North Down Advertiser 196

NIO M INI ster v I s I ts

Ba N g O r t O set sa I l IN Ballyh O l M e Bay

Recently The Minister of State for Northern Ireland, Steve Baker, a keen fast catamaran sailor, visited Northern Ireland’s newest city to experience some of the water sports on offer in the area.

On a previous visit to Bangor, the Minister heard first-hand about the exciting regeneration plans in development for the City.

As he enjoyed a tour of the waterfront area, it prompted the Minster’s desire to return, and with a particular

Holywood Malodour Still A Concern

Alliance Councillor David Rossiter has recently urged NI Water and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency to step up work to locate the source of recent malodours in Holywood.

Cllr Rossiter said, “I have been in regular contact with Ards and North Down Environmental Health, Protection and Development department.

Much work is being carried out daily to get to the source of the problem. However, the origin remains to be determined by authorities.

It was initially believed the issue was the wastewater treatment works, and NI Water agreed to carry out tests. They have since confirmed they do not think the smell results from their plant.

Officials at the Council and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency have since conducted several field visits. This has been to examine the possibility of the smell emanating from

decaying seaweed. I am greatly concerned about irregular water quality testing at Kinnegar and Seapark. While DEARA takes responsibility for testing water at registered bathing spots like Helen’s Bay, Seapark and Kinnegar are left behind. With so many children and dogs in the water at Seapark, the Council and DEARA must act now to ensure the water is safe at our beauty spots.”

Andrew Muir MLA said, “A significant number of residents have been in touch with me with fear that the previous poor odours that blighted Holywood have returned. NI Water and NIEA must take swift action to identify the source and end the pong for good.”

interest in sailing, he visited Ballyholme Yacht Club . Ballyholme Yacht Club benefits from both the safe waters of Ballyholme Bay and the open waters of Belfast Lough. During the visit, Minister Baker enjoyed sailing a hydrofoiling

sailboat and catamaran, and also took the opportunity to meet children taking part in an RYA Youth Sailing Scheme.

The Minister of State for Northern Ireland, Steve Baker, said: “Sailing with local people in Bangor’s

Ballyholme Bay has been an amazing experience which has allowed me to enjoy first-hand the city’s great watersports infrastructure.

Continued on page 4

Commodore Rob Milligan with the Minister of State for NI, Steve Baker, and Mayor Jennifer Gilmour

Arts and Heritage Autumn Programme Unveiled!

Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Arts and Heritage Autumn Programme has just been released! The exciting schedule of music, events, exhibitions, classes and workshops, covers the September to December period and is now available online to explore and for bookings.

Highlights from the Autumn Programme include Aspects Festival which is happening from 27 September –7 October in Bangor and presents another fantastic programme celebrating Irish writing. Renowned for showcasing well-known authors as well as local and emerging talent, the Festival offers an array events exploring memoir, politics, history and poetry as well as new writing, workshops, discussions and more.

The Enchanted House of Puppetry makes a welcome return to Ards Arts Centre on 29 and 30 October, where lots of friendly puppets will ensure everyone has a truly magical experience. Presented by Ards Puppet Festival, the event will feature shows by Banyan and Clydebuilt Theatre and the Garlic Theatre Company with Snug and Grub Catch a Bug and The Bag That Went Boo! Fun for all the family!

Ards Arts Centre is delighted to welcome back the Creative Peninsula Christmas

Fayre for the first time since 2019. On Friday 1 and Saturday 2 December, visitors can enjoy a unique shopping experience as Creative Peninsula Artists and Makers showcase and sell their artwork. The perfect place to find that special Christmas gift.

For those who prefer a more hands on approach or would like to learn a new skill, Ards Arts Centre has a full programme of creative classes where you can try something new and create your own unique art and craft.

Music lovers can look forward to the return of the Music in the Chamber series of events at Bangor Castle and the popular Friday Night Live events at Ards Arts Centre.

North Down Museum have lots of intriguing exhibitions happening over the Autumn period, including a ‘Strangford Horse and Other Tales’ a collection of paintings by artist Xander which will be showing in the museum’s Long Gallery from 3 October to 19 November.

The Museum is also delighted to welcome back the Made in AND: Pop-Up Christmas Shop. From 22 November to 7 January, the Museum’s galleries will be filled with beautiful hand-made products from local artists and makers, available for visitors to browse and purchase. Speaking about the Guide, Arts and

Heritage Manager Emily Crawford said: “We have a jam-packed programme for you this autumn/winter with lots of live music, exhibitions, festival events and seasonal activity to get you into the festive spirit. If a hands-on approach is what you’re after we have a brand-new term of creative classes and workshops to encourage

your creativity. We look forward to welcoming you to Ards Arts Centre and North Down Museum soon.”

View the full Autumn programme and book tickets at: www. andculture.org.uk

Printed copies of the Autumn Arts and Heritage guide are available from Ards Arts Centre and North Down Museum.

Continued from page 1

“This area has a bright future, with exciting projects such as The Queen’s Parade Development which will benefit from £10m of UK Government Levelling Up funding, and the £40 million Belfast City Region Deal Funding from the NI Executive set to redevelop assets such as Bangor Marina.

“Such significant investment will provide a real boost, driving tourism and improving facilities for local

people.”

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Jennifer Gilmour, said:

“I am delighted that Minister Baker was so keen to visit Ballyholme Yacht Club and enjoy some of the water sports on offer. This is a very significant time for Bangor with the Queen’s Parade and Bangor Waterfront redevelopments offering the promise of £120M+ of investment into the area over the next 10 years. We very much appreciate Minister Baker’s keen interest in our plans and his support

for the regeneration of Bangor is very much appreciated by all partners involved.”

Ballyholme Yacht Club’s inclusion in the overall Bangor Waterfront Redevelopment is an exciting time for both the Club and the community.

More information on the Bangor Waterfront Redevelopment can be found at ardsandnorthdown.gov. uk/bangorwaterfront.

Ballyholme Yacht Club is one of five key projects that make up Ards and North Down Borough Council’s

ambitious and exciting plan to regenerate and redevelop Bangor Waterfront. The Club has been identified as a premier location within Northern Ireland to further develop sailing and water sports. This family-friendly club currently offers people of all ages and abilities the opportunity to enjoy a range of water sports including sailing, swimming, windsurfing, kayaking, powerboating and paddleboarding. The club also hosts a number of local, national and international water sports events.

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Jennifer Gilmour, with Council Chief Executive Stephen Reid and Minister of State for Northern Ireland, Steve Baker, chatting with some children taking part in a Royal Yachting Association Youth Sailing Scheme

Holywood’s Joint 3G Pitch Project

Local politicians visited Holywood Rugby Football and Cricket Club (HRFCCC) recently to view the proposals for a 3G pitch to be installed for joint use between the Rugby Club and St Paul’s GAC in Holywood.

The 3G pitch would partly be funded by the Special European Union Program Body (SEUPB) PEACEPLUS. The pitch would be jointly used for training purposes. Alliance Party representatives have supported the joint proposal since its inception. The application now rests with Ards and North Down Borough Council review panel who are helping to administer PEACEPLUS.

