying the performances in the Traditional Senior event rather seriously. Young James Coutts appeared on stage at the time and played the reel ‘Ian Powrie’s Compliments to Angus Fitchet’. I imagine there were at least two smiling listeners to that. I don’t suppose that either of these veterans can venture very far these days without hearing one of their tunes being played!
By late afternoon the hall was beginning to fill up – as always – in anticipation of the Trios and Band section of the Festival. In spite of the more relaxed approach to these events, the listeners tend to enjoy these performances more than they do those of some others. I personally always find these the most enjoyable of the day’s events. Michael Philip came out winner in the Trios and Alistair McPhail won the Band section.
I managed to track down Iain MacPhail in between events and found him full of enthusiasm, as always. He felt generally that the standard in the section he had adjudicated was higher than ever. “I think it was higher this year than when I last adjudicated two years ago.” How do these young players manage to keep pushing the standard higher every year?
By this time I felt I was needing a breather and found to my disappointment that the usual display of accordion etc., in the foyer of the main hall was missing this year. I think many people enjoy browsing around in the foyer and relaxing between events where they meet up with friends.
As the competition day drew to a close, people were preparing for the concert. The main attraction this year was the renowned Wolmer Beltrami. I can remember from my younger days some wonderful duet performance from Cramer and Wolmer on record. I think they must have been far ahead of their time. I wonder if this recording is still available? Wolmer’s performance at the concert was of the expected high standard. Iain MacPhail’s Band, dancers and singers all helped to round off another great day.
Well’ this was Bill Wilkie’s 39th Festival so what next year? I hear a whisper that something special is brewing for the Ruby Anniversary of the Festival – but I think we shall just have to wait and see.
A now regular event on Festival night is the dance held in the Salutation Hotel by the Perth A&F Club. This year the music was provided by Colin Dewar and his Band and I am reliably informed that it was another wonderful night (Too late for me – must be getting old!!!)
The official winners list for 1988 is :
Senior Scottish Traditional
1) Robert Black (London)
2) Brian Morrison (Forfar)
3) Gordon shand (Tillicoutry)
Senior Scottish Pipe Music
1) Alan Morrison (Forfar)
2) Michael Philip (Cardenden)
3) Melanie Christie (Alness)
Veterans’ Section
1) Bobby Crowe (Balmullo)
2) Willie Lawrie (Kinlochleven)
3) Alan Morrison (Forfar)
Junior Scottish Traditional
1) Wayne Robertson (Arbroath)
2) Neil Galloway (Cupar)
3) Bruce Peebles (Forfar)
Junior Solo Pipe Music
1) Wayne Robertson (Arbroath)
2) Mhairi Coutts (Kirkcaldy)
3) Bruce Peebles (Forfar)
Senior Ladies Scottish Trad
1) Lynn Gould (Huntly)
2) Elizabeth McKenzie (Dunnet)
3) Lindsay Weir (Culbokie)
Junior Scottish Girls
1) Lindsay Torrie (Armadale)
2) Mhairi Coutts (Kirkcaldy)
3) Lynne Christie (Banffshire)
Own Composition
1) Willie Renwick (Blairgowrie)
2) Billy McGuire (Kirkcaldy)
3) Robert Black (London)
Trios
1) Michael Philip (Cardenden)
2) Scott Leslie (Dunbar)
3) Neil MacEachern (Luss)
Scottish Country Dance Band
1) Alistair McPhail (Luss)
2) Duncan Black (Stanley)
3) Robert Black (London)
Junior Fiddle, Under 12
1) Sarah Fraser (Crieff)
2) Jacqueline Beaumont (Sma-Glen)
Junior Fiddle
1) Brian Middler (Aberdeen)
2)
3)
Senior Fiddle
1) Archie McAllister (Campbeltown)
2) Mark MacDougall (Muir of Ord)
3) Avril Anderson (Aberdeen)
CLASSICAL
7 Years and Under
1)
2)
9 Years and Under
1)
2)
11 Years and Under
1)
2)
13 Years and Under
1) Lindsay Torrie (Armadale)
2) Elizabeth M. Flannigan (Galashiels)
3) Suzanne Colraine (Clydebank)
Area Junior Championship
1) Aileen Smith (Kinross)
2) Mark Bousie (Perth)
Preparatory Solo
1)
2)
Elementary Solo
1) Alex Meikle (Lochwinnoch)
2) Scott Masterson (West Linton)
3) Stuart Ramsay (Perth)
Higher Elementary Solo
1) Grant McConnell (Carluke)
2) Gavin Penny (Crossford)
3) Kenneth Johnstone (Crawfordjohn)
Intermediate Solo
1) Ronald Findlay (Lanark)
2) Alan Small (Dunshelt)
3) Nicola Wong (Glasgow)
Higher Intermediate Solo
1) Morag L. MacKenzie (Inchinan)
2) Frieda Nicol (Blairgowrie)
3) Robert Muir (Dunfermline)
Area Advanced Solo Championship
1) Michael Craig (Rosyth)
2) Craig Robertson (Dunfermline)
Perth Open Solo
1) Russel Torrie (Armadale)
2) Stephen McQuan (Dumfries)
3) Stuart Law (Newmains)
Theme Solo
Mark Bousie (Perth)
Elementary Free Bass
1)
Intermediate Free Bass
1)
2)
Open Solo Free Bass
1)
2)
Entertainment
1)
Preparatory Duet
1) John & Helen Steel (Larkhall)
2) Marcus & David McCloy (Shotts)
Catherine Murray & Fiona McConnell (Renfrew)
Elementary Duet
1)
2)
Intermediate Duet
1) Nicola & Richard Wong (Glasgow)
2) Fiona Cuthbertson & Pauline Laverie (Thornhill, Dumfries)
3) Judith Braid & Jennifer Meek (Biggar)
Higher Intermediate Duet
1) Eileen & Liam Smith (Kinross)
2) Fiona Cousin & Pamela Mutch (Alva)
3) Keith Robertson (Crossford) & Karen Barr (Carluke)
Advanced Duet
1) Morag Gunn (Barrhead) & Fraser McLellan (Dalry)
Premier Duet
1) Gordon Haddow (Cardenden) & Craig Drysdale (Kirkcaldy)
2) Sandra Bell & Heather Tait (East Kilbride)
Preparatory Band
1) G & B Laurie Prep Band (Paisley)
2) Gillespie Music Club (Biggar)
Elementary Band
1) G. & B Laurie Paisley Elementary Orchestra
Intermediate Band
1) G & B Laurie Paisley Entertainment Orchestra
2) Gillespie Music Club (Biggar)
3) Clinkscale Intermediate Accordion Orchestra (Melrose)
Advanced Band
1) J. R. Brown Advanced Band (Wishaw)
2) Dundee Accordion Band
3) Fife Accordion Band
Advanced Group Section
1) Fife Accordion Group (Kirkcaldy)
2) Dundee Accordion Group (Dundee)
Bell Trophy Championship
1) Gordon Haddow (Cardenden)
2) Mark Bousie (Perth)
3) Fiona Kenneth
Fiddling Heritage
by Bill Smith
When I visit Banchory and the area round about, I always get the feeling of being amongst a large group of very fine fiddle players. I don’t suppose this is very surprising considering the history of the district and the many fine players who have hailed from there over the years. Whilst there are some notable accordionists there, I’m sure that even they would agree that the fiddle dominates.
The Banchory Strathspey and Reel Society was in being before the Accordion and Fiddle Club was formed. Although the two organizations still have a separate identity, there seems to have been a successful marriage between the two. Club nights are usually well attended and there are always plenty of fiddle of fiddle players performing. In this respect the Banchory Club is probably quite unique. In most other Clubs, accordionists are usually in plentiful supply with a scarcity of fiddlers.
Bill Smith, Chairman and regular compere at the Club is a well-known figure on the Scottish music scene, taking his playing all over the country. When I asked him to provide some background information, he was only too pleased to agree.
Banchory A&F Club was formed in 1977 as a result of a conversation between the late Bert Flett, the then manager of the Burnett Arms Hotel, and Bill Smith, the Secretary of the Banchory S&R Society.
A Committee was formed with Bert becoming the Club’s Honorary President and Bill Smith, Secretary with Mrs Margaret Smith the Club Treasurer.
The opening night was a tremendous success, the first guest artiste being Jimmy Blue, and he played tp a packed house of enthusiasm and appreciation of his talents.
Musicians from a wide area came and provided a splendid entertainment, strongly supported by members of the Banchory S&R Society.
Members were co-opted to the Committee at that time and many of them like Charles Esson Snr and Charles Esson Jnr, Rhoda Drummond, Fred Davidson, James Linklater, Mrs J. Joss, Mrs J. Fyfe and Mr Sandy Cooper the S&R Society’s conductor still provide sterling service to the Club.
Within a year the Club had enough funds to provide an evening’s entertainment for Banchory Senior Citizens, with most of those invited going home a gift of some sort. There were many generous donors, the principal of these being the local firm AMMCO. The Club officials have always been grateful to these generous benefactors and this special night which is always held on the last Monday might of the year remains the highlight of the Club’s year.
The club has been featured on Grampian Television and on S.T.V.
