CARRY on STREAMIN from EDINBURGH FOLK CLUB Probably the Best Folk Club in the World! Dateline: Wednesday 28 October 2020 Volume 1.11

Home , Don Partridge, Lou Killen, Paddy Tunney, Scots Trad Music Awards, Scottish folk music

CARRY ON STREAMIN from EDINBURGH FOLK CLUB Probably the best folk club in the world! Dateline: Wednesday 28 October 2020 Volume 1.11

Wouldn’t it be just fantastic if we were able to C’MON EVERYBODY! achieve that by ourselves with your continued CARRY ON STREAMIN NOW IS THEIR TIME support? Of course it would. You may recognise in our banner a We are fully aware that many normally ‘reworking’ of the of the Carrying OF NEED generous folk will be experiencing their own Stream festival which EFC’s late chair, Paddy Bort, created shortly after the IN OUR LAST EDITION Pamela King “cash flow” problems now as furloughs end death of Hamish Henderson. wrote about Edinburgh FC’s attempts to help and lockdowns prevent normal working. all, “… the fiddlers, the guitarists, banjo- With the Scottish winter just around the corner After Paddy died in February 2017, players, cellists, accordionists, mandolin now and Christmas only about eight weeks EFC created the Paddy Bort Fund players, singers, flautists, whistlers, and away, some folk are going to experience way (PBF) to give financial assistance to players of the uillean and small pipes” by more than average difficulty in managing their folk performers who, through no fault using your brilliant donations to our Paddy of their own, fall on hard times. existence. There has been a lot in the press and Bort Fund (PBF). media about mental health problems arising No-one contemplated anything like the Indeed it would be wonderful to say that we from COVID19. Musicians will be just as coronavirus. Now we need to had helped all the professional folk musicians vulnerable as the rest of us – possibly more so. replenish PBF again and have set a in or from Scotland. In fact, at the time of (see Pamela King’s article on the next page). new target to raise a further £10 000. writing, we have distributed nearly £11k to Here are a couple of typical “thank you’s” we There are two strands to Carry On about 55. We think that’s not bad going for a have received from beneficiaries of PBF … Streamin - this publication and our wee folk club. “With all live gigs postponed or cancelled YouTube channel where you will find, BUT IT’S NOT ENOUGH! since March, freelancers are struggling to every fortnight, videos donated by make ends meet. The Paddy Bort Fund not some of the best folk acts around. At last year’s Traditional Music Forum AGM only gave me a financial boost, but an in Edinburgh’s Queen’s Hall it was estimated Please donate to PBF as best you can, emotional one, too, as it's great to know that that there might be around 200 to 250 using the PayPal links we provide. musicians are supported and personally cared professional Scottish folk musicians. Let’s be about by the organisers and audiences they cautious and say, 200 performers who are usually perform for”. wondering where their burgeoning or long- established careers have gone since March “This grant came at a perfect time, when the 2020. (Does anyone out there know how many government schemes are coming to an end, the professional folk musicians there are in or future is very uncertain for any musician, let from Scotland or can put a better alone the folk industry. The bills were looming approximation on the number? That would be and I was fortunate to be made aware of useful statistic). Edinburgh Folk Club’s Paddy Bort Fund grants. It helped me pay my bills and keep me If that’s true it means there are around 150 from falling behind with some of my with whom we have yet to make contact or payments. Thank you Edinburgh Folk Club, I hear from who may be in need. And at the sort hope many musicians will benefit from the of rate we pay out from PBF it means that we Fund, keep up the good work”. should be anticipating paying out around £30k. WE CAN’T DO IT. END OF! Click here PayPal to Correction. Defeatist talk! We can do it but donate to the Paddy Bort only if we can lay our hands on that kind of money; obviously. And where is that money to Fund. come from? Well, I’m afraid it’s all you readers of this rag, your pals and anyone else And click here to go to to whom you can tell this unfortunate tale. EFC’s YouTube channel. We did apply to Creative Scotland for funding See the panel (right) for the for PBF but we did not get it because, to paraphrase, “Edinburgh FC couldn’t cover the performers on the video whole music sector.” (We didn’t ask to be able accompanying this edition of to do that). Who can!? Weird. COS.

CONTENTS HOT MUSIC AND MENTAL Page 1 Leader comment Page 2 Music and Mental Health (Pamela King) NEWS!! HEALTH Page 5 Scots Traditional Hall of Fame: Nora Devine CARRY ON PAMELA KING writes: I was just thinking Page 7 Scots Traditional Hall of Fame: Jean Leonard MBE STREAMIN … about music and mental health. Page 8 The Folk Revival in 1960’S North East Of England has been (Jim Bainbridge, part one of a three-part memoire) added to the It’s official. Listening to music releases Page 9 Edinburgh’ s Tradfest - Spotlight nominees list dopamine, the brain hormone responsible for that feel-good sensation. We have all known Page 10 Crossword (compiled by The Bairn) in this year’s this forever, but it was officially measured in Page 10 The 2020 Glenfiddich Piping Championship Hands Up 2010, and, many OCD scientists will tell you, Page 12 Wee Bits and Pieces, Music Waves For Trad’s Community Project Of The something does not exist unless it can be Page 13 Gigs Online, Cyber Print, English / Welsh Folk Year Award. Quite unexpected news. counted. Want to know how much? OK, go Magazines information Public voting for shortlisted nominees on then, the Canadian dopamine measuring Page 14 Reminders, Festivals, Crossword solutions starts on Tuesday 3 November and the machine detected a rise of 9% when people Page 15 MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards 2020 awards ceremony is to be broadcast online listened to music they enjoyed. There is no Page 16 Four Ways To Rescue The Economy From on Saturday 12 December. The next record of the hormonal changes that take The Pandemic edition of COS (1.12) will be published on place when we listen to music we do not Page 17 “Notes From The Borders”, Andy Smith’s Wednesday 4 November so we’ll no monthly guitar tablature feature enjoy, such as that played loudly by doubt have more information about what’s what then. (continued over … )

