Box and Fiddle
Year 36 No 08
April 2013
Price £2.70
44 Page Magazine
12 month subscription £29.70 + p&p £13.20 (UK)
Editor – Karin Ingram, Hawick
B&F Treasurer – Charlie Todd, Thankerton
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
A short while ago we heard of the tragic death of Gervasio Marcosignori, one of the most admired and loved accordionists of his generation. Rob Howard has written a tribute to him and we will carry that in full next month. We will also have photos and results from the Dumfries Festival.
We had another excellent day at Inshyra Grange, as you can see by the photos in this month’s issue.
Karin Ingram
39th Annual NAAFC Festival at Inshyra Grange
by James Coutts
Saturday 2nd March and The MacDonald Inshyra Hotel was abuzz with great musicians it hosted the 39th NAAFC Festival. Competitor numbers held up at around 180, which is encouraging in the current economic climate, and the standard of performance was extremely high, in keeping with previous years.
In response to requests from several teachers, we re-banded the age limits for the polka and musette competitions and hopefully this will lead to a sustained increase in entries in future years.
Provost Pat Reid, of Falkirk Council, kindly donated a trophy to the Festival, having been extremely impressed on his first visit last year. To try to bring something a wee bit different to the Festival we introduced an Accordion Showband section for ‘The Provost’s cup’ and it was certainly one of the big talking points of this year’s Festival. Although we only had one entry, The Keith Dickson Accordion Showband, comprising of 19 musicians and vocalists under the age of 18, they gave a fantastic performance. Having got this section up and running, hopefully it will flourish and attract more entries next year.
We changed the timing of this year’s concert, in order to try to attract a bigger crowd and to prevent some of the young prize winners having to stay so late. The concert commenced with one of the day’s adjudicators, Liam Stewart, showcasing the LIMEX MIDI system and we are extremely grateful to Roy Hendrie and LIMEX for donating two £250 vouchers towards the cost of a LIMEX system, and these were awarded to the overall Junior and Senior Accordion Champions.
As always, we were delighted to have Jennifer Cruickshank and her team from BBC Radio Scotland in attendance, and I know she was extremely pleased with the quality of recordings obtained from both the Concert and the competitions.
With the concert finished earlier than normal, everyone had a wee bit more time to enjoy their evening meal before the fantastic sound of Tom Orr and his Band gave us a dance to remember. It was great to see so many youngsters at the dance this year and the floor was pretty much full from start to finish. For me, Tom Orr epitomizes what the Festival is all about, having started as a young solo competitor before going on to win all the major honours (several times over in some cases) and now establishing himself as one of the country’s top bandleaders.
Inshyra has been booked to host the Festival on Saturday 1st March 2014 and this will be our 40th festival. We would be pleased to hear any ideas on how you would like to see this milestone celebrated. We’d like to do something special without taking away the core features of the Festival.
As always, I’d like to finish by expressing my sincere gratitude to everyone who supported the Festival this year. This includes all the competitors, teachers, helpers, adjudicators, BBC Radio Scotland, traders, advertisers, member clubs and enthusiasts. Special mention once again goes to Eleanor and John Bond of Ayr and Billy Hutton of Campsie, not forgetting the Festival Committee for their magnificent support this year.
Junior Accordion
Under 10 Traditional Accordion Solo – Islesteps Shield
1)
2)
3)
Under 12 Traditional Accordion Solo – Pentland Cup
1)
2)
3)
12 and Under 16 Traditional Accordion Solo – Jim Johnstone Cup
1) Adam Gibb (Biggar)
2)
3)
12 and Under 16 Traditional Accordion Solo – James Paterson Memorial Trophy
Most Promising Player
Ciorstaidh-Sarah Chaimbeul
Junior Accordion Solo Pipe Music – Bill Black Cup
1) Adam Gibb (Biggar)
2)
3)
Junior Traditional Duet – Angus Howie Cups
1) Magnus & Anna Westwell (Edinburgh)
2)
3)
Overall Junior Accordion Champion – Alex Little Memorial Trophy
Adam Gibb (Biggar)
Senior Accordion
Senior Traditional Accordion Solo – Clinkscale Cup
1) Matthew MacLennan (Edinburgh)
2)
3)
Senior Accordion Pipe Music Solo – Bill Powrie Memorial Cup
1) Matthew MacLennan (Edinburgh)
2)
3)
Open Accordion Championship – Todhills Trophy
1) Emma Dickson (Dolphinton)
2)
3)
Senior Overall Accordion Champion - The Bobby MacLeod Trophy
Matthew MacLennan (Edinburgh)
Open Buttonkey Accordion Solo – Windygates Trophy
1) Brandon McPhee (Caithness)
2)
3)
Trios – Jimmy Blue Trophy & Eric Goodfellow Memorial Shield
1) Maggie Adamson (Shetland)
Trio Runners-Up – Eric Goodfellow Memorial Shield
Callum Cruickshank (Lumphanan)
Trios – Best Piano Player – David Flockhart Shield
Callum Cruickshank (Lumphanan)
Bands – Overall Winner - Iain MacPhail Cup
John Burns (Falkirk)
Runners Up John Fairbairn Memorial Trophy
Callum Cruickshank (Lumphanan)
Band – Rhythm Section - Arthur Easson Memorial Trophy
Callum Cruickshank (Lumphanan)
Junior Band – Duncan Campbell of Oban Memorial Trophy
Campbell Fleming & Ewan Dowie
Own Composition – Willie Wilson Cup
1) Emma Dickson (Dolphinton)
2)
3)
RSCDS Open Dance – RSCDS Trophy
1) Shona MacFadyen (West Kilbride)
2)
Accordion Showband – Provost’s Cup
1) Keith Dickson Accordion Showband
Under 12 Classical Solo – Kelso Cup
1) No entry
2)
3)
Under 16 Classical Solo – Dundee Shield
1) Emma Dickson (Dolphinton)
2)
3)
Open Classical Solo – Jimmy Clinkscale Shield
1) Sarah Alexander (Buckie)
2)
3)
Under 13 Classical Duet – Beith & District A&F Club Cups (Willie Wilson Memorial Trophies)
1) Kyle and Alan Rowan (Edinburgh)
2)
Under 16 Classical Duet - Alex MacArthur Cups
1) Ellie Borthwick (Newtongrange) & Katie Todd (Dalkeith)
2)
3)
Open Classical Duet – Dunfermline Cup
1) Duncan Muir (Thornhill) & Claire Black (Biggar)
2)
3)
Classical Polka
Under 10 Classical Polka Solo – The Todhills Trophy
1)
2)
Under 12 Classical Polka Solo – Newtongrange Shield
1) Cameron McLaren (Cupar)
2)
3)
Under 16 Classical Polka Solo – Aberdeen Cup
1) Alex Stewart (Stanley)
2)
3)
Open Classical Polka Solo – Tign-Na-Gorm Cup
1) Leonard Brown (South Shiels)
2)
3)
Under 12 Classical Musette Accordion Solo – John Laidlaw Memorial Trophy
1) Andrew Erskine (Biggar)
2)
3)
Under 16 Classical Musette Solo – George & Margaret Smith (Newtongrange) Shield
1) Adam Gibb (Biggar)
2)
3)
Open Classical Musette Accordion Solo – Christine Hunter Memorial Trophy
1) Paul Capaldi (Galashiels)
2)
3)
Fiddle Sections
Under 12 Fiddle Solo – NAAFC Musselburgh Festival Trophy
1) Anna Westwell (Edinburgh)
2)
3)
Junior Fiddle Solo – MSR – Strathspey and Reel Association Cup & Kirsy’s Ceilidh Shield
1) Hannah Renton (Aberdeen)
2)
3)
Junior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air – Dougie Welsh Memorial Cup
1) Eilidh MacLeod (Stornoway)
2)
3)
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Strathspey, MSR – St. Boswell Cup
1) Maggie Adamson (Shetland)
2)
3)
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air – Ron Gonella Cup
1) Maggie Adamson (Shetland)
2)
3)
Open Fiddle Championship – Banchory S&R Society Trophy
1) Maggie Adamson (Shetland)
2)
3)
Open Fiddle Solo Hornpipe and Jig – John Ellis Trophy
1) Maggie Adamson (Shetland)
2)
3)
Overall Fiddle Champion - The Angus Fitchet Trophy
Maggie Adamson (Shetland)
Overall Junior Fiddle Champion – Judith Linton Trophy
Hannah Renton (Aberdeen)
Open Fiddle Groups – Lesmahagow Quaich
1) Deeside Loons & Quines
2)
3)
Youngest Girl Competitor – John McQueen Medal
Alice Girling (Glenfarg)
Youngest Boy Competitor – John McQueen Medal
Archie Mackechnie (Dunblane)
Roy Burgess – Uist and Benbecula Club Treasurer - Obituary
by
With the passing of Roy Burgess on 5th February 2013, the…………..
