Box and Fiddle
Year 30 No 07
March 2007
Price £2.30
44 Page Magazine
12 month subscription £25.30 + p&p £8.80 (UK)
Editor – Karin Ingram, Hawick
B&F Treasurer – Charlie Todd, Thankerton
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
It’s been a hectic month! I’m just back from the Falklands, where David Scott, Judith Linton, Stuart Anderson and I enjoyed the most wonderful hospitality. It was the trip of a lifetime, and we all agreed that we’d jump at the chance to go back. You can see a few of our photos on Page 31.
The booking form for the NAAFC Luncheon and Ceilidh is on Page 34. Make sure you book early, because tickets sell very quickly.
See you at Musselburgh!
Karin Ingram
Northern Ireland Open Accordion Championships
by Clyde Johnston
The 10th Northern Ireland Open…………..
The Niel Gow Festival
by
The 4th annual Niel Gow Festival…………..
Never Too Old to Learn to Play the Accordion!!
by Liz Quinn
As a youngster I was a Scots exile………..
Peter Elmes
by Charlie Todd
Peter Elmes is a self-taught and (originally) ‘play by ear’ musician,……………
CD Reviews – See Hear with Judith Linton
The Reel Fling on the Road to Crathes Castle – The Banchory S&R Society – CDITV743 – Scotdisc
RSCDS London Branch – LBCCO601 - Independent
Letters to the Editor
Gold Shand Morino – A Short Story (This item appeared at the end of the Shand Morino Gathering Report in last month’s issue)
According to the limited information we have at present, Sir Jimmy shand had the instrument made for his television work in approximately 1960. However, finding it too gaudy, he eventually sold it.
In 1962 the accordion was bought by Eddie Pierce who is known to have played it at The Neg’s Head, 1 Holloway Road, London. After his death in the early 1970s his widow sold it to Kevin McDermot in 1973 for £300.
Over the intervening years this unique instrument was seen in a variety of different venues – including a church hall in Greenwich where Ritchie Ahearne saw it in 1983. In 1995 it starred in the David Raine film ‘Heroes for a Day’ in which Kevin McDermot played the tune Golden Wedding.
Ritchie Ahearne bought the accordion from Kevin in 2004. There it remained until it was acquired in October 2006 by Dave Pullar of Usan/Montrose. It has been extensively and lovingly restored to its former glory.
If anyone knows of any other information I would much appreciate it if you shared this with me.
Dave Pullar – tele
Dear Karin
Gold(?)/Silver Shand Morino
I refer to the query from Dave Pullar relating to this accordion in last month’s B&F and wish to clarify the story in relation to the accordion in question.
In the 1960s my father was visited by the then Hohner traveler – the late Mr Jimmy Connolly from Glasgow, who produced a 40 treble SILVER Shand Morino, which he thought might be suitable for my father.
On trying the instrument, my father was unimpressed, and thought it was too flashy and glitzy for his type of work. Mr Connolly said to my father, “Look Jimmy, I will leave the box with you and you might change your mind!”
However, after a few weeks, my father contacted Mr Connolly and asked him to call and pick up the SILVER Shand Morino, and it was returned to London.
The accordion was NEVER ordered or purchased by my father and was therefore never his property.
Incidentally, the accordion was silver nacralac and was not a gold colour at that time.
I gave this information to Mr Ritchie Ahearne of London when he purchased the accordion in later years.
The ‘short story’ in the B&F by Mr Pullar suggesting that Sir Jimmy Shand had the instrument made for his television work and then to eventually sell it is rather surprising, particularly since I had fully explained the foregoing details to Mr Pullar when he called at my home and produced the accordion on the morning of the ‘Shand Morino Day’ at Windygates.
Finally, had my dad asked for the accordion to be specially made, it would have been ‘Shand’ instead of ‘Hohner’ on the front.
Yours sincerely
Jimmy Shand Jnr, Auchtermuchty
And from the April issue of the B&F we have :-
Dear Karin
In 1959/60 Sir Jimmy took me with him to Hohner Concessionaires at Farringdon Road in London where he had some business to attend to and, upon arrival, I noticed a Silver Shand Morino with 40 keys and 5 couplers on the treble side and 105 bass buttons and 3 couplers on the bass side. All the lettering was in red. The brilliants, which were synonymous with the Shand Morinos of that period, were also red. (The standard instrument had silver lettering and diamond brilliants). I thought it was something Hohner used for window dressing as it certainly drew your attention to it! When I asked Sir Jimmy what it was he replied that Hohner had made it on spec. with him in mind to use. He said he did not like the way it looked and thought that the sound was not what he wanted and, much more to the point, the instrument had a very poor compression, which I think he put down to the 3 couplers on the bass end. The accordion remained in Hohner’s window for some 2 or 3 years.
