Box and Fiddle Magazine

Fiddle

42nd Year No. 01 Sep 2018

£3.00

BOX& The magazine for Scottish music enthusiasts

e n Ju AGM PLUS

THE FIDDLER OF STRATHSPEY FESTIVAL THE BUCHAN HERITAGE SOCIETY STRICHEN FESTIVAL DANIEL HANNAY IS CENTRE STAGE

NEWS, CLUB & DANCE DIARIES AND MUCH MORE...

Welcome

B&F • EDITORIAL

3

...to the September issue of Box & Fiddle The magazine for Scottish music enthusiasts

Editor • Pia Walker 7 Tarvit Gardens Cupar, Fife, KY15 5BT Tel: 01334 657 850 Mob: 07715 115 489 editor@boxandfiddle.com Designer • Marie Martin mamidesigns@hotmail.com Front cover Photo by: Hanspeter Klasser Section icons by: FlatIcon

Printer • Ivanhoe Caledonian Printing Company Ltd Eskmills, Musselburgh, EH21 7PE

NAAFC Chairman Nicol McLaren The Shian, Woodlands Road Blairgowrie, PH10 6LD Tel: 01250 874 526 nicol@boxandfiddle.com Vice Chairman Iain Cathcart Tel: 01555 661 017 iain@boxandfiddle.com Secretary Shona MacFadyen Executive Committee: Scott Band Charlie Kirkpatrick Susan MacFadyen Tom Orr Richard Ross Liam Stewart

I hope that you have all had time to relax during the fantastic summer we have had.

Welcome to all new committee members and reporters. Are you all now ready for the beginning of the season? Some of you have already been in contact. In August I have been phoning many of the clubs just for a blether and of course to remind them to Pia Walker, Editor promote this magazine.

August was quite busy and took me to Lewis and Harris on a wee holiday. I did manage to meet up with the accordion & fiddle club there and I thoroughly enjoyed it. What a beautiful part of the country and being a translator, I so enjoyed hearing the Gaelic spoken so often. I didn’t understand a word, of course, but like trad music, song and dance it is part of the Scottish heritage so shouldn’t be forgotten. I’ll be back! Well, I would like to visit Uist, Benbecula and Barra too one of these days. I am also hoping to have more time this season to visit more clubs.

I still have clubs that haven’t sent in their meeting dates, and I hope they will, sooner rather than later. Don’t wait until you have a guest artist lined up, it is more important that we all now that you are open for business - we can add the guest artists later. It is also time now for all clubs to check online that we have your correct dates and the correct name of the guest artist. Actually, please double check everything you send in to the magazine and website for correct spelling, especially of the names of musicians and music titles etc. This would help me tremendously and free up time for me to make the magazine even more informative and exciting.

We are now approaching a couple of long-standing festivals.

Festivals are a great way of meeting like-minded people and hearing some great music. I hope that you all support your local festivals. Many advertise in the B&F so keep a look out for one near you, and do put 2nd March in your diary now for the NAAFC festival.

Here’s to a great and successful season for you all. Readers, go clubbing!

Keep up with the latest news at

www.boxandfiddle.com Box & Fiddle (NAAFC)

Pia

The editorial team reserves the right to refuse or edit all copy. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the editor. Use of material and advertising from this publication is strictly prohibited without permission in writing from the editor.

While every care has been taken in compiling Box & Fiddle to ensure that it is correct at the time of going to press, Box & Fiddle assume no responsibility for any effects from errors or omissions.

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NEWS

News

Send in your story. If you have a photo that tells a story, send it in with an explanation.

Gretna Open Day

Gretna Accordion and Fiddle Club held an Open Day in The Richard Greenhow Centre on Sunday 29th July. A large audience appreciated the great music right through the afternoon. Our loyal piano player Rosalind Snaith accompanied most of the players along with Graham Woods on drums. Taking a turn on piano was Fiona Paul and helping out on drums were Jock Thompson from Roberton, Tom Hope from Coulter and Ian Riddett from Dumfries. There was a great variety of music and styles – from lovely tunes on whistle from William Little of Dumfries to some great and enthusiastic fiddle music from Ian Woods of Allendale. Local players included Newby Park, Reg White, Roger Dobson, Norman Swainson, Susan Power, Dennis Ewin and Robin and Deryn.

A nice surprise was having Moira Gemmell back on the stage. Moira is the sister of John Douglas and mother of the irrepressible Dougie Gee, and she played accordion in a popular Carlisle band for years. We also enjoyed songs from John Watret of Lockerbie.

