Ballymoney pipped by Coleraine !

A freezing cold but bright day saw the derby match between Ballymoney and Coleraine rugby clubs end in defeat for the hosts, Ballymoney. A spirited first half when they led 13-3 at the interval ended up a 13-25 defeat, much to the delight of the travelling supporters. A very noisy contingent, positioned close to entrance to the bar, entertained the considerable crowd with what they saw as pertinent advice to the referee! These earthy suggestions were interspersed with renditions of well known tunes; remarkably well sung and in tune given the bitter cold. The on board liquid heating obviously helped.

So, bragging rights have gone back to Coleraine and we will just have to wait until next season (and turn up for the second half!) to give them a good stuffing.

http://www.ballymoneyrfc.com/home.php

Victor Meldrew reporting.....

The recent installation of a walk/cycle path around Ballymoney as part of the sustainable transport initiative http://www.sustrans.org.uk/ has been in my humble opinion, a great success. It is now possible to circumnavigate Ballymoney on safe and attractive paths. This has been particularly handy during the recent freezing weather, allowing the dog to be walked in safe and mud free conditions.

However, as with all new initiatives, not all the natives seem to understand how it works, either now or for the future. As for the ‘now’ the amount of broken glass and dog pooh, especially on the path up towards the leisure centre, is appalling. Damage done to the stripwood fencing is also annoying. Given that the glass appears to be the remains of alcopop bottles, I blame that subset of our youth population who hang around swigging cheap booze. They seem incapable of showing any initiative when it comes to doing something constructive. Having said that, the dog walkers form a more mature population and as such set a very poor example to the kids by not picking the stuff up.

On a more profound level, considering the future development of the walkway, the destruction of quite a number of the young trees lining the walkway is dispiriting. The youngsters who have destroyed these trees seem to have no appreciation that it is THEIR environment they are ruining. I wonder if in fifteen or twenty years as they walk their own kids along the pathways, will they even remember that the gaps in the trees were caused by their vandalism?

Well that’s it off my chest…….

Maslow's hierarchy of needs

I remember as a Psychology student, years ago, reading about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and wondering how long it would take to climb the ‘ladder’. Now all that seems a long time ago and strangely enough despite everything that has happened in the last few years, I seem to be able to tick off quite a few of the items.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Self-actualization
personal growth and fulfilment

Esteem needs
achievement, status, responsibility, reputation
Belongingness and Love needs
family, affection, relationships, work group, etc.
Safety needs
protection, security, order, law, limits, stability, etc.
Biological and Physiological needs
basic life needs - air, food, drink, shelter, warmth, sex, sleep, etc.

As preparation for this ‘new years resolutions’ I intend to review the hierarchy of needs to see what I need to focus on this year…. (Yes, work is a bit slow at the moment!)

It’s could be difficult to be honest about these as we all like to paint ourselves and achievements in as good a light as possible. Anyway, as I approach a significant birthday next year, let’s do a bit of self-actualizing …..

Self-actualizing characteristics

• keen sense of reality - aware of real situations - objective judgement, rather than subjective


• see problems in terms of challenges and situations requiring solutions, rather than see problems as personal complaints or excuses


• need for privacy and comfortable being alone


• reliant on own experiences and judgement - independent - not reliant on culture and environment to form opinions and views


• not susceptible to social pressures - non-conformist


• democratic, fair and non-discriminating - embracing and enjoying all cultures, races and individual styles


• socially compassionate - possessing humanity


• accepting others as they are and not trying to change people


• comfortable with oneself - despite any unconventional tendencies


• a few close intimate friends rather than many surface relationships


• sense of humour directed at oneself or the human condition, rather than at the expense of others


• spontaneous and natural - true to oneself, rather than being how others want


• excited and interested in everything, even ordinary things


• creative, inventive and original


• seek peak experiences that leave a lasting impression

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

We went to see the film ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’ at the weekend. It is a well made movie (adapted from the book by John Boyne) and showed how the innocents can be caught up in nightmare scenarios such as the holocaust. The intimate personal nature of the film enthralled the audience in a way that a big noisy blockbuster can not. The effect was most pronounced at the end when, along with the rest of the audience, my expectation as to how the movie would end was proved wrong. The stark simplicity of the ending had a profound effect on the audience. Quite a lot of the credits had rolled before the first person stood up. It seemed almost disrespectful to move given the ending and total silence pervaded the theatre. I don’t think even Schindler’s List had the same effect despite being a much ‘bigger’ film.

http://www.thefilmfactory.co.uk/boy/

Ballymoney Artist takes flight...

After experiencing a bit of a posting drought recently, my ‘blogger’s block’ appears to have been eased by local artists and their exhibitions. When the routine of the daily commute gets in the way of savouring life, action is needed. This is particularly pertinent today as the normal Friday surge in morale is being countered by an unusually strong feeling of pessimism. The shortcomings of my current employment are rather too evident at the moment. I may moan a lot but would consider myself as someone who generally looks on the bright side, so having a downer on a Friday worries me. A fundamental tenet of my philosophy on life is the need to achieve a good life-work balance. At the moment this is not happening. The daily, 47 mile drive to work is becoming tiresome. The road works at Glengormley appear to be getting a bit closer to their conclusion; but not quick enough. I figured out that the daily delay there alone, wastes the time equivalent to that needed for one round of golf, each week. Nuff said.

