Box and Fiddle
Year 40 No 03
November 2016
Price £2.70
44 Page Magazine
12 month subscription £32.40 + p&p £15.75 (UK)
Editor – Pia Walker, Cupar
B&F Treasurer – Willie Johnstone, Inverurie
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
The editorial is always the last item to go into………….. ……..……….
Pia Walker
Happy 40th Birthday to Kelso A&F Club
by
Kelso A&F club kicked off the season with their 40th Anniversary meeting, and what a cracker it turned out to be. With a full house of around 100 people and a host of supporting artistes, the scene was set for a good night. First player, and a very welcome return, was original Committee member Sandy white playing a faultless couple of sets.
Following on were accordionists Bill Elliot, Scott gillies, George Butler and Gordon Brown, plus David Corner on concertina, Jill Leavey and Louise Douglas on fiddle, and first time at the club Stewart smith from Glenfarg. It was also good to see Alexander McGrory (9) from Lauder playing his debut public performance on fiddle, and very well he played too. All were accompanied in various formats by, on keyboard, Brian Forrest, Bob Liddle, Moira Murray and Netta Harvey, drums Will Gillie, Tom Riddell and Tam Rankine, second box Charlie McIntee and Brian Forrest.
The guest artistes were The James Coutts SDB, consisting of James (lead accordion), with Iain Cathcart (2nd box), Ian Adamson (drums), and Graham Berry (piano). What a professional sound these guys put out, great arrangements perfectly played.
Half-time saw a surprise treat for our supporters with a full hot buffet, in appreciation for their continued support of the Club, plus a larger than usual raffle.
The second half started with the Blackthorne Ceilidh Band led by Bob Liddle, followed by Tommy Herdman with songs and stories, then Gordon Clark and Charlie McIntee, both backed by full bands. Their support is much appreciated.
It was then left to the James Coutts SDB to finish off, which they did in great style with more excellent Scottish sets, plus a sublime foxtrot and a set of American marches! This band certainly is a pleasure to listen to.
(Photo caption) We were lucky to have the following original Committee members from 40 years ago present: Alec Richardson, John Crombie, Sandy White, Dod Dixon, Will Gillie with Janet Middlemiss wielding the knife! They were then joined by the current Committee led by our MC and President Jim Wilson.
Au Revoir Robbie, but not Goodbye
by Pia Walker
ARTICLE REQUESTED FROM PIA 26th APRIL 2018
Annual Button Box Gathering – September 2016
by
On Thursday 8th September, the doors opened………………………
Tom Alexander – Lifetime Achievement Award
by Derek Hamilton
On the 2……………..
Skye Accordion & Fiddle Festival 2016
by John Grundy
Attracted ………..
Memories of
Billy Stewart (1928 – 22/9/2016)
by Derek Hamilton
It was with great sadness that we heard of the passing of Billy Stewart of Galston, Ayrshire, on the 22nd of September 2016 aged 88.
I first got to know Billy in 1949 when as a wee boy from the Border village of Chirnside we moved to Galston. Billy was a general handyman with the local ironmongers and then the local ‘toon plumber’ in the days when local authorities were Burgh Councils. Billy, in this capacity, knew every valve, pipe, hydrant and everything else that was lurking under the streets of Galston. He was a master tradesman who knew his trade inside out.
My father had a licensed grocer’s shop in the town and as such didn’t have many holidays, but on New Year’s Eve, or Hogmanay, he would close at the obligatory 9.30pm and be home preparing for the Ne’erday party at 9 Titchfield Street. Billy was regularly our ‘first foot’. I can always remember Billy at these New Year parties at our house playing the fiddle, which he did very well. His party piece, at about 4 in the morning, was The Mist Covered Mountains, which was duly accompanied by himself sliding down the chair and ending up on the floor to finish off the tune!
Billy’s mum and dad used to come to these parties too and his mum was a superb Irish dancer, so Billy would strike up The Irish Washerwoman while mum danced an Irish jig!
Billy played drums in a few bands over the years and actually married the singer in one of these, Margaret Hunter. A long and happy marriage that lasted until the untimely passing of Margaret about 12 years ago.
