Box and Fiddle
Year 09 No 01
September 1985
Price 30p
12 pages
8 month subscription £3.75
Editor – Ian Smith, 50 Mount Vernon Road, Stranraer Tele 4098
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
At the start of a new season we have a job in front of us. The job is to stop the decline in our audiences. Without them, it’s back to the old days of a few people in the back room of a pub. Mind you, there was a great atmosphere there. Without the audiences, where will the guest artistes gain employment? Without the audiences, where will the money come from? Without the audience, where will the youngsters get the experience of playing to the public? Pessimistic? No, just realistic. One ray of hope is that towards the end of last season there seemed to be a slight rise in the public’s participation. Build on this and the good times will return.
One more body blow has to be overcome and that dreaded word VAT has been imposed on newsprint and it means the B&F must be increased to 30p and the advertising accordingly. Sorry folks, free speech under the Tories doesn’t come cheap.
The AGM this year was a wee bit over the top. What should have been a gathering of friends getting together and planning for the future disintegrated into personalities and this must be avoided in the future. Of course, with a turnout of 23 clubs out of 60+ a fair cross section cannot be achieved. Otherwise it was a good AGM. The various reports were very encouraging, especially the finances of the B&F which showed a healthy bank balance mainly due to the attention by Miss Cathy Andrew, our Treasurer.
Jimmy Blue says thanks to all his Friends
by Jimmy Blue
‘Mr Blue reported on a discussion he had had with Mr bobby Harvey, Milngavie A&F Club, who had suggested that as small Clubs could not afford expensive guest artistes, perhaps Clubs could get together to give guests a week’s work, playing a different Club each night’.
‘Mr Blue went further and proposed an amalgamation or Association of Clubs. He proposed that Mrs Blue write to all Clubs (after the postal strike) and suggest a meeting of representatives, and then a central council might be formed to discuss future visits and syllabus’.
This excerpt from the Perth Club Minutes of 3rd March 1971 was the embryo of what has become the N.A.A.F.C.
It has been a source of great pleasure to see my brainchild grow, furthered by Mr Ian Smith’s offer to edit a newspaper which would circulate news and advertisements of the various Clubs and which is now sent all over the world. The B&F may have had its momentary ups and downs, but the purpose it serves cannot be disputed.
The birth pangs of the Association Festival at Musselburgh have also been resolved, and now under its convener, Mr Norman Williams, (and of course his ‘right-hand man, Sheila) it goes from strength to strength.
Mr David Ross has quietly handled the financial side of the Association for some years as Treasurer and we were pleased to welcome Cathy Andrews as Treasurer of the B&F. She has done wonders in her first year and the problems in that area also no longer exist.
Mr Willie Wilson and Mr Alex Little are loyal stalwarts on Committee, traveling great distances – overcoming health problems in Alex’s case – to attend meetings.
Alex was the person who first got the Musselburgh Festival off the ground when Ray Milbourne felt he could no longer cope. The arranging of the portraits for our honoured guests in the past was left in Willie Wilson’s capable hands, and he gave time, diplomacy and great enthusiasm to this important job.
Andrew Nairn, our Secretary, not only provides the hospitality of West Baldridge for our Committee meetings, but also gives me his immeasurable support at all times, not least at some of the traumatic AGM’s we have had in the past. He also, like Alex Little, has an abundance of natural talent and is able to compere at the Musselburgh Festival Concerts.
Jack Cooper introduced the idea of having a Weekend Rally, and no one knows the background work and worry which goes into the arrangement of these wonderful occasions. Everyone who has attended them looks forward to the next, when they can meet other musicians, friends and music lovers.
With people like these at the helm, the warmth and good fellowship sponsored by these occasions is something that I, personally, hope will never be lost. I want to thank all my Committee for their loyal support through the years, and look forward to many more wonderful weekends amongst the many friends who were at The Salutation on the first weekend in July.
‘Salutations’ from the N.A.A.F.C.
by Norrie Williams
In 1980 there came into being a happening which was to become known as the Dunblane Weekend. For the last five years, this event, which is run under the auspices of the NAAFC, and incorporates the AGM of the Association, has proved to be a knockout, both musically and socially.
It is master-minded by ex-White Heather Club dance director Jack Cooper of Dundee, a member of the Executive Committee and a well-known Scottish dance band drummer.
Jack is a self-effacing character who works tirelessly in the background to ensure that lots of folk can enjoy themselves and once again this year he did all the donkey work, but this time he didn’t have his troubles to seek.
An organizational hiccup beyond his control meant that an alternative venue had to be sought. The Salutation Hotel, Perth, was approached and co-operated to the nth degree. A second headache for Jack was the fact that there was not to be a celebrity presentation on this occasion, so what was to be the format?
After a lot of head scratching in Committee it was decided to negotiate for a double ‘Take the Floor’ recording for the Saturday afternoon to entertain early arrivals and entice other enthusiasts, a dance in the evening (open to all) and after the AGM on the Sunday morning, a special lunch to be followed by a ‘celebrity’ Box and Fiddle Club. Would this work? None could tell – it would either click or be a monumental flop.
To prepare ourselves for the unknown, Sheila and I decided on a Saturday morning constitutional instead of our customary p.m. punt when at Dunblane. We went off along the Tentsmuir Sands to the point to catch a glimpse of ‘God’s own country’ across the Tay estuary. For those who don’t know this part, Tentsmuir is a glorious stretch of sand some three to four miles long, combined with some fine Forestry commission plantations and a nature reserve, linking the River Eden mouth to the south bank of the Tay Estuary and round to Tayport. It is reached by branching-off the Leuchars/Newport road and then through by Kinshaldy Farm to a Forestry Commission car park right on the edge of the dunes.
One is guaranteed a sighting of dozens of seals safely basking out on the inaccessible Abertay sands. On this very fine morning (probably our summer) the world seemed a fine place as we surveyed Dundee, Broughty Ferry, Buddon Point, with its upstairs downstairs lighthouses, Carnoustie and as if to remind us what was in store for the weekend, who spots well known to thousands of Scottish music enthusiasts by name if not geographically. In the background the Sidlaw Hills and in the near foreground the sandbank known as the Lucky Scalp or Scaup, its wee lighthouse now gone.
Refreshed by this therapy, but still with some trepidation regarding the possible outcome of the weekend, we retraced our steps, a quick burst along the Carse and we were in the ‘Fair City’, unfortunately, just too late to catch any of the Angus Fitchet Band recording. The second band ‘Ian Powrie and Friends’ were settling in as we arrived and we crept stealthily into the ‘Sally’ function room whispering hoarsely as if in a library to find quite a sizeable audience clacking away like fishwives oblivious of the BBC staff trying to get things organized. It’s difficult to forget the old days when one had to sit like a church mouse. The Powrie line-up, a seven-piece, was interesting and one to whet the appetite of the enthusiast. From left to right, Mickey Ainsworth, Ian Powrie, Jimmy Blue, Duncan Black . Back row Joan Blue, piano, Dave Barclay, double bass and Jack Cooper, drums. Zero hour approached with the players trying to get comfy – their legs suddenly seemed to become too long. Ken Mutch, the Producer, faced the audience and begged for a hearing, the fishwives’ chorus died away, and in his couthy manner he recapped the format and introduced Ian. We looked around for Robbie Shepherd but he had a long-standing engagement with some sheepdogs and as this recording session was set up at short notice he could not be with us, but Ian stepped into the breach as link man and did it most effectively, just chatting away in his easy style. It could not have been easy switching from musical concentration to cracking away to the audience.
