Box and Fiddle
Year 41 No 08
April 2018
Price £3.00
52 Page Magazine
12 month subscription £33.60 + p&p £15.85 (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
Well, March certainly started with a storm! I know many Clubs had to cancel owing to the weather………
Pia Walker
Graeme Mitchell – Guest of Honour 2018
by Robbie Shepherd
“Cairnie’s Canter herald the arrival of an exciting new sound to the Scottish record scene….” This canter revolves round the excellent ‘pipey’ style playing of 19-year-old Graeme Mitchell of Cairnie near Huntly in Aberdeenshire…Listen through and you will be impressed with the selection of tunes as well as the music content, some great traditional pipe tunes and more than a smattering of fine new compositions from Douglas Muir, Tom McAllister and of course Graeme himself.”
I canna believe it is nearly 40 years since I penned these sleeve notes in 1979 on his very first band recording, which included two of his early compositions. One was Walter’s Reel, written for the late Wattie Rutherford of Keith who had his own accordion-led band and who was a source of great encouragement to the budding young musician. Walter passed away recently, but would have been so proud of this honour for Graeme. The other tune was The Dunecht Loon, which he composed in my early days of broadcasting, and now I can return the compliment paying my tribute to a great family friend over all these years and such an influence on others who follow him – the Cairnie Loon has come a long wye since then.
Graeme started playing the accordion when he was about 10 years old and his first teacher was the late Jean McConnachie who was then to move to Dumfries where she had her own band. After that his dad, who played fiddle, saw an advert for Peter Farnan who was teaching at Bucksburn on the outskirts of Aberdeen and encouraged the young lad by driving nearly 40 miles each way weekly, a debt that Graeme has never forgotten. Through Peter, he started competing and won the All Scotland Accordion Championship in Perth at the age of 17 (in 1977).
It was on his first visit to the North East Accordion and Fiddle Club – the guests was Jim Johnstone – that 12-year-old Graeme was hooked by the overall sound of a full band. He was to form his own band in 1982 after graduating as a Technical Teacher and joining the staff at his home base of Huntly where he has been ‘techie’ ever since at The Gordon Schools. Though only part time now, Graeme has taken up a post with the Arkwright Scholarship Trust, which sponsors highly able pupils interested in pursuing a career in engineering. This involves visiting and working with schools all over North Scotland, a pursuit right up his street.
But I’m jumping the gun a bit here regarding his progress since his teenage years and, during a chat with him for the Box and Fiddle, we touched on the influences that were to create the safe, sure and steady sound that puts the stamp on the band. I ventured to suggest there is a distinct thread through Peter Farnan, Ronnie Cooper, Bill Black, Bobby MacLeod and of course the aforementioned Jim Johnstone and this is what he had to say.
First on Peter Farnon: “Peter Farnon was the person who really taught me the technical rights and wrongs of the accordion. I did light classical, Continental and Scottish accordion music. He was, and still is, a firm disciplinarian with a teaching style that, depending on your personality, made you work very hard to achieve the objectives that were set. I have a lot of respect for Peter.”
Then on Bill Black who did so much in introducing promising young players into his band and that included the 17-year-old student from Cairnie with a newly acquired licence to drive (in spite of the travel to Perth, he spent years of pleasure, with unofficial ceilidhs being equal to formal gigs);
“Bill and Anne treated me like one of their family, given that I had to stay over quite a lot. I also had the pleasure of witnessing the musical development of Robert and Duncan. They are very good friends.”
Graeme was also fortunate in the encouragement he got in his first stages on the accordion by members of the North East Accordion and Fiddle Club and it was Ian Duncan, a stalwart of the Club, who, having musical friends up in Shetland, introduced him to Ronnie Cooper. He first went to Shetland in the mid 1970s and mony an informal session the two of them had away from official engagements. Here’s Graeme again:
“I very much enjoyed playing with and listening to Ronnie’s style of piano accompaniment.”
And on Bobby MacLeod:
“The variety of attributes that I associate with Bobby is immense. His playing was unique, he played like a toff!”
I’m still trying to work out that last quote but above them all, from first hearing that sound of Jim Johnstone as a young lad till Jim’s untimely death just 10 years ago, he has never hidden his admiration for the man, his music, his arranging and his sheer professionalism.
The same can be said of Graeme Mitchell and his Scottish Dance Band emanating from the five/six-piece he set up in 1982. The line-up has changed little over the years with Graeme on lead accordion and original members Gordon ‘Duke’ Duguid on second accordion and Brian ‘Cruick’ Cruickshank on bass. Neil McMillan joined not long after on piano and Duncan Christie on drums, later augmented by Judy Davidson on fiddle, who was to be replaced by Susan Gordon when Judy, now Nicolson, emigrated to Houston, Texas.
