Box and Fiddle
Year 41 No 06
February 2018
Price £3.00
52 Page Magazine
12 month subscription £33.60 + p&p £15.85 (UK)
Editor – Pia Walker, Cupar
B&F Treasurer – Willie Johnstone, Inverurie
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
New Year’s Honour’s List
John Caskie of Locharbriggs an MBE for services to the community in Dumfries
Aonghas Grant of Caol, a BEM for services to fiddling and musical tuition in the Highlands
John ‘The Prof’ Matheson of Nairn a BEM for services to music, culture and charity in the Highlands.
Bill Brown
At the end of 2017, Charlie Todd e-mailed me to remind me that it was 10 years since Bill Brown took over from Judith Linton as our CD reviewer. At that time you Editor, Karin Ingram, wrote, “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.” At that time he was employed by Channel 5 as Head of Broadcast Operations. Bill was born and educated in Falkirk. As a 10-year-old he was taken to an Alexander Brothers show in Falkirk Town Hall and this started his interest in accordion music and his passion for Scottish dance band music. He was also taught to play by Bobby More of Kirkcaldy, but doesn’t quite feel up to competing. He would like to meet up with other accordionists in the London area to get to play more Scottish music. He is currently Head of Media Standards at ITV in London and his 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. He is therefore a man who not only knows our music, but is also seen as an expert within the industry.
Despite his busy schedule, he still takes the time to listen to all the CDs he receives and faithfully delivers his personal views on these every month without fear or favour.
So thank you Bill for the 10 years you have spent listening and reviewing and I hope that you will continue for many a year to tell us what you think about our music.
Pia Walker
The Scots Fiddle Festival 2017
by
The B&F Team again pitched up at Summerhall………………
Tommy Ford (25/11/1931 – 23/12/2017)
by Margaret Ford
Tommy was born in Auld Toon, Stirling and went to St Ninian’s Primary and Riverside schools. After leaving school, he trained and worked as a motor mechanic. He then did his National Service with the R.E.M.E. which took him to Egypt (Tel-El-Kabir) where he put a band together and played for Scottish Country Dances and Tea Dances in the Officers’ Mess. When the dances were finished Tommy was known to put any leftover food and fruit in his accordion case and carry the ‘box’ back to share with the others in the hut.
In April 1953 Jim MacLeod asked Tommy to join his band on demob, which he did in 1954, and he spent the next 50 years with Jim and his fellow members at Dunblane Hydro. On one trip in Jim’s newly acquired Austin Omni (minibus) the band were en route to an engagement in Oban one winter evening. Jim was at the wheel with Jimmy MacFarlane up front while the other three members of the band tried to get some sleep in the back with the dividing blind down. After some 60 miles Jim stopped and got out to remove his overcoat, climbed back in and drove off. Jim recalled having driven about five miles when he heard Chris shouting from the rear. On rolling up the blind, he discovered that his five-piece band had been reduced to a trio!
Jim tuned the minibus around and raced back to find two very cold musicians, Alex and Tommy, hiking a desolate stretch of Argyllshire. While Jim had been removing his overcoat they had slipped out the side door to stretch their legs and found themselves doing a bit more than anticipated.
Although he loved touring, radio, television, stage, sailing on the Canberra cruise liner and playing for over 25 years for Her Majesty the Queen at Balmoral Castle, his heart was always in The Dunblane Hydro. He was unique in owning two Ranco Antonio 5 Voice piano accordions. Tommy admired John Crawford from Freuchie so much for helping to keep them in good working order.
His favoutite bands were Bobby MacLeod, Jimmy Blue, Angus Fitchet, Jimmy Shand, John Huband and, of course, John Ellis although Toralf Tollefson was tops! One night when having a tune with the great Jimmy Shand, Tommy asked, “What are we going to play now?” Jimmy’s reply was, “Just follow me son” and so Tommy did.
