Box and Fiddle
Year 16 No 07
April 1993
Price 60p
12 pages
7 month subscription £7.00
Editor – Editor – Doug Adamson, 22 Westfield Drive, Forfar, Angus, DD8 1EQ
B&F Treasurer – Mrs Margaret Smith, Smeaton Farm Cottage, Dalkeith, Midlothian.
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
Once again, for most Clubs at least, we have come to the end of another season. Fortunately, all Association member clubs have survived and hopefully next season will see an upsurge in interest.
Concluding my three part analysis I would briefly like to mention the late finishing time of a number of our Clubs. Many parents take their children to a Club, firstly to give them a tune and also to listen to the guest artiste. Although most Clubs are good at fitting children in early in the evening, they very often don’t have the guest artiste appearing for their second spot until after 11 o’clock. By this time, remembering children have school the next day, parents have taken them home denying the opportunity of learning from the guest. This also applies to others who may have to dash for the last bus before the second guest spot.
Obviously in brief summaries over the last 3 issues I have not been able to cover all aspects of falling attendances, but I hope the observations I have made and penned will be helpful to those of you who are wondering how to increase your audience.
One final summing up. Various people have mentioned to me that the Clubs have been running on basically the same format for thirty years and it is time for change. Perhaps you have the required formula. If you think you do, how about writing to me and I shall publish your ideas in the September issue.
In the meantime I would like to thank most sincerely Margaret Smith, Jeanette Galloway and all of you who have contributed in any way towards making the publication of this paper possible.
Have a good summer and do pop in to any of the Clubs that continue throughout the summer if you are in the area.
Doug Adamson
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)
Tobermory R.N.L.I. Burns Supper
by Dougie McNeilage
As the latest fund-raising venture for the new Boathouse, Tobermory R.N.L.I. held a special Burns Supper in the Aros Hall on Saturday, 30th January.
This was put together by Jimmy Logan, with local organisation by Dougie MacNeilage and Robert MacLeod, and was voted by the packed hall one of the finest nights ever in Tobermory.
Jimmy himself acted as chairman, and gave a fine performance throughout. Other star guests were Ian Powrie, whose fiddle playing was a joy to behold, Anne Lorne Gillies, who sang beautifully in both Gaelic and English, added to with much Highland humour.
Another welcome guest was Mary Riggans, Effie in ‘Take The High Road’, who gave the reply to the ‘Toast to the Lassies’, which had been given by David Richardson, R.N.L.I. Scotland.
Other speakers were Peter MacLeod, Oban, Gordon Farquharson, Tobermory, Douglas Craig, 2nd Cox. Oban Lifeboat, Robert MacLeod and Dougie MacNeilage.
The piper was Alistair Currie and the pianist Russell Hunter.
This was another boost for the new Boathouse Appeal, which now stands at £35,000. Work should be starting on the project in the next couple of months.
Introducing the Clubs
No 15 Wick
by ?
The Wick A&F Club was formed in September, 1975. Founder members of the Club were Bobby Coghill and Addie Harper. Addie is our current chairman, he took over from Bobby who had chaired the Club for 11 years.
Addie Harper Jnr was invited to open our initial club night on 21st October, 1975, and we were pleased to see the Tain Scottish Dance Band travel from Ross-shire to take part. The first guest artistes were the Bobby Crowe SDB who appeared at our November Club.
The guest artistes over the years have been excellent and thoroughly enjoyed by the members and the many non-members who attend the Club nights.
There were very few young musicians when the Club began, but through the untiring work of Addie and Isobel Harper, Addie Harper Jnr, Bobby Coghill and Ian Sinclair there are now many young accordionists, fiddlers, keyboard players and guitarists. The young musicians, along with their parents, travel from as far away as Sutherland and outlying areas of Caithness to play at the Club.
The Club meet in Mackay’s Hotel on the third Tuesday of every month for September to May.
Balnain House – Home of Highland Music
Balnain House opens as the Home of Highland music in April.
After many years the Balnain Trust have completed the restoration of this fine Georgian building. Built in 1726, the house has had a rich and varied history. Originally a merchant’s house, then a field hospital for the Hanoverian troops after the Battle of Culloden and in the 1880’s it became the base for the Royal Ordnance for the first survey map of the Highlands. Now Balnain hopes to secure itself a place in the musical history books as it opens its doors as the first centre dedicated to the performance, study and development of Highland music.
Balnain House has many facilities. The exhibition presents a huge selection of all types of Highland music.
Balnain House has many facilities. The exhibition presents a huge selection of all types Highland music. Audio points at 12 listening stations enable the visitor to select the music which interests them most, and video programmes, text and illustrations put the music in context. There will be performances and workshops in the second floor performance room with ceilidhs and sessions in a licensed café in the basement. There is space available for musicians and music groups to practice, rehearse and hold regular meetings. The library archive for use by students, musicians and others interested in Highland music will be developed and extended as more and more information is gathered. The shop stocks cassettes and C.D.s of Highland music ranging from traditional to contemporary, music and other books, musical accessories, as well as gifts related to Highland music or to Balnain House itself.
Balnain House is a living centre for Highland music. Its success will be built upon the use of the facilities and others who have an interest in seeing the Highland musical tradition celebrated and developed.
To find out more about the facilities, or how to become involved, contact Balnain House, 40 Huntly Street, Inverness, IV3 5HR. Telephone 0463 715757
James Scott Skinner – 150 Year Celebration
by Bill Smith
When asked to write an articles on the above mentioned Banchory born genius, I felt that there are many hundreds of musicians with more talent and knowledge of the man than myself. For that reason I will not enter into the technical aspects of Scott Skinners’ methods of bowing expertise.
