Box and Fiddle
Year 10 No 03
November 1986
Price 30p
12 pages
8 month subscription £3.75
Joint Editors – Tom Clark, 55 Sutherland Crescent, Dundee, DD2 2HP or Douglas Adamson, 22 Westfield Drive, Forfar, DD8 1EQ
B&F Treasurer – Mrs Cathy Andrew, 22 Lochinver Crescent, Foxbar, Paisley Tele 2824
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
Time seems to fly between issues of the B&F. No sooner have we gone to press than we find ourselves started on preparation for the next issue. As has been bow established we continue to make sure that the paper is published on the first day of the month. This policy has met with general approval insofar as Clubs have been receiving their copies on a regular basis. Where Clubs have their meetings early in the month it is important to get their papers to them on time. There are, of course, occasions when problems arise, this month’s issue being a case in point. The report of the Perth Festival on page 1 has had to go ahead without photographs. The normal deadline is the 15th of the month, but this month we held back preparation of page 1 rather than be a month behind the Festival. Photographs are still being processed and we hope to present them in the December issue.
Dundee Postal Strike
Most of you will be aware that there was a Postal strike in Dundee which lasted a full week, just at the time when many Club reports and other items should have been reaching me. This has meant that some items have had to be held over until the next issue, as we had already finished preparations for November. My sincere apologies to Secretaries who sent in their reports on time and found that these have been omitted.
Shepherd’s Fancy
On Tuesday, 14th October, I was invited by Ken Mutch of BBC Scotland to come along to Aberdeen and take part in a discussion on the B&F with Robbie Shepherd. Doug Adamson and I went along and had a most enjoyable evening. Our thanks to Ken and Robbie for the opportunity to give the paper a plug. Since the programme we had a fair degree of response with people writing in asking to be placed on the circulation list.
Bands of Yesterday
The competition has apparently stirred up a great deal of interest amongst readers (so I hear when talking to people), but written responses have been very disappointing. This issue brings you another photograph. If you know the band members then get that pen going!
Letters
This is another area where your response has been poor. Many people tell me they have benn intending to write but never seem to get round to it. It’s worth taking half an hour to put your thoughts on paper. You may find that there are many people with views on the same subject.
Tom Clark
Perth 1986
by Tom Clark
Once again all roads led to Perth on Saturday, 25th October. Bill wilkie has been running this Festival for 37 years now and, although each you’re the workload seems to be greater than the previous year, he always manages to cope and displays that little bit extra something that keeps this Festival as popular as ever.
Bill says that the expansion of the Festival over recent years has been such that he considered spreading the events over a few days. I’m sure that the decision to continue with the one day arrangement has been welcomed by competitors and their families. Hopefully, Bill will be able to keep things going this way in the future.
This year there were two new features in the competition – the Andrew Rankine Memorial Quaich and the Jimmy Ritchie Challenge Cup.
The Andrew Rankine Memorial Quaich, presented by Andrew’s widow, was competed for by the ‘Veterans’ – over 40? – As a competitor in this section, I can tell you that although the players were treating the section with the utmost respect and endeavour there was an air of fun and enjoyment back stage. The jokes were fairly flying around. “Here come the geriatrics”. “Is the ambulance standing by to take you home again afterwards”, and “There won’t be any mums and dads arguing about how there wee Johnnie should have won”.
All very enjoyable fun and yet as the time approached for each player to be called by Mickie, you could sense the build up in tension. Peter Bruce happened to be backstage as I was being called. “I reckon I’ve got something like 20 years to practice up a march, strathspey and reel for this event”, he joked.
I’m sure that this event could prove to be very popular in the years ahead and attract many well known players and maybe a few former champions.
In the lobby during the afternoon I spoke to Jimmy Lindsay who had just finished a spell of adjudicating duty. “I suppose I should have entered for a tune” he said. I tried to convince him that perhaps late entried would be accepted in this event. “Next year” he replied. Jimmy spotted Alan Kindness sitting in the audience. “He’ll be in next year as well”. Well, let’s hope that the list will be longer next year.
Backstage, later on during the concert, I met Jimmy Ritchie. Jimmy was waiting to be called on stage to present the Jim Ritchie challenge Cup for the Under 12 Fiddle Section. This is another event that could prove to be a winner and give these youngsters a better chance than they obviously get in the Under 16 Section - a great idea.
In the established events, main entrants once again seemed to centre on the Scottish Senior Traditional Section, although a marked drop in the audience attendances was noticeable well into the afternoon. Pity about that but then I suppose it’s a long day especially if you’re going to the concert or the dance at night.
I managed to have a word with Iain MacPhail, the adjudicator in this section. “The usual very high standard of technical ability” said Iain. “Of course the standard is really essential at this level of competition. What I look for is the best overall performer who has the right balance of technical ability to match his or her manuscript. Bellows control and phrasing etc. are all part of the musicianship which can be clearly heard from behind the adjudicators screen.” I asked Iain about style and what he was looking for here. “Well you know the style that is associated with me, but contrary to what many people may think, I’m looking for a good traditional style when adjudicating”. How about general entertainment? “I was impressed by the overall standard, but if I could make one criticism it would be that I was disappointed at the strathspey playing. The tunes chosen were far too technical and not really strathspeys in many cases.”