Deoch ‘n’ Dorus
by Susan MacFadyen
Deoch ‘n’ Dorus meaning ‘One for the Road’ was formed in 2001 by three young students studying at the RSAMD. Since then the Band has gone from strength to strength with the ultimate accolade being awarded Scottish Dance Band of the Year at the MG Alba Scots Trsditional Music Awards back in December 2012. The Band comprises Stuart Cameron on accordion, Simon Moran on fiddle and Andrew MacPherson on drums.
Stuart hails from Fort William and plays accordion and piano. He initially learned to play the accordion from his father, John, who is also an accomplished musician. At the age of 14 he travelled from Fort William to Perth every two weeks to receive tuition from Peter Bruce. Stuart decided that he would like to pursue a career in music and was accepted to study on the Traditional Muisic Degree at the RSAMD where he was also the recipient of the NAAFC Sir Jimmy Shand Scholarship. After graduating with an Honours Degree, he worked as a self-employed musician performing and teaching privately. A couple of years later he completed a post graduate teaching degree at Edinburgh University and now works as a Music Teacher in a secondary school in Glasgow.
Simon hails from the Isle of Jura and was originally taught fiddle by Ropan Shaw of Islay. His interest was born under the influence of Archie McAllister and The Jura Ceilidh Band who played on Jura regularly when he was young. Simon later went on to join the Band, performing regularly with them around Scotland. He still plays with the Band’s Jura accordionist, David MacDonald. Simon moved to Glasgow to study Scottish music at the RSAMD where he met Stuart and Andrew. His fiddle teachers there were Iain Fraser and Pete Clarke. During his time there, he performed with many musicians including Stuart Cassells, Canterach, Lorne MacDonald, Gary Innes and Dougie MacLean. Since graduating in 2005 with an Honours Degree, he has been busy performing with the Band and teaching fiddle in Glasgow and beyond.
Andrew comes from a musical family based in Portree. Andrew began playing drums with the Skye Pipe Band at the age of nine. He too went on to study for a degree in traditional music at the RSAMD in Glasgow. Well-schooled in the various genres of traditional music, he also plays bagpipes and whistles. He credits his influences as John Ellis and his Highland Country Band and legendary piper Donald MacLeod. Outwith Deoch ‘n’ Dorus, Andrew is kept busy playing in The Angus Nicolson Trio, and is in demand as a session musician and percussion and whistle teacher.
Stuart and Simon regularly played tunes together during their time at the RSAMD at the informal sessions in Glasgow. They were asked if they could organize a student ceilidh in the RSAMD but they were missing a drummer. They knew that Andrew, who was in the year above Stuart and Simon, played the drums, so they asked if he was interested in taking part. They formed the Band for this ceilidh and enjoyed playing together so much that they decided to try and find some work in the Glasgow area. They got work in the, now closed, Riverside Club where they played for over 4 years. With their Highlands and Islands connections, it wasn’t long before they were playing in the famous Park Bar and Islay Inn, where they can still be heard to this day. Nowadays, the Band play at a variety of different functions throughout the country such as Accordion & Fiddle Clubs, birthday parties, weddings and music festivals. They recently started a new business venture organizing and promoting monthly ceilidhs in Glasgow. There have been some lively nights to date and more information can be found at www.glasgowceilidhs.com
Looking back over the past 10 years, the Deoch ‘n’ Dorus sound, arrangements and musicianship have been influenced by various bands such as The Pentlands Ceilidh Band, The Black Rose Ceilidh Band, The Wallochmor Ceilidh Band and John Ellis and his Highland Country Band, to name but a few.
The Band to date has recorded four BBC Radio Scotland ‘TTF’ broadcasts, with plans in place for an outside broadcast later this year. They also have two studio albums released: ‘Deoch ‘n’ Dorus (Self-Titled)’ and ‘The Curer’ with plans for a third album being drawn up. The Band will be appearing at the Shetland Accordion and Fiddle Festival this coming October.
Stuart, Simon and Andrew were both surprised and delighted to receive the Scottish Dance Band of the Year Award, fighting off stiff competition from the other nominees, The Monach Isles Ceilidh Band, Graeme Mitchell SDB and Charlie Kirkpatrick SDB.
Just a wee deoch ‘n’ dorus afore ye gang awa!!!
Jack Gray (1929 – 2013) - Obituary
by Charlie Todd
It’s not often you can pinpoint the exact day when you met someone who was to become a lifelong friend, but in the case of Jack Gray I met him for the first time on the opening night of the Lesmahagow Accordion and Fiddle Club on 1st November 1979. At the age of 50 Jack had recently been forced give up his band work due to arthritis. Jack’s signature tune was ‘The Darktown Strutters Ball’ and most of his work was what we would call ‘modern ballroom’ - quicksteps, slow foxtrots and modern waltzes - all of which he loved, but it was the fact that he could no longer play an Eightsome Reel when traditional dances were required which decided him to stop gigging. In a sense it was a measure of his professionalism – he could no longer guarantee to do the whole job so he retired graciously.
