Box and Fiddle
Year 29 No 12
August 2006
Price £2.20
44 Page Magazine
12 month subscription £24.20 + p&p £7.50 (UK)
Editor – Karin Ingram, Hawick
B&F Treasurer – Charlie Todd, Thankerton
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
As many of you will have heard, Bill Black has lost the index finger of his right hand in a dreadful farming accident – terrible for anyone, but for a musician of his calibre it is just devastating. We’re all thinking about you Bill, and wishing you well.
We hope you enjoy this issue of the B&F, with its coverage of our great day out at Perth. Congratulations to all of the Honours Recipients and BAFFI Winners.
Karin Ingram
NAAFC AGM & Celebrity Luncheon
by Heather McLean
The sky was blue and the sun shining as we gathered on Sunday, 24th June for the NAAFC AGM, Celebrity Luncheon and Presentations. For the third year the venue was the Huntingtower Hotel, a lovely country hotel set in beautiful grounds a few miles from Perth.
The AGM got underway at 11am and there is a full report of this on Page 6. After the meeting was concluded there was time for a coffee and a blether in the lounge and also to admire the display of accordions provided by Caroline Hunt. It was very interesting to see so many instruments beautifully displayed.
Lunch was served in the function room at 1.30pm and once all 160+ guests were settled at their tables Rory MacLeod said grace. We tucked into a splendid lunch which consisted of carrot and coriander soup, roast beef and all the trimmings or mushroom risotto for the veggies, followed by meringue nest, fruit salad and ice cream. At leat one guest managed to get a second meringue – nice one Kirsty.
Once we were fed and watered the afternoon’s ceilidh and presentations got underway with a welcome from NAAFC chairman Nicol McLaren who also expressed thanks to the Huntingtower Hotel for the lovely lunch. Nicol said how nice it was to see sp many previous recipients of the Guest of Honour Bowl in the company. They included Bobby Crowe, Billy Thom, Jimmy Yeaman, Pam Wilkie, Joan Blue, the late Iain Peterson’s wife Sheilis and John Carmichael.
At last it was time for some music and first on stage were John Carmichael playing a 5-row button box, Nicol McLaren on second box, Willie Johnstone on fiddle, Pam Wilkie on piano, Suzanne Croy on double bass and Billy Thom on drums. What a great opening set. The wonderful music continued throughout the afternoon and with John Carmichael acting as MC there were also a fair few jokes and stories. The guest artiste list read like a ‘Who’s Who’ of Scottish dance music and included :-
Accordion – John Carmichael, Nicol McLaren, Bobby Crowe, Lorna Mair, Richard Ross, Bruce Quirie, Jack Delaney, Roya MacLean, Addie Harper Jnr, James Coutts, Iain Cathcart, Graeme Mitchell, Susan MacFadyen, Matthew MacLennan, Dochie McCallum, Michael Philip, Jim Gold, Davis Scott, Stuart Anderson, Shirley Cathcart, Marian Anderson, Neil Copland and Gary Mair.
Fiddle – Willie Johnstone, Andrew Knight, Tom Gold, Judith Linton, Maureen Rutherford and Shona MacFadyen.
Piano – Pam Wilkie, Davie Flockhart, Matthew MacLennan, Maureen Rutherford, Mabel Gray, Neil McMillan, Shauna Flockhart and Joan Blue.
Bass – Suzanne Croy, Neil McMillan, Cecil Hughson and Gary Glewinsky.
Drums – Billy Thom, Heather Fraser, Jack Cooper, Charlie Todd and Martin Lamb.
Flute – Fiona Mather.
There were few breaks in the music for all the important presentations to this year’s Guests of Honour, Jack Cooper, Jack Delaney and Davie Flockhart. Full biographies of each will appear in future editions of the B&F. The winners of the the BAFFI Awards were also revealed with Judith Linton (a.k.a. Queen of the BAFFIs) ably compering this part of the proceedings. Well done to them all.
Throughout the afternoon the music was tremendous and I especially enjoyed Jack Delaney’s tribute to his late friend Iain Peterson. Jack played the slow air Lesley accompanied by his daughter, Fiona Mather, on flute. What a beautiful interpretation of this lovely tune.
All too soon it was time for the stramash to round off a thoroughly enjoyable day. Special thanks must go to Jim and Helen Balneaves for their hard work in organising such a successful event. Early booking is strongly advised for next year as you don’t really want to miss this excellent celebration of Scottish Dance music.
