Year 4 No 4 December 1980
Lesmahagow B&F Club held their second meeting of the season in the Craignethan Hotel on Thursday, 13th November. Chairman, Jack Gray, gave a warm welcome to a capacity house.
Our guest artiste for the night, on five row electronic button accordion, was Pat Callaghan from Motherwell, whose traditional, modern and Continental renderings were much appreciated by the company.
Our juvenile players on the night were Alan Haddow and David Armstrong (Lesmahagow), Una Bryson (Strathaven), Finlay Robertson (Coatbridge). One of our most applauded artistes of the evening was 74-year-old John Russell from Larkhall on a button melodeon which was 40 years old.
Two artistes visiting the Club for the first time were ‘ wee Joe’ Vettriano and Guy Biaggi, who took the stage together accompanied by Willie Simpson (Crossford) on drums. They certainly had the company foot tapping. Wee Joe was at one time a member of the Tony Verrichia’s Number One Accordion Orchestra.
Other players came from all the airts. We had on accordions Bob Berry, Bob Paterson, Allan Smith, Adrian Hannah, Nelson Callan and Jimmy Divers. The fiddlers for the night were Iain Henderson (Chairman of the EK Club), John Houston, Annie Robertson and Justine Tennant..
Our resident drummer, Bruce Shaw, was once again in top form and got a spell off when Willie Simpson took the sticks.
Raffle time had the privilege of Carol Moffat, better known as Carol Holmes, of BBC programme ‘Angels’, a Lesmahagow girl who pulled the tickets out of the box.
We are still in need of a pianist, electric keyboard provided as our hostess Dot Keljgard has mush to do along with our host, husband Norman, in this hamely village hotel, thus keeping her off the piano.
Again we say, haste ye back!
Jack Gray (Chairman).
Year 4 No 5 January 1981
The second night of our second season we had Tommy Ford as our guest artiste and he was very much appreciated by a large turnout at the Club – even in the first half of the evening we had the patrons singing. Tommy was greatly impressed with our young accordionists, Una and John Bryson, Sheena Orr, Malcolm Allan and Ian and Alex Graham. Others, a bit older, helping to make the night go with a swing were Jack Gray, the Chairman of our Club, Bert Wilson, Charlie Todd, Davy Coke, Allan Smith, Robert Paterson and Robert Berry (Mr Berry has come on a treat since joining the Club) and last but by no means least a young 16-year-old lad with lots of patter as well as being a super accordionist, Phillip Shevchuk from Dalkeith.
As a special treat as well as Tommy Ford, Wee Joe Vettraino turned up to give us a few of his Continental tunes which everyone enjoyed.
Mention must be made of the talents of drummer Bruce Shaw, taken very much for granted, and yet a stalwart of the Club
May Connachan (Secretary)
Year 4 No 7 March 1981
At the January meeting of Lesmahagow B&F Club, once more we had a full house, and on the entertainment side, the value was top class. Our guest artiste for the night was the Alex MacArthur Quartet, consisting of Bobby Colgan (drums), Iain Wilson (piano) Ian McCallum (second box) and Alex (the General) MacArthur himself on lead accordion, and how this band performed. It went to the hearts and feet of everyone. So did the jokes told by Bobby and the General.
Twenty-two players turned up to make this a superb night. The Chairman, Jack Gray, remarked again on the extreme popularity this (hamely) B&F Club has tuned out to be as they were literally sitting on the rafters.
Our February meeting also proved a big sellout, every available seat, beer crate, stool, aye and even upturned accordion cases were used for sitting on. Our guest artistes, the Black Family, with mother Anne on piano, Duncan and Robert and (faither) Bill Black leading, backed by Ally Paterson on drums, made this a top notch night.
They were also backed by a host of players – Ian Stewart, Finlay Robertson, Miss Elizabeth Kerr (fiddle), Bob Berry and Bob Paterson, Jennifer Forrest (who got second at Govan in the duets), Una Bryson (who got second entertainer and third Under 12), Guy Biaggi, Jimmy Divers, Morag Robertson, who played the five row box, and Colin Bulloch.
We also drifted a bit from traditional when Joe Vettraino’s band with Angie (his brother) on drums, Tommy on sax, Sommerville on bass, Wee Joe on box and Harry on vocals played big band stuff making a change from the usual.
