Box and Fiddle
Year 40 No 10
June 2017
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
June is upon us, and many clubs have ………………
Pia Walker
The Dumfries Accordion & Fiddle Festival
by Gavin Foster
The Dumfries Accordion & Fiddle Festival………….
Fiddler of Strathspey Festival 23rd- 25th June
by
The Festival promises to be a major event focused………………
George Darling – Guest of Honour
by Pia Walker
George was born in 1931 in Newcastle. His father, Ralph, was a tenant farmer and neither he nor his mum, Millie, was musical. George tells me that his father took no interest in music, as his life was his farm. Likewise his only sibling, James, also a farmer, had no interest. His mum liked dancing and perhaps this is where George inherited his rhythmic talent. George too likes to dance, he tells me, especially the modern stuff – quicksteps etc. George is obviously still the unique one in the family. His late wife, Moira, whom he met in the 60s at a dance, was not interested in music and neither is his son Kevin nor his grown-up grandsons, Michael, Adam and Liam. But perhaps his baby great granddaughter will change that!
George learnt to play the drums from Scottish soldiers stationed on the estate opposite his father’s farm near Alnwick during the war when he was used as a messenger boy between locals of a certain gender who were not allowed into the camp and the gentlemen who resided there. George told me that the drummers used to practise with dinner plates held under their arms, to learn to keep their arms as close to their bodies as possible, and if they dropped the plates and broke them, they had to pay for them out of their pay. If you notice, George always keeps his arms close to his sides while drumming - now you know who he got it from!
After the war, George started an apprenticeship in Alnwick, but didn’t like it much and transferred to a NCB colliery to finish as a time-served mining engineer. He had also started a band in a boys’ club with Bryce Anderson and John Thompson – The Alnmouth Boys’ Club Band. Later, after leaving the boys’ club, they named themselves The Minstrel Boys and started playing at local dances. The BBC later called them The Cheviot Ranters, a Northumbrian band that lasted well into the 70s. DJ John Peel was very fond of this band, although by then George had left to do something different.
Playing for the BBC was a challenge, as the BBC didn’t like the bands to repeat tunes, or play too much Scottish. It had to be a Northumbrian local programme. “It was not easy to get hold of music in those days.” I asked if it was a problem finding the sheet music, to which George replied wryly: “In those days only the bass session player could read music … we listened to the tunes and mostly busked”. I also think he mentioned something like “… and we repeated a few tunes too by renaming them”.
As his reputation grew, he was gigging more and more. It was pretty hard coming home from a gig at 4 in the morning to go down the mine at 7am, work a shift and then go back out and play. While he was single and living with his mum, he sometimes tried to avoid his call-out duties when there were problems at a mine. His mum used to tell him it was his duty and duly ensured he got up and went. Later on, after getting more and more gigs in Scotland and with his marriage failing, George moved across the border and decided to become a full time musician in Scotland: “I thought about it hard and decided that if I didn’t do it, I would regret it for the rest of my life.”
Now followed an interesting and busy life of playing music with some very well-known bands. When ‘resting’ he worked in various jobs as an engineer. George says Andrew Rankin was extremely particular with presentation. One lad was told to get a haircut, as he did not fit in with how Andrew saw the band. He also would have no instrument cases on stage. George says that Andrew would never criticize a band member in front of others; he would suggest changes and follow up if they were not implemented. If George was testing out some new creative drum moves, Andrew, who liked music to be tasteful and full of light and shade, would lean over and say, “I quite like this, but wouldn’t like to hear it all night!”
Today George mostly plays with the Iain MacPhail Band, whom he has played with since the 70s. He agrees with both these bandleaders that preparation and presentation is everything. When asked whom he admired musically, he of course mentions a whole raft of contemporary Scottish musicians, but he especially liked Jim Johnston for his band discipline. Outwith the Scottish music it is Mantovani for his arrangements and André Rieu for his showmanship. “Showmanship is definitely a band’s selling point.”
George has travelled extensively abroad, and I was told some wonderful stories about various places, especially Brazil. Did you know that Brian Griffin and George joined a Samba-school during the Carnival in
Rio? And that they got dressed up in samba gear and took part in a parade? He is partial to Caipirinhas, the cocktail made from cachaça. Apparently, they were offered this in hydration bottles during the parade! He still travels to Brazil, also for personal reasons, as his long-standing lady-friend Sandra, a professional photographer, lives there. He has also visited Singapore for 29 St Andrews Night balls! On one memorable occasion they boarded the plane back home piped in by the BA-pipe band. This year he is gigging in Kenya! Talk about being well travelled!
