Box and Fiddle Year 02 No 02
November 1978
Price 15p
8 pages
7 month subscription £1.75
Editor - Ian Smith, 50 Mount Vernon Road, Stranraer
Editorial
I would like, in this column, to express my appreciation to the staff of the ‘Free Press’ for producing this edition of our paper. I would also like to thank each Club Reporter for their Club news. Some of them are witty and all of them do a great job publicising their Club’s activities. Keep them coming, the more you send, the more your Club gets known.
In this edition there are requests for assistance, one from a NEW Club trying to break new ground, that is Derwentside Club, Consett, Co Durham and from Dr John Barrow for a new venture, the Edinburgh Folk Festival. Comments on these two would be welcomed.
My apoligies to our new Association Secretary, his address shoulf be West Baldridge Farm, and not as printed in the first issue.
The Tom Alexander Story
by Derek Hamilton
Two of the most popular Scottish stage stars of recent times, indeed of all time, are Tom and Jack, the Alexander Brothers. Much has been written about these two Lanarkshire entertainers in the 20 years they have been appearing as professionals.
One of the brothers is, of course, of much more interest to readers of the ‘Box and Fiddle’. That brother is Ton, the accordionist of the duo.
Given that the Alexander Brothers are so popular it is surprising that only a few out of the thousands or even millions of people they have played to have actually heard the real capabilities of Tom Alexander.
Perfectionist
Tom has only appeared twice at Accordion Clubs. It took over two years of pestering persuasion to get the shy Alexander Brother onto the stage of Galston Club some five or six years ago. Tom is the first to admit that he did not sleep the night before. He paced his lounge floor just practising. But then Tom is a perfectionist anyway and practising comes quite naturally to this highly accomplished musician. What worried him about appearing at an Accordion Club was that he was expected to perform before an audience of enthusiasts for something like an hour whereas he would normally have 12 numbers or so polished to perfection for the Brothers act.
What did Tom practice that night, or for that matter what does he play anytime he sits down or paces around at home with the box strapped on? Would you believe it, the classics! Well, it’s true. Tom’s formative years on the accordion were spent playing overtures and concertos and the like.
Starting at the age of nine he studied with the late Bill Brown of Motherwell and carried on his tuition at the Jean McCloy Music School in Motherwell (Bill died young, Jean was his wife).
Tom is very appreciative of the grounding this has given to him. He is a first class reader, theoretician and technician whose hero was, and is, the great Tollofsen. Tom’s record collection contains all of the great man’s discs. In fact he modeled his early playing on Tollofsen and is still proud to admit it.
Tom also admits to not being a traditional player, he’s much more at home with ‘the Carnival of Venice’ that ‘the Moving Cloud’. He doesn’t remember what he played to win the Scottish Open Championship in 1952 but he does remember that 15 years later in 1967 when he and Jack made their first major TV appearance. Shirley Bassey topped the bill that night and Jack sang ‘Dancing in Kyle’ and Tom played ‘the Dashing White Sergeant’. ‘Sunday Night at the London Palladium’ certainly had variety that night!
Their first professional engagement, a summer season in Arbroath in 1958, is a long way behind them now. He would never admit it, but that was the night that the Alexander Brothers became ‘stars’. But the accolade of appearing at the Palladium was only a stepping stone to other great things.
Tom’s most memorable occasion? That’s easy, in October 1972, Saturday open-air concert, New Jersey, USA and in the audience 8,000 ex-patriot Scots. Imagine! Tom’s face lights up just at the thought and the memory.
With a professional career spanning 20 years, many ambitions have been fulfilled, but obviously a few still remain. Having made 19 LPs as part of the partnership with Jack, Tom would love to make a complete album on his own, a music only extravaganza of Tom’s talent. The privileged few who have heard him in full flight over the keys hope that Tom realises this ambition soon.
Another Ambition
‘The Tom Alexander Combo’ or some other connotation is another ambition but, sadly, it is never likely to be realised. There just isn’t enough money in such a venture for a professional who has to earn his keep from his music. It’s just not a commercial proposition and Tom Alexander is both professional and commercial enough to accept this. Now, if enough people were to demandthe other side of Tom Alexander………well that might be another story.
