Category: Ballymena

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Ballymena Borough could show Bedford Borough and @davethemayor how to invest in the arts

Michael McFarland Campbell

Once more I am in Bedford. This is becoming quite a habit. As I was walking up Silver Street, I noticed a banner for the Bedfordshire Festival of Music Speech and Dance, mentioned it to Peter, and was told that he didn’t know where or even if the Festival’s Disabled classes were going to be held. You’ve guessed it, it’s the Civic Theatre closure by Dave the Mayor that has buggered it up for them. Where else will the organisers–presumably all volunteers like those who organise the Ballymena Festival (of which I am a member and assist the Membership Secretary, … Continue reading Ballymena Borough could show Bedford Borough and @davethemayor how to invest in the arts

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it’s not just Ballymena that brings Christmas early…

Michael McFarland Campbell

My apologies to my readers that there has not been much from my desk in recent days, I’ve been on holiday in between a committee meeting of FLAGS and a ringing tour with FODS. But it seems that Bedford is getting ready for the holiday season of Christmas quite early in the year. As Peter and I returned from the Barley Mow last evening [or was it this morning?–Ed.] we saw that Bedford Borough Council had started to put the Christmas lighting up. This reminds me of my home town where Ballymena Borough Council causes embarrassment to its residents by … Continue reading it’s not just Ballymena that brings Christmas early…

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fire at 21st US President’s ancestral home

Michael McFarland Campbell

Last night there was a fire at Arthur Cottage, Cullybackey. Arthur Cottage was the ancestral home of Chester Alan Arthur, 21st President of the United States of America. At the time of writing, the cause of the fire is not known, nor do we know if it was malicious. However, what I do know is that Arthur Cottage was a favourite place for me to visit on my bicycle when I was younger. It was about 3 miles away from my home in Ballymena, which is where I am as I type this article, and was a rather easy trip. … Continue reading fire at 21st US President’s ancestral home

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the parents’ annual ramble (not in the snow thank goodness!)

Michael McFarland Campbell

Every year for at least the last twenty years my parents have issued a Christmas letter with what we have all been up to. Now sitting in their dining room, opposite my little brother Duncan who is reading about why does E=mc²?, and having just seen the other one Peter who is off playing taxi driver for some neighbours, I reproduce the letter that has been sent out – with some editorial from me in purple.

Although plenty seems to have been happening this year there’s not a vast amount of any significance to report; so here we go on the annual ramble. Continue reading “the parents’ annual ramble (not in the snow thank goodness!)”

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Paisley; a Borough; no respect for Crown authority; and a city…

Michael McFarland Campbell

Diamond Jubilee of HM The Queen We’re coming up on a milestone in the reign of our Sovereign Lady, Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and of her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, &c.*. The last milestone was Her Majesty’s Golden Jubilee – the forthcoming is the Diamond Jubilee in 2010. Jubilee Cities With these milestones often comes a race among various towns in the United Kingdom to be the three in 2000 (or four five† in 2002) that become cities in what … Continue reading Paisley; a Borough; no respect for Crown authority; and a city…

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