Box and Fiddle
Year 43 No 09
May 2020
Price £3.00
56 Page Magazine
12 month subscription £33.60 + p&p £15.85 (UK)
Editor – Pia Walker, Cupar
B&F Treasurer –
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
Strange times! I sincerely hope that you are all managing. It takes some effort to get used to the lack of spontaneous freedom. For some like me, who are tactile when socializing with others, it is very difficult not to touch and hug, especially when so many people need it. I am impressed by the stoicism of those I have been in contact with lately. Take a bow, ladies and gentlemen. You deserve a lot of respect.
Many musicians are able to play from their homes and stream music via social media for us to listen to. I know through speaking to many of you that you can’t wait for the Club to open again, so that you can listen to live music, and that dancers can’t wait to get on the dance floor again. We just have to stick to the rules for now so that we can get this over and done with sooner rather than later.
Just as the April issue was printed, the Lockdown meant that diaries etc suddenly became obsolete and many of our lovely distributors were no longer able to deliver the magazine. But we published albeit with some out-of-date information and we intend to publish throughout the summer, so you and your friends can get your magazine. There will still be plenty of articles to read.
Lately I have spoken to many of you. It is great to be in contact with so many of you – don’t ever think that you are disturbing me when you phone! I love to hear your stories, and just wish some of you would write them down and send them in. Apart from Centre Stage and the last Guests of Honour article, the June issue will also look back to past times, so please send in something.
I know some of you have been affected healthwise by this disease and I hope you come through it without too many problems. Our thoughts are with you and with those who care for us all when we need it. We will come through this, especially if we help each other.
Pia Walker
Anda Campbell – Guest of Honour
by Charlie Kirkpatrick
What have the tunes Argyll Arms Ceilidh by the late colin Finlayson and the Bunessan Barbeque by Graeme Mitchell have in common? The answer is that both tunes refer to a gentleman named Angus John Campbell who at one time owned the Argyll Arms Hotel in Bunessan, Isle of Mull and also hosted the Bunessan Barbeque. Angus John Campbell is, of course, universally known to his many friends as Anda Campbell.
Anda was born and brought up on the island of Mull where his father, Angus, ran the local Post Office in Bunessan while his mother Marion was busy bringing up a family of four girls, Jessie, Lexie, Anne and Elizabeth, in addition to the token boy Anda. There was always music in the home as Anda’s father, who played the British chromatic accordion, played at all the dances, ceilidhs etc on the south end of Mull, known locally as the Ross of Mull. With all this music about it is therefore not surprising that Anda became a musician.
All Anda’s schooling was at Bunessan where the local school served as a primary and also a junior secondary school. After leaving school, Anda worked with the Forestry Commission where his work colleague for some time was Angus Grant, the well-known left handed fiddler from Lochaber. In fact Anda has a lot to thank Angus for because if it hadn’t been for him Anda may never have met his wife. The story goes that Anda and Angus were at a function at Salen, Mull and at the end, despite the fact they had consumed a fair amount of drink, Angus suggested they should go to the Badminton Club – no trainers or fancy athletic gear, just wellies and dungarees. At the Badminton Club was a young teacher, Helen Ross, who came from Bonawe and who had begun teaching in Salen Primary School. Anda and Helen got on like a house on fire. The rest, as they say, is history and they celebrate 50 years of marriage next year.
After leaving the Forestry Commission, Anda changed career and for the next fifteen years worked as an engineer with the Hydro board dealing with everything electrical such as breakdowns, installations and meter readings on the islands of Mull and Iona, and occasionally Tiree and Coll. A further career change beckoned when Anda and Helen bought the Argyll Arms Hotel in Bunessan but more of that later. Having now ‘retired’, Anda passes his time by driving buses on the beautiful island of Mull.
On the musical front, when he was about eleven years old Anda’s parents bought him an acoustic guitar, and a student who was working locally during the summer months gave him a few lessons. At that time, Anda was greatly interested in Scottish folk music with Joe Gordon, who starred in the White Heather Club TV show with the Joe Gordon Folk Four, being a particular hero. When interest in the guitar waned, Anda decided that he would like to learn the bagpipes and who better to ask than the great piper Calum McPherson, who stayed in the village. Off he went for lessons only to be greeted with the words, “Yes, delighted my boy – but you’ll bring down that banjo first and we’ll make a fire of it, then we’ll start the chanter lessons.” Well, the guitar stayed put and, needless to say, the bagpipe lessons never started.
When he was about sixteen years of age Anda started going to dances in the north end of the island, listening to Bobby MacLeod and Calum MacLean who both played 5-row Continental accordions. Although he had previously tried his father’s British chromatic accordion without success, Anda decided that the 5-row instrument was the one for him, and in a relatively short time he was playing along with his father at local dances. In due course, he joined up with Robert MacLeod (Bobby’s son) and also occasionally with Pibroch MacKenzie, playing at various functions on the island.
Over the years Anda has enjoyed tunes and played at many functions with different musicians. He remembers in the early 1970s Alan Kitchen coming to work as a barman in the local hotel and also playing piano to entertain the guests. After finishing his stint in the hotel Alan would come along to the hall and join in with the band. Although classically trained, Alan quickly became hooked on Scottish dance music and played many gigs with Anda. He is now a well-known face on the Scottish dance music scene. In the late 1970s Helen’s cousin Richard Ross came to visit with his young son Richard who played the accordion. This, of course, is an understatement as Richard went on to win the Scottish Accordion Championship at Perth on two occasions and now plays with the West Telferton SDB. Anda and Helen quickly ‘adopted’ young Richard who spent every summer during the school holidays playing at gigs with ‘Uncle Anda’ all over the island and beyond. Others who have graced the bandstand along with Anda include his old friend, drummer Richard Hughes from Tobermory, the late Davie Flockhart who lived in Tobermory for a while, accordion virtuoso the late John Huband from Dundee, and also Jimmy Reid on guitar and vocals.
