Box and Fiddle
Year 42 No 06
February 2019
Price £3.00
44 Page Magazine
12 month subscription £33.60 + p&p £15.85 (UK)
Editor – Pia Walker, Cupar
B&F Treasurer –
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
Let me start by wishing you all a Happy New Year………
Pia Walker
Musical Memories – Part 5
by Denis Shepherd
Last time I told you how myself and pianist Harry Williamson launched ourselves as the new Denis and the Menace act, which is still going strong – well, still going – today. Call it “the act you can’t classify”. Having started as exponents of songs in the style of Willie Kemp and Rab the Rhymer, we have now expanded our repertoire – and we still do the odd poem together.
In our earlier years we were often asked by Arthur Middleton, the world-class harmonica player, to support him at his concerts. After he passed away, we asked the late Betty Burnett, another top moothie player, to complete the party, and since then we have often enrolled a fiddler or a woman singer to support us. Our first fiddler was Nicola Auchnie, who went on to be a Glenfiddich champion – little did Nicola realise she would one day be singing the Strathdon Bus Song with us! The first time Nicola did a spot with us at Aberdeen Folk Club, the three of us arrived early at the Blue Lamp. However, the planned rehearsal did not come off – instead, the pedals of the piano came off and Harry spent the time putting it together again! However, Nicola provided a welcome opportunity for me to sing the Richard Thomson song, Nobody’s Wedding, in which the singing parts are interspersed with instrumental renditions of Highland Whisky and Mhairi’s Wedding.
With Harry being much in demand as an accompanist, there have been occasions when I have had to recruit a stand-in Menace. Two of these have gone on to greater, albeit contrasting, things; Gordon Middler has played keyboard in Take the Floor recordingswhile Moray Barber now appears regularly in HMT as one of the Flying Pigs, where the songs he performs in his spots as ‘Hilton John’ bear little resemblance to those performed with me!
For a time, the act had an additional ‘menace’ – Harry’s keyboard. We were due in Ythanbank to record our tracks for the Aberdeen TMSA cassette, Fae Aiberdeen ‘N Roon Aboot, one Saturday, but on the Friday Harry discovered two notes were not functioning. I therefore asked another keyboard player to have his instrument on stand-by. At midnight Harry phoned to say he had fixed the problem, so I cancelled the stand-by – only to be told shortly before we left that there were now three notes out of commission!
This time I asked whistle player Alex Green if we could borrow his ceilidh band instrument and off we set with two keyboards. Dick Trickey, who was producing the tape, examined Alex’s machine but decided we should use Harry’s because he thought that even with three notes missing, it would still sound better than Alex’s. (Alex wasn’t best pleased when I told him this!) Unfortunately, the notes missing were some of the most important for the songs we were recording to Harry spent to time working out alternative melodies using the available notes. When the time came to record, lo and behold – the notes were, inexplicably, all working perfectly. This must have been fate because after this the notes disappeared, never to be heard again!
One December all three of us proved menaces. We, along with Arthur, were at a nursing home built on the site of the Royal Darroch Hotel in cults, which had been blown up by a gas explosion and never re-built. Staff of the home must have thought something similar had hit tem! Whilst connecting our amplifiers and microphones we literally destroyed the Christmas tree, while the keyboard made a huge scratch on the expensive table supporting it.
Another Christmas, we had arranged to do a spot at the Aberdeen Accordion and Fiddle Club’s social in the Dee Motel. Somehow Harry had misunderstood the time I was to pick him up and had a dram while he was waiting ……and another, and another, until I eventually arrived. Our performance certainly went with a swing that night!
In more recent years, we must be one of the few acts to have been locked out of the hall in the middle of our own concert! While performing for pensioners at Ferryhill Church, Aberdeen, we were asked to move our cars as we were blocking in a cleaner. When we returned a few minutes later the door was locked and despite our ringing the bell, shouting and knocking for about 15 minutes, there was no response. Were they trying to tell us something? When we finally got in it transpired they were all slightly deaf – “You should have rung the bell!” we were told!