Tommy was a quiet, unassuming and loyal musician, and a member of the Musician’s Union for his entire playing career. He loved his music. Margaret, his wife of 46 years, and all of his family, will sorely miss him. “Keep music live” was his favourite saying.
Centre Stage
Graham Berry
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
First Class Delivery – Ewan Galloway SDB – EGCD003
Note Again – Alan Crookston CB – GLRCD1701
The High Road O’er the Border – Roddy Matthews & Friends – BM0015
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
3rd Feb 2018 – Celtic Connections recorded at the CCA – Alasdair MacCuish & the Black Rose CB + the Robert Robertson Dance Band
10th Feb 2018 – Andrew Gibb SDB
17th Feb 2018 – Colin Donaldson SDB
24th Feb 2018 – Alasdair MacLeod SDB
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 27th Feb 2018 – Seamus O’Sullivan Experience
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms) 14th Feb 2018 – Jimmy Cassidy Duo
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 18th Feb 2018 – Gold Brothers
Arbroath (Arbroath Artisan Golf Club) - 4th Feb 2018 – Alan Small & Gemma Donald
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 18th Feb 2018 – Iain Anderson Trio
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 28th Feb 2018 – George Rennie
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) – 19th Feb 2018 – Craig McFadyen Band
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) – 11th Feb 2018 – Jack Delaney SDB
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 13th Feb 2018 – Susan MacFadyen SDB
Button Key (Greig Institute, Windygates) – 8th Feb 2018 – George Wilson & Friends
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 6th Feb 2018 – Rowan Brothers
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Springholm Memorial Hall) – 20th Feb 2018 – Richard Smith Trio
Clydesdale (St Mary’s Club Rooms) - 4th Feb 2018 – Alistair McCulloch & Ian Muir
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 15th Feb 2018 – Neil McMillan Trio
Crieff & District (British Legion) 1st Feb 2018 – Jim Cleland Band
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) - 20th Feb 2018 – Ryan McGlynn Duo
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 7th Feb 2018 – Colin Donaldson SDB
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 21st Feb 2018 – Rowan Brothers
Dunfermline (Sportsman Bar, Rosyth) – 13th Feb 2018 – Janet Graham SDB
Duns (Masonic Lodge) 19th Feb 2018 – Johnny Duncan Duo
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 20th Feb 2018 – Joyce Ramsay SDB
Forfar (Forfar RBL) - 25th Feb 2018 – Scott Carnegie
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 14th Feb 2018 – Matthew MacLennan SDB
Fort William (Railway Club, Inverlochy) - 6th Feb 2018 – Steven Carcary Trio
Galashiels (Gala YM RFC) - 1st Feb 2018 – Ewan Galloway Trio
Glasgow (Scotstounhill Bowling Club) - 12th Feb 2018 – Steven Carcary SDB
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 22nd Feb 2018 – Neil Hardie SDB
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 7th Feb 2018 – Glencraig SDB
Gretna (The Solway Lodge Hotel) - 4th Feb 2018 – Gavin Piper 18th Feb 2018 – Cairndale Hotel Open Accordion Club
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 19th Feb 2018 – Iain Angus MacLeod
Inveraray (Inveraray Inn) - 14th Feb 2018 – Hector McFadyen Trio
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 1st Feb 2018 – Archie & Alec MacAlister
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) – 6th Feb 2018 – Ewan Galloway Quartet
Kelso (Kelso Rugby Club) – 28th Feb 2018 – Gordon Clark SDB
Langholm (Langholm Social Club) – 14th Feb 2018 – Lyne Valley Band
Lewis & Harris (Caladh Inn, Stornoway) - 1st Feb 2018 – John stuart Trio
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 20th Feb 2018 – Keith Robertson & Jack McLeish
Lockerbie (Mid Annandale Comrades Club) 9th Feb 2018 – Dance to Iain Anderson SDB 27th Feb 2018 – Club Night
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) - 18th Feb 2018 – Pentland Ceilidh Band
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 20th Feb 2018 – Alan Small & Gemma Donald
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 7th Feb 2018 – Wayne Robertson Duo
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) - 22nd Feb 2018 – Alan Small
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 26th Feb 2018 – Jim gold Trio
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 6th Feb 2018 – Gordon Pattullo
Oban (The Royal Hotel) – 1st Feb 2018 – Sileas Sinclair
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 7th 14th 21st 28th Feb 2018 – Club Night
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 22nd Feb 2018 – Iain Anderson Trio
Perth & District (Salutation Hotel) – 20th Feb 2018 – Steven Carcary & pupils
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 14th Feb 2018 – Alan Gardiner Trio
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) -
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 6th 13th 20th 27th Feb 2018 – Club Night
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - 8th Feb 2018 – Club night 22nd Feb 2018 – Stella Wilkie & Joan Blue
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Bowling Club) - 8th Feb 2018 – Alan Small & Gemma Donald
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) - 17th Feb 2018 – Gary Sutherland Trio
