Box and Fiddle Year 02 No 06
March 1979
Price 15p
8 pages
7 month subscription £1.75
Editor - Ian Smith, 50 Mount Vernon Road, Stranraer
Editorial
February 1979 will be remembered as the ‘No Go’ month. Snow, strife, snow, strikes, snow, ice and yet more snow. The unhappy result was that quite a number of papers went missing. Will those Clubs who did not get their papers let me know if you want some sent to you for your regular readers.
Dunblane Club have rejoined the Association and we heartily welcome them back. Secretary’s name is Mrs Veronica Black, Entrance Lodge, Moray Estate, Doune, Perthshire.
Derwentside is another new Club to be welcomed. This is something special, as it is the farthest southern Club. They also have in their midst the world champion, James Reavey. They had a most unfortunate and sad start as their Club report shows.
Kintore and Wick held functions to raise money for charities.
A wee bit of news. The Association’s Dinner has been set for Sunday, 17th June, at the Station Hotel, Perth. The guest speaker is to be Andy Stewart. More details when they have been finalized.
Finally, a big thank you to the Musselburgh Festival Committee for a well-run Festival. Even the weather let up for that one day.
Niel Gow
Did you know that Niel Gow was born in 1727 at Strathbaran, Perthshire, and that he died at Inver, near Dunkeld, in 1807?
Did you know that he started out to be a weaver, that he was self-taught from the age of 9 to 13, then his teacher was a John Cameron?
Did you know he was twice married, his first wife was Margaret Wiseman and his second wife was Margaret Urquhart, and that he had five sons by his first wife?
Will someone tell us if the Threipland family of Halkirk, Caithness, still has his fiddle?
Association Festival at Musselburgh
by Christine Hunter
The fifth annual Festival of the National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs took place in the Brunton Halls, Musselburgh, on Saturday, 3rd February 1979.
From very early morning it was obvious that all reads were leading to Musselburgh and by the starting time of 9am most of the young competitors, and a large number of the entrants in the senior classes, were already in the practice rooms, producing the sound which is so familiar and so welcome to those behind the scenes at what is now considered to be one of the highlights of the Association’s year.
Despite very bad road conditions and, in some instances, long distances to travel, there was an increase in the number of competitors ion practically all sections.
After a successful days competition in both traditional and classical sections the final of the traditional junior accordion solo was played off in the evening during a very enjoyable concert.
The warm and prolonged applause of the large audience made it clear that they recognised and appreciated the wealth of talent which the Festival is attracting.
The evening was concluded with a large company dancing to the most enjoyable music of Jim Johnstone and His Broadcasting Band.
Adjudication for the day was in the very capable hands of Mickie Ainsworth, Jimmy Blue, Iain MacPhail and Kenny Wilson.
Traditional Section
Junior Accordion Solo
1. Duncan Black (Stanley)
2. William Currie (Milngavie)
3. Iain Horsburgh (Blackridge)
Senior Accordion Solo
1. Marian wilson (Berwick)
2. James Bell (Dunbar)
3. Ian Montgomery (Perth)
Junior Fiddle Solo
1. Gillian Yellop (Haltwhistle)
2. Albie Tedham (Langholm)
3. James Ferguson (Edinburgh)
Senior Fiddle (Slow Air)
1. Donald McAllister (Haddington)
2. Albie Tedham (Langholm)
3. James Ferguson (Edinburgh)
Junior Duet
1. Robert & Duncan Black (Stanley)
2. Iain Horsburgh (Blackridge) and Carol Farquhar (Whitburn)
3. Hugh & John Donald (Ayr)
Trio
1. Norman Williams (East Kilbride)
2. Graham Geddes (Newmachar)
Band
Under 12 Solo
1. Edward Galley (Forfar)
2. Ewan Donald (Ayr)
3. Ian Skinner (Blackridge)
Under 14 Solo
1. David Wilson (Blackburn)
2. John Donald (Ayr)
3. Michael Cassaly (West Calder)
Under 16 Solo
1. Ian Horsburgh (Blackridge)
2. Hugh Donald (Ayr)
3. Brenda McKessock (Erskine)
Open Solo
1. Neil Copland (Dundee)
2. Martin Dobbin (Oakley)
3. Gary Blair (Glasgow)
Under 16 Duet
1. Iain Horsburgh (Blackridge) and Carol Farquhar (Whitburn)
2. David Wilson & Yvonne Mathieson (Blackburn)
3. Bobby Gavin & Norma Brodie (Whitburn)
Open duet
1. James Bell (Dunbar) & Stewart Wilson (Haddington)
2. Neil & Allan Copland (Dundee)
3. Gordon Hoggan & Gordon Wardlaw (Edinburgh)
The prize for the youngest competitor was David Preston (Shotts) who was only seven. This shield was donated by John McQueen who also supplied all the other shields.
It is planned to hold the 1980 Festival in the Brunton Halls, Musselburgh, on Saturday, 2nd February and the Festival Committee hope that you will be able to attend and again give the Festival your support.
Progress in 1950 – Accordionist from Norway
by Alf Silk
Although the progress of the accordion was, as I said in the previous article, greatly retarded during the war years, there were compensations.
To prove the old adage that ‘It’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good’, a young man sought refuge in this country from Nazi occupied Norway. That young man was Toralf Tollefson, one of the most brilliant accordionists in the world.
He resided in London for many years after the war and was for some time President of the N.A.O. (National Accordion Organisation).
