Box and Fiddle Year 01 No 06
March 1978
Price 15p
8 pages
Editor - Ian Smith, 50 Mount Vernon Road, Stranraer
Editorial
For another month there will be no Record Review. Derek is still busy getting his new abode ready. To put the record straight, as the clubs only meet seven months of the year, i.e. October to April, so also it is with the ‘Box and Fiddle.’ This then is the second last issue of the season.
Will Clubs please not the new price of the ‘Box and Fiddle’. I would be obliged if Secretaries would let me know how the sales are affected, if at all.
A complete set of issues is being sent to the British Landing Library which has world-wide connections. Who knows, you might come across a copy in Tibet the next time you are there.
It would help if Secretaries could let the Editor know at least a month ahead guest artists, dates and venues. I know this is not always possible. Clubs should have the up-to-date Guest Artist List by now. If not, contact the Association Secretary.
Sad Loss to Keith Area
Accordion music in the Keith area suffered a tremendous loss last month with the sudden death of Sam Thompson. He was an accordion teacher for many years and perhaps did more than anyone to foster the abundance of talent which undoubtedly exists in this district. He was a great enthusiast for the Keith Club and encouraged his pupils to take an active part in it. He will be sadly missed.
Festival Winners
The 9th West of Scotland Accordion championships under the auspices of Straiton Accordion Club were held in the McCandlish Hall last Saturday. There was a good attendance of competitors and audience.
The adjudicator was Mickie Ainsworth, who was paying his first visit to Straiton. In his remarks he praised the high overall standard of the competitors and their marks were all very close. He also remarked about the homely atmosphere at the championships, the lovely village, and how much he had enjoyed being there.
Prize Winners
Junior Section
1. Liam Currie
2. Ian Muir
3. Hugh Donald
Own Composition
1. John Loch
2. Ian Muir
3. Ian Muir
Trios
1. J. Loch, R Gilmour & S Thompson
2. T. Bell, R. Bell & G. Loch
3. I Muir, W. Seaton & G Loch
Bands
1. Blackthorn Dance Band
2. Doon Valley Dance Band
Duets
1. Gary Blair & Adrian Hannah
2. Hugh & John Donald
3. Tommy & Robert Bell
Confined
1. Liam Currie (95 marks)
2. Norman Williams (91 marks)
3. Adrian Hannah (90 marks)
Open
Norman Williams (96 marks)
Liam Currie (90 marks)
Gary Blair (89 marks)
Most improved player at the Club
Margaret Wilcox and Ewan Donald
Youngest Competitor
Morag McFarlane
Raffle Prize-winners
Star Prize (£20) - Gavin Loch
100 cigarettes - Tommy Bell
Bottle whisky – A Caldwell
Etc
Variety Concert
The Variety Concert at night was very well attended. John Loch, the Club Secretary, was compere and the programme opened with the Blackthorn Dance Band under John’s leadership and comprising Stuart Thompson (2nd accordion), Robbie Gilmour (piano) and Jim Caddis (drums). Firstly they played John’s Own Composition ‘Ben Wilson’s Farewell to Troloss’, followed by some modern rhythm. Alison Millar, a very sweet and talented young lady, then danced the Sailors’ Hornpipe. This was followed by the Bon Accords from Langholm, namelu Mr and Mrs Robin Waitt. This was a very popular act and Mrs Waitt’s singing of ‘The Forty Shades of Green’, ‘Sing me an Old Fashioned Song’ and ‘The Massacre of Glencoe’ were very well received.
Mrs Sheila Carswell, accompanied by Mrs E. Guthrie (piano) sang ‘The Sunshine of Your Smile’ and ‘The Mull of Kintyre’. She was then joined by Mr Carsewell in a medley of ‘oldies’. Mr and Mrs Carsewell are very well known to Straiton audiences.
Next on the programme were the Doon Valley Dance Band comprising the Bell Brothers (accordions), Elaine (piano) and Gavin Loch (drums). An excellent performance from four very young musicians.
Katie Rowan and Rosemary gave a delightful display of Highland dancing accompanied by Piper Charlie.
Another popular singer Linton McMillan, accompanied by Mrs E. Guthrie (piano), Marion Halbert (accordion) and Gavin Loch (drums) sang ‘Tillietudlem Castle’ and ‘Greyfriar’s Bobby’.
Then the time had come for the finalists to play for their placing and some very anxious moments as the time approached for the adjudicator to appear and give the results. The trophies were then presented to the winners by Mrs Graham.
The artists made a second appearance and so ended another successful day. John Loch proposed a vote of thanks to the artists, donors of prizes and all who had helped in any way.
Dumfries Event
The Dumfries Accordion Championships in the Laurieknowe School were a fantastic success, there being no less than 54 competitors for just two classes. This made for great playing standard and at the end the adjudicator, Iain MacPhail, had a very difficult job to reach a conclusion.
The evening started on a high note with the appearance for the first time in Dumfries of the Junior Accordion Orchestra, conductor Jimmy Blair. This was followed later by the Senior Accordion Orchestra (see report below about this happy band of young people).
The compere for the evening was Tony Dalton, who confessed he was losing his voice just by announcing the competitors. In the Junior Section there were 25 entrants and all were of a high standard. The eventual winners were as follows :
1. Liam Currie (Milngavie)
2. Elizabeth JArdine (Dunragit)
3. David Pagan (Dumfries)
In the Senior Grade there were 29 players. So keen was the competition that only one mark separated the first and second. The winners of the Seniors were as follows :
1. Gary Blair (Glasgow)
2. Liam Currie (Milngavie)
3. Ian Duff (Glasgow)
The Junior winner received the Ian Holmes Challenge Trophy which was presented my Mrs Holmes. The Senior winner received the Max Houliston Challenge Trophy which was presented by Max who also remarked that the young players of today would be the great players of the future. Also he hoped that the standard of these youngsters demonstrated this evening would soon dispel the belief that the accordion was just a toy, indeed he was sure that the time was fast approaching when the Education Authorities would be appointing full-time teachers.
Liam Currie also won the Bell Trophy.
The recent Dumfries Festival saw the advent of the first Accordion Orchestra in the South West. This new sound to the area took the trick and was very warmly received.
This was the Jimmy Blair Accordion Orchestra, or rather there were two. Jimmy and his wife Lola had brought the Junior and Senior Orchestras to set off the Festival, which they did in great style. The Juniors had 19 accordions playing four-part music, drums and in place of the usual bass player who was indisposed one of the senior players backed with his Cordovox. Their ages ranged from ten to fifteen and the Senior Orchestra had a complement of fifteen accordionists.
