Box and Fiddle
Year 18 No 04
December 1994 / January 1995
Price 70p
12 pages
7 month subscription £8.00
Editor – Ron Ramsay, 48 Hospitalfield Road, Arbroath, Angus, DD11 2LS
B&F Treasurer – Mrs Margaret Smith, Smeaton Farm Cottage, Dalkeith, Midlothian, EH22 2NL
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
Well here we are, fast approaching Christmas and no presents bought yet!! Well this year I can honestly say that my love for Scottish dance music has kept me busy with the production of the ‘B&F’ (An original excuse and one that my wife cannot argue against, as she has had her hands full answering the phone calls).
I have been gratified by the support and favourable comments about the ‘B&F’ since taking over the job as Editor. I have been greatly honoured by my friend, Ian Crichton, from Stornoway who composed a tune, ‘Ron Ramsay’s Reel’, for me. Ian is a great, recognised composer and I feel it is a great honour in having a tune named after me. These, along with constructive criticism is greatly appreciated and makes the job of Editor worthwhile.
However, I must state that whilst constructive criticism is appreciated, no cognisance will be taken of any letter sent anonymously. I do not have the veil of anonymity to hide behind, and stand by any decisions taken. If you do not want your name and addressed published, please let me know.
Some criticism has been made of my decision to publish dance dates. My reasons behind this is that Scottish Dance Bands would not exist without dancers (Scottish Country or Old Time) and vice-versa. Aficionados of music and dance are known to travel throughout Scotland for the music and dance and if they are aware of what is going on in the Club and Dance scene, they can plan their leisure time accordingly.
Many of the enthusiasts of SDM are not dancers but go along as spectators just to hear a good Scottish Dance Band.
My decision to publish the Guest Artiste List has met with considerable approval. Quite a number of readers, including Club Secretaries, are delighted to have such information at their fingertips. Thanks to Charlie Todd for compiling the same.
I appreciate any comments or ideas for future issues to try and improve and vary the content of the ‘B&F’ so that we can go from strength to strength promoting SDM, whether it be for listening, or dancing to, and ensure that the tradition carries on.
Onbehalf of my wife, June, secretary, Margaret Smith, who keeps me on my toes, and the Committee of the ‘B&F’ may I wish you all a very happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year and that 1995 will be the year that the Scottish scene takes a giant leap forward and enjoys a distinction and recognition it so rightly deserves.
Ron Ramsay
How to Keep Your Fiddle Clean
by Leila Powrie
The demise of Ian’s ‘Matthew Hardie’ has been a bitter blow to our family. We all have a great sympathy for Ian who felt that his beloved M.H. was a part of him. However, he had just finished a video with it and hopefully, in time, will enjoy looking at the film and have a sense of thankfulness that he had 40 years of pleasure from a wonderful instrument.
(Ian and Leila had been on their way back home from Dumfries and had stopped for a break in a lay-by near Moodiesburn. While parked there a ‘white van’ also pulled in and ran straight into the back of the car reducing Ian’s wonderful M.H., which had been in the boot, to kindling - Ed)
Ian is a stickler for clean fiddles and admires the violinists in the R.S.N.O., Philharmonic etc., when the T.V. cameras have close ups of their violins. They are so well looked after. So, he was really disappointed on his own video to see rosin on the finger board. He has his excuses of course, a frozen shoulder due to an occupational hazard over the years so making bow arm drop and the bow slide down the strings over the finger board and the new cheap rosin I bought for his Christmas stocking last year, first used during the video.
Keeping one’s violin clean should be a habit. I write this from years of listening to Ian telling others. Also tips picked up some years ago from a Yehudi Menuhin article. Rosin powder, so necessary for connection of bow to strings, destroys the varnish and sound of the violin and makes any cracks very difficult to repair. It is important to clean all rosin from violin wood after playing for any length of time. Ian uses his hankie, snot an’ all. In fact a wee bit of spit does no harm. If a hankie or rag is kept for this purpose, it must be washed frequently.
Depending on how much playing is done a six monthly good clean is advisable. Start with a soft cloth dampened with water 20 parts to vinegar 1 part. Keep pressure light at all times. Buff, then a first class light oil, not linseed, good quality olive or almond oil sparingly used gives the best shine when properly rubbed in lightly and polish up. If it does not polish immediately, there is probably too much oil on it, wait for a couple of hours and try again. Do small sections of the belly at a time keeping away from any small cracks. If a crack looks on the verge of causing trouble have it repaired first, the glue will be less effective when there is oil in the crack.
If your violin is valuable have it professionally cleaned. Do keep oil away from strings. String cleaning is another system altogether. Sweaty fingers and rosin powder make for very dirty strings creating a muffled sound. Use a clean, fluffless cotton cloth dabbed in lighted fluid and allow to evaporate for a couple of minutes. Meanwhile make a cardboard plate to go under the strings and holding the fiddle upside down slide the cloth back and forth along the strings three or four times, taking care not to touch the varnish.
If you want to clean as much dust as possible from the inside, a handful of dried rice in the over or microwave, then ‘rouchle aboot’ inside the fiddle. This will collect a lot of the dust and sometimes clean the label.
The finger board and the neck only need a polish with a silk hankie or a small silk scarf well worth buying for the purpose.
Do read all labels on oil containers to make sure there are no addictives.