In response to the proposals Andrew Muir MLA stated: “The clubs’ collaborative approach to the sharing of existing facilities and dedication to the building of cross community ties is a huge achievement, and worthy of further targeted support to maximise continued positive outcomes for the local community.

The project would see a currently unused space be made accessible for all sections of the local community, help encourage active healthy lifestyles and further build on community cohesion. It would be a hugely symbolic shared facility and an explary model of partnership and collaboration for the benefit of the broader

community.

Connie Egan MLA was quoted as saying: “The application submitted by Holywood RFC and St Pauls GAC, Holywood for a shared 3G pitch at Spafield is an exciting project, which has the opportunity to bring people together and

improve sports facilities in North Down. It is vital that we support the development of more community sports facilities like this one that will benefit everyone across the community.”

Councillor Rossiter said: I am proud to support this application

from the clubs’. This application demonstrates many benefits not only to the local community, but also individuals is a key reason why that I would hope this project receives funding to allow people in Holywood and beyond to use these shared facilities for training.

Andrew Muir MLA, Connie Egan MLA, and David Rossiter with HFRCCC Officials.

Positive Ageing Ro A dshows s cheduled fo R o ctobe R in A R ds A nd n o R th d own

Following the success of last year’s Positive Ageing Roadshows, Age Friendly Ards and North Down, supported by the Public Health Agency and in partnership with Ards and North Down Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP), will deliver another two roadshow events during Positive Ageing Month this October.

The roadshows will offer advice and information from local agencies in relation to community safety and home safety; and will offer guidance around issues such as fall prevention while also promoting opportunities to increase social participation, connect

with others and stay active.

Kircubbin Community

Centre will host the first roadshow on Wednesday 4 October while the second will be held at Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Complex on Friday 20 October. Attendees must register at least one week before each event and are encouraged to attend by themselves or with friends.

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor

Jennifer Gilmour, said:

“Positive Ageing Month is a celebration of our older people and the value they bring to our community. Our Roadshows are designed to provide advice on issues that are most relevant to our older population such as staying safe and keeping active. We also want to showcase some of the many opportunities to stay connected through

hobbies and groups –demonstrating that Ards and North Down is a great place to live and grow older. I am positive that everyone who attends the roadshows will find them very informative and I look forward to seeing everyone there.”

PCSP Chair, Councillor Alistair Cathcart, said:

“Ards and North Down Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) is delighted to support and be involved in these roadshow events. They educate and inform people about a range of crime prevention and safety issues such as scams, anti-social behaviour and how people can keep safe within their own homes.

For many older people, crime and the fear of crime can be a major concern, so it is important that steps are taken to support and protect potentially vulnerable people within our local

community.”

To register for either of the events, email your contact details (and, if applicable, those of your friend) to agefriendly@ ardsandnorthdown.gov.

uk. Please advise if any special assistance is required or if you have any dietary requirements.

Alternatively, call 0300 013 3333 (ext. 40336) or 07741 103277 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am10.30am only).

The Positive Ageing Roadshows are being run as part of ‘Positive Ageing Month’, which is celebrated every year in October. It is a

month-long campaign of events and activities that promote positive ageing and celebrate the contribution older people make to their communities.

For more information, visit ardsandnorthdown. gov.uk/ positive-ageing-month.

MUIR WELCOMES OPENING OF NEW EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AT ULSTER HOSPITAL

North Down Alliance MLA has welcomed the historic opening of the new state of the art Emergency Department at the Ulster Hospital this week.

The new facility is situated in the Acute Services Block (ASB) and is the final stage of the £280 million Phase B redevelopment project.

Commenting on

the issue Mr Muir said “The opening of the new Emergency Department is a very exciting chapter for the Ulster Hospital and has the potential to completely transform

patient experience and outcomes.”

“The new facilities are purpose built and will include the latest innovations in design and technology to help streamline patient admission, treatment and onward referral to other departments if necessary. At a time when our Health Service is under huge strain this type of progressive change gives our Health Care professionals a chance to give the best care possible and significantly improve efficiency of vital resources.”

“The opening of the

new Minor Injuries Unit on the site of the old Emergency Department will also hopefully help to relieve pressure on the Emergency Department and allow patients with minor injuries that are not critical or life-threatening, to be treated quickly and effectively.”

“My sincere gratitude and thanks go to the dedicated staff who have been working hard to see this project come to fruition, and those on the ground who work hard every day to give us the best care possible.”

Mayor Visits Bangor a llot M ent

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Jennifer Gilmour, visited an allotment at Bangor’s Bryansburn Road ahead of National Allotments Week in mid August.

The BBC’s David Maxwell was also in attendance and interviewed allotment holders, Tony Stevenson and Frances Gawn, for the popular Gardeners’ Corner programme on BBC Radio Ulster.

The theme for this year’s National Allotments Week is ‘soil health’. Good soil health is widely accepted as way to improve yield but also contributes positively to biodiversity and the environment as the world faces more climate

challenges.

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Jennifer Gilmour, said:

“National Allotments Week helps to inform and educate gardeners about the benefit of caring for the soil and the creatures

that inhabit it. It provides a great opportunity to raise awareness so I was delighted to have the opportunity to visit the Bangor allotment and speak to some of the very enthusiastic allotment owners.”

BBC’s David Maxwell with allotment holders Tony Stevenson and Frances Gawn as well as the Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Jennifer Gilmour.

Benefits for children with disa B ilities or additional needs

Many parents of children with additional needs are unaware that they may be entitled to financial support.

depend on the condition and how it affects the child.

Depending on household circumstances, entitlement to DLA or PIP can also have a positive effect on entitlement to other benefits such as Universal Credit, Tax Credits and Carers Allowance.

Higher payments of other benefits

As soon as possible after receiving a positive DLA or PIP decision you should contact whoever pays your current benefits to tell them you’re now getting DLA or PIP, as this could result in you getting higher payments of the following:

• Universal Credit

• Child Tax Credit

• Housing Benefit. Inform Universal Credit of the change of circumstances through

your Universal Credit account. If you are receiving Tax Credits, inform HMRC via their online portal or the Tax Credit helpline 0345 300 3900. When you contact them ask if there is any additional support DLA or PIP entitles you to. They may need details from the decision letter so you should have it available when you call.

You’ll be exempt from the ‘benefit cap’ which limits the amount of benefit payments a household can receive, and also may be eligible for help towards your household rates if you have made any adaptations to your home to meet the needs of the person with the disability.

If you do not currently receive any benefits

The awarding of a disability benefit is a significant change in

circumstances. The entitlement to DLA or PIP has the effect of increasing the income threshold for means-tested benefits. This means that households with a higher income, and who would not otherwise be eligible, can qualify for support.

You should contact an independent benefits advisor who can check if this change means that your household has now become entitled to any other benefits, such as Universal Credit.

Carer’s Allowance and Carer Element

Parents and others who care for someone in receipt of DLA or PIP could be eligible to receive Carer’s Allowance, which is paid weekly at a rate of £76.75. Eligibility depends on both the circumstances of the carer and those of the person being cared for.