(… continued from previous page) topic of continued debate among scholars, it neighbours at anti-social hours, but next time has recently been argued in the literature that that happens to you, just think of all that extra a paradigmatic or prototypical case of human dopamine your neighbours are benefiting psychological well-being would largely from... manifest most or all of the aforementioned PERMA factors. I hesitated to include the following advice, but just in case one or two of you out there Further, in “A Neuroscientific Perspective on are of retirement age, here are the results of a Music Therapy”, Stefan Koelsch suggested survey about brain health and music that “Music therapy can have effects that published by the American Society of improve the psychological and physiological Retired Person (AARP): health of individuals,” so it seems plausible • Adults who engage in music making and Research shows that making music can lower blood that engaging in practices of music can pressure, decrease heart rate, reduce stress, and lessen positively contribute to one living a more listening are more likely to self-report their anxiety and depression. There is also increasing overall health, brain health, and cognitive evidence that making music enhances the optimally flourishing life with greater function as excellent or very good. immunological response, which enables us to fight psychological well-being – see here. • Adults who engage in music also report viruses,". Hanser said ... see here. While the scientists continue to wrestle with lower average levels of anxiety and the requirements of proof, and with depression. comforts you and evokes positive memories measurements, you may justifiably say we • Adults with no early exposure to music but and associations. know all of this already, intuitively and from who currently engage in some music 4. Try listening to new music. While personal experience. The science is appreciation show above average mental listening to music that you know and like important, however, if government is to put well-being scores thus making up for a lack tends to cause the strongest brain response the support of the music industry anywhere of early exposure. and dopamine release, unfamiliar melodies on the agenda. To be equipped to argue Consensus and Recommendations on may stimulate your brain, while providing a forcibly that music has a measurable positive Music and Brain Health new source of pleasure as you get used to effect on mental health - alleviating anxiety Selected Expert Consensus Statements hearing them. and depression - and on brain health - [excerpted from: ‘Global Council on Brain Health: 1. Music is a powerful way to stimulate (continued on page 5 … ) Music on Our Minds’, by Sarah Lenz Lock, J.D., your brain. Lindsay, R. Chura, David Parkes.] 2. Music impacts different regions of the brain including those involved in In my wide-ranging research for this piece I hearing/listening, movement, attention, further discovered an article (from French language, emotion, memory, and thinking researchers) demonstrating that heavy metal skills. music, although often associated with ‘social 3. Music engages multiple parts of the problems’ such as ‘suicide, depression, and brain and helps them work together. Satanism’ (!) actually has beneficial effects 4. Music can help people recall on those who listen to it. Or at least in meaningful memories and emotions. France – see here. 5. Music is important to promote mental A whole conference in 2017 in Denmark was well-being. devoted to ‘Music Therapy: a Profession for Selected Expert Recommendations the Future’ with many diagrams shaped like 1. Incorporate music in your life. Music may flowers illustrating why music has beneficial improve well-being including quality of life. effects. Listening to music provides a resource for From those I wandered off to a site which enjoyment and entertainment, especially yielded the following research outcomes. Pamela King, honorary treasurer of EFC, is Professor when shared with family and loved ones. of Medieval Studies in Glasgow University, and a Psychologist Martin Seligman maintained specialist theatre historian. Born and raised in the 2. Dance, sing or move to music. These that the elements of well-being consist of erstwhile county of Kincardineshire, and a graduate of activities not only provide physical exercise “PERMA: positive emotion, engagement, Edinburgh University, she has spent 35 years working but they can also relieve stress, build social relationships, meaning, and in the universities of York, London, Cumbria and Bristol, before returning permanently to Edinburgh in connections, and are fun ways to stimulate accomplishment.” ‘Although the question of 2013. An enthusiast for all traditional culture, she is your brain! what constitutes human flourishing or currently co-writing a book on civic festivals, and 3. Enjoy listening to familiar music that psychological well-being has remained a articles on a number of subjects including early Scots poetry.

https://edinburghfolkclub.bandcamp.com/

(… continued from page 3) had a profound love of folk music in all its musicians can save money for the forms from traditional to contemporary and beleaguered NHS. she always seemed genuinely pleased to have this love shared by all who attended. The flip side of all this is, of course, that it is recognised that many of those who work She booked a diverse range of artists from in the music industry suffer from mental well weathered performers, like The health problems. Who knows but that some McCalmans and Dick Gaughan, to unknown people with fragile mental health may upcoming acts for whom she unstintingly gravitate towards music-making because of offered a platform to showcase their talents. its benefits? Chickens and eggs. But Nora also liked to encourage members to inarguably many more music makers are help in the running of the folk club. For years suffering from anxiety and depression in I (and others) compered and assisted with these days of pandemic and isolation for press publicity. I don’t recall any serious perfectly understandable reasons, such as squabbles, tussles or rammies about the loss of income and their fundamental sense Nora Devine choice of acts or the way the club was run. of purpose. For those Music Support offers Linlithgow Folk Club, which started at the The ethos she engendered meant that no one help. They have links to NHS services and ‘Football and Cricketers’ Arms’ and grandstanded or stepped over marks as offer membership of on-line support groups welcomed some of the biggest names in everyone recognised that Nora, in her and a non-judgmental and confidential traditional music at that time. The club was typically benevolent way, was ultimately the helpline on 0800 030 6789. They are, of also credited with giving an early performing first word and the last. “No airs or graces course, dependent on donations ... opportunity to young musicians and singers here, what you get is what you see!” To finish on a lighter note, the other best who went on to greater things. Included The club ran weekly throughout the year medicine for the mood is laughter. Just as live among these were people like Aly Bain, normally with a guest act. There were few music brings social benefits as well as Barbara Dickson and the McCalmans. breaks and very few “singers’ nights”. The hormonal ones, so too laughing out loud is Nora acted as an adviser to the steering group frequently packed nights generated an good for us. But how many of us have which set up the Linlithgow Folk Festival, entertaining and sociable buzz with, back in laughed helplessly on our own during but sadly passed away just two weeks before the day, a fairly smoke laden atmosphere! COVID isolation? I have started going on the first event in September 1999. A Singers and musicians from all over the YouTube to find things that make me laugh memorial concert, featuring many of Nora’s out loud and my current favourite comes world sang at the club and usually Nora musical friends and associates, took place in would provide overnight accommodation for from the late great Danish pianist Victor 2000 and among those taking part was the Borge in this sketch about that other famous them before they headed off next morning acclaimed singer and songwriter, Ian Walker. over the horizon to another venue. Nora’s Dane, Hans Christian Mozart. Now I issue Ian was closely involved with Linlithgow a challenge that readers send in to us your renowned hospitality was indeed a “Home Folk Club in the early part of his career and from Home” for these troubadours. favourite laugh-out-loud YouTube videos, so knew Nora well. He was delighted to hear we can all go on feeling better. The only rule about the Hall of Fame announcement, and For Nora to have been inducted into the is that they combine music and laughter. Now he told me: Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame is what about Spike Jones? Les Dawson...? simply fantastic. The Award “recognises “Nora Devine was the warm hearted, individuals that work tirelessly to help their SCOTS TRADITIONAL HALL OF unassuming host at Linlithgow Folk Club." community and enrich the lives of others FAME INDUCTEE #3 In fact, Nora was Linlithgow Folk Club and through selfless or charitable work”. Nora This text was first included in The Black Bitch – Linlithgow Folk Club was Nora. In contrast was never one for being in the limelight and Linlithgow’s Community Magazine - in August 2020. to many other clubs, there was no committee would have been modestly astonished at NORA DEVINE will be included in the or panel to decide which acts to book or receiving this award. ‘Services to Community’ section of the Hall which “policies” to have – there was just Nora was much loved and has left us with of Fame, where the nominees are all Nora. I was involved from around 1982 to enduring memories and with a tangible individuals who have worked tirelessly to 1995 when the Club was in The Star & legacy in Scottish Folk music, especially in help their community and enrich the lives of Garter and The Black Bitch. Linlithgow, where the music and songs others through selfless service or charitable Nora was always located by the door and continue to be celebrated in the current work. This section of the Hall of Fame would welcome people with a genuine smile vibrant music scene and Folk Festival. started in 2015. and an affectionate twinkle in her eye. She From the mid-1960s, Nora ran the famous (… continued on page 7)

