History
A Little Piece of History
The best way to relate the history of the Border Strathspey and Reel Society is to quote and reproduce the minutes of the very first meeting. The first five pages are here:
BSRS Minutes p0_p1
BSRS Minutes p2_p3
BSRS Minutes p4_p5
And a transcription from the first minutes (apart from one word that precedes 'conductor') is below:
1973, June 13th
“Arising from a discussion among a few fiddle enthusiasts to form a “Strathspey and Reel Society” in the Border area, the first meeting of the “Border Strathspey and Reel Society” was held in the Crown Hotel, Langholm.
A company of 15 fiddle players, 2 pianists and one Bass player was chaired by Mr K Wilson, one of Scotland’s leading fiddle players. At the conclusion of a lengthy debate, on how the Society should be organised – Mr Wilson was elected Conductor – Mr Wm P Bell Musical Associate, Leader and (word unreadable) Conductor. Mr A J Jeffrey Secretary and Treasurer – Messers Wm P Bell, Langholm, R Hobkirk, Hawick, Geo Carrick, Carlisle, W Taylor, Wooler, Jaki Wilson, Elvanfoot, and W Glendinning, Castle Douglas were elected to Committee.
It was decided that the Society should be called “The Border Strathspey and Reel Society” and meetings should be held in the Crown Hotel Langholm, monthly.
The fiddles were then tuned up and with Ian Wilson at the piano, K Wilson conducting the ensemble through the Slow Air, March, Strathspey and Reel – Cradle Song, Lover Scaulis(?), Smith’s a Gallant Fireman and Soldiers Joy.
Congratulating Wm Bell on his chair and arrangement of the tunes and the company for the way they were played, we closed the meeting with a preliminary look at The Bonny Lass o’ Bon Accord.
Attending the meeting were – Fiddle Players: K Wilson, from Leadhills, Wm P Bell, Langholm, W Glendinning, Castle Douglas, W Bell, Langholm, W McRoberts, Moffat, John Wilson Elvanfoot, C Carr, Carlisle, A Ledham, Langholm, Geo Carrick, Carlisle, A Park, Langholm, W Taylor, Wooler, N Carr, Carlisle. Piano – Ian Wilson, Elvanfoot, Ray Millburn, Newcastleton. Bass J Hobkirk, Hawick.”
Signed: W P Bell.
On The Radio!
In 1974, Radio Carlisle (forerunner to today's Radio Cumbria) featured the society in a half-hour programme. Thanks to Charlie Carr, one of our founding players, that recording still exists and can soon be heard here:
Carlisle Radio Feature
Vinyl Records
The Border Strathspey and Reel Society has recorded two albums. The first was a recording of one of the early Fiddlers' Rallies, which was held on 10th December 1977 in the Market Hall in Carlisle and was released as "Strings Across the Border".
Listen to the first track here: 101
The second album was released in 1983 as "The Ringing Strings of the Border Strathspey and Reel Society".
Listen to the first track here:301
The LP sleeves are available on our 'photos' tabs in the 'album covers' folder.
The best way to relate the history of the Border Strathspey and Reel Society is to quote and reproduce the minutes of the very first meeting. The first five pages are here:
BSRS Minutes p0_p1
BSRS Minutes p2_p3
BSRS Minutes p4_p5
And a transcription from the first minutes (apart from one word that precedes 'conductor') is below:
1973, June 13th
“Arising from a discussion among a few fiddle enthusiasts to form a “Strathspey and Reel Society” in the Border area, the first meeting of the “Border Strathspey and Reel Society” was held in the Crown Hotel, Langholm.
A company of 15 fiddle players, 2 pianists and one Bass player was chaired by Mr K Wilson, one of Scotland’s leading fiddle players. At the conclusion of a lengthy debate, on how the Society should be organised – Mr Wilson was elected Conductor – Mr Wm P Bell Musical Associate, Leader and (word unreadable) Conductor. Mr A J Jeffrey Secretary and Treasurer – Messers Wm P Bell, Langholm, R Hobkirk, Hawick, Geo Carrick, Carlisle, W Taylor, Wooler, Jaki Wilson, Elvanfoot, and W Glendinning, Castle Douglas were elected to Committee.
It was decided that the Society should be called “The Border Strathspey and Reel Society” and meetings should be held in the Crown Hotel Langholm, monthly.
The fiddles were then tuned up and with Ian Wilson at the piano, K Wilson conducting the ensemble through the Slow Air, March, Strathspey and Reel – Cradle Song, Lover Scaulis(?), Smith’s a Gallant Fireman and Soldiers Joy.
Congratulating Wm Bell on his chair and arrangement of the tunes and the company for the way they were played, we closed the meeting with a preliminary look at The Bonny Lass o’ Bon Accord.
Attending the meeting were – Fiddle Players: K Wilson, from Leadhills, Wm P Bell, Langholm, W Glendinning, Castle Douglas, W Bell, Langholm, W McRoberts, Moffat, John Wilson Elvanfoot, C Carr, Carlisle, A Ledham, Langholm, Geo Carrick, Carlisle, A Park, Langholm, W Taylor, Wooler, N Carr, Carlisle. Piano – Ian Wilson, Elvanfoot, Ray Millburn, Newcastleton. Bass J Hobkirk, Hawick.”
Signed: W P Bell.
On The Radio!
In 1974, Radio Carlisle (forerunner to today's Radio Cumbria) featured the society in a half-hour programme. Thanks to Charlie Carr, one of our founding players, that recording still exists and can soon be heard here:
Carlisle Radio Feature
Vinyl Records
The Border Strathspey and Reel Society has recorded two albums. The first was a recording of one of the early Fiddlers' Rallies, which was held on 10th December 1977 in the Market Hall in Carlisle and was released as "Strings Across the Border".
Listen to the first track here: 101
The second album was released in 1983 as "The Ringing Strings of the Border Strathspey and Reel Society".
Listen to the first track here:301
The LP sleeves are available on our 'photos' tabs in the 'album covers' folder.