I hope you have enjoyed this small sample of my musical memories – who knows, you may get to read the rest of them at some point in the future!
Hidden Depths
by David Page
If dancers ever get close enough to the...............................
Centre Stage
Margaret Robertson
In Memory – Ian Anderson, Luncarty, Perthshire,
Accordionist, Music Tutor 1939 – 2018
Ian Anderson was one of the UK’s foremost accordionists. His command of the instrument and his hugely varied taste in music meant that he enjoyed a career which spanned over 60 years. Ian was playing gigs until 2018, and his renowned accuracy, good tempos and jaunty style were still to the fore after all this time. He had a life long affinity with French musette and continental music, he loved everything about the accordion, but these genres were where his real passion lay.
Born in 1939 in the village of Birnam by Dunkeld, he attended the Royal School of Dunkeld, and went on to serve his apprenticeship as an upholsterer and carpet fitter with J.D. Cameron, then Thomas Love & Sons of Perth.
Music was always Ian’s first love, and he took very little persuasion to turn professional when the opportunity presented itself. He was taught music by the famous Perth empresario Bill Wilkie from the age of 12, then he himself began teaching when he turned 17 years old. Ian taught at the Wilkie School of Music for 62 years, which brought him into contact with literally hundreds of students including Peter Bruce (Scone), Robert Black (Stanley), Simon Howie (Dunning) and many more. His knowledge of music theory and the structure behind the tunes were always elements that Ian drove home to his pupils. It wasn’t enough to simply turn up and recite the tunes, he required the instrument to be played properly, and the music to be respected in every way. He was not a man who would sit quiet in a music lesson. Pupils knew exactly what he thought of their efforts, good or bad, and it was often commented upon that such a jovial and mild-mannered man could be as animated as he was when standards were lowered.
Ian met Johanna in 1968, when she was one of his accordion pupils, and they married in 1970. Children soon followed, and Iain, Calum, Joanne and Gemma were the lights of his life, along with his 5 grandchildren. Johanna smiles when she recalls that her efforts on the accordion were rewarded by the news that Ian had swapped her instrument for a sewing machine. Maybe he knew the recipe for a perfect marriage as they were married for 48 happy years!
After a two-year stint in national service from 1959, he began playing in various local dance bands around Perthshire. He formed his first trio with local musicians Joan Blue and Billy Colburn which proved to be a big success. This led to decades of gigs, with a range of local musicians, in dance halls, clubs, hotel ballrooms and recording studios. Ian embraced the new age of electronics which allowed him the scope to work as a solo artist as well as an ensemble. He would be one of the busiest musicians in the country with a huge variety of engagements ranging from young farmers dances to weddings and old thyme dances.
Ian played on several recordings over the years, including the famous Bill Wilkie Orchestra vinyl The Music of Forty Hands. During the numerous concerts that Bill organised there was always a slot for Ian to be showcased as one of the star musicians. Further LPs with Alan Kindness and the Glendaruel Band then Jimmy Lindsay’s Scottish Dance Band were recorded in the 1970’s.
Laterally, Ian produced two CD recordings of himself playing solo, which showcased his varied repertoire and legendary technique. No mean feat for a man in his 8th decade.
Ian died peacefully at Cornhill hospice on 27th November 2018. His family were at his side. He was one of life’s givers, not a taker, he worked hard and paid attention to every detail. Nothing was too much trouble. He has left a legacy with his immediate family, as well as the huge community of accordionists who owe a debt to him for his helpful and professional style, as well as the dedication he gave toward improving their musicianship.
In Memory – Jim Falconer
Farmer, fiddler and inspiration behind a mischievous Scottish tune
by Michael Mulford
People in love. People in jail………………...
