Box and Fiddle
Year 06 No 04
December 1982
Price 25p
12 pages
8 month subscription £2.88
Editor – Ian Smith, 50 Mount Vernon Road, Stranraer Tele 4098
B&F Treasurer – Mrs Mary Plunkett, 2 Dounan Road, Dunragit, Wigtownshire
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
Please note that the Dunfermline Club will be changing their venue after 1st March, 1983, to The Northern Roadhouse, Dunfermline, and that the Cumnock Club’s new venue on 21st December will be Cumnock Juniors’ Social Club Cumnock. Our apologies to Cumnock Club for the mistake in last month’s Diary. A double check on any Club report sometimes helps. Finally, Kelso Club have also changed their venue on Tuesday, 21st December. It will be in the Ednam House Hotel, Kelso.
The Jack Blyth Trio are now available as guest artistes Tel Glenrothes 756673.
At the next AGM it will be a weekend ‘do’ as before. This time the Guest of Honour will be Ian Powrie, all the way from Australia and back among his ain folk for a wee while. Details about this later.
The winners of the Accordion Bonanza at the King’s Theatre, Glasgow were : The Angus Fitchet Scottish Fiddle Trophy was won by Sandy Ingram of Forfar. The Bobby MacLeod Trophy for Continental/Musette was won by that wonderful gentleman Alf Silk of Kilmarnock and the Iain MacPhail Trophy for Traditional Accordion was won by John Leslie of Dunbar. More about this remarkable concert next month.
May I, on behalf of the ‘B&F’ thank everyone for their kind wishes and we would like to reciprocate these wishes to the Shetlands, Australia, Canada, America and the Falklands, and wherever else the paper is read.
Kirsty’s Ceilidh a Huge Success
by Ian Smith
The ceilidh organized by Kirsty Bissett in the Albert Hall, Stirling, was an excellent exercise. The target of £1,000 was raised for the training of a dog for some blind person. From 3pm………….
The Reel Radio
by Andy Ross
A most interesting collection of programmes will be going out on ‘TTF’ on BBC Radio Scotland in the weeks ahead, starting on Saturday, 18th December with the Rob Gordon Band, plus a feature on ace accordionist Pearl Fawcett. I understand that Pearl has some strong views on electronic accordions and that this will be a most interesting interview.
For Christmas Day we will have a very welcome return to radio of Jim Johnstone and his band, plus items from Accordion Champion Jacqueline Dick and Golden Fiddle winner Judith Davidson, recorded in concert at the Town Hall, Elgin.
Accompanying both young soloists will be Graeme Mitchell on piano.
For New Year’s Day we will return to Elgin for a dance music programme from John Ellis and His Highland Country Band with additional items being provided by Elgin S&R Society under the baton of Bill Brian.
On 8th January a very interesting programme has been gathered together by Fraser McGlynn when all the dance music played will be compositions of the late Pipe Major Donald MacLeod of Lewis who died a few months ago – the feature will be on the late Adam Rennie, this particular item having been held back from a previous broadcast.
A week later, on 15th January, the band spot will be filled by the group led by George Bell recorded in his local Town Hall at Blairgowrie.
Featured on this date will be the well-known accordionist and bandleader of about 20 years ago, Alasdair Downie from Oban.
The Reel Blend
Freeland Barbour tells me that from the New Year, Robbie shepherd’s ‘Reel Blend’ programme will go out on Wednesday evening commencing 5th January. Timings will be from 7.20pm to 8pm – an extension of 10 minutes.
In the weeks ahead it is hoped to introduce some short spots by young players in duo or trios playing Scottish traditional music, thus giving the youngsters a chance to experience the atmosphere of a broadcasting studio before being quite ready for a full ‘TTF’ session.
Folks Around Robin
The last band featured in the recent series on Radio Forth was Angus Fitchet and a tremendous broadcast it was. However, I felt that the J.B. Milne set at the beginning of the programme was not up to Angus’s usual standard but most certainly the rest of the programme was. One annoying feature here was the fading out of the last set, the Baldovan Reel, just as it was getting into full swing. This is not the first time that this has happened on Radio Forth and I hope that when the programme returns they can get their timings properly sorted out. It would have been better on this occasion not to have started the dance at all for the short period it was on the air.
Take the Floor
Since my last report there have been five ‘TTFs’ and the standard has been extremely high, also there has been a great variance in tunes and dances played. As mentioned last month the Tain Band had a broadcast 17 years to the day from their first appearance and it was interesting to hear the old recording made then, not only in the quality of sound, but in the stuffy approach of the presenter – I certainly wouldn’t swap him for the Dunecht Loon!
The Bill Hendry broadcast on 6th November was a cracker and on the 13th we had a most interesting first broadcast from a band led by Neil Barron, and I certainly look forward to hearing again from him in the months ahead.
We had another superb offering from Ian Holmes on 20th November and in one Swiss Polka, Ian did some double tracking – something I cannot recall having heard on a ‘TTF’ before. In this programme Producer Freeland Barbour got a chance to play third accordion for a set ; incidentally, Ian had extended a similar invitation to Robin Brock on Radio Forth a few weeks before.
The last broadcast in this review covers my old mate from Forres, Ian Anderson, who played, I think, his best broadcast yet and obviously his wife Ena and himself had done a fair bit of research to put a most entertaining programme together.
Features
That most talented fiddler Willie Hunter appeared in a couple of features in recent weeks and whetted our appetite for Shetland music by playing a set from his forthcoming record, also a track from The Hamefarers LP due out shortly. It was also very interesting to hear the finalists in the competitions at the recent Perth Festival and it is comforting to know there are so many excellent players around so we have no need to fear for the future of our traditional music. I think, however, that some of the sets are far too technical and there are certainly one or two tunes which I could do without ever hearing again!
Season Greetings
May I take this opportunity to wish all musicians, listeners and reader of the ‘B&F’ a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 1983.
Record Review
by Derek Hamilton
Short column this month. Time is pressing as they say, so let’s cut the chat and get down to business. I’ll tell you what we’ll do – let’s make it ‘Record of the Month’ as a heading.
So. What’s my record of the month this month? That’s easy – ‘Full Throttle’ by the Wallochmor Ceilidh Band on Lapwing LAP106.
