Box and Fiddle
Year 46 No 03
December 2022
Price £3.00
48 Page Magazine
12 month UK subscription £49.45
Editor – Pia Walker, Cupar
B&F Treasurer – Scott Band
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
In this issue the main focus is on the two Festivals that occurred recently. From what I ca see from the many .…….
Pia
Congratulations
To Joan Blue. She is shown here on the day she collected her British Empire Medal for Service to Music and Charity – a memorable day as she met the Lord Lieutenant at Perth City Chambers.
The 33rd Shetland Accordion & Fiddle Festival 2022
by
The Festival Committee had deliberated long and hard before proceeding with the 2022 Festival. After the 2020 and 2021 Festivals were cancelled owing to COVID-19 restrictions and implications, there was always going to be an element of risk in getting the Festival up-and-running again. However, the happy smiling faces of not only musicians, but also dancers and music lovers alike, as they arrived ahead of the Festival augured well for the weekend ahead!
As in previous years the base for the Festival was Islesburgh Community Centre, known now as the Festival Hub. The early activity on Thursday was unloading all the visiting musicians’ instruments which had, as ever, been picked up and transported on the ferry by Robert Whitehead.
All Thursday morning there had been a buzz in the lead-up to the official opening which was to take place at 1pm. Chairman Peter Leask welcomed everyone present and thanked all those, both near and far, who had helped in any way after the two previous Festivals had been cancelled, and none more so than online station RadioGH. This station had been created by Ewan Galloway and the late Derek Hamilton, and the Festival Committee had unanimously agreed there could be no more deserving person to open the Festival than Ewan Galloway himself.
Ewan, in his remarks, acknowledged the support he and RadioGH had received from the people of Shetland and said he was looking forward to the friendliness of the Festival and meeting everyone again. He was going to be particularly busy, as apart from his current duty, he would be comparing concerts as well as playing with the Susan MacFadyen Dance Band, but of course, most importantly, he was going to be enjoying himself!
After declaring the Festival officially open, he was warmly thanked by the Chairman and presented with a personal memento with the Committee’s gratitude. Peter then got the musical proceedings under way by introducing the Jim Gold Dance Band, and although the hall was all set out with chairs to accommodate the number attending and leaving no room for dancing, the feet were soon tapping. The rest of the afternoon was filled with top-class music, firstly by Norwegian maestro Odd Arne Halaas and then by The Shands. This was the first visit to Shetland for the talented trio, and the youngest Inver, remarked that their combined age was considerably less than that of their guest drummer, Graham Jamieson!
The rest of the afternoon featured Roddy Matthews and Allan Smith, who gave thei all despite having set off at 5.30am that morning. They were followed by the Susie Simpson Trio and finally the Susan MacFadyen Band.
Apart from the concert and dance in The Hub which would take place on both Thursday and Friday, there would also be concerts with a supper and dance at venues all over Shetland – Sandwick, Vidlin, Aith, Gulberwick, South Nesting, Voe, Whiteness and Weisdale and Scalloway. Buses were soon arriving at Islesburgh to transport the musicians to the various venues where the comperes, Ewan Galloway, Andy Kain, Nicol McLaren, Gary Coull, and Alan Irvine, introduced the various acts performed by both local and visiting musicians. Of course, as soon as the dances were finished, everything was packed up as quickly as possible so that the buses could head back (often with live music aboard!) to The Hub where the music was still going on.
On Friday and Saturday afternoons a programme of music had been arranged, for both listening and dancing, and this gave Festival members an opportunity to hear and see musicians that they maybe hadn’t had the opportunity to see at a concert. Amongst the visiting musicians were Shona MacFadyen, Andy Philip, Colin Donaldson Trio, Skeldro and David Vernon, giving a great variety of music and ensuring there was something for everybody. Apart from this there were always sessions going ion in the various rooms at The Hub, and sometimes on the stairs as well! These have always been an important part of the Festival where old and young can get together for informal tunes.
On Saturday morning the youth concert started at 11am. This featured local talent put forward by a number of the tutors. Here we had not only solos, but also groups including Hoot-ma-Root who had the assembled crowd singing Sweet Caroline, surely a first for an Accordion & Fiddle Festival audience! We also had the winners of the six sections of the 2022 Shetland Young Fiddler of the Year competition, including the overall winner, Yelena Anderson. After the concert, in an adjoining room the youth session got under way, where many of the young musicians were later joined by some whose youth might have passed a few years before!
One of the many highlights of the Festival is the Grand Dance at Clickimin, where 26 dances were on the for the 400+ folk attending. There were ten bands, which alternated between the visiting bands – Susan MacFadyen, Jim Gold, Steven Carcary, The Burns Brothers and Alan Crookston – and the local bands – Brendan Scollay, Da Fustra, Leeshinat, The Cullivoe Band and Callum Nicolson, who rounded off the night with a full floor for the final Boston Two Step. Comperes Nicol McLaren and Gary Coull kept everything flowing smoothly while Derek Hendry of Active Audio ensured the sound was spot-on for such a big hall. At the end of the evening Chairman, Peter Leask, remarked on how gratifying it was to see so many younger folk on the floor. He also pointed out that for the first time, the Festival Committee was arranging their own DVD of the evening, and had commissioned JJ Jamieson to produce it. The Festival is taking orders for the DVD which are £20 and they will send them out post free – folk can get in touch on Facebook or by e-mail.
