Michael questions why the Bikeability test available in England, Wales, and Scotland, seems to be not available in Northern Ireland? Surely we need it here just as much as the rest of the UK? Continue reading Bikeability – when will we get it in Northern Ireland?
According to a story on the Pink Paper‘s website, the North East of England has the largest proportion of straight people, with almost 96% of those living in the North East [saying] they were homosexual in response to the Integrated Household Survey published by the Office for National Statistics. I think that it is patently obvious that there is a missing ‘not’ in that sentence. Makes you think that it is always important to proof read though. Continue reading a mistake worthy of the Daily Fail…
O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our most gentle Queen and Mother look down in mercy upon England, thy dowry, and upon us who greatly hope and trust in thee. Continue reading A prayer for England after the #londonriots #prayforlondon
I’ve a number of tshirts that proclaim all sorts of things about myself on the front or on the back. I was looking for others and came across this one. It is quite appropriate – although some of us have had the image of us paddling across the Tiber with our breviaries held above our heads, and then sitting saying the Office on the other side, with a pile of books to supply everyone with, and a pile of towels for everyone to be dried off. I wonder will John Whitehead be seen wearing one soon? Continue reading The Tiber Swim Team?
Michael praises the work of the GAA in reaching across Northern Ireland’s divide and hopes that this work will continue to make everyone proud to support their county teams. Continue reading Sport can reach across the divide
And so it began. Not just my OU studies but married life as well. While I was starting to skim read the first chapter of Personal Finance I found that I might need a little more help with how to read more effectively. I know that I can often remember bits and pieces from articles that I have read even from years ago – but remembering and knowing facts that I know is different. Whilst in Belfast city centre yesterday, I bought two books (actually five in total yesterday – but three others were irrelevant to this post): Northedge, A., 2005. The Good Study Guide. Milton Keynes, … Continue reading First week – first few hours of study
As part of LGBT History month, Michael Carchrie Campbell calls on the Irish FA to support the Justin Campaign’s Homophobia v Football event on 19 February what would have been the 50th birthday of Justin Fashanu. Continue reading Come on Irish FA – let’s kick out homophobia too
The latest news from the Coalition Government in Westminster is a scheme whereby customers using bank cards could give money to charity. As a trustee of The HIV Support Centre, a local charity, this sounds like it could be a source of welcome money. But I have quite a number of questions. How would such money be distributed? How would the charity/charities be chosen? Is this to eliminate charity boxes in corner shops/bars etc.? I cannot see how this could be done in a fair way to help those charities that are reasonably small – yet are vital to local … Continue reading the big society: does it apply to Northern Ireland?
On the website of The HIV Support Centre the following is published: I wholeheartedly support the call for routine HIV testing locally from Miriam Stoppard OBE – but not just in England – we need it throughout the United Kingdom. Miriam Stoppard has suggested that routine testing for HIV would help to save lives. Obviously, this would be a good idea. It would also help cut down the stigma that surround a diagnosis of HIV. If everyone were treated equally and routinely tested, this could mean that diagnosis would not be as late as for many people at present. Despite … Continue reading 95% think routine hiv testing would be good – what are we waiting for?
The debate on this motion in the House of Commons yesterday:
That the draft Higher Education (Basic Amount) (England) Regulations 2010, which were laid before this House on 29 November, be approved.
was inextricably linked to that on
That, for the purpose of section 24 of the Higher Education Act 2004, the higher amount should be increased to £9,000, and to £4,500 in the cases described in regulation 5 of the draft regulations in Command Paper Cm 7986, and that the increase should take effect from 1 September 2012.
However, whilst I do not agree with the trebling of fees for full-time undergraduates, as has been made clear in recent posts. As one who has been a part-time undergraduate the provisions on the inclusion of part-time students within the student loan system for the first time is one part of the Bill with which I can agree. Continue reading “Amongst the shouting – there were good things in that vote too”
Gyronny Herald 