His influence upon the accordion movement was tremendous and immeasurable recompense for the war’s lost years. He really demonstrated convincingly to all and sundry the great versatility of the instrument.
To give some idea of the man’s musical prowess the followinf items were included in an accordion recital he gave at Holborn, London, in July 1950 :
Mendelssohn ‘Andante Ronda Capriccioso’
Grieg’s ‘Butterful’
Smetana’s ‘Dance of the Comedians’
The overture to ‘Figaro’ and the Scherzo from Litolff’s Concerto.
At that time when he was N.A.O> President, another classy accordionist, composer and arranger was Vice President in the person of Gerald Crossman. Between them they gave invaluable service in the struggle for serious recognition of the accordion as a legitimate musical instrument.
There were of course, many others throughout the United Kingdom who also ‘did their bit’ to keep the banner of the ‘box’ flying.
Scottish Stalwarts
Amongst our own Scottish stalwarts we had the modest and very capable Himmy Shand and the late, brilliant Will Starr. It would be superfluous for me to dwell on their respective skills. It has all been said so many times before.
But the man who really made it for Scotland, so much so that the Fair City of Perth has become the mecca of accordion culture, is Bill Wilkie, organizer of so many musical festivals in Perth. This gentleman is bound to be the subject of a tremendous story, and wouldn’t it be nice if someone who knows it all would put pen to paper for the Box and Fiddle.
During this decade there were many accordion celebrities from abroad visiting the United Kingdom, but I would have to single out one in particular as a memorable occasion. This was in July 1950 when Pietro Diero from the U.S.A. paid a flying visit to London as a guest of the N.A.O. As we are all doubtless aware, Diero was one of the most prolific composers and arrangers for the instrument, another being the great Frosini from the same country.
The fifties saw a great advance in quality and quantity of music being composed and arranged for the accordion, especially from Europe, particularly in the form of Musettes.
Rapid Decline
But if accordion music had greatly improved the same could not be said of for everyday ‘pop’ music, alas! The 50’s experienced a decline in this art form that was both rapid and precipitate after the introduction of what was then known as Skiffle Groups, generally consisting of badly tunes guitars and instruments improvised from broom handles, washboards, etc.
It became a craze with the adolescents and was the thin edge of the wedge for further but more sophisticated ‘gimmickry’ in the hands of astute but rapacious promoters playing on the mass hysteria of our now more affluent youth. In other words, the kids were being kidded along and, to a great extent, still are to this day.
Despite the musical (?) revolution I found as a teacher of the instrument no flagging of interest in the accordion. In fact, I would say that inquiries about tuition gradually increased.
I am of the opinion that there has always been a stable nucleus of accordion enthusiasts who have remained immune to outside influences like mass-fashion.
After the war I got the dance band on the road once more and I found there was still a demand for the Hawaiian sound. But with that type of combination it is difficult to maintain precision throughout a mixed dance programme. However, I compromised by adding to the usual sax and brass line-up the steel and plectrum guitars, and this proved very popular for the next few years.
Then in the latter half of the 50’s I gave up this band to accept an offer from the Ayrshire bandleader Lex Coburn who held contracts for dinner-dance music at several hotels, including Turnberry. I worked for Lex for almost 12 years – virtually until I retired in the 60’s.
On occasions I would be left in charge of one band, Lex being on the stand at some other hotel – and thereby hangs a tale.
Lex was a bit more tolerant of ‘difficult’ customers than I. So one evening at quite a ‘posh’ dinner-dance there was this non-descript individual – a sort of young ‘intellectual dropout’, if you know what I mean – who had for most of the evening been making a nuisance of himself to his fellow guests. We had just played an old time dance when he lurched over to the stand and demanded in a somewhat inebriated tone of voice that we play some up-to-date beaty numbers instead of this ‘midden-kyke’ music, as he termed it.
“I’m sorry”, I retorted, loud enough to be picked up by the ‘mike’ “but we aren’t allowed to play that ‘monkey-dung’ music in this establishment”.
To my pleasant surprise his fellow guests cheered be vociferously.
So on that note we’ll leave the frivolous ‘fifties.
West of Scotland Festival
The Festival was held in the picturesque village of Straiton, Ayrshire, and attracted competitors from Stranraer in the South to Milngavie in the North. This was a Mini Musselburgh. Mini in scale but not in quality. There were also auld fiends from as far as Brampton and Lockerbie.
The M.A.F.I.A. Club have reason to be proud of their youngsters as they swept the cups and shields in a bag and carted them off to Milngavie. The results were very close, as per usual, and here they are :
Juniors’ Shield
1. William Currie (Milngavie) 97½ points
2. Shona Maitland (Prestwick) 97 points
3. Hugh Donald (Ayr) 96 points
Open – Black Bull Cup
1. William Currie (Milngavie) 147 points
2. Douglas Caird (Glasgow) 146½ points
3. Gary Blair (Glasgow) 142½ points
Confined Shield
1. William Currie (Milnvavie)
2. Douglas Caird (Glasgow)
Own Composition Shield
1. Gary Blair (Glasgow)
2. David Ross (Kilmarnock)0
3. Douglas Caird (Glasgow)
Trios Shield
1. Bell
2. Bell
3. Loch
Bands – Bennachie Cup
1. Blackthorne
2. Thistle Band (Tommy & Robert Bell, Elaine Muir & Gavin Loch)
The best group in the whole competition were the competitors who were all brilliant.
