Box and Fiddle
Year 35 No 03
November 2011
Price £2.60
44 Page Magazine
12 month subscription £28.60 + p&p £11 (UK
Editor – Karin Ingram, Hawick
B&F Treasurer – Charlie Todd, Thankerton
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
Many of our best-known musicians are feeling a sense of personal loss at the passing of Ian Powrie. Although for the last few years he has lived on the other side of the world he still kept in touch with many in the Scottish music scene. Shetland Festival was to have been our lead article this month, but I’m sure everyone will understand. It has meant however that the magazine is bigger than it has ever been.
We have so many wonderful photos from the late Jack Cooper’s Collection, we felt we wanted to include as many as possible. Great memories for many of you I’m sure.
Tickets for the Ruby Anniversary Gala Concert (see back page) are going like hotcakes. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for your Club to support its Association in this way. It’s great to see Clubs organizing buses to take the Club members to the concert.
Can we once again ask writers of club reports to keep the words down to 300? I dislike cutting them in case I delete something that I didn’t realise was significant. If you can accompany reports with ONE good quality, high resolution photo then that is ideal.
Karin Ingram
Ian Powrie (1923 – 2011) Obituary
by various
We are sure that many Box and Fiddle readers will have fond memories of Ian Powrie. Please feel free to send them to us and we’ll print them in future issues. This month we begin with the obituary in The Dundee Courier and follow that with tributes from Ian Holmes, Simon Howie and Joan Blue.
DUNDEE COURIER
Tributes have been paid to a Scots musician whose ground breaking sound shaped an entire generation of bands. Ian Powrie has died aged 88 in his adopted home of Perth, Western Australia.
He was one of Scottish Country Dance Music’s best loved and most influential figures, regarded in the same high esteem as the legendary Jimmy Shand. Leading his own Ian Powrie Band – acclaimed one of the finest ever – he toured tirelessly across the globe, both in his own right and in support of top entertainer and television personality Andy Stewart.
They came together with Andy Stewart on the BBC’s hugely popular White Heather Club show in 1959, creating a lasting partnership that saw them in demand around the world.
He also enjoyed a long association with EMI records and worked with some of the finest producers of the day, including George Martin, who would later become synonymous with The Beatles.
His life and achievements will be celebrated by the current generation of Scottish band musicians in the coming days.
Nicol McLaren, Chairman of the NAAFC, speaking from Shetland A&F Festival said, “There have been quite a few drams raised to him during the Festival and I’m sure there will be many more over the weekend. Ian’s music has been hugely significant – the whole sound of Scottish Dance Bands changed when he came on the scene. He was the next big thing after Jimmy Shand and his sound was so special and so different that it shaped a new generation of Scottish musicians. Suddenly the fiddle was leading a band and the sound was simply something we hadn’t heard before. This was the heyday of Scottish Dance Bands, when they were in demand around the world and Ian’s was the best band of the day.”
Ian Powrie was born in Strathardle near Blairgowrie in 1923.
IAN HOLMES, DUMFRIES
I first met Ian and his Band at a dance in Newburgh whilst I was staying at Kinross with my pal, Charlie Murray. This was in the very early 1950s and at that time his brother Bill was the lead accordionist. Later, when the band was in the Dumfries area, I was often asked to play at half-time and Ian would sometimes slip back on stage to join us. Once at Eskdalemuir the half-time band was my girlfriend Margaret on piano, band member Arthur Easson on drums, Ian on fiddle and myself on accordion. What a thrill for two young musicians! After that, there was a standing invitation to bring my own instrument along, to enable me to have a ‘tune’ with Ian’s band.
After Margaret and I were married, we visited Ian and Leila at Duplin, Auchterarder and later Blairgowrie and we had the rare pleasure of hearing Ian play pipe marches on his piano accordion. What with dances, theatre shows and regular appearances on BBC TV’s White Heather Club, the Band was extremely popular. So much so that, when the family emigrated to Australia, it was devastating for many people and several said that they felt a large part of their world had come to an end.
When he returned in the 1980s we met up once more when we both appeared in a Radio forth show in an Edinburgh theatre. He promised to visit us in Dumfries to “see what we were up to.” He and Leila did visit us and we had a pleasant time with ‘blethers’ and an hour or so’s music together. However, on the way home they parked in a lay-by near Cumbernauld for refreshments and a lorry coming in to park behind them misjudged things completely and ran into the back of their car. They and their dog were okay, but alas Ian’s treasured Matthew Hardie fiddle was smashed to smithereens. He was broken-hearted, for it was his favourite instrument and he’s used it for all his appearances and recordings.
We have very happy memories of their Ruby Wedding, where the guest list read like a Who’s Who of Scottish dance music, with all the notables present.
I’d long had an idea of doing a broadcast consisting solely of Jimmy Shand compositions and in 1995 I plucked up sufficient courage to ask Ian if he’d care to join us on fiddle. He replied, “Och aye, I thought you were never going to ask me to have a tune with your band. I’ll certainly look forward to that.”
When we sought the necessary permission from Jimmy, he readily agreed and, on being told Ian would be on fiddle, he said, “By God son, you’ll fairly enjoy that, for he’s a grand player and he’ll fit in fine with your band.”
The programme was recorded in the magnificent Studio One, Glasgow. Everyone was very relaxed and the band was literally ‘jumping’. At one point I asked Ian for his opinion on a dance tempo. Such was his humour that he replied, “If they can’t dance to that they shouldn’t be allowed in the hall.”
He joined us when we recorded a CD of Scottish Dances in Kingskettle Hall. On the night before in the Ladybank guesthouse during a break in the practice, Ian produced a bottle of whisky and offered the band members a drink. Only I accepted and he said, “Thank God for that, for a minute or two I thought I was going to have to drink it all myself.”
Around 1998 I had written a couple of 2/4 pipe marches and I titled them Ian & Leila Powrie’s Welcome to Craig-Varr and Jimmy Blue of Tigh-Na-Gorm. Jimmy quickly acknowledged receipt and said he liked the tune but I didn’t hear from Ian. I included them in a broadcast and during the live recording he turned to me and said, “What a couple of braw tunes these are.”
He told me of the time his band was short of two players and how they’d borrowed two from another group. He said the bassist was really good, but as for the drummer, well that was another story. He said he appeared to be greatly enjoying himself and keeping himself very busy, kicking up quite a racket behind them. He said it sounded like the guy was building a shed!
Another story was when his band had played at Dingwall and how, coming back through Inverness, he’d caught sight of a police car parked up a side street. Later, thundering down the A9, he’d become aware of car headlights approaching from behind. As they drew closer, a blue light started flashing. Cursing his luck for getting caught speeding, he pulled into the next lay-by. He did get booked, but in an entirely different manner, for when the police sergeant came up to the driver’s window, he said, “Powrie! You’re a terrible man to go and we’d a job catching up with you. Do you have your diary handy, for we’d like your band to play at our Annual Ball later this year?”
His last engagement before returning to Australia was with my band, when we recorded a broadcast from the Ca-Va studio on 5th December 1999. As usual, it went well, but it was especially difficult for Ian, for his old friend and band colleague Jimmy Blue was seriously ill in hospital. He and Leila flew out two days later (which, sadly, was the day Jimmy died - 7th December)
There’s no doubt The Powrie Band was, and remains to this day, a great inspiration to budding young musicians. He himself will go down in history as one of the all-time greats of Scottish music, both as a player and as a composer. He leaves a great legacy of recordings and self-penned tunes. We were privileged to know him and to have him as a friend over so many years.
SIMON HOWIE - FINDONY FARM, DUNNING
Scotland lost on of its most famous sons on October 5th 2011. Ian Powrie was a ploughman who rose to be an international Scottish music sensation in the 1950s and 1960s.
His family life began at Essendy near Blairgowrie and at the age of five he took up the violin. His father, Will Powrie, a ‘farm servant’, was an accomplished bothy accordionist and as such Ian went on to lay down his first ‘78’ recordings with his father at the age of 12. Violin lessons were provided by the famous local bandleader Adam Rennie of Coupar Angus, the joint composer of Caddam Woods, one of Scotland’s most played dance tunes. Aside from his Scottish music Ian took classical lessons from Harry Ogilvie of Dundee. This would prove to be a huge step towards furthering his technique.
In the early 1940s Will Powrie took his young family to Bankhead Farm near Forteviot where he became the grieve (farm manager) and it was during this time that Ian left school and took up his role on the farm as a tractor-man whilst forming his first dance band. He often recalled stories of being sent to clean out the granary on days when he was a little tired from a late night engagement with the dance band. This was the equivalent of time off in farming circles.
Ian met and married Leila Mailer of Dunning in 1951. She was the daughter of Bob Mailer, Findony Farm, Dunning who was also the village butcher.
The first band was a line-up including his brother Bill, a first class 3-row button accordion player, but he was called up for National Service so a local lad from Dunning, Jimmy Blue, joined in 1952. Jimmy was a fellow farm worker and this combination of musical and work affinity never left the two men. Their ability to gel on a musical and personal level was a huge part of the band’s success over the years. The dance bands of the 1950s had a great sound but The Powrie Band with its blend of button accordion and piano accordion along with Ian’s tone and intonation made it a sound which would last for decades as a benchmark for any young band looking to take off on the dance music circuit. Ian had the foresight to surround himself with musicians who were the best in their class. Mickie Ainsworth with his excellent technique and knowledge of harmony, Arthur Easson, the drummer who took pipe band strokes into the Scottish dance band, Pam Wilkie on piano proved to me a massive asset with her ability to accompany Ian on his iconic slow-air recordings as well as her help with the She sang on a few of the Band’s LPs, which again added an extra dimension to the Band. Dave Barclay was on double bass and again his skill at both playing and arranging made him quite unique. Ian often remarked on Dave’s professionalism, his quiet demeanour and interestingly about never having to retake a set in the studio due to a mistake on bass.