The aim, in his own words, was to form a band that was simple and unobtrusive, that would swing, create lots of musical gaps and lift, where nobody gets to cut through – and be dancy! That for him, he agrees, encompasses Bill, Jim, Ronnie and Bobby. On being complimented often on retaining the same players – and it used to be easier when there was plenty of playing for such a group – he sings the praises for the band members for their loyalty; yet he had to mould them into the sound he wanted and therein lies the secret.
Graeme is very much a family man and Esma and I are proud to have been friends all these years going back to his student days when we used to have him as a guest in our rural concerts – these were hameower affairs but that’s the lifestyle we both appreciate. When asked about favourite venues, he says he equally enjoys playing for his wife Elaine’s fund-raising dances followed by the all night ceilidh at the house; yet the heart tells me that deep down he feels there is nothing better than playing at any hall where dancers appreciate the great music.
Both son Neil and daughter Lisa have been given the opportunity to play and he is very proud of what they have accomplished, adding, “They were never obsessive like me and I’m glad about that. They always knew it was part of my living, it was my job and consequently we all benefited from it.”
We have all benefited from the down-to-earth approach of Graeme Mitchell with his dedicated pursuit of the best interest of our music and he is well worthy of the honour to be bestowed on him at the NAAFC Celebrity Luncheon. In Graeme’s words, “When people are really up for a good ceilidh dance, it can be a very exhilarating experiencing for a band. I love it.”
From Brian Cruickshank
I have been involved in the Scottish Dance Band scene for well over 34 years. It is all thanks to Graeme Mitchell for selecting me to play bass and for trusting me to fulfil his vision of having a local dance band from the North East corner of Scotland using what talent he could source in the area at that time.
Three of us have always been involved in the band from its inception and this is somewhat a record considering how long ago that is. We are Graeme, myself and Gordon Duguid on second box.
Since his own band began he has always been the person that everyone looked up to in regard to his choice of tunes, his accordion technique and also his spot-on tempos for the dancers. Since the very early days he has always been an inspiration for young (and old) accordion players and bandleaders alike.
Well done to you, Graeme, on receiving this award. It is well and truly deserved.
The Bon Accords Accordion & Fiddle Gathering
by
This gathering held as an Accordion & Fiddle Club format on 18th of February…….
Centre Stage
Mike Laurenson
In Memory – Walter Rutherford (03/05/1931 – 06/01/2018)
by Ian Thomson
I first met Walter Rutherford in 1989 at the Perth Accordion Festival, when my band was competing in the band section and it so happened that Walter’s daughter Ann was playing piano in the band that day. My first impressions were that he was full of life, enthusiastic about music (particularly Scottish Dance music) and liked a laugh. Little was I to know of how much of an influence he was going to become in my life and not just musically.
Walter was brought up in Fordyce, which is near Portsoy in Banffshire, and at the age of 7 he started piano lessons. He quickly moved on to the piano accordion and was effectively self-taught. It wasn’t long before his natural ability was noticed by some local musicians and he joined his first band (The Rainbow Band) at the age of 14.
He left school not long after and worked firstly at his family croft before taking up a job at Ardimannoch Farm in Keith. The Shaws owned this farm and they had a son, Sandy and daughter, Betty. Walter struck up a “friendship” with Betty which led to them marrying in 1959. Walter and Betty had two daughters, Maureen and Ann. Both Mo and Ann are well respected in the Scottish dance music scene and have featured on BBC’s “Take the Floor” on numerous occasions with various bands throughout the last 20 years or so. Walter was immensely proud of both of them and became a great friend to their respective husbands, namely Neil Copland (Mo’s husband), and myself.
Walter also played at the Keith Scottish country dance class where Betty taught dancing and they were honoured with a Branch award for their contribution to Scottish Country dancing on the 11th November 2005.
Both Walter and Betty were stalwarts of the North East Accordion and Fiddle club for many years, in fact Walter was on stage there on the 6th December 2017, just 2 days before he was taken into hospital. His influence on local young musicians was huge, and more than I realised. Duncan Christie, the well-respected drummer with Graeme Mitchell's band (and many others) had his very first gig with Walter. His sister Lynne Christie (now McIver) was heavily influenced by Walter in her early days, and of course has gone on to become one of our top broadcasting bands.
Walter and Betty missed very few of the major festivals over the years attending Musselburgh, Oban and Perth religiously. They also helped out particularly at Musselburgh festival and became well known to all the musicians attending. He also composed some well known tunes such as the strathspeys “Miss Ann Rutherford”, and “Mrs Elizabeth Rutherford of Moranbank” plus many others which can be heard regularly on Take the Floor.
I became part of the family on the 31st August 2001, as Walter said in his father of the bride speech “was finally welcomed into the family!”. Of course, Betty had written it for him and it should have been “formally” not “finally”! It felt that I had been accepted many years previously and I was always greeted with an enthusiastic welcome when I visited the farm at Ardimannoch in Keith. I would have many a “news” with Walter over a wee dram where we would discuss Scottish dance music, he would give a critical review of my band's most recent broadcast, and we would generally speak rubbish which was a specialist subject for both of us.
