Box and Fiddle
Year 35 No 11
July 2012
Price £2.60
44 Page Magazine
12 month subscription £28.60 + p&p £11 (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
Just after we went to press last month we heard the sad news that the first Chairman of the NAAFC, Mickie Ainsworth, had died. We have a short obituary in this month’s magazine and hope to follow it a later date with a tribute from friends and musical colleagues. Any written contributions will be very welcome.
Karin Ingram
Jim Halcrow – Guest of Honour
by Nicol McLaren
Jim Halcrow did not touch an accordion until he was 17½ when, in 1951 he had saved the necessary £22 to buy the second hand Alvari 80 bass from Forbes of Dundee – his first box. He then taught himself how to play it, transferring the self-taught techniques he had previously developed on his mother’s pedal driven American organ. How was it then, that a youngster who never even had a music lesson, who still can’t read music and who stayed in the relatively isolated Shetland village of Scalloway was to develop into the renowned and revered musician he is today?
The teenager of 1951 already had a very keen ear, which has not deserted him in the 60 years since; rather it has become finer tuned and more discriminating as his eclectic musical taste discarded no tuneful option without a thorough testing. Within a year of picking up the box he was playing in what was to become Shetland’s top band for the next 15 years – ‘The New Players’. The line-up included Lollie Young on saxophone, Tammy Cogle on fiddle, Sonny Young on drums and Tom Georgeson on piano and vocals.
In later years, the band was supplemented by another young local hopeful on bass, Ron Mathewson, who went on to be resident in Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London.
The band was in constant demand for dances and functions throughout the islands as well as playing each weekend in the T.A. Hall, Lerwick, where they regularly attracted crowds of 400+. The band eventually folded after Lollie Young’s health failed and Jim went on to form his own band after guesting with a local jazz group, which included Peerie Willie Johnston, Drew Robertson and Frankie Sinclair, themselves refugees from Tammy Anderson’s Islesburgh Band.
By this time Jim had, after experiencing the vagaries of the construction and fishing industries (he had been a slater and plasterer for many years), decided on a career move and, between 1972 and 1974, took himself off to college in Newark to train as a piano tuner. The box had, of course, accompanied him to England and he was not without offers at the end of his training, but thankfully returned home to live and work. His new line-up had Ian Stewart on electric guitar, Ronnie Hunter on bass guitar and Jackie Sinclair on vocals, with Mitchell MacLeod on drums, and was soon the top band around, resident at the newly opened Lerwick Hotel. Jackie and Ian dropped out, eventually to be replaced by Jim’s pupil Ian Nicolson ob second box and daughter, Hazel, on keyboard, as public taste began to demand a return to more traditional music.
Jim’s love affair with Scandinavian accordion music goes back to his earliest days and it has been said the nobody, including the Norwegians, play a Norwegian Waltz like him, although Jim himself scoffs at the idea. He is, however, a leading exponent of this king of music and can expect a chorus of requests for it whenever he plays in Shetland. Jim has visited Norway on several occasions, and he and the band had a most successful tour of West Norway in 1978. His guru over the past 60 years has been Norwegian virtuoso Arnstein Johansen, whom he was eventually to meet in November 1991 when Arnstein was a guest at the Shetland A&F Club. And what a meeting it was, over a weekend that took in the traditional breakfast tune in Gordon Jamieson’s Cullivoe home – suffice to say, the two became friends and corresponded for many years.
Another hero Jim was to meet at the Club was Jack Emblow, but confesses to being so tongue-tied at the occasion that he didn’t make the most of it. However, if you ask Jim for his most treasured musical memories, he immediately refers to his tours with his pals in The Hamefarers Band. How they all enjoyed their playing and the freshness and spontaneity and sheer fun of their performances will certainly live with those of us who remember them.
The Hamefarers Dance Band was formed in the mid 1960s when some of Shetland’s best known musicians came together to make the first Thule record, a 4 track EP entitled ‘St Ninian’s Isle’. The line-up was Willie hunter (fiddle), Ronald Cooper and Jim Halcrow (accordions), Eric Cooper (piano), Willie Johnston (double bass) and Drew Robertson (drums). Ronnie Cooper composed the title tune for the recording.
