Anderson - Stand Sure.

A few years ago whilst on a visit to Edinburgh, the present Mrs Anderson bought me an Anderson Tartan Tie - exactly as you see in the picture below.

Stand Sure is our motto - which is quite interesting!

Wee Clarkie, my big brother was in Scotland recently and brought me home this gift - a 32 page booklet which gives a synopsis of the Anderson's through 'our time' - we were fearsome Border Rievers in Scotland moving to our place in the sunshine, here in Ulster (no doubt chased out of Scotland)!

On page 14 there is an entry 'Without vital leadership the Anderson's have done what they have always been good at , keeping quiet in the background minding their own business - usually very successfully - how apt is that.

I am noted for being humble - the strong quiet type as you may say, but at times when we Anderson's feel wronged or 'put upon' we fight back - and fight back hard!

Those who know me well will know of my present difficulties - but I will prevail.

HMA

The Black Crowes - The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down

Sorry folks for posting this song again - however an old hippy friend of mine from the Ards Peninsula area, suggested that this version of the Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, by the Black Crowes, was a superior version of the song.

Now, having listened to it quite a few times - I was very impressed, so I have become a fan and bought a few of their songs on iTunes.

Thanks M !!

HMA

Lambeg Drums - A Selection of Painted Shells 26

Below is another selection of photographs of Lambeg Drums - the photo's are taken from the booklet 'The Ulster Drum', kind permission was sought from and granted by Bobby Magreechan to post these photo's.

Enjoy!

The Covenant Jubilee - owned by . Magee, Carrowdore Co. Down.

The Maid of Flowerhill - owned by Orange Lodge.

Brookhill - Nelson Bust Drum, owned by L. McNish Ballyshiel.

Portglenone Orange Drum - Owned by W. Marshall - Ahoghill

Hope to post another selection soon.

HMA

The Fife & Lambeg Drum in Ulster

Firstly, I don't want to claim credit for these 3 booklets which have been published in the past 3 years - but I did lend quite a bit of my time assisting and advising those who worked on the booklets.

Credit must be given to the Matthew Warwick & Ian Carlisle at Ulster Scots Community Network (USCN) who published 2 of the booklets, and Michael McCullough at the Ulster Scots Agency, who published the other booklet.

The first book, printed in 2009 - 'The Lambeg Drum' creating Ulster's Unique Traditional Instrument has been a phenomenal success story. The booklet is based around the lambeg drum making process, featuring Mr. Denis Morrow craftsman and drum maker, from Orangefield, Belfast. The booklet shows pictorially how the lambeg drum is made from its humble beginnings as a piece of oak, to one of the greatest and most powerful musical instrument in the world. Originally 5,000 were printed and such was the demand that a reprint of 5,000 was ordered, with copies being order locally, nationally and internationally.

The second book published in 2010 was - ‘The Ulster Drum’. This also was a very successful publication explaining the origins of the drum and its significance within the Ulster musical tradition. Michael with the help from Bobby Magreechan (who collected and permitted the publication of his photographs of drums) developed and published and excellent booklet. There are also a few hundred photographs of pained lambeg drums from all over Ulster again great interest has been shown, with copies being order locally, nationally and internationally.

The third booklet, just published this month February 2012 is – The Fife, An Ulster Musical Tradition. The booklet explains the musical significance of the fife in Ulster, its military origins and shows pictorially how a fife is made. The fife maker and craftsman is Mr. Wilby Wilson from Larne, Co. Antrim. I think 2,500 of these booklets have been printed and it is hoped it can be as successful as the other two booklets.

The fife and lambeg drum is a fantastic musical tradition and must be promoted in a positive light – as I work in schools throughout Ulster children are being afforded the opportunity to learn about the fife and lambeg drum tradition and associated musical traditions such as bagpipes, accordions, flutes, fiddle, etc.

As I mentioned at the start of the post I won’t take too much credit for the booklets, however I have assisted Matthew, Ian and Michael in delivering the final booklets to the public.

Copies of these booklets can be obtained fro Ulster Scots Community Network at Great Victoria Street Belfast - give Matthew or Ian a call, they will be only too happy to post you out a copy / copies.

