Issue 99 - Lisburn BT25 • BT26 •BT27 •BT28 • BT29
£148,000 awarded from Hardship Funding Programme A total of 77 community and voluntary groups from across Lisburn and Castlereagh have secured funding worth almost £148,000 from the council’s Hardship Funding Programme. LCCC administer the programme which is funded by the Department for Communities (DfC). It is directed towards helping local groups address hardship issues, related to the current cost of living crisis, particularly around implementation of food and energy related schemes. At a grassroots level, the programme aims to support local communities in several ways. One is to help keep community buildings operational and, where possible, open for longer during the winter months. Another is to support ways of tackling the
Parks & Amenities Team Staff pictured with their award at Lough Moss Leisure Centre
LCCC Parks & Amenities team recognised at professional landscaping awards ceremony
LCCC Parks & Amenities team has been recognised at an awards ceremony for the UK’s professional landscaping industry. They were runnersup in the prestigious ‘Pro Landscaper Project Awards’ for the Lough Moss Carryduff Community Garden Project and Games Area in the ‘Community Green Space’ category. More than 60 companies and organisations (including Local Authorities) from
across the UK vied for recognition from a panel of judges representing professional industry bodies including the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and the Society of Garden Designers (SGD). The judges included fivetime Chelsea flower show gold medallist and RHS ambassador, Mark Gregory.
Councillor Thomas Beckett, Chair of LCCC’s Communities and Wellbeing Committee said: “We are the first council from Northern Ireland to achieve this honour from the professional landscape industry. It serves to highlight what a dedicated, professional and capable team we have at LCCC and shows they have
provided a top-class community green space to the residents of Lisburn and Castlereagh. The category entered was the ‘community green space under £50,000’, where the main focus was on designing a garden for a wide range of people to use and enjoy - but within a set budget.”
impact of poverty – including community fridge initiatives, holiday hunger projects and meal plans. Money can also go towards developing or enhancing a community planting scheme to help local groups grow fruit and vegetables in community settings. The 77 groups which secured funding include local Scout Groups, Village Halls, Playgroups, Community Associations & Improvement Groups, Church Committees, Bands, Sports Organisations & Women’s centres, Charity and community organisations and Residents Associations.
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The Lisburn Advertiser
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Issue 99 - Support Local
Issue 99 - Support Local
The Lisburn Advertiser
Council Picks up ‘Safe City’ Award for Third Year Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) has been awarded a platinum award at the Onus 14th annual awards ceremony of the Workplace Charter on Domestic Abuse, picking up a ‘Safe City’ award for the third year running. The event, held at Ulster University, was attended by businesses, organisations, churches and schools which are all playing their parts in developing an understanding and compassionate society. Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council was recognised for its ongoing commitment to working with a range of partners to create a ‘Safe City’ for anyone experiencing domestic abuse. Creating a ‘Safe City’ means that individuals who experience domestic abuse can access support, via the Safe Place outreach campaign, whenever it is needed, via a range of easily accessible different support mechanisms. In creating a ‘Safe City’, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council acknowledges that domestic abuse can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious or cultural background. Councillor Caleb McCready Chair of LCCC’s Environment and Sustainability Committee said: “The council is proud to have received six platinum and two gold workplace awards between 2015 and 2023, for our work to bring meaningful interventions to those
affected by domestic violence and abuse. “It is important that people who live in Lisburn and Castlereagh feel safe, supported and know where they can access help if and when they need it. A range of partners and organisations work together to make this happen including charities, churches, the PSNI and other support agencies. Only by working together can we safeguard and promote the welfare of those who live in our council area. Through the work of our Environmental Services
Team and our Policing and Community Safety Partnership we strive to reduce the incidents of domestic violence and abuse in our area. It can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious or cultural background. There are many forms of domestic abuse and children in the family can also be affected.” In addition to providing support for employees who may be experiencing abuse, the council also provides ‘Safe Place’ resources, setting out the range of
support organisations available locally, across all its sites. To date, 11 churches and 59 businesses and community groups in Lisburn and Castlereagh have joined with the council and held ‘Safe Church’ and ‘Safe Employer’ training, with more planned for the coming year. Supported by a range of partners, including Onus and the South Eastern Domestic Violence Partnership, it also holds a range of sessions focused on recognising and responding to domestic abuse.
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Issue 99 - Support Local
The Lisburn Advertiser
Hillsborough’s iconic Plough Inn acquired by McGlone family ONE of Northern Ireland’s most famous family-run hospitality venues The Plough Inn Hillsborough is changing ownership to another of the sector’s best-known families, the McGlones of Magherafelt.
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The Plough Inn, owned by the Patterson family, has been a high profile pub, restaurant and entertainment venue in the town since 1978, enjoying a reputation for high quality food and hospitality way beyond the immediate Lisburn area. The new owners of The Plough Inn bring a wealth of industry experience to the venue having successfully founded and developed a number of venues in the mid Ulster area, including Dormans, Mary’s Bar and Secrets. Speaking at the announcement of the acquisition, Henry McGlone and his wife Teresa paid tribute to the hard work of the Patterson family over many years: “Given our background and evolution as a family-
run hospitality business we have great respect and appreciation for the iconic position The Plough Inn holds in the hearts of people across Northern Ireland and beyond,” said Mr McGlone. “We have always admired the way the Patterson family have operated The Plough Inn and the venerable position the venue holds in the local community, so when the opportunity came along to examine the possibility of acquiring the business, we engaged fully in the process. “Naturally we are delighted to have now acquired the business and will work hard in the months and years ahead to develop and invest in this iconic local institution - not just to maintain its proud heritage and
values but also to grow the business and make it a must-visit venue for anyone coming to the area,” he added. Under the terms of the acquisition, all existing members of staff, approximately 65, will be retained by the new owners, which was an important consideration for the Patterson family during the sale process. Richard & William Patterson said: “The decision to sell The Plough was not an easy one for us, but we feel that the time has come to take things a little easier. It’s now time to enjoy the other side of the bar for a change, although we will still be working in the industry. We have complete confidence in our hand
over of the reins to The McGlone family and are certain that under their ownership, the Plough will continue to be a thriving, evolving, family business in the heart of Hillsborough village. We look forward to supporting them with our custom and wish them every success in the future.” The acquisition of The Plough Inn is a significant addition the McGlone familyrun hospitality business in Northern Ireland, according to Commercial Manager Ryan McGlone. “The purchase of The Plough Inn is an important and welcome addition to our growing portfolio,”
said Ryan. “We believe our experience of developing family-run venues will ensure that we build on the great work of the Patterson family to enhance The Plough Inn’s reputation even further. We are really excited about the prospect of investing in a range of enhancements which we believe will resonate positively with new and existing customers alike.” The ‘off market’ transaction was brokered by industry specialist Gavin Weir, head of Hotels & Leisure at Belfastbased property advisors Avison Young and Linus Murray (Partner) from McKee Law advised on the legals.
Issue 99 - Support Local
The Lisburn Advertiser Page 5
Sports Personality of the Month Awards Sport Lisburn & Castlereagh has celebrated, once again, the wealth of local sporting talent, following the announcement of the prestigious Sports Personality of the Month Awards for October & November. Sponsored by Decathlon, the award recognises the achievements and dedication of sporting stars in the Lisburn & Castlereagh area. The winners are selected each month by the Sport Lisburn & Castlereagh Executive Committee and each successful winner is presented with a £100 Decathlon voucher. The Sports Personality of the Month winner for October was golfer Fionn Dobbin. At just 17 years old, Fionn has represented Ulster at the Golf Ireland InterProvincial tournaments, at both boys and men’s level, and contributed to the victorious boys’ team by representing Ireland at the R&A Home Internationals against Scotland, England and Wales. Fionn has also represented Golf Ireland as part of the European Championship team and he has played internationally as an individual in both France and Portugal, winning the Edge Golf championship in Portugal. The talented golfer has recently been re-selected onto the Golf Ireland National High-Performance panel for 2023/24. His first coaching session at Golf Ireland HQ in Carton House took place on the 14th &15th October. National panel selection ensures Fionn continues
to showcase his skills on the global golfing scene. In recognition of his golfing prowess, Fionn has been awarded a full scholarship to play college golf at Kansas State University in the USA. He officially became a K-State Wildcat on National Signing Day, 8th November. We wish Fionn the very best as he heads across the Atlantic in August 2024. Men’s gymnast David Martelli was November’s Sports Personality of the Month winner. David recently competed in the Men’s Gymnastics Irish International Trials at the National Indoor Arena in Dublin. The trials, which were held on the 4th and 5th November, saw David dominate both days and achieve a remarkable Personal Best score of 13.35 on the Pommel Horse. Driven by his pursuit of perfection, David made a strategic move to Origin Gymnastics, where under the guidance of Luke Carson, Gymnastics Ireland National Coach, he is excelling in his training alongside his sporting idol, two-time World Gymnastics Champion, Rhys McClenaghan. Coach Luke Carson recently attended the 2023 Sport Lisburn & Castlereagh LCCC Draynes Farm Sports Personality of the Awards as the event’s special guest.