A second EP, ‘Dance to The Hamefarers’ soon followed and contained three of Ronnie’s most popular compositions - ‘Da Tushkar’, ‘Ronas Voe’ and ‘Sunset Over Fouls’. Some years later the EPs were reissued on the LP, ‘Dance to The Hamefarers’ which also included 4 fiddle solos by Willie Hinter from the EP ‘Shetland and the Fiddle’.
With these recordings and a broadcast on the BBC’s ‘Scottish Dance Music’ the band became well-known all over Scotland although, throughout its life, the members played together on only a few occasions each year.
Other such memories include the visits, in the 1960s, of the original Ian Powrie Band and the mega sessions in Hayfield House Hotel in Lerwick (proprietor Frank Chadwick, first Chairman of the Shetland A&F Club) and the visit he, Willie Hunter and Ronnie Cooper made to the second Mull Festival and first met that other musical legend, Bobby MacLeod. He also fondly recalls the trip to The Lorient Festival in Brittany with Alistair Hunter and the Lorne Band. Not surprisingly, Jim has many requests for tuition from local hopefuls, who would probably all be astonished to learn that Jim himself is still awaiting his first formal lesson. Over the years he has guided many players, the best known of whom include Colin Sutherland, Alan Nicolson, Ian Nicolson and Norma Tulloch, Caroline Irvine, not to mention son, David Halcrow.
Jim remains modest about his composing abilities, dismissing his dozen or so tunes as of little account but, if pressed, will probably own up to a preference for the fine waltz he wrote to his wife of over 50 years, Doreen. A dedicated family man, he was proud to hand over his daughter Hazel’s hand in marriage to bandleader Craig McCallum in July 1992 and always looks forward to spending time with them and granddaughters Lisa and Lauren.
Jim’s adroitness at accordion repairs and modifications were apparent at one of the early Shetland A&F Festivals when Jim turned out on stage playing ‘another Gola’ – but this one was very different. The bass buttons were black! No-one could recall Hohner making such an instrument so all were curious. As it turned out, Jim had constructed a grille for the accordion, mimicking the iconic gold grille of the Gola, using welding rods! – and how authentic it was!
For the last 60 years, Jim Halcrow has enthralled audiences with his ear for, feeling for, and application of his music. Currently, he plays with son David’s band (David and Jim Halcrow on accordions, Ian Williamson on fiddle, Graham Jamieson on drums and Margaret Scollay on piano) and Catticloo (Caroline Irvine, Callum Irvine and Jim Halcrow on accordions, Linda Irvine and Pauline Irvine on fiddles, Margaret Scollay on piano and Graham Jamieson on drums).
The NAAFC is delighted to honout Jim at this year’s Celebrity Luncheon and Ceilidh at The Huntingtower Hotel, Perth.
NAAFC Golf Day 2012
by Charlie Kirkpatrick
Winner Fraser Sinton
Mickie Ainsworth (28/06/30 – 25/05/12) - Obituary
by
Mickie Ainsworth raised the bar for accordion players by bringing his amazing technique and musicality into a genre which could previously have been described as a little dated. His first playing engagements were with a local Auchterarder “modern” band, The Skyliners. He teamed up with Jimmy Blue in the late 1940’s and they played duet pieces which stunned their audiences with slick arrangements and wonderfully confident playing,
Mickie, a self-taught accordionist joined the Ian Powrie band in 1956 when the lure of live television became a real possibility. The band toured Australia, New Zealand and North America at a time when International travel was something completely new. Not many people have played the Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline and New York!
Being exposed to singing acts in the Andy Stewart show meant his talents as a backing musician and arranger were put to full use. Ian Powrie made a smart move when he recruited Mickie.
Soon his love of harmony and chords meant that he invented what is known today as second accordion. This was pioneering stuff and Mickie was one of the people who led the way by taking old fashioned dance music and bringing it right up to date.
