Galston Accordion Club closes on 13th March 2006
B&F April 2006
Letters to the Editor
Dear Karin
It is with an element of regret that I write this letter on behalf of The Galston Accordion Club Committee. We first registered the Club in October 1969 and have functioned continuously since then until 13th March 2006. Over the years we have experienced several changes in the Accordion Club scene, which was inevitable as the whole domestic world was changing. We accommodated them into our social life and enjoyed being part of the music scene. It would take a few pages to write our memories as you may well imagine, the highs, and the lows, but most were highs and to be involved was a bonus. We tried to have guest artistes who were in the top bracket of their own particular type of music and we never were disappointed. We’ve had a great support, from players and punters alike and, as I’ve said many times, that is the main reason the Club was so successful. Billy Stewart, Bill Rodie and I founded the Club, unfortunately Bill Rodie died in 1994. Billy and I soldiered on and asked Derek Hamilton top join us and that’s how it’s been until now. There are two other Clubs in Ayrshire – Beith and Mauchline – and I do hope that they manage to continue. It may not be just plain sailing, but giver them your support. This decision to bring the Galston Club to an end was not an easy way out, but it’s a fact that the incoming of young people is not as high as the outgoing of the seniors and attendances are dropping. This may not be the case in areas of Argyll, Inverness and Aberdeen etc but we find it at Galston. Other Clubs have had to close – Milngavie, Stirling, Dundee, Lesmahagow – and we were well aware that it could happen to anyone. This decision may seem harsh but it was hard for us to take and administer.
May I, on behalf of The Galston Club, sincerely thank all of you guest artistes, players and supporters for your participation in providing the requirements for us to be able to function; our appreciation doesn’t stop because the Club has closed.
David Ross (Secretary – Galston Accordion Club)
Final Club Report
The last Club of the 2005/06 season was held on Monday 13th March in our usual venue, The Barr Castle Social Club at 7.30pm. We had a good turnout of players and had a very enjoyable musical evening with no guest artiste as such, although some did support us having a tune.
Due to the lack of support in replacing the current Committee (which had intimated its desire to stand down after 37 years) the Club will not be functioning next year or thereafter. (See Letters page in this mag).
On accordions were – David Muir, Bill Dunn, Jimmy Henderson, Bobby Stewart, Liam Stewart, Elliot Martin, Willie Young, Roy Hendrie, Bobby Dearie, Karen Ferguson, David Ross and Bill Speirs.
Fiddle – Andy Kain, Alistair Heron and Graham Couper.
Keyboard – Jim Law, Derek Hamilton, Liam Stewart and Reid Houston.
Mouthorgan – Bobby Torrance
Drums – Billy Stewart & Liam Stewart.
Thanks again to everyone who supported us over the years in any form. Although we have given up running the Club, our interest in the music and those who play it will remain as strong as ever.
David Ross (Secretary)
Dear Karin
It is with an element of regret that I write this letter on behalf of The Galston Accordion Club Committee. We first registered the Club in October 1969 and have functioned continuously since then until 13th March 2006. Over the years we have experienced several changes in the Accordion Club scene, which was inevitable as the whole domestic world was changing. We accommodated them into our social life and enjoyed being part of the music scene. It would take a few pages to write our memories as you may well imagine, the highs, and the lows, but most were highs and to be involved was a bonus. We tried to have guest artistes who were in the top bracket of their own particular type of music and we never were disappointed. We’ve had a great support, from players and punters alike and, as I’ve said many times, that is the main reason the Club was so successful. Billy Stewart, Bill Rodie and I founded the Club, unfortunately Bill Rodie died in 1994. Billy and I soldiered on and asked Derek Hamilton top join us and that’s how it’s been until now. There are two other Clubs in Ayrshire – Beith and Mauchline – and I do hope that they manage to continue. It may not be just plain sailing, but giver them your support. This decision to bring the Galston Club to an end was not an easy way out, but it’s a fact that the incoming of young people is not as high as the outgoing of the seniors and attendances are dropping. This may not be the case in areas of Argyll, Inverness and Aberdeen etc but we find it at Galston. Other Clubs have had to close – Milngavie, Stirling, Dundee, Lesmahagow – and we were well aware that it could happen to anyone. This decision may seem harsh but it was hard for us to take and administer.
May I, on behalf of The Galston Club, sincerely thank all of you guest artistes, players and supporters for your participation in providing the requirements for us to be able to function; our appreciation doesn’t stop because the Club has closed.
David Ross (Secretary – Galston Accordion Club)
Final Club Report
The last Club of the 2005/06 season was held on Monday 13th March in our usual venue, The Barr Castle Social Club at 7.30pm. We had a good turnout of players and had a very enjoyable musical evening with no guest artiste as such, although some did support us having a tune.
Due to the lack of support in replacing the current Committee (which had intimated its desire to stand down after 37 years) the Club will not be functioning next year or thereafter. (See Letters page in this mag).
On accordions were – David Muir, Bill Dunn, Jimmy Henderson, Bobby Stewart, Liam Stewart, Elliot Martin, Willie Young, Roy Hendrie, Bobby Dearie, Karen Ferguson, David Ross and Bill Speirs.
Fiddle – Andy Kain, Alistair Heron and Graham Couper.
Keyboard – Jim Law, Derek Hamilton, Liam Stewart and Reid Houston.
Mouthorgan – Bobby Torrance
Drums – Billy Stewart & Liam Stewart.
Thanks again to everyone who supported us over the years in any form. Although we have given up running the Club, our interest in the music and those who play it will remain as strong as ever.
David Ross (Secretary)