NALIL - North Antrim Local Interest List

Bushmills PSNI Station - Threatened by Closure

2012-01-21T19:22:00.000Z

Third of police stations face closure

[click blue links to open other webpages]

Save our station!

Thursday, 19 January 2012

Bushmills Primary School Principal Jack Gault, TUV Councillor Sharon McKillop, UUP Councillor and Vice Chair of Moyle District Council Sandra Hunter and UUP Councillor William Graham pictured outside Bushmills Police Station as they launch their campaign

COUNCILLORS in Bushmills are calling on the local community to show their support for the village police station, which is under threat of closure.
They have joined together to launch a petition - and want to gather as many names as possible to show how important the facility is.
Speaking on behalf of the Causeway councillors, the UUP's Sandra Hunter said: "Local councillors are asking for you to strongly support a petition in local shops and businesses in Bushmills and the rural area to keep our local neighbourhood police and the facility of the station in Bushmills.
“We understand the station is under threat from closure (Estates Strategy 2012/15) and we want to make sure the station is retained and kept open for the community.
“At present we are able to put a name to the face of police officers through community contact and these relationships will be lost forever if the station is allowed to close.
“The symbolism of a local police presence in rural areas gives us all a feeling of safety and security.
“The local police, having familiar knowledge of the local area, means faster response times and more police presence as there is no loss of travel time from further afield stations.
“Having a police station symbolises Bushmills as a safe place to live and the station can be used as a base for local police, an operational base for major searches or a control point for any difficulties that may arise.
“With this being one of the main tourist areas in Northern Ireland we want it to be a safe place for visitors as well as local residents.
“Please sign the petition at a convenient location in Bushmills and the surrounding area.

What's in a Name - Malcolm 'Moltke' Magill?

2012-01-21T18:23:00.002Z

A few weeks ago a friend mentioned the name Malcolm Magill MM, Malcolm is named in "Three Cheers for The Derrys!", a history of the 10th (Derry) Battalion based on the recollections of veterans Jim Donaghy and Leslie Bell.

Malcolm (aged 18) appears in the 1901 Census in the Townparks in Magherafelt along with his father James (52), mother Eliza (50) and siblings John (31), James (25) and Thomas (16); his occupation is shoemaker.

He appears in the 1911 Census as Moltke Magill (27) in Rainey Street, Magherafelt, along with his father James (64), mother Eliza (65) and siblings Jas P (42) and Thomas (25); his occupation is bootmaker. James and Eliza are 43 years married and have eight children, all living.

A closer look at the handwritten census shows that Jas P is Jno P - Jno being an abbreviation for John. John P Magill appears in the 1910 Ulster Towns Directory for Magherafelt:

Orange Institution—O'Hara Purple Guards L.O.L., No. 310—John P. Magill W.M.; W. J. M'Cart, D.M.; Samuel Porter, jun., sec.; Wm. Hutchinson, treasurer. Meetings, first Monday in each month

Can anyone shed any light as to how Malcolm acquired the Moltke* nick-name? Are any family relations still living around Magherafelt? How did he achieve his Military Medal?

[* Moltke is the surname of two high ranking Prussian/German army officers of that era: Helmuth von Moltke the Elder was a Field Marshall and Helmuth von Moltke the Younger served as Chief of the General Staff.]

If you can add additional details please get in touch: nalilblog@gmail.com

Moyle District Council - Carry On Up Torr 5

2012-01-14T21:16:00.001Z

E/2011/0257/F - Torr plan for a new 'infill' dwelling received by Planning Service 29.12.11 - validated 30.12.11.

Planning Service permitted #72 (b) to be retained as a store for one of the new builds (c) in an earlier application for a replacement dwelling. 'Store' is now to be replaced by new L-shaped 2-bedroom single storey dwelling right on the bend.

One of the conditions for (a) was that the old dwelling (d) beside the demolished monument/'mound' be, er, demolished prior to (a) being occupied, if I remember correctly.

Retrospective approval granted for House c seems to be quite clear: there is to be no additional dwelling ie no dwelling on the site of #72 (b)

Just how arbitrary is the planning process? The Torr site - outlined PQRS - is apparently owned by a developer. Why has the planning service accepted proposals for individual dwellings when it was fairly clear that this was to be a multi-dwelling site? The plans for (a) and (c) were processed at the same time. Planning application Form P1 is clear:

So where is the appraisal/analysis, concept plan and statement for site PQRS?

Letter to neighbours

Moyle District Council - Carry On Up Torr
Moyle District Council - Carry On Up Torr 2
Moyle District Council - Carry On Up Torr 3
Moyle District Council - Carry On Up Torr 4

Notting Hill Carnival - Belfast Style

2012-01-14T11:05:00.000Z

Notting Hill Carnival - Belfast Style

Derry~Londonderry and the Culture Wars

2012-01-09T15:06:00.000Z

The current exchanges on Slugger O'Toole - here and here - and elsewhere illustrate the need IMO for a greater separation between envigorating culture and corrosive politics.

I have no musical or dancing accomplishments but forty years ago I helped establish JCSS, an inter-schools group in Coleraine; I also got involved with Corrymeela in Ballycastle around the same time. JCSS, amongst other things, put on 20-30 concerts a year for Corrymeela and about 10 in Coleraine. On one occasion at Corrymeela a group of Irish dancers couldn't perform because another group had already taken part. Apparently they were affiliated to two different dance bodies who just happened to be at daggers-drawn against one another. I was very annoyed that one group of youngsters had had their evening ruined because of dance 'politics'. At that point I decided I would drop national tags from cultural events where they would prove to be controversial.

In the bad old days when war was waging and (mostly other people's) blood was being spilt Corrymeela and other settings were places of tranquility where acts of common decency broke out:

Thank you for directing to us young people of such unselfishness and reliability. Each in his own way made a valuable contribution to the holiday. I personally learned a tremendous amount from their unselfishness. I only wish more people in our divided communities could experience how easy it is to love and live together once the will to do so is there .. the late Sr Souboris, Loreto Convent, Coleraine, following a 1973 summer camp for children hosted by the convent.

Ballycastle Bay Cruises

2012-01-08T19:49:00.000Z

I asked the following question on NALIL blog on September 6, 2011: "Should or could Moyle District Council do more in its welcome for cruise ships?" Paul Frew, DUP MLA for North Antrim, tabled a question to Arlene Foster, the DETI minister the following day:

Northern Ireland Assembly Q&A - Ballycastle Bay Cruises

"The Moyle Harbour Master, in conjunction with the Council’s Tourism Officer, plan to compile a destination data sheet of the relevant harbour/anchorage information including a guidance to local attractions and services that are available to the passengers and to promote the area as a preferred mid-cruise location."

Petition - "For the future of fishing in Northern Ireland"

2012-01-04T00:27:00.000Z

"Opened on January 02, 2012

A petition to express concern over the exploitation of indigenous fish species, including salmon, where stocks are no longer sustainable.

It is important to strike an appropriate balance between the conservation of fish stocks and the protection of the local fishing industry, which is a vital part of the Northern Ireland economy. It is a sad fact that there are cases where indigenous fish species are being exploited to the point where stocks are no longer sustainable.Particular examples include the overfishing of salmon where conservation limits are not being met and the illegal netting of fish province-wide

It must be recognised that the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, in partnership with other relevant Departments and following consultation with key stakeholders, can do more to tackle this problem. This may include the development of an action plan, which includes actions required by the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation as well as the redrafting of the outdated Fisheries Act to provide further clarity in this area."

If you share the concerns of the organisers you can sign the petition here.

You can find ministerial answers to questions asked in the Northern Ireland Assembly by clicking this link. Tick 'Flexible Search'; tick 'Session' for the most recent administration or 'Mandate' and choose the one you're interested in; enter 'Keyword/Phrase' such as 'salmon' or 'drift net'; and click Search. Tick 'Display all answers' when results appear.

Added 14 January 2012

Fisheries Minister Carál Ní Chuilín is asking fishermen and the angling community to support voluntary measures aimed at restoring stocks of wild Atlantic Salmon in the North. ..
Announcing the measures, the Minister said: “The continued commercial exploitation of wild Atlantic salmon and killing of salmon caught by rod and line in the DCAL jurisdiction is currently untenable. ..
Long term monitoring of the survival of salmon during the marine phase of their lifecycle at Bushmills Salmon Station shows a decline from around 30% prior to 1997 to less than 5% today. ..
The Department is asking operators of coastal fishing engines not to apply for 2012 licences. It is writing to the Lough Neagh draft net licence holders asking them to not take salmon in 2012. It is also asking anglers to practice catch and release when fishing for salmon rather than killing them.
The Minister added: “It is hoped that stakeholders can find common ground in the interests of recovery of stocks and we can all join in the shared aim of a return to sustainability of all salmon fisheries. .."

What happens if licence holders don't co-operate? Will DCAL refuse to issue licences? What happens if salmon from the DCAL jurisdiction end up in Billingsgate Fish Market?

From Bushmills to St Louis with Love 2

2012-01-02T16:26:00.002Z

And there's more ... If you'd like to be told about the publication of the other love letters just become a follower on Twitter. The next letter appears tomorrow, January 3.

The following quotation from the James Edwin Love archive tells us a little bit more about his grandparents, Alexander Love and Mary Moore:

Alexander became a mechanic, engaged in building and contracting in the vicinity of Londonderry. He married Mary Moore, and they had two sons, Robert Alexander and William James, the latter of whom was James E. Love’s father, born in 1804. Alexander and his sons would operate James Love & Company, a building and contracting firm headquartered in Ballymena.

There's an old burying ground called Grange in the townland of Grange Foyle in the parish of Donaghedy and a few miles north of Strabane, Co Tyrone. This headstone inscription probably relates to James' Love grandparents:

Erected, by Alexander Love formerly, of ALTREST now BALLYMENA, in memory of his wife, Mary Love, who died 9th Nov. 1838, aged 63 years.

There's a mention of James Love and Company in the Ballymena section of the 1843 Belfast/Ulster Street Directory:

Love, James & Co., Grocers, Tea Dealers, Ironmongers, Lead, Lead Pipe, Slate, and Timber Merchants, High Street.

There are two Love grocers in Bridge Street in the Ballymena section of the 1852 directory:

Love, John, grocer and haberdasher, Bridge Street
Love, Robert, grocer, Bridge Street

The junction of Main Street and Bridge Street, Bushmills, is known as Steel's/Steele's Corner. Could this have a connection to James Love's Steel grandparents?

According to the Museum archives the Love brothers left America in 1854 for Australia and James returned to St Louis in 1858:

In January 1858, James left Australia after accumulating about $6,000 in gold. Upon his return to St. Louis, James bought property at the corner of 9th and Spring (or St. Louis) Avenue.

The Coleraine Chronicle records the fate of his younger brother Samuel Alexander the following year:

Marriage of James Love's parents in Bushmills Presbyterian Church on 27 October 1829:

"On the 27th of October 1829, William, son of James and Jean Love of Donaghedy [a parish in Co Tyrone] to Hessy (Esther), daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Steel of Bushmills. Witnesses: Samuel Steel and Duncan McCallum, Bushmills" - modified in the modern style.

Transatlantic Sessions - Series 5 - 2011

2011-12-31T00:23:00.003Z

Traditional Music

from

Ireland, Scotland and North America

Episode 1

Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham — Set of Reels

Eric Bibb — Going' Down the Road Feelin' Bad

Kathleen MacInnes — Oran a Cloiche

Béla Fleck — Big Country

Eddi Reader — Leezie Lindsay

Dirk Powell — Boats Up The River

Alison Krauss — Lay My Burden Down

BBC Transatlantic Sessions DVDs

Episode 2

Dick Glasgow - North Antrim Music

2011-12-29T15:40:00.001Z

Podcast Powered By Podbean

From Bushmills to St Louis with Love

2011-12-28T21:19:00.018Z

Missouri History Museum is currently publishing a collection of love letters from James Edwin Love to his fiancée, Eliza Mary (Molly) Wilson back home in St Louis, Missouri, on the 150th anniversary of the date on each letter. These letters were written during the course of the American Civil War and give a flavour of the events he experienced as well as his feelings for Molly, a native of Islandmagee, near Larne, Co Antrim..

As a child, James lived with his Grandmother Steel at Bushmills, visited his Grandmother Love at the Love homestead outside Derry, and explored the caves and cliffs of the Irish countryside in the region of Ulster, from Larne to Colraine. Many years later, and in another country, James would meet and fall in love with a girl from Larne, Eliza Mary “Molly” Wilson.

According to the Museum archive, James' father William and mother Esther were cousins and they married in 1829; Esther's Bushmills parents were Samuel Steel and Eliza Moore. James was born in Bushmills in1830 and experienced family loss at a very early age; his siblings were born in Ballymena. His father died in 1839 and his mother just three years later in 1842; his sister Mary E. also passed away in 1842, aged 9, and his other sister Jane in 1848, aged 13. James departed for the USA in 1849, aged 20, along with his younger brother Samuel Alexander, aged 12, just as the Irish famine was nearing its end. From the introduction, some uncles and aunts had previously emigrated to the USA.

In May 1849, James and his brother, Samuel, traveled to America, arriving in New York in July. Several of James’s relatives had already come to America, including his aunts and uncles, James and Mary Jane Adams*, and John and Eliza Forsyth, who settled in St. Louis in 1836. Another uncle, Robert A. Love, had settled in Cincinnati in the early 1840s. James and Samuel traveled by boat from New York to Cincinnati, where James lived with his uncle Robert.

We know from the US censuses in 1880, 1900 and 1910 that James and Molly married about 1865, had four children and that James, who had been an office cashier, died sometime between 1900 and 1910.