George declares himself a busy man, so what does he do in his spare time? Well, he still puts in practice on his drums, although he says: “Practising is a frame of mind, and if you are not in that frame of mind it is worthless”. George learned to read a bit of music in Newcastle, although the teacher was more interested in modern music and had no understanding of the Scottish. He can, he says, “follow the bars and the breaks in the piano music.” He has two drums, one a Premier, the other a 50-year old Ludwig, a rep. sample that Andrew Rankin secured for him. Many a drummer has asked to buy it, to which his answer is: “It’s getting buried with me; you can dig it up afterwards!” I guess that means it is not for sale! He loves kit-playing, but doesn’t get to do that much these days, as it is not needed so much for Scottish dancing.
He also loves motorbikes. He still owns and used to drive and show a 1948 BSA and a 1958 Triumph. He doesn’t have the time any more, he says, as playing takes precedence over everything. He also admits that as he is always being busy, he is a master ‘Birds-Eye’ chef!
“Music has been kind to me, and I have seen good times and bad times through my music.” He has a well-honed sense of humour: “You have got to see the funny side of life.” George is very popular with the younger generation. They phone him up and invite him to all-night sessions, boys’ trips abroad etc. He doesn’t feel up to ‘all-nighters’ any more, although he is obviously proud of still being ‘one of the lads’. Early on in his career, he was given a piece of advice by Sir Jimmy Shand, which he has always tried to follow. Jimmy put his arm round his shoulder and said: “Come here, son. When you are on the road with a band, keep a steady heid on yer shoo’ders!”
He interacts with many of the younger musicians, and tells me: “The young musicians today are brilliant – extremely good players. If they are lacking, it is perhaps in not mixing and playing much with older musicians to gain more experience. This is how we were taught, by playing with already recognised bands”. (Visiting bands invited local musicians to play with them during breaks so the music never stopped.) He also feels that they are locked too much into the ‘fast stuff’.” As Brian Griffin says: “You need to learn and think of other types of music.” George likes different types of music and not only Scottish. He loves Latin American music, as well modern rhythms such as quicksteps and foxtrots.
When playing, he likes to sit back from the front line so as not to be too loud and over-powering and likes to be near and able to flow with the piano. He is adamant that it is the front-line setting the tempo and not the drummer.
He goes to many accordion and fiddle clubs, and not just as a guest artist. He is very happy to play with others and would never pick and choose depending on experience. “The clubs are there to give everyone a tune. If the more inexperienced and non-professional players didn’t turn up, there would be no clubs.” He admits it is very daunting to play in front of a club audience; they are a more discerning audience than dancers are. Many have certain expectations on what should be played, although now there is a much bigger variety than early on when button-boxes were to the fore. The week I spoke to him, he was going to Newtongrange, Kelso and Peebles.
What does the future hold – is he going to retire? Well, he is not planning to. “When I decide to go, I will be going immediately, not plan it for months/years ahead. I will, however, not wish to stay on for so long that other musicians will say I am past it”.
George, I hope and am sure you will continue for a long time to come. George Darling is a charming and grounded gentleman, a musician to be admired and a very fitting recipient of the NAAFC Guest of Honour Award.
An article about George appeared in the Sept. and Oct. 2014 Box & Fiddle magazine.
I have had the privilege of knowing George Darling for over 40 years as a friend and musician.
He is the ultimate professional in his loyalty to his craft and the band. His sense of humour and no mean abilities, enabling him to accommodate all genres of music, have served me well whether he be playing in village hall or in the splendour of The Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro!
George’s considerable contribution to Scotland’s musical traditions fully merits recognition in this award from his peers.
Iain MacPhail
A quote by Mark Twain that describes George perfectly is
" Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter"
Issy Hodgson
Memories – Bill Scrimger Wilkie M.B.E. (1922 – 2017)
by Joan Blue
Bill Wilkie, legendary accordion tutor, impresario, dance band leader, raconteur – yes, Bill was all of these but, up until a few months before his death, he drove to Dunkeld every Sunday and walked up to the Hermitage, often on his own. In earlier days, he liked nothing better than having his accordion orchestra set out for Little Glenshee for picnics – and fun. Bill was good at having fun and making others enjoy themselves.
Bill started the accordion orchestra in 1948 and having performed at a festival in Dundee, he was impressed with the aspirations and dedication of the competitors so when the National Accordion Organisation asked if he would organise a festival in Perth, he was keen to do so. The first one was in 1950 and as well as some classical music classes, he held an open solo class for Scottish country dance music. Eventually this became the popular Scottish Championship. The Perth City Hall became the focus of countless wee lassies and laddies congregating with proud, nervous parents as well as accordionists of all ages and capabilities meeting and greeting each other.
