Category: news

Ballymena, Bedford, Blogging, England, FestivalsLeave a comment

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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news, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, politics, Sinn Féin1 Comment

Interesting interests from Sinn Féin’s MLA for South Antrim

Michael McFarland Campbell

Martina Purdy of the BBC has produced some interesting registered activities for our MLAs up at Stormont. One that strikes me as a little strange is that Sinn Fein’s Mitchel McLaughlin declared his trip to Boston last November. He was part of a trade delegation from the north west and the cost was met by Golden Bridges (Boston-North West Ireland). Nothing altogether strange in that you say? Ah, well, now… Mr McLaughlin doesn’t represent a constituency in the North West despite being from there. Some wags have suggested that the times he spends most in his constituency of South Antrim … Continue reading Interesting interests from Sinn Féin’s MLA for South Antrim

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Belfast, Blogging, charitable, christian, Counselling, LGBT, NSPCILeave a comment

The core issue: will you kiss the leper clean?

Michael McFarland Campbell

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?”

Belfast, LGBT, news, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland lifeLeave a comment
Jeff Dudgeon MBE, third from left

Jeff Dudgeon MBE

Michael McFarland Campbell
MBE
Medal of an MBE, Image via Wikipedia

Every year, at about this time, I read the list of people upon whom HM The Queen has been pleased to bestow honours. For many years, I have hoped to see the name of one particular person among them. This morning, that hope of mine has been realised.

Jeffrey Edward Anthony DUDGEON. For services to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community in Northern Ireland. Continue reading “Jeff Dudgeon MBE”

Lib Dems, news, Regional Development, Scotland, SNP1 Comment

Saving a Scottish Institution: what we all can do to save the Caledonian Sleeper

Michael McFarland Campbell

There was a time when travelling from Northern Ireland to London you could travel by sleeper from Stranraer Harbour to Euston – and indeed in the same manner in the opposite direction. Even as late as 1990 this was possible. However, sadly, this is now no longer possible, you have to take a train up to Glasgow to be able to connect with the sleeper. I know that I have enjoyed travelling using the services of the Caledonian Sleeper when I have needed to be in London fresh-faced for a meeting in the morning. But it seems that we may … Continue reading Saving a Scottish Institution: what we all can do to save the Caledonian Sleeper

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