Duets – Beith & District Challenge Cup
1. Donald Brothers
2. Shona Maitland & Shona Leitch
3. Stuart Duff & Douglas Caird
The adjudicators for the day were Ronnie Easton and Kenny Thomson.
More practice
At the run-off during the Concert both adjudicators admitted that they were in a quandary at times on how to split up the winners. Of those who didn’t make it this time he told them they weren’t far away and it was just more practice. They also complimented the organizers for a well-run day and the non-stop supply of tea and sandwiches.
The day ended with a concert in the Hall which was filled to capacity with an audience who were wanting to be entertained. They were not disappointed. Some of the turns wouldn’t disgrace a Glasgow stage.
The concert was opened with the Thistle Band, two accordions, piano and drums, the average age of this combination being around the fifteen mark. After this rousing start there followed Rab Torrance on moothie accompanied by the Blackthorne Band which is led by the incorrigible John Loch, this being a perfect lead to that fine Scots singer Linton McMillan of Ayr. He was accompanied by Marion Halbert, accordion and Stuart Thomson. Among his selections were ‘Auld Meal Mill’, ‘Sally O’ and ‘Tillietudlem Castle’. Linton was in fine voice. Given a chance, he could make it good on television.
Highland Dancing
There followed a spot of Highland Dancing by young Michele Leiper. She was accompanied by David Ross on button-box. Later on she did a Hornpipe too.
This left the stage for Robin and Deryn Waitt, the Bon Accords of Cannonbie, Dumfries, Robin on button box and Deryn on piano accordion. If you don’t know the difference in boxes, Deryn is the pretty one. This is another duo that could make it good. Traditional music and Country and Western, the vocals came from Deryn. A very pleasant two-some. They sang a number of their own in Country style, ‘One Day at a Time’, and ended with a Will Starr special.
A local star, Tam Henderson of Maybole, sang in a bass voice in the modern, romantic style. Another local heroine was Sheila Carswell singing such numbers as the ‘Spinning Wheel’ and ‘Bless This House’. She was accompanied by Robbie Gilmour on piano.
The play-off for the prizes was then gone through. This part of the concert was greatly enjoyed by the audience. Then the prizes were given out, quickly followed by the raffle – even here Milngavie won out as the first prize went to Gary Blair. This certainly was the MAFIA day. They must have made an offer that couldn’t be refused.
Then the star of the show took the stage, this being Archie Park on fiddle, accompanied by Walter Beattie, 3 row, Donald Ridley, piano and Robin Waitt.
Archie is an extrovert and he had the audience in stitches at his actions. Archie doesn’t mind though. He says as long as he’s got the bow tie on he has his dignity!
So ended another West of Scotland championship conducted in an informal, friendly manner by John Loch, Archie Graham, Marion Harbin and John’s wife Edith.
Trip to Famous Factory
During a recent trip to Germany with her husband Don, Mrs Barbara Wright, conductor of the Burbage Accordion Band, was able to visit the world-famous Hohner accordion factory.
The couple, who live at 35 Welbeck Avenue, Burbage, were given a guided tour of the factory by Herr Hans Haller of the Export Department.
The factory, which is situated in Trossingen on the edge of the Black Forrest, employs 2,500 people, being the principal industry in this historic town.
Founded in 1857 by Matthias Hohner, a clock maker, the factory has grown considerably but still includes the original small house where it all started. The fourth generation of the family is now in charge of the business, the fifth generation being seven years old. The factory has its own sawmill and electricity generator.
Hohner make mouth organs in millions per year, accordions in hundreds of thousands and have in recent years extended manufacture to electronic instruments, organs and pianos.
High Quality
The very high quality of the products is maintained by handwork ; there are no flow-line production methods. Indeed, the factory is somewhat confusing to a visitor, running round four sides of the block and having five floors linked by a maze of staircases, corridors and fire doors. Pride in the work is evident at all stages of production.
Traditional accordions are constructed from beech and obechiwood glued together with modern P.V.A. adhesives. The beautiful, glossy black or red onyx finish is achieved by softening large sheets of celluloid in acetone and draping and forming these by hand to a wooden structure. Some brass is used but there is an increasing use of aluminium and high quality plastics.
The reeds are made of stainless steel and each one is individually tuned by hand when the instrument is complete. Thirty-four small rooms little bigger than telephone booths house the tuners. These craftsmen (and women) play every note and tunes each reed by ear.
Tuning of the electronic instruments is performed in larger booths, and it was interesting to see that although electronic tuning devices are provided, these are only used by the younger tuners, the older generation still relying on their very experienced ears.
The most expensive accordions which take six months to make, cost £2,500 and the organs cost as much as £3,500.
By courtesy of M. Hohner Ltd
Ma Mither
Ah saw a sight the other day
When Jimmy Smith stood up tae play
Ah knew that somethin’ had gone wrong –
His instrument wiz ten feet long!
The right hand keys were there to play
The left hand wiz nine feet away.
“My Goad” he says “that’s jist ma mither”
“She’s sic a blunderin’ auld dither
She put the washin’ biler on
An’ washed ma auld accordion
An’ then she ironed it wi’ the sheets
But had nae time tae dae the pleats”.
Better Club Management
1. Right from the beginning make it a rule that no-one moves about unnecessarily or talks during each performance. This applies to everyone from Committee Members to other players and audience.
2. A Club cannot exist without its resident players, so it is important that they maintain the highest possible standards. Both Master of Ceremonies and players should speak clearly and announce the tunes they will be playing.