He already attended Biggar Club as a listener and determined to open another one locally. Lanark couldn’t provide a venue at that point so Lesmahagow it was. And like everything he did, ‘Big Jack,’ as he was soon known to everyone, ran it with enthusiasm. Forced to retire early from his work as a dairyman in October 1980, again because of arthritis, he was able to devote even more time and energy to the Club.
Early Days
Jack was born in the Lanarkshire mining village of Riggend, near Slamannan, on 14th May 1929, the second eldest in a family of six, at the very start of the ‘Great Depression’. Although his father was a miner, on leaving school on his 13th birthday (with the special permission, indeed gratitude, of the local Education Board!) Jack opted for the only alternative in the area – as a farm worker. And that was the career he followed for the remainder of his working life, barring two short spells in the pits, the first when it was the only work available and the second in 1947/8 when he opted to be a ‘Bevin Boy’ down the mines rather than endure the discipline of the Army for his National Service. Even in these brief forays underground, during which he worked as a ‘drawer’ for his dad, the ‘hewer’ who ‘won’ the coal with a pick, they were twice trapped behind roof-falls and had to be dug out. It was with a sense of relief that he returned to farm work. In those grim days of the 30’s he was also hospitalised on separate occasions by scarlet fever and spinal meningitis.
Music
It was at the age of 11 that Jack got his first taste of the music world when he saw a melodeon in a shop window in Airdrie and did odd jobs, frantically saving every penny he earned to buy it. Having accumulated the required sum however, he was devastated to turn up at the shop to find out it had been sold. All was not lost though, because on learning of his desire to own a melodeon, his Uncle Jimmy dug one out of the back of a cupboard in the family home! At the age of 14 he bought a piano accordion and for a year went to Glasgow on the bus and tram for lessons every Wednesday with Toni Verrichia, a well known and respected accordion teacher who also ran what was known as ‘Toni Verrichia’s Number 1 Accordion Orchestra,’ although he wasn’t too enthusiastic as it was mostly classical. Toni chastised his pupils by rapping them hard over the knuckles with a cane. Jack, a keen participant in the local amateur boxing clubs of the day favoured by the Lanarkshire mining communities, left Tony in do doubt about where this practice was going to lead!
One day in 1946, he left Toni’s to visit his mum who was in hospital. His dad was there visiting too and he told his parents he wasn’t going back for any more lessons. By one of those quirks of fate the conversation was overheard by Hilda Slaven who was in the next bed. It transpired that Hilda was also an accordion teacher, based in Glasgow, who offered to teach Jack when she got out of hospital. Jack wanted to play in a dance band, so he went to Hilda for lessons for about a year, making rapid progress this time. He also played the drums, eventually following members of his family into Glenmavis Pipe Band. His father, and brother Wullie, played the pipes (Wullie later joined the Cameronians), his sister Nessie a tenor drum and brother Jimmy, along with Jack, the side drum.
Byretown Farm
Jack also had a passion for speed and like many a working man he owned a succession of motorbikes and took part in the Isle of Man T.T. on a couple of occasions – a particularly hazardous pursuit. That came to an end in 1950 when Jack married Jean Marshall from Belfast, a marriage that was to last for 62 happy years. In August 1952 they moved to ‘Byretoon’ Farm near Kirkfieldbank, Lanark where Jack was head dairyman and Jean washed the ‘milk dishes’ as they were known. In 1954, at the age of 24 Jack joined Tommy Rae’s Band, with Tommy and Jack on accordions, Willie Girdwood from Lanark on cornet and Willie Simpson from Crossford on drums. The band were together for around two years and only split up when Willie was called up for his National Service. Within a few months, Jack was asked to join The Carlton Quintet with himself and Tony Woodage on accordions, Ena Wilson from Elvanfoot (later of Lothian SDB fame) on piano, Billy Veitch from Lanark on guitar (who emigrated to Canada and was replaced by Leadhills fiddler Kenny Wilson) and John Train on drums (who was then later replaced with Johnnie Nichol, father of well-known present day Loanhead pianist Jim Nichol). The band played gigs all over the Borders region including once a month in Dumfries Drill Hall.
A three piece followed with Dan Bryson on accordion and Tam Baxter on drums, then a two piece with drummer John Simpson from Forth. Eldest son William, aged only 11, then joined the band on guitar and keyboards for six years and when he left to join a ‘beat group’ Jack’s final pairing was with drummer and comic Jack Grant, also from Kirkfieldbank.
Retirement
Jack had always had an interesting and busy life as a local accordionist. From the 1950’s to the 70’s he did a huge number of small mid-week jobs for Rurals, Guilds, and anyone else who needed music for dancing. The money wasn’t good, in fact it was almost a case of playing for your supper, your petrol money and the pleasure of it, but the spin-offs were considerable. All the ladies who attended these wee meetings realised how good a player Jack was and booked him for their sons and daughters weddings at weekends or recommended him to friends. Consequently Jack’s diary never had a free week or a weekend. He was an early advocate of the electronic accordion which he used in conjunction with a Lesley Tone Cabinet which contained a revolving speaker and produced a marvelous sound.
When he retired in 1980 Jack took a part time job as a salesman with ‘Electronic Accordions’ of Motherwell. As well as having an excellent range of acoustic accordions they had the franchise for the new Zero Zette electronic accordion. The local Manager, Joe Vettraino, adopted the traditional ‘wait on the customers coming to us’ approach but Jack was on commission and pioneered the ‘take the box to the players’ approach by hiring hotel function rooms for afternoons and evenings, particularly at events like the Newcastleton Festival, and demonstrating and selling accordions. The innovation was immensely successful and it gave Jack immense satisfaction to report his sales figures to Head Office down south. In that pre E-bay era he also developed a profitable sideline in buying and selling small accordions.
He also started teaching the accordion and the keyboard, not with a view to taking pupils down any technical, classically based route but instead directing them towards learning practical skills which would enable them to play in dance bands. Two of his pupils names stand out above the rest – Peter Wood and grand-daughter Pamela Gray.
Community Spirit
And so that brings us back round to the Lesmahagow Accordion and Fiddle Club. As well as Chairing it successfully for 26 years, Jack and Jean were Chairman and Secretary of the Kirkfieldbank Old Age Pensioners Association for even longer. This involved organising 4 annual day outings, an annual week’s holiday down south, a big Christmas party and innumerable fund raising and entertainment events in between. But all of this they did with enthusiasm and professionalism and it was undoubtedly of great sorrow to both of them that both organisations closed when they eventually took their final retirement in 2005.
In one sense the final chapter of the Jack Gray story finished with a large gathering of friends and relatives at South Lanarkshire Crematorium on Friday 25th January, 2013 but really the story lives on through his family and his many pupils, the Peter Wood’s and the Pamela Gray’s who carry the music forward to the next generation.
Jack’s final days were not easy ones, but he displayed the same fortitude he had displayed all his life. Wife Jean, daughter Mary, son Alex and grand-daughter Pamela thank all those who attended the funeral or sent cards and messages of sympathy. We offer them our deepest condolences. ‘Big Jack’ will be sorely missed but never forgotten
Webwatch
by Bill Young
www.
