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| Culzie | Date: Thursday, 2012-03-08, 6:13 PM | Message # 1 |
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Generalissimo
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| So it continues. As Ulster becomes but a distant memory Ireland comes more and more to the fore. A good thing or bad. I suppose if nationalists are complaining then maybe people are happy enough.
Thursday 8 March 2012 08:40
ULSTER policing’s last major link to the RUC will be lost forever if a police sporting body votes to change its historic name.
Later this month, members of the RUC Athletic Association (RUC AA) will vote on whether their name should be changed to remove the reference to the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
The proposal has outraged many former RUC officers – the row taking a new twist on Tuesday when a PSNI Assistant Chief Constable sent a letter to RUC AA members urging them to support the name change.
Both the News Letter and TUV leader Jim Allister have been contacted by members of the association who say they are extremely angry that the sporting body – a private organisation largely funded by members’ subscriptions – should be forced to fall into line with the PSNI’s title and symbolism.
ACC Will Kerr is the current Athletic Association chairman. His letter claims that retaining the RUC title could result in a “failure to secure grants on which this association is financially dependent”.
He further states that a “failure to meet this requirement will almost certainly mean a signficant increase in members’ subscripiton fees to make up the shortfall” and said it could even place the organisation’s long-term viability in jeopardy.
Speaking yesterday, North Antrim MLA Mr Allister said it appears obvious that “the powers that be are putting enormous pressure on the RUC Athletic Association to change its name” and “threatening to cut grants to it unless the members fall into line”.
The TUV leader added: “”It is incumbent upon ACC Kerr to come clean on exactly where the threat to funding comes from. It simply isn’t good enough to seek to blackmail the RUC AA in this way without telling us who is threatening them should the proud name of the RUC GC be preserved in the organisation’s title.
“The RUC served with distinction throughout the terrorist campaign of the Troubles and many of its members made the supreme sacrifice. The stripping of the RUC’s name and badge was an issue which caused huge hurt to the men and women who served in its ranks. Now there is an attempt to erase the last remnants of its name from the PSNI’s structures.”
Based at Newforge in south Belfast, the Association was formed in 1928 and assists in “the provision of facilities and services for, or in connection with, any form of recreation or amateur sport” for members of sporting bodies affiliated to the police service.
One ex-RUC officer said his former colleagues, who had been stalwarts of the Association, “would be turning in their graves” at the proposals.
Another, current vice-chairman of the NI Retired Police Association (RPOA) Roy Cairns, said he only heard about the proposals last Thursday and feels the vote is being put on the agenda “with indecent haste”.
Mr Cairns, who made clear he was only speaking in a personal capacity and not on behalf of the RPOA, said he has already been contacted by several RUC AA members who are outraged at the proposals.
“We want to make the Athletic Association a success with football, rugby, gaelic games — all sports enjoying success – but it was former RUC officers who built Newforge [sports club] in 1986 and many of them are now obviously very angry that attempts are being made to airbrush their contribution,” said the former superintendent.
“The name of the RUC Athletic Association should be preserved as it is part of our history. Even the Garda Siochana commemorate the old RIC because it is of historic importance.”
Mr Cairns, who joined the RUC in 1956, said the current board of the RUC AA had five representatives of the Chief Constable and no-one officially there to represent the views of former officers.
“We have a good relationship with Matt Baggott who regards us as one big police family. It’s no criticism of the Chief Constable but we’re a bit miffed to say the least that this has become an issue.”
One former RUC GC officer who spoke to the News Letter predicted that hundreds of RUC AA subscribers would leave in protest if the change goes ahead.
The ex-constable, who did not wish to be named, said he believes the timing of the new proposals could be down to former RUC officers now being a minority within the PSNI.
“This is a private club — and the last real link with the RUC GC. I reckon the vast majority paying subscriptions are former RUC who will walk away in disgust,” he said.
When contacted this week, the RUC Athletic Association said they couldn’t comment on the proposed name change and referred all queries to the PSNI press office.
A spokesman for the PSNI said he could confirm the meeting is due to be held later this month and that the new name being proposed was the Police Athletic Association.
“The proposal to change the name reflects that the Athletic Association represents both policing organisations — the RUC GC and the PSNI – and, if accepted, will formalise the name by which the organisation’s sports teams are already known in the community and within national and international police sporting circles,” he said.