It came as some surprise to learn from Jimmy and Lola that everything was done on a voluntary basis and all monies are raised by the Parents’ Committee. They raise the much needed cash by jumble sales, coffee mornings etc. This is a wonderful effort that they do. All the girls were delightfully dressed in long orange dresses and the boys in white shirts and dark trousers.
Both Jimmy and Lola are teachers, having two assistant teachers with 150 learners in the Glasgow area from Cambuslang to Paisley. Their first Orchestra was in 1950 and they won the British Accordion Championships for 1951-52-53. Having at this time started his own S.D.B., the Orchestra fell by the wayside and for the next few years Jimmy made over 200 broadcasts and over 100 TV Shows, almost 100 EPs, LPs and tapes.
This is a new sound that the Clubs will want to hear more and more. Any Club interested, please contact Jimmy at 11 Varna Road, Jordanhill, Glasgow. They are guest artists at the Glynhill, Paisley Club.
Mull Music Festival Weekend
28th April – 1st May 1978
It is hoped to inaugurate at Tobermory this year a Festival of Music by bringing to the place some of the foremost exponents of ‘Ceol’ as it is expressed internationally on traditional instruments.
The fundamental object of this event is to create the facility of hearing live music, coupled with the goodwill and bonhomie that Tobermory in particular extends to its many friends worldwide.
Already all the hoteliers are accommodating artists gratis. There are signs of interest from all over Scotland, including the Northern Isles. We are gratified also that the Tourist Organisation is already putting its considerable expertise at our disposal in an effort to escalate the trade which will benefit all concerned.
To raise funds our Committee will be raising coffee afternoons, discos etc, although realistically we must, and indeed we are, begging from YOU, to become a PATRON. To fill Tobermory’s world with the sound of our beautiful music, happy people for one weekend – generosity, especially YOURS, is the essential operational ingredient.
Programme Proposed
Friday, 28th April, 1978 – A grand non-stop dance in the Aros Hall featuring the very best musical ensembles. All the licensed hotels will be providing varied music in a festival mood.
Saturday, 29th April, 1978 – Aros Hall, all day, a special talent competition for artists (particularly young persons) performing on ANY instrument – or even ‘diddling’. The finalists to perform at the concert in the evening, together with top performers from all spheres of entertainment.
Your patronage, in cash or kind, will be gratefully received. You will be FREE to attend any function by virtue of membership, should you decide to become a patron.
Cheques, etc., should be made payable to : The Treasurer, Mull Music Festival Weekend, the Clydesdale Bank, Tobermory, Isle of Mull.
Dear Sir,
It must seem a far cry for some of your readers to contemplate joining us at Tobermory for our first attempt at organised music, to foster the friendships and harmony that only music can create, this especially as some of our greatest musicians will be in our midst.
What is more important to me, however, is the hope that lots of your readers will take part. There will be opportunities for anyone who wants to play anything – the ceilidh atmosphere will be very evident – and we will encourage and welcome all performers, including competitors.
Being domiciled on an island means that there are very, very few occasions when real, live music can be experienced. Our effort is to extend the hand of welcome and hospitality to those who decide to share the experience at Tobermory. All welcome on 28th April.
Yours very sincerely
Bobby MacLeod
ADVERT
The following will be there
Bobby Brown, Piano
Angus Cameron, Violin
Bobby Colgan, Drums/Vocals/Comedy
Angus Fitchet. Violin
John Huband, Accordion
Moira Kerr, Vocals/Guitar
Tommy Kettles, Accordion
Bobby MacLeod, Accordion
John Strachan, Organ/Piano/Bass
Billy Thom, Percussion
MacDonald of Keppoch, Vocals
Janet MacDonald, Vocals
Bobby Campbell, Violin
Denis Clancy, Vocals
Alasdair Downie, Accordion
Ron Gonella, Violin
Jim Johnstone, Accordion
Pete Kerr, Instrumentalist
Calum MacLean, Accordion
Calum MacPhail, Violin
Arthur Spink, Accordion
Oban High School Youth Orchestra, Varied Selections
And many more
Friday 28th April, 1978
Aros Hall – Rally and Dance From 8.30pm (Dance from 11pm)
Glengorm Castle – Violin Recital (Tickets only £1)
Saturday, 29th April, 1978
Aros Hall – Competitions Morning – Juniors £50 1st Prize – Afternoon – Seniors - £100 1st Prize
Ian Holmes Trophy for Accordion
Grand Concert – 8pm – 11pm Featuring Competitors + Variety Artistes. Tickets at Door
Sunday, 30th April, 1978
Special Excursion Cruise from Oban ‘The Sound of Mull Experience’
Special Afternoon Recital – Oban High School Orchestra at Town Clock at 2.30pm
Aros Hall – Closing Concert 8pm to 10pm
The Sandy MacArthur Story
By Ian Smith
Kinbuck, Dunblane, is the birthplace of Alex MacArthur. He being one of the interesting people in our ken. For the last 26 years he has seen it all and knows all the people that one reads about.
He started playing the accordion at the age of 14, being presented with his first accordion by his sister Cathie, who bought it out of her gratuity when she came out of the Forces. His teacher was Mr McFarlane from Stirling who also taught Tommy Ford, who took Alex’s place when he left the Arthur MacLeod Trio.
He is the only musical member of his family and is proud of his first engagement. It was a Welcome Home Party for a returned POW and he received 7/6d. It meant a three mile walk home with his accordion on his back.
On demob from National Service, where he was a Sergeant in the Royal Engineers, he took up his music again. He noted that Bobby MacLeod did the popular ‘Down at the Mains’ Children’s Hour programme with a five-piece band. Then Ian Powrie did it with a four-piece and Alex thought why not a trio? Jim MacLeod was approached and drummer Willie Tervit. They were auditioned and successfully did over 200 broadcasts as the Arthur MacLeod Trio. As they couldn’t do Scottish Dance music with a trio they added fiddle and double bass for that purpose.
Sandy left the Trio in 1953 and joined the Ian Powrie Band where he stayed until 1958. He felt there was no future in music and became a rep with a margarine firm, eventually taking over the Elgin area. Once again, however, the urge to play returned (doesn’t it always!) and he formed his own band and from 1963-70 he broadcast regularly from BBC Aberdeen and Grampian TV.
The best move that Alex made was to go on a blind date with Jim MacLeod and that date became his wife, Evelyn, and they have a family of two. Fiona is 18 and is studying at Napier College, Edinburgh. Gordon is 16 and follows in dad’s footsteps as a pianist and box player. He was the boy babe in ‘Babes in the Wood’ at the King’s Theatre, Edinburgh, with Moira Anderson and Johnny Beattie. He spent last summer with the Scottish youth Theatre. He will be going to America for a year to complete his studies.