MARRIAGES.
Love and Wilson - May 2, [1865,] at the First Presbyterian
Church, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S., by the Rev. Henry
A. Nelson, Captain E. Love, U.S.A., son of the late
William Love, Esq., Ballymena, [Co. Antrim?], to
Eliza M., second daughter of the late Alexander
Wilson, Esq., Islandmagee, [Co. Antrim?].
(Transcribed by James Tuff.)

MHM Love Letters on Twitter : "Don't miss the next James Love Letter coming January 3! The letters will be more frequent next year when James joins a new regiment". The letters have been archived in reverse order so go to the last page to read the first letter: Civil War Love Letters: June 16, 1861

On May 2, 1865, he married Miss Eliza (Molly) Wilson in St. Louis, where he spent the remainder of his life. He died December 27, 1905. ... Love Papers (1859-1865)

Might the following be Molly's mother?:

WILSON -- July 18, at her residence, St. Louis, Missouri. Mrs. Eliza Wilson, widow of the late Captain Alexander Wilson, and daughter of the late Rev. John Murphy, Islandmagee, aged 76 years. ... The Witness - Friday, 14 August, 1874

Wilson Erected by Eliza Wilson in memory of her husband Alexander Wilson who died 31 Jan 1846 aged 49 years. And their son Joseph who died in infancy. Also in memory of her father, the Rev. John Murphy, 53 years minister of the Presbyterian Church, Islandmagee, who died 12 Jun 1842 aged 87 years. Jane Brown his wife died 29 Apr 1833 aged 78 years. Robert B. Murphy died 10 Apr 1813 aged 19 years. Margaret Murphy died 15 Aug 1841 aged 52 years. Arch. Dounan died 30 Aug 1850 aged 59 years. ... Ballypriormore Graveyard, Islandmagee

The answer appears to be yes:

Molly Wilson was born in 1833 on Island Magee, about 50 miles southeast of Bushmills, and moved with her mother to St. Louis about 1850. One of her brothers** married one of Love's cousins. Love and Wilson, both Presbyterians, were engaged shortly before he joined the 5th U.S. Reserve Corps in St. Louis, which was formed to fight rebels in Missouri. ... Tim O'Neil, STL Today

**Perhaps it's this William Wilson in the 1880 US census who is married to Eliza, daughter of James and Jane Adams [see * further up]

Molly Kodner, associate archivist at the Missouri History Museum, explains the background to the collection [Real Player].

Love story 2

Bushmills - Terms of Endearment

2011-12-24T23:59:00.000Z

Shopping is more than just an exchange of cash for goods - it's also a social experience. Some might find it overly intimate but I welcome the warmth of 'pet', 'love' and 'darling' across the counter alongside the customary exchanges about the weather or the occasional bit of banter. Long may it continue!!

The Great Bushmills and Downpatrick Christmas Tree Disease

2011-12-22T17:25:00.008Z

Last year Downpatrick hit the headlines; this year it's Bushmills turn.

Three photos taken on December 21

Downpatrick splashes out this year. What will Bushmills do next year?

Added December 22

A sprinkling of lights has finally appeared after a week in darkness - and three days before Christmas.

Added December 24

Yes, you've guessed it - the lights have gone out. The Christmas tree at the Diamond in Ballycastle looked almost as pathetic.

Martha's Christmas Present 2011

2011-12-21T02:00:00.001Z

The only way to have a friend is to be one.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Cozies and the Lost Loughsisooly

2011-12-18T10:51:00.000Z

Return of Loughsisooly?

Bushmills - 65 Main Street Restoration + New Craft Village

2011-12-18T09:58:00.004Z

Larger image

65 Main Street + New Craft Village

Old Courthouse - Permission Granted 21 November 2011

Wallaces and Craigs of Castlecat, County Antrim

2011-12-14T21:09:00.010Z

Wallace Craig's Wallaces and Craigs were near neighbours in Castlecat, Co Antrim, about two miles south of Bushmills.

Northern Ireland's first Prime Minister was Sir James Craig but Castlecat produced its own Sir James Craig in the same era. He was a doctor in Dublin who also represented Trinity College in the early Daíls.

Dr James L Nevin (writing in 1902):

"On the other hand there were Fergusons, Wallaces, and with whom there was little amiss. A second cousin of mine, Mrs Craig, (formerly Wallace and whose mother was Laughlin a sister of my grandfather) has a son James Craig MD who has attained an eminence in the medical profession in Dublin. My grandfather, John Laughlin, having only one brother as already stated, and having no son who came to maturity, one can easily understand how the Cluntice Laughlins died out, and the Cosey branch for the same reason."

This Sir James died in 1933

"The President*: Members of the Dáil will have learned with deep regret of the death of Deputy Sir James Craig, who represented the constituency of Dublin University. Until his health began to fail, Deputy Sir James Craig was constant in his attendance and assiduous in his attention to the work of the House. His keen interest in matters of public health and his work for the improvement of our hospital system demanded the respect of all his colleagues, while his relations with his fellow-Whips and his contribution to our debates were marked by unfailing courtesy. I ask you, a Chinn Comhairle, to convey to Lady Craig and her family an expression of the sympathy of the Dáil with them in their bereavement.

Deputies rose in their places."

* Éamon de Valera was President of the Executive Council of the then Irish Free State in 1933.

Sir James was the son of Johnston Craig and Ellen Wallace and they were married in Bushmills Presbyterian Church on 18 August 1859.

From PRONI records:

"23 December 1868

Description : Lease for 20 years, and ?counterpart, William Trail of Ballylough, esq., to Johnston Craig of Castlecatt, farmer, property inCastlecatt in trust for Sarah Reynolds, wife of John Reynolds of Billy or Curramoney, rent to be reduced by half provided no ardent spirits are sold on the premises. (One of two documents)."

Johnston Craig died on 24 December 1893 and a copy of his will can be viewed in PRONI Will Calendars. His widow and Sir James were the two executors. Wallace Craig's grandfather Robert Howard Craig (born 24 May 1870) - who emigrated to St Louis, Missouri, where he sold Irish lace - was Sir James' brother.

Giants Causeway School - 1935 and 1937

2011-12-13T21:05:00.002Z

1935

1937

Bushmills Grammar School - 1927 School Photo

2011-12-13T19:08:00.003Z

THE NEW SCHOOL (now Bushmills Residential Centre) - BUSHMILLS 1927

From left

Back Row: John McCallum, Neill Glass, Sam Twaddle, Sam Mackey, Tom Palmer, Dan McConaghy, Robert Wilson, Joey Atkinson, Albert Maclaine

Second Row: Maud Kane, Lily Esdale, Rachel Mackey, Eleanor Carson, Margaret Blair, Grace Moorehead, Bridie Moonan, Jean Huey, Sally Blair, Myra Hatty, Kitty Forbes, Maud Watt, Jean Cooper, Gretta Anderson, Emily Quigg

Third Row: Miss E. Hall, Annie Forgie, Sadie Forgie, Gretta McKaig, Elsie Sharpe, ? Shaw, Isobel Cooper, Mr. Wm. McNeill (headmaster), Emaline McConaghy, Sadie Shaw, Rachel McGoogan, - , Eva King, Rachel Boreland, Miss E. Eakin

Front Row: Sam Montgomery, James Carson, Alex McKaig, Eddie Atkinson, Sam Forgie, Jim McAllister, Tom Montgomery, Jim Kane

The former Grammar School, also known as ‘The Memorial School’ designed by Clough William-Ellis, was built in 1927 which together with its gates and railings and those fronting Klondyke, is listed.

Carry On Up Torr 4 - Ballycastle Chronicle - 01.12.2011

2011-12-01T20:59:00.010Z

Carry On Up Torr 3

Protecting Our Heritage

Click image to enlarge

Financial cutbacks and the subsequent reduction in specialised staff (about 17 were released in May 2011) may well mean that even less protection for our heritage will be available in the future. Yet our heritage is an important part of our tourism appeal.

Added 3 December 2011

Memorandum of Understanding between CIG and NIEA - 19 April 2011

and some words on the MoU at the time:

Paul Logue (NIEA Archaeologist) added “Heritage is an important part of who we all are and where we come from. It is also an increasingly important part of the economy, attracting tourists from within our island and from abroad. We hope that this agreement will both safeguard heritage and allow us to help the construction and quarrying industries provide much needed investment and employment”.

Paul was informed about quarrying at Torr clachan:

"Your messages about this matter have been passed to me and I intend to visit the area / site tomorrow morning. I have no further details at present than ‘a digger may be sitting on a mound waiting to dig it’. I will try to find out what is occurring and let you know." ... Paul's email 23 August 2011.

"On my visit yesterday I did not observe any digger damage to the children’s burial ground or any other currently recorded archaeological site." ... Paul's email 25 August 2011.

The initial damage at Torr clachan was reported to NIEA on 31 July 2011, was assessed by two archaeologists from the Centre for Maritime Archaeology, Coleraine, on 10 August 2011*, further major damage was reported to NIEA and blogged on 23 August 2011 yet Paul failed to comment on this destruction in his 25 August 2011 email.

"While we have no definitive evidence to prove that this is a genuine archaeological site without testing we believe there is enough circumstantial evidence to argue its potential." ... CMA archaeologists, 10 August 2011.

Surely the first thing to have done was put an immediate block** on further excavation and resolve the evidence later. The CMA archaeologists had a choice of two mounds in the NIEA records for the townland of East Torr; the one they opted for doesn't fit the farm layout in the Griffith's maps circa 1860.

[* 11. Development at Torr – write to the Enforcement section of the Planning Service detailing quarrying and vandalism in the AONB. Also inform NIEA. (Requested by Councillor P McShane) ... Moyle District Council - agenda for 8 August 2011

** I'm told that enforcement would also have required action by the Planning Service]

Added 14 January 2012

Councillor McShane and other councillors have raised this problem and other site planning issues both at council level and with various government departments and agencies. Sometimes the response is too little; sometimes it is also too late.

Myths and Legends of North Antrim - The Sorrowing of Conall Cearnach

2011-11-29T19:20:00.000Z

Steve McDonagh's version of the tale and an earlier one from Ethna Carberry.

Northern Ireland Audit Office and Harbourgate - News Coverage

2011-11-29T10:29:00.008Z

This BBC news story and Teresa Townsley's letter to the Public Accounts Committee [pdf file] at Westminster once again question the independence of the Northern Ireland Audit Office and the ability of the media to give all concerned a fair deal.

BBC: "The audit report said that £25,000 of this went to one of the institute's board members, Teresa Townsley. She had not told any of the other board members about the payment.

The money was paid into an overseas bank account controlled by Mrs Townsley and her husband. She did not co-operate with the audit office investigation."

I think this non-cooperation needs to be set in the context of Ms Townsley's earlier dealings with the NIAO as well as the claim in The Detail that she withdrew her co-operation during the course of the BTI investigation.

PAC: "The final draft of this NIAO Report, which I received on 24 January 2006, clearly shows that the invitation to investigate my assertions and look at the related evidence appears not to have been taken up. I am further concerned by changes and additions to this current draft Report from the last draft which I consider add innuendo and forms of wording which could be misleading. I was informed by the NIAO in a letter dated 20 January 2006 that "it is not normal to engage in repeated rounds of third part clearance". I was also informed in the same letter to address all further correspondence regarding procedural aspects of the Report to a London firm of solicitors.

I do not believe there has been "natural justice" to date and I write to you, as Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee of Public Accounts at Westminster to seek to attend when this Report is presented and I would be willing to be questioned.

Teresa Townsley

26 January 2006"

A right merry muddle. But a merry-go-round that just keeps on turning

Why didn't PAC take up Ms Townsley's offer to be questioned in light of her challenge of the NIAO report? PAC's 'Mrs Townsley’s detailed comments, which were appended to the NIAO Report, fall far short of an adequate explanation' IMO falls far short of the need to check the veracity of the facts being assessed.

Does the media, old and new, treat ALL sides to a dispute equitably? Remember that not all parties are in a position to defend themselves when confronted by public service bodies funded by the tax-payer.

Do politicians need to take a serious look at the independence of the NIAO?

The Route Back Home 2012

2011-11-28T08:34:00.006Z

Family History Conference

Ballymoney, Co. Antrim

19-22 September 2012

DO YOU HAVE ROOTS IN ‘THE ROUTE’?

Following the success of the first Route Back Home conference in 2010, Ballymoney Borough Council will be hosting another in 2012. The conference will run from 19-22 September and will be based in Ballymoney Town Hall.

As before, the programme will be designed to assist delegates with their research into families from Ballymoney and district. It will include lectures by prominent genealogy experts and the opportunity to meet people from across the world who share ancestry in North Antrim, a region traditionally known as "the Route”. Delegates will also visit the Local Studies Service, Ballymena, Ballymoney Branch Library and the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, Belfast.

HOW DO I BOOK MY PLACE?

Delegates must pay the full booking fee of £170 to be allocated a place at the conference. Only 35 places are available and bookings cannot be confirmed until receipt of a completed booking form and full payment. The conference fee includes lunch and refreshments each day and an evening meal and drinks reception on Friday, 21 September.

Booking forms are available on-line at www.visitballymoney.com or by contacting the Museum Manager at the address below.

HOW DO I GET TO BALLYMONEY?

Ballymoney is one hour by road from Belfast and a comfortable 90 minute journey by train or bus (see www.translink.co.uk ). There are three airports within easy reach (Belfast International, Belfast City and City of Derry) with direct flights from a number of international destinations. Ballymoney can also be reached via international connections in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland (see www.visitballymoney.com/how-to-get-to-ballymoney.aspx).

Details of accommodation in the area can be found at www.visitballymoney.com and staff at Ballymoney Tourist Information Centre are available to assist by telephoning + 44 28 2766 0230. Ballymoney is close to the most popular tourist attractions in Northern Ireland with Bushmills Distillery, the Giant’s Causeway and Dunluce Castle nearby. Visitors can also enjoy golf, watersports, horse riding, angling, cycling, beautiful countryside walks or the golden beaches.

