Richmount News 26 J une 2020

Working together for all in our community

What’s in this edition • The garden party

• Shopping locally

• The Richmount

Tapestries

• Building good relations

• Origins of Copyright

• Our Heritage—Money

Hill Graveyard

• What’s on the video /

DVD

• Pharmacy Spot

• Love on the Derry Line

• Growing Sage

• Art for relaxation

• Recipes

Nice to See You - To See you Nice

Brucie may be no longer be with us but the words are still true. Virtually under house arrest for 3 months now some of members of the Richmount Elders Group were very pleased to see familiar faces calling at their door and asking how they were getting on. All at a safe distance of course. They were delighted to get a copy of the first edition of the new fortnightly Richmount News magazine. The three members in the photographs are not users of the internet and really appreciated being given “real copies” of the magazine, which lets them know what the Association has been up to as well as bringing them some interesting stories and information. Billy Grimason, one of the stalwarts of the Richmount Elders Group, told his visitors that he really missed all

the activities and good food at the Community Centre every Thursday, but most of all he missed meeting all the other people there and all the craic. This was echoed by Harry Cuddy and May Walsh. These magazines are being delivered to older people in the area who we believe do not use the internet. They can, however, also be viewed on our website and Facebook page. If you know of anyone not on the internet who would benefit from a copy please let us know.

Billy Grimason

May Walsh Harry Cuddy

We’re having a party !! Enough of gloom and doom - with the relaxation of the Covid 19 restrictions we are planning a garden party for the beginning of August. Social distancing will be as per regulations at the time . We will have music and good food and a bit of craic. This will be held in our

car park and garden area, but the tables will have to be spaced out. Not so sure about the dancing - we may have to put a one metre or two metre brush shaft between you to keep you apart. We hope to have gazebos available just in case St Swithin is offended if it rains on the 15th July. However, we have a problem, since we mentioned this on Facebook we have had a huge interest. So we are now considering how many garden parties we should have or even should we have afternoon and evening ones . We do need you to let us know if you would like to attend as we will need to know numbers and ensure all are volunteers and guests are kept safe so please let us know. More details in next issue.

The Importance of Shopping Locally

How many times in recent months have you been disappointed to hear about the closure of a locally owned store and wondered if there was anything that could have been done to prevent it? The good news is that there is! Just continue to shop with your local businesses and support them. Apart from directly helping to keep your local businesses in business, your local economy afloat, there are many, more selfish reasons to shop in your local businesses. These include:

• Building a personal relationship with the local store and its owner and employees • Receiving better, more personalised customer service from people who know your name and your

personal tastes and interests • Having available a wealth of locally sourced, ethically produced products from local farms, bakers,

grocers etc • Being free from costs, such as time, travelling costs, postage on returns etc. • Providing local employment • In each of these issues of our magazine we will be featuring one local business in the area. In this issue it is a relatively new business to Scotch Street -Wilkinson Autofax.

Wilkinson Autofax is a family-owned business, run by Keith and Chris Wilkinson. They sell all man-ner of things - from tools to hardware to gardening supplies, and lots in between!

Wilkinson Autofax has existed for over 30 years, but opened the shop in Scotch Street in March 2019. Chris manages the shop . Either call down to the shop in person, or phone them on 02838 989380 to ask about what they have in store - you’ll be surprised to find there’s a little bit of every-thing and it is a bit of an Aladdin's Cave. Just have a look at the photo-graphs. During the current Covid 19 restrictions customers are served at the entrance to the shop but it is hoped that customers will soon be able to

browse through this well stocked shop. So, there is no excuse now to get a few tools to tidy up the garden or get the decorating

completed. The shop is well stocked with paint brushes, scrapers and plenty of fillers together with tools for DIY and the professionals

