Latest - 30/11/04
One of Irelands top Entertainent Agency's has now contacted Rest in East and offered it's services. Paul McCullough, Proprietor of Meadowvale Entertainments Agency met with representatives of the group last night and has pledged to assist the campaign in whatever way he can. With Paul's Media and Celebrity
contacts in the Entertainment Business throughout Ireland, Mainland UK, and the United States, Rest in East are now better placed than ever to raise the profile of Glentoran's bid to remain in Inner East Belfast.
Mike Ellis, PSNI Chief Inspector, and Deputy Commander of the East Belfast District Command Unit today invited Rest in East to a briefing at Strandtown PSNI. The group outlined it's hopes and objectives re keeping the parent club in East Belfast, but given that at some stage consultation with the authorities must play an integral part in any new Stadium plan, we were keen to hear what concerns if any the Police might have at a future date. While Mr Ellis expressed concerns over possible parking and segregation issues affecting the 'Quality of Life' of any potential local residents, he was also able to confirm that Public Order Offences relating to local football had diminished 'considerably' in recent years, and if proper consultation and planning took place at the outset, remained upbeat and positive at the prospect of Glentoran FC remaining in the East. He also thanked the group for keeping him abreast of developments and has promised to remain in touch. We would like to thank Mr Ellis for his time.
Latest - 28/11/04
Rest in East are delighted to reveal that later this week we have now
agreed a meeting with Lord Laird of Artigarvan to ask for his support.
Lord Laird, a former Ulster Unionist MP, is a Cross Bencher member
of the House of Lords.
Representatives of the group will also have further meetings this
week with Deputy Lord Mayor Joe O'Donnell (SF), and the Deputy
Commander of the East Belfast District Command Unit of the PSNI.
More weekend Press coverage HERE
Latest - 24/11/04
Amongst other business today, Rest in East were invited to a meeting with Mr Mervyn Elder, Director of Client Services Dept, Belfast City Council, also present was Mr Robert Wilson, Deputy Chief Executive of BCC (and as it happens a Glenman)!
Just to put you in the picture, Client Services are responsible for the overseeing of Belfast Waterfront Hall, Recreation & Community Development in the City and Parks & Amenities - In other words ... Land, it's availability, allocation, development recommendation, and use thereof - absolutely essential people to have on board if we are to achieve our goal, you can lobby Politicians till you're blue in the face, but without the support of some of these individuals you can forget it!
A lengthy discussion ensued as our representatives put the Rest in East case for assistance re possible re-location of Glentoran FC in 'inner' East Belfast. Mr Elder went on to explain that he had been made VERY much aware of the Rest in East campaign of late, telling of how he'd been lobbied by ALL the local Political Parties and many East Belfast Councillors since our group's inception some five weeks ago. He was very attentive to what we had to say, complimentary of the groups progress thus far, and impressed upon us the importance he placed on 'the fans' roll in any way forward. Hearing that Mr Elder had also met with Glentoran FC just a few days before was also very encouraging news, and he instilled upon us just exactly what he thought was required of the parent club if they were to move the situation forward.
A very encouraging and worthwhile venture, and while it is true that we left the Linnenhall Street Offices with only a glimmer of light, and that still a long way down a very deep tunnel, it's also fair to say we seem a million miles away from where we were 6 weeks ago, and a one-way ticket down the Comber Road.
Latest - 23/11/04
An opportunity was given to the group today to address the East Belfast Community Workers Forum. Representatives from Rest in East attended informal round-table talks with upwards of 25 Community leaders (full list to follow) and outlined our objectives. While very much aware that the need for feedback from the people 'on the ground' in East Belfast is essential if we are to achieve our aim, we are delighted to report that the Forum on the whole were very sympathetic and supportive, the lengthy debate brought no 'negative' feedback to our campaign whatsoever. We would like to offer our sincere thanks to the Forum for the opportunity to attend.
Latest - 21/11/04
Rest in East met again today Sunday 21st November 2004. The meeting was attended by Sam Robinson, John Moore, Jim Welsh, Eddie Gaw, Billy Cully, David Blanchflower, Brian Dawson, Stephen Henderson and Ian Boyd.
Members who attended the previous week's meetings with Belfast City Councillors etc. gave feedback to the rest of the group, it was worth noting that all Councillors and Public representatives to date had offered their total support to the concept of Glentoran staying in East Belfast. The group has had an excellent response from each and every one of them, and would take this opportunity to thank all for making themselves available at very short notice.
Latest - 19/11/04
Rest in East have now secured a meeting with the Deputy Commander of the East Belfast District Commanders Unit of the PSNI for next Tuesday. A provisional date has now also been agreed to meet with Belfast City Council's Deputy Chief Executive Mr Robert Wilson, and Director of Client Services Mr Mervyn Elder. Update: Further to a telephone call today from Deputy Lord Mayor Joe O'Donnell BCC (SF), a meeting has now been sheduled with Rest in East at Belfast City Hall next week.
Latest - 18/11/04
We await a date for discussions with Dr Ian Adamson OBE, BCC (UUP), while approaches have now also been made to Deputy Lord Mayor Joe O'Donnell's Office, BCC (SF).
