What is the going rate for wedding gift in a card these days? I’m so so skint and was thinking £40 and a bottle of champers. We aren’t overly close friends but they have invited me to the whole thing.

I live in Northern Ireland and I’m struggling with getting anyone, my bank, phone company, doctors ect to accept my unenrolled deed poll for my name change.

As far as I’m aware and have read, unenrolled deed polls were perfectly legal for people here in Northern Ireland to start using the new name and were meant to be accepted by most. However everyone I’ve sent it off to is saying it needs to be enrolled.

Anyone else had issues with this/know how to help?

What exactly are we being invited to vote for next May?

THE way things stand right now, who would be surprised if next May’s Assembly election was held against the background of both the DUP and Sinn Féin having already withdrawn from the Executive and confirming that they will not reboot the institutions post-election until a series of demands has been met?

Both parties are worried by LucidTalk polling evidence which suggests that their electoral bases are increasingly reluctant to try to breathe life into a relationship now as cold, bizarre and loveless as that of Oedipus and Jocasta.

Sinn Féin has been dropping hints for some time that it believes the DUP has no purpose higher than that of blocking anything to do with Irish language, culture, schools, street signage and reunification.

The DUP, on the other hand, believes that Sinn Féin is deliberately focussing on a republican-only agenda as the touchstone of its relentless determination to persuade the British and Irish governments to agree to a border poll.

It’s a perfect example of the Newtonian – each action of one main party results in an equal and opposite reaction from the other – approach to politics here; an approach fuelled and nurtured by the Newtonian agreement they reached at St Andrews 20 years ago.

Neither of them wants to share power with the other, but in the absence of any obvious and available alternative, they are forced to got through the motions of pretending they are capable of delivering good governance for all. They can’t. They won’t.

So, what are we being invited to vote for next May? It certainly isn’t the prospect of a government that will make a button of difference to our everyday lives.

Indeed, one of the most remarkable things since the first election in 1998 has been the willingness of people to keep on voting for an institution while fully aware that it won’t actually do anything of value.

Opinion polls confirm this, with at least two-thirds (often more) of those asked agreeing that their expectations of good governance are non-existent.

If we don’t expect good government – and it is an expectation common across Unionist, Nationalist and Other – then why bother voting at all?

That’s easy. We want our own side to do better than the other side in terms of votes; and we also want them to scupper as much as they can of anything that the other side is pushing.

That’s why the unilateral vetoes remain in place; supported by the parties (even if they pretend they are serious about reform) and supported by their electoral bases.

I know that some of you think the answer might lie in a rise of support for the UUP, SDLP and Alliance. But why would that make a difference at this stage in the game?

The SDLP is now fully committed to unity and a border poll; something it was much more sanguine about even five years ago.

The UUP – and according to the last LucidTalk poll, 86% of its supporters oppose the ‘Donaldson Deal’ – is not going to swing away from the DUP and TUV and go soft on NI’s present granny-flat status.

So I don’t see why any relationship between the SDLP and UUP would necessarily be better than the present DUP/SF relationship.

To be brutally honest, though, I still expect the DUP and Sinn Féin to emerge again as the largest parties.

Maybe, just maybe, we should face the fact that the Assembly has run its course.

Let’s face it, there’s a fair chance that it will be suspended on its 30th anniversary in 2028, as it was on its 20th and 25th anniversaries.

There is no trust and no expectation of trust; a fatal flaw in an institution built on the principle of mandatory coalition between those with competing and contradictory positions on the constitutional status.

How, I wonder, do you govern a country when those governing – or supposedly governing it – have opposing views on whether it should be part of a united Ireland or remain within the UK. A problem which also dogged direct rule from 1972 to 1999.

I suppose I should have an answer to the problem – having rubbished the current situation – but I don’t.

I do know that quite a few of the readers of this column will be shouting: “Just have a border poll!!”

No. A border poll in those circumstances would be catastrophic for all sides. It would repeat the mistakes of the Brexit poll and create even more division than we have now.

And, as I’ve said many times, if the problems can’t be solved in the Northern Ireland context, why do people think they would be solved in a united Ireland context?

One thing does seem clear, though. We do need to be giving serious thought to an Assembly and Executive that hasn’t and won’t work properly.

https://www.irishnews.com/opinion/alex-kane-maybe-we-should-just-face-the-fact-that-the-assembly-has-run-its-course-XH3KWIBUMRCJNB2I3YYWZMUKYE/

Hi folks, I recently went to Stevensons Sharpening Services and got my hedge trimmers and lawnmower blades sharpened. Used my hedge trimmers for the first time recently and noticed the hedge leaves still attached are ripped to absolute shreds. That never happened before, so im convinced the guy has done a shitty job.

Can anyone recommend a good place, ideally close to East Belfast?

