Box and Fiddle
Year 24 No 01
September 2000
Price £1.20
36 Page Magazine
7 month subscription £10.00
Editor – Grant Crawford,
B&F Treasurer –
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
Welcome to my first issue as Editor. Before I go any further I think it is only right that we recognize and acknowledge the vast amount of work put into producing the Box and Fiddle by my predecessor, Charlie Todd, during the last three years. Charlie brought the magazine up-to-date and his decision to change from ‘broadsheet’ to its present size was undoubtedly well received. Charlie has now moved on to the post of Treasurer and he assures me this is nothing to do with his many trips abroad accompanying Country Dance groups or playing for various Caledonian and St. Andrews Society functions! The Association will benefit greatly I’m sure from Charlie’s background in accountancy. We all wish him luck in his new post.
I’m also pleased (and relieved) to announce that Karin Ingram will now assist me. Karin is Secretary of the Newmill club and brings with her a background in publishing. She is also a well-known and respected dance teacher and caller working extensively with bands such as The Occasionals. Welcome on board Karin.
On the financial front you will notice that you had to part with a few more bawbees. This price increase is the first for a few years and when you consider the price of postage and everything else increases regularly I don’t think we can complain. Let’s face it, the 20p wouldn’t even buy you a packet of crisps at your Club night.
Grant Crawford
Thoughts of Chairman Nic
Can I start by saying how great an honour it is to be elected Chairman of the Association, following in the footsteps of two of my childhood heroes on the Scottish Dance music scene, Jimmy Blue and Jim Johnstone. My aim is to continue the policy started by Jim in encouraging more of the ‘younger generation’ (and I count myself as one of them!) to take the Association forward. Once again, we have some ‘new young blood’ on the Executive Committee full of new ideas (?)
I also have pleasure in welcoming Grant Crawford and Karin Ingram to their new posts as Editorial Team with the Box and Fiddle and I know their jobs are difficult but I also know they want to continue and develop the work initiated by Charlie Todd. They will need your help and I would ask you to pass on any comments you may have, positive or negative, to them. Every comment is helpful!
In recent years, we have seen the Association become much more active in putting more back into Clubs and, indeed the musical traditional in general – the inception of the Jimmy Shand Scholarship being a prime example.
The publication of a collection of the compositions of Angus Fitchet is the latest project to be undertaken and, thanks to the assistance of Bobby Crowe in sourcing the material, this has progressed to the stage where we are only awaiting approval from MCPS before the book goes to print.
Any suggestions for future projects are very welcome! We are your committee – Help us help you!
Dundee Gathering 2000
by Robin Ellis
Once again on the last Sunday in June the sun shone, in this rather indifferent summer, as the members and delegates of the NAAFC converged on the Invercarse Hotel in Dundee.
First came the AGM and as there were many new officers to elect the meeting lasted a little longer than anticipated.
Everyone then retired to the bar where friendships were renewed and all the up-to-date news was exchanged. It was also an opportunity to admire this year’s wonderful gallery of photographs organised by Jack Cooper. I’m convinced there are more photographs every year and I wonder where he sources them? Two complete panels were devoted to Sir Jimmy Shand whilst others were covered with B&W photographs and entitled ‘Where are they now?’ Many of these went back to the 50s and 60s and it is interesting to note that while some of the musicians are no longer with us there are quite a few still playing. There must be some several hundred snaps in this collection and they represent a wonderful history of Scottish Dance music. I hope they will be treasured for years to come.
At 1.30 p.m. we all made our way into the Hotel’s magnificent ballroom for the presentation lunch. To mark this Millennium Year, instead of having just the one recipient, it was decided to honour six people who have made major contributions to Scottish Dance music. It was significant that not all of them were bandleaders, but representative of other requirements in the provision of our music. The table menus gave a bried biography of each recipient and I reproduce those here.
BOBBY CROWE – began accordion lessons at the age of 15 and joined The Olympians Dance Band in 1951, after which he was called up for national service. On his return in 1955 the Bobby Crowe SDB was formed and first broadcast on December 4th, 1961. For several years Bobby also broadcast with The Cameron Kerr Band but claims that the greatest thrill of his entire musical life was as MD and band member to the legendary Angus Fitchet. He has to his credit 11 LPs for the RSCDS as well as other commercial recordings, 3 appearances at Balmoral and his presence at the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. Although now retired from playing Bobby continues to support the NAAFC and is still actively involved as an adjudicator.
ALEX LITTLE – has been associated with the N.A.A.F.C. since its inception and was Chairman of the Musselburgh Festival for 8 years until it became necessary for him to be fitted with a ‘zip fastener’! Now 72 years of age, Alex was entertaining even before he joined the army at 18. Singing Scottish songs, he has worked with bands such as Max Houliston, Jim Johnstone and Brian Griffin and during the 1970 Commonwealth Games he entertained for 10 weeks at The Churchill Theatre, Edinburgh. We all know Alex best as the popular compere who never fails to remind us “to be nice to each other”.
JIMMY RITCHIE – ‘The Fiddler of Glenshee’ had his first fiddle lesson from James Ogilvie at the age of 8 and joined The Hawthorne Band in 1951 subsequently working with other great names such as Shand, MacLeod, Rankine, Downie and more latterly George Bell, Bert Shorthouse and Rob Gordon. Jimmy spent 5 years in Manchester performing in variety shows during which time he worked with the late Dusty Springfield. Later with Bobby MacLeod he played in the show ‘This is Scotland’ in Oban during the summer and returned to England for the winter, where he received a standing ovation in London’s Festival Hall. He is also a prolific piper and composer.
STAN SAUNDERS – started playing with Andrew Rankine’s Band in 1950 remaining there until 1959 when Andrew went full-time. In 1960 Stan joined Jimmy Shand appearing in TV shows such as ‘The Kilt is my Delight’ and ‘The White Heater Club’ as well as radio shows ‘Heather Mixture’ and ‘On Tour’. The band also toured extensively in Scotland and England. Stan has continued to play with many bands including Jim MacLeod, Ian Holmes, Ian Powrie, Jim Johnstone, Iain MacPhail, Jimmy Shand Jnr., Angus Fitchet, Sandy Nixon, Gordon Shand and Simon Howie.
BILLY THOM – has had an extremely full and varied career, which began in 1952 with The Arthur MacLeod Trio. Billy has worked with too many bands to mention individually, as well as with entertainers such as Andy Stewart, Moira Anderson, Kenneth McKellar and The Tartan Lads. He has numerous BBC commercial and video recordings to his credit as well as TV appearances on ‘The Kilt is my Delight’, ‘The White Heater Club’ and ‘Thingummyjig’. Billy has not restricted himself to Scottish Dance Music. He has been involved with several ‘Big Bands’ and has worked in cabaret with artistes such as Matt Munro and in much theatre work. He certainly never has been idle during his career!