Tom tours the world with the Alexander Brothers, America, Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, you name it he’s been there and the future holds even more for Tom. There are more LPs lined up and even more TV appearances.
He started playing when he was nine years old and now he has a son of the same age who, in Tom’s own words, is fantastic for his age. He plays the accordion too and Tom just marvels at his ability, especially his free bass technique.
Could it be in a few years time the act will become Alexander and Son? Who knows? Anyway, there’s one thing for sure, Tom Alexander will be around for a long time, giving pleasure to millions with his playing of pieces like ‘Snow Train Shuffle’ (Tom’s own) and ‘The Flying Scotsman’.
I for one will be in the audience the next time he makes an appearance at an Accordion Club. If you’re lucky, so will you!
Record Review
by Derek Hamilton
Scotland – The Sound of John Ellis and his Highland Country Band Vol 3 Emerald Gem GES1193
On the Move – John Huband and his Scottish Band EMI One Up OU2216 (also on tape)
John Carmichael Tears the Tartan Shona SHLP 7005
Scottish Champion from Perth
Peter Bruce from Perth is one of our better guest artists and at 25 he has got youth on his side. At 14 he was Junior Scottish Champion, British Champion at Perth in 1973 and Scottish Traditional Champion in 1976.
In 1960 at the early age of 7 he took up the accordion under teacher such as Mickie Ainsworth and Ian Anderson. When he had mastered the instrument he played with the fiddlers Willie Simpson and Jim Brown. He is now broadcasting with the Jimmy Lindsay Band.
He studied mathematics at Edinburgh University and graduated in 1975 with First Class Honours. In between his musical career he works in a whisky making place (whatever that is?)
His late father played the fiddle in local bands on the West Coast.
The Golden Fiddler Award
by Hugh Morrison
The Mod was over. Past and done
The Gold and Silver medals won
A’ the chiefs were feelin’ wretched
oot in front a hale year stretched
Tho’ they thocht wi’ a’ their micht
Nae great excitement wis in sicht
Up spake the leader o’ the pack
“Ah’m fed up lyin’ in my sack
There must be something we can dae
Tae get us thro’ a month or twae”
“Ma auld hip flask is fu’ o’ silt
An’ moths are chewin’ up ma kilt
Ma skean dhu’s lookin’ quite forlorran
An’ mice are nestin’ in ma sporran
Ma parritch tastes like semolina
Ah cannae get tae Argentina
Ma stomach’s clenched up like a fist
Ah think Ah’m goin’ roon the twist”
Up spake wee Ian ‘Jock’ McKay
(That’s wee McKay frae Isle o’ Skye)
“Ah’m jist the same – it’s fire Ah’m spittin’
Ah’m plain fed up wi’ a’ this knittin’
This week, between the bouts o’ booze
Ah’ve knitted sixty pairs o’ trews”
“That’s terrible” says Bill McPherson
“Ah like fresh air aboot ma person
It’s clear some play we’ve got to find
Before wee Jock goes oot his mind”
If this gets oot, ma lads, it’s plain
We’ll never raise oor heids again
He’ll next be weerin’ silken hose
Ah tell ye this gets up ma nose”
“Could we no’ organise a test
Tae see who plays the fiddle best?
An’ that way we could jaunt aroon
Tae Inverness and Glasgow toon
An’ maybe then a week in Perth?
Nae bonnier spot on a’ the earth!”
They a’ stood up – as well they may –
An’ sang a verse o’ Scot’s Wha Hae
(The second vertse was left to Alex
A solo verse, of course, in Gaelic
The competition was announced
The benediction was pronounced
An’ hame they went wi’ heids held high
Tae Inverness and Wick and Skye
Sae, fiddlers here and fiddlers there
Used up what time they had tae spare
Determined a’ tae practice well
Meanwhile their neebors went thro’ hell!
Some drummers gied up para-diddles
An’ pipers too were buyin’ fiddles
Each one swore upon his sword
That he would win the Gold Award
An’ broken strings in Moniaive!
See – scarce a cat was left alive!
