Box and Fiddle
Year 41 No 05
January 2018
Price £3.00
52 Page Magazine
12 month subscription £33.60 + p&p £15.85 (UK)
Editor – Pia Walker, Cupar
B&F Treasurer – Willie Johnstone, Inverurie
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
Happy 2018 to you all. I hope that you all had …………
Pia Walker
Highland Showtime
by Bob Wares
The annual Highland Showtime, under the auspices of the………………
Bryce Johnstone (1936 – 26/10/2017)
by Ian Cruickshanks (Kirriemuir)
Windygates recently held a one minute silence for a stalwart of the Club, 81-year-old Bryce Johnstone who had recently passed away. Bryce was sometimes known as ‘The Moothie Man’ and was a very accomplished singer. He was known as an excellent moothie player, not just in Fife, but throughout Scotland for his appearances at many clubs and also for his stage performances. His CDs where he was accompanied by Bill Ewan on piano (Bryce and Moothie Combine and Sook ‘n’ Blaw) showed the expertise and dexterity of the man.
He was repeatedly described as the quiet man, a proper gentleman and a gentle man. A bricklayer to trade, he retired early through ill health. His wife Elizabeth, his family and grandchildren were always first on his mind, but his music came a close second. He had no hesitation in trying to help others attempting to play the moothie. He had a passion for both cricket and swimming and coached both. On the evening of 25th October at Windygates Hall he played the moothie to his usual standard and later was asked to sing a wee song. As he started to sing a Perry Como version of And I Love You So, his wife Elizabeth was heard to say, “That is not the tune he practiced”. A few hours later he took ill and did not recover.
At his service of remembrance and thanksgiving the attendance of about 250 people from all parts of Scotland, many of them well-known musicians who all had their wee stories to tell, showed the respect in which he was held.
Condolences to all the family from all at the Club.
Gordon Pattullo
by Bill Brown
A 40th anniversary to many conjures up the titles Quadragennial or Ruby, but call it what you like, 40 years is a very long time and a lot of squeezing. As someone able to vividly recall that young ginger haired teenager that took the Scottish accordion fraternity by storm in the late seventies, it’s hard to believe in 2017 Gordon Pattullo has clocked up a staggering 40 years in the music business. The seventies was an interesting decade, presenting us with four prime ministers, four general elections, two property booms, two oil crises, a riot of youth sub-cultures and a pop music revolution whose reverberations still resonate widely today. For lovers of Scottish music we were well catered for with Calum’s Ceilidh, Thingummyjig, Andy Stewart’s Scotch Corner and numerous Hogmanay offerings on the telly. The seventies also saw the birth of Radio’s Clyde and Forth, which back then, also regarded it as their public duty to promote our kind of music on their airwaves. Radio Forth perhaps royally leading the way with Robin Brock’s excellent weekly Folks Around Robin programme produced by Chris Worrell and Sandy Wilkie which gave Take the Floor a run for its money. Gordon began his professional music career in 1977, which many will of course remember as the Queen’s Silver Jubilee year. It was also the year 26 year old Kenny Dalglish made his way South from Celtic to Liverpool, becoming in the process Britain’s most expensive footballer for the princely sum of £440,000, a bit of a bargain by today’s standards! It was also the year the world mourned the death of Elvis Presley and Fleetwood Mac released their Grammy award winning album Rumours. Not to be outdone, the young Gordon himself got in on the recording act that year releasing his second album The Young Traditionals with Addie Harper Jnr on the EMI label.
Gordon’s parents were always interested in accordion music. Jimmy Shand, Arthur Spink, Ian Powrie and Jimmy Blue were just a few of the greats whose sound filled the Pattullo household back then. Gordon’s mum Georgina played piano and violin and his dad James, known to his many friends as Peem, played the melodeon. Sadly Gordon’s father passed away on 2nd April 2016 but his mum is still going strong and I’m sure extremely proud of her talented son. Gordon’s ultimate love affair with the accordion began on his 11th birthday when his parents bought him his very first accordion, a three voice 120 bass Sonola. As history has subsequently decreed a very inspired gift! Next step for Gordon was accordion lessons, so with accordion in hand, the young Gordon was duly dispatched to the Dundee Accordion School of Music to begin his formal music education under the stewardship and watchful eye of the superb Jim Marshall, who along with other tutors worked in what was at the time a very successful music school in Union Street, Dundee. After a few lessons Gordon was hooked. However, there was no slacking at this school for the young Gordon who was encouraged to complete his theory and practical music exams. Jim Marshall gave Gordon excellent grounding in many styles of music, including continental and classical. Two years later at the age of thirteen, Gordon also started receiving lessons from legendary Dundee accordionist John Huband in the nearby village of Muirhead. In contrast to the continental and classical styles Jim Marshall taught, which music examinations demanded back then, John focused more on Scottish traditional music. Gordon remembers feeling a little nervous as he reflects on his very first public performance which took place in 1973 in his own school, Kettins Primary near Coupar Angus. Gordon had only been playing about six months at this stage so any apprehension or nerves in most people’s book would be completely understandable. Eventually having achieved a decent playing standard, Jim Marshall introduced his young protégé to ex world champion accordionist Louis Cabrelli who provided Gordon with more advanced tuition. Louis Cabrelli, a child prodigy of the 1920’s, was held in the highest regard by many of the world’s finest accordion players. Louis enjoyed a close friendship with Jimmy Shand, a relationship forged during their work with Charles Forbes in Dundee where Jimmy demonstrated the virtues of the melodeon while Louis enticed prospective customers by showcasing his amazing skills on the piano accordion. The young Gordon was by this stage well on the road to great things and the competition stage beckoned. Gordon’s first competitive engagement at the age of 13 was the Junior Scottish Traditional section at the infamous Perth Festival organised by the greatly loved and much missed Bill Wilkie. Gordon claims he was lucky to win this section on his first attempt at competing, despite being up against 60 other competitors no doubt as equally keen and determined as Gordon was to get their hands on this accolade, but our man was not to be disappointed and even during those tender formative years Gordon’s star shone brightly.
