Box and Fiddle
Year 34 No 07
March 2011
Price £2.60
44 Page Magazine
12 month subscription £28.60 + p&p £10.45 (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
None
Karin Ingram
16th Annual Shand Morino Gathering
by
Sunday 23rd January 2011 saw the annual pilgrimage from ‘a’ the airts’ to The Windygates Institute…….
Plockton School of Excellence
by
The National Centre of Excellence………….
A Lismore Fiddle Retreat
by Mairi Campbell
My next fiddle retreat on Lismore ………
Celtic Connections 2011 - Reviews
by various
The World Accordion to Phil
Wednesday, 9th March BBC2 Scotland, 8 – 9pm
You may never think of the accordion in the same way again after seeing The World Accordion to Phil. Phil Cunningham, Scotland’s foremost exponent of the instrument, reveals how the ‘squeezebox’ has thrived all across the globe.
Beginning with the accordion’s ‘ancestors’ in China, Phil travels continents to show how ‘the piano of the poor’ was embraced with passion by Parisian workers, Celtic musicians, Tex-Mex virtuosos who mixed Mexican and German influences, European gypsies and many, many more – and all with amazing musical results.
Along the way he hears a red-silk clad female accordion group in china interpret The Big Country movie theme, plays the world’s largest accordion in Italy, is moved to tears by classical accordion in Russia, and finds out about some of the peculiar instruments which accompany the accordion, such as scallop shells, two-stringed Chinese fiddle and the ready-to-wear washboard. He also learns about how the accordion has fuelled the rise of international dance sensations such as the Argentinean tango and the Czech polka, and reveals how a famous Hollywood siren fell for America’s most celebrated accordion player.
Rhil says, “I’ve played the accordion for over 40 years and I often think of it as a Scottish instrument – but that’s just not true. “The humble accordion can be found at the heart of so much great music right across the world. The accordion has always been a favourite instrument of the working man. It’s cheap, cheerful, loud and portable. And it is often the impoverished workers and migrants who made the music that the world would grow to love. Poor communities had precious little but they did have music, and quite often it was spectacular.”
In the first episode – East to West – of this 4-part series, he travels to china to explore the very early antecedent of the accordion – a free reed instrument called the ‘sheng’, which is believed to date back 5,000 years. Says Phil, “In the family tree of accordions, melodeons etc, the sheng if definitely the daddy. Discovering the origins of the accordion has made me look at it afresh. I thought I knew the instrument inside out but I’ve got so much still to learn about its incredible story.”
The incredible story then jumps millennia and continents to Vienna – as Phil notes “the birthplace of my beloved accordion” to see how this sophisticated city of the 1800s developed the accordion we know today. And from here to the town of Castelfidardo in Italy, where he meets up with pal Robert Rolston, who had an accordion business in Aberdeen and Motherwell, but who now lives there manufacturing the instrument amid a locale of dedicated craftsmen.
If Italy is the high end ‘Ferrari’ of accordion manufacture, it is in Trossingen in Germany where the ‘cheaper Volkswagen for everyman’ is the life-blood of the town. Phil finds out about not just a manufacturing for the masses story of the local Hohner factory but also a major marketing drive. Through inventive advertising and branding, as well as mass manufacture, Hohner was at the forefront of squeezebox domination of the world for over a century, exporting their wares across the globe. To illustrate the hold of the accordion, the programme returns to China which despite its early musical developments did not take wholesale to the accordion until the rise of Maoism when the instrument helped spread the message of the Revolution, by musical groups traveling across the land. The legacy is evident in the outdoor session of the Baidi Children’s Orchestra – replete with the instrument – and on a Sunday afternoon stroll in Jinghshan Park in Bejing’s Forbidden City, where every other person seems to be totting an accordion.
Says Phil, “I think I’m going to feel very at home here….”
In the second episode of the series, which takes Phil Cunningham on a magical musical tour of the accordion across the world, the focus is on The Celtic Coast. Beginning in Galicia in Spain, he goes on to travel through the Asturias, the Basque Country, Brittany, Cornwall and Ireland – seeing how communities across the area have bonded with Celtic music as part of their identity.
Stars of the world folk music scene featured include Galician piper Carlos Nunez, the Asturian band Tejedor – who 11 years ago gave a special invitation to a certain Mr Phil Cunningham to produce their album – and from the Basque country the band Oreka TX, master of the txalaparta, a huge wooden xylophone.