The recruitment of these players along with the recently crowned Scottish Champion accordionist Jimmy Blue was a master stroke by Ian as they developed into a unit capable of backing Andy Stewart on his famous White Heather Club (over 80 live TV appearances) taking it above the ordinary bands of the day and giving them the status of the best band in the land. They could accompany the new singers and acts of the 1960s, thus allowing the BBC and other light entertainment producers to focus on other elements of the show, knowing Ian and the Band would take care of their part without fail. In the space of ten years he had gone from ploughman at Forteviot to leading a band on world tours, playing full summer seasons in Scotland’s top theatres, as well as Balmoral Castle for Her Majesty the Queen and two famous concerts in The Royal Albert Hall, London. It was akin to Jock Stein with his Lisbon Lions in that it is often remarked that Stein put together a team of local lads who became world beaters. In many ways Ian Powrie is one of the few people to have done the same. Success brought many things but he never forgot his farming background and in 1962 he bought West Kirkton Farm at Auchterarder, Perthshire. He remarked that the feel and smell of ploughing his own land for the first time is something he would never forget. This was to be the family home until immediately after a tour of Australia in 1966 he dropped the bombshell news to his fellow band members that he was planning to pack up and emigrate to Australia. This news took everyone by complete surprise but true to his word he got on with the job of taking the family out to their new life. West Kirkton Farm was sold, farewell concerts were performed, a final LP was recorded and the cases were packed. At the height of his career Ian left it all behind and went to Australia in 1966. The return visits in the 1970s were anticipated with great fervour. I can remember as a five year old Ian visiting our family farm at Dunning. We saw his zest for life as well as being exposed to his magical fiddle playing. This spawned a love of Scottish music which has remained with my brothers and me to this day.
Ian made many recordings during his visits, one of which was with the legendary Jimmy Shand. It was aptly titled ‘When Auld Friends Meet’. I can remember watching television in the early 1970s during which Jimmy Shand was being feted by Eamonn Andrews as a recipient of ‘This is Your Life’. We watched of Scotland’s top entertainers coming on screen but there was a real gasp when Eamonn played Ian’s voice as if he was speaking from Australia but, true to form, he announced the famous words, “We’ve flown him 9,000 miles from Perth, Western Australia to be here tonight.” And on came Ian Powrie. My dad jumped up out of his seat, and showed his delight by saying, “Poorie’s home!!”
Ian and Leila returned to Scotland in 1984 and re-settled at Corrieburn near Auchterarder. He performed at many concerts, band gigs and even toured Canada as well as producing a CD from his house along with many of his original band members. During the planning for the recording he noticed the RAF doing their usual low flying exercise in the Strathearn Valley so in his own disarming way he made a number of calls to NATO and managed to get the flying halted for three days.
His love of all things agricultural made him buy his old Caterpillar D2 tractor which he restored to pristine condition; this restoration job was so good he won Best in Class at his first outing at Scone’s Farming YesterYear event. The Caterpillar was photographed along with Ian and his fiddle on the CD cover.
He was a charismatic man who would tackle anything. He flew his own light aircraft, was a champion ploughman, top class violinist and most of all a great family man with a love for life. His encouragement for young musicians was well known. I can remember travelling to the Powrie household at Auchterarder so that Ian could spend hours helping me get to grips with a musical piece or indeed he would sit and pencil out tunes which may be of use to me in my repertoire.
Many of today’s working musicians owe a huge debt to Ian for not only his interest in their playing but for the legacy he left by way of recordings and tune compositions. He was generous with his time and his praise, he was fun to be around and always gave more than he received.
At the end of his playing career Ian and Leila took the decision took the decision to move back to Australia to be closer to their children and grandchildren, so in 1999 they left Scotland for what was to be Ian’s last long-haul trip.
On a personal level I remember a man who made a real contribution to anyone or anything he came into contact with. He invited me to play as a young teenager on stage at small local events but always had a way of making you feel as if he was second in command. He was never aloof and always performed in a totally professional manner whether it be a village hall gathering or a more grand affair. He spoke at my 21st birthday and played in the church at my wedding. Ian was a man who achieved great things in his life but he had a way of making everything seem fresh when you worked with him. He liked nothing better than an evening with some musical friends and a couple of large drams.
Scotland and Scottish music has lost one of its shining lights.
Ian is survived by his wife Leila, their two children Findlay and Ailsa and four grandchildren.
JOAN BLUE
I first met Ian Powrie when Jimmy and I played for his brother Jim Powrie’s wedding in 1952. This was actually an audition for Jimmy as Bill Powrie was leaving the band to do his National Service.
Jimmy joined the band in December 1952, the same month we became engaged. A new accordion – a Shand Morino – had to be bought at a cost of £208 plus £4 for the case. This meant our wedding had to be postponed until April 1955. The line-up of the band then was : Ian, Jimmy on button-key accordion, Jack Ewan on second box, Gordon Clark on piano, George Grant on drums and Bert Smith on bass. Gradually changes were made and, with Pam back on piano (having had two children), the well known faces of Mickie Ainsworth, Arthur Easson on drums and Dave Barclay on bass completed the group.
When the band was away overnight (playing, for instance, at Lauder – a long distance in these days!) I sometimes stayed with Leila and her two children, Ailsa and Finlay. We were glad of each other’s company and she it was who taught me to make soup! After Jimmy and I married, Ian used to come over regularly for sessions, looking out new music, planning broadcasts, practicing together. They formed a real rapport, both being from farming backgrounds. Even much later, in the eighties, when Ian had come home from Australia and was playing with Jimmy, Jackie Cooper and myself, Jack and I sat in the back of the car and we could hear the two in front discussing the crops, the fields, the countryside in general.
Television beckoned and the band appeared in ‘The Kilt is My Delight’ and, of course, the popular ‘White Heather Club’. In 1961, Andy invited the band to do a summer season in The Empire, Glasgow. This meant giving up ‘the day job’. The big decision was made and the members of the band became professional musicians. Andy packed The Empire for two seasons, 1961 and 1962, and of course his ‘Scottish Soldier’ became a huge hit. In 1963 The Powrie Band joined him on a tour of Australia and New Zealand and 1964 brought a summer season in H.M. Theatre, Aberdeen, the year when typhoid hit the city. They were again in Aberdeen doing the 1966 season, after a six week tour of the Antipodes, when Ian broke the news that the family was emigrating to Australia. Jimmy was in shock, thinking his world had come to an end. However, by the weekend we had made the decision that he should keep the band going. When he told Ian what he planned to do, Ian said, “I was hoping you would say that.” Jimmy also took on board Ian’s advice – “If nothing is happening, you have to MAKE it happen.”
Come December, the Powrie family was ready to leave. A Farewell Party for friends and family was held at The Moncrieiffe Arms Hotel in Bridge of Earn. A concert in Auchterarder brought an emotional Ian Holmes all the way from Dumfries. The final concert was held in Glasgow when ‘Ian Powrie’s Farewell to Scotland’ was played for the first time. The night they were leaving, I went to say ‘goodbye’ and I shall never forget Ian putting his arm round me and saying, “Stop greetin’ ye auld w***e (Scottish spelling h**r).Leila and I kept very much in touch with letters and we were delighted when Ailsa came home and stayed with us for a while, her famous remark to us being – “It’s great to be with a family that eats as quickly as the Powries.” She was also with us at the time of her 21st birthday and we really considered her a third daughter. Finlay was a bit of a holy terror when he was young. I remember his being found standing on top of the radiogram turntable , going round and round – very inventive, I thought.
Another memory is of Ian’s band playing somewhere in Northumberland. Andrew Rankine lived in Whitley Bay at the time and the band was invited to his home after the dance for a blether and a dram. Ian phoned Leila to tell her they would be a little late but Leila didn’t know How late and nearly had the rolling pin out when Ian eventually came home. What she had not realised was that Andrew was no longer in Dunblane but in the North of England!
Ian had the real attributes for a bandleader. He was organised (except for the time he landed at the TV Studios in Glasgow without the fiddle. A frantic phone call home and Leila drove through at the double with the errant fiddle). Ian was also pretty easy-going and didn’t panic or ‘lose the heid’, which took some doing with 5 different egos to contend with. He had a lovely turn of phrase, as had all the Powrie brothers, and one which I particularly remember was when they were driving home from a gig on a very cold, frosty morning. They saw a man, dressed for the weather, getting his tractor started. Ian said, “Aye, there’s a lad weel up intae his bunnet this morning.” Only one of the pawky remarks for which he was known. In Radio Scotland’s Tribute to Ian, I told of when I was in Australia in 2001 for their Golden Wedding. One morning, we were driving into Midland, the nearest town, when a rather large lady passed by. I said, “Goodness, there’s someone wioth a bigger bum than me.” Ian replied – “Och, I widnae go that far.”
And, of course, Ian was famous for his capacity for sleep, no matter what the circumstances. I have a video of one Christmas at Forgandenny, with our grandchildren dashing around on roller scates, guitars playing, chatter – and Ian sound asleep, quite unconscious of the heap of streamers which had been piled on his head. And at Ian and Leila’s Ruby Wedding in 1991, guests were asked to spend no more than £1 on presents. Bill Torrance and some of the other artistes at a prestigious Burns Supper held in Moscow gave photographs of Ian, sound asleep at the table, if not at the actual Kremlin, the next most important building.
Ian was a real character, whom I will remember for his friendship, his love of the country, his ability to sleep under all circumstances, his love of food, his pawky humour – but, most of all, his truly memorable music-making both in solo and band work.