On a more positive note it has come to my attention that someone I haven’t seen in years has made a bit of an impact in the Art world. Her name is Sharon O’Reilly and we shared a house for a while in Belfast; strangely enough I now live just round the corner from where she grew up in Ballymoney. Having gone back to university and graduated with an honours degree in fine art she has now used her experience working in the caring services to produce a work of art involving a range of people who are disadvantaged in different ways.

This is in keeping with my recollection of Sharon who was and presumably still is a very caring person. I remember being in the car, driving across Belfast one spring evening when she noticed a great swathe of daffodils at the side of the road. On a whim she decided her ‘old ladies’ (she was working in a care home at the time) would love a bunch of flowers and asked me to pull over. Quite a few minutes later she reappeared with an enormous bunch of daffodils which she proceeded to dole out to the ladies in her care. They were delighted. Typical of Sharon. To have a look at her installation visit the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum at Cultra, Holywood, just outside Belfast. For a preview, visit the UFTM website and have a look. http://www.uftm.org.uk/learning/The_Spirit_of_Flight_Public_Art_Project/

If you are visiting NI and looking for an excellent day out, it’s worth considering the Folk and Transport museum. The kids will love it as there is plenty of space. The village, created using actual buildings from around the country which have been dismantled and rebuilt on the site, is a great way to experience the way we used to live.

DESIDERATA

Someone suggested this as an aid to helping me focus on the important things in life and not getting bogged down by the daily grind. Maybe I should recite it to myself as I sit in the traffic jam each morning! It would probably be better than grinding my teeth or shouting at the lane hoppers and white van drivers…

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann c.1920

Oh to be able to work for a loving and not for a living!

Breaking free from the tedium of the daily grind, I slipped the bonds of work this lunchtime and visited the Emer Gallery’s latest exhibition, in the old Northern Bank building, Waring Street, Belfast; both a Retrospective and a sale of new works by the Irish artist JB Vallely.

A wonderful record of the artist’s work over the past half century, his portrayal of uillean pipers, fiddlers and dancers were of particular interest to myself, bringing alive the movement and joy that folk music generates.

Click on the link and have a look: http://www.emergallery.com/

Better still, get down and have a look for yourself. The exhibition runs until the 31^st January 2009.

Undoubtedly it is difficult to get established as an artist, but being able to earn a living from doing something as creative and rewarding, both financially and emotionally as art, must be a real buzz. Sadly, due to a lack of talent it is back to the computer screen for me….

Alto Sax reeds required!

Got an emergency call from my sister in law tonight. My youngest nephew has been making a real effort to practice his saxophone, and making considerable progress. Unfortunately, his mother appears to have thrown out the bag (anonymous brown paper) containing his spare reeds. To say that he is not best pleased is an understatement!
So, as I work next to a shop selling musical instruments I will pick up some new ones and drop them in on the way past. Don't know if his dad will be pleased. It's much easier to encourage the next sax genius when you do not have to live in the same house!

Remembrance Day

As it’s the 11^th of November I will make a short posting in memory of my good friend at college, Malcolm Alexander White (Sgt RUC); murdered in a landmine explosion in 1984. One of the good guys; gone but not forgotten.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. Laurence Binyon

New starts all round....

I was just coming to terms with Barack Obama being elected the next president of the USA when in pops an email from my friend in Nurnberg. He has just announced the arrival of his first born, a son. He's only a bit younger than me (the father that is) so is in his late 40s; brave man! Still it's good to hear, as he is a great bloke and will make a great father. So it's new starts all round. I think my friend will have a easier time than Barack! ...get a bit of sleep and learn to change a nappy and all will be ok. Barack has to resurrect the American (and hence the world) economy as well as sorting out the USA's involvement in two wars and trying to get a solution to the middle east problem. Just for starters!
Anyway, lets raise a glass to the new baby... Sláinte

THE CROOKED JADES

“The Crooked Jades are on a mission to reinvent old-world music for a modern age, pushing boundaries and blurring categories with their fiery, soulful performances. Innovative, unpredictable and passionate, they bring their driving dance tunes and haunting ballads to rock clubs, festivals, traditional folk venues and concert halls across America and Europe……” So goes the blurb on their web site http://www.crookedjades.com/press.html

This band played last night at the Flowerfield Arts Centre http://www.flowerfield.org/ in Portstewart and lived up to and indeed exceeded expectations. The have just started a short tour of Ireland and will be in Belfast (29/10/08 Spiegel tent, Belfast Festival at Queens) then Bangor, Lisburn and Letterkenny. They played a variety of tunes including Bluegrass, Americana, traditional American and their own compositions (they have a new album out) and kept the adience enthralled from the first fast fiddle driven tune to the last stomping and ‘howling’ encore. I can thoroughly recommend attending one of their gigs.

Congratulations to Anthony Toner and the team at the Flowerfield for yet another success.

A little bit of TLC...