Frae Aberdeen tae Yourshire Dale
Ne’er a horse that had a tail
The co-mit-tee, gey happy noo
Jist didna seem tae have a clue
Ab’oot the monster they had spawned
But soon enough – the great day dawned
The first day o’ the super test
Noo – who would play the fiddle best?
The days went on and on and on
The judges soon began tae yawn
For none had dreamed – it was so sad –
That fiddlers could be quite so bad
But still they came, baith saint an’ sinner
A’ murd’rin’ tunes by auld Scott Skinner
Until it came to Friday night –
The judges went oot on the skite!
Thro’ Edinburgh toon they drank
And still their spirits lower sank
They couldnae see nae hope at a’
But then they reached the Usher Ha’
An’ strains came floating on the air
Of fiddle playing – fine and rare!
Says Bill McPherson “That’s the game
Get in an’ get that laddie’s name
So on the final Saturday
Before the crowds a’ went away
Big Bill, wi’ teardrops in his eyes
Announced “This year we gie the prize
Tae yin who sure knows whit he’s doin
First Prize tae Yehudi MacMenyooin
Letters to the Editor
Stirling University
Dear Sir – Having read in the ‘B&F’ of a course on fiddle playing to be held at Stirling University, I applied and was accepted for the ‘Heritage of Scotland Summer School’ from 1st to 7th July, where instruction in the traditional styles of Shetland, Western Highlands and Eastern Highlands was available under the expert tutorship of Tom Anderson, Angus Grant, Bill Hardy and Jackie Stuart. Classes beginners and conversation from Classical to Scottish were taken by Alister Hardy.
More than 50 musicians met and played in the perfect setting to Airthrey Castle and enjoyed the excellent hospitality of the University Administration supervised personally by the Director of Continuing Education, Robert Innes.
I was a bit greedy and joined two classes, enjoying instruction from Bill Hardy and Jackie Stuart in the special bowing technique demanded by Scott Skinner tunes, and from Angus Grant on the styles required for the lilting or soulful music of the West.
Selections of our music were televised by the BBC and Grampian and broadcast on Radio 4 and in the Gaelic, our efforts culminating in a charity concert in Stirling’s Albert Hall which raised £650 for Cancer Research.
It was a tonic to witness the enthusiasm for Scottish music displayed by musicians from America, Germany, Holland and England, but my fondest memories are of the informal sessions with the tutors giving of their best to a standard beyond our reach.
Thank you Stirling University and Robert Innes, please invite us back again.
Renwick MacArthur
2 The Cove
Bare
Morecambe
Lancs
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Queen’s Hotel) 28th Nov 78 Alistair Hunter SDB
Alnwick (Nag’s Head) Nov 78 Bobby Crowe
Balloch (Riverside Hotel) 19th Nov 78 Freeland Barbour & Sandy Coghill
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) 30th Oct 78 Angus Fitchet
Banff (Royal Oak Hotel)
Beith (Anderson Hotel)
Biggar (Clydesdale Hotel) 13th Nov 78 Davy Stewart
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel) 8th Nov 78 Bill Black and Family
Cumnock (Royal Hotel)
Dumfries (Oughton’s) 14th Nov 78 Ron Gonella, Ron Easton & Brian Griffin
Dundee (Royal Central Hotel)
Dunfermline (Kinema Ballroom) 7th Nov 78 Florence & Mackie Burns with Alex Green
Falkirk (Park Hotel) 13th Nov 78 Jim Johnstone SDB
Forres (Brig Motel) 6th Nov 78 Frank Thompson
Galston (Parakeet, Hurlford) 7th Nov 78 Dermot O’Brien Trio
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler)
Highland/ Inverness (Drumossie Hotel) 20th Nov 78 Bill Black and Family
Kelso (Queen’s Head Hotel) 29th Nov 78 Iain MacPhail
Langholm (Crown Hotel)
Livingston (Cameron Ironworks Social Club) 16th Nov 78 Angus Cameron & Davie Stewart
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) 28th Nov 78 Ian Kennedy (fiddle)
M.A.F.I.A. (Black Bull)
Newton St Boswells (Railway Hotel)
North Cumbria (Huntsman Inn - Penton)
North East (Seafield Arms) 7th Nov 78 Douglas Lawrence
Oban (MacTavish’s Kitchen)
Perth (Salutation Hotel)
Renfrew (Glynhill Hotel)
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel)
Straiton (Black Bull Hotel) 30th Oct 78 Ronnie Easton and Kenny Thompson
Stranraer (North West Castle Hotel) 6th Nov 78 Dermot O’Brien Trio
Torthorwald (Torr House Hotel)
Wellbank (venue?)
