Box and Fiddle
Year 40 No 08
April 2017
Price £2.70
44 Page Magazine
12 month subscription £32.40 + p&p £15.75 (UK)
Editor – Pia Walker, Cupar
B&F Treasurer – Willie Johnstone, Inverurie
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
March went flying past……………..
Pia Walker
The Fiery Session
by Grant Crawford
After a frenetic evening at The Shetland A&F Club’s Pre-Up Helly Aa event,…….………….
The 43rd Annual NAAFC Festival
by Pia Walker
The 43rd Annual Championships were held on 4th of March, 2017. In this issue we show the list of winners and photos and some of them (as not all had their photo taken). It was another great day, so add the date to your calendar for 2018 – first Saturday in March as per usual.
We hope to have a small article on the day itself in the May issue with lots of photos.
Junior Accordion
Under 10 Traditional Accordion Solo – Islesteps Shield
1) Inver Shand (Dunfermline)
2) Fin Hope (Broughton – Peeblesshire)
3)
Under 12 Traditional Accordion Solo – Pentland Cup
1) Clelland Shand (Dunfermline)
2) Blythe Shand (Dunfermline)
3)
12 and Under 16 Traditional Accordion Solo – Jim Johnstone Cup
1) Kyle Rowan (Edinburgh)
2) India Smith (Penicuik)
3) Cameron McLaren
12 and Under 16 Traditional Accordion Solo – James Paterson Memorial Trophy
Most Promising Player
Junior Accordion Solo Pipe Music – Bill Black Cup
1) Kyle Rowan (Edinburgh)
2) Archie MacKechnie
3) India Smith (Penicuik)
Junior Traditional Duet – Angus Howie Cups
1) Anya Johnston & Jodie Smith
2) Clelland & Inver Shand (Dunfermline)
3)
Overall Junior Accordion Champion – Alex Little Memorial Trophy
Kyle Rowan (Edinburgh)
Senior Accordion
Senior Traditional Accordion Solo – Clinkscale Cup
1) Adin Graham (Leven)
2) Graham MacLennan
3)
Senior Accordion Pipe Music Solo – Bill Powrie Memorial Cup
1) Gary Sutherland (Giffordtown)
2) Tom Orr (Lanark)
3) Colin Brown
Open Accordion Championship – Todhills Trophy
1) Mike Laurenson (Shetland)
2) Ciorstaidh-Sarah Chaimbeul (Kyle of Lochalsh)
3)
Senior Overall Accordion Champion - The Bobby MacLeod Trophy
Adin Graham (Leven)
Open Buttonkey Accordion Solo – Windygates Trophy
1) John Weaks (Glasgow)
2)
3)
Open Gaelic Waltz Solo
1) Shona MacFadyen (Coatbridge)
2) Graham MacLennan
3) Kyle Rowan (Edinburgh)
Trios – Jimmy Blue Trophy
1) Kyle Rowan (Edinburgh)
Trio Runners-Up – Eric Goodfellow Memorial Shield
Graham MacLennan
Fjana
Trios – Best Piano Player – David Flockhart Shield
Kyle Rowan (Edinburgh)
Bands – Overall Winner - Iain MacPhail Cup
Kyle Rowan (Edinburgh)
Runners Up John Fairbairn Memorial Trophy
2) Iain Cathcart (Lanark)
3=) Nicol McLaren / The Committed
Band – Rhythm Section - Arthur Easson Memorial Trophy
Kyle Rowan (Edinburgh)
Junior Band – Duncan Campbell of Oban Memorial Trophy
Own Composition – Willie Wilson Cup
1) Jennifer Cruickshank (Lumphanan)
2) Brian Cruickshank (Lumphanan)
3) Graeme Munro (Haddington)
RSCDS Open Dance – RSCDS Trophy
1) Catherine Speight
2)
Under 12 Classical Solo – Kelso Cup
1) Inver Shand (Dunfermline)
2)
3)
Under 16 Classical Solo – Dundee Shield
1) Kyle Rowan (Edinburgh)
2) Archie MacKechnie
3)
Open Classical Solo – Jimmy Clinkscale Shield
1) Ryan Corbett
2) Ciorstaidh-Sarah Chaimbeul (Kyle of Lochalsh)
3) Matt Murdoch
Under 13 Classical Duet – Beith & District A&F Club Cups (Willie Wilson Memorial Trophies)
1) Clelland & Inver Shand (Dunfermline)
2)
Under 16 Classical Duet - Alex MacArthur Cups
1) India Smith (Penicuik) & Anna Scott
2)
3)
Open Classical Duet – Dunfermline Cup
1) India Smith (Penicuik) & Anna Scott
2)
3)
Classical Polka
Under 10 Classical Polka Solo – The Todhills Trophy
1)
2)
Under 12 Classical Polka Solo – Newtongrange Shield
1) Clelland Shand (Dunfermline)
2) Blythe Shand (Dunfermline)
3)
Open Classical Polka Solo – Tign-Na-Gorm Cup
1) Ciorstaidh-Sarah Chaimbeul (Kyle of Lochalsh)
2)
3)
Under 16 Classical Polka Solo – Aberdeen Cup
1) Cameron McLaren
2) India Smith (Penicuik)
3)
Under 12 Classical Musette Accordion Solo – John Laidlaw Memorial Trophy
1) Clelland Shand (Dunfermline)
2) Fin Hope (Broughton – Peeblesshire)
3)
Under 16 Classical Polka Solo – George & Margaret Smith (Newtongrange) Shield
1) Kyle Rowan (Edinburgh)
2) Cameron McLaren
3) India Smith (Penicuik)
Open Classical Musette Accordion Solo – Christine Hunter Memorial Trophy
1) Ciorstaidh-Sarah Chaimbeul (Kyle of Lochalsh)
2) Matt Murdoch
3)
Fiddle Sections
Under 12 Fiddle Solo – NAAFC Musselburgh Festival Trophy
1) Kirsty Grant
2) Emily Laurenson (Shetland)
3) Erin Leslie
Junior Fiddle Solo – MSR – Strathspey and Reel Association Cup & Kirsy’s Ceilidh Shield
1) Kirsty Grant
2) Anya Johnston
3) Jodie Smith
Junior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air – Dougie Welsh Memorial Cup
1) Anya Johnston
2) Kirsty Grant
3) Rhiann Matthew
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Strathspey, MSR – St. Boswell Cup
1) Ellie McLaren
2) Shona MacFadyen (Coatbridge)
3) Catherine Speight
