Box and Fiddle
Year 34 No 02
October 2010
Price £2.60
44 Page Magazine
12 month subscription £28.60 + p&p £10.45 (UK)
Editor – Karin Ingram, Hawick
B&F Treasurer – Charlie Todd, Thankerton
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time-consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
It has been another sad time for the Accordion and Fiddle Club scene. In recent weeks we have lost Alasdair Heron, George Hood, Wilbert Grund and Billy Thom. Our condolences go out to their loved ones. We hope to carry more detailed tributes in future issues.
Karin Ingram
Isle of Skye Accordion & Fiddle Festival 2010
27th – 29th May 2010
by
The last week of May found a host………….
History of the NAAFC
by Neil Copland
2011 sees the 40th Anniversary of the NAAFC, as the inaugural meeting was held on 4th July 1971 in The Station Hotel in Ayr. From the following extract……….
Club of the Month – Highland (Inverness)
by Bob Wares
The Club was formed in November 1973 when the late Alistair Watters was a leading light in a club in the Perthshire area and took his idea north when he moved with his work.
Billy Thom
by Billy Hutton (Chairman, Campsie Club)
I was saddened and deeply shocked to learn of my dear friend Billy Thom. I had known Billy personally for 15 years but previously knew about him from recordings and met him which he was playing at dances.
In 1995 when we decided to start the Campsie Club I phoned Billy and asked him f he would consider coming along on our first night and he said, “No problem son, I’ll be there.” We had no guest artiste on that night but Billy along with Duncan Black and Neil McMillan gave us a super night’s entertainment and Billy continued to support the Club throughout the years until his wife’s ill health made it difficult for him to get out at night. I have no doubt it helped the success of our Club having someone of Billy’s magnitude attending regularly.
Billy didn’t normally go to Club’s as an individual player so we were privileged and honoured that he attended our Club so faithfully, he loved backing the young and leass experienced players and it was great for them to have a player of his knowledge and experience accompanying them. It was Billy who got me started playing drums and he tried hard to teach me the basic rudiments but I think it was a case of trying to teach an old dog new tricks but I keep trying.
Mr Thom was not only an excellent drummer but also a first class joiner and worked on my house for many months doing all the joinery work on two extensions. I can tell you, there was never a dull day when Billy was here! I and my family are honoured to have had him as a friend.
I doubt if we will ever see his like again as far as the range of his playing is concerned, he could play for any kind of music and faultlessly too. He was a larger than life character and will be greatly missed by everyone. Our thoughts are with his wife Nancy and daughters Shirley, Jennifer and Alison.
Alasdair Heron (1936 – 2010) Obituary
by Alan Kitchen
On Friday 20th August Scottish dance music lost another of its fine fiddlers – Alasdair Heron of Bearsden. Alasdair had been in poor health only since late April and died at the Beatson Unit in Glasgow. He is survived by his wife Sheila and son David.
I first met Alasdair when we both played in The George Stirrat Band during the 1980s and spent many happy hours travelling to an from gigs countrywide with Alasdair in his van. More recently he played with Charlie Kirkpatrick’s Band and was heard regularly on Take the Floor. In fact he recorded a broadcast as recently as April of this year, which will be heard in May.
Alasdair played with many other stalwarts of the Glasgow band scene including Lex Keith and Norman Currie. In the 1960s his own band played regularly in The Highlanders Institute.
In his day job as a travelling salesman, his fiddle always accompanied him on the road. During these travels he often sought out any local Box and Fiddle clubs – from the Borders to the north East – and will be fondly recalled by many members.
Alasdair will be remembered for his fine contribution to the music scene, his cheery smile and pawky sense of humour. A sad loss indeed.
Perth All Scotland Accordion & Fiddle Festival
by Audrey Fenton
60 Years of History
As you may be aware, Bill Wilkie, the founder of the Perth All Scotland Accordion and fiddle Festival and Festival organiser since 1950, has this year stepped down from running the Festival. Bill’s name has become synonymous with the Festival and his achievements in creating and sustaining the reputation of the Festival over the past 60 years have been outstanding. In 1994 he was awarded the MBE for services to the Festival.
It was with interest therefore that we tracked down Peter Bruce, Chairman of the new organising Committee, to see how preparations were progressing for the 61st Festival to be held on Saturday 30th October.
New Committee
“It was with some trepidation that we took on the role of organizers,” admitted Peter. “All we had to start with were a date, the historic trophies handed over by Bill and the reputation of the Festival. It was a bit tricky initially getting things off the ground but after a few phone calls I managed to pull together a small committee of enthusiasts who, like me, are passionate about the future of the Festival. We wanted to preserve the stature of the Festival as much as possible and were delighted to secure Stagecoach as our main sponsors. Their support together with funding from the Guildry Incorporation of Perth and The Thomson Charitable Trust has allowed the Festival to proceed on a scale befitting its reputation.”
Competitions Unchanged
The new Committee has drawn up a Constitution which makes it very clear that competitions are very much the core of the Festival. Very little has changed in this area from previous years with the same classes, titles and trophies to be competed for. Even the familiar faces of the stewards, scribes and helpers will be the same – if a year older! Peter explained, “The competitions are what the Festival is mainly about and they have an historic pedigree which is unrivalled so we haven’t tampered with them. In recent years entry numbers have declined but it would be a great shame if this legacy was lost and I urge everyone to support the competitions. This year we have an impressive list of adjudicators, all of whom are respected and admired as musicians, particularly by the younger generation. These are Alasdair MacCuish, Duncan Black, Gordon shand and Wayne Robertson for accordions and Claire Telford for fiddles. We hope that this will be seen as a step forward, bringing fresh ideas and opinions to the interpretation of the music.”
No Variety Concert
A highlight of previous Festivals was Bill Wilkie’s Variety Concert which was always a sell-out. Although Bill intends to organize a similar concert at a later date, there will be no variety show this year to coincide with the Festival. Another side effect of this decision is that it is not viable to hold the Concert in the Perth Concert Hall without the concert revenue.
Replaced by Social and Performance Events
However, the organizers are keen that the Festival be recognised as an opportunity to hear some of the nation’s best accordionists and fiddlers performing live and as a meeting place to socialize with fellow enthusiasts. Peter recalls, “When I was a young competitor watching famous players such as Ian Powrie or Marcosignori perform was something special and inspired me to work hard at my instrument. Then when I was a bit older the Festival used to be a great occasion to meet all the musicians and have a dram or a wee tune with them. There was a great buzz about the place. So while the new format Festival may miss the gravitas of the Concert Hall venue we intend that it will more than make up for this by incorporating performance and social events which will ensure that attendees enjoy the musical extravaganza in every other way. We have chosen The Salutation Hotel as the main centre for the Festival, not only because it has a long standing association with accordion and fiddle events, but it provides a more intimate atmosphere. We want to get that buzz back again. We have also lined up some of the country’s best accordion and fiddle musicians to inspire and entertain us.”
The programme of social and performance events start on the Friday night with a ceilidh dance featuring Graeme Mitchell and his Broadcasting Band. Supper is included in the ticket price and there will be the usual Raffle with great prizes to be won.