Ian explained that the programme was a wee bit different from the normal – it was to be a tribute to Jimmy Shand Snr and with the exception of Kate Dalrymple, every tune would be a Shand composition.
The band now did a couple of warm-up sets starting with jigs and then a 2/4 march into a 6/8. I’ve always thought of Jimmy Shand as a 6/8 man, possibly because he has been more prolific in this tempo but my goodness he writes dashed good 2/4s as well. I’m not giving you the titles, you’ll have to listen to the programme when it comes out. But back to the band.
The sound was great an so were the tunes. We were going to enjoy this – a lot. Strathspeys, polkas, jigs, marches and reels (including ‘Lucky Scaup’) and the very poignant slow air ‘A Tribute to Charlie Clark’ as a fiddle solo. This tune was to the memory of a late friend, the proprietor of a Portsoy hotel where Jimmy Shand sometimes stayed.
Well-known tunes were interspersed with several lesser-known compositions. Other solo spots featured Mickey Ainsworth, Jimmy Blue and Duncan Black with three cracking hornpipes.
At one stage Ian invited the audience to get up and dance a waltz and despite feeling a little self-conscious Sheila and I braved the elements and had a go and were glad we did, because an old cycling mate and avid Scottish music enthusiast, Angus Gove from Hillside, had spotted us and caught our attention. We signaled that we’d have a crack when the recording was over.
All to soon we were at the end of the programme and Ken Mutch had a pow-wow with the recording engineers and came back to request a couple of retakes. Joan Blue immediately got ‘canned’ – mind you Jack Cooper had been like that all the way through!
Throughout the recording we had been struck by how easy it all looked, the total competence of these players, so unpretentious, just reading off set after set no bother. And the evergreen Powrie characteristics counting in with the bow, even when it was someone else’s solo – this tickled us but, of course, it made sense – then eyes shut for most of the time while playing and the lift of the fiddle neck to signal ‘whoa’.
The session over we headed off for a bite and tied up with the aforementioned Gus to reminisce about the days we used to bike to Laurencekirk after listening to the live SDM broadcasts from Coldside Studio and how the ‘band wagons’, including Ian Powrie’s, would pass us on the Marykirk barns brae – great stuff.
Back from the Kinross Services we spruced up and went down to the dance – and some dance. Two bands, the Craigowl from Dundee and the Jimmy Blue/Ian Powrie Quartet.
Along with Davie Ross of Kilmarnock, Willie Wilson of Beith and Eddie MacDonald of Dundee we did turns at the door, a bit quiet to start with, but built up nicely later on. A party of Americans who were staying overnight at the hotel pleaded to get in just to get the scene, so we said okay if they kept it to half an hour or we’d have to charge”thanks Scatty”. I’m never sure whether they are referring to one’s nationality or state of mind. They emerged as pleased as punch and as a result we have been invited to visit the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum next time we’re across! That’ll be the day. These Association Weekends have everything.
The music by the young Dundee band was better than ever if that is possible – what maturity.
During one of their quicksteps the pleasing notes of a female vocalist floated through to the foyer and Sheila was dispatched post haste to investigate. It was Gillian Simpson, the band pianist, is there no end to this talent. We managed one or two dances to this group before they took a break. A short pause and we were now dancing to the unmistakable sound of a Shand Morino, close coupled to a Matthew Hardie (Massey Harris according to Jimmy Stephen) fiddle. This was vintage stuff and as one passed the speakers the perfect heady blend just lifted one off the floor, goose pimples and all.
A record spell with the Craigowl and 1a.m. came only too soon. Now what was going to happen? In previous years a ceilidh would have been in full swing but this time it looked as if things might just peter out.
Jimmy Blue tried to recruit some musicians to keep the ball rolling, but there were no takers at first. However, Tom Clark of Dundee, with daughter Stella and son Kevin saved the day disbanding just before 2 a.m. A few more anxious moments and Kevin approached yours truly and I agreed, somewhat reluctantly I must confess, to get my box. I didn’t want to spoil what up to then had been a good evening. With Morag McAskill on piano and Stella on fiddle we had a very pleasant 45 minutes with distinguished supporting cast taking shotties when the spirit moved, Bobby Crowe, Ian Powrie, Hamish Smith, Tom Cark and Stan Saunders. At 3.15 a.m. and very happy, I clipped the box and after ‘goodnights’ all round, sloped off to get a bit of sleep before the AGM and to make a cup of coffee for a couple of folk who were driving straight back to Glasgow. However, it was almost a further hour before they turned up because apparently Stella and Ian Powrie had teamed up and had a great session. We were just finishing the cuppies when there was a knock at the door and two bandleaders from opposite banks of the Tay (no names, no pack-drill, but one was fairly mature and bearded and the other young and sandy haired) arrived – they would love a cuppies! No problem, that’s what it’s all about, but we were a wee bit worried about the folk in the next room because we were in stitches hearing about another box player bandleader who used to time his eightsome reels by smoking a fag and if he got his lips burned he knew his tempo was down.
At 5.15am it was a case of “Cheerio, we’ll see you later this morning”. The sun was well up by his time and it was a bit difficult to get to sleep because the old brains were mulling over the events of the day. Eventually the sand man made it and we were out for a couple of hours.
After a first-class breakfast impeccably served, we were out for a breather before the AGM, out across the Tay on the footpath slung on the side of the railway bridge, looking down on dozens of healthy allotments full to the gunnels with flowers and vegetables.
The AGMstarted on time and despite one or two suspect harmonics, it finished on the right note.
Just after 1.30pm and feeling somewhat puckish we all trooped to the hall for lunch and were immediately struck by the very near table layout. The meal was due to start at 1.45 but was delayed slightly because two of the principal guests were running slightly late – motoring back from Yorkshire I think. However, suddenly they were there and everyone rose and clapped them to their seats – Mr and Mrs Jimmy Shand Snr looking very well indeed. They took their places beside Ian Powrie, Angus Fitchet, Jimmy Blue all with their respective wives and last but not least, organizer Jack Cooper.
Due to a staffing crisis at the Mishnish Hotel, Bobby MacLeod couldn’t join us and had sent apologies.
Full marks again to the ‘Sally’ for a first-class meal and excellent service. This hotel has certainly made it’s mark in my book. Incidentally, 116 folk sat down to the meal, a gratifying number considering the absence of a presentation.