PAM WILKIE – is the only lady meing honoured here today, and she should be known as ‘The dowager Duchess of Scottish Dance Music’! Pam (nee Brough) is best known for her long career with The Ian Powrie Band from 1948-1951 and again from 1958-1966 when Ian emigrated to Australia. She continued to work with Jimmy Blue when he assumed leadership of the band. Pam also has a string of TV and radio appearances to her credit as well as recordings such as Jim Johnstone’s ever-famous ‘A Measure of Scotch’. With the Ian Powrie Band she had a long association with Andy Stewart and ‘The White Heather Club’ which included theatre appearances in this country and all over the world. She has many stories about her experiences and ought to consider writing her memoirs!
Jim Johnstone carried out his final duties as Association Chairman by presenting each guest with a Caithness Crystal bowl suitably inscribed and incorporating the NAAFC logo.
After the formal part of the proceedings were completed it was time for the entertainment and as the table plan read rather like a ‘Who’s Who?’ of the Scottish Dance Music world we were in for some first class music. Performing were :-
On accordions - Jim Johnstone (the outgoing Chairman), Nicol McLaren (our new Chairman), Bruce Quirrie, Sandy Tulloch, Jim Halcrow, the Blacks – Bill, Robert and Duncan, Ian Anderson, Garry Mair and Fiona Tosh.
On fiddles – Jimmy Ritchie, Mo Rutherford, Florence Lawie, Jimmy Yeaman, Andrew Knight and Jack Lindsay.
On piano – Pam Wilkie, Neil McMillan, Joan Blue, Mo Rutherford, Robert Black and Kathy Fraser Collins.
Drumming duties were shared between Jack Cooper, Billy Thom and Fred Collins while we must have set a record for the most bass players at one function with Stan Saunders, Doug Cargill, Billy Craib and Neil McMillan. What a pity they only had one bass among them!
It would take too long to detail the line-ups of each band but we heard every style possible from gentle conventional sounds through to the turbo charged modern interpretation. Needless to say it was all first class entertainment, the highlight of which must have been Nicol McLaren’s 12-piece band. Not a note of music in front of them and some of the musicians had never met each other before, let alone played together. Only in Scottish Dance music, and possibly jazz, could you expect this sort of thing and have it work so well.
There were musicians from all over Scotland and beyond, on this occasion even more so than usual. There was Jim Halcrow from Shetland, myself from the South of England and two very welcome visitors from Canada, Kathy and Fred Collins, both well known as members of bobby Brown’s Scottish Accent Band. I hope they enjoyed themselves and ‘ judging by the enthusiasm of their playing, I’m sure they did.
As always, a wonderful afternoon and congratulations go to Jimmy Yeaman who acted as compere, Mo Rutheford and especially Jack Cooper for their organisation. Here’s to next year!
Bert Murray, M.B.E.
by Grant Crawford
How many of you, like myself, scanned the New Years Honours List last Hogmanay looking to see if you recognised anyone’s name? One recipient listed was a Herbert Murray of Aberdeen. At the time the name did not register with me but when I later read the report more carefully I noticed the said Mr Murray was to receive an M.B.E. for ‘Service to Scottish Music’. It was then that it suddenly dawned on me that many others and I know this gentleman simply as Bert.
Bert was born in Ferryhill, Aberdeen on 26th January 1913. His grandfather Alex (Sandy) Murray from Banchory was an excellent fiddler who played in a dance band with his brother on cornet and cousin on double bass and was an early influence on the young Bert. Bert recalls tales of them having to walk 40 miles to play at a dance and then sometimes walk home again to be home for their work in the morning. Bert also recalls the story of James Scott Skinner, a great friend of his grandfather, “Coming to visit and the children being put below the bed while the men folk had a tune and a dram. Scott skinner would pass tobacco under the bed to the children and one night the bed nearly caught fire”.
Bert first held a fiddle at the age on 9 and recalls, “One of my older brothers was learning to play the violin. I watched and listened thinking one day I would like to try that. Each day he was told to practice for one hour but always cut this short so he could go out and join his chums”.
“As soon as he had gone I opened the case, took out the violin and before long I was able to play some simple little tunes. My mother, in the next room and aware of what was going on kept quiet until some weeks had passed. I always had to watch the time and make sure I had returned the violin safely to its case before my father returned home from work as I thought he would probably be annoyed with me for playing my brother’s instruments.
“However, unknown to me, my father arrived home early one day and remarked, “Gordon (my brother) is making progress at last”, to which my mother replied “that is Bert playing.
“Watching the time I returned the violin to it’s case and went through to the kitchen where to my horror I discovered Dad had come home early. “I’m not annoyed laddie, I want you to carry on playing he told me.
Needless to say my brother was delighted that he no longer had to play as he hated his tuition but unfortunately the instrument had to be returned to the Education Authority. The following Saturday Dad took me around a few second hand shops till we secured the purchase of a violin for 35/-“.
Bert found a teacher in nearby Ferryhill Terrace and before long was reading music and making steady progress with his playing. Unfortunately not long after this Bert’s father had to give up work due to illness but his mother took a job in the kitchen of the Atheneum, Castle Street in order that Bert’s musical education could continue. Alas after just a year his tutor had to cease teaching (also due to ill health), but such was his enthusiasm that Bert decided to carry on and teach himself.
Having become a reasonable player he joined the Aberdeen S&R Society at the age of 13, attending the weekly practice nights. These were held in a large downstairs room at Paterson, Son and Marr Wood, Union Street, one of the many music shops in Aberdeen. Bert recalls there were a number of music shops in Aberdeen remembering Craig’s and Bruce Millar’s in George Street, Neil’s of Queen Street, Bowman’s of Bridge Street and Alex Strachan’s in Lower Skene Street behind H.M. Theatre.
Some months after joining the Society he took part in the annual concert held in the Music Hall, Union Street, and Bert still treasures a photograph taken on that occasion. Some of the names he recalls include conductor, Alex Sim, pianist Mrs Shand, Sandy Diack, Tom and George Johnstone, Leslie Davidson and a left handed player George Taylor. Also in the photo are two fellow ‘teenagers’ – Sandy Runcie and Bill Hardie.
A couple of years after joining, Alex Sim invited Bert to accompany him and some other members of the Society to a fiddle competition to be held at Bleaton Hall, Spittal of Glenshee. It was here that Bert was to meet a fellow competitor and strike up a friendship that was to last until the passing of this fellow fiddler. Bert recalls that “This loon could fair play and produced such a strong tone and possessed a distinguishing style and sound”. This young las went on to become the legend we knew as Angus Fitchet. No silverware was to make the long journey back to Aberdeen on that first occasion but Bert returned home in 1931 and 1932 with two fine silver cups which still adorn his display cabinet along with many other trophies and mementos he has collected over the years.