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
Kale Water – Bob Liddle – CRCD005
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
6th April 2013 – The Craigowl SDB + Ronnie Easton
13th April 2103 – Neil Copland SDB + Gemma Donald
20th April 2013 – Alan Crookston SDB (Debut) + Preview of TV series ‘Hebrides – Islands on the Edge’
27th April 2013 – Deoch ‘n’ Dorus from Syke Gathering Hall with guest presenter John Carmichael (Gaelic presenter)
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 30th April 2013 – Sandy Lindsay Trio
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle)
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 21st April 2013 – Willie McFarland Band
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 7th April 2013 – Gary Forrest & Roddy Matthews
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 21st April 2013 – Ewan Galloway Trio
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 29th April 2013 – Nicol McLaren SDB
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 24th April 2013 – Brandon McPhee Trio
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) – 15th April 2013 – Steven Carcary Trio
Biggar (Municipal Hall) – 14th April 2013 – Alasdair MacCuish & the Black Rose C.B.
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) -
Britannia (Arden House Hotel) -
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) -
Button Key (Windygates Institute) –
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 2nd April 2013 – Lindsay Weir Trio
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 16th April 2013 – Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 18th April 2013 – Gavin Piper
Coldingham (Crosslaw Caravan Park) - 1st April 2013 – Roddy Matthews & Friends
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 4th April 2013 – Adin Graham
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club)
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) - 16th April 2013 – Alan Ross Trio
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 3rd April 2013 – Neil Hardie SDB
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 17th April 2013 – Scott Band SDB
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) – 9th April 2013 – Club Night
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
Duns (Royal British Legion Club, Langtongate) 15th April 2013 – Raymond Chuchuk SDB
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 23rd April 2013 – Dick Black Band
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 22nd April 2013 – Ray Carse
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 28th April 2013 – Richard Smith Trio
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 10th April 2013 – Deoch ‘n’ Dorus
Fort William (Railway Club, Inverlochy) -
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) – 4th April 2013 – Stuart Anderson SDB
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 18th April 2013 – AGM + McLean Sister Trio
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 3rd April 2013 – Steven Carcary Trio
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) -
Gretna (Athlitic & Social Club) - 7th April 2013 – Neil MacEachern SDB
Haddington (Railway Inn) - 21st April 2013 – Duncan Black & Marie Fielding
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 15th April 2013 – Ian Muir Trio
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) - 10th April 2013 – The Occasionals
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 4th April 2013 – Andrew MacDonald Trio
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) – 2nd April 2013 – Neil Hardie SDB 19th April 2013 – Dance to Robert Whitehead SDB
Kelso (Cross Keys Hotel) – 24th April 2013 – David Kennedy SDB
Kintore (Torryburn Arms Hotel) –
Ladybank (Ladybank Tavern) - 18th April 2013 – Lomond Ceilidh Band
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) - 20th April 2013 – Dance to Sandy Lindsay SDB
Langholm (Eskdale Hotel) –
Lauder (Black Bull Hotel) -
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 4th April 2013 – Susan MacFadyen Trio
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 16th April 2013 – Ian Cruickshanks Trio
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) - 30th April 2013 – Sandy Nixon SDB
Maine Valley (Ballymena) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 16th April 2013 – Club Night
Montrose (Park Hotel) –
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) - 25th April 2013 – Scott Band SDB
Newmill-on-Teviot / Teviotdale (Buccleugh Bowling Club)
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 21st April 2013 - Competitions
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 2nd April 2013 – Johnny duncan
Northern (Lylehill Suite, Templepatrick, N.I.) - 3rd April 2013 – Declan Aungier
Oban (The Argyllshire Gathering) – 4th April 2013 – Graeme Mitchell SDB
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) –
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 25th April 2013 – James Coutts Trio
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 16th April 2013 – Ross MacPherson Trio
Premier NI (Chimney Corner Hotel) -
Reading Scottish Fiddlers (Willowbank Infant School, Woodley) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 9th April 2013 – Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 4th April 2013 – Ewan Galloway Trio
Scottish Accordion Music (Banchory) -
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) -
Selkirk (Angus O’Malley’s) -
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) - 3rd April 2013 – Judith Linton Trio
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) - 6th April 2013 – Club Members
Thornhill (Bowling Club Hall) - 9th April 2013 – Scott Leslie SDB
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 1st April 2013 – Logan MacGregor SDB
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 4th April 2013 – Jimmy & Sandy Lindsay
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 18th April 2013 – David Vernon
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) - 13th & 27th April 2013 – Saturday Ceilidh Night
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn) 11th April 2013 – Leonard Brown
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 16th April 2013 – Archie MacPhee & the Bogroy SDB
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Annan
4. Arbroath
5. Balloch
6. Banchory
7. Banff
8. Biggar
9. Button-Key
10. Campsie
11. Castle Douglas
12. Coalburn
13. Crieff
14. Dingwall
15. Dunblane
16. Dunfermline
17. Duns
18. Fintry
19. Forfar
20. Forres
21. Glendale
22. Gretna
23. Highland
24. Inveraray
25. Isle of Skye
26. Islesteps
27. Kelso
28. Ladybank
29. Lanark
30. Lewis & Harris
31. Livingston
32. Lockerbie
33. Mauchline
34. Montrose
35. Newtongrange
36. Northern
37. Peebles
38. Perth
39. Renfrew
40 Shetland
41. Stonehouse
42. Thornhill
43. Turriff
44. West Barnes
45. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2012
(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 (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
10. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
11. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
12. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
13. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
14. Button Key A&F Club (
15. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
16. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
17. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
18. Coalburn A&F Club (
19. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 -
20. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
21. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
22. Cults A & F Club (
23. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
24. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
25. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
26. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
27. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
28. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
29. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
30. Ellon A&F Club (
31. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
32. Forfar A&F Club (
33. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
34. Fort William A&F Club (2009 -
35. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
36. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
37. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
38. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
39. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
40. 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)
41. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 - )
42. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
43. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
44. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
45. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
46. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
47. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier
48. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
49. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
50. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
51. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
52. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
53 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
54 Maine Valley A&F Club (
55 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
56 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
57 Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
58 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
59. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
60. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
61. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
62. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
63. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
64. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
65. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
66. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
67. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
68. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
69. Selkirk A&F Club (
70. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
71 Stonehouse A&F Club (first report June 05 -
72 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
73 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
74 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
75 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
76 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
77 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
78 West Barnes ( - present)
79 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?)
80. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
81. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
82. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
83. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
84. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
85. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
86. Buchan A&F Club
87 Callander A&F Club (
88 Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
89 Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
90 Club Accord
91 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
92. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
93. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
94. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
95. Derwentside A&F Club
96. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
97. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
98. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
99. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
100. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
101. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
102. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
103. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
104. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
105. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
106. Kintore A&F Club (
107. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
108. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
109. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
110. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
111. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
112. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
113. Mull A&F Club
114. Newcastleton Accordion Club
115. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
116. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
117. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
118. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
119. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
120. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
121. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
122. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
123. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
124. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
125. Tranent A&F Club
126. Vancouver
127. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
128. Wellbank A&F Club
129. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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B&F Treasurer – Charlie Todd, Thankerton
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
A short while ago we heard of the tragic death of Gervasio Marcosignori, one of the most admired and loved accordionists of his generation. Rob Howard has written a tribute to him and we will carry that in full next month. We will also have photos and results from the Dumfries Festival.