Editor’s Comments: Welcome to the second edition of our fortnightly community magazine. This magazine is being delivered to some 120 older people in our community who we believe are not on the internet. It is also available via a link on our Facebook page and website. I would wish to thank all our volunteers who delivered it your homes and I hope they had the opportunity to say hello to you. The community association is working away in preparation for a return to normality and the

proposed garden party is part of this. We also hope to continue with our Good Relations Programme combined with art and heritage via the production of banners which will be a permanent demonstration of how well we worked together during this pandemic and beyond it. We also hope to start workshops on how to use sewing machines and overlockers. This will be for the absolute beginner to more experienced. We have also produced our first bi-monthly video which is also online, but it is being hand delivered in DVD format together with this magazine. It features local artists and includes song, dance, stories, model-ling, crochet and some of the work of our volunteers. All this is produced in-house so it has been very much f a learning experience for us. Basically, what we want to do is to keep in contact with you and jointly plan for the future. This means we need your feedback, ideas and suggestions. Keep safe and remember : “The glass is always half full”. Joe Garvey, Chairman Richmount Rural Community Association

Building Good Relations, showcasing our heritage, developing our skills and pursuing the arts with fabric crafts It seems a bit of a tall order to achieve all this at the one time but it can be done. We were really encouraged by all the volunteers who sewed for us during the production of scrubs. They came from all backgrounds, but worked together as an effective team. However, they miss the camaraderie they had with each other and within the group. When asked if they would like to get involved in a project involving fabric crafts and sewing there was an emphatic yes !! We would propose to start this fairly soon when a degree of “ normality” returns, but in any case a lot of this can be completed at home. What we want to convey via the banners would be the message of peace and how working together brings benefits. Our heritage project would also lend itself to the creation of a “timeline ” depicting the various civilisations in this area from 7000 years ago up to the present.

You ask how would we do this ? The answer is simple -a small piece at a time. Everyone involved sews or cuts a small piece or square that is incorporated into the bigger picture - a bit like making a patchwork quilt. We would also make “mini “ versions so that each person would have their own piece of the finished creations. Has this been done before?

Well over 500 years ago it was believed the Bayeux Tapestry was created. It was an embroidery and not a woven tapestry but ours would be much simpler and effective. Like to get involved ? Please contact us.

This is your magazine. We want you to be part of it . Please send us your short stories and photographs .

Copyright - Where and when did it start ? In Ulster of Course !! When we starting making the video we had downloaded some great video clips from YouTube which had songs , arts and craft and keep fit sessions all professionally produced. However, we could not use it in our

video as all the material was copyright. However, we found our own local talent and they have given us some excellent results. Now we are not going to give you a lesson on copyright law but just let’s say the basic principle is that if you write , compose or make a video then it is likely to be copyright or in the new terminology—intellectual property. We always like to bring you a bit of history and heritage and copyright laws have their origins in Ireland . Many think it was due

to the legalisation know as the Statute of Anne, in 1710, but it goes much further back to 6th Century Ireland, and in fact there was a war over it. Well, it was Ireland ,and St Columba did come from Ulster !! St. Columba studied under St. Finian at Clonary Abbey. Columba was known for constant study and prayer . Finian and Columba got into a disagreement over a psalter; a Latin translation of the Bible and the first copy of it to reach Ireland. Columba borrowed the manuscript from Finian and secretly copied it with the intention of keeping it for his own use. But Finian said , no, that this was the equivalent of theft of the original. He demanded that Columba hand over the copy he had made. Finian took the matter to Diarmait , the High King of Ireland, for arbitration. Finian's argument was simple: It was my book and Columba shouldn’t have copied it. Columba argued that the divine words in the book should be available to all. But the king ruled in Finian's favour, famously saying, "To every cow belongs its calf; to every book its copy." In other words, every copy of a book belonged to the owner of the original book. Of course, the story didn't end there. After more arguing the result was a battle with the death of 3,000 people, As penance for these deaths, Columba suggested that he work as a missionary in Scotland to help convert as many people as had been killed in the battle and he exiled himself from Ireland. In 563, he travelled Scotland, where he founded Iona Abbey in 563. There are many stories about St Columba and even his encounter with the Loch Ness Monster but we will keep that one for another day.

