Vegetable Plot

Vegetable plot coming on well. This snap was taken last weekend before the rain, since then the crops have doubled in size!

HMA

That time of the year again

Well, that time of the year again! A few of the lads got together tonight - to do what we say in the drumming word a 'bit of pullin'. We met at Ballyrobert Orange Hall to prepare a few drums for our Lambeg Drumming Evening that we are holding in Conlig Co. Down on Saturday night 12th June 2010.

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My hands are raw - as the ropes are quite cutting, my hearing is impaired - just briefly, I'll be alright in the morning, as we played the drums for a few hours inside the hall - Madness.

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But it was a great night, building the drums, pulling the drums, playing the drums but the icing on the cake - so to speak - was the fifing and drumming at the end of the night. Wee Geordie, Kyle, Stevie and myself, fifed several tunes - 100 pipers, Boy's of Belfast, The Girl I left Behind and Turkey in the Straw (Old Zip Coon) and Jackon's Return, to the drums - Fantastic.

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You know you are fifing well when your fingers are bouncing off the note holes and the fife is screaming in your ear.

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Not long to the 'Glorious Twelfth' - Can't wait!

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Oops - I forgot to mention I had a very important meeting recently with a very prominent Politician, who was very interested in my job, my hobbies and Loughries Historical Society in particular - he mentioned or asked 'What qualifications do you need Mark to teach the lambeg drum?' I am too polite to say what I felt at the time and mentioned that no qualifications were needed - more experience etc. But there are two fundaamental qualifications that you need when teaching or playing the Lambeg Drum and they are - Yes, a strong back and a weak mind!

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HMA

Human Rights of a Child

Recently, I listened to an interview given by Nelson McCausland MLA, DECAL Minister, on BBC Radio Ulster - talking about the Rights of a Child under the European Human Rights Convention.

I came across this poster that hangs on the wall in The Fountain Primary School Londonderry. You can see who have signed up to the initiative - and the rights that the children have. As I visit more and more schools throughout Ulster I am coming across a greater awareness of Principal's teachers and parents for a fundamental right to have their child or children brought up / educated with Ulster Scots culture around them in their school, should it be language, history music or in deed any other form.

The poster in the Fountain Primary School should be made available to all schools and our Education Minister should recognise that there is a ground swell of support out there, by ordinary Ulster Folk, to be allowed to be part of this 'shared future' by permitting Ulster Scots - in all its forms, to be taught in school as a right not as a luxury or by the choice of the Principal, Education Library Boards or Minister for Education.

My own children are discriminated against as their Principal does not recognise the Ulster Scots Culture, hence my children are missing out on a fundamental European Human Right - to be allowed to learn about their own culture! Where's Lady Sylvia Hermon's Office!!!!!

HMA

A tribute to the RUC

To all the brave and gallant men and women who worked together in Anderstown R.U.C. Barracks - in our darkest of days.

HMA

Traditional Drumming Evening

Saturday 12th June 2010 will see a traditional drumming evening hosted by Loughries Historical Society and held at Conlig Orange Hall around 715-730pm.

For a number of years all the local drummers around North Down, Newtownards and Ards Peninsula area would meet up and well basically stand and drum for several hours. This gave the drummers an opportunity to get their heads / skins ready for the big night under the arch in Newtownards on the 11th night. A number of venues were used Groomsport, Donaghadee, Conlig, Carrowdore and occasionally Ballyrobert, however sadly we have not had any of these nights for a couple of years due to circumstances.

So a concerted effort is under way to kick start the drumming evenings again. When the drummers meet usually 6 - 8 drums and 20 - 25 drummers would arrive and take their turn at drumming and occasionally the fifers were allowed to fife a little, but only if the drummers were in a benevolent mood!

If you are free and interested and coming along you will have a great night - Conlig Orange Hall 7.30pm, you will get a cup of tea or if you are that way inclined - something stronger.

Tea for me please!

HMA

American Young Ambassadors Programme

Wednesday 2nd June 2010 I was invited by Michael McCullough from the Ulster Scots Agency to provide a workshop for 10 young American citizens, who are visiting Ulster as part of an Cultural exchange project.

I visited holiday cottages in Dundrum Co. Down, where I met these folks - who I have to say were very charming young people.

I provided my fife & lambeg drum workshop and it went very well, they were all very interested as I explained the cultural significance and historical importance of the fife and drum tradition here in Ulster. I did think that they were not fully aware of the different identities that are in Ireland, nevertheless I did my best to explain my musical tradition with in the overall Ulster Scots context.

To finish off the workshop I gave out several tin whistles and we played a few Ulster Scots tunes together - 'What Mark are these not Irish Tunes' I was asked. Well!

HMA

Sir Thomas Smith Booklet

Since the booklet launch a few weeks ago, I have sent quite a few booklets out to folk who e-mailed me seeking the booklets.

Well, you never know who is reading the booklet - I received an e-mail from David Anderson MVO, MBE who had sent a couple of booklets to Garter King of Arms - Peter Gwynn-Jones Esq. who recently took part in the State Opening of Parliament, he in turn gave a copy to Alaister Bruce - yes, direct descendant of Robert the Bruce 'King of Scots'.

Alaister Bruce subsequently e-mailed David, thanking him for the booklet which he described as 'fascinating' and that he 'thoroughly enjoyed reading it'. Alaister Bruce also intimated that he would be happy to help in any further projects that may incorporate his ancestors.

What a revelation. We at Loughries are thrilled about this, however all the accolades should be afforded to Mark Thompson the man responsible for the booklet.
HMA