This year a tape has been produced entitled ‘A Night with Banchory Accordion and Fiddle Club in the Burnett Arms Hotel’ (that’s easy for you to say!!) and the recording which features many of the Club’s regular performers has been highly successful.
The Club is indebted to Charles Esson Jnr and his partner Willie Kelman for the production of the tape.
Since the Club’s inception many young players have established themselves as musicians of top quality, winning top awards at Festivals the length and breadth of the country and indeed premier awards in the fiddle sections.
The Club has also acted as a suitable venue for audition artistes who have taken part in the Fiddler’s Spectacular held in H.M. Theatre, Aberdeen.
Players of talent who come to mind in this respect over the years are The Currie Brothers, The Donaldson Brothers, Judith Davidson, Alex Bain and Paul, David and Heather Anderson. Plus the very talented Clark family from Aberdeen.
The writer can well record the words of the late Mollie Ogston when having a radio interview with Robbie shepherd. “One month you go along to the Club and you listen to a beginner, a bit scratchy, but in two or three months time you can see and hear the difference.” Molly thought the A&F Clubs were ‘the greatest thing since sliced bread’ and I think she was a lady of great perception.
The more that a person becomes involved with music, I feel that they are more in tune with life. It is an international language that has no barriers.
Over the years the Club has had most of the top bands and soloists as guests.
Long may the A&F Clubs flourish and especially its lifeline the ‘B&F’, thank to all those who work so hard to produce this excellent paper, my congratulations to one and all involved. Let us have more S&R Societies getting involved in the competition scene and more A&F Clubs interchanging nights as well as guests.
Scott Skinner wrote :
Talent does what it can, genius what it must.
Let us work at the talent and provide enjoyment and perhaps produce a few in the genius class.
Banchory S&R Society was formed in 1932, the first conductor being the local station master, William Cruickshank.
Since its inception the Society has maintained a high standard of playing the traditional music of Scotland.
It is only natural that Banchory being the birth place of the legendary Scott Skinner, the Society should have a leaning towards the music of its most famous son.
The orchestra has had five conductors since 1932 until the present time.
Banchory Festival of Scottish Music began in 1951 and was organized by the local bank manager, Henry W. auchinachie in conjunction with the late Sandy Milne and these Festivals have gone from strength to strength over the years. The Festival is always held on the second Saturday in May.
The backbone of the Society has been the fine nucleus of traditional type players from earlier days, combined with those of a newer and vastly different generation who yet work hard to keep alive the unique style of Scottish playing. One of the best of the older players was the late Duncan Strachan of Potarch. The writer did not have the privilege of hearing Duncan play, but has heard many glowing reports of his playing ability from such as the late Sandy Milne.
Sandy was a past conductor and enthusiast who did much to keep the Society going and will be long remembered for his T.V. programmes on the ‘Magnus Magnusson Show’ and the programme from Blair Castle in which the Angus S&R Society and Banchory were united under the batons of Yehudi Menuhin, Angus Cameron and Sandy Milne.
The late Hector McAndrew also played a major part in the T.V. programme.
Hector was the teacher and mentor of two of the orchestra’s present day players, Alex Bain and Jane Davidson (nee Smith), both have been winners in top class competitions and Mrs Davidson is in charge of the Society’s large group of junior players, so the link with this great exponent of fiddle playing is still being passed on to the very young.
The Banchory S&R Society take part in Festivals with great success the length and breadth of Scotland. Many of the young players who pick up the awards at Festivals have started their playing careers with Banchory.
To name but a few :
Judith Davidson and Angela Smith, both past junior and senior Golden Fiddle Award winners.
Alex Bain, Kathleen MAir (nee Smith), Tracey Moir, Neil Dawson, Rebecca Hunter, Paul, David and Heather Anderson from Tarland and their cousins from Aberdeen, Avril and Gary Anderson. Brian Cruickshank from Kintore is another extremely talented musician who has served the Society well, equally at home on fiddle or double bass. Another talented player who deserves a mention is Lynn Gould, accordionist from huntly.
During the present conductor, Mr Alexander Cooper’s, time in charge, the orchestra has probably had its most successful years.
The orchestra having produced tapes and records, made radio and television broadcasts and been guests in the Inter Celtic Festival in Lorient seven times and performed in Schwabisch Gmund in West Germany, also Frankfurt and Munich.
There is a good team of back-up workers with great support from parents, husbands and wives.
I am sure that the orchestra, now 65 in number, with anage rance from 8 years to its senior member H.G. Nicoll aged 92, can only go from strength to strength.
Footnote
It was with sadness that we learned of the death of Bert Flett early in 1988. Bert was a familiar figure at the Club and was always active in promoting the interests of Scottish music. He is sadly missed.
Report on A.S.M.A. Festival 1988
by Derek Hamilton
The 24th of September for the majority of folk passed by as any normal Saturday would. Down in the new town of Irvine on the Ayrshire coast, however, things were different. In one of Britain’s most popular leisure complexes – The Magnum – a brand new Accordion and Fiddle Festival was born. This was the Ayrshire Scottish Music Association’s first major venture following months of preparation by an eager Committee formed by delegates from three Ayrshire Accordion and fiddle Clubs – Mauchline, Beith and Galston.
The idea was conceived about two years ago when the Magnum in conjunction with the Clubs ran a Scottish show in the Theatre. The Festival was promoted ; a Committee was formed ; a number of events were raised to raise funds and a date was fixed. Then the real organizing work began!!!
We decided to model the Irvine Festival on similar lines to Musselburgh and immediately called on the help of Sheila and Norman Williams who have done such outstanding work for the N.A.A.F.C. Festival at Musselburgh.
We were delighted with the encouraging response we received, not only from Sheila and Norrie, but from the National Association in general. In fact Jimmy Blue gave us tremendous support, particularly on the day, judging some very difficult competitions. Jimmy’s wife Joan was one of our accompanists for the day.
When Joan Blue wasn’t at the piano, Morag McAskill was – both of them giving flawless accompaniments when required.
Sitting at the judges table were the already mentioned Jimmy Blue with Willie Lawrie, Jimmy Lindsay and Kenny Thomson who between them judged all the accordion competitions in the Theatre venue at the Magnum.
Interspersed with the accordion sets were the fiddle competitions very capable judged by Ron Kerr and Alastair Heron.
In the classical accordion sections, which took place in the Arran Room, our judge was a very worthy stand-in – Archie Duncan. We were most grateful that Archie made himself available at very short notice when Cyril Pasby had to pull out because of illness. We hope that Mr Pasby has now fully recovered.
That then was the table of judges who, in the end analysis made good decisions in every one of the eighteen sections. In fact, judging by the lack of complaints received by the Committee, the judges made the right decision in every case!!
Working desperately hard to keep the judges supplied with competitors was the Committee and an army of some 30 enthusiastic helpers to whom the Committee offer heartfelt thanks.
The bulk of the donkey work on any Committee normally falls to one nominee – the Secretary. Irene Cunningham from Mauchline club proved to be an excellent donkey!! (Neigh (or should that be Nay?) a first class thoroughbred. Just when we all thought things were running perfectly along came the postal strike and virtually all the entries got caught up. However, despite all that, Irene managed to register some 120 entries for the eighteen sections. Absolutely marvelous!
The man in charge of the money, Bill Cunningham, still has a few headaches but no doubt they’ll be cured before too long. Committee Chairman Willie Wilson kept a cool head throughout despite some outbursts from David Ross and myself as the other Club representatives on the Committee!
We must make a special mention of Anne Clarke, Stan Robertson and Willie Freckleton, all of the Magnum, for giving massive support and help in the planning, organisation and running of the Festival.
The Magnum proved to be an ideal venue for such an occasion. All the regular recreation facilities were available to everyone who attended the Festival. Swimming and the flumes for the energetic ; skating for the graceful (or not so graceful if you’re a beginner!) and just about everything else in between. Snack bars, a first class restaurant, as well as a licensed bar are all on-site, so that once in the Magnum there’s no need to go outside for anything. Extremely convenient.
The competitions took place in the two venues within the Magnum complex. The Theatre and the Arran Room were both ideal for the purpose and with loads of rehearsal space, the competitors were well catered for.
Every section sported a beautiful trophy for the winner with a shield to keep for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the solo sections. All of the major trophies were donated and the Committee wish to express public thanks to each of the donors.
With the minimum of rule changing or bending the day went off almost without a hitch and it now looks certain that Irvine has placed itself firmly on the map as one of the main festivals to attend next year. So make a note in you diary now – the last Saturday in September 1989 – that’s the 30th – A.S.M.A. Festival, the Magnum, Irvine, 9 a.m. sharp!!!
Thanks to everyone who helped or supported the Festival this year, not forgetting the highly entertaining concert with John Carmichael, Sheila Carswell, the Highland dancers and some of the competitors from the day’s events. And, of course, the toe-tapping music of Colin Finlayson and his band at the late-night dance.
A great day indeed!! I’m looking forward to next year already!!!
See you then!!