On seeing Dave Pullar’s request in the B&F, I phoned him and told him my story. I also told him that I was certain that Sir Jimmy had never owned or played it for any of his professional engagements. I am of the opinion that the ‘box’ Dave Pullar has restored is the same one which I first saw all those years ago as Dave that the area around the treble keys had become tarnished black and this indicates to me that its original colour was silver. In its original condition it had a very strong bias towards the silver colour with flecks of gold in it.
Having read the letter from Jimmy Shand Jnr. In the March issue of the B&F I feel that the information I have given confirms what Jimmy Jnr has written.
Roy Magna
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 20.30 with Robbie Shepherd
3rd March 07 – Michael Garvin SDB
10th March 07 – Stuart Anderson SDB
17th March 07 – Steven Carcary SDB
24th March Ron Kerr SDB
31st March 07 – Lindsay Weir SDB (OB from Spa Pavilion, Strathpeffer)
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 27th March 07 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle)
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 18th March 07 – Iain Anderson Trio
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - March 07 -
Armadale (Masonic Hall) – 1st March 07 – John Stuart SDB
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 18th March 07 – Ross MacPherson SDB
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 26th March 07 – Sarah Naylor Duo (Glenfiddich Champion 2005)
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 28th March 07 – Lindsay Weir Trio
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) – 19th March 07 – Stuart Cameron Trio (Deoch ‘n’ Dorus)
Belford (Community Centre) –
Biggar (Municipal Hall) – 11th March 07 – Ian Hutson SDB
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 13th March 07 – Iain Anderson Trio
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) - 13th March 07 – Philip Baraglia
Button Key (Windygates Institute) –
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 6th March 07 – Judith Linton Trio
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary’s Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 20th March 07 – Ian Cameron Trio
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 15th March 07 – Allan McIntosh & the Heather SDB
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 1st March 07 – Marian Anderson SDB
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club) 14th March 07 – David Bowen
Dalriada (Argyll Hotel, Lochgilphead) 20th March 07 – Alasdair Heron Trio
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 7th March 07 – Wick A&F Club
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 21st March 07 – Dick Black Band
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) – 13th March 07 – Bon Accords 23rd March 07 – Dance to John Morgan
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel) 9th / 10th March 07 – Jock Fraser Trio 11th March – Jean McConnachie Trio
Duns (Royal British Legion Club, Langtongate) 19th March 07 – Freeland Barbour and The Occasionals
East Kilbride (Masonic Hall, Kittoch St) –
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 20th March 07 – Simon Howie SDB
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 26th March 07 – Gordon Pattullo
Forfar (Plough Inn) -
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 14th March 07 – Michael Philip SDB
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) – 1st March 07 – Local Bands Night
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel, Wooler) – 15th March 07 – John Renton SDB
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 7th March 07 – Roselea C.B.