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air – Ron Gonella Cup
1) Shona MacFadyen (Coatbridge)
2) Ellie McLaren
3) Catherine Speight
Open Fiddle Championship – Banchory S&R Society Trophy
1) Shona MacFadyen (Coatbridge)
2) Ellie McLaren
3) Eilidh Anderson
Open Fiddle Solo Hornpipe and Jig – John Ellis Trophy
1) Ellie McLaren
2) Shona MacFadyen (Coatbridge)
3) Catherine Speight
Overall Fiddle Champion - The Angus Fitchet Trophy
Ellie McLaren
Overall Junior Fiddle Champion – Judith Linton Trophy
Kirsty Grant
Open Fiddle Groups – Lesmahagow Quaich
1) Strings ‘N’ Things
2) Deeside Loons & Quines
3)
Youngest Girl Competitor – John McQueen Medal
Islay Cathcart (Lanark)
Youngest Boy Competitor – John McQueen Medal
Findlay Graham
Violet Tulloch – Guest of Honour
by Pia Walker
On a beautifully sunny, cold and windy day at the end of January just after Up Helly Aa, I had the pleasure of interviewing one of our Guests of Honour for 2017.
Harmonist extraordinaire, Violet Tulloch, has been called ‘The Star’ by Jimmy Burgess and ‘The Queen of Lerwick’ by Phil Cunningham and I asked her what she thought of that? “It’s embarrassing, but I have learnt to live with it.” she replied with one of those lovely smiles, she bestows on people. My first impression of Violet Tulloch, at probably my first ever festival Saturday dance, was of a smiling, mild-mannered, brilliantly turned-out lady playing second box. I can see her as being a calming influence with many a band, although she does have a temper, she tells me, and can and will let loose from time to time “But it doesn’t last long and I don’t carry grudges.” she ads with a twinkle in her eye.
Violet initially learned accordion from her father, John Scott, a driver for John Leask & Sons. John was a dance bandleader with the first dance band in Shetland, the John Scott Dance Band. He died when Violet was 14 and after that, times were hard in the Scott household. Everyone had to help keep food on the table and a roof over their heads. This was one of the reasons Violet started playing accordion with ‘Tammy’ Anderson’s renowned Islesburgh Band. Although she had to have special dispensation from her head master and was only allowed to gig in weekends. She taught herself to play the piano, and credits the Isleburgh Band for helping her in her music, by encouraging her and asking her “how about trying this?” She calls it the greatest education in her life – “the bar was set by them”. She used to practice during the week and would walk to Isleburgh house and loose herself in the music and this was a bone of contention at home as she would forget to come home for mealtimes.
The Isleburgh Band were also instrumental in shaping the life of another Shetlander: AlyBain, who once told Violet that he heard them once and from then on knew he wanted to be a musician. Ali is now a close family friend. Violet was greatly taken with the Powrie band and another great harmonist, Pam Wilkie, also influenced her style.
Later life became easier, when her mother married an old family friend. Her stepfather Jim Stewart was a fiddler and the house remained full of music. Her stepfather’s composition Shack’s Farewell to the Workman’s Club is still played by many. The title came about because of a joke about a 6 penny arrears, which had Shack banned from the workmen’s club.
Few read music at that time and Violet has indeed taught herself to read music sufficiently, she says, to be able to look through books and pick tunes. Tunes used to be picked up by musicians from the wireless, especially from Norwegian broadcasts. She explained to me that Shetlanders also went to South Georgia on the whaling boats and mixed with and learned music from Norwegians, which is why Shetland music has such strong affinity with Norwegian music.
Violet didn’t only play piano and accordion, she also joined the Brass band, by chance. She was waiting for a friend who was at brass band practice. At the time the band was struggling for members and as she was there, she was asked to join. She enjoyed it, as it was something different and started playing the trumpet but changed to play 2nd cornet. She was among the first of the female band members to walk in the UHA-procession with the brass band.
When she was around 17 Violet went to Aberdeen and did a year’s domestic science course at the Robert Gordon College. Quite ironic, as she hates cooking. About this time she met Drew Tulloch and later married him at 21 years of age. Drew is a director of Hughson Bros wholesalers and although he doesn’t play an instrument, he is her strongest support and biggest critic. She says “he is so helpful in every way“. They have been heavily involved in the Up Helly Aa movement for many years, Drew was Guizer Jarl in 1969. In 1970 they became UHA-hosts at the Grand Hotel before moving on to the Clickimin Centre and they had 37 years as Host and Hostess before retiring. Violet proudly shows me the gift they were presented with then.