For further information on the Route Back Home 2012, please contact: Keith Beattie, Museum Manager, Ballymoney Museum, Ballymoney Town Hall, 1 Townhead Street, Ballymoney, BT53 6BE, Tel: +44 28 2766 0230 or Email: museum@ballymoney.gov.uk.

BBC's Countryfile from County Antrim

2011-11-28T07:33:00.014Z

Countryfile - available on BBC iPlayer until December 4

Portballintrae and Black Rock Strand

[click images to open albums]

Glenariff Forest Park and Ess-na-Larach Waterfall - Virtual Tour

Marchfoot to Portbraddan via Templastragh

Moyle Visitor Attractions - Causeway Coast and Glens

The Dark Hedges

Robin Ruddock and the new Causeway Coast Kayak Trail shelter

Mount Druid Vintage Rally, 2010, Ballintoy

Rick Steve's North Antrim Coast [YouTube]

Green Glens of Antrim [YouTube]

Ballycastle Through the Years [Vimeo]

BBC's Countryfile from County Antrim

2011-11-28T07:11:00.001Z

Countryfile - available on BBC iPlayer until December 4

Glenariff Forest Park and Ess-na-Larach Waterfall - Virtual Tour

Moyle Visitor Attractions - Causeway Coast and Glens

Colvin Indenture, Cozies, Parish of Billy, Co Antrim

2011-11-25T20:17:00.006Z

LOUGHSISOOLY

Please send suggestions for the meaning of this name to nalilblog@gmail.com

Loughsisooley is in the north-east of the townland of Cozies/Cosey, Parish of Billy, County Antrim; it's about three miles south-east of Bushmills and less than one mile north of Liscolman. The personal names in the 1796 indenture - Alexander McAlister, James Twaddle, James Clark and John Colvin - also appear in the 1803 Agricultural Census which is extant for the north of County Antrim. As Twaddle's farm in the Cozies was on the north side of John Colvin's in 1796 it's possible that Loughsisooly is in John Colvin's portion #7a in Griffith's Valuation circa 1860

Colvin Indenture, Cozies, Parish of Billy, Co Antrim

The personal names in the 1863 indenture can also be found in the Griffith's Valuation of the Cozies (John Colvin and Robert Clark) and Carnmoon (John Ross and Margaret Ramsey) circa 1860. The associated Griffith's valuation and map locate the homes and fields for each lessee as well as the lessors they paid their rent to and the cottier tenants they collected rent from.

The Tithe Applotment for the Parish of Billy in 1824 has the corresponding names, James Twaddel, Rob Clark, James Clark, John Colvin, John McAllister, James McAllister and Alex McAllister snr in the Cozies and Thos. Ross and Widw Ramsey on the other side of Magherintendry Burn in Carnmoon.

Added 16 December 2011

Could this be the site of the lost Loughsisooly?

Moyle District Council and New Memorial for Robert Quigg VC 2

2011-11-20T18:59:00.004Z

Lord Belmont's blog

The initial contact with Moyle District Council was followed up by a meeting between Robert Thompson, Keith Beattie (Ballymoney Museum) and Aidan McPeake, the Council's Technical Services Manager. Possible locations for a memorial were discussed as well as Planning Service issues.

This image was scanned from a booklet of war poems published by Thomas Irwin McKaig, Islands of Carnmoon, in December 1916. Here are the final two lines from TI's poem about Robert:

We'll honour his memory in ages to come, his duty he did not shirk;
We'll remember the name, 'Bob Quigg V.C.', and his old home at Carnkirk.

If you have other photos of Robert please get in touch with Robert Thompson at robert@riversideroad.freeserve.co.uk

Moyle District Council and New Media

2011-11-14T16:55:00.004Z

Moyle District Council

14 November 2011

Agenda

8. That Council look at providing a recording system for Council Meetings

Can we expect such recordings to be put on-line alongside Council agendas and minutes?

Council meetings are open to the public so on-line recordings would certainly bring Council business to a much wider audience.

The Northern Ireland Assembly produces Hansard reports of its business and there are an increasing number of audio and video recordings available.

Alan in Belfast's audio recordings from the recent SDLP hustings and those from the Assembly give you an indication of the quality of on-line reproduction you could expect from a Council meeting.

Added 2 December 2011

Belfast City Council has just begun webcasting so, presumably, other councils will follow its lead. Moyle councillors, unlike their Belfast counterparts, speak from the seated position - a much more sensible arrangement.

Moyle DC and NIEA Response to Heritage Vandalism in Moyle

2011-11-14T13:32:00.009Z

Information has been passed to Moyle District Council and the NIEA in a timely fashion by members of the public but the official response has been less than adequate.

NIEA: Our aim is to protect, conserve and promote the natural environment and built heritage for the benefit of present and future generations.

Our vision is that we will have a healthy and well protected environment and heritage in Northern Ireland which contributes to the social and economic wellbeing of the whole community.

Aim and Vision are little more than pious platitudes if regional and local public officials fail to carry out their duties or are prevented from doing so, duties that are paid for out of the public purse.

Financial cutbacks and the subsequent reduction in specialised staff may well mean that even less protection for our heritage will be available in the future. Yet our heritage is an important part of our tourism appeal.

Department of the Environment - Northern Ireland Environment Agency - A Problem

2011-11-09T06:53:00.005Z

Copied from DOE website

Protecting Archaeological Sites and Monuments through the Planning Process

Last updated: 15 June 2010

Our built heritage is a finite resource which requires effective care so that it may be enjoyed today and passed on to future generations.

Continuing development of new housing, roads and infrastructure can threaten our archaeological sites and monuments, but we work closely with Planning Service to ensure they are protected from inappropriate change or damage from development. Planning policies for protection and conservation of archaeological remains and features of the built heritage are contained in Planning Policy Statement 6 (PPS 6).

Measures to protect historic monuments can include sympathetically designing new developments to carefully integrate archaeological sites and monuments and to protect their settings. In many cases archaeological impact assessments and field evaluations are carried out in advance of large-scale development proposals to identify potential impacts upon recorded, and previously unrecorded, archaeological remains.

In cases where archaeological remains will be damaged or destroyed by development, planning conditions will require that appropriate excavation and recording takes place. Some 200-300 licensed archaeological excavations take place each year in Northern Ireland, the majority of which as a requirement of the planning process.

Our staff also contribute to the preparation of local Area Plans, whereby recorded archaeological sites and monuments and other features of the Built Heritage such as Registered Parks, Gardens and Demesnes of Special Historic Interest, can be identified and appropriately protected from future planned development.

We have produced a guidance booklet Development and Archaeology (.PDF 499Kb) which provides advice to developers about fulfilling archaeological planning conditions and other archaeological matters which may arise during the planning process.

END

Why did the protection process fail the ancient man-made mound at Torr clachan, Moyle, Co Antrim?

Mound Marker Stone

NIEA - Northern Ireland Sites and Monuments Record - Search facility

Aim and Vision are little more than pious platitudes if regional and local public officials fail to carry out their duties or are prevented from doing so, duties that are paid for out of the public purse.

Financial cutbacks and the subsequent reduction in specialised staff may well mean that even less protection for our heritage will be available in the future. Yet our heritage is an important part of our tourism appeal.

Carrickmore Road, Ballycastle - Some Correspondence

2011-11-07T21:49:00.085Z

Local people and many visitors would consider Carrickmore Road, Ballycastle, to be part of the public roads network, a network that is maintained by the Roads Service of Northern Ireland. Local historians like Danny McGill have demonstrated that this road, formerly known as Old Colliery Road, has been a public road for many generations; it is marked as such on an old deed map. Old postcards and photographs show the road continuing past 'Marconi's Cottage'. Local historians are quite clear that the Marconi radio transmission experiments were carried out, not from this old coalyard site but from one in the down, down by the harbour.

To the best of my knowledge, this site and the land across the road are currently in the possession of Alan Fraser, developer son of the late Fred Fraser. Povall Worthington, on behalf of the owner, made a presentation to Moyle District Council on 29 July 2011, seeking the acquiescence of the Council to the abandonment of about 30 metres of road to the west of the dwelling.

[* Danny gave Alan an onsite detailed account of the location in 2009.]

[Council] Members were shown a slide of the proposed site plan. This displayed a proposed gate posts and barrier at the end of the existing car park allowing pedestrian access only beyond this point. Mr Humes stated that this measure was to stop the access of vehicles and that there was no intention to stop pedestrian traffic. .. He stated that Roads Service had been in agreement with the concept of abandonment but that any such abandonment would have to include a long term agreement for pedestrian access.

Council rejected the request made by Mr Fraser's agent and shortly afterwards Danny Kennedy, the DRD Minister responsible for roads, backed the Council position.

Two Freedom of Information requests and other correspondence have shed some light on the background to this saga:

Brian W Murray Ltd - 4 December 2009: "This is a privately owned access cul-de-sac road .." [source p1]

Had it been privately owned, the developer would not be seeking abandonment of varying stretches of it. Has the land on the south side of the road got development potential?

The map [source p4] shows that the initial request was for the abandonment of about 300 metres of road west as far as the North Star Dyke. Roads Service consulted internally the same month [source p5].

Brian W Murray Ltd - 21 December 2009: "The client has asked that I follow this matter up with you to see if there is anything more I could do for you in order to help the process progress further" [source p7]

Roads Service - 19 January 2010 - Consent to carry out excavation in, or break up the surface of the road - Consent No BM3/10: Receipt No 852964: "The works shall be completed within a period of 6 months from the date of the consent. .. You shall maintain the road or footway affected by your works as required by the Department and carry out reinstatement of any damage arising from your works".
[source p 9]

10 November 2011 - The road has yet to be reinstated as so required.

Povall Worthington submitted a series of Planning Service permission drawings to Road Service on 20 January 2010 [source p10] In the plan the public road on the deed sketch and on OS maps is labelled 'existing lane'. [source p 13]. Why did PW make this mistake and why was the error not corrected by PS? Why has part of the road in front of the house been grassed over, seemingly without permission?

Roads Service - 25 January 2010 to B W Murray Ltd: "As you are aware Carrickmore Road is a public road. .. In the mid '90s a similar but much smaller scale proposal failed for the same reasons as noted above. Unless the 'applicant' can demonstrate the acceptability of abandonment [of part of this public road] to Council/local owners/local public, etc, we do not intend to progress this request any further [source pp15-16]

B W Murray Ltd to Roads Service - 28 January 2010 [cc PW]: "I was hoping to chat through the possibility of the abandonment being reconsidered but on a much smaller scale. .. Please note that our client is very keen to achieve some level of privacy and moreover security to his property. Therefore would be open to any suggestions you may have eg a compromise such as only abandoning the last 30-40-50m say." - 9 February 2010 [ccPW]: "Again as mentioned previously, our client is very keen to get some level of security to his property, so any compromise would be welcome." [source p 17]

Why did the client/owner and/or his agents not approach Council as directed following the Roads Service response dated 25 January 2010 instead of continuing to pressurise Roads Service?

Roads Service to B W Murray Ltd - 26 February 2010: "Unfortunately, Roads Service is not prepared to commend the abandonment process for a revised area until your client can clearly demonstrate that full agreement on such a proposal has been agreed not only with Moyle District Council but also any other landowner/s beyond the cottage. .. One possibility for discussion with Council and others would be for a proposed abandonment at the eastern end of this area, retaining the parking area within the public road." [source p 19]

Roads Service to Contractor - 2 August 2010 [cc D Worthington, Pragma]: "I would now ask you for the confirmation of the date when you will remove all barriers, gates, deposited spoil, site offices, etc. and to ensure that the full extent of this adopted public road is returned to its former state without defect or blemish as was the case prior to the commencement of your work." [source p 27]
[to be continued]

Northern Ireland Water - Lack of Transparency and Accountability 2

2011-11-04T13:25:00.001Z

The current hiatus over the position of the current interim Chief Executive of NI Water, Trevor Haslett, led me back to the company website and its failure to deliver on openness and transparency:

NI Water is a transparent and open organisation. We publish a great deal of continually updated information about what we do on this Internet site, which you can access by using the search facility clearly marked on each page.

The last NI Water Board minutes** published online are dated 20 April 2011 and they’re still not user friendly ie there’s no simple ‘copy and paste’ facility. These are two further examples of NI Water bad practice.

However there was a discussion on pay back then which might be relevant to the conversation taking place on Slugger O'Toole:

"The Board noted the background to and submission of a pay remit to DRD on behalf of the organisation. There followed some discussion in relation to the approach being taken within the Civil Service in relation to cost of living increases. The Chairman agreed to clarify this position. The Chief Executive noted that the 2 year pay freeze in relation to the Company was due to end in March 2012. The Board noted the potential risk for key staff leaving the organisation as a result of the pay freeze. It was agreed that business cases might be needed to support the retention of such key resources. The Board also agreed that an update should be provided to staff in relation to ongoing performance related pay issues.”

With such a long chain of decision making from the NI Water Board through various parts of the Department for Regional Development , starting at the Shareholder Unit, and on to the Department of Finance and Personnel it's hardly surprising that a topic being discussed in April or earlier still hasn't been resolved.

** Despite this commitment, "In this section you will find links to Executive Team minutes from April 2007 (when Northern Ireland Water was first established) to date. In line with the Model Publication Scheme the minutes provide an overview that would be of interest to the public", Executive Committee minutes were last published on 17 September 2010 - the Executive Team had been rebranded the Executive Committee on 16 November 2009.

Northern Ireland Audit Office Reports - Not User Friendly 2

2011-11-02T16:03:00.005Z

The story so far: Northern Ireland Audit Office Reports - Not User Friendly

Please find attached a pdf copy of the report with “copy and paste” access, as requested.
Thank you again for raising this issue. [09:09 - 02/11/2011]

Many thanks, NIAO, for such a prompt response. I hope a security solution can be found that doesn't inhibit ease of public access.