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
When Barley Reaches Shore – Alastair Savage – Woodland Records – SAV005CD
Owerset – Sarah-Jane Summers – 8NERVE004
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Gary Innes (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
2nd Feb 2019 – Celtic Connections from Cottiers in Glasgow featuring the bands of Robert Nairn Highland Dance Band and the David Kennedy SDB
9th Feb 2019 – Stuart Cameron SDB
16th Feb 2019 – Niall Kirkpatrick SDB
23rd Feb 2019 – An Archive Session featuring a sound from the past
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 26th Feb 2019 – Colin Garvin Trio
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms) 13th Feb 2019 – Alan Small & Gemma Donald
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 17th Feb 2019 – Roddy Mathews
Arbroath (Arbroath Artisan Golf Club) - 3rd Feb 2019 – Marie Fielding & Duncan Black
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 17th Feb 2019 – Scott & Susan Gordon
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 25th Feb 2019 - tbc
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 27th Feb 2019 – Alan Small & Gemma Donald
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) – 18th Feb 2019 – Sandy Nixon SDB
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) – 10th Feb 2019 – India Smith (Penicuik)
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 12th Feb 2019 – Alasdair MacLeod SDB
Button Key (Greig Institute, Windygates) – 14th Feb 2019 - tbc
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 5th Feb 2019 – Judith Linton Trio
Canderside (Stonehouse Bowling Club) - 14th Feb 2019 – Derek Hamilton & Friends
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Threave Rovers Football Club) – 19th Feb 2019 – Jim Gold Trio
Clydesdale (St Mary’s Club Rooms, Lanark) - 3rd Feb 2019 – Gordon Shand Band & Family
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 21st Feb 2019 – Alan Gardiner Trio
Crieff & District (British Legion) 7th Feb 2019 – Johnny Duncan Duo
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) - 19th Feb 2019 – Sileas Sinclair
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 6th Feb 2019 – Colin Garvin Trio
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 20th Feb 2019 – Colin Dewar SDB
Dunfermline (Sportsman Bar, Rosyth) – 12th Feb 2019 – Burns Brothers
Duns (Masonic Lodge) 18th Feb 2019 – Kyle Rowan Trio
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 19th Feb 2019 – John Stuart SDB
Forfar (Forfar RBL) - 24th Feb 2019 - tbc
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 13th Feb 2019 – Susie Simpson Trio
Fort William (Railway Club, Inverlochy) - 5th Feb 2019 – Duncan Black & Marie Fielding
Galashiels (Gala YM RFC) - 7th Feb 2019 – Clyde Valley CB
Glasgow (Scotstounhill Bowling Club) - Feb 2019 -
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 21st Feb 2019 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 6th Feb 2019 – Jim Cleland Band
Gretna (The Solway Lodge Hotel) - 3rd Feb 2019 – Tony Corchoran
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 18th Feb 2019 – Andrew MacDonald
Inveraray (Inveraray Inn) - 13th Feb 2019 – Scott Band Trio
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 7th Feb 2019 – Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) – 5th Feb 2019 – Robert Whitehead SDB
Kelso (Kelso Rugby Club) – 27th Feb 2019 – Blackthorn CB
Langholm (Langholm Social Club) – 24th Feb 2019 – Iain Anderson Fiddle Trio
Lewis & Harris (Caladh Inn, Stornoway) - 7th Feb 2019 – Club Night
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 19th Feb 2019 – Alan Crookston SDB
Lockerbie (Mid Annandale Comrades Club) 26th Feb 2019 – Club Night
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) - 17th Feb 2019 – Johnny Duncan
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 19th Feb 2019 – Alastair McCulloch & Ian Muir
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 6th Feb 2019 – Johnny Duncan Duo
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) - 28th Feb 2019 - tbc
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 25th Feb 2019 – Seamus O’Sullivan
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 5th Feb 2019 – Gavin Piper
Oban (The Royal Hotel) – 7th Feb 2019 – Craig McFadyen
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 6th 13th 20th 27th Feb 2019 – Club Night
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 28th Feb 2019 – Seamus O’Sullivan & Friends
Perth & District (Salutation Hotel) – 19th Feb 2019 – Jack Delaney SDB
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 13th Feb 2019 – Johnny Duncan
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) -
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 5th 12th 19th 26th Feb 2019 – Club Night
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - 14th Feb 2019 – Club Night 28th Feb 2019 Michael & Joanie Garvin & Alan Irvine
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) - 16th Feb 2019 – Gary Sutherland Trio
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 4th Feb 2019 – Elizabeth Mackenzie
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 7th Feb 2019 – Kevin Cheyne Trio
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) –