Sandy has done about 1,000 broadcasts in his 26 years. Some of these programmes included ‘The Kilt is my Delight’ and many programmes for Aunt Kathleen’s children’s programmes. Some of his happiest times were with a programme called ‘Personal Appearance’, recording a different town each day. It was hard going, as it could be Aberdeen today, Dumfries tomorrow and maybe Stornoway the next. Archie McCulloch was compere for Robert Wilson, Kathie Kay, Will Starr, etc. He has met them a’, baith big an’ sma’! and he is grateful that he got the chance to work with the elite.
One thing that he is delighted about are two drummers who did their first broadcasts with hi, namely ‘the Prince of Percussion’ Billy Thom (who was only 15) and Arthur Easson.
When the MacArthurs moved to Edinburgh in 1970 it led to a very happy association with Jim Johnstone and his band and TV with ‘Songs of Scotland’. Sandy and Evelyn bought the Clydesdale Hotel in Biggar in 1974 and that was also the birth of Biggar Accordion and Fiddle Club. The very first guests were Jim and the Band with Ian Powrie, home on holiday from Australia. With his knowledge and personal friendships he always gets the best for the Club.
Finally he accepted an invitation from Dermot O’Brien to the All-Ireland Championships in his home town of Ardee, where he heard a former winner and was so impressed with him he invited him to Scotland. Paddy Neary is his name and he is threatening to become as big a draw as the magical Dermot.
There is often confusion re Sandy’s names. He tells me he was always Alex till he joined Ian Powrie who called him Sandy and always introduced him round the country as Sandy. He still plays the Morino IV he bought in 1955.
The Alf Silk Story
By Derek Hamilton
One of the best known, best loved and most respected of accordion players and teachers in the Ayrshire area is ace veteran accordionist Alf Silk. It’s thanks to Alf’s tremendous teaching ability that Ayrshire, particularly the Kilmarnock area, is now so well populated with talented accordionists.
It is therefore surprising to learn that Alf Silk did not take up the accordion until he was 26 years old. From his early teens Alf played piano in the local cinemas for the silent movies. The art of playing piano for this purpose was called ‘close fitting’ and Alf was considered to be one of the youngest ‘close fitters’ in the country. But the age of Buster Keaton and the Keystone Cops passed and the ‘talkies’ mad ‘close fitters’ like Alf redundant. At that time many moved into other fields and Alf Silk was no exception.
With the grounding he had gained in the cinema halls he was obviously destined for greater things. Dancing teachers needed pianists to play for their classes. Alf was equally at home playing solo or with some of the dance orchestras, which were being popularized around the late 20’s. He also did some writing, particularly for the sax and trumpet where no orchestral parts were printed.
At the age of 26 Alf took up the accordion. At that time the piano accordion was known as the Italian accordion to distinguish it from the button-key type. Despite the prejudices of the time Alf concentrated on the Italian accordion, leaving the piano alone, having quickly recognised the very separate techniques of the two instruments. The only music available strictly for the accordion came from Italy or America and Alf developed the ability to adapt for the instrument from piano music, of which he had collected a considerable library.
By the mid 1930’s the accordion had gained much in popularity and Ald Silk made his contribution by playing solo in the variety theatres. This was the great age of the accordion with famous names like McKenzie Reid, Tony Capaldi and Tommy Muirhead gracing the stages of the country.
During the war years Alf played with Lani Hokea’s Hula Hawaiians at Army and R.A.F. Shows throughout the southern half of Scotland. Alf regularly played in notable company. Topping the bill on occasions was the late, great Sir Harry Lauder. In 1944 the Hawaiian act was appearing at the old Queen’s Theatre in Glasgow. On the same bill was a brilliant young accordionist delighting the packed audiences with his virtuosity. That accordionist was none other than Will Starr.
After the war Alf Silk took up teaching and formed his own band, specializing latterly in Hotel Dinner-Dance music until his retirement at 65.
Alf still does a little teaching but only plays an occasional concert now. He does, however, with absolute regularity, turn up at Galston Accordion Club to do a ‘turn’. His class, ability and versatility are always on display when Alf dons his box. He’s happy with all types of music – as Alf says “from Skinner to Suppe!”
His main hobby is stargazing, not of the stage type, but the ones we see at night overhead. He has a 3” refracting telescope constructed by himself and another one built by the famous Ayr astronomer Harvey Clough who had an observatory outside Ayr in the Joppa area. Alf is also a member of the British Astronomical Association of London and is Treasurer for the local Ayrshire Society. Alf also has a grandson, Alistair. He is 24 and is a skater in the American show ‘Holiday on Ice’ and has toured Europe five times, twice to Israel, twice to Moscow and Leningrad and a year’s tour of South America.
Alf has a fantastic memory that goes ‘way back and is a fund of information. He has promised to reminisce and write it down from time to time.
Anecdote
Once upon a time house weddings were the ‘in thing’. Alf was booked to play at one and the people concerned particularly stipulated they only wanted an accordion player as one of the guests (Uncle Hughie?) was reckoned to be one of the best vampers on the piano in Ayrshire and he would play with Alf.
Then Alf arrived at the house that evening he soon discovered ‘Uncle Hughie’ could only vamp in one key (G) and when Alf was compelled at times to change key ‘Uncle Hughie’ stuck religiously to vamping in G.
To this day Alf doesn’t know how he did it but reckons that ‘Uncle Hughie’ must have been gifted with ‘Independent Suspension of the Ear Drum!”
Letters to the Editor
One String Fiddle
Sir, I would be grateful for any help your readers can give me with a particular research project I am involved in.
For the past few months I have been looking the life of a Shetlander, Adam Christie (1868 – 1950), who was a patient in this psychiatric hospital for approximately 50 years. During his time here he was noted for his many talents, particularly of an artistic nature. There are within the hospital grounds several stone heads and stone figures which he carved. These are of a very high degree of artistic merit.
Recently I have been investigating Adam Christie’s musical talents. I know that during his youth he played the traditional four-string fiddle in Shetland. I even know two of the tunes that he played and that were peculiar to the village that he came from in Shetland. These were ‘The Black and the Broon’ and ‘Aith’s Rant’.