Banner made by the association showing the landmarks in the area within the context of an oak tree and peace

The Bayeux Tapestry depicting the battle of Hastings

Why bother with Heritage ? When we started the Ballintaggart Project little did we know that we would start to uncover a wealth of heritage in this area. Many of you may say that you are not interested in history or heritage but without knowing the heritage of the land we live on we are like a tree without roots. We should record and preserve this heritage for our future generations. We can all get involved and many of you know of sites and stories, but they have never been told. Now is your opportunity. Get involved in our project or simply tell us you story. The following article about Money Hill Graveyard serves to illustrate a very old site which is both physically challenging to get to and a thought provoking experience when you do. Money Burial Ground By Martelle mcPartland In the townland of Money, Kilmore, Co Armagh there is an old burial ground sited on the side of a hill. Stories have been passed down about the great difficulty of carrying coffins to the burial ground set atop a very steep hill. One story tells of coffins that were regularly placed on slipes and pulled up the steep path by a horse. A slipe is a Scottish word, which means a wooden platform or drag without wheels used for moving heavy or cumbersome loads over difficult rough places. Intrigued by the story, we drove down the narrow roads of Kilmore Parish to the townland of Money, which means thicket, or hill of the thicket. The twisty roads bring about a sense of a bygone era and it’s as if we were travelling back through time itself. The burial ground is at the turn of one such narrow road. It was early evening on a hot day and the sun was still high in the sky and though no shadows were present there was a pleasant coolness to the place. The burial ground is accessed by an iron gate opening onto a path that climbs steeply upwards. There is a story an old blacksmith once told me about why iron gates were used in graveyards. Iron, he said, was magical, as not only is it good to ward off evil spirits, but it also contains the souls of the dead.

This was why, he said, iron was used in graveyard gates and prison bars as no souls or evil can pass through them. This site was an old Quaker Burial Ground be-longing to the Ballyhagan Quakers. When Ballyhagan Meeting House was first established in 1654, there was no land available for burial close to it. This could have been due to objections from local tenants or they might not have been able to secure a lease as the Meeting House was built on Church land attached to the See of Armagh.

From Stone Age giants to the 20th Century - 5 millennia of heritage at Ballintaggart, Portadown A Community Heritage Project

The long steep path up to Money Burial ground

The burial ground is situated on top of a steep hill surrounded by tall trees

Early Quakers similar to other religions were at odds with the established church and suffered persecution so the use of church graveyards was not open to them and they had to find their own burial ground. A site was found in Money, which is about one mile away from the original Meeting House and could have been provided by a Friend who owned the land. The burial ground was in use from early times until 1793 when the Ballyhagan Quakers moved to nearby Richhill. Some of the records would suggest that in 1783, the local Friends became

concerned about the headstones in the burial ground and that they should

be removed. There is no reason given for this and I can only assume that

maybe some headstones were too decorative as Quakers believe that in

death, as in life, there is equality of status. Therefore, Quakers believe that

it is improper and unpleasant to elevate and celebrate certain people above

others through elaborate headstones.

There is also a suggestion that the Dan

Winter, of Dan Winter’s Cottage fame is buried at the top of this

graveyard as it is believed he may have been a Quaker.

Today , there are hand rails, but in times gone by they wouldn’t have been in existence and looking upwards you can only surmise why anyone would choose this inaccessible place for a burial ground. It is a steep climb and in our typical Irish wet weather the path upwards would have been treacherous underfoot, and more so with a coffin on your shoulders. It is easy to understand why a slipe was used as no man or men could safely carry a coffin up the steep grassy slope especially in frost or snow without falling. There are also stories of how a local Tug of War rope was

tied to the coffins and pulled by men at the top of the hilly path to help the pall bearers. When we reached the top a wind started up out of nowhere in the still day. The tall oak trees began to shake and it was almost as if they were whispering in an un-known language in this strangest of winds. It was if the very spirits of the dead were calling out to us or warning us to stay away. The temperature dropped and though the sun still shone the evening turned cooler. We pushed the uneasiness that gathered around us away and pursued the ascent to the graveyard.

The place seemed more ancient than the burial ground and there was a feeling of peace and something otherworldly which presided over it. The trees that rimmed the burial ground were planted on an older line of oak trees whose stumps still remained in places. One oak stump had its centre hollowed out and black scorch marks were still visible inside it. Money Burial Ground is worth a visit as you can only appreciate the beauty of this unique burial ground in person. However, it is a steep climb and you will need to be reasonably fit to reach the top. In the trees and land around it there remains a peaceful otherworldly atmosphere that permeates everything. It is an site of eerie tranquillity that transcends time in our bustling world.