(… continued from page 5) wasn’t long before Jean started taking After she died, I tried to sum up Nora’s piano lessons. Her sister, who had already legacy in a song to portray both her been learning for three years, was personality and the friendly reception she delighted to finally have someone to play offered to the many touring artists who came duets with. Keeping up with her sister to her door. brought Jean on very quickly, and by the time the end of her school days were Welcome to my room she smiled, you’re a long time gone approaching, she was an accomplished This is your “home from home” sing us your song pianist, for whom further study and a And we will lift our voices, blend some harmony career in music was a very real option. No airs or graces here what you get is what you see. How we try to catch the moments, but they always On leaving school, she entered the then journey on Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Thanks for your company, thank you for your songs Drama. There primarily as a pianist, she Take care until the next time, you’re passing by this place also took lessons with renowned Austrian I’ll leave you with a smile she said and an honest violist Freida Peters, who years previously warm embrace… had escaped to Glasgow shortly before Ian’s song for Nora has been recorded by Nazi Germany’s annexation of Austria in Jean Leonard MBE many artists and is always the opening 1938. number on Linlithgow Folk Festival’s In some ways, the viola was the greater (as she could still play very well), Jean outdoor Nora Devine Stage at the Cross. challenge of Jean’s time at the Academy. insisted on going back to the beginning This initiative allows young talent the She’d taken up the instrument through and meticulously re-learning the opportunity to perform right at the heart of school orchestra camps, but had not instrument, putting in place the technical the Folk Festival and is always one of the received the same fundamental instruction and musical foundations that would allow highlights of the annual five-day musical as she had on piano. It was only when she her to progress much further. This time extravaganza in September. started lessons with Peters that this spent mastering the viola would become greatly important to her later work on (Ed: Nora booked me three times as guest act at became clear. Much to Peters’ frustration Linlithgow FC in the late 60’s. The gig was held in a Orkney. wee room – the darts room where the act performed in front of the darts board (nervously!) and about 20 folk. BURGLARY ALERT Upon graduating, she started work as a There was another Geordie, usually there, who, like EDGWARE GUITARS is a musical music teacher. First of all moving back to me, was from North Shields, and drank Newcastle instrument shop in London who Dumfries, and then to Kirkcudbright. After Brown Ale chasers – with Drambuie! He worked at a a few years, inspired by holidays on local electronics firm. I shudder to think how he posted this on Facebook in late performed at work the next day!) Scotland’s west coast, and feeling the need September: “It is with a very heavy for a change, she moved to Orkney, to take SCOTS TRADITIONAL HALL OF heart we report that sadly we were up a secondary teaching position in FAME INDUCTEE #4 broken into last night. The thieves Stromness. got away with 16 guitars. Please can JEAN LEONARD MBE She was immediately a great fit as she we ask everyone to share this post Starting as a secondary school music took on the Stromness music department, teacher in Stromness, Jean Leonard went far and wide to keep a look out for and quickly began to see results – from on to be closely involved in the huge the guitars. If you have any her first higher music class, Two pupils renaissance of learning and playing information, please contact John went on to study Violin and Piano traditional music that’s taken place on on 07950 476237. Many thanks respectively at the RSAMD, and another Orkney in recent years. She was part of everyone.” Go to their to study clarinet at the Royal Northern the effort to set up and run the Orkney Facebook page here to see the College of Music. Traditional Music Project, which since images mentioned. The shop Soon her work started to extend beyond 1998 has seen hundreds of young people address is 25 Station Road, the classroom. The council had recently and adults go through its ranks, some Edgware, London HA8 7JE. started to appoint instrumental instructors, going on to successful careers in music in which was rapidly increasing the number their own right. SPREAD THE WORD. of young people playing instruments on Her own training in music started at a This appeared in our last two the island. young age. Growing up in Dumfries, her editions and it looks like the bad family were passionate about music, so it guys haven’t been nicked yet! (… continued on page 8)

(… continued from page 7) before going on stage, we try always to get Buoyed by this, Jean began organising them used to performing from the start. If summer camps, bringing in guest tutors, someone wants to do a gig or anything I eventually leading to the creation of a full can help, but it’s about them realising that youth orchestra on the island. it can’t be done without putting the work in first”. As much as anything though, her Everything so far had occurred in a work as a teacher and through the OTMP classical vein. Traditional music was less has been about creating a sense of fun and familiar to Jean, until some pupils from joy in learning and playing music. her after school violin group started to attend the local strathspey and reel society. The results of her approach are clear to see, a notable example being her former Her husband Andy, an accordionist and pupil Kristan Harvey, who upon leaving member of the group, encouraged her to school, the OTMP and Jean’s tutelage, bring more of her students along, and went on to study violin at the then incorporate traditional music into her RSAMD, then going on to win the BBC teaching. Young Traditional Musician of the Year Later, the seed of the idea for what Award in 2011. Upon hearing Kristen play, eventually became the Orkney Traditional a contemporary from Jean’s own days at Jim Bainbridge (pic Allan McMillan) ... “I picked up a Music Project was sown when on of Jean’s the RSAMD remarked upon the melodeon in my college days - a fiver in a Twickenham accordion playing friends from the similarities he heard between her playing junk shop in 1964. I'd heard a bit of the wonderful Irish Strathspey and Reel Society told her of and that of Frieda Peters, all those years music in Fulham Broadway and Holloway Road as well how she wished that there was something ago. as coming across Geordie exile Bob Davenport. His band, the Rakes was led by one Reg Hall who played a similar for accordions as what was on Jean retired from the OTMP a few years lot of Irish music on the DG melodeon. Reg was a great offer for fiddlers and people playing ago, but is still helping over thirty young inspiration (as was Bob) and, with a bit of advice from classical music. Johnny Handle, I was on my way! Bob introduced me to people in their music learning each week. the great Southern English musicians like Scan Tester This request coincided with her taking Her induction into the Scots Traditional and Oscar Woods so, like them, I have a fairly wide early retirement. Now with some extra Music Hall of Fame isn’t the first definition of traditional music. Scan played Sussex step time, Jean put together a lottery funding recognition of her many years of work dances and polkas in his local pub. He didn't know he was a folk musician and loved to play stuff from the application, and was successful in either. In January 2020, she received a Seekers or Al Jolson on his concertina. It was a valuable securing a grant to bring guest accordion MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours lesson, although not to everyone's taste!” tutor Ian Lowthian to the island for a for services to the community and music there was no similar outlet for singers until period of three years. This was where the in Orkney. A well deserved recognition of Johnny Handle and Lou Killen set up the Orkney Traditional Music Project started, her huge contribution to music making on Newcastle Folksong & Ballad club in 1958. and from where it has continued to grow the island. In her own words: “When I first Both became major figures in the folk over the years. came up here, the fiddles were all hanging movement, Johnny as a keen promoter of on the walls. Now you can’t get a local Formally established in 1998, the OTMP Northumbrian music and song, while Lou's fiddle for love nor money!” has provided tuition in fiddle and local songs soon included others from the accordion to hundreds of Orcadians, (Ed: click here to see the full list of inductees for wider lyrical and seafaring tradition. contributing greatly to the continuing Services to Community) The club was quite formal, with quality health of traditional music on the island. residents onstage in its new home in The The project engages local tutors to deliver THE FOLK REVIVAL IN Bridge Hotel, next to the historic High Level weekly lessons throughout the year, as 1960’s NORTH EAST OF Bridge, with an agreed policy restricting well as bringing visiting musicians to their performers to material from these islands - annual summer school. Participants ENGLAND this was at a time when American pop and benefit from top quality teaching in SATURDAY NIGHT barn dances have been skiffle were the musical norm. Mind you, repertoire and technique, as well as regular on the Northumbrian scene for many years - Sunderland songwriter Ed Pickford clearly performance opportunities, at home and it's related to, but distinct from the Scottish recalls Lou Killen singing 'Cripple Creek' further afield. ceilidh tradition, featuring accordion and with his banjo in those days, so it wasn't a As Jean sees it, this experience in fiddle-based bands like the Cheviot Ranters strait-laced club by any means! There were performing is crucial: “Confidence is key. and Jack Armstrong's Barnstormers. It’s no use waiting until they can play This musical tradition continues today, but (… continued on page 9)

