Recently found out the above service is no longer available on the NHS. I've been looking up online and they're asking around the £60 mark which seems a bit steep. (Am I wrong to think this is a bit steep?)
Does anybody know where I can get the job done right and for a good price?
I have returned to 501s after wearing Timberland and Gant and GAP jeans for a few years. I like a button fly. It should be more popular particularly among men.
So, I got Levi's Men's 501 Original Jeans - Adapt Indigo Rinse in colour. UK - £62.33 US - $88.00 - I'm happy with that price point, I'm in the UK.
I'm 6" 2' and 185 lbs - 185cms and 85kgs. I've gone for 36w 36l
I get them next Tuesday if they're a good fit I'll order another pair.
I wanted to try the heavier Japanese selvedge denim. I just couldn't get my head around the brands. What makes it harder is that it's hard to find these in a 'walk-in' store. The Hollister's and Hugo Boss stores are unpleasant and cost too much. So I have to go by what I see, rather than what I can hold and touch and even try on.
I looked UNIQLO and really like the ethos of the company. Their jeans, however, were either like denim windsocks stitched to make jeans; or if they looked like normal cut and fit they had stretch added - hate that stuff with a passion!
Naked and famous - what a weird name for a pair of jeans - they have a caricature of a half naked woman on the leather patch - is that necessary!?
Hi guys, the Fleadh is in Belfast this week. Already it has drawn the crowds and appears to be doing well. As somebody from the Protestant/Unionist community is my heart felt wish that it continues to be a massive success. It is already an achievement in getting it to Belfast. It can be a beautiful, wonderful city but not without it's faults and short-comings. I am disappointed by the sniping online about the events. Egotistical B.S. and point scoring from a dedicated minority. I am massively disappointed by that. Empty vessels make the most noise, they say.
There are and will be people visiting from all over the world, which is great but I am particularly speaking to the people of the island of Ireland. It's my hope that everyone, from every corner of this island can come along, enjoy and feel welcome in Belfast. You know, to cross the border southwards is easy. It is calmer and friendlier than the north. Maybe not so easy for everyone from the south coming north. I tip my cap to anyone that does.
If you're coming north have a plan, enjoy the very best of the music, dancing and craic.
I aspire to have Belfast as a place where everyone feels welcome. As I said, that starts with those at home.
PS Is the cringey, or sentimental? 😄
Edit: Thank you so much to everyone that 'liked' and commented. I wasn't sure if it would even be allowed on r/CasualIreland as it's a tiny bit political. Well, it appears to have gone down well. I hope it does just a tiny little bit to make this island a better and happier place for its people.
At the start of July I had my driveway re-surfaced. Now, just over a month later weeds have started popping up through the tarmac. I can see the tarmac bulging in mounds. I'm guessing that's more weeds trying to come through.
Anywhere on the driveway I can pick bits of the tarmac off the driveway. The builder assures me this is normal and that he'll 'come down and fix it'.
My thinking is that the tarmac is rubbish and it wasn't properly prepped in the first place. Can anyone advise if I'm being too demanding? It cost me over 4k for a driveway that can fit 2 cars - 3m by 10m.
I've been doing work with the bucket full of rice. I did 100 twisting or rotating the hand outward. I had really bad pain just above the elbow on the upper arm. The pain is all but gone, but I'm afraid of doing any 'rice bucket' work again. Bit of a shame as it's a good work out that hits plenty of nooks and crannies in the forearm.
I'm guessing this might be a common problem, but can't be sure. Anybody solved this type of issue? Grateful for any advice. TIA
I would buy maybe 6 scratch cards a year. Just a little bit of entertainment once in a while. I would also buy relatives one for the same reason. Whatever the mood was on the day I might buy a £2, £3, £5 card. It dawned on me today that I haven't won anything in years. The odds printed on the back are 4 to 1. In which case I should have won something. Not the case at all, haven't won anything in the past five years.
The tiny bit of excitement is now gone. A sports bet once in a while makes more sense now. Or nothing at all.
Any thoughts?
Hi guys, I had to share this one. For three years I'd had cysts on my testes, one on each. I have been fasting for my physical and mental health. The cysts didn't even come into it. After a scan, I had been advised they were benign. Still, I didn't want them there.
I have been doing some 24 and 48 hour fasts over the past couple of months.
I gave my testes a check over, as I often do once a month or so. One cyst appears to be completely gone, the other one is barely there. I am delighted they are gone. I am putting it down to fasting that they are gone.
Can I be sure that fasting was the fix, no but I feel confident that it is. It's a pretty big coincidence that I have had them for almost three years and they decide to shrink at this point.
I had heard of other stories of skin issues disappearing. I have found that side of things interesting. It reinforces my determination to do regular fasts, at least once a month.
Best Wishes, G.
I got my driveway done a few weeks ago. It was stones and gravel before hand. It looks okay, but there are a few concerns. Given the fact it cost me 4k I'm feeling a little bit short changed.
I knelt down to it last night and noticed that I could pick bits of the tarmac with my finger. It is unaffected by the car driving on it - as far as I can see.
