Box and Fiddle
Year 22 No 05
February 1999
Price £1
32 Page Magazine
7 month subscription £10.00
Editor – Charlie Todd, 63 Station Road, Thankerton, Biggar, ML12 6NZ
B&F Treasurer – Mrs Margaret Smith, Smeaton Farm Cottage, Dalkeith, Midlothian, EH22 2NL
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
First of all a somewhat belated Happy New Year to all our readers.
Secondly a few words of thanks that got overlooked in my haste to get away on holiday at the date of the last issue. To Roy Hordley for devising an excellent Crossword which I’m sure kept everyone thinking over the Christmas holidays (unless you took the easy way out and looked up the answers) and to John Browne for his interesting series of articles on music and dancing. Although John now works for the Forestry Commission in North Wales, he is a native of Edinburgh and a fine fiddler, accordionist and Country Dancer and is therefore well placed to give a well balanced viewpoint from both sides of the fence. Thanks to both for their initial contributions – feel free to send me more chaps.
Also apologies to Jimmy Helm from Ayr whose advert for ‘Who’s on the Dance Music Tonight?’ was supposed to appear in the last issue. Gremlins were at work and it was inadvertently omitted but appears in this issue together with a review by our own authority on these matters, Norrie Williams. One thing that has been sadly lacking on our scene is a permanent record of what the Scottish Dance Music scene was all about in its heyday and Jimmy’s excellent book goes a long way to help fill that gap. Congratulations Jimmy on what I hope will in time be referred to as Volume 1.
Congratulations to Sir Jimmy Shand on his recent 91st birthday and on his long overdue appearance on the Honours List. I had thought the efforts of Tom Handy and the National Association in that direction had been in vain but I’m delighted to see it came good in the end. Thanks to Jack Cooper and Joan Blue for putting together an article at such short notice.
Charlie Todd
Whit A Grand Knight We’re Ha’ein
by Jack Cooper
Most of what can be said about Jimmy Shand is already contained in books. This is my tribute.
My association with the Maestro began when, as leader of the ‘Gie Gordons’, the Dundee dancing team, I was introduced to him in 1950. I owe a lot to Jimmy. He put a great deal of work in the way of the team and we made innumerable appearances with his band in concert halls and theatres. These included performances at Glasgow’s Alhambra Theatre in the only two Royal Variety Shows ever held in Scotland.
One of my treasured memories is of the occasion when I was involved in the Thames Television presentation of ‘This Is Your Life’, hosted by Eamonn Andrews on 29th November, 1978. The subject was Jimmy Shand. When asked by the programme Producer if I could recall any stories about Jimmy, a particular instance came to mind when he had asked if the dancers would accompany him to Bridge of Earn Hospital on Christmas Day, 1956, to fulfil a promise made to the Matron earlier that year when his wife, Anne, had been so well cared for as a patient there. We duly arrived at the ward in which we were to dance but, when the other patients heard about this, they ALL wanted to see the show. There were TWENTY wards and Jimmy didn’t want to disappoint anyone so we danced to Jimmy’s music throughout the hospital. At one stage we passed a group of theatre staff, who, being on duty, could not come and see us. Jimmy promised to return to give a private performance later on in the day, which he did. This was to be the smallest ‘theatre’ in which we had ever danced! The operating table was covered with a sheet with loads of Christmas pies / cakes / drinks and crackers for their own wee Christmas Party with Jimmy Shand. This was the measure of the man. When it comes to doing anything for others less fortunate Jim has always been available.
I know that all Scotland is rejoicing in the knowledge that Jimmy Shand’s talent and lifework in promoting Scottish music has at last been recognised by the award of a knighthood and the only regret is that it has taken so long!!
In 1990, Jimmy and Joan Blue and I went to visit Jimmy at Windyedge in Auchtermuchty to ask what his feelings would be were we to set the process in motion for him to be honoured in this way. Modest man that he is, he was rather taken aback but eventually gave his permission and suggested a few people we could contact for testimonials. At that time, there was no regulation form for completion and we, therefore, acquired names and addresses, sat Joan at the word processor and proceeded to write to people in all walks of life, all of whom were delighted to write letters of support. These included record producer George Martin (of Beatles fame, now Sir George Martin) who had, in early days, been Artist and Recording Manager for some of Jimmy shand’s records, Jack Emblow, Francis Wright and then Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, whose secretary replied on her behalf that she would be delighted to consider this application. A very comprehensive folio was then handed to the Earl of Elgin who added his own commendation before handing the whole to Malcolm Rifkind, Secretary of State for Scotland. Unfortunately, before any decision could be taken, Mrs Thatcher was ‘unseated’ and, possibly with at the changes at the top, no more was heard of our undertaking.
It, therefore pleases me greatly that the present Committee of the N.A.A.F.C. took the matter in hand and helped Jimmy Shand to get the recognition he so richly deserves. I am delighted to congratulate the Committee on their hard work and unrelenting pressure – and particularly delighted to congratulate Sir Jimmy Shand, KB, MBE, MA, on his award.
We wish Jimmy, Anne and the family many happy years in which to enjoy their new-found status.
Rab Cattuthers (1933 – 1996)
Occasionally the Box and Fiddle inadvertently misses the passing of a notable musician on the Scottish Dance Music scene. Such was the case with the well known bass player Rab Carruthers, ‘Big Rab’ to his many friends, who died on 12th August 1996.
Few readers will be unfamiliar with his name. A quick check through most record collections will almost certainly reveal a smiling Rab standing in the back line of a well known band.
Rab was born and brought up in the small market town of Biggar. Leaving school at 14 he joined the local agricultural engineering firm of Cuthbertsons (Cubbys to the locals) and served his time as a welder.
His musical career began not as a bass player however, but as an accordionist with ‘The Salamanders’ a popular local band who appeared at a variety of local venues over the years 1951 – 62. The band’s line-up was Rad on accordion, Ronnie Aitken on tenor and soprano sax but doubling on accordion for Scottish dances, Jimmy Greenshields from Carstairs on piano and George Shiels from Biggar on drums. George is still going strong on drums with his Cardon Drive neighbour, Calum Wilson.
During those halcyon dancing days the band played to capacity crowds in the Biggar Municipal Hall every Saturday night for five solid years. It was around 1957 that by chance Rab accompanied George on a visit to McCormick’s Music Shop in Glasgow. As George selected a new drum and hi-hat cymbals Rab noticed a string bass standing in the corner and gave it a quick inspection. He’s had a notion for a bass for some time but realistically it seemed impossible if only because he was driving a wee Ford at the time. However, having thought it over, he returned to buy it ‘on terms’ a few days later.
Tuition was obtained in Edinburgh from Frank Ainley, a retired bass player, who had latterly played with the Scottish Variety Orchestra. Indeed Andrew Stoddart recalls that it was beside Frank in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh with the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra that Rab made his public debut on bass. Thereafter it started to make an occasional appearance with The Salamanders who eventually split up when Jimmy Greenshields became a full time music teacher and Rab, a bus driver, working shifts.
Rab still kept his hand in though and in 1964 when Robin Brock left Andrew Stoddart’s Glenesk Band he was asked to join. The line-up of this popular and extremely busy band was Andrew and Willie Stoddart from Penicuik and Dolphinton respectively on accordions, Charlie Anderson from Penicuik on piano, John Arthur from Edinburgh (ex Shetlands) on fiddle and Davy Ewart, again from Penicuik, on drums. The band traveled far and wide in and old 15cwt Ford Thames. I recall seeing their names appearing regularly in Margaret Watson’s visitors book when she organized the dances in Ardrishaig Hall.
Davy Flockhart replaced Charlie Anderson on piano and the band continued as busy as ever. It honestly comes as something of a revelation, bearing in mind the present dat scene, to hear how hectic life could be for these part-time musicians. For 21 nights on the trot the band played at functions in The British Legion Hall in Tranent (these were individual bookings not a block booking) with the odd afternoon wedding thrown in at weekends at other venues – quite a pace to maintain.
Andrew Stoddart recalls “Rab was not only a good bass player but a great personality and one who would never raise his voice to anyone. Never late, always on time, sometime the water and steam gushing from his car radiator. Always there with a quick answer. I remember on one occasion when someone shouted from the dance floor ‘that’s the same set you played the last time you were here’ when Rab’s voice boomed out from the back ‘No it’s not – this time we’re playing in a different key’. That was Rab. What more can I say about him – a great musician but above all a great friend”.
Rab’s time with the Glenesk lasted until he joined Bert Shorthouse but I’ll let Bert’s widow Wilma tell us the story :
“Rab played with Bert and his Glenlomond Band from May 1968 to September 1974. He was a great lad, liked by everyone, a very good band member and musician”.
During that time the band did a great deal of touring, playing in large theatres and small village halls the length and breadth of Scotland, including Shetland and the Western Isles. They were also frequently in England and in Ireland. The band made many LP and single recordings with EMI, RCA and DECCA and appeared regularly on Grampian TV. Rab was on them all and also playing German oompah music at the Bier Kellers.
And Bob Christie, the well known fiddler from Stirling, adds his own recollections from these days :
“I first met Rab when he joined Bert’s band to go on tour with ‘The Bobby Colgan Show’ for 14 weeks in the summer of 1968.