And now came that unknown quantity, the Celebrity Box and Fiddle Club to be run by Jimmy Blue. May I say at this point what an effective compere he proved to be (first time I’ve seen him do this) fluent, unobtrusive during turns, with just the right blend of humour and informed comment.
The opening spot was filled by Ian Powrie and Friends (minus Dave Barclay and Mickey Ainsworth) playing some fine excerpts from the Saturday recording.
Following hard on their heels came Angus Fitchet and his team, Bobby Crowe and Hamish Smith (accordions), Joan Blue (piano), Stan Saunders (bass) and Jack Cooper (drums).
The pawky humour of the ‘boss’ was to the fore as always, such as in the introduction to one set of tunes “by those two fine composers Skinner and Fitchet!” Great music, relaxed tempo, with both these bands it stared one straight in the face – experience.
By the way, Angus has an entertaining way of starting to play without any apparent signal to his colleagues. In fact he is sometime still speaking after the bow has begun to scart away.
Solo turns by Ian Powrie and Bobby Coghill of Wick (on borrowed Shand Morino) were greatly appreciated. Bobby rendered some quite unusual pipe selections with wee kinks which raised eyebrows and pulse rates in the backing group who were flying blind at this point.
Ian finished up with his popular John Denver selection which always gives me a jolt when I suddenly realise that J. D. wrote “The Flowers of Edinburgh”.
Following Ian’s spot another pleasant surprise, Jim MacLeod, Jim Clelland and Tommy Ford who had come along to the lunch (much appreciated as we were on foreign soil) teamed up with Robin Brock (double bass) – good to see him along too – to give us three impeccable selections as is their wont.
During the past year or so a certain young player has been a winner with audiences wherever he performed. He plays a hybrid instrument, a two-row British chromatic treble melodeon keyboard coupled to a 72-bass left hand (I think I counted correctly as he shot past). His name? Bruce Lindsay Jnr of Windygates in Fife. Specification age 12 or 13, style, Jimmy Shand Snr, choice of music, Jimmy Shand Snr, his stance (seated), Jimmy Shand Snr, facial expression, set of arms, hands etc……..yes, you’re right again. It really was uncanny and when he fired off with ‘Auchmountains Bonnie Glen’ our table (Alex Little, Davie Ross, Andrew Nairn et al plus wives) started to gibber in disbelief. It is a great solace to know that the master’s image is to be perpetuated in this way.
Two more turns followed, from a member of the Association Committee and from the Clark family when Dad, Stella and Kevin gave us their pleasure. As this Dundee group left the stage they made was for a most fitting last item. A band headed by (no prizes for guessing) Jimmy Shand (77) supported by one of his early accomplices, 80-year-old left handed fiddler Dave Ireland, Hamish Smith (second accordion) and the official Perth backing group.
The instant this group started playing (an old-fashioned waltz) the folk were on their feet, dancing, and they just wouldn’t get off. A waltz encore was followed by two selections for the Gay Gordons. Jimmy’s instructions to his fellow players have to be seen to be believed – they’re non existent, but everything runs like clockwork so there must be some kind of communication like a slight raising of an eyebrow. It goes without saying that this was great dance music but one particular facet is worthy of special mention, viz. the ‘wind-down’ at the end of the waltzes. This was so perfect and natural for the dancers (we got several comments about this) that it should be adopted as a British Standard. Unfortunately although the audience and dancers clamoured for more the clock had beaten us and Jimmy Blue called for all players to get their machines and join in a stramash led by the senior Shand Morino. Joining those who had performed earlier were accordionists Tommy Walker, Neil Caul, Duncan Black and Davie Ross. Some line-up. Slight raising of the Shand eye-brow and we were off into the ‘Bluebell Polka’ and such is the authority exerted by Jimmy in any group that there wasn’t a note out of place anywhere, no players doing their own thing. The follow-up ‘We’re No’ Awa’’ and ‘Auld Lang Syne’ sounded as good as I’ve ever heard them.
A special thank you to the Perth backing group of Joan, Stan and Jack – they were just great, and to Jimmy Blue for chairing, presiding over and compering everything.
Record Review
Drummond Cook’s Scottish Country Dance Band – Tae Gar Ye Loup – JW001
Jim MacLeod and his SDB – WGR081 from Ross Records
Letters to the Editor
Sir – It is with deepest regret that I have to announce that between the hours of 11am and 1pm on Sunday, 7th July, 1985, within the Salutation Hotel, Perth Democracy died. At least as far as the AGM of the N.A.A.F.C. was concerned.
Irregularities in the running of that meeting caused anxiety I personally have never experienced in 30 years involvement in committee work. The jealously guarded British tradition of freedom of speech was disregarded and this was obvious from the start of the meeting.
I rose to ask a question on the accuracy of the Minutes and was told “You are being a nuisance early today”.
Although an apology was received from the Chair, it was certainly not the response I would have anticipated to a question allowed under that part of the agenda.
A motion, passed at the 1984 AGM, included into the offices of the Association the position of Vice Chairman. This mandate was not followed and my Club submitted a motion to this year’s meeting indicating that they wanted this done. This motion was not presented to the AGM, because the Secretary “did not think it was relevant” and was only read out at the insistence of the delegate.
It was then properly debated and during my right of reply I was told by the Chairman to “sit down and shut up”. Since he had allowed me the right of reply in the first place, I can only assume that he either did not agree with what I was saying, or had not the ability to make any more constructive contribution.
I, as delegate from the Dunblane Club, was neither rude nor offensive in presenting the views of the Club, merely proposing what had been passed at our own AGM.
Once again, I asked for and received an apology from the Chairman. I certainly did not expect to be insulted and ridiculed by a person who was elected to a position of responsibility by the very members he was aiming his remarks at.
The Rule Book I referred to was, of course, Citrine’s ABC of Chairmanship and this book is accepted in all walks of life as the best guide to the running of any meeting. In its compilation, reference is made to several authoritative works, such as Sir Erskine May’s Parliamentary Practice, Gore Brown’s Handbook of Joint Stock companies, Ilbert’s Manual of Procedure of the House of Commons and Smith’s Handy Book of Public Meetings.
To ignore accepted procedure in any debate, to further your own aims, is bad enough, but to do this as Chairman is unforgiveable. His role is impartiality, or should be. I can think of no better way to end this letter than by quoting from Citrine, Page 3, Para 3, “Above all, the Chairman must be impartial. When there are differences of opinion, the Chairman should give both sides an equal chance to present their views. The worst thing he can do is lose his temper – that way he loses everyone’s respect”.
Andrew Dunbar
Sir – I am very keen on the accordion, but they are not very popular in our part of the country. I don’t know why, because they used to be pre-war. I pay by ear the piano box (Hohner Verdi VN 120 bass) my greatest hobby now. I did go to Salford recently to a pub called ‘The Hanky Park’ just to listen to a young man play the box. He is called Roman Mondryk and he is a beautiful player.