Yet more press coverage for the campaign has appeared in todays East Belfast Observer (cuttings to follow), while an outline of our plans with East Belfast Award-Winning Film Maker and TV Producer Michael Beattie will be appearing shortly in the Sunday Life.
Representatives from Rest in East have now also been invited to address the 'East Belfast Community Workers Group' next Tuesday.
Latest - 15/11/04
The lobbying of local Councillors continued today. Meetings took place with David Ervine BCC at the PUP Offices on the Newtownards Road, then off to Belfast City Hall for talks with Harry Toan, Robin Newton, Wallace Browne and Sammy Wilson (all DUP). Rest in East also await confirmation of a suitable date to return to City Hall for informal discussions with Belfast City Council's Deputy Chief Executive Mr Robert Wilson, and Director of Client Services Mr Mervyn Elder.
Advise has now also been taken as to bringing the campaign to Parliament Buildings - Stormont.
Latest - 12/11/04
East Belfast Award-Winning Film Maker and TV Producer Michael Beattie, recipient of this years Royal TV Society 'Best Documentary' Award, has met with Rest in East. Michael, who has been following the RIE campaign with interest, contacted the group earlier this week, and after an informal chat has offered his assistance. Discussions have been ongoing today with representatives of Age Concern, while next week it's back to City Hall. Further meetings have now been scheduled with David Ervine BCC (PUP), Harry Toan BCC (DUP) & Robin Newton BCC (DUP). The campaign continues. Once again if you feel you may be able to offer any assistance please feel free to contact the group at the link above.
Latest - 10/11/04
Latest - 09/11/04
Weekend press cuttings have been added to the above link.
Rest in East representatives yesterday attended 6 hours of meetings with Councillors and MLA's at Belfast City Hall. Alan Crowe BCC (UUP), Naiomi Long BCC/MLA (ALL), Michael Long Castlereagh CC (ALL), and Jim Rodgers BCC (UUP) all held very open a frank discussions on possible ways forward. ALL were asked for their support. Further meetings are scheduled today and tomorrow with Sir Reg Empey OBE BCC/MLA, Michael Copeland MLA/Castlereagh CC, David Drysdale Castlereagh CC (all UUP), and Robin Newton BCC (DUP). Where prudent we shall endeavour to keep you up with any developments.
Latest - 08/11/04
Rest in East met again on Sunday 7th November 2004. The meeting was attended by John Quinliven, Sam Robinson, John Moore, Jim Welsh, Philip Stevenson, Billy Cully, David Blanchflower, Brian Dawson and Ian Boyd
The group discussed last Thursday's meeting with Peter Robinson MP and the planned 3 days of meetings this week with other high profile public representatives. The group were joined by Alan McIlhagga who was representing Age Concern, but coincidentally also happens to be a member of Castlereagh GSC. Alan told the group of his concerns and those of the senior citizen's that he was representing, if the club moved out of East Belfast. Rest in East would like to thank Alan for his very worthwhile contribution and looks forward to meeting him again soon.
After this round of meetings Rest in East will be in a better position to let supporters know of progress made and planned action.
Latest - 05/11/04
More press coverage - Last week's Sunday Life - HERE
Latest - 04/11/04
Latest - 03/11/04
Meetings have now been agreed with Sir Reg Empey OBE BCC/MLA, and Michael Copeland MLA.
A provisional date has now also been pencilled in for Rest in East to address the 'East Belfast Community Workers Group', and formal invitations have been issued to representatives of 'Age Concern'
Contact telephone details for the group have now been posted on the site.
Latest - 02/11/04
The group are now in the process of establishing formal contact with various public bodies and representatives. We are now awaiting responses from Peter Robinson MP/MLA, Robin Newton BCC/MLA, Harry Toan BCC, Wallace Browne BCC, Sammy Wilson BCC (all DUP), Sir Reg Empey OBE BCC/MLA, Jim Rodgers BCC, Margaret Clarke BCC, Ian Adamson OBE BCC, Michael Copeland MLA (all UU). Other BCC Members and East Belfast MLA's to be contacted in due course. We would take this opportunity to thank Naomi Long BCC/MLA (All) for her prompt reply, and with whom a meeting has already been arranged.
We are also now looking forward to addressing the 'Inner East Forum'.
The campaign continues. Contact phone numbers will be posted shortly, we welcome any and all offers of assistance from any quarter. Rest in East now also welcome to the group, representation from Raven GSC
(1.30pm: Update - A meeting with Councillor Rodgers has now been agreed)
(3.30pm: Update - A meeting with Peter Robinson MP has now been agreed)
Latest - 01/11/04
The Rest in East Campaign Group met again on Sunday 31 October 2004. In attendance were Eddie Gaw, Stephen Henderson, David Blanchflower, Brian Dawson, Jim Welsh, Sam Robinson, John Moore and Ian Boyd.
Those who met with the Glentoran Board of Directors last week gave the group an update.
We are now ready to take the campaign to the next level and have drawn up a list of public and community representatives who will be contacted over the next few weeks with a view to meeting and gauging their views on Glentoran's ground move. Once these meetings have taken place and Rest in East get some idea of who is willing to support and assist our campaign etc. we will then be in a position to update supporters clubs and individual supporters.
Once again please be assured that Rest in East are totally committed, in that we will exhaust all avenues, working to find a venue for our new stadium within East Belfast.
