Box and Fiddle
Year 38 No 05
January 2015
Price £2.70
44 Page Magazine
12 month subscription £32.40 + p&p £15.75 (UK)
Editor – Pia Walker, Cupar
B&F Treasurer – Charlie Todd, Thankerton
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
Welcome to a new year, I hope 2015 will be good to you…………………..
Pia Walker
Dundee S&R Society
by Gordon Reid
In January 2014, Box and Fiddle very kindly published…………..
Folk for James
by David Gardner
It would be no exaggeration to say that Shetlanders……………………..
The New Generation – Emma Dickson
by self
Having been born into a musical family……..
Castelfidardo 2014
by Robin Ellis
38 individuals from England, Ireland……………….
Happy 40th Anniversary Biggar!
by Charlie Todd
Biggar Club celebrated their 40th Anniversary at their meeting on Sunday, 9th November in the company of Jennifer Cruickshank and Family from Lumphanan. It was in October 1974 that the late Alex MacArthur started the Club in the Clydesdale Hotel, Biggar and three changes of venue within the town later we’re still here.
Local players who turned out to support us were accordionists Samantha and Andrew Erskine, Fin Hope, Rose Cursiter, Kyle Rowan, Katie Todd, India smith, Allan Smith, Fraser Hewitt, Marshall Harkness, Hannah Dickson, Newby Park, Adam Gibb, John Weaks, Jim Gold and Charlie Todd. On fiddle were Gilbert Logan, Hannah Dickson and Tom Gold. David corner played concertina and Willie Little his penny whistle. Keyboard players were Jim Gold, Alan Rowan, Emma Dickson, Keith Dickson and Alan Gardiner and drummers were Tom hope, Geordie Shiels and James Dickson. The star turn amongst the locals though falls to 2½ year old Emily Gold who, accompanied by dad Jim, sang ‘Ally Bally Bee’ and brought the house down.
In introducing our guest artistes Chairman, Alan Gardiner, paid tribute to Alex and Evelyn MacArthur and John and Joy Anderson who between them ran the Club from 1974 until the present Committee took over. Our guest, Jennifer Cruickshank’s, musical career really started under Alex guiding hand hence it was appropriate that it was Jennifer (accordion), husband Brian (fiddle), son Callum (keyboard), daughter Iona (fiddle) and close family friend Duncan Christie (drums) who were with us on our 40th to entertain, particularly since Alex and John always encouraged the youngsters at the Club. They treated us to two excellent sessions of music and banter.
At half time a magnificent cake, made by club regular Hannah Jamieson, was cut by Fiona Lawson from Carnwath, Alex and Evelyn’s daughter, and thereafter everyone enjoyed the usual excellent spread provided by the KODA mums and took the opportunity to look at a selection of Peter Rae’s old photographs put together by Keith and Sheena Dickson.
Thanks to everyone who worked hard to make the night a great success and we look forward to seeing you at the Biggar Bowling Club on the second Sunday of the month at 7pm prompt.
Charlie Watkins (1923-2014)
by Rob Howard
Charlie Walkins was a man of many accomplishments, and referred to by some as the music world’s most significant innovator since Edison. He was principally an audio engineer, famous internationally for his various amplifiers and the Watkins Copicat Echo unit. His company, Watkins Electric Music (WEM), founded in 1949, designed and manufactured electric guitars and was notable in the 1960’s and 70’s for pioneering PA systems for outdoor rock festivals. Charlie Watkins was the sound engineer for the Rolling Stones’ famous ‘Stones in the Park’ concert in 1969 and for Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix concerts at Glastonbury in 1970. WEM products became widely used by the likes of Elton John, Paul McCartney, Rod Stewart, Fleetwood Mac, The Who and Pink Floyd to name but a few.
The accordion was Charlie’s first love however, and he began playing in the 1930’s. By the 1980’s Charlie Walkins devoted himself solely to the needs of accordionists, developing and marketing his WEM ‘Songbird’ range of accordion amplifiers and other products. He introduced his own branded accordions, sold a range of accessories, and published his own free magazine, ‘Accordion Today’, through which he advertised his products and also gave his forthright views on matters concerning the accordion world.