Senior Accordion Solo Pipe Music (Lena & Duncan McLennan Trophy)
1) Gordon Shand (Tillicoutry)
2) Malcolm Rae (Mauchline)
3) Norrie Williams (East Kilbride)
Senior Accordion Solo Traditional MSR (George Fleming Trophy)
1) Brian Morrison (Forfar)
2) Bruce Lindsay (Windygates)
3) Michael Philip (Cardenden)
Junior solo Accordion Pipe Music (John Carmichael Trophy)
1) Alex Weir (Ayr)
2) Glenda Taylor (Beith)
3) Karen McCulloch (Dalrymple)
Under 16 Accordion Solo – MSR (Galston Club Trophy)
1) Craig Colraine (Clydebank)
2) Pauline Laverie (Castle Douglas)
3) Alex Weir (Ayr)
Open Own Composition – Trad (Willie Wilson Trophy)
1) Willie shankie (Isle of Skye)
2) Michael Philip (Cardenden)
3) Irene Cunningham (Mauchline)
Trio (Acc, Fiddle + 1) Own Choice (S.C.E.A. Trophy)
1) Norrie Williams (East Kilbride)
2) Alistair McPhail (Luss)
3) Alastair McCulloch (Ayr)
Bands – Own Choice (Margaret Davidson Trophy
1) Alistair McPhail (Luss)
2) Alastair McCulloch (Ayr)
Classical Accordion Sections
Under 12 Solo – Own Choice (Irvine Herald Trophy)
1) Lyndsey Ann Allan (Paisley)
2) Andrew Gordon (Bonhill)
3) Karl Sandeman (Killearn)
Under 14 Solo – Own Choice (Trophy Centre Trophy)
1) Suzanne Colraine (Clydebank)
2) Louise Harkness (Paisley)
3) Pauline Laverie (Castle Douglas)
Under 16 Solo – Own Choice (A.R.A. Trophy)
1) Alasdair MacCuish (Paisley)
2) Craig Colraine (Clydebank)
3) Karen McCulloch (Dalrymple)
Open Solo – Own Choice (Cunningham District Council Trophy)
1) Liam Howatt (Cambuslang)
2) Stephen McWhan (Locharbriggs)
3) Alan McWhan (Locharbriggs)
Under 16 Duet – Own Choice (Irvine Times Trophy)
1) Lyndsey Ann Allan & Louise Harkness (Paisley)
2) Craig & Suzanne Colraine (Clydebank)
Junior Fiddle Solo – MSR (I.D.C. Trophy)
1) Glenda Taylor (Beith)
2) Claire Marie Thomas (Saltcoats)
Junior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air (Hospitality Inn Trophy)
1) Glenda Taylor (Beith)
2) Claire Marie Thomas (Saltcoats)
Senior Fiddle Solo – MSR (West Sound Trophy)
1) Mark McDougall (Muir of Ord)
2) Alastair McCulloch (Ayr)
3) Archie McAllister (Campbeltown)
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air (Alex Colvin Trophy)
1) Alastair McCulloch (Ayr)
2) Archie McAllister (Campbeltown)
3) Judith Linton (Abbey St. Bathans)
Open fiddle Solo – MSR (Irene & Bill Cunningham Trophy)
1) Archie McAllister (Campbeltown)
2) Mark McDougall (Muir of Ord)
3) Alastair McCulloch (Ayr)
Open Fiddle Group – Own Choice (Irvine Cable Trophy)
Alastair McCulloch (Ayr)
Mr Ian Redford - Obituary
Jimmy Shand was among the pall-bearers at the funeral of Ian Redford, Chairman of the Highland Accordion and Fiddle Club, which took place at Tomnahurich Cemetery. Mr Redford, 120 Wyvis Place, Inverness, died in Raigmore Hospital on 10th October after a long illness. He was 63.
Born in Kirriemuir and a saw-miller to trade, he moved to the Highland Capital in 1961. Ten years later, he was involved in a serious road accident which temporarily paralysed him. He made a partial recovery but continued to walk with a limp and in 1972 travelled to Exeter there he retrained as a bookkeeper. He was employed in the office of Auto Sales until he decided to take early retirement.
Inspired by Jimmy Shand, he learned to play the accordion at an early age and was proud to have played with his hero. After moving to Inverness, Mr Redford kept in touch with the famous bandleader.
Despite the accident, he was determined not to give up the accordion and, although the effects of his injuries on his left hand impaired his playing of the bass buttons, Mr Redford and an accompanist, Alan Shepherd, became a popular duo, playing at many charity events and regularly entertaining old people.
A founder member of the Highland A&F Club, Mr Redford served as Chairman for 14 years and would have presided at its 15th anniversary celebrations on 21st November when Jim Johnstone and his Band – who opened the Club in 1973 – return to provide the music for the festivities. He had also re-formed the accordion orchestra for the Club’s annual concert at Eden Court on 5th November.
Yesterday, Mr Shepherd paid tribute to his musical partner. “Ian was a fighter”, he said. “He was determined to overcome the effects of his accident. I never thought he would play the accordion again – but he did. He wasn’t in the best of health latterly, but he didn’t want to let the old folk down.”
Mr Redford was the chairman of the Merkinch Senior Citizen’s Outings Club and played a lot of fund-raising concert’s for them. A more recent interest was the Crossroads Care Attendant Scheme and the collection taken at his funeral will go there.
Councillor Tom Mackenzie paid tribute at Mr Redford’s funeral service in Dalneigh Church. “The The Senior citizens have lost a close friend”, he said. “His passionate love of music was shared freely with young and old alike – and the quality of his life was portrayed immediately he touched the keys of the accordion.”
Mr Redford was a Freemason and well-known in North Masonic circles. He is survived by his wife Bunty and son Ian.
Record Review
Coast to Coast – Bill Black SDB – SPRC1023
Deirdre’s Fancy – Deirdre Adamson – DALP/CS8803
Echoes of Ben Cruachan – Allan McIntosh
Setting Sail – George Carmichael and his Band
A Hundred Thousand Welcomes – The Box and Banjo Band – LICS5172
Letters to the Editor
Sir – With ref. to letter Margaret Grieve, Milngavie, in the September ‘B&F’. How can she justify ‘the Scottish style can be very monotonous unless one is dancing’. I have been a Scottish Dance music fan for several years and I am not old or even middle age yet! – and I don’t hear bands or individuals, as monotonous, far from it. You could ask twenty different bands to play one set of reels, for example, record them, and play them back one after the other, and you will find that not one bandleader will produce the same result, each one with their own interpretation of the tunes.
Take the Jim Johnstone Band, has one sat and watched how his box dances in his arms as he plays, night after night – does he think it is monotonous? I don’t think so, he enjoys every bit of it. After all, no Scottish dance band can command a fee like the pop stars of today. I don’t think they play for the money they receive, they play for the pleasure they give to people like myself, who enjoy listening. Unlike ‘Pop’ music, the tunes never age, the style changes with the talent, who arranges, these timeless tunes.
Some of the new compositions are A1, too numerous to list. Okay, the Currie Brothers are good, I too like their style, the variety of programme, the introduction of electronics, and banjo, guitar. But quite frankly if one is bored at an Accordion and Fiddle Club, she should not have been there in the first place….
Keep up the good ‘Scottish Style’, boys and girls, I think lots will agree with me, ‘Scottish Dance Music’ is magic and long may it be played, the Scottish way.
Peter Rae
Sir – May I through the ‘B&F’ newspaper be allowed to thank everyone who helped in any way at the West of Scotland A&F Festival at Irvine on the 24th September, 1988 – to competitors, spectators, committee, stewards, adjudicators, magazine staff, donors of trophies, caterers and indeed all who helped in any way to make this, our first Festival, such a great success.
Willie Wilson (Chairman)
Sir – May I, through your excellent organ, send an open letter to Producers of Scottish dance music records and tapes? It consists of three parts – a criticism and two suggestions.
Firstly, there is the question of mediocre and sometimes frankly comic balance achieved on recordings of even the very best bands. Many producers, and engineers, much of the time, appear to think that the only significant part of a four to six-piece group is the front line. Not infrequently, an outfit that sounds splendid in the flesh is reduced to the sound of a Morino or similar churning away with nothing more than a dull thunk in the background where we expect the rhythm section to be. Why?
Given that, for example, several of the Adam Rennie 78s of the 1950s managed (perhaps more by accident than design) to achieve a splendid balance, with each of the four instruments clearly hearable, the answer does not lie in the inadequacy of the recording equipment. Indeed, in the classical domain the standard of recording, whether of string quartets or full-scale symphony orchestras, has improved immeasurably over the past quarter century. Has this information failed to reach the Scottish studios? Presumably not – one of the joys of Jim Johnstone’s recent ‘Government Warning’ tape (CTP023) is that, aside from the superlative musicianship, we can actually hear every player and thus appreciate the tightness and vitality of the sound all the more clearly.
What, then, is the explanation for the dull thunk which replaces piano, bass and drums on so many other issues? Do the producers and engineers not care? Are they incompetent? Or do they simply believe will fail to notice what a terrible hash they have made of their supposedly professional work? I think we should be told.
Secondly, and this may relieve producers of the problem I’ve just discussed, why can we hot have more records of solo accordion? The operative word here is, of course, solo, meaning recordings in which we can appreciate the artistry of the left hand as well as the right. Why does every individual box player, whether from the established fraternity or, more likely, from the ranks of the up-and-coming, have to be supplemented by rhythm accompaniment? Why, for the sheer joy of hearing skilled fingers on the bass side of an accordion, do we have to rely solely on the occasional four or eight bar introductions on certain tracks of band recordings? Again, many discs of yesteryear, especially those issued pre-war, did allow us to listen to genuinely solo playing. Yet aside from live playing at Festivals etc., this is a pleasure we are now greatly denied. Will someone please explain what is not going on here!