Still, Iain found the job very enjoyable and had nothing but praise for the efforts put in by the competitors.
As always, too, the Bands Section brought the crowds streaming into the hall. The players in the bands always seem to be in a relaxed mood and determined to enjoy the tune but still hoping to come out on top.
It was very convenient this year to have the Accordion Sections at venues which were all within a short walking distance from each other – very important for players who have to carry an instrument from hall to hall for different events. So many of the young accordionists are involved in both ‘classical’ and ‘traditional’ sections. Moving around the N.A.O. competitions it was good to see the familiar faces of well-known adjudicators returning to Perth. Cyril Pasby and Graham Romani have become regulars now and it seems to me as if Romani has always been there.
This year’s Celebrity Concert couldn’t be anything but a winner with Marcosignori topping the bill. This man has established himself as a firm favourite with Scottish audiences over the years. Once again he lived up to his title of ‘Poet of the Accordion’.
Also on the bill was the wee man from Dundee who has become a legend – Angus Fitchet. Angus’s band on stage included Bobby Crowe, who had earlier in the day won the Andrew Rankine Memorial Quaich and was presented with the trophy at the concert.
The Bill Wilkie Accordion Orchestra played up to the high standard we have now come to expect over the years. Bill had laid on a full supporting programme as usual for the full-house audience.
To end the day there was the Festival Dance in the Saultation Hotel to Bill Black’s Band, where all the musicians could meet and discuss the day’s events and all the might-have-beens.
As everybody dispersed it was generally agreed that it had been another great Festival. Here’s to next year.
The results were :-
Senior Scottish Traditional
1) James Grant
2) Colin Johnstone
3) Willie Lawrie
Senior Scottish Pipe Music
1) Elizabeth MacKenzie (Caithness)
2) Alan Morrison
3) Neil MacEachern
Veterans’ Section
1) Bobby Crowe
2) William Shorthouse
3) Tom Clark
Junior Scottish Traditional
1) Wayne Robertson
2) James Coutts
3) Iain Carmichael
Junior Solo Pipe Music
1) Lynn Gould
2) James Coutts
3) Linsday Weir
Senior Ladies Scottish Trad
1) Jennifer Forrest
2) Karin Leitch
3) Elizabeth MacKenzie
Junior Girls
1) Lynn Gould
2) Lorna Jeffrey
3) Iona Runciman
Own Composition
1) John E. Leslie
2) Alan Morrison
3) Michael Philip
Trios
1) West Telferton Caledonian
2) Keith Dickson
3) Elizabeth MacKenzie
Scottish Country Dance Band
1) Andrew Knight
2) Karin Leitch
3) Deirdre Adamson
Junior Fiddle, Under 12
Aden O’Rourke
Junior Fiddle
1) Rebecca Hunter
2) Allison Dewar
3) Inga Scott
Senior Fiddle
1) Lorna Leitch
2) Marie Fielding
3) Duncan W. Chisholm
CLASSICAL
7 Years and Under
1) David Ritchie
2) Ross Irvine
3) Alistair MacKenzie
9 Years and Under
1) Karl G. Sandeman
2) Craig Bousie
3) Donna Muir
11 Years and Under
1) Heather McKenzie
2) Stuart Campbell
3) Alan Small
13 Years and Under
1) Russell Torrie
2) Iona Runcieman
3) Wayne Robertson
Area Junior Championship
1) Mark Bousie
2) Fiona Kenneth
3) Craig Drysdale
Preparatory Solo
1) Stuart Holmes
2) Andrew Gordon
3) Leslie Morrison
Elementary Solo
1) Kirsty Benton
2) Eleanor Barr
3) Nicola Wong
Intermediate Solo
1) Jacqueline Morrison
2) Craig O. Nicol
3) Sandra Owen
Higher Intermediate Solo
1) W. Scott Sneddon
2) Angeline McCloy
3) Malcolm Rae
Open Solo
1) David Preston
2) Angeline McCloy
3) Liam Smith
Area Advanced Solo Championship
1) Nicola Reid
2) Gordon Stewart
3) Michael Paton
Intermediate Free Bass
1) Gordon Haddow
2) Gavin Penny
3) Alan Small
Higher Intermediate Free Bass
1) David Preston
2) Angeline McCloy
3) Liam Smith
Entertainment
1) Clyde Valley Keyboards
2) Pamela Mutch
3) David Martin
Preparatory Duet
1) Rhona & Ross Irvine
2) Jennifer Murray & Clare Irving
3) Allison & Susan McPake
Elementary Duet
1) Lyndsay Ann Allen & Richard Wong
2) Bernadette Meecham & Andrew Warren
3=) Donna Muir & Gillian Campbell and Alasdair MacCuish & Stewart Gilchrist
Intermediate Duet
1) Grant Leslie & Alistair McEwan
2) Sandra Owen & Allison Watson
3) Fraser McLellan & Morag Gunn
Higher Intermediate Duet
1) Stuart Law & Angeline McCloy
2) Ian Stewart & Kenneth Turley
3) Anne-Marie Thomson & Elisabeth Leiper
Advanced Duet
1) Irene Grohler & Sandra Strachan
2) Elaine Hastie & Fiona Gray
3) Tom Dickie & David Barr
Preparatory Band
1) J. R. Brown Prep Band (Wishaw)
Elementary Band
1) J. R. Brown Elementary Band (Wishaw)
Intermediate Band
1) Dundee Accordion Band
2) G & B Laurie Orchestra
3) J. R. Brown Orchestra
Advanced Band
1)
2)
Group Section
1) G & B Laurie Quintet
2) Fife Accordion Group
3) G & B Laurie Quartet
Bell Trophy Championship
1) Gordon Haddow
2) Craig Cuthbertson
Niel Gow
Niel Gow, who spelt his first name with the ‘i’ before the ‘e’ in Gaelic fashion, was born at Inver in 1727, the son of a plaid weaver. He started fiddling at nine, teaching himself until he was about 13 when he had some instruction from a teacher in Grantully.
