“Our last meeting on 11th November 1998 was our first Anniversary, the club is now one year old and getting better all the time. Our November concert was no exception. First we were warmed up by our local players. I was first to play and started the evening with the same tune I played at the first club night back in November 1997, it was Plaisir D'Amour. I went on to play Sally and God Save the Queen, I wanted to learn the National Anthem specifically to put as the last track on our club tape, I thought it would be a nice piece to end the tape with. Basil Berry followed me with a tune from Rogers and Hammerstein musical South Pacific called Bali Ha'i. Robert Hood gave us some reels and he gave me the music to Whispering Hope which I mentioned in the last newsletter that I had taken a shine to after hearing Robert playing it on the audio tape released last month. I was going to learn it for this month but I have been very busy and last week I found out the tune is a two pager and I had only been looking at half of it, I will try and learn it between now (Monday) and Wednesday but I have other tunes I have been learning this month so you may get one of these instead, thanks Robert.

Tom Bennett gave us Weinerblut and the full version of Snow Waltz, Tom played Snow Waltz at our very first meeting and found out that he had only played half of it, he did not know that there was a second half, a year later he knew the second half, by 2030 I predict he could be a professional. George Hicks gave us his renditions of Green Fields of France and Bless This House, when I asked George how much he practices he said he never plays in the house and only puts his accordion on when he attends clubs or plays at a venue. Linda Grant played The New Norwegian Waltz, followed by a Set of music for the Plantation Reel Dance, and her own composition 'Emily - A little Gem'. It was now time for our guest artist Steve Roxton who opened with Whistling Rufus and continued with Bel Fiorie, Montis Czardas, Un Gamin A Paris, Le Denicheur, Reine De Musette, Under the Double Eagle and after bringing Walter Perrie out with his accordion played a duet of Plaisance Fox with Walter. Steve continued with Luci E Ombre and Carnival of Venice. During the break we had the club tape on sale, I have received many good comments about the tape, it seems to have been received well. We also had a Buffet to celebrate our first year, Agnes McLaren provided us with a cake iced with an accordion on it, many thanks Agnes. After the break and a few tunes from our local players we continued with Steve Roxton playing Under Paris Skies, Perles Des Crystal, Fields of Athenry, a medley in the style of Mantovani and the 101 strings - consisting of Moulin Rouge, Fascination and Charmagne. Steve continued with a Johnny Cash Medley, After all these years, Scott Joplin's The Entertainer, Roll out the Barrel, Music Man, Scotland the Brave and Dark Isle before bringing George Hicks up for a duet, Steve and George played a singalong medley they had last played ten years ago at Caister Accordion Festival consisting of Who Were You With Last Night - Swannee - Margie - Yes Sir That's My Baby and many more. This was followed by Steve playing the 1812 Overture. Steve finished the evening playing Oslo Waltz before we all said our good-byes and made our way home. We had recorded our night for broadcast over the Internet, this was a world first for any accordion club and I hope we have set a trend. I really enjoyed Steve's performance and look forward to his return in a years time. Rebecca Postlewhite will be returning from University on the afternoon of the 9th and will be back playing at the club a few hours later. The following day Rebecca and myself are playing at an Age Concern Christmas party attended by the Mayor. I look forward to meeting you all again on Wednesday 9th December 1998 for another night full of accordion music, this time from our local players, don't forget your accordions.

David Batty

Hopefully that was an interesting blast from the past, now to move up to date with some items to keep you entertained during the lockdown. First a few more unseen photographs from the past of our club and players.