Box and Fiddle
Year 31 No 11
July 2008
Price £2.30
44 Page Magazine
12 month subscription £25.30 + p&p £8.80 (UK)
Editor – Karin Ingram, Hawick
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
By the time you read this the AGM and Celebrity Luncheon will be past for another year. Congratulations to all the BAFFI winners and our Guests of Honour. A full report will be in our September issue.
There’s a lot happening later on in the year. The Mod goes to Falkirk, Bruce Miller’s European Festival takes place in the North-East and the prestigious Coupe Mondiale is in Scotland for the first time, all three events in October. Add to those The Stanley Weekend, Shetland Festival and Perth Festival and you can see we’re shaping up for a busy time of it.
Thank you as always to everyone who has contributed to the magazine, and welcome on board to Jacky Cooper who is our new Advertising Executive. The B&F relies on advertising income to keep afloat, and Jacky is already doing a grand job – we’ve even got her roped in writing articles!
Hope you’re all having a great summer – keep sending us those photographs and articles. Remember it’s YOUR magazine.
Karin Ingram
Sir Jimmy Shand Centenary
100 Years of Sir Jimmy shand MBE, MA – Tribute Day Centenary Concert on Sunday 11th May 2008 in St Andrews Town Hall
by Heather McLean
The Sir Jimmy Shand Tribute Day in St Andrews is always memorable, but this year was even more special as it was celebrating 100 years since the birth of the legendary Sir Jimmy Shand. Musicians and audience members had traveled from near and far, and I understand that tickets could have been sold twice over, such was the demand to attend the concert.
Present in the audience were Lord and Lady Elgin of Broomhall, the Provost of Fife (Frances Melville) and Sir Jimmy Shand Junior’s lovely wife Margaret. The afternoon began with the presentation of two cheques each for £1,525 to two charities – CHAS, and Dalgairn Adult Training Centre. Compere for the afternoon, Billy Anderson of Radio Tay, then welcomed everyone, thanked them for coming along, and got proceedings underway. Billy always does a grand job, as the bands were setting up and leaving the stage he told stories and jokes. This year he also gave the audience some information about the life and times of Sir Jimmy Shand.
The concert opened with Jimmy Shand Jnr and his Band, playing some sing-along selections. Accompanying Jimmy were David Cunningham Snr on second accordion, Jack Delaney on third accordion and Jim Lawrie on drums. Following Jimmy shand’s band was The Jack Stalker Band, and they included in their selections Francis Wright Waltz, The Whitley Chapel Barn Dance and, finally Dalrymple Jig. Throughout the afternoon there were pictures of Sir Jimmy Shand and his friends projected onto a large screen at the back of the stage while the bands were playing. The one that caught my eye was a good photo of Sir Jimmy and Jim Johnstone. Thank you to David Cunningham Snr and Jnr for making the display possible. Well done!
Ann and Laura Brand were next to give us their own and their father’s memories of the great man. The Bill Stewart SDB followed, playing Whistlin’ Rufus and Shufflin’ Samuel (to mention just a couple of their selections) and finishing their spot with Jimmy Shand’s Compliments to Willie Snaith.
Ben Lyons was next on stage, speaking about the BBC Radio 2 programme, The Heather Mixture, and about Sir Jimmy. One of Ben’s memories was of when they were in Edinburgh, during the break between rehearsal and recording, of going to a little restaurant, where Jimmy ordered ‘Chang Wang’ – a cooked cheese dish, as Jimmy adored cheese – and how Jimmy raised his arm and declared at the top of his voice, “Cheese for energy!” The Heather Mixtures was such a success that its run was increased from the original 13 programmes that were planned, eventually to 200, and it was broadcast not only domestically, but on the BBC World Service too. An LP starring the cast of the shows was released, but the title was changed slightly to Scottish Mixture. That LP made history because it was the one and only time that Jimmy sang on a recording. With the band, including young Jimmy on piano, Jimmy sang his own words to The Heilan’ Chorus :
I’ve come a long, long way today
From Bonnie Auchtermuchty
To play my wee accordion
Just because I love to
I blow the moothie
I scrape the fiddle
I fairly go my dinger
But now they’ve roped me in on this
They’re hard up for a singer
As Ben said, in all the years he and Sir Jimmy worked together, there was never a heated word, and he felt lucky and privileged to have known and worked with such a great man.