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) 21st Nov 78 Frank Thompson
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Balloch
4. Banchory
5. Beith
6. Biggar
7. Buchan
8. Cumnock
9. Dumfries
10. Dunfermline & District
11. Forres
12. Galston
13. Highland / Inverness
14. Kelso
15. Livingston
16. Lockerbie
17. North East
18. Rothbury
19. Straiton
20. Stranraer
BASED ON THE ABOVE THE FULL CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT NOV 1978 BECOMES :-
1. Aberdeen A&F Club
2. Alnwick A&F Club
3. Balloch A&F Club
4. Banchory A&F Club
5. Banff & District A&F Club
6. Beith & District A&F Club
7. Biggar A&F Club
8. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
9. Buchan A&F Club
10. Coquetdale (?)
11. Cumbria (or North Cumbria) Accordion Club
12. Cumnock A&F Club
13. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughton’s)
14. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
15. Dunblane & District A&F Club
16. Dundee & District A&F Club
17. Dunfermline & District A&F Club
18. Falkirk A&F Club
19. Fintry A&F Club
20. Forres A&F Club
21. Galston A&F Club
22. Glendale Accordion Club
23. Greenhead Accordion Club (Hexham)
24. Highland A&F Club (Inverness)
25. Kelso A&F Club
26. Kintore A&F Club
27. Langholm A&F Club
28. Livingston A&F Club
29. Lockerbie A&F Club
30. M.A.F.I.A.
31. Newcastleton Accordion Club
32. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club
33. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC
34. Oban A&F Club
35. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club
36. Perth & District A&F Club
37. Renfrew A&F Club
38. Rothbury Accordion club
39. Straiton Accordion Club
40. Stranraer & District Accordion Club
41. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
42. Wellbank A&F Club
43. Wick A&F Club
I would like, in this column, to express my appreciation to the staff of the ‘Free Press’ for producing this edition of our paper. I would also like to thank each Club Reporter for their Club news. Some of them are witty and all of them do a great job publicising their Club’s activities. Keep them coming, the more you send, the more your Club gets known.
In this edition there are requests for assistance, one from a NEW Club trying to break new ground, that is Derwentside Club, Consett, Co Durham and from Dr John Barrow for a new venture, the Edinburgh Folk Festival. Comments on these two would be welcomed.
My apoligies to our new Association Secretary, his address shoulf be West Baldridge Farm, and not as printed in the first issue.
The Tom Alexander Story
by Derek Hamilton
Two of the most popular Scottish stage stars of recent times, indeed of all time, are Tom and Jack, the Alexander Brothers. Much has been written about these two Lanarkshire entertainers in the 20 years they have been appearing as professionals.
One of the brothers is, of course, of much more interest to readers of the ‘Box and Fiddle’. That brother is Ton, the accordionist of the duo.
Given that the Alexander Brothers are so popular it is surprising that only a few out of the thousands or even millions of people they have played to have actually heard the real capabilities of Tom Alexander.
Perfectionist
Tom has only appeared twice at Accordion Clubs. It took over two years of pestering persuasion to get the shy Alexander Brother onto the stage of Galston Club some five or six years ago. Tom is the first to admit that he did not sleep the night before. He paced his lounge floor just practising. But then Tom is a perfectionist anyway and practising comes quite naturally to this highly accomplished musician. What worried him about appearing at an Accordion Club was that he was expected to perform before an audience of enthusiasts for something like an hour whereas he would normally have 12 numbers or so polished to perfection for the Brothers act.
What did Tom practice that night, or for that matter what does he play anytime he sits down or paces around at home with the box strapped on? Would you believe it, the classics! Well, it’s true. Tom’s formative years on the accordion were spent playing overtures and concertos and the like.