If the carer is in receipt of Universal Credit and is in receipt of Carer’s Allowance, or would be in receipt of Carers Allowance if it weren’t for their income being too high, they may be eligible for an additional Carer

Element of Universal Credit of £185.86 per

month.

For a couple with one partner working and the other not working but in receipt of Carers

Allowance they can meet the criteria for financial support with their registered childcare costs which otherwise require both members in a couple

to be working.

Further information

For personalised advice on what support your family may be entitled to, contact the Family Benefits Advice Service on Freephone 0800 028 3008 or email hello@ employersforchildcare. org.

Get The Body You Want With VASER LIPO

The Next Generation Of Body Contouring

Every body type has areas that are predisposed to fat storage and even with rigorous diet and exercise, those unwanted bulges often persist. VASER Lipo is an advanced body

contouring procedure which provides a safe alternative for eliminating unwanted fat. Now available for the first time in Northern Ireland, whether you need help with a small problem

area or a major transformation.

What are the advantages of VASER Lipo?

Using state-ofthe-art ultrasound technology, VASER Lipo is an alternative technique to the harsh techniques of traditional liposuction. Differentiating fat from other important tissues, innovative technology breaks apart fat cells while preserving these other important tissues to promote smooth results and rapid healing.

What areas can you treat?

VASER Lipo can

be performed on the arms, hips, chest, knees, breasts, ankles, waist, calves, chin, abdomen, back, buttocks, neck and thighs.

Where is the procedure performed?

VASER Lipo is performed at Kingsbridge Private Hospital Belfast by our Consultant Plastic Surgeons Ms Ciara McGoldrick, Mr Chris Hoo and Mr Nick Hodgins. The procedure can be performed under local or general anaesthesia. For further information, contact Cosmetech on 02890423200 or visit

www.cosmetech.co.uk

Other treatments available at Cosmetech include:

Cosmetic Surgery, Anti-Wrinkle Injections, Dermal Fillers, Fat Dissolving Injections, ThreadLifts, Varicose Vein Removal, Mole & Skin Tag Removal, Dermatology, Obesity and Wat Loss Clinics, Well Man and Woman Hormone Clinics. Testimonial “I would definitely recommend VASER Lipo for anyone who is not able to achieve the fat reduction they want by diet and exercise alone.”

- Christopher

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.

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-your-face 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 informationexchange 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

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 hasslefree 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

ANNUAL EXHIBITION & SALE OF MARGEY ORIGINALS AT THE CULLODEN COMING SOON

Portrush based artist Adrian Margey will be returning to the Culloden Estate & Spa with his latest Exhibition and Sale of work from Thursday 19th – Sunday 22nd October.

The artist is looking forward to showcasing his most recent depictions

of North Down, Ards Peninsula, Mournes, North Coast, Belfast and

Donegal with collectors and visitors to the much anticipated annual exhibition. Margey’s reputation is growing both at home and overseas, having held his first USA exhibition in Washington DC last year.

Although Adrian holds a PhD from Queen’s University Belfast, he is a self-taught artist.

Adrian cites the Fauves, the Irish Impressionists and the indigenous artists of South America as his main influences. His signature ‘contemporary’

style combines a kaleidoscope palette with lazy brushstrokes and expressive knife work. His use of bold colour, strong shapes and expressive texture conjures up moods and often evokes an emotional response from the viewer. Increasingly though, the artist is recognised for the breadth and the versatility of his output. His more impressionistic style which uses naturalistic colouring is now also in demand.

Margey’s exciting new collection will showcase his extra-large canvases as well as smaller works

in a variety of styles and colour palettes. The artist’s commission diary is now open for Christmas and visitors to the show are welcome to discuss their ideas for bespoke pieces with the artist at the exhibition. The show opens on the evening of Thursday 19th October: 6-9pm and continues Friday 20th & Saturday 21st October: 11am – 8pm and Sunday 22nd October: 11am –6pm. Admission is free – everyone welcome. For more information visit www.adrianmargey.com or telephone the Portrush Studio on 07841593762.

EasyGo appointed to Design, Build and Operate the FASTER EV charger network

Ulster University and East Border Region Ltd have announced the appointment of EasyGo, following a competitive public tender process to install and operate 24 rapid electric vehicle chargers at locations across the Belfast City Council, Ards and North Down Borough and Newry, Mourne and Down district council areas.

These new chargers will be installed as part of the FASTER Project which has received €6.4 million EU funding under the INTERREG VA programme. The project is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) to support the transition to electric vehicles and sustainable transport use

across Western Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland (Border Region). Match funding for the project has been provided by the Department for Infrastructure (Northern Ireland) and the Department for Transport (Republic of Ireland) and Transport Scotland.

Initial site visits for the new installations are already underway and chargers are expected to be operational in the coming weeks in what will be a welcome boost to the public charging network in Northern Ireland.

Speaking about the appointment, Professor Neil Hewitt, Ulster University said; Ulster University has been involved with

the expansion of the EV charging network in Northern Ireland, through the FASTER project in conjunction with our N.I. Local Authority partners. Through this partnership we have identified a series car parks adjacent to leisure centres that have the accessibility, security, and electricity supply to facilitate one or more rapid charge

points. We are now eager to deliver these charge points with our appointed contractor, EasyGo who will design, build and operate the network.

We are also delighted to confirm the appointment of Steven Clarke Consulting Ltd to provide project management support to Ulster University and EasyGo and we look forward to the successful delivery and completion of the FASTER project over the coming months.

With nearly 5,000 chargers available on our network across the island of Ireland, we pride ourselves on enabling fleet and private drivers travel and find convenient and dependable charging solutions to ensure sustainable transport becomes a reality.”

Further information about the FASTER Project can be found online now at https://www. fasterevcharge.com/

Artist Adrian Margey photographed ahead of his Solo Exhibition at Culloden Estate & Spa: Thursday 19th – Sunday 22nd October.

Moy Park celebrates 80th anniversary with ‘ t his is h o M e’ charity initiative.

Ireland’s number one chicken brand Moy Park is celebrating 80 years of leading expertise with the finest quality produce and is launching a series of initiatives to support local communities in the areas where they operate.

To mark the company’s 80th year, Moy Park has revealed its ‘This is Home’ community initiative to reward 80 homegrown sports clubs, schools and local charities across Northern Ireland and GB.

Moy Park will support 20 grassroots sports clubs with bursaries and sports equipment, celebrating the best of its communities and local talent. In addition, 20 schools will be selected to receive a £500 bursary and 20 charities will

be nominated to be surprised with £1000.

A further 20 bursaries will be awarded to various organisations, celebrating 20 more key moments in the year.

Moy Park’s success story began in 1943 in the village of Moy, County Tyrone and now the business spans 700 farms across NI and GB, with 12 production sites and 9,000 employees.