Son Bobby (currently second box player with Roy Hendrie) was born in 1956 and Billy and Margaret were over the moon. Bobby flourished as an accordion player and he and his dad played together for many years. Bobby too has a famous offspring in the shape of a Scottish Champion accordionist, Liam, who was the apple of Billy’s eye – and rightly so.
Along with David Ross and Bill Rodie, Billy set up Galston Accordion Club in 1968 and in 1971 was, with David Ross, at the first exploratory meeting of the National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs. Billy remained as regular MC at Galston for all of its 38 year existence as well as being resident drummer there too.
Highlights at the Club for me were the nights that the late Billy Hume of Kilmarnock came and the drumming prowess of our resident drummer was taxed to the limit with just a snare drum, hi-hats and a pair of wire brushes. What a drummer! Fantastic stuff as Messrs. Hume and Stewart worked their way impeccably through tunes like Sweet Georgia Brown and The Lady is a Tramp in double time!
From plumber to drummer to fiddler to Worshipful Master, Billy Stewart was indeed a very complete human being. A man I admired all my life as a gentleman, a family man and most of all, a friend. Billy, you will never be forgotten and thanks for everything you were.
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
The Music and The Land – The concert – Freeland Barbour & Friends – CDTRAX392
Book 50 – Spring Fling – Scott Band SDB – RSCDS CD082
Book Review
Easy Folk Accordion – Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer – reviewed by Gordon Pattullo – Published by Schott
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
5th Nov 2016 – Niall Kirkpatrick SDB + Glenfiddich Fiddle Festival 1
12th Nov 2016 – James Coutts SDB – Perth All Scotland Senior Accordion Champion
19th Nov 2016 – The Burns Brothers Ceilidh Band – Glenfiddlch Fiddle Festival 2
26th Nov 2016 - tbc
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 29th Nov 2016 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms) 9th Nov 2016 – Robert Whitehead SDB
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 20th Nov 2016 – Scott Leslie SDB
Arbroath (Artisan Golf Club) - 6th Nov 2016 – Kyle Innes Trio
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 20th Nov 2016 – Richard Smith Trio
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 28th Nov 2016 – Gary Anderson & Friends
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 23rd Nov 2016 – Jim Gold Trio
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) – 21st Nov 2016 – Neil MacEachern SDB
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) – 13th Nov 2016 – Duncan Hutchison SDB
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 8th Nov 2016 – Martin Donaldson SDB
Button Key (Greig Institute, Windygates) – 10th Nov 2016 – Gordon Clark SDB
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 1st Nov 2016 – Ian Muir SDB
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) - 10th Nov 2016 – Richard Smith Trio
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 15th Nov 2016 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Clydesdale (St Mary’s Club Rooms) - 6th Nov 2016 – Graeme Mitchell SDB
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 17th Nov 2016 – Gold Brothers Trio
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 3rd Nov 2016 – David Vernon
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) - 15th Nov 2016 – Archie & Alec McAllister
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 2nd Nov 2016 – Janet Graham Band
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 16th Nov 2016 – Jack Delaney sDB
Dunfermline (Sportsman Bar, Rosyth) – 8th Nov 2016 – Marian Anderson Trio
Duns (Masonic Lodge) 21st Nov 2016 – Paul Capaldi Band
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 22nd Nov 2016 – David Vernon
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 27th Nov 2016 – Gary Sutherland SDB
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 9th Nov 2016 – Johnny Duncan Duo
Fort William (Railway Club) - 1st Nov 2016 – Leonard Brown
Galashiels (Clovenfords Hotel) – 3rd Nov 2016 – Scott Leslie C.B.