On leaving school at the age of 14, Bert “cast aff the short breeks and donned a pair o’ langers” in the hope of gaining employment. Before long he was to find work as a pageboy at the Palais D’Danse in diamond Street and this was to be the start of a new episode in his life. He recalls “Beautifully dressed, elegant ladies and gentlemen, the interior richly decorated, deep pile carpets surrounding the dance floor and the balcony and stairways being adorned with matching luxurious settees and armchairs”.
Al Leslie conducted the dance orchestra at that time and professional dance teachers were employed to teach Bert and his fellow pageboys demonstration dances such as The Charleston, Frisco and Black Bottom, to be performed on the nights when there was no cabaret. However, Friday night was Bert’s favourite as the dance hall remained opened till the early hours of the morning and the dance card included Gay Gordons, Dashing White Sergeant, Eightsome Reel and Lancers and Bert, now known for his prowess on the fiddle, was invited to join the orchestra for these evenings.
It was also from these Friday night spots that Bert was to get his first big break. His boss at the Palais introduced him to a gentleman by the name of Neil MacLean, a well known Gaelic Tenor who was also a manager with BBC in Belmont Street. This introduction led to the first, at the age of 15, of three appearances on Children’s Hour.
During the war years Bert served as a Sergeant in the Royal Artillery being posted as far south as Exeter before returning home for a spell in the Gordon Highlanders. He managed to continue his playing by joining various bands set up by his comrades to play at camp dances and concerts.
On leaving the army Bert joined the busy Annie Shand Scott Band in 1949 and played with her for 6 years before leaving to join the bands of Bill Slessor and Johnny Walker before moving on again to join Alastair hunter’s Band, making several TV appearances on programmes such as ‘Scotch Corner’.
Bert retired from work and playing in 1977 in order that he could devote more time to caring for his wife Isobel whose health was failing. Music was completely forgotten about and Bert did not know of his good friend Robbie Shepherd’s programme ‘Take the Floor’, as the radio was not even turned on. Sadly, Isobel passed away in 1984 and then in 1985, “someone threw a switch again” as Bert puts it and Bert returned to playing and composing. Amazingly when Bert took the fiddle “oot frae un’er the bed” it was still in perfect tune after 8 years.
Bert has written over 750 tunes, and although he says he has now stopped composing, he had just completed a waltz to mark the wedding of a friend’s daughter a few hours before I spoke to him regarding this article (Aug 2000). One of Bert’s friends, Les Wheeler, set about the enormous task of storing all of his tunes in written form to computer and indeed 17 volumes of Bert’s tunes and arrangements have been published to date as well as a new compilation album recently published by Taigh na Teud Publications. Bert first had some of his tunes, including the popular strathspey, ‘Mrs B. Jolly’ and the Reel ‘Oor Willie’, published in The Thistle Collection, by Kerr’s Music. In 1986, at the tender age of 73, Bert was invited by Gibson Ross to make an album of his favourite tunes, along with Esme Shepherd on piano and Brian Cruickshanks on bass, entitled ‘Bert Murray on the Fiddle’ (CWGR091). Since then Bert has also committed all of his composition to tape thus ensuring a fine record of compositions be preserved. His tunes can often be heard on broadcasts and many have been recorded by numerous artistes both at home and abroad. Looking through the volumes it is clear that Bert possesses a quirky sense of humour when naming tunes.
Of all his compositions Sean Maguire’s Reel is perhaps the best known and Bert explains the background, “In 1955 Dr ?Kevin McCann, who made many written contributions to the B&F some years ago, (these are all on file in the Archive) was invited by John Junnor to come over from Ireland to the North East to meet a few fiddlers, including myself. Kevin brought along a fellow player by the name of Sean Maguire. Sean spent the night playing with John at the piano and had all present enthralled with his playing. I was so overwhelmed by this virtuoso performance I decided to compose a tune for this genius of a fiddler. Within a few days I had composed a tune for both Sean and Kevin and posted them copies. Imagine my surprise when, a few years later (1957), Kevin sent me a copy of the LP ‘The Four Star Quartet’ featuring my tune played by the great man himself. The ultimate compliment”.
Bert has, over the years, undertaken several trips to Canada and America both as an adjudicator and for his own pleasure and indeed used one such trip as recuperation after a heart scare a few years ago. Bert is proud of the many friendships he has nurtured during his trips abroad.
Ask Bert what the highlights of his life are and in a positive tone he’ll tell you there are many but, so far, Sean Maguire recording his tune, having so many musical friends throughout the world and the fact that some of them have dedicated compositions to him, (the best known perhaps being Billy McGuire’s tune ‘The Auld Fiddler’, as played by Ally Bain and Phil Cunningham and published in one of Iain Peterson’s books) and, of course, his meeting with H. M. The Queen at the Palace of Holyrood House on Wed, 5th July 2000 for his investiture as a Member of the Order of the British Empire.
Of the future, Bert is looking forward to taking up an invitation to perform some of his compositions at ‘Fiddle 2000’ in November and is honoured at ‘being the only living composer’ to have his tunes used in the fiddle competitions at the 2001 Musselburgh Festival. Just to help ensure he is around for the occasion he takes the odd nip of his favourite dark rum. Here’s to the power of Captain Morgan and the gentleman who signs himself The Auld Fiddler.
Newtongrange Competitions – Sunday 9th April 2000
by Margaret Smith
A good entry of competitors and a full house of enthusiasts…………..
Dancing Days
by Karin Ingram
Welcome to the ‘Dancing Days’! Each month.......................................
CD Reviews
Step in Style – Lindsay Weir SDB – Highlander HRMCD007
First Gear – David MAcKenzie and the Wyvis Sound – Donside Records CDR043
Morino Magic – Sandy Nixon SDB – Thane TRCD9908
A Guid Scots Night – Gordon Pattullo and his Ceilidh Band – Grasmere Music GRCD101
Reflection – Steven Carcary – Smith Mearns Recordings SMR105CD
An Evening With Friends at Jimmy Norman’s – Featuring the bands of Jim Halcrow, Ian holmes and Judith Linton. Thane Recordings for Jimmy Norman NORCD2001
Solway Scene – Old Tyme Dancing to the Jean McConnachie Sound. Thane Recordings.