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) - 27th March 07 – Ian Holmes SDB
Gretna (Athlitic & Social Club) - 4th March 07 – The Occasionals
Haddington (Railway Inn) - 25th March 07 – Alan Roy
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) – 19th March 07 – Wayne Robertson Trio + Bands Competition
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) - 14th March 07 – Deoch ‘n’ Dorus
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 1st March 07 – Colin Garvin Trio
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) – 6th March 07 - tbc
Kelso (Cross Keys Hotel) – 28th March 07 – Gary Blair
Kintore (Torryburn Arms Hotel) – 7th March 07 – Bruce Lindsay Trio
Ladybank (TheTavern) - 15th March 07 – Karen Hannah & Alan Small
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) - 26th March 07 – Marian Anderson Trio
Langholm (Eskdale Hotel) – 14th March 07 – Stuart Anderson SDB
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 1st March 07 – Steven Carcary Trio
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 20th March 07 – Dochie McCallum & Friends
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) - 27th March 07 – Ian Hutson SDB
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 20th March 07 – The Reel Thing CB
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 7th March 07 – Liam Stewart Trio
Newburgh (The Ship Inn) - 29th March 07 – Burns Brothers
Newmill-on-Teviot (Newmill Country Inn) - 21st March 07 – Iain Anderson Trio
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 26th March 07 – Robin Hamilton SDB
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 6th March 07 – Frank Thomson SDB 23rd March 07 – Dance to Graeme Mitchell SDB
Oban (McTavish’s Kitchen) – 1st March 07 – Duncan Black SDB
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) –
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 29th March 07 – Robert Whitehead SDB
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 20th March 07 – Ian Thomson SDB
Phoenix (Argyll Arms hotel, Ardrishaig)
Premier NI (Chimney Corner Hotel) - 6th March 07 - tbc
Reading Scottish Fiddlers (Willowbank Infant School, Woodley) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 13th March 07 – Colin Dewar Trio 23rd March 07 – Dance to Marian Anderson Trio
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 8th March 07 – Blair Gardiner SDB
Scottish Accordion Music (Banchory) - 11th March 07 – All Players Welcome
Selkirk (Angus O’Malley’s) - 8th March 07 - Robert whitehead SDB
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - 8th March 07 – Local Club Night 22nd March 07 – West Telferton SDB 24th March 07 – End of Season Dance with The West Telferton Cale SDB
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) - 7th March 07 – John Morgan
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) - 24th March 07 – Paul Anderson
Thornhill (Bowling Club Hall) - 13th March 07 – Liam Stewart
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) –
Turriff (Commercail Hotel, Cuminestown) – 1st March 07 – Ian Hutson SDB
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 15th March 07 – Robert Whitehead SDB
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn) 8th March 07 – Fergie MacDonald
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 20th March 07 – Lindsay Weir Trio
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Annan
4. Arbroath
5. Armadale
6. Balloch
7. Banchory
8. Biggar
9. Bromley
10. Campsie
11. Castle Douglas
12. Crieff
13. Dingwall
14. Dunoon & Cowal
15. Fintry
16. Forfar
17. Galashiels
18. Glendale
19. Glenrothes
20. Gretna
21. Haddington
22. inveraray
23. Isle of Skye
24. Islesteps
25. Kelso
26. Kintore
27. Ladybank
28. Lanark
29. Lewis & Harris
30. Livingston
31. Lockerbie
32. Mauchline
33. Montrose
34. Newburgh
35. Newtongrange
36. North East
37. Oban
38. Renfrew
39. Rothbury
40. Stonehouse
41. Sutherland
42. Thornhill
43. Turriff
44. West Barnes
45. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2005
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Closed early 08-09
6. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
7. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
8. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
9. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
10. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
11. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
12. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
13. Brittania B&F Club ( joined 07-08
14. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
15. Button Key A&F Club (
16. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
17. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
18. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
19. Coalburn A&F Club (
20. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
21. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
22. Cults A & F Club (
23. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
24. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
25. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
26. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
27. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
28. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
29. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
30. Ellon A&F Club (
31. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
32. Forfar A&F Club (
33. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
34. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
35. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
36. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
37. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
38. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
39. Gretna A&F Club (1991) Known as North Cumbria A&F Club previously (originally called Gretna when started in June 1966 but later had to move to venues in the North of England and changed name. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
40. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 - )
41. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
42. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
43. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
44. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
45. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
46. Kintore A&F Club (
47. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier
48. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
49. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
50. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
51. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
52. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
53. Maine Valley A&F Club (
54. Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
55. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
56. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded
57. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999
58. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
59. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
60. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
61. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
62. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
63. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
64. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
65. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
66. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
67. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
68. Selkirk A&F Club (
69. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
70. Stonehouse A&F Club (first report June 05 -
71. Sutherland A&F Club (
72. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
73. Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
74. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
75. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
76. West Barnes ( - present)
77. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975 - present)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
78. Acharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
79. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
80. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
81. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
82. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
83. Buchan A&F Club
84 Callander A&F Club (
85 Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
86 Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
87 Club Accord
88 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
89. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
90. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
91. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
92. Derwentside A&F Club
93. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
94. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
95. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
96. Dundee & District A&F Club (1970? – 1995?)
97. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
98. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
99. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
100. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
101. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
102. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
103. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
104. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
105. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
106. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
107. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
108. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
109. Mull A&F Club
110. Newcastleton Accordion Club
111. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
112. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
113. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
114. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
115. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
116. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
117. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
118. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
119. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
120. Tranent A&F Club
121. Vancouver
122. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
123. Wellbank A&F Club
124. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
Advertising rates
Back Page (colour) - £300
Full Page (colour) - £220
Full Page (b&w) - £140
Half Page (colour) - £110
Half Page (b&w) - £70
Quarter Page (colour) - £55
Quarter Page (b&w) - £35
Eighth Page - £18
Small Boxed £12
B&F Treasurer – Charlie Todd, Thankerton
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
It’s been a hectic month! I’m just back from the Falklands, where David Scott, Judith Linton, Stuart Anderson and I enjoyed the most wonderful hospitality. It was the trip of a lifetime, and we all agreed that we’d jump at the chance to go back. You can see a few of our photos on Page 31.