I always found him to be a friendly and amiable lad, and as we had both previously been bus drivers, this gave us something in common and allowed us to swap some of our experiences.
“In later years we toured with many well known artistes, made recordings and television shows e.g. Grampian Ski Night and Thingummyjig on STV. When we were not touring we played at many dances around Scotland and further afield.
“In 1974 Rab moved on, and we occasionally met up when John MacGregor asked me out to deputise for his fiddle player.
“Rab did not suffer fools gladly, as a well known artiste (who shall remain nameless) found to his cost, but in the years that I knew him, I can honestly say I regarded Rab as a good friend and a fine musician”.
From there Rab joined the band of ex Scottish Champion John MacGregor but I’ll let John give us the full story :
“In the 60’s and early 70’s there was one very popular band on the dance band circuit – if not ‘THE’ band of the time. Many of today’s well known musicians got their big chance (as it were) with this band – the one and only Andrew Stoddart and the Glenesk SDB – Dave Ewart (drums), Davy flockhart (piano), Robin Brock (bass) Willie Stoddart (accordion), the late John Arthur (Jake the Snake – Senior Scottish Fiddle Champion 1970) to name but a few.
“The tremendous reception that this band received in the halls and clubs around the country will always stick in my mind and it was at this time, around 1967, that I had my first sighting of ‘Big Rab’ – standing there ‘like a flower on top of a midden’ – his words not mine!
“What impressed me most about the Glenesk Band was the versatility of every member. In those days, in my opinion (I hope I am correct), SDBs were not too happy if requested to play too many quicksteps, slow foxtrots, modern waltzes or pop – but not Andrew Stoddart. Not only was he happy to play ‘modern’ all night but himself and Big Rab would sing every number into the bargain!
“A few years later……..In October 1971 at the Scottish Championships in Perth I was a bit down having just lost my title. Big Rab came backstage and said he had someone he wanted me to meet – it was Angus Fitchet. He had been one of the adjudicators that day. Angus asked me if I’d like to go to Newcastle for a tune with the band at a Country Dance. This proved to be my first professional job with Rab. The band was made up of former Jimmy Shand members – Jimmy had recently retired but the rest of the band wanted to keep going as they had good work contacts.
“Band members were Angus Fitchet (fiddle), Rob Gordon (lead accordion), Peter Straughan (piano), Ian Wilson (drums), Rab Carruthers (bass) and myself on second accordion.
“Later on when Rob Gordon left I was promoted to lead accordion with Alan Clarke helping out on second. Two years later Angus decided that he had had enough traveling and only wanted to play ‘round the doors’. The band became basically a four piece from then on, unless otherwise requested and we were known as the John MacGregor Band – myself, Rab, Ian and Peter. We were privileged to be augmented from time to time with musicians such as Bob Christie, George Carrick, Jimmy Ritchie, Willie Simpson and Peter Innes – all first class fiddlers.
“I suppose we were really full time musicians although we all had jobs to fall back on. The 70’s and 80’s were busy times for the band – playing from Invergordon in the north to Portsmouth in the south. Our repertoire included Old Tyme, Scottish Country, Englaish Country, Olde Tyme Sequence, Modern Sequence and of course Ballroom (Gay Gordons etc).
“At this time we were also providing the music for a show called ‘This Is Scotland’. We did 14 weeks in Oban’s Dunollie Theatre then went on the road to all the major Concert Halls in Britain.
Big Rab did a comedy spot in this show which went down very well with the homesick Scots. However, he was not at all amused when the Producer dropped his spot from London’s Royal Festival Hall performance – but when asked about this, being Big Rab, he would only say with a grin “they couldn’t afford me!”.
“The band also played for BBC Radio and Radio Forth and were asked to record four LPs – one of them live from the Ayr Gaiety Theatre, a theatre which Rab knew well from his ‘Callum Kennedy’ days.
“When the John MacGregor Band was formed, Big Rab insisted that one of the conditions was that our band had to come first. So although members could take on other work they would have to cancel it if a job came up for our own band. This seemed to work very well as we were always busy anyway. Only once did Big Rab have to read the Riot Act regarding this arrangement.
“Big Rab had many qualities – many of which made life easier for the ‘J.M. Band’. He would never let anyone down and at the same time expected this in return. He was prepared to travel to any part of the country to play – even at short notice. With his long experience as a Scottish musician he was known the length and breadth of the country. At every venue we played there would be someone waiting to see ‘Big Rab’ although I am told this was a disadvantage for him when helping out with other bands as some leaders were not too happy at being upstaged!
“Rab was very popular, in particular, around the Yorkshire area where we played extensively for Olde Tyme dancing. As the dancers comprised mainly of farming folk, Rab was in his element discussing all aspects of farming, especially equipment – he was a mechanic to trade. In fact it was quite common, just before the interval, to see the dancers begin to form a queue, at the side of the stage, so that they could speak to Rab. As a result he often didn’t get a chance to have his tea and buns!”
My thanks to John for that interesting insight into ‘life on the road’. This was the last band that Rab played with full-time. As Rab’s business interests began to increase he took more of a back seat and concentrated on his taxi and bus hire based in Skirling near Biggar. For my own part I recall him periodically dropping in for a tune at Alex MacArthur’s club in the Clydesdale Hotel in Biggar and there’s no doubt about it that nothing enhances the sound of a SDB more than the string bass in the hands of an expert – and Rab was just that.
Rab’s somewhat battered bass fiddle (it traveled many thousands of miles tied to roof-racks in its time) now resides in his old friend, Andrew Stoddart’s, recording studio at Auchincorth Farm near Penicuik, available for anyone to have a tune as I’m sure Rab would have wanted it.
And before I close I would like to express my thanks to all who have contributed to this article – to Maureen Gray, George Shiels, Ronnie Aitken, Andrew and Willie Stoddart, Lindsay and Betty Carruthers, Wilma Shorthouse, Bob Christie and John MacGregor – without their help and assistance this belated tribute to one of the characters of Scottish Dance Music would not have been possible.
Introducing the Clubs – No 27 Lockerbie
by Jockie Brockbank
Lockerbie Accordion and Fiddle club recently celebrated its Silver Jubilee. The Club was formed in November 1973 as some local enthusiasts had visited some other Clubs not too far from Lockerbie, including The Hole in the Wa’, Dumfries where it all began, Gretna and Langholm. These Clubs appeared to be very popular, attracting capacity audiences, so it was decided to form one in Lockerbie.
A meeting was held in the Black Bull Hotel and our first Committee was formed. Willie Pringle (President), Christine Hunter (Secretary), Jockie Brockbank (Treasurer), George Borthwick, Willie Coupland, Jim and Moira Harkness, Keith McLean and Willie Scott the noted fiddler from Eskdalemuir. His shepherd’s cottage home was a mecca for many noted musicians among them accordionist Ian Holmes who was a great friend of Willie’s. Sadly George Borthwick, Wllie Coupland and Willie Scott died quite a few years ago and, of course, we had the unfortunate death of Christine Hunter last January. Keith McLean left the Committee when he moved from the area. For several years Jimmy McKenzie the well-known shepherds’ crookmaker, and Tom Porteous the popular button box player from Moffat were Committee members. At present we still have the same President and Treasurer who also acts as Secretary meantime, and Jim and Moira Harkness, Madge Jardine and Billy Simpson, one time drummer in the Purple Heather Band which also included Ken Mackie and Jockie Brockbank on accordions and the late Jim (Jemima) Elliot on piano and played regularly over the south of Scotland in the 1950’s and 60’s.
Jim Harkness has been our compere since the Club began and has never missed a club night. His better-half Moira, who looks after the entrance and hotel liaison administration, has never missed a meeting either. The husband and wife partnership has helped greatly to make the Club run so successfully. Madge looks after the raffle and sale of the ‘B&F’ and Billy is always at hand to help in whatever capacity required. Although not a Committee member Mrs Betty Mitchell has been our piano accompanist since the club started, rarely missing a club night. The Committee greatly appreciates her support.
The Club’s first venue was the Rex Restaurant owned by Committee member Keith McLean. Keith had a bar licence for the Rex and because of this and the fact that the Glasgow-London coaches stopped for catering services in early morning we had to be out of the hall by 10.30pm. Nowadays it in more often midnight before we end our evening’s entertainment.
Our first guest artiste was Ian Holmes and since then we have had most of the prominent players on the Scottish Dance Music scene, as well as some not so well known musicians who nevertheless provide excellent entertainment.
After a few years at the Rex we moved to the Queens Hotel as Keith McLean decided to sell his premises. We spent a few years there until we moved to the Blue Bell Hotel where mine hosts were Brian and Margaret Griffin – Brian formerly of the Iain MacPhail Band. Brian was a great help to the Club accompanying some of the local players and encouraging them in their playing. After Brian and Margaret sold the hotel we stayed of for a few years and eventually moved back to the Queens Hotel, our present venue where we are well looked after by the proprietors.
