Brackenber in 1949

MASTER JAMES GRACEY WITH LADY KEIR

I received a message from an Old Brackenbrian, James Whitla Gracey, who was head prefect of the school from 1948-49. James has kindly sent me several images of times spent at Brackenber in the 1940s.

HOME GUARD, 1940-41!

James Gracey joined Brackenber House School's Kindergarten with Miss Zena Rankin until the 2nd World War, first moving for a holiday or evacuation to Professor Newark’s Ballycastle  summer home; then to Ballywilliam, County Down, where he attended Donaghadee Primary for a year before returning to Brackenber.

BHS ANNUAL PHOTOGRAPH, 1949 

The exciting arrival of  John Craig occurred during this period, with his two huge, three-dimensional, topographical maps of Ireland.

BHS SOCCER TEAM, 1949

James's years were full of fun in all organized sport, and staying on to play with whoever stayed on, rarely going home until everyone else had gone. He was soon climbing to the top of a chestnut tree every year and playing in and out of the air raid shelter when he wasn’t playing football in the playground. 

His last year is difficult to describe briefly, being influenced by Wadman to some detriment, and brought back to an even keel by John Craig, particularly in his last term, and then Campbell College.

BT Broadband Problem

I turned the main computer and hub on this morning, as usual, and my BT broadband connection appears to have conked out.

I have gone through the banal trouble-shooting process so, in the end, I phoned BT and was connected to a chap with an Indian accent which I found tricky to decipher.

I must have been on the blower to this geezer for about thirty minutes. Eventually he advised me that he was handing me over to their technical department.

They phoned me five minutes ago and asked me to unplug all my sockets while they investigate the issue (!).

We shall see. In the interim, I am using BT Fon from my netbook.

Island Taggart Day

I've spent the day on Island Taggart, a property inalienably held by the National Trust. It lies between Ringdufferin directly to its north and Killyleagh, the nearest substantive village, to the south.

The island is one mile long and a quarter of a mile wide at its widest point; a total area of about ninety-four acres.

We were supplemented today by a group of archaeologists from the Ulster Archaeological Society, so there were almost thirty of us today.

The dinghy held only six persons, so Craig had to operate a shuttle service, which took some time. Thompson's Quay is directly opposite Island Taggart.

The archaeologists were surveying several features on the island, including a large kiln on the east side, and a well. The well had been concealed under overgrown grass for decades or longer, so it was rather gratifying to re-discover it.

Island Taggart is one of the largest islands on Strangford Lough. Visitors are welcome. There are good anchorages off the eastern shore and at the north-west corner of the island, depending on the weather, although care on a falling tide is advisable.

Old farm buildings give a good indication of life on the island and, indeed, it was used by Little Bird Films to make December Bride, a story about County Down folk at the turn of the 19th century.

Thick hedges full of bird life, relatively unspoiled meadows full of wild flowers, and small marshes bright with Yellow Flag iris and orchids make this a lovely island to visit, whilst in high summer it is full of butterflies including large numbers of Common Blues and Small Coppers.

Simmy Island (Sir William and Lady Hastings) lies at Island Taggart's north-western tip; while the Dunnyneill Islands are to the south-east.

One small, ruinous cottage is at the northern tip of the island; two other cottages, which are within fifty yards of each other, lie at the eastern side of the island about two-thirds of the way up from the southern tip; and the main farm sits at the top of the hill in the middle of the island.

The main farm, with farm-house, outbuildings directly opposite, farm-yard, walls and pillars with "bap" toppings, an old orchard, a stone well, privy and other features, is substantial enough and could conceivably be restored at some future date.

A lane ran from this farmstead down the hill, past the well (marked on the map), to the eastern shore and still exists today. Two further wells served the cottages to the north of the island.

John Le Mesurier

I shall be watching It's All Been Rather Lovely this evening, a one-off special documentary.

BBC Two (9pm) tonight looks back at the life and work of the debonair actor John Le Mesurier (1912-1983), star of Dad's Army, and one-time husband of Hattie Jacques.