The booking form for the NAAFC Luncheon and Ceilidh is on Page 34. Make sure you book early, because tickets sell very quickly.
See you at Musselburgh!
Karin Ingram
Northern Ireland Open Accordion Championships
by Clyde Johnston
The 10th Northern Ireland Open…………..
The Niel Gow Festival
by
The 4th annual Niel Gow Festival…………..
Never Too Old to Learn to Play the Accordion!!
by Liz Quinn
As a youngster I was a Scots exile………..
Peter Elmes
by Charlie Todd
Peter Elmes is a self-taught and (originally) ‘play by ear’ musician,……………
CD Reviews – See Hear with Judith Linton
The Reel Fling on the Road to Crathes Castle – The Banchory S&R Society – CDITV743 – Scotdisc
RSCDS London Branch – LBCCO601 - Independent
Letters to the Editor
Gold Shand Morino – A Short Story (This item appeared at the end of the Shand Morino Gathering Report in last month’s issue)
According to the limited information we have at present, Sir Jimmy shand had the instrument made for his television work in approximately 1960. However, finding it too gaudy, he eventually sold it.
In 1962 the accordion was bought by Eddie Pierce who is known to have played it at The Neg’s Head, 1 Holloway Road, London. After his death in the early 1970s his widow sold it to Kevin McDermot in 1973 for £300.
Over the intervening years this unique instrument was seen in a variety of different venues – including a church hall in Greenwich where Ritchie Ahearne saw it in 1983. In 1995 it starred in the David Raine film ‘Heroes for a Day’ in which Kevin McDermot played the tune Golden Wedding.
Ritchie Ahearne bought the accordion from Kevin in 2004. There it remained until it was acquired in October 2006 by Dave Pullar of Usan/Montrose. It has been extensively and lovingly restored to its former glory.
If anyone knows of any other information I would much appreciate it if you shared this with me.
Dave Pullar – tele
Dear Karin
Gold(?)/Silver Shand Morino
I refer to the query from Dave Pullar relating to this accordion in last month’s B&F and wish to clarify the story in relation to the accordion in question.
In the 1960s my father was visited by the then Hohner traveler – the late Mr Jimmy Connolly from Glasgow, who produced a 40 treble SILVER Shand Morino, which he thought might be suitable for my father.
On trying the instrument, my father was unimpressed, and thought it was too flashy and glitzy for his type of work. Mr Connolly said to my father, “Look Jimmy, I will leave the box with you and you might change your mind!”
However, after a few weeks, my father contacted Mr Connolly and asked him to call and pick up the SILVER Shand Morino, and it was returned to London.
The accordion was NEVER ordered or purchased by my father and was therefore never his property.
Incidentally, the accordion was silver nacralac and was not a gold colour at that time.
I gave this information to Mr Ritchie Ahearne of London when he purchased the accordion in later years.
The ‘short story’ in the B&F by Mr Pullar suggesting that Sir Jimmy Shand had the instrument made for his television work and then to eventually sell it is rather surprising, particularly since I had fully explained the foregoing details to Mr Pullar when he called at my home and produced the accordion on the morning of the ‘Shand Morino Day’ at Windygates.
Finally, had my dad asked for the accordion to be specially made, it would have been ‘Shand’ instead of ‘Hohner’ on the front.
Yours sincerely
Jimmy Shand Jnr, Auchtermuchty
And from the April issue of the B&F we have :-
Dear Karin
In 1959/60 Sir Jimmy took me with him to Hohner Concessionaires at Farringdon Road in London where he had some business to attend to and, upon arrival, I noticed a Silver Shand Morino with 40 keys and 5 couplers on the treble side and 105 bass buttons and 3 couplers on the bass side. All the lettering was in red. The brilliants, which were synonymous with the Shand Morinos of that period, were also red. (The standard instrument had silver lettering and diamond brilliants). I thought it was something Hohner used for window dressing as it certainly drew your attention to it! When I asked Sir Jimmy what it was he replied that Hohner had made it on spec. with him in mind to use. He said he did not like the way it looked and thought that the sound was not what he wanted and, much more to the point, the instrument had a very poor compression, which I think he put down to the 3 couplers on the bass end. The accordion remained in Hohner’s window for some 2 or 3 years.
