Happy 30th Kelso
by Heather McLean
30th Anniversary Concert in The Tait Hall, Kelso – Sunday 24th September, 2006
B&F October 2006
On a warmer than average September day a near-capacity audience was present to witness this great milestone occasion. Bill Lees, President of Kelso Club, welcomed everyone and assured them of a first class programme of guests and supporting artistes. Bill introduced Jim Wilson, who had the job of compere.
Albany, the first of the guest artistes, got the proceeding under-way. Billy Anderson was, as usual, on top form with his wit and sharp sense of humour. Accompanying Billy, who was on accordion, were George Robb on guitar and Kenny Darnie on drums. Singing some beautiful songs (some in Gaelic) was Margaret MacLeod from Glasgow.
They were followed by The Bruce Lindsay Jnr Band, consisting of Bruce on button-box and melodeon, Bruce Snr on second accordion, John Sinton on double bass, Jimmy Scott on keyboard, Jock Ireland on drums and Hebbie Gray on fiddle. They played reels, waltzes, marches and jigs and then disaster struck! We had to send out an SOS to SSEB as we suddenly had no power! Bruce and the boys played some tunes acoustically for the enthusiastic dancers in the audience – The Black Mountain Reel, The Boston Two-Step and The Eva Three-Step.
With still no power everyone was asked to leave the hall for safety reasons until the SSEB checked what the problem was – unfortunately this took over half an hour. The audience was amazing patient under these unfortunate circumstances; thankfully it was dry and not too cold outside.
Once we were given the all-clear everyone returned to their seats and the proceedings were resumed with Neil Hardie and his Band. This popular Earlston-based band consisted of Neil on lead accordion, his sister Caroline on fiddle, Brian Forrest on second accordion, John Sinton on double bass and Alistair MacBeth on drums. They too played some selections for dancing. Other tunes played include Kuwait Pipers and many more, then Caroline played a lovely slow air, Mellerstain House, which is of course named for the well-known Borders tourist attraction.
Now for a real treat – The Lynella Dancers (a school of dancing from Duns). These youngsters were great, with Emma Black playing the pipes and Amy, Robin, Zoe and Zara dancing.
They were followed by Ian Girvan with a few very well sung songs including The Star O’ Rabbie Burns, Forty Shades of Green and Jock o’ Hazeldean. Next it was the turn of Ernie Gordon (just back from a harmonica festival) on the mouth organ, playing Squirrel in the Tree. Bob Liddle, a long standing supporter of Kelso Club, played a Phil Cunningham tune, Golden Tooth. Next to take the stage was George Butler, a Jedburgh-based bandleader, with his daughter on keyboard and Tom Herd on drums, giving us some of his popular selections. He was followed by Ron Purvis, another regular supporting artiste with again good selections. Sandy Ramage treated us to some tunes on his button-box – great stuff. Frank Mallen on keyboard gave us a pleasant change with some Country and Western selections. Frank, I am told, is a local taxi driver.
Next up were Gordon Brown from Kelso on lead accordion, Charlie McIntee on second accordion, and Sandy Redpath on drums. Their selection included the great Graeme Mitchell march Robbie Shepherd MBE. They then played a set for the Southern Rose Waltz for the dancers, and finished with a set of reels including The Donaldsons of Denholm who happened to be a couple who were present in the audience.
Charlie McIntee took the lead on his accordion with Brian Forrest on second accordion, Jim Nichol on keyboard and Bill Gillie, a founder member of Kelso Club, on drums. Selections included the lovely Helen Gardner’s Golden Wedding Waltz.
There was no interval as such but the audience had a chance to get a cup of tea and something to eat provided by the hard working ladies in the kitchen.
The Lynella Dancers came back on for their second spot and this time we were entertained with The Irish Jig from Amy and The Sailor’s Hornpipe from Zoe, Robin and Zara – a very enthusiastic performance and a pleasure to watch. Again the dancers were accompanied by Emma on pipes.
The raffle was drawn and unfortunately we were in darkness again for a short time until things were sorted. The it was on with the concert.
In their second spot Albany included a tune written by Billy Anderson called Nola Two-Step which is on his new CD and which was reviewed that day by Robbie Shepherd on The Reel Blend. They also played some American waltz tunes.
Next to return to the stage were Bruce Lindsay Jnr and his Band with some more great selections including some quickstep tunes, which provided a rare treat for the audience with Hebbie Gray on the saxophone.
The final performance of the evening was from Neil Hardie and his Band with some great sets to being this great concert to a close.
A big thankyou should be given to all the had working Committee and helpers of the Kelso A&F Club for organizing this brilliant event. Committee members are James Wilson, George Dickson, William Elliot, Walter Aitken, John Rutherford, John Crombie, Carolyn Rutherford, Janet Middlemiss, Jessie Howie and Cathy Wilkie. They did particularly well given the unfortunate and unforeseen problem of dealing with the power cut. I must include special thanks from Jock Thomson and myself for the invitation to represent the B&F magazine at this wonderful concert. Thank you, it was much appreciated.
