So Antony Joshua won – well done; Boris Johnson – win or lose? Why is he getting all humpy with the leaders of the EU when it was his lot who decided we’d leave the union. ‘they need to change their attitude’ it’s been said, I’m not surprised they are annoyed. And now war ships heading for the Channel, for goodness sake. And why are news bulletins focusing on private travel so much ‘ oh dear will you be able to go to Ibiza this summer or stroll the Boulevards in Paris this spring?’ if we don’t get a favourable deal – for goodness sake it’s the farmers, the hauliers, the manufacturers who are frantic with worry. Stop your photocalls Johnson, knuckle down and get serious – if it’s not too late.
Worry is the in word at the moment, the push-pull situation of Christmas, whether to celebrate with family members, shop for their presents, take the vaccine or not, Brexit is no longer a ‘let them get on with it’ it’s real, the worry of illness in general and the difficulty of getting through to a doctor, children missing school and the effect it’s having on young lives.
Watching what’s going on in America is terrible and getting worse, rallies in favour of Trump are set to get even uglier. One of the nice things of the week was spending time in the Hospice Shop on Belfast’s Antrim Road where people were social distancing while exchanging greetings as we bought cards and left donations.
There are many wonderful things ‘on line’ at the moment, we’re spoiled for choice. I’d like to mention two. I have a vested interest in the Northern Ireland Opera film being transmitted on YouTube on Wednesday. I was invited to take part in ‘At Home for Christmas’ concert in the City Hall and the historic Rosemary Street Church. Sean Rafferty hosts the concert and the guest list is spectacular and of course the NI Opera singers raise the roof.
All the joy of Christmas music and readings at 8 p.m.
Go to Youtube – ‘At Home for Christmas’ Northern Ireland Opera.
The St. Anne Trust Carolfest this year is also on YouTube and it’s a treat. It’s up and running at the moment. The welcome is given by the Dean of Belfast Rt. Rev. Stephen Forde and the three primary school choirs are delightful, St. John The Baptist, Jordanstown School, who sign a rousing rendition of Away in the Manger, and Campbell College junior school. Fionnuala Jay-O’Boyle CBE Lord Lieutenant of the County Borough of Belfast gives thanks and good wishes at the end of the carol service.
Just go to YouTube St Anne Trust Virtual Carolfest and enjoy.
So there you are, no surprise. Our brilliant motor bike rider Jonathan Rea hasn’t had a look-in at the Sports Personality of the Year. Five of the six finalists are men, all English and totally predictable. A BBC Spokesperson said: “The shortlist is decided by an independent expert panel who choose contenders based on their sporting achievement in a given year.” They chose cricketer Stuart Broad, jockey Hollie Doyle, previous winner Lewis Hamilton, footballer Jordan Henderson and Ronnie O’Sullivan. But one, Tyson Fury doesn’t rate it, he believes he has proved himself with the public and doesn’t need all the bells and whistles of this boring programme and has asked to have his name removed, But, that doesn’t suit the great British Broadcasting Corporation.
They told him he will remain on the list for SPOTY 2020. “As always the winner will be decided by the public voting during the live show and it is of course up to Tyson if he chooses to participate.” Let’s see.
Courageous Woman
The Death of actress Barbara Windsor has highlighted many things, how growing up in a rowing household takes its toll on a child, how vulnerability can lead to bad decisions and importantly of the world of dementia. When she was told she had Alzheimer’s her immediate reaction was to apologise to her husband. She was a sweet soul and I think we got to know her well because she never changed, she was always Barbara Windsor. I spoke to her friend Lionel Blair yesterday, incidentally on his 92nd birthday, and he was talking fondly about working with her. ‘She was so lovable,’ he said, ‘and always such fun to work with.’
We’re loosing all our theatrical characters at a fast rate. These are the actors who played to live audiences, honed their skills live on the stage, there were no second takes for them as they grew up learning the business.
‘The World Is Ill Divid’
The relaxing of lockdown is more than welcome and it’s only now you realise what we’ve been going through. Even last week where did you go for a cup of coffee and a chat with a friend? Rules didn’t allow cafes to open even over lunchtime. And what about restaurants over the past few weeks? I found it hard to understand why those with a liquor license weren’t allow to open. Why, when all it required was a promise not to serve drink? There were some funny restrictions, what about the couple who spent £250.000 on a covid secure drive-in cinema believing the Stormont ministers when they said such cinemas would remain open during lockdown.