No great Festival would be complete without a music session n in the bar. From lunchtime on the Saturday the Salutation Hotel bar will be thrown open for an informal gathering (entry free) and all musicians are welcome to participate. Graeme Mitchell and his Band will act as the house band to keep the music flowing. Graeme will be your MC and will of course do his best to see that any willing players get the chance to perform.
If however you just want to chat with fellow enthusiasts then The Greyfriars Bar (opposite the Salutation) will welcome you with background music provided by Ian Cameron on accordion.
Climax Grand Finale Concert
The competitions will come to a climax in the afternoon with the Band Competition followed by the finals of the morning’s ‘Senior Traditional Accordion Solo’ for the coveted title of Senior Scottish champion and the Jimmy Shand shield, first presented in 1950. This will be immediately followed at 4.30 by the Grand Finale Concert featuring 90 minutes of great music, played by Scotland’s foremost musicians……Robert Black (accordion) accompanied by Scott Gordon, Claire Telford (violin) and Michael Philip and his Broadcasting Band. Entry to the Concert is included in Competition Day Ticket. During the concert the results of the Senior Scottish Championship will be announced.
This leaves attendees time to have a meal and freshen up before the dance organised by Perth and District Accordion and Fiddle Club featuring Neil MacEachern and his band.
Hall of Fame
In summing up Peter said, “In planning the Festival our intention has been to preserve the integrity of the event and in any changes we have made, forced or otherwise, we have tried to re-kindle some of the atmosphere of the occasion.
However, we owe a great gratitude to all of those who have supported the Festival over the past 60 years and in recognition we have decided to introduce a Festival Hall of Fame. This will be a group of individuals who have contributed in no small way to the success of, not only Accordion and Fiddle playing in general but, specifically the Perth Festival. This contribution may have been in the form of competing, organizing, adjudicating, or perhaps just supporting the event over the years. In this first year 10 eminent musicians have been granted lifetime membership of the Festival Hall of Fame in recognition of their contribution to the standing and reputation of the Festival. They will be announced on the day and we hope as many as possible will be able to join us and mingle with contestants and attendees.”
Your Input
“We hope everyone has a great day at the Festival but we are open to any input so if you have any suggestions on how to make it even better next year please pass on your ideas to any Committee member. What is important is that the Festival continues to thrive.”
“Finally on behalf of the organizing Committee – Simon Howie, Audrey Fenton, Bill Coburn, Jim Lindsay and Michael Philip – I would like to invite you all to the Festival and thank you in anticipation for your support.”
For further information on the Festival go to www.perthaccordionfestival.co.uk or contact Audrey Fenton.
Wilbert (Bill) Grund (1922 – 2010) Obituary
by Ian Holmes
Many older readers will be saddened to learn of the death of Wilbert Grund, who was manager of Bell Accordions, Aycliffe from the early 1950s, until 1974 when he returned to his native Sweden. This news was given to us by his elder son Eric who telephoned in early August. Wilbert, or Willy or Bill as he preferred to be called, died peacefully in his sleep on 29th July. He was a truly remarkable man, widely recognised as one of the leading experts in accordion design, manufacture and maintenance, although he described himself as a light engineer.
Bill was born and grew up in the small town of Alvdalen in the Dalarna region of Sweden. On leaving school, he became an apprentice with the Hagstrom accordion company on Alvdalen’s main street. Later he worked on the instruments of many leading players, including those of Carl Jularbo and his son, Ebbe. Indeed it was Bill who created the distinctive V and inverted V design on the bellows of their accordions. Over the years, this design has been much copied and, in fact, it is often used on instruments by present Italian manufacturers.
In 1948 Alvin Hagstrom decided to begin assembling accordions at Ayclyffe, near Darlington, and Bill was appointed manager, although at that time he could speak little English. Unfortunately, the factory proved uncompetitive and it closed within two years, mainly due to several broken promises of regulation change by the then Board of Trade.
Mr Arthur Bell of Bell Accordions required a quality repair and maintenance service and Bill retuned to Aycliffe around 1951 where he set about recruiting qualified staff, among whom was the German-born tuner, Erwin Fritsch. Geoff Holter later joined in 1957.
Having purchased a Hohner Morino 4 voice piano accordion in 1958, I was somewhat disappointed to find the basses used too much air. I had a notion that if the cassotto block was reduced and a higher set of reeds fitted, the problem would be solved. Having discussed this idea with Bill, he thought it feasible and he agreed to modify the basses as I had suggested. He did a splendid job and when completed, there was a marked improvement in the compression. This instrument was traded in for my Swiss manufactured 5 voice Morino N which I purchased from him in 1968.
Some interesting facts about the man :
When he moved to Darlington in the early 1950s, his home became one of the first in Britain to have micro-bore central heating installed.
He discovered a substitute for beeswax which did not ‘spark’ when heated and did not dry out.
He designed and built a machine which speeded up the process of removing old beeswax and cleaning reeds.
He hand-made a new copper grill for Jimmy Shand’s accordion, which greatly improved the sound projection. Ian Kirkpatrick, himself a Shand Morino player, remembers it as a true work of art.
To convert straight-tuned instruments in order to give a three-in-line tremolo, he made new reed blocks with a circular saw, so finely set, that no dressing was required. He also used the circular saw to make a thumb groove down the edge of the treble keyboard for Jimmy Shand.
Back home in his somewhat isolated but luxurious log-cabin, high above Alvdalen, he himself installed a combination of solar and ground-sourced central heating.
Mickie Ainsworth recalls when he worked for Hohner, Bill was a helpful, efficient and pleasant colleague.
He was happy, that despite several name-changes, the business he started in Aycliffe continued so successfully under the guidance of Geoff Holter.
He told me he once informed a constantly complaining customer, “Sometimes a problem can lie with the player and not their instrument.”
Returning to Sweden in 1974, he became manager of a plastics company which specialized in moulding car components but he continued to work on accordions in his spare time.
Having begun to play the 5-row accordion, I sought a top-quality instrument for Scandinavian music. Bill invited me to Sweden where I met his sons Eric and Michael together with their families. He supplied me with a double-cassotto Balloni Burini special, manufactured to his own exacting specifications. This instrument has been much admired.
At our Silver Wedding party in 1983, he was delighted to finally meet Bobby MacLeod, with whom he’d only had brief telephone conversations.
During my holidays with him each year, we went to the world’s largest accordion festival at Ransater and he introduced me to many of his friends who were top players from Norway, Sweden and Denmark, several of whom still keep in touch.
On one occasion, I was most impressed when I tried an accordion he’d hand-built for a jazz-playing friend.
Over the years, Bill often stayed with us : his most recent visit was in 2006.
A visit he made in 1998 is particularly memorable for, as a surprise, I drove him to Auchermuchty, where once again he met his friend of many years, Jimmy Shand. The mutual admiration was obvious and each regarded the other as a genius. Also in that year he met my olf workmate, Gordon Ross, who had just completed work on a new violin, which had highly ornate hand-made purling together with intricate engraving. Bill was overwhelmed by the quality of the instrument. So much so that he purchased it and he regarded Gordon as one of the finest craftsman he’d ever been fortunate enough to meet.
We feel privileged to have known Bill, had him as a friend and to have shared so many times with him. Ah the memories! As the song (almost) says, “When we see his likes again?”