During his time here, in the early 1930’s, he made several one-string fiddles. These were roughly fashioned and he used tools such as an axe, files etc., to make the instruments. The one-string fiddles were made out of soft wood and had the conventional sounding body (with the usual woman’s ‘waist’), a finger board and two ‘fs’. The string of the instrument was made from binder twine which had been ‘hardened’ by the use of bee’s wax. Adam Christie played this instrument with a bow. I understand that the instrument was played with the base of the body resting against the chest (or the crook of his arm). Adam Christie was able to play recognisable hymns and also Scottish melodies such as ‘Mary Morrison’, the song written by Robert Burns.
Adam Christie was very conscious of his Celtic origins. I base this statement on the fact that he carved a large number of stone heads which, to my mind, are very similar, if not identical to, the Pagan Celtic heads that are fashioned out of stone and which have been found all over North-West Europe.
You will understand that I was fascinated to read about the origins of the violin in Annie W. Patterson’s ‘How To Listen To an Orchestra’ (Hutchison, 1928). The Rota (also known as the Crout, or in Gaelic, Cruit) was a one-stringed instrument, played with a bow, that owes its origin to the Celts. Annie says ‘In Psalters and Church Scripture of the early centuries of the Christian era, figures of angels and saints, and of King David, are represented as playing on board (stringed) instruments of the Rota class’.
I understand that there is a recent tradition of one-string fiddle playing in the Shetlands. A few decades ago there was a man who lived in Quarff, a village south of Lerwick, who made and also played phono-fiddles. This instrument had a sound box and also a loud speaker in the form of a small horn like the old ‘His Master’s Voice’ type.
I fell, therefore, that Adam Christie made his one-string fiddles according to his own specifications. He may, of course, have been influenced by illustrations of such violins from manuscripts referring to the Celts.
Kenneth M.G. Keddie, Consultant Psychiatrist, Sunnyside Royal Hospital, Montrose.
Sir, Some time ago Ronnie Cooper had promised to compose two tunes – one for his brother-in-law Peter Davidson of Inverness and the other for a friend, Jack Leask, who had retired from his job with British Airways and moved to Shetland, where he had built a bumgalow in the south of the island.
The first tune, a reel, was soon composed but Ronnie was not completely happy with it, something just did not seem right. However, it was not a bad reel, so it was decided that this would be the Leask’s tune and he would compose another one for his brother-in-law. An evening’s music was arranged at the Leasks’ house and Ronnie and a few friends set out to give the new tune its first public performance. On the way there a member of the party suggested that the tune would make a nice waltz, a strathspey or even a march. It was decided to play the tune each way and let Mrs Leask select the style for it. She chose the march version and also asked that it be named after their new house. The name of the house/ ‘The Headlands’ of course.
Ian Duncan
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Queen’s Hotel) 28th March 78 Jimmy Yeaman Trio
Alnwick (Nag’s Head) 12th Apr 78 Currie Brothers
Balloch (Balloch Hotel) 16th Apr 78 Walter Perrie
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) 24th Apr 78
Beith (Anderson Hotel) 17th Apr 78 Currie Brothers
Biggar (Clydesdale Hotel) 10th Apr 78 Lothian Scottish Dance Band
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel) 12th Apr 78 Kintore A&F Club
Cumnock (Royal Hotel) 18th Apr 78
Dundee (Royal Central Hotel) 6th April 78 Cahrlie and Ian Armour and Ian MacDonald
Dunfermline (Kinema Ballroom) 4th April 78 Bobby MacLeod
Forres (Brig Motel) 12th Apr 78 Tain S.D.B.
Galston (Parakeet, Hurlford) 10th April 78 Malcolm McLean
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler)
Highland/ Inverness (Drumossie Hotel) 17th Apr 78
Keith (Seafield Arms Hotel) 4th Apr 78
Kelso (Queen’s Head Hotel) 29th Mar 78 Bill Black and Family
Langholm (Crown Hotel)
Livingston (Cameron Ironworks Social Club) 20th Apr 78 Ian Holmes
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) 25th April
M.A.F.I.A. (Black Bull) 6th Apr 78 Fraser McGlynn
Newton St Boswells (Railway Hotel) 31st Mar 78 Jim Halcrow and his Band from Shetland 18th Apr 78 Bobby Crowe Trio 12th May 78 End of Season Dance with Bill black’s SDB in Dryburgh Abbey Hotel.
North Cumbria (Huntsman Inn - Penton) 19th April 78 Angus Fitchet
Oban (Park Hotel) 5th Apr 78 Bobby Christie and Lex Keith
Perth (Salutation Hotel) 17th April 78 Ian Holmes Trio
Renfrew (Glynhill Hotel)
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) 6th Apr 78 Ron Gonella
Straiton (Black Bull Hotel)
Stranraer (North West Castle Hotel) 3rd April Alastair Hunter Trio
Torthorwald (Torr House Hotel) 4th April 78
Wellbank (venue?) Apr 78 Gordon Forbes & Band
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) 11th April Angus Cameron
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Balloch
4. Banchory
5. Beith
6. Biggar
7. Buchan
8. Cumnock
9. Dundee
10. Dunfermline & District
11. Forres
12. Galston
13. Highland / Inverness
14. Keith
15. Kelso
16. Livingston
17. M.A.F.I.A.
18. Newton St Boswells
19. Oban
20. Perth
21. Straiton
22. Stranraer
23. Wellbank
23. Wick
BASED ON THE ABOVE THE FULL CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT MARCH 1978 BECOMES :-
1. Aberdeen A&F Club
2. Alnwick A&F Club
3. Balloch A&F Club
4. Banchory A&F Club
5. Banff & District A&F Club
6. Beith & District A&F Club
7. Biggar A&F Club
8. Bonchester Accordion Club
9. Buchan A&F Club
10. Coquetdale
11. Cumbria (or North Cumbria) Accordion Club
12. Cumnock A&F Club
13. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughton’s)
14. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club
15. Dunblane & District A&F Club
16. Dundee & District A&F Club
17. Dunfermline & District A&F Club
18. Fintry A&F Club
19. Forres A&F Club
20. Galston A&F Club
21. Glendale Accordion Club
22. Greenhead Accordion Club (Hexham)
23. Highland A&F Club (Inverness)
24. Kelso A&F Club
25. Kintore A&F Club
26. Langholm A&F Club
27. Livingston A&F Club
28. Lockerbie A&F Club
29. M.A.F.I.A.
30. Newcastleton Accordion Club
31. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club
32. North East A&F Club 9aka Keith Club)
33 Oban A&F Club
34 Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club
35 Perth & District A&F Club
36 Renfrew A&F Club
37 Rothbury Accordion club
38 Straiton Accordion Club
39Stranraer & District Accordion Club
40 Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
41 Wellbank A&F Club
42 Wick A&F Club
For another month there will be no Record Review. Derek is still busy getting his new abode ready. To put the record straight, as the clubs only meet seven months of the year, i.e. October to April, so also it is with the ‘Box and Fiddle.’ This then is the second last issue of the season.
