Box and Fiddle
Year 31 No 04
December 2007
Price £2.30
44 Page Magazine
12 month subscription £25.30 + p&p £8.80 (UK)
Editor – Karin Ingram, Hawick
B&F Treasurer – Charlie Todd, Thankerton
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
Not much room for an Editorial……
Karin Ingram
Shetland Accordion and Fiddle Festival 2007
by
I have never been at the Shetland A&F Festival and not enjoyed it ……
Happy Birthday Sutherland
by Liz Quinn
Sutherland A&F Club held a grand celebration in Rogart Hall on the 10th of November to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Club, which began in November 1982. The gathering was also attended by a number of past players with the club, stalwart supporters, relations and partners and took the form of a ceilidh dance, along with speeches, a display of photographs, an excellent buffet and special anniversary cake.
The event was opened by the present Chairman, Heather Macrae from Portmahomack, who has been a member of the Club for the past five or six years. She said, “I wish I’d come along years ago. This Club is such a lot of fun. Everyone is so friendly and I’ve been made so welcome. When a Club was first suggested in 1982 32 people came along to a meeting to discuss it and by 2nd December they had a Constitution drawn up and 24 playing members. The aim was to encourage and promote traditional Scottish music, to improve technique and conduct musical evenings. Subscriptions were set at £1 per annum and it’s still the same today!”
Heather then introduced button-box player John Macdonald from Rogart, current and founder member, to give a detailed history of the first 25 years of the Club. He began, “25 years ago fiddle and accordion clubs were starting up all over the country. They were events waiting to happen.
Before we had a Club some of us used to make an annual pilgrimage to the Perth Festival, then an idea came into my mind that we should start our own Club in Sutherland. This was triggered off in October 1982 when I was at a cattle sale in Rogart. I was standing at a sale pen in front of The Rogart Hotel, waiting my turn to go into the ring and opposite me was Jock Sorley, another box player enthusiast from Knockglass Farm in Dornoch. I mentioned my idea to him and he said, ‘Man – I was thinking of that myself. You book the hall for a meeting and I’ll put the word round’, and that was exactly what happened.
A small advert was placed in the Northern Times and the meeting took place on the 19th of November with 32 people attending it. At a further meeting a Constitution was drawn up and office bearers were elected, these being; Chairman Jock Sorley, Vice Chair myself, Secretary Violet Colquhoun (nee Sutherland) and Treasurer Sheila Stewart (nee Ross). Committee members were Alistair Macrae from Rosehall, George Mackay from Lairg and Donald Beaton from Brora. It was suggested that Donald Goskirk be asked if he would be musical mentor and guide and we decided that our first public performance would be in Embo.
On the format of the Club we initially held practices once a fortnight, but this soon became weekly. With members coming from quite a wide area we started off trying to please everybody by having practices in different places. One week it was Lairg, another Rogart or Rosehall and sometimes in Dornoch or Embo. But all that shifting about didn’t work as people would attend on one place and not the other, depending on where they stayed, or they lost track of where it was, so after a while the central venue of Rogart was picked and it has remained here ever since. Our format for concert nights was different from other Clubs. Most of the Clubs we had been to followed a programme where individuals or groups performed, with perhaps a stramash at the end with everyone joining in before the guest band took the stage, and there was no dance. As our members didn’t really want to play on their own or in small numbers at that time, we decided to play as a group involving everybody for the first part of the evening, then the guest band would take the stage and after that tea would be served followed by a dance to the guest band, and this still holds good today.
For our section of the programmes we made up sets of music and picked out so many for each performance, which we practiced all together in the weeks leading up to each concert, these generally being held monthly during the winter season. The sets are constantly being added to. To begin with Jock Sorley saw himself as a conductor, but this became too much like practising for the Gaelic Mod, so that idea faded out. We were in the early days rather removed from a disciplined musical ensemble and even Donald Goskirk found us difficult to handle and eventually left us to get on with it ourselves! Some of us were ear players, others read a bit of music and some did their own thing, but everyone enjoyed themselves, especially the fun of meeting and playing together”.
John continued, saying “I was asked to tell some anecdotes of our earliest experiences. One lady told me that her memory of a concert we held in Lairg not long after we started was of all the feet thumping on the floor as the players energetically and enthusiastically beat time to the music. Then we had a laugh in Kinlochbervie at our first annual summer outing when we had offered to play for a dance. When we arrived there we expected some sort of reception and hopefully a cup of tea, but the place was deserted. I set off to look for a shop that was still open and found a mobile grocery van where I got some supplies. We went back to the hall armed with bread, butter, tea, milk and a few tins of spam and the ladies got busy preparing us a grand tea. By that time a few people started arriving, bringing their youngsters with them. We thought that would be a fine mixed audience, but most of the adults disappeared, leaving the kids with us. I wondered if this was because fishing boats were landing at the harbour or were they at the peats? Anyway we gave our concert to a rather sparse, youthful audience and at 11 o’clock we were packing up to go home when suddenly a large crowd arrived from the local hostelry, all steamed up for a good going dance! The night for them was just starting, while for us it was finishing! We were none too popular on that occasion!”
