19th Musselburgh Festival 1993
by Neil Copland
B&F April 1993
MUSSELBURGH 1993
Junior Accordion
Under 12 Traditional Accordion Solo
1) Janette Morrison (Glenlivet)
2) Jill Craig (Haddington)
3) Fraser Burke (Dundee)
12 and Under 16 Traditional Solo
1) Ian Shepherd (Dalkeith)
2) Gordon Middler (Aberdeen)
3) Wendy Godfrey (Old Scone)
Junior Accordion Solo Pipe Music
1) Iain Anderson (Gartocharn)
2) Andrew Gordon (Bonhill)
3) Alexander Lindsay (Amulree)
Junior Traditional Duet
1) Ross Lowthian & Kevin Swinton (St Boswells)
2) Lorna McGhee (Monifeith) & Stacey Shepherd (Dundee)
3)
Youngest Competitors
?
Senior Accordion
Senior Accordion Traditional Solo
1) Mhairi Coutts (Kirkcaldy)
2) Bruce Peebles (Forfar)
3) Alasdair MacCuish (Paisley)
Senior Accordion Pipe Music Solo
1) Julie MacRitchie (Dalcross)
2) Mhairi Coutts (Kirkcaldy)
3) John burns (Cumbernauld)
Senior Overall Accordion Champion (The Bobby MacLeod Trophy)
Mhairi Coutts (Kirkcaldy)
Open Buttonkey
1) Bill McHardy (Froickheim)
2) Alexander Lindsay (Amulree)
3) Neil Lowry (Ballynahinch)
Trio
1) Scott Gordon (Galston)
2) Lynn Gould (Huntly)
Band (Iain MacPhail Cup)
Alistair McLeod Aberlady)
Band – Rhythm Section (Arthur Easson Memorial Trophy)
Alasdair MacPhail (Dumbarton)
Own Composition
1) Dave Millward (Kilmelford)
2)
3)
Under 12 Classical Solo
1) Jill Blackburn (Hexham)
2) Alison Carswell (Symington)
3) Ritchie Craig (Haddington)
Under 14 Classical Solo
1) Ross Carruthers (Castle Douglas)
2) Laura MacAskill (Ormiston)
3)
Under 16 Classical Solo
1) Kevin Swinton (St Boswells)
2) Ian Shepherd (Dalkeith)
3) Ross Lowthian (St Boswells)
Open Classical Solo
1) Barry Howieson (Highvalleyfield)
2) Kevin Swinton (St Boswells)
3) Elizabeth Flanagan (Galashiels)
Under 13 Classical Duet
1) Blair Gardiner & Alison Carswell (Biggar)
2) Jane Waddell (Reston) & Clair Rennie (Chirnside)
Under 16 Classical Duet
1) Jill & Vicki Craig (Haddington)
2) Ross Lowthian & Kevin Swinton (St Boswells)
3)
Open Classical Duet
1) Ross Lowthian & Kevin Swinton (St Boswells)
2) Elizabeth Flanagan & Lynne Bradshaw (Selkirk)
3)
Classical Polka
Under 10 Classical Polka
Ritchie Craig (Haddington)
Under 14 Classical Polka
1) Jill Blackburn (Hexham)
2) Jill Craig (Haddington)
3) David Nisbet (Earlston)
Open Classical Polka
1)
2)
3)
Fiddle Sections
Junior Fiddle Solo - MSR
1) Susan McIntosh (Skene)
2) Alastair Mitchell (Oban)
3) Laura McGhee (Monifeith)
Junior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air
1) Susan McIntosh (Skene)
2) Alastair Mitchell (Oban)
3) Stacey Shepherd (Dundee)
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Strathspey, MSR
1) Alistair McCulloch (Ayr)
2) Douglas Ballantyne (Uddingston)
3) Fiona Ballantine (Perth)
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air
1)
2)
3)
Senior Fiddle Overall Champion (The Angus Fitchet Trophy)
Alistair McCulloch (Ayr)
Fiddle Group
Dick Rutter (Edinburgh)
Musselburgh 1993
by Norrie Williams
You have no idea how much the Festival Committee appreciates the tremendous efforts that some folk make to get to Musselburgh. It really is a great encouragement and most heart-warming when the likes of Ivor Hyde, an English Folk Dance player and accordion repairer from Chard in Somerset and his dance caller friend, John, take the trouble to come all the way for a return visit, because they enjoyed it so much first time round.