In 1983 Anda and Helen were persuaded by the late Colin Finlayson to buy the Argyll Arms and then, as Anda says, the fun really began. The first band to play at the newly opened hotel was Robert Black, who thus set the standard for all who followed. Musicians arrived at the hotel in droves with some of the best young players and bands appearing regularly. It would be very difficult to name them all, but to be visited by many of the older well-established bands was a great thrill for Anda as well as for his regulars in the bar. To have visits from Bill Black, Jimmy Blue, Bobby Crowe, Alasdair Downie, Eric Goodfellow, Dochie McCallum and Fraser McGlynn, to name but a few, really brought the hotel to the forefront of the Scottish dance music scene. Next door neighbour Alasdair MacIntyre (Ally Mack) was always first on the scene when the musicians arrived so they were never short of a drummer. Ally went on to play with several bands on the mainland until his untimely death Another ever-present at these musical evenings was a very small Ross Wilson, Anda’s nephew. He would happily play the drums all night if he was allowed and he has now gone on to be a full time musician playing keyboards with the band Tidelines.
Anda remembers the talented Ballochmyle Ceilidh Band being very popular when they played during the season and he also stayed true to his early love of folk music by having Gaberlunzie and The Clydesiders appear at regular intervals. Every summer ‘the Blues and the Crowes’ – Jimmy and Joan Blue along with bobby and Agnes Crowe – would appear and great hilarity ensued for the rest of the week. The band would play in the evenings and during the day they would go fishing with Anda or get up to other exploits – but if anyone sees Joan Blue, ask her about the Iona Coo!
During Anda’s time at the hotel, two LPs were sponsored: one by colin Dewar, and another call The Argyll Arms Ceilidh featuring Colin Finlayson and his band with supporting artistes, singer Elizabeth Campbell (Anda’s sister), piper Iain Donaldson (Anda’s nephew) and local singer Attie McKechnie. It also included tracks by Anda himself featuring Ally Mack on drums. The tune The Argyll Arms Ceilidh was of course written as the title track of the LP.
All good things come to an end and in 1997 Anda and Helen sold the hotel, but they still keep in touch with and are close friends with many of the musicians who came to the hotel, such as Graeme and Elaine Mitchell, Jennifer & Brian Cruickshank, Neil & Fiona MacMillan and Neil & Angie MacEachern. They still visit regularly and it was during one such visit and subsequent ceilidh into the wee small hours that Busessan Barbeque was composed. No tale about Anda would be complete without mention of ‘Hutchie’ – Robert Hutcheson – a lifelong friend of Anda’s who was involved in many of the exploits and who, of course, is the subject of the great reel entitled Hutchie’s Bash by Graeme Mitchell.
That then is Anda Campbell who has done so much to further our music, either through his playing or through just being a good friend to so many people, and he well merits being a Guest of Honour at our coming Celebrity Luncheon at Invercarse Hotel, Dundee.
From Alasdair MacLeod
Anda Campbell – the very name makes you smile. He is best known for his ownership of the Argyll Arms Hotel, Bunessan, where he created a unique atmosphere of warmth, friendship, fun, laughter, harmony and even nonsense, all built on the love of our music, and fuelled by his unbounded enthusiasm, and for being a larger than life character with a partaking of the odd dram. The Argyll Arms camaraderie is still going strong.
It shouldn’t be forgotten that not only does he play the 5-row accordion excellently, but he is also one of the staunchest supporters of our music, and has been all in life. I would love to tell you about the cup and saucer, the leather jacket, the lady in the wheelchair or the Musselburgh pub, etc. I consider myself very fortunate to have been involved in his journey for a very long time.
Congratulations, my good friend.
From Richard Ross
It’s really difficult to sum up the experience that I had staying with Anda and Helen. As soon as school finished I was on my way by boat, train and bus to stay the full summer. I was almost in tears at the thought of going home. Money can’t buy the joy that I experienced. I would play at ceilidhs and dances with Anda the whole summer, for example with Richard Hughes on drums and Alan Kitchen on piano, for the Bunessan Show Dance. He was great at encouraging me and that support helped to shape my playing. It was a wonderful period in my life and my life has been enriched by being part of Helen’s and Anda’s life in my teenage years. Helen was a first cousin of my dad so I felt part of a great family on Mull as soon as I set foot there.
There isn’t one word that I can use to describe Anda because he has so many great qualities. He helped to put Bunessan on the map during the Mull Festival. Anda owned the Argyll Arms Hotel and the Festival weekend is legendary for the brilliant music and the many great bands playing there.
From Joan Blue
With our great friends Bobby and Agnes Crowe, and sometimes our ‘plus one’, Jack Cooper, Jimmy and I could not wait for August to come round every year when we set off for yet another adventure in Bunessan with the incorrigible Anda Campbell and his wonderful wife, Helen. Anda would time the annual fishing competition to coincide with our visit and he, Jimmy and Bobby would set out in the boat to catch enough fish of every species imaginable to win the contest. The Bunessan village hall’s closure after many years also coincided with our holiday and no-one who attended that night will ever forget the farewell concert and dance with Betty singing and Jeanie sitting on the cakes! And we were delighted to be invited back for the opening of the new hall two years later.
Although quiet and unassuming, Anda had a gift for making things happen – not necessarily the way they were planned, but always memorably. The saga of the ‘Iona Coo’ would need a page to itself! Another unforgettable day was when the Britannia was sighted outside the bay. Very quickly Anda had the boat out and we bravely set sail towards the beach where the Royal family liked to picnic, a helicopter hovering overhead. We were just too late – the last group, including Princes Margaret, was on its way back to the Royal yacht – but that didn’t stop Bobby playing The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh on his accordion which he had taken with him! So many memories!
And, of course, beside the man id Helen, a wonderful lady who can put on a meal for sixteen at short notice and still be serene and smiling. Anda and Helen are a great couple who make all welcome, and I am delighted that Anda, who put Bunessan on the Scottish music map, is being honoured by the NAAFC.
Musical Memories - Part 13
By Denis Shepherd
DURING my time as dance caller with Airs & Graces Ceilidh Band I often took (and still do) the opportunity to do a guest caller stint at other events. When my friend Grant got married in Glasgow in 1994 I asked the bandleader, accordionist and caller Paul Johnston, if I could call a couple of dances. Conversely, I noted for the future the details of two of his dances, one of which was the Circle Hornpipe - in fact I called this dance a couple of years ago at our editor Pia’s birthday ceilidh. The other was one he called the Drongo Dance which, with sets of 4 women and 5 men, can involve some physical conflict as the men “fight” for a partner each time the music stops! Grant and his wife Mairi later bumped into Paul at a non-musical event but he couldn’t remember having played at their wedding. However, when they mentioned their friend Denis had called some dances he immediately lit up: “Oh yes, I remember Denis!” I don’t think Mairi was too pleased that I had out-shone the bride, in the bandleader’s eyes at least.
