North Down Advertiser 195

Bangor seniors get sheltered housing scheme garden on right path!

Back in June 2019 the Advertiser featured an article about a group of people in Bangor who were concerned about our continuing loss of native wildlife, and had decided to do something about it by improving the areas around their homes for nature.

This was the Wildlife Group at Montgomery Court & Manor in Bangor, a sheltered housing scheme owned and managed by Alpha Housing.

NI Water to undertake programme of sewer upgrades in Bangor

The sewerage system in the Ward Park, Castle Street, Hamilton Road and Springfield Avenue areas of Bangor is to benefit from a 10-week programme of improvements by NI Water.

The work – which recently got underway by NI Water’s appointed contractor GEDA Construction, will involve repairs to existing manholes followed by the relining of sewers from the same manholes by trenchless means (underground technology) to minimise disruption.

These essential repairs form part of an overall programme of work by NI Water to strengthen the existing sewerage network in Bangor to protect against blockages and reduce the risk of outof-sewer flooding.

The work will be completed in two phases as follows:

• The first phase of work will involve the repair of manholes on Castle Street (at Castle Park Road junc-

tion), in Ward Park and on Springfield Avenue (at Hamilton Road junction). This work is planned to get underway during the week commencing 24th July 2023 and will last approximately 6 weeks.

• The second phase of work will see the improvement of sewers by trenchless lining methods from the repaired manholes. This work is planned to get underway during the week commencing 4th September 2023 and will last approximately 4 weeks. For both phases of work, localised traffic and pedestrian management will be required around work areas to protect the public and ensure the repairs are carried out as safely as possible.

So, more than four years later we asked their spokesperson, Victor Allister, how they’d got on?

“Pretty well I think, given that none of us had

done anything like this before, but as we learned along the way, the basics were a mix of habitats, food, shelter and water. We recently counted

about 70 native flowering plants around the place.

Continued on page 4

The Wildlife Group at Montgomery Court & Manor in Bangor have transformed the gardens of a sheltered housing scheme owned and managed by Alpha Housing

North Down and Ards retailers bag up rubbish to keep communities clean

Nineteen retailers operating across the area of North Down and Ards have collected a whopping 234 bags of rubbish from some of the area’s most popular spots, as well as the neighbourhoods in which they operate.

Many of the Bangor and Crawfordsburn stores opted to help clean up Crawfordsburn Country Park after the recent good weather brought thousands of visitors to the Park and Helen’s Bay beach, and left with 155 bags of rubbish between them. Stores such as EUROSPAR Kinnegar in Holywood, EUROSPAR Ashbury and SPAR Hightrees in Donaghadee focused their efforts on their local neighbourhoods, while in Newtownards, SPAR Movilla lifted eight bags from the Bowtown Estate and SPAR Ballyholme and EUROSPAR Gransha took away 21 bags of rubbish from Ballyholme Beach.

North Down and Ards boasted the highest number of stores by area to be involved in the initiative, with 19 out of a total of 175 stores making the effort to complete a clean-up of their local areas in recent months.

Litter picks have been taking place in almost every town and neighbourhood in Northern Ireland, from Kilkeel to Linaskea, and Limavady to Donaghadee after Henderson Group, which owns the SPAR,

EUROSPAR and ViVO brands in Northern Ireland, invested in kits for each store.

The kits include large bin bags, pickers, high visibility vests and gloves, as well as in-store signage to encourage shoppers to use the bins provided both inside and outside stores. The signage

is dotted throughout stores, but prominently displayed beside high litter generating products such as plastic bottles, to continue to remind shoppers to dispose of their waste appropriately.

The early success of the campaign, which has seen retail teams returning 1,626 bags to be disposed

of correctly, will see stores continue to help clean up their communities regularly, with focus events taking place annually.

Barista Bar, the retail coffee brand which is available in over 400 SPAR, EUROSPAR and ViVO branded stores in Northern Ireland has committed to numerous litter picks

throughout Northern Ireland, in efforts to reduce the number of single use cups that are not disposed of correctly.

For more information on SPAR NI’s Keep Communities Tidy campaign, and for a breakdown of stores and the areas they helped clean up, click here.

Enjoy a safe BBQ in North Down this summer!

Almost half (45%) of barbecue-goers in the Ards and North Down Borough Council area have been served raw or undercooked barbecue meat like burgers, chicken, and sausages and left it untouched due to the risk of food poisoning, according to a new study by safefood.

safefood conducted the survey of 300 adults across Northern Ireland to shed light on the region’s barbecue cooking habits as local shoppers welcomed this year’s barbecue season by spending an extra £2m on barbecue meats, despite grocery inflation rising to 16.1%.

The research also discovered that two-thirds of home barbecue chefs were unaware of the correct temperature required to ensure barbecue meats were cooked and safe-to-eat.

Worryingly, it also found that 5% of home barbecue chefs purely relied on taste to check if barbecue meat is cooked.

Almost a third (30%) of people say they use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature of cooked barbecue meats

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These have encouraged many insects to set up home here, including bumblebees, and we have had at least ten species of nesting birds. Hedgehogs roam at night and we even have had a visit by a badger; not bad for suburban east Bangor”.

How was that achieved?

“First, none of it would have been possible without the active encouragement and support of Alpha Housing management,

like burgers, chicken, and sausages so they can determine whether it’s safe to eat before serving to guests.

In response to the increased spend on barbecue meats and to minimise risk of food poisoning and food waste from raw or undercooked barbecue meats, safefood is urging local home barbecue chefs to prioritise food safety this summer.

The all-island body is urging people to use a meat thermometer and take the guess work out of cooking barbecue meats by checking burgers, chicken, kebabs, and sausages are cooked to 75 degrees Celsius.

Dr Gary Kearney, Interim CEO at safefood, “With almost half of barbecuegoers in the Ards and North Down Borough Council area

which not only invested in new plants, but changed to more nature-friendly grounds maintenance, including no-mow areas and rewilded margins and corners, not just for us but at all its other schemes. One of their most important decisions was to rule out the use of herbicides other than for invasive species.

