Box and Fiddle
Year 41 No 01
September 2017
Price £3.00
36 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
A new season! Where did the summer go? ………………
Pia Walker
Gretna Open Day
by Deryn & Robin
Our first season in our new venue, The Solway Lodge Hotel, Gretna, was very successful………
The Festival of Strathspey Festival
by
Across the globe there are many fine fiddle festivals, but none as rare as that of The Fiddler of Strathspey. This was held on the last weekend of June 2017 in Grantown, capital of Strathspey and legendary home of the music and dance synonymous with that name.
The event featured, in particular, the work of Angus Cumming, the Laird of Grant’s hereditary piper whose ‘Collection of Strathspey, or Old Highland Reels’ was published posthumously in 1780 and was considered by Grove’s Dictionary of Music and Musicians to be “still of the highest authority”.
The Festival also celebrated and explored the ‘Song of the Spey’ with a sell-out concert consisting of twelve musical vignettes, each focusing on a period in local history and each prefaced by an illustration setting the scene and introduced by appropriately costumed actors.
The fiddle competition to find this year’s Fiddler of Strathspey originated from a desire to acknowledge and re-examine the work of Angus Cumming. Trophies included the Reidhaven Quaich, the Maggie Adamson Goblet and the John MacGregor Memorial Trophy. The Episcopal Church made a fine venue for this small but delightful event, which we hope will grow until being crowned ‘The Fiddler of Strathspey’ becomes one of the most sought after accolades.
Another of the highlights of the weekend was an appearance of the ‘Deskford’ Carnyx, the reconstruction of the 2000-year-old instrument, skilfully and painstakingly created from remnants found near the Spey in 1816 – and possibly abandoned by Celtic tribesmen fleeing from Roman armies after Mons Graupius.
Musicians taking part in the Festival included fiddlers Lauren McColl, Paul Anderson, Charlie McKerron and Paula Starritt, harpist and singer Marie Lousie Napier and piper Sandy MacDonnell as well as two local youngsters, fiddler Angus Robinson and piper Lyall Kenny. The Badenoch Fiddlers led a sell-out Fiddlers’ Rally and a capacity ceilidh featured The Forres Fiddle and Accordion Group. Patrick Kenny demonstrated the Carnyx and Michael Kerr, great grandson of the legendary Alexander (Sandy) Grant (Battan), brought an original ‘rondello’ fiddle – and interesting innovation by that master fisherman and fiddler. Actors came from re-enactment group History Matters and The Grantown Society and artist Rosie Fisher supplied artwork. Other guests included welcome representatives from Box and Fiddle magazine.
The unique 2017 Fiddler of Strathspey Festival was made possible by the generous help of local musicians and businesses and of media partner Winterburn Press, the hospitality of the Ben Mhor Hotel, and the sponsorship of Grantown East Culture and Heritage Centre, the Scott-Hope Trust, The Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation and Tasgadh. It is hoped with such support that this event will be a prelude to others and to regular music sessions in the town. As well as the youngsters who challenged for the title of 2017 Fiddler of Strathspey there is currently a long list of Strathspey musicians who play with notable traditional and modern groups, many of whom are featured at national and international events. Many will feature in a 2018 music festival next June.
The Traditional Music Forum (TMF)
by
The Traditional Music Forum recently carried out a census of participation in traditional music teaching……….
Centre Stage
Elizabeth Morrison
Memories
Ian Johnstone Holmes (11th March 1935 – 11th July 2017)
Excerpt of the tribute by Mhorag Murphy
Born the second of three children at his grandparents’ home near Dumfries, Ian started playing piano accordion at the age of 11. Thus the musical legend Ian Holmes was born.
Self-taught Ian had a tremendous gift for learning and music, and by the late 1940s he was asked to play at the local YMCA. Around this time, he heard the music of Jimmy Shand who later went on to become a personal friend. Ian also met the great Will Starr who gave him advice on left-hand chording. To read music Ian then started formal lessons with Alex Carter in Lincluden and was taught light classical music, which Ian later reflected had been an excellent base for playing any repertoire. He also met the renowned Bobby MacLeod, and established a great friendship that would last 50 years. Bobby let him try his Cooperativa accordion, which Ian later bought from a member of the Hawthorn Band.
