Stirring Stuff !

I'm feeling rather patriotic this week - on the tun up to the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Here is some stirring music and a great video - containing many excellent images!!

Thanks to Yvonne Johnston !!

HMA

Letter to Queen Elizabeth II - Part 2

Back on 11th March 2012 I posted a blog entry - click link here - Queen's Letter - on a letter that we at Loughries, had sent through the office of Rt. Hon. Sir Christopher Geidt, KCVO OBE, at Buckingham Palace in London - congratulating HM Queen Elizabeth II on her Diamond Jubilee.

Well, we are delighted to say that we received a communication back from Buckingham Palace a few weeks ago and it would be fair to say that we are very, very pleased indeed.

Ulster folk are renowned for their loyalty to the Monarch and particularly to HM Queen Elizabeth II.

Long To Reign Over Us ............

HMA

Lambeg Drum - John Cully Memorial Drum

The lambeg drum community/fraternity is a close knit group of folk, dedicated to their chosen musical tradition, yes, they do have their arguments, fallouts and disagreements, however when a tradegy strikes we are all united in grief.

John Cully, son of my very great friends Eric + Jean Cully - was tragically killed in a road traffic collision, in Portavogie back in April 2009 - a very sad event indeed, which still carries a great deal of pain today.

Eric + Jean after long debate and deliberation, showed great strength of charachter and decided to have John painted on a lambeg drum - in a poignent way to remember their beloved son.

I visited Eric a few months back and with his permission photographed the drum - its a beauty! 

The shell was made by Mr. Denis Morrow Belfast, on a specially imported figured oak board with the shell painted by Mr. Brian Jamison Newtownards. Many, many hours were spent making this beautiful drum and I hope you agree it is a wonderful drum - but a tragic story.

I sincerely wish Eric well with this drum and hope he is long spared to win a few trophies with it and has many hours playing this magnificent lambeg drum - good luck Eric !!

'John Cully Memorial Drum'

The top painting is the fisherman's memorial which is situated at Portavogie harbour - the name John Cully with John's portrait - with the inscription below 'Gone but not Forgotten'

HMA

Desert Island Discs

Thanks to Richard Hargy for this!

I have heard of Desert Island Discs before - but never listened to the programme. I do listen to Radio 4 on ocassions, news, current affairs or the odd play, sadly never Desert Island Discs.

With Richard's advice I tuned in this morning to sample the programme - well I was amazed - its is fantastic. I do enjoy listening to 'other peoples lives' - not in a nosey way as we would say in Ulster, but to listen to what things in life have shaped / moulded people into who or what they are.

I began with Brian Moore the ex England rugby international - what a story - and he chose a few of songs / tunes I enjoy!

Anyway, if you get a chance please drop into the Desert Island Homepage - you won't be disappointed. (link below)

There is a vast archive of previous desert-islanders - I am looking forward to a daily dose of this wonderful radio programme. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/features/desert-island-discs

Wonder if anyone would be interested in my life story............... naw, too boring I'm afraid!!

HMA

Junior Orange in Bangor 2 - Saturday 26th May 2012

I received a few messages from Ulster folk who appear to be a little homesick, asking me to post a few more photo's of the Jnr. Orange Parade from Saturday.

Here you are, enjoy!!



HMA

Fae Tha Pen O An Aul Han

Congratulations to Darren Gibson - teacher at Lisneal College in Londonderry. Darren is a Low Country Lad hailing from Ballyfrennis - which is situated in the Ards Peninsula.

Darren has a blog running Fae tha Han o a Low Country Lad and has been penning a weekly Ulster Scots Language column in the local Newtownards Chronicle. His talents have been picked up by The Newsletter - a daily paper in Ulster, and each Saturday Darren will be supplying an interesting article in his local tongue!

Congratulations Darren and very well done!

Look who Darren is sharing the papers with, now that he is Famous

HMA

Junior Orange in Bangor - Saturday 26th May 2012

On Saturday afternoon I slipped down to Bangor - to watch the Junior Orange Order Parade.

It was a beautiful sunny and warm afternoon and a great parade. A number of students that I teach in Portadown, Tandragee, Donaghadee and Newtownards were on parade, both as Junior Orange and Band Members - so I thought I would go along and support them and say hello!

Here are a few snaps of the Parade.

HMA