In Bilbao, he sees scallop shells used as a musical accompaniment along with the accordion, and in Brittany he and his squeezebox take to the water for some traditional shanties. In Cornwall he dons traditional garb and gets in the midst of a sea of accordion players thronging through the streets as part of Padstow’s Obby Oss celebrations. And in Ireland he goes to the odd pub, and catches up with his two favourite accordion players – the legendary Joe Burke and modern day squeezebox superstar Sharon Shannon, who has performed with Jackson Browne and Steve Earl and for President Bill Clinton.
Says Phil, “I’m really convinced that there is a beautiful and exciting connection between all these Celtic nations. If you’re in Galashiels or Galicia, you’re connected….”
“If I’ve learned one thing on my travels it is that Celtic music has become so much more than music alone. It’s developed into a real symbol of identity, something that can really help to hold a small community together.
“And of course, the best part of the whole thing has been discovering how my own instrument has played such an important part all across the music of Celtic Europe. I love the way that the accordion has managed to squeeze its way into their respective cultures. And I love the fact that it has become a valid and valued part of their Celtic identities.”
Phil Cunningham then journeys through for great European capitals – Paris, Bucharest, Moscow and Prague – telling the story of the people’s instrument, the accordion.
Played in the backstreets and bars, “the piano of the poor” distracts people from their difficult lives and the poverty around them but would then outgrow its modest beginnings to become a musical sensation. A case in point, and the beginning of this third part of the series, is the Musette music of Paris.
It is a type of accordion playing which first thrived amongst the poor immigrant populations in the backstreets, becoming part and parcel of the notorious nightclub scene. The latter reached its heyday in the thirties, attracting the rich and famous, turning the musette music into a Parisian emblem.
Phil visits the most notorious of the Clubs, the Balajo, in the Rue de Lappe. “The Club is one of the last in Paris where the spirit of Musette lives on. Little has changed since its heyday in the thirties when every night this run-down street came alive with a subversive new form of music that the locals loved. It was the haunt of pimps, prostitutes, gangsters and hard-working girls, who – for the evening – would become glamour girls and leading men. Celebrities began to appear at the Club – Marlene Dietrich, Rita Hayworth, and George Raft were just a few of the stars who chose to slum it at Balajo’s.
“It might not be so apparent nowadays, but back in the day, in the 30s and 40s, this music was super cool, real cutting edge stuff, dripping with attitude. It was the original street music and in the city of light people turned to the dark underbelly of Musette.”
Among those keeping the music alive are the band Les Primitifs du Futur and legendary French accordionist Marcel Azzola who over the years has played with singer Edith Piaf and for film maker Jacques Tati.
From the faded glamour of Musette in Paris, Phil turns his attention to a city where accordion music is still very much alive and vibrant and part of a community spirit. In the Romani suburbs of Bucharest he gets in touch with leading Roma band Mahala Rai Banda (which translates as Noble Band from the Ghetto). Then in Russia, he finds the music of the country’s peasants has been taken to the classical heights – in a Russian permutation of the accordion called the Bayan – with a personal one-to-one performance by world renowned Bayan player Viatcheslav Semiionov. And how at the other end of the spectrum, it is popularized by sequin-clad pop duo called Bayan Mix, who play to thousands and enjoy all the trappings of stardom.
Says Phil, “You would imagine that because the accordion came from peasant origins that it would be given an inferior place in society. In actual fact, that was what gave it power.
“The Russians have a different attitude to the accordion. It’s something to be valued. I’ll second that.”
Keeping up-tempo, this episode programme goes out with a party. Phil then arrives in the Czech Republic to chase up the legend of a peasant girl who unwittingly created a global dance sensation. In a small town outside Prague he follows in the tiny dancing ‘half steps’ of a peasant girl called Anna who accidentally created the polka.
As his journey concludes in the final part of travels across the world via accordion week, Phil Cunningham traverses The Americas.
He travels from the Louisiana bayou through Texas, then south to Brazil and Argentina to discover why American immigrants fell in love with the accordion. And how immigrant music was soon ‘naturalised’ as American music. Among those he trades tunes and stories with and Mark and Ann Savoy, the ‘first family’ of Cajun music, a style that developed from the ‘Arcadians’ – the original French immigrants to North America. Also in Louisiana he speaks to Nathan Williams, who demonstrates the blues-influenced Zydeco style of accordion and washboard. In Texas he meets up with Flaco Jiminez, star of the Tex-Mex style, a fusion of Hispanic and German music. Flaco has worked with Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones.