Why is it my record of the month? Well’ that’s easy too. Because its brimming full of the best in Scottish Dance music, all played with such precision, yet with deep feeling and what’s more the album sports a fine cover which adds a touch of humour to the whole affair.
Popular Bands
Now for the details. Freeland Barbour, Sandy Coghill, Jim Barrie, Gus Miller and Neil McMillan collectively make up the Wallochs – one of Scotland’s most popular working bands. They fill the halls from Wick to Barra. That’s something in itself these days.
I know last time they played Barra they took over Castlebay Hall and the place was almost full an hour before starting time.
Now, whether that was the Barra folk desperate not to miss the Wallochs, or whether the Barra folk were following the old Scottish tradition of ‘It was two pounds for the ticket, so I’m chust making sure I get my money’s worth’ I’m not in a position to judge!!
This latest album is the Walloch’s third and it’s full of the stuff that has made the last two roaring successes. Pipe marches by the yard, jigs by the metre, reels by the yard and a couple of miles of waltzes. All this and litres of hornpipes and barn dances too!
Freeland and Sandy are just about the tightest pair of box players I’ve ever heard (and that’s them without a drop of the cratus!) You can hardly separate them.
They also play some great tunes with the most intriguing titles – ‘Lumps o’ Puddin,’ ‘The Eavesdropper’ and ‘The Telephone Box.’
Yes indeed. Great stuff from the Wallochs. I think the sleeve note sums it up and I’m sure the boys won’t mind me quoting it here –
When your clothes are worn out
And you’re filled with self-doubt
And your partner’s run off with another
When you’ve just lost your job
And you haven’t a bob
And you feel it’s not worth all the bother
When the pickings are slim
And your prospects are dim
And life looks a general disaster
And the one thing to do
Seems to go and get fou
But there’s one remedy yet
With less after-effect
(And it’s cheaper than buying a bottle)
It’s round and it’s black
And you’re reading it’s back
Try a dance to the Wallochs FULL THROTTLE
Livingston Accordion & Fiddle Club
Willie McFarlane
by Murdo McLeod
This, the second of our series on personalities from Livingston A&F Club, in this the 10th anniversary of the Club, centres on Willie McFarlane from Stoneyburn, West Lothian.
By day a dairy and mixed farmer, by night a popular bandleader. Willie has been a stalwart of the Club ever since the early days when we met at Rab’s Bar in Livingston station. How many of you remember Rab’s Bar?
Willie has been at the ‘box’ for a quarter of a century – so he must have started young! To begin with he played on the old two-row Double Ray, although he has progressed a fair bit since those days, as he now plays the Crucianelli Electronic and for some functions the Fratelli Crosio – both five-row.
His early training was received from the noted Chrissie Leatham, who has obviously been a great influence on his playing and especially his left hand work.
Willie feels strongly that the classical accordion is definitely not getting its place in Scottish music and points to Owen Murray as one who has given his life to this aspect of accordion music, but yet not appreciated half enough for his undoubted talents.
His own idol is one Andre Verchuren, a French virtuoso, who plays in the musette idiom.
Coming from West Lothian, originally Addiewell, where his father farmed, he was brought up on William Hannah lore. Indeed, his maternal grandfather Mr Smith, was in the same class in Blackburn School as the noted accordionist. It was probably because of Hannah’s influence that Mr Smith gave young Willie a present of his first melodeon. The ‘Agnes Waltz’ fairly gets the treatment from Willie now!
Music fairly runs in the family, his great grandfather having been a concertina player.
Willie, whilst primarily a player for pleasure, is nevertheless a noted bandleader as well as a very popular one, especially in the West Lothian area and many a fan will testify to that.
Willie and Linburn are synonymous! He has had the same personnel now for many a year, namely Betty Hardie vocalist/pianist from Breich, Angus Walkinshaw, drummer, and John Morrison, fiddle, from Balerno (but originally Kintore.)
The band has been a regular at the Craigshill Social Club for the past seven or eight years, playing to a weekly packed house.
Asked if he remembered any notable occasions his memory immediately went back to a huge ‘Caravan’ Carnival Dance in Chorley Town Hall, playing to an estimated 600 dancers, and did the round trip in one night. The ‘coos’ would not have appreciated a late start either to the milking!
Willie travels each year to Wolverhampton to play for the annual St Andrew’s Dance held by the Caledonian Society there. This is one of the highlights in a busy year, but Willie will still put as much into his turn for us at the Club when he answers the call – ‘you are on next, Willie,’ Thanks a lot Willie, and long may you continue playing.
This then is a wee tribute to one player who helped to set up our Club way back in the early days when players were not just quite as numerous as they are now.
Who will feature next month? Make sure you get your copy of the ‘B&F’ for the next instalment of this continuing saga!
Band Restarted
Bert Shorthouse has announced that he is starting a SDB once again ; this time a new sound is in the offing. Piano, two fiddles, drums, accordion and, wait for it – euphonium. His euphoe player was once Scottish Champion. We will look forward to this new effect with anticipation.
Englishman’s Love of Scottish Music
By Jimmy Clinkscale
Ron Hodgson may not be one of the more familiar names on the Scottish accordion scene, but he is up there with the best of them in his love for the music, its traditions and its future.
Being an Englishman, Ron has lived in what, he says, is almost a backwater for the instrument. “There is just not the same tradition surrounding the accordion south of the Border as there is further north of Gretna Green.”
Lone Furrow
He has never left his native Carlisle, where he has run an Accordion School since 1957. Ron has ploughed a lone furrow in that area for the past 24 years. So barren is the tract between Glasgow and Manchester that pupils come to him from as far afield as Preston, Jarrow, Dumfries and Whitehaven.
“Musically, there is a stone wall between England and Scotland” he says. “The accordion stops at Gretna Green. There are a few Clubs in England, but they are few and far between.”
Ron admits, wryly, that as a musician he wishes he had not been born a Sassenach. He loves the tradition of the Scottish Clubs and speaks of the accordion and Scotland in the same breath.
“It is the national instrument of Scotland” he says. “Nothing can approach the accordion playing of the Scottish boys, even today.”
As the recently appointed Chairman of the National Accordion Organisation of Great Britain, Ron, at 53 years old and with a lifetimes love of accordion music behind him, sees it as his solemn duty to break down barriers, widen the horizons of the instrument, go where no man has gone before.