I once also taught ceilidh dances in Germany! Two German students who visited our Folk Club one night were given accommodation by one of my colleagues, and as a result issued an invitation to visit Magdeburg. I took up the invitation and during my stay taught Houlihan’s jig and other dances at a party held in a students’ flat. The only snag was that I forgot to pack the John Ellis cassette I had looked out – and had to make do with one of their cassettes. In some cases the music started perfectly for ceilidh dancing – but then repeatedly increased in tempo before slowing down again. The dances had therefore to be adjusted accordingly!
Memories of the Airs & Graces era abound. More often than not, when we were relaxing over a drink and waiting to go on stage at various venues, the time was spent listening to anecdotes from band organisers Alex Green and Madeline Miller. One story was about the time Alex took part in auditions for the TV show Opportunity Knocks at the Station Hotel in Aberdeen. As he entered a staff member dashed up to him saying, “Can I take your coat, Mr Green?” Alex was for a fleeting moment feeling proud of his new celebrity status – until the staff member brushed past him to greet the show’s host, Hughie Green!
Alex would sometimes tell his more risqué stories, mostly to the male band members, during lulls between dances. On one occasion I had announced the Virginia Reel and was busy explaining the dance to the participants when Alex turned round and told a joke ‘on the sly’ about a girl called Virginia (suffice to say this girl had a nick-name). What Alex had forgotten was that this event was being videoed - and I still have that tape! At another ceilidh Madeline told us the money received was short of the agreed fee, admitting she had not counted it as soon as she had received it (which evoked the usual Alex response, “Ach, Madeline!”). The organisers were adamant they had paid the right amount – and Madeline later found the shortfall stuck down the inside of her bag! Drummer Alistair Pirie once reversed (whilst perfectly sober) into a deep ditch surrounding the unlit tennis courts, and as we left Pittodrie House Hotel all we could see was the nose of his car sticking in the air and no sign of the rear end! Luckily we soon had him back up on his wheels and away.
But I was not immune to embarrassing moments either. At a birthday party at the Northern Hotel, I was helping to set up on stage whilst also liaising with the organisers about their plans – taking the direct route each time to get to the other end of the hall, i.e. jumping off the stage. Setting off on one trip, I did not notice that there was a cable round one of my feet, and in a split second the band’s condensed PA system and all its accoutrements were spread over the floor. By good luck there was no harm done and once re-assembled, everything was working perfectly including me.
Alex sometimes involved some of the band members in concerts at residential homes etc. On one of these occasions another entertainer kept expressing his disappointment that his son had not turned up to see him perform despite having promised to do so. "He has probably been called out to work," said Alex. "After all, he is an undertaker - what if someone has just died?"
"Ach, they wid still be deid in the mornin'!" retorted the fellow.
23rd Northern Ireland Open Accordion Championships
A group of nine musicians from Wallace Hall Primary and Academy recently braved Storm Ellen………
Centre Stage
Leonard Brown
In Memory –
Florence Lawie (formerly Burns) (1940 – 26th Feb 2020)
by Robbie Shepherd
As Esma and I sat in the impressive Baldarroch Crematorium on Deeside gazing at the photos being flashed up on the screen afore the ceremony was to begin, the memories came flooding back to both of us of a dear friend over mony years an’ of such a lovely unassuming lady, better known to the wider Scottish music scene as Florence Burns, a great exponent of traditional fiddle music who partly because of her own laid back modest demeanour didn’t get the recognition she so richly deserved
Music was to be interwoven into her life and she was aye happiest playin’ wi onybody and aabody that shared the same enthusiasm. Florence was just Florence and among her early influences was playing along wi her mentor Hector MacAndrew, one of the finest exponents of the art of playing and interpretating traditional Scots fiddle music.
Through these musical circles and impromptu sessions Florence was to meet Mackie Burns, a most talented singer / musician who had left his native Shetland to settle in Aberdeen. Well do we remember these days of our concerts and soirees round the north East, and by then they were married and had two sons and a daughter, Malcolm, Kenny and Frances. Though they were to go their separate ways – one now in America and another in Moscow – they remained close to their proud and adoring mum and all were able to get home and pay their last respects on the day.
Florence was to join Alastair Hunter & The Lorne SDB, the leader having moved across to the North East from Oban in 1957, and they broadcast regularly on BBC Scottish Dance Music programmes. The line up was Alastair (lead accordion), Jessie Cruickshank (piano), Florence (fiddle), Alasdair Cameron (bass) and Jack Stephen (drums) – alas all now gone, and all musical friends of the two of us.
It was in 1969, with Mackie in demand as a solo artist, that Florence, a mother and again pregnant, had to be cajoled to enter a special competition organized by BBC producer James Hunter as part of a major concert in the City Halls in Perth to celebrate St Andrew’s Day. Out of over a hundred entries in an event with heats leading up to the final, Florence on the day was to come third equal with Angus Cameron (Kirriemuir). Second was Willie MacPherson (Elgin) and crowned ‘Champion Fiddle Player of Scotland’ was Arthur Scott Robertson from Shetland. Nae bad for the modest quine fae Aberdeen.
After Mackie’s death Florence was to continue to bow the strings in the way she loved the best with small groups here and there just for the sheer enjoyment of it, and mony a nicht we had together with such as Alastair, Alex Green and Madeline.
It was through that scene that she met Charlie Lawie, who again was aye willing to join in wi a tune on his accordion, and the two o’ them spent 15 years of happy married life and were still attending the Aberdeen A&F Club till a few months before she was taken away from us.
I can still hear the strains of her playing, as she did in that competition, one of my favourite tunes, the slow air Dargai, which tho in the pipe idiom was composed by Scott Skinner.
A lovely lass wi a deep understanding in playing traditional Scottish music and so sadly missed by us all who knew and loved her.