The name of James Scott Skinner became familiar to me when I would have been about 10 years of age and started to play the fiddle. My father was the fifth son in a family of ten buys and two girls. All the boys played the fiddle and their instruments were made by my grandfather who was a fine player and enthusiastic follower of Scott Skinner.
It was inevitable that I would hear Skinners’ music played, and arguments on how his tunes should be bowed. I also heard how his following would travel many miles either walking or cycling to hear him play at concerts in the North East. I would hear that the halls would be packed and that when the great man played a slow air you could hear a pin drop, and Woe Betide anyone who tapped his or her feet when the pace quickened. This would bring a comment from Skinner “If you must tap your feet, do it inside your shoe!”
The violinist was a man of tremendous ability and strength of character. When taking part in a competition in America and asked to play set pieces in a fixed time he said “I refuse to cast my pearls before swine” and walked off stage.
Scott Skinner also had his hard-up times and during one of these periods he was befriended by the Laird of Drumblair in Forgue near Huntly, hence such fine tunes as ‘The Burn of Forgue’, ‘Bogniebrae’, ‘Huntly Castle’ and ‘The Laird of Drumblair’.
Another story from my mother who recalled seeing him in huntly Post Office with the violinist in conversation with the Post Master and wearing a rather well worn kilt. The maestro was explaining how a new composition would be played and was bending low thus exposing his under clothes which like kilt had seen better days.
The legacy of some six hundred compositions speaks for itself. It is a great pity that the recording facilities were poor and not in the advanced state of the present day.
Aberdeen City Library has printed a facsimile of the Logie Collection and this is on sale at £30 and is a must for all Scottish fiddle players and will rank as one of the finest and lasting tributes to the Banchory genius.
Skinner benefited from training and playing with an orchestra called Dr Marks Little Men and also getting tuition in classical theory and technique from Charles Rougier of the Halle Orchestra. The violinist also had mentors in Peter Milne, the renowned Tarland fiddler and Gavin Greig, musician and playwright. Peter Milne once said that he was “that happy with his fiddle he could sit inside it and look oot”. I am certain that Skinner, like Peter Milne, felt the same. They both had in addition to their talent a fondness for a dram.
On one occasion, their final dram was paid for by scraping the odd pence from their pockets together, a fact that is remembered by a joint composition, “The Shakin’ of the Pokie”, a fine strathspey.
This practice has not gone out of date in the present day, the only difference now is that it costs pounds not pennies. I can recall a similar occasion involving some of Scotland’s leading players after the Banchory Festival.
The writer is too young to have heard Skinner play in person, but in my sixty five years I have met many like the late Sandy Milne who worshipped the man and his music.
The late Miss Margaret Guthrie of Huntly also played the piano for Skinner at his concerts in the Huntly area. Miss Guthrie, like Skinner, was also a dancing teacher.
Harry Nicol, another excellent fiddle player who still plays, has had many a tune and nae doubt a dram with Skinner.
James Scott Skinners’ memory will be commemorated in many ways this year with concerts and fiddle workshops taking place in Banchory.
Also, the Fiddlers Spectacular in H.M. Theatre, Aberdeen, involving the combined Strathspey and Reel Societies of Aberdeen, Banchory and Elgin in the first week of November.
I am sure that someone else will write an article on this talented genius, but these are a few of the items that may be of interest from my personal memories.
Scott Skinner Celebrations
Deeside, well known for oils and royals, is planning a celebration of the birth of one of its sons – famous long before the coming of either oils or royals!
This year is the 150th Anniversary of the birth of J. Scott Skinner. Better known perhaps as the Strathspey King. He was a great Scots fiddler and prolific composer of strathspeys, songs and other traditional music.
The celebration will go on from 25th June until 3rd July and includes many different events.
We started the week with a Grand Concert given by Banchory’s Strathspey and Reel Society – just before they take off for a tour of Canada!
Retired Headmaster, John Junor, a noted authority on the subject, will give a talk. This promises to be a highly enjoyable occasion and supper and music will be included in the evening to be held at a local hotel.
Workshops of traditional dance, music and fiddle repair are being arranged and should be fun for those with or without experience.
Episodes from Scott Skinner’s varied and colourful life will be presented in a drama with each performance followed by a ceilidh. Local bands will provide the music.
There will also be a music composition competition. The prize for this will be a copy of the new Logie Collection – a beautiful red and gold leather bound limited edition of 500. We, of course, have chosen number 150!
As you can see Banchory will be buzzing with music, song, dance and all sorts of artistic endeavours.
For more information contact Mrs Val Bridger, The forge, Strachan, Banchory, AB31 3NN. Tele 0330 45362.
Your Letters
I was somewhat surprised to read in the last edition, the context of a statement made regarding the closure of the M.A.F.I.A. that I, Bobby Cronie, had taken a decision on my own to close down the above mentioned A&F Club. I must indicate here and now that this could not be further from the truth.
Previous to opening in September, 1992, a Committee meeting was held (i.e. Bobby Cronie, President, Morag McAskill, Secretary, Joy Cronie, Treasurer and George Henderson, Vice President) to ascertain the viability of continuing. It was decided to have a last meeting of the Club to explain to members and visitors our financial position and to thank them personally for the 26 years of faithful support and attendance.
When this was explained on the floor of the Club, offers of financial help to enable us to continue immediately came from Balloch, East Kilbride and a substantial personal donation from Vice President George Henderson. Members and visitors also pleadged support at further meetings. It was unanimously decided that we should continue.
