Box and Fiddle
Year 36 No 09
May 2013
Price £2.70
44 Page Magazine
12 month subscription £29.70 + p&p £13.20 (UK)
Editor – Karin Ingram, Hawick
B&F Treasurer – Charlie Todd, Thankerton
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time-consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
More sad news this month as we announce the deaths of bandleader Kenny Thomson and bass player Doug Cargill, two of Scotland’s best known musicians. If any readers have memories of these two gentlemen, please share them with us.
Well done to all of the winners at the Dumfries and District Music Festival. Derek Hamilton’s article on Page 12 is bound to get people talking. Let us know if you agree or disagree with him.
Visit our fantastic website at www.boxandfiddle.com for club information, Box and Fiddle archives and loads more.
Karin Ingram
DDMFA Accordion & Fiddle Competitions
by Gavin Foster
The Accordion and Fiddle Section…………..
Gervasio Marcosignori (1927 – 2013)
by Rob Howard
The accordion world mourns the passing of Gervasio Marcosignori, probably the most admired and loved accordionist of his generation.
Gervasio Marcosignori, sometimes referred to as the ‘Poet of the Accordion’ was born in Castelfiderdo, Ancona, Italy on December 3rd 1927. As a young child he was taught the accordion by his father, Giovanni, and was soon making public appearances. In 1934 he performed in the presence of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, who was much impressed and urged the young Gervasio to “keep up the good work.” Although the war years greatly restricted accordion activity everywhere, in 1943 Gervasio won his first contest, and was on the road to becoming an outstanding competitor in post-war competitions as well as emerging as a top level concert artiste. The 1950s saw Marcosignori emerge as an international artiste, and he traveled extensively around Europe and beyond, making a huge impression wherever he went. He also served as an adjudicator at many festivals. In these years he played acoustically and, although he used many instruments, he was particularly associated with the Settimio Soprani ‘Artist VI’.
Gervasio Marcosignori has long occupied a special place in the affections of British accordionists, and his high level of virtuosity and expressive playing has been admired in this country since his first visit here in 1951. Marcosignori made his first public appearance in Great Britain on November 10th 1951 at the newly opened Royal Festival Hall, London, in the evening concert at the first CMA (confederation Mondiale de l’Accordeon) World Accordion championships (won by Louis Corchia of France). In this concert Marcosignori performed ‘Preludio’, a recent composition by Adamo Volpi, for which a British journalist acclaimed him to be the ‘Poet of the Accordion’. The competition was an event in the Festival of Britain, and the organizers were Adrian Dante and Desmond A. Harte, founders of the British Association of Accordionists (BAA).
Over the years Marcosignori made frequent trips to Britain, where he performed with distinction at many festivals, including the BAA British Championships in London (where in the 1950s and 60s he performed many times and also adjudicated), Bill Wilkie’s All Scotland Championships at Perth, Accordion Day in Wales at Swansea, the 2001 London Accordion Festival, accordion festivals at Blackpool, Bridlington and Morecambe, and the Wyre Accordion Festival in Fleetwood. At the lattermost festival, in 1992, he memorably shared the evening concert with the late, great Dermot O’Brien, an occasion when these two amazing accordion artistes thrilled a capacity audience with their respective talents. He was also the guest at numerous accordion clubs. In the 1950s and 60s his visits were organised by Adrian Dante, whose show business connections enable the maestro to perform many times on radio and TV, including appearances on the Rolf Harris and Val Doonican shows.
In 1959 Marcosignori was awarded the ‘World Oscar’ by the CMA for his international contribution to the accordion.
In 1962 Marcosignori collaborated with the Farfisa company technical team, led by Gianfelice Fugazza, in the design of the ‘Cordovox’, an electronic accordion operating via transistors. He was the first to publicly demonstrate it, then an innovative and revolutionary instrument. From the 1960s Marcosignori became ever more closely associated with the electronic accordion and he made many international visits demonstrating the Farfisa Transicord and Syntaccordion. In the 1980s Marcosignori also promoted Elka Orla’s Elkavox electronic accordion. Although he has always performed classical music, in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, he performed a wide range of Continental and Latin music – and this was the basis of his popularity with many people. The 1970s also saw him become inclined towards performing much more classical music than previously.
Marcosignori performed in front of many famous dignitaries such as past Italian President Sandro Pertini, Pope John Paul 11, Queen Elizabeth and others.