His accordion teaching and playing career has spanned nearly 70 years. The Scottish music scene owes so much to this great musician, Mickie Ainsworth.
Mickie Ainsworth
by Jim Balneaves (First published B&F October 2001)
Mickie Ainsworth was brought up in Auchterarder, Perthshire, and was determined, from an early age, to play the accordion. The result of this determination was that he had to practice in a byre – as the noise was not tolerated in the house! “The cows never objected, to the best of my knowledge,” says Mickie. At the age of 18 Mickie formed a group in Auchterarder known as ‘The Skyliners’. This was a modern band, as jazz was his first love. He was at the same time apprenticed to be a painter.
Mickie moved to Perth when he was 21, and teamed up with Al Waters (a Senior Scottish Championship winner in the early days of the Wilkie Festival). He was now playing mostly Scottish Dance Music. He followed this by joining the Jack Guthrie Band for a short period. Mickie then became a member of the Angus Fitchet Band, which included Jimmy Stephen, and Mickie states, “I learned a great deal playing with Angus and Jimmy.”
The Fitchet Band played throughout the Borders and Northumberland. The band was a 5-piece for gigs, and this was augmented to a 6-piece for broadcasts. Mickie was 2½ years with Angus’s Band.
Ian Powrie then approached Mickie, with a view to him joining the Powrie Band. The carrot that Ian dangled was, “That TV appearances are likely.”
This of course proved to be true, as the Powrie Band appeared many times on ‘The White Heather Club’ and others.
The band personnel during the TV appearance period were : Ian Powrie (fiddle), Jimmy Blue (Shand Morino), Pam Brough (piano), Dave Barclay (double bass), Arthur Easson (drums) and Mickie on piani accordion.
Jimmy Blue and Mickie also became well-known accordion duettists, and are particularly remembered for ‘Band Boys’ (a German tune originally). The writer recalls that the last time he heard Band Boys live was at the Perth Club’s 21st Birthday Party in 1991. It was mooted at Jimmy’s 70th Birthday Party in 1999, but drink had been taken, so it did not materialize. Mickie enjoyed Band Boys, but he personally preferred The Beer Barrel Polka Duet.
During Mickie’s time with the Powrie Band they twice toured Australia and New Zealand with Andy Stewart. Mickie started recording initially in 1949. He recorded on many Ian Powrie Band LPs, and as a duettist with Jimmy Blue.
The recordings were under the control of producer George Martin (now Sir George) who was later to become famous as The Beatles record producer.
Mickie also toured America and Canada with Jimmy Blue in 1967.
Mickie then left the full-time playing scene to become a sales representative with Hohner Accordions. His area was all of Scotland and south to a line across from York. If you asked what he did at that time, he answered “Drive a car.”
Mickie’s part-time playing included a period in The Salutation Hotel, Perth, with our mutual friend, fiddler Jim Brown of Kintillo, Bridge of Earn. Stephane Grappelli visited one Saturday night when Mickie and Jim were playing, and he was extremely pleased with the sound and blending of accordion and fiddle.
Mickie and Jim also played at The Grange Hotel, Balbeggie, on Sunday afternoons – this was a very popular venue. Mull and Tighnabruaich etc were also visited along with accordionist Ian Cameron (of Pomander Jig fame). Jazz sessions on piano at Murrayshall Hotel, Scone, were also undertaken in the early eighties.
Mickie has been involved with the Bill Wilkie Festival from the beginning, and it is now in its 52nd year. Mickie started by turning the music in the classical section, then leading the accordion band, and he has been compere of the all-day competitions in The City Hall for the last 30 years.
Mickie is now 71 years old, still goes out to play, and teaches the accordion – which in the words of his grand-daughter makes him, “A pretty cool Grandad for an old duffer.”
Isle of Skye A&F Festival 2012
by John Grundy
For the last weekend in May………
Lairg Music Festival 2012
by Liz Quinn
Lairg’s 14th annual Music Festival……….