My third plea is for companies to consider re-issuing some of the great performances of the 1960s, 50s and even earlier, including perhaps BBC Scottish dance music programme recordings. Although the Adam Rennie Trust has begun to do this in a small way, there are countless examples of fine playing, well-recorded, which would be hugely popular if they were to be reissued. From Tim Wright to Bobby MacLeod, from Andrew Rankine to Ian Powrie, there is a gold-mine of material there. Complimented by sleeve notes giving information about the musicians (as with many classical jazz recordings), cassettes of this sort would surely be best sellers. At the very least, a single tape carrying the greatest tracks of all time – plus the all-important biographical notes and instrumental notes – would be a wow. I’ve got my own nominations, but perhaps the B&F readers could encourage Robin Brock or Pete Kerr or Freeland Barbour or someone to pursue this idea, by sending in their own selections of the finest-ever band tracks.
Dr Bernard Dixon
130 Cornwall Road
Ruislip Manor
Middlesex
Sir – As one who attended the Shetland A&F Festival, may I through the ‘B&F’ congratulate all who were involved in this Festival. It was a huge success, well organized, attended, and the wealth of talent that that entertained was superb – four wonderful days of ‘Our kind of Music’.
It would be very remiss of me not to mention Eileen Nicolson and Robert Henderson who worked extremely hard – always busy seeing that the organisation went according to plan, and it certainly did.
The Grand Dance, in the Clickimin Centre on Saturday evening was a night to remember, with ten bands playing. All musicians throughout the four days gave excellent performances.
Here’s to the 1989 Festival.
Margaret Gray
‘Wayside’
2 Stewart Place
Kirkliston
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Dee Motel) – 29th Nov 88 Aly Bain
Alnwick (Golden Fleece) – members only
Armadale (Masonic Arms Hotel) –
Ayr (Gartferry Hotel) – 12th Dec Bill Black SDB
Balloch (Bell Centre, Dumbarton) – 20th Nov 88 Graeme Mitchell Band
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff & District (Royal Oak Hotel) –
Beith & District (Hotel de Croft, Dalry) – 21st Nov 88 Paddy Neary
Belford (Community Club) –
Biggar (Toftcombs Hotel) – 11th Dec 88 Jim Johnstone SDB
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) -
Bridge of Allan (Walmer Hotel) -
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel) –
Button Key (Windygates Institute) –
Callander (Glengarry Hotel) –
Campbeltown (Royal Hotel) – 19th Nov 88 Allan MacIntosh Band
Castle Douglas (Ernespie Hotel) –
Coupar Angus (Royal Hotel) –
Crieff & District (Drummond Arms Hotel)
Dalriada (Royal Hotel, Lochgilphead) –
Derwentside (Working Men’s Club, Consett) –
Dingwall (venue? ) –
Dunblane (Westlands Hotel) – 23rd Nov 88 Dermot O’Brien
Dundee (The Marquee) – 1st Dec 88 Bobby Crowe SDB
Dunfermline (Northern Roadhouse) –
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
East Kilbride (King’s Park Hotel, Rutherglen) – 24th Nov 88 Club Night
Edinburgh (Abbey Suite, Abbey Lane) –
Ellon (Ladbroke Hotel) –
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 28th Nov 88 Iain MacPhail SDB
26th Dec 88 Deirdre Adamson
Forres (Brig Motel) – 14th Dec 88 Alan Roy
Fort William (Alexandra Hotel) – 12th Dec 88 Bill Black SDB
Galashiels (Maxwell Hotel) –
Galston (Theo’s Restaurant, Galston) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) –
Gorebridge (Rangers FC Social Club) –
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) – 21st Nov 88 Jim Johnstone SDB
Islesteps (Driveway Inn) –
Kelso (Ednam House Hotel) – 30th Nov 88 Ian Holmes & Kenny Wilson
14th Dec 88 Craig McVie SDB
Kintore (Crown Hotel) –
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) –
Livingston (Golden Circle Hotel, Bathgate) 22nd Nov 88 Dermot O’Brien
Lockerbie (Bluebell Hotel) -
Mauchline (The Jean Armour Restaurant)
M.A.F.I.A. (Masonic Hall, Milngavie) –
Montrose (Park Hotel) –
New Cumnock (Crown Hotel) –
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
Newton St Boswells (Railway Hotel) –
North Cumbria (Golden Fleece, Ruleholme) (prev called Gretna Club) –
North East (Seafield Hotel, Keith) –
Oban (Highlander Restaurant) – 1st Dec 88 Deirdre Adamson
Orkney ( venue?) –
Ormiston (Miners’ Welfare Social Club) –
Peebles (Countryside Inn) –
Perth (Station Hotel) –
Premier NI (Camlin function Rooms) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloom) – 13th Dec 88 Gary Blair Orchestra
Rothbury (Jubilee Hall
Shetland (venue?) -
Stranraer (Railway Club) –
Thornhill (?)
Thurso (McKay’s Hotel) –
Turriff (Royal Oak Hotel) – 1st Dec 88 The Ythan Fiddlers
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) –
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Ayr
4. Balloch
5. Banchory
6. Banff
7. Beith
8. Belford
9. Biggar
10. Blairgowrie
11. Button Key
12. Castle Douglas
13. Dingwall & District
14. Dunblane
15. Dundee
16. Dunoon & Cowal
17. East Kilbride
18. Fintry
19. Forres
20. Galston
21. Highland
22. Kelso
23. Lesmahagow
24. Livingston
25. Lockerbie
25. M.A.F.I.A.
27. Mauchline
28. Montrose
29. Newtongrange
30. North Cumbria
31. Peebles
32. Perth
33. Rothbury
34. Thurso
35. Turriff
36. Tynedale
37. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT SEPT 1987 (Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Sept 1976)
3. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months)
4. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition)
9. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
10. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974)
11. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
12. Buchan A&F Club
13. Button Key A&F Club (
14. Callander A&F Club (
15. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
16. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980)
17. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
18. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
19. Derwentside A&F Club
20. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
21. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971)
22. Dundee & District A&F Club
23. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
24. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
25. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
26. Ellon A&F Club (
27. Fintry A&F Club
28. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
29. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
30. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
31. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
32. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
33. Highland A&F Club (Inverness)
34. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981)
35. Isle of Skye A&F Club (
36. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976)
37. Kintore A&F Club
38. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967)
39. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
40. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – per first edition)
41. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973)
42. M.A.F.I.A. (early)
43. Mauchline A&F Club (first mention 1986?)
44. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
45. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1979)
46. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
47. North Cumbria A&F Club (originally Gretna started June 1966 – had to move to a venue in the North of England and changed name – eventually changed back when they returned to the Halcrow Stadium. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
48. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971)
49. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975)
50. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978)
51. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club
52. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981)
53. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970)
54. Premier A&F Club NI (cNov 1980)
55. Rothbury Accordion Club (1987??)
56. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978)
57. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
58. Sutherland A&F Club (
59. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition)
60. Thurso A&F Club (cSept 1981)
61. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982)
62. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980)
63. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
64. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
65. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
66. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
67. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
68. Club Accord
69. Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2?)
70. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
71. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
72. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
73. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
74. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
75. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
76. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
77. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
78. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
79. Gretna A&F Club (June 1966)
80. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
81. Kinlochsheil A&F Club (
82. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
83. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
84. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
85. Newcastleton Accordion Club
86. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
87. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
88. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
89. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
90. Wellbank A&F Club
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B&F Treasurer – Mrs Cathy Andrew, 22 Lochinver Crescent, Foxbar, Paisley Tele 2824
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
October has been a disastrous month for the ‘B&F’. There have been times in the past when we have had our problems with shortage of material right up to the last minute, but we’ve always seemed to manage in the end. But October was different. The deadline passed and still we were so short it was not possible to go ahead. As some material started to arrive, we were than faced with the decision whether or not to go ahead with a late issue or cancel the October one. Before enough was at hand to produce a worthwhile effort, we were into November, so I decided reluctantly that October would have to be missed. This is the first time we have been in this position and my sincere apologies must go to those of you who many still be wondering what went wrong. Through the kind co-operation of Ken Mutch and Robbie Shepherd, the message was spread around via Shepherd’s Fancy.
This would seem to be a good time to remind all scribes that the deadline date is the first of the month with issue now on the 15th thus following the decision at this year’s A.G.M., so please send in your reports and other material as soon as possible after your Club meetings.
Tom Clark
39th Perth Festival 1988
by Tom Clark
The 39th Perth Festival got off to its usual early start with keen young accordionists and mums and dads in evidence heading for the various competition venues. The Salutation Hotel was once more the venue for many of the main N.A.O. events with Cyril Pasby having a very busy day ahead of him. Cyril always seems to be in a very relaxed mood, taking everything in his stride, with gentle words of encouragement to all competitors – winners and losers – especially the younger ones.
Equally hard-worked was the ever present Graham Romani at St Leonard’s Church Hall. Graham seems to have always been around at this Festival and I think it would be difficult to imagine a Perth Festival without him. I spoke to Graham later and he commented on the generally high standard of competition at Perth and how he has now come to expect this, enjoying his annual trip. “Just you take a look at the list of winners in the events at the National Festival – you will see that Scotland is always well represented – surely that speaks for itself”. It is surprising just how many Scottish players do well in these national events.