Book Review
The Loch Ness Collection – 150 New Tunes by Eric Allan
Bert Murray’s Bon Accord Collection
The Millennium Collection – Compiled by Iain Peterson – Shian Music
Take the Floor – Saturdays at 6.30pm with Robbie Shepherd
1st April 2000 – John Renton SDB – feature on the Pheonix A&F Club
8th April 2000 – Ian Thomson SDB + listeners letters and discs
15th April 2000 – Marian Anderson SDB + feature
22nd April 2000 – Strathmore Sound + feature
29th April 2000 – OB tbc
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Dee Motel) – 26th Sept 2000 – Jimmy Cassidy
Alnwick (White Swan Hotel) – members only
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 17th Sept 2000 – Jock Loch Band
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 3rd Sept 2000 – Billy Anderson & Albany
Armadale (Masonic Hall) – 7th Sept 2000 – Tartan Lads
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Hall) – 17th Sept 2000 – Bill black SDB
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) –
Beith & District (Hotel de Croft, Dalry) – 18th Sept 2000 – Alison Smith Trio
Belford (Community Club) –
Biggar (Municipal Hall) – 17th Sept 2000 – Scott Leslie SDB
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 12th Sept 2000 – Fraser McGlynn Duo
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) -
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 10th Sept 2000 – Archie MacAllister Trio 17th Seot 2000 Morion Domino Coupler Day (Sunday)
Campsie (Glazert House Hotel) - 5th Sept 2000 – Roy Hendrie SDB
Carlisle (Border Regiment Club, Carlisle Castle) - 14th Sept 2000 – Bon Accords
Castle Douglas (Ernespie House Hotel) – 19th Sept 2000 – Dick Black Band
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 21st Sept 2000 – Dick Black Band
Crathes (Crathes Hall, Banchory) -
Crieff & District (Arduthie Hotel) 7th Sept 2000 – Archie McVicar SDB
Cults (Cults Sports & Social Club) 13th Sept 2000 – John Crawford Trio
Dalriada (Argyll Arms Hotel, Lochgilphead)
Dingwall (National Hotel) – No meeting
Dunblane (Westlands Hotel) – 20th Sept 2000 – West Telferton Cale SDB
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) – 12th Sept 2000 – Jim Lindsay
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel) 8th Sept 2000 – David Scott
East Kilbride (Sweepers, Cambuslang) –
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 19th Sept 2000 – Jim Lindsay Trio
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 25th Sept 2000 – Fraser McGlynn Duo
Forfar (Plough Inn) -
Forres (Brig Motel) –
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) – No meeting
Galston (Barr Castle Social Club) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) – 21st Sept 2000 – Jimmy Lindsay Trio
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) -
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) - 26th Sept 2000 – Club night
Gretna (Halcrow Stadium) -
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) – 18th Sept 2000 – Jimmy Cassidy
Inveraray (Loch Fyne Hotel) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) -
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) –
Kelso (Ednam House Hotel) –
Kintore (Torryburn Hotel) – 6th Sept 2000 – Bill black SDB
Lanark (Masonic Hall) - 25th Sept 2000 – John Renton SDB
Langholm (Crown Hotel) – 13th Sept 2000 – Wayne Robertson
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) – 14th Sept 2000 – Wayne Robertson
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 7th Sept 2000 – Donnie & Dianne
Livingston (Cairn Hotel) - 19th Sept 2000 – Alastair Hunter Trio
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) -
Mauchline (Sorn Village Hall)
Montrose (Park Hotel) –
Muirhead (Belmont Arms, Meigle) -
Newmill-on-Teviot (Newmill Country Inn) - 10th Sept 2000 – Open Day (Sunday)
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 25th Sept 2000 – John Burns Trio
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 5th Sept 2000 – Dick Black Band
Oban (McTavish’s Kitchen) – No meeting
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) –
Peebles (Green Tree Hotel) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 19th Sept 2000 – Colin Dewar SDB
Premier NI (Camlin Function Rooms) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head) - No meeting
Selkirk (Cricket Club) -
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stirling (Terraces Hotel) -
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) -
Thornhill (Masonic Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) –
Turriff (Royal Oak Hotel) – 7th Sept 2000 – Billy Anderson & Albany
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) –
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) –
Yarrow (Gordon Arms) -
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick & District
3. Annan
4. Banff & District
5. Beith & District
6. Biggar
7. Blairgowrie
8. Bromley
9. Buttonkey
10. Campsie
11. Carlisle
12. Castle Douglas
13. Coalburn
14. Crieff
15. Cults
16. Dingwall & District
17. Dunfermline & District
18. Dunoon & Cowal
19. Ellon
20. Fintry
21. Forres
22. Galston
23. Glendale
24. Glenrothes
25. Gretna
26. Highland
27. Islesteps
28. Kintore
29. Lesmahagow
30. Lewis & Harris
31. Livingston
32. Lockerbie
33. Newtongrange
34. North East
35. Premier
36. Renfrew
37. Rothbury
38. Stirling
39. Thornhill
40. Thurso
41. Turriff
42. Tynedale
43. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 1999
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Closed
6. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
7. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
8. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
9. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
10. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
11. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
12. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
13. Bromley A&F Club
14. Button Key A&F Club (
15. Campbeltown A&F Club (
16. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
17. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
18. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
19. Coalburn A&F Club (
20. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
21. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
22. Cults A & F Club (
23. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
24. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
25. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
26. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
27. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
28. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
29. Ellon A&F Club (
30. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
31. Forfar A&F Club (
32. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
33. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
34. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
35. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
36. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
37. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
38. Gretna A&F Club (1991) Known as North Cumbria A&F Club previously (originally called Gretna when started in June 1966 but later had to move to venues in the North of England and changed name. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
39. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
40. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
41. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
42. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
43. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
44. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
45. Kintore A&F Club (
46. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed
47. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – present)
48. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
49. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
50. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
51. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
52. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
53. Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
54. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
55. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
56. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999
57. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
58. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
59. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
60. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
61. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
62. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
63. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
64. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
65. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
66. Selkirk A&F Club (
67. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
68. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 - )
69. Sutherland A&F Club (
70. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
71. Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
72. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
73. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
74. Vancouver
75. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975 - present)
76. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 -
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
77. Acharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
78. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
79. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
80. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
81. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
82. Buchan A&F Club
83. Callander A&F Club (
84. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
85. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
86. Club Accord
87. Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
88. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
89. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
90. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
91. Derwentside A&F Club
92. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
93. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
94. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
95. Dundee & District A&F Club (1970? – 1995?)
96. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
97. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
98. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
99. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
100. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
101. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
102. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
103. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
104. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
105. Mull A&F Club
106. Newcastleton Accordion Club
107. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
108. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
109. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
110. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
111. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
112. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
113. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
114. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
115. Tranent A&F Club
116. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
117. Wellbank A&F Club
Advertising rates
Full Page - £120
Half Page - £60
Quarter Page - £30
B&F Treasurer –
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
Welcome to my first issue as Editor. Before I go any further I think it is only right that we recognize and acknowledge the vast amount of work put into producing the Box and Fiddle by my predecessor, Charlie Todd, during the last three years. Charlie brought the magazine up-to-date and his decision to change from ‘broadsheet’ to its present size was undoubtedly well received. Charlie has now moved on to the post of Treasurer and he assures me this is nothing to do with his many trips abroad accompanying Country Dance groups or playing for various Caledonian and St. Andrews Society functions! The Association will benefit greatly I’m sure from Charlie’s background in accountancy. We all wish him luck in his new post.
