Box and Fiddle
Armadale A & F Club Reports
Year 4 No 2 October 1980
Armadale A&F Club held their first meeting on 24th September when a large crowd were entertained by guest artists Graham Ross and the Strathalmond SDB.
Local players were well represented and included on accordion – Michael Winn, Lyn Shanks, Yvonne Mathieson, Willie McFarlane, Arthur Brown and the duo Graham Edwardson and David Wilson.
Line-up in the Strathalmond was Graham Ross (three tow button), Andrew Knight (fiddle), John Gibson (keyboard) and Graham Jamieson (drums).
Thanks again for a great evenings entertainment provided free by the Strathalmond on the occasion of our opening night and thanks to Menzies for their donation to Club funds.
Stewart Lochie
Year 4 No 4 December 1980
Please note new premises and change of name to Armadale A&F Club, formerly Bathgate, meeting on the fourth Wednesday of the month at the Rob Roy Inn, Armadale, except for the next meeting when I have moved the date to 7th January, due to the fourth Wednesday of December being Christmas Eve.
The November meeting was held at the Rob Roy Inn and a grand night’s entertainment was provided by the following on piano accordion : Diane Armstrong (Armadale), Karen Higgins (Armadale), Norma Brodie (Whitburn), Lyn Shanks (Bathgate), Michael Winn (Westfield), Philip Shevchuk (Easthouses), John Anderson (Biggar), Nelson Callan (Wishaw), John Rae (Uphall), David Millar (Forth), Ian Horsburgh (Blackridge), Carol Farquhar (Whitburn) i.e. The Lothianaires and finallyon tin whistle Celia and Danny (Edinburgh).
Special mention must be made of the very high standard of playing from Diane Armstrong (12), Scottish and North of England Junior Ladies Champion and runner up at the Will Starr competition in Motherwell. This was Diane’s first public appearance in Armadale and it certainly won’t be the last. Diane’s first selection in the second half was dedicated to Nan and Alister Davidson on their Silver Wedding Anniversary, also their daughter Mandy, who is a Scottish Ladies Champion, not on the box but at darts. Mandy plays for the Rob Roy and Scotland and represents her country early in the new year in Spain.
Back to the accordions again and special thanks to Lyn Shanks, who must be our most regular attender, for her help and fine playing. Also thanks to Michael Winn and the Biggar Club members for their support.
The second hald started with a rare stramash ably led by Ian Horsburgh and Carol Farquhar, with a selection of jigs and reels, the electronic ceiling even joined in. Ian and Carol also gave us a spot later on, also a surprise, Carol singing a nice selection of Scottish songs plus some very good selections and requests from the audience.
Our only variation from the box was provided by Celia and Danny on the tin whistle, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Our next meeting will be on 7th January when the guest artistes are The Lothianaires. Then back to our usual fourth Wednesday, the 28th January.
Stewart Lochie (Secretary)
Year 4 No 5 January 1981
The first meeting of the year of Armadale A&F Club was held on the night of 7th January 81 and despite the dreich weather there was a very good turnout.
We were well represented, especially by the ladies, there being eight young lassies playing the box, to only four men – lucky for the boys.
The following players were on stage – David Millar (Club Treasurer), Lyn Shanks (Dechmont), Catherine Fraser (Whitburn), Hazel Lindsay (Armadale), Jennifer Forrest (Airdrie), Carol Higgins and Norma Brodie (Armadale), David Steel and Kerry Watson (Falkirk) and David Gibson (Newtongrange).
A high standard of playing was again achieved and in the second half the following gave us some nice duets : Kerry Watson and David Steel, Lyn Shanks and Jennifer Forrest, Carol Higgins and Norma Brodie. All future guest artists I’m sure.
The high spot was provided by our guest artistes for the evening, The Lothianaires, ably backed by young David Farquhar on drums and John Gibson on piano.
This is a very talented young outfit, able to give a mixed programme of Scottish, Continental and modern music, plus very good Scottish songs sung by Carol to give a highly professional performance.
Next meeting is on Wednesday 28th January at the Rob Roy Inn. Guest artistes will be Graham Ross and the Strathalmond SDB.
Stewart Lochie (Secretary)
Year 4 No 7 March 1981
The January meeting of the Armadale A&F Club was held on Wednesday, 28th when Graham Ross and the Strathalmond SDB gave the audience a fine evening’s entertainment. The band line-up was Graham Ross (three row button box), Derek McLeod (fiddle), Neil Barron (piano) and Graham Jamieson (drums). This band, to my mind, is one of the best on the Scottish scene today providing music which is clear, sharp and has plenty of lift. Robbie Shepherd and Co take note.