In 1977 the Senior Traditional Scottish Accordion Championship was won by Graham Mitchell, a title surprisingly never won by Gordon and there’s a very good reason for that? Gordon never quite found the time to enter the most coveted Scottish traditional accordion title of them all due to a change in his fortunes. A few years earlier in 1970, Jimmy Blue had started an Accordion & Fiddle Club in Perth which Gordon attended. In 1977 having become acutely aware of Gordon’s outstanding talent on the accordion, Jimmy introduced Gordon to Andy Stewart. This introduction led to a host of professional engagements for the young Gordon who had started to emerge as one of Scotland’s finest exponents of the piano accordion. The first of those engagements was an eight week tour of Canada and America. Not a bad start to a blossoming music career! Throughout the next decade, which back then was the heady days of Scottish variety, Gordon was involved in theatre shows almost every week, the majority of those with the legendary Andy Stewart. Gordon to this day fondly reflects on his years working with Andy and counts himself extremely lucky to have worked with one of the finest Scottish entertainers to ever grace the stage. Interestingly, Gordon met Andy for the very first time at Prestwick Airport, which in the 1970’s was Scotland’s international aviation hub. Due to demanding schedules, Gordon and Andy never found the time to rehearse in Scotland so that was left until they went on tour. As Gordon looks back on those golden years he remains impressed as to how clever Andy was and reflects on his impressive knowledge of Robert Burns and his poetry. If anyone knew how to play and entertain an audience, Andy Stewart did and the young Gordon learnt his craft from the master. Throughout his career Gordon has also had the good fortune to provide support for other legendary names such as Moira Anderson, Kenneth McKellar, Lulu, Dana and George Hamilton IV. During the past four decades Gordon has also been no stranger to television or radio studios. His first radio broadcast was in the late 1970’s, a series on Accordion and Fiddle Clubs produced by Ben Lyons and hosted by another Scottish music legend, the wonderful Alasdair Gillies who I also greatly admire and respect for his outstanding contribution to Scotland’s musical heritage. Gordon has broadcast many times on BBC Radio and Radio’s Forth and Clyde. He’s also featured many times on another box (the telly) appearing on the Jim MacLeod Show, Andy’s Party and Northern Nights (Grampian Television) and Thingummyjig (STV) not to mention numerous Hogmanay shows. The great days of Scottish variety when Andy Stewart, The Alexander Brothers and other great Scottish entertainers sold out two houses on the same night in many of Scotland’s theatres may sadly be behind us but Gordon thinks there is still a market today for traditional music. Work in the 1970’s was plentiful and while there isn’t as much work around today, Gordon is still kept busy playing for Old Tyme dances. Another work outlet that ended two years ago was the Scottish Summer show at the St. James Hotel in Edinburgh, which entertained tourists visiting the Scottish capital for nigh on 30 years. Gordon contributed his accordion skills to this highly successful production for nearly a decade.
Another important personal pursuit that ended two years ago for Gordon was his work in farming, although he has a lot to thank that profession for as he met his wife June at the Young Farmers Club. Gordon and June have been married for over 30 years and have three children together, although they are no longer kids! Fraser aged 30 is an accountant, Alan 28 works for HMRC and daughter Caroline aged 25 is a Nursery Nurse. Music continues to run through the Pattullo family veins as you would expect. Eldest son Fraser plays pipes and whistle and has often featured in his dad’s excellent ceilidh band making his recording debut on Gordon’s Hand Made in Scotland album. Younger son Alan has played in the Drum Corps of Perth and District Pipe Band and daughter Caroline has also tread the boards as a Highland Dancer. Gordon has demonstrated his wizardry on the accordion both at home and abroad during his 40 year musical career playing in some amazing theatres and auditoriums along the way, but Gordon has a few venues he favours above all others. First on the list is His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen where Gordon enjoyed many a happy summer season with Andy Stewart and also making the cut is the Whitehall Theatre in Dundee. Gordon also gets a great deal of pleasure playing at Accordion and Fiddle Clubs and in small village halls, both of which, can be cracking venues if the atmosphere is right. Gordon senses there is still a very healthy interest in the accordion but expresses concern it isn’t as good or as strong as it once was. Accordion and Fiddle Clubs equally aren’t as vibrant and continue to face many challenges, not least of course an ageing demograph. No respectful article on Gordon’s 40 year career would be complete without highlighting our man’s prolific talents as a composer. Gordon down the years has written more tunes than I would have the time or space to include in this article. When it comes to writing tunes, Gordon is a perfectionist and no tune will see the light of day unless he’s completely happy with it. Second best is never something Gordon has accepted or will countenance. His superb playing and excellent composition skills are proof of that if ever proof was needed. Being a little self-indulgent, the three Gordon Pattullo compositions that standout above all others for me are the Tullybaccart Two Step, the very first Gordon Pattullo recording I ever heard, Bonnie Strathmore, a tune that captures the beauty of the Sidlaw Hills near Gordon’s Perthshire home and of course the one Gordon composition that has become so loved and cherished by many accordion enthusiasts, the fabulous and very evocative Furrows End, a tune Gordon wrote in memory of the late Dave Ford who was a great lover of Scottish music, a family friend and a champion ploughman to boot. Gordon has published one book of his tunes and there are several more compositions available to download from his website. Perhaps one of the most memorable tunes Gordon has written was when Producer Bryce Laing commissioned Gordon to write a tune to mark Jimmy Shand’s 50th year as a recording artiste. Bryce had two copies pressed at Abbey Road Studios in London, one went to Jimmy and the other to Gordon.