John then went on to discuss the Club membership and some individuals who had made valuable contributions. He said, “The input of new members along with the old guard is what keeps the Club rolling. We had a great boost to our membership with the opening of the Dornoch Bridge across the Firth in 1991. Easter Ross was now within range and we quickly got a strong following of new supporters and an influx of new talent. Of course some of the old stalwarts of the Club from the very beginning, about eight in all, are still with us today as playing members, including Monica MacLean, Rae Davie, Hugh Mackay, Hugh Murray, myself and the boys from Lairg, George Mackay, John Mackenzie and Ian Fraser. There are many other long standing members, all bringing their own contributions to the scene. Sadly some of the older members are now deceased and these include some lead players, strong fiddlers, Celia Duncan and George Fraser, excellent box players Dan Macpherson and Angus Sutherland and more recently fiddle player John Dargie. We have had many good leaders and amongst these are Terry Keatinge who is the present lead fiddler, George Mackay on the accordion, Sheila Stewart who suggested the Club had a smart uniform for concerts. Ken Black who helped to polish up some music interpretation and Heather Macrae the present Lady Chairman who is doing a great job.
Over the years many people have put forward sets of music for the Club, some of the main contributors being Bertie Sutherland, George Mackay, Terry Keatinge and Pipe Major Sandy forbes. Many years ago I suggested we have a competition for a theme tune which was great fun and our youngster at the time, James Corbett from Shinness, was a worthy winner. We still play his tune at the beginning of every concert. The Club is also very appreciative of all its helpers and supporters at concerts, one of our oldest fans being octogenarian Neil Mackay from Brora, a former box player who still attends most practice nights to listen to the music he loves – and we mustn’t forget our keyboard accompanists, drummers and those who have given tuition. Over the duration of the Club, two CDs have been made and finally I would like to say – here’s to the next 25 years and hopefully many of you will still be around”.
The musical programme then opened with the Club doing eleven sets of reels, jigs, marches, some waltz tunes and airs, many of which were in the original programmes 25 years ago. This was followed by the cutting of the magnificent anniversary cake with a photograph of the original Club in 1982 superimposed on top of it. Doing the honours were founder members John Macdonald and Violet Colquhoun. Following this there was an interval for a splendid savory finger buffet prepared by some members of the Committee.
The evening then continued with some individuals and groups performing, interspersed with dancing and party games, the most hilarious being the ‘balloon between the knees’ competition. A number of former members who attended did a solo music turn and these included James Corbett from Aberdeen and Sandy Forbes from Alness. Multi-talented musician Sandy Forbes, now in his eighties, is still able and willing to play a tune and, despite having sold his accordion, he borrowed one from Heather and delighted the audience with some great tunes, accompanied by club drummer John Grant. The evening drew to a close with a small group of present Club members playing for dancing, and finally Auld Lang Syne.
See Hear! with Judith Linton & Bill Brown
New Year – New CD Reviewer
As 2008 approaches the B&F magazine is delighted to announce that Bill Brown is to take over the ‘See Hear!’ feature from Judith Linton, who has decided to stand down after six years.
Bill, who was born and educated in Falkirk, is currently employed by Channel 5 as Head of Broadcast Operations, a position he has held since the channel launched in 1997.
Bill’s broadcasting career started in 1980 when he became part of the operational team that launched Radio Tay in Dundee. Two years later he joined Radio Forth in Edinburgh as a Technical Operator before moving south to train as a television Sound Engineer. He then went on to spend highly successful periods working at TV-AM, ITN and Central Independent Television in Birmingham.
During his career Bill has worked on a wide variety of well-known programmes including Good Morning Britain, News at Ten, Crossroads, Blockbusters, Bullseye, Spitting Image and New Faces to name but a few. After spending many years in television production Bill joined Carlton Television as Presentation director when they took over the London weekday ITV franchise from Thames Television. One of the many highlights of Bill’s career took place on 28th November 2001 when he was invited to a reception for the broadcasting industry which was hosted by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace.
Bill has very fond memories of being taken to see an Alexander Brothers show in Falkirk Town Hall in the autumn of 1968 when he was only 10 years old. From that point onwards he was completely hooked on Scottish music and the wonderful sound of the accordion. Bill’s memory of that show is so vivid that he can still recall the cast line-up to this day. The show that night comprised of a young Johnny Beattie, accordion player Lawrie Adam, Mal Hollander, Josephine McQueen and, of course, the top of the bill, The Alexander Brothers, who were also young! At that stage Tom and Jack were only 10 years into what turned out to be an outstanding career which has lasted an amazing 5 decades.
Bill’s passion for the accordion inevitably developed in him a strong love of Scottish dance band music and he would list among his favourites the bands of Bobby More, John Ellis, Nicol McLaren, Iain Cathcart, Colin Dewar and Robert Whitehead. Bill also holds in high esteem the superb skill and talent of players such as Tom Alexander, Gordon Pattullo, Phil Cunningham, Blair Douglas, Deirdre Adamson, Sandy Brechin and Gavin Piper.