Starting at the age of nine he studied with the late Bill Brown of Motherwell and carried on his tuition at the Jean McCloy Music School in Motherwell (Bill died young, Jean was his wife).
Tom is very appreciative of the grounding this has given to him. He is a first class reader, theoretician and technician whose hero was, and is, the great Tollofsen. Tom’s record collection contains all of the great man’s discs. In fact he modeled his early playing on Tollofsen and is still proud to admit it.
Tom also admits to not being a traditional player, he’s much more at home with ‘the Carnival of Venice’ that ‘the Moving Cloud’. He doesn’t remember what he played to win the Scottish Open Championship in 1952 but he does remember that 15 years later in 1967 when he and Jack made their first major TV appearance. Shirley Bassey topped the bill that night and Jack sang ‘Dancing in Kyle’ and Tom played ‘the Dashing White Sergeant’. ‘Sunday Night at the London Palladium’ certainly had variety that night!
Their first professional engagement, a summer season in Arbroath in 1958, is a long way behind them now. He would never admit it, but that was the night that the Alexander Brothers became ‘stars’. But the accolade of appearing at the Palladium was only a stepping stone to other great things.
Tom’s most memorable occasion? That’s easy, in October 1972, Saturday open-air concert, New Jersey, USA and in the audience 8,000 ex-patriot Scots. Imagine! Tom’s face lights up just at the thought and the memory.
With a professional career spanning 20 years, many ambitions have been fulfilled, but obviously a few still remain. Having made 19 LPs as part of the partnership with Jack, Tom would love to make a complete album on his own, a music only extravaganza of Tom’s talent. The privileged few who have heard him in full flight over the keys hope that Tom realises this ambition soon.
Another Ambition
‘The Tom Alexander Combo’ or some other connotation is another ambition but, sadly, it is never likely to be realised. There just isn’t enough money in such a venture for a professional who has to earn his keep from his music. It’s just not a commercial proposition and Tom Alexander is both professional and commercial enough to accept this. Now, if enough people were to demandthe other side of Tom Alexander………well that might be another story.
Tom tours the world with the Alexander Brothers, America, Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, you name it he’s been there and the future holds even more for Tom. There are more LPs lined up and even more TV appearances.
He started playing when he was nine years old and now he has a son of the same age who, in Tom’s own words, is fantastic for his age. He plays the accordion too and Tom just marvels at his ability, especially his free bass technique.
Could it be in a few years time the act will become Alexander and Son? Who knows? Anyway, there’s one thing for sure, Tom Alexander will be around for a long time, giving pleasure to millions with his playing of pieces like ‘Snow Train Shuffle’ (Tom’s own) and ‘The Flying Scotsman’.
I for one will be in the audience the next time he makes an appearance at an Accordion Club. If you’re lucky, so will you!
Record Review
by Derek Hamilton
Scotland – The Sound of John Ellis and his Highland Country Band Vol 3 Emerald Gem GES1193
On the Move – John Huband and his Scottish Band EMI One Up OU2216 (also on tape)
John Carmichael Tears the Tartan Shona SHLP 7005
Scottish Champion from Perth
Peter Bruce from Perth is one of our better guest artists and at 25 he has got youth on his side. At 14 he was Junior Scottish Champion, British Champion at Perth in 1973 and Scottish Traditional Champion in 1976.
In 1960 at the early age of 7 he took up the accordion under teacher such as Mickie Ainsworth and Ian Anderson. When he had mastered the instrument he played with the fiddlers Willie Simpson and Jim Brown. He is now broadcasting with the Jimmy Lindsay Band.
He studied mathematics at Edinburgh University and graduated in 1975 with First Class Honours. In between his musical career he works in a whisky making place (whatever that is?)
His late father played the fiddle in local bands on the West Coast.
