Box and Fiddle
Year 39 No 10
June 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
Many of the clubs are now closed……..……….
Pia Walker
Happy 21st Birthday Uist & Benbecula A&F Club
by John Love
The 21st year of the Uist and Benbecula Accordion and Fiddle club draws to a close. It began with the launch in the Dark Island of a celebratory booklet and CD/DVD entitled ‘The First Twenty Years’. This handsome production pulls together a short history of the club with fond portraits in words and colour photographs of some of our most loyal members. These include late founder members such as Duncan MacLellan and Kenny MacDonald, other tradition bearers such as Donald Gallacher and Angus john Monk and some of our current youngsters, Lee MacDougall from North Uist, Kenny MacKillop from Berneray and the Walker brothers, Niall and David from Howmore. Well over 100 locals, musicians, dancers and audience attended the rousing ceilidh and tucked into a celebratory cake. Tributes were paid to three much loved Club members who had sadly passed away just a few months earlier: Gaelic singer and bard Lachie Morrison from Grimsay, the amazing button-box player Angus Alec MacDonald from Baleshare and our Treasurer Jeni Henton from Aird, Benbecula.
The winter season continued with the regular fortnightly ceilidh nights in Griminish Church Hall. As is now our custom some members played at the Uist and Barra Hospital just before Christmas, and later in the New Year at Uist House and Trianaid. In February we were invited to host an evening of music, song and dance at the Harris Hotel in Tarbert where Club regulars were joined by local musicians and a very accomplished young accordionist from Shetland on holiday with her guitarist boyfriend.
With each successive gathering numbers swell and we were particularly delighted when the talented children on Iain and Anne MacDonald and Allan and Morag Henderson joined the club. As soon as young musicians begin showing a commitment to their instrument, they are presented with a polo shirt or sweatshirt bearing the Club logo. Cousins Joanna and young Grace play the fiddle while Niall and Donald are adept on the button-box; young Donald also plays the chanter. With ample opportunities to learn already being offered by Ceolas and the Feisean the Club is able to provide the opportunity for these youngsters to play alongside older members and carry on the traditional Uist style. Alex MacDonald from Gramsdale and Padruig Morrison from Grimsay are now amongst our strongest accordionists, with Lee and Kenny hot on their heels. It seems to that our latest young members will not be far behind them.
The new season will begin at the end of September / early October 2016 – so look out for posters.
Joan Blue – Guest of Honour
by Pia Walker
Much has been written about Joan Blue and there was a moment sitting with Joan in her lovely home in Bankfoot, I was thinking, “What on earth can I say that hasn’t already been said?”
Joan was born in February 1933 in Perth (the original Fair Maid of Perth). Her parents lived in a tenement just across from the tennis courts. Her father and his brothers were drummers, her grandfather a violin teacher, her sister an accordion player and her mother a keen singer. When Joan was 10 her parents bought a piano for the princely sum of £10. The first tune Joan picked out on the keyboard was In the Mood. She wasn’t too keen on being taught by an elderly Mr Edward Nicol and it was years before her mother realised that she used skive off these classes. When she was 13 she changed piano teacher and her interest improved tremendously, however, she readily agrees that if it wasn’t for Jimmy Blue her musical career would have been a little bit different to what it became.
She began playing for various types of dance classes from the age of 14 and began an illustrious career as piano accompanist to many well-known bands from the age of 15. As was usual at that time, playing for dances meant learning both modern and Scottish styles and how to use the piano to support the individual musicians without drowning them out. She honed her skills and her ability to hold her own amongst other musicians in various bands including one where they didn’t play The Destiny Waltz, but called it The Dysentery Waltz. Joan also learnt to play without looking at the sheet music, a skill that came in handy when with another band they took a busload of women up to the Rannoch Hydro Electric Camp to play for the workers’ dances. She was far more interested in taking note of couples going out the door and how long it took before they came back in than the notes on the sheets of paper in front of her.
She became the first pianist, at 16, in Bill Wilkie’s Accordion Orchestra and credits Bill with being the biggest influence in her musical life. It was here she learned to vamp from Mick Ainsworth and incidentally met her husband to be, Jimmy Blue. Apparently Joan’s mum used to feed half the band after practice while they were waiting to take buses back home and according to Joan, Jimmy fell first for the eggs and chips served up by Joan’s mum and then fell for Joan! They married in 1955. It should have been earlier, but Jimmy had to buy a new accordion as he was joining the Ian Powrie Band, and so the wedding got postponed as there wasn’t money for both. They have 2 daughters, Virginia and Sandra who to date have made Joan a grandmother and great grandmother several times over.
With 2 daughters and a husband who travelled extensively as a professional musician, Joan only played occasionally. It is difficult to fit children, work and music in, especially when you don’t drive, and Joan did not get her licence until 1966. She now became more involved with music and became a super-user of baby-sitters, especially one family in Forgandenny who with one son and 7 daughters provided an endless supply of babysitters who, among other things, introduced Virginia and Sandra to pop-music, a genre not often heard in the Blue household.
