Box and Fiddle
Year 26 No 09
May 2003
Price £2.00
44 Page Magazine
3 month subscription £6 + p&p £1.80
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
Summer’s nearly here, and many clubs have finished for the season. I thought that perhaps we wouldn’t have quite so much to write about – but yet again you’ve proved me wrong. Heather McLean, the B&F Assistant, has been out and about, you’ll see her reports on the Newtongrange Competitions on Page 40. She’s also been to the Shetland Sessions in The Queen’s Hall, and to a dance workshop in the Borders with Jessie Stuart. Reports from those two events will be in next month’s issue, along with Deryn and Robin Waitt’s report from the Mull Festival, Mo Rutherford’s trip to Orkney and a short article about Craig Paton, who’s been doing very well in competitions recently.
We had a great concert at the end of March as part of The Reivers Festival and you can read all about it on Page 35. We’re all looking forward to this year’s AGM and lunch in Perth. We’re about to count the votes for the BAFFI’s, but one presentation guaranteed is the one to Iain MacPhail. Iain is the subject of our lead article this month, and we’re grateful to him and to Gordon Young for the photographs.
Whenever I have time I try to add a bit more to our website. We are now going to put the Club Reports on each month – so check it out.
Karin Ingram
Iain MacPhail
by Charlie Todd
This year’s Guest of Honour at the Association AGM will be one of Scottish Dance music’s most recognizable characters – Iain MacPhail. I was tempted there as I looked at the cover of their first album from 1975 (see photo) to say ‘flamboyant’ but I recall we all looked a bit different back then, so that observation from almost 30 years on may not be entirely fair. Without doubt though, the sound that was unleashed on the listening enthusiast in that album did deserve that title. Although that first album, recorded at the Wick Studios of Grampian Records, lacked any of Iain’s distinctive compositions, the blend of Iain, Brian Griffin, Allan Johnston, Davy Flockhart, Alasdair MacLeod and George Darling produced a sound that was to become instantly recognisable and which has stayed with us till the present day. Like one of Iain’s favourite malt whiskies, it has matured along the way.
Consistency and loyalty, as regards band personnel, is in itself a theme with Iain. With his roots firmly anchored in the closing scenes of the ‘great’ days of Scottish Dance music, when four and five piece bands were the norm and each was on the road several times a week, Iain endeavours whenever possible to field a consistent team. Indeed, even after all this time, it’s quite possible that you’ll get Brian and Davy, while fiddle and drums have been in the very capable hands of Ron Kerr and Graeme Jamieson for the best part of the last twenty years.
Kilberry Bay
The road to the top has not always been an easy one however, especially in the early years. Iain was born in Argyllshire, the family home being Kilberry, famed for a piping competition run by the local laird, Campbell of Kilberry, which was a sort of ‘Glenfiddich’ of its day. Dad, Dugald, was a very competent button accordion player and had passed his audition with the BBC before being stricken with TB which forced his to relinquish his Civil Service job in Edinburgh and return to the village. He died when Iain was only seven. To make matters worse Iain himself contracted the disease that same year and spent the next three years in Robroyston Hospital, Glasgow with no education whatsoever and, because of the distances involved, only occasional visits from mum and a weekly visit from his grandmother, Mrs Mary Printy. An altogether daunting event for any young lad. Iain’s interrupted primary education at Dunmore and Kilberry primary schools was followed by a period as a ‘boarder’ at Tarbert Academy, but at the age of sixteen he won two bursaries to attend school in Edinburgh. The closest school to where his grandparents stayed in Edinburgh was Broughton and here ‘Fate’ intervened for the first, and certainly not the last time in the form of the School Secretary, Dorothy Leurs, and music teacher Ronald Stevenson. Both were to have considerable influence on the way young Iain’s musical career developed. Ronald, a conventional music teacher of the day, had never touched an accordion but was able to point out possibilities on the instrument that had, up until that point, never even crossed Iain’s mind. More of Dorothy later.
The Hen’s March
Iain’s musical career had started back in Argyll with a wee melodeon at the age of four and the pipes as a member of the Tarbert Scout Pipe Band. Practice for the latter often took place at Ivy Cottage, outdoors and along the path which ran beside his mother’s ‘hen run’ with upwards of a hundred of the inquisitive creatures keeping pace as his first audience. Music had been forbidden during his hospital years but in Edinburgh granddad got things on the move again by purchasing an accordion – unfortunately not knowing the difference he bought a piano keyed Settemio Soprani. No matter, it was sufficient but finding a teacher proved to be more of a problem. Eventually a travelling teacher, Motherwell based Mr McCann, was contacted and lessons began.
By this stage Iain had an excellent ear and could ‘lug’ almost any tune after hearing it once. As was the norm at the time however, classics were the order of the day as far as tuition went. Asked one day by his teacher if he liked other types of music he cautiously replied yes, he liked Scottish traditional music. This was an unknown idiom to Mr McCann who asked Iain to show him such a piece. The High Level Hornpipe was duly produced and immediately played at sight, note perfect, by his teacher. Once again the significance of this was not lost on young Iain who saw new importance in the classical tuition he was receiving.