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 5th Feb 2018 – Brandon McPhee Trio
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 1st Feb 2018 – Kevin cheyne Trio
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) –
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 20th Feb 2018 – Elizabeth Mackenzie SDB
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Annan
2. Arbroath
3. Biggar
4. Blairgowrie
5. Buttonkey
6. Campsie
7. Castle Douglas
8. Coalburn
9. Dingwall
10. Dunfermline
11. Duns
12. Forfar
13. Forres
14. Glendale
15. Glenfarg
16. Highland
17. Inveraray
18. Isle of Skye
19. Islesteps
20. Kelso
21. Langholm
22. Lewis & Harris
23. Lockerbie
24. Mauchline
25. Montrose
26. North East
27. Peebles
28. Perth
29. Renfrew
30. Seghill
31. Stonehouse
32. Turriff
33. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2016
(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. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
10. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
11. Button Key A&F Club (
12. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
13. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
15. Clydesdale A&F Club (Sept 2016 – present)
16. Coalburn A&F Club (
17. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
18. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
19. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
20. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
21. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
22. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
23. Ellon A&F Club (
24. Forfar A&F Club (
25. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
26. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
27. Glasgow A&F Club (Aug 2017 -
28. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
29. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
30. 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)
31. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
32. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
33. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
34. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
35. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
36. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
37. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 – present)
38. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
39 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
40. Macmerry A&F Club (Feb 2016 – present)
41 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
42 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
43 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
44. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
45. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
46. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
47. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
48. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
49. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
50. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
51. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
52 Stonehouse A&F Club (Opened 2003 - first report June 05 – Closed April 2018)
53 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
54 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
55 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
56 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
57 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?)
58. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
59. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
60. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
61. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
62. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
63. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
64. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
65. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
66. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
67. Buchan A&F Club
68. Callander A&F Club (
69. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
70. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
71. Club Accord
72. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
73 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
74. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
75. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
76. Cults A & F Club (
77. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
78. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
79. Derwentside A&F Club
80. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
81. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
82. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
83. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
84. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
85. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
86. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
87. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
88. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – ?)
89. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
90. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
91. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93? – left the Assoc c2013)
92. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
93. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
94. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 – 6th December 2015)
95. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
96. Kintore A&F Club (
97. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
98. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier -
99. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
100. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
101. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
102. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
103. Maine Valley A&F Club (
104. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
105. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
106. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
107. Mull A&F Club
108. Newcastleton Accordion Club
109. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
110. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
111. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
112. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
113. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
114. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
115. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
116. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
117. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
118. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
119. Selkirk A&F Club (
120. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
121. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
122. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
123 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
124 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
125. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
126. Tranent A&F Club
127. Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra
128. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
129. Wellbank A&F Club
130. West Barnes (1981? - April 2016?)
131. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
Advertising rates
Back Page (colour) - £320
Full Page (colour) - £256
Full Page (b&w) - £160
Half Page (colour) - £128
Half Page (b&w) - £80
Quarter Page (colour) - £64
Quarter Page (b&w) - £40
Eighth Page - £30
Small Boxed £20
B&F Treasurer – Willie Johnstone, Inverurie
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
New Year’s Honour’s List
John Caskie of Locharbriggs an MBE for services to the community in Dumfries
Aonghas Grant of Caol, a BEM for services to fiddling and musical tuition in the Highlands
John ‘The Prof’ Matheson of Nairn a BEM for services to music, culture and charity in the Highlands.
Bill Brown
At the end of 2017, Charlie Todd e-mailed me to remind me that it was 10 years since Bill Brown took over from Judith Linton as our CD reviewer. At that time you Editor, Karin Ingram, wrote, “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.” At that time he was employed by Channel 5 as Head of Broadcast Operations. Bill was born and educated in Falkirk. As a 10-year-old he was taken to an Alexander Brothers show in Falkirk Town Hall and this started his interest in accordion music and his passion for Scottish dance band music. He was also taught to play by Bobby More of Kirkcaldy, but doesn’t quite feel up to competing. He would like to meet up with other accordionists in the London area to get to play more Scottish music. He is currently Head of Media Standards at ITV in London and his 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. He is therefore a man who not only knows our music, but is also seen as an expert within the industry.
Despite his busy schedule, he still takes the time to listen to all the CDs he receives and faithfully delivers his personal views on these every month without fear or favour.
So thank you Bill for the 10 years you have spent listening and reviewing and I hope that you will continue for many a year to tell us what you think about our music.
Pia Walker
The Scots Fiddle Festival 2017
by
The B&F Team again pitched up at Summerhall………………
Tommy Ford (25/11/1931 – 23/12/2017)
by Margaret Ford
Tommy was born in Auld Toon, Stirling and went to St Ninian’s Primary and Riverside schools. After leaving school, he trained and worked as a motor mechanic. He then did his National Service with the R.E.M.E. which took him to Egypt (Tel-El-Kabir) where he put a band together and played for Scottish Country Dances and Tea Dances in the Officers’ Mess. When the dances were finished Tommy was known to put any leftover food and fruit in his accordion case and carry the ‘box’ back to share with the others in the hut.
In April 1953 Jim MacLeod asked Tommy to join his band on demob, which he did in 1954, and he spent the next 50 years with Jim and his fellow members at Dunblane Hydro. On one trip in Jim’s newly acquired Austin Omni (minibus) the band were en route to an engagement in Oban one winter evening. Jim was at the wheel with Jimmy MacFarlane up front while the other three members of the band tried to get some sleep in the back with the dividing blind down. After some 60 miles Jim stopped and got out to remove his overcoat, climbed back in and drove off. Jim recalled having driven about five miles when he heard Chris shouting from the rear. On rolling up the blind, he discovered that his five-piece band had been reduced to a trio!
Jim tuned the minibus around and raced back to find two very cold musicians, Alex and Tommy, hiking a desolate stretch of Argyllshire. While Jim had been removing his overcoat they had slipped out the side door to stretch their legs and found themselves doing a bit more than anticipated.
Although he loved touring, radio, television, stage, sailing on the Canberra cruise liner and playing for over 25 years for Her Majesty the Queen at Balmoral Castle, his heart was always in The Dunblane Hydro. He was unique in owning two Ranco Antonio 5 Voice piano accordions. Tommy admired John Crawford from Freuchie so much for helping to keep them in good working order.
His favoutite bands were Bobby MacLeod, Jimmy Blue, Angus Fitchet, Jimmy Shand, John Huband and, of course, John Ellis although Toralf Tollefson was tops! One night when having a tune with the great Jimmy Shand, Tommy asked, “What are we going to play now?” Jimmy’s reply was, “Just follow me son” and so Tommy did.