Will Clubs please not the new price of the ‘Box and Fiddle’. I would be obliged if Secretaries would let me know how the sales are affected, if at all.
A complete set of issues is being sent to the British Landing Library which has world-wide connections. Who knows, you might come across a copy in Tibet the next time you are there.
It would help if Secretaries could let the Editor know at least a month ahead guest artists, dates and venues. I know this is not always possible. Clubs should have the up-to-date Guest Artist List by now. If not, contact the Association Secretary.
Sad Loss to Keith Area
Accordion music in the Keith area suffered a tremendous loss last month with the sudden death of Sam Thompson. He was an accordion teacher for many years and perhaps did more than anyone to foster the abundance of talent which undoubtedly exists in this district. He was a great enthusiast for the Keith Club and encouraged his pupils to take an active part in it. He will be sadly missed.
Festival Winners
The 9th West of Scotland Accordion championships under the auspices of Straiton Accordion Club were held in the McCandlish Hall last Saturday. There was a good attendance of competitors and audience.
The adjudicator was Mickie Ainsworth, who was paying his first visit to Straiton. In his remarks he praised the high overall standard of the competitors and their marks were all very close. He also remarked about the homely atmosphere at the championships, the lovely village, and how much he had enjoyed being there.
Prize Winners
Junior Section
1. Liam Currie
2. Ian Muir
3. Hugh Donald
Own Composition
1. John Loch
2. Ian Muir
3. Ian Muir
Trios
1. J. Loch, R Gilmour & S Thompson
2. T. Bell, R. Bell & G. Loch
3. I Muir, W. Seaton & G Loch
Bands
1. Blackthorn Dance Band
2. Doon Valley Dance Band
Duets
1. Gary Blair & Adrian Hannah
2. Hugh & John Donald
3. Tommy & Robert Bell
Confined
1. Liam Currie (95 marks)
2. Norman Williams (91 marks)
3. Adrian Hannah (90 marks)
Open
Norman Williams (96 marks)
Liam Currie (90 marks)
Gary Blair (89 marks)
Most improved player at the Club
Margaret Wilcox and Ewan Donald
Youngest Competitor
Morag McFarlane
Raffle Prize-winners
Star Prize (£20) - Gavin Loch
100 cigarettes - Tommy Bell
Bottle whisky – A Caldwell
Etc
Variety Concert
The Variety Concert at night was very well attended. John Loch, the Club Secretary, was compere and the programme opened with the Blackthorn Dance Band under John’s leadership and comprising Stuart Thompson (2nd accordion), Robbie Gilmour (piano) and Jim Caddis (drums). Firstly they played John’s Own Composition ‘Ben Wilson’s Farewell to Troloss’, followed by some modern rhythm. Alison Millar, a very sweet and talented young lady, then danced the Sailors’ Hornpipe. This was followed by the Bon Accords from Langholm, namelu Mr and Mrs Robin Waitt. This was a very popular act and Mrs Waitt’s singing of ‘The Forty Shades of Green’, ‘Sing me an Old Fashioned Song’ and ‘The Massacre of Glencoe’ were very well received.
Mrs Sheila Carswell, accompanied by Mrs E. Guthrie (piano) sang ‘The Sunshine of Your Smile’ and ‘The Mull of Kintyre’. She was then joined by Mr Carsewell in a medley of ‘oldies’. Mr and Mrs Carsewell are very well known to Straiton audiences.
Next on the programme were the Doon Valley Dance Band comprising the Bell Brothers (accordions), Elaine (piano) and Gavin Loch (drums). An excellent performance from four very young musicians.
Katie Rowan and Rosemary gave a delightful display of Highland dancing accompanied by Piper Charlie.
Another popular singer Linton McMillan, accompanied by Mrs E. Guthrie (piano), Marion Halbert (accordion) and Gavin Loch (drums) sang ‘Tillietudlem Castle’ and ‘Greyfriar’s Bobby’.
Then the time had come for the finalists to play for their placing and some very anxious moments as the time approached for the adjudicator to appear and give the results. The trophies were then presented to the winners by Mrs Graham.
The artists made a second appearance and so ended another successful day. John Loch proposed a vote of thanks to the artists, donors of prizes and all who had helped in any way.
Dumfries Event
The Dumfries Accordion Championships in the Laurieknowe School were a fantastic success, there being no less than 54 competitors for just two classes. This made for great playing standard and at the end the adjudicator, Iain MacPhail, had a very difficult job to reach a conclusion.
The evening started on a high note with the appearance for the first time in Dumfries of the Junior Accordion Orchestra, conductor Jimmy Blair. This was followed later by the Senior Accordion Orchestra (see report below about this happy band of young people).
The compere for the evening was Tony Dalton, who confessed he was losing his voice just by announcing the competitors. In the Junior Section there were 25 entrants and all were of a high standard. The eventual winners were as follows :
1. Liam Currie (Milngavie)
2. Elizabeth JArdine (Dunragit)
3. David Pagan (Dumfries)
In the Senior Grade there were 29 players. So keen was the competition that only one mark separated the first and second. The winners of the Seniors were as follows :
1. Gary Blair (Glasgow)
2. Liam Currie (Milngavie)
3. Ian Duff (Glasgow)
The Junior winner received the Ian Holmes Challenge Trophy which was presented my Mrs Holmes. The Senior winner received the Max Houliston Challenge Trophy which was presented by Max who also remarked that the young players of today would be the great players of the future. Also he hoped that the standard of these youngsters demonstrated this evening would soon dispel the belief that the accordion was just a toy, indeed he was sure that the time was fast approaching when the Education Authorities would be appointing full-time teachers.
Liam Currie also won the Bell Trophy.
The recent Dumfries Festival saw the advent of the first Accordion Orchestra in the South West. This new sound to the area took the trick and was very warmly received.
This was the Jimmy Blair Accordion Orchestra, or rather there were two. Jimmy and his wife Lola had brought the Junior and Senior Orchestras to set off the Festival, which they did in great style. The Juniors had 19 accordions playing four-part music, drums and in place of the usual bass player who was indisposed one of the senior players backed with his Cordovox. Their ages ranged from ten to fifteen and the Senior Orchestra had a complement of fifteen accordionists.