Pictured L-R: David Martelli, Matthew Ferguson, Communication Manager, Decathlon Belfast, Fionn Dobbin and Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Sports Development Officer, Faron Morrison.
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Sports Development Officer Faron Morrison said, “Congratulations to Fionn and David for their remarkable achievements in golf and gymnastics. Fionn’s outstanding golfing skills earned him another place on Golf Ireland’s National HighPerformance panel, and he has been awarded a full scholarship to play college golf at Kansas State University in the USA. Meanwhile, David’s dominance in international trials and achievement of a personal best showcase his exceptional talent in gymnastics.” “Last month, we celebrated the prestigious Sport Lisburn & Castlereagh LCCC Draynes
Farm Sports Personality of the Year Awards, honouring local sporting talent. The Sports Personality of the Month provides another chance to applaud local athletes for their yearround achievements in their respective sports. I hope these two amazing athletes will inspire other clubs or families to make a nomination and showcase the breadth of sporting talent we have in Lisburn & Castlereagh.” Entries for the latest Sports Personality of the Month are currently open. For more details or to make a nomination, please visit https://www. s m a r t s u r v e y. c o . u k / s / December23andJanuary24/ Nominations close on Friday 2nd February 2024 at 5pm.
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Issue 99 - Support Local
The Lisburn Advertiser
Moira Primary School pupils selected to become Hedgerow Heroes Moira Primary School in Lisburn and Castlereagh has been selected as a winner of a highly competitive environmental competition.
The Hedgerow Heroes competition, run by Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful in partnership with Moy Park, received almost 50 entries for just 11 winning spots. To enter, schools had
to produce both written and drawn submissions that illustrated why their school, and its surrounding wildlife, would benefit from a native hedgerow. Moira Primary School was
among the 11 winners from across Northern Ireland. Each selected school will receive 20 metres of native hedgerow, planted by students. Project workshops are already underway, with hedgerow planting expected to take place over winter and spring. Education will be provided on correct hedgerow management, and schools will receive a follow up visit to support their developing hedges. Emma Denton, Biodiversity Coordinator at Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, and one of the competition judges said, “The standard of
applications for the first year of the project was so high that choosing the winning schools was really difficult! All schools should be incredibly proud of their applications, and I would encourage anyone who wasn’t accepted this year, to please apply again next year. Through their applications, the 11 schools have already illustrated how much they know and care about wildlife and nature. I hope that through the Hedgerow Heroes programme, we will be able to enhance their knowledge even further and ignite their passion to protect the world around them.” Over the course of three
years, the Hedgerow Hero project will see a total of 33 schools plant 660m of new hedgerow for Northern Ireland, providing significant opportunities for biodiversity recovery. The
project is much neededthe 2023 State of Nature Report described Northern Ireland as “one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth.” The new hedgerows planted as part of the
project will act as a way of connecting isolated habitats together as a nature recovery network. With time, they will also act as excellent places for education and provide opportunities for wild
foraging. Hedgerows also provide a wealth of ecosystem services such as carbon capture, air and water filtration, crop pollination, and the reduction of soil erosion and flooding.
Instonians Rugby Football Club ‘Rugby for All’ Youth Programme Leading home retailer Harry Corry has joined forces with Instonians Rugby Club, providing top level support for its ‘Rugby for All’ Youth Programme to help support our future All Ireland League, Five Nations and World Cup champions.
Pick up your FREE copy at: Glenavy Garden Centre LISBURN 26 Main Street, Glenavy, BT29 4LW BP Spar Glenavy Village 108-112 Queensway, Lisburn, 71 Main Street, Glenavy, BT29 4LP BT27 4QP Centra Foodmarket Circle K Supervalu 1A Glenavy Road, Lisburn 97-99 Knockmore Road, Lisburn, Costcutters BT28 2EA 11 Tully Road, Crumlin, BT29 4SW Evans Farm Shop 187 Moira Road, Lisburn, BT28 1JA DROMARA Gwen’s Confectionery Harry’s Country Store 5 Milltown Park, Lisburn, BT28 3TP 166 Banbridge Road, Kinallen, Spar Foodmarket Dromara, BT25 2NF 156 Belsize Road, Lisburn, BT27 4DR Today’s Local Spar Garvey 18a Rathfriland Road, Dromara, 127 Longstone Street, Lisburn, BT25 2JG BT28 1ES Sweeney’s Newsagents HILLSBOROUGH 19 Smithfield Street, Lisburn, BT28 1TH CO-OP Food Rosies Emporium Hillsborough, 8 Lisburn Street, UNIT 33 Bow Street Mall, Lisburn, Hillsborough, BT26 6AB BT28 1AW Spar Hillsborough 7 Ballynahinch Street, DROMORE Hillsborough, BT26 6AW Poole’s Supervalu 16 Banbridge Road, Dromore, TEMPLE BT25 1NB Spar Carryduff Road The Olde Mill Garden Centre 82 Carryduff Road, Temple , 19 Diamond Road, Dromore, BT25 1PH BT27 6UA Temple Garden and Farm CRUMLIN & Shop GLENAVY 88 Carryduff Road, Denis Wilsons of Glenavy Temple, BT27 6YL 160 Moira Road, Glenavy, BT29 4LR
Harry Corry has been supporting Instonians for over four decades but this latest commitment significantly upweights the retailer’s investment in the 104 year-old club, originally founded at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution, and specifically in its increasingly important youth outreach activity. One of Northern Ireland’s oldest and most respected clubs, Instonians is committed to providing opportunities for young people to develop and reach their potential while enhancing their enjoyment and passion for the game and Harry Corry’s backing as a sponsor will now deliver a major boost for its growing teams. A sport for all communities, Instonians’ Youth Programme already works with 20 schools across the Belfast and Lisburn areas – and mostly those with no rugby-playing history – delivering coaching resources and equipment to make weekly and even more regular training sessions available at each location.
Now a full-time job for Instonians Youth Programme coordinators Michael Fairbanks and Ruairi O’Farrell, the programme welcomes a record 900 young people from all communities and backgrounds who are interacting, becoming friends and playing rugby together every week. Instonians Club Community Rugby Officer Michael Fairbanks said: “Our ‘Rugby for All’ Youth Programme represents our commitment and passion in encouraging more young people to have the opportunity to learn
new skills and build on their talent and potential. It’s also an important vehicle for developing creativity, awareness, resilience and decision-making while promoting leadership skills, independence and collaboration among everyone from every community and background. “We are absolutely delighted to have won the backing from the team at Harry Corry to increase our impact as our main sponsor.” Harry Corry Interiors is a family run business that was established by Harry Corry in 1968 and
over the last 55 years, the company has established itself as a leading retailer of home furnishings. Harry Corry Interiors has 56 retail outlets throughout Ireland and Scotland, and now employs more than 700 staff. One of Northern Ireland’s best-known brands, Harry Corry opened its 56th store at Cresent Link in Derry~Londonderry last month with an investment of £150,000 and creating 10 new jobs. The new store is the latest investment as part of the business’s ongoing growth strategy.