Sorry you could not trace the Lindsay family whom my late father was billeted with during the 14-18 war. It was a shot in the dark, but thanks all the same for your trouble. I am 70 years old and I have always had a soft spot for Scottish people. I was in the 3rd Battalion London Scottish Regiment during the last war and we were a mobile unit of heavy anti-aircraft guns. I joined them in Egypt in 1943 after serving in the Far East for three years fighting the Japs. I served with them in Sicily and Italy with the 8th Army. I made a lot of friends who live in Scotland.
I do remember one chap in particular who came from Musselburgh, but alas over the years I’ve forgotten his name. In 1940 I served on the heavy AA guns in the Orkney Islands with a Manchester regiment, the 65th HY AA. A lot of Scottish Regiments were there too like the Gordon Highlanders and the Cameronians.
The year 1940 had the worst winter in living memory and we were snowed in for over three months. We ran out of food until they dropped us food by parachute from aircraft clown in from Wick on the mainland. We were stationed with our guns on Bury Hill, overlooking Kirkwall, very bleak!
I would love to go back again to see what the place looked like now. Maybe some day soon!
Harold Hampson
16 Callis Road, Deane, Bolton, Lancs
Sir – I was most interested in the letter in your April edition from the Crieff Secretary Tom Handy when he made the point about club income in relation to guests fees.
While I agree that this is always a source of concern to any Treasurer, and I am no different, I must say that I do not find much variation from previous years and many guest players are aware of the financial strain placed on the Clubs.
Twice this season I have been asked that if the attendance was not us to standard, they would accept less, although fortunately this was not necessary.
Any excessive demands, however, are usually met with the polite reply that we do not pay ‘that’ amount and we go elsewhere.
Andrew J. Dunbar
Sir – As a representative of Dingwall and District A&F Club attending the AGm of the NAAFC in the Salutation Hotel, Perth, on 7th July, 1985, I have been instructed by our Committee following my report of the above AGM to write to you expressing our concern at the way the meeting was conducted.
As a first time attender at this AGM, I was greatly surprised by the off-hand attitude of the Chairman towards representative members of other Clubs.
Matters raised were skated over to avoid any change in the status quo.
One Club representative walked out following an argument with the Chairman, who was positively rude, and indeed had to be asked to apologise on two occasions.
In conclusion, we feel that the Association, as it stands, is a waste of time unless meetings are conducted in a more business-like manner.
George Hogg
Chairman, Dingwall & District A&F Club
CLUB DIARY – few entries because the publication date had changed to the 1st of the month and many people missed the new deadline.
Aberdeen (Dee Motel) –
Alnwick (Nag’s Head) – members only
Armadale (Masonic Arms Hotel) – 3rd Oct 85 Jim Cleland
Ayr (Aftongrange Hotel) –
Balloch (Griffin Hotel, Alexandria) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff (Royal Oak Hotel) –
Beith (Anderson Hotel) –
Belford (Community Club) –
Biggar (Clydesdale Hotel) –
Bridge of Allan (Walmer Hotel) -
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel) –
Callander (Glengarry Hotel) –
Campbeltown (Royal Hotel) –
Castle Douglas (Ernespie Hotel) –
Cleland (Dalrymple House) –
Coupar Angus (Royal Hotel) –
Crieff & District (Arduthie Hotel) –
Dalriada (Royal Hotel, Lochgilphead) –
Derwentside (Working Men’s Club, Consett) –
Dingwall (venue? ) –
Dunblane (Hydro) – 1st Oct 85 Robert Black SDB
Dundee (Queen’s Hotel, Nethergate) –
Dunfermline (Northern Roadhouse) –
East Kilbride (King’s Park Hotel, Rutherglen) –
Edinburgh (Abbey Suite, Abbey Lane) –
Ellon (Ladbroke Hotel) –
Falkirk (Park Hotel) –
Fintry (Clachan Hotel) –
Forres (Brig Motel) –
Fort William (Caol Community Club) –
Galashiels (Maxwell Hotel) –
Galston (Theo’s Restaurant, Galston) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) – members only -
Gorebridge (Rangers FC Social Club) –
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) –
Islesteps (Cargenholm Hotel) –
Kelso (Ednam House Hotel) –
Kintore (Crown Hotel) –
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) –
Livingston (Golden Hind, Blackburn) – 19th Sept 85 Ian Holmes & Kenny Wilson
Lockerbie (Bluebell Hotel) –
M.A.F.I.A. (Black Bull, Milngavie) –
Montrose (Park Hotel) –
Morecambe (Yorkshire Hotel, Lancaster) -
New Cumnock (Crown Hotel) –
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 30th Sept 85 Ian Powrie & Joan Blue
Newton St Boswells (Railway Hotel) –
North Cumbria (Howard Arms) (prev called Gretna Club)
North East (Royal Hotel, Keith) –
Oban (Park Hotel) –
Orkney ( venue?) –
Ormiston (Miners’ Welfare Social Club) –
Peebles (Ex-Servicemen’s Club) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) –
Premier NI (Wilson’s of Crumlin) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel)
Shetland (venue?) -
Stranraer (Buck’s Head Hotel) – 8th Oct 85 tba
Thornhill (?)
Thurso (McKay’s Hotel) –
Turriff (Royal Oak Hotel) – 3rd Oct 85 Gordon Pattullo
Tynedale (The Royal Hotel, Hexham) –
Walmer (Bridge of Allan) –
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Alnwick
2. Balloch
3. Callander
4. Derwentside
5. Dingwall & District
6. Dunfermline & District
7. Forres
8. Lesmahagow
9. Livingston
10. M.A.F.I.A.
11. Montrose
12. Newton St Boswells
13. North Cumbria
14. Perth & District
15. Shetland
16. Thurso
17. Turriff
18. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT SEPT 1985 (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. Buchan A&F Club
12. Callander A&F Club (
13. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980)
15. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
16. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
17. Derwentside A&F Club
18. Dingwall & District (May 1979 – per first report)
19. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971)
20. Dundee & District A&F Club
21. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
22. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
23. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
24. Ellon A&F Club (
25. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
26. Fintry A&F Club
27. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
28. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
29. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
30. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
31. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
32. Highland A&F Club (Inverness)
33. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981)
34. Isle of Skye A&F Club (
35. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976)
36. Kintore A&F Club
37. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967)
38. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
39. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – per first edition)
40. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973)
41. M.A.F.I.A. (early)
42. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
43. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1979)
44. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
45. 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)
46. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971)
47. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975)
48. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978)
49. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club
50. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981)
51. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970)
52. Premier A&F Club NI (cNov 1980)
53. Rothbury Accordion Club (1987??)
54. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978)
55. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
56. Sutherland A&F Club (
57. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition)
58. Thurso A&F Club (cSept 1981)
59. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982)
60. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980)
61. 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?)
62. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
63. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
64. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
65. Club Accord
66. Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2?)
67. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
68. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
69. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
70. Dornoch
71. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
72. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
73. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
74. Gretna A&F Club (June 1966)
75. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
76. Kinlochsheil A&F Club (
77. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
78. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
79. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
80. Newcastleton Accordion Club
81. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
82. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
83. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
84. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
85. Wellbank A&F Club
Advertising rates
Full Page - £92
Half Page - £46
Quarter Page - £23
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
At the start of a new season we have a job in front of us. The job is to stop the decline in our audiences. Without them, it’s back to the old days of a few people in the back room of a pub. Mind you, there was a great atmosphere there. Without the audiences, where will the guest artistes gain employment? Without the audiences, where will the money come from? Without the audience, where will the youngsters get the experience of playing to the public? Pessimistic? No, just realistic. One ray of hope is that towards the end of last season there seemed to be a slight rise in the public’s participation. Build on this and the good times will return.
One more body blow has to be overcome and that dreaded word VAT has been imposed on newsprint and it means the B&F must be increased to 30p and the advertising accordingly. Sorry folks, free speech under the Tories doesn’t come cheap.
The AGM this year was a wee bit over the top. What should have been a gathering of friends getting together and planning for the future disintegrated into personalities and this must be avoided in the future. Of course, with a turnout of 23 clubs out of 60+ a fair cross section cannot be achieved. Otherwise it was a good AGM. The various reports were very encouraging, especially the finances of the B&F which showed a healthy bank balance mainly due to the attention by Miss Cathy Andrew, our Treasurer.
Jimmy Blue says thanks to all his Friends
by Jimmy Blue
‘Mr Blue reported on a discussion he had had with Mr bobby Harvey, Milngavie A&F Club, who had suggested that as small Clubs could not afford expensive guest artistes, perhaps Clubs could get together to give guests a week’s work, playing a different Club each night’.
‘Mr Blue went further and proposed an amalgamation or Association of Clubs. He proposed that Mrs Blue write to all Clubs (after the postal strike) and suggest a meeting of representatives, and then a central council might be formed to discuss future visits and syllabus’.
This excerpt from the Perth Club Minutes of 3rd March 1971 was the embryo of what has become the N.A.A.F.C.
It has been a source of great pleasure to see my brainchild grow, furthered by Mr Ian Smith’s offer to edit a newspaper which would circulate news and advertisements of the various Clubs and which is now sent all over the world. The B&F may have had its momentary ups and downs, but the purpose it serves cannot be disputed.
The birth pangs of the Association Festival at Musselburgh have also been resolved, and now under its convener, Mr Norman Williams, (and of course his ‘right-hand man, Sheila) it goes from strength to strength.
Mr David Ross has quietly handled the financial side of the Association for some years as Treasurer and we were pleased to welcome Cathy Andrews as Treasurer of the B&F. She has done wonders in her first year and the problems in that area also no longer exist.
Mr Willie Wilson and Mr Alex Little are loyal stalwarts on Committee, traveling great distances – overcoming health problems in Alex’s case – to attend meetings.
Alex was the person who first got the Musselburgh Festival off the ground when Ray Milbourne felt he could no longer cope. The arranging of the portraits for our honoured guests in the past was left in Willie Wilson’s capable hands, and he gave time, diplomacy and great enthusiasm to this important job.
Andrew Nairn, our Secretary, not only provides the hospitality of West Baldridge for our Committee meetings, but also gives me his immeasurable support at all times, not least at some of the traumatic AGM’s we have had in the past. He also, like Alex Little, has an abundance of natural talent and is able to compere at the Musselburgh Festival Concerts.
Jack Cooper introduced the idea of having a Weekend Rally, and no one knows the background work and worry which goes into the arrangement of these wonderful occasions. Everyone who has attended them looks forward to the next, when they can meet other musicians, friends and music lovers.
With people like these at the helm, the warmth and good fellowship sponsored by these occasions is something that I, personally, hope will never be lost. I want to thank all my Committee for their loyal support through the years, and look forward to many more wonderful weekends amongst the many friends who were at The Salutation on the first weekend in July.
‘Salutations’ from the N.A.A.F.C.
by Norrie Williams
In 1980 there came into being a happening which was to become known as the Dunblane Weekend. For the last five years, this event, which is run under the auspices of the NAAFC, and incorporates the AGM of the Association, has proved to be a knockout, both musically and socially.
It is master-minded by ex-White Heather Club dance director Jack Cooper of Dundee, a member of the Executive Committee and a well-known Scottish dance band drummer.
Jack is a self-effacing character who works tirelessly in the background to ensure that lots of folk can enjoy themselves and once again this year he did all the donkey work, but this time he didn’t have his troubles to seek.
An organizational hiccup beyond his control meant that an alternative venue had to be sought. The Salutation Hotel, Perth, was approached and co-operated to the nth degree. A second headache for Jack was the fact that there was not to be a celebrity presentation on this occasion, so what was to be the format?
After a lot of head scratching in Committee it was decided to negotiate for a double ‘Take the Floor’ recording for the Saturday afternoon to entertain early arrivals and entice other enthusiasts, a dance in the evening (open to all) and after the AGM on the Sunday morning, a special lunch to be followed by a ‘celebrity’ Box and Fiddle Club. Would this work? None could tell – it would either click or be a monumental flop.
To prepare ourselves for the unknown, Sheila and I decided on a Saturday morning constitutional instead of our customary p.m. punt when at Dunblane. We went off along the Tentsmuir Sands to the point to catch a glimpse of ‘God’s own country’ across the Tay estuary. For those who don’t know this part, Tentsmuir is a glorious stretch of sand some three to four miles long, combined with some fine Forestry commission plantations and a nature reserve, linking the River Eden mouth to the south bank of the Tay Estuary and round to Tayport. It is reached by branching-off the Leuchars/Newport road and then through by Kinshaldy Farm to a Forestry Commission car park right on the edge of the dunes.
One is guaranteed a sighting of dozens of seals safely basking out on the inaccessible Abertay sands. On this very fine morning (probably our summer) the world seemed a fine place as we surveyed Dundee, Broughty Ferry, Buddon Point, with its upstairs downstairs lighthouses, Carnoustie and as if to remind us what was in store for the weekend, who spots well known to thousands of Scottish music enthusiasts by name if not geographically. In the background the Sidlaw Hills and in the near foreground the sandbank known as the Lucky Scalp or Scaup, its wee lighthouse now gone.
Refreshed by this therapy, but still with some trepidation regarding the possible outcome of the weekend, we retraced our steps, a quick burst along the Carse and we were in the ‘Fair City’, unfortunately, just too late to catch any of the Angus Fitchet Band recording. The second band ‘Ian Powrie and Friends’ were settling in as we arrived and we crept stealthily into the ‘Sally’ function room whispering hoarsely as if in a library to find quite a sizeable audience clacking away like fishwives oblivious of the BBC staff trying to get things organized. It’s difficult to forget the old days when one had to sit like a church mouse. The Powrie line-up, a seven-piece, was interesting and one to whet the appetite of the enthusiast. From left to right, Mickey Ainsworth, Ian Powrie, Jimmy Blue, Duncan Black . Back row Joan Blue, piano, Dave Barclay, double bass and Jack Cooper, drums. Zero hour approached with the players trying to get comfy – their legs suddenly seemed to become too long. Ken Mutch, the Producer, faced the audience and begged for a hearing, the fishwives’ chorus died away, and in his couthy manner he recapped the format and introduced Ian. We looked around for Robbie Shepherd but he had a long-standing engagement with some sheepdogs and as this recording session was set up at short notice he could not be with us, but Ian stepped into the breach as link man and did it most effectively, just chatting away in his easy style. It could not have been easy switching from musical concentration to cracking away to the audience.
