Eastside Advertiser 65

Peace Heroines (Herstory)

In the build-up to the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in 2023, Herstory partnered with the National Museums NI and Department of Foreign Affairs to create the Peace Heroines education programme.

The programme features a touring exhibition with stunning new portraits of the peace heroines by the artist FRIZ, and youth workshops exploring power.

From grassroots to government levels, the exhibition captures a diversity of voices and perspectives, featuring 30 women’s stories including:Monica McWilliams and Pearl Sagar; Linda Ervine MBE; Pat Hume;

Fi F teen local charities

share £40,000 in grants F or community programmes

Belfast Harbour has awarded £40,000 of funding to community groups and grassroots organisations across Northern Ireland as part of the first round of its Community Awards programme in 2023.

Grants of up to £5,000 have been awarded to 15 charities and community groups across Northern Ireland, the largest number of organisations to receive funding from the Community Awards in a single round since the

initiative was launched in 2021. The Community Awards, which sit alongside Belfast Harbour’s significant charity partnerships and responsible business initiatives, were created

in 2021 to provide community groups, charities and not-forprofit organisations with an opportunity to apply for individual grants of up to £5,000.

. A total of £80,000 will be awarded in two

rounds during 2023, bringing the total support for community groups since launch to more than £170,000.

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Baroness May Blood MBE; Hillary Clinton, and Saidie Patterson. Powerful partnerships are explored such as Peace People, NI Women’s Coalition, Women Together, and Derry Peace Women. The exhibition runs until Sunday 8th October 10am-6pm at 2 Royal Avenue, Arts and Culture. For more information go to www.herstory.ie/ peaceheroines

Rosie Adams joins Federica Banfi, Impact Evaluation Officer at The Duncairn Centre for Culture & Arts and Allison Dowling, Corporate Affairs and Engagement Director at Belfast Harbour to announce funding from Belfast Harbour for a new community garden at The Duncairn.

McDonald’s teams up with Tullycarnet F.C. to tackle litter in Dundonald

Players from Tullycarnet F.C recently joined with the McDonald’s Dundonald restaurant for a litter clean-up along the Upper Newtownards Road in the town. The event formed part of McDonald’s campaign aimed at tackling litter in parks, on paths and along roadsides in towns across Northern Ireland.

The ‘30 Parks in 30 Days’ campaign saw McDonald’s employees undertake more than 30 local litter clean-ups in parks and nature areas throughout the 30 days of June. Led by the seven local franchisees across McDonald’s estate of 34 restaurants in Northern Ireland, they were supported by a range of local community groups, elected representatives and football clubs –including Tullycarnet F.C.

Sam Akbar, Franchisee of the McDonald’s Dundonald restaurant commented: “Our annual ‘30 Parks in 30 Days’ campaign reinforces McDonald’s strong commitment to tackle litter right across the UK and Ireland.

“Like our customers and stakeholders, we are always deeply disappointed to see people acting irresponsibly when it comes to littering. We want to play a leading role in sparking a change in behaviour towards

what can only be described as a scourge on our environment.

“Across the UK and Ireland, our employees walk over 5,000 miles every week picking up all waste – our packaging and that of other retailers – by the

sides of roads, in parks and on paths. This is further enhanced through proactive partnerships with local community groups, such as Tullycarnet F.C., to keep our area clean and litter free by carrying out regular litter picks.”

Photographed from McDonald’s Dundonald restaurant is Alison Hunter, Gintare Lepeskaite, Sam Akbar, Jason McKee and Colin Spiers alongside members from Tullycarnet’s Football Club.

Discover a treasure trove of family fun at Belfast m aritime f estival

Belfast’s rich maritime history and spirit of innovation will take centre stage with a host of free family activities on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September.

The Belfast Maritime Festival will take place along the city’s Maritime Mile, with activities stretching across Queen’s Quay to HMS Caroline in the Titanic Quarter.

Visitors can enjoy nautical-themed fun

from 11am each day, including live music and pop-up performances, street entertainers and the colourful Belfast Bazaar, featuring the very best local produce and crafts.

The first ever ‘Science Street’ on Titanic Slipways will host an array of fun interactive activities, demonstrations and live shows exploring topics such as navigation, marine biology, climate change and biodiversity. Whether you’re a seasoned science enthusiast or a curious learner, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

The youngest crew members will love the hands-on activities delivered by Wee Critters and Mini Explorers over at the Kids’ Zone at Queen’s Quay, while a flotilla of vessels and ships will dock at Queen’s Quay and Belfast Harbour Marina, where visitors can hop on board to meet the crew and experience life at sea.

The visiting ships will include Granuaile (Irish Lights), Leader, Brian Boru and La Malouine.

A diverse music programme, featuring over 40 leading musicians from

across NI, will take place in outdoor venues across the Maritime Mile, celebrating homegrown talents and marking Belfast’s status as a UNESCO City of Music. Featuring Americana, trad, jazz, opera, bluegrass, classical, indie and folk artists, highlights will include the Maritime Festival Showcase on Saturday 9 September, with four leading singersongwriters and NI Music Prize winners, premieres especially commissioned for the festival, new collaborations and a 30-piece brass band. Then, on Sunday 10 September, come and experience the power of 25 opera voices performing much-loved classic works together, presented by the awardwinning Northern Ireland Opera.

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Ryan Murphy, said: “I’m really excited by what’s on offer at this year’s Belfast Maritime Festivalalways a very popular event with local families, as well as visitors travelling into Belfast to enjoy what’s on offer.

“The diverse line-up of free events and activities really brings our maritime and industrial heritage to life, while the sight of ships docking along the

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The latest round of funding was distributed among a diverse group of organisations across the region, to support a wide range of activities such as mental health programmes, environmental and

spectacular Maritime Mile is always something to be enjoyed.

“The addition of ‘Science Street’ offers visitors the chance to celebrate Belfast’s spirit of innovation and will inspire future generations to explore more, while there’s so many opportunities to enjoy the very best of our local talent, through live music and street theatre performances, great food and handcrafted products at the Belfast Bazaar.

“I’d encourage everyone to put Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September in their diaries and get on board for a weekend of fun!”

The Belfast Maritime Festival has been organised by Belfast City Council and is supported by Tourism

sustainability initiatives, skills development, arts schemes and refugee and inclusivity projects.

Allison Dowling, Corporate Affairs and Engagement Director at Belfast Harbour said: “Now in their third year, we are proud to have supported more than 65 grassroots

NI, delivered in partnership with Maritime Belfast Trust, Belfast Harbour, Odyssey Trust, the Department for Communities and Titanic Quarter Ltd.

Aine Kearney, Director of Events at Tourism NI, said:

“Tourism NI is delighted to support the return of the Belfast Maritime Festival, a much-needed post-pandemic boost to the wider tourism and hospitality industry with a projected economic benefit of circa £1.5 million.

“The event is a great opportunity to showcase this key Titanic and Maritime Belfast heritage destination and its wealth of visitor experiences. This immersive event will further awaken the giant spirit in our visitors, igniting their

sense of discovery and demonstrating the warm welcome Northern Ireland offers to all.”

Visitors attending the Belfast Maritime Festival are encouraged to walk, cycle or take public transport to reach the event activities.

Walk or cycle along the quaysides all the way to HMS Caroline. Cycle parking is available outside Titanic Belfast and there are also Belfast Bike docks at the SSE Arena and SS Nomadic.

You can also hop on the Glider from Belfast city centre directly to the Titanic Quarter or travel by train to Titanic Quarter Halt. For more event information, visit belfastcity. gov.uk/maritime organisations and charities through the Belfast Harbour Community Awards.

It is inspiring to see the incredible work of the many passionate and dedicated organisations that are working to make a real difference in their local communities and to see the positive impact of the grassroots programmes and initiatives at firsthand.”

Norman Kelly, Programme Development Manager at Hanwood Trust, who received funding in this round of the Community Awards commented: “We are extremely grateful to Belfast Harbour for the funding we have received to deliver our Engage your Mind project which will target the older generation living within the Tullycarnet area.