In the 1950s fiddler Angus Fitchet introduced Ian to Margaret Bell at a dance in Penpont Hall. The first dance was all it took and she became his wife in November 1958. Margaret was also an accordionist and she and Ian played several duets in that same hall. Margaret, however, went on to dedicate her life to supporting Ian in his music and business and to raising the family. In recent times, she was a tremendous carer for him.
During Ian’s National Service in the RAF from 1956 to 1958, he often entertained his pals in the billets and the Officers’ Mess. Around this time, he composed his first tunes, Miss Margaret Bell and The Queen of the South Polka. He went on to become a prolific composer. He was very proud of his RAF connection and in more recent years became a member of the Dumfries RAF Club. In 1957, he was granted leave to compete at a major accordion event in Perth City Hall. Ian won the All-Scotland Senior Traditional March, Strathspey and Reel class.
Ian frequently played alongside Bobby MacLeod and Andrew Rankine, with broadcasts on BBC Radio, an appearance with Andy Stewart in London’s Festival Hall and with White Heather Club stints on TV and in Germany. Ian loved to recall many funny tales of touring with the Andrew Rankine Band. One such occasion was when Andrew received an SOS from the police in Fort William. They desperately needed a band to play at their annual dance that night. Heavy snow had caused the other band to call off. The road through Glencoe was closed, so they intended to catch the train at Crianlarich. On realizing they were going to miss it, Andrew rushed into the Luib Hotel near Killin, threw money on the bar counter and asked them to phone the station to request they hold the train back! At Crianlarich, they got stuck in the snow and could not reach the platform. Several passengers helped to carry their instruments into the train and eventually they set off for Fort William. There a police car escorted them to the hotel, only to discover that the piano was way out of tune! Six brawny cops then carried a piano from a nearby hall and the dancing began! By 1962, Ian had formed his own band. He was soon broadcasting and recording in his own right, as well as performing in the touring White Heather Club.
Ian was a coachbuilder to trade and worked at A.C. Penman in Dumfries, then with Alexander’s buses in Camelon, Falkirk. He had a second spell with Penman’s in 1970 when the family, now including two daughters Rhona (aged 9) and Mhorag (7), returned to Dumfries. After redundancies at Penman’s, Ian accepted a job in Len Frobisher’s music shop, later becoming a partner. He and Margaret then opened ‘Ian Holmes Music’ in Glasgow Street in 1973 and successfully ran the business for 27 years. It became a focal point in Dumfries where musicians and friends popped in for a blether and a coffee!
A holiday in Switzerland in 1979 sparked an interest in Swiss Landler music, which resulted in many more visits and friendships with Swiss musicians and the purchase of a Swiss button-accordion. Margaret and Ian here forged great friendships through the language of music. Hansruedi Gempeler and his wife Suzanne, from frutigen, recently visited Ian in hospital; they spent a fabulous two hours with Hansruedi playing Ian’s Swiss compositions on one of his own accordions. During the 80s, Ian’s musical interests extended to Scandinavia and he attended the world’s largest accordion festival in Sweden several times.
Ian was a very kind and generous man, described by many as a true Gentleman. He gave freely of his musical time and talents to bring joy to others. He played to patients in places such as Bellsdyke Mental Hospital, Lochmaben Hospital (where his mother-in-law, Margaret Bell, stayed for several years), the Crichton Royal and Carnsalloch Cheshire Home. He frequently played in his own church, Maxwelltown West as well as in many others. Ian also accompanied the Dumfries Male Voice Choir at several charitable concerts.
A proud memory for Mhorag was her dad’s Induction into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame in 2014 alongside such great names as Jimmy Shand and Jimmy Blue. Ian was very honoured to receive this recognition, but aged 79 he felt the travel to Glasgow and sitting through the event would be too much, so she accepted this on his behalf.
By, then Ian had composed over 450 tunes in various Scottish, Irish, English, French, Norwegian, Swedish and Swiss styles; had recorded 18 albums; had mastered 8 different accordion types; had arranged and recorded Scandinavian and Swiss CDs; and was an honorary member of the Bromolla Accordion Orchestra of Sweden, with which he had played on many occasions.
