Love Ulster Organise Rally

According to yesterday’s Newsletter, Love Ulster have ‘penciled’ in October 29th for a march from the Shankill Road to Belfast City centre for what the organisers claim will be a ‘peaceful protest’. Victims’ groups, Orangemen, loyalist bands and many others from across Northern Ireland will be called to the streets to show the “the deep feelings of Protestant, unionist and loyalist people at this time”. Also, a second edition of the campaign newspaper is also being prepared by the Shankill …

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Blame is the name of the game.

Continuing from Gonzo’s piece here, I thought I’d note Mark Devenport’s article on Northern Ireland’s national sport, and I’m not talking football, rugby, gaelic or even tiddlywinks. Green Bencher

NI’s druggie teens…

According to a survey by QUB, 10% of Northern Ireland 15-year-olds have become regular drug users. Academic’s did a survey of 3,500 young people in the first 5 years of secondary school. The study found risk factors identified for being a regular drug user at 15 included having a risk-taking personality profile, being involved in trouble at school and in delinquent behaviour. Green Bencher

9/11- Four Years On

I know that the anniversary of the attacks has already been covered here, but I can’t help but be astounded that the Belfast rioting takes precedence on the BBC News homepage over the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in America. The names of the 2749 victims were read out by their brothers and sisters at a ceremony at ‘ground zero’ – the site where the Twin Towers fell. A minute’s silence was observed, and even New York Police helping in …

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Not so insular after all?

Following my article last week on the Indian Mela festival, which took part in Belfast, it seems Carrickfergus has got on board the ethnic culture bandwagon. It’s hosting a Mini-Matsuri Japanese Festival, organised by the Japan Society of Northern Ireland. Taiko drummers, food tasting, calligraphy, origami and a special tea making ceremony happened this afternoon in the Carrickfergus Museum & Civic Centre. However, elsewhere normal service was as usual, with the Hillsborough Annual Oyster Festival being evacuated after a warning …

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Bus Driver Wins Lifesavers Award

A Translink bus driver who saved an 11 year old boy from accidentally hanging himself has been presented with the prestigious Vodafone Northern Ireland Lifesavers accolade. Brian Chambers will now go on to a national shortlist to be judged by a celebrity panel. We wish him luck. Green Bencher

Suicides Risen Since Troubles End

Some chilling new figures have been released today. A survey carried out by the University of Ulster and the Department of Psychiatry at the Mater Hospital found that during the worst years of violence, suicides fell significantly but have now risen in a period of relative peace. Researchers believe civil unrest may have strengthened social bonds within communities, and thus “buffered” suicidal thoughts. Green Bencher

Survey of Mass-goers

The University of Ulster is undertaking an independent survey of mass-goers at St. Eugene’s Parish in Londonderry to find how they think money should be raised for the controversial Stewardship Trust Fund. The fund, set up by Irish Bishops, helps compensate victims of abuse by Catholic Priests and to fund child protection initiatives. Fr Michael Canny said he was “prepared to adide” by the findings of the survey. Green Bencher

Pakoras in the Park

This weekend saw the return of the Mela festival to Belfast. The festival which celebrates Indian culture took place yesterday in Botanic gardens. Mumbai dancers flew in to entertain the crowds and artists from across the world took to the stage from 12 noon. Traditional food was also prepared by chefs. Festival organiser, Nisha Tandon, said she hoped the event would become an annual one for Belfast. She thanked the variety of volunteers from the “the Indian, Chinese and local …

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Lollipops To Be Dropped From The Pram

On the same day that it emerges that Northern Irish students are, once again, outperforming their counterparts in England and Wales in GCSE exams, it has also been reported that there will be controversial cuts in crossing patrol services at schools in Northern Ireland. The cuts come as the Education Boards are struggling to make ends meet.Trade union NIPSA has revealed that many lollipop staff may be forced to consider quitting their posts because of the dramatic impact new reduced …

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Bring in the Clowns – At Least In Moyle

Yes, for once, I am not making a joke about politicians being clowns. Moyle Council is set to allow circuses to return to council land after a blanket ban on all circuses with performing animals, which has been in place since the 1990s, has been overturned.. A motion, proposed by Sinn Fein councillor Oliver McMullan has been passed in recognition of tighter controls on animal welfare. As before, circuses will only be allowed to work on council land if they …

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Vital Research Funding in Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke Association is offering grants, aiming to help combat the illnesses which take 2 out of 3 lives. The grants are only available to projects based in Northern Ireland. As well as the £125,000 going to chest disease research and heart illness research, and the £76,000 going to other study areas, there is £40,000 going to training to help health professionals contribute to the quality of research.The charity’s chief executive, Andrew Dougal, said: “We …

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Annual Electoral Register Requirement To Be Dropped

The government has published plans for the requirement to register for your vote every year to be amended. Under the proposed plans, the Chief Electoral Officer can decide when the roll needs refreshing. It is also proposed that people should be able to get on the register up until 11 days before an election, in an attempt to up the number of people registered to vote in Northern Ireland.Sinn Fein’s national director of elections Pat Doherty MP welcomed the consultation …

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Pride Parade Passes Peacefully

The Parade in Belfast yesterday was one like no other seen in Northern Ireland for the rest of the year. Rainbow balloons, boats, jazz bands, disco dancing and Spiderman on a quad bike – It was Belfast Gay Pride 2005.While many rainbow feet followed the extensive route, protesters from the ‘Stop the Parade Coalition’ stood at City Hall. This year, another Christian group – ‘Zero28’ expressed it’s wish for the anti- Pride groups to cancel their protest. Organisers and Police …

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Loyalist Rioting in Belfast

Loyalist Paramilitaries are being blamed for the serious rioting last night in the Crumlin Road area. Reports tell of 10 cars and a bus being hijacked and set alight, petrol bombs being thrown and 40 police officers being hurt. The trouble followed the arrest of 6 men in connection with the ongoing loyalist feud, in which three men have already been murdered.Police in riot gear went to the scene, and 11 baton rounds were fired. Northern Ireland’s criminal justice minister …

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Xam Rslts by Txt

One thing summer in Northern Ireland always brings, if not the sun, is exam results. The Scottish Qualifications Authority is ditching ‘snail mail’ in favour of text to deliver results as part of a new pilot scheme being tested in the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland. Pupils will receive their results only after replying ‘Yes’ to a text from the SQA. Like most mobile services today, the SQA doesn’t manage to give exact details of how much the service will …

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