46th NAAFC Festival 2020
by Pia Walker
B&F April 2020
“The place had more buzz than Celtic Connections” – just one of the many positive comments at the NAAFC Festival in Grangemouth Town Hall on 7th March. And it truly was a great day – or for some a weekend, as the festival seemed to start on the Friday at the Leapark hotel with ‘a tune’. People gathered in one of the function rooms to have a listen to the music produced by various musicians and met up with friends old and new.
The Festival proper began at 9am the next day – except for a few bleary-eyed people, namely the Festival Committee, the bar staff and your Editor, who arrived well before that time to set up and prepare for the hordes. Music was heard everywhere, even at the entrance where Harry Hussey took a seat among the exhibitors and entertained for quite some time. I certainly managed to skip across the floor several times to a tango, a quickstep, a paso doble and a foxtrot (why walk when you can dance!)
Richard Ross, the Festival chairman, commented, “The Festival in this, our new home, was a great success musically, socially and financially. We received many favourable comments throughout the day relating to the buzz. The number of competition entries was up again to 146. We are very appreciative to those who travelled from far and wide to help to create a great friendly atmosphere. Particular thanks go to our friends from the Shetlands, Isle of Lewis, the North East of Scotland, West Coast and down South / Borders.
“This year we introduced two new sections to encourage an increase in competitor numbers and both of these new competitions were well received.
“The 6/8 pipe march had 14 entries, and the Accordion Solo (Traditional Music) for 60s and over, introduced to allow our more experienced players to showcase their talent, had 5 entries.
“Our competitors’ ages ranged from 7 years to over 60 years. We believe that we now have a competition that would be suitable for many more of our players to attend. Why not give it a try next year?
“We are also extremely pleased to be hosting the National Accordion Organisation (NAO) Scottish Area Qualifier with 22 entries.”
NAAFC chairman Nicol McLaren pointed out that it was great to see Duncan Ritchie attending. Duncan was this year’s recipient of the Royal conservatory of Scotland NAAFC sponsored Jimmy Shand Award. We look forward to seeing more award winners participate.
Later – much later! – we had the concert featuring the winners of the various competitions, and it was amazing to hear the wonderful talent on offer.
This was followed to the dance to the music of Iain MacPhail so it was definitely no hardship just to come and listen, which quite a few people did, or to take to the dance floor and dance the night away. Douglas Watson, a first time visitor from Stornoway, commented, “I had a great time, listening to and dancing to MacPhail!” Love his music. I got introduced to a couple of new faces too! Might just come back for the day next year!” We hope you do, Douglas, and it was a joy to see you dance.
The next day saw quite a few very bleary-eyed committee members and helpers emerge from their rooms. They must be congratulated on their hard work. This is an important event in the NAAFC calendar and it was definitely good to see so many people supporting our music.
The Grangemouth Town Hall is booked for the next two years. Please add 6th March 2021 and 5th March 2022 to your diary.
Richard continued, “The local hotel rates are affordable, as are the food and bar prices at our venue and within Grangemouth town centre. Rooms are available at the Leapark Hotel, Grangemouth at a special rate of £35 per person per night, for those sharing a double room. You can book direct quoting the NAAFC Festival. An informal music session will take place in the Leapark on Friday 5th March 2021, to which everyone is invited.
