Letter from the Editor

	I N S I D E R

May 14, 2023

Ben Lowry

Editor

The weather improved and improved during last week so that on Friday evening it was uninterrupted sunshine at the Balmoral Show.

It took a couple of hours before the sun burnt through yesterday (Saturday) morning yet I know someone who, like me, spent all day there and emerged with a slight sun tan.

Balmoral is a vital shop window for the agriculture sector in Northern Ireland, says one prominent figure within that industry

I am always struck by the number of young people enjoying the show, as in this tractor handling competition, and these school pupils from Ballymena watching an international showjumping event

Balmoral often overlaps with another much-loved Northern Ireland event: the Northwest200. Kyle White's round-up of all the results from Saturday's main race day is getting a lot of readers

As did his report of Glenn Irwin's victory in the feature Superbike race, announced after a confusing wait for the official result

The build up to last night's Eurovision reminded Helen McGurk of the late, great Terry Wogan

Here is an interview with the NI superfan who loves everything about the song contest

The coronation recedes into the distance but is entrenched in our memories. Within this column of mine are some of my thoughts on the service and links to my other reports from Westminster Abbey, from interviewing Michelle O'Neill to Ken Branagh to reflecting on the magnificent role of the Methodist College Belfast girl choristers

Talking of royalty I happen to remember this house from childhood. I watched the 1981 wedding of Charles and Diana at an outdoor swimming pool it once had. The house seems ambitiously priced but if anything can command that sort of money, then this house has an unbeatable location

Finally a short reflection on why I was so outspoken on the Nolan Live television show this week and the overall coverage of the budget, which is one-sided and driven by sentimentality. Within the article is a clip of the debate

Ben Lowry

Editor

Ben Lowry: The BBC should cover why cuts in funding might have to happen, not just the impact of those cuts

On Wednesday night Nolan Live show on BBC One discussed the absence of government and the effect of cuts in Northern Ireland.