Box and Fiddle
Year 39 No 11
July 2016
Price £2.70
44 Page Magazine
12 month subscription £32.40 + p&p £15.75 (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
Hope you will enjoy the content in this issue……..……….
Pia Walker
Jack Emblow – has finally retired after a long and successful career
by John Love
Many have heard the music of Jack Emblow, due to his contribution to popular culture in TV, cinema, radio, recordings and in sound tracks such as BBC’s ‘ ‘Allo, ‘Allo’, ‘Bergerac’ and ‘Last of the Summer Wine’, in ITV’s ‘Maigret’ and ‘French Fields’. His film credits include ; ‘Whistle Down the wind’ and Cliff Richard’s ‘Summer Holiday’.
Jack, born in 1930, began piano lessons at the age of 9, but two years later switched to the accordion. By the end of WW2 Jack played professionally as a member of the Al Podesta Accordion Band. Around the same time he also played regularly in a trio led by the blind jazz pianist Eddie Thompson. In the 1950s he was playing dance music and jazz gigs and in 1956 the Jack Emblow Sextet made the first of many broadcasts for ‘Music While You Work’ on the BBC Light Programme.
In the mid-1950s Jack moved into the world of London recording studios as a session musician, playing for singers as diverse as Alma Cogan, Michael Holliday, Sandie Shaw, Bernard Cribbins, Donovan, Elton John, Grace Jones, The Strawbs and even The Beatles. During the filming of ‘All You Need Is Love’ in 1967, John Lennon borrowed Jack’s accordion, and a photo taken led to the myth that Lennon was an accordionist. Jack played on Peter Sarstedt’s No. 1 hit ‘Where do You Go To My Lovely’. He also featured on the recordings of other accordionists, including Jimmy Shand and Dermot O’Brien. Of the latter, he recalls playing second accordion when O’Brien was recording a version of The Carnival of Venice with his backing band The Clubmen. The rehearsal was not going well. The players spent a while practising, but decided to have a break and go to the nearest pub. An hour later, suitably refreshed, they went back and straight away produced a spot-on version of the tune – the last track on the LP ‘The Laughing Accordion’.
In 1959 Jack was signed up by Cliff Adams as the accompanist for a new radio programme called ‘Sing Something simple’, which lasted for a record-breaking 42 years.
In 1973, the BBC recruited Jack Emblow, Ernie Shear (banjo), Roy Davey (vibes), Pete Collins (bass) and Geoff Lofts (drums) to form a session band, ‘The French Collection’ and a series of ‘French collection’ albums followed. Early publicity stated that; “This all too depressing world needs cheering up from time to time, and nobody is better qualified for that none too easy take than the French Collection.”
In 1987 Jack and fellow accordionist Tony Compton former a duo. In 1987 they recorded an LP ‘Flying High’ (both were model aeroplane enthusiasts!), and in 2005 a sequel ‘Jack and Tony’. Their musical rapport and performance of the Great American Songbook and popular jazz classics proved a hot and they played at Accordion clubs and Festival with great success until finally calling it a day in 2015.
Jack has recorded several albums in his own right, such as ‘Ritual Fire Dance’ and ‘Accordion Showcase’. Jack, under the pseudonym Adriano, made a series of 4 French musette-style LPs for EMI; ‘Sur Le Pave’ (1965, ‘The Last Time I Saw Paris’ (1966), ‘Under The Bridges of Paris’ (1968) and ‘I Love Paris’ (1971). Under his own name and in similar style he recorded ‘Paris Musette’ (1997), ‘Café de Paris’ (1997). There were also several recordings backing the Cliff Adams Singers in the ‘Sing something Simple’ style.
Jack has owned several accordions and is known to favour a straight-tuned Excelsior with Cassotto bought in New York. He believes that the tight compression found on the American-made Excelsion models achieve good intonation with very little effort, especially useful for a jazz musician. He is much less keen on the sound of musette instruments, despite having made many recordings in that style. To Jack’s ears a musette instrument gives an impure sound and his preference is for a straight, mellow tone.