The first element of the ‘This is Home’ campaign will see Moy Park revisit some of the charities it has supported over the last

80 years. Employees in the company’s NI and GB sites are being asked to nominate 20 of the charities the company has supported throughout the last 80 years. The nominated charities will then be announced in early September and will each be surprised with a £1,000 donation.

Ellen Wright, Senior Brand Manager said:

“We are so proud to be celebrating our 80th anniversary and there’s no better way to celebrate with the public than to support

our local communities and charities, those we place at the heart of our business.

“We’re thrilled to launch ‘This is Home’ and give back to those who’ve supported us throughout the past 80 years of success, as Moy Park has grown to be an integral part of many homes within our communities.

“It will be great to revisit some of the many charities we’ve supported over the years, with many donations made to date

towards a variety of very worthy causes.

“Having also just announced our new charity partnership with Sands, the UK’s leading pregnancy and baby loss charity, we’re delighted to have awarded them with the very first of our £1,000 to help support the amazing work they do. We are extremely honoured to have our company-wide partnership with Sands.

“As well as our charity initiative, Moy Park will celebrate 80 years in lots of different ways, including a ‘Home

Grown Farmers’ series which has started to play out on our website

and social media platforms and our ‘Home for Dinner’ TV

campaign due to launch in September, so keep your eyes peeled.”

How do you c H oose a good secondary sc H ool?

Choosing a good secondary school in Northern Ireland can be a daunting task. According to nidirect, each school will have its own admissions criteria, but within a national framework.

You can submit between three and six school preferences depending on your local authority.

Northern Ireland secondary school places are allocated by the school’s governing body, an academy trust or the local authority.

Here are some tips for choosing a good secondary school:

Study the admissions criteria of any school you like the look of and which make geographical sense for your family.

Look beyond your local public secondary school and consider how different schools might suit your child’s

personality, strengths, needs and interests.

Consider how different schools match your personal values and preferences.

Visit the schools you are interested in and ask questions.

Schools should be very happy to entertain you and be informative. Open days and evenings can offer a good opportunity to have a look around the schools you are considering, to chat with staff and existing pupils and sometimes parents.

Register with your preferred schools now

to be informed about any coming up.

Where can I find the top Northern Ireland schools?

The Guardian, The Times and The Telegraph websites allow you to add filters to their published league tables. You can pull out those schools for which you are in the catchment area. Then compare your chosen school group on those criteria which are most important to you.

How do I interpret Northern Ireland school league tables?

Firstly, the Northern Ireland school league table rankings are

based on national key standards.

Secondly, non-exam based criteria are also used to determine the rankings.

And then finally, by conducting your own analysis to determine which school best suits your child’s specific needs. Check the latest Ofsted report too. Each Ofsted report is an analysis of that school’s teachers’ professional competence Plus, whether Ofsted’s performance standards have been met across the school. There are three possible outcomes: under-

achieving; achieving; or outstanding.

To search you put in the name of any school. You then can access its history of Ofsted inspections and their associated scores, percentage of Progress 8 success, etc.

More refined searches are also recommended.

You can also check out this article on School Entrance Tests which lists the best state secondary schools in Northern Ireland for 2023.

The list includes Lumen Christi College, Our Lady and St Patrick’s College,

Friends’ School Lisburn, Strathearn School, Rathmore

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Catch up on missed moments!

What about all those post covid re-unions we promised ourselves? Time is precious and how you spend it is entirely up to you but reconnecting with old friends in is a great idea whether for a coffee and a chat, a big night on the town or a girly getaway.

Reconnecting with old friends can have many benefits. Here are just a few of them:

Boosts mental health: Reaching out to an old friend and asking what’s happening in their life can be good for your mental health — and theirs, too. In fact, people don’t realize how much an unexpected phone call, text, or email is

appreciated.

Brings back memories: Meeting up with old friends brings an air of youth along with it. It brings memories rushing to the forefront of our minds, allowing us to bask in the warmth. Nostalgia is a beautiful feeling. It reminds us of the way things once were, the happiness that we experienced growing up, and all the wonder.

Helps you reconnect: Catching up with old friends inperson, online or through text can help us feel reconnected even if we don’t end up meeting in person.

Provides support: Old friends can provide support during difficult times.

They know you well and can offer advice and encouragement when you need it most.

Creates new opportunities: Reconnecting with old friends can lead to new opportunities in your personal and professional life. They may know someone who can help you with your career or introduce you to new people.

Increases happiness: Studies show that social connections are important for our happiness and wellbeing. Reconnecting with old friends can help increase our happiness levels.

Are you A top A chiever A t work?

According to an article on Harvard Business Review, high achievers are 400% more productive than the average employee and they have four things in common.

These are:

The ability to tap into your intrinsic motivation. Why did you enter your chosen profession? Getting to the “why” behind your career choice is critical, as it will help you get in touch with your deepest motivations, block out distractions, and potentially adjust (or re-engage) with your current path.

Get comfortable with failure. Some people fear failing, while others fear succeeding.

High achievers fear “not trying” more than they fear failing.

Reinforce your foundation. Despite having done a task or routine countless times, high achievers still work on the basic skills foundational to their current, and future, success.

Become a lifelong

learner — but not necessarily in the classroom. High achievers learn through discussions with mentors, colleagues, peers, and mentees, coupled with reading, observing others, watching videos, and listening to podcasts.

Property Update cites the following habits of high achievers:

Consistency — High Achievers go at it every day even when they are down, lack motivation, are sick, financially destitute, when life goes wrong.

Focus — High Achievers are singlemindedly focused on their goals, dreams, and routines.

Visionaries — High Achievers have a vision or a blueprint.

Persistent — High Achievers pursue their goals and dreams

relentlessly. Here are some habits of successful people

Always looking at setbacks or failures as learning opportunities.

Staying strong also means that you treat

yourself with kindness. Check in with yourself regularly to ensure you have the things you need to thrive. Most successful people work on developing habits to help them along the

way. These habits allow them to stay committed to their goals, practice time management, keep on the right path and remain mentally and physically healthy enough to keep going.

Maddybenny Cottages, Campsite and Livery celebrates 30 years in business!

The family are celebrating 30 years in business running their award winning self-catering cottages and Campsite which are set in mature gardens on the White family’s 120 acre farm.

Maddybenny is located in the peaceful countryside only 2 miles from Northern Ireland’s stunning Causeway Coast and the ever popular seaside towns of Portrush and Portstewart are just minutes away. An ideal base for anyone wishing to explore the beautiful coastline, famous local landmarks, beauty spots and much more.

Cottages range from a choice of 3 bedroom and 2 bedroom cottages, and one 4 bedroom Cottage suitable for larger families and groups, pets large and small are welcome ranging from dogs to horses, yes horses!!

As a 5* BHS approved livery yard is available on site. An ideal holiday for those equestrian enthusiasts who do not want to leave their beloved horses behind when they go on holiday.

The family friendly campsite, with grass and hard standing pitches, caters for touring caravans, motorhomes and tents.

Guests who prefer to chill can enjoy a relaxing stay in the countryside in an unspoilt secluded rural campsite setting with views of the sea.