Over the last couple of years Walter would visit us regularly in Netherley, and such was his character that he became a firm favourite with all of our neighbours who always asked for him and looked forward to his visits. Although on one occasion Walter had been very considerate in taking his shoes of when visiting one of our neighbour’s houses, but on his way out he decided to put on the owner's shoes which looked much better than the shoes he had come with!! His natural and easy-going character was consistent, you very rarely found Walter any other way. He was mostly always polite, jovial and always asked took an interest in how others were doing.
He came along to my band gigs especially in the last couple of years, and was so enthusiastic about the music. Last May we played at a country dance in Stonehaven Town Hall, he came along, helped with the band gear, and sat at the side of the stage swinging away to the music all night.
When he was admitted to the Turner Memorial Hospital in Keith in early December he was still in good spirits and had all the nurses running after him. Mo, Neil, Ann and myself did some concerts in the hospital and he just loved the music. He knew he didn’t have long to live and made me promise that no matter what happened I was not to cancel a gig because of his situation
He passed away on the 6th January 2018 in the afternoon, we were due to play at the New Year's ceilidh at Cookney Hall, so, as promised, we went ahead with the dance, but every set was played for Walter. The first set of marches were played with a few tears…..
The final testament to the man came from Neil Dawson, the great fiddler, who was attending the dance on the 6th January, he told me that if it hadn’t been for Walter he would not be playing the fiddle to the standard he does today and would not have enjoyed such a successful career (Neil has played in most of the top bands from Bill Black to Tom Orr and many more).
Walter will be a huge loss to many, not just his family (Mo, Ann, Neil, myself, granddaughters Ellen and Isla), but also the many friends he has left behind. There were very few days when someone didn’t visit him at home, and indeed when he was in the hospital he was receiving anything up to 20 visitors every day.
I will miss him as a good friend, enthusiastic musician and supervisor (when he visited we always got odd jobs done in the house, where I was the labourer and he was the supervisor!).
Till we meet again Walter……..
In Memory – Tom Porteous
by Charlie Todd
We were saddened to hear of the death of 5-row accordionist Tom Porteous, from Morrat, on Wednesday 7th February at the age of 83. Prior to building their retirement bungalow Tom and Margaret hardly missed an Accordion and Fiddle Club anywhere in the South of Scotland. Tom and the late Wattie McMillan, from Castle Douglas, ran a successful dance band for many years. He will be remembered for his smile and his warm personality.
In Memory – John Jamieson (28/11/47 – 30/01/2018)
by
John had an interest in music all his life, whether as an accordionist playing at dances or sessions or with his Up Helly Aa squad, or as a stalwart of the Ness Accordion & Fiddle Club. He also played important roles with the Shetland Folk Festival being on their Committee for 13 years, and subsequently for 15 years on the Shetland Accordion & Fiddle Club Committee from which he had recently retired. He often looked after the sound at the Club, with Irene not far from his side. Their door at Taingview, Levenwick was regularly open to provide hospitality to visiting musicians, and many lifetime friendships began here.
John and Irene had attended the Club as usual on the pre-Up-Helly-Aa night before returning home where he shortly afterwards passed away suddenly.
His funeral saw a packed Levenwick Hall share the sadness of his loss, but also celebrate his busy life. James Leask and Martin Henderson played some of his favourite music, including a tune written by Nicol McLaren for John’s recent 70th birthday. There were more than a few smiles and laughs during both the service and afterwards when friends shared memories and stories of this quiet, unassuming man. His presence will be missed on the music scene.
