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North Staffs Accordion Club Newsletter March 2015 Staffs Accordion Club... · Newsletter March 2015...

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Hi Everyone. I hope you are well and enjoying this first taste of Spring. The Holditch Shuts – New Venues Just prior to our last clubnite a bombshell was dropped when Sharon, manager of the Holditch Miners’ Welfare Club, our home as a club for the last 15 years +, stated that she intended to shut the club on Tuesdays and Wednesday nights. Apparently the takings did not cover the cost of heating. This affects both the clubnites and band rehearsals though not the Beginners/Improvers Monday sessions because this shares the premises with a darts team, both contributing to the running costs. Suggestions for alternative venues were received from members and also from the public following adverts placed, but most of the suggestions were either not available on the night we wanted or were not suitable because of cost, ambience, or distance from the centre of the city. The band rehearsal venue was the first to be sorted and this has now moved to the Bradwell Workingmen’s Club only a mile or so from the Holditch. There were complications in that during the winter months the concert hall is used for indoor bowls and we would be relegated to the lounge. The lounge, however, has fixed seating which makes it difficult to arrange a layout for the band. On Tuesday 3 rd March the band had its first practice at Bradwell and we elected to use the lounge to make sure that we would fit in when it became necessary for us to do so. We now know how sardines would feel if they were alive and I regret not taking a photo, but we deemed the room to be acceptable and, after a shaky start, it proved to be one of our best rehearsal performances, concentrating on our test piece for the festival at Newcastle later in the month. As it happened, the committee of the club had a meeting in the adjoining bar and members of the committee and the bar staff commented on how much they had enjoyed the music. I wonder if they will say the same in 12 months’ time! The band is now sorted. Fortunately we had a fall-back situation for the clubnite venue with the offer of the use of St. Peter’s Church, Clayton, by church treasurer, Phil Hodges, our drummer (sorry, ‘percussionist’). The church is a bit far for those living in the Crewe direction and the search was on for somewhere a bit more central. Eventually we found a place in the Goldenhill Workingmen’s Club (ST6 5SH) and we will hold our March clubnite there. The concert room is nicely furnished and we’ll see how the members enjoy it there. It may not be a permanent home in that there are plans to move to smaller (new) premises and build houses on the vast car park it boasts. These plans, however, will not come into effect for another 12 months or so and it gives us good breathing space. On the 17 th March we will therefore be at: Goldenhill Workingmen’s Club, Kidgrove Road Goldenhill ST6 5SH North Staffs Accordion Club Newsletter March 2015 N No o 4 4 5 5 2 2 The North Staffs Accordion Club welcomes all accordion enthusiasts playing or non-playing. We hold a ‘Clubnite’ at at 8 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month where entertainment is provided by club members or guest artists. We have a band rehearsal all other Tuesdays and a beginners’ class every Monday at 7.30 pm and a class for schoolchildren on Mondays 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Phone 01782 823668.
Transcript
Page 1: North Staffs Accordion Club Newsletter March 2015 Staffs Accordion Club... · Newsletter March 2015 No 452 The North Staffs Accordion Club ... Tony Britton played Theme from Love

Hi Everyone. I hope you are well and enjoying this first taste of Spring.

The Holditch Shuts – New Venues Just prior to our last clubnite a bombshell was dropped when Sharon, manager of the Holditch Miners’ Welfare Club, our home as a club for the last 15 years +, stated that she intended to shut the club on Tuesdays and Wednesday nights. Apparently the takings did not cover the cost of heating. This affects both the clubnites and band rehearsals though not the Beginners/Improvers Monday sessions because this shares the premises with a darts team, both contributing to the running costs. Suggestions for alternative venues were received from members and also from the public following adverts placed, but most of the suggestions were either not available on the night we wanted or were not suitable because of cost, ambience, or distance from the centre of the city.

The band rehearsal venue was the first to be sorted and this has now moved to the Bradwell Workingmen’s Club only a mile or so from the Holditch. There were complications in that during the winter months the concert hall is used for indoor bowls and we would be relegated to the lounge. The lounge, however, has fixed seating which makes it difficult to arrange a layout for the band. On Tuesday 3rd March the band had its first practice at Bradwell and we elected to use the lounge to make sure that we would fit in when it became necessary for us to do so. We now know how sardines would feel if they were alive and I regret not taking a photo, but we deemed the room to be acceptable and, after a shaky start, it proved to be one of our best rehearsal performances, concentrating on our test piece for the festival at Newcastle later in the month. As it happened, the committee of the club had a meeting in the adjoining bar and members of the committee and the bar staff commented on how much they had enjoyed the music. I wonder if they will say the same in 12 months’ time! The band is now sorted.

