Newtownabbey In-touch Jan/Feb 2016

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Newtownabbey

January / February 2016

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your community / your life / your business

WIN a Couples Escape at Hilton Templepatrick Creating a Family Photo Wall

Living With Dementia?

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CONTENTS: 6.

6. FAMILY LIFE

Alzheimer’s Society is the leading care and research charity for people affected by all forms of dementia and can help make caring for someone with dementia a little easier.

20.

20. HEALTH

Every New Year many people begin the year with the intention of making a change or two.

The problem in most cases is that these New Year resolutions don’t last.

28. YOUR HOME

28.

40.

If you have always wanted to create a family photo wall then why not have some New Year fun making it happen with all those Christmas and New Year photos you took.

40. MOTORING

Tough meets smart in the All-New Nissan NP300 Navara. With a strong, muscular exterior and cutting-edge technology to keep you connected and comfortable.

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR Happy New Year and welcome to our first edition of 2016. From all of us at In-touch we wish you a blessed and successful year ahead.

After all our Christmas indulgences and at the start of a New Year, we inevitably turn our attention to resolving to do things differently in the year ahead.

Whether this is to live a healthier lifestyle, sign up for something new, give back to the local community or even make a change in our career, we all hope for success in what we will try to achieve.

Nothing of worth comes without sacrifice and effort off course, however our article on a recent trip to Lapland Disclaimer

by children with debilatating and terminal illnesses helps us keep things in perspective.

but is by no means a substitute for the real thing. You never know, it might help you save someone’s life one day.

Perhaps you’re concerned about the year ahead as you have a family member or friend who is suffering with dementia and you’re not sure how best to help them. The Alzheimers Society (pg 6&7) offer support and advice to both patients and carers and there are local support groups available in this area.

I hope you enjoy this issue and as always, please keep in-touch with your thoughts and ideas, they’re appreciated.

One of the new things that you might learn this year is First Aid and our article (pg 42) on what to do if you come across a road traffic accident may be helpful

Contact: Susan Gilchrist t: 028 9332 4511 e: susan@newtownabbeyintouch.com w: www.newtownabbeyintouch.com

Get

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate neither the publisher nor its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accidents or any other cause. Newtownabbey In-touch does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission of the publisher.

Finding Out More About Dementia Alzheimer’s Society is the leading care and research charity for people affected by all forms of dementia.

What is dementia?

Dementia affects everyone differently and can cause a wide range of symptoms. These can include problems with memory, thinking, concentration and language.

People may become confused or struggle with how they perceive things. Dementia can also cause changes in mood or emotions and effect how someone behaves.

Dementia is progressive, which means that they symptoms get worse over time. However, many people with dementia lead active and fulfilling lives for many years.

There are many different types of dementia. The most common are Alzheimer’s Disease and vascular dementia, which are sometimes combined (called mixed dementia).

Less common are dementia with Lewy Bodies and frontotemporal dementia.

Various factors increase the risk of someone developing dementia. Ageing, genes, health and lifestyle all play a part.

If you are worried about your memory, contact your GP. The earlier you seek help, the sooner you can get information, advice and support.

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FAMILY LIFE

To help you cope with memory problems you could: Try using a large diary, and perhaps keeping it next to a calendar clock. Also try keeping important items, such as keys or glasses, together in the same place.

Try to make your home safer. Remove things that are easy to trip over and install carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms. You could also get automatic timers for plugs, lights and heating.

Try to stay active and social: it can help you retain skills and memory, as well as improve your self-esteem, sleep and wellbeing. Having dementia doesn’t mean you should feel unwell or depressed. It’s important to try and stay healthy. Regular exercise and eating a balanced diet can help.

Arrange regular checkups with your GP, as well as regular dental, eye and hearing checks. Get the annual flu vaccine and see the doctor promptly if you feel unwell.

Support for carers Caring for someone with dementia can be very stressful and at times upsetting, but also rewarding.

Carers often go through a wide range of emotions, including loss, guilt and anger. They may also have positive feelings, such as satisfaction from being able to support the person with dementia.

As a carer you have a right to a carer’s assessment and to receive support to help you to maintain your caring role.

Sources of support for carers include family and friends, health professionals, social services, carers’ support groups and organisations such as Alzheimer’s Society.

It’s important to look after your own health and wellbeing. Try to eat a balanced diet, and to get enough sleep and exercise. Make sure you have some time to yourself.

Living well with dementia If you’ve been diagnosed with dementia, there are lots of things you can do that will help you to live as well as possible.

There are practical tips that can make caring for someone with dementia a little easier. For example, encourage the person to keep doing what they can to retain their independence. When communicating, make eye contact, listen carefully, be aware of your body language and speak clearly.

To find services in your area for information and support, start by contacting your GP, social services department, Alzheimer’s Society or Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

Talk to a doctor – ideally a specialist – about behaviour that is challenging or causing either of you distress or worry. There are things that can be done to help.

For more information about dementia, contact the Alzheimer’s Society East Antrim office on 028 9336 2940 or email: eastantrim@alzheimers.org.uk. Alternatively, you can contact the National Dementia Helpline on 0300 222 1122 (Monday-Wednesday, 9am-8pm; Thursday & Friday, 9am-5pm; Saturday & Sunday, 10am-4pm)

Are you interested in volunteering with people with dementia?