Destination Planetkeys
Runrig’s Brian Hurren introduces an exciting new teaching and recording facility in Stirling
Highland Music School Launches Charitable Trust
Who’s on the Box
Photographs of just some of Rob Howard’s collection of celebrities playing the box.
Webwatch
by Bill Young
www.
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
Tribute Volume Two For Billy – Marie Fielding Trio – Rumford CD01
Dance to The Lyne Valley Dance Band – LV001CD
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
REPEATS
7th July 12 – OB from Shetland James Leask SDB + Birls Aloud & Hannah Adamson
14th July 12 – Compilation of Leading Bands + Summer Singer Alistair McDonald
21st July 12 – Ian Cruickshanks Repeat Session + Summer Singer Emily Smith
28th July 12 – Archive TTF featuring Eric Goodfellow SDB from 1978 + Summer Singer Alasdair Gillies
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) –
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle)
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 15th July 12 – The Occasionals
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) -
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 30th July 12 – Rosely Ceilidh Band
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 2nd July 12 – Country Edition 11th July – Johnny Duncan 18th July – Wayne Robertson SDB 25th July – Country Edition
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) –
Biggar (Municipal Hall) –
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 10th July 12 – Archie MacPhee & the Bogroy SDB
Britannia (Arden House Hotel) -
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) -
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 12th July 12 – The Magnificent Seven
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) -
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) –
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) -
Coldingham (Village Hall) - 2nd July 12 – John Renton SDB
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel)
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club)
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) -
Dingwall (National Hotel) –
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) –
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) –
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
Duns (Royal British Legion Club, Langtongate)
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 24th July 12 – Andrew Gibb Trio
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) –
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 29th July 12 – Michael Philip SDB
Forres (Victoria Hotel) –
Fort William (Railway Club, Inverlochy) -
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) –
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) -
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 4th July 12 – Maggie Adamson
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) -
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) –
Lauder (Black Bull Hotel) -
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 5th July 12 – Allan McIntosh Duo
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn)
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) -
Maine Valley (Ballymena) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) –
Newburgh (The Ship Inn) -
Newmill-on-Teviot / Teviotdale (Thorterdykes Roadhouse)
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) –
Northern (Lylehill Suite, Templepatrick, N.I.) -
Oban (The Argyllshire Gathering) –
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) – 25th July 12 – Brandon McPhee Trio
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) -
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 10th July 15 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
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 (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 5th July 12 - tbc
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 19th July 12 – Susan MacFadyen Trio
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn)
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Annan
3. Banchory
4. Banff
5. Button-key
6. Duns
7. Forfar
8. Highland
9. Lewis & Harrie
10. Newburgh
11. North East
12. Northern
13. Perth
14. Thurso
15. Tynedale
16. West Barnes
17. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2011
(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. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
10. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
11. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
12. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
13. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
14. Button Key A&F Club (
15. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
16. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
17. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
18. Coalburn A&F Club (
19. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 -
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. Fort William A&F Club (2009 -
35. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
36. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
37. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
38. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
39. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
40. 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)
41. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 - )
42. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
43. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
44. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
45. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
46. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
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. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
51. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
52. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
53 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
54 Maine Valley A&F Club (
55 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
56 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
57 Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
58 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
59. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
60. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
61. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
62. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
63. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
64. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
65. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
66. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
67. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
68. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
69. Selkirk A&F Club (
70. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
71 Stonehouse A&F Club (first report June 05 -
72 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
73 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
74 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
75 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
76 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
77 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
78 West Barnes ( - present)
79 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?)
80. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
81. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
82. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
83. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
84. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
85. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
86. Buchan A&F Club
87 Callander A&F Club (
88 Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
89 Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
90 Club Accord
91 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
92. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
93. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
94. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
95. Derwentside A&F Club
96. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
97. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
98. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
99. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
100. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
101. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
102. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
103. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
104. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
105. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
106. Kintore A&F Club (
107. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
108. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
109. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
110. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
111. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
112. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
113. Mull A&F Club
114. Newcastleton Accordion Club
115. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
116. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
117. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
118. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
119. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
120. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
121. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
122. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
123. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
124. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
125. Tranent A&F Club
126. Vancouver
127. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
128. Wellbank A&F Club
129. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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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
Just after we went to press last month we heard the sad news that the first Chairman of the NAAFC, Mickie Ainsworth, had died. We have a short obituary in this month’s magazine and hope to follow it a later date with a tribute from friends and musical colleagues. Any written contributions will be very welcome.