So – back to the music – with The Colin Dewar SDB. Accompanying Colin were Judi Nicolson (fiddle), Alasdair MacLeod (second accordion), Gus Millar (drums) and John Delaney (bass). They began with Kenneth MacFadyen’s Ree and Jimmy shand’s compliments to Sandy Tulloch. Then they slowed down the tempo to a selection of Sir Jimmy’s waltz compositions, and finished their spot with Margaret Cook’s Fancy.
Next came the interval, and time for everyone to have a cup of tea or coffee before settling down for the second half of the afternoon’s entertainment.
Starting off the second half was The Ian Cruickshanks SDB. Accompanying Ian was his usual line up. They began with Ellen Richard’s Delight and Jimmy Shand Waltz, followed by a polka, then finished with a set of two-steps. Following Ian was John Shearer, sharing with us memories of his friendship with Sir Jimmy, taking us back to the early seventies. The next band on stage was The Simon Howie SDB. Accompanying Simon were Robert Black (second box), Ron Kerr (fiddle), Jim Lindsay (keyboard) and David Scott (drums). They started with The 6.20 Two-Step and continued with Blaze Away, My Ain Folk and Lady Elgin of Broomhall, finishing with a set of reels, which included Caddam Wood.
Ian Cruickshanks and Jimmy shand Jnr were next to take the stage. This time Ian was playing on the original Shand Morino No 1. In their spot they played Call of the Handicapped Child and The Bluebell Polka – both excellent. This Shand Morino was the first one made in 1939, and all the others were based on its design. Sir Jimmy bought this Morino two weeks before the war broke out in 1939, and this was the button-box he played on his chart-topping recording of The Bluebell Polka.
The Graeme Mitchell SDB followed, with selections including John McDonald’s March, Heather Mixture Polka, Memories of Willie Snaith and Dundee City Police Pipe Band.
Jimmy Shand Jnr and his Band came back on stage playing Jimmy Shand’s Centenary March and Welcome Christmas Morning, and as Jimmy said, his father liked to tour Ireland so the band played some Irish tunes including The Irish Washerwoman.
To finish off a great afternoon the bands that had performed throughout the afternoon came back on stage, , led by Jimmy Shand Jnr’s band, for the final stramash, and what a great sound was enjoyed by all! Jimmy Shand Jnr’s father would have been so proud that this event in his name went so very well.
I would like to say a very special thank you to the hard-working Committee, and to all the sponsors who made the event such a great success. I must include special thanks from Jock Thomson and myself for the invitation to represent the B&F magazine.
Traditional Music in Norway
by
The Mod in Falkirk
by
Bruce Miller’s European Accordion Festival
by
………
Blair Douglas
by
What made you get started in music and where were your earliest influences? …………….