He is immensely proud of his three-year appointment and sees it as his business to spread the gospel as far and as wide as possible within that period.
He says “The accordion is still looked down on in some circles because it was once a pub instrument. Admittedly there have been some steps forward – you can take the ‘O’ Grades in it now for example – but I want to see it accepted as a major musical instrument.”
Ron strongly believes it is about time the Music Colleges in the United Kingdom accepted the accordion on its merits. “The UK is now the only country in the world where this is not the case” he says.
By working actively on its behalf, Ron hopes to see the membership of the NAO blossom from its present total of around 4,000.
“I want to put the accordion on the map in Great Britain” he says. “It is a great shame, to my mind, that some of the great ambassadors of the accordion, such as Jimmy Shand and Toralf Tolleffson, have never been heard outside the accordion world.”
Great Hero
Tolleffson, in fact, is one of Ron’s great heroes. Ron met him backstage once at a concert in Dumfries, and calls him “The Gentleman of the Accordion World.”
The great Norwegian player was only one of Ron’s influences in those early days. The others, co-incidentally, were all Continental as well.
It was in his early teens that he developed an interest in the accordion. Born of a working class family in Carlisle – where his father was a train driver – Ron’s earliest ambition was to play the trumpet. Just like Harry James!
Understandably, mother Hodgson was somewhat aghast at the thought of her young son practising in the house, so she encouraged him to opt for a bike instead.
However, it was on his way with his mother to purchase that very commodity when Ron spied a shop with a ‘lovely accordion’ in the window.
He had never even heard the instrument before but knew he wanted it and the young Hodgson got his way. It was a small Midella.
But Ron was horrified when he realised he could not just put it on and play immediately. That meant lessons, and as there were no accordion instructors in Carlisle at the time, that meant lessons with an organist.
To cut a long story short, he did find another instructor – Billy Stewart – but His Majesty George VI intervened, and Ron was called up to serve in the Royal Army Service Corps.
It was during tours of duty in Northern Germany and Holland that Ron really became hooked on the accordion.
“It was there that I heard the accordion being played as it should be” he says. A visit to a restaurant in the Hook of Holland introduced him to the sounds of Art Van Damm – “a fantastic jazz player” – and it was from that point on that Ron knew his future lay in accordion music.
He passed an audition for the Combined Services Entertainmant Corps in 1949, but did nott have enough service left to warrant a transfer, so he was demobbed the same year.
After coming fourth in the British Championships, Ron joined the Northern Variety Orchestra in Manchester under the leadership of Alyn Ainsworth.
Although that was Ron’s first taste of professional work, he has never considered turning ‘pro’ full time. Now a Stores Officer with the Air Ministry in Carlisle, Ron’s range of work over the years has been impressive, including such glamorous positions as apprentice cobbler, plumber’s mate and assistant groundsman at the local cricket club!
Famous Protege
By 1957 Ron had started his own Accordion School and with his own Dance Band was playing all over the North of England. He and his Moffat-born wife Margaret used to play duets together before they were married in 1952, and Margaret still helps out with the administrative side of things at the school.
Although Ron has taught many aspiring young accordionists over the years, perhaps his most famous protégé is Max Houliston, who now runs ‘The Hole in the Wa’ Club’ in Dumfries.
In fact, Ron made a record with Max. It was called ‘On the Piazza’ with music arranged by Gordon Langford. Despite the fact that he appears on it, Ron, unabashed, regards the record, one of his rare appearances on vinyl, as “one of the finest Continental LPs ever made.” Ron also recorded a track on ‘Accordion Bonanza No 2’ live from the Tait Hall in Kelso, on the Stebelin label No C1003.
But these days there are two major apples of his eye. One is son Ivor (23) who recently appeared at the Proms playing bass with the BBC Concert Orchestra, and the other is his Accordion Orchestra – winners of the All-British championship on no less than two occasions.
“It is just like one big family” enthuses Ron, a barely perceptible glisten appearing in his eye.
“They are an Orchestra, not a band, and I write for them with this in mind. I like to try and get away from the old, hackneyed style of writing.”
His major ambition now is to see the Orchestra play in Carlisle’s twin town of Flensberg in Germany. “As soon as they are ready musically, they will go” he says. It is almost as if he hopes to give something back to the country which inspired him so many years ago.
For Ron has a tremendous respect for the musical achievement of other countries.
He recalls a trip to Russia for the World Youth Festival in 1957. Ron won the Silver Medal and was one of a three-member team representing Great Britain.
“A 22-year-old Russian won the competition” he says. “He played his own arrangement of Bach’s ‘Toccato in Fugue in D Minor’!
But he wasn’t just an accordion player. He could conduct, compose and he was a Professor of Music. Yet he was just one of hundreds over there. Hundreds just like him.”
And he concludes, “If people could only hear the type of players which are being produced over there, they wouldn’t believe it. I would like to see every accordion player in this country like that Russian. As Chairman of the NAO I am in an ideal position to do just that!”
Since our interview during the summer, Ron has been recommended by the Board of Administration, and its President, Mr Ivor J. Benyon, to the Governing Council of the British College of Accordionists for membership of the Board of Examiners of that august body.
Letters to the Editor
Sir – I am writing to you to inform readers of the ‘B&F’ that ‘The Melrose Accordion Orchestra’ is now known as ‘The Bill sharp Accordion Orchestra.’
The Secretary of the Parents’ Committee, looking after all matters concerning the Orchestra is Mrs A. Welsh, Earlston, Berwickshire.
The Orchestra (average age 12½ years) appeared in two charity shows at the Tait Hall, Kelso, Wednesday and Thursday, 8 & 9th December, 1982, with comedian Ronnie Dale and the new young singing star ‘Diane’ topping the bill.
On 15th December we played at Galashiels Academy School Concert. The School Choir sang along with the Orchestra ‘When It’s Christmastime in Scotland.’
Then on Saturday, 18th December, we played at Askkirk, which will be the final show for 1982.
