Box and Fiddle
Year 45 No 03
March 2022
Price £3.00
32 Page Magazine
12 month UK subscription £49.45
Editor – Pia Walker, Cupar
B&F Treasurer – Scott Band
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
Wasn’t it great to see so many Clubs opening their doors in February? Let’s hope the trend continues. The Clubs can’t operate if people don’t turn up.…….
Pia
The 48th Annual NAAFC Championship
by Richard Ross, Festival Chairman
I think we all agree that we have been subject to very trying times over the last two years as a result of the Covid pandemic, and particularly over the last few months owing to the new Omicron variant.
It is therefore with a heavy heart and after much deliberation that the Festival and NAAFC Executive Committees have come to the decision that we should cancel this year’s Festival at Grangemouth Town Hall on 5th March 2022.
On behalf of the Festival Committee, I sincerely apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause to those that have made arrangement to attend the Festival.
The Festival committee had previously met to discuss the running of a second full Virtual Festival in March as we were hoping that we could return to our live Festival. However, after various discussions we are delighted to announce the launch of :
The NAAFC Virtual diminished Festival 2022
Our adjudicators for this unique event are Jackie Raeburn (accordion) and Stella Wilkie (Fiddle).
Given the time constrains we face, we have decided to operate a smaller Virtual Festival than in 2021 with a total of five classes available to competitors. Each class is open to accordion and fiddle entrants, with piano / keyboard accompaniment permitted. The adjudication will be carried out by both adjudicators independently with aggregated marks deciding the results.
The classes are as follows :-
Class 1 – Under 16 Marches*
Class 2 – Under 16 Waltzes*
Class 3 – Open 6/8 Marches
Class 4 – Open Gaelic Waltzes
Class 5 – Own Composition
*Under 16 Classes will incorporate Under 12 and Under 10 competitions.
Entry forms are available on our webpage at www.naafcfestival.co.uk detailing the above competitions, together with updated rules specifically relevant to this unique virtual competition.
We are hoping to encourage as many entries as possible and therefore we are pleased to announce that entries for all competitions are free.
We are currently liaising with BBC Radio Scotland with a view to showcasing winners on TTF on Saturday evening 5th March 2022.
We will continue to post updates on our webpage and FB page.
We hope that the NAAFC Virtual diminished Festival 2022 will bring some cheer to you all, building up to 5th March 2022.
Jist Get On Wi’ It
by Pia Walker
I have never seen Vi Todd in a shirt, but if she did wear one……………..……….
Musical Memories – Part 19
by Denis Shepherd
In the course of my various activities………..
Centre Stage
Archie Mcallister
IN MEMORY
Colin Peebles (27/01/46 – 22/01/22)
by
Former Chairman of Forres A&F Club
Colin was the younger son of Andrew & Ella Peebles and was ‘brocht up’, along with big brother Jim, just outside Forfar at Kinnettles, Woodlands and South Leckaway, before the family moved into the town in the 1960s.
Like many, they didn’t have a lot, but the boys were ‘brocht up’ in the country way: going to the berries and the tatties and helping out around the farms.
Colin left school in 1961, aged 15, and started his apprenticeship with Edwards Painters & Decorators, a trade he would work at for his entire life until he retired 50 years later, aged 65. He was known for the high quality of his work and craftsmanship and his pernickety attention to detail. The number of repeat and satisfied customers he retained over the decades was testament to his decorating skills as a ‘Brother of the Brush’!
Colin loved music and in particular Scottish music and encouraged his sons to learn the accordion. Middle son Gordon eventually developed more of an interest in fishing and shooting but oldest and youngest sons Andrew and Bruce continued, with Colin taking them to the various A&F Clubs. At that time, the nearest A&F Clubs were in Kirriemuir, Montrose and Dundee so in 1984 Colin and a group of like-minded people founded Forfar A&F Club.