Fortunately we had a fall-back situation for the clubnite venue with the offer of the use of St. Peter’s Church, Clayton, by church treasurer, Phil Hodges, our drummer (sorry, ‘percussionist’). The church is a bit far for those living in the Crewe direction and the search was on for somewhere a bit more central. Eventually we found a place in the Goldenhill Workingmen’s Club (ST6 5SH) and we will hold our March clubnite there. The concert room is nicely furnished and we’ll see how the members enjoy it there. It may not be a permanent home in that there are plans to move to smaller (new) premises and build houses on the vast car park it boasts. These plans, however, will not come into effect for another 12 months or so and it gives us good breathing space. On the 17th March we will therefore be at:

Goldenhill Workingmen’s Club, Kidgrove Road Goldenhill ST6 5SH

NNoorr tthh SSttaaff ffss AAccccoorr ddiioonn CClluubb

NNeewwsslleett tteerr MM aarr cchh 22001155

NNoo 445522

TThhee NNoorr tthh SSttaaff ffss AAccccoorr ddiioonn CClluubb welcomes all accordion enthusiasts playing or non-playing.

We hold a ‘Clubnite’ at at 8 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month

where entertainment is provided by club members or guest artists. We have a band rehearsal all other Tuesdays

and a beginners’ class every Monday at 7.30 pm and a class for schoolchildren on Mondays 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Phone 01782 823668.

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Steve Hughes

February Clubnite There was a healthy attendance at our February clubnite (healthy in numbers at least!) having our usual February theme ‘Love in the title’ . We also had a trade stand with Bill McClosky Jr. selling accordions left by his father Bill McClosky Sr. an ex-member of the club who died some years ago. Bill Sr. used to trade in accordions hence the stand was well populated with models.

The first half was compered by Tony Britton who first of all introduced the Beginners/Improvers group led by Geoff Millward and who supported them playing electronic bass on his Limex midi. They played five pieces keeping to the theme, though the link for the last one, Highland Cathedral, was a bit tenuous - “love is sealed through marriage in a church (or cathedral)”!!! And no forgiveness is required for their encore, Blueberry Hill.

Steve Hughes started the solo players with Love Walked In and Beautiful Days with Tony drawing names from a hat one player in advance so that the following player could get ready. Next was Moira Hague (above right), a very active player for both our club and the Stockport club, residing

between the two. She travels to our clubnites, band rehearsals, band concerts, the monthly solo sessions and the Beginners/Improvers Monday night sessions. She gave a nice performance of Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain and You Must Remember This (As Time Goes By). Don Bebbington played Voices of Spring and Danny Boy and sneaked in a third, I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles, and to end the first half Paul Hobbs, all the way from Lichfield with his wife, Chris, played When I Fall in Love and If You Love Me, Really Love Me.

A big thanks to all who presented items for the raffle; so numerous that we’ve held some over till next month.

After the break Steve Hughes, who took over as compere for the second half, announced that this was the last clubnite at the Holditch, which was closing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from now on. This affects the clubnites and band rehearsals and he asked everyone to be on the lookout for another venue and was glad to receive some suggestions on the night. He presented a bunch of flowers to the barmaid, Amy, who is expecting her second child in March.

The second half started with Steve Houghton (above left), conductor of our band, faultlessly playing Hello Young Lovers from The King and I, and Keith Harling’s Square Dance Polka. Joan Bamford played Bless ‘em All and Tipperary and Derek Wilton, with his harmonica, played Groovy Kind of Love and I wish you Love. It was Derek’s birthday and we all joined in singing Happy Birthday to him later in the evening.

Having played on Radio Stoke the previous weekend, saxophonist, Lee Slater, gave us a rendition of My Funny Valentine and The Nearness of You on his tenor sax. Tony Britton played Theme from Love Story and Lara’s Theme but Graham Hughes, who followed, could not pronounce or interpret the names of the two French pieces that he played. Graham Butler ‘test drove’ one of the accordions from Bill’s trade stand which proved to have a lovely musette. He played Love Me Tender and I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You.

Next was a member from the Youth Section, young Scarlett (above right) on clarinet. She played When the Saints go Marching In, Pop Goes the Weasel and Daisy. I later heard Lee Slater describing her as a ‘natural’. Praise indeed.