Issue 99 - Support Local
Mary Peters Trust funding initiative helps Castlereagh athlete Erin progress her coaching career
City of Lisburn AC member Erin Fisher is one of 15 young sports people, who have each benefitted from a special bursary from the Mary Peters Trust’s newest funding programme, the ‘David Magill Coaching Awards’. Set up by the Trust and the family of David Magill, who passed away in November 2021 aged 86, the initiative aims to help young athletes take up coaching courses relevant to their chosen sport. David’s widow Joan, daughters Joanne and Denise and the wider family established the programme as a tribute to a muchloved husband, dad and grandfather. During his lifetime David had made a huge contribution and impact within the worlds of sport, business, local community, and volunteering. David was an all-round sports person, excelling in polevaulting and winning the Irish Youth Championship in 1954. Like David, Castlereagh girl Erin is a pole-vaulter and competes in other track and field events, in particular long jump. The 22-year-old Queen’s University medical student has been involved in athletics since she was eight and first took up pole-vaulting at the age of 12. Erin has competed for Northern Ireland in both the long jump and pole-vaulting and is already supporting younger athletes having completed assistant coach programmes. Erin completed an assistant coach course in 2020 and her David Magill
bursary will enable her to take up the ‘full’ athletics coaching course covering more in-depth technical aspects allowing her to coach several athletics disciplines and help young rising athletes to further develop their skills and technique. Taking place at the Mary Peters Track in January 2024 with further additional elements and an assessment in March Erin hopes to be fully qualified by the end of March. Erin says, “This course is the next step up from the assistant course and similarly encompasses a wide range of field athletics events but has more technical content as well as well as more extensive detail on how to coach and plan training sessions. Once qualified, I’ll be a much more experienced coach and can lead sessions without supervision. Hopefully it will unlock lots of new sporting opportunities for me.” Joan Magill, David’s widow explains how the idea came about: “As a young athlete in the 1950’s David had little access to full-time coaches and proper facilities and had to think up unusual and creative ways to improve and develop. He did a lot of research, read books, discussed ideas with other
Pictured (l-r) are Lady Mary Peters, Joanne Magill, Erin Fisher and Joan Magill.
sports people and even resorted to sending photos by post of himself in action to champion athletes seeking their feedback and advice on grip, technique, and training regimes. “David was an admirer of Mary Peters who like him had to fight hard to access training and development opportunities and he would be thrilled that a coaching programme in his name will make a difference to current and future athletes throughout Northern Ireland. Joan Magill and her daughter Joanne joined Lady Mary Peters at a special presentation event at Newforge Sports Complex in Belfast to welcome and celebrate the David Magill Coaching Award winners. Paying tribute to Joan, Joanne and Denise Magill, Lady Mary Peters said: “At the Mary Peters Trust we are constantly seeking new approaches
and different initiatives to help local athletes strive to compete with the best in the world. David and Joan Magill have been superb supporters of the Trust and its ongoing work over the years. We are very much indebted to the Magill family and wholeheartedly thank them for their financial endowment and their work in establishing these new coaching awards. “It has been wonderful to meet our cohort of 15 athletes drawn from disability sport, badminton, athletics, gymnastics and netball and we wish them all well as they embark on their various coaching courses. We look forward to hearing how their new qualifications help them develop in their specific sports and how as new coaches they can support athletes of the future to fast-track towards success.”
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Issue 99 - Support Local
The Lisburn Advertiser
The Barn Owl: Ireland’s Banshee?
Many folklorists agree that one of Ireland’s most iconic birds was the origin of the myth and legend of the Banshee, the terrifying female fairy believed to foretell death. It’s easy to imagine how this might have happened centuries ago in rural areas, where nights would be very dark, and when you heard a loud shriek emanate from woodland or a ruined building,
enough to make the hair on your head stand on end, followed by the image of a silent, white ghost-like creature fly past, perhaps near head-height, you just might think you’ve had an encounter
with something otherworldly, something deadly. Of course, Barn Owls are not other-worldly, and only deadly to mice and shrews, their favoured prey, which they hunt at dusk and night. Their eyesight is no better than ours, but their hearing is extraordinarily acute. Their face ‘mask’ acts as a kind of ‘sound receiver’ and their ears are located in different positions on either side of their head, all the better to pinpoint the source of a rustle or squeak in grass or undergrowth. And they fly silently because of the structure of their
feathers and wings, so their prey can’t hear them. Sadly, this animal with almost magical natural adaptations has been in severe decline, particularly in Northern Ireland, where there are almost certainly less than 30 breeding pairs. As with so many other wild creatures, their decline can be put down mainly to loss of habitat, particularly rough grassland and hedges, but with one important addition, the widespread agricultural use of rodenticides which kill off their staple diet. Ulster Wildlife and partners are working
year-round with farmers to not just protect birds but create the conditions for expansion of suitable territory. If you spot an owl anywhere, including our two other natives the long-eared and short-eared owls, or a potential nest site, please report it by contacting Ulster Wildlife’s Senior Conservation Officer, in confidence, on 07816 065736 or at katy.bell@ ulsterwildlife.org. That sort of information is so important to their efforts to locate and help this endangered Irish bird, particularly one with such a mythical history. JVA
Terry Bradley is calling all young budding artists in Lisburn to enter art Competition
Renowned artist Terry Bradley has launched the 2024 Bradley Art Prize giving hundreds of budding young artists a new chance to showcase their work in Belfast and Brussels and win a share in a total prize pot worth £4,000 for themselves and their school or college. F o l l o w i n g unprecedented success last year and specifically designed to help inspire a new generation of artistic careers, the Bradley Art Prize is officially back with a bang, supported by leading local IT and telecoms solutions provider Radius Connect for its second year. The competition, which will run across the current academic year is open for entries now, with the deadline for submissions
closing on 31 March 2024. Open to young people across two age categories, from 14 to 18 and from 19 to 23 years, the winners of each category will be chosen by Terry Bradley and an esteemed group of judges. The winners will also have their work framed and proudly displayed within the prestigious Bradley Gallery in Victoria Square for a week-long exhibition, including a launch night for friends and family. The winners will also have their artwork showcased internationally at the Northern Ireland Executive Office in Brussels’ European Quarter. Schools and colleges affiliated with each of the two winners will also receive art materials to help encourage more young people to consider turning their love of art into a long-term career. This year, in the older
19-23 age group category, Holly-Mae Greer, a First-Class Honours graduate in Fine Art and part-time care worker in Newtownards, was confirmed the winner for her contemporary ‘Noodle Bar’ canvas. Holly-Mae was also confirmed as the overall Bradley Art Prize winner and was commissioned to create a bespoke piece of artwork for Titanic Belfast. In the younger 14-18 category, Sophie Hewitt, from Friends School in Lisburn, was confirmed as winner for her detailed painting ‘Jenny’. Holly-Mae, who won in the older category straight after leaving university, said: “Winning the prize has definitely been a real confidence boost and has given me the motivation to do more. One of the hardest things about being an artist is getting people to see your work and to get a platform like that is amazing. Being a local
artist, Terry has inspired me to believe that if you work hard, it’s possible to do art full-time and reach a global audience.” HollyMae’s work is influenced by the likes of Edward Hopper, Edouard Manet, Michael Borremans and Caravaggio. Terry Bradley, who began his stellar, selftaught art career at the age of 14 that has taken him around the world including a series of exhibitions in Dublin, Belfast, London, Spain and New York, said: “We were floored not only by the demand to enter our inaugural Bradley Art Prize competition but by the quality of work, the technical ability and composition shown and by the professionalism which our young people have demonstrated in their love of art. “Based on the interest and demand from hundreds of budding young artists, we are
absolutely thrilled to be launching a new competition and we’re really looking forward to seeing all the new entries.” Up to four highresolution images of the artwork (files must be no larger than 2mb each) are required to enter this year as well as the inclusion of a personal statement and young people are encouraged to enter as early as they can. Stephen McQuoid, Director at Radius Connect Solutions Ireland, said: “Radius Connect has always championed the arts and we’re thrilled that we can once again materially support our young people’s creativity and self-expression, to help inspire careers, build confidence and experience at a local, national and international level. For more information and to find out how to submit an entry visit www.terrybradley.com
Issue 99 - Support Local
Get More from Your Membership with Vitality! Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is encouraging everyone to get active this year and sign up for a great value Vitality membership package! Membership provides both individuals and families access across seven leisure facilities. Venues include Lagan Valley LeisurePlex, Dundonald International Ice Bowl, Lough Moss Leisure Centre, Glenmore Activity Centre, Grove Activity Centre, Kilmakee Activity Centre and the Vitality gym at Billy Neill MBE Country Park. Members can enjoy an extensive timetable of activities, classes and courses to suit both adults and children across our sites. It’s the perfect option for anyone planning a family day out or looking to achieve
a new fitness goal. The package includes a choice of 6 gyms, swimming, racquet sports, fitness classes, kids’ classes and the health suite. Members can also enjoy tenpin bowling, ice skating and Indiana Land at Dundonald International Ice Bowl as well as the Leisure Pool and Mission Inflatable at Lagan Valley LeisurePlex. Household membership is only £49 per month for up to 2 adults and 5 children. There is also a household membership category for 1 adult and up to 5 children at only £39 per month.
Individual rates and a wide selection of concession packages are available too.
To sign up for Vitality membership or for further details on the packages available,
please visit https:// w w w. t h e l e i s u r e p l e x . com/activities/ vitality-membership
Get the new year off to a good start – is your family missing out on financial support? Start as you mean to go on with your first new year’s resolution – find out what financial support your family may be entitled to.