The Golden Fiddler Award
by Hugh Morrison
The Mod was over. Past and done
The Gold and Silver medals won
A’ the chiefs were feelin’ wretched
oot in front a hale year stretched
Tho’ they thocht wi’ a’ their micht
Nae great excitement wis in sicht
Up spake the leader o’ the pack
“Ah’m fed up lyin’ in my sack
There must be something we can dae
Tae get us thro’ a month or twae”
“Ma auld hip flask is fu’ o’ silt
An’ moths are chewin’ up ma kilt
Ma skean dhu’s lookin’ quite forlorran
An’ mice are nestin’ in ma sporran
Ma parritch tastes like semolina
Ah cannae get tae Argentina
Ma stomach’s clenched up like a fist
Ah think Ah’m goin’ roon the twist”
Up spake wee Ian ‘Jock’ McKay
(That’s wee McKay frae Isle o’ Skye)
“Ah’m jist the same – it’s fire Ah’m spittin’
Ah’m plain fed up wi’ a’ this knittin’
This week, between the bouts o’ booze
Ah’ve knitted sixty pairs o’ trews”
“That’s terrible” says Bill McPherson
“Ah like fresh air aboot ma person
It’s clear some play we’ve got to find
Before wee Jock goes oot his mind”
If this gets oot, ma lads, it’s plain
We’ll never raise oor heids again
He’ll next be weerin’ silken hose
Ah tell ye this gets up ma nose”
“Could we no’ organise a test
Tae see who plays the fiddle best?
An’ that way we could jaunt aroon
Tae Inverness and Glasgow toon
An’ maybe then a week in Perth?
Nae bonnier spot on a’ the earth!”
They a’ stood up – as well they may –
An’ sang a verse o’ Scot’s Wha Hae
(The second vertse was left to Alex
A solo verse, of course, in Gaelic
The competition was announced
The benediction was pronounced
An’ hame they went wi’ heids held high
Tae Inverness and Wick and Skye
Sae, fiddlers here and fiddlers there
Used up what time they had tae spare
Determined a’ tae practice well
Meanwhile their neebors went thro’ hell!
Some drummers gied up para-diddles
An’ pipers too were buyin’ fiddles
Each one swore upon his sword
That he would win the Gold Award
An’ broken strings in Moniaive!
See – scarce a cat was left alive!
Frae Aberdeen tae Yourshire Dale
Ne’er a horse that had a tail
The co-mit-tee, gey happy noo
Jist didna seem tae have a clue
Ab’oot the monster they had spawned
But soon enough – the great day dawned
The first day o’ the super test
Noo – who would play the fiddle best?
The days went on and on and on
The judges soon began tae yawn
For none had dreamed – it was so sad –
That fiddlers could be quite so bad
But still they came, baith saint an’ sinner
A’ murd’rin’ tunes by auld Scott Skinner
Until it came to Friday night –
The judges went oot on the skite!
Thro’ Edinburgh toon they drank
And still their spirits lower sank
They couldnae see nae hope at a’
But then they reached the Usher Ha’
An’ strains came floating on the air
Of fiddle playing – fine and rare!
Says Bill McPherson “That’s the game
Get in an’ get that laddie’s name
So on the final Saturday
Before the crowds a’ went away
Big Bill, wi’ teardrops in his eyes
Announced “This year we gie the prize
Tae yin who sure knows whit he’s doin
First Prize tae Yehudi MacMenyooin
Letters to the Editor
Stirling University
Dear Sir – Having read in the ‘B&F’ of a course on fiddle playing to be held at Stirling University, I applied and was accepted for the ‘Heritage of Scotland Summer School’ from 1st to 7th July, where instruction in the traditional styles of Shetland, Western Highlands and Eastern Highlands was available under the expert tutorship of Tom Anderson, Angus Grant, Bill Hardy and Jackie Stuart. Classes beginners and conversation from Classical to Scottish were taken by Alister Hardy.
More than 50 musicians met and played in the perfect setting to Airthrey Castle and enjoyed the excellent hospitality of the University Administration supervised personally by the Director of Continuing Education, Robert Innes.
I was a bit greedy and joined two classes, enjoying instruction from Bill Hardy and Jackie Stuart in the special bowing technique demanded by Scott Skinner tunes, and from Angus Grant on the styles required for the lilting or soulful music of the West.
Selections of our music were televised by the BBC and Grampian and broadcast on Radio 4 and in the Gaelic, our efforts culminating in a charity concert in Stirling’s Albert Hall which raised £650 for Cancer Research.