3. Music programmes should be ready. Nothing annoys more than a player fiddling through his music on the stage before deciding what to play.
4. Players, whether local or guest artistes, should be suitably dressed for the stage.
5. When booking guest artistes, club organisers should always fix the fee beforehand and only what the club can afford. Don’t be pressurised by agents, that’s their job.
6. Make sure your Club is well advertised through newspapers, posters and shop windows.
7. Keep your members informed about your neighbouring Clubs, their meetings, guest artistes, festivals etc.
8. Try to create an intimate atmosphere by having the audience on three sides, close seating, firm doorman, quietly run refreshment bar, lights tuned down and P.A. system not too loud.
9. Don’t let your Treasurer be too greedy. Charge at the door what will cover expenses and a little over. Don’t price yourselves out of the market.
10. Arrange your programme for the night so that the climax is gradually reached and not yo-yo up and down. It’s not fair to the players or the audience.
11. If possible try and have a stand-by guest artiste in case of difficulty with the booked guest artiste.
12. It is important to get the audience to think that this is their Club, so value their opinions, praises and criticisms.
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Queen’s Hotel) 24th Mar 79 Ronnie Easton SDB
Alnwick (Nag’s Head)
Balloch (Balloch Hotel) 18th Mar 79 Neil Sinclair & Billy Ford
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) 26th Mar 79 Bill Black & Family
Banff (Royal Oak Hotel)
Beith (Anderson Hotel) 19th Mar 79 Shannon Brothers
Biggar (Clydesdale Hotel) 12th Mar 79 Angus Fitchet
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel) 14th Mar 79 Florence & Mackie Burns & Alex Green
Coupar Angus (Royal Hotel)
Cumnock (Tup Inn)
Derwentside (Royal British Legion, Consett) 5th Mar 79 Bob Hobkirk (fiddle) & Roger Dobson (accordion)
Dumfries (Oughton’s)
Dundee (Royal Central Hotel) 1st Mar 79 Lorna SDB 5th Apr 79 Paddy Neary
Dunfermline (Kinema Ballroom) 6th Mar 79 Ronnie Easton SDB
Falkirk (Park Hotel) 12th Mar 79 Lothian SDB
Forres (Brig Motel) 14th Mar 79 Alan Roy
Galston (Parakeet, Hurlford)
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler)
Highland/ Inverness (Drumossie Hotel) 16th Mar 79 Dinner Dance, 19th Mar 79 Jimmy Cassidy
Kelso (Queen’s Head Hotel)
Kintore (Crown Hotel)
Langholm (Crown Hotel)
Livingston (Cameron Ironworks Social Club)
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel)
M.A.F.I.A. (Black Bull)
Monklands (Kennilworth Hotel, Airdrie)
Newton St Boswells (Railway Hotel)
North Cumbria (Huntsman Inn - Penton) 21st Mar 79 Shannon Brothers
North East (Seafield Arms) 6th Mar 79 Bill Black & Family
Oban (Park Hotel) 7th Mar 79 Jim Lindsay & son
Perth (Salutation Hotel) 20th Mar 79 Walter Perrie & Yla Steven
Renfrew (Glynhill Hotel)
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel)
Straiton (Bellisle Hotel, Ayr)
Stranraer (North West Castle Hotel) 5th Mar 79 Wallachmore CB 2nd Apr 79 Billy Anderson Trio
Torthorwald (Torr House Hotel)
Wellbank (venue?)
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) 20th Mar 79 Thurso S&R Society
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Balloch
3. Banchory
4. Beith
5. Biggar
6. Buchan
7. Club Accord
8. Coquetdale
9. Coupar Angus
10. Derwentside
11. Dunblane
12. Dundee
13. Dunfermline
14. Falkirk
15. Forres
16. Glendale
17. Highland
18. Kelso
19. Kintore
20. Lockerbie
21. M.A.F.I.A.
22. Monklands
23. North East
24. Oban
25. Perth
26. Stranraer
27. Wick
BASED ON THE ABOVE THE FULL CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT MAR 1979 BECOMES (This is a record of all the Clubs who have ever been members of the Association. I will add in opening, and where appropriate, closing dates if and when I come across them) :-
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Sept 1976)
3. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1971)
4. Banchory A&F Club (1978)
5. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973)
6. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1971)
7. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974)
8. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
9. Buchan A&F Club
10. Club Accord
11. Coquetdale (?)
12. Coupar Angus A&F Club
13. Cumbria (or North Cumbria) Accordion Club
14. Cumnock A&F Club
15. Derwentside A&F Club
16. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughton’s) (April 1965)
17. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
18. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971)
19. Dundee & District A&F Club
20. Dunfermline & District A&F Club
21. Falkirk A&F Club
22. Fintry A&F Club
23. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
24. Galston A&F Club
25. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
26. Gretna (June 1966)
27. Greenhead Accordion Club (Hexham)
28. Highland A&F Club (Inverness)
29. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976)
30. Kintore A&F Club
31. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967)
32. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973)
33. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973)
34. M.A.F.I.A.
35. Newcastleton Accordion Club
36. Monklands A&F Club
37. New Cumnock A&F Club
38. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club
39. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971)
40. Oban A&F Club (1975)
41. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club
42. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970)
43. Renfrew A&F Club
44. Rothbury Accordion Club (1974)
45. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978)
46. Straiton Accordion Club
47. Stranraer & District Accordion Club
48. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
49. Wellbank A&F Club
50. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975)
February 1979 will be remembered as the ‘No Go’ month. Snow, strife, snow, strikes, snow, ice and yet more snow. The unhappy result was that quite a number of papers went missing. Will those Clubs who did not get their papers let me know if you want some sent to you for your regular readers.