Maddybenny is in a great location on the

Causeway Coast with close proximity to several National Trust sites, Tourist attractions, Golf Courses, Game of Thrones locations, beaches and beautiful

areas for walking and cycling. There are also many activity centres for children and adults alike as well as a host of restaurants and cafes to cater for all tastes.

So what are you waiting for get booking before you miss out? To book visit Maddybenny’s website at www.maddybenny. com

Why no W is the right time to celebrate!

Celebration is a way of acknowledging and appreciating the good things in life. It is a way of recognizing the positive aspects of life and taking time to enjoy them. There are many reasons why right now is the time to celebrate. For one,

we have made it through some challenging times recently. Celebrating acknowledging our resilience and strength in the face of adversity. It can also be a way of reconnecting with others after a period of isolation or distancing. Another reason to celebrate is that it can help us build momentum for the future. When we take time to celebrate our successes, we are more likely to feel motivated and energized to pursue new goals. Celebrating can also help us build confidence in our abilities and remind us of what we are capable of achieving!

Finally, celebrating can be a way of expressing gratitude for the good things in life. When we take time to celebrate, we

are acknowledging the people and experiences that bring us joy and happiness. This can help us cultivate a sense of gratitude and appreciation for what we have.

In conclusion, there are many reasons why now is the time to celebrate. Whether it is to acknowledge our resilience, build momentum for the future, or express gratitude for the good things in life, celebrating can help us feel happier, more fulfilled, and more connected to others.

So even if you’ve no reason to celebrate right now – here are just a few reminders of occasions that are important to mark!

Birthdays: Now that term time has recommenced so has

children’s birthday season – Most kids have a very busy Saturday afternoon schedule! Kids love activities built into the celebration time so get busy organising and keep them busy.

Bigger Folk need

to celebrate those milestones too and feel appreciated – nice meals or weekends away with mates don’t just book themselves you know!

Achievements such as Exams Passed a Promotion at work or

a business award won should be celebrated so that everyone who contributed to the success is actually rewarded! Whatever occasion you are marking go as big as you can or go home – and party on!

How to Win Customers and Run an Award Winning Business

Running an award-winning business requires a lot of hard work and dedication. Here are some tips that can help you achieve that:

Identify your niche: Identify what makes your business unique and what sets it apart from others in the industry. This will help you create a brand that stands out.

Set clear goals: Set clear goals for your business and make sure everyone on your team is aware of them. This will help you stay focused and motivated.

Focus on customer satisfaction: Make sure your customers are happy with your products or services. This will help you build a loyal customer base.

Stay up-to-date with industry trends: Keep up-todate with the latest trends in your industry and make sure your business is always ahead of the curve. Invest in your employees:

Invest in your employees by providing them with training and development opportunities. This will help them grow professionally and contribute more to your business.

Be innovative: Be innovative and creative in your approach to business. This will help you stand out from the competition.

Network: Attend industry events and conferences to network with other professionals in your field. This will help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and build relationships that can benefit your business.

Celebrate success: Celebrate your successes along the way, no matter how small they may be. This will help keep you motivated and focused on achieving your goals.

CAST & CREATIVE TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR NORTHERN IRELAND’S BIGGEST PANTO!

Mirror, mirror on the wall, get your tickets to the fairest panto of them all!

Belfast’s Grand Opera House has announced the cast and creative team for its 2023 pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which is set to be the biggest show of the festive season, oh yes it is!

Guaranteed to be a Christmas treat for all ages, Northern Ireland’s biggest panto has already sold a record number of over 45,000 tickets.

This year’s show will be spectacularly brought to life from page to stage by a talented cast and creative team and features the Grand Opera House pantomime hallmark of an abundance of comedy, sensational songs and dance numbers, fabulous costumes, stunning scenery, and special effects.

Belfast’s much-loved pantomime dame, May McFettridge, as May of the Mirror celebrates her record-breaking 33rd Grand Opera House panto season this year.

Joining May on stage is the hilarious Phil Walker, who recently toured with comedy superstar Jason Manford, as Muddles, and Paddy Jenkins who featured in the Oscar and BAFTA award-winning short film An Irish Goodbye, as The Wicked Queen’s Henchman.

Dance sensations and Britain’s Got Talent finalists Flawless take on the role of The Queen’s Guards, and returning to the Grand Opera House stage following their appearances in the Theatre’s sell-out run of Cinderella in 2022 is Belfast’s Jolene O’Hara who plays the Wicked Queen, and Lurgan’s Conor Headley as the Prince. Dublin’s Aisling Sharkey joins the cast in the title role of Snow White and Scott English leads the Magnificent Seven on their quest to save Snow White from the Wicked Queen.

The Grand Opera

House pantomime is staged by Olivier award-winning producer Michael Harrison on behalf of Crossroads Pantomimes, the biggest pantomime producer in the world. Michael also produces The London Palladium’s pantomimes, and his current show, The Wizard of Oz, is enjoying a sell-out run at the venue before it embarks on a UK and Ireland tour, which includes a week at the Grand Opera House in May 2024.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is directed and choreographed by Jonny Bowles who won Best Choreography for the Theatre’s production of Goldilocks and the Three Bears at the 2022 Pantomime Awards, and lighting design is by Graham McLusky who was nominated for Best Lighting Design at The Great British Pantomime

Awards in 2018. Following his Grand Opera House pantomime debut last year, Philip Shute returns as the show’s Musical Director.

Northern Ireland’s biggest pantomime will once again be sponsored by Dale Farm, who are delighted to help share

the joy of pantomime for another year.

The show runs at the Grand Opera House from Saturday 2 December 2023 to Sunday 14 January 2024. For more information or to book your tickets to the fairest pantomime in town, visit goh.co.uk.

Helens Bay Dental celebrating 29 years creating winning smiles in North Down!

Helens Bay Dental Practice has been locally owned and operated by the Small family for 29 years providing all your dental care in state of the art facilities in Station Square, Helens Bay with on-site parking and close to the train station and beach!

They have been offering Dental implant solutions to replace missing teeth for more than 20 years, the experienced team of clinicians providing 1000s of implants. Another popular treatment is Invisalign a solution for crooked or crowded teeth. Invisalign has been offered here by Dr Sarah Lochhead for over 18 years!

100s of 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!

info@helensbaydental.

Benefits of Learning to Play an Instrument

Is learning to play a musical instrument a dream that you know will never happen? Well, as the old quote goes: “the distance between your dreams and reality is called action.”

You can learn to play an instrument like a pro, and once you hear all thebenefits that come along with playing music, you’ll be more motivated than ever!

Extensive studies have shown that children display long-term positive results from playing musical instruments. In fact, thebenefits of music have been proven more effective in strengthening abstract reasoning skills in younger and older children than does teaching them computers skills.

Kids aren’t the only ones who can reap the benefits of learning an instrument. Adults will also gain tremendously from playing a musical instrument. Music has been shown to reduce stress, increase productivity, develop creativity, and build confidence.

Here are a few ways you can live a better, happier, healthier life just by picking up an instrument and learning to play the music you love.

