Box & Fiddle - August 2015

Fiddle

38th Year No. 12 Aug 2015

The magazine for Scottish music enthusiasts

The Peggy Day Story THE BILLY THOM MEMORIAL TROPHY

Highland Music Trust CREAM OF THE HIGHLANDS

PLUS CLUB & DANCE DIARIES, REVIEWS, AND MUCH MORE...

£2.70

BOX&

Welcome

B&F • EDITORIAL

3

...to the August 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 Irvine mamidesigns@hotmail.com Section icons by: FlatIcon

Cover Image The Peggy Day Band Printer • Meigle Colour Printers www.meigleprint.co.uk

NAAFC Chairman • Nicol McLaren 9 Sheila Road, Blairgowrie Perthshire, PH10 6RP Tel: 01250 874 526 nicol@boxandfiddle.com Vice Chairman • Iain Cathcart Tel: 01555 661 017 iain@boxandfiddle.com Secretary • Susan MacFadyen Carlung Farm, West Kilbride Ayrshire, KA23 9PU Tel: 01294 823 865 susan@boxandfiddle.com Treasurer • Willie Johnstone treasurer@boxandfiddle.com Executive Committee: Charlie Kirkpatrick David Cunningham Margo Maclennan Richard Ross Tom Orr

This month sees the end of the ‘summer holidays’ for many clubs, and it is time to plan ahead for another successful season.

I hope you have benefited from the improved administration, communication and services to everyone using and reading the magazine. Work is still ongoing though; my next task is getting the Guest Artiste list in a Pia Walker, Editor better shape. You can help me by mentioning to your guests that they should check their information on the online guest artiste list and get in touch with me with updates. I also continue to try and contact as many lapsed subscribers as possible to find out why they are not subscribing any longer. Many have told me that they now buy at the clubs, which can only be good for us all.

With the new format and Marie’s fantastic designs, it is now possible to sell it to a wider audience. We are trying to have a more visible presence at events round the country, and you will have noticed that quite a few retailers now stock the magazine too. This has many benefits: it increases sales, attract more subscribers and hopefully more audience over the doors in the various clubs.

Quite a few clubs have taken the chance to improve their magazine sales by taken a few extra copies as Sale or Return.

If you regularly sell these extra magazines, why not add them to your order this year? I am tinkering with the idea of sending all clubs an extra magazine every month as Sale or Return. If you sell it - good, if not bring them back at the next AGM or whenever you see me. I would like to see ALL clubs with a magazine on display every month so your audience know it is there.

Although we are now in better shape, Marie and I will still work hard to improve the magazine and its sales, but we do need you all to work with us. Help us promote the magazine wherever you go; you thereby help your clubs and our music.

Information re the AGM and Luncheon will appear in the September issue.

Hope you are all looking forward to a great new season.

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.

Contents

10 6

News The Hills of Northumberland recording facilities; Cash for Kids Fiddlers’ Rally

8

Summer Subscriptions

Find out where to pick up your copy

9

Centre Stage Robbie Shepherd

10 The Peggy Day Story

Written by Nigel Greenstreet

12 The Billy Thom

Memorial Trophy The Annual NAAFC Golf Day

15 Club News

12

22 Highland Music Trust

By Eric and Helen Allan

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22

23 Club Diary

You are never too old to go Clubbing!

26 Take the Floor

Iain Cathcart and his band

27 Dance Diary

Find the nearest dances and ceilidhs

30 Cream of the Highlands

The City of Inverness Youth Pipe Band

32 In Memory

Tributes to Jim Halcrow and David Taylor

34 Reviews

Carriages at Midnight

The latest news from our clubs

Deadlines:

B&F • CONTENTS

36 Music

The Five Row Reel

by Peter Elmes

All articles, adverts, club reports and text for the magazine must be e-mailed to the editor by the 5th of every month at the latest. Copy received after this date cannot be guaranteed to feature in the next issue.

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B&F • WWW.BOXANDFIDDLE.COM

NEWS

News

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

New Recording and Events Facilities in The Hills of Northumberland The Coquetdale Music Trust are delighted to announce the opening now of new studio, event, rehearsal and recording facilities. This new music organisation has been set up in the heart of the Northumbrian Hills near Rothbury, in a beautiful village overlooking the Cheviot Hills and the Coquet Valley to help anyone interested in music.

