' MAKE ULSTER DAY A HOLIDAY'

There were calls to make Ulster Day a public holiday last night as toasts were made across the province to celebrate the 98th anniversary of the signing of the Ulster Solemn League and Covenant.

One of the biggest events to commemorate the anniversary took place at the Ulster Reform Club in Belfast. News Letter editor Darwin Templeton was among the speakers,along with deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast William Humphrey.

Ulster Day can be traced back to 1912,when on September 28 almost half a million Ulster men and women signed the covenant or declaration voicing their opposition to Home Rule. The covenant was written in response to the third Home Rule Bill,introduced by the goverment.

The text was written by Thomas Sinclair with input from the Presbyterian Church who advised that the terms of the covenant should be confined to ''the present conspiracy to set up a Home Rule parliament in Ireland'' rather than binding its signatories to opposition in perpetuity.

Edward Carson was the first person to sign the covenant at the Belfast City Hall,followed by Lord Londonderry,representatives of the Protestant churches,and then Sir James Craig.

In total 471,414 signed in church,Orange and community halls across Ulster. Those at sea also had the opportunity to add their names. In signing the covenant,signatories pleged to oppose Home Rule and defend Ulster ''using all means necessary''.

The centenary of the signing of the Ulster Covenant will take place in 2012 and there are already working groups set up to organise events to commemorate it.

Mr Humphery said the day was of ''enormous significance'' to Northern Ireland and called for it to be made a public holiday. ''I believe that the covenant was a hugely significant and the day it was signed should be marked.'' he said. ''The Ulster Covenant clearly laid the basis for the galvinisation of the unionist people not just in Ulster but across the UK.''

The Ulster-Scots Community Network has produced a booklet detailing the events leading up to the signing of the covenant. For a copy write to 68-72 Great Victoria Street,Belfast,BT2 7BB or telephone 90436710. A limited number are also available from the News Letter office in Linenhall Street in Belfast city centre.

Additionally the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland have digitised all the signature and a database of all the names is on its website. To check a name,log on to http://www.proni.gov.uk

The only thing which was happening was a 'talk' in some O.H. on the outskirts of the town. Good to hear there was something happening this year. I think there is a parade from the Cosy now.

I and another few lads held an Ulster Day parade a few years ago. We got about 90/100 there including two bands. So you can see the interest wasn't there. But what I have noticed is that sometimes it is noticed by others and taken up by them. So even if ours wasn't a success it can still be made a success by others. Thats all I'm interested in....the day itself never mind who runs it.

I think too whatever takes place it should be open to all not just the loyal orders etc. After all many people signed it who did not have Orange etc membership. It should be truly a day for all the loyal people of Ulster

My own opinion is that it should be a bigger day than the 12th as it was an Ulster thing and similar to the Siege in that respect wheras the 12th was more of an internationa affair.

Lets hope they get their act together.

There were various groups there from different parts. Each representative had to briefly introduce themselves before entering into discussion. One of the points made was getting young people interested. They went on that they needed funds to do this. Believing them to be serious and really interested in Ulster Scots I suggested(in my naviety) getting street names erected in Ullans would be one way of bringing them on board. Hearing them talking about needing funds I seen this as a way where no funds would be needed. All that was required was a few of the young people to take on a street each and go door to door requesting the peope to sign a petition then on getting the required number take it to the local Council. The young 'uns would be involved in this and learn a bit and feel a part of the Ulster Scots movement.

Boy was I naive. They looked 'daggers' at me,practically ignored me and went back to talking about funding. We live and we learn,and I certainly learned from that experience.

I don't get that feeling about any of them nowdays.