You’ve probably heard that playing a musical instrument makes you smarter, but is that really true? Let’s take a look at how music affects the brain to answer that question. There has been a ton of research done to determine whether music is simply a mood enhancer or if it does something in the

brain to improve cognitive processes.

Recent discoveries have led scientists to believe that both listening to and playing a musical instrument makes you smarterbecause these activities actually release more BDNF, CREB, and synapsin I, all elements that strengthen mental capacities. So playing a musical instrument produces brain-building compounds and neural growth factors that are making you smarter, stronger, and better at doing activities throughout your day.

Some of the brain benefits of learning a musical instrument include increased comprehension and math skills, better coordination, and a greater capacity for memory.

Another question on this subject is does music help you study? According to these finding, yes. Playing music will make learning easier by involving both sides of the brain in the process. So studying an instrument will be easier than studying any other subject since you’re growing your brain power as you practice and learn!

Music is also proven to help tremendously in social situations, including work environments, friendships, and even more involved relationships. The training

that the mind and body go through to develop musical comprehension is the same as the training required to develop speech and verbal skills, essential components in any relationship.

Additionally, music training develops the same muscles that will assist you in cooperation, timemanagement, organization, and concentration/listening skills. These are all skills that any relationship management expert will tell you are necessary for navigating healthy relationships.

Music training also strengthens a person’s selfexpression and helps you to break out of your inhibiting

barriers (get up there and play!). So develop your musical talents, and you will be a team leader no matter where you go!

It’s no secret that music plays on our emotions. The right song can make us feel elated, angry, or confused. Music can make us cry before our brain has even had time to ask why. Music has a powerful pull on our emotions, and you don’t need to be a scientist to confirm this as fact.

What’s more, playing music can have some fascinating psychological benefits. Regularly playing an instrument teaches you perseverance, discipline, and responsibility,

important skills for accomplishing anything in life. Playing music also fills you with a sense of accomplishment; after all, you should feel good about mastering a song, difficult chord, or instrument!

Most of all though, playing music makes people happy! There are few pleasures in this world that can be compared to the high you feel from sitting down with your own instrument and letting your soul flow through your body and out across the freeing flowing chords of a musical piece. Discover the stressrelieving power of playing your own song.

Finding the perfect tutor

Whether it’s for exam preparation, learning catch up, tackling problem areas, building confidence, or supporting a child’s enthusiasm for a subject, more and more parents and guardians are seeking the perfect tutor.

When it works well, private tutoring can be life changing. It allows teaching to be completely focussed on your child’s needs and their particular way of learning. Personalising learning in this way can really help to identify and tackle gaps and areas of weaknesses in a child’s learning. 1-1 support can improve a child’s confidence and help them to develop effective study skills. It can improve their enthusiasm for a subject and their general engagement with learning.

How do I know if my child needs a tutor?

Your child’s teacher is the best person to discuss this with initially. They should be able to advise if they think tutoring would be helpful. There may be other things that are worth trying first. Teachers will be able to know if there are any additional resources available at school or any extra support that they can give. There may be online resources or apps they can recommend that might help.

Do ask your child whether they think they need extra support. Obviously, for tutoring to work well, your child needs to be onboard with the idea and willing to engage with the process. Some children will be enthusiastic about getting extra help whereas others might need some persuasion. Involving your child in the decision to get a tutor and the choice of tutor might help with this.

What qualifications should I look for in a private tutor?

Although the tutoring sector is booming, tutors are not currently regulated, so anyone can set themselves up as a tutor. There are no formal qualifications for the role. This means that you will need to check that a tutor has the qualifications and experience that are important to you. Tutoring agencies should do their own checks on tutors’ qualifications. Some tutors are members of The Tutor’s Association which has a code of conduct and offers training and qualifications.

As a minimum all tutors should have a DBS certificate verifying that they have been checked to work with children. Tutors should have a copy of their certificates and be happy to show them to you. Tutors should also have had experience of working with children and strong communication skills.

Celebrating Harvest Time

Harvest time is celebrated in many cultures around the world, and it has been a part of human history for thousands of years.

The harvest season marks the end of the growing season, when crops are harvested for food and animal feed. In ancient times, people relied on crops for survival, so the harvest was a time of great importance and celebration.

In many cases the best qualification for tutoring is a teaching qualification. Do check that teachers are offering tutoring for a similar age group or subject to their area of training. As well as having valuable classroom experience, tutors who are teachers usually have a strong knowledge of the exam systems and some are even examiners as well. Even if a tutor is highly qualified in the area that they are teaching, they will still need to understand how children learn and be aware of the curriculum that has to be covered. This is especially important if you are looking for a tutor for a particular exam, less so if it’s to support your child’s interest in and enthusiasm for a subject.

If you are looking for support for your child for a specific exam, the transfer test, GCSEs or A Levels, then it is important that the tutor has experience of teaching to that exam, that they know the syllabus

and understand the mark scheme.

If tutors are offering support in specialist areas, such as dyslexia or special educational needs check that they have qualifications in these areas and that they are members of the relevant professional bodies, such as BDA (British Dyslexia Association) or PATOSS (Professional Association of Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties).

How can I assess the progress my child is making with a private tutor?

An experienced tutor should be able to advise on the progress that a child is likely to make after an initial assessment and will keep you updated on their progress throughout the process. If you want to discuss your child’s progress with their tutor it is worth allocating some of the tutoring time to do this.

Do be clear with the tutor how much feedback you would like to have as this varies from parent to parent.

Often, your child will be

the best judge of whether the tutoring is working for them. Do check in regularly to make sure that your child is enjoying the tutoring and feels that it is helpful. Hopefully your child’s teacher will notice improvements in your child’s work.

Another important, although trickier to measure, sign of progress is any improvement in your child’s confidence and enthusiasm for learning. In the longer term, gains in these areas will have more of an impact than short term grade rises. It is a difficult balance to get right, but a good tutor should enable a child to become a better, more confident, learner themselves, rather than spoon feeding them the information to pass a particular test.

If you or your child is not happy with the tutor you are working with, don’t be afraid to make a change. All tutors and all children are different and sometimes it can take a few attempts to find the right combination.

In the UK, the harvest festival is traditionally celebrated on the Sunday nearest the harvest moon, which is often between 2123 September. The festival is also known as the harvest home and dates back to ancient Britain when people relied on crops for food. Farmers would give thanks for a good harvest, and communities would come together to celebrate with singing, drinking games, and much revelry!

The harvest festival is still celebrated in many churches and schools throughout the UK today. It’s a time to reflect on the food that we have and give thanks for it. The success of the annual

harvest is dependent on a number of environmental factors, and the weather plays a crucial role - too much or too little rain can spell problems, and in recent years heat waves and drought have caused serious issues for farmers. Here are some ideas to explore for celebrating harvest: Harvest Festival Service: Many churches hold a special service to celebrate the harvest season. The service usually includes hymns, prayers, and readings, and often features a display of fruits, vegetables, and other produce.