What about Christine Mackin who stocked up her Radiance Beauty and Day Spa on Lisburn Road spending over £5000 for Christmas gifts. She also spent £7500 on making the salon Covid safe but she was deemed a non-essential business. In order to get the Christmas branded goods to the public she, like so many other small businesses, went on-line but now thankfully can open her doors and welcome customers into the warmth and glow of her establishment. It’s been a double blow following the first lock down when she took the generous decision to donate her stock to frontline workers who, because of wearing face masks, appreciated the skin care products. info@radiancedayspa.co.uk
No matter where you turned, whilst the big overpowering stores remained open selling everything from Christmas wrapping paper to presents to toys and electrical gadgets, our local hard working men and women were and still are on their knees.
Now it will be hell for leather in order to get to the shops while the goings good and fill those Christmas stockings! No time really to stop and consider, it will be tempting to grab what you can and then check it out when you get home. Mistakes will be made but all in the spirit of Christmas.
That reminds me of a dear friend of mine who ran out of Christmas paper late on Christmas Eve afternoon and dispatched her husband to buy a roll to finished off the family presents. He got back only to discover he’d bought ‘Happy Birthday’ paper by mistake. But Paul is a resourceful man. After the row was over he sat down with a felt tip pen and amended the message to read ‘Happy Birthday Jesus’!
There’s a lot of talk about hard times for artists of all types, there’s no limit to the how this invidious virus penetrates all areas of life. Even though the news seems to be slightly better we’re not there yet, it will take time.
Men Of Straw
One local artist who has had no problem with lockdowns is Tim Shaw, one of the youngest members of the Royal Academy of Arts, Tim has been putting the finishing touches to his London exhibition which runs until January. Entitled ‘The Mummers’ Tongue Goes Whoring Amongst The People’ is a project he’s been working on for some time. He told me how the origins of the idea go back to the early 90s when he was living off the Cavehill Road.
“One afternoon I was in the newsagent’s when I saw this remarkable front-page image of three people wearing masks made from straw. I wondered what part of Africa they were from then realised they were in fact from Northern Ireland. I was astonished because there was never any mention of mumming when I was growing up.”
Then, ten year ago he saw the Armagh Rhymers perform in Co. Armagh.
“St. Stephen’s Day, a heavy snow lay on the ground and the mummers rhymed their way from door to door, dressed in masks and skirts made from straw. I’ve watched them perform several times since. What I’m trying to do through my work is find the essence and the meaning of this custom – if you’re trying to find out what mumming is all about, good luck with getting a straight answer from a mummer but it seems to me that it’s about performing song and rhyme ‘to put things right and ensure the future.’ It’s about celebrating the passing of time: death and resurrection: the dying back of winter and the rebirth of spring.
“It comes from a time when we were at the mercy of the seasons but what’s the relevance of these performances today? Perhaps during this Covid pandemic they give us space to think about what’s important and what counts beyond the endless pursuit of wealth and acquisition of stuff that really doesn’t matter.”
Warm Welcome
Tim visited the mummers two years ago when they were performing on the Falls Road, Belfast – “an area were Protestants may not have previously felt so welcome during The Troubles. As we arrived in front of a terrace of houses, the mummers processed down the road, to form a ring on the grass. We looked across to the people who lived in those houses and they looked at us. There was a moment of acknowledgement that once we were on different sides of the sectarian divide. Then one person came over with an offering of mulled wine and biscuits. This moment of reconciliation, subconscious or otherwise was for me what gives depth and meaning to the rhyme and song of the mummers’ tongue.“
Tim’s ambition is to scale up these foot high mummers and place them in a group somewhere here in Northern Ireland.
If it’s a Christmas present you’re looking for, a bronze edition of one mummer costs £3,850. More at Tim Shaw Mummers’ Exhibition
Pace yourself this coming week, remember there’s plenty of time Christmas Day isn’t until 25th December!! Stay safe and well.