For some strange reason my emailer was not impressed - it dumped the NIAO email with attachment into the SPAM tray :(

Here are images of the two security settings:

Copy and Paste Not Allowed

Copy and Paste Allowed

Altering one setting for the convenience of those who wish to quote from the document appears not to have compromised the document's authenticity.

Here's a small snippet from the user-friendly version of the report:

3.6.12 In forming my opinion on the DRD 2010-
11 resource accounts, I am required to
confirm whether, in all material aspects,
the expenditure and income have been
applied to the purposes intended by the
Assembly and the financial statements
conform to the authorities that govern
them. On the basis of my findings above,
expenditure of £4,710,180 incurred
by NI Water in 2010-11 which failed
to conform to the relevant financial
delegations set by DRD and procurement
regulations is irregular. My audit opinion
has been qualified as a result.

Added 3 November 2011

Follow-up from NIAO today:

"Following receipt of your enquiry, we have done some research to clarify the matter.

My colleague has informed ne that public sector bodies, like other copyright owners, are not under any automatic obligation to allow the re-use of any document they hold. This is in line with the protection of intellectual property rights, as set down in the Berne Convention. NIAO does permit, free of charge, the re-use of our information.

Where re-use is permitted there are regulations governing how that re-use should be conducted. The regulations came into force on 1 July 2005 and implement an EU Directive on the reuse of public sector information approved by the Council of Ministers on 17 November 2003.

The aim of the Regulations is to encourage the re-use of public sector information by removing obstacles that stand in the way of re-use. The main themes are improving transparency, fairness and consistency. In doing so it will help stimulate the development of innovative new information products and services across Europe, so boosting the information industry.

The Guide to the Regulations and Best Practice explains the PSI Regulations and provides information about existing best practice and sources of help - I will forward this to you in a separate e-mail when I receive it.

The oversight of this area of information management is carried out by the National Archive. Further information can be obtained at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk "

HM Coastguard Control Centres - News from Liverpool and the Isle of Man

2011-11-02T10:25:00.006Z

Fight for Liverpool 999 coast service

Published on Tuesday 1 November 2011 11:45

FIVE THOUSAND people from the Isle of Man have signed a petition to help save Liverpool Coastguard station.

Last week UK MP Bill Esterson submitted a 51,000 signature petition to the UK’s Parliament on behalf of the Save Liverpool Coastguard Campaign.

Three thousand signatures were collected by the Steam Packet, other signatures came from the yacht clubs in Douglas, Ramsey, Peel and Castletown.

The Isle of Man may be forced to look at providing all of its sea search and rescue mangement and co-ordination on its own, should plans to cut back most of the UK’s coastguard stations come to fruition.

At present, Liverpool Coastguard provides the service for the island, under a memorandum of understanding with the UK.

But a consultation document issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has detailed plans to reduce the number of Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres across the UK from 18 full-time stations to just two main centres open 24-hours-a-day and a further five sub-centres, most of which will be open during daylight hours only.

This plan would also call for nearly a 50 per cent reduction in full-time Coastguard staff within four years.

All of this would directly affect the island’s agreement with Liverpool.

Director of harbours Captain Mike Brew has moved to allay any fears in the Isle of Man, saying the island had for some time been responsible for its own maritime rescues and that there had been extensive planning to prepare for the closures.

The staff and supporters of Liverpool Coastguard thanked everyone who has supported and continues to support the campaign. They vow to continue the fight.

Have their colleagues and our elected representatives in Northern Ireland continued to support Liverpool and other centres threatened with closure and/or a significant reduction in manpower and other resources?

Northern Ireland Audit Office Reports - Not User Friendly

2011-10-26T22:58:00.011+01:00

The Northern Ireland Audit Office annual reports are available online in PDF format to read and to print out. However should a member of the public wish to copy a section of the report to use in, say, a blog conversation or as part of a query he/she will find that the customary ability to copy and paste has been blocked.

I’ve tried to do so using Adobe Reader and Foxit Reader but failed. Content copying is not permitted, according to the security setting, and the Text Viewer and Snapshot icons are immobilised on Foxit. The image above is a screenshot.

Surely it’s time this nonsense was stamped on in the interests of open and accountable government.

"The Consumer Council supports the availability and re-use of government information. We are aware that its re-use is provided for by legislation (www.opsi.gov.uk) and should be done under licence/copyright arrangements." [CCNI - 28 October 2011]

The NIAO approach would also appear to be at odds with Information Commissioner Office's Model Publication Scheme's direction that information should be 'easily identified and accessed by members of the public'.

Added 01 November 2011

I sent the following email to the Belfast Office of the Information Commissioner:

"Have you tried to highlight, copy and paste from this Audit Office report?

Surely it’s time this nonsense was stamped on in the interests of open and accountable government.

As the Assistant Information Commissioner, do you agree that this NIAO and similar governance documents should be in a format that is user friendly and extracts can be easily taken from them? Is the NIAO approach consistent with the ICO Model Publication Scheme's direction that information should be 'easily identified and accessed by members of the public'?"

Here is the ICO reply:

Thank you for your email below. At present the ICO is reviewing its guidance on publication schemes. However our model publication scheme sets out the classes of information that we expect public authorities to routinely publish or make available. The duty at section 19 of the Freedom of Information Act in relation to publication schemes is to ‘publish’ the information. Indeed some information on a publication scheme may only be accessed by visiting the authorities’ premises following directions in the publication scheme. Whilst it is good practice for public authorities to make the classes of information available in accessible formats (indeed there may be other equality legislation which requires public authorities to provide information in formats for those with disabilities e.g. Braille.) if they make the information available, following the definition documents set out in our model publication scheme it is likely they will have complied with the duty at section 19.

However I would suggest that you contact the NIAO and ask them to supply you with the information in a format that you can utilise. Under the Freedom of Information Act an individual in making a Freedom of Information request can express a preference as to how they wish the information to be supplied and the public authority must give affect to that if it is reasonable to do so (s 11 FOIA). If the NIAO cannot supply the information in the format you prescribe you can complain to us and we can investigate if they are in breach of section 11. If you wish to make a complaint to us, you can download our complaints form at the following link:

http://www.ico.gov.uk/complaints.aspx"

I'm an advocate of open, accessible and accountable government. This ICO response struggles to answer my fairly simple questions. Why should a member of the public have to make a complaint before the ICO acts (IMO) in the public interest?

Added 2 November 2011

NIAO response:

"I believe, that in terms of communication, you have raised an interesting issue, which we need to address.

My understanding is that in “locking down” the pdf reports in such a way that they cannot be copied, it further enhances the security of the document and prevents unauthorised access of our website. Nevertheless, this must be counter-balanced by the needs of the wider public, and specifically the taxpayer.

In light of your request, I will contact our IT Manager later this morning with a view to releasing the report in the format you have requested. Furthermore, in the longer term, we need to establish if it will be possible to place all our forthcoming reports in this format, while retaining an appropriate level of security.

Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention."

Northern Ireland Civil Service - Selective Blocking of Blogs

2011-10-24T18:28:00.002+01:00

Apart from occasional blogs here on NALIL, I'm a regular contributor to Northern Ireland's premier political blog, Slugger O'Toole, where I picked up the political blogger of the year award in 2008.

Imagine my surprise when I found out today that Northern Ireland civil servants could access Slugger O'Toole without limitation; I'd known for some time that NALIL was blocked. Slugger has a comment zone where participants could easily spend hours at a time whereas NALIL deliberately has no comment arrangement and most viewers are unlikely to spend more than a few minutes.

Here's a comment from a senior civil servant that a friend received:

I'm afraid our IT security prevents Civil Service staff from accessing blogs at work, but I'll forward this home and have a look at it this evening.

This senior civil servant seems to have been unaware that access to NALIL was available at work by raising a work request to IT Assist. A spokesman for IT Assist told me that clearance can be given in anything from two hours to two days and a civil servant in a Minister's office said that IT Assist's contact number is prominently displayed. At a time of declining budgets you might think that civil servants would take advantage of expertise that is available for free.

I also discovered that political constituency offices use the NICS computer network too and they can access NALIL as well as social networks such as Facebook.

Whooper Swans Beside the Bush Water

2011-10-18T19:33:00.002+01:00

Recent Arrivals

Open all hours diner just north of Bushmills

Making the most of the wet conditions

After a long flight from Iceland, a bite to eat,

a quick preen and a welcome snooze

A twitcher writes: "Please do not disturb these wonderful birds - it's an offence to do so anyway - as their wintering sites have been reduced over the years. The grey birds are this years young. Families stay together for years."

Churnalism vs Journalism

2011-10-18T17:06:00.004+01:00

"What a load of old tosh!"

That was the reaction by a Facebook friend to a recent local story that appeared in a newspaper.

And there's more:

Anyone who didn't know better could be fooled into thinking, on reading this article, that X actually did something for the benefit of the Ypeople!

I needn't go into the details as the malaise, otherwise known as churnalism, appears to be quite common.

From Wikipedia:

Churnalism is a form of journalism in which press releases, wire stories and other forms of pre-packaged material are used to create articles in newspapers and other news media in order to meet increasing pressures of time and cost without undertaking further research or checking.

In his book Flat Earth News, the British journalist Nick Davies reported a study at Cardiff University by Professor Justin Lewis and a team of researchers which found that 80% of the stories in Britain's quality press were not original and that only 12% of stories were generated by reporters. The result is a reduction of quality and accuracy as the articles are open to manipulation and distortion.

Those who are familiar with the facts will have no difficulty identifying a piece of churnalism; those who are not may well be taken in and so react inappropriately.

Switch on your critical faculties before you switch on your radio and tv and before you pick up a newspaper; what you hear, see or read may owe more to public relations than to journalism. Serious errors of fact should be passed to the relevant editor so that corrections can be published prominently and promptly.

Bush Water - Under The Bridge - October 12, 2011

2011-10-14T22:52:00.000+01:00

River In Spate

Down by the Riverside Park

Moyle District Council - Enforcement Officer?

2011-10-12T01:02:00.009+01:00

Another Fine Mess

Click images to enlarge

A councillor at the bi-monthly meeting of Moyle District Council on Monday (Oct 10) drew a council official's attention to the presence of a ramp of soil and rock on the shore of the small bay just west of Roarke's cottages at Ballintoy Harbour. Was this a left-over from a Game of Thrones set?

A digger, tractor and trailer were used on Tuesday to shift the material but, for some inexplicable reason, one of the loads was tipped back onto the foreshore beside the cottages - as indicated by the yellow arrow in the top photo and in the one above.

We do have a Northern Ireland Environment Agency and a Planning Service but neither can be relied upon when it comes to the protection of the environment, not even in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty or in Areas of Special Scientific Interest. Perhaps the Minister for the Environment should insist that his officials carry out their tasks on a fair and equitable basis - or else cull those departments that serve no useful purpose or facilitate the agents of powerful interests to work their way around the regulations. Perhaps he and his ministerial colleagues should shut down the Thursday Club too.

A quote for councillors:

It is not what a lawyer tells me I may do; but what humanity, reason, and justice tell me I ought to do. .. Edmund Burke

Update

Here are two photos taken between the departure of the film crew and the arrival of the digger.

Why does officialdom focus its attention on the small problems and avert its gaze from the big ones? Moyle District Council will (sometimes) pursue you through the courts if you fail to pay a fine for dropping a cigarette butt and a councillor told me that the NIEA will (sometimes) prosecute you if someone dumps asbestos in, say, your skip. On the other hand, the Planning Service will (sometimes) let you build what you want wherever you want. It's a crazy bureaucratic world.

Parish Letter from Loughguile - 1801

2011-10-11T00:07:00.000+01:00

THE PARISH OF LOUGHGUILE

DIOCESE OF DOWN AND CONNOR

Rev. J, O'Laverty P.P.M.R.I.A.

VOL. 4

"At a meeting of the Roman Catholic congregation of the parish of Loughgeel [Loughguile], in the County of Antrim, held at their Chapel on the 16th day of August, 1801. The following expression of their sentiments was unanimously agreed upon : —
When we have beheld with the most serious concern the many endeavours that have been made to disunite his Majesty's subjects by creating doubts of the loyalty of the Roman Catholics, and circulating the most cruel and unfounded rumours to prejudice the public mind — amongst which that of Wednesday, the 12th instant, causing the Protestant inhabitants of the village of Connor to abandon their houses at midnight, to prevent their murder by the Catholics, has given us the deepest affliction. Under such circumstance we consider silence becomes criminal, and if on appeal the facts be received in our favour, we entreat the public at large to reflect upon the conduct of the Roman Catholics of the County of Antrim, and in particular of this part of it during the disturbances of 1798. Then it will be found that their conduct was peaceable and loyal, when many of their calumniators were in the front ranks of rebellion; then did we, where now we stand, pledge ourselves to James Stuart, Esq., of Grace Hill, a gentleman whose regard and protection we are proud to have merited, to persevere in such conduct and have this day renewed that pledge in the most solemn manner. To that part of our Protestant brethren, who have so solemnly excluded us from their fraternity, we only entreat that should the hour of danger ever arrive we may be allowed to unite our efforts in defence of our king and country. To all who hope from the rejection of Catholic claims to see discontents prevail amongst us we tell them to their disappointment that we know the value of what we have received and are truly grateful for the same; and as soon as those who have poisoned the royal ear against our humble claims are removed, we look up with confidence to our beloved Sovereign for a further extension of these liberties, that our other fellow-subjects of every religious persuasion enjoy in this country. Finally we wish to bring to the recollection and impress on the heart and mind of every Roman Catholic, that all the benefits, favours, and indulgences, which they have received from the era of the Revolution down to the present day, they have received in the reign of our gracious sovereign George the Third, whom God long preserve.