Dunblane Club have rejoined the Association and we heartily welcome them back. Secretary’s name is Mrs Veronica Black, Entrance Lodge, Moray Estate, Doune, Perthshire.
Derwentside is another new Club to be welcomed. This is something special, as it is the farthest southern Club. They also have in their midst the world champion, James Reavey. They had a most unfortunate and sad start as their Club report shows.
Kintore and Wick held functions to raise money for charities.
A wee bit of news. The Association’s Dinner has been set for Sunday, 17th June, at the Station Hotel, Perth. The guest speaker is to be Andy Stewart. More details when they have been finalized.
Finally, a big thank you to the Musselburgh Festival Committee for a well-run Festival. Even the weather let up for that one day.
Niel Gow
Did you know that Niel Gow was born in 1727 at Strathbaran, Perthshire, and that he died at Inver, near Dunkeld, in 1807?
Did you know that he started out to be a weaver, that he was self-taught from the age of 9 to 13, then his teacher was a John Cameron?
Did you know he was twice married, his first wife was Margaret Wiseman and his second wife was Margaret Urquhart, and that he had five sons by his first wife?
Will someone tell us if the Threipland family of Halkirk, Caithness, still has his fiddle?
Association Festival at Musselburgh
by Christine Hunter
The fifth annual Festival of the National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs took place in the Brunton Halls, Musselburgh, on Saturday, 3rd February 1979.
From very early morning it was obvious that all reads were leading to Musselburgh and by the starting time of 9am most of the young competitors, and a large number of the entrants in the senior classes, were already in the practice rooms, producing the sound which is so familiar and so welcome to those behind the scenes at what is now considered to be one of the highlights of the Association’s year.
Despite very bad road conditions and, in some instances, long distances to travel, there was an increase in the number of competitors ion practically all sections.
After a successful days competition in both traditional and classical sections the final of the traditional junior accordion solo was played off in the evening during a very enjoyable concert.
The warm and prolonged applause of the large audience made it clear that they recognised and appreciated the wealth of talent which the Festival is attracting.
The evening was concluded with a large company dancing to the most enjoyable music of Jim Johnstone and His Broadcasting Band.
Adjudication for the day was in the very capable hands of Mickie Ainsworth, Jimmy Blue, Iain MacPhail and Kenny Wilson.
Traditional Section
Junior Accordion Solo
1. Duncan Black (Stanley)
2. William Currie (Milngavie)
3. Iain Horsburgh (Blackridge)
Senior Accordion Solo
1. Marian wilson (Berwick)
2. James Bell (Dunbar)
3. Ian Montgomery (Perth)
Junior Fiddle Solo
- David Morris (Aberdeen)
1. Gillian Yellop (Haltwhistle)
2. Albie Tedham (Langholm)
3. James Ferguson (Edinburgh)
Senior Fiddle (Slow Air)
1. Donald McAllister (Haddington)
2. Albie Tedham (Langholm)
3. James Ferguson (Edinburgh)
Junior Duet
1. Robert & Duncan Black (Stanley)
2. Iain Horsburgh (Blackridge) and Carol Farquhar (Whitburn)
3. Hugh & John Donald (Ayr)
Trio
1. Norman Williams (East Kilbride)
2. Graham Geddes (Newmachar)
Band
- Norman Williams (East Kilbride)
Under 12 Solo
1. Edward Galley (Forfar)
2. Ewan Donald (Ayr)
3. Ian Skinner (Blackridge)
Under 14 Solo
1. David Wilson (Blackburn)
2. John Donald (Ayr)
3. Michael Cassaly (West Calder)
Under 16 Solo
1. Ian Horsburgh (Blackridge)
2. Hugh Donald (Ayr)
3. Brenda McKessock (Erskine)
Open Solo
1. Neil Copland (Dundee)
2. Martin Dobbin (Oakley)
3. Gary Blair (Glasgow)
Under 16 Duet
1. Iain Horsburgh (Blackridge) and Carol Farquhar (Whitburn)
2. David Wilson & Yvonne Mathieson (Blackburn)
3. Bobby Gavin & Norma Brodie (Whitburn)
Open duet
1. James Bell (Dunbar) & Stewart Wilson (Haddington)
2. Neil & Allan Copland (Dundee)
3. Gordon Hoggan & Gordon Wardlaw (Edinburgh)
The prize for the youngest competitor was David Preston (Shotts) who was only seven. This shield was donated by John McQueen who also supplied all the other shields.
It is planned to hold the 1980 Festival in the Brunton Halls, Musselburgh, on Saturday, 2nd February and the Festival Committee hope that you will be able to attend and again give the Festival your support.
Progress in 1950 – Accordionist from Norway
by Alf Silk
Although the progress of the accordion was, as I said in the previous article, greatly retarded during the war years, there were compensations.
To prove the old adage that ‘It’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good’, a young man sought refuge in this country from Nazi occupied Norway. That young man was Toralf Tollefson, one of the most brilliant accordionists in the world.
He resided in London for many years after the war and was for some time President of the N.A.O. (National Accordion Organisation).
