“No wonder the traders in Belfast are complaining.” So writes Shirley Gault, a well known voice on local radio. “I went up today for the first time in years for a look around the shops, I have a blue badge as I can’t walk far and am not very mobile, despite this not a space to be had anywhere and all because of bus lanes. Why so many, in fact why any?
“Past the City Hall and into Chichester Street there is only one lane to drive in, in such a wide street. Laughable - no wonder people avoid the city centre. After doing a complete circle and still no joy, I headed for the motorway and home.” Shirley lives in Carrickfergus...
“City Fathers, take another look around what used to be a prosperous city centre and please realise where you have gone wrong. Traffic used to move smoothly even before the stupid one-way systems were commonplace and way before bus lanes - and don’t say use public transport.
“Firstly, it’s not always convenient and as for the rail network, well, I don’t know who thought Grand Central Station was central. Central to what?
“Rant over, I will just reminisce on how great it used to be...”
Shirley adds: “John Stewart MLA could this please be mentioned when you reconvene?”
I’ve asked our representatives to address this terrible situation but I don’t see any improvement. Perhaps we need to take a lead from the farmers and have a mass slow drive through Belfast.
Another experience from Charles: “I stopped shopping in Belfast after a traffic warden ticketed me for parking near a junction but refused to ticket the unbadged car just ahead in a disabled bay. The warden admitted his bosses only wanted tickets on double yellows near junctions. My appeal was rejected.”
Question
On the subject of money, how come £23 million has been spent on the Maze site when nothing has been done during the last 25 years? How did ‘the body’ set up to develop a happy space we could share, spend the money?
Most of us work to a budget and once the shopping is done check the till receipt. The public would like to see the till receipt and where that colossal amount of money went - in detail please. Some hope...
The public would like to see the till receipt and where the colossal amount of money spent on the Maze site went - in detail please. Some hope...
Heartbreak
Although unsigned, I want to acknowledge this plea from a woman, one of many, who has fallen in love with a married man: “We’ve been working together for over a year and our friendship tipped over into a physical relationship.
“I know he’s married, but not happily, and he told me I made his life worthwhile and I believed him.
“We were due to meet the day before Christmas Eve but he didn’t turn up and I heard nothing from him. I texted him on Boxing Day saying I understood he was with his family, but what about me?
“I was devastated when he said it was over, he’s decided to concentrate on his wife and family but he’ll always have a soft spot for me. I’m shattered.”
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I will call her Rose. Anyone in your situation, Rose, knew from the start of your attraction that he was married and you would have been foolish to think you were going to have any future together.
I’ve no doubt he cared for you but you were providing a comfort he obviously wasn’t getting from his wife, the thrill of a secret love appealed to him, made him feel like the big man - which he obviously isn’t.
To ignore you in this way is unforgivable. I think a man who says he loves his wife and that his affair meant nothing is the lowest of the low. It often happens with men in the public eye; it’s demeaning to the woman involved who is lulled into a sense of security with gifts and sweet talk.
More: Why I won’t be going back to the Abbey Centre, and other Christmas tales - Anne Hailes
Some men need to feel the power of having a mistress but more often than not the mistress is expendable.
It’s a cruel world for you at the moment and it will be more so when you go back to work and have to face him. Telling you to be strong is pointless, telling you to fill your life with other interests is obvious, but both are true.
If you have a trusted friend confide in him or her, ask for help to fill the void that is left, keep busy with friends you probably have neglected over the last year, get out and about.
Write your experience down as a short story - just get him out of your life Rose, and your heart. If he comes asking forgiveness, laugh in his face and tell him where to go.
I hope you will meet someone who is free to love you as you deserve.