We know that Christmas will have been an expensive time for parents, with presents to buy and celebrations to pay for. For some families, this may have been even more challenging than other years due to the ongoing rise in the general cost-ofliving and on top of that the increases to interest rates making mortgages and rents more expensive. Financial support with childcare costs Now is the time to check the support you are getting with childcare costs. The main types of support with registered childcare costs are now Universal Credit and Tax-Free Childcare. However, many families are still receiving childcare support through the old systems of Tax Credits and Childcare Vouchers. Due to changes in the way support is calculated, what was best for you in the past may no longer be the best option for this year. Added to this, if you’ve had any change in your household
circumstances, or have received notification about having to move from Tax Credits to Universal Credit, it is important that you are aware of how these changes may affect your household income and ensure that you are receiving the most appropriate form of support for your family. Extra childcare support when starting work If you are in receipt of benefits, such as Universal Credit or Tax Credits, and are considering moving into employment or increasing your hours of work and feel that the cost of registered childcare is a barrier to doing so, then you may be entitled to additional support. Talk to your work coach about the Advisor Discretion Fund as you may be entitled to receive a non-repayable grant of up to £1,500 towards your first month’s childcare costs. Childcare Vouchers If you are a member of the Childcare Voucher
scheme, have you made sure to make at least one payment from your salary into your account within the last 52 weeks? If you’ve paused your Childcare Voucher payments or been unable to sacrifice into your account, have you looked into backdating your payments to make
the most of your annual allowance? We are here to answer your questions Simply give Employers For Childcare’s Family Benefits Advice Service a call on Freephone 0800 028 3008 and one of our trained advisors will be able to calculate exactly what support you may be
entitled to at the start of 2024. We provide advice and guidance on a wide range of support including help towards registered childcare costs. So ahead of the long wait to January’s pay day, give our team a call. We will be delighted to hear from you, and to help you get 2024 off to a good start!
The Lisburn Advertiser
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Issue 99 - Support Local
The Lisburn Advertiser
10 reasons to Shop Local!
1. Local shops sell a wide range of great products at affordable prices. Many people get out of the habit of shopping locally and are then surprised by the range of products and gifts available.
2. Shopping locally saves you money. Out of town shops have done a good job of convincing us all that sole traders = expensive, but the evidence just isn’t there to back this up. If you add in travel, parking costs, fees to transport larger items home and customer time, the overall cost is often much greater. 3. Shopping locally retains our communities. People don’t like losing shops and
services in small towns and villages but don’t equate this to how they spend their money. Shops will only survive if customers spend locally - so if you want a vibrant town centre, where people can socialise as well as shop, we need to encourage people to shop locally. 4. Shopping locally retains our distinctiveness - avoid clone towns! Many town centres in Britain look the same with franchises and multinationals. Independent shops create distinctive shopping experiences and stock different products. Independent shops keep traditional local products alive. They respond more quickly
to the needs of local customers, stocking products to meet the changing population needs. 5. Shopping locally saves the environment. We are all aware of CO2 emissions and our environmental impact. Local shops often stock a higher percentage of locally sourced goods for which distribution time and customer journey times are reduced. This helps reduce our global footprint. 6. Shopping locally creates jobs. Shops in our town centres and villages create local employment and self employment. These people in turn spend in the local economy. Evidence shows that
for every £10 spent in an independent shop, £25 is generated for the local economy compared to £14 spent in multinationals. 7. Local independent shops invest more in our communities. Sole traders and independent stores are proportionally more generous in their support for local charities, carnivals, schools and community events. So supporting local shops means a financial return for our community. 8. Local shops are for everyone. Most people can get to their local shops easily. This is especially important for the elderly, the vulnerable, young people and those without private
transport. Keeping your shops open by buying locally helps the whole community. 9. Local shops value you more. Evidence from numerous surveys shows people receive better customer care and service in local shops. Traders survive by their reputation and repeat business - so shopping locally means that you get a higher standard of service. 10. Shopping locally saves services. Private, voluntary and public sector services cluster around shops.The loss of the high street often corresponds to a reduction in these services. As shops disappear, so do hairdressers, vets, dentists etc
NEW MOBILITY FURNITURE SHOWROOM Seymour Dugan Interiors are renowned for supplying quality furniture, rugs, flooring and carpets with
a first class customer service ever since Seymour started the business on Chapel Hill way back in 1966. Over the past 55 years there have been many changes in furniture designs and styles with many products, which were once hand made and therefore expensive, now made by modern machinery therefore massively reducing the price. Motorised lift recliner chairs and motorised adjustable beds are these products which many people need for their daily routine but unfortunately they simply could not afford before now. There has been a rise in demand for these products over the last number of years and
therefore Seymour Beds & Furniture have become one of the largest stockists of lift & recline chairs in the greater Lisburn area. These chairs come in a variety of colours and fabrics. Many are held in stock and are ready to go! If you have mobility issues you can buy a lift & rise chair or motorised bed VAT free which gives you a 20% reduction on the retail price. Seymour Dugan Interiors consists of 3 businesses spread over 3 floors with stairs & a lift. The ground floor of the
store is where you will find Seymour Dugan Carpets & flooring which has an enormous selection of carpets, flooring, vinyls and stair runners in a wide variety of colours and styles. The first and second floor of their premises is where you will find Seymour Beds & Furniture which has a great selection of sofas, living room furniture, beds and dining room furniture much of which is carried in stock available for prompt delivery or collection.
Seymour Beds & Furniture offer free delivery and assembly within the greater Lisburn area. (T&C’s apply) Seymour Rug Gallery is on the first floor of their premises where they carry a massive range of rugs in various sizes from 60cm x 110cm to large room size rugs 240cm x 340cm. With over 2000 rugs on display you will be sure to find a rug that suits any budgets and all styles. SEE MORE BARGAINS AT SEYMOUR DUGANS
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Landscaping, Building or just improving your home and garden? You need Cecil Davidson Sand and Gravel – Celebrating over 40 years!
Rejuvenate your garden and outdoor space, choose from quality decorative stone, topsoil, compost, peat, artificial grass and much more. Their aggregate is available loose, in bulk bags and 25kg bags. Cecil Davidson offer a fast efficient service and can deliver your order whatever the size. Often their tipper lorries can deliver the same day or next
day right to you! Collecting your order? They offer easy access and free parking! They offer a wide range of sand which includes Lough building sand sourced locally, suitable for brick laying, DIY or trade , Plastering / sharp sand - high quality, triple washed pit sand favoured by plasterers across Northern Ireland ; Paving / coarse sand - ideal
for use when paving and preferred by landscaping experts for blending with topsoil to add additional drainage and Concrete sand . They also offer Concrete mix - save time and effort, concrete sand mixed with 20mm stone for foundations and agricultural use. Transform your garden and outdoor space, choose from quality decorative gravel, slate and rockery stone. Artificial grass is ideal for an attractive garden with less maintenance. Topsoil, Compost treated bark, woodchip, peat, and lawn seed is all available! Cecil Davidson provide a clean cut quarry stone in sizes 6-50mm for many
uses from dashing stone to pipe bedding, pathways, drainage or driveways they have you covered! Then of course there’s stone suitable for use for fill, Blinding, for subbase (where smoother more precise finish is required); Quarry dust –for bedding pipes and electrical
cable; Pea gravel rounded stone used for sewerage pipes, septic tanks and reed beds and Horticultural grit - mix with high clay content soil to improve drainage. Cecil Davidson Sand and Gravel also supply other building materials such as Mesh, sheepwire, drainage pipes , fencing. Ground weed control fabric and even wheelbarrows!
The Cecil Davidson team pride themselves on their accommodating customer service which has gained repeat custom and recommendations over the years! For Highly r e c o m m e n d e d aggregate supply in Lisburn and throughout Northern Ireland. Call Cecil Davidson Sand and Gravel on 028 9265 1298
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Ciaran Canney, Foot Medic™ Royal Hillsborough Foot Medic™ Royal Hillsborough is an advanced podiatry clinic in County Down.