Piper John Wallace and the boys of the CTS (Clyde Training Ship) Empress.
by Jeannie CampbellCTS Empress was a training ship for delinquent boys and was moored for a long time in the Gareloch in the Firth of Clyde. The boys may have been delinquents but to me they look like little angels in their sailor suits, with their bare feet and half, or reel, size pipes. Archie McNeill, the blind piper, recalled that Duncan Fraser of Greenock made pipes for many customers in the area. Donald MacDougall, the piper at Ardencaple Castle, Rhu, had a reel size set made by Fraser and told Archie McNeill that Fraser had made 40 similar sets full mounted with ivory and had sold them at £4 per set to sailors who came to Greenock. Fraser is known to have supplied pipes to the Dunbartonshire Volunteers so may have supplied the pipes for the boys on the Training Ship.
John Wallace
Archie McNeill was born in 1879 but due to the lack of an instructor locally he did not begin piping until some time after he left school. Eventually he was able to get his first lessons from Roderick Fraser, the piper at Ardencaple Castle. When Archie had been on the pipes for about three years John Wallace came to take up employment on the CTS Empress where, within six months, he had turned out a very fine juvenile band. Wallace’s arrival must therefore have been in about 1898-99. Archie’s memories seem to indicate that this was the beginning of the pipe band, as had there been a band prior to that time, Archie would have been aware of it and would not have said in his memoires that there were no pipers in the area. The band continued for some time and a notice from 1913 shows they were available to play at functions locally.
According to Archie McNeill, Wallace had a house in the village where he stayed when not on duty. This is confirmed by his entry in the 1901 census. Archie had heard about Wallace before his arrival in the village as Wallace had played in a competition in Clydebank and a newspaper report had described him as the “amateur champion piper of Scotland”. Archie described Wallace as a man in the prime of his life. He was dark haired and had a slight stoop and what Archie’s brother described as a piper’s nose, sort of semi-Roman. Wallace had been a pupil of John McNeill of Edinburgh for Highland dancing and Archie had dancing lessons from him, learning the Highland Fling, Sword Dance and other dances.
Wallace told Archie he was a native of Stirling and the Notices of Pipers say the same – but this is not so. The Census taken in 1901 shows that he was living at Lochview cottage in Rhu, or Row as it was then called. The cottage had three rooms with windows. Wallace was aged 36, was born in Edinburgh and was employed as an instructor on CTS Empress. He had a wife Mary aged 26 and a son William aged 10 months and born in Row. Wallace may have moved from Edinburgh to Stirling where he is said to have had his first tuition from a Donald Blue. He then joined the Argylls and came under the tuition of P/M Robert Meldrum. Later he became a pupil of John MacDonald Gillies. During his time in Row he was a regular prize winner at the Highland Games around the Helensburgh and Luss area. Like many army pipers of the time he was a Highland dancer but rather more unusually he could play the guitar. Unfortunately we do not have a picture of him as he was with the band in the early 1900s he is unlikely to be any of the adults in the pictures of the boys.
The Census shows three other officers from the CTS Empress were living in the village with their families. They were the Drill Instructor, the Bandmaster and the Master at Arms and Clerk. Living nearly was Archie McNeill then ages 22 with his mother and brothers. The 1901 Census also covers the Industrial School on the ship. Living on board on the evening of the Census was the Superintendent with his wife, sister, daughter and their two female domestic servants. On board too were eight other officers, three of them retired Naval Officers. The others were a Schoolmaster, a tailor, a cook, a carpenter and a boatswain. Some were married so they too may have had families living in the village. Perhaps the officers lived on board for their periods of duty and returned to their families on shore for their off duty days.
Boys Under Detention
In addition to the staff members there were 381 “Boys Under Detention”. All their names were listed, with their ages and places of birth. The youngest boys were eleven and the oldest fifteen. Many were from Glasgow and the surrounding towns but there were others from all over Scotland, two or three from Ireland and England and one each from New Zealand and Australia. Life on board must have been hard for these young boys. There were no other staff apart from the officers so the boys must have done all the cooking, cleaning, sewing and mending under the supervision of the officers. With lessons and drill plus the two bands their time would have been fully occupied. One wonders where they went after the age of fifteen. Perhaps they were encouraged to join the Navy or the Army.
In 1901 john Wallace played at the Argyllshire Gathering with considerable success and won a prize in every event. In the Open Piobaireachd there was a tie for first place between John MacColl, Oban, and P/M John MacDougall Gillies, Glasgow, with P/M John Wallace, CTS Empress, in third place. In the Gold Medal Piobaireachd P/M John Wallace CTS Empress was first, William MacLean, Benbecula, was second and James A. Centre, Edinburgh, third. In the Marches P/M John Wallace was first, A. R. MacColl, Ballachulich, was second and P/M G. Ross third. Finally, in the Strathspey and Reel P/M Murdo MacKenzie, Inverness, was first, with P/M G. Ross and P/M John Wallace joint second. This seems to be the only time his name appeared in the Prize Lists for the Gathering.
The Hornpipe
The hornpipe ‘CTS Empress’ by John Wallace appeared first in the Cowal Collection of Modern Compositions published in 1905. It appeared again in Donald MacLeod’s Book 5 and again in John MacKenzie’s Collection with two additional parts added by John.
Prior to his time at the Gareloch, Wallace had been the Pipe Major and instructor at Dr Guthrie’s Industrial School at Liberton, Edinburgh. The tune ‘Liberton Pipe Band’ was attributed to Wallace by some sources but the confusion may have arisen as there is another tune, a 2/4 march by John Wallace entitled ‘The Liberton Boys’ published in Henderson’s Tutor of 1901.
The first two parts of the tune now known as ‘Liberton Pipe Band’ or ‘Liberton Polka’ or ‘I have a Caubeen Trimmed with Blue’ or many other names, first appeared in Henderson’s Tutor of 1900 under the name ‘Miss Campbell’s Polka’ but with no composer given. On the same page we see another tune ‘Stirling Castle Polka’ by J. Wallace. The third and fourth parts of the ‘Liberton Pipe Band’ were composed by P/M Meldrum of the 93rd in 1883 and appeared in Logan’s Book 5 under the name ‘Kilberry Ball’. It is not known for certain how the two tunes became combined but given Wallace’s army association with Meldrum and his involvement with the Henderson collection, it is likely that he knew both the tunes.
It could be that he was the man who put the two tunes together for the Liberton boys to play and their name became associated with the combined tune. Other tunes by John Wallace in the Henderson’s tutor are ‘The Henderson March’, a 6/8 ‘The Heights of Dargai’, ‘The Circassian Circle’, ‘The Dancing of the Fingers’, a setting of ‘The British Grenadiers’, seconds for the 6/8 Lonach Highlanders March’ by ‘John Wallace, Liberton’, seconds for ‘Lord Lovat’s March’, seconds for ‘The Bugle Horn’ and seconds for ‘My Faithful Fair One’.
Wallace was only a few years on the CTS Empress and Archie McNeill was of the opinion he lost his employment through absence at the Highland Games. After this he went to London where he got employment at the Caledonian School. Two years later he came back on a visit to Helensburgh and Archie met him again. According to the Notices of Pipers, Wallace died at Slough in 1912 but there is no death listed for that year or the year following. There was a John Wallace who died at Whitechapel in London early in 1911 aged 44 and this may be the correct entry.
