Farewell Lesmahagow Club
by Jack & Jean Gray
B&F February 2005
September 1979 – myself, Jack Gray, along with hotelier the late Norman Kelgard and the late David Dickman from Lanark talked about starting a Box and Fiddle Club. An advert placed in our local paper brought on a meeting in The Craignethan Hotel, Lesmahagow. The interest in starting a club was shown by the attendance of 65 people.
I, being then a box player, found myself unanimously proposed as Chairman, David Dickman (fiddler and piper) – Vice Chairman, Norman Kelgard – Treasurer and Mrs May McConachan – Secretary. On contacting Andrew Nairn, the Secretary of the NAAFC, they advised that as we were outwith the 12 mile distance to the nearest Club (Biggar), we were more than welcome to become members.
The Club, to be held on the second Thursday of each month, started in October 1979 with our first guest artiste, George Stirrat.
An ongoing club encounters the need for changes; a couple of years after starting Norman sold the Craignethan and retired and we had to move up the road to The Masonic Hall, Lesmahagow. The Committee also changed, now Willie Wilson – Vice Chairman, Charlie Todd – Treasurer, my wife Jean – Secretary and door person, along with Agnes Hope (who also sells raffle tickets) and Committee member Iain Buchanan. Mrs Wilson supplies sandwiches and cakes for our guest artistes each month. Elsie bakes pancakes and helps Jean in the kitchen serving cups of tea.
I am proud of the steadfast support over the years, proving this to be a grand Club. Over the years we held numerous dances, with headlining Scottish Dance bands, enabling monthly followers of the Club a chance to get those feet into action around the dance floor.
The many dance bands that provided superb entertainment throughout the years included the great Jim Johnstone, Sandy MacArthur, Max Houliston, John Douglas, Dermot O’Brien, Ian Holmes, Bill Black, Sandy Nixon, The Wallochmor Ceilidh Band, Gordon Shand, William Paterson, Gary Glair, Seamus O’Sullivan, Ian Muir, Roy Hendrie, David Ross and the Lomond Ceilidh Band.
As well as bands we had many excellent soloists – the wee man Walter Perrie, Tom Alexander, John Morgan, David Vernon, Tommy Ford, Alan Roy, Gordon Pattullo, Jimmy Cassidy, Wayne Robertson, and that fiddler supreme, the late Ron Gonella. Bands and soloists alike, there were many, many more, too numerous to name, but all provided the Club with memorable evenings. For myself, it has been a pleasure to meet with, and listen to, all the musicians and to be known as a friend to them.
I must not forget the stalwarts of the Club who, come rain or shine, attended and kept this Club going, from beginners to old hands, young and old displaying their many talents and, of course, the ever-attending audiences who came to listen.
I feel I must mention our ever-faithful pianist George Walker, drummer Hugh Gebbie and Adam Angus for lifting and laying the gear on a Thursday morning. Last, but not least, the people behind the scenes – Sneddon the baker for our pies and Eric the barman. To all who in any way helped throughout the years, a very big thank you.
After 25 years and 8 months (being absent only once for hospital treatment), the time has now come when Jean and I have decided to retire, age and health being the factors in our decision. We have asked the Committee members if they want to continue but no-one is able to give the commitment and time that is necessary to run such a Club, therefore the Club is closing down with its last night being held in May 2005.
In my time as Chairman, I have seen a change in society; more Clubs have appeared locally, attendances have diminished and the younger up-and-coming players are now seeling other avenues to gather together to display their brilliant talent. However, I’m sure the music will live on through them no matter what type of event.
We thank each and every one who supported our Club.
I, being then a box player, found myself unanimously proposed as Chairman, David Dickman (fiddler and piper) – Vice Chairman, Norman Kelgard – Treasurer and Mrs May McConachan – Secretary. On contacting Andrew Nairn, the Secretary of the NAAFC, they advised that as we were outwith the 12 mile distance to the nearest Club (Biggar), we were more than welcome to become members.
The Club, to be held on the second Thursday of each month, started in October 1979 with our first guest artiste, George Stirrat.
An ongoing club encounters the need for changes; a couple of years after starting Norman sold the Craignethan and retired and we had to move up the road to The Masonic Hall, Lesmahagow. The Committee also changed, now Willie Wilson – Vice Chairman, Charlie Todd – Treasurer, my wife Jean – Secretary and door person, along with Agnes Hope (who also sells raffle tickets) and Committee member Iain Buchanan. Mrs Wilson supplies sandwiches and cakes for our guest artistes each month. Elsie bakes pancakes and helps Jean in the kitchen serving cups of tea.
I am proud of the steadfast support over the years, proving this to be a grand Club. Over the years we held numerous dances, with headlining Scottish Dance bands, enabling monthly followers of the Club a chance to get those feet into action around the dance floor.
The many dance bands that provided superb entertainment throughout the years included the great Jim Johnstone, Sandy MacArthur, Max Houliston, John Douglas, Dermot O’Brien, Ian Holmes, Bill Black, Sandy Nixon, The Wallochmor Ceilidh Band, Gordon Shand, William Paterson, Gary Glair, Seamus O’Sullivan, Ian Muir, Roy Hendrie, David Ross and the Lomond Ceilidh Band.
As well as bands we had many excellent soloists – the wee man Walter Perrie, Tom Alexander, John Morgan, David Vernon, Tommy Ford, Alan Roy, Gordon Pattullo, Jimmy Cassidy, Wayne Robertson, and that fiddler supreme, the late Ron Gonella. Bands and soloists alike, there were many, many more, too numerous to name, but all provided the Club with memorable evenings. For myself, it has been a pleasure to meet with, and listen to, all the musicians and to be known as a friend to them.
I must not forget the stalwarts of the Club who, come rain or shine, attended and kept this Club going, from beginners to old hands, young and old displaying their many talents and, of course, the ever-attending audiences who came to listen.
I feel I must mention our ever-faithful pianist George Walker, drummer Hugh Gebbie and Adam Angus for lifting and laying the gear on a Thursday morning. Last, but not least, the people behind the scenes – Sneddon the baker for our pies and Eric the barman. To all who in any way helped throughout the years, a very big thank you.
After 25 years and 8 months (being absent only once for hospital treatment), the time has now come when Jean and I have decided to retire, age and health being the factors in our decision. We have asked the Committee members if they want to continue but no-one is able to give the commitment and time that is necessary to run such a Club, therefore the Club is closing down with its last night being held in May 2005.
In my time as Chairman, I have seen a change in society; more Clubs have appeared locally, attendances have diminished and the younger up-and-coming players are now seeling other avenues to gather together to display their brilliant talent. However, I’m sure the music will live on through them no matter what type of event.
We thank each and every one who supported our Club.