Tag: belfast

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I’d expect more from those at sea…

Michael McFarland Campbell

Vexillogical stupidities once more Once again I’ve come across some stupidities regarding flag etiquette. In my experience, those who are sailors are usually among the best concerning flag use. But with the Tall Ships Maritime Festival on in Belfast at the moment, this has proved not to be the case. Wrong courtesy flag It is usual for vessels when in a foreign port to fly a ‘courtesy ensign‘ — that is the ensign of the port in which they are. In the United Kingdom that ensign should be the Red Ensign. Unfortunately some of the Tall Ships’ captains appear to … Continue reading I’d expect more from those at sea…

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Flags – some oddities, and some stupidities!

Michael McFarland Campbell

It’s nearly July – so it’s time for lamp posts to turn into flagpoles You know you’re from Northern Ireland when you find yourself referring to lampposts as ‘flagpoles’. It’s nearly July so in many areas we have flags ‘decorating’ these flagpoles lampposts.  It wouldn’t be so bad if the flags were at full mast on their flagpoles lampposts, but rarely are they at the top. Thus it often appears that we are in permanent mourning for someone. This afternoon as I drove from Parliament Buildings to the city centre I spotted some particular stupidities. Some well-meaning so-called Loyalists have … Continue reading Flags – some oddities, and some stupidities!

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Royal British Legion ask for Poppy to be removed from BNP leader’s lapel

Michael McFarland Campbell

Poppies in May The Royal British Legion has asked that Nick Griffin MEP, Chairman of the British National Party and newly elected MEP for the North West of England, to remove the poppy, the symbol of the Legion’s annual appeal, from his lapel. Dear Mr Griffin, We couldn’t help but notice that there was egg on your face (and on your suit jacket) on the day after you were elected MEP for North West England. Please don’t leave egg on ours. You wore a Poppy lapel badge during your news conference to celebrate your election victory. This was in direct … Continue reading Royal British Legion ask for Poppy to be removed from BNP leader’s lapel

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Currie Primary vandalised

Michael McFarland Campbell

Another week, another school has been attacked. Currie Primary School in the Tiger’s Bay area of Belfast has been vandalised. Not yet two weeks ago I was there for the first time to cast my vote in the European Election. Today, the school is closed while a clean up operation starts. £300 was also stolen from the premises. Surely now is a time to wonder about keeping such somes of money on school premises over the weekend. Continue reading Currie Primary vandalised

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St Patrick’s College damaged by fire

Michael McFarland Campbell

Six a.m. in Belfast is like six a.m. in most cities, some people are getting up to go to work, others lying-on in their beds, others already at work. But Belfast of course is slightly different. Belfast has people out throwing petrol bombs. Take this morning, for instance, the Fire and Rescue Service and the Police were called to St Patrick’s College Bearnageeha on the Antrim Road in the north of the city following reports of a fire. Fortunately they found that the fire had burnt itself out. But what had happened? Someone thought that it would be a good … Continue reading St Patrick’s College damaged by fire

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History made as Sinn Féin top NI Euro Poll

Michael McFarland Campbell

The scene in the King’s Hall, Belfast this morning was as divided as the Unionist vote. Every now and then another MLA/MP entered the hall and his/her supporters squealed, shouted, and screamed support. It seemed like the main purpose of having lots of counting agents present was to ensure you shouted the loudest. Of course, the real reason for everyone being there was to ensure that the European Election count was conducted freely and fairly. Sinn Féin‘s Bairbre de Brún topped the poll and displaced the Democratic Unionist Party from its top spot since 1979. After she was elected, the … Continue reading History made as Sinn Féin top NI Euro Poll

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60% stay away from voting

Michael McFarland Campbell

Euro Elections turnout are record low With the ongoing expenses saga at Westminster, and the long running inaction at Stormont, it is unsurprising that over nearly 60% of Northern Ireland’s electorate stayed away from the polling stations on Thursday. When touring some polling stations in North Belfast on Thursday evening looking for the totals at 9pm of how many people had voted, I realised it was going to be a low turnout. But only when I got into the second polling station did I realise just how low. Then I got to the Verification at the King’s Hall yesterday. And … Continue reading 60% stay away from voting

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Rainbow’s report shows 60% of incidents not reported

Michael McFarland Campbell

Today, The Rainbow Project is launching a report that shows that gay people who are attacked because of their sexuality are still reluctant to report them to the Police Service of Northern Ireland. The research was carried out by John O’Doherty, Equality Officer with The Rainbow Project, following their commission by the PSNI. According to the research, more than 60% of homophobic incidents in the last three years were not reported. I know that the police do try to reach out to the LGBT community in various ways: they are nearly always at Belfast Pride Festival in the summer, as … Continue reading Rainbow’s report shows 60% of incidents not reported

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Coronation Day in Stormont

Michael McFarland Campbell

As I arrived at the Stormont Estate this morning, I noticed that the Union Flag was flying from both flagpoles on Parliament Buildings. The reason, of course, is for the fifty-sixth Anniversary of the Coronation of our Sovereign Lady, the Most High and Mighty Princess Elizabeth II, of this Realm, and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.    I walked down to Dundonald House and found that the Flag was flying upside down. I pointed this out to the porter on duty and she stated that she would go and correct it. We … Continue reading Coronation Day in Stormont

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PPS decision on Robinson a scandal

Michael McFarland Campbell

Belfast Pride and the Northern Ireland Gay Rights Association today described as “a scandal” the decision of the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) not to recommend a Police Service of Northern Ireland investigation into homophobic comments made by the Member of Parliament for Strangford. Chair of Belfast Pride, Andy Thompson, said: “We are outraged and offended, though not surprised, that the PPS has decided not to recommend an investigation into the odious comments made by the First Minister’s wife. “In any other part of the United Kingdom, or had Mrs Peter Robinson made comparable assertions about any other minority group, we … Continue reading PPS decision on Robinson a scandal

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