After the Grand Dance, Saturday tends to be a more relaxed day, but there were still two more concerts to be organized. These ran simultaneously at the Festival Hub and the Garrison Theatre and the acts were transported between the two venues. The line-ups for these concerts are always arranged to provide a balanced programme of some of the most popular items from the previous few days.
Summing up how the 33rd Festival had gone, Peter Leask said that the positive feedback received from everyone had justified the Committee’s belief in getting the Festival going again, and that many regular Festival-goers had told him they had already booked their accommodation for the 34th Festival – and if anybody is wondering, it’s 5th to 8th October 2023!
Perth Festival 29th October 2022
73rd All Scotland Accordion Festival 2022
by
Wasn’t it great to be back? And the music didn’t disappoint. Congratulations to all who participated, it was a joy to listen to you. Someone had to win and you can see who they are here.
With these few lines I specifically the dances that started and ended the Festival. The pre-Festival Dance was to the Iain Cathcart SDB, and the post-Festival Band was the Neil Hardie SDB.
Both dances were busy and no wonder. The tempo for both was just right; the selection of dances was made by experienced musicians who knew what the dancers wanted.
A big thank you to both bands, it was a joy to dance to you.
All Scotland Senior Traditional Accordion Solo (Jimmy Shand Shield) *& Margaret Hendry Salver (Senior Lady)
1) Cleland Shand (Dunfermline)
2) Liam Stewart (Galston)
3) Victoria Byrne-McCombie (Shetland) – winner of the Margaret Hendry
Senior Accordion Solo for Traditional Pipe Music (Bill Black Challenge Cup)
1) Tom Orr (Aberdeen)
2) Matthew MacLennan (Edinburgh)
3) John Burns (Kilsyth)
Senior World Accordion Music Solo – (Accordion World Challenge Cup)
1) Cleland Shand (Dunfermline)
2) Blyth Shand (Dunfermline)
3) Alan Small (
All Scotland Scottish Dance Band (Ronnie Cooper Memorial Trophy)
1) John Burns (Kilsyth)
2) Duncan Black (Edinburgh)
All Scotland Scottish Dance Band – Best Rhythm Section (John Gibson Memorial Trophy)
Duncan Black (Edinburgh)
All Scotland Junior Scottish Trio Championship - (Alex MacArthur Memorial Quaich)
1) Callum Gardiner Trio (Elsrickle)
All Scotland Scottish Trio Championship (Perth Accordion & Fiddle Club Challenge Cup)
1) Fin Hope (Broughton, Biggar)
2) Victoria Byrne-McCombie (Shetland)
10 and Under Traditional Accordion Solo (Peter Bruce Trophy)
1) Alistair Adamson (Forth)
2) Emily Gold (Carnwath)
3)
Under 12 Traditional Accordion Solo (Black Isle Shield)
1) Alistair Adamson (Forth)
2) Emily Gold (Carnwath)
3)
Under 12 World Accordion Music Solo
1) Emily Gold (Carnwath)
Junior Traditional Accordion Solo (Under 16) (Angus Accordion College Challenge Shield) & Jimmy Stephen Salver (Junior Girls)
1) Inver Shand (Dunfermline)
2) Fin Hope (Broughton, Biggar)
3) Fraser Donaldson (Inverness)
Junior Accordion Solo for Traditional Pipe Music (Under 16) (Charlie Cowie Memorial Cup)
1) Inver Shand (Dunfermline)
2) Fraser Donaldson (Inverness)
3) Jake Johnstone (Crawfordjohn)
Junior World Music Accordion Solo (Accordion World Challenge Cup)
1) Inver Shand (Dunfermline)
2) Jake Johnstone (Crawfordjohn)
Gaelic Medley (Accordion or Fiddle) (Iain MacPhail Trophy)
1) Jennifer Cruickshank (Lumphanan)
2) Fin Hope (Broughton, Biggar)
3) Graham McLennan (Stornoway)
The Dance Music Competition – (The Willie Lawrie Shield & The Mickie Ainsworth Memorial Trophy & Award)
1) Graham MacLellan (Stornoway)
2) Victoria Byrne-McCombie (Shetland)
3) Fin Hope (Broughton, Biggar)
Bill Wilkie Memorial Trophy – Most Promising Under 16 Accordionist
1) Alistair Adamson (Forth)
Introductory Accordion Solo
1) Lucy McLaren (Lanark)
Elementary Accordion Solo
1) Kirsten Ferguson (Dumfries)
2) Skye Ross (Thornhill)
Intermediate Accordion Solo
1) Aine O’Hara (Thornhill)
2) Molly Tolson (Biggar)
FIDDLE CLASSES
Senior Fiddle Solo (16 and over) (Ian Powrie Cup)
1) Rhiann Matthew (Alford)
2) Emma Leask (Shetland)
3) Charlotte Slater (Aberdeen)
Senior Fiddle Solo Slow Air (16 and over) (Pibroch MacKenzie Memorial Quaich)
1) Charlotte Slater (Aberdeen)
2) Rhiann Matthew (Alford)
3) Emma Leask (Shetland)
Junior Fiddle Solo (Under 16) (Albie Tedham Trophy)
1) Tyler Martin (Aberdeen)
2) Gracie Gowans-Little
3) Andrew Farquharson (Forfar)
Junior Fiddle Solo Slow Air (Under 16) (Shelagh Rankine Memorial Trophy)
1) Tyler Martin (Aberdeen)
2) Camilla Elder (Caithness)
3) Gracie Gowans-Little
Junior Fiddle Solo (Under 12) (Jim Ritchie Challenge Cup)
1) Maisie Nicolson (Shetland)
2) Emily Farquharson (Forfar)
3)
Fiddle Group
1) Deeside Loons & Quines
2) Kirsten Hendry Group
Centre Stage
Scott Band
IN MEMORY
Jim MacKay – March 1936 – 10th Oct 2022
by Ian Simpson (compere at Dingwall A&F Club and former MFR Broadcaster)
Jim was born in March 1938, one of four children in a Caithness crofting family. He spent his childhood in the country before going on to study agriculture in Inverness. From an early age, music became part of Jim’s life as it was already in the family.