In Lerwick Violet worked in retail first in a chemist shop and later after it closed in Conochie's Newsagents. She worked with Alice Nicolson, mother of Alan and Colin. When I asked what she really wanted to be, she replies “Music Teacher or Antique Dealer”. She loves antiques, but when she was younger, there were not many opportunities, especially not for young women.
Family is important to Violet. She has 2 children Andrew who enjoys a very busy life as an Audio Engineer in London and Stewart who lives in Ellon and is a senior manager with a major oil company. She has 2 grand-children, Laura who plays the trombone and Louise plays piano, something which makes Violet a very proud granny. She has two brothers, Ian and Hughie (Ian lives in Lerwick, Hughie lives in Kent.) She sees her sister Jean as often as she can. Jean is a classroom assistant at a local school and is brilliant at IT, so she was a great help when it came to find the photos for this article.
Violet just likes harmonising with others. Her style has been called ‘impeccable, unobtrusive and supportive’, and she is much in demand. She leads an exciting life accompanying some of the foremost musicians of today. The people she has played with over the years reads as the who’s who of trad. music: Dr. Tom Anderson, Peerie Willie Johnson, Willie Hunter and Jim Halcrow and Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham. Moreover, of course, her lovely smiling face and twinkly eyes can be seen in the Jimmy Burgess Orchestra. She started playing with Jimmy in 1969 or thereabouts standing in for a UHA squad member and she just carried on from there. Recently she has accompanied extraordinary fiddler Bryan Gear, of whom she says she is very fond of and feels that they are “on the same wavelength musically and great friends".
She played a lot with Phil & Aly for a long time, but at one point she was a housewife with children, and could not do the touring required. She comments that Phil & Aly are so good together.
She loves slow airs and although she loves all kind of music, Scottish music is her first love. She loves to play music and perform, and spends a lot of time working on getting her art right. That she loves Shetland is very obvious. She states that it is a blessed place and that it produces some great musicians, not just fiddles, but all sorts of instrumentalists, perhaps because it is an island. She briefly mentions the music tuition taking place in so many places in Shetland right now, and that it is great to see so many kids take up an instrument. She herself has 20 pupils learning the piano. Violet plays the accordion next to them as they learn, and she is sure that is why they keep at it. “There’s nothing like live music.” She says she will still be teaching until she gets old. I did not dare ask her how old she was. She is one of these people who will always look youthful no matter their age.
While talking about tuition and music this lead to discussing what she feels is important for the younger generation. “Young people have so many opportunities that weren’t there when I started out. Then you learnt as you went along, with only a few to learn from”. Her advice is to work hard, be confident and to enjoy the music, but also to take time to listen to others. She feels it is important to connect with the audience and look as if you are enjoying yourself. With regard to Scottish Traditional music she feels that older music should be showcased more, so the roots of the music are not forgotten - it is music that no one else has. “Imagination and experimentation is good, but you have to know where the music comes from”. We both agreed that music is all about communication and that it is an International language.
She could not tell me which instrument she liked the best, but she does like to pick up the accordion and have a tune. Music by the way is not her only passion; she is also a mean bridge player and has been since she was 16. Apart from family this is a big part of her life outside her music.
Violet was induced into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame in 2015, and it has meant so much to her, because it highlights the important work of accompanists. In 2016 she was asked to open the Shetland A & F Club’s festival. She was one of the founders of this club. The trophies of both events take pride of place in her lovely home alongside the UHA retiral presentation. Her life in music, whether live performances, radio broadcasts, tv-appearances makes this lady a most suitable recipient of the NAAFC Guest of Honour award.
Violet came from a generation inspired by the likes of Willie Johnson. Along with Ronald Cooper, they brought accompaniment to a new level. Her knowledge of chords and the music we play is second to none. Her teaching has provided Shetland with a new generation of players. She is a treasure to Shetland and over the years a great friend to me. Aly Bain
Violet has played second box with my band for many years. We seemed to gel right from the very start. The harmonies she put in to a lot of the tunes was great, and we both play Rancos, which gives us a different sound.
I am delighted that she is one of the Guests of honours at the annual lunch, and I am hoping to be present once more. Jimmy Burgess
Musings
by Tom Orr
I was privileged to be asked to play………………..
Presenting the Presenter
by Pia Walker
Having . ………..
Book Review
Easy Folk fiddle with accompanying CD - Schott
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
1st April 2017 – Ian Smith SDB
8th April 2017 – Iain Anderson SDB
15th April 2017 – Easter Weekend – Jimmy Shand Special - Repeat
22nd April 2017 – The best of our bands from Vinyl
29th April 2017 – The Clappy Doo C.B.