And Dr Bernard Dixon from Ruislip in Middlesex – a one time pianist with the Andrew Rankine Band – who made sure he flew back in time from a trip to Germany to be at the Festival.
Tall, debonair, Sandy Ross from Lochcarron paying his first visit, immediately liked the atmosphere, picked up a 3 row Paolo soprano off one of the Trade Stands, had a wee warm up, then borrowed Charlie Kirkpatrick’s Shand Morino and entered the Open Button-Key Class….. ‘just for the crack’. That’s what it’s all about.
And then, of course, there was that other British Chromatic competitor, Neil Lowry from Ballynahinch in Northern Ireland, it just wouldn’t be Musselburgh without him – he’s an institution, and an example to us all with his dedication and gentle disposition.
Because of the recession and the general decline in Festival entries countrywide, we were prepared for a drop in numbers and by the ‘sell-by’ date, despite the exhortations of the various radio stations, it looked as if we were going to be well down. However, thanks in no small measure to the efforts of one or two accordion teachers, things picked up nicely and we reached last year’s figure.
Some classes were particularly well supported, in particular the band, trio and own composition, with eleven, eight and twenty entries respectively, the last named being a record for this section.
The bands alone involved between fifty and sixty players and collectively they played fifty-five different tunes with only two repeats – no wonder there is always a capacity crowd for the event. The audience response to one of the groups, basically a family band (The McMillans of Rowardennan – late of Balmaha) was quite overwhelming and there were genuine tears in quite a few eyes, both male and female. One of those unforgettable moments which makes it all so worthwhile.
Another was during one of the junior fiddle classes. Apart from being most impressed by the playing of the youngsters – look out seniors, keep your eyes on the rear view mirror! – I was knocked out by the piano accompaniment of 75 year old Evelyn Bajek from Dundee. She says she is not a Scottish player, you could have fooled me. The rich harmonies and left hand chord progressions really were something else, I was green with envy.
The evening concert, impeccably compered by that most experienced M.C. Andrew Nairn from Culross, was as always recorded by Ken Mutch and his team, and transmitted on ‘Shepherd’s Fancy’ on 8th March. This year, as an experiment, the programme links were done live at the Festival to give more atmosphere to the recordings and having heard it I would vote it a success.
The instant the concert was over, it was a case of ‘now you see the, now you don’t’, as Chief Stewart Joe Greer and his team spirited 450 chairs off the floor. Tables appeared from nowhere and in 20 minutes the hall was ready for the dance to the music of Nicol McLaren and his Glencraig SDB paying their first visit to the Festival. For my money, their tempos and choice of tunes were first class and although somewhat down in numbers, the dancers obviously enjoyed themselves – the extra elbow room certainly made for better dancing and gave freedom of movement all round.
One thing that made quite an impression, both at the dance and throughout the day, was the tremendous turnout of young folk and looking at the line-up during a ‘Strip the Willow’, it was like a ‘Who’s Who’ of the young bands currently on Take the Floor – a very encouraging sign indeed.
Now to try and thank all those who contributed to the success of the day. Firstly, our team of adjudicators, with the youngest line-up to date, including for the first time, two members of the fair sex, impeccably turned out I may add. In fact, the team were even younger than when first published in the December ‘B&F’, because both classical adjudicators had to withdraw, one for business reasons and one for an operation, to be replaced at the eleventh hour by Julie Best from Carlisle and Robert Black. All seven carried out their unenviable task with flying colours.
Warmest thanks also to all those unsung heroes who worked away uncomplaining for such long hours – the secretaries, announcers, scrutineers, stewards, receptionists, door-minders, ticket sellers and accompanists.