Wishing you and all your readers a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
Bill Sharp
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Queen’s Hotel) –
Alnwick (Nag’s Head) – members only
Armadale (Rob Roy Inn) – 20 Jan 83 Willie McFarlane SDB
Balloch (Griffin Hotel, Alexandria) – 19 Dec 82 Charlie Kirkpatrick SDB
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff (Royal Oak Hotel) –
Beith (Anderson Hotel) –
Belford (Community Club) – 24 Feb 83 Ian Holmes & Kenny Wilson
Biggar (Clydesdale Hotel) –
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel) –
Campbeltown (Argyll Arms) –
Castle Douglas (Ernespie Hotel) –
Cleland (Dalrymple House) –
Coupar Angus (Royal Hotel) –
Crieff & District (Arduthie Hotel) –
Cumnock (Cumnock Juniors social Club) – 21 Dec 82 Ceilidh Linton McMillan & Ailee Robertson
Dalriada (Royal Hotel, Lochgilphead) –
Denny & Dunipace (Dunipace Junior Social Club) –
Derwentside (Working Men’s Club, Consett) –
Dingwall (venue? ) –
Dumfries (Oughton’s Restaurant) -
Dunblane (Hydro) – 8 Jan 83 John Huband & the Tayside Sound
Dundee (Queen’s Hotel, Nethergate) – 13 Jan 83 Annual Dance Invercarse Hotel Jim Johnstone SDB
Dunfermline (Unitas Hall) – 11 Jan 83 Paddy Neary
East Kilbride (Stuart Hotel) – 27 Jan 83 Iain Peterson Trio
Edinburgh (The Berry Suite, Abbey Hill) –
Falkirk (Park Hotel) –
Fintry (Clachan Hotel) – 28 Dec 83 Peter Bruce and Jim Brown
Forres (Brig Motel) – 12 Jan 83 Winchester Trio
Fort William (Highland Hotel) – 19 Jan 83 Inverness Club
Galashiels (Maxwell Hotel) –
Galston (Barr Castle Social Club, Galston) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) – members only
Gorebridge (Rangers FC Social Club) – 13 Jan 83 The Donaldson Brothers
Highland/ Inverness (Drumossie Hotel) –
Islesteps (Cargenholm Hotel) –
Kelso (Ednam Hotel) – 21 Dec Grace McCleaver & the Lochearn SDB
Kintore (Crown Hotel) – 5 Jan 83 Club Members
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) – 6 Jan 83 Fraser McGlynn
Livingston (Cameron Ironworks Social Club) – 17 Feb 83 Dunblane Club
Lockerbie (Bluebell Hotel) – 25 Jan 83 Copeland Brothers
M.A.F.I.A. (Black Bull, Milngavie) –
Monkland (Eastercroft Hotel, Caldercruix, Airdrie) –
Morecambe (Yorkshire Hotel, Lancaster) -
New Cumnock (Crown Hotel) –
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 31 Jan 83 Dundee A&F Club Junior Band
Newton St Boswells (Railway Hotel) –
North Cumbria (Huntsman Inn – Penton – formerly called Gretna) –
North East (Seafield Arms, Keith) –
Oban (Park Hotel) –
Orkney ( venue?) –
Ormiston (Miners’ Welfare Social Club) –
Peebles (Ex-Servicemen’s Club) – 27 Jan 83 Jimmy Blue & Willie Simpson
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 18 Jan 83 Robert Black SDB
Premier NI (Wilson’s of Crumlin) -
Renfrew (Glynhill Hotel) -
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel)
Shetland (venue?) -
Stranraer (Buck’s Head Hotel) – 10 Jan 83 Jacqueline Dick
Thurso (Royal Hotel) – 10 Jan 83 Kerry & David
Turriff (Royal Oak Hotel) -
Tynedale (The Royal Hotel, Hexham) –
Walmer (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) –
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Armadale
2. Balloch
3. Campbeltown
4. Castle Douglas
5. Cleland
6. Crieff & District
7. Cumnock & District
8. Derwentside
9. Dunblane & District
10. Dundee & District
11. Dunfermline & District
12. East Kilbride
13. Edinburgh
14. Fintry
15. Forres
16. Fort William
17. Highland
18. Kelso
19. Kintore
20. Lesmahagow
21. Livingstone
22. Lockerbie
23. M.A.F.I.A.
24. Monklands
25. Newtongrange
26. Peebles
27. Shetland
28. Stranraer
29. Thurso
30. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT SEPT 1982 (Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Sept 1976)
3. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1980) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months)
4. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1971)
5. Banchory A&F Club (1978)
6. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973)
7. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1971)
8. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
9. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974)
10. Buchan A&F Club
11. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
12. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980)
13. Cleland (cNov 1981) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
14. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
15. Cumnock A&F Club
16. Dalriada A&F Club (cMar 1981)
17. Derwentside A&F Club
18. Dingwall & District (Aug 1979)
19. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughton’s) (April 1965)
20. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971)
21. Dundee & District A&F Club
22. Dunfermline & District A&F Club
23. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
24. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
25. Falkirk A&F Club
26. Fintry A&F Club
27. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
28. Fort William A&F Club (Oct 1980)
29. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
30. Galston A&F Club (1969)
31. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
32. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
33. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
34. Highland A&F Club (Inverness)
35. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981)
36. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976)
37. Kintore A&F Club
38. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
39. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967)
40. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Oct 1980)
41. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973)
42. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973)
43. M.A.F.I.A. (early)
44. Monkland A&F Club
45. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
46. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
47. Newtongrange A&F Club (Oct 1977)
48. North Cumbria A&F Club (originally Gretna started July 1965 – had to move to a venue in the North of England and changed name – eventually changed back when they returned to the Halcrow Stadium. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
49. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971)
50. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975)
51. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978)
52. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club
53. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981)
54. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970)
55. Premier A&F Club NI (cNov 1980)
56. Rothbury Accordion Club (Feb 1974)
57. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978)
58. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (early)
59. Thurso A&F Club (cSept 1981)
60. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982)
61. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980)
62. Walmer A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire) (c March 1982)
63. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
64. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
65. Club Accord
66. Coquetdale
67. Coupar Angus A&F Club
68. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (c Nov 1980)
69. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
70. Gretna A&F Club (June 1966)
71. Newcastleton Accordion Club
72. New Cumnock A&F Club
73. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club
74. Renfrew A&F Club
75. Straiton Accordion Club (opened? 3rd club to open – closed March 1979)
76. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
77. Wellbank A&F Club
Advertising rates
Full Page - £70
Half Page - £35
Quarter Page - £17.50
B&F Treasurer – Mrs Mary Plunkett, 2 Dounan Road, Dunragit, Wigtownshire
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
Please note that the Dunfermline Club will be changing their venue after 1st March, 1983, to The Northern Roadhouse, Dunfermline, and that the Cumnock Club’s new venue on 21st December will be Cumnock Juniors’ Social Club Cumnock. Our apologies to Cumnock Club for the mistake in last month’s Diary. A double check on any Club report sometimes helps. Finally, Kelso Club have also changed their venue on Tuesday, 21st December. It will be in the Ednam House Hotel, Kelso.