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 25th April 2017 – Gordon Shand SDB
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms) 12th April 2017 – Ewan Galloway + AGM
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 16th April 2017 – Scott Band Trio
Arbroath (Artisan Golf Club) - 2nd April 2017 – Scott Band SDB
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) –
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) – 17th April 2017 – Ronnie Easton SDB
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) – 9th April 2017 – Hector MacFadyen SDB
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 11th April 2017 – Tony Kearney
Button Key (Greig Institute, Windygates) – 13th April 2017 – Tony Kearney
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 4th April 2017 – Liam Stewart SDB
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) - 13th April 2017 – Iain Anderson & Eric Goodfellow
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 18th April 2017 – Sandy Nixon SDB
Clydesdale (St Mary’s Club Rooms) - 2nd April 2017 – Richard Ross SDB
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 20th April 2017 – Neil Hardie SDB
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 6th April 2017 – Peter Stewart Duo
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) - 18th April 2017 – Tony Kearney
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 5th April 2017 – David Oswald SDB
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 19th April 2017 – Janet Graham
Dunfermline (Sportsman Bar, Rosyth) – 11th April 2017 – Club Night
Duns (Masonic Lodge) 17th April 2017 – Billy Anderson & Albany
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 18th April 2017 – Susie Simpson SDB
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 30th April 2017 – Lomond C.B.
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 12th April 2017 – Jack Delaney SDB
Fort William (Railway Club) - 4th April 2017 – Hannah MacRae
Galashiels (Clovenfords Hotel) – 6th April 2017 – Colin Dewar SDB
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 13th April 2017 – Graeme Mitchell SDB
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 5th April 2017 – Donald McLeod SDB
Gretna (The Solway Lodge Hotel) - 2nd April 2017 – Graeme MacKay
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 17th April 2017 – Ewan Galloway Trio
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) - 12th April 2017 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 6th April 2017 – Iain Cathcart SDB
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) – 4th April 2017 – Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio 21st April – Dance to James Coutts SDB
Kelso (Cross Rugby Club) – 26th April 2017 – Janet Graham Band
Langholm (British Legion) – 12th April 2017 – Tony Kearney
Lewis & Harris (Caladh Inn, Stornoway) - 6th April 2017 – Hector McFadyen SDB
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 18th April 2017 – Blackthorne C.B.
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) - 25th April 2017 – Andy Philip Duo
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 18th April 2017 – Club Night
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 5th April 2017 – Steven Carcary Trio
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) -
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 4th April 2017 – Graeme Mitchell SDB
Oban (The Royal Hotel) – 6th April 2017 – Lindsay Weir Trio
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 5th 12th 19th April 2017 – Club Nights 26th April - Concert
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 27th April 2017 – Dick Black Band
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 18th April 2017 – Hector McFadyen SDB
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 11th April 2017 – Kyle Innes Trio
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 6th April 2017 – Duncan Black & Marie Fielding
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 4th April 2017 – Leonard Brown Bavarian Night 11th 18th 25th April – Club Nights
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - April 2017 -
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Bowling Club) - 13th April 2017 – Iain Cathcart SDB
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 3rd April 2017 – Nicky McMichan Trio
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 6th April 2017 – John Stuart SDB
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 20th April 2017 – David Vernon
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 18th April 2017 – Steven Carcary Duo
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Annan
2. Arbroath
3. Balloch
4. Banff
5. Biggar
6. Blairgowrie
7. Button Key
8. Campsie
9. Castle Douglas
10. Clydesdale
11. Coalburn
12. Crieff
13. Dingwall
14. Dunfermline
15. Duns
16. Forfar
17. Forres
18. Glendale
19. Glenfarg
20. Highland
21. Inveraray
22. Isle of Skye
23. Islesteps
24. Kelso
25. Livingston
26. Lockerbie
27. Mauchline
28. Montrose
29. Newburgh
30. North East
31. Orkney
32. Renfrew
33. Rothbury
34. Shetland
35. Stonehouse
36. Turriff
37. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2016
(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. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
10. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
11. Button Key A&F Club (
12. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
13. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
15. Clydesdale A&F Club (Sept 2016 – present)
16. Coalburn A&F Club (
17. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
18. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
19. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
20. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
21. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
22. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
23. Ellon A&F Club (
24. Forfar A&F Club (
25. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
26. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
27. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
28. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
29. 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)
30. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
31. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
32. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
33. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
34. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
35. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
36. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 – present)
37. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
38 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
39. Macmerry A&F Club (Feb 2016 – present)
40 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
41 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
42 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
43. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
44. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
45. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
46. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
47. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
48. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
49. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
50. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
51 Stonehouse A&F Club (Opened 2003 - first report June 05 – Closed April 2018)
52 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
53 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
54 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
55 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
56 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?)
57. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
58. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
59. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
60. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
61. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
62. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
63. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
64. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
65. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
66. Buchan A&F Club
67. Callander A&F Club (
68. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
69. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
70. Club Accord
71. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
72 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
73. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
74. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
75. Cults A & F Club (
76. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
77. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
78. Derwentside A&F Club
79. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
80. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
81. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
82. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
83. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
84. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
85. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
86. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
87. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – ?)
88. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
89. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
90. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93? – left the Assoc c2013)
91. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
92. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
93. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 – 6th December 2015)
94. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
95. Kintore A&F Club (
96. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
97. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier -
98. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
99. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
100. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
101. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
102. Maine Valley A&F Club (
103. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
104. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
105. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
106. Mull A&F Club
107. Newcastleton Accordion Club
108. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
109. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
110. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
111. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
112. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
113. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
114. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
115. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
116. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
117. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
118. Selkirk A&F Club (
119. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
120. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
121. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
122 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
123 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
124. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
125. Tranent A&F Club
126. Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra
127. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
128. Wellbank A&F Club
129. West Barnes (1981? - April 2016?)
130. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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Quarter Page (colour) - £55
Quarter Page (b&w) - £35
Eighth Page - £18
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B&F Treasurer – Willie Johnstone, Inverurie
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
March went flying past……………..