Marcosignori wrote ‘Tecnica della fisarmonica’, a three-volume series of tutor books for accordion technique, published by Berben Editions of Ancona. Considering the length of his career and his fame, Marcosignori made surprisingly few recordings, and his albums, recorded by Decca (UK) and Cetra (Italy), include ‘Accordion Travelogue’ (1959), ‘Dancing Continental’ (1961), ‘Record of the Century’ (1962), ‘Accordion showpieces’ (1972), ‘The Poet of the Accordion’(1991) and ‘Encore!’ (1995).
Gervasio Marcosignori was widowed some years ago when his wife Lucia died from cancer, causing him to suffer with depression. Nobody in the accordion world had more friends, but the loss of his wife was something he never fully came to terms with. More recently he had also developed signs of dementia and was unable to play the accordion to his usual high standard. On 8th March Italian news reports stated that Marcosignori had attempted suicide, and he died in Cesena Hospital, at the age of 85, on 9th March 2013. The funeral of Gervasio Marcosignori took place at the church of San Bendedetto, Castelfidardo, on March 16th. The Town Hall national flag was displayed at half-mast, and shops and businesses were closed as a mark of respect for this great maestro, whose sad passing has caused great shock throughout the accordion world.
It’s an Age Thing!
by Derek Hamilton
A recent broadcast on Take the Floor got me thinking about the changes in our music and the way it's presented in all it's forms. I refer, of course, to the suggestion by Ian Cathcart that the Beeb would do well to re run the first broadcast of Ronnie Easton and his Band recorded in 1978. Ian is obviously a man of real discernment. The broadcast had everything that my era of Scottish Dance Band enthusiast enjoys – a great recording, a big sound but relatively gentle, tight playing, simple good, well known tunes. Everything I want in a broadcast. Thanks Ian and the BBC for reviving a broadcast I'd forgotten.
So what's changed?
Well, we need to go further back in time from that '78 broadcast of Ronnie's and take a look at the scene that existed from the 1940s till the early 1970s. I have no intention here of re-writing the excellent book created by Jimmy Helm in 1998 titled 'Who's on the Dance Music Tonight' but I do hope to add a bit more background.
In those days there were dance bands of five and six musicians who played week in week out – sometimes two or three times a week – at their stock in trade – dances.
The cream of those bands, Jimmy Shand, Bobby MacLeod, Angus Fitchet, Andrew Rankine and the like all passed auditions for the BBC thrice weekly programme of Scottish Dance Music. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday of every week 'the Dance Music' was on the Scottish Home Service at 6.35 to 7.00pm. That was in the real heyday of the programme. So there's the first change – we now have MORE airtime 'based around' (the BBCs words – not mine) Scottish Dance Music. We currently have a 1hour and 55min programe compared to 75 min in those heady good old days!
Ok so the music was continuous dance music not like current programme - interspersed by a mishmash of other things, mostly folk based music. Although, to be fair, Wednesday night in the old days tended to be dominated by the Scottish Variety Orchestra!
The bands of those days could easily do 10, 12 , 13 broadcast a year! Even as late as 1974 I remember the Alasdair Hunter Trio did 4 broadcasts in the year (the only 4 broadcasts they did before becoming the Lorne Scottish Dance Band).
whole point, though, was that these were working bands and most of the broadcasts, certainly in the earlier years were live. Yes live – not recorded with all the re-takes making clinical perfection possible. Of course the good and the great could drop a stitch or two on the way but hey who noticed? The listening public didn't and that's who matter in any public performance. That's another change that's creeping in to our music – not in all cases of course but in many – it is being played for the listening pleasure of other musicians, peers of those playing, not the general listening public. This will, if it continues apace, create an elite few in the music scene and alienate the masses.
It is already doing so if the people I talk to are being honest. How many folk over 50 (the mass audience for Take the Floor) listen to the first 16 bars of Kate and the beginning of the first set and turn the radio off in favour of something else??
On the other hand, I'm willing to bet the BBC had more positive response to Ronnie's broadcast than any in a long time. Does that not speak for itself?
The playing ability, dexterity, wizardry – call it what you will – is not in question. The newer generation of players we have now are, without doubt, genius on the keyboard and buttons. They can do things on a box, or fiddle, or piano, or drums for that matter (I purposely exclude Bass players who, in the main have stuck religiously to two – maximum four – in the bar!) that were not possible by the relatively under trained musicians of the past. And they do it brilliantly. Whether they do it intelligently is open to question.
In my book, music is a language. Perhaps, as many have said, the last universal language. Language, by definition, needs to be understood, not only by the presenter but, much more importantly, by the receiver. In music language, the listener must understand what the player is saying.