Despite loving and listening to accordion music all his life, Bill surprisingly only started learning to play the instrument in adult life. Bill’s accordion mentor and greatest source of encouragement has been Bobby More from Kirkcaldy whose enthusiasm and passion for the accordion seems to know no bounds. Bill cannot talk highly enough of Bobby, or thank him enough, for all the help, support and encouragement he has given him. Bobby recently composed a tune for Bill called Bill Brown’s Scottish Special, which Bobby and his band have recorded on their latest CD entitled 50 Years Non-Stop Dancing.
In what little spare time Bill has left in his busy life he also finds time to present a weekly radio show. You will not be surprised to learn that Bill’s show is a specialised one that features all forms of Celtic music from around the world, a genre clearly heavily influenced by both Scotland and Ireland. Bill never ceases to be amazed by the wonderful array of dynamic young talent that is emerging from a new, modern, contemporary Scotland and has no doubt that the future of traditional Scottish music is in safe hands.
He also strongly believes that we all have a great responsibility placed upon us to ensure we pass on Scotland’s musical heritage in an exciting way to the next generation. After all, our musical tradition is a living evolving thing which needs nurturing if it is to continue to grow and develop. A big part of achieving that and inspiring young people to get involved in traditional Scottish music is ensuring the genre gets sufficient media coverage on radio and television both at home and abroad. Sadly, that has not happened in recent times, which has denied some of our finest young talent much needed media exposure. It has also done nothing for keeping our great musical tradition in the public’s consciousness. We especially need to get Scotland’s music back on TV on a regular basis, in some form, even if it is only available as downloadable content through Video on Demand services or via the many other technologies that are now available. There are no barriers to entry in the broadcasting world nowadays and Bill strongly believes, that we as a nation, need to embrace those exciting opportunities to promote and pass on the great musical heritage we all so greatly enjoy.
Bill is thrilled to be replacing Judith in the New Year and would like to take this opportunity of thanking her for her well written reviews during the past six years.
CD Reviews
Island Heritage – Alasdair Gillies – Heritage Recordings – HRCD101
Scottish Christmas Dance Party – Jim Lindsay SDB – Highlander Music – HRMCD015
The Reel Party – The Glencraig SDB – CDTRAX315 - Greentrax
DVD Reviews
Gordon Pattullo, his Accordion and his Friends – GPDVD001 – Red Barn Studios Ltd and GP Recordings
Book Review
The Orkney Tune Book – Fiona Drivers – FDF Productions
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 20.30 with Robbie Shepherd
1st Dec 07 – Ian Thomson SDB
8th Dec 07 – Craigowl SDB
15th Dec 07 – Glencraig SDB
22nd Dec 07 – The Occasionals
29th Dec 07 – Fergie MacDonald C.B. (OB from Lochinver Village Hall)
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 18th Dec 07 – Dance to James Coutts Trio
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle) 12th Dec 07 – Christmas Party with Local Artistes
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 16th Dec 07 – Dance to Lyne Valley Band
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 2nd Dec 07 – Lomond Ceilidh Band 27th Dec 07 – Bill Black SDB
Armadale (Masonic Hall) – 6th Dec 07 – Johnny Duncan
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 16th Dec 07 – Dochie McCallum & Friends
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 26th Dec 07 – Ian Hutson SDB 29th Dec 07 – Dance to Ian Anderson
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 12th Dec 07 – Molly Shand Band
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) – 17th Dec 07 – Seamus O’Sullivan
Biggar (Municipal Hall) – 9th Dec 07 – Gary Donaldson SDB
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 11th Dec 07 – Michael Philip SDB
Britannia (Arden House Hotel) -
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) - 11th Dec 07 – Cordon Bleu
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 13th Dec 07 – Frank Thomson SDB
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 5th Dec 07 – Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) - 6th Dec 07 – Roy Hendrie Duo
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 18th Dec 07 – Bon Accords
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 20th Dec 07 – Clappy Doo Trio
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 6th Dec 07 – John Douglas
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club) 12th Dec 07 – Ian Cruickshanks SDB
Dalriada (Argyll Hotel, Lochgilphead)
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 5th Dec 07 – Lynne christie SDB
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) –
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) – 11th Dec 07 – Steven Carcary Duo
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel) 14th Dec 07 – Garioch Blend Trio 15th Dec – Glencraig SDB 16th Dec – Garioch Blend Trio
Duns (Royal British Legion Club, Langtongate) 17th Dec 07 – Gary Forrest Trio
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 7th Dec 07 – Christmas Social with The Machar Trio
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 17th Dec 07 – Willie McFarlane Band
Forfar (The Royal Hotel) - 30th Dec 07 – Scott Carnegie Duo
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 12th Dec 07 – Jim MacKay SDB
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) – 6th Dec 07 – Andy Kain Trio
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 20th Dec 07 – Neil Hardie SDB
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) -
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) - 18th Dec 07 – John white Sound
Gretna (Athlitic & Social Club) -
Haddington (Railway Inn) - 16th Dec 07 – Billy Anderson & Albany
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 17th Dec 07 – Archie MacPhee
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) - 12th Dec 07 – Ryan McGlynn SDB
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 7th Dec 07 – Dance to Ross MacPherson SDB
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) – 4th Dec 07 – Dick Black Trio
Kelso (Cross Keys Hotel) – 12th Dec 07 – Dick Black Band
Kintore (Torryburn Arms Hotel) – 5th Dec 07 – Gordon Pattullo
Ladybank (Ladybank Tavern) - 20th Dec 07 – Club Night
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) - 16th Dec 07 – Dance to Willie McFarlane Band
Langholm (Eskdale Hotel) – 12th Dec 07 – Alan Gardiner Trio
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) -
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn)
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 18th Dec 07 – Karen Ferguson Trio
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 5th Dec 07 – The Tartan Lads
Newburgh (The Ship Hotel) -
Newmill-on-Teviot / Teviotdale (Thorterdykes Roadhouse) 19th Dec 07 – Club Night
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 4th Dec 07 – Jock Fraser SDB
Oban (The Argyllshire Gathering) – 6th Dec 07 – Duncan MacKinnon SDB
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) –
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 18th Dec 07 – No Meeting
Premier NI (Chimney Corner Hotel) -
Reading Scottish Fiddlers (Willowbank Infant School, Woodley) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 11th Dec 07 – Alistair MacLeod Trio
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 6th Dec 07 – Gordon Pattullo
Scottish Accordion Music (Banchory) - 9th Dec 07 – All Players Welcome
Selkirk (Angus O’Malley’s) - 13th Dec 07 – Stuart Anderson Trio
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) - 5th Dec 07 – Billy Anderson & Albany
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) -
Thornhill (Bowling Club Hall) - 11th Dec 07 – Willie McFarlane Band & Jessie Baillie
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 3rd Dec 07 – Marian Anderson Trio
Turriff (Commercail Hotel, Cuminestown) – 6th Dec 07 – Graeme Davidson Trio
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) –
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) - 1st & 15th Dec 07 – Club Night