His influence upon the accordion movement was tremendous and immeasurable recompense for the war’s lost years. He really demonstrated convincingly to all and sundry the great versatility of the instrument.
To give some idea of the man’s musical prowess the followinf items were included in an accordion recital he gave at Holborn, London, in July 1950 :
Mendelssohn ‘Andante Ronda Capriccioso’
Grieg’s ‘Butterful’
Smetana’s ‘Dance of the Comedians’
The overture to ‘Figaro’ and the Scherzo from Litolff’s Concerto.
At that time when he was N.A.O> President, another classy accordionist, composer and arranger was Vice President in the person of Gerald Crossman. Between them they gave invaluable service in the struggle for serious recognition of the accordion as a legitimate musical instrument.
There were of course, many others throughout the United Kingdom who also ‘did their bit’ to keep the banner of the ‘box’ flying.
Scottish Stalwarts
Amongst our own Scottish stalwarts we had the modest and very capable Himmy Shand and the late, brilliant Will Starr. It would be superfluous for me to dwell on their respective skills. It has all been said so many times before.
But the man who really made it for Scotland, so much so that the Fair City of Perth has become the mecca of accordion culture, is Bill Wilkie, organizer of so many musical festivals in Perth. This gentleman is bound to be the subject of a tremendous story, and wouldn’t it be nice if someone who knows it all would put pen to paper for the Box and Fiddle.
During this decade there were many accordion celebrities from abroad visiting the United Kingdom, but I would have to single out one in particular as a memorable occasion. This was in July 1950 when Pietro Diero from the U.S.A. paid a flying visit to London as a guest of the N.A.O. As we are all doubtless aware, Diero was one of the most prolific composers and arrangers for the instrument, another being the great Frosini from the same country.
The fifties saw a great advance in quality and quantity of music being composed and arranged for the accordion, especially from Europe, particularly in the form of Musettes.
Rapid Decline
But if accordion music had greatly improved the same could not be said of for everyday ‘pop’ music, alas! The 50’s experienced a decline in this art form that was both rapid and precipitate after the introduction of what was then known as Skiffle Groups, generally consisting of badly tunes guitars and instruments improvised from broom handles, washboards, etc.
It became a craze with the adolescents and was the thin edge of the wedge for further but more sophisticated ‘gimmickry’ in the hands of astute but rapacious promoters playing on the mass hysteria of our now more affluent youth. In other words, the kids were being kidded along and, to a great extent, still are to this day.
Despite the musical (?) revolution I found as a teacher of the instrument no flagging of interest in the accordion. In fact, I would say that inquiries about tuition gradually increased.
I am of the opinion that there has always been a stable nucleus of accordion enthusiasts who have remained immune to outside influences like mass-fashion.
After the war I got the dance band on the road once more and I found there was still a demand for the Hawaiian sound. But with that type of combination it is difficult to maintain precision throughout a mixed dance programme. However, I compromised by adding to the usual sax and brass line-up the steel and plectrum guitars, and this proved very popular for the next few years.
Then in the latter half of the 50’s I gave up this band to accept an offer from the Ayrshire bandleader Lex Coburn who held contracts for dinner-dance music at several hotels, including Turnberry. I worked for Lex for almost 12 years – virtually until I retired in the 60’s.
On occasions I would be left in charge of one band, Lex being on the stand at some other hotel – and thereby hangs a tale.
Lex was a bit more tolerant of ‘difficult’ customers than I. So one evening at quite a ‘posh’ dinner-dance there was this non-descript individual – a sort of young ‘intellectual dropout’, if you know what I mean – who had for most of the evening been making a nuisance of himself to his fellow guests. We had just played an old time dance when he lurched over to the stand and demanded in a somewhat inebriated tone of voice that we play some up-to-date beaty numbers instead of this ‘midden-kyke’ music, as he termed it.
“I’m sorry”, I retorted, loud enough to be picked up by the ‘mike’ “but we aren’t allowed to play that ‘monkey-dung’ music in this establishment”.
To my pleasant surprise his fellow guests cheered be vociferously.
So on that note we’ll leave the frivolous ‘fifties.
West of Scotland Festival
The Festival was held in the picturesque village of Straiton, Ayrshire, and attracted competitors from Stranraer in the South to Milngavie in the North. This was a Mini Musselburgh. Mini in scale but not in quality. There were also auld fiends from as far as Brampton and Lockerbie.
The M.A.F.I.A. Club have reason to be proud of their youngsters as they swept the cups and shields in a bag and carted them off to Milngavie. The results were very close, as per usual, and here they are :
Juniors’ Shield
1. William Currie (Milngavie) 97½ points
2. Shona Maitland (Prestwick) 97 points
3. Hugh Donald (Ayr) 96 points
Open – Black Bull Cup
1. William Currie (Milngavie) 147 points
2. Douglas Caird (Glasgow) 146½ points
3. Gary Blair (Glasgow) 142½ points
Confined Shield
1. William Currie (Milnvavie)
2. Douglas Caird (Glasgow)
Own Composition Shield
1. Gary Blair (Glasgow)
2. David Ross (Kilmarnock)0
3. Douglas Caird (Glasgow)
Trios Shield
1. Bell
2. Bell
3. Loch
Bands – Bennachie Cup
1. Blackthorne
2. Thistle Band (Tommy & Robert Bell, Elaine Muir & Gavin Loch)
The best group in the whole competition were the competitors who were all brilliant.