Says Phil, “In Texas and Louisiana, the accordion had established itself as the instrument of choice among the immigrant communities. It successfully adapted to the musical styles of different ethnic groups: the Hispanics, African Americans and the Cajun French. But there was even more to come. The accordion was set to reach a huge audience.
“By 1920, the population of the United States had reached a hundred million. In the years before the birth of the commercial cinema, this huge country was entertained by touring musicians, performers and variety acts. It was called vaudeville.
“And the new piano – the accordion would become a huge part of vaudeville, thanks entirely to the talents of one remarkable Italian immigrant.”
This immigrant was an accordion-playing Italian count otherwise known as Guido Deiro, a kind of rock star of his day and a household name who secretly married an aspiring young actress by the name of Mae West, appearing with her on the vaudeville circuit. The BBC Production Team tracked down his son, also named Guido Deiro, and Phil and he met in San Antonio’s Majestic Theatre.
In Brazil Phil uncovers Forro music, and searches for the legendary Scottish influence to this addictive dance music. He meets the one-time Grammy-nominee Heleno dos 8 Baixos, who explains the importance of the simple eight button accordion to the Forro craze that’s sweeping Brazil and the world.
Finally in Argentina, Phil discovers the bandoneon, the accordion at the heart of the mournful sound of tango music. He meets Horacio Ferrer, one of the Tango world’s most celebrated lyricists and enjoys the sights and sounds of the ‘Confiteria Ideal’, the legendary haunt od Buenos Aires’ “Tangueros” – people who devote their lives to the music, poetry and dance of tango culture.
Scotland’s top squeezebox player – who first touched the instrument when he was 3-year-old, when he got one as a Christmas present, concludes, “I’ve been amazed at how important this instrument has become to so many different cultures. And all around the world. I’ve been overawed by music and musicians. “After playing for more than 40 years – to be honest – I didn’t know if the accordion still had the power to surprise me. But it most certainly did.”
Up Helly Aa 2011
If you’ve never been to a Festival in Shetland……………..
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
The Farewell – Douglas Lawrence – MAID001
DVD Reviews
Play Scottish Accordion (Beginners) DVD-Rom – Sandy Brechin – Taigh na Teud Music
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s)
5th March 11 – Wayne Robertson SDB (Doris Rougvie & Margaret Bennett)
12th March 11 – Ian Holmes SDB (Concert Highlights from NAAFC Festival)
19th March 11 – Nicky McMichan SDB (Highlights from NAAFC Festival Bands Competition)
26th March 11 – James Coutts SDB (OB from Salutation Hotel, Perth with guests Craig Paton and Blazin’ Fiddles)
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 29th March 11 - tbc
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle) 9th March 11 – Wayne Robertson & Davie Stewart
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 20th March 11 – Darren Broadley SDB
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 6th March 11 – AGM + Wayne Robertson & Claire Telford
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 20th March 11 – Archie MacPhee & the Bogroy SDB
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 23rd March 11 – Davie Stewart Trio
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) – 21st March 11 – Colin Donaldson SDB
Biggar (Municipal Hall) – 13th March 11 – Ian Kirkpatrick SDB
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 8th March 11 – Alasdair MacLeod SDB
Britannia (Arden House Hotel) -
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) -
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 10th March 11 – Simon Howie SDB
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 1st March 11 – Jimmy & Sandy Lindsay Trio
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 15th March 11 – Willie McFarlane Band
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 17th March 11 – Ian Holmes Trio
Coldingham (Village Hall) - 7th March 11 – Blair Gardiner Trio
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 3rd March 11 – Wayne Robertson
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club)
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 2nd March 11 – Alexander Mackenzie Trio
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 16th March 11 – Ian Muir SDB
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) – 8th March 11 – Pentlands Ceilidh Band
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
Duns (Royal British Legion Club, Langtongate) 21st March 11 – Iain Anderson & Gemma Donald Trio
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 22nd March 11 – Kevin cheyne Band
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 28th March 11 – Lomond Ceilidh Band
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 27th March 11 – Barrack Jamieson Band
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 9th March 11 – Gordon Pattullo
Fort William (Railway Club, Inverlochy) - 1st March 11 – Robert Whitehead SDB
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) – 3rd March 11 – Club Night
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 24th March 11 – Gordon Clark SDB
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 2nd March 11 – Ian Cruickshanks SDB
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) -
Gretna (Athlitic & Social Club) - 6th March 11 – George Rennie
Haddington (Railway Inn) - 20th March 11 – Pentlands Ceilidh Band
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 21st March 11 – Gordon Pattullo
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 3rd March 11 – Craig Paton SDB
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) – 1st March 11 – Nicol McLaren SDB
Kelso (Cross Keys Hotel) – 30th March 11 – Scott Band SDB
Kintore (Torryburn Arms Hotel) –
Ladybank (Ladybank Tavern) - 17th March 11 – Alexander Lindsay
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) - 28th March 11 – Ian Cruickshanks SDB
Langholm (Eskdale Hotel) – 9th March 11 – Steven Carcary Trio
Lauder (Black Bull Hotel) -
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 3rd March 11 – Iain Angus MAcLeod
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 15th March 11 – Richard Smith Trio
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) - 29th March 11 – Marian Anderson Trio
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 15th March 11 – Roy Hendrie Trio
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 2nd March 11 – Gordon Pattullo
Newburgh (The Ship Inn) -
Newmill-on-Teviot / Teviotdale (Thorterdykes Roadhouse) 16th March 11 – Glencraig SDB
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 28th March 11 – George Smith & Annabel Gillan
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 1st March 11 – Strathspey Fiddlers
Oban (The Argyllshire Gathering) – 3rd March 11 – Nicky McMichan Trio
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) –
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 24th March 11 – Alan Small & Yvonne MacLeod
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 15th March 11 – Graham Geddes SDB
Premier NI (Chimney Corner Hotel) -
Reading Scottish Fiddlers (Willowbank Infant School, Woodley) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 8th March 11 – Andrew Gibb Trio