Wildlife revival and poisonous chemicals don’t mix”.

“We now have about 200 square feet of planters dedicated solely to native wildflowers, but

having been offered raw or undercooked meat, it is crucial that home barbecue chefs across Ards and North Down Borough Council eliminate any guesswork and avert any potential barbecue food poisoning mishaps this summer.”

“It’s evident that barbecuing is immensely popular here during the Summer, so it’s important that we all prioritise good food safety practices when grilling barbecue meats.

“For meats like burgers, sausages, chicken, and kebabs, using a meat thermometer adds that extra layer of reassurance. Take the meat off the heat, pop the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat and when it reaches 75 degrees Celsius, it’s cooked and ready to eat.

“If you don’t own a meat

these are complemented by crab apples, hollies and willows, indeed, anything which is good for insects, including nonnative plants such as buddleia and valerian which are attractive to pollinators, the bees, butterflies, moths and so on”.

“The birds and other animals are attracted here by the abundance of insects and other invertebrates, but they also need water and places to shelter and nest, so we have bird baths and ground-level water bowls, many bird

Rangers FC Soccer Academy visit to Millisle

thermometer, it is important that they are cooked until piping hot, with no pink meat and the juices running clear’.

Local Chef Alex Huston, a recent contestant on BBC’s Farm To Feast, says:

“Using a meat thermometer really is a game-changer. It takes the guesswork out of grilling your favourite meats and ensures it’s cooked to perfection, both in terms of

nest boxes, insect hotels, a south-facing bat box and a hedgehog home, although we’re not completely sure if our hedgehogs live there or under the green compost corner. And, by the way, green compost is a great addition to any garden because it provides food and shelter for huge numbers of invertebrate species”. Asked to sum up, Victor wanted to make the point that gardening for wildlife is not about letting everything go wild, with socalled weeds dominating.

taste and safety.

“Trust me, investing in a meat thermometer is an easy and inexpensive way to make a big difference to your barbecuing experience.”

For more information visit www.safefood.net/ news or follow safefood on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.

safefood’s top tips for a safe barbecue

“Of course we need flowers such as dandelions blooming in spring to provide food for early bumblebees, but we have demonstrated that you can do positive things for nature without compromising the normal and expected beauty of gardens. We always kept that in mind, and hopefully some of our experiments and successes will not only sustain nature here but provide a well of knowledge and experience that might benefit other communities. We’d be happy to share”.

North Down DUP MLA Stephen Dunne has welcomed Rangers FC Soccer Academy to Millisle, as they completed a three day summer soccer school programme at Abbey Villa. Mr Dunne, who is also his Party’s Sports Spokesperson added:

‘It is fantastic to have Rangers Football Club hosting a summer holiday camp in Millisle in conjunction with Abbey Villa Football Club. I was delighted to call in and meet with the coaches and see some of the activity going on with so many young people enjoying this football camp on the last day of this year’s programme. Football is an incredible sport, which is enjoyed by so many of all ages, which has so many benefits including physically, mentally and socially. It was really encouraging to see so many young people enjoying this summer camp during the school holidays in Millisle.

Playing team sports like football can bring so many skills both on and off the pitch, and getting children and young people involved in physical activity and

participation is great to see. This is the third year that the Rangers Soccer Academy NI have hosted a summer camp in Millisle, and it is great to have such a large club like Rangers taking an active interest in sport locally. Millisle has a great history of football

over many years, and the future is certainly looking bright with so many young footballers enjoying this camp, and I know within Millisle Primary School, there is also a lot of football activity for young people to enjoy and benefit from.’

Salvation Army in Bangor seeks befrienders

Julia Gillen from The Salvation Army in Bangor gives us the background to service provision provided by the organisation in the local community for the past 10 years!

Says Julia, “The Salvation Army has been running a Befriending service since 2013. The aim then was to reach out and serve members of the local community by tackling loneliness and isolation, which causes mental health problems and poor health. We build lifelong relationships with those whom we befriend and assure them that someone cares.

Our team of befrienders is made up of people from a whole range of back grounds with new requests to become befrienders coming forward. We receive regular referrals from Social Services and other local organisations who work with older people.

Once someone has expressed an interest in becoming a befriender, they are trained in the safety of vulnerable adults and have a Access N.I check. On receipt of satisfactory references, they are ready to be matched up with a partner befriender to go out visiting our

Befriendees. Visits take place in the Befriendees home for a chat or go out for coffee.

One of our Befriendee’s, Valerie, benefits from the service, she says that it is ‘very, very good’ and her befriender is lovely. She looks forward to the cup of tea and a chat because it ‘might be the only person that she sees all week.’ Valerie has no family close by and she says at her age, all her friends have passed away.

We aim to cater for those who are isolated in their community and who are over 65. We initially visit our new Befriendee to ensure the referral is suitable and we stay in contact with them by phone call until we can match them with a Befriender. We would love to encourage anyone who could give an hour a month to bring a smile to a lonely or isolated person, to consider befriending. You will find it a valuable part of your month, it’s

so rewarding to know that you have made a real difference in the life of someone in your community and perhaps made a new friend. Our Befriender Ann has been volunteering with the Salvation Army for a long time and she enjoys meeting new

people, she says, ‘I am on my own now, I enjoy the company and learning about different subjects. It works both ways, I have definitely made a good friend.’ “

For more information contact Julia Gillen Befriending coordinator Bangor Salvation Army 07469658405

Valerie Dickson having tea and a chat with her befriender Ann Killops

Seven Parklet S In S talled I n a rd S and n orth d own

Ards and North Down Borough Council has installed seven new community spaces across the Borough, giving residents and visitors the opportunity to take a break and enjoy our outdoor spaces.

The new parklets were funded by the Covid-19 Recovery Revitalisation Programme, which was introduced in 2020 and delivered through a joined-up approach between the Department for Communities, the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, the Department for Infrastructure, and local councils.

The programme provided funding for creating measures that offer safe and welcoming retail experiences, helping to provide a boost to retailers by encouraging people to spend more time in our city and town centres.

