Bits of Belfast - Part 5 - The Ulster Museum

Perhaps a little later than we had hoped, we finally took the opportunity to visit the Ulster Museum which had reopened last October after a multimillion pound refurbishment. So, on what was a a bright but cool Saturday, 5 of us met outside the Ulster Museum. We were eager to see what might have changed and what new things we might learn.

After the traditional quick photos with the sculptures outside the building which included a new wobbly one. We entered into a bright area with the welcome zone ahead of us, a new shop to our right and the new café to the left. We headed left, we were very hungry and needed some sustenance to help us around the exhibits. The long café had two counters, one near the front serving snacks and the other towards the rear serving hot food. We headed to the hot food counter and took a look at the menu. The old café that was on the top floor has been relocated. It was helpful to now have it here on the ground floor and the size was a change for the better. Sadly though, the increase in floor space also seems to have resulted in an increase in prices and a reduction in drinks sizes. I have a pet hate with café's that think a 200ml glass bottle is fine to go with a meal and charge accordingly. On the plus side, they serve wine and beer so its not all bad. The food was also very good quality and I did see jugs of water availible.

After our food, which was very tasty, we headed to the welcome zone. My first impression was that it was a change for the better, it seemed more light, airy, modern and welcoming. We were kindly handed maps from a member of staff that depicted the 4 main areas that we were set to discover.
That discovery, even in such a public place, is at some level individual to yourself and what you choose to look at. To review every exhibit in close detail would take quite some time, so although some things aren't my cup of tea or maybe even the brew of choice for  my friends, it's still definitely worth a visit to see for yourself. So I'll not spoil the ins and outs of what we saw too much. However I'll quickly try and sum up what I thought were the best and the worst aspects of the experience.

In the history zone:
I thought that it was great to see that recent history being introduced. The troubles section is nice to see in a way. A positive sign that those times are hopefully just a part of history with a hangover. It was quite a simplistic display and although informative, it didn't really seem that accessible. Also, it probably wouldn't hurt to focus on some good news stories, of achievements in the face of adversity. It's not like life stopped during the latter half of the last century.

The History Interactive Area was fun and the kids in there seemed to be having a great time. On snaffling a computer terminal and viewing the list of videos and images that were available to watch. I tried to find something about Irish League Football. The only football related video I could find was some footage from Windsor Park of a Northern Ireland international – I'm not sure who picked the videos, but whoever did must have thought a lot about Motor Sports and Rugby. I'm sure a lot of other sports are feeling slightly neglected too. The choice and depth of information available regarding the past is maybe something that can be expanded and developed?

I really liked the other history sections. There was one exhibit in-particular which thought was great. It was within the Plantation to Power-sharing area and had touch buttons which lit up towns on a map showing the size of towns over time and allowing you to see stage by stage the increase in population of towns and city all across the island. In another room I also learnt that Larne aka Ulfreksfjord has a Viking heritage. Other than that the general theme was that lots of people had a habit of drowning. Swimming instructors must have been a rare commodity that were over looked in days of yore.

Further into the history zone can be found what is arguably the star exhibit. The 2500+ year old mummified remains of Takabuti. Now complete with a video and model of the resident ancient Egyptian lady's head. Sadly the intrigue and allure of this exhibit that could be used as a focal point of the entire museum is still understated and somewhat stuck away and I agree with the points expressed by Alan in Belfast who raised the a good question; why wasn't the film showing in an adjoining room with seating? On entrance to the room, the view of the glass box encasing the mummy is obscured by a large informational sign. The information and other artefacts displayed, as with most of the museum, are better presented in comparison to the old Ulster Museum but in this section compared to the likes of the Armagh Planetarium or W5 there still seems a discrepancy. The ability to wow and draw people to an exhibit isn't quite the same in this section, something that does seem to have been addressed a little better in other areas. It seems largely due to the fact there is still so much in such a small space. The exhibits were very much more interactive than the old though and much more like the standards set by other large museums elsewhere in Europe. A good change even if I might think there is still room to improve.


In the Nature zone:

This section was a huge improvement on the old. The displays and information areas were much more interactive and in the fossil section the screen showing videos of prehistoric era's was well worth a watch. From learning of the history of the land we walk on and the changes that brought about the landscape we know well today, to the animals that inhabit that land. An area helpful to remind people that we, as humans, are a recent introduction to the mix Northern Ireland and the world has been subject to many guises. Some of those guises are beautifully brought to life within these exhibits.The Nature Interactive area seemed popular, located in the area where the café used to be, it had some comfy seats and like the other interactive areas, lots of books and other resources, plenty of hands on objects too.