By late morning the events in the Large and Lesser Halls were well under way. The Senior Scottish Pipe Section produced some very fine performances and adjudicator John Crawford eventually produced his first three placings. First, Alan Morrison from Forfar, second, Michael Philip from Cardenden, with Melanie Christie from Alness third. I was surprised to see that the competition didn’t attract as many listeners as usual. Perhaps the Kirriemuir Festival being on the same day had something to do with this. There are many people who like to attend both Perth and Kirrie which are usually on different dates. This year they would have to make a choice. The attendance in the main hall seemed to be quite low at one stage in the early afternoon.
The Senior Traditional event followed on almost immediately after the Pipe Section with Iain MacPhail in the hotseat. Six finalists were chosen for the play-off at the evening concert ; Robert black of London (formerly Stanley) emerged as the winner (to the surprise of no-one), Brian Morrison from Forfar was second and Gordon Shand of Tillicoutry was third. Robert’s technical wizardry was almost beyond belief at times and it seemed to be the general opinion of most of the listeners that no-one else could pass him. This is Robert’s second Championship – well done! During this time I was sitting upstairs in the Gallery beside Iain Peterson and couldn’t help observing how close he was to the final results in the various events. His ‘unofficial adjudicators results’ were almost in total agreement with those of Messrs Crawford, MacPhail and Fitchet, so I suppose the official results must have been okay and fairly close to the general opinion of informed listeners. Just across the passageway from where I was sitting, Ian Powrie and Angus Fitchet were studying the performances in the Traditional Senior event rather seriously. Young James Coutts appeared on stage at the time and played the reel ‘Ian Powrie’s Compliments to Angus Fitchet’. I imagine there were at least two smiling listeners to that. I don’t suppose that either of these veterans can venture very far these days without hearing one of their tunes being played!
By late afternoon the hall was beginning to fill up – as always – in anticipation of the Trios and Band section of the Festival. In spite of the more relaxed approach to these events, the listeners tend to enjoy these performances more than they do those of some others. I personally always find these the most enjoyable of the day’s events. Michael Philip came out winner in the Trios and Alistair McPhail won the Band section.
I managed to track down Iain MacPhail in between events and found him full of enthusiasm, as always. He felt generally that the standard in the section he had adjudicated was higher than ever. “I think it was higher this year than when I last adjudicated two years ago.” How do these young players manage to keep pushing the standard higher every year?
By this time I felt I was needing a breather and found to my disappointment that the usual display of accordion etc., in the foyer of the main hall was missing this year. I think many people enjoy browsing around in the foyer and relaxing between events where they meet up with friends.
As the competition day drew to a close, people were preparing for the concert. The main attraction this year was the renowned Wolmer Beltrami. I can remember from my younger days some wonderful duet performance from Cramer and Wolmer on record. I think they must have been far ahead of their time. I wonder if this recording is still available? Wolmer’s performance at the concert was of the expected high standard. Iain MacPhail’s Band, dancers and singers all helped to round off another great day.
Well’ this was Bill Wilkie’s 39th Festival so what next year? I hear a whisper that something special is brewing for the Ruby Anniversary of the Festival – but I think we shall just have to wait and see.
A now regular event on Festival night is the dance held in the Salutation Hotel by the Perth A&F Club. This year the music was provided by Colin Dewar and his Band and I am reliably informed that it was another wonderful night (Too late for me – must be getting old!!!)
The official winners list for 1988 is :
Senior Scottish Traditional
1) Robert Black (London)
2) Brian Morrison (Forfar)
3) Gordon shand (Tillicoutry)
Senior Scottish Pipe Music
1) Alan Morrison (Forfar)
2) Michael Philip (Cardenden)
3) Melanie Christie (Alness)
Veterans’ Section
1) Bobby Crowe (Balmullo)
2) Willie Lawrie (Kinlochleven)
3) Alan Morrison (Forfar)
Junior Scottish Traditional
1) Wayne Robertson (Arbroath)
2) Neil Galloway (Cupar)
3) Bruce Peebles (Forfar)
Junior Solo Pipe Music
1) Wayne Robertson (Arbroath)
2) Mhairi Coutts (Kirkcaldy)
3) Bruce Peebles (Forfar)
Senior Ladies Scottish Trad
1) Lynn Gould (Huntly)
2) Elizabeth McKenzie (Dunnet)
3) Lindsay Weir (Culbokie)
Junior Scottish Girls
1) Lindsay Torrie (Armadale)
2) Mhairi Coutts (Kirkcaldy)
3) Lynne Christie (Banffshire)
Own Composition
1) Willie Renwick (Blairgowrie)
2) Billy McGuire (Kirkcaldy)
3) Robert Black (London)
Trios
1) Michael Philip (Cardenden)
2) Scott Leslie (Dunbar)
3) Neil MacEachern (Luss)
Scottish Country Dance Band
1) Alistair McPhail (Luss)
2) Duncan Black (Stanley)
3) Robert Black (London)
Junior Fiddle, Under 12
1) Sarah Fraser (Crieff)
2) Jacqueline Beaumont (Sma-Glen)
Junior Fiddle
1) Brian Middler (Aberdeen)
2)
3)
Senior Fiddle
1) Archie McAllister (Campbeltown)
2) Mark MacDougall (Muir of Ord)
3) Avril Anderson (Aberdeen)
CLASSICAL
7 Years and Under
1)
2)
9 Years and Under
1)
2)
11 Years and Under
1)
2)
13 Years and Under
1) Lindsay Torrie (Armadale)
2) Elizabeth M. Flannigan (Galashiels)
3) Suzanne Colraine (Clydebank)
Area Junior Championship
1) Aileen Smith (Kinross)
2) Mark Bousie (Perth)
Preparatory Solo
1)
2)
Elementary Solo
1) Alex Meikle (Lochwinnoch)
2) Scott Masterson (West Linton)
3) Stuart Ramsay (Perth)
Higher Elementary Solo
1) Grant McConnell (Carluke)
2) Gavin Penny (Crossford)
3) Kenneth Johnstone (Crawfordjohn)
Intermediate Solo
1) Ronald Findlay (Lanark)
2) Alan Small (Dunshelt)
3) Nicola Wong (Glasgow)
Higher Intermediate Solo
1) Morag L. MacKenzie (Inchinan)
2) Frieda Nicol (Blairgowrie)
3) Robert Muir (Dunfermline)
Area Advanced Solo Championship
1) Michael Craig (Rosyth)
2) Craig Robertson (Dunfermline)
Perth Open Solo
1) Russel Torrie (Armadale)
2) Stephen McQuan (Dumfries)
3) Stuart Law (Newmains)
Theme Solo
Mark Bousie (Perth)
Elementary Free Bass
1)
Intermediate Free Bass
1)
2)
Open Solo Free Bass
1)
2)
Entertainment
1)
Preparatory Duet
1) John & Helen Steel (Larkhall)
2) Marcus & David McCloy (Shotts)
Catherine Murray & Fiona McConnell (Renfrew)
Elementary Duet
1)
2)
Intermediate Duet
1) Nicola & Richard Wong (Glasgow)
2) Fiona Cuthbertson & Pauline Laverie (Thornhill, Dumfries)
3) Judith Braid & Jennifer Meek (Biggar)
Higher Intermediate Duet
1) Eileen & Liam Smith (Kinross)
2) Fiona Cousin & Pamela Mutch (Alva)
3) Keith Robertson (Crossford) & Karen Barr (Carluke)
Advanced Duet
1) Morag Gunn (Barrhead) & Fraser McLellan (Dalry)
Premier Duet
1) Gordon Haddow (Cardenden) & Craig Drysdale (Kirkcaldy)
2) Sandra Bell & Heather Tait (East Kilbride)
Preparatory Band
1) G & B Laurie Prep Band (Paisley)
2) Gillespie Music Club (Biggar)
Elementary Band
1) G. & B Laurie Paisley Elementary Orchestra
Intermediate Band
1) G & B Laurie Paisley Entertainment Orchestra
2) Gillespie Music Club (Biggar)
3) Clinkscale Intermediate Accordion Orchestra (Melrose)
Advanced Band
1) J. R. Brown Advanced Band (Wishaw)
2) Dundee Accordion Band
3) Fife Accordion Band
Advanced Group Section
1) Fife Accordion Group (Kirkcaldy)
2) Dundee Accordion Group (Dundee)
Bell Trophy Championship
1) Gordon Haddow (Cardenden)
2) Mark Bousie (Perth)
3) Fiona Kenneth
Fiddling Heritage
by Bill Smith
When I visit Banchory and the area round about, I always get the feeling of being amongst a large group of very fine fiddle players. I don’t suppose this is very surprising considering the history of the district and the many fine players who have hailed from there over the years. Whilst there are some notable accordionists there, I’m sure that even they would agree that the fiddle dominates.
The Banchory Strathspey and Reel Society was in being before the Accordion and Fiddle Club was formed. Although the two organizations still have a separate identity, there seems to have been a successful marriage between the two. Club nights are usually well attended and there are always plenty of fiddle of fiddle players performing. In this respect the Banchory Club is probably quite unique. In most other Clubs, accordionists are usually in plentiful supply with a scarcity of fiddlers.