( ... continued from page 8) and Jim Irvine, this provoking Cyril Tawney, (including the much-loved Earl O March’s plenty of Northumbrian tunes, leading to the guest again for the 25th anniversary in 1988 Daughter and the Twa Corbies), plus some High Level Ranters band's successful blend to say, “It's good to be back in the yet to be recorded new tunes and songs. The of tunes and Tyneside songs. 'Jimnasium'”. band’s unique sound draws on the rhythms Jim Boyles passed away many years ago, of Middle Eastern, rock, reggae, jazz and It was a time when clubs were appearing all blues, and the line-up includes founder over the area, but my failing memories are and sadly, Jim Irvine, club compere/singer/musician passed away only member Jonny Hardie (fiddle, vocals), Aaron clearest of two others, Birtley and Marsden, Jones (bouzouki, guitar, vocals), Ali Hutton so I'll concentrate on them. last month. Jim was an ex-miner and seaman with a great, sometimes abrasive sense of (pipes, whistles) and Donald Hay Others were at The County in South Shields, humour, and made Sundays at The Marsden a (percussion, vocals). The Royal Turf in Felling, The Bay Hotel in very special night out. Jim was a man who Then came Shetland Springs (Monday 19 Whitley Bay, The Sun in Stockton and The made things happen, and loved the traditional October) which was originally 'Derry in Sunderland. musicians like Paddy Tunney, Davy Stewart commissioned by Tradfest for five fiddlers in Yet more developed in Durham City, and Willie Scott, as well as the Liverpool 2020 and has been rescheduled to the 2021 Hexham, Darlington, Shotley Bridge and Spinners or Don Partridge, the London festival. This concert featured both Catriona Prudhoe, and I well remember ex-miner Billy busker. MacDonald (fiddle) and Margaret Robertson Conroy playing a hornpipe on a home-made Jim Irvine was a major figure in Tyneside MBE (fiddle, piano) from the original line- whistle at the Lampglass in Ashington. it was folk clubs, and better known in Scotland than up whose friendship dates back almost 40 an unusual shape, and he explained to me that in the rest of England, but helped many a years. This online Shetland Springs concert he'd made it from the handle of a Bex Bissel current folk hero on their way. I can do no presents a true celebration of Shetland’s rich carpet shampooer! I still have a whistle he better than repeat the words of Christy Moore fiddle tradition told through heartfelt airs and made from a piece of industrial tubing - some when he heard of Jim's death ... reels. craftsman, Billy. "I first arrived at the Marsden Inn on October Next, and just past, was Siobhan Miller A few miles south of The Bridge, the Elliott 6, 1968, not knowing what to expect. It was a (Monday 26 October) one of the finest family set up their club in 1961 in the mining unique club, and Jim gave me a warm young voices on the Scottish folk scene, town of Birtley. It contrasted with The welcome - he was a brilliant compere and the backed by some of Scotland’s leading Bridge, being more akin to a social gathering, evening moved seamlessly along. I'm uplifted musicians: Euan Burton (bass), Charlie the family's socialist ethos being more at this morning, just thinking of it all. I came Stewart (fiddle) and Innes White (guitar). home with an informal singaround style. Jack back to the club with Planxty in 1972, and I Siobhan is the only three-time winner of Elliott had a store of old Durham mining still recall the warmth of his introduction that Scots Singer of the Year at the BBC Alba songs, but there were no rules, and humour night. It was a golden era, and Jim Irvine was Scots Trad Music Award and her latest was a large part of a night at The Three Tuns. at the heart of it''. album, All is Not Forgotten, was released in A couple of Jack's quips were - “This beer's April 2020. This online concert featured that bad, ah'll be glad when ah've had Christy became a firm friend of the club and some of the tracks from that album. its residents, and I'll provide more memories enough” and “the seam in that pit's so wet, Finally, on Monday 2 November we will be they're using alligators as pit ponies”. next time of the club and the Scottish connections which developed over fifty years joined by acclaimed Skye piper Malin The club had close links to the mining ago. Lewis, Ali Hutton (guitar) and Shona tradition of Co. Durham, and in 2003, well Mooney (fiddle) for Malin Makes Music. supported by enthusiasts, the new colliery (Ed: This is the first of a three-part memoire by Jim. He Malin is a piper, fiddler, instrument maker will write next time about his musical wanderings and banner design featured two of the club experiences in Scotland, moving to the West of Ireland and highly talented composer and this stalwarts, Jack Elliott himself and Jock in the late 1980’s and coming to live in South West concert set list is drawn heavily from the Purdon, a club singer and songwriter, a Scotland in Dumfries and Galloway relatively recently). band-leader’s own music, with one tune 'Bevin boy' from Glasgow. It was a proud from band mate Mooney thrown in for good day for the family and the club when that SOUNDHOUSE and EDINBURGH’S measure. TRADFEST 2021 banner was marched into Durham City on All four Spotlight concerts were video Miners' Gala day! Edinburgh Tradfest’s new Spotlight season recorded live at Edinburgh’s Traverse The Marsden Inn club, near South Shields, kicked off on Monday 12 October 2020 with Theatre at the end of August and include was set up in 1963, with Cyril Tawney as its four new video concerts released online. interview clips, chat and some banter. first guest, and became another club with its First up was the legendary, award winning All the concerts are 30 minutes long. For own distinctive style. Set up by Jim Sharp, Old Blind Dog s (Monday 12 October), details of ticket availability for these other residents included myself, Jim Boyles playing some of their old favourites, online shows please go here or here.