Jimmy Shand playing 'The Bluebell Polka' sold enough copies to get it in the national charts – probably in excess of half a million copies. The listening public identified with it, understood it and thought to themselves ' If I could play the box – I'd play that'.
A later version of the tune, updated and given a modern jazzy feel by arguably the most technically competent accordionist Scotland has seen – would be lucky to sell 500 copies. That is not to say it wasn't good – it just wasn't understood by the buying audience. So in that case the language failed.
But it's an age thing! Scottish Dance music is moving forward – perhaps too fast for the lovers of the 40s,50s,60s and 70s era – it's a foreign language to us. There are pockets of linguists who still are understood by more than their peers and they tend to be the working bands.
The sad thing is that there is not the work for those talented musicians out in the field, which is a huge change from days gone by.
If you've only got the odd Accordion Club, village hall dance (where seldom you get the facility to have a 5 or 6 piece band due to financial constraints) or an open mic day at the local pub to display your talents, then to pass an audition for Take the Floor is a big thing. You have to display your talents somewhere. I'm just not at all sure the average listening public understand or want to hear it that way.
So, while change is inevitable, change for change's sake is not. I realise it's difficult to have a unique 5 or 6 piece band so 'rent-a-band' is the order of the day.
A side effect of that creates another change that is all too noticeable. Within 3 or 4 bars of Kate Dalrymple the eager listener of Scottish Dance Music, Ceilidhonia or Take the Floor – it has been called all of these - could identify the band. It's not so easy nowadays. Quite a lot of the newer bands today sound like clones of each other.
It's a bit like cars of today – they are all designed with a computer program so they are churned out with very similar features - it seems to me that the same applies to box players of the new era.
I've often heard the complaint that the young bands today play eveything too fast. I'm not sure that this is necessarily true. What they tend to do is play more intricate and complicated tunes which makes it sound faster but the basic tempos are not much faster than those of Jimmy Shand or Bobby MacLeod. Perhaps waltzes are a bit faster now but Reels and Jigs are not.
A most noticable change to me in the newer broadcasting bands is the feeling that a lot of the them comprise a range of musicians who want to outshine rather than compliment each other. In my book the leader is the leader and everyone else is transparent enough to make the leader sound good.
Changes in the recording techniques adopted have, in the main, improved the quality of the sound comitted to whatever medium but not in all cases. It still depends on a good pair of lugs to produce the best.
The internet has seen a proliferation of Scottish Music Shows some of them concentrating on Scottish Dance Music. Two really worthwhile to tune in to are Balaich nam Port on Cuillin FM on a Saturday night at 9.00pm for 2 hours and The Scottish Shindig on TD1 Radio with Ewan Galloway at 6.00pm on a Saturday again for two hours. You can listen again for a week to Ewan's programmme while the Balaich is repeated on a Sunday and Monday in the morning.
So, in truth, there have been changes in the way we hear, receive and perceive our music. Some have been good but not all. I used to believe that the music was safe in the hands of the young – I'm not now totally convinced – but that's just an age thing!
Perhaps you are a better judge than me.
Webwatch
by Bill Young
www.
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
REPEATS
4th May 2013 – Donald MacLeod SDB + Caledonians S&R Society 125 Anniversary
11th May 2013 – David Kennedy SDB + Tribute to Kenny Thomson
18th May 2013 – Steven Carcary SDB + Sheena Wellington
25th May 2013 – Nicky McMichan SDB – OB from Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 28th May 2013 - AGM
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle)
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 19th May 2013 – Dick Black Band
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 5th May 2013 – Colin Dewar Trio
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 20th May 2013 – Leonard Brown, Maggie Adamson & Malcolm Ross
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 22nd May 2013 – Maggie Adamson & Brian Nicolson
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) –
Biggar (Municipal Hall) –
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 14th May 2013 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Britannia (Arden House Hotel) -
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) -
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 9th May 2013 – Aiden Ring
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 7th May 2013 – Matthew MacLennan SDB
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 3rd May 2013 – Dance to Willie McRobert Trio
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - May 2013 -
Coldingham (Crosslaw Caravan Park) - 6th May 2013 – Nicky McMichan SDB
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 2nd May 2013 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club)
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) -
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 1st May 2013 – Lynn Gould Trio
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 15th May 2013 – Blair Gardiner SDB
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) – 14th May 2013 - AGM
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
Duns (Royal British Legion Club, Langtongate) 20th May 2013 – AGM + Dick Black Band
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 21st May 2013 – Alasdair Salter & Ian Thow
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) –
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 26th May 2013 – Alasdair MacLeod SDB
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 8th May 2013 – Susan MacFadyen SDB
Fort William (Railway Club, Inverlochy) -
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) –
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) -
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 1st May 2013 – Wayne Robertson Duo
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) -
Gretna (Athlitic & Social Club) -
Haddington (Railway Inn) -
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 20th May 2013 – Robert Nairn SDB
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 2nd May 2013 – West Telferton SDB 23/25th May 2013 - Festival
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) –
Kelso (Cross Keys Hotel) – 29th May 2013 – David Oswald SDB
Kintore (Torryburn Arms Hotel) –
Ladybank (Ladybank Tavern) - 16th May 2013 – James Coutts Trio
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) -
Langholm (Eskdale Hotel) –
Lauder (Black Bull Hotel) -
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 2nd May 2013 – DB MacLeod Trio
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 21st May 2013 – Alasdair MacLeod SDB
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) -
Maine Valley (Ballymena) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) –
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) -
Newmill-on-Teviot / Teviotdale (Buccleugh Bowling Club)
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 7th May 2013 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Northern (Lylehill Suite, Templepatrick, N.I.) - 1st May 2013 – Bruce Lindsay’s Buttons and Bows
Oban (The Argyllshire Gathering) –
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) – 22nd May 2013 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 21st May 2013 – Ian Muir SDB
Premier NI (Chimney Corner Hotel) -
Reading Scottish Fiddlers (Willowbank Infant School, Woodley) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 2nd May 2013 – Iain Stewart Trio
Scottish Accordion Music (Banchory) -