Albany, the first of the guest artistes, got the proceeding under-way. Billy Anderson was, as usual, on top form with his wit and sharp sense of humour. Accompanying Billy, who was on accordion, were George Robb on guitar and Kenny Darnie on drums. Singing some beautiful songs (some in Gaelic) was Margaret MacLeod from Glasgow.
They were followed by The Bruce Lindsay Jnr Band, consisting of Bruce on button-box and melodeon, Bruce Snr on second accordion, John Sinton on double bass, Jimmy Scott on keyboard, Jock Ireland on drums and Hebbie Gray on fiddle. They played reels, waltzes, marches and jigs and then disaster struck! We had to send out an SOS to SSEB as we suddenly had no power! Bruce and the boys played some tunes acoustically for the enthusiastic dancers in the audience – The Black Mountain Reel, The Boston Two-Step and The Eva Three-Step.
With still no power everyone was asked to leave the hall for safety reasons until the SSEB checked what the problem was – unfortunately this took over half an hour. The audience was amazing patient under these unfortunate circumstances; thankfully it was dry and not too cold outside.
Once we were given the all-clear everyone returned to their seats and the proceedings were resumed with Neil Hardie and his Band. This popular Earlston-based band consisted of Neil on lead accordion, his sister Caroline on fiddle, Brian Forrest on second accordion, John Sinton on double bass and Alistair MacBeth on drums. They too played some selections for dancing. Other tunes played include Kuwait Pipers and many more, then Caroline played a lovely slow air, Mellerstain House, which is of course named for the well-known Borders tourist attraction.
Now for a real treat – The Lynella Dancers (a school of dancing from Duns). These youngsters were great, with Emma Black playing the pipes and Amy, Robin, Zoe and Zara dancing.
They were followed by Ian Girvan with a few very well sung songs including The Star O’ Rabbie Burns, Forty Shades of Green and Jock o’ Hazeldean. Next it was the turn of Ernie Gordon (just back from a harmonica festival) on the mouth organ, playing Squirrel in the Tree. Bob Liddle, a long standing supporter of Kelso Club, played a Phil Cunningham tune, Golden Tooth. Next to take the stage was George Butler, a Jedburgh-based bandleader, with his daughter on keyboard and Tom Herd on drums, giving us some of his popular selections. He was followed by Ron Purvis, another regular supporting artiste with again good selections. Sandy Ramage treated us to some tunes on his button-box – great stuff. Frank Mallen on keyboard gave us a pleasant change with some Country and Western selections. Frank, I am told, is a local taxi driver.
Next up were Gordon Brown from Kelso on lead accordion, Charlie McIntee on second accordion, and Sandy Redpath on drums. Their selection included the great Graeme Mitchell march Robbie Shepherd MBE. They then played a set for the Southern Rose Waltz for the dancers, and finished with a set of reels including The Donaldsons of Denholm who happened to be a couple who were present in the audience.
Charlie McIntee took the lead on his accordion with Brian Forrest on second accordion, Jim Nichol on keyboard and Bill Gillie, a founder member of Kelso Club, on drums. Selections included the lovely Helen Gardner’s Golden Wedding Waltz.
There was no interval as such but the audience had a chance to get a cup of tea and something to eat provided by the hard working ladies in the kitchen.
The Lynella Dancers came back on for their second spot and this time we were entertained with The Irish Jig from Amy and The Sailor’s Hornpipe from Zoe, Robin and Zara – a very enthusiastic performance and a pleasure to watch. Again the dancers were accompanied by Emma on pipes.
The raffle was drawn and unfortunately we were in darkness again for a short time until things were sorted. The it was on with the concert.
In their second spot Albany included a tune written by Billy Anderson called Nola Two-Step which is on his new CD and which was reviewed that day by Robbie Shepherd on The Reel Blend. They also played some American waltz tunes.
Next to return to the stage were Bruce Lindsay Jnr and his Band with some more great selections including some quickstep tunes, which provided a rare treat for the audience with Hebbie Gray on the saxophone.
The final performance of the evening was from Neil Hardie and his Band with some great sets to being this great concert to a close.
A big thankyou should be given to all the had working Committee and helpers of the Kelso A&F Club for organizing this brilliant event. Committee members are James Wilson, George Dickson, William Elliot, Walter Aitken, John Rutherford, John Crombie, Carolyn Rutherford, Janet Middlemiss, Jessie Howie and Cathy Wilkie. They did particularly well given the unfortunate and unforeseen problem of dealing with the power cut. I must include special thanks from Jock Thomson and myself for the invitation to represent the B&F magazine at this wonderful concert. Thank you, it was much appreciated.