Back in Caithness after his studying, it was while playing with the family band that Jim met Catherine. Also from a Caithness agricultural background, Catherine went on to marry Jim and they continued farming until the 1980s when they moved to Inverness, where they ran Eildon Guest House in Old Edinburgh Road.
By this tie, the busy band were known as Jim MacKay’s Dance Band. It was very much a family band with Jim’s brother Nichol and late sons Donald and Thomas being p[art of the line-up over the years. As well as being a renowned button-box player, Jim was a respected tutor and composed many beautiful tunes, particularly waltzes, over the years.
I first met Jim in 1993 when the band played for a ceilidh in aid of the MFR Charity Trust. It was a cold February night and the first event I compered at. I travelled with the band and enjoyed the craic with them on that and many more occasions. One memorable evening was at Clashmore Hall when there was a power cut. Jim carried on playing and the dancers carried on dancing! Good job they had light feet to hear the unamplified music!
Jim was one of the first Scottish dance bands to organize dancing holidays abroad and I remember going to Tenerife with Jim’s band and the late Ian Anderson’s band around 1995. The week in the sun with dancing in the evenings was a huge success and was loved by the locals – apart from the time the pipers played during the siesta!
Jim and Catherine for many years organized the Button Box Gathering showcasing the best button-box players to enthusiastic full houses while raising thousands of pounds for charities. Events such as these took a tremendous amount of planning but always turned out great owing to the hard work and dedication shown by Jim and Catherine.
Jim passed away on Monday 10th October following a short illness. He was remembered by many friends and fellow musicians at his funeral, where a number of his tunes were played. His grandson Graeme played Gift of Time, a beautiful tune written by Jim but never before heard in public. He leaves a musical legacy in his recordings, compositions and, more importantly, his family who will keep the music going through the next generations.
Letters to the Editor
Dear Pia
At the
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
40/50 – The Craigowl Band – In Association with NAAFC – RC2021CD
Book Review
Glendrian – Kenneth I MacKenzie – Caberfeid Music
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Gary Innes
03/12/2022 – Archive – Jack Delaney Tribute
10/12/2022 – New – Robert Nairn & His Highland Country Band
17/12/2022 – Compilation Programme & Hjaltibonhoga in Concert
24/12/2022 – A Festival Special
31/12/2022 - Hogmanay Special – Fergie MacDonald Big Band
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – December 2022 -
Alnwick (The Jubilee Hall, Newton-on-the Moor) December 2022 -
Arbroath (Arbroath Artisan Golf Club) - 4th December 2022 – Marian Anderson
Banchory (Royal British Legion) – December 2022 -
Banff & District (The Fife Lodge Hotel) – 14th December 2022 – Dance to George Rennie & Friends
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) – 11th December 2022 – Shelly Gold & Friends
Blairgowrie (Rattray Bowling Club) - December 2022 -
Button Key (Greig Institute, Windygates) – 14th December 2022 – Christmas Party
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 6th December 2022 – Ewan Galloway SDB
Canderside (Stonehouse Bowling Club) - 8th December 2022 – John Morgan
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) - 8th December 2022 – no meeting
Castle Douglas (Threave Rovers Football Club) – 13th December 2022 – Willie McRobert & John Caskie
Clydesdale (St Mary’s Club Rooms, Lanark) - December 2022 – no meeting
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 18th December 2022 – Alan Gardiner Trio
Crieff & District (British Legion) 1st December 2022 – Marian Anderson Trio
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 7th December 2022 – Marian Anderson Trio
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – December 2022 -
Dunfermline (Masonic Hall, Rosyth) – 13th December 2022 – Billy Anderson & Alan Kitchen
Dumfries (Crichton Royal Golf Club) - 6th December 2022 – Bob Liddle & the Blackthorne C.B.
Forfar (Forfar RBL) - December 2022 – no meeting
Forres (Forres Golf Club) – 12th December 2022 – The Cruickshank Family C.B.