Book Review
Fiddlers of Sligo Tunebook – Turners Printing – Longford – review by Marie Fielding
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
7th Apr 2018 – Bobby MacLeod Special + Robert MacLeod SDB repeat
14th Apr 2018 – Lynne Christie SDB + Bobby MacLeod feature repeat
21st Apr 2018 – 20th Anniversary of Tartan Week in New York
28th Apr 2018 – Duncan Black SDB + Scottish Dance Band of the Year
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 24th April 2018 – Gordon Shand SDB
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms) 11th April 2018 – Johnny Duncan Duo
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 15th April 2018 – Frank Morrison SDB
Arbroath (Arbroath Artisan Golf Club) - 1st April 2018 – Marian Anderson SDB
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 15th April 2018 – Hector McFadyen SDB
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – April 2018 -
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 25th April 2018 – Gordon Pattullo Duo
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) – 16th April 2018 – Ian Muir SDB
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) – 8th April 2018 – Alan Gardiner SDB
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 10th April 2018 – The Full Scottish
Button Key (Greig Institute, Windygates) – 12th April 2018 – Sandy & Jimmy Lindsay
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 3rd April 2018 – John Morgan
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) - 12th April 2018 – C & C Sound
Castle Douglas (Springholm Memorial Hall) – 17th April 2018 – Glencraig SDB
Clydesdale (St Mary’s Club Rooms, Lanark) -
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 19th April 2018 – Steven Carcary Trio
Crieff & District (British Legion) 5th April 2018 – Sandy & Jimmy Lindsay
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) - 17th April 2018 – Tony Kearney
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 4th April 2018 – Steven Carcary Trio
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 18th April 2018 – Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio
Dunfermline (Sportsman Bar, Rosyth) – 10th April 2018 – Club Night
Duns (Masonic Lodge) 16th April 2018 – Liam Stewart Duo
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 17th April 2018 – Lindsay Weir Duo
Forfar (Forfar RBL) - 29th April 2018 – Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 11th April 2018 – Lynn Gould SDB
Fort William (Railway Club, Inverlochy) - 3rd April 2018 – Ian Smith Quartet
Galashiels (Gala YM RFC) - 5th April 2018 – Neil Hardie SDB
Glasgow (Scotstounhill Bowling Club) - 9th April 2018 – Ian Smith Experience
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 19th April 2018 – Marian Anderson SDB + AGM
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 4th April 2018 – Gary Donaldson Trio
Gretna (The Solway Lodge Hotel) - 1st April 2018 – Alan Small & Gemma Donald
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 16th April 2018 – Addie Harper
Inveraray (Inveraray Inn) - 11th April 2018 – Alan Small & Gemma Donald
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 5th April 2018 – Sandy Nixon SDB
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) – 3rd April 2018 – Scott Band Trio
Kelso (Kelso Rugby Club) – 25th April 2018 – Gavin Piper
Langholm (Langholm Social Club) – 11th April 2018 – Frank Morrison SDB
Lewis & Harris (Caladh Inn, Stornoway) - 5th April 2018 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 17th April 2018 – Marian Anderson SDB
Lockerbie (Mid Annandale Comrades Club) 24th April 2018 – Ian Cruickshanks Trio
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) - April 2018 -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 17th April 2018 – Brandon McPhee Trio
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 4th April 2018 – Matthew Maclennan Trio
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) - 26th April 2018 – Gary Sutherland SDB
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 3rd April 2018 – Wayne Robertson
Oban (The Royal Hotel) – 5th April 2018 – Pentlands Ceilidh Band
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 4th 11th 18th 25th April 2018 – Club Night
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 26th April 2018 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Perth & District (Salutation Hotel) – 17th April 2018 – Billy Anderson SDB
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 11th April 2018 – Sandy & Jimmy Lindsay
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 5th April 2018 – Graeme Mackay
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 3rd 10th 17th 24th 31st April 2018 – Club Night
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Bowling Club) - 12th April 2018 – Richard Smith Trio
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 2nd April 2018 – Colin Donaldson
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 5th April 2018 – Matthew Maclennan Trio
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 19th April 2018 – Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 17th April 2018 – Seamus O’Sullivan
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Annan
3. Balloch
4. Banff & District
5. Biggar
6. Blairgowrie
7. Buttonkey
8. Campsie
9. Castle Douglas
10. Coalburn
11. Dingwall & District
12. Dunfermline
13. Forfar
14. Forres
15. Glendale
16. Glenfarg
17. Gretna
18. Highland
19. Inveraray
20. Isle of Skye
21. Islesteps
22. Livingston
23. Macmerry
24. Mauchline
25. Newburgh
26. North East
27. Peebles
28. Perth
29. Renfrew
30. Seghill
31. Shetland
32. Stonehouse
33. 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. Glasgow A&F Club (Aug 2017 -
28. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
29. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
30. 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)
31. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
32. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
33. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
34. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
35. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
36. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
37. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 – present)
38. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
39 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
40. Macmerry A&F Club (Feb 2016 – present)
41 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
42 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
43 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
44. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
45. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
46. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
47. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
48. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
49. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
50. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
51. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
52 Stonehouse A&F Club (Opened 2003 - first report June 05 – Closed April 2018)
53 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
54 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
55 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
56 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
57 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?)
58. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
59. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
60. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
61. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
62. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
63. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
64. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
65. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
66. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
67. Buchan A&F Club
68. Callander A&F Club (
69. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
70. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
71. Club Accord
72. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
73 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
74. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
75. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
76. Cults A & F Club (
77. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
78. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
79. Derwentside A&F Club
80. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
81. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
82. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
83. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
84. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
85. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
86. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
87. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
88. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – ?)
89. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
90. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
91. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93? – left the Assoc c2013)
92. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
93. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
94. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 – 6th December 2015)
95. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
96. Kintore A&F Club (
97. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
98. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier -
99. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
100. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
101. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
102. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
103. Maine Valley A&F Club (
104. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
105. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
106. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
107. Mull A&F Club
108. Newcastleton Accordion Club
109. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
110. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
111. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
112. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
113. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
114. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
115. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
116. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
117. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
118. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
119. Selkirk A&F Club (
120. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
121. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
122. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
123 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
124 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
125. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
126. Tranent A&F Club
127. Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra
128. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
129. Wellbank A&F Club
130. West Barnes (1981? - April 2016?)
131. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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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
Well, March certainly started with a storm! I know many Clubs had to cancel owing to the weather………
Pia Walker
Graeme Mitchell – Guest of Honour 2018
by Robbie Shepherd
“Cairnie’s Canter herald the arrival of an exciting new sound to the Scottish record scene….” This canter revolves round the excellent ‘pipey’ style playing of 19-year-old Graeme Mitchell of Cairnie near Huntly in Aberdeenshire…Listen through and you will be impressed with the selection of tunes as well as the music content, some great traditional pipe tunes and more than a smattering of fine new compositions from Douglas Muir, Tom McAllister and of course Graeme himself.”
I canna believe it is nearly 40 years since I penned these sleeve notes in 1979 on his very first band recording, which included two of his early compositions. One was Walter’s Reel, written for the late Wattie Rutherford of Keith who had his own accordion-led band and who was a source of great encouragement to the budding young musician. Walter passed away recently, but would have been so proud of this honour for Graeme. The other tune was The Dunecht Loon, which he composed in my early days of broadcasting, and now I can return the compliment paying my tribute to a great family friend over all these years and such an influence on others who follow him – the Cairnie Loon has come a long wye since then.
Graeme started playing the accordion when he was about 10 years old and his first teacher was the late Jean McConnachie who was then to move to Dumfries where she had her own band. After that his dad, who played fiddle, saw an advert for Peter Farnan who was teaching at Bucksburn on the outskirts of Aberdeen and encouraged the young lad by driving nearly 40 miles each way weekly, a debt that Graeme has never forgotten. Through Peter, he started competing and won the All Scotland Accordion Championship in Perth at the age of 17 (in 1977).
It was on his first visit to the North East Accordion and Fiddle Club – the guests was Jim Johnstone – that 12-year-old Graeme was hooked by the overall sound of a full band. He was to form his own band in 1982 after graduating as a Technical Teacher and joining the staff at his home base of Huntly where he has been ‘techie’ ever since at The Gordon Schools. Though only part time now, Graeme has taken up a post with the Arkwright Scholarship Trust, which sponsors highly able pupils interested in pursuing a career in engineering. This involves visiting and working with schools all over North Scotland, a pursuit right up his street.
But I’m jumping the gun a bit here regarding his progress since his teenage years and, during a chat with him for the Box and Fiddle, we touched on the influences that were to create the safe, sure and steady sound that puts the stamp on the band. I ventured to suggest there is a distinct thread through Peter Farnan, Ronnie Cooper, Bill Black, Bobby MacLeod and of course the aforementioned Jim Johnstone and this is what he had to say.
First on Peter Farnon: “Peter Farnon was the person who really taught me the technical rights and wrongs of the accordion. I did light classical, Continental and Scottish accordion music. He was, and still is, a firm disciplinarian with a teaching style that, depending on your personality, made you work very hard to achieve the objectives that were set. I have a lot of respect for Peter.”
Then on Bill Black who did so much in introducing promising young players into his band and that included the 17-year-old student from Cairnie with a newly acquired licence to drive (in spite of the travel to Perth, he spent years of pleasure, with unofficial ceilidhs being equal to formal gigs);
“Bill and Anne treated me like one of their family, given that I had to stay over quite a lot. I also had the pleasure of witnessing the musical development of Robert and Duncan. They are very good friends.”
Graeme was also fortunate in the encouragement he got in his first stages on the accordion by members of the North East Accordion and Fiddle Club and it was Ian Duncan, a stalwart of the Club, who, having musical friends up in Shetland, introduced him to Ronnie Cooper. He first went to Shetland in the mid 1970s and mony an informal session the two of them had away from official engagements. Here’s Graeme again:
“I very much enjoyed playing with and listening to Ronnie’s style of piano accompaniment.”
And on Bobby MacLeod:
“The variety of attributes that I associate with Bobby is immense. His playing was unique, he played like a toff!”
I’m still trying to work out that last quote but above them all, from first hearing that sound of Jim Johnstone as a young lad till Jim’s untimely death just 10 years ago, he has never hidden his admiration for the man, his music, his arranging and his sheer professionalism.
The same can be said of Graeme Mitchell and his Scottish Dance Band emanating from the five/six-piece he set up in 1982. The line-up has changed little over the years with Graeme on lead accordion and original members Gordon ‘Duke’ Duguid on second accordion and Brian ‘Cruick’ Cruickshank on bass. Neil McMillan joined not long after on piano and Duncan Christie on drums, later augmented by Judy Davidson on fiddle, who was to be replaced by Susan Gordon when Judy, now Nicolson, emigrated to Houston, Texas.
The aim, in his own words, was to form a band that was simple and unobtrusive, that would swing, create lots of musical gaps and lift, where nobody gets to cut through – and be dancy! That for him, he agrees, encompasses Bill, Jim, Ronnie and Bobby. On being complimented often on retaining the same players – and it used to be easier when there was plenty of playing for such a group – he sings the praises for the band members for their loyalty; yet he had to mould them into the sound he wanted and therein lies the secret.