Despite the drop in the dance attendance, the raffle still managed to raise the excellent sum of £350, thanks to the generosity of the dancers and of those individuals and clubs who donated the excellent raffle prizes.
I have intentionally omitted the names of the Clubs who provided the abovementioned helpers and prizes, because some were anonymous and I don’t want to miss anybody out.
We also gratefully acknowledge the donation of trophies for two of the classical sections – for the Under 13 Classical Duet, twin cups in memory of the late Willie Wilson, presented by Beith & District A&F Club and handed over to the Festival Committee at the Club’s February meeting by Mrs Elma Wilson, who also personally donated the ‘Todhills Trophy’ in memory of her husband for the Under10 Classical Polka.
Our thanks to John McQueen of Dumfries for the donation of two medals for the youngest competitors (boy and girl), to Mr and Mrs Lamb for the excellent catering and bar service, to all the Brunton Hall staff for their willing help and co-operation and to Charnwood Music (Leicester), Music Corner (Falkirk) and Rolston Accordions (Motherwell) for keeping the foyer jumping.
We gratefully appreciate the advance publicity and post-festival coverage given by Radios Clyde, Forth, Highland, Tay, South-West Sound and West Sound and B.B.C. Radio Scotland.
It goes without saying that Ken Mutch, Robbie Shepherd, Fiona Aitken (missed you company this year Fiona) and their technicians have now become an integral part of our Festival Team, we would feel lost without them – their company, help and encouragement have become indispensable.
And a very special thank you to those without whom there would be no Festival viz., the competitors, who put in such a power of work in preparing for their nerve-racking ordeal, and those who came to hear and support them.
Finally my own personal thanks to NAAFC Chairman Jimmy Blue and his Executive Committee for their help on the day and their support throughout the year and to my own Festival Committee for their hard work, patience and co-operation. They are Joan Blue, Tom Clark, Neil Copland (Treasurer), Eddie MacDonald, Bob and Anne Scott and the organizing Secretary, my wife Sheila.
Junior Accordion
Under 12 Traditional Accordion Solo
1) Janette Morrison (Glenlivet)
2) Jill Craig (Haddington)
3) Fraser Burke (Dundee)
12 and Under 16 Traditional Solo
1) Ian Shepherd (Dalkeith)
2) Gordon Middler (Aberdeen)
3) Wendy Godfrey (Old Scone)
Junior Accordion Solo Pipe Music
1) Iain Anderson (Gartocharn)
2) Andrew Gordon (Bonhill)
3) Alexander Lindsay (Amulree)
Junior Traditional Duet
1) Ross Lowthian & Kevin Swinton (St Boswells)
2) Lorna McGhee (Monifeith) & Stacey Shepherd (Dundee)
3)
Youngest Competitors
?