I became the first pianist in the orchestra in 1949 until 1955 and I learned so much from Bill. He taught me how to vamp; Mickie Ainsworth, who was lead accordion, taught me how to play chords and, of course, through him I met my future husband, Jimmy Blue. Band practices were held on Sunday afternoons and veered between serious – Bill was a perfectionist and knew exactly when a mistake was made – AND who had made it! We played such a variety of music and many classics – “Vienna, City of Dreams”, music from the operas, “La Traviata” and “Cavalleria Rusticana” and with such beautiful arrangements. On the lighter side, when I began with the orchestra in 1949, there was still food rationing. Some of the band who lived in the country would bring in eggs for Bill to take home. Invariably, he would take one out and suddenly, looking at one of us, shout “Catch” and throw the egg! This sometimes got out of hand with the egg being thrown back and quite often there were more than a few eggs on the floor! Occasionally things would go wrong in concerts. At one Festival Concert, comedian Jimmy McNab, dressed as a policeman, came walking from the back of the City Hall through the audience announcing “Ah’m the Buchan bobby”. Unfortunately, many in the audience didn’t realise he was saying BUCHAN!!! There were quite a number of complaints. Abernethy – I was accompanying soprano, Sheena Lindsay, singing an Ivor Novello song when I realised the stage extension was slowly moving away from the main stage. I quickly hooked my leg round the piano stool and made sure I was on the stable part. Bill loved parties and party games. He liked nothing better than having his “boys and girls” (as he called us) enjoying themselves after working hard towards perfection at concerts.
There should have been a book written about Bill’s life. His wartime experiences alone, having joined the R.A.F. in 1940, would run to two volumes. After ‘passing out’, on his first day he was ordered to paint a circle of big stones white. He refused and when the sergeant came back, Bill hadn’t even opened the tin. He was taken before the Warrant Officer but that didn’t worry Bill who laid into him – “I can run a concert party, play for dances, form a dance band, and you want me to paint stones?” Not bad for an 18-year-old! And it worked. Next day he started as the W.O.’s clerk and soon got right into the Forces entertainment circuit, which eventually led him to Ralph Reader and his famous Gang Show. Just before a tour of entertaining the troops in India, Bill took some leave and married his girlfriend, Ena Groundwater, whose father was minister in Coupar Angus. He then set off to entertain the troops from Karachi to Calcutta, West and East Pakistan, Burma, Ceylon, often suffering from heat and exhaustion. Peter Sellars was drummer in the band with the Gang Show and he and Bill had many “adventures” together and remained friends after the war.
As well as his teaching academy. Bill started a dance band which played for many of the society balls and dances in and around Perth. The band were all good friends and, as with anything Bill did, they had fun – and adventures! Every time I pass Balbeggie, I see the hedge that pianist, Tommy Duncan, went through while racing Bill Wilkie home after a dance! In 1959, he opened a music shop which eventually was extended and became “Wilkie’s Music House”. It was always a pleasure to go into the shop because you were welcomed and offered a coffee and there was great conversation and, always, laughter. Bill’s wonderful wife, Ena, was the mainstay of the business. As well as the shop, she did all the organisation for the annual festival, went home each day to make lunch for her family and anyone else who hadn’t made plans to eat. Nobody ever went home hungry from the Wilkie home.
Bill Wilkie was small in stature, but huge in his talent for producing wonderful shows and for introducing accordion maestros as guest stars in his festival concerts. The handsome Toralf Tollefsen wowed us on two occasions, Pearl Fawcett, Jack Emblow – and I shall never forget, after one festival, watching and listening to Gervasio Marcosignori sitting on the kitchen table in the Wilkie House playing his accordion for us, while the party went on upstairs.
Bill was quite amazing and I am so glad that I had the privilege of not only playing in the accordion orchestra but on many occasions with his dance band. At one hotel which had held popular dinner dances, the clientele was dropping off. I played there two Saturdays with another band and it was quite depressing as the bandleader could not get the small numbers enticed onto the dance floor. The third Saturday, I played with Bill’s band. There were only twelve “customers” but, boy, did we have fun. Bill made it a party with his enthusiasm and determination. I admired him so much for that. I was also delighted to be, for some years, the “official pianist” at the after-festival parties in King Street which were a joy. I would get a lift in from one of my grandchildren for 11.00pm start and Bill would lay on a taxi to take me home any time from 3.00am onwards! No wonder I am not one for going to bed early!!!
