Biscuit Name?

Yesterday I was in Marks & Spencers and picked up a packet of biscuits - they were labelled as 4 Scottish Empire Biscuits.

 

Well that leaves me with this question what are German Biscuits - or which came first?

 

 

HMA

Rabbie Burns -Ye Jacobites by Name

Over recent weeks I have been looking at different types of music from all around the world.

 

My old friend George Douglas Holmes (an ethnomusicologist) ignited my interest in traditional music and the origins of the tunes / poems / ballads etc.

 

Many traditional fifing tunes are a mixture of tunes with a Scottish, Irish, American, English or Ulster origin - sometimes a tune borrowed and embellished somewhat, may be suited to a particular musical instrument therefore it will enrich the tune and that musical tradition.

 

Here is a tune I have grown fond of (Ye Jacobites by Name) and will adapt it for use with the fife (renaming the tune of course) - accompanied by the lambeg drum.

 

A bit about the original tune - The poet Robert Burns lived not long after the Jacobite Uprising of 1745/46. Following the conflict, many songs were written, usually in support of the Jacobite cause. But a few were written putting the government/Hanoverian point of view. When Burns was putting together a collection of songs he had found while going round Scotland, he found one of these and wrote his own version. While Burns had expressed sympathy for the French Revolution, he clearly had no liking for the Jacobites.

 

 

 

 

 

HMA

Never Give Up On A Dream - Rod Stewart

New Year - Need a wee lift?

Life always throws you obstacles from time to time, but don't despair, there is always a way over or around those any obstacle - here is a tune that will reinvigorate you!

This is a great version of this timeless classic by Rod - Never Give Up On A Dream

HMA

Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland - Orange Community Awards 2012



Friday 11th January 2013 - wonderful news arrived through the post via a letter from Dr. David Hume MBE, Director of Services at the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, informing us, Loughries True Blues LOL 1948 - that we had been nominated in the category for 'Best New Banner Award.

 

This award is part of a series of awards handed out at at the annual Orange Community Awards affectionately known as 'The Grands'.

 

This year the ceremony will take place on Saturday 26th January 2013 at 7.30pm in the Waterside Theatre in Londondery.

 

Here is Loughries New Banner which was unveiled on Saturday 9th June 2012 in Newtownards.

 

 

 

 

 

Good Luck Louighries!!

 

HMA

Family History - John (Johnny) Anderson

During some family research I looked into my Grandfather John (Johnny) Anderson life, along with his brother William Anderson.

I found a document Army Form B 59 - Army Reserve (Special Reservists). Grandad Johnny signed his name on the document, however I found the wording of his 'Oath to be taken by recruit on Astestation' most interesting.

"I John Anderson swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King George Fifth, His Heirs and Successors and that I will as in duty bound, honesty and faithfully defend His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors in Person, Crown and Dignity, against all enemies and will observe and obey all orders of His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors and of the Generals and Officers not over me. So help me God'.

Non-ceremonial flag of the British Army

 

    United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1801–1921)

HMA

Ards Football Club - 30 Memorable Matches

This is my first post in 2013 - so happy New Year to one and all.

As a boy, into my youth then into my adult years I was a fanatical Ards supporter - following them near and far, win, loose or draw - sadly in recent years my visits to support Ards have somewhat diminished.

For Christmas as part of my Santa list I added Ards Football Club - 30 Memorable Matches to the list, and I was not disappointed as true to form Santa had delivered this book.

 

 

 

Adrain and I have friends for many, many years, visiting Ards matches, Chelsea matches and the ocassional Ireland rugby games together (Adrian if you read this - you are big men from the north)!

 

Having glanced through the book over Christmas it has brought back so many wonderful memories....... I look forward to some enjoyable bedtime reading in the coming few weeks .

 

Good luck with the publication Adrian.

 

HMA