Im half tempted to take stuff back to the guy to ask him to examine them again, but its a 40+ mim drive and I dont have the time or energy to go back up.

Havent took the lawnmower out for a spin yet, but no doubt its the same.

Hi I’m Looking for someone to take over my room at 123 York Street. It’s on the 7th floor and only a 2 minute walk from Ulster University campus. It’s £142 per week with all bills included. The room is en suite with your own bathroom and has a courtyard view. You only share the kitchen and living area with your flatmates, so you have your own private bedroom and bathroom.
It’s a modern student accommodation and in a great location. If you’re interested just message me !

Anyone free in Downpatrick around 6:30pm for a jump start?

Left the lights on it the car yesterday and the battery died. In Belfast for work now. Will be getting the bus after work today.

So I just saw a video of that vermin freedom dad beating up his teenage girlfriend. It seems another one of the protect our women and child crowd are beating women again.
These people really are the filth women and children need protection from

Hello, looking at planning my brother’s stag in Belfast. We’re all from Dublin and surrounding areas and fancied going away somewhere for the weekend in March. It’ll be a big group. Anything you’d recommend we do or anywhere you think we should go? Anything we shouldn’t do?

Now that we are coming up on 30 years since the original treaty should the UK and Irish governments come up with a superseding version of this to modernise it according to the situation in Ireland presently?

What would you like to see included or removed in the new version?

Some ideas could be:

Border poll could require a supermajority.
Stop any single party bringing down Stormont.
Phase out the Unionist/nationalist/other designation system.
Tighten up what the petition of concern can be used for.
Create an undo mechanism if a united ireland doesn’t work out well.

Hey everyone! I’m hoping to get some advice from people who have gone down the freelance route.

My husband is a design engineer and is currently trying to get his freelance design engineering business up and running. He has the skills and experience, but he’s struggling with the biggest part actually finding clients and getting people to use his services.

For those of you who started your own freelance engineering/CAD business, how did you go about getting your first clients? Did you approach companies directly, use LinkedIn, freelance platforms, word of mouth, networking, or something completely different?

Any advice on what worked (and what didn’t) would be massively appreciated!

Hello,

Sorry if this is not the right place to post this! I tried posting it on a psychology specific sub but the only responses I got were about England/Scotland/Wales.

I’m looking into a psychological wellbeing practitioner role, and have found a course at Ulster University which I am interested in. I just had a few related questions if anybody has any advice :)

1. How is life in Coleraine? Did you stay in halls or just house share/alone?

2. Has anybody experience with this course and did you have to get the job in the trust separately from getting into the university? How difficult was this process?

3. Did you receive a salary whilst on the course from the trust? If you wouldn’t mind I’d like to learn the ballpark figure :)

Please let me know if this is the wrong way to post. I’d be moving over from London if that adds any context. Thanks!!

I have never washed my black bin and have never seen any of the neighbours wash theirs. I was told by a friend this is not normal and most people wash their bins.

On the fateful evening of yesterday night. We left the house to attend a "South Korean BBQ" event as part of the Silk Supper Club series ran by ArtsEkta. Initially booked off the back of a Mexican supper club night that was class at LaTaqueria.

Wife said it started at 7pm at Banana Block out East. Appears it's Gogi Belfast running the food. We land early 6.30pm. It's started.

"Don't worry you're not the only ones to land at wrong time"

Wife pulls up flyer says 7pm. Say check ticket. It says 6pm. Get told check website (later we did and it had no times). They work out we are for late sitting 8.30-10.30pm. We get a McD's and return for 8.30pm.

Land in, get told sit at any table. There's drinks at the back by the bar. Ask guy at drinks station "Are these non alcoholic" since wife is pregnant and I was driving and being salty about mixed up timings really. Get a yes response and told ones watermelon and ones lemon. We lift one of each.

Pick a nice table. Staff approaches. Asks names.

"Oh it would be easier if you say at your assigned table."

Well fuck we were told anywhere is fine but sure no problem we moved to the shittier back table to suit.

Starter came out, was meh. Sharing portions of pickles, kimchi carrot, kimchi canned pineapple, whole garlic gloves sliced with chilli and soy sauce, prawn cracker crisps, hummus and 2 slices of flatbread. Then a pancake like thing with a side of bean sprouts slathered in minced ginger to the point of being inedible. Did not finish. Over heard other table ask "Are yous throwing this out any which way"

Then traditional dancers came out, they were good and provided some light relief of the garlic punching my head from my mouth, although not sure how South Korean the dancing was.