However, by January 1993, having met all our financial obligations for 1992, our money had again dwindled to a dangerously low position. A further Committee meeting decided enough was enough and that I, as President, should make an announcement at out February meeting that the final curtain should fall. Armed with that authority and surrounded by my Committee on stage I duly made the announcement.
On hearing my statement, Bobby Harvey (the original founder of the M.A.F.I.A.) made an impassioned plea that the MAFIA should continue and on a show of hands with passions running high, virtually all present at that time intimated support for the MAFIA to continue but with funds of £47.75 remaining, I ask you “Can it be done?”
It is with my sincerest good wishes that this can be achieved.
Bobby Cronie
Ex-President
Just a note in reply to comments made by Ian Holmes and published by yourself on the front page of your February issue. I’m afraid that I found myself disagreeing with virtually every point he made.
Firstly, his most bitter comments about the television coverage. The Gaelic Departments of the B.B.C. and the S.T.V. are surely to be applauded for their efforts to re-introduce traditional music to our screens, and to encourage the growth of modern ethnic music in Scotland.
These programmes attract large audiences and feature some excellent musicians. Perhaps there is room on television for something along the lines of the ‘White Heather Club’, but I do feel that its audience would be rather limited. Occasional re-runs have been treated as amusing period pieces. The whole idea of a Scottish culture has thankfully moved away from this outdated (and quite frankly, ridiculous) image. It should also be noted that ‘distorted electric guitars and scruffy clothes’ are no more alien to TRADITIONAL Scottish music than Swiss or Italian accordions and tartan tuxedos.
The next point that Mr Holmes made, concerned his wish that there be an appraisal of “Our Scottish Dance Music”. If he means that we should be a little more concerned about the future of Scottish Dance Music, than I agree : however, when he calls for a return to the ‘Golden Era’ of the 50s and 60s, he should perhaps realise that virtually no-one under the age of 40 can remember these great times. I am in my mid-twenties and I am sure that the musicians I meet and work with, who are round about my age (give or take 10 years either way) would agree with me in saying that this is a pretty ‘Golden Era’ for us. I am sure that one day I will long for a return to the golden 80s and 90s.
On the question of tempos for dances, I think that you will probably find that most good musicians are able to play at a tempo which is appropriate for the dancers present. It is simply a question of being aware of what is required and desired.
I’m sure that many of us have played at an R.S.C.D.S. ‘do’, where someone will ask the band to liven things up, ten seconds after someone else has asked us to slow down a bit. In these happy circles, desired tempos seem to have more to do with the individual dancer’s ability than anything else. However, at places like The Riverside Club in Glasgow, playing at ‘breakneck speed’ is what the punters want. To see two or three hundred people between the ages of 18 and 30 really enjoying Scottish dance music is a great sight.
At most country or old time dances, those under the age of 40 can usually be counted on the fingers of one hand. Let us not grudge them their pleasures, but let them not grudge those who prefer something a bit different theirs.
The new generation of players on the scene, of course, owe a lot to the likes of Shand and MacLeod. Also, most of us have been helped and encouraged by players of Ian Holmes’s generation. People like Jim Johnstone, Fraser McGlynn, Iain MacPhail, Bobby Crowe, Bill Black, John Ellis, John Carmichael, Sandy MacArthur, my father Alastair Hunter, to name but a few, have done their utmost to nurture the next generation of players.
In conclusion, I should like to say that the young players of today should be encouraged to do their own thing. If music, of any form, ceases to be a form of self expression, then it loses its appeal, and if a musical culture, such as we have, is not capable of development then it will certainly die.
Russell Hunter
P.S. I should add that I think Ian Holmes has done some smashing stuff and is a great ambassador for SDM, although perhaps he hadn’t heard Bobby Crowe’s ‘Eightsome Reel’ set at the end of his last broadcast, when he said the Bobby played with “No ostentatious displays”.
Book Review
The George Bell Collection of Original Compositions for Accordion and Fiddle – Deeay Music - £4.50
Take the Floor
3rd Apr 93 – Ian Holmes SDB
10th Apr 93 – Alastair Wood SDB
17th Apr 93 – Iain MacPhail SDB
24th Apr 93 – Colin Dewar SDB
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Dee Motel) – 27th April 93 – Windygates Club
Alnwick (Golden Fleece) – members only 14th April 93 – Ron Hodgson & Julie Best
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 4th April 93 – Iain Cathcart SDB
Armadale (Masonic Hall) – 1st April 93 – Dick Black Band
Ayr (Gartferry Hotel) – 4th April 93 – Mark Cummine SDB
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Hall) – 18th April 93 – James Coutts Trio
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 26th April 93 – Deirdre Adamson
Banff & District (Knowes Hotel, Macduff) – 28th April 93 – Wayne Robertson Duo
Beith & District (Hotel de Croft, Dalry) – 19th April 93 – Lindsay Weir SDB
Belford (Community Club) – 29th April 93 – Local Club Night
Biggar (Municipal Hall) – 11th April 93 – Gordon Shand SDB
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 13th April 93 – Lynn Gould SDB
Brigmill (Guardbridge Sports & Social Club)
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel) –
Button Key (Windygates Institute) –
Callander (Glengarry Hotel) –
Campbeltown (Royal Hotel) –
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Hotel) – 20th April 93 – Alan Gardiner SDB
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 15th April 93 – Currie Brothers
Crieff & District (Drummond Arms Hotel) 1st April 93 – Ron Gonella
Dalriada (Argyll Arms Hotel, Lochgilphead) 20th April 93 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Derwentside (Working Men’s Club, Consett) –
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 7th April 93 – Mhairi Coutts 17th Apr Dance to Michael Philip SDB
Dunblane (Westlands Hotel) – 20th April 93 – Stuart McKeown SDB
Dundee (Invercarse Hotel) –
Dunfermline (Jubilee House) – 13th April 93 – Brian Griffin 24th Apr Dance to John Morgan
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
East Kilbride (Sweepers, Cambuslang) – 29th April 93 – Roberto Enzo
Ellon (Ladbroke Hotel) – 20th April 93 – Paul Anderson & Friends
Ettrick & Yarrow (The Gordon Arms) - 21st April 93 – Dermot O’Brien
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) –