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 19th Feb 2019 – Andrew MacDonald Trio
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Alnwick
2. Annan
3. Arbroath
4. Balloch
5. Biggar
6. Blairgowrie
7. Castle Douglas
8. Crieff
9. Dingwall
10. Duns
11. Forres
12. Glendale
13. Highland
14. Inveraray
15. Isle of Skye
16. Kelso
17. Lewis & Harris
18. Lockerbie
19. Macmerry
20. North East
21. Perth
22. Renfrew
23. Seghill
24. Shetland
25. Turriff & District
26. 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. Canderside A&F Club (Stonehouse) (Feb 2019 – present)
14. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
15. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
16. Clydesdale A&F Club (Sept 2016 – present)
17. Coalburn A&F Club (
18. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
19. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
20. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
21. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
22. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
23. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
24. Ellon A&F Club (
25. Forfar A&F Club (
26. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
27. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
28. Glasgow A&F Club (Aug 2017 -
29. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
30. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
31. 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)
32. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
33. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
34. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
35. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
36. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
37. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
38. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 – present)
39. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
40 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
41. Macmerry A&F Club (Feb 2016 – present)
42 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
43 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
44 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
45. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
46. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
47. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
48. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
49. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
50. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
51. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
52. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
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. Stonehouse A&F Club (Opened 2003 - first report June 05 – Closed April 2018)
123. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
124 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
125 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
126. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
127. Tranent A&F Club
128. Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra
129. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
130. Wellbank A&F Club
131. West Barnes (1981? - April 2016?)
132. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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B&F Treasurer –
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
Let me start by wishing you all a Happy New Year………
Pia Walker
Musical Memories – Part 5
by Denis Shepherd
Last time I told you how myself and pianist Harry Williamson launched ourselves as the new Denis and the Menace act, which is still going strong – well, still going – today. Call it “the act you can’t classify”. Having started as exponents of songs in the style of Willie Kemp and Rab the Rhymer, we have now expanded our repertoire – and we still do the odd poem together.
In our earlier years we were often asked by Arthur Middleton, the world-class harmonica player, to support him at his concerts. After he passed away, we asked the late Betty Burnett, another top moothie player, to complete the party, and since then we have often enrolled a fiddler or a woman singer to support us. Our first fiddler was Nicola Auchnie, who went on to be a Glenfiddich champion – little did Nicola realise she would one day be singing the Strathdon Bus Song with us! The first time Nicola did a spot with us at Aberdeen Folk Club, the three of us arrived early at the Blue Lamp. However, the planned rehearsal did not come off – instead, the pedals of the piano came off and Harry spent the time putting it together again! However, Nicola provided a welcome opportunity for me to sing the Richard Thomson song, Nobody’s Wedding, in which the singing parts are interspersed with instrumental renditions of Highland Whisky and Mhairi’s Wedding.
With Harry being much in demand as an accompanist, there have been occasions when I have had to recruit a stand-in Menace. Two of these have gone on to greater, albeit contrasting, things; Gordon Middler has played keyboard in Take the Floor recordingswhile Moray Barber now appears regularly in HMT as one of the Flying Pigs, where the songs he performs in his spots as ‘Hilton John’ bear little resemblance to those performed with me!