Keys of the Flat
A year down the line he was made aware of another, more local, teacher, Chrissie Leatham, so lessons moved there. Again, although unaware of their significance at the time, two new factors entered the equation. First was Chrissie’s usage of flat keys, the love of which Iain was to inherit, and secondly was an introduction to playing parts in the Accordion Orchestra and more importantly the art of writing these ’arrangements’. It intrigued Iain, who, also pulling on his school music education saw how various parts for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th accordions and rhythm instruments blended into the whole.
Back at Broughton School, Iain formed his first band with Derek Flynn on piano and Norman Springford on drums. With the encouragement of Dorothy Leurs he began playing for Scottish Country Dance demonstrations. This interest in playing for Country Dancing in turn led to an invitation to join the band of Jim Nicholson, with Jim and Iain on accordions, Roy Dick on fiddle, Ken MacDonald on piano, and the first appearance of one, Gordon Young, on drums. Once again playing only for Country Dancing they travelled widely doing many jobs across the UK and making two EPs.
When Jim retired, Roy took over the band as ‘The Strathedin Dance Band’ until his untimely death. Ken retired, leaving Iain and Gordon who were joined by Allan Johnston on fiddle, Davy Flockhart on piano and Robin Brock on bass. The latter three had played in Jim Johnstone’s Band and their experience was invaluable to the fledgling band leader.
It was Robin Brock who introduced Iain to Jim MacLeod, of Dunblane Hydro fame, and they have been close friends ever since. Last year (2002) Iain and the band were invited to play their inaugural Gillies Ball at Balmoral, at Jim’s recommendation. Along the way he also played with other great names from the scene including Andrew Rankine, Jim Johnstone, Jimmy Shand Jnr and on three memorable occasion Sir Jimmy himself.
In Harmony
All of this served to crystallize ideas already forming about what he wanted for the sound of his own band. In particular ‘second box’ is a term that finds little favour with Iain – particularly after he met Jack Delaney and heard and appreciated what Mickie Ainsworth was doing with the great Powrie band. Thereafter it was to be ‘harmony accordion’ and there can be no finer exponent of that role than long standing colleague, Brian Griffin.
The new band did their first broadcast c1972. I have to say that Iain lives for the future and that dates of past landmarks are all a bit vague. He does recall that the letter from the BBC advising them that they had passed their audition, also contained a warning to avoid non-traditional harmonies i.e. minor seventh chords – for the time being anyway. Their first LP, previously referred to, followed in 1975 with Allan, Davy, Brian, Alasdair MacLeod, George Darling and vocalist George Hamilton as the line up.
Playin’ Awa’ Fae Hame
The years between then and now have passed in a blur for the band. While enjoying, as we all do, the one-off gig, the band’s professional attitude, appearance and presentation have resulted in some remarkably long-standing engagements. From 1974 until 1992 (eighteen years if my arithmetic is correct) the band appeared in the Larry Marshall Show at the King James Hotel in Edinburgh, during which, over the years they met and backed many of the then biggest names in UK show-business (e.g. Rolf Harris, Matt Munro, the Bachelors, Kathie Kay, Dickie Henderson etc). Larry’s preferred singing key was A flat, which would be a problem to many of us, but thanks to the expertise developed by Chrissie’s tuition it presented no difficulties. Another bonus in this regard was the ability to play the melody along with the Show’s pipers on chanters correctly tuned to B flat.
For the last thirty years Iain and friends have played on a Tuesday night for the ‘Atholl Country Dance Club’ at The Churchill Theater in Edinburgh. Over the last twenty years Iain and the band have made around sixteen visit to South America to play for various Caledonian Societies and other functions (last year taking in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and, for the first time, Chile) and Iain himself annually joins Stuart Forbes, Graeme Hamilton and Alistair Forbes to play St Andrew’s Nights in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
The other great love of his musical life are the Shetland Islands where he has played regularly for many years, with great friends Cecil Hughson, Douglas Johnstone, Ronnie Jamieson, Allan Gifford and the Da Fustra Band and often with other bands made up of local players – and we all know what they’re like! – the best of the best. Friends from Shetland regularly drop in when they’re in town.
New Horizons
But new challenges also are what keeps Iain going and he cites as an example the band’s recent recordings for Books 36 and 37 of the R.S.C.D.S. It took Iain six months work to research and arrange tunes from the period of the Original, arrange the band parts and practice with each player individually before the band came together for the recording itself. Have a listen to these if you get a chance – as we would expect, the music has that MacPhail swing and the arrangements, while not overpowering, are none the less captivating.
All of the aforementioned, and much more, were achieved while Iain held down a very responsible Civil Service job as Chief Welfare Officer of the Scottish Prison Service. Having taken early retirement he is presently putting the finishing touches to a Dissertation for a Masters Degree – a long-standing ambition.
So what has a lifetime spent in Scottish Dance music meant to Iain? He emphasizes the “wonderful experiences” gained from traveling the world; venues and locations on the one hand , which would never have been possible otherwise and, importantly, on the other hand “communicating with other people from different walks of life through the medium of music”. It has also enabled him to express creativity through composing and arranging, in a way that creates an instantly recognizable sound.
When we gather in Perth on the afternoon of Sunday 29th June, we do so to recognize the achievements of one of the truly great figures of our music scene – Iain MacPhail.
Ena Wilkie (Obituary)
by Neil Copland
Ena Wilkie of Wilkie’s Music House, Perth died on 28th February, 2003 after a long illness. As a founder member of the music shop business with husband Bill, Ena was perhaps always a little overshadowed by Bill’s enthusiasm and personality – at least in the public’s eyes. She was, however, the mainstay of both the shop and The All Scotland Accordion & Fiddle Championships along with Bill.