A Dancer’s Perspective
by Rob Sargent
When I started dancing in 1944 at school at the age of 6 I felt that this was something that I had an affinity with and, although it was English Country Dance, it was something that even at that age I couldn’t get enough of, later becoming the leader of the school dance team. Having a Scottish heritage I was persuaded to take up Scottish Country and Highland dance, that was in 1946 and I haven’t stopped since then. The tuition I had was with one teacher for 12 years with practice and rehearsing for shows at least four times a week. When my teacher was taken ill he asked me to take on his classes, which was a great honour. I carried out his request for six years before moving away from the area. In the early years dancing was to live music, either a pianist or a fiddler and once a week to a band, usually at the Royal Scottish Corporation Hall in London. In the 1950s some bands had two or three fiddlers, pianist, button and keyboard accordionists and a drummer. I can remember at the New Year’s Eve Ball at Wembley Town Hall in 1954 there were 12 musicians on stage, out of the 12 there were 6 fiddlers, 2 keyboard accordionists and Donny McBain (who was originally from Lochinver) on squeeze box, a pianist, a guitarist and a drummer. On seeing this number on stage I thought, “How is this all going to stay together for 4 hours?” It was exhilarating and perfection; such was the dedication of all the musicians who played from the heart. Over the years I traveled with McBain’s Band throughout England observing and understanding their skills, it was a very important learning curve for me. It was unfortunate McBain’s never played in Scotland but they were booked every week of the year including numerous European bookings. A number of Scots, however, did play with the band, names such as Davie Thornton, William Wallace, John Ellis, Davie Ferguson and Willie Hunter Jnr. When Donny McBain returned to Scotland Nan Fleming Williams took over leadership of the band. At that time the band included Davie Thornton, Bill Farr, Jack Farr and the amazing pianist Alan Grant Humberstone who could turn his hands to any country’s folk or classical music. The band was so popular that they became resident band for the EFDSS at Cecil Sharp House in London.
The bands that were extremely popular in Scotland around that time, who we could only hear through 78 recordings, were Jimmy Shand, Bobby MacLeod, Adam Rennie, Andrew Rankine, Ian Powrie, Alistair Downie and Jim Cameron amongst many others. It was later on when Jimmy Shand appeared in the south to great acclaim with a show called ‘This is Scotland’, these were always sell-out evenings and on one occasion I had the honour of having Jimmy shand playing The Highland Fling for me at Oxford Town Hall, I will never forget it. These were tremendous times, which I don’t think will ever be repeated.
With today’s bands we are fortunate in being able to listen to excellent sound and tempos, live and on CD, although I feel that the early sound is not replicated today. The earlier recordings did vary a lot in tempo, which is leading me on to today’s musicians. So many musicians play for a variety of functions that when it comes to playing for Scottish Country Dancing their tempos are so far ranging that at the end of the evening comments are such as, “I didn’t enjoy the evening because the band were either too fast or too slow.” As a dancer, teacher, and deviser of dances tempo id crucial to me.
It is important to realise, especially for up-and-coming box and fiddle players, that the ability to play tunes at twice the speed of sound might be pleasing to themselves but not to a lot of listeners. A lot of feeling in the way the tune was composed is lost.
At a recent Button Box Rally at the Eden Court in Inverness, that played to a full house and an attentive audience, there were two young solo musicians who played powerfully, sympathetically and from the heart and were appreciated by everybody; listening to them was a real joy. My hope is that if the continue in this vein of performance, they will go to the top of their profession in years to come.
As a dancer I have performed and taught worldwide and with the growth of Scottish Country Dance throughout the world, especially in the old Eastern Bloc countries and Japan, there will be more scope for solo musicians and bands to play in these countries. I would not have traveled so much if it wasn’t for dance. In 1998 I had the urge to devise dances. Although there are over 20,000 dances to pick and choose from, why should anybody want to dance mine? Over the years I have built up a friendship with two of Scotland’s top musicians who play at tempos I like and who have also written some wonderful tunes for me. They are Ian Cruiickshanks, the button-key accordionist, and Colin Dewar, a keyboard accordionist. I listen to their playing and tempos and this gives me the motivation to devise dances that flow and are sympathetic to what is being played. It is one of the reasons why my dances are performed worldwide. It was several years ago that Colin said to me that bands needed something other than jigs, reels and strathspeys to play so why didn’t I devise some Hornpipes? Having just released The Ruthven Collection Volume 1 I was quite frankly devoid of any ideas for new dances. However I did have a CD of John Ellis in the car which contained a Hornpipe and within five minutes I had a dance devised. I rang Colin back and asked him where the music was for it? The Tullich Hornpipe was born and since then a further 7 Hornpipes have been devised including a Shetland Trilogy. Over the years Colin has devised over 20 original tunes for my dances, including Robbie Over the Waves, Distillery Reel and The Homecoming 2009. Ian has also contributed a number of tunes; one which has gone round the world is Sir J. M. Barrie of Thrums (The Peter Pan Dance). Why do I mention these points? It is because for all you learning the art of box and fiddle the world can open up for you; stick at it, there are people like me who appreciate good music with style and feeling when we are on the dance floor, it makes us better dancers.
The following CDs are available :-
Ruthven Collect Vols 1 to 3
Black Watch Edition
All by Colin Dewar
Duncan Campbell (19.03.1925 – 20.08.2011) - Obituary
by
The Oban Club would like to pay tribute to the late Dancan Campbell, one of the founder members of the Club who sadly passed away on the 20th August.
In 1975 Duncan, along with others, founded the Oban Accordion and Fiddle Club. Over the years he was always interested in the Club and his knowledge of dance bands and dance music was much appreciated by young and old.
He continued as a player on double bass, fiddle and drums, playing with all the local musicians all through the years up until our last Club night in April this year. For 10 years he was a presenter on ‘Oban FM’ presenting ‘Best of the Box’ with his signature tune ‘Duncan Campbell of Oban’, a tune composed in Duncan’s honour by Willie Lawrie of Kinlochleven.
Duncan played with many bands including Alasdair Hunter, Alasdair Downie, Colin Campbell and Alasdair Brown and at times with Jimmy Shand and Bobby MacLeod. He toured with David Webster’s ‘This is Scotland’ and also played in their summer seasons here in Oban. Latterly he played along with Hector McFadyen in McTavish’s Kitchen Summer Show.
We would like to extend our sympathy to Emma and family. Duncan will be a great loss to us all at Oban Accordion and Fiddle Club
Tom Hall (Obituary)
by
Tom loved his music, in particular the Scottish dance music. He was involved in Scottish dancing at University in Leeds in the 50s and, enthused by meeting Jack Delaney (on of the best second box players of his generation), the Scottish Country Dance Band bug had been caught.
In Manchester he originally teamed up with his brother Ian in 1960. They formed ‘The Hall Brothers’ with Tom on box, Ian on piano (or sometimes the other way round). Sister-in-law Heulwen soon joined on piano. They were to play together often over the following 50 years.
Tom was perhaps best known for leading The Rattray Band. Lifelong friends Hugh Ferguson on second box and Laurence Beard on bass played with him in this format for over 30 years. Roy Bentley on drums and Peter Lawson on piano also made long-term contributions.
The Rattray Band was one of the most popular bands of the 1960s and 70s south of the border, especially in the Midlands and North West England. They appeared regularly each summer in Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens and provided the music for well over half of the memorable annual Scots’ Night concerts in Manchester’s Free Trade Hall.
I had the pleasure of playing quite regularly with Tom in latter years in the SE of England, often joined by Ray Milbourne or Ali Forbes on piano. He had put together a very comprehensive set of Scottish dance tunes and enjoyed listening to and talking about tunes and bands. He was generous in sharing his music folio; almost all of my early band material was based on Tom’s extensive collection.
“Lively”, “good to dance to” and with a real appreciation of the Scottish idiom is how I would describe The Rattray Band sound. Tom made a very valuable and much appreciated contribution to the Scottish Country Dance music scene and will be sadly missed by this community.