In 1966 it was all change. Jimmy took over the band after Ian Powrie’s move to Australia. This involved buying a band bus, mics, other gear, getting a phone installed in the house. In that year also, Joan was asked to become a music teacher, a job she loved. One of her proudest moments was winning a choir competition with the Goodlyburn pupils at Perth Music Festival, a feat so much sweeter as she beat 12 qualified teachers. She had to give up teaching in 1969, as the General Teaching Council only wanted trained teachers and with work, bringing up children, music, being in charge of the band bookings etc., going to college was not an option. Instead she got a job at Kilgraston School, in Bridge of Earn as a secretary. It was supposed to be a temporary job, but “I became Personnel and Marketing Manager, which in 1995 involved a marketing trip to Hong Kong, China and Macao - and retired for the first time in 1998, then again a year later, etc.” In 1995, Joan started a Scottish Fiddle Group at Kilgraston, which she still works with to this day.
In 1977 Jimmy gave up being a professional musician, but still played semi-professionally all over the country, with Joan on piano, Angus Fitchet on fiddle (although Ian Powrie did join them on his return to Scotland in 1984 too), Jack Cooper on drums and they continued until Jimmy’s death in December 1999, incidentally on the same day that Ian Powrie returned to Australia for good.
Over the years, she also struck up a friendship with Pam Wilkie, a fellow pianist whom she obviously misses very much. “Pam put in such beautiful chords.” I’m sure that those two put the world to rights in their many ‘after-gig nocturnal phone calls to each other.
Joan could have retired from her musical life after Jimmy’s death. However, in February 2000 she was contacted by a young lady, Perdy Syers-Gibson, who she states gave her the necessary kick-start after Jimmy’s death. Perdy needed an accompanist for the various fiddle competitions she entered and they travelled the country, driven by Perdy’s mother, a driver who made each journey more than interesting apparently. From adding the wrong kind of fuel to the car causing a break-down on the road from the Green Welly Shop to Oban with Joan having to stand at the side of the road with her thumb out (hoping that nobody recognised her) to reversing on to a rockery, both of which incidents caused Perdy and Joan to have to catch lifts with others to various competitions.
Joan loved singing although she doesn’t do much any more. She used to sing with the Kinnoull band, with whom she played regularly for eight years. Just picture Joan belting out I love you Yeah, Yeah, Yeah! Today she only sings for the dementia group ‘Still Voices’ and for residents of Moncreiffe Nursing home in Bridge of Earn.
She has worked and supported the NAAFC from its beginning; indeed, when husband Jimmy proposed forming a National Association, she got the job of writing to all the clubs. She was the first secretary of the Perth Club and was in that post for 23 years. She sees the clubs as a very important instrument in band communication “Before the clubs many bands used to come home from gigs via the Pavilion Café in Perth. This was the about the only chance they had of meeting other bands. The clubs now give all musicians a chance to meet and learn from each other and get to know what the audience want.” “In our day you learnt your trade playing with an already established band and experienced players. This doesn’t seem to happen any more”.
On being asked what the difference in music was then to what it is now, she points out that music was more basic. Sound effects etc. have moved music forward technically. She loves the lighter genre of music, operettas, musicals, and used to write and put on pantomimes with her WRI choir. She is not too keen on playing for Scottish country dancing, it is too strict and controlled, but enjoys the variety of tempos for old time dancing. Joan just loves to entertain and play the piano. She supports many clubs and orchestras and used to be seen with Stella Wilkie on the circuit playing together for “Music in Hospitals” for ten years. So let us therefore finish with a few words from Stella Wilkie on the phenomenon called Joan Blue.
“I can't remember when I first met Joan and her late husband Jimmy, but it is in the region of 40 years ago! I have had the pleasure of playing with Joan both in a band and as a duet. She is a true family friend, helping with the musical education of our daughters and in keeping my husband Allan in check on many of our trips to the Shetland festival! She is always cheerful, up for fun and her command of the English language is second to none. She would make a much more pithy summary of me than I can do of her. Many thanks for your friendship Joan. You are a treasure!"
Happy 80th Birthday to Robbie Shepherd
by Jennifer Cruickshank (Producer – Take the Floor)
The 30th April was a very special date for Take the Floor as presenter Robbie Shepherd celebrated his 80th birthday. Robbie has been the voice of the show now for over 35 years, and his rich, Doric dialect makes him instantly recognizable, not only here in Scotland, but all around the world.
The programme was a complete joy to put together for the full Take the Floor team. The music came from a most memorable outside broadcast from Robbie’s home village of Dunecht, featuring Iain Cathcart and his Scottish Dance Band and special guest artistes. Added to that were birthday greetings from friends and colleagues from all walks of Robbie’s life. But the final words came from two very close family members, his son Gordon, now based in London and Robbie’s beloved grandson, two year old Dougie.
Listening to the programme, I’m sure a few tears were shed and hopefully it also reminded us all, just how important Robbie continues to be in this world of Scottish Dance Music.
The Fiddle in Strathspey
by Bill Saddler
The Strathspey or ‘Sprathspey Reel’ originated, it is said, from Strathspey, that broad Strath of the River Spey, north of the Cairngorm mountains. It was originally written for the fiddle and used for dancing. It is actually a slow and stylised form of reel while the standard reel was known as an ‘Atholl Reel’.
It is the music of nature ”The voice of the storm reverberant along the mountain tops, the soughing of the wind through forests of pine, the patter of summer rain on birch leaves, the ripping murmur of a highland burn, and the louder music of the silvery Spey….”