During the 25 years we have rarely have fewer than 25 local players on a club night. A year or two ago the audience fell away a little but now we have 70 or 80 non-players coming along to support us. We have players of all age groups coming along to play, including two young Lockerbie boys – Nicky McMichan and Grant Dinwoodie, both members of the Keith Dickson Orchestra. We are sure that we will hear more of these two young players in the years ahead. They certainly keep some of the more experienced players on their toes and perhaps make some of them feel like advertising their instrument for sale!
As you will gather from this epistle the club in Lockerbie is currently flourishing and so on Tuesday, 24th November last we celebrated our Silver Jubilee in the Queens Hotel. A toast to the Club was proposed by Jimmy Kirkpatrick, one of our regular players from Dumfries. Thereafter everyone received a glass of wine and a piece of birthday cake appropriately decorated for the occasion.
Unfortunately our President, Willie Pringle, was in hospital and therefore missed the occasion. The guest artistes for the evening was the group Albany from Fife, which included the leader, Billy Anderson (accordion), Jack Paul (guitar), Kenny Downie (drums) and Margaret McLeod (vocalist). The group entertained us with a great variety of music, song and some very amusing stories which had the audience ‘in stitches’. Margaret McLeod included some Gaelic in her repertoire much to the delight of the audience.
The players who came along to the Club for our celebration were – on piano – Betty Mitchell, Nicky McMichan and William McRobert. On accordion – Jim Fraser, Jimmy Kirkpatrick, Eddie Bell, Walter Beattie, Walter Carlyle, Ian Gracie, Nicky McMichan, William McRobert, Walter McMillan, Tom Porteous, Robbie Stewart, Billy Telfer, Andy Whiteside, and our Secretary and Treasurer Jocky Brockbank. Bobby McBride was the only fiddler and the tin whistle was played by Willie Little. The mouth organ was played by Bob Irving and Robbie Stewart. Drumming during the evening was shared by Jackie Bonnar, Ian Riddet and our Committee member Billy Simpson. Janette Salvenmoser accompanied some of the players on the Irish bodhran.
Everyone appeared to enjoy the festivities, but we are sure than now and again our thoughts were with our former Secretary, the late Christine Hunter, who did so much for the Club for just short of 25 years. It is a great pity that her unfortunate illness and untimely death prevented her from enjoying the evening with us. A trophy in memory of Christine is being donated by the Club, to be played for at the forthcoming Musselburgh Festival of which she was Secretary for several years.
It was almost midnight when the last notes were played, bringing to a close a very memorable anniversary. Here’s to the next 25. Who knows, some of the older players amongst us might just make it with our instruments balanced on our zimmers!!
The Rab Carruthers Gallery
Photographs
CD Reviews
Da Fustra – ‘Strikes Again’ – HRM CD004
Neil MacEachern SDB – ‘From the Banks of Loch Lomond’ – SHIELCD006
Highlander Music Scottish Dances Vol 6 – Drummond Cook’s SCDB – HRM CD506
Filska – ‘Time and Tide’ – HRM CD005
Fiddlers Bid – ‘Hamnataing’ – CDTRAX167
Book Review
Who’s on the Dance Music Tonight? By James L. Helm
by Norrie Williams
A summer Saturday evening in 1948 – I switched off the wireless and full of excitement dashed off on my bike to see a mate, only to collide with him at our garden gate.
“What about that then!” we both blurted out. We had just been listening to the first broadcast of the Hawthorne Accordion Band.
This book by Jimmy Helm brings back vivid memories of those halcyon days of the Scottish Dance Music scene. It is a book that has been waiting to be written for years and thank goodness someone has done it at last and done it so well. It’s a real cracker, fascinating reading from start to finish. The author has a very concise style, no wasted words, just straight facts and comments e.g. “The violin was played in most of the bands at that time, giving that superb ‘violin on top’ sound” – hear hear! And “The accordions were not tuned as widely as they are today, thus blending beautifully with the violin” – again hear hear! Very poignant observations indeed.
Although the book is only roughly the size of the average desk diary (but a bit thicker) it is an absolute wealth of information on the Scottish dance bands of the 1945 – 1970 era. No less than 112 bands are listed at the beginning in the chronological order of their first broadcast. This is followed by brief but very informative write-ups on 42 bands with excellent photographs of the majority of the groups being the icing on the cake.
Then come comprehensive lists of the supporting players, violinists, accordionists, pianists, bass players and drummers with brief pen portraits of a small number of these individuals.
The book is very well produced with high quality paper, printed text and illustrations.
It will not only appeal hugely to those who listened or danced to the bands of that era, but also to the current younger generation of exponents of our music who have been influenced by those bands and musicians, several of whom are still broadcasting.
So I wouldn’t just recommend that you get the book, I would order you to do so! It’s a must.
P.S. Just one wee surprise though – no button box in the montage of instruments on the front cover!
The Music and Life of Donal Ring
by Ritchie Ahearne
A 44 page booklet to celebrate..........
Letters to the Editor
I refer to the ‘Anonymous’ letter on the subject of dance music on the radio and would like to put the following points. I have listened to dance music for 50 years, and, in conversation with many friends, some regularly playing in Broadcasting Bands, have reached the following conclusion.
I, and my musical friends, find the presentation style of ‘Take the Floor’ and ‘The Reel Blend’ irritating. It is surely no coincidence that both programmes are produced and presented by the same people, thus giving it a monopoly. Who, in their wisdom, decided that people would enjoy poetry, invariably read in Doric dialect, included in a music programme? The declining standard of both programmes results in many real enthusiasts of Scottish Dance Music simply switching off the radios in despair, never returning to the fold.
Changes are urgently required at BBC. Out with the old and in with a new interviewer / presenter who has a musical and Band background, able to discuss topical, musical issues. Someone of the stature of Iain MacPhail, Jim Johnstone or John Carmichael, all well respected Bandleaders in their own right, who have a wide knowledge of the band scene and could supply an interesting, lively selection of music. Please, BBC, do something quickly as both programme are going down the plug.
May I suggest that, as well as Radio, a mid-week half hour slot on TV be found, introducing a variety of Dance Bands, with a chat about their formation, style and music, playing selections for the delight of all the viewers.
Jonathan Campbell, Kirkintilloch
Well, once again the television was an absolute disaster over the New Year period with absolutely nothing of a traditional nature on Hogmanay. I fail to understand why it was necessary for the BBC, STV and Grampian to be at the Edinburgh so-called Hogmanay show. There are other cities, towns and villages in Scotland where the folks have televisions and they don’t all want to see some drunken ‘yob’ (or yobess?) sticking his or her tongue out at the camera, while swigging from a can of beer. After all, there is a limit to what the cameras can show, when they are simply giving shots of a crowd, but it would appear that we have to listen to the noise (not music), which we can hear every day of the year.
Thank goodness we still have Robbie Shepherd and the local radio programmes to keep us in touch with tradition in this ‘Cool Britain’.
However, on a brighter note, I am sure we were all delighted and offer our sincere congratulations to Jimmy Shand on receiving his long overdue and well deserved Knighthood in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.
John McDonald, Kirkcaldy
On Sunday, 3rd January, 1999 the Shand Family and a company of close friends sat down to a high tea in the Abernethy Hotel to celebrate Jimmy’s latest honour and Anne’s birthday.
Jimmy Junior toasted his mum and dad and Jimmy Senior replied in his own inimitable way. He really is an excellent and witty speaker on such occasions.
The musicians in the party then entertained the company with a selection of well loved Shand tunes with Jimmy joining in with his trusty two row. A vote of thanks was given by Sandy Green and a very happy occasion was completed by early evening.
I was reminded by a phrase from my dim and distant school days when we studied Chaucer’s ‘Canterbury Tales’. I’ll have to change the tense but the quote runs – he is “a verray parfit gentil knight” and this described Jimmy exactly and by his side, as always, is Anne – a “verray parfit gentil ladye” and a tower of strength for this close knot family.
This was a happy, informal gathering which left our hearts and eyes gie full by the finish.
Sandy Tulloch
BBC and ITV’s Hogmanay into New Year offerings seemed to me an indicative of the major problems now facing followers of traditional Scottish music ; the media mandarins are simply shutting us out.
I have been concerned about this for some time. If you look at any issues of Radio Times, you will find that Scottish Traditional music – and by that I mean predominantly the music of the bagpipe and fiddle, played either by these instruments or by the accordion or by Scottish Dance bands – is being given short shift.
On Radio Scotland there is extravagant coverage, on the other hand, of what is called folk music (though the epithet ‘Celtic’ is often applied to give a whiff of added authenticity). ‘Travelling Folk’, a 2 hour programme on Saturdays, is repeated on Thursdays. This is followed by ‘Celtic Connections’, another 2 hour programme repeated from Tuesdays. In addition, every weekday from 2 till 4 there is a programme called ‘Mr Anderson’s Fine Tunes’, described in the Radio Times as “another fine selection of Celtic and classical music”.
Compare all that with the coverage offered Scottish traditional music as I have defined it. ‘Take the Floor’ is a 1½ hour programme on Saturdays. On Sundays we have ‘The Reel Blend’ (2 hours) and Pipeline (40 minutes), both of these on Medium Wave only. We don’t have to get the calculators out to see that Scottish traditional music is being served short rations and, by the way, it seems to me nothing short of a national disgrace that the one radio programme covering Scottish piping should be broadcast on Medium Wave only.