Ian explained that the programme was a wee bit different from the normal – it was to be a tribute to Jimmy Shand Snr and with the exception of Kate Dalrymple, every tune would be a Shand composition.
The band now did a couple of warm-up sets starting with jigs and then a 2/4 march into a 6/8. I’ve always thought of Jimmy Shand as a 6/8 man, possibly because he has been more prolific in this tempo but my goodness he writes dashed good 2/4s as well. I’m not giving you the titles, you’ll have to listen to the programme when it comes out. But back to the band.
The sound was great an so were the tunes. We were going to enjoy this – a lot. Strathspeys, polkas, jigs, marches and reels (including ‘Lucky Scaup’) and the very poignant slow air ‘A Tribute to Charlie Clark’ as a fiddle solo. This tune was to the memory of a late friend, the proprietor of a Portsoy hotel where Jimmy Shand sometimes stayed.
Well-known tunes were interspersed with several lesser-known compositions. Other solo spots featured Mickey Ainsworth, Jimmy Blue and Duncan Black with three cracking hornpipes.
At one stage Ian invited the audience to get up and dance a waltz and despite feeling a little self-conscious Sheila and I braved the elements and had a go and were glad we did, because an old cycling mate and avid Scottish music enthusiast, Angus Gove from Hillside, had spotted us and caught our attention. We signaled that we’d have a crack when the recording was over.
All to soon we were at the end of the programme and Ken Mutch had a pow-wow with the recording engineers and came back to request a couple of retakes. Joan Blue immediately got ‘canned’ – mind you Jack Cooper had been like that all the way through!
Throughout the recording we had been struck by how easy it all looked, the total competence of these players, so unpretentious, just reading off set after set no bother. And the evergreen Powrie characteristics counting in with the bow, even when it was someone else’s solo – this tickled us but, of course, it made sense – then eyes shut for most of the time while playing and the lift of the fiddle neck to signal ‘whoa’.
The session over we headed off for a bite and tied up with the aforementioned Gus to reminisce about the days we used to bike to Laurencekirk after listening to the live SDM broadcasts from Coldside Studio and how the ‘band wagons’, including Ian Powrie’s, would pass us on the Marykirk barns brae – great stuff.
Back from the Kinross Services we spruced up and went down to the dance – and some dance. Two bands, the Craigowl from Dundee and the Jimmy Blue/Ian Powrie Quartet.
Along with Davie Ross of Kilmarnock, Willie Wilson of Beith and Eddie MacDonald of Dundee we did turns at the door, a bit quiet to start with, but built up nicely later on. A party of Americans who were staying overnight at the hotel pleaded to get in just to get the scene, so we said okay if they kept it to half an hour or we’d have to charge”thanks Scatty”. I’m never sure whether they are referring to one’s nationality or state of mind. They emerged as pleased as punch and as a result we have been invited to visit the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum next time we’re across! That’ll be the day. These Association Weekends have everything.
The music by the young Dundee band was better than ever if that is possible – what maturity.
During one of their quicksteps the pleasing notes of a female vocalist floated through to the foyer and Sheila was dispatched post haste to investigate. It was Gillian Simpson, the band pianist, is there no end to this talent. We managed one or two dances to this group before they took a break. A short pause and we were now dancing to the unmistakable sound of a Shand Morino, close coupled to a Matthew Hardie (Massey Harris according to Jimmy Stephen) fiddle. This was vintage stuff and as one passed the speakers the perfect heady blend just lifted one off the floor, goose pimples and all.
A record spell with the Craigowl and 1a.m. came only too soon. Now what was going to happen? In previous years a ceilidh would have been in full swing but this time it looked as if things might just peter out.
Jimmy Blue tried to recruit some musicians to keep the ball rolling, but there were no takers at first. However, Tom Clark of Dundee, with daughter Stella and son Kevin saved the day disbanding just before 2 a.m. A few more anxious moments and Kevin approached yours truly and I agreed, somewhat reluctantly I must confess, to get my box. I didn’t want to spoil what up to then had been a good evening. With Morag McAskill on piano and Stella on fiddle we had a very pleasant 45 minutes with distinguished supporting cast taking shotties when the spirit moved, Bobby Crowe, Ian Powrie, Hamish Smith, Tom Cark and Stan Saunders. At 3.15 a.m. and very happy, I clipped the box and after ‘goodnights’ all round, sloped off to get a bit of sleep before the AGM and to make a cup of coffee for a couple of folk who were driving straight back to Glasgow. However, it was almost a further hour before they turned up because apparently Stella and Ian Powrie had teamed up and had a great session. We were just finishing the cuppies when there was a knock at the door and two bandleaders from opposite banks of the Tay (no names, no pack-drill, but one was fairly mature and bearded and the other young and sandy haired) arrived – they would love a cuppies! No problem, that’s what it’s all about, but we were a wee bit worried about the folk in the next room because we were in stitches hearing about another box player bandleader who used to time his eightsome reels by smoking a fag and if he got his lips burned he knew his tempo was down.
At 5.15am it was a case of “Cheerio, we’ll see you later this morning”. The sun was well up by his time and it was a bit difficult to get to sleep because the old brains were mulling over the events of the day. Eventually the sand man made it and we were out for a couple of hours.
After a first-class breakfast impeccably served, we were out for a breather before the AGM, out across the Tay on the footpath slung on the side of the railway bridge, looking down on dozens of healthy allotments full to the gunnels with flowers and vegetables.
The AGMstarted on time and despite one or two suspect harmonics, it finished on the right note.
Just after 1.30pm and feeling somewhat puckish we all trooped to the hall for lunch and were immediately struck by the very near table layout. The meal was due to start at 1.45 but was delayed slightly because two of the principal guests were running slightly late – motoring back from Yorkshire I think. However, suddenly they were there and everyone rose and clapped them to their seats – Mr and Mrs Jimmy Shand Snr looking very well indeed. They took their places beside Ian Powrie, Angus Fitchet, Jimmy Blue all with their respective wives and last but not least, organizer Jack Cooper.
Due to a staffing crisis at the Mishnish Hotel, Bobby MacLeod couldn’t join us and had sent apologies.
Full marks again to the ‘Sally’ for a first-class meal and excellent service. This hotel has certainly made it’s mark in my book. Incidentally, 116 folk sat down to the meal, a gratifying number considering the absence of a presentation.
And now came that unknown quantity, the Celebrity Box and Fiddle Club to be run by Jimmy Blue. May I say at this point what an effective compere he proved to be (first time I’ve seen him do this) fluent, unobtrusive during turns, with just the right blend of humour and informed comment.