My life would have been very different if I had not met Bill and, in recent years, I have loved spending time with him, listening to stories of his life and reminiscing about events and people we have known through music. Since his death, everywhere I have been people have been coming to me with their own stories about Bill Wilkie and what he meant to them and how he affected their lives. He certainly set me on my musical career and I am very happy to be close to his lovely daughter, Di, and her husband, Billy
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas – Ports of Call – CUL1250
The Swans of Atlantia – Copious notes - Independent
DVD Reviews
A Toast to Scotland – A Leonard Brown Double DVD
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
6th May 2017 – Leonard Brown SDB
13th May 2017 – Colin Dewar SDB
20th May 2017 – Alan Crookston SDB
27th May – Charlie Kirkpatrick SDB
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) –
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms)
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 18th June 2017 – Willie McFarlane Band
Arbroath (Artisan Golf Club) - 11th June 2017 – Blackthorne C.B.
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 26th June 2017 – Lomond C.B.
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 28th June 2017 – Derek Hamilton
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) –
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) –
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 13th June 2017 – Colin Dewar SDB
Button Key (Greig Institute, Windygates) – 15th June 2017 – Willie McFarlane Band
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) -
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) - 8th June 2017 – Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) –
Clydesdale (St Mary’s Club Rooms) -
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) -
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 1st June 2017 – John Stuart SDB
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) -
Dingwall (National Hotel) –
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 2nd June 2017 – Dance to Willie McFarlane
Dunfermline (Sportsman Bar, Rosyth) –
Duns (Masonic Lodge)
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 20th June 2017 – Kyle Innes
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 25th June 2017 – Tay Ceilidh Band
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 14th June 2017 - AGM
Fort William (Railway Club) -
Galashiels (Clovenfords Hotel) –
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) -
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 7th June 2017 – Susan Gordon duo
Gretna (The Solway Lodge Hotel) -
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 19th June 2017 – Calum MacAskill & Friends + AGM
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) -
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) –
Kelso (Cross Rugby Club) – 14th June 2017 - AGM
Langholm (British Legion) – 11th June 2017 – Open Day
Lewis & Harris (Caladh Inn, Stornoway) - 1st June 2017 – Marian Anderson Trio
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn)
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) -
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 7th June 2017 – Johnny Duncan Duo
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) -
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 6th June 2017 - AGM
Oban (The Royal Hotel) –
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 7th 14th 21st 28th June 2017 – Club Nights
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) –
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 1st June 2017 – Leonard Brown & Bryan Gear
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) -
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) -
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) –
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 1st June 2017 – Ewan Galloway SDB
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 15th June 2017 – Alan Small & Gemma Donald
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Annan
3. Arbroath
4. Banff
5. Biggar
6. Blairgowrie
7. Castle Douglas
9. Crieff
10. Dingwall
11. Dunfermline
12. Duns
13. Ellon
14. Forres
15. Glendale
16. Glenfarg
17. Highland
18. Inveraray
19. Isle of Skye
20. Islesteps
21. Kelso
22. Lewis & Harris
23. Livingston
24. Mauchline
25. Montrose
26. Newburgh
27. North East
28. Orkney
29. Peebles
30. Perth
31. Renfrew
32. Rothbury
33. Seghill
34. Stonehouse
35. Turriff
36. Tynedale
37. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2016
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
10. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
11. Button Key A&F Club (
12. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
13. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
15. Clydesdale A&F Club (Sept 2016 – present)
16. Coalburn A&F Club (
17. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
18. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
19. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
20. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
21. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
22. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
23. Ellon A&F Club (
24. Forfar A&F Club (
25. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
26. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
27. 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 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
43. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
44. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
45. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
46. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
47. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
48. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
49. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
50. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
51 Stonehouse A&F Club (Opened 2003 - first report June 05 – Closed April 2018)
52 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
53 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
54 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
55 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
56 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?)
57. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
58. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
59. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
60. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
61. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
62. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
63. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
64. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
65. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
66. Buchan A&F Club
67. Callander A&F Club (
68. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
69. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
70. Club Accord
71. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
72 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
73. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
74. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
75. Cults A & F Club (
76. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
77. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
78. Derwentside A&F Club
79. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
80. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
81. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
82. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
83. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
84. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
85. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
86. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
87. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – ?)
88. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
89. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
90. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93? – left the Assoc c2013)
91. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
92. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
93. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 – 6th December 2015)
94. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
95. Kintore A&F Club (
96. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
97. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier -
98. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
99. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
100. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
101. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
102. Maine Valley A&F Club (
103. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
104. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
105. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
106. Mull A&F Club
107. Newcastleton Accordion Club
108. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
109. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
110. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
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. West Barnes (1981? - April 2016?)
130. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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B&F Treasurer – Willie Johnstone, Inverurie
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time-consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
June is upon us, and many clubs have ………………
Pia Walker
The Dumfries Accordion & Fiddle Festival
by Gavin Foster
The Dumfries Accordion & Fiddle Festival………….
Fiddler of Strathspey Festival 23rd- 25th June
by
The Festival promises to be a major event focused………………
George Darling – Guest of Honour
by Pia Walker
George was born in 1931 in Newcastle. His father, Ralph, was a tenant farmer and neither he nor his mum, Millie, was musical. George tells me that his father took no interest in music, as his life was his farm. Likewise his only sibling, James, also a farmer, had no interest. His mum liked dancing and perhaps this is where George inherited his rhythmic talent. George too likes to dance, he tells me, especially the modern stuff – quicksteps etc. George is obviously still the unique one in the family. His late wife, Moira, whom he met in the 60s at a dance, was not interested in music and neither is his son Kevin nor his grown-up grandsons, Michael, Adam and Liam. But perhaps his baby great granddaughter will change that!
George learnt to play the drums from Scottish soldiers stationed on the estate opposite his father’s farm near Alnwick during the war when he was used as a messenger boy between locals of a certain gender who were not allowed into the camp and the gentlemen who resided there. George told me that the drummers used to practise with dinner plates held under their arms, to learn to keep their arms as close to their bodies as possible, and if they dropped the plates and broke them, they had to pay for them out of their pay. If you notice, George always keeps his arms close to his sides while drumming - now you know who he got it from!
After the war, George started an apprenticeship in Alnwick, but didn’t like it much and transferred to a NCB colliery to finish as a time-served mining engineer. He had also started a band in a boys’ club with Bryce Anderson and John Thompson – The Alnmouth Boys’ Club Band. Later, after leaving the boys’ club, they named themselves The Minstrel Boys and started playing at local dances. The BBC later called them The Cheviot Ranters, a Northumbrian band that lasted well into the 70s. DJ John Peel was very fond of this band, although by then George had left to do something different.
Playing for the BBC was a challenge, as the BBC didn’t like the bands to repeat tunes, or play too much Scottish. It had to be a Northumbrian local programme. “It was not easy to get hold of music in those days.” I asked if it was a problem finding the sheet music, to which George replied wryly: “In those days only the bass session player could read music … we listened to the tunes and mostly busked”. I also think he mentioned something like “… and we repeated a few tunes too by renaming them”.
As his reputation grew, he was gigging more and more. It was pretty hard coming home from a gig at 4 in the morning to go down the mine at 7am, work a shift and then go back out and play. While he was single and living with his mum, he sometimes tried to avoid his call-out duties when there were problems at a mine. His mum used to tell him it was his duty and duly ensured he got up and went. Later on, after getting more and more gigs in Scotland and with his marriage failing, George moved across the border and decided to become a full time musician in Scotland: “I thought about it hard and decided that if I didn’t do it, I would regret it for the rest of my life.”
Now followed an interesting and busy life of playing music with some very well-known bands. When ‘resting’ he worked in various jobs as an engineer. George says Andrew Rankin was extremely particular with presentation. One lad was told to get a haircut, as he did not fit in with how Andrew saw the band. He also would have no instrument cases on stage. George says that Andrew would never criticize a band member in front of others; he would suggest changes and follow up if they were not implemented. If George was testing out some new creative drum moves, Andrew, who liked music to be tasteful and full of light and shade, would lean over and say, “I quite like this, but wouldn’t like to hear it all night!”
Today George mostly plays with the Iain MacPhail Band, whom he has played with since the 70s. He agrees with both these bandleaders that preparation and presentation is everything. When asked whom he admired musically, he of course mentions a whole raft of contemporary Scottish musicians, but he especially liked Jim Johnston for his band discipline. Outwith the Scottish music it is Mantovani for his arrangements and André Rieu for his showmanship. “Showmanship is definitely a band’s selling point.”
George has travelled extensively abroad, and I was told some wonderful stories about various places, especially Brazil. Did you know that Brian Griffin and George joined a Samba-school during the Carnival in
Rio? And that they got dressed up in samba gear and took part in a parade? He is partial to Caipirinhas, the cocktail made from cachaça. Apparently, they were offered this in hydration bottles during the parade! He still travels to Brazil, also for personal reasons, as his long-standing lady-friend Sandra, a professional photographer, lives there. He has also visited Singapore for 29 St Andrews Night balls! On one memorable occasion they boarded the plane back home piped in by the BA-pipe band. This year he is gigging in Kenya! Talk about being well travelled!