On television the situation is even worse, and here the BBC have more to be ashamed of than ITV, for at least the latter ran a successful series in recent years, ‘Ceol na Fidhie’, which was particularly valuable as a showcase for young Scots fiddlers. But afrer the Hogmanay offerings, it is difficult not to conclude that those in power at BBC and ITV have no interest in traditional Scottish music.
Unless people are prepared to convey their dissatisfaction with such a situation then you can be guaranteed that it will continue. And as far as the welfare of traditional Scottish music is concerned, that will be a very bad thing, because there is no doubt that young people are influenced to a large extent by what they see on TV and by what they hear on radio. If a particular kind of music is given no coverage on TV and very little on radio, then its chances of attracting the young are greatly reduced.
Douglas Muir, Huntly
Take the Floor – Saturdays at 6.30pm with Robbie Shepherd
6th Feb 99 – Wayne Robertson SDB – OB from Montrose
13th Feb 99 – James Coutts SDB
20th Feb 99 – The Strathmore Sound
27th Feb 99 – Alistair Herron SDB
6th Mar 99 – Donald MacLeod SDB
13th Mar 99 – Nicol McLaren and the Glencraig SDB
20th Mar 99 – Sandy Nixon SDB – OB from Marryat Hall, Dundee with guests Sheena Wellington and Deirdre Adamson.
27th Mar 99 – The Lomond Ceilidh Band
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Dee Motel) – 22nd Feb 99 – Graeme Mitchell SDB
Alnwick (White Swan Hotel) – members only 10th Feb 99 – Roger Dobson SDB
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 21st Feb 99 – West Telferton Cale SDB
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 7th Feb 99 – Bill Black SDB
Armadale (Masonic Hall) – 4th Feb 99 – Jim MacLeod SDB (21st Anniversary)
Ayr (Gartferry Hotel) – ?
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Hall) – 21st Feb 99 – Archie Duncan
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 22nd Feb 99 - tbc
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 24th Feb 99 – Ian Johnson Ceilidh Sound
Beith & District (Hotel de Croft, Dalry) – 15th Feb 99 – James Coutts
Belford (Community Club) – 25th Feb 99 – Wayne Robertson
Biggar (Municipal Hall) – 14th Feb 99 – Club night
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 9th Feb 99 – Gary Donaldson SDB
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) - 9th Feb 99 – Kevin Street
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 11th Feb 99 – John Crawford
Campbeltown (Royal or Argyll Hotel) - ?
Campsie (Glazert House Hotel) - 2nd Feb 99 – Judith Linton Trio
Carlisle (Border Regiment Club, Carlisle Castle) - 4th Feb 99 – Eric Goodfellow Jnr SDB
Castle Douglas (Ernespie House Hotel) – 16th Feb 99 – Alan Gardiner
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 18th Feb 99 – Nicol McLaren SDB
Crathes (Crathes Hall, Banchory) - 14th Feb 99 – All players welcome
Crieff & District (Arduthie Hotel) 4th Feb 99 – Nicol McLaren & Glencraig SDB
Dalriada (Argyll Arms Hotel, Lochgilphead) 16th Feb 99 Gordon Simpson & Morag McAskill
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 3rd Feb 99 – Maureen Turnbull
Dunblane (Westlands Hotel) – 16th Feb 99 – Alistair McCulloch Duo
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) – 9th Feb 99 – James Coutts
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel) 19th Feb 99 – Ray Carse
East Kilbride (Sweepers, Cambuslang) – 25th Feb 99 – Charlie Todd & Cameronian SDB
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 16th Feb 99 – Alasdair Salter Trio
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 22nd Feb 99 – Lomond Ceilidh Band
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 28th Feb 99 – Jim Johnstone SDB
Forres (Brig Motel) – 10th Feb 99 – Lynn Christie SDB
Fort William (Alexandra Hotel) – ?
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) – 4th Feb 99 – Jim Johnstone SDB
Galston (Barr Castle Social Club) – 8th Feb 99 – David Vernon
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) – 18th Feb 99 – Marian Anderson
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 3rd Feb 99 – Bryce Johnston & Friends
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) - 23rd Feb 99 - tbc
Gretna (Halcrow Stadium) - 7th Feb 99 – Sandy Legget SDB
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) – 15th Feb 99 – Rogart A&F Club
Inveraray (Loch Fyne Hotel) - 2nd Feb 99 – Fraser McGlynn Duo
Islay (White Hart Hotel) - ?
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 4th Feb 99 – Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) – 2nd Feb 99 – Seamus O’Sullivan
Kelso (Ednam House Hotel) – 24th Feb 99 – David Oswald SDB
Kintore (Torryburn Hotel) – 3rd Feb 99 – Billy Anderson & Albany
Lanark (Masonic Hall) - 22nd Feb 99 – Richard Smith Trio
Langholm (Crown Hotel) – 10th Feb 99 – John Douglas
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) – 11th Feb 99 – Jim Johnstone SDB
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 4th Feb 99 - tbc
Livingston (Cairn Hotel) - 15th Feb 99 – David Vernon
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) - 23rd Feb 99 – John Douglas SDB
Mauchline (Sorn Village Hall) 16th Feb 99 – Burns Brothers
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 3rd Feb 99 – AGM & Gordon Pattullo
Muirhead (Belmont Arms, Meigle) - 17th Feb 99 – Local players
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 22nd Feb 99 – Jim Johnstone SDB
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 2nd Feb 99 – Ian H. Cruickshank SDB
Oban (McTavish’s Kitchen) – 4th Feb 99 – Ian Muir SDB
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) – Closed for season
Peebles (Green Tree Hotel) – 25th Feb 99 – Judith Linton Trio
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 16th Feb 99 – Jim Johnstone SDB
Premier NI (Camlin Function Rooms) - 2nd Feb 99 - tbc
Reading Fiddlers (Piggot School) - ?
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 9th Feb 99 – Lindsay Weir SDB
Rothbury (Queen’s Head) - 4th Feb 99 – Sandy Legget SDB (25th Anniversary)
Selkirk (Cricket Club) - 11th Feb 99 – Robert Whitehead
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - ?
Stirling (Terraces Hotel) - 14th Feb 99 – Duncan Black SDB
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) - 20th Feb 99 – Fergie MacDonald
Thornhill (Masonic Hall) - 10th Feb 99 – Roy Hendrie SDB
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 1st Feb 99 – Local night
Turriff (Royal Oak Hotel) – 4th Feb 99 – Florence, Charlie & Friends
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 2nd Feb 99 – no meeting
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) – 16th Feb 99 – Raymond Chuchuk
Yarrow (Gordon Arms) - 17th Feb 99 – Webster Craig SDB
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Annan
3. Arbroath
4. Armadale
5. Banff
6. Banchory
7. Beith
8. Biggar
9. Bromley
10. Button Key
11. Campsie
12. Carlisle
13. Castle Douglas
14. Coalburn
15. Crieff
16. Dingwall
17. Dunblane
18. Dunfermline
19. Dunoon & Cowal
20. Fintry
21. Forres
22. Galston
23. Glendale
24. Glenrothes
25. Gretna
26. Highland
27. Inveraray
28. Isle of Skye
29. Islesteps
30. Kelso
31. Kintore
32. Lanark
33. Lesmahagow
34. Livingston
35. Lockerbie
36. Montrose
37. Muirhead
38. Newtongrange
39. North East
40. Oban
41. Peebles
42. Renfrew
43. Rothbury
44. Selkirk
45. Sutherland
46. Stirling
47. Thornhill
48. Turriff
49. Wick
50. Yarrow
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 1998
(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
6. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
7. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
8. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
9. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
10. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
11. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
12. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
13. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
14. Bromley A&F Club
15. Button Key A&F Club (
16. Campbeltown A&F Club (
17. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
18. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
19. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
20. Coalburn A&F Club (
21. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
22. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
23. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
24. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
25. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
26. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
27. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
28. Ellon A&F Club (
29. Etterick & Yarrow (Jan 1989 -
30. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
31. Forfar A&F Club (
32. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
33. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
34. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
35. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
36. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
37. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
38. 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)
39. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
40. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
41. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
42. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
43. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
44. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
45. Kintore A&F Club (
46. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed
47. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – present)
48. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
49. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
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. Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
54. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
55. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
56. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
57. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
58. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
59. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
60. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
61. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
62. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
63. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
64. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
65. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
66. Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes (Nov 1997 -
67. Selkirk A&F Club (
68. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
69. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 - )
70. Sutherland A&F Club (
71. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
72. Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
73. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
74. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
75. Vancouver
76. 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?)
77. Acharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
78. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
79. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
80. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
81. Buchan A&F Club
82. Callander A&F Club (
83. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
84. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
85. Club Accord
86. Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
87. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
88. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
89. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
90. Derwentside A&F Club
91. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
92. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
93. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
94. Dundee & District A&F Club (1970? – 1995?)
95. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
96. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
97. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
98. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
99. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
100. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
101. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
102. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
103. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
104. Mull A&F Club
105. Newcastleton Accordion Club
106. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
107. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
108. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
109. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
110. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
111. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
112. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
113. Tranent A&F Club
114. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
115. Wellbank A&F Club
Advertising rates
Full Page - £120
Half Page - £60
Quarter Page - £30
B&F Treasurer – Mrs Margaret Smith, Smeaton Farm Cottage, Dalkeith, Midlothian, EH22 2NL
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
First of all a somewhat belated Happy New Year to all our readers.