Accordiana 3
Shetland A&F Festival 2011
by Eunice Henderson
This being my first visit to Shetland………
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
Truly Scrumptious – Iaian Cathcart SDB – CONISB04
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s
5th Nov 11 – Burns Brothers Ceilidh Band (Keith Dickson)
12th Nov 11 – Colin Donaldson SDB (Glenfiddich Part 1)
19th Nov 11 – Da Fustra (Glenfiddich Part 2)
26th Nov 11 – James Leask SDB – OB from Shetland
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 29th Nov 11 - tbc
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle)
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 20th Nov 11 – Roy Hendrie
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 6th Nov 11 – Neil Dawson SDB
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 20th Nov 11 – Iain Anderson SDB
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 23rd Nov 11 – Lomond Ceilidh Band
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) – 21st Nov 11 – Maggie Adamson
Biggar (Municipal Hall) – 13th Nov 11 - Tribute
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 8th Nov 11 – Hebbie Gray
Britannia (Arden House Hotel) - 30th Nov 11 – Leonard Brown
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) -
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 4th Nov 11 – Dance to Bruce Lindsay Jnr SDB 10th Nov 11 – Ian McCallum Trio
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 1st Nov 11 – Gordon Shand SDB
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 15th Nov 11 – Bob Dorrance Trio
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 17th Nov 11 – Gordon Pattullo
Coldingham (Village Hall) -
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel)
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club)
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) - 15th Nov 11 – Steven Carcary
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 2nd Nov 11 – Gordon Pattullo
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 16th Nov 11 – Nicky McMichan SDB
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) – 8th Nov 11 – John Morgan
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
Duns (Royal British Legion Club, Langtongate) 21st Nov 11 – Bon Accords
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 22nd Nov 11 – Gordon Pattullo
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 28th Nov 11 – Gordon Pattullo
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 27th Nov 11 – Scott Carnegie SDB
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 9th Nov 11 – Craig Paton Trio
Fort William (Railway Club, Inverlochy) -
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) – 3rd Nov 11 – Judith Linton Trio
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 24th Nov 11 – Wayne Robertson & Davie Stewart
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 2nd Nov 11 – Freeland Barbour
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) - Nov 11 -
Gretna (Athlitic & Social Club) - 6th Nov 11 – tbc 27th Nov 11 – Leonard Brown & Friends (CD Launch)
Haddington (Railway Inn) - 13th Nov 11 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 21st Nov 11 – Neil Caul SDB
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) - 9th Nov 11 – Wayne Robertson Duo
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 3rd Nov 11 – Colin Donaldson Trio
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) – 18th Nov 11 – Dance to Nicol McLaren SDB
Kelso (Cross Keys Hotel) – 30th Nov 11 – Dochie McCallum Trio
Kintore (Torryburn Arms Hotel) –
Ladybank (Ladybank Tavern) - 17th Nov 11 – Club Night
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) - 28th Nov 11 – Brian Griffin Duo
Langholm (Eskdale Hotel) – 9th Nov 11 – Andrew Gibb SDB
Lauder (Black Bull Hotel) - 6th Nov 11 – Steven Todd SDB
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 3rd Nov 11 – Ian Crichton Memorial Charity Night
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 15th Nov 11 – Club Night
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) - 29th Nov 11 – Neil Caul SDB
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 15th Nov 11 – Ewan Galloway Trio
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 2nd Nov 11 – Graeme Mitchell SDB
Newburgh (The Ship Inn) -
Newmill-on-Teviot / Teviotdale (Thorterdykes Roadhouse) 16th Nov 11 – Ewan Galloway SDB
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 28th Nov 11 – Gary Donaldson SDB
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 1st Nov 11 – Jock Fraser SDB
Northern (Lylehill Suite, Templepatrick, N.I.) - 2nd Nov 11 – Johnny Murphy
Oban (The Argyllshire Gathering) – 3rd Nov 11 – Roya MacLean Trio
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) –
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 24th Nov 11 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 15th Nov 11 – Iain Anderson SDB
Premier NI (Chimney Corner Hotel) -
Reading Scottish Fiddlers (Willowbank Infant School, Woodley) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 8th Nov 11 – Gary Sutherland Trio
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 3rd Nov 11 – Andrew Gibb Trio13th Nov 11 – Leonard Brown & Friends (CD Launch)
Scottish Accordion Music (Banchory) -
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) -
Selkirk (Angus O’Malley’s) - 10th Nov 11 – Riddell Fiddles
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - 10th Nov 11 – AGM & Local Night
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) - 2nd Nov 11 – Gold Brothers SDB
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) - 19th Nov 11 – Iain Angus MacLeod
Thornhill (Bowling Club Hall) - 8th Nov 11 – Alex McIntyre
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 7th Nov 11 – Elizabeth MacKenzie SDB
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 3rd Nov 11 – The Garioch Blend
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 17th Nov 11 – Ray Carse
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) - 12th & 26th Nov 11 – Local Players
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn) 10th Nov 11 – Matthew MacLennan Trio
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 15th Nov 11 – Robert Nairn Trio
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Annan
4. Arbroath
5. Balloch
6. Banchory
7. Banff
8. Beith
9. Blairgowrie
10. Button-key
11. Campsie
12. Castle Douglas
13. Coalburn
14. Dingwall
15. Dunblane
16. Dunfermline
17. Duns
18. Forfar
19. Forres
20. Glendale
21. Gretna
22. Haddington
23. Highland
24. Isle of Skye
25. Islesteps
26. Kelso
27. Lanark
28. Lauder
29. Lewis & Harris
30. Livingston
31. Lockerbie
32. Montrose
33. Newtongrange
34. North East
35. Northern
36. Oban
37. Perth
38. Renfrew
39. Rothbury
40. Selkirk
41. Shetland
42. Stonehouse
43. Sutherland
44. Thornhill
45. Thurso
46. Turriff
47. Tynedale
48. West Barnes
49. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2011
(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. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
10. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
11. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
12. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
13. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
14. Button Key A&F Club (
15. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
16. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
17. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
18. Coalburn A&F Club (
19. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 -
20. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
21. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
22. Cults A & F Club (
23. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
24. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
25. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
26. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
27. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
28. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
29. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
30. Ellon A&F Club (
31. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
32. Forfar A&F Club (
33. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
34. Fort William A&F Club (2009 -
35. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
36. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
37. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
38. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
39. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
40. 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)
41. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 - )
42. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
43. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
44. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
45. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
46. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
47. Kintore A&F Club (
48. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier
49. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
50. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
51. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
52. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
53. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
54 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
55 Maine Valley A&F Club (
56 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
57 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
58 Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
59 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
60. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
61. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
62. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
63. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
64. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
65. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
66. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
67. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
68. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
69. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
70. Selkirk A&F Club (
71. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
72 Stonehouse A&F Club (first report June 05 -
73 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
74 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
75 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
76 Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
77 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
78 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
79 West Barnes ( - present)
80 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?)
81. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
82. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
83. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
84. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
85. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
86. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
87. Buchan A&F Club
88 Callander A&F Club (
89 Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
90 Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
91 Club Accord
92 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
93. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
94. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
95. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
96. Derwentside A&F Club
97. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
98. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
99. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
100. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
101. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
102. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
103. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
104. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
105. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
106. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
107. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
108. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
109. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
110. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
111. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
112. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
113. Mull A&F Club
114. Newcastleton Accordion Club
115. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
116. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
117. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
118. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
119. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
120. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
121. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
122. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
123. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
124. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
125. Tranent A&F Club
126. Vancouver
127. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
128. Wellbank A&F Club
129. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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B&F Treasurer – Charlie Todd, Thankerton
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
Many of our best-known musicians are feeling a sense of personal loss at the passing of Ian Powrie. Although for the last few years he has lived on the other side of the world he still kept in touch with many in the Scottish music scene. Shetland Festival was to have been our lead article this month, but I’m sure everyone will understand. It has meant however that the magazine is bigger than it has ever been.
We have so many wonderful photos from the late Jack Cooper’s Collection, we felt we wanted to include as many as possible. Great memories for many of you I’m sure.
Tickets for the Ruby Anniversary Gala Concert (see back page) are going like hotcakes. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for your Club to support its Association in this way. It’s great to see Clubs organizing buses to take the Club members to the concert.
Can we once again ask writers of club reports to keep the words down to 300? I dislike cutting them in case I delete something that I didn’t realise was significant. If you can accompany reports with ONE good quality, high resolution photo then that is ideal.
Karin Ingram
Ian Powrie (1923 – 2011) Obituary
by various
We are sure that many Box and Fiddle readers will have fond memories of Ian Powrie. Please feel free to send them to us and we’ll print them in future issues. This month we begin with the obituary in The Dundee Courier and follow that with tributes from Ian Holmes, Simon Howie and Joan Blue.
DUNDEE COURIER
Tributes have been paid to a Scots musician whose ground breaking sound shaped an entire generation of bands. Ian Powrie has died aged 88 in his adopted home of Perth, Western Australia.
He was one of Scottish Country Dance Music’s best loved and most influential figures, regarded in the same high esteem as the legendary Jimmy Shand. Leading his own Ian Powrie Band – acclaimed one of the finest ever – he toured tirelessly across the globe, both in his own right and in support of top entertainer and television personality Andy Stewart.
They came together with Andy Stewart on the BBC’s hugely popular White Heather Club show in 1959, creating a lasting partnership that saw them in demand around the world.
He also enjoyed a long association with EMI records and worked with some of the finest producers of the day, including George Martin, who would later become synonymous with The Beatles.
His life and achievements will be celebrated by the current generation of Scottish band musicians in the coming days.
Nicol McLaren, Chairman of the NAAFC, speaking from Shetland A&F Festival said, “There have been quite a few drams raised to him during the Festival and I’m sure there will be many more over the weekend. Ian’s music has been hugely significant – the whole sound of Scottish Dance Bands changed when he came on the scene. He was the next big thing after Jimmy Shand and his sound was so special and so different that it shaped a new generation of Scottish musicians. Suddenly the fiddle was leading a band and the sound was simply something we hadn’t heard before. This was the heyday of Scottish Dance Bands, when they were in demand around the world and Ian’s was the best band of the day.”
Ian Powrie was born in Strathardle near Blairgowrie in 1923.
IAN HOLMES, DUMFRIES
I first met Ian and his Band at a dance in Newburgh whilst I was staying at Kinross with my pal, Charlie Murray. This was in the very early 1950s and at that time his brother Bill was the lead accordionist. Later, when the band was in the Dumfries area, I was often asked to play at half-time and Ian would sometimes slip back on stage to join us. Once at Eskdalemuir the half-time band was my girlfriend Margaret on piano, band member Arthur Easson on drums, Ian on fiddle and myself on accordion. What a thrill for two young musicians! After that, there was a standing invitation to bring my own instrument along, to enable me to have a ‘tune’ with Ian’s band.
After Margaret and I were married, we visited Ian and Leila at Duplin, Auchterarder and later Blairgowrie and we had the rare pleasure of hearing Ian play pipe marches on his piano accordion. What with dances, theatre shows and regular appearances on BBC TV’s White Heather Club, the Band was extremely popular. So much so that, when the family emigrated to Australia, it was devastating for many people and several said that they felt a large part of their world had come to an end.
When he returned in the 1980s we met up once more when we both appeared in a Radio forth show in an Edinburgh theatre. He promised to visit us in Dumfries to “see what we were up to.” He and Leila did visit us and we had a pleasant time with ‘blethers’ and an hour or so’s music together. However, on the way home they parked in a lay-by near Cumbernauld for refreshments and a lorry coming in to park behind them misjudged things completely and ran into the back of their car. They and their dog were okay, but alas Ian’s treasured Matthew Hardie fiddle was smashed to smithereens. He was broken-hearted, for it was his favourite instrument and he’s used it for all his appearances and recordings.