Over the years, Bill was the public face of both ventures, but Ena was the backbone and did all the paperwork for the business as well as being Competitions Administrator for the very successful championships for most of the 53 years that they have been held. Only in ill health did Ena enlist the assistance of others to get the Festival off the ground in recent years.
Whilst all of the tributes and awards – MBE, NAO Merit Award, NAAFC Guest of Honour, Perth Citizen of the Year, etc, etc were accorded to Bill, he always insisted that, but for the support and efforts of his wife and companion Ena, he would have achieved nothing. They lived and worked for, and with, each other for almost 60 years.
Ena’s hospitality on Festival Day was renowned world-wide as everyone who took part in the Gala Concert plus those who helped ensure that the competitions ran smoothly was invited to the Wilkie household after the concert finished – sometimes beyond midnight such is Bill’s sense of timing and belief for giving people value for money! Ena and her team of helpers were always ready and prepared with food and drinks as a thank you from Bill and herself to everybody involved in the Festival.
Ena’s funeral on Friday, 7th March was attended by family, friends and musicians from all over Scotland such was the high esteem that she was held in by people who over the years had benefited from her warmth, kindness and generosity.
Plans are already well advanced for the 54th All Scotland Championships in October this year. That day will undoubtedly prove to be a tribute to the life and work of this remarkable lady.
Ena is survived by husband Bill, daughter Di, son-in-law Billy and grandchildren Sharon and Richard.
John Fairbairn (Obituary)
by Brian Forrest
Everyone in the Accordion and Fiddle club scene in the Borders was stunned by the sudden and untimely death of John Fairbairn, Chairman of the Galashiels club.
John was a stalwart at all of the local Clubs, and his support will be sorely missed by many. He was happy to play alongside any club player, no matter how inexperienced. When asked who he would like to support him, he would always say, “It doesn’t matter, just whoever hasn’t had a turn yet.”
He was known as ‘The Gentle Giant’, and had a kind and friendly word for everyone he met.
Although John had considerable musical talent as a bandleader, in recent years he had been best known as second box player in David Scott’s Glenelvan Scottish Dance Band. Their second Take the Floor broadcast was aired less than three weeks before his death.
Local musicians packed the church in Galashiels, and the graveyard at Bowden. There were no hymns, but fellow band members Jim Nichol and Judith Linton played piano and fiddle.
Our sympathies go to John’s father and to his many close friends.
There were numerous floral tributes at his funeral, and a collection for Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland and Ward 14 of Borders General Hospital
David Scott wrote this poem:
He played with grace, he played with flair,
Sad to say, we’ll hear nae mair.
A better friend, you wouldn’t find,
He was so gentle, and so kind.
Big John, my friend of twenty years,
Now an empty chair, and lots of tears.
But life goes on, or so they say,
When next we meet we’ll have some day!!
Until that day I shall carry on,
Miss you always, my friend John…..
Dave Barclay – NAAFC Presentation
by Nicol McLaren
Dave Barclay, renowned double bass player over many years was finally presented with his ‘Bowl of Honour’ by the NAAFC.
Dave has played with all of the ‘greats’ and has a very distinctive style, instantly identifiable in whichever band he was playing.
Dave was unable to attend last year’s AGM Presentations due to business commitments as an antique dealer in Friockheim, Angus.
I spent a most enjoyable evening with Dave and wife Marjory at their home last month chatting about how the band scene has changed over the years abd of the great times, abd the characters, they experienced and enjoyed.
After the presentation Dave sent me this letter:
Dear Nicol,
Thank you for taking the time to deliver my Caithness Glass Bowl last Monday. It was good to meet up with you and have a chat about your views on ‘the business’.
I find it gratifying to have been deemed worthy of receiving the accolade along with the respect of fellow musicians, enthusiasts and ‘buskers’.
Please convey my sincere thanks to the committee members of the NAAFC and may I wish them and yourself continued success in the future.
Yours sincerely
Dave Barclay
Friockheim
2nd April 2003
Greeting from Inverness
by Margo MacLennan
At the time of writing, I am looking forward …………………..
The Piping Shrike
by Jean Lumsden
Today, 13th April, we had a Scottish Day…………
Reivers Festival
by Karin Ingram
The sound of horses’ hooves, clashing swords………..
Newtongrange 2003
by Heather McLean
Once again The Dean Tavern at Newtongrange………..
CD Reviews
An Evening with Friends At Jimmy Normans – Vol 2 – Ian Muir and his SDB – NORCD2002
Buttons and Keys – Addie Harper and the Wick Band Vol 2 – CDLAT002 Ross Records
Buttons and Keys – Jimmy Shand Jnr and his Band Vol 4 - CDLAT004 Ross Records
What Road? – Session A9 – CD002 – Raj Records
Once More for the Last Time – The Bill sharp Accordion Orchestra
Book Review
The Music of Angus Fitchet Vol 2 - NAAFC
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 20.30 with Robbie Shepherd
3rd May 03 – Gordon Shand SDB with Guest Presenter Nicol McLaren + feature with the Gray Family
10th May 03 – Neil Copland SDB + Judith Linton’s CD Choice
17th May 03 – Duncan MacKinnon SDB + Dr Ian Thomson discussing the future of Scottish dancing.