Charlie and his wife June made substantial contributions to charities via ‘Accordion Aid’ Appeal. He was a man of great humanity who used much of the wealth he accrued for the benefit of others.
Charlie Walkins, a remarkable ‘character’ with a great sense of humour, passed away on October 28th, 2014 at the age of 91. He is survived by his wife June.
Ron Hodgson (1929 – 2014)
by Rob Howard
Ron Hodgson, from Carlisle, was one of the seminal figures in the post-war accordion scene, highly respected, modest, and very well liked and an enthusiast for all things accordion.
He was a superb accordionist, founder/MD of the Ronmar Accordion Orchestra, teacher, composer, arranger, BCA examiner, NAO Chairman and festival organizer, and adjudicator. Gary Blair recalls, “I once phoned Ron late at night before an NAO area competition I was organizing, as a judge had let me down. He came up first thing in the morning, judged all day and refused to take a penny, even for petrol! That was a measure of the man. He will be missed”.
Ron was known to many as an orchestral MD at accordion festivals such as Caister and St. Audries Bay. Ron Hodgson passed away on October 10th, 2014. Harry Hussey played at his funeral service on October 24th. He is survived by his wife Margaret and son Ivor.
Book Review
Scandinavian Fiddle Tunes – Vicki Swan
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
3rd Jan 2015 – Iain Anderson SDB + Guest Dougie MacLean
10th Jan 2015 – Ian Thomson SDB + Guest Ian Thomson
17th Jan 2015 – Lomond Ceilidh Band
24th Jan 2015 – Archive Session
31st Jan 2015 – Frank Thomson SDB
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 27th Jan 2015 – Neil Dawson SDB
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms) 14th Jan 2015 – Leonard Brown & Maggie Adamson
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 18th Jan 2015 – Gold Brothers Trio
Arbroath (Artisan golf Club) - 11th Jan 2015 – Neil Caul SDB
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 18th Jan 2015 – Club Night
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 26th Jan 2015 – Cruickshank Family Band
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 28th Jan 2015 – Club night
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) – 19th Jan 2015 – Alisdair MacLeod SDB
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) – 11th Jan 2015 – Leonard Brown & Maggie Adamson
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 13th Jan 2015 – Lisa Laird SDB
Britannia (Arden House Hotel ) - 28th Jan 2015 – Tom Alexander
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 8th Jan 2015 – Willie McHardie 18th Jan - Shand Morino Gathering
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 6th Jan 2015 – Richard Smith Trio
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) - 8th Jan 2015 – Club night
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 20th Jan 2015 – Janet Graham SDB
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 15th Jan 2015 – Frank Morrison SDB
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel)
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) - 20th Jan 2015 – Hextor McFadyen Trio
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 7th Jan 2015 – Sandy Ross Duo
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 21st Jan 2015 – Ian Anderson
Dunfermline (Civil Service Sports Assoc, Rosyth) – 13th Jan 2015 – Club Night
Duns (Masonic Lodge) 19th Jan 2015 – Gordon Brown SDB
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 20th Jan 2015 – Club night
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 26th Jan 2015 – John Morgan
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 25th Jan 2015 – Barrack Brothers C.B.
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 14th Jan 2015 – Raymond chuchuk SDB
Fort William (Railway Club) - 6th Jan 2015 – Ross MacPherson SDB
Galashiels (Clovenfords Hotel) –
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 22nd Jan 2015 – Lomond Ceilidh Band
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 7th Jan 2015 – Club Night
Gretna (The Gables Hotel) - 11th Jan 2015 – John Morgan
Haddington (Railway Inn) - 18th Jan 2015 – Clappy Doo C.B.