Fort William (The Railway Club, Inverlochy) – 6th December 2022 – Lindsay Weir Duo
Galashiels (Clovenfords Hotel) - 1st December 2022 – Blackthorne C.B.
Glendale (The Glendale Hall, Wooler) - 15th December 2022 – Nicola Braid & Gordon Haddow quartet
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 7th December 2022 – David Vernon
Glenrothes (Queen Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) - 13th December 2022 – Steven Carcary & Malcolm Ross (Christmas ceilidh / dance)
Gretna (The Richard Greenhow Centre) - 4th December 2022 – Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio
Hidden Toun (Haddington Bowling Club) - 11th December 2022 – John Morgan
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 19th December 2022 – Ross MacPherson
Inveraray (Inveraray Inn) - 14th December 2022 – Craig McFadyen Trio
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 1st December 2022 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Kelso (Kelso Rugby Club) – 14th December 2022 – Clappy Doo C.B.
Langholm (Langholm Social Club) – December 2022 -
Lewis & Harris (Caladh Inn, Stornoway) - 15th December 2022 - tbc
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) - December 2022 -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite, Mauchline & District Kilmarnock FC Supporters Club) - 20th December 2022 – David Vernon
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 7th December 2022 – James Coutts Trio
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – December 2022 -
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 6th December 2022 – George Rennie Duo
Oban (The Royal Hotel ) – December 2022 -
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – December 2022 -
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – December 2022 -
Perth & District (Salutation Hotel) – 20th December 2022 – Ewan Galloway SDB
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - December 2022 -
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 6th 13th December 2022 – Club Nights 20th Dec 2022 – Leonard Brown Christmas Party
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - 1st December 2022 – Club Night
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) – December 2022 -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – December 2022 -
TMSA (Aberdeen) – Sportmans Club - 20th December 2022 - Session
Turriff (Royal British Legion, Fyvie) – 1st December 2022 – Garioch Blend
Tynedale (Tynedale Farmers Function Suite) – December 2022 -
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) - 10th December 2022 - ceilidh
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 13th December 2022 – Robert Nairn Trio
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Arbroath
2. Blairgowrie
3. Buttonkey
4. Campsie
5. Canderside
6. Castle Douglas
7. Coalburn
8. Crieff
9. Dingwall & District
10. Dumfries
11. Dunblane
12. Forfar
13. Forres
14. Fort William
15. Glenfarg
16. Isle of Skye
17. Highland
18. Inveraray
19. Kelso
20. Lewis & Harris
21. Macmerry
22. Mauchline
23. North East
24. Orkney
25. Shetland
26. TMSA Aberdeen
27. Turriff & District
28. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT DEC 2022
(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. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
4. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
5. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
6. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
7. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
8. Button Key A&F Club (
9. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
10. Canderside A&F Club (Stonehouse) (Feb 2019 – present)
11. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
12. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
13. Clydesdale A&F Club (Sept 2016 – present)
14. Coalburn A&F Club (
15. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
16. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
17. Dumfries A&F Club (April 1965 at The Hole In the Wa’, then at Oughton’s Restaurant then renamed Islesteps Jan 1981 – 2021 then back to Dumfries)
18. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
19. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition - present)
20. Forfar A&F Club (1984 – present)
21. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F - later The Railway Club, Inverlochy )
22. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978 - present)
23. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
24. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
25. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 – present)
26. 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) - present
27. Hidden Toun A&F (Haddington) (Jan 2022 – present)
28. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
29. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
30. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
31. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
32. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
33. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 – present)
34. Macmerry A&F Club (Feb 2016 – present)
35. Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
36. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
37. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
38. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
39. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
40. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
41. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
42. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
43. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
44. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
45 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 - ?
46 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
47 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
48 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
49 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
50 Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975 - present)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership, closed due to Covid or omitted in error?)
51. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – Covid 19 – March 2020)
52. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
53. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
54. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
55. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – restarted ? till Covid 19 in March 2020)
56. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
57. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
58. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
59. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
60. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
61. Britannia B&F Club (joined 07-08 but much older
62. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
63. Buchan A&F Club
64. Callander A&F Club (
65. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980 – 1997?)
66. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
67. Club Accord
68. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
69. Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
70. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
71. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
72. Cults A & F Club (
73. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
74. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981 - ?)
75. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
76. Derwentside A&F Club
77. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
78. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
79. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
80. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
81. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – April 2020 – Covid19)
82. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
83. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
84. Ellon A&F Club (1984 – April 2020 Covid19)
85. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
86. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – ?)
87. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
88. Glasgow A&F Club (Aug 2017 – March 2018)
89. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93? – left the Assoc c2013)
90. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
91. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
92. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 – 6th December 2015)
93. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
94. Kintore A&F Club (
95. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
96. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier -
97. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
98. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
99. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
100. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – March 2020 - Covid)
101. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 – Covid 19 – March 2020)
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 – closed at Covid 19 in March 2020)
119. Selkirk A&F Club (
120. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
121. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
122. Stonehouse A&F Club (Opened 2003 - first report June 05 – Closed April 2018)
123. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
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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B&F Treasurer – Scott Band
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
In this issue the main focus is on the two Festivals that occurred recently. From what I ca see from the many .…….