Karin Ingram
Jim Halcrow – Guest of Honour
by Nicol McLaren
Jim Halcrow did not touch an accordion until he was 17½ when, in 1951 he had saved the necessary £22 to buy the second hand Alvari 80 bass from Forbes of Dundee – his first box. He then taught himself how to play it, transferring the self-taught techniques he had previously developed on his mother’s pedal driven American organ. How was it then, that a youngster who never even had a music lesson, who still can’t read music and who stayed in the relatively isolated Shetland village of Scalloway was to develop into the renowned and revered musician he is today?
The teenager of 1951 already had a very keen ear, which has not deserted him in the 60 years since; rather it has become finer tuned and more discriminating as his eclectic musical taste discarded no tuneful option without a thorough testing. Within a year of picking up the box he was playing in what was to become Shetland’s top band for the next 15 years – ‘The New Players’. The line-up included Lollie Young on saxophone, Tammy Cogle on fiddle, Sonny Young on drums and Tom Georgeson on piano and vocals.
In later years, the band was supplemented by another young local hopeful on bass, Ron Mathewson, who went on to be resident in Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London.
The band was in constant demand for dances and functions throughout the islands as well as playing each weekend in the T.A. Hall, Lerwick, where they regularly attracted crowds of 400+. The band eventually folded after Lollie Young’s health failed and Jim went on to form his own band after guesting with a local jazz group, which included Peerie Willie Johnston, Drew Robertson and Frankie Sinclair, themselves refugees from Tammy Anderson’s Islesburgh Band.
By this time Jim had, after experiencing the vagaries of the construction and fishing industries (he had been a slater and plasterer for many years), decided on a career move and, between 1972 and 1974, took himself off to college in Newark to train as a piano tuner. The box had, of course, accompanied him to England and he was not without offers at the end of his training, but thankfully returned home to live and work. His new line-up had Ian Stewart on electric guitar, Ronnie Hunter on bass guitar and Jackie Sinclair on vocals, with Mitchell MacLeod on drums, and was soon the top band around, resident at the newly opened Lerwick Hotel. Jackie and Ian dropped out, eventually to be replaced by Jim’s pupil Ian Nicolson ob second box and daughter, Hazel, on keyboard, as public taste began to demand a return to more traditional music.
Jim’s love affair with Scandinavian accordion music goes back to his earliest days and it has been said the nobody, including the Norwegians, play a Norwegian Waltz like him, although Jim himself scoffs at the idea. He is, however, a leading exponent of this king of music and can expect a chorus of requests for it whenever he plays in Shetland. Jim has visited Norway on several occasions, and he and the band had a most successful tour of West Norway in 1978. His guru over the past 60 years has been Norwegian virtuoso Arnstein Johansen, whom he was eventually to meet in November 1991 when Arnstein was a guest at the Shetland A&F Club. And what a meeting it was, over a weekend that took in the traditional breakfast tune in Gordon Jamieson’s Cullivoe home – suffice to say, the two became friends and corresponded for many years.
Another hero Jim was to meet at the Club was Jack Emblow, but confesses to being so tongue-tied at the occasion that he didn’t make the most of it. However, if you ask Jim for his most treasured musical memories, he immediately refers to his tours with his pals in The Hamefarers Band. How they all enjoyed their playing and the freshness and spontaneity and sheer fun of their performances will certainly live with those of us who remember them.
The Hamefarers Dance Band was formed in the mid 1960s when some of Shetland’s best known musicians came together to make the first Thule record, a 4 track EP entitled ‘St Ninian’s Isle’. The line-up was Willie hunter (fiddle), Ronald Cooper and Jim Halcrow (accordions), Eric Cooper (piano), Willie Johnston (double bass) and Drew Robertson (drums). Ronnie Cooper composed the title tune for the recording.