We welcomed visiting players from afar. We had Jimmy Gladstone from Maxton, Fiona Paul from Carnwath, Allan Smith from Kirkfieldbank and Guy Hindley from Sellafield, all playing

accordion. We really appreciate everyone who comes along to our club to give their time and talents and entertain our grateful audience. We had a superb afternoon of music and fun – all for a £3.00 charge. What better way to spend a rainy day? Our very competent MC was Robin, definitely the best MC around judging by the many compliments we received.

Thanks go to Freda and Gillian on the door and raffle, Margaret and Doreen who helped with the tea, all those who brought raffle prizes, Norman, Geoff and all who helped with tables and chairs and last, but certainly not least, the players.

Owing to the increasing numbers of those attending Gretna Accordion and Fiddle Club, we are holding our next season in the Greenhow Centre. Central Ave, DG16 5AQ. There will be tea/coffee but no bar but you can bring your own drink. l DSW

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Still arriving

The June AGM

By Pia Walker

T

he Huntingtower Hotel in Perth was once more the venue for the NAAFC AGM on Sunday 24th June 2018. Only a few clubs out of 62 sent in their apologies, so there was a good representation of clubs present, but it took some time to gather all, as roadwork caused considerable delays for the many people who had travelled from all over Scotland and further afield to be there. The format was the same as previous years. With the chairman Nicol McLaren opening the meeting and welcoming all.

The NAAFC festival had to move dates because Inchyra had double booked on our usual date. In hindsight, this may not have been a bad thing as the Beast from the East caused havoc everywhere on that date and the cost of cancelling the festival would have caused a significant loss for the association. The festival committee have been looking at alternative venues for some time, and as you have already seen from notices in the magazine, the festival will now move to Grangemouth Town Hall in 2019. Catering

and hall hire will be more cost effective, so we hope that more people will take the opportunity to join in what is a great day. We will continue to keep you updated on this, but do put the usual date of the first Saturday in March in your diary.

On a similar theme, Huntingtower has taken on a wedding for the last Sunday in June 2019. Charlie Kirkpatrick had therefore also been looking at alternative venues and the 2019 AGM will see us return to the Invercarse Hotel in Dundee. The hotel has more space, so again it is hoped that more people will take the time to attend. Charlie does a fantastic job organising the AGM and the lunch afterwards and will continue to do so in 2019.

Nicol mentioned that the Trad Awards 2017 nominees for Scottish Dance Band of the year were David Halcrow, Duncan Black, James Coutts and John Carmichael, with Duncan Black emerging as the victor. Furthermore, Bobby Crowe was inducted to the Hall of Fame. The time for nominations and voting is soon upon us and you should all take time

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Festivals The Fiddler of Strathspey Festival

F

riday 8th June witnessed a special performance to an audience of around 270 schoolchildren aged from 4 to 12 in Grantown Primary School.

The fiddler was Paul Anderson, this year’s main festival fiddler and one who is acclaimed as “one of the most respected exponents of the Scots fiddle tradition today.” Paul certainly hugely impressed his young audience.

The Festival continued on Friday evening with a special concert entitled “The Strathspey.” An appreciative audience in the Ben Mhor was led, musically, through the story of Strathspey music and dance from its earliest days as pipe tunes, with added tales of such characters as the legendary outlaw James Macpherson and the laird’s piper

and ‘violer,’ Grantown’s own Angus Cumming.

Reference was made to great composers such as William Marshall and Scott Skinner and the different styles of playing the strathspey in contrast to marches or reels. All this was most ably performed by Paul Anderson who was later accompanied on guitar by Alastair MacDougall.

Inevitably, the night continued with a lively session in the Ben Mhor bar!

The 2018 Fiddler of Strathspey competitions took place in Grantown’s charming little St Columba’s Church on Saturday morning. In charge of proceedings was viola player and fiddle tutor Jon Rutter. The adjudicator was Paul Anderson.

As well as competitors, friends and family, the

B&F • CLUB NEWS

Club News Just remember to seek permission to publish the photos and tell us the name of the photographers.

To ensure a more readable section, please only send in max 250-300 words. A photo tells a better story, so add one or two of those too. Why not of your audience? Information in Club News helps attract visitors to your club, so make sure your club sounds like the place we want to go to.

ANNAN The July meeting took place in Newington Social club on Sunday 15th. Jack Murdoch welcomed everyone and introduced the band, who were no strangers to the club.

They were The Bon Accords, comprising husband and wife duo Robin and Deryn Waitt.

Robin played a Shand Marino 3-row accordion and Deryn piano accordion.