From then onwards, and for many years until the late 1990s, he was the chairman of the Club, being responsible for booking the guest artistes. This was firstly at The Royal Hotel and then at The Plough Inn. He booked a mixture of old and newer players and in his time came to know some of the most well-known names on the Scottish music scene, such as Gordon Pattullo, Bill Black, Alex MacArthur, Paddy Neary, Robert & Duncan Black, Iain MacPhail and, of course, Jim Johnstone, whose band were always favourites and whom Colin loved chatting to. He also booked younger players regularly such as Craig McCallum, Alasdair MacCuish and even, on one occasion, young Bruce Peebles.
Colin asked Gordon Pattullo to write a tune for his and wife Sandra’s Silver Wedding Anniversary in 1992. Gordon did so and when he asked Colin what the secret of a long marriage was, Colin replied that it was about ‘give and take’ and listening to each other etc. So when Gordon then asked Colin what he should call the tune, Colin quickly replied, !Jist ca’ it ‘The Painter’s Choice’, which he did!
Gordon Pattullo was also the accordion teacher of sons Andrew and Bruce, and Colin enjoyed very much taking them over to Tullybaccart for lessons. While they were being taught, he would while away an hour speaking to Gordon’s late dad, Peem, in the tractor shed, blethering about tractors, farming, dogs and music – though not necessarily in that order.
He also loved a good film, cowboys or war films in particular, and this was even mentioned by Robbie shepherd on TTF in 2014, when son Bruce played a couple of war film theme tunes. As Robbie succinctly described, “Bruce’s dad likes to watch a good war film, while his mum……..well, she lets him!”
Everyone was horrified when at the age of only 67 Colin was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and dementia which started to take hold. He was ultimately cared for by the kind staff at Finavon Court Nursing home in Forfar for almost his last four years. He never gave them any trouble and continued to be a well-liked resident with a really firm grip and extremely healthy appetite, right up to his last day or two! And he enjoyed listening to a wide variety of CDs of Scottish dance music to the very end.
Colin id survived by wife Sandra, sons Andrew, Gordon and Bruce and grandchildren Ella and Ross.
Letters to the Editor
Dear Pia
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
Bridge of Earn Lockdown Sessions – Steven Carcary & Graham Bell – SC007CD
Anna Tam – Anchoress – TAM002
Oot o’ The Box – Charlie Abel -
Book Review
The Funky Beginner’s Fiddle Book – Katherine J. Liley – Lovaig Music
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Gary Innes
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) –
Alnwick (The Jubilee Hall, Newton-on-the Moor) 9th March 22 – Clappy Doo CB
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) -
Arbroath (Arbroath Artisan Golf Club) - 6th March 22 – Club Night
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 23rd March 22 – Alan Small Duo
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) –
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) – 13th March 22 - Nicola Braid & Gordon Haddow Band
Blairgowrie (Rattray Bowling Club) - 8th March 22 – Ewan Galloway SDB
Button Key (Greig Institute, Windygates) –
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 1st March 22 – Marian Anderson Trio
Canderside (Stonehouse Bowling Club) - 10th March 22 – Alan Gardiner Trio
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Threave Rovers Football Club) – 8th March 22 – Frank Morrison Trio
Clydesdale (St Mary’s Club Rooms, Lanark) -
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 17th March 22 - tbc
Crieff & District (British Legion) 3rd March 22 – Ross McPherson Trio
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) -
Dingwall (National Hotel) –
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 16th March 22 – Neil Hardie SDB
Dunfermline (Masonic Hall, Rosyth) – 8th March 22 – Steven Carcary
Dumfries (Crichton Royal Golf Club) - 1st March 22 – Seamus O’Sullivan Band
Forfar (Forfar RBL) -
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 14th March 22 - tbc
Fort William (Railway Club, Inverlochy) -
Galashiels (Clovenfors Hotel) - 3rd March 22 – Club Night
Glendale (The Glendale Hall, Wooler) - 24th March 22 – The Full Scottish
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 2nd March 22 – Glencraig SDB
Glenrothes (Queen Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) - 29th March 22 – James Coutts Trio
Gretna (The Richard Greenhow Centre) - 6th March 22 – Nicola Braid & Gordon Haddow Band
Hidden Toun (Haddington Bowling Club) - 13th March 22 – The Homelanders
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 21st March 22 – Martainn Skene Trio
Inveraray (Inveraray Inn) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 3rd March 22 – James Stewart Band
Kelso (Kelso Rugby Club) – 30th March 22 – Bon Accords
Langholm (Langholm Social Club) –
Lewis & Harris (Caladh Inn, Stornoway) - 18th March 22 – Club night
Lockerbie (Mid Annandale Comrades Club)
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) - 20th March 22 – Burns Brothers
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 15th March 22 – Ewan Galloway Trio
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 2nd March 22 – Lomond CB + AGM
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) -
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 29th March 22 - tbc
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 1st March 22 – Martainn Skene
Oban (The Royal Hotel) –
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) –
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) –
Perth & District (Salutation Hotel) – 15th March 22 – Matthew MacLennan Trio
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 10th March 22 – Brandon McPhee Trio
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 1st March 22 – Joan Kirk Trio (Pool Supper) 8th 15th 22nd 29th Mar – Club Night
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - 10th March 22 – Club Night 17th March Leonard Brown & Maggie Adamson
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) –
TMSA (Aberdeen) – Sportmans Club - 15th March 2022 – Session 19th March – Annual Competitions
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 3rd March 22 – Ewan Galloway Duo
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 17th March 22 – Matthew MacLennan Trio
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Campsie
2. Dumfries
3. Dumfermline
4. Glendale
5. Montrose
6. Newtongrange
7. Seghill
8. Shetland
9. Turriff & District
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2022
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
10. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