Incidentally, Derek, the band’s fiddler, was our Club’s first fiddle player on stage since we started four months ago. Neil Barron was excellent on piano and also later with Davy Millan, auld melodeon. Graham Jamieson on drums gave a grand performance.
Once again local support for the Club was excellent with the following players on stage. Ladies first Catherine Fraser, Karen Higgins, Jennifer Forrest, Hazel Lindsay, Diane Armstrong, Lyn Shanks and Catherine Morgan. Then Jimmy Divers, Graham Edwardson, Sandy Watson, Guy Biaggi and young David Martin who has only been playing eight months and gave us a fine selection of Scottish tunes as did Sandy Watson, another young lad welcome back at the club.
I hear on the grapevine that Club players Lyn Shanks and Jennifer Forrest duo won a second and third at Govan Town Hall on Saturday and Diane Armstrong also collected honours. Well done lassies!
The February meeting of the Armadale Club was held in the recently opened Vie Peak function suite of the Rob Roy Inn. Guest artistes for the night were the Alex MacArthur Trio from Biggar.
Players in the first half on accordion were Catherine Morgan, Ian Sneddon, Hazel Lindsay, Jennifer Forrest and Lynn Shanks (duo), David Martin, Catherine Fraser, Ian Skinner and Sandy Donald Snr.
The second half started with last month’s guest artist Graham Ross who gave us a fine selection on his three-row button box, followed by Livingston Club member Graham Edwardson who delighted the audience with a grand selection of jigs and reels. Then came Sandy Donald Jnr from the Biggar area. Sandy is a pupil of Guy Biaggi and is coming on a treat.
Next came a fiddle due from Kirkfieldbank, John Houston and Annie Robertson with some excellent arrangements ably accompanied by Neil Barron on keyboard. The two accordions of Karen Higgins and Norma Brodie followed, the Lyn Shanks, Jennifer Forrest and, by popular demand, Ian Skinner returned to give another selection before bringing back on Alex MacArthur joined by some of the younger members in a stramash.
This was followed by Alex inviting the audience onto the floor for a Gay Gordons and Gaelic Waltz, dedicated to Morag Forrest (Jennifer’s mum), who hails from Dunvegan, a grand night’s entertainment all round. Thanks again Alex MacArthur and all the players who contributed.
Next month’s guest artists are Iain MacPhail’s Trio, with Brian Griffin and Graham Jamieson on 25th March at Vie Park, Rob Roy Inn.
Stewart Lochie
Armadale A&F Club held their first meeting on 24th September when a large crowd were entertained by guest artists Graham Ross and the Strathalmond SDB.
Local players were well represented and included on accordion – Michael Winn, Lyn Shanks, Yvonne Mathieson, Willie McFarlane, Arthur Brown and the duo Graham Edwardson and David Wilson.
Line-up in the Strathalmond was Graham Ross (three tow button), Andrew Knight (fiddle), John Gibson (keyboard) and Graham Jamieson (drums).
Thanks again for a great evenings entertainment provided free by the Strathalmond on the occasion of our opening night and thanks to Menzies for their donation to Club funds.
Stewart Lochie
Year 4 No 4 December 1980
Please note new premises and change of name to Armadale A&F Club, formerly Bathgate, meeting on the fourth Wednesday of the month at the Rob Roy Inn, Armadale, except for the next meeting when I have moved the date to 7th January, due to the fourth Wednesday of December being Christmas Eve.
The November meeting was held at the Rob Roy Inn and a grand night’s entertainment was provided by the following on piano accordion : Diane Armstrong (Armadale), Karen Higgins (Armadale), Norma Brodie (Whitburn), Lyn Shanks (Bathgate), Michael Winn (Westfield), Philip Shevchuk (Easthouses), John Anderson (Biggar), Nelson Callan (Wishaw), John Rae (Uphall), David Millar (Forth), Ian Horsburgh (Blackridge), Carol Farquhar (Whitburn) i.e. The Lothianaires and finallyon tin whistle Celia and Danny (Edinburgh).
Special mention must be made of the very high standard of playing from Diane Armstrong (12), Scottish and North of England Junior Ladies Champion and runner up at the Will Starr competition in Motherwell. This was Diane’s first public appearance in Armadale and it certainly won’t be the last. Diane’s first selection in the second half was dedicated to Nan and Alister Davidson on their Silver Wedding Anniversary, also their daughter Mandy, who is a Scottish Ladies Champion, not on the box but at darts. Mandy plays for the Rob Roy and Scotland and represents her country early in the new year in Spain.
Back to the accordions again and special thanks to Lyn Shanks, who must be our most regular attender, for her help and fine playing. Also thanks to Michael Winn and the Biggar Club members for their support.