We have very happy memories of their Ruby Wedding, where the guest list read like a Who’s Who of Scottish dance music, with all the notables present.
I’d long had an idea of doing a broadcast consisting solely of Jimmy Shand compositions and in 1995 I plucked up sufficient courage to ask Ian if he’d care to join us on fiddle. He replied, “Och aye, I thought you were never going to ask me to have a tune with your band. I’ll certainly look forward to that.”
When we sought the necessary permission from Jimmy, he readily agreed and, on being told Ian would be on fiddle, he said, “By God son, you’ll fairly enjoy that, for he’s a grand player and he’ll fit in fine with your band.”
The programme was recorded in the magnificent Studio One, Glasgow. Everyone was very relaxed and the band was literally ‘jumping’. At one point I asked Ian for his opinion on a dance tempo. Such was his humour that he replied, “If they can’t dance to that they shouldn’t be allowed in the hall.”
He joined us when we recorded a CD of Scottish Dances in Kingskettle Hall. On the night before in the Ladybank guesthouse during a break in the practice, Ian produced a bottle of whisky and offered the band members a drink. Only I accepted and he said, “Thank God for that, for a minute or two I thought I was going to have to drink it all myself.”
Around 1998 I had written a couple of 2/4 pipe marches and I titled them Ian & Leila Powrie’s Welcome to Craig-Varr and Jimmy Blue of Tigh-Na-Gorm. Jimmy quickly acknowledged receipt and said he liked the tune but I didn’t hear from Ian. I included them in a broadcast and during the live recording he turned to me and said, “What a couple of braw tunes these are.”
He told me of the time his band was short of two players and how they’d borrowed two from another group. He said the bassist was really good, but as for the drummer, well that was another story. He said he appeared to be greatly enjoying himself and keeping himself very busy, kicking up quite a racket behind them. He said it sounded like the guy was building a shed!
Another story was when his band had played at Dingwall and how, coming back through Inverness, he’d caught sight of a police car parked up a side street. Later, thundering down the A9, he’d become aware of car headlights approaching from behind. As they drew closer, a blue light started flashing. Cursing his luck for getting caught speeding, he pulled into the next lay-by. He did get booked, but in an entirely different manner, for when the police sergeant came up to the driver’s window, he said, “Powrie! You’re a terrible man to go and we’d a job catching up with you. Do you have your diary handy, for we’d like your band to play at our Annual Ball later this year?”
His last engagement before returning to Australia was with my band, when we recorded a broadcast from the Ca-Va studio on 5th December 1999. As usual, it went well, but it was especially difficult for Ian, for his old friend and band colleague Jimmy Blue was seriously ill in hospital. He and Leila flew out two days later (which, sadly, was the day Jimmy died - 7th December)
There’s no doubt The Powrie Band was, and remains to this day, a great inspiration to budding young musicians. He himself will go down in history as one of the all-time greats of Scottish music, both as a player and as a composer. He leaves a great legacy of recordings and self-penned tunes. We were privileged to know him and to have him as a friend over so many years.
SIMON HOWIE - FINDONY FARM, DUNNING
Scotland lost on of its most famous sons on October 5th 2011. Ian Powrie was a ploughman who rose to be an international Scottish music sensation in the 1950s and 1960s.
His family life began at Essendy near Blairgowrie and at the age of five he took up the violin. His father, Will Powrie, a ‘farm servant’, was an accomplished bothy accordionist and as such Ian went on to lay down his first ‘78’ recordings with his father at the age of 12. Violin lessons were provided by the famous local bandleader Adam Rennie of Coupar Angus, the joint composer of Caddam Woods, one of Scotland’s most played dance tunes. Aside from his Scottish music Ian took classical lessons from Harry Ogilvie of Dundee. This would prove to be a huge step towards furthering his technique.
In the early 1940s Will Powrie took his young family to Bankhead Farm near Forteviot where he became the grieve (farm manager) and it was during this time that Ian left school and took up his role on the farm as a tractor-man whilst forming his first dance band. He often recalled stories of being sent to clean out the granary on days when he was a little tired from a late night engagement with the dance band. This was the equivalent of time off in farming circles.
Ian met and married Leila Mailer of Dunning in 1951. She was the daughter of Bob Mailer, Findony Farm, Dunning who was also the village butcher.
The first band was a line-up including his brother Bill, a first class 3-row button accordion player, but he was called up for National Service so a local lad from Dunning, Jimmy Blue, joined in 1952. Jimmy was a fellow farm worker and this combination of musical and work affinity never left the two men. Their ability to gel on a musical and personal level was a huge part of the band’s success over the years. The dance bands of the 1950s had a great sound but The Powrie Band with its blend of button accordion and piano accordion along with Ian’s tone and intonation made it a sound which would last for decades as a benchmark for any young band looking to take off on the dance music circuit. Ian had the foresight to surround himself with musicians who were the best in their class. Mickie Ainsworth with his excellent technique and knowledge of harmony, Arthur Easson, the drummer who took pipe band strokes into the Scottish dance band, Pam Wilkie on piano proved to me a massive asset with her ability to accompany Ian on his iconic slow-air recordings as well as her help with the She sang on a few of the Band’s LPs, which again added an extra dimension to the Band. Dave Barclay was on double bass and again his skill at both playing and arranging made him quite unique. Ian often remarked on Dave’s professionalism, his quiet demeanour and interestingly about never having to retake a set in the studio due to a mistake on bass.
The recruitment of these players along with the recently crowned Scottish Champion accordionist Jimmy Blue was a master stroke by Ian as they developed into a unit capable of backing Andy Stewart on his famous White Heather Club (over 80 live TV appearances) taking it above the ordinary bands of the day and giving them the status of the best band in the land. They could accompany the new singers and acts of the 1960s, thus allowing the BBC and other light entertainment producers to focus on other elements of the show, knowing Ian and the Band would take care of their part without fail. In the space of ten years he had gone from ploughman at Forteviot to leading a band on world tours, playing full summer seasons in Scotland’s top theatres, as well as Balmoral Castle for Her Majesty the Queen and two famous concerts in The Royal Albert Hall, London. It was akin to Jock Stein with his Lisbon Lions in that it is often remarked that Stein put together a team of local lads who became world beaters. In many ways Ian Powrie is one of the few people to have done the same. Success brought many things but he never forgot his farming background and in 1962 he bought West Kirkton Farm at Auchterarder, Perthshire. He remarked that the feel and smell of ploughing his own land for the first time is something he would never forget. This was to be the family home until immediately after a tour of Australia in 1966 he dropped the bombshell news to his fellow band members that he was planning to pack up and emigrate to Australia. This news took everyone by complete surprise but true to his word he got on with the job of taking the family out to their new life. West Kirkton Farm was sold, farewell concerts were performed, a final LP was recorded and the cases were packed. At the height of his career Ian left it all behind and went to Australia in 1966. The return visits in the 1970s were anticipated with great fervour. I can remember as a five year old Ian visiting our family farm at Dunning. We saw his zest for life as well as being exposed to his magical fiddle playing. This spawned a love of Scottish music which has remained with my brothers and me to this day.
Ian made many recordings during his visits, one of which was with the legendary Jimmy Shand. It was aptly titled ‘When Auld Friends Meet’. I can remember watching television in the early 1970s during which Jimmy Shand was being feted by Eamonn Andrews as a recipient of ‘This is Your Life’. We watched of Scotland’s top entertainers coming on screen but there was a real gasp when Eamonn played Ian’s voice as if he was speaking from Australia but, true to form, he announced the famous words, “We’ve flown him 9,000 miles from Perth, Western Australia to be here tonight.” And on came Ian Powrie. My dad jumped up out of his seat, and showed his delight by saying, “Poorie’s home!!”
Ian and Leila returned to Scotland in 1984 and re-settled at Corrieburn near Auchterarder. He performed at many concerts, band gigs and even toured Canada as well as producing a CD from his house along with many of his original band members. During the planning for the recording he noticed the RAF doing their usual low flying exercise in the Strathearn Valley so in his own disarming way he made a number of calls to NATO and managed to get the flying halted for three days.
His love of all things agricultural made him buy his old Caterpillar D2 tractor which he restored to pristine condition; this restoration job was so good he won Best in Class at his first outing at Scone’s Farming YesterYear event. The Caterpillar was photographed along with Ian and his fiddle on the CD cover.
He was a charismatic man who would tackle anything. He flew his own light aircraft, was a champion ploughman, top class violinist and most of all a great family man with a love for life. His encouragement for young musicians was well known. I can remember travelling to the Powrie household at Auchterarder so that Ian could spend hours helping me get to grips with a musical piece or indeed he would sit and pencil out tunes which may be of use to me in my repertoire.
Many of today’s working musicians owe a huge debt to Ian for not only his interest in their playing but for the legacy he left by way of recordings and tune compositions. He was generous with his time and his praise, he was fun to be around and always gave more than he received.
At the end of his playing career Ian and Leila took the decision took the decision to move back to Australia to be closer to their children and grandchildren, so in 1999 they left Scotland for what was to be Ian’s last long-haul trip.
On a personal level I remember a man who made a real contribution to anyone or anything he came into contact with. He invited me to play as a young teenager on stage at small local events but always had a way of making you feel as if he was second in command. He was never aloof and always performed in a totally professional manner whether it be a village hall gathering or a more grand affair. He spoke at my 21st birthday and played in the church at my wedding. Ian was a man who achieved great things in his life but he had a way of making everything seem fresh when you worked with him. He liked nothing better than an evening with some musical friends and a couple of large drams.
Scotland and Scottish music has lost one of its shining lights.
Ian is survived by his wife Leila, their two children Findlay and Ailsa and four grandchildren.