Now Gordon has stopped farming most of his time is spent repairing and tuning accordions, a new venture Gordon loves having learnt his craft along the way from John Crawford, one of Scotland’s finest accordion tuners. Big shoes indeed to fill but our Gordon is well on the way to adding another very important string to his bow. Away from the world of accordions, Gordon has a few other interests that may surprise some people. Not least his interest in restoring and displaying his collection of old vintage tractors, at the last count Gordon owned nine. Another interest of Gordon’s that may be less surprising living in Perthshire, is the occasional donning of the waders to indulge in a little loch fishing. If all that wasn’t enough, you may also find Gordon in his vegetable garden. It does make you wonder where Gordon found the time to farm! It’s always intriguing to find out from successful musicians what their tastes in music are and more specifically what they might pop into the car CD player on a long journey. Well Gordon has been a pretty open book in that respect naming Will Starr, Glen Campbell and Don Williams amongst his all time favourites. Gordon also has a liking for folk groups and loves the pipe music of the late Gordon Duncan. It’s rather poignant in Gordon’s 40th year in music that we lost two of his favourite artists who were absolute legends on the country music circuit. It would also be inappropriate, if not disrespectful, not to mention the loss of Dundee’s favourite son in this list and a man whose recordings were often played in the Pattullo household which no doubt inspired the young Gordon, the legendary Arthur Spink. Looking to the future, Gordon’s aim is to continue exactly as he’s doing, playing music and composing tunes, repairing and tuning accordions and mentoring his many students who have the good fortune to benefit and learn at the master’s side. Gordon, we warmly congratulate you on your 40th Anniversary and for entertaining us with your superb music and unique talent for four wonderful decades. You’re well on the way to being a legend yourself. Here’s to the next 40 years!
Gordon Pattullo Discography
A Gordon For You EMI 1976
The Young Traditionals (with Addie Harper Jnr) EMI 1977
The Northlands EMI 1978
Scotland’s Favourite Emerald Gem 1979
Here’s Tae A Gordon Emerald Gem 1980
Gordon Pattullo’s Accordion Favourites Ross Records 1983
Scotch On The Box Ross Records 1986
All The Best Lapwing 1988
Fair Play Lapwing 1991
Scottish Accordion Hits Grasmere 1993
The Sound Of Scottish Music Ross Records 1995
A Scottish Celebration Ross Records 1997
The Best Of Scottish Dance Music Crimson 1997
Ceilidh Dance Party Grasmere 1998
A Guid Scots Night Grasmere 2000
Ceilidh At The Castle Grasmere 2002
Gordon Pattullo & Friends Grasmere 2003
Hand Made In Scotland GP Recordings 2004
Sure As The Sunrise GP Recordings 2006
7 Star Ceilidh GP Recordings 2008
The Very Best Of Gordon Pattullo GP Recordings 2010
Out Of My Hands GP Recordings 2011
Note For Note GP Recordings 2013
The Accordion GP Recordings 2015
The Accordion At Christmas GP Recordings 2017
DVD
Gordon Pattullo His Accordion & His Friends GP Recordings 2007
Gordon Pattullo His Accordion & His Friends 2 GP Recordings 2009
Centre Stage
Gemma Donald
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
Shetland Sessions – David Halcrow Band – HALCD1701
Border Mixture Three – Donald Ridley – DR030
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
6th Jan 2018 – Band Compilation & Song Hour
13th Jan 2018 – Archive Session
20th Jan 2018 – Matthew Maclennan SDB
27th Jan 2018 – Showcase Youth
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 30th Jan 2018 – Ian Muir SDB
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms) 10th Jan 2018 – Club Night
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 21st Jan 2018 – Club Night
Arbroath (Arbroath Artisan Golf Club) - 7th Jan 2018 – John Stuart SDB
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 21st Jan 2018 – John Morgan
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 24th Jan 2018 – Club Open Night
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) – 15th Jan 2018 - tbc
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) – 14th Jan 2018 – Gary Donaldson SDB
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 9th Jan 2018 – Gavin Piper & Calum Wallace
Button Key (Greig Institute, Windygates) – 11th Jan 2018 – John Stuart SDB
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 9th Jan 2018 – Ray Carse
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Springholm Memorial Hall) – 16th Jan 2018 – Music – 4 - U
Clydesdale (St Mary’s Club Rooms) - 7th Jan 2018 – 60s Bairns
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 18th Jan 2018 – James Coutts Quartet
Crieff & District (British Legion)
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) - 16th Jan 2018 – Leonard Brown
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 17th Jan 2018 – Inver-Ross Group & Tarradale Fiddlers
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 17th Jan 2018 – Jim Johnstone Tribute Band
Dunfermline (Sportsman Bar, Rosyth) – 9th Jan 2018 – Club Night
Duns (Masonic Lodge) 15th Jan 2018 – Neil Hardie SDB
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 23rd Jan 2018 – John Stuart SDB
Forfar (Forfar RBL) - 28th Jan 2018 – Club Night + AGM
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 10th Jan 2018 – Graeme Mitchell SDB – 40th Anniversary
Fort William (Railway Club, Inverlochy) - 9th Jan 2018 - tbc
Galashiels (Gala YM RFC) - -
Glasgow (Scotstounhill Bowling Club) - 8th Jan 2018 – David Bowen Trio
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 11th Jan 2018 – Robert Whitehead & the Danelaw Dance Band – 45th Anniversary
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - -
Gretna (The Solway Lodge Hotel) - 7th Jan 2018 – Clyde Valley Ceilidh Band
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 15th Jan 2018 – Gillian Stevenson
Inveraray (Inveraray Inn) - 10th Jan 2018 – Robert Nairn Trio
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 4th Jan 2018 – The Islands Ceilidh Band
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) – 9th Jan 2018 – The Homelanders
Kelso (Kelso Rugby Club) – 31st Jan 2018 – Iain Cathcart SDB
Langholm (Langholm Social Club) – 10th Jan 2018 – Club Night
Lewis & Harris (Caladh Inn, Stornoway) - 4th Jan 2018 – Club Night