The Jack Blyth Trio are now available as guest artistes Tel Glenrothes 756673.
At the next AGM it will be a weekend ‘do’ as before. This time the Guest of Honour will be Ian Powrie, all the way from Australia and back among his ain folk for a wee while. Details about this later.
The winners of the Accordion Bonanza at the King’s Theatre, Glasgow were : The Angus Fitchet Scottish Fiddle Trophy was won by Sandy Ingram of Forfar. The Bobby MacLeod Trophy for Continental/Musette was won by that wonderful gentleman Alf Silk of Kilmarnock and the Iain MacPhail Trophy for Traditional Accordion was won by John Leslie of Dunbar. More about this remarkable concert next month.
May I, on behalf of the ‘B&F’ thank everyone for their kind wishes and we would like to reciprocate these wishes to the Shetlands, Australia, Canada, America and the Falklands, and wherever else the paper is read.
Kirsty’s Ceilidh a Huge Success
by Ian Smith
The ceilidh organized by Kirsty Bissett in the Albert Hall, Stirling, was an excellent exercise. The target of £1,000 was raised for the training of a dog for some blind person. From 3pm………….
The Reel Radio
by Andy Ross
A most interesting collection of programmes will be going out on ‘TTF’ on BBC Radio Scotland in the weeks ahead, starting on Saturday, 18th December with the Rob Gordon Band, plus a feature on ace accordionist Pearl Fawcett. I understand that Pearl has some strong views on electronic accordions and that this will be a most interesting interview.
For Christmas Day we will have a very welcome return to radio of Jim Johnstone and his band, plus items from Accordion Champion Jacqueline Dick and Golden Fiddle winner Judith Davidson, recorded in concert at the Town Hall, Elgin.
Accompanying both young soloists will be Graeme Mitchell on piano.
For New Year’s Day we will return to Elgin for a dance music programme from John Ellis and His Highland Country Band with additional items being provided by Elgin S&R Society under the baton of Bill Brian.
On 8th January a very interesting programme has been gathered together by Fraser McGlynn when all the dance music played will be compositions of the late Pipe Major Donald MacLeod of Lewis who died a few months ago – the feature will be on the late Adam Rennie, this particular item having been held back from a previous broadcast.
A week later, on 15th January, the band spot will be filled by the group led by George Bell recorded in his local Town Hall at Blairgowrie.
Featured on this date will be the well-known accordionist and bandleader of about 20 years ago, Alasdair Downie from Oban.
The Reel Blend
Freeland Barbour tells me that from the New Year, Robbie shepherd’s ‘Reel Blend’ programme will go out on Wednesday evening commencing 5th January. Timings will be from 7.20pm to 8pm – an extension of 10 minutes.
In the weeks ahead it is hoped to introduce some short spots by young players in duo or trios playing Scottish traditional music, thus giving the youngsters a chance to experience the atmosphere of a broadcasting studio before being quite ready for a full ‘TTF’ session.
Folks Around Robin
The last band featured in the recent series on Radio Forth was Angus Fitchet and a tremendous broadcast it was. However, I felt that the J.B. Milne set at the beginning of the programme was not up to Angus’s usual standard but most certainly the rest of the programme was. One annoying feature here was the fading out of the last set, the Baldovan Reel, just as it was getting into full swing. This is not the first time that this has happened on Radio Forth and I hope that when the programme returns they can get their timings properly sorted out. It would have been better on this occasion not to have started the dance at all for the short period it was on the air.
Take the Floor
Since my last report there have been five ‘TTFs’ and the standard has been extremely high, also there has been a great variance in tunes and dances played. As mentioned last month the Tain Band had a broadcast 17 years to the day from their first appearance and it was interesting to hear the old recording made then, not only in the quality of sound, but in the stuffy approach of the presenter – I certainly wouldn’t swap him for the Dunecht Loon!
The Bill Hendry broadcast on 6th November was a cracker and on the 13th we had a most interesting first broadcast from a band led by Neil Barron, and I certainly look forward to hearing again from him in the months ahead.
We had another superb offering from Ian Holmes on 20th November and in one Swiss Polka, Ian did some double tracking – something I cannot recall having heard on a ‘TTF’ before. In this programme Producer Freeland Barbour got a chance to play third accordion for a set ; incidentally, Ian had extended a similar invitation to Robin Brock on Radio Forth a few weeks before.
The last broadcast in this review covers my old mate from Forres, Ian Anderson, who played, I think, his best broadcast yet and obviously his wife Ena and himself had done a fair bit of research to put a most entertaining programme together.
Features
That most talented fiddler Willie Hunter appeared in a couple of features in recent weeks and whetted our appetite for Shetland music by playing a set from his forthcoming record, also a track from The Hamefarers LP due out shortly. It was also very interesting to hear the finalists in the competitions at the recent Perth Festival and it is comforting to know there are so many excellent players around so we have no need to fear for the future of our traditional music. I think, however, that some of the sets are far too technical and there are certainly one or two tunes which I could do without ever hearing again!
Season Greetings
May I take this opportunity to wish all musicians, listeners and reader of the ‘B&F’ a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 1983.
Record Review
by Derek Hamilton
Short column this month. Time is pressing as they say, so let’s cut the chat and get down to business. I’ll tell you what we’ll do – let’s make it ‘Record of the Month’ as a heading.
So. What’s my record of the month this month? That’s easy – ‘Full Throttle’ by the Wallochmor Ceilidh Band on Lapwing LAP106.