JOAN BLUE
I first met Ian Powrie when Jimmy and I played for his brother Jim Powrie’s wedding in 1952. This was actually an audition for Jimmy as Bill Powrie was leaving the band to do his National Service.
Jimmy joined the band in December 1952, the same month we became engaged. A new accordion – a Shand Morino – had to be bought at a cost of £208 plus £4 for the case. This meant our wedding had to be postponed until April 1955. The line-up of the band then was : Ian, Jimmy on button-key accordion, Jack Ewan on second box, Gordon Clark on piano, George Grant on drums and Bert Smith on bass. Gradually changes were made and, with Pam back on piano (having had two children), the well known faces of Mickie Ainsworth, Arthur Easson on drums and Dave Barclay on bass completed the group.
When the band was away overnight (playing, for instance, at Lauder – a long distance in these days!) I sometimes stayed with Leila and her two children, Ailsa and Finlay. We were glad of each other’s company and she it was who taught me to make soup! After Jimmy and I married, Ian used to come over regularly for sessions, looking out new music, planning broadcasts, practicing together. They formed a real rapport, both being from farming backgrounds. Even much later, in the eighties, when Ian had come home from Australia and was playing with Jimmy, Jackie Cooper and myself, Jack and I sat in the back of the car and we could hear the two in front discussing the crops, the fields, the countryside in general.
Television beckoned and the band appeared in ‘The Kilt is My Delight’ and, of course, the popular ‘White Heather Club’. In 1961, Andy invited the band to do a summer season in The Empire, Glasgow. This meant giving up ‘the day job’. The big decision was made and the members of the band became professional musicians. Andy packed The Empire for two seasons, 1961 and 1962, and of course his ‘Scottish Soldier’ became a huge hit. In 1963 The Powrie Band joined him on a tour of Australia and New Zealand and 1964 brought a summer season in H.M. Theatre, Aberdeen, the year when typhoid hit the city. They were again in Aberdeen doing the 1966 season, after a six week tour of the Antipodes, when Ian broke the news that the family was emigrating to Australia. Jimmy was in shock, thinking his world had come to an end. However, by the weekend we had made the decision that he should keep the band going. When he told Ian what he planned to do, Ian said, “I was hoping you would say that.” Jimmy also took on board Ian’s advice – “If nothing is happening, you have to MAKE it happen.”
Come December, the Powrie family was ready to leave. A Farewell Party for friends and family was held at The Moncrieiffe Arms Hotel in Bridge of Earn. A concert in Auchterarder brought an emotional Ian Holmes all the way from Dumfries. The final concert was held in Glasgow when ‘Ian Powrie’s Farewell to Scotland’ was played for the first time. The night they were leaving, I went to say ‘goodbye’ and I shall never forget Ian putting his arm round me and saying, “Stop greetin’ ye auld w***e (Scottish spelling h**r).Leila and I kept very much in touch with letters and we were delighted when Ailsa came home and stayed with us for a while, her famous remark to us being – “It’s great to be with a family that eats as quickly as the Powries.” She was also with us at the time of her 21st birthday and we really considered her a third daughter. Finlay was a bit of a holy terror when he was young. I remember his being found standing on top of the radiogram turntable , going round and round – very inventive, I thought.
Another memory is of Ian’s band playing somewhere in Northumberland. Andrew Rankine lived in Whitley Bay at the time and the band was invited to his home after the dance for a blether and a dram. Ian phoned Leila to tell her they would be a little late but Leila didn’t know How late and nearly had the rolling pin out when Ian eventually came home. What she had not realised was that Andrew was no longer in Dunblane but in the North of England!
Ian had the real attributes for a bandleader. He was organised (except for the time he landed at the TV Studios in Glasgow without the fiddle. A frantic phone call home and Leila drove through at the double with the errant fiddle). Ian was also pretty easy-going and didn’t panic or ‘lose the heid’, which took some doing with 5 different egos to contend with. He had a lovely turn of phrase, as had all the Powrie brothers, and one which I particularly remember was when they were driving home from a gig on a very cold, frosty morning. They saw a man, dressed for the weather, getting his tractor started. Ian said, “Aye, there’s a lad weel up intae his bunnet this morning.” Only one of the pawky remarks for which he was known. In Radio Scotland’s Tribute to Ian, I told of when I was in Australia in 2001 for their Golden Wedding. One morning, we were driving into Midland, the nearest town, when a rather large lady passed by. I said, “Goodness, there’s someone wioth a bigger bum than me.” Ian replied – “Och, I widnae go that far.”
And, of course, Ian was famous for his capacity for sleep, no matter what the circumstances. I have a video of one Christmas at Forgandenny, with our grandchildren dashing around on roller scates, guitars playing, chatter – and Ian sound asleep, quite unconscious of the heap of streamers which had been piled on his head. And at Ian and Leila’s Ruby Wedding in 1991, guests were asked to spend no more than £1 on presents. Bill Torrance and some of the other artistes at a prestigious Burns Supper held in Moscow gave photographs of Ian, sound asleep at the table, if not at the actual Kremlin, the next most important building.
Ian was a real character, whom I will remember for his friendship, his love of the country, his ability to sleep under all circumstances, his love of food, his pawky humour – but, most of all, his truly memorable music-making both in solo and band work.
A Dancer’s Perspective
by Rob Sargent
When I started dancing in 1944 at school at the age of 6 I felt that this was something that I had an affinity with and, although it was English Country Dance, it was something that even at that age I couldn’t get enough of, later becoming the leader of the school dance team. Having a Scottish heritage I was persuaded to take up Scottish Country and Highland dance, that was in 1946 and I haven’t stopped since then. The tuition I had was with one teacher for 12 years with practice and rehearsing for shows at least four times a week. When my teacher was taken ill he asked me to take on his classes, which was a great honour. I carried out his request for six years before moving away from the area. In the early years dancing was to live music, either a pianist or a fiddler and once a week to a band, usually at the Royal Scottish Corporation Hall in London. In the 1950s some bands had two or three fiddlers, pianist, button and keyboard accordionists and a drummer. I can remember at the New Year’s Eve Ball at Wembley Town Hall in 1954 there were 12 musicians on stage, out of the 12 there were 6 fiddlers, 2 keyboard accordionists and Donny McBain (who was originally from Lochinver) on squeeze box, a pianist, a guitarist and a drummer. On seeing this number on stage I thought, “How is this all going to stay together for 4 hours?” It was exhilarating and perfection; such was the dedication of all the musicians who played from the heart. Over the years I traveled with McBain’s Band throughout England observing and understanding their skills, it was a very important learning curve for me. It was unfortunate McBain’s never played in Scotland but they were booked every week of the year including numerous European bookings. A number of Scots, however, did play with the band, names such as Davie Thornton, William Wallace, John Ellis, Davie Ferguson and Willie Hunter Jnr. When Donny McBain returned to Scotland Nan Fleming Williams took over leadership of the band. At that time the band included Davie Thornton, Bill Farr, Jack Farr and the amazing pianist Alan Grant Humberstone who could turn his hands to any country’s folk or classical music. The band was so popular that they became resident band for the EFDSS at Cecil Sharp House in London.
The bands that were extremely popular in Scotland around that time, who we could only hear through 78 recordings, were Jimmy Shand, Bobby MacLeod, Adam Rennie, Andrew Rankine, Ian Powrie, Alistair Downie and Jim Cameron amongst many others. It was later on when Jimmy Shand appeared in the south to great acclaim with a show called ‘This is Scotland’, these were always sell-out evenings and on one occasion I had the honour of having Jimmy shand playing The Highland Fling for me at Oxford Town Hall, I will never forget it. These were tremendous times, which I don’t think will ever be repeated.
With today’s bands we are fortunate in being able to listen to excellent sound and tempos, live and on CD, although I feel that the early sound is not replicated today. The earlier recordings did vary a lot in tempo, which is leading me on to today’s musicians. So many musicians play for a variety of functions that when it comes to playing for Scottish Country Dancing their tempos are so far ranging that at the end of the evening comments are such as, “I didn’t enjoy the evening because the band were either too fast or too slow.” As a dancer, teacher, and deviser of dances tempo id crucial to me.
It is important to realise, especially for up-and-coming box and fiddle players, that the ability to play tunes at twice the speed of sound might be pleasing to themselves but not to a lot of listeners. A lot of feeling in the way the tune was composed is lost.
At a recent Button Box Rally at the Eden Court in Inverness, that played to a full house and an attentive audience, there were two young solo musicians who played powerfully, sympathetically and from the heart and were appreciated by everybody; listening to them was a real joy. My hope is that if the continue in this vein of performance, they will go to the top of their profession in years to come.
As a dancer I have performed and taught worldwide and with the growth of Scottish Country Dance throughout the world, especially in the old Eastern Bloc countries and Japan, there will be more scope for solo musicians and bands to play in these countries. I would not have traveled so much if it wasn’t for dance. In 1998 I had the urge to devise dances. Although there are over 20,000 dances to pick and choose from, why should anybody want to dance mine? Over the years I have built up a friendship with two of Scotland’s top musicians who play at tempos I like and who have also written some wonderful tunes for me. They are Ian Cruiickshanks, the button-key accordionist, and Colin Dewar, a keyboard accordionist. I listen to their playing and tempos and this gives me the motivation to devise dances that flow and are sympathetic to what is being played. It is one of the reasons why my dances are performed worldwide. It was several years ago that Colin said to me that bands needed something other than jigs, reels and strathspeys to play so why didn’t I devise some Hornpipes? Having just released The Ruthven Collection Volume 1 I was quite frankly devoid of any ideas for new dances. However I did have a CD of John Ellis in the car which contained a Hornpipe and within five minutes I had a dance devised. I rang Colin back and asked him where the music was for it? The Tullich Hornpipe was born and since then a further 7 Hornpipes have been devised including a Shetland Trilogy. Over the years Colin has devised over 20 original tunes for my dances, including Robbie Over the Waves, Distillery Reel and The Homecoming 2009. Ian has also contributed a number of tunes; one which has gone round the world is Sir J. M. Barrie of Thrums (The Peter Pan Dance). Why do I mention these points? It is because for all you learning the art of box and fiddle the world can open up for you; stick at it, there are people like me who appreciate good music with style and feeling when we are on the dance floor, it makes us better dancers.