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
Light Ida Lum – Haltadans – MIELG002
Cladaich Loch lu – Steven Maclomhair – Independent – SDM2019
The Berries – Jim & Susan Malcolm – BELCD113
Book Review
The Cardenden Collection (Vol 3) – Michael Philip
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Gary Innes (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
For the months of May and June TTF are featuring some of our leading bandleaders favourite broadcasts. The shows will include the names of Ian Muir, James Coutts, Ian Cruickshanks, Alasdair MacCuish & the Black Rose Ceilidh Band and Fergie MacDonald.
And don’t forget, for the next number of weeks, our live Sunday programme from 5pm – 7pm, Take the Floor: Your Requests. We will paly the tracks you are asking for – your favoutite songs, tunes and dances. This is a chance for you to say hello to friends and family all around the country and beyond.
CLUB DIARY – NB all of the following were cancelled due to the Covid19 pandemic
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 26th May 2020 – Ewan Galloway Trio
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms) 13th May 2020 – Lindsay Weir Trio + AGM
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 17th May 2020 – Iain Cathcart Trio
Arbroath (Arbroath Artisan Golf Club) - 3rd May 2020 – Frank Morrison SDB
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 25th May 2020 - tbc
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 27th May 2020 – West Telferton CB
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) –
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) –
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 12th May 2020 – Lomond Ceilidh Band
Button Key (Greig Institute, Windygates) – 14th May 2020 – Frank Morrison SDB
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 5th May 2020 – West Telferton CB
Canderside (Stonehouse Bowling Club) -
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) - 14th May 2020 – Rosemary Wright
Castle Douglas (Crossmichael Hall) – 1st May 2020 – Annual Dance to Willie McRobert Band
Clydesdale (St Mary’s Club Rooms, Lanark) - 3rd May 2020 – The Occasionals
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) -
Crieff & District (British Legion) 7th May 2020 – Wayne Robertson Duo
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) -
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 6th May 2020 – Colin Dewar SDB
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 20th May 2020 – James Coutts SDB
Dunfermline (Sportsman Bar, Rosyth) – 12th May 2020 - AGM
Duns (Masonic Lodge) 18th May 2020 – Club Night
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 19th May 2020 – Tay Ceilidh Band
Forfar (Forfar RBL) - 31st May 2020 - tbc
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 13th May 2020 – Ewan Galloway SDB
Fort William (Railway Club, Inverlochy) - 5th May 2020 – Lindsay Weir
Galashiels (Gala YM RFC) -
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) -
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 6th May 2020 – Burns Brothers
Gretna (The Richard Greenhow Centre) -
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 18th May 2020 – Roddy Matthews and the Tweedmouth Ceilidh Trio
Inveraray (Inveraray Inn) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 7th May 2020 – The Occasionals
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) –
Kelso (Kelso Rugby Club) – 27th May 2020 – Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio
Langholm (Langholm Social Club) –
Lewis & Harris (Caladh Inn, Stornoway) - 7th May 2020 – Martainn Skene
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 19th May 2020 – Johnny Duncan Duo
Lockerbie (Mid Annandale Comrades Club)
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 6th May 2020 – Seamus O’Sullivan
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) -
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 25th May 2020 – Hector McFadyen SDB
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 5th May 2020 – West Telferton CB
Oban (The Royal Hotel) –
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 6th 13th 27th May 2020 – Club Nights 20th May – Maggie Adamson
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – May 2020 -
Perth & District (Salutation Hotel) – 19th May 2020 – Iain Anderson SDB + New Tune competition
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 14th May 2020 – The Homelanders
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 5th 12th May 2020 – Club Nights 19th 26th May – Gavin Piper
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 4th May 2020 – Na Caileagan
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 7th May 2020 – Ewan Galloway Trio
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 21st May 2020 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 22nd May 2020 – Addie Harper + 45th Anniversary
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Biggar
2. Blairgowrie
3. Buttonkey
4. Canderside
5. Dingwall
6. Dunfermline
7. Forres
8. Glenfarg
9. Isle of Skye
10. Lockerbie
11. North East
12. Renfrew
13. Shetland
14. Turriff & District
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2019
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
10. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
11. Button Key A&F Club (
12. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
13. Canderside A&F Club (Stonehouse) (Feb 2019 – present)
14. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
15. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
16. Clydesdale A&F Club (Sept 2016 – present)
17. Coalburn A&F Club (
18. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
19. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
20. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
21. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
22. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
23. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
24. Ellon A&F Club (
25. Forfar A&F Club (
26. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
27. Fort William A&F Club ( )
28. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
29. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
30. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
31. 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)
32. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
33. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
34. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
35. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
36. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
37. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
38. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 – present)
39. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – March 2020)
40 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
41. Macmerry A&F Club (Feb 2016 – present)
42 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
43 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
44 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
45. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
46. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
47. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
48. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
49. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
50. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
51. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
52. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
53 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
54 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
55 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
56 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
57 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?)
58. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
59. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
60. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
61. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
62. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
63. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
64. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
65. Britannia B&F Club (joined 07-08 but much older
66. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
67. Buchan A&F Club
68. Callander A&F Club (
69. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
70. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
71. Club Accord
72. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
73 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
74. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
75. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
76. Cults A & F Club (
77. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
78. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
79. Derwentside A&F Club
80. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
81. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
82. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
83. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
84. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
85. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
86. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
87. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
88. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – ?)
89. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
90. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
91. Glasgow A&F Club (Aug 2017 – March 2018)
92. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93? – left the Assoc c2013)
93. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
94. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
95. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 – 6th December 2015)
96. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
97. Kintore A&F Club (
98. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
99. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier -
100. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
101. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
102. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
103. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
104. Maine Valley A&F Club (
105. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
106. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
107. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
108. Mull A&F Club
109. Newcastleton Accordion Club
110. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
111. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
112. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
113. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
114. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
115. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
116. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
117. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
118. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
119. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
120. Selkirk A&F Club (
121. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
122. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
123. Stonehouse A&F Club (Opened 2003 - first report June 05 – Closed April 2018)
124. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
125 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
126 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
127. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
128. Tranent A&F Club
129. Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra
130. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
131. Wellbank A&F Club
132. West Barnes (1981? - April 2016?)
133. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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B&F Treasurer –
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
Strange times! I sincerely hope that you are all managing. It takes some effort to get used to the lack of spontaneous freedom. For some like me, who are tactile when socializing with others, it is very difficult not to touch and hug, especially when so many people need it. I am impressed by the stoicism of those I have been in contact with lately. Take a bow, ladies and gentlemen. You deserve a lot of respect.