Duets – Beith & District Challenge Cup
1. Donald Brothers
2. Shona Maitland & Shona Leitch
3. Stuart Duff & Douglas Caird
The adjudicators for the day were Ronnie Easton and Kenny Thomson.
More practice
At the run-off during the Concert both adjudicators admitted that they were in a quandary at times on how to split up the winners. Of those who didn’t make it this time he told them they weren’t far away and it was just more practice. They also complimented the organizers for a well-run day and the non-stop supply of tea and sandwiches.
The day ended with a concert in the Hall which was filled to capacity with an audience who were wanting to be entertained. They were not disappointed. Some of the turns wouldn’t disgrace a Glasgow stage.
The concert was opened with the Thistle Band, two accordions, piano and drums, the average age of this combination being around the fifteen mark. After this rousing start there followed Rab Torrance on moothie accompanied by the Blackthorne Band which is led by the incorrigible John Loch, this being a perfect lead to that fine Scots singer Linton McMillan of Ayr. He was accompanied by Marion Halbert, accordion and Stuart Thomson. Among his selections were ‘Auld Meal Mill’, ‘Sally O’ and ‘Tillietudlem Castle’. Linton was in fine voice. Given a chance, he could make it good on television.
Highland Dancing
There followed a spot of Highland Dancing by young Michele Leiper. She was accompanied by David Ross on button-box. Later on she did a Hornpipe too.
This left the stage for Robin and Deryn Waitt, the Bon Accords of Cannonbie, Dumfries, Robin on button box and Deryn on piano accordion. If you don’t know the difference in boxes, Deryn is the pretty one. This is another duo that could make it good. Traditional music and Country and Western, the vocals came from Deryn. A very pleasant two-some. They sang a number of their own in Country style, ‘One Day at a Time’, and ended with a Will Starr special.
A local star, Tam Henderson of Maybole, sang in a bass voice in the modern, romantic style. Another local heroine was Sheila Carswell singing such numbers as the ‘Spinning Wheel’ and ‘Bless This House’. She was accompanied by Robbie Gilmour on piano.
The play-off for the prizes was then gone through. This part of the concert was greatly enjoyed by the audience. Then the prizes were given out, quickly followed by the raffle – even here Milngavie won out as the first prize went to Gary Blair. This certainly was the MAFIA day. They must have made an offer that couldn’t be refused.
Then the star of the show took the stage, this being Archie Park on fiddle, accompanied by Walter Beattie, 3 row, Donald Ridley, piano and Robin Waitt.
Archie is an extrovert and he had the audience in stitches at his actions. Archie doesn’t mind though. He says as long as he’s got the bow tie on he has his dignity!
So ended another West of Scotland championship conducted in an informal, friendly manner by John Loch, Archie Graham, Marion Harbin and John’s wife Edith.
Trip to Famous Factory
During a recent trip to Germany with her husband Don, Mrs Barbara Wright, conductor of the Burbage Accordion Band, was able to visit the world-famous Hohner accordion factory.
The couple, who live at 35 Welbeck Avenue, Burbage, were given a guided tour of the factory by Herr Hans Haller of the Export Department.
The factory, which is situated in Trossingen on the edge of the Black Forrest, employs 2,500 people, being the principal industry in this historic town.
Founded in 1857 by Matthias Hohner, a clock maker, the factory has grown considerably but still includes the original small house where it all started. The fourth generation of the family is now in charge of the business, the fifth generation being seven years old. The factory has its own sawmill and electricity generator.
Hohner make mouth organs in millions per year, accordions in hundreds of thousands and have in recent years extended manufacture to electronic instruments, organs and pianos.
High Quality
The very high quality of the products is maintained by handwork ; there are no flow-line production methods. Indeed, the factory is somewhat confusing to a visitor, running round four sides of the block and having five floors linked by a maze of staircases, corridors and fire doors. Pride in the work is evident at all stages of production.
Traditional accordions are constructed from beech and obechiwood glued together with modern P.V.A. adhesives. The beautiful, glossy black or red onyx finish is achieved by softening large sheets of celluloid in acetone and draping and forming these by hand to a wooden structure. Some brass is used but there is an increasing use of aluminium and high quality plastics.
The reeds are made of stainless steel and each one is individually tuned by hand when the instrument is complete. Thirty-four small rooms little bigger than telephone booths house the tuners. These craftsmen (and women) play every note and tunes each reed by ear.
Tuning of the electronic instruments is performed in larger booths, and it was interesting to see that although electronic tuning devices are provided, these are only used by the younger tuners, the older generation still relying on their very experienced ears.
The most expensive accordions which take six months to make, cost £2,500 and the organs cost as much as £3,500.
By courtesy of M. Hohner Ltd
Ma Mither
Ah saw a sight the other day
When Jimmy Smith stood up tae play
Ah knew that somethin’ had gone wrong –
His instrument wiz ten feet long!
The right hand keys were there to play
The left hand wiz nine feet away.
“My Goad” he says “that’s jist ma mither”
“She’s sic a blunderin’ auld dither
She put the washin’ biler on
An’ washed ma auld accordion
An’ then she ironed it wi’ the sheets
But had nae time tae dae the pleats”.
Better Club Management
1. Right from the beginning make it a rule that no-one moves about unnecessarily or talks during each performance. This applies to everyone from Committee Members to other players and audience.
2. A Club cannot exist without its resident players, so it is important that they maintain the highest possible standards. Both Master of Ceremonies and players should speak clearly and announce the tunes they will be playing.