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 24th Nov 2016 – Stuart Anderson SDB
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 2nd Nov 2016 – Freeland Barbour
Gretna (The Solway Lodge Hotel) - 6th Nov 2016 – David Vernon
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 21st Nov 2016 – Gordon Pattullo Duo
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) - 9th Nov 2016 – David Oswald Trio
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 3rd Nov 2016 – Robert Nairn Trio
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) – 1st Nov 2016 – Gold Brothers Trio 11th Nov – Dance to Iain Anderson Trio
Kelso (Cross Rugby Club) – 30th Nov 2016 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Langholm (British Legion) – 9th Nov 2016 - tbc
Lewis & Harris (Caladh Inn, Stornoway) - 3rd Nov 2016 – Ian Crichton Memorial Charity Night
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 15th Nov 2016 – Club Night
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) - 29th Nov 2016 – Donald MacLeod Trio
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) - 20th Nov 2016 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 15th Nov 2016 – Alan Gardiner Trio
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 2nd Nov 2016 – Alan Small & Gemma Donald
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) -
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 28th Nov 2016 – Bon Accords
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 1st Nov 2016 – Brandon McPhee Trio
Oban (The Royal Hotel) – 3rd Nov 2016 – Alan Crookston
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 2nd 9th 16th 23rd 30th Nov 2016 – Club Nights
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 24th Nov 2016 – Ewan Galloway Trio
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 15th Nov 2016 – Matthew MacLennan SDB
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 8th Nov 2016 – Kyle rowan Duo
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 3rd Nov 2016 – AGM + John Morgan
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 1st 8th 15th 22nd 29th Nov 2016 – Club Nights
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - 10th Nov 2016 – Club Night 24th Nov – Adin Graham Trio
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) - 10th Nov 2016 – Lindsay Weir Trio
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) - 19th Nov 2016 – Andrew MacDonald
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 7th Nov 2016 – Seamus O’Sullivan Trio
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 3rd Nov 2016 - Iain MacPhail SDB
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 17th Nov 2016 – South of the Border
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 15th Nov 2016 – John Stuart SDB
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Alnwick
2. Annan
3. Beith
4. Blairgowrie
5. Button Key
6. Campsie
7. Castle Douglas
8. Clydesdale
9. Coalburn
10. Crieff
11. Dingwall
12. Dunblane
13. Dunfermline
14. Duns
15. Forres
16. Highland
17. Kelso
18. Livingston
19. Lockerbie
20 Newtongrange
21. Orkney
22. Perth
23. Rothbury
24. Shetland
25. Turriff
26. Tynedale
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2016
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
10. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
11. Button Key A&F Club (
12. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
13. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
15. Clydesdale A&F Club (Sept 2016 – present)
16. Coalburn A&F Club (
17. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
18. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
19. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
20. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
21. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
22. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
23. Ellon A&F Club (
24. Forfar A&F Club (
25. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
26. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
27. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
28. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
29. Gretna A&F Club (1991) Known as North Cumbria A&F Club previously (originally called Gretna when started in June 1966 but later had to move to venues in the North of England and changed name. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
30. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
31. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
32. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
33. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
34. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
35. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
36. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 – present)
37. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
38 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
39. Macmerry A&F Club (Feb 2016 – present)
40 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
41 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
42 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
43. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
44. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
45. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
46. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
47. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
48. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
49. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
50. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
51 Stonehouse A&F Club (Opened 2003 - first report June 05 – Closed April 2018)
52 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
53 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
54 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
55 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
56 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?)
57. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
58. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
59. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
60. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
61. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
62. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
63. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
64. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
65. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
66. Buchan A&F Club
67. Callander A&F Club (
68. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
69. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
70. Club Accord
71. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
72 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
73. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
74. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
75. Cults A & F Club (
76. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
77. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
78. Derwentside A&F Club
79. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
80. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
81. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
82. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
83. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
84. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
85. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
86. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
87. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – ?)
88. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
89. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
90. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93? – left the Assoc c2013)
91. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
92. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
93. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 – 6th December 2015)
94. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
95. Kintore A&F Club (
96. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
97. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier -
98. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
99. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
100. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
101. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
102. Maine Valley A&F Club (
103. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
104. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
105. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
106. Mull A&F Club
107. Newcastleton Accordion Club
108. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
109. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
110. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
111. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
112. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
113. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
114. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
115. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
116. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
117. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
118. Selkirk A&F Club (
119. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
120. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
121. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
122 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
123 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
124. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
125. Tranent A&F Club
126. Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra
127. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
128. Wellbank A&F Club
129 West Barnes ( - 2016?)
130. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
Advertising rates
Back Page (colour) - £300
Full Page (colour) - £220
Full Page (b&w) - £140
Half Page (colour) - £110
Half Page (b&w) - £70
Quarter Page (colour) - £55
Quarter Page (b&w) - £35
Eighth Page - £18
Small Boxed £12
B&F Treasurer – Willie Johnstone, Inverurie
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
The editorial is always the last item to go into………….. ……..……….