Secondly a few words of thanks that got overlooked in my haste to get away on holiday at the date of the last issue. To Roy Hordley for devising an excellent Crossword which I’m sure kept everyone thinking over the Christmas holidays (unless you took the easy way out and looked up the answers) and to John Browne for his interesting series of articles on music and dancing. Although John now works for the Forestry Commission in North Wales, he is a native of Edinburgh and a fine fiddler, accordionist and Country Dancer and is therefore well placed to give a well balanced viewpoint from both sides of the fence. Thanks to both for their initial contributions – feel free to send me more chaps.
Also apologies to Jimmy Helm from Ayr whose advert for ‘Who’s on the Dance Music Tonight?’ was supposed to appear in the last issue. Gremlins were at work and it was inadvertently omitted but appears in this issue together with a review by our own authority on these matters, Norrie Williams. One thing that has been sadly lacking on our scene is a permanent record of what the Scottish Dance Music scene was all about in its heyday and Jimmy’s excellent book goes a long way to help fill that gap. Congratulations Jimmy on what I hope will in time be referred to as Volume 1.
Congratulations to Sir Jimmy Shand on his recent 91st birthday and on his long overdue appearance on the Honours List. I had thought the efforts of Tom Handy and the National Association in that direction had been in vain but I’m delighted to see it came good in the end. Thanks to Jack Cooper and Joan Blue for putting together an article at such short notice.
Charlie Todd
Whit A Grand Knight We’re Ha’ein
by Jack Cooper
Most of what can be said about Jimmy Shand is already contained in books. This is my tribute.
My association with the Maestro began when, as leader of the ‘Gie Gordons’, the Dundee dancing team, I was introduced to him in 1950. I owe a lot to Jimmy. He put a great deal of work in the way of the team and we made innumerable appearances with his band in concert halls and theatres. These included performances at Glasgow’s Alhambra Theatre in the only two Royal Variety Shows ever held in Scotland.
One of my treasured memories is of the occasion when I was involved in the Thames Television presentation of ‘This Is Your Life’, hosted by Eamonn Andrews on 29th November, 1978. The subject was Jimmy Shand. When asked by the programme Producer if I could recall any stories about Jimmy, a particular instance came to mind when he had asked if the dancers would accompany him to Bridge of Earn Hospital on Christmas Day, 1956, to fulfil a promise made to the Matron earlier that year when his wife, Anne, had been so well cared for as a patient there. We duly arrived at the ward in which we were to dance but, when the other patients heard about this, they ALL wanted to see the show. There were TWENTY wards and Jimmy didn’t want to disappoint anyone so we danced to Jimmy’s music throughout the hospital. At one stage we passed a group of theatre staff, who, being on duty, could not come and see us. Jimmy promised to return to give a private performance later on in the day, which he did. This was to be the smallest ‘theatre’ in which we had ever danced! The operating table was covered with a sheet with loads of Christmas pies / cakes / drinks and crackers for their own wee Christmas Party with Jimmy Shand. This was the measure of the man. When it comes to doing anything for others less fortunate Jim has always been available.
I know that all Scotland is rejoicing in the knowledge that Jimmy Shand’s talent and lifework in promoting Scottish music has at last been recognised by the award of a knighthood and the only regret is that it has taken so long!!
In 1990, Jimmy and Joan Blue and I went to visit Jimmy at Windyedge in Auchtermuchty to ask what his feelings would be were we to set the process in motion for him to be honoured in this way. Modest man that he is, he was rather taken aback but eventually gave his permission and suggested a few people we could contact for testimonials. At that time, there was no regulation form for completion and we, therefore, acquired names and addresses, sat Joan at the word processor and proceeded to write to people in all walks of life, all of whom were delighted to write letters of support. These included record producer George Martin (of Beatles fame, now Sir George Martin) who had, in early days, been Artist and Recording Manager for some of Jimmy shand’s records, Jack Emblow, Francis Wright and then Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, whose secretary replied on her behalf that she would be delighted to consider this application. A very comprehensive folio was then handed to the Earl of Elgin who added his own commendation before handing the whole to Malcolm Rifkind, Secretary of State for Scotland. Unfortunately, before any decision could be taken, Mrs Thatcher was ‘unseated’ and, possibly with at the changes at the top, no more was heard of our undertaking.
It, therefore pleases me greatly that the present Committee of the N.A.A.F.C. took the matter in hand and helped Jimmy Shand to get the recognition he so richly deserves. I am delighted to congratulate the Committee on their hard work and unrelenting pressure – and particularly delighted to congratulate Sir Jimmy Shand, KB, MBE, MA, on his award.
We wish Jimmy, Anne and the family many happy years in which to enjoy their new-found status.
Rab Cattuthers (1933 – 1996)
Occasionally the Box and Fiddle inadvertently misses the passing of a notable musician on the Scottish Dance Music scene. Such was the case with the well known bass player Rab Carruthers, ‘Big Rab’ to his many friends, who died on 12th August 1996.
Few readers will be unfamiliar with his name. A quick check through most record collections will almost certainly reveal a smiling Rab standing in the back line of a well known band.
Rab was born and brought up in the small market town of Biggar. Leaving school at 14 he joined the local agricultural engineering firm of Cuthbertsons (Cubbys to the locals) and served his time as a welder.
His musical career began not as a bass player however, but as an accordionist with ‘The Salamanders’ a popular local band who appeared at a variety of local venues over the years 1951 – 62. The band’s line-up was Rad on accordion, Ronnie Aitken on tenor and soprano sax but doubling on accordion for Scottish dances, Jimmy Greenshields from Carstairs on piano and George Shiels from Biggar on drums. George is still going strong on drums with his Cardon Drive neighbour, Calum Wilson.
During those halcyon dancing days the band played to capacity crowds in the Biggar Municipal Hall every Saturday night for five solid years. It was around 1957 that by chance Rab accompanied George on a visit to McCormick’s Music Shop in Glasgow. As George selected a new drum and hi-hat cymbals Rab noticed a string bass standing in the corner and gave it a quick inspection. He’s had a notion for a bass for some time but realistically it seemed impossible if only because he was driving a wee Ford at the time. However, having thought it over, he returned to buy it ‘on terms’ a few days later.
Tuition was obtained in Edinburgh from Frank Ainley, a retired bass player, who had latterly played with the Scottish Variety Orchestra. Indeed Andrew Stoddart recalls that it was beside Frank in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh with the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra that Rab made his public debut on bass. Thereafter it started to make an occasional appearance with The Salamanders who eventually split up when Jimmy Greenshields became a full time music teacher and Rab, a bus driver, working shifts.
Rab still kept his hand in though and in 1964 when Robin Brock left Andrew Stoddart’s Glenesk Band he was asked to join. The line-up of this popular and extremely busy band was Andrew and Willie Stoddart from Penicuik and Dolphinton respectively on accordions, Charlie Anderson from Penicuik on piano, John Arthur from Edinburgh (ex Shetlands) on fiddle and Davy Ewart, again from Penicuik, on drums. The band traveled far and wide in and old 15cwt Ford Thames. I recall seeing their names appearing regularly in Margaret Watson’s visitors book when she organized the dances in Ardrishaig Hall.
Davy Flockhart replaced Charlie Anderson on piano and the band continued as busy as ever. It honestly comes as something of a revelation, bearing in mind the present dat scene, to hear how hectic life could be for these part-time musicians. For 21 nights on the trot the band played at functions in The British Legion Hall in Tranent (these were individual bookings not a block booking) with the odd afternoon wedding thrown in at weekends at other venues – quite a pace to maintain.
Andrew Stoddart recalls “Rab was not only a good bass player but a great personality and one who would never raise his voice to anyone. Never late, always on time, sometime the water and steam gushing from his car radiator. Always there with a quick answer. I remember on one occasion when someone shouted from the dance floor ‘that’s the same set you played the last time you were here’ when Rab’s voice boomed out from the back ‘No it’s not – this time we’re playing in a different key’. That was Rab. What more can I say about him – a great musician but above all a great friend”.
Rab’s time with the Glenesk lasted until he joined Bert Shorthouse but I’ll let Bert’s widow Wilma tell us the story :
“Rab played with Bert and his Glenlomond Band from May 1968 to September 1974. He was a great lad, liked by everyone, a very good band member and musician”.
During that time the band did a great deal of touring, playing in large theatres and small village halls the length and breadth of Scotland, including Shetland and the Western Isles. They were also frequently in England and in Ireland. The band made many LP and single recordings with EMI, RCA and DECCA and appeared regularly on Grampian TV. Rab was on them all and also playing German oompah music at the Bier Kellers.
And Bob Christie, the well known fiddler from Stirling, adds his own recollections from these days :
“I first met Rab when he joined Bert’s band to go on tour with ‘The Bobby Colgan Show’ for 14 weeks in the summer of 1968.
