2012 was a very busy year for the Ullans Speaker Association and the Centre with many

great projects having been undertaken by our Development Officer Anne Morrison-Smyth and 2013 is looking to be no different. We would like to extend our well wishes to all of you and hope 2013 will be a great year and that The Ulster Scots language and culture will continue to go from strength to strength.

Should auld acquaintance bae forgot, an never brought ta mind ? Should auld acquaintance bae forgot, an auld lang syne

Ullans Speaker Association

Yet anither year If aal wus tae be believed, the worl wus ta en on 21st December 2012, the apparent en o the Mayan calendar, which it clearly didnae bae the very fect yez ir noo reading this in 2013. Even if it wus richt, the Ulster scots fowk didnae seem ta belive it wus aboot ta happen es monie wur still oot shappin richt up ta an beyond 21st December. So noo Christmas an 2012 ir behin iz an we aal stairt 2013 es we aalways dae wae hope an ambition for the year aheed es weel es makin New Year resolutions an o course the New Year diets wur we aal try an loass the ween o pounds put on ower the festive period. 2013 may luk ta be a wee bit quaiter thon aal the excitein events an celebrations o 2012, but a new year disnae mean we forget aboot the yin past but celebrate aal the guid memories, that we can tak intae 2013 an further the progress aal ready made in Ulster Scots thru oot 2012. Get oot the aul kilts an polish yer sporrans es the Burns Suppers stairt agane wae, aye, mair food! So lets kick aff es we mean ta go on, celebrating ir Ulster Scots traditions an o course ir leid. Toon Gansh
Ullans Speakers Association 2013

A Ripple in the Pond

fUSe fm Ballymoney Christmas Broadcast 2012 Yet another successful fUSe fm Ballymoney Community radio broadcast bringing the total broadcast by the group to 12. The hope is that this year we will hear one way or the other with regards our application for a full time community radio station licence from OFCOM.

The Ulster Scots heartland of North Antrim is arguably the last place one would expect to be the nerve centre of a rebellion against those who wished to be an integral part of the United Kingdom - or is it? Throughout the ages, a strain of radical Presbyterianism within the Ulster Scots community has emerged to take issue with British mainland authority, particularly in north Antrim. In America, County Antrim preacher, Rev William Martin, encouraged his congregation of Ulster Scots Presbyterians drawn mainly from north Antrim, to fight against Britain in the War of Independence. A few years later, county Antrim was a hotbed of dissent which led hundreds, if not thousands, to fight for the United Irishmen, in particular the men of the Kilraughts, Kilmoyle and Ballymoney areas. Perhaps it was this sense of history that led a number of Presbyterians headed in the main by Rev JB Armour to form an alliance against the anti - Home Rule Movement. This book seeks to explain the causes and outcomes of this 'revolt' in this, the centenary of the signing of the Ulster Covenant. To get your FREE copy contact the Ullans Centre. HAMELY TONGUE ROAST to burn or feel very hot. that wud roast the mooth aff ya

Again all the regulars joined the broadcast as well as a few new editions including Johnny & Gary taking over the Monday night slot and the group even let Nicola Clyde lose with her own show this time. There was various interviews that took place including a Bluegrass group called Cup OJoe on Alan Wrights Ulster Scots show and Big Rab had Northern Ireland international womans footballer Simone Magill The team also helped raise money for the NICLT charity that it has supported the past few years with a street collection as well as playing festive music live in the centre of the toon. We again hope to return in 2013. For more information find us on Facebook or visit the website at www.fusefmballymoney.com

Ullans Speakers Association 2013

Finn McCool Ulsters Greatest Giant Anyone that has grown up around the North Coast and even though-out Ulster is aware of the stories of Finn McCool. This book is the Ullans Speakers Association's take on this traditional Myth aimed at small children but even makes a great (if short read) for adults too.

Contain the story written in Ulster Scots with the English translation provided at the back. The book also contains some great hand drawn pictures to go with the story To get your FREE copy contact the Ullans Centre.

SCHOOLS DRAMA PROJECT The Ulster Scots Agency has commissioned a travelling drama for a number of primary schools just south of the border. Three national schools from counties Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal are currently availing of this project, led by Stephanie Kenny Quinn. The play is entitled Wae a Heart an a Half and was written by local playwright, Philip Orr. The Ullans Speakers Association became involved with the project when Fermanagh Ulster Scots Empowerment (F.U.S.E), a community group based in Lisnaskea, held an Ulster Scots Drama Summer School and invited Stephanie to prepare the children for a performance of the play. Anne Morrison Smyth was then invited to translate the speaking parts of the play and teach the children the correct pronunciation of their new vocabulary. Anne paid a number of visits to Enniskillen and spent many enjoyable hours teaching and helping the children to pronounce words that were entirely new to them. It was truly amazing how quickly the children picked up the Ulster Scots language, particularly as they live in an area where Ullans is not spoken or in everyday use. The play was performed at the end of the week long Summer School much to the enjoyment of the children who took part and the audience of families and friends who came along to support them. A measure of the success of the play and the performance of it in Fermanagh can be gauged by the decision of the Ulster Scots Agency to commission Stephanie and the team to take it to the nine schools in Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal. Again Anne has been asked to teach and coach the participating children, a challenge she is looking forward to, given the success of the Summer School.

Ullans Speakers Association 2013

Fermanagh Ulster Scots Poetry Recitals The Ulster Scots language was given new life in South West Ulster in October 2012 when Lisnaskea based group Fermanagh Ulster Scots Empowerment (F.U.S.E) organized a poetry competition involving primary schools within its catchment area. The schools involved were The Moat P.S (Lisnaskea), Enniskillen Model P.S and Kesh P.S. Anne Morrison Smyth from the Ullans Speakers Association was drafted in to teach the children, none of whom were native Ulster Scots speakers, how to pronounce the words in their recitals. For three weeks, Anne visited the three schools and, as the time progressed, so did the ability of the pupils skills of pronunciation. Finally the day of the competition arrived. On Saturday 20 October 2012, forty pupils from the three schools travelled to Enniskillen Model to take part in the competition. The judges were Anne Morrison Smyth and published Ulster Scots poet, Mr. Wilson Burgess, Board member of the Ullans Speakers Association. The children impressed everyone there with their ability to recite in a language they had no prior knowledge of, not to mention their obvious enthusiasm and the expressive manner of their delivery. It was a difficult task selecting winners from the various categories so the children were scored in five categories and given marks for each. When the totals were calculated, the following winners were declared: Although these pupils deserve full credit for doing so well, it must be stressed that ALL of those taking part in the competition deserve credit. A big well done must also go to Wendy and the team from F.U.S.E and the parents of the children involved for ensuring the success of the project. On behalf of the Ullans Speakers Association, it was a pleasure to be part of this very successful event.

Ullans Centre 4 -6 Victoria Street Ballymoney BT53 6DW 028 276 68897 ullans@live.co.uk www.ullanscentre.blogspot.co.uk
Ullans Speakers Association 2013