I first met Oliver Napier in 1975 when carrying out an interview for my Msc dissertation on the Alliance Party.

Despite his busy schedule he was very generous with his time and talked in depth about his early years in politics from the creation of New Ulster Movement to the Sunningdale Agreement and the power-sharing Executive. He spoke with passion on the need to break the mould of sectarian politics and promote a united community based on equality and justice for all.

Continue reading “Sir Oliver Napier” »

Although this historic breakthrough came as a shock to the media I was always reasonably confident that we could take the seat. On the doorstep many voters were expressing the need to leave behind the old divisive arguments about flags emblems and policing and move on to the issues of the twenty first century. These issues included climate change, sustainability and dependence on fossil fuels and often coincided with the Green party agenda. Continue reading “Green Living – Assembly Review” »

It is difficult to predict what Northern Ireland will look like in 2021. Although I do not see any political change I have serious concerns about the economic future.

The Green Party supports the Good Friday Agreement and in the principle of consent. We are therefore concerned by the present stalemate at the Assembly and the failure to involve all parties in decision making. I am optimistic that these issues will be resolved by 2021 and that we will have a devolved power sharing government with widespread support across the community. If this is achieved whether Martin McGuiness becomes First Minister will be a matter for the voters.

To achieve this stable Assembly we believe that the present requirement for MLA’s to designate as unionist or nationalist should be abolished as this reinforces the divisions in our society and restricts true power sharing. Continue reading “Union 2021” »

I was first introduced to St Columbanus more than 50 years ago by Dr Emery the music teacher at Bangor Grammar. I can still recall the words of our school song although like most of my classmates I hadn’t a clue what it was all about.

Comgall noster, Columbanus,

Sanctus noster, Gall, Britannos

Although we sang boldly about Comgall, Gall and Columbanus the significance of Bangor Abbey and our Christian heritage managed to escape me. Continue reading “My Saint Columbanus Experience” »

In the Sixties the summers seemed long and hot and Bangor was buzzing with thousands of families from Scotland and the North of England, enjoying their Wakes Week beside the seaside. These tourists generated excitement as they flocked to Barry’s Amusements, the arcades and to the concerts in the seafront hotels, particularly the Queen’s Court, which regularly hosted top groups.

I recall in 1967 looking forward to a concert by a then unknown group called Procul Harum. I was surprised a few days later to watch Top of the Pops and to see the group perform its classic “A Whiter Shade of Pale.” The Bangor date was cancelled and Procul Harum never did appear at the Queen’s Court. Continue reading “Bangor in the Sixties” »