Category: news

APNI, Belfast, DUP, HIV, news, Northern Ireland life, politics, poverty, SDLP, Sinn Féin, UUPLeave a comment

Is the Executive so tight that they cannot find £5000?

Michael McFarland Campbell

I was interested to notice that cancer patients in Northern Ireland are among those benefiting from a payment from the Northern Ireland Executive of a one-off winter fuel payment. Apparently this is because their immune systems are somewhat suppressed and they need to stay warm. £5000 is not much in the overall budget of the Northern Ireland Executive. At least you would not think that it is. Yet this relatively small amount of money is all that it would take to extend the payment of the winter fuel payment to one group of people who could really benefit from it. … Continue reading Is the Executive so tight that they cannot find £5000?

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HIV, news, News, Northern Ireland lifeLeave a comment

Crosspost: #HIV statistics pose more questions…

Michael McFarland Campbell

How many people are living with HIV in Northern Ireland? It seems that that question brings different answers from different organisations. The latest figures from the Public Health Agency stated There are now 474 people living with HIV infection in Northern Ireland. However, Rob Anderson, Chairman of The HIV Support Centre said: In Northern Ireland there are approximately 1000 people living with HIV in Northern Ireland however it is estimated that this could be as high as 1250. It would be interesting to know what the true figure is. With a little bit of curiosity I found the following information… … Continue reading Crosspost: #HIV statistics pose more questions…

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Belfast, Blogging, DUP, Northern Ireland life, Royal Family, Sinn Féin, UUPLeave a comment

Sinn Féin, a youth organisation, and the Duke of Edinburgh… time to grow up.

Michael McFarland Campbell

Imagine that you are 14 years old, you have just worked hard completing activities including Volunteering, Physical, Skills and Expedition, for over three months as well as additional three months on one of them. During this time you have also carried out a 2 day (and one night) expedition. At the end of it you get an award. It could be with your school, the Scouts, the Guides, the Boys’ Brigade, the Church Lads’ Brigade or any other youth organisation. Having completed this award. you receive a certificate from someone important, along with all the others who have got your … Continue reading Sinn Féin, a youth organisation, and the Duke of Edinburgh… time to grow up.

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Ballymena, Bedford, news2 Comments

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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APNI, Belfast, DUP, Northern Ireland, politicsLeave a comment

and they’ve done it again in @niassembly – D’Oh!

Michael McFarland Campbell
Northern Ireland Assembly logo
Image via Wikipedia

Once again our esteemed MLAs in the Northern Ireland Assembly have managed to pass a motion with amendments that is not possible to enforce. Continue reading “and they’ve done it again in @niassembly – D’Oh!”

Birmingham, Blogging, Lib Dems, PoliceLeave a comment

#ldconf and why I stayed away

Michael McFarland Campbell

I ought to have been in Birmingham this morning, voting on the motion on Accredtiation for Party Conference and between the amendments to it. This motion was brought to conference as a result of the so-called security measures that were brought in for this conference by the Federal Conference Committee (FCC) and the Constabulary. I know which way I would have voted. But sadly, my vote does not count this year. I am not there. I read from Andy that, and indeed the coverage on BBC Parliament allowed us to hear that, some people do not believe that there are … Continue reading #ldconf and why I stayed away

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APNI, Belfast, Blogging, Northern Ireland lifeLeave a comment

swings and roundabouts in North Belfast

Michael McFarland Campbell

For many, the idea that a public park could have more than one set of swings and roundabouts is somewhat inconceivable, but that is just one working out of the divided society in which we here in Northern Ireland get used to. For the last 17 years there has been a so-called Peace Wall up the middle of Alexandra Park. This past week has seen a gate installed in it for the first time. And yes, for once, that gate is actually going to be opened – from 0900 to 1500 on weekdays, and currently only for a three month … Continue reading swings and roundabouts in North Belfast

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