24th May 03 – Iain Cathcart and Guests – OB from Locharbriggs Community Centre
31st May 03 – Lynn Gould SDB + Graham Geddes discussing his recent trip to Bangkok
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Westburn Park Lounge) –
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle) 14th May 03 – AGM & Local Artistes
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 18th May 03 – Jimmy McQuire
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 4th May 03 – Dundee S&R Society
Armadale (Masonic Hall) –
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 26th May 03 – Sandy Legget & the Carseloch C.B.
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 28th May 03 – Bill Black SDB
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) –
Belford (Community Centre) –
Biggar (Municipal Hall) –
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 13th May 03 – Sandy Legget Trio
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) - 13th May 03 – AGM & Club Night
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 8th May 03 – Ian Adamson
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 6th May 03 – Mhairi Coutts Trio
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary’s Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 2nd May 03 – Dance to George Hood SDB
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) -
Crathes (Crathes Hall, Banchory) - 11th May 03 – All players welcome
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 1st May 03 – Sandy Legget Trio
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club) 14th May 03 – Gary Blair
Dalriada (Argyll Arms Hotel, Lochgilphead)
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 7th May 03 - Ross MacPherson Trio
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) –
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) –
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
East Kilbride (The Village Inn) –
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 20th May 03 – Jock Fraser Trio
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 26th May 03 – Michael Philip SDB
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 25th May 03 – Dick Black Band
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 14th May 03 – Donald MacLeod SDB
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) –
Galston (Barr Castle Social Club) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel, Wooler) –
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 7th May 03 – Orwell Ceilidh Band
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) - 27th May 03 – Wayne Robertson Duo
Gretna (Halcrow Stadium) -
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) – 19th May 03 – Steven Carcary Duo
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 15th May 03 – Colin Dewar SDB
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) –
Kelso (Ednam House Hotel) – 28th May 03 – Jim MacKay’s Band
Kintore (Torryburn Hotel) – 7th May 03 – Lindsay Weir SDB
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) -
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) – 8th May 03 – Alistair McCulloch Duo
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 1st May 03 – Fiddlers 3 + 2
23rd May 03 – Isle of Skye A&F Club
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 20th May 03 – Nicol McLaren SDB
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 7th May 03 – Billy Anderson & Albany
18th May 03 – Mac Kinnear Duo (2 – 5pm)
Newburgh (The Ship Inn) - 29th May 03 – Ross MacPherson Trio
Newmill-on-Teviot (Newmill Country Inn) -
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) –
Oban (McTavish’s Kitchen) –
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) –
Peebles (Green Tree Hotel) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 20th May 03 – Scott Gordon SDB
Premier NI (Chimney Corner Hotel) - 6th May 03 – Dermot O’Brien
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head) - 1st May 03 – Colin Garvin Ceilidh Band
Selkirk (Cricket Club) -
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) -
Thornhill (Masonic Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 5th May 03 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Turriff (Royal British Legion) – 1st May 03 – Wyvis Sound
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 15th May 03 – David Sturgeon & the Waverly SDB
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn) 8th May 03 – Neil Hardie SDB
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 20th May 03 – Marian Anderson SDB
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Annan
4. Banchory
5. Beith & District
6. Belford
7. Blairgowrie
8. Bromley
9. Button-Key
10. Campsie
11. Castle Douglas
12. Coalburn
13. Dingwall
14. Dunblane
15. Dunfermline
16. Ellon
17. Fintry
18. Forfar
19. Forres
20. Glenrothes & District
21. Gretna
22. Highland
23. Inveraray
24. Islesteps
25. Kelso
26. Kintore
27. Lanark
28. Lesmahagow
29. Lewis & Harris
30. Livingston
31. Lockerbie
32. Mauchline
33. Newtongrange
34. North East
35. Oban
36. Perth
37. Premier
38. Rothbury
39. Scottish Accordion Music (Crathes)
40. Shetland
41. Turriff
42. Tynedale
43. West Barnes
44. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2002
(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
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. Bromley A&F Club
14. Button Key A&F Club (
15. Campbeltown 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. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
29. Ellon A&F Club (
30. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
31. Forfar A&F Club (
32. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
33. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
34. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
35. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
36. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
37. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
38. 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)
39. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
40. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
41. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
42. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
43. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
44. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
45. Kintore A&F Club (
46. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed
47. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – present)
48. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
49. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
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. Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
54. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
55. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
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. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
66. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
67. Selkirk A&F Club (
68. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
69. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 - )
70. Sutherland A&F Club (
71. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
72. Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
73. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
74. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
75. Vancouver
76. West Barnes ( - present)
77. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975 - present)
78. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – )
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
79. Acharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
80. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
81. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
82. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
83. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
84. Buchan A&F Club
85. Callander A&F Club (
86. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
87. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
88. Club Accord
89. Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
90. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
91. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
92. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
93. Derwentside A&F Club
94. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
95. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
96. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
97. Dundee & District A&F Club (1970? – 1995?)
98. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
99. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
100. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
101. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
102. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
103. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
104. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
105. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
106. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
107. Mull A&F Club
108. Newcastleton Accordion Club
109. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
110. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
111. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
112. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
113. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
114. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
115. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
116. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
117. Tranent A&F Club
118. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
119. Wellbank A&F Club
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Half Page (b&w) - £70
Quarter Page (colour) - £55
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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
Summer’s nearly here, and many clubs have finished for the season. I thought that perhaps we wouldn’t have quite so much to write about – but yet again you’ve proved me wrong. Heather McLean, the B&F Assistant, has been out and about, you’ll see her reports on the Newtongrange Competitions on Page 40. She’s also been to the Shetland Sessions in The Queen’s Hall, and to a dance workshop in the Borders with Jessie Stuart. Reports from those two events will be in next month’s issue, along with Deryn and Robin Waitt’s report from the Mull Festival, Mo Rutherford’s trip to Orkney and a short article about Craig Paton, who’s been doing very well in competitions recently.
