Rangers v Linfield May Day 2012

Catching up on a few bits n pieces after a busy build up to the family holiday and a lot of work!

On May Day I was invited to watch Linfield v Rangers at Windsor Park, Belfast with Matthew, Christopher and friends, Ian Kurtis and Jake. It was a cold late winter type day, however over 8,000 folk braved the weather to watch an excellend game of football.

Rangers won the game 2 - 0 but it was not about the result - it was about support for the Famous Glasgow Rangers - who through no fault of their own, find themselves in a difficult situation.

'We will follow follow on!'

Did you spot the famous celebrity in the crowd?

HMA

Peace Bridge Londonderry

Just before I departed on holiday a few weeks back, I was asked my Michael McCullough (Director Ulster Scots Agency) to provide a workshop on the fife and lambeg drum musical tradition, along with Matthew Warwick - (bagpipe & language) for a group of international students on the theme of Ulster Scots.

The event took place at the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall situated on Derry's Walls, Londonderry - the event itself went very, very well indeed - another excellent project by Michael !

Anyway - I had a few hours down time and used this to visit the 'Peace Bridge' that was recently constructed across the river Foyle in Londonderry City. It is a beautiful bridge with great views of the city and over to the hills of Donegal.

The bridge is supposed to be a symbol of peace and reconciliation between the two main communities in the city, linking the mainly catholic city side and the non catholic waterside area!

The jury is out as to weather there is peace in the city - as I do note a degree of hostilities still lingering in the Republican Community in Londonderry!! 

HMA

Ecklinville - Ulster Scots Cooking Apple 2

Just back from my mid-summer holidays - great to see the Ecklinville apple tree, that we planted over the winter, starting to come to life.

Beautiful pink / red buds appearing, looking forward to further groth!

HMA

Jefferson Airplane - White Rabbit (Grace Slick, Woodstock, aug 17 1969)

Sorry, last indulgence - here is another tune that really stuck in my mind.

I played this a lot on holidays, I am not into the drug culture - and never was, however, this song is very powerful.

I do have strange taste in music - sometimes!

HMA

Linda Ronstadt (with the Stone Poneys) - Different Drum

Whilst away on my holidays I did get the opportunity to listen to quite a bit of my music - here is one I played quite a bit - Different Drum, by Linda Ronstadt.

I was born in the 60's, but too young to listen to music way back then! - I was more a 70's music fan, however this tune stuck in my head and I really love the melody, considering my employment the title is quite apt!

HMA



Holiday Time!

Well folks, thanks to you all - for continuing to look in to my blog. 

Sadly I have particularly busy over recent times and have not been able to blog as much as I would like.

I am off on holidays tomorrow Friday and won't be home again until Saturday 19th May - Mrs A, the Boy's and myself are off to Tenerife for a mid summer break (much needed). We have not had a summer holiday to 'the sun' since Mrs A and I were courtin.......... so looking forward to getting away.

I have chosen 3 x books to keep me entertained whilst away......... time to unwind !

Catch up soon.

HMA

Summer Concert at Lisneal College L'Derry

Each Wednesday I travel to Londonderry City - where I visit 2 x schools, 1 being Lisneal College.

This is a great school and one of my favourites, there is a vibrant music department ably managed by Mrs. Karin Flanagan. I take 6 classes 2 x fife and 4 x lambeg drumming - around 28 students. 

On Wednesday night 5 of my pupils were performing at the summer concert, to a well attended and appreciative audience - there were around 30 performances!

First up was Dillon, who played a drum solo, this was followed by Jordan, drumming to fifes, played by Calvin and Mark, completing the fife and lambeg drum showcase Connor - on another rousing drum solo.

I was very, very proud of these young students, who with on a little experience, were able to perform magnificently well - so very well done. Also congratulations to the staff at Lisneal for putting so much effort into the night, it was terrific.

Another plus for the fife and lambeg drum tradition!!

Thanks also goes to Mr. Gibson and family for their hospitality between rehearsals and performance!

HMA