Ian was always very proud of all his family, and they of him. He was a wonderful, warm and truly gifted man. Grand-daughter Danielle spent some of her school holidays in the music shop, where her papa spent hours teaching her to play the piano. He would also listen to her practice the violin, and allow her to batter the drums as hard as she could! He would then gently coax her back on to the piano when he was totally sick of the noise! Ever the prackster, his grand-daughter Lauren remembers sneaking into her papa’s music room and turning up the volume switches on his audio and television equipment. When Ian later switched them on, he was shocked and…..amazed! Well, that is the polite version! He would then call Lauren “Ya blooomin loony”, which always made her giggle! His grandson, Stuart, often spent his October holidays with his gran and papa, where they would take him to places like Mabie Farm Park and the Kirkcudbright Wildlife Park. He was also fortunate enough to be taken to his papa’s very last Accordion Club appearance away from Dumfries, at Hexham.
Ian appreciated the beauty of nature. He enjoyed walks with the family and in latter years with his old friend, the late Johnny Cook, would walk out to the Garden Centre for a scone and a blether, to put the world to rights! Ian was always interested in current affairs and read his Glasgow Herald from front to back. He was known to put in a letter or two as well!
Looking back, Ian said in recent years: “I’ve had a wonderful life, for through my music I have visited so many places in Scotland and abroad and have met so many interesting and kindly people. For years, I was happy at my work and this work was also my hobby. How many people can say that?”
Words like ‘legend’, ‘one-off’ and ‘genius’ have been shared with the family by musical friends since his passing. His contribution to not only Scottish, but also Scandinavian and Swiss music, was immense.
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
Ten Years On – Brandon McPhee
Letters to the Editor
I am sure that the passing of Ian Holmes will sadden all Box and Fiddle readers and musicians. I have been a long-time friend of Ian and Margaret, and this is now a time to remember what Ian meant to all who knew him.
His skill in playing the many different types of accordions was unsurpassed. As a composer, he has left us with a large library of music. his ability to compose tunes, be they Scottish, Irish, Swiss or Scandinavian, was truly amazing; he always captured the proper idiom. His many trips abroad to Accordion Festivals saw him meet and play with various top-line players. Many of these musicians have recorded his Swiss tunes.
I am lucky enough to have recordings of the band broadcasts and the various records they made. Like most bands, the line-up had changes over the years, but the musicianship still shone through. The line-up of the 1970s, Kenny Wilson (fiddle), Bob McNeillie (2nd accordion), Bill Hendry (piano), Stan Saunders (bass) and Gordon Young (drums), has often been enthused upon by many people, and was considered to be the best of all time. I have been fortunate to have been asked to play in the band on occasions, and it was just a treat.
While we have many fine players today, we will not see another one like this maestro.
I am sure that all our thoughts are with the family at this time.
Ian McCallum
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
Not listed
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 26th Sept 2017 - tbc
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms) 13th Sept 2017 – Jimmy & Sandy Lindsay Trio
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 17th Sept 2017 – Lyne Valley Band
Arbroath (Artisan Golf Club) - 3rd Sept 2017 – Adin Graham SDB
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 25th Sept 2017 – Tom Orr SDB
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 27th Sept 2017 – Gary Forrest SDB
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) – 18th Sept 2017 - tbc
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) –
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 12th Sept 2017 – Alasdair Wood SDB
Button Key (Greig Institute, Windygates) – 14th Sept 2017 – Club Night
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 5th Sept 2017 – Allan Smith Quartet
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) - 14th Sept 2017 – Paul Chamberlain
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 19th Sept 2017 – Derek Hamilton Duo
Clydesdale (St Mary’s Club Rooms) - 3rd Sept 2017 – The Seamus O’Sullivan Experience
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 21st Sept 2017 – Addir Harper SDB
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 7th Sept 2017 – Tony Kearney
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) -
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 6th Sept 2017 – Matthew MacLennan SDB
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 20th Sept 2017 – The West Telferton Ceilidh Band
Dunfermline (Sportsman Bar, Rosyth) – 12th Sept 2017 – Adam Gibb Trio
Duns (Masonic Lodge) 18th Sept 2017 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 19th Sept 2017 - Alasdair MacLeod
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 24th Sept 2017 – James Coutts SDB
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 13th Sept 2017 – Roddy Matthews SDB
Fort William (Railway Club) -
Galashiels (Clovenfords Hotel) –
Glasgow (Scotstounhill Bowling Club) - 11th Sept 2017 – Iain Powrie 6-piece Tribute Band