“The last couple of years have been very challenging for this group and they have endured much isolation and stress as a result of the pandemic and the current cost of living crisis. Through the generous support of Belfast Harbour, the Engage your Mind project will aim to encourage older people to overcome their fears of isolation and improve their mental health and wellbeing through a series of social interaction activities and workshops.”

The next round of applications for the Belfast Harbour Community Awards will open in Autumn 2023.

To find out more about the Community Awards please go to https:// www.belfast-harbour.co. uk/community/communityawards/ .

Sensational summer of fundraising thanks to generous shoppers and show-goers

Shoppers across Northern Ireland kicked off a sensational summer of fundraising when they supported their local SPAR stores’ Blooming Great Summer Fundraisers for Marie Curie, digging deep and donating over £55,000 for the charity.

Over one weekend in June, stores operating across Northern Ireland held various tea parties, coffee mornings, fancy dress days and fun days for their shoppers, all in the name of raising vital funds for the charity which provides end of life care for thousands across the country.

It came hot on the heels of a successful Balmoral Show, where show-goers donated over £26,700 for both Marie Curie and Cancer Fund for Children. Earlier in the year, store activity around the charity’s annual Great Daffodil Appeal raised almost £16,000.

So far this year, SPAR NI store teams and shoppers have raised an incredible £98,396 for their charity partner, and £798,717 since the partnership began in 2017.

Bronagh Luke, Head of Corporate Marketing at Henderson Group, which owns SPAR in Northern Ireland commented; “We have had an exceptional first half of the year, dedicated to raising vital funds for our charity partner which does so much for so many in our communities. Our key events, from the Great

Daffodil Appeal to Balmoral Show and the Blooming Great Summer Fundraisers, show there is an army of staff and shoppers willing to go the extra mile for our charity partners, and I want to thank each and every one for making 2023 such a successful year of fundraising already.”

SPAR NI now looks forward to supporting Marie Curie on the annual Twilight Walk, which takes place on Friday 29th September at Shaw’s Bridge in Belfast, as the charity marks its

75th anniversary this year. Participants can either take part in the main event or organise their own walk by registering online.

Conor O’Kane, Senior Partnership Manager at Marie Curie, added;

“From the big events to the everyday donations at the till, SPAR NI has been one of our most active and dedicated partners since 2017. Their creativity and commitment to our key fundraising moments throughout the year give us so many opportunities

to help those in the local community who need a community nurse for a night, or to provide even more care from our Belfast hospice.

“We’re so grateful for the donations received by the stores and their shoppers which will go towards Marie Curie’s direct nursing care as well as our information and support services and our helpline 0800 090 2309.”

For more on SPAR NI’s partnership with Marie Curie, visit spar-ni.co.uk/ marie-curie.

Translink welcomes South Korean City Mayoral delegation to visit the new Weavers Cross Development

Recently Translink hosted a visit from the mayoral delegation from the South Korean city of Sejong as part of the Connected Places Catapult UK-Republic of Korea Innovation Twins Programme.

This unique opportunity was part of a wider programme to explore Belfast and Sejong’s innovation ecosystems with a focus on collaboration around transportation technology and creation of a smart city district around the transformative Weavers Cross development.

The innovative twinning programme supports the development of meaningful, city to city relationships with a view to establishing mutually beneficial practical partnerships between Belfast and Sejong. It aims to help to unlock international market opportunities, offers the opportunity to share research initiatives and aims to create positive policy changes to deliver sustainable growth and carbon neutral cities.

The initiative is delivered by Connected Places Catapult on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) through the International Science Partnerships Innovation Fund.

Speaking at the visit, Duncan McAllister, Head of Belfast Grand Central Station and Weavers Cross Programmes, Translink said, “It was a privilege to welcome the Vice Mayor

for Economic Affairs, Seung Won Lee, and his colleagues today. This valuable partnership places innovation at the heart of green economic growth and prosperity.

We welcomed the opportunity to learn from Sejong guests while sharing our ambitious strategies for Translink’s business operations and our plans for regeneration at Weavers Cross.

“Translink is leading innovation and change programmes to decarbonise public transport and enhance service delivery

in fleet, engineering, property, regeneration and infrastructure right across the business.

“Weavers Cross is the most significant transport led regeneration project in Northern Ireland, it is supported by all elements of our business innovation programmes on one site.

“With the new, state of the art Belfast Grand Central Station at its heart, it creates a dynamic new city neighbourhood offering the right environment to support collaborative innovation within the Belfast Smart District.

This is complimented by the innovations in fleet and engineering, infrastructure investment and digitalisation to the communication, control, ticketing, signalling and telecoms for our bus and rail networks.

“We also highlighted our plans to decarbonise public transport with advances already being made to introduce both hydrogen and electric buses into passenger service with long term plans to expand the use of this technology across the bus and train fleet in future years.”

Belfast Met to launch apprenticeship progra MM e

AbbeyAutoline is celebrating its 50th anniversary by partnering with Belfast Met to launch an innovative apprenticeship programme that will create a number of apprenticeship positions with Northern Ireland’s largest insurance broker.

The new AbbeyAutoline programme will offer Apprentice Sales Advisors the opportunity to achieve a recognised Level 2 and 3 NVQ in Financial Services and work full-time as part of the company’s in-branch Personal Lines sales team.

AbbeyAutoline and Belfast Met will work in partnership to deliver a comprehensive apprenticeship programme aimed at nurturing talent to meet AbbeyAutoline’s

growing demand for skilled professionals as part of its ongoing expansion plans.

The employment-based education programme has been designed to provide high-quality learning opportunities that will equip apprentices with practical skills and in-depth knowledge to excel in their careers in the financial services sector.

Each apprentice will work alongside AbbeyAutoline’s Personal Lines branch sales team to gain valuable insights into the insurance industry and develop their customer service and sales abilities aligned with AbbeyAutoline’s commitment to excellent customer service.

The starting salary for the apprenticeship roles is £18,500 rising to £19,250 after 12 months and rising further again at 18 months and upon completion of the Level 2 Apprenticeship qualification. Launching the

new AbbeyAutoline apprenticeship programme, Wendy Close, Group HR Director of AbbeyAutoline said: “As AbbeyAutoline celebrates its 50th anniversary, we are proud to launch the AbbeyAutoline apprenticeship programme in partnership with Belfast Met.

“This programme will create multiple new apprentice roles across our Personal Lines sales team and it’s a tremendous opportunity for anyone interested in building a successful career with Northern Ireland’s largest insurance broker.

“Our apprentices will benefit from a distinctive blend of education as they study for an NVQ in Financial Services and day-to-day practical work experience. This will allow them to apply the skills and learnings they receive to deliver an exceptional level of customer care and expertise to our customers.

“Through this partnership with Belfast Met, we are demonstrating our commitment to driving excellence in the local insurance industry, as we help nurture AbbeyAutoline’s next generation of sales and management professionals.”

Andrea Kearney, Employer Engagement & CFSA Apprenticeship

Executive at Belfast

Met added: “Belfast Met is delighted to be working in partnership with AbbeyAutoline. The Apprenticeship programme is brand new to AbbeyAutoline and we are excited to see it grow with this partnership.

“This is a really fantastic opportunity for anyone keen to take a step into the

financial services sector and enables you to earn while you learn, achieve industry recognised qualifications and take the first step into your new career.”

For more information or to apply for a position on the AbbeyAutoline apprenticeship programme visit: www.abbeyautoline. co.uk/careers.

Attention 16/17 Year Old School Leavers…

Maximize Your Potential with Bryson!

For over 30 years

Bryson have successfully managed and delivered a wide range of vocational qualifications, training and employment programmes for those who do not want to return to school.

Bryson is a leading provider of a range of employment and training

initiatives, designed for school leavers, young adults and those living with long term unemployment. Our premises are located in Belfast City Centre.

Bryson’s 16 years+ vocational training opportunities focus on providing relevant vocational qualifications

and the development of key practical skills to enable learners to progress along the chosen path of their future career.

What you can get with Bryson?