It was a tonic to witness the enthusiasm for Scottish music displayed by musicians from America, Germany, Holland and England, but my fondest memories are of the informal sessions with the tutors giving of their best to a standard beyond our reach.
Thank you Stirling University and Robert Innes, please invite us back again.
Renwick MacArthur
2 The Cove
Bare
Morecambe
Lancs
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Queen’s Hotel) 28th Nov 78 Alistair Hunter SDB
Alnwick (Nag’s Head) Nov 78 Bobby Crowe
Balloch (Riverside Hotel) 19th Nov 78 Freeland Barbour & Sandy Coghill
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) 30th Oct 78 Angus Fitchet
Banff (Royal Oak Hotel)
Beith (Anderson Hotel)
Biggar (Clydesdale Hotel) 13th Nov 78 Davy Stewart
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel) 8th Nov 78 Bill Black and Family
Cumnock (Royal Hotel)
Dumfries (Oughton’s) 14th Nov 78 Ron Gonella, Ron Easton & Brian Griffin
Dundee (Royal Central Hotel)
Dunfermline (Kinema Ballroom) 7th Nov 78 Florence & Mackie Burns with Alex Green
Falkirk (Park Hotel) 13th Nov 78 Jim Johnstone SDB
Forres (Brig Motel) 6th Nov 78 Frank Thompson
Galston (Parakeet, Hurlford) 7th Nov 78 Dermot O’Brien Trio
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler)
Highland/ Inverness (Drumossie Hotel) 20th Nov 78 Bill Black and Family
Kelso (Queen’s Head Hotel) 29th Nov 78 Iain MacPhail
Langholm (Crown Hotel)
Livingston (Cameron Ironworks Social Club) 16th Nov 78 Angus Cameron & Davie Stewart
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) 28th Nov 78 Ian Kennedy (fiddle)
M.A.F.I.A. (Black Bull)
Newton St Boswells (Railway Hotel)
North Cumbria (Huntsman Inn - Penton)
North East (Seafield Arms) 7th Nov 78 Douglas Lawrence
Oban (MacTavish’s Kitchen)
Perth (Salutation Hotel)
Renfrew (Glynhill Hotel)
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel)
Straiton (Black Bull Hotel) 30th Oct 78 Ronnie Easton and Kenny Thompson
Stranraer (North West Castle Hotel) 6th Nov 78 Dermot O’Brien Trio
Torthorwald (Torr House Hotel)
Wellbank (venue?)
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) 21st Nov 78 Frank Thompson
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Balloch
4. Banchory
5. Beith
6. Biggar
7. Buchan
8. Cumnock
9. Dumfries
10. Dunfermline & District
11. Forres
12. Galston
13. Highland / Inverness
14. Kelso
15. Livingston
16. Lockerbie
17. North East
18. Rothbury
19. Straiton
20. Stranraer
BASED ON THE ABOVE THE FULL CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT NOV 1978 BECOMES :-
1. Aberdeen A&F Club
2. Alnwick A&F Club
3. Balloch A&F Club
4. Banchory A&F Club
5. Banff & District A&F Club
6. Beith & District A&F Club
7. Biggar A&F Club
8. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
9. Buchan A&F Club
10. Coquetdale (?)
11. Cumbria (or North Cumbria) Accordion Club
12. Cumnock A&F Club
13. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughton’s)
14. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
15. Dunblane & District A&F Club
16. Dundee & District A&F Club
17. Dunfermline & District A&F Club
18. Falkirk A&F Club
19. Fintry A&F Club
20. Forres A&F Club
21. Galston A&F Club
22. Glendale Accordion Club
23. Greenhead Accordion Club (Hexham)
24. Highland A&F Club (Inverness)
25. Kelso A&F Club
26. Kintore A&F Club
27. Langholm A&F Club
28. Livingston A&F Club
29. Lockerbie A&F Club
30. M.A.F.I.A.
31. Newcastleton Accordion Club
32. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club
33. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC
34. Oban A&F Club
35. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club
36. Perth & District A&F Club
37. Renfrew A&F Club
38. Rothbury Accordion club
39. Straiton Accordion Club
40. Stranraer & District Accordion Club
41. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
42. Wellbank A&F Club
43. Wick A&F Club