Senior Accordion
Senior Accordion Traditional Solo
1) Mhairi Coutts (Kirkcaldy)
2) Bruce Peebles (Forfar)
3) Alasdair MacCuish (Paisley)
Senior Accordion Pipe Music Solo
1) Julie MacRitchie (Dalcross)
2) Mhairi Coutts (Kirkcaldy)
3) John burns (Cumbernauld)
Senior Overall Accordion Champion (The Bobby MacLeod Trophy)
Mhairi Coutts (Kirkcaldy)
Open Buttonkey
1) Bill McHardy (Froickheim)
2) Alexander Lindsay (Amulree)
3) Neil Lowry (Ballynahinch)
Trio
1) Scott Gordon (Galston)
2) Lynn Gould (Huntly)
Band (Iain MacPhail Cup)
Alistair McLeod Aberlady)
Band – Rhythm Section (Arthur Easson Memorial Trophy)
Alasdair MacPhail (Dumbarton)
Own Composition
1) Dave Millward (Kilmelford)
2)
3)
Under 12 Classical Solo
1) Jill Blackburn (Hexham)
2) Alison Carswell (Symington)
3) Ritchie Craig (Haddington)
Under 14 Classical Solo
1) Ross Carruthers (Castle Douglas)
2) Laura MacAskill (Ormiston)
3)
Under 16 Classical Solo
1) Kevin Swinton (St Boswells)
2) Ian Shepherd (Dalkeith)
3) Ross Lowthian (St Boswells)
Open Classical Solo
1) Barry Howieson (Highvalleyfield)
2) Kevin Swinton (St Boswells)
3) Elizabeth Flanagan (Galashiels)
Under 13 Classical Duet
1) Blair Gardiner & Alison Carswell (Biggar)
2) Jane Waddell (Reston) & Clair Rennie (Chirnside)
Under 16 Classical Duet
1) Jill & Vicki Craig (Haddington)
2) Ross Lowthian & Kevin Swinton (St Boswells)
3)
Open Classical Duet
1) Ross Lowthian & Kevin Swinton (St Boswells)
2) Elizabeth Flanagan & Lynne Bradshaw (Selkirk)
3)
Classical Polka
Under 10 Classical Polka
Ritchie Craig (Haddington)
Under 14 Classical Polka
1) Jill Blackburn (Hexham)
2) Jill Craig (Haddington)
3) David Nisbet (Earlston)
Open Classical Polka
1)
2)
3)
Fiddle Sections
Junior Fiddle Solo - MSR
1) Susan McIntosh (Skene)
2) Alastair Mitchell (Oban)
3) Laura McGhee (Monifeith)
Junior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air
1) Susan McIntosh (Skene)
2) Alastair Mitchell (Oban)
3) Stacey Shepherd (Dundee)
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Strathspey, MSR
1) Alistair McCulloch (Ayr)
2) Douglas Ballantyne (Uddingston)
3) Fiona Ballantine (Perth)
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air
1)
2)
3)
Senior Fiddle Overall Champion (The Angus Fitchet Trophy)
Alistair McCulloch (Ayr)
Fiddle Group
Dick Rutter (Edinburgh)
Musselburgh 1993
by Norrie Williams
You have no idea how much the Festival Committee appreciates the tremendous efforts that some folk make to get to Musselburgh. It really is a great encouragement and most heart-warming when the likes of Ivor Hyde, an English Folk Dance player and accordion repairer from Chard in Somerset and his dance caller friend, John, take the trouble to come all the way for a return visit, because they enjoyed it so much first time round.
And Dr Bernard Dixon from Ruislip in Middlesex – a one time pianist with the Andrew Rankine Band – who made sure he flew back in time from a trip to Germany to be at the Festival.
Tall, debonair, Sandy Ross from Lochcarron paying his first visit, immediately liked the atmosphere, picked up a 3 row Paolo soprano off one of the Trade Stands, had a wee warm up, then borrowed Charlie Kirkpatrick’s Shand Morino and entered the Open Button-Key Class….. ‘just for the crack’. That’s what it’s all about.
And then, of course, there was that other British Chromatic competitor, Neil Lowry from Ballynahinch in Northern Ireland, it just wouldn’t be Musselburgh without him – he’s an institution, and an example to us all with his dedication and gentle disposition.
Because of the recession and the general decline in Festival entries countrywide, we were prepared for a drop in numbers and by the ‘sell-by’ date, despite the exhortations of the various radio stations, it looked as if we were going to be well down. However, thanks in no small measure to the efforts of one or two accordion teachers, things picked up nicely and we reached last year’s figure.
Some classes were particularly well supported, in particular the band, trio and own composition, with eleven, eight and twenty entries respectively, the last named being a record for this section.
The bands alone involved between fifty and sixty players and collectively they played fifty-five different tunes with only two repeats – no wonder there is always a capacity crowd for the event. The audience response to one of the groups, basically a family band (The McMillans of Rowardennan – late of Balmaha) was quite overwhelming and there were genuine tears in quite a few eyes, both male and female. One of those unforgettable moments which makes it all so worthwhile.