Harvest Supper: A harvest supper is a traditional way to celebrate the end of the harvest season. It’s a time to gather with friends and family and enjoy a meal together. The meal often includes seasonal produce such as pumpkins, squash, and apples.

Harvest Parade: A harvest parade is a fun way to celebrate the season. Participants can dress up in costumes or decorate floats with fruits, vegetables, and other produce.

Harvest Crafts: Harvest crafts are a great way to get creative and celebrate the season. You can make wreaths, centrepieces, or other decorations using seasonal produce.

Harvest Games: Harvest games are a fun way to celebrate the season. You can play games like apple bobbing or pumpkin bowling.

Harvest Feast: A harvest feast is a great way to celebrate the season with friends and family. You can prepare a meal using seasonal produce such as roasted root vegetables or pumpkin pie.

Pumpkin Patch – everything you need to know!

We all know that pumpkins make great Jack O’Lanterns – but who was the mysterious Jack?

The association of pumpkins with Halloween comes from an Irish myth about Stingy Jack, who tricked the Devil for his own monetary gain. When Jack died, God didn’t allow him into heaven, and the Devil didn’t let him into hell, so Jack was sentenced to roam the earth for eternity. In Ireland, people started to carve demonic faces out of turnips to frighten away Jack’s wandering soul. When Irish immigrants moved to the U.S., they began carving jack-o’-lanterns from pumpkins, as these were native to the region.

Little known Facts about Pumpkins

Pumpkins are technically a fruit because they contain seeds. They are a type of winter squash and are closely related to cucumbers and melons.

Pumpkins are packed with nutrition. One cup of cooked pumpkin is only 49 calories, but contains 49 percent of your daily needs for vitamin K, along with vitamin C, potassium, vitamin E, iron, folate,

and niacin.

Pumpkins contain plenty of the antioxidant beta-carotene. Betacarotene is converted to vitamin A in the body and is shown in studies to help fight off infections, prevent some age-related vision problems, and may help protect the skin from harmful UV rays.

Each pumpkin produces about 500 seeds. Unhulled pumpkin seeds can be

roasted and eaten, and provide antioxidants, magnesium, zinc, iron, and fatty acids.

Where can I pick my own Pumpkin in Northern Ireland?

Laganvale Farm, Lisburn: This farm has a pumpkin patch where you can pick your own pumpkins and then carve them into spooky lanterns. There’s also a haunted house, witches maize maze, farm walk and pumpkin themed

The Coun T y Museu M, Dun D alk

The County Museum, Dundalk is a delight with something of interest for visitors young and old alike.

games. The Ark Open Farm, Newtownards: This farm holds annual Halloween and pumpkin picking events where families can pick their own pumpkins before carving them.

Fermanagh Fun Farm, Enniskillen: This farm has a ghost train that takes you to the pumpkin patch where you can pick your favourite pumpkin for carving.

Nigel Smith Dentistry celebrates being Highly Commended for whole of Ireland

in Best High Technology Practice category at the prestigious Irish Dentistry Awards 2023!

The Irish Dentistry Awards are now in their 11th year, and are well known in Ireland for celebrating the hard work and achievements of dental professionals across the nation. The Irish Dentistry Awards are judged by a team of dental leaders and industry experts, which means they are unmatched in their clinical and technical merit.

The practice was shortlisted in no fewer than 3 categories including:

Best High Technology Practice - the Nigel Smith Dentistry practice was Highly Commended for the whole of Ireland!

This category is designed to recognise practices embracing the latest digital technologies available to improve clinical outcome AND recognises

the practices use of digital workflows to provide the highest levels of patient care.

Finalist in Most Improved Practice

This category celebrates those who have seen significant changes or upgrades covering decor, equipment, and or/improved business growth, patient referrals and developed a great team approach!

Finalist in Practice of the Year!

This is a regionally judged award, looking to reward those practices that stand out from the crowd, those who truly care for the patients and are dedicated to providing the best in oral healthcare.

This year’s awards ceremony recently took place at the beautiful Clontarf Castle in Dublin. The ceremony has fully

established itself as a prestigious occasion, recognising and rewarding clinical excellence throughout Ireland! Check out these websites below to see recent smile transformations in your area!

Nigel Smith

Dental Care is at

Packed with items from County Louth’s industrial and historical past there is something here to bring a smile to the face. Pride of place goes to the wonderful Ferrari-red, single-doored, three-wheeled Heinkel motor car, manufactured in Dundalk in the late 1950s; but this is not the only hint of the area’s strong industrial heritage. Immediately inside the front door is a wonderful, carved wooden tobacco Indian recalling the importance of tobacco production in the town. Elsewhere on the ground floor industrial exhibition the area’s shoe-making story is celebrated through the inclusion of samples from Clarke’s, Halliday’s and Blackthorn; whilst the county’s involvement in the development of the railway via the Great Northern Railway is also remembered. Of course, the area’s industrial story is not the only one to be retold in the Museum. Other exhibition highlights include a leather jacket worn by King William of Orange at the River Boyne (complete with musket hole to the shoulder)

as well as other items associated with the battle itself.

Elsewhere Oliver Cromwell’s shaving mirror is on display as is a Roundhead helmet as well as an Olympic Bronze medal won by archer, Beatrice Hill-Lowe, at the London Games of

1908. Meanwhile on the Museums’ archaeological exhibition the area’s rich history of settlement is revealed through some of the finest examples of axe and arrowheads, handdecorated bowls as well as some of the country’s finest samples of rock art. With a display covering

everything from a Viking needle to an anchor the County Museum, Dundalk captures over 5,000 years of history over just three galleries. In truth it is a place where stories and legends inspire. 00353 42 9392999 | museum@ louthcoco.ie www.facebook. com/countymuseumdundalk

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

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

The full electric Jeep Avenger makes its debut on the European roads

The all-new fully electric Jeep Avenger, in Europe marks the beginning of the next phase of the electrification of the Jeep brand – the BEV wave – that will see four fully-electric vehicles hit the market by 2025. By the end of 2030, the Jeep brand’s European sales will be 100% pure electric.

The Avenger packs the Jeep DNA into a compact SUV with a unique combination of capability, style, functionality, and technology. Avenger is completely manufactured in Europe and has been designed to perfectly fit the needs of European customers with features including:

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

Functional design: Avenger has been designed to offer 360° protection and full freedom of movement. Its 360-degrees shock protection encased protected lights and colourmolded skid plates make it the ideal travel companion in urban and off-road driving.

Compact dimensions: at 4.08 meters it is the most compact Jeep and can comfortably fit five people with their stuff.

Roomy & versatile interior: the interior of the Jeep Avenger continues the “design to function” premise and has lots of space for everyday objects. It offers 34 liters of interior storage, the equivalent of a carry-on bag. The 1 meterwide, square-shaped trunk is also spacious and extremely versatile. Each compartment has been designed with flexibility and modularity

in mind: the central tunnel can be organized in multiple modular storage pockets by means of a divider that can be moved – or even removed. Thanks to original solutions like the flexible cupholder divider and the foldable magnetic cover, the entire content of a cabin baggage can be stored in these boxes.