After consulting with Town/City Advisory Groups, Ards and North Down Borough Council agreed to install three

parklets in Bangor, three in Newtownards and one in Comber. These areas have been transformed into new community spaces that offer seating and tables for residents and visitors to relax.

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Jennifer Gilmour, said: “Our Borough’s parklets have proved

NIO Minister Lends Support to Bangor City Investment Plans

Minister of State for Northern Ireland, Steve Baker, heard first-hand about the exciting regeneration plans in development for Northern Ireland’s newest city on a visit to Bangor recently.

The Minister enjoyed a tour of the waterfront area of the city with Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Jennifer Gilmour, and Council Chief Executive Stephen Reid.

to be very popular, particularly during the recent spell of good weather, and I expect many more will use them during the summer months ahead. These new spaces provide an ideal place to enjoy a break, take a moment to eat or drink, or just enjoy a chat with friends and family.”

Ards and North Down Borough Council was awarded a total of £1.75m through the Covid-19 Recovery Revitalisation Programme, allowing the Council to support a range of projects in our city, towns and villages. For more information, visit ardsandnorthdown. gov.uk.

He visited Queen’s Parade, an area of dereliction that is shortly to be regenerated by Bangor Marine, a joint venture between Farrans and the Karl Group. Aran Blackbourne of Bangor Marine outlined to the Minister the company’s plans for a mixed-use development on the site including new homes, a hotel, retail, office, community, cultural and recreational spaces, in addition to eateries and the creation of new public squares and courtyards. This represents an investment of £50M+, including £9.8M from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund that was secured in January of this year. The Levelling Up funding will be used to deliver the Marine Gardens (Public Realm) element of the wider redevelopment scheme.

The Minister then met

(L-R) Susie McCullough (Director of Place, Ards and North Down Borough Council); Gerard Murray (Director of Regional Development, Department for Communities); Councillor Jennifer Gilmour (Mayor of Ards and North Down Borough Council); Steve Baker (Minister of State for Northern Ireland); Aran Blackbourne (Bangor Marine) and Stephen Reid (Chief Executive of Ards and North Down Borough Council).

with Council and DfC officials at Bangor Court House, which has recently been restored by Open House into a music and arts venue that provides a permanent home for the charity.

He heard about the Council’s plan to redevelop a 2-mile stretch of Bangor’s coastline, from Skippingstone Beach to Ballyholme, as part of the

Be Better Connected this summer travel to open house Festival by Bus or rail

Translink is once again partnering with Bangor’s Open House Festival this summer to encourage everyone to take public transport to the much-loved events.

Visitors to Bangor’s major summer festival can enjoy a fun and great value day out by choosing from a range of offers including

Belfast Region City Deal.

The ambitious ‘Bangor Waterfront Redevelopment’ complements the Queen’s Parade plans and aims to deliver a significant boost to tourism and to encourage further investment in the city and wider Ards and North Down Borough.

It involves regenerating existing assets including Bangor’s 5 Anchor Marina

and the popular family attraction, Pickie Fun Park, as well as significant development and improvement of public spaces. There are also plans to deliver a ‘Phase 2’ to the recently opened Court House music venue and to develop an international watersports facility at a new-look Ballyholme Yacht Club Watersports Centre.

the Family & Friends Ticket offering up to two adults and four children unlimited bus and train day travel for just £23, or 25% off NI Railways day return tickets after 9.30am.

For those heading to Open House Festival’s popular Picnic in the Park - which is hosted at Ward Park from 3-5pm every Sunday in July and August and features a wide range of local bands - there’s the Sunday Day Tracker ticket for £9/£4.50 (adult/ child) which offers unlimited travel across the rail network. For full details plus information on all other fare offers, and resources to help plan your journey, visit www.translink.co.uk.

Pictured getting ready for the coastal extravaganza are Translink Inspector Ian Scott and Alison Gordon from Open House Festival.

North Down Alliance MLA Andrew Muir meets Translink about secure cycle storage at Bangor Station

Andrew Muir, the Alliance MLA for North Down, recently held a productive meeting with Translink to discuss the importance of providing secure cycle storage facilities.

During his visit to the Bangor Bus and Rail station, Andrew Muir engaged in constructive discussions with Translink officials, emphasising the need to improve opportunities for active travel through enhanced bike storage provisions.

Translink has already established impressive facilities across numerous stations; however, Andrew Muir believes that expanding these amenities would be warmly received by local residents who rely on public transportation. By offering better security measures for cyclists, more people in the community would feel encouraged to commute by bicycle to the bus and rail station in Bangor. This would not only promote active travel but also alleviate traffic congestion and reduce carbon emissions.

“I am delighted to see the progress Translink is making in supporting active travel with secure

storage already firmly in place in Holywood. At my meeting I outlined the need for a secure cycle storage facility in Bangor and was informed of plans being developed for a station refurbishment, into which this will hopefully be incorporated. I would urge Translink to progress these plans without delay and put the wheels in motion for secure cycle storage facilities at Bangor City Bus and Rail Hub,” said Andrew Muir MLA.

Continuing, Andrew Muir MLA stated “This will have numerous benefits for our community, including improved air quality, reduced traffic congestion, and enhanced overall well-being. This must however come alongside increased investment in safe cycling routes by the Department for Infrastructure, the standard of cycling infrastructure is woeful and needs to move up a

number of gears without any more delay, the record to date has been pitiful. It’s time for DfI to release the brakes on Active Travel investment”

Furthermore, Andrew Muir expressed the need for better advertising of existing facilities, exemplified by the case of Holywood. Commenting, Andrew Muir remarked

“Despite the presence of a secure bike storage facility at Holywood Rail Station, many individuals remain unaware of how to access. To maximize their usage and encourage more people to adopt cycling, proper promotion is required especially on how to obtain the access fob, something I have also raised with Translink.”

Andrew Muir MLA beside the secure cycle storage at Holywood Train Station.

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. On Denplan

monthly payments at £11.90 per month. As part of our Denplan payment plans, you can add worldwide dental injury and emergency cover for just 60p per person per month. 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!