"Signed by order of the Meeting,

"TULLY M'NALLY, P.P."

John Nevin letter from Knoxville, TN - 1804

New Ballycastle Seafront Information Panels

2011-10-07T14:20:00.003+01:00

New Ballycastle Seafront Information Panels

Click on image to open album; use 'zoom in' to enlarge images.

Carry On Up Torr 3

2011-10-03T00:25:00.005+01:00

Carry On Up Torr 3

Carry On Up Torr
Carry On Up Torr 2
Serious questions have to be asked of the Planning Service and of the NIEA's Ancient Monuments branch in their handling of the problems associated with this development. Why were single applications accepted for a multiple development? Why was a rendered finished accepted for one of the new builds when the Planning Service specified a natural stone finish? The developer transformed old buildings across the road into Bluestone Cottage. Why didn't Planning Service insist on a similar style and scale for the replacement dwellings opposite?

Mound marker stone
Ancient Monuments branch was informed about the initial destruction of what has been claimed to be an ancient monument at the end of July but failed to direct the developer to desist from the further destruction. The detailed report by Daniel McGill, with supporting photographs, was submitted to AM via an email attachment on July 31. An AM senior inspector stated on August 3 that we lost the majority of our archaeologists a few months ago, due to cuts, leaving only a few of us to try and hold the fort, and this is inevitably leading to delays but later on in August when further destruction took place it would appear that a senior inspector went to the wrong location because said inspector apparently hadn't looked at the McGill report in the AM files but may have looked at the incorrect August 10 up-date of AM records [pdf file] . And then there's this: I'll attempt to identify the site owner and inform them about the mound. If you happen to know the owner's details this would be very helpful. It was part of an email sent on August 26. Talk about shutting the stable door after the horse has gone!

Antrim Arms, Bushmills - now the Bushmills Inn

2011-10-02T23:28:00.000+01:00

The Antrim Arms Hotel in Lower Main Street, Bushmills, is now known as the Bushmills Inn. Jennifer Carson Turner, who sent me this photo, is a descendant of William Glass of W Glass Cycle Works and the Antrim Arms Hotel.

The 1910 Ulster Towns Directory lists William Glass as a cycle manufacturer and Mrs Everett as the proprietor of the Antrim Arms.

Ballycastle Seafront Project - Information Panels

2011-10-02T21:33:00.000+01:00

Local historian Danny McGill posing beside one of the new information panels on Ballycastle seafront.

Danny acted as a consultant to this project and contributed images and text though he didn't have editorial control.

Ballycastle - Bathing at Pans Rocks circa 1934

2011-09-27T13:25:00.001+01:00

Echo Heard in Bangor in 2011

DUP involved in 'cover-up' was not the title of a story about Rihanna and a DUP councillor and farmer but it did remind me of an old article that I once stumbled upon in a local newspaper:

Northern Constitution : June 16, 1934

Ballycastle Rural Council
Control of bathing at Pans Rocks

The recommendations of a committee consisting of Messrs. Black, Darragh, Scott and McCaughan, which visited the Pans Rocks bathing place situated outside the urban boundary on 6th inst. were as follows:
1. That Mr. Neal Dallat be instructed to have the springboards erected;
2. That the shelter erected for ladies in the east side of the rocks be removed and placed in a position adjoining the present bathing-box on the opposite side;
3. That these boxes be used by ladies only;
4. That Mr. Bradshaw C.E. be instructed to submit sketch of a suitable shelter for men at the place usually occupied by them, with an estimate of cost of same;
5. That the caretaker be instructed to see that the shelters provided and to be provided are used for dressing and undressing;
6. That undressing on the rocks or adjoining strand be prohibited as well as mixed sun-bathing;
7. That ladies when finished bathing be required to return to their shelter on the west side of the rocks;
8. If these suggestions be not carried out in their entirety during the present season, arrangements be made for the adoption of bye-laws under section 92 of the Public Health Acts Amended Act 1907.

The Chairman - Why?
Mr. Hayes - You will never get it carried out.
Mr. Hayes - There is sun-bathing in every other place.
The Chairman - If every other place jumps into hell I don't see why Ballycastle should do it because that's what it really means.

The Clerk (Mr. M. J. Feerick) said the committee by their recommendations were only trying to make people a little bit modest.

The Chairman said they did not object to sun-bathing so long as it took place in the shelters provided for ladies and men. What they took exception to was mixed sun-bathing.

The report was adopted on the motion of Mr. MacAuley, seconded by Mr. Price. Mr. Bradshaw, as requested, submitted a sketch and estimate of men's shelter. Mr. McAlister expressed the opinion that the cost should be borne by a special rate from Ballycastle district.

Dark Hedges, Ballymoney - An Abuse of Heritage?

2011-09-20T22:33:00.009+01:00

click image to enlarge

Questions have been asked about a sheep-wire fence topped with barbed wire that has recently been erected at the Dark Hedges, one of North Antrim's iconic beauty spots which lies about 5 miles ENE of Ballymoney, Co Antrim. The new fencing is far more visually obtrusive than the old.

If such fencing was necessary could it not have been placed behind the trees?
Is it currently permissible to put barbed wire atop a new roadside fence?
What were the terms of the application for Heritage Lottery Funds?
What conditions were attached to the HLF grant?

The Dark Hedges Preservation Trust, a body containing local landowners, a local councillor, a tree specialist and other interested members of the public, has received £43,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. According to the Fund, in a letter to Ian Paisley jnr MP, the project 'aims to conserve an ‘avenue’ of 150 beech trees, and to increase awareness at a local and national level of the cultural and historical significance of veteran trees'.

You Tube - The Dark Hedges

Dark Hedges to feature in Countryfile 2012 calendar

Heritage Lottery Fund Application

Summary of progress

06 Dec 2010 - "Congratulations, Heritage Trust, you have been awarded a grant of up to £43,000." .. "You must provide with the Permission to Start form evidence of a full lease .." The project must begin within twelve months of the December 6, 2010 letter and there may be penalties if the project commences prior to permission being given.

12 Oct 2011 - Even though fencing has begun the project "has not yet had [HLF] permission to start".

Ballycastle Marina Facility or Yacht Club 2?

2011-09-20T21:58:00.000+01:00

In an age of austerity it's nice to see that the yachting fraternity have not been overlooked in the scramble for EU funding. A balcony has yet to be added and the presence of a bar on the top floor design drawings has led to speculation that we could be looking at the new Ballycastle Yacht Club. I wonder if a licence has been sought. Curiously enough, I've not seen any mention of this bar in local newspaper reports or in Moyle Council online webpages.

Price McConaghy's Praise for Health and Ambulance Services

2011-09-14T13:01:00.001+01:00

'I ALMOST DIED'

Published** on Tuesday 13 September 2011 13:02

A FORMER Chairman of Moyle District Council has praised the actions of an ambulance crew for “saving my life” after he took a heart attack, writes Nevin Farrell.

Chairman's duty

Former Independent councillor Price McConaghy (83), also wished to praise all those who provided care for him in both the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine and Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital.

Price stepped down from Council earlier this year after over half a century of service to the local community but just a short time later, on June 19, tragedy almost struck.

The father-of-four took a heart attack whilst in his home in Lisnagunagh and whilst being taken to hospital the ambulance crew had to resuscitate him in the back of the vehicle as his wife Beth looked on.

Price told the Times: “I had a very severe heart attack on June 19 this year and I would like to express my complete and sincere thanks and the thanks of my family to the Health Service and ambulance staff who attended to me.

“Within 20 minutes an ambulance was at my house but within 100 yards of the house they had to stop to resuscitate me in the ambulance and I would like to thank the two people involved - paramedic Nigel Mills and emergency medical technician Tony Scullion. They saved my life and I am deeply indebted to them.

“At one stage the line on the monitor in the ambulance went flat but they kept me alive.

“I would also like to praise the attention I received in the Causeway and the Royal hospitals. The Health Service often gets criticised but I would not be here now if it was not for the care I received,” said Price.

Now that Price is out of hospital and back on the mend he felt this week the time was right to praise the health professionals who helped him.

“I got out after a couple of weeks and was not allowed to climb the stairs for six weeks but I'm doing very very well now,” he told the Times.

And Price is back out and about again contributing to community life with his vast experience, Even though he is in his ninth decade he is involved in the Bushmills Townscape Heritage Initiative and attended an event in recent weeks.

[**This article is published courtesy of the Ballymoney and Moyle Times]

Giants Causeway, Bushmills and Dunseverick Community Fun Day

2011-09-12T05:22:00.002+01:00

Saturday - 24 September 2011

Innisfree Farm, 60 Causeway Road, Bushmills

12 noon to 5pm

Members of the Giant’s Causeway, Bushmills and Dunseverick

Community Associations get ready for their fun day

The Giants Causeway, Bushmills and Dunseverick Community Associations are having their first joint Fun Day on 24 September at Innisfree Farm, Causeway Road, Bushmills from 12 noon to 5pm. Please mark this on your calendars and plan to attend.

There will be Scottish music and dancing, Irish music and dancing, Zumba dancing and live music all day by our DJ, Allister Kyle.

For the farmers amongst us there will be the chance to show off your skill of Jeep and Trailer Handling and then catch up with the local chat amongst the vintage tractors, cars and lorries on display.

The ladies can browse through the variety of stalls on display. There will be a Fancy Dress Parade by the local school children and this will be judged at 2 o'clock.

There will also be farm animals, face painting, bouncy castles and a barbecue.

At 4.30pm the highlight of the day will be a Tug-of-War with teams from the three Community Associations taking part, so please come along and support your community.

Admission is £2 per adult and £1 per child

Carrickmore Road, Ballycastle - Presentations to Moyle District Council, 25 July 2011

2011-09-08T15:18:00.003+01:00

Presentation by Poval Worthington - Moyle District Council - 25.07.2011

DRD Minister opposes abandonment

Return of the Tardis

Moyle District Council Agenda 12 September 2011

"11. Fairhead Coastal Walk - Public Right of way - Propose that Council assert the Public Right of way along the coastal walk from Carrickmore Road through to Fair Head, promoting free access to the shoreline
(Requested by Councillor Cunningham)"

Silver Cloud in Ballycastle Bay, 3 September 2011

2011-09-06T16:59:00.004+01:00

Should or could Moyle District Council do more in its welcome for cruise ships? The information in this document is taken from the Silversea website. There is a sparcity of information about Ballycastle compared with Oban.

The Hebridean Princess is scheduled to arrive in Ballycastle Bay on the evening of September 23 with onshore visits the following day.

Rachel Henderson - The Pride of Croaghmore

2011-09-02T10:44:00.001+01:00

MAKING A POEM

In North Antrim there is a long poetic tradition. The process of composition is locally called 'making a poem'. This one was 'made' by James (Poet) McGowan of Broughgammon, 4 miles west of Ballycastle, and his subject was a young lass from nearby Croaghmore. The poem would also have been sung in the unaccompanied style of the district. I published this poem along with some family history in BBC NI's Your Place and Mine a few years ago.

THE PRIDE OF CROAGHMORE

I am a bold undaunted youth, I live in sweet Ramoan
In Magheracashel I was born and bred and there I am well known
I fell in love with a pretty maid and her I do adore
She is the daughter of James Henderson and lives in Croaghmore

The first time that I saw my love I knew not what to do
For to address this handsome maid I straight did her pursue
I asked her name and where she dwelt, some questions three or four
She says, "I am Rachel Henderson and live in Croaghmore"

My love's a sparkling tall young girl, her age is scarce nineteen
If I was heir of Erin's Isle sure she would be my queen
Or was I Duke of Cumberland with whips of gold in store
I'd freely share with that young maid who lives in Croaghmore

Her teeth are like the ivory, her hair is a nut brown
For wit and good behaviour her equal can't be found
Her eyes shine bright like stars by night, she has wounded me fullsore
I'm sorely pained by that young dame who lives in Croaghmore

Jacob served seven years for Rachel to be his own
His father-in-law deceived with Leah 'tis well known
And for the sake of Rachel, Jacob served seven years more
For that same name I would serve the same, she's the pride of Croaghmore

I courted her with compliments, her favour for to win
The more I did pursue my love, the more she did me shun
Was I to live a thousand years instead of a few score
I ne'er could find one to my mind like the maid of Croaghmore

Now to conclude and finish, I mean to end my song
I asked her off her parents, they said she was too young
But if I don't gain this handsome maid, I'll leave my native shore
And bid farewell to all my friends that live round Croaghmore

Background

This version of the poem/song was copied in Philadelphia, PA., USA in January 1898 by A.A.J.B.

[The Duke Of Cumberland mentioned in verse 3 was William Augustus, second son of George the Second, King of England. He was known for his harsh methods in quelling the rising of Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745.]

Rachel, daughter of James Henderson and Annie Greer, was baptised by the minister of Toberkeigh Presbyterian Church on 21st June 1849. The poem could have been written about 1868 and it is told that James (Poet) Magowan once transported Rachel into Ballycastle on his cart and this event inspired the poem.

On 18 February 1871 Rachel married William Brown and they lived at the Hillhead, on the outskirts of Ballycastle. They had eight children - Daniel, Annie, Margaret, John, Charles, Catharine, Mary and James - born between 1872 and 1892. Daniel, who was born at Cloughcorr, and Mary both married McGowans and Catharine married James Taggart of The Poole, Ballyoglagh, Mosside, son of James Taggart and Margaret Martin.

Rachel died on the 9th October 1945, aged 96, and was laid to rest in the burial ground of Ramoan Presbyterian Church at Moyarget, Ballycastle.

Here's another poem rooted in the same Croaghmore.

Ballycastle Lammas Fair 2011

2011-08-31T19:55:00.003+01:00

Time for a Management Review?