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 14th May 2013 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Selkirk (Angus O’Malley’s) -
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) -
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) -
Thornhill (Bowling Club Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 6th May 2013 – Iain Angus MacLeod SDB
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 2nd May 2013 – Ewan Galloway SDB
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 16th May 2013 – John Douglas SDB
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn)
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 21st May 2013 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Annan
3. Balloch
4. Banchory
5. Banff
6. Biggar
7. Blairgowrie
8. Button-Key
9. Campsie
10. Castle Douglas
11. Coalburn
12. Coldingham
13. Crieff
14. Dingwall
15. Dunblane
16. Dunfermline
17. Duns
18. Fintry
19. Forfar
20. Forres
21. Glendale
22. Highland
23. Isle of Skye
24. Islesteps
25. Kelso
26. Ladybank
27. Lanark
28. Lewis & Harris
29. Mauchline
30. Montrose
31. Newburgh
32. Newtongrange
33. North East
34. Northern
35. Oban
36. Orkney
37. Peebles
38. Perth
39. Renfrew
40. Rothbury
41. Seghill
42. Shetland
43. Sutherland
44. Thornhill
45. Thurso
46. Turriff
47. Tynedale
48. West Barnes
49. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2012
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
10. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
11. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
12. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
13. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
14. Button Key A&F Club (
15. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
16. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
17. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
18. Coalburn A&F Club (
19. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 -
20. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
21. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
22. Cults A & F Club (
23. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
24. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
25. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
26. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
27. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
28. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
29. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
30. Ellon A&F Club (
31. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
32. Forfar A&F Club (
33. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
34. Fort William A&F Club (2009 -
35. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
36. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
37. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
38. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
39. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
40. Gretna A&F Club (1991) Known as North Cumbria A&F Club previously (originally called Gretna when started in June 1966 but later had to move to venues in the North of England and changed name. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
41. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 - )
42. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
43. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
44. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
45. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
46. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
47. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier
48. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
49. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
50. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
51. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
52. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
53 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
54 Maine Valley A&F Club (
55 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
56 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
57 Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
58 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
59. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
60. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
61. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
62. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
63. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
64. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
65. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
66. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
67. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
68. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
69. Selkirk A&F Club (
70. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
71 Stonehouse A&F Club (first report June 05 -
72 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
73 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
74 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
75 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
76 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
77 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
78 West Barnes ( - present)
79 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?)
80. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
81. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
82. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
83. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
84. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
85. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
86. Buchan A&F Club
87 Callander A&F Club (
88 Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
89 Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
90 Club Accord
91 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
92. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
93. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
94. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
95. Derwentside A&F Club
96. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
97. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
98. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
99. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
100. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
101. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
102. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
103. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
104. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
105. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
106. Kintore A&F Club (
107. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
108. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
109. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
110. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
111. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
112. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
113. Mull A&F Club
114. Newcastleton Accordion Club
115. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
116. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
117. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
118. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
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. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
122. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
123. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
124. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
125. Tranent A&F Club
126. Vancouver
127. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
128. Wellbank A&F Club
129. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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B&F Treasurer – Charlie Todd, Thankerton
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time-consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
More sad news this month as we announce the deaths of bandleader Kenny Thomson and bass player Doug Cargill, two of Scotland’s best known musicians. If any readers have memories of these two gentlemen, please share them with us.
