For years, I have often felt at a disadvantage. The crazy thing is that this perceived disadvantage was in fact because I was very fortunate. You see, all around me at school and later at college, there were friends who … Continue reading Eric Pickles says that all of us have some connection with the Great War – even me.
Following a report of an alleged suspicious approach in East Belfast on 21st May 2013, the Police Service of Northern Ireland has determined that there was nothing untoward in this instance. However, the PSNI has said, If parents are concerned … Continue reading Suspicious Behaviour? If you’re concerned please report to Police
Originally posted on Andrew McFarland Campbell:
A few weeks ago I was in a Catholic holy shop that sold various things like Bibles, prayer cards, and religious statues and ornaments. I wasn’t buying anything, I was just there with Michael as he was browsing. A week or two after that I was in a comic book store. I didn’t go in for anything in particular – I’m not a comic book store kind of guy – but I did browse for a bit. It struck me that the comic book store was similar to the holy shop. It sold books… Continue reading Scifientology
“It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that Sir W Garth Morrison, KT, CBE, RN, Vice-President of The Scout Association and former Chief Scout went home earlier today.“After a brief illness, bravely borne, Sir Garth passed … Continue reading Gone home: Sir Garth Morrison KT CBE
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
Within Scouting there is a competition to find some real Bright Sparks this spring. Here’s a link to a video made by Putnoe Cub Scouts. If you like it – please click like on it and help them to try and win. Putnoe Cubs “We can be heroes!” Continue reading “We can be heroes!” – say Putnoe Cubs
The news that a man has been murdered in full view of witnesses on the streets of Woolwich makes me feel really sick. That the man killed was a member of HM Forces seems to make it worse. It certainly looks like an attack on the State in some form. Those of us who grew up in Northern Ireland during our troubles here became somewhat immune or desensitised to the killing of anyone. However, after such a long period of relatively few such murders here in Northern Ireland, it now hits us hard. And it makes me remember all who … Continue reading Sickened and disgusted: Woolwich attack
Following this afternoon’s vote in the debate on the third reading of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill, Christopher Lovell has expressed his disappointment at Tim Farron’s “abstention” today. It seems that Mr Lovell who lives in Leeds, not in Tim’s constituency, feels that because there is no vote recorded by Tim Farron in today’s debate, Tim abstained. I counter that this is not true. Tim did in fact, quite clearly not vote. It has been suggested by Erskine May that there is a procedure in Parliament to register an abstention: voting in both lobbies (Erskine May, Parliamentary Practice, 23rd edition, 2004, p412).
A House of Commons Briefing Paper, Divisions in the House of Commons, SN/PC/06401 states
If fewer than 40 Members, including the Speaker and the tellers, participate in a division, it does not meet the quorum required. The House then moves on to the next business, and the subject of the division is postponed until the next sitting day. Members who wish to defeat a particular item of business may engineer a division and then stay out of the lobbies, as they can thus render the division inquorate. Continue reading “Disappointed with Tim Farron or Naomi Long? I’m not…”
This afternoon we have seen the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill pass its third reading in the House of Commons. Many people start claiming that Equal Marriage is home and dry. This is quite far from the case. The Bill … Continue reading We’re being left behind in Northern Ireland: why I am a proud Liberal Democrat
Students across Northern Ireland and throughout these islands are free to assemble in their student unions without fear of arrest for sedition. Sadly, this is not so in the case of students in Swaziland. Former President of the Swaziland National … Continue reading NUS calls for Maxwell’s release in Swaziland
Gyronny Herald 