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2011-08-30T21:48:00.001+01:00

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2011-08-30T21:47:00.001+01:00

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2011-08-30T21:46:00.001+01:00

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Moyle Council District - What A Carry On ...

2011-08-24T16:41:00.005+01:00

Is it the weather? We've just had a Carry On Up Torr 2 AND a right carry on in the Council chamber. The Kingdom of Moyle is such a beautiful place; visitors often get a wonderful welcome but these shenanigans are not just a blot on the landscape - they're a disgrace.

And, as if on cue, the rain has begun pouring down :L

Later the same day

Paudie McShane (1st left), Esther Mulholland and Richard Lewis (Moyle Council Officials) and Inspector Bryan Hume

Paudie McShane, the controversial new chairman of Moyle Council, was to have declared the new changing facilities at Dundarave in Bushmills open this evening. However, an earlier exchange of 'pleasantries' concerning this year's Orange Order demonstration staged by Ballycastle District in Ballycastle led to a protest gathering at the facilities. The protesters refused to let the chairman through to the building so he called the function off and departed. The services of the PSNI riot control unit parked out of sight on the other side of town were not needed.

Moyle District Council and New Memorial for Robert Quigg VC

2011-08-24T15:36:00.006+01:00

Moyle Council has been asked by Robert Thompson and Robin Swann to consider erecting a memorial or statue to commemorate Robert Quigg VC; Robert is one of the organisers of the annual Bushmills At War exhibition and Robin is the UUP MLA for North Antrim. Following a discussion the Council decided to write to the Royal British Legion in Bushmills and to the Macnaghten family of Dundarave to get their views.

Facebook Causes:

Support the creation of a memorial for Robert Quigg VC

BBC Your Place and Mine

Ballintoy and Calor Village Competition of the Year 2011

2011-08-24T07:54:00.017+01:00

Good News Story from the Kingdom of Moyle
The Good, The BAD and The Beautiful

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Calor Village Competition of the Year 2011

Judgement Day - 23 August 2011

Village Plans for Ballintoy, Cushendun and Mosside

Art Ward's Ballintoy

Game of Thrones Set - Ballintoy Harbour

Moyle Council District - Carry On Up Torr 2

2011-08-23T22:04:00.012+01:00

Are we witnessing the demolition of Sleacht (leacc) na Barragh ?

Carry On Up Torr 2

[click image to enter]

Carry On Up Torr

Rathlin Island - What a Coincidence

2011-08-22T23:15:00.007+01:00

Earlier on today, amongst otherwise mainly positive reactions, I spotted the following comment on Trip Advisor from an Aussie visitor to Rathlin Island last year:

.. although the views from the Island are magical, the views around the Island are a disgrace with bits of machine and other junk lying everywhere

I posted the comment on Facebook and sent a message to Moyle councillors and its Chief Executive. Imagine my surprise when I spotted the MV Canna pulling into harbour about 6 pm - carrying a trailer load of scrap!

[click image to enlarge]

Added 26 August

Maybe it wasn't a coincidence. These three beauties came off the island yesterday. :L

Added August 28

Moyle Council spend some time at their bi-monthly meeting this week discussing whether or not to pursue a bloke who dropped a cigarette butt and failed to pay a fixed penalty fine. I wonder what they would have done if he'd dropped a wreck of a car or buried asbestos material in an ASSI.

DRD Minister and Moyle Council Oppose Abandonment of part of Carrickmore Road, Ballycastle

2011-08-22T22:29:00.002+01:00

Can the road now be restored to something similar to its original state so that walkers and other users see it for what it is, a public thoroughfare?

DRD Minister and Moyle Council Oppose Abandonment of part of Carrickmore Road, Ballycastle

Moyle District Council, NIEA and 40 Carrickmore Road

2011-08-19T17:16:00.014+01:00

The following exchange is a rather limited response to concerns expressed in a 10 June 2011 letter passed by Danny McGill, a Ballycastle local historian, to Richard Lewis, Moyle Council CEO, for the attention of Councillors:

"Council has received a complaint that builders materials which have been dumped have been exposed following a landslip adjacent to 40 Carrickmore Road, Ballycastle which is within the Ballycastle Coalfield ASSI.

I have attached photographs for your information and look forward to your comments." .. Moyle Council 03 August 2011

"Our scientific staff visited the site on 3/8/11.

They noted a small area of erosion which has exposed some concrete and a pipe. There has been no impact on the geological features of Ballycastle Coalfield ASSI.

There is no evidence of a breach of the Environment Order and NIEA can take no further action in this instance.

Further to our email to you on 10/1/11 the current landowner has now been formally notified of the ASSI designation. There has been no further reports of damaging activity since then." .. CDPCompliance, DOE, 10 August 2011

[click images to enlarge]

Why were all of these issues not dealt with in the correspondence between officials of the Council and the Department of the Environment? Has the DOE given a green light to anyone to dump, bury or otherwise dispose of building and other materials in an ASSI? Councillors as well as the public will undoubtedly be concerned that such serious matters have not been fully addressed. Presumably these DOE scientific officers will now be invited by Council to carry out a fuller investigation.

Update

McGill letter to Moyle Council 18 August 2011 It is to be circulated to Councillors at their next Council meeting on August 22, 2011.

Related DOE issues - Carry on up Torr

Do Moyle Council and other public agencies need to be more assertive when it comes to the public interest: Blot on the Landscape 2 and Locals Keep Out?

Moyle Council District - Carry On Up Torr

2011-08-07T00:01:00.007+01:00

Carry On Up Torr
[click image]

UPDATE

Moyle District Council

08 August 2011

11. Development at Torr – write to the Enforcement section of the Planning Service detailing quarrying and vandalism in the AONB. Also inform NIEA.
(Requested by Councillor P McShane.

Carry On Up Torr 2

Portrush Flyer - 10 July 2011

2011-07-13T10:14:00.007+01:00

Mike Beckett's videos of the two summer excursions; my photos

The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland will be running its its next Portrush Flyer on July 31.

Ballycastle District Hosts Twelfth Parade, 2011

2011-07-12T22:26:00.002+01:00

[click photos to enlarge]

Picasa Collection

You can have Dunloy Accordion Band playing in the background to the Picasa slide show - and feel free to join in with audience :L

Ballycastle and the Atlantic Salt Trail 3

2011-07-09T17:06:00.001+01:00

Yes, Minister

Ballycastle Coalfields Area of Special Scientific Interest

Mr Swann asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what assessment her Department has made of the tourism potential of the Ballycastle Coalfields Area of Special Scientific Interest and its potential links to the Atlantic Salt Trail Project.

(AQW 1133/11-15)

Mrs Foster: The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has just recently been made aware of the European Ecosal Atlantis Project and understands that Carrickmore Road, Ballycastle is a potential site in terms of developing an Atlantic Salt Route trail. Therefore in light of available detailed project information no assessment has yet been made.

The Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI) within my department having been approached a number of years ago on the Ballycastle saltmines initiative are willing to assist the project if required, as the department has a statutory responsibility for abandoned/disused mines.

NITB understands that the Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust (CCGHT), with a responsibility for sustainable tourism in the Causeway Coast and Glen’s region, has also been approached regarding this Ecosal Atlantis Project. CCGHT, with assistance from NITB, is currently developing a heritage trails project in the region however they hope to engage with the project promoter of the Saltmines Project with input from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.

HM Coastguard Control Centres - Transport Committee Report

2011-06-24T11:30:00.004+01:00

Launching the report, Transport Committee Chair Louise Ellman said:

"We accept there is a need for some modernisation, but the Government’s proposals for the future of the Coastguard Service are seriously flawed.

We found little support for the current proposals and we have no confidence that, under these proposals, the Coastguard will in future be able to respond to emergencies at sea as well as they do now, let alone in a more effective way.

A drastic reduction in the number of rescue co-ordination centres will result in a loss of local knowledge amongst coastguard officers who are responsible for taking calls from people and vessels in distress. The committee is not convinced by the Government's claim that technology can, at present, replace such local knowledge.

Whilst there is a case for reducing the total number of rescue co-ordination centres, any future reorganisation of the Coastguard should be based on 24-hour centres, as they are now, and not on stations open only during daylight hours, as the Government proposes."

The committee also strongly condemns the Government's cost-cutting decision to withdraw funding for the four Emergency Towing Vessels (ETVs) stationed around the UK coast—large tugs that intercept disabled ships to prevent environmental pollution disasters.

"We found no evidence that a suitable commercial alternative for these tugs exists. The Government's decision to withdraw funding for the ETVs is unwise and short-sighted - quite literally, it is inviting disaster," says Louise Ellman.

The Transport Committee also criticises proposals to completely remove government funding for the Maritime Incident Response group (MIRG), a national fire-fighting-at-sea capability. Ministers should instead adopt a slimmed-down MIRG which is more cost-effective than the present arrangement.

Lastly, the committee records its disappointment that Mike Penning MP, Minister for Shipping, instructed regular coastguards not to give oral evidence to the committee on the basis that they were junior civil servants.

"The minister should have shown more faith in the professionalism of the coastguards and stuck by his original commitment to the House [of Commons] to let them give evidence to the Committee," adds Louise Ellman.

Louise Ellman presented the Report on the floor of the House of Commons [12m 30s in] on Thursday 23 June.

"The Narrow Ground - Aspects of Ulster 1609-1969" - A T Q Stewart

2011-06-21T09:44:00.003+01:00

Tony Stewart is no longer with us but his reflections on our history are always worth a re-read. We seem to drop into the familiar tramlines of history with monotonous and often deadly regularity.

"To people whose history stays flat on the printed page it seems incredible that 'old, far-off, unhappy things, and battles long ago' should exert such influence upon the present. Ireland, like Dracula's Transylvania, is much troubled by the undead. King William III, Wolfe Tone and Patrick Pearse sustain an unnatural immortality with the blood of succeeding generations, and when people talk about the inability of the Irish to forget the past, this is usually what they mean. As a matter of fact, the Irish are not only capable of forgetting the past, but quite deliberately expunge from their minds whole areas of it. Like other nations, they have woven for themselves a garment of myth and legend which they call Irish history... that is the history they learn at their mother's knee, in school, in books and plays, on radio and television, in songs and ballads... To the Irish all History is Applied History and the past is simply a convenient quarry which provides ammunition to use against enemies in the present."

More

Some of the patterns of conflict repeat themselves but those who have to deal with the problems now also have to contend with the impact of new media: mobile phone, Twitter, Bebo and Facebook. These have the capacity both to inflame passions and to lead to greater cross-community understanding. The losers will still mainly be those who live in the historical hotspots.

Tommy McKaig's Country Yarns

2011-06-19T23:16:00.000+01:00

Country Yarns

Facebook and the Northern Ireland Piece Process

2011-06-18T21:29:00.013+01:00

Would You Adam and Eve It?

Does Stormont Employ Interns?

Oh Yes, Minister!! Come on in; the water's lovely.

Free Falling lyrics
Songwriters: Petty, Tom; Lynne, Jeff;

She's a good girl, loves her mama
Loves Jesus and America too
She's a good girl, crazy 'bout Elvis
Loves horses and her boyfriend too

Well, I've recently stumbled on a young American lady amongst my political and media friends on Facebook, the internet social networking site, who is just plumb crazy 'bout - our MLAs and councillors. She's even slipped under the radar of some of our more seasoned journalists and bloggers!

A little deep-dive research - in the interests of political sociology - revealed that there was rather more to the young lady, including the use of more than one name - or less, depending upon your point of view - than her alleged attendance at a Christian university would suggest. Some might think that the escapade is very innocent, a minor distraction for our (mainly male) public servants; others might be concerned that a 'honey-trap' operation is in progress, that the compiler of the Facebook page isn't the young lady in the photographs.

Politicians, journalists, police officers
Are free, free fallin'
Oh - bad boys, bad boys!

Added 13 September 2011

Anyone can be a Facebook member and can post whatever photos and other stuff that appeals to them. Should politicians and journalists (and others) be more discerning in their choice of Facebook friends? I have a broad spectrum of Facebook friends, including politicians and journalists, so I was somewhat surprised to see the names that appeared on Facebook pages labelled 'Nisha *******' and, more recently, 'Mary ******'. The individuals who appear in these webpages may well be unaware that their photos are being used in this way.

Added 18 November 2011

Nisha and Mary have now been joined by Reena. They - if it really is they - seem to have a particular interest in Northern Ireland politicians, particularly Unionists, and political journalists. The surnames, in no particular order, are Janka, Parrish and Rankin.

HM Coastguard CC Debate - Westminster Hall - 14 June 2011

2011-06-15T12:59:00.000+01:00

HM Coastguard CC Debate - Westminster Hall - 14 June 2011

Rathlin Express catamaran - Day trip to Donegal?

2011-06-10T23:55:00.001+01:00

The catamaran appears to have done the morning crossing between Rathlin and Ballycastle. The red path is the vessel going west towards Donegal around 10 am at 16 kts and returning east on the blue path at 8 pm at 13 kts.

Mount Druid Vintage Rally this Saturday at Ballintoy, June 11

2011-06-10T22:26:00.001+01:00

BALLYMONEY & MOYLE TIMES

The annual Mount Druid Vintage Rally will take place on Saturday 11th June at 11am in Ballintoy Rectory grounds on the North Coast on the outskirts of Ballintoy village.

The usual attractions will be all types of vintage machinery, including cars, motorbikes, stationary engines and threshing machine, animals, amusements, live music, bbq, teas and other stalls!

As catering and bric-a-brac stalls are already arranged we do not require other stall holders who are selling similar items.

Other stall holders wishing to sell alternative items please contact Rev. Partick Barton on 028 207 68155 or Mr Lesley Heaney on 028 207 32170.

A great family day out is guaranteed even if you just wish to relax and enjoy the beautiful local scenery. Admission £3 per person and under 12’s go free.