It came as some surprise to learn from Jimmy and Lola that everything was done on a voluntary basis and all monies are raised by the Parents’ Committee. They raise the much needed cash by jumble sales, coffee mornings etc. This is a wonderful effort that they do. All the girls were delightfully dressed in long orange dresses and the boys in white shirts and dark trousers.
Both Jimmy and Lola are teachers, having two assistant teachers with 150 learners in the Glasgow area from Cambuslang to Paisley. Their first Orchestra was in 1950 and they won the British Accordion Championships for 1951-52-53. Having at this time started his own S.D.B., the Orchestra fell by the wayside and for the next few years Jimmy made over 200 broadcasts and over 100 TV Shows, almost 100 EPs, LPs and tapes.
This is a new sound that the Clubs will want to hear more and more. Any Club interested, please contact Jimmy at 11 Varna Road, Jordanhill, Glasgow. They are guest artists at the Glynhill, Paisley Club.
Mull Music Festival Weekend
28th April – 1st May 1978
It is hoped to inaugurate at Tobermory this year a Festival of Music by bringing to the place some of the foremost exponents of ‘Ceol’ as it is expressed internationally on traditional instruments.
The fundamental object of this event is to create the facility of hearing live music, coupled with the goodwill and bonhomie that Tobermory in particular extends to its many friends worldwide.
Already all the hoteliers are accommodating artists gratis. There are signs of interest from all over Scotland, including the Northern Isles. We are gratified also that the Tourist Organisation is already putting its considerable expertise at our disposal in an effort to escalate the trade which will benefit all concerned.
To raise funds our Committee will be raising coffee afternoons, discos etc, although realistically we must, and indeed we are, begging from YOU, to become a PATRON. To fill Tobermory’s world with the sound of our beautiful music, happy people for one weekend – generosity, especially YOURS, is the essential operational ingredient.
Programme Proposed
Friday, 28th April, 1978 – A grand non-stop dance in the Aros Hall featuring the very best musical ensembles. All the licensed hotels will be providing varied music in a festival mood.
Saturday, 29th April, 1978 – Aros Hall, all day, a special talent competition for artists (particularly young persons) performing on ANY instrument – or even ‘diddling’. The finalists to perform at the concert in the evening, together with top performers from all spheres of entertainment.
Your patronage, in cash or kind, will be gratefully received. You will be FREE to attend any function by virtue of membership, should you decide to become a patron.
Cheques, etc., should be made payable to : The Treasurer, Mull Music Festival Weekend, the Clydesdale Bank, Tobermory, Isle of Mull.
Dear Sir,
It must seem a far cry for some of your readers to contemplate joining us at Tobermory for our first attempt at organised music, to foster the friendships and harmony that only music can create, this especially as some of our greatest musicians will be in our midst.
What is more important to me, however, is the hope that lots of your readers will take part. There will be opportunities for anyone who wants to play anything – the ceilidh atmosphere will be very evident – and we will encourage and welcome all performers, including competitors.
Being domiciled on an island means that there are very, very few occasions when real, live music can be experienced. Our effort is to extend the hand of welcome and hospitality to those who decide to share the experience at Tobermory. All welcome on 28th April.
Yours very sincerely
Bobby MacLeod
ADVERT
The following will be there
Bobby Brown, Piano
Angus Cameron, Violin
Bobby Colgan, Drums/Vocals/Comedy
Angus Fitchet. Violin
John Huband, Accordion
Moira Kerr, Vocals/Guitar
Tommy Kettles, Accordion
Bobby MacLeod, Accordion
John Strachan, Organ/Piano/Bass
Billy Thom, Percussion
MacDonald of Keppoch, Vocals
Janet MacDonald, Vocals
Bobby Campbell, Violin
Denis Clancy, Vocals
Alasdair Downie, Accordion
Ron Gonella, Violin
Jim Johnstone, Accordion
Pete Kerr, Instrumentalist
Calum MacLean, Accordion
Calum MacPhail, Violin
Arthur Spink, Accordion
Oban High School Youth Orchestra, Varied Selections
And many more
Friday 28th April, 1978
Aros Hall – Rally and Dance From 8.30pm (Dance from 11pm)
Glengorm Castle – Violin Recital (Tickets only £1)
Saturday, 29th April, 1978
Aros Hall – Competitions Morning – Juniors £50 1st Prize – Afternoon – Seniors - £100 1st Prize
Ian Holmes Trophy for Accordion
Grand Concert – 8pm – 11pm Featuring Competitors + Variety Artistes. Tickets at Door
Sunday, 30th April, 1978
Special Excursion Cruise from Oban ‘The Sound of Mull Experience’
Special Afternoon Recital – Oban High School Orchestra at Town Clock at 2.30pm
Aros Hall – Closing Concert 8pm to 10pm
The Sandy MacArthur Story
By Ian Smith
Kinbuck, Dunblane, is the birthplace of Alex MacArthur. He being one of the interesting people in our ken. For the last 26 years he has seen it all and knows all the people that one reads about.
He started playing the accordion at the age of 14, being presented with his first accordion by his sister Cathie, who bought it out of her gratuity when she came out of the Forces. His teacher was Mr McFarlane from Stirling who also taught Tommy Ford, who took Alex’s place when he left the Arthur MacLeod Trio.
He is the only musical member of his family and is proud of his first engagement. It was a Welcome Home Party for a returned POW and he received 7/6d. It meant a three mile walk home with his accordion on his back.
On demob from National Service, where he was a Sergeant in the Royal Engineers, he took up his music again. He noted that Bobby MacLeod did the popular ‘Down at the Mains’ Children’s Hour programme with a five-piece band. Then Ian Powrie did it with a four-piece and Alex thought why not a trio? Jim MacLeod was approached and drummer Willie Tervit. They were auditioned and successfully did over 200 broadcasts as the Arthur MacLeod Trio. As they couldn’t do Scottish Dance music with a trio they added fiddle and double bass for that purpose.
Sandy left the Trio in 1953 and joined the Ian Powrie Band where he stayed until 1958. He felt there was no future in music and became a rep with a margarine firm, eventually taking over the Elgin area. Once again, however, the urge to play returned (doesn’t it always!) and he formed his own band and from 1963-70 he broadcast regularly from BBC Aberdeen and Grampian TV.
The best move that Alex made was to go on a blind date with Jim MacLeod and that date became his wife, Evelyn, and they have a family of two. Fiona is 18 and is studying at Napier College, Edinburgh. Gordon is 16 and follows in dad’s footsteps as a pianist and box player. He was the boy babe in ‘Babes in the Wood’ at the King’s Theatre, Edinburgh, with Moira Anderson and Johnny Beattie. He spent last summer with the Scottish youth Theatre. He will be going to America for a year to complete his studies.