Well done to all of the winners at the Dumfries and District Music Festival. Derek Hamilton’s article on Page 12 is bound to get people talking. Let us know if you agree or disagree with him.
Visit our fantastic website at www.boxandfiddle.com for club information, Box and Fiddle archives and loads more.
Karin Ingram
DDMFA Accordion & Fiddle Competitions
by Gavin Foster
The Accordion and Fiddle Section…………..
Gervasio Marcosignori (1927 – 2013)
by Rob Howard
The accordion world mourns the passing of Gervasio Marcosignori, probably the most admired and loved accordionist of his generation.
Gervasio Marcosignori, sometimes referred to as the ‘Poet of the Accordion’ was born in Castelfiderdo, Ancona, Italy on December 3rd 1927. As a young child he was taught the accordion by his father, Giovanni, and was soon making public appearances. In 1934 he performed in the presence of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, who was much impressed and urged the young Gervasio to “keep up the good work.” Although the war years greatly restricted accordion activity everywhere, in 1943 Gervasio won his first contest, and was on the road to becoming an outstanding competitor in post-war competitions as well as emerging as a top level concert artiste. The 1950s saw Marcosignori emerge as an international artiste, and he traveled extensively around Europe and beyond, making a huge impression wherever he went. He also served as an adjudicator at many festivals. In these years he played acoustically and, although he used many instruments, he was particularly associated with the Settimio Soprani ‘Artist VI’.
Gervasio Marcosignori has long occupied a special place in the affections of British accordionists, and his high level of virtuosity and expressive playing has been admired in this country since his first visit here in 1951. Marcosignori made his first public appearance in Great Britain on November 10th 1951 at the newly opened Royal Festival Hall, London, in the evening concert at the first CMA (confederation Mondiale de l’Accordeon) World Accordion championships (won by Louis Corchia of France). In this concert Marcosignori performed ‘Preludio’, a recent composition by Adamo Volpi, for which a British journalist acclaimed him to be the ‘Poet of the Accordion’. The competition was an event in the Festival of Britain, and the organizers were Adrian Dante and Desmond A. Harte, founders of the British Association of Accordionists (BAA).
Over the years Marcosignori made frequent trips to Britain, where he performed with distinction at many festivals, including the BAA British Championships in London (where in the 1950s and 60s he performed many times and also adjudicated), Bill Wilkie’s All Scotland Championships at Perth, Accordion Day in Wales at Swansea, the 2001 London Accordion Festival, accordion festivals at Blackpool, Bridlington and Morecambe, and the Wyre Accordion Festival in Fleetwood. At the lattermost festival, in 1992, he memorably shared the evening concert with the late, great Dermot O’Brien, an occasion when these two amazing accordion artistes thrilled a capacity audience with their respective talents. He was also the guest at numerous accordion clubs. In the 1950s and 60s his visits were organised by Adrian Dante, whose show business connections enable the maestro to perform many times on radio and TV, including appearances on the Rolf Harris and Val Doonican shows.
In 1959 Marcosignori was awarded the ‘World Oscar’ by the CMA for his international contribution to the accordion.
In 1962 Marcosignori collaborated with the Farfisa company technical team, led by Gianfelice Fugazza, in the design of the ‘Cordovox’, an electronic accordion operating via transistors. He was the first to publicly demonstrate it, then an innovative and revolutionary instrument. From the 1960s Marcosignori became ever more closely associated with the electronic accordion and he made many international visits demonstrating the Farfisa Transicord and Syntaccordion. In the 1980s Marcosignori also promoted Elka Orla’s Elkavox electronic accordion. Although he has always performed classical music, in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, he performed a wide range of Continental and Latin music – and this was the basis of his popularity with many people. The 1970s also saw him become inclined towards performing much more classical music than previously.
Marcosignori performed in front of many famous dignitaries such as past Italian President Sandro Pertini, Pope John Paul 11, Queen Elizabeth and others.
