Box and Fiddle
Year 42 No 11
July 2019
Price £3.00
52 Page Magazine
12 month subscription £33.60 + p&p £15.85 (UK)
Editor – Pia Walker, Cupar
B&F Treasurer –
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
July is one of these months………
Pia Walker
Bruce & Lily Lindsay Celebrate Their Diamond Wedding
by
Congratulations to Bruce and Lily Lindsay, who in May had a little party to celebrate their diamond Wedding Anniversary. We wish them all the best.
The photo shows the family as well as members of the original wedding party surrounded by guests.
Forres A&F Club
by
In May, Ena Brian presented Sheena Kelman and George Hutcheson who both retired from the Committee in June 2018 with gifts in appreciation of their loyal and dedicated support to the club for many years.
Club Treasurer Jan Murray presented Ena Brian with gifts, thanking her for her long involvement with the Club, and wished her well for the future. Ena is leaving Bonnie Scotland to live in Spain.
The NAAFC Billy Thom Memorial Golf Day
by
On Sunday 12th May approx 27 mostly musicians rose relatively early in order to get to the annual………
Shand Morino Day 2019
by
Standing room only! This was my first impression of this event in May as I arrived just as the music started. The usual boxes were lined up in front of the stage and the stage was thus set for yet another of these popular days, which are always filled with banter, with old friends meeting up and new friendships being formed. It is held to honour the Shand Morino and of course Jimmy Shand Snr whose picture takes pride of place above the stage. I am always amazed by the knowledge of provenance of the various instruments. Some of these boxes are older than I and are definitely in better condition.
The organising of this event must be humongous! Throughout the day the Committee and helpers are constantly on the go, whether it be getting people to the stage, or serving and tidying up – they all should be applauded. The day starts with soup being served to the early arrivals. Later, during the interval, a huge spread of food is laid out for the 150 or more people there. I mentioned it was standing room only – and that was before Donal Ring turned up with a coach load of people from Ireland on their annual Shand pilgrimage to Fife.
To start, it was first the turn of the Shand Morino players and then, after the break, we had the other musicians playing piano accordions, fiddles, mouth-organs, etc and of course ending with a stramash that spilled over onto the floor from the stage.
There were too many players performing to mention individually, but I counted more than 35 people, including some new faces – and that was excluding the Irish musicians who to save time all went on stage together. Musicians came from all over Scotland – take a moment to look at the photos and you will get the idea. Bruce Lindsay and his wife Lily, who have been at the forefront of the Windygates Club and its events but who are now standing down, were honoured by the Committee with flowers and fifts and received a rapturous ovation.
Well done to you all and bring on next year!
Jim Stott
by Pia Walker
Jim was born in Ellon, Aberdeenshire……………….
Musical Memories – Part 6
by Denis Shepherd
I have previously told of my involvement with the Denis and the Menace Duo since the mid-80s. Since then I have been part of the TMSA and Aberdeen Folk Club and on the Committees of both organizations for much of the time – and this is all attributable to the Duo.
The only musical club I had previously attended, in a purely listening capacity, was Aberdeen A&F Club, originally held in the Gloucester Hotel. Up-and-coming players who regularly performed there included Graeme Mitchell and Graham Geddes, but my most vivid memory of the early days in 1975 is of the time when the stovies ran out, the manager apologised for under-estimating the numbers, and the compere promised the audience that this would not happen again because “next month I’ll be doon here in the aifterneen steerin’ them masel’!”
Ten years later, when Sandy Rennie, the original Menace, and I were starting to establish our act I saw an advert in a Traditional Music & Song Association of Scotland event in the Holburn Bar. This was the first time I had heard of the TMSA, but we did our stint and promptly became members with the encouragement of two office-bearers, Alex Green and Madeline Miller. Shortly after this the Aberdeen Branch held its 21st birthday party in the Gloucester at which the well-known singer Adam McNaughton was MC. When he saw the performers’ list he couldn’t believe there was a serious musical act called Denis and the Menace - and after hearing us he still didn’t believe it! Another singer, Kathleen Robertson, suggested we come along to Aberdeen Folk Club; we promptly did so and for some time we went along to do spots at the regular TMSA and Folk Club sessions, both held at the time in the Three Poceros. Sandy eventually ceased his memberships on developing his solo act but not before we had produced songs about performers and committee members of both organisations. For instance, The Crooked Bawbee was the basis for a song entitled O will ye gang wi’ me tae the TMSA? Which describes how an enthusiast tries to persuade his lassie to come along by naming the galaxy of artistes due to perform, one verse being :-
But I said, “There are ithers, like Florence and Mackie,
Bert Murray, and Esma, and lots mair as weel;
Maybe even Robbie Shepherd – that’s jist if ye’re lucky!”