John Le Mesurier (born John Elton Le Mesurier Halliley) was a BAFTA Award-winning actor, best remembered for his role as Sergeant Arthur Wilson in the BBC situation comedy Dad's Army (1968-77).

In private life, Le Mesurier was a heavy drinker, often seen with a drink in his hand but never noticeably drunk. His second wife, Hattie Jacques, claimed that his legendary calculated vagueness was the result of his "reliance on extra strong cigarettes".

Towards the end of Dad's Army, on medical advice he gave up alcohol but became seriously ill, and lost a great deal of weight. Friends relate that when he returned to drinking he had seven more years of life and regained his joie de vivre.

His last words before slipping into a coma were reportedly, "It's all been rather lovely."

Royalty in Armagh

Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, on the second day of engagements, attended Irwin’s Bakery, Portadown, 100^th Birthday Celebrations.

Upon arrival TRH were greeted by the Lord-Lieutenant of County Armagh, the Earl of Caledon.

Throughout the day TRH were accompanied by the Rt Hon Hugo Swire MP, Minister of State, NIO.

2012 marks the centenary of the Irwin Family business, now in its third generation, based in Portadown and employing approximately 450 staff. The business has grown from its days of horse and cart delivery to now exporting branded products across the UK and Ireland with major supermarkets.

It has grown 300% in the last 15 years and is in operation 24 hours a day, only ceasing production on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day.

Moving inside to the Training Room and accompanied by Brian Irwin, Chairman, Irwin’s Bakery and Niall Irwin, Technical Director, Irwin’s Bakery, TRH  met company directors and their spouses.

Mr Brian Irwin spoke a few words of thanks before inviting HRH The Prince of Wales to unveil a plaque to commemorate the visit to the Bakery and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall to cut a cake to celebrate the Bakery’s Centenary.

Garth King, a bakery operative, was invited to present TRH with the gift of a hamper of Irwin’s produce. TRH signed the visitors book before departing for the next engagement.

On the second engagement of the day HRH The Prince of Wales visited Armagh Gaol. Upon arrival HRH was greeted by the Lord-Lieutenant of County Armagh, Lord Caledon.

Armagh Gaol dates back to between 1780 and 1819 and is an integral part of Armagh’s history – historically, politically, socially, architecturally and aesthetically. It ceased to exist as a prison in 1984.

Armagh City and District Council is currently promoting a major urban regeneration project involving the old Armagh Gaol.

The Council has partnered with a private property development company which previously completed, in partnership with The Prince’s Regeneration Trust, a very successful similar project in the old Gaol in Oxford.

Inside the Gaol HRH heard an outline of the building’s history from John Briggs, Chief Executive, Armagh City and District Council.

Viewing a scale model of the regeneration project, Prince Charles heard an overview of the project from Trevor Osborne of the developer, the Osborne Group. Moving on HRH viewed the East wing, including three of the cells which will be developed into an en-suite bedroom.

Prior to Farewells and departure for the next engagement HRH had a brief discussion on the development proposals.

On the final engagement of the two day visit, HRH The Prince of Wales attended the 2012 Built Heritage Conference in the Armagh Planetarium. Upon arrival HRH was greeted by the Lord-Lieutenant of County Armagh, Lord Caledon.

In the reception lobby Prince Charles heard an overview of the morning’s Conference session from John McMillen, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Environment Agency and viewed the trophies for the Built Heritage Schools’ Competition.

Later, in the Main Hall, The Prince of Wales addressed the Conference and Christopher Balmer presented HRH with a gift of a “boot scraper” which he designed and manufactured.

HRH The Duchess of Cornwall attended the Big Jubilee Lunch at the Palace Demesne, Armagh.

Upon arrival HRH was greeted by The Deputy Lieutenant of County Armagh, Mrs Jill Armstrong DL, and the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Mealla Campbell.

The Big lunch is a very simple idea from the Eden Project – encouraging as many people as possible to have lunch with their neighbours once a year. In 2012 the event will support The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations on Sunday 3^rd June and will be called The Big Jubilee Lunch.

HRH is Patron of The Big Jubilee Lunch.

