Sometimes you get an absolute gift of a commission and you can’t believe your own good fortune. Am delighted to be working with the Ulster Orchestra on a spoken word and music collaboration to be launched early next year. “In The Beginnings” will explore the way the wonderful Primary School I attended as a child (Carniny Primary, Ballymena) impacted my journey as a writer and artist and will seek to honour Dr Sam Simpson who was principal of Carniny during my stay and an incredibly visionary man. Sadly Dr Simpson is no longer with us but here’s a small obituary article I wrote a few years ago when he passed away. I’m looking forward to sharing the final piece with the Ulster Orchestra early next year.