Choosing a Bow
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
The Red Haired Girl – Kathleen Boyle – KTR001CD
Stay Strong – Blair Douglas – Ridge Records – RR052
The Pictish Players – Lochluichart Productions – Lochluichart Lorge, by Garve, Ross-shire
Cherry Blossom – Gordon Shand SDB – ABC104
Donnie Munro Live – An Turas – The Journey – Greentrax Recordings – CDTRAX323
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 20.30 with Robbie Shepherd
REPEATS
5th July 08 – John Carmichael SDB (BBC Pacific Quay with guests Strathclyde Police Pipe Band & Mairi MacInnes)
12th July 08 – Ryan McGlynn SDB (OB from Ardrishaig with guests Inveraray & district Pipe Band and Archie McAllister)
19th July 08 – Simon Howie SDB (OB from Strathallan with guests Perdy Syres-Gibson and Joan Blue and Alastair MacDonald)
26th July 08 – David Halcrow SDB (Calum Pasqua – winner of Glenfiddich 2007)
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) –
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle)
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 20th July 08 – George Hood SDB
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) -
Armadale (Masonic Hall) –
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 28th July 08 – Neil Hardie SDB
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 2nd July 08 – Fergie MacDonald CB 9th July – Michael McKay SDB 16th July – Ceilidh Time DB 23rd July – Andy Coutts Sound
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) –
Biggar (Municipal Hall) –
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 8th July 08 – Colin Garvin
Britannia (Arden House Hotel) -
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) -
Button Key (Windygates Institute) –
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) -
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) –
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) -
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel)
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club)
Dingwall (National Hotel) –
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) –
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) –
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel) 11th July 08 – Ian McCallum Trio 12th July – MacAllister Brothers Trio 13th July John Douglas SDB
Duns (Royal British Legion Club, Langtongate)
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 22nd July 08 – Bill Black SDB
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) –
Forfar (The Royal Hotel) - 27th July 08 – Willie McFarlane Band
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 9th July 08 – Maggie Adamson & Brian Nicholson
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) –
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) -
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) -
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) - 29th July 08 – Roya MacLean
Gretna (Athlitic & Social Club) -
Haddington (Railway Inn) -
Highland (Waterside Hotel) –
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) -
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) –
Kelso (Cross Keys Hotel) –
Kintore (Torryburn Arms Hotel) –
Ladybank (Ladybank Tavern) -
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) -
Langholm (Eskdale Hotel) –
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 3rd July 08 – Ian Angus MacLeod
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn)
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) –
Newburgh (The Ship Hotel) -
Newmill-on-Teviot / Teviotdale (Thorterdykes Roadhouse)
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) –
Oban (The Argyllshire Gathering) –
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) –
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) –
Premier NI (Chimney Corner Hotel) -
Reading Scottish Fiddlers (Willowbank Infant School, Woodley) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) -
Scottish Accordion Music (Banchory) - 13th July 08 – All Players Welcome
Selkirk (Angus O’Malley’s) -
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) -
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) -
Thornhill (Bowling Club Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) –
Turriff (Commercail Hotel, Cuminestown) – 3rd July 08 – Tom Alexander
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 17th July 08 – Colin Donaldson
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn)
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Arbroath
2. Annan
3. Banchory
4. Banff
5. Blairgowrie
6. Cults
7. Duns
8. Forfar
9. Forres
10. Glenrothes
11. Highland
12. Kelso
13. Kintore
14. Lewis & Harris
15. Livingston
16. Montrose
17. Newburgh
18. Shetland
19. Turriff
20. Tynedale
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2007
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Closed early 08-09
6. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
7. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
8. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
9. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
10. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
11. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
12. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
13. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
14. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
15. Button Key A&F Club (
16. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
17. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
18. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
19. Coalburn A&F Club (
20. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
21. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
22. Cults A & F Club (
23. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
24. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
25. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
26. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
27. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
28. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
29. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
30. Ellon A&F Club (
31. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
32. Forfar A&F Club (
33. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
34. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
35. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
36. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
37. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
38. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
39. 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)
40. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 - )
41. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
42. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
43. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
44. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
45. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
46. Kintore A&F Club (
47. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier
48. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
49. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
50. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
51. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
52. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
53. Maine Valley A&F Club (
54. Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
55. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
56. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded
57. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999
58. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
59. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
60. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
61. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
62. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
63. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
64. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
65. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
66. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
67. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
68. Selkirk A&F Club (
69. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
70. Stonehouse A&F Club (first report June 05 -
71. Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
72. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
73. Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
74. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
75. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
76. Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
77. West Barnes ( - present)
78. 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?)
79. Acharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
80. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
81. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
82. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
83. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
84. Buchan A&F Club
85 Callander A&F Club (
86 Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
87 Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
88 Club Accord
89 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
90. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
91. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
92. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
93. Derwentside A&F Club
94. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
95. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
96. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
97. Dundee & District A&F Club (1970? – 1995?)
98. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
99. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
100. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
101. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
102. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
103. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
104. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
105. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
106. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
107. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
108. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
109. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
110. Mull A&F Club
111. Newcastleton Accordion Club
112. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
113. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
114. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
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. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
118. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
119. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
120. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
121. Tranent A&F Club
122. Vancouver
123. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
124. Wellbank A&F Club
125. 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
By the time you read this the AGM and Celebrity Luncheon will be past for another year. Congratulations to all the BAFFI winners and our Guests of Honour. A full report will be in our September issue.