Bill Smith, Chairman and regular compere at the Club is a well-known figure on the Scottish music scene, taking his playing all over the country. When I asked him to provide some background information, he was only too pleased to agree.
Banchory A&F Club was formed in 1977 as a result of a conversation between the late Bert Flett, the then manager of the Burnett Arms Hotel, and Bill Smith, the Secretary of the Banchory S&R Society.
A Committee was formed with Bert becoming the Club’s Honorary President and Bill Smith, Secretary with Mrs Margaret Smith the Club Treasurer.
The opening night was a tremendous success, the first guest artiste being Jimmy Blue, and he played tp a packed house of enthusiasm and appreciation of his talents.
Musicians from a wide area came and provided a splendid entertainment, strongly supported by members of the Banchory S&R Society.
Members were co-opted to the Committee at that time and many of them like Charles Esson Snr and Charles Esson Jnr, Rhoda Drummond, Fred Davidson, James Linklater, Mrs J. Joss, Mrs J. Fyfe and Mr Sandy Cooper the S&R Society’s conductor still provide sterling service to the Club.
Within a year the Club had enough funds to provide an evening’s entertainment for Banchory Senior Citizens, with most of those invited going home a gift of some sort. There were many generous donors, the principal of these being the local firm AMMCO. The Club officials have always been grateful to these generous benefactors and this special night which is always held on the last Monday might of the year remains the highlight of the Club’s year.
The club has been featured on Grampian Television and on S.T.V.
This year a tape has been produced entitled ‘A Night with Banchory Accordion and Fiddle Club in the Burnett Arms Hotel’ (that’s easy for you to say!!) and the recording which features many of the Club’s regular performers has been highly successful.
The Club is indebted to Charles Esson Jnr and his partner Willie Kelman for the production of the tape.
Since the Club’s inception many young players have established themselves as musicians of top quality, winning top awards at Festivals the length and breadth of the country and indeed premier awards in the fiddle sections.
The Club has also acted as a suitable venue for audition artistes who have taken part in the Fiddler’s Spectacular held in H.M. Theatre, Aberdeen.
Players of talent who come to mind in this respect over the years are The Currie Brothers, The Donaldson Brothers, Judith Davidson, Alex Bain and Paul, David and Heather Anderson. Plus the very talented Clark family from Aberdeen.
The writer can well record the words of the late Mollie Ogston when having a radio interview with Robbie shepherd. “One month you go along to the Club and you listen to a beginner, a bit scratchy, but in two or three months time you can see and hear the difference.” Molly thought the A&F Clubs were ‘the greatest thing since sliced bread’ and I think she was a lady of great perception.
The more that a person becomes involved with music, I feel that they are more in tune with life. It is an international language that has no barriers.
Over the years the Club has had most of the top bands and soloists as guests.
Long may the A&F Clubs flourish and especially its lifeline the ‘B&F’, thank to all those who work so hard to produce this excellent paper, my congratulations to one and all involved. Let us have more S&R Societies getting involved in the competition scene and more A&F Clubs interchanging nights as well as guests.
Scott Skinner wrote :
Talent does what it can, genius what it must.
Let us work at the talent and provide enjoyment and perhaps produce a few in the genius class.
Banchory S&R Society was formed in 1932, the first conductor being the local station master, William Cruickshank.
Since its inception the Society has maintained a high standard of playing the traditional music of Scotland.
It is only natural that Banchory being the birth place of the legendary Scott Skinner, the Society should have a leaning towards the music of its most famous son.
The orchestra has had five conductors since 1932 until the present time.
Banchory Festival of Scottish Music began in 1951 and was organized by the local bank manager, Henry W. auchinachie in conjunction with the late Sandy Milne and these Festivals have gone from strength to strength over the years. The Festival is always held on the second Saturday in May.
The backbone of the Society has been the fine nucleus of traditional type players from earlier days, combined with those of a newer and vastly different generation who yet work hard to keep alive the unique style of Scottish playing. One of the best of the older players was the late Duncan Strachan of Potarch. The writer did not have the privilege of hearing Duncan play, but has heard many glowing reports of his playing ability from such as the late Sandy Milne.
Sandy was a past conductor and enthusiast who did much to keep the Society going and will be long remembered for his T.V. programmes on the ‘Magnus Magnusson Show’ and the programme from Blair Castle in which the Angus S&R Society and Banchory were united under the batons of Yehudi Menuhin, Angus Cameron and Sandy Milne.
The late Hector McAndrew also played a major part in the T.V. programme.
Hector was the teacher and mentor of two of the orchestra’s present day players, Alex Bain and Jane Davidson (nee Smith), both have been winners in top class competitions and Mrs Davidson is in charge of the Society’s large group of junior players, so the link with this great exponent of fiddle playing is still being passed on to the very young.
The Banchory S&R Society take part in Festivals with great success the length and breadth of Scotland. Many of the young players who pick up the awards at Festivals have started their playing careers with Banchory.
To name but a few :
Judith Davidson and Angela Smith, both past junior and senior Golden Fiddle Award winners.
Alex Bain, Kathleen MAir (nee Smith), Tracey Moir, Neil Dawson, Rebecca Hunter, Paul, David and Heather Anderson from Tarland and their cousins from Aberdeen, Avril and Gary Anderson. Brian Cruickshank from Kintore is another extremely talented musician who has served the Society well, equally at home on fiddle or double bass. Another talented player who deserves a mention is Lynn Gould, accordionist from huntly.
During the present conductor, Mr Alexander Cooper’s, time in charge, the orchestra has probably had its most successful years.
The orchestra having produced tapes and records, made radio and television broadcasts and been guests in the Inter Celtic Festival in Lorient seven times and performed in Schwabisch Gmund in West Germany, also Frankfurt and Munich.
There is a good team of back-up workers with great support from parents, husbands and wives.
I am sure that the orchestra, now 65 in number, with anage rance from 8 years to its senior member H.G. Nicoll aged 92, can only go from strength to strength.
Footnote
It was with sadness that we learned of the death of Bert Flett early in 1988. Bert was a familiar figure at the Club and was always active in promoting the interests of Scottish music. He is sadly missed.
Report on A.S.M.A. Festival 1988
by Derek Hamilton
The 24th of September for the majority of folk passed by as any normal Saturday would. Down in the new town of Irvine on the Ayrshire coast, however, things were different. In one of Britain’s most popular leisure complexes – The Magnum – a brand new Accordion and Fiddle Festival was born. This was the Ayrshire Scottish Music Association’s first major venture following months of preparation by an eager Committee formed by delegates from three Ayrshire Accordion and fiddle Clubs – Mauchline, Beith and Galston.
The idea was conceived about two years ago when the Magnum in conjunction with the Clubs ran a Scottish show in the Theatre. The Festival was promoted ; a Committee was formed ; a number of events were raised to raise funds and a date was fixed. Then the real organizing work began!!!
We decided to model the Irvine Festival on similar lines to Musselburgh and immediately called on the help of Sheila and Norman Williams who have done such outstanding work for the N.A.A.F.C. Festival at Musselburgh.
We were delighted with the encouraging response we received, not only from Sheila and Norrie, but from the National Association in general. In fact Jimmy Blue gave us tremendous support, particularly on the day, judging some very difficult competitions. Jimmy’s wife Joan was one of our accompanists for the day.
When Joan Blue wasn’t at the piano, Morag McAskill was – both of them giving flawless accompaniments when required.
Sitting at the judges table were the already mentioned Jimmy Blue with Willie Lawrie, Jimmy Lindsay and Kenny Thomson who between them judged all the accordion competitions in the Theatre venue at the Magnum.
Interspersed with the accordion sets were the fiddle competitions very capable judged by Ron Kerr and Alastair Heron.
In the classical accordion sections, which took place in the Arran Room, our judge was a very worthy stand-in – Archie Duncan. We were most grateful that Archie made himself available at very short notice when Cyril Pasby had to pull out because of illness. We hope that Mr Pasby has now fully recovered.
That then was the table of judges who, in the end analysis made good decisions in every one of the eighteen sections. In fact, judging by the lack of complaints received by the Committee, the judges made the right decision in every case!!
Working desperately hard to keep the judges supplied with competitors was the Committee and an army of some 30 enthusiastic helpers to whom the Committee offer heartfelt thanks.
The bulk of the donkey work on any Committee normally falls to one nominee – the Secretary. Irene Cunningham from Mauchline club proved to be an excellent donkey!! (Neigh (or should that be Nay?) a first class thoroughbred. Just when we all thought things were running perfectly along came the postal strike and virtually all the entries got caught up. However, despite all that, Irene managed to register some 120 entries for the eighteen sections. Absolutely marvelous!
The man in charge of the money, Bill Cunningham, still has a few headaches but no doubt they’ll be cured before too long. Committee Chairman Willie Wilson kept a cool head throughout despite some outbursts from David Ross and myself as the other Club representatives on the Committee!
We must make a special mention of Anne Clarke, Stan Robertson and Willie Freckleton, all of the Magnum, for giving massive support and help in the planning, organisation and running of the Festival.