The fiddle, of course, may not be Scotland’s oldest musical instrument though some form of bowed stringed instruments have been around in Scotland since Celtic times. The fiddle in the Highlands only grew in popularity in the late 17th century. It was not however unanimously popular with traditional harpists. Roderick Morrison, a harper-poet, allegedly declared (in Gaelic) “If fiddling be music, we’ve had enough of it!” Nevertheless in the 1690’s Aberdeen University professor James Garden wrote to John Aubrey that groups of women entertainers used to go from place to place with a fiddler who accompanied them both in dancing and singing. Another such fiddler was the legendary cateran James Macpherson, hanged at Banff in November 1700 and whose companion Peter Brown was possibly of the family of Browns of Kincardine who were later considered the originators of the Strathspey style.
“According to the tradition of the Country, the first who played them (Strathspey Reels) were the Browns of Kincardin: to whom are ascribed a few of the most ancient tunes. After these men, the Cummings of Freuchie, now Castle-Grant, were in the highest estimation of their knowledge and execution in Strathspey music; and most of the tunes handed down to us are certainly of their composing.”
The earliest Seafield reference to this family of hereditary pipers / musicians is possibly a 1653 “Letter of Pension, by which James Grant of Freuquhy becomes bound to cause his chamberlain on Inverallan to pay and deliver yearly to Alexander Cumming, his piper and violer (fiddler), twenty merks Scots money……” Alexander was succeeded as the Laird’s piper by William Cumming whose famous 1715 Richard Waitt portrait now hangs in the National Museum of Scotland. He was followed by John and then Angus Cumming both of whom had been out in the Forty-Five. Angus settled in Old Grantown and then in a house built for him in 1767/8 in the New Town. This was the first house built on the ‘South Side’ and was on the site of what is now the Claymore Bar. Angus Cumming’s ‘Collection of Strathspey or Old highland Reels’ was published posthumously in Edinburgh in 1780, “a volume of which is still of the highest authority.”
The Cumming tradition of composing Strathspeys was carried on by William Marshall (12748 – 1833) of Speyside who is described as “the most influential composer of the area” and “the most brilliant and prolific composer of reels and Strathspeys that Scotland has produced.” Through Marshall’s probably pupil, Charles Grant, Schoolmaster of Aberlour (1807-1892), something of his style of playing may have passed on to James Scott Skinner (1843-1927) ‘The Strathspey King.’ Meanwhile in Perthshire, fiddlers of the Athole Reel tradition such as Niel Gow (1727-1807) and Malcolm McDonald (b 1750) and many others in that golden age became well known, many of whom played regularly in Edinburgh.
At the time when Niel Gow was at the height of his popularity there were a great many talented fiddlers in Strathspey. One such was the father of the Rev. Peter Grant, Baptist minister in Grantown and composer of numerous Gaelic hymns. He wrote, “My father was a fiddler, a calling that was highly respected at the time and as he was the best in the country at it he was often called to marriages and to gentlemen’s houses for amusement to them, but when he began to hear the gospel faithfully stated, he began to be terrified that he should be the Ringleader in these vanities….” Like Luther, Peter Grant, also a talented fiddler, believed that the devil should not have all the good music and he used popular fiddle tunes as music for his psalms.
By the middle of the 19th century fiddle competitions were emerging as a platform for the performance of Scottish traditional music. There were, for example, competitions in Glasgow in 1855 with a prize of a gold medal and a purse of five guineas and in Edinburgh in 1856 with gold and silver medals “in order to impart a stimulus to the study and practical cultivation of our National Music….” Nevertheless as the Elgin Courant 24th February 1854 pointed out there was no shortage of talent in Strathspey. “the natives of Strathspey have long enjoyed world-wide fame for proficiency and skill in the music and dancing, and from the following it would appear that the palm is in no danger of being quickly transferred to any other part of the Highlands.” The writer goes on to outline a wedding in Carrbridge followed by dancing to no less than 14 fiddlers. Reference is made to another event, “in a certain hospitable mansion in Strathspey” at which to the astonishment of a lady visitor, a “fiddle was handed round to every gentleman present, and all were well skilled in its use.” The lady was assured that, had all the male population of Strathspey been present the result would have been exactly the same.”
Not everyone agreed. ‘Tullochgorum’ writing in the Inverness courier in august 1862 suggests that, “a portion of funds annually bestowed on pipe-playing….might be devoted to a prize for fiddle-playing of reels and Strathspeys, an art which…is now fast dying out.” Perhaps as an indirect consequence of this an annual violin competition was established in Grantown in 1883 and this ran for some years. In 1886, the Aberdeen Weekly Journal ran a story on the Grantown Violin Competition. “On Friday evening the annual violin competition in strathspeys and slow airs took place in the Public Hall, Grantown, in the presence of a very large audience. Mr Grant, Lethendry Lodge, Grantown, presided, and was supported on the platform by Major Grant, Glen-Urquhart.” One of the two judges was Charles Grant from Aberlour, former pupil of William Marshall and known locally as ‘Schooley’ Grant. First prize in each of the two categories was a gold medal with runners-up receiving 15/- and 10/-. By 1905 the competition had extended to “A violin and bagpipe competition and concert in the Strathspey Public Hall……..the proceeds of which are in aid of the fund being raised for the purpose of providing work for the unemployed, a large number of whom are now engaged levelling and forming a footpath on the old road leading from the town to the River Spey.” By 1907 the annual musical competitions “included singing, violin and bagpipe playing, and the playing of any musical instrument.” Again there was a large audience and there were 32 entries. During these latter years, whilst there were many local talented musicians, Grantown boasted one especially musical family. The Aberdeen Journal of September 30, 1905 reported: “The awards in the Helpers’ League competition, instituted some time ago by the proprietors of ‘The Musical Home Journal’ have just been announced, the first prize – a Brinsmead upright grand piano, valued at one hundred guineas going to Grantown-on-Spey. The competition was practically open to the whole world. Mr J. Howat, A.V.C., the winner, is well known in the north as a skilful violinist and pleasing vocalist. It deserves to be mentioned that Howat’s family – four in number – are also musical. His eldest – Master Joseph, a lad of 13 – has been before the public as a violinist since he was five years of age. In March 1903, master Howat came to Aberdeen and at a City concerts Competition – open to Scotland – carried off the gold medal for violin playing. Instrumentally the Howat family occupy an honoured position on the concert platform. The combination, in band form, includes violin, mandoline, cello and piano – the youngest performer being only seven years old.”