Junior Accordion
Under 10 Traditional Accordion Solo – Islesteps Shield
1) Alistair Adamson
2) Elizabeth Cathcart
3) Emily Gold
Under 12 Traditional Accordion Solo – Pentland Cup
1) Jake Johnstone
2) Fraser Donaldson
3)
12 and Under 16 Traditional Accordion Solo – Jim Johnstone Cup
1) Fin Hope
2) Kyle Anderson
3) Victoria Bryne-McCombie
12 and Under 16 Traditional Accordion Solo – James Paterson Memorial Trophy
Most Promising Player
Emily Gifford
Junior Accordion Solo Pipe Music – Bill Black Cup
1) Kyle Anderson
2) Victoria Bryne-McCombie
3) Emily Gifford
Junior Traditional Duet – Angus Howie Cups
1) Tyler Martin & Rosie Laundon
2) Victoria Bryne-McCombie & Emily Gifford
3) Charlotte Hamlet & Daisy Arnold
Overall Junior Accordion Champion – Alex Little Memorial Trophy
Kyle Anderson
Senior Accordion
Senior Traditional Accordion Solo – Clinkscale Cup
1) Alan Small
2) Ciorstaidh Chaimbeul
3) Duncan Ritchie
Senior Accordion Pipe Music Solo – Bill Powrie Memorial Cup
1) Susan MacFadyen
2) Craig McFadyen
3) Ciorstaidh Chaimbeul
Open Accordion Championship – Todhills Trophy
1) Susan MacFadyen
2) Ciorstaidh Chaimbeul
3)
Senior Overall Accordion Champion - The Bobby MacLeod Trophy
Ciorstaidh Chaimbeul
Open Buttonkey Accordion Solo – Windygates Trophy / John Allan Trophy
1) John Weaks
2)
3)
Open Gaelic Waltz Solo – Dorothy Patterson Memorial Trophy
1) Craig McFadyen
2) Ciorstaidh Chaimbeul
3) Susan MacFadyen
Accordion Solo (Traditional Music) 40 and Over – Provost’s Cup
1) Alan Small
2) Alan Shute
3) Jim McLaren
Accordion Solo (Own Choice) 60 and Over – Alan Shute Trophy
1) Alan Shute
2) Neil MacMillan
3) John Elliot
Open 6/8 Pipe March – Christine Hunter Memorial Trophy
1) Lynne McIver
2) Iain Anderson
3) Alan Small
Trios – Jimmy Blue Trophy & Eric Goodfellow Memorial Shield
1) William Scott
Trio Runners-Up – Eric Goodfellow Memorial Shield
Trios – Best Piano Player – David Flockhart Shield
Margaret Robertson
Bands – Overall Winner - Iain MacPhail Cup
Pentland Augmented
Runners Up John Fairbairn Memorial Trophy
2) Iain Anderson
3) Mary Rutherford
Band – Rhythm Section - Arthur Easson Memorial Trophy
Mary Rutherford
Junior Band – Duncan Campbell of Oban Memorial Trophy
Own Composition – Willie Wilson Cup
1) Duncan Ritchie
2) Graeme Munro
3) John Burns
RSCDS Open Dance – RSCDS Trophy
1) Ciorstaidh Chaimbeul
2) Susan MacFadyen
Under 12 Classical / Variety Solo – Kelso Cup
1) Jake Johnstone
2) Fraser Donaldson
3) Alistair Adamson
Under 14 Classical / Variety Solo – Aberdeen Cup
1) Daisy Arnold
2) Charlotte Hamlet
3)
Under 16 Classical / Variety Solo – Dundee Shield
1) Kyle Anderson
2)
3)
Under 14 Classical Polka Solo – Newtongrange Shield
1)
2)
3)
Senior Classical / Variety Accordion Solo – Jimmy Clinkscale Shield
1) Ciorstaidh Chaimbeul
2) India Smith
3)
Under 13 Classical Duet – Beith & District A&F Club Cups (Willie Wilson Memorial Trophies)
1)
2)
Under 16 Classical Accordion Duet - Alex MacArthur Cups
1) Charlotte Hamlet & Daisy Arnold
2)
3)
Open Classical Duet – Dunfermline Cup
1) Charlotte Hamlet & Daisy Arnold
2)
3)
Fiddle Sections
Under 12 Fiddle Solo – NAAFC Musselburgh Festival Trophy
1) Katie Sievwright
2)
3)
Junior Fiddle Solo – MSR – Strathspey and Reel Association Cup & Kirsty’s Ceilidh Shield
1) Tyler Martin
2) Rosie Laundon
3) Islay Cathcart
Junior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air – Dougie Welsh Memorial Cup
1) Tyler Martin
2) Rosie Laundon & Islay Cathcart
3)
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Strathspey, MSR – St. Boswell Cup
1) Shona MacFadyen
2) Anne Mitchell
3) Rhiann Matthew
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air – Ron Gonella Cup
1)
2)
3)
Open Fiddle Composer Solo – Banchory S&R Society Trophy
1) Shona MacFadyen
2) Anya Johnson
3) Tamzin Leask
Open Fiddle Solo Hornpipe and Jig – John Ellis Trophy
1) Anya Johnson
2) Shona MacFadyen
3) Tamzin Leask
Overall Fiddle Champion - The Angus Fitchet Trophy
Shone MacFadyen
Overall Junior Fiddle Champion – Judith Linton Trophy
Tyler Martin
Open Fiddle Groups – Lesmahagow Quaich
1) The Last Gaspers
2) Deeside Loons & Quines
3)
Youngest Girl Competitor – John McQueen Medal
Emily Gold
Youngest Boy Competitor – John McQueen Medal
Alistair Adamson
The Festival proper began at 9am the next day – except for a few bleary-eyed people, namely the Festival Committee, the bar staff and your Editor, who arrived well before that time to set up and prepare for the hordes. Music was heard everywhere, even at the entrance where Harry Hussey took a seat among the exhibitors and entertained for quite some time. I certainly managed to skip across the floor several times to a tango, a quickstep, a paso doble and a foxtrot (why walk when you can dance!)