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn) 13th Dec 07 – Club Night
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 11th Dec 07 – Matthew MacLennan Trio
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Annan
3. Arbroath
4. Balloch
5. Banchory
6. Banff
7. Beith
8. Biggar
9. Blairgowrie
10. Campsie
11. Castle Douglas
12. Coalburn
13. Crieff
14. Cults
15. Dingwall
16. Dunfermline
17. Duns
18. Fintry
19 Forfar
20. Forres
21. Galashiels
22. Glendale
23. Glenrothes
24. Gretna
25. Highland
26. Inveraray
27. Isle of Skye
28. Islesteps
29. Kelso
30. Kintore
31. Lanark
32. Lewis & Harris
33. Livingston
34. Lockerbie
35. Mauchline
36. Montrose
37. Newburgh
38. Newtongrange
39. North East
40. Oban
41. Peebles
42. Perth
43. Premier
44. Rothbury
45. Shetland
46. Stonehouse
47. Sutherland
48. Thornhill
49. Thurso
50. Turriff
51. Tynedale
52. Uist & Benbecula
53. West Barnes
54. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2007
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Closed early 08-09
6. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
7. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
8. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
9. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
10. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
11. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
12. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
13. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
14. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
15. Button Key A&F Club (
16. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
17. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
18. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
19. Coalburn A&F Club (
20. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
21. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
22. Cults A & F Club (
23. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
24. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
25. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
26. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
27. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
28. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
29. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
30. Ellon A&F Club (
31. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
32. Forfar A&F Club (
33. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
34. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
35. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
36. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
37. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
38. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
39. Gretna A&F Club (1991) Known as North Cumbria A&F Club previously (originally called Gretna when started in June 1966 but later had to move to venues in the North of England and changed name. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
40. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 - )
41. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
42. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
43. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
44. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
45. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
46. Kintore A&F Club (
47. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier
48. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
49. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
50. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
51. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
52. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
53. Maine Valley A&F Club (
54. Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
55. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
56. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded
57. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999
58. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
59. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
60. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
61. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
62. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
63. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
64. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
65. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
66. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
67. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
68. Selkirk A&F Club (
69. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
70. Stonehouse A&F Club (first report June 05 -
71. Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
72. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
73. Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
74. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
75. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
76. Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
77. West Barnes ( - present)
78. 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?)
79. Acharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
80. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
81. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
82. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
83. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
84. Buchan A&F Club
85 Callander A&F Club (
86 Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
87 Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
88 Club Accord
89 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
90. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
91. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
92. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
93. Derwentside A&F Club
94. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
95. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
96. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
97. Dundee & District A&F Club (1970? – 1995?)
98. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
99. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
100. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
101. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
102. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
103. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
104. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
105. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
106. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
107. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
108. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
109. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
110. Mull A&F Club
111. Newcastleton Accordion Club
112. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
113. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
114. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
115. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
116. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
117. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
118. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
119. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
120. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
121. Tranent A&F Club
122. Vancouver
123. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
124. Wellbank A&F Club
125. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
Advertising rates
Back Page (colour) - £300
Full Page (colour) - £220
Full Page (b&w) - £140
Half Page (colour) - £110
Half Page (b&w) - £70
Quarter Page (colour) - £55
Quarter Page (b&w) - £35
Eighth Page - £18
Small Boxed £12
B&F Treasurer – Charlie Todd, Thankerton
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
Not much room for an Editorial……
Karin Ingram
Shetland Accordion and Fiddle Festival 2007
by
I have never been at the Shetland A&F Festival and not enjoyed it ……
Happy Birthday Sutherland
by Liz Quinn
Sutherland A&F Club held a grand celebration in Rogart Hall on the 10th of November to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Club, which began in November 1982. The gathering was also attended by a number of past players with the club, stalwart supporters, relations and partners and took the form of a ceilidh dance, along with speeches, a display of photographs, an excellent buffet and special anniversary cake.
