"Unwept, unhonoured and unsung"

 
In the past week or so it has been almost impossible to look at a newspaper or listen to TV or Radio without a story of honouring members of the British Armed Forces and Home Front personnel of World War Two.

Among those honoured we had the Bevan Boys; Italy Star survivors, the Atlantic convoys (now finally getting a deserved statue in Londonderry), the Russian Murmansk convoys and even a pardon for the Irish army deserters to the British Army during WW2.

I almost made a Freudian slip and said ‘now we have the Dishonoured’ - but even that would be incorrect - you can’t be dishonoured if you don’t exist!

I am talking about some Northern Ireland members of the National Fire Service/ Auxiliary Fire Service personnel of World War Two.

The following is only one example of an honourable man who was air-brushed out of his place when the history of World War Two was written - according to the Unionist political parties!

A Londonderry man, who, as an "Old Contemptible" served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and fought in some of the bloodiest battles of World War One, again offered his services at the outset of World War Two.

Considering his hard won experience - having been a regular from 1908 to the end of World War One - a first preference would have been with the LDF as the Home Guard were then known.

Unfortunately, he - like many others - because of their assumed ‘nationalist’ persuasion was effectively dissuaded from enlisting.

Despite this, but determined to “do his bit” yet again, he opted to join the AFS/NFS and served throughout WW2. This included service in Belfast during the worst periods of the Belfast blitz.

His son recently decided to re-mount his father’s campaign medals and realised his father had not been awarded the Defence Medal for this service during WW2; he applied to the Cabinet Office for same.

After extensive correspondence he was appalled to learn that, not only was his father’s service NOT recorded but no details for the NFS men involved had been reported by the revelent authorities to the Cabinet Office for inclusion in WW2 records.

Sadly it seems like an air-brushing out of many gallant men who were always there when they were needed most. Men, of proven worth who we should be proud of. So much for parity of esteem!

Blogger: Blogger Dashboard

Blogger: Blogger Dashboard

The Jazz train is back in town!

This Thursday 2nd May the opening notes will sound to usher in the 12th City of Derry Jazz Festival, and pubs and clubs all over Derry will be throwing open their doors to the thousands of revellers making their way along the Jazz trail over the weekend. From jazz to jump, and soul to swing there isn’t a box unticked when it comes to music. The fun begins on Thursday evening with the Mayor’s Charity event in aid of Foyle Search and Rescue, featuring Derry Soulseekers, The Red Stripe Band and of course the Jive Aces, setting the tone for the rest of what promises to be an amazing festival weekend. Among the highlights this year are of course the sensational Overtones, and for the first time the city’s newest concert arena, The Venue at Ebrington, will be hosting a Grand Vintage Ball on Saturday evening. But also look out for The Dark Energy Trio, David Lyttle & Jason Rebello, Brass Impact Big Band, Dana Masters Band, Ben Klock (Celtronic), Beverley Craven, Neil Cowley Trio, Pink Martini, The Stars from the Commitments plus so much more! Local talent will as always be out in force with performances by some of the city’s finest musicians, including local jazz icon Gay McIntyre. He is joined by son Paul McIntyre, as well as the Derry Soulseekers, The Foyle Showband, Ursula McHugh, John Leighton and a whole host of local bands. Over 90% of the performances are free thanks to sponsors Guinness, and a full jazz programme is available at www.cityofderryjazzfestival.com. To find out all the latest festival gossip over the weekend check out our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/cityofderryjazzfestival

Dalai Lama in Derry

This Thursday! Only a few tickets left!

Tickets: http://www.millenniumforum.co.uk/content/dalai-lama-tibet-venue-2013

Children in Crossfire presents ‘Culture of Compassion’ with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet in association with Bright Brand New Day on 18th April 2013. As well as an address from His Holiness the Dalai Lama and a performance from Christy Moore, patrons will experience an eclectic mix of music, poetry, story, dialogue and dance. Colm Mac Con Iomaire (violinist from iconic Irish band- The Frames), Rainbow School of Dance, Encore Contemporary Choir and The Longtower Folk Group amongst others, will be performing.

This event aims to inspire and animate people on the theme of compassion. It will explore the meaning and power of compassion for engaging with our friends and foes in a positive way. Children in Crossfire are also running a Youth Compassion Award in partnership with the Office of Tibet and His Holiness will present an award to a local young person to recognise their acts of kindness.