I’m also pleased (and relieved) to announce that Karin Ingram will now assist me. Karin is Secretary of the Newmill club and brings with her a background in publishing. She is also a well-known and respected dance teacher and caller working extensively with bands such as The Occasionals. Welcome on board Karin.
On the financial front you will notice that you had to part with a few more bawbees. This price increase is the first for a few years and when you consider the price of postage and everything else increases regularly I don’t think we can complain. Let’s face it, the 20p wouldn’t even buy you a packet of crisps at your Club night.
Grant Crawford
Thoughts of Chairman Nic
Can I start by saying how great an honour it is to be elected Chairman of the Association, following in the footsteps of two of my childhood heroes on the Scottish Dance music scene, Jimmy Blue and Jim Johnstone. My aim is to continue the policy started by Jim in encouraging more of the ‘younger generation’ (and I count myself as one of them!) to take the Association forward. Once again, we have some ‘new young blood’ on the Executive Committee full of new ideas (?)
I also have pleasure in welcoming Grant Crawford and Karin Ingram to their new posts as Editorial Team with the Box and Fiddle and I know their jobs are difficult but I also know they want to continue and develop the work initiated by Charlie Todd. They will need your help and I would ask you to pass on any comments you may have, positive or negative, to them. Every comment is helpful!
In recent years, we have seen the Association become much more active in putting more back into Clubs and, indeed the musical traditional in general – the inception of the Jimmy Shand Scholarship being a prime example.
The publication of a collection of the compositions of Angus Fitchet is the latest project to be undertaken and, thanks to the assistance of Bobby Crowe in sourcing the material, this has progressed to the stage where we are only awaiting approval from MCPS before the book goes to print.
Any suggestions for future projects are very welcome! We are your committee – Help us help you!
Dundee Gathering 2000
by Robin Ellis
Once again on the last Sunday in June the sun shone, in this rather indifferent summer, as the members and delegates of the NAAFC converged on the Invercarse Hotel in Dundee.
First came the AGM and as there were many new officers to elect the meeting lasted a little longer than anticipated.
Everyone then retired to the bar where friendships were renewed and all the up-to-date news was exchanged. It was also an opportunity to admire this year’s wonderful gallery of photographs organised by Jack Cooper. I’m convinced there are more photographs every year and I wonder where he sources them? Two complete panels were devoted to Sir Jimmy Shand whilst others were covered with B&W photographs and entitled ‘Where are they now?’ Many of these went back to the 50s and 60s and it is interesting to note that while some of the musicians are no longer with us there are quite a few still playing. There must be some several hundred snaps in this collection and they represent a wonderful history of Scottish Dance music. I hope they will be treasured for years to come.
At 1.30 p.m. we all made our way into the Hotel’s magnificent ballroom for the presentation lunch. To mark this Millennium Year, instead of having just the one recipient, it was decided to honour six people who have made major contributions to Scottish Dance music. It was significant that not all of them were bandleaders, but representative of other requirements in the provision of our music. The table menus gave a bried biography of each recipient and I reproduce those here.
BOBBY CROWE – began accordion lessons at the age of 15 and joined The Olympians Dance Band in 1951, after which he was called up for national service. On his return in 1955 the Bobby Crowe SDB was formed and first broadcast on December 4th, 1961. For several years Bobby also broadcast with The Cameron Kerr Band but claims that the greatest thrill of his entire musical life was as MD and band member to the legendary Angus Fitchet. He has to his credit 11 LPs for the RSCDS as well as other commercial recordings, 3 appearances at Balmoral and his presence at the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. Although now retired from playing Bobby continues to support the NAAFC and is still actively involved as an adjudicator.
ALEX LITTLE – has been associated with the N.A.A.F.C. since its inception and was Chairman of the Musselburgh Festival for 8 years until it became necessary for him to be fitted with a ‘zip fastener’! Now 72 years of age, Alex was entertaining even before he joined the army at 18. Singing Scottish songs, he has worked with bands such as Max Houliston, Jim Johnstone and Brian Griffin and during the 1970 Commonwealth Games he entertained for 10 weeks at The Churchill Theatre, Edinburgh. We all know Alex best as the popular compere who never fails to remind us “to be nice to each other”.
JIMMY RITCHIE – ‘The Fiddler of Glenshee’ had his first fiddle lesson from James Ogilvie at the age of 8 and joined The Hawthorne Band in 1951 subsequently working with other great names such as Shand, MacLeod, Rankine, Downie and more latterly George Bell, Bert Shorthouse and Rob Gordon. Jimmy spent 5 years in Manchester performing in variety shows during which time he worked with the late Dusty Springfield. Later with Bobby MacLeod he played in the show ‘This is Scotland’ in Oban during the summer and returned to England for the winter, where he received a standing ovation in London’s Festival Hall. He is also a prolific piper and composer.
STAN SAUNDERS – started playing with Andrew Rankine’s Band in 1950 remaining there until 1959 when Andrew went full-time. In 1960 Stan joined Jimmy Shand appearing in TV shows such as ‘The Kilt is my Delight’ and ‘The White Heater Club’ as well as radio shows ‘Heather Mixture’ and ‘On Tour’. The band also toured extensively in Scotland and England. Stan has continued to play with many bands including Jim MacLeod, Ian Holmes, Ian Powrie, Jim Johnstone, Iain MacPhail, Jimmy Shand Jnr., Angus Fitchet, Sandy Nixon, Gordon Shand and Simon Howie.
BILLY THOM – has had an extremely full and varied career, which began in 1952 with The Arthur MacLeod Trio. Billy has worked with too many bands to mention individually, as well as with entertainers such as Andy Stewart, Moira Anderson, Kenneth McKellar and The Tartan Lads. He has numerous BBC commercial and video recordings to his credit as well as TV appearances on ‘The Kilt is my Delight’, ‘The White Heater Club’ and ‘Thingummyjig’. Billy has not restricted himself to Scottish Dance Music. He has been involved with several ‘Big Bands’ and has worked in cabaret with artistes such as Matt Munro and in much theatre work. He certainly never has been idle during his career!