AGM Minutes
by Lorna Mair (Association Secretary)
Chairman’s Report
by Nicol McLaren
George Walker – Club Supporter of the Year
by Charlie Todd
The very worthy winner of the 2006 BAFFI for “Club Supporter of the Year” is pianist George Walker from Carnwath in Lanarkshire. Although it’s not an official post as such, in reality George has been the “resident” pianist at Biggar, Coalburn, Armadale and Lanark Clubs (together with Lesmahagow until its closure last year) for the last 20 years or so – and I’m sure the players and listeners at those clubs, together with anyone else who has come into contact with George over the years will be delighted at this recognition of his contribution to our scene.
George, and wife Margaret, have been associated with Carnwath for so long – they moved into their present house there when it was built in 1952 – that it’s difficult to believe that he isn’t a native, but he actually hails from Lochurd Farm at Blyth Bridge near Peebles. Born into a musical family, with two brothers and a sister, he started piano lessons at 14. All went well and he began playing locally but in 1942, along with the rest of his generation, he was off to war, in George’s case as an armourer in the RAF. He spent the next two years at RAF Dishforth in Yorkshire ‘bombing up’ 426 (French Canadian) Squadron’s Wellington Bombers by day and playing with the Station Band, as and when required, in the evening. When you consider that an RAF Bomber Command airfield was a self contained community of between 2,500 and 3,000 RAF personnel and that dancing was then the big social activity at that time you soon realise there was no shortage of demand for the Station Band’s services.
Various moves followed - firstly to the south of England, then after D Day through Belgium and finally to Hamburg - all the way playing with various Station or Wing HQ Bands. With men and women from all walks of civilian life “doing their stint” these bands were host to many ex-professional musicians, who unlike George were usually office clerks by day, and from whom he learned an immense amount musically.
Demobbed in 1946 George joined the staff of what was then an Army Psychiatric Hospital at Carstairs – in 1949 it became the “State Penitentiary” (known locally as “The Penny”) - as an Occupational Therapist (Gardener) rising in time to be Head Occupational Therapist. For a time he played with his own band but in 1950 he was asked to join the band of Forth accordionist Tom Simpson, together with Alex Sheddon on trumpet and Alex Colville (a well know pipe band drummer with Shotts and Dykehead) on drums.
This arrangement lasted till 1958 when he moved to join Lanark accordionist Alex Burnside’s “Thistle Quartet”. With Jim Gordon on saxophone and John Gordon on drums/vocals this was a very busy band who were equally at home with Scottish and modern ballroom dancing (unusually Alex doubled up on Hawaiian guitar). Indeed so successful was the arrangement that, with various personnel changes, it lasted for the next 30 years, taking George right up to his retirement in 1988.
It was this retirement from regular playing - in particular their residency at the Tinto Hotel, Symington – which freed up George and Margaret to start attending Accordion and Fiddle Clubs regularly. It didn’t take long for the organisers to recognise his skills and soon he was spending much of the evening once again in front of the audience – but at least this time Margaret could be in it.
And the rest as they say is history but two things are for certain – firstly the local Clubs would never have enjoyed such a long run of success without George’s contribution on the piano and secondly it’s impossible to believe that the dapper and sprightly George Walker is now in his 83rd year (but don’t tell him I said so).
Long may he and Margaret continue to enjoy good health and our Club scene.
Angus Accordion & Fiddle Festival 2006
by Ron Ramsay
This year’s Festival………
Early Learning Ceilidh Band
by
17 young traditional musicians……..
