South Down Militia

Here is a great tune, which I enjoy playing on the fife and tin whistle - 'South Down Militia'

This snippet is played by the Band of the Royal Irish Regiment (TA) - Pipes & Drums.

The video is a little shaky but the sound is excellent - Rousing tune!

HMA

Picnic at Montalto

After church on Sunday 27th June, all the 'Anderson Clan' are gathering for a picnic at Montalto House in Ballynahinch. Big Brother David has settled in well and has invited us all up to the estate for an afternoon of fun and games - let's hope the weather stays good, so I can eat my spam sandwiches without getting too wet!

HMA

Orange Lily

Well, in between my onions, garlic and beetroot I kept a space for a beautiful bunch of Orange Lilies, they are out a week or so early this year - but lets hope they make it through to the 'Twelfth'

HMA

Lambeg Drumming Evening 2

Friday 25th June 2010 the second of 3 drumming nights took place as planned in the village of Carrowdore, Co. Down at 8pm. It was a dry warm night, perfect for drumming - 6 drums turned up although 1 drum had to leave early, which was pleasing.

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It was as usual slow to start however when it got going it was hot drumming, plenty of local drummers turned up which meant the the drums rarely sat on the ground not being played. A very good crowd gathered many cars stopped and listened and took a few photographs, an unusual scene in a small village.

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The local drummers always went to Carrowdore for many years it was one of the traditional drumming nights on the run up to the 12th sadly for 2 years it was postponed nevertheless it was great to get back again this year.

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Can I thank Mark T for the snaps, I was unable to take any photo's as I played the drum most of the night, and keeping guard - as a local drunk appeared and took a shine to my drum - I stopping briefly towards the end to fife 3 x tunes, which went down well.

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The next drumming night is the big one for us 'Under the Arch' in Newtownards on Saturday 10th July 2010 at 730pmish. Hope to see you all there.

HMA

Holywood 'Twelfth'

This photograph appeared in the local Newspaper a few years ago and a friend of mine bought it for me - As you can see I am a lot younger.

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I think this was taken in Holywood back in 2003 - 7 years ago! The crowd seem to be enjoying the noise of the lambeg, as we make our way through the crowded streets - No better place for a bunch of Orange Lilies than on the front of a Lambeg Drum.

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The chap drumming with me is Neil Gordon - one of the well known drumming family the Gordon's from Newtownards. Neil is an excellent drummer and a pleasure to drum along with, sadly Neil is unable to drum now due to an injury he sustained in a motorbike accident.

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HMA

Not only a Man's World!

This is Dr. Diane Harvey-Smith my dear friend.

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Diane is one of the rare breed of people who is determined to succeed at anything she does. A number of years ago she joined with me, at a local drumming club as a fifer. Diane is a flautist in a local band and took up the challenge of learning the fife - a notoriously difficult instrument to learn, however over time she has turned out to be an excellent fifer.
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Here Diane is showing that not only can she fife but she is an excellent drummer as well, here she is playing my drum Prudence.

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Diane is also a keen kick boxer - so when Diane wants a go on the drum we readily agree to let her play, its the safest option!
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No truthfully Diane is a great friend of mine and a darling to all the men folk in our local lambeg drumming community - and a credit to her gender we love her to bits - Well done DD.

HMA

Ulster Scots - Lambeg Drums 15

The Pride of Portadown

For me this drum encapsulates the very essence of the fife and lambeg drum tradition here in Ulster.
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A single fifer with bowler hat, traditional Orange Sash & fife, setting the time for a group of lambeg drums & drummers just a short distance behind. You can just feel the atmosphere and hear the crescendo of noise - as this colourful spectacle of the fife and lambeg drum goes marching past.
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I am not too sure who owns the drum now, I am aware it was once owned by Mr. John Oliver from Portadown; however it was painted by the very talented Willie Magowan from Garvagh in Co. Londonderry.
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Beautiful drum

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HMA

Quotation

I was driving through Belfast recently and I noticed - on a gable wall, a renowned quote by a eminent philosopher, 'Those who ignore history are bound (or) doomed to repeat it'. Now apparently, it is a quote of a once prominent local politician - borrowing a quote in this example or music for that matter, does not make that quote or tune yours, so don't take or give credit unless warranted!

I do know what is meant or intended by the quote - and yes in an Ulster context it is a relevant observation and a valid point. My question would be - Who was the quote directed at?

To give a classic example of this take Hitler's invasion of Russia. Napoleon had done that, and Hitler made the same mistake, and suffered the same fate. On both occasions, the Russians simply retreated , drawing the enemy further and further into Russia in their advance, and then, when they Russian winter struck, and the invaders were unprepared and ill-equipped to deal with it, they were slaughtered in their thousands during their retreat.

