Year 6 No 1 September 1982
Lesmahagow A&F Club commenced winter activities on 2nd September with the AGM. This was followed by the Guy Biaggi Trio. This proved another good night. We have, of course, been very active during the summer months. June, we had a Club Night. July, we had young John Morgan from Slamannan to top the bill and he was a worthy artiste, with a host of regular fiddlers and box players as supporting cast. How we miss Bruce on the drums during these summer months, but then the lad’s competing with the Coalburn IOR pipe band, but we are all sure he will make his welcome return for the winter session.
Our chairman and three Committee members attended the NAAFC AGM and were greatly impressed with the workings. Our chairman, on behalf of the Club, voiced a few opinions and as first time attenders at the AGM we appreciate the very fine efforts made by all to make this a successful event.
After a fine meal, and many fine speeches by the greats of Scottish dance music, tears must have welled up in many an eye after the fine presentation to Bobby MacLeod, when the three maestros, Jimmy Shand, Angus Fitchet and Bobby, took the stage along with a young lad on the drums, whose name I didn’t catch. But what an honour for him to play with three of the greatest.
Our August meeting started bleakly with a thunderstorm outside, but finished off another night to be remembered with John Houston and Annie Robertson on fiddles, backed by Adam Reid on the box to kick-off. These stalwart Club players/supporters, along with their partners, are greatly appreciated and welcome among us and they keep getting better every time.
Next on stage was our Chairman, Big Jack, who gave his own style of playing with his rendering of ‘Danny Boy.’ He certainly got voices singing. The rain subsided long enough to let Peter Wood get his box in. Peter, who is not yet two years at the box, gave a varied selection including ‘Under the Double Eagle’. He was followed by his sister Carol who keeps improving by leaps and bounds, and while Carol was playing, Peter dressed in the kilt of the Biggar RBL Pipe Band, prepared to came back on and gave us all a lesson in bagpipe playing. Not to be outdone, Carol, who also plays the tenor drum in Biggar Pipe Band prepared herself for dancing. Her Highland steps, accompanied by Peter, were received with great enthusiasm.
No sooner had they finished when the character known as Wee Joe, who, at times sits on the stage on his knees, although, truthfully speaking, his knees are awfully near the floor, walked in the door, right into the straps of the Chairman’s Morino V, which certainly had him sagging at the knees. Wee Joe, whose playing of the accordion is something of a speciality and his music varies from Kerr’s albums into jazz and classical, but being Italian, and a cracking player, always bring the house down.
He is such a strong supporter and beneficial character to our Club that our Committee have decided to award him honourary membership. As Joe finished his stint, Charlie Todd from Tinto prepared to do his turn. Charlie, another double musician, who plays the snare drum with Lanark and District Pipe Band, took up his accordion and played his way through many strathspeys and reels, much to the enjoyment of all present.
Then we had a first time player at our Club, Robert Rolston from Shotts. Robert, a great fan of Jimmy Shand, gave a grand performance. Robert is better know at present for his accordion and tuning repairs (you will see his advert in this paper), but his playing of the squeeze box at the Club is always welcome.
After the raffle and the announcement of a baby girl to Walter Perrie and his wife we proceeded to a great stramash led by our Chairman. The rain had stopped so we all went home with the strains and sounds of good music in our ears.
As this paper is not out until after our September meeting we would just like to let the readers know that we have the Lothian Scottish Dance Band on 7th October. Again we say Haste Ye Back.
Jack Gray (Chairman)
Year 6 No 3 November 1982
For the first night of the winter season, October, Lesmahagow A&F Club had a top-class show, with a host of players making it an accordion bonanza, performing to a full house.
After welcoming the company, the Chairman introduced the first player, Liam Young from Lesmahagow, a nine-year-old, who only started playing the accordion ten months ago. Liam gave a selection of Jimmy Shand waltz tunes followed by ‘The Dark Island.’
Second on stage, Findlay Robertson from the Monklands Club on his five-row Morino, showed how much he has improved since moving on to the button from the piano keyed.
Bob Berry was next on the three-row chromatic and he was followed by young Carol Wood and she was joined on stage by brother Peter, and our Chairman Jack Gray, sharing the lead, seconds and chords.
Peter stayed on to do his solo and young Alan Gardiner gave his best and a newcomer Keith Robertson showed his talents. We then had Morag Robertson from Monklands and then Jimmy Divers, both five-row players. They were followed by Allan Smith, playing second box to many of our players, and then Ian Graham, who played second box at times, did his own turn as lead and showed his skill on the drums.
