Box and Fiddle
Year 38 No 09
May 2015
Price £2.70
44 Page Magazine
12 month subscription £32.40 + p&p £15.75 (UK)
Editor – Pia Walker, Cupar
B&F Treasurer – Charlie Todd, Thankerton
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time-consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
It’s sunny! It is May, the month when many of you stop going to Clubs…………………..
Pia Walker
Kenny Wilson
by Pia Walker
In the beginning of April I drove down to Biggar and spent a lovely morning with Kenny Wilson and his partner Pat in their house with a wonderful view of the Peebleshire Hills.
Kenny Wilson was born June 1930, raised on a hill farm and at 14 became an apprentice gamekeeper on the local Leadhills Estate, where he worked until 1992 as head keeper. He still has connections with the local estates, which ensure that pheasant and venison is often on the menu. From 1964-1975 he also worked as a Special Constable, with poaching, especially hare coursing, as his special remit. In 1977, he became a Justice of the Peace and local Magistrate at Lanark District Court and although not a magistrate on the bench any longer, he is still a JP.
After retiring as keeper, Kenny moved to Biggar and worked as an estate agent and game advisor both for Saville’s and The Game Conservancy Council and he still gets the odd phone call from people asking advice. He is also founder member of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, and became a Fellow 10 years ago of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust.
In 1963 he married Elizabeth with whom he has a daughter Valerie, sadly Elizabeth passed away in 1995. Valerie works in Nature Conservancy and according to Pat, they do from time to time have some ‘in-depth discussions’ with regards to their work. Now retired, Kenny enjoy gardening and he and Pat also enjoy pilgrimages to Islay and Tongue where Kenny enjoys loch fishing for trout.
Kenny loves motorbikes. His first road bike was a BSA M20 followed by a Norton on which he used to travel to gigs with his fiddle in a game bag. Later of course, you travelled by car as you were dressed to play for dances.
Kenny started fiddling at the age of 12 when younger brother Ian was given a fiddle by a shepherd’s wife. He started by sawing out some tunes, but was then tutored by Alex Brown who told him he was holding the bow and the fiddle incorrectly. Correcting this was extremely hard, but as he wanted to be more than a fireside fiddler, he worked at it, even if his mum told him that since he took tuition, he sounded worse than ever. As the farm house did not have any heating except from the main fireplace, he used to practice in the byre with its 12 cows and 1 horse. The animals seemed to like it. Incidentally the first tune he practiced and played was When He Cometh. Kenny and Ian never had to be asked to practice and he firmly believes that if a child really, really wants to do something, there’s no need for asking and cajoling.
In fact, he is in favour of never giving up. In 1950 his work career almost ended, when a work accident damaged his left eye leaving his vision impaired. He adjusted his sight accordingly although reading music at recordings could be difficult. Recently a cataract operation replacing the lens has fully restored his vision. Kenny was born with a cleft lip and palate, and although the lip was operated on when he was 3 months old, nothing was done to the palate until his late 20’s. After the series of operations, Kenny had to learn to speak properly again, and he was determined to learn this on his own, so he sat on the hills with his dogs and spoke aloud until he was able to do so. If you want to get somewhere you have to work at it, he says.
When he was 17-18 years of age, Kenny was talent scouted for the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Kenny said no, however, as he couldn’t see him self adjust to big city living, and realised that it would mean a lot of travel, living out of a suitcase, but never seeing anything but rehearsing rooms and concert halls.
Ian still has the fiddle that Kenny first learnt on. Kenny’s own fiddle, a Strad copy made in Prague in 1719, belonged to his grandfather and handed down to him by a cousin. The fiddle he plays regularly for band work though is a beautiful 1926 Jean Werro, bought for £10 in 1957. It has a more subtle sound for Scottish music he finds. Kenny also owns a Davy Eunson Hardanger fiddle, which was delivered to him wrapped in a Shetland shawl by an Orkney to Glasgow pilot. Although he always takes it to gigs with him, he only plays it solo with backing due to its very special sound.
Alex Brown introduced him to the Lanark Amateur Orchestra, which led him to play in the Lanark Musical Society. At the same time Andrew Coke, although he had never heard Kenny play, asked Kenny join the band and later Ian also joined this band. Kenny attributes Andrew as instrumental in getting Kenny and Ian to play together. Kenny used to play 3 nights a week in the heydays, and admits to at times never getting any sleep, what with having to work early in the morning the next day. Elizabeth was a district nurse and midwife, so she also worked a lot away from the home. I got the impression that she was a very independent and understanding helpmate.