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 28th Sept 2017 – The Full Scottish
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 6th Sept 2017 – Alastair McCulloch
Gretna (The Solway Lodge Hotel) - 3rd Sept 2017 – Tony Kearney
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 18th Sept 2017 – Neil Caul SDB
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) -
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) – 5th Sept 2017 – Andrew Knight SDB
Kelso (Cross Rugby Club) – 27th Sept 2017 – Nicky McMichan Trio
Langholm (Langholm Social Club) – 13th Sept 2017 – Clyde Valley Ceilidh Band
Lewis & Harris (Caladh Inn, Stornoway) - 7th Sept 2017 – Nicol McLaren & the Glencraig SDB
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 19th Sept 2017 – McLean sisters
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) - 26th Sept 2017 – Neil Barron Trio
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) - 17th Sept 2017 – Liam Stewart
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 6th Sept 2017 – Tom Kearney
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) - 28th Sept 2017 – Susan MacFadyen
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) –
Oban (The Royal Hotel) –
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 6th 13th 20th 27th Sept 2017 – Club Nights
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 19th Sept 2017 – Neil MacEachern SDB
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 7th Sept 2017– Iain Anderson Trio
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 12th 19th 26th Sept 2017 – Club Nights 5th Sept 2017 Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - 14th Sept 2017 – Club Night
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) -
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 4th Sept 2017 – Seamus O’Sullivan
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 7th Sept 2017 – Steven Carcary
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 21st Sept 2017 – Gavin Piper
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) - 16th & 30th Sept 2017 – Club Night
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 19th Sept 2017 – Neil Caul SDB
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Annan
2. Arbroath
3. Blairgowrie
4. Campsie
5. Crieff
6. Dunblane
7. Forfar
8. Glenfarg
9. Livingston
10. Montrose
11. Orkney
12. Rothbury
13. Seghill
14. Tynedale
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2016
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
10. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
11. Button Key A&F Club (
12. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
13. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
15. Clydesdale A&F Club (Sept 2016 – present)
16. Coalburn A&F Club (
17. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
18. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
19. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
20. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
21. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
22. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
23. Ellon A&F Club (
24. Forfar A&F Club (
25. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
26. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
27. 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) - £300
Full Page (colour) - £220
Full Page (b&w) - £140
Half Page (colour) - £110
Half Page (b&w) - £70
Quarter Page (colour) - £55
Quarter Page (b&w) - £35
Eighth Page - £18
Small Boxed £12
B&F Treasurer – Willie Johnstone, Inverurie
The main features in the above issue were as follows (this is not a comprehensive detail of all it contained. The Club reports, in particular, are too time-consuming at this stage to retype).
Editorial
A new season! Where did the summer go? ………………
Pia Walker
Gretna Open Day
by Deryn & Robin
Our first season in our new venue, The Solway Lodge Hotel, Gretna, was very successful………
The Festival of Strathspey Festival
by
Across the globe there are many fine fiddle festivals, but none as rare as that of The Fiddler of Strathspey. This was held on the last weekend of June 2017 in Grantown, capital of Strathspey and legendary home of the music and dance synonymous with that name.
The event featured, in particular, the work of Angus Cumming, the Laird of Grant’s hereditary piper whose ‘Collection of Strathspey, or Old Highland Reels’ was published posthumously in 1780 and was considered by Grove’s Dictionary of Music and Musicians to be “still of the highest authority”.
The Festival also celebrated and explored the ‘Song of the Spey’ with a sell-out concert consisting of twelve musical vignettes, each focusing on a period in local history and each prefaced by an illustration setting the scene and introduced by appropriately costumed actors.
The fiddle competition to find this year’s Fiddler of Strathspey originated from a desire to acknowledge and re-examine the work of Angus Cumming. Trophies included the Reidhaven Quaich, the Maggie Adamson Goblet and the John MacGregor Memorial Trophy. The Episcopal Church made a fine venue for this small but delightful event, which we hope will grow until being crowned ‘The Fiddler of Strathspey’ becomes one of the most sought after accolades.
Another of the highlights of the weekend was an appearance of the ‘Deskford’ Carnyx, the reconstruction of the 2000-year-old instrument, skilfully and painstakingly created from remnants found near the Spey in 1816 – and possibly abandoned by Celtic tribesmen fleeing from Roman armies after Mons Graupius.