John Laidlaw, Peebles, who will always be welcome at our club, did a turn followed by Jim Devlin, our only fiddler of the evening. This lad sure can turn out the jigs and reels.
Charlie Todd, who has been appointed to our Committee as Treasurer, performed, and on top of all this we had the two lads from Earlston, John McKenzie and Jerry Graham. John plays the Shand Morino which was owned by Bobby Jack, a box with reeds specially made for Jimmy Shand (so Vic Laidlaw has informed me) and what a box. Jerry was a drummer who stood in as Bruce Shaw, our regular drummer, was made a grandfather and was away celebrating and we were grateful to have him
All this was followed by our guest artistes The Lothian Scottish Dance Band, with George Meikle on the lead, who proved themselves in both halves very worthy artistes. Their off-the-cuff performance and answers to the many requests was superb to say the least. To watch the work these boys put in, not forgetting Ena Wilson on the piano and the hard work of Vic Laidlaw on drums is a credit to the guest artistes’ list and gives real value at a proper fee. So other clubs take note.
Also in the company were fiddlers Annie and John, Adam Reid and Wee Joe who took a back seat.
Our next Club night is on 2nd December when we have the young, talented Diane Armstrong as guest artiste, so come along and join in the fun. Again we say Haste Ye Back.
Jack Gray (Chairman)
also
Important news. Yes, we say again Important News. Lesmahagow A&F Club give this motion of change of venue. Supporters, players and everyone in the past who have enjoyed many fine nights in this progressive and fast-moving Club please take note. Firstly, our night is changing from the first Thursday to the second Thursday of the month, and secondly, a change of venue. Our Club will now function in the Masonic Hall, about 100 yards further up the same street, where the facilities go far to exceed the previous facilities.
We regret this move, but the change was a necessity. Come along and join us on the second Thursday of each month.
Our guest artiste list is long and strong. The supporting cast may be equaled, but never surpassed. Our Chairman, Big Jack, laughs when someone says they are not good enough to play at the Club, and he always remarks everybody plays in their own style. There’s nae bad players, jist yin or two wha’s better than the tither, frae the juveniles tae the auld codgers.
This Club extends the hand of friendship, a friendship which exists very strongly among box and fiddle players. Details of our Club activities can be read in this paper, and any parties interested in the functions of the box and fiddle world should, without delay, place an order for a copy each month of this great source of information – the ‘Box and Fiddle’ paper.
We would take this opportunity at this point to thank Ian smith, Editor, for the news, letters, etc., published from this Club, also the many fine photographs, from a friend and member, Bill Dickman, who seems to pop up wherever box and fiddle news, festivals or contests are taking place.
This Club extends a welcome to other Club members whose travels find them in our area. Our chairman, who is a player and salesman for Electronic Accordions Ltd, asks on behalf of our Committee, for the support of our many friends on our changed night and venue. Ahain we say Haste Ye Back.
Jack Gray
Year 6 No 4 December 1982
Lesmahagow A&F Club had a magnificent dance in the Jubilee Hall on 29th October where the crowd danced to Joe Vettraino and his band. There was a stop for supper, which was followed by a superb artiste on the accordion, young Ian Skinner. Ian excelled himself and earned our plaudits.
On Wednesday, 3rd November, it was back to our Club night in the Craignethan Hotel, where, once again, we had in the crowd, our many supporters to give us a turn.
There were Annie Robertson and John Houston on fiddles and they were backed by Adam Ried. We then had two of our junior supporters, brother and sister Peter and Carol Wood, who improve every time we hear them.
We had on stage Charlie Todd, who is now our Treasurer, and he was accompanied by Ian Graham. Joe Vettraino turned up and gave is a selection of his music. Out of the blue Jennifer Forrest came along and gave us a fine selection of accordion music.
Our guest artistes for the evening couldn’t have been better – Bobby Harvey and Ivor Britton – the crowd were glues to their seats, enthralled by the music. These boys put on a grand show and we welcome them any time to our Club.
Our next Club night is on Thursday, 6th January, 1983, and once again take note the venue is the Masonic Hall in Lesmahagow and our guest artiste for the evening will be Fraser McGlynn, so come along and bring your instruments and have a good night’s entertainment.