I always found him to be a friendly and amiable lad, and as we had both previously been bus drivers, this gave us something in common and allowed us to swap some of our experiences.
“In later years we toured with many well known artistes, made recordings and television shows e.g. Grampian Ski Night and Thingummyjig on STV. When we were not touring we played at many dances around Scotland and further afield.
“In 1974 Rab moved on, and we occasionally met up when John MacGregor asked me out to deputise for his fiddle player.
“Rab did not suffer fools gladly, as a well known artiste (who shall remain nameless) found to his cost, but in the years that I knew him, I can honestly say I regarded Rab as a good friend and a fine musician”.
From there Rab joined the band of ex Scottish Champion John MacGregor but I’ll let John give us the full story :
“In the 60’s and early 70’s there was one very popular band on the dance band circuit – if not ‘THE’ band of the time. Many of today’s well known musicians got their big chance (as it were) with this band – the one and only Andrew Stoddart and the Glenesk SDB – Dave Ewart (drums), Davy flockhart (piano), Robin Brock (bass) Willie Stoddart (accordion), the late John Arthur (Jake the Snake – Senior Scottish Fiddle Champion 1970) to name but a few.
“The tremendous reception that this band received in the halls and clubs around the country will always stick in my mind and it was at this time, around 1967, that I had my first sighting of ‘Big Rab’ – standing there ‘like a flower on top of a midden’ – his words not mine!
“What impressed me most about the Glenesk Band was the versatility of every member. In those days, in my opinion (I hope I am correct), SDBs were not too happy if requested to play too many quicksteps, slow foxtrots, modern waltzes or pop – but not Andrew Stoddart. Not only was he happy to play ‘modern’ all night but himself and Big Rab would sing every number into the bargain!
“A few years later……..In October 1971 at the Scottish Championships in Perth I was a bit down having just lost my title. Big Rab came backstage and said he had someone he wanted me to meet – it was Angus Fitchet. He had been one of the adjudicators that day. Angus asked me if I’d like to go to Newcastle for a tune with the band at a Country Dance. This proved to be my first professional job with Rab. The band was made up of former Jimmy Shand members – Jimmy had recently retired but the rest of the band wanted to keep going as they had good work contacts.
“Band members were Angus Fitchet (fiddle), Rob Gordon (lead accordion), Peter Straughan (piano), Ian Wilson (drums), Rab Carruthers (bass) and myself on second accordion.
“Later on when Rob Gordon left I was promoted to lead accordion with Alan Clarke helping out on second. Two years later Angus decided that he had had enough traveling and only wanted to play ‘round the doors’. The band became basically a four piece from then on, unless otherwise requested and we were known as the John MacGregor Band – myself, Rab, Ian and Peter. We were privileged to be augmented from time to time with musicians such as Bob Christie, George Carrick, Jimmy Ritchie, Willie Simpson and Peter Innes – all first class fiddlers.
“I suppose we were really full time musicians although we all had jobs to fall back on. The 70’s and 80’s were busy times for the band – playing from Invergordon in the north to Portsmouth in the south. Our repertoire included Old Tyme, Scottish Country, Englaish Country, Olde Tyme Sequence, Modern Sequence and of course Ballroom (Gay Gordons etc).
“At this time we were also providing the music for a show called ‘This Is Scotland’. We did 14 weeks in Oban’s Dunollie Theatre then went on the road to all the major Concert Halls in Britain.
Big Rab did a comedy spot in this show which went down very well with the homesick Scots. However, he was not at all amused when the Producer dropped his spot from London’s Royal Festival Hall performance – but when asked about this, being Big Rab, he would only say with a grin “they couldn’t afford me!”.
“The band also played for BBC Radio and Radio Forth and were asked to record four LPs – one of them live from the Ayr Gaiety Theatre, a theatre which Rab knew well from his ‘Callum Kennedy’ days.
“When the John MacGregor Band was formed, Big Rab insisted that one of the conditions was that our band had to come first. So although members could take on other work they would have to cancel it if a job came up for our own band. This seemed to work very well as we were always busy anyway. Only once did Big Rab have to read the Riot Act regarding this arrangement.
“Big Rab had many qualities – many of which made life easier for the ‘J.M. Band’. He would never let anyone down and at the same time expected this in return. He was prepared to travel to any part of the country to play – even at short notice. With his long experience as a Scottish musician he was known the length and breadth of the country. At every venue we played there would be someone waiting to see ‘Big Rab’ although I am told this was a disadvantage for him when helping out with other bands as some leaders were not too happy at being upstaged!
“Rab was very popular, in particular, around the Yorkshire area where we played extensively for Olde Tyme dancing. As the dancers comprised mainly of farming folk, Rab was in his element discussing all aspects of farming, especially equipment – he was a mechanic to trade. In fact it was quite common, just before the interval, to see the dancers begin to form a queue, at the side of the stage, so that they could speak to Rab. As a result he often didn’t get a chance to have his tea and buns!”
My thanks to John for that interesting insight into ‘life on the road’. This was the last band that Rab played with full-time. As Rab’s business interests began to increase he took more of a back seat and concentrated on his taxi and bus hire based in Skirling near Biggar. For my own part I recall him periodically dropping in for a tune at Alex MacArthur’s club in the Clydesdale Hotel in Biggar and there’s no doubt about it that nothing enhances the sound of a SDB more than the string bass in the hands of an expert – and Rab was just that.
Rab’s somewhat battered bass fiddle (it traveled many thousands of miles tied to roof-racks in its time) now resides in his old friend, Andrew Stoddart’s, recording studio at Auchincorth Farm near Penicuik, available for anyone to have a tune as I’m sure Rab would have wanted it.
And before I close I would like to express my thanks to all who have contributed to this article – to Maureen Gray, George Shiels, Ronnie Aitken, Andrew and Willie Stoddart, Lindsay and Betty Carruthers, Wilma Shorthouse, Bob Christie and John MacGregor – without their help and assistance this belated tribute to one of the characters of Scottish Dance Music would not have been possible.
Introducing the Clubs – No 27 Lockerbie
by Jockie Brockbank
Lockerbie Accordion and Fiddle club recently celebrated its Silver Jubilee. The Club was formed in November 1973 as some local enthusiasts had visited some other Clubs not too far from Lockerbie, including The Hole in the Wa’, Dumfries where it all began, Gretna and Langholm. These Clubs appeared to be very popular, attracting capacity audiences, so it was decided to form one in Lockerbie.
A meeting was held in the Black Bull Hotel and our first Committee was formed. Willie Pringle (President), Christine Hunter (Secretary), Jockie Brockbank (Treasurer), George Borthwick, Willie Coupland, Jim and Moira Harkness, Keith McLean and Willie Scott the noted fiddler from Eskdalemuir. His shepherd’s cottage home was a mecca for many noted musicians among them accordionist Ian Holmes who was a great friend of Willie’s. Sadly George Borthwick, Wllie Coupland and Willie Scott died quite a few years ago and, of course, we had the unfortunate death of Christine Hunter last January. Keith McLean left the Committee when he moved from the area. For several years Jimmy McKenzie the well-known shepherds’ crookmaker, and Tom Porteous the popular button box player from Moffat were Committee members. At present we still have the same President and Treasurer who also acts as Secretary meantime, and Jim and Moira Harkness, Madge Jardine and Billy Simpson, one time drummer in the Purple Heather Band which also included Ken Mackie and Jockie Brockbank on accordions and the late Jim (Jemima) Elliot on piano and played regularly over the south of Scotland in the 1950’s and 60’s.
Jim Harkness has been our compere since the Club began and has never missed a club night. His better-half Moira, who looks after the entrance and hotel liaison administration, has never missed a meeting either. The husband and wife partnership has helped greatly to make the Club run so successfully. Madge looks after the raffle and sale of the ‘B&F’ and Billy is always at hand to help in whatever capacity required. Although not a Committee member Mrs Betty Mitchell has been our piano accompanist since the club started, rarely missing a club night. The Committee greatly appreciates her support.
The Club’s first venue was the Rex Restaurant owned by Committee member Keith McLean. Keith had a bar licence for the Rex and because of this and the fact that the Glasgow-London coaches stopped for catering services in early morning we had to be out of the hall by 10.30pm. Nowadays it in more often midnight before we end our evening’s entertainment.
Our first guest artiste was Ian Holmes and since then we have had most of the prominent players on the Scottish Dance Music scene, as well as some not so well known musicians who nevertheless provide excellent entertainment.
After a few years at the Rex we moved to the Queens Hotel as Keith McLean decided to sell his premises. We spent a few years there until we moved to the Blue Bell Hotel where mine hosts were Brian and Margaret Griffin – Brian formerly of the Iain MacPhail Band. Brian was a great help to the Club accompanying some of the local players and encouraging them in their playing. After Brian and Margaret sold the hotel we stayed of for a few years and eventually moved back to the Queens Hotel, our present venue where we are well looked after by the proprietors.
During the 25 years we have rarely have fewer than 25 local players on a club night. A year or two ago the audience fell away a little but now we have 70 or 80 non-players coming along to support us. We have players of all age groups coming along to play, including two young Lockerbie boys – Nicky McMichan and Grant Dinwoodie, both members of the Keith Dickson Orchestra. We are sure that we will hear more of these two young players in the years ahead. They certainly keep some of the more experienced players on their toes and perhaps make some of them feel like advertising their instrument for sale!