Through the first quarter of the twentieth century the tradition of Strathspey fiddlers was continued by many individuals. One such legendary character was James Macqueen (d1928), familiar for years on the Highland line south and east of Inverness. He both played at stations and on trains especially troop trains during the war years. He was considered to have few rivals in the north as an exponent of Strathspeys and reels.
The Grantown Strathspey and Reel Society was inaugurated in 1928 and by 1933 had 42 members. Many of the fiddlers no doubt took part in the competition for the Countess of Seafield’s Silver Cup for Strathspeys and Reels and which was competed for from the late 20’s to the late 30’s. It too was designed to give “impetus to the study and practice of Highland music, and particularly Strathspeys and Reels in the district from which they took their name. The competitions were held under the auspices of the Strathspey and Reels society. Contemporary newspapers leave no doubt about the popularity of these events. For example the Dundee Courier of April 1931 reported “From the appearance of Grantown streets it seemed like the while district was interested in the competition for the silver cup presented by Lady Seafield for violin playing of strathspeys and reels. Hundreds of people came to the town from rural areas.” The search is now on to find out what happened to the trophy
Music in Strathspey continues to thrive with help from enthusiastic teachers and supportive parents. In 2015 as part of Grantown’s sestercentennial celebrations a fiddle competition was reintroduced to the town. The Fiddler of Strathspey Festival was set up to celebrate the playing of Strathspeys, especially the work of Grantown’s own fiddler, Angus Cumming. The winner of the Fiddler of Strathspey Maggie Adamson trophy was Ailsa Hepburn from Carrbridge.
With such fiddle competitions, the work of the schools, good local interest and the support of the Feis movement, the music of the Spey is in good hands.
Memories of Bob McMath of Silverburn
by various
In previous issue.
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
4th June 2016 – Radio Recall – Special + Request Hour
11th June 2016 – The Full Scottish
18th June 2016 – Craigowl SDB
25th June 2016 – David Oswald SDB
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) –
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms)
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 19th June 2016 – Local Night
Arbroath (Artisan Golf Club) - 12th June 2016 – Alan Small & Gemma Donald
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 27th June 2016 – Ian Thomson SDB
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 22nd June 2016 – Scott Band SDB
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) –
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) –
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 14th June 2016 – James Coutts SDB
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 9th June 2016 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
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) 2nd June 2016 – Joan Blue & Friends
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) -
Dingwall (National Hotel) –
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) –
Dunfermline (Civil Service Sports Assoc, Rosyth) –
Duns (Masonic Lodge)
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 21st June 2016 – Kevin cheyne SDB
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) –
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 26th June 2016 – Alistair McLeod SDB
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 8th June 2016 - AGM
Fort William (Railway Club) -
Galashiels (Clovenfords Hotel) –
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) -
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 1st June 2016 – Perth S&R Society
Gretna (The Gables Hotel) -
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 20th June 2016 - AGM
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) -
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) –
Kelso (Cross Rugby Club) – 8th June 2016 - AGM
Langholm (British Legion) – 26th June 2016 – Open Day
Lewis & Harris (Sea Angling Club) - 2nd June 2016 – Andy Kain Trio
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn)
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) -
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 1st June 2016 – Gary Sutherland SDB
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) -
Newmill-on-Teviot / Teviotdale (Buccleugh Bowling Club)
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 7th June 2016 - AGM
Oban (The Royal Hotel) –
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 1st 8th 15th 21st 29th June 2016 – Club Nights
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) –
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 2nd June 2016 – Deirdre Adamson
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 7th June 2016 – Gavin Piper 14th 21st 28th June – Club Nights
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) -
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) –
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 2nd June 2016 – Nicol McLaren SDB
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 16th June 2016 – Willie McFarlane Band
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn)
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Annan
2. Banff
3. Biggar
4. Button Key
5. Castle Douglas
6. Crieff
7. Dingwall
8. Dunfermline
9. Duns
10. Fintry
11. Forfar
12. Glendale
13. Highland
14. Isle of Skye
15. Islesteps
16. Kelso
17. Lewis & Harris
18. Livingston
19. Lockerbie
20. Mauchline
21. Newburgh
22. North East
23. Orkney
24. Peebles
25. Perth
26. Rothbury
27. Seghill
28. Stonehouse
29. Turriff
30. Tynedale
31. 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
Many of the clubs are now closed……..……….
