Lewis & Harris 20th Anniversary
by Donnie MacIver
B&F November 2014
The Lewis & Harris Accordion & Fiddle Club celebrated its 20th Anniversary with a special night in The Sea Angling Club, Stornoway on the 5th September.
The Club was formed in 1994 by a group of enthusiasts. A constitution was written stating that the objects of the Club were to express, encourage and promote a common interest in accordion and fiddle music, and this has successfully been done for the past 20 years. The Club initially met on the first Thursday of each month in the Crow’s Nest of the Legion, but over time outgrew that venue and moved to The Sea Angling Club.
It is said that on the very first night discussion on how the Club was to be run went on for so long, that a very young Alasdair White (Battlefield Band) picked up his fiddle and just started playing. The Club has been playing even since with very little discussion. To celebrate the 10th Anniversary, the Club produced a successful CD: Our Favourites. A second CD followed a few years later. The Club also took on the production and presentation of a Scottish Dance Music programme for Isle FM. The Club decided to start tuition for young learners and an instructor was recruited for this purpose. From this came an amazingly talented crop of youngsters who have continued to entertain us ever since.
In 1999 Ian Crichton, one of the founder members, passed away. Ian was a well-known, prolific composer of tunes and a great influence on the Club, so it was decided that the November Club night each year would become the Ian Crichton Charity Night and all proceeds from the night would be donated to a local charity. £22,717 has to date been raised for various local charities.
We had a fabulous night with friends up from the Uist Club, dancing and music galore, from the young to the not so young, a cake made in honour of the night, a big faffle and everyone had a ball.
As always a huge thanks to all our players in attendance.
The Club was formed in 1994 by a group of enthusiasts. A constitution was written stating that the objects of the Club were to express, encourage and promote a common interest in accordion and fiddle music, and this has successfully been done for the past 20 years. The Club initially met on the first Thursday of each month in the Crow’s Nest of the Legion, but over time outgrew that venue and moved to The Sea Angling Club.
It is said that on the very first night discussion on how the Club was to be run went on for so long, that a very young Alasdair White (Battlefield Band) picked up his fiddle and just started playing. The Club has been playing even since with very little discussion. To celebrate the 10th Anniversary, the Club produced a successful CD: Our Favourites. A second CD followed a few years later. The Club also took on the production and presentation of a Scottish Dance Music programme for Isle FM. The Club decided to start tuition for young learners and an instructor was recruited for this purpose. From this came an amazingly talented crop of youngsters who have continued to entertain us ever since.
In 1999 Ian Crichton, one of the founder members, passed away. Ian was a well-known, prolific composer of tunes and a great influence on the Club, so it was decided that the November Club night each year would become the Ian Crichton Charity Night and all proceeds from the night would be donated to a local charity. £22,717 has to date been raised for various local charities.
We had a fabulous night with friends up from the Uist Club, dancing and music galore, from the young to the not so young, a cake made in honour of the night, a big faffle and everyone had a ball.
As always a huge thanks to all our players in attendance.