• No exam requirements to enrol

•£40 weekly Educational Maintenance allowance (non means tested)

• Travel allowance

• Bonuses, incl £70.00 sign up bonus

•Vocational qualificationsBricklaying, Business Administration, Childcare, Hairdressing, Health & Social Care, IT, Joinery, Retail, Playwork & Catering

•Pastoral Care Programme, Careers Advice and Guidance, employment opportunities and more!

At Bryson we offer

a comfortable learning environment with small groups of 10-12 learners. Learners experience all round support from our dedicated Learning and Support Team which includes a Pastoral Care Team, a full-time qualified councillor and mentors. The 16 years+ vocational pathways are designed for individual abilities and include real work experience with an employer.

To find out more information about Post 16 vocational pathways with Bryson or to enrol, Contact Nuala on Tele: 07730 527528

Email: nuala. mcstravick@ brysonenergy.org

Or Register your interest through: https://tinyurl.com/ Brysonregistrationform

Recovery signs for Northern Ireland tourism

The number of hotel rooms sold in Northern Ireland last year rose by 62% on the previous 12 months, new figures have revealed.

Statistics released by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) also show the number of beds sold in Northern Ireland 2022 rose by 43%.

In total, there were more than 2.1m rooms and 3.7m beds sold in hotels in 2022. The figures, while still slightly down on 2019, show signs of a stronger

than expected recovery.

In addition, the NISRA figures show there were more than 512,000 rooms and 941,000 beds sold in guesthouses, guest accommodation and B&Bs last year in Northern Ireland.

Compared to 2021, this represents a 67% increase in room sales and a 70% increase in bed sales.

Furthermore, selfcatering occupancy also saw positive performance in 2022 with a 10 percentage point increase in annual occupancy and an 8 percentage point increase in peak occupancy, compared to 2021.

During 2022, 62% of annual weeks were sold to visitors from outside of Northern Ireland. This is

compared to 69% in 2019, reflecting the downturn of out of state visitors.

During 2022 the percentage of annual weeks sold to Republic of Ireland visitors was 10%, a 2 percentage point increase, compared to pre-pandemic levels. The number of weeks sold to Northern Ireland residents increased from 31% in 2019 to 38%

in 2022. Excluding country parks, parks, forests and gardens, Titanic Belfast was Northern Ireland’s most visited attraction last year followed by the Derry Walls and the Giant’s Causeway.

Both Titanic Belfast and the Giant’s Causeway showed significant growth on 2021 figures with an increase of 173% and 298%

respectively. However, these have not yet recovered to pre-pandemic 2019 levels, with cost of living and inflation also playing a significant role in lifestyle spendability.

For a full breakdown of the latest NISRA statistics please visit; Tourism Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (nisra.gov.uk)

Making Smiles Brighter across North Down

Nigel Smith Dental Care is an independent family dental practice located in Bangor. They offer general and cosmetic dentistry as well as facial line softening. They have experienced and friendly dentists who provide quality dental care to their patients.

Holywood Dental Care also offer a wide range of dental services including general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, and facial aesthetics. Their team of experienced dentists provides quality dental care to their patients. Both practices offer flexible payment plans to help patients manage the cost of their dental care.

The practices are members of the MiSmile Network, one of the largest providers for UK’s most trusted clear aligner; Invisalign!

A treatment coordinator offers consultation and digital scan simulations for predicted outcomes; this is complimentary and there are appointments available

every day! All of the dentists are Invisalign Providers and as such there are no long orthodontic waiting lists!

Both practices welcome patients to a friendly independent family clinic.

Personal service is at the heart of what they do and both teams are always happy to welcome new patients.

Both practices are Denplan and Private practice and offer NHS treatment for children. Payment plans help spread the cost and start from £11.90+60p (for insurance)/month to include two exams and cleans a year with a dentist!

The clinic in Bangor has recently been awarded 5-Star accreditation from Curaden for their success in educating patients about importance of oral health. All of the hygiene appointments comprise of air flow polish method, a pleasant procedure as an alternative to traditional

hygiene methods and patients are providing great feedback. Both practices offer direct access hygiene appointments, meaning you do not need to be registered to access this service.

Either team would be delighted to care for you and your smile and look forward to welcoming you into their

digital dentistry clinics. For more information contact the front of house teams, by phone or email!

Both practices were Finalists for the Northern Ireland Beauty Excellence Awards 2023! Nigel Smith Dental Care was nominated in two categories – Cosmetic Dental Practice of the Year

and Team of the year!

Holywood Dental Care was nominated for Cosmetic Dental Practice of the Year! The aim of the NI Beauty Excellence awards is to celebrate achievement across the entire aesthetics, beauty and hair industries in Northern Ireland so becoming finalists was a huge achievement in the industry! Check out their

websites below to see recent smile transformations in your area!

Nigel Smith Dental Care is at 107 Hamilton Road, Bangor BT20 4LN Tel: 028 91270657 www. nigelsmithdental.com

Holywood Dental Care is at 128 High Street, Holywood BT18 9HW Tel: 028 9042 3306 www. holywooddentalcare.co.uk

Find out what help your F amily may be entitled to with back to school costs

While we are still enjoying the summer holidays, parents are already planning for back to school, including buying new school uniforms and other supplies.

It is an expensive time for families, but there may be help available with back to school costs.

School meals

The Education Authority oversees the free school meals scheme for primary and secondary school pupils. Eligibility depends on parents receiving specific benefits and, in some cases, on household income. Assistance is also available for children with a statement

of special educational needs and specific dietary requirements.

School uniforms

The Education Authority also oversees the school uniform grant. Eligibility criteria is similar to the free school meals scheme. The school uniform grant has remained the same for the academic year 2023/24.

Eligible households remain entitled to a grant of between £42.90 and £93.60, per school-aged child, per academic year.

Transport costs to school

The Education Authority

is required to provide transport to and from school for any pupils who meet specific criteria. Support is made available where there is no suitable school within a legal walking or qualifying distance from the pupil’s home, or where the pupil has not secured a place in an appropriate school within that distance.

A child with additional educational needs or disabilities may also receive assistance with transport.

How to apply

Free school meals and school uniform grant applications can be made online.

Once submitted the application can take around four weeks to process.

Home to school transport

assistance applications can also now be made online. The Education Authority website provides an online Eligibility Checker to help parents find out if their child will qualify, prior to completing the formal application.

For further information on free school meals, school uniform grants and home to school transport, including how to apply, visit the Education Authority website: www. eani.org.uk/financial-help.

Cost of childcare

Many families still require ‘wraparound’ childcare during school term-time. Now is the time to find out what financial support is availablemost working families are entitled to help with their registered childcare costs, whether through Tax Credits, Childcare

Vouchers, Universal Credit or Tax-Free Childcare.

Personalised advice and guidance

Employers For Childcare’s Family Benefits Advice Service provides free, impartial and confidential advice to

parents on the financial support their family is entitled to and can help families work out if they are eligible for support with back to school costs. Freephone 0800 028 3008 or email hello@ employersforchildcare.org.

Templemore Aquatic Sports Club and Templemore Swim School

Templemore Users Trust Ltd, a charity, ran the Baths on Templemore Avenue, Belfast since the early 1980’s. This was due to the Council wishing to close the Baths following their leisure developments at Avoniel and Maysfield.

The Trust had two objectives - saving the Baths from closure to allow future generations to enjoy the heritage; and, to teach as many children and adults as possible, ensuring that this was community led and at community pricing.

Following years of lobbying Belfast City Council, it was finally agreed that the Baths would be included within the Leisure Transformation Program (having not been on the agenda). Heritage Lottery came on board and between both

organisations the funding was generated to carry out the significant renovations that have been carried out since 2020.

During the renovations we operated at Shankill Leisure Centre and, again, we thank our loyal members for maintaining their support during this time.

Going forward, Templemore Users Trust Ltd will operate as Templemore Aquatic Sports Club and Templemore Swim School.

Some exciting news!

From September 2023,

we will provide our sessions in the ‘heritage pool’ from Monday to Saturday. We will continue to teach children and adults. Lessons will be from the age of 1, following our exciting partnership with Water Babies.