The clinic provides diagnosis and treatment of foot & ankle problems from skin and nail conditions to musculoskeletal complaints. We are accredited with the Royal College of Podiatry & all our podiatrists are HCPC registered. Services offered include: Biomechanical / MSK Assessment, K Laser Therapy, Nail Surgery, Verrucae Needling, Injection Therapy, Ultrasound Imaging & Surgical Assessments. Ciaran Canney PODIATRIST / CLINICAL DIRECTOR, MFPM RCPS (Glas) MRCPod is responsible for the day to day running of the clinic, and as a co-director of the larger Foot Medic
Group he works closely with a national network of podiatry clinics through a joint venture program helping them to help more patients using the Foot Medic model. This means that often his work takes place behind the scenes. He has developed a team to run the Glasgow branch of Foot Medic. Ciaran says; “I still love being a clinician so I always try to maintain some clinical time each week through the various clinics. In order to help me manage the practice I have put together a team which I believe offers our patients the very best care we can. This means that I know when I’m not there, my team operate in line with the vision and the values of our clinic. Before training as a
podiatrist I worked in the regional burns and plastic surgery unit, RVH Belfast and have executed roles in many disciplines such as dermatology and general practice. In practice I have a keen interest in surgical procedures. I am a member of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, formally sitting on the podiatric medicine faculty board. I’m the former secretary for the Glasgow branch of the College of Podiatry. I currently sit on the employment support committee for the College of Podiatry. I believe that Foot Medic is at the forefront of change within our profession. Together with my team we have worked to build a patient centred, comprehensive
service. Podiatry genuinely excites me and I want to demonstrate just how life changing it can be.” Foot Medic™ Royal Hillsborough is a first floor podiatry clinic conveniently located in the Royal village
of Hillsborough. The clinic is ocated next to the Co-op at 14e Lisburn Street, Royal Hillsborough, BT26 6AB Call 028 9278 9105 Or, BOOK ONLINE at https://foot-medic.co.uk/ royal-hillsborough-clinic
Start a business in turbulent times
It could be a good time to start a business if you have a good idea and plan ahead
If you are planning on starting your own business in today’s economic climate, you have the advantage of being able to learn from those who have gone before, which will assist you in making a success of your idea now. You will however need to consider a number of factors to ensure the best chance of success. What do you enjoy? You’re going to devote a lot of time and energy to starting a business and building it into a successful
enterprise, so it’s important that you enjoy what you do. Create A Powerful Vision Why are you in business in the first place? What’s the inspirational dream that convinced you to go out on your own? There may be times when you doubt yourself, but if your vision is strong, it will be the thing that sees you through those times. Develop your business plan An active business and marketing plan will be your greatest asset at this early stage in you having your
own business. Finance for start-ups For start-ups, establishing cash flow as quickly as possible is vital to keeping your operations going through your critical first year and beyond. Create clear financial goals, a strong pricing model, a robust payment process and measurements systems that will lead to larger profits, increased cash flow and a healthier, more successful business over time. Create a ‘customer first’ attitude
Create a good database of customers and prospects and ensure you look after it through regular email and telephone contact with clients, former clients and prospective clients. Let them know you’re thinking of them. Surround yourself with successful people You need a support system while you’re starting a business. Surround yourself with successful people who will motivate, support, challenge and encourage you. Successful business owners know what their skills are. Outsource those things that aren’t your specialty, and use that time to go and get some new business. Create professional business processes Everything about you and the way you do business needs to let people know that you are a professional running a serious business. Establishing key processes or systems from day one will ensure your success and build up your reputation as someone customers can trust to deliver. Be realistic and have belief Every successful business is built one step at a time so give yourself time to learn. Self-belief is an entrepreneur’s most precious commodity. If you don’t believe in yourself, then you can’t expect customers to. Log onto http://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk for more information.
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How to Ace A Job Interview!
Before the Interview Research the company and interviewers: Understanding key information about the company you’re interviewing with can help you go into your interview with confidence. Using the company’s website, social media posts and recent press releases will provide a solid understanding of the company’s goals and how your background makes you a great fit. Practice your interview answers: Prepare your answer to the common
question: “Tell me about yourself, and why are you interested in this role with our company?” The idea is to quickly communicate who you are and what value you’ll bring to the company and the role— this is your elevator pitch. Reread the job description: You may want to print it out and begin underlining specific skills the employer is looking for. Think about examples from your past and current work that align with these requirements.
Use the STAR method: Prepare to be asked about times in the past when you used a specific skill and use the STAR method to tell stories with a clear Situation, Task, Action and Result. Practice answering questions with someone: Practicing your answers out loud is an incredibly effective way to prepare. Say them to yourself or ask a friend to help run through common questions and your answers. You’ll find yourself gaining confidence as you get more
used to saying the words. During the Interview Dress appropriately: Dressing professionally shows that you take the interview seriously and respect the interviewer’s time. Be on time: Arrive at least 10-15 minutes early to give yourself time to relax and prepare. Make a great first impression: Smile, make eye contact, and offer a firm handshake. Listen carefully: Pay attention to the interviewer’s questions and
answer them thoughtfully. Be confident: Project confidence by speaking clearly and maintaining good posture. After the Interview Follow up: Send a thankyou note or email to the interviewer within 24 hours of the interview. Evaluate your performance: Think about what went well and what you could improve on for your next interview. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to acing your next job interview. Good luck!
Lisburn Hearing Centre – Making a Real difference. Lisburn Hearing Centre is under new management as Scottish audiologist, Colin I’Anson, has bought the business from founder and owner, David Parkinson. David founded Lisburn Hearing in 2006, and the business has served the local community ever since. New owner, Colin, qualified as a hearing aid audiologist in 2007 and has 16 years of experience working at House of Hearing in Edinburgh specialising in the fitting of bespoke hearing solutions and wax removal. Colin moved to Lisburn with his family in the summer of 2022 and began working part-time at Lisburn Hearing shortly after he arrived. Colin said: “It’s been great to be made to feel so welcome and to get to meet so many people here in Lisburn. I was immediately impressed by the friendly professionalism of the team at Lisburn Hearing and really enjoyed
the interaction with the customers. Being an audiologist is very rewarding as you get to meet so many people and you can make such a big difference to people’s hearing and quality of life.” Colin took over Lisburn Hearing on 4th April and has now had 6 months to settle in. “It’s really exciting to be taking over such a well established and customer focussed business. I’m delighted that David has agreed to remain working on a part-time basis to assist us in a smooth transition, ensuring Lisburn Hearing customers and families always continue to receive a first class service from us. Both wax-removal and hearing-aid-fitting dramatically improve a person’s quality of life. Doing that while
providing a personal and consistent service continues to be our priority and this will continue to set us apart in the future.” David says: “I know Colin will continue with the ethos of the business that I started and will bring a breath of fresh air with his youthfulness and enthusiasm. He has an excellent understanding of the brilliant hearing aids available now, with additional benefits I couldn’t have imagined when I started in this business!” For more information Tel: (0)28 9264 0302, email hello@lisburnhearing.com or see www.lisburnhearing. com. Lisburn hearing Centre is located at 2a Smithfield Square, Lisburn, just between Greens and McCalls.
Colin I’Anson, has bought Lisburn Hearing Centre from founder and owner, David Parkinson.
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Looking for a gas appliance? Jamisons of Lisburn is the place to go. Jamisons of Lisburn is a gas appliance centre located at Ballinderry Business Park, Lisburn They offer a wide range of gas and electrical appliances, including cookers, ovens, hobs, washing machines, fridge freezers, dishwashers, gas fires, and gas tumble dryers. With decades of experience in the sale and installation of gas appliances, the team at Jamisons have all of the knowledge required to ensure you get the right appliance for your home. They also have a range of Broil King and Sahara gas BBQs and gas patio heaters, all competitively
priced. Jamisons of Lisburn has been in the business for decades and has all the knowledge required to ensure that customers get the right appliance for their home. They operate with a safety-first approach and offer GAS SAFE servicing and installation.