As you will gather from this epistle the club in Lockerbie is currently flourishing and so on Tuesday, 24th November last we celebrated our Silver Jubilee in the Queens Hotel. A toast to the Club was proposed by Jimmy Kirkpatrick, one of our regular players from Dumfries. Thereafter everyone received a glass of wine and a piece of birthday cake appropriately decorated for the occasion.
Unfortunately our President, Willie Pringle, was in hospital and therefore missed the occasion. The guest artistes for the evening was the group Albany from Fife, which included the leader, Billy Anderson (accordion), Jack Paul (guitar), Kenny Downie (drums) and Margaret McLeod (vocalist). The group entertained us with a great variety of music, song and some very amusing stories which had the audience ‘in stitches’. Margaret McLeod included some Gaelic in her repertoire much to the delight of the audience.
The players who came along to the Club for our celebration were – on piano – Betty Mitchell, Nicky McMichan and William McRobert. On accordion – Jim Fraser, Jimmy Kirkpatrick, Eddie Bell, Walter Beattie, Walter Carlyle, Ian Gracie, Nicky McMichan, William McRobert, Walter McMillan, Tom Porteous, Robbie Stewart, Billy Telfer, Andy Whiteside, and our Secretary and Treasurer Jocky Brockbank. Bobby McBride was the only fiddler and the tin whistle was played by Willie Little. The mouth organ was played by Bob Irving and Robbie Stewart. Drumming during the evening was shared by Jackie Bonnar, Ian Riddet and our Committee member Billy Simpson. Janette Salvenmoser accompanied some of the players on the Irish bodhran.
Everyone appeared to enjoy the festivities, but we are sure than now and again our thoughts were with our former Secretary, the late Christine Hunter, who did so much for the Club for just short of 25 years. It is a great pity that her unfortunate illness and untimely death prevented her from enjoying the evening with us. A trophy in memory of Christine is being donated by the Club, to be played for at the forthcoming Musselburgh Festival of which she was Secretary for several years.
It was almost midnight when the last notes were played, bringing to a close a very memorable anniversary. Here’s to the next 25. Who knows, some of the older players amongst us might just make it with our instruments balanced on our zimmers!!
The Rab Carruthers Gallery
Photographs
CD Reviews
Da Fustra – ‘Strikes Again’ – HRM CD004
Neil MacEachern SDB – ‘From the Banks of Loch Lomond’ – SHIELCD006
Highlander Music Scottish Dances Vol 6 – Drummond Cook’s SCDB – HRM CD506
Filska – ‘Time and Tide’ – HRM CD005
Fiddlers Bid – ‘Hamnataing’ – CDTRAX167
Book Review
Who’s on the Dance Music Tonight? By James L. Helm
by Norrie Williams
A summer Saturday evening in 1948 – I switched off the wireless and full of excitement dashed off on my bike to see a mate, only to collide with him at our garden gate.
“What about that then!” we both blurted out. We had just been listening to the first broadcast of the Hawthorne Accordion Band.
This book by Jimmy Helm brings back vivid memories of those halcyon days of the Scottish Dance Music scene. It is a book that has been waiting to be written for years and thank goodness someone has done it at last and done it so well. It’s a real cracker, fascinating reading from start to finish. The author has a very concise style, no wasted words, just straight facts and comments e.g. “The violin was played in most of the bands at that time, giving that superb ‘violin on top’ sound” – hear hear! And “The accordions were not tuned as widely as they are today, thus blending beautifully with the violin” – again hear hear! Very poignant observations indeed.
Although the book is only roughly the size of the average desk diary (but a bit thicker) it is an absolute wealth of information on the Scottish dance bands of the 1945 – 1970 era. No less than 112 bands are listed at the beginning in the chronological order of their first broadcast. This is followed by brief but very informative write-ups on 42 bands with excellent photographs of the majority of the groups being the icing on the cake.
Then come comprehensive lists of the supporting players, violinists, accordionists, pianists, bass players and drummers with brief pen portraits of a small number of these individuals.
The book is very well produced with high quality paper, printed text and illustrations.
It will not only appeal hugely to those who listened or danced to the bands of that era, but also to the current younger generation of exponents of our music who have been influenced by those bands and musicians, several of whom are still broadcasting.
So I wouldn’t just recommend that you get the book, I would order you to do so! It’s a must.
P.S. Just one wee surprise though – no button box in the montage of instruments on the front cover!
The Music and Life of Donal Ring
by Ritchie Ahearne
A 44 page booklet to celebrate..........
Letters to the Editor
I refer to the ‘Anonymous’ letter on the subject of dance music on the radio and would like to put the following points. I have listened to dance music for 50 years, and, in conversation with many friends, some regularly playing in Broadcasting Bands, have reached the following conclusion.
I, and my musical friends, find the presentation style of ‘Take the Floor’ and ‘The Reel Blend’ irritating. It is surely no coincidence that both programmes are produced and presented by the same people, thus giving it a monopoly. Who, in their wisdom, decided that people would enjoy poetry, invariably read in Doric dialect, included in a music programme? The declining standard of both programmes results in many real enthusiasts of Scottish Dance Music simply switching off the radios in despair, never returning to the fold.
Changes are urgently required at BBC. Out with the old and in with a new interviewer / presenter who has a musical and Band background, able to discuss topical, musical issues. Someone of the stature of Iain MacPhail, Jim Johnstone or John Carmichael, all well respected Bandleaders in their own right, who have a wide knowledge of the band scene and could supply an interesting, lively selection of music. Please, BBC, do something quickly as both programme are going down the plug.
May I suggest that, as well as Radio, a mid-week half hour slot on TV be found, introducing a variety of Dance Bands, with a chat about their formation, style and music, playing selections for the delight of all the viewers.
Jonathan Campbell, Kirkintilloch
Well, once again the television was an absolute disaster over the New Year period with absolutely nothing of a traditional nature on Hogmanay. I fail to understand why it was necessary for the BBC, STV and Grampian to be at the Edinburgh so-called Hogmanay show. There are other cities, towns and villages in Scotland where the folks have televisions and they don’t all want to see some drunken ‘yob’ (or yobess?) sticking his or her tongue out at the camera, while swigging from a can of beer. After all, there is a limit to what the cameras can show, when they are simply giving shots of a crowd, but it would appear that we have to listen to the noise (not music), which we can hear every day of the year.
Thank goodness we still have Robbie Shepherd and the local radio programmes to keep us in touch with tradition in this ‘Cool Britain’.
However, on a brighter note, I am sure we were all delighted and offer our sincere congratulations to Jimmy Shand on receiving his long overdue and well deserved Knighthood in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.
John McDonald, Kirkcaldy
On Sunday, 3rd January, 1999 the Shand Family and a company of close friends sat down to a high tea in the Abernethy Hotel to celebrate Jimmy’s latest honour and Anne’s birthday.
Jimmy Junior toasted his mum and dad and Jimmy Senior replied in his own inimitable way. He really is an excellent and witty speaker on such occasions.
The musicians in the party then entertained the company with a selection of well loved Shand tunes with Jimmy joining in with his trusty two row. A vote of thanks was given by Sandy Green and a very happy occasion was completed by early evening.
I was reminded by a phrase from my dim and distant school days when we studied Chaucer’s ‘Canterbury Tales’. I’ll have to change the tense but the quote runs – he is “a verray parfit gentil knight” and this described Jimmy exactly and by his side, as always, is Anne – a “verray parfit gentil ladye” and a tower of strength for this close knot family.
This was a happy, informal gathering which left our hearts and eyes gie full by the finish.
Sandy Tulloch
BBC and ITV’s Hogmanay into New Year offerings seemed to me an indicative of the major problems now facing followers of traditional Scottish music ; the media mandarins are simply shutting us out.
I have been concerned about this for some time. If you look at any issues of Radio Times, you will find that Scottish Traditional music – and by that I mean predominantly the music of the bagpipe and fiddle, played either by these instruments or by the accordion or by Scottish Dance bands – is being given short shift.
On Radio Scotland there is extravagant coverage, on the other hand, of what is called folk music (though the epithet ‘Celtic’ is often applied to give a whiff of added authenticity). ‘Travelling Folk’, a 2 hour programme on Saturdays, is repeated on Thursdays. This is followed by ‘Celtic Connections’, another 2 hour programme repeated from Tuesdays. In addition, every weekday from 2 till 4 there is a programme called ‘Mr Anderson’s Fine Tunes’, described in the Radio Times as “another fine selection of Celtic and classical music”.
Compare all that with the coverage offered Scottish traditional music as I have defined it. ‘Take the Floor’ is a 1½ hour programme on Saturdays. On Sundays we have ‘The Reel Blend’ (2 hours) and Pipeline (40 minutes), both of these on Medium Wave only. We don’t have to get the calculators out to see that Scottish traditional music is being served short rations and, by the way, it seems to me nothing short of a national disgrace that the one radio programme covering Scottish piping should be broadcast on Medium Wave only.