PAM WILKIE – is the only lady meing honoured here today, and she should be known as ‘The dowager Duchess of Scottish Dance Music’! Pam (nee Brough) is best known for her long career with The Ian Powrie Band from 1948-1951 and again from 1958-1966 when Ian emigrated to Australia. She continued to work with Jimmy Blue when he assumed leadership of the band. Pam also has a string of TV and radio appearances to her credit as well as recordings such as Jim Johnstone’s ever-famous ‘A Measure of Scotch’. With the Ian Powrie Band she had a long association with Andy Stewart and ‘The White Heather Club’ which included theatre appearances in this country and all over the world. She has many stories about her experiences and ought to consider writing her memoirs!
Jim Johnstone carried out his final duties as Association Chairman by presenting each guest with a Caithness Crystal bowl suitably inscribed and incorporating the NAAFC logo.
After the formal part of the proceedings were completed it was time for the entertainment and as the table plan read rather like a ‘Who’s Who?’ of the Scottish Dance Music world we were in for some first class music. Performing were :-
On accordions - Jim Johnstone (the outgoing Chairman), Nicol McLaren (our new Chairman), Bruce Quirrie, Sandy Tulloch, Jim Halcrow, the Blacks – Bill, Robert and Duncan, Ian Anderson, Garry Mair and Fiona Tosh.
On fiddles – Jimmy Ritchie, Mo Rutherford, Florence Lawie, Jimmy Yeaman, Andrew Knight and Jack Lindsay.
On piano – Pam Wilkie, Neil McMillan, Joan Blue, Mo Rutherford, Robert Black and Kathy Fraser Collins.
Drumming duties were shared between Jack Cooper, Billy Thom and Fred Collins while we must have set a record for the most bass players at one function with Stan Saunders, Doug Cargill, Billy Craib and Neil McMillan. What a pity they only had one bass among them!
It would take too long to detail the line-ups of each band but we heard every style possible from gentle conventional sounds through to the turbo charged modern interpretation. Needless to say it was all first class entertainment, the highlight of which must have been Nicol McLaren’s 12-piece band. Not a note of music in front of them and some of the musicians had never met each other before, let alone played together. Only in Scottish Dance music, and possibly jazz, could you expect this sort of thing and have it work so well.
There were musicians from all over Scotland and beyond, on this occasion even more so than usual. There was Jim Halcrow from Shetland, myself from the South of England and two very welcome visitors from Canada, Kathy and Fred Collins, both well known as members of bobby Brown’s Scottish Accent Band. I hope they enjoyed themselves and ‘ judging by the enthusiasm of their playing, I’m sure they did.
As always, a wonderful afternoon and congratulations go to Jimmy Yeaman who acted as compere, Mo Rutheford and especially Jack Cooper for their organisation. Here’s to next year!
Bert Murray, M.B.E.
by Grant Crawford
How many of you, like myself, scanned the New Years Honours List last Hogmanay looking to see if you recognised anyone’s name? One recipient listed was a Herbert Murray of Aberdeen. At the time the name did not register with me but when I later read the report more carefully I noticed the said Mr Murray was to receive an M.B.E. for ‘Service to Scottish Music’. It was then that it suddenly dawned on me that many others and I know this gentleman simply as Bert.
Bert was born in Ferryhill, Aberdeen on 26th January 1913. His grandfather Alex (Sandy) Murray from Banchory was an excellent fiddler who played in a dance band with his brother on cornet and cousin on double bass and was an early influence on the young Bert. Bert recalls tales of them having to walk 40 miles to play at a dance and then sometimes walk home again to be home for their work in the morning. Bert also recalls the story of James Scott Skinner, a great friend of his grandfather, “Coming to visit and the children being put below the bed while the men folk had a tune and a dram. Scott skinner would pass tobacco under the bed to the children and one night the bed nearly caught fire”.
Bert first held a fiddle at the age on 9 and recalls, “One of my older brothers was learning to play the violin. I watched and listened thinking one day I would like to try that. Each day he was told to practice for one hour but always cut this short so he could go out and join his chums”.
“As soon as he had gone I opened the case, took out the violin and before long I was able to play some simple little tunes. My mother, in the next room and aware of what was going on kept quiet until some weeks had passed. I always had to watch the time and make sure I had returned the violin safely to its case before my father returned home from work as I thought he would probably be annoyed with me for playing my brother’s instruments.
“However, unknown to me, my father arrived home early one day and remarked, “Gordon (my brother) is making progress at last”, to which my mother replied “that is Bert playing.
“Watching the time I returned the violin to it’s case and went through to the kitchen where to my horror I discovered Dad had come home early. “I’m not annoyed laddie, I want you to carry on playing he told me.
Needless to say my brother was delighted that he no longer had to play as he hated his tuition but unfortunately the instrument had to be returned to the Education Authority. The following Saturday Dad took me around a few second hand shops till we secured the purchase of a violin for 35/-“.
Bert found a teacher in nearby Ferryhill Terrace and before long was reading music and making steady progress with his playing. Unfortunately not long after this Bert’s father had to give up work due to illness but his mother took a job in the kitchen of the Atheneum, Castle Street in order that Bert’s musical education could continue. Alas after just a year his tutor had to cease teaching (also due to ill health), but such was his enthusiasm that Bert decided to carry on and teach himself.
Having become a reasonable player he joined the Aberdeen S&R Society at the age of 13, attending the weekly practice nights. These were held in a large downstairs room at Paterson, Son and Marr Wood, Union Street, one of the many music shops in Aberdeen. Bert recalls there were a number of music shops in Aberdeen remembering Craig’s and Bruce Millar’s in George Street, Neil’s of Queen Street, Bowman’s of Bridge Street and Alex Strachan’s in Lower Skene Street behind H.M. Theatre.
Some months after joining the Society he took part in the annual concert held in the Music Hall, Union Street, and Bert still treasures a photograph taken on that occasion. Some of the names he recalls include conductor, Alex Sim, pianist Mrs Shand, Sandy Diack, Tom and George Johnstone, Leslie Davidson and a left handed player George Taylor. Also in the photo are two fellow ‘teenagers’ – Sandy Runcie and Bill Hardie.
A couple of years after joining, Alex Sim invited Bert to accompany him and some other members of the Society to a fiddle competition to be held at Bleaton Hall, Spittal of Glenshee. It was here that Bert was to meet a fellow competitor and strike up a friendship that was to last until the passing of this fellow fiddler. Bert recalls that “This loon could fair play and produced such a strong tone and possessed a distinguishing style and sound”. This young las went on to become the legend we knew as Angus Fitchet. No silverware was to make the long journey back to Aberdeen on that first occasion but Bert returned home in 1931 and 1932 with two fine silver cups which still adorn his display cabinet along with many other trophies and mementos he has collected over the years.