The event was opened by the present Chairman, Heather Macrae from Portmahomack, who has been a member of the Club for the past five or six years. She said, “I wish I’d come along years ago. This Club is such a lot of fun. Everyone is so friendly and I’ve been made so welcome. When a Club was first suggested in 1982 32 people came along to a meeting to discuss it and by 2nd December they had a Constitution drawn up and 24 playing members. The aim was to encourage and promote traditional Scottish music, to improve technique and conduct musical evenings. Subscriptions were set at £1 per annum and it’s still the same today!”
Heather then introduced button-box player John Macdonald from Rogart, current and founder member, to give a detailed history of the first 25 years of the Club. He began, “25 years ago fiddle and accordion clubs were starting up all over the country. They were events waiting to happen.
Before we had a Club some of us used to make an annual pilgrimage to the Perth Festival, then an idea came into my mind that we should start our own Club in Sutherland. This was triggered off in October 1982 when I was at a cattle sale in Rogart. I was standing at a sale pen in front of The Rogart Hotel, waiting my turn to go into the ring and opposite me was Jock Sorley, another box player enthusiast from Knockglass Farm in Dornoch. I mentioned my idea to him and he said, ‘Man – I was thinking of that myself. You book the hall for a meeting and I’ll put the word round’, and that was exactly what happened.
A small advert was placed in the Northern Times and the meeting took place on the 19th of November with 32 people attending it. At a further meeting a Constitution was drawn up and office bearers were elected, these being; Chairman Jock Sorley, Vice Chair myself, Secretary Violet Colquhoun (nee Sutherland) and Treasurer Sheila Stewart (nee Ross). Committee members were Alistair Macrae from Rosehall, George Mackay from Lairg and Donald Beaton from Brora. It was suggested that Donald Goskirk be asked if he would be musical mentor and guide and we decided that our first public performance would be in Embo.
On the format of the Club we initially held practices once a fortnight, but this soon became weekly. With members coming from quite a wide area we started off trying to please everybody by having practices in different places. One week it was Lairg, another Rogart or Rosehall and sometimes in Dornoch or Embo. But all that shifting about didn’t work as people would attend on one place and not the other, depending on where they stayed, or they lost track of where it was, so after a while the central venue of Rogart was picked and it has remained here ever since. Our format for concert nights was different from other Clubs. Most of the Clubs we had been to followed a programme where individuals or groups performed, with perhaps a stramash at the end with everyone joining in before the guest band took the stage, and there was no dance. As our members didn’t really want to play on their own or in small numbers at that time, we decided to play as a group involving everybody for the first part of the evening, then the guest band would take the stage and after that tea would be served followed by a dance to the guest band, and this still holds good today.
For our section of the programmes we made up sets of music and picked out so many for each performance, which we practiced all together in the weeks leading up to each concert, these generally being held monthly during the winter season. The sets are constantly being added to. To begin with Jock Sorley saw himself as a conductor, but this became too much like practising for the Gaelic Mod, so that idea faded out. We were in the early days rather removed from a disciplined musical ensemble and even Donald Goskirk found us difficult to handle and eventually left us to get on with it ourselves! Some of us were ear players, others read a bit of music and some did their own thing, but everyone enjoyed themselves, especially the fun of meeting and playing together”.
John continued, saying “I was asked to tell some anecdotes of our earliest experiences. One lady told me that her memory of a concert we held in Lairg not long after we started was of all the feet thumping on the floor as the players energetically and enthusiastically beat time to the music. Then we had a laugh in Kinlochbervie at our first annual summer outing when we had offered to play for a dance. When we arrived there we expected some sort of reception and hopefully a cup of tea, but the place was deserted. I set off to look for a shop that was still open and found a mobile grocery van where I got some supplies. We went back to the hall armed with bread, butter, tea, milk and a few tins of spam and the ladies got busy preparing us a grand tea. By that time a few people started arriving, bringing their youngsters with them. We thought that would be a fine mixed audience, but most of the adults disappeared, leaving the kids with us. I wondered if this was because fishing boats were landing at the harbour or were they at the peats? Anyway we gave our concert to a rather sparse, youthful audience and at 11 o’clock we were packing up to go home when suddenly a large crowd arrived from the local hostelry, all steamed up for a good going dance! The night for them was just starting, while for us it was finishing! We were none too popular on that occasion!”
