Following the attack on the Animals in War memorial and the Bomber Command memorial in London this weekend, the RAF Benevolent Fund has appealed to the public to support them in the maintenance of the Bomber Command Memorial for which … Continue reading Bomber Command Memorial damaged – appeal for funds from RAF Benevolent Fund
For nearly 90 years, The Poppy Factory in Richmond, Surrey, has been making poppies, crosses and wreaths for the Royal Family and the Royal British Legion’s annual Remembrance Day appeal. Since 2007, The Poppy Factory has also been placing wounded, … Continue reading Are you wearing a handmade poppy? Can you support the Poppy Factory?
Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean and do such as this unseen,
and admit to what I mean in you and you in me?John L. Bell & Graham Maule
This verse was sung at our Covenant of Commitment in All Souls’ Church in Belfast by a large congregation back in May last year. I wonder what many people thought it meant. Continue reading “The core issue: will you kiss the leper clean?”
I died today. You got tired of me and took me to the shelter. They were overcrowded and I drew an unlucky number. I am in a black plastic bag in a landfill now. Some other puppy will get the barely used leash you left. My collar was dirty and too small, but the lady took it off before she sent me to the Rainbow Bridge. Would I still be at home if I hadn’t chewed your shoe? I didn’t know what it was, but it was leather, and it was on the floor. I was just playing. You forgot … Continue reading I died today… as a result of your abuse.
The latest news from the Coalition Government in Westminster is a scheme whereby customers using bank cards could give money to charity. As a trustee of The HIV Support Centre, a local charity, this sounds like it could be a source of welcome money. But I have quite a number of questions. How would such money be distributed? How would the charity/charities be chosen? Is this to eliminate charity boxes in corner shops/bars etc.? I cannot see how this could be done in a fair way to help those charities that are reasonably small – yet are vital to local … Continue reading the big society: does it apply to Northern Ireland?
We are constantly being reminded that we are living in an ‘age of austerity’. Community and voluntary groups all over Northern Ireland have been waiting for many months to find out what money, if any, they may receive in grants from Northern Ireland departments. This is making life quite difficult for them – and in turn it is impacting on the life of those most disadvantaged in our community. There are grant-making bodies out there that are willing to fund projects that provide a long-term benefit to the community. Whilst its grants are not a solution to the funding crisis, with grants … Continue reading Co-operation makes a little go a long way
It is now November, a time of remembrance. Remembrance of All Saints (today) Remembrance of All Souls (tomorrow) Remembrance of all who fell in the Great War, the Second World War and all wars since (Remembrance Day); But more importantly, it is a time to remember the living. Those who have served in Her Majesty’s Forces and are in need of help. The Royal British Legion does sterling work in supporting the ex-services personnel who live throughout the UK and Ireland, and I urge everyone to support the annual Poppy Appeal. Continue reading Time to remember – the living as well as the dead
It’s funny what you find on the internet about yourself…
This morning when I was surfing, I found two disturbing threads on two particularly disturbing forums. One was really a repost of the other.
To quote someone hiding behind the name of “Credo”, on one of the sites
and
the full text of the posts can be found here…
and also on this site posted by someone called Seosamh here… (warning only click if you really want to – it does not make for pleasant reading) Continue reading “love between two persons… is to be treasured and respected”
With the news that HM Government in the United Kingdom is looking at slashing the Winter Fuel payments to those over 60 years of age, there has been quite a lot of comment on this proposal*.
Whilst reading Caron’s Musings having met her and her daughter Anna (who was signed up to the Liberal Democrats by me at the weekend), I remembered that Trevor Lunn MLA had done something about this inequality back in 2008. I know, I designed the logo that was used. Continue reading “winter fuel payment – not a solution, but a temporary fix”
Day Six:
Devoted Father
One of the biggest hardships for Emperor Karl was the separation from his children as he and Empress Zita were sent into exile on Madeira. The children remained in Switzerland until Empress Zita, with many restrictions, could travel there and bring them back with her to Madeira. Continue reading “let them die rather than commit a mortal sin, Amen!”
Gyronny Herald 
