Box and Fiddle
Year 17 No 01
September 1993
Introducing the Clubs
No 16 Banchory
by Bill Smith
When approached by the ‘B&F’ Editor to write an article about Banchory A&F Club, its history and supporters, my thoughts went back to the time while living in Huntly, the North East Club was formed in Keith and as secretary for the Huntly Harmonica Orchestra I was asked to join in the setting up of the Club. Unfortunately, I had to decline due to my day job but it sparked off my interest in what I thought was a great idea.
I moved to Banchory with my family in 1973 and became secretary for the Banchory S&R Society in 1974 and with that Society sampled the competitive side of Music Festivals, the rivalry and friendships that music can bring, my wife Margaret and daughter Jane were all involved.
In the weeks before a Festival there would be a procession of players of all ages calling at the house for a practice for which every solo, trio or orchestra section they would have entered. It soon became apparent some players suffered more from nerves than others, and one of the reasons was that they were only playing on a stage two or three times a year, and if a mistake was made it sapped their confidence. The obvious solution, more playing in public and what better than start a Banchory A&F Club.
The manager of the Burnett Arms Hotel, the late Bert Flett, offered his function suite for our meeting free of charge and indeed paid for adverts and provided one of our first trophies and secured for us the services of Jimmy Blue as our first guest artiste. This was in 1978.
Mr Robert Melvin and his wife Jackie, owners of the Burnett Arms Hotel, are still our benefactors and this is greatly appreciated.
Bert Flett became our first Hon. President and the other office bearers were Margaret Smith and Mrs Celia Davidson, joint Treasurers, myself as Secretary, Miss Mary Milne and Margaret Smith sharing the piano accompaniments.
The connection with the S&R Society was vital with Conductor Sandy Cooper, Julia Fyfe, Rhoda Drummond, Fred Davidson, Charles Esson Snr., and the late Jim Linklater making up the Committee.
The opening night was packed to capacity and tremendous entertainment and enjoyment was provided. The value of this venture showed and great talent began to emerge, names that are now familiar, Judith Davidson, Kathleen Smith, Jane Smith, Alex Bain, Paul Anderson, David Anderson, Heather Anderson, Angela Smith, Neil Dawson, Brian Cruickshank, Charles Esson Jnr., Lynne Gould, Averil Anderson, Gary Anderson, many of them doing guest spots all round the Accordion and Fiddle Club circuit.
Youngsters who are beginning to shine are Russell Kostulin, Keith Anderson, Sarah Anderson, Lucy Sutherland, Claire Telford, Carolyn Kostulin, Stuart Robertson, Victoria Fifield, Emily Kostulin and Anna Low.
The Club has greatly benefited from non-playing members like Bert and Mollie Mackie, Ken Mackie and his wife Madge, Mrs Nan Barrack and others too numerous to mention.
I would also like to pay tribute to treasured members who have died, or who cannot attend due to illness. Personally, I can still see them in their places on stage or in the audience, if we gave them entertainment, they gave us encouragement.
Our thanks are also due to Gordon and Aileen Rattray, owners of the Douglas Arms Hotel, who have also acted as our hosts on several occasions, their contribution towards music in the Banchory area is tremendous to Banchory S&R Society and the A&F Club in particular.
We endeavour to provide a variety of guest artistes and are open to suggestions in this field, however’ it is inevitable that bands like Bill Black, Graeme Mitchell and Jennifer Forrest are favourites.
Over the years the Committee has remained the same and special thanks to those who carry out the various jobs like pianist Mrs Margaret Smith, door-keeper Rhone Drummond and Fred Davidson, M.C.
I hope that the Club continues to prosper and give pleasure to audience and performers alike and keep the Box and Fiddle live.
No 16 Banchory
by Bill Smith
When approached by the ‘B&F’ Editor to write an article about Banchory A&F Club, its history and supporters, my thoughts went back to the time while living in Huntly, the North East Club was formed in Keith and as secretary for the Huntly Harmonica Orchestra I was asked to join in the setting up of the Club. Unfortunately, I had to decline due to my day job but it sparked off my interest in what I thought was a great idea.
I moved to Banchory with my family in 1973 and became secretary for the Banchory S&R Society in 1974 and with that Society sampled the competitive side of Music Festivals, the rivalry and friendships that music can bring, my wife Margaret and daughter Jane were all involved.
In the weeks before a Festival there would be a procession of players of all ages calling at the house for a practice for which every solo, trio or orchestra section they would have entered. It soon became apparent some players suffered more from nerves than others, and one of the reasons was that they were only playing on a stage two or three times a year, and if a mistake was made it sapped their confidence. The obvious solution, more playing in public and what better than start a Banchory A&F Club.
The manager of the Burnett Arms Hotel, the late Bert Flett, offered his function suite for our meeting free of charge and indeed paid for adverts and provided one of our first trophies and secured for us the services of Jimmy Blue as our first guest artiste. This was in 1978.
Mr Robert Melvin and his wife Jackie, owners of the Burnett Arms Hotel, are still our benefactors and this is greatly appreciated.
Bert Flett became our first Hon. President and the other office bearers were Margaret Smith and Mrs Celia Davidson, joint Treasurers, myself as Secretary, Miss Mary Milne and Margaret Smith sharing the piano accompaniments.
The connection with the S&R Society was vital with Conductor Sandy Cooper, Julia Fyfe, Rhoda Drummond, Fred Davidson, Charles Esson Snr., and the late Jim Linklater making up the Committee.
The opening night was packed to capacity and tremendous entertainment and enjoyment was provided. The value of this venture showed and great talent began to emerge, names that are now familiar, Judith Davidson, Kathleen Smith, Jane Smith, Alex Bain, Paul Anderson, David Anderson, Heather Anderson, Angela Smith, Neil Dawson, Brian Cruickshank, Charles Esson Jnr., Lynne Gould, Averil Anderson, Gary Anderson, many of them doing guest spots all round the Accordion and Fiddle Club circuit.
Youngsters who are beginning to shine are Russell Kostulin, Keith Anderson, Sarah Anderson, Lucy Sutherland, Claire Telford, Carolyn Kostulin, Stuart Robertson, Victoria Fifield, Emily Kostulin and Anna Low.
The Club has greatly benefited from non-playing members like Bert and Mollie Mackie, Ken Mackie and his wife Madge, Mrs Nan Barrack and others too numerous to mention.
I would also like to pay tribute to treasured members who have died, or who cannot attend due to illness. Personally, I can still see them in their places on stage or in the audience, if we gave them entertainment, they gave us encouragement.
Our thanks are also due to Gordon and Aileen Rattray, owners of the Douglas Arms Hotel, who have also acted as our hosts on several occasions, their contribution towards music in the Banchory area is tremendous to Banchory S&R Society and the A&F Club in particular.
We endeavour to provide a variety of guest artistes and are open to suggestions in this field, however’ it is inevitable that bands like Bill Black, Graeme Mitchell and Jennifer Forrest are favourites.
Over the years the Committee has remained the same and special thanks to those who carry out the various jobs like pianist Mrs Margaret Smith, door-keeper Rhone Drummond and Fred Davidson, M.C.
I hope that the Club continues to prosper and give pleasure to audience and performers alike and keep the Box and Fiddle live.