In 1955 Kenny joined Jim Anderson’s band and later the Carlton Quintet. From the early 60’s Kenny was sought after as a broadcast musician by many and both Ian Holmes and Max Houliston from Dumfries regularly used Kenny as their preferred fiddler. He appeared on TV with Ken Dodd, who especially liked his Hardanger fiddle. The fee was to be £ 80 pr minute on camera, and Ken had to pay Kenny a good amount as the camera was on him for 15 minutes due to the Hardanger.
Kenny remembers the first time he played at an Accordion Club with Max Houliston in the room above The Hole in the Wa’. The place was so busy that the double bass and accordions were lifted over the heads of the audiences to get to the stage and if a fire broke out, the band would have no chance of getting out. He points out that in those days bands always turned out as 6-piece bands.
Kenny has played with many of the great bands in his time. He also stood in for Iain Powrie both as a player, but also once as an arbiter at the Glenfiddich Competitions. He still plays very occasionally with Bill Richardson and has a tune now and again with Pete Clark.
Upon asked what advice he would like to give the younger generation, he asks them to look and listen to the older generation. He feels that a lot of young people, although they are technically probably better than many of the older players, think they have nothing to learn from the older and much more experienced generation. He feels they could be come even better players if they would just observe. Although Kenny himself loves the faster tunes, he would wish the younger players to slow down a bit, so their abilities shine through better.
For more information on this very interesting man, please also read the archive article: http://boxandfiddlearchive.weebly.com/kenny-wilson.html
Dumfries Accordion & Fiddle Festival
by
The 2015 Festival, held on 28th March, turned out to be………………
In Memory
Bert Rae (12/03/1932 – 25/03/2015)
by Robert Rae
Robert Tweedie Rae was born at Castle Douglas Hospital to his farming parents Robert Baden Powell Rae and Lizzie Templeton Tweedies. He left school at 14 to farm with his dad, but later became an insurance salesman with Pearl Assurance until his retirement in 1992.
Bert was well known. He started playing in the early 50s and played with many fine musicians in many wonderful bands. He traveled the length and breadth of Dumfries and Galloway, and must have played in every village hall in the district. The mathematician in me has worked out that without doubt this would have meant that he played at about 15,000 events in his lifetime.
Of course in his younger days he was the dashing bandleader that all the women were chasing (or so he told me!) and he and Nancy, his first wife, met up at the dances around the village of Rhonehouse. They courted and then got married in 1956 and Alison and Robert soon came along. Nancy sadly passed away in 1992.
He played at the KBT Academy Candlemas for just over 60 years, his enthusiasm for these events ever high. Bert was delighted that the kids in the Academy were being taught ‘proper dancing’, as he put it.
Over the past few year’s, dad’s enthusiasm for playing, if anything, seemed to have increased, (I suppose he had more time after he retired), and he could often be seen in such exotic far-away places as Cumbria, Newcastle and Aberdeen.
Bert later met Doris whom he married in 1993 at Gretna Green, and to the very end they were each others constant companions. Together they and others ran The Britannia Accordion and Fiddle Club, an organisation that he was immensely proud to be involved in. They also raised huge amounts of money for various charities and organizations as well as supplied countless hours and evenings of enjoyment.
In fact due to his charity work, Bert was awarded The Dumfries and Galloway Community Champion Award 2011.
Bert passed away after a short illness, and it just leaves me to say, “My dad will be remembered by many different people for many different reasons, but more important that WHY you remember him is HOW you remember him. Perhaps the best way to remember him is as the photo shows – with an accordion on his knee and a smile on his face.”