CD Reviews – See Hear with Judith Linton
More Than Welcome 8 – 50 Years Non Stop Dancing – Bobby More SDB – BMCD08 – Bobby More Records
By the Shores of Loch Creran – Ross MacPherson SDB – GLRCD02 – Glasfield Records
Gay Gordons – Sandy Legget and the Carseloch CB – HRMCD103 – Highlander Music
Heart of America – Donnie Munro – CDTRAX291 - Greentrax
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 20.30 with Robbie Shepherd
Repeats
5th Aug 06 – Tom Orr SDB (Lanark 2006)
12th Aug 06 – No TTF
19th Aug 06 – Colin Dewar SDB
26th Aug 06 – Ian Hutson SDB (Perth Concert Hall – January 2006)
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Westburn Park Lounge) –
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle) 2nd Aug 06 – International Night
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 20th Aug 06 – Steven Carcary
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) -
Armadale (Masonic Hall) –
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 28th Aug 06 – Graeme Mitchell SDB
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) –
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) –
Belford (Community Centre) –
Biggar (Municipal Hall) –
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 8th Aug 06 - tbc
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) -
Button Key (Windygates Institute) –
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) -
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary’s Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) –
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) -
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel)
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club)
Dalriada (Argyll Hotel, Lochgilphead)
Dingwall (National Hotel) –
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) –
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) –
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
Duns (Masonic Lodge, Newtown St)
East Kilbride (Masonic Hall, Kittoch St) –
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 22nd Aug 06 – Scott Nichol SDB
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) –
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 27th Aug 06 – Glenelvan SDB
Forres (Victoria Hotel) –
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel, Wooler) –
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 2nd Aug 06 – Michael Philip SDB
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) - 29th Aug 06 – Gordon Shand SDB
Gretna (Social & Athletic Club) -
Haddington (Railway Inn) -
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) –
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) -
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) –
Kelso (Cross Keys Hotel) –
Kintore (Torryburn Hotel) –
Ladybank (Railway Tavern) - 20th Aug 06 – Marian Anderson Trio
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) -
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 3rd Aug 06 – Donnie & Diane
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn)
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 2nd Aug 06 – Billy Anderson & Albany
Newburgh (The Ship Inn) -
Newmill-on-Teviot (Newmill Country Inn) -
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) –
Oban (McTavish’s Kitchen) –
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) – 30th Aug 06 – Open Night
Peebles (Rugby Club) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) –
Phoenix (Argyll Arms hotel, Ardrishaig)
Premier NI (Chimney Corner Hotel) -
Reading Scottish Fiddlers (Willowbank Infant School, Woodley) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head) -
Scottish Accordion Music (Banchory) -
Selkirk (Cricket Club) -
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stonehouse (Bowling Club) -
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) -
Thornhill (Bowling Club Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) –
Turriff (Royal British Legion) – 3rd Aug 06 – Nicol McLaren SDB
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 17th Aug 06 – George Stirrat SDB
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn)
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Annan
2. Banchory
3. Banff
4. Blairgowrie
5. Cults
6. Dingwall
7. Forfar
8. Glenrothes
9. Montrose
10. Newmill
11. Shetland
12. Turriff
13. Tynedale
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2005
(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. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Closed early 08-09
6. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
7. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
8. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
9. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
10. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
11. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
12. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
13. Brittania B&F Club ( joined 07-08
14. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
15. Button Key A&F Club (
16. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
17. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
18. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
19. Coalburn A&F Club (
20. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
21. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
22. Cults A & F Club (
23. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
24. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
25. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
26. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
27. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
28. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
29. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
30. Ellon A&F Club (
31. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
32. Forfar A&F Club (
33. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
34. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
35. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
36. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
37. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
38. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
39. 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)
40. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 - )
41. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
42. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
43. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
44. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
45. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
46. Kintore A&F Club (
47. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier
48. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
49. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
50. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
51. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
52. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
53. Maine Valley A&F Club (
54. Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
55. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
56. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded
57. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999
58. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
59. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
60. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
61. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
62. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
63. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
64. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
65. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
66. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
67. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
68. Selkirk A&F Club (
69. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
70. Stonehouse A&F Club (first report June 05 -
71. Sutherland A&F Club (
72. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
73. Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
74. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
75. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
76. West Barnes ( - present)
77. 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?)
78. Acharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
79. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
80. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
81. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
82. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
83. Buchan A&F Club
84 Callander A&F Club (
85 Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
86 Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
87 Club Accord
88 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
89. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
90. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
91. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
92. Derwentside A&F Club
93. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
94. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
95. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
96. Dundee & District A&F Club (1970? – 1995?)
97. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
98. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
99. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
100. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
101. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
102. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
103. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
104. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
105. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
106. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
107. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
108. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
109. Mull A&F Club
110. Newcastleton Accordion Club
111. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
112. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
113. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
114. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
115. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
116. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
117. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
118. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
119. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
120. Tranent A&F Club
121. Vancouver
122. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
123. Wellbank A&F Club
124. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
Advertising rates
Back Page (colour) - £300
Full Page (colour) - £220
Full Page (b&w) - £140
Half Page (colour) - £110
Half Page (b&w) - £70
Quarter Page (colour) - £55
Quarter Page (b&w) - £35
Eighth Page - £18
Small Boxed £12
B&F Treasurer – Charlie Todd, Thankerton
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
As many of you will have heard, Bill Black has lost the index finger of his right hand in a dreadful farming accident – terrible for anyone, but for a musician of his calibre it is just devastating. We’re all thinking about you Bill, and wishing you well.