I have a gate 3/4 of the way up the driveway. They moved it to the side to tarmac the driveway then pulled it back across. Unfortunately the tarmac hadn't cured or hardened. I now have a gap in the tarmac approximately 1" wide, and 1" deep at the deepest point.
Can anyone confirm my suspicions that it's a sub-standard job?
Grateful for any advice.
So, I got the driveway re-surfaced. The workers lowered a gate on to the driveway before it hard hardened. I now have a gash in the tarmac that goes about an inch deep at the worst part of the damage. I have been on the phone and email to the contractor. He keeps fobbing me off, 'one of my workers was supposed to call' 'I'm on holiday' 'I'll get back to you'. It has been 3 weeks, my patience has run out. The plan is to post a review on Google Reviews with the photos to see if that motivates him to sort it out. This seems like a reasonable course of action, what do you guys think?
Can I fix this myself?
How can I fix and repair this so that the tarmac is protected from further damage and covers the unsightly gash?
Thanks.
PS worst of all, I over paid for it by a few hundred quid.
H guys
I have a few sony plyers. Including these two, which have brilliant battery life. They're still working but I cant change whts on there. I cat take anything off or put anything on. The software, sonic stage is no longer working. I think sony stopped supporting i aaaaaages ago. Is there anyway round this? Is there other software (preferably drag ad drop? I've got a feeling that there probably isn't, but thought it would be worth a try. Grateful for anky advice. Thanks.
Can anybody tell me what kind of tarmac has been used here. It looks cheap and not likely to last. I spent a lot of money on it and feel cheated.
apologies if this is an often asked posting. I was looking for a tin whistle tab pdf that I could put on my kindle. Rather than hundreds of separate files, I would like to have one file with a load of good tunes tabbed in one document. I have googled, but to no avail. any advice greatly appreciated.
Newry Arts Centre: Landmark building to disappear from city - BBC News
One of Newry's most prominent buildings will be demolished shortly to make way for a major redevelopment in the city centre.
The former Sean Hollywood Arts Centre will be knocked down in order to extend the neighbouring town hall, creating a single theatre and conference venue.
The final public performance at Newry Town Hall takes place on Sunday, before it too shuts to accommodate the two-year construction project.
But while the town hall's closure will be temporary, the demolition of the arts centre will bring the final curtain down on a significant local landmark.
So why was permission granted to demolish such a building?
With its neoclassical facade, and Georgian-style windows, the arts centre may look old, but looks can deceive.
In fact, the current building is a 1980s version of the original edifice which once stood in its place.
The original building, constructed in the 1830s, survived for more than 130 years until it was gutted in a bomb attack during the Troubles.
Initially known as the Savings Bank, it was once arguably the most important civic site in Newry.
To this day its legacy influences the street it occupied, which is still called Bank Parade.
Although the bank wound up in the late 1880s, the building continued to serve generations of townsfolk, with its large assembly rooms put to a variety of uses.
At various times it housed a ballroom; a theatrical stage; a public library; a technical college; a tax office and - for a limited period - it even served as Newry's town hall.
The town commissioners briefly used it as their headquarters until 1894, when they moved to their newly-built, red-bricked town hall.
They had considered expanding the old Savings Bank at first, but felt a bigger, purpose-built HQ would better reflect the ambitions of their growing port town.
Having taken on many different identities over the decades, it was a decision to use the Savings Bank as a temporary tax office which sealed its doom.
At the height of the Troubles in January 1972, IRA bombers walked into the building.
According to the Newry Reporter, 43 Inland Revenue staff were given just minutes to escape before three devices exploded, destroying the building and many tax records.
Within a decade, the local council had rebuilt the ruined shell, adding a large modern extension to create a civic arts centre.
The old granite portico - one of the few remnants to survive the bombing - was incorporated into a replica of the original facade.
Dedicated to the Newry actor and civil rights campaigner Sean Hollywood, the arts centre operated for almost 40 years and became a landmark in its own right.
However, in 2019, Newry, Mourne and Down Council proposed that the building be demolished to facilitate an expansion of the town hall
Arts groups welcomed the investment, but the Ulster Architectural Heritage (UAH) charity was among those who objected to demolition.
Its policy chairman John Anderson told BBC News NI it was another example of the "desecration" of Newry's heritage.
Anderson accepts the arts centre is a reconstruction, but insisted it still should have been protected as an asset within a conservation area.
"There was a lot of care taken with that particular building," he said.
"It's a faithful recreation of the classical facade of the original Newry Savings Bank.
"A very good recreation, not regarded as something tacky."
Despite objections, demolition permission was granted by the Department for Infrastructure in April 2025.
It also approved the demolition of an adjoining red brick house which dates back to the 1860s.
UAH argued both buildings should have been protected and incorporated into the redevelopment to preserve the character of the area.
"We are not against good architecture, we're also not against sympathetic and appropriate alterations to heritage buildings," Anderson said.
He said Northern Ireland's architectural heritage was "a national asset that needs to be protected and it's just being bulldozed".
But the council defended its redevelopment, saying it would "preserve and enhance the visual aspect of the conservation area for the benefit of the wider community".