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
Off the Beaten Track – Tom Orr SDB – CPR002
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
2nd May 2015 – Sandy Nixon SDB
9th May 2015 – Gary Sutherland SDB
16th May 2015 – David Kennedy SDB
23rd May 2015 – Glencraig SDB
30th May 2015 – Charlie Kirkpatrick SDB
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 26th May 2018 – David Vernon
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms) 13th May 2018 – Marian Anderson SDB
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 17th May 2018 – Janet Graham SDB
Arbroath (Artisan Golf Club) - 3rd May 2018 – Roddy Matthews Trio
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 25th May 2018 – Rob Roy Ceilidh Band
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 17th May 2018 – Tommy Newcomen
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) –
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) –
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 12th May 2018 – Marian Anderson SDB
Britannia (Arden House Hotel ) -
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 14th May 2018 – Ernie Gordon
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 5th May 2018 – Kyle Innes Trio
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 1st May 2018 – Dance to Lyne Valley Band
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) -
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 7th May 2018 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) -
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 6th May 2018 – Alasdair MacLeod Trio
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 20th May 2018 – Dave Husband
Dunfermline (Civil Service Sports Assoc, Rosyth) – 12th May 2018 - AGM
Duns (Masonic Lodge) 18th May 2018 – AGM & Club Night
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 19th May 2018 – Jimmy & Sandy Lindsay
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) –
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 31st May 2018 – Adin Graham SDB
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 13th May 2018 – Addie Harper SDB
Fort William (Railway Club) - 5th May 2018 – Club Night
Galashiels (Clovenfords Hotel) –
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) -
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 6th May 2018 – Janet Graham SDB
Gretna (The Gables Hotel) -
Haddington (Railway Inn) - 3rd May 2018 – Lomond Ceilidh Band
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 18th May 2018 – Lomond Ceilidh Band
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 7th May 2018 – Sandy Ross & George MacIntosh
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) –
Kelso (Cross Rugby Club) – 27th May 2018 – The Occasionals
Ladybank (Ladybank Tavern) -
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) -
Langholm (British Legion) – 31st May 2018 – Open Day
Lewis & Harris (Sea Angling Club) - 7th May 2018 – Club Night
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 19th May 2018 – Robert Whitehead SDB
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 6th May 2018 – Brandon McPhee Trio
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) -
Newmill-on-Teviot / Teviotdale (Buccleugh Bowling Club)
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 5th May 2018 – Ganin Piper
Northern (Hilton Hotel & Country Club , Templepatrick, N.I.) -
Oban (The Royal Hotel) –
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 27th May 2018 – Inter-Island Concert
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 28th May 2018 – Iain Cathcart Trio
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 19th May 2018 – Jim Lindsay SDB
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 7th May 2018 – Bon Accords
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 5th 12th 19th 27th May 2018 – Club Nights
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) -
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 4th May 2018 – Nicol McLaren SDB
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 7th May 2018 – Brandon McPhee Trio
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 21st May 2018 – Roger Dobson SDB
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn)
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 22nd May 2018 – 40th Anniversary – Iain MacPhail SDB
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Annan
2. Arbroath
3. Balloch
4. Banff
5. Biggar
6. Blairgowrie
7. Button Key
8. Castle Douglas
9. Coalburn
10. Dingwall
11. Dunblane
12. Dunfermline
13. Duns
14. Forfar
15. Forres
16. Highland
17. Inveraray
18. Isle of Skye
19. Kelso
20. Ladybank
21. Langholm
22. Lewis & Harris
23. Livingston
24. Mauchline
25. Newburgh
26. North East
27. Peebles
28. Perth
29. Renfrew
30. Rothbury
31. Shetland
32. Tynedale
33. West Barnes
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2014
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
10. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
11. Button Key A&F Club (
12. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
13. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
15. Coalburn A&F Club (
16. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
17. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
18. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
19. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
20. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
21. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
22. Ellon A&F Club (
23. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
24. Forfar A&F Club (
25. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
26. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
27. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
28. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
29. 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)
30. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 - )
31. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
32. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
33. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
34. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
35. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
36. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier
37. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
38. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
39. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 – present)
40. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
41 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
42 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
43 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
44 Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
45 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
46. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
47. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
48. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
49. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
50. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
51. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
52. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
53. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
54. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
55 Stonehouse A&F Club (first report June 05 -
56 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
57 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
58 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
58 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
60 West Barnes ( - present)
61 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?)
62. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
63. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
64. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
65. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
66. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
67. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
68. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
69. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
70. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
71. Buchan A&F Club
72. Callander A&F Club (
73. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
74. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
75. Club Accord
76. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
77 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
78. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
79. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
80. Cults A & F Club (
81. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
82. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
83. Derwentside A&F Club
84. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
85. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
86. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
87. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
88. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
89. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
90. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
91. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
92. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
93. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
94. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93? – left the Assoc c2013)
95. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
96. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
97. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
98. Kintore A&F Club (
99. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
100. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
101. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
102. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
103. Maine Valley A&F Club (
104. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
105. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
106. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
107. Mull A&F Club
108. Newcastleton Accordion Club
109. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
110. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
111. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
112. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
113. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
114. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
115. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
116. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
117. Selkirk A&F Club (
118. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
119. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
120. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
121 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
122 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
123. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
124. Tranent A&F Club
125. Vancouver
126. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
127. Wellbank A&F Club
128. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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Half Page (colour) - £110
Half Page (b&w) - £70
Quarter Page (colour) - £55
Quarter Page (b&w) - £35
Eighth Page - £18
Small Boxed £12
B&F Treasurer – Charlie Todd, Thankerton
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time-consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
It’s sunny! It is May, the month when many of you stop going to Clubs…………………..