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 3rd March 11 – Andy Kain Trio
Scottish Accordion Music (Banchory) -
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 1st March 11 – John Morgan
Selkirk (Angus O’Malley’s) - 10th March 11 – Gary Sutherland SDB
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) - 2nd March 11 – Ray Carse
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) - 12th March 11 – Graeme Mitchell SDB
Thornhill (Bowling Club Hall) - 8th March 11 – Robert Menzies Trio
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 7th March 11 – Dave Husband Sound
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 3rd March 11 – Johnny Duncan Duo
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 17th March 11 – Brian Griffin Duo
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) - 5th & 19th March 11 – Local Players
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn) 10th March 11 – Deoch ‘n’ Dorus
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 15th March 11 – Steven Carcary Trio
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Annan
4. Arbroath
5. Balloch
6 Banchory
7. Beith
8 Biggar
9 Blairgowrie
10. Button-key
11. Campsie
12. Castle Douglas
13. Coalburn
14. Crieff
15. Dingwall
16. Dunblane
17. Dunfermline
18. Duns
19. Forfar
20. Forres
21. Fort William
22. Glendale
23. Gretna
24. Haddington
25. Highland
26. Inveraray
27. Isle of Skye
28. Islesteps
29. Kelso
30. Lanark
31. Livingston
32. Lockerbie
33. Mauchline
34. North East
35. Oban
36. Orkney
37. Perth
38. Renfrew
39. Rothbury
40. Seghill
41. Thornhill
42. Turriff
43. West Barnes
44. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2010
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
10. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
11. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
12. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
13. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
14. Button Key A&F Club (
15. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
16. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
17. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
18. Coalburn A&F Club (
19. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 -
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. Fort William A&F Club (2009 -
35. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
36. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
37. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
38. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
39. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
40. 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)
41. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 - )
42. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
43. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
44. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
45. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
46. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
47. Kintore A&F Club (
48. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier
49. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
50. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
51. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
52. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
53. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
54 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
55 Maine Valley A&F Club (
56 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
57 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
58 Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded
59 Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
60 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
61. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
62. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
63. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
64. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
65. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
66. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
67. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
68. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
69. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
70. Selkirk A&F Club (
71. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
72 Stonehouse A&F Club (first report June 05 -
73 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
74 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
75 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
76 Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
77 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
78 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
79 West Barnes ( - present)
80 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?)
81. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
82. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
83. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
84. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
85. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
86. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
87. Buchan A&F Club
88 Callander A&F Club (
89 Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
90 Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
91 Club Accord
92 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
93. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
94. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
95. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
96. Derwentside A&F Club
97. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
98. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
99. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
100. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
101. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
102. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
103. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
104. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
105. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
106. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
107. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
108. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
109. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
110. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
111. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
112. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
113. Mull A&F Club
114. Newcastleton Accordion Club
115. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
116. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
117. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
118. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
119. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
120. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
121. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
122. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
123. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
124. Tranent A&F Club
125. Vancouver
126. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
127. Wellbank A&F Club
128. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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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
None
Karin Ingram
16th Annual Shand Morino Gathering
by
Sunday 23rd January 2011 saw the annual pilgrimage from ‘a’ the airts’ to The Windygates Institute…….