Pia Walker
The Fiery Session
by Grant Crawford
After a frenetic evening at The Shetland A&F Club’s Pre-Up Helly Aa event,…….………….
The 43rd Annual NAAFC Festival
by Pia Walker
The 43rd Annual Championships were held on 4th of March, 2017. In this issue we show the list of winners and photos and some of them (as not all had their photo taken). It was another great day, so add the date to your calendar for 2018 – first Saturday in March as per usual.
We hope to have a small article on the day itself in the May issue with lots of photos.
Junior Accordion
Under 10 Traditional Accordion Solo – Islesteps Shield
1) Inver Shand (Dunfermline)
2) Fin Hope (Broughton – Peeblesshire)
3)
Under 12 Traditional Accordion Solo – Pentland Cup
1) Clelland Shand (Dunfermline)
2) Blythe Shand (Dunfermline)
3)
12 and Under 16 Traditional Accordion Solo – Jim Johnstone Cup
1) Kyle Rowan (Edinburgh)
2) India Smith (Penicuik)
3) Cameron McLaren
12 and Under 16 Traditional Accordion Solo – James Paterson Memorial Trophy
Most Promising Player
Junior Accordion Solo Pipe Music – Bill Black Cup
1) Kyle Rowan (Edinburgh)
2) Archie MacKechnie
3) India Smith (Penicuik)
Junior Traditional Duet – Angus Howie Cups
1) Anya Johnston & Jodie Smith
2) Clelland & Inver Shand (Dunfermline)
3)
Overall Junior Accordion Champion – Alex Little Memorial Trophy
Kyle Rowan (Edinburgh)
Senior Accordion
Senior Traditional Accordion Solo – Clinkscale Cup
1) Adin Graham (Leven)
2) Graham MacLennan
3)
Senior Accordion Pipe Music Solo – Bill Powrie Memorial Cup
1) Gary Sutherland (Giffordtown)
2) Tom Orr (Lanark)
3) Colin Brown
Open Accordion Championship – Todhills Trophy
1) Mike Laurenson (Shetland)
2) Ciorstaidh-Sarah Chaimbeul (Kyle of Lochalsh)
3)
Senior Overall Accordion Champion - The Bobby MacLeod Trophy
Adin Graham (Leven)
Open Buttonkey Accordion Solo – Windygates Trophy
1) John Weaks (Glasgow)
2)
3)
Open Gaelic Waltz Solo
1) Shona MacFadyen (Coatbridge)
2) Graham MacLennan
3) Kyle Rowan (Edinburgh)
Trios – Jimmy Blue Trophy
1) Kyle Rowan (Edinburgh)
Trio Runners-Up – Eric Goodfellow Memorial Shield
Graham MacLennan
Fjana
Trios – Best Piano Player – David Flockhart Shield
Kyle Rowan (Edinburgh)
Bands – Overall Winner - Iain MacPhail Cup
Kyle Rowan (Edinburgh)
Runners Up John Fairbairn Memorial Trophy
2) Iain Cathcart (Lanark)
3=) Nicol McLaren / The Committed
Band – Rhythm Section - Arthur Easson Memorial Trophy
Kyle Rowan (Edinburgh)
Junior Band – Duncan Campbell of Oban Memorial Trophy
Own Composition – Willie Wilson Cup
1) Jennifer Cruickshank (Lumphanan)
2) Brian Cruickshank (Lumphanan)
3) Graeme Munro (Haddington)
RSCDS Open Dance – RSCDS Trophy
1) Catherine Speight
2)
Under 12 Classical Solo – Kelso Cup
1) Inver Shand (Dunfermline)
2)
3)
Under 16 Classical Solo – Dundee Shield
1) Kyle Rowan (Edinburgh)
2) Archie MacKechnie
3)
Open Classical Solo – Jimmy Clinkscale Shield
1) Ryan Corbett
2) Ciorstaidh-Sarah Chaimbeul (Kyle of Lochalsh)
3) Matt Murdoch
Under 13 Classical Duet – Beith & District A&F Club Cups (Willie Wilson Memorial Trophies)
1) Clelland & Inver Shand (Dunfermline)
2)
Under 16 Classical Duet - Alex MacArthur Cups
1) India Smith (Penicuik) & Anna Scott
2)
3)
Open Classical Duet – Dunfermline Cup
1) India Smith (Penicuik) & Anna Scott
2)
3)
Classical Polka
Under 10 Classical Polka Solo – The Todhills Trophy
1)
2)
Under 12 Classical Polka Solo – Newtongrange Shield
1) Clelland Shand (Dunfermline)
2) Blythe Shand (Dunfermline)
3)
Open Classical Polka Solo – Tign-Na-Gorm Cup
1) Ciorstaidh-Sarah Chaimbeul (Kyle of Lochalsh)
2)
3)
Under 16 Classical Polka Solo – Aberdeen Cup
1) Cameron McLaren
2) India Smith (Penicuik)
3)
Under 12 Classical Musette Accordion Solo – John Laidlaw Memorial Trophy
1) Clelland Shand (Dunfermline)
2) Fin Hope (Broughton – Peeblesshire)
3)
Under 16 Classical Polka Solo – George & Margaret Smith (Newtongrange) Shield
1) Kyle Rowan (Edinburgh)
2) Cameron McLaren
3) India Smith (Penicuik)
Open Classical Musette Accordion Solo – Christine Hunter Memorial Trophy
1) Ciorstaidh-Sarah Chaimbeul (Kyle of Lochalsh)
2) Matt Murdoch
3)
Fiddle Sections
Under 12 Fiddle Solo – NAAFC Musselburgh Festival Trophy
1) Kirsty Grant
2) Emily Laurenson (Shetland)
3) Erin Leslie
Junior Fiddle Solo – MSR – Strathspey and Reel Association Cup & Kirsy’s Ceilidh Shield
1) Kirsty Grant
2) Anya Johnston
3) Jodie Smith
Junior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air – Dougie Welsh Memorial Cup
1) Anya Johnston
2) Kirsty Grant
3) Rhiann Matthew
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Strathspey, MSR – St. Boswell Cup
1) Ellie McLaren
2) Shona MacFadyen (Coatbridge)
3) Catherine Speight
Senior Fiddle Solo – Slow Air – Ron Gonella Cup
1) Shona MacFadyen (Coatbridge)
2) Ellie McLaren
3) Catherine Speight
Open Fiddle Championship – Banchory S&R Society Trophy