A Community of Rooks

Rooks are worth crowing about, writes JV Allister. This bird is only as successful as its community.

I like members of the crow family; their intelligence and adaptability has underpinned their success as species, and rooks are possibly the most successful because they live in close-knit communities.

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

Granted, they’re not pretty….but that large beak, designed for stabbing for prey, is very effective….and although not as colourful as the shy jay or the in-yourface magpie, in certain light their black feathers are iridescent. But then looks, or singing ability, are not everything.

They live in communities, colonies if you like, roosting together, nesting together, because as we all know

there’s safety in numbers. You will seldom see one feeding on its own, and indeed group feeding in a field or on my lawn ensures that all areas are explored for insects, leatherjackets and other invertebrates, as they strut around like ancient soldiers armed with a blade. Their nest sites, high in a stand of tall trees, are of course called rookeries, but their communal roosts are known as ‘parliaments’; perhaps their incessant cawing and calling was thought to resemble the noise made by MPs in the House of Commons. And that cawing and almost constant noisemaking, their communications with others,

may be critical.

Beginning in 1927, the famous zoologist, Konrad Lorenz, studied a group of jackdaws (rook cousins), and eventually was able to understand many of their calls, to go off to feed, to return to their roost, to court and particularly to convey control, or leadership, by the dominant birds. Given that rooks are much noisier than jackdaws, it seems likely that they’re even better at communicating.

There is no doubt that rooks rapidly pass on information about new locations of discovered food to one another, and they also have a hierarchy, a pecking

order, which plays an important part in their lives.

In their roosts, the elders claim the best protected positions, while juveniles make do with exposed outer branches, and it is thought that this is where the information-exchange takes

place, bird to bird, branch to branch.

When I was a kid, being called ‘birdbrain’ was an insult. Because of what we’re starting to understand about rooks, and indeed other smart birds, it may be more of a compliment. JVA

LONG HARD SUMMER: FINANCIAL STRUGGLES INTENSIFY FOR HOUSEHOLDS IN NORTH DOWN

Rises in interest rates, childcare costs, supermarket inflation and rising household bills cause additional strain

As the summer holidays continue, Community Advice Ards and North Down (CAAND) is bracing itself for a surge in calls from households seeking advice and support amidst worsening financial struggles. A combination of childcare expenses, escalating costs of groceries and household bills, and the recent peak in interest rates have created an additional strain on families, particularly women and single mothers who are already disproportionately affected by income inequality.

Derek McGregor, CAAND Manager, acknowledges the difficulties faced by households during the summer holidays. He said, “The summer break can be an incredibly challenging time, particularly for parents. With schools closed and the absence of structured childcare, families often struggle to meet their financial obligations while trying to manage children’s expectations during the summer break. With mortgage interest rates rising and some households

having to have an extra few hundred pounds just to keep a roof over their heads, we know more people will turn to credit to ease their financial pressure, however this will only add more stress in the longer term.

“The rising costs of groceries and household bills has also put immense pressure on family budgets, and with interest rates expected to rise again in line with UK inflation, it’s an extra burden on households, already grappling with financial

insecurities.”

Economists have warned that a recent decision by the Bank of England to increase interest rates could see these pushed as high as seven per cent to tackle inflation. Inflation, which measures the rate of rising prices, stuck at eight per cent in May, with supermarket food prices amongst those increasing rapidly.

Derek also indicated that women and single mothers will likely be hit hardest due to income inequality and the rising cost of childcare. Ac-

cording to the Living Wage Foundation, women are disproportionately impacted by the cost-of-living crisis. The research shows that almost 60 per cent of all jobs below the Living Wage in the UK are held by women. In addition, women are also more likely to be impacted by rising costs and supermarket inflation, with females often spending a more significant portion of their income on household goods. Please contact CAAND on 0300 123 9287 or email advice@caand.co.uk

Love where you live in North Down!

Sometimes we take the beauty on our doorstep for granted. North Down is a truly beautiful place to live! Here are some reasons why we really should ‘love where we live!’

Beautiful Scenery: North Down is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in Northern Ireland. From the stunning coastline to the rolling hills, there is something for everyone. Here are just a few highlights.

Bangor Marina is a beautiful place to visit. You can take a stroll along the marina and enjoy the stunning views of the sea.

Crawfordsburn Country Park is a beautiful park with stunning views of the coast. You can take a walk along the beach or explore the park’s many trails.

The North Down Coastal Path is a walking trail that runs along the coast. Ulster

Folk Museum: The Ulster Folk Museum is a beautiful open-air museum that showcases life in Northern Ireland in the past where you can explore traditional buildings and learn about life in Northern Ireland in the past.

Great Schools: North Down has some of the best schools in Northern Ireland. Whether you’re looking for primary or secondary education, you’ll find plenty of options.

For example - Grange Park Primary School and Rathmore Primary School are both mainstream, statefunded junior schools for mixed students in Bangor.

Grange Park Primary

Why not come to award-winning Woodstoc?

Proud to be named as Best Timber & Garden Suppliers in County Down 2022 by SME News – find out why this award winning business is gaining such a great following across the UK!

Our expert team of staff is ready to help.

School has a rating of 5.0 out of 5.0 based on 3 reviews, Rathmore Primary School has a rating of 4.6 out of 5.0 based on 30 reviews.

Friendly People: The people of North Down are known for their friendliness and hospitality. You’ll feel right at home in this welcoming community. Great Food: North Down is home to some fantastic restaurants and cafes.

Whether you’re looking for traditional Irish cuisine or something more exotic, you’ll find it here.

Outdoor Activities: There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy in North Down, including hiking,

cycling, and water sports. You can visit Redburn Country Park which is set on an escarpment above Belfast Lough and has 7km of pathways. You can also visit St Cooey’s Wells which is thought to date from the 7th century but only the foundation stones remain. Eden Pottery is another place you can visit where you can learn how to make pottery or why not learn to horseride at Gransha Equestrian centre?

Culture and History: North Down has a rich cultural and historical heritage. From ancient ruins to modern art galleries, there is something for everyone.

