August 14, 2009
Vexillogical stupidities once more
Once again I’ve come across some stupidities regarding flag etiquette. In my experience, those who are sailors are usually among the best concerning flag use. But with the Tall Ships Maritime Festival on in Belfast at the moment, this has proved not to be the case.
Wrong courtesy flag
It is usual for vessels when in a foreign port to fly a ‘courtesy ensign‘ — that is the ensign of the port in which they are. In the United Kingdom that ensign should be the Red Ensign. Unfortunately some of the Tall Ships’ captains appear to be ignorant of this fact and are flying the Union Jack.
The Union Jack is limited at sea to ships of the Royal Navy, or ships which Her Majesty the Queen is onboard. Perhaps some Naval officer will either tell the offending captains, or perhaps he’ll actually prosecute them.
Green Ensign?
One other suggestion would be the Green Ensign that would be more Irish. But perhaps it never existed officially…
Perhaps we should start having these flown in Northern Irish waters?
June 30, 2009
It’s nearly July – so it’s time for lamp posts to turn into flagpoles
You know you’re from Northern Ireland when you find yourself referring to lampposts as ‘flagpoles’. It’s nearly July so in many areas we have flags ‘decorating’ these flagpoles lampposts. It wouldn’t be so bad if the flags were at full mast on their flagpoles lampposts, but rarely are they at the top. Thus it often appears that we are in permanent mourning for someone.
Don't think Queen Elizabeth II is living in the pole.
This afternoon as I drove from Parliament Buildings to the city centre I spotted some particular stupidities. Some well-meaning so-called Loyalists have erected a Royal Banner (normally called Royal Standard) up a pole at the bottom of the Belmont Road. Now, I doubt that the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty is in fact resident in the pole.
Further down towards the city, there is a rather large Orange Hall with a wide range of flags flying from it. It’s a bit embarrassing therefore that the flag of the country (the Union Flag) is flying upside down. Now this is an internationally recognised sign of distress. So what distress is the Orange Order in?
Whilst these are rather minor infractions in vexillogical etiquette. It would be rather better if someone could instruct the so-called Loyalists in how to fly flags in the correct way. Perhaps they could take some instruction from the Flag Institute.
Perhaps there should be a task force of the Northern Ireland Executive to look into the display of flags in community areas. I’m sure there could be working between the Social Development minister, the Environment minister, and the Regional Development minister and even the NIO’s Minister of State for everything (wearing his Justice and Policing hat this time) to get funding for lampposts
This is probably more likely from the current Executive than actually working out what is happening with Education, the Health Service, the proposed Single Equality Bill and any other legislation that the Executive is sitting on and not progressing.
Or perhaps it’s something for the new Minister of Justice if when justice and policing are devolved to the Assembly. But when is this likely to happen? Time to speak to Robbo and Martin.
Filed under Environment, NIO, Regional Development, Royal Family, politics
Tags: belfast, Elizabeth II, Environment, Executive, flags, NIO, Northern Ireland, OFMDFM, Royal Standard, Union Flag
June 25, 2009
Yesterday saw me crossing the international frontier on my way to Castle Leslie, Glaslough, County Monaghan. The most direct rout according to my Road Atlas and also according to Googlemaps was take the M1 motorway to Dungannon, turn left for Caledon, in Caledon, turn right, take the first left, cross the frontier and drive to Glaslough. Simple enough. Or so you’d think.
Down the lane and find it’s blocked!
Both sets of maps showed that the B45 (NI) turned into the R185 (Éire). However, I turned down the road from Caledon but it became apparent that this road was not very much used. The road surface was much more like a farm lane than a road maintained by the Northern Ireland Government. And I made it to the border and found that the way was blocked – I could have walked across but not driven. So back into Caledon and I found another way around: into Co Armagh, and across the frontier into Co Monaghan.
Maps should be clearer
It is clear that the continued closure of roads in border areas is something that needs to be shown on maps. I know that our own Ordnance Survey maps used to show approved/unapproved roads across the Border, but do they still? I’m writing to Google to explain the problems. I’ll update when I any reply is received.
June 19, 2009
Education Crisis continues
The apparent blackmailing of teachers in Northern Ireland’s primary schools is another shocking twist to the continuing debacle that has been caused by the lack of clarity from Sinn Féin Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane MLA. This has not been helped by the apparent incapability of the NI Executive to work together on any issue.
Education committee hears of blackmail
The news of the blackmail came today as the main teaching unions gave evidence to the Assembly’s Education Committee. Representatives of the NASUWT, UTU, ATL were at Stormont. They told of parents stating that unless pupils were ‘coached’ for the grammar school’s tests, the children would be moved to different schools.
With most of the Province’s grammar schools opting for some sort of academic test and the secondary schools going to follow the minister’s guidelines, it leaves primary school children, their parents, teachers and the entire of NI society not knowing quite what will happen in the autumn.
Expect better work next term
The end of term is drawing nigh not only for our schoolchildren but also our MLAs. Perhaps the best school report for the Executive – and particularly Caitríona Ruane is “performs not too badly in oral lessons, but tends to be less diligent in her homework. Must try harder. Expect better work next term”.
June 16, 2009
Finance Minister absent from chamber once again
Northern Ireland’s Finance Minister Nigel Dodds MP MLA is once again absent from the Assembly. The Budget (No. 2) Bill is being debated, but being steered through by Arlene Foster MLA, Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Investment.