John then went on to discuss the Club membership and some individuals who had made valuable contributions. He said, “The input of new members along with the old guard is what keeps the Club rolling. We had a great boost to our membership with the opening of the Dornoch Bridge across the Firth in 1991. Easter Ross was now within range and we quickly got a strong following of new supporters and an influx of new talent. Of course some of the old stalwarts of the Club from the very beginning, about eight in all, are still with us today as playing members, including Monica MacLean, Rae Davie, Hugh Mackay, Hugh Murray, myself and the boys from Lairg, George Mackay, John Mackenzie and Ian Fraser. There are many other long standing members, all bringing their own contributions to the scene. Sadly some of the older members are now deceased and these include some lead players, strong fiddlers, Celia Duncan and George Fraser, excellent box players Dan Macpherson and Angus Sutherland and more recently fiddle player John Dargie. We have had many good leaders and amongst these are Terry Keatinge who is the present lead fiddler, George Mackay on the accordion, Sheila Stewart who suggested the Club had a smart uniform for concerts. Ken Black who helped to polish up some music interpretation and Heather Macrae the present Lady Chairman who is doing a great job.
Over the years many people have put forward sets of music for the Club, some of the main contributors being Bertie Sutherland, George Mackay, Terry Keatinge and Pipe Major Sandy forbes. Many years ago I suggested we have a competition for a theme tune which was great fun and our youngster at the time, James Corbett from Shinness, was a worthy winner. We still play his tune at the beginning of every concert. The Club is also very appreciative of all its helpers and supporters at concerts, one of our oldest fans being octogenarian Neil Mackay from Brora, a former box player who still attends most practice nights to listen to the music he loves – and we mustn’t forget our keyboard accompanists, drummers and those who have given tuition. Over the duration of the Club, two CDs have been made and finally I would like to say – here’s to the next 25 years and hopefully many of you will still be around”.
The musical programme then opened with the Club doing eleven sets of reels, jigs, marches, some waltz tunes and airs, many of which were in the original programmes 25 years ago. This was followed by the cutting of the magnificent anniversary cake with a photograph of the original Club in 1982 superimposed on top of it. Doing the honours were founder members John Macdonald and Violet Colquhoun. Following this there was an interval for a splendid savory finger buffet prepared by some members of the Committee.
The evening then continued with some individuals and groups performing, interspersed with dancing and party games, the most hilarious being the ‘balloon between the knees’ competition. A number of former members who attended did a solo music turn and these included James Corbett from Aberdeen and Sandy Forbes from Alness. Multi-talented musician Sandy Forbes, now in his eighties, is still able and willing to play a tune and, despite having sold his accordion, he borrowed one from Heather and delighted the audience with some great tunes, accompanied by club drummer John Grant. The evening drew to a close with a small group of present Club members playing for dancing, and finally Auld Lang Syne.
See Hear! with Judith Linton & Bill Brown
New Year – New CD Reviewer
As 2008 approaches the B&F magazine is delighted to announce that Bill Brown is to take over the ‘See Hear!’ feature from Judith Linton, who has decided to stand down after six years.
Bill, who was born and educated in Falkirk, is currently employed by Channel 5 as Head of Broadcast Operations, a position he has held since the channel launched in 1997.
Bill’s broadcasting career started in 1980 when he became part of the operational team that launched Radio Tay in Dundee. Two years later he joined Radio Forth in Edinburgh as a Technical Operator before moving south to train as a television Sound Engineer. He then went on to spend highly successful periods working at TV-AM, ITN and Central Independent Television in Birmingham.
During his career Bill has worked on a wide variety of well-known programmes including Good Morning Britain, News at Ten, Crossroads, Blockbusters, Bullseye, Spitting Image and New Faces to name but a few. After spending many years in television production Bill joined Carlton Television as Presentation director when they took over the London weekday ITV franchise from Thames Television. One of the many highlights of Bill’s career took place on 28th November 2001 when he was invited to a reception for the broadcasting industry which was hosted by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace.
Bill has very fond memories of being taken to see an Alexander Brothers show in Falkirk Town Hall in the autumn of 1968 when he was only 10 years old. From that point onwards he was completely hooked on Scottish music and the wonderful sound of the accordion. Bill’s memory of that show is so vivid that he can still recall the cast line-up to this day. The show that night comprised of a young Johnny Beattie, accordion player Lawrie Adam, Mal Hollander, Josephine McQueen and, of course, the top of the bill, The Alexander Brothers, who were also young! At that stage Tom and Jack were only 10 years into what turned out to be an outstanding career which has lasted an amazing 5 decades.
Bill’s passion for the accordion inevitably developed in him a strong love of Scottish dance band music and he would list among his favourites the bands of Bobby More, John Ellis, Nicol McLaren, Iain Cathcart, Colin Dewar and Robert Whitehead. Bill also holds in high esteem the superb skill and talent of players such as Tom Alexander, Gordon Pattullo, Phil Cunningham, Blair Douglas, Deirdre Adamson, Sandy Brechin and Gavin Piper.