Do buy the best rosin and strings you can afford and go one better.
Don’t use handcream before playing.
Don’t wear long earrings or rough tweed jackets when playing. This may sound funny but can cause untold damage to the varnish.
Old James Ogilvie, Ian’s teacher of the 20s/30s, always used a heated, halved Brazil nut to polish his fiddle. Only occasionally when Ian wanted his fiddle to look bonny he used Johnson’s Furniture Cream with beeswax. Never a spray.
The History of the Accordion
By George Penman
Introducing the Committee
Graeme Mitchell (Association Vice Chairman)
I have been elected Vice-Chairman of the N.A.A.F.C. My interest in music started in 1969 when I was 10 years old. My tutor was Peter Farnon of Aberdeen. I won the Scottish Accordion championship in 1977. I have played with Bill Black’s SDB for 5 years. I am married to Elaine and have a daughter, Lisa (3) and son, Neil (1). I am presently a teacher of Technological Education at the Gordon Schools, Huntly.
My main hobbies are my band and the building of a house which has taken up most of my spare time in recent years.
A Tribute to Stan Peacock - Obituary
by Ian Cruickshanks & Peter Straughan
Stan Peacock was a member of Rob Gordon’s Band for some 12 years and along with ourselves traveled the length and breadth of the U.K. and several times to the Far East. He must have been the perfect bandsman for Rob, as he was always punctual and immaculately turned out and always regarded it as a serious job to the best of his ability.
He was a great asset to Rob for all kinds of work but particularly at the Modern Sequence dances where you need a good drummer for those rhythms. Stan was also very good company, an important factor when you are travelling together so much, and a great joker. Often, while we were all intent on reading music, Stan was watching the dancers and if we heard a wee tap, tap on the hi-hat, we knew he had spotted something amusing happening among the dancers and was drawing our attention to it!
One particular time when Rob was collecting pieces of antique Japanese china, he picked up a particularly nice dish somewhere in England. The next morning, whilst packing the car, Stan handed the ‘dish’ to Rob (the ‘dish’ had been swopped for a similar shaped one from a junk shop) and just let it slip out of the paper bag and onto the road where it smashed into a thousand bits! That was the only time I ever saw Rob completely and utterly speechless! Stan had the ability to keep a straight face at times like that and laugh about it afterwards.
He will be sadly missed by us now, both for his musicianship and his company.
And by Ian Powrie
It is with deep regret that I note the passing of Stan Peacock. He played with me in the late forties and early fifties and even though this was early in his playing life, he had that tasty tidy sound which was always associated with him.
He was always so immaculately turned out and I found him to be a thorough gentleman socially.
I have many fond recollections of the time he was with me and extend my sincere sympathies to his wife and family.
The Stanley Ceilidh
by Bill Black
Once again the now legendary ‘Stanley Ceilidh’ has come and gone and every year we are left wondering if it can possibly get any better. This year has been no exception as the general feeling seems to be that this was the best ever, a big statement but one which I feel I can go along with.
There was a difference in format this year in that as well as the usual Friday night ceilidh, we had music all day on Saturday and rounded it off with a tremendously successful dance on the Saturday night with the Duncan Black SDB.
As usual the musicians and enthusiasts came from all corners of the country, from as far north as the Shetland Isles and to well down into England and also a very welcome deputation from Northern Ireland who had been over the week before for the Perth Festival. It was great to see you all and I so please you all enjoyed yourselves so much.
Can I just say at this stage that my wife and I were completely overwhelmed once again by your generosity as the final tally of donations and collections will once again be around the £1,700 mark. We hope to have all donations in and an accurate assessment made ready for print in next month’s ‘B&F’.
A note of all expenses will be available for anyone to see if they so wish.
A few people must receive a special thanks for their very great efforts to help raise so much money for handicapped children. First of all a big thank you to Dave Millward from Kilmelford, who did a sponsored walk through Glen Striven in Argyll carrying an accordion, what a big heart, and Dave’s effort raised a fabulous £432.
Thanks also to Bruce Quirie, who, through a department in his place of employment, the T.S.B., arranged for a donation of £250 which is very much appreciated.
Can I also thank each and every one of you who in any way helped in the running of the weekend and I really do appreciate the efforts of everyone concerned.
Thanks also to the Tayside Hotel management and staff for all the services provided and also to all the local B&B establishments which I’m led to believe were bursting at the seams.
Finally, a special thanks to my wife Anne for all her work over the weekend both in the hotel and also at home with meals and snacks, non-stop.
On accordion we had Neil Caul, Lena McLennan, Drewie Hawick (Shetland), Bruce Peebles, Iain Cathcart, Mhairi Coutts, Dave Millward, Wendy Godfrey, Andy Peebles, Jim Thom, Lynn Christie, George Work, John Renton, Bruce Quirie, Lesley Craig (Ireland), Wattie Beattie, Alasdair MacCuish, Colin Garvin, Neil McEachern, Lynn Gould, Jimmy & Sandy Lindsay (Glenalmond), Lindsay Weir, Jennifer Cruickshanks, Chic Boath, Alison Gilfillan, Fiona Gilfillan, Peter Jardine and I even had a wee tune myself.
On fiddle were Kathryn Nicol, Neil Dawson, Mark MacDougall, Angie Smith and Alison Young.