George declares himself a busy man, so what does he do in his spare time? Well, he still puts in practice on his drums, although he says: “Practising is a frame of mind, and if you are not in that frame of mind it is worthless”. George learned to read a bit of music in Newcastle, although the teacher was more interested in modern music and had no understanding of the Scottish. He can, he says, “follow the bars and the breaks in the piano music.” He has two drums, one a Premier, the other a 50-year old Ludwig, a rep. sample that Andrew Rankin secured for him. Many a drummer has asked to buy it, to which his answer is: “It’s getting buried with me; you can dig it up afterwards!” I guess that means it is not for sale! He loves kit-playing, but doesn’t get to do that much these days, as it is not needed so much for Scottish dancing.
He also loves motorbikes. He still owns and used to drive and show a 1948 BSA and a 1958 Triumph. He doesn’t have the time any more, he says, as playing takes precedence over everything. He also admits that as he is always being busy, he is a master ‘Birds-Eye’ chef!
“Music has been kind to me, and I have seen good times and bad times through my music.” He has a well-honed sense of humour: “You have got to see the funny side of life.” George is very popular with the younger generation. They phone him up and invite him to all-night sessions, boys’ trips abroad etc. He doesn’t feel up to ‘all-nighters’ any more, although he is obviously proud of still being ‘one of the lads’. Early on in his career, he was given a piece of advice by Sir Jimmy Shand, which he has always tried to follow. Jimmy put his arm round his shoulder and said: “Come here, son. When you are on the road with a band, keep a steady heid on yer shoo’ders!”
He interacts with many of the younger musicians, and tells me: “The young musicians today are brilliant – extremely good players. If they are lacking, it is perhaps in not mixing and playing much with older musicians to gain more experience. This is how we were taught, by playing with already recognised bands”. (Visiting bands invited local musicians to play with them during breaks so the music never stopped.) He also feels that they are locked too much into the ‘fast stuff’.” As Brian Griffin says: “You need to learn and think of other types of music.” George likes different types of music and not only Scottish. He loves Latin American music, as well modern rhythms such as quicksteps and foxtrots.
When playing, he likes to sit back from the front line so as not to be too loud and over-powering and likes to be near and able to flow with the piano. He is adamant that it is the front-line setting the tempo and not the drummer.
He goes to many accordion and fiddle clubs, and not just as a guest artist. He is very happy to play with others and would never pick and choose depending on experience. “The clubs are there to give everyone a tune. If the more inexperienced and non-professional players didn’t turn up, there would be no clubs.” He admits it is very daunting to play in front of a club audience; they are a more discerning audience than dancers are. Many have certain expectations on what should be played, although now there is a much bigger variety than early on when button-boxes were to the fore. The week I spoke to him, he was going to Newtongrange, Kelso and Peebles.
What does the future hold – is he going to retire? Well, he is not planning to. “When I decide to go, I will be going immediately, not plan it for months/years ahead. I will, however, not wish to stay on for so long that other musicians will say I am past it”.
George, I hope and am sure you will continue for a long time to come. George Darling is a charming and grounded gentleman, a musician to be admired and a very fitting recipient of the NAAFC Guest of Honour Award.
An article about George appeared in the Sept. and Oct. 2014 Box & Fiddle magazine.
I have had the privilege of knowing George Darling for over 40 years as a friend and musician.
He is the ultimate professional in his loyalty to his craft and the band. His sense of humour and no mean abilities, enabling him to accommodate all genres of music, have served me well whether he be playing in village hall or in the splendour of The Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro!
George’s considerable contribution to Scotland’s musical traditions fully merits recognition in this award from his peers.
Iain MacPhail
A quote by Mark Twain that describes George perfectly is
" Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter"
Issy Hodgson
Memories – Bill Scrimger Wilkie M.B.E. (1922 – 2017)
by Joan Blue
Bill Wilkie, legendary accordion tutor, impresario, dance band leader, raconteur – yes, Bill was all of these but, up until a few months before his death, he drove to Dunkeld every Sunday and walked up to the Hermitage, often on his own. In earlier days, he liked nothing better than having his accordion orchestra set out for Little Glenshee for picnics – and fun. Bill was good at having fun and making others enjoy themselves.
Bill started the accordion orchestra in 1948 and having performed at a festival in Dundee, he was impressed with the aspirations and dedication of the competitors so when the National Accordion Organisation asked if he would organise a festival in Perth, he was keen to do so. The first one was in 1950 and as well as some classical music classes, he held an open solo class for Scottish country dance music. Eventually this became the popular Scottish Championship. The Perth City Hall became the focus of countless wee lassies and laddies congregating with proud, nervous parents as well as accordionists of all ages and capabilities meeting and greeting each other.