We have partnered with Waterbabies to offer swim lessons for children aged 1 to 4 years. Children will be taught right through to competition swimming should they wish. Our Swim Academy (for those that wish to keep fit but has more of a social side) is available from the age of 10.

Junior Triathlon available from age 7. Throughout our various lessons and Clubs we will also teach life saving skills.

Funding is currently available with Parkinsons UK – this includes 1 hour with coach and physiotherapy for those living with Parkinsons disease.

In addition to our swim

lessons program, we will also offer specific sessions for the community, families, adults and also for Templemore Triathlon Club. We also offer community swimming – with ladies only and men only sessions available. Become a member of our regular community swim program for £5 per year and you can swim in the heritage pool for only £2 per session

Community Open

Swims Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 3pm.

Community Length

Swimming Tuesday & Thursday 5pm

Ladies Only Monday & Thursday 9pm

Men Only Wednesday & Friday 9pm

Become a member of our Facebook pages –Templemore Aquatic Sports Club, Templemore Swim School and Templemore Triathlon Club to keep up-to-date and also keep an eye on our website www. templemore.org.uk

McMillan’s Protect and Clean

Front Door Makeover: Potential home buyers and even house guests can spend a lot of time at the front door while awaiting access.

A fresh coat of paint or a new door can make a big difference in their first impression of your home.

Keeping door furniture such as a doorbell, letterbox, door knocker or even your security camera clean and free of cobwebs can make a big difference. Got a separate mailbox? Make sure it is pristine and fully functional.

Give the front door a fresh coat of paint. If summer flower pots, planters, window-boxes or hanging baskets are coming to an end consider refreshing them, or investing in an artificial alternative, choose something that looks season relevant, to keep things fresh. Upgrading your house number can make your home look more polished and modern. Don’t forget that giving your garage door a makeover can make your home look more stylish too!

Clean and/or Update

Exterior Lighting: A well-

lit exterior can make your home look more inviting and safe. Consider motion sensor lights – these are a great way to add security and convenience to your home as they turn on automatically when someone approaches your home.

If you are watching your energy output - Solar

powered light strips are an eco-friendly way to light up your home. LED strip lights are another energy-efficient option that can be used to highlight architectural features or create a warm ambiance. Use flood lights to illuminate large areas of your home’s exterior.

Wall lights and sconces can be used to highlight architectural features or create a warm ambiance while Flush-mount lights are a great way to add subtle lighting to your home’s exterior. Landscape lighting can be used to highlight trees, shrubs, and other landscaping features

Get your flooring and upholstery professionally cleaned by our team. From hotels to shops, houses to offices and everything in between across Northern Ireland.

McMillan’s Protect and Clean NI is a reliable and reputable provider of carpet cleaning services, catering to numerous homes and businesses throughout Northern Ireland. With a team of highly skilled professionals, they consistently deliver excellent results, ensuring that every carpet they work on looks as good as new, time after time.

How They Can Help... Quality products.

McMillan Protect and Clean combine their indepth know-how with the finest cleaning products available to ensure each carpet they work on is left looking immaculate.

The superior service at McMillan’s Protect and Clean NI provides you with a speedy but effective clean that leaves little leftover moisture as well as requiring low drying times. If your

property has been damaged by fire or flooding our team can help.

Projects of all sizes

Being a fully insured cleaning business, they are well-prepared to kickstart the restoration process, ensuring your property gets back to its former glory.

Their expertise is trusted by numerous high-profile businesses for largescale commercial carpet cleaning on their premises.

peace of mind knowing that our approach guarantees your property will receive the best care and attention it rightfully deserves! Both homeowners and businesses are welcome!

Email info@mpcni.co.uk.

Natural Vibes – add pla N ts to get some breathi N g space!

improve mood, and increase productivity.

Incorporating plants in interior décor allows us to connect with nature and create a more balanced and serene living space.

Maintaining Indoor

Plants

Caring for indoor plants is essential to ensure their health and longevity. Some key tips include providing adequate sunlight, watering appropriately, and regularly dusting the leaves. It’s important to choose plants that align with your lifestyle and level of commitment to maintenance. If you have a busy schedule, opt for low-maintenance plants that require minimal care.

Health Benefits Of Indoor Plants

Beyond their decorative appeal, indoor plants offer several health benefits. They help improve air quality by reducing pollutants and increasing humidity levels, which can alleviate respiratory issues and allergies. Plants also emit oxygen, promoting better sleep quality and overall wellbeing. Incorporating plants into your interior decor can create a healthier and more invigorating environment for you and your family.

Stress Reduction

And Improved Mental

Well-Being

Plants have a myriad of benefits that go beyond their aesthetic appeal. They purify the air by removing toxins and releasing oxygen, promoting a healthier indoor environment. Additionally, home plants have been shown to reduce stress,

The presence of plants in your living space positively impacts mental health. Research suggests that being around plants can help reduce stress levels, promote relaxation, and improve overall mental well-being.

The greenery and natural elements create a sense of calm and tranquillity, making your home a sanctuary from the stresses of daily life.

Versatility In Design

Indoor plants offer endless versatility when it comes to design possibilities. You can choose plants that complement your existing interior design style, from small succulents on windowsills to large statement plants in corners. Whether your home has a modern, minimalist aesthetic or a cozy, bohemian vibe, some plants can effortlessly blend in and enhance the overall look and feel of the space.

Benefits For Small Spaces

Indoor plants are particularly beneficial for small living spaces such as apartments or studios. They add a refreshing touch of greenery without taking up too much floor space. Hanging plants, wallmounted planters, or vertical gardens are excellent options for maximizing the use of

limited space while still enjoying the benefits of plants in your home.

Connection To Nature

Incorporating plants into your interior décor allows you to establish a stronger connection with nature, even if you live in a bustling city. Surrounding yourself with plants can evoke a sense of serenity and

bring a slice of the outdoors into your daily life. This connection to nature can help reduce feelings of anxiety and improve overall mental and emotional well-being.

Eco-Friendly Design Choice

Choosing indoor plants for your interior décor is an eco-friendly design choice. Plants act

as natural air purifiers, reducing the reliance on artificial air filtration systems. They also contribute to reducing carbon dioxide levels and help combat indoor air pollution. By opting for plants instead of synthetic décor elements, you contribute to a healthier environment for yourself and future generations.

Kill the Clutter

Are you a compulsive collector? The mental trauma of the last few years has made us all the more emotional about our objects!

The irony is that the more possessions we have the less useful or decorative they will be – and ultimately we feel the emotional weight of all that baggage!.

Step 1 – Act like you are about to move house. Take everything out of the room. (Do this one room at a time or the clutterbug in you just won’t cope.)

Step 2 – Bring back the most important things for the room. For example a living room, the sofa, couch, chairs, TV, stereo, side tables, or the bedroom, bed side tables.

Step 3 – Work out where all the important things sit in the space. Move them so the space flows and that you can move freely around

the room. Then sit down and have a look around, breathe in, how do you feel? You should feel liberated. You will find that your chest feels lighter, the air seems to flow better, (could be something to do with Feng Shui), or just that you are not having to fight with multiple colours and textures around the room.

Step 4 – Start

layering. Select a few things at a time to bring back into the room to decorate with. Paintings, pictures, a vase, a rug, lamps. Do it slowly and feel how the space is changing. Pick out the best items that you want to show, don’t use all of them. I have just heard lately of an expression called editing, it means select the best things you have and enjoy them, change them around seasonly or as the fashion you follow dictates, it is important that the room expresses the personality of the owner, but we don’t need their wholelife story in one room.

Step 5 – Stop! Yes, don’t keep going. Less is better in a room. Put all the remaining items in storage until you are happy with the new space. Then after a few weeks, sort through it all, keep what is reusable, and donate the rest to a good charity or sell it on ebay. You can kill the clutter and enjoy simple streamlined living once again.

Why White Bedding Works in every home

If you haven’t as yet used white bedding in your home, here are all the reasons that we love it!