The studio comprises a large high-ceilinged sound attenuated hall in which a group of forty youngsters recently recorded; two separation rooms (one a dry room and another with a high ceiling) and up-to-date facilities including underfloor heating. The facility is convenient for both Newcastle, Edinburgh and Border musicians to travel to easily.

A number of popular artists including Bryan Gear, Martin Henderson, Kevin Henderson, Mattias Perez, Chris Newman, Maire Ni Chathasaigh,

Celebrations Congratulations go to Marian Anderson and Max Ketchin on their Rhodes wedding in May.

Alistair Anderson (patron), Robert Whitehead, Gary Forrest, Roddy Matthews, Leonard Brown and Margaret Scollay have all played at the premises and continue to support the trust in it’s vision to bring to the fore the traditional and contemporary music of Northumberland, the Scottish Borders and beyond. The recording studio has the advantage of an excellent engineer with many years experience and is available to all at any level.

For all enquiries telephone 01669 622367 or contact lesleyhallcoquetdalemusictrust@gmail. com. The office is open on Tuesdays from 9am to 1pm, but a message can be left. The Coquetdale Music Trust looks forward to welcoming you to the venue.

Letter

Just received this on Facebook

Hey you, this is a bit random, but I think you should start spear heading a campaign to get a modern version of The White Heather Club back on TV. Not using the same faces each week, band, singer etc., but using ceilidh/dance bands from around Scotland.

And instead of having just Scottish country dancers, all tartaned up and looking very posh, have ordinary folk that you would see at a ceilidh. Include pipe bands and musicians who don’t have any fancy traditional music qualifications, but have years of experience. - Name withheld

C

tre Sta n e

ge

What is your most cherished childhood memory?

Carefree days growing up in the village on Dunecht Estate in Aberdeenshire.

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

Miss Bruce, my headmistress in Dunecht, for the encouragement that enabled me to get a bursary for higher education at Robert Gordon’s College.

What was your first job?

A junior audit assistant at the princely sum of 30 shillings a week.

When was the first time you performed in public?

As a 5-year-old having to sing and dance in costume, Little Mr Baggy Breeches, with a snottery-nosed quine. How could I forget that?

What do you appreciate most in life?

The way that I was brought up - nae airs and graces, and the fact that I continue to be in good health in spite of being diagnosed with prostate cancer 5 years ago and aye knypin on.

What is your greatest indulgence?

A gweed dram o decent malt in sociable company and monopolising the TV when fitba comes on.

What is your abiding musical memory?

Listening to Jim Cameron and his band playing in the village hall, the sound of the cornet wafting through the open windows.

What are your worst fears?

That life for my grandson Dougie might not be as smooth as it has been for me. Again, nae bein able to remember aa the freens I’ve met in presenting Take The Floor What are the best places in the world you have visited?

I am hame-drauchtit, so there’s nae place like hame.

Robbie Shepherd Who doesn’t know this gentleman? Warm, welcoming and smiling both in person and on the radio.

With a gigantic knowledge of our kind of music.

What is your favourite venue?

In early days the Tivoli Theatre in Aberdeen and for Take The Floor it has to be Shetland though I have been privileged to present the programme aboard the Queen Mary at Long Beach, California, a few programmes from Ontario and even a Take The Floor from Portugal - each one a great experience.

How would you like to be remembered?

To have guided a Scottish Dance Music radio programme for 34 years, dedicated to keeping our unique traditional music in the forefront against some shameless snobbery.

What makes you angry, annoyed or short tempered?

Those who try to play down our rich heritage of song, music, story and dialect.

What is your favourite location in Scotland?

The North-East of Scotland - the heartland of all I hold dear.

B&F • AUGUST 2015

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If you had to leave what would you miss and what would you be glad to see the back of?

Perish the thocht. My family and the way I live my life.

If your house was on fire what item would you save?

There’s nothing of much value, but at present I have all my detailed scripts of the programmes - over 100 files - at home and am waiting to see if BBC archives are ready to take them away.

Who are your heroes and why?

It’s difficult to describe the word “heroes”, but the dedicated nurses, doctors, surgeons and consultants come into that category in any emergency.

The Scottish Dance Music scene - your thoughts and hopes?

That it continues to thrive. I’ve had the best of it, but we must keep encouraging the young in their own innovative styles. If not, where will it land us?

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

I’m nae one for dinner parties and a sociable evening with close friends in our house is to the liking of both of us. Mind you, I would have to have Violet Tulloch as she invited me on a previous Centre Stage.

Your 1,2,3 of favourite songs: Leaving Lerwick Harbour by Willie Hunter first and foremost.