Many musicians are able to play from their homes and stream music via social media for us to listen to. I know through speaking to many of you that you can’t wait for the Club to open again, so that you can listen to live music, and that dancers can’t wait to get on the dance floor again. We just have to stick to the rules for now so that we can get this over and done with sooner rather than later.
Just as the April issue was printed, the Lockdown meant that diaries etc suddenly became obsolete and many of our lovely distributors were no longer able to deliver the magazine. But we published albeit with some out-of-date information and we intend to publish throughout the summer, so you and your friends can get your magazine. There will still be plenty of articles to read.
Lately I have spoken to many of you. It is great to be in contact with so many of you – don’t ever think that you are disturbing me when you phone! I love to hear your stories, and just wish some of you would write them down and send them in. Apart from Centre Stage and the last Guests of Honour article, the June issue will also look back to past times, so please send in something.
I know some of you have been affected healthwise by this disease and I hope you come through it without too many problems. Our thoughts are with you and with those who care for us all when we need it. We will come through this, especially if we help each other.
Pia Walker
Anda Campbell – Guest of Honour
by Charlie Kirkpatrick
What have the tunes Argyll Arms Ceilidh by the late colin Finlayson and the Bunessan Barbeque by Graeme Mitchell have in common? The answer is that both tunes refer to a gentleman named Angus John Campbell who at one time owned the Argyll Arms Hotel in Bunessan, Isle of Mull and also hosted the Bunessan Barbeque. Angus John Campbell is, of course, universally known to his many friends as Anda Campbell.
Anda was born and brought up on the island of Mull where his father, Angus, ran the local Post Office in Bunessan while his mother Marion was busy bringing up a family of four girls, Jessie, Lexie, Anne and Elizabeth, in addition to the token boy Anda. There was always music in the home as Anda’s father, who played the British chromatic accordion, played at all the dances, ceilidhs etc on the south end of Mull, known locally as the Ross of Mull. With all this music about it is therefore not surprising that Anda became a musician.
All Anda’s schooling was at Bunessan where the local school served as a primary and also a junior secondary school. After leaving school, Anda worked with the Forestry Commission where his work colleague for some time was Angus Grant, the well-known left handed fiddler from Lochaber. In fact Anda has a lot to thank Angus for because if it hadn’t been for him Anda may never have met his wife. The story goes that Anda and Angus were at a function at Salen, Mull and at the end, despite the fact they had consumed a fair amount of drink, Angus suggested they should go to the Badminton Club – no trainers or fancy athletic gear, just wellies and dungarees. At the Badminton Club was a young teacher, Helen Ross, who came from Bonawe and who had begun teaching in Salen Primary School. Anda and Helen got on like a house on fire. The rest, as they say, is history and they celebrate 50 years of marriage next year.
After leaving the Forestry Commission, Anda changed career and for the next fifteen years worked as an engineer with the Hydro board dealing with everything electrical such as breakdowns, installations and meter readings on the islands of Mull and Iona, and occasionally Tiree and Coll. A further career change beckoned when Anda and Helen bought the Argyll Arms Hotel in Bunessan but more of that later. Having now ‘retired’, Anda passes his time by driving buses on the beautiful island of Mull.
On the musical front, when he was about eleven years old Anda’s parents bought him an acoustic guitar, and a student who was working locally during the summer months gave him a few lessons. At that time, Anda was greatly interested in Scottish folk music with Joe Gordon, who starred in the White Heather Club TV show with the Joe Gordon Folk Four, being a particular hero. When interest in the guitar waned, Anda decided that he would like to learn the bagpipes and who better to ask than the great piper Calum McPherson, who stayed in the village. Off he went for lessons only to be greeted with the words, “Yes, delighted my boy – but you’ll bring down that banjo first and we’ll make a fire of it, then we’ll start the chanter lessons.” Well, the guitar stayed put and, needless to say, the bagpipe lessons never started.
When he was about sixteen years of age Anda started going to dances in the north end of the island, listening to Bobby MacLeod and Calum MacLean who both played 5-row Continental accordions. Although he had previously tried his father’s British chromatic accordion without success, Anda decided that the 5-row instrument was the one for him, and in a relatively short time he was playing along with his father at local dances. In due course, he joined up with Robert MacLeod (Bobby’s son) and also occasionally with Pibroch MacKenzie, playing at various functions on the island.
Over the years Anda has enjoyed tunes and played at many functions with different musicians. He remembers in the early 1970s Alan Kitchen coming to work as a barman in the local hotel and also playing piano to entertain the guests. After finishing his stint in the hotel Alan would come along to the hall and join in with the band. Although classically trained, Alan quickly became hooked on Scottish dance music and played many gigs with Anda. He is now a well-known face on the Scottish dance music scene. In the late 1970s Helen’s cousin Richard Ross came to visit with his young son Richard who played the accordion. This, of course, is an understatement as Richard went on to win the Scottish Accordion Championship at Perth on two occasions and now plays with the West Telferton SDB. Anda and Helen quickly ‘adopted’ young Richard who spent every summer during the school holidays playing at gigs with ‘Uncle Anda’ all over the island and beyond. Others who have graced the bandstand along with Anda include his old friend, drummer Richard Hughes from Tobermory, the late Davie Flockhart who lived in Tobermory for a while, accordion virtuoso the late John Huband from Dundee, and also Jimmy Reid on guitar and vocals.