I became the first pianist in the orchestra in 1949 until 1955 and I learned so much from Bill. He taught me how to vamp; Mickie Ainsworth, who was lead accordion, taught me how to play chords and, of course, through him I met my future husband, Jimmy Blue. Band practices were held on Sunday afternoons and veered between serious – Bill was a perfectionist and knew exactly when a mistake was made – AND who had made it! We played such a variety of music and many classics – “Vienna, City of Dreams”, music from the operas, “La Traviata” and “Cavalleria Rusticana” and with such beautiful arrangements. On the lighter side, when I began with the orchestra in 1949, there was still food rationing. Some of the band who lived in the country would bring in eggs for Bill to take home. Invariably, he would take one out and suddenly, looking at one of us, shout “Catch” and throw the egg! This sometimes got out of hand with the egg being thrown back and quite often there were more than a few eggs on the floor! Occasionally things would go wrong in concerts. At one Festival Concert, comedian Jimmy McNab, dressed as a policeman, came walking from the back of the City Hall through the audience announcing “Ah’m the Buchan bobby”. Unfortunately, many in the audience didn’t realise he was saying BUCHAN!!! There were quite a number of complaints. Abernethy – I was accompanying soprano, Sheena Lindsay, singing an Ivor Novello song when I realised the stage extension was slowly moving away from the main stage. I quickly hooked my leg round the piano stool and made sure I was on the stable part. Bill loved parties and party games. He liked nothing better than having his “boys and girls” (as he called us) enjoying themselves after working hard towards perfection at concerts.
There should have been a book written about Bill’s life. His wartime experiences alone, having joined the R.A.F. in 1940, would run to two volumes. After ‘passing out’, on his first day he was ordered to paint a circle of big stones white. He refused and when the sergeant came back, Bill hadn’t even opened the tin. He was taken before the Warrant Officer but that didn’t worry Bill who laid into him – “I can run a concert party, play for dances, form a dance band, and you want me to paint stones?” Not bad for an 18-year-old! And it worked. Next day he started as the W.O.’s clerk and soon got right into the Forces entertainment circuit, which eventually led him to Ralph Reader and his famous Gang Show. Just before a tour of entertaining the troops in India, Bill took some leave and married his girlfriend, Ena Groundwater, whose father was minister in Coupar Angus. He then set off to entertain the troops from Karachi to Calcutta, West and East Pakistan, Burma, Ceylon, often suffering from heat and exhaustion. Peter Sellars was drummer in the band with the Gang Show and he and Bill had many “adventures” together and remained friends after the war.
As well as his teaching academy. Bill started a dance band which played for many of the society balls and dances in and around Perth. The band were all good friends and, as with anything Bill did, they had fun – and adventures! Every time I pass Balbeggie, I see the hedge that pianist, Tommy Duncan, went through while racing Bill Wilkie home after a dance! In 1959, he opened a music shop which eventually was extended and became “Wilkie’s Music House”. It was always a pleasure to go into the shop because you were welcomed and offered a coffee and there was great conversation and, always, laughter. Bill’s wonderful wife, Ena, was the mainstay of the business. As well as the shop, she did all the organisation for the annual festival, went home each day to make lunch for her family and anyone else who hadn’t made plans to eat. Nobody ever went home hungry from the Wilkie home.
Bill Wilkie was small in stature, but huge in his talent for producing wonderful shows and for introducing accordion maestros as guest stars in his festival concerts. The handsome Toralf Tollefsen wowed us on two occasions, Pearl Fawcett, Jack Emblow – and I shall never forget, after one festival, watching and listening to Gervasio Marcosignori sitting on the kitchen table in the Wilkie House playing his accordion for us, while the party went on upstairs.
Bill was quite amazing and I am so glad that I had the privilege of not only playing in the accordion orchestra but on many occasions with his dance band. At one hotel which had held popular dinner dances, the clientele was dropping off. I played there two Saturdays with another band and it was quite depressing as the bandleader could not get the small numbers enticed onto the dance floor. The third Saturday, I played with Bill’s band. There were only twelve “customers” but, boy, did we have fun. Bill made it a party with his enthusiasm and determination. I admired him so much for that. I was also delighted to be, for some years, the “official pianist” at the after-festival parties in King Street which were a joy. I would get a lift in from one of my grandchildren for 11.00pm start and Bill would lay on a taxi to take me home any time from 3.00am onwards! No wonder I am not one for going to bed early!!!
