Box and Fiddle
Year 10 No 05
January 1987
Price 30p
8 pages
8 month subscription £3.75
Joint Editors – Tom Clark, 55 Sutherland Crescent, Dundee, DD2 2HP or Douglas Adamson, 22 Westfield Drive, Forfar, DD8 1EQ
B&F Treasurer – Mrs Cathy Andrew, 22 Lochinver Crescent, Foxbar, Paisley Tele 2824
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
This issue of the B&F will be the fifth effort of the new team – more than half way through the first year already. We are finding the work absorbing and enjoyable in the main, but every issue seems to bring its problems due to lack of material for articles, and we are often working up to the last minute getting suitable material.
We have had to depart from the normal publication date on this occasion due to the Christmas rush and printing facilities not being available at the normal time. We decided to change the publication date from 1st January, 1987, to December 29th, 1986, and we hope that you will appreciate the reason for fewer pages than normal.
Note to Secretaries
I have had a few calls from Secretaries enquiring why their reports haven’t been used. There are times when it is not possible to use all available material in any one section (such as Club News), depending on the layout on different pages. Any report which has been left out will always appear in the next issue – so please keep the reports coming in.
Lapel Badges
I have had a request for information on supply of badges. These can be had from Association Secretary Andrew Nairn.
Swap Shop
We have been asked to start a Swap Shop in the newspaper. I would certainly be prepared to provide this facility – sounds like a good idea – providing articles being swapped were related to the B&F scene. (No cars, cookers etc!!!) So let’s hear from you.
Finally, may I take this opportunity to wish you all the Compliments of the Season on behalf of the team.
Tom Clark
Adam Rennie (1897-1960)
by Ron Stephen
A small boy watched fascinated as an old man played merrily on a fiddle at a Silver Wedding celebration in Coupar Angus. The year was 1906 and the boy was nine-year-old Adam Rennie, who, in later years, gained international fame as a violinist, composer and Scottish Country Dance Band leader.
Adam Rennie was born at Kemnay, Aberdeenshire, in 1897 and came to Coupar Angus at the age of five years. His parents worked on Coupar Grange Estate near Coupar Angus and Adam went to school at Bendochy where he got his first music lessons from his teacher, Miss Elsie Birrell. On leaving school Adam went to work on the land and he was fee’d as a halflin’ at Ryehill on Coupar Grange Estate and by the age of 14 he was in charge of a pair of horses.
Further fiddle lessons were to follow from ‘Dancie’ Reid of Newtyle who nurtured so many of the fine fiddlers in the Angus and Perthshire district. Adam delighted the older men nightly in the bothy with his music and, as his playing developed, he began to be asked to play at various local parties and functions in the district.
His first public engagement was playing for the dancing on the occasion of the Coronation of King George V at the Bendochy Coronation Sports. Adam was paid ten bob for this and he said “I thought I would never be poor again.”
In 1916 Adam joined the 5th Gordon Highlanders and did not touch a fiddle from then until he ‘won’ a fiddle from a shelled music shop in deserted Arras in the spring of 1918. The battalion had 48 hours rest in the town, where they were billeted in two cellars. When Adam arrived back with the fiddle under his greatcoat, he took it out and started to play ‘Take Me Back to Dear Old Blighty’ and was an instant success. The fiddle was handed over to the padre for safe keeping every time the battalion moved into the line, and it charmed the Gordons many times.
Then came the fateful day of July 28th at Soissons where Adam suffered a severe wound in the leg. He lay for two days until he was picked up and taken prisoner by the Germans. The French Red Cross found him in 1919 and, after a series of transfers across Europe, he wrote home for cigarettes and caused a sensation in his family as he was thought to be dead. Back in London he had to have a leg amputated and altogether spent a year in various hospitals.