This article is from the Piping Times Vol 62 No 5 (Feb 2010) and is reproduced by kind permission of Robert Wallace, Principal of the College of Piping, Otago Street, Glasgow and Editor of the Piping Times – www.college-of-piping.co.uk Click here to view the sheet music for the hornpipe
Classic Accordion Recordings on CD
by Rob Howard
When I was writing the first volume of………
Douglas Lawrence at Methven Castle
by Frank Thomson
On the afternoon of Sunday
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
Scottish Country Dances ‘Ah’m Askin’ – Glencraig SDB – CDTRAX355
Portrait – Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham – WhirlieCD20
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s)
2nd Oct 20 – Ron Kerr SDB (Ian Muir)
9th Oct 10 – Colin Dewar SDB (Billy Thom Tribute)
16th Oct 10 – Susan MacFadyen SDB (Maggie MacInnes)
23rd Oct 10 – Glenelvan SDB (Gabe McVarish)
30th Oct 10 – Michael Philip SDB (OB from Bowhill Community Centre, Fife)
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 26th Oct 10 – Robert Menzies SDB
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle) 13th Oct 10 – Seamus O’Sullivan
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 10th Oct 10 – The Garioch Blend
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 3rd Oct 10 – The Garioch Blend
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 17th Oct 10 – Alan Ross SDB
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 25th Oct 10 – Robert Whitehead SDB
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 27th Oct 10 – Andy Kain Trio
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) –
Biggar (Municipal Hall) – Oct 10 – no meeting
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 12th Oct 10 – Graeme Mitchell SDB
Britannia (Arden House Hotel) -
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) -
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 14th Oct 10 – Donal Ring Band
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 5th Oct 10 – Walter Perrie & Tom Cowing
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 19th Oct 10 – David Kennedy SDB
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 21st Oct 10 – David Kennedy SDB 22nd Oct 10 – Dance to Willie McFarlane Band
Coldingham (Village Hall) - 4th Oct 10 – Walter Perrie & Tom Cowing
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 7th Oct 10 – Lindsay Weir Trio
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club)
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 6th Oct 10 – Marian Anderson SDB
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 20th Oct 10 – nicol McLaren SDB
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) – 12th Oct 10 – Willie Scott
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
Duns (Royal British Legion Club, Langtongate) 18th Oct 10 – Andrew Gibb Trio
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 19th Oct 10 – John Stuart SDB
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 25th Oct 10 – Bon Accords
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 31st Oct 10 – Darren Broadley Trio
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 13th Oct 10 – Marian Anderson SDB
Fort William
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) –
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 21st Oct 10 – The Occasionals
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 6th Oct 10 – Gary Sutherland SDB
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) -
Gretna (Athlitic & Social Club) - 3rd Oct 10 – Gary Forrest C.B.
Haddington (Railway Inn) - 24th Oct 10 – Lomond Ceilidh Band
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 18th Oct 10 – Craig Paton SDB
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) - 13th Oct 10 - tbc
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 7th Oct 10 – Gary Forrest C.B.
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) – 5th Oct 10 – Richard Smith Trio
Kelso (Cross Keys Hotel) – 13th Oct 10 – Scottish Music & Dance Culture 27th Oct 10 – Ian Cruickshanks SDB
Kintore (Torryburn Arms Hotel) –
Ladybank (Ladybank Tavern) -
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) - 25th Oct 10 – Duncan Black Quartet
Langholm (Eskdale Hotel) – 13th Oct 10 – Stuart anderson
Lauder (Black Bull Hotel) - 24th Oct 10 – Competition & Fun Day
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 7th Oct 10 – Allan McIntosh & David Cameron
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 19th Oct 10 – Robert Whitehead Trio
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) - 26th Oct 10 – Willie McFarland Band
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 19th Oct 10 – Ian Muir Trio
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 6th Oct 10 – Walter Perrie Trio
Newburgh (The Ship Inn) - 28th Oct 10 – David Cunningham SDB
Newmill-on-Teviot / Teviotdale (Thorterdykes Roadhouse) 20th Oct 10 – Gordon Clark SDB
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 25th Oct 10 – Raymond Carse
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 5th Oct 10 – Andy Kain Trio
Oban (The Argyllshire Gathering) – 7th Oct 10 – Dochie McCallum & Friends
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) – Oct 10 -
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 28th Oct 10 – Nicol McLaren SDB
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 19th Oct 10 – Sandy Lindsay Duo 31st Oct 10 – After-the-Festival-Dance to Neil MacEachern sDB
Premier NI (Chimney Corner Hotel) -
Reading Scottish Fiddlers (Willowbank Infant School, Woodley) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 12th Oct 10 – Blair Gardiner Trio
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 7th Oct 10 – Ewan Galloway SDB
Scottish Accordion Music (Banchory) -
Selkirk (Angus O’Malley’s) - 14th Oct 10 – Willie McFarlane SDB
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) - 6th Oct 10 – Ian Kirkpatrick SDB
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) -
Thornhill (Bowling Club Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 11th Oct 10 – Archie McPhee & the Bogroy SDB
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 7th Oct 10 – Kevin Cheyne Band
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 21st Oct 10 – Bob Liddle
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) - 23rd Oct 10 – Local Players
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn) 14th Oct 10 – Craig Paton SDB
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 19th Oct 10 – Ian Cameron Trio
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Alnwick
2. Annan
3. Arbroath
4. Biggar
5. Blairgowrie
6. Button-key
7. Campsie
8. Carlisle
9. Crieff
10. Dingwall
11. Dunblane
12. Forres
13. Gretna
14. Islesteps
15. Lauder
16. Montrose
17. North East
18. Renfrew
19. Thurso
20. Turriff
21. Tynedale
22. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2010
(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. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
10. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
11. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
12. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
13. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
14. Button Key A&F Club (
15. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
16. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
17. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
18. Coalburn A&F Club (
19. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 -
20. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
21. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
22. Cults A & F Club (
23. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
24. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
25. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
26. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
27. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
28. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
29. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
30. Ellon A&F Club (
31. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
32. Forfar A&F Club (
33. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
34. Fort William A&F Club (2009 -
35. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
36. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
37. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
38. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
39. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
40. 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)
41. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 - )
42. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
43. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
44. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
45. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
46. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
47. Kintore A&F Club (
48. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier
49. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
50. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
51. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
52. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
53. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
54 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
55 Maine Valley A&F Club (
56 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
57 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
58 Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded
59 Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
60 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
61. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
62. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
63. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
64. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
65. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
66. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
67. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
68. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
69. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
70. Selkirk A&F Club (
71. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
72 Stonehouse A&F Club (first report June 05 -
73 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
74 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
75 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
76 Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
77 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
78 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
79 West Barnes ( - present)
80 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?)
81. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
82. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
83. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
84. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
85. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
86. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
87. Buchan A&F Club
88 Callander A&F Club (
89 Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
90 Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
91 Club Accord
92 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
93. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
94. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
95. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
96. Derwentside A&F Club
97. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
98. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
99. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
100. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
101. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
102. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
103. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
104. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
105. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
106. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
107. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
108. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
109. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
110. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
111. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
112. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
113. Mull A&F Club
114. Newcastleton Accordion Club
115. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
116. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
117. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
118. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
119. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
120. 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. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
124. Tranent A&F Club
125. Vancouver
126. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
127. Wellbank A&F Club
128. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time-consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
It has been another sad time for the Accordion and Fiddle Club scene. In recent weeks we have lost Alasdair Heron, George Hood, Wilbert Grund and Billy Thom. Our condolences go out to their loved ones. We hope to carry more detailed tributes in future issues.