All your bedding can match – saving you time. If all beds have white bedding – then it is really easy to change the bedding as you can simply pull out x pillow cases, x sheets and x duvet covers and you’re done – no more looking for matching sets!

It is easy to clean (practicality has to be there!) – you can wash at really high temperatures unlike most coloured bedding. Also if you invest in top quality we you will get good results at lower temperature washes too.

It is cheap – yes, you can pay a lot for Egyptian cotton sheets – but overall you can

get good quality white bedding for a really cost effective price compared to a lot of coloured varieties (and it’s easier to find white as oppose to trying to match a pattern or colour to your room).

It makes a room feel less cluttered, and calmer (the bed is usually the biggest single item in a room – so bedding is a very predominant feature of the space and can make a room feel busy and cluttered if highly patterned.

It can brighten up a dark room – whether it is dark through lack of natural light, or dark due to the decor, white

bedding can transform how bright a bedroom feels (the bed is, after all, the largest part of most rooms).

It’s classic – it will go with everything –and you can add colour easily with throws and

cushions if required. In children’s rooms it can be quite a calm counter to the bright toys /paint and accessories, and if they share then its easy to make each bed look unique but still have

something to tie them together.

It looks hotel-like which can make people think of luxury and opulence, and promotes a calmness so you can properly relax in your bedroom.

Want to wake up with energy and motivation for the day ahead?

Jennifer Dunseath from Solution Hypnotherapy NI explains that reducing stress is key to getting a good nights’ sleep!

The single most effective way to improve your sleep is to reduce your stress – when we are stressed and anxious our busy mind finds it hard to get to sleep, it can also wake us in the middle of the night and keep us awake. The most common symptom people mention when they first come to see me is poor sleep. When they see me the following week they often comment that their sleep has improved already.

Most people don’t expect a lesson on how the brain works when they come to my clinic for the first time, but the most common response I get at the end of that session is “that makes so much sense, that is exactly how I have been feeling/

behaving.”

I can teach strategies to help calm the mind and promote rest. Rest can take many forms – physical, mental, sensory, creative, emotional and social. I also provide a relaxation download to listen to at night, that makes a big difference.

Ultimately it is the work the client does in changing the way they think that allows them to deal with and reduce their anxiety, their sleep improves and then the changes they make from that point can be astonishing! Being Solution Focused we don’t talk about their problems we focus on how they want to feel, how they want to behave, so sessions are usually very positive experiences.

I love my job, I am so lucky to be doing something that makes people feel better and gives them to tools to continue to improve.

Customer quotes

‘Jennifer, what have you done to me, I woke before my alarm, I have cleaned

and hoovered the inside of my car and now I’m about to wash it! I feel good! Thank you!’

‘Jennifer, thank you for helping me find the confidence to change my life. I’m looking forward to my new adventure!’

Jennifer Dunseath

Using Colour to Create Feng Shui in Your Home

Feng Shui can be exactly what you need to create an environment that will aid you in achieving a stylish sanctuary.

Unlike traditional interior design, Feng Shui is aimed solely at creating a vibrant feeling of joy and harmony that will bolster your energy..

Similar to other design trends, each space must be designed in a unique way for its individual purpose.

Designing a home office using Feng Shui will mean dispelling traditional ideas that focus purely on functionality and focusing on creating a space that exudes positive, vibrant energy. Achieving these desired energies can be done by following basic feng shui principles, starting by clearing out old energy before beginning to redesign. In a practical sense, this means decluttering.

Decorating a cluttered home makes little sense from a feng shui perspective and the process of

decluttering has been shown to have clear cathartic properties. It is therefore imperative that you have a blank canvas to work from when beginning to create positive energy through interior design. Air and light are both essential elements for creating positive energy (or Chi) in your home. Once your home is clutter-free your air quality will greatly increase and your feng shui decorating can begin. It is important not to underestimate the power of colour to change the energy of a room and the mood of all those who enter.

Have a balanced pallet throughout your home is vital and using the Bagua map, you can decide what kind of energy you would like to promote in each room. Feng Shui has relatively strict

symbolisation for colour, with red/purple-violet inviting abundance, passion or royalty, green promoting restorative energy, black evoking wisdom and whites symbolising purity or precision.

Fundamentally, each room must serve a purpose and through colour, you can promote the creation to positive energies – the perfect pick me up as we lean into a new autumn season.

OPEN ITF TAEKWON-DO CHAMPIONSHIPS TO BE HELD IN LISBURN!

A very successful European Taekwon-Do Championships was held in June 2023 This major sporting event showcased Taekwon-Do in Northern Ireland and attracted competitors from all across Europe. We are now looking forward to the Open ITF Taekwon–Do Championships which will be held in the National Badminton Centre (Lisburn Raquets Club) on 24th September 2023. For more details about this event see the link on our colour advert.

Taekwon-Do has become the fastest growing Martial Art in Northern Ireland, as a sport it is graceful and powerful yet dynamic,

exciting and fun. It is suitable for both males and females, children and adults from the age of 3 years upwards. The UKTC (N.I.) offers a three tier system for students depending on age and ability, which presents a step-by-step approach to learning this particularly popular style of Martial Art. To promote the advantages of TaekwonDo and sport in general to younger children, our ‘Little Tiger Cubs’ programme has been specifically designed to cater for children 3-5 years old. Its aim is to introduce basic martial arts

skills through a mixture of simple games, fitness drills, and Taekwon-Do training. This training programme aims to assist in the physical development, improved health, and increased fitness of each child. The programme will encourage the development of motor skills, balance, endurance, flexibility, strength, and the coordination of eye, hand and foot. Through this development, each student, junior and adult, should find greater self-confidence and self-esteem.

Our Little Tiger Cubs syllabus has a structured grading system to teach our young members that good attendance, good effort, and good behaviour will help them to achieve their goals in life.

Our youngest members are awarded certificates, award stickers, and promotional badges to be worn on their suits. To check it out and get an idea of what we do, follow the link below. http://www. uktc.co.uk/LittleTigerCubs.

aspx

For students aged 5-8

years we have ‘Active Tigers’ which will allow students to develop their Taekwon-Do skills at a more relaxed pace while retaining some of the fun elements of’ Little Tiger Cubs’. It will also allow children to progress through the grading system in a more ‘Bite-sized’ fashion, while our more formal Taekwon-Do classes and the white suit which goes with it, is something for our younger students to aspire to.

https://youtu.be/ JKJR_y337aQ

In Northern Ireland the largest Taekwon-Do group is Leo Maguire Taekwon-Do Schools. Leo Maguire, as the Northern Ireland National Coach and President of Northern Ireland ITF, he has brought the N.I. National Team to victory at both National, European and World levels. This level of expertise is now being passed on to the group’s current students as the fully qualified instructors are all national team members and dedicated to encouraging each child to achieve his or her full potential.

For adults, our structured training program offers fitness, friendship and self-defence.

The group runs classes for Little Tiger Cubs, Active Tigers and Taekwon-Do in over 100 classes at various locations across the province. To find out more please visit our website at www.taekwondo-ni. co.uk or our Facebook page, alternatively, contact Leo Maguire directly on 07891191494.

Shop, Cook and Save – n ew video S S how how you C an eat well on a budget

shop, easy cooking for one, and storing and reheating food safely.

The ‘Public Health Dietitians’ channel is a partnership between the PHDG Northern Ireland and the Public Health Agency (PHA) and can be found at www.pha.site/

public-health-dietitiansyoutube

Jill Stewart, Public

Health Dietitian with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust said:

“We are really proud and excited to launch our new ‘Shop, cook and save’ video series on the

Public Health Dietitians YouTube channel – we provide a top-quality, reliable and accessible service, and we hope that the public will find these tips useful, particularly those who are looking to save money over the summer but still enjoy healthy meals, at a fraction of the price.

We’re also keen to show how people can make the most of their meals by using up leftovers and storing food correctly, which will also reduce food waste.

“PHDG is made up of registered nutritionists and dietitians who are qualified health professionals using the most up-to-date public health and scientific research on food, health and disease to promote health and prevent nutrition-related diseases.