Headstones as we know them only came into use from 1680 onwards. There are many un-marked graves in Money which may suggest there were burials dating back a very long time

Access through the steep graveyard is now assisted with handrails

Joe Garvey with William Irwin MLA. William is one of the trustees who own and manage the burial ground at Money

Love on line on the Derry Line The Portadown to Dungannon Railway opened on April 5th,

1858. The line ran along the Moy Road and Scotch Street. It was

later extended to Londonderry.

A misadventure occurred not long after the opening of the line.

Near the Annaghmore Station there was a public house, then in

the possession of a family named Telford. A certain engine driv-

er, John Hardstaff, became friendly with Miss Telford but her father was determined to end the ro-

mance. However, the couple were not to be deterred and decided to elope together on the last train to

Dungannon on September 9th, 1858. John Hardstaff was the driver. Her father, however, had received

advance knowledge of the plans and enlisted the help of the station porter, Mr Reilly to derail their plans.

They patrolled the platform but when the train arrived the girl boarded from the track on the other side of

the carriage assisted by John Hardstaff who was the driver. But things went wrong, for as the train began

to pull out of the Station, Reilly realising that the girl had eluded them, quickly switched the points

sending the accelerating train into a siding. It smashed through the buffers and came to an ignominious

halt in the bog.

Miss Telford, realising what had happened, jumped out of the carriage and found herself stuck in the mire

with water up to her waist. John Hardstaff helped to extricate her, and then the couple had some questions

to answer. However, it was all worthwhile, for we learn that the next day she succeeded in placing herself

under John's care, on a train where he was not the driver, and off they went into the sunset.

A train on the Derry Line near Scotch Street

Our Video /DVD It runs for about 80 minutes. It gives you things to do and will you have you singing and maybe dancing.

Pharmacy Spot - Paula Morgan, Orchard Pharmacy

Why is Vitamin D so good for you? Many of you have been spending more time indoors lately. Vitamin D is made by our body in response to sunlight but if exposure to sunlight is minimal then Vitamin D levels can become low. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin which is present in only a few foods such as oily fish, eggs, fortified cereals. It is essential for several reasons mainly healthy bones and teeth. I am sure you remember your daily dose of cod liver oil given to you in the past! However, Vitamin D is also important to take to ensure a healthy immune system. Research would suggest that it can help to protect against colds and flu and that it is very beneficial to take at this time of coronavirus to take a Vitamin D supplement . It is also good to lift your mood and help muscle function. As a pharmacist, I would highly recommend taking one a day of Vitamin D. It is inexpensive, capsules are small to swallow and it is one of the most important supplements you can take! If you would like any more information, please telephone Or-chard Pharmacy on : 02838 332 824 and I will be happy to give you advice. Paula

Growing and the use of sage

Famed as part of a double act alongside onion in the famous sage and onion stuffing, sage is a

strongly-scented herb that can be used to flavour many vegetable or meat dishes. Fresh or dried leaves are used to make teas. Sage loves a warm,

sunny and sheltered spot - and is attractive enough to be grown alongside ornamental plants. Sage is normally brought as ready-grown plants from garden centres, but you can grow from seed or take cuttings. Growing from seed or taking cuttings will mean it will take longer until you have plants ready to harvest. Pruning plants after flowering helps to maintain an attractive shape and encourages lots of new growth. Raise containers off the ground in winter to allow excess moisture to drain away. If planting in the garden, dig over the entire area, removing weeds and incorporating plenty of well-rotted manure or compost. Choose a sheltered spot protected from strong winds in full sun. Sage can also be planted in 20-45cm (12in) pots filled with soil-based compost. As it’s an evergreen, leaves can be picked at any time for adding fresh to dishes. If you have a glut of leaves or lots of plants, consider drying or freezing the excess.

Sage can be used for digestive problems, It is also used for reducing overproduction of perspiration and saliva; and for depression, memory loss, and Alzheimer's disease. Taking a single dose of common sage is said to improve memory, alertness, and attention in healthy adults.

Leisure

What is this life if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs

And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,

Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

Wonder you took time to be born !!

A car driver in a hurry was trying to bully his way thought a large herd of cows and was shouting

obscenities at the cows for getting in his way. However, the cows trudged along at their own relaxed pace.