Pia Walker
Happy 21st Birthday Uist & Benbecula A&F Club
by John Love
The 21st year of the Uist and Benbecula Accordion and Fiddle club draws to a close. It began with the launch in the Dark Island of a celebratory booklet and CD/DVD entitled ‘The First Twenty Years’. This handsome production pulls together a short history of the club with fond portraits in words and colour photographs of some of our most loyal members. These include late founder members such as Duncan MacLellan and Kenny MacDonald, other tradition bearers such as Donald Gallacher and Angus john Monk and some of our current youngsters, Lee MacDougall from North Uist, Kenny MacKillop from Berneray and the Walker brothers, Niall and David from Howmore. Well over 100 locals, musicians, dancers and audience attended the rousing ceilidh and tucked into a celebratory cake. Tributes were paid to three much loved Club members who had sadly passed away just a few months earlier: Gaelic singer and bard Lachie Morrison from Grimsay, the amazing button-box player Angus Alec MacDonald from Baleshare and our Treasurer Jeni Henton from Aird, Benbecula.
The winter season continued with the regular fortnightly ceilidh nights in Griminish Church Hall. As is now our custom some members played at the Uist and Barra Hospital just before Christmas, and later in the New Year at Uist House and Trianaid. In February we were invited to host an evening of music, song and dance at the Harris Hotel in Tarbert where Club regulars were joined by local musicians and a very accomplished young accordionist from Shetland on holiday with her guitarist boyfriend.
With each successive gathering numbers swell and we were particularly delighted when the talented children on Iain and Anne MacDonald and Allan and Morag Henderson joined the club. As soon as young musicians begin showing a commitment to their instrument, they are presented with a polo shirt or sweatshirt bearing the Club logo. Cousins Joanna and young Grace play the fiddle while Niall and Donald are adept on the button-box; young Donald also plays the chanter. With ample opportunities to learn already being offered by Ceolas and the Feisean the Club is able to provide the opportunity for these youngsters to play alongside older members and carry on the traditional Uist style. Alex MacDonald from Gramsdale and Padruig Morrison from Grimsay are now amongst our strongest accordionists, with Lee and Kenny hot on their heels. It seems to that our latest young members will not be far behind them.
The new season will begin at the end of September / early October 2016 – so look out for posters.
Joan Blue – Guest of Honour
by Pia Walker
Much has been written about Joan Blue and there was a moment sitting with Joan in her lovely home in Bankfoot, I was thinking, “What on earth can I say that hasn’t already been said?”
Joan was born in February 1933 in Perth (the original Fair Maid of Perth). Her parents lived in a tenement just across from the tennis courts. Her father and his brothers were drummers, her grandfather a violin teacher, her sister an accordion player and her mother a keen singer. When Joan was 10 her parents bought a piano for the princely sum of £10. The first tune Joan picked out on the keyboard was In the Mood. She wasn’t too keen on being taught by an elderly Mr Edward Nicol and it was years before her mother realised that she used skive off these classes. When she was 13 she changed piano teacher and her interest improved tremendously, however, she readily agrees that if it wasn’t for Jimmy Blue her musical career would have been a little bit different to what it became.
She began playing for various types of dance classes from the age of 14 and began an illustrious career as piano accompanist to many well-known bands from the age of 15. As was usual at that time, playing for dances meant learning both modern and Scottish styles and how to use the piano to support the individual musicians without drowning them out. She honed her skills and her ability to hold her own amongst other musicians in various bands including one where they didn’t play The Destiny Waltz, but called it The Dysentery Waltz. Joan also learnt to play without looking at the sheet music, a skill that came in handy when with another band they took a busload of women up to the Rannoch Hydro Electric Camp to play for the workers’ dances. She was far more interested in taking note of couples going out the door and how long it took before they came back in than the notes on the sheets of paper in front of her.
She became the first pianist, at 16, in Bill Wilkie’s Accordion Orchestra and credits Bill with being the biggest influence in her musical life. It was here she learned to vamp from Mick Ainsworth and incidentally met her husband to be, Jimmy Blue. Apparently Joan’s mum used to feed half the band after practice while they were waiting to take buses back home and according to Joan, Jimmy fell first for the eggs and chips served up by Joan’s mum and then fell for Joan! They married in 1955. It should have been earlier, but Jimmy had to buy a new accordion as he was joining the Ian Powrie Band, and so the wedding got postponed as there wasn’t money for both. They have 2 daughters, Virginia and Sandra who to date have made Joan a grandmother and great grandmother several times over.
With 2 daughters and a husband who travelled extensively as a professional musician, Joan only played occasionally. It is difficult to fit children, work and music in, especially when you don’t drive, and Joan did not get her licence until 1966. She now became more involved with music and became a super-user of baby-sitters, especially one family in Forgandenny who with one son and 7 daughters provided an endless supply of babysitters who, among other things, introduced Virginia and Sandra to pop-music, a genre not often heard in the Blue household.