Apologies were made to Iain Henderson, Allan Smith, Charlie Todd and Ian Graham, as time being the winner we had to call a halt, but the lads managed to join in the stramash. The Chairman expresses thanks to the Committee and our hosts in the Craignethan Hotel who, like himself, had a hard night’s work and couldn’t always hear the players.
Jack Gray (Chairman)
Year 4 No 8 April 1981
Our March meeting again proved to be a very successful evening of traditional music played in an excellent way. Our attendance numbers are so high, if you want a seat you have to be early. The social atmosphere at our club seems to make it like a family outing, everyone enjoying the foot-tapping sounds of our players.
Our guest artistes for the evening were the fabulous Currie Brothers, Jim, Tom and Liam were in top form as they played through their many selections. They are a Trio who will always be welcome at Lesmahagow. The list of players were again a credit to the club – Gordon Gracie, from East Kilbride, was a new face at the Craignethan. Master Allan, Larkhall, and Colin Bulloch, EK, were our juniors.
Chairman Jack Gray (had a go) on Ian Graham’s new Morino V, a grand box. Ian played, as did Grant Crawford, Hugh Gebbie, Bob Paterson, Bob Berry, Charlie Todd, Bert Wilson, Morag Robertson and Allan Smith. Fiddlers were Miss Elizabeth Kerr and Iain Henderson (who plays in the Doublet SDB with Allan Smith). Drummers for the evening were our ever-ready stalwart Bruce Shaw (Coalburn), Willie Simpson (Crossford) and Hugh Gebbie (EK).
Thanks to our hosts in the Craignethan, Norman and Dot, also our hard working Committee who keep the ball rolling and dish out the pies, raffle tickets and B&F papers. Thanks to everyone who gave raffle prizes.
On 2nd April our guest was Adam Jack, fiddler, from Edinburgh and this proved to be a very enjoyable evening.
P.S. A dance is being held in the Lanark Masonic Hall on 24th April. Full dinner. Dancing to Joe Vettriano’s Band. Cabaret artiste Walter Perrie. Tickets £5 each from Jack Gray. Tele Lanark 4699.Proceeds to Kirkfieldbank OAP Association.
Year 4 No 8 April 1981
Our March meeting again proved to be a very successful evening of traditional music played in an excellent way. Our attendance numbers are so high, if you want a seat you have to be early. The social atmosphere at our club seems to make it like a family outing, everyone enjoying the foot-tapping sounds of our players.
Our guest artistes for the evening were the fabulous Currie Brothers, Jim, Tom and Liam were in top form as they played through their many selections. They are a Trio who will always be welcome at Lesmahagow. The list of players were again a credit to the club – Gordon Gracie, from East Kilbride, was a new face at the Craignethan. Master Allan, Larkhall, and Colin Bulloch, EK, were our juniors.
Chairman Jack Gray (had a go) on Ian Graham’s new Morino V, a grand box. Ian played, as did Grant Crawford, Hugh Gebbie, Bob Paterson, Bob Berry, Charlie Todd, Bert Wilson, Morag Robertson and Allan Smith. Fiddlers were Miss Elizabeth Kerr and Iain Henderson (who plays in the Doublet SDB with Allan Smith). Drummers for the evening were our ever-ready stalwart Bruce Shaw (Coalburn), Willie Simpson (Crossford) and Hugh Gebbie (EK).
Thanks to our hosts in the Craignethan, Norman and Dot, also our hard working Committee who keep the ball rolling and dish out the pies, raffle tickets and B&F papers. Thanks to everyone who gave raffle prizes.
On 2nd April our guest was Adam Jack, fiddler, from Edinburgh and this proved to be a very enjoyable evening.
P.S. A dance is being held in the Lanark Masonic Hall on 24th April. Full dinner. Dancing to Joe Vettriano’s Band. Cabaret artiste Walter Perrie. Tickets £5 each from Jack Gray. Tele Lanark 4699.Proceeds to Kirkfieldbank OAP Association.
The April meeting of the Lesmahagow A&F Club proved another cracker. We had a grand night of musical entertainment in the Craignethan Hotel. The junior section was Sandy Allan, David Armstrong and Alan Haddow , all Lesmahagow boys and all making good progress.
First in the adult section was Club Chairman, Jack Gray, playing a selection of Irish waltzes followed by two polkas, then his usual brand of quicksteps. He was accompanied on second box by Allan Smith and our Club drummer Bruce Shaw. Bob Berry from Larkhall on the three row Hohner Gaelic came next with the same two lads accompanying. Then Bob Paterson, Larkhall on yet another Hohner Atlantic IV did his stuff. These two Larkhall lads are regular supporting members of our Club.
