January 2006 Archives
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Alpha Memories
When I was growing up in Rathcoole in the Sixties, I often went to the Saturday afternoon matinees in our local cinema, the Alpha by the Diamond. These were often cowboy pictures.
My mother often told the story of taking me to see a cowboy film when I was around six or seven. The hero kissed his girl, much to my disgust. "He'll be kissing his horse next", I shouted out to my mums's embarassment and the laughs of many in the audience.
Sadly, the Alpha ceased to be a cinema in the Seventies and became a drinking club - The East Way Social Club. That club has moved to new purpose built premises and the old cinema has been demolished. I have no idea what is to happen to the vacant site. I'd be interested in any memories of the old Alpha cinema from older Rathcoole residents.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
In Conversation with Griefshare
Grief Recovery Programme
AS WE grow older, the more likely it is that someone we know or love will die. Few people over thirty have not lost a family member or a close friend, whether through illness, accident or just through old age. Some folk can cope with such loss with few problems, especially if they have a strong family around them, or a deep religious faith. However, not everyone can cope so well as their friends seem to ignore them or treat them strangely, perhaps afraid that they will trigger floods of tears or some other dramatic reaction in the bereaved person. This can be a particularly difficult struggle for beareaved persons at critical times of the yaer like Christmas, significant birthdays and the anniversary of the loved one’s death.
Griefshare is a charity associated with Woodlands Presbyterian Church which aims to help those who are bereaved through its recovery programme. Ruth Lorimer from Griefshare told me more.
As Ruth puts it, “it may be hard for you to feel optimistic about the future right now. If you’ve lost a spouse, child, family member or friend, you’ve probably found that there are not many people who understand the deep hurt you feel. That’s the reason for Griefshare”.
Griefshare is a 13-week programme for people who are grieving the loss of someone close. Each week includes a video seminar featuring Biblical teachings on grief and recovery topics such as ‘Your Family and Grief’ and ‘Growing through Grief’. The vides also feature real-life stories of people who understand through their own loss. These are also aimed at offering comfort and encouragement on the journey from mourning to joy.
Another key element of each evening is the time spent discussing the video in small groups, supporting and learning from each other. It’s during these times that people realise they’re not on their own, but there are others who are also struggling with their grief and they can help and comfort each other.
Each of the sessions are ‘self-contained’ and people can attend at any stage. The facilitators who lead the groups have themselves suffered bereavement and loss and appreciate the difficulties faced by people who are grieving.
Griefshare hold information evenings at Woodlands Presbytarian Church, Burleigh Drive, Carrickfergus. “If you need further information, have questions about Griefshare or just need someone to chat to about your loss, contact Ruth 028 270 274 or Lois 093 378 651. Hurting people matter to God and matter to us to”.
Griefshare has been a real help to many people. A few people who had been helped by Griefshare have allowed us to quote them.
Mary said:
“Griefshare acknowledged the severity of how I felt and made me feel like it was okay. In Griefshare I met people who knew by looking at me, how I was feeling … they felt the same too. It gave me a focus and helped me get by in small steps from one week to the next”.
Deborah said:
“I went to Griefshare a year after my son died and received comfort, understanding and support. Those of us attending Griefshare are suffering the unbearable pain that comes when one we love so much, no longer shares our lives. At Griefshare I am able to share my deepest feelings and know that those around me really care for me.”
And Donald said:
“I made the call. It was a really difficult one to make! Over 12 months have passed, sad times, happy times, but it’s the caring and sharing that makes the difference.”
Griefshare has helped numerous people work through their grieving and encouraged them to rebuild their lives again. So if you're thinking about attending, come along to the information evenings and see for yourself.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Mickybo & Me - Film Review
Mickybo & Me (http://www.uip.ie/mickyboandme/), Certificate 15
Directed by Terry Loane
Reviewed by David Kerr
Starring Adrian Dunbar, Ciaran Hinds, Gina McKee, Susan Lynch, Julie Waters and introducing John Jo McNeill and Niall Wright
Mickybo & Me brings back a lot of memories for me. It's a bittersweet comedy set in a divided Belfast in 1970, just as the troubles were starting to get underway. The opening shots show a shop exploding into the middle of a city street as Johnjo and his mum go to buy a pair of shoes. Part of the fun for me is identifying where in the city the different scenes where shot.
Oblivious to the disintegrating society around them two bright youngsters from each side of the rapidly widening sectarian divide in the city meet and become firm friends in the face of a gang of older boys led by Mickybo's archenemy, a boy he calls 'fartface'. Mickybo (John Jo McNeill) fascinates Johnjo (Niall Wright) who is quite unlike anyone he has ever met. Mickybo is cheeky but loveable - he's definately the leader - brash, self assured and confident.