In 1983 Anda and Helen were persuaded by the late Colin Finlayson to buy the Argyll Arms and then, as Anda says, the fun really began. The first band to play at the newly opened hotel was Robert Black, who thus set the standard for all who followed. Musicians arrived at the hotel in droves with some of the best young players and bands appearing regularly. It would be very difficult to name them all, but to be visited by many of the older well-established bands was a great thrill for Anda as well as for his regulars in the bar. To have visits from Bill Black, Jimmy Blue, Bobby Crowe, Alasdair Downie, Eric Goodfellow, Dochie McCallum and Fraser McGlynn, to name but a few, really brought the hotel to the forefront of the Scottish dance music scene. Next door neighbour Alasdair MacIntyre (Ally Mack) was always first on the scene when the musicians arrived so they were never short of a drummer. Ally went on to play with several bands on the mainland until his untimely death Another ever-present at these musical evenings was a very small Ross Wilson, Anda’s nephew. He would happily play the drums all night if he was allowed and he has now gone on to be a full time musician playing keyboards with the band Tidelines.
Anda remembers the talented Ballochmyle Ceilidh Band being very popular when they played during the season and he also stayed true to his early love of folk music by having Gaberlunzie and The Clydesiders appear at regular intervals. Every summer ‘the Blues and the Crowes’ – Jimmy and Joan Blue along with bobby and Agnes Crowe – would appear and great hilarity ensued for the rest of the week. The band would play in the evenings and during the day they would go fishing with Anda or get up to other exploits – but if anyone sees Joan Blue, ask her about the Iona Coo!
During Anda’s time at the hotel, two LPs were sponsored: one by colin Dewar, and another call The Argyll Arms Ceilidh featuring Colin Finlayson and his band with supporting artistes, singer Elizabeth Campbell (Anda’s sister), piper Iain Donaldson (Anda’s nephew) and local singer Attie McKechnie. It also included tracks by Anda himself featuring Ally Mack on drums. The tune The Argyll Arms Ceilidh was of course written as the title track of the LP.
All good things come to an end and in 1997 Anda and Helen sold the hotel, but they still keep in touch with and are close friends with many of the musicians who came to the hotel, such as Graeme and Elaine Mitchell, Jennifer & Brian Cruickshank, Neil & Fiona MacMillan and Neil & Angie MacEachern. They still visit regularly and it was during one such visit and subsequent ceilidh into the wee small hours that Busessan Barbeque was composed. No tale about Anda would be complete without mention of ‘Hutchie’ – Robert Hutcheson – a lifelong friend of Anda’s who was involved in many of the exploits and who, of course, is the subject of the great reel entitled Hutchie’s Bash by Graeme Mitchell.
That then is Anda Campbell who has done so much to further our music, either through his playing or through just being a good friend to so many people, and he well merits being a Guest of Honour at our coming Celebrity Luncheon at Invercarse Hotel, Dundee.
From Alasdair MacLeod
Anda Campbell – the very name makes you smile. He is best known for his ownership of the Argyll Arms Hotel, Bunessan, where he created a unique atmosphere of warmth, friendship, fun, laughter, harmony and even nonsense, all built on the love of our music, and fuelled by his unbounded enthusiasm, and for being a larger than life character with a partaking of the odd dram. The Argyll Arms camaraderie is still going strong.
It shouldn’t be forgotten that not only does he play the 5-row accordion excellently, but he is also one of the staunchest supporters of our music, and has been all in life. I would love to tell you about the cup and saucer, the leather jacket, the lady in the wheelchair or the Musselburgh pub, etc. I consider myself very fortunate to have been involved in his journey for a very long time.
Congratulations, my good friend.
From Richard Ross
It’s really difficult to sum up the experience that I had staying with Anda and Helen. As soon as school finished I was on my way by boat, train and bus to stay the full summer. I was almost in tears at the thought of going home. Money can’t buy the joy that I experienced. I would play at ceilidhs and dances with Anda the whole summer, for example with Richard Hughes on drums and Alan Kitchen on piano, for the Bunessan Show Dance. He was great at encouraging me and that support helped to shape my playing. It was a wonderful period in my life and my life has been enriched by being part of Helen’s and Anda’s life in my teenage years. Helen was a first cousin of my dad so I felt part of a great family on Mull as soon as I set foot there.
There isn’t one word that I can use to describe Anda because he has so many great qualities. He helped to put Bunessan on the map during the Mull Festival. Anda owned the Argyll Arms Hotel and the Festival weekend is legendary for the brilliant music and the many great bands playing there.
From Joan Blue
With our great friends Bobby and Agnes Crowe, and sometimes our ‘plus one’, Jack Cooper, Jimmy and I could not wait for August to come round every year when we set off for yet another adventure in Bunessan with the incorrigible Anda Campbell and his wonderful wife, Helen. Anda would time the annual fishing competition to coincide with our visit and he, Jimmy and Bobby would set out in the boat to catch enough fish of every species imaginable to win the contest. The Bunessan village hall’s closure after many years also coincided with our holiday and no-one who attended that night will ever forget the farewell concert and dance with Betty singing and Jeanie sitting on the cakes! And we were delighted to be invited back for the opening of the new hall two years later.
Although quiet and unassuming, Anda had a gift for making things happen – not necessarily the way they were planned, but always memorably. The saga of the ‘Iona Coo’ would need a page to itself! Another unforgettable day was when the Britannia was sighted outside the bay. Very quickly Anda had the boat out and we bravely set sail towards the beach where the Royal family liked to picnic, a helicopter hovering overhead. We were just too late – the last group, including Princes Margaret, was on its way back to the Royal yacht – but that didn’t stop Bobby playing The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh on his accordion which he had taken with him! So many memories!
And, of course, beside the man id Helen, a wonderful lady who can put on a meal for sixteen at short notice and still be serene and smiling. Anda and Helen are a great couple who make all welcome, and I am delighted that Anda, who put Bunessan on the Scottish music map, is being honoured by the NAAFC.
Musical Memories - Part 13
By Denis Shepherd
DURING my time as dance caller with Airs & Graces Ceilidh Band I often took (and still do) the opportunity to do a guest caller stint at other events. When my friend Grant got married in Glasgow in 1994 I asked the bandleader, accordionist and caller Paul Johnston, if I could call a couple of dances. Conversely, I noted for the future the details of two of his dances, one of which was the Circle Hornpipe - in fact I called this dance a couple of years ago at our editor Pia’s birthday ceilidh. The other was one he called the Drongo Dance which, with sets of 4 women and 5 men, can involve some physical conflict as the men “fight” for a partner each time the music stops! Grant and his wife Mairi later bumped into Paul at a non-musical event but he couldn’t remember having played at their wedding. However, when they mentioned their friend Denis had called some dances he immediately lit up: “Oh yes, I remember Denis!” I don’t think Mairi was too pleased that I had out-shone the bride, in the bandleader’s eyes at least.