Pia Walker
Happy 40th Birthday to Kelso A&F Club
by
Kelso A&F club kicked off the season with their 40th Anniversary meeting, and what a cracker it turned out to be. With a full house of around 100 people and a host of supporting artistes, the scene was set for a good night. First player, and a very welcome return, was original Committee member Sandy white playing a faultless couple of sets.
Following on were accordionists Bill Elliot, Scott gillies, George Butler and Gordon Brown, plus David Corner on concertina, Jill Leavey and Louise Douglas on fiddle, and first time at the club Stewart smith from Glenfarg. It was also good to see Alexander McGrory (9) from Lauder playing his debut public performance on fiddle, and very well he played too. All were accompanied in various formats by, on keyboard, Brian Forrest, Bob Liddle, Moira Murray and Netta Harvey, drums Will Gillie, Tom Riddell and Tam Rankine, second box Charlie McIntee and Brian Forrest.
The guest artistes were The James Coutts SDB, consisting of James (lead accordion), with Iain Cathcart (2nd box), Ian Adamson (drums), and Graham Berry (piano). What a professional sound these guys put out, great arrangements perfectly played.
Half-time saw a surprise treat for our supporters with a full hot buffet, in appreciation for their continued support of the Club, plus a larger than usual raffle.
The second half started with the Blackthorne Ceilidh Band led by Bob Liddle, followed by Tommy Herdman with songs and stories, then Gordon Clark and Charlie McIntee, both backed by full bands. Their support is much appreciated.
It was then left to the James Coutts SDB to finish off, which they did in great style with more excellent Scottish sets, plus a sublime foxtrot and a set of American marches! This band certainly is a pleasure to listen to.
(Photo caption) We were lucky to have the following original Committee members from 40 years ago present: Alec Richardson, John Crombie, Sandy White, Dod Dixon, Will Gillie with Janet Middlemiss wielding the knife! They were then joined by the current Committee led by our MC and President Jim Wilson.
Au Revoir Robbie, but not Goodbye
by Pia Walker
ARTICLE REQUESTED FROM PIA 26th APRIL 2018
Annual Button Box Gathering – September 2016
by
On Thursday 8th September, the doors opened………………………
Tom Alexander – Lifetime Achievement Award
by Derek Hamilton
On the 2……………..
Skye Accordion & Fiddle Festival 2016
by John Grundy
Attracted ………..
Memories of
Billy Stewart (1928 – 22/9/2016)
by Derek Hamilton
It was with great sadness that we heard of the passing of Billy Stewart of Galston, Ayrshire, on the 22nd of September 2016 aged 88.
I first got to know Billy in 1949 when as a wee boy from the Border village of Chirnside we moved to Galston. Billy was a general handyman with the local ironmongers and then the local ‘toon plumber’ in the days when local authorities were Burgh Councils. Billy, in this capacity, knew every valve, pipe, hydrant and everything else that was lurking under the streets of Galston. He was a master tradesman who knew his trade inside out.
My father had a licensed grocer’s shop in the town and as such didn’t have many holidays, but on New Year’s Eve, or Hogmanay, he would close at the obligatory 9.30pm and be home preparing for the Ne’erday party at 9 Titchfield Street. Billy was regularly our ‘first foot’. I can always remember Billy at these New Year parties at our house playing the fiddle, which he did very well. His party piece, at about 4 in the morning, was The Mist Covered Mountains, which was duly accompanied by himself sliding down the chair and ending up on the floor to finish off the tune!
Billy’s mum and dad used to come to these parties too and his mum was a superb Irish dancer, so Billy would strike up The Irish Washerwoman while mum danced an Irish jig!
Billy played drums in a few bands over the years and actually married the singer in one of these, Margaret Hunter. A long and happy marriage that lasted until the untimely passing of Margaret about 12 years ago.