We hope you enjoy this issue of the B&F, with its coverage of our great day out at Perth. Congratulations to all of the Honours Recipients and BAFFI Winners.
Karin Ingram
NAAFC AGM & Celebrity Luncheon
by Heather McLean
The sky was blue and the sun shining as we gathered on Sunday, 24th June for the NAAFC AGM, Celebrity Luncheon and Presentations. For the third year the venue was the Huntingtower Hotel, a lovely country hotel set in beautiful grounds a few miles from Perth.
The AGM got underway at 11am and there is a full report of this on Page 6. After the meeting was concluded there was time for a coffee and a blether in the lounge and also to admire the display of accordions provided by Caroline Hunt. It was very interesting to see so many instruments beautifully displayed.
Lunch was served in the function room at 1.30pm and once all 160+ guests were settled at their tables Rory MacLeod said grace. We tucked into a splendid lunch which consisted of carrot and coriander soup, roast beef and all the trimmings or mushroom risotto for the veggies, followed by meringue nest, fruit salad and ice cream. At leat one guest managed to get a second meringue – nice one Kirsty.
Once we were fed and watered the afternoon’s ceilidh and presentations got underway with a welcome from NAAFC chairman Nicol McLaren who also expressed thanks to the Huntingtower Hotel for the lovely lunch. Nicol said how nice it was to see sp many previous recipients of the Guest of Honour Bowl in the company. They included Bobby Crowe, Billy Thom, Jimmy Yeaman, Pam Wilkie, Joan Blue, the late Iain Peterson’s wife Sheilis and John Carmichael.
At last it was time for some music and first on stage were John Carmichael playing a 5-row button box, Nicol McLaren on second box, Willie Johnstone on fiddle, Pam Wilkie on piano, Suzanne Croy on double bass and Billy Thom on drums. What a great opening set. The wonderful music continued throughout the afternoon and with John Carmichael acting as MC there were also a fair few jokes and stories. The guest artiste list read like a ‘Who’s Who’ of Scottish dance music and included :-
Accordion – John Carmichael, Nicol McLaren, Bobby Crowe, Lorna Mair, Richard Ross, Bruce Quirie, Jack Delaney, Roya MacLean, Addie Harper Jnr, James Coutts, Iain Cathcart, Graeme Mitchell, Susan MacFadyen, Matthew MacLennan, Dochie McCallum, Michael Philip, Jim Gold, Davis Scott, Stuart Anderson, Shirley Cathcart, Marian Anderson, Neil Copland and Gary Mair.
Fiddle – Willie Johnstone, Andrew Knight, Tom Gold, Judith Linton, Maureen Rutherford and Shona MacFadyen.
Piano – Pam Wilkie, Davie Flockhart, Matthew MacLennan, Maureen Rutherford, Mabel Gray, Neil McMillan, Shauna Flockhart and Joan Blue.
Bass – Suzanne Croy, Neil McMillan, Cecil Hughson and Gary Glewinsky.
Drums – Billy Thom, Heather Fraser, Jack Cooper, Charlie Todd and Martin Lamb.
Flute – Fiona Mather.
There were few breaks in the music for all the important presentations to this year’s Guests of Honour, Jack Cooper, Jack Delaney and Davie Flockhart. Full biographies of each will appear in future editions of the B&F. The winners of the the BAFFI Awards were also revealed with Judith Linton (a.k.a. Queen of the BAFFIs) ably compering this part of the proceedings. Well done to them all.
Throughout the afternoon the music was tremendous and I especially enjoyed Jack Delaney’s tribute to his late friend Iain Peterson. Jack played the slow air Lesley accompanied by his daughter, Fiona Mather, on flute. What a beautiful interpretation of this lovely tune.