Graeme is very much a family man and Esma and I are proud to have been friends all these years going back to his student days when we used to have him as a guest in our rural concerts – these were hameower affairs but that’s the lifestyle we both appreciate. When asked about favourite venues, he says he equally enjoys playing for his wife Elaine’s fund-raising dances followed by the all night ceilidh at the house; yet the heart tells me that deep down he feels there is nothing better than playing at any hall where dancers appreciate the great music.
Both son Neil and daughter Lisa have been given the opportunity to play and he is very proud of what they have accomplished, adding, “They were never obsessive like me and I’m glad about that. They always knew it was part of my living, it was my job and consequently we all benefited from it.”
We have all benefited from the down-to-earth approach of Graeme Mitchell with his dedicated pursuit of the best interest of our music and he is well worthy of the honour to be bestowed on him at the NAAFC Celebrity Luncheon. In Graeme’s words, “When people are really up for a good ceilidh dance, it can be a very exhilarating experiencing for a band. I love it.”
From Brian Cruickshank
I have been involved in the Scottish Dance Band scene for well over 34 years. It is all thanks to Graeme Mitchell for selecting me to play bass and for trusting me to fulfil his vision of having a local dance band from the North East corner of Scotland using what talent he could source in the area at that time.
Three of us have always been involved in the band from its inception and this is somewhat a record considering how long ago that is. We are Graeme, myself and Gordon Duguid on second box.
Since his own band began he has always been the person that everyone looked up to in regard to his choice of tunes, his accordion technique and also his spot-on tempos for the dancers. Since the very early days he has always been an inspiration for young (and old) accordion players and bandleaders alike.
Well done to you, Graeme, on receiving this award. It is well and truly deserved.
The Bon Accords Accordion & Fiddle Gathering
by
This gathering held as an Accordion & Fiddle Club format on 18th of February…….
Centre Stage
Mike Laurenson
In Memory – Walter Rutherford (03/05/1931 – 06/01/2018)
by Ian Thomson
I first met Walter Rutherford in 1989 at the Perth Accordion Festival, when my band was competing in the band section and it so happened that Walter’s daughter Ann was playing piano in the band that day. My first impressions were that he was full of life, enthusiastic about music (particularly Scottish Dance music) and liked a laugh. Little was I to know of how much of an influence he was going to become in my life and not just musically.
Walter was brought up in Fordyce, which is near Portsoy in Banffshire, and at the age of 7 he started piano lessons. He quickly moved on to the piano accordion and was effectively self-taught. It wasn’t long before his natural ability was noticed by some local musicians and he joined his first band (The Rainbow Band) at the age of 14.
He left school not long after and worked firstly at his family croft before taking up a job at Ardimannoch Farm in Keith. The Shaws owned this farm and they had a son, Sandy and daughter, Betty. Walter struck up a “friendship” with Betty which led to them marrying in 1959. Walter and Betty had two daughters, Maureen and Ann. Both Mo and Ann are well respected in the Scottish dance music scene and have featured on BBC’s “Take the Floor” on numerous occasions with various bands throughout the last 20 years or so. Walter was immensely proud of both of them and became a great friend to their respective husbands, namely Neil Copland (Mo’s husband), and myself.
Walter also played at the Keith Scottish country dance class where Betty taught dancing and they were honoured with a Branch award for their contribution to Scottish Country dancing on the 11th November 2005.
Both Walter and Betty were stalwarts of the North East Accordion and Fiddle club for many years, in fact Walter was on stage there on the 6th December 2017, just 2 days before he was taken into hospital. His influence on local young musicians was huge, and more than I realised. Duncan Christie, the well-respected drummer with Graeme Mitchell's band (and many others) had his very first gig with Walter. His sister Lynne Christie (now McIver) was heavily influenced by Walter in her early days, and of course has gone on to become one of our top broadcasting bands.
Walter and Betty missed very few of the major festivals over the years attending Musselburgh, Oban and Perth religiously. They also helped out particularly at Musselburgh festival and became well known to all the musicians attending. He also composed some well known tunes such as the strathspeys “Miss Ann Rutherford”, and “Mrs Elizabeth Rutherford of Moranbank” plus many others which can be heard regularly on Take the Floor.
I became part of the family on the 31st August 2001, as Walter said in his father of the bride speech “was finally welcomed into the family!”. Of course, Betty had written it for him and it should have been “formally” not “finally”! It felt that I had been accepted many years previously and I was always greeted with an enthusiastic welcome when I visited the farm at Ardimannoch in Keith. I would have many a “news” with Walter over a wee dram where we would discuss Scottish dance music, he would give a critical review of my band's most recent broadcast, and we would generally speak rubbish which was a specialist subject for both of us.
