Box and Fiddle
Year 17 No 05
February 1994
Introducing the Clubs
No 20 Castle Douglas
by ?
Castle Douglas A&F Club was started in September 1980 by the late Jackie (Bungy) Scott, and Rhona and Marcel Rivard. The late Alex MacArthur entertained an audience of over 70 with ‘local’ players from as far apart as Moffat, Port William and Ayr attending. The Club is still held in the Urr Valley Country House Hotel (formerly known as the Ernespie House Hotel).
After a short break, the Club was restarted in September, 1986 by Walter McMillan and Jackie Scott and has since gone from strength to strength. Sadly, Jackie died the following year and his place as compere was filled by spoon player Drew Davies. The function room of the Hotel seats well over 100 comfortably without using the dancing area, so in 1991 it was decided to have dancing at the monthly meetings. This resulted in losing a few regulars but gaining even more.
The Club owes its success to the support given by local players, patrons, a hard working team of helpers, especially Isa White who organizes the raffle, and is held in a first class hotel with ample room for parking. The youngest player at the moment is 10 year old Linda Riddett and the oldest is octogenarian Jimmy Edwards from Moffat, who seldom misses a meeting. There are usually over 20 players attending each month (once there were 34). There can be a problem fitting everyone in, but this is usually overcome by forming duos, trios etc. The Club players have been guests at Mauchline and Carlisle Clubs.
The Club tries to bring guests artistes to suit all different tastes. Over the years there has been a variety of solo artistes – playing accordion, fiddle, Northumbrian pipes and concertina and bands ranging from 2 piece to 6 piece, each entertaining us with their own special style of music. Whether it is Scottish or Continental, they are assured of a warm welcome from an appreciative audience.
Two dances are held annually – in December and May. We have also held ceilidhs, dances and raffles in aid of various charities – Children in Need, British Heart Foundation, Leukemia Research, the local Day Hospital, Dunmuir Hostel, Heart Start and Castle Douglas Bi-Centenary celebrations.
We meet on the third Tuesday of each month from September to April and we welcome all who care to join us, either to play or to enjoy the music and dancing.
No 20 Castle Douglas
by ?
Castle Douglas A&F Club was started in September 1980 by the late Jackie (Bungy) Scott, and Rhona and Marcel Rivard. The late Alex MacArthur entertained an audience of over 70 with ‘local’ players from as far apart as Moffat, Port William and Ayr attending. The Club is still held in the Urr Valley Country House Hotel (formerly known as the Ernespie House Hotel).
After a short break, the Club was restarted in September, 1986 by Walter McMillan and Jackie Scott and has since gone from strength to strength. Sadly, Jackie died the following year and his place as compere was filled by spoon player Drew Davies. The function room of the Hotel seats well over 100 comfortably without using the dancing area, so in 1991 it was decided to have dancing at the monthly meetings. This resulted in losing a few regulars but gaining even more.
The Club owes its success to the support given by local players, patrons, a hard working team of helpers, especially Isa White who organizes the raffle, and is held in a first class hotel with ample room for parking. The youngest player at the moment is 10 year old Linda Riddett and the oldest is octogenarian Jimmy Edwards from Moffat, who seldom misses a meeting. There are usually over 20 players attending each month (once there were 34). There can be a problem fitting everyone in, but this is usually overcome by forming duos, trios etc. The Club players have been guests at Mauchline and Carlisle Clubs.
The Club tries to bring guests artistes to suit all different tastes. Over the years there has been a variety of solo artistes – playing accordion, fiddle, Northumbrian pipes and concertina and bands ranging from 2 piece to 6 piece, each entertaining us with their own special style of music. Whether it is Scottish or Continental, they are assured of a warm welcome from an appreciative audience.
Two dances are held annually – in December and May. We have also held ceilidhs, dances and raffles in aid of various charities – Children in Need, British Heart Foundation, Leukemia Research, the local Day Hospital, Dunmuir Hostel, Heart Start and Castle Douglas Bi-Centenary celebrations.
We meet on the third Tuesday of each month from September to April and we welcome all who care to join us, either to play or to enjoy the music and dancing.