Jamisons of Lisburn is based in Lisburn and delivers to most of the UK and Ireland. Jamisons of Lisburn is a reliable and trustworthy gas appliance centre that offers a wide range of products. In the area? Visit our new showroom at Ballinderry Business Park Lisburn BT282SA, where you can
view a full range of gas & electrical appliances Plus, get all of your gas refills, regulators, fittings & camping stoves. The showroom is open from Monday to Friday, 10 am to 3 pm. Customers can also call them on 028 9266 2044. Open Mon to Fri 10 - 3 Call us on 028 9266 2044
Eakin Healthcare establishes Ostomy Centre of Excellence. Eakin Healthcare has announced an investment of £19 million in Research and Development (R&D) to establish an Ostomy Centre of Excellence at its International Headquarters in Comber, Co. Down. Celebrating 50 years, Eakin Healthcare is a family-owned business which manufactures and supplies medical devices for ostomy, wound, respiratory and surgical needs. Making the announcement, Padraic Dempsey, CEO of Eakin Healthcare, said: “The patient has always been at the heart of everything
we do. As we have an aging population with more chronic conditions, our purpose continues to be ensuring that we help people to live as normal a life as possible. The patient has always been at the heart of everything we do. As we have an aging population with more chronic conditions, our purpose continues to be ensuring
that we help people to live as normal a life as possible. Padraic Dempsey, CEO, Eakin Healthcare “Our new Centre of Excellence will support us to achieve this by developing life enhancing products which will support people who have had stoma surgery globally to lead a life with
confidence and dignity for many years to come. We are extremely grateful to Invest NI for its partnership and support.” Eakin Healthcare’s products are available in over 60 countries, and it has employees spanning across nine countries including France, Germany, the Netherlands and Japan
The Lisburn Advertiser is published by EDA Media, No 14 Windmill Business Park, 19A-31 Windmill Road, Saintfield. BT24 7DX - This Paper and its contents are copyright and no part may be reproduced without the prior permission of the publisher. 15000 copies with Royal Mail, TDNI and a network of shops. All Calls are recorded for training, quality and control purposes. Tel: 02897 511002 - Fax 02897 511008 - Email: info@edamedia.co.uk - Visit: www.edamedia.co.uk. Visit The Lisburn Down Advertiser Facebook page for our Digital Issue.
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TESCO NI RAISES OVER 20K FOR AIR AMBULANCE NI
Tesco customers across Northern Ireland have raised over £20,000 for emergency services charity, Air Ambulance NI. The Tesco ‘Red Day’ campaign promoted volunteer collections at Tesco stores across Northern Ireland. In its third consecutive year, this has been the initiative’s best one so far – in 2022, the collection raised £13,000. The campaign mobilised 60 Air Ambulance NI volunteers in 34 stores. Air Ambulance Northern Ireland is a registered charity working in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Services and provides the Helicopter Emergency Medical
Service (HEMS) for Northern Ireland. The HEMS team brings emergency pre-hospital care to seriously ill or injured patients in the aim to save lives, brains and limbs. Operating seven days a week, this life-saving service brings urgent medical assistance to anywhere in Northern Ireland, within 25 minutes. Amy Henshaw, Regional Fundraising Coordinator for Air Ambulance NI, said: “Without the efforts and amazing teamwork d e m o n s t r a t e d by Tesco staff
and Community Champions as well as Air Ambulance volunteers, this amazing total would simply not be possible. Currently, it costs £6850 each day to keep the medical team in the air and this terrific contribution will fund three entire days of our service, helping a potential six people for whom the worst has happened. A special thank you to all the wonderful customers who took the time to donate at your local Tesco and to all the community champions and staff who went above and
beyond to make the collection a great success. It’s not only the medical crew who
REDUCE YOUR STRESS WITH A PET!
When thinking of ways to reduce stress in life, usually techniques like meditation and yoga come to mind. But getting a new best friend can also have many stress relieving and health benefits. While human friends provide great social support and come with some fabulous benefits, this article focuses on the benefits of furry friends: cats and dogs! Here are some of the benefits of owning a pet: Pets can improve your mood: For those who love animals, it’s virtually impossible to stay in a bad mood when a pair of loving puppy eyes meets yours, or when a super-soft cat rubs up against your hand. Research supports the mood-enhancing benefits of pets. Pets control blood pressure better than drugs: Yes, it’s true. Groups of hypertensive New York stockbrokers who got dogs or cats were found to have lower blood pressure and heart rates than those who didn’t get pets. When they heard of
the results, most of those in the non-pet group went out and got pets! Pets encourage you to get out and exercise: Whether we walk our dogs because they need it, or are more likely to enjoy a walk when we have companionship, dog owners do spend more time walking than non-pet owners, at least if we live in an urban setting. Because exercise is good for stress management and overall health, owning a dog can be credited with increasing these benefits. Pets stave off loneliness and provide unconditional love: Pets can be there for you in ways that people can’t. They can offer love and companionship, and can also enjoy comfortable silences and keep secrets. And they could be the best antidote to loneliness. In fact, research shows that nursing home residents reported less
loneliness when visited by dogs than when they spent time with other people! All these benefits can reduce the amount of stress people experience in response to feelings of social isolation and lack of social support from people. It’s important to realize that owning a pet isn’t for
everyone. Pets do come with additional work and responsibility, which can bring its own stress. However, for most people, the benefits of having a pet outweigh the drawbacks. Having a furry best friend can reduce stress in your life and bring you support when times get tough.
save lives but also the people who support the service.’’ Ian Danton, Tesco Enniskillen Store Manager and Community Champion, said: “This is a phenomenal result, our colleagues and customers are consistently hugely generous. Five stores managed to raise over £1,000 in just one day. Air Ambulance NI has a special place in everyone’s heart, and it was wonderful to see Community
Champions, Air Ambulance NI volunteers and customers come together for an amazing charity!” With the ‘Red Day’ campaign, Tesco has contributed to over £50,000 to the charity, not including previous support through bag packs, donated vouchers, and a grant from the Tesco foundation. To learn more about Air Ambulance NI and its life-saving services, visit www. airambulanceni.org
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County Down author Kate launches her first pony book for children!
County Down horsewoman turned author Kate Russell has launched her first equestrian themed children’s book, just in time for the New Year! Kate, a well known figure in the NI world of equestrianism and equine therapy has published ‘Peanut gets his sparkle back’. Kate says: “I have always wanted to write a children’s book from an early age. I
have stories whirling in my head and usually inspired by the ponies dogs and cat. My friend had two young boys who would listen to my stories – they encouraged me to write a book and what’s more - asked if they could be in it!
Working with children and the ponies through equine facilitated learning I could see the very real benefits of the interaction with the different pony personalities.” The book is based on the main characters Peanut
an 8hh Falabella cross pony and Tobi a 27 yr old rescue pony. In real life this odd couple have struck a very strong friendship and became pretty much inseparable! Peanut is young, curious and cute and everyone who meets him falls in love with him. Tobi is older, a little bit stiff but calm with the kindest nature. They are both very much loved for being themselves! In real life Tobi & Peanut are also fully qualified therapy ponies who like nothing better than helping others! The story aims to help children with anxiety and worries and show that that it is ok to have worries but not to let them build up. ‘Peanut, gets his sparkle back’ is a heart-warming
children’s book about overcoming fear and finding the courage within oneself. With charming colour illustrations by the talented Faye Hobson, and a relatable story, young readers will be inspired to face their own worries and become brave little ponies themselves! ‘Peanut gets his Sparkle Back’ is ideal for children 3-9 with coloured text suitable for children with dyslexia, teaches valuable lessons about perseverance, selfconfidence and the power of friendship. It’s a must read for parents, teachers and children alike and is sure to become a beloved addition to any child’s bookshelf! Join Peanut and his
friends on their journey to bravery and show your little ones that they too can conquer their worries and be the courageous heroes they’ve
always dreamed of being. You can find out more about Tobi, Peanut and friends and also purchase a copy of the book direct online at
http:www.tobiandpeanuttherapyponies.com/ product-page/peanutfinds-his-sparkle-childrens-storybook priced £10, (postage fees apply).
WHEN THE PENNY, POUNDS AND DRESS SIZES ALL DROP
Jackie is a member of the Lisburn Wednesday 7.30pm group at Elim. Here she explains how her Slimming World journey with Consultant Christine Young has been life changing! I’ve been to lots of Slimming World groups over the past 10 years - ALL of them worked BUT then I failed Slimming World. I made a habit of joining a group to lose weight for an occasion or event and afterwards never went back! Things changed when I joined one of Christine’s groups. At the start of my journey in May 2022, I weighed 16st. 11 1/2lbs. To begin with I managed to lose 2st. 1lb. working on the plan at home. Realising I needed the support of a Consultant I joined Christine’s Group in July 2022 weighing 14st. 10 1/2lbs. and continued to lose a further 6st overall a weight loss of 8st 1lb. The difference this has made is life changing - I have dropped 6 or 7 dress sizes. Some of the things I love about my new life (apart from feeling so much fitter and healthier) are being able to shop for nice clothes and
meeting people I haven’t seen for a while and get nice compliments. I have 4 little Grandchildren who just let’s say keep me on my toes. It’s just brilliant being involved in everything they do and being able to give them a run for their money - I just wouldn’t have been able to before. Slimming World works by Food Optimising. This really worked for me because it is not a diet, it’s not about calorie counting or even reducing portion sizes……I can eat as much “Free Food” (which includes fruit, vegetables, pasta, rice, potatoes, fish & lean meats) as I want but I just need to make sure I have the right things on my plate to lose weight. It’s easy to make healthier choices and still make your food taste just as good. Slimming World also has a physical activity programme called “Body Magic”. It’s
about finding an activity that gets you moving and more active - for me it is getting outside walking. At the beginning of November I set myself a personal challenge to walk 10,000 steps every day. I know this wouldn’t be a lot for some people but for me who had been pretty inactive it was a good challenge AND I did it, achieving 400,478 steps (172.3 miles). I managed to raise £515.00
which Christine has passed on to Cancer Research UK.. Thank you to everybody who supported, encouraged and sponsored me. The group that I go to has been the most supportive ever. A crucial part of my journey is to stay every Wednesday evening rather than just show my face, get weighed and leave. There is a great buzz at our wee 7.30 group in Lisburn. We support and encourage one another and we have loads of fun and laughter in the process. Slimming World provides loads of additional support including podcasts, an app for our phones, online support, SW ready meals, recipes books and a monthly magazine but the support of our Consultant is pivotal. Christine is a really great Consultant. She makes everybody feel welcome, treats us as individuals, is always there to listen, support and encourage, doesn’t judge and I couldn’t have done this without her. I am very lucky to have a very caring, understanding and, most will agree, patient husband. We have been able to support each other because Peter is also a member of Christine’s 7.30pm Elim group.