We had another excellent day at Inshyra Grange, as you can see by the photos in this month’s issue.
Karin Ingram
39th Annual NAAFC Festival at Inshyra Grange
by James Coutts
Saturday 2nd March and The MacDonald Inshyra Hotel was abuzz with great musicians it hosted the 39th NAAFC Festival. Competitor numbers held up at around 180, which is encouraging in the current economic climate, and the standard of performance was extremely high, in keeping with previous years.
In response to requests from several teachers, we re-banded the age limits for the polka and musette competitions and hopefully this will lead to a sustained increase in entries in future years.
Provost Pat Reid, of Falkirk Council, kindly donated a trophy to the Festival, having been extremely impressed on his first visit last year. To try to bring something a wee bit different to the Festival we introduced an Accordion Showband section for ‘The Provost’s cup’ and it was certainly one of the big talking points of this year’s Festival. Although we only had one entry, The Keith Dickson Accordion Showband, comprising of 19 musicians and vocalists under the age of 18, they gave a fantastic performance. Having got this section up and running, hopefully it will flourish and attract more entries next year.
We changed the timing of this year’s concert, in order to try to attract a bigger crowd and to prevent some of the young prize winners having to stay so late. The concert commenced with one of the day’s adjudicators, Liam Stewart, showcasing the LIMEX MIDI system and we are extremely grateful to Roy Hendrie and LIMEX for donating two £250 vouchers towards the cost of a LIMEX system, and these were awarded to the overall Junior and Senior Accordion Champions.
As always, we were delighted to have Jennifer Cruickshank and her team from BBC Radio Scotland in attendance, and I know she was extremely pleased with the quality of recordings obtained from both the Concert and the competitions.
With the concert finished earlier than normal, everyone had a wee bit more time to enjoy their evening meal before the fantastic sound of Tom Orr and his Band gave us a dance to remember. It was great to see so many youngsters at the dance this year and the floor was pretty much full from start to finish. For me, Tom Orr epitomizes what the Festival is all about, having started as a young solo competitor before going on to win all the major honours (several times over in some cases) and now establishing himself as one of the country’s top bandleaders.
Inshyra has been booked to host the Festival on Saturday 1st March 2014 and this will be our 40th festival. We would be pleased to hear any ideas on how you would like to see this milestone celebrated. We’d like to do something special without taking away the core features of the Festival.
As always, I’d like to finish by expressing my sincere gratitude to everyone who supported the Festival this year. This includes all the competitors, teachers, helpers, adjudicators, BBC Radio Scotland, traders, advertisers, member clubs and enthusiasts. Special mention once again goes to Eleanor and John Bond of Ayr and Billy Hutton of Campsie, not forgetting the Festival Committee for their magnificent support this year.
Junior Accordion
Under 10 Traditional Accordion Solo – Islesteps Shield
1)
2)
3)
Under 12 Traditional Accordion Solo – Pentland Cup
1)
2)
3)
12 and Under 16 Traditional Accordion Solo – Jim Johnstone Cup
1) Adam Gibb (Biggar)
2)
3)
12 and Under 16 Traditional Accordion Solo – James Paterson Memorial Trophy
Most Promising Player
Ciorstaidh-Sarah Chaimbeul
Junior Accordion Solo Pipe Music – Bill Black Cup
1) Adam Gibb (Biggar)
2)
3)
Junior Traditional Duet – Angus Howie Cups
1) Magnus & Anna Westwell (Edinburgh)
2)
3)
Overall Junior Accordion Champion – Alex Little Memorial Trophy
Adam Gibb (Biggar)
Senior Accordion
Senior Traditional Accordion Solo – Clinkscale Cup
1) Matthew MacLennan (Edinburgh)
2)
3)
Senior Accordion Pipe Music Solo – Bill Powrie Memorial Cup
1) Matthew MacLennan (Edinburgh)
2)
3)
Open Accordion Championship – Todhills Trophy
1) Emma Dickson (Dolphinton)
2)
3)
Senior Overall Accordion Champion - The Bobby MacLeod Trophy
Matthew MacLennan (Edinburgh)
Open Buttonkey Accordion Solo – Windygates Trophy
1) Brandon McPhee (Caithness)
2)
3)
Trios – Jimmy Blue Trophy & Eric Goodfellow Memorial Shield
1) Maggie Adamson (Shetland)
Trio Runners-Up – Eric Goodfellow Memorial Shield
Callum Cruickshank (Lumphanan)
Trios – Best Piano Player – David Flockhart Shield
Callum Cruickshank (Lumphanan)
Bands – Overall Winner - Iain MacPhail Cup
John Burns (Falkirk)
Runners Up John Fairbairn Memorial Trophy
Callum Cruickshank (Lumphanan)
Band – Rhythm Section - Arthur Easson Memorial Trophy
Callum Cruickshank (Lumphanan)
Junior Band – Duncan Campbell of Oban Memorial Trophy
Campbell Fleming & Ewan Dowie
Own Composition – Willie Wilson Cup
1) Emma Dickson (Dolphinton)
2)
3)
RSCDS Open Dance – RSCDS Trophy
1) Shona MacFadyen (West Kilbride)
2)
Accordion Showband – Provost’s Cup
1) Keith Dickson Accordion Showband
Under 12 Classical Solo – Kelso Cup
1) No entry
2)
3)
Under 16 Classical Solo – Dundee Shield
1) Emma Dickson (Dolphinton)
2)
3)
Open Classical Solo – Jimmy Clinkscale Shield
1) Sarah Alexander (Buckie)
2)
3)
Under 13 Classical Duet – Beith & District A&F Club Cups (Willie Wilson Memorial Trophies)
1) Kyle and Alan Rowan (Edinburgh)
2)
Under 16 Classical Duet - Alex MacArthur Cups
1) Ellie Borthwick (Newtongrange) & Katie Todd (Dalkeith)
2)
3)
Open Classical Duet – Dunfermline Cup
1) Duncan Muir (Thornhill) & Claire Black (Biggar)
2)
3)
Classical Polka
Under 10 Classical Polka Solo – The Todhills Trophy
1)
2)
Under 12 Classical Polka Solo – Newtongrange Shield
1) Cameron McLaren (Cupar)
2)
3)
Under 16 Classical Polka Solo – Aberdeen Cup
1) Alex Stewart (Stanley)
2)
3)
Open Classical Polka Solo – Tign-Na-Gorm Cup
1) Leonard Brown (South Shiels)
2)
3)
Under 12 Classical Musette Accordion Solo – John Laidlaw Memorial Trophy
1) Andrew Erskine (Biggar)
2)
3)
Under 16 Classical Musette Solo – George & Margaret Smith (Newtongrange) Shield
1) Adam Gibb (Biggar)
2)
3)
Open Classical Musette Accordion Solo – Christine Hunter Memorial Trophy
1) Paul Capaldi (Galashiels)
2)
3)
Fiddle Sections
Under 12 Fiddle Solo – NAAFC Musselburgh Festival Trophy
1) Anna Westwell (Edinburgh)
2)
3)
Junior Fiddle Solo – MSR – Strathspey and Reel Association Cup & Kirsy’s Ceilidh Shield
1) Hannah Renton (Aberdeen)
2)
3)
Junior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air – Dougie Welsh Memorial Cup
1) Eilidh MacLeod (Stornoway)
2)
3)
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Strathspey, MSR – St. Boswell Cup
1) Maggie Adamson (Shetland)
2)
3)
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air – Ron Gonella Cup
1) Maggie Adamson (Shetland)
2)
3)
Open Fiddle Championship – Banchory S&R Society Trophy
1) Maggie Adamson (Shetland)
2)
3)
Open Fiddle Solo Hornpipe and Jig – John Ellis Trophy
1) Maggie Adamson (Shetland)
2)
3)
Overall Fiddle Champion - The Angus Fitchet Trophy
Maggie Adamson (Shetland)
Overall Junior Fiddle Champion – Judith Linton Trophy
Hannah Renton (Aberdeen)
Open Fiddle Groups – Lesmahagow Quaich
1) Deeside Loons & Quines
2)
3)
Youngest Girl Competitor – John McQueen Medal
Alice Girling (Glenfarg)
Youngest Boy Competitor – John McQueen Medal
Archie Mackechnie (Dunblane)
Roy Burgess – Uist and Benbecula Club Treasurer - Obituary
by
With the passing of Roy Burgess on 5th February 2013, the…………..
