Got it edited at last!!  A short-and-sweet new Dock Movie: a breathless update from Dock-World, delivered while re-creating Titanic’s 62-second journey down the slipways 101 years ago…

Yep that was me, invading your airwaves again yesterday as part of Talkback on BBC Radio Ulster.

And a very historic instalment of Talkback it was: the first time a live radio show had ever been broadcast from HMS Caroline, the beautiful (if slightly rusty) old World War One warship moored deep in the Titanic Quarter alongside the Science Park.  The purpose of the programme was to draw together opinions and ideas for the ship’s future: as one of the most historically significant vessels still afloat anywhere in the world, it seems slightly insane that it’s lying unused and unloved behind some intimidating barbed-wire fencing.

I thought it was a great broadcast – the overwhelming majority of callers, textures and contributors could see a tremendous future for Caroline – myself included.  Whether or not the Dock plays any part in her future (and that’s a possibility which would be very exciting to explore), there are limitless exciting possibilities for the future use of such an atmospheric and evocative old ship.  The first hurdle, however, is to make sure that she stays in Belfast (where she has been moored since the 1920s) – as the Portsmouth Naval Heritage Museum would also be interested in providing a home for her.  If you’d like to add your voice to that campaign, click here.

In the meantime, if you’re interested to find out more about HMS Caroline, guess where you need to go….?!  The ship itself is completely off-limits to visitors, so currently the best Caroline information anywhere in the world, I believe, is in Dock Cafe.

One of the local photographers whose work is on display in the Dock, Roger Eager, managed to get exclusive access to the ship to take some photographs just before she was decommissioned – a fascinating and unique visual record of the ship.  The images are on display along with some information about Caroline and even a few artefacts from the ship.  You won’t find anything like it anywhere in the world!

Dock Cafe, eh?  You just can’t beat it!

So at last the riddle of the Dock Cafe blackboard can be revealed…

It’s not, alas, “weeker kool interesting people day” (nice try Sally) – as correctly guessed (after, oh, only an hour or so of trying) by Barbara the Hot Chocolate lady, WKIPD stands for:

Knitting is cool these days!  On Saturday Dock Cafe will be hosting people from all over Belfast (and beyond) who will be joining together to share patterns, projects and passion on Worldwide Knit In Public Day.  And from next tuesday onwards, Dock Cafe will have its very own ravelry group – where everyone from beginners to experts can get together over the click of knitting needles.

Dock Cafe – for everyone who likes a good yarn…

It’s fantastic to be back to Dock Cafe life after our little Jubilee break.  Hope you all had a fantastic long weekend (I managed to be in Titanic Quarter, Carrickfergus and Portrush on Sunday but just miss the Olympic Torch each time!)

And with a new season at Dock Cafe comes lots of new ideas and enthusiasm.  And so here is Number One: as of today, Dock Cafe is the proud owner of a lovely big professional boardroom table, complete with 12 comfy chairs, a flip chart, and of course a steady supply of fresh-brewed coffee and tea…

The idea emerged because many businesses and groups from around the city have already used Dock Cafe as the venue for a big board meeting, an AGM, a brainstorming session or a group discussion.  It’s great to see Dock Cafe being used for both work and play – and now we’ve got the furniture to suit.  One side of the room – comfy sofas, swivel armchairs, glorious views, space to chill out.  And now the other side – tables, chairs, room for discussion and creative thinking, all surrounded by fantastic artwork and the inspiring buzz of Titanic Quarter life.

So – we’re open for business!  If you’d like to use Dock Cafe for a group meeting, just click ‘Cafe’ and ‘Event Request Form’ on the menu bar at the top of the page – and we’ll put the kettle on!

(PS – our regulars have noticed that a little teaser campaign has been going on for the last few days on the Dock Cafe blackboard – what does it all mean…?  Answers on a postcard…

For the first time in its existence, Dock Cafe is taking a brief pause this weekend… along with (most of) the rest of the nation, Tegan and the gang will be taking an extremely well-earned Jubilee long weekend to enjoy the sunshine.  Thanks, HM the Q!

But of course the Dock Walk will continue as normal at 3:33 on Sunday afternoon – after my first regular service with my new chums at St Clements in East Belfast.  Scroll down for a few pics from my Introduction Service last night – and for those of you who have only met me in my role as TQ Chaplain, where I wear the sort of clothes that any vaguely normal person might wear, get ready for some hardcore clerical fashions…