CLUES ACROSS 3. Being frightened (often in reference to CROSSWORD (1.11) compiled by The Bairn horses) (7) 6. What Sleeping Beauty pricked her finger on (7) 9. Chinese round bottomed cooking pan, good for stir fries (3) 10. ___ Graham, major Irish traditional singer and song collector (3) 11. Fleshy part of ears (5) 13. Song written by Ewan MacColl, The _____ Song (5) 15. Noise a slightly annoyed horse might make (5) 17. National animal of Scotland (7) 20. _____ Taylor, British contemporary singer-songwriter, 2003 Album Hotels and Dreamers (5) 22. Country of the once great cities of Aleppo and Damascus (5) 23. Nickname of former governor of California (5) 24. Scottish word meaning ‘not’ (3) 26. Unfriendly dog, once a specific breed for herding (3) 27. To quickly steal or take, most likely biscuits (7) 28. Celtic fusion band formed in the 90’s, ______Faeries (7) CLUES DOWN 1. Created or began something new (7) 2. 1970's Irish Folk Band, first album 'Three Drunken Maidens' (7) 21. Alternative word for your belly button 4. A rude and obnoxious person (3) (5) 5. Large bird of prey, two species found 22. Sight and taste are two of these (5) in Scotland (5) 7. ‘There’s no such thing as bad _____’ Solutions to the crossword in COS1.09 can be found attributed to P.T. Barnum (5) on page 16. 8. No points, zero, zilch! (3) 12. Genus of large fern found all over THE NATIONAL PIPING CENTRE Scotland (7) writes … Just a Week To Go! The 14. Lincolnshire mandolinist, member of Glenfiddich Piping Championship was The Shee & Kinnaris Quintet _____- The invited competitors for the Glendfiddich Piping established in 1974 to inspire the world's Champiionship 2020 are … Finlay Johnston, Beth Slater (5) finest exponents of Ceol Mor or Callum Beaumont, Jack Lee, Roddy MacLeod 16. Often seen singing self-penned and Piobaireachd (The Great Music) and Ceol MBE, Angus MacColl, Stuart Liddell, Iain Speirs, Scottish songs at EFC, _____ Beag or light music (the little music). Willie McCallum, Connor Sinclair, Bruce Gandy. Nicholson (5) After a summer of disruption to the usual The list of competitors (picture caption) 18. Involuntary deep breathing that occurs qualifying events, the team behind the this was compiled commencing with the normally when tired (7) year’s Championship are pleased to defending Glenfiddich Champion and the 19. The orange part of a carrot is an announce the invitation list for the event, winner of The Bratach Gorm and Overall example of this (3) which will be available online on Saturday 31st October. (… continued on page 11)

( ... continued from page 10) Champion from the 2019 Scottish Piping Society of London Annual Competition – the only qualifying event to take place. To bring the total to 10, invitations were extended to still competing past Glenfiddich Champions and, because of duplications, to second overall placings. The event will take place behind closed doors at Blair Castle, with competitors, judges and a small technical team. It will all adhere to strict COVID19 risk assessment and guidelines, like the recent Silver Chanter and other Piping Live! events. Judges: Piobaireachd Iain MacFadyen :: Willie Morrison :: Dr. Jack Taylor. Judges: March Strathspey and Reel Walter Cowan :: Colin MacLellan :: Ian McLellan. Fear an Tighe for the day will be John Wilson To ensure a musically enhanced and faultless experience, all the performances will be recorded live from Blair Castle and premiered online from 10am UK time on Saturday 31st October. The online stream is £15 to access – go here. Register now, then on the day, simply log back in, refresh the stream at 10am, then sit back and enjoy the day. The stream will remain online for 24 hours after the event for viewers to re- watch. The National Piping Centre team are delighted to be bringing this event to the piping world this autumn. By buying a ticket to the event you are supporting not Scottish Domestic Bliss 2020 Lockdown by Allan & Rosemary McMillan. Grace only The National Piping Centre for this Note Publications. Full of fun, poems & pictures (proceeds towards Paddy Bort Fund). event at this tough time, but also supporting Available from Amazon, or copies can be purchased direct from the authors the players, tech staff and the ongoing work (signed optional) £10 + £2 p&p. of The National Piping Centre across all its teaching and associated projects. purchases the £15 ticket for this year's If you haven't bought your ticket yet, but Online Glenfiddich Piping Championship. are planning to watch and want to be in Before the event, we are speaking to some with a chance of winning one of these sets of We have a set of SL4 MacRae pipes from of the pipers taking part. Head to our pipes, then you must register online before McCallum Bagpipes (replicas of Stuart instagram stories to find out more! Find 5pm UK time on Friday 30th October to be Liddell's bagpipe) as well as a set of out more at this link now! entered! You will still be able to register to PH1HT R.G. Hardie bagpipes, from the watch after this time, but you won't be entered We have been generously donated two sets range that Callum Beaumont and to win a set of pipes. So head to our website of pipes as a prize draw for everyone who Connor Sinclair play. now and register for tickets!

contemporary songs with five written by Franklin (@lizlipwig) presents 'Folk WEE BITS n PIECES Fraser Bruce himself. ***PRE-ORDER*** Garden' every Tuesday 6pm - 8pm. All the IONA FYFE’s recent newsletter told us Stephen Clark - The Lady Aurora / The best in folk, roots and acoustic music. … New Video - Lay Ye Doon Love performances, tunes and songs on the album ACROSS THE POND - NEW is hosted “As part of Global Music Match, are inspired by nature. by ex-pat lad from Edinburgh, Ed Miller, Showcase Scotland gave us a braw Pat Walsh - Simply Whistle / an album by on Sunradio every Sunday 3-4pm UK opportunity to play together and record a Manchester tin whistle player Pat Walsh. time - straight from Austin, Texas, USA! few live videos at Capture Works in Gordon Shand - The Journey / the third Glasgow. I'm joined by Graham Rorie collection of original compositions from P URE BEAT RADIO - NEW from (Gnoss) and Jack McRobbie singing Lay composer and Scottish dance band leader Aberdeen, Scotland is an internet radio Ye Doon Love, from the singing of Jimmy Gordon Shand. station that broadcasts all over the world Hutchison. Watch here. Andrew Waite – Tyde / debut album from 24*7. Playing a Better Music Mix! You Spotify Playlists accordionist Andrew Waite. can tune in on your Smartphone, “I've created three new Spotify playlists, Lucy Farrell and Andrew Waite - Calm The Smartspeaker, Deezer and online. Lions / debut album from recently formed to share with you my favourite tracks that BOTH SIDE S THE TWEED FOLK folk duo Lucy Farrell and Andrew Waite. inspire me, and the various projects I've SHOW - NEW is a monthly podcast James Harper – Culzean / debut album recorded on. Don't forget to like and presented by Gareth Patterson bringing from James with his band, a dynamic group follow the playlists! you the very best in folk & acoustic music. of musicians at the forefront of Scottish Submissions welcomed from artists who 1. Iona's Playlist - a selection of other music. would like Gareth to play their music. A artists’ tracks I'm listening to at the Fergie MacDonald - The Ceilidh King / CD would be appreciated but please moment. Fergie's 50th CD on which Fergie is joined remember it must be FOLK. 2. Introducin g - my own music! by a stellar cast of musical friends on this his 3.Various Projects - tracks of other artists 50th Album in a career spanning six decades. SOUNDART FOLK SHOW - NEW that I've sung on Music Scotland, 20 Argyll Square, OBAN hosted by Steve B. The station is situated FOLLOW ON SPOTIFY PA34 4AT, Scotland, UK in the Dartington manor estate near Totnes Global Music Match Interviews MUSIC WAVES in Devon and is also available on “Over the last six weeks, I've been taking Mixcloud (listen again option). The show MUSIC ROUTES Jim Welsh broadcasts airs folk in its many guises live monthly to part in Global Music Match, a mammoth on-line on Edinburgh's Radio Summerhall. project featuring 96 artists from 14 a world-wide audience. There are live countries. I was in Team 5 with musicians TRAVELLING FOLK Sunday (7pm) sessions every few weeks with some very from Los Angeles, Texas, Finland, Bruce MacGrego r presents BBC Radio special guests playing and chatting live in England and Canada. As part of the Scotland's flagship two-hour folk the studio. Read more about the show on project, see my interviews here .“ programme. their Facebook page B LACK DIAMOND 107.8 FM STREAM RADIO STATIONS NEW RELEASES FROM MUSIC Midlothian, Sunday 8pm-9pm (and AROUND THE WORLD WITH SCOTLAND (circulated recently) available 24*7). Brian Miller presents RADIO GARDEN – eg Edinburgh (242 Celtic and Scottish music on CD & DVD "one of the finest folk music programmes Radio), Glasgow (Celtic Music Radio), with mp3 samples & sheet music. on radio". London (BBC Radio 5 Live) … and New & Recent Releases thousands more. - NEW C LICK HERE for a long list of folk Radio Garden is a non-profit Dutch radio Ross Ainslie – Vana / A fourth studio album music shows on BBC Radio. from Ross Ainslie one of Scotland's finest and digital research project developed traditional musicians and composers. F OLK ALLEY (USA) is a 24*7 internet from 2013 to 2016, by the Netherlands Iain MacIver - Climbing The Mountain / radio service produced by the Institute for Sound and Vision, the This latest CD from singer/songwriter Iain FreshGrass Foundation which went Transnational Radio Knowledge Platform MacIver consists of a mix of Gaelic and online in September 2003, streaming a and five other European universities. It is English songs. unique blend of traditional folk, roots, funded by HERA. Americana, contemporary Leonard Brown - Requested By You 2 THE ONLINE FAB FOLK CLUB - singer/songwriters, indie-folk, Celtic, (Double Album) / the latest album from NEW is a pre-recorded on-air singaround bluegrass, and other world sounds. Leonard Brown And His All Star Band folk club presented by Tony Haynes in Fraser Bruce - Every Song's A Story / An BLUES AND ROOTS RADIO - NEW - York. Anyone is invited in. Video not outstanding collection of mainly based in Mississauga, ON, Canada. Liz needed, obviously, because this is radio, so