On keyboard were Owen Fielding, Anne Black, Mabel Gray and Dorothy Lawson, plus a great number of other musicians who doubled on keyboard.
On drums were Robert McFadyen, Ian McFadyen, Stevie Beattie, Graham Jamieson, George Grey, Duncan Christie and Jack Stewart.
On bass were Suzanne Gray and Brian Cruickshanks.
On mouthorgan all the way from Wooler we had Willie Atkinson and on Jews Harp from Forres the one and only Angus McKinnon.
If I missed anyone out either at the ceilidh or in this report, please accept my humble apologies, your presence was no less appreciated.
Next year’s musical weekend is already in hand with a grand pre-festival dance on Friday, 27th October, 1995, and then the ‘Stanley Ceilidh’ on Friday and Saturday, 3rd and 4th November, so get it in your diary now.
Once again, very many thanks to everyone for making everything such a success. Look forward to seeing you all next year.
Your Letters
I refer to Murdo MacLeod’s letter in the last issue of the ‘B&F’ and find that I disagree with some of the points made. To my mind it’s not the traditionalists who should be recognizing the classical side but the other way round. The considerably popularity of the accordion in what is essentially a ‘folk music’ role in Scotland is responsible for encouraging parents to start their offspring at lessons and one fortunate consequence of this is that some of these students develop a serious interest in the classical side and perfect it to such an extent that Scotland’s record of success in the U.K. Championships is out of all proportion to our size. Ian Lowthian has shown the ability and dedication to carry his studies to the highest level but the important point is that he has then progressed from this ‘theoretical’ base to carve out a career in a type of music that people are willing to pay to hear.
Roberto Enzo is another fine example of a tremendously gifted classically trained accordionist who has developed a broad repertoire of popular music which enables him to be a full-time musician. In this sense top musicians are no different from other professionals, be they accountants, civil engineers or whatever. Having obtained a university degree they then have to go forward and apply the theory to a professional qualification which puts into a practical and marketable framework what they have been taught.
Unfortunately Scotland is becoming littered with Royal Academy students, trained at great expense, who unlike Ian have not taken the next step and who feel a sense of injustice when they are unable to find an audience at home for the latest in contemporary Russian finger exercises.
On a broader front I find it very disappointing how little support Accordion Clubs receive from many of Scotland’s teachers. Why is this when the Club’s provide an unrivalled platform for youngsters wishing to overcome stage nerves in front of a sympathetic and appreciative audience?
As for losing the ‘squeeze box’ image, so long as we have accordionists like Colin Dewar, Simon Howie and Gordon Shand, to name but a few, playing Scottish Dance music then I for one will be perfectly happy with the image. Having been fortunate enough to attend many International Folk Music and Dance Festivals all over Europe it’s noticeable how conspicuous the English are by their absence. Apparently we are not the only ones who think that once you’ve seen one Morris Dance you’ve seen them all. By contrast in Scotland the box has found a place in a traditional framework which means Scots can offer Country Dancing, Highland Dancing and our straightforward but enjoyable Ceilidh Dancing in a unique national dress and set to simple but melodic national tunes.
I agree with Max Houliston that it would be nice to see the accordion brought back into popular music as it was in days gone by with Albert Delroy etc., but I don’t see the blame there lying with the country’s musicians but with Radio and T.V. management.
Charlie Todd
Record Review
Live at the Civic - Coila -
Take the Floor – Repeat Broadcasts
3rd Dec 94 – Debut of the West Telferton Caledonian SDB
10th Dec 94 – Jennifer Forrest SDB
17th Dec 94 – Debut of Bruce Peebles SDB
24th Dec 94 – Jim Johnstone SDB, Robert Black quartet and the Kevock Choir
31st Dec 94 – The Occasionals, Alastair Gillies and the Vale of Atholl Mini Pipe Band
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Dee Motel) – 27th Dec 94 – Garioch Blend
Alnwick (Golden Fleece) – members only
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 4th Dec 94 – Johnny Duncan 10th Dec Dance to Iain MacPhail SDB
Armadale (Masonic Hall) – 9th Dec 94 – Dance to Dick Black Band
Ayr (Gartferry Hotel) – 4th Dec 94 – The Carlyle Family
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Hall) – 18th Dec 94 – Club Night & Dance
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 26th Dec 94 – Bill Black SDB
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) –
Beith & District (Hotel de Croft, Dalry) – 19th Dec 94 – Gerard Burns SDB
Belford (Community Club) –
Biggar (Municipal Hall) – 11th Dec 94 – Judith Linton Trio
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 13th Dec 94 – Gordon Pattullo
Brigmill (Guardbridge Sports & Social Club)
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel) –
Button Key (Windygates Institute) –
Callander (Glengarry Hotel) –
Campbeltown (Royal Hotel) –
Carlisle (Border Regiment Club, Carlisle Castle) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Hotel) – 20th Dec 94 – Ceilidh with local players 9th Dec Dance to Jim Anderson Band
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 15th Dec 94 – Gary Donaldson Trio
Crieff & District (Arduthie Hotel)
Dalriada (Argyll Arms Hotel, Lochgilphead)
Derwentside (Working Men’s Club, Consett) –
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 7th Dec 94 – David Bowen
Dunblane (Westlands Hotel) –
Dundee (Park Hotel) – 2nd Dec 94 – Dave Stewart & Rab Smillie
Dunfermline (Roadhouse) – 13th Dec 94 – George Meikle & the Lothian Band
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel) 9th / 10th Dec 94 – Jim Johnstone SDB, Seamus O’Sullivan & Alan & Jan Roy
East Kilbride (Sweepers, Cambuslang) –
Ellon (Ladbroke Hotel) – 20th Dec 94 – Club Night
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 26th Dec 94 – Willie McFarlane Band
Forfar (Plough Inn) -
Forres (Brig Motel) – 14th Dec 94 – Carol & Edith Cook
Fort William (Alexandra Hotel) –
Galashiels (Maxwell Hotel) –