Whilst visiting someone recently I found this cactus plant languishing on a pile of cuttings . It was a rather sad looking specimen, pot bound and floppy, so feeling sorry for it I brought it back home, re-potted it and stood it in the back hall.
On return from our week away we were greeted with the glorious sight of a cactus in full flower. The colours are even more vibrant in the flesh. What had been a rather plain, bald plant, is now a riot of pink; the perfect antidote to the onset of autumn.

Home sweet home, rain and all.

Back in Ballymoney after a week in Spain. The weather on the Costa del Sol was much better than the forecast had predicted so we enjoyed a bit of golf in warm sunny conditions (not something that happened a lot in North Antrim this year). Returning home has the usual downside of having to go back to reality on Monday, however facing the long drag into Belfast seems like a dawdle compared to fighting our way through the chaos of Malaga airport this morning. I would happily recommend Easyjet based on long experience of good service and low cost. Unfortunately they seem to have lost the plot this morning. Too many flights, too few check in staff, transfer buses, etc. The bumpy flight back seemed totally in keeping. Strangely enough, after all the stress of getting here, the wind and rain seem quite comforting.

Leisure Centre

The Autumn 'urge' to do something, to get out, get fit prompted us to visit the local leisure centre, named in honour of Joey Dunlop. It has the full range of facilities, swimming pool, indoor sports, football pitches. It also has a state of the art fitness suite including sauna etc..

Causeway coast.

After a dreadful summer, the Giant's Causeway bay was looking wonderful in this snapshot. Amazing what a bit of sun can do.

Ballymoney is doing it's bit...

Ballymoney is working on reducing its carbon footprint and promoting health in the borough. This can be seen in the park along with the new cycle path and walk way that encircles the town.

More ducks!

Balymoney Ducks

Sunday morning walk in the park. The ducks were having a great time.

George Best - Gone but not be forgotten

Noticed this painted on the back of a lorry at the Portrush Airshow. George Best may have had his problems but this painting shows him in his prime and I think this is the image we should promote. It's too easy to bang on about his struggle with alcohol. If we just accept that he had an illness and remember instead that he was, at his peak, the best footballer in the world. All youngsters from Northern Ireland should aspire to reaching the sporting heights reached by George. Click on the image and be inspired.

Joey Dunlop OBE

Joey Dunlop a native of Ballymoney was arguably the greatest road racer of his generation and possibly all time. He was also a great humanitarian, driving lorry loads of aid to eastern europe during the winter when he wasn't racing. His memorial garden at the bottom of the town is well worth a visit and not just for the motorcycling fraternity. He is an inspiration to all. For more background have a look at the Armoy Armada website.

Helicopter and Lifeboat at Portrush Airshow.

Despite being effected by the bad weather the Portrush Air Show put on a great effort and those displays that were able to travel to Portrush made it an excellent event. As always the RN Air Sea Rescue demonstrated their professionalism and courage.

A career in the Royal Navy is thoroughly recommended. A blue chip organisation full of blue chip personnel. Click on the link and have a look....

A Warm Welcome in Ballymoney

A sunny day in Ballymoney. A great wee town, stop and have lunch in one of the many coffee shops.

Wee joke for today

One of the security men told me that he was hoping to cut the lawn on Saturday. He said it was only the second time this year. Apparently he was given advice by a garden centre to mix some whiskey with the first watering of the year. Turns out the grass will then come up already half cut!!

Royal Navy visits Portrush during the airshow

HMS Charger, a P2000 alongside in Portrush.

History talks in Ballymoney

THE TWENTIETH CENTURY EXPERIENCE

Local historian S Alex Blair began his new series of talks looking at many of the changes and events which took place in early 20th Century Ireland and their impact on life in Ballymoney.

A Ballymoney Presbyterian minister, the Rev DD Boyle, was the leader of Presbyterian Orangemen in North Antrim who asserted the power and strength in the Orange Order in 1904.

The result was the formation of the Independent Orange Institution and a "split" in Orangeism which still exists today. Mr Blair's very interesting talk gave a flavour of the stirring events of that momentous time, which divided families and caused much animosity in Ballymoney and District.

His next talk on 'Ireland and the First World War' and how it's effect was felt in Ballymoney, will take place on Tuesday the 25th of November 2008.

Cheaper Oil Suppliers

I would urge people who do have access to the internet to check out
www.cheapestoil.co.uk when they want to know the price of oil before
ordering and for those who do not have access to the internet they should
always phone around for the best deal.

Autumn has arrived.

Ballymoney pond flooded... Ducks ecstatic!

The water level of the pond in the Riverside Park (mid August) is now eight feet higher than normal. The safety rail is just visible and all the paths have disappeared under water. Great day for the ducks, and the rest of us. Get the wellies on and splash!

One Small Step

I recently came across a reference to the One Small Step campaign.
It seems to embody my own belief that building a new society will be achieved by everyone taking small permanent steps toward a shared future. This is a campaign we should all support.

Follow the link and have a read.
http://www.onesmallstepcampaign.org/opencontent/default.asphttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/

Welcome to Ballymoney.

On a rare sunny day in Ballymoney 2008!