We had a great concert at the end of March as part of The Reivers Festival and you can read all about it on Page 35. We’re all looking forward to this year’s AGM and lunch in Perth. We’re about to count the votes for the BAFFI’s, but one presentation guaranteed is the one to Iain MacPhail. Iain is the subject of our lead article this month, and we’re grateful to him and to Gordon Young for the photographs.
Whenever I have time I try to add a bit more to our website. We are now going to put the Club Reports on each month – so check it out.
Karin Ingram
Iain MacPhail
by Charlie Todd
This year’s Guest of Honour at the Association AGM will be one of Scottish Dance music’s most recognizable characters – Iain MacPhail. I was tempted there as I looked at the cover of their first album from 1975 (see photo) to say ‘flamboyant’ but I recall we all looked a bit different back then, so that observation from almost 30 years on may not be entirely fair. Without doubt though, the sound that was unleashed on the listening enthusiast in that album did deserve that title. Although that first album, recorded at the Wick Studios of Grampian Records, lacked any of Iain’s distinctive compositions, the blend of Iain, Brian Griffin, Allan Johnston, Davy Flockhart, Alasdair MacLeod and George Darling produced a sound that was to become instantly recognisable and which has stayed with us till the present day. Like one of Iain’s favourite malt whiskies, it has matured along the way.
Consistency and loyalty, as regards band personnel, is in itself a theme with Iain. With his roots firmly anchored in the closing scenes of the ‘great’ days of Scottish Dance music, when four and five piece bands were the norm and each was on the road several times a week, Iain endeavours whenever possible to field a consistent team. Indeed, even after all this time, it’s quite possible that you’ll get Brian and Davy, while fiddle and drums have been in the very capable hands of Ron Kerr and Graeme Jamieson for the best part of the last twenty years.
Kilberry Bay
The road to the top has not always been an easy one however, especially in the early years. Iain was born in Argyllshire, the family home being Kilberry, famed for a piping competition run by the local laird, Campbell of Kilberry, which was a sort of ‘Glenfiddich’ of its day. Dad, Dugald, was a very competent button accordion player and had passed his audition with the BBC before being stricken with TB which forced his to relinquish his Civil Service job in Edinburgh and return to the village. He died when Iain was only seven. To make matters worse Iain himself contracted the disease that same year and spent the next three years in Robroyston Hospital, Glasgow with no education whatsoever and, because of the distances involved, only occasional visits from mum and a weekly visit from his grandmother, Mrs Mary Printy. An altogether daunting event for any young lad. Iain’s interrupted primary education at Dunmore and Kilberry primary schools was followed by a period as a ‘boarder’ at Tarbert Academy, but at the age of sixteen he won two bursaries to attend school in Edinburgh. The closest school to where his grandparents stayed in Edinburgh was Broughton and here ‘Fate’ intervened for the first, and certainly not the last time in the form of the School Secretary, Dorothy Leurs, and music teacher Ronald Stevenson. Both were to have considerable influence on the way young Iain’s musical career developed. Ronald, a conventional music teacher of the day, had never touched an accordion but was able to point out possibilities on the instrument that had, up until that point, never even crossed Iain’s mind. More of Dorothy later.
The Hen’s March
Iain’s musical career had started back in Argyll with a wee melodeon at the age of four and the pipes as a member of the Tarbert Scout Pipe Band. Practice for the latter often took place at Ivy Cottage, outdoors and along the path which ran beside his mother’s ‘hen run’ with upwards of a hundred of the inquisitive creatures keeping pace as his first audience. Music had been forbidden during his hospital years but in Edinburgh granddad got things on the move again by purchasing an accordion – unfortunately not knowing the difference he bought a piano keyed Settemio Soprani. No matter, it was sufficient but finding a teacher proved to be more of a problem. Eventually a travelling teacher, Motherwell based Mr McCann, was contacted and lessons began.
By this stage Iain had an excellent ear and could ‘lug’ almost any tune after hearing it once. As was the norm at the time however, classics were the order of the day as far as tuition went. Asked one day by his teacher if he liked other types of music he cautiously replied yes, he liked Scottish traditional music. This was an unknown idiom to Mr McCann who asked Iain to show him such a piece. The High Level Hornpipe was duly produced and immediately played at sight, note perfect, by his teacher. Once again the significance of this was not lost on young Iain who saw new importance in the classical tuition he was receiving.