1) Shona MacFadyen (Coatbridge)
2) Ellie McLaren
3) Eilidh Anderson
Open Fiddle Solo Hornpipe and Jig – John Ellis Trophy
1) Ellie McLaren
2) Shona MacFadyen (Coatbridge)
3) Catherine Speight
Overall Fiddle Champion - The Angus Fitchet Trophy
Ellie McLaren
Overall Junior Fiddle Champion – Judith Linton Trophy
Kirsty Grant
Open Fiddle Groups – Lesmahagow Quaich
1) Strings ‘N’ Things
2) Deeside Loons & Quines
3)
Youngest Girl Competitor – John McQueen Medal
Islay Cathcart (Lanark)
Youngest Boy Competitor – John McQueen Medal
Findlay Graham
Violet Tulloch – Guest of Honour
by Pia Walker
On a beautifully sunny, cold and windy day at the end of January just after Up Helly Aa, I had the pleasure of interviewing one of our Guests of Honour for 2017.
Harmonist extraordinaire, Violet Tulloch, has been called ‘The Star’ by Jimmy Burgess and ‘The Queen of Lerwick’ by Phil Cunningham and I asked her what she thought of that? “It’s embarrassing, but I have learnt to live with it.” she replied with one of those lovely smiles, she bestows on people. My first impression of Violet Tulloch, at probably my first ever festival Saturday dance, was of a smiling, mild-mannered, brilliantly turned-out lady playing second box. I can see her as being a calming influence with many a band, although she does have a temper, she tells me, and can and will let loose from time to time “But it doesn’t last long and I don’t carry grudges.” she ads with a twinkle in her eye.
Violet initially learned accordion from her father, John Scott, a driver for John Leask & Sons. John was a dance bandleader with the first dance band in Shetland, the John Scott Dance Band. He died when Violet was 14 and after that, times were hard in the Scott household. Everyone had to help keep food on the table and a roof over their heads. This was one of the reasons Violet started playing accordion with ‘Tammy’ Anderson’s renowned Islesburgh Band. Although she had to have special dispensation from her head master and was only allowed to gig in weekends. She taught herself to play the piano, and credits the Isleburgh Band for helping her in her music, by encouraging her and asking her “how about trying this?” She calls it the greatest education in her life – “the bar was set by them”. She used to practice during the week and would walk to Isleburgh house and loose herself in the music and this was a bone of contention at home as she would forget to come home for mealtimes.
The Isleburgh Band were also instrumental in shaping the life of another Shetlander: AlyBain, who once told Violet that he heard them once and from then on knew he wanted to be a musician. Ali is now a close family friend. Violet was greatly taken with the Powrie band and another great harmonist, Pam Wilkie, also influenced her style.
Later life became easier, when her mother married an old family friend. Her stepfather Jim Stewart was a fiddler and the house remained full of music. Her stepfather’s composition Shack’s Farewell to the Workman’s Club is still played by many. The title came about because of a joke about a 6 penny arrears, which had Shack banned from the workmen’s club.
Few read music at that time and Violet has indeed taught herself to read music sufficiently, she says, to be able to look through books and pick tunes. Tunes used to be picked up by musicians from the wireless, especially from Norwegian broadcasts. She explained to me that Shetlanders also went to South Georgia on the whaling boats and mixed with and learned music from Norwegians, which is why Shetland music has such strong affinity with Norwegian music.
Violet didn’t only play piano and accordion, she also joined the Brass band, by chance. She was waiting for a friend who was at brass band practice. At the time the band was struggling for members and as she was there, she was asked to join. She enjoyed it, as it was something different and started playing the trumpet but changed to play 2nd cornet. She was among the first of the female band members to walk in the UHA-procession with the brass band.
When she was around 17 Violet went to Aberdeen and did a year’s domestic science course at the Robert Gordon College. Quite ironic, as she hates cooking. About this time she met Drew Tulloch and later married him at 21 years of age. Drew is a director of Hughson Bros wholesalers and although he doesn’t play an instrument, he is her strongest support and biggest critic. She says “he is so helpful in every way“. They have been heavily involved in the Up Helly Aa movement for many years, Drew was Guizer Jarl in 1969. In 1970 they became UHA-hosts at the Grand Hotel before moving on to the Clickimin Centre and they had 37 years as Host and Hostess before retiring. Violet proudly shows me the gift they were presented with then.