We were then entertained to music on the moothie. We were privileged to have the Tartan Echos from Stonehouse. This nine-strong mouth organ band entertain the OAP Clubs, hospital and any charity organization on request. Good work by a batch of good lads.
We had Jimmy Divers on his five row button box, Charlie Todd and Allan Smith, the Wee Joe (another regular at our club) played his usual style of jazz music, followed by Committee man Bert Wilson. Both these lads played the Chairman’s Morino V.
It was now time for our guest artist from Edinburgh who, in trying to reach Lesmahagow, did a mini-tour of the Upperward of Lanarkshire, but found our premises in time. Adam Jack, a fiddle player of an extremely high degree and (Big Ecky) Eric Harlow on guitar and mandolin, a superb backing man. They played Irish reels, marches and slip jigs, the likes we’ve never heard before. That fiddle must have been red hot and the company certainly lapped it up.
After a nice hot pie the junior lads took it in turn to draw the raffle tickets and again we thank everyone who handed in prizes.
At the start of the second half we had the pleasure of listening to the penny whistle champ, Jimmy Greenan and Peter Clements, another fiddler, two of Adam Jack’s company from Edinburgh. When the four of them took the stage it was a real toe-tapping sound. Yes, these lads are something special.
Our Club intends to run throughout the year on the first Thursday of each month. We won’t always have a guest artiste as we want to give some of the lads who don’t always get enough time on stage a chance to show their mettle. So if you happen to be in our district on holiday you’ll find a big welcome at the Craignethan, a hamely hotel, where the hosts, Dot and Norman, and their staff, as well as our Committee will be pleased to see you. Thanks to them all, and a big thank you to our ever-willing drummer Bruce Shaw, whose drumming season is just beginning with the Coalburn I.O.R. Pipe Band, as drum sergeant, or as we say ‘leading tip’, is just about to start with pipe band competitions, gala days and the many other processions they take part in. Thanks again, Bruce.
Our next guest artiste on 7th May in the same hotel will be well-known player Archie Duncan on accordion. Again we say Haste Ye Back.
Jack Gray (Chairman)
Lesmahagow B&F Club held their second meeting of the season in the Craignethan Hotel on Thursday, 13th November. Chairman, Jack Gray, gave a warm welcome to a capacity house.
Our guest artiste for the night, on five row electronic button accordion, was Pat Callaghan from Motherwell, whose traditional, modern and Continental renderings were much appreciated by the company.
Our juvenile players on the night were Alan Haddow and David Armstrong (Lesmahagow), Una Bryson (Strathaven), Finlay Robertson (Coatbridge). One of our most applauded artistes of the evening was 74-year-old John Russell from Larkhall on a button melodeon which was 40 years old.
Two artistes visiting the Club for the first time were ‘ wee Joe’ Vettriano and Guy Biaggi, who took the stage together accompanied by Willie Simpson (Crossford) on drums. They certainly had the company foot tapping. Wee Joe was at one time a member of the Tony Verrichia’s Number One Accordion Orchestra.
Other players came from all the airts. We had on accordions Bob Berry, Bob Paterson, Allan Smith, Adrian Hannah, Nelson Callan and Jimmy Divers. The fiddlers for the night were Iain Henderson (Chairman of the EK Club), John Houston, Annie Robertson and Justine Tennant..
Our resident drummer, Bruce Shaw, was once again in top form and got a spell off when Willie Simpson took the sticks.
Raffle time had the privilege of Carol Moffat, better known as Carol Holmes, of BBC programme ‘Angels’, a Lesmahagow girl who pulled the tickets out of the box.
We are still in need of a pianist, electric keyboard provided as our hostess Dot Keljgard has mush to do along with our host, husband Norman, in this hamely village hotel, thus keeping her off the piano.
Again we say, haste ye back!
Jack Gray (Chairman).
Year 4 No 5 January 1981
The second night of our second season we had Tommy Ford as our guest artiste and he was very much appreciated by a large turnout at the Club – even in the first half of the evening we had the patrons singing. Tommy was greatly impressed with our young accordionists, Una and John Bryson, Sheena Orr, Malcolm Allan and Ian and Alex Graham. Others, a bit older, helping to make the night go with a swing were Jack Gray, the Chairman of our Club, Bert Wilson, Charlie Todd, Davy Coke, Allan Smith, Robert Paterson and Robert Berry (Mr Berry has come on a treat since joining the Club) and last but by no means least a young 16-year-old lad with lots of patter as well as being a super accordionist, Phillip Shevchuk from Dalkeith.