Why is it my record of the month? Well’ that’s easy too. Because its brimming full of the best in Scottish Dance music, all played with such precision, yet with deep feeling and what’s more the album sports a fine cover which adds a touch of humour to the whole affair.
Popular Bands
Now for the details. Freeland Barbour, Sandy Coghill, Jim Barrie, Gus Miller and Neil McMillan collectively make up the Wallochs – one of Scotland’s most popular working bands. They fill the halls from Wick to Barra. That’s something in itself these days.
I know last time they played Barra they took over Castlebay Hall and the place was almost full an hour before starting time.
Now, whether that was the Barra folk desperate not to miss the Wallochs, or whether the Barra folk were following the old Scottish tradition of ‘It was two pounds for the ticket, so I’m chust making sure I get my money’s worth’ I’m not in a position to judge!!
This latest album is the Walloch’s third and it’s full of the stuff that has made the last two roaring successes. Pipe marches by the yard, jigs by the metre, reels by the yard and a couple of miles of waltzes. All this and litres of hornpipes and barn dances too!
Freeland and Sandy are just about the tightest pair of box players I’ve ever heard (and that’s them without a drop of the cratus!) You can hardly separate them.
They also play some great tunes with the most intriguing titles – ‘Lumps o’ Puddin,’ ‘The Eavesdropper’ and ‘The Telephone Box.’
Yes indeed. Great stuff from the Wallochs. I think the sleeve note sums it up and I’m sure the boys won’t mind me quoting it here –
When your clothes are worn out
And you’re filled with self-doubt
And your partner’s run off with another
When you’ve just lost your job
And you haven’t a bob
And you feel it’s not worth all the bother
When the pickings are slim
And your prospects are dim
And life looks a general disaster
And the one thing to do
Seems to go and get fou
But there’s one remedy yet
With less after-effect
(And it’s cheaper than buying a bottle)
It’s round and it’s black
And you’re reading it’s back
Try a dance to the Wallochs FULL THROTTLE
Livingston Accordion & Fiddle Club
Willie McFarlane
by Murdo McLeod
This, the second of our series on personalities from Livingston A&F Club, in this the 10th anniversary of the Club, centres on Willie McFarlane from Stoneyburn, West Lothian.
By day a dairy and mixed farmer, by night a popular bandleader. Willie has been a stalwart of the Club ever since the early days when we met at Rab’s Bar in Livingston station. How many of you remember Rab’s Bar?
Willie has been at the ‘box’ for a quarter of a century – so he must have started young! To begin with he played on the old two-row Double Ray, although he has progressed a fair bit since those days, as he now plays the Crucianelli Electronic and for some functions the Fratelli Crosio – both five-row.
His early training was received from the noted Chrissie Leatham, who has obviously been a great influence on his playing and especially his left hand work.
Willie feels strongly that the classical accordion is definitely not getting its place in Scottish music and points to Owen Murray as one who has given his life to this aspect of accordion music, but yet not appreciated half enough for his undoubted talents.
His own idol is one Andre Verchuren, a French virtuoso, who plays in the musette idiom.
Coming from West Lothian, originally Addiewell, where his father farmed, he was brought up on William Hannah lore. Indeed, his maternal grandfather Mr Smith, was in the same class in Blackburn School as the noted accordionist. It was probably because of Hannah’s influence that Mr Smith gave young Willie a present of his first melodeon. The ‘Agnes Waltz’ fairly gets the treatment from Willie now!
Music fairly runs in the family, his great grandfather having been a concertina player.
Willie, whilst primarily a player for pleasure, is nevertheless a noted bandleader as well as a very popular one, especially in the West Lothian area and many a fan will testify to that.
Willie and Linburn are synonymous! He has had the same personnel now for many a year, namely Betty Hardie vocalist/pianist from Breich, Angus Walkinshaw, drummer, and John Morrison, fiddle, from Balerno (but originally Kintore.)
The band has been a regular at the Craigshill Social Club for the past seven or eight years, playing to a weekly packed house.
Asked if he remembered any notable occasions his memory immediately went back to a huge ‘Caravan’ Carnival Dance in Chorley Town Hall, playing to an estimated 600 dancers, and did the round trip in one night. The ‘coos’ would not have appreciated a late start either to the milking!
Willie travels each year to Wolverhampton to play for the annual St Andrew’s Dance held by the Caledonian Society there. This is one of the highlights in a busy year, but Willie will still put as much into his turn for us at the Club when he answers the call – ‘you are on next, Willie,’ Thanks a lot Willie, and long may you continue playing.
This then is a wee tribute to one player who helped to set up our Club way back in the early days when players were not just quite as numerous as they are now.
Who will feature next month? Make sure you get your copy of the ‘B&F’ for the next instalment of this continuing saga!
Band Restarted
Bert Shorthouse has announced that he is starting a SDB once again ; this time a new sound is in the offing. Piano, two fiddles, drums, accordion and, wait for it – euphonium. His euphoe player was once Scottish Champion. We will look forward to this new effect with anticipation.
Englishman’s Love of Scottish Music
By Jimmy Clinkscale
Ron Hodgson may not be one of the more familiar names on the Scottish accordion scene, but he is up there with the best of them in his love for the music, its traditions and its future.
Being an Englishman, Ron has lived in what, he says, is almost a backwater for the instrument. “There is just not the same tradition surrounding the accordion south of the Border as there is further north of Gretna Green.”
Lone Furrow
He has never left his native Carlisle, where he has run an Accordion School since 1957. Ron has ploughed a lone furrow in that area for the past 24 years. So barren is the tract between Glasgow and Manchester that pupils come to him from as far afield as Preston, Jarrow, Dumfries and Whitehaven.
“Musically, there is a stone wall between England and Scotland” he says. “The accordion stops at Gretna Green. There are a few Clubs in England, but they are few and far between.”
Ron admits, wryly, that as a musician he wishes he had not been born a Sassenach. He loves the tradition of the Scottish Clubs and speaks of the accordion and Scotland in the same breath.
“It is the national instrument of Scotland” he says. “Nothing can approach the accordion playing of the Scottish boys, even today.”
As the recently appointed Chairman of the National Accordion Organisation of Great Britain, Ron, at 53 years old and with a lifetimes love of accordion music behind him, sees it as his solemn duty to break down barriers, widen the horizons of the instrument, go where no man has gone before.
