Larne Excursion

I jumped into the two-seater, roof firmly closed, and drove in a northerly direction - as the rook flies at any rate - towards the town of Larne, County Antrim.

Major roadworks are being undertaken on the main road to Larne.

It was still cold today, though I found Carnfunnock Country Park, parked and made a bee-line for the visitor centre, where I took a pot of tea (£1.50) and perused some of ther literature.

Carnfunnock is a relatively new name for what was Cairncastle Lodge, a residence of the Agnews for twenty years; then the Chaines; till it was bought by Sir Thomas Dixon Bt.

I am in the process of writing an article about Cairncastle Lodge and its owners. Many thanks to the family at the gate lodge who granted me permission to photograph the Agnew arms emblazoned above the porch.

The park now belongs to the local council.

The Lodge was demolished a long time ago, in the 1940s I think.

THENCE, I motored the short distance to Drumalis House, erstwhile residence of the Smiley Baronets, proprietors of The Northern Whig newspaper.

I was told that they have an open day for the general public on Easter Monday. I am grateful to Drumalis Retreat Centre for permission to take the two pictures.


ON THE WAY home, I made a detour towards Kilwaughter Castle, or what remains of that once noble edifice.

I might return when the weather improves, to take a few pictures of it in its present sorry state.

Kevin Whately

I have long considered Inspector Morse to be one of the best contemporary detective series.

Indeed I have the entire DVD box set; and the more recent series, Lewis, continued the tradition.

Kevin Whately's great-great-great-great-grandfather was a director of the Bank of England.

His great-great-grandfather happened to be none other than the Most Rev and Rt Hon Dr Richard Whately, DD, Lord Archbishop of Dublin, Primate of Ireland and Metropolitan, 1831-63.

His Grace is seen wearing the Chancellor's badge of the Order of St Patrick.

Richard Griffiths, 1947-2013

I am saddened to learn that the actor Richard Griffiths, OBE, has died, aged 65, after complications following heart surgery.

He starred in the Harry Potter movies and Withnail and I.

Mr Griffiths enjoyed a long career of success on film and on TV, but also on the stage where he was a Tony-winning character actor.

He was best known for playing Vernon Dursley in the Harry Potter films and Uncle Monty in Withnail and I.

TV roles included playing a cookery-loving detective in Pie in the Sky; a role I personally associate with him.

He was appointed an OBE in the 2008 New Year Honours.

Balsamic Delectation

All right. Belmont admits that he's had a modest restorative, viz. the Tanqueray mixed with requisite dosage of tonic-water.

Perhaps the noble prose flows even more eloquently thus.

I needed it, having shuddered at the effrontery of the head honcho of Fitness First gymnasia, a cove by the name of Seibold, who sent me an advisory letter, apprising of an increase in their charge by a whopping 65%.

We Belmonts are renowned for standing firm. This is utterly outrageous. I have emailed this Sideball, putting him the picture. Gawd help us.

Perhaps I ought to consider Branson's health centre, Virgin Active.


WILKIN'S tomato ketchup is the usual sauce of choice at Belmont GHQ. Nevertheless, I tried the Heinz Tomato Ketchup Blended With Balsamic Vinegar today.

Dear readership, I can inform you exclusively that this sauce receives the coveted Belmont Seal of Approval and Commendation.

Wilkin's ketchup still has the edge, with very few additives other than 75% tomatoes, though.

UAE State Visit

The President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has accepted an invitation from The Queen to pay a State Visit to the United Kingdom from 30th April to 1st May, 2013.

The Queen will host His Highness at Windsor Castle.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh paid a State Visit to United Arab Emirates at the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 2010.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh paid a State Visit to the United Arab Emirates visiting The Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in 1979.

The Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan paid a State Visit to the United Kingdom in 1989.

Wodehouse in Exile

Although I'll be viewing Boris Johnson: The Irresistible Rise this evening on BBC2, I will be recording Wodehouse In Exile at 9pm on BBC4.

Wodehouse In Exile is set during the 2nd World War, focusing on how that distinguished author, Sir PG Wodehouse, came to face a charge of Treason that led to his exile from the United Kingdom.

I notice that the character Leonora Cazalet is played by Flora Montgomery, daughter of William Montgomery, of Grey Abbey House, County Down.

Lord-Lieutenancies

The office of Lord-Lieutenant is of military origin and dates back to the time of HENRY VIII when they were appointed for the maintenance of law and order and for the raising of the militia.

The military role has largely disappeared, but links are maintained by association with Volunteer Reserve Forces and with the Army Cadet Force, the Air Training Corps and the Sea Cadet Corps together with other uniformed organisations such as the Fire, Police and Ambulance services and various volunteer bodies.

The Lord-Lieutenant is appointed by The Queen, on the advice of the Prime Minister, and is Her Majesty's personal representative in the county or city.

Their prime duty is to uphold the dignity of the Crown. Within that remit, the Lord-Lieutenant will exercise the following functions:

• Arranging visits of members of the Royal Family and escorting Royal visitors as appropriate.
• Presentation of honours, medals and awards on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen.
• Liaison with local units of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army, Royal Air Force, their Volunteer Reserves and Cadet Forces.
• Attendance at civic and social events.
• Support to charities and other voluntary organisations.

As the sovereign's representative in his or her county, the lord-lieutenant remains non-political and does not hold office in any political party.

They are appointed for life, although the customary age of retirement is 75 and the sovereign may remove them.

The lord-lieutenant is supported by a vice lord-lieutenant and deputy lieutenants that he or she appoints.

The vice lord-lieutenant deputizes when the lord-lieutenant is abroad, ill, or otherwise incapacitated. 

The lord-lieutenant appoints a number of deputy lieutenants depending on the county's population size. 

They are unpaid, but receive minimal allowances for secretarial help, mileage allowance and a driver.

Male lord-lieutenants receive an allowance for the ceremonial uniform, worn when receiving members of the royal family and on other formal occasions. 

There is no uniform for a female lord-lieutenant, but there is a badge which can be worn on ceremonial occasions.

Male lord-lieutenants wear a dark blue uniform in the style of an Army No. 1 dress along with a cap and sword with a steel scabbard. 

First published in September, 2011.