They started with a White Heather Foxtrot to Charlie Kirkpatrick’s tune Still Going Strong and continued with a variety of dances including a Southern Rose Waltz, Edinburgh Mixture and Jazz Twinkle.

Local players accompanied

by Bill Porter on drums and John Waugh on keyboard then took the stage. They were John Douglas, Kenny White, Newby Park, John Waugh, William Little and Barbara Fisher. John Elliot from Falkirk was visiting the area en route to Devon and played accordion.

After the break for tea and raffle, the Bon Accords came back playing for the dancers.

Among the dances was a Viennese Swing, Fiona’s Polka, Cha Cha, Saunter Together, and lastly a Ruby Waltz.

A very contented audience enjoy Liam Stewart and Gordon Smith

Gordon Smith and Liam Stewart, Arbroath

Jack thanked the band, everyone who brought raffle prizes and who bought tickets and wished everyone a safe journey home.

ARBROATH What a cracking evening we had at our August meeting when the Liam Stewart Duo were our guest performers.

We had a capacity audience who were welcomed by our club chairman Tony Simpson with a special welcome to some holidaymakers making a first attendance. Tony soon had the local players performing and all were in good form. On accordion were Gilbert Cheetham, John Davidson, Barbara Archibald, Tony Simpson, Cora Wilson,

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Centre Stage

26

Daniel Hannay Many people have known the Hannays who for many years had been involved in the Stonehouse A & F club.

When was the first time you

If your house was on fire what

performed in public?

item would you save?

Around 1974 playin with a group

Too many old accordions. So the

called The Tartan Echoes.

dog or maybe the wife.

What do you appreciate most

Who are your heroes and why?

in life?

R.A.F. Would have liked to join,

Health.

but as a farmer I was never allowed.

What is your most cherished The Scottish dance music scene

childhood memory?

My life on the farm.

Who was a big influence in your life and /or your music?

Listening to Jimmy Shand on a Saturday night.

What was your first job?

Farmer.

What are the best places in the world you have visited?

Switzerland/ Montenegro/ Madeira.

What is your favourite musical venue?

Stonehouse bowling club when

- your thoughts and hopes?

More young people should get involved and keep it going.

What 5 people would you invite to your dream dinner party?

Robbie Shepherd, Derek Hamilton, John Douglas and Janet Graham.

the accordion club was on.

Your 1,2,3 of favourite tunes/

What is your greatest indulgence?

How would you like to be

songs:

Dining out/ Cruising.

remembered?

Dreaming of Hame, Nether

As someone who tried to help.

Bay, Border Bur.

memory?

What makes you angry, annoyed

Today I will

The Piping Centre where I heard

or short tempered?

Eat: Dinner at the Bowling Club

Fergie MacDonald for the first

Things not going right.

Drink: Two v/small whiskies

What is your abiding musical

time.

Read: Sunday Post What is your favourite location in

Visit: Play all day game at bowls.

What are your worst fears?

Scotland?

Watch: Probably someone else

Drowning.

Cairngorms, Aviemore.

lift trophies or maybe I’ll win!

SEPTEMBER BB&&FF •• CLUB DIARY 2018

27

Club Diary September 2018 DATE

CLUB

GUEST ARTIST

VENUE

TIME

CONTACT

2

Arbroath

Robert Whitehead SDB

Arbroath Artisan Golf Club, Elliot,

By Arbroath DD11 2PE

7.30 pm

Tony Simpson 01241 875 326

2

Clydesdale

Iain Anderson SDB

St Mary’s Club Rooms, 70 Bannatyne Street, Lanark ML11 7JS

2.00 pm

Shirley Cathcart 01555 661 017

2

Gretna

Jiggin Higgins

Richard Greenhow Centre, Gretna DG16 5AQ

7.00 pm

Robin Waitt 01387 371 423

3

Thurso

AIM’s

Pentland Hotel, Thurso KW14 7AA

7.30 pm

Ian Wright 01847 892 050

4

Campsie

The Brandon McPhee Trio

Glazert Country House Hotel, Lennoxtown G66 7DJ

7.30 pm

Billy Hutton 07889 021 972

4

Islesteps

Iain Cathcart SDB

Locharbriggs Social Club, Locharbriggs DG1 1XS

7.30 pm

John Caskie MBE 01387 710 975 07711 573 071

4

Seghill

Club Night (Visitors welcome)