In Lerwick Violet worked in retail first in a chemist shop and later after it closed in Conochie's Newsagents. She worked with Alice Nicolson, mother of Alan and Colin. When I asked what she really wanted to be, she replies “Music Teacher or Antique Dealer”. She loves antiques, but when she was younger, there were not many opportunities, especially not for young women.
Family is important to Violet. She has 2 children Andrew who enjoys a very busy life as an Audio Engineer in London and Stewart who lives in Ellon and is a senior manager with a major oil company. She has 2 grand-children, Laura who plays the trombone and Louise plays piano, something which makes Violet a very proud granny. She has two brothers, Ian and Hughie (Ian lives in Lerwick, Hughie lives in Kent.) She sees her sister Jean as often as she can. Jean is a classroom assistant at a local school and is brilliant at IT, so she was a great help when it came to find the photos for this article.
Violet just likes harmonising with others. Her style has been called ‘impeccable, unobtrusive and supportive’, and she is much in demand. She leads an exciting life accompanying some of the foremost musicians of today. The people she has played with over the years reads as the who’s who of trad. music: Dr. Tom Anderson, Peerie Willie Johnson, Willie Hunter and Jim Halcrow and Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham. Moreover, of course, her lovely smiling face and twinkly eyes can be seen in the Jimmy Burgess Orchestra. She started playing with Jimmy in 1969 or thereabouts standing in for a UHA squad member and she just carried on from there. Recently she has accompanied extraordinary fiddler Bryan Gear, of whom she says she is very fond of and feels that they are “on the same wavelength musically and great friends".
She played a lot with Phil & Aly for a long time, but at one point she was a housewife with children, and could not do the touring required. She comments that Phil & Aly are so good together.
She loves slow airs and although she loves all kind of music, Scottish music is her first love. She loves to play music and perform, and spends a lot of time working on getting her art right. That she loves Shetland is very obvious. She states that it is a blessed place and that it produces some great musicians, not just fiddles, but all sorts of instrumentalists, perhaps because it is an island. She briefly mentions the music tuition taking place in so many places in Shetland right now, and that it is great to see so many kids take up an instrument. She herself has 20 pupils learning the piano. Violet plays the accordion next to them as they learn, and she is sure that is why they keep at it. “There’s nothing like live music.” She says she will still be teaching until she gets old. I did not dare ask her how old she was. She is one of these people who will always look youthful no matter their age.
While talking about tuition and music this lead to discussing what she feels is important for the younger generation. “Young people have so many opportunities that weren’t there when I started out. Then you learnt as you went along, with only a few to learn from”. Her advice is to work hard, be confident and to enjoy the music, but also to take time to listen to others. She feels it is important to connect with the audience and look as if you are enjoying yourself. With regard to Scottish Traditional music she feels that older music should be showcased more, so the roots of the music are not forgotten - it is music that no one else has. “Imagination and experimentation is good, but you have to know where the music comes from”. We both agreed that music is all about communication and that it is an International language.
She could not tell me which instrument she liked the best, but she does like to pick up the accordion and have a tune. Music by the way is not her only passion; she is also a mean bridge player and has been since she was 16. Apart from family this is a big part of her life outside her music.
Violet was induced into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame in 2015, and it has meant so much to her, because it highlights the important work of accompanists. In 2016 she was asked to open the Shetland A & F Club’s festival. She was one of the founders of this club. The trophies of both events take pride of place in her lovely home alongside the UHA retiral presentation. Her life in music, whether live performances, radio broadcasts, tv-appearances makes this lady a most suitable recipient of the NAAFC Guest of Honour award.
Violet came from a generation inspired by the likes of Willie Johnson. Along with Ronald Cooper, they brought accompaniment to a new level. Her knowledge of chords and the music we play is second to none. Her teaching has provided Shetland with a new generation of players. She is a treasure to Shetland and over the years a great friend to me. Aly Bain
Violet has played second box with my band for many years. We seemed to gel right from the very start. The harmonies she put in to a lot of the tunes was great, and we both play Rancos, which gives us a different sound.
I am delighted that she is one of the Guests of honours at the annual lunch, and I am hoping to be present once more. Jimmy Burgess
Musings
by Tom Orr
I was privileged to be asked to play………………..
Presenting the Presenter
by Pia Walker
Having . ………..
Book Review
Easy Folk fiddle with accompanying CD - Schott
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
1st April 2017 – Ian Smith SDB
8th April 2017 – Iain Anderson SDB
15th April 2017 – Easter Weekend – Jimmy Shand Special - Repeat
22nd April 2017 – The best of our bands from Vinyl
29th April 2017 – The Clappy Doo C.B.
