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 Under the Bridges of Paris and Plaisir d’Amour Graham Hughes Moulin Rouge Waltz and Pigalle Joan Bamford Roses of Picardy and Colonel Bogey (picured below right)

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TThhee NNoorr tthh SSttaaff ffss AAccccoorr ddiioonn CClluubb 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.

Richard Millward Sur le Pont d’Avignon and Under the Bridges of Paris Moira Hague Marionette Waltz and King Otis Beth Lister Une Petite Valse de Musette Steve Hughes 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 o thers.

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) covers instruments or equipement in locked vehicles c) covers all musical property (e.g. sheet music, electronic equipment) d) means no lengthy quotes - just pick your level of cover e) means no excess (except for computer equipment) f) 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

Members’ Adverts

Accordion Tuition. Pauline Hardwick Tel 01782 397248 accordion and/or piano Stefan Andrusyschyn Tel 07958261024 accordion and/or piano Mike Gibson Tel 01782 660865 piano John Romero Tel 01606 270148 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 Brian Shufflebotham Chairman Mike Richards 01782 642101 Secretary Steve Hughes 01782 787935

Treasurer Mike Richards (acting) 01782 642101

Committee Tony Britton, Helen Brown, Graham Butler, Graham Hughes,

Lily Lynch and Greta Moseley.

Web address - www.northstaffsaccordionclub.co.uk

Editor Lily Lynch email - accordions@northstaffsaccordionclub.co.uk

Every Monday 5.00pm-6.00 pm Accordion classes for young players at Holditch Every Monday 7.30 p.m. Beginners’/Improvers’ night at the Holditch Tuesdays other than 3rd 8.00pm Band rehearsal at Bradwell Workingmen’s Club Every 3rd Tuesday of month 8.00pm Clubnite at Goldenhill Workingmen’s Club 2nd Thursday of the month 12 noon

Chord workshop at Knutton followed at 1 p.m. by the solo session. There will be no session in May

May Sun 10th-Fri 15th Accordions at the Castle’. Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool May 19th Clubnite - John Romero June 16th Theme Night - 'Waltzes‘ July 21st Kyiv Duo (Ukraine) Nov 7th to 9th Midlands Accordion Festival, Dudley December 15th Combined Xmas and 30th Anniversary Party