Keys of the Flat
A year down the line he was made aware of another, more local, teacher, Chrissie Leatham, so lessons moved there. Again, although unaware of their significance at the time, two new factors entered the equation. First was Chrissie’s usage of flat keys, the love of which Iain was to inherit, and secondly was an introduction to playing parts in the Accordion Orchestra and more importantly the art of writing these ’arrangements’. It intrigued Iain, who, also pulling on his school music education saw how various parts for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th accordions and rhythm instruments blended into the whole.
Back at Broughton School, Iain formed his first band with Derek Flynn on piano and Norman Springford on drums. With the encouragement of Dorothy Leurs he began playing for Scottish Country Dance demonstrations. This interest in playing for Country Dancing in turn led to an invitation to join the band of Jim Nicholson, with Jim and Iain on accordions, Roy Dick on fiddle, Ken MacDonald on piano, and the first appearance of one, Gordon Young, on drums. Once again playing only for Country Dancing they travelled widely doing many jobs across the UK and making two EPs.
When Jim retired, Roy took over the band as ‘The Strathedin Dance Band’ until his untimely death. Ken retired, leaving Iain and Gordon who were joined by Allan Johnston on fiddle, Davy Flockhart on piano and Robin Brock on bass. The latter three had played in Jim Johnstone’s Band and their experience was invaluable to the fledgling band leader.
It was Robin Brock who introduced Iain to Jim MacLeod, of Dunblane Hydro fame, and they have been close friends ever since. Last year (2002) Iain and the band were invited to play their inaugural Gillies Ball at Balmoral, at Jim’s recommendation. Along the way he also played with other great names from the scene including Andrew Rankine, Jim Johnstone, Jimmy Shand Jnr and on three memorable occasion Sir Jimmy himself.
In Harmony
All of this served to crystallize ideas already forming about what he wanted for the sound of his own band. In particular ‘second box’ is a term that finds little favour with Iain – particularly after he met Jack Delaney and heard and appreciated what Mickie Ainsworth was doing with the great Powrie band. Thereafter it was to be ‘harmony accordion’ and there can be no finer exponent of that role than long standing colleague, Brian Griffin.
The new band did their first broadcast c1972. I have to say that Iain lives for the future and that dates of past landmarks are all a bit vague. He does recall that the letter from the BBC advising them that they had passed their audition, also contained a warning to avoid non-traditional harmonies i.e. minor seventh chords – for the time being anyway. Their first LP, previously referred to, followed in 1975 with Allan, Davy, Brian, Alasdair MacLeod, George Darling and vocalist George Hamilton as the line up.
Playin’ Awa’ Fae Hame
The years between then and now have passed in a blur for the band. While enjoying, as we all do, the one-off gig, the band’s professional attitude, appearance and presentation have resulted in some remarkably long-standing engagements. From 1974 until 1992 (eighteen years if my arithmetic is correct) the band appeared in the Larry Marshall Show at the King James Hotel in Edinburgh, during which, over the years they met and backed many of the then biggest names in UK show-business (e.g. Rolf Harris, Matt Munro, the Bachelors, Kathie Kay, Dickie Henderson etc). Larry’s preferred singing key was A flat, which would be a problem to many of us, but thanks to the expertise developed by Chrissie’s tuition it presented no difficulties. Another bonus in this regard was the ability to play the melody along with the Show’s pipers on chanters correctly tuned to B flat.
For the last thirty years Iain and friends have played on a Tuesday night for the ‘Atholl Country Dance Club’ at The Churchill Theater in Edinburgh. Over the last twenty years Iain and the band have made around sixteen visit to South America to play for various Caledonian Societies and other functions (last year taking in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and, for the first time, Chile) and Iain himself annually joins Stuart Forbes, Graeme Hamilton and Alistair Forbes to play St Andrew’s Nights in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
The other great love of his musical life are the Shetland Islands where he has played regularly for many years, with great friends Cecil Hughson, Douglas Johnstone, Ronnie Jamieson, Allan Gifford and the Da Fustra Band and often with other bands made up of local players – and we all know what they’re like! – the best of the best. Friends from Shetland regularly drop in when they’re in town.
New Horizons
But new challenges also are what keeps Iain going and he cites as an example the band’s recent recordings for Books 36 and 37 of the R.S.C.D.S. It took Iain six months work to research and arrange tunes from the period of the Original, arrange the band parts and practice with each player individually before the band came together for the recording itself. Have a listen to these if you get a chance – as we would expect, the music has that MacPhail swing and the arrangements, while not overpowering, are none the less captivating.
All of the aforementioned, and much more, were achieved while Iain held down a very responsible Civil Service job as Chief Welfare Officer of the Scottish Prison Service. Having taken early retirement he is presently putting the finishing touches to a Dissertation for a Masters Degree – a long-standing ambition.
So what has a lifetime spent in Scottish Dance music meant to Iain? He emphasizes the “wonderful experiences” gained from traveling the world; venues and locations on the one hand , which would never have been possible otherwise and, importantly, on the other hand “communicating with other people from different walks of life through the medium of music”. It has also enabled him to express creativity through composing and arranging, in a way that creates an instantly recognizable sound.
When we gather in Perth on the afternoon of Sunday 29th June, we do so to recognize the achievements of one of the truly great figures of our music scene – Iain MacPhail.
Ena Wilkie (Obituary)
by Neil Copland
Ena Wilkie of Wilkie’s Music House, Perth died on 28th February, 2003 after a long illness. As a founder member of the music shop business with husband Bill, Ena was perhaps always a little overshadowed by Bill’s enthusiasm and personality – at least in the public’s eyes. She was, however, the mainstay of both the shop and The All Scotland Accordion & Fiddle Championships along with Bill.
