Tag: Ballymena

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differing time zones in the UK?

Michael McFarland Campbell

It’s coming round to that time of year when our clocks spring forward to British Summer Time or rather GMT+1. But should there be differing time zones within the UK? Some campaigners are looking for the South West (at least) to be on SDST – that is Single/Double Summer Time or rather GMT+1 in Winter and GMT+2 in Summer. Now in Scotland and probably Northern Ireland this really wouldn’t work – it would be far too dark to get up in the mornings. Take today for instance – sunrise will be at 06.26 in Ballymena (according to the Met Office … Continue reading differing time zones in the UK?

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Northern Ireland lifeLeave a comment

Common courtesy missing at Ballymena Station!

Michael McFarland Campbell

It is clear that on occasion people in this part of the world can be just downright rude. Take today, I was getting off the 3.14 train from Béal Feirste/Belfast to Doire/Londonderry in An Baile Meánach/Ballymena and there were about thirty people on the platform waiting to board the train. Unfortunately, at the door where I was trying to get off, they just hurded themselves into a group and stood opposite the door, right close to the train and there was nowhere for me to stand had I been able to get onto the platform. It’s probably time that Translink … Continue reading Common courtesy missing at Ballymena Station!

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Gaeilge4 Comments

Placenames – a sense of history

Michael McFarland Campbell

We have a rich cultural heritage in our placenames in Northern Ireland, but sadly there are far too few times when we see the original language (Gaeilge) in use on public signs. This is probably due to the language being seen to be “Nationalist” and therefore not of interest to the rest of the population. However, I would contend that it is of interest to both those who live here – and those that visit this small part of the world. Why should we just give the names of our towns in English? Often they make more sense when given … Continue reading Placenames – a sense of history

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Regional Development1 Comment

Ballymena station needs more parking

Michael McFarland Campbell

This morning I discovered that Northern Ireland Railways has invested in extra parking at Ballymena station. This is in adddition to the original “Park and Ride” that was put there a couple of years ago. However, I have been told about some senior citizens who have had problems getting to the station to use their free Senior Smartpass issued by the Department of Social Development on the train or bus. If they drive down after about 9 o’clock in the morning, they find that there is nowhere for them to park. Does NIR need to build a multi-storey carpark at the … Continue reading Ballymena station needs more parking

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