All too soon it was time for the stramash to round off a thoroughly enjoyable day. Special thanks must go to Jim and Helen Balneaves for their hard work in organising such a successful event. Early booking is strongly advised for next year as you don’t really want to miss this excellent celebration of Scottish Dance music.
AGM Minutes
by Lorna Mair (Association Secretary)
Chairman’s Report
by Nicol McLaren
George Walker – Club Supporter of the Year
by Charlie Todd
The very worthy winner of the 2006 BAFFI for “Club Supporter of the Year” is pianist George Walker from Carnwath in Lanarkshire. Although it’s not an official post as such, in reality George has been the “resident” pianist at Biggar, Coalburn, Armadale and Lanark Clubs (together with Lesmahagow until its closure last year) for the last 20 years or so – and I’m sure the players and listeners at those clubs, together with anyone else who has come into contact with George over the years will be delighted at this recognition of his contribution to our scene.
George, and wife Margaret, have been associated with Carnwath for so long – they moved into their present house there when it was built in 1952 – that it’s difficult to believe that he isn’t a native, but he actually hails from Lochurd Farm at Blyth Bridge near Peebles. Born into a musical family, with two brothers and a sister, he started piano lessons at 14. All went well and he began playing locally but in 1942, along with the rest of his generation, he was off to war, in George’s case as an armourer in the RAF. He spent the next two years at RAF Dishforth in Yorkshire ‘bombing up’ 426 (French Canadian) Squadron’s Wellington Bombers by day and playing with the Station Band, as and when required, in the evening. When you consider that an RAF Bomber Command airfield was a self contained community of between 2,500 and 3,000 RAF personnel and that dancing was then the big social activity at that time you soon realise there was no shortage of demand for the Station Band’s services.
Various moves followed - firstly to the south of England, then after D Day through Belgium and finally to Hamburg - all the way playing with various Station or Wing HQ Bands. With men and women from all walks of civilian life “doing their stint” these bands were host to many ex-professional musicians, who unlike George were usually office clerks by day, and from whom he learned an immense amount musically.
Demobbed in 1946 George joined the staff of what was then an Army Psychiatric Hospital at Carstairs – in 1949 it became the “State Penitentiary” (known locally as “The Penny”) - as an Occupational Therapist (Gardener) rising in time to be Head Occupational Therapist. For a time he played with his own band but in 1950 he was asked to join the band of Forth accordionist Tom Simpson, together with Alex Sheddon on trumpet and Alex Colville (a well know pipe band drummer with Shotts and Dykehead) on drums.
This arrangement lasted till 1958 when he moved to join Lanark accordionist Alex Burnside’s “Thistle Quartet”. With Jim Gordon on saxophone and John Gordon on drums/vocals this was a very busy band who were equally at home with Scottish and modern ballroom dancing (unusually Alex doubled up on Hawaiian guitar). Indeed so successful was the arrangement that, with various personnel changes, it lasted for the next 30 years, taking George right up to his retirement in 1988.
It was this retirement from regular playing - in particular their residency at the Tinto Hotel, Symington – which freed up George and Margaret to start attending Accordion and Fiddle Clubs regularly. It didn’t take long for the organisers to recognise his skills and soon he was spending much of the evening once again in front of the audience – but at least this time Margaret could be in it.
And the rest as they say is history but two things are for certain – firstly the local Clubs would never have enjoyed such a long run of success without George’s contribution on the piano and secondly it’s impossible to believe that the dapper and sprightly George Walker is now in his 83rd year (but don’t tell him I said so).
Long may he and Margaret continue to enjoy good health and our Club scene.
Angus Accordion & Fiddle Festival 2006
by Ron Ramsay
This year’s Festival………
Early Learning Ceilidh Band
by
17 young traditional musicians……..