The other highlights for me were the viewing area of the bird feeders and botanic gardens. With binoculars freely available to use and seats to rest your tired legs on it was a nice break. The other great area for me was the Earth's treasures. Set in a dark room are an array of spotlighted geological samples from of various crystals, gemstones and other pretty rocks. Some truly brilliant colours and shiny things that anyone with magpie like tendencies can get on-board with.


In the Art Zone:

First the positive... there is an Art Interactive Area and it has a brilliant view out over Belfast and of the cave hill, I managed to find an open window and took a couple of snaps. Also for the seemingly few arty fans of Sean Scully's work, you might have a field day.

Now the negative... 1 artist, 1 theme and more floor space than I believe is really warranted, dedicated to this egotistical indulgence of simplistic abstract art, at least when put in relation to the importance of those exhibits obviously not on display at its expense.

Don't get me wrong, a few pieces might have been interesting, but several huge rooms that contained only one form of expression, one basic style. Well, it was all too much of too little. We tried to get why so much of it was here - we looked at the paintings, we looked at their names, we looked at the painting sized photos of him painting, we watched the giant darkroom projection of a video where we got to see a life-size Scully paint and hold a cat and avoid talking about his painting. We looked at the painting's paint strokes and etchings up close, we looked at them far away and tried to envisage the concept behind the piece's names. We're not adverse to abstract art, but at some stage it reaches the point of the pointless and a feeling of 'ah now you're pushing it'. I felt that we might as well be cloud spotting and describing what we each see... except making such visual representations with simple blocks and stripes is like trying to see something in the pattern of a Metro bus seat. If its meant to portray an emotion or feeling other than confusion, every piece of the artwork we looked closely at for sure missed its point with us. So for me this really was just one step away from declaring a window as art. Because I can't see what people see in the work, to try and give some sort of balanced view, here are a few opinions of more art knowledgeable individuals who might convince you of a view contrary to my own:

• A review of some of Scully's work by Jonathan Jones in the Guardian.
• An introduction to Sean Scully's work from culturenorthernireland.org
• Sean Scully: Artist who added the wow factor to museum opening - in the Belfast telegraph.

You can probably tell that I'm not a fan of Sean Scully's work, or at least what I've seen so far. This blog is a two way medium, so if you disagree with me, please do let me know. Maybe a bit of education might spark an insight to his work which I was over looking. Thankfully, at least to me, 'Constantinople or the Sensual Concealed: The Imagery of Sean Scully' is due to give way to art that from my perspective would be more thought provoking, on the 20th February.

On the way out we called in at the gift shop and bought some funky drinks cups with in built swirly straws like you used to get as kids. The refurbished Museum is a huge improvement but for our visit yesterday it seems there is still a fair bit of room for improvement and soon that room will be available... at least in the art department. Except for the disappointment of the art section we had a nice time and learnt lots. I for one will most certainly be back again for another visit before long.

My Belfast DAB radio mystery

After stepping foot out into the cold with my digital radio nestled in my pocket, I looked up at the sky. What I saw was a blanket of wispy edged, fast paced, grey clouds that were swimming in their lanes of air - from where I was standing, the main culprits of oxygen, hydrogen and light were providing the beautiful blue backdrop for the blanket of cloud. A backdrop that only ended at a human themed horizon of rooftops and street lights. The radio was fully charged with full signal and like the clouds and me, ready to get going.

It was a pretty sight but a little surreal because I was having a strange day before I had even emerged from behind the door. I hadn't been able to sleep very well due to a chesty cough and cold recently and I ended up waking up much earlier than normal with the need to remove some lovely green gloop from my airways. I had awoken abruptly at about 7.30, that mightn't sound early to most people, however I generally work a couple of hours later into the early evening than most people so it was early for me.

The extra time had given me a chance to say a fully conscious goodbye to Norn Girl for once which was nice. She's always an early bird due to the distance she has to travel to work. So normally she's jumping out of bed and I'll still either be fast asleep or only manage to give a semi unconscious farewell. It also gave me chance to take some cold relief tablets with a much needed glass of water and also a chance to take a long soak in the bath. Despite the relaxation and respite I was still feeling tired but as good as I could hope to be as I took in the first outdoor breaths of cold air. I was on my way to work.