3. Music programmes should be ready. Nothing annoys more than a player fiddling through his music on the stage before deciding what to play.
4. Players, whether local or guest artistes, should be suitably dressed for the stage.
5. When booking guest artistes, club organisers should always fix the fee beforehand and only what the club can afford. Don’t be pressurised by agents, that’s their job.
6. Make sure your Club is well advertised through newspapers, posters and shop windows.
7. Keep your members informed about your neighbouring Clubs, their meetings, guest artistes, festivals etc.
8. Try to create an intimate atmosphere by having the audience on three sides, close seating, firm doorman, quietly run refreshment bar, lights tuned down and P.A. system not too loud.
9. Don’t let your Treasurer be too greedy. Charge at the door what will cover expenses and a little over. Don’t price yourselves out of the market.
10. Arrange your programme for the night so that the climax is gradually reached and not yo-yo up and down. It’s not fair to the players or the audience.
11. If possible try and have a stand-by guest artiste in case of difficulty with the booked guest artiste.
12. It is important to get the audience to think that this is their Club, so value their opinions, praises and criticisms.
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Queen’s Hotel) 24th Mar 79 Ronnie Easton SDB
Alnwick (Nag’s Head)
Balloch (Balloch Hotel) 18th Mar 79 Neil Sinclair & Billy Ford
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) 26th Mar 79 Bill Black & Family
Banff (Royal Oak Hotel)
Beith (Anderson Hotel) 19th Mar 79 Shannon Brothers
Biggar (Clydesdale Hotel) 12th Mar 79 Angus Fitchet
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel) 14th Mar 79 Florence & Mackie Burns & Alex Green
Coupar Angus (Royal Hotel)
Cumnock (Tup Inn)
Derwentside (Royal British Legion, Consett) 5th Mar 79 Bob Hobkirk (fiddle) & Roger Dobson (accordion)
Dumfries (Oughton’s)
Dundee (Royal Central Hotel) 1st Mar 79 Lorna SDB 5th Apr 79 Paddy Neary
Dunfermline (Kinema Ballroom) 6th Mar 79 Ronnie Easton SDB
Falkirk (Park Hotel) 12th Mar 79 Lothian SDB
Forres (Brig Motel) 14th Mar 79 Alan Roy
Galston (Parakeet, Hurlford)
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler)
Highland/ Inverness (Drumossie Hotel) 16th Mar 79 Dinner Dance, 19th Mar 79 Jimmy Cassidy
Kelso (Queen’s Head Hotel)
Kintore (Crown Hotel)
Langholm (Crown Hotel)
Livingston (Cameron Ironworks Social Club)
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel)
M.A.F.I.A. (Black Bull)
Monklands (Kennilworth Hotel, Airdrie)
Newton St Boswells (Railway Hotel)
North Cumbria (Huntsman Inn - Penton) 21st Mar 79 Shannon Brothers
North East (Seafield Arms) 6th Mar 79 Bill Black & Family
Oban (Park Hotel) 7th Mar 79 Jim Lindsay & son
Perth (Salutation Hotel) 20th Mar 79 Walter Perrie & Yla Steven
Renfrew (Glynhill Hotel)
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel)
Straiton (Bellisle Hotel, Ayr)
Stranraer (North West Castle Hotel) 5th Mar 79 Wallachmore CB 2nd Apr 79 Billy Anderson Trio
Torthorwald (Torr House Hotel)
Wellbank (venue?)
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) 20th Mar 79 Thurso S&R Society
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Balloch
3. Banchory
4. Beith
5. Biggar
6. Buchan
7. Club Accord
8. Coquetdale
9. Coupar Angus
10. Derwentside
11. Dunblane
12. Dundee
13. Dunfermline
14. Falkirk
15. Forres
16. Glendale
17. Highland
18. Kelso
19. Kintore
20. Lockerbie
21. M.A.F.I.A.
22. Monklands
23. North East
24. Oban
25. Perth
26. Stranraer
27. Wick
BASED ON THE ABOVE THE FULL CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT MAR 1979 BECOMES (This is a record of all the Clubs who have ever been members of the Association. I will add in opening, and where appropriate, closing dates if and when I come across them) :-
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Sept 1976)
3. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1971)
4. Banchory A&F Club (1978)
5. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973)
6. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1971)
7. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974)
8. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
9. Buchan A&F Club
10. Club Accord
11. Coquetdale (?)
12. Coupar Angus A&F Club
13. Cumbria (or North Cumbria) Accordion Club
14. Cumnock A&F Club
15. Derwentside A&F Club
16. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughton’s) (April 1965)
17. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
18. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971)
19. Dundee & District A&F Club
20. Dunfermline & District A&F Club
21. Falkirk A&F Club
22. Fintry A&F Club
23. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
24. Galston A&F Club
25. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
26. Gretna (June 1966)
27. Greenhead Accordion Club (Hexham)
28. Highland A&F Club (Inverness)
29. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976)
30. Kintore A&F Club
31. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967)
32. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973)
33. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973)
34. M.A.F.I.A.
35. Newcastleton Accordion Club
36. Monklands A&F Club
37. New Cumnock A&F Club
38. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club
39. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971)
40. Oban A&F Club (1975)
41. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club
42. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970)
43. Renfrew A&F Club
44. Rothbury Accordion Club (1974)
45. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978)
46. Straiton Accordion Club
47. Stranraer & District Accordion Club
48. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
49. Wellbank A&F Club
50. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975)