North Staffs Accordion Club Newsletter May 2015

North Staffs Accordion
Club
Newsletter
May 2015
No 454
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.
Hi Everyone. I hope you are well and enjoying your music and the better weather. My garden seems to
have suddenly sprung into life and I noticed a couple of blue tits very busy there this morning.
May Clubnite
John Romero Comes to Goldenhill
Our guest for the next clubnite will be new member, John Romero,
who now lives ‘locally’ at Middlewich having moved up from the
South East coast. We are pleased that he will be taking part in our
clubnite so soon. It is at Goldenhill Workingmen’s Club at 8.00pm and
the admission price is £4.00.
John has also agreed to feature in our ‘In the Spotlight’ series which
features later in this newsletter.
June Theme night
The June clubnite is another theme night – Waltzes. This is where we expect players to include a waltz in
their programme, which, I am sure, will not be too difficult. There will also be the playing circle, so
please remember to bring your accordions.
April Clubnite
The April clubnite, a players’ night, took
place again in Goldenhill Workingmen’s
Club and this seems to be our regular
clubnite venue, certainly for the next few
months. It was a theme night – French music
- and although the turnout was lower than
usual, it was a very enjoyable evening.
Helen (pictured left with Ken Marek and far
right) had arrived decked out in French gear,
as had a few others, and she had kindly
brought along some French nibbles. Richard Millward had made a model of the Eiffel Tower out of
balloons and this graced the front of the stage (and is visible behind Helen in the second photo, and that
of Graham Hughes pictured above).
The evening began with the playing circle led in by Paul Hobbs. This was followed by individual playing.
The line-up was :
Helen Brown
Graham Hughes
Joan Bamford
Under the Bridges of Paris and Plaisir d’Amour
Moulin Rouge Waltz and Pigalle
Roses of Picardy and Colonel Bogey (picured below right)
Richard Millward
Moira Hague
Beth Lister
Steve Hughes
Sur le Pont d’Avignon and Under the Bridges of Paris
Marionette Waltz and King Otis
Une Petite Valse de Musette
La Valse a Pierrot and Je n'veux pas souffler dans de ballon
Greta & Ann (duet) No Regrets, The Poor People of Paris and The Last Time I Saw
Paris.
And finally Mike and Paul rounded off the evening with a few duets. First was
another version of Under the Bridges of Paris, followed by Electric Carousel and
Try a Little Tenderness.
Our thanks go to all those who provided the raffle prizes, and once again to Helen for
the nibbles.
Joan Bamford 1930-2015
Sadly on 23rd April, club member Joan Bamford passed away in her sleep.
Joan and her late husband George were members of the club for many years
and after his death Joan continued to come along to clubnites with kind help
with transport from Betty and George Nixon. She always brought along her
beautiful black bejewelled Paolo Soprani and would be inconsolable if she
was not able to play a couple of solos during ‘members’ playing’. She had
begun accordion lessons as a girl and had been in our band, The North
Staffs Accordion Band, for many years and was actually the first woman to
join it – (a pioneer). Although her playing did deteriorate over time, in the
last year or so it had got better and better with some wonderful bass work
and chords on players’ nights. My last memory of her was at this last April
clubnite, two days before she died, when she sat and sang constantly to the members’ playing. Of course
she then got up as usual for a solo spot.
Joan was a real character and I do have many fond and some amusing memories of her during the last 13
years that I have known her. One that sticks in my mind was when I went to my first band gig and met
Joan for the first time. She asked if I played any other instruments and I told her that I had a guitar. She
asked if I would like to play a duet with her at the next clubnite. It would be with her on violin and me on
guitar. She suggested Bells across the Meadow. At the next clubnite we got up to perform and, after a
very dodgy start, we began again. Half way through the second attempt she stopped, looked at me, and
said, “Lily, I think these people have suffered enough. Come along”. At which point she left the floor,
followed by me, and we sat down!
Joan was the first person, after I took over the newsletter, to tell us how she came to play the accordion. Here is
her article from the October 2004 newsletter. I thought that you would like to read it........