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 25th April 93 – Fraser McGlynn Trio
Forres (Brig Motel) – 14th April 93 – Mickie Ainsworth Duo
Fort William (Alexandra Hotel) –
Galashiels (Maxwell Hotel) –
Galston (Barr Castle Social Club) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) –
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) - 27th April 93 – Fiddle Style
Gretna (Halcrow Stadium) - 21st April 93 – James Coutts Quartet
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) – 19th April 93 – Rob Gordon SDB
Inveraray (Loch Fyne Hotel) - 6th April 93 – Jim Johnstone SDB 17th April Dance to Angus & Hector MAcFadyen
Islay (Bridgend Hotel) - 23rd April 93 – Local Musicians
Isle of Skye -
Islesteps (Mabie House Hotel) – 6th April 93 – Craig McCallum SDB
Kelso (Ednam House Hotel) – 28th April 93 – Joe & Scott Gordon 14th April Dance to Donal Ring
Kinlochshiel (Strathcarron Hotel) - 3rd April 93 – Bill Richardson
Kintore (Crown Hotel) – 7th April 93 – Rob Gordon SDB
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) – 8th April 93 – Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio
Livingston (Golden Circle Hotel, Bathgate) 20th April 93 – Fraser McGlynn Trio
Lockerbie (Bluebell Hotel) - 27th April 93 – Brian Griffin Duo
Mauchline (The Jean Armour Function Suite)
M.A.F.I.A. (Masonic Hall, Milngavie) – 19th April 93 – Fiddlers 3 + 2
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 7th April 93 – Strathmore Sound
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) –
Oban (Harbour Lights Restaurant) –
Orkney ( venue?) –
Ormiston (Miners’ Welfare Social Club) –
Peebles (Green Tree Hotel) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 20th April 93 – Windygates Club
Premier NI (Camlin Function Rooms) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 13th April 93 – Willie McFarland Band
Rothbury (Queen’s Head) -
Shetland (venue?) -
Stirling (Terraces Hotel) - 11th April 93 – Iain Cathcart SDB
Thornhill (?)
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) –
Tranent (East Lothian Labour Club) 13th April 93 – David Vernon
Turriff (Royal Oak Hotel) –
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 13th April 93 – Elizabeth Flanagan
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Alnwick
2. Arbroath
3. Banff
4. Biggar
5. Belford
6 Blairgowrie
7 Castle Douglas
8 Coalburn
9 Crieff
10. Dalriada
11. Dingwall
12. Dunblane
13. Dundee
14. Dunoon & Cowal
15. East Kilbride
16. Etterick & Yarrow
17. Forfar
18. Forres
19. Glendale
20. Gretna
21. Highland
22. Inveraray
23. Islesteps
24. Kelso
25. Kinlochshiel
26. Kintore
27. Lesmahagow
28. Livingston
29. Lockerbie
30. M.A.F.I.A.
31. Mauchline
32. Newtongrange
33. North East
34. Oban
35. Peebles
36. Renfrew
37. Rothbury
38. Stirling
39. Thurso
40. Tynedale
41. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT SEPT 1991 (Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Sept 1976 – present)
3. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
4. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Closed
5. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
6. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
7. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
8. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
9. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
10. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
11. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
12. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
13. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
14. Button Key A&F Club (
15. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
16. Coalburn A&F Club (
17. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
18. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
19. Derwentside A&F Club
20. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
21. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
22. Dundee & District A&F Club (1970? -
23. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
24. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
25. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
26. Ellon A&F Club (
27. Etterick & Yarrow (Jan 1989 -
28. Fintry A&F Club (
29. Forfar A&F Club (
30. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
31. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
32. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
33. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
34. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
35. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
36. Gretna A&F Club (1991) Known as North Cumbria A&F Club previously (originally called Gretna when started in June 1966 but later had to move to venues in the North of England and changed name. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
37. Highland A&F Club (Inverness)
38. Inveraray A&F Club (Oct 1991)
39. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
40. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
41. Isle of Skye A&F Club (
42. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
43. Kintore A&F Club (
44. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
45. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
46. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
47. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
48. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 - )
49. Mauchline A&F Club (first mention 1986? - present)
50. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
51. Mull A&F Club
52. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
53. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
54. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
55. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
56. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
57. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
58. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
59. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
60. Rothbury Accordion Club (1987??)
61. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
62. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 - )
63. Sutherland A&F Club (
64. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
65. Thurso A&F Club (cSept 1981 - present)
66. Tranent A&F Club
67. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
68. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
69. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975 - present)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
70. Acharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
71. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
72. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
73. Buchan A&F Club
74. Callander A&F Club (
75. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
76. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
77. Club Accord
78. Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2?)
79. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
80. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
81. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
82. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
83. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
84. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
85. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
86. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
87. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
88. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
89. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
90. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
91. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
92. Newcastleton Accordion Club
93. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
94. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
95. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
96. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
97. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
98. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
99. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
100. Wellbank A&F Club
Advertising rates
Full Page - £92
Half Page - £46
Quarter Page - £23
B&F Treasurer – Mrs Margaret Smith, Smeaton Farm Cottage, Dalkeith, Midlothian.
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
Once again, for most Clubs at least, we have come to the end of another season. Fortunately, all Association member clubs have survived and hopefully next season will see an upsurge in interest.
Concluding my three part analysis I would briefly like to mention the late finishing time of a number of our Clubs. Many parents take their children to a Club, firstly to give them a tune and also to listen to the guest artiste. Although most Clubs are good at fitting children in early in the evening, they very often don’t have the guest artiste appearing for their second spot until after 11 o’clock. By this time, remembering children have school the next day, parents have taken them home denying the opportunity of learning from the guest. This also applies to others who may have to dash for the last bus before the second guest spot.
Obviously in brief summaries over the last 3 issues I have not been able to cover all aspects of falling attendances, but I hope the observations I have made and penned will be helpful to those of you who are wondering how to increase your audience.
One final summing up. Various people have mentioned to me that the Clubs have been running on basically the same format for thirty years and it is time for change. Perhaps you have the required formula. If you think you do, how about writing to me and I shall publish your ideas in the September issue.
In the meantime I would like to thank most sincerely Margaret Smith, Jeanette Galloway and all of you who have contributed in any way towards making the publication of this paper possible.
Have a good summer and do pop in to any of the Clubs that continue throughout the summer if you are in the area.
Doug Adamson
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)
Tobermory R.N.L.I. Burns Supper
by Dougie McNeilage
As the latest fund-raising venture for the new Boathouse, Tobermory R.N.L.I. held a special Burns Supper in the Aros Hall on Saturday, 30th January.
This was put together by Jimmy Logan, with local organisation by Dougie MacNeilage and Robert MacLeod, and was voted by the packed hall one of the finest nights ever in Tobermory.
Jimmy himself acted as chairman, and gave a fine performance throughout. Other star guests were Ian Powrie, whose fiddle playing was a joy to behold, Anne Lorne Gillies, who sang beautifully in both Gaelic and English, added to with much Highland humour.
Another welcome guest was Mary Riggans, Effie in ‘Take The High Road’, who gave the reply to the ‘Toast to the Lassies’, which had been given by David Richardson, R.N.L.I. Scotland.
Other speakers were Peter MacLeod, Oban, Gordon Farquharson, Tobermory, Douglas Craig, 2nd Cox. Oban Lifeboat, Robert MacLeod and Dougie MacNeilage.
The piper was Alistair Currie and the pianist Russell Hunter.
This was another boost for the new Boathouse Appeal, which now stands at £35,000. Work should be starting on the project in the next couple of months.
Introducing the Clubs
No 15 Wick
by ?
The Wick A&F Club was formed in September, 1975. Founder members of the Club were Bobby Coghill and Addie Harper. Addie is our current chairman, he took over from Bobby who had chaired the Club for 11 years.
Addie Harper Jnr was invited to open our initial club night on 21st October, 1975, and we were pleased to see the Tain Scottish Dance Band travel from Ross-shire to take part. The first guest artistes were the Bobby Crowe SDB who appeared at our November Club.
The guest artistes over the years have been excellent and thoroughly enjoyed by the members and the many non-members who attend the Club nights.
There were very few young musicians when the Club began, but through the untiring work of Addie and Isobel Harper, Addie Harper Jnr, Bobby Coghill and Ian Sinclair there are now many young accordionists, fiddlers, keyboard players and guitarists. The young musicians, along with their parents, travel from as far away as Sutherland and outlying areas of Caithness to play at the Club.
The Club meet in Mackay’s Hotel on the third Tuesday of every month for September to May.
Balnain House – Home of Highland Music
Balnain House opens as the Home of Highland music in April.
After many years the Balnain Trust have completed the restoration of this fine Georgian building. Built in 1726, the house has had a rich and varied history. Originally a merchant’s house, then a field hospital for the Hanoverian troops after the Battle of Culloden and in the 1880’s it became the base for the Royal Ordnance for the first survey map of the Highlands. Now Balnain hopes to secure itself a place in the musical history books as it opens its doors as the first centre dedicated to the performance, study and development of Highland music.
Balnain House has many facilities. The exhibition presents a huge selection of all types of Highland music.
Balnain House has many facilities. The exhibition presents a huge selection of all types Highland music. Audio points at 12 listening stations enable the visitor to select the music which interests them most, and video programmes, text and illustrations put the music in context. There will be performances and workshops in the second floor performance room with ceilidhs and sessions in a licensed café in the basement. There is space available for musicians and music groups to practice, rehearse and hold regular meetings. The library archive for use by students, musicians and others interested in Highland music will be developed and extended as more and more information is gathered. The shop stocks cassettes and C.D.s of Highland music ranging from traditional to contemporary, music and other books, musical accessories, as well as gifts related to Highland music or to Balnain House itself.
Balnain House is a living centre for Highland music. Its success will be built upon the use of the facilities and others who have an interest in seeing the Highland musical tradition celebrated and developed.
To find out more about the facilities, or how to become involved, contact Balnain House, 40 Huntly Street, Inverness, IV3 5HR. Telephone 0463 715757
James Scott Skinner – 150 Year Celebration
by Bill Smith
When asked to write an articles on the above mentioned Banchory born genius, I felt that there are many hundreds of musicians with more talent and knowledge of the man than myself. For that reason I will not enter into the technical aspects of Scott Skinners’ methods of bowing expertise.
