April Firsts

I know. I know!

It has been a full week since all those pranksters played their pesky practical jokes!

We in Northern Ireland have far more serious issues to concentrate on right now.

Our Easter Holidays finished last night. The remainder of the western world who mark this Chocolate Egg Eating marathon Christian festival, celebrate from Good Friday through Easter Monday.

Not Northern Ireland. We do things differently! Our official days of celebration are Easter Monday and Tuesday. So this morning many a weary worker is trudging back to sit behind their desks until next month when we will begin and end the month with Bank Holiday weekends!

Over the past few years. changes have been planned, sorted and finally set in motion. On 1st April 2015, a total of 26 different district councils have been reduced to 11. So time and MONEY has been spent in each of these areas, providing all forms of information to ease the path for all the residents. We have new council names, logos, colour schemes and up to the minute online Websites, Facebook and Twitter accounts.

There is absolutely no excuse to miss out on any dates for upcoming events.

For example when we begin the week with a holiday, the bin collection due, often happens one day later than normal. This chart below makes this change very clear!

Alteration to Bin collection dates

Alteration to Bin collection dates

Thanks to my friend Emily for pointing me in this direction.

20 thoughts on “April Firsts

  1. nick

    The new councils are all claiming they’ll save lots of money through economies of scale, less bureaucracy etc, but that remains to be seen! Likewise all the promises of providing better services.

    Reply
    1. Grannymar Post author

      It is amazing the differences in our holidays on the one Island. Twenty six of the counties are in the Irish Republic while the other six are part of the UK.

      Reply
  2. mybeautfulthings

    Always interesting! I have linked to you today to show you the pattern for the Three Toed Sloth as I cannot see a way to add a photo to a comment. Happy Knitting! 🙂

    Reply
    1. Grannymar Post author

      Thanks, I have taken note of the pattern to my phone, so that I will have it with me when I go shopping!

      Reply
        1. Grannymar Post author

          Thank you, I will have a look round the yarn shops here, if I am not successful, I will let you know!

          Reply
  3. SchmidleysScribbling

    ONG What will the government think of next? Around here we get upset if the bins aren’t collected every Friday. That’s how we know what day it is. And I ate no chocolate on Easter.

    Reply
    1. Grannymar Post author

      I wonder if the error was an April Fool joke that had not been removed. I checked this morning before posting and it was still there! Our two bins for general refuse and the garden & kitchen waste, are collected on alternate weeks and the recycling stacks are emptied every week.

      Reply
  4. wisewebwoman

    Yes, we are reducing the number of seats in our provincial parliament, us rurals are neglected now so we are anticipating further disregard. As I am a minor politician myself, this concerns me greatly. These “cost cuttings” never, ever result in any savings.

    Sounds like you missed the truck by well over a century, 😀

    XO
    WWW

    Reply
  5. cedar51

    Our region used to be what seems like dozens of different districts and they all had different systems for garbage collection as well as what type of bin/bag/other.Then we became one and the biggest change for those out West (where I am) was public holidays “one day later” still many in my street get confused.

    The type of bin/bag hasn’t changed yet, which confuses anyone who visits here, they see my blue wheelie bin and assume (wrongly) it’s for general garbage as it is in Central – East… I then have to lean into it and remove whatever isn’t recyclable and put in my expensive grey plastic bag…

    We have recycling bin and paper collection fortnightly – that’s not changed. But on the other hand if you live in C-East you can put different items in your recycling bin!

    Bl**dy silly really…

    I noted the other day inorganic collection happening in Central – out in West it’s a different system, once I a year you can order and pay for it to be collected from your home!

    However, it’s a small inconvenience because now we have access to around 52 library branches which means we can use our West card anywhere around the region 🙂 excellent on-line ordering system as well, although sometimes you get in a queue for a popular book…

    Reply
    1. Grannymar Post author

      Despite the notice above, I see several of my neighbours have their bins for (1) general and (2) for garden and kitchen waste lining the foothpaths, yet they are not due to be collected until tomorrow Saturday.

      Reply

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