Category: news

Belfast, Coalisland, news, Regional Development1 Comment

not the time for knee jerk reactions as NI water crisis affects us all

Michael McFarland Campbell
UK citizens left in queues for basic needs of water in Northern Ireland.

The news from Northern Ireland does not seem good at present.

As NI Water continues to update us on how they are battling the water shortage in Northern Ireland, vandals have attacked emergency supplies in Coalisland, County Tyrone.

Vandals have opened valves on bowsers in County Tyrone and emptied out nearly 5,000 gallons (22,730 litres) of water.

from BBC News NI

And were the demands on water not high enough, others set fire to vehicles in Lisburn. Continue reading “not the time for knee jerk reactions as NI water crisis affects us all”

news1 Comment

an important announcement…*

Michael McFarland Campbell

Whereas on the twentieth day of the month of December in the year of our Lord two thousand and ten, a resolution was passed by being assented to by those by whom these presents are sent, Be it made known that this resolution will be made known to all and sundry upon publication of it in the Gyronny Herald on the fourteenth day of the month of January in the year of our Lord Two thousand and eleven. A. A. McFarland M. J. P. B. Carchrie Campbell The Hamlets, 1 January 2011 * important – but not very descriptive… All … Continue reading an important announcement…*

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Belfast, gay, HIV, LGBT, MRSA, Northern Ireland1 Comment

all so wonderfully normal (part 2)

Andrew McFarland Campbell

Last night, my friend Conor and his flatmate invited Michael and me to their New Year’s Eve party, in their flat in the Titanic Quarter. There were probably about ten people there, and we spent the evening playing with the Xbox, listening to music, and generally being social. There was also some alcohol consumption, but as a non-drinker I’m going to draw a veil over that. At midnight, we watched Big Ben* on the BBC, and yes Michael and I kissed. It was a completely normal New Year’s Eve party for all of us. Re-read that last sentence: it was … Continue reading all so wonderfully normal (part 2)

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Belfast, newsLeave a comment

from the Port of Belfast – Happy New Year

Michael McFarland Campbell

Everyone has his own New Year traditions. Many countries have their own too. This evening whilst at a party in the flat of Conor, one of Andrew‘s friends in the Titanic Quarter of Belfast, we heard the ship’s whistles of the ships in the Port of Belfast being blown for New Year. Normally, in the past I would have been involved in ringing out the old year, and ringing in the new year. But this evening, it was interesting to be so close to the Port that Ships Whistles could be heard for well nigh half an hour. Other things … Continue reading from the Port of Belfast – Happy New Year

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Belfast, news, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland lifeLeave a comment

George Woodman MBE: a small appreciation

Michael McFarland Campbell
Full shot of a MBE including the case it is gi...
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Those who work in Parliament Buildings at the present within the Northern Ireland Assembly, and those who have in the past will know George Woodman*, Parliamentary Librarian, who has been honoured by Her Majesty The Queen by being made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the New Year’s Honours this year.

George has always been there when you want some help in looking something up in the Parliamentary Library (sorry – now the Assembly Library). Continue reading “George Woodman MBE: a small appreciation”

Blogging, Media, news, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, politicsLeave a comment

BBC NI notices the NI blogosphere – corrected

Michael McFarland Campbell

It seems that BBC Northern ireland has been noticing the Northern Irish blogosphere. Well done. We’ve been around for some time… Gareth Gordon writes… I think it only attracts a certain type of people. I don’t necessarily think its a broad representative cross-section of opinion or even punditry and it can at times attract extremist views on the blogosphere. It is a pity, however, that [due to BBC editorial policy] Mr Gordon does not follow the usual courtesy of bloggers – that of linking to the various sites named. Therefore, in a spirit of helpfulness. Here are the links… 1690 … Continue reading BBC NI notices the NI blogosphere – corrected

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Belfast, newsLeave a comment

alternative numbers for Northern Ireland Water

Michael McFarland Campbell

With the ongoing shortage on water in Northern Ireland, and lack of information that is correct being distributed, it is important that people can contact NI Water. Therefore I am publishing alternative numbers to contact them on. According to Say No to 0870 campaign, it is possible to contact Northern Ireland Water on numbers instead of the 0845 744 0088 number. 0845 744 0088 – NI Water’s published number 028 9016 8020 – alternative from SAYNOTO0870.com 0800 051 5445 – freephone from landline. Although I have not tried this in this particular instance, from mobile telephones, it is quite often possible … Continue reading alternative numbers for Northern Ireland Water

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Belfast, gay, Health, HIV, MRSA, news, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, PVL-MRSA3 Comments

my name is Andrew

Andrew McFarland Campbell

My name is Andrew, and I am living with HIV. You might think that I am HIV positive – I am not. I am living with HIV because my boyfriend*, Michael, the man I love,  is HIV positive. I am living with HIV because HIV has a direct impact on my life. I am also, to some extent, living with PVL-MRSA, because Michael has that too. Today Michael had an appointment at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, and his doctor took the opportunity to screen me for MRSA, because there was a chance that I was an asymptomatic carrier. It … Continue reading my name is Andrew

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Belfast, CD4 count, Drugs, Health, HIV, MRSA, news, News, PVL-MRSA, Viral load4 Comments

another day, the RVH again

Michael McFarland Campbell

This morning Andrew and I toddled up to Belfast‘s Royal Victoria Hospital once more, after last night’s abscess burst, and sat around whilst the normal business of the CUM glinic went on about us. Eventually, Dr Killian Quinn, called for me – and off I went. He didn’t take any swabs from the abscess which I had thought was the principal reason for attending the clinic. That is to ensure that it was just (the now normal) PVL-MRSA. However he did prescribe the usual special wash and Bactroban nasal spray – for the next five days. What fun! And of … Continue reading another day, the RVH again

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charitable, Conservatives, Lib Dems, London, news, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, politics1 Comment

the big society: does it apply to Northern Ireland?

Michael McFarland Campbell

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?

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