For a time, the act had an additional ‘menace’ – Harry’s keyboard. We were due in Ythanbank to record our tracks for the Aberdeen TMSA cassette, Fae Aiberdeen ‘N Roon Aboot, one Saturday, but on the Friday Harry discovered two notes were not functioning. I therefore asked another keyboard player to have his instrument on stand-by. At midnight Harry phoned to say he had fixed the problem, so I cancelled the stand-by – only to be told shortly before we left that there were now three notes out of commission!
This time I asked whistle player Alex Green if we could borrow his ceilidh band instrument and off we set with two keyboards. Dick Trickey, who was producing the tape, examined Alex’s machine but decided we should use Harry’s because he thought that even with three notes missing, it would still sound better than Alex’s. (Alex wasn’t best pleased when I told him this!) Unfortunately, the notes missing were some of the most important for the songs we were recording to Harry spent to time working out alternative melodies using the available notes. When the time came to record, lo and behold – the notes were, inexplicably, all working perfectly. This must have been fate because after this the notes disappeared, never to be heard again!
One December all three of us proved menaces. We, along with Arthur, were at a nursing home built on the site of the Royal Darroch Hotel in cults, which had been blown up by a gas explosion and never re-built. Staff of the home must have thought something similar had hit tem! Whilst connecting our amplifiers and microphones we literally destroyed the Christmas tree, while the keyboard made a huge scratch on the expensive table supporting it.
Another Christmas, we had arranged to do a spot at the Aberdeen Accordion and Fiddle Club’s social in the Dee Motel. Somehow Harry had misunderstood the time I was to pick him up and had a dram while he was waiting ……and another, and another, until I eventually arrived. Our performance certainly went with a swing that night!
In more recent years, we must be one of the few acts to have been locked out of the hall in the middle of our own concert! While performing for pensioners at Ferryhill Church, Aberdeen, we were asked to move our cars as we were blocking in a cleaner. When we returned a few minutes later the door was locked and despite our ringing the bell, shouting and knocking for about 15 minutes, there was no response. Were they trying to tell us something? When we finally got in it transpired they were all slightly deaf – “You should have rung the bell!” we were told!
I hope you have enjoyed this small sample of my musical memories – who knows, you may get to read the rest of them at some point in the future!
Hidden Depths
by David Page
If dancers ever get close enough to the...............................
Centre Stage
Margaret Robertson
In Memory – Ian Anderson, Luncarty, Perthshire,
Accordionist, Music Tutor 1939 – 2018
Ian Anderson was one of the UK’s foremost accordionists. His command of the instrument and his hugely varied taste in music meant that he enjoyed a career which spanned over 60 years. Ian was playing gigs until 2018, and his renowned accuracy, good tempos and jaunty style were still to the fore after all this time. He had a life long affinity with French musette and continental music, he loved everything about the accordion, but these genres were where his real passion lay.
Born in 1939 in the village of Birnam by Dunkeld, he attended the Royal School of Dunkeld, and went on to serve his apprenticeship as an upholsterer and carpet fitter with J.D. Cameron, then Thomas Love & Sons of Perth.
Music was always Ian’s first love, and he took very little persuasion to turn professional when the opportunity presented itself. He was taught music by the famous Perth empresario Bill Wilkie from the age of 12, then he himself began teaching when he turned 17 years old. Ian taught at the Wilkie School of Music for 62 years, which brought him into contact with literally hundreds of students including Peter Bruce (Scone), Robert Black (Stanley), Simon Howie (Dunning) and many more. His knowledge of music theory and the structure behind the tunes were always elements that Ian drove home to his pupils. It wasn’t enough to simply turn up and recite the tunes, he required the instrument to be played properly, and the music to be respected in every way. He was not a man who would sit quiet in a music lesson. Pupils knew exactly what he thought of their efforts, good or bad, and it was often commented upon that such a jovial and mild-mannered man could be as animated as he was when standards were lowered.
Ian met Johanna in 1968, when she was one of his accordion pupils, and they married in 1970. Children soon followed, and Iain, Calum, Joanne and Gemma were the lights of his life, along with his 5 grandchildren. Johanna smiles when she recalls that her efforts on the accordion were rewarded by the news that Ian had swapped her instrument for a sewing machine. Maybe he knew the recipe for a perfect marriage as they were married for 48 happy years!