The above example is too simplistic. Actually, Hitler was fully aware of Napleon's plight and had planned meticulously how not to fall into the same trap by using the new offensive technique of Blitzkrieg (lightening strike). The plan was for Army Group North to take Leningrad, Army Group Centre to take Moscow and Army Group South to take Stalingrad and the Caucasus oilfields. All before the winter weather made mobility impossible.

The original start date for Operation Barbarossa was accordingly 15th May 1941 but Mussolini's failing invasion of Greece required German intervention to protect Operation Barbarossa's southern flank. German troops invaded Greece on April 6, 1941; Athens fell on 27 April and mainland Greece was fully occupied by mid-May.

Nevertheless, the six week campaign led to Operation Barbarossa being launched five and a half weeks later than planned, on 22 June. Weather (rain and mud at first before the snows) slowed the advance from early October onwards, meaning that the Blitzkrieg part of the campaign was shortened from the planned 20 weeks, to just 14. How vital those six weeks would have been we will never know but whilst none of the main city objectives (Leningrad, Moscow and Stalingrad) were taken yet all three almost fell. After taking three million Russian soldiers captive during the advance, only 90,000 remained to defend Moscow by late 1941 for example.

Arguably it wasn't ignoring the lesson of history that was Hitler's fatal mistake, it was not adapting to changing circumstances.

HMA

American Civil War - Letter

Letter to Mrs. Bixby

I am not too bad at penning a letter, given time I can articulate my thoughts, nevertheless some folk are gifted - take for example this communication, known as Letter to Mrs Bixby, penned during the American Civil War.

In the fall of 1864, Massachusetts Governor John A. Andrew wrote to President Lincoln asking him to express condolences to Mrs. Lydia Bixby, a widow who was believed to have lost five sons during the Civil War. Lincoln's letter to her was printed by the Boston Evening Transcript. Later it was revealed that only two of Mrs. Bixby's five sons died in battle (Charles and Oliver). One deserted the army, one was honourably discharged, and another deserted or died a prisoner of war.

The authorship of the letter has been debated by scholars, some of whom believe it was written instead by John Hay, one of Lincoln's White House secretaries. The original letter was destroyed by Mrs. Bixby, who was a Confederate sympathizer and disliked President Lincoln. Copies of an early forgery have been circulating for many years, causing some people to believe they have the original letter.

Executive Mansion,
Washington, Nov. 21, 1864.

Dear Madam,

I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.

I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.

I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.
Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,

A. Lincoln

Ulster Scot's School Work - Co. Londonderry

Here is a great rural school - Culcrow Primary School in Aghadowey, Co. Londonderry. Principal Mrs. Olive Collins, a fantastic lady and a committed Ulster Scot, dedicated to her children, their parents and the school - when you speak with Olive it is what is best for the children every time.

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I have been in the school for just over a year, on the invitation of Olive and Keith Lyttle (fiddler) and over that time the school has went from strength to strength, terrific whistlers, great fiddle players and wonderful Ulster Scots Dancers, with tuition from Mrs Kerr. The school has played at a few concerts locally, their own school events, including a school drama project, they performed for BBC Radio Ulster's programme A Kist O' Wurds and a recording for BBC Scotland.

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The school curriculum at Culcrow has been greatly enhanced by the introduction of the Ulster Scots activities in recent times, particularly through initial ground word undertaken by Keith Lyttle on the advice and support of Jim Millar -Director of Education at the Ulster Scots Agency and Gary Blair, Development Officer.

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This is yet another prime example of a school, taking a leap of faith and investing time and effort in the children - with the full support of the parents and teachers.

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It is a pleasure to visit and work at Culcrow each week.

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HMA

Busy Day's

Today, Friday another busy day. Movilla High School at 0900 am for the weekly tuition, then over to Donaghadee Presbyterian Church for Ballyvester Primary School's prize day - the tin whistle class I tutor there played 6 tunes to rapturous applause from the gathered parents.

Then a rush over to Kilmaine Primary School for Matthew's gymnastics display, quick dinner then over to Newtownards at 7pm for a fife & lambeg drum workshop with the Old Cross Society.

This is a very busy time with schools having events and of course everyone wants to see and hear the lambeg drum on the run up to the 'Twelfth' - tiring but rewarding.

HMA

Luke Kelly The Night Visiting Song

Yet another trip into the traditional Irish music scene - this song by the Dubliners and sung by the wonderful Luke Kelly.

