My boys' can't wait (neither can I)
HMA
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Sunday, 27 March 2011
Family outing to Mount Stewart
Family outing to Mount Stewart, on the shores of Strangford Lough - mid way between Newtownards and Greyabbey. It was a beautiful sunny spring day, well the first day of British Summer Time - there were a lot of visitors around enjoying their Sunday afternoon walk.
Mount Stewart was formed by the Stewart family (later Vane-Tempest-Stewart), holders of the title Marquess of Londonderry since 1816. The family bought the estate in 1744with money acquired by Alexander Stewart (1699–1781). This new wealth came from the sales of materials like linen. At the time, the house was known as Mount Pleasant. Alexander Stewart's son, Robert Stewart, became the first Marquess of Londonderry.
In about 1800 he added a temporary wing to the west. He died in 1821 leaving the house to his son, also Robert, better known as Viscount Castlereagh, a prominent politician. Robert lived in Mount Stewart during his childhood until he went to University in Cambridge.
The inscription on the sundial below reads:
Mount Stewart was formed by the Stewart family (later Vane-Tempest-Stewart), holders of the title Marquess of Londonderry since 1816. The family bought the estate in 1744with money acquired by Alexander Stewart (1699–1781). This new wealth came from the sales of materials like linen. At the time, the house was known as Mount Pleasant. Alexander Stewart's son, Robert Stewart, became the first Marquess of Londonderry.
In about 1800 he added a temporary wing to the west. He died in 1821 leaving the house to his son, also Robert, better known as Viscount Castlereagh, a prominent politician. Robert lived in Mount Stewart during his childhood until he went to University in Cambridge.
The inscription on the sundial below reads:Serene I stand among the flowers
And only count life's sunny hours
For me dark days do not exist
I'm a brazened faced old optomist
Then up to Cafollas at the Square for a dipped 99 - GREAT.
HMA
Lambeg Drum - A selection of Painted Shells 6
Here is another selection of drums - this time memorial shells, dedicated to Ulstermen who served their Country and paid the ultimate sacrifice.
As mentioned before these drums belong to families throughout Ulster -their decision was to mark the death of a family member by having their portrait painted on a Lambeg Drum.
Every drum has a story to tell - I wonder what stories lie behind these paintings!
HMA
As mentioned before these drums belong to families throughout Ulster -their decision was to mark the death of a family member by having their portrait painted on a Lambeg Drum.
Every drum has a story to tell - I wonder what stories lie behind these paintings!
HMA Coastal Walk at Strangford Lough
Saturday morning was a beautiful morning, so I decided to return to my hometown - Newtownards, I parked my van at my Mothers house in Greenwell Street and departed for a walk along the coastal path at the tip of Strangford Lough. As a youth I spent many day's and hours along the 'tide bank' as it was known then, fooling around in the old World War II air raid shelters etc. 
By the way this is Dudley, our family pet - he keeps me reasonably fit and is good company on this 6 mile walk.
By the way this is Dudley, our family pet - he keeps me reasonably fit and is good company on this 6 mile walk. 
As you can see Ards Private Airport is a busy place on a Saturday, obviously the good weather brought out the flying enthusiasts - there were auto giros - twin engine planes, single engine planes, gliders and helicopters, it all made for a little extra entertainment on my walk.
Further along the coastal path is Ards Allotments - my friend Mark McDonald recently bought one, so I decided to pay him a visit. There he was digging up his future vegetables beds - all looked very hard work, after a chat and a light drink it was my return walk.
Further along the coastal path is Ards Allotments - my friend Mark McDonald recently bought one, so I decided to pay him a visit. There he was digging up his future vegetables beds - all looked very hard work, after a chat and a light drink it was my return walk. I think sometime we forget how beautiful an area we live in and perhaps a return visit home is also good for the soul!
HMA
Saturday, 19 March 2011
Lambeg Drum - A selection of Painted Shells 5
Here is another selection of painted Lambeg Drums.
Have a look at each painting and put yourself in the mind of the person who owns the drum, try to imagine why they felt the person painted on the drum merited such an accolade.
Throughout the lambeg Drumming community, many unsung hero's are out there - many have dedicated their lives to maintaining one of the richest and most important musical cultures in the world. Ordinary folk who have been held in high esteem by their friends, family, Orange Lodge, community group or perhaps a drumming club.
I selected the paintings below because they give an overview of the type of ordinary people out there whose lives have been commerated and celebrated by their portrait being painted on a Lambeg Drum. As I mentioned in a previous post Cultural Art has made a major contribution to life in Ulster - wall murals, Orange and Black banners, lambeg drums, etc, art is all around us and should be recognised and celebrated for its diversity, as many of these images reflect what is around us everyday.
It does not have to be hanging on a wall in a museum or art gallery to be classed as art!
HMA
Have a look at each painting and put yourself in the mind of the person who owns the drum, try to imagine why they felt the person painted on the drum merited such an accolade.
Throughout the lambeg Drumming community, many unsung hero's are out there - many have dedicated their lives to maintaining one of the richest and most important musical cultures in the world. Ordinary folk who have been held in high esteem by their friends, family, Orange Lodge, community group or perhaps a drumming club.
I selected the paintings below because they give an overview of the type of ordinary people out there whose lives have been commerated and celebrated by their portrait being painted on a Lambeg Drum. As I mentioned in a previous post Cultural Art has made a major contribution to life in Ulster - wall murals, Orange and Black banners, lambeg drums, etc, art is all around us and should be recognised and celebrated for its diversity, as many of these images reflect what is around us everyday.
It does not have to be hanging on a wall in a museum or art gallery to be classed as art!
HMA
Thursday, 17 March 2011
Cultural Art - Pencil Drawing
Recent visitor to Loughries Fife & Lambeg Drum class, Billy Neill dabbles a little in cultural art - here is one of his pencil drawing - and yes I am that grumpy!
HMA
HMASt Patrick's Day 2011
Today I decided not to drive 30 miles to be offended, I decided not to attack a parade, I decided not to coat trail or fly a foreign flag during St. Pat’s day and decided not to encourage others to do so, nor did I did get drunk and attack Her Majesties Police Service.
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Instead I decided to spend the day with my family, with an outing to Crawfordsburn Country Park and then tonight to attend my Black Preceptory meeting, followed by an evening meal with 18 of my colleagues - offending no one!
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You see, it is possible to have a better and shared future if you really want to.
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HMA
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