Galston (Barr Castle Social Club) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) – 16th Dec 94 – Willie Simpson Trio
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) -
Gretna (Halcrow Stadium) -
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) – 19th Dec 94 – James Coutts SDB
Inveraray (Loch Fyne Hotel) - 6th Dec 94 – Angie Smith & Friends
Islay (White Hart Hotel) -
Isle of Skye -
Islesteps (Waterhole, Lochfoot) – 6th Dec 94 – Walter Beattie SDB 2nd Dec 94 Dance to Roger Dobson
Kelso (Ednam House Hotel) – 14th Dec 94 – Club Night (Prize Draw)
Kinlochshiel (Islander Function Room) -
Kintore (Crown Hotel) – 7th Dec 94 – Johnny Walker
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) – 8th Dec 94 – Black Rose Ceilidh Band
Livingston (Deans Community Centre) 20th Dec 94 – Newburgh Club
Lockerbie (Bluebell Hotel) -
Mauchline (Sorn Village Hall) 20th Dec 94 – Club Night
M.A.F.I.A. (Masonic Hall, Milngavie) –
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 7th Dec 94 – Steven Carcary Duo
Muirhead (Belmont Arms, Meigle) - 21st Dec 94 – Muirhead Accordion Band Club Night 17th Dec Concert with Band and Guest, Bill Torrance
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 6th Dec 94 – Edwin Moar
Oban (Caledonian Hotel) – 1st Dec 94 – Black Rose Ceilidh Band
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) –
Ormiston (Miners’ Welfare Social Club) –
Peebles (Green Tree Hotel) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) –
Premier NI (Camlin Function Rooms) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 13th Dec 94 – Neil MacEachern SDB
Rothbury (Queen’s Head) - 1st Dec 94 – Angela Smith & Friends
Shetland (venue?) -
Stirling (Terraces Hotel) - 4th Dec 94 – James Coutts SDB
Thornhill (?)
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) –
Tranent (East Lothian Labour Club)
Turriff (Royal Oak Hotel) – 1st Dec 94 – Lynne Christie & Friends
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) –
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) – 13th Dec 94 – Wick Fiddlers
Yarrow (Gordon Arms) - 21st Dec 94 Club Night with Robert Veitch and Henry White
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Arbroath
3. Ayr
4. Balloch
5. Banff
6. Banchory
7. Biggar
8. Blairgowrie
9. Castle Douglas
10. Coalburn
11. Dingwall
12. Dunblane
13. Dundee
14. Dunoon & Cowal
15. Dunfermline
16. East Kilbride
17. Fintry
18. Forres
19. Glendale
20. Gretna
21. Highland
22. Inveraray
23. Islesteps
24. Kelso
25. Kinlochshiel
26. Lesmahagow
27. Livingston
28. Montrose
29. Newtongrange
30. North East
31. Oban
32. Peebles
33. Perth
34. Renfrew
35. Rothbury
36. Stirling
37. Thurso
38. Turriff
39. Wick
40. Yarrow
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT SEPT 1995 (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 (Sept 1976 – present)
3. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
4. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Closed
5. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
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. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
14. Button Key A&F Club (
15. Campbeltown A&F Club (
16. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
17. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
18. Coalburn A&F Club (
19. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
20. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
21. Derwentside A&F Club
22. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
23. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
24. Dundee & District A&F Club (1970? -
25. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
26. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
27. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
28. Ellon A&F Club (
29. Etterick & Yarrow (Jan 1989 -
30. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
31. Forfar A&F Club (
32. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
33. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
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. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
38. Gretna A&F Club (1991) Known as North Cumbria A&F Club previously (originally called Grena 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)
39. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
40. Inveraray A&F Club (Oct 1991 - present)
41. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
42. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
43. Isle of Skye A&F Club (
44. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
45. Kintore A&F Club (
46. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
47. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
48. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
49. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
50. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
51. Mauchline A&F Club (first mention 1986? - present)
52. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
53. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
54. Mull A&F Club
55. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
56. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
57. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
58. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
59. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
60. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
61. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
62. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
63. Renfrew A&F Club (
64. Rothbury Accordion Club (1987??)
65. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
66. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 - )
67. Sutherland A&F Club (
68. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
69. Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
70. Tranent A&F Club
71. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
72. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
73. 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?)
74. Acharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
75. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
76. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
77. Buchan A&F Club
78. Callander A&F Club (
79. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
80. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
81. Club Accord
82. Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2?)
83. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
84. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
85. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
86. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
87. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
88. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
89. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
90. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
91. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
92. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
93. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
94. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
95. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
96. Newcastleton Accordion Club
97. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
98. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
99. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
100. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
101. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
102. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
103. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
104. Wellbank A&F Club
Advertising rates
Full Page - £94
Half Page - £47
Quarter Page - £24
B&F Treasurer – Mrs Margaret Smith, Smeaton Farm Cottage, Dalkeith, Midlothian, EH22 2NL
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
Well here we are, fast approaching Christmas and no presents bought yet!! Well this year I can honestly say that my love for Scottish dance music has kept me busy with the production of the ‘B&F’ (An original excuse and one that my wife cannot argue against, as she has had her hands full answering the phone calls).
I have been gratified by the support and favourable comments about the ‘B&F’ since taking over the job as Editor. I have been greatly honoured by my friend, Ian Crichton, from Stornoway who composed a tune, ‘Ron Ramsay’s Reel’, for me. Ian is a great, recognised composer and I feel it is a great honour in having a tune named after me. These, along with constructive criticism is greatly appreciated and makes the job of Editor worthwhile.
However, I must state that whilst constructive criticism is appreciated, no cognisance will be taken of any letter sent anonymously. I do not have the veil of anonymity to hide behind, and stand by any decisions taken. If you do not want your name and addressed published, please let me know.
Some criticism has been made of my decision to publish dance dates. My reasons behind this is that Scottish Dance Bands would not exist without dancers (Scottish Country or Old Time) and vice-versa. Aficionados of music and dance are known to travel throughout Scotland for the music and dance and if they are aware of what is going on in the Club and Dance scene, they can plan their leisure time accordingly.
Many of the enthusiasts of SDM are not dancers but go along as spectators just to hear a good Scottish Dance Band.
My decision to publish the Guest Artiste List has met with considerable approval. Quite a number of readers, including Club Secretaries, are delighted to have such information at their fingertips. Thanks to Charlie Todd for compiling the same.
I appreciate any comments or ideas for future issues to try and improve and vary the content of the ‘B&F’ so that we can go from strength to strength promoting SDM, whether it be for listening, or dancing to, and ensure that the tradition carries on.
Onbehalf of my wife, June, secretary, Margaret Smith, who keeps me on my toes, and the Committee of the ‘B&F’ may I wish you all a very happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year and that 1995 will be the year that the Scottish scene takes a giant leap forward and enjoys a distinction and recognition it so rightly deserves.
Ron Ramsay
How to Keep Your Fiddle Clean
by Leila Powrie
The demise of Ian’s ‘Matthew Hardie’ has been a bitter blow to our family. We all have a great sympathy for Ian who felt that his beloved M.H. was a part of him. However, he had just finished a video with it and hopefully, in time, will enjoy looking at the film and have a sense of thankfulness that he had 40 years of pleasure from a wonderful instrument.
(Ian and Leila had been on their way back home from Dumfries and had stopped for a break in a lay-by near Moodiesburn. While parked there a ‘white van’ also pulled in and ran straight into the back of the car reducing Ian’s wonderful M.H., which had been in the boot, to kindling - Ed)
Ian is a stickler for clean fiddles and admires the violinists in the R.S.N.O., Philharmonic etc., when the T.V. cameras have close ups of their violins. They are so well looked after. So, he was really disappointed on his own video to see rosin on the finger board. He has his excuses of course, a frozen shoulder due to an occupational hazard over the years so making bow arm drop and the bow slide down the strings over the finger board and the new cheap rosin I bought for his Christmas stocking last year, first used during the video.
Keeping one’s violin clean should be a habit. I write this from years of listening to Ian telling others. Also tips picked up some years ago from a Yehudi Menuhin article. Rosin powder, so necessary for connection of bow to strings, destroys the varnish and sound of the violin and makes any cracks very difficult to repair. It is important to clean all rosin from violin wood after playing for any length of time. Ian uses his hankie, snot an’ all. In fact a wee bit of spit does no harm. If a hankie or rag is kept for this purpose, it must be washed frequently.
Depending on how much playing is done a six monthly good clean is advisable. Start with a soft cloth dampened with water 20 parts to vinegar 1 part. Keep pressure light at all times. Buff, then a first class light oil, not linseed, good quality olive or almond oil sparingly used gives the best shine when properly rubbed in lightly and polish up. If it does not polish immediately, there is probably too much oil on it, wait for a couple of hours and try again. Do small sections of the belly at a time keeping away from any small cracks. If a crack looks on the verge of causing trouble have it repaired first, the glue will be less effective when there is oil in the crack.
If your violin is valuable have it professionally cleaned. Do keep oil away from strings. String cleaning is another system altogether. Sweaty fingers and rosin powder make for very dirty strings creating a muffled sound. Use a clean, fluffless cotton cloth dabbed in lighted fluid and allow to evaporate for a couple of minutes. Meanwhile make a cardboard plate to go under the strings and holding the fiddle upside down slide the cloth back and forth along the strings three or four times, taking care not to touch the varnish.
If you want to clean as much dust as possible from the inside, a handful of dried rice in the over or microwave, then ‘rouchle aboot’ inside the fiddle. This will collect a lot of the dust and sometimes clean the label.
The finger board and the neck only need a polish with a silk hankie or a small silk scarf well worth buying for the purpose.
Do read all labels on oil containers to make sure there are no addictives.
Do buy the best rosin and strings you can afford and go one better.