Sunset on the St Lawrence by Angus Fitchett and The Wild Geese by Jim Reid.

Today I will: Eat - Hope mince and tatties is on the menu Drink - A glass o MacAllan malt Read - The Press and Journal Visit - Losh kens where. Mair time when I retire.

Watch - Fitba or Have I got News for You on TV.

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? If you don’t have a report to write, then mention someone from your club or a special event and send in a relevant photo. 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 ST ANDREW At the June meeting the guest band was The Dick Black Scottish Dance Band, comprising Dick Black on five-row button-key accordion, Ian Wilson on keyboard and Jack McLeish on drums and occasional vocals. Dick is a very gifted accordionist and such is his popularity that he is regularly asked to play at accordion clubs and social functions across the country. He and the band have also produced a number of CD’s. The band commenced the evening by playing for a selection of dances.

The local players, accompanied by Ian Wilson on keyboard and Billy Porter and Ian Riddet on drums were: Kenny Jackson on piano accordion who had travelled from Stonehouse in Lanarkshire to attend the club; Norman Swainson from Wigton (piano accordion); Jim Fraser from Dumfries, who is a marvelous supporter of the club, played piano accordion; Willie Little from Dumfries played two sets on whistle, including the

Maggie & Leonard at Arbroath

appropriate pipe tune The Battle of Waterloo. Newby Park from Carlisle on piano accordion; Les Hurst from Carlisle played a piece of classical music on piano accordion giving it tremendous ‘lift’ by use of the bellows; David Bell from Carlisle played piano accordion; The final local player was John Waugh from Carlisle who played piano accordion.

The guest band then returned to the stage and played for further dancing. At the end of the evening, MC Jack Murdoch thanked the band and each and every one of the local players.

ARBROATH An excellent evening of first class music and craic was delivered at our June meeting by our guests Maggie Adamson and Leonard Brown. A very large audience was in attendance and fully appreciated the extent of the talent from this duo. We were left spellbound by the ease and expertise demonstrated by both musicians, each complementing the other from slow airs to Continental pieces. Maggie’s slow airs were exceptional and her rendition of The Four

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B&F • CLUB DIARY

23

Club Diary

Please contact editor@boxandfiddle.com for any corrections to the diary.

Please note that the column for Guest Artistes have moved to between Club and Venue

August 2015 DATE

CLUB

GUEST ARTISTE

VENUE

TIME

CONTACT

2

Arbroath

Neil McEachern SDB

Arbroath Artisan Golf Club, Elliot, By Arbroath DD11 2PE (Doors open at 7.30pm)

8.00 pm

Tony Simpson 01241 875 326

4

Seghill

Club Night Visitors welcome

Seghill Comrades Club, Cramlington NE23 7TQ

7.30 pm

James Youngson 01670 356 410

5

Alnwick

International Festival of Musicians (A week early)

The Farriers Arms, Alnwick NE66 2XX

7.30 pm

Leonard Brown 0191 4219 804

5

Banff & District

Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross

Banff Springs Hotel, Banff AB45 2JE

7.30 pm

Alison Coutts 01346 518 754

5

Glenfarg

Judith Linton Trio

Glenfarg Village Hall, Glenfarg PH2 9NZ

8.00 pm

Russell Robertson 01577 830 642

5

Montrose

Garioch Blend

Park Hotel, Montrose DD10 8RJ

7.30 pm

Ron Ramsay 01241 879 487

6

Lewis & Harris

Ewan Galloway Trio

Caladh Inn, Stornoway HS1 2QN

8.00 pm

Janette MacIver 01851 704 870

6

Rothbury

Kyle Rowan Duo

Queens Head Hotel, Rothbury NE65 7SR

7.30 pm

Mary Davidson 01668 281 307

6

Turriff

Leonard Brown & Malcolm Ross

Commercial Hotel, Cuminestown AB53 5WJ

7.30 pm

Pat Steele 01888 562 486

7

Orkney

Brandon McPhee & Co

King Street Halls, Kirkwall

7.30 pm

Jim Marwick 01856 874 474

9

Langholm

Gavin Piper

British Legion, Langholm DG13 0DN

8.00 pm

Adam Grant 01387 381 305

9

Peebles

Summer Special Open Day

Rugby Social Club, Peebles EH45 8RS

1.30 5pm

Dorothy Lawson 07760 197 301

11

Blairgowrie

Lindsay Weir SDB

Red House Hotel, Coupar Angus PH13 9AL

7.45 pm

Helen Aitchison 01821 670 302

11

Seghill

Club Night Visitors welcome

Seghill Comrades Club, Cramlington NE23 7TQ

7.30 pm

James Youngson 01670 356 410

12

Banff & District

Michael Mackay Country Edition

Banff Springs Hotel, Banff AB45 2JE

7.30 pm

Alison Coutts 01346 518 754

13

Button-Key (Windygates)