http://ec1973.com/home :: https://www.facebook.com/Edinburgh-Folk-Club-155304611154742/ :: @edfolkclub Please note that Edinburgh Folk Club cannot accept responsibility for the content of third party websites displayed in this newsletter and offers all content in good faith. CARRY ON STREAMIN from EDINBURGH FOLK CLUB Probably the best folk club in the world! Dateline: Wednesday 28 October 2020 Volume 1.11 just record yourself performing, say, three it would be great if you could give them a FreshGrass Foundation. Each issue of your favourite songs or tunes and email plug in COS.” (Ed: job done!) features original in-depth articles and artist them or use WeTransfer. Obviously they profiles, original illustrations, and “We send out the Zoom link with full would have to be close to radio quality, stunning photography. The original music information the day before the but don’t get too hung up about that. Try magazine began in 1995 and ran through singaround. People are asked to let us to avoid background noises such as fridge 2008 but restarted in 2015 and is running know by the Friday before if they motors, but a bit of bird song would be yet. Their ‘fall’ 2020 print edition has would like us to send them the link fine. now sold out. (singers and listeners all welcome!). FOLKER (Germany, bi-monthly, print, C OPPERPLATE , promoting Irish music, “People can message us here, the contact on-line) one of continental Europe's major present a monthly podcast ... Copperplate form on our website .” Podcast … 60 minutes of Irish traditional folk mags – in fact, probably the leading music now accessible 24/7 from their (Ed: there are so many on-line gigs just now that this mag. Folker covers mostly European is the merest sample of what we’ve noticed. If you traditional/folk music and world music roster. want your gig listed please send us the information). and is a valuable source on German and GIGS ON-LINE cyberPRINT other European artists and the festival MAIRI CAMPBELL is doing weekly scene. It also carries book, record and (Sundays) on-line ‘sessions’ under the LIVING TRADITION (UK, monthly, cassette reviews. (Ed: Folker’s publisher is Michael Kamp who was a Sandy Bell’s Man back in the heading, Campbell’s Ceilidh. Just click on print, on-line) – next edition out August 1970’s). the link above to sign up in advance and 2020. See advert in this issue of COS. offer yourself for a song or a tune spot. Living Tradition is a major UK and You’ll find lots of other stuff there as well. international folk music magazine ENGLISH/WELSH local published in Scotland with a 20 year LLANTRISANT F C in S. Wales is history of carrying news, reviews and folk mags ALL NEW running a virtual Folk Club every articles, with a focus on the traditional UNICORN Bedfordshire, Wednesday at 8:20pm; music starts folk scene in the UK and Ireland. Buckinghamshire, Cambridgshire and 8:30pm. Tune in her e . Hertfordshire. THE LIST (Edinburgh HQ but national; PAUL WALKER & KAREN print, on-line,) This widely read and SHIRE FOLK Berkshire, PFEIFFER invite you to their live nationally distributed magzine is one to Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. streams Afternoon Tea with Paul & Karen seek out for gig and cultural information FOLKNEWS KERNOW Cornwall. every Friday at 4pm (UK time) in general. WHAT'S AFOOT Devon. on their Facebook and YouTube pages. R2 MAGAZINE 45 minutes of music, banter and light- See here for information on subscribing SAD Folk Somerset and Dorset. hearted chat. (UK, bi-monthly) was 'Rock n Reel' back MARDLES East Anglia, Norfolk in the 1990s, hit a rocky patch, but CLAIRE HASTINGS As always, is live FOLK MONTHLY E. Midlands, every Sunday morning at 10am on returned several years ago as a great Derbyshire, Leics, Lincs and Notts. Claire's Music Club Facebook page, commentator, supporter and reviewer of aimed at under 5s.” the UK music scene in general (see advert SOLENT WAVES (Folk Association of page 5). South Hampshire) Hampshire, Sussex and THE GOOSE IS OUT is (usually) a Dorset. popular Friday weekly gig in South BOX AND FIDDLE (UK, monthly) is the London. However, of course, as is publication of the National Association of PUDDINGSTONE (Hertfordshire Folk happening all over the UK they now run Accordion & Fiddle Clubs with an Association) Hertfordshire. monthly Zoom singarounds on the nights estimated home and overseas readership of AROUND KENT FOLK Kent (and some they would normally have been having 6,000+. of Sussex); e mail . their "real" singarounds. Organiser Sue MAVERICK (UK, monthly) leading LANCASHIRE WAKES Lancashire. Whitehead says, “These online sessions, independent country music magazine. which are on second Sundays monthly, FOLK NORTH WEST (North West have been going well (despite a few RAMBLES (USA, on-line) a wide range Federation of Folk Clubs) Lancashire, technical hitches!). Obviously there isn't of reviews of books and albums. Cumbria, Greater Manchester, any geographical barrier to joining in NO DEPRESSION (USA. quarterly) – Merseyside, North Wales and Cheshire. we’ve had singers from as far afield as NEW is an advert-free, long-form journal LEICESTER FOLK DIARY Japan, Scotland and, er, Birmingham - so about roots music published by the Leicestershire

