Leyland Accordion Club, Leyland, Lancashire, England.

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Leyland Accordion Club - 18th April 2007

 

Our April Concert

Our April concert started with Eric and Thelma Dabrowski, Eric on accordion and Thelma singing and playing the guitar. It had been 30 years since Eric and Thelma had last played on stage due to Eric's ill health. Tonight they made their comeback at Leyland playing Tonight's The Night, Parrie, For Me And My Girl, She's A Lassie From Lancashire, I'll Be Your Sweetheart, Wonderful Dream, When Irish Eyes Are Smiling and Summertime. Our next player was Ann Parker who played Gavotte In C, Sonata in G, Snow Waltz, Yodelling Polka and The Harry Lime Theme. Dugald McCallum took to the stage playing Waltz For Tracy, Moonlight Serenade and Migliavacca. After Dugald, it was Rebecca Parker's turn to play and take us up to the first break. Rebecca started with Petite Concert and continued with Valse Continentale and finally finished with Bianca Cappana. After the break we started the next session with Tom Bennett playing Happy Birthday for Gladys Rigby - much to her surprise. Tom continued with Music To Watch Girls Go By, Fly Me To The Moon, Volare, Moon River and Return To Sorrento. John McCormick was our next player, playing Neopolitan Nights, Ungrateful Heart, The Fugitive, Tango Of The Rose and La Comparsita. Leading up to the second break of the evening we heard Harry Davies playing Matchstalk Men, Spanish Eyes and Fernando. After the second break of the evening it was my turn to play. I played Black Mask Waltz, American Patrol and The Magic Roundabout. Our next player was Colin Ensor who gave us Down Forget Me Not Lane, Charmaine, Sailing By, You'll Never Know and May You Always. It was getting close to the end now and just two players left to play; we heard Bernard Belshaw playing Bridges Of Paris, Ain't She Sweet, The Lady Is A Tramp, Jealousy, Moulin Rouge, a selection of Scottish Pieces and ending with She. It was 11pm now and just time for Graham Driver to play Weasels Revenge. It had been a great night, we heard some excellent entertainment from the above players and, as usual, we were chatting for a while after the lights went up.
David Batty


Antique Accordion Exhibition

If by chance any of you are visiting Scotland in the next few days then you will probably be interested to know that there will be a display of 100 antique accordions at Grantown Museum, Morayshire, from May 6th to 20th, from 10.30am to 4pm daily. The instruments on show are owned and displayed by Caroline Hunt

Blackpool Accordion Competition


Gina Brannelli organised the Blackpool and Wyre International Accordion Festival 2007 which was held at the Marine Hall Fleetwood on 8th April – the last festival after 23 years of the original Easter Accordion Festivals! Some 150 competitors competed – many preparing for the NAO UK Championships in May. Some gave outstanding performances in the views of the adjudicators Raymond Bodell, Frederick Parnell and Ken Farran. Amongst those who gave significant performances in a number of classes were Julie Langton; who was awarded the BCA Recital Diploma, Alexander Bodell and Santana O'Connor. The well attended festival is now to be held in conjunction with NAO North West Area Festival which is held in November.

 

This Wednesday

This Wednesday we have Aileen Buchanan making her debut as a guest artist. Although Aileen has not been a guest artist at any club before I thought she would be a great guest artist because of the quality of her playing coupled with the wide variety of material she plays. Aileen, who normally plays in Harry Hinchcliffes Orchestra, also plays in Ceilidh bands as well as playing solo. Aileen plays a mixture of Scottish, Irish, Classical and Continental type music. I hope you can support Aileens debut by attending this week, I am looking forward to it. The doors open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start. Remember, if you spot any strangers at the club then please make them welcome by saying hello. Please tell your friends about our concerts and I look forward to seeing you there. David Batty

Alison Arms Event


This is to be held from the 8th to the 10th of June 2007. This free event takes place in the tent by the Alison Arms Pub at Coppull. Just turn up at the events which usually run from midday until late evening.