Jack admired the great American jazz accordionist Art Van Damme and eventually played a spot with him at the 2006 Caister Festival, which Jack fondly considers to be a career highlight. Jack has worked with the likes of Don Lusher, Stephane Grappelli, Toots Thielmans, George Chisholm, and many more. Jack has also performed and recorded in a highly successful quintet, ‘Spirit of Django’, led by ace jazz guitarist, Martin Taylor.
Jack Emblow has made many solo and duet (with Tony Compton) guest appearances in Accordion Clubs and in the All-Scotland Festival in Perth.
Less well known is the fact that Jack has arranged and composed music and in the early 1960s wrote a tutor book, ‘Jazz Accordion’. One of his compositions, Tango Musette, was recorded and appears on the French Collection compilation CD ‘Enjoy Yourself’; and his arrangements of Gershwin’s I Got Rhythm and Summertime were published by Charlie Walkins.
In 2001, after several years serving as an Honorary Vice President, Jack Emblow was elected Honorary President of the National Accordion Organisation of the United Kingdom – a fitting honour for the man known fondly to so many as ‘The Guv’nor’.
NAAFC Golf Day
Shand Morino Day
by Pia Walker
Well it was more like a long weekend, ……………………
In Memory
Gordon Simpson (20/10/1936-28/05/2016)
by Freeland Barbour
The fiddler’s seat in the Scottish dance bands of the last forty years or more has been occupied by many distinguished performers, but none more so than Gordon Simpson. Indeed it might be quicker to list those bands with whom he has NOT played rather than those he has. Ian Holmes, Ronnie Easton, Colin Finlayson, Kenny Thomson, John Renton, Colin Dewar, Ian Muir, Bill Black, Dochie McCallum are just some of the names of those who have benefited from having Gordon at their elbow. A fluent sight-reader with good tone and accuracy, he set the highest standards for himself, and with his friendly, warm, genial, and utterly reliable personality it’s little wonder that he was in such demand for such a long time.
And it wasn’t just the bands that benefited. Gordon was a regular at the RSCDS Summer School in St. Andrews where, as well as playing for classes, his musicians’ courses on playing for dancing were highly popular and always over-subscribed. He was happy too to adjudicate at competitions whenever asked and invariably did so with the utmost consideration and encouragement. His father was a fiddler too and the family home in Dundee must have been a cheerful and music-filled place when Gordon was growing up.
That he found time for all this music is remarkable, with a busy family life and his career as a respected chartered accountant and partner in the well-known accountancy firms of Thomson McLintock and KPMG.
He was a great fiddle player and thoroughly competent in everything he did, and most of all he was a lovely man.
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
Brandon McPhee, Scottish Champion – CDPAN044
The Rockfield Polka – Colin Campbell – Independent CC07535CD
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
2nd July 2016 – 60’s Bairns + guest Jim McColl
9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th July 2016 – Take the Floor Summer Series
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) –
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms)
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 17th July 2016 – Jimmy Lindsay
Arbroath (Artisan Golf Club) -
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 18th July 2016 – Da Fustra
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) –
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) –
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) –
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 12th July 2016 – Brandon McPhee Trio
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 14th July 2016 – Jim Cleland Band
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) 7th July 2016 – Johnny Duncan Duo
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) -
Dingwall (National Hotel) –
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) –
Dunfermline (Civil Service Sports Assoc, Rosyth) –
Duns (Masonic Lodge)
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 19th July 2016 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) –
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 31st July 2016 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Forres (Victoria Hotel) –
Fort William (Railway Club) -
Galashiels (Clovenfords Hotel) –
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) -
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 6th July 2016 – Matthew MacLennan Trio
Gretna (The Gables Hotel) - 31st July 2016 – Open Day
Highland (Waterside Hotel) –
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) -
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) –
Kelso (Cross Rugby Club) –
Langholm (British Legion) –
Lewis & Harris (Sea Angling Club) - 7th July 2016 – Club Night
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn)
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) -
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 6th July 2016 – Gary Sutherland Trio
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) -
Newmill-on-Teviot / Teviotdale (Buccleugh Bowling Club)
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) –
Oban (The Royal Hotel) –
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 6th 13th 20th July 2016 – Club Nights 27th July – Leonard Brown
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 15th July 2016 – Dance to Da Fustra
Perth (Salutation Hotel) –
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 7th July 2016 – West Telferton SDB
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 5th 12th 19th 26th July 2016 – Club Nights
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) -
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) –
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 7th July 2016 – Susie Simpson SDB
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 21st July 2016 – Bon Accords
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn)
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Annan
2. Arbroath
3. Banff
4. Coalburn
5. Crieff
6. Dingwall
7. Duns
8. Forfar
9. Forres
10. Highland
11. Inveraray
12. Isle of Skye
13. Kelso
14. Lewis & Harris
15. Montrose
16. North East
17. Seghill
18. Turriff
19. Tynedale
20. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2015
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
10. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