Pia
Congratulations
To Joan Blue. She is shown here on the day she collected her British Empire Medal for Service to Music and Charity – a memorable day as she met the Lord Lieutenant at Perth City Chambers.
The 33rd Shetland Accordion & Fiddle Festival 2022
by
The Festival Committee had deliberated long and hard before proceeding with the 2022 Festival. After the 2020 and 2021 Festivals were cancelled owing to COVID-19 restrictions and implications, there was always going to be an element of risk in getting the Festival up-and-running again. However, the happy smiling faces of not only musicians, but also dancers and music lovers alike, as they arrived ahead of the Festival augured well for the weekend ahead!
As in previous years the base for the Festival was Islesburgh Community Centre, known now as the Festival Hub. The early activity on Thursday was unloading all the visiting musicians’ instruments which had, as ever, been picked up and transported on the ferry by Robert Whitehead.
All Thursday morning there had been a buzz in the lead-up to the official opening which was to take place at 1pm. Chairman Peter Leask welcomed everyone present and thanked all those, both near and far, who had helped in any way after the two previous Festivals had been cancelled, and none more so than online station RadioGH. This station had been created by Ewan Galloway and the late Derek Hamilton, and the Festival Committee had unanimously agreed there could be no more deserving person to open the Festival than Ewan Galloway himself.
Ewan, in his remarks, acknowledged the support he and RadioGH had received from the people of Shetland and said he was looking forward to the friendliness of the Festival and meeting everyone again. He was going to be particularly busy, as apart from his current duty, he would be comparing concerts as well as playing with the Susan MacFadyen Dance Band, but of course, most importantly, he was going to be enjoying himself!
After declaring the Festival officially open, he was warmly thanked by the Chairman and presented with a personal memento with the Committee’s gratitude. Peter then got the musical proceedings under way by introducing the Jim Gold Dance Band, and although the hall was all set out with chairs to accommodate the number attending and leaving no room for dancing, the feet were soon tapping. The rest of the afternoon was filled with top-class music, firstly by Norwegian maestro Odd Arne Halaas and then by The Shands. This was the first visit to Shetland for the talented trio, and the youngest Inver, remarked that their combined age was considerably less than that of their guest drummer, Graham Jamieson!
The rest of the afternoon featured Roddy Matthews and Allan Smith, who gave thei all despite having set off at 5.30am that morning. They were followed by the Susie Simpson Trio and finally the Susan MacFadyen Band.
Apart from the concert and dance in The Hub which would take place on both Thursday and Friday, there would also be concerts with a supper and dance at venues all over Shetland – Sandwick, Vidlin, Aith, Gulberwick, South Nesting, Voe, Whiteness and Weisdale and Scalloway. Buses were soon arriving at Islesburgh to transport the musicians to the various venues where the comperes, Ewan Galloway, Andy Kain, Nicol McLaren, Gary Coull, and Alan Irvine, introduced the various acts performed by both local and visiting musicians. Of course, as soon as the dances were finished, everything was packed up as quickly as possible so that the buses could head back (often with live music aboard!) to The Hub where the music was still going on.
On Friday and Saturday afternoons a programme of music had been arranged, for both listening and dancing, and this gave Festival members an opportunity to hear and see musicians that they maybe hadn’t had the opportunity to see at a concert. Amongst the visiting musicians were Shona MacFadyen, Andy Philip, Colin Donaldson Trio, Skeldro and David Vernon, giving a great variety of music and ensuring there was something for everybody. Apart from this there were always sessions going ion in the various rooms at The Hub, and sometimes on the stairs as well! These have always been an important part of the Festival where old and young can get together for informal tunes.
On Saturday morning the youth concert started at 11am. This featured local talent put forward by a number of the tutors. Here we had not only solos, but also groups including Hoot-ma-Root who had the assembled crowd singing Sweet Caroline, surely a first for an Accordion & Fiddle Festival audience! We also had the winners of the six sections of the 2022 Shetland Young Fiddler of the Year competition, including the overall winner, Yelena Anderson. After the concert, in an adjoining room the youth session got under way, where many of the young musicians were later joined by some whose youth might have passed a few years before!
One of the many highlights of the Festival is the Grand Dance at Clickimin, where 26 dances were on the for the 400+ folk attending. There were ten bands, which alternated between the visiting bands – Susan MacFadyen, Jim Gold, Steven Carcary, The Burns Brothers and Alan Crookston – and the local bands – Brendan Scollay, Da Fustra, Leeshinat, The Cullivoe Band and Callum Nicolson, who rounded off the night with a full floor for the final Boston Two Step. Comperes Nicol McLaren and Gary Coull kept everything flowing smoothly while Derek Hendry of Active Audio ensured the sound was spot-on for such a big hall. At the end of the evening Chairman, Peter Leask, remarked on how gratifying it was to see so many younger folk on the floor. He also pointed out that for the first time, the Festival Committee was arranging their own DVD of the evening, and had commissioned JJ Jamieson to produce it. The Festival is taking orders for the DVD which are £20 and they will send them out post free – folk can get in touch on Facebook or by e-mail.