She said, “The Robbie Shepherd? Ach, dinna be feal!”
And at the Folk Club, our song about the performers of the time (sung to the tune of The Wild Rover) ended :-
Denis and the Menace, that’s us, ye see:
We’re great entertainers, especially me!
(During the last two words we physically struggled with each other to gain pride of place on the stage!)
It was around this time that we heard that Robbie shepherd was learning the fiddle – although we never heard him play. But we did not miss an opportunity for an original gag :-
“Ye ken that group ca’d Rainbow – I hear there’s a new Scottish versionwi’ the same name. It’s got Alex Green, Jimmy Blue, Tam Reid and Robbie Shepherd.”
“I understand them haein’ Green, Blue and Reid in a Rainbow – bit faur does Robbie Shepherd come in?”
“Well, if onybody asks him tae play the fiddle he turns yalla!”
A few years later I found myself performing for none other than Phil Cunningham! Phil, guesting at the Folk Club, had been recommended to hear my rendition of Ian Middleton’s The Humble Tattie, one of the few songs I sang in those days. (I remember asking staff at the Three Poceros to lend me a tattie from the kitchen every time I sang it!)
Every year the Aberdeen TMSA sent a bus to the national AGM in Perth. One year the traditional evening ceilidh had to be cut short because the Aberdeen bus (musicians led by Alex Green) was leaving as the driver did not want to exceed his permitted hours! When I became a TMSA Committee member, we played a major part in the organisation of the traditional competitions at the Aberdeen Alternative Festival in October. One day a teenage girl, wearing a long black coat and playing a whistle, came into the Music Hall foyer. Having been told what time to come back for her competition, and barely pausing from her tune, she turned and went outside to resume her busking! Her name was Sara Reith and she is now famous throughout Europe in the fields of fiddle, tin whistle, Scottish music, traditional dance and traditional song.
National Accordion Organisation – UK Accordion Championships 2019
by
The NAO was celebrating 70 years since its formation in 1949. However, the first Accordion Day was held in the 1930s in Westminster Central Hall, London, a few years before the NAO was officially formed. The first Festival attendees included over 20 piano accordion solo Area champions from around Britain – the programme list Jack Morrell, All-Scotland Champion, competing for the ‘Championship of Britain’ at Central Hall in 1936. As well as these talented solo competitors who proudly represented their own area, more than 50 accordion bands, which were extremely popular at the time, regularly turned out to compete. The annual NAO Accordion Championships moved to Leicester in 1965 and after a few years were held in various locations including Margate, Troon, Southampton and Perth, before settling in Scarborough for several years and most recently in Liverpool.
To celebrate their 70th Anniversary the NAO displayed programmes from past Festivals this year in Liverpool. It was interesting to find some well-known names who have represented Scotland at senior and junior level at this event – Peter MacPhail Bruce, James Cassidy, Philip Cunningham, Peter Farnan, Roy Hendrie, Owen Murray, Donald Shaw and William Smith to name a few.
This year 14 young Scottish accordionists, all 16 years and under, traveled to represent Scotland, competing in a variety of solo, duet and group categories.