When it comes to outdoor spaces, we like to think of ourselves as experts. For years, we’ve been inspiring and advising homeowners and contractors alike to think different about the outside side of life. And over the years we’ve developed WoodStoc to be the ideal place for anyone interested in making the most of their outdoor space.

We’re Independent

At WoodStoc, you’ll discover why being independent is a good thing. You’ll find the largest array of displays in Northern Ireland: outdoor ideas, styles and products that you won’t find anywhere else. We believe that the best way to inspire great ideas for gardens and outdoor living

spaces is to display them in our showroom. So you can really get a feel for how your garden might benefit from a makeover; as well as see how different styles and colours work together to create unique and interesting looks. We take care

We have a fantastic range of products sourced from all over the world. We take special care to buy from sustainable sources and all of the timber we sell comes from Forestry Commission controlled woodland here in Northern Ireland. That means the forests are sustainably managed and comply with sound environmental practice. We Listen We know that the best way to enhance your outdoor area is to design it around

you and your family. We provide free advice and tips on how to install, protect and maintain all our products –everything from hardware accessories to sheds, pavers and playgrounds. Visit our showroom, meet Shaun and his team and get excited about really maximising your garden’s potential, no matter how big or small. We help with those jobs that are just too big, recommending some of the best joiners in the country,

including Direct Timber! Our Product Range include Timber & Garden Supplies, Buildings, Sheds, Greenhouses & Logstores, Playgrounds, Accessories & Kids’ Play Equipment Hardware & General Landscaping Supplies and Essential Garden Products Woodstoc Limited is at 2A Balloo Park, Bangor BT19 7PP Follow us on facebook, instagram, Twitter and Pinterest! See www. woodstoc.com

Ways to add instant appeal to your home

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 outputSolar powered light strips are an ecofriendly 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

Household cleaning hacks

The internet is full of great ideas! Mostly popping up when you don’t need them! Here are some of the most useful suggestions we’ve found online.

Use vinegar to clean your showerhead. Fill a plastic bag with vinegar and tie it around the showerhead. Leave it overnight and rinse it off in the morning.

Try using baking soda to clean your oven. Mix baking soda with water to form a paste and apply it to the inside of your oven. Leave it overnight and wipe it off in the morning.

Use lemons to clean your microwave. Cut a lemon in half and place it in a bowl of water.

Microwave for 5 minutes and let it sit for another 5

minutes before wiping it down.

Use dryer sheets to dust your blinds. Wipe each slat with a dryer sheet to remove dust.

Hydrogen peroxide can be used to clean your cutting board. Pour hydrogen peroxide over your cutting board and let it sit for 5 minutes before rinsing it off.

Try using salt to clean your iron. Sprinkle salt on a piece of paper and run the hot iron over it. Use coffee filters to clean your screens.

Wipe your screens with a coffee filter to remove

dust. Use toothpaste to clean your trainers. Apply toothpaste to your

SPIRIT of Translink Awards 2023 attract over 30 facility entries

Bangor Bus & Rail Centre prepares to demonstrate safety, environmental and community engagement performance

sneakers and scrub them with an old toothbrush. Use vinegar and baking soda to clean your drains. Pour baking soda down the drain followed by vinegar and let it sit

for 10 minutes before flushing with hot water. Use baby oil to shine stainless steel appliances. Apply baby oil to a cloth and wipe down your stainless steel appliances.

Translink, in partnership with Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful (KNIB), has launched the 2023 SPIRIT of Translink Facility Awards. The initiative supports Translink staff in developing a culture of continuous improvement, giving public recognition to the extra mile taken by staff in creating a more attractive environment for passengers and colleagues.

Assessed by KNIB, each facility is judged across a set of key criteria examining key areas including resource efficiency, energy and carbon, biodiversity, health and wellbeing activities, stakeholder, employee, and community engagement as well as employee culture, behaviour, and leadership.

Bangor Bus & Rail Centre has entered the awards hoping to maintain last year’s top Platinum standard performance.

Launching this year’s awards, Chris Allen, Environment, Social and Governance Manager, Translink, said:

“By showing leadership and commitment to being a good corporate citizen we aim to inspire our colleagues to make things even better for everyone that uses our services and works at our stations.

“Embracing 4 key themes around Safety, Environment, Health and Community, staff create a strong positive culture to make life better connected for all which further drives more people to use public transport as their first choice for travel, today for tomorrow. These positive steps not only help to improve lives locally but also feed into wider global sustainability development goals helping to create a better world around us.

“Following the high standard of entries last year, we’re looking forward to more strong performances across the public transport network as colleagues display a real sense of pride in their workplace and I’d like to wish everyone good luck in their efforts this year. “Attractive facilities play an important role in the overall visitor experience. During the summer months we’re looking forward to welcoming passengers to our stations and would encourage them to take advantage of bus and rail services plus good value tickets to enjoy all that’s on offer across Northern Ireland – find out more at www. translink.co.uk/daysout .” said Chris.

Ian Humphreys, Chief Executive, Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful said: “We look forward to getting this year’s SPIRIT of Translink Facility Awards underway. This important programme recognises and celebrates best practice across Translink in terms of safety, positive environmental action and engagement with local communities.” Awards results will be announced in October 2023.

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

Get a Taste of Ards and North Down this autumn

The annual festival takes place from 31 August - 10 September with a packed programme of free and ticketed events showcasing the very best of Ards and North Down’s food and drink.

Savour seasonal tide and turf produce and some of the borough’s finest food and drink as we celebrate the very best of our local seafood, beef and harvest foods.

Programme Highlights include:

Celebrity Chef Paula McIntyre who will host this unique dining experience at Portavogie Harbour.

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

Stargazing at Burr Point | Thursday 31 August | From 7.30pm Stargazing at Ballyhalbert’s Burr Point. You can enjoy a hot chocolate at the islands most easterly point and explore the incredible starry skies with the Northern Ireland Amateur Astronomy Society and their telescopes.