Jack Gray
Year 6 No 5 January 1983
Lesmahagow A&F Club met on 9th December in the Masonic Hall, the first time in this new venue and as suitability these premises were first class and again the support we were given by the many players, and audience, was much appreciated by the Committee.
We had our regular players Peter and Carol Wood, we had five-row players Adam Reid and Jimmy Divers, Club Treasurer Charlie Todd and Nelson Callan playing his Morino V he has just purchased from Electronic Accordions. This lad is a braw player and I’m sure if he put his programme together he would make a worthy guest artiste. Another champion among our players that night was the likeable lass from Strathaven, Una Bryson – another potential guest artiste. We had Hugh Gebbie from the East Kilbride Club, whose easy, swinging style of Scottish Dance music is very much appreciated at Lesmahagow Club. Paul Johnstone, Secretary at EK, another lad who will always find a welcome here with his Zero Zette accordion.
Peter Gardiner from Cleland was front man with the eight-strong Holytown Accordion Band, much enjoyed by everyone. The man we call the local, Allan Smith, always gets the feet tapping. Nice to see his faither back in the running after a recent illness, and who would ask for anyone better as a guest artiste than the current Scottish Junior Ladies Champion, Mull Junior champion etc etc., who also appeared on ‘Welcome to the Ceilidh’ with Johnny Beattie on New Year’s Day – Diane Armstrong from Armadale, whose performance absolutely thrilled everyone with numbers too numerous to mention, or even remember, a real professional on stage.
Our guest artistes on 10th February will be the well-known five-row button box players Kerry and David.
Our Club was saddened to hear of the death of Geordie McLean, from Calderbank. Geordie, a fair player and accordion repairer, and a good critic of the players, a man with a high assessment of players and a good supporter of the younger element and father of Malcolm McLean, the well-known top-class accordionist ; he will be sadly missed by all.
I have just been handed the new tape of Jimmy Shand and his Auchtermuchty Ceilidh and it is nice to see Jimmy has written a tune and included it on his tape dedicated to Club photographer Bill Dickman. Jimmy has named the tune ‘Bill Dickman of Stonehouse’ as a tribute to Bill’s fine photographic work of the master Jimmy Shand Snr.
Again we say Haste Ye Back.
Jack Gray
Year 6 No 6 February 1983
Our January meeting turned out to be a great success, and our far traveled guest artistes were Duncan on piano, Kevin on drums and the leader of the band Fraser McGlynn. They made a mark of high standard at our Club. The many variations and compact playing of these boys is well worth listening to.
Many comments were made, especially on Fraser’s compliments to the late Ronnie Cooper, he performed many of Ronnie’s fine Shetland tunes and finished off the night leading a great stramash, consisting of about 25 players in all.
During the evening our fiddlers were Annie Robertson, John Houston and Iain Henderson. Button box players were young Findlay Robertson who was backed by his younger brother Gordon on drums (aye, they’ll be a challenge in the future), followed by (mother) Morag Robertson and another Club regular Jimmy Divers.
Piano box players, a great selection indeed, including the two Bobs Berry and Paterson, the two Woods, young Peter and Carol, Davie Millar from the Forth, young Alan Gardiner from Lamington, Graeme Johnston from Coatbridge, Gordon Thomson from Calderbank, Charlie Todd, Hugh Gebbie, Davie Coke, Allan Smith, Adam Reid and the Chairman, and the first time at our Club, all the way from Muirkirk, Ronnie Copeland, playing a two-row button box, he certainly thrilled the company.
Sausage rolls were dished up a half-time, piping hot to just over 100 people, yes we in the Committee thank everyone for their staunch support.
Another night like this will be on 10th March when the Graham Ross SDB will be our guests artistes, don’t miss it/ Come along and enjoy the atmosphere at this very friendly club. Haste Ye Back.
Jack Gray (Chairman)
Year 6 No 7 March 1983
At Lesmahagow A&F Club’s February meeting a strong supporting cast of players thrilled the audience. Our guest artistes were the highly talented accordion duo Kerry and David. Their many selections of Scottish, Continental and classical in their own interpretation, proved them very high-class entertainers and very worthy guest artistes.
Our fiddlers for the night, John Houston, Annie Robertson, Elizabeth Kerr and the bionic man, Iain Henderson, all showed their worth. Iain Henderson has a grand personality and witty character. We welcome these fiddlers ; remember we are box and fiddle, not just box.