The FRIENDS OF THOMAS MUIR composer and artist, has been settled in FOLKTALK Lincolnshire. 1 organisation website lists a lot of activity Orkney now for 2 /2 years. During FOLK LONDON London & Home showing what the Friends are up to on a lockdown she has been teaching accordion Counties. continuing basis behind the scenes. To via Zoom both one-to-one as well as MAD FOLK Merseyside. find out more use their contact details Friday Zoom accordion workshops – here. email Karen for details . NORTHAMPTONSHIRE FOLK ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION CEILIDH DANCING in Edinburgh of Karen has published her first sketchbook Northamptonshire. course has been put on hold during the called: “ Karen Tweed - A S ketchbook current crisis but will, no doubt at all, W ith L ove from Orkney ”. SHREDS AND PATCHES Shropshire. restart when deemed safe to do so. Karen also runs a weekly Live Slow Tunes SUSSEX PIE AND EVENTS SHEET Meanwhile have a look at Session (which is free) via her Facebook (Sussex Folk Association) Sussex EDINBURGH CEILIDH CLUB. page on Mondays at 6.30pm - all SUSSEX FOLK GUIDE (NB: Online) ROBIN LAING, songwriter and singer of welcome. FOLK SOUTH EAST Surrey whisky themed songs tells us he has a new EASTGATE THEATRE, Peebles, is CD out. Entitled ‘Holding Gold' there are TAPLAS Wales + The Borders & Beyond struggling to keep going just now. They’ve a couple of whisky songs, some family been posting events on YouTube including FOLKWALES ONLINE MAGAZINE songs, love songs and songs drawn from four half-hour “Garden Ceilidh Events”. Scotland's rich history. The CD is only FOLK MONTHLY West Midlands: These were organised by members of available at the moment from R obin Worcs, Warks, Staffs, Shropshire, Penicuik FC and 18 acts were videoed in a himself or from Music Scotland. Herefordshire. beautiful garden setting to create 90- PENICUIK ARTS promotes and minutes of song, music and spoken word FOLKFAX - Diary of events, news and encourages the study, practice and which all showcased an impressive array gossip. (NB: Online only). knowledge of the Arts in Penicuik and of local talent. If you are able to help the WILTSHIRE FOLK ARTS Wiltshire. surrounding district. Contact them by theatre re-open by donating go to their FOLKLIFE WEST Worcs, Glos and The email or phone: 01968 678804. crowd funding page here or to their own website here. West (Quarterly Magazine and Folk THE SCOTTISH Storytelling Centre in Directory). Edinburgh's High Street may be closed FOLK ROUNDABOUT Yorkshire, just now but it is keeping busy with all FESTIVAL ROUND-UP North & East, Teesside, Cleveland, kinds of streams and on-line stuff. Click There are so many festivals around these Northumberland. here to find out what's what. And it is islands, not to mention abroad, that a currently hosting a virtgual Story Telling better use of the limited space in the TYKES NEWS (incorporating Stirrings) Festival. newsletter is to list websites offering lists Yorkshire, South And West. The TMSA (Traditional Music and of festival. REMINDERS … Song Association) has a calendar list of B ritish Arts Festivals Association SANDY BELL’S BAR RESCUE FUND upcoming events it's involved in on its European Forum of Worldwide Music At the time of writing £4,003 had been website. Festivals - Member Festivals raised towards the target of £15,000. To THE TRADITIONAL MUSIC FORUM Folk and Roots - UK Festivals. contribute please visit the Save Sandy (aka TMF) is a key participant in the Bell's Go Fund Me page. Scottish Parliament Cross Party Group on GLASGOW FIDDLE WORKSHOP Culture, the Music Education Partnership Click here PayPa l to donate (GFW) restarted with ZOOM classes on Group, Culture Counts and Heads of Monday 7 and Wednesday 9 September Instrumental Teaching Scotland (HITS) to to the Paddy Bort Fund. 2020, 19:30-21:00 name but a few. Through the website, newsletter and social media channels, And click here to go to For details click the link above (face-to- TMF continually showcases the diverse EFC’s YouTube channel. face classes postponed for time being), activities of their wide membership and Monday Slow Session shares news, events, and information. And 18:45-19:25 Wednesday Warm-up Session notably, EFC's man, Dave Francis is the TMF Director and Lori Watson, is chair. 18:45-19:25 #trad #music K AREN TWEED , accordion wizard,

Tweaked for 2020 to reflect the pivot the audiences in ever unique and inspiring ways. SOLUTIONS to the entire industry has made due to Covid-19, These awards give us an opportunity to crossword in COS this year’s twelve awards are: recognise and celebrate the creative pioneers 1. Music Tutor of the Year, sponsored by and incredible wealth of talent we have in 1.10 ... Creative Scotland Scotland, and we’re delighted to be able to Across Down 2. Gaelic Singer of the Year, sponsored by join with Hands Up for Trad to enable this 1 KISS 2 IGLOO The Highland Society of London once more. 5 DARK 3 SUZANNE 3. Album of The Year, sponsored by Birnam In addition to the broadcast, Hands Up for 7 BEANO 4 DANNAN CD Trad will present a Trads Online livestream 9 BONALY 5 DWARFED 4. Up & Coming artist of the Year, sponsored presented by singer & songwriter Findlay 10 KARINE 6 RAINY by Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Napier. With the full programme due to be 11 BONUS 7 BAY 5. Community Music Project of the Year, announced soon, this will air on Facebook 13 YOKE 8 OAK sponsored by Greentrax Recordings and YouTube from lunchtime December 12 14 DAYS 11 BLACK 6. Citty Finlayson Scots Singer of the Year, until the Awards, with a variety of informal 15 ALLAN 12 SONNY sponsored by Traditional Music and Song and fun live gigs, cèilidhs and workshops 16 COAL 17 LIZANNE Association (TMSA) that the Scots trads and folk industry is 18 CURL 18 CASSIDY 7. Trad Video of the Year, sponsored by world famous for. Participating audiences, 19 KELLY 20 LANKUM Threads of Sound partners, and sponsors will be directly 23 EMBARK 24 KID 8. Online Performance of 2020, sponsored supporting musicians and crew, many of 25 OSSIAN 25 OAT by Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust whom have lost significant income as a 26 DOUBT 9. Services to Gaelic Award, sponsored by result of the COVID-19 crisis. 27 VITE Bòrd na Gàidhlig 28 YING Hands Up for Trad’s Creative Director 10. Original Work of the Year, sponsored by Simon Thoumire thanks all involved: PRS for Music “Since lockdown it’s been a huge team effort MG ALBA SCOTS TRAD MUSIC 11. Trad Music in the Media, sponsored by AWARDS 2020 to process everything that’s happening with Sabhal Mòr Ostaig Covid-19, and provide musicians and crew Nominations opened for the MG ALBA 12. Musician of the Year, sponsored by the with the support needed due to cancelled Scots Trad Music Awards 2020 on October University of the Highlands and Islands launches, gigs and tours, as well as provide 5 when Hands Up for Trad announced the This year the annual Scottish Traditional audiences with entertainment and culture, awards will be broadcast in partnership with Music Hall of Fame is sponsored by Fèisean much needed during these troubled times. BBC ALBA and reveal the Top 30 Albums. nan Gàidheal, with special plans to be “Thanks to all the people who nominate and Nominations are now closed and voting announced. begins on November 2. The awards will be vote, and to the artists, media and our broadcast online on Saturday 12 December Morag Macdonald, Youth Music Initiative sponsors and partners for their flexibility and 2020. Manager, Creative Scotland said: “The passion for making the MG ALBA Scots Youth Music Initiative is delighted to Trad Music Awards 2020 possible.” Featuring phenomenal performances from support this award that recognises the This year’s event was set to take place in leading trad musicians, the highly regarded ongoing dedication and enthusiasm of music annual Awards give recognition to Dundee’s Caird Hall, which has been held tutors who contribute so much to the music for a mix of digital and physical in 2021. excellence within Scotland’s thriving ecology of Scotland. This year more than traditional musical culture. Encompassing all With live music and event restrictions in ever we have witnessed musicians going the place for the foreseeable future, Hands Up aspects of making and playing from extra mile to ensure that children and young composing, Gaelic song, folk and Scottish for Trad has been working hard since March people have opportunities to engage with 2020 to support artists and provide dance music to pipe bands and a host of music making and we look forward to others in between, each year sees a lively alternative platforms for musicians to reach celebrating the commitment of some of these their audiences, fundraise and sell tickets and enthusiastic crowd enjoying some of the individuals.” biggest names as the industry and audiences online. join to honour singers, instrumentalists, Murdo MacSween, Communications The organising body of the Awards, Hands Up for Trad, is composers and songwriters. Manager at title sponsors MG ALBA, funded by The National Lottery through Creative said: “It gives us particular pride at MG Scotland, and was formed in 2002. It exists to increase Shortlisted Nominees will be announced ALBA to be title sponsors in this especially the profile and visibility of Scottish traditional music ready for Public Voting from November 3 through information, advocacy and education to artists, testing year. We’ve seen fantastic participants and audiences. onwards. collaborations and innovation – all reaching