11. Button Key A&F Club (
12. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
13. Canderside A&F Club (Stonehouse) (Feb 2019 – present)
14. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
15. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
16. Clydesdale A&F Club (Sept 2016 – present)
17. Coalburn A&F Club (
18. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
19. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
20. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
21. Dumfries A&F Club (1965 renamed Islesteps Jan 1981 – 2021 then back to Dumfries)
22. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
23. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
24. Forfar A&F Club (1984 – present)
25. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
26. Fort William A&F Club ( )
27. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
28. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
29. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
30. 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)
31. Hidden Toun A&F (Haddington) (Jan 2022 – present)
32. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
33. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
34. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
35. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
36. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
37. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 – present)
38. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
39. Macmerry A&F Club (Feb 2016 – present)
40. Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
41. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
42. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
43. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
44. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
45. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
46. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
47. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
48. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
49. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
50. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
51 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
52 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
53 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
54 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
55 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?)
56. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
57. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
58. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
59. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
60. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
61. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
62. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
63. Britannia B&F Club (joined 07-08 but much older
64. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
65. Buchan A&F Club
66. Callander A&F Club (
67. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980 – 1997?)
68. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
69. Club Accord
70. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
71 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
72. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
73. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
74. Cults A & F Club (
75. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
76. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
77. Derwentside A&F Club
78. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
79. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
80. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
81. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
82. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
83. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – April 2020 – Covid19)
84. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
85. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
86. Ellon A&F Club (1984 – April 2020 Covid19)
87. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
88. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – ?)
89. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
90. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
91. Glasgow A&F Club (Aug 2017 – March 2018)
92. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93? – left the Assoc c2013)
93. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
94. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
95. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 – 6th December 2015)
96. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
97. Kintore A&F Club (
98. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
99. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier -
100. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
101. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
102. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
103. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – March 2020 - Covid)
104. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
105. Maine Valley A&F Club (
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. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
112. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
113. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
114. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
115. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
116. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
117. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
118. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
119. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
120. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
121. Selkirk A&F Club (
122. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
123. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
124. Stonehouse A&F Club (Opened 2003 - first report June 05 – Closed April 2018)
125. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
126 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
127 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
128. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
129. Tranent A&F Club
130. Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra
131. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
132. Wellbank A&F Club
133. West Barnes (1981? - April 2016?)
134. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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B&F Treasurer – Scott Band
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
Wasn’t it great to see so many Clubs opening their doors in February? Let’s hope the trend continues. The Clubs can’t operate if people don’t turn up.…….