The following CDs are available :-
Ruthven Collect Vols 1 to 3
Black Watch Edition
All by Colin Dewar
Duncan Campbell (19.03.1925 – 20.08.2011) - Obituary
by
The Oban Club would like to pay tribute to the late Dancan Campbell, one of the founder members of the Club who sadly passed away on the 20th August.
In 1975 Duncan, along with others, founded the Oban Accordion and Fiddle Club. Over the years he was always interested in the Club and his knowledge of dance bands and dance music was much appreciated by young and old.
He continued as a player on double bass, fiddle and drums, playing with all the local musicians all through the years up until our last Club night in April this year. For 10 years he was a presenter on ‘Oban FM’ presenting ‘Best of the Box’ with his signature tune ‘Duncan Campbell of Oban’, a tune composed in Duncan’s honour by Willie Lawrie of Kinlochleven.
Duncan played with many bands including Alasdair Hunter, Alasdair Downie, Colin Campbell and Alasdair Brown and at times with Jimmy Shand and Bobby MacLeod. He toured with David Webster’s ‘This is Scotland’ and also played in their summer seasons here in Oban. Latterly he played along with Hector McFadyen in McTavish’s Kitchen Summer Show.
We would like to extend our sympathy to Emma and family. Duncan will be a great loss to us all at Oban Accordion and Fiddle Club
Tom Hall (Obituary)
by
Tom loved his music, in particular the Scottish dance music. He was involved in Scottish dancing at University in Leeds in the 50s and, enthused by meeting Jack Delaney (on of the best second box players of his generation), the Scottish Country Dance Band bug had been caught.
In Manchester he originally teamed up with his brother Ian in 1960. They formed ‘The Hall Brothers’ with Tom on box, Ian on piano (or sometimes the other way round). Sister-in-law Heulwen soon joined on piano. They were to play together often over the following 50 years.
Tom was perhaps best known for leading The Rattray Band. Lifelong friends Hugh Ferguson on second box and Laurence Beard on bass played with him in this format for over 30 years. Roy Bentley on drums and Peter Lawson on piano also made long-term contributions.
The Rattray Band was one of the most popular bands of the 1960s and 70s south of the border, especially in the Midlands and North West England. They appeared regularly each summer in Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens and provided the music for well over half of the memorable annual Scots’ Night concerts in Manchester’s Free Trade Hall.
I had the pleasure of playing quite regularly with Tom in latter years in the SE of England, often joined by Ray Milbourne or Ali Forbes on piano. He had put together a very comprehensive set of Scottish dance tunes and enjoyed listening to and talking about tunes and bands. He was generous in sharing his music folio; almost all of my early band material was based on Tom’s extensive collection.
“Lively”, “good to dance to” and with a real appreciation of the Scottish idiom is how I would describe The Rattray Band sound. Tom made a very valuable and much appreciated contribution to the Scottish Country Dance music scene and will be sadly missed by this community.
Accordiana 3
Shetland A&F Festival 2011
by Eunice Henderson
This being my first visit to Shetland………
See Hear! with Bill Brown
CD Reviews
Truly Scrumptious – Iaian Cathcart SDB – CONISB04
Take the Floor – Saturday Evenings 19.05 – 21.00 with Robbie Shepherd (repeated on Sunday’s
5th Nov 11 – Burns Brothers Ceilidh Band (Keith Dickson)
12th Nov 11 – Colin Donaldson SDB (Glenfiddich Part 1)
19th Nov 11 – Da Fustra (Glenfiddich Part 2)
26th Nov 11 – James Leask SDB – OB from Shetland
CLUB DIARY
Aberdeen (Old Machar RBL) – 29th Nov 11 - tbc
Alnwick (The Farrier’s Arms – Shilbottle)
Annan (St Andrew’s Social Club) - 20th Nov 11 – Roy Hendrie
Arbroath (Viewfield Hotel) - 6th Nov 11 – Neil Dawson SDB
Balloch (St. Kessog’s Church Hall) – 20th Nov 11 – Iain Anderson SDB
Banchory (Burnett Arms Hotel) –
Banff & District (Banff Springs Hotel) – 23rd Nov 11 – Lomond Ceilidh Band
Beith & District (Anderson Hotel) – 21st Nov 11 – Maggie Adamson
Biggar (Municipal Hall) – 13th Nov 11 - Tribute
Blairgowrie (Moorfield Hotel) - 8th Nov 11 – Hebbie Gray
Britannia (Arden House Hotel) - 30th Nov 11 – Leonard Brown
Bromley (Trinity United Reform Church) -
Button Key (Windygates Institute) – 4th Nov 11 – Dance to Bruce Lindsay Jnr SDB 10th Nov 11 – Ian McCallum Trio
Campsie (Glazert Country House Hotel) - 1st Nov 11 – Gordon Shand SDB
Carlisle (St Margaret Mary Social Club) -
Castle Douglas (Urr Valley Country House Hotel) – 15th Nov 11 – Bob Dorrance Trio
Coalburn (Miners’ Welfare) - 17th Nov 11 – Gordon Pattullo
Coldingham (Village Hall) -
Crieff & District (Crieff Hotel)
Cults (Culter Sports & Social Club)
Dalriada (Argyll Inn, Lochgilphead) - 15th Nov 11 – Steven Carcary
Dingwall (National Hotel) – 2nd Nov 11 – Gordon Pattullo
Dunblane (Victoria Hall) – 16th Nov 11 – Nicky McMichan SDB
Dunfermline (Headwell Bowling Club) – 8th Nov 11 – John Morgan
Dunoon & Cowal (McColl’s Hotel)
Duns (Royal British Legion Club, Langtongate) 21st Nov 11 – Bon Accords
Ellon (Station Hotel) – 22nd Nov 11 – Gordon Pattullo
Fintry (Fintry Sports Centre) – 28th Nov 11 – Gordon Pattullo
Forfar (Plough Inn) - 27th Nov 11 – Scott Carnegie SDB
Forres (Victoria Hotel) – 9th Nov 11 – Craig Paton Trio
Fort William (Railway Club, Inverlochy) -
Galashiels (Abbotsford Arms Hotel) – 3rd Nov 11 – Judith Linton Trio
Glendale (The Glendale Hall) - 24th Nov 11 – Wayne Robertson & Davie Stewart
Glenfarg (Lomond Hotel) - 2nd Nov 11 – Freeland Barbour
Glenrothes (Victoria Hall, Coaltown of Balgownie) - Nov 11 -
Gretna (Athlitic & Social Club) - 6th Nov 11 – tbc 27th Nov 11 – Leonard Brown & Friends (CD Launch)
Haddington (Railway Inn) - 13th Nov 11 – Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross
Highland (Waterside Hotel) – 21st Nov 11 – Neil Caul SDB
Inveraray (Argyll Hotel) - 9th Nov 11 – Wayne Robertson Duo
Isle of Skye – (The Royal Hotel, Portree) - 3rd Nov 11 – Colin Donaldson Trio
Islesteps (The Embassy Hotel) – 18th Nov 11 – Dance to Nicol McLaren SDB
Kelso (Cross Keys Hotel) – 30th Nov 11 – Dochie McCallum Trio
Kintore (Torryburn Arms Hotel) –
Ladybank (Ladybank Tavern) - 17th Nov 11 – Club Night
Lanark (Ravenstruther Hall) - 28th Nov 11 – Brian Griffin Duo
Langholm (Eskdale Hotel) – 9th Nov 11 – Andrew Gibb SDB
Lauder (Black Bull Hotel) - 6th Nov 11 – Steven Todd SDB
Lewis & Harris (Stornoway Legion) - 3rd Nov 11 – Ian Crichton Memorial Charity Night
Livingston (Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn) 15th Nov 11 – Club Night
Lockerbie (Queen’s Hotel) - 29th Nov 11 – Neil Caul SDB
Mauchline (Harry Lyle Suite) - 15th Nov 11 – Ewan Galloway Trio
Montrose (Park Hotel) – 2nd Nov 11 – Graeme Mitchell SDB
Newburgh (The Ship Inn) -
Newmill-on-Teviot / Teviotdale (Thorterdykes Roadhouse) 16th Nov 11 – Ewan Galloway SDB
Newtongrange (Dean Tavern) – 28th Nov 11 – Gary Donaldson SDB
North East (Royal British Legion, Keith) – 1st Nov 11 – Jock Fraser SDB
Northern (Lylehill Suite, Templepatrick, N.I.) - 2nd Nov 11 – Johnny Murphy
Oban (The Argyllshire Gathering) – 3rd Nov 11 – Roya MacLean Trio
Orkney (Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall) –
Peebles (Rugby Social Club) – 24th Nov 11 – Iain MacPhail SDB
Perth (Salutation Hotel) – 15th Nov 11 – Iain Anderson SDB
Premier NI (Chimney Corner Hotel) -
Reading Scottish Fiddlers (Willowbank Infant School, Woodley) -
Renfrew (Masonic Hall, Broadloan) – 8th Nov 11 – Gary Sutherland Trio
Rothbury (Queen’s Head Hotel) - 3rd Nov 11 – Andrew Gibb Trio13th Nov 11 – Leonard Brown & Friends (CD Launch)
