Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Some move on, some stay behind…
THE Irish News reports that the Orange Order resolution calling for members to take on “a role of civic and community leadership within these islands” has been described by SDLP North Antrim assembly member Declan O’Loan as on the whole “very encouraging”. The report adds that Mr O’ Loan said that the positive wording of the resolution should be considered alongside unprecedented moves by the Order to open up conversations with the Parades Commission, the Catholic Church, the SDLP and some local residents. It also fits in with moves in many communities to rethink the bonfire culture and the flying of flags. “This is all very healthy. There is a profound link between the shifting of positions on these matters and the success of the Assembly. Success in these two arenas will be mutually reinforcing,” said Mr O’ Loan. Sadly, all this peace, love and understanding seems to have escaped some loyalists in Ballycraigy, Antrim and Milltown estate, Shawsbridge. Just what are they compensating for with their phallic-shaped bonfires, intimidation, lawlessness and refusal to let their neighbours live in peace?
Belfast Gonzo @ 11:46 AM
As this is my last post before the Glorious Day, I’d like to wish all Sluggerites a very Happy Twelfth. Hope you all have a great day and go easy on the burgers.
£5 on King Billy to win the Sham Fight at Scarva.
Posted by on Jul 10, 2007 @ 12:39 PMBig Bulldozer is required for all of those sites burning tyres illegally. Where are our councils when we need them. Some reports states that there are 10,000 tyres waiting to be burnt in Ballycraigy alone - never mind the environment, as long as the fenians are intimidated by the big fire, seems to still be the message.
Posted by on Jul 10, 2007 @ 12:51 PM“£5 on King Billy to win the Sham Fight at Scarva.”
Same fecking joke every single year. :angry:
Posted by on Jul 10, 2007 @ 12:53 PMHave to say that up my old haunt in West Belfast it is very quiet indeed when I’ve been up over the past week or two.
I actually havent seen a bonfire site. In days of old there used to be 4 or 5 within 5 minutes walking distance. I am aware that ‘community representatives’ have been moving over the last few years in that area to organised piss ups..I mean celebrations on the 11th.
Posted by on Jul 10, 2007 @ 01:06 PMWhy not recycle all those redundant DUP manifestos from the last few elections by burning them? I’m sure there’s a few thousand posters of Plug, Punt and the boys that are mouldering away and in need of a match too. And as part of the new inclusive orangefest an effigy of ould president Couscescu himself on the boney at Sandy Row could be enjoyed by all the community
I’ll get me sash
Posted by on Jul 10, 2007 @ 01:18 PMIrony always bites me in the ass this time of year. Every day my bus passes Pitt Park and we see a huge pile of bonfire wood and a sign on the fence saying “No Dumping”. I for one will not be attending any bonfires, though I may go to see the parade down Bedford Street.
Posted by on Jul 10, 2007 @ 01:25 PMBTW an insider tells me that as part of the new dispensation OFMDFM has been in contact with the Black to see if we can’t have a new inclusive Sham Fight- perhaps with King Billy as the First winner and King James as the Deputy First Winner, so perhaps a fiver on Seamus a Shaca at 1000-1 would be a good flutter watchman
Posted by on Jul 10, 2007 @ 01:29 PM“Big Bulldozer is required for all of those sites burning tyres illegally. Where are our councils when we need them” - some people say that they should have taken a similar line with the derry barricades, still as long as we can point the finger who cares ?
Perhaps the hostility to the council stems from a lack of meaningful and supportive dialogue and pithy little ‘yeah but’ pieces like this that accompany every positive development.
and a quote from those intimidated residents :
“Nobody has anything against the bonfire”
Posted by on Jul 10, 2007 @ 01:34 PMSeamus a chaca, Darth.
Ná déan dearmad do shais.
Posted by on Jul 10, 2007 @ 01:55 PMWonder what the Green Party’s line is on 11th night bonfires.
Posted by on Jul 10, 2007 @ 01:56 PMPoor old JP nothing if not predictable
Posted by on Jul 10, 2007 @ 01:59 PMJP, I am not really sure which Derry barricades you are referring to?
Posted by on Jul 10, 2007 @ 02:00 PM‘Irony always bites me in the ass this time of year. Every day my bus passes Pitt Park and we see a huge pile of bonfire wood and a sign on the fence saying “No Dumping”.
Some are more concerned with the armed terrorists firing automatic rifles at Pitt Park bonfires, as was the case at the council funded event last year.
Posted by on Jul 10, 2007 @ 02:10 PMI have to admire the bonfire at shaws bridge as a construction.
I am slightly worried where the logs at the bottom came from, is there some de-forestation we should know about, or is the eatate called after the Beaver?Posted by on Jul 10, 2007 @ 02:14 PMJust one question, Gonzo - ‘phallic’ shaped??? Was that you on Embarrassing Illnesses a couple of weeks ago?
For a different kind of muted chuckle, check out the Ballycraigy strand of the Arts Council’s Re-imagining Communities project, launched today:
‘£9,910 – Inter Estate Partnership – Re-imaging of Ballycraigy Housing Estate –Artist led workshops will facilitate the removal of paramilitary imagery from the estate and, following the community workshops, create two sculptures to enhance the landscape of this community.’
So maybe all these bonfires are art?
Posted by on Jul 10, 2007 @ 02:27 PMAgreed harry, OTOH unless they hit a low flying airplan coming into land at the City Airport a firing party does less damage to the environment than huge bonfire.
Posted by on Jul 10, 2007 @ 02:27 PMI have just seen the pictures of the Ballycraigy bonfire pyre, that thin is a disaster waiting to happen and the army should be put to good use for once and move into dismantle it
Posted by on Jul 10, 2007 @ 02:49 PM“Just one question, Gonzo - ‘phallic’ shaped??? Was that you on Embarrassing Illnesses a couple of weeks ago?”
Presumably that’s where the Americans coined the expression “to get wood”?
Posted by on Jul 10, 2007 @ 02:49 PMPounder
those bullets have to come down somewherePosted by on Jul 10, 2007 @ 02:50 PMthe aftermath of the civil unrest in the bogside reds.
and if calls for inclusivity and constructive comunication are predictable, it is because they are never heeded, and need to be repeated.
Posted by on Jul 10, 2007 @ 02:59 PM“phallic-shaped bonfires,”
The mind boggles as to the gonzoid wedding tackle.
Posted by on Jul 10, 2007 @ 03:04 PM‘’So maybe all these bonfires are art?’’
Charles Saatchi might be willing to add a few to his illustrious contemporary art collection!
Posted by on Jul 10, 2007 @ 03:08 PM“£5 on King Billy to win the Sham Fight at Scarva. “
What odds and do you accept place bets ?
Posted by on Jul 10, 2007 @ 03:09 PMWhen are the bonfires lit? Is it midnight or earlier
Posted by on Jul 10, 2007 @ 03:27 PMHave to agree with Sean, that Ballycraigey bonfire with all the tyres MUST NOT be allowed to go ahead, because of environmental reasons.
The authorities MUST stop this from happening.
Its against the law and for very good reasons of pollution-globally and locally.
Posted by on Jul 10, 2007 @ 03:32 PM