Centre Stage
none
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
An Evening with Nancy Kerr & James Fagan – Little Dish Records
Beauties of the North – Paul Anderson – FINCD507
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Gary Innes (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
6th July 2019 – Repeat of Simon Howie SDB from earlier in the year
13th July 2019 – Archive session from Robert Whitehead & the Danelaw Band + guests Archie McAllister & Craig Paton
20th July 2019 – Archive session with Alan Gardiner SDB + guest duo Marie Fielding & Duncan Black
27th July 2019 – Archive session with the Ron Kerr SDB + singer Amy Papiransky
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) –
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms)
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 21st July 2019 – Derek Hamilton
Arbroath (Arbroath Artisan Golf Club) -
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 3rd July 2019 – Dance to Steven Carcary Duo 10th July 2019 – Dance to Susie Simpson Trio 17th July 2019 – Dance to George Rennie Quartet 24th July 2019 – Dance to Johnny Duncan 31st July 2019 – Dance to Roddy Matthews & the Tweed Valley Band
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) –
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) –
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 9th July 2019 – Nicky McMichan
Button Key (Greig Institute, Windygates) – 11th July 2019 – Derek Hamilton & Friends
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) -
Canderside (Stonehouse Bowling Club) -
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) - 11th July 2019 – Club Night
Castle Douglas (Threave Rovers Football Club) –
Clydesdale (St Mary’s Club Rooms, Lanark) -
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) -
Crieff & District (British Legion) 4th July 2019 – Gordon Pattullo & Malcolm Ross
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) -
Dingwall (National Hotel) –
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) –
Dunfermline (Sportsman Bar, Rosyth) –
Duns (Masonic Lodge)
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 23rd July 2019 – Scottish Accordion Music Group
Forfar (Forfar RBL) - 28th July 2019 – Steven Carcary Duo
Forres (Victoria Hotel) –
Fort William (Railway Club, Inverlochy) -
Galashiels (Gala YM RFC) -
Glasgow (Scotstounhill Bowling Club) -
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) -
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 3rd July 2019 – Stella Wilkie & Joan Blue
Gretna (The Solway Lodge Hotel) - 28th July 2019 – Open Day
Highland (Waterside Hotel) –
Inveraray (Inveraray Inn) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) -
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) –
Kelso (Kelso Rugby Club) –
Langholm (Langholm Social Club) –
Lewis & Harris (Caladh Inn, Stornoway) - 4th July 2019 – Susan & Shona MAcFadyen
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn)
Lockerbie (Mid Annandale Comrades Club)
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 3rd July 2019 – Cruickshank Family Band
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) -
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) –
Oban (The Royal Hotel) –
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 3rd 10th 24th 31st July 2019 – Club Nights 17th July 2019 – Leonard Brown Duo
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) –
Perth & District (Salutation Hotel) –
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 4th July 2019 – Ian Cruickshanks Trio supported by Seghill Comrades Accordion Band
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 2nd 16th 23rd 30th July 2019 – Club Nights 9th July 2019 – Liam Stewart Trio
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) –
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 4th July 2019 – Scott Band Trio
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 18th July 2019 – Brandon McPhee Trio
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Annan
3. Arbroath
4. Banff & District
5. Blairgowrie
6 Button Key
7. Crieff
8. Dingwall
9. Duns
10. Ellon
11. Forfar
12. Forres
13. Highland
14. Kelso
15. North East
16. Orkney
17. Seghill
18. Tynedale
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2018
(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. Canderside A&F Club (Stonehouse) (Feb 2019 – present)
14. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
15. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
16. Clydesdale A&F Club (Sept 2016 – present)
17. Coalburn A&F Club (
18. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
19. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
20. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
21. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
22. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
23. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
24. Ellon A&F Club (
25. Forfar A&F Club (
26. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
27. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
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 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
53 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
54 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
55 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
56 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?)
57. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
58. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
59. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
60. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
61. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
62. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
63. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
64. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
65. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
66. Buchan A&F Club
67. Callander A&F Club (
68. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
69. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
70. Club Accord
71. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
72 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
73. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
74. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
75. Cults A & F Club (
76. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
77. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
78. Derwentside A&F Club
79. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
80. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
81. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
82. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
83. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
84. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
85. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
86. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
87. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – ?)
88. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
89. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
90. Glasgow A&F Club (Aug 2017 -
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. Stonehouse A&F Club (Opened 2003 - first report June 05 – Closed April 2018)
123. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
124 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
125 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
126. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
127. Tranent A&F Club
128. Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra
129. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
130. Wellbank A&F Club
131. West Barnes (1981? - April 2016?)
132. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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B&F Treasurer –
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
July is one of these months………
Pia Walker
Bruce & Lily Lindsay Celebrate Their Diamond Wedding
by
Congratulations to Bruce and Lily Lindsay, who in May had a little party to celebrate their diamond Wedding Anniversary. We wish them all the best.
