Scorpions - Wind Of Change

Here is another favourite tune of mine - it is timeless, as the world is forever changing. This song was written at the time of the fall of communism in Russia / Germany and Eastern Europe.

This week sees a new British Government coming into power and yes the wind of change is blowing once again -

HMA

Excellent T.V Program

http://www.google.co.uk/url?url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00sjmxj/Why_Didnt_Scots_Vote_Tory/&rct=j&ei=06jqS5nbMpv60wSJ1d3iDA&sa=X&oi=video_result&resnum=1&ct=thumbnail&cad=4267383665765037476&ved=0CBoQuAIwAA&q=why+don%27t+scots+vote+tory&usg=AFQjCNGqBltkwRcs9TBVqIy5sYjP1QH1WA

Just watched this program on BBC Parliament channel - very interesting indeed. I am reasonably interested in politics, however this program caught my eye and very well presented by Sally Magnusson. If you have an hour to spare you won't be disappointed.

Champions - Chelsea FC

Well we conquered - Congratulations to Chelsea F.C crowned Champions of England 2009-2010 season.

Not quite edge of the seat, nail biting or hide behind the pillow match nevertheless it was a very satisfying 8 - 0 home win against Wigan. Already so called pundits are claiming Chelsea lost too many game to be true champions - sour grapes as usual.

Lets pay tribute to a magnificent team worthy champions. I celebrated with a glass of Diet Coke and 8 loud cheers.

Looking forward to next Saturday when we lift the FA Cup to make it a wonderful season for all our fans world wide.

BLUE IS THE COLOUR.

HMA

Ulster Scots Musical Traditions at Movilla Boys Brigade 2

I had blogged a while back about 9th Ards BB Company, Movilla Presbyterian Church in Newtownards - well Friday 7th May was the big night for the boy's their annual display.

Over recent months I had been attending mostly on a Friday evening teaching the Company Section a few rhythms in preparation for their display. This particular BB Company are a very dynamic innovative group, keen to try new ideas each year - this year it was the Ulster Scots through the Lambeg Drum. In front of a packed hall of family, friends and guests, the Company Section put on a great display of Lambeg Drumming - to great cheers from the audience. In his closing remarks the guest of honour for the evening Mr. George Forrester (Vice President of Ards Battalion) commented that it was 'truly unique and a wonderful treat for the boy's of Company Section to have been afforded the opportunity to learn to play, then display tonight what they had been taught on the lambeg drum - it is really great to see'

To be truthful I was quite apprehensive how the audience wold receive the lambeg drum being played in a church hall at a BB display - I am very conscious of the negative publicity the drum has received in recent years - however it was very well received and for many the highlight of the night. I believe it is through outreach work in schools, community groups and other organisations that lambeg drumming - through the Ulster Scots can help to change perceptions.

For my work with the boy's I was presented with a BB wooden pen set engraved ' steadfast & sure' As an ex BB lad myself, I was delighted to have been afforded the opportunity to work 9th Ards BB in this unique project, it was successful in a number of ways not least that several of the boys now come to my lambeg drum, fife & whistle classes at Movilla High School on a Friday morning.

All you can do is to keep chipping away!

HMA

Sir Thomas Smith Booklet Launch

Friday 14th May 2010 at the Londonderry Room, Town Hall, Newtownards, sees the launch of the much anticipated booklet launch 'Sir Thomas Smith's Forgotten English Colony of the Ards & North Down in 1572'

For several weeks now plans have been laid for what we hope will be not only a great night but also a significant event for Loughries Historical Society - We have been deeply honoured that Mr. Mark Thompson, Local Historian, wanted to publish his booklet in partnership with Loughries.

Before Hamilton & Montgomery Settlement of May 1606 English Aristocrat and trusted friend of Queen Elizabeth 1, Sir Thomas Smith - was granted 360,000 acres of land in North East Ulster in order that he set up a Colony there, this is his story. We as Ulster Scots are keen to explore who we are, when our forefathers arrived here, Smith's Forgotten Colony is an ideal starting point.

Tickets have been forwarded to many local folk, so if you are lucky enough to have been invited along, you will be sure of a great night (50 - 60 guests expected). On arrival you will be greeted with some Ulster Scots Music - courtesy of Mr Keith Lyttle on Fiddle and Matthew Warwick on various instruments. Guests of honour - DECAL Minister Nelson McCausland and Mayor of Ards Cllr Billy Montgomery. Speaking on behalf of Loughries will be Chairman Hamilton Gregory, followed by the official launch by Mr. Mark Thompson who will provide a PowerPoint and talk on his wonderful booklet. At the conclusion of the launch tea - coffee - shortbread and oak cakes will be provided.

Loughries Historical Society would like to acknowledge the support afforded to us by the funders Ards Borough Council - North Down Borough Council - Museum and the Ulster Scots Community Network who all assisted in the publication of the booklet.

Loughries feel this project of Sir Thomas Smith is as important as the Hamilton & Montgomery settlement of 1606 - so plans are at an advanced stage to develop this historical project into a learning tool for all the primary and post primary schools in the North Down, Newtownards and Ards Peninsula area - there has been a keen interest from a number of schools already in the area seeking to develop local history projects in their school. Work is at hand developing PowerPoint's, Web Site interactive learning tools and appropriate literature. All thanks to the Heritage Lottery.

Local newspaper the Newtownards Chronicle and County Down Spectator are keen to serialise the booklet in the coming weeks in their paper - so exciting times ahead for local Ulster Scots.

HMA

Much deserved praise:

In recent weeks my work load has increased by 4 schools per week - in areas all over Ulster, so I feel it is right and proper that I congratulate 3 of the Development Officers at the Ulster Scots Agency for their hard work and endeavour - Derek Rainey North West Ulster - Jane Wallace South & West Ulster and Gary Blair North East Ulster. All are hard working, honest and committed Ulster Scots people, who with out them, my work would be a lot more difficult. So my sincerest thanks are extended to them.

The schools are all primary schools - who have availed of the Ulster Scots Peripatetic Music Tutor project and I look forward to working in these schools delivering tin whistle and lambeg drum tuition in the coming weeks and months.

Picnic at Mount Stewart

Saturday 8th May 2010 we had a family afternoon out to Mount Stewart, on the shores of Strangford Lough - Mount Stewart is a National Trust property and I would describe the Estate as the Jewel in the Crown of 'The Ards'

On arrival we had a picnic (picture 1 was the view we had as we ate lunch). We are members of the N.T. and regular visitors here - today was an exhibition of model airplanes by 'Skybird' a local model aircraft society. There were 21 exhibitors displaying some amazing model aeroplanes (picture 2 red arrows display team plane) with a flight display every hour on the hour. It was a great afternoon with a large crowd of folk enjoying the beautiful weather and beautiful surroundings.

Picture 3 is of Scrabo Hill and Tower that overlooks the town of Newtownards at the mouth of Strangford Lough - this view is from the area of 'Anderson Hill at Ballywatticock' - perhaps there is some family connection there!

HMA