It was from a sneaky layer of cloud that had snuck up on Belfast that a fine and sparse snow fell as I got closer to my destination. My ear phones in position, I was listening to my Digital Audio Broadcasting  radio, more specifically, I was listening, as per usual, to the fun and friendly Chris Moyles show. I really like my portable DAB radio, maybe more than is healthy but not as much as Stephen Fry and those Apple products. The item itself is a Philips DA1103 and was a present from my madre-in-law. It's one of those things I would use almost daily - well at least when my metaphorical batteries are recharged enough to remember to recharge the AAA batteries it takes. It's a good radio because it works really well even after being bashed around numerous times. Saying that it's also a sound recorder and 1GB MP3 player but I can't remember ever using those functions. I don't know if I have managed to kill those and am maybe using them as substitute padding. *checks*... Yay, still fully functional.

Back to yesterday morning and the traffic on the roads wasn't too bad for once. Unfortunately though, I had maybe spent too long in the bath because I wasn't quite yet in work as the Chris Moyles show was drawing to a close. Car park catch phrase ended and the hand over to Fearne Cotton approached. I usually listen to the radio most of the day if I have the chance to and at 10am, the Greenwich time signal PIP's or beeps sound out to keep us up to date with the time.

Now this is where, in the slightly snowy but bright light of day, an 'under the weather' and tired me, was subject to what has become a regular disorientating silence. The problem is, for some reason that eludes my searches of the web, then and only then, after those short pip sounds at 10am, my DAB radio will fall silent.

On the first occasion that this happened I thought it was likely it was just a coincidence - that I must have just lost signal. The second time I was a lot more suspicious. The only common factor was the time at which it had lost the sound after the pips / at 10am. Sporadically it continued to happen depending on which station I was listening to at that specific time. I found it only ever occurred when listening to BBC radio stations – Radio 1 and 4, and it only occurs directly after the pips. That morning I ended up yet again short of sound from my ear phones and needing to pay acute attention to my radio. The sudden cut in sound is slightly off putting as it's like having a sense suddenly go dead after my ears have become accustomed to the low level noise. In a movement I've done numerous times, I took my hands from my pockets and took the black and white machine into the palm of my hand. I performed the usual practice of pressing to the side to select another station. It's a choice between a quick visit to Radio1 Extra or BBC Asian Network because they're one press either side. On this occasion I opted with a flying visit to Radio 1 Extra. As always, once selected, the sound mysteriously returned. I then switched back to the station I was listening to originally and voilà - the sound has found its way back to my ears. On this occasion there was Fearne, Chris and their team's half way through a conversation.

It's not the end of the world I know, but it is baffling mystery to me. I suppose it could be my DAB and some sort of signal changing incompatibility between shows if the signal isn't continuous? But I've no access to another portable DAB to check it against. It might be my radio taking a huff at the PIPs?  I suppose it could just as easily be a coincidence of something interrupting certain digital signals at that time of day somewhere in Belfast. Whatever it is, something special happens at 10am each morning (well I guess slightly after due to the digital lag) that cuts off my radio in Belfast when I'm listening to certain BBC stations, no matter where I am and what the signal strength is. I must try to remember to see if it does the same when I'm elsewhere in the UK. On the plus side, its another mystery to work on solving - though I think I could live with this one forever holding its digital secret.

Answers on a postcard... alternatively, please do comment below with your best crazy scientist theories...

County Antrim Shield Final 2009/10

Finally, the twice weather felled final of football’s County Antrim Shield went ahead on Wednesday.  The teams, Crusaders Vs Linfield. The sides competing to be crowned champions of the 121 year old annual competition. The wait might have been a long one for the game to go ahead. Not to give too much away but the game was well worth the wait… especially if you’re a Crues fan.

Originally scheduled for the 1st December, a date I was going to miss due to being thousands of miles away on my honeymoon, it was a late evening check of the news on a compute in the hotel that told us the pitch wasn’t playable. Happy days! The rearranged game was scheduled for another trip to the oval on January 5th. ‘Yay!’ I thought, I can make it to that one after all, happy days! Only, it wasn’t to be, for when it came to the 2nd attempt at the big day, some polar weather had already made its way south and gripped the country with its natural chill into some form of cryogenic suspension. Snow and ice outside the window meant the pitch was frozen and the only enjoyment the County Antrim Shield was likely to bring that week was if we borrowed it from Cliftonville (last years winners) and took it in turns to used the huge trophy as a sledge.