As a special treat as well as Tommy Ford, Wee Joe Vettraino turned up to give us a few of his Continental tunes which everyone enjoyed.
Mention must be made of the talents of drummer Bruce Shaw, taken very much for granted, and yet a stalwart of the Club
May Connachan (Secretary)
Year 4 No 7 March 1981
At the January meeting of Lesmahagow B&F Club, once more we had a full house, and on the entertainment side, the value was top class. Our guest artiste for the night was the Alex MacArthur Quartet, consisting of Bobby Colgan (drums), Iain Wilson (piano) Ian McCallum (second box) and Alex (the General) MacArthur himself on lead accordion, and how this band performed. It went to the hearts and feet of everyone. So did the jokes told by Bobby and the General.
Twenty-two players turned up to make this a superb night. The Chairman, Jack Gray, remarked again on the extreme popularity this (hamely) B&F Club has tuned out to be as they were literally sitting on the rafters.
Our February meeting also proved a big sellout, every available seat, beer crate, stool, aye and even upturned accordion cases were used for sitting on. Our guest artistes, the Black Family, with mother Anne on piano, Duncan and Robert and (faither) Bill Black leading, backed by Ally Paterson on drums, made this a top notch night.
They were also backed by a host of players – Ian Stewart, Finlay Robertson, Miss Elizabeth Kerr (fiddle), Bob Berry and Bob Paterson, Jennifer Forrest (who got second at Govan in the duets), Una Bryson (who got second entertainer and third Under 12), Guy Biaggi, Jimmy Divers, Morag Robertson, who played the five row box, and Colin Bulloch.
We also drifted a bit from traditional when Joe Vettraino’s band with Angie (his brother) on drums, Tommy on sax, Sommerville on bass, Wee Joe on box and Harry on vocals played big band stuff making a change from the usual.
Apologies were made to Iain Henderson, Allan Smith, Charlie Todd and Ian Graham, as time being the winner we had to call a halt, but the lads managed to join in the stramash. The Chairman expresses thanks to the Committee and our hosts in the Craignethan Hotel who, like himself, had a hard night’s work and couldn’t always hear the players.
Jack Gray (Chairman)
Year 4 No 8 April 1981
Our March meeting again proved to be a very successful evening of traditional music played in an excellent way. Our attendance numbers are so high, if you want a seat you have to be early. The social atmosphere at our club seems to make it like a family outing, everyone enjoying the foot-tapping sounds of our players.
Our guest artistes for the evening were the fabulous Currie Brothers, Jim, Tom and Liam were in top form as they played through their many selections. They are a Trio who will always be welcome at Lesmahagow. The list of players were again a credit to the club – Gordon Gracie, from East Kilbride, was a new face at the Craignethan. Master Allan, Larkhall, and Colin Bulloch, EK, were our juniors.
Chairman Jack Gray (had a go) on Ian Graham’s new Morino V, a grand box. Ian played, as did Grant Crawford, Hugh Gebbie, Bob Paterson, Bob Berry, Charlie Todd, Bert Wilson, Morag Robertson and Allan Smith. Fiddlers were Miss Elizabeth Kerr and Iain Henderson (who plays in the Doublet SDB with Allan Smith). Drummers for the evening were our ever-ready stalwart Bruce Shaw (Coalburn), Willie Simpson (Crossford) and Hugh Gebbie (EK).
Thanks to our hosts in the Craignethan, Norman and Dot, also our hard working Committee who keep the ball rolling and dish out the pies, raffle tickets and B&F papers. Thanks to everyone who gave raffle prizes.
On 2nd April our guest was Adam Jack, fiddler, from Edinburgh and this proved to be a very enjoyable evening.
P.S. A dance is being held in the Lanark Masonic Hall on 24th April. Full dinner. Dancing to Joe Vettriano’s Band. Cabaret artiste Walter Perrie. Tickets £5 each from Jack Gray. Tele Lanark 4699.Proceeds to Kirkfieldbank OAP Association.
Year 4 No 8 April 1981
Our March meeting again proved to be a very successful evening of traditional music played in an excellent way. Our attendance numbers are so high, if you want a seat you have to be early. The social atmosphere at our club seems to make it like a family outing, everyone enjoying the foot-tapping sounds of our players.