On leaving school at the age of 14, Bert “cast aff the short breeks and donned a pair o’ langers” in the hope of gaining employment. Before long he was to find work as a pageboy at the Palais D’Danse in diamond Street and this was to be the start of a new episode in his life. He recalls “Beautifully dressed, elegant ladies and gentlemen, the interior richly decorated, deep pile carpets surrounding the dance floor and the balcony and stairways being adorned with matching luxurious settees and armchairs”.
Al Leslie conducted the dance orchestra at that time and professional dance teachers were employed to teach Bert and his fellow pageboys demonstration dances such as The Charleston, Frisco and Black Bottom, to be performed on the nights when there was no cabaret. However, Friday night was Bert’s favourite as the dance hall remained opened till the early hours of the morning and the dance card included Gay Gordons, Dashing White Sergeant, Eightsome Reel and Lancers and Bert, now known for his prowess on the fiddle, was invited to join the orchestra for these evenings.
It was also from these Friday night spots that Bert was to get his first big break. His boss at the Palais introduced him to a gentleman by the name of Neil MacLean, a well known Gaelic Tenor who was also a manager with BBC in Belmont Street. This introduction led to the first, at the age of 15, of three appearances on Children’s Hour.
During the war years Bert served as a Sergeant in the Royal Artillery being posted as far south as Exeter before returning home for a spell in the Gordon Highlanders. He managed to continue his playing by joining various bands set up by his comrades to play at camp dances and concerts.
On leaving the army Bert joined the busy Annie Shand Scott Band in 1949 and played with her for 6 years before leaving to join the bands of Bill Slessor and Johnny Walker before moving on again to join Alastair hunter’s Band, making several TV appearances on programmes such as ‘Scotch Corner’.
Bert retired from work and playing in 1977 in order that he could devote more time to caring for his wife Isobel whose health was failing. Music was completely forgotten about and Bert did not know of his good friend Robbie Shepherd’s programme ‘Take the Floor’, as the radio was not even turned on. Sadly, Isobel passed away in 1984 and then in 1985, “someone threw a switch again” as Bert puts it and Bert returned to playing and composing. Amazingly when Bert took the fiddle “oot frae un’er the bed” it was still in perfect tune after 8 years.
Bert has written over 750 tunes, and although he says he has now stopped composing, he had just completed a waltz to mark the wedding of a friend’s daughter a few hours before I spoke to him regarding this article (Aug 2000). One of Bert’s friends, Les Wheeler, set about the enormous task of storing all of his tunes in written form to computer and indeed 17 volumes of Bert’s tunes and arrangements have been published to date as well as a new compilation album recently published by Taigh na Teud Publications. Bert first had some of his tunes, including the popular strathspey, ‘Mrs B. Jolly’ and the Reel ‘Oor Willie’, published in The Thistle Collection, by Kerr’s Music. In 1986, at the tender age of 73, Bert was invited by Gibson Ross to make an album of his favourite tunes, along with Esme Shepherd on piano and Brian Cruickshanks on bass, entitled ‘Bert Murray on the Fiddle’ (CWGR091). Since then Bert has also committed all of his composition to tape thus ensuring a fine record of compositions be preserved. His tunes can often be heard on broadcasts and many have been recorded by numerous artistes both at home and abroad. Looking through the volumes it is clear that Bert possesses a quirky sense of humour when naming tunes.
Of all his compositions Sean Maguire’s Reel is perhaps the best known and Bert explains the background, “In 1955 Dr ?Kevin McCann, who made many written contributions to the B&F some years ago, (these are all on file in the Archive) was invited by John Junnor to come over from Ireland to the North East to meet a few fiddlers, including myself. Kevin brought along a fellow player by the name of Sean Maguire. Sean spent the night playing with John at the piano and had all present enthralled with his playing. I was so overwhelmed by this virtuoso performance I decided to compose a tune for this genius of a fiddler. Within a few days I had composed a tune for both Sean and Kevin and posted them copies. Imagine my surprise when, a few years later (1957), Kevin sent me a copy of the LP ‘The Four Star Quartet’ featuring my tune played by the great man himself. The ultimate compliment”.
Bert has, over the years, undertaken several trips to Canada and America both as an adjudicator and for his own pleasure and indeed used one such trip as recuperation after a heart scare a few years ago. Bert is proud of the many friendships he has nurtured during his trips abroad.
Ask Bert what the highlights of his life are and in a positive tone he’ll tell you there are many but, so far, Sean Maguire recording his tune, having so many musical friends throughout the world and the fact that some of them have dedicated compositions to him, (the best known perhaps being Billy McGuire’s tune ‘The Auld Fiddler’, as played by Ally Bain and Phil Cunningham and published in one of Iain Peterson’s books) and, of course, his meeting with H. M. The Queen at the Palace of Holyrood House on Wed, 5th July 2000 for his investiture as a Member of the Order of the British Empire.
Of the future, Bert is looking forward to taking up an invitation to perform some of his compositions at ‘Fiddle 2000’ in November and is honoured at ‘being the only living composer’ to have his tunes used in the fiddle competitions at the 2001 Musselburgh Festival. Just to help ensure he is around for the occasion he takes the odd nip of his favourite dark rum. Here’s to the power of Captain Morgan and the gentleman who signs himself The Auld Fiddler.
Newtongrange Competitions – Sunday 9th April 2000
by Margaret Smith
A good entry of competitors and a full house of enthusiasts…………..
Dancing Days
by Karin Ingram
Welcome to the ‘Dancing Days’! Each month.......................................
CD Reviews
Step in Style – Lindsay Weir SDB – Highlander HRMCD007
First Gear – David MAcKenzie and the Wyvis Sound – Donside Records CDR043
Morino Magic – Sandy Nixon SDB – Thane TRCD9908
A Guid Scots Night – Gordon Pattullo and his Ceilidh Band – Grasmere Music GRCD101
Reflection – Steven Carcary – Smith Mearns Recordings SMR105CD
An Evening With Friends at Jimmy Norman’s – Featuring the bands of Jim Halcrow, Ian holmes and Judith Linton. Thane Recordings for Jimmy Norman NORCD2001
Solway Scene – Old Tyme Dancing to the Jean McConnachie Sound. Thane Recordings.