Musicians taking part in the Festival included fiddlers Lauren McColl, Paul Anderson, Charlie McKerron and Paula Starritt, harpist and singer Marie Lousie Napier and piper Sandy MacDonnell as well as two local youngsters, fiddler Angus Robinson and piper Lyall Kenny. The Badenoch Fiddlers led a sell-out Fiddlers’ Rally and a capacity ceilidh featured The Forres Fiddle and Accordion Group. Patrick Kenny demonstrated the Carnyx and Michael Kerr, great grandson of the legendary Alexander (Sandy) Grant (Battan), brought an original ‘rondello’ fiddle – and interesting innovation by that master fisherman and fiddler. Actors came from re-enactment group History Matters and The Grantown Society and artist Rosie Fisher supplied artwork. Other guests included welcome representatives from Box and Fiddle magazine.
The unique 2017 Fiddler of Strathspey Festival was made possible by the generous help of local musicians and businesses and of media partner Winterburn Press, the hospitality of the Ben Mhor Hotel, and the sponsorship of Grantown East Culture and Heritage Centre, the Scott-Hope Trust, The Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation and Tasgadh. It is hoped with such support that this event will be a prelude to others and to regular music sessions in the town. As well as the youngsters who challenged for the title of 2017 Fiddler of Strathspey there is currently a long list of Strathspey musicians who play with notable traditional and modern groups, many of whom are featured at national and international events. Many will feature in a 2018 music festival next June.
The Traditional Music Forum (TMF)
by
The Traditional Music Forum recently carried out a census of participation in traditional music teaching……….
Centre Stage
Elizabeth Morrison
Memories
Ian Johnstone Holmes (11th March 1935 – 11th July 2017)
Excerpt of the tribute by Mhorag Murphy
Born the second of three children at his grandparents’ home near Dumfries, Ian started playing piano accordion at the age of 11. Thus the musical legend Ian Holmes was born.
Self-taught Ian had a tremendous gift for learning and music, and by the late 1940s he was asked to play at the local YMCA. Around this time, he heard the music of Jimmy Shand who later went on to become a personal friend. Ian also met the great Will Starr who gave him advice on left-hand chording. To read music Ian then started formal lessons with Alex Carter in Lincluden and was taught light classical music, which Ian later reflected had been an excellent base for playing any repertoire. He also met the renowned Bobby MacLeod, and established a great friendship that would last 50 years. Bobby let him try his Cooperativa accordion, which Ian later bought from a member of the Hawthorn Band.
In the 1950s fiddler Angus Fitchet introduced Ian to Margaret Bell at a dance in Penpont Hall. The first dance was all it took and she became his wife in November 1958. Margaret was also an accordionist and she and Ian played several duets in that same hall. Margaret, however, went on to dedicate her life to supporting Ian in his music and business and to raising the family. In recent times, she was a tremendous carer for him.
During Ian’s National Service in the RAF from 1956 to 1958, he often entertained his pals in the billets and the Officers’ Mess. Around this time, he composed his first tunes, Miss Margaret Bell and The Queen of the South Polka. He went on to become a prolific composer. He was very proud of his RAF connection and in more recent years became a member of the Dumfries RAF Club. In 1957, he was granted leave to compete at a major accordion event in Perth City Hall. Ian won the All-Scotland Senior Traditional March, Strathspey and Reel class.
Ian frequently played alongside Bobby MacLeod and Andrew Rankine, with broadcasts on BBC Radio, an appearance with Andy Stewart in London’s Festival Hall and with White Heather Club stints on TV and in Germany. Ian loved to recall many funny tales of touring with the Andrew Rankine Band. One such occasion was when Andrew received an SOS from the police in Fort William. They desperately needed a band to play at their annual dance that night. Heavy snow had caused the other band to call off. The road through Glencoe was closed, so they intended to catch the train at Crianlarich. On realizing they were going to miss it, Andrew rushed into the Luib Hotel near Killin, threw money on the bar counter and asked them to phone the station to request they hold the train back! At Crianlarich, they got stuck in the snow and could not reach the platform. Several passengers helped to carry their instruments into the train and eventually they set off for Fort William. There a police car escorted them to the hotel, only to discover that the piano was way out of tune! Six brawny cops then carried a piano from a nearby hall and the dancing began! By 1962, Ian had formed his own band. He was soon broadcasting and recording in his own right, as well as performing in the touring White Heather Club.
Ian was a coachbuilder to trade and worked at A.C. Penman in Dumfries, then with Alexander’s buses in Camelon, Falkirk. He had a second spell with Penman’s in 1970 when the family, now including two daughters Rhona (aged 9) and Mhorag (7), returned to Dumfries. After redundancies at Penman’s, Ian accepted a job in Len Frobisher’s music shop, later becoming a partner. He and Margaret then opened ‘Ian Holmes Music’ in Glasgow Street in 1973 and successfully ran the business for 27 years. It became a focal point in Dumfries where musicians and friends popped in for a blether and a coffee!