Gordon Penman

The Greig Institute, Windygates KY8 5DG

7.00 pm

Mary Cook 01592 713 687

16

Annan St Andrew

Bob Liddle & The Blackthorne Ceilidh Band

St Andrew Social Club, Annan DG12 5JW

7.30 pm

Mrs N Taylor 01461 204 604

18

Ellon

Johnny Duncan

Station Hotel, Ellon AB41 9BD

7.30 pm

Dr Tom Jamieson 01358 268 354

18

Seghill

Seghill Comrades Club, Cramlington NE23 7TQ

7.30 pm

James Youngson 01670 356 410

19

Banff & District

Iain MacPhail SDB

Banff Springs Hotel, Banff AB45 2JE

7.30 pm

Alison Coutts 01346 518 754

20

Tynedale

Ian Cruickshanks Duo

Hexham & District Ex-Servicemens Club Hexham NE46 3PQ

7.30 pm

Cynthia MacKenzie 01434 618 646

23

Haddington

Ewan Galloway

Railway Hotel, 70 Court Street, Haddington EH41 3AF

2.00 pm

Audrey Podlinski 01620 828 095

25

Seghill

Club Night Visitors welcome

Seghill Comrades Club, Cramlington NE23 7TQ

7.30 pm

James Youngson 01670 356 410

26

B&F • TAKE THE FLOOR

Take The Floor

IAIN CATHCART AND HIS BAND BBC Radio Scotland invited Iain Cathcart and his band back into the studio to record their sixteenth session for the longstanding weekly Scottish Dance Music programme, Take the Floor.

Iain and the band made their debut recording in the old studio 2 at Queen Margaret Drive in Glasgow in December 1992. During the intervening period Iain and the boys have recorded over 200 tracks for the BBC with their most memorable session being recorded in front of a live audience in Dunecht Village Hall in December 2013 where they performed a scintillating programme featuring the music of many variety theatre greats of the past.

This session saw a change to the longstanding lineup with Neil MacMillan joining the band on acoustic bass. Joining Iain and Neil on the programme were Alistair McCulloch, James Coutts, Graham Berry and Scott Gordon.

Iain and his band are renowned for their melodic playing and interesting arrangements, often featuring out of genre items. We hope you enjoyed the band’s tribute to John, Paul, George and Ringo with a couple of tunes for a Breakaway “Beatle” Blues.

Alistair also stepped forward from the bandstand to join host Robbie Shepherd for a chat on his musical career. l

1st Aug - Take The Floor’s summer series presented by Ian Muir 8th Aug - Take The Floor’s summer series presented by Ian Muir 15th Aug - Take The Floor’s summer series presented by Ian Muir 22nd Aug - Take The Floor’s summer series presented by Ian Muir 29th Aug - Take The Floor’s summer series presented by Ian Muir

B&F • DANCE DIARY

27

Dance Diary

View the Scottih Country Dances online at www.dancediary.info/index.html 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

Every Monday

Kirkwall

St Magnus Centre

Live Music

7.30-10pm

£3/£1

Door - All Welcome

Orkney Dance Assoc.

Every Tuesday

Humbie, East Lothian

Village Hall

(Tuition Given)

7.30-10pm

£3 B.Y.O.B.

Door (Owen & Catherine Harrison) 01383 415 142

Ceilidh, Old Time & Social Dance Club

Every Wednesday

Garelochhead

Parish Church

-

2pm-4pm

£2 (tea)

01436 671 089

Social Club

Bonnyrigg

Pitcairn Centre

Live Music

7.30-10pm

£4

Door (Jennifer Johnstone)

Ceilidh & Old Time

Glasgow

St Andrews in Square

Live Music

7.15 -9.30pm

£5.50 Bar

Door (Tricia Matthews) 01324 716855

Ceilidh & Old Time Class

Every Saturday

Fife, Largo Ward

Largo Ward Village Hall

Live Music

8pm-11pm

No Bar £5 (tea)

Door

Different bands each week. (See Diary)