A new character on stage was Robert (Bob) Logan playing a 48-year-old three-row Dallape, who certainly had the feet tapping. Another new face on stage with another beautiful old accordion, a two-row (which I didn’t get the name of) was John Lang, who gave a fine performance. These lads (well auld lads), will be forever welcome at Lesmahagow.
The evening commenced with our Treasurer, Charlie Todd, taking the stage and every time we hear this lad his confidence is gaining. The two Bobs, Berry and Paterson, performed next. Berry with his three-row Hohner Gaelic and Paterson with his Hohner Atlantic, are great enthusiastic followers.
Adam Reid backed the fiddle due John and Annie. Other players were Jimmy Divers, Allan Smith, young Peter Wood, Wee Joe, who managed to slip away early before being called to duty and David Coke, another supporting asset. And yes, of course, he was there, our resident drummer Bruce Shaw. Well, Bruce, you’ll never become an alcoholic you are so much in demand. You hardly get time to bend your elbow till you are back on stage.
It was proposed at the AGM last year that a singer should at times be introduced into the Club as part of the promotion of Scottish music, so on this night we implemented this proposal and on stage we had Bill Dickie from Lanark whose renderings of ‘Rothesay Bay’, ‘Rowan Tree’, ‘The Soldier’s Dream’, ‘The Wild Rover’ and Dark Lochnagar’ proved, according to the reception of the audience, a fantastic success. Bill is the type of singer who entertains for many charities, OAPs etc always accompanied by the Chairman of the Club, Jack Gray, who have both been doing rounds like this for quite a while now. This tenor singer deserves a break. Any Burns Club could enhance their night. I have heard many singers on ‘Thingummyjig’ who couldn’t lace Bill’s boots. Don’t say let him try for he has tried, but alas he has no Equity Card. How does he get a card? He needs a contract, but to get a contract he needs an Equity Card. C’mon don’t be daft, square this thing up.
Our next Club night will be on 14th April when our guest artiste will be the young, talented girl from Airdrie, Jennifer Forrest, now rising to great heights in the accordion world. Don’t miss this night.
The Committee would like to thank everyone for the support shown for this Club, but still we would give a pianist a reception second to none. Again we say Haste Ye Back.
Jack Gray (Chairman)
Lesmahagow A&F Club commenced winter activities on 2nd September with the AGM. This was followed by the Guy Biaggi Trio. This proved another good night. We have, of course, been very active during the summer months. June, we had a Club Night. July, we had young John Morgan from Slamannan to top the bill and he was a worthy artiste, with a host of regular fiddlers and box players as supporting cast. How we miss Bruce on the drums during these summer months, but then the lad’s competing with the Coalburn IOR pipe band, but we are all sure he will make his welcome return for the winter session.
Our chairman and three Committee members attended the NAAFC AGM and were greatly impressed with the workings. Our chairman, on behalf of the Club, voiced a few opinions and as first time attenders at the AGM we appreciate the very fine efforts made by all to make this a successful event.
After a fine meal, and many fine speeches by the greats of Scottish dance music, tears must have welled up in many an eye after the fine presentation to Bobby MacLeod, when the three maestros, Jimmy Shand, Angus Fitchet and Bobby, took the stage along with a young lad on the drums, whose name I didn’t catch. But what an honour for him to play with three of the greatest.
Our August meeting started bleakly with a thunderstorm outside, but finished off another night to be remembered with John Houston and Annie Robertson on fiddles, backed by Adam Reid on the box to kick-off. These stalwart Club players/supporters, along with their partners, are greatly appreciated and welcome among us and they keep getting better every time.
Next on stage was our Chairman, Big Jack, who gave his own style of playing with his rendering of ‘Danny Boy.’ He certainly got voices singing. The rain subsided long enough to let Peter Wood get his box in. Peter, who is not yet two years at the box, gave a varied selection including ‘Under the Double Eagle’. He was followed by his sister Carol who keeps improving by leaps and bounds, and while Carol was playing, Peter dressed in the kilt of the Biggar RBL Pipe Band, prepared to came back on and gave us all a lesson in bagpipe playing. Not to be outdone, Carol, who also plays the tenor drum in Biggar Pipe Band prepared herself for dancing. Her Highland steps, accompanied by Peter, were received with great enthusiasm.