Sandy has done about 1,000 broadcasts in his 26 years. Some of these programmes included ‘The Kilt is my Delight’ and many programmes for Aunt Kathleen’s children’s programmes. Some of his happiest times were with a programme called ‘Personal Appearance’, recording a different town each day. It was hard going, as it could be Aberdeen today, Dumfries tomorrow and maybe Stornoway the next. Archie McCulloch was compere for Robert Wilson, Kathie Kay, Will Starr, etc. He has met them a’, baith big an’ sma’! and he is grateful that he got the chance to work with the elite.
One thing that he is delighted about are two drummers who did their first broadcasts with hi, namely ‘the Prince of Percussion’ Billy Thom (who was only 15) and Arthur Easson.
When the MacArthurs moved to Edinburgh in 1970 it led to a very happy association with Jim Johnstone and his band and TV with ‘Songs of Scotland’. Sandy and Evelyn bought the Clydesdale Hotel in Biggar in 1974 and that was also the birth of Biggar Accordion and Fiddle Club. The very first guests were Jim and the Band with Ian Powrie, home on holiday from Australia. With his knowledge and personal friendships he always gets the best for the Club.
Finally he accepted an invitation from Dermot O’Brien to the All-Ireland Championships in his home town of Ardee, where he heard a former winner and was so impressed with him he invited him to Scotland. Paddy Neary is his name and he is threatening to become as big a draw as the magical Dermot.
There is often confusion re Sandy’s names. He tells me he was always Alex till he joined Ian Powrie who called him Sandy and always introduced him round the country as Sandy. He still plays the Morino IV he bought in 1955.
The Alf Silk Story
By Derek Hamilton
One of the best known, best loved and most respected of accordion players and teachers in the Ayrshire area is ace veteran accordionist Alf Silk. It’s thanks to Alf’s tremendous teaching ability that Ayrshire, particularly the Kilmarnock area, is now so well populated with talented accordionists.
It is therefore surprising to learn that Alf Silk did not take up the accordion until he was 26 years old. From his early teens Alf played piano in the local cinemas for the silent movies. The art of playing piano for this purpose was called ‘close fitting’ and Alf was considered to be one of the youngest ‘close fitters’ in the country. But the age of Buster Keaton and the Keystone Cops passed and the ‘talkies’ mad ‘close fitters’ like Alf redundant. At that time many moved into other fields and Alf Silk was no exception.
With the grounding he had gained in the cinema halls he was obviously destined for greater things. Dancing teachers needed pianists to play for their classes. Alf was equally at home playing solo or with some of the dance orchestras, which were being popularized around the late 20’s. He also did some writing, particularly for the sax and trumpet where no orchestral parts were printed.
At the age of 26 Alf took up the accordion. At that time the piano accordion was known as the Italian accordion to distinguish it from the button-key type. Despite the prejudices of the time Alf concentrated on the Italian accordion, leaving the piano alone, having quickly recognised the very separate techniques of the two instruments. The only music available strictly for the accordion came from Italy or America and Alf developed the ability to adapt for the instrument from piano music, of which he had collected a considerable library.
By the mid 1930’s the accordion had gained much in popularity and Ald Silk made his contribution by playing solo in the variety theatres. This was the great age of the accordion with famous names like McKenzie Reid, Tony Capaldi and Tommy Muirhead gracing the stages of the country.
During the war years Alf played with Lani Hokea’s Hula Hawaiians at Army and R.A.F. Shows throughout the southern half of Scotland. Alf regularly played in notable company. Topping the bill on occasions was the late, great Sir Harry Lauder. In 1944 the Hawaiian act was appearing at the old Queen’s Theatre in Glasgow. On the same bill was a brilliant young accordionist delighting the packed audiences with his virtuosity. That accordionist was none other than Will Starr.
After the war Alf Silk took up teaching and formed his own band, specializing latterly in Hotel Dinner-Dance music until his retirement at 65.
Alf still does a little teaching but only plays an occasional concert now. He does, however, with absolute regularity, turn up at Galston Accordion Club to do a ‘turn’. His class, ability and versatility are always on display when Alf dons his box. He’s happy with all types of music – as Alf says “from Skinner to Suppe!”
His main hobby is stargazing, not of the stage type, but the ones we see at night overhead. He has a 3” refracting telescope constructed by himself and another one built by the famous Ayr astronomer Harvey Clough who had an observatory outside Ayr in the Joppa area. Alf is also a member of the British Astronomical Association of London and is Treasurer for the local Ayrshire Society. Alf also has a grandson, Alistair. He is 24 and is a skater in the American show ‘Holiday on Ice’ and has toured Europe five times, twice to Israel, twice to Moscow and Leningrad and a year’s tour of South America.
Alf has a fantastic memory that goes ‘way back and is a fund of information. He has promised to reminisce and write it down from time to time.
Anecdote
Once upon a time house weddings were the ‘in thing’. Alf was booked to play at one and the people concerned particularly stipulated they only wanted an accordion player as one of the guests (Uncle Hughie?) was reckoned to be one of the best vampers on the piano in Ayrshire and he would play with Alf.
Then Alf arrived at the house that evening he soon discovered ‘Uncle Hughie’ could only vamp in one key (G) and when Alf was compelled at times to change key ‘Uncle Hughie’ stuck religiously to vamping in G.
To this day Alf doesn’t know how he did it but reckons that ‘Uncle Hughie’ must have been gifted with ‘Independent Suspension of the Ear Drum!”
Letters to the Editor
One String Fiddle
Sir, I would be grateful for any help your readers can give me with a particular research project I am involved in.
For the past few months I have been looking the life of a Shetlander, Adam Christie (1868 – 1950), who was a patient in this psychiatric hospital for approximately 50 years. During his time here he was noted for his many talents, particularly of an artistic nature. There are within the hospital grounds several stone heads and stone figures which he carved. These are of a very high degree of artistic merit.
Recently I have been investigating Adam Christie’s musical talents. I know that during his youth he played the traditional four-string fiddle in Shetland. I even know two of the tunes that he played and that were peculiar to the village that he came from in Shetland. These were ‘The Black and the Broon’ and ‘Aith’s Rant’.
