Miss Fitz I was out one night with a group of very grand people from Queens, and the discussion turned to the music people listened to in their teens. I was fascinated by descriptions of Pink Floyd and Staus Quo concerts, amazing collections of LPs and all nature of sophisticated musical tastes. When the conversation turned to me, I had to sheepishly admit that growing up in Laois in the 1970’s, highlights were very much along the lines of Big Tom and …
It was a bit weird to start my annual diet on Monday, and then have the Prime Minister come out today and tell people to lose weight. Yo Blair, glad I got there first. Personally, I think he has a point, and I think we expect waaaay too much from an NHS that wasnt intended to provide the type and level of care it has evolved into providing. The NHS was designed to help people remain healthy, and provide care …
The DSD announced £2.93 million of funding today through the Community Volunteering scheme. £2.2m. has been allocated through a Main Grant scheme, and an additional £700,000 is available through the small grants scheme. I see some of the ‘big hitters’ in the Voluntary Sector got handsome grants from the DSD through this scheme. Age Concern received £154,000 and Citizens Advice £156,000. Without sitting down and doing a forensic review of the succesful bodies, it appears fair and balanced . I …
The DSD announced £2.93 million of funding today through the Community Volunteering scheme. £2.2m. has been allocated through a Main Grant scheme, and an additional £700,000 is available through the small grants scheme. I see some of the ‘big hitters’ in the Voluntary Sector got handsome grants from the DSD through this scheme. Age Concern received £154,000 and Citizens Advice £156,000. Without sitting down and doing a forensic review of the succesful bodies, it appears fair and balanced . I …
The Northern Ireland Anti Poverty network has issued the following statement in relation to the crisis in the Middle East, and attaches a release from the Arab NGO network. (below fold). I feel a mass protest rally coming on very soon, and perhaps not soon enough. If you read to the end, there are options for signing a petition, e-mailing or writing to the Foreign Secretary. Links to other sites as well, if you want to read more. The Northern …
A little advice from the folk at Random Shite on how to deal with the heatwave. Not so sure about their take on why larger ladies arent to be seen about in this weather, but its a laugh. Speaking of larger ladies, I had lunch sitting outside the City Hall in Belfast today, and it was really lovely. Did my bit for One Small Step by eating my sandwich underneath Queen Victoria. Interesting to watch the tourists tramp about the …
I feel like a grown up Slugger now, harking back to an old entry of mine- but I referred to the quality of our beaches in one of my first posts. The Good Beach Guide issued Newcastle, Co Down with a warning back in May over treatment of sewage. I note today that the Beach had to be closed after the discovery of raw sewage in the area. With today being called the hottest day of the century, things can …
Although it’s been widely known in the Advice Sector for months, DETI announced today that NIACAB have won the contract to provide money and debt advice in Northern Ireland for the next 2 years, until March 2008. Debt is a rising and increasingly worrying problem for clients, advisors and our foster government, so the idea of a structured approach should be welcomed. House reposessions are taking place at the rate of 9-14 per week at the moment, for example. Unfortunately, …
The long awaited consultation on a new Charity Law for Northern Ireland was launced today by DSD. It was broadly welcomed by NICVA, although they havent seen the full proposals yet. This law is about making sure all charities here meet the highest standards and are well run. It is also about ensuring that the public has confidence in the valuable work charities are doing for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. NICVA has have not had an opportunity to study the …
I don’t even pretend to understand the complexities and nuances involved in the NI education debate. When I moved here in 1992, I was appalled at the prospect of my eldest child having to take an examination aged 11 that essentially would dictate the rest of her life. It was positively un-American. For the international readers, we have a range of schools here in the Provincelet: And would you be shocked to find out that they are categorised by religion?Your …
Taking my cue from Paul Goggins, (would he be a TD or an MP, I wonder), I thought I would reflect on an aspect of the 12th as well. I hope you’ve all had a chance to see some of the magical contributions on Flickr from people like Moochin Photoman, Howard, Laurence Cooley and myself on the 12th coverage. (sorry if I missed anyone) I think the flurry is over now, but I thought it was reporting that my site …
We now know that Lindy McDowell depends on Slugger when abroad, it’s just a pity that others don’t use Slugger to broaden their minds. I see Mary Lou McDonald has contributed a piece to Daily Ireland (I know, I know), on the subject of our recent period of festivities. I can understand that she needs to take a party line, and join in the condemnation, but her article displays a real lack of insight, knowledge and factual information. There is …
With all the excitement of the Twelfth, and our cosy chats about the holiday here on Slugger, it would be easy to miss other important stories. Notwithstanding Pete’s reporting on people reporting on us and rusty boats, I see Anna Carragher has announced her retirement from the BBC. Ms Carragher has been with the BBC since 1970 and has been Controller since 2000. I only met her once, and unfortunately I didnt know who she was, so just chatted about …
Just to be very clear how the leaders of Republicanism feel about the burning of the Orange Hall in Lurgan, I’m going to post the Sinn Féin official response. No-one can ever be fully responsible for the mindsets of individuals, but I think its worth making ourselves aware that there is no room in SF for the toleration of this behaviour. Sectarianism, irrespective of its source or who or what it is directed against, is wrong and I have no …
I picked this up over at Will Crawley’s place. American Congressman Lynne Westmoreland has been promoting a controversial campaign to have the 10 Commandments placed in Public offices, schools and other public spaces. He agreed to be interviewed on Comedy Central by Stephen Colbert. So, what’s the story? Well, remember the Boy Scout motto ‘Be Prepared’? Seems the Congressman forgot to prepare himself on 10 minor details and the result is worth watching. If you need a wee laugh. Miss …
UPDATE: Hmm, as of 9.40am, the site has now had 3100 hits. Marty has overtaken the Orange Arse by a hair, and Big Ian is striding out front with almost 400 views. I am finding my relationship with Flickr fascinating. From March 18th to yesterday, my pictures had been viewed about 500 times. Since I posted my phptographs yesterday on the parades and bonfires, there have been over 2,100 new views of the site. The top 3 photos are here, …
I see someone kindly supplied the words of the Sash My Father Wore on another thread. Personally, I didnt need that as it’s still ringing in my ears from yesterday! However, did you all know that the song is only about 100 years old (a mere weekend in Irish terms), and is likely based on a 19th century Irish love song? Although the tune seems to have a certain antiquity the words as now sung were written only within the …
Been trying to pick my favourite image from the past 2 days, and it’s not easy, but I think I can combine both communities reasonably well with the picture featured. I’ve uploaded quite a few more to the Flickr site if anyone wants to see the 12th through the eyes of a wandering, Irish American woman in Northern Ireland. Miss Fitz
Link to video Forgive me if this doesn’t work, but I have had numerous comments and e-mails about my Flickr photies of the bonfire, and I also have this little bit of video. It was my first time to actually see the Tricolour being burned, and I was greatly saddened. I hadn’t fully appreciated that it is the highlight of the evening for many, and there was a huge cheer when it went up. Many people left the bonfire site …
That’s it, I think I’ll just do happy stories from now until everyone becomes sane again after the July fortnight. I tried to get one of William Crawley’s free books in the July book read on Will and Testament, but they were all gone. I rather like the idea of the virtual book club, it means you dont have to do canapes for 10. As one of the few who didnt evacuate Northern Ireland this year, I think a good …