Thankfully it wasn’t long before a new date was set. Wednesday 20th January, 7.45pm at the Oval. It seemed like an age since the semi final, it turned out to be 3 months after the victory over Ballymena back on the 20th October, on that day an Aaron Black penalty was enough to book our place in the final. 
So this week, time granted the date to be upon us. Preparations all set to head to the Oval after work. I had to go alone to this one as Norn Girl was ill with a case of pneumonia of all things and wasn’t able to venture from the sofa/bed, let alone out into the cold. This was harsh luck but we weren’t going to let that ruin us following the game - the morning of the game I got prepared and brought to work all I needed including my phone, camera, scarf and shirt. I also had (and still have at the time of typing this) a bad cold myself and was trying to stay as warm as possible. The day was miserable and wet but as with all match days, even with a cold, it doesn’t get in the way of the anticipation.  Prior to the game it was a chance to look back at the history books, we’ve been in the final a fair few times but in last 17 years we’d lost all 6 finals we’d been in. The last of those defeats I was at when we lost 2-1 to Glentoran at Windsor back in the 2007/08 season and I still remember well.

So with that in mind, it was a mixed bag of feelings when with around 7 hours to go before kick off, precipitation had left the Oval swamped and the pitch unplayable for the 3rd time. Luckily, this time there was a plan B – a switch of the venue. With Seaview out of action for big games due to the new floodlights being installed, there was only one solution… another trip to Windsor Park - this time an enforced occasion, but another final against Linfield with the Blues having home advantage and to add to our disadvantage of 4 first team players suspended for the game. 
So after work I somehow made it to the ground early and found myself walking the length of the back of the North Stand, only the top 3/5ths of the North Stand were open and it was pretty dark and gloomy. It didn’t seem to be denting the mood though as other early bird supporters passed by me with smiles on their faces. It may have been their anticipation of the game or it could have been a giggle at my slow moving attempt to make it to my seat without needing to unravel my elaborately wrapped scarf to find a tissue.

As it was still early I had a lot of choice for seats and plonked myself down almost in line with the halfway line. The North Stand at Windosr Park isn’t the best place when its been raining (Windsor Park has needed a repair job for quite a while now) and I soon remembered why as I saw a drop of water, wind assisted, hit my hat and splatter from it in a mist to the side of me. I thought to myself “Nay matter”, and got stuck into the slightly tricky process of swallowing a cold relief capsule without a drink. Whilst trying to muster enough saliva on demand to complete this task the mild irony of the situation dawned on me. As the saying goes - Water, Water Everywhere But Not a Drop to Drink.

Norn girl called before kick off and we planned for her to call during the second half to take in some of the atmosphere and between coughs and chokes, to get the odd bit of up to the minute updates from yours truly.

The game was soon under way and the choir as they’re known were continuing to keep up the good atmosphere that they’d started before kickoff. Sadly I wasn’t in a position to join in and had to settle with clapping along through gloves to the classics such as “The IFA bought your Historyyy”, hehe.

A cagey couple of minutes was followed by disaster. A hole opened up as our defense were chasing Jamie Mulgrew who was heading towards our box. With a timely flick of the foot though, the ball was rolling back into the middle and it left Billy Joe Burns all alone from inside the box with time to pick a spot and hit a quick and coolly taken shot into the back of the net. 0-1 Linfield. It wasn’t a great start for us,  but we knew there was a long way to go. Thankfully the Crues players didn’t get downhearted and rose to the occasion. In the remainder of the first half there were chances for either side though the best openings were for the side in red and black but it just wasn’t going in! That changed about 5 minutes before half time. David McMaster, a rising star of the side who had signed from Abbey Villa, put the perfect cross into the box for the only Crues player in there and from a few yards out at the far post, Mark Dickson, Irish Cup hero last May, wasn’t going to miss. The ball flew into the net and we all leapt from our seats, 1-1. I cheered and coughed and cheered and coughed… it was worth it.  There was a bit more action before the first half was up, a challenge on Michael Collins who was doing a great job of controlling the midfield looked a bit heavy and the ball fell to some players who decided in the heat of the moment to try to push each other in a ‘handbags at ten paces’ moment that then spilled into a ‘calm down, its only a commercial’ moment. If the ref had of wanted to, he could have probably reduced both sides to 10 men. Thankfully for the game as a spectacle, common sense reigned. Unlike the situation on boxing day in the North Belfast Derby at Seaview, where the ref let things get out of control, the ref calmed the players down and machine-gunned yellow cards at the 4 main perpetrators.