One wonders what Mr Dodds is up to? Is he shirking his duties? Or perhaps it is an indication of the impending DUP reshuffle. Is Arlene going to be the new Finance Minister?
June 15, 2009
Poppies in May
The Royal British Legion has asked that Nick Griffin MEP, Chairman of the British National Party and newly elected MEP for the North West of England, to remove the poppy, the symbol of the Legion’s annual appeal, from his lapel.
Dear Mr Griffin,
We couldn’t help but notice that there was egg on your face (and on your suit jacket) on the day after you were elected MEP for North West England.
Please don’t leave egg on ours.
You wore a Poppy lapel badge during your news conference to celebrate your election victory. This was in direct contravention of our polite request that you refrain from politicising one of the nation’s most treasured and beloved symbols.
The Poppy is the symbol of sacrifices made by British Armed Forces in conflicts both past and present and it has been paid for with blood and valour. True valour deserves respect regardless of a person’s ethnic origin, and everyone who serves or has served their country deserves nothing less.
The Poppy pin, the Poppy logo, and the paper Poppy worn during Remembrance are the property, trademark and emblem of The Royal British Legion.
For nearly 90 years, The Royal British Legion has pursued a policy of being scrupulously above the party political fray. It is vital that everyone – the media, the public and our beneficiaries – know that we will not allow our independence to be undermined or our reputation impaired by being closely associated with any one political party. This is more important now than ever.
On May 27th, 2009, the National Chairman of The Royal British Legion wrote to you privately requesting that you desist from wearing the Poppy or any other emblem that might be associated with the Legion at any of your public appearances during the European Parliamentary election campaign.
He appealed to your sense of honour. But you have responded by continuing to wear the poppy. So now we’re no longer asking you privately.
Stop it, Mr Griffin. Just stop it.
Regards,
The Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion is the nation’s leading Armed Forces charity providing care and support to all members of the British Armed Forces past and present and their families. It is also the national Custodian of Remembrance and safeguards the Military Covenant between the nation and its Armed Forces. It is best known for the annual Poppy Appeal and its emblem, the red poppy.
Poppies in October
The RBL is complaining about the policialization of their best known symbol. Perhaps they should write to many local MLAs and MPs for here in Belfast and particularly up at Stormont in the middle of October there appears to be a race to be the first to wear a poppy in your lapel. This is particularly noticeable among “Unionist” politicians. Perhaps everyone should take the opportunity to really think about what a poppy represents. If so many people want to wear one all the time, one wonders how many are members of the Legion. That is a more effective way of showing support for the Legion’s work.
June 15, 2009
Another week, another school has been attacked. Currie Primary School in the Tiger’s Bay area of Belfast has been vandalised. Not yet two weeks ago I was there for the first time to cast my vote in the European Election. Today, the school is closed while a clean up operation starts.
£300 was also stolen from the premises. Surely now is a time to wonder about keeping such somes of money on school premises over the weekend.
June 12, 2009
This morning I discovered that Northern Ireland Railways has invested in extra parking at Ballymena station. This is in adddition to the original “Park and Ride” that was put there a couple of years ago. However, I have been told about some senior citizens who have had problems getting to the station to use their free Senior Smartpass issued by the Department of Social Development on the train or bus. If they drive down after about 9 o’clock in the morning, they find that there is nowhere for them to park. Does NIR need to build a multi-storey carpark at the station?
June 11, 2009
Alliance Party representative Gerry Lynch condemns petrol bombing at Bearnageeha
Six a.m. in Belfast is like six a.m. in most cities, some people are getting up to go to work, others lying-on in their beds, others already at work. But Belfast of course is slightly different. Belfast has people out throwing petrol bombs.
Take this morning, for instance, the Fire and Rescue Service and the Police were called to St Patrick’s College Bearnageeha on the Antrim Road in the north of the city following reports of a fire. Fortunately they found that the fire had burnt itself out. But what had happened? Someone thought that it would be a good idea to set fire to a school. Remains of a petrol bomb was found and evidence of an accelerant having been squirted through a window and set alight.
Waste of resources
This senseless attack achieves nothing of worth. It causes smoke damage to a number of classrooms and corridors. It disrupts a school within weeks of the end of the school year. And it means that much needed resources will need to be spent on repairing the damage and cleaning up.
Gerry Lynch of the Alliance Pary this morning condemned the attack, saying, “This was a despicable and thoughtless attack on a vital community facility in North Belfast.
“It baffles me as to why anyone would want to damage a school. Attacks like this often cause disruption in the community and local people will be angry with the perpetrators.
The Alliance man urged for assistance to be given to those investigating this crime, “Anyone who saw anything that could help the police catch those involved in this incident should contact them immediately.”
Report on BBC NEWS
June 10, 2009
It’s just over a week since Coronation Day and the Flag’s flying high over Stormont once more. It seems that to prevent the error of flying the Flag upside down, it wasn’t being flown at all at Dundonald House—until I pointed out the lack of Union Flag.
The reason for the flying is, of course, the anniversary of the birth of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, Baron Greenwich, KG, KT, GBE, OM, AC, QSO, GCL, CD, PC, ADC, RSerafO, GCTE. His Royal Highness is the husband of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, and is worshipped as a god by some villages in Vanuatu.