Lily
How I Came to Play the Accordion by Joan Bamford
I was sixteen when I started playing the accordion. I was musical - a talent I inherited
from my mother who was musically gifted and could play by ear. My father bought me
my first accordion, which was second-hand, and I started to play by ear. Then someone
suggested I take lessons at an accordion shop. It was the owner Fred Billings who gave
the lessons and a few other members of our current band also started there.
After a while there seemed to be a decline in accordion playing, so I lost interest. I put
my accordion away, eventually giving it to my next-door neighbour. (I had recently
married so had plenty to occupy my time!).
The years went by and on a visit to a local car-boot sale I came across a stall selling accordions and,
strangely enough, the owner of the stall happened to be in the band - our band. What a coincidence. He
was George Karklins, the conductor, and he let me try out a tune on one of his accordions. I obviously
impressed him because he invited me to the clubnite at The Hempstalls pub. That was fifteen years ago
and I was the only woman there, but was encouraged to join the band. I have played with them ever since.
Sadly, George Karklins died not long after I joined.
Our condolences go out to Joan’s daughters, Yvonne and Tracey and their families.
Dear Joan, R.I.P. She will be sorely missed.
Joan’s funeral is on Wednesday 13th May at Newchapel Methodist Church at 1.00pm prior to cremation
at Carmountside Crematorium. Floral tributes welcome or donations if desired to British Red Cross or
Brooke Animal Charity.
John Romano in the Spot light
John, by kind permission of OrganFax website team we gleaned the
following information about you:
You have been a professional since 1979. You spent the early years of your
life based in Watford and it was here that you learned your trade as an
entertainer around the London Clubs. In 1980 you moved to Clacton on Sea,
and twenty years later to Eastbourne and then, recently, to a little house by a
canal in Middlewich, Cheshire, to be close to your family.
Classically trained, you were a winner of the British Accordion
Championships before turning professional. Since then you have appeared
three times on national UK television (your latest appearance was in 2006)
and have entertained on numerous cruise ships, the last was for 11 months, cruising around the USA,
Mexico and the Caribbean. You have served as entertainment co-ordinator for a large holiday site in
Clacton for seven years and throughout your career have worked hundreds of clubs, pubs, hotels and
restaurants. Amongst your other achievements is the writing for several music magazines and the
formation of 'Carillon Studios' and 'Carillon Music Festivals'. As well as the accordion you play organ
and keyboard professionally.
You have been married to Jackie approaching 28 years and have a son, Alex, aged 11 and you
acknowledge that without Jackie’s help, you could not have achieved as much as
you have during this time.
It would be appreciated if you could add a bit to this information by answering the
following questions:
Do you come from a musical background and how did you get into the
accordion as your instrument?
There is no one else in my family who is musical. My grandfather loved music and
was always playing around with a mandolin, however, with the best will in the
world, you could not describe him as a musician. With this in mind I do think it was
his love of music that led to his encouragement and help to me when I was a teenager.
Other than the keyboard, do you play, or would you like to play, any other instrument?
My first instrument was a recorder at junior school. In addition to learning accordion privately I also
studied flute, clarinet and guitar at secondary school.
What music tuition did you have?
My accordion teacher was a welsh girl called Shirley Davies. After
winning the UK championships I also had lessons with Eddie Harris.
What was your practice routine before turning professional and
how has becoming professional changed this?
Practice, practice, practice…. There is no replacement for it. The year I
won the UK championships I was playing up to 6 hours a day for six
months on 7.5 minutes of music. As to being pro, it’s just what I am. It’s
a way of life. I should practice more nowadays; I just never seem to
have enough time.
What is your favourite type of gig/audience and at what event have you most enjoyed playing?
As a teenager I lived for competitions and that turned into the love of being a cabaret act. Now I’d have to
say “concerts” although a couple of recent gigs in an Oompa band have been great fun.
Who have you most enjoyed playing alongside?
The list is a long one and without wishing to namedrop too much I would include Tammy Jones to Danny
La Rue and The Barron Knights to Arthur Askey and many others.
Have you played in a band?
Occasionally, usually to play specific numbers, and not with any big names
Could you tell us about the accordions that you have possessed?