Sustainable powertrain: Avenger offers zero emissions and 100% adventure and passion with an electric range of up to 400km WLTP and up to

550km in town* to really go anywhere. Standard fast charging mode allows to recharge 30 km (average daily need) in 3 minutes, and to go from 20 to 80% in 24 minutes.

Cutting edge technology:

All-terrain and all-weather capability translates into fun and safety and Avenger leads in the B-UV segment in both respects. A complete series of safety and ADAS features which in the electric version provide level-2 driving autonomy include: Blind Spot

Monitoring, Autonomous Emergency Braking with Vulnerable Road Users (pedestrian and cyclist) protection, automatic parking and 180-degree rear camera with drone view.

Fully Connected: made for “always connected” customers, the new Jeep Avenger ensures a great digital on-board experience. A 10.25-inch radio screen Uconnect Infotainment combined with full digital cluster available in two variants (7 and 10.25 inches) comes as standard.

Ballyrobert Launches Astra Electric

Vauxhall is celebrating the recent launch of the Astra Electric with British artist Iain Macarthur, who has created two eye-catching murals in London and Manchester.

On display recently the murals encapsulate Vauxhall’s drive to be at the cutting edge of design and artistic expression, and the collaboration with Iain Macarthur highlights the company’s commitment to British design influences.

The murals, which were on display in Shoreditch, London, and in the Northern Quarter in Manchester, utilise Macarthur’s unique surrealist style to convey a vibrancy and dynamism which reflect both the high performance and the Bold and Pure design language of the Astra Electric. It is this design philosophy which won the Astra a coveted Product Design award at the prestigious Red Dot Award international design competition earlier this year.

The Astra Electric features Vauxhall’s next-generation 54kWh battery and a 115kW (156hp) electric motor and is capable of up to 258 miles of range (WLTP) from a single charge. By 2024, all Vauxhall cars and vans

Industry Awards ‘take off’ with Air Ambulance NI

Air Ambulance NI announced as the official charity partner of the first ever Northern Ireland Motor Industry Awards

This new awards initiative, designed to help acknowledge and celebrate the industry’s leading motoring businesses and professionals, will culminate in a glittering gala black-tie event on Friday 3 November.

Title Sponsor of the awards is Used Cars NI with support from Media Partner Cool FM. Attendees will have the opportunity to support the crucial work of local charity Air Ambulance NI on the night via donation envelopes and by participating in a charity raffle.

News of the partnership coincides with the announcement that the deadline to enter the inaugural NI Motor Industry Awards has been specially extended to 8 September, with an additional category now included.

Sasha Jeffrey, Event Director commented: “Those working in the local car industry still have time to be part of the Northern Ireland Motor Industry Awards which will not only celebrate the

achievements of our thriving automotive sector but also raise much-needed funds for Air Ambulance NI, one of the region’s most-recognised and invaluable charities.”

“We would encourage businesses and individuals to go online and browse our 19 award categories including a brand-new award for Automotive Technician of the Year. This represents an opportunity for those who keep our cars on the road and in top

condition to receive credit for the hard work, dedication and expertise they show every working day.”

For further information or to enter please visit www. nimotorindustryawards. com.

will be available with a fully-electric version, and by 2028 Vauxhall will be an electric-only brand.

James Taylor, Managing Director, Vauxhall, said: “This mural celebrates not only the launch of the exciting Astra Electric, but also our Bold and Pure design language which draws from the best of British

art and innovation. I look forward to seeing Iain’s work in person and thank him for being part of creating something the public can enjoy in London and Manchester.”

For further information on New Astra Electric and Astra Plug-in hybrid models contact Ballyrobert on 028 91852262 or visit ballyrobert.co.uk

Kerry Anderson, Head of Fundraising at Air Ambulance NI commented: “We are delighted members of the automotive industry will be extended the opportunity to support our work through these new awards. Northern Ireland’s Air Ambulance teams assisted in more than 3600 taskings between July 2017 and May this year. With the help of the business community and the wider public we can continue to save lives and help those in urgent need of medical attention.”

Pre P aring Your g arden for a utumn

As the summer months draw to a close, it is time to begin preparations to make your garden ready for the autumnal season. Whilst spring was the ideal time for planting new plants and summer the perfect time to watch them grow, autumn is a time that you will need to protect your garden.

The cooler weather and the increased amounts of rainfall will require certain measures to ensure that your garden is protected.

It might seem simple, but many forget to move some of their vulnerable plants indoors as the cooler weather begins to take hold.

Either moving your potted plants and herbs indoors or into a dedicated greenhouse will give your plants to protection that they dearly need to continue growing for a longer period of time.

Throughout the

summer period you will have had an abundance of seedlings fall all over your garden and it is important to apply weed killer at the beginning of autumn

to stop these from sprouting.

It is of the utmost importance to keep your pets away from the garden if you put weed killer down as ingesting the poison

can cause a great deal of harm to your animals.

As the days grow shorter, you will notice that the speed at which your garden grows will shorten

Amp up the ambience In Your Bedroom

Often underestimated in the overall design plan table lamps have the power to add just the right amount of charm. It illuminates the room, sets the mood right and provides soft task lighting for bedside reading.

How does one lamp change your life you ask?

Get better sleep: Using your phone in the dark is bad for your eyesight, but it is too bright with all the lights on. With a table lamp, you can dim the room to induce a more cosy feel, which allows you to catch more ZZZs.

General Lighting

Purpose: Of course, one must not forget that only adding tube lights or bulbs wouldn’t brighten up the bedroom. So, one must have another option to illuminate the entire portion of the bedroom, and that’s where bulb-fitted lamps come under rescue. Focus on specific objects: When engrossed in any work such as study or projects, then the usage of these lamps will not only ensure to provide you with the standard

lighting, but it will also throw light on the object of concern such as a book.

Mood: Bright and catchy light always enlightens the spirit of the individual. Colourful lights have a positive influence on the surrounding area. Thus, these everlasting lamps fill this spot in a much efficient manner. Thus, bringing the desired jovial mood altogether.

Night torch: One can say that lamps can act as a night torch as dimming its intensity can be useful for those individuals who do not sleep without light. So, one can say that it acts as a night lamp.

As a piece of sculptural art. There are thousands of variations of lights out there for your specific needs, wants and style, so make this a starting point rather than an afterthought to create your dream bedroom!

considerably. This means that you will not have to cut your grass quite as often, however it is important to do so as regularly as required in order to ensure that your grass stays full when it grows back in the spring. Similarly, it is important to keep your garden tidy and not allow leaves to build up as they begin to fall onto your property.

Letting them build

up over time will cause considerably more mess as they will begin to decompose and be harder to remove.

The slower growth provides the perfect opportunity to tidy up your flower beds and displays.

Whilst their vibrancy might begin to decline, the slower growth means that they will be more manageable.

It is important not

to forget about your evergreens. Every garden shout have at least a few ever green plants to keep some

life throughout the cold winter months. Whilst these plants are tough, it is important not to neglect them.