Over the last couple of years Walter would visit us regularly in Netherley, and such was his character that he became a firm favourite with all of our neighbours who always asked for him and looked forward to his visits. Although on one occasion Walter had been very considerate in taking his shoes of when visiting one of our neighbour’s houses, but on his way out he decided to put on the owner's shoes which looked much better than the shoes he had come with!! His natural and easy-going character was consistent, you very rarely found Walter any other way. He was mostly always polite, jovial and always asked took an interest in how others were doing.
He came along to my band gigs especially in the last couple of years, and was so enthusiastic about the music. Last May we played at a country dance in Stonehaven Town Hall, he came along, helped with the band gear, and sat at the side of the stage swinging away to the music all night.
When he was admitted to the Turner Memorial Hospital in Keith in early December he was still in good spirits and had all the nurses running after him. Mo, Neil, Ann and myself did some concerts in the hospital and he just loved the music. He knew he didn’t have long to live and made me promise that no matter what happened I was not to cancel a gig because of his situation
He passed away on the 6th January 2018 in the afternoon, we were due to play at the New Year's ceilidh at Cookney Hall, so, as promised, we went ahead with the dance, but every set was played for Walter. The first set of marches were played with a few tears…..
The final testament to the man came from Neil Dawson, the great fiddler, who was attending the dance on the 6th January, he told me that if it hadn’t been for Walter he would not be playing the fiddle to the standard he does today and would not have enjoyed such a successful career (Neil has played in most of the top bands from Bill Black to Tom Orr and many more).
Walter will be a huge loss to many, not just his family (Mo, Ann, Neil, myself, granddaughters Ellen and Isla), but also the many friends he has left behind. There were very few days when someone didn’t visit him at home, and indeed when he was in the hospital he was receiving anything up to 20 visitors every day.
I will miss him as a good friend, enthusiastic musician and supervisor (when he visited we always got odd jobs done in the house, where I was the labourer and he was the supervisor!).
Till we meet again Walter……..
In Memory – Tom Porteous
by Charlie Todd
We were saddened to hear of the death of 5-row accordionist Tom Porteous, from Morrat, on Wednesday 7th February at the age of 83. Prior to building their retirement bungalow Tom and Margaret hardly missed an Accordion and Fiddle Club anywhere in the South of Scotland. Tom and the late Wattie McMillan, from Castle Douglas, ran a successful dance band for many years. He will be remembered for his smile and his warm personality.
In Memory – John Jamieson (28/11/47 – 30/01/2018)
by
John had an interest in music all his life, whether as an accordionist playing at dances or sessions or with his Up Helly Aa squad, or as a stalwart of the Ness Accordion & Fiddle Club. He also played important roles with the Shetland Folk Festival being on their Committee for 13 years, and subsequently for 15 years on the Shetland Accordion & Fiddle Club Committee from which he had recently retired. He often looked after the sound at the Club, with Irene not far from his side. Their door at Taingview, Levenwick was regularly open to provide hospitality to visiting musicians, and many lifetime friendships began here.
John and Irene had attended the Club as usual on the pre-Up-Helly-Aa night before returning home where he shortly afterwards passed away suddenly.
His funeral saw a packed Levenwick Hall share the sadness of his loss, but also celebrate his busy life. James Leask and Martin Henderson played some of his favourite music, including a tune written by Nicol McLaren for John’s recent 70th birthday. There were more than a few smiles and laughs during both the service and afterwards when friends shared memories and stories of this quiet, unassuming man. His presence will be missed on the music scene.