This was his very last performance, at the end of the song if you listen with head phones on Ronnie Drew says 'well done Luke' a few days later Luke was dead.

There is a bit of me in the lyrics of the song - pre Mrs Anderson of course!

HMA

Ulster Scots - Donegal Town 1

Whilst in Donegal Town I observed that the local Anderson's appear to doing quite well for themselves - No relation I think!

HMA

Ulster Scots - Donegal Town

Wednesday & Thursday I was in Donegal Town, in Co. Down taking part in an event organised by the Ulster Scots Community Network and what turned out to be an excellent project.

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Over the two day's a number of Local schools visited Donegal Castle where they were entertained and educated by Matthew Warwick - fife, history and bagpipes - Andrew Mattison - Living History, Ian Carlisle - Accordion, - Alan McCormick Bagpipes, Kelly Forsythe Ulster Scots Dancing, an myself - Lambeg Drum, whistle an fife.

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The children were split into groups and spent around 20 minutes at each workshop then rotated, the children appeared to really enjoy the experience and were a pleasure to work with.

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I have to say that they really are aware of their Ulster Scots Culture and do have a sense of their Ulster Scots Identity - and in my opinion should be supported as often as possible - even though it is 138 miles from Bangor.

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So thanks are extended to all the folk at the Ulster Scots Community Network and Jim Millar for giving me permission to attend the event.

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HMA

Loughries Visitor

A few months ago I was contacted by Dr. David Lyttle - he was seeking a little help, as he was carry out research into lambeg drum rhythms etc, so over recent weeks we have kept in contact regularly and I have gave him a few names from the drumming world for David to get in touch with.

David is a great chap and an excellent drummer, he was made very welcome by Loughries fife & drumming class and here he is playing my drum 'Prudence'.

We look forward to seeing David again in a few weeks time in Carrowdore.

HMA

Lambeg Drum Practice Evening

Usually our fife & lambeg drum class will practice indoors at the CLB hall in Newtowards, however at this time of the year we tend to visit the Somme Centre at Whitespots on the outskirts of N'Ards.

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We had a few visitors tonight, a Methodist Minister from Tipperary and Dr. David Lyttle.

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Above is a snap of the guy's and Diane (only female) taking a few minutes break. We drummed
and fifed for around 2 hours - it was a great night.
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Not long to the 'Glorious Twelfth'

HMA

Lambeg Drumming Evening

Saturday 12th June 2010, in the village of Conlig Co. Down, Loughries hosted a traditional drumming evening at the local Orange Hall.

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On the night 7 drums turned out and a host of local drummers - both young and old, 2 men travelled from just outside Ballymena to be with us. The drumming clashed with the England world cup match on the TV, however the drums were not at fault for the England goalkeeping error!!

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The night went off very well, it has been 2 years since we last organised a drumming night locally, due to 2 bereavements, nevertheless it was great to hear the sound of the drums out again in the village of Conlig.

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Next drumming night Carrowdore Friday 25th June across from the Mission Hall on Main Street start 7.30ish - See you there!

HMA

Sir Thomas Smith Booklet 3

Today, the Belfast Newsletter newspaper - in the Roamer section, the Sir Thomas Smith booklet was given a full page. This is excellent coverage of the booklet, launched in Newtownards a few weeks ago - so as well as our local paper, the Newtownards Chronicle affording us 2/3rds of a page, publicity and coverage has been great.

My e-mail address appears in the articles and so far I have sent out over 30 copies, Ards Council have been sending out the booklets daily also.

So what next for the Sir Thomas Project? Well plans are in place for phase 2, more details later.

HMA

Vegetable Plot

Vegetable plot coming on well. This snap was taken last weekend before the rain, since then the crops have doubled in size!

HMA

That time of the year again

Well, that time of the year again! A few of the lads got together tonight - to do what we say in the drumming word a 'bit of pullin'. We met at Ballyrobert Orange Hall to prepare a few drums for our Lambeg Drumming Evening that we are holding in Conlig Co. Down on Saturday night 12th June 2010.

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My hands are raw - as the ropes are quite cutting, my hearing is impaired - just briefly, I'll be alright in the morning, as we played the drums for a few hours inside the hall - Madness.

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But it was a great night, building the drums, pulling the drums, playing the drums but the icing on the cake - so to speak - was the fifing and drumming at the end of the night. Wee Geordie, Kyle, Stevie and myself, fifed several tunes - 100 pipers, Boy's of Belfast, The Girl I left Behind and Turkey in the Straw (Old Zip Coon) and Jackon's Return, to the drums - Fantastic.