The name of James Scott Skinner became familiar to me when I would have been about 10 years of age and started to play the fiddle. My father was the fifth son in a family of ten buys and two girls. All the boys played the fiddle and their instruments were made by my grandfather who was a fine player and enthusiastic follower of Scott Skinner.
It was inevitable that I would hear Skinners’ music played, and arguments on how his tunes should be bowed. I also heard how his following would travel many miles either walking or cycling to hear him play at concerts in the North East. I would hear that the halls would be packed and that when the great man played a slow air you could hear a pin drop, and Woe Betide anyone who tapped his or her feet when the pace quickened. This would bring a comment from Skinner “If you must tap your feet, do it inside your shoe!”
The violinist was a man of tremendous ability and strength of character. When taking part in a competition in America and asked to play set pieces in a fixed time he said “I refuse to cast my pearls before swine” and walked off stage.
Scott Skinner also had his hard-up times and during one of these periods he was befriended by the Laird of Drumblair in Forgue near Huntly, hence such fine tunes as ‘The Burn of Forgue’, ‘Bogniebrae’, ‘Huntly Castle’ and ‘The Laird of Drumblair’.
Another story from my mother who recalled seeing him in huntly Post Office with the violinist in conversation with the Post Master and wearing a rather well worn kilt. The maestro was explaining how a new composition would be played and was bending low thus exposing his under clothes which like kilt had seen better days.
The legacy of some six hundred compositions speaks for itself. It is a great pity that the recording facilities were poor and not in the advanced state of the present day.
Aberdeen City Library has printed a facsimile of the Logie Collection and this is on sale at £30 and is a must for all Scottish fiddle players and will rank as one of the finest and lasting tributes to the Banchory genius.
Skinner benefited from training and playing with an orchestra called Dr Marks Little Men and also getting tuition in classical theory and technique from Charles Rougier of the Halle Orchestra. The violinist also had mentors in Peter Milne, the renowned Tarland fiddler and Gavin Greig, musician and playwright. Peter Milne once said that he was “that happy with his fiddle he could sit inside it and look oot”. I am certain that Skinner, like Peter Milne, felt the same. They both had in addition to their talent a fondness for a dram.
On one occasion, their final dram was paid for by scraping the odd pence from their pockets together, a fact that is remembered by a joint composition, “The Shakin’ of the Pokie”, a fine strathspey.
This practice has not gone out of date in the present day, the only difference now is that it costs pounds not pennies. I can recall a similar occasion involving some of Scotland’s leading players after the Banchory Festival.
The writer is too young to have heard Skinner play in person, but in my sixty five years I have met many like the late Sandy Milne who worshipped the man and his music.
The late Miss Margaret Guthrie of Huntly also played the piano for Skinner at his concerts in the Huntly area. Miss Guthrie, like Skinner, was also a dancing teacher.
Harry Nicol, another excellent fiddle player who still plays, has had many a tune and nae doubt a dram with Skinner.
James Scott Skinners’ memory will be commemorated in many ways this year with concerts and fiddle workshops taking place in Banchory.
Also, the Fiddlers Spectacular in H.M. Theatre, Aberdeen, involving the combined Strathspey and Reel Societies of Aberdeen, Banchory and Elgin in the first week of November.
I am sure that someone else will write an article on this talented genius, but these are a few of the items that may be of interest from my personal memories.
Scott Skinner Celebrations
Deeside, well known for oils and royals, is planning a celebration of the birth of one of its sons – famous long before the coming of either oils or royals!
This year is the 150th Anniversary of the birth of J. Scott Skinner. Better known perhaps as the Strathspey King. He was a great Scots fiddler and prolific composer of strathspeys, songs and other traditional music.
The celebration will go on from 25th June until 3rd July and includes many different events.
We started the week with a Grand Concert given by Banchory’s Strathspey and Reel Society – just before they take off for a tour of Canada!
Retired Headmaster, John Junor, a noted authority on the subject, will give a talk. This promises to be a highly enjoyable occasion and supper and music will be included in the evening to be held at a local hotel.
Workshops of traditional dance, music and fiddle repair are being arranged and should be fun for those with or without experience.
Episodes from Scott Skinner’s varied and colourful life will be presented in a drama with each performance followed by a ceilidh. Local bands will provide the music.
There will also be a music composition competition. The prize for this will be a copy of the new Logie Collection – a beautiful red and gold leather bound limited edition of 500. We, of course, have chosen number 150!
As you can see Banchory will be buzzing with music, song, dance and all sorts of artistic endeavours.
For more information contact Mrs Val Bridger, The forge, Strachan, Banchory, AB31 3NN. Tele 0330 45362.
Your Letters
I was somewhat surprised to read in the last edition, the context of a statement made regarding the closure of the M.A.F.I.A. that I, Bobby Cronie, had taken a decision on my own to close down the above mentioned A&F Club. I must indicate here and now that this could not be further from the truth.
Previous to opening in September, 1992, a Committee meeting was held (i.e. Bobby Cronie, President, Morag McAskill, Secretary, Joy Cronie, Treasurer and George Henderson, Vice President) to ascertain the viability of continuing. It was decided to have a last meeting of the Club to explain to members and visitors our financial position and to thank them personally for the 26 years of faithful support and attendance.
When this was explained on the floor of the Club, offers of financial help to enable us to continue immediately came from Balloch, East Kilbride and a substantial personal donation from Vice President George Henderson. Members and visitors also pleadged support at further meetings. It was unanimously decided that we should continue.