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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-to-date 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.
Are you a top achiever at 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 single-mindedly 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.
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.
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ENVIRONMENTAL WORKSHOPS IN LOCAL SCHOOLS
Ireland’s leading organics recycling firm Natural World Products (NWP) joined Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) to mark National Tree Week recently with educational tree planting workshops in local primary schools. Primary seven pupils from Friends’ Prep Primary School and Moira Primary School joined NWP’s Community Outreach Manager, Sharon McMaster, to plant native saplings in their school grounds using peatfree compost produced by the leading organics firm from recycled household and gardening waste. The initiative provided an opportunity to educate the younger generation on environmental impact and responsibility and highlighted the benefits gardening and horticulture can have on physical and mental wellbeing. NWP’s Sharon McMaster said: “It’s a real pleasure for Natural World Products to team up with Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council to deliver sustainability workshops like this to educate the younger generation, in a fun and interactive way, on their essential role in protecting our environment. “Planting trees and adding compost to soil are two of the most significant actions we can take when tackling climate change; importantly both these actions help with sequestering carbon. “This fantastic initiative allowed us to not only use
the product we produce but also share the horticultural knowledge of our team, so it was a no-brainer to support, and we very much look forward to delivering more workshops like this in the future.” The tree planting workshop is part of a wider sustainability project launched by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council in 2023, funded by The Woodland Trust, and proudly supported by Natural World Products The Big Tree Project. Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council area has the lowest tree canopy cover in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland also has the lowest tree canopy cover in Europe. Therefore, the main objective of The Big Tree Project is to grow more native woodland areas for generations to come and secure a more sustainable future for the region. Mr Colin Ford, Prin-
cipal of Moira Primary, echoed that sentiment by concluding: “Our P7 children thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to plant more trees within the school grounds as part of this initiative. “In addition to appreciating the positive impact trees have upon the environment, the children are also fully aware of the personal legacy they are leaving behind for future generations of children who will progress through Moira Primary School.” Natural World Products is Ireland’s leading organic recycler and a critical part of a circular system. Working to effect change, Natural World Products provides sustainable solutions that address climate change and increase biodiversity. For more information visit www.naturalworldproducts.com
Young Athletes race through round 2 of Flahavan’s Cross Country League Young Athletes race through round 2 of Flahavan’s Cross Country League Placing first in the boy’s race was Aidan Butterwick from Methodist College Belfast Primary School, followed by Adam Hanna and Jake Smyth, both from Stranmillis Primary School, in second and third place respectively. Beibhinn Bourke from Stranmillis Primary School, Belfast, gained the top spot in the girls’ race, followed by Aoife Burke from St Bride’s Primary School, Belfast in second and Kiyomi Tosh from Templepatrick Primary School, Ballyclare, in third place. The pupils have also been competing in team races to collect points for their school, with the top schools due to compete in the third round of the league set to take place at Six Mile Water Park, Ballyclare on Monday
15th January 2024. The top three boys’ teams in the second round were Stranmillis Primary School, Belfast, Methodist College Belfast Primary School and St Bride’s Primary School, Belfast, whilst the top three girls’ schools were Stranmillis Primary School, St Bride’s Primary School, and St Mary’s Primary School, Draperstown. Following the third round, athletes will compete in the final due to take place in February, with the top 20 boys and top 20 girls invited to join the Flahavan’s Athletics Northern Ireland Junior Endurance Squad. Participation in the Endurance Squad has long been seen as a fantastic opportunity for young athletes, helping further develop their athletic careers by providing training sessions and all-important guidance
over a 12-month period. The 2023-2024 league was launched at Portstewart Strand in September and was attended by Flahavan’s ambassador Hannah Gilliland from County Down. As official ambassador, Hannah has been providing her top tips and advice
to the young athletes on how to prepare for competing in the league. Hannah will also pay a visit to the winning schools to meet and greet the young athletes starting out on their exciting athletic careers. For further information on the league, please contact
Athletics NI at info@ athleticsni.org or 028 9060 2707. To learn more about Flahavan’s full range of products, follow @ FlahavansUK on X (formerly Twitter), or @Flahavans on Facebook and Instagram.
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Issue 99 - Support Local
The Lisburn Advertiser Page 21
Common reasons your car will fail its winter MOT A new study reveals the most common reasons cars fail their MOT in the winter – with lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment named the biggest problem area. Insurance broker One Sure Insurance analysed data from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency to determine the most common reasons for MOT failure among class 4 vehicles (cars, vans, motorhomes and other small commercial vehicles) in the October-December quarter. It turns out that drivers need to be especially vigilant when monitoring their car this time of year, as almost a third (29%) of cars fail their winter MOT, with an average of 2.5 issues detected. Ranking first as the most common reason for MOT failure was faults in lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, which comprised over a quarter of total defects found at 26.1%. Of the total MOT tests, 11.9% were identified as having at least one failure in this category.
In second was faulty or broken suspension systems, which encompassed almost a fifth (19.2%) of defects. Failures with suspension were encountered in almost 1 in 10 (9%) tests. Following in third was brake failures, accounting for 15.9% of defects and observed in 6.9% of tests. In fourth was tyre failures, making up 12.3% of defects and present in 6.4% of tests. Rounding out the top five was visibility issues, which includes anything blocking the windscreen or the driver’s eyeline. These made up 7.9% of total defects and were identified in 4.7% of tests. In sixth was damage to the vehicle’s body, chassis and structure, which includes the frame, interior and bumpers. These failures accounted for 6.6% of defects and were in 3.7% of tests.
Noise, emissions and leaks followed in seventh, comprising 5.7% of total defects and occurring in 3.3% of tests. In eighth was steering, with issues with the steering wheel and steering system components making up 3.1% of defects and presenting in 1.9% of tests. Ranking ninth was faults with seat belts and supplementary restraints, such as airbags. These comprised 3.1% of defects and were found in 1.1% of tests. Completing the top ten was identification of the vehicle, such as license plates and vehicle ID numbers. These were responsible for 0.7% of defects and were detected in 0.4% of tests. On the other end of the spectrum, faults with speedometers and speed limiters were uncommon, with failures in the
category comprising 0.01% of total defects. Similarly, they were observed in just 0.1% of tests. Issues with seatbelt installation were equally rare, consisting of 0.01% of defects and presenting in 0.01% of tests. Failures
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with road wheels were also relatively uncommon, constituting 0.7% of defects and appearing in 0.4% of tests. Taking an MOT test in the winter months may seem more daunting than usual, as there’s the added
pressure of navigating potentially harsh weather conditions along with typical wear-and-tear. However, there are precautions you can take to make sure you’re as prepared as possible. A spokesperson for
One Sure Insurance said: “While taking an MOT test in the winter months can come with its own set of challenges, you still stand a good chance of passing if you’re aware of the issues to look out for and address them well before your test. “As a bare minimum safety measure, ensuring that seatbelts are fitted correctly and can fasten properly is an essential check. As lights are the most common issue, it’s a good idea to make sure that they’re working properly before you take to the road. Functioning lights are really important - especially in the winter months when driving in darkness is a regular occurrence. “Testing your breaks is also key – they should be in good condition and responsive. Make sure to inspect the tread depth and overall
condition of your tires too, as these are often impacted by the winter weather. Make sure they meet the legal requirements and are free from damage. “Good visibility is essential when driving, particularly during winter where adverse weather conditions can cause additional obstructions. Ensure that your mirrors are attached securely and provide a clear view, and check that your wipers are functioning properly. “Remember, if your dashboard is displaying any warning lights, you need to identify the issues and resolve them before the test. Regular checks, maintenance and servicing throughout the year can increase your chances of passing an MOT test, so don’t leave everything to the last minute.