Son Bobby (currently second box player with Roy Hendrie) was born in 1956 and Billy and Margaret were over the moon. Bobby flourished as an accordion player and he and his dad played together for many years. Bobby too has a famous offspring in the shape of a Scottish Champion accordionist, Liam, who was the apple of Billy’s eye – and rightly so.
Along with David Ross and Bill Rodie, Billy set up Galston Accordion Club in 1968 and in 1971 was, with David Ross, at the first exploratory meeting of the National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs. Billy remained as regular MC at Galston for all of its 38 year existence as well as being resident drummer there too.
Highlights at the Club for me were the nights that the late Billy Hume of Kilmarnock came and the drumming prowess of our resident drummer was taxed to the limit with just a snare drum, hi-hats and a pair of wire brushes. What a drummer! Fantastic stuff as Messrs. Hume and Stewart worked their way impeccably through tunes like Sweet Georgia Brown and The Lady is a Tramp in double time!
From plumber to drummer to fiddler to Worshipful Master, Billy Stewart was indeed a very complete human being. A man I admired all my life as a gentleman, a family man and most of all, a friend. Billy, you will never be forgotten and thanks for everything you were.
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
The Music and The Land – The concert – Freeland Barbour & Friends – CDTRAX392
Book 50 – Spring Fling – Scott Band SDB – RSCDS CD082
Book Review
Easy Folk Accordion – Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer – reviewed by Gordon Pattullo – Published by Schott
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
5th Nov 2016 – Niall Kirkpatrick SDB + Glenfiddich Fiddle Festival 1
12th Nov 2016 – James Coutts SDB – Perth All Scotland Senior Accordion Champion
19th Nov 2016 – The Burns Brothers Ceilidh Band – Glenfiddlch Fiddle Festival 2
26th Nov 2016 - tbc
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 29th Nov 2016 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms) 9th Nov 2016 – Robert Whitehead SDB
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 20th Nov 2016 – Scott Leslie SDB
Arbroath (Artisan Golf Club) - 6th Nov 2016 – Kyle Innes Trio
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 20th Nov 2016 – Richard Smith Trio
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 28th Nov 2016 – Gary Anderson & Friends
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 23rd Nov 2016 – Jim Gold Trio
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) – 21st Nov 2016 – Neil MacEachern SDB
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) – 13th Nov 2016 – Duncan Hutchison SDB
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 8th Nov 2016 – Martin Donaldson SDB
Button Key (Greig Institute, Windygates) – 10th Nov 2016 – Gordon Clark SDB
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 1st Nov 2016 – Ian Muir SDB
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) - 10th Nov 2016 – Richard Smith Trio
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 15th Nov 2016 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Clydesdale (St Mary’s Club Rooms) - 6th Nov 2016 – Graeme Mitchell SDB
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 17th Nov 2016 – Gold Brothers Trio
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 3rd Nov 2016 – David Vernon
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) - 15th Nov 2016 – Archie & Alec McAllister
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 2nd Nov 2016 – Janet Graham Band
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 16th Nov 2016 – Jack Delaney sDB
Dunfermline (Sportsman Bar, Rosyth) – 8th Nov 2016 – Marian Anderson Trio
Duns (Masonic Lodge) 21st Nov 2016 – Paul Capaldi Band
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 22nd Nov 2016 – David Vernon
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 27th Nov 2016 – Gary Sutherland SDB
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 9th Nov 2016 – Johnny Duncan Duo
Fort William (Railway Club) - 1st Nov 2016 – Leonard Brown
Galashiels (Clovenfords Hotel) – 3rd Nov 2016 – Scott Leslie C.B.