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 19th Jan 2015 – Ross MAcPherson Trio
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) - 14th Jan 2015 – Ceilidh with Friends from Taynault
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 8th Jan 2015 – Graeme MacKay SDB
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) – 6th Jan 2015 – Janet Graham SDB
Kelso (Cross Rugby Club) – 28th Jan 2015 – Charlie McIntee SDB
Ladybank (Ladybank Tavern) - 15th Jan 2015 – Club night
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) - 26th Jan 2015 – Jimmy Cassidy
Langholm (British Legion) – 14th Jan 2015 – Club night
Lewis & Harris (Sea Angling Club) -
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 20th Jan 2015 – Jack Delaney SDB
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) - 27th Jan 2015 – Roy Hendrie
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 20th Jan 2015 – John Morgan
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 7th Jan 2015 – Scott Band SDB
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) - 29th Jan 2015 – David Vernon
Newmill-on-Teviot / Teviotdale (Buccleugh Bowling Club) 25th Jan 2015 – Open Day
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 26th Jan 2015 – Ewan Galloway SDB
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) –
Northern (Hilton Hotel & Country Club , Templepatrick, N.I.) -
Oban (The Royal Hotel) – 9th Jan 2015 – Dance to Colin Garvin SDB
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 7th 14th 21st 28th Jan 2015 – Local Night
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 29th Jan 2015 – Iain Cathcart Trio
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 20th Jan 2015 – Steven Carcary SDB
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 13th Jan 2015 – Brian Laurie Orchestra
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) -
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 6th 13th 20th 27th Jan 2015 – Club Night
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - 8th Jan 2015 – Club night
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) - 7th Jan 2015 – Club night & Buffet
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) - 17th Jan 2015 – Monachisle Ceilidh Band
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 5th Jan 2015 – Local Artistes
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) –
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) –
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) - 3rd 17th & 31st Jan 2015 – Ceilidh Night
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn)
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 8th & 20th Jan 2015 – Club Night
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Annan
3. Banff
4. Biggar
5. Blairgowrie
6. Button Key
7. Campsie
8. Castle Douglas
9. Coalburn
10. Crieff
11. Dingwall
12. Dunblane
13. Dunfermline
14. Fintry
15. Forfar
16. Forres
17. Glendale
18. Highland
19. Inveraray
20. Isle of Skye
21. Islesteps
22. Kelso
23. Ladybank
24. Lanark
25. Langholm
26. Lewis & Harris
27. Livingston
28. Lockerbie
29. Mauchline
30. Newburgh
31. Newtongrange
32. North East
33. Peebles
34. Perth
35. Renfrew
36. Rothbury
37. Seghill
38. Shetland
39. Stonehouse
40. Turriff
41. West Barnes
42. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2014
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
10. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
11. Button Key A&F Club (
12. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
13. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
15. Coalburn A&F Club (
16. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
17. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
18. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
19. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
20. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
21. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
22. Ellon A&F Club (
23. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
24. Forfar A&F Club (
25. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
26. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
27. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
28. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
29. 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)
30. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 - )
31. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
32. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
33. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
34. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
35. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
36. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier
37. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
38. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
39. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 – present)
40. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
41 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
42 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
43 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
44 Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
45 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
46. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
47. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
48. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
49. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
50. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
51. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
52. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
53. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
54. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
55 Stonehouse A&F Club (first report June 05 -
56 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
57 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
58 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
58 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
60 West Barnes ( - present)
61 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?)
62. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
63. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
64. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
65. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
66. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
67. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
68. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
69. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
70. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
71. Buchan A&F Club
72. Callander A&F Club (
73. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
74. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
75. Club Accord
76. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
77 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
78. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
79. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
80. Cults A & F Club (
81. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
82. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
83. Derwentside A&F Club
84. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
85. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
86. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
87. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
88. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
89. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
90. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
91. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
92. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
93. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
94. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93? – left the Assoc c2013)
95. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
96. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
97. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
98. Kintore A&F Club (
99. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
100. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
101. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
102. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
103. Maine Valley A&F Club (
104. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
105. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
106. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
107. Mull A&F Club
108. Newcastleton Accordion Club
109. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
110. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
111. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
112. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
113. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
114. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
115. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
116. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
117. Selkirk A&F Club (
118. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
119. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
120. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
121 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
122 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
123. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
124. Tranent A&F Club
125. Vancouver
126. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
127. Wellbank A&F Club
128. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
Advertising rates
Back Page (colour) - £300
Full Page (colour) - £220
Full Page (b&w) - £140
Half Page (colour) - £110
Half Page (b&w) - £70
Quarter Page (colour) - £55
Quarter Page (b&w) - £35
Eighth Page - £18
Small Boxed £12
B&F Treasurer – Charlie Todd, Thankerton
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
Welcome to a new year, I hope 2015 will be good to you…………………..