The PHDG is passionate about providing the public with nutrition information they can trust. We hope the public will benefit from the

series and learn more about how they can make healthier choices whilst on a budget.”

Dr Hannah McCourt, Senior Officer for Health and Social Wellbeing

The Public Health Dietitians Group (PHDG) has launched a new video series on its YouTube channel ‘Public Health Dietitians’ showing how you can eat well on a budget. With the current cost of living crisis putting pressure on many households in Northern Ireland, the ‘Shop, Cook and Save’ series aims to show how you can make healthier choices and save money by batch cooking, saving on your weekly

Improvement with PHA added: “The PHDG works to equip people to make better food and nutrition choices to improve their health. They support every life stage from babies to older people and everything in between. It’s great to see this new series come to life, especially during the current climate with many families looking to save money as we continue to navigate the cost of living crisis.

“From batch cooking to saving on your weekly shop, the PHDG shares lots of useful tips for eating well on a budget. Small changes can make a huge difference and everyone can benefit from the tips shared within each of the videos.”

Jill Stewart concluded: “Food is an expensive

bill for most people, now more than ever before. We know many people may turn to takeaways and ready meals in an attempt to save money, however that is not usually the best option and there are lots of ways you can make healthier choices without any added expense such as batch cooking your meals or storing and reusing leftovers.

“Whether you are

cooking for a big family or cooking for yourself, this series offers useful tips to make the most out of your meals and save money. You can also access free healthy recipe videos and nutrition webinars on the channel if you’re looking for some more inspiration to make healthy, tasty meals that are perfect for the whole family to enjoy.”

The new series is

available now on the ‘Public Health Dietitians’ YouTube channel which is free and available to access at any time. Subscribe on YouTube at www.pha.site/publichealth-dietitians-youtube

The PHDG is a group of registered dietitians, nutritionists and support staff who work across Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland and are commissioned by the PHA.

HANNON Coach & Sail is perfect for a city break in Glasgow!

Direct Belfast – Glasgow Express now departing from Belfast, Europa Bus Station. An award-winning service offering hassle-free travel with very generous baggage allowance, HANNON Coach & Sail is ideal for a Summer city break in Glasgow. The HANNON Coach Belfast –Glasgow Express Service is the perfect antidote to flying and airport stress! Already hugely popular with those in the know, the service is rated 5-Star on TripAdvisor.

A shopper’s paradise, Glasgow is recognised as having the best retail therapy in the UK outside of London. Consistently voted ‘top of the shops’, the city is Scotland’s premier shopping destination. Not just shopping, Glasgow is also famous for its fantastic nightlife, and great choice of restaurants and bars, perfect for your next city break away. With a simple flat fare

of £44 which includes the cost of the ferry and a very generous baggage allowance the Belfast –Glasgow Express offers a really attractive, convenient and low-cost alternative to flying.

The service is operated by HANNON Coach and leaves twice a day from

Belfast, Europa Bus Station and drops visitors right in the heart of Glasgow City Centre. The simple flat fare allows passengers to pick and mix dates and times of travel to suit and with no luggage charges it makes a perfect travel option for city shoppers. There are also a great range

of hotels just minutes from Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station. Company director Aodh Hannon says people seem to really love the convenience of the service as we take you right into the heart of the city centre.

“People love the fact that it’s so hassle-free compared to flying, no airport transfers and with no extra charge for luggage it is a massive help with keeping the cost of a break down.” said Mr Hannon.

The service can be booked online at www. hannoncoach.com up to 1 hour before departure or by phone using the very friendly telephone booking service.

Call 028 9265 0700 (Mon – Fri) or visit www. hannoncoach.com

Grosvenor celebrates excellent A Level Results

Grosvenor Grammar School students are celebrating an excellent set of A Level results this morning, with the headline figure of 86.6% of pupils achieving 3 A* to C grades.

A very impressive total of 27 students achieved 3 A grades or better, with 2 of those achieving 4 A grades or better. Amongst the highest achievers are Claire Wilson (4A*), Abby Corbett (1A*, 3A), Daniel Corbett (1A*, 2A, 1B), Lukas Leung (3A, 1B), Will Kirkpatrick, James McMullan, Ellie Roberts, Ollie Ross, Rachel Shortall and Erin Young (all 3A*).

Principal Dr Vasey was

delighted for her students and everyone involved, saying:

“We are so proud of our students on achieving fantastic results; our congratulations go to everyone involved. My personal thanks extend to the wonderful staff at Grosvenor and to our parents, whose support is amazing. We wish our leavers all the very best for the future.”

Another 5 star review for the Helens Bay Dental Team

“Excellent care and treatment with each visit to the Practice! Really friendly team, always very welcoming. Edward is a fantastic dentist and I feel very well looked after on my dental journey!”

This is one of 169 reviews gained by this local family run Dental clinic where you can have all your treatment in 2 beautiful clinics side by side in sleepy Helens Bay!

You could be looked after by a team of 6 Dentists, 3 Dental hygienists, therapists and an amazing team of dental nurses and

receptionists

The team at Helens Bay Dental has grown and now consists of 24 highly trained and caring, clinicians and support team utilising 5 beautiful newly fitted treatment rooms Helens Bay Dental offer bespoke membership plans to allow patients to maintain optimum

dental health for life.

If you would like to know more, they offer a complimentary visit to see all this for yourself and to discuss how modern digital dentistry can change your smile!

Contact the local highly experienced team on 02891853304, info@ helensbaydental.co.uk or on social media, Instagram and Facebook

5 star consultant award for Gilnahirk Slimming World Consultant

A weight loss expert in Gilnahirk has struck gold and achieved a 5 star consultant award for the exceptional work she does in helping over a 100 people to lose weight at her local Slimming World group every week.

Ashleigh, who runs the Gilnahirk Slimming World group in East Belfast every week has been awarded ‘Gold’ status by the National slimming club because of her success in supporting slimmers to reach their dream weight and the super service she provides to those members.

The award is given to consultants who consistently have 100 or more members in their

group over several months, and who provide such exceptional service that members come back week after week because they’re losing weight beautifully and wouldn’t miss their weekly group for anything. It represents the highest level of service in slimming and makes Ashleigh one of the most successful of Slimming World’s 4,000 Consultants, meaning Gilnahirk group is home to

some of the best slimming support in the UK.

Ashleigh says: “I am delighted to have received the ‘Gold’ award. “It’s been my dream to achieve this award. This award belongs to all my members who attend my Gilnahirk group. They’re the ones who make our group the success that it is, with their fabulous commitment, its a wonderful community full of understanding and

Another busy year at Leadhill Primary School

At Leadhill Primary School it has been a busy start to the school year, welcoming new children and families to PreSchool Playgroup and Primary 1 as well as classes throughout the school.

receiving her award.

support for each other every week, and, above all, their impressive weight losses while following Slimming World’s Food Optimising eating plan.

They make the group a fun, safe, friendly, buzzy place to be and I can safely say I always look forward to my Wednesday evenings. I truly believe I have the best job in the world.

If you would like to join our award-winning gold

group , which is held every Wednesday at 5pm & 6:30pm at Gilnahirk Baptist Church, middle Braniel road or give Ashleigh a call on 07731 420680! You can keep up to date with lots of news, recipes & offers on our Facebook page: Slim with Ashleigh - Gilnahirk Baptist There are no strangers in our Gilnahirk group, only friends you have yet to meet! We can’t wait to welcome you! Xx

It is always a busy time of the year, settling into new routines and taking on new challenges. Leadhill parents recognise the value of a primary school setting where every adult knows every child. This personal touch helps to create a safe and nurturing environment where children can flourish. Our school welcomes and supports children from all backgrounds and promotes inclusivity and childcentred approaches.

The children are excited to return to school to see the growth of our new orchard, hedging and edible garden as well as to begin making use of the new greenhouse, purchased using the Live Here Love Here pollinator grant last

year. Harvesting the goodies from the planting will be a real highlight this term.

There is great excitement to see the Toddle Time group restarting each Wednesday from 9 – 11am. The group provides a social hub for carers, babies and toddlers alongside structured activities to promote physical and emotional development in young

children.