HMA

Loughries True Blues LOL 1948 - Unveiling of New Orange Banner

Loughries True Blues LOL 1948, is planning to unveil a new Orange Banner - on Saturday 9th June 2012.

Already a great deal of planning has gone into what the Lodge wanted painted on the banner, then a extraordinary amount of research took place, to make sure that information and scenes selected were precise and accurate.

In a number of blog posts during 2011, I gave you a few clues as to what historical events were being researched, with a view to displaying them on Loughries new banner. Now, it would be wrong for me to let you know what is being painted on the banner – as much as I would like to tell you, nevertheless if you look back at my posts some clues are there.

The upcoming 10-15 years sees a number of very important historical events – in Ulster history, that marks their centenaries. I would like you to keep these dates in your mind, when exploring my blog and piecing together what the paintings could be.

I will blog again about this banner unveiling in the coming weeks and months – giving more details of what is planned. This is in my opinion, a highly significant event in the history Loughries Orange Lodge and demonstrates a huge step forward in our development and further shows our members are committed, motivated and dedicated to the Orange Institution.

Keep looking in!!

HMA

Ulster Covenant - Centenary 2012 Part 1

In order to mark the Centenary of the signing of the Ulster Covenant on 28th September 2012, Loughries Historical Society are planning to host a special event.

Venue will be the Londonderry Room, Town Hall, Newtownards - the building where the Ulster Covenant was signed back in September 1912. Key note speaker will be special invited guest Drew Nelson, Grand Secretary of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland with Jack Greenald local historian providing some historical facts. A 4 course meal will be provided with stirring music from Lord Londonderry's Own C.L.B. Band - with Piper Stephen Rodgers, they might even be a bit of fife and drumming!!

Loughries through our Council Representatives, have initiated a request to Ards Borough Council suggesting that they, (Ards Council) mount a commemorative plaque in the Town Hall N'Ards, to mark this vitally important and highly significant event in Ulster history.

More details later.........

HMA

Weight Loss at Weight-Watchers 2012

I have not posted, until now, my visit to Bangor Weightwatchers class, held each Wednesday 4.45-5.45pm

I did blog last year quite regularly on my visits to slimming world - yes it worked very well and I lost over 35lbs, sadly quite a bit of that went back on in the intervening 12 months.

That said, I am determined not to undo the work and pain I have endured in the last 5 weeks, loosing weight - whilst doing without my favourite food.

Quick synopsis - since January 1st I have had no salt, sugar, crisps, nuts, cheese, wine, chips, Chinese food, chocolate, sweets.............................. but with psychotherapy and a little councilling I am coping well.

So in the last 4 weeks I have lost 24lbs - so with weigh in tomorrow Wednesday, I might make the 28lbs (2 stone) another 14 lbs to go.

Wish me luck!!

HMA

Toxic Tales

Whilst waiting in the Dentists surgery today I lifted a copy of National Geographic - poison 12 toxic tales was the headline article.

Well I never !!

The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down-The Band

A forage back into the American Civil War once again – this time its The Band, 'The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down'.

Great version, but I posted this song mainly as the paintings, photographs and drawings throughout the video are terrific - Hope you enjoy the music also!!

HMA

Folk Song - Ellan Vannin

Thanks to drummer-wench, Dorothea, for this beautiful folk song.

This version is sung by Robin Gibb, himself a native of The Isle of Man. I read somewhere that the song was about a ship that had gone down at sea, however thanks to Geoff for the following information.

It was originally a poem by Eliza Craven, written around 1854 - long before the sinking of the ship. The song is about the beautiful Isle of Man ( Ellen Vannin ) and if you read the words, you will see that.

I should have read the words!!

The song is sometimes referred to as 'the unofficial National Anthem of the Isle of Man'

Sadly, we live only a short distance from the Isle of Man - here on the east coast of N.Ireland and yes, I have never visited.

Scotland seems to draw me!!

HMA

Lambeg Drums - A Selection of Painted Shells 25

Below are a selection of 6 painted shells taken from 'The Ulster Drum' - hope you enjoy looking!


















HMA