Alternative Perth

BATTLEGROUND PERTHSHIRE is a concise account of the battles and minor military events that have taken place within the county of Perthshire. Comprising two thousand years of battles, raids, rebellions, sieges, riots, feuds, ambushes and skirmishes, Battleground Perthshire shines the spotlight on the military history of Scotland’s big county. Drawn from extensive primary and secondary sources: archives, eyewitness accounts and official records, it tells the fascinating stories of struggles for wealth, power, freedom and the right to self-determination. This chronicle of Perthshire’s military history stands as an important reminder of some of the events that have marked the development of the Scottish people. It will appeal both to the reader interested in the history of Scotland and to those interested in military history.

Battleground Perthshire can be bought from most bookshops in the Perthshire area: The Watermill at Aberfeldy; Sweet Words at Dunkeld; Waterstones - various stores including Perth; WHSmith - Perth and Pitlochry. And, in Perth Museum, the AK Bell Library, Gloagburn Farm Shop, the Brig Farm Shop by Bridge of Earn. Alternatively, it may be purchased for £7.00 with FREE postage and packing to any UK address {Please email for postage costs for locations outside UK}. Send cheque or postal order (payable to Tippermuir Books) to Tippermuir Books, c/o 3 Graham's Place, King Street, Perth, Perth, PH2 8HZ. It can also be bought through most of the UK online (internet) booksellers.

Spanish Thermopylae: Cypriot Volunteers in the Spanish Civil War, 1936-39 SPANISH THERMOPYLÆ is the story of the fifty-seven Cypriots who served in the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War, 1936-39. It is also the story of a war that defined the lives of a generation and whose outcome decided the fate of hundreds of millions of people across the world. Drawing on recently released records from the Comintern Archive in Moscow, Spanish Thermopylae will appeal both to the reader interested in the experiences of the Cypriot volunteers, and to anyone looking for a concise history of the Spanish Civil War. 'This is the first book devoted solely to the contribution made by Cypriots to the cause of democracy and progress in the Spanish Civil War. It bears witness to the injustice committed against humanity by fascism in Spain and the inspirational sacrifices made by a small band of Cypriot volunteers. Spanish Thermopylae is a fitting tribute to them, and the International Brigades.' Demetris Christofias, President of the Republic of Cyprus 'True to the best traditions of their Greek forefathers, the heroes of the Greek War of Independence, the Cypriots rallied to the support of Spanish democracy and independence, realising that a defeat for the Spanish people would have meant world war. On the Spanish battlefields was being decided the fate of Europe and with it that of Cyprus. They recognised fascism as the greatest enemy of humanity and volunteered to help crush it... Many Cypriots lie buried in the Spanish soil fighting fascism. Cyprus is proud of her heroic sons who fell in the anti-fascist cause, but the fight is not over. We fight on until fascism is destroyed from the face of the earth.' Ezekias Papaioannou, Cypriot International Brigades volunteer and General Secretary of AKEL (1949-88) "Before many years have passed, their own countries will feel equally proud of the volunteers. That will be their best and highest reward." Juan Negrín, Prime Minister of the Spanish Republic (1937-39). It is available from www.amazon.co.uk

Musicians

Alan Gorrie and the Average White Band: Alan Gorrie native of Perth formed the Average White Band with friends in 1972. The Average White Band are a Scottish funk and Rhythm and Blues group with a number of soul and sico hits between 1974 and 1980. They were still playing in 2006 and were one of the first performers at Perth Concert Hall - 30 September 2005.