He was persuaded to enter a fiddling competition at eighteen and easily won, according to a contemporary report, ‘with the cheerful consent of the other competitors’.
It was generally believed by Niel’s intimate friends that he composed his popular strathspey, ‘The Lass of Luncarty’, in 1745 on the occasion of the Highland armies passing through Luncarty.
Niel, and his brother Donald on the ‘cello, were soon in great demand at balls and weddings throughout Perthshire.
He wrote some 87 tunes and published his ‘First Collection…..dedicated to Her Grace, the Duchess of Atholl1 in 1784, His tune ‘Niel Gow’s Farewell to Whisky’, appeared in this collection and again in the 5th collection with the explanation ‘This tune alludes to prohibiting the making of whisky in 1799;.
One verse went :
“You’ve surely heard o’ the famous Niel, The man that played the fiddle weel,
“I wat he was a canty chiel, And dearly loved the whisky,O.
“And aye sin’ he wore tartan hose, He dearly lo’ed the Athole brose;
“And wae was he, you may suppose, To bid ‘farewell’ to whisky,O.”
Testifying to his outstanding skill as a fiddler and also to his country personality is the fact that Sir Henry Raeburn painted no less than four portraits of him.
One observed noted at a country ball that there was always a marked stiffness and distance among the nobility and the humbler gentry until Niel Gow arrived. Once he set his bow to strings, however, this reserve disappeared.
Robert Burns had his now famous meeting with Niel in 1787 and wrote verses in honour of the famous fiddler.
Niel was married twice. His wife Margaret Wiseman had five sons and three daughters, but there were no children from his second marriage with Margaret Urquhart from Perth. He died at his home in Inver on 1st March, 1807. His sons William, Andrew, John and Nathaniel were also fine musicians. Nathaniel, who composed 197 tunes, became a firm favourite of the Prince Regent, later George IV.
Niel Gow Gala to be Televised
Members of the recently established Niel Gow Memorial Trust are staging an ambitious Gala Concert to help finance the replacement of the family gravestone of Inver-born Niel Gow – the first of the truly great Scottish fiddlers.
Appropriately, it will take place on St. Andrew’s Night, Sunday, November 30, in Perth City Hall at 7.30pm. The programme will feature a select fiddle orchestra of between 60 and 80 fiddlers drawn from Dunkeld, Angus, Fife and Stirling Strathspey and Reel Societies. Soloists will include famous Scottish singer Mary Sandeman and the equally famous fiddlers Ian Powrie and Ron Gonella, who is also the Honorary Secretary of the Trust. BBC Scotland are televising the concert as part of their St Andrew’s night coverage.
Several of Niel’s descendants will attend the performance at which many of his own compositions will be played.
Members of the Niel Gow Memorial Trust, under the Chairmanship of Provost John Mathieson, are making every effort to ensure that an eminently suitable granite replica of the existing gravestone will be erected. The present stone, which experts say will start to crumble within two years, is to be placed in the Chapter House of Dunkeld Cathedral and a small plaque to this effect will be placed alongside the new stone in Little Dunkeld Cemetery.
Contributions will be much appreciated by members of the Trust and these should be sent to Mr Ron Gonella, Barga, 27 Boyd Avenue, Crieff. All donations will be acknowledged and the names of donors recorded in a special souvenir concert programme.