Plockton School of Excellence
by
The National Centre of Excellence………….
A Lismore Fiddle Retreat
by Mairi Campbell
My next fiddle retreat on Lismore ………
Celtic Connections 2011 - Reviews
by various
The World Accordion to Phil
Wednesday, 9th March BBC2 Scotland, 8 – 9pm
You may never think of the accordion in the same way again after seeing The World Accordion to Phil. Phil Cunningham, Scotland’s foremost exponent of the instrument, reveals how the ‘squeezebox’ has thrived all across the globe.
Beginning with the accordion’s ‘ancestors’ in China, Phil travels continents to show how ‘the piano of the poor’ was embraced with passion by Parisian workers, Celtic musicians, Tex-Mex virtuosos who mixed Mexican and German influences, European gypsies and many, many more – and all with amazing musical results.
Along the way he hears a red-silk clad female accordion group in china interpret The Big Country movie theme, plays the world’s largest accordion in Italy, is moved to tears by classical accordion in Russia, and finds out about some of the peculiar instruments which accompany the accordion, such as scallop shells, two-stringed Chinese fiddle and the ready-to-wear washboard. He also learns about how the accordion has fuelled the rise of international dance sensations such as the Argentinean tango and the Czech polka, and reveals how a famous Hollywood siren fell for America’s most celebrated accordion player.
Rhil says, “I’ve played the accordion for over 40 years and I often think of it as a Scottish instrument – but that’s just not true. “The humble accordion can be found at the heart of so much great music right across the world. The accordion has always been a favourite instrument of the working man. It’s cheap, cheerful, loud and portable. And it is often the impoverished workers and migrants who made the music that the world would grow to love. Poor communities had precious little but they did have music, and quite often it was spectacular.”
In the first episode – East to West – of this 4-part series, he travels to china to explore the very early antecedent of the accordion – a free reed instrument called the ‘sheng’, which is believed to date back 5,000 years. Says Phil, “In the family tree of accordions, melodeons etc, the sheng if definitely the daddy. Discovering the origins of the accordion has made me look at it afresh. I thought I knew the instrument inside out but I’ve got so much still to learn about its incredible story.”
The incredible story then jumps millennia and continents to Vienna – as Phil notes “the birthplace of my beloved accordion” to see how this sophisticated city of the 1800s developed the accordion we know today. And from here to the town of Castelfidardo in Italy, where he meets up with pal Robert Rolston, who had an accordion business in Aberdeen and Motherwell, but who now lives there manufacturing the instrument amid a locale of dedicated craftsmen.
If Italy is the high end ‘Ferrari’ of accordion manufacture, it is in Trossingen in Germany where the ‘cheaper Volkswagen for everyman’ is the life-blood of the town. Phil finds out about not just a manufacturing for the masses story of the local Hohner factory but also a major marketing drive. Through inventive advertising and branding, as well as mass manufacture, Hohner was at the forefront of squeezebox domination of the world for over a century, exporting their wares across the globe. To illustrate the hold of the accordion, the programme returns to China which despite its early musical developments did not take wholesale to the accordion until the rise of Maoism when the instrument helped spread the message of the Revolution, by musical groups traveling across the land. The legacy is evident in the outdoor session of the Baidi Children’s Orchestra – replete with the instrument – and on a Sunday afternoon stroll in Jinghshan Park in Bejing’s Forbidden City, where every other person seems to be totting an accordion.
Says Phil, “I think I’m going to feel very at home here….”
In the second episode of the series, which takes Phil Cunningham on a magical musical tour of the accordion across the world, the focus is on The Celtic Coast. Beginning in Galicia in Spain, he goes on to travel through the Asturias, the Basque Country, Brittany, Cornwall and Ireland – seeing how communities across the area have bonded with Celtic music as part of their identity.
Stars of the world folk music scene featured include Galician piper Carlos Nunez, the Asturian band Tejedor – who 11 years ago gave a special invitation to a certain Mr Phil Cunningham to produce their album – and from the Basque country the band Oreka TX, master of the txalaparta, a huge wooden xylophone.