The photo shows the family as well as members of the original wedding party surrounded by guests.
Forres A&F Club
by
In May, Ena Brian presented Sheena Kelman and George Hutcheson who both retired from the Committee in June 2018 with gifts in appreciation of their loyal and dedicated support to the club for many years.
Club Treasurer Jan Murray presented Ena Brian with gifts, thanking her for her long involvement with the Club, and wished her well for the future. Ena is leaving Bonnie Scotland to live in Spain.
The NAAFC Billy Thom Memorial Golf Day
by
On Sunday 12th May approx 27 mostly musicians rose relatively early in order to get to the annual………
Shand Morino Day 2019
by
Standing room only! This was my first impression of this event in May as I arrived just as the music started. The usual boxes were lined up in front of the stage and the stage was thus set for yet another of these popular days, which are always filled with banter, with old friends meeting up and new friendships being formed. It is held to honour the Shand Morino and of course Jimmy Shand Snr whose picture takes pride of place above the stage. I am always amazed by the knowledge of provenance of the various instruments. Some of these boxes are older than I and are definitely in better condition.
The organising of this event must be humongous! Throughout the day the Committee and helpers are constantly on the go, whether it be getting people to the stage, or serving and tidying up – they all should be applauded. The day starts with soup being served to the early arrivals. Later, during the interval, a huge spread of food is laid out for the 150 or more people there. I mentioned it was standing room only – and that was before Donal Ring turned up with a coach load of people from Ireland on their annual Shand pilgrimage to Fife.
To start, it was first the turn of the Shand Morino players and then, after the break, we had the other musicians playing piano accordions, fiddles, mouth-organs, etc and of course ending with a stramash that spilled over onto the floor from the stage.
There were too many players performing to mention individually, but I counted more than 35 people, including some new faces – and that was excluding the Irish musicians who to save time all went on stage together. Musicians came from all over Scotland – take a moment to look at the photos and you will get the idea. Bruce Lindsay and his wife Lily, who have been at the forefront of the Windygates Club and its events but who are now standing down, were honoured by the Committee with flowers and fifts and received a rapturous ovation.
Well done to you all and bring on next year!
Jim Stott
by Pia Walker
Jim was born in Ellon, Aberdeenshire……………….
Musical Memories – Part 6
by Denis Shepherd
I have previously told of my involvement with the Denis and the Menace Duo since the mid-80s. Since then I have been part of the TMSA and Aberdeen Folk Club and on the Committees of both organizations for much of the time – and this is all attributable to the Duo.
The only musical club I had previously attended, in a purely listening capacity, was Aberdeen A&F Club, originally held in the Gloucester Hotel. Up-and-coming players who regularly performed there included Graeme Mitchell and Graham Geddes, but my most vivid memory of the early days in 1975 is of the time when the stovies ran out, the manager apologised for under-estimating the numbers, and the compere promised the audience that this would not happen again because “next month I’ll be doon here in the aifterneen steerin’ them masel’!”
Ten years later, when Sandy Rennie, the original Menace, and I were starting to establish our act I saw an advert in a Traditional Music & Song Association of Scotland event in the Holburn Bar. This was the first time I had heard of the TMSA, but we did our stint and promptly became members with the encouragement of two office-bearers, Alex Green and Madeline Miller. Shortly after this the Aberdeen Branch held its 21st birthday party in the Gloucester at which the well-known singer Adam McNaughton was MC. When he saw the performers’ list he couldn’t believe there was a serious musical act called Denis and the Menace - and after hearing us he still didn’t believe it! Another singer, Kathleen Robertson, suggested we come along to Aberdeen Folk Club; we promptly did so and for some time we went along to do spots at the regular TMSA and Folk Club sessions, both held at the time in the Three Poceros. Sandy eventually ceased his memberships on developing his solo act but not before we had produced songs about performers and committee members of both organisations. For instance, The Crooked Bawbee was the basis for a song entitled O will ye gang wi’ me tae the TMSA? Which describes how an enthusiast tries to persuade his lassie to come along by naming the galaxy of artistes due to perform, one verse being :-
But I said, “There are ithers, like Florence and Mackie,
Bert Murray, and Esma, and lots mair as weel;
Maybe even Robbie Shepherd – that’s jist if ye’re lucky!”