Seghill Comrades Club, Cramlington NE23 7TQ

7.00 pm

James Youngson 01670 356 410

5

Dingwall

Hector McFadyen Band

National Hotel, Dingwall IV15 9HA

7.30 pm

Elspeth Weir 01349 877 675

5

Glenfarg

Callum Cruickshank Trio (30th Anniversary)

Glenfarg Village Hall, Glenfarg PH2 9NU

6.30 pm

Stewart Smith 01577 830 296

5

Montrose

Tom Cruickshank Trio

Park Hotel, Montrose DD10 8RJ

7.30 pm

Ron Ramsay 01241 879 487

5

Orkney

Club Night (Visitors welcome)

The Reel, Kirkwall KW15 1KD

7.30 pm

Jim Marwick 01856 874 474

6

Crieff

Colin Dewar Trio

The British Legion, Crieff PH7 3EB

7.30 pm

Irene Anderson 01764 654 298

6

Lewis and Harris

Ewan Galloway Trio

Caladh Inn, Stornoway HS1 2QN

8.00 pm

Janette MacIver 01851 704 870

6

Rothbury

Tony Kearney

Queens Head Hotel, Rothbury NE65 7SR

7.30 pm

Mary Davidson 01668 281 307

6

Turriff

George Rennie Duo

Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown AB53 5WJ

7.30 pm

Pat Steele 01888 562 486

11

Blairgowrie

TBC

Red House Hotel, Coupar Angus PH13 9AL

7.45 pm

Helen Aitchison 01821 670 302

11

Dunfermline

Kyle Innes Band

Sportsman Bar, Rosyth KY11 2NX

7.30 pm

Mr Bob Adam 01383 306 142

11

Seghill

Club Night (Visitors welcome)

Seghill Comrades Club, Cramlington NE23 7TQ

7.00 pm

James Youngson 01670 356 410

12

Alnwick

Ian Cruickshanks 5-Piece Band

Jubilee Hall, Newton on the Moor NE65 9JY

7.30 pm

Mungo Riddell 07836 637 638

12

Forres

The Cruickshank Family Band

Victoria Hotel, Forres IV36 1EL

7.30 pm

Mrs Ann Sharp 01309 672 672

12

Orkney

Club Night (Visitors welcome)

The Reel, Kirkwall KW15 1KD

7.30 pm

Jim Marwick 01856 874 474

13

Button-Key (Windygates)

TBC

The Greig Institute, Windygates KY8 5DG

7.00 pm

Mary Cook 01592 713 687

13

Carlisle

Frank Morrison Band

St Margaret Mary’s Social Club, Carlisle CA2 4JX

7.30 pm

Alison Davies 01228 675 505

16

Annan St Andrew

John Douglas

St Andrew Social Club, Annan DG12 5JW

7.30 pm

Mrs N Taylor 01461 204 604

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Dance Diary

Contact: ceilidh@dancediary.info Tel: 01389 767718 or send your entry to: Alasdair Graham, 1 First Avenue, Dumbarton G82 2PU

Ceilidh & Old Time Dances

Regular Weekly Events

DATE

TOWN

HALL

BAND

TIME

COST

CONTACT

COMMENTS

Monday

Kirkwall

St Magnus Centre

Live Music

7.30 pm - 10.00 pm

£4/£2

Door - All Welcome

01856 873 534 Orkney Dance Assoc.

Wednesday

Coupar Angus

St Anne’s Church Hall, Forfar Road

-

7.00 pm - 9.00 pm

£2.50

Tracy Thom

01828 628 747 Ceilidh Class.

Wednesday

Glasgow

St Andrews in Square

Live Music

7.15 pm - 9.30 pm

£5.50 Bar

Door (Tricia Matthews) 01324 716855

Ceilidh & Old Time Class

Wednesday

Garelochhead

Parish Church

-

2.00 pm - 4.00 pm

£2 (tea)

Jim 07500 723 874 or Neil 07788 116 32

Social Club

Wednesday

Stornoway

Primary School

-

7.00 pm - 9.00 pm

-

Janette Maciver 01851 704 870

Ceilidh & Old School Term time only

Thursday

Dumfries

Kirkton Village Hall

Live Music

7.30 pm - 10.00 pm

£4

John Caskie 07711 573 071 Restarts 13th Sept

Old Tyme Dance Class with Tuition

Most Sundays

East Kilbride

Girl Guide Hall, Dundas Place

Phone to check time

2.30 pm - 4.30 pm or 7.30 pm - 10.00 pm

£2 (tea)

Door or tel : 01355 230 134 or 245 052

Ceilidh & Old Time Club 01294 212 267

Ceilidh & Old Time Dances

September 2018

DATE

TOWN

HALL

BAND

TIME

COST

CONTACT

COMMENTS

7

Aberdeen

Ashdale Hall

George Rennie

8.00 pm - 12.00 mn

T £7.50

01224 743 645

Adv Tkt. – Music 4 Stage Funds

7

Irvine

Volunteer Rooms

Nicky McMichan

7.30 pm - 11.00 pm

£7 BYOB

01292 440 073

Ayrshire Ceilidh KA12 0BA

8

Canonbie

Village Hall

Johnny Duncan

7.30 pm - 11.30 pm

£6 B.Y.O.B.