Every Sunday

Fife, Cupar

Old Parish Church Hall, Kirk Wynd

-

2pm-5pm

£3 (tea)

Door (Owen & Catherine Harrison) 01383 415 142

Ceilidh, Old Time & Social Dance Club

Most Sundays

East Kilbride

Girl Guide Hall, Dundas Place

-

7.30-10pm

£2 (tea)

Door or tel: 01355 230 134 or 245 052

Ceilidh & Old Time Club

Ceilidh & Old Time Dances

August 2015

DATE

TOWN

HALL

BAND

TIME

COST

CONTACT

COMMENTS

7

Portobello

Town Hall

Canongate Cadjers

8pm-10.30

£6

07815 741 699

Pay at Door

7

Fort William

Nevis Centre

Ian Cruickshanks

8pm-12pm

£7

01397 700 268

Charity Old Time Weekend

7 - 29

Edinburgh

Lauriston Hall

Edinburgh Ceilidh

9pm-11pm

£8 advance £10 at Door Bar

0131 339 5374

Advance Ticket Cheaper.

No ceilidhs on 9, 11, 16, 20, 23 or 25. www.edinburghceilidhs.co.uk Group Booking Discount 8

Largo Ward

Village Hall

Gavin Piper

8pm-11pm

£5 Tea

Door

Weekly Dance

8

Canonbie

Village Hall

Iain Anderson

7.3011.30pm

£6 Tea

01387 371 544

BYOB & Food.

8

Black Isle

North Kessock Hall

Garioch Blend

8pm-12pm

£5 Tea

01463 870 508

Social Dancers - B.Y.O.B.

8

Fort William

Nevis Centre

Ian Cruickshanks

8pm-12pm

£7

01397 700 268

Charity Old Time Weekend

9

Glencarse

Village Hall

Alan Doig

7.30-10pm

£3 [No Bar]

01738 552 688

Set & Couples Dances

9

Aberdeen

Ashdale Hall

Johnny Duncan

7.30-10pm

£4

01224 713 674

Part proceeds local charities

12

Banff

Springs Hotel

Michael McKay

7.3010.30pm

£4

01346 518 754

A. & F. C. Dance – Pay at Door

☛

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B&F • WWW.BOXANDFIDDLE.COM

Reviews

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

Carriages at Midnight

Chris Duncan & Catherine Strutt Independent

If ever proof were needed that Scotland’s music continues to travel the world then this CD from down under should provide the confirmation you are seeking that our wonderful music is alive and well on the other side of the planet.

This CD is not a Scottish dance band recording, but one that features only fiddle and piano and very moving and evocative it is too. Chris Duncan is considered an authority in Scottish fiddle music in Australia and a pioneer on the development of music for Scottish country dancing and Scottish fiddling in Australia. Chris has inspired, influenced or taught every Scottish fiddler in the country. He is without doubt a master of his art and a definitive expert of the strathspey. He also holds a widely accepted and well-deserved reputation as the king of swing jigs and is one of the most outstanding Scottish fiddlers in the world today.

Fellow musician, pianist Catherine Strutt, is equally considered to be one of the finest piano players in Scottish country dance music. She is well respected as an innovative and sensitive musician blessed with natural talent. Her intuitive sense of rhythm and colour are incomparable as ably demonstrated on this recording. Catherine through her individual style brings to Scottish dance music a refreshing vigor, groove and enthusiasm, which is both exciting and uplifting for dancer and musician alike.

The recording features twelve tracks, which are all sublime. To those of you who may immediately think that this CD may lack something because there are no accordions in the line-up, would be sadly mistaken! Part of the charm and intrigue of

this CD is its simplicity, which I found wonderful and amazingly endearing in equal measure. The album opens with an infectious set of reels to the tunes The Woody Woodpecker, Mrs Forbes Leith and Kohler’s Hornpipe. Catherine’s piano playing on this opening track is particularly wonderful. The up-beat tempo continues on track two with a great set of jigs, which your feet will be tapping to in an instant. Very early on in this CD it is evident both Chris and Catherine are musicians very much at the top of their game and very much in tune with each other (if you’ll excuse the pun).

This album pulsates with drive and energy from the opening track to the more sedate closing track of Auld Lang Syne. It is superb and if you love the emotion and tenderness of the fiddle combined with some of the best Scottish piano playing I’ve ever heard, then you will love this recording.

For further information check out Chris and Catherine’s website at www.chrisandcatherine. com.au.