In Bilbao, he sees scallop shells used as a musical accompaniment along with the accordion, and in Brittany he and his squeezebox take to the water for some traditional shanties. In Cornwall he dons traditional garb and gets in the midst of a sea of accordion players thronging through the streets as part of Padstow’s Obby Oss celebrations. And in Ireland he goes to the odd pub, and catches up with his two favourite accordion players – the legendary Joe Burke and modern day squeezebox superstar Sharon Shannon, who has performed with Jackson Browne and Steve Earl and for President Bill Clinton.
Says Phil, “I’m really convinced that there is a beautiful and exciting connection between all these Celtic nations. If you’re in Galashiels or Galicia, you’re connected….”
“If I’ve learned one thing on my travels it is that Celtic music has become so much more than music alone. It’s developed into a real symbol of identity, something that can really help to hold a small community together.
“And of course, the best part of the whole thing has been discovering how my own instrument has played such an important part all across the music of Celtic Europe. I love the way that the accordion has managed to squeeze its way into their respective cultures. And I love the fact that it has become a valid and valued part of their Celtic identities.”
Phil Cunningham then journeys through for great European capitals – Paris, Bucharest, Moscow and Prague – telling the story of the people’s instrument, the accordion.
Played in the backstreets and bars, “the piano of the poor” distracts people from their difficult lives and the poverty around them but would then outgrow its modest beginnings to become a musical sensation. A case in point, and the beginning of this third part of the series, is the Musette music of Paris.
It is a type of accordion playing which first thrived amongst the poor immigrant populations in the backstreets, becoming part and parcel of the notorious nightclub scene. The latter reached its heyday in the thirties, attracting the rich and famous, turning the musette music into a Parisian emblem.
Phil visits the most notorious of the Clubs, the Balajo, in the Rue de Lappe. “The Club is one of the last in Paris where the spirit of Musette lives on. Little has changed since its heyday in the thirties when every night this run-down street came alive with a subversive new form of music that the locals loved. It was the haunt of pimps, prostitutes, gangsters and hard-working girls, who – for the evening – would become glamour girls and leading men. Celebrities began to appear at the Club – Marlene Dietrich, Rita Hayworth, and George Raft were just a few of the stars who chose to slum it at Balajo’s.
“It might not be so apparent nowadays, but back in the day, in the 30s and 40s, this music was super cool, real cutting edge stuff, dripping with attitude. It was the original street music and in the city of light people turned to the dark underbelly of Musette.”
Among those keeping the music alive are the band Les Primitifs du Futur and legendary French accordionist Marcel Azzola who over the years has played with singer Edith Piaf and for film maker Jacques Tati.
From the faded glamour of Musette in Paris, Phil turns his attention to a city where accordion music is still very much alive and vibrant and part of a community spirit. In the Romani suburbs of Bucharest he gets in touch with leading Roma band Mahala Rai Banda (which translates as Noble Band from the Ghetto). Then in Russia, he finds the music of the country’s peasants has been taken to the classical heights – in a Russian permutation of the accordion called the Bayan – with a personal one-to-one performance by world renowned Bayan player Viatcheslav Semiionov. And how at the other end of the spectrum, it is popularized by sequin-clad pop duo called Bayan Mix, who play to thousands and enjoy all the trappings of stardom.
Says Phil, “You would imagine that because the accordion came from peasant origins that it would be given an inferior place in society. In actual fact, that was what gave it power.
“The Russians have a different attitude to the accordion. It’s something to be valued. I’ll second that.”
Keeping up-tempo, this episode programme goes out with a party. Phil then arrives in the Czech Republic to chase up the legend of a peasant girl who unwittingly created a global dance sensation. In a small town outside Prague he follows in the tiny dancing ‘half steps’ of a peasant girl called Anna who accidentally created the polka.
As his journey concludes in the final part of travels across the world via accordion week, Phil Cunningham traverses The Americas.
He travels from the Louisiana bayou through Texas, then south to Brazil and Argentina to discover why American immigrants fell in love with the accordion. And how immigrant music was soon ‘naturalised’ as American music. Among those he trades tunes and stories with and Mark and Ann Savoy, the ‘first family’ of Cajun music, a style that developed from the ‘Arcadians’ – the original French immigrants to North America. Also in Louisiana he speaks to Nathan Williams, who demonstrates the blues-influenced Zydeco style of accordion and washboard. In Texas he meets up with Flaco Jiminez, star of the Tex-Mex style, a fusion of Hispanic and German music. Flaco has worked with Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones.
