Mr. Nelson McCausland & The Ulster Covenant

On the 12th July 2010, I stood in the demonstration field at Londonderry Park, Newtownards, listening to the speeches from the platform party, I don't always have time to listen to the speeches or take part in the religious service, but this time I made a special effort to be there and listen.

 

The keynote speaker was Mr. Nelson McCausland MLA, the then Minister for DECAL (Dept. Culture Arts & Leisure) at Stormont. During what turned out to be the another rousing speech from Nelson, he mentioned something that stuck with me to this day, and something I decided to act upon. Nelson described the upcoming Centenary of the Ulster Covenant Celebrations in 2012 as 'very important to the us as Ulster-men and women' and further went on to use the term 'Birth Certificate of Northern Ireland' and everyone from the Unionist Family, should come together and celebrate this momentous occasion.

Well that's what I did, now not only me, but I had a great deal of help from my good friends Jack Greenald, Mark Thompson and Hamilton Gregory. Our planning began early and as the months rolled on the bits n pieces that we had discussed began to come to fruition - what did we do? - well quite a lot as it turned out 

1/ The Ulster Covenant was signed in many places around the Borough of Ards including the Town Hall. We lobbied the Council to erect a brass plaque in the Town Hall foyer to mark the signing of the Ulster Covenant 100 years ago. This duly took place on Monday 17th September 2012 - incidentally unveiled by the Mayor of Ards Alderman Hamilton Gregory!

2/  Ulster Covenant Exhibition - this was the brainchild of Mark Thompson, but assisted along the way when needed were - Jack Greenald, myself and a few other intelligent folk. The  exhibition has been a great success and very professionally put together. Having spent 2 weeks in the Town Hall, Newtownards, it is now on a tour of the Ards Peninsula. 

3/ Ulster Covenant Centenary Dinner - we (Loughries) planned a dinner and musical evening to celebrate and commemorate the Ulster Covenant in the Town Hall. Newtownards. This duly took place on Ulster Day, 28th September 2012, 100 years to the day when the Ulster Covenant was signed in the very building. The dinner was a sell out - with 2 speakers Drew Nelson Grand Secretary of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland and MP for Strangford Mr. Jim Shannon. Other VIP's were in attendance including MLA's, local Councillors and dignitaries. We also raised £330.00 for the Mayor's Charities !! 

4/ Ulster Covenant Centenary Parade in Belfast - we did not plan this event, however along with over 100,000 other Ulster folk, we made our way to Belfast and participated in the Orange Parade from Sandy Row Belfast, past City Hall, to Stormont grounds. I have been a member of the Orange Institution for 30 years this year, and it was the greatest parade and event that I had the pleasure to attend - it was magnificent ! One of the speakers on the stage was Rev. Alastair Smyth Grand Chaplain of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland..... Rev. Smyth married my wife and I 14 years ago !!

5/ Ulster Covenant Centenary Church Service - this was held at Grace Free Presbyterian Church Newtownards. Service conducted by Rev. Ron Johnstone Moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church with the help of Jack Greenald - and a wonderful supper was provided in the new Church extension

 

Well as you can read, I was very busy on the run up to the Ulster Covenant and indeed just as busy during and after the event. That said, it was a remarkable week and a huge success. My sincerest thanks are extended to Jack Greenald, Mark Thompson and Hamilton Gregory, also to all the other folk who helped quietly and supported our events.

So from a few words on an Orange Platform by Mr. Nelson MCCausland tin 2010, and with 2 years planning later, we were able to put together a number of Ulster Covenant Events, that proved to be wonderfully successful  and will live long on the memory.

It pays to listen to speeches........ well sometimes !!!

HMA   

Ulster Day Poem

Rudyard Kipling's momentous poem.

Ulster 1912.

The dark eleventh hour
Draws on and sees us sold
To every evil power
We fought against of old.
Rebellion, rapine, hate,
Oppression, wrong and greed
Are loosed to rule our fate,
By England’s act and deed.

The Faith in which we stand,
The laws we made and guard,
Our honour, lives, and land
Are given for reward
To Murder done by night,
To Treason taught by day,
To folly, sloth, and spite,
And we are thrust away.

The blood our fathers spilt,
Our love, our toils, our pains,
Are counted us for guilt,
And only bind our chains.
Before an Empire’s eyes
The traitor claims his price.
What need of further lies?
We are the sacrifice.

We asked no more than leave
To reap where we had sown,
Through good and ill to cleave
To our own flag and throne.
Now England’s shot and steel
Beneath that flag must show
How loyal hearts should kneel
To England’s oldest foe.

We know the war prepared
On every peaceful home,
We know the hells declared
For such as serve not Rome—
The terror, threats, and bread
In market, hearth, and field—
We know, when all is said.
We perish if we yield.