However, by January 1993, having met all our financial obligations for 1992, our money had again dwindled to a dangerously low position. A further Committee meeting decided enough was enough and that I, as President, should make an announcement at out February meeting that the final curtain should fall. Armed with that authority and surrounded by my Committee on stage I duly made the announcement.
On hearing my statement, Bobby Harvey (the original founder of the M.A.F.I.A.) made an impassioned plea that the MAFIA should continue and on a show of hands with passions running high, virtually all present at that time intimated support for the MAFIA to continue but with funds of £47.75 remaining, I ask you “Can it be done?”
It is with my sincerest good wishes that this can be achieved.
Bobby Cronie
Ex-President
Just a note in reply to comments made by Ian Holmes and published by yourself on the front page of your February issue. I’m afraid that I found myself disagreeing with virtually every point he made.
Firstly, his most bitter comments about the television coverage. The Gaelic Departments of the B.B.C. and the S.T.V. are surely to be applauded for their efforts to re-introduce traditional music to our screens, and to encourage the growth of modern ethnic music in Scotland.
These programmes attract large audiences and feature some excellent musicians. Perhaps there is room on television for something along the lines of the ‘White Heather Club’, but I do feel that its audience would be rather limited. Occasional re-runs have been treated as amusing period pieces. The whole idea of a Scottish culture has thankfully moved away from this outdated (and quite frankly, ridiculous) image. It should also be noted that ‘distorted electric guitars and scruffy clothes’ are no more alien to TRADITIONAL Scottish music than Swiss or Italian accordions and tartan tuxedos.
The next point that Mr Holmes made, concerned his wish that there be an appraisal of “Our Scottish Dance Music”. If he means that we should be a little more concerned about the future of Scottish Dance Music, than I agree : however, when he calls for a return to the ‘Golden Era’ of the 50s and 60s, he should perhaps realise that virtually no-one under the age of 40 can remember these great times. I am in my mid-twenties and I am sure that the musicians I meet and work with, who are round about my age (give or take 10 years either way) would agree with me in saying that this is a pretty ‘Golden Era’ for us. I am sure that one day I will long for a return to the golden 80s and 90s.
On the question of tempos for dances, I think that you will probably find that most good musicians are able to play at a tempo which is appropriate for the dancers present. It is simply a question of being aware of what is required and desired.
I’m sure that many of us have played at an R.S.C.D.S. ‘do’, where someone will ask the band to liven things up, ten seconds after someone else has asked us to slow down a bit. In these happy circles, desired tempos seem to have more to do with the individual dancer’s ability than anything else. However, at places like The Riverside Club in Glasgow, playing at ‘breakneck speed’ is what the punters want. To see two or three hundred people between the ages of 18 and 30 really enjoying Scottish dance music is a great sight.
At most country or old time dances, those under the age of 40 can usually be counted on the fingers of one hand. Let us not grudge them their pleasures, but let them not grudge those who prefer something a bit different theirs.
The new generation of players on the scene, of course, owe a lot to the likes of Shand and MacLeod. Also, most of us have been helped and encouraged by players of Ian Holmes’s generation. People like Jim Johnstone, Fraser McGlynn, Iain MacPhail, Bobby Crowe, Bill Black, John Ellis, John Carmichael, Sandy MacArthur, my father Alastair Hunter, to name but a few, have done their utmost to nurture the next generation of players.
In conclusion, I should like to say that the young players of today should be encouraged to do their own thing. If music, of any form, ceases to be a form of self expression, then it loses its appeal, and if a musical culture, such as we have, is not capable of development then it will certainly die.
Russell Hunter
P.S. I should add that I think Ian Holmes has done some smashing stuff and is a great ambassador for SDM, although perhaps he hadn’t heard Bobby Crowe’s ‘Eightsome Reel’ set at the end of his last broadcast, when he said the Bobby played with “No ostentatious displays”.
Book Review
The George Bell Collection of Original Compositions for Accordion and Fiddle – Deeay Music - £4.50
Take the Floor
3rd Apr 93 – Ian Holmes SDB
10th Apr 93 – Alastair Wood SDB
17th Apr 93 – Iain MacPhail SDB
24th Apr 93 – Colin Dewar SDB
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Dee Motel) – 27th April 93 – Windygates Club
Alnwick (Golden Fleece) – members only 14th April 93 – Ron Hodgson & Julie Best
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 4th April 93 – Iain Cathcart SDB
Armadale (Masonic Hall) – 1st April 93 – Dick Black Band
Ayr (Gartferry Hotel) – 4th April 93 – Mark Cummine SDB
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Hall) – 18th April 93 – James Coutts Trio
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 26th April 93 – Deirdre Adamson
Banff & District (Knowes Hotel, Macduff) – 28th April 93 – Wayne Robertson Duo
Beith & District (Hotel de Croft, Dalry) – 19th April 93 – Lindsay Weir SDB
Belford (Community Club) – 29th April 93 – Local Club Night
Biggar (Municipal Hall) – 11th April 93 – Gordon Shand SDB
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 13th April 93 – Lynn Gould SDB
Brigmill (Guardbridge Sports & Social Club)
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel) –
Button Key (Windygates Institute) –
Callander (Glengarry Hotel) –
Campbeltown (Royal Hotel) –
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Hotel) – 20th April 93 – Alan Gardiner SDB
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 15th April 93 – Currie Brothers
Crieff & District (Drummond Arms Hotel) 1st April 93 – Ron Gonella
Dalriada (Argyll Arms Hotel, Lochgilphead) 20th April 93 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Derwentside (Working Men’s Club, Consett) –
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 7th April 93 – Mhairi Coutts 17th Apr Dance to Michael Philip SDB
Dunblane (Westlands Hotel) – 20th April 93 – Stuart McKeown SDB
Dundee (Invercarse Hotel) –
Dunfermline (Jubilee House) – 13th April 93 – Brian Griffin 24th Apr Dance to John Morgan
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
East Kilbride (Sweepers, Cambuslang) – 29th April 93 – Roberto Enzo
Ellon (Ladbroke Hotel) – 20th April 93 – Paul Anderson & Friends
Ettrick & Yarrow (The Gordon Arms) - 21st April 93 – Dermot O’Brien
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) –
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 25th April 93 – Fraser McGlynn Trio
Forres (Brig Motel) – 14th April 93 – Mickie Ainsworth Duo
Fort William (Alexandra Hotel) –
Galashiels (Maxwell Hotel) –
Galston (Barr Castle Social Club) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) –
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) - 27th April 93 – Fiddle Style
Gretna (Halcrow Stadium) - 21st April 93 – James Coutts Quartet
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) – 19th April 93 – Rob Gordon SDB
Inveraray (Loch Fyne Hotel) - 6th April 93 – Jim Johnstone SDB 17th April Dance to Angus & Hector MAcFadyen