Don’t use handcream before playing.
Don’t wear long earrings or rough tweed jackets when playing. This may sound funny but can cause untold damage to the varnish.
Old James Ogilvie, Ian’s teacher of the 20s/30s, always used a heated, halved Brazil nut to polish his fiddle. Only occasionally when Ian wanted his fiddle to look bonny he used Johnson’s Furniture Cream with beeswax. Never a spray.
The History of the Accordion
By George Penman
Introducing the Committee
Graeme Mitchell (Association Vice Chairman)
I have been elected Vice-Chairman of the N.A.A.F.C. My interest in music started in 1969 when I was 10 years old. My tutor was Peter Farnon of Aberdeen. I won the Scottish Accordion championship in 1977. I have played with Bill Black’s SDB for 5 years. I am married to Elaine and have a daughter, Lisa (3) and son, Neil (1). I am presently a teacher of Technological Education at the Gordon Schools, Huntly.
My main hobbies are my band and the building of a house which has taken up most of my spare time in recent years.
A Tribute to Stan Peacock - Obituary
by Ian Cruickshanks & Peter Straughan
Stan Peacock was a member of Rob Gordon’s Band for some 12 years and along with ourselves traveled the length and breadth of the U.K. and several times to the Far East. He must have been the perfect bandsman for Rob, as he was always punctual and immaculately turned out and always regarded it as a serious job to the best of his ability.
He was a great asset to Rob for all kinds of work but particularly at the Modern Sequence dances where you need a good drummer for those rhythms. Stan was also very good company, an important factor when you are travelling together so much, and a great joker. Often, while we were all intent on reading music, Stan was watching the dancers and if we heard a wee tap, tap on the hi-hat, we knew he had spotted something amusing happening among the dancers and was drawing our attention to it!
One particular time when Rob was collecting pieces of antique Japanese china, he picked up a particularly nice dish somewhere in England. The next morning, whilst packing the car, Stan handed the ‘dish’ to Rob (the ‘dish’ had been swopped for a similar shaped one from a junk shop) and just let it slip out of the paper bag and onto the road where it smashed into a thousand bits! That was the only time I ever saw Rob completely and utterly speechless! Stan had the ability to keep a straight face at times like that and laugh about it afterwards.
He will be sadly missed by us now, both for his musicianship and his company.
And by Ian Powrie
It is with deep regret that I note the passing of Stan Peacock. He played with me in the late forties and early fifties and even though this was early in his playing life, he had that tasty tidy sound which was always associated with him.
He was always so immaculately turned out and I found him to be a thorough gentleman socially.
I have many fond recollections of the time he was with me and extend my sincere sympathies to his wife and family.
The Stanley Ceilidh
by Bill Black
Once again the now legendary ‘Stanley Ceilidh’ has come and gone and every year we are left wondering if it can possibly get any better. This year has been no exception as the general feeling seems to be that this was the best ever, a big statement but one which I feel I can go along with.
There was a difference in format this year in that as well as the usual Friday night ceilidh, we had music all day on Saturday and rounded it off with a tremendously successful dance on the Saturday night with the Duncan Black SDB.
As usual the musicians and enthusiasts came from all corners of the country, from as far north as the Shetland Isles and to well down into England and also a very welcome deputation from Northern Ireland who had been over the week before for the Perth Festival. It was great to see you all and I so please you all enjoyed yourselves so much.
Can I just say at this stage that my wife and I were completely overwhelmed once again by your generosity as the final tally of donations and collections will once again be around the £1,700 mark. We hope to have all donations in and an accurate assessment made ready for print in next month’s ‘B&F’.
A note of all expenses will be available for anyone to see if they so wish.
A few people must receive a special thanks for their very great efforts to help raise so much money for handicapped children. First of all a big thank you to Dave Millward from Kilmelford, who did a sponsored walk through Glen Striven in Argyll carrying an accordion, what a big heart, and Dave’s effort raised a fabulous £432.
Thanks also to Bruce Quirie, who, through a department in his place of employment, the T.S.B., arranged for a donation of £250 which is very much appreciated.
Can I also thank each and every one of you who in any way helped in the running of the weekend and I really do appreciate the efforts of everyone concerned.
Thanks also to the Tayside Hotel management and staff for all the services provided and also to all the local B&B establishments which I’m led to believe were bursting at the seams.
Finally, a special thanks to my wife Anne for all her work over the weekend both in the hotel and also at home with meals and snacks, non-stop.
On accordion we had Neil Caul, Lena McLennan, Drewie Hawick (Shetland), Bruce Peebles, Iain Cathcart, Mhairi Coutts, Dave Millward, Wendy Godfrey, Andy Peebles, Jim Thom, Lynn Christie, George Work, John Renton, Bruce Quirie, Lesley Craig (Ireland), Wattie Beattie, Alasdair MacCuish, Colin Garvin, Neil McEachern, Lynn Gould, Jimmy & Sandy Lindsay (Glenalmond), Lindsay Weir, Jennifer Cruickshanks, Chic Boath, Alison Gilfillan, Fiona Gilfillan, Peter Jardine and I even had a wee tune myself.
On fiddle were Kathryn Nicol, Neil Dawson, Mark MacDougall, Angie Smith and Alison Young.
On keyboard were Owen Fielding, Anne Black, Mabel Gray and Dorothy Lawson, plus a great number of other musicians who doubled on keyboard.