Pia
The 48th Annual NAAFC Championship
by Richard Ross, Festival Chairman
I think we all agree that we have been subject to very trying times over the last two years as a result of the Covid pandemic, and particularly over the last few months owing to the new Omicron variant.
It is therefore with a heavy heart and after much deliberation that the Festival and NAAFC Executive Committees have come to the decision that we should cancel this year’s Festival at Grangemouth Town Hall on 5th March 2022.
On behalf of the Festival Committee, I sincerely apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause to those that have made arrangement to attend the Festival.
The Festival committee had previously met to discuss the running of a second full Virtual Festival in March as we were hoping that we could return to our live Festival. However, after various discussions we are delighted to announce the launch of :
The NAAFC Virtual diminished Festival 2022
Our adjudicators for this unique event are Jackie Raeburn (accordion) and Stella Wilkie (Fiddle).
Given the time constrains we face, we have decided to operate a smaller Virtual Festival than in 2021 with a total of five classes available to competitors. Each class is open to accordion and fiddle entrants, with piano / keyboard accompaniment permitted. The adjudication will be carried out by both adjudicators independently with aggregated marks deciding the results.
The classes are as follows :-
Class 1 – Under 16 Marches*
Class 2 – Under 16 Waltzes*
Class 3 – Open 6/8 Marches
Class 4 – Open Gaelic Waltzes
Class 5 – Own Composition
*Under 16 Classes will incorporate Under 12 and Under 10 competitions.
Entry forms are available on our webpage at www.naafcfestival.co.uk detailing the above competitions, together with updated rules specifically relevant to this unique virtual competition.
We are hoping to encourage as many entries as possible and therefore we are pleased to announce that entries for all competitions are free.
We are currently liaising with BBC Radio Scotland with a view to showcasing winners on TTF on Saturday evening 5th March 2022.
We will continue to post updates on our webpage and FB page.
We hope that the NAAFC Virtual diminished Festival 2022 will bring some cheer to you all, building up to 5th March 2022.
Jist Get On Wi’ It
by Pia Walker
I have never seen Vi Todd in a shirt, but if she did wear one……………..……….
Musical Memories – Part 19
by Denis Shepherd
In the course of my various activities………..
Centre Stage
Archie Mcallister
IN MEMORY
Colin Peebles (27/01/46 – 22/01/22)
by
Former Chairman of Forres A&F Club
Colin was the younger son of Andrew & Ella Peebles and was ‘brocht up’, along with big brother Jim, just outside Forfar at Kinnettles, Woodlands and South Leckaway, before the family moved into the town in the 1960s.
Like many, they didn’t have a lot, but the boys were ‘brocht up’ in the country way: going to the berries and the tatties and helping out around the farms.
Colin left school in 1961, aged 15, and started his apprenticeship with Edwards Painters & Decorators, a trade he would work at for his entire life until he retired 50 years later, aged 65. He was known for the high quality of his work and craftsmanship and his pernickety attention to detail. The number of repeat and satisfied customers he retained over the decades was testament to his decorating skills as a ‘Brother of the Brush’!
Colin loved music and in particular Scottish music and encouraged his sons to learn the accordion. Middle son Gordon eventually developed more of an interest in fishing and shooting but oldest and youngest sons Andrew and Bruce continued, with Colin taking them to the various A&F Clubs. At that time, the nearest A&F Clubs were in Kirriemuir, Montrose and Dundee so in 1984 Colin and a group of like-minded people founded Forfar A&F Club.