The opening spot was filled by Ian Powrie and Friends (minus Dave Barclay and Mickey Ainsworth) playing some fine excerpts from the Saturday recording.
Following hard on their heels came Angus Fitchet and his team, Bobby Crowe and Hamish Smith (accordions), Joan Blue (piano), Stan Saunders (bass) and Jack Cooper (drums).
The pawky humour of the ‘boss’ was to the fore as always, such as in the introduction to one set of tunes “by those two fine composers Skinner and Fitchet!” Great music, relaxed tempo, with both these bands it stared one straight in the face – experience.
By the way, Angus has an entertaining way of starting to play without any apparent signal to his colleagues. In fact he is sometime still speaking after the bow has begun to scart away.
Solo turns by Ian Powrie and Bobby Coghill of Wick (on borrowed Shand Morino) were greatly appreciated. Bobby rendered some quite unusual pipe selections with wee kinks which raised eyebrows and pulse rates in the backing group who were flying blind at this point.
Ian finished up with his popular John Denver selection which always gives me a jolt when I suddenly realise that J. D. wrote “The Flowers of Edinburgh”.
Following Ian’s spot another pleasant surprise, Jim MacLeod, Jim Clelland and Tommy Ford who had come along to the lunch (much appreciated as we were on foreign soil) teamed up with Robin Brock (double bass) – good to see him along too – to give us three impeccable selections as is their wont.
During the past year or so a certain young player has been a winner with audiences wherever he performed. He plays a hybrid instrument, a two-row British chromatic treble melodeon keyboard coupled to a 72-bass left hand (I think I counted correctly as he shot past). His name? Bruce Lindsay Jnr of Windygates in Fife. Specification age 12 or 13, style, Jimmy Shand Snr, choice of music, Jimmy Shand Snr, his stance (seated), Jimmy Shand Snr, facial expression, set of arms, hands etc……..yes, you’re right again. It really was uncanny and when he fired off with ‘Auchmountains Bonnie Glen’ our table (Alex Little, Davie Ross, Andrew Nairn et al plus wives) started to gibber in disbelief. It is a great solace to know that the master’s image is to be perpetuated in this way.
Two more turns followed, from a member of the Association Committee and from the Clark family when Dad, Stella and Kevin gave us their pleasure. As this Dundee group left the stage they made was for a most fitting last item. A band headed by (no prizes for guessing) Jimmy Shand (77) supported by one of his early accomplices, 80-year-old left handed fiddler Dave Ireland, Hamish Smith (second accordion) and the official Perth backing group.
The instant this group started playing (an old-fashioned waltz) the folk were on their feet, dancing, and they just wouldn’t get off. A waltz encore was followed by two selections for the Gay Gordons. Jimmy’s instructions to his fellow players have to be seen to be believed – they’re non existent, but everything runs like clockwork so there must be some kind of communication like a slight raising of an eyebrow. It goes without saying that this was great dance music but one particular facet is worthy of special mention, viz. the ‘wind-down’ at the end of the waltzes. This was so perfect and natural for the dancers (we got several comments about this) that it should be adopted as a British Standard. Unfortunately although the audience and dancers clamoured for more the clock had beaten us and Jimmy Blue called for all players to get their machines and join in a stramash led by the senior Shand Morino. Joining those who had performed earlier were accordionists Tommy Walker, Neil Caul, Duncan Black and Davie Ross. Some line-up. Slight raising of the Shand eye-brow and we were off into the ‘Bluebell Polka’ and such is the authority exerted by Jimmy in any group that there wasn’t a note out of place anywhere, no players doing their own thing. The follow-up ‘We’re No’ Awa’’ and ‘Auld Lang Syne’ sounded as good as I’ve ever heard them.
A special thank you to the Perth backing group of Joan, Stan and Jack – they were just great, and to Jimmy Blue for chairing, presiding over and compering everything.
Record Review
Drummond Cook’s Scottish Country Dance Band – Tae Gar Ye Loup – JW001
Jim MacLeod and his SDB – WGR081 from Ross Records
Letters to the Editor
Sir – It is with deepest regret that I have to announce that between the hours of 11am and 1pm on Sunday, 7th July, 1985, within the Salutation Hotel, Perth Democracy died. At least as far as the AGM of the N.A.A.F.C. was concerned.
Irregularities in the running of that meeting caused anxiety I personally have never experienced in 30 years involvement in committee work. The jealously guarded British tradition of freedom of speech was disregarded and this was obvious from the start of the meeting.
I rose to ask a question on the accuracy of the Minutes and was told “You are being a nuisance early today”.
Although an apology was received from the Chair, it was certainly not the response I would have anticipated to a question allowed under that part of the agenda.
A motion, passed at the 1984 AGM, included into the offices of the Association the position of Vice Chairman. This mandate was not followed and my Club submitted a motion to this year’s meeting indicating that they wanted this done. This motion was not presented to the AGM, because the Secretary “did not think it was relevant” and was only read out at the insistence of the delegate.
It was then properly debated and during my right of reply I was told by the Chairman to “sit down and shut up”. Since he had allowed me the right of reply in the first place, I can only assume that he either did not agree with what I was saying, or had not the ability to make any more constructive contribution.
I, as delegate from the Dunblane Club, was neither rude nor offensive in presenting the views of the Club, merely proposing what had been passed at our own AGM.
Once again, I asked for and received an apology from the Chairman. I certainly did not expect to be insulted and ridiculed by a person who was elected to a position of responsibility by the very members he was aiming his remarks at.
The Rule Book I referred to was, of course, Citrine’s ABC of Chairmanship and this book is accepted in all walks of life as the best guide to the running of any meeting. In its compilation, reference is made to several authoritative works, such as Sir Erskine May’s Parliamentary Practice, Gore Brown’s Handbook of Joint Stock companies, Ilbert’s Manual of Procedure of the House of Commons and Smith’s Handy Book of Public Meetings.
To ignore accepted procedure in any debate, to further your own aims, is bad enough, but to do this as Chairman is unforgiveable. His role is impartiality, or should be. I can think of no better way to end this letter than by quoting from Citrine, Page 3, Para 3, “Above all, the Chairman must be impartial. When there are differences of opinion, the Chairman should give both sides an equal chance to present their views. The worst thing he can do is lose his temper – that way he loses everyone’s respect”.
Andrew Dunbar
Sir – I am very keen on the accordion, but they are not very popular in our part of the country. I don’t know why, because they used to be pre-war. I pay by ear the piano box (Hohner Verdi VN 120 bass) my greatest hobby now. I did go to Salford recently to a pub called ‘The Hanky Park’ just to listen to a young man play the box. He is called Roman Mondryk and he is a beautiful player.
