♫ "How Deep The Fathers Love For Us" - Stuart Townend ♫

At certain times of the year it is always extra special to remember someone in a special way, so today Sunday, we 'The Andersons' provided the flower arrangement for the front of the church. We did so in memory of our father, Blakely Anderson, who passed away in May 2009 - each year the family chooses a Sunday, this year it happened to be the Sunday just prior to the 'Twelfth'.

My Dad was a life long Orangeman and proud of his Presbyterian / Protestant roots, so as you can see the type of flowers and their colours, are in keeping with the Anderson's proud Ulster heritage!

Incidentally, the hymn below - 'How Deep a Fathers Love' was one of the hymns selected by my Dad for his funeral and it was part of the service this morning.

Also, something that pleased us greatly was the Annual Divine Service of Newtownards Orange District was held today and coincidentally it was held in our church - so double remembrance and a fitting tribute to Blakely!

HMA

From yesteryear!

I found this picture, from yesteryear - on my laptop!

Great photo of two seasoned drummers - Alan Watson (left) and George Holmes (right) under the arch in Newtownards, a couple of years back.

HMA

Run up to the 'Twelfth'

This week although the schools are closed, I have been working with community groups taking part in 'fun days' - bonfire week programmes, Orange festivals and other bits n pieces - in between pulling Lambeg Drums!

Tonight Saturday, I am providing a 45 minute presentation to Comber District 'Orange Fest' in Comber Orange Hall. I will be assisted by a few drummers, a couple of fifers and Billy Neill - local artist, who will be displaying some of his lambeg drum themed paintings.

Monday I am back to Irish School of Ecumenics (Trinity College) in Belfast, where I will provide a presentation to a number of international students, who are in Ulster on a fact finding trip.

A lot more in between these events - another 2 x fun days, and a couple of performances squeezed in.

Big night of the year 11th Night at the Arch in N'Ards - 10 or so drums and all the local drumming enthusiasts - see you there?

HMA

Lambeg Drums - A Selection of Painted Shells 14

Tonight at Ballyrobert - another great drum from the Denis Morrow, William Magowan team.

Not sure what the gentleman is called who owns the drum, he was with us tonight, however the drum is beautiful - well made with a great painting.

As with many drums a lot of thought has gone into the drum, so credit to its owner - magnificent!

What do you think - e-mail me!

HMA

Stephen Foster - Alison Krauss - Slumber my darling

The Ulster Scots Community Network recently published a booklet on Ulster Scots in America – I can’t recall or check its correct title as I gave the last copy I had to an American friend at Christmas. Anyway it highlights a number of famous or influential Americans with an Ulster Scots connections / ancestry – Stephen Collins Foster made the booklet.

Here is Nelson’s McCausland's post:- Stephen Collins Foster

Stephen Collins Foster (1826-1864) was the pre-eminent songwriter in America in the 19th century and he is known as the 'father of American music'. Among the best known are Beautiful Dreamer, Old Folks at Home and Old Kentucky Home, which is the offical state song of Kentucky.

His songs are still extremely popular and in April 2004, in an interview with the LA Times music critic Robert Hilburn, Bob Dylan said, ‘Anyone who wants to be a songwriter should listen to as much folk music as they can, study the form and structure of stuff that has been around for 100 years. I go back to Stephen Foster.’

As a result of that interview American Roots Publishing decided to celebrate his legacy with a CD entitled Beautiful Dreamer: The Songs of Stephen Foster. Steve Fischell, producer of the tribute CD said that Dylan’s quote was our inspiration for this project.’ The artists featured on the CD included such well-known singers as Alison Krauss and John Prine.

Stephen Foster was of Scotch-Irish descent and the family was very much aware of its Ulster ancestry. Stephen's brother Morrison Foster (1823-1904) was a member of the Scotch-Irish Society of America. Their father William Barclay Foster was a businessman in Pittsburgh and his grandfather Alexander Foster (1710-1767) emigrated from Londonderry around 1728.

Here's one of the sweetest lullabies ever sung. There's no branch breaking or cradle falling—just pure motherly devotion, tenderness and protectiveness. It's one of Stephen Foster's most compassionate songs, and as sung by Alison Krauss, it's a real two-hankie performance.

HMA

Yo-Yo Ma James Taylor - Hard times come again no more

In memory of George Douglas Holmes - this was a time of the year George loved - wall to wall Lambeg Drums, Parades, drumming nights, pulling drums and of course a few songs from George - and a few tunes on the banjo.

Here is one of my favourite George Holmes songs - this time James Taylor provides the vocal.

HMA

A Few Recent Nights!

Here are a few snaps of a few events that I have attended in the last week.

It is Orange / Lambeg Drum season and well, just a great time of the year!

HMA