11. Button Key A&F Club (
12. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
13. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
15. Coalburn A&F Club (
16. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
17. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
18. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
19. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
20. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
21. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
22. Ellon A&F Club (
23. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
24. Forfar A&F Club (
25. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
26. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
27. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
28. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
29. Gretna A&F Club (1991) Known as North Cumbria A&F Club previously (originally called Gretna when started in June 1966 but later had to move to venues in the North of England and changed name. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
30. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
31. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
32. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
33. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
34. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
35. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
36. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 – present)
37. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
38 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
39. Macmerry A&F Club (Feb 2016 – present)
40 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
41 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
42 Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
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 West Barnes ( - present)
58 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?)
59. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
60. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
61. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
62. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
63. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
64. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
65. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
66. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
67. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
68. Buchan A&F Club
69. Callander A&F Club (
70. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
71. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
72. Club Accord
73. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
74 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
75. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
76. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
77. Cults A & F Club (
78. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
79. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
80. Derwentside A&F Club
81. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
82. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
83. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
84. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
85. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
86. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
87. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
88. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
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. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
112. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
113. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
114. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
115. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
116. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
117. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
118. Selkirk A&F Club (
119. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
120. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
121. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
122 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
123 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
124. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
125. Tranent A&F Club
126. Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra
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)
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 – 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
Hope you will enjoy the content in this issue……..……….
Pia Walker
Jack Emblow – has finally retired after a long and successful career
by John Love
Many have heard the music of Jack Emblow, due to his contribution to popular culture in TV, cinema, radio, recordings and in sound tracks such as BBC’s ‘ ‘Allo, ‘Allo’, ‘Bergerac’ and ‘Last of the Summer Wine’, in ITV’s ‘Maigret’ and ‘French Fields’. His film credits include ; ‘Whistle Down the wind’ and Cliff Richard’s ‘Summer Holiday’.
Jack, born in 1930, began piano lessons at the age of 9, but two years later switched to the accordion. By the end of WW2 Jack played professionally as a member of the Al Podesta Accordion Band. Around the same time he also played regularly in a trio led by the blind jazz pianist Eddie Thompson. In the 1950s he was playing dance music and jazz gigs and in 1956 the Jack Emblow Sextet made the first of many broadcasts for ‘Music While You Work’ on the BBC Light Programme.
In the mid-1950s Jack moved into the world of London recording studios as a session musician, playing for singers as diverse as Alma Cogan, Michael Holliday, Sandie Shaw, Bernard Cribbins, Donovan, Elton John, Grace Jones, The Strawbs and even The Beatles. During the filming of ‘All You Need Is Love’ in 1967, John Lennon borrowed Jack’s accordion, and a photo taken led to the myth that Lennon was an accordionist. Jack played on Peter Sarstedt’s No. 1 hit ‘Where do You Go To My Lovely’. He also featured on the recordings of other accordionists, including Jimmy Shand and Dermot O’Brien. Of the latter, he recalls playing second accordion when O’Brien was recording a version of The Carnival of Venice with his backing band The Clubmen. The rehearsal was not going well. The players spent a while practising, but decided to have a break and go to the nearest pub. An hour later, suitably refreshed, they went back and straight away produced a spot-on version of the tune – the last track on the LP ‘The Laughing Accordion’.