In 1920 Adam opened his tobacconist and newsagent business at the Cross in Coupar Angus, which he was to carry on for 38 years. Adam never saw the Arras fiddle again but twelve years after the war, memory of it was brought home to him in a strange way. He was travelling by train to Dundee from Coupar Angus and there was only one other person in the compartment with him. The man put down the newspaper he was reading and questioned Adam in a ‘transatlantic’ accent. “Excuse me, but are you Adam Rennie?” Adam said yes, and the man replied “The last time I saw you was in a cellar in Arras. You played for us on a fiddle you had just pinched!”
Adam’s crowning success came in 1932 at the Perth Musical Festival where his distinction in Scottish music was fittingly recognised by the presentation of Niel Gow’s fiddle, probably the most famous in Scotland.
Later Adam became a member of the greatly loved Angus Occasionals and made his first broadcast with them in 1943.
Adam formed his Quartet in 1949 and they made their first broadcast on 8th December, 1949, on the old Home Service. They also did broadcasts on the General Overseas Service, Country Magazine, in the Journey Through Scotland, and Adam himself broadcast in the Fiddles Six Series. The famous Quartet came about almost casually. Adam was judging an accordion competition in Blairgowrie. Like the other judges, Adam was behind screens, and he was particularly struck by the playing of one competitor and resolved to meet him at the end of the show. The musician was sixteen-year-old Bobby Brown, who won the competition, and was already a grand player. Adam asked Bobby to come down to his home in Coupar Angus for a tune. Adam had already played with pianist George Robertson, and they were joined by Jock White who played double bass. That’s how it all began. Later on George introduced Adam to Ed Robb, who took over playing the double bass for the rest of the time the Quartet played.
The Quartet, after successful radio broadcasts, attracted the attention of the recording companies and they made recordings for PYE (NIXA) and the Parlophone Company, which were all released as 78s and one small 7” EP (extended playing) disc. The band were also in great demand south of the border and they once did a one thousand mile round trip which took them to Chelmsford, Essex to play for the Chelmsford Farmers Bachelor’s Ball in January, 1952. The Quartet, dressed in their Royal Stewart tartan dinner jackets, were much admired.
On another trip to London in January of 1957 they played in the Porchester Hall on the Friday and at the Holburn Hall on the Saturday, where the dance was sponsored by the Scottish Reel Club. At the Holburn dance the band were called upon to take part in a documentary film being produced by the Pathe Company. The film was mainly to promote the tourist industry in Britain, the earlier parts of the film had been made in various parts of the country throughout the year, and the culminating scenes were to be of the Scottish Reel Clubs’ dance with the band playing ‘Auld Lang Syne’.
The Quartet provided the music at Balmoral Castle for the Gillies Dances, twice in 1953, twice in 1954, and again in 1956 when Her Majesty the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen Mother were all present.
Adam Rennie composed the following tunes :-
Jigs – Sir Torquil Munro, Bart., of Lindertis, Elizabeth Donald (his mother), Mrs Grace Bowie (Coupar Angus)
Reels – Bill Sutherland (Blair Atholl), Jean Kirkpatrick’s Fancy (Alyth), Pat Donald, John Donald of Coullie, The Rev Peter Fenton (Ardler), Kemnay House, Kinclaven Brig, The Bonnie Dancers, Mrs Monair of ‘Bruach’
Strathspey – Innes Russell (Perth)
Polkas – Janette Gibb’s Polka, Silver Wings Polka
Military Two-Step – Up With the Lark
Their final performance was at the Coupar Angus Scottish Country Dance Club in March 1958. Adam retired from business and moved to the Muirton House, Blairgowrie, and died in February, 1960.
I recall the late Alex MacArthur saying the occasionally if Bobby Brown wasn’t available Adam would phone Ian Powrie to ask for a loan of Jimmy Blue, if he was available, or failing that Alex himself. Adam was a stickler for tempo, Alex said, and if he felt it needed adjustment in the opening bars he would stamp his ‘wooden leg’ on the stage until the band modified the speed to his liking. Charlie Todd
Kirsty’s Ceilidh
by Kirsty Bisset
May I take this opportunity, on the first day after Kirsty’s Ceilidh at the Dunblane Hydro on Sunday, 30th November, 1986………….
