New desire for cultural upsurge

by Vanessa Wilson, Director of Culture, Ulster-Scots Agency

AS you read the various articles in this newspaper, it is my desire that you will enjoy discovering the rich and vibrant culture of our land.  Ulster-Scots culture is an intoxicating mixture of music, song  dance and history which weaves inextricably, through the every day lives of many people. For me, it is important that my cultural identity is recognised within the overall cultural diversity of the world we live in.

 Where did my interest in culture originate from you ask? I grew up in a home where Ulster-Scots culture was ubiquitous. My grandfather was from Ballyvea, near Annalong in Co Down and he loved living in the Mournes.

 He spent a considerable time as an engineer, overseeing the construction of the Silent Valley Reservoir . He loved poetry and found absolutely no difficulty in reciting most eloquently, large sections of Robert Burns' work from memory, in the native Ulster Scots tongue. I remember that I used to listen intently as the ballads of the Bard unfolded and how I enjoyed allowing myself to "travel to another world."

 My family always had a keen interest in Ulster-Scots music and song. My uncles played both the fife and drum and were very accomplished.  I continued this musical tradition and I learned to play the piano and accordion at a tender age.  I also played the clarinet in the South Eastern Education and Library Board Youth Orchestra and enjoyed participating in performances.

 As a dedicated member of Aughlisnafin Accordion Band, it was character building to enter various competitions and to achieve varying levels of success. The triumphant celebrations which ensued after we  had actually won a trophy, this was what made all the hard practice worthwhile. In my teens, I really enjoyed the camaraderie in the group, as we developed our musical skills, together.

 The social aspect of ceilidhing should never be under-estimated. At school I enjoyed learning Scottish country dancing and some Highland dancing. It was very valuable to co-operate with others towards a common goal. It would be true to say that most of my team-working skills were developed within these same dance classes. It was great fun to whirl round the dance floor in rhythmic harmony.

 I organised musical events and concerts in many primary schools during my teaching career.  I trained school choirs for concerts and competitions and their repertoire quite often included Scottish Airs.  I also trained groups to perform Scottish Highland Dance and Scottish Country Dance.  These events were always very enjoyable for the children and there was always some audience participation.

 As I pursued my studies at Queen's University, I found the most interesting course of my "well-rounded" geography degree focused on the Settlement of America. One of my lecturers presented the life of the Ulster- Scot settler on the American-frontier in a most vivid manner. I can still remember the image of the typical frontiersman charging on horseback (armed with his flag) galloping to mark out his new patch of land. Oh, to be a true pioneer!

 No doubt, you feel a great sense of pride that you are a descendant  of  a people of great integrity and natural ability. Ulster-Scots people have had a major impact worldwide, in North America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

 Their pioneering spirit and tenacious determination to succeed even in times of adversity has led to impressive achievements in many fields - agriculture, industry, commerce, education, literature and medicine to name but a few. It is an amazing fact that 17 of the 43 United States Presidents can trace their roots back to Ulster.

 The "true grit instincts" of many frontiersmen have been celebrated for generations, for example Davy Crockett, Sam Houston, Kit Carson, Cyrus McCormick and Mark Twain.

 What is my vision for Ulster-Scots language and culture you say? Well it is this. Perhaps you too, could become a new frontiersman/frontierswoman at your local outpost. You will be to the Ulster-Scots movement, what these pioneers were to the "New World." It is my sincere wish that there will continue to be an upsurge in the number of Ulster-Scots cultural groups active in our land. I believe that young people need to be targeted more directly in their formative years to fully unlock the growth potential of our culture.

 During the 15 years of my teaching career and, latterly as a primary school principal, I sought to cultivate an interest among my pupils in Ulster-Scots music, song, dance and history. If you can capture a child's interest in any subject, at an early age, the spark of initial interest may eventually become a lifelong involvement.

 The most fulfilling aspect of training the school choir, for me, was to watch how the pupils' eyes danced with enjoyment as they performed  songs for their parents and friends. Their parents' expression indicated that their hearts were bursting with pride at the musical ability of their son or daughter.

 It would be wonderful if more schools and youth groups could promote some aspect of Ulster-Scots culture. Music, song and dance are a universal language which everyone can respond to in a spiritual way.

 As the Agency's Director of Culture, this position will allow me to further develop good relations, understanding and respect for cultural diversity.

 Ulster-Scots needs to continue to be promoted as a living language and culture in community groups as well as schools. There is a massive interest in both Scottish Highland Dancing and Scottish Country Dancing on this island. Promotion of this mode of cultural expression continues to be high on our list of priorities.

 I want all people to enjoy hearing Ulster-Scots music and to have the opportunity to learn new musical skills in piping, drumming, accordion playing, fife and Lambeg drum playing. We need to raise the tempo in the musical field. We need to start composing new Ulster-Scots music as well as performing our existing traditional Scottish airs. I feel that there is also great potential for an Ulster-Scots choral group to organise themselves.
It is also evident that an Ulster-Scots touring drama group needs to be formed, to promote Ulster-Scots culture more directly to a wider audience.

 I believe we need to rise to the next stage in the development of Ulster-Scots culture. I am committed to the fact that cultural groups now need to explore the potential of organising additional valuable projects which would have intrinsic benefits for their own local communities. Examples of these would be locally organised projects on the following themes :-
Local history / genealogy.
Conservation of Ulster-Scots Heritage sites and trails.
Hamilton and Montgomery 1606/ The Plantation.
Re- enactment / drama.
Literature / poetry.
Art / craft /design.
Cookery.
This list is not exhaustive and I am sure that with your innate entrepreneurial abilities as a typical Ulster- Scot, you will be able to pioneer new territories.