I once also taught ceilidh dances in Germany! Two German students who visited our Folk Club one night were given accommodation by one of my colleagues, and as a result issued an invitation to visit Magdeburg. I took up the invitation and during my stay taught Houlihan’s jig and other dances at a party held in a students’ flat. The only snag was that I forgot to pack the John Ellis cassette I had looked out – and had to make do with one of their cassettes. In some cases the music started perfectly for ceilidh dancing – but then repeatedly increased in tempo before slowing down again. The dances had therefore to be adjusted accordingly!
Memories of the Airs & Graces era abound. More often than not, when we were relaxing over a drink and waiting to go on stage at various venues, the time was spent listening to anecdotes from band organisers Alex Green and Madeline Miller. One story was about the time Alex took part in auditions for the TV show Opportunity Knocks at the Station Hotel in Aberdeen. As he entered a staff member dashed up to him saying, “Can I take your coat, Mr Green?” Alex was for a fleeting moment feeling proud of his new celebrity status – until the staff member brushed past him to greet the show’s host, Hughie Green!
Alex would sometimes tell his more risqué stories, mostly to the male band members, during lulls between dances. On one occasion I had announced the Virginia Reel and was busy explaining the dance to the participants when Alex turned round and told a joke ‘on the sly’ about a girl called Virginia (suffice to say this girl had a nick-name). What Alex had forgotten was that this event was being videoed - and I still have that tape! At another ceilidh Madeline told us the money received was short of the agreed fee, admitting she had not counted it as soon as she had received it (which evoked the usual Alex response, “Ach, Madeline!”). The organisers were adamant they had paid the right amount – and Madeline later found the shortfall stuck down the inside of her bag! Drummer Alistair Pirie once reversed (whilst perfectly sober) into a deep ditch surrounding the unlit tennis courts, and as we left Pittodrie House Hotel all we could see was the nose of his car sticking in the air and no sign of the rear end! Luckily we soon had him back up on his wheels and away.
But I was not immune to embarrassing moments either. At a birthday party at the Northern Hotel, I was helping to set up on stage whilst also liaising with the organisers about their plans – taking the direct route each time to get to the other end of the hall, i.e. jumping off the stage. Setting off on one trip, I did not notice that there was a cable round one of my feet, and in a split second the band’s condensed PA system and all its accoutrements were spread over the floor. By good luck there was no harm done and once re-assembled, everything was working perfectly including me.
Alex sometimes involved some of the band members in concerts at residential homes etc. On one of these occasions another entertainer kept expressing his disappointment that his son had not turned up to see him perform despite having promised to do so. "He has probably been called out to work," said Alex. "After all, he is an undertaker - what if someone has just died?"
"Ach, they wid still be deid in the mornin'!" retorted the fellow.
23rd Northern Ireland Open Accordion Championships
A group of nine musicians from Wallace Hall Primary and Academy recently braved Storm Ellen………
Centre Stage
Leonard Brown
In Memory –
Florence Lawie (formerly Burns) (1940 – 26th Feb 2020)
by Robbie Shepherd
As Esma and I sat in the impressive Baldarroch Crematorium on Deeside gazing at the photos being flashed up on the screen afore the ceremony was to begin, the memories came flooding back to both of us of a dear friend over mony years an’ of such a lovely unassuming lady, better known to the wider Scottish music scene as Florence Burns, a great exponent of traditional fiddle music who partly because of her own laid back modest demeanour didn’t get the recognition she so richly deserved
Music was to be interwoven into her life and she was aye happiest playin’ wi onybody and aabody that shared the same enthusiasm. Florence was just Florence and among her early influences was playing along wi her mentor Hector MacAndrew, one of the finest exponents of the art of playing and interpretating traditional Scots fiddle music.
Through these musical circles and impromptu sessions Florence was to meet Mackie Burns, a most talented singer / musician who had left his native Shetland to settle in Aberdeen. Well do we remember these days of our concerts and soirees round the north East, and by then they were married and had two sons and a daughter, Malcolm, Kenny and Frances. Though they were to go their separate ways – one now in America and another in Moscow – they remained close to their proud and adoring mum and all were able to get home and pay their last respects on the day.
Florence was to join Alastair Hunter & The Lorne SDB, the leader having moved across to the North East from Oban in 1957, and they broadcast regularly on BBC Scottish Dance Music programmes. The line up was Alastair (lead accordion), Jessie Cruickshank (piano), Florence (fiddle), Alasdair Cameron (bass) and Jack Stephen (drums) – alas all now gone, and all musical friends of the two of us.
It was in 1969, with Mackie in demand as a solo artist, that Florence, a mother and again pregnant, had to be cajoled to enter a special competition organized by BBC producer James Hunter as part of a major concert in the City Halls in Perth to celebrate St Andrew’s Day. Out of over a hundred entries in an event with heats leading up to the final, Florence on the day was to come third equal with Angus Cameron (Kirriemuir). Second was Willie MacPherson (Elgin) and crowned ‘Champion Fiddle Player of Scotland’ was Arthur Scott Robertson from Shetland. Nae bad for the modest quine fae Aberdeen.
After Mackie’s death Florence was to continue to bow the strings in the way she loved the best with small groups here and there just for the sheer enjoyment of it, and mony a nicht we had together with such as Alastair, Alex Green and Madeline.
It was through that scene that she met Charlie Lawie, who again was aye willing to join in wi a tune on his accordion, and the two o’ them spent 15 years of happy married life and were still attending the Aberdeen A&F Club till a few months before she was taken away from us.
I can still hear the strains of her playing, as she did in that competition, one of my favourite tunes, the slow air Dargai, which tho in the pipe idiom was composed by Scott Skinner.
A lovely lass wi a deep understanding in playing traditional Scottish music and so sadly missed by us all who knew and loved her.