Pia Walker
Kenny Wilson
by Pia Walker
In the beginning of April I drove down to Biggar and spent a lovely morning with Kenny Wilson and his partner Pat in their house with a wonderful view of the Peebleshire Hills.
Kenny Wilson was born June 1930, raised on a hill farm and at 14 became an apprentice gamekeeper on the local Leadhills Estate, where he worked until 1992 as head keeper. He still has connections with the local estates, which ensure that pheasant and venison is often on the menu. From 1964-1975 he also worked as a Special Constable, with poaching, especially hare coursing, as his special remit. In 1977, he became a Justice of the Peace and local Magistrate at Lanark District Court and although not a magistrate on the bench any longer, he is still a JP.
After retiring as keeper, Kenny moved to Biggar and worked as an estate agent and game advisor both for Saville’s and The Game Conservancy Council and he still gets the odd phone call from people asking advice. He is also founder member of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, and became a Fellow 10 years ago of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust.
In 1963 he married Elizabeth with whom he has a daughter Valerie, sadly Elizabeth passed away in 1995. Valerie works in Nature Conservancy and according to Pat, they do from time to time have some ‘in-depth discussions’ with regards to their work. Now retired, Kenny enjoy gardening and he and Pat also enjoy pilgrimages to Islay and Tongue where Kenny enjoys loch fishing for trout.
Kenny loves motorbikes. His first road bike was a BSA M20 followed by a Norton on which he used to travel to gigs with his fiddle in a game bag. Later of course, you travelled by car as you were dressed to play for dances.
Kenny started fiddling at the age of 12 when younger brother Ian was given a fiddle by a shepherd’s wife. He started by sawing out some tunes, but was then tutored by Alex Brown who told him he was holding the bow and the fiddle incorrectly. Correcting this was extremely hard, but as he wanted to be more than a fireside fiddler, he worked at it, even if his mum told him that since he took tuition, he sounded worse than ever. As the farm house did not have any heating except from the main fireplace, he used to practice in the byre with its 12 cows and 1 horse. The animals seemed to like it. Incidentally the first tune he practiced and played was When He Cometh. Kenny and Ian never had to be asked to practice and he firmly believes that if a child really, really wants to do something, there’s no need for asking and cajoling.
In fact, he is in favour of never giving up. In 1950 his work career almost ended, when a work accident damaged his left eye leaving his vision impaired. He adjusted his sight accordingly although reading music at recordings could be difficult. Recently a cataract operation replacing the lens has fully restored his vision. Kenny was born with a cleft lip and palate, and although the lip was operated on when he was 3 months old, nothing was done to the palate until his late 20’s. After the series of operations, Kenny had to learn to speak properly again, and he was determined to learn this on his own, so he sat on the hills with his dogs and spoke aloud until he was able to do so. If you want to get somewhere you have to work at it, he says.
When he was 17-18 years of age, Kenny was talent scouted for the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Kenny said no, however, as he couldn’t see him self adjust to big city living, and realised that it would mean a lot of travel, living out of a suitcase, but never seeing anything but rehearsing rooms and concert halls.
Ian still has the fiddle that Kenny first learnt on. Kenny’s own fiddle, a Strad copy made in Prague in 1719, belonged to his grandfather and handed down to him by a cousin. The fiddle he plays regularly for band work though is a beautiful 1926 Jean Werro, bought for £10 in 1957. It has a more subtle sound for Scottish music he finds. Kenny also owns a Davy Eunson Hardanger fiddle, which was delivered to him wrapped in a Shetland shawl by an Orkney to Glasgow pilot. Although he always takes it to gigs with him, he only plays it solo with backing due to its very special sound.
Alex Brown introduced him to the Lanark Amateur Orchestra, which led him to play in the Lanark Musical Society. At the same time Andrew Coke, although he had never heard Kenny play, asked Kenny join the band and later Ian also joined this band. Kenny attributes Andrew as instrumental in getting Kenny and Ian to play together. Kenny used to play 3 nights a week in the heydays, and admits to at times never getting any sleep, what with having to work early in the morning the next day. Elizabeth was a district nurse and midwife, so she also worked a lot away from the home. I got the impression that she was a very independent and understanding helpmate.