Everyone will receive a warm welcome on the day.

2010

2009

Ballycastle - Carrickmore Road - Public v Private - A Letter to Council

2011-06-10T17:33:00.000+01:00

Ballycastle - Carrickmore Road - Public v Private - A Letter to Council

Ballycastle and the Atlantic Salt Trail 2

2011-06-10T09:10:00.004+01:00

I've passed the following message on to Danny McGill, our well known and highly respected local historian, and will be contacting Moyle District Councillors and other relevant parties soon. Readers of NALIL blog will already know about the saltwork sites and Danny's history of the associated Colliery Road will appear in the next issue of the Glynns to be published at the end of June.

"Hi,

I'm trying to get back in touch with Danny McGill about Ecosal.

We spoke ages ago when I was working at Lion Salt Works. I left there last year and am now engaged to help set up the Ecosal trail. David Cranstone is working on the sites and survey work. I am concentrating on delivery of the trail and its links to local tourism.

I have established links now for the UK regional routes in Wales, Cheshire and Cumbria. And touched base with sites and people in Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Ayr and Cornwall.

We do not yet have a budget for tourist linkages. But we have a meeting to make proposals for a UK project at the end of June and then again in November.

A common feature between sites is they are predominately set in AONB designated areas and I am looking at this as a co-ordinating theme for tourism. Not least because there is a sustainability fund that we might be able to tap into, and the AONB Managers have contact with each other. There is an annual conference being held in Cornwall in July at which I hope the relevant managers might talk to each other about how they could link the salt sites together between all the AONB sites .

If the salt trail is to work there needs to be local buy in, so support from your organisation, the local museum and AONB team would be a good start. I know that you are fully supportive but it would help me if you also have any direct contacts to the people I would like support from at the museum and the AONB.

Look forward to hearing back from you.

All best wishes

Andrew

Andrew Fielding BA MIFA
A&A Fielding Ltd
Company registered in England
www.aandafielding.uwclub.net
Mobile: 07749765203
01606-594364
01407-711453"

Ballycastle - Carrickmore Road - In the Public Interest

2011-06-09T22:45:00.005+01:00

Renewed effort to convert a public road into a private drive

Whatever happened to the Roads Service assurance that the public road would be retained?

"There have been expansive discussions on the matter with Roads Service and an "in principle" proposal has been achieved on 28 February 2011. It would now be appropriate to table the proposals before Moyle District Council prior to making formal application to Roads Service for the proposal."

Should Roads Service acquiesce in this instance would a precedent be set for other developers and owners who fancy converting a stretch of public road for private use?

[click images to enlarge]

'Marconi Cottage' Gaffe

Not Marconi's Cottage - The Sequel

Planning Service's strong objections swept away - plans nodded through.

Public Road Blocked - boulders taken from foreshore - Northern Ireland Environmental Agency intervenes to stop further removal. Who gave permission for gates to be erected?

Alterations to Environs of Public Road - no permission sought from NIEA despite environs being part of the Ballycastle Coalfields ASSI.

Celebrating Ballycastle's Industrial Heritage

Celebration Walk - Gates had been removed prior to 1 December 2010 following a Roads Service intervention.

Added September 7

Return of the Tardis - and the BBC

Why would a BBC film crew be present at such a prestigious property and controversial development? Might the property have been entered for the new series of BBC Northern Ireland's "House of the Year" competition?

DeLorean Anniversary - From Dusseldorf With Love

2011-05-30T12:01:00.002+01:00

I snapped this German couple from near Dusseldorf at the Diamond, Bushmills, yesterday. They were here for the DeLorean 30th Anniversary celebrations and were due to leave from their Belfast hotel early this morning on their way back home.

This is another of the three DeLoreans that pulled up at the Bushmills Flash in the Pan for a meal stop!!

NI celebrates DeLorean anniversary - UTV

DeLorean celebrates 30th anniversary - Inside Ireland 3pts

DeLorean 30th anniversary festival in Northern Ireland - BBC

Robert Lamrock, a director of the DeLorean Owners' Association, gives the car pride of place in the pantheon of Northern Irish industrial products.

"It's every bit as important as the Titanic to the history of Northern Ireland," he said.

"There hasn't been a car like it. It was way ahead of its time."

Police Service of Northern Ireland - Manpower Statistics - April 2011

2011-05-30T10:32:00.001+01:00

Police Service of Northern Ireland manpower continues to decline well below the Patten established figures, particularly with regard to constables and reservists. ... NALIL, 5 March 2011

There appears to have been a miraculous recovery. It seems that the steady decline has not only been arrested but an additional 534 police constables have joined the ranks during the course of one month. The restoration funnily enough brings the number of full time officers back to the Patten recommended established figures. Perhaps the Patten figures can now be restored to the monthly statistics - and the belated May figures can be posted online.

Police Service of Northern Ireland - Manpower Statistics, April 2011

It seems the miraculous recovery was only a glitch. The student figures have just about vanished and the significant constable deficit is still there.

Dunluce - Icon of the Causeway Coast - Exhibition

2011-05-23T15:57:00.000+01:00

EXHIBITION

Coleraine Town Hall

12th May - 29th June

Monday - Friday

12:30 pm - 5:30 pm

[click images to enlarge]

Angela Lansbury and the Belfast McIldowie Connection

2011-05-21T22:20:00.007+01:00

Nelson McCausland's mention of Angela Lansbury and her Belfast roots set me off on a little tour of the internet and other resources this afternoon. Angela's mother was Charlotte Lillian McIldowie (1895-1975), better known by her acting name Moyna Macgill.

Charlotte, aged 5, appears in the 1901 Irish Census in Cranmore Park, Belfast, along with her solicitor father William (aged 37, Presbyterian, born Co Down), mother Elizabeth Jane (aged 33, nee Mageean, born Co Antrim) and siblings James Mageean (aged 8) and Margory Graham (aged 4 months). Elizabeth Jane was born on 17 May 1867, the daughter of James Mageean and Margaret Graham; her parents were married in Drumbo, Co Down, on 21 September 1860.

Charlotte, by then aged 15, doesn't appear in the 1911 Irish census, nor does her mother and brother James, but by this time other members of the family are now living in Deramore Avenue: William (47, born in Belfast, married 19 years, four children born and still alive), Marjory Graham (10, born in Bangor, Co Down) and Dennis William (7, born in Belfast).

PRONI Will Calendars provides the following abstract for William: McIldowie William of Sandymount Deramore Drive Belfast solicitor died 30 September 1929 at Westgate-on-Sea [Kent] Probate Belfast 23 June to William Hunter solicitor's assistant. Effects £16903 7s.

The Lennon Wylie website sheds additional light on the whereabouts of this McIldowie family with the aid of Belfast street directories:

1880 - McIldowie, George, Hopeview Cottage, Strandtown, Co Down

1907 - McIldowie, G., & Sons, Solicitors, 26 Corn Market; res., G. McIldowie, 31 Kirkliston Drive; George McIldowie, jun., Elphinstone, Craigavad; and William McIldowie, Sandymount, 23 Deramore Drive

1910 - McIldowie, G., & Sons, Solicitors, 26 Corn Market; res., George McIldowie, jun., Elphinstone, Craigavad; and William McIldowie, Sandymount, 17 Deramore Drive

PRONI street directories yield:

1890 - McIldowie, George & Sons, 26 Corn Market - George, George jnr and William, Kin-Edar, Strandtown.

1895 - McIldowie, Wm of Geo McIldowie & Sons, 3 Tudor Gardens, Eglantine Avenue.

"Scots Kith and Kin" refers to the McIldowies as septs of the MacLeans of Duart, Cameron, Lamont and MacGregor.

Scotland's People: "The gaelic Mac Ghille dhuibh, or “son of the black lad”, seen in the surnames Macilduy, Macildue and Macildowie, translates to Black".

Charlotte's grandfather, George McIldowie, is recorded in the 1901 census. This George (aged 64, solicitor, living in Sydenham Avenue) was born in Paisley, Scotland; his wife Charlotte Mantell (aged 60) was born in Irvine, Scotland; their son Louis Mantell McIldowie [born 08 March 1877 - familysearch.org] was one of the inventors of a new apparatus for cleaning windows whilst living in London. Belfast Cemetery records - City Cemetery: Charlotte, Belgravia, Kirkliston Drive, Bloomfield, died 21 September 1908, aged 68; George, Fountainvale Avenue, died 29 November 1910, aged 74.

Portrush and the 2012 Olympics - Sunday 3 June - Carrying the Torch for the Olympics

2011-05-18T13:36:00.002+01:00

Torch Relay

The London Olympics torch relay begins on 19 May 2012 at Land's End and ends 70 days later at the opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium. It will stop overnight on Day 16 in Portrush on Sunday 3 June en route between the Isle of Man and Londonderry.

Rathlin Ferry Saga and the Northern Ireland Audit Office 2

2011-05-18T01:28:00.000+01:00

Earlier this year I asked the Northern Ireland Audit Office for a copy of an item of correspondence between it and Paul Priestly, the then Permanent Secretary of the Department for Regional Development; I requested the redaction of any personal data. The correspondence duly arrived but the whole of the second paragraph and its title were completely redacted. Why was I not sent the above snippet as the unredacted material above contains no personal data? When will the NIAO release the material without any redactions? I'm told that those who might possibly be referred to have already given their consent.

Census 2011 - Northern Ireland - Could Do Better?

2011-05-17T22:16:00.000+01:00

I completed my census return on April 24, popped it into the envelope provided and dropped the envelope into the town post-box later that evening. I presumed that would be the end of the matter.

A few days later an enumerator called for the return and I told her that it had been posted on census day. Much to my surprise I then found the above rather menacing card in my letter-box about May 4. My house number is beside the box so the card would not have been left at the wrong house by mistake. There was also no replacement questionnaire, despite the statement on the card.

What was I to do to avoid the risk of such a punitive penalty? I rang the census helpline number on the card; it was an automated response but didn't appear to deal with my problem; you sort of lose the will to live after you've been through three stages with three or so choices in each. After some rummaging around in the phone-book I eventually found a number that had a human being at the other end. What a relief. It was even more of a relief to be told that, yes, my completed form had not only arrived but that its arrival had been listed on the NISRA database. Apparently a second numerator must have called, discovered that I was out and left the card, but not the questionnaire, in my letter-box.

Should the Registrar General read this, I may receive an apology and an explanation as to why such threatening missives are despatched. There is no admission on the card that the problem could be caused by an error in their own system and no phone number on the card that would allow the public to easily effect a remedy.

Rathlin Ferry Saga and the Northern Ireland Audit Office 2

2011-05-17T15:42:00.000+01:00

Rathlin Ferry Saga and the Northern Ireland Audit Office 2

2011-05-13T22:56:00.000+01:00

Earlier this year I asked the Northern Ireland Audit Office for a copy of an item of correspondence between it and Paul Priestly, the then Permanent Secretary of the Department for Regional Development; I requested the redaction of any personal data. The correspondence duly arrived but the whole of the second paragraph in this segment and its title were completely redacted. A follow-up request from an associate led to a change of heart by the NIAO. Why was I not sent the above snippet as the unredacted material above contains no personal data? When will the NIAO release this material without any redactions? I'm told that those who might possibly be referred to have already given their consent.

Moyle District Council - Local Election 2011

2011-05-11T14:21:00.003+01:00

Click Images to Enlarge

Ballycastle

Giants Causeway

The Glens

Moyle District Council Elections 1993-2005

Moyle District Council - Ballintoy Harbour to Whitepark Bay Public Right of Way Evidence Form

2011-05-09T19:18:00.002+01:00

"Moyle District Council is currently investigating whether or not the section of the Causeway Coast Way from Ballintoy Harbour leading to Whitepark Bay is a Public Right of Way for the purposes of the Access to the Countryside (NI) Order 1983."

Completed forms should reach the Countryside Recreation Officer no later than 31 May 2011.

New York New Belfast Conferences - Apolitical Funding?

2011-05-03T23:09:00.002+01:00

New York New Belfast :: June 8 - 9, 2011

Back in September 2010 I posed the following question:

Belfast Harbour Commissioners are appointed by Conor Murphy, the SF Minister for Regional Development, so why is Belfast Harbour sponsoring a project which has such close links to Sinn Fein?

BH realised there was a party political dimension to the New York New Belfast 2010 conference and so couldn't write a £20,000 sponsorship cheque to Máirtín Ó Muilleoir's Belfast Media Group; it made the cheque out to an alternative account. Ó Muilleoir was appointed as an additional Non-Executive Director to the interim board of Northern Ireland Water but stepped down from the role shortly after taking up the post. His name didn't appear in the initial list of NEDs published in an email about two weeks before the official announcement on 30 June 2010 and the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland asserted:

"The Consumer Council found out about the appointment of the additional NED to the board of NI Water on 30 June 2010."

Is Belfast Harbour sponsoring this years event? The listed sponsors are KPMG, Invest Northern Ireland, NIBureau, United Airlines, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Fordham University, Titanic Quarter, ClubstoHire.com, Irish Network - New York City, The Irish Business Organisation of New York, Odyssey Trust and Irish Business Association.

There's no mention of BH - until you look at the Titanic Quarter website

The Titanic Quarter development is co-promoted by Belfast Harbour and Titanic Quarter Limited.

I wonder if any of the other sponsors, which are in receipt of public funds in whatever manner or are affiliated to government, have an apolitical sponsorship requirement.

HM Coastguard Control Centres - News From Wales, May 2

2011-05-02T11:13:00.002+01:00

"The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is seeking to save £210m over 25 years by cutting the number of UK coastguard stations from 18 to eight. Stations in Milford Haven and Holyhead would close and the base in Swansea downgraded to daytime cover only.