Karin Ingram
Isle of Skye Accordion & Fiddle Festival 2010
27th – 29th May 2010
by
The last week of May found a host………….
History of the NAAFC
by Neil Copland
2011 sees the 40th Anniversary of the NAAFC, as the inaugural meeting was held on 4th July 1971 in The Station Hotel in Ayr. From the following extract……….
Club of the Month – Highland (Inverness)
by Bob Wares
The Club was formed in November 1973 when the late Alistair Watters was a leading light in a club in the Perthshire area and took his idea north when he moved with his work.
Billy Thom
by Billy Hutton (Chairman, Campsie Club)
I was saddened and deeply shocked to learn of my dear friend Billy Thom. I had known Billy personally for 15 years but previously knew about him from recordings and met him which he was playing at dances.
In 1995 when we decided to start the Campsie Club I phoned Billy and asked him f he would consider coming along on our first night and he said, “No problem son, I’ll be there.” We had no guest artiste on that night but Billy along with Duncan Black and Neil McMillan gave us a super night’s entertainment and Billy continued to support the Club throughout the years until his wife’s ill health made it difficult for him to get out at night. I have no doubt it helped the success of our Club having someone of Billy’s magnitude attending regularly.
Billy didn’t normally go to Club’s as an individual player so we were privileged and honoured that he attended our Club so faithfully, he loved backing the young and leass experienced players and it was great for them to have a player of his knowledge and experience accompanying them. It was Billy who got me started playing drums and he tried hard to teach me the basic rudiments but I think it was a case of trying to teach an old dog new tricks but I keep trying.
Mr Thom was not only an excellent drummer but also a first class joiner and worked on my house for many months doing all the joinery work on two extensions. I can tell you, there was never a dull day when Billy was here! I and my family are honoured to have had him as a friend.
I doubt if we will ever see his like again as far as the range of his playing is concerned, he could play for any kind of music and faultlessly too. He was a larger than life character and will be greatly missed by everyone. Our thoughts are with his wife Nancy and daughters Shirley, Jennifer and Alison.
Alasdair Heron (1936 – 2010) Obituary
by Alan Kitchen
On Friday 20th August Scottish dance music lost another of its fine fiddlers – Alasdair Heron of Bearsden. Alasdair had been in poor health only since late April and died at the Beatson Unit in Glasgow. He is survived by his wife Sheila and son David.
I first met Alasdair when we both played in The George Stirrat Band during the 1980s and spent many happy hours travelling to an from gigs countrywide with Alasdair in his van. More recently he played with Charlie Kirkpatrick’s Band and was heard regularly on Take the Floor. In fact he recorded a broadcast as recently as April of this year, which will be heard in May.
Alasdair played with many other stalwarts of the Glasgow band scene including Lex Keith and Norman Currie. In the 1960s his own band played regularly in The Highlanders Institute.
In his day job as a travelling salesman, his fiddle always accompanied him on the road. During these travels he often sought out any local Box and Fiddle clubs – from the Borders to the north East – and will be fondly recalled by many members.
Alasdair will be remembered for his fine contribution to the music scene, his cheery smile and pawky sense of humour. A sad loss indeed.
Perth All Scotland Accordion & Fiddle Festival
by Audrey Fenton
60 Years of History
As you may be aware, Bill Wilkie, the founder of the Perth All Scotland Accordion and fiddle Festival and Festival organiser since 1950, has this year stepped down from running the Festival. Bill’s name has become synonymous with the Festival and his achievements in creating and sustaining the reputation of the Festival over the past 60 years have been outstanding. In 1994 he was awarded the MBE for services to the Festival.
It was with interest therefore that we tracked down Peter Bruce, Chairman of the new organising Committee, to see how preparations were progressing for the 61st Festival to be held on Saturday 30th October.
New Committee
“It was with some trepidation that we took on the role of organizers,” admitted Peter. “All we had to start with were a date, the historic trophies handed over by Bill and the reputation of the Festival. It was a bit tricky initially getting things off the ground but after a few phone calls I managed to pull together a small committee of enthusiasts who, like me, are passionate about the future of the Festival. We wanted to preserve the stature of the Festival as much as possible and were delighted to secure Stagecoach as our main sponsors. Their support together with funding from the Guildry Incorporation of Perth and The Thomson Charitable Trust has allowed the Festival to proceed on a scale befitting its reputation.”
Competitions Unchanged
The new Committee has drawn up a Constitution which makes it very clear that competitions are very much the core of the Festival. Very little has changed in this area from previous years with the same classes, titles and trophies to be competed for. Even the familiar faces of the stewards, scribes and helpers will be the same – if a year older! Peter explained, “The competitions are what the Festival is mainly about and they have an historic pedigree which is unrivalled so we haven’t tampered with them. In recent years entry numbers have declined but it would be a great shame if this legacy was lost and I urge everyone to support the competitions. This year we have an impressive list of adjudicators, all of whom are respected and admired as musicians, particularly by the younger generation. These are Alasdair MacCuish, Duncan Black, Gordon shand and Wayne Robertson for accordions and Claire Telford for fiddles. We hope that this will be seen as a step forward, bringing fresh ideas and opinions to the interpretation of the music.”
No Variety Concert
A highlight of previous Festivals was Bill Wilkie’s Variety Concert which was always a sell-out. Although Bill intends to organize a similar concert at a later date, there will be no variety show this year to coincide with the Festival. Another side effect of this decision is that it is not viable to hold the Concert in the Perth Concert Hall without the concert revenue.
Replaced by Social and Performance Events
However, the organizers are keen that the Festival be recognised as an opportunity to hear some of the nation’s best accordionists and fiddlers performing live and as a meeting place to socialize with fellow enthusiasts. Peter recalls, “When I was a young competitor watching famous players such as Ian Powrie or Marcosignori perform was something special and inspired me to work hard at my instrument. Then when I was a bit older the Festival used to be a great occasion to meet all the musicians and have a dram or a wee tune with them. There was a great buzz about the place. So while the new format Festival may miss the gravitas of the Concert Hall venue we intend that it will more than make up for this by incorporating performance and social events which will ensure that attendees enjoy the musical extravaganza in every other way. We have chosen The Salutation Hotel as the main centre for the Festival, not only because it has a long standing association with accordion and fiddle events, but it provides a more intimate atmosphere. We want to get that buzz back again. We have also lined up some of the country’s best accordion and fiddle musicians to inspire and entertain us.”
The programme of social and performance events start on the Friday night with a ceilidh dance featuring Graeme Mitchell and his Broadcasting Band. Supper is included in the ticket price and there will be the usual Raffle with great prizes to be won.
No great Festival would be complete without a music session n in the bar. From lunchtime on the Saturday the Salutation Hotel bar will be thrown open for an informal gathering (entry free) and all musicians are welcome to participate. Graeme Mitchell and his Band will act as the house band to keep the music flowing. Graeme will be your MC and will of course do his best to see that any willing players get the chance to perform.