In 1959 Jack was signed up by Cliff Adams as the accompanist for a new radio programme called ‘Sing Something simple’, which lasted for a record-breaking 42 years.
In 1973, the BBC recruited Jack Emblow, Ernie Shear (banjo), Roy Davey (vibes), Pete Collins (bass) and Geoff Lofts (drums) to form a session band, ‘The French Collection’ and a series of ‘French collection’ albums followed. Early publicity stated that; “This all too depressing world needs cheering up from time to time, and nobody is better qualified for that none too easy take than the French Collection.”
In 1987 Jack and fellow accordionist Tony Compton former a duo. In 1987 they recorded an LP ‘Flying High’ (both were model aeroplane enthusiasts!), and in 2005 a sequel ‘Jack and Tony’. Their musical rapport and performance of the Great American Songbook and popular jazz classics proved a hot and they played at Accordion clubs and Festival with great success until finally calling it a day in 2015.
Jack has recorded several albums in his own right, such as ‘Ritual Fire Dance’ and ‘Accordion Showcase’. Jack, under the pseudonym Adriano, made a series of 4 French musette-style LPs for EMI; ‘Sur Le Pave’ (1965, ‘The Last Time I Saw Paris’ (1966), ‘Under The Bridges of Paris’ (1968) and ‘I Love Paris’ (1971). Under his own name and in similar style he recorded ‘Paris Musette’ (1997), ‘Café de Paris’ (1997). There were also several recordings backing the Cliff Adams Singers in the ‘Sing something Simple’ style.
Jack has owned several accordions and is known to favour a straight-tuned Excelsior with Cassotto bought in New York. He believes that the tight compression found on the American-made Excelsion models achieve good intonation with very little effort, especially useful for a jazz musician. He is much less keen on the sound of musette instruments, despite having made many recordings in that style. To Jack’s ears a musette instrument gives an impure sound and his preference is for a straight, mellow tone.
Jack admired the great American jazz accordionist Art Van Damme and eventually played a spot with him at the 2006 Caister Festival, which Jack fondly considers to be a career highlight. Jack has worked with the likes of Don Lusher, Stephane Grappelli, Toots Thielmans, George Chisholm, and many more. Jack has also performed and recorded in a highly successful quintet, ‘Spirit of Django’, led by ace jazz guitarist, Martin Taylor.
Jack Emblow has made many solo and duet (with Tony Compton) guest appearances in Accordion Clubs and in the All-Scotland Festival in Perth.
Less well known is the fact that Jack has arranged and composed music and in the early 1960s wrote a tutor book, ‘Jazz Accordion’. One of his compositions, Tango Musette, was recorded and appears on the French Collection compilation CD ‘Enjoy Yourself’; and his arrangements of Gershwin’s I Got Rhythm and Summertime were published by Charlie Walkins.
In 2001, after several years serving as an Honorary Vice President, Jack Emblow was elected Honorary President of the National Accordion Organisation of the United Kingdom – a fitting honour for the man known fondly to so many as ‘The Guv’nor’.
NAAFC Golf Day
Shand Morino Day
by Pia Walker
Well it was more like a long weekend, ……………………
In Memory
Gordon Simpson (20/10/1936-28/05/2016)
by Freeland Barbour
The fiddler’s seat in the Scottish dance bands of the last forty years or more has been occupied by many distinguished performers, but none more so than Gordon Simpson. Indeed it might be quicker to list those bands with whom he has NOT played rather than those he has. Ian Holmes, Ronnie Easton, Colin Finlayson, Kenny Thomson, John Renton, Colin Dewar, Ian Muir, Bill Black, Dochie McCallum are just some of the names of those who have benefited from having Gordon at their elbow. A fluent sight-reader with good tone and accuracy, he set the highest standards for himself, and with his friendly, warm, genial, and utterly reliable personality it’s little wonder that he was in such demand for such a long time.