Book Review
Fiddlers of Sligo Tunebook – Turners Printing – Longford – review by Marie Fielding
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
7th Apr 2018 – Bobby MacLeod Special + Robert MacLeod SDB repeat
14th Apr 2018 – Lynne Christie SDB + Bobby MacLeod feature repeat
21st Apr 2018 – 20th Anniversary of Tartan Week in New York
28th Apr 2018 – Duncan Black SDB + Scottish Dance Band of the Year
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 24th April 2018 – Gordon Shand SDB
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms) 11th April 2018 – Johnny Duncan Duo
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 15th April 2018 – Frank Morrison SDB
Arbroath (Arbroath Artisan Golf Club) - 1st April 2018 – Marian Anderson SDB
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 15th April 2018 – Hector McFadyen SDB
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – April 2018 -
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 25th April 2018 – Gordon Pattullo Duo
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) – 16th April 2018 – Ian Muir SDB
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) – 8th April 2018 – Alan Gardiner SDB
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 10th April 2018 – The Full Scottish
Button Key (Greig Institute, Windygates) – 12th April 2018 – Sandy & Jimmy Lindsay
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 3rd April 2018 – John Morgan
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) - 12th April 2018 – C & C Sound
Castle Douglas (Springholm Memorial Hall) – 17th April 2018 – Glencraig SDB
Clydesdale (St Mary’s Club Rooms, Lanark) -
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 19th April 2018 – Steven Carcary Trio
Crieff & District (British Legion) 5th April 2018 – Sandy & Jimmy Lindsay
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) - 17th April 2018 – Tony Kearney
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 4th April 2018 – Steven Carcary Trio
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 18th April 2018 – Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio
Dunfermline (Sportsman Bar, Rosyth) – 10th April 2018 – Club Night
Duns (Masonic Lodge) 16th April 2018 – Liam Stewart Duo
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 17th April 2018 – Lindsay Weir Duo
Forfar (Forfar RBL) - 29th April 2018 – Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 11th April 2018 – Lynn Gould SDB
Fort William (Railway Club, Inverlochy) - 3rd April 2018 – Ian Smith Quartet
Galashiels (Gala YM RFC) - 5th April 2018 – Neil Hardie SDB
Glasgow (Scotstounhill Bowling Club) - 9th April 2018 – Ian Smith Experience
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 19th April 2018 – Marian Anderson SDB + AGM
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 4th April 2018 – Gary Donaldson Trio
Gretna (The Solway Lodge Hotel) - 1st April 2018 – Alan Small & Gemma Donald
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 16th April 2018 – Addie Harper
Inveraray (Inveraray Inn) - 11th April 2018 – Alan Small & Gemma Donald
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 5th April 2018 – Sandy Nixon SDB
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) – 3rd April 2018 – Scott Band Trio
Kelso (Kelso Rugby Club) – 25th April 2018 – Gavin Piper
Langholm (Langholm Social Club) – 11th April 2018 – Frank Morrison SDB
Lewis & Harris (Caladh Inn, Stornoway) - 5th April 2018 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 17th April 2018 – Marian Anderson SDB
Lockerbie (Mid Annandale Comrades Club) 24th April 2018 – Ian Cruickshanks Trio
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) - April 2018 -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 17th April 2018 – Brandon McPhee Trio
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 4th April 2018 – Matthew Maclennan Trio
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) - 26th April 2018 – Gary Sutherland SDB
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 3rd April 2018 – Wayne Robertson
Oban (The Royal Hotel) – 5th April 2018 – Pentlands Ceilidh Band
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 4th 11th 18th 25th April 2018 – Club Night
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 26th April 2018 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Perth & District (Salutation Hotel) – 17th April 2018 – Billy Anderson SDB
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 11th April 2018 – Sandy & Jimmy Lindsay
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 5th April 2018 – Graeme Mackay
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 3rd 10th 17th 24th 31st April 2018 – Club Night
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Bowling Club) - 12th April 2018 – Richard Smith Trio
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 2nd April 2018 – Colin Donaldson
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 5th April 2018 – Matthew Maclennan Trio
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 19th April 2018 – Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 17th April 2018 – Seamus O’Sullivan
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Annan
3. Balloch
4. Banff & District
5. Biggar
6. Blairgowrie
7. Buttonkey
8. Campsie
9. Castle Douglas
10. Coalburn
11. Dingwall & District
12. Dunfermline
13. Forfar
14. Forres
15. Glendale
16. Glenfarg
17. Gretna
18. Highland
19. Inveraray
20. Isle of Skye
21. Islesteps
22. Livingston
23. Macmerry
24. Mauchline
25. Newburgh
26. North East
27. Peebles
28. Perth
29. Renfrew
30. Seghill
31. Shetland
32. Stonehouse
33. 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. Glasgow A&F Club (Aug 2017 -
28. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
29. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
30. 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)
31. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
32. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
33. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
34. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
35. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
36. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
37. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 – present)
38. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
39 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
40. Macmerry A&F Club (Feb 2016 – present)
41 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
42 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
43 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
44. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
45. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
46. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
47. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
48. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
49. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
50. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
51. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
52 Stonehouse A&F Club (Opened 2003 - first report June 05 – Closed April 2018)
53 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
54 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
55 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
56 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
57 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?)
58. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
59. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
60. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
61. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
62. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
63. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
64. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
65. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
66. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
67. Buchan A&F Club
68. Callander A&F Club (
69. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
70. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
71. Club Accord
72. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
73 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
74. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
75. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
76. Cults A & F Club (
77. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
78. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
79. Derwentside A&F Club
80. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
81. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
82. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
83. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
84. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
85. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
86. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
87. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
88. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – ?)
89. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
90. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
91. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93? – left the Assoc c2013)
92. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
93. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
94. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 – 6th December 2015)
95. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
96. Kintore A&F Club (
97. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
98. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier -
99. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
100. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
101. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
102. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
103. Maine Valley A&F Club (
104. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
105. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
106. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
107. Mull A&F Club
108. Newcastleton Accordion Club
109. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
110. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
111. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
112. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
113. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
114. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
115. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
116. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
117. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
118. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
119. Selkirk A&F Club (
120. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
121. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
122. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
123 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
124 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
125. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
126. Tranent A&F Club
127. Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra
128. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
129. Wellbank A&F Club
130. West Barnes (1981? - April 2016?)
131. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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