Forty six years ago I was sitting by the fire minding my own business when I thought – this is the 17th December 1977, And it was twenty to seven in the evening, Suddenly my memory flew into gear, the 16th was my school friends birthday and the 18th my birthday. When we were very young, as well as pricking our thumbs and becoming blood brothers (it would have to be sisters these days) we promised to meet in the Garden Of Remembrance at Belfast City Hall on the day between our birthdays at 7 p.m on 17th December 1977. Jumped into my car, raced the few miles to the city centre, parked at the front gates and ran to the Garden. I sat and listened to the clocks chiming seven, it was misty and atmospheric, a boy was on some sort of a skate board and peddling round the path under the portico, the only sound at that time, no buses, no revellers just me, the boy and the bells. And so I sat, and sat, and sat. No one came and eventually I went home wondering why she hadn’t turned up, perhaps just forgot. Although I haven’t seen her since school days I know she lived in Co. Down and at that time anyway, and I hope still, was alive and well. So on this day, where ever she is, I wish Carol a Happy Christmas and a good New Year.
So Strictly Come Dancing is done and dusted.
Did you agree with the winners? Ellie and Vito were a bit of a surprise, I’d hoped for Bobby the Brilliant although Layton and his partner were the best on the night but it’s down to the public vote and they did what they did.
I’m not a huge fan but having said that over the weeks I’d become glued and my favourite was Bobby from day one. Layton was obviously the best mover but then he is no novice to the stage and dance which put him ahead of the others with a definite advantage. Then young Ellie who was so shy and hesitant but not last night, she looked sophisticated and danced like a dream.
Strictly has been a distraction from reality but real life is always there in the blink of an eye, locally seeing all the young men and women outside Queen’s University on Friday, proud in their graduation gowns but there were family members missing because there were no busses to bring them to Belfast. Others unable to keep medical appointments, to visit special people, so many reasons to regret the lack of transport but then on the other hand when your voice isn’t heard, like so many workers, they are forced to take strike actions.
At a strike meeting in front of the City Hall some weeks ago a young midwife, she could only have been in her 20s, gave a heartbreaking description of a day in her life, the stress and the strain, unable to make ends meet. In a broken little voice she called out – ‘we are crying for help and no one is listening.’ So government people – wise up.
The horror that is the Middle East situation continues and it gets worse. My daughter had dental treatment during the week and it was painful. We thought of all those people fleeing their homeland, amongst the thousands many will have toothache and no help or pain killers. Women going into labour, how on earth do they survive the birth of their child by the roadside, again no medical treatment, no midwife, no mother to comfort her.
Little children lost and alone separated from all he or she knows, imagine the fear, the absolute terror, looking around for help but everyone too caught up in their own survival to take notice. Their homes destroyed and told to flee with the crowds. And Ukraine is still in a state of trauma but sadly, like many theatres of war, the spotlight has dimmed and other countries are shying away from supporting them. Where will it end, when will it end, how will it end?
The weather is unpredictable, there are warnings going out right, left and centre – government says stock up on battery-powered radios, torches, candles and first aid kits in order to prepare for power cuts or digital communications going down. I’d add plenty of batteries, a little gas canister cooker, get warm jumpers from the wardrobe and plenty of them.
Is this a panic reaction? Not for four of Northern Ireland’s top utility companies who are publicising telephone numbers so you can get help if and when you need it. As Sara Denning CEO of Northern Ireland Water explains, “While we cannot prevent adverse weather we can try to prepare for it. The aim of this campaign is to give advice to customers on how to prepare for potential interruptions to water, broadband, gas or electricity. “The campaign is also an opportunity to raise awareness of the services we have for vulnerable customers; those who need a little extra support at any time of the year. We have special teams and resources in place to provide additional assistance where needed.” Very reassuring.
“We all have dedicated, experienced staff working behind the scenes 24/7 to keep our networks operating. If we do experience damage to our networks, our engineers will mobilise as soon as it is safe to do so to get our customers connected again as quickly as possible.”
To report any faults or in the case of any emergencies please contact:
•NI Water: 03457 44 00 88 or visit niwater.com
•NIE Networks: 03457 643 643 or visit nienetworks.co.uk
•Openreach: 08000 23 20 23 or visit openreach.co.uk
•Phoenix Energy: 03454 55 55 55 or visit phoenixenergyni.com
Jetting off for Christmas?
Some are and many others will leave from Belfast City Airport. It’s a complex route to the front door so, if you aren’t acquainted with the ins and outs, advise your driver to take time and follow the instructions and have a contactless card to lift the exit barrier.
Able bodied travellers will have no problem negotiating their way to the plane steps but anyone with mobility issues can take advantage of the assisted travel scheme. I did this recently flying Aer Lingus to Edinburgh and it was brilliant and I’d like to pass on the information.
First of all when I was booking my ticket under ‘passenger details’ there’s a section Special Assistance. There is no charge for this service.
When my husband dropped me off it was a matter of pressing a button which is easy to see and a lady came with a chair on wheels, (no longer a wheel chair,) and transported me and my case to the checkin, she stayed with me as I passed over my ticket and passport, lifted my case onto the conveyor belt and then took me on to a dedicated waiting area for those needing special assistance. I stayed there for about 20 minutes, time to visit the loo and buy a newspaper before my assistant arrived back and took me straight through to the hand baggage security point and so down the long passage way to the final checkin gate. Then before anyone else was allowed to board, I was taken to the bottom of the steps and helped into the cabin and seated. Good idea is to write your seat number on your hand – saves time.
Sit Tight
I was asked remain in my seat after landing at Edinburgh airport until all others have left the plane and then it was my turn and there waiting for me at the bottom of the steps was another chair and a smiling assistant. Off to the carousel where my bag was retrieved by Anna and placed on the shelf under the chair; then I was wizzed off to the front door, or could be the bus stop, to rendezvous with family.
Coming home to Belfast was just as easy. The assisted travel office is at the front door of Edinburgh airport and here I picked up my chair and Kelly who checked my bag in and then, as I was nice and early, I was left sitting in a very comfortable, designated area beside shops and restaurants. I had time for a lovely meal and was back to meet up with Kelly and so on to board. Walking would have been impossible because of back pain so I appreciated the help and I urge you to investigate it, there is no embarrassment in asking for such willing assistance.
Back in Belfast the chair was waiting for me at the bottom of the steps, off to the carousel to collect my bag and then out to the pick up area for a taxi or for me my husband who was able to pull in and wait long enough for me to say goodbye to Richard once he had put my bag into the car and it was home for tea.
