Box and Fiddle
Year 41 No 03
November 2017
Price £3.00
52 Page Magazine
12 month subscription £33.60 + p&p £15.85 (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
I’m still recovering from Festival overload. It has been a whole month…………
Pia Walker
The Button Box Gathering
by Margo Maclennan
John (The Prof) Matheson gave a warm welcome as compere for the 16th Button Box Gathering where …………..
Skye Accordion & Fiddle Festival 2017
by
Glorious weather greeted a host of musicians and supporters………….
In Memory – Eric Glanville
by Christina
Eric Glanville was born on 12th August 1938 to proud parents Reginald and Doris Glanville in Devonport, in the city of Plymouth. His parents moved to Fifewhen he was two and he stayed in Rosyth for the rest of his life. Eric did his National Service in the RAF as a radio operator and later worked in Rosyth Dockyard.
He was very musical and loved to play the accordion. Eric loved the music of Jimmy Shand but he furthermore had an eclectic taste in music. As a young man he had his own band. He also had the opportunity to play his accordion at the Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline. He was a prolific writer and wrote more than 12,000 tunes for the accordion, many being played worldwide. The tune he wrote for the 50th Anniversary of the sinking of the Princess Victoria, Stranraer to Larne car ferry on 31st January 1953 was broadcast on Scottish Television in 2003. Eric also wrote stories and poems as well as accordion music. He was a very clever man.
Over the years, Eric’s health deteriorated and eventually he had to give up his work. His many accordion playing friends often visited and played tunes with him. Many will sadly miss him, but his legacy lives on in his music.
Centre Stage
Roddy Matthews
The Rescuer of Abandoned Accordions
by Pia Walker
I think this is the best way to describe David Pullar. David hails from Fife, from Blebo, but I went to meet him in the home he has occupied for 35 years near Montrose. David was a joiner, but after having worked in various professions became a salmon fisherman as are his family. In fact there are three David Pullars – the eldest the middle and the youngest and they all play accordions. Steven Carcary taught David the youngest. The David that I came to see in his house – a salmon bothy right on the edge of an east coast cliff with the most beautiful view of the sea – also plays the accordion, although he states that “he can barely wring a tune” and has been involved with the Windygates Buttons and Bows for many years.
It was his grandson, David the youngest, who contacted me to tell me about his granddad’s hobby, which started when he began learning to play 15-17 years ago. He told Bobby Dewar during a visit that he wished he could play and Bobby gave him an old accordion which was then overhauled by John Crawford and this was to become his first ever accordion. His interest may have started many years before that, as he remembers being taken to The Palace Theatre in Dundee for a show when he was age 8 or 9 and remembers an accordionist in a glittery suit with a sparkly accordion. The lights were dimmed in the theatre and David remembers the sequins etc sparkling in the stage light.
Starting with just one accordion 15 years ago, he now has 8-900. In his own words, “it was a collection that went completely out of hand”. His grandson told me that at one time there were more than 60 accordions in the living room and the only empty space was a path from his granddad’s armchair to the telly. Now only a few were in the room – including his prized Salas from 1932. He picked up the Salas that had been owned by a lawyer in London through Eric Glanville from Rosyth. He picked up many accordions from Eric; on one occasion he bought 5 on the same day.
When you have deliveries of accordions up to 3 times a day, you need somewhere to store them. David the eldest therefore built a special room in the basement for them – except there was no basement to start with. They literally dug and carved from the rocks beneath his house. Off we went down into the accordion room. We were met with row upon row of accordions on specially built shelving along one wall, and on the floor, and in boxes, all over the place. These were all the ‘good’ ones he told me. He also had some in truck trailers either to be used for spares or not yet done up. He loves renovating rescued accordions although he doesn’t do many now as his eyesight is deteriorating. Young Dave told me that he has spent a lot of time digging out boxes amongst the spiders to get them in the house to be done up. “Granddad used to spend hours and hours tinkering with them in his work room.” The basement room also houses a display cabinet stuffed to the gunnels with accordion playing figurines, so many that everybody has lost count of the number. I’m just glad I’m not the one to dust them!