CD Reviews – See Hear with Judith Linton
More Than Welcome 8 – 50 Years Non Stop Dancing – Bobby More SDB – BMCD08 – Bobby More Records
By the Shores of Loch Creran – Ross MacPherson SDB – GLRCD02 – Glasfield Records
Gay Gordons – Sandy Legget and the Carseloch CB – HRMCD103 – Highlander Music
Heart of America – Donnie Munro – CDTRAX291 - Greentrax
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 20.30 with Robbie Shepherd
Repeats
5th Aug 06 – Tom Orr SDB (Lanark 2006)
12th Aug 06 – No TTF
19th Aug 06 – Colin Dewar SDB
26th Aug 06 – Ian Hutson SDB (Perth Concert Hall – January 2006)
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Westburn Park Lounge) –
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle) 2nd Aug 06 – International Night
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 20th Aug 06 – Steven Carcary
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) -
Armadale (Masonic Hall) –
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 28th Aug 06 – Graeme Mitchell SDB
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) –
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) –
Belford (Community Centre) –
Biggar (Municipal Hall) –
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 8th Aug 06 - tbc
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) -
Button Key (Windygates Institute) –
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) -
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary’s Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) –
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) -
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel)
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club)
Dalriada (Argyll Hotel, Lochgilphead)
Dingwall (National Hotel) –
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) –
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) –
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
Duns (Masonic Lodge, Newtown St)
East Kilbride (Masonic Hall, Kittoch St) –
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 22nd Aug 06 – Scott Nichol SDB
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) –
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 27th Aug 06 – Glenelvan SDB
Forres (Victoria Hotel) –
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel, Wooler) –
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 2nd Aug 06 – Michael Philip SDB
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) - 29th Aug 06 – Gordon Shand SDB
Gretna (Social & Athletic Club) -
Haddington (Railway Inn) -
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) –
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) -
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) –
Kelso (Cross Keys Hotel) –
Kintore (Torryburn Hotel) –
Ladybank (Railway Tavern) - 20th Aug 06 – Marian Anderson Trio
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) -
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 3rd Aug 06 – Donnie & Diane
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn)
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 2nd Aug 06 – Billy Anderson & Albany
Newburgh (The Ship Inn) -
Newmill-on-Teviot (Newmill Country Inn) -
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) –
Oban (McTavish’s Kitchen) –
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) – 30th Aug 06 – Open Night
Peebles (Rugby Club) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) –
Phoenix (Argyll Arms hotel, Ardrishaig)
Premier NI (Chimney Corner Hotel) -
Reading Scottish Fiddlers (Willowbank Infant School, Woodley) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head) -
Scottish Accordion Music (Banchory) -
Selkirk (Cricket Club) -
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stonehouse (Bowling Club) -
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) -
Thornhill (Bowling Club Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) –
Turriff (Royal British Legion) – 3rd Aug 06 – Nicol McLaren SDB
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 17th Aug 06 – George Stirrat SDB
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn)
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Annan
2. Banchory
3. Banff
4. Blairgowrie
5. Cults
6. Dingwall
7. Forfar
8. Glenrothes
9. Montrose
10. Newmill
11. Shetland
12. Turriff
13. Tynedale
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2005
(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. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Closed early 08-09
6. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
7. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
8. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
9. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
10. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
11. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
12. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
13. Brittania B&F Club ( joined 07-08
14. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
15. Button Key A&F Club (
16. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
17. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
18. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
19. Coalburn A&F Club (
20. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
21. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
22. Cults A & F Club (
23. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
24. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
25. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
26. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
27. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
28. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
29. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
30. Ellon A&F Club (
31. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
32. Forfar A&F Club (
33. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
34. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
35. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
36. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
37. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
38. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
39. 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)
40. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 - )
41. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
42. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
43. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
44. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
45. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
46. Kintore A&F Club (
47. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier
48. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
49. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
50. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
51. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
52. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
53. Maine Valley A&F Club (
54. Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
55. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
56. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded
57. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999
58. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
59. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
60. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
61. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
62. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
63. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
64. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
65. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
66. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
67. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
68. Selkirk A&F Club (
69. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
70. Stonehouse A&F Club (first report June 05 -
71. Sutherland A&F Club (
72. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
73. Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
74. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
75. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
76. West Barnes ( - present)
77. 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?)
78. Acharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
79. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
80. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
81. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
82. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
83. Buchan A&F Club
84 Callander A&F Club (
85 Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
86 Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
87 Club Accord
88 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
89. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
90. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
91. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
92. Derwentside A&F Club
93. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
94. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
95. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
96. Dundee & District A&F Club (1970? – 1995?)
97. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
98. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
99. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
100. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
101. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
102. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
103. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
104. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
105. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
106. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
107. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
108. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
109. Mull A&F Club
110. Newcastleton Accordion Club
111. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
112. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
113. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
114. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
115. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
116. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
117. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
118. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
119. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
120. Tranent A&F Club
121. Vancouver
122. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
123. Wellbank A&F Club
124. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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