After the Grand Dance, Saturday tends to be a more relaxed day, but there were still two more concerts to be organized. These ran simultaneously at the Festival Hub and the Garrison Theatre and the acts were transported between the two venues. The line-ups for these concerts are always arranged to provide a balanced programme of some of the most popular items from the previous few days.
Summing up how the 33rd Festival had gone, Peter Leask said that the positive feedback received from everyone had justified the Committee’s belief in getting the Festival going again, and that many regular Festival-goers had told him they had already booked their accommodation for the 34th Festival – and if anybody is wondering, it’s 5th to 8th October 2023!
Perth Festival 29th October 2022
73rd All Scotland Accordion Festival 2022
by
Wasn’t it great to be back? And the music didn’t disappoint. Congratulations to all who participated, it was a joy to listen to you. Someone had to win and you can see who they are here.
With these few lines I specifically the dances that started and ended the Festival. The pre-Festival Dance was to the Iain Cathcart SDB, and the post-Festival Band was the Neil Hardie SDB.
Both dances were busy and no wonder. The tempo for both was just right; the selection of dances was made by experienced musicians who knew what the dancers wanted.
A big thank you to both bands, it was a joy to dance to you.
All Scotland Senior Traditional Accordion Solo (Jimmy Shand Shield) *& Margaret Hendry Salver (Senior Lady)
1) Cleland Shand (Dunfermline)
2) Liam Stewart (Galston)
3) Victoria Byrne-McCombie (Shetland) – winner of the Margaret Hendry
Senior Accordion Solo for Traditional Pipe Music (Bill Black Challenge Cup)
1) Tom Orr (Aberdeen)
2) Matthew MacLennan (Edinburgh)
3) John Burns (Kilsyth)
Senior World Accordion Music Solo – (Accordion World Challenge Cup)
1) Cleland Shand (Dunfermline)
2) Blyth Shand (Dunfermline)
3) Alan Small (
All Scotland Scottish Dance Band (Ronnie Cooper Memorial Trophy)
1) John Burns (Kilsyth)
2) Duncan Black (Edinburgh)
All Scotland Scottish Dance Band – Best Rhythm Section (John Gibson Memorial Trophy)
Duncan Black (Edinburgh)
All Scotland Junior Scottish Trio Championship - (Alex MacArthur Memorial Quaich)
1) Callum Gardiner Trio (Elsrickle)
All Scotland Scottish Trio Championship (Perth Accordion & Fiddle Club Challenge Cup)
1) Fin Hope (Broughton, Biggar)
2) Victoria Byrne-McCombie (Shetland)
10 and Under Traditional Accordion Solo (Peter Bruce Trophy)
1) Alistair Adamson (Forth)
2) Emily Gold (Carnwath)
3)
Under 12 Traditional Accordion Solo (Black Isle Shield)
1) Alistair Adamson (Forth)
2) Emily Gold (Carnwath)
3)
Under 12 World Accordion Music Solo
1) Emily Gold (Carnwath)
Junior Traditional Accordion Solo (Under 16) (Angus Accordion College Challenge Shield) & Jimmy Stephen Salver (Junior Girls)
1) Inver Shand (Dunfermline)
2) Fin Hope (Broughton, Biggar)
3) Fraser Donaldson (Inverness)
Junior Accordion Solo for Traditional Pipe Music (Under 16) (Charlie Cowie Memorial Cup)
1) Inver Shand (Dunfermline)
2) Fraser Donaldson (Inverness)
3) Jake Johnstone (Crawfordjohn)
Junior World Music Accordion Solo (Accordion World Challenge Cup)
1) Inver Shand (Dunfermline)
2) Jake Johnstone (Crawfordjohn)
Gaelic Medley (Accordion or Fiddle) (Iain MacPhail Trophy)
1) Jennifer Cruickshank (Lumphanan)
2) Fin Hope (Broughton, Biggar)
3) Graham McLennan (Stornoway)
The Dance Music Competition – (The Willie Lawrie Shield & The Mickie Ainsworth Memorial Trophy & Award)
1) Graham MacLellan (Stornoway)
2) Victoria Byrne-McCombie (Shetland)
3) Fin Hope (Broughton, Biggar)
Bill Wilkie Memorial Trophy – Most Promising Under 16 Accordionist
1) Alistair Adamson (Forth)
Introductory Accordion Solo
1) Lucy McLaren (Lanark)
Elementary Accordion Solo
1) Kirsten Ferguson (Dumfries)
2) Skye Ross (Thornhill)
Intermediate Accordion Solo
1) Aine O’Hara (Thornhill)
2) Molly Tolson (Biggar)
FIDDLE CLASSES
Senior Fiddle Solo (16 and over) (Ian Powrie Cup)
1) Rhiann Matthew (Alford)
2) Emma Leask (Shetland)
3) Charlotte Slater (Aberdeen)
Senior Fiddle Solo Slow Air (16 and over) (Pibroch MacKenzie Memorial Quaich)
1) Charlotte Slater (Aberdeen)
2) Rhiann Matthew (Alford)
3) Emma Leask (Shetland)
Junior Fiddle Solo (Under 16) (Albie Tedham Trophy)
1) Tyler Martin (Aberdeen)
2) Gracie Gowans-Little
3) Andrew Farquharson (Forfar)
Junior Fiddle Solo Slow Air (Under 16) (Shelagh Rankine Memorial Trophy)
1) Tyler Martin (Aberdeen)
2) Camilla Elder (Caithness)
3) Gracie Gowans-Little
Junior Fiddle Solo (Under 12) (Jim Ritchie Challenge Cup)
1) Maisie Nicolson (Shetland)
2) Emily Farquharson (Forfar)
3)
Fiddle Group
1) Deeside Loons & Quines
2) Kirsten Hendry Group
Centre Stage
Scott Band
IN MEMORY
Jim MacKay – March 1936 – 10th Oct 2022
by Ian Simpson (compere at Dingwall A&F Club and former MFR Broadcaster)
Jim was born in March 1938, one of four children in a Caithness crofting family. He spent his childhood in the country before going on to study agriculture in Inverness. From an early age, music became part of Jim’s life as it was already in the family.