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Dee Motel) –
Alnwick (Fleece Inn) – members only – 10th Dec 86 Brian Griffin
Armadale (Masonic Arms Hotel) – 6th Nov 86 Alan Gardiner SDB
Ayr (Aftongrange Hotel) – 2nd Nov 86 Jack Emblow & John McCleavie 7th Dec 86 Dance John Carmichael
Balloch (Denny Social Club) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff (Royal Oak Hotel) –
Beith (Anderson Hotel) –
Belford (Community Club) –
Biggar (Clydesdale Hotel) –
Bridge of Allan (Walmer Hotel) -
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel) –
Callander (Glengarry Hotel) –
Campbeltown (Royal Hotel) – 22nd Nov 86 Jennifer Forrest SDB
Castle Douglas (Ernespie Hotel) – 19th Nov 86 George Stirrat & Jimmy Yeaman
Cleland (Dalrymple House) –
Coupar Angus (Royal Hotel) –
Crieff & District (Drummond Arms Hotel) – 6th Nov 86 The Currie Brothers 4th Dec 86 Bill Black
Dalriada (Royal Hotel, Lochgilphead) –
Derwentside (Working Men’s Club, Consett) –
Dingwall (venue? ) –
Dunblane (Westlands Hotel) –
Dundee (Queen’s Hotel, Nethergate) – 6th Nov 86 Fiddlers 3 + 2 4th Dec 86 Bobby Crowe SDB
Dunfermline (Northern Roadhouse) –
East Kilbride (King’s Park Hotel, Rutherglen) – 27th Nov 86 Currie Brothers
Edinburgh (Abbey Suite, Abbey Lane) –
Ellon (Ladbroke Hotel) –
Falkirk (Park Hotel) –
Fintry (Clachan Hotel) –
Forres (Brig Motel) – 12th Nov 86 Jacqueline Dick SDB 10th Dec The Armour Brothers
Fort William (Cruchan Hotel) – 10th Nov 86 Calum McLean
Galashiels (Maxwell Hotel) –
Galston (Theo’s Restaurant, Galston) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) – members only -
Gorebridge (Rangers FC Social Club) –
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) – 17th Nov 86 Dave Stewart
Islesteps (Cargenholm Hotel) – 4th Nov 86 The Oakbank Sound 6th Dec 86 Dance to Bill Black SDB
Kelso (Ednam House Hotel) – 26th Nov 86 Tommy Ford
Kintore (Crown Hotel) –
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) – 1st Nov 86 Dance to Jim Johnstone SDB 13th Nov 86 Colin Dewar
Livingston (Golden Circle Hotel, Bathgate) – 20th Nov 86 Callander Club
Lockerbie (Bluebell Hotel) –
M.A.F.I.A. (Black Bull, Milngavie) –
Montrose (Park Hotel) –
New Cumnock (Crown Hotel) –
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
Newton St Boswells (Railway Hotel) –
North Cumbria (Howard Arms) (prev called Gretna Club) – 15th Nov 86 Ron Gonella
North East (Seafield Hotel, Keith) –
Oban (Park Hotel) –
Orkney ( venue?) –
Ormiston (Miners’ Welfare Social Club) – 3rd Nov 86 Craig McVie SDB
Peebles (Ex-Servicemen’s Club) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 18th Nov 86 Newtongrange Club
Premier NI (Wilson’s of Crumlin) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall) – 11th Nov 86 The Wallochmor Ceilidh Band 9th Dec The Blair Orchestra
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel)
Shetland (venue?) -
Stranraer (Railway Club) –
Thornhill (?)
Thurso (McKay’s Hotel) –
Turriff (Royal Oak Hotel) – 6th Nov 86 Dennis Morrison SDB 4th Dec 86 The Ythan Trio
Tynedale (The Royal Hotel, Hexham) – t 86 The Oakbank Sound
Walmer (Bridge of Allan) –
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Armadale
4. Ayr
5. Balloch
6. Banff & District
7. Callendar
8. Dingwall & District
9. Dundee
10. Fintry
11. Forres
12. Fort William
13. Highland
14. Islesteps
15. Kelso
16. Kintore
17. Lesmahagow
18. Livingston
19. M.A.F.I.A.
20. Newtongrange
21. North East
22. Orkney
23. Perth & District
24. Shetland
25. Thurso
26. Walmar (Bridge of Allan)
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT SEPT 1986 (Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Sept 1976)
3. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months)
4. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition)
9. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
10. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974)
11. Buchan A&F Club
12. Callander A&F Club (
13. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980)
15. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
16. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
17. Derwentside A&F Club
18. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
19. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
20. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971)
21. Dundee & District A&F Club
22. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
23. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
24. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
25. Ellon A&F Club (
26. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
27. Fintry A&F Club
28. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
29. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
30. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
31. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
32. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
33. Highland A&F Club (Inverness)
34. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981)
35. Isle of Skye A&F Club (
36. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976)
37. Kintore A&F Club
38 Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967)
39 Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
40. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – per first edition)
41 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973)
42 M.A.F.I.A. (early)
43 Mauchline A&F Club (first mention 1986?)
44. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
45. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1979)
46. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
47. North Cumbria A&F Club (originally Gretna started June 1966 – had to move to a venue in the North of England and changed name – eventually changed back when they returned to the Halcrow Stadium. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
48. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971)
49. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975)
50. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978)
51. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club
52. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981)
53. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970)
54. Premier A&F Club NI (cNov 1980)
55. Rothbury Accordion Club (1987??)
56. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978)
57. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
58. Sutherland A&F Club (
59. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition)
60. Thurso A&F Club (cSept 1981)
61. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982)
62. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980)
63. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
64. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
65. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
66. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
67. Club Accord
68. Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2?)
69. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
70. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
71. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
72. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
73. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
74. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
75. Gretna A&F Club (June 1966)
76. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
77. Kinlochsheil A&F Club (
78. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
79. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
80. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
81. Newcastleton Accordion Club
82. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
83. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
84. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
85. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
86. Wellbank A&F Club
Advertising rates
Full Page - £92
Half Page - £46
Quarter Page - £23
B&F Treasurer – Mrs Cathy Andrew, 22 Lochinver Crescent, Foxbar, Paisley Tele 2824
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
Time seems to fly between issues of the B&F. No sooner have we gone to press than we find ourselves started on preparation for the next issue. As has been bow established we continue to make sure that the paper is published on the first day of the month. This policy has met with general approval insofar as Clubs have been receiving their copies on a regular basis. Where Clubs have their meetings early in the month it is important to get their papers to them on time. There are, of course, occasions when problems arise, this month’s issue being a case in point. The report of the Perth Festival on page 1 has had to go ahead without photographs. The normal deadline is the 15th of the month, but this month we held back preparation of page 1 rather than be a month behind the Festival. Photographs are still being processed and we hope to present them in the December issue.