The original band line-up was Alan Gorrie, Onnie McIntyre from Lennoxtown (1945 -) vocals/rhythm guitar, Robbie McIntosh from Dundee (1950 - 74) drums, Roger Ball from Broughtyferry (1944-) keyboards/saxophonist, Malcolm (Molly) Duncan from Montrose (1945 -) tenor saxophone and Mike Rosen. Rosen was replaced by Hamish Stuart from Glasgow (1949) guitarist/vocalist and Robbie McIntosh replaced by Steve Ferrone from Brighton (1950-). Gorrie himself was born 19 July 1946 and both sang and played bass guitar in the band. The name of the band reflects Black soul and funk influences. Their discography is below:

Show your Hand - 1973

AWB - 1974

Cut the Cake - 1975

Soul Searching - 1976

Person to Person - 1976 - Live

Benny and Us - 1977

Warmer Communications - 1978

Feel No Fret - 1979

Shine - 1980

Volume VIII - 1980

Cupid's In Fashion - 1982

Sleepless Nights - 1985

Aftershock - 1989

Soul Tattoo - 1997

Face to Face - 1999 - Live

Tonight - 2002 - DVD

Ultimate Collection - 2003

Living in Colour - 2003

Greatest and Latest - 2005

Soul and the City - 2006

Donald Maxwell: Born in Perth in 1948 Donald Maxwell is an operatic baritone who has sung with all the major British Opera Companies as well as Milan, Vancouver, Buenos Aires, Nancy, Paris, Vienna and Japan. Some of his roles are listed below:

Gunther - Covent Garden 1991

Wozzeck - English National Opera 1990

Figaro - Il Barbiere di Siviglia - Scottish Opera 1980

Falstaff - Welsh National Opera 1988

Scarpia and Flying Dutchman - Opera North 1989

Donald Maxwell has also appeared in international festivals, on radio and TV.

Belle Stewart: A traditional folk singer, poet and songwriter, Belle Stewart was born in a wee bow tent by the River Tay near Caputh 18 July 1906. She is best known for her time with the Stewarts of Blair and her most famous recording is The Berryfields of Blair - this appears on the album Queen Among the Heathers (1977). She and her family were associated with the work of Hamish Henderson who spent a lot of time recording the songs of the Travelling People in this part of Scotland. (See Hamish Henderson page for more information). Belle Stewart is a traveller who married a fellow traveller (Alec) in 1925, with whom she had 9 children (5 died in infancy). Her musical repertoire encompasses not just traditional and ancient music but also more classical ballads and songs. Her work is both popular and an important folklore source. She died in September 1997.

"Belle Stewart first came to the attention of folklorists in the mid 1960s when Hamish Henderson, a folk music collector for the School of Scottish Studies, came to Blairgowrie seeking someone who knew the old folksong, "The Berryfields of Blair." Directed to Belle Stewart, Henderson hit the mother lode. Not only did she know the song, she possessed an extremely vast repertoire of traditional folksongs and ballads and originals that she had written for weddings and other occasions. Henderson was so impressed that he booked time in the studio at the School of Scottish Studies Sound Archives and recorded Stewart singing as many songs as she could remember with her husband, who died of leukemia in 1981, and daughters, Sheila and Cathie. Word of Stewart's amazing ability to recall songs from the past spread quickly and she was visited frequently by folksong collectors, musicians, and musicologists. When the first Traditional Music and Song Association Festival was held in Blairgowrie, Stewart and her family were featured performers. Their audience was expanded to England after Ewan MacColl featured them in a Radio Ballad. MacColl and his wife and musical collaborator Peggy Seeger later wrote a biography of Stewart and her family, -'Til Doomsday in the Afternoon, that was published by Manchester University Press."

Andy Stewart: The well-known comedian and singer Andy Stewart was born in Glasgow in 1933. However, he was educated in Perth. Beginning as an impressionist in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Andy Stewart made a reputation for himself with Ye Canna Shove yer Granny Off a Bus. Appearance on the White Heather Show (TV) (1960) laid the foundation for numerous Hogmanay Specials where he sang his most famous song, A Scottish Soldier. His own show was called the Andy Stewart Show (1963). Andy Stewart also performed on many radio shows such as Scotch Corner (1952).

Bill Wilkie: Bill Wilkie Accordion Orchestra . Veteran impresario Bill Wilkie, organiser of the All-Scotland Accordion Championships in Perth since 1949 for a record-breaking 57 years.

email: ap@alternative-perth.org