(Tickets available soon)

Dine at the Dock | Friday 1 September | From 7pm

Dine at the Dock with

This evening showcasing will feature the finest local produce with a menu curated by Paula and the team at the South Eastern Regional College (SERC). (Tickets available soon)

Tide and Turf Food

Festival Portavogie

Saturday 2 September

12noon - 5pm

A FREE family fun event showcasing local food and drink featuring celebrity chef Paula McIntyre. Enjoy this celebration of land and sea and savour the season with delicious local tide and turf produce.

Chilli Festival, Bangor

Castle Walled Garden | 9 and 10 September | 10am - 4pm

Things are hotting up in the Walled Garden on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10

September. Showcasing many different varieties of chilli plants from around the world, local food producers, an evening BBQ (Saturday 9 Sept, 6pm - ticketed), live

music and lots of fun!

For more information and ticket updates see www. visitardsandnorthdown.com/ whats-on/taste-autumn-inards-and-north-down

Create your dream Bathroom with the Infinita Range exclusively at Bathline

The Infinita bathroom collection available from Bathline Bathrooms at Haldane Fisher is a stunning range that combines beauty and functionality in a perfect mix. The range is designed to meet the needs of modern-day homeowners looking to add a touch of elegance and luxury to their bathroom space.

One of the things that makes the Infinita range stand out is its exquisite design. The range features sleek, contemporary lines that give the products a timeless appeal.

The Infinita range is versatile, with products having been designed to fit seamlessly into different bathroom styles and shapes. Each collection offers a variety of sizes, making it easy to find products that suit your bathroom. Bathline can plan, design and help you navigate your refurb from start to finish,

making the process as simple as possible whilst bringing your vision to life.

Functionality is a key aspect of the Infinita range. The products come with features that make

them easy to use and maintain all the while being practical for dayto-day use.

The Infinita bathroom range, exclusive to Bathline, is a collection of quality bathroom products that can transform your bathroom space into a luxurious retreat. Check out the Infinita bathroom range today and experience the ultimate bathroom solution.

If you are in the market for quality bathroom products that can transform your space into a spa-like retreat, visit one of seven Bathline showrooms across Northern Ireland or visit bathline-bathrooms.com for more.

Instagram: @ bathlinebathrooms

Facebook: @ BATHLINE

Barbie brings on the style

Fashion experts reveal how to ‘Barbie-fy’ your wardrobe as searches for ‘Barbie inspired outfit’ skyrocket 614% with the film’s release

With iconic brand Mattel finally bringing Barbie to the big screen this summer, it is no surprise that the rebirth of all things pink has flown straight into the fashion world. While plenty will argue pink is a staple colour in every wardrobe, some might need guidance on how to style themselves and jazz up their wardrobe just as well as Barbie doll.

This is why experts atw ww. Boohoo.com have created a list for how to inject some of Barbie dolls most iconic items into your wardrobe and how to make your style more ‘Barbiecore’.

Since the announcement of the film, interest in Barbie doll’s style has skyrocketed across all social media platforms. On TikTok, the hashtag #barbieoutfits has surpassed over 56.5 million views, with users sharing their Barbie-inspired outfits.

In fact, Pinterest searches for ‘Barbie outfits’ have increased by 614% worldwide over the past year, proving just how popular Barbie inspired fashion has become, while searches for ‘pink outfit’ have increased over 194% worldwide.

Barbie doll’s Top Wardrobe Essentials: Pink Cowboy hat: Cowboy and cowgirl hats have been a huge hit in recent months with even Barbie herself being seen wearing the accessory, pairing it with a pink Western themed two-piece outfit. Pinterest searches for ‘cowboy hat’ have risen

122% in the past year. Furthermore, searches for specifically ‘pink cowboy hat’ have soared 233% in the three months. Cowboy hats are a fun accessory, particularly during the summer months to pair with denim outfits or a flared ensemble, to recreate that Western style.

Statement shoes: The Barbie trailer opened with a shot of Barbie’s perfectly pink stilettos with a feathery trim, highlighting that shoes can make or break a Barbie outfit. However, whilst heels are Barbie’s first choice of shoe, there are ways to style your flats in Barbie fashion:

Heels - Barbie is known for showing up and stepping out, so you should include at least one or two pairs of killer heels to add elegance to your looks.

Trainers - If you do not want to invest in heels, choose cute, comfy trainers to pair with your casual outfits. Adding trainers with a platform is a great alternative to add height and elongate your legs without wearing heels.

Sandals - Strappy sandals scream all things fun, so pair your playful summer dresses, long flowy skirts and denim shorts with a pair of tie-up or slip-on sandals.

Western boots – Cowboy boots and Western-style boots are everywhere this summer, so finding the perfect pair when there are so many options is challenging. If you want to style these boots for an event such as a festival or party,

try solid colours or play with metallics to stand out, just like Barbie.

If you want inspiration on which style of shoes to opt for, try using social media platforms to help gather inspiration. Interest in how to find the perfect Barbie shoes has taken over TikTok, with #barbieshoes totalling over 66.7 million views.

Play with textures and fabrics:

Barbie doll is not one to be afraid of standing out and experimenting with different types of styles. Astronaut Barbie doll (1965) rocked a white jumpsuit and brown zip-up boots, Quick Curl Barbie doll (1973) showed up in a peach tailored suit co-ord and silver clutch, and even Extreme 360 Barbie doll (2000) experimented with a cute navy sweatsuit proving athleisure is fashionable.

Feathers – Feathers are a great way to jazz up any outfit. You could style a feathery top with your

favourite jeans or trousers if you are heading on a night out with the girls. Why not pair a feathery mini skirt with a minimal top if you are going to a fun concert?

Ruffles – Ruffles are very in this season which is great if you love to go for cute and girly outfits.

Layered rah-rah skirts are perfect, or those with a bit of volume look great paired with a denim jacket or cowboy boots for a festival look.

Last but not least, think pink:

Unsurprisingly, if you want to channel Barbie to your wardrobe, you need to inject her favourite colour, and while every shade of pink is beautiful, sometimes it can be hard to find a shade that is right for you, and that compliments your skin’s undertone.

If you have a cool or blueish undertone, you should match this with your pinks. These are magentas, plummy pinks and fuchsias.