Pia Walker
Dundee S&R Society
by Gordon Reid
In January 2014, Box and Fiddle very kindly published…………..
Folk for James
by David Gardner
It would be no exaggeration to say that Shetlanders……………………..
The New Generation – Emma Dickson
by self
Having been born into a musical family……..
Castelfidardo 2014
by Robin Ellis
38 individuals from England, Ireland……………….
Happy 40th Anniversary Biggar!
by Charlie Todd
Biggar Club celebrated their 40th Anniversary at their meeting on Sunday, 9th November in the company of Jennifer Cruickshank and Family from Lumphanan. It was in October 1974 that the late Alex MacArthur started the Club in the Clydesdale Hotel, Biggar and three changes of venue within the town later we’re still here.
Local players who turned out to support us were accordionists Samantha and Andrew Erskine, Fin Hope, Rose Cursiter, Kyle Rowan, Katie Todd, India smith, Allan Smith, Fraser Hewitt, Marshall Harkness, Hannah Dickson, Newby Park, Adam Gibb, John Weaks, Jim Gold and Charlie Todd. On fiddle were Gilbert Logan, Hannah Dickson and Tom Gold. David corner played concertina and Willie Little his penny whistle. Keyboard players were Jim Gold, Alan Rowan, Emma Dickson, Keith Dickson and Alan Gardiner and drummers were Tom hope, Geordie Shiels and James Dickson. The star turn amongst the locals though falls to 2½ year old Emily Gold who, accompanied by dad Jim, sang ‘Ally Bally Bee’ and brought the house down.
In introducing our guest artistes Chairman, Alan Gardiner, paid tribute to Alex and Evelyn MacArthur and John and Joy Anderson who between them ran the Club from 1974 until the present Committee took over. Our guest, Jennifer Cruickshank’s, musical career really started under Alex guiding hand hence it was appropriate that it was Jennifer (accordion), husband Brian (fiddle), son Callum (keyboard), daughter Iona (fiddle) and close family friend Duncan Christie (drums) who were with us on our 40th to entertain, particularly since Alex and John always encouraged the youngsters at the Club. They treated us to two excellent sessions of music and banter.
At half time a magnificent cake, made by club regular Hannah Jamieson, was cut by Fiona Lawson from Carnwath, Alex and Evelyn’s daughter, and thereafter everyone enjoyed the usual excellent spread provided by the KODA mums and took the opportunity to look at a selection of Peter Rae’s old photographs put together by Keith and Sheena Dickson.
Thanks to everyone who worked hard to make the night a great success and we look forward to seeing you at the Biggar Bowling Club on the second Sunday of the month at 7pm prompt.
Charlie Watkins (1923-2014)
by Rob Howard
Charlie Walkins was a man of many accomplishments, and referred to by some as the music world’s most significant innovator since Edison. He was principally an audio engineer, famous internationally for his various amplifiers and the Watkins Copicat Echo unit. His company, Watkins Electric Music (WEM), founded in 1949, designed and manufactured electric guitars and was notable in the 1960’s and 70’s for pioneering PA systems for outdoor rock festivals. Charlie Watkins was the sound engineer for the Rolling Stones’ famous ‘Stones in the Park’ concert in 1969 and for Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix concerts at Glastonbury in 1970. WEM products became widely used by the likes of Elton John, Paul McCartney, Rod Stewart, Fleetwood Mac, The Who and Pink Floyd to name but a few.
The accordion was Charlie’s first love however, and he began playing in the 1930’s. By the 1980’s Charlie Walkins devoted himself solely to the needs of accordionists, developing and marketing his WEM ‘Songbird’ range of accordion amplifiers and other products. He introduced his own branded accordions, sold a range of accessories, and published his own free magazine, ‘Accordion Today’, through which he advertised his products and also gave his forthright views on matters concerning the accordion world.