David picks accordions up from all sorts of places; from skips, for example, and from travels to Germany and Italy where he has become firm friends with many of the people who own various accordion factories. His collection contains accordions from all over the world. Until recently he had a bandoneon, but this has just gone to Ireland with his friend Bruce Lindsay. He has button boxes and piano accordions, he has curved ones, small ones and large ones, and he even has a 3-row piano accordion that used to belong to Joe Hayes from Cork.
He has exhibited many of his accordions locally and there are quite a few articles in the local newspapers about the man and his collection. David may be someone for whom collecting perhaps became an obsession, but I came away from his home with a distinct feeling that every single rescued accordion was now a loved and cherished item.
Bon Accords Ceilidh Weekend
by Deryn & Robin
Our February Ceilidh Weekend was once more a resounding success. Friday night……
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
Hobgoblin Music – Celebrating 40 Years – Various Artistes HOBCD040
Hjaltibonhoga – Shetland Fiddlers of The Royal military Tattoo – Scrolling On – HB001
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
4th Nov 2017 – Lynn Christie SDB & Bobby MacLeod Special 2
11th Nov 2017 – Nicky McMichan SDB - Ian Holmes Tribute & Perth Championships
18th Nov 2017 – Robert Nairn Highland Dance Band + Comedy Hour
25th Nov 2017 – Susan MacFadyen SDB
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 28th Nov 2017 - tbc
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms) 8th Nov 2017 – Alan Gardiner Trio
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 19th Nov 2017 – Stuart McKeown
Arbroath (The Meadowbank Inn) - 5th Nov 2017 – Leonard Brown
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 19th Nov 2017 – Donald MacLeod SDB
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 27th Nov 2017 – Burns Brothers Ceilidh Band
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 22nd Nov 2017 – Tom Orr SDB
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) – 20th Nov 2017 - tbc
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) – 12th Nov 2017 – Angus Lyon & Lauren MacColl
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 14th Nov 2017 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross + AGM
Button Key (Greig Institute, Windygates) – 10th Nov 2017 – Andy Greig & Friends
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 7th Nov 2017 – Sandy Nixon SDB
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) - 9th Nov 2017 – Leonard Brown
Castle Douglas (Springholm Memorial Hall) – 21st Nov 2017 – Cameronian SDB
Clydesdale (St Mary’s Club Rooms) - 5th Nov 2017 – Callum Cruickshank SDB
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 16th Nov 2017 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Crieff & District (British Legion) 2nd Nov 2017 – Joyce Ramsay Trio
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) - 21st Nov 2017 – C & G Sound
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 1st Nov 2017 – Ross MacPherson SDB
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 15th Nov 2017 – Leonard Brown SDB
Dunfermline (Sportsman Bar, Rosyth) – 14th Nov 2017 – Jock the Box
Duns (Masonic Lodge) 20th Nov 2017 – Lomond Ceilidh Band
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 21st Nov 2017 – Scottish Accordion Music Group
Forfar (Forfar RBL) - 26th Nov 2017 – Martin Donaldson Band
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 8th Nov 2017 – Leonard Brown
Fort William (Railway Club, Inverlochy) - 7th Nov 2017 – Alan Small & Gemma Donald
Galashiels (Gala YM RFC) - 2nd Nov 2017 – Ian Cruickshanks SDB
Glasgow (Scotstounhill Bowling Club) - 13th Nov 2017 - Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 23rd Nov 2017 – Johnny Duncan & Malcolm Ross
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 1st Nov 2017 – David Oswald SDB
Gretna (The Solway Lodge Hotel) - 5th Nov 2017 – Martainn Skene
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 20th Nov 2017 – Craig McFadyen SDB
Inveraray (Inveraray Inn) - 8th Nov 2017 – Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 2nd Nov 2017 – Nicol McLaren & Glencraig SDB
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) – 7th Nov 2017 – Brandon McPhee Trio
Kelso (Kelso Rugby Club) – 29th Nov 2017 – Jim Johnstone Tribute Band
Langholm (Langholm Social Club) – 8th Nov 2017 – Brandon McPhee Trio
Lewis & Harris (Caladh Inn, Stornoway) - 2nd Nov 2017 – Ian Crichton Memorial Charity Night
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 21st Nov 2017 – David Vernon
Lockerbie (Mid Annandale Comrades Club) 28th Nov 2017 – Iain Anderson
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) - 19th Nov 2017 – David Vernon
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 21st Nov 2017 – Gordon Pattullo
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 1st Nov 2017 – Scott Band SDB
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) - 30th Nov 2017 - tbc
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 27th Nov 2017 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 7th Nov 2017 – John Stuart SDB
Oban (The Royal Hotel) – 2nd Nov 2017 – Willie Scott SDB
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 1st 8th 15th 22nd 29th Nov 2017 – Club Night
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 30th Nov 2017 – Susan MacFadyen Trio
Perth & District (Salutation Hotel) – 21st Nov 2017 – Leonard Brown
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 8th Nov 2017 – Aiden Graham Trio