If however you just want to chat with fellow enthusiasts then The Greyfriars Bar (opposite the Salutation) will welcome you with background music provided by Ian Cameron on accordion.
Climax Grand Finale Concert
The competitions will come to a climax in the afternoon with the Band Competition followed by the finals of the morning’s ‘Senior Traditional Accordion Solo’ for the coveted title of Senior Scottish champion and the Jimmy Shand shield, first presented in 1950. This will be immediately followed at 4.30 by the Grand Finale Concert featuring 90 minutes of great music, played by Scotland’s foremost musicians……Robert Black (accordion) accompanied by Scott Gordon, Claire Telford (violin) and Michael Philip and his Broadcasting Band. Entry to the Concert is included in Competition Day Ticket. During the concert the results of the Senior Scottish Championship will be announced.
This leaves attendees time to have a meal and freshen up before the dance organised by Perth and District Accordion and Fiddle Club featuring Neil MacEachern and his band.
Hall of Fame
In summing up Peter said, “In planning the Festival our intention has been to preserve the integrity of the event and in any changes we have made, forced or otherwise, we have tried to re-kindle some of the atmosphere of the occasion.
However, we owe a great gratitude to all of those who have supported the Festival over the past 60 years and in recognition we have decided to introduce a Festival Hall of Fame. This will be a group of individuals who have contributed in no small way to the success of, not only Accordion and Fiddle playing in general but, specifically the Perth Festival. This contribution may have been in the form of competing, organizing, adjudicating, or perhaps just supporting the event over the years. In this first year 10 eminent musicians have been granted lifetime membership of the Festival Hall of Fame in recognition of their contribution to the standing and reputation of the Festival. They will be announced on the day and we hope as many as possible will be able to join us and mingle with contestants and attendees.”
Your Input
“We hope everyone has a great day at the Festival but we are open to any input so if you have any suggestions on how to make it even better next year please pass on your ideas to any Committee member. What is important is that the Festival continues to thrive.”
“Finally on behalf of the organizing Committee – Simon Howie, Audrey Fenton, Bill Coburn, Jim Lindsay and Michael Philip – I would like to invite you all to the Festival and thank you in anticipation for your support.”
For further information on the Festival go to www.perthaccordionfestival.co.uk or contact Audrey Fenton.
Wilbert (Bill) Grund (1922 – 2010) Obituary
by Ian Holmes
Many older readers will be saddened to learn of the death of Wilbert Grund, who was manager of Bell Accordions, Aycliffe from the early 1950s, until 1974 when he returned to his native Sweden. This news was given to us by his elder son Eric who telephoned in early August. Wilbert, or Willy or Bill as he preferred to be called, died peacefully in his sleep on 29th July. He was a truly remarkable man, widely recognised as one of the leading experts in accordion design, manufacture and maintenance, although he described himself as a light engineer.
Bill was born and grew up in the small town of Alvdalen in the Dalarna region of Sweden. On leaving school, he became an apprentice with the Hagstrom accordion company on Alvdalen’s main street. Later he worked on the instruments of many leading players, including those of Carl Jularbo and his son, Ebbe. Indeed it was Bill who created the distinctive V and inverted V design on the bellows of their accordions. Over the years, this design has been much copied and, in fact, it is often used on instruments by present Italian manufacturers.
In 1948 Alvin Hagstrom decided to begin assembling accordions at Ayclyffe, near Darlington, and Bill was appointed manager, although at that time he could speak little English. Unfortunately, the factory proved uncompetitive and it closed within two years, mainly due to several broken promises of regulation change by the then Board of Trade.
Mr Arthur Bell of Bell Accordions required a quality repair and maintenance service and Bill retuned to Aycliffe around 1951 where he set about recruiting qualified staff, among whom was the German-born tuner, Erwin Fritsch. Geoff Holter later joined in 1957.
Having purchased a Hohner Morino 4 voice piano accordion in 1958, I was somewhat disappointed to find the basses used too much air. I had a notion that if the cassotto block was reduced and a higher set of reeds fitted, the problem would be solved. Having discussed this idea with Bill, he thought it feasible and he agreed to modify the basses as I had suggested. He did a splendid job and when completed, there was a marked improvement in the compression. This instrument was traded in for my Swiss manufactured 5 voice Morino N which I purchased from him in 1968.
Some interesting facts about the man :
When he moved to Darlington in the early 1950s, his home became one of the first in Britain to have micro-bore central heating installed.
He discovered a substitute for beeswax which did not ‘spark’ when heated and did not dry out.
He designed and built a machine which speeded up the process of removing old beeswax and cleaning reeds.
He hand-made a new copper grill for Jimmy Shand’s accordion, which greatly improved the sound projection. Ian Kirkpatrick, himself a Shand Morino player, remembers it as a true work of art.
To convert straight-tuned instruments in order to give a three-in-line tremolo, he made new reed blocks with a circular saw, so finely set, that no dressing was required. He also used the circular saw to make a thumb groove down the edge of the treble keyboard for Jimmy Shand.
Back home in his somewhat isolated but luxurious log-cabin, high above Alvdalen, he himself installed a combination of solar and ground-sourced central heating.
Mickie Ainsworth recalls when he worked for Hohner, Bill was a helpful, efficient and pleasant colleague.
He was happy, that despite several name-changes, the business he started in Aycliffe continued so successfully under the guidance of Geoff Holter.
He told me he once informed a constantly complaining customer, “Sometimes a problem can lie with the player and not their instrument.”
Returning to Sweden in 1974, he became manager of a plastics company which specialized in moulding car components but he continued to work on accordions in his spare time.
Having begun to play the 5-row accordion, I sought a top-quality instrument for Scandinavian music. Bill invited me to Sweden where I met his sons Eric and Michael together with their families. He supplied me with a double-cassotto Balloni Burini special, manufactured to his own exacting specifications. This instrument has been much admired.
At our Silver Wedding party in 1983, he was delighted to finally meet Bobby MacLeod, with whom he’d only had brief telephone conversations.
During my holidays with him each year, we went to the world’s largest accordion festival at Ransater and he introduced me to many of his friends who were top players from Norway, Sweden and Denmark, several of whom still keep in touch.
On one occasion, I was most impressed when I tried an accordion he’d hand-built for a jazz-playing friend.
Over the years, Bill often stayed with us : his most recent visit was in 2006.
A visit he made in 1998 is particularly memorable for, as a surprise, I drove him to Auchermuchty, where once again he met his friend of many years, Jimmy Shand. The mutual admiration was obvious and each regarded the other as a genius. Also in that year he met my olf workmate, Gordon Ross, who had just completed work on a new violin, which had highly ornate hand-made purling together with intricate engraving. Bill was overwhelmed by the quality of the instrument. So much so that he purchased it and he regarded Gordon as one of the finest craftsman he’d ever been fortunate enough to meet.
We feel privileged to have known Bill, had him as a friend and to have shared so many times with him. Ah the memories! As the song (almost) says, “When we see his likes again?”