Marcosignori wrote ‘Tecnica della fisarmonica’, a three-volume series of tutor books for accordion technique, published by Berben Editions of Ancona. Considering the length of his career and his fame, Marcosignori made surprisingly few recordings, and his albums, recorded by Decca (UK) and Cetra (Italy), include ‘Accordion Travelogue’ (1959), ‘Dancing Continental’ (1961), ‘Record of the Century’ (1962), ‘Accordion showpieces’ (1972), ‘The Poet of the Accordion’(1991) and ‘Encore!’ (1995).
Gervasio Marcosignori was widowed some years ago when his wife Lucia died from cancer, causing him to suffer with depression. Nobody in the accordion world had more friends, but the loss of his wife was something he never fully came to terms with. More recently he had also developed signs of dementia and was unable to play the accordion to his usual high standard. On 8th March Italian news reports stated that Marcosignori had attempted suicide, and he died in Cesena Hospital, at the age of 85, on 9th March 2013. The funeral of Gervasio Marcosignori took place at the church of San Bendedetto, Castelfidardo, on March 16th. The Town Hall national flag was displayed at half-mast, and shops and businesses were closed as a mark of respect for this great maestro, whose sad passing has caused great shock throughout the accordion world.
It’s an Age Thing!
by Derek Hamilton
A recent broadcast on Take the Floor got me thinking about the changes in our music and the way it's presented in all it's forms. I refer, of course, to the suggestion by Ian Cathcart that the Beeb would do well to re run the first broadcast of Ronnie Easton and his Band recorded in 1978. Ian is obviously a man of real discernment. The broadcast had everything that my era of Scottish Dance Band enthusiast enjoys – a great recording, a big sound but relatively gentle, tight playing, simple good, well known tunes. Everything I want in a broadcast. Thanks Ian and the BBC for reviving a broadcast I'd forgotten.
So what's changed?
Well, we need to go further back in time from that '78 broadcast of Ronnie's and take a look at the scene that existed from the 1940s till the early 1970s. I have no intention here of re-writing the excellent book created by Jimmy Helm in 1998 titled 'Who's on the Dance Music Tonight' but I do hope to add a bit more background.
In those days there were dance bands of five and six musicians who played week in week out – sometimes two or three times a week – at their stock in trade – dances.
The cream of those bands, Jimmy Shand, Bobby MacLeod, Angus Fitchet, Andrew Rankine and the like all passed auditions for the BBC thrice weekly programme of Scottish Dance Music. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday of every week 'the Dance Music' was on the Scottish Home Service at 6.35 to 7.00pm. That was in the real heyday of the programme. So there's the first change – we now have MORE airtime 'based around' (the BBCs words – not mine) Scottish Dance Music. We currently have a 1hour and 55min programe compared to 75 min in those heady good old days!
Ok so the music was continuous dance music not like current programme - interspersed by a mishmash of other things, mostly folk based music. Although, to be fair, Wednesday night in the old days tended to be dominated by the Scottish Variety Orchestra!
The bands of those days could easily do 10, 12 , 13 broadcast a year! Even as late as 1974 I remember the Alasdair Hunter Trio did 4 broadcasts in the year (the only 4 broadcasts they did before becoming the Lorne Scottish Dance Band).
whole point, though, was that these were working bands and most of the broadcasts, certainly in the earlier years were live. Yes live – not recorded with all the re-takes making clinical perfection possible. Of course the good and the great could drop a stitch or two on the way but hey who noticed? The listening public didn't and that's who matter in any public performance. That's another change that's creeping in to our music – not in all cases of course but in many – it is being played for the listening pleasure of other musicians, peers of those playing, not the general listening public. This will, if it continues apace, create an elite few in the music scene and alienate the masses.
It is already doing so if the people I talk to are being honest. How many folk over 50 (the mass audience for Take the Floor) listen to the first 16 bars of Kate and the beginning of the first set and turn the radio off in favour of something else??
On the other hand, I'm willing to bet the BBC had more positive response to Ronnie's broadcast than any in a long time. Does that not speak for itself?
The playing ability, dexterity, wizardry – call it what you will – is not in question. The newer generation of players we have now are, without doubt, genius on the keyboard and buttons. They can do things on a box, or fiddle, or piano, or drums for that matter (I purposely exclude Bass players who, in the main have stuck religiously to two – maximum four – in the bar!) that were not possible by the relatively under trained musicians of the past. And they do it brilliantly. Whether they do it intelligently is open to question.
In my book, music is a language. Perhaps, as many have said, the last universal language. Language, by definition, needs to be understood, not only by the presenter but, much more importantly, by the receiver. In music language, the listener must understand what the player is saying.
Jimmy Shand playing 'The Bluebell Polka' sold enough copies to get it in the national charts – probably in excess of half a million copies. The listening public identified with it, understood it and thought to themselves ' If I could play the box – I'd play that'.