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 16th Jan 2018 – John Stuart SDB
Lockerbie (Mid Annandale Comrades Club) 30th Jan 2018 – Brian Griffin
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) - 21st Jan 2018 – Steven Carcary SDB
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 16th Jan 2018 – Jim Gold Trio
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 3rd Jan 2018 – Marian Anderson Trio
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) - 25th Jan 2018 – tbc + AGM
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 29th Jan 2018 – Willie McFarlane Band
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) –
Oban (The Royal Hotel) – 12th Jan 2018 – Dance to Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 10th 17th 24th 31st Jan 2018 – Club Night
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 25th Jan 2018 – Colin Dewar Trio
Perth & District (Salutation Hotel) – 16th Jan 2018 – Simon Howie SDB
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 10th Jan 2018 – Gary Blair & the Jimmy Blair Orchestra
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) -
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 9th 16th 23rd 30th Jan 2018 – Club Night
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - 11th Jan 2018 – Club Night 29th Jan 2018 – Up-Helly-Aa Night
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Bowling Club) - 11th Jan 2018 – Gary Blair Band
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) - 20th Jan 2018 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 8th Jan 2018 – Addie Harper
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) –
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) –
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 16th Jan 2018 – Local Bands Night
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Annan
4. Arbroath
5. Balloch
6. Banff & District
7. Beith
8. Biggar
9. Blairgowrie
10. Buttonkey
11. Campsie
12. Castle Douglas
13. Coalburn
14. Dunblane
15. Dunfermline
16. Duns
17. Ellon
18. Forfar
19. Forres
20. Glasgow
21. Glendale
22. Glenfarg
23. Gretna
24. Highland
25. Islesteps
26. Kelso
27. Langholm
28. Lewis & Harris
29. Livingston
30. Macmerry
31. Mauchline
32. Newburgh
33. North East
34. Perth
35. Renfrew
36. Rothbury
37. Seghill
38. Shetland
39. Stonehouse
40. Tynedale
41. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2016
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
10. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
11. Button Key A&F Club (
12. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
13. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
15. Clydesdale A&F Club (Sept 2016 – present)
16. Coalburn A&F Club (
17. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
18. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
19. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
20. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
21. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
22. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
23. Ellon A&F Club (
24. Forfar A&F Club (
25. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
26. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
27. Glasgow A&F Club (Aug 2017 -
28. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
29. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
30. 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)
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. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
37. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 – present)
38. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
39 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
40. Macmerry A&F Club (Feb 2016 – present)
41 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
42 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
43 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
44. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
45. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
46. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
47. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
48. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
49. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
50. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
51. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
52 Stonehouse A&F Club (Opened 2003 - first report June 05 – Closed April 2018)
53 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
54 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
55 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
56 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
57 Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975 - present)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
58. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
59. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
60. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
61. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
62. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
63. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
64. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
65. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
66. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
67. Buchan A&F Club
68. Callander A&F Club (
69. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
70. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
71. Club Accord
72. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
73 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
74. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
75. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
76. Cults A & F Club (
77. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
78. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
79. Derwentside A&F Club
80. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
81. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
82. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
83. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
84. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
85. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
86. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
87. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
88. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – ?)
89. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
90. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
91. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93? – left the Assoc c2013)
92. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
93. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
94. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 – 6th December 2015)
95. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
96. Kintore A&F Club (
97. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
98. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier -
99. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
100. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
101. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
102. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
103. Maine Valley A&F Club (
104. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
105. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
106. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
107. Mull A&F Club
108. Newcastleton Accordion Club
109. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
110. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
111. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
112. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
113. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
114. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
115. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
116. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
117. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
118. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
119. Selkirk A&F Club (
120. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
121. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
122. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
123 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
124 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
125. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
126. Tranent A&F Club
127. Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra
128. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
129. Wellbank A&F Club
130. West Barnes (1981? - April 2016?)
131. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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B&F Treasurer – Willie Johnstone, Inverurie
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
Happy 2018 to you all. I hope that you all had …………
Pia Walker
Highland Showtime
by Bob Wares
The annual Highland Showtime, under the auspices of the………………
Bryce Johnstone (1936 – 26/10/2017)
by Ian Cruickshanks (Kirriemuir)
Windygates recently held a one minute silence for a stalwart of the Club, 81-year-old Bryce Johnstone who had recently passed away. Bryce was sometimes known as ‘The Moothie Man’ and was a very accomplished singer. He was known as an excellent moothie player, not just in Fife, but throughout Scotland for his appearances at many clubs and also for his stage performances. His CDs where he was accompanied by Bill Ewan on piano (Bryce and Moothie Combine and Sook ‘n’ Blaw) showed the expertise and dexterity of the man.
He was repeatedly described as the quiet man, a proper gentleman and a gentle man. A bricklayer to trade, he retired early through ill health. His wife Elizabeth, his family and grandchildren were always first on his mind, but his music came a close second. He had no hesitation in trying to help others attempting to play the moothie. He had a passion for both cricket and swimming and coached both. On the evening of 25th October at Windygates Hall he played the moothie to his usual standard and later was asked to sing a wee song. As he started to sing a Perry Como version of And I Love You So, his wife Elizabeth was heard to say, “That is not the tune he practiced”. A few hours later he took ill and did not recover.
At his service of remembrance and thanksgiving the attendance of about 250 people from all parts of Scotland, many of them well-known musicians who all had their wee stories to tell, showed the respect in which he was held.
Condolences to all the family from all at the Club.
Gordon Pattullo
by Bill Brown
A 40th anniversary to many conjures up the titles Quadragennial or Ruby, but call it what you like, 40 years is a very long time and a lot of squeezing. As someone able to vividly recall that young ginger haired teenager that took the Scottish accordion fraternity by storm in the late seventies, it’s hard to believe in 2017 Gordon Pattullo has clocked up a staggering 40 years in the music business. The seventies was an interesting decade, presenting us with four prime ministers, four general elections, two property booms, two oil crises, a riot of youth sub-cultures and a pop music revolution whose reverberations still resonate widely today. For lovers of Scottish music we were well catered for with Calum’s Ceilidh, Thingummyjig, Andy Stewart’s Scotch Corner and numerous Hogmanay offerings on the telly. The seventies also saw the birth of Radio’s Clyde and Forth, which back then, also regarded it as their public duty to promote our kind of music on their airwaves. Radio Forth perhaps royally leading the way with Robin Brock’s excellent weekly Folks Around Robin programme produced by Chris Worrell and Sandy Wilkie which gave Take the Floor a run for its money. Gordon began his professional music career in 1977, which many will of course remember as the Queen’s Silver Jubilee year. It was also the year 26 year old Kenny Dalglish made his way South from Celtic to Liverpool, becoming in the process Britain’s most expensive footballer for the princely sum of £440,000, a bit of a bargain by today’s standards! It was also the year the world mourned the death of Elvis Presley and Fleetwood Mac released their Grammy award winning album Rumours. Not to be outdone, the young Gordon himself got in on the recording act that year releasing his second album The Young Traditionals with Addie Harper Jnr on the EMI label.
Gordon’s parents were always interested in accordion music. Jimmy Shand, Arthur Spink, Ian Powrie and Jimmy Blue were just a few of the greats whose sound filled the Pattullo household back then. Gordon’s mum Georgina played piano and violin and his dad James, known to his many friends as Peem, played the melodeon. Sadly Gordon’s father passed away on 2nd April 2016 but his mum is still going strong and I’m sure extremely proud of her talented son. Gordon’s ultimate love affair with the accordion began on his 11th birthday when his parents bought him his very first accordion, a three voice 120 bass Sonola. As history has subsequently decreed a very inspired gift! Next step for Gordon was accordion lessons, so with accordion in hand, the young Gordon was duly dispatched to the Dundee Accordion School of Music to begin his formal music education under the stewardship and watchful eye of the superb Jim Marshall, who along with other tutors worked in what was at the time a very successful music school in Union Street, Dundee. After a few lessons Gordon was hooked. However, there was no slacking at this school for the young Gordon who was encouraged to complete his theory and practical music exams. Jim Marshall gave Gordon excellent grounding in many styles of music, including continental and classical. Two years later at the age of thirteen, Gordon also started receiving lessons from legendary Dundee accordionist John Huband in the nearby village of Muirhead. In contrast to the continental and classical styles Jim Marshall taught, which music examinations demanded back then, John focused more on Scottish traditional music. Gordon remembers feeling a little nervous as he reflects on his very first public performance which took place in 1973 in his own school, Kettins Primary near Coupar Angus. Gordon had only been playing about six months at this stage so any apprehension or nerves in most people’s book would be completely understandable. Eventually having achieved a decent playing standard, Jim Marshall introduced his young protégé to ex world champion accordionist Louis Cabrelli who provided Gordon with more advanced tuition. Louis Cabrelli, a child prodigy of the 1920’s, was held in the highest regard by many of the world’s finest accordion players. Louis enjoyed a close friendship with Jimmy Shand, a relationship forged during their work with Charles Forbes in Dundee where Jimmy demonstrated the virtues of the melodeon while Louis enticed prospective customers by showcasing his amazing skills on the piano accordion. The young Gordon was by this stage well on the road to great things and the competition stage beckoned. Gordon’s first competitive engagement at the age of 13 was the Junior Scottish Traditional section at the infamous Perth Festival organised by the greatly loved and much missed Bill Wilkie. Gordon claims he was lucky to win this section on his first attempt at competing, despite being up against 60 other competitors no doubt as equally keen and determined as Gordon was to get their hands on this accolade, but our man was not to be disappointed and even during those tender formative years Gordon’s star shone brightly.