Charlie and his wife June made substantial contributions to charities via ‘Accordion Aid’ Appeal. He was a man of great humanity who used much of the wealth he accrued for the benefit of others.
Charlie Walkins, a remarkable ‘character’ with a great sense of humour, passed away on October 28th, 2014 at the age of 91. He is survived by his wife June.
Ron Hodgson (1929 – 2014)
by Rob Howard
Ron Hodgson, from Carlisle, was one of the seminal figures in the post-war accordion scene, highly respected, modest, and very well liked and an enthusiast for all things accordion.
He was a superb accordionist, founder/MD of the Ronmar Accordion Orchestra, teacher, composer, arranger, BCA examiner, NAO Chairman and festival organizer, and adjudicator. Gary Blair recalls, “I once phoned Ron late at night before an NAO area competition I was organizing, as a judge had let me down. He came up first thing in the morning, judged all day and refused to take a penny, even for petrol! That was a measure of the man. He will be missed”.
Ron was known to many as an orchestral MD at accordion festivals such as Caister and St. Audries Bay. Ron Hodgson passed away on October 10th, 2014. Harry Hussey played at his funeral service on October 24th. He is survived by his wife Margaret and son Ivor.
Book Review
Scandinavian Fiddle Tunes – Vicki Swan
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
3rd Jan 2015 – Iain Anderson SDB + Guest Dougie MacLean
10th Jan 2015 – Ian Thomson SDB + Guest Ian Thomson
17th Jan 2015 – Lomond Ceilidh Band
24th Jan 2015 – Archive Session
31st Jan 2015 – Frank Thomson SDB
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 27th Jan 2015 – Neil Dawson SDB
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms) 14th Jan 2015 – Leonard Brown & Maggie Adamson
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 18th Jan 2015 – Gold Brothers Trio
Arbroath (Artisan golf Club) - 11th Jan 2015 – Neil Caul SDB
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 18th Jan 2015 – Club Night
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 26th Jan 2015 – Cruickshank Family Band
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 28th Jan 2015 – Club night
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) – 19th Jan 2015 – Alisdair MacLeod SDB
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) – 11th Jan 2015 – Leonard Brown & Maggie Adamson
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 13th Jan 2015 – Lisa Laird SDB
Britannia (Arden House Hotel ) - 28th Jan 2015 – Tom Alexander
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 8th Jan 2015 – Willie McHardie 18th Jan - Shand Morino Gathering
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 6th Jan 2015 – Richard Smith Trio
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) - 8th Jan 2015 – Club night
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 20th Jan 2015 – Janet Graham SDB
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 15th Jan 2015 – Frank Morrison SDB
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel)
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) - 20th Jan 2015 – Hextor McFadyen Trio
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 7th Jan 2015 – Sandy Ross Duo
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 21st Jan 2015 – Ian Anderson
Dunfermline (Civil Service Sports Assoc, Rosyth) – 13th Jan 2015 – Club Night
Duns (Masonic Lodge) 19th Jan 2015 – Gordon Brown SDB
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 20th Jan 2015 – Club night
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 26th Jan 2015 – John Morgan
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 25th Jan 2015 – Barrack Brothers C.B.
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 14th Jan 2015 – Raymond chuchuk SDB
Fort William (Railway Club) - 6th Jan 2015 – Ross MacPherson SDB
Galashiels (Clovenfords Hotel) –
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 22nd Jan 2015 – Lomond Ceilidh Band
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 7th Jan 2015 – Club Night
Gretna (The Gables Hotel) - 11th Jan 2015 – John Morgan
Haddington (Railway Inn) - 18th Jan 2015 – Clappy Doo C.B.