Says Phil, “In Texas and Louisiana, the accordion had established itself as the instrument of choice among the immigrant communities. It successfully adapted to the musical styles of different ethnic groups: the Hispanics, African Americans and the Cajun French. But there was even more to come. The accordion was set to reach a huge audience.
“By 1920, the population of the United States had reached a hundred million. In the years before the birth of the commercial cinema, this huge country was entertained by touring musicians, performers and variety acts. It was called vaudeville.
“And the new piano – the accordion would become a huge part of vaudeville, thanks entirely to the talents of one remarkable Italian immigrant.”
This immigrant was an accordion-playing Italian count otherwise known as Guido Deiro, a kind of rock star of his day and a household name who secretly married an aspiring young actress by the name of Mae West, appearing with her on the vaudeville circuit. The BBC Production Team tracked down his son, also named Guido Deiro, and Phil and he met in San Antonio’s Majestic Theatre.
In Brazil Phil uncovers Forro music, and searches for the legendary Scottish influence to this addictive dance music. He meets the one-time Grammy-nominee Heleno dos 8 Baixos, who explains the importance of the simple eight button accordion to the Forro craze that’s sweeping Brazil and the world.
Finally in Argentina, Phil discovers the bandoneon, the accordion at the heart of the mournful sound of tango music. He meets Horacio Ferrer, one of the Tango world’s most celebrated lyricists and enjoys the sights and sounds of the ‘Confiteria Ideal’, the legendary haunt od Buenos Aires’ “Tangueros” – people who devote their lives to the music, poetry and dance of tango culture.
Scotland’s top squeezebox player – who first touched the instrument when he was 3-year-old, when he got one as a Christmas present, concludes, “I’ve been amazed at how important this instrument has become to so many different cultures. And all around the world. I’ve been overawed by music and musicians. “After playing for more than 40 years – to be honest – I didn’t know if the accordion still had the power to surprise me. But it most certainly did.”
Up Helly Aa 2011
If you’ve never been to a Festival in Shetland……………..
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
The Farewell – Douglas Lawrence – MAID001
DVD Reviews
Play Scottish Accordion (Beginners) DVD-Rom – Sandy Brechin – Taigh na Teud Music
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s)
5th March 11 – Wayne Robertson SDB (Doris Rougvie & Margaret Bennett)
12th March 11 – Ian Holmes SDB (Concert Highlights from NAAFC Festival)
19th March 11 – Nicky McMichan SDB (Highlights from NAAFC Festival Bands Competition)
26th March 11 – James Coutts SDB (OB from Salutation Hotel, Perth with guests Craig Paton and Blazin’ Fiddles)
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 29th March 11 - tbc
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle) 9th March 11 – Wayne Robertson & Davie Stewart
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 20th March 11 – Darren Broadley SDB
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 6th March 11 – AGM + Wayne Robertson & Claire Telford
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 20th March 11 – Archie MacPhee & the Bogroy SDB
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 23rd March 11 – Davie Stewart Trio
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) – 21st March 11 – Colin Donaldson SDB
Biggar (Municipal Hall) – 13th March 11 – Ian Kirkpatrick SDB
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 8th March 11 – Alasdair MacLeod SDB
Britannia (Arden House Hotel) -
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) -
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 10th March 11 – Simon Howie SDB
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 1st March 11 – Jimmy & Sandy Lindsay Trio
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 15th March 11 – Willie McFarlane Band
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 17th March 11 – Ian Holmes Trio
Coldingham (Village Hall) - 7th March 11 – Blair Gardiner Trio
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 3rd March 11 – Wayne Robertson
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club)
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 2nd March 11 – Alexander Mackenzie Trio
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 16th March 11 – Ian Muir SDB
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) – 8th March 11 – Pentlands Ceilidh Band
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
Duns (Royal British Legion Club, Langtongate) 21st March 11 – Iain Anderson & Gemma Donald Trio
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 22nd March 11 – Kevin cheyne Band
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 28th March 11 – Lomond Ceilidh Band
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 27th March 11 – Barrack Jamieson Band
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 9th March 11 – Gordon Pattullo
Fort William (Railway Club, Inverlochy) - 1st March 11 – Robert Whitehead SDB
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) – 3rd March 11 – Club Night
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 24th March 11 – Gordon Clark SDB
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 2nd March 11 – Ian Cruickshanks SDB
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) -
Gretna (Athlitic & Social Club) - 6th March 11 – George Rennie
Haddington (Railway Inn) - 20th March 11 – Pentlands Ceilidh Band
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 21st March 11 – Gordon Pattullo
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 3rd March 11 – Craig Paton SDB
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) – 1st March 11 – Nicol McLaren SDB
Kelso (Cross Keys Hotel) – 30th March 11 – Scott Band SDB
Kintore (Torryburn Arms Hotel) –
Ladybank (Ladybank Tavern) - 17th March 11 – Alexander Lindsay
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) - 28th March 11 – Ian Cruickshanks SDB
Langholm (Eskdale Hotel) – 9th March 11 – Steven Carcary Trio
Lauder (Black Bull Hotel) -
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 3rd March 11 – Iain Angus MAcLeod
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 15th March 11 – Richard Smith Trio
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) - 29th March 11 – Marian Anderson Trio
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 15th March 11 – Roy Hendrie Trio
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 2nd March 11 – Gordon Pattullo
Newburgh (The Ship Inn) -
Newmill-on-Teviot / Teviotdale (Thorterdykes Roadhouse) 16th March 11 – Glencraig SDB
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 28th March 11 – George Smith & Annabel Gillan
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 1st March 11 – Strathspey Fiddlers
Oban (The Argyllshire Gathering) – 3rd March 11 – Nicky McMichan Trio
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) –
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 24th March 11 – Alan Small & Yvonne MacLeod
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 15th March 11 – Graham Geddes SDB
Premier NI (Chimney Corner Hotel) -