A second EP, ‘Dance to The Hamefarers’ soon followed and contained three of Ronnie’s most popular compositions - ‘Da Tushkar’, ‘Ronas Voe’ and ‘Sunset Over Fouls’. Some years later the EPs were reissued on the LP, ‘Dance to The Hamefarers’ which also included 4 fiddle solos by Willie Hinter from the EP ‘Shetland and the Fiddle’.
With these recordings and a broadcast on the BBC’s ‘Scottish Dance Music’ the band became well-known all over Scotland although, throughout its life, the members played together on only a few occasions each year.
Other such memories include the visits, in the 1960s, of the original Ian Powrie Band and the mega sessions in Hayfield House Hotel in Lerwick (proprietor Frank Chadwick, first Chairman of the Shetland A&F Club) and the visit he, Willie Hunter and Ronnie Cooper made to the second Mull Festival and first met that other musical legend, Bobby MacLeod. He also fondly recalls the trip to The Lorient Festival in Brittany with Alistair Hunter and the Lorne Band. Not surprisingly, Jim has many requests for tuition from local hopefuls, who would probably all be astonished to learn that Jim himself is still awaiting his first formal lesson. Over the years he has guided many players, the best known of whom include Colin Sutherland, Alan Nicolson, Ian Nicolson and Norma Tulloch, Caroline Irvine, not to mention son, David Halcrow.
Jim remains modest about his composing abilities, dismissing his dozen or so tunes as of little account but, if pressed, will probably own up to a preference for the fine waltz he wrote to his wife of over 50 years, Doreen. A dedicated family man, he was proud to hand over his daughter Hazel’s hand in marriage to bandleader Craig McCallum in July 1992 and always looks forward to spending time with them and granddaughters Lisa and Lauren.
Jim’s adroitness at accordion repairs and modifications were apparent at one of the early Shetland A&F Festivals when Jim turned out on stage playing ‘another Gola’ – but this one was very different. The bass buttons were black! No-one could recall Hohner making such an instrument so all were curious. As it turned out, Jim had constructed a grille for the accordion, mimicking the iconic gold grille of the Gola, using welding rods! – and how authentic it was!
For the last 60 years, Jim Halcrow has enthralled audiences with his ear for, feeling for, and application of his music. Currently, he plays with son David’s band (David and Jim Halcrow on accordions, Ian Williamson on fiddle, Graham Jamieson on drums and Margaret Scollay on piano) and Catticloo (Caroline Irvine, Callum Irvine and Jim Halcrow on accordions, Linda Irvine and Pauline Irvine on fiddles, Margaret Scollay on piano and Graham Jamieson on drums).
The NAAFC is delighted to honout Jim at this year’s Celebrity Luncheon and Ceilidh at The Huntingtower Hotel, Perth.
NAAFC Golf Day 2012
by Charlie Kirkpatrick
Winner Fraser Sinton
Mickie Ainsworth (28/06/30 – 25/05/12) - Obituary
by
Mickie Ainsworth raised the bar for accordion players by bringing his amazing technique and musicality into a genre which could previously have been described as a little dated. His first playing engagements were with a local Auchterarder “modern” band, The Skyliners. He teamed up with Jimmy Blue in the late 1940’s and they played duet pieces which stunned their audiences with slick arrangements and wonderfully confident playing,
Mickie, a self-taught accordionist joined the Ian Powrie band in 1956 when the lure of live television became a real possibility. The band toured Australia, New Zealand and North America at a time when International travel was something completely new. Not many people have played the Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline and New York!
Being exposed to singing acts in the Andy Stewart show meant his talents as a backing musician and arranger were put to full use. Ian Powrie made a smart move when he recruited Mickie.
Soon his love of harmony and chords meant that he invented what is known today as second accordion. This was pioneering stuff and Mickie was one of the people who led the way by taking old fashioned dance music and bringing it right up to date.
His accordion teaching and playing career has spanned nearly 70 years. The Scottish music scene owes so much to this great musician, Mickie Ainsworth.