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 24th Nov 2016 – Stuart Anderson SDB
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 2nd Nov 2016 – Freeland Barbour
Gretna (The Solway Lodge Hotel) - 6th Nov 2016 – David Vernon
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 21st Nov 2016 – Gordon Pattullo Duo
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) - 9th Nov 2016 – David Oswald Trio
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 3rd Nov 2016 – Robert Nairn Trio
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) – 1st Nov 2016 – Gold Brothers Trio 11th Nov – Dance to Iain Anderson Trio
Kelso (Cross Rugby Club) – 30th Nov 2016 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Langholm (British Legion) – 9th Nov 2016 - tbc
Lewis & Harris (Caladh Inn, Stornoway) - 3rd Nov 2016 – Ian Crichton Memorial Charity Night
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 15th Nov 2016 – Club Night
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) - 29th Nov 2016 – Donald MacLeod Trio
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) - 20th Nov 2016 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 15th Nov 2016 – Alan Gardiner Trio
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 2nd Nov 2016 – Alan Small & Gemma Donald
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) -
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 28th Nov 2016 – Bon Accords
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 1st Nov 2016 – Brandon McPhee Trio
Oban (The Royal Hotel) – 3rd Nov 2016 – Alan Crookston
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 2nd 9th 16th 23rd 30th Nov 2016 – Club Nights
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 24th Nov 2016 – Ewan Galloway Trio
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 15th Nov 2016 – Matthew MacLennan SDB
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 8th Nov 2016 – Kyle rowan Duo
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 3rd Nov 2016 – AGM + John Morgan
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 1st 8th 15th 22nd 29th Nov 2016 – Club Nights
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - 10th Nov 2016 – Club Night 24th Nov – Adin Graham Trio
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) - 10th Nov 2016 – Lindsay Weir Trio
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) - 19th Nov 2016 – Andrew MacDonald
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 7th Nov 2016 – Seamus O’Sullivan Trio
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 3rd Nov 2016 - Iain MacPhail SDB
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 17th Nov 2016 – South of the Border
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 15th Nov 2016 – John Stuart SDB
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Alnwick
2. Annan
3. Beith
4. Blairgowrie
5. Button Key
6. Campsie
7. Castle Douglas
8. Clydesdale
9. Coalburn
10. Crieff
11. Dingwall
12. Dunblane
13. Dunfermline
14. Duns
15. Forres
16. Highland
17. Kelso
18. Livingston
19. Lockerbie
20 Newtongrange
21. Orkney
22. Perth
23. Rothbury
24. Shetland
25. Turriff
26. Tynedale
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2016
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
10. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
11. Button Key A&F Club (
12. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
13. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
15. Clydesdale A&F Club (Sept 2016 – present)
16. Coalburn A&F Club (
17. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
18. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
19. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
20. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
21. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
22. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
23. Ellon A&F Club (
24. Forfar A&F Club (
25. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
26. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
27. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
28. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
29. Gretna A&F Club (1991) Known as North Cumbria A&F Club previously (originally called Gretna when started in June 1966 but later had to move to venues in the North of England and changed name. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
30. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
31. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
32. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
33. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
34. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
35. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
36. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 – present)
37. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
38 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
39. Macmerry A&F Club (Feb 2016 – present)
40 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
41 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
42 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
43. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
44. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
45. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
46. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
47. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
48. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
49. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
50. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
51 Stonehouse A&F Club (Opened 2003 - first report June 05 – Closed April 2018)
52 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
53 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
54 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
55 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
56 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?)
57. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
58. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
59. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
60. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
61. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
62. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
63. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
64. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
65. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
66. Buchan A&F Club
67. Callander A&F Club (
68. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
69. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
70. Club Accord
71. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
72 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
73. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
74. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
75. Cults A & F Club (
76. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
77. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
78. Derwentside A&F Club
79. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
80. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
81. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
82. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
83. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
84. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
85. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
86. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
87. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – ?)
88. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
89. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
90. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93? – left the Assoc c2013)
91. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
92. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
93. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 – 6th December 2015)
94. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
95. Kintore A&F Club (
96. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
97. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier -
98. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
99. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
100. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
101. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
102. Maine Valley A&F Club (
103. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
104. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
105. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
106. Mull A&F Club
107. Newcastleton Accordion Club
108. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
109. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
110. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
111. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
112. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
113. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
114. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
115. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
116. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
117. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
118. Selkirk A&F Club (
119. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
120. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
121. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
122 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
123 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
124. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
125. Tranent A&F Club
126. Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra
127. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
128. Wellbank A&F Club
129 West Barnes ( - 2016?)
130. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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