Reading Scottish Fiddlers (Willowbank Infant School, Woodley) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 8th March 11 – Andrew Gibb Trio
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 3rd March 11 – Andy Kain Trio
Scottish Accordion Music (Banchory) -
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 1st March 11 – John Morgan
Selkirk (Angus O’Malley’s) - 10th March 11 – Gary Sutherland SDB
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) - 2nd March 11 – Ray Carse
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) - 12th March 11 – Graeme Mitchell SDB
Thornhill (Bowling Club Hall) - 8th March 11 – Robert Menzies Trio
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 7th March 11 – Dave Husband Sound
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 3rd March 11 – Johnny Duncan Duo
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 17th March 11 – Brian Griffin Duo
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) - 5th & 19th March 11 – Local Players
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn) 10th March 11 – Deoch ‘n’ Dorus
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 15th March 11 – Steven Carcary Trio
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Annan
4. Arbroath
5. Balloch
6 Banchory
7. Beith
8 Biggar
9 Blairgowrie
10. Button-key
11. Campsie
12. Castle Douglas
13. Coalburn
14. Crieff
15. Dingwall
16. Dunblane
17. Dunfermline
18. Duns
19. Forfar
20. Forres
21. Fort William
22. Glendale
23. Gretna
24. Haddington
25. Highland
26. Inveraray
27. Isle of Skye
28. Islesteps
29. Kelso
30. Lanark
31. Livingston
32. Lockerbie
33. Mauchline
34. North East
35. Oban
36. Orkney
37. Perth
38. Renfrew
39. Rothbury
40. Seghill
41. Thornhill
42. Turriff
43. West Barnes
44. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2010
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
10. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
11. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
12. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
13. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
14. Button Key A&F Club (
15. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
16. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
17. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
18. Coalburn A&F Club (
19. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 -
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. Fort William A&F Club (2009 -
35. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
36. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
37. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
38. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
39. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
40. 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)
41. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 - )
42. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
43. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
44. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
45. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
46. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
47. Kintore A&F Club (
48. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier
49. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
50. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
51. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
52. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
53. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
54 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
55 Maine Valley A&F Club (
56 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
57 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
58 Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded
59 Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
60 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
61. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
62. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
63. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
64. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
65. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
66. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
67. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
68. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
69. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
70. Selkirk A&F Club (
71. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
72 Stonehouse A&F Club (first report June 05 -
73 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
74 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
75 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
76 Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
77 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
78 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
79 West Barnes ( - present)
80 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?)
81. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
82. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
83. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
84. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
85. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
86. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
87. Buchan A&F Club
88 Callander A&F Club (
89 Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
90 Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
91 Club Accord
92 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
93. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
94. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
95. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
96. Derwentside A&F Club
97. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
98. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
99. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
100. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
101. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
102. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
103. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
104. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
105. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
106. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
107. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
108. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
109. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
110. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
111. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
112. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
113. Mull A&F Club
114. Newcastleton Accordion Club
115. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
116. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
117. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
118. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
119. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
120. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
121. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
122. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
123. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
124. Tranent A&F Club
125. Vancouver
126. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
127. Wellbank A&F Club
128. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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