And it wasn’t just the bands that benefited. Gordon was a regular at the RSCDS Summer School in St. Andrews where, as well as playing for classes, his musicians’ courses on playing for dancing were highly popular and always over-subscribed. He was happy too to adjudicate at competitions whenever asked and invariably did so with the utmost consideration and encouragement. His father was a fiddler too and the family home in Dundee must have been a cheerful and music-filled place when Gordon was growing up.
That he found time for all this music is remarkable, with a busy family life and his career as a respected chartered accountant and partner in the well-known accountancy firms of Thomson McLintock and KPMG.
He was a great fiddle player and thoroughly competent in everything he did, and most of all he was a lovely man.
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
Brandon McPhee, Scottish Champion – CDPAN044
The Rockfield Polka – Colin Campbell – Independent CC07535CD
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
2nd July 2016 – 60’s Bairns + guest Jim McColl
9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th July 2016 – Take the Floor Summer Series
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) –
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms)
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 17th July 2016 – Jimmy Lindsay
Arbroath (Artisan Golf Club) -
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 18th July 2016 – Da Fustra
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) –
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) –
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) –
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 12th July 2016 – Brandon McPhee Trio
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 14th July 2016 – Jim Cleland Band
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) 7th July 2016 – Johnny Duncan Duo
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) -
Dingwall (National Hotel) –
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) –
Dunfermline (Civil Service Sports Assoc, Rosyth) –
Duns (Masonic Lodge)
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 19th July 2016 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) –
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 31st July 2016 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Forres (Victoria Hotel) –
Fort William (Railway Club) -
Galashiels (Clovenfords Hotel) –
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) -
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 6th July 2016 – Matthew MacLennan Trio
Gretna (The Gables Hotel) - 31st July 2016 – Open Day
Highland (Waterside Hotel) –
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) -
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) –
Kelso (Cross Rugby Club) –
Langholm (British Legion) –
Lewis & Harris (Sea Angling Club) - 7th July 2016 – Club Night
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn)
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) -
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 6th July 2016 – Gary Sutherland Trio
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) -
Newmill-on-Teviot / Teviotdale (Buccleugh Bowling Club)
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) –
Oban (The Royal Hotel) –
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 6th 13th 20th July 2016 – Club Nights 27th July – Leonard Brown
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 15th July 2016 – Dance to Da Fustra
Perth (Salutation Hotel) –
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 7th July 2016 – West Telferton SDB
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 5th 12th 19th 26th July 2016 – Club Nights
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) -
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) –
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 7th July 2016 – Susie Simpson SDB
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 21st July 2016 – Bon Accords
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn)
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Annan
2. Arbroath
3. Banff
4. Coalburn
5. Crieff
6. Dingwall
7. Duns
8. Forfar
9. Forres
10. Highland
11. Inveraray
12. Isle of Skye
13. Kelso
14. Lewis & Harris
15. Montrose
16. North East
17. Seghill
18. Turriff
19. Tynedale
20. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2015
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
10. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
11. Button Key A&F Club (
12. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
13. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
15. Coalburn A&F Club (
16. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
17. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
18. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
19. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
20. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
21. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
22. Ellon A&F Club (
23. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
24. Forfar A&F Club (
25. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
26. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
27. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
28. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
29. Gretna A&F Club (1991) Known as North Cumbria A&F Club previously (originally called Gretna when started in June 1966 but later had to move to venues in the North of England and changed name. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
30. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
31. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
32. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
33. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
34. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
35. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
36. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 – present)
37. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
38 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
39. Macmerry A&F Club (Feb 2016 – present)
40 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
41 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
42 Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
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 West Barnes ( - present)
58 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?)
59. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
60. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
61. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
62. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
63. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
64. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
65. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
66. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
67. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
68. Buchan A&F Club
69. Callander A&F Club (
70. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
71. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
72. Club Accord
73. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
74 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
75. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
76. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
77. Cults A & F Club (
78. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
79. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
80. Derwentside A&F Club
81. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
82. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
83. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
84. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
85. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
86. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
87. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
88. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
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. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
112. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
113. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
114. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
115. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
116. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
117. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
118. Selkirk A&F Club (
119. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
120. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
121. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
122 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
123 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
124. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
125. Tranent A&F Club
126. Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra
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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