In 1955 Kenny joined Jim Anderson’s band and later the Carlton Quintet. From the early 60’s Kenny was sought after as a broadcast musician by many and both Ian Holmes and Max Houliston from Dumfries regularly used Kenny as their preferred fiddler. He appeared on TV with Ken Dodd, who especially liked his Hardanger fiddle. The fee was to be £ 80 pr minute on camera, and Ken had to pay Kenny a good amount as the camera was on him for 15 minutes due to the Hardanger.
Kenny remembers the first time he played at an Accordion Club with Max Houliston in the room above The Hole in the Wa’. The place was so busy that the double bass and accordions were lifted over the heads of the audiences to get to the stage and if a fire broke out, the band would have no chance of getting out. He points out that in those days bands always turned out as 6-piece bands.
Kenny has played with many of the great bands in his time. He also stood in for Iain Powrie both as a player, but also once as an arbiter at the Glenfiddich Competitions. He still plays very occasionally with Bill Richardson and has a tune now and again with Pete Clark.
Upon asked what advice he would like to give the younger generation, he asks them to look and listen to the older generation. He feels that a lot of young people, although they are technically probably better than many of the older players, think they have nothing to learn from the older and much more experienced generation. He feels they could be come even better players if they would just observe. Although Kenny himself loves the faster tunes, he would wish the younger players to slow down a bit, so their abilities shine through better.
For more information on this very interesting man, please also read the archive article: http://boxandfiddlearchive.weebly.com/kenny-wilson.html
Dumfries Accordion & Fiddle Festival
by
The 2015 Festival, held on 28th March, turned out to be………………
In Memory
Bert Rae (12/03/1932 – 25/03/2015)
by Robert Rae
Robert Tweedie Rae was born at Castle Douglas Hospital to his farming parents Robert Baden Powell Rae and Lizzie Templeton Tweedies. He left school at 14 to farm with his dad, but later became an insurance salesman with Pearl Assurance until his retirement in 1992.
Bert was well known. He started playing in the early 50s and played with many fine musicians in many wonderful bands. He traveled the length and breadth of Dumfries and Galloway, and must have played in every village hall in the district. The mathematician in me has worked out that without doubt this would have meant that he played at about 15,000 events in his lifetime.
Of course in his younger days he was the dashing bandleader that all the women were chasing (or so he told me!) and he and Nancy, his first wife, met up at the dances around the village of Rhonehouse. They courted and then got married in 1956 and Alison and Robert soon came along. Nancy sadly passed away in 1992.
He played at the KBT Academy Candlemas for just over 60 years, his enthusiasm for these events ever high. Bert was delighted that the kids in the Academy were being taught ‘proper dancing’, as he put it.
Over the past few year’s, dad’s enthusiasm for playing, if anything, seemed to have increased, (I suppose he had more time after he retired), and he could often be seen in such exotic far-away places as Cumbria, Newcastle and Aberdeen.
Bert later met Doris whom he married in 1993 at Gretna Green, and to the very end they were each others constant companions. Together they and others ran The Britannia Accordion and Fiddle Club, an organisation that he was immensely proud to be involved in. They also raised huge amounts of money for various charities and organizations as well as supplied countless hours and evenings of enjoyment.
In fact due to his charity work, Bert was awarded The Dumfries and Galloway Community Champion Award 2011.
Bert passed away after a short illness, and it just leaves me to say, “My dad will be remembered by many different people for many different reasons, but more important that WHY you remember him is HOW you remember him. Perhaps the best way to remember him is as the photo shows – with an accordion on his knee and a smile on his face.”