Back in Caithness after his studying, it was while playing with the family band that Jim met Catherine. Also from a Caithness agricultural background, Catherine went on to marry Jim and they continued farming until the 1980s when they moved to Inverness, where they ran Eildon Guest House in Old Edinburgh Road.
By this tie, the busy band were known as Jim MacKay’s Dance Band. It was very much a family band with Jim’s brother Nichol and late sons Donald and Thomas being p[art of the line-up over the years. As well as being a renowned button-box player, Jim was a respected tutor and composed many beautiful tunes, particularly waltzes, over the years.
I first met Jim in 1993 when the band played for a ceilidh in aid of the MFR Charity Trust. It was a cold February night and the first event I compered at. I travelled with the band and enjoyed the craic with them on that and many more occasions. One memorable evening was at Clashmore Hall when there was a power cut. Jim carried on playing and the dancers carried on dancing! Good job they had light feet to hear the unamplified music!
Jim was one of the first Scottish dance bands to organize dancing holidays abroad and I remember going to Tenerife with Jim’s band and the late Ian Anderson’s band around 1995. The week in the sun with dancing in the evenings was a huge success and was loved by the locals – apart from the time the pipers played during the siesta!
Jim and Catherine for many years organized the Button Box Gathering showcasing the best button-box players to enthusiastic full houses while raising thousands of pounds for charities. Events such as these took a tremendous amount of planning but always turned out great owing to the hard work and dedication shown by Jim and Catherine.
Jim passed away on Monday 10th October following a short illness. He was remembered by many friends and fellow musicians at his funeral, where a number of his tunes were played. His grandson Graeme played Gift of Time, a beautiful tune written by Jim but never before heard in public. He leaves a musical legacy in his recordings, compositions and, more importantly, his family who will keep the music going through the next generations.
Letters to the Editor
Dear Pia
At the
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
40/50 – The Craigowl Band – In Association with NAAFC – RC2021CD
Book Review
Glendrian – Kenneth I MacKenzie – Caberfeid Music
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Gary Innes
03/12/2022 – Archive – Jack Delaney Tribute
10/12/2022 – New – Robert Nairn & His Highland Country Band
17/12/2022 – Compilation Programme & Hjaltibonhoga in Concert
24/12/2022 – A Festival Special
31/12/2022 - Hogmanay Special – Fergie MacDonald Big Band
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – December 2022 -
Alnwick (The Jubilee Hall, Newton-on-the Moor) December 2022 -
Arbroath (Arbroath Artisan Golf Club) - 4th December 2022 – Marian Anderson
Banchory (Royal British Legion) – December 2022 -
Banff & District (The Fife Lodge Hotel) – 14th December 2022 – Dance to George Rennie & Friends
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) – 11th December 2022 – Shelly Gold & Friends
Blairgowrie (Rattray Bowling Club) - December 2022 -
Button Key (Greig Institute, Windygates) – 14th December 2022 – Christmas Party
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 6th December 2022 – Ewan Galloway SDB
Canderside (Stonehouse Bowling Club) - 8th December 2022 – John Morgan
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) - 8th December 2022 – no meeting
Castle Douglas (Threave Rovers Football Club) – 13th December 2022 – Willie McRobert & John Caskie
Clydesdale (St Mary’s Club Rooms, Lanark) - December 2022 – no meeting
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 18th December 2022 – Alan Gardiner Trio
Crieff & District (British Legion) 1st December 2022 – Marian Anderson Trio
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 7th December 2022 – Marian Anderson Trio
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – December 2022 -
Dunfermline (Masonic Hall, Rosyth) – 13th December 2022 – Billy Anderson & Alan Kitchen
Dumfries (Crichton Royal Golf Club) - 6th December 2022 – Bob Liddle & the Blackthorne C.B.
Forfar (Forfar RBL) - December 2022 – no meeting
Forres (Forres Golf Club) – 12th December 2022 – The Cruickshank Family C.B.
Fort William (The Railway Club, Inverlochy) – 6th December 2022 – Lindsay Weir Duo
Galashiels (Clovenfords Hotel) - 1st December 2022 – Blackthorne C.B.