Now the parliamentary Transport Select Committee, which is conducting a full inquiry into those proposals, has written to Save Milford Haven Coastguard Campaign Group inviting two members to travel to Westminster on May 24 to give oral evidence to the committee of cross party MPs."

Lifeboats to the rescue off Co Down coast this past week-end. The co-ordination of this rescue would have been carried out by HM CCC in Bangor, Co Down.

"Although the generic title is Belfast Coastguard, the MRCC is situated at Bangor Harbour. It has 24 staff divided into four watches A, B, C & D. Each Watch has one Watch Manager in charge of Search And Rescue (SAR) operations, two Watch Officers, and two or three Coastguard Watch Assistants. The Operations Room is manned 24/7/365, and deals with SAR incidents in the District by means of the VHF radio and telephone line"

Ballycastle -The Riviera of the North

2011-04-28T01:02:00.001+01:00

Click images to enlarge

A couple from Clanrye country taking the sun near Pans Rocks before moving a little further west towards the banks of the Bann.

Room with a view. The new Old Saltpans with the ever so old Fairhead in the background.

The Bounty. A new plaything for the wains in the sandpit at the end of the marina as the adults relax and look on.

Time for some cod and chips in Mortons down by the harbour - or one of Harry's ices - or both!

Lads being lads. A few moments earlier there were two others lying beside this one on the pontoon that is currently being used by the St Sorney. Perhaps the Harbour Master should have a word.

The St Sorney deputising for the Rathlin Express catamaran. I bumped into Mary, one of the ferry company directors. When I asked about the two bandaged fingers on her left hand, she said, "I was fighting. I bit the other fellow's ear off". Now that's a ropey explanation if ever I heard one! Maybe just as well I didn't ask about the catamaran!

HM Coastguard Control Centres - Government About-turn?

2011-04-16T11:18:00.007+01:00

It's important to emphasis the role of a HM Coastguard Co-Ordination Centre

"What MRCC Belfast do

The role of HM Coastguard is laid out in the Coastguard Act 1925.

“HM Coastguard is responsible for the initiation and co-ordination of civil maritime search and rescue within the UK maritime search and rescue region. This includes the mobilisation, organisation and tasking of adequate resources to respond to either persons either in distress at sea, or to persons at risk of injury or death on the cliffs or shoreline of the UK.”

Belfast Coastguard is:

Responsible for all maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) and other emergency situations, incidents and calls for assistance in its operational area.
Area of responsibility is from Lough Foyle to Carlingford Lough including Lough Erne and Lough Neagh.
Provide guidance and information to all coastal and maritime users within the district.
The UK liaison station with the Irish Coastguard and enjoys a close working relationship with them regularly making use of their air and sea assets as required.

Staff at Belfast Coastguard plan and coordinate search and rescue (SAR) response as per the Coastguard Act 1925. This includes tasking as required Rescue Helicopters, RNLI Lifeboats, Coastguard Teams, other Emergency Services assets, and/or any other units available at that time.

To enable staff to do their job effectively, they have to have a thorough understanding of and be able to operate Coastguard communications equipment including radios, satellite communications, Digital Selective Calling (DSC), Automatic Identification System (AIS), telephones (including the 999 system), e-mail, and paging systems."

Mike Penning, Under-Secretary of State for Transport (2nd left),

under pressure from Sylvia Hermon, Owen Paterson and Margaret Ritchie

Coastguard station could get a lifeline in Government rethink
By Sam Lister - Belfast Telegraph
Saturday, 16 April 2011

Ministers are poised to scale down their plans for a radical shake-up of the UK Coastguard service that could have left Northern Ireland without a dedicated base.

While Government sources insist there will not be a U-turn on reforms, some concessions are being considered, including keeping more bases open round-the-clock.

Changes to the proposals are also understood to include closing fewer stations, which will fuel hope among campaigners fighting to save Bangor.

The Belfast Lough emergency centre was earmarked to be downgraded to daylight-only operations or closed altogether under Shipping Minster Mike Penning's plans.

more

Previous NALIL report

Act of Union 1800 - Virtual Library

2011-04-11T16:58:00.001+01:00

The Act of Union Virtual Library is a unique collection of pamphlets, newspapers, parliamentary papers and manuscript material contemporary with the 1800 Act of Union between Ireland and Britain. The entire content is searchable bibliographically, the search results displaying individual images that can be browsed by turning the pages of each virtual book or document. A free text search is provided for the pamphlets and parliamentary papers.

The website is of inestimable use for scholars in that it provides immediate access to a panoply of documents held in various public institutions in Belfast, more often than not, in specialised collections. Those with a more general interest in the Act of Union will also benefit both from exposure to these archives and to the myriad search functions and explanatory notes contained within this website.

BBCNI - The Devenport Diaries - Role of Moderators

2011-04-11T11:28:00.002+01:00

I'm an occasional contributor to Mark Devenport's blog on BBC Northern Ireland, The Devenport Diaries. Just recently I was subjected to some personal abuse by a fellow commenter so I submitted a brief complaint to the blog moderators. My complaint was based on the values expressed in the BBC mission statement. Here are some of the relevant ones:

Trust is the foundation of the BBC: we are independent, impartial and honest.
Audiences are at the heart of everything we do.
We respect each other and celebrate our diversity so that everyone can give their best.
We are one BBC: great things happen when we work together.

The initial moderators' response included the following:

Further to your complaint about some of the content on a BBC blog (reference number ******), we have decided that it does not contravene the House Rules and are going to leave it on site.

I then said: Why do you allow this poster to use a term like '**** ... ****'? Would you publish such a remark if it were directed against Mark or any other member of the BBC? I don't think so.

The moderators' response changed:

Further to your complaint about some of the content on a BBC blog (reference number ****), we have decided that it does indeed contravene the House Rules and have removed the offending material.

Thank you for pointing this out to us.

Now why couldn't the moderators have said that first time round?

Northern Ireland Assembly - Freedom of Information - Ring Us

2011-04-10T17:49:00.002+01:00

Some of the blogs that I've published during the course of the past few years have been based on responses to Freedom of Information requests that I and/or others have submitted. The quality of the responses with regard to personal information has been varied.

Some data that I would have expected to have been redacted has been left in place so I've used my own judgement and removed what should not have been released. Some electronic redaction is ineffective ie switching to text mode has removed the electronic black band.

Sometimes large chunks of information have been blacked out on the grounds that they contain personal information or information that could identify an individual or individuals. However, the blacking out may have been done to protect a Minister or a public servant who has expressed a prejudicial view about this individual or these individuals.

Holding Ministers and public servants to account can be a slippery business. The absence of detailed notes and minutes, deliberate or otherwise, is not in the public interest as an audit trail will have gaps in it. Such gaps can then lead to a miscarriage of justice if the gaps permit wrong interpretations to be made and conclusions to be reached.

One FoI response involved the following novel approach:

Click image to enlarge

Such an exchange leaves a gap in the audit trail.

Price McConaghy Stepping Down From Moyle District Council

2011-03-30T14:06:00.001+01:00

Here is Price performing one of his final duties - unveiling some new Ballycastle sculptures - not only as Chairman of Moyle District Council but also as a local councillor. The Ballycastle Chronicle reports on his decision to step down from this public service role after fifty four years as an elected representative.

Price is flanked by the sculptor, Malcolm Robertson, and NITB's Brian Connolly.

Ballycastle Marina Facility or Yacht Club?

2011-03-28T00:56:00.004+01:00

The EU funded Sail West Initiative [pdf file] is the result of an extensive collaboration of over 20 partners from the West of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland. Supported under the INTERREG IVA programme the initiative aims to encourage the development of marine tourism across the entire region, through a targeted capital investment programme in key marine infrastructure and a concerted marketing campaign.

The Sail West capital investment programme will provide a necklace of highly developed boating, angling and marine tourism related infrastructure aimed at increasing visitor numbers to the Sail West region. This investment programme will be backed up by an ambitious marketing programme aimed at promoting the Sail West region as a must-visit marine and cultural tourism destination.

The Council has received funding from the EU Interreg Programme of €695,975. The Council has set aside a contingency of £70,000 towards the capital cost of the building. .. Council spokesman

[click images to enlarge]

A yacht club is on the Ballycastle Town Partnership's long term plans [pdf file]. The replacement building for the former harbour office which is currently under construction might be more than just a marina facility.

Ground Floor Plan

Are these ground floor facilities exclusively for the use of the marina clientèle? This use would appear to be similar to that for the shower block on Rathlin Island. Perhaps other visitors to Ballycastle would appreciate the use of such amenities.

First Floor Plan.

I'm told that, on reflection, Bar should have read Counter-top. However, the top floor facilities could easily be transformed into a yacht club with a bar and dining area for members. The balcony would provide a splendid viewing area for the commodore and the members.

I'm also told that the first floor facilities will be let out to community organisations despite the assertion in the planning application that the facilities relate to the harbour. Why was this information not included as part of the 'full and accurate description'? Do the plans conform to the requirements of EU 'Sail West' funding?

Ireland Exhibited to England Vol II and UJA Vol VII

2011-03-19T00:27:00.007Z

Also click on Ulster Journal of Archaelogy Vol VII January 1901

Click "Read Online" on the left panel and the book opens. There's a search box at the top. If the word you are looking for is in the book a flag or flags appear. Clicking on a flag opens a page and the searched for word is highlighted.

There are links to similar resources on the right hand panel of NALIL blog.

New Ballycastle Promenade Sculptures

2011-03-16T23:47:00.003Z

Unveiling - Monday 28 March 11 am

Four Swans: "Children of Lir"

Flying Fish: "Leap of Faith"

Flying Fish II: "Leap of Faith"

Mutiny on the Bounty

Picasa Albums with Location Maps

NALIL - North Antrim Local Interest List

Bushmills PSNI Station - Threatened by Closure

Third of police stations face closure

Save our station!

What's in a Name - Malcolm 'Moltke' Magill?

Moyle District Council - Carry On Up Torr 5

Notting Hill Carnival - Belfast Style

Derry~Londonderry and the Culture Wars

Ballycastle Bay Cruises

Petition - "For the future of fishing in Northern Ireland"

From Bushmills to St Louis with Love 2

Transatlantic Sessions - Series 5 - 2011

Dick Glasgow - North Antrim Music

From Bushmills to St Louis with Love

Bushmills - Terms of Endearment

The Great Bushmills and Downpatrick Christmas Tree Disease

Martha's Christmas Present 2011

The Cozies and the Lost Loughsisooly

Bushmills - 65 Main Street Restoration + New Craft Village

Wallaces and Craigs of Castlecat, County Antrim

Giants Causeway School - 1935 and 1937

Bushmills Grammar School - 1927 School Photo

Carry On Up Torr 4 - Ballycastle Chronicle - 01.12.2011

Myths and Legends of North Antrim - The Sorrowing of Conall Cearnach

Northern Ireland Audit Office and Harbourgate - News Coverage

The Route Back Home 2012

BBC's Countryfile from County Antrim

BBC's Countryfile from County Antrim

Colvin Indenture, Cozies, Parish of Billy, Co Antrim

Moyle District Council and New Memorial for Robert Quigg VC 2

Moyle District Council and New Media

Moyle DC and NIEA Response to Heritage Vandalism in Moyle

Department of the Environment - Northern Ireland Environment Agency - A Problem

Copied from DOE website

Protecting Archaeological Sites and Monuments through the Planning Process

Carrickmore Road, Ballycastle - Some Correspondence

Northern Ireland Water - Lack of Transparency and Accountability 2

Northern Ireland Audit Office Reports - Not User Friendly 2

HM Coastguard Control Centres - News from Liverpool and the Isle of Man

Northern Ireland Audit Office Reports - Not User Friendly

Northern Ireland Civil Service - Selective Blocking of Blogs

Whooper Swans Beside the Bush Water

Churnalism vs Journalism

Bush Water - Under The Bridge - October 12, 2011

Moyle District Council - Enforcement Officer?

Parish Letter from Loughguile - 1801

New Ballycastle Seafront Information Panels

Carry On Up Torr 3

Antrim Arms, Bushmills - now the Bushmills Inn

Ballycastle Seafront Project - Information Panels

Ballycastle - Bathing at Pans Rocks circa 1934

Dark Hedges, Ballymoney - An Abuse of Heritage?

Ballycastle Marina Facility or Yacht Club 2?

Price McConaghy's Praise for Health and Ambulance Services

Giants Causeway, Bushmills and Dunseverick Community Fun Day

Carrickmore Road, Ballycastle - Presentations to Moyle District Council, 25 July 2011

Silver Cloud in Ballycastle Bay, 3 September 2011

Rachel Henderson - The Pride of Croaghmore

Ballycastle Lammas Fair 2011

class='title'>My Own North Antrim Tunes!

Moyle Council District - What A Carry On ...

Moyle District Council and New Memorial for Robert Quigg VC

Ballintoy and Calor Village Competition of the Year 2011

Moyle Council District - Carry On Up Torr 2

Rathlin Island - What a Coincidence

DRD Minister and Moyle Council Oppose Abandonment of part of Carrickmore Road, Ballycastle

Moyle District Council, NIEA and 40 Carrickmore Road

Moyle Council District - Carry On Up Torr

Portrush Flyer - 10 July 2011

Ballycastle District Hosts Twelfth Parade, 2011

Ballycastle and the Atlantic Salt Trail 3

HM Coastguard Control Centres - Transport Committee Report

"The Narrow Ground - Aspects of Ulster 1609-1969" - A T Q Stewart

Tommy McKaig's Country Yarns

Facebook and the Northern Ireland Piece Process

HM Coastguard CC Debate - Westminster Hall - 14 June 2011

Rathlin Express catamaran - Day trip to Donegal?

Mount Druid Vintage Rally this Saturday at Ballintoy, June 11

Ballycastle - Carrickmore Road - Public v Private - A Letter to Council

Ballycastle and the Atlantic Salt Trail 2