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
Off the Beaten Track – Tom Orr SDB – CPR002
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
2nd May 2015 – Sandy Nixon SDB
9th May 2015 – Gary Sutherland SDB
16th May 2015 – David Kennedy SDB
23rd May 2015 – Glencraig SDB
30th May 2015 – Charlie Kirkpatrick SDB
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 26th May 2018 – David Vernon
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms) 13th May 2018 – Marian Anderson SDB
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 17th May 2018 – Janet Graham SDB
Arbroath (Artisan Golf Club) - 3rd May 2018 – Roddy Matthews Trio
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 25th May 2018 – Rob Roy Ceilidh Band
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 17th May 2018 – Tommy Newcomen
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) –
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) –
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 12th May 2018 – Marian Anderson SDB
Britannia (Arden House Hotel ) -
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 14th May 2018 – Ernie Gordon
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 5th May 2018 – Kyle Innes Trio
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 1st May 2018 – Dance to Lyne Valley Band
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) -
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 7th May 2018 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) -
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 6th May 2018 – Alasdair MacLeod Trio
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 20th May 2018 – Dave Husband
Dunfermline (Civil Service Sports Assoc, Rosyth) – 12th May 2018 - AGM
Duns (Masonic Lodge) 18th May 2018 – AGM & Club Night
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 19th May 2018 – Jimmy & Sandy Lindsay
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) –
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 31st May 2018 – Adin Graham SDB
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 13th May 2018 – Addie Harper SDB
Fort William (Railway Club) - 5th May 2018 – Club Night
Galashiels (Clovenfords Hotel) –
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) -
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 6th May 2018 – Janet Graham SDB
Gretna (The Gables Hotel) -
Haddington (Railway Inn) - 3rd May 2018 – Lomond Ceilidh Band
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 18th May 2018 – Lomond Ceilidh Band
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 7th May 2018 – Sandy Ross & George MacIntosh
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) –
Kelso (Cross Rugby Club) – 27th May 2018 – The Occasionals
Ladybank (Ladybank Tavern) -
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) -
Langholm (British Legion) – 31st May 2018 – Open Day
Lewis & Harris (Sea Angling Club) - 7th May 2018 – Club Night
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 19th May 2018 – Robert Whitehead SDB
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 6th May 2018 – Brandon McPhee Trio
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) -
Newmill-on-Teviot / Teviotdale (Buccleugh Bowling Club)
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 5th May 2018 – Ganin Piper
Northern (Hilton Hotel & Country Club , Templepatrick, N.I.) -
Oban (The Royal Hotel) –
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 27th May 2018 – Inter-Island Concert
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 28th May 2018 – Iain Cathcart Trio
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 19th May 2018 – Jim Lindsay SDB
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 7th May 2018 – Bon Accords
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 5th 12th 19th 27th May 2018 – Club Nights
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) -
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 4th May 2018 – Nicol McLaren SDB
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 7th May 2018 – Brandon McPhee Trio
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 21st May 2018 – Roger Dobson SDB
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn)
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 22nd May 2018 – 40th Anniversary – Iain MacPhail SDB
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Annan
2. Arbroath
3. Balloch
4. Banff
5. Biggar
6. Blairgowrie
7. Button Key
8. Castle Douglas
9. Coalburn
10. Dingwall
11. Dunblane
12. Dunfermline
13. Duns
14. Forfar
15. Forres
16. Highland
17. Inveraray
18. Isle of Skye
19. Kelso
20. Ladybank
21. Langholm
22. Lewis & Harris
23. Livingston
24. Mauchline
25. Newburgh
26. North East
27. Peebles
28. Perth
29. Renfrew
30. Rothbury
31. Shetland
32. Tynedale
33. West Barnes
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2014
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
10. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
11. Button Key A&F Club (
12. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
13. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
15. Coalburn A&F Club (
16. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
17. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
18. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
19. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
20. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
21. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
22. Ellon A&F Club (
23. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
24. Forfar A&F Club (
25. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
26. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
27. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
28. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
29. 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)
30. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 - )
31. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
32. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
33. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
34. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
35. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
36. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier
37. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
38. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
39. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 – present)
40. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
41 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
42 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
43 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
44 Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
45 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
46. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
47. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
48. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
49. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
50. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
51. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
52. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
53. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
54. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
55 Stonehouse A&F Club (first report June 05 -
56 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
57 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
58 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
58 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
60 West Barnes ( - present)
61 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?)
62. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
63. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
64. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
65. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
66. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
67. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
68. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
69. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
70. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
71. Buchan A&F Club
72. Callander A&F Club (
73. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
74. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
75. Club Accord
76. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
77 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
78. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
79. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
80. Cults A & F Club (
81. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
82. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
83. Derwentside A&F Club
84. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
85. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
86. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
87. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
88. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
89. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
90. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
91. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
92. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
93. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
94. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93? – left the Assoc c2013)
95. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
96. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
97. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
98. Kintore A&F Club (
99. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
100. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
101. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
102. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
103. Maine Valley A&F Club (
104. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
105. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
106. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
107. Mull A&F Club
108. Newcastleton Accordion Club
109. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
110. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
111. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
112. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
113. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
114. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
115. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
116. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
117. Selkirk A&F Club (
118. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
119. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
120. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
121 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
122 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
123. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
124. Tranent A&F Club
125. Vancouver
126. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
127. Wellbank A&F Club
128. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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