She said, “The Robbie Shepherd? Ach, dinna be feal!”
And at the Folk Club, our song about the performers of the time (sung to the tune of The Wild Rover) ended :-
Denis and the Menace, that’s us, ye see:
We’re great entertainers, especially me!
(During the last two words we physically struggled with each other to gain pride of place on the stage!)
It was around this time that we heard that Robbie shepherd was learning the fiddle – although we never heard him play. But we did not miss an opportunity for an original gag :-
“Ye ken that group ca’d Rainbow – I hear there’s a new Scottish versionwi’ the same name. It’s got Alex Green, Jimmy Blue, Tam Reid and Robbie Shepherd.”
“I understand them haein’ Green, Blue and Reid in a Rainbow – bit faur does Robbie Shepherd come in?”
“Well, if onybody asks him tae play the fiddle he turns yalla!”
A few years later I found myself performing for none other than Phil Cunningham! Phil, guesting at the Folk Club, had been recommended to hear my rendition of Ian Middleton’s The Humble Tattie, one of the few songs I sang in those days. (I remember asking staff at the Three Poceros to lend me a tattie from the kitchen every time I sang it!)
Every year the Aberdeen TMSA sent a bus to the national AGM in Perth. One year the traditional evening ceilidh had to be cut short because the Aberdeen bus (musicians led by Alex Green) was leaving as the driver did not want to exceed his permitted hours! When I became a TMSA Committee member, we played a major part in the organisation of the traditional competitions at the Aberdeen Alternative Festival in October. One day a teenage girl, wearing a long black coat and playing a whistle, came into the Music Hall foyer. Having been told what time to come back for her competition, and barely pausing from her tune, she turned and went outside to resume her busking! Her name was Sara Reith and she is now famous throughout Europe in the fields of fiddle, tin whistle, Scottish music, traditional dance and traditional song.
National Accordion Organisation – UK Accordion Championships 2019
by
The NAO was celebrating 70 years since its formation in 1949. However, the first Accordion Day was held in the 1930s in Westminster Central Hall, London, a few years before the NAO was officially formed. The first Festival attendees included over 20 piano accordion solo Area champions from around Britain – the programme list Jack Morrell, All-Scotland Champion, competing for the ‘Championship of Britain’ at Central Hall in 1936. As well as these talented solo competitors who proudly represented their own area, more than 50 accordion bands, which were extremely popular at the time, regularly turned out to compete. The annual NAO Accordion Championships moved to Leicester in 1965 and after a few years were held in various locations including Margate, Troon, Southampton and Perth, before settling in Scarborough for several years and most recently in Liverpool.
To celebrate their 70th Anniversary the NAO displayed programmes from past Festivals this year in Liverpool. It was interesting to find some well-known names who have represented Scotland at senior and junior level at this event – Peter MacPhail Bruce, James Cassidy, Philip Cunningham, Peter Farnan, Roy Hendrie, Owen Murray, Donald Shaw and William Smith to name a few.
This year 14 young Scottish accordionists, all 16 years and under, traveled to represent Scotland, competing in a variety of solo, duet and group categories.