Readers Letters
Sir – On behalf of the Douglas family I would like to say thank you for the lovely tribute paid to Jim Douglas in the B&F. Jim was always a dedicated Scottish dance music lover and was always happiest in the company of musicians. In days gone by he had a band of his own called the ‘Douglas Reel-Makers’, who played all around the Angus area. He is indeed sadly missed.
Bill Douglas (nephew)
Old Kirk Cottage
Eassie
By Glamis
Sir – After seeing the third eedition of the B&F may I offer my congratulations to the News Editor, Tom Clark.
I know something of what goes on behind the scenes and I think he and his ‘oppo’, Dougie are doing a great job, and may I repeat his request. If you have the Association at heart, get your pens out and write and write and write. It’s your paper and it cannot exist without your input, views, stories, information, photographs and anything that could be of interest.
Ian L Smith
50 Mount Vernon Road
Stranraer
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Dee Motel) –
Alnwick (Fleece Inn) – members only –
Armadale (Masonic Arms Hotel) –
Ayr (Aftongrange Hotel) –
Balloch (Denny Social Club) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff (Royal Oak Hotel) –
Beith (Anderson Hotel) –
Belford (Community Club) –
Biggar (Clydesdale Hotel) –
Bridge of Allan (Walmer Hotel) -
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel) –
Callander (Glengarry Hotel) –
Campbeltown (Royal Hotel) – 10th Jan 87 Colin Dewar SDB
Castle Douglas (Ernespie Hotel) – 20th Jan 87 Ian Muir Duo
Cleland (Dalrymple House) –
Coupar Angus (Royal Hotel) –
Crieff & District (Drummond Arms Hotel) –
Dalriada (Royal Hotel, Lochgilphead) –
Derwentside (Working Men’s Club, Consett) –
Dingwall (venue? ) –
Dunblane (Westlands Hotel) – 20th Jan 87 Karen Edwardson SDB
Dundee (Queen’s Hotel, Nethergate) – 23rd Jan 87 Annual Dance to Iain MacPhail SDB 5th Feb 87 Open Night
Dunfermline (Northern Roadhouse) –
East Kilbride (King’s Park Hotel, Rutherglen) –
Edinburgh (Abbey Suite, Abbey Lane) –
Ellon (Ladbroke Hotel) –
Falkirk (Park Hotel) –
Fintry (Clachan Hotel) – 26th Jan 87 Simon Howie SDB
Forres (Brig Motel) –
Fort William (Cruchan Hotel) –
Galashiels (Maxwell Hotel) –
Galston (Theo’s Restaurant, Galston) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) – members only -
Gorebridge (Rangers FC Social Club) –
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) –
Islesteps (Cargenholm Hotel) – 6th Jan 87 Elmbank SDB 3rd Feb 87 Craig McCallum SDB
Kelso (Ednam House Hotel) –
Kintore (Crown Hotel) –
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) – 8th Jan 87 The Oakbank Sound
Livingston (Golden Circle Hotel, Bathgate) –
Lockerbie (Bluebell Hotel) –
Mauchline (The Jean Armour Restaurant) – 20th Jan 87 Michael Clark
M.A.F.I.A. (Black Bull, Milngavie) –
Montrose (Park Hotel) –
New Cumnock (Crown Hotel) –
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
Newton St Boswells (Railway Hotel) –
North Cumbria (Howard Arms) (prev called Gretna Club) –
North East (Seafield Hotel, Keith) – 6th Jan 87 Tain Band
Oban (Park Hotel) –
Orkney ( venue?) –
Ormiston (Miners’ Welfare Social Club) –
Peebles (County Hotel) – 29th Jan 87 Craig McCallum SDB
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 20th Jan 87 Craig McCallum SDB
Premier NI (Wilson’s of Crumlin) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel)
Shetland (venue?) -
Stranraer (Railway Club) –
Thornhill (?)