The Magnum proved to be an ideal venue for such an occasion. All the regular recreation facilities were available to everyone who attended the Festival. Swimming and the flumes for the energetic ; skating for the graceful (or not so graceful if you’re a beginner!) and just about everything else in between. Snack bars, a first class restaurant, as well as a licensed bar are all on-site, so that once in the Magnum there’s no need to go outside for anything. Extremely convenient.
The competitions took place in the two venues within the Magnum complex. The Theatre and the Arran Room were both ideal for the purpose and with loads of rehearsal space, the competitors were well catered for.
Every section sported a beautiful trophy for the winner with a shield to keep for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the solo sections. All of the major trophies were donated and the Committee wish to express public thanks to each of the donors.
With the minimum of rule changing or bending the day went off almost without a hitch and it now looks certain that Irvine has placed itself firmly on the map as one of the main festivals to attend next year. So make a note in you diary now – the last Saturday in September 1989 – that’s the 30th – A.S.M.A. Festival, the Magnum, Irvine, 9 a.m. sharp!!!
Thanks to everyone who helped or supported the Festival this year, not forgetting the highly entertaining concert with John Carmichael, Sheila Carswell, the Highland dancers and some of the competitors from the day’s events. And, of course, the toe-tapping music of Colin Finlayson and his band at the late-night dance.
A great day indeed!! I’m looking forward to next year already!!!
See you then!!
Senior Accordion Solo Pipe Music (Lena & Duncan McLennan Trophy)
1) Gordon Shand (Tillicoutry)
2) Malcolm Rae (Mauchline)
3) Norrie Williams (East Kilbride)
Senior Accordion Solo Traditional MSR (George Fleming Trophy)
1) Brian Morrison (Forfar)
2) Bruce Lindsay (Windygates)
3) Michael Philip (Cardenden)
Junior solo Accordion Pipe Music (John Carmichael Trophy)
1) Alex Weir (Ayr)
2) Glenda Taylor (Beith)
3) Karen McCulloch (Dalrymple)
Under 16 Accordion Solo – MSR (Galston Club Trophy)
1) Craig Colraine (Clydebank)
2) Pauline Laverie (Castle Douglas)
3) Alex Weir (Ayr)
Open Own Composition – Trad (Willie Wilson Trophy)
1) Willie shankie (Isle of Skye)
2) Michael Philip (Cardenden)
3) Irene Cunningham (Mauchline)
Trio (Acc, Fiddle + 1) Own Choice (S.C.E.A. Trophy)
1) Norrie Williams (East Kilbride)
2) Alistair McPhail (Luss)
3) Alastair McCulloch (Ayr)
Bands – Own Choice (Margaret Davidson Trophy
1) Alistair McPhail (Luss)
2) Alastair McCulloch (Ayr)
Classical Accordion Sections
Under 12 Solo – Own Choice (Irvine Herald Trophy)
1) Lyndsey Ann Allan (Paisley)
2) Andrew Gordon (Bonhill)
3) Karl Sandeman (Killearn)
Under 14 Solo – Own Choice (Trophy Centre Trophy)
1) Suzanne Colraine (Clydebank)
2) Louise Harkness (Paisley)
3) Pauline Laverie (Castle Douglas)
Under 16 Solo – Own Choice (A.R.A. Trophy)
1) Alasdair MacCuish (Paisley)
2) Craig Colraine (Clydebank)
3) Karen McCulloch (Dalrymple)
Open Solo – Own Choice (Cunningham District Council Trophy)
1) Liam Howatt (Cambuslang)
2) Stephen McWhan (Locharbriggs)
3) Alan McWhan (Locharbriggs)
Under 16 Duet – Own Choice (Irvine Times Trophy)
1) Lyndsey Ann Allan & Louise Harkness (Paisley)
2) Craig & Suzanne Colraine (Clydebank)
Junior Fiddle Solo – MSR (I.D.C. Trophy)
1) Glenda Taylor (Beith)
2) Claire Marie Thomas (Saltcoats)
Junior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air (Hospitality Inn Trophy)
1) Glenda Taylor (Beith)
2) Claire Marie Thomas (Saltcoats)
Senior Fiddle Solo – MSR (West Sound Trophy)
1) Mark McDougall (Muir of Ord)
2) Alastair McCulloch (Ayr)
3) Archie McAllister (Campbeltown)
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air (Alex Colvin Trophy)
1) Alastair McCulloch (Ayr)
2) Archie McAllister (Campbeltown)
3) Judith Linton (Abbey St. Bathans)
Open fiddle Solo – MSR (Irene & Bill Cunningham Trophy)
1) Archie McAllister (Campbeltown)
2) Mark McDougall (Muir of Ord)
3) Alastair McCulloch (Ayr)
Open Fiddle Group – Own Choice (Irvine Cable Trophy)
Alastair McCulloch (Ayr)
Mr Ian Redford - Obituary
Jimmy Shand was among the pall-bearers at the funeral of Ian Redford, Chairman of the Highland Accordion and Fiddle Club, which took place at Tomnahurich Cemetery. Mr Redford, 120 Wyvis Place, Inverness, died in Raigmore Hospital on 10th October after a long illness. He was 63.
Born in Kirriemuir and a saw-miller to trade, he moved to the Highland Capital in 1961. Ten years later, he was involved in a serious road accident which temporarily paralysed him. He made a partial recovery but continued to walk with a limp and in 1972 travelled to Exeter there he retrained as a bookkeeper. He was employed in the office of Auto Sales until he decided to take early retirement.
Inspired by Jimmy Shand, he learned to play the accordion at an early age and was proud to have played with his hero. After moving to Inverness, Mr Redford kept in touch with the famous bandleader.
Despite the accident, he was determined not to give up the accordion and, although the effects of his injuries on his left hand impaired his playing of the bass buttons, Mr Redford and an accompanist, Alan Shepherd, became a popular duo, playing at many charity events and regularly entertaining old people.
A founder member of the Highland A&F Club, Mr Redford served as Chairman for 14 years and would have presided at its 15th anniversary celebrations on 21st November when Jim Johnstone and his Band – who opened the Club in 1973 – return to provide the music for the festivities. He had also re-formed the accordion orchestra for the Club’s annual concert at Eden Court on 5th November.
Yesterday, Mr Shepherd paid tribute to his musical partner. “Ian was a fighter”, he said. “He was determined to overcome the effects of his accident. I never thought he would play the accordion again – but he did. He wasn’t in the best of health latterly, but he didn’t want to let the old folk down.”
Mr Redford was the chairman of the Merkinch Senior Citizen’s Outings Club and played a lot of fund-raising concert’s for them. A more recent interest was the Crossroads Care Attendant Scheme and the collection taken at his funeral will go there.
Councillor Tom Mackenzie paid tribute at Mr Redford’s funeral service in Dalneigh Church. “The The Senior citizens have lost a close friend”, he said. “His passionate love of music was shared freely with young and old alike – and the quality of his life was portrayed immediately he touched the keys of the accordion.”
Mr Redford was a Freemason and well-known in North Masonic circles. He is survived by his wife Bunty and son Ian.
Record Review
Coast to Coast – Bill Black SDB – SPRC1023
Deirdre’s Fancy – Deirdre Adamson – DALP/CS8803
Echoes of Ben Cruachan – Allan McIntosh
Setting Sail – George Carmichael and his Band
A Hundred Thousand Welcomes – The Box and Banjo Band – LICS5172
Letters to the Editor
Sir – With ref. to letter Margaret Grieve, Milngavie, in the September ‘B&F’. How can she justify ‘the Scottish style can be very monotonous unless one is dancing’. I have been a Scottish Dance music fan for several years and I am not old or even middle age yet! – and I don’t hear bands or individuals, as monotonous, far from it. You could ask twenty different bands to play one set of reels, for example, record them, and play them back one after the other, and you will find that not one bandleader will produce the same result, each one with their own interpretation of the tunes.
Take the Jim Johnstone Band, has one sat and watched how his box dances in his arms as he plays, night after night – does he think it is monotonous? I don’t think so, he enjoys every bit of it. After all, no Scottish dance band can command a fee like the pop stars of today. I don’t think they play for the money they receive, they play for the pleasure they give to people like myself, who enjoy listening. Unlike ‘Pop’ music, the tunes never age, the style changes with the talent, who arranges, these timeless tunes.
Some of the new compositions are A1, too numerous to list. Okay, the Currie Brothers are good, I too like their style, the variety of programme, the introduction of electronics, and banjo, guitar. But quite frankly if one is bored at an Accordion and Fiddle Club, she should not have been there in the first place….
Keep up the good ‘Scottish Style’, boys and girls, I think lots will agree with me, ‘Scottish Dance Music’ is magic and long may it be played, the Scottish way.
Peter Rae
Sir – May I through the ‘B&F’ newspaper be allowed to thank everyone who helped in any way at the West of Scotland A&F Festival at Irvine on the 24th September, 1988 – to competitors, spectators, committee, stewards, adjudicators, magazine staff, donors of trophies, caterers and indeed all who helped in any way to make this, our first Festival, such a great success.
Willie Wilson (Chairman)
Sir – May I, through your excellent organ, send an open letter to Producers of Scottish dance music records and tapes? It consists of three parts – a criticism and two suggestions.