In 1966 it was all change. Jimmy took over the band after Ian Powrie’s move to Australia. This involved buying a band bus, mics, other gear, getting a phone installed in the house. In that year also, Joan was asked to become a music teacher, a job she loved. One of her proudest moments was winning a choir competition with the Goodlyburn pupils at Perth Music Festival, a feat so much sweeter as she beat 12 qualified teachers. She had to give up teaching in 1969, as the General Teaching Council only wanted trained teachers and with work, bringing up children, music, being in charge of the band bookings etc., going to college was not an option. Instead she got a job at Kilgraston School, in Bridge of Earn as a secretary. It was supposed to be a temporary job, but “I became Personnel and Marketing Manager, which in 1995 involved a marketing trip to Hong Kong, China and Macao - and retired for the first time in 1998, then again a year later, etc.” In 1995, Joan started a Scottish Fiddle Group at Kilgraston, which she still works with to this day.
In 1977 Jimmy gave up being a professional musician, but still played semi-professionally all over the country, with Joan on piano, Angus Fitchet on fiddle (although Ian Powrie did join them on his return to Scotland in 1984 too), Jack Cooper on drums and they continued until Jimmy’s death in December 1999, incidentally on the same day that Ian Powrie returned to Australia for good.
Over the years, she also struck up a friendship with Pam Wilkie, a fellow pianist whom she obviously misses very much. “Pam put in such beautiful chords.” I’m sure that those two put the world to rights in their many ‘after-gig nocturnal phone calls to each other.
Joan could have retired from her musical life after Jimmy’s death. However, in February 2000 she was contacted by a young lady, Perdy Syers-Gibson, who she states gave her the necessary kick-start after Jimmy’s death. Perdy needed an accompanist for the various fiddle competitions she entered and they travelled the country, driven by Perdy’s mother, a driver who made each journey more than interesting apparently. From adding the wrong kind of fuel to the car causing a break-down on the road from the Green Welly Shop to Oban with Joan having to stand at the side of the road with her thumb out (hoping that nobody recognised her) to reversing on to a rockery, both of which incidents caused Perdy and Joan to have to catch lifts with others to various competitions.
Joan loved singing although she doesn’t do much any more. She used to sing with the Kinnoull band, with whom she played regularly for eight years. Just picture Joan belting out I love you Yeah, Yeah, Yeah! Today she only sings for the dementia group ‘Still Voices’ and for residents of Moncreiffe Nursing home in Bridge of Earn.
She has worked and supported the NAAFC from its beginning; indeed, when husband Jimmy proposed forming a National Association, she got the job of writing to all the clubs. She was the first secretary of the Perth Club and was in that post for 23 years. She sees the clubs as a very important instrument in band communication “Before the clubs many bands used to come home from gigs via the Pavilion Café in Perth. This was the about the only chance they had of meeting other bands. The clubs now give all musicians a chance to meet and learn from each other and get to know what the audience want.” “In our day you learnt your trade playing with an already established band and experienced players. This doesn’t seem to happen any more”.
On being asked what the difference in music was then to what it is now, she points out that music was more basic. Sound effects etc. have moved music forward technically. She loves the lighter genre of music, operettas, musicals, and used to write and put on pantomimes with her WRI choir. She is not too keen on playing for Scottish country dancing, it is too strict and controlled, but enjoys the variety of tempos for old time dancing. Joan just loves to entertain and play the piano. She supports many clubs and orchestras and used to be seen with Stella Wilkie on the circuit playing together for “Music in Hospitals” for ten years. So let us therefore finish with a few words from Stella Wilkie on the phenomenon called Joan Blue.
“I can't remember when I first met Joan and her late husband Jimmy, but it is in the region of 40 years ago! I have had the pleasure of playing with Joan both in a band and as a duet. She is a true family friend, helping with the musical education of our daughters and in keeping my husband Allan in check on many of our trips to the Shetland festival! She is always cheerful, up for fun and her command of the English language is second to none. She would make a much more pithy summary of me than I can do of her. Many thanks for your friendship Joan. You are a treasure!"
Happy 80th Birthday to Robbie Shepherd
by Jennifer Cruickshank (Producer – Take the Floor)
The 30th April was a very special date for Take the Floor as presenter Robbie Shepherd celebrated his 80th birthday. Robbie has been the voice of the show now for over 35 years, and his rich, Doric dialect makes him instantly recognizable, not only here in Scotland, but all around the world.
The programme was a complete joy to put together for the full Take the Floor team. The music came from a most memorable outside broadcast from Robbie’s home village of Dunecht, featuring Iain Cathcart and his Scottish Dance Band and special guest artistes. Added to that were birthday greetings from friends and colleagues from all walks of Robbie’s life. But the final words came from two very close family members, his son Gordon, now based in London and Robbie’s beloved grandson, two year old Dougie.
Listening to the programme, I’m sure a few tears were shed and hopefully it also reminded us all, just how important Robbie continues to be in this world of Scottish Dance Music.
The Fiddle in Strathspey
by Bill Saddler
The Strathspey or ‘Sprathspey Reel’ originated, it is said, from Strathspey, that broad Strath of the River Spey, north of the Cairngorm mountains. It was originally written for the fiddle and used for dancing. It is actually a slow and stylised form of reel while the standard reel was known as an ‘Atholl Reel’.
It is the music of nature ”The voice of the storm reverberant along the mountain tops, the soughing of the wind through forests of pine, the patter of summer rain on birch leaves, the ripping murmur of a highland burn, and the louder music of the silvery Spey….”