On television the situation is even worse, and here the BBC have more to be ashamed of than ITV, for at least the latter ran a successful series in recent years, ‘Ceol na Fidhie’, which was particularly valuable as a showcase for young Scots fiddlers. But afrer the Hogmanay offerings, it is difficult not to conclude that those in power at BBC and ITV have no interest in traditional Scottish music.
Unless people are prepared to convey their dissatisfaction with such a situation then you can be guaranteed that it will continue. And as far as the welfare of traditional Scottish music is concerned, that will be a very bad thing, because there is no doubt that young people are influenced to a large extent by what they see on TV and by what they hear on radio. If a particular kind of music is given no coverage on TV and very little on radio, then its chances of attracting the young are greatly reduced.
Douglas Muir, Huntly
Take the Floor – Saturdays at 6.30pm with Robbie Shepherd
6th Feb 99 – Wayne Robertson SDB – OB from Montrose
13th Feb 99 – James Coutts SDB
20th Feb 99 – The Strathmore Sound
27th Feb 99 – Alistair Herron SDB
6th Mar 99 – Donald MacLeod SDB
13th Mar 99 – Nicol McLaren and the Glencraig SDB
20th Mar 99 – Sandy Nixon SDB – OB from Marryat Hall, Dundee with guests Sheena Wellington and Deirdre Adamson.
27th Mar 99 – The Lomond Ceilidh Band
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Dee Motel) – 22nd Feb 99 – Graeme Mitchell SDB
Alnwick (White Swan Hotel) – members only 10th Feb 99 – Roger Dobson SDB
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 21st Feb 99 – West Telferton Cale SDB
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 7th Feb 99 – Bill Black SDB
Armadale (Masonic Hall) – 4th Feb 99 – Jim MacLeod SDB (21st Anniversary)
Ayr (Gartferry Hotel) – ?
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Hall) – 21st Feb 99 – Archie Duncan
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 22nd Feb 99 - tbc
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 24th Feb 99 – Ian Johnson Ceilidh Sound
Beith & District (Hotel de Croft, Dalry) – 15th Feb 99 – James Coutts
Belford (Community Club) – 25th Feb 99 – Wayne Robertson
Biggar (Municipal Hall) – 14th Feb 99 – Club night
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 9th Feb 99 – Gary Donaldson SDB
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) - 9th Feb 99 – Kevin Street
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 11th Feb 99 – John Crawford
Campbeltown (Royal or Argyll Hotel) - ?
Campsie (Glazert House Hotel) - 2nd Feb 99 – Judith Linton Trio
Carlisle (Border Regiment Club, Carlisle Castle) - 4th Feb 99 – Eric Goodfellow Jnr SDB
Castle Douglas (Ernespie House Hotel) – 16th Feb 99 – Alan Gardiner
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 18th Feb 99 – Nicol McLaren SDB
Crathes (Crathes Hall, Banchory) - 14th Feb 99 – All players welcome
Crieff & District (Arduthie Hotel) 4th Feb 99 – Nicol McLaren & Glencraig SDB
Dalriada (Argyll Arms Hotel, Lochgilphead) 16th Feb 99 Gordon Simpson & Morag McAskill
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 3rd Feb 99 – Maureen Turnbull
Dunblane (Westlands Hotel) – 16th Feb 99 – Alistair McCulloch Duo
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) – 9th Feb 99 – James Coutts
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel) 19th Feb 99 – Ray Carse
East Kilbride (Sweepers, Cambuslang) – 25th Feb 99 – Charlie Todd & Cameronian SDB
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 16th Feb 99 – Alasdair Salter Trio
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 22nd Feb 99 – Lomond Ceilidh Band
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 28th Feb 99 – Jim Johnstone SDB
Forres (Brig Motel) – 10th Feb 99 – Lynn Christie SDB
Fort William (Alexandra Hotel) – ?
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) – 4th Feb 99 – Jim Johnstone SDB
Galston (Barr Castle Social Club) – 8th Feb 99 – David Vernon
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) – 18th Feb 99 – Marian Anderson
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 3rd Feb 99 – Bryce Johnston & Friends
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) - 23rd Feb 99 - tbc
Gretna (Halcrow Stadium) - 7th Feb 99 – Sandy Legget SDB
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) – 15th Feb 99 – Rogart A&F Club
Inveraray (Loch Fyne Hotel) - 2nd Feb 99 – Fraser McGlynn Duo
Islay (White Hart Hotel) - ?
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 4th Feb 99 – Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) – 2nd Feb 99 – Seamus O’Sullivan
Kelso (Ednam House Hotel) – 24th Feb 99 – David Oswald SDB
Kintore (Torryburn Hotel) – 3rd Feb 99 – Billy Anderson & Albany
Lanark (Masonic Hall) - 22nd Feb 99 – Richard Smith Trio
Langholm (Crown Hotel) – 10th Feb 99 – John Douglas
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) – 11th Feb 99 – Jim Johnstone SDB
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 4th Feb 99 - tbc
Livingston (Cairn Hotel) - 15th Feb 99 – David Vernon
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) - 23rd Feb 99 – John Douglas SDB
Mauchline (Sorn Village Hall) 16th Feb 99 – Burns Brothers
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 3rd Feb 99 – AGM & Gordon Pattullo
Muirhead (Belmont Arms, Meigle) - 17th Feb 99 – Local players
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 22nd Feb 99 – Jim Johnstone SDB
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 2nd Feb 99 – Ian H. Cruickshank SDB
Oban (McTavish’s Kitchen) – 4th Feb 99 – Ian Muir SDB
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) – Closed for season
Peebles (Green Tree Hotel) – 25th Feb 99 – Judith Linton Trio
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 16th Feb 99 – Jim Johnstone SDB
Premier NI (Camlin Function Rooms) - 2nd Feb 99 - tbc
Reading Fiddlers (Piggot School) - ?
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 9th Feb 99 – Lindsay Weir SDB
Rothbury (Queen’s Head) - 4th Feb 99 – Sandy Legget SDB (25th Anniversary)
Selkirk (Cricket Club) - 11th Feb 99 – Robert Whitehead
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - ?
Stirling (Terraces Hotel) - 14th Feb 99 – Duncan Black SDB
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) - 20th Feb 99 – Fergie MacDonald
Thornhill (Masonic Hall) - 10th Feb 99 – Roy Hendrie SDB
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 1st Feb 99 – Local night
Turriff (Royal Oak Hotel) – 4th Feb 99 – Florence, Charlie & Friends
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 2nd Feb 99 – no meeting
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) – 16th Feb 99 – Raymond Chuchuk
Yarrow (Gordon Arms) - 17th Feb 99 – Webster Craig SDB
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Annan
3. Arbroath
4. Armadale
5. Banff
6. Banchory
7. Beith
8. Biggar
9. Bromley
10. Button Key
11. Campsie
12. Carlisle
13. Castle Douglas
14. Coalburn
15. Crieff
16. Dingwall
17. Dunblane
18. Dunfermline
19. Dunoon & Cowal
20. Fintry
21. Forres
22. Galston
23. Glendale
24. Glenrothes
25. Gretna
26. Highland
27. Inveraray
28. Isle of Skye
29. Islesteps
30. Kelso
31. Kintore
32. Lanark
33. Lesmahagow
34. Livingston
35. Lockerbie
36. Montrose
37. Muirhead
38. Newtongrange
39. North East
40. Oban
41. Peebles
42. Renfrew
43. Rothbury
44. Selkirk
45. Sutherland
46. Stirling
47. Thornhill
48. Turriff
49. Wick
50. Yarrow
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 1998
(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
6. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
7. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
8. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
9. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
10. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
11. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
12. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
13. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
14. Bromley A&F Club
15. Button Key A&F Club (
16. Campbeltown A&F Club (
17. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
18. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
19. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
20. Coalburn A&F Club (
21. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
22. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
23. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
24. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
25. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
26. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
27. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
28. Ellon A&F Club (
29. Etterick & Yarrow (Jan 1989 -
30. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
31. Forfar A&F Club (
32. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
33. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
34. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
35. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
36. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
37. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
38. 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)
39. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
40. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
41. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
42. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
43. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
44. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
45. Kintore A&F Club (
46. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed
47. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – present)
48. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
49. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
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. Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
54. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
55. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
56. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
57. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
58. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
59. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
60. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
61. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
62. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
63. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
64. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
65. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
66. Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes (Nov 1997 -
67. Selkirk A&F Club (
68. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
69. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 - )
70. Sutherland A&F Club (
71. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
72. Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
73. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
74. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
75. Vancouver
76. 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?)
77. Acharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
78. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
79. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
80. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
81. Buchan A&F Club
82. Callander A&F Club (
83. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
84. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
85. Club Accord
86. Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
87. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
88. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
89. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
90. Derwentside A&F Club
91. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
92. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
93. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
94. Dundee & District A&F Club (1970? – 1995?)
95. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
96. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
97. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
98. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
99. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
100. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
101. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
102. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
103. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
104. Mull A&F Club
105. Newcastleton Accordion Club
106. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
107. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
108. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
109. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
110. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
111. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
112. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
113. Tranent A&F Club
114. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
115. Wellbank A&F Club
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