Richard Moore, Director of Children in Crossfire said, “We are thrilled to welcome His Holiness back to Derry/Londonderry. He came to the city six years ago as part of our 10th Anniversary celebrations and has been a dedicated patron of the charity since that time. We are delighted that people from across Northern Ireland and beyond will have an opportunity to see and hear him speak during this City of Culture year”.

#FOXGLOVE LANE Posted: 07 Mar 2013 04:48 AM PST Her labour Salty finger tips cling to aching wrist. Pumping elbows, hang from cliff hanger shoulders. Taut chords strangle the hardened neck. Delivering a weighty head through brain blowing tedium. Leaves tangle and soak her skin. Cool on cheeks, all hot from google alerts. Eyeballs tense and dry, wanting to weep. But the heart says gently; Only hours now, only minutes, to flashing furzelight freedom! And you will rise, high into the layered mist. For International Women's Day, March 8th, 2013 I never write "poetry" but yesterday, overwhelmed by work, I sat down on the floor exhausted and wrote these words. I called it "Her labour" because it was about work but as I read it back I realised it was also about birthing and liberation. Not sure what "poetry" is exactly but it kind of sounded like a poem to me.......

St Patrick’s Day Spring Carnival
All Kinds of Everything


March 16th and 17th Derry - Londonderry

Details of the 2013 St Patrick’s Day Spring Carnival have been announced this week outlining a programme steeped in LegenDerry fun, history, culture and tradition; and where All Kinds of Everything will be brought together for a family friendly and inclusive event to celebrate the 17th March.
The St Patrick’s Day Spring Carnival has become one of the largest festival’s in the City’s event calendar bringing thousands of people to the city centre to view the spectacular colour and vibrancy of the community Carnival parade. With this year’s celebrations taking place over the weekend of Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th March it is an opportunity for the city to extend a warm welcome home to its diaspora and join them by taking to the streets to soak up the unique atmosphere that will be created.
Also incorporated within the programme are details of events taking place throughout the city to celebrate Irish Language Week 2013 and in particular Lá na Gaeilge (Irish Language Day) which is a celebration of Irish language and culture to mark the end of Irish Language Week 2013. Events will include an outdoor céilí, traditional Irish music sessions, performances by children from our local Gaelscoileanna, an Irish language information point and arts & crafts activities for families.
For the offical St Patrick’s Day Carnival programme visit www.derrycity.gov.uk/stpatricksday For more information contact (028) 71376545

The Bridge of Tears to the Derry Boat

Near Muckish Mountain, in the Gaeltacht district of Cloughaneely, is a small stone bridge known locally as 'Droichead na Caointe' or The Bridge of Tears.

In the nineteenth century, before a railway was built, local people emigrating to all parts of the World used this bridge on their way to Derry, the main departure point for Donegal emigrants.

The emigrants were often accompanied by their entire family and friends as far as the bridge, but always crossed to the opposite side alone. As most emigrants never returned, this walk had all the finality of a funeral. The English translation on a stone erected nearby reads: Friends and relatives of the person emigrating would come this far. Here they parted. This is the Bridge of Tears.

One of Percy French’s most famous songs stems from the area. While painting not far from the bridge, he fell into conversation with an old woman whose children had all emigrated. "T'was a lonely land to live in when the childer was away", remarked the old lady. This line so haunted French that on his return to his hotel at Falcarragh he composed "The Irish Mother."

You can hear the Donegal musical group Clannad and their haunting ‘Bridge of Tears' written by Noel Duggan on you tube.com:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypfIPWOj_8c

reminder

Excerpt - well worth repeating - from The Derry Journal piece:

‘Team Derry’ needs to get behind airport plans - says Elisha McCallion
May 21st this year has been designated by Derry City Council as Amelia Earhart Day, and Greater Shantallow Community Arts (GCAS) will be running a three-day festival from May 19 to 21 to mark the 80th anniversary.

There will be the launch of an Earhart graphic novel and the inaugural Earhart Lecture at the Great Hall, Magee and there will also be an event in the city centre involving hundreds of school children receiving Earhart Medals of Merit in recognition of their academic achievement or community service.

This is something the city needs to see happening as often as possible.

Every town and city the length and breadth of Ireland is in competition when it comes to the tourist market. As a city we need to be constantly updating, refreshing and grasping every opportunity with merit that presents itself to increase our tourist product .

We can’t afford to sit still and be left behind.

That is why it is important that we grasp the opportunity to add this new marketing dimension to our Airport. Rename our local airport the Amelia Earhart City of Derry Airport.