Dundee Postal Strike
Most of you will be aware that there was a Postal strike in Dundee which lasted a full week, just at the time when many Club reports and other items should have been reaching me. This has meant that some items have had to be held over until the next issue, as we had already finished preparations for November. My sincere apologies to Secretaries who sent in their reports on time and found that these have been omitted.
Shepherd’s Fancy
On Tuesday, 14th October, I was invited by Ken Mutch of BBC Scotland to come along to Aberdeen and take part in a discussion on the B&F with Robbie Shepherd. Doug Adamson and I went along and had a most enjoyable evening. Our thanks to Ken and Robbie for the opportunity to give the paper a plug. Since the programme we had a fair degree of response with people writing in asking to be placed on the circulation list.
Bands of Yesterday
The competition has apparently stirred up a great deal of interest amongst readers (so I hear when talking to people), but written responses have been very disappointing. This issue brings you another photograph. If you know the band members then get that pen going!
Letters
This is another area where your response has been poor. Many people tell me they have benn intending to write but never seem to get round to it. It’s worth taking half an hour to put your thoughts on paper. You may find that there are many people with views on the same subject.
Tom Clark
Perth 1986
by Tom Clark
Once again all roads led to Perth on Saturday, 25th October. Bill wilkie has been running this Festival for 37 years now and, although each you’re the workload seems to be greater than the previous year, he always manages to cope and displays that little bit extra something that keeps this Festival as popular as ever.
Bill says that the expansion of the Festival over recent years has been such that he considered spreading the events over a few days. I’m sure that the decision to continue with the one day arrangement has been welcomed by competitors and their families. Hopefully, Bill will be able to keep things going this way in the future.
This year there were two new features in the competition – the Andrew Rankine Memorial Quaich and the Jimmy Ritchie Challenge Cup.
The Andrew Rankine Memorial Quaich, presented by Andrew’s widow, was competed for by the ‘Veterans’ – over 40? – As a competitor in this section, I can tell you that although the players were treating the section with the utmost respect and endeavour there was an air of fun and enjoyment back stage. The jokes were fairly flying around. “Here come the geriatrics”. “Is the ambulance standing by to take you home again afterwards”, and “There won’t be any mums and dads arguing about how there wee Johnnie should have won”.
All very enjoyable fun and yet as the time approached for each player to be called by Mickie, you could sense the build up in tension. Peter Bruce happened to be backstage as I was being called. “I reckon I’ve got something like 20 years to practice up a march, strathspey and reel for this event”, he joked.
I’m sure that this event could prove to be very popular in the years ahead and attract many well known players and maybe a few former champions.
In the lobby during the afternoon I spoke to Jimmy Lindsay who had just finished a spell of adjudicating duty. “I suppose I should have entered for a tune” he said. I tried to convince him that perhaps late entried would be accepted in this event. “Next year” he replied. Jimmy spotted Alan Kindness sitting in the audience. “He’ll be in next year as well”. Well, let’s hope that the list will be longer next year.
Backstage, later on during the concert, I met Jimmy Ritchie. Jimmy was waiting to be called on stage to present the Jim Ritchie challenge Cup for the Under 12 Fiddle Section. This is another event that could prove to be a winner and give these youngsters a better chance than they obviously get in the Under 16 Section - a great idea.
In the established events, main entrants once again seemed to centre on the Scottish Senior Traditional Section, although a marked drop in the audience attendances was noticeable well into the afternoon. Pity about that but then I suppose it’s a long day especially if you’re going to the concert or the dance at night.
I managed to have a word with Iain MacPhail, the adjudicator in this section. “The usual very high standard of technical ability” said Iain. “Of course the standard is really essential at this level of competition. What I look for is the best overall performer who has the right balance of technical ability to match his or her manuscript. Bellows control and phrasing etc. are all part of the musicianship which can be clearly heard from behind the adjudicators screen.” I asked Iain about style and what he was looking for here. “Well you know the style that is associated with me, but contrary to what many people may think, I’m looking for a good traditional style when adjudicating”. How about general entertainment? “I was impressed by the overall standard, but if I could make one criticism it would be that I was disappointed at the strathspey playing. The tunes chosen were far too technical and not really strathspeys in many cases.”
Still, Iain found the job very enjoyable and had nothing but praise for the efforts put in by the competitors.
As always, too, the Bands Section brought the crowds streaming into the hall. The players in the bands always seem to be in a relaxed mood and determined to enjoy the tune but still hoping to come out on top.
It was very convenient this year to have the Accordion Sections at venues which were all within a short walking distance from each other – very important for players who have to carry an instrument from hall to hall for different events. So many of the young accordionists are involved in both ‘classical’ and ‘traditional’ sections. Moving around the N.A.O. competitions it was good to see the familiar faces of well-known adjudicators returning to Perth. Cyril Pasby and Graham Romani have become regulars now and it seems to me as if Romani has always been there.