Over the years, Bill was the public face of both ventures, but Ena was the backbone and did all the paperwork for the business as well as being Competitions Administrator for the very successful championships for most of the 53 years that they have been held. Only in ill health did Ena enlist the assistance of others to get the Festival off the ground in recent years.
Whilst all of the tributes and awards – MBE, NAO Merit Award, NAAFC Guest of Honour, Perth Citizen of the Year, etc, etc were accorded to Bill, he always insisted that, but for the support and efforts of his wife and companion Ena, he would have achieved nothing. They lived and worked for, and with, each other for almost 60 years.
Ena’s hospitality on Festival Day was renowned world-wide as everyone who took part in the Gala Concert plus those who helped ensure that the competitions ran smoothly was invited to the Wilkie household after the concert finished – sometimes beyond midnight such is Bill’s sense of timing and belief for giving people value for money! Ena and her team of helpers were always ready and prepared with food and drinks as a thank you from Bill and herself to everybody involved in the Festival.
Ena’s funeral on Friday, 7th March was attended by family, friends and musicians from all over Scotland such was the high esteem that she was held in by people who over the years had benefited from her warmth, kindness and generosity.
Plans are already well advanced for the 54th All Scotland Championships in October this year. That day will undoubtedly prove to be a tribute to the life and work of this remarkable lady.
Ena is survived by husband Bill, daughter Di, son-in-law Billy and grandchildren Sharon and Richard.
John Fairbairn (Obituary)
by Brian Forrest
Everyone in the Accordion and Fiddle club scene in the Borders was stunned by the sudden and untimely death of John Fairbairn, Chairman of the Galashiels club.
John was a stalwart at all of the local Clubs, and his support will be sorely missed by many. He was happy to play alongside any club player, no matter how inexperienced. When asked who he would like to support him, he would always say, “It doesn’t matter, just whoever hasn’t had a turn yet.”
He was known as ‘The Gentle Giant’, and had a kind and friendly word for everyone he met.
Although John had considerable musical talent as a bandleader, in recent years he had been best known as second box player in David Scott’s Glenelvan Scottish Dance Band. Their second Take the Floor broadcast was aired less than three weeks before his death.
Local musicians packed the church in Galashiels, and the graveyard at Bowden. There were no hymns, but fellow band members Jim Nichol and Judith Linton played piano and fiddle.
Our sympathies go to John’s father and to his many close friends.
There were numerous floral tributes at his funeral, and a collection for Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland and Ward 14 of Borders General Hospital
David Scott wrote this poem:
He played with grace, he played with flair,
Sad to say, we’ll hear nae mair.
A better friend, you wouldn’t find,
He was so gentle, and so kind.
Big John, my friend of twenty years,
Now an empty chair, and lots of tears.
But life goes on, or so they say,
When next we meet we’ll have some day!!
Until that day I shall carry on,
Miss you always, my friend John…..
Dave Barclay – NAAFC Presentation
by Nicol McLaren
Dave Barclay, renowned double bass player over many years was finally presented with his ‘Bowl of Honour’ by the NAAFC.
Dave has played with all of the ‘greats’ and has a very distinctive style, instantly identifiable in whichever band he was playing.
Dave was unable to attend last year’s AGM Presentations due to business commitments as an antique dealer in Friockheim, Angus.
I spent a most enjoyable evening with Dave and wife Marjory at their home last month chatting about how the band scene has changed over the years abd of the great times, abd the characters, they experienced and enjoyed.
After the presentation Dave sent me this letter:
Dear Nicol,
Thank you for taking the time to deliver my Caithness Glass Bowl last Monday. It was good to meet up with you and have a chat about your views on ‘the business’.
I find it gratifying to have been deemed worthy of receiving the accolade along with the respect of fellow musicians, enthusiasts and ‘buskers’.
Please convey my sincere thanks to the committee members of the NAAFC and may I wish them and yourself continued success in the future.
Yours sincerely
Dave Barclay
Friockheim
2nd April 2003
Greeting from Inverness
by Margo MacLennan
At the time of writing, I am looking forward …………………..
The Piping Shrike
by Jean Lumsden
Today, 13th April, we had a Scottish Day…………
Reivers Festival
by Karin Ingram
The sound of horses’ hooves, clashing swords………..
Newtongrange 2003
by Heather McLean
Once again The Dean Tavern at Newtongrange………..
CD Reviews
An Evening with Friends At Jimmy Normans – Vol 2 – Ian Muir and his SDB – NORCD2002
Buttons and Keys – Addie Harper and the Wick Band Vol 2 – CDLAT002 Ross Records
Buttons and Keys – Jimmy Shand Jnr and his Band Vol 4 - CDLAT004 Ross Records
What Road? – Session A9 – CD002 – Raj Records
Once More for the Last Time – The Bill sharp Accordion Orchestra
Book Review
The Music of Angus Fitchet Vol 2 - NAAFC
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 20.30 with Robbie Shepherd
3rd May 03 – Gordon Shand SDB with Guest Presenter Nicol McLaren + feature with the Gray Family
10th May 03 – Neil Copland SDB + Judith Linton’s CD Choice
17th May 03 – Duncan MacKinnon SDB + Dr Ian Thomson discussing the future of Scottish dancing.