Thurso (McKay’s Hotel) –
Turriff (Royal Oak Hotel) –
Tynedale (The Royal Hotel, Hexham) –
Walmer (Bridge of Allan) – 25th Jan 87 Colin Dewar SDB
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Balloch
4. Banchory
5. Dunblane
6. Fintry
7. Islesteps
8. Kelso
9. Kinlochsheil
10. Kintore
11. Lesmahagow
12. Livingston
13. M.A.F.I.A.
14. Mauchline
15. Montrose
16. North East
17. Shetland
18. Stranraer
19. Turriff & District
20. Tynedale
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT SEPT 1986 (Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Sept 1976)
3. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months)
4. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition)
9. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
10. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974)
11. Buchan A&F Club
12. Callander A&F Club (
13. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980)
15. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
16. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
17. Derwentside A&F Club
18. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
19. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
20. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971)
21. Dundee & District A&F Club
22. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
23. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
24. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
25. Ellon A&F Club (
26. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
27. Fintry A&F Club
28. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
29. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
30. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
31. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
32. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
33. Highland A&F Club (Inverness)
34. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981)
35. Isle of Skye A&F Club (
36. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976)
37. Kintore A&F Club
38 Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967)
39 Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
40. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – per first edition)
41 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973)
42 M.A.F.I.A. (early)
43 Mauchline A&F Club (first mention 1986?)
44. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
45. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1979)
46. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
47. North Cumbria A&F Club (originally Gretna started June 1966 – had to move to a venue in the North of England and changed name – eventually changed back when they returned to the Halcrow Stadium. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
48. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971)
49. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975)
50. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978)
51. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club
52. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981)
53. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970)
54. Premier A&F Club NI (cNov 1980)
55. Rothbury Accordion Club (1987??)
56. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978)
57. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
58. Sutherland A&F Club (
59. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition)
60. Thurso A&F Club (cSept 1981)
61. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982)
62. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980)
63. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
64. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
65. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
66. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
67. Club Accord
68. Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2?)
69. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
70. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
71. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
72. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
73. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
74. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
75. Gretna A&F Club (June 1966)
76. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
77. Kinlochsheil A&F Club (
78. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
79. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
80. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
81. Newcastleton Accordion Club
82. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
83. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
84. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
85. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
86. Wellbank A&F Club
Advertising rates
Full Page - £92
Half Page - £46
Quarter Page - £23
B&F Treasurer – Mrs Cathy Andrew, 22 Lochinver Crescent, Foxbar, Paisley Tele 2824
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
This issue of the B&F will be the fifth effort of the new team – more than half way through the first year already. We are finding the work absorbing and enjoyable in the main, but every issue seems to bring its problems due to lack of material for articles, and we are often working up to the last minute getting suitable material.
We have had to depart from the normal publication date on this occasion due to the Christmas rush and printing facilities not being available at the normal time. We decided to change the publication date from 1st January, 1987, to December 29th, 1986, and we hope that you will appreciate the reason for fewer pages than normal.
Note to Secretaries
I have had a few calls from Secretaries enquiring why their reports haven’t been used. There are times when it is not possible to use all available material in any one section (such as Club News), depending on the layout on different pages. Any report which has been left out will always appear in the next issue – so please keep the reports coming in.
Lapel Badges
I have had a request for information on supply of badges. These can be had from Association Secretary Andrew Nairn.
Swap Shop
We have been asked to start a Swap Shop in the newspaper. I would certainly be prepared to provide this facility – sounds like a good idea – providing articles being swapped were related to the B&F scene. (No cars, cookers etc!!!) So let’s hear from you.
Finally, may I take this opportunity to wish you all the Compliments of the Season on behalf of the team.
Tom Clark
Adam Rennie (1897-1960)
by Ron Stephen
A small boy watched fascinated as an old man played merrily on a fiddle at a Silver Wedding celebration in Coupar Angus. The year was 1906 and the boy was nine-year-old Adam Rennie, who, in later years, gained international fame as a violinist, composer and Scottish Country Dance Band leader.