Another was during one of the junior fiddle classes. Apart from being most impressed by the playing of the youngsters – look out seniors, keep your eyes on the rear view mirror! – I was knocked out by the piano accompaniment of 75 year old Evelyn Bajek from Dundee. She says she is not a Scottish player, you could have fooled me. The rich harmonies and left hand chord progressions really were something else, I was green with envy.
The evening concert, impeccably compered by that most experienced M.C. Andrew Nairn from Culross, was as always recorded by Ken Mutch and his team, and transmitted on ‘Shepherd’s Fancy’ on 8th March. This year, as an experiment, the programme links were done live at the Festival to give more atmosphere to the recordings and having heard it I would vote it a success.
The instant the concert was over, it was a case of ‘now you see the, now you don’t’, as Chief Stewart Joe Greer and his team spirited 450 chairs off the floor. Tables appeared from nowhere and in 20 minutes the hall was ready for the dance to the music of Nicol McLaren and his Glencraig SDB paying their first visit to the Festival. For my money, their tempos and choice of tunes were first class and although somewhat down in numbers, the dancers obviously enjoyed themselves – the extra elbow room certainly made for better dancing and gave freedom of movement all round.
One thing that made quite an impression, both at the dance and throughout the day, was the tremendous turnout of young folk and looking at the line-up during a ‘Strip the Willow’, it was like a ‘Who’s Who’ of the young bands currently on Take the Floor – a very encouraging sign indeed.
Now to try and thank all those who contributed to the success of the day. Firstly, our team of adjudicators, with the youngest line-up to date, including for the first time, two members of the fair sex, impeccably turned out I may add. In fact, the team were even younger than when first published in the December ‘B&F’, because both classical adjudicators had to withdraw, one for business reasons and one for an operation, to be replaced at the eleventh hour by Julie Best from Carlisle and Robert Black. All seven carried out their unenviable task with flying colours.
Warmest thanks also to all those unsung heroes who worked away uncomplaining for such long hours – the secretaries, announcers, scrutineers, stewards, receptionists, door-minders, ticket sellers and accompanists.
Despite the drop in the dance attendance, the raffle still managed to raise the excellent sum of £350, thanks to the generosity of the dancers and of those individuals and clubs who donated the excellent raffle prizes.
I have intentionally omitted the names of the Clubs who provided the abovementioned helpers and prizes, because some were anonymous and I don’t want to miss anybody out.
We also gratefully acknowledge the donation of trophies for two of the classical sections – for the Under 13 Classical Duet, twin cups in memory of the late Willie Wilson, presented by Beith & District A&F Club and handed over to the Festival Committee at the Club’s February meeting by Mrs Elma Wilson, who also personally donated the ‘Todhills Trophy’ in memory of her husband for the Under10 Classical Polka.
Our thanks to John McQueen of Dumfries for the donation of two medals for the youngest competitors (boy and girl), to Mr and Mrs Lamb for the excellent catering and bar service, to all the Brunton Hall staff for their willing help and co-operation and to Charnwood Music (Leicester), Music Corner (Falkirk) and Rolston Accordions (Motherwell) for keeping the foyer jumping.
We gratefully appreciate the advance publicity and post-festival coverage given by Radios Clyde, Forth, Highland, Tay, South-West Sound and West Sound and B.B.C. Radio Scotland.
It goes without saying that Ken Mutch, Robbie Shepherd, Fiona Aitken (missed you company this year Fiona) and their technicians have now become an integral part of our Festival Team, we would feel lost without them – their company, help and encouragement have become indispensable.
And a very special thank you to those without whom there would be no Festival viz., the competitors, who put in such a power of work in preparing for their nerve-racking ordeal, and those who came to hear and support them.
Finally my own personal thanks to NAAFC Chairman Jimmy Blue and his Executive Committee for their help on the day and their support throughout the year and to my own Festival Committee for their hard work, patience and co-operation. They are Joan Blue, Tom Clark, Neil Copland (Treasurer), Eddie MacDonald, Bob and Anne Scott and the organizing Secretary, my wife Sheila.