Accompanied by the Deputy Mayor, HRH alighted a horse-drawn carriage for the short journey to the Palace.

After a busy schedule, Her Royal Highness met Councillor Freda Donnelly, Mayor, Armagh City and District Council who said a few words of welcome before presenting HRH with a gift of a hamper of local produce and invited HRH to plant a native oak tree to celebrate the award of Lord Mayor Status to the City of Armagh.

During the tree planting ceremony singing was provided by The Saints and Scholars Integrated Primary School Choir.

Proceeding inside the Palace, HRH met a number of Council staff in the Armstrong Room  and was presented with a gift of a leather bound book by the Mayor, entitled “ Saint Patrick’s City – The Story of Armagh” by Alf McCreary and was invited to sign the visitors’ book prior to departure.

Dirty Duck Night

I waited patiently at Sydenham halt and the seven-o-eight arrived punctually, conveying me to Holywood. BP was aboard.

We alighted and made straight for the Dirty Duck Ale House, a hostelry frequented many times indeed.

Business was steady, though we managed to get a table on the ground floor at the rear. I went up to the bar and ordered a Bombay Sapphire gin and tonic; while BP had his usual Dirty Duck ale.

We perused the menu forthwith. Although we had both decided to have the scampi, this was sold out; so, instead, I had a Special, viz. salmon in mustard cream sauce with lardons, accompanied by creamy mash and extra fine broccoli (top).

BP had the chilli con carne.

My salmon was supreme, perfectly cooked, flaky and moist. The sauce was ideal, too. I couldn't fault it at all. I think it cost about £13.95.

Little wonder that everybody in the DD is contented.

There was a pub quiz at about nine-thirty. BP and self considered participating, though decided that it would be wiser to opt out. Complimentary baskets of chips were provided to participants.

Thus we took our leave at about ten-forty, in order to catch the last train from Holywood, County Down.

Royal Visit to St George's

Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall yesterday visited St George's Church, High Street, Belfast.

St George's dates from about 1816.

I paid a visit to St George's myself in 2011.

When His Royal Highness visited the Church twenty-one years ago it was in a perilous condition due to the bombs and trouble that the city had endured. Ambitious plans for its restoration commenced and are now virtually completed.

Moving inside the Church and accompanied by the rector, the Rev Brian Stewart, and Rev William Odling-Smee, Honorary Assistant Priest.

The royal couple were met at the entrance to the church by the First Minister, the Rt Hon Peter Robinson MLA and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Owen Paterson MP, as well as the Lord-Lieutenant of the County Borough of Belfast, Dame Mary Peters DBE.

During their hour-long stay, TRH met members of the church congregation and those involved in the ongoing restoration, while they also heard a performance by the church choir.

The Rev Brian Stewart presented TRH with Church of Ireland prayer books, published in both English and Irish.

He said.

“The last time you [Prince Charles] were here in 1991, you saw the scars of the Troubles on the church building.Today, I am sure you see many changes. Northern Ireland has undergone a transformation and this church is a reflection of that.”

Mrs Fionnuala Jay-O’Boyle CBE DL, from the Prince’s Regeneration Trust, said she was “delighted” to see the royal couple at the Belfast church:

“There were three key areas of interest for the Prince on this visit here to St George’s: architecture, the wonderful music from the choir, and the work of all the groups involved with the church,” she said.
“This little church, which you could almost miss, is right at the heart of Belfast city centre. It is a wonderful church which reaches right across the community and plays such an important role in so many people’s life.
“It stands as a shining symbol of the progress this city has made; it is truly one of the glories of Belfast.
“Today’s Royal visit has been a tremendous success. It’s a great day for St George’s and another great day for Belfast,” she added.

For 17-year-old Jamie Pawson yesterday’s visit was a poignant occasion.

“This is my last engagement as the Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet, so it is a bit special,” said Jamie.
“This is my second time meeting Prince Charles and Camilla; the last time was at Buckingham Palace.
“It has been a great privilege to be the Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet for the last year. I have been able to meet some great people and they are experiences which I will always remember."