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Post by Dick Glasgow on Mar 6, 2009 12:51:53 GMT
Hello Captaing & welcome to the Concertinas in Scotland Forum.
We are all delighted that you are now a member and we look forward to your contributions to the discussions here.
Please tell us a little bit about yourself, your music & your Concertinas.
Then, why not hop over to our Where are you? poll and click on your own area!
Cheers 'Ptarmigan'
P.S. I notice you are member No. 13 Bob! .... hope you are not superstitious?[/i]
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Post by bob blair on Mar 7, 2009 14:24:16 GMT
I've been mucking about with concertinas for more years than I can care to remember, initially sparked off when I found out that the maker Wheatstone was also the developer of the Wheatstone bridge with which I was familiar as an electrical engineer.
In the 60s/70s I was a member of Ewan MacColl's study group - The Critics Group - and had the odd lesson there from Peggy Seeger. When I moved back to Scotland in 1975 I ran The Levellers Ceilidh Band which transformed itself into The Gallivanters Ceilidh Band both of which spearheaded the ceildh dance movement in Scotland.
In recent years I've reverted to my first love - singing - and gig either as a soloist or as part of the folksong conglomerate STRAMASH, which for a number of years also contained another concertina player, John Eaglesham, now sadly retired.
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Post by Dick Glasgow on Mar 7, 2009 15:16:48 GMT
Great to have you with us Bob & many thanks for the great PhotoWhat we need in Scotland now is a Concertina Conglomerate! By the way, I found your Wheatstone Bridge & I guess it's nice enough, but if you ask me, he should have stuck to making Concertinas, cause it's not a patch on the Forth Bridge! ;D Cheers Dick
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Post by bob blair on Mar 7, 2009 17:11:23 GMT
Dick,
You're not too far from the truth.
In addition to concertinas and the Wheatstone bridge(and that's a fairly primitive example in your photo above) Sir Charles Wheatstone(1802 - 1875) was also (arguably) the inventor of the electric telegraph and his system was still in use as late as the 1950s. He is also credited with a host of other inventions/developments, including early cryptography. His history makes fascinating reading.
He formed his Wheatstone Co originally to manufacture electrical items but latterly his company concentrated on making concertinas full time.
Here endeth today's history lesson.
Best wishes
Bob Blair
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Post by Dick Glasgow on Mar 7, 2009 18:45:29 GMT
Sorry Bob, I don't remember any of that info from school.
I'm afraid I was more into English, Geography & History back in those days, ....... oh yes & engineering drawing, but not for technical reasons, I think I just liked to draw shapes!
Cheers Dick
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Post by sam on Jul 13, 2009 22:27:52 GMT
Hi Bob I've heard you sing many times with Stramash over the years(great stuff) - I didnt know that you played the concertina! Had a blether with John Eaglesham the other week, and although he doesnt play anymore(bummer) he was giving me some hints, and encouragement. Bob, do you play in any of the sessions in /around glasgow? (where i live)...I'm just a beginner at the minute and not really ready to join in BUT i want to go and listen to what is being played....suggestions? SAM
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