Mickie Ainsworth
by Jim Balneaves (First published B&F October 2001)
Mickie Ainsworth was brought up in Auchterarder, Perthshire, and was determined, from an early age, to play the accordion. The result of this determination was that he had to practice in a byre – as the noise was not tolerated in the house! “The cows never objected, to the best of my knowledge,” says Mickie. At the age of 18 Mickie formed a group in Auchterarder known as ‘The Skyliners’. This was a modern band, as jazz was his first love. He was at the same time apprenticed to be a painter.
Mickie moved to Perth when he was 21, and teamed up with Al Waters (a Senior Scottish Championship winner in the early days of the Wilkie Festival). He was now playing mostly Scottish Dance Music. He followed this by joining the Jack Guthrie Band for a short period. Mickie then became a member of the Angus Fitchet Band, which included Jimmy Stephen, and Mickie states, “I learned a great deal playing with Angus and Jimmy.”
The Fitchet Band played throughout the Borders and Northumberland. The band was a 5-piece for gigs, and this was augmented to a 6-piece for broadcasts. Mickie was 2½ years with Angus’s Band.
Ian Powrie then approached Mickie, with a view to him joining the Powrie Band. The carrot that Ian dangled was, “That TV appearances are likely.”
This of course proved to be true, as the Powrie Band appeared many times on ‘The White Heather Club’ and others.
The band personnel during the TV appearance period were : Ian Powrie (fiddle), Jimmy Blue (Shand Morino), Pam Brough (piano), Dave Barclay (double bass), Arthur Easson (drums) and Mickie on piani accordion.
Jimmy Blue and Mickie also became well-known accordion duettists, and are particularly remembered for ‘Band Boys’ (a German tune originally). The writer recalls that the last time he heard Band Boys live was at the Perth Club’s 21st Birthday Party in 1991. It was mooted at Jimmy’s 70th Birthday Party in 1999, but drink had been taken, so it did not materialize. Mickie enjoyed Band Boys, but he personally preferred The Beer Barrel Polka Duet.
During Mickie’s time with the Powrie Band they twice toured Australia and New Zealand with Andy Stewart. Mickie started recording initially in 1949. He recorded on many Ian Powrie Band LPs, and as a duettist with Jimmy Blue.
The recordings were under the control of producer George Martin (now Sir George) who was later to become famous as The Beatles record producer.
Mickie also toured America and Canada with Jimmy Blue in 1967.
Mickie then left the full-time playing scene to become a sales representative with Hohner Accordions. His area was all of Scotland and south to a line across from York. If you asked what he did at that time, he answered “Drive a car.”
Mickie’s part-time playing included a period in The Salutation Hotel, Perth, with our mutual friend, fiddler Jim Brown of Kintillo, Bridge of Earn. Stephane Grappelli visited one Saturday night when Mickie and Jim were playing, and he was extremely pleased with the sound and blending of accordion and fiddle.
Mickie and Jim also played at The Grange Hotel, Balbeggie, on Sunday afternoons – this was a very popular venue. Mull and Tighnabruaich etc were also visited along with accordionist Ian Cameron (of Pomander Jig fame). Jazz sessions on piano at Murrayshall Hotel, Scone, were also undertaken in the early eighties.
Mickie has been involved with the Bill Wilkie Festival from the beginning, and it is now in its 52nd year. Mickie started by turning the music in the classical section, then leading the accordion band, and he has been compere of the all-day competitions in The City Hall for the last 30 years.
Mickie is now 71 years old, still goes out to play, and teaches the accordion – which in the words of his grand-daughter makes him, “A pretty cool Grandad for an old duffer.”
Isle of Skye A&F Festival 2012
by John Grundy
For the last weekend in May………
Lairg Music Festival 2012
by Liz Quinn
Lairg’s 14th annual Music Festival……….
Destination Planetkeys
Runrig’s Brian Hurren introduces an exciting new teaching and recording facility in Stirling
Highland Music School Launches Charitable Trust
Who’s on the Box
Photographs of just some of Rob Howard’s collection of celebrities playing the box.