There’s a lot happening later on in the year. The Mod goes to Falkirk, Bruce Miller’s European Festival takes place in the North-East and the prestigious Coupe Mondiale is in Scotland for the first time, all three events in October. Add to those The Stanley Weekend, Shetland Festival and Perth Festival and you can see we’re shaping up for a busy time of it.
Thank you as always to everyone who has contributed to the magazine, and welcome on board to Jacky Cooper who is our new Advertising Executive. The B&F relies on advertising income to keep afloat, and Jacky is already doing a grand job – we’ve even got her roped in writing articles!
Hope you’re all having a great summer – keep sending us those photographs and articles. Remember it’s YOUR magazine.
Karin Ingram
Sir Jimmy Shand Centenary
100 Years of Sir Jimmy shand MBE, MA – Tribute Day Centenary Concert on Sunday 11th May 2008 in St Andrews Town Hall
by Heather McLean
The Sir Jimmy Shand Tribute Day in St Andrews is always memorable, but this year was even more special as it was celebrating 100 years since the birth of the legendary Sir Jimmy Shand. Musicians and audience members had traveled from near and far, and I understand that tickets could have been sold twice over, such was the demand to attend the concert.
Present in the audience were Lord and Lady Elgin of Broomhall, the Provost of Fife (Frances Melville) and Sir Jimmy Shand Junior’s lovely wife Margaret. The afternoon began with the presentation of two cheques each for £1,525 to two charities – CHAS, and Dalgairn Adult Training Centre. Compere for the afternoon, Billy Anderson of Radio Tay, then welcomed everyone, thanked them for coming along, and got proceedings underway. Billy always does a grand job, as the bands were setting up and leaving the stage he told stories and jokes. This year he also gave the audience some information about the life and times of Sir Jimmy Shand.
The concert opened with Jimmy Shand Jnr and his Band, playing some sing-along selections. Accompanying Jimmy were David Cunningham Snr on second accordion, Jack Delaney on third accordion and Jim Lawrie on drums. Following Jimmy shand’s band was The Jack Stalker Band, and they included in their selections Francis Wright Waltz, The Whitley Chapel Barn Dance and, finally Dalrymple Jig. Throughout the afternoon there were pictures of Sir Jimmy Shand and his friends projected onto a large screen at the back of the stage while the bands were playing. The one that caught my eye was a good photo of Sir Jimmy and Jim Johnstone. Thank you to David Cunningham Snr and Jnr for making the display possible. Well done!
Ann and Laura Brand were next to give us their own and their father’s memories of the great man. The Bill Stewart SDB followed, playing Whistlin’ Rufus and Shufflin’ Samuel (to mention just a couple of their selections) and finishing their spot with Jimmy Shand’s Compliments to Willie Snaith.
Ben Lyons was next on stage, speaking about the BBC Radio 2 programme, The Heather Mixture, and about Sir Jimmy. One of Ben’s memories was of when they were in Edinburgh, during the break between rehearsal and recording, of going to a little restaurant, where Jimmy ordered ‘Chang Wang’ – a cooked cheese dish, as Jimmy adored cheese – and how Jimmy raised his arm and declared at the top of his voice, “Cheese for energy!” The Heather Mixtures was such a success that its run was increased from the original 13 programmes that were planned, eventually to 200, and it was broadcast not only domestically, but on the BBC World Service too. An LP starring the cast of the shows was released, but the title was changed slightly to Scottish Mixture. That LP made history because it was the one and only time that Jimmy sang on a recording. With the band, including young Jimmy on piano, Jimmy sang his own words to The Heilan’ Chorus :
I’ve come a long, long way today
From Bonnie Auchtermuchty
To play my wee accordion
Just because I love to
I blow the moothie
I scrape the fiddle
I fairly go my dinger
But now they’ve roped me in on this
They’re hard up for a singer
As Ben said, in all the years he and Sir Jimmy worked together, there was never a heated word, and he felt lucky and privileged to have known and worked with such a great man.