Adam Rennie was born at Kemnay, Aberdeenshire, in 1897 and came to Coupar Angus at the age of five years. His parents worked on Coupar Grange Estate near Coupar Angus and Adam went to school at Bendochy where he got his first music lessons from his teacher, Miss Elsie Birrell. On leaving school Adam went to work on the land and he was fee’d as a halflin’ at Ryehill on Coupar Grange Estate and by the age of 14 he was in charge of a pair of horses.
Further fiddle lessons were to follow from ‘Dancie’ Reid of Newtyle who nurtured so many of the fine fiddlers in the Angus and Perthshire district. Adam delighted the older men nightly in the bothy with his music and, as his playing developed, he began to be asked to play at various local parties and functions in the district.
His first public engagement was playing for the dancing on the occasion of the Coronation of King George V at the Bendochy Coronation Sports. Adam was paid ten bob for this and he said “I thought I would never be poor again.”
In 1916 Adam joined the 5th Gordon Highlanders and did not touch a fiddle from then until he ‘won’ a fiddle from a shelled music shop in deserted Arras in the spring of 1918. The battalion had 48 hours rest in the town, where they were billeted in two cellars. When Adam arrived back with the fiddle under his greatcoat, he took it out and started to play ‘Take Me Back to Dear Old Blighty’ and was an instant success. The fiddle was handed over to the padre for safe keeping every time the battalion moved into the line, and it charmed the Gordons many times.
Then came the fateful day of July 28th at Soissons where Adam suffered a severe wound in the leg. He lay for two days until he was picked up and taken prisoner by the Germans. The French Red Cross found him in 1919 and, after a series of transfers across Europe, he wrote home for cigarettes and caused a sensation in his family as he was thought to be dead. Back in London he had to have a leg amputated and altogether spent a year in various hospitals.
In 1920 Adam opened his tobacconist and newsagent business at the Cross in Coupar Angus, which he was to carry on for 38 years. Adam never saw the Arras fiddle again but twelve years after the war, memory of it was brought home to him in a strange way. He was travelling by train to Dundee from Coupar Angus and there was only one other person in the compartment with him. The man put down the newspaper he was reading and questioned Adam in a ‘transatlantic’ accent. “Excuse me, but are you Adam Rennie?” Adam said yes, and the man replied “The last time I saw you was in a cellar in Arras. You played for us on a fiddle you had just pinched!”
Adam’s crowning success came in 1932 at the Perth Musical Festival where his distinction in Scottish music was fittingly recognised by the presentation of Niel Gow’s fiddle, probably the most famous in Scotland.
Later Adam became a member of the greatly loved Angus Occasionals and made his first broadcast with them in 1943.
Adam formed his Quartet in 1949 and they made their first broadcast on 8th December, 1949, on the old Home Service. They also did broadcasts on the General Overseas Service, Country Magazine, in the Journey Through Scotland, and Adam himself broadcast in the Fiddles Six Series. The famous Quartet came about almost casually. Adam was judging an accordion competition in Blairgowrie. Like the other judges, Adam was behind screens, and he was particularly struck by the playing of one competitor and resolved to meet him at the end of the show. The musician was sixteen-year-old Bobby Brown, who won the competition, and was already a grand player. Adam asked Bobby to come down to his home in Coupar Angus for a tune. Adam had already played with pianist George Robertson, and they were joined by Jock White who played double bass. That’s how it all began. Later on George introduced Adam to Ed Robb, who took over playing the double bass for the rest of the time the Quartet played.
The Quartet, after successful radio broadcasts, attracted the attention of the recording companies and they made recordings for PYE (NIXA) and the Parlophone Company, which were all released as 78s and one small 7” EP (extended playing) disc. The band were also in great demand south of the border and they once did a one thousand mile round trip which took them to Chelmsford, Essex to play for the Chelmsford Farmers Bachelor’s Ball in January, 1952. The Quartet, dressed in their Royal Stewart tartan dinner jackets, were much admired.
