Bushmills Ulster-Scots Heritage Success Stories
The following is a breakdown of the successes achieved by the Bushmills Ulster Scots Heritage Project since the projects launch on 7th November 2007.
Schools Educational Programme
We have delivered a very successful schools educational programme of Ulster Scots Music, Heritage and Culture, particularly focusing in on the Ulster Scots Language, which is the spoken word in the area. The local schools that we have been working with in Bushmills village and surrounding areas are Bushmills Primary School, Ballytober Primary School, Dunseverick Primary School, Straibilly Primary School and Dunluce Secondary School. We have achieved this by engaging with and listening to the schools through their principal teachers, who have all been very supportive by facilitating our requests to bring local Ulster Scots experts to the schools to meet with the children and to encourage them to participate in activities and lessons. These professional have included, The Ulster Scots Experience and Dick Glasgow (local Musicians), Ulster Scots Poet Wilson Burgess and Storytellers Noreen and John Hamilton. An Oral poetry competition was launched on Friday 25th January to co- inside with our project’s Weekend Ulster Scots Language Celebrations. It is hoped that the winning entry will be invited to recite their work on BBC radio. The Ulster Scots agency also provided a treat for the pupils of Duservrick primary School with a presentation by Ulster Scots music expert Freddie Freeman. We would aim to build on this now established relationship with the schools teachers, pupils and parents to further develop and deliver Ulster Scots activities and projects to the children of Bushmills.
Ulster Scots Festivals
The project has delivered two major festivals within the village to date.
Weekend Celebrations of Ulster Scots Language and Culture
24th-26th January 2008
This festival featured Ulster Scots school workshop and an introduction to Lambeg drumming taster evening succeeded by a Lambeg drumming course. A traditional Burns night supper was held on Friday evening in local restaurant 1608 and featured guest speakers and musical entertainment. On Saturday morning Kilrea Pipe Band put on a fantastic musical display in the Diamond, Bushmills for the community and visitors to the village in spite of the bad weather. The weekend was rounded of with a spectacular fireworks display in Dundarave Coach Park on Saturday evening. The turnout and support received from the local community and visitors to the village was outstanding. The numbers catered for over the period would be in the region of several hundred to two thousand.
Weekend Celebrations of Ulster Scots Music and History
14-15th March 2008
Our celebrations began with an evening of Ulster Scots entertainment in the New Dunluce Parish Centre Bushmills featuring Ulster Scots music, a talk on tartans and Scottish Country Dancing from our local dance students who recently completed a course of instruction. Irish stew and tray bakes were provided by local restaurant 1608. An Ulster Scots coach tour was then held on Saturday taking in local places of Ulster Scots interest. Before departing all the passengers received an Ulster Fry and a packed lunch from local restaurant 1608. The tour was facilitated by local geologist John Marshall. The weekend was rounded off by a spectacular fireworks display for the residents and visitors to Bushmills.
Courses and classes (delivered and ongoing)
Ulster and Scottish Studies course accredited by University of Ulster was delivered by Alister McReynolds. This 6 week course was regularly attended by over 50 people. Certificates will be presented later this month to those who completed the full course. They will be presented by Jim Millar, Director of Language and Education from the Ulster Scots Agency.
Scottish Country Dancing with May Rooney from the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society. This was initially set up as an eight week course but due to popular demand this course has been extended until May. Work books provided by the Ulster Scots Agency
Lambeg Drumming Course with Peter Robinson
Tin whistle course with Dick Glasgow
Fife course with Tubes McIntyre
Ulster Scots Language Course with Noel Anderson is scheduled to commence on Monday 5th May 2008.
Projects
The following projects will be delivered:
The Den Art Project
Dundarave Community Art Project
Visual art is currently being displayed in the village celebrating Bushmills’ Ulster Scots culture and language.
Marketing and Promotion of the Ulster Scots Language Heritage and Culture
The Directors and Staff have been very active in casting the project net as far and wide as possible, successfully engaging with as many Community groups and Agencies who have an interest in the aims and objectives of the Ulster Scots Community, this has helped to creating a feeling of delight in the professional competence of the Bushills Ulster Scots Heritage Project team and of the positive Cultural message being communicated out to the people of Bushmills and indeed the NE Antrim area.
The proactive use of promotional mediums such as The Radio, Press, Promotional banners and posters, public meeting, attending meetings with Council, Church, PSNI, School Principals, Business Leaders, Local Residents and Youth groups, Tourist and Heritage body’s, USA, and many others, have all contributed to giving people of all backgrounds a positive experience and impression of Bushmills.
Project Management
The project has been professional managed by a very enthusiastic competent board of Directors and office staff and is on target to meet all funding draw down requirements.