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 2nd Nov 2017 – Gavin Piper + AGM
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 7th 14th 21st 28th Nov 2017 – Club Night
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - 9th Nov 2017 – Club Night 23rd Nov 2017 - tbc
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Bowling Club) - 9th Nov 2017 – Frank Morrison SDB
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) - 11th Nov 2017 – Ross MacPherson SDB
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 6th Nov 2017 – Robert Nairn
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 2nd Nov 2017 – Kathleen Hadden & Friends
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 16th Nov 2017 – Marie Fielding & Duncan Black
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) - 11th & 25th Nov 2017 – Club Night
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 21st Nov 2017 – Colin Donaldson SDB
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Annan
4. Arbroath
5. Balloch
6. Banff & District
7. Beith
8. Blairgowrie
9. Buttonkey
10. Campsie
11. Castle Douglas
12. Coalburn
13. Crieff
14. Dingwall
15. Dunblane
16. Dunfermline
17. Duns
18. Ellon
19. Forres
20. Glendale
21. Glenfarg
22. Gretna
23. Highland
24. Isle of Skye
25. Islesteps
26. Kelso
27. Lewis & Harris
28. Livingston
29. Lockerbie
30. Macmerry
31. Newburgh
32. North East
33. Renfrew
34. Rothbury
35. Seghill
36. Shetland
37. Thurso
38. Tynedale
39. Wick
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. Glasgow A&F Club (Aug 2017 -
28. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
29. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
30. 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)
31. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
32. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
33. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
34. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
35. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
36. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
37. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 – present)
38. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
39 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
40. Macmerry A&F Club (Feb 2016 – present)
41 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
42 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
43 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
44. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
45. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
46. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
47. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
48. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
49. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
50. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
51. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
52 Stonehouse A&F Club (Opened 2003 - first report June 05 – Closed April 2018)
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. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93? – left the Assoc c2013)
92. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
93. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
94. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 – 6th December 2015)
95. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
96. Kintore A&F Club (
97. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
98. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier -
99. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
100. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
101. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
102. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
103. Maine Valley A&F Club (
104. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
105. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
106. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
107. Mull A&F Club
108. Newcastleton Accordion Club
109. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
110. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
111. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
112. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
113. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
114. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
115. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
116. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
117. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
118. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
119. Selkirk A&F Club (
120. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
121. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
122. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
123 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
124 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
125. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
126. Tranent A&F Club
127. Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra
128. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
129. Wellbank A&F Club
130. West Barnes (1981? - April 2016?)
131. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
Advertising rates
Back Page (colour) - £320
Full Page (colour) - £256
Full Page (b&w) - £160
Half Page (colour) - £128
Half Page (b&w) - £80
Quarter Page (colour) - £64
Quarter Page (b&w) - £40
Eighth Page - £30
Small Boxed £20
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
I’m still recovering from Festival overload. It has been a whole month…………
Pia Walker
The Button Box Gathering
by Margo Maclennan
John (The Prof) Matheson gave a warm welcome as compere for the 16th Button Box Gathering where …………..