24th May 03 – Iain Cathcart and Guests – OB from Locharbriggs Community Centre
31st May 03 – Lynn Gould SDB + Graham Geddes discussing his recent trip to Bangkok
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Westburn Park Lounge) –
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle) 14th May 03 – AGM & Local Artistes
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 18th May 03 – Jimmy McQuire
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 4th May 03 – Dundee S&R Society
Armadale (Masonic Hall) –
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 26th May 03 – Sandy Legget & the Carseloch C.B.
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 28th May 03 – Bill Black SDB
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) –
Belford (Community Centre) –
Biggar (Municipal Hall) –
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 13th May 03 – Sandy Legget Trio
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) - 13th May 03 – AGM & Club Night
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 8th May 03 – Ian Adamson
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 6th May 03 – Mhairi Coutts Trio
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary’s Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 2nd May 03 – Dance to George Hood SDB
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) -
Crathes (Crathes Hall, Banchory) - 11th May 03 – All players welcome
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 1st May 03 – Sandy Legget Trio
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club) 14th May 03 – Gary Blair
Dalriada (Argyll Arms Hotel, Lochgilphead)
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 7th May 03 - Ross MacPherson Trio
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) –
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) –
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
East Kilbride (The Village Inn) –
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 20th May 03 – Jock Fraser Trio
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 26th May 03 – Michael Philip SDB
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 25th May 03 – Dick Black Band
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 14th May 03 – Donald MacLeod SDB
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) –
Galston (Barr Castle Social Club) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel, Wooler) –
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 7th May 03 – Orwell Ceilidh Band
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) - 27th May 03 – Wayne Robertson Duo
Gretna (Halcrow Stadium) -
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) – 19th May 03 – Steven Carcary Duo
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 15th May 03 – Colin Dewar SDB
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) –
Kelso (Ednam House Hotel) – 28th May 03 – Jim MacKay’s Band
Kintore (Torryburn Hotel) – 7th May 03 – Lindsay Weir SDB
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) -
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) – 8th May 03 – Alistair McCulloch Duo
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 1st May 03 – Fiddlers 3 + 2
23rd May 03 – Isle of Skye A&F Club
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 20th May 03 – Nicol McLaren SDB
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 7th May 03 – Billy Anderson & Albany
18th May 03 – Mac Kinnear Duo (2 – 5pm)
Newburgh (The Ship Inn) - 29th May 03 – Ross MacPherson Trio
Newmill-on-Teviot (Newmill Country Inn) -
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) –
Oban (McTavish’s Kitchen) –
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) –
Peebles (Green Tree Hotel) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 20th May 03 – Scott Gordon SDB
Premier NI (Chimney Corner Hotel) - 6th May 03 – Dermot O’Brien
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head) - 1st May 03 – Colin Garvin Ceilidh Band
Selkirk (Cricket Club) -
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) -
Thornhill (Masonic Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 5th May 03 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Turriff (Royal British Legion) – 1st May 03 – Wyvis Sound
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 15th May 03 – David Sturgeon & the Waverly SDB
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn) 8th May 03 – Neil Hardie SDB
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 20th May 03 – Marian Anderson SDB
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Annan
4. Banchory
5. Beith & District
6. Belford
7. Blairgowrie
8. Bromley
9. Button-Key
10. Campsie
11. Castle Douglas
12. Coalburn
13. Dingwall
14. Dunblane
15. Dunfermline
16. Ellon
17. Fintry
18. Forfar
19. Forres
20. Glenrothes & District
21. Gretna
22. Highland
23. Inveraray
24. Islesteps
25. Kelso
26. Kintore
27. Lanark
28. Lesmahagow
29. Lewis & Harris
30. Livingston
31. Lockerbie
32. Mauchline
33. Newtongrange
34. North East
35. Oban
36. Perth
37. Premier
38. Rothbury
39. Scottish Accordion Music (Crathes)
40. Shetland
41. Turriff
42. Tynedale
43. West Barnes
44. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2002
(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
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. Bromley A&F Club
14. Button Key A&F Club (
15. Campbeltown 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. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
29. Ellon A&F Club (
30. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
31. Forfar A&F Club (
32. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
33. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
34. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
35. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
36. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
37. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
38. 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)
39. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
40. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
41. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
42. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
43. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
44. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
45. Kintore A&F Club (
46. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed
47. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – present)
48. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
49. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
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. Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
54. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
55. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
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. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
66. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
67. Selkirk A&F Club (
68. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
69. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 - )
70. Sutherland A&F Club (
71. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
72. Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
73. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
74. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
75. Vancouver
76. West Barnes ( - present)
77. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975 - present)
78. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – )
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
79. Acharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
80. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
81. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
82. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
83. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
84. Buchan A&F Club
85. Callander A&F Club (
86. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
87. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
88. Club Accord
89. Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
90. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
91. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
92. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
93. Derwentside A&F Club
94. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
95. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
96. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
97. Dundee & District A&F Club (1970? – 1995?)
98. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
99. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
100. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
101. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
102. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
103. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
104. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
105. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
106. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
107. Mull A&F Club
108. Newcastleton Accordion Club
109. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
110. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
111. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
112. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
113. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
114. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
115. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
116. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
117. Tranent A&F Club
118. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
119. Wellbank A&F Club
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