John Plumb ended the evening with Steve Hughes saying that he would go down in the history of the club as the last player to play at a clubnite at the Holditch. John had produced a song-sheet which he distributed to the audience to sing along with him and we all enjoyed a good singalong to see the evening out. Steve thanked all for coming, all the players for taking part, and John Plumb for the work he put in to produce the singalong sheets. He said that we didn’t know where the next clubnite would be held but that it would be announced in the newsletter.

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Club Band to Compete in Newcastle Festival

for Music, Speech and Drama The Newcastle Festival for Music, Speech and Drama takes place again this month with Speech and Drama at the Newcastle under Lyme College on Saturday 14th (9 am to 5 pm) and Music at the St John Fisher Catholic College on the evening of Friday the 20th (6.30 to 9.30 pm) and Saturday 21st (9 am to 5 pm).

Entrance to the festival is £1.50 and there is lots going on with competitions for all age ranges. Refreshments will be available and there will be one or two stalls. Once again our band is scheduled to compete on Saturday 21st March in the ‘Open Band’ competition. We will be playing Folk Fantasy and are scheduled for 3.10 p.m. If any of our members could make it, we could do with your support!

My Introduction to the Accordion by John Corden My interest in music began when I was 8 years old and joined the church choir. When I was 13 I started work at the Co-op sweeping-up and earned 12/6p per week. I was allowed to keep 2/6p and with this I bought my first accordion which was an Italian 12 bass. I began my musical tuition with a local man, Jack, who was an electrician, an accordionist, and a member of the Magic Circle. Despite his best efforts, magical or otherwise, I only managed to play a couple of tunes and after some time my enthusiasm was waning and GCE exams were looming, so I gave up on my accordion. After the exams I am afraid that girls, beer, and eventual marriage and family took over as priorities.

Now fast forward to 2007 and a trip to Worcester. While walking past an antique shop I spotted a 48 bass Hohner accordion which my wife, Jenny, offered to buy as my Christmas present. For the next few years I kept trying to master the instrument but with only limited success and then Jenny spotted an advert offering help and tuition for the accordion. I phoned the number and was invited to come to the Monday Group where I met Geoff and Greta and the group, and finally my playing started to improve to such a degree that Jenny says that she can sometimes recognize a tune that I’m playing – praise indeed(!) and my grateful thanks to all of the group.

One of my other interests, outside of music, is being a member of our local Community First Responders Group. We are all volunteers who are trained by the West Midlands Ambulance Service to respond to 999 calls and to deal with all emergencies until the professionals arrive. This includes treating patients who have had heart attacks or strokes. If anyone is interested in learning the simple ways that we can all implement to try to save lives then I am willing to lay on a special Heart Start course that will take about 2 hours of time, and which is completely FREE. This will

give you the skills to try and save someone’s life (and the above certificate).

Please contact Steve Hughes (the first volunteer) or myself if you are interested. In the meantime I’d like to get back to my accordion exercises.

French Theme night The April clubnite is another theme night – French music. Again the challenge is for players to perform music within the theme. There are some beautiful French tunes written for the accordion and I am sure there is plenty of choice.

There will also be brownie points for anyone who comes along decked out in French attire!!

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April Clubnite features Rosemary Wright

This month we are welcoming back Rosemary Wright as our guest artist. She is the daughter of Francis Wright, one of the great names of the accordion movement in this country. Playing since she was three, she made her stage debut at the age of 5. By her teens Rosemary was competing in and winning championships. She was All-British Junior Champion by the age of 14 in 1966 and was the first competitor to use free bass when she won the Junior Championship in 1967. For many years she has been an examiner for the BCA and became principal in 1999. Rosemary also composes and arranges and has worked for the Charnwood Music Publishing Company. She was editor and publisher of the Accordion Times but now concentrates on private teaching.

Rosemary is very keen to promote the accordion as much as possible and even likes to go out busking in order to give the instrument a more positive image. She says, “I seem to be having some success here, judging by the compliments I receive, as well as quite a few bookings for various concerts and gigs, and sometimes even a pupil or two”. She offers

tuition in no less than 10 instruments! I am sure that we are once again in for a very entertaining night.

Wilf’s Exciting Day Out. NAO NW Area Festival From somewhere I had the above listed as being held at St Mathews Church Hall, Chapel Lane, Stretford, Manchester. It is a long time since I attended a National Accordion Organisation festival (I think the last was Tameside) so I decided to give it a go. Satnav said 58 mins. via M6 and M56 and all went well (ignoring the notices overhead about a section of the latter being closed) until all traffic was directed off the M56 at junction 6. Trying to be clever, I took a detour thinking to avoid the slow moving traffic on the diversion. There was no way my satnav would give me an alternative, so being well behind I returned to the diversionary route.

