Trendy Ulster folk
From Neil Wilson
Sir: Jane Kelly’s fascinating article (‘Out of tune’, 25 February) highlighted the cultural alienation of immigrant communities. So she might be interested to know that many people in Ulster learn the songs of their cultural heritage through family and friends. I’ve never encountered anyone who finds, for example, ‘The Sash’ passé, boring or irrelevant. The youth of Northern Ireland are also keen on playing instruments, the flute and side drum in particular. Ulster folk have high regard for the cultural history of our people because we regard the past as relevant to the present. It is also seen as quite trendy to be up-to-date on history and current affairs. Therein lies the challenge for the English.
Neil Wilson
Liverpool From P.G. Urben
Sir: Jane Kelly writes of seven traditional tunes in the Radio 4 medley and subsequently names six (one as the Trumpet Voluntary, which is scarcely folk). My 60-yearold and unmusical ears find nine tunes in the medley, of which she has omitted ‘Early One Morning’, ‘Scotland the Brave’ and ‘Annie Laurie’.
P.G. Urben
Kenilworth, Warwickshire
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