Believe, we dare not boast,
Believe, we dare not fear
We stand to pay the cost
In all that men hold dear.
What answer from the North?
One Law, one Land, one Throne
If England drive us forth
We shall not fall alone!

One hundred years later it is still as powerful - our cry was No Surrender !!

HMA

Centenary Plaque

On Monday evening 17th September 2012, I was invited by Ards Borough Council, to the unveiling and dedication of a new plaque - at the Town Hall, Conway Square, Newtownards.

 

The plaque was erected to commemorate the Centenary of the Signing of the Ulster Covenant - which took place in the building 100 years ago.

 

Mayor of Ards, Alderman Hamilton Gregory performed the unveiling ceremony.

 

Following that Dr. David Hume gave an excellent talk on the Home Rule Crisis, that was ongoing in the latter part of the 19th and early part of the 20th Century....... an excellent well balanced lecture with a great turn out of local folk

 

Am.................... In the background over several months Jack, Mark and I had discussed then lobbied the council to mark this significant event in Ulster History in this way....... it was very satisfying to see our idea come to fruition.

 

Also during the evening, the upcoming Ulster Covenant exhibition was given a sneak preview...... it was very well received and will be officially launched next Monday 24th September 2012, again at the Town Hall Newtowards. A great piece of work from the very talented Mark T and his team!!

 

I will blog a piece later.

 

 



Alderman Gregory - who unveiled the plaque.

 

 

 

The Plaque.

 

HMA

Homegrown

 

Home grown - it is with a great deal of satisfaction and looking back on all that hard work throughout the summer months, weeding, slug hunting and tending the vegetables - it is enjoyable to pick then cook your own vegetables.

 

Here are a few items I picked for cooking over the wekend - white & red onion, peas, shallotts, scallions and beetroot - they tast so much better than shop vegatables!!

 

 

I have managed to eat all the potatoes, well not me alone.... the family - so just a few bits n pieces left

HMA

Newtrownards & The Ulster Covenant

In the coming weeks the town of Newtownards and its environs will commemorate and celebrate the historic signing of the Ulster Covenant.

There were two venues for signing the Covenant in Newtownards Town - Town Hall and Guild hall. In total 14,625 signed either the Covenant of the decloration in the Borough of Ards.

Ards Borough Council have invested quite a considerable amount of time and resourses into the upcoming events -

Loughries and I will of course play our part in these events.

Here is a flyer prepared to advertise the events - for further information click on the link below.

http://www.ards-council.gov.uk/

HMA

Runrig Live - Loch Lomond

I have had a bit of time to catch up with things over the weekend and last few days, I installed me new all singing all dancing PC and have decided to revamp all my files, etc.

I have been listening to quite a bit of music as I have been busily working away, so I thought I would share this tune and group with you..... this not my favourite track by this group - I will post that later but here is a rousing version of the old traditional Scottish folk song.... Loch Lomond.

A Scottish group I enjoy listening to from time to time is Runrig.  They are deeply proud of their Scottish roots, history, music and culture - they don't dress themselves up as anything else!

 

Others should take a leaf from their book - don't pretend to be something you are not and won't be!!

 

 

 

 

HMA

Birthplace.

As the years slip past folk, - including myself, begin to look back as much as they look forward and this is certainly true when you begin to delve into some family history, here is a little snippet.

Naturally you begin where you were born - and for me it was Newtownards, Co. Down, Northern Ireland. I was born and spent the first 2 years of my life in picture No. 1 - Wallace's Street No. 1 or if you are local it was known as 'The Front Deed' - I don't know why!

There was another street that ran parallel to Wallace's Street No. 1 and that was Wallace's Street No 2 ! - it was affectionately known as 'The Back Deed' and renowned for housing many local characters. including the famous or should I say infamous 'Back Street Band.

These two streets ran between the Donaghadee Road and Movilla Street with Brown's Lane running between the two, linking them together.

We - The Anderson's lived just where the car in Picture No. 1 is parked. I don't recall living here as I was too young and moved when I was around 18 mts old/ 2 years, but I do recall playing in and around the houses when they became derelict in the late 1960's / early 1970's

Pic. 1 Wallace's Street No. 1 - 1970 ish

Pic. 2 Wallace's Street No. 2

 Pic. 3 Browns Lane.

By contrast I was in the area recently and took a few photo's of how it is today........ it is not pretty, and they call this progress.

Pic. 3 Wallace's Street No. 1 - 2012

Browns Lane and Wallace's Street No.2 are long gone with only one side of Wallace's Street left. It is quite sad to see it knocked down...... maybe best before the houses fell down, but it's always good to look back and reflect.

HMA