Monthly Archives: February 2011

Following the QFT films on Friday 25th February night, my High Sheriff's driver Stevie Sugden brought me down to the Crescent Arts Centre to the Rhythm and Rhyme Concert, which was part of the 7th Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival and … Continue reading →

Yesterday, as High Sheriff, I accompanied my friend Professor John Wilson Foster to the Queen's Film Theatre, 20 University Square, Belfast to see the first of their series of films on the lives of those who built the great ships … Continue reading →

Last night I was in the Belfast City Hall in my capacity of High Sheriff and Chairman of the Department of Health and Environmental Services, I welcomed a large gathering of invited guests from the community as follows: I would … Continue reading →

Selection speeches are always difficult, and none more so than in Northern Ireland, with its rapidly shifting political sands .One is sometimes right and sometimes wrong, but one must never be in doubt. Here is the one I delivered last … Continue reading →

Selection speeches are always difficult, and none more so than in Northern Ireland, with its rapidly shifting political sands .One is sometimes right and sometimes wrong, but one must never be in doubt. Here is the one I delivered last … Continue reading →

Today I went to Bangor and attended the Funeral Service for David Gordon Dalzell, the Royal Irish Regiment Ranger who died two weeks ago in a fiendly fire incident while serving in Afganistan. His passing out parade had been in … Continue reading →

Yesterday, I was present at the visit of Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex to the Spectrum Centre on the Shankill Road in Belfast. The Spectrum Centre opened on the 30 October 2001. It was a project for the community realised … Continue reading →

On 3 November 1841, the Feast of St Malachy, the foundation stone for the Church of St Malachy in Alfred Street, Belfast, was laid. It opened in December 1844, and is regarded as one of the finest examples of late … Continue reading →

Just back from Belfast City Airport. I went there as Chairman of the Health and Environmental Services Department of Belfast City Council and of course the airport is in my constituency. Was in Bangor to bring my car through the … Continue reading →

On May 3rd 1958 I had a severe crisis of conscience. My Granny Martha had married her cousin John Adamson and moved to Bolton in Lancashire. When my father John came back to Conlig, Co. Down, and married his cousin … Continue reading →