Glendale (The Glendale Hall, Wooler) - 15th December 2022 – Nicola Braid & Gordon Haddow quartet
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 7th December 2022 – David Vernon
Glenrothes (Queen Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) - 13th December 2022 – Steven Carcary & Malcolm Ross (Christmas ceilidh / dance)
Gretna (The Richard Greenhow Centre) - 4th December 2022 – Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio
Hidden Toun (Haddington Bowling Club) - 11th December 2022 – John Morgan
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 19th December 2022 – Ross MacPherson
Inveraray (Inveraray Inn) - 14th December 2022 – Craig McFadyen Trio
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 1st December 2022 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Kelso (Kelso Rugby Club) – 14th December 2022 – Clappy Doo C.B.
Langholm (Langholm Social Club) – December 2022 -
Lewis & Harris (Caladh Inn, Stornoway) - 15th December 2022 - tbc
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) - December 2022 -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite, Mauchline & District Kilmarnock FC Supporters Club) - 20th December 2022 – David Vernon
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 7th December 2022 – James Coutts Trio
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – December 2022 -
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 6th December 2022 – George Rennie Duo
Oban (The Royal Hotel ) – December 2022 -
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – December 2022 -
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – December 2022 -
Perth & District (Salutation Hotel) – 20th December 2022 – Ewan Galloway SDB
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - December 2022 -
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 6th 13th December 2022 – Club Nights 20th Dec 2022 – Leonard Brown Christmas Party
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - 1st December 2022 – Club Night
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) – December 2022 -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – December 2022 -
TMSA (Aberdeen) – Sportmans Club - 20th December 2022 - Session
Turriff (Royal British Legion, Fyvie) – 1st December 2022 – Garioch Blend
Tynedale (Tynedale Farmers Function Suite) – December 2022 -
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) - 10th December 2022 - ceilidh
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 13th December 2022 – Robert Nairn Trio
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Arbroath
2. Blairgowrie
3. Buttonkey
4. Campsie
5. Canderside
6. Castle Douglas
7. Coalburn
8. Crieff
9. Dingwall & District
10. Dumfries
11. Dunblane
12. Forfar
13. Forres
14. Fort William
15. Glenfarg
16. Isle of Skye
17. Highland
18. Inveraray
19. Kelso
20. Lewis & Harris
21. Macmerry
22. Mauchline
23. North East
24. Orkney
25. Shetland
26. TMSA Aberdeen
27. Turriff & District
28. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT DEC 2022
(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. Arbroath A&F Club (1991? – present)
4. Banchory A&F Club (1978 – present)
5. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973 – present)
6. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
7. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
8. Button Key A&F Club (
9. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
10. Canderside A&F Club (Stonehouse) (Feb 2019 – present)
11. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
12. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
13. Clydesdale A&F Club (Sept 2016 – present)
14. Coalburn A&F Club (
15. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
16. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
17. Dumfries A&F Club (April 1965 at The Hole In the Wa’, then at Oughton’s Restaurant then renamed Islesteps Jan 1981 – 2021 then back to Dumfries)
18. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
19. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition - present)
20. Forfar A&F Club (1984 – present)
21. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F - later The Railway Club, Inverlochy )
22. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978 - present)
23. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
24. Glendale A&F Club (Jan 1973 – present)
25. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 – present)
26. 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) - present
27. Hidden Toun A&F (Haddington) (Jan 2022 – present)
28. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
29. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
30. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
31. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
32. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
33. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 – present)
34. Macmerry A&F Club (Feb 2016 – present)
35. Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
36. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
37. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
38. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
39. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
40. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
41. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
42. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
43. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
44. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
45 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 - ?
46 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
47 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
48 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
49 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
50 Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975 - present)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership, closed due to Covid or omitted in error?)
51. Annan A&F Club (joined Assoc in 1996 but started 1985 – Covid 19 – March 2020)
52. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
53. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
54. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
55. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue – restarted ? till Covid 19 in March 2020)
56. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition – present)
57. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
58. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
59. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
60. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
61. Britannia B&F Club (joined 07-08 but much older
62. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
63. Buchan A&F Club
64. Callander A&F Club (
65. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980 – 1997?)
66. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
67. Club Accord
68. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
69. Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
70. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
71. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
72. Cults A & F Club (
73. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
74. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981 - ?)
75. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
76. Derwentside A&F Club
77. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
78. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
79. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
80. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
81. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – April 2020 – Covid19)
82. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
83. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
84. Ellon A&F Club (1984 – April 2020 Covid19)
85. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
86. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – ?)
87. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
88. Glasgow A&F Club (Aug 2017 – March 2018)
89. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93? – left the Assoc c2013)
90. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
91. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
92. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 – 6th December 2015)
93. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
94. Kintore A&F Club (
95. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
96. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier -
97. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
98. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
99. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
100. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – March 2020 - Covid)
101. Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 – Covid 19 – March 2020)
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 – closed at Covid 19 in March 2020)
119. Selkirk A&F Club (
120. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
121. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
122. Stonehouse A&F Club (Opened 2003 - first report June 05 – Closed April 2018)
123. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
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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