From then onwards, and for many years until the late 1990s, he was the chairman of the Club, being responsible for booking the guest artistes. This was firstly at The Royal Hotel and then at The Plough Inn. He booked a mixture of old and newer players and in his time came to know some of the most well-known names on the Scottish music scene, such as Gordon Pattullo, Bill Black, Alex MacArthur, Paddy Neary, Robert & Duncan Black, Iain MacPhail and, of course, Jim Johnstone, whose band were always favourites and whom Colin loved chatting to. He also booked younger players regularly such as Craig McCallum, Alasdair MacCuish and even, on one occasion, young Bruce Peebles.
Colin asked Gordon Pattullo to write a tune for his and wife Sandra’s Silver Wedding Anniversary in 1992. Gordon did so and when he asked Colin what the secret of a long marriage was, Colin replied that it was about ‘give and take’ and listening to each other etc. So when Gordon then asked Colin what he should call the tune, Colin quickly replied, !Jist ca’ it ‘The Painter’s Choice’, which he did!
Gordon Pattullo was also the accordion teacher of sons Andrew and Bruce, and Colin enjoyed very much taking them over to Tullybaccart for lessons. While they were being taught, he would while away an hour speaking to Gordon’s late dad, Peem, in the tractor shed, blethering about tractors, farming, dogs and music – though not necessarily in that order.
He also loved a good film, cowboys or war films in particular, and this was even mentioned by Robbie shepherd on TTF in 2014, when son Bruce played a couple of war film theme tunes. As Robbie succinctly described, “Bruce’s dad likes to watch a good war film, while his mum……..well, she lets him!”
Everyone was horrified when at the age of only 67 Colin was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and dementia which started to take hold. He was ultimately cared for by the kind staff at Finavon Court Nursing home in Forfar for almost his last four years. He never gave them any trouble and continued to be a well-liked resident with a really firm grip and extremely healthy appetite, right up to his last day or two! And he enjoyed listening to a wide variety of CDs of Scottish dance music to the very end.
Colin id survived by wife Sandra, sons Andrew, Gordon and Bruce and grandchildren Ella and Ross.
Letters to the Editor
Dear Pia
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
Bridge of Earn Lockdown Sessions – Steven Carcary & Graham Bell – SC007CD
Anna Tam – Anchoress – TAM002
Oot o’ The Box – Charlie Abel -
Book Review
The Funky Beginner’s Fiddle Book – Katherine J. Liley – Lovaig Music
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Gary Innes
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) –
Alnwick (The Jubilee Hall, Newton-on-the Moor) 9th March 22 – Clappy Doo CB
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) -
Arbroath (Arbroath Artisan Golf Club) - 6th March 22 – Club Night
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 23rd March 22 – Alan Small Duo
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) –
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) – 13th March 22 - Nicola Braid & Gordon Haddow Band
Blairgowrie (Rattray Bowling Club) - 8th March 22 – Ewan Galloway SDB
Button Key (Greig Institute, Windygates) –
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 1st March 22 – Marian Anderson Trio
Canderside (Stonehouse Bowling Club) - 10th March 22 – Alan Gardiner Trio
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Threave Rovers Football Club) – 8th March 22 – Frank Morrison Trio
Clydesdale (St Mary’s Club Rooms, Lanark) -
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 17th March 22 - tbc
Crieff & District (British Legion) 3rd March 22 – Ross McPherson Trio
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) -
Dingwall (National Hotel) –
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 16th March 22 – Neil Hardie SDB
Dunfermline (Masonic Hall, Rosyth) – 8th March 22 – Steven Carcary
Dumfries (Crichton Royal Golf Club) - 1st March 22 – Seamus O’Sullivan Band
Forfar (Forfar RBL) -
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 14th March 22 - tbc
Fort William (Railway Club, Inverlochy) -
Galashiels (Clovenfors Hotel) - 3rd March 22 – Club Night
Glendale (The Glendale Hall, Wooler) - 24th March 22 – The Full Scottish
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 2nd March 22 – Glencraig SDB
Glenrothes (Queen Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) - 29th March 22 – James Coutts Trio
Gretna (The Richard Greenhow Centre) - 6th March 22 – Nicola Braid & Gordon Haddow Band
Hidden Toun (Haddington Bowling Club) - 13th March 22 – The Homelanders
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 21st March 22 – Martainn Skene Trio
Inveraray (Inveraray Inn) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 3rd March 22 – James Stewart Band
Kelso (Kelso Rugby Club) – 30th March 22 – Bon Accords
Langholm (Langholm Social Club) –
Lewis & Harris (Caladh Inn, Stornoway) - 18th March 22 – Club night
Lockerbie (Mid Annandale Comrades Club)
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) - 20th March 22 – Burns Brothers
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 15th March 22 – Ewan Galloway Trio
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 2nd March 22 – Lomond CB + AGM
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) -
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 29th March 22 - tbc
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 1st March 22 – Martainn Skene
Oban (The Royal Hotel) –
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) –
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) –
Perth & District (Salutation Hotel) – 15th March 22 – Matthew MacLennan Trio
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 10th March 22 – Brandon McPhee Trio
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 1st March 22 – Joan Kirk Trio (Pool Supper) 8th 15th 22nd 29th Mar – Club Night
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - 10th March 22 – Club Night 17th March Leonard Brown & Maggie Adamson
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) –
TMSA (Aberdeen) – Sportmans Club - 15th March 2022 – Session 19th March – Annual Competitions
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 3rd March 22 – Ewan Galloway Duo
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 17th March 22 – Matthew MacLennan Trio
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Campsie
2. Dumfries
3. Dumfermline
4. Glendale
5. Montrose
6. Newtongrange
7. Seghill
8. Shetland
9. Turriff & District