This year’s Celebrity Concert couldn’t be anything but a winner with Marcosignori topping the bill. This man has established himself as a firm favourite with Scottish audiences over the years. Once again he lived up to his title of ‘Poet of the Accordion’.
Also on the bill was the wee man from Dundee who has become a legend – Angus Fitchet. Angus’s band on stage included Bobby Crowe, who had earlier in the day won the Andrew Rankine Memorial Quaich and was presented with the trophy at the concert.
The Bill Wilkie Accordion Orchestra played up to the high standard we have now come to expect over the years. Bill had laid on a full supporting programme as usual for the full-house audience.
To end the day there was the Festival Dance in the Saultation Hotel to Bill Black’s Band, where all the musicians could meet and discuss the day’s events and all the might-have-beens.
As everybody dispersed it was generally agreed that it had been another great Festival. Here’s to next year.
The results were :-
Senior Scottish Traditional
1) James Grant
2) Colin Johnstone
3) Willie Lawrie
Senior Scottish Pipe Music
1) Elizabeth MacKenzie (Caithness)
2) Alan Morrison
3) Neil MacEachern
Veterans’ Section
1) Bobby Crowe
2) William Shorthouse
3) Tom Clark
Junior Scottish Traditional
1) Wayne Robertson
2) James Coutts
3) Iain Carmichael
Junior Solo Pipe Music
1) Lynn Gould
2) James Coutts
3) Linsday Weir
Senior Ladies Scottish Trad
1) Jennifer Forrest
2) Karin Leitch
3) Elizabeth MacKenzie
Junior Girls
1) Lynn Gould
2) Lorna Jeffrey
3) Iona Runciman
Own Composition
1) John E. Leslie
2) Alan Morrison
3) Michael Philip
Trios
1) West Telferton Caledonian
2) Keith Dickson
3) Elizabeth MacKenzie
Scottish Country Dance Band
1) Andrew Knight
2) Karin Leitch
3) Deirdre Adamson
Junior Fiddle, Under 12
Aden O’Rourke
Junior Fiddle
1) Rebecca Hunter
2) Allison Dewar
3) Inga Scott
Senior Fiddle
1) Lorna Leitch
2) Marie Fielding
3) Duncan W. Chisholm
CLASSICAL
7 Years and Under
1) David Ritchie
2) Ross Irvine
3) Alistair MacKenzie
9 Years and Under
1) Karl G. Sandeman
2) Craig Bousie
3) Donna Muir
11 Years and Under
1) Heather McKenzie
2) Stuart Campbell
3) Alan Small
13 Years and Under
1) Russell Torrie
2) Iona Runcieman
3) Wayne Robertson
Area Junior Championship
1) Mark Bousie
2) Fiona Kenneth
3) Craig Drysdale
Preparatory Solo
1) Stuart Holmes
2) Andrew Gordon
3) Leslie Morrison
Elementary Solo
1) Kirsty Benton
2) Eleanor Barr
3) Nicola Wong
Intermediate Solo
1) Jacqueline Morrison
2) Craig O. Nicol
3) Sandra Owen
Higher Intermediate Solo
1) W. Scott Sneddon
2) Angeline McCloy
3) Malcolm Rae
Open Solo
1) David Preston
2) Angeline McCloy
3) Liam Smith
Area Advanced Solo Championship
1) Nicola Reid
2) Gordon Stewart
3) Michael Paton
Intermediate Free Bass
1) Gordon Haddow
2) Gavin Penny
3) Alan Small
Higher Intermediate Free Bass
1) David Preston
2) Angeline McCloy
3) Liam Smith
Entertainment
1) Clyde Valley Keyboards
2) Pamela Mutch
3) David Martin
Preparatory Duet
1) Rhona & Ross Irvine
2) Jennifer Murray & Clare Irving
3) Allison & Susan McPake
Elementary Duet
1) Lyndsay Ann Allen & Richard Wong
2) Bernadette Meecham & Andrew Warren
3=) Donna Muir & Gillian Campbell and Alasdair MacCuish & Stewart Gilchrist
Intermediate Duet
1) Grant Leslie & Alistair McEwan
2) Sandra Owen & Allison Watson
3) Fraser McLellan & Morag Gunn
Higher Intermediate Duet
1) Stuart Law & Angeline McCloy
2) Ian Stewart & Kenneth Turley
3) Anne-Marie Thomson & Elisabeth Leiper
Advanced Duet
1) Irene Grohler & Sandra Strachan
2) Elaine Hastie & Fiona Gray
3) Tom Dickie & David Barr
Preparatory Band
1) J. R. Brown Prep Band (Wishaw)
Elementary Band
1) J. R. Brown Elementary Band (Wishaw)
Intermediate Band
1) Dundee Accordion Band
2) G & B Laurie Orchestra
3) J. R. Brown Orchestra
Advanced Band
1)
2)
Group Section
1) G & B Laurie Quintet
2) Fife Accordion Group
3) G & B Laurie Quartet
Bell Trophy Championship
1) Gordon Haddow
2) Craig Cuthbertson
Niel Gow
Niel Gow, who spelt his first name with the ‘i’ before the ‘e’ in Gaelic fashion, was born at Inver in 1727, the son of a plaid weaver. He started fiddling at nine, teaching himself until he was about 13 when he had some instruction from a teacher in Grantully.