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 19th Jan 2015 – Ross MAcPherson Trio
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) - 14th Jan 2015 – Ceilidh with Friends from Taynault
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 8th Jan 2015 – Graeme MacKay SDB
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) – 6th Jan 2015 – Janet Graham SDB
Kelso (Cross Rugby Club) – 28th Jan 2015 – Charlie McIntee SDB
Ladybank (Ladybank Tavern) - 15th Jan 2015 – Club night
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) - 26th Jan 2015 – Jimmy Cassidy
Langholm (British Legion) – 14th Jan 2015 – Club night
Lewis & Harris (Sea Angling Club) -
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 20th Jan 2015 – Jack Delaney SDB
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) - 27th Jan 2015 – Roy Hendrie
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 20th Jan 2015 – John Morgan
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 7th Jan 2015 – Scott Band SDB
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) - 29th Jan 2015 – David Vernon
Newmill-on-Teviot / Teviotdale (Buccleugh Bowling Club) 25th Jan 2015 – Open Day
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 26th Jan 2015 – Ewan Galloway SDB
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) –
Northern (Hilton Hotel & Country Club , Templepatrick, N.I.) -
Oban (The Royal Hotel) – 9th Jan 2015 – Dance to Colin Garvin SDB
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 7th 14th 21st 28th Jan 2015 – Local Night
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 29th Jan 2015 – Iain Cathcart Trio
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 20th Jan 2015 – Steven Carcary SDB
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 13th Jan 2015 – Brian Laurie Orchestra
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) -
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 6th 13th 20th 27th Jan 2015 – Club Night
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - 8th Jan 2015 – Club night
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) - 7th Jan 2015 – Club night & Buffet
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) - 17th Jan 2015 – Monachisle Ceilidh Band
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 5th Jan 2015 – Local Artistes
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) –
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) –
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) - 3rd 17th & 31st Jan 2015 – Ceilidh Night
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn)
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 8th & 20th Jan 2015 – Club Night
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Annan
3. Banff
4. Biggar
5. Blairgowrie
6. Button Key
7. Campsie
8. Castle Douglas
9. Coalburn
10. Crieff
11. Dingwall
12. Dunblane
13. Dunfermline
14. Fintry
15. Forfar
16. Forres
17. Glendale
18. Highland
19. Inveraray
20. Isle of Skye
21. Islesteps
22. Kelso
23. Ladybank
24. Lanark
25. Langholm
26. Lewis & Harris
27. Livingston
28. Lockerbie
29. Mauchline
30. Newburgh
31. Newtongrange
32. North East
33. Peebles
34. Perth
35. Renfrew
36. Rothbury
37. Seghill
38. Shetland
39. Stonehouse
40. Turriff
41. West Barnes
42. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2014
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
10. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
11. Button Key A&F Club (
12. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
13. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
15. Coalburn A&F Club (
16. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
17. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
18. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
19. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
20. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
21. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
22. Ellon A&F Club (
23. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
24. Forfar A&F Club (
25. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
26. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
27. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
28. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
29. 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)
30. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 - )
31. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
32. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
33. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
34. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
35. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
36. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier
37. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
38. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
39. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 – present)
40. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
41 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
42 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
43 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
44 Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
45 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
46. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
47. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
48. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
49. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
50. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
51. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
52. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
53. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
54. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
55 Stonehouse A&F Club (first report June 05 -
56 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
57 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
58 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
58 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
60 West Barnes ( - present)
61 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?)
62. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
63. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
64. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
65. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
66. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
67. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
68. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
69. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
70. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
71. Buchan A&F Club
72. Callander A&F Club (
73. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
74. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
75. Club Accord
76. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
77 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
78. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
79. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
80. Cults A & F Club (
81. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
82. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
83. Derwentside A&F Club
84. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
85. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
86. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
87. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
88. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
89. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
90. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
91. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
92. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
93. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
94. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93? – left the Assoc c2013)
95. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
96. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
97. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
98. Kintore A&F Club (
99. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
100. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
101. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
102. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
103. Maine Valley A&F Club (
104. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
105. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
106. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
107. Mull A&F Club
108. Newcastleton Accordion Club
109. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
110. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
111. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
112. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
113. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
114. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
115. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
116. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
117. Selkirk A&F Club (
118. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
119. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
120. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
121 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
122 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
123. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
124. Tranent A&F Club
125. Vancouver
126. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
127. Wellbank A&F Club
128. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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