OVER HALF OF THOSE CONVICTED FOR DRINK DRIVING HAVE BEEN ON THE ROAD A YEAR OR LESS A sample of over 600 convicted drivers was analysed across Northern Ireland, showing the number one offence to be driving with alcohol level above the limit. The data, compiled by CompareNI.com, shows that driving with alcohol above the limit accounted for 33% of all convictions, of which over half of offenders (56%) had been driving for a year or less. The winter evenings,witness a surge in drink driving offences as alcohol intake increases dramatically across the festivities. Drink/drug driving continues to be a major contributor in serious road traffic collisions in Northern Ireland as ‘impaired by alcohol/drugs’ was the second most common principal causation factor for KSI (killed or seriously injured) casualties in 2022.* During the Christmas period 1st Dec 2022 – 1st Jan 2023, a total of 308 people were arrested for drink/drug driving related offences in Northern Ireland, representing an increase of 3% compared with the same period the previous year (299). The highest evidential breath test reading recorded over the campaign was 157µg/100ml, four times over the legal limit.** The PSNI made 16 arrests for drink/drug driving offences in Lisburn and Castlereagh in this period. It’s vitally important all
drivers heed the warnings, especially those new to driving, and don’t drink and drive. If people need to drive the next day, they should check their blood alcohol levels using the simple online tools available – note these are only an estimate, if drivers are in any doubt about their legal limit, it’s safer to forgo driving the next day altogether. Driving or attempting to drive while above the legal drink limit or unfit because of drink could result in 6 months in prison, a fine of up to £5,000, a ban from driving for at least 12 months or three years, if convicted twice in 10 years. Commenting on the data, Ian Wilson, Managing Director of CompareNI.com said: “It’s worrying to see the number of drink and drug driving related offences across Northern Ireland in the Christmas period last year reached over 300. “I’m shocked that 33% of convictions in Northern Ireland were for alcohol levels above the limit, with over half of these offenders driving for a year or less. “The weather around Christmas time can be particularly tricky for drivers, so it’s important that those who are new to the road
make sure to take extra care and not break any rules that could put them and others in danger. “A safe alternative would be the wide range of alcohol free beer, wine and spirits that are now available. Online calculators and home breathalyser tests can also help drivers to work out if it’s safe for them to drive.
“Everyone wants to enjoy the festive period, but motorists should avoid drink driving at all costs as the consequences can be life changing.” CompareNI.com can help drivers find savings on everyday bills and essentials, for car and van insurance or breakdown cover this winter, compare and save.
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The Lisburn Advertiser
Issue 99 - Support Local
Issue 99 - Support Local
The Lisburn Advertiser Page 23
How to cut costs, save money and keep warm this winter With the darker nights drawing in and temperatures dropping across the UK, the temptation to flick on the heating and cosy up by the fire has arrived. Despite the new energy price cap leaving some bills to cost less than last year, there are still many ways you can reduce the costs and keep expenditure to a minimum. This is why experts at Howden Insurance have revealed their top tips on saving energy at home to lower household bills, whilst keeping your home and family warm during the colder months. Following this guide over the Winter will help to reduce energy bills, allowing Brits to save money, stay warm and make smarter decisions when it comes to energy usage. Water Efficiency It is vital to know that around 25% of your home’s energy consumption is used by
heating water, but it is possible to save money while you are in the shower, surprisingly. By reducing the amount of time you spend in the shower, it can help to reduce your bills massively. By shaving off a few minutes in the shower, you can save up to £150 each year on your bill. Another way to ensure your hot water is being used efficiently is by adding a waterefficient showerhead into your bathroom, most of which cost between £10-£20. The showerheads restrict the amount of water coming through the head, and when fitted properly, make sure you have no leaking areas, which could be costing you vital
pennies. Correct insulation is key Draught-proofing your home doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. If you notice that your home is losing a lot of its heat quickly and it’s hard to keep warm, you can try some insulation hacks to try to combat the escaping heat. Remember to identify the areas that are causing the escaping heat first before trying these steps: • Move your furniture to maximise heat – if your furniture is blocking your radiators, you are essentially throwing money away. It is important to let the heat circulate in a room properly, so have a play around with your furniture
placement and make sure you aren’t blocking off the heat at the source. • Invest in a smart thermostat – as well as being totally cost-effective, smart thermostats are a great way to manage your home’s temperature through your phone. They offer an easy way
to set timers for when you are on your way home, that way, your home can be toasty when you get in, as well as having complete control over the temperature in each room. • Upgrade your curtains or blinds – when a home has thick curtains, it allows
the heat to stay in the room and not easily escape. Remember to put your blinds down and curtains across as soon as it starts to get dark, as this will also prevent escaping heat. If you are looking for a more substantial and long-term way of insulating your
home better, you can, of course, invest in both loft and roof insulation as well as floor insulation. This option is pricier but can reduce costs in the long run. Improper insulation is a total waste of energy, so make sure to check any gaps around windows, doors and vents for cracks which need to be sealed appropriately. Turn off radiators in rooms you aren’t occupying This one is a must and could draw you in a massive yearly saving by whittling down the temperature valves on your radiators when you aren’t in the room. If turning the radiator completely off is not something you want
to consider, reducing the temperature by half can still make sure to keep the room at around 15-20C and for a room you don’t tend to venture into, is a comfortable temperature. Unplug devices once they are charged British Gas estimated that around 23% of a home’s electrical use could be eaten up by having devices still plugged in and charging once fully charged or by keeping devices on standby; this equates to around £200 per year. The benefits of unplugging your devices once they have a sufficient amount is that you will prolong the battery life and longevity of your device, as well as save some cash.
NIEA urges householders to check oil tanks before winter fuel top up
Before your winter fuel top up the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) is encouraging anyone with a domestic heating oil tank to carry out a number of simple checks to prevent leaks or spills to protect our environment and wildlife. Dr. Deirdre Quinn, Principal Scientific Officer with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) said: “Many homes across Northern Ireland are heated by oil and as we head into the winter months it is important oil tanks are ready for winter fuel top ups and oil is stored safely. “In 2022 the NIEA received 124 oil related pollution incidents. The escape of oil from tanks and underground pipes can contaminate soil, groundwater, pollute rivers and harm aquatic life and wildlife. Not only are you out of expense in losing the oil but clean-up costs can be expensive and many insurance companies do not cover remediation costs which can be in many thousands of pounds. “The NIEA recommends that you take time this winter to check your tank and pipework to prevent loss or escape of oil before your winter top ups to help reduce the risk of oil loss, clean- up costs and to protect our environment.” There are simple steps householders can take to check for and prevent leaks or spills which include: • Arrange for your tank to be inspected annually by
a competent person. • Walk around your tank and check that there are no obvious cracks, damage, whitening or deforming of plastic tanks or rusting, pitting or blistering of paint of metal tanks. • Clear back vegetation that has become overgrown around your tank and check that there are no signs of a leak from the tank or its pipework, valves and filters. Staining, dampness, odour or dieback of vegetation could be a sign of a leak. • Check there are no signs of cracking or subsidence on the tanks base or supports. • Situate your tank on a firm, flat base that extends 300mm beyond the tank perimeter. • Keep an eye on your oil use. If you suddenly use more oil than expected, you should check your tank and pipework for leaks. • Check how much oil is in your tank and don’t over order. • Try to be at home when your oil is delivered to make sure your tank isn’t overfilled and you are able to act if there is a problem. For more information on how to inspect your tank and connections check
out Oil Care Campaign regular checks guide at http://oilcare.org.uk/ look-after-your-oil/regulartank-checks/ or on NI Direct at https://www. nidirect.gov.uk/articles/ check-your-oil-tank If you are unfortunate to have a spill further guidance is available on both the NIEA’s oil spills at home page https://www. nidirect.gov.uk/articles/ oil-spills-home and Oil
Care Campaign website ‘http://oilcare.org.uk/ dealing-with-spills/. If you wish to report an oil spill or leak that could affect rivers or coastal waters please contact the NIEA incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or email e m e rg e n c y - p o l l u t i o n @ daera-ni.gov.uk. More info is available at https:// w w w. n i d i r e c t . g o v. u k / contacts/northern-irelandenvironment-agency