The fiddle, of course, may not be Scotland’s oldest musical instrument though some form of bowed stringed instruments have been around in Scotland since Celtic times. The fiddle in the Highlands only grew in popularity in the late 17th century. It was not however unanimously popular with traditional harpists. Roderick Morrison, a harper-poet, allegedly declared (in Gaelic) “If fiddling be music, we’ve had enough of it!” Nevertheless in the 1690’s Aberdeen University professor James Garden wrote to John Aubrey that groups of women entertainers used to go from place to place with a fiddler who accompanied them both in dancing and singing. Another such fiddler was the legendary cateran James Macpherson, hanged at Banff in November 1700 and whose companion Peter Brown was possibly of the family of Browns of Kincardine who were later considered the originators of the Strathspey style.
“According to the tradition of the Country, the first who played them (Strathspey Reels) were the Browns of Kincardin: to whom are ascribed a few of the most ancient tunes. After these men, the Cummings of Freuchie, now Castle-Grant, were in the highest estimation of their knowledge and execution in Strathspey music; and most of the tunes handed down to us are certainly of their composing.”
The earliest Seafield reference to this family of hereditary pipers / musicians is possibly a 1653 “Letter of Pension, by which James Grant of Freuquhy becomes bound to cause his chamberlain on Inverallan to pay and deliver yearly to Alexander Cumming, his piper and violer (fiddler), twenty merks Scots money……” Alexander was succeeded as the Laird’s piper by William Cumming whose famous 1715 Richard Waitt portrait now hangs in the National Museum of Scotland. He was followed by John and then Angus Cumming both of whom had been out in the Forty-Five. Angus settled in Old Grantown and then in a house built for him in 1767/8 in the New Town. This was the first house built on the ‘South Side’ and was on the site of what is now the Claymore Bar. Angus Cumming’s ‘Collection of Strathspey or Old highland Reels’ was published posthumously in Edinburgh in 1780, “a volume of which is still of the highest authority.”
The Cumming tradition of composing Strathspeys was carried on by William Marshall (12748 – 1833) of Speyside who is described as “the most influential composer of the area” and “the most brilliant and prolific composer of reels and Strathspeys that Scotland has produced.” Through Marshall’s probably pupil, Charles Grant, Schoolmaster of Aberlour (1807-1892), something of his style of playing may have passed on to James Scott Skinner (1843-1927) ‘The Strathspey King.’ Meanwhile in Perthshire, fiddlers of the Athole Reel tradition such as Niel Gow (1727-1807) and Malcolm McDonald (b 1750) and many others in that golden age became well known, many of whom played regularly in Edinburgh.
At the time when Niel Gow was at the height of his popularity there were a great many talented fiddlers in Strathspey. One such was the father of the Rev. Peter Grant, Baptist minister in Grantown and composer of numerous Gaelic hymns. He wrote, “My father was a fiddler, a calling that was highly respected at the time and as he was the best in the country at it he was often called to marriages and to gentlemen’s houses for amusement to them, but when he began to hear the gospel faithfully stated, he began to be terrified that he should be the Ringleader in these vanities….” Like Luther, Peter Grant, also a talented fiddler, believed that the devil should not have all the good music and he used popular fiddle tunes as music for his psalms.
By the middle of the 19th century fiddle competitions were emerging as a platform for the performance of Scottish traditional music. There were, for example, competitions in Glasgow in 1855 with a prize of a gold medal and a purse of five guineas and in Edinburgh in 1856 with gold and silver medals “in order to impart a stimulus to the study and practical cultivation of our National Music….” Nevertheless as the Elgin Courant 24th February 1854 pointed out there was no shortage of talent in Strathspey. “the natives of Strathspey have long enjoyed world-wide fame for proficiency and skill in the music and dancing, and from the following it would appear that the palm is in no danger of being quickly transferred to any other part of the Highlands.” The writer goes on to outline a wedding in Carrbridge followed by dancing to no less than 14 fiddlers. Reference is made to another event, “in a certain hospitable mansion in Strathspey” at which to the astonishment of a lady visitor, a “fiddle was handed round to every gentleman present, and all were well skilled in its use.” The lady was assured that, had all the male population of Strathspey been present the result would have been exactly the same.”
Not everyone agreed. ‘Tullochgorum’ writing in the Inverness courier in august 1862 suggests that, “a portion of funds annually bestowed on pipe-playing….might be devoted to a prize for fiddle-playing of reels and Strathspeys, an art which…is now fast dying out.” Perhaps as an indirect consequence of this an annual violin competition was established in Grantown in 1883 and this ran for some years. In 1886, the Aberdeen Weekly Journal ran a story on the Grantown Violin Competition. “On Friday evening the annual violin competition in strathspeys and slow airs took place in the Public Hall, Grantown, in the presence of a very large audience. Mr Grant, Lethendry Lodge, Grantown, presided, and was supported on the platform by Major Grant, Glen-Urquhart.” One of the two judges was Charles Grant from Aberlour, former pupil of William Marshall and known locally as ‘Schooley’ Grant. First prize in each of the two categories was a gold medal with runners-up receiving 15/- and 10/-. By 1905 the competition had extended to “A violin and bagpipe competition and concert in the Strathspey Public Hall……..the proceeds of which are in aid of the fund being raised for the purpose of providing work for the unemployed, a large number of whom are now engaged levelling and forming a footpath on the old road leading from the town to the River Spey.” By 1907 the annual musical competitions “included singing, violin and bagpipe playing, and the playing of any musical instrument.” Again there was a large audience and there were 32 entries. During these latter years, whilst there were many local talented musicians, Grantown boasted one especially musical family. The Aberdeen Journal of September 30, 1905 reported: “The awards in the Helpers’ League competition, instituted some time ago by the proprietors of ‘The Musical Home Journal’ have just been announced, the first prize – a Brinsmead upright grand piano, valued at one hundred guineas going to Grantown-on-Spey. The competition was practically open to the whole world. Mr J. Howat, A.V.C., the winner, is well known in the north as a skilful violinist and pleasing vocalist. It deserves to be mentioned that Howat’s family – four in number – are also musical. His eldest – Master Joseph, a lad of 13 – has been before the public as a violinist since he was five years of age. In March 1903, master Howat came to Aberdeen and at a City concerts Competition – open to Scotland – carried off the gold medal for violin playing. Instrumentally the Howat family occupy an honoured position on the concert platform. The combination, in band form, includes violin, mandoline, cello and piano – the youngest performer being only seven years old.”
