Lambeg Drums in Portavogie

I was clearing some space on my laptop today and came across this photograph from around 2005.

The photo was taken at Eric Cully's house in Portavogie Co. Down - in July, on the run up to the 12th. We spend almost 2 weeks preparing drums for fife & drumming nights, the 11th Night under the arch in N'Ards, then of course the big day - the Twelfth Day itself.

Here we paused from 'pullin the drums' for a tune!

In the middle of the drum ring with the fife is, Dr. Diane Harvey-Smith, lead fifer and prominent female lambeg drummer in the Ards area.

The faces may have gotten a little older, but the enthusiasm for the fife and lambeg drumming tradition is strong as ever.

The other folks in the photo bottom left to right are: Ian Lawther, Brian McClurg, Dean Rainey, Stephen Gordon, Harold Gordon, Harry Gordon, Mark Anderson (me) and Eric Cully.

The hospitality and friendship we receive from Eric and Jean Cully is just wonderful - great Ulster Scots folk, in the heart of Co. Down........... it would be great to get together again.... sometime perhaps!

HMA

Lambeg Drums - A Selection of Painted Shells 20

I haven't blogged with pictures of lambeg drums for a while, so here is a selection for you to view.

I have picked plain shells with a simple ribbon / banner on the drum, usually identifying where the drum comes from, or simply the name of the drum.

There are many hundreds of these drums around Ulster that don't always get the recognition of a well painted shell, however a lot of the competition drummers don't really care much what it looks like, as long as the drum sounds great - that is all they are interested in.

I tend to be the opposite - I enjoy the 'cultural art' aspect of the lambeg drum tradition, as I have said before the lambed drum musical tradition is more than music or noise, it tells the story of us Ulster folk, who we are, our town-lands, families, famous people we idol, historical buildings, great ships, animals, the list is endless, so perhaps a simple ribbon with a name says enough about a drum and more often that not the drum owner!

Hope you enjoy these shells.

HMA

Wilbert Magill - Ulster Scots Native Speaker.

Newtownards and the Ards Peninsula is a wonderful place!

Well, I am very proud of the fact that I was born in the 'Front Deed' (Wallace's Street N01) in the Movilla end of the town. My father was Blakely Anderson and a lifelong friend of Wilbert Magill.

Wilbert is a fine man and of great character, a writer & musician of note and one time local Politician and Mayor of Ards.

Wilbert has attended a number of events hosted by Loughries - he visited our Ulster Scots summer school, reading local poetry from his book Aboot Tha Airds, we also were blessed by his attendance at a couple of our Burns Night Suppers where Wilbert addressed the haggis in a wonderfully theatrically way. He also graced our guests with a number his poems. I recall having to wipe away tears of laughter as Wilbert had me and the audience in roars of laughter and of course we were in the grasp of his Wilbert’s hand – what a fine exponent of the Ulster Scots Tongue!

It is my understanding that Wilbert is unwell at present – I wish him well on his road to recovery.

It makes me intensely proud to know 3 great local Ulster Scots Speakers Wilbert Magill, Willie Cromie and of course Willie McAvoy!

Here are a few snaps from one of Loughries Burns Night Suppers.

Wilbert Magill's Aboot Tha Airds

Recent Loughries Burns Night Suppers with performers and invited guests

Piping in the Haggis - with Piper Stephen Rodgers

Wilbert preparing to address the Haggis

Wilbert in full flow!

Fabulous Champion Scottish Dancer Michelle Johnston

Packed Londonderry Room N'Ards Town Hall Celebrating Burns

Two local Ulster Scot characters Wilbert Magill and Willie McAvoy

HMA

Fife & Lambeg Drum in Ulster Schools

Earlier this year I was contacted by Miss Jenny Hill - a student teacher at Strandmillis Teacher Training in Belfast. Jenny was working on her college dissertation, her chosen subject being The Fife and Lambeg Drum Tradition in Northern Ireland.

Jenny travelled around Ulster visiting schools that I was working in, whilst there Jenny carried out her own research, speaking with teachers, pupils, as well as noting my working practice and exploring my thoughts on the fife and lambeg drum musical tradition as well as my view on the Ulster Scots Culture.

Jenny promised me a look at her dissertation, after it had been submitted for marking and evaluation, thankfully Jenny honoured her promise and allowed me to view her work.

The dissertation was well written and meticulously researched - Jenny has encapsulated the tradition and developed an understanding of where this musical tradition fits within the overall patchwork quilt - that is Ulster Culture. I was fortunate to read the article in its entirety and pleased at with the final product, so congratulations to Jenny on an excellent project.

Jenny has started work in a Primary School in East Antrim.

Front cover of the Dissertation

Inside cover of Jenny's Work

HMA

Loughries - Broken String Band

Loughries - The Broken String Band were in great form last Friday at our musical night - there was a great appreciative crowd at the Town Hall, Newtownards for one of the top traditional stringed bands from Ulster - not a bodhran in sight!!

Rather than give a full report, I thought I would let the pictures tell the story of the night!!

Loughries would like to acknowledge the help, support and guidance of the Community Development / Community Relations office at Ards Borough Council during the planning of the Ulster Scots Festival.

Loughries are also pleased to announce that £280.00 was collected / donated to Loughries during the Festival Events for our 2 x chosen charities for 2011 - N.Ireland Children’s Hospice and Diabetes UK, presentations to both charities will follow later this year.

Great night - see you all next year!

HMA

Wee Geordie

Geordie McAdam is a wonderful musician, accomplished fisherman and all round entertainer.

I had the very good fortune to meet George around 12 years ago, as we both had developed a keen interest in the fife.

George has been a life long musician, firstly a flute player, then as we all know him to be one of Ulster's finest fiddle players. He prefers bluegrass / Hillbilly music, sprinkled with a touch of Scottish and Ulster Scots tunes.

Despite his best efforts, George won't make a lambeg drummer - although he does keep good time, but he is an accomplished fifer and I am always pleased to either fife along with George or indeed drum along to his fifing.

HMA

Newtownards Welcomes home - 1st Battalion Irish Guards

This morning Saturday 8th October, I spent an hour or so in my hometown of Newtownards.

The 1st Battalion of the Irish Guards were given a civic reception by the Mayor of Ards and his fellow Councillors. Huge crowds turned out for Parade and Church Service - The Service was held at St. Marks Church of Ireland, then followed the parade and march pass by the flute, pipes and drums of the Battalion Band and Officers and Men of the Irish Guards. The Mayor of Ards and the Lord Lieutenant of Co. Down took the salute.

It is wonderful to live in a democracy where - what the majority of the community wants happens, where all the citizens of the Borough of Ards can pay respect to 'Our Troops' as they return from active service serving Her Majesty's Armed Forces.

Conway Square and Town Hall with welcome home banner.

The great and the good gather in anticipation of the march past.

Some of the crowd that gathered to welcome the Troops home.

1st Battalion Marching past taking the Salute.

The flute, pipes and drums of the Battalion Band approach.

HMA