There are still a small number of places available in our Pre-School Playgroup, which runs each day from 9:15-12:15, for children from 2 years 10 months. If you would like further information, visit our website on www.leadhillps. com or phone the school office on 028 90401101 to arrange for a visit.

Ashleigh

What does active retirement mean to you?

Active retirement is a lifestyle that emphasizes staying physically and mentally active in the years after traditional retirement age.

It encourages individuals to engage in hobbies, participate in various activities, enroll in classes, contribute to a wider community through volunteering, and connect with like-minded individuals through social activities.

It is an opportunity for independent people with unique personalities to continue to grow skills, passions, and hobbies outside of the workforce— and with a renewed sense of purpose. There are many hobbies that can be good options for the actively retired.

Here are some popular ones:

Walking in the countryside is one of the best retirement hobbies. Walking is a great way to keep fit in retirement, while exploring your surroundings, seeing some

beautiful sights and taking on new challenges.

Gardening is fun when you enjoy being outdoors and love working with your hands. And it’s also a healthy hobby to have in retirement. You do a lot of spading, lifting, tilling, and raking, and that strengthens your muscles and keeps you more flexible. And also, gardening is a way of mindfulness.

Volunteering is good for the soul, highly social and comes in a thousand forms. Work in a museum, and you’ll have daily opportunities to learn something new.

Take part in a service role where you can help others. Or volunteer at an arts centre where you can have (often free) access to performances.

Golf can have a variety of

physical and mental benefits for seniors, including improved cardiovascular fitness, increased strength and flexibility, and better balance and coordination.

It also encourages seniors to socialize, players usually stick with it and it improves concentration and quality of life.

Painting can be a really relaxing hobby, taking your mind off of other concerns as you get lost in the act of painting, concentrating on your subject matter and being creative. As a result, stress naturally decreases, providing those in older age with a welcome escape from daily concerns. Painting can also be a sociable activity, with many group painting classes being available. In later life, isolation becomes more common so having hobbies

like painting that you can enjoy with others and that get you out of the house is a great idea.

In addition to the mental health benefits of painting, it also offers benefits to your

physical health. Painting and art therapy can help improve your overall mental health and wellbeing. By pursuing a creative endeavor, you’re less likely to suffer from depression or anxiety.

Spooktacular Howloween Bone-nanza a must for dog owners and pets!

Sarah Matthews Dog Training & Molly’s Delights dog bakery are proud to be hosting a spooktacular howloween bonenanza on Saturday 28th of October at Saint Simons Community Hub, 10AM - 4PM.

Join us for a mini market displaying some of Northern Ireland’s best local doggie and non-doggie businesses!

There’s something for everyone with a selection of children’s activities, fancy dress competitions, tasty treats

and the opportunity to chat to a qualified trainer and nutritionist about all things dog this certainly isn’t a day to be missed!

Sarah Matthews Dog Training offers a variety of services within Northern Ireland. Their

trainers strive to provide bespoke training that supports you & your dog in reaching your goals, all whilst building confidence and having fun together!

Fully qualified & insured, teaching dogs and owners the skills

they need to succeed using reinforcement based methods is at the heart of the business. They offer a range of training packages and solo sessions all of which can be tailored to meet your needs, goals, lifestyle & budget!

Conquering the Lagan Waters for a Cause

Once again, the teams of MacBlair and Doorways have embraced the thrill of the water while supporting charity partner, Community Rescue Service.

coveted ‘Best Outfits’ title, with the MacBlair ‘Sugar’s Babes’ securing a close second place.

However, the MacBlair team had even more reason to celebrate, as they emerged triumphant as the ‘Highest Fundraiser’ for the second year running.

Everyone who took part deserves a round of applause for their unwavering determination and participation. Additionally, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the generous supporters and donors who rallied behind the teams and donated.

Having previously conquered The Bann River Raft Challenge in 2022, this year six teams took on The Lagan River Raft Challenge – a 10km rafting adventure filled with fun, action, and splashing excitement.

The camaraderie

and competitive spirit was evident as the teams battled through the challenging 10km course. Among the highlights, The Doorways team, aka “The Door Musketeers,” impressed everyone with their outfits, earning them the

Department urges all users to take personal responsibility to travel safely on our roads

The Department for Infrastructure made an appeal recently to all road users to redouble efforts to travel with due care and attention.

The appeal comes as statistics published in early July revealed that 57% of all people who were killed or seriously injured on Northern Ireland roads in 2021 was due to careless driving; a trend that has been steadily increasing over a number of years.

While the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads due to careless driving is down 17% from the 20042008 baseline, there has been an increase in the number of people killed or seriously injured due to careless driving from 2016 onwards.

The Department is responsible for road safety and last October the draft Road Safety Strategy to 2030 was published. This strategy contains a renewed focus to make our roads safer for all.

The Department also recently introduced a new fixed penalty notice of

ALFA ROMEO DEBUTS IN TOP

FIVE IN 2023 AUTO EXPRESS DRIVER POWER SURVEY

Alfa Romeo has debuted in an impressive fifth place in the annual Auto Express 2023 Driver Power survey.

£100 and three penalty points to specifically help tackle careless driving.

The evidence shows that more than 95% of road traffic collisions, where someone is killed or seriously injured, is due to human error such as a choice to speed, drink or drug driving or driving carelessly or while distracted. People driving or riding carelessly is the cause behind the majority of deaths and serious injuries on our roads here.

Most collisions are avoidable. Careless driving is made up of many behaviours including inattention or distraction, wrong course position and driving too close amongst others and is the biggest cause of deaths and serious injuries.

As we use the roads as drivers and riders, we need to be extra vigilant – pay attention to our surroundings,

ignore in-car distractions, give extra consideration to more vulnerable people, such as those who walk or ride and children and older road users.

Every one of us has a role to play in preventing deaths and injuries on our roads. Just as with speeding, drink or drug driving or failure to wear your seatbelt, if you drive carelessly, you run the very real risk of killing or seriously injuring yourself, your passengers or some other innocent road user.

As part of the Road Safety Strategy, the Department invites people to support ‘Share the Road to Zero’, which encourages all citizens to take a road safety pledge to be the best road users they can to help reduce road deaths. Signing up is easy, it’s quick and it’s free, and you can do so by clicking here www. sharetheroadtozero.com/

It comes as the brand adds the new Tonale Plug-In Hybrid, and new Giulia and Stelvio models to its vehicle range. The survey results serve as an acknowledgment of the commitment from Alfa Romeo to provide quality cars true to the Italian design and sporting heritage of the brand.

The Auto Express annual Driver Power survey counts the opinions of more than 60,000 owners who score their cars across a range of features, including performance, technology and running costs. These independent perspectives from real owners indicate how drivers honestly feel about their cars.

Alfa Romeo received particularly high scores from owners for style and driving performance, with road handling, steering and ride quality ranking particularly highly. Practical features such as cabin storage and child-friendly features were also highlights for owners helping to push Alfa Romeo into the top five

best car manufacturers. 2023 continues to be an exciting year for the brand, with the launch of the PlugIn Hybrid version of Tonale, and the addition of new Giulia and Stelvio to the range. The Tonale is the first electrified Alfa Romeo ever. Plug-In Hybrid variants are capable of up to 49 miles of electric-only range (WLTP) while new Giulia and Stelvio models feature revised design and the highest levels of efficiency.

The 2023 Driver Power survey result follows a record first quarter for Alfa Romeo.

Registrations are up 136% in Europe, with market share doubled compared to 2022, and registrations up 64% globally, year on year. Record Q1 results serve as an acknowledgment of the brand’s commitment to an uncompromising focus on quality.

Julie David, Managing Director Alfa Romeo UK, said: “To have placed so highly in the 2023 Auto Express Driver Power

survey demonstrates that customers recognise the commitment that Alfa Romeo has to providing uncompromising quality across our range, while maintaining the Italian sporting heritage that they love. To feature this highly in the year we have introduced the brand’s first electrified vehicle to the range makes it even more rewarding.”

