Sutherland Accordion and Fiddle Club celebrate 40th anniversary with evening of music, laughter, camaraderie and cake
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Sutherland Accordion and Fiddle Club (SAFC) recently held an evening of music making to celebrate their 40th anniversary.
Their first concert took place on November 25, 1982, and they have since gone from strength to strength with concerts now taking place regularly every month during the winter season.
Three original members are still playing with the club – Terry Keatinge, Monica MacLean and Rae Davie.
At a concert last November, they were presented with certificates and a miniature to commemorate their dedication to the club.
Over the years, the club has seen a succession of both accordion and fiddle players, and a large number of past members joined in the celebrations.
The evening started with SAFC chairperson Margaret Sutherland inviting past members to join present members on stage to play some well known sets of music which had been played at the silver anniversary celebrations.
Ms Sutherland then spoke about the club and its development over the last 40 years.
The idea to form an accordion and fiddle club arose after a discussion at a Rogart sale and it was decided to put an advert in the Northern Times to call a public meeting to gauge interest.
Thirty two people attended that initial meeting, and so the idea to form a club became a reality.
Initially the club met in Rogart, Lairg and Rosehall, and monthly ceilidhs were held in various venues including Rogart, Lairg and Grannie’s Heilan’ Hame in Embo.
Rogart was more central for the players at the time so Rogart Hall became the preferred venue.
In 1984 the club held a buffet dinner dance in the Aultnagar Hotel, and in the early days played at Dingwall AFC, Dunrobin Castle and Brora.
Since 1992 the club has played at venues across the north including Lochinver, Kinlochbervie, Tongue, Melness, Strathy, Skerray, Bettyhill, Strathnaver and the Crask – where members have enjoyed many an excellent meal on their way north to other venues.
The anniversary evening continued with five groups of players from within the club performing.
Firstly, Evergreens played a selection of Scottish tunes. This was followed by a recorder duet from Fran Green and Barbara Watson who played early music.
Next there was a quartet with Terry Keatinge displaying his skill on the cello as well as being one of the fiddlers.
Then Emma Rutherford Stuart, Zoe Livings and Ruairidh Gollan played more lively tunes on the accordion and fiddles and finally James Corbett finished off this section of the evening with some tunes on his accordion.
All these entertainers are members or past members of SAFC.
It was then time to cut the cake which was made especially for SAFC by Highland bakery, Harry Gow.
The three original members joined together to perform this ceremony to much applause and laughter.
This was followed by an excellent buffet by Sandra MacKenzie from Rogart, which was enjoyed by one and all.
Suitably refreshed, everyone present was ready for dancing and four bands from within the club took turns to play.
They were the Caithness Scorries; True ceal a vor; Strathair and the Rogart Ceilidh Band.
The dance floor was full with all ages enjoying an excellent selection of lively dances while all around the room conversations continued between friends from the past and present.
The evening came to a close around midnight when all players gathering on the stage for a final set and singing of Auld Lang Syne.
SAFC have produced four recordings, the latest of which are Ceilidh Night in Rogart and The Heart of Sutherland.
They have also held two competitions inviting members to compose their own tunes, many of which have found their way into our repertoire.
SAFC meet on Thursdays at 7.30pm in Rogart Hall during the winter months and hold a ceilidh with invited guests as well as the club playing, once a month.
New members are always welcome.
Here’s to the next 40 years of success to SAFC.