My main instruments have been a red (all others have been black) Hohner Verdi IIIN which took me to
the UK championships, then a Zero Sette from John Leslie. Then I moved to electronics with another
Zero Sette, an Elka83, a Scandalli and my current ‘Romero’ electronic which was built by Fantini.
Would you do it all over again?
YES.
A big thanks to John for his contribution.
Steve Hughes
Accordion Magic Garden Party
Middlewich, June 19th/21st
The annual Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival, June 19th/21st, this year includes a fringe event - the
Accordion Magic Garden Party - organised by professional accordionist/organist John Romero.
This will be non-stop accordion music, and there will also be a trade show. It looks like a very interesting
weekend, and it’s all free, with the event aiming to raise funds for the Winston's Wish charity. This is a
charity for bereaved children.
All are welcome. Website: www.carillonstudios.me.uk
Band Play in Cheadle
On Tuesday April 28th, our club band played to an audience of about 50 at a private function at Cheadle in
the
Staffordshire
Moorlands. It is the
second time we have
played at this venue and,
as on the previous
occasion, it was well
received. Refreshments
are always welcome at
these functions and once
again we were not let down.
Musical Instrument Cover
for Amateur Musicians
By virtue of our club’s membership of the Making Music organisation,
every member of the club can register with them in their own right and make
use of their services. To register you will need a club code which can be
provided by our club secretary.
One service that they offer is instrument and equipment insurance, available to our members through that
organisation.
Many people think that their instruments are covered by their house contents insurance, but loss or
damage to property away from home is often not included as standard. Musical Instruments Plus,
created especially for amateur musicians, makes getting the right cover easier and cheaper where you
need it most.
The cost is £40 for £2000 cover, £50 for £3500, £60 for £5000 and £95 for £10000.
This cover includes hire costs for a replacement instrument while your damaged item is being repaired or
replaced.
Insuring with them.......
a) covers losses or damage anywhere in the UK or Europe
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
covers instruments or equipement in locked vehicles
covers all musical property (e.g. sheet music, electronic equipment)
means no lengthy quotes - just pick your level of cover
means no excess (except for computer equipment)
means all musical property in the household is under one policy (no need to specify items)
Plus the price includes...
membership of Making Music
subscription to member magazine, Highnotes
monthly email newsletter, iNotes
access to their online resources
discounts on advertising in their publications
discount for training events
You can find them on line at makingmusic.org.uk/instrumentplus
You can call on 020 7422 8280, Mon-Fri 10am-6pm
You can email them at info@makingmusic.org.uk
Their postal address is Making Music, 2-4 Great Eastern St., London EC2A 3NW.
Diary
Every Monday 5.00pm-6.00 pm
Every Monday 7.30 p.m.
Tuesdays other than 3rd 8.00pm
Every 3rd Tuesday of month 8.00pm
2nd Thursday of the month
12 noon
Accordion classes for young players at Holditch
Beginners’/Improvers’ night at the Holditch
Band rehearsal at Bradwell Workingmen’s Club
Clubnite at Goldenhill Workingmen’s Club
May Sun 10th-Fri 15th
May 19th
June 16th
July 21st
Nov 7th to 9th
December 15th
Accordions at the Castle’. Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool
Chord workshop at Knutton followed at 1 p.m. by the
solo session. There will be no session in May
Clubnite - John Romero
Theme Night - 'Waltzes‘
Kyiv Duo (Ukraine)
Midlands Accordion Festival, Dudley
Combined Xmas and 30th Anniversary Party
Members’ Adverts
Accordion Tuition.
Pauline Hardwick
Stefan Andrusyschyn
Mike Gibson
John Romero
Tel 01782 397248
Tel 07958261024
Tel 01782 660865
Tel 01606 270148
accordion and/or piano
accordion and/or piano
piano
accordion
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
President
Chairman
Secretary
Treasurer
Brian Shufflebotham
Mike Richards
Steve Hughes
Mike Richards (acting)
01782 642101
01782 787935
01782 642101
Committee
Tony Britton, Helen Brown, Graham Butler, Graham Hughes,
Lily Lynch and Greta Moseley.
Web address Editor Lily Lynch
www.northstaffsaccordionclub.co.uk
email - accordions@northstaffsaccordionclub.co.uk