Skye Accordion & Fiddle Festival 2017
by
Glorious weather greeted a host of musicians and supporters………….
In Memory – Eric Glanville
by Christina
Eric Glanville was born on 12th August 1938 to proud parents Reginald and Doris Glanville in Devonport, in the city of Plymouth. His parents moved to Fifewhen he was two and he stayed in Rosyth for the rest of his life. Eric did his National Service in the RAF as a radio operator and later worked in Rosyth Dockyard.
He was very musical and loved to play the accordion. Eric loved the music of Jimmy Shand but he furthermore had an eclectic taste in music. As a young man he had his own band. He also had the opportunity to play his accordion at the Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline. He was a prolific writer and wrote more than 12,000 tunes for the accordion, many being played worldwide. The tune he wrote for the 50th Anniversary of the sinking of the Princess Victoria, Stranraer to Larne car ferry on 31st January 1953 was broadcast on Scottish Television in 2003. Eric also wrote stories and poems as well as accordion music. He was a very clever man.
Over the years, Eric’s health deteriorated and eventually he had to give up his work. His many accordion playing friends often visited and played tunes with him. Many will sadly miss him, but his legacy lives on in his music.
Centre Stage
Roddy Matthews
The Rescuer of Abandoned Accordions
by Pia Walker
I think this is the best way to describe David Pullar. David hails from Fife, from Blebo, but I went to meet him in the home he has occupied for 35 years near Montrose. David was a joiner, but after having worked in various professions became a salmon fisherman as are his family. In fact there are three David Pullars – the eldest the middle and the youngest and they all play accordions. Steven Carcary taught David the youngest. The David that I came to see in his house – a salmon bothy right on the edge of an east coast cliff with the most beautiful view of the sea – also plays the accordion, although he states that “he can barely wring a tune” and has been involved with the Windygates Buttons and Bows for many years.
It was his grandson, David the youngest, who contacted me to tell me about his granddad’s hobby, which started when he began learning to play 15-17 years ago. He told Bobby Dewar during a visit that he wished he could play and Bobby gave him an old accordion which was then overhauled by John Crawford and this was to become his first ever accordion. His interest may have started many years before that, as he remembers being taken to The Palace Theatre in Dundee for a show when he was age 8 or 9 and remembers an accordionist in a glittery suit with a sparkly accordion. The lights were dimmed in the theatre and David remembers the sequins etc sparkling in the stage light.
Starting with just one accordion 15 years ago, he now has 8-900. In his own words, “it was a collection that went completely out of hand”. His grandson told me that at one time there were more than 60 accordions in the living room and the only empty space was a path from his granddad’s armchair to the telly. Now only a few were in the room – including his prized Salas from 1932. He picked up the Salas that had been owned by a lawyer in London through Eric Glanville from Rosyth. He picked up many accordions from Eric; on one occasion he bought 5 on the same day.
When you have deliveries of accordions up to 3 times a day, you need somewhere to store them. David the eldest therefore built a special room in the basement for them – except there was no basement to start with. They literally dug and carved from the rocks beneath his house. Off we went down into the accordion room. We were met with row upon row of accordions on specially built shelving along one wall, and on the floor, and in boxes, all over the place. These were all the ‘good’ ones he told me. He also had some in truck trailers either to be used for spares or not yet done up. He loves renovating rescued accordions although he doesn’t do many now as his eyesight is deteriorating. Young Dave told me that he has spent a lot of time digging out boxes amongst the spiders to get them in the house to be done up. “Granddad used to spend hours and hours tinkering with them in his work room.” The basement room also houses a display cabinet stuffed to the gunnels with accordion playing figurines, so many that everybody has lost count of the number. I’m just glad I’m not the one to dust them!