Our guest artistes for the evening were the fabulous Currie Brothers, Jim, Tom and Liam were in top form as they played through their many selections. They are a Trio who will always be welcome at Lesmahagow. The list of players were again a credit to the club – Gordon Gracie, from East Kilbride, was a new face at the Craignethan. Master Allan, Larkhall, and Colin Bulloch, EK, were our juniors.
Chairman Jack Gray (had a go) on Ian Graham’s new Morino V, a grand box. Ian played, as did Grant Crawford, Hugh Gebbie, Bob Paterson, Bob Berry, Charlie Todd, Bert Wilson, Morag Robertson and Allan Smith. Fiddlers were Miss Elizabeth Kerr and Iain Henderson (who plays in the Doublet SDB with Allan Smith). Drummers for the evening were our ever-ready stalwart Bruce Shaw (Coalburn), Willie Simpson (Crossford) and Hugh Gebbie (EK).
Thanks to our hosts in the Craignethan, Norman and Dot, also our hard working Committee who keep the ball rolling and dish out the pies, raffle tickets and B&F papers. Thanks to everyone who gave raffle prizes.
On 2nd April our guest was Adam Jack, fiddler, from Edinburgh and this proved to be a very enjoyable evening.
P.S. A dance is being held in the Lanark Masonic Hall on 24th April. Full dinner. Dancing to Joe Vettriano’s Band. Cabaret artiste Walter Perrie. Tickets £5 each from Jack Gray. Tele Lanark 4699.Proceeds to Kirkfieldbank OAP Association.
The April meeting of the Lesmahagow A&F Club proved another cracker. We had a grand night of musical entertainment in the Craignethan Hotel. The junior section was Sandy Allan, David Armstrong and Alan Haddow , all Lesmahagow boys and all making good progress.
First in the adult section was Club Chairman, Jack Gray, playing a selection of Irish waltzes followed by two polkas, then his usual brand of quicksteps. He was accompanied on second box by Allan Smith and our Club drummer Bruce Shaw. Bob Berry from Larkhall on the three row Hohner Gaelic came next with the same two lads accompanying. Then Bob Paterson, Larkhall on yet another Hohner Atlantic IV did his stuff. These two Larkhall lads are regular supporting members of our Club.
We were then entertained to music on the moothie. We were privileged to have the Tartan Echos from Stonehouse. This nine-strong mouth organ band entertain the OAP Clubs, hospital and any charity organization on request. Good work by a batch of good lads.
We had Jimmy Divers on his five row button box, Charlie Todd and Allan Smith, the Wee Joe (another regular at our club) played his usual style of jazz music, followed by Committee man Bert Wilson. Both these lads played the Chairman’s Morino V.
It was now time for our guest artist from Edinburgh who, in trying to reach Lesmahagow, did a mini-tour of the Upperward of Lanarkshire, but found our premises in time. Adam Jack, a fiddle player of an extremely high degree and (Big Ecky) Eric Harlow on guitar and mandolin, a superb backing man. They played Irish reels, marches and slip jigs, the likes we’ve never heard before. That fiddle must have been red hot and the company certainly lapped it up.
After a nice hot pie the junior lads took it in turn to draw the raffle tickets and again we thank everyone who handed in prizes.
At the start of the second half we had the pleasure of listening to the penny whistle champ, Jimmy Greenan and Peter Clements, another fiddler, two of Adam Jack’s company from Edinburgh. When the four of them took the stage it was a real toe-tapping sound. Yes, these lads are something special.
Our Club intends to run throughout the year on the first Thursday of each month. We won’t always have a guest artiste as we want to give some of the lads who don’t always get enough time on stage a chance to show their mettle. So if you happen to be in our district on holiday you’ll find a big welcome at the Craignethan, a hamely hotel, where the hosts, Dot and Norman, and their staff, as well as our Committee will be pleased to see you. Thanks to them all, and a big thank you to our ever-willing drummer Bruce Shaw, whose drumming season is just beginning with the Coalburn I.O.R. Pipe Band, as drum sergeant, or as we say ‘leading tip’, is just about to start with pipe band competitions, gala days and the many other processions they take part in. Thanks again, Bruce.
Our next guest artiste on 7th May in the same hotel will be well-known player Archie Duncan on accordion. Again we say Haste Ye Back.
Jack Gray (Chairman)