A later version of the tune, updated and given a modern jazzy feel by arguably the most technically competent accordionist Scotland has seen – would be lucky to sell 500 copies. That is not to say it wasn't good – it just wasn't understood by the buying audience. So in that case the language failed.
But it's an age thing! Scottish Dance music is moving forward – perhaps too fast for the lovers of the 40s,50s,60s and 70s era – it's a foreign language to us. There are pockets of linguists who still are understood by more than their peers and they tend to be the working bands.
The sad thing is that there is not the work for those talented musicians out in the field, which is a huge change from days gone by.
If you've only got the odd Accordion Club, village hall dance (where seldom you get the facility to have a 5 or 6 piece band due to financial constraints) or an open mic day at the local pub to display your talents, then to pass an audition for Take the Floor is a big thing. You have to display your talents somewhere. I'm just not at all sure the average listening public understand or want to hear it that way.
So, while change is inevitable, change for change's sake is not. I realise it's difficult to have a unique 5 or 6 piece band so 'rent-a-band' is the order of the day.
A side effect of that creates another change that is all too noticeable. Within 3 or 4 bars of Kate Dalrymple the eager listener of Scottish Dance Music, Ceilidhonia or Take the Floor – it has been called all of these - could identify the band. It's not so easy nowadays. Quite a lot of the newer bands today sound like clones of each other.
It's a bit like cars of today – they are all designed with a computer program so they are churned out with very similar features - it seems to me that the same applies to box players of the new era.
I've often heard the complaint that the young bands today play eveything too fast. I'm not sure that this is necessarily true. What they tend to do is play more intricate and complicated tunes which makes it sound faster but the basic tempos are not much faster than those of Jimmy Shand or Bobby MacLeod. Perhaps waltzes are a bit faster now but Reels and Jigs are not.
A most noticable change to me in the newer broadcasting bands is the feeling that a lot of the them comprise a range of musicians who want to outshine rather than compliment each other. In my book the leader is the leader and everyone else is transparent enough to make the leader sound good.
Changes in the recording techniques adopted have, in the main, improved the quality of the sound comitted to whatever medium but not in all cases. It still depends on a good pair of lugs to produce the best.
The internet has seen a proliferation of Scottish Music Shows some of them concentrating on Scottish Dance Music. Two really worthwhile to tune in to are Balaich nam Port on Cuillin FM on a Saturday night at 9.00pm for 2 hours and The Scottish Shindig on TD1 Radio with Ewan Galloway at 6.00pm on a Saturday again for two hours. You can listen again for a week to Ewan's programmme while the Balaich is repeated on a Sunday and Monday in the morning.
So, in truth, there have been changes in the way we hear, receive and perceive our music. Some have been good but not all. I used to believe that the music was safe in the hands of the young – I'm not now totally convinced – but that's just an age thing!
Perhaps you are a better judge than me.
Webwatch
by Bill Young
www.
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
REPEATS
4th May 2013 – Donald MacLeod SDB + Caledonians S&R Society 125 Anniversary
11th May 2013 – David Kennedy SDB + Tribute to Kenny Thomson
18th May 2013 – Steven Carcary SDB + Sheena Wellington
25th May 2013 – Nicky McMichan SDB – OB from Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 28th May 2013 - AGM
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle)
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 19th May 2013 – Dick Black Band
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 5th May 2013 – Colin Dewar Trio
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 20th May 2013 – Leonard Brown, Maggie Adamson & Malcolm Ross
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 22nd May 2013 – Maggie Adamson & Brian Nicolson
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) –
Biggar (Municipal Hall) –
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 14th May 2013 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Britannia (Arden House Hotel) -
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) -
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 9th May 2013 – Aiden Ring
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 7th May 2013 – Matthew MacLennan SDB
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 3rd May 2013 – Dance to Willie McRobert Trio
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - May 2013 -
Coldingham (Crosslaw Caravan Park) - 6th May 2013 – Nicky McMichan SDB
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 2nd May 2013 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club)
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) -
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 1st May 2013 – Lynn Gould Trio
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 15th May 2013 – Blair Gardiner SDB
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) – 14th May 2013 - AGM
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
Duns (Royal British Legion Club, Langtongate) 20th May 2013 – AGM + Dick Black Band
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 21st May 2013 – Alasdair Salter & Ian Thow
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) –
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 26th May 2013 – Alasdair MacLeod SDB
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 8th May 2013 – Susan MacFadyen SDB
Fort William (Railway Club, Inverlochy) -
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) –
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) -
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 1st May 2013 – Wayne Robertson Duo
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) -
Gretna (Athlitic & Social Club) -
Haddington (Railway Inn) -
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 20th May 2013 – Robert Nairn SDB
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 2nd May 2013 – West Telferton SDB 23/25th May 2013 - Festival
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) –
Kelso (Cross Keys Hotel) – 29th May 2013 – David Oswald SDB
Kintore (Torryburn Arms Hotel) –
Ladybank (Ladybank Tavern) - 16th May 2013 – James Coutts Trio
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) -
Langholm (Eskdale Hotel) –
Lauder (Black Bull Hotel) -
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 2nd May 2013 – DB MacLeod Trio
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 21st May 2013 – Alasdair MacLeod SDB
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) -
Maine Valley (Ballymena) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) –
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) -
Newmill-on-Teviot / Teviotdale (Buccleugh Bowling Club)
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 7th May 2013 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Northern (Lylehill Suite, Templepatrick, N.I.) - 1st May 2013 – Bruce Lindsay’s Buttons and Bows
Oban (The Argyllshire Gathering) –
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) – 22nd May 2013 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 21st May 2013 – Ian Muir SDB
Premier NI (Chimney Corner Hotel) -
Reading Scottish Fiddlers (Willowbank Infant School, Woodley) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 2nd May 2013 – Iain Stewart Trio
Scottish Accordion Music (Banchory) -