He is immensely proud of his three-year appointment and sees it as his business to spread the gospel as far and as wide as possible within that period.
He says “The accordion is still looked down on in some circles because it was once a pub instrument. Admittedly there have been some steps forward – you can take the ‘O’ Grades in it now for example – but I want to see it accepted as a major musical instrument.”
Ron strongly believes it is about time the Music Colleges in the United Kingdom accepted the accordion on its merits. “The UK is now the only country in the world where this is not the case” he says.
By working actively on its behalf, Ron hopes to see the membership of the NAO blossom from its present total of around 4,000.
“I want to put the accordion on the map in Great Britain” he says. “It is a great shame, to my mind, that some of the great ambassadors of the accordion, such as Jimmy Shand and Toralf Tolleffson, have never been heard outside the accordion world.”
Great Hero
Tolleffson, in fact, is one of Ron’s great heroes. Ron met him backstage once at a concert in Dumfries, and calls him “The Gentleman of the Accordion World.”
The great Norwegian player was only one of Ron’s influences in those early days. The others, co-incidentally, were all Continental as well.
It was in his early teens that he developed an interest in the accordion. Born of a working class family in Carlisle – where his father was a train driver – Ron’s earliest ambition was to play the trumpet. Just like Harry James!
Understandably, mother Hodgson was somewhat aghast at the thought of her young son practising in the house, so she encouraged him to opt for a bike instead.
However, it was on his way with his mother to purchase that very commodity when Ron spied a shop with a ‘lovely accordion’ in the window.
He had never even heard the instrument before but knew he wanted it and the young Hodgson got his way. It was a small Midella.
But Ron was horrified when he realised he could not just put it on and play immediately. That meant lessons, and as there were no accordion instructors in Carlisle at the time, that meant lessons with an organist.
To cut a long story short, he did find another instructor – Billy Stewart – but His Majesty George VI intervened, and Ron was called up to serve in the Royal Army Service Corps.
It was during tours of duty in Northern Germany and Holland that Ron really became hooked on the accordion.
“It was there that I heard the accordion being played as it should be” he says. A visit to a restaurant in the Hook of Holland introduced him to the sounds of Art Van Damm – “a fantastic jazz player” – and it was from that point on that Ron knew his future lay in accordion music.
He passed an audition for the Combined Services Entertainmant Corps in 1949, but did nott have enough service left to warrant a transfer, so he was demobbed the same year.
After coming fourth in the British Championships, Ron joined the Northern Variety Orchestra in Manchester under the leadership of Alyn Ainsworth.
Although that was Ron’s first taste of professional work, he has never considered turning ‘pro’ full time. Now a Stores Officer with the Air Ministry in Carlisle, Ron’s range of work over the years has been impressive, including such glamorous positions as apprentice cobbler, plumber’s mate and assistant groundsman at the local cricket club!
Famous Protege
By 1957 Ron had started his own Accordion School and with his own Dance Band was playing all over the North of England. He and his Moffat-born wife Margaret used to play duets together before they were married in 1952, and Margaret still helps out with the administrative side of things at the school.
Although Ron has taught many aspiring young accordionists over the years, perhaps his most famous protégé is Max Houliston, who now runs ‘The Hole in the Wa’ Club’ in Dumfries.
In fact, Ron made a record with Max. It was called ‘On the Piazza’ with music arranged by Gordon Langford. Despite the fact that he appears on it, Ron, unabashed, regards the record, one of his rare appearances on vinyl, as “one of the finest Continental LPs ever made.” Ron also recorded a track on ‘Accordion Bonanza No 2’ live from the Tait Hall in Kelso, on the Stebelin label No C1003.
But these days there are two major apples of his eye. One is son Ivor (23) who recently appeared at the Proms playing bass with the BBC Concert Orchestra, and the other is his Accordion Orchestra – winners of the All-British championship on no less than two occasions.
“It is just like one big family” enthuses Ron, a barely perceptible glisten appearing in his eye.
“They are an Orchestra, not a band, and I write for them with this in mind. I like to try and get away from the old, hackneyed style of writing.”
His major ambition now is to see the Orchestra play in Carlisle’s twin town of Flensberg in Germany. “As soon as they are ready musically, they will go” he says. It is almost as if he hopes to give something back to the country which inspired him so many years ago.
For Ron has a tremendous respect for the musical achievement of other countries.
He recalls a trip to Russia for the World Youth Festival in 1957. Ron won the Silver Medal and was one of a three-member team representing Great Britain.
“A 22-year-old Russian won the competition” he says. “He played his own arrangement of Bach’s ‘Toccato in Fugue in D Minor’!
But he wasn’t just an accordion player. He could conduct, compose and he was a Professor of Music. Yet he was just one of hundreds over there. Hundreds just like him.”
And he concludes, “If people could only hear the type of players which are being produced over there, they wouldn’t believe it. I would like to see every accordion player in this country like that Russian. As Chairman of the NAO I am in an ideal position to do just that!”
Since our interview during the summer, Ron has been recommended by the Board of Administration, and its President, Mr Ivor J. Benyon, to the Governing Council of the British College of Accordionists for membership of the Board of Examiners of that august body.
Letters to the Editor
Sir – I am writing to you to inform readers of the ‘B&F’ that ‘The Melrose Accordion Orchestra’ is now known as ‘The Bill sharp Accordion Orchestra.’
The Secretary of the Parents’ Committee, looking after all matters concerning the Orchestra is Mrs A. Welsh, Earlston, Berwickshire.
The Orchestra (average age 12½ years) appeared in two charity shows at the Tait Hall, Kelso, Wednesday and Thursday, 8 & 9th December, 1982, with comedian Ronnie Dale and the new young singing star ‘Diane’ topping the bill.
On 15th December we played at Galashiels Academy School Concert. The School Choir sang along with the Orchestra ‘When It’s Christmastime in Scotland.’
Then on Saturday, 18th December, we played at Askkirk, which will be the final show for 1982.