The spokesman added: “The decision is not about politics or disrespecting the past. This is simply a recognition that the sporting association of the police family needs to reflect the name change in policing which is now over 10 years old.”
Thursday 8 March 2012 08:29
AN application to stage a loyalist parade in Armagh on the evening of St Patrick’s Day has been approved.
It will not overlap with the main St Patrick’s parade in the historic city.
The Cormeen Rising Sons of William parade would usually hold its St Patrick’s Day march in the village of Killylea, but the organisers have asked to move it to Armagh city because its size has been increasing year on year.
Around 40 bands and up to 1,200 participants are due to take part.
Nationalist politicians have raised objections to the march.
Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
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| RSAUB | Date: Friday, 2012-03-09, 0:21 AM | Message # 2 |
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Colonel general
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| Basically change the name or retain the name and possibly lose out on grants?
I honestly fail to understand how retaining the name could put the possibility of funding from grants in jeopardy. Sounds like scare tactics to me, still an absolute disgrace, but this word ‘Ulster’ must removed at all costs!
On the issue of this parade, most of the bars are republican in Armagh town centre, St Patricks day is on a Saturday, so they will be on the drink all day. It’s a recipe for disaster and the band will get the blame for any trouble that happens or the taigs will stand and laugh at the Prods for accepting their Irishness.
Regardless of what happens, all those who celebrate St Patricks day are traitors to Ulster and if we ever end up in a United Ireland or British Ulster ends up culturally Irish, then these scum within our own community, will only have themselves to blame.
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| Culzie | Date: Friday, 2012-03-09, 9:07 PM | Message # 3 |
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Generalissimo
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| Oh so true words. Not sure but is the hated Parades Commission still the body which gives permission to hold a parade? If so and they have given permission for this band parade then it speaks volumes about the policy they are pursuing. Here is a body which puts all sorts of restrictions and sometimes openly banning Orange or band parades. But yet this time they give permission for a paddy day band parade to go ahead. Makes you think. Another step along the 'green brick road' But as long as the wee lads get to 'play bands' they are happy enough. They'll toddle away contended and not see the overall picture of a gradual movement.
Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
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| RSAUB | Date: Friday, 2012-03-09, 10:07 PM | Message # 4 |
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Colonel general
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| Indeed, some might even believe that their getting one over on the taigs, instead they are playing right into their hands and selling our Country straight down the river.
I actually hope when the bands pass by the taig bars they sing their rebel songs along to some of the band tunes, especially those that are themed on IRA tunes, and they congratulate the bands for accepting their Irishness, really make the prods out to be fools. Sometimes a bit of shock treatment can work wonders.
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| Culzie | Date: Saturday, 2012-03-10, 0:15 AM | Message # 5 |
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Generalissimo
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| It could happen. Especially the part about congratulating them on their irishness. I can picture it now ..shaking hands with them as they pass and welcoming them to the fold. ha
Of course if that did happen the social engineers and the 'claim its yours' people would be over the moon. Just what they wanted. After all wasn't that the parades commission reason for agreeing to the band parade. Another step down the green brick road.
But we'll wait and see. It might end up in a brawl
Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
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| RSAUB | Date: Sunday, 2012-03-11, 3:38 AM | Message # 6 |
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Colonel general
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| Aye, either way loyalism is the loser, if there is a brawl loyalist bands will get the blame and if it's a success it further promotes Saint Patricks day within the loyalist community.
I'll not be near it myself. Sad to think that St Patricks day marks the anniversary of the death of a young Ulster son Lindsay Mooney who died on Irish soil while transporting a bomb to a bar in the Irish Republic, to take the fight to the Irish as they celebrated their day.
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| Culzie | Date: Sunday, 2012-03-11, 6:53 PM | Message # 7 |
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Generalissimo
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| Changed days. Once again its amazing how people can change their coat and not give a thought to those that died to keep Ulster free. Prods? Chameleons more likely.
Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
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| RSAUB | Date: Monday, 2012-03-12, 8:23 PM | Message # 8 |
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Colonel general
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| Yip, I have to wonder for all those genuine loyalists who gave their lives for this Country or spend years in prison, was there really any point when you see what's happening in the Country now.
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