It is the famous Sir John Lavery painting of the 'Twelfth of July in Portadown 1928' The painting is alive - the atmosphere is just jumping off the page at you, wonderful vibrant colours - just terrific.
Folk like me, who are interested in the fife and lambeg drum tradition and the Orange Tradition, will enjoy this painting!
HMA
Beautiful picture. Nothing sums the positive reflections of the 12th more than this painting. Me and a couple of my friends have started a fife and drumming club up in larne. We have only been going since Christmas and can only play 2 times(larne and Ballynure) on the drum, we haven't started on the fife yet But we can all play the flute so hopefully we will pick it up. You wouldn't be able to give us some advice on funding as all we have is small a small lambeg to practice on. Up in the loft of our hall we have 5 or 6 lambegs that must be approaching 100 years old, they desperately need some restoration to survive, they should really be in a museum.We also have a brass lambeg and a smaller wooden one which must be the oldest iv ever seen. If you're ever up around larne I could get you access to them if your interested.
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ReplyDeleteAlfie was in the same band as me , Chaines Flute band Larne before it broke up. My dad would have been a great friend of his. I know of Wilby, I was actually thinking of getting in touch with him for a bit of advice and to buy some fifes. Have you been teaching at any schools In Larne recently?
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ReplyDeleteSadly no - the closest school would be Glengormley High School, or Belfast Boys Model. I keep in touch with Lyle Reid - Alfies brother in Ohio!
Give Wilby a call, he is a gentleman and has a great mind of knowledge on the fie and drum tradition.
HMA