After a two-year stint in national service from 1959, he began playing in various local dance bands around Perthshire. He formed his first trio with local musicians Joan Blue and Billy Colburn which proved to be a big success. This led to decades of gigs, with a range of local musicians, in dance halls, clubs, hotel ballrooms and recording studios. Ian embraced the new age of electronics which allowed him the scope to work as a solo artist as well as an ensemble. He would be one of the busiest musicians in the country with a huge variety of engagements ranging from young farmers dances to weddings and old thyme dances.
Ian played on several recordings over the years, including the famous Bill Wilkie Orchestra vinyl The Music of Forty Hands. During the numerous concerts that Bill organised there was always a slot for Ian to be showcased as one of the star musicians. Further LPs with Alan Kindness and the Glendaruel Band then Jimmy Lindsay’s Scottish Dance Band were recorded in the 1970’s.
Laterally, Ian produced two CD recordings of himself playing solo, which showcased his varied repertoire and legendary technique. No mean feat for a man in his 8th decade.
Ian died peacefully at Cornhill hospice on 27th November 2018. His family were at his side. He was one of life’s givers, not a taker, he worked hard and paid attention to every detail. Nothing was too much trouble. He has left a legacy with his immediate family, as well as the huge community of accordionists who owe a debt to him for his helpful and professional style, as well as the dedication he gave toward improving their musicianship.
In Memory – Jim Falconer
Farmer, fiddler and inspiration behind a mischievous Scottish tune
by Michael Mulford
People in love. People in jail………………...
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
When Barley Reaches Shore – Alastair Savage – Woodland Records – SAV005CD
Owerset – Sarah-Jane Summers – 8NERVE004
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Gary Innes (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
2nd Feb 2019 – Celtic Connections from Cottiers in Glasgow featuring the bands of Robert Nairn Highland Dance Band and the David Kennedy SDB
9th Feb 2019 – Stuart Cameron SDB
16th Feb 2019 – Niall Kirkpatrick SDB
23rd Feb 2019 – An Archive Session featuring a sound from the past
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 26th Feb 2019 – Colin Garvin Trio
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms) 13th Feb 2019 – Alan Small & Gemma Donald
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 17th Feb 2019 – Roddy Mathews
Arbroath (Arbroath Artisan Golf Club) - 3rd Feb 2019 – Marie Fielding & Duncan Black
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 17th Feb 2019 – Scott & Susan Gordon
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 25th Feb 2019 - tbc
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 27th Feb 2019 – Alan Small & Gemma Donald
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) – 18th Feb 2019 – Sandy Nixon SDB
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) – 10th Feb 2019 – India Smith (Penicuik)
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 12th Feb 2019 – Alasdair MacLeod SDB
Button Key (Greig Institute, Windygates) – 14th Feb 2019 - tbc
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 5th Feb 2019 – Judith Linton Trio
Canderside (Stonehouse Bowling Club) - 14th Feb 2019 – Derek Hamilton & Friends
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Threave Rovers Football Club) – 19th Feb 2019 – Jim Gold Trio
Clydesdale (St Mary’s Club Rooms, Lanark) - 3rd Feb 2019 – Gordon Shand Band & Family
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 21st Feb 2019 – Alan Gardiner Trio
Crieff & District (British Legion) 7th Feb 2019 – Johnny Duncan Duo
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) - 19th Feb 2019 – Sileas Sinclair
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 6th Feb 2019 – Colin Garvin Trio
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 20th Feb 2019 – Colin Dewar SDB
Dunfermline (Sportsman Bar, Rosyth) – 12th Feb 2019 – Burns Brothers
Duns (Masonic Lodge) 18th Feb 2019 – Kyle Rowan Trio
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 19th Feb 2019 – John Stuart SDB
Forfar (Forfar RBL) - 24th Feb 2019 - tbc
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 13th Feb 2019 – Susie Simpson Trio
Fort William (Railway Club, Inverlochy) - 5th Feb 2019 – Duncan Black & Marie Fielding
Galashiels (Gala YM RFC) - 7th Feb 2019 – Clyde Valley CB
Glasgow (Scotstounhill Bowling Club) - Feb 2019 -
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 21st Feb 2019 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 6th Feb 2019 – Jim Cleland Band
Gretna (The Solway Lodge Hotel) - 3rd Feb 2019 – Tony Corchoran
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 18th Feb 2019 – Andrew MacDonald
Inveraray (Inveraray Inn) - 13th Feb 2019 – Scott Band Trio
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 7th Feb 2019 – Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) – 5th Feb 2019 – Robert Whitehead SDB
Kelso (Kelso Rugby Club) – 27th Feb 2019 – Blackthorn CB