Piper John Wallace and the boys of the CTS (Clyde Training Ship) Empress.
by Jeannie CampbellCTS Empress was a training ship for delinquent boys and was moored for a long time in the Gareloch in the Firth of Clyde. The boys may have been delinquents but to me they look like little angels in their sailor suits, with their bare feet and half, or reel, size pipes. Archie McNeill, the blind piper, recalled that Duncan Fraser of Greenock made pipes for many customers in the area. Donald MacDougall, the piper at Ardencaple Castle, Rhu, had a reel size set made by Fraser and told Archie McNeill that Fraser had made 40 similar sets full mounted with ivory and had sold them at £4 per set to sailors who came to Greenock. Fraser is known to have supplied pipes to the Dunbartonshire Volunteers so may have supplied the pipes for the boys on the Training Ship.
John Wallace
Archie McNeill was born in 1879 but due to the lack of an instructor locally he did not begin piping until some time after he left school. Eventually he was able to get his first lessons from Roderick Fraser, the piper at Ardencaple Castle. When Archie had been on the pipes for about three years John Wallace came to take up employment on the CTS Empress where, within six months, he had turned out a very fine juvenile band. Wallace’s arrival must therefore have been in about 1898-99. Archie’s memories seem to indicate that this was the beginning of the pipe band, as had there been a band prior to that time, Archie would have been aware of it and would not have said in his memoires that there were no pipers in the area. The band continued for some time and a notice from 1913 shows they were available to play at functions locally.
According to Archie McNeill, Wallace had a house in the village where he stayed when not on duty. This is confirmed by his entry in the 1901 census. Archie had heard about Wallace before his arrival in the village as Wallace had played in a competition in Clydebank and a newspaper report had described him as the “amateur champion piper of Scotland”. Archie described Wallace as a man in the prime of his life. He was dark haired and had a slight stoop and what Archie’s brother described as a piper’s nose, sort of semi-Roman. Wallace had been a pupil of John McNeill of Edinburgh for Highland dancing and Archie had dancing lessons from him, learning the Highland Fling, Sword Dance and other dances.
Wallace told Archie he was a native of Stirling and the Notices of Pipers say the same – but this is not so. The Census taken in 1901 shows that he was living at Lochview cottage in Rhu, or Row as it was then called. The cottage had three rooms with windows. Wallace was aged 36, was born in Edinburgh and was employed as an instructor on CTS Empress. He had a wife Mary aged 26 and a son William aged 10 months and born in Row. Wallace may have moved from Edinburgh to Stirling where he is said to have had his first tuition from a Donald Blue. He then joined the Argylls and came under the tuition of P/M Robert Meldrum. Later he became a pupil of John MacDonald Gillies. During his time in Row he was a regular prize winner at the Highland Games around the Helensburgh and Luss area. Like many army pipers of the time he was a Highland dancer but rather more unusually he could play the guitar. Unfortunately we do not have a picture of him as he was with the band in the early 1900s he is unlikely to be any of the adults in the pictures of the boys.
The Census shows three other officers from the CTS Empress were living in the village with their families. They were the Drill Instructor, the Bandmaster and the Master at Arms and Clerk. Living nearly was Archie McNeill then ages 22 with his mother and brothers. The 1901 Census also covers the Industrial School on the ship. Living on board on the evening of the Census was the Superintendent with his wife, sister, daughter and their two female domestic servants. On board too were eight other officers, three of them retired Naval Officers. The others were a Schoolmaster, a tailor, a cook, a carpenter and a boatswain. Some were married so they too may have had families living in the village. Perhaps the officers lived on board for their periods of duty and returned to their families on shore for their off duty days.
Boys Under Detention
In addition to the staff members there were 381 “Boys Under Detention”. All their names were listed, with their ages and places of birth. The youngest boys were eleven and the oldest fifteen. Many were from Glasgow and the surrounding towns but there were others from all over Scotland, two or three from Ireland and England and one each from New Zealand and Australia. Life on board must have been hard for these young boys. There were no other staff apart from the officers so the boys must have done all the cooking, cleaning, sewing and mending under the supervision of the officers. With lessons and drill plus the two bands their time would have been fully occupied. One wonders where they went after the age of fifteen. Perhaps they were encouraged to join the Navy or the Army.
In 1901 john Wallace played at the Argyllshire Gathering with considerable success and won a prize in every event. In the Open Piobaireachd there was a tie for first place between John MacColl, Oban, and P/M John MacDougall Gillies, Glasgow, with P/M John Wallace, CTS Empress, in third place. In the Gold Medal Piobaireachd P/M John Wallace CTS Empress was first, William MacLean, Benbecula, was second and James A. Centre, Edinburgh, third. In the Marches P/M John Wallace was first, A. R. MacColl, Ballachulich, was second and P/M G. Ross third. Finally, in the Strathspey and Reel P/M Murdo MacKenzie, Inverness, was first, with P/M G. Ross and P/M John Wallace joint second. This seems to be the only time his name appeared in the Prize Lists for the Gathering.
The Hornpipe
The hornpipe ‘CTS Empress’ by John Wallace appeared first in the Cowal Collection of Modern Compositions published in 1905. It appeared again in Donald MacLeod’s Book 5 and again in John MacKenzie’s Collection with two additional parts added by John.
Prior to his time at the Gareloch, Wallace had been the Pipe Major and instructor at Dr Guthrie’s Industrial School at Liberton, Edinburgh. The tune ‘Liberton Pipe Band’ was attributed to Wallace by some sources but the confusion may have arisen as there is another tune, a 2/4 march by John Wallace entitled ‘The Liberton Boys’ published in Henderson’s Tutor of 1901.
The first two parts of the tune now known as ‘Liberton Pipe Band’ or ‘Liberton Polka’ or ‘I have a Caubeen Trimmed with Blue’ or many other names, first appeared in Henderson’s Tutor of 1900 under the name ‘Miss Campbell’s Polka’ but with no composer given. On the same page we see another tune ‘Stirling Castle Polka’ by J. Wallace. The third and fourth parts of the ‘Liberton Pipe Band’ were composed by P/M Meldrum of the 93rd in 1883 and appeared in Logan’s Book 5 under the name ‘Kilberry Ball’. It is not known for certain how the two tunes became combined but given Wallace’s army association with Meldrum and his involvement with the Henderson collection, it is likely that he knew both the tunes.
It could be that he was the man who put the two tunes together for the Liberton boys to play and their name became associated with the combined tune. Other tunes by John Wallace in the Henderson’s tutor are ‘The Henderson March’, a 6/8 ‘The Heights of Dargai’, ‘The Circassian Circle’, ‘The Dancing of the Fingers’, a setting of ‘The British Grenadiers’, seconds for the 6/8 Lonach Highlanders March’ by ‘John Wallace, Liberton’, seconds for ‘Lord Lovat’s March’, seconds for ‘The Bugle Horn’ and seconds for ‘My Faithful Fair One’.
Wallace was only a few years on the CTS Empress and Archie McNeill was of the opinion he lost his employment through absence at the Highland Games. After this he went to London where he got employment at the Caledonian School. Two years later he came back on a visit to Helensburgh and Archie met him again. According to the Notices of Pipers, Wallace died at Slough in 1912 but there is no death listed for that year or the year following. There was a John Wallace who died at Whitechapel in London early in 1911 aged 44 and this may be the correct entry.
