We look at the stories that were making the headlines in the Andersonstown News this week in 1985...
Editorial: Anglo-Irish summit nears
IT seems likely that the long-awaited Anglo-Irish Summit will take place soon, and already the kite-flying has started. Inspired leaks are pouring hot and heavy from the British Government think-tanks in an effort to gauge reaction to some of the proposals.
There have been suggestions of changes in the R.U.C. and U.D.R., judges sitting North and South, and a Free State ombudsman at Stormont to act as father confessor to the poor distraught and alienated Micks in the Six Counties. As a pro quid quo there have been suggestions of the Free State dropping all claim of sovereignty over the whole island, and a major clamp down on republicans.
No doubt some of these suggestions will be put into practice and they might even bring back the green coloured uniforms for the R.U.C. introduced by Sir Arthur Young in the early 1970's and phased out again very quickly when the Nationalists let it be known that it wasn't the colour of the uniforms that worried them but what was in them.
It comes as no surprise to us that these talks have degenerated to such ludicrous depths since neither Garret Fitzgerald's Anglophile government or the true Brit Government of Margaret Thatcher are prepared to discuss the fundamental question of British involvement in Ireland and their eventual disengagement.
To hold an Anglo-Irish summit supposedly aimed at finding a solution to our troubles, without discussing British disengagement is useless, and can only lead to the further confusion of a bewildered electorate both in Britain and in Ireland. Is it any wonder then, that these two God-fearing Reverend gentlemen, Foster and Paisley, were smiling broadly when threatening all sorts of dire consequences as a result of the Anglo-Irish summit. They recognise a good con job when they see it.
The Anglo-Irish summit is a dead duck, and both the Unionists and the Nationalists know it, and John Hume has a lot to answer for in leading us up this particular garden path.
New Irish school planned for the Falls
THE Falls area may soon have its own Irish school if local parents have their way. For next week cultural enthusiasts and parents with children of nursery school age will meet to plan the new scheme.
Already Irish nursery schools exist in Ardoyne, Twinbrook, Short Strand and at the Bunscoil Ghaelach at the Shaws Road. However, this is the first time an attempt has been made to set up a nursery to cater for the Lower Falls area.
The meeting is scheduled at Mica Drive Community Centre at 8pm on Monday, September 30th. The organisers stress that parents from all areas will be more than welcome – children do not necessarily need to be of nursery school age yet for them to be enrolled with the new school. Representatives of the Twinbrook Irish Nursery School Naiscoil na Fuiscoige, and the Ardoyne Irish Nursery School will attend and Bunscoil Ghaelach will also be represented.
CELEBRATION: Briege Scullion (Highbury Gardens) celebrated her 21st birthday back in September 1985 and a surprise party was laid on for her in The Shamrock by her family and many friends
Theatre at the Conway Mill a huge success
ON Friday last, the Belfast Community Theatre Workshop (Amharclann Mhuintír Bhéal Feirste) put on a very successful night's entertainment in the Conway Mill.
The night's fare ranged from dancing through politics, to humour. Even though it was a first time appearance for most of the participants, their achievement augers well for the future of the workshop. Cora Ward opened the proceedings with two Irish dances and this was followed by a short play on extradition. A very appropriate subject in light on the ongoing extradition scheming between the British and American Governments. On a lighter note, three young dancers gave an amusing performance of Robotic dancing. An adaptation of Brecht's 'The Mother' followed. It was called 'On Education' and while performed in an unorthodox fashion it conveyed a subtle message in an unsubtle way.
After a break and a very enjoyable buffet, it was on to the main course of the night, ‘Oh Gilbert’ by local writer Jim McGlade. The Gilbert in question is a teenager who creates havoc for his family when he has his first encounter with the opposite sex. At times hilarious, other times reflective, it touches on the effects that a person such as Gilbert can have on a family but without dwelling too heavily on any particular aspect.
The humour – there is lots of it – is rich; at times earthy without going overboard. Special praise here for Joe Reid (Joe) for a very enthusiastic performance. But it was not one person’s success, it was a community success. The audience loved it and hopefully their appreciation will encourage the workshop to further ventures. To one and all who took part – well done!
Belfast Community Theatre would like to convey special thanks to Curley's Supermarket, Delaney's Haberdashery, Devine's Furnishing, Foresters Club, Ballymurphy B.T.A, Flannigan's Off-Licence for their generous donations for Friday night’s production of 'Oh Gilbert' by Jim McGlade in Conway Mill. A special thanks to Anne Jordan and friends for preparing such a wonderful buffet. Everyone's help was greatly appreciated.