When I reached the venue the car park seemed very small and the hall seemed to have nothing of accordions but another hall was on the far side of the church. There I found a group of folk with tea and biscuits and was directed to the organiser who looked up his appointments book and showed me the event - which had been cancelled - alongside the name of Ray Bodell. "About a week ago," he told me "I think someone was ill".

So that is my ‘report’ on the non-event. I will not bore you with my repeated stupidity trying again to avoid the snail crawl of the diversion except to say it crossed my mind that many flights were no doubt missed trying to get to the airport, as the actual length of the diversion added about 20 minutes to the journey according to the changes in ETA on my satnav screen. Wilf Gotham

John Plumb’s New Acquisition Club member John Plumb has acquired an interesting and

beautifully manufactured

antique accordion from a friend. It had belonged to and was played by the grandfather of his friend’s lovely wife. It was in extraordinarily good condition and is a 3 row button diatonic accordion with a 36 button stradella bass, and

one shoulder and a thumb strap.

Above the treble keyboard in the centre of the wooden casing is an oval photo print of its manufacturer, Mariano Dallape (1846-1926), with a full breast of medals. Inlaid into the wood on either side of the photo are coloured wooden floral patterns and borders of patterned marquetry around the edges. Fixed to the casing is a brass plate containing Mariano Dallape’s name, ‘Stradella (Pavia)’, referring to the town of

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Stradella in the province of Pavia, and other Italian inscriptions. Mariano was the designer of the stradella bass system, naming it after his home town. John took the accordion along to the clubnite and he and other members of our club could play the stradella bass buttons... but all were unable to master the diatonic treble buttons, where each button had a differing note dependent on whether the bellows were being extended or reduced!

There is more to this story and all will be revealed in the April clubnite. Diary

Members’ Adverts

Accordion Tuition. Pauline Hardwick Tel 01782 397248 Accordion and/or piano Stefan Andrusyschyn Tel 07958261024 Accordion and/or piano Mike Gibson Tel 01782 660865 Piano

For Sale

Roland FR-18 Diatonic V-Accordion for sale £1000 tel. 01625 432530

Barcarole Dominante 96 bass, 11 treble, 3 bass couplers. Includes case and is in good working order - only needs seeing. £250 (no offers). Phone 01782 323046

Fratelli Alessandrini modern accordion. Blue. 96 bass, 4 voice, musette, 9 treble couplers, 3 bass couplers, Hohner gig bag, full decoration, miked for amplification. Modern keyboard – black notes are blue. £1800. Tel. Rob Borrett 07428 079752

Weltmeister 72 bass accordion in very good condition and has only been played for 12 months. It has 5 treble couplers and 3 bass couplers. The only reason for the sale is the need for a lighter one. It has a good hard case and padded shoulder straps. £350 o.n.o. tel. 01782 920668

President Brian Shufflebotham

Chairman Mike Richards 01782 642101 Secretary Steve Hughes 01782 787935 Treasurer Mike Richards (acting) 01782 642101

Committee Tony Britton, Helen Brown, Graham Butler, Graham Hughes,

Lily Lynch and Greta Moseley.

Web address - www.northstaffsaccordionclub.co.uk

Editor Lily Lynch email - [email protected]

Every Monday 5.00pm-6.00 pm Accordion classes for young players at Holditch Every Monday 7.30 p.m. Beginners’/Improvers’ night at Holditch Tuesdays other than 3rd 8.00pm Band rehearsal at The Bradwell Workingmen’s Club Every 3rd Tuesday of month 8.00pm March Clubnite at The Goldenhill Workingmen’s Club 2nd Thursday of the month 12 noon

Chord Workshop followed at 1 p.m. by Solo Session, Knutton Ex-Servicemens Club

Tuesday March 17th Clubnite Guest artist – Rosemary Wright Sat 14th and Fri 20th, Sat 21st March. See www.newcastlefestival.org.uk

Newcastle-u-Lyme Festival for Music, Speech and Drama. NSAC Band playing 3.20pm.

Saturday April 23rd to 25th Leek Peace Festival-Foxlowe Arts Centre and other venues around Leek

Tuesday April 17th Clubnite Players’ Theme Night – ‘French Music’ 17th to 19th April NAO UK Championships, Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool May Sun 10th-Fri 15th ‘Accordions at the Castle’. Norbreck Castle Hotel,

Blackpool


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