"Newry has a proud theatrical legacy, and the approved plans will allow us to support a new generation of young performers in state-of-the-art facilities," a spokeswoman said.
She also pointed out neither the arts centre nor the house at No 2 Bank Parade were listed buildings.
She said their "contribution to the conservation area was considered in detail within the planning process" and Stormont's Historical Environment Division (HED) had "no objection in principle to proposals, subject to conditions".
BBC News NI showed the plans to Newry residents who were passing through the area last week.
"It's absolutely beautiful, and it will be a lovely feature for the town," said Marie Byrne.
She has fond members of visiting the arts centre for exhibitions and other events throughout the years.
"I thought it was lovely the way it was," she said.
"But in saying that, everything is good for change. People have to move on."
"Newry in general needs a good upgrade," said Patrick Smith, adding that the area around the town hall "needs brightened up, that's for sure".
He was in favour of the redevelopment project, but added he would have equally supported keeping the arts centre and incorporating it into the plans.
"It is sad to see a building like that come down... but for growth for Newry it will be a welcome change."
Ray Casey, from Newrys Armagh Road, remembered the original building from his youth when it formed part of Newry technical college.
"It's not being used at the moment, it's a waste so I'm all for the redevelopment," he said.
Just completed a 48 hour fast 6 hours ago. I have gradually re-fed and am feeling good. I fast for my mental health as much as my physical health. I am more used to 24 or 36 hour fasts. 48 hours is something I would do 3 or 4 times a year.
This fast was a bit of a challenge. When I came close to the 48 hour mark I felt pretty weak. I had a headache and my legs felt very weak. I can do 24 hours without too much hassle, but this seemed so much harder to do and recover from. It crossed my mind that I might be missing electrolytes. I don't normally take them, as I had been doing fine without them. A couple of hours after re-feeding with a green life salad I felt lucid but still a little weak. Anyway, that was the hard bit.
The benefits were there too, my head is clear, I feel refreshed and strong. A renewed sense of optimism have come from that struggle. I might do another in June but am a bit concerned by the weakness in the legs and the headaches. I intend to drink more water and hot drinks and take the electrolytes each morning.
Hi guys. I've a pretty good meditation practice going on. I would meditate on the breath or on the body for about an hour a day, sometimes two sessions of one hour. I have some solid insights and positive feelings that come around.
During the day if I'm about town or parked in the car. I can close my eyes for ten minutes for a re-charge. Or, if I'm in a shop and read part of a book, the feeling is there.
Now that's the good. The bad is that I can quickly feel disconnected from those good feelings and experiences I get from meditation. It's almost as though the world is trying to tell me I'm way off track. I don't think that's accurate and is more likely emotion magnifying some small thing.
Years back I had a daily one hour meditation practice. That hour of meditation had me in a good place until the next day. I felt solid and fresh and good. So it was great, I was in love with my practice. I look back on it now and think I was in a good place but also something of a rut. Perhaps a bit of struggle might have deepened my practice.
Perhaps that is what's happening to me now. I have these struggles in order to have a deeper and more meaningful meditation practice. I can't say for certain. What I can say is that it's hard work. Anyway. keen to hear what you might have to say on this. 👍
Just a couple of thoughts that came to me during today's fast at about 2 hours in. :)
I used to struggle with fasting. I really did not enjoy it.
My health issues have meant that I don't have a choice. If I want some sort of quality of life I have to do it. I am now at the point were my fasts don't need a great deal of effort to start or see it through.
Just before I started typing up this post, the process reminded me of running. In the beginning I hated running, but it was the best and quickest way to gain stamina and pass a fitness test for a job I was applying for. After a while I wanted to go out running. I felt so much better during and after the run that it became re-creation and a wonderful antidote to stress. One runner in a magazine said that we run to be inspired. I thought that was a bit strange when I first read it, but it's true.
So fasting has become enjoyable. I know it will only be a fairly short period of time before I get a sense of well being. The mind becomes clear. Thoughts are lucid. You feel clean and realise that life is so much more than food.
**RANT**
In the UK we have a social benefit called PIP. I have the application sitting beside me. I'm struggling to fill it in. I simply can't get across how brutal this illness is in words. I've gotten into the groove of helplessness when it comes to trying to explain the illness. About half the medical professionals I've seen have told me it's anxiety. If I get told that again I will confront them, but it's left a bitter taste. I'll push on and get the form completed, but with the feeling that the reader/assessor will be dismissive and throw it out. Ah well.
Hi, I'll keep this one fairly short. My social anxiety has been pretty awful since getting Covid 5 years ago. Some days it's barely noticeable at other times it is brutal and overwhelming and really impacting my quality of life.
Too often I have been unable to make eye contact with people. It felt like the hardest mofo thing in the world to do. Still, even after having this for years, I cannot believe how uncomfortable I feel about making eye contact with people. At other times, it feels like completely natural and easy thing. It comes with that particular type of anxiety that only came about once I got Long Covid.
The best I can do is practice looking at people whenever I can. n the days I just can't do it I just observe what's going on inside and out as best I can.
Anybody experience this? Anything I can do about it?