Access out of the stand was a bit tight at half time, I made my way across and tried to step down over a seat but my leg got caught and I ended up off balance and knocking into someone, thankfully no damage done and after a few sorry’s I made my way down for a refreshment break and found a cautious atmosphere amongst the other Crues fans. It wasn't long before I was back in the stand again and the 2nd half began. The songs were still being belted out behind me and how I longed to be able to join in. It was fine to hear and the game was absorbing and fairly even. Plenty of chances and close calls. I think I managed a ‘C’mon Crues’ before another cough and nose blow.

Norn girl by this stage was on the phone and I was trying to balance the odd update with keeping warm, not as easy as it sounds when you’re wearing gloves, a hat and scarf. Hopefully it wasn’t completely unsuccessful. The crowd fell silent for a few seconds as Michael Carvill hit our bar and then again around 2/3’s of the way through the game our goalkeeper Chris Keenan had to limp off injured with a thigh strain. On came his capable understudy Aaron Hogg. A good keeper but without much first team action in recent times and I have to admit it added to the nerves, he was solid though and although hardly called into action, he did everything asked of him.

With 5 minutes to go and still at 1-1 it looked to be heading to two 10 minute halves of Extra Time, out of the blue though came a moment of controversy. Linfield were on the edge of the box and a player goes down. The ref played on for a moment and it seems the incident has passed but then the referee’s assistant ,on the far side from where we were sitting, raises and waves his flag. To be honest at this stage I had very little idea how far into the game we were. A score board in the Irish League really wouldn’t go amiss. All we knew was we weren’t going to like the decision. The ref stopped play, consulted with the official and pointed to the spot. After seeing the incident on replays after the event it was touch and go as to whether he was inside the box or if indeed the incident was a deliberate trip as was alleged. However from the stands we were in disbelief. Flashbacks of the last time we played Linfield in a final at Windsor Park came to mind, back then, in the CIS cup final - we were leading 2-1 with 5 minutes left and by full time we had lost. So up stepped Jim Ervin, the ball was hit at goal and Hogg had no chance, d’oh! 1-2.

It was now or never, with Ross Arthurs on the field we now had more strikers than defenders out there and Stephen Baxter made the team pretty much go 2 at the back. We pinned them into their half. The question was; “is there still time”? There wasn’t for Norn Girls mobile which died. I called back.
Thankfully Colin Coates had the answer!

He rose to connect to a long throw from Gareth McKeown and the ball pinged from his head, past an outstretched glove,  Norn Girl was probably defend, I did my cheering and coughing routine but it was all music to our ears. This was it, a lifeline and a chance. Extra time was now more than likely but there was still time for another twist of fate. It was Linfield’s Michael Carvill again involved in a dramatic moment as he challenged for the ball with McMaster who had been tormenting the Linfield defense all night with his pace. Seemingly out of frustration, with McMaster tangled under his feet he stamped on our player and promptly received the red card it warranted.

10 vs 11, extra time began and the numbers told, Linfield still had their counter attacks but especially in the first 10 minutes it seemed only a matter of when. Jordan Owens had that answer tucked up his long sleeve. In the last few minutes of the 1st period of extra time the ball flew up in the air from the head of a Linfield defender. In the right place at the right time, it fell to Owens, and he pelted the ball at goal. His shot was too powerful for the sliding defender to do anything else but divert it slightly as it crossed the line. 3-2! By now I was on my feet calling Norn Girl, going into a football state of elation… and coughing.

That wasn’t the last action though, we could have scored again. There was also the usual late pressure but unlike the pressure applied at the end of normal time by the Crues, Linfield’s last gasp attempts came to nothing, the best fell to Munster whose chance flew over the bar from a few of yards out. A miss that saved having to play out a penalty shoot out, shoot outs that always seem to have a habit of going against us.

2 minutes of injury time passed by… the whistle blew… the stand erupted… party time!

Still trying to keep warm I managed to remove my scarf and whirled it around my head. I think I might have even sung a few songs between phlegm blockages. Sorry if anyone caught anything by the way!

It was a brilliant result. Another trophy to add to the Irish Cup last May and more proof of what a never say die Crues team we have at the moment - its still early days this season and with two competitions still to play for it’ll be an entertaining ride no matter how it pans out. Brilliant stuff.  If any of the players or staff ever read this - congratulations on a job well done, you made us all so proud to be Hatchetmen yet again!