Richard Ross, the Festival chairman, commented, “The Festival in this, our new home, was a great success musically, socially and financially. We received many favourable comments throughout the day relating to the buzz. The number of competition entries was up again to 146. We are very appreciative to those who travelled from far and wide to help to create a great friendly atmosphere. Particular thanks go to our friends from the Shetlands, Isle of Lewis, the North East of Scotland, West Coast and down South / Borders.
“This year we introduced two new sections to encourage an increase in competitor numbers and both of these new competitions were well received.
“The 6/8 pipe march had 14 entries, and the Accordion Solo (Traditional Music) for 60s and over, introduced to allow our more experienced players to showcase their talent, had 5 entries.
“Our competitors’ ages ranged from 7 years to over 60 years. We believe that we now have a competition that would be suitable for many more of our players to attend. Why not give it a try next year?
“We are also extremely pleased to be hosting the National Accordion Organisation (NAO) Scottish Area Qualifier with 22 entries.”
NAAFC chairman Nicol McLaren pointed out that it was great to see Duncan Ritchie attending. Duncan was this year’s recipient of the Royal conservatory of Scotland NAAFC sponsored Jimmy Shand Award. We look forward to seeing more award winners participate.
Later – much later! – we had the concert featuring the winners of the various competitions, and it was amazing to hear the wonderful talent on offer.
This was followed to the dance to the music of Iain MacPhail so it was definitely no hardship just to come and listen, which quite a few people did, or to take to the dance floor and dance the night away. Douglas Watson, a first time visitor from Stornoway, commented, “I had a great time, listening to and dancing to MacPhail!” Love his music. I got introduced to a couple of new faces too! Might just come back for the day next year!” We hope you do, Douglas, and it was a joy to see you dance.
The next day saw quite a few very bleary-eyed committee members and helpers emerge from their rooms. They must be congratulated on their hard work. This is an important event in the NAAFC calendar and it was definitely good to see so many people supporting our music.
The Grangemouth Town Hall is booked for the next two years. Please add 6th March 2021 and 5th March 2022 to your diary.
Richard continued, “The local hotel rates are affordable, as are the food and bar prices at our venue and within Grangemouth town centre. Rooms are available at the Leapark Hotel, Grangemouth at a special rate of £35 per person per night, for those sharing a double room. You can book direct quoting the NAAFC Festival. An informal music session will take place in the Leapark on Friday 5th March 2021, to which everyone is invited.
Junior Accordion
Under 10 Traditional Accordion Solo – Islesteps Shield
1) Alistair Adamson
2) Elizabeth Cathcart
3) Emily Gold
Under 12 Traditional Accordion Solo – Pentland Cup
1) Jake Johnstone
2) Fraser Donaldson
3)
12 and Under 16 Traditional Accordion Solo – Jim Johnstone Cup
1) Fin Hope
2) Kyle Anderson
3) Victoria Bryne-McCombie
12 and Under 16 Traditional Accordion Solo – James Paterson Memorial Trophy
Most Promising Player
Emily Gifford
Junior Accordion Solo Pipe Music – Bill Black Cup
1) Kyle Anderson
2) Victoria Bryne-McCombie
3) Emily Gifford
Junior Traditional Duet – Angus Howie Cups
1) Tyler Martin & Rosie Laundon
2) Victoria Bryne-McCombie & Emily Gifford