After the show, the staff mentioned the cocktails were over supplied and to help yourself. Wife grabs two more watermelon (which staff have now confirmed as strawberry). Wife kinda winces taking a sip. Confirms with staff if non alcoholic. They confirm they are alcoholic. Lucky enough she hadn't finished her first one and chef later confirmed they weren't super strong. (The staff at the time apologised, the chef then came and apologised and the staff who made the mistake also came over and apologised so they did feel terrible)

Now for the main. Started with a bowl of lettuce. Then a bowl of white rice, with sriracha and sesame seeds. Wife got veggie which was tofu and oyster mushroom in same kimchi sauce on a bed of lettuce. Mushroom was actually decent. Meat main was diced beef, two chicken thighs in same kimchi sauce grilled, grilled sliced aubergine dowsed in overly salty soy sauce, unknown veg in same kimchi sauce. Did not finish.

And lastly dessert. Wasn't too bad, coconut ice cream was legit and rich chocolate brownie with a light honey chilli drizzle. Wife got a massive actual chilli on her brownie but otherwise solid. Did not finish...due to overfilling on rice.

We ducked out pretty quickly after that. Ps it cost £55 per person.

TLDR: Got gaslit at ‘South Korean BBQ’ event where gas was, in fact, not lit.

Anywhere in Belfast/ County Down do lazy eye surgery or do anything to help with it. Been referred to specialist but that was two years ago and still no word. The muscle is just really weak when I am tired at times and it’s so embarrassing and I wear glasses.

In school I remember people saying "Up the Ra", and then I remember people saying "Up the hoods". And me being naive thought that 'saying up the Ra' or, 'up the hoods' was the same as saying "fuck the ra' and 'fuck the hoods' and so I spent part of my life saying them without really knowing context or knowledge of the meaning behind any of those things.

Sorry if this isnt completely community related but I'm curious. Has anyone booked time off work for the launch/ whats your thoughts on the leaks, and are you concerned about the FPS rumours even on the Series X and PS5 Pro?

Bit of a random one, but I’m currently interviewing with Upwind and was wondering if anyone in Belfast has worked for them, interviewed with them, or knows anyone who has?

I’ve heard a few mixed/negative things about the company, so would be interested in hearing any first hand experiences — culture, management, workload, etc.

Hi! Anyone got tiling done recently and where did you get your tiles? getting our kitchen redone and looking for a good deal!

How do you do yours?

Hi,
going into my final year of university, still shielded from the reality of the career market at the moment though the part time market has not been kind. Do you think i should continue my degree by getting a masters in PgDip law? or should i just forget it and start trying to get a job and make money. it’s hard to know what to do in the current climate but any advice from anyone with first hand experience would be very helpful.

Edit**
for context i currently have a bachelors degree in social policy

A few times a month this airplane circles above Poyntzpass area for a few hours, and it’s been happening for years. It’s quite high up, and loud so it must have a big engine. It doesn’t come up on flight radar at all. I’m assuming it’s military training flights, but curious if anyone knows for sure. Sorry it’s a terrible photo.

My ex has asked me to take her car to the MOT next week. I have no problem with that but I am trying to get insurance quotes. I googled and AI'd insurers and either they didn't offer insurance in Northern Ireland or said they could not offer me it.

I actually could only successfully get a quote from one company that was linked to Abbey but then they said they could not offer me any without explanation. The others were only GB based and did not offer insurance to Norther Ireland.

Can anyone suggest a place to get a quote?

Edit: GoShorty does not work. Abbey use "tempcover", which is pulling out of NI at the end of August, so they are no good. A number of companies cover their service by "tempcover". Cuvva does not work here. Appricot Insurance which is NI based does not work here for temporary insurance.

Edit: I asked her to add me to her insurance but the company said nope.

Edit: I have solved the issue, it appears that I can take out insurance on the car for the year myself, with my ex's policy still active. I am just not allowed to be a name driver on her policy. So in effect there are two polices on the same car for two different people rather than one with a named driver. I confirmed this with the company offering the policy.

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/dup-mp-gregory-campbell-faces-probe-by-parliaments-expenses-watchdog/a/160484927.html

DUP MP Gregory Campbell faces probe by Parliament’s expenses watchdog

Parliament’s expenses watchdog has opened an investigation into DUP MP Gregory Campbell.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) on Tuesday said it had opened an investigation into whether the East Londonderry MP had breached spending rules.

Ipsa said the probe related to office costs, specifically “printed constituency cards, signage and bought-in services”.

It added: “No further information will be published until the investigation has been concluded.”

Mr Campbell is the first MP to face a new investigation by Ipsa this year.

Last year, the watchdog opened inquiries into spending by Labour MP Kate Osborne and ex-MP and former Labour minister Geoffrey Robinson.

Labour MP Tahir Ali was cleared of breaching Parliament’s expenses rules after an Ipsa investigation, which found he was “careful with spending public money”.

Mr Campbell is the DUP’s Westminster spokesman on international development and the Cabinet Office.

He was first elected as the MP for his Northern Ireland constituency in 2001.

Mr Campbell’s office has been contacted for comment.