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 25th April 2017 – Gordon Shand SDB
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms) 12th April 2017 – Ewan Galloway + AGM
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 16th April 2017 – Scott Band Trio
Arbroath (Artisan Golf Club) - 2nd April 2017 – Scott Band SDB
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) –
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) – 17th April 2017 – Ronnie Easton SDB
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) – 9th April 2017 – Hector MacFadyen SDB
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 11th April 2017 – Tony Kearney
Button Key (Greig Institute, Windygates) – 13th April 2017 – Tony Kearney
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 4th April 2017 – Liam Stewart SDB
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) - 13th April 2017 – Iain Anderson & Eric Goodfellow
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 18th April 2017 – Sandy Nixon SDB
Clydesdale (St Mary’s Club Rooms) - 2nd April 2017 – Richard Ross SDB
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 20th April 2017 – Neil Hardie SDB
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 6th April 2017 – Peter Stewart Duo
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) - 18th April 2017 – Tony Kearney
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 5th April 2017 – David Oswald SDB
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 19th April 2017 – Janet Graham
Dunfermline (Sportsman Bar, Rosyth) – 11th April 2017 – Club Night
Duns (Masonic Lodge) 17th April 2017 – Billy Anderson & Albany
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 18th April 2017 – Susie Simpson SDB
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 30th April 2017 – Lomond C.B.
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 12th April 2017 – Jack Delaney SDB
Fort William (Railway Club) - 4th April 2017 – Hannah MacRae
Galashiels (Clovenfords Hotel) – 6th April 2017 – Colin Dewar SDB
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 13th April 2017 – Graeme Mitchell SDB
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 5th April 2017 – Donald McLeod SDB
Gretna (The Solway Lodge Hotel) - 2nd April 2017 – Graeme MacKay
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 17th April 2017 – Ewan Galloway Trio
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) - 12th April 2017 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 6th April 2017 – Iain Cathcart SDB
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) – 4th April 2017 – Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio 21st April – Dance to James Coutts SDB
Kelso (Cross Rugby Club) – 26th April 2017 – Janet Graham Band
Langholm (British Legion) – 12th April 2017 – Tony Kearney
Lewis & Harris (Caladh Inn, Stornoway) - 6th April 2017 – Hector McFadyen SDB
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 18th April 2017 – Blackthorne C.B.
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) - 25th April 2017 – Andy Philip Duo
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 18th April 2017 – Club Night
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 5th April 2017 – Steven Carcary Trio
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) -
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 4th April 2017 – Graeme Mitchell SDB
Oban (The Royal Hotel) – 6th April 2017 – Lindsay Weir Trio
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 5th 12th 19th April 2017 – Club Nights 26th April - Concert
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 27th April 2017 – Dick Black Band
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 18th April 2017 – Hector McFadyen SDB
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 11th April 2017 – Kyle Innes Trio
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 6th April 2017 – Duncan Black & Marie Fielding
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 4th April 2017 – Leonard Brown Bavarian Night 11th 18th 25th April – Club Nights
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - April 2017 -
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Bowling Club) - 13th April 2017 – Iain Cathcart SDB
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 3rd April 2017 – Nicky McMichan Trio
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 6th April 2017 – John Stuart SDB
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 20th April 2017 – David Vernon
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 18th April 2017 – Steven Carcary Duo
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Annan
2. Arbroath
3. Balloch
4. Banff
5. Biggar
6. Blairgowrie
7. Button Key
8. Campsie
9. Castle Douglas
10. Clydesdale
11. Coalburn
12. Crieff
13. Dingwall
14. Dunfermline
15. Duns
16. Forfar
17. Forres
18. Glendale
19. Glenfarg
20. Highland
21. Inveraray
22. Isle of Skye
23. Islesteps
24. Kelso
25. Livingston
26. Lockerbie
27. Mauchline
28. Montrose
29. Newburgh
30. North East
31. Orkney
32. Renfrew
33. Rothbury
34. Shetland
35. Stonehouse
36. Turriff
37. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2016
(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. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
10. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
11. Button Key A&F Club (
12. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
13. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
15. Clydesdale A&F Club (Sept 2016 – present)
16. Coalburn A&F Club (
17. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
18. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
19. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
20. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
21. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
22. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
23. Ellon A&F Club (
24. Forfar A&F Club (
25. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
26. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
27. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
28. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
29. 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)
30. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
31. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
32. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
33. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
34. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
35. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
36. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 – present)
37. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
38 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
39. Macmerry A&F Club (Feb 2016 – present)
40 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
41 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
42 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
43. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
44. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
45. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
46. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
47. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
48. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
49. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
50. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
51 Stonehouse A&F Club (Opened 2003 - first report June 05 – Closed April 2018)
52 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
53 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
54 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
55 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
56 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?)
57. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
58. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
59. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
60. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
61. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
62. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
63. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
64. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
65. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
66. Buchan A&F Club
67. Callander A&F Club (
68. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
69. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
70. Club Accord
71. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
72 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
73. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
74. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
75. Cults A & F Club (
76. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
77. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
78. Derwentside A&F Club
79. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
80. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
81. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
82. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
83. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
84. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
85. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
86. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
87. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – ?)
88. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
89. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
90. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93? – left the Assoc c2013)
91. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
92. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
93. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 – 6th December 2015)
94. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
95. Kintore A&F Club (
96. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
97. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier -
98. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
99. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
100. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
101. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
102. Maine Valley A&F Club (
103. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
104. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
105. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
106. Mull A&F Club
107. Newcastleton Accordion Club
108. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
109. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
110. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
111. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
112. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
113. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
114. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
115. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
116. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
117. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
118. Selkirk A&F Club (
119. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
120. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
121. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
122 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
123 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
124. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
125. Tranent A&F Club
126. Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra
127. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
128. Wellbank A&F Club
129. West Barnes (1981? - April 2016?)
130. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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