On seeing Dave Pullar’s request in the B&F, I phoned him and told him my story. I also told him that I was certain that Sir Jimmy had never owned or played it for any of his professional engagements. I am of the opinion that the ‘box’ Dave Pullar has restored is the same one which I first saw all those years ago as Dave that the area around the treble keys had become tarnished black and this indicates to me that its original colour was silver. In its original condition it had a very strong bias towards the silver colour with flecks of gold in it.
Having read the letter from Jimmy Shand Jnr. In the March issue of the B&F I feel that the information I have given confirms what Jimmy Jnr has written.
Roy Magna
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 20.30 with Robbie Shepherd
3rd March 07 – Michael Garvin SDB
10th March 07 – Stuart Anderson SDB
17th March 07 – Steven Carcary SDB
24th March Ron Kerr SDB
31st March 07 – Lindsay Weir SDB (OB from Spa Pavilion, Strathpeffer)
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 27th March 07 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle)
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 18th March 07 – Iain Anderson Trio
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - March 07 -
Armadale (Masonic Hall) – 1st March 07 – John Stuart SDB
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 18th March 07 – Ross MacPherson SDB
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 26th March 07 – Sarah Naylor Duo (Glenfiddich Champion 2005)
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 28th March 07 – Lindsay Weir Trio
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) – 19th March 07 – Stuart Cameron Trio (Deoch ‘n’ Dorus)
Belford (Community Centre) –
Biggar (Municipal Hall) – 11th March 07 – Ian Hutson SDB
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 13th March 07 – Iain Anderson Trio
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) - 13th March 07 – Philip Baraglia
Button Key (Windygates Institute) –
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 6th March 07 – Judith Linton Trio
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary’s Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 20th March 07 – Ian Cameron Trio
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 15th March 07 – Allan McIntosh & the Heather SDB
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 1st March 07 – Marian Anderson SDB
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club) 14th March 07 – David Bowen
Dalriada (Argyll Hotel, Lochgilphead) 20th March 07 – Alasdair Heron Trio
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 7th March 07 – Wick A&F Club
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 21st March 07 – Dick Black Band
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) – 13th March 07 – Bon Accords 23rd March 07 – Dance to John Morgan
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel) 9th / 10th March 07 – Jock Fraser Trio 11th March – Jean McConnachie Trio
Duns (Royal British Legion Club, Langtongate) 19th March 07 – Freeland Barbour and The Occasionals
East Kilbride (Masonic Hall, Kittoch St) –
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 20th March 07 – Simon Howie SDB
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 26th March 07 – Gordon Pattullo
Forfar (Plough Inn) -
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 14th March 07 – Michael Philip SDB
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) – 1st March 07 – Local Bands Night
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel, Wooler) – 15th March 07 – John Renton SDB
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 7th March 07 – Roselea C.B.