Scottish Accordion Music (Banchory) -
Seghill (Old Comrades Club) -
Selkirk (Angus O’Malley’s) - 10th Nov 11 – Riddell Fiddles
Shetland (Shetland Hotel, Lerwick) - 10th Nov 11 – AGM & Local Night
Stonehouse (Stonehouse Violet Football Social Club) - 2nd Nov 11 – Gold Brothers SDB
Sutherland (Rogart Hall) - 19th Nov 11 – Iain Angus MacLeod
Thornhill (Bowling Club Hall) - 8th Nov 11 – Alex McIntyre
Thurso (Pentland Hotel) – 7th Nov 11 – Elizabeth MacKenzie SDB
Turriff (Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown) – 3rd Nov 11 – The Garioch Blend
Tynedale (Hexham Ex Service Club) – 17th Nov 11 – Ray Carse
Uist & Benbecula (C of S Hall, Griminish) - 12th & 26th Nov 11 – Local Players
West Barnes (West Barnes Inn) 10th Nov 11 – Matthew MacLennan Trio
Wick (MacKay’s Hotel) – 15th Nov 11 – Robert Nairn Trio
THERE WERE CLUB REPORTS FROM :-
1. Aberdeen
2. Alnwick
3. Annan
4. Arbroath
5. Balloch
6. Banchory
7. Banff
8. Beith
9. Blairgowrie
10. Button-key
11. Campsie
12. Castle Douglas
13. Coalburn
14. Dingwall
15. Dunblane
16. Dunfermline
17. Duns
18. Forfar
19. Forres
20. Glendale
21. Gretna
22. Haddington
23. Highland
24. Isle of Skye
25. Islesteps
26. Kelso
27. Lanark
28. Lauder
29. Lewis & Harris
30. Livingston
31. Lockerbie
32. Montrose
33. Newtongrange
34. North East
35. Northern
36. Oban
37. Perth
38. Renfrew
39. Rothbury
40. Selkirk
41. Shetland
42. Stonehouse
43. Sutherland
44. Thornhill
45. Thurso
46. Turriff
47. Tynedale
48. West Barnes
49. Wick
CLUB DIRECTORY AS AT OCT 2011
(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. Belford A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
10. Biggar A&F Club (Oct 1974 – present)
11. Blairgowrie A&F Club (
12. Britannia B&F Club ( joined 07-08 but much older
13. Bromley A&F Club (joined 95-96 – closed early 08-09)
14. Button Key A&F Club (
15. Campsie A&F Club (Nov 95 – present)
16. Carlisle A&F Club (joined Sept 1993 -
17. Castle Douglas A&F Club (c Sept 1980 – present)
18. Coalburn A&F Club (
19. Coldingham A&F Club (Nov 2008 -
20. Crathes (aka Scottish Accordion Music – Crathes) (Nov 1997 -
21. Crieff A&F Club (cSept 1981)
22. Cults A & F Club (
23. Dalriada A&F Club (Feb 1981)
24. Dingwall & District A&F Club (May 1979 – per first report)
25. Dunblane & District A&F Club (1971 – present)
26. Dunfermline & District A&F Club (1974 – per first edition)
27. Dunoon & Cowal A&F Club (
28. Duns A&F Club (formed 20th Sept 04 – present)
29. East Kilbride A&F Club (Sept 1980 – Closed 04/05)
30. Ellon A&F Club (
31. Fintry A&F Club (Dec 1972 – reformed Jan 1980 – present)
32. Forfar A&F Club (
33. Forres A&F Club (Jan 1978)
34. Fort William A&F Club (2009 -
35. Galashiels A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
36. Galston A&F Club (Oct 1969 – per first edition – closed March 2006)
37. Glendale Accordion Club (Jan 1973)
38. Glenfarg A&F Club (formed 1988 joined Assoc Mar 95 -
39. Glenrothes A&F Club (Mar 93?
40. 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)
41. Haddington A&F Club (formed Feb 2005 - )
42. Highland A&F Club (Inverness) (Nov 1973 – present)
43. Inveraray A&F Club (Feb 1991 - present)
44. Islesteps A&F Club (Jan 1981 – present – n.b. evolved from the original Dumfries Club)
45. Isle of Skye A&F Club (June 1983 – present)
46. Kelso A&F Club (May 1976 – present)
47. Kintore A&F Club (
48. Ladybank A&F Club (joined Apr 98 but formed earlier
49. Lanark A&F Club (joined Sept 96 – closed March 2015)
50. Langholm A&F Club (Oct 1967 - present)
51. Lauder A&F Club (May 2010 -
52. Lewis & Harris A&F Club (Aug 1994 -
53. Livingston A&F Club (Sept 1973 – present)
54 Lockerbie A&F Club (Nov 1973 - present)
55 Maine Valley A&F Club (
56 Mauchline A&F Club (Sept 1983 - present)
57 Montrose A&F Club (joined Sept 1982 - present)
58 Newmill-on-Teviot (Hawick) (Formed late 1988 joined Assoc 1999 - closed March 2016)
59 Newtongrange A&F Club (joined Sept 1977 - present)
60. North East A&F Club aka Keith A&FC (Sept 1971 - present)
61. Northern A&F Club (Sept 2011 -
62. Oban A&F Club (Nov 1975 - present)
63. Orkney A&F Club (Mar 1978 - present)
64. Peebles A&F Club (26 Nov 1981 - present)
65. Perth & District A&F Club (Aug 1970 - present)
66. Premier A&F Club NI (April 1980)
67. Phoenix A&F Club, Ardrishaig (Dec 2004 -
68. Renfrew A&F Club (1984 -
69. Rothbury Accordion Club (7th Feb 1974) orig called Coquetdale
70. Selkirk A&F Club (
71. Shetland A&F Club (Sept 1978 - present)
72 Stonehouse A&F Club (first report June 05 -
73 Sutherland A&F Club (Nov 1982 -
74 Thornhill A&F Club (joined Oct 1983 – see Nov 83 edition – closed April 2014)
75 Thurso A&F Club (Oct 1981 - present)
76 Turriff A&F Club (March 1982 - present)
77 Tynedale A&F Club (Nov 1980 - present)
78 Uist & Benbecula A&F Club (Dec 2007 but formed 1994 -
79 West Barnes ( - present)
80 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?)
81. Araharacle & District A&F Club (cMay 1988)
82. Armadale A&F Club (Oct 1978? or 80) originally called Bathgate Club (for 2 months) Last meeting May 2010
83. Ayr A&F Club (Nov 1983 – per Nov 83 edition) Closed
84. Bonchester Accordion Club (Closed?)
85. Bridge of Allan (Walmer) A&F Club (Walmer Hotel, Bridge of Allan) (c March 1982)
86. Brigmill A&F Club (Oct 1990) Closed
87. Buchan A&F Club
88 Callander A&F Club (
89 Campbeltown & District A&F Club (c Dec 1980)
90 Cleland (cNov 1981 – March 1985) originally called Drumpellier A&F Club (for 2 months)
91 Club Accord
92 Coquetdale A&F Club (Feb 1974 or c1976/77 – 1981/2? – became Rothbury?)
93. Coupar Angus A&F Club (cSept 1978 - ?)
94. Cumnock A&F Club (October 1976 - forced to close cDec 1982 - see Jan 83 Editorial)
95. Denny & Dunipace A&F Club (Feb 1981)
96. Derwentside A&F Club
97. Dornoch A&F Club (first mention in directory 1986)
98. Dumfries Accordion Club (Oughtons) (April 1965 at the Hole in the Wa’)
99. Dunbar Cement Works A&F Club (Closed?)
100. Dundee & District A&F Club (January 1971 – 1995?)
101. Edinburgh A&F Club (Apr 1981) prev called Chrissie Leatham A&F Club (Oct 1980)
102. Falkirk A&F Club (Sept 1978 - )
103. Fort William A&F Club (21st Oct 1980 – per Dec 1980 B&F)
104. Gorebridge (cNov 1981) originally called Arniston A&F Club (for 2 months)
105. Greenhead Accordion Club (on the A69 between Brampton and Haltwistle)
106. Islay A&F Club (23 Apr 93 -
107. Kirriemuir A&F Club (cSept 1981)
108. Lesmahagow A&F Club (Nov 1979 – closed May 2005)
109. M.A.F.I.A. (1966 – 1993?)
110. Monklands A&F Club (Nov 1978 – closed cApril 1983)
111. Morecambe A&F Club (joined Sept 1982)
112. Muirhead A&F Club (Dec 1994 -
113. Mull A&F Club
114. Newcastleton Accordion Club
115. Newburgh A&F Club (joined 2002 but founded much earlier – closed April 2011 when venue closed)
116. New Cumnock A&F Club (cMarch 1979)
117. Newton St Boswells Accordion Club (17th Oct 1972 see Apr 1984 obituary for Angus Park)
118. Ormiston Miners’ Welfare Society A&F Club (closed April 1992 – per Sept Editorial)
119. Reading Scottish Fiddlers (cMarch 1997
120. Renfrew A&F Club (original club 1974/5 lapsed after a few years then again in 1984)
121. Stirling A&F Club (Oct 1991 – closed 20000/01?)
122. Straiton Accordion Club (c1968 – closed March 1979)
123. Stranraer & District Accordion Club (1974 – per first edition)
124. Torthorwald A&F Club (near Dumfries)
125. Tranent A&F Club
126. Vancouver
127. Walmer (Bridge of Allan) A&F Club
128. Wellbank A&F Club
129. Yarrow (prev known as Etterick & Yarrow) (Jan 1989 – closed 2001/02)
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Back Page (colour) - £300
Full Page (colour) - £220
Full Page (b&w) - £140
Half Page (colour) - £110
Half Page (b&w) - £70
Quarter Page (colour) - £55
Quarter Page (b&w) - £35
Eighth Page - £18
Small Boxed £12