3) Charlotte Hamlet & Daisy Arnold
Overall Junior Accordion Champion – Alex Little Memorial Trophy
Kyle Anderson
Senior Accordion
Senior Traditional Accordion Solo – Clinkscale Cup
1) Alan Small
2) Ciorstaidh Chaimbeul
3) Duncan Ritchie
Senior Accordion Pipe Music Solo – Bill Powrie Memorial Cup
1) Susan MacFadyen
2) Craig McFadyen
3) Ciorstaidh Chaimbeul
Open Accordion Championship – Todhills Trophy
1) Susan MacFadyen
2) Ciorstaidh Chaimbeul
3)
Senior Overall Accordion Champion - The Bobby MacLeod Trophy
Ciorstaidh Chaimbeul
Open Buttonkey Accordion Solo – Windygates Trophy / John Allan Trophy
1) John Weaks
2)
3)
Open Gaelic Waltz Solo – Dorothy Patterson Memorial Trophy
1) Craig McFadyen
2) Ciorstaidh Chaimbeul
3) Susan MacFadyen
Accordion Solo (Traditional Music) 40 and Over – Provost’s Cup
1) Alan Small
2) Alan Shute
3) Jim McLaren
Accordion Solo (Own Choice) 60 and Over – Alan Shute Trophy
1) Alan Shute
2) Neil MacMillan
3) John Elliot
Open 6/8 Pipe March – Christine Hunter Memorial Trophy
1) Lynne McIver
2) Iain Anderson
3) Alan Small
Trios – Jimmy Blue Trophy & Eric Goodfellow Memorial Shield
1) William Scott
Trio Runners-Up – Eric Goodfellow Memorial Shield
Trios – Best Piano Player – David Flockhart Shield
Margaret Robertson
Bands – Overall Winner - Iain MacPhail Cup
Pentland Augmented
Runners Up John Fairbairn Memorial Trophy
2) Iain Anderson
3) Mary Rutherford
Band – Rhythm Section - Arthur Easson Memorial Trophy
Mary Rutherford
Junior Band – Duncan Campbell of Oban Memorial Trophy
Own Composition – Willie Wilson Cup
1) Duncan Ritchie
2) Graeme Munro
3) John Burns
RSCDS Open Dance – RSCDS Trophy
1) Ciorstaidh Chaimbeul
2) Susan MacFadyen
Under 12 Classical / Variety Solo – Kelso Cup
1) Jake Johnstone
2) Fraser Donaldson
3) Alistair Adamson
Under 14 Classical / Variety Solo – Aberdeen Cup
1) Daisy Arnold
2) Charlotte Hamlet
3)
Under 16 Classical / Variety Solo – Dundee Shield
1) Kyle Anderson
2)
3)
Under 14 Classical Polka Solo – Newtongrange Shield
1)
2)
3)
Senior Classical / Variety Accordion Solo – Jimmy Clinkscale Shield
1) Ciorstaidh Chaimbeul
2) India Smith
3)
Under 13 Classical Duet – Beith & District A&F Club Cups (Willie Wilson Memorial Trophies)
1)
2)
Under 16 Classical Accordion Duet - Alex MacArthur Cups
1) Charlotte Hamlet & Daisy Arnold
2)
3)
Open Classical Duet – Dunfermline Cup
1) Charlotte Hamlet & Daisy Arnold
2)
3)
Fiddle Sections
Under 12 Fiddle Solo – NAAFC Musselburgh Festival Trophy
1) Katie Sievwright
2)
3)
Junior Fiddle Solo – MSR – Strathspey and Reel Association Cup & Kirsty’s Ceilidh Shield
1) Tyler Martin
2) Rosie Laundon
3) Islay Cathcart
Junior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air – Dougie Welsh Memorial Cup
1) Tyler Martin
2) Rosie Laundon & Islay Cathcart
3)
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Strathspey, MSR – St. Boswell Cup
1) Shona MacFadyen
2) Anne Mitchell
3) Rhiann Matthew
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air – Ron Gonella Cup
1)
2)
3)
Open Fiddle Composer Solo – Banchory S&R Society Trophy
1) Shona MacFadyen
2) Anya Johnson
3) Tamzin Leask
Open Fiddle Solo Hornpipe and Jig – John Ellis Trophy
1) Anya Johnson
2) Shona MacFadyen
3) Tamzin Leask
Overall Fiddle Champion - The Angus Fitchet Trophy
Shone MacFadyen
Overall Junior Fiddle Champion – Judith Linton Trophy
Tyler Martin
Open Fiddle Groups – Lesmahagow Quaich
1) The Last Gaspers
2) Deeside Loons & Quines
3)
Youngest Girl Competitor – John McQueen Medal
Emily Gold
Youngest Boy Competitor – John McQueen Medal
Alistair Adamson