Despite loving and listening to accordion music all his life, Bill surprisingly only started learning to play the instrument in adult life. Bill’s accordion mentor and greatest source of encouragement has been Bobby More from Kirkcaldy whose enthusiasm and passion for the accordion seems to know no bounds. Bill cannot talk highly enough of Bobby, or thank him enough, for all the help, support and encouragement he has given him. Bobby recently composed a tune for Bill called Bill Brown’s Scottish Special, which Bobby and his band have recorded on their latest CD entitled 50 Years Non-Stop Dancing.
In what little spare time Bill has left in his busy life he also finds time to present a weekly radio show. You will not be surprised to learn that Bill’s show is a specialised one that features all forms of Celtic music from around the world, a genre clearly heavily influenced by both Scotland and Ireland. Bill never ceases to be amazed by the wonderful array of dynamic young talent that is emerging from a new, modern, contemporary Scotland and has no doubt that the future of traditional Scottish music is in safe hands.
He also strongly believes that we all have a great responsibility placed upon us to ensure we pass on Scotland’s musical heritage in an exciting way to the next generation. After all, our musical tradition is a living evolving thing which needs nurturing if it is to continue to grow and develop. A big part of achieving that and inspiring young people to get involved in traditional Scottish music is ensuring the genre gets sufficient media coverage on radio and television both at home and abroad. Sadly, that has not happened in recent times, which has denied some of our finest young talent much needed media exposure. It has also done nothing for keeping our great musical tradition in the public’s consciousness. We especially need to get Scotland’s music back on TV on a regular basis, in some form, even if it is only available as downloadable content through Video on Demand services or via the many other technologies that are now available. There are no barriers to entry in the broadcasting world nowadays and Bill strongly believes, that we as a nation, need to embrace those exciting opportunities to promote and pass on the great musical heritage we all so greatly enjoy.
Bill is thrilled to be replacing Judith in the New Year and would like to take this opportunity of thanking her for her well written reviews during the past six years.
CD Reviews
Island Heritage – Alasdair Gillies – Heritage Recordings – HRCD101
Scottish Christmas Dance Party – Jim Lindsay SDB – Highlander Music – HRMCD015
The Reel Party – The Glencraig SDB – CDTRAX315 - Greentrax
DVD Reviews
Gordon Pattullo, his Accordion and his Friends – GPDVD001 – Red Barn Studios Ltd and GP Recordings
Book Review
The Orkney Tune Book – Fiona Drivers – FDF Productions
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 20.30 with Robbie Shepherd
1st Dec 07 – Ian Thomson SDB
8th Dec 07 – Craigowl SDB
15th Dec 07 – Glencraig SDB
22nd Dec 07 – The Occasionals
29th Dec 07 – Fergie MacDonald C.B. (OB from Lochinver Village Hall)
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 18th Dec 07 – Dance to James Coutts Trio
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle) 12th Dec 07 – Christmas Party with Local Artistes
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 16th Dec 07 – Dance to Lyne Valley Band
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 2nd Dec 07 – Lomond Ceilidh Band 27th Dec 07 – Bill Black SDB
Armadale (Masonic Hall) – 6th Dec 07 – Johnny Duncan
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 16th Dec 07 – Dochie McCallum & Friends
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 26th Dec 07 – Ian Hutson SDB 29th Dec 07 – Dance to Ian Anderson
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 12th Dec 07 – Molly Shand Band
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) – 17th Dec 07 – Seamus O’Sullivan
Biggar (Municipal Hall) – 9th Dec 07 – Gary Donaldson SDB
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 11th Dec 07 – Michael Philip SDB
Britannia (Arden House Hotel) -
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) - 11th Dec 07 – Cordon Bleu
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 13th Dec 07 – Frank Thomson SDB
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 5th Dec 07 – Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) - 6th Dec 07 – Roy Hendrie Duo
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 18th Dec 07 – Bon Accords
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 20th Dec 07 – Clappy Doo Trio
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 6th Dec 07 – John Douglas
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club) 12th Dec 07 – Ian Cruickshanks SDB
Dalriada (Argyll Hotel, Lochgilphead)
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 5th Dec 07 – Lynne christie SDB
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) –
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) – 11th Dec 07 – Steven Carcary Duo
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel) 14th Dec 07 – Garioch Blend Trio 15th Dec – Glencraig SDB 16th Dec – Garioch Blend Trio
Duns (Royal British Legion Club, Langtongate) 17th Dec 07 – Gary Forrest Trio
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 7th Dec 07 – Christmas Social with The Machar Trio
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 17th Dec 07 – Willie McFarlane Band
Forfar (The Royal Hotel) - 30th Dec 07 – Scott Carnegie Duo
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 12th Dec 07 – Jim MacKay SDB
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) – 6th Dec 07 – Andy Kain Trio
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 20th Dec 07 – Neil Hardie SDB
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) -
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) - 18th Dec 07 – John white Sound
Gretna (Athlitic & Social Club) -
Haddington (Railway Inn) - 16th Dec 07 – Billy Anderson & Albany
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 17th Dec 07 – Archie MacPhee
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) - 12th Dec 07 – Ryan McGlynn SDB
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 7th Dec 07 – Dance to Ross MacPherson SDB
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) – 4th Dec 07 – Dick Black Trio
Kelso (Cross Keys Hotel) – 12th Dec 07 – Dick Black Band
Kintore (Torryburn Arms Hotel) – 5th Dec 07 – Gordon Pattullo
Ladybank (Ladybank Tavern) - 20th Dec 07 – Club Night
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) - 16th Dec 07 – Dance to Willie McFarlane Band
Langholm (Eskdale Hotel) – 12th Dec 07 – Alan Gardiner Trio
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) -
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn)
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 18th Dec 07 – Karen Ferguson Trio
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 5th Dec 07 – The Tartan Lads
Newburgh (The Ship Hotel) -
Newmill-on-Teviot / Teviotdale (Thorterdykes Roadhouse) 19th Dec 07 – Club Night
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 4th Dec 07 – Jock Fraser SDB
Oban (The Argyllshire Gathering) – 6th Dec 07 – Duncan MacKinnon SDB
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) –
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 18th Dec 07 – No Meeting
Premier NI (Chimney Corner Hotel) -
Reading Scottish Fiddlers (Willowbank Infant School, Woodley) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 11th Dec 07 – Alistair MacLeod Trio
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 6th Dec 07 – Gordon Pattullo
Scottish Accordion Music (Banchory) - 9th Dec 07 – All Players Welcome
Selkirk (Angus O’Malley’s) - 13th Dec 07 – Stuart Anderson Trio
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) - 5th Dec 07 – Billy Anderson & Albany
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) -
Thornhill (Bowling Club Hall) - 11th Dec 07 – Willie McFarlane Band & Jessie Baillie