No sooner had they finished when the character known as Wee Joe, who, at times sits on the stage on his knees, although, truthfully speaking, his knees are awfully near the floor, walked in the door, right into the straps of the Chairman’s Morino V, which certainly had him sagging at the knees. Wee Joe, whose playing of the accordion is something of a speciality and his music varies from Kerr’s albums into jazz and classical, but being Italian, and a cracking player, always bring the house down.
He is such a strong supporter and beneficial character to our Club that our Committee have decided to award him honourary membership. As Joe finished his stint, Charlie Todd from Tinto prepared to do his turn. Charlie, another double musician, who plays the snare drum with Lanark and District Pipe Band, took up his accordion and played his way through many strathspeys and reels, much to the enjoyment of all present.
Then we had a first time player at our Club, Robert Rolston from Shotts. Robert, a great fan of Jimmy Shand, gave a grand performance. Robert is better know at present for his accordion and tuning repairs (you will see his advert in this paper), but his playing of the squeeze box at the Club is always welcome.
After the raffle and the announcement of a baby girl to Walter Perrie and his wife we proceeded to a great stramash led by our Chairman. The rain had stopped so we all went home with the strains and sounds of good music in our ears.
As this paper is not out until after our September meeting we would just like to let the readers know that we have the Lothian Scottish Dance Band on 7th October. Again we say Haste Ye Back.
Jack Gray (Chairman)
Year 6 No 3 November 1982
For the first night of the winter season, October, Lesmahagow A&F Club had a top-class show, with a host of players making it an accordion bonanza, performing to a full house.
After welcoming the company, the Chairman introduced the first player, Liam Young from Lesmahagow, a nine-year-old, who only started playing the accordion ten months ago. Liam gave a selection of Jimmy Shand waltz tunes followed by ‘The Dark Island.’
Second on stage, Findlay Robertson from the Monklands Club on his five-row Morino, showed how much he has improved since moving on to the button from the piano keyed.
Bob Berry was next on the three-row chromatic and he was followed by young Carol Wood and she was joined on stage by brother Peter, and our Chairman Jack Gray, sharing the lead, seconds and chords.
Peter stayed on to do his solo and young Alan Gardiner gave his best and a newcomer Keith Robertson showed his talents. We then had Morag Robertson from Monklands and then Jimmy Divers, both five-row players. They were followed by Allan Smith, playing second box to many of our players, and then Ian Graham, who played second box at times, did his own turn as lead and showed his skill on the drums.
John Laidlaw, Peebles, who will always be welcome at our club, did a turn followed by Jim Devlin, our only fiddler of the evening. This lad sure can turn out the jigs and reels.
Charlie Todd, who has been appointed to our Committee as Treasurer, performed, and on top of all this we had the two lads from Earlston, John McKenzie and Jerry Graham. John plays the Shand Morino which was owned by Bobby Jack, a box with reeds specially made for Jimmy Shand (so Vic Laidlaw has informed me) and what a box. Jerry was a drummer who stood in as Bruce Shaw, our regular drummer, was made a grandfather and was away celebrating and we were grateful to have him
All this was followed by our guest artistes The Lothian Scottish Dance Band, with George Meikle on the lead, who proved themselves in both halves very worthy artistes. Their off-the-cuff performance and answers to the many requests was superb to say the least. To watch the work these boys put in, not forgetting Ena Wilson on the piano and the hard work of Vic Laidlaw on drums is a credit to the guest artistes’ list and gives real value at a proper fee. So other clubs take note.
Also in the company were fiddlers Annie and John, Adam Reid and Wee Joe who took a back seat.
Our next Club night is on 2nd December when we have the young, talented Diane Armstrong as guest artiste, so come along and join in the fun. Again we say Haste Ye Back.
Jack Gray (Chairman)
also
Important news. Yes, we say again Important News. Lesmahagow A&F Club give this motion of change of venue. Supporters, players and everyone in the past who have enjoyed many fine nights in this progressive and fast-moving Club please take note. Firstly, our night is changing from the first Thursday to the second Thursday of the month, and secondly, a change of venue. Our Club will now function in the Masonic Hall, about 100 yards further up the same street, where the facilities go far to exceed the previous facilities.
We regret this move, but the change was a necessity. Come along and join us on the second Thursday of each month.
Our guest artiste list is long and strong. The supporting cast may be equaled, but never surpassed. Our Chairman, Big Jack, laughs when someone says they are not good enough to play at the Club, and he always remarks everybody plays in their own style. There’s nae bad players, jist yin or two wha’s better than the tither, frae the juveniles tae the auld codgers.