Deoch ‘n’ Dorus
by Susan MacFadyen
Deoch ‘n’ Dorus meaning ‘One for the Road’ was formed in 2001 by three young students studying at the RSAMD. Since then the Band has gone from strength to strength with the ultimate accolade being awarded Scottish Dance Band of the Year at the MG Alba Scots Trsditional Music Awards back in December 2012. The Band comprises Stuart Cameron on accordion, Simon Moran on fiddle and Andrew MacPherson on drums.
Stuart hails from Fort William and plays accordion and piano. He initially learned to play the accordion from his father, John, who is also an accomplished musician. At the age of 14 he travelled from Fort William to Perth every two weeks to receive tuition from Peter Bruce. Stuart decided that he would like to pursue a career in music and was accepted to study on the Traditional Muisic Degree at the RSAMD where he was also the recipient of the NAAFC Sir Jimmy Shand Scholarship. After graduating with an Honours Degree, he worked as a self-employed musician performing and teaching privately. A couple of years later he completed a post graduate teaching degree at Edinburgh University and now works as a Music Teacher in a secondary school in Glasgow.
Simon hails from the Isle of Jura and was originally taught fiddle by Ropan Shaw of Islay. His interest was born under the influence of Archie McAllister and The Jura Ceilidh Band who played on Jura regularly when he was young. Simon later went on to join the Band, performing regularly with them around Scotland. He still plays with the Band’s Jura accordionist, David MacDonald. Simon moved to Glasgow to study Scottish music at the RSAMD where he met Stuart and Andrew. His fiddle teachers there were Iain Fraser and Pete Clarke. During his time there, he performed with many musicians including Stuart Cassells, Canterach, Lorne MacDonald, Gary Innes and Dougie MacLean. Since graduating in 2005 with an Honours Degree, he has been busy performing with the Band and teaching fiddle in Glasgow and beyond.
Andrew comes from a musical family based in Portree. Andrew began playing drums with the Skye Pipe Band at the age of nine. He too went on to study for a degree in traditional music at the RSAMD in Glasgow. Well-schooled in the various genres of traditional music, he also plays bagpipes and whistles. He credits his influences as John Ellis and his Highland Country Band and legendary piper Donald MacLeod. Outwith Deoch ‘n’ Dorus, Andrew is kept busy playing in The Angus Nicolson Trio, and is in demand as a session musician and percussion and whistle teacher.
Stuart and Simon regularly played tunes together during their time at the RSAMD at the informal sessions in Glasgow. They were asked if they could organize a student ceilidh in the RSAMD but they were missing a drummer. They knew that Andrew, who was in the year above Stuart and Simon, played the drums, so they asked if he was interested in taking part. They formed the Band for this ceilidh and enjoyed playing together so much that they decided to try and find some work in the Glasgow area. They got work in the, now closed, Riverside Club where they played for over 4 years. With their Highlands and Islands connections, it wasn’t long before they were playing in the famous Park Bar and Islay Inn, where they can still be heard to this day. Nowadays, the Band play at a variety of different functions throughout the country such as Accordion & Fiddle Clubs, birthday parties, weddings and music festivals. They recently started a new business venture organizing and promoting monthly ceilidhs in Glasgow. There have been some lively nights to date and more information can be found at www.glasgowceilidhs.com
Looking back over the past 10 years, the Deoch ‘n’ Dorus sound, arrangements and musicianship have been influenced by various bands such as The Pentlands Ceilidh Band, The Black Rose Ceilidh Band, The Wallochmor Ceilidh Band and John Ellis and his Highland Country Band, to name but a few.
The Band to date has recorded four BBC Radio Scotland ‘TTF’ broadcasts, with plans in place for an outside broadcast later this year. They also have two studio albums released: ‘Deoch ‘n’ Dorus (Self-Titled)’ and ‘The Curer’ with plans for a third album being drawn up. The Band will be appearing at the Shetland Accordion and Fiddle Festival this coming October.
Stuart, Simon and Andrew were both surprised and delighted to receive the Scottish Dance Band of the Year Award, fighting off stiff competition from the other nominees, The Monach Isles Ceilidh Band, Graeme Mitchell SDB and Charlie Kirkpatrick SDB.
Just a wee deoch ‘n’ dorus afore ye gang awa!!!
Jack Gray (1929 – 2013) - Obituary
by Charlie Todd
It’s not often you can pinpoint the exact day when you met someone who was to become a lifelong friend, but in the case of Jack Gray I met him for the first time on the opening night of the Lesmahagow Accordion and Fiddle Club on 1st November 1979. At the age of 50 Jack had recently been forced give up his band work due to arthritis. Jack’s signature tune was ‘The Darktown Strutters Ball’ and most of his work was what we would call ‘modern ballroom’ - quicksteps, slow foxtrots and modern waltzes - all of which he loved, but it was the fact that he could no longer play an Eightsome Reel when traditional dances were required which decided him to stop gigging. In a sense it was a measure of his professionalism – he could no longer guarantee to do the whole job so he retired graciously.
He already attended Biggar Club as a listener and determined to open another one locally. Lanark couldn’t provide a venue at that point so Lesmahagow it was. And like everything he did, ‘Big Jack,’ as he was soon known to everyone, ran it with enthusiasm. Forced to retire early from his work as a dairyman in October 1980, again because of arthritis, he was able to devote even more time and energy to the Club.