Webwatch
by Bill Young
www.
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
Tribute Volume Two For Billy – Marie Fielding Trio – Rumford CD01
Dance to The Lyne Valley Dance Band – LV001CD
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
REPEATS
7th July 12 – OB from Shetland James Leask SDB + Birls Aloud & Hannah Adamson
14th July 12 – Compilation of Leading Bands + Summer Singer Alistair McDonald
21st July 12 – Ian Cruickshanks Repeat Session + Summer Singer Emily Smith
28th July 12 – Archive TTF featuring Eric Goodfellow SDB from 1978 + Summer Singer Alasdair Gillies
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) –
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle)
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 15th July 12 – The Occasionals
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) -
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 30th July 12 – Rosely Ceilidh Band
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 2nd July 12 – Country Edition 11th July – Johnny Duncan 18th July – Wayne Robertson SDB 25th July – Country Edition
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) –
Biggar (Municipal Hall) –
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 10th July 12 – Archie MacPhee & the Bogroy SDB
Britannia (Arden House Hotel) -
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) -
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 12th July 12 – The Magnificent Seven
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) -
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) –
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) -
Coldingham (Village Hall) - 2nd July 12 – John Renton SDB
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel)
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club)
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) -
Dingwall (National Hotel) –
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) –
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) –
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
Duns (Royal British Legion Club, Langtongate)
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 24th July 12 – Andrew Gibb Trio
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) –
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 29th July 12 – Michael Philip SDB
Forres (Victoria Hotel) –
Fort William (Railway Club, Inverlochy) -
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) –
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) -
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 4th July 12 – Maggie Adamson
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) -
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) –
Lauder (Black Bull Hotel) -
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 5th July 12 – Allan McIntosh Duo
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn)
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) -
Maine Valley (Ballymena) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) –
Newburgh (The Ship Inn) -
Newmill-on-Teviot / Teviotdale (Thorterdykes Roadhouse)
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) –
Northern (Lylehill Suite, Templepatrick, N.I.) -
Oban (The Argyllshire Gathering) –
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) – 25th July 12 – Brandon McPhee Trio
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) -
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 10th July 15 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
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 (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 5th July 12 - tbc
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 19th July 12 – Susan MacFadyen Trio
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn)
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Annan
3. Banchory
4. Banff
5. Button-key
6. Duns
7. Forfar
8. Highland
9. Lewis & Harrie
10. Newburgh
11. North East
12. Northern
13. Perth
14. Thurso
15. Tynedale
16. West Barnes
17. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2011
(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. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
10. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
11. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
12. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
13. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
14. Button Key A&F Club (
15. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
16. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
17. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
18. Coalburn A&F Club (
19. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 -
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. Fort William A&F Club (2009 -
35. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
36. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
37. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
38. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
39. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
40. 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)
41. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 - )
42. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
43. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
44. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
45. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
46. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
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. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
51. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
52. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
53 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
54 Maine Valley A&F Club (
55 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
56 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
57 Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
58 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
59. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
60. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
61. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
62. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
63. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
64. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
65. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
66. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
67. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
68. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
69. Selkirk A&F Club (
70. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
71 Stonehouse A&F Club (first report June 05 -
72 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
73 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
74 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
75 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
76 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
77 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
78 West Barnes ( - present)
79 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?)
80. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
81. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
82. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
83. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
84. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
85. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
86. Buchan A&F Club
87 Callander A&F Club (
88 Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
89 Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
90 Club Accord
91 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
92. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
93. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
94. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
95. Derwentside A&F Club
96. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
97. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
98. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
99. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
100. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
101. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
102. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
103. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
104. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
105. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
106. Kintore A&F Club (
107. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
108. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
109. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
110. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
111. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
112. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
113. Mull A&F Club
114. Newcastleton Accordion Club
115. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
116. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
117. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
118. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
119. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
120. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
121. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
122. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
123. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
124. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
125. Tranent A&F Club
126. Vancouver
127. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
128. Wellbank A&F Club
129. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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