Firstly, there is the question of mediocre and sometimes frankly comic balance achieved on recordings of even the very best bands. Many producers, and engineers, much of the time, appear to think that the only significant part of a four to six-piece group is the front line. Not infrequently, an outfit that sounds splendid in the flesh is reduced to the sound of a Morino or similar churning away with nothing more than a dull thunk in the background where we expect the rhythm section to be. Why?
Given that, for example, several of the Adam Rennie 78s of the 1950s managed (perhaps more by accident than design) to achieve a splendid balance, with each of the four instruments clearly hearable, the answer does not lie in the inadequacy of the recording equipment. Indeed, in the classical domain the standard of recording, whether of string quartets or full-scale symphony orchestras, has improved immeasurably over the past quarter century. Has this information failed to reach the Scottish studios? Presumably not – one of the joys of Jim Johnstone’s recent ‘Government Warning’ tape (CTP023) is that, aside from the superlative musicianship, we can actually hear every player and thus appreciate the tightness and vitality of the sound all the more clearly.
What, then, is the explanation for the dull thunk which replaces piano, bass and drums on so many other issues? Do the producers and engineers not care? Are they incompetent? Or do they simply believe will fail to notice what a terrible hash they have made of their supposedly professional work? I think we should be told.
Secondly, and this may relieve producers of the problem I’ve just discussed, why can we hot have more records of solo accordion? The operative word here is, of course, solo, meaning recordings in which we can appreciate the artistry of the left hand as well as the right. Why does every individual box player, whether from the established fraternity or, more likely, from the ranks of the up-and-coming, have to be supplemented by rhythm accompaniment? Why, for the sheer joy of hearing skilled fingers on the bass side of an accordion, do we have to rely solely on the occasional four or eight bar introductions on certain tracks of band recordings? Again, many discs of yesteryear, especially those issued pre-war, did allow us to listen to genuinely solo playing. Yet aside from live playing at Festivals etc., this is a pleasure we are now greatly denied. Will someone please explain what is not going on here!
My third plea is for companies to consider re-issuing some of the great performances of the 1960s, 50s and even earlier, including perhaps BBC Scottish dance music programme recordings. Although the Adam Rennie Trust has begun to do this in a small way, there are countless examples of fine playing, well-recorded, which would be hugely popular if they were to be reissued. From Tim Wright to Bobby MacLeod, from Andrew Rankine to Ian Powrie, there is a gold-mine of material there. Complimented by sleeve notes giving information about the musicians (as with many classical jazz recordings), cassettes of this sort would surely be best sellers. At the very least, a single tape carrying the greatest tracks of all time – plus the all-important biographical notes and instrumental notes – would be a wow. I’ve got my own nominations, but perhaps the B&F readers could encourage Robin Brock or Pete Kerr or Freeland Barbour or someone to pursue this idea, by sending in their own selections of the finest-ever band tracks.
Dr Bernard Dixon
130 Cornwall Road
Ruislip Manor
Middlesex
Sir – As one who attended the Shetland A&F Festival, may I through the ‘B&F’ congratulate all who were involved in this Festival. It was a huge success, well organized, attended, and the wealth of talent that that entertained was superb – four wonderful days of ‘Our kind of Music’.
It would be very remiss of me not to mention Eileen Nicolson and Robert Henderson who worked extremely hard – always busy seeing that the organisation went according to plan, and it certainly did.
The Grand Dance, in the Clickimin Centre on Saturday evening was a night to remember, with ten bands playing. All musicians throughout the four days gave excellent performances.
Here’s to the 1989 Festival.
Margaret Gray
‘Wayside’
2 Stewart Place
Kirkliston
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Dee Motel) – 29th Nov 88 Aly Bain
Alnwick (Golden Fleece) – members only
Armadale (Masonic Arms Hotel) –
Ayr (Gartferry Hotel) – 12th Dec Bill Black SDB
Balloch (Bell Centre, Dumbarton) – 20th Nov 88 Graeme Mitchell Band
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff & District (Royal Oak Hotel) –
Beith & District (Hotel de Croft, Dalry) – 21st Nov 88 Paddy Neary
Belford (Community Club) –
Biggar (Toftcombs Hotel) – 11th Dec 88 Jim Johnstone SDB
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) -
Bridge of Allan (Walmer Hotel) -
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel) –
Button Key (Windygates Institute) –
Callander (Glengarry Hotel) –
Campbeltown (Royal Hotel) – 19th Nov 88 Allan MacIntosh Band
Castle Douglas (Ernespie Hotel) –
Coupar Angus (Royal Hotel) –
Crieff & District (Drummond Arms Hotel)
Dalriada (Royal Hotel, Lochgilphead) –
Derwentside (Working Men’s Club, Consett) –
Dingwall (venue? ) –
Dunblane (Westlands Hotel) – 23rd Nov 88 Dermot O’Brien
Dundee (The Marquee) – 1st Dec 88 Bobby Crowe SDB
Dunfermline (Northern Roadhouse) –
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
East Kilbride (King’s Park Hotel, Rutherglen) – 24th Nov 88 Club Night
Edinburgh (Abbey Suite, Abbey Lane) –
Ellon (Ladbroke Hotel) –
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 28th Nov 88 Iain MacPhail SDB
26th Dec 88 Deirdre Adamson
Forres (Brig Motel) – 14th Dec 88 Alan Roy
Fort William (Alexandra Hotel) – 12th Dec 88 Bill Black SDB
Galashiels (Maxwell Hotel) –
Galston (Theo’s Restaurant, Galston) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) –
Gorebridge (Rangers FC Social Club) –
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) – 21st Nov 88 Jim Johnstone SDB
Islesteps (Driveway Inn) –
Kelso (Ednam House Hotel) – 30th Nov 88 Ian Holmes & Kenny Wilson
14th Dec 88 Craig McVie SDB
Kintore (Crown Hotel) –
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) –
Livingston (Golden Circle Hotel, Bathgate) 22nd Nov 88 Dermot O’Brien
Lockerbie (Bluebell Hotel) -
Mauchline (The Jean Armour Restaurant)
M.A.F.I.A. (Masonic Hall, Milngavie) –
Montrose (Park Hotel) –
New Cumnock (Crown Hotel) –
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
Newton St Boswells (Railway Hotel) –
North Cumbria (Golden Fleece, Ruleholme) (prev called Gretna Club) –
North East (Seafield Hotel, Keith) –
Oban (Highlander Restaurant) – 1st Dec 88 Deirdre Adamson
Orkney ( venue?) –
Ormiston (Miners’ Welfare Social Club) –
Peebles (Countryside Inn) –
Perth (Station Hotel) –
Premier NI (Camlin function Rooms) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloom) – 13th Dec 88 Gary Blair Orchestra
Rothbury (Jubilee Hall
Shetland (venue?) -
Stranraer (Railway Club) –
Thornhill (?)
Thurso (McKay’s Hotel) –
Turriff (Royal Oak Hotel) – 1st Dec 88 The Ythan Fiddlers
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) –
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Ayr
4. Balloch
5. Banchory
6. Banff
7. Beith
8. Belford
9. Biggar
10. Blairgowrie
11. Button Key
12. Castle Douglas
13. Dingwall & District
14. Dunblane
15. Dundee
16. Dunoon & Cowal
17. East Kilbride
18. Fintry
19. Forres
20. Galston
21. Highland
22. Kelso
23. Lesmahagow
24. Livingston
25. Lockerbie
25. M.A.F.I.A.
27. Mauchline
28. Montrose
29. Newtongrange
30. North Cumbria
31. Peebles
32. Perth
33. Rothbury
34. Thurso
35. Turriff
36. Tynedale
37. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT SEPT 1987 (Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Sept 1976)
3. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months)
4. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition)
9. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
10. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974)
11. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
12. Buchan A&F Club
13. Button Key A&F Club (
14. Callander A&F Club (
15. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
16. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980)
17. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
18. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
19. Derwentside A&F Club
20. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
21. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971)
22. Dundee & District A&F Club
23. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
24. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
25. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
26. Ellon A&F Club (
27. Fintry A&F Club
28. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
29. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
30. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
31. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
32. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
33. Highland A&F Club (Inverness)
34. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981)
35. Isle of Skye A&F Club (
36. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976)
37. Kintore A&F Club
38. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967)
39. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
40. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – per first edition)
41. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973)
42. M.A.F.I.A. (early)
43. Mauchline A&F Club (first mention 1986?)
44. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
45. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1979)
46. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
47. North Cumbria A&F Club (originally Gretna started June 1966 – had to move to a venue in the North of England and changed name – eventually changed back when they returned to the Halcrow Stadium. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
48. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971)
49. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975)
50. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978)
51. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club
52. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981)
53. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970)
54. Premier A&F Club NI (cNov 1980)
55. Rothbury Accordion Club (1987??)
56. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978)
57. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
58. Sutherland A&F Club (
59. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition)
60. Thurso A&F Club (cSept 1981)
61. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982)
62. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980)
63. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
64. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
65. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
66. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
67. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
68. Club Accord
69. Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2?)
70. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
71. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
72. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
73. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
74. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
75. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
76. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
77. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
78. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
79. Gretna A&F Club (June 1966)
80. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
81. Kinlochsheil A&F Club (
82. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
83. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
84. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
85. Newcastleton Accordion Club
86. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
87. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
88. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
89. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
90. Wellbank A&F Club
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