He was persuaded to enter a fiddling competition at eighteen and easily won, according to a contemporary report, ‘with the cheerful consent of the other competitors’.
It was generally believed by Niel’s intimate friends that he composed his popular strathspey, ‘The Lass of Luncarty’, in 1745 on the occasion of the Highland armies passing through Luncarty.
Niel, and his brother Donald on the ‘cello, were soon in great demand at balls and weddings throughout Perthshire.
He wrote some 87 tunes and published his ‘First Collection…..dedicated to Her Grace, the Duchess of Atholl1 in 1784, His tune ‘Niel Gow’s Farewell to Whisky’, appeared in this collection and again in the 5th collection with the explanation ‘This tune alludes to prohibiting the making of whisky in 1799;.
One verse went :
“You’ve surely heard o’ the famous Niel, The man that played the fiddle weel,
“I wat he was a canty chiel, And dearly loved the whisky,O.
“And aye sin’ he wore tartan hose, He dearly lo’ed the Athole brose;
“And wae was he, you may suppose, To bid ‘farewell’ to whisky,O.”
Testifying to his outstanding skill as a fiddler and also to his country personality is the fact that Sir Henry Raeburn painted no less than four portraits of him.
One observed noted at a country ball that there was always a marked stiffness and distance among the nobility and the humbler gentry until Niel Gow arrived. Once he set his bow to strings, however, this reserve disappeared.
Robert Burns had his now famous meeting with Niel in 1787 and wrote verses in honour of the famous fiddler.
Niel was married twice. His wife Margaret Wiseman had five sons and three daughters, but there were no children from his second marriage with Margaret Urquhart from Perth. He died at his home in Inver on 1st March, 1807. His sons William, Andrew, John and Nathaniel were also fine musicians. Nathaniel, who composed 197 tunes, became a firm favourite of the Prince Regent, later George IV.
Niel Gow Gala to be Televised
Members of the recently established Niel Gow Memorial Trust are staging an ambitious Gala Concert to help finance the replacement of the family gravestone of Inver-born Niel Gow – the first of the truly great Scottish fiddlers.
Appropriately, it will take place on St. Andrew’s Night, Sunday, November 30, in Perth City Hall at 7.30pm. The programme will feature a select fiddle orchestra of between 60 and 80 fiddlers drawn from Dunkeld, Angus, Fife and Stirling Strathspey and Reel Societies. Soloists will include famous Scottish singer Mary Sandeman and the equally famous fiddlers Ian Powrie and Ron Gonella, who is also the Honorary Secretary of the Trust. BBC Scotland are televising the concert as part of their St Andrew’s night coverage.
Several of Niel’s descendants will attend the performance at which many of his own compositions will be played.
Members of the Niel Gow Memorial Trust, under the Chairmanship of Provost John Mathieson, are making every effort to ensure that an eminently suitable granite replica of the existing gravestone will be erected. The present stone, which experts say will start to crumble within two years, is to be placed in the Chapter House of Dunkeld Cathedral and a small plaque to this effect will be placed alongside the new stone in Little Dunkeld Cemetery.
Contributions will be much appreciated by members of the Trust and these should be sent to Mr Ron Gonella, Barga, 27 Boyd Avenue, Crieff. All donations will be acknowledged and the names of donors recorded in a special souvenir concert programme.
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Dee Motel) –
Alnwick (Fleece Inn) – members only – 10th Dec 86 Brian Griffin
Armadale (Masonic Arms Hotel) – 6th Nov 86 Alan Gardiner SDB
Ayr (Aftongrange Hotel) – 2nd Nov 86 Jack Emblow & John McCleavie 7th Dec 86 Dance John Carmichael
Balloch (Denny Social Club) –
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff (Royal Oak Hotel) –
Beith (Anderson Hotel) –
Belford (Community Club) –
Biggar (Clydesdale Hotel) –
Bridge of Allan (Walmer Hotel) -
Buchan (Buchaness Hotel) –
Callander (Glengarry Hotel) –
Campbeltown (Royal Hotel) – 22nd Nov 86 Jennifer Forrest SDB
Castle Douglas (Ernespie Hotel) – 19th Nov 86 George Stirrat & Jimmy Yeaman
Cleland (Dalrymple House) –
Coupar Angus (Royal Hotel) –
Crieff & District (Drummond Arms Hotel) – 6th Nov 86 The Currie Brothers 4th Dec 86 Bill Black
Dalriada (Royal Hotel, Lochgilphead) –
Derwentside (Working Men’s Club, Consett) –
Dingwall (venue? ) –
Dunblane (Westlands Hotel) –
Dundee (Queen’s Hotel, Nethergate) – 6th Nov 86 Fiddlers 3 + 2 4th Dec 86 Bobby Crowe SDB
Dunfermline (Northern Roadhouse) –
East Kilbride (King’s Park Hotel, Rutherglen) – 27th Nov 86 Currie Brothers
Edinburgh (Abbey Suite, Abbey Lane) –
Ellon (Ladbroke Hotel) –
Falkirk (Park Hotel) –
Fintry (Clachan Hotel) –
Forres (Brig Motel) – 12th Nov 86 Jacqueline Dick SDB 10th Dec The Armour Brothers
Fort William (Cruchan Hotel) – 10th Nov 86 Calum McLean
Galashiels (Maxwell Hotel) –
Galston (Theo’s Restaurant, Galston) –
Glendale (Black Bull Hotel – Wooler) – members only -
Gorebridge (Rangers FC Social Club) –
Highland (Drumossie Hotel) – 17th Nov 86 Dave Stewart
Islesteps (Cargenholm Hotel) – 4th Nov 86 The Oakbank Sound 6th Dec 86 Dance to Bill Black SDB
Kelso (Ednam House Hotel) – 26th Nov 86 Tommy Ford
Kintore (Crown Hotel) –
Langholm (Crown Hotel) –
Lesmahagow (Masonic Hall) – 1st Nov 86 Dance to Jim Johnstone SDB 13th Nov 86 Colin Dewar
Livingston (Golden Circle Hotel, Bathgate) – 20th Nov 86 Callander Club
Lockerbie (Bluebell Hotel) –
M.A.F.I.A. (Black Bull, Milngavie) –
Montrose (Park Hotel) –
New Cumnock (Crown Hotel) –
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) –
Newton St Boswells (Railway Hotel) –
North Cumbria (Howard Arms) (prev called Gretna Club) – 15th Nov 86 Ron Gonella
North East (Seafield Hotel, Keith) –
Oban (Park Hotel) –
Orkney ( venue?) –