On drums were Robert McFadyen, Ian McFadyen, Stevie Beattie, Graham Jamieson, George Grey, Duncan Christie and Jack Stewart.
On bass were Suzanne Gray and Brian Cruickshanks.
On mouthorgan all the way from Wooler we had Willie Atkinson and on Jews Harp from Forres the one and only Angus McKinnon.
If I missed anyone out either at the ceilidh or in this report, please accept my humble apologies, your presence was no less appreciated.
Next year’s musical weekend is already in hand with a grand pre-festival dance on Friday, 27th October, 1995, and then the ‘Stanley Ceilidh’ on Friday and Saturday, 3rd and 4th November, so get it in your diary now.
Once again, very many thanks to everyone for making everything such a success. Look forward to seeing you all next year.
Your Letters
I refer to Murdo MacLeod’s letter in the last issue of the ‘B&F’ and find that I disagree with some of the points made. To my mind it’s not the traditionalists who should be recognizing the classical side but the other way round. The considerably popularity of the accordion in what is essentially a ‘folk music’ role in Scotland is responsible for encouraging parents to start their offspring at lessons and one fortunate consequence of this is that some of these students develop a serious interest in the classical side and perfect it to such an extent that Scotland’s record of success in the U.K. Championships is out of all proportion to our size. Ian Lowthian has shown the ability and dedication to carry his studies to the highest level but the important point is that he has then progressed from this ‘theoretical’ base to carve out a career in a type of music that people are willing to pay to hear.
Roberto Enzo is another fine example of a tremendously gifted classically trained accordionist who has developed a broad repertoire of popular music which enables him to be a full-time musician. In this sense top musicians are no different from other professionals, be they accountants, civil engineers or whatever. Having obtained a university degree they then have to go forward and apply the theory to a professional qualification which puts into a practical and marketable framework what they have been taught.
Unfortunately Scotland is becoming littered with Royal Academy students, trained at great expense, who unlike Ian have not taken the next step and who feel a sense of injustice when they are unable to find an audience at home for the latest in contemporary Russian finger exercises.
On a broader front I find it very disappointing how little support Accordion Clubs receive from many of Scotland’s teachers. Why is this when the Club’s provide an unrivalled platform for youngsters wishing to overcome stage nerves in front of a sympathetic and appreciative audience?
As for losing the ‘squeeze box’ image, so long as we have accordionists like Colin Dewar, Simon Howie and Gordon Shand, to name but a few, playing Scottish Dance music then I for one will be perfectly happy with the image. Having been fortunate enough to attend many International Folk Music and Dance Festivals all over Europe it’s noticeable how conspicuous the English are by their absence. Apparently we are not the only ones who think that once you’ve seen one Morris Dance you’ve seen them all. By contrast in Scotland the box has found a place in a traditional framework which means Scots can offer Country Dancing, Highland Dancing and our straightforward but enjoyable Ceilidh Dancing in a unique national dress and set to simple but melodic national tunes.
I agree with Max Houliston that it would be nice to see the accordion brought back into popular music as it was in days gone by with Albert Delroy etc., but I don’t see the blame there lying with the country’s musicians but with Radio and T.V. management.
Charlie Todd
Record Review
Live at the Civic - Coila -
Take the Floor – Repeat Broadcasts
3rd Dec 94 – Debut of the West Telferton Caledonian SDB
10th Dec 94 – Jennifer Forrest SDB
17th Dec 94 – Debut of Bruce Peebles SDB
24th Dec 94 – Jim Johnstone SDB, Robert Black quartet and the Kevock Choir
31st Dec 94 – The Occasionals, Alastair Gillies and the Vale of Atholl Mini Pipe Band
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Dee Motel) – 27th Dec 94 – Garioch Blend
Alnwick (Golden Fleece) – members only
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 4th Dec 94 – Johnny Duncan 10th Dec Dance to Iain MacPhail SDB
Armadale (Masonic Hall) – 9th Dec 94 – Dance to Dick Black Band
Ayr (Gartferry Hotel) – 4th Dec 94 – The Carlyle Family
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Hall) – 18th Dec 94 – Club Night & Dance
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 26th Dec 94 – Bill Black SDB
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) –
Beith & District (Hotel de Croft, Dalry) – 19th Dec 94 – Gerard Burns SDB
Belford (Community Club) –
Biggar (Municipal Hall) – 11th Dec 94 – Judith Linton Trio
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 13th Dec 94 – Gordon Pattullo
Brigmill (Guardbridge Sports & Social Club)
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel) –
Button Key (Windygates Institute) –
Callander (Glengarry Hotel) –
Campbeltown (Royal Hotel) –
Carlisle (Border Regiment Club, Carlisle Castle) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Hotel) – 20th Dec 94 – Ceilidh with local players 9th Dec Dance to Jim Anderson Band
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 15th Dec 94 – Gary Donaldson Trio
Crieff & District (Arduthie Hotel)
Dalriada (Argyll Arms Hotel, Lochgilphead)
Derwentside (Working Men’s Club, Consett) –
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 7th Dec 94 – David Bowen
Dunblane (Westlands Hotel) –
Dundee (Park Hotel) – 2nd Dec 94 – Dave Stewart & Rab Smillie
Dunfermline (Roadhouse) – 13th Dec 94 – George Meikle & the Lothian Band
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel) 9th / 10th Dec 94 – Jim Johnstone SDB, Seamus O’Sullivan & Alan & Jan Roy
East Kilbride (Sweepers, Cambuslang) –
Ellon (Ladbroke Hotel) – 20th Dec 94 – Club Night
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 26th Dec 94 – Willie McFarlane Band
Forfar (Plough Inn) -
Forres (Brig Motel) – 14th Dec 94 – Carol & Edith Cook
Fort William (Alexandra Hotel) –
Galashiels (Maxwell Hotel) –
Galston (Barr Castle Social Club) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) – 16th Dec 94 – Willie Simpson Trio
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) -
Gretna (Halcrow Stadium) -
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) – 19th Dec 94 – James Coutts SDB
Inveraray (Loch Fyne Hotel) - 6th Dec 94 – Angie Smith & Friends
Islay (White Hart Hotel) -
Isle of Skye -
Islesteps (Waterhole, Lochfoot) – 6th Dec 94 – Walter Beattie SDB 2nd Dec 94 Dance to Roger Dobson
Kelso (Ednam House Hotel) – 14th Dec 94 – Club Night (Prize Draw)
Kinlochshiel (Islander Function Room) -
Kintore (Crown Hotel) – 7th Dec 94 – Johnny Walker