So – back to the music – with The Colin Dewar SDB. Accompanying Colin were Judi Nicolson (fiddle), Alasdair MacLeod (second accordion), Gus Millar (drums) and John Delaney (bass). They began with Kenneth MacFadyen’s Ree and Jimmy shand’s compliments to Sandy Tulloch. Then they slowed down the tempo to a selection of Sir Jimmy’s waltz compositions, and finished their spot with Margaret Cook’s Fancy.
Next came the interval, and time for everyone to have a cup of tea or coffee before settling down for the second half of the afternoon’s entertainment.
Starting off the second half was The Ian Cruickshanks SDB. Accompanying Ian was his usual line up. They began with Ellen Richard’s Delight and Jimmy Shand Waltz, followed by a polka, then finished with a set of two-steps. Following Ian was John Shearer, sharing with us memories of his friendship with Sir Jimmy, taking us back to the early seventies. The next band on stage was The Simon Howie SDB. Accompanying Simon were Robert Black (second box), Ron Kerr (fiddle), Jim Lindsay (keyboard) and David Scott (drums). They started with The 6.20 Two-Step and continued with Blaze Away, My Ain Folk and Lady Elgin of Broomhall, finishing with a set of reels, which included Caddam Wood.
Ian Cruickshanks and Jimmy shand Jnr were next to take the stage. This time Ian was playing on the original Shand Morino No 1. In their spot they played Call of the Handicapped Child and The Bluebell Polka – both excellent. This Shand Morino was the first one made in 1939, and all the others were based on its design. Sir Jimmy bought this Morino two weeks before the war broke out in 1939, and this was the button-box he played on his chart-topping recording of The Bluebell Polka.
The Graeme Mitchell SDB followed, with selections including John McDonald’s March, Heather Mixture Polka, Memories of Willie Snaith and Dundee City Police Pipe Band.
Jimmy Shand Jnr and his Band came back on stage playing Jimmy Shand’s Centenary March and Welcome Christmas Morning, and as Jimmy said, his father liked to tour Ireland so the band played some Irish tunes including The Irish Washerwoman.
To finish off a great afternoon the bands that had performed throughout the afternoon came back on stage, , led by Jimmy Shand Jnr’s band, for the final stramash, and what a great sound was enjoyed by all! Jimmy Shand Jnr’s father would have been so proud that this event in his name went so very well.
I would like to say a very special thank you to the hard-working Committee, and to all the sponsors who made the event such a great success. I must include special thanks from Jock Thomson and myself for the invitation to represent the B&F magazine.
Traditional Music in Norway
by
The Mod in Falkirk
by
Bruce Miller’s European Accordion Festival
by
………
Blair Douglas
by
What made you get started in music and where were your earliest influences? …………….