In 1977 the Senior Traditional Scottish Accordion Championship was won by Graham Mitchell, a title surprisingly never won by Gordon and there’s a very good reason for that? Gordon never quite found the time to enter the most coveted Scottish traditional accordion title of them all due to a change in his fortunes. A few years earlier in 1970, Jimmy Blue had started an Accordion & Fiddle Club in Perth which Gordon attended. In 1977 having become acutely aware of Gordon’s outstanding talent on the accordion, Jimmy introduced Gordon to Andy Stewart. This introduction led to a host of professional engagements for the young Gordon who had started to emerge as one of Scotland’s finest exponents of the piano accordion. The first of those engagements was an eight week tour of Canada and America. Not a bad start to a blossoming music career! Throughout the next decade, which back then was the heady days of Scottish variety, Gordon was involved in theatre shows almost every week, the majority of those with the legendary Andy Stewart. Gordon to this day fondly reflects on his years working with Andy and counts himself extremely lucky to have worked with one of the finest Scottish entertainers to ever grace the stage. Interestingly, Gordon met Andy for the very first time at Prestwick Airport, which in the 1970’s was Scotland’s international aviation hub. Due to demanding schedules, Gordon and Andy never found the time to rehearse in Scotland so that was left until they went on tour. As Gordon looks back on those golden years he remains impressed as to how clever Andy was and reflects on his impressive knowledge of Robert Burns and his poetry. If anyone knew how to play and entertain an audience, Andy Stewart did and the young Gordon learnt his craft from the master. Throughout his career Gordon has also had the good fortune to provide support for other legendary names such as Moira Anderson, Kenneth McKellar, Lulu, Dana and George Hamilton IV. During the past four decades Gordon has also been no stranger to television or radio studios. His first radio broadcast was in the late 1970’s, a series on Accordion and Fiddle Clubs produced by Ben Lyons and hosted by another Scottish music legend, the wonderful Alasdair Gillies who I also greatly admire and respect for his outstanding contribution to Scotland’s musical heritage. Gordon has broadcast many times on BBC Radio and Radio’s Forth and Clyde. He’s also featured many times on another box (the telly) appearing on the Jim MacLeod Show, Andy’s Party and Northern Nights (Grampian Television) and Thingummyjig (STV) not to mention numerous Hogmanay shows. The great days of Scottish variety when Andy Stewart, The Alexander Brothers and other great Scottish entertainers sold out two houses on the same night in many of Scotland’s theatres may sadly be behind us but Gordon thinks there is still a market today for traditional music. Work in the 1970’s was plentiful and while there isn’t as much work around today, Gordon is still kept busy playing for Old Tyme dances. Another work outlet that ended two years ago was the Scottish Summer show at the St. James Hotel in Edinburgh, which entertained tourists visiting the Scottish capital for nigh on 30 years. Gordon contributed his accordion skills to this highly successful production for nearly a decade.
Another important personal pursuit that ended two years ago for Gordon was his work in farming, although he has a lot to thank that profession for as he met his wife June at the Young Farmers Club. Gordon and June have been married for over 30 years and have three children together, although they are no longer kids! Fraser aged 30 is an accountant, Alan 28 works for HMRC and daughter Caroline aged 25 is a Nursery Nurse. Music continues to run through the Pattullo family veins as you would expect. Eldest son Fraser plays pipes and whistle and has often featured in his dad’s excellent ceilidh band making his recording debut on Gordon’s Hand Made in Scotland album. Younger son Alan has played in the Drum Corps of Perth and District Pipe Band and daughter Caroline has also tread the boards as a Highland Dancer. Gordon has demonstrated his wizardry on the accordion both at home and abroad during his 40 year musical career playing in some amazing theatres and auditoriums along the way, but Gordon has a few venues he favours above all others. First on the list is His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen where Gordon enjoyed many a happy summer season with Andy Stewart and also making the cut is the Whitehall Theatre in Dundee. Gordon also gets a great deal of pleasure playing at Accordion and Fiddle Clubs and in small village halls, both of which, can be cracking venues if the atmosphere is right. Gordon senses there is still a very healthy interest in the accordion but expresses concern it isn’t as good or as strong as it once was. Accordion and Fiddle Clubs equally aren’t as vibrant and continue to face many challenges, not least of course an ageing demograph. No respectful article on Gordon’s 40 year career would be complete without highlighting our man’s prolific talents as a composer. Gordon down the years has written more tunes than I would have the time or space to include in this article. When it comes to writing tunes, Gordon is a perfectionist and no tune will see the light of day unless he’s completely happy with it. Second best is never something Gordon has accepted or will countenance. His superb playing and excellent composition skills are proof of that if ever proof was needed. Being a little self-indulgent, the three Gordon Pattullo compositions that standout above all others for me are the Tullybaccart Two Step, the very first Gordon Pattullo recording I ever heard, Bonnie Strathmore, a tune that captures the beauty of the Sidlaw Hills near Gordon’s Perthshire home and of course the one Gordon composition that has become so loved and cherished by many accordion enthusiasts, the fabulous and very evocative Furrows End, a tune Gordon wrote in memory of the late Dave Ford who was a great lover of Scottish music, a family friend and a champion ploughman to boot. Gordon has published one book of his tunes and there are several more compositions available to download from his website. Perhaps one of the most memorable tunes Gordon has written was when Producer Bryce Laing commissioned Gordon to write a tune to mark Jimmy Shand’s 50th year as a recording artiste. Bryce had two copies pressed at Abbey Road Studios in London, one went to Jimmy and the other to Gordon.