Through the first quarter of the twentieth century the tradition of Strathspey fiddlers was continued by many individuals. One such legendary character was James Macqueen (d1928), familiar for years on the Highland line south and east of Inverness. He both played at stations and on trains especially troop trains during the war years. He was considered to have few rivals in the north as an exponent of Strathspeys and reels.
The Grantown Strathspey and Reel Society was inaugurated in 1928 and by 1933 had 42 members. Many of the fiddlers no doubt took part in the competition for the Countess of Seafield’s Silver Cup for Strathspeys and Reels and which was competed for from the late 20’s to the late 30’s. It too was designed to give “impetus to the study and practice of Highland music, and particularly Strathspeys and Reels in the district from which they took their name. The competitions were held under the auspices of the Strathspey and Reels society. Contemporary newspapers leave no doubt about the popularity of these events. For example the Dundee Courier of April 1931 reported “From the appearance of Grantown streets it seemed like the while district was interested in the competition for the silver cup presented by Lady Seafield for violin playing of strathspeys and reels. Hundreds of people came to the town from rural areas.” The search is now on to find out what happened to the trophy
Music in Strathspey continues to thrive with help from enthusiastic teachers and supportive parents. In 2015 as part of Grantown’s sestercentennial celebrations a fiddle competition was reintroduced to the town. The Fiddler of Strathspey Festival was set up to celebrate the playing of Strathspeys, especially the work of Grantown’s own fiddler, Angus Cumming. The winner of the Fiddler of Strathspey Maggie Adamson trophy was Ailsa Hepburn from Carrbridge.
With such fiddle competitions, the work of the schools, good local interest and the support of the Feis movement, the music of the Spey is in good hands.
Memories of Bob McMath of Silverburn
by various
In previous issue.
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
4th June 2016 – Radio Recall – Special + Request Hour
11th June 2016 – The Full Scottish
18th June 2016 – Craigowl SDB
25th June 2016 – David Oswald SDB
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) –
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms)
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 19th June 2016 – Local Night
Arbroath (Artisan Golf Club) - 12th June 2016 – Alan Small & Gemma Donald
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 27th June 2016 – Ian Thomson SDB
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 22nd June 2016 – Scott Band SDB
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) –
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) –
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 14th June 2016 – James Coutts SDB
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 9th June 2016 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
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) 2nd June 2016 – Joan Blue & Friends
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) -
Dingwall (National Hotel) –
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) –
Dunfermline (Civil Service Sports Assoc, Rosyth) –
Duns (Masonic Lodge)
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 21st June 2016 – Kevin cheyne SDB
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) –
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 26th June 2016 – Alistair McLeod SDB
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 8th June 2016 - AGM
Fort William (Railway Club) -
Galashiels (Clovenfords Hotel) –
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) -
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 1st June 2016 – Perth S&R Society
Gretna (The Gables Hotel) -
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 20th June 2016 - AGM
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) -
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) –
Kelso (Cross Rugby Club) – 8th June 2016 - AGM
Langholm (British Legion) – 26th June 2016 – Open Day
Lewis & Harris (Sea Angling Club) - 2nd June 2016 – Andy Kain Trio
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn)
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) -
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 1st June 2016 – Gary Sutherland SDB
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) -
Newmill-on-Teviot / Teviotdale (Buccleugh Bowling Club)
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 7th June 2016 - AGM
Oban (The Royal Hotel) –
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 1st 8th 15th 21st 29th June 2016 – Club Nights
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) –
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 2nd June 2016 – Deirdre Adamson
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 7th June 2016 – Gavin Piper 14th 21st 28th June – Club Nights
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) -
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) –
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 2nd June 2016 – Nicol McLaren SDB
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 16th June 2016 – Willie McFarlane Band
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn)
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Annan
2. Banff
3. Biggar
4. Button Key
5. Castle Douglas
6. Crieff
7. Dingwall
8. Dunfermline
9. Duns
10. Fintry
11. Forfar
12. Glendale
13. Highland
14. Isle of Skye
15. Islesteps
16. Kelso
17. Lewis & Harris
18. Livingston
19. Lockerbie
20. Mauchline
21. Newburgh
22. North East
23. Orkney
24. Peebles
25. Perth
26. Rothbury
27. Seghill
28. Stonehouse
29. Turriff
30. Tynedale
31. 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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