Book Review
The Loch Ness Collection – 150 New Tunes by Eric Allan
Bert Murray’s Bon Accord Collection
The Millennium Collection – Compiled by Iain Peterson – Shian Music
Take the Floor – Saturdays at 6.30pm with Robbie Shepherd
1st April 2000 – John Renton SDB – feature on the Pheonix A&F Club
8th April 2000 – Ian Thomson SDB + listeners letters and discs
15th April 2000 – Marian Anderson SDB + feature
22nd April 2000 – Strathmore Sound + feature
29th April 2000 – OB tbc
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Dee Motel) – 26th Sept 2000 – Jimmy Cassidy
Alnwick (White Swan Hotel) – members only
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 17th Sept 2000 – Jock Loch Band
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 3rd Sept 2000 – Billy Anderson & Albany
Armadale (Masonic Hall) – 7th Sept 2000 – Tartan Lads
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Hall) – 17th Sept 2000 – Bill black SDB
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) –
Beith & District (Hotel de Croft, Dalry) – 18th Sept 2000 – Alison Smith Trio
Belford (Community Club) –
Biggar (Municipal Hall) – 17th Sept 2000 – Scott Leslie SDB
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 12th Sept 2000 – Fraser McGlynn Duo
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) -
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 10th Sept 2000 – Archie MacAllister Trio 17th Seot 2000 Morion Domino Coupler Day (Sunday)
Campsie (Glazert House Hotel) - 5th Sept 2000 – Roy Hendrie SDB
Carlisle (Border Regiment Club, Carlisle Castle) - 14th Sept 2000 – Bon Accords
Castle Douglas (Ernespie House Hotel) – 19th Sept 2000 – Dick Black Band
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 21st Sept 2000 – Dick Black Band
Crathes (Crathes Hall, Banchory) -
Crieff & District (Arduthie Hotel) 7th Sept 2000 – Archie McVicar SDB
Cults (Cults Sports & Social Club) 13th Sept 2000 – John Crawford Trio
Dalriada (Argyll Arms Hotel, Lochgilphead)
Dingwall (National Hotel) – No meeting
Dunblane (Westlands Hotel) – 20th Sept 2000 – West Telferton Cale SDB
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) – 12th Sept 2000 – Jim Lindsay
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel) 8th Sept 2000 – David Scott
East Kilbride (Sweepers, Cambuslang) –
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 19th Sept 2000 – Jim Lindsay Trio
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 25th Sept 2000 – Fraser McGlynn Duo
Forfar (Plough Inn) -
Forres (Brig Motel) –
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) – No meeting
Galston (Barr Castle Social Club) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) – 21st Sept 2000 – Jimmy Lindsay Trio
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) -
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) - 26th Sept 2000 – Club night
Gretna (Halcrow Stadium) -
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) – 18th Sept 2000 – Jimmy Cassidy
Inveraray (Loch Fyne Hotel) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) -
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) –
Kelso (Ednam House Hotel) –
Kintore (Torryburn Hotel) – 6th Sept 2000 – Bill black SDB
Lanark (Masonic Hall) - 25th Sept 2000 – John Renton SDB
Langholm (Crown Hotel) – 13th Sept 2000 – Wayne Robertson
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) – 14th Sept 2000 – Wayne Robertson
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 7th Sept 2000 – Donnie & Dianne
Livingston (Cairn Hotel) - 19th Sept 2000 – Alastair Hunter Trio
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) -
Mauchline (Sorn Village Hall)
Montrose (Park Hotel) –
Muirhead (Belmont Arms, Meigle) -
Newmill-on-Teviot (Newmill Country Inn) - 10th Sept 2000 – Open Day (Sunday)
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 25th Sept 2000 – John Burns Trio
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 5th Sept 2000 – Dick Black Band
Oban (McTavish’s Kitchen) – No meeting
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) –
Peebles (Green Tree Hotel) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 19th Sept 2000 – Colin Dewar SDB
Premier NI (Camlin Function Rooms) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head) - No meeting
Selkirk (Cricket Club) -
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stirling (Terraces Hotel) -
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) -
Thornhill (Masonic Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) –
Turriff (Royal Oak Hotel) – 7th Sept 2000 – Billy Anderson & Albany
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) –
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) –
Yarrow (Gordon Arms) -
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick & District
3. Annan
4. Banff & District
5. Beith & District
6. Biggar
7. Blairgowrie
8. Bromley
9. Buttonkey
10. Campsie
11. Carlisle
12. Castle Douglas
13. Coalburn
14. Crieff
15. Cults
16. Dingwall & District
17. Dunfermline & District
18. Dunoon & Cowal
19. Ellon
20. Fintry
21. Forres
22. Galston
23. Glendale
24. Glenrothes
25. Gretna
26. Highland
27. Islesteps
28. Kintore
29. Lesmahagow
30. Lewis & Harris
31. Livingston
32. Lockerbie
33. Newtongrange
34. North East
35. Premier
36. Renfrew
37. Rothbury
38. Stirling
39. Thornhill
40. Thurso
41. Turriff
42. Tynedale
43. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 1999
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Closed
6. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
7. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
8. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
9. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
10. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
11. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
12. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
13. Bromley A&F Club
14. Button Key A&F Club (
15. Campbeltown A&F Club (
16. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
17. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
18. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
19. Coalburn A&F Club (
20. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
21. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
22. Cults A & F Club (
23. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
24. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
25. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
26. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
27. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
28. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
29. Ellon A&F Club (
30. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
31. Forfar A&F Club (
32. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
33. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
34. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
35. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
36. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
37. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
38. Gretna A&F Club (1991) Known as North Cumbria A&F Club previously (originally called Gretna when started in June 1966 but later had to move to venues in the North of England and changed name. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
39. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
40. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
41. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
42. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
43. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
44. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
45. Kintore A&F Club (
46. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed
47. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – present)
48. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
49. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
50. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
51. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
52. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
53. Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
54. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
55. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
56. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999
57. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
58. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
59. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
60. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
61. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
62. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
63. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
64. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
65. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
66. Selkirk A&F Club (
67. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
68. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 - )
69. Sutherland A&F Club (
70. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
71. Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
72. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
73. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
74. Vancouver
75. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975 - present)
76. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 -
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
77. Acharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
78. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
79. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
80. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
81. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
82. Buchan A&F Club
83. Callander A&F Club (
84. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
85. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
86. Club Accord
87. Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
88. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
89. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
90. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
91. Derwentside A&F Club
92. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
93. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
94. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
95. Dundee & District A&F Club (1970? – 1995?)
96. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
97. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
98. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
99. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
100. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
101. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
102. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
103. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
104. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
105. Mull A&F Club
106. Newcastleton Accordion Club
107. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
108. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
109. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
110. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
111. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
112. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
113. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
114. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
115. Tranent A&F Club
116. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
117. Wellbank A&F Club
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