Wednesday 29 August 2007

FAIR Summer School

On Monday 6th August, I set off for Markethill to attend an Ulster Scots Summer School organised by the Victims Group, FAIR. The school was held in Kilcluney Orange Hall and was well attended with a good number of leaders in place to help keep order. Having said that, the kids were no problem at all and were receptive to the visiting teachers.

When I arrived at Kilcluney Orange Hall, I noticed members of the excellent Kellswater Flute Band had just finished introducing the kids to traditional music. I felt immediately disadvantaged as, as someone who was there to introduce the Ullans language to them, I had no flutes or drums to hold their attention!

In any event, I needn't have worried as the kids weren't long in taking an interest in the Ullans language. I found that some of the children were already familiar with some Ullans vocabulary and used the words frequently without realising it.

The school went well and we all enjoyed our time at Kilcluney.

Tuesday 7 August 2007

Balnamore Fun Day

On Saturday 4th August, the Community Association in Balnamore (near Ballymoney) held a very successful and well attended Fun Day for the people of the village. The event was not without an Ulster Scots flavour, reflecting the identity and make up of the village.

The weather was kind to the organisers and the event kicked off at 12 noon with the marquees quickly filling up and the grounds of the park coming alive with people of all ages. Games of the old Ulster Scots favourite, horse shoes, proved to be an attraction as did the appearance of a clown who had a non-stop repartee of jokes and yarns. Bakers of Traditional Ulster Scots breads kept many attendees filled with soda and fadge (proota breid) and I noted that "some yins were hard tae fill, the gluttons!"

Jimmy and I didn't arrive empty-handed and as soon as dancers left the stage, we got them lambegs out and got playing them. We were ably assisted by Alan Wright who lets on he can't play them but was unmasked as a guid drummer on Saturday! His cousin Raymond also surprised everyone by getting one on and giving us all a demonstration of club drumming that was awa abain mae heid!

A great day and our thanks to Louise and the organisers for inviting us. Hope aa yer lugs hae quet ringin bae noo!

Ulster Scots Festival, Kilrea

On Saturday 28th July, my mate Jimmy and I attended a very enjoyable festival organised by the fledgling Kilrea Ulster Scots group. On the previous evening, the group had put on a show that included the Ulster Scots dancers from Moyne, Co Donegal. They stayed over and we had the pleasure of meeting them on the Saturday.

On the day itself, Jimmy and I were treated to our share (maybe more than my share!) of a well-cooked barbecue in the grounds of Kilrea Orange Hall. After some fodder, we felt equipped to get the lambegs out and give them a rattle for the good folk of Kilrea and district who had come along to support the event.

It was great to see such enthusiasm and practical interest in the Ulster Scots culture in Kilrea and I wish them well for the future.