Tommy was a quiet, unassuming and loyal musician, and a member of the Musician’s Union for his entire playing career. He loved his music. Margaret, his wife of 46 years, and all of his family, will sorely miss him. “Keep music live” was his favourite saying.
Centre Stage
Graham Berry
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
First Class Delivery – Ewan Galloway SDB – EGCD003
Note Again – Alan Crookston CB – GLRCD1701
The High Road O’er the Border – Roddy Matthews & Friends – BM0015
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
3rd Feb 2018 – Celtic Connections recorded at the CCA – Alasdair MacCuish & the Black Rose CB + the Robert Robertson Dance Band
10th Feb 2018 – Andrew Gibb SDB
17th Feb 2018 – Colin Donaldson SDB
24th Feb 2018 – Alasdair MacLeod SDB
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 27th Feb 2018 – Seamus O’Sullivan Experience
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms) 14th Feb 2018 – Jimmy Cassidy Duo
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 18th Feb 2018 – Gold Brothers
Arbroath (Arbroath Artisan Golf Club) - 4th Feb 2018 – Alan Small & Gemma Donald
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 18th Feb 2018 – Iain Anderson Trio
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 28th Feb 2018 – George Rennie
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) – 19th Feb 2018 – Craig McFadyen Band
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) – 11th Feb 2018 – Jack Delaney SDB
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 13th Feb 2018 – Susan MacFadyen SDB
Button Key (Greig Institute, Windygates) – 8th Feb 2018 – George Wilson & Friends
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 6th Feb 2018 – Rowan Brothers
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Springholm Memorial Hall) – 20th Feb 2018 – Richard Smith Trio
Clydesdale (St Mary’s Club Rooms) - 4th Feb 2018 – Alistair McCulloch & Ian Muir
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 15th Feb 2018 – Neil McMillan Trio
Crieff & District (British Legion) 1st Feb 2018 – Jim Cleland Band
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) - 20th Feb 2018 – Ryan McGlynn Duo
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 7th Feb 2018 – Colin Donaldson SDB
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 21st Feb 2018 – Rowan Brothers
Dunfermline (Sportsman Bar, Rosyth) – 13th Feb 2018 – Janet Graham SDB
Duns (Masonic Lodge) 19th Feb 2018 – Johnny Duncan Duo
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 20th Feb 2018 – Joyce Ramsay SDB
Forfar (Forfar RBL) - 25th Feb 2018 – Scott Carnegie
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 14th Feb 2018 – Matthew MacLennan SDB
Fort William (Railway Club, Inverlochy) - 6th Feb 2018 – Steven Carcary Trio
Galashiels (Gala YM RFC) - 1st Feb 2018 – Ewan Galloway Trio
Glasgow (Scotstounhill Bowling Club) - 12th Feb 2018 – Steven Carcary SDB
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 22nd Feb 2018 – Neil Hardie SDB
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 7th Feb 2018 – Glencraig SDB
Gretna (The Solway Lodge Hotel) - 4th Feb 2018 – Gavin Piper 18th Feb 2018 – Cairndale Hotel Open Accordion Club
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 19th Feb 2018 – Iain Angus MacLeod
Inveraray (Inveraray Inn) - 14th Feb 2018 – Hector McFadyen Trio
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 1st Feb 2018 – Archie & Alec MacAlister
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) – 6th Feb 2018 – Ewan Galloway Quartet
Kelso (Kelso Rugby Club) – 28th Feb 2018 – Gordon Clark SDB
Langholm (Langholm Social Club) – 14th Feb 2018 – Lyne Valley Band
Lewis & Harris (Caladh Inn, Stornoway) - 1st Feb 2018 – John stuart Trio
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 20th Feb 2018 – Keith Robertson & Jack McLeish
Lockerbie (Mid Annandale Comrades Club) 9th Feb 2018 – Dance to Iain Anderson SDB 27th Feb 2018 – Club Night
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) - 18th Feb 2018 – Pentland Ceilidh Band
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 20th Feb 2018 – Alan Small & Gemma Donald
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 7th Feb 2018 – Wayne Robertson Duo
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) - 22nd Feb 2018 – Alan Small
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 26th Feb 2018 – Jim gold Trio
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 6th Feb 2018 – Gordon Pattullo
Oban (The Royal Hotel) – 1st Feb 2018 – Sileas Sinclair
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 7th 14th 21st 28th Feb 2018 – Club Night
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 22nd Feb 2018 – Iain Anderson Trio
Perth & District (Salutation Hotel) – 20th Feb 2018 – Steven Carcary & pupils
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 14th Feb 2018 – Alan Gardiner Trio
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) -
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 6th 13th 20th 27th Feb 2018 – Club Night
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - 8th Feb 2018 – Club night 22nd Feb 2018 – Stella Wilkie & Joan Blue
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Bowling Club) - 8th Feb 2018 – Alan Small & Gemma Donald
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) - 17th Feb 2018 – Gary Sutherland Trio
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 5th Feb 2018 – Brandon McPhee Trio
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 1st Feb 2018 – Kevin cheyne Trio
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) –
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 20th Feb 2018 – Elizabeth Mackenzie SDB
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Annan
2. Arbroath
3. Biggar
4. Blairgowrie
5. Buttonkey
6. Campsie
7. Castle Douglas
8. Coalburn
9. Dingwall
10. Dunfermline
11. Duns
12. Forfar
13. Forres
14. Glendale
15. Glenfarg
16. Highland
17. Inveraray
18. Isle of Skye
19. Islesteps
20. Kelso
21. Langholm
22. Lewis & Harris
23. Lockerbie
24. Mauchline
25. Montrose
26. North East
27. Peebles
28. Perth
29. Renfrew
30. Seghill
31. Stonehouse
32. Turriff
33. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2016
(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. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
10. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