Now Gordon has stopped farming most of his time is spent repairing and tuning accordions, a new venture Gordon loves having learnt his craft along the way from John Crawford, one of Scotland’s finest accordion tuners. Big shoes indeed to fill but our Gordon is well on the way to adding another very important string to his bow. Away from the world of accordions, Gordon has a few other interests that may surprise some people. Not least his interest in restoring and displaying his collection of old vintage tractors, at the last count Gordon owned nine. Another interest of Gordon’s that may be less surprising living in Perthshire, is the occasional donning of the waders to indulge in a little loch fishing. If all that wasn’t enough, you may also find Gordon in his vegetable garden. It does make you wonder where Gordon found the time to farm! It’s always intriguing to find out from successful musicians what their tastes in music are and more specifically what they might pop into the car CD player on a long journey. Well Gordon has been a pretty open book in that respect naming Will Starr, Glen Campbell and Don Williams amongst his all time favourites. Gordon also has a liking for folk groups and loves the pipe music of the late Gordon Duncan. It’s rather poignant in Gordon’s 40th year in music that we lost two of his favourite artists who were absolute legends on the country music circuit. It would also be inappropriate, if not disrespectful, not to mention the loss of Dundee’s favourite son in this list and a man whose recordings were often played in the Pattullo household which no doubt inspired the young Gordon, the legendary Arthur Spink. Looking to the future, Gordon’s aim is to continue exactly as he’s doing, playing music and composing tunes, repairing and tuning accordions and mentoring his many students who have the good fortune to benefit and learn at the master’s side. Gordon, we warmly congratulate you on your 40th Anniversary and for entertaining us with your superb music and unique talent for four wonderful decades. You’re well on the way to being a legend yourself. Here’s to the next 40 years!
Gordon Pattullo Discography
A Gordon For You EMI 1976
The Young Traditionals (with Addie Harper Jnr) EMI 1977
The Northlands EMI 1978
Scotland’s Favourite Emerald Gem 1979
Here’s Tae A Gordon Emerald Gem 1980
Gordon Pattullo’s Accordion Favourites Ross Records 1983
Scotch On The Box Ross Records 1986
All The Best Lapwing 1988
Fair Play Lapwing 1991
Scottish Accordion Hits Grasmere 1993
The Sound Of Scottish Music Ross Records 1995
A Scottish Celebration Ross Records 1997
The Best Of Scottish Dance Music Crimson 1997
Ceilidh Dance Party Grasmere 1998
A Guid Scots Night Grasmere 2000
Ceilidh At The Castle Grasmere 2002
Gordon Pattullo & Friends Grasmere 2003
Hand Made In Scotland GP Recordings 2004
Sure As The Sunrise GP Recordings 2006
7 Star Ceilidh GP Recordings 2008
The Very Best Of Gordon Pattullo GP Recordings 2010
Out Of My Hands GP Recordings 2011
Note For Note GP Recordings 2013
The Accordion GP Recordings 2015
The Accordion At Christmas GP Recordings 2017
DVD
Gordon Pattullo His Accordion & His Friends GP Recordings 2007
Gordon Pattullo His Accordion & His Friends 2 GP Recordings 2009
Centre Stage
Gemma Donald
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
Shetland Sessions – David Halcrow Band – HALCD1701
Border Mixture Three – Donald Ridley – DR030
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
6th Jan 2018 – Band Compilation & Song Hour
13th Jan 2018 – Archive Session
20th Jan 2018 – Matthew Maclennan SDB
27th Jan 2018 – Showcase Youth
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 30th Jan 2018 – Ian Muir SDB
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms) 10th Jan 2018 – Club Night
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 21st Jan 2018 – Club Night
Arbroath (Arbroath Artisan Golf Club) - 7th Jan 2018 – John Stuart SDB
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 21st Jan 2018 – John Morgan
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 24th Jan 2018 – Club Open Night
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) – 15th Jan 2018 - tbc
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) – 14th Jan 2018 – Gary Donaldson SDB
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 9th Jan 2018 – Gavin Piper & Calum Wallace
Button Key (Greig Institute, Windygates) – 11th Jan 2018 – John Stuart SDB
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 9th Jan 2018 – Ray Carse
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Springholm Memorial Hall) – 16th Jan 2018 – Music – 4 - U
Clydesdale (St Mary’s Club Rooms) - 7th Jan 2018 – 60s Bairns
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 18th Jan 2018 – James Coutts Quartet
Crieff & District (British Legion)
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) - 16th Jan 2018 – Leonard Brown
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 17th Jan 2018 – Inver-Ross Group & Tarradale Fiddlers
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 17th Jan 2018 – Jim Johnstone Tribute Band
Dunfermline (Sportsman Bar, Rosyth) – 9th Jan 2018 – Club Night
Duns (Masonic Lodge) 15th Jan 2018 – Neil Hardie SDB
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 23rd Jan 2018 – John Stuart SDB
Forfar (Forfar RBL) - 28th Jan 2018 – Club Night + AGM
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 10th Jan 2018 – Graeme Mitchell SDB – 40th Anniversary
Fort William (Railway Club, Inverlochy) - 9th Jan 2018 - tbc
Galashiels (Gala YM RFC) - -
Glasgow (Scotstounhill Bowling Club) - 8th Jan 2018 – David Bowen Trio
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 11th Jan 2018 – Robert Whitehead & the Danelaw Dance Band – 45th Anniversary
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - -
Gretna (The Solway Lodge Hotel) - 7th Jan 2018 – Clyde Valley Ceilidh Band
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 15th Jan 2018 – Gillian Stevenson
Inveraray (Inveraray Inn) - 10th Jan 2018 – Robert Nairn Trio
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 4th Jan 2018 – The Islands Ceilidh Band
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) – 9th Jan 2018 – The Homelanders
Kelso (Kelso Rugby Club) – 31st Jan 2018 – Iain Cathcart SDB
Langholm (Langholm Social Club) – 10th Jan 2018 – Club Night
Lewis & Harris (Caladh Inn, Stornoway) - 4th Jan 2018 – Club Night
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 16th Jan 2018 – John Stuart SDB
Lockerbie (Mid Annandale Comrades Club) 30th Jan 2018 – Brian Griffin
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) - 21st Jan 2018 – Steven Carcary SDB
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 16th Jan 2018 – Jim Gold Trio
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 3rd Jan 2018 – Marian Anderson Trio
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) - 25th Jan 2018 – tbc + AGM
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 29th Jan 2018 – Willie McFarlane Band
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) –
Oban (The Royal Hotel) – 12th Jan 2018 – Dance to Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 10th 17th 24th 31st Jan 2018 – Club Night
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 25th Jan 2018 – Colin Dewar Trio
Perth & District (Salutation Hotel) – 16th Jan 2018 – Simon Howie SDB
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 10th Jan 2018 – Gary Blair & the Jimmy Blair Orchestra
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) -
