History of the Fishermans Session
A Potted History
This session has been running in Broughty Ferry for the best part of 30 years, every Thursday. Originally it started in the "Old Anchor Inn" in King street. The old proprietor appreciated the music, but not so much the clientele! The story goes that if a bus of tourists pulled up outside, the owner would shut the bar, as they looked far too much like work. I can empathise with that. After a few years the session moved to the upstairs bar in "The Ship." This was very much a Golden period for the session. It was packed every week (obviously the owners were very different from in the Anchor!!) Regulars in those days were the likes of Mike Ward, Arthur Gibb and other members of Ceolbeg, with other notable worthies including Kenny Hadden and Pete Forbes. These were the days of an 11pm drinking curfew, hence if you did not get in before 9pm you did not get a seat. How many visitors have come back to visit the session and recall stories and music with a far away look in their eyes. Happy days indeed!!
However the only constant in any session is that of "change". The Ship passed on to new owners in about 1984 and their plans for a bistro did not sit well with having a session, no matter how popular. A new venue was found in the Eagle under the welcoming hands of George and Mary Fleming; new Golden age began with roughly the same suspects in attendance. There are so many happy episodes I can recount about the place. The Vale of Atholl pipe band used to come in after practise (not all of them like!!!!!! although sometimes I did wonder!!!!) Lindsey Ellis, Neil Nicolson and Malcolm Robertson were all regulars anyway. I can still remember that sound of three sets of highland pipes in that small room playing stunning music. George and Mary were fantastic hosts! However, my best memory has to be "Taxi for Mcleod". This true story is too hilarious for a web site to give it justice. The look on the drivers face, the look on Phil's face. It took at least an hour before anybody could stop bursting into fits of laughter. For those of you visiting the session, ask a regular to give you the full story..... fantastic.
In '91 George and Mary wanted to move on, despite the session, and the pub passed into the hands of the Stewart family. Again, despite best efforts of staff and musicians, the atmosphere had changed. It's just one of those things. A brief sodjurn to the Fishermans didn't work out (refurbishment wasn't helping) and so for about a year we returned to the Ship. The session at this point went through a slight trough. Neither the ship, nor the "Fish" were, not that kean and an invitation from "the Gunners" was accepted. We were made very welcome for a couple of years there, but once again it was the locals that didn't see the session as a benefit. Eventually an invitation to return to the Fish in '93 was forthcoming, and we have been there ever since!! We were invaded with new talent. Several "Tayside young fiddlers" came down regularly and soon the session was as vibrant as in the golden ages.... on one occasion I counted 22 musicians.... Its small and cramped and we're blocking the back door, but its a very friendly place and its our home!!
22.01.2007. 18:17
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