11. Button Key A&F Club (
12. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
13. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
15. Clydesdale A&F Club (Sept 2016 – present)
16. Coalburn A&F Club (
17. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
18. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
19. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
20. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
21. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
22. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
23. Ellon A&F Club (
24. Forfar A&F Club (
25. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
26. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
27. Glasgow A&F Club (Aug 2017 -
28. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
29. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
30. 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)
31. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
32. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
33. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
34. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
35. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
36. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
37. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 – present)
38. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
39 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
40. Macmerry A&F Club (Feb 2016 – present)
41 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
42 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
43 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
44. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
45. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
46. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
47. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
48. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
49. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
50. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
51. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
52 Stonehouse A&F Club (Opened 2003 - first report June 05 – Closed April 2018)
53 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
54 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
55 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
56 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
57 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?)
58. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
59. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
60. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
61. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
62. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
63. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
64. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
65. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
66. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
67. Buchan A&F Club
68. Callander A&F Club (
69. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
70. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
71. Club Accord
72. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
73 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
74. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
75. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
76. Cults A & F Club (
77. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
78. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
79. Derwentside A&F Club
80. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
81. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
82. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
83. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
84. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
85. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
86. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
87. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
88. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – ?)
89. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
90. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
91. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93? – left the Assoc c2013)
92. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
93. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
94. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 – 6th December 2015)
95. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
96. Kintore A&F Club (
97. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
98. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier -
99. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
100. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
101. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
102. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
103. Maine Valley A&F Club (
104. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
105. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
106. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
107. Mull A&F Club
108. Newcastleton Accordion Club
109. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
110. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
111. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
112. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
113. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
114. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
115. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
116. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
117. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
118. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
119. Selkirk A&F Club (
120. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
121. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
122. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
123 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
124 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
125. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
126. Tranent A&F Club
127. Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra
128. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
129. Wellbank A&F Club
130. West Barnes (1981? - April 2016?)
131. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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