End this sorry bin debacle, for everyone's sake!
Good morning loyal newsletter readers. Depending on circumstances, I suppose, it was a welcome return to porridge on Monday. Like an anecdote to what was a final summer week spent in a caravan by the sea with the children. It was a lovely end to the summer ‘break’ to be fair. Now to figure out the school runs with high school entering the equation…
Speaking of a lovely summer’s end; what would also be lovely if it ended….the bins strike for the good folk of the Armagh and Cusher districts.
Here at Armagh I, we’ve endured our fair share of ‘do your jobs and tell us why they’re striking’ finger pointing. While we’re not privy to all the inner workings of this collapse of relations – especially as Council remain tight-lipped as they go through all their procedures – we are aware of the gist of the problem.
We understand (sources in an underground car park sort of understand) that there is an appetite to put this sorry mess in the rear view mirror. End the strike and for everyone to save face, so to speak.
There seems, or rather is, a growing public apathy as to the Union’s reasoning for striking; people just want their bins emptied.
And this time (remember the summer of ‘22?) it feels a little different too. This is not a strike for more pay and better conditions but merely a disciplinary issue surrounding one employee. Not to diminish that individual’s plight, but it has brought half a borough to its proverbial knees. We’re not sure though, if people are on their knees begging for bins to be emptied, or getting their pitchforks readied, but something has to give soon.
There is an appeals process ongoing, with Council expected to rule on that in due course. There is a feeling that it may come as soon as this week but again, that’s on council’s HR department. Re-instating the employee, or standing firm on their decision to dismiss may well have consequences either way but a decision should at least get the bin lorries back on the road.
Technically we are in for another fortnight (up to mid-September), with whispers of a potential extension if this issue doesn’t come to a head sooner, however, word on the grapevine – or underground car park in our case – is that our bins, in a perpetual state of bloat, will finally be relieved of their contents in the very near future.
Talks of a rebate are also pretty fruitless too. Back of the envelope calculations, given the allocation of our rates which goes on refuse collection (most goes to Stormont) would leave each household seeking anywhere between £8-12. The cost of processing that alone would probably negate anything for the ratepayer in the long run.
That said, it’s all a little sensitive on the legal side but we welcome your strongly worded opinions in the comments below.
Headlines
💲 Autobits Motorstore building for over 40 years is officially up for sale
🔫 Air rifle and drugs among items seized as police raid Armagh city properties
🚑 Five people taken to hospital following two-vehicle collision on M1
⚖️ PSNI officer facing unlawful personal data access charges fails to appear in court
😠 Councillors united in push to press Department on tackling ‘cruel’ SEN placement debacle
🚨 Power tools among items stolen amid six burglaries in Middletown
🚔 Staff member held against wall and threatened as men steal phones from Newry shop
🍪 Killylea mum who turned hobby into award-winning business hoping to expand presence in GB
😢 Mother of tragic Sean Boyle in Council chamber to help prevent further tragedies
🗑️ Plea to fine people for leaving bins out on street too long rejected by councillors
⚖️ Portadown man once jailed for attempted murder found guilty of groping care assistant
👣 Co. Armagh man raises money for sight loss charity with 100k in a day walk
🚜 Appeal after collision between tractor and car in Tandragee
😤 Residents of unfinished Lurgan developments ‘feel abandoned’
🩺 New contractor appointed for GP Practice in Rathfriland and Newtownhamilton
📸 In Pictures: Sam Maguire cup makes special appearance at St Malachy’s morning assembly
🎟️ Croke Park ‘Do it for Daniel’ as family’s plea secures accessible Coldplay tickets
Notice Board
Southern Area Hospice’s 16th Annual Midnight Memory Walk | 6km family walk takes place at St Colman’s College on Saturday September 28 | music from the Choir Studio and refreshments | Those attending will also receive a memory bib to wear and to state who they are walking in memory of. The Hospice’s Memory Wall will be in situ on the night so that people can place a dedication for their loved one for all to view | Click here to register
Brunch and Paws at the Palace | September 7 | 10.30am - 12.30pm | A fun brunch for dogs and their owners at the Palace in Armagh. Brunch treats for both! | Tickets available to purchase online.
Sundown Market in Solitude Park, Banbridge | September 7 | 3pm - 8pm | Enjoy music, great food and drinks in the relaxed setting of Solitude Park, Banbridge | Free admission.
Just A Chat White Collar Fight Night | September 13 | 7pm | Seagoe Hotel, Portadown | A night of white collar action in aid of Just A Chat. Featuring some of their own members | £25 per ticket | All tickets bought will be entered into a free draw for an overnight stay at the Galgorm Hotel.
Tickets are on sale for the 2024 Armagh I People of the Year Awards. If you fancy coming along and having a great night out, more information and tickets can be found here.
Armagh Food & Cider
The Armagh Food and Cider Festival, the biggest foodie event of the season, returns to the heart of Orchard County this weekend from September 5 – 8, 2024.
It’s set to be a spectacular weekend with cider tasting, tayto tours, street food, pizza parties and much, much more!
Eat, drink and browse your way through local ingredients, remarkable venues and magnificent masterclasses.
Check out the foodie festivities below and plan your weekend:
Orchard Paint & Sip at Long Meadow Cider Company
BBQ & Beats at On the Hoof
Food & Cider Festival Celebration Night Dinner at Newforge House
Tayto Castle Tour - 5th-6th September
Seagoe Hotel - Afternoon Tea - 5th - 8th September
Salt Kitchen Food & Cider Weekend Specials 5th - 8th September
Click here for more event information and to buy tickets.
Armagh Jobs
🆕 The Parkland Restaurant Armagh require a Chef.
🆕 Farmlay Eggs require General Factory Operative and General Factory Cleaner.
🆕 Re-Gen Robotics Newry require Robotics Operatives.
🆕 W R Hamilton Portadown require a Delivery Driver and Sales Representative.
🆕 Trimprint Armagh require an Accounts Administrator.
✅ T. H. Jenkinson have a new opportunity for a Trailer/Agri Mechanic.
✅ The Deluxe Group require Bench Joiners, Machine and Skilled Operatives.
✅ The Bathshack require Showroom Sales Manager and Showroom Sales Executive.
✅ Industrial Temps require Production Operatives, Skilled Operatives, and Production Operator.
✅ Re-Gen Waste have a number of full-time vacancies.
✅ Alexander Mills require a Purchase Administrator.
✅ RSC Group require Class 2 HGV Drivers across Northern Ireland.
✅ Loughran Rock Industries require HGV Drivers, Digger Drivers and a Quarry Worker / Yard Operative.
✅ McMullan Fuels LTD Moy require a Class 2 Oil Tanker Driver.
✅ Mount Charles have a number of full time roles across Armagh and beyond.
🆕 Farmlay Eggs require General Factory Cleaner.
🆕 Linwoods Armagh require General Operatives.
✅ Mount Charles require Cleaning Operatives and Catering Assistants.
🛎️ If you have a job and want to advertise it to 40,000 daily users on www.armaghjobs.com and www.armaghi.com, as well as more than 9,000 people on this newsletter and our 100,000 social media followers, get in touch.
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