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 14th May 2013 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Selkirk (Angus O’Malley’s) -
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) -
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) -
Thornhill (Bowling Club Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 6th May 2013 – Iain Angus MacLeod SDB
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 2nd May 2013 – Ewan Galloway SDB
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 16th May 2013 – John Douglas SDB
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn)
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 21st May 2013 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Annan
3. Balloch
4. Banchory
5. Banff
6. Biggar
7. Blairgowrie
8. Button-Key
9. Campsie
10. Castle Douglas
11. Coalburn
12. Coldingham
13. Crieff
14. Dingwall
15. Dunblane
16. Dunfermline
17. Duns
18. Fintry
19. Forfar
20. Forres
21. Glendale
22. Highland
23. Isle of Skye
24. Islesteps
25. Kelso
26. Ladybank
27. Lanark
28. Lewis & Harris
29. Mauchline
30. Montrose
31. Newburgh
32. Newtongrange
33. North East
34. Northern
35. Oban
36. Orkney
37. Peebles
38. Perth
39. Renfrew
40. Rothbury
41. Seghill
42. Shetland
43. Sutherland
44. Thornhill
45. Thurso
46. Turriff
47. Tynedale
48. West Barnes
49. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2012
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
10. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
11. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
12. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
13. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
14. Button Key A&F Club (
15. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
16. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
17. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
18. Coalburn A&F Club (
19. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 -
20. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
21. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
22. Cults A & F Club (
23. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
24. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
25. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
26. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
27. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
28. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
29. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
30. Ellon A&F Club (
31. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
32. Forfar A&F Club (
33. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
34. Fort William A&F Club (2009 -
35. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
36. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
37. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
38. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
39. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
40. Gretna A&F Club (1991) Known as North Cumbria A&F Club previously (originally called Gretna when started in June 1966 but later had to move to venues in the North of England and changed name. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
41. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 - )
42. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
43. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
44. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
45. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
46. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
47. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier
48. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
49. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
50. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
51. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
52. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
53 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
54 Maine Valley A&F Club (
55 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
56 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
57 Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
58 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
59. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
60. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
61. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
62. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
63. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
64. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
65. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
66. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
67. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
68. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
69. Selkirk A&F Club (
70. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
71 Stonehouse A&F Club (first report June 05 -
72 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
73 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
74 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
75 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
76 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
77 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
78 West Barnes ( - present)
79 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?)
80. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
81. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
82. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
83. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
84. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
85. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
86. Buchan A&F Club
87 Callander A&F Club (
88 Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
89 Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
90 Club Accord
91 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
92. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
93. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
94. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
95. Derwentside A&F Club
96. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
97. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
98. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
99. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
100. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
101. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
102. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
103. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
104. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
105. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
106. Kintore A&F Club (
107. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
108. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
109. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
110. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
111. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
112. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
113. Mull A&F Club
114. Newcastleton Accordion Club
115. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
116. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
117. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
118. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
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. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
122. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
123. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
124. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
125. Tranent A&F Club
126. Vancouver
127. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
128. Wellbank A&F Club
129. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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