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2022
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
10. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
11. Button Key A&F Club (
12. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
13. Canderside A&F Club (Stonehouse) (Feb 2019 – present)
14. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
15. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
16. Clydesdale A&F Club (Sept 2016 – present)
17. Coalburn A&F Club (
18. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
19. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
20. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
21. Dumfries A&F Club (1965 renamed Islesteps Jan 1981 – 2021 then back to Dumfries)
22. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
23. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
24. Forfar A&F Club (1984 – present)
25. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
26. Fort William A&F Club ( )
27. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
28. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
29. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
30. 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)
31. Hidden Toun A&F (Haddington) (Jan 2022 – present)
32. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
33. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
34. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
35. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
36. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
37. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 – present)
38. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
39. Macmerry A&F Club (Feb 2016 – present)
40. Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
41. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
42. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
43. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
44. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
45. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
46. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
47. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
48. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
49. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
50. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
51 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
52 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
53 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
54 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
55 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?)
56. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
57. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
58. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
59. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
60. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
61. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
62. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
63. Britannia B&F Club (joined 07-08 but much older
64. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
65. Buchan A&F Club
66. Callander A&F Club (
67. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980 – 1997?)
68. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
69. Club Accord
70. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
71 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
72. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
73. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
74. Cults A & F Club (
75. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
76. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
77. Derwentside A&F Club
78. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
79. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
80. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
81. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
82. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
83. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – April 2020 – Covid19)
84. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
85. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
86. Ellon A&F Club (1984 – April 2020 Covid19)
87. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
88. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – ?)
89. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
90. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
91. Glasgow A&F Club (Aug 2017 – March 2018)
92. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93? – left the Assoc c2013)
93. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
94. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
95. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 – 6th December 2015)
96. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
97. Kintore A&F Club (
98. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
99. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier -
100. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
101. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
102. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
103. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – March 2020 - Covid)
104. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
105. Maine Valley A&F Club (
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. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
112. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
113. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
114. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
115. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
116. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
117. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
118. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
119. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
120. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
121. Selkirk A&F Club (
122. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
123. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
124. Stonehouse A&F Club (Opened 2003 - first report June 05 – Closed April 2018)
125. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
126 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
127 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
128. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
129. Tranent A&F Club
130. Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra
131. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
132. Wellbank A&F Club
133. West Barnes (1981? - April 2016?)
134. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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