The second hald started with a rare stramash ably led by Ian Horsburgh and Carol Farquhar, with a selection of jigs and reels, the electronic ceiling even joined in. Ian and Carol also gave us a spot later on, also a surprise, Carol singing a nice selection of Scottish songs plus some very good selections and requests from the audience.
Our only variation from the box was provided by Celia and Danny on the tin whistle, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Our next meeting will be on 7th January when the guest artistes are The Lothianaires. Then back to our usual fourth Wednesday, the 28th January.
Stewart Lochie (Secretary)
Year 4 No 5 January 1981
The first meeting of the year of Armadale A&F Club was held on the night of 7th January 81 and despite the dreich weather there was a very good turnout.
We were well represented, especially by the ladies, there being eight young lassies playing the box, to only four men – lucky for the boys.
The following players were on stage – David Millar (Club Treasurer), Lyn Shanks (Dechmont), Catherine Fraser (Whitburn), Hazel Lindsay (Armadale), Jennifer Forrest (Airdrie), Carol Higgins and Norma Brodie (Armadale), David Steel and Kerry Watson (Falkirk) and David Gibson (Newtongrange).
A high standard of playing was again achieved and in the second half the following gave us some nice duets : Kerry Watson and David Steel, Lyn Shanks and Jennifer Forrest, Carol Higgins and Norma Brodie. All future guest artists I’m sure.
The high spot was provided by our guest artistes for the evening, The Lothianaires, ably backed by young David Farquhar on drums and John Gibson on piano.
This is a very talented young outfit, able to give a mixed programme of Scottish, Continental and modern music, plus very good Scottish songs sung by Carol to give a highly professional performance.
Next meeting is on Wednesday 28th January at the Rob Roy Inn. Guest artistes will be Graham Ross and the Strathalmond SDB.
Stewart Lochie (Secretary)
Year 4 No 7 March 1981
The January meeting of the Armadale A&F Club was held on Wednesday, 28th when Graham Ross and the Strathalmond SDB gave the audience a fine evening’s entertainment. The band line-up was Graham Ross (three row button box), Derek McLeod (fiddle), Neil Barron (piano) and Graham Jamieson (drums). This band, to my mind, is one of the best on the Scottish scene today providing music which is clear, sharp and has plenty of lift. Robbie Shepherd and Co take note.
Incidentally, Derek, the band’s fiddler, was our Club’s first fiddle player on stage since we started four months ago. Neil Barron was excellent on piano and also later with Davy Millan, auld melodeon. Graham Jamieson on drums gave a grand performance.
Once again local support for the Club was excellent with the following players on stage. Ladies first Catherine Fraser, Karen Higgins, Jennifer Forrest, Hazel Lindsay, Diane Armstrong, Lyn Shanks and Catherine Morgan. Then Jimmy Divers, Graham Edwardson, Sandy Watson, Guy Biaggi and young David Martin who has only been playing eight months and gave us a fine selection of Scottish tunes as did Sandy Watson, another young lad welcome back at the club.
I hear on the grapevine that Club players Lyn Shanks and Jennifer Forrest duo won a second and third at Govan Town Hall on Saturday and Diane Armstrong also collected honours. Well done lassies!
The February meeting of the Armadale Club was held in the recently opened Vie Peak function suite of the Rob Roy Inn. Guest artistes for the night were the Alex MacArthur Trio from Biggar.
Players in the first half on accordion were Catherine Morgan, Ian Sneddon, Hazel Lindsay, Jennifer Forrest and Lynn Shanks (duo), David Martin, Catherine Fraser, Ian Skinner and Sandy Donald Snr.
The second half started with last month’s guest artist Graham Ross who gave us a fine selection on his three-row button box, followed by Livingston Club member Graham Edwardson who delighted the audience with a grand selection of jigs and reels. Then came Sandy Donald Jnr from the Biggar area. Sandy is a pupil of Guy Biaggi and is coming on a treat.
Next came a fiddle due from Kirkfieldbank, John Houston and Annie Robertson with some excellent arrangements ably accompanied by Neil Barron on keyboard. The two accordions of Karen Higgins and Norma Brodie followed, the Lyn Shanks, Jennifer Forrest and, by popular demand, Ian Skinner returned to give another selection before bringing back on Alex MacArthur joined by some of the younger members in a stramash.
This was followed by Alex inviting the audience onto the floor for a Gay Gordons and Gaelic Waltz, dedicated to Morag Forrest (Jennifer’s mum), who hails from Dunvegan, a grand night’s entertainment all round. Thanks again Alex MacArthur and all the players who contributed.
Next month’s guest artists are Iain MacPhail’s Trio, with Brian Griffin and Graham Jamieson on 25th March at Vie Park, Rob Roy Inn.
Stewart Lochie