Early Days
Jack was born in the Lanarkshire mining village of Riggend, near Slamannan, on 14th May 1929, the second eldest in a family of six, at the very start of the ‘Great Depression’. Although his father was a miner, on leaving school on his 13th birthday (with the special permission, indeed gratitude, of the local Education Board!) Jack opted for the only alternative in the area – as a farm worker. And that was the career he followed for the remainder of his working life, barring two short spells in the pits, the first when it was the only work available and the second in 1947/8 when he opted to be a ‘Bevin Boy’ down the mines rather than endure the discipline of the Army for his National Service. Even in these brief forays underground, during which he worked as a ‘drawer’ for his dad, the ‘hewer’ who ‘won’ the coal with a pick, they were twice trapped behind roof-falls and had to be dug out. It was with a sense of relief that he returned to farm work. In those grim days of the 30’s he was also hospitalised on separate occasions by scarlet fever and spinal meningitis.
Music
It was at the age of 11 that Jack got his first taste of the music world when he saw a melodeon in a shop window in Airdrie and did odd jobs, frantically saving every penny he earned to buy it. Having accumulated the required sum however, he was devastated to turn up at the shop to find out it had been sold. All was not lost though, because on learning of his desire to own a melodeon, his Uncle Jimmy dug one out of the back of a cupboard in the family home! At the age of 14 he bought a piano accordion and for a year went to Glasgow on the bus and tram for lessons every Wednesday with Toni Verrichia, a well known and respected accordion teacher who also ran what was known as ‘Toni Verrichia’s Number 1 Accordion Orchestra,’ although he wasn’t too enthusiastic as it was mostly classical. Toni chastised his pupils by rapping them hard over the knuckles with a cane. Jack, a keen participant in the local amateur boxing clubs of the day favoured by the Lanarkshire mining communities, left Tony in do doubt about where this practice was going to lead!
One day in 1946, he left Toni’s to visit his mum who was in hospital. His dad was there visiting too and he told his parents he wasn’t going back for any more lessons. By one of those quirks of fate the conversation was overheard by Hilda Slaven who was in the next bed. It transpired that Hilda was also an accordion teacher, based in Glasgow, who offered to teach Jack when she got out of hospital. Jack wanted to play in a dance band, so he went to Hilda for lessons for about a year, making rapid progress this time. He also played the drums, eventually following members of his family into Glenmavis Pipe Band. His father, and brother Wullie, played the pipes (Wullie later joined the Cameronians), his sister Nessie a tenor drum and brother Jimmy, along with Jack, the side drum.
Byretown Farm
Jack also had a passion for speed and like many a working man he owned a succession of motorbikes and took part in the Isle of Man T.T. on a couple of occasions – a particularly hazardous pursuit. That came to an end in 1950 when Jack married Jean Marshall from Belfast, a marriage that was to last for 62 happy years. In August 1952 they moved to ‘Byretoon’ Farm near Kirkfieldbank, Lanark where Jack was head dairyman and Jean washed the ‘milk dishes’ as they were known. In 1954, at the age of 24 Jack joined Tommy Rae’s Band, with Tommy and Jack on accordions, Willie Girdwood from Lanark on cornet and Willie Simpson from Crossford on drums. The band were together for around two years and only split up when Willie was called up for his National Service. Within a few months, Jack was asked to join The Carlton Quintet with himself and Tony Woodage on accordions, Ena Wilson from Elvanfoot (later of Lothian SDB fame) on piano, Billy Veitch from Lanark on guitar (who emigrated to Canada and was replaced by Leadhills fiddler Kenny Wilson) and John Train on drums (who was then later replaced with Johnnie Nichol, father of well-known present day Loanhead pianist Jim Nichol). The band played gigs all over the Borders region including once a month in Dumfries Drill Hall.
A three piece followed with Dan Bryson on accordion and Tam Baxter on drums, then a two piece with drummer John Simpson from Forth. Eldest son William, aged only 11, then joined the band on guitar and keyboards for six years and when he left to join a ‘beat group’ Jack’s final pairing was with drummer and comic Jack Grant, also from Kirkfieldbank.
Retirement
Jack had always had an interesting and busy life as a local accordionist. From the 1950’s to the 70’s he did a huge number of small mid-week jobs for Rurals, Guilds, and anyone else who needed music for dancing. The money wasn’t good, in fact it was almost a case of playing for your supper, your petrol money and the pleasure of it, but the spin-offs were considerable. All the ladies who attended these wee meetings realised how good a player Jack was and booked him for their sons and daughters weddings at weekends or recommended him to friends. Consequently Jack’s diary never had a free week or a weekend. He was an early advocate of the electronic accordion which he used in conjunction with a Lesley Tone Cabinet which contained a revolving speaker and produced a marvelous sound.
When he retired in 1980 Jack took a part time job as a salesman with ‘Electronic Accordions’ of Motherwell. As well as having an excellent range of acoustic accordions they had the franchise for the new Zero Zette electronic accordion. The local Manager, Joe Vettraino, adopted the traditional ‘wait on the customers coming to us’ approach but Jack was on commission and pioneered the ‘take the box to the players’ approach by hiring hotel function rooms for afternoons and evenings, particularly at events like the Newcastleton Festival, and demonstrating and selling accordions. The innovation was immensely successful and it gave Jack immense satisfaction to report his sales figures to Head Office down south. In that pre E-bay era he also developed a profitable sideline in buying and selling small accordions.
He also started teaching the accordion and the keyboard, not with a view to taking pupils down any technical, classically based route but instead directing them towards learning practical skills which would enable them to play in dance bands. Two of his pupils names stand out above the rest – Peter Wood and grand-daughter Pamela Gray.
Community Spirit
And so that brings us back round to the Lesmahagow Accordion and Fiddle Club. As well as Chairing it successfully for 26 years, Jack and Jean were Chairman and Secretary of the Kirkfieldbank Old Age Pensioners Association for even longer. This involved organising 4 annual day outings, an annual week’s holiday down south, a big Christmas party and innumerable fund raising and entertainment events in between. But all of this they did with enthusiasm and professionalism and it was undoubtedly of great sorrow to both of them that both organisations closed when they eventually took their final retirement in 2005.
In one sense the final chapter of the Jack Gray story finished with a large gathering of friends and relatives at South Lanarkshire Crematorium on Friday 25th January, 2013 but really the story lives on through his family and his many pupils, the Peter Wood’s and the Pamela Gray’s who carry the music forward to the next generation.
Jack’s final days were not easy ones, but he displayed the same fortitude he had displayed all his life. Wife Jean, daughter Mary, son Alex and grand-daughter Pamela thank all those who attended the funeral or sent cards and messages of sympathy. We offer them our deepest condolences. ‘Big Jack’ will be sorely missed but never forgotten
Webwatch
by Bill Young
www.