The farmer was not amused and shouted at the driver. “It’s a wonder you took time to be born !! ”

We all seem to be in such a rush; we hardly have time to speak to our neighbours and even the chat in the

pub has been in decline over the past number of years. Covid 19 has perhaps made us reflect more on our

use of time. One parent commented during lockdown that they now had time to talk to their children.

Maybe we need to appraise our use of time and take more time to see the beauty that surrounds us in our

family and in our beautiful verdant landscape. We can also relax with the arts whether this is painting,

writing, dancing, singing, reading or creating things which express our feeling or emotions.

Art is for everyone—let us explore it. This short poem below was penned back in 1911 by William Henry

Davis who was a Welsh poet and writer. Davies spent a significant part of his life as a tramp or hobo, in

the United Kingdom and United States, but became one of the most

popular poets of his time.

Can you imagine how he would have described our pace of life today ?

I think he would have kept on the road staring at us –bewildered.

No time to see, in broad daylight,

Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,

And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can

Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.

The cost of publication and distribution of this magazine has been assisted by the Halifax Foundation for Northern Ireland

Richmount Rural Community Association. Contact details: Text: 07934186635 Email: joegar@hotmail.co.uk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/359392197497621/ Website : http://www.richmountruralcommunityassoc. btck.co.uk/

War Time Carrot Cake During the Second World War, when sugar was rationed to 8oz (230g) per week, carrots where used to naturally sweeten cakes and biscuits. The sweetness of the carrots replaced some of the sugar normally used. Ingredients:

230g self raising flour 85 g margarine 115g finely grated carrot 55g sultanas A little milk or water 1 reconstituted dried egg or 1 fresh egg Method: Preheat oven to 220°C (220 fan) Gas mark 7 Sift flour into mixing bowl Rub in margarine Add sugar, carrot, sultanas and egg. Mix well and then add sufficient milk or water to make sticky. Pour mixture into a lined baking tin and cook in the oven for 40-45 minutes or until golden in colour.

The Sandwich It was named after John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, an eighteenth-century English aristocrat. It is said that he ordered his valet to bring him meat tucked between two pieces of bread, and others began to order "the same as Sandwich!" It is commonly said that Lord Sandwich was fond of this form of food because it allowed him to continue playing cards, particularly cribbage, while eating, without using a fork, and without getting his cards greasy from eating meat with his bare hands

OTB sandwich I like tomato and onion sandwiches but the tomato and onion keep falling out. This sandwich filling combines the two and nothing falls out. It is also a very economical and healthy sandwich which is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Peel a fresh tomatoes by putting it in very hot water for a few minutes then peel it. Put it in a cup and chop with a knife, then add finely chopped onions and breadcrumbs with salt and pepper to taste. Put a generous layer over the bread and Voilà - a very tasty OTB sandwich.

Prize Quiz £10

Another name for the Cockhill bypass ?

What was Constantia who was brought back headless from the battle of Waterloo to be buried at Churchill?

What is a Fox Whelp ?

Who, in this area, was awarded an OBE for her services to apple growing ?

Where did Captain Charles Endsor Live ?

Which “Big House” in this area used carbide pellets for lighting in the house ?

Who is singing Loch Lomond on the accompanying video/DVD to this magazine?

In what townland was the Pottery near Drumcree ?

Where was the “Big Yellow Shed” on the Moy Road ?

What is Stinking Roger ?

When forests walked and fishes flew And figs grew upon thorn, Some moment when the moon was blood, Then, surely, I was born. With monstrous head and sickening bray And ears like errant wings— The devil's walking parody Of all four-footed things: The battered outlaw of the earth Of ancient crooked will; Scourge, beat, deride me—I am dumb— I keep my secret still. Fools! For I also had my hour— One far fierce hour and sweet: There was a shout around my head And palms about my feet.

What is being described in this poem?

Quiz Time

Answers must be: Posted to Richmount Rural Community Association, 2 Derrylettiff Road, Porta-down . BT62 1QU They can also be left in our letter box at the community centre Be sent via email to joegar@hotmail.co.uk. All entries must be submitted by 6.00pm on Wednesday 8th July. The first set of correct answers picked out will be the winner. Please ensure you supply your name & telephone number.