Welcome return of radio series

The Ulster-Scots Agency has welcomed the third series of Northern Ireland's only dedicated Ulster-Scots language programme, 'A Kist O' Wurds'.

Agency chairman, Lord Laird of Artigarvan, said he hoped that readers of the Ulster-Scot would support the programme.

"We still face something of an uphill battle to have the Ulster-Scots language and culture fully represented on our broadcast programmes," said Lord Laird.

"And while we welcome the third series of the 'Kist O Wurds', we must keep up the pressure to have the broadcasting authorities take heed of our community and their respective commitments.

"So I would ask you to support this and other Ulster-Scots programmes."

'A Kist O' Wurds' began on BBC Radio Ulster last Sunday, September 7, at 2.00pm, and will be broadcast every Sunday at the same time until October 12.

During the series, presenter Conal Gillespie will be meeting folk from all the Ulster-Scots areas, from Donegal through to Down.

Conal, from East Donegal, is already well-known in Ulster-Scots circles as he contributes to this paper and the 'Crack' column in the News Letter.

He says:  "The previous two series proved popular, with their mixture of interviews on topics from language to education and from movies to dance.

"Kist promises to bring you news of Ulster-Scots events, along with opinions on topical issues and the Braid tongue will be heard on air at its best, in poems, story and song."

Events and occasions will feature in the series, from the Broadisland Gathering in Larne, a symposium on Ulster-Scots and the Festival of the Peninsulas.

The show is produced by Chris Spurr, the man behind some of the BBC Northern Ireland's previous successful Ulster-Scots productions.