David picks accordions up from all sorts of places; from skips, for example, and from travels to Germany and Italy where he has become firm friends with many of the people who own various accordion factories. His collection contains accordions from all over the world. Until recently he had a bandoneon, but this has just gone to Ireland with his friend Bruce Lindsay. He has button boxes and piano accordions, he has curved ones, small ones and large ones, and he even has a 3-row piano accordion that used to belong to Joe Hayes from Cork.
He has exhibited many of his accordions locally and there are quite a few articles in the local newspapers about the man and his collection. David may be someone for whom collecting perhaps became an obsession, but I came away from his home with a distinct feeling that every single rescued accordion was now a loved and cherished item.
Bon Accords Ceilidh Weekend
by Deryn & Robin
Our February Ceilidh Weekend was once more a resounding success. Friday night……
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
Hobgoblin Music – Celebrating 40 Years – Various Artistes HOBCD040
Hjaltibonhoga – Shetland Fiddlers of The Royal military Tattoo – Scrolling On – HB001
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
4th Nov 2017 – Lynn Christie SDB & Bobby MacLeod Special 2
11th Nov 2017 – Nicky McMichan SDB - Ian Holmes Tribute & Perth Championships
18th Nov 2017 – Robert Nairn Highland Dance Band + Comedy Hour
25th Nov 2017 – Susan MacFadyen SDB
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 28th Nov 2017 - tbc
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms) 8th Nov 2017 – Alan Gardiner Trio
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 19th Nov 2017 – Stuart McKeown
Arbroath (The Meadowbank Inn) - 5th Nov 2017 – Leonard Brown
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 19th Nov 2017 – Donald MacLeod SDB
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 27th Nov 2017 – Burns Brothers Ceilidh Band
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 22nd Nov 2017 – Tom Orr SDB
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) – 20th Nov 2017 - tbc
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) – 12th Nov 2017 – Angus Lyon & Lauren MacColl
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 14th Nov 2017 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross + AGM
Button Key (Greig Institute, Windygates) – 10th Nov 2017 – Andy Greig & Friends
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 7th Nov 2017 – Sandy Nixon SDB
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) - 9th Nov 2017 – Leonard Brown
Castle Douglas (Springholm Memorial Hall) – 21st Nov 2017 – Cameronian SDB
Clydesdale (St Mary’s Club Rooms) - 5th Nov 2017 – Callum Cruickshank SDB
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 16th Nov 2017 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Crieff & District (British Legion) 2nd Nov 2017 – Joyce Ramsay Trio
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) - 21st Nov 2017 – C & G Sound
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 1st Nov 2017 – Ross MacPherson SDB
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 15th Nov 2017 – Leonard Brown SDB
Dunfermline (Sportsman Bar, Rosyth) – 14th Nov 2017 – Jock the Box
Duns (Masonic Lodge) 20th Nov 2017 – Lomond Ceilidh Band
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 21st Nov 2017 – Scottish Accordion Music Group
Forfar (Forfar RBL) - 26th Nov 2017 – Martin Donaldson Band
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 8th Nov 2017 – Leonard Brown
Fort William (Railway Club, Inverlochy) - 7th Nov 2017 – Alan Small & Gemma Donald
Galashiels (Gala YM RFC) - 2nd Nov 2017 – Ian Cruickshanks SDB
Glasgow (Scotstounhill Bowling Club) - 13th Nov 2017 - Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 23rd Nov 2017 – Johnny Duncan & Malcolm Ross
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 1st Nov 2017 – David Oswald SDB
Gretna (The Solway Lodge Hotel) - 5th Nov 2017 – Martainn Skene
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 20th Nov 2017 – Craig McFadyen SDB
Inveraray (Inveraray Inn) - 8th Nov 2017 – Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 2nd Nov 2017 – Nicol McLaren & Glencraig SDB
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) – 7th Nov 2017 – Brandon McPhee Trio
Kelso (Kelso Rugby Club) – 29th Nov 2017 – Jim Johnstone Tribute Band
Langholm (Langholm Social Club) – 8th Nov 2017 – Brandon McPhee Trio
Lewis & Harris (Caladh Inn, Stornoway) - 2nd Nov 2017 – Ian Crichton Memorial Charity Night
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 21st Nov 2017 – David Vernon
Lockerbie (Mid Annandale Comrades Club) 28th Nov 2017 – Iain Anderson
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) - 19th Nov 2017 – David Vernon
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 21st Nov 2017 – Gordon Pattullo
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 1st Nov 2017 – Scott Band SDB
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) - 30th Nov 2017 - tbc
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 27th Nov 2017 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 7th Nov 2017 – John Stuart SDB
Oban (The Royal Hotel) – 2nd Nov 2017 – Willie Scott SDB
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 1st 8th 15th 22nd 29th Nov 2017 – Club Night
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 30th Nov 2017 – Susan MacFadyen Trio