This Club extends the hand of friendship, a friendship which exists very strongly among box and fiddle players. Details of our Club activities can be read in this paper, and any parties interested in the functions of the box and fiddle world should, without delay, place an order for a copy each month of this great source of information – the ‘Box and Fiddle’ paper.
We would take this opportunity at this point to thank Ian smith, Editor, for the news, letters, etc., published from this Club, also the many fine photographs, from a friend and member, Bill Dickman, who seems to pop up wherever box and fiddle news, festivals or contests are taking place.
This Club extends a welcome to other Club members whose travels find them in our area. Our chairman, who is a player and salesman for Electronic Accordions Ltd, asks on behalf of our Committee, for the support of our many friends on our changed night and venue. Ahain we say Haste Ye Back.
Jack Gray
Year 6 No 4 December 1982
Lesmahagow A&F Club had a magnificent dance in the Jubilee Hall on 29th October where the crowd danced to Joe Vettraino and his band. There was a stop for supper, which was followed by a superb artiste on the accordion, young Ian Skinner. Ian excelled himself and earned our plaudits.
On Wednesday, 3rd November, it was back to our Club night in the Craignethan Hotel, where, once again, we had in the crowd, our many supporters to give us a turn.
There were Annie Robertson and John Houston on fiddles and they were backed by Adam Ried. We then had two of our junior supporters, brother and sister Peter and Carol Wood, who improve every time we hear them.
We had on stage Charlie Todd, who is now our Treasurer, and he was accompanied by Ian Graham. Joe Vettraino turned up and gave is a selection of his music. Out of the blue Jennifer Forrest came along and gave us a fine selection of accordion music.
Our guest artistes for the evening couldn’t have been better – Bobby Harvey and Ivor Britton – the crowd were glues to their seats, enthralled by the music. These boys put on a grand show and we welcome them any time to our Club.
Our next Club night is on Thursday, 6th January, 1983, and once again take note the venue is the Masonic Hall in Lesmahagow and our guest artiste for the evening will be Fraser McGlynn, so come along and bring your instruments and have a good night’s entertainment.
Jack Gray
Year 6 No 5 January 1983
Lesmahagow A&F Club met on 9th December in the Masonic Hall, the first time in this new venue and as suitability these premises were first class and again the support we were given by the many players, and audience, was much appreciated by the Committee.
We had our regular players Peter and Carol Wood, we had five-row players Adam Reid and Jimmy Divers, Club Treasurer Charlie Todd and Nelson Callan playing his Morino V he has just purchased from Electronic Accordions. This lad is a braw player and I’m sure if he put his programme together he would make a worthy guest artiste. Another champion among our players that night was the likeable lass from Strathaven, Una Bryson – another potential guest artiste. We had Hugh Gebbie from the East Kilbride Club, whose easy, swinging style of Scottish Dance music is very much appreciated at Lesmahagow Club. Paul Johnstone, Secretary at EK, another lad who will always find a welcome here with his Zero Zette accordion.
Peter Gardiner from Cleland was front man with the eight-strong Holytown Accordion Band, much enjoyed by everyone. The man we call the local, Allan Smith, always gets the feet tapping. Nice to see his faither back in the running after a recent illness, and who would ask for anyone better as a guest artiste than the current Scottish Junior Ladies Champion, Mull Junior champion etc etc., who also appeared on ‘Welcome to the Ceilidh’ with Johnny Beattie on New Year’s Day – Diane Armstrong from Armadale, whose performance absolutely thrilled everyone with numbers too numerous to mention, or even remember, a real professional on stage.
Our guest artistes on 10th February will be the well-known five-row button box players Kerry and David.
Our Club was saddened to hear of the death of Geordie McLean, from Calderbank. Geordie, a fair player and accordion repairer, and a good critic of the players, a man with a high assessment of players and a good supporter of the younger element and father of Malcolm McLean, the well-known top-class accordionist ; he will be sadly missed by all.
I have just been handed the new tape of Jimmy Shand and his Auchtermuchty Ceilidh and it is nice to see Jimmy has written a tune and included it on his tape dedicated to Club photographer Bill Dickman. Jimmy has named the tune ‘Bill Dickman of Stonehouse’ as a tribute to Bill’s fine photographic work of the master Jimmy Shand Snr.
Again we say Haste Ye Back.