Langholm (Langholm Social Club) – 24th Feb 2019 – Iain Anderson Fiddle Trio
Lewis & Harris (Caladh Inn, Stornoway) - 7th Feb 2019 – Club Night
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 19th Feb 2019 – Alan Crookston SDB
Lockerbie (Mid Annandale Comrades Club) 26th Feb 2019 – Club Night
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) - 17th Feb 2019 – Johnny Duncan
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 19th Feb 2019 – Alastair McCulloch & Ian Muir
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 6th Feb 2019 – Johnny Duncan Duo
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) - 28th Feb 2019 - tbc
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 25th Feb 2019 – Seamus O’Sullivan
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 5th Feb 2019 – Gavin Piper
Oban (The Royal Hotel) – 7th Feb 2019 – Craig McFadyen
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 6th 13th 20th 27th Feb 2019 – Club Night
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 28th Feb 2019 – Seamus O’Sullivan & Friends
Perth & District (Salutation Hotel) – 19th Feb 2019 – Jack Delaney SDB
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 13th Feb 2019 – Johnny Duncan
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) -
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 5th 12th 19th 26th Feb 2019 – Club Night
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - 14th Feb 2019 – Club Night 28th Feb 2019 Michael & Joanie Garvin & Alan Irvine
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) - 16th Feb 2019 – Gary Sutherland Trio
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 4th Feb 2019 – Elizabeth Mackenzie
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 7th Feb 2019 – Kevin Cheyne Trio
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) –
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 19th Feb 2019 – Andrew MacDonald Trio
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Alnwick
2. Annan
3. Arbroath
4. Balloch
5. Biggar
6. Blairgowrie
7. Castle Douglas
8. Crieff
9. Dingwall
10. Duns
11. Forres
12. Glendale
13. Highland
14. Inveraray
15. Isle of Skye
16. Kelso
17. Lewis & Harris
18. Lockerbie
19. Macmerry
20. North East
21. Perth
22. Renfrew
23. Seghill
24. Shetland
25. Turriff & District
26. 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. Canderside A&F Club (Stonehouse) (Feb 2019 – present)
14. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
15. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
16. Clydesdale A&F Club (Sept 2016 – present)
17. Coalburn A&F Club (
18. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
19. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
20. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
21. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
22. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
23. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
24. Ellon A&F Club (
25. Forfar A&F Club (
26. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
27. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
28. Glasgow A&F Club (Aug 2017 -
29. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
30. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
31. 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)
32. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
33. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
34. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
35. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
36. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
37. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
38. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 – present)
39. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
40 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
41. Macmerry A&F Club (Feb 2016 – present)
42 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
43 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
44 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
45. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
46. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
47. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
48. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
49. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
50. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
51. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
52. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
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. Stonehouse A&F Club (Opened 2003 - first report June 05 – Closed April 2018)
123. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
124 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
125 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
126. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
127. Tranent A&F Club
128. Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra
129. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
130. Wellbank A&F Club
131. West Barnes (1981? - April 2016?)
132. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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