My life would have been very different if I had not met Bill and, in recent years, I have loved spending time with him, listening to stories of his life and reminiscing about events and people we have known through music. Since his death, everywhere I have been people have been coming to me with their own stories about Bill Wilkie and what he meant to them and how he affected their lives. He certainly set me on my musical career and I am very happy to be close to his lovely daughter, Di, and her husband, Billy
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas – Ports of Call – CUL1250
The Swans of Atlantia – Copious notes - Independent
DVD Reviews
A Toast to Scotland – A Leonard Brown Double DVD
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
6th May 2017 – Leonard Brown SDB
13th May 2017 – Colin Dewar SDB
20th May 2017 – Alan Crookston SDB
27th May – Charlie Kirkpatrick SDB
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) –
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms)
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 18th June 2017 – Willie McFarlane Band
Arbroath (Artisan Golf Club) - 11th June 2017 – Blackthorne C.B.
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 26th June 2017 – Lomond C.B.
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 28th June 2017 – Derek Hamilton
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) –
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) –
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 13th June 2017 – Colin Dewar SDB
Button Key (Greig Institute, Windygates) – 15th June 2017 – Willie McFarlane Band
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) -
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) - 8th June 2017 – Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) –
Clydesdale (St Mary’s Club Rooms) -
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) -
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 1st June 2017 – John Stuart SDB
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) -
Dingwall (National Hotel) –
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 2nd June 2017 – Dance to Willie McFarlane
Dunfermline (Sportsman Bar, Rosyth) –
Duns (Masonic Lodge)
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 20th June 2017 – Kyle Innes
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 25th June 2017 – Tay Ceilidh Band
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 14th June 2017 - AGM
Fort William (Railway Club) -
Galashiels (Clovenfords Hotel) –
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) -
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 7th June 2017 – Susan Gordon duo
Gretna (The Solway Lodge Hotel) -
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 19th June 2017 – Calum MacAskill & Friends + AGM
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) -
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) –
Kelso (Cross Rugby Club) – 14th June 2017 - AGM
Langholm (British Legion) – 11th June 2017 – Open Day
Lewis & Harris (Caladh Inn, Stornoway) - 1st June 2017 – Marian Anderson Trio
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn)
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) -
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 7th June 2017 – Johnny Duncan Duo
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) -
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 6th June 2017 - AGM
Oban (The Royal Hotel) –
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 7th 14th 21st 28th June 2017 – Club Nights
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) –
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 1st June 2017 – Leonard Brown & Bryan Gear
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) -
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) -
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) –
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 1st June 2017 – Ewan Galloway SDB
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 15th June 2017 – Alan Small & Gemma Donald
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Annan
3. Arbroath
4. Banff
5. Biggar
6. Blairgowrie
7. Castle Douglas
9. Crieff
10. Dingwall
11. Dunfermline
12. Duns
13. Ellon
14. Forres
15. Glendale
16. Glenfarg
17. Highland
18. Inveraray
19. Isle of Skye
20. Islesteps
21. Kelso
22. Lewis & Harris
23. Livingston
24. Mauchline
25. Montrose
26. Newburgh
27. North East
28. Orkney
29. Peebles
30. Perth
31. Renfrew
32. Rothbury
33. Seghill
34. Stonehouse
35. Turriff
36. Tynedale
37. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2016
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
10. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
11. Button Key A&F Club (
12. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
13. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
15. Clydesdale A&F Club (Sept 2016 – present)
16. Coalburn A&F Club (
17. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
18. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
19. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
20. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
21. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
22. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
23. Ellon A&F Club (
24. Forfar A&F Club (
25. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
26. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
27. 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 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
43. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
44. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
45. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
46. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
47. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
48. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
49. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
50. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
51 Stonehouse A&F Club (Opened 2003 - first report June 05 – Closed April 2018)
52 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
53 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
54 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
55 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
56 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?)
57. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
58. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
59. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
60. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
61. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
62. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
63. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
64. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
65. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
66. Buchan A&F Club
67. Callander A&F Club (
68. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
69. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
70. Club Accord
71. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
72 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
73. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
74. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
75. Cults A & F Club (
76. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
77. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
78. Derwentside A&F Club
79. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
80. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
81. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
82. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
83. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
84. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
85. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
86. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
87. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – ?)
88. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
89. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
90. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93? – left the Assoc c2013)
91. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
92. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
93. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 – 6th December 2015)
94. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
95. Kintore A&F Club (
96. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
97. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier -
98. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
99. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
100. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
101. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
102. Maine Valley A&F Club (
103. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
104. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
105. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
106. Mull A&F Club
107. Newcastleton Accordion Club
108. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
109. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
110. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
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. West Barnes (1981? - April 2016?)
130. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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