Jack Gray
Year 6 No 6 February 1983
Our January meeting turned out to be a great success, and our far traveled guest artistes were Duncan on piano, Kevin on drums and the leader of the band Fraser McGlynn. They made a mark of high standard at our Club. The many variations and compact playing of these boys is well worth listening to.
Many comments were made, especially on Fraser’s compliments to the late Ronnie Cooper, he performed many of Ronnie’s fine Shetland tunes and finished off the night leading a great stramash, consisting of about 25 players in all.
During the evening our fiddlers were Annie Robertson, John Houston and Iain Henderson. Button box players were young Findlay Robertson who was backed by his younger brother Gordon on drums (aye, they’ll be a challenge in the future), followed by (mother) Morag Robertson and another Club regular Jimmy Divers.
Piano box players, a great selection indeed, including the two Bobs Berry and Paterson, the two Woods, young Peter and Carol, Davie Millar from the Forth, young Alan Gardiner from Lamington, Graeme Johnston from Coatbridge, Gordon Thomson from Calderbank, Charlie Todd, Hugh Gebbie, Davie Coke, Allan Smith, Adam Reid and the Chairman, and the first time at our Club, all the way from Muirkirk, Ronnie Copeland, playing a two-row button box, he certainly thrilled the company.
Sausage rolls were dished up a half-time, piping hot to just over 100 people, yes we in the Committee thank everyone for their staunch support.
Another night like this will be on 10th March when the Graham Ross SDB will be our guests artistes, don’t miss it/ Come along and enjoy the atmosphere at this very friendly club. Haste Ye Back.
Jack Gray (Chairman)
Year 6 No 7 March 1983
At Lesmahagow A&F Club’s February meeting a strong supporting cast of players thrilled the audience. Our guest artistes were the highly talented accordion duo Kerry and David. Their many selections of Scottish, Continental and classical in their own interpretation, proved them very high-class entertainers and very worthy guest artistes.
Our fiddlers for the night, John Houston, Annie Robertson, Elizabeth Kerr and the bionic man, Iain Henderson, all showed their worth. Iain Henderson has a grand personality and witty character. We welcome these fiddlers ; remember we are box and fiddle, not just box.
A new character on stage was Robert (Bob) Logan playing a 48-year-old three-row Dallape, who certainly had the feet tapping. Another new face on stage with another beautiful old accordion, a two-row (which I didn’t get the name of) was John Lang, who gave a fine performance. These lads (well auld lads), will be forever welcome at Lesmahagow.
The evening commenced with our Treasurer, Charlie Todd, taking the stage and every time we hear this lad his confidence is gaining. The two Bobs, Berry and Paterson, performed next. Berry with his three-row Hohner Gaelic and Paterson with his Hohner Atlantic, are great enthusiastic followers.
Adam Reid backed the fiddle due John and Annie. Other players were Jimmy Divers, Allan Smith, young Peter Wood, Wee Joe, who managed to slip away early before being called to duty and David Coke, another supporting asset. And yes, of course, he was there, our resident drummer Bruce Shaw. Well, Bruce, you’ll never become an alcoholic you are so much in demand. You hardly get time to bend your elbow till you are back on stage.
It was proposed at the AGM last year that a singer should at times be introduced into the Club as part of the promotion of Scottish music, so on this night we implemented this proposal and on stage we had Bill Dickie from Lanark whose renderings of ‘Rothesay Bay’, ‘Rowan Tree’, ‘The Soldier’s Dream’, ‘The Wild Rover’ and Dark Lochnagar’ proved, according to the reception of the audience, a fantastic success. Bill is the type of singer who entertains for many charities, OAPs etc always accompanied by the Chairman of the Club, Jack Gray, who have both been doing rounds like this for quite a while now. This tenor singer deserves a break. Any Burns Club could enhance their night. I have heard many singers on ‘Thingummyjig’ who couldn’t lace Bill’s boots. Don’t say let him try for he has tried, but alas he has no Equity Card. How does he get a card? He needs a contract, but to get a contract he needs an Equity Card. C’mon don’t be daft, square this thing up.
Our next Club night will be on 14th April when our guest artiste will be the young, talented girl from Airdrie, Jennifer Forrest, now rising to great heights in the accordion world. Don’t miss this night.
The Committee would like to thank everyone for the support shown for this Club, but still we would give a pianist a reception second to none. Again we say Haste Ye Back.
Jack Gray (Chairman)