Wishing you and all your readers a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
Bill Sharp
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Queen’s Hotel) –
Alnwick (Nag’s Head) – members only
Armadale (Rob Roy Inn) – 20 Jan 83 Willie McFarlane SDB
Balloch (Griffin Hotel, Alexandria) – 19 Dec 82 Charlie Kirkpatrick SDB
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff (Royal Oak Hotel) –
Beith (Anderson Hotel) –
Belford (Community Club) – 24 Feb 83 Ian Holmes & Kenny Wilson
Biggar (Clydesdale Hotel) –
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel) –
Campbeltown (Argyll Arms) –
Castle Douglas (Ernespie Hotel) –
Cleland (Dalrymple House) –
Coupar Angus (Royal Hotel) –
Crieff & District (Arduthie Hotel) –
Cumnock (Cumnock Juniors social Club) – 21 Dec 82 Ceilidh Linton McMillan & Ailee Robertson
Dalriada (Royal Hotel, Lochgilphead) –
Denny & Dunipace (Dunipace Junior Social Club) –
Derwentside (Working Men’s Club, Consett) –
Dingwall (venue? ) –
Dumfries (Oughton’s Restaurant) -
Dunblane (Hydro) – 8 Jan 83 John Huband & the Tayside Sound
Dundee (Queen’s Hotel, Nethergate) – 13 Jan 83 Annual Dance Invercarse Hotel Jim Johnstone SDB
Dunfermline (Unitas Hall) – 11 Jan 83 Paddy Neary
East Kilbride (Stuart Hotel) – 27 Jan 83 Iain Peterson Trio
Edinburgh (The Berry Suite, Abbey Hill) –
Falkirk (Park Hotel) –
Fintry (Clachan Hotel) – 28 Dec 83 Peter Bruce and Jim Brown
Forres (Brig Motel) – 12 Jan 83 Winchester Trio
Fort William (Highland Hotel) – 19 Jan 83 Inverness Club
Galashiels (Maxwell Hotel) –
Galston (Barr Castle Social Club, Galston) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) – members only
Gorebridge (Rangers FC Social Club) – 13 Jan 83 The Donaldson Brothers
Highland/ Inverness (Drumossie Hotel) –
Islesteps (Cargenholm Hotel) –
Kelso (Ednam Hotel) – 21 Dec Grace McCleaver & the Lochearn SDB
Kintore (Crown Hotel) – 5 Jan 83 Club Members
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) – 6 Jan 83 Fraser McGlynn
Livingston (Cameron Ironworks Social Club) – 17 Feb 83 Dunblane Club
Lockerbie (Bluebell Hotel) – 25 Jan 83 Copeland Brothers
M.A.F.I.A. (Black Bull, Milngavie) –
Monkland (Eastercroft Hotel, Caldercruix, Airdrie) –
Morecambe (Yorkshire Hotel, Lancaster) -
New Cumnock (Crown Hotel) –
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 31 Jan 83 Dundee A&F Club Junior Band
Newton St Boswells (Railway Hotel) –
North Cumbria (Huntsman Inn – Penton – formerly called Gretna) –
North East (Seafield Arms, Keith) –
Oban (Park Hotel) –
Orkney ( venue?) –
Ormiston (Miners’ Welfare Social Club) –
Peebles (Ex-Servicemen’s Club) – 27 Jan 83 Jimmy Blue & Willie Simpson
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 18 Jan 83 Robert Black SDB
Premier NI (Wilson’s of Crumlin) -
Renfrew (Glynhill Hotel) -
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel)
Shetland (venue?) -
Stranraer (Buck’s Head Hotel) – 10 Jan 83 Jacqueline Dick
Thurso (Royal Hotel) – 10 Jan 83 Kerry & David
Turriff (Royal Oak Hotel) -
Tynedale (The Royal Hotel, Hexham) –
Walmer (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) –
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Armadale
2. Balloch
3. Campbeltown
4. Castle Douglas
5. Cleland
6. Crieff & District
7. Cumnock & District
8. Derwentside
9. Dunblane & District
10. Dundee & District
11. Dunfermline & District
12. East Kilbride
13. Edinburgh
14. Fintry
15. Forres
16. Fort William
17. Highland
18. Kelso
19. Kintore
20. Lesmahagow
21. Livingstone
22. Lockerbie
23. M.A.F.I.A.
24. Monklands
25. Newtongrange
26. Peebles
27. Shetland
28. Stranraer
29. Thurso
30. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT SEPT 1982 (Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Sept 1976)
3. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1980) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months)
4. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1971)
5. Banchory A&F Club (1978)
6. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973)
7. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1971)
8. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
9. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974)
10. Buchan A&F Club
11. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
12. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980)
13. Cleland (cNov 1981) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
14. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
15. Cumnock A&F Club
16. Dalriada A&F Club (cMar 1981)
17. Derwentside A&F Club
18. Dingwall & District (Aug 1979)
19. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughton’s) (April 1965)
20. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971)
21. Dundee & District A&F Club
22. Dunfermline & District A&F Club
23. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
24. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
25. Falkirk A&F Club
26. Fintry A&F Club
27. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
28. Fort William A&F Club (Oct 1980)
29. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
30. Galston A&F Club (1969)
31. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
32. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
33. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
34. Highland A&F Club (Inverness)
35. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981)
36. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976)
37. Kintore A&F Club
38. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
39. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967)
40. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Oct 1980)
41. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973)
42. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973)
43. M.A.F.I.A. (early)
44. Monkland A&F Club
45. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
46. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
47. Newtongrange A&F Club (Oct 1977)
48. North Cumbria A&F Club (originally Gretna started July 1965 – had to move to a venue in the North of England and changed name – eventually changed back when they returned to the Halcrow Stadium. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
49. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971)
50. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975)
51. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978)
52. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club
53. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981)
54. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970)
55. Premier A&F Club NI (cNov 1980)
56. Rothbury Accordion Club (Feb 1974)
57. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978)
58. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (early)
59. Thurso A&F Club (cSept 1981)
60. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982)
61. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980)
62. Walmer A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire) (c March 1982)
63. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
64. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
65. Club Accord
66. Coquetdale
67. Coupar Angus A&F Club
68. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (c Nov 1980)
69. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
70. Gretna A&F Club (June 1966)
71. Newcastleton Accordion Club
72. New Cumnock A&F Club
73. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club
74. Renfrew A&F Club
75. Straiton Accordion Club (opened? 3rd club to open – closed March 1979)
76. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
77. Wellbank A&F Club
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