Sorry you could not trace the Lindsay family whom my late father was billeted with during the 14-18 war. It was a shot in the dark, but thanks all the same for your trouble. I am 70 years old and I have always had a soft spot for Scottish people. I was in the 3rd Battalion London Scottish Regiment during the last war and we were a mobile unit of heavy anti-aircraft guns. I joined them in Egypt in 1943 after serving in the Far East for three years fighting the Japs. I served with them in Sicily and Italy with the 8th Army. I made a lot of friends who live in Scotland.
I do remember one chap in particular who came from Musselburgh, but alas over the years I’ve forgotten his name. In 1940 I served on the heavy AA guns in the Orkney Islands with a Manchester regiment, the 65th HY AA. A lot of Scottish Regiments were there too like the Gordon Highlanders and the Cameronians.
The year 1940 had the worst winter in living memory and we were snowed in for over three months. We ran out of food until they dropped us food by parachute from aircraft clown in from Wick on the mainland. We were stationed with our guns on Bury Hill, overlooking Kirkwall, very bleak!
I would love to go back again to see what the place looked like now. Maybe some day soon!
Harold Hampson
16 Callis Road, Deane, Bolton, Lancs
Sir – I was most interested in the letter in your April edition from the Crieff Secretary Tom Handy when he made the point about club income in relation to guests fees.
While I agree that this is always a source of concern to any Treasurer, and I am no different, I must say that I do not find much variation from previous years and many guest players are aware of the financial strain placed on the Clubs.
Twice this season I have been asked that if the attendance was not us to standard, they would accept less, although fortunately this was not necessary.
Any excessive demands, however, are usually met with the polite reply that we do not pay ‘that’ amount and we go elsewhere.
Andrew J. Dunbar
Sir – As a representative of Dingwall and District A&F Club attending the AGm of the NAAFC in the Salutation Hotel, Perth, on 7th July, 1985, I have been instructed by our Committee following my report of the above AGM to write to you expressing our concern at the way the meeting was conducted.
As a first time attender at this AGM, I was greatly surprised by the off-hand attitude of the Chairman towards representative members of other Clubs.
Matters raised were skated over to avoid any change in the status quo.
One Club representative walked out following an argument with the Chairman, who was positively rude, and indeed had to be asked to apologise on two occasions.
In conclusion, we feel that the Association, as it stands, is a waste of time unless meetings are conducted in a more business-like manner.
George Hogg
Chairman, Dingwall & District A&F Club
CLUB DIARY – few entries because the publication date had changed to the 1st of the month and many people missed the new deadline.
Aberdeen (Dee Motel) –
Alnwick (Nag’s Head) – members only
Armadale (Masonic Arms Hotel) – 3rd Oct 85 Jim Cleland
Ayr (Aftongrange Hotel) –
Balloch (Griffin Hotel, Alexandria) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff (Royal Oak Hotel) –
Beith (Anderson Hotel) –
Belford (Community Club) –
Biggar (Clydesdale Hotel) –
Bridge of Allan (Walmer Hotel) -
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel) –
Callander (Glengarry Hotel) –
Campbeltown (Royal Hotel) –
Castle Douglas (Ernespie Hotel) –
Cleland (Dalrymple House) –
Coupar Angus (Royal Hotel) –
Crieff & District (Arduthie Hotel) –
Dalriada (Royal Hotel, Lochgilphead) –
Derwentside (Working Men’s Club, Consett) –
Dingwall (venue? ) –
Dunblane (Hydro) – 1st Oct 85 Robert Black SDB
Dundee (Queen’s Hotel, Nethergate) –
Dunfermline (Northern Roadhouse) –
East Kilbride (King’s Park Hotel, Rutherglen) –
Edinburgh (Abbey Suite, Abbey Lane) –
Ellon (Ladbroke Hotel) –
Falkirk (Park Hotel) –
Fintry (Clachan Hotel) –
Forres (Brig Motel) –
Fort William (Caol Community Club) –
Galashiels (Maxwell Hotel) –
Galston (Theo’s Restaurant, Galston) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) – members only -
Gorebridge (Rangers FC Social Club) –
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) –
Islesteps (Cargenholm Hotel) –
Kelso (Ednam House Hotel) –
Kintore (Crown Hotel) –
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) –
Livingston (Golden Hind, Blackburn) – 19th Sept 85 Ian Holmes & Kenny Wilson
Lockerbie (Bluebell Hotel) –
M.A.F.I.A. (Black Bull, Milngavie) –
Montrose (Park Hotel) –
Morecambe (Yorkshire Hotel, Lancaster) -
New Cumnock (Crown Hotel) –
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 30th Sept 85 Ian Powrie & Joan Blue
Newton St Boswells (Railway Hotel) –
North Cumbria (Howard Arms) (prev called Gretna Club)
North East (Royal Hotel, Keith) –
Oban (Park Hotel) –
Orkney ( venue?) –
Ormiston (Miners’ Welfare Social Club) –
Peebles (Ex-Servicemen’s Club) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) –
Premier NI (Wilson’s of Crumlin) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel)
Shetland (venue?) -
Stranraer (Buck’s Head Hotel) – 8th Oct 85 tba
Thornhill (?)
Thurso (McKay’s Hotel) –
Turriff (Royal Oak Hotel) – 3rd Oct 85 Gordon Pattullo
Tynedale (The Royal Hotel, Hexham) –
Walmer (Bridge of Allan) –
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Alnwick
2. Balloch
3. Callander
4. Derwentside
5. Dingwall & District
6. Dunfermline & District
7. Forres
8. Lesmahagow
9. Livingston
10. M.A.F.I.A.
11. Montrose
12. Newton St Boswells
13. North Cumbria
14. Perth & District
15. Shetland
16. Thurso
17. Turriff
18. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT SEPT 1985 (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. Buchan A&F Club
12. Callander A&F Club (
13. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980)
15. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
16. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
17. Derwentside A&F Club
18. Dingwall & District (May 1979 – per first report)
19. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971)
20. Dundee & District A&F Club
21. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
22. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
23. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
24. Ellon A&F Club (
25. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
26. Fintry A&F Club
27. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
28. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
29. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
30. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
31. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
32. Highland A&F Club (Inverness)
33. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981)
34. Isle of Skye A&F Club (
35. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976)
36. Kintore A&F Club
37. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967)
38. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
39. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – per first edition)
40. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973)
41. M.A.F.I.A. (early)
42. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
43. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1979)
44. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
45. 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)
46. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971)
47. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975)
48. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978)
49. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club
50. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981)
51. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970)
52. Premier A&F Club NI (cNov 1980)
53. Rothbury Accordion Club (1987??)
54. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978)
55. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
56. Sutherland A&F Club (
57. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition)
58. Thurso A&F Club (cSept 1981)
59. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982)
60. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980)
61. 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?)
62. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
63. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
64. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
65. Club Accord
66. Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2?)
67. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
68. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
69. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
70. Dornoch
71. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
72. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
73. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
74. Gretna A&F Club (June 1966)
75. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
76. Kinlochsheil A&F Club (
77. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
78. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
79. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
80. Newcastleton Accordion Club
81. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
82. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
83. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
84. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
85. Wellbank A&F Club
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