07704 727 463

(own food) DG14 0UX

8

North Kessock

Village Hall

Graeme Mitchell

8.00 pm - 12.00 mn

£5 Tea

01463 870 508

Social Dancers IV1 3XS

8

Largoward

Village Hall

Scott Band

8.00 pm - 11.00 pm

£5 Tea

07961 437 615

Weekly Dance KY9 1HZ

9

Aberdeen

Ashdale Hall

Wayne Robertson

7.30 pm - 10.00 pm

£?

01569 731 465

Part proceeds to Local Charities

14

Bridge of Earn

The Institute

Leonard brown

7.30 pm - 10.30 pm

£5 [No Bar]

07952 026 633

Pay at Door

14

Foulden

Village Hall

Dave Husband S.

7.30 pm - 11.30 pm

£6 No Bar

01289 386 400

Tea/Coffee available

15

East Kilbride

Calderwood Hall

Johnny Duncan Duo

7.30 pm - 11.30 pm

£6 tea/bisc.

01355 230 134

Highlanders Dance - BYOB

15

Largoward

Village Hall

Jimmy Lindsay

8.00 pm - 11.00 pm

£5 Tea

07961 437 615

Weekly Dance KY9 1HZ

16

Montrose

Park Hotel

George Rennie

2.00 pm - 5.00 pm

£?

01241 879 487

A & F Club Sunday Ceilidh

16

Milnathort

Town Hall

Leonard Brown

2.00 pm - 5.00 pm

£5 tea

01577 863 244

Proceeds to Charity. Pay at Door

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Reviews Craigievar Ceilidh Band A Perfect Day at Shielburn Shiel CD 026

This latest recording from the Craigievar Ceilidh Band is pure entertainment from beginning to end, and all credit to the band for setting out to produce a record that is different and distinctive from the majority of Scottish dance band CDs that drop through my letter box.

As I state regularly, top class musicianship is a given nowadays given the high standard of musical excellence that’s now out there, but that is no longer enough. You have to have a distinctive sound, warmth and passion in your recordings combined, very importantly, with the ability to entertain and excite your audience and I feel the excellent Craigievar Ceilidh Band have ticked those boxes with this CD. The Craigievar Ceilidh Band have been operating

If you wish your CDs, DVDs or books to be reviewed, please send them to: Bill Brown, 3 Galahad Close, Cippenham, Slough, SL1 9DT

in Reading and the south of England since the 1980’s and during that time have amassed great respect and credibility. Ten musicians contributed to this great set namely the legendary Stuart Forbes (fiddle), Anne Reid and Alex Forbes (keyboard), Alistair Forbes (saxophone), Ray Milbourne (piano), Alex Forbes (double bass), and John Patrick, Gordon Nicoll, Alistair Cameron and Iain MacPhail, all on accordion (but not all at the same time). You will find some great evergreen favourites on this stylish recording including Forty Shades of Green, The Veleta, Danny Boy, I Love You Because, Beer Barrel Polka, The Road and the Miles to Dundee, Secret Love, Iain MacPhail’s Compliments to Stuart Forbes, The Tobermory Two-Step, The Dean Brig O’Edinburgh, The Memory Waltz, A Perfect Day, Morison’s Seven Thistles and Leveneep. The band also push the boundaries with a version of Eric Clapton’s Tears in Heaven featuring some excellent piano playing. They fittingly and respectively dedicate the album to the memory of accordionist Alistair Cameron (1945-2017).

This is a highly enjoyable recording with something for all tastes included in the set list.

Highly recommended. l

Fyne Fiddles Volume 1 Amy Geddes with Donald Knox Published by Fine Fiddles, Midothian Can you learn a musical instrument, in this instance a fiddle, from a book? I doubt that very much. Can you learn a musical instrument from a book and CD? I doubt that too unless you are incredibly talented.

But, if you are learning to play a fiddle, this book and the accompanying CDs are probably as good as it gets.

Amy Geddes’s warmth and good humour come