A holiday in Switzerland in 1979 sparked an interest in Swiss Landler music, which resulted in many more visits and friendships with Swiss musicians and the purchase of a Swiss button-accordion. Margaret and Ian here forged great friendships through the language of music. Hansruedi Gempeler and his wife Suzanne, from frutigen, recently visited Ian in hospital; they spent a fabulous two hours with Hansruedi playing Ian’s Swiss compositions on one of his own accordions. During the 80s, Ian’s musical interests extended to Scandinavia and he attended the world’s largest accordion festival in Sweden several times.
Ian was a very kind and generous man, described by many as a true Gentleman. He gave freely of his musical time and talents to bring joy to others. He played to patients in places such as Bellsdyke Mental Hospital, Lochmaben Hospital (where his mother-in-law, Margaret Bell, stayed for several years), the Crichton Royal and Carnsalloch Cheshire Home. He frequently played in his own church, Maxwelltown West as well as in many others. Ian also accompanied the Dumfries Male Voice Choir at several charitable concerts.
A proud memory for Mhorag was her dad’s Induction into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame in 2014 alongside such great names as Jimmy Shand and Jimmy Blue. Ian was very honoured to receive this recognition, but aged 79 he felt the travel to Glasgow and sitting through the event would be too much, so she accepted this on his behalf.
By, then Ian had composed over 450 tunes in various Scottish, Irish, English, French, Norwegian, Swedish and Swiss styles; had recorded 18 albums; had mastered 8 different accordion types; had arranged and recorded Scandinavian and Swiss CDs; and was an honorary member of the Bromolla Accordion Orchestra of Sweden, with which he had played on many occasions.
Ian was always very proud of all his family, and they of him. He was a wonderful, warm and truly gifted man. Grand-daughter Danielle spent some of her school holidays in the music shop, where her papa spent hours teaching her to play the piano. He would also listen to her practice the violin, and allow her to batter the drums as hard as she could! He would then gently coax her back on to the piano when he was totally sick of the noise! Ever the prackster, his grand-daughter Lauren remembers sneaking into her papa’s music room and turning up the volume switches on his audio and television equipment. When Ian later switched them on, he was shocked and…..amazed! Well, that is the polite version! He would then call Lauren “Ya blooomin loony”, which always made her giggle! His grandson, Stuart, often spent his October holidays with his gran and papa, where they would take him to places like Mabie Farm Park and the Kirkcudbright Wildlife Park. He was also fortunate enough to be taken to his papa’s very last Accordion Club appearance away from Dumfries, at Hexham.
Ian appreciated the beauty of nature. He enjoyed walks with the family and in latter years with his old friend, the late Johnny Cook, would walk out to the Garden Centre for a scone and a blether, to put the world to rights! Ian was always interested in current affairs and read his Glasgow Herald from front to back. He was known to put in a letter or two as well!
Looking back, Ian said in recent years: “I’ve had a wonderful life, for through my music I have visited so many places in Scotland and abroad and have met so many interesting and kindly people. For years, I was happy at my work and this work was also my hobby. How many people can say that?”
Words like ‘legend’, ‘one-off’ and ‘genius’ have been shared with the family by musical friends since his passing. His contribution to not only Scottish, but also Scandinavian and Swiss music, was immense.
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
Ten Years On – Brandon McPhee
Letters to the Editor
I am sure that the passing of Ian Holmes will sadden all Box and Fiddle readers and musicians. I have been a long-time friend of Ian and Margaret, and this is now a time to remember what Ian meant to all who knew him.
His skill in playing the many different types of accordions was unsurpassed. As a composer, he has left us with a large library of music. his ability to compose tunes, be they Scottish, Irish, Swiss or Scandinavian, was truly amazing; he always captured the proper idiom. His many trips abroad to Accordion Festivals saw him meet and play with various top-line players. Many of these musicians have recorded his Swiss tunes.
I am lucky enough to have recordings of the band broadcasts and the various records they made. Like most bands, the line-up had changes over the years, but the musicianship still shone through. The line-up of the 1970s, Kenny Wilson (fiddle), Bob McNeillie (2nd accordion), Bill Hendry (piano), Stan Saunders (bass) and Gordon Young (drums), has often been enthused upon by many people, and was considered to be the best of all time. I have been fortunate to have been asked to play in the band on occasions, and it was just a treat.