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You know you are fifing well when your fingers are bouncing off the note holes and the fife is screaming in your ear.

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Not long to the 'Glorious Twelfth' - Can't wait!

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Oops - I forgot to mention I had a very important meeting recently with a very prominent Politician, who was very interested in my job, my hobbies and Loughries Historical Society in particular - he mentioned or asked 'What qualifications do you need Mark to teach the lambeg drum?' I am too polite to say what I felt at the time and mentioned that no qualifications were needed - more experience etc. But there are two fundaamental qualifications that you need when teaching or playing the Lambeg Drum and they are - Yes, a strong back and a weak mind!

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HMA

Human Rights of a Child

Recently, I listened to an interview given by Nelson McCausland MLA, DECAL Minister, on BBC Radio Ulster - talking about the Rights of a Child under the European Human Rights Convention.

I came across this poster that hangs on the wall in The Fountain Primary School Londonderry. You can see who have signed up to the initiative - and the rights that the children have. As I visit more and more schools throughout Ulster I am coming across a greater awareness of Principal's teachers and parents for a fundamental right to have their child or children brought up / educated with Ulster Scots culture around them in their school, should it be language, history music or in deed any other form.

The poster in the Fountain Primary School should be made available to all schools and our Education Minister should recognise that there is a ground swell of support out there, by ordinary Ulster Folk, to be allowed to be part of this 'shared future' by permitting Ulster Scots - in all its forms, to be taught in school as a right not as a luxury or by the choice of the Principal, Education Library Boards or Minister for Education.

My own children are discriminated against as their Principal does not recognise the Ulster Scots Culture, hence my children are missing out on a fundamental European Human Right - to be allowed to learn about their own culture! Where's Lady Sylvia Hermon's Office!!!!!

HMA

A tribute to the RUC

To all the brave and gallant men and women who worked together in Anderstown R.U.C. Barracks - in our darkest of days.

HMA

Traditional Drumming Evening

Saturday 12th June 2010 will see a traditional drumming evening hosted by Loughries Historical Society and held at Conlig Orange Hall around 715-730pm.

For a number of years all the local drummers around North Down, Newtownards and Ards Peninsula area would meet up and well basically stand and drum for several hours. This gave the drummers an opportunity to get their heads / skins ready for the big night under the arch in Newtownards on the 11th night. A number of venues were used Groomsport, Donaghadee, Conlig, Carrowdore and occasionally Ballyrobert, however sadly we have not had any of these nights for a couple of years due to circumstances.

So a concerted effort is under way to kick start the drumming evenings again. When the drummers meet usually 6 - 8 drums and 20 - 25 drummers would arrive and take their turn at drumming and occasionally the fifers were allowed to fife a little, but only if the drummers were in a benevolent mood!

If you are free and interested and coming along you will have a great night - Conlig Orange Hall 7.30pm, you will get a cup of tea or if you are that way inclined - something stronger.

Tea for me please!

HMA

American Young Ambassadors Programme

Wednesday 2nd June 2010 I was invited by Michael McCullough from the Ulster Scots Agency to provide a workshop for 10 young American citizens, who are visiting Ulster as part of an Cultural exchange project.

I visited holiday cottages in Dundrum Co. Down, where I met these folks - who I have to say were very charming young people.

I provided my fife & lambeg drum workshop and it went very well, they were all very interested as I explained the cultural significance and historical importance of the fife and drum tradition here in Ulster. I did think that they were not fully aware of the different identities that are in Ireland, nevertheless I did my best to explain my musical tradition with in the overall Ulster Scots context.

To finish off the workshop I gave out several tin whistles and we played a few Ulster Scots tunes together - 'What Mark are these not Irish Tunes' I was asked. Well!

HMA

Sir Thomas Smith Booklet

Since the booklet launch a few weeks ago, I have sent quite a few booklets out to folk who e-mailed me seeking the booklets.

Well, you never know who is reading the booklet - I received an e-mail from David Anderson MVO, MBE who had sent a couple of booklets to Garter King of Arms - Peter Gwynn-Jones Esq. who recently took part in the State Opening of Parliament, he in turn gave a copy to Alaister Bruce - yes, direct descendant of Robert the Bruce 'King of Scots'.

Alaister Bruce subsequently e-mailed David, thanking him for the booklet which he described as 'fascinating' and that he 'thoroughly enjoyed reading it'. Alaister Bruce also intimated that he would be happy to help in any further projects that may incorporate his ancestors.

What a revelation. We at Loughries are thrilled about this, however all the accolades should be afforded to Mark Thompson the man responsible for the booklet.
HMA