Islay (Bridgend Hotel) - 23rd April 93 – Local Musicians
Isle of Skye -
Islesteps (Mabie House Hotel) – 6th April 93 – Craig McCallum SDB
Kelso (Ednam House Hotel) – 28th April 93 – Joe & Scott Gordon 14th April Dance to Donal Ring
Kinlochshiel (Strathcarron Hotel) - 3rd April 93 – Bill Richardson
Kintore (Crown Hotel) – 7th April 93 – Rob Gordon SDB
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) – 8th April 93 – Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio
Livingston (Golden Circle Hotel, Bathgate) 20th April 93 – Fraser McGlynn Trio
Lockerbie (Bluebell Hotel) - 27th April 93 – Brian Griffin Duo
Mauchline (The Jean Armour Function Suite)
M.A.F.I.A. (Masonic Hall, Milngavie) – 19th April 93 – Fiddlers 3 + 2
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 7th April 93 – Strathmore Sound
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) –
Oban (Harbour Lights Restaurant) –
Orkney ( venue?) –
Ormiston (Miners’ Welfare Social Club) –
Peebles (Green Tree Hotel) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 20th April 93 – Windygates Club
Premier NI (Camlin Function Rooms) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 13th April 93 – Willie McFarland Band
Rothbury (Queen’s Head) -
Shetland (venue?) -
Stirling (Terraces Hotel) - 11th April 93 – Iain Cathcart SDB
Thornhill (?)
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) –
Tranent (East Lothian Labour Club) 13th April 93 – David Vernon
Turriff (Royal Oak Hotel) –
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 13th April 93 – Elizabeth Flanagan
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Alnwick
2. Arbroath
3. Banff
4. Biggar
5. Belford
6 Blairgowrie
7 Castle Douglas
8 Coalburn
9 Crieff
10. Dalriada
11. Dingwall
12. Dunblane
13. Dundee
14. Dunoon & Cowal
15. East Kilbride
16. Etterick & Yarrow
17. Forfar
18. Forres
19. Glendale
20. Gretna
21. Highland
22. Inveraray
23. Islesteps
24. Kelso
25. Kinlochshiel
26. Kintore
27. Lesmahagow
28. Livingston
29. Lockerbie
30. M.A.F.I.A.
31. Mauchline
32. Newtongrange
33. North East
34. Oban
35. Peebles
36. Renfrew
37. Rothbury
38. Stirling
39. Thurso
40. Tynedale
41. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT SEPT 1991 (Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Sept 1976 – present)
3. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
4. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Closed
5. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
6. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
7. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
8. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
9. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
10. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
11. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
12. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
13. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
14. Button Key A&F Club (
15. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
16. Coalburn A&F Club (
17. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
18. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
19. Derwentside A&F Club
20. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
21. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
22. Dundee & District A&F Club (1970? -
23. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
24. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
25. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
26. Ellon A&F Club (
27. Etterick & Yarrow (Jan 1989 -
28. Fintry A&F Club (
29. Forfar A&F Club (
30. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
31. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
32. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
33. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
34. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
35. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
36. Gretna A&F Club (1991) Known as North Cumbria A&F Club previously (originally called Gretna when started in June 1966 but later had to move to venues in the North of England and changed name. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
37. Highland A&F Club (Inverness)
38. Inveraray A&F Club (Oct 1991)
39. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
40. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
41. Isle of Skye A&F Club (
42. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
43. Kintore A&F Club (
44. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
45. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
46. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
47. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
48. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 - )
49. Mauchline A&F Club (first mention 1986? - present)
50. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
51. Mull A&F Club
52. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
53. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
54. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
55. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
56. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
57. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
58. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
59. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
60. Rothbury Accordion Club (1987??)
61. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
62. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 - )
63. Sutherland A&F Club (
64. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
65. Thurso A&F Club (cSept 1981 - present)
66. Tranent A&F Club
67. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
68. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
69. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975 - present)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
70. Acharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
71. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
72. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
73. Buchan A&F Club
74. Callander A&F Club (
75. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
76. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
77. Club Accord
78. Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2?)
79. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
80. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
81. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
82. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
83. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
84. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
85. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
86. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
87. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
88. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
89. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
90. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
91. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
92. Newcastleton Accordion Club
93. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
94. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
95. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
96. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
97. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
98. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
99. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
100. Wellbank A&F Club
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