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
Kale Water – Bob Liddle – CRCD005
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
6th April 2013 – The Craigowl SDB + Ronnie Easton
13th April 2103 – Neil Copland SDB + Gemma Donald
20th April 2013 – Alan Crookston SDB (Debut) + Preview of TV series ‘Hebrides – Islands on the Edge’
27th April 2013 – Deoch ‘n’ Dorus from Syke Gathering Hall with guest presenter John Carmichael (Gaelic presenter)
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 30th April 2013 – Sandy Lindsay Trio
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle)
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 21st April 2013 – Willie McFarland Band
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 7th April 2013 – Gary Forrest & Roddy Matthews
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 21st April 2013 – Ewan Galloway Trio
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 29th April 2013 – Nicol McLaren SDB
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 24th April 2013 – Brandon McPhee Trio
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) – 15th April 2013 – Steven Carcary Trio
Biggar (Municipal Hall) – 14th April 2013 – Alasdair MacCuish & the Black Rose C.B.
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) -
Britannia (Arden House Hotel) -
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) -
Button Key (Windygates Institute) –
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 2nd April 2013 – Lindsay Weir Trio
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 16th April 2013 – Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 18th April 2013 – Gavin Piper
Coldingham (Crosslaw Caravan Park) - 1st April 2013 – Roddy Matthews & Friends
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 4th April 2013 – Adin Graham
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club)
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) - 16th April 2013 – Alan Ross Trio
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 3rd April 2013 – Neil Hardie SDB
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 17th April 2013 – Scott Band SDB
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) – 9th April 2013 – Club Night
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
Duns (Royal British Legion Club, Langtongate) 15th April 2013 – Raymond Chuchuk SDB
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 23rd April 2013 – Dick Black Band
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 22nd April 2013 – Ray Carse
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 28th April 2013 – Richard Smith Trio
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 10th April 2013 – Deoch ‘n’ Dorus
Fort William (Railway Club, Inverlochy) -
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) – 4th April 2013 – Stuart Anderson SDB
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 18th April 2013 – AGM + McLean Sister Trio
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 3rd April 2013 – Steven Carcary Trio
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) -
Gretna (Athlitic & Social Club) - 7th April 2013 – Neil MacEachern SDB
Haddington (Railway Inn) - 21st April 2013 – Duncan Black & Marie Fielding
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 15th April 2013 – Ian Muir Trio
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) - 10th April 2013 – The Occasionals
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 4th April 2013 – Andrew MacDonald Trio
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) – 2nd April 2013 – Neil Hardie SDB 19th April 2013 – Dance to Robert Whitehead SDB
Kelso (Cross Keys Hotel) – 24th April 2013 – David Kennedy SDB
Kintore (Torryburn Arms Hotel) –
Ladybank (Ladybank Tavern) - 18th April 2013 – Lomond Ceilidh Band
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) - 20th April 2013 – Dance to Sandy Lindsay SDB
Langholm (Eskdale Hotel) –
Lauder (Black Bull Hotel) -
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 4th April 2013 – Susan MacFadyen Trio
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 16th April 2013 – Ian Cruickshanks Trio
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) - 30th April 2013 – Sandy Nixon SDB
Maine Valley (Ballymena) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 16th April 2013 – Club Night
Montrose (Park Hotel) –
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) - 25th April 2013 – Scott Band SDB
Newmill-on-Teviot / Teviotdale (Buccleugh Bowling Club)
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 21st April 2013 - Competitions
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 2nd April 2013 – Johnny duncan
Northern (Lylehill Suite, Templepatrick, N.I.) - 3rd April 2013 – Declan Aungier
Oban (The Argyllshire Gathering) – 4th April 2013 – Graeme Mitchell SDB
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) –
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 25th April 2013 – James Coutts Trio
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 16th April 2013 – Ross MacPherson Trio
Premier NI (Chimney Corner Hotel) -
Reading Scottish Fiddlers (Willowbank Infant School, Woodley) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 9th April 2013 – Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 4th April 2013 – Ewan Galloway Trio
Scottish Accordion Music (Banchory) -
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) -
Selkirk (Angus O’Malley’s) -
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) - 3rd April 2013 – Judith Linton Trio
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) - 6th April 2013 – Club Members
Thornhill (Bowling Club Hall) - 9th April 2013 – Scott Leslie SDB
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 1st April 2013 – Logan MacGregor SDB
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 4th April 2013 – Jimmy & Sandy Lindsay
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 18th April 2013 – David Vernon
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) - 13th & 27th April 2013 – Saturday Ceilidh Night
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn) 11th April 2013 – Leonard Brown
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 16th April 2013 – Archie MacPhee & the Bogroy SDB
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Annan
4. Arbroath
5. Balloch
6. Banchory
7. Banff
8. Biggar
9. Button-Key
10. Campsie
11. Castle Douglas
12. Coalburn
13. Crieff
14. Dingwall
15. Dunblane
16. Dunfermline
17. Duns
18. Fintry
19. Forfar
20. Forres
21. Glendale
22. Gretna
23. Highland
24. Inveraray
25. Isle of Skye
26. Islesteps
27. Kelso
28. Ladybank
29. Lanark
30. Lewis & Harris
31. Livingston
32. Lockerbie
33. Mauchline
34. Montrose
35. Newtongrange
36. Northern
37. Peebles
38. Perth
39. Renfrew
40 Shetland
41. Stonehouse
42. Thornhill
43. Turriff
44. West Barnes
45. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2012
(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 (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
10. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
11. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
12. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
13. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
14. Button Key A&F Club (
15. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
16. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
17. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
18. Coalburn A&F Club (
19. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 -
20. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
21. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
22. Cults A & F Club (
23. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
24. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
25. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
26. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
27. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
28. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
29. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
30. Ellon A&F Club (
31. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
32. Forfar A&F Club (
33. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
34. Fort William A&F Club (2009 -
35. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
36. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
37. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
38. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
39. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
40. 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)
41. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 - )
42. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
43. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
44. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
45. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
46. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
47. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier
48. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
49. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
50. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
51. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
52. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
53 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
54 Maine Valley A&F Club (
55 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
56 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
57 Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
58 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
59. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
60. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
61. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
62. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
63. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
64. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
65. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
66. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
67. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
68. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
69. Selkirk A&F Club (
70. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
71 Stonehouse A&F Club (first report June 05 -
72 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
73 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
74 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
75 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
76 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
77 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
78 West Barnes ( - present)
79 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?)
80. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
81. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
82. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
83. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
84. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
85. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
86. Buchan A&F Club
87 Callander A&F Club (
88 Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
89 Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
90 Club Accord
91 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
92. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
93. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
94. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
95. Derwentside A&F Club
96. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
97. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
98. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
99. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
100. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
101. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
102. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
103. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
104. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
105. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
106. Kintore A&F Club (
107. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
108. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
109. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
110. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
111. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
112. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
113. Mull A&F Club
114. Newcastleton Accordion Club
115. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
116. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
117. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
118. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
119. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
120. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
121. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
122. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
123. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
124. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
125. Tranent A&F Club
126. Vancouver
127. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
128. Wellbank A&F Club
129. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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