During his time here, in the early 1930’s, he made several one-string fiddles. These were roughly fashioned and he used tools such as an axe, files etc., to make the instruments. The one-string fiddles were made out of soft wood and had the conventional sounding body (with the usual woman’s ‘waist’), a finger board and two ‘fs’. The string of the instrument was made from binder twine which had been ‘hardened’ by the use of bee’s wax. Adam Christie played this instrument with a bow. I understand that the instrument was played with the base of the body resting against the chest (or the crook of his arm). Adam Christie was able to play recognisable hymns and also Scottish melodies such as ‘Mary Morrison’, the song written by Robert Burns.
Adam Christie was very conscious of his Celtic origins. I base this statement on the fact that he carved a large number of stone heads which, to my mind, are very similar, if not identical to, the Pagan Celtic heads that are fashioned out of stone and which have been found all over North-West Europe.
You will understand that I was fascinated to read about the origins of the violin in Annie W. Patterson’s ‘How To Listen To an Orchestra’ (Hutchison, 1928). The Rota (also known as the Crout, or in Gaelic, Cruit) was a one-stringed instrument, played with a bow, that owes its origin to the Celts. Annie says ‘In Psalters and Church Scripture of the early centuries of the Christian era, figures of angels and saints, and of King David, are represented as playing on board (stringed) instruments of the Rota class’.
I understand that there is a recent tradition of one-string fiddle playing in the Shetlands. A few decades ago there was a man who lived in Quarff, a village south of Lerwick, who made and also played phono-fiddles. This instrument had a sound box and also a loud speaker in the form of a small horn like the old ‘His Master’s Voice’ type.
I fell, therefore, that Adam Christie made his one-string fiddles according to his own specifications. He may, of course, have been influenced by illustrations of such violins from manuscripts referring to the Celts.
Kenneth M.G. Keddie, Consultant Psychiatrist, Sunnyside Royal Hospital, Montrose.
Sir, Some time ago Ronnie Cooper had promised to compose two tunes – one for his brother-in-law Peter Davidson of Inverness and the other for a friend, Jack Leask, who had retired from his job with British Airways and moved to Shetland, where he had built a bumgalow in the south of the island.
The first tune, a reel, was soon composed but Ronnie was not completely happy with it, something just did not seem right. However, it was not a bad reel, so it was decided that this would be the Leask’s tune and he would compose another one for his brother-in-law. An evening’s music was arranged at the Leasks’ house and Ronnie and a few friends set out to give the new tune its first public performance. On the way there a member of the party suggested that the tune would make a nice waltz, a strathspey or even a march. It was decided to play the tune each way and let Mrs Leask select the style for it. She chose the march version and also asked that it be named after their new house. The name of the house/ ‘The Headlands’ of course.
Ian Duncan
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Queen’s Hotel) 28th March 78 Jimmy Yeaman Trio
Alnwick (Nag’s Head) 12th Apr 78 Currie Brothers
Balloch (Balloch Hotel) 16th Apr 78 Walter Perrie
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) 24th Apr 78
Beith (Anderson Hotel) 17th Apr 78 Currie Brothers
Biggar (Clydesdale Hotel) 10th Apr 78 Lothian Scottish Dance Band
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel) 12th Apr 78 Kintore A&F Club
Cumnock (Royal Hotel) 18th Apr 78
Dundee (Royal Central Hotel) 6th April 78 Cahrlie and Ian Armour and Ian MacDonald
Dunfermline (Kinema Ballroom) 4th April 78 Bobby MacLeod
Forres (Brig Motel) 12th Apr 78 Tain S.D.B.
Galston (Parakeet, Hurlford) 10th April 78 Malcolm McLean
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler)
Highland/ Inverness (Drumossie Hotel) 17th Apr 78
Keith (Seafield Arms Hotel) 4th Apr 78
Kelso (Queen’s Head Hotel) 29th Mar 78 Bill Black and Family
Langholm (Crown Hotel)
Livingston (Cameron Ironworks Social Club) 20th Apr 78 Ian Holmes
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) 25th April
M.A.F.I.A. (Black Bull) 6th Apr 78 Fraser McGlynn
Newton St Boswells (Railway Hotel) 31st Mar 78 Jim Halcrow and his Band from Shetland 18th Apr 78 Bobby Crowe Trio 12th May 78 End of Season Dance with Bill black’s SDB in Dryburgh Abbey Hotel.
North Cumbria (Huntsman Inn - Penton) 19th April 78 Angus Fitchet
Oban (Park Hotel) 5th Apr 78 Bobby Christie and Lex Keith
Perth (Salutation Hotel) 17th April 78 Ian Holmes Trio
Renfrew (Glynhill Hotel)
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) 6th Apr 78 Ron Gonella
Straiton (Black Bull Hotel)
Stranraer (North West Castle Hotel) 3rd April Alastair Hunter Trio
Torthorwald (Torr House Hotel) 4th April 78
Wellbank (venue?) Apr 78 Gordon Forbes & Band
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) 11th April Angus Cameron
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Balloch
4. Banchory
5. Beith
6. Biggar
7. Buchan
8. Cumnock
9. Dundee
10. Dunfermline & District
11. Forres
12. Galston
13. Highland / Inverness
14. Keith
15. Kelso
16. Livingston
17. M.A.F.I.A.
18. Newton St Boswells
19. Oban
20. Perth
21. Straiton
22. Stranraer
23. Wellbank
23. Wick
BASED ON THE ABOVE THE FULL CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT MARCH 1978 BECOMES :-
1. Aberdeen A&F Club
2. Alnwick A&F Club
3. Balloch A&F Club
4. Banchory A&F Club
5. Banff & District A&F Club
6. Beith & District A&F Club
7. Biggar A&F Club
8. Bonchester Accordion Club
9. Buchan A&F Club
10. Coquetdale
11. Cumbria (or North Cumbria) Accordion Club
12. Cumnock A&F Club
13. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughton’s)
14. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club
15. Dunblane & District A&F Club
16. Dundee & District A&F Club
17. Dunfermline & District A&F Club
18. Fintry A&F Club
19. Forres A&F Club
20. Galston A&F Club
21. Glendale Accordion Club
22. Greenhead Accordion Club (Hexham)
23. Highland A&F Club (Inverness)
24. Kelso A&F Club
25. Kintore A&F Club
26. Langholm A&F Club
27. Livingston A&F Club
28. Lockerbie A&F Club
29. M.A.F.I.A.
30. Newcastleton Accordion Club
31. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club
32. North East A&F Club 9aka Keith Club)
33 Oban A&F Club
34 Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club
35 Perth & District A&F Club
36 Renfrew A&F Club
37 Rothbury Accordion club
38 Straiton Accordion Club
39Stranraer & District Accordion Club
40 Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
41 Wellbank A&F Club
42 Wick A&F Club