After blagging their way into a local cinema to watch Butch cassidy and the Sundamce Kid, the boys become obsessed by the lives of Butch and Sundance and decide to run away to Australia, living as outlaws on the way. A scene in which Mickybo 'robs' a small town banks branch while Johnjo waits outside on a getaway bike is priceless. And a later scene where the boys, like their heroes Butch and Sundance are chased by security guards and Gardai (across the border in 'Australia') is terrific.
Sadly the reality of Seventies Belfast hits the boys hard in a shocking twist to the storyline just as they return from life on the run. Powerful stuff!
This film is magnificent, with strong supporting roles from Julie Walters as Mickybo's mum, Adrian Dunbar as Mickybo'stragic alcoholic da and Cairan Hinds as Johnjo's philandering dad.
Great stuff! Get over the occasional bad language and watch this film. The DVD also has a few bonus features including some deleted scenes and a short film showing how the stunts were done.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
George Best
HAVE YOU ever wondered why so many Ulstermen – and women – of a certain age are fervent Manchester United supporters? The simple answer is George Best. At a time when our Troubles were raging furiously he was the one beacon of hope for many of our folk. He was the Belfast Boy. He was the best versus the rest. He gave a sense of pride to so many folk that younger people find hard to comprehend. That’s why so many tens of thousands paid tribute to him - on Saturday 3rd December 2005 – as his coffin was brought to the Great Hall in Stormont. He didn’t realise it but many people loved him, despite his many self-admitted failings.
Given this atmosphere, it was truly distressing to read columnist Joan Burnie’s piece in the Daily Record. On the day before he was laid to rest, this nasty harpie mocked all those who mourned George Best with the words “We’ve still got the State funeral tomorrow at Stormont where no doubt yet more extravagant praise and plaudits will be rained down on Best’s head. Hundreds of thousands are expected to attend. As the song says, send in the clowns”. Of George, she said, “The only important event which mattered last Friday was that an alcoholic waster finally did the Best thing and died”.
Nasty Miss Burnie has the right to say what she thinks, of course. So too have the people of Northern Ireland for whom she shows nothing but contempt. We can vote with our wallets and stop taking the Daily Record in favour of a proper newspaper.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Major John George Brew
THANKS TO THOSE of you who responded to an article in the last Kerr’s Corner on Major John George Brew, who in 1902 as a Second Mate on the SS Tor Head, had been decorated by the Kaiser for bravery. He had taken a leading part in rescuing the crew of the stricken German sailing vessel Helene in very heavy weather.
When war broke out Brew enlisted in Portadown, Co Armagh in September 1914. Although a qualified ship’s master, he was recruited as a Private, No. 13975. He was posted to his local battalion, the 9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers, in the Ulster Division’s 108th Brigade. However, he was soon recognised as officer material and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant by December.
Much of his military service was undertaken in and around the Somme area.
I’m grateful to the reader who steered me towards a new book from the News Letter journalist, Steven Moore, The Irish on the Somme. Mr Moore has spent the past thirty years researching the history of the Great War and has paid many visits to the battlefields of the Western front. His tremendously researched book sheds some more light on the tragic death of Major Brew, who died of injuries received as a prisoner of war in April 1918
.
‘Major John George Brew, of the 9th (North Irish Horse) Royal Irish Fusiliers suffered a lonely-death. The 41-year-old was commanding his battalion on the retreat when he was taken prisoner along with a General Staff officer and his driver, both of whom were injured, and MJ Furnell, who was in charge of the 1st Battalion of the regiment, as they returned by car from seeing their brigadier’.
In a letter to Major Brew’s widow, Annie, at her Portadown home in April 1921, Fernell described what happened: “After being searched we were being marched back to the German headquarters by an escort, when some Germans who evidently mistook us for British troops opened fire on us: your husband was walking alongside me and was hit”. After the confusion in the darkness subsided it was discovered that Major Brew had been shot through the lung but “it was impossible to move him without help from the Boche which they refused to give and only beat us with the butts of their riffles when we asked them to move your husband. We moved him to the side of the road and made him as comfortable as possible, he couldn’t speak much. The Boche were trying to hurry us on all the time so didn’t have much chance of doing anything and said goodbye to your husband and he was able to shake hands with me”. Major Brew’s body was later recovered and is buried at Roye New British Cemetery, some 28 miles south-east of Amiens”.
This was truly a tragic end for a really brave man who could undoubtedly have survived had he been given the proper medical attention.
Steven Moore’s fine book has many illustrations including those of Major Brew and his final resting-place. Published by Local Press, it is a well-bound large paperback. Look out for it at any good bookshop.