On another trip to London in January of 1957 they played in the Porchester Hall on the Friday and at the Holburn Hall on the Saturday, where the dance was sponsored by the Scottish Reel Club. At the Holburn dance the band were called upon to take part in a documentary film being produced by the Pathe Company. The film was mainly to promote the tourist industry in Britain, the earlier parts of the film had been made in various parts of the country throughout the year, and the culminating scenes were to be of the Scottish Reel Clubs’ dance with the band playing ‘Auld Lang Syne’.
The Quartet provided the music at Balmoral Castle for the Gillies Dances, twice in 1953, twice in 1954, and again in 1956 when Her Majesty the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen Mother were all present.
Adam Rennie composed the following tunes :-
Jigs – Sir Torquil Munro, Bart., of Lindertis, Elizabeth Donald (his mother), Mrs Grace Bowie (Coupar Angus)
Reels – Bill Sutherland (Blair Atholl), Jean Kirkpatrick’s Fancy (Alyth), Pat Donald, John Donald of Coullie, The Rev Peter Fenton (Ardler), Kemnay House, Kinclaven Brig, The Bonnie Dancers, Mrs Monair of ‘Bruach’
Strathspey – Innes Russell (Perth)
Polkas – Janette Gibb’s Polka, Silver Wings Polka
Military Two-Step – Up With the Lark
Their final performance was at the Coupar Angus Scottish Country Dance Club in March 1958. Adam retired from business and moved to the Muirton House, Blairgowrie, and died in February, 1960.
I recall the late Alex MacArthur saying the occasionally if Bobby Brown wasn’t available Adam would phone Ian Powrie to ask for a loan of Jimmy Blue, if he was available, or failing that Alex himself. Adam was a stickler for tempo, Alex said, and if he felt it needed adjustment in the opening bars he would stamp his ‘wooden leg’ on the stage until the band modified the speed to his liking. Charlie Todd
Kirsty’s Ceilidh
by Kirsty Bisset
May I take this opportunity, on the first day after Kirsty’s Ceilidh at the Dunblane Hydro on Sunday, 30th November, 1986………….
Readers Letters
Sir – On behalf of the Douglas family I would like to say thank you for the lovely tribute paid to Jim Douglas in the B&F. Jim was always a dedicated Scottish dance music lover and was always happiest in the company of musicians. In days gone by he had a band of his own called the ‘Douglas Reel-Makers’, who played all around the Angus area. He is indeed sadly missed.
Bill Douglas (nephew)
Old Kirk Cottage
Eassie
By Glamis
Sir – After seeing the third eedition of the B&F may I offer my congratulations to the News Editor, Tom Clark.
I know something of what goes on behind the scenes and I think he and his ‘oppo’, Dougie are doing a great job, and may I repeat his request. If you have the Association at heart, get your pens out and write and write and write. It’s your paper and it cannot exist without your input, views, stories, information, photographs and anything that could be of interest.
Ian L Smith
50 Mount Vernon Road
Stranraer
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Dee Motel) –
Alnwick (Fleece Inn) – members only –
Armadale (Masonic Arms Hotel) –
Ayr (Aftongrange Hotel) –
Balloch (Denny Social Club) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff (Royal Oak Hotel) –
Beith (Anderson Hotel) –
Belford (Community Club) –
Biggar (Clydesdale Hotel) –
Bridge of Allan (Walmer Hotel) -
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel) –
Callander (Glengarry Hotel) –
Campbeltown (Royal Hotel) – 10th Jan 87 Colin Dewar SDB
Castle Douglas (Ernespie Hotel) – 20th Jan 87 Ian Muir Duo
Cleland (Dalrymple House) –
Coupar Angus (Royal Hotel) –
Crieff & District (Drummond Arms Hotel) –
Dalriada (Royal Hotel, Lochgilphead) –
Derwentside (Working Men’s Club, Consett) –
Dingwall (venue? ) –
Dunblane (Westlands Hotel) – 20th Jan 87 Karen Edwardson SDB
Dundee (Queen’s Hotel, Nethergate) – 23rd Jan 87 Annual Dance to Iain MacPhail SDB 5th Feb 87 Open Night
Dunfermline (Northern Roadhouse) –
East Kilbride (King’s Park Hotel, Rutherglen) –
Edinburgh (Abbey Suite, Abbey Lane) –
Ellon (Ladbroke Hotel) –
Falkirk (Park Hotel) –
Fintry (Clachan Hotel) – 26th Jan 87 Simon Howie SDB
Forres (Brig Motel) –
Fort William (Cruchan Hotel) –
Galashiels (Maxwell Hotel) –
Galston (Theo’s Restaurant, Galston) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) – members only -
Gorebridge (Rangers FC Social Club) –
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) –
Islesteps (Cargenholm Hotel) – 6th Jan 87 Elmbank SDB 3rd Feb 87 Craig McCallum SDB
Kelso (Ednam House Hotel) –
Kintore (Crown Hotel) –
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) – 8th Jan 87 The Oakbank Sound
Livingston (Golden Circle Hotel, Bathgate) –
Lockerbie (Bluebell Hotel) –
Mauchline (The Jean Armour Restaurant) – 20th Jan 87 Michael Clark
M.A.F.I.A. (Black Bull, Milngavie) –
Montrose (Park Hotel) –
New Cumnock (Crown Hotel) –
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
Newton St Boswells (Railway Hotel) –
North Cumbria (Howard Arms) (prev called Gretna Club) –
North East (Seafield Hotel, Keith) – 6th Jan 87 Tain Band
Oban (Park Hotel) –
Orkney ( venue?) –