Get Your Fats Right

Fat is an essential part of a healthy diet but in recent years it has acquired something of a bad reputation

As a result, low fat diets and low fat food products grew in popularity. There is some confusion over the effect dietary fat has on our bodies however we now know that both quality and quantity count.

Fat is a necessary element in our diets as the body cant process some vitamins without the fats help in dissolving them into your system Therefore it is important not to cut out all fats from your diet but instead know the difference between the healthy and unhealthy varieties

There are 2 types of `good fats`, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. The monounsaturated fats can be found in oils and plants such as olive oil. This fat helps the body decrease its levels of cholesterol and then to keep these levels balanced, stabilising your heart rhythm, and preventing cardiovascular disease. Polyunsaturated fat is often found in oily fish, salmon, sardines.

The most important being Omega 3 (EPA & DHA ) it is a natural anti inflammatory and helps prevent cardiovascular disease, decrease the risk of diabetes and even improve cognitive function, which studies claim is a factor in decreasing the risk of

Alzheimer’s disease

So fats are bad for you?.... there is a clear Paradox in that two of the world`s healthiest populations from the Arctic and Mediterranean have diets high in fat, proof that these fats must be good for us. It was this Paradox that led Dr Geoff Hayhurst to research and develop Paradox Omega oil here in Northern Ireland. This unique blend of oils contains both Omega 3 fatty acids as well as powerful fat soluble antioxidants, the most powerful being hydroxytyrolsol and it is this synergy that makes Paradox Omega so effective. Antioxidants are substances which protect us from damage within our bodies they help fight both degenerative and infectious disease through cellular protection and repair. Research has shown that antioxidants are a key factor in improving the health of major body systems by eradicating the free radicals that cause so much damage to healthy cells.

Paradox Omega unique formulation is the perfect supplement to provide the correct balance of Omegas and powerful antioxidants in one capsule for all the family.

Available from pharmacies & health stores £9.99

Ev E rything you n EE d to know about J E llyfish!

Jellyfish are mainly free-swimming marine animals with umbrella-shaped bells and trailing tentacles. They are found all over the world, from surface waters to the deep sea.

Scyphozoans (the “true jellyfish”) are exclusively marine, but some hydrozoans with a similar appearance live in freshwater. Large, often colourful, jellyfish are common in coastal zones worldwide.

Jellyfish have no brain, heart, bones or eyes. They are made up of a smooth, bag-like body and tentacles armed with tiny, stinging cells. These incredible invertebrates use their stinging tentacles to stun or paralyse prey before gobbling it up. The jellyfish’s mouth is actually to be found in the centre of its body.

Jellyfish are carnivorous and feed on small fish and planktonic organisms. They dine on fish, shrimp, crabs and tiny plants. Sea turtles relish the taste of jellyfish.

Jellyfish stings are fairly common problems for people swimming, wading or diving in oceans. The long tentacles

trailing from the jellyfish can inject venom from thousands of microscopic barbed stingers. Most often jellyfish stings cause instant pain and inflamed marks on the skin. Jellyfish use their sting to capture prey and act as a defence mechanism. When their tentacles encounter a human or other sort of prey, they reach out and fire out harpoon-like structures containing a neurotoxic venom. It will paralyse their prey but in the case of humans, it will just really hurt!

If you or someone you’re with is stung by a jellyfish, take action right away.

Jellyfish have stinging cells called nematocysts inside of their tentacles. A single tentacle may contain thousands of nematocysts. Nematocysts contain a poisonous substance (venom) that helps jellyfish protect themselves. The venom also helps them capture

food by stinging it

The long tentacles trailing from the jellyfish can inject venom from thousands of microscopic barbed stingers.. Some stings may cause more whole-body (systemic) illness. And in rare cases they’re life-threatening.

Pouring vinegar on the sting area is a fact that can help relieve pain however

peeing on your friends to soothe their jellyfish stings is a myth!

If you get stung by a jellyfish, rinse the affected area with vinegar for at least 30 seconds. Vinegar can help neutralize the venom. You can also remove any tentacles that are still on your skin using a pair of tweezers or the edge of a credit card. After

removing the tentacles, soak the skin in hot water or take a hot shower for at least 20 minutes. This can help relieve pain and prevent itching. If you experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, or a rapid heartbeat after being stung by a jellyfish, seek emergency medical attention right away!

Create a snow storm and start to manage your debt!

The debt avalanche method is a way to pay down debt by getting rid of your balance with the highest interest rate first.

With this payoff strategy, you make minimum monthly payments on all your debts but pay extra toward your debt with the highest interest rate until it’s gone. You then apply your minimum payment from the eliminated debt plus more, if you can spare it, to the balance that carries the nexthighest rate, and so on.

Compared with other debt paydown strategies, the debt avalanche method has the potential to save you the most money by limiting costly interest charges. Here’s how to make it work for you.

How the Debt Avalanche Method Works. The debt avalanche method eliminates your most expensive debts first, earning you returns on your money more quickly.

Think of it this way: Say you have a student loan that carries a 6.8% interest rate annually.

When you pay it off, your budget earns back the equivalent of that interest since you’re no longer making payments on the debt. Loans and credit cards generally collect interest on top of the principal balance you’ve borrowed, or on top of the credit card charges you’ve made, as a fee for borrowing money. Taking on debt can end up being far more expensive than you initially planned, largely because of compound interest.

That means that as interest is added to your debt, further charges are calculated based

on the new, larger total. Your minimum payment might not be enough to cover all the interest that’s accumulated over time.

When you get rid of debts using the debt avalanche method, you stop the growth of compound interest and save the most in interest by attacking those debts with the highest interest first.

Is the Debt Avalanche Better Than the Debt Snowball Method? The debt snowball method is an alternative that can give you the opportunity to feel successful faster. This strategy recommends paying off your smallest balance first, no matter the interest rate. You won’t see the same interest savings over time, but experiencing a quicker victory early could keep you going, and ensure you make it to the end of your debt payoff journey.

An even bigger drawback of the debt snowball, though, is that you’ll save less money. That makes the debt avalanche method a superior strategy in most cases.