The fiscal correction which would be required to quickly improved, even at the cost of increased FOUR WAYS TO stabilise public finances will be less if a faster investment. RESCUE THE ECONOMY recovery can be engineered. 4. More targeted support Governments must focus on public investments, As the recovery begins to strengthen during 2021, FROM THE PANDEMIC particularly those aimed at boosting research and a key conundrum for policymakers will be whether from The Conversation, October 23, 2020 development spending and productivity growth. to prioritise stimulating aggregate demand in the Author: Anton Muscatelli, Principal and Many observers have recommended that economy, such as using tax cuts, or more targeted Vice Chancellor, University of Glasgow governments put money into greening the support measures for particular sectors or parts of economy. Not only will this stimulate growth in the workforce. In many western countries, COVID-19 infection sectors for the future, it will also help address the It has recently been said that the recovery after a rates are rising again. For some like the UK, climate crisis. France and Spain, it appears that the second wave second wave might be more W-shaped as a of the pandemic is already here. The science also 2. Build confidence whole, but K-shaped for individual sectors. In other tells us that we may see a further upsurge in 2021. There needs to be a clear strategy to restore words, while sectors like online retail and We do not know how effective early vaccines will economic confidence, which is inextricably linked technology/software are booming, others like be, and the rollout of vaccination programmes will to people’s confidence in how the pandemic and its conventional retail, travel and hospitality will take a be gradual. economic fallout is being managed. Even before long time to recover. the second wave took hold, it was clear that the A major issue for governments is the extent to Business support may need to switch to a more economic recovery was slowing during the sectoral approach. The UK has done a little here which they have the fiscal firepower to protect jobs summer in many advanced economies. and economic activity. In the UK, the government’s with the “eat out to help out” scheme and now spring and summer measures to protect The OECD reported in September that Google small monthly grants for firms in sectors like businesses and jobs were expected to add £192 data on people’s shopping and recreational activity hospitality and leisure. billion to the budget deficit, increasing the debt-to- (as a proxy for what they are consuming from Similarly, governments will have to focus their GDP ratio from 85.4% in 2019 to 106.4% by March social businesses) had not returned to pre- support on those in the labour market for whom the 2021. pandemic levels. Order books in most advanced “scarring effects” of unemployment will be most economies (except China) did not fully recover serious. For instance, the crisis will particularly These are the highest levels of debt since the early either. 1960s, and record budget deficit levels for affect the job prospects of young people whose peacetime. And yet the second wave of COVID-19 It’s clear that consumer and business confidence transition from education to work is being is going to strain the fiscal response much further. cannot fully bounce back until uncertainty on the disrupted. At the recovery stage, support will Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s newly revamped job duration of the pandemic begins to subside. This is therefore need to be switched to job creation – for support scheme and other measures to help one reason why a number of economists have example, by lowering employer national insurance businesses suffering under the latest restrictions urged countries like the UK, where the economic contributions for employers creating new jobs. will cost further billions. hit has been worse, to focus on protecting We are entering a pivotal period in our fight against employment. The furlough scheme in the UK To get a possible sense of where this might be COVID-19. While there is no denying the should probably have been extended into this challenges ahead, we are also better prepared and heading, the Institute for Fiscal Studies in June second wave, and the chancellor’s latest modelled for a scenario in which there was a more knowledgeable than in March. Policymakers expansion of the job support scheme looks like a must use this to their advantage and craft an second wave of COVID-19 in the fourth quarter of partial U-turn. 2020 and targeted regional lockdowns in the first economic response which is comprehensive and half of 2021. It predicted that this would produce a 3. Test and trace still vital nimble in equal measure. budget deficit of over 20% of GDP this year – Linked to this need to reduce uncertainty, there is equivalent to second world war levels – and a no trade-off between health and the economy. Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli was educated at debt-to-GDP ratio of nearly 120% by 2024-25. Countries which have done better at keeping The High School of Glasgow and the University infection rates low have also done well at reducing of Glasgow, where he graduated M.A. (Hons) in If this is the kind of situation that many countries the economic slump. Political Economy (1984) and took a Ph.D. in are now facing, what options are open to Economics (1989). He was a Lecturer and Senior governments, and what key indicators should they Some of that success with infections may have Lecturer at the University of Glasgow from 1984 been good fortune, or early action in closing travel to 1992, and Daniel Jack Professor of Political focus on? Economy from 1992 until 2007. He was Dean of down quickly in early 2020. But countries such as the Faculty of Social Sciences, 2000 to 2004, and 1. Growth first, sound money second Finland and Germany also had a strong capacity Governments must prioritise resuming economic Vice-Principal (Strategy, Budgeting and for testing and tracing and very quickly built it up Advancement) from 2004 until 2007. After two growth from 2021 onwards. Put simply, this will further. Even at this stage, countries like the UK years as Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Heriot require them to go easy on raising taxes or cutting need to look at whether test and trace can be Watt University, he returned to University of spending quickly to stabilise the debt-to-GDP level. Glasgow to take up his present post in 2009.