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) – 8th Dec 94 – Black Rose Ceilidh Band
Livingston (Deans Community Centre) 20th Dec 94 – Newburgh Club
Lockerbie (Bluebell Hotel) -
Mauchline (Sorn Village Hall) 20th Dec 94 – Club Night
M.A.F.I.A. (Masonic Hall, Milngavie) –
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 7th Dec 94 – Steven Carcary Duo
Muirhead (Belmont Arms, Meigle) - 21st Dec 94 – Muirhead Accordion Band Club Night 17th Dec Concert with Band and Guest, Bill Torrance
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 6th Dec 94 – Edwin Moar
Oban (Caledonian Hotel) – 1st Dec 94 – Black Rose Ceilidh Band
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) –
Ormiston (Miners’ Welfare Social Club) –
Peebles (Green Tree Hotel) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) –
Premier NI (Camlin Function Rooms) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 13th Dec 94 – Neil MacEachern SDB
Rothbury (Queen’s Head) - 1st Dec 94 – Angela Smith & Friends
Shetland (venue?) -
Stirling (Terraces Hotel) - 4th Dec 94 – James Coutts SDB
Thornhill (?)
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) –
Tranent (East Lothian Labour Club)
Turriff (Royal Oak Hotel) – 1st Dec 94 – Lynne Christie & Friends
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) –
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) – 13th Dec 94 – Wick Fiddlers
Yarrow (Gordon Arms) - 21st Dec 94 Club Night with Robert Veitch and Henry White
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Arbroath
3. Ayr
4. Balloch
5. Banff
6. Banchory
7. Biggar
8. Blairgowrie
9. Castle Douglas
10. Coalburn
11. Dingwall
12. Dunblane
13. Dundee
14. Dunoon & Cowal
15. Dunfermline
16. East Kilbride
17. Fintry
18. Forres
19. Glendale
20. Gretna
21. Highland
22. Inveraray
23. Islesteps
24. Kelso
25. Kinlochshiel
26. Lesmahagow
27. Livingston
28. Montrose
29. Newtongrange
30. North East
31. Oban
32. Peebles
33. Perth
34. Renfrew
35. Rothbury
36. Stirling
37. Thurso
38. Turriff
39. Wick
40. Yarrow
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT SEPT 1995 (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 (Sept 1976 – present)
3. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
4. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Closed
5. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
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. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
14. Button Key A&F Club (
15. Campbeltown A&F Club (
16. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
17. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
18. Coalburn A&F Club (
19. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
20. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
21. Derwentside A&F Club
22. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
23. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
24. Dundee & District A&F Club (1970? -
25. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
26. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
27. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
28. Ellon A&F Club (
29. Etterick & Yarrow (Jan 1989 -
30. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
31. Forfar A&F Club (
32. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
33. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
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. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
38. Gretna A&F Club (1991) Known as North Cumbria A&F Club previously (originally called Grena 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)
39. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
40. Inveraray A&F Club (Oct 1991 - present)
41. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
42. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
43. Isle of Skye A&F Club (
44. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
45. Kintore A&F Club (
46. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
47. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
48. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
49. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
50. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
51. Mauchline A&F Club (first mention 1986? - present)
52. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
53. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
54. Mull A&F Club
55. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
56. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
57. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
58. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
59. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
60. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
61. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
62. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
63. Renfrew A&F Club (
64. Rothbury Accordion Club (1987??)
65. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
66. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 - )
67. Sutherland A&F Club (
68. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
69. Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
70. Tranent A&F Club
71. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
72. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
73. 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?)
74. Acharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
75. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
76. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
77. Buchan A&F Club
78. Callander A&F Club (
79. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
80. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
81. Club Accord
82. Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2?)
83. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
84. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
85. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
86. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
87. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
88. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
89. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
90. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
91. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
92. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
93. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
94. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
95. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
96. Newcastleton Accordion Club
97. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
98. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
99. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
100. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
101. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
102. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
103. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
104. Wellbank A&F Club
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