NAO Championships Scarborough


There were 437 entrants who competed in this, the 62nd year of national competitions! Outstanding competition successes included Grayson Masefield 1st Prize winner in the New International Solo Category - 4 times winner Julie Langton (Junior Recital, Virtuoso Entertainment, 17 & under and Advanced Solo) - 3 times winners Alexander Bodell (9 & under Solo, 9 & under Musette Solo and 10 & under Polka) and Andrew Mortimer (15 & under solo, 14 & under Polka and Scottish 13 - 15 years), as well as multiple successes for Orchestras from Colchester (MD Elaine Beecham), Paisley (MD Graham Laurie) and Jenny’s Accordionists (MD Jenny Neal). Over the weekend, all were treated to superb concert performances from international guests Renzo Ruggieri (Italy), Julian “Speedy” Gonzales (France), Mario D’Amario (Italy) and Grayson Masefield (New Zealand). Honoured during the festival with the NAO Associate Award were Jack and Flo Brannigan for their devoted service to the accordion spanning some 67 years! Also among the International jury were Kevin Friedrich (CIA President), Lars Arnevig (Norway) and Harley Jones and thanks went to all the Jury members who donated their services in aid of the CIA Coupe Mondiale to be held in Glasgow Scotland in October 2008.


Lostock Hall Festival


This Folk Festival is to be held on June 29th, 30th and 1st of July at Lostock Hall Community High School. This is a ticket event at £43 for the weekend, or you can just book Saturday at £25 or Sunday at £20. Telephone Ken on 01257 263278 for further details.

 

Our Website

Our Internet website has had 105317 visitors as at 13th May 2007, thats 842 visitors since last month. Some people have posted adverts on the site looking for others, looking for contacts in the accordion community and, many times, people post saying that they have found and old accordion in the attic, in the hope that they have found a fortune. I put a note on the website to let people know that pre-war accordions are almost always worthless, especially if they have just been discovered in an attic or wardrobe after many years. The radio station has been doing well but there are problems which we, hopefully, can sort out. The station broadcasts from a server in the USA. The American government want to increase the amount of royalty payments we have to make as broadcasters and are currently suggesting a minimum payment for all stations which would increase the royalty payments by a factor of ten. There are campaigns against this move because it will price most stations off the Internet. In the meantime, I am looking at other options where I might be able to serve the station from in the event that the American government have their way. If I move the station to another country that is more friendly to small broadcasters we can avoid this hassle. I will keep you informed of the progress.

 

Fleetwood Tram Festival

Fleetwood Transport Festival, Also known as Tram Sunday, is an annual event. It is a Vintage / Special Interest Festival, yet one unique amongst such gatherings. This Festival takes place on the 3rd Sunday of July each year, and is now regarded as one of the Major Transport Festivals in the North of England.Fleetwood Transport Festival takes place throughout the entire length of Fleetwood`s main street, and is unique in the fact that Fleetwood has the only original main street Electric Tramway still running in the British Isles after more than 100 years. On the day, there will be Vehicles of all ages and types, and for the public entertainment, you will find Street Organs, Bands, Morris Dancers, Street Entertainers, Buskers, Sideshows, Trade Stands. Exhibits, Model Railway Exhibition, Narrow Gauge Railway, Charity Stalls, Children's and Adults Fairground Rides, Including a 19th Century Steam Galloper.There are also rides on a selection of Vintage Trams, these run from Ash Street out to Thornton Gate. This years event is on Sunday the 15th of July 2007, and is an event I can certainly recommend for a great day out. The whole of Fleetwood main streets are closed for this event and everywhere you look there are things to do and see. There are vintage tram rides throughout the day from Fisherman's Walk to Thornton Gate, Cleveleys and return. There will also be a large, loud and colourful gathering of town criers from all parts of the country. The Charity Stalls and Sponsors. The Military Displays are all mounted together around the Euston Park, Euston Crescent and Bold Street Area. The Military always put on an excellent display of exhibits. Do not miss this part of the Festival. The Model Railway Exhibition will be found at the Milton Street Community Centre. The Miniature Railway will run along Mount Street and Adelaide Street. The event also includes Kiddies Funfairs, Rides etc.Almost too numerous to mention but look out for the attractions in Euston Gardens, Adelaide Street and Styan Street. A popular attraction for the kids is the giant slide at Fisherman's Walk. There will also be Amusements in London Street. The usual wide variety - bands of every description, dancers, singers, etc. Coupled with these entertainers will be a large group of town criers who will be announcing the various attractions throughout the day. As you can see, this is a great day out for all ages and well worth a visit if you can make it. There are usually a couple of folk stages on the main street with entertainment also provided in various local pubs if you like indoor events.

 

 

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