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
Light Ida Lum – Haltadans – MIELG002
Cladaich Loch lu – Steven Maclomhair – Independent – SDM2019
The Berries – Jim & Susan Malcolm – BELCD113
Book Review
The Cardenden Collection (Vol 3) – Michael Philip
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Gary Innes (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
For the months of May and June TTF are featuring some of our leading bandleaders favourite broadcasts. The shows will include the names of Ian Muir, James Coutts, Ian Cruickshanks, Alasdair MacCuish & the Black Rose Ceilidh Band and Fergie MacDonald.
And don’t forget, for the next number of weeks, our live Sunday programme from 5pm – 7pm, Take the Floor: Your Requests. We will paly the tracks you are asking for – your favoutite songs, tunes and dances. This is a chance for you to say hello to friends and family all around the country and beyond.
CLUB DIARY – NB all of the following were cancelled due to the Covid19 pandemic
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 26th May 2020 – Ewan Galloway Trio
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms) 13th May 2020 – Lindsay Weir Trio + AGM
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 17th May 2020 – Iain Cathcart Trio
Arbroath (Arbroath Artisan Golf Club) - 3rd May 2020 – Frank Morrison SDB
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 25th May 2020 - tbc
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 27th May 2020 – West Telferton CB
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) –
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) –
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 12th May 2020 – Lomond Ceilidh Band
Button Key (Greig Institute, Windygates) – 14th May 2020 – Frank Morrison SDB
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 5th May 2020 – West Telferton CB
Canderside (Stonehouse Bowling Club) -
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) - 14th May 2020 – Rosemary Wright
Castle Douglas (Crossmichael Hall) – 1st May 2020 – Annual Dance to Willie McRobert Band
Clydesdale (St Mary’s Club Rooms, Lanark) - 3rd May 2020 – The Occasionals
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) -
Crieff & District (British Legion) 7th May 2020 – Wayne Robertson Duo
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) -
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 6th May 2020 – Colin Dewar SDB
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 20th May 2020 – James Coutts SDB
Dunfermline (Sportsman Bar, Rosyth) – 12th May 2020 - AGM
Duns (Masonic Lodge) 18th May 2020 – Club Night
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 19th May 2020 – Tay Ceilidh Band
Forfar (Forfar RBL) - 31st May 2020 - tbc
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 13th May 2020 – Ewan Galloway SDB
Fort William (Railway Club, Inverlochy) - 5th May 2020 – Lindsay Weir
Galashiels (Gala YM RFC) -
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) -
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 6th May 2020 – Burns Brothers
Gretna (The Richard Greenhow Centre) -
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 18th May 2020 – Roddy Matthews and the Tweedmouth Ceilidh Trio
Inveraray (Inveraray Inn) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 7th May 2020 – The Occasionals
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) –
Kelso (Kelso Rugby Club) – 27th May 2020 – Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio
Langholm (Langholm Social Club) –
Lewis & Harris (Caladh Inn, Stornoway) - 7th May 2020 – Martainn Skene
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 19th May 2020 – Johnny Duncan Duo
Lockerbie (Mid Annandale Comrades Club)
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 6th May 2020 – Seamus O’Sullivan
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) -
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 25th May 2020 – Hector McFadyen SDB
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 5th May 2020 – West Telferton CB
Oban (The Royal Hotel) –
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 6th 13th 27th May 2020 – Club Nights 20th May – Maggie Adamson
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – May 2020 -
Perth & District (Salutation Hotel) – 19th May 2020 – Iain Anderson SDB + New Tune competition
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 14th May 2020 – The Homelanders
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 5th 12th May 2020 – Club Nights 19th 26th May – Gavin Piper
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 4th May 2020 – Na Caileagan
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 7th May 2020 – Ewan Galloway Trio
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 21st May 2020 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 22nd May 2020 – Addie Harper + 45th Anniversary
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Biggar
2. Blairgowrie
3. Buttonkey
4. Canderside
5. Dingwall
6. Dunfermline
7. Forres
8. Glenfarg
9. Isle of Skye
10. Lockerbie
11. North East
12. Renfrew
13. Shetland
14. Turriff & District
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2019
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
10. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
11. Button Key A&F Club (
12. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
13. Canderside A&F Club (Stonehouse) (Feb 2019 – present)
14. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
15. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
16. Clydesdale A&F Club (Sept 2016 – present)
17. Coalburn A&F Club (
18. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
19. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
20. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
21. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
22. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
23. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
24. Ellon A&F Club (
25. Forfar A&F Club (
26. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
27. Fort William A&F Club ( )
28. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
29. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
30. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
31. 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)
32. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
33. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
34. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
35. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
36. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
37. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
38. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 – present)
39. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – March 2020)
40 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
41. Macmerry A&F Club (Feb 2016 – present)
42 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
43 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
44 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
45. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
46. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
47. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
48. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
49. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
50. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
51. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
52. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
53 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
54 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
55 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
56 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
57 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?)
58. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
59. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
60. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
61. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
62. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
63. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
64. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
65. Britannia B&F Club (joined 07-08 but much older
66. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
67. Buchan A&F Club
68. Callander A&F Club (
69. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
70. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
71. Club Accord
72. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
73 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
74. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
75. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
76. Cults A & F Club (
77. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
78. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
79. Derwentside A&F Club
80. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
81. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
82. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
83. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
84. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
85. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
86. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
87. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
88. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – ?)
89. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
90. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
91. Glasgow A&F Club (Aug 2017 – March 2018)
92. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93? – left the Assoc c2013)
93. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
94. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
95. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 – 6th December 2015)
96. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
97. Kintore A&F Club (
98. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
99. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier -
100. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
101. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
102. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
103. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
104. Maine Valley A&F Club (
105. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
106. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
107. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
108. Mull A&F Club
109. Newcastleton Accordion Club
110. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
111. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
112. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
113. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
114. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
115. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
116. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
117. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
118. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
119. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
120. Selkirk A&F Club (
121. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
122. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
123. Stonehouse A&F Club (Opened 2003 - first report June 05 – Closed April 2018)
124. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
125 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
126 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
127. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
128. Tranent A&F Club
129. Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra
130. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
131. Wellbank A&F Club
132. West Barnes (1981? - April 2016?)
133. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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