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
5
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
15
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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
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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.