Choosing a Bow
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
The Red Haired Girl – Kathleen Boyle – KTR001CD
Stay Strong – Blair Douglas – Ridge Records – RR052
The Pictish Players – Lochluichart Productions – Lochluichart Lorge, by Garve, Ross-shire
Cherry Blossom – Gordon Shand SDB – ABC104
Donnie Munro Live – An Turas – The Journey – Greentrax Recordings – CDTRAX323
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 20.30 with Robbie Shepherd
REPEATS
5th July 08 – John Carmichael SDB (BBC Pacific Quay with guests Strathclyde Police Pipe Band & Mairi MacInnes)
12th July 08 – Ryan McGlynn SDB (OB from Ardrishaig with guests Inveraray & district Pipe Band and Archie McAllister)
19th July 08 – Simon Howie SDB (OB from Strathallan with guests Perdy Syres-Gibson and Joan Blue and Alastair MacDonald)
26th July 08 – David Halcrow SDB (Calum Pasqua – winner of Glenfiddich 2007)
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) –
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle)
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 20th July 08 – George Hood SDB
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) -
Armadale (Masonic Hall) –
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 28th July 08 – Neil Hardie SDB
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 2nd July 08 – Fergie MacDonald CB 9th July – Michael McKay SDB 16th July – Ceilidh Time DB 23rd July – Andy Coutts Sound
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) –
Biggar (Municipal Hall) –
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 8th July 08 – Colin Garvin
Britannia (Arden House Hotel) -
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) -
Button Key (Windygates Institute) –
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) -
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) –
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) -
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel)
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club)
Dingwall (National Hotel) –
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) –
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) –
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel) 11th July 08 – Ian McCallum Trio 12th July – MacAllister Brothers Trio 13th July John Douglas SDB
Duns (Royal British Legion Club, Langtongate)
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 22nd July 08 – Bill Black SDB
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) –
Forfar (The Royal Hotel) - 27th July 08 – Willie McFarlane Band
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 9th July 08 – Maggie Adamson & Brian Nicholson
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) –
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) -
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) -
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) - 29th July 08 – Roya MacLean
Gretna (Athlitic & Social Club) -
Haddington (Railway Inn) -
Highland (Waterside Hotel) –
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) -
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) –
Kelso (Cross Keys Hotel) –
Kintore (Torryburn Arms Hotel) –
Ladybank (Ladybank Tavern) -
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) -
Langholm (Eskdale Hotel) –
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 3rd July 08 – Ian Angus MacLeod
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn)
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) –
Newburgh (The Ship Hotel) -
Newmill-on-Teviot / Teviotdale (Thorterdykes Roadhouse)
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) –
Oban (The Argyllshire Gathering) –
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) –
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) –
Premier NI (Chimney Corner Hotel) -
Reading Scottish Fiddlers (Willowbank Infant School, Woodley) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) -
Scottish Accordion Music (Banchory) - 13th July 08 – All Players Welcome
Selkirk (Angus O’Malley’s) -
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) -
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) -
Thornhill (Bowling Club Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) –
Turriff (Commercail Hotel, Cuminestown) – 3rd July 08 – Tom Alexander
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 17th July 08 – Colin Donaldson
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn)
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Arbroath
2. Annan
3. Banchory
4. Banff
5. Blairgowrie
6. Cults
7. Duns
8. Forfar
9. Forres
10. Glenrothes
11. Highland
12. Kelso
13. Kintore
14. Lewis & Harris
15. Livingston
16. Montrose
17. Newburgh
18. Shetland
19. Turriff
20. Tynedale
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2007
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Closed early 08-09
6. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
7. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
8. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
9. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
10. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
11. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
12. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
13. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
14. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
15. Button Key A&F Club (
16. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
17. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
18. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
19. Coalburn A&F Club (
20. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
21. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
22. Cults A & F Club (
23. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
24. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
25. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
26. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
27. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
28. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
29. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
30. Ellon A&F Club (
31. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
32. Forfar A&F Club (
33. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
34. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
35. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
36. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
37. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
38. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
39. 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)
40. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 - )
41. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
42. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
43. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
44. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
45. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
46. Kintore A&F Club (
47. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier
48. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
49. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
50. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
51. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
52. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
53. Maine Valley A&F Club (
54. Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
55. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
56. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded
57. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999
58. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
59. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
60. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
61. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
62. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
63. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
64. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
65. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
66. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
67. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
68. Selkirk A&F Club (
69. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
70. Stonehouse A&F Club (first report June 05 -
71. Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
72. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
73. Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
74. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
75. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
76. Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
77. West Barnes ( - present)
78. 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?)
79. Acharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
80. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
81. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
82. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
83. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
84. Buchan A&F Club
85 Callander A&F Club (
86 Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
87 Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
88 Club Accord
89 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
90. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
91. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
92. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
93. Derwentside A&F Club
94. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
95. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
96. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
97. Dundee & District A&F Club (1970? – 1995?)
98. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
99. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
100. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
101. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
102. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
103. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
104. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
105. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
106. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
107. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
108. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
109. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
110. Mull A&F Club
111. Newcastleton Accordion Club
112. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
113. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
114. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
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. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
118. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
119. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
120. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
121. Tranent A&F Club
122. Vancouver
123. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
124. Wellbank A&F Club
125. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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