A Strategy That Gives You Control. Perhaps the biggest upside to using a method like the debt avalanche is that it puts you in more control of your finances. When you make a plan, you’ll familiarize yourself with the ideas of minimum payments, interest rates or payoff timelines. You’ll do the work to gain an understanding of your debt, which is nearly as useful as making the payments to get rid of it.

Youngsters on the ball in Ballygowan!

Qualified Football coaches Ben McMorris and Jack Trotter started Tiny Totz football a year ago and in that time it has grown each week in numbers.

Tiny Totz is football aimed at children 3 to 5 Years old and is based in Ballygowan Community Centre on a Saturday morning!

The kids come

and most of all have fun but at the same time learning skills to prepare them to make the move into a football team .

Coaches Jack and Ben

started Tiny Totz when they were both only 20 years old and after a morning with the kids go off to play for their own teams - Ben with East Belfast and Jack with

Ards Rangers FC!

The rapport they have with kids and parents is great and the group are looking forward to some new faces starting in September!

Tiny Totz meets at Ballygowan Community Centre each Saturday 9.30-10.30am Fb @ TINYTOTZFOOTBALL or phone 44 7824 348651/44 7423 261907

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

A be A ch trip to e nniscrone w A s medicine for the soul

Enniscrone is a gem in the crown of the West of Ireland. Its rugged beauty and stunning beach makes it the perfect place to visit with family.

With the weather being a bit hit and miss this month we thought we would book a couple of nights in the Ocean Sands Hotel in the Co Sligo town.

The journey from Belfast takes approximately three and a half hours but as we

have small children a few pit stops were needed for nappy changes and food breaks.

A good place to stop in Enniskillen as it marks the half way point of the journey and there are plenty of eateries around to grab something quick.

We arrived in Enniscrone around 4pm on 12th July and were welcomed by

the lovely staff in the hotel who were more than accommodating in making sure we had all we needed in the room for the children.

First port of call was the beach which is literally a stone throw from the back entrance of Ocean Sands. We didn’t have our swim gear with us but dipping our toes in the Atlantic and building sandcastles made

for the perfect start to our mini holiday. After getting cleaned up we went to the restaurant for dinner which has stunning views of the beach. The menu catered for all tastes and the children were delighted with their cheeseburger and goujon meals.

I opted for Korean chicken wings and fish

and chips which were both beautiful and well presented.

The hotel has a kids play room on the beach floor along with a spa which we were able to make use of. I had a wonderful facial with Majella while the kids played in the playroom adjacent to the spa.

The spa is the perfect

Find out what help your family may be entitled to

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 available - most 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.

haven for escaping the busyness of life with a hot tub, day beds, a steam room and many treatments to choose from. The bedrooms were comfortable and spacious, which is needed when travelling with three

children.

The following day we travelled to Ballina, which is a 15 minute drive away, to take part in a Treasure Hunt at Belleeks Wood. While we were there the Salmon Festival was on so we also enjoyed the very popular

Heritage Day. The town is transported back in time and everyone dresses up in their olden day clothing which was fantastic to see. We spent two nights at the Ocean Sands Hotel and made memories that will last a lifetime.

“The h earing Man” a his T ory of Ca M pbell h earing a ids

Campbell Hearing Aids was established in 1959 and has delivered unrivalled hearing care services throughout Northern Ireland ever since.

Founded by Alex Campbell who was probably better known as ‘’The hearing aid man’’ the company thrived and now provides hearing solutions that are more powerful, precise and user-friendly than ever before.

Campbell Hearing Aids expertise in stateof-the-art hearing aids ensures that their patients are receiving superior comfort, unmatched technology and the bestin-class features. The specialists work closely

to diagnose your hearing loss and provide you with the best lifestyle solution. This unique process of better hearing begins with a comprehensive hearing evaluation. Testing your hearing allows us to determine the level of your hearing loss and your ability to understand speech.

Liz Taylor has been working at Campbell Hearing for 28 years!

expert staff will provide you with the level of service and expertise you’d expect from an experienced hearing professional. Their stateof-the-art testing and fitting equipment allows them to provide each customer with an unsurpassed level of comprehensive hearing care. Their commitment to better hearing is enhanced with an extensive line of digital products that have proven themselves to be on the leading edge of hearing technology.

Campbell hearing, 15 Linenhall Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT2 8AA

Come to the Causeway Speciality Market

The Causeway Speciality Market is a bustling speciality food and craft market held in Coleraine town centre on the second Saturday of each month from 9am to 4pm.

It was established in 2006 and operates with 52 traders of which 36 are permanent stall holders. The market exclusively accommodates those traders who sell products that are grown, reared or caught by the stallholder, brewed, pickled, baked, smoked or cooked by the stallholder or else made or created in significant part by the stallholder.

The Causeway Speciality Market is held in the events space at Coleraine Town Hall in the heart of the town. The market operates

a reserve list for the remaining stalls each month – so consumers are guaranteed a selection of top quality retailers to choose from including artisan food producers, jewellery, specialist makers, dog treats, home furnishing crafts, sweet treats and much more!

As well as the normal twice monthly market dates - a number of extra markets are also held throughout the year, For more information find CausewayMarkets on FB

GRAB A GREAT DEAL AT B ALL y R o BERT V A uxh ALL, B A n G o R!

That’s the message from Motability Specialist, Michelle Adams as our amazing lineup of SUV vehicles on the Scheme is hard to beat.

the New Vehicle Payment currently at £750, it really is the ideal time to pay a visit to our Bangor

Showroom. So, give me a call on 02891 852262 and arrange an appointment to talk further and take a test drive TODAY.

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

Then

first

installer. Transform

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

Home furnishing experts reveal how 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 your needs Determine what furniture is best for you - Firstly, 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

Planning to landsca P e 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

should go where. How should you arrange your living room furniture? Avoid facing everything towards a television - Try to avoid facing all your furniture towards the 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 built-in 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 is not proportionate to the rest of the room. Woodworks often tend to look bigger when they are empty. Try not to put samescale scale items side by side – 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.

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!