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 9th 16th 23rd 30th Jan 2018 – Club Night
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - 11th Jan 2018 – Club Night 29th Jan 2018 – Up-Helly-Aa Night
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Bowling Club) - 11th Jan 2018 – Gary Blair Band
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) - 20th Jan 2018 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 8th Jan 2018 – Addie Harper
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) –
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) –
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 16th Jan 2018 – Local Bands Night
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Annan
4. Arbroath
5. Balloch
6. Banff & District
7. Beith
8. Biggar
9. Blairgowrie
10. Buttonkey
11. Campsie
12. Castle Douglas
13. Coalburn
14. Dunblane
15. Dunfermline
16. Duns
17. Ellon
18. Forfar
19. Forres
20. Glasgow
21. Glendale
22. Glenfarg
23. Gretna
24. Highland
25. Islesteps
26. Kelso
27. Langholm
28. Lewis & Harris
29. Livingston
30. Macmerry
31. Mauchline
32. Newburgh
33. North East
34. Perth
35. Renfrew
36. Rothbury
37. Seghill
38. Shetland
39. Stonehouse
40. Tynedale
41. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2016
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
10. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
11. Button Key A&F Club (
12. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
13. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
15. Clydesdale A&F Club (Sept 2016 – present)
16. Coalburn A&F Club (
17. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
18. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
19. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
20. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
21. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
22. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
23. Ellon A&F Club (
24. Forfar A&F Club (
25. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
26. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
27. Glasgow A&F Club (Aug 2017 -
28. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
29. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
30. 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)
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. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
37. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 – present)
38. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
39 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
40. Macmerry A&F Club (Feb 2016 – present)
41 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
42 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
43 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
44. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
45. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
46. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
47. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
48. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
49. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
50. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
51. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
52 Stonehouse A&F Club (Opened 2003 - first report June 05 – Closed April 2018)
53 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
54 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
55 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
56 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
57 Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975 - present)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
58. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
59. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
60. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
61. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
62. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
63. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
64. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
65. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
66. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
67. Buchan A&F Club
68. Callander A&F Club (
69. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
70. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
71. Club Accord
72. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
73 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
74. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
75. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
76. Cults A & F Club (
77. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
78. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
79. Derwentside A&F Club
80. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
81. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
82. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
83. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
84. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
85. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
86. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
87. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
88. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – ?)
89. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
90. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
91. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93? – left the Assoc c2013)
92. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
93. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
94. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 – 6th December 2015)
95. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
96. Kintore A&F Club (
97. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
98. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier -
99. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
100. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
101. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
102. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
103. Maine Valley A&F Club (
104. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
105. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
106. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
107. Mull A&F Club
108. Newcastleton Accordion Club
109. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
110. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
111. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
112. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
113. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
114. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
115. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
116. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
117. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
118. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
119. Selkirk A&F Club (
120. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
121. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
122. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
123 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
124 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
125. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
126. Tranent A&F Club
127. Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra
128. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
129. Wellbank A&F Club
130. West Barnes (1981? - April 2016?)
131. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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