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) - 27th March 07 – Ian Holmes SDB
Gretna (Athlitic & Social Club) - 4th March 07 – The Occasionals
Haddington (Railway Inn) - 25th March 07 – Alan Roy
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) – 19th March 07 – Wayne Robertson Trio + Bands Competition
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) - 14th March 07 – Deoch ‘n’ Dorus
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 1st March 07 – Colin Garvin Trio
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) – 6th March 07 - tbc
Kelso (Cross Keys Hotel) – 28th March 07 – Gary Blair
Kintore (Torryburn Arms Hotel) – 7th March 07 – Bruce Lindsay Trio
Ladybank (TheTavern) - 15th March 07 – Karen Hannah & Alan Small
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) - 26th March 07 – Marian Anderson Trio
Langholm (Eskdale Hotel) – 14th March 07 – Stuart Anderson SDB
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 1st March 07 – Steven Carcary Trio
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 20th March 07 – Dochie McCallum & Friends
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) - 27th March 07 – Ian Hutson SDB
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 20th March 07 – The Reel Thing CB
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 7th March 07 – Liam Stewart Trio
Newburgh (The Ship Inn) - 29th March 07 – Burns Brothers
Newmill-on-Teviot (Newmill Country Inn) - 21st March 07 – Iain Anderson Trio
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 26th March 07 – Robin Hamilton SDB
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 6th March 07 – Frank Thomson SDB 23rd March 07 – Dance to Graeme Mitchell SDB
Oban (McTavish’s Kitchen) – 1st March 07 – Duncan Black SDB
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) –
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 29th March 07 – Robert Whitehead SDB
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 20th March 07 – Ian Thomson SDB
Phoenix (Argyll Arms hotel, Ardrishaig)
Premier NI (Chimney Corner Hotel) - 6th March 07 - tbc
Reading Scottish Fiddlers (Willowbank Infant School, Woodley) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 13th March 07 – Colin Dewar Trio 23rd March 07 – Dance to Marian Anderson Trio
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 8th March 07 – Blair Gardiner SDB
Scottish Accordion Music (Banchory) - 11th March 07 – All Players Welcome
Selkirk (Angus O’Malley’s) - 8th March 07 - Robert whitehead SDB
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - 8th March 07 – Local Club Night 22nd March 07 – West Telferton SDB 24th March 07 – End of Season Dance with The West Telferton Cale SDB
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) - 7th March 07 – John Morgan
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) - 24th March 07 – Paul Anderson
Thornhill (Bowling Club Hall) - 13th March 07 – Liam Stewart
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) –
Turriff (Commercail Hotel, Cuminestown) – 1st March 07 – Ian Hutson SDB
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 15th March 07 – Robert Whitehead SDB
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn) 8th March 07 – Fergie MacDonald
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 20th March 07 – Lindsay Weir Trio
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Annan
4. Arbroath
5. Armadale
6. Balloch
7. Banchory
8. Biggar
9. Bromley
10. Campsie
11. Castle Douglas
12. Crieff
13. Dingwall
14. Dunoon & Cowal
15. Fintry
16. Forfar
17. Galashiels
18. Glendale
19. Glenrothes
20. Gretna
21. Haddington
22. inveraray
23. Isle of Skye
24. Islesteps
25. Kelso
26. Kintore
27. Ladybank
28. Lanark
29. Lewis & Harris
30. Livingston
31. Lockerbie
32. Mauchline
33. Montrose
34. Newburgh
35. Newtongrange
36. North East
37. Oban
38. Renfrew
39. Rothbury
40. Stonehouse
41. Sutherland
42. Thornhill
43. Turriff
44. West Barnes
45. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2005
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Closed early 08-09
6. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
7. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
8. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
9. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
10. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
11. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
12. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
13. Brittania B&F Club ( joined 07-08
14. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
15. Button Key A&F Club (
16. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
17. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
18. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
19. Coalburn A&F Club (
20. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
21. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
22. Cults A & F Club (
23. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
24. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
25. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
26. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
27. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
28. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
29. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
30. Ellon A&F Club (
31. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
32. Forfar A&F Club (
33. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
34. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
35. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
36. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
37. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
38. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
39. Gretna A&F Club (1991) Known as North Cumbria A&F Club previously (originally called Gretna when started in June 1966 but later had to move to venues in the North of England and changed name. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
40. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 - )
41. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
42. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
43. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
44. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
45. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
46. Kintore A&F Club (
47. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier
48. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
49. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
50. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
51. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
52. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
53. Maine Valley A&F Club (
54. Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
55. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
56. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded
57. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999
58. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
59. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
60. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
61. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
62. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
63. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
64. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
65. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
66. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
67. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
68. Selkirk A&F Club (
69. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
70. Stonehouse A&F Club (first report June 05 -
71. Sutherland A&F Club (
72. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
73. Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
74. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
75. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
76. West Barnes ( - present)
77. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975 - present)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
78. Acharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
79. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
80. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
81. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
82. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
83. Buchan A&F Club
84 Callander A&F Club (
85 Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
86 Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
87 Club Accord
88 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
89. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
90. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
91. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
92. Derwentside A&F Club
93. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
94. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
95. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
96. Dundee & District A&F Club (1970? – 1995?)
97. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
98. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
99. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
100. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
101. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
102. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
103. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
104. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
105. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
106. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
107. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
108. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
109. Mull A&F Club
110. Newcastleton Accordion Club
111. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
112. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
113. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
114. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
115. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
116. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
117. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
118. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
119. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
120. Tranent A&F Club
121. Vancouver
122. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
123. Wellbank A&F Club
124. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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