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 3rd Dec 07 – Marian Anderson Trio
Turriff (Commercail Hotel, Cuminestown) – 6th Dec 07 – Graeme Davidson Trio
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) –
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) - 1st & 15th Dec 07 – Club Night
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn) 13th Dec 07 – Club Night
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 11th Dec 07 – Matthew MacLennan Trio
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Annan
3. Arbroath
4. Balloch
5. Banchory
6. Banff
7. Beith
8. Biggar
9. Blairgowrie
10. Campsie
11. Castle Douglas
12. Coalburn
13. Crieff
14. Cults
15. Dingwall
16. Dunfermline
17. Duns
18. Fintry
19 Forfar
20. Forres
21. Galashiels
22. Glendale
23. Glenrothes
24. Gretna
25. Highland
26. Inveraray
27. Isle of Skye
28. Islesteps
29. Kelso
30. Kintore
31. Lanark
32. Lewis & Harris
33. Livingston
34. Lockerbie
35. Mauchline
36. Montrose
37. Newburgh
38. Newtongrange
39. North East
40. Oban
41. Peebles
42. Perth
43. Premier
44. Rothbury
45. Shetland
46. Stonehouse
47. Sutherland
48. Thornhill
49. Thurso
50. Turriff
51. Tynedale
52. Uist & Benbecula
53. West Barnes
54. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2007
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Closed early 08-09
6. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
7. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
8. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
9. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
10. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
11. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
12. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
13. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
14. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
15. Button Key A&F Club (
16. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
17. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
18. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
19. Coalburn A&F Club (
20. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
21. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
22. Cults A & F Club (
23. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
24. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
25. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
26. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
27. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
28. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
29. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
30. Ellon A&F Club (
31. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
32. Forfar A&F Club (
33. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
34. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
35. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
36. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
37. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
38. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
39. Gretna A&F Club (1991) Known as North Cumbria A&F Club previously (originally called Gretna when started in June 1966 but later had to move to venues in the North of England and changed name. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
40. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 - )
41. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
42. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
43. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
44. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
45. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
46. Kintore A&F Club (
47. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier
48. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
49. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
50. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
51. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
52. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
53. Maine Valley A&F Club (
54. Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
55. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
56. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded
57. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999
58. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
59. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
60. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
61. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
62. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
63. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
64. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
65. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
66. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
67. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
68. Selkirk A&F Club (
69. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
70. Stonehouse A&F Club (first report June 05 -
71. Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
72. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
73. Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
74. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
75. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
76. Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
77. West Barnes ( - present)
78. 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?)
79. Acharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
80. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
81. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
82. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
83. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
84. Buchan A&F Club
85 Callander A&F Club (
86 Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
87 Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
88 Club Accord
89 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
90. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
91. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
92. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
93. Derwentside A&F Club
94. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
95. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
96. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
97. Dundee & District A&F Club (1970? – 1995?)
98. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
99. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
100. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
101. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
102. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
103. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
104. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
105. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
106. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
107. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
108. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
109. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
110. Mull A&F Club
111. Newcastleton Accordion Club
112. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
113. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
114. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
115. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
116. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
117. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
118. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
119. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
120. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
121. Tranent A&F Club
122. Vancouver
123. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
124. Wellbank A&F Club
125. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
Advertising rates
Back Page (colour) - £300
Full Page (colour) - £220
Full Page (b&w) - £140
Half Page (colour) - £110
Half Page (b&w) - £70
Quarter Page (colour) - £55
Quarter Page (b&w) - £35
Eighth Page - £18
Small Boxed £12