Ormiston (Miners’ Welfare Social Club) –
Peebles (County Hotel) – 29th Jan 87 Craig McCallum SDB
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 20th Jan 87 Craig McCallum SDB
Premier NI (Wilson’s of Crumlin) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel)
Shetland (venue?) -
Stranraer (Railway Club) –
Thornhill (?)
Thurso (McKay’s Hotel) –
Turriff (Royal Oak Hotel) –
Tynedale (The Royal Hotel, Hexham) –
Walmer (Bridge of Allan) – 25th Jan 87 Colin Dewar SDB
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Balloch
4. Banchory
5. Dunblane
6. Fintry
7. Islesteps
8. Kelso
9. Kinlochsheil
10. Kintore
11. Lesmahagow
12. Livingston
13. M.A.F.I.A.
14. Mauchline
15. Montrose
16. North East
17. Shetland
18. Stranraer
19. Turriff & District
20. Tynedale
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT SEPT 1986 (Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Sept 1976)
3. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months)
4. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition)
9. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
10. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974)
11. Buchan A&F Club
12. Callander A&F Club (
13. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980)
15. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
16. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
17. Derwentside A&F Club
18. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
19. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
20. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971)
21. Dundee & District A&F Club
22. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
23. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
24. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
25. Ellon A&F Club (
26. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
27. Fintry A&F Club
28. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
29. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
30. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
31. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
32. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
33. Highland A&F Club (Inverness)
34. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981)
35. Isle of Skye A&F Club (
36. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976)
37. Kintore A&F Club
38 Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967)
39 Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
40. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – per first edition)
41 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973)
42 M.A.F.I.A. (early)
43 Mauchline A&F Club (first mention 1986?)
44. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
45. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1979)
46. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
47. North Cumbria A&F Club (originally Gretna started June 1966 – had to move to a venue in the North of England and changed name – eventually changed back when they returned to the Halcrow Stadium. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
48. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971)
49. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975)
50. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978)
51. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club
52. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981)
53. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970)
54. Premier A&F Club NI (cNov 1980)
55. Rothbury Accordion Club (1987??)
56. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978)
57. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
58. Sutherland A&F Club (
59. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition)
60. Thurso A&F Club (cSept 1981)
61. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982)
62. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980)
63. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
64. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
65. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
66. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
67. Club Accord
68. Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2?)
69. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
70. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
71. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
72. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
73. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
74. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
75. Gretna A&F Club (June 1966)
76. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
77. Kinlochsheil A&F Club (
78. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
79. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
80. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
81. Newcastleton Accordion Club
82. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
83. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
84. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
85. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
86. Wellbank A&F Club
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