Perth & District (Salutation Hotel) – 21st Nov 2017 – Leonard Brown
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 8th Nov 2017 – Aiden Graham Trio
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 2nd Nov 2017 – Gavin Piper + AGM
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 7th 14th 21st 28th Nov 2017 – Club Night
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - 9th Nov 2017 – Club Night 23rd Nov 2017 - tbc
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Bowling Club) - 9th Nov 2017 – Frank Morrison SDB
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) - 11th Nov 2017 – Ross MacPherson SDB
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 6th Nov 2017 – Robert Nairn
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 2nd Nov 2017 – Kathleen Hadden & Friends
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 16th Nov 2017 – Marie Fielding & Duncan Black
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) - 11th & 25th Nov 2017 – Club Night
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 21st Nov 2017 – Colin Donaldson SDB
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Annan
4. Arbroath
5. Balloch
6. Banff & District
7. Beith
8. Blairgowrie
9. Buttonkey
10. Campsie
11. Castle Douglas
12. Coalburn
13. Crieff
14. Dingwall
15. Dunblane
16. Dunfermline
17. Duns
18. Ellon
19. Forres
20. Glendale
21. Glenfarg
22. Gretna
23. Highland
24. Isle of Skye
25. Islesteps
26. Kelso
27. Lewis & Harris
28. Livingston
29. Lockerbie
30. Macmerry
31. Newburgh
32. North East
33. Renfrew
34. Rothbury
35. Seghill
36. Shetland
37. Thurso
38. Tynedale
39. Wick
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. Glasgow A&F Club (Aug 2017 -
28. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
29. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
30. 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)
31. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
32. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
33. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
34. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
35. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
36. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
37. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 – present)
38. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
39 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
40. Macmerry A&F Club (Feb 2016 – present)
41 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
42 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
43 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
44. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
45. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
46. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
47. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
48. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
49. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
50. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
51. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
52 Stonehouse A&F Club (Opened 2003 - first report June 05 – Closed April 2018)
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. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93? – left the Assoc c2013)
92. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
93. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
94. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 – 6th December 2015)
95. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
96. Kintore A&F Club (
97. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
98. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier -
99. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
100. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
101. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
102. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
103. Maine Valley A&F Club (
104. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
105. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
106. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
107. Mull A&F Club
108. Newcastleton Accordion Club
109. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
110. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
111. Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
112. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
113. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
114. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
115. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
116. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
117. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
118. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
119. Selkirk A&F Club (
120. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
121. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
122. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
123 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
124 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
125. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
126. Tranent A&F Club
127. Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra
128. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
129. Wellbank A&F Club
130. West Barnes (1981? - April 2016?)
131. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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