Ormiston (Miners’ Welfare Social Club) – 3rd Nov 86 Craig McVie SDB
Peebles (Ex-Servicemen’s Club) –
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 18th Nov 86 Newtongrange Club
Premier NI (Wilson’s of Crumlin) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall) – 11th Nov 86 The Wallochmor Ceilidh Band 9th Dec The Blair Orchestra
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel)
Shetland (venue?) -
Stranraer (Railway Club) –
Thornhill (?)
Thurso (McKay’s Hotel) –
Turriff (Royal Oak Hotel) – 6th Nov 86 Dennis Morrison SDB 4th Dec 86 The Ythan Trio
Tynedale (The Royal Hotel, Hexham) – t 86 The Oakbank Sound
Walmer (Bridge of Allan) –
Wick (McKay’s Hotel) –
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Armadale
4. Ayr
5. Balloch
6. Banff & District
7. Callendar
8. Dingwall & District
9. Dundee
10. Fintry
11. Forres
12. Fort William
13. Highland
14. Islesteps
15. Kelso
16. Kintore
17. Lesmahagow
18. Livingston
19. M.A.F.I.A.
20. Newtongrange
21. North East
22. Orkney
23. Perth & District
24. Shetland
25. Thurso
26. Walmar (Bridge of Allan)
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT SEPT 1986 (Clubs didn’t necessarily notify the Assoc when they closed so the following may not be entirely correct. Only the clubs submitting the reports above were definitely open.)
1. Aberdeen A&F Club (1975)
2. Alnwick A&F Club (Sept 1976)
3. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months)
4. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition)
5. Balloch A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per January 1978 issue)
6. Banchory A&F Club (1978)
7. Banff & District A&F Club (Oct 1973)
8. Beith & District A&F Club (Sept 1972 – per first edition)
9. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
10. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974)
11. Buchan A&F Club
12. Callander A&F Club (
13. Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
14. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980)
15. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
16. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
17. Derwentside A&F Club
18. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
19. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
20. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971)
21. Dundee & District A&F Club
22. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
23. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980)
24. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
25. Ellon A&F Club (
26. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
27. Fintry A&F Club
28. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
29. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
30. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
31. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
32. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
33. Highland A&F Club (Inverness)
34. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981)
35. Isle of Skye A&F Club (
36. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976)
37. Kintore A&F Club
38 Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967)
39 Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
40. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – per first edition)
41 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973)
42 M.A.F.I.A. (early)
43 Mauchline A&F Club (first mention 1986?)
44. Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
45. Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1979)
46. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
47. North Cumbria A&F Club (originally Gretna started June 1966 – had to move to a venue in the North of England and changed name – eventually changed back when they returned to the Halcrow Stadium. No breaks in the continuity of the Club)
48. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971)
49. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975)
50. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978)
51. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club
52. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981)
53. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970)
54. Premier A&F Club NI (cNov 1980)
55. Rothbury Accordion Club (1987??)
56. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978)
57. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
58. Sutherland A&F Club (
59. Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition)
60. Thurso A&F Club (cSept 1981)
61. Turriff A&F Club (March 1982)
62. Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980)
63. Wick A&F Club (Oct 1975)
Not on official list at the start of the season (closed, did not renew membership or omitted in error?)
64. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
65. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
66. Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
67. Club Accord
68. Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2?)
69. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
70. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
71. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
72. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
73. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
74. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
75. Gretna A&F Club (June 1966)
76. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
77. Kinlochsheil A&F Club (
78. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
79. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
80. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
81. Newcastleton Accordion Club
82. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
83. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
84. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
85. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
86. Wellbank A&F Club
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