While we have many fine players today, we will not see another one like this maestro.
I am sure that all our thoughts are with the family at this time.
Ian McCallum
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
Not listed
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 26th Sept 2017 - tbc
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms) 13th Sept 2017 – Jimmy & Sandy Lindsay Trio
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 17th Sept 2017 – Lyne Valley Band
Arbroath (Artisan Golf Club) - 3rd Sept 2017 – Adin Graham SDB
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) – 25th Sept 2017 – Tom Orr SDB
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 27th Sept 2017 – Gary Forrest SDB
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) – 18th Sept 2017 - tbc
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) –
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 12th Sept 2017 – Alasdair Wood SDB
Button Key (Greig Institute, Windygates) – 14th Sept 2017 – Club Night
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 5th Sept 2017 – Allan Smith Quartet
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) - 14th Sept 2017 – Paul Chamberlain
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 19th Sept 2017 – Derek Hamilton Duo
Clydesdale (St Mary’s Club Rooms) - 3rd Sept 2017 – The Seamus O’Sullivan Experience
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 21st Sept 2017 – Addir Harper SDB
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel) 7th Sept 2017 – Tony Kearney
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) -
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 6th Sept 2017 – Matthew MacLennan SDB
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 20th Sept 2017 – The West Telferton Ceilidh Band
Dunfermline (Sportsman Bar, Rosyth) – 12th Sept 2017 – Adam Gibb Trio
Duns (Masonic Lodge) 18th Sept 2017 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 19th Sept 2017 - Alasdair MacLeod
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 24th Sept 2017 – James Coutts SDB
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 13th Sept 2017 – Roddy Matthews SDB
Fort William (Railway Club) -
Galashiels (Clovenfords Hotel) –
Glasgow (Scotstounhill Bowling Club) - 11th Sept 2017 – Iain Powrie 6-piece Tribute Band
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 28th Sept 2017 – The Full Scottish
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 6th Sept 2017 – Alastair McCulloch
Gretna (The Solway Lodge Hotel) - 3rd Sept 2017 – Tony Kearney
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 18th Sept 2017 – Neil Caul SDB
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) -
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) – 5th Sept 2017 – Andrew Knight SDB
Kelso (Cross Rugby Club) – 27th Sept 2017 – Nicky McMichan Trio
Langholm (Langholm Social Club) – 13th Sept 2017 – Clyde Valley Ceilidh Band
Lewis & Harris (Caladh Inn, Stornoway) - 7th Sept 2017 – Nicol McLaren & the Glencraig SDB
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 19th Sept 2017 – McLean sisters
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) - 26th Sept 2017 – Neil Barron Trio
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) - 17th Sept 2017 – Liam Stewart
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 6th Sept 2017 – Tom Kearney
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) - 28th Sept 2017 – Susan MacFadyen
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) –
Oban (The Royal Hotel) –
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 6th 13th 20th 27th Sept 2017 – Club Nights
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 19th Sept 2017 – Neil MacEachern SDB
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 7th Sept 2017– Iain Anderson Trio
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 12th 19th 26th Sept 2017 – Club Nights 5th Sept 2017 Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - 14th Sept 2017 – Club Night
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) -
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 4th Sept 2017 – Seamus O’Sullivan
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 7th Sept 2017 – Steven Carcary
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 21st Sept 2017 – Gavin Piper
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) - 16th & 30th Sept 2017 – Club Night
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 19th Sept 2017 – Neil Caul SDB
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Annan
2. Arbroath
3. Blairgowrie
4. Campsie
5. Crieff
6. Dunblane
7. Forfar
8. Glenfarg
9. Livingston
10. Montrose
11. Orkney
12. Rothbury
13. Seghill
14. Tynedale
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2016
(Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports or in the Club Diary above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975 – present)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Aug 1975 – present)
3. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – present)
4. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – present)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
9. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
10. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
11. Button Key A&F Club (
12. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
13. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
15. Clydesdale A&F Club (Sept 2016 – present)
16. Coalburn A&F Club (
17. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
18. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
19. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
20. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
21. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
22. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
23. Ellon A&F Club (
24. Forfar A&F Club (
25. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
26. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
27. 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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