Searching for roller garage doors that offer unmatched quality at unbeatable prices?

Then look no further than Garolla, the UK’s first nationwide roller garage door installer. Transform the appearance of your exteriors and improve the security of your home all in one by updating to a Garolla garage door. Handmade by a team of skilled craftsmen, every Garolla garage door is made from only the very best materials and to your home’s exact specifications. From start to finish you will only work with your own local installer, guaranteeing no pushy salesmen in sight. As well as installing your garage door, your local installer will also conduct the initial survey

of your property and will always be on hand to answer any questions you might have. Offering style as well as substance, Garolla electric garage doors are

available in 21 colours and come in two different slat sizes to perfectly fit any opening. Avoid any hidden charges with Garolla, where an instant

quote comes inclusive of measuring, fitting and VAT. For more information visit their website www.Garolla. co.uk or, alternatively, give them a call on 028 7100 1279

This news comes as Alfa Romeo also ranks third overall in the US J.D. Power 2023 Internal Quality Study (IQS). Alfa Romeo soared 24 places, the greatest jump in this year’s IQS, to finish

first among premium brands and third in the industry. Furthermore, The Alfa Romeo Stelvio also claimed top honours in the study’s compact premium SUV segment.

How to C H oose Your Paint Palette

Dreaming of the perfect paint palette? Here’s the inspiration you need.

Knowing how to choose paint colours seems easy at first, until you’re faced with decision paralysis from so many choices. Dr Dulux is a firm believer in one very important rule when it comes to colour scheme ideas.

That is, there are no rules! Having said that, we’re always here to help answer your questions

and offer inspiration towards your dream home designs. How to choose paint colours you love Think about the colours you love to wear, the environments you like to spend time in and the hobbies you enjoy. Which colours do you associate with the things you love? These are the shades that’ll add

personality to your space while enhancing the mood you want to create.

Now, if you’re thinking you love green for the garden, blue for the ocean and the riot of bold hues you choose for clothes, there’s an easy way to try them all out before committing to house colour schemes. Make the most of memories You never have to pine for the beach or the peaceful countryside, when you capture the spirit of it at home. Draw on your cherished experiences for colour scheme ideas that evoke what you adore, each and every day. For example, if you love that coastal holiday feel, consider

a light, airy scheme with fresh neutrals and a splash of dreamy blue, like the Dulux Considered Luxury palette. Can’t wait to escape to the forest?

Combine tonal shades of green with deep, earthy neutrals, textured materials for soft furnishings and accessories literally plucked from nature. Add pops of yellow or orange to remind you of the sun peeking through the trees. Remember that there are no rules, so if you simply can’t choose one favourite, use different rooms to highlight an array of memories and moods.

Embrace accent

colours

It’s easy to add personality to your home without overpowering it with colour. Consider

combining a main, neutral shade with an accent colour, whether it’s bold or subtlety striking.

Neutral shades can appear both warm or cool, depending on what they’re paired with, so you can go as bold as you like with accent colours. For example, consider a deep grey. When combined with rich blue you’ll achieve a serene, oceanic feel. However, blend it with pops of yellow or orange and you’ll find that instant energy and warmth fills a space. Feature walls offer a great way to embrace

accent shades and Dulux Feature Wall Matt comes in a range of exciting paint colours. Highlight fixtures such as fireplaces or doors with Spiced Honey for warmth or try green-greys for a cool, airy feel. If painting the main walls isn’t an option for you, use accent colours on photo frames, chairs, drawers or cupboards, with Dulux Quick Dry Satinwood for a lovely, mid-sheen finish. Don’t overlook window

Home furnis H ing ex P erts reveal H ow to arrange your ideal living room

A living room is often said to be the heart of a family’s home. As it is the room that pumps life into both your private and social life, many wish for it to feel and look as special as it possibly can be.

However, achieving that perfect balance of comfort and aesthetic is no easy task. With that in mind, home furnishing experts

Englanderline have provided some specialist tips around the topic of arranging your dream living room.

Think about what furniture is best for you. Do you need cosy, modern living room furniture or would you prefer something fun and vibrant?

Preferences will inevitably change from family to family, but it is important to accommodate what you partly envision before anything else.

Consider spacing

- According to how big your living room space is, agree on whether you will need a big, small, or square

couch in your living room. For example, if your room is large, it is obviously best to search for large living room ideas.

What we ultimately learn from this is that spacing is imperative to your plan. There are two types of spacing to be aware of: positive and negative. Positive spacing is where your furniture will go, whilst negative spacing is the empty space left in the room. Considering spacing is ultimately beneficial because it allows you to visualise what should go where.

How should you arrange your living room furniture?

Avoid facing everything towards a television. One way to do this is by arranging your seats in either a U-shape

or an L-shape. These types of arrangements work well for directing one’s eye to another prominent part of your room – a fireplace for instance.

Do not let technology dominate – As we live in the 21st century, technology is pretty much unavoidable everywhere we go. Most family living rooms tend to include a television or other technological devices. The advice here is to include technological devices in your living room if that is what you want, but do not allow them to dominate your spacing. Instead, if you have the spacing to allow for it, arrange for some builtin shelves to put your devices on.

Cabinets and sideboards – what to

consider

Grab your guests’ attention – Of course, we agree that comfort comes first. However, if you want to grab your guests’ attention from time to time, and you do not own the luxury of a fireplace or another architecturally attractive feature, you can turn to custommade cabinets or sideboards. Perhaps they can help to hold a collection of ornaments, or indeed any objects of personal importance. Either way, with them being there, you have added that little bit extra to your ideal living room.

Always consider measurements –Remember to bear in mind that if you are planning to add specific objects to your

cabinet, you need to make sure that they will fit. Measuring said objects is a very simple step, but it is one that many people forget. Also, be sure to note

the difference in height between the shelves of your cabinet.

Do not worry about size proportion – Do not panic if you feel that the cabinet’s size

Planning to landscape your garden?

When landscaping your garden, there are several things you should consider. Here are just a few of them:

Begin by defining how your garden will be used.

Common uses for outdoor spaces include entertaining, cooking and dining, playing and relaxing

It’s important to analyse the site before you begin landscaping. There are many key elements that could affect your design, such as slopes, peaks, drainage patterns, and the type of soil.

The ideal soil is 40% sand, 40% silt, and 20% clay. Some people choose to build towards the ideal over several years and develop their garden plan in sections

Design - You may have a good head for design- you may not, you may even have something drawn up already! Know your garden: Think about your own little micro-climate, drainage and the sun position at the times of day when you will want to use your garden most. You will also want to consider the

topography of your site, and your soil type when planning your landscape. Who will be using your garden? Is it just you or will children or animals be sharing the space? What about access and also security of the space – both when you are at home and when you aren’t? Think about themes, how

to create zones and link spaces. You will want to make your plants work for you and consider how to emphasize and enhance them - through placement, reflection (in a water feature for example) or with lighting.

Structure - When designing a landscape garden, it’s important to

consider what structure you are going to use. Consider your products and materials in terms of affordability, function, investment value and longevity. How will your lawn be edged? Do you want to have flowers or shrubs in borders, beds and/or containers.Would you like an outdoor

kitchen? Is artificial grass a good option?

Soft landscaping is the process of designing the elements of a landscape that do not involve construction. These elements include trees, shrubs, and flowers, as well as container gardens, potted plants, and hanging baskets. Perennials and shrubs (which flower year after year) may lack 1st year impactbut will build and bulk out for the future.

When considering soft landscaping for your garden, you should think

about the following: The type of soil in your garden, The amount of sunlight your garden receives, The climate in your area, The amount of maintenance you are willing to do. If you are a gardening novice check out which types of plants thrive in your neighbours gardens as this can make choosing your own plants easier!

Above all know when to call a professional, they will be able to handle and develop your project with your vision in mind!

is not proportionate to the rest of the room. Woodworks often tend to look bigger when they are empty. When placing objects on your cabinet, try

not to place items of the same scale beside one another. By doing you will create a stimulating effect that both you and your guests will love.