Centre Stage
none
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
An Evening with Nancy Kerr & James Fagan – Little Dish Records
Beauties of the North – Paul Anderson – FINCD507
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Gary Innes (repeated on Sunday’s 13.05 – 15.00)
6th July 2019 – Repeat of Simon Howie SDB from earlier in the year
13th July 2019 – Archive session from Robert Whitehead & the Danelaw Band + guests Archie McAllister & Craig Paton
20th July 2019 – Archive session with Alan Gardiner SDB + guest duo Marie Fielding & Duncan Black
27th July 2019 – Archive session with the Ron Kerr SDB + singer Amy Papiransky
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) –
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms)
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 21st July 2019 – Derek Hamilton
Arbroath (Arbroath Artisan Golf Club) -
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 3rd July 2019 – Dance to Steven Carcary Duo 10th July 2019 – Dance to Susie Simpson Trio 17th July 2019 – Dance to George Rennie Quartet 24th July 2019 – Dance to Johnny Duncan 31st July 2019 – Dance to Roddy Matthews & the Tweed Valley Band
Beith & District (Beith Bowling Club) –
Biggar (Biggar Bowling Club) –
Blairgowrie (Red House Hotel) - 9th July 2019 – Nicky McMichan
Button Key (Greig Institute, Windygates) – 11th July 2019 – Derek Hamilton & Friends
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) -
Canderside (Stonehouse Bowling Club) -
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) - 11th July 2019 – Club Night
Castle Douglas (Threave Rovers Football Club) –
Clydesdale (St Mary’s Club Rooms, Lanark) -
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) -
Crieff & District (British Legion) 4th July 2019 – Gordon Pattullo & Malcolm Ross
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) -
Dingwall (National Hotel) –
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) –
Dunfermline (Sportsman Bar, Rosyth) –
Duns (Masonic Lodge)
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 23rd July 2019 – Scottish Accordion Music Group
Forfar (Forfar RBL) - 28th July 2019 – Steven Carcary Duo
Forres (Victoria Hotel) –
Fort William (Railway Club, Inverlochy) -
Galashiels (Gala YM RFC) -
Glasgow (Scotstounhill Bowling Club) -
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) -
Glenfarg (Glenfarg Village Hall) - 3rd July 2019 – Stella Wilkie & Joan Blue
Gretna (The Solway Lodge Hotel) - 28th July 2019 – Open Day
Highland (Waterside Hotel) –
Inveraray (Inveraray Inn) -
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) -
Islesteps (Locharbriggs Social Club) –
Kelso (Kelso Rugby Club) –
Langholm (Langholm Social Club) –
Lewis & Harris (Caladh Inn, Stornoway) - 4th July 2019 – Susan & Shona MAcFadyen
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn)
Lockerbie (Mid Annandale Comrades Club)
Macmerry (Miners Social Club) -
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) -
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 3rd July 2019 – Cruickshank Family Band
Newburgh (Adbie Hall) -
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) –
Oban (The Royal Hotel) –
Orkney (The Reel, Kirkwall) – 3rd 10th 24th 31st July 2019 – Club Nights 17th July 2019 – Leonard Brown Duo
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) –
Perth & District (Salutation Hotel) –
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) –
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 4th July 2019 – Ian Cruickshanks Trio supported by Seghill Comrades Accordion Band
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) - 2nd 16th 23rd 30th July 2019 – Club Nights 9th July 2019 – Liam Stewart Trio
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) -
Sutherland (Rogart Village Hall) -
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) –
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 4th July 2019 – Scott Band Trio
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 18th July 2019 – Brandon McPhee Trio
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) -
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Annan
3. Arbroath
4. Banff & District
5. Blairgowrie
6 Button Key
7. Crieff
8. Dingwall
9. Duns
10. Ellon
11. Forfar
12. Forres
13. Highland
14. Kelso
15. North East
16. Orkney
17. Seghill
18. Tynedale
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2018
(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. Canderside A&F Club (Stonehouse) (Feb 2019 – present)
14. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
15. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
16. Clydesdale A&F Club (Sept 2016 – present)
17. Coalburn A&F Club (
18. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
19. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
20. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
21. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
22. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
23. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
24. Ellon A&F Club (
25. Forfar A&F Club (
26. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
27. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
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 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
53 Turriff A&F Club (1st April 1982 - present)
54 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
55 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
56 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?)
57. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
58. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
59. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
60. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
61. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
62. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
63. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
64. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
65. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
66. Buchan A&F Club
67. Callander A&F Club (
68. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
69. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
70. Club Accord
71. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 – cFeb 2014)
72 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
73. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
74. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
75. Cults A & F Club (
76. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
77. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
78. Derwentside A&F Club
79. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
80. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
81. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
82. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
83. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
84. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
85. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
86. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
87. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – ?)
88. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
89. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
90. Glasgow A&F Club (Aug 2017 -
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. Stonehouse A&F Club (Opened 2003 - first report June 05 – Closed April 2018)
123. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
124 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
125 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
126. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
127. Tranent A&F Club
128. Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra
129. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
130. Wellbank A&F Club
131. West Barnes (1981? - April 2016?)
132. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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