This article is from the Piping Times Vol 62 No 5 (Feb 2010) and is reproduced by kind permission of Robert Wallace, Principal of the College of Piping, Otago Street, Glasgow and Editor of the Piping Times – www.college-of-piping.co.uk Click here to view the sheet music for the hornpipe
Classic Accordion Recordings on CD
by Rob Howard
When I was writing the first volume of………
Douglas Lawrence at Methven Castle
by Frank Thomson
On the afternoon of Sunday
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
Scottish Country Dances ‘Ah’m Askin’ – Glencraig SDB – CDTRAX355
Portrait – Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham – WhirlieCD20
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s)
2nd Oct 20 – Ron Kerr SDB (Ian Muir)
9th Oct 10 – Colin Dewar SDB (Billy Thom Tribute)
16th Oct 10 – Susan MacFadyen SDB (Maggie MacInnes)
23rd Oct 10 – Glenelvan SDB (Gabe McVarish)
30th Oct 10 – Michael Philip SDB (OB from Bowhill Community Centre, Fife)
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 26th Oct 10 – Robert Menzies SDB
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle) 13th Oct 10 – Seamus O’Sullivan
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 10th Oct 10 – The Garioch Blend
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 3rd Oct 10 – The Garioch Blend
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 17th Oct 10 – Alan Ross SDB
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 25th Oct 10 – Robert Whitehead SDB
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 27th Oct 10 – Andy Kain Trio
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) –
Biggar (Municipal Hall) – Oct 10 – no meeting
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 12th Oct 10 – Graeme Mitchell SDB
Britannia (Arden House Hotel) -
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) -
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 14th Oct 10 – Donal Ring Band
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 5th Oct 10 – Walter Perrie & Tom Cowing
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 19th Oct 10 – David Kennedy SDB
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 21st Oct 10 – David Kennedy SDB 22nd Oct 10 – Dance to Willie McFarlane Band
Coldingham (Village Hall) - 4th Oct 10 – Walter Perrie & Tom Cowing
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 7th Oct 10 – Lindsay Weir Trio
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club)
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 6th Oct 10 – Marian Anderson SDB
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 20th Oct 10 – nicol McLaren SDB
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) – 12th Oct 10 – Willie Scott
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
Duns (Royal British Legion Club, Langtongate) 18th Oct 10 – Andrew Gibb Trio
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 19th Oct 10 – John Stuart SDB
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 25th Oct 10 – Bon Accords
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 31st Oct 10 – Darren Broadley Trio
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 13th Oct 10 – Marian Anderson SDB
Fort William
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) –
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 21st Oct 10 – The Occasionals
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 6th Oct 10 – Gary Sutherland SDB
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) -
Gretna (Athlitic & Social Club) - 3rd Oct 10 – Gary Forrest C.B.
Haddington (Railway Inn) - 24th Oct 10 – Lomond Ceilidh Band
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 18th Oct 10 – Craig Paton SDB
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) - 13th Oct 10 - tbc
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 7th Oct 10 – Gary Forrest C.B.
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) – 5th Oct 10 – Richard Smith Trio
Kelso (Cross Keys Hotel) – 13th Oct 10 – Scottish Music & Dance Culture 27th Oct 10 – Ian Cruickshanks SDB
Kintore (Torryburn Arms Hotel) –
Ladybank (Ladybank Tavern) -
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) - 25th Oct 10 – Duncan Black Quartet
Langholm (Eskdale Hotel) – 13th Oct 10 – Stuart anderson
Lauder (Black Bull Hotel) - 24th Oct 10 – Competition & Fun Day
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 7th Oct 10 – Allan McIntosh & David Cameron
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 19th Oct 10 – Robert Whitehead Trio
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) - 26th Oct 10 – Willie McFarland Band
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 19th Oct 10 – Ian Muir Trio
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 6th Oct 10 – Walter Perrie Trio
Newburgh (The Ship Inn) - 28th Oct 10 – David Cunningham SDB
Newmill-on-Teviot / Teviotdale (Thorterdykes Roadhouse) 20th Oct 10 – Gordon Clark SDB
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 25th Oct 10 – Raymond Carse
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 5th Oct 10 – Andy Kain Trio
Oban (The Argyllshire Gathering) – 7th Oct 10 – Dochie McCallum & Friends
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) – Oct 10 -
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 28th Oct 10 – Nicol McLaren SDB
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 19th Oct 10 – Sandy Lindsay Duo 31st Oct 10 – After-the-Festival-Dance to Neil MacEachern sDB
Premier NI (Chimney Corner Hotel) -
Reading Scottish Fiddlers (Willowbank Infant School, Woodley) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 12th Oct 10 – Blair Gardiner Trio
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 7th Oct 10 – Ewan Galloway SDB
Scottish Accordion Music (Banchory) -
Selkirk (Angus O’Malley’s) - 14th Oct 10 – Willie McFarlane SDB
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) - 6th Oct 10 – Ian Kirkpatrick SDB
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) -
Thornhill (Bowling Club Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 11th Oct 10 – Archie McPhee & the Bogroy SDB
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 7th Oct 10 – Kevin Cheyne Band
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 21st Oct 10 – Bob Liddle
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) - 23rd Oct 10 – Local Players
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn) 14th Oct 10 – Craig Paton SDB
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 19th Oct 10 – Ian Cameron Trio
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Alnwick
2. Annan
3. Arbroath
4. Biggar
5. Blairgowrie
6. Button-key
7. Campsie
8. Carlisle
9. Crieff
10. Dingwall
11. Dunblane
12. Forres
13. Gretna
14. Islesteps
15. Lauder
16. Montrose
17. North East
18. Renfrew
19. Thurso
20. Turriff
21. Tynedale
22. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2010
(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. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
10. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
11. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
12. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
13. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
14. Button Key A&F Club (
15. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
16. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
17. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
18. Coalburn A&F Club (
19. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 -
20. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
21. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
22. Cults A & F Club (
23. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
24. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
25. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
26. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
27. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
28. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
29. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
30. Ellon A&F Club (
31. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
32. Forfar A&F Club (
33. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
34. Fort William A&F Club (2009 -
35. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
36. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
37. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
38. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
39. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
40. 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)
41. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 - )
42. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
43. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
44. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
45. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
46. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
47. Kintore A&F Club (
48. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier
49. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
50. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
51. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
52. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
53. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
54 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
55 Maine Valley A&F Club (
56 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
57 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
58 Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded
59 Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
60 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
61. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
62. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
63. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
64. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
65. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
66. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
67. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
68. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
69. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
70. Selkirk A&F Club (
71. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
72 Stonehouse A&F Club (first report June 05 -
73 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
74 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
75 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
76 Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
77 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
78 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
79 West Barnes ( - present)
80 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?)
81. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
82. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
83. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
84. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
85. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
86. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
87. Buchan A&F Club
88 Callander A&F Club (
89 Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
90 Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
91 Club Accord
92 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
93. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
94. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
95. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
96. Derwentside A&F Club
97. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
98. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
99. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
100. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
101. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
102. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
103. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
104. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
105. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
106. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
107. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
108. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
109. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
110. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
111. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
112. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
113. Mull A&F Club
114. Newcastleton Accordion Club
115. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
116. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
117. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
118. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
119. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
120. 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. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
124. Tranent A&F Club
125. Vancouver
126. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
127. Wellbank A&F Club
128. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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