Side by Side Volunteers Our Side by Side volunteers offer companionship and support to individuals in the early stages of dementia. The aim of the service is to promote social inclusion, enabling people living with dementia to maintain and develop their hobbies and interests in a supportive way for a few hours each week.

We provide induction, out of pocket expenses, ongoing training and support for all volunteers. You will be fully supported in your role.

If you live in Newtownabbey, Larne, Carrickfergus or Ballyclare and you are caring, reliable and passionate about making a real difference to people living with dementia, then we would love to hear from you.

For more information about becoming a Side by Side volunteer, information about dementia and services in the East Antrim area, please contact

The East Antrim Office on 028 9336 2940 or email

eastantrim@alzheimers.org.uk Alzheimer’s Society is striving towards equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. As men are currently under-represented in this, we would particularly welcome applications from them. All appointments will be made on merit.

National Dementia Helpline 0300 222 11 22 9am- 8pm Monday-Wednesday 9am-5pm Thursday and Friday 10am-4pm Saturday and Sunday

www.alzheimers.org.uk Registered charity no. 296645

FAMILY LIFE

An Enduring Power of Attorney Most of us consider that we will be able to look after our own affairs until we die. In reality however, some of us endure physical or mental illnesses which result in us losing our independence. It is important to remember that mental incapacity can happen to anyone at anytime, for example - by accident or through illness.

If this were to happen to you, you and your loved ones will be glad that you have made an Enduring Power of Attorney.

This can be made with your Solicitor and is a method of allowing someone to look after your affairs including your bank accounts, your business transactions, your personal arrangements because the form you have signed gives them a legal authority to look after your best interests.

A Power of Attorney ceases when you become mentally incapable of managing your affairs, but an Enduring Power of Attorney continues.

An Enduring Power of Attorney is accepted by the banks, the building societies, the post offices and the government departments as a legal document which allows them to deal with the person who is appointed and have no fear of there being a subsequent difficulty.

If you are unfortunate enough to suffer a stroke for

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example, and you do not have one of these documents completed, your loved ones would not be able to pay your rates bill, let alone operate what is in your best interest without having to go to the courts to resolve the matter.

The person appointed is called ‘an attorney’ and they have the power and authority to stand in your shoes and make all decisions about your property , income and finances which you would have made had your illness not befallen you.

You can make one of these documents at any solicitor’s office who will advise you of the limitations of this arrangement and the benefits of it , for example; your attorney is not able to make medical or personal welfare decisions with the hospital authorities on your behalf.

In the absence of an Enduring Power of Attorney being completed, loved ones very often are required to go to the court to ask the court to afford them some power to deal with your affairs, all of this at a time when your loved ones are trying to come to terms with your new found illness.

All of this can be avoided and sensible precautions can be put in place by the terms and conditions of your attorney’s power and help and advice can be obtained from your local solicitor regarding same.

E.J. Lavery & Co Solicitors, specialise in drafting Enduring Power of Attorneys to suit your requirements whether it is a straight forward Power of attorney or an involved and complicated document.

We can guide you through the decisions you need to make, giving you advice and theappropriate help . We can if necessary, arrange a home visit to help you with any of your requirements in this area of work.

20% DISCOUNT Off the Price of Your Will or Enduring Power of Attorney. (on production of this article and advert before 29th February 2016)

FAMILY LIFE

Redundancy, Pensions and Future Income!

The Basics Employees can receive up to £30,000 as a ‘qualifying termination payment’ free of tax and National insurance. This amount includes any statutory redundancy pay to which you are entitled. If you receive more than £30,000, then the extra amounts over the limit are taxable.

and will depend on the rules set by the Inland Revenue which are far from simple. They key thing is to have your individual circumstances assessed so that the best advice suitable to you can be given.

have always been and continue to be INDEPENDENT financial advisers (IFA’s). We are Northern Ireland based, locally owned and have been providing investment and redundancy advice since the 1980’s.

It is important to clarify what exactly each payment is for as certain types of payment may be taxable such as holiday pay, bonuses, and arrears of pay. Another common type of payment is ‘Pay in lieu of notice’, this is often taxable, but not always.

Deciding what is your target or required income is the essential first step. When assessing your options with regards to redundancy payments and your need for future income, your pension benefits should be a key area of focus.

Combined with any lump sum payments that can be invested to generate income, will your pension income meet your target income?

To arrange a free initial chat contact Phil on 028 9332 2822 or visit our website www.financialforesight.co.uk

How can Financial Advice Help?

By seeking Independent Financial Advice you can look to redirect certain payments into tax-efficient products.

Pensions are but one example of this

You must be careful as not all financial advice is the same. Many, if not most, advisers are “restricted” in what they can advise on or whom they can recommend. Financial Foresight

Independent Advice...

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T: 93327575 2822 T :028 028 9048

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COMMUNITY

Abbey Community College The opening of Abbey Community College in September 2015 brought a new, exciting, allability 11-19 educational opportunity to the young people of the Newtownabbey and Antrim Borough and the surrounding area.

Our College motto ‚’Believe, Achieve, Succeed’ is at the heart of all we do.

As a child centred school with an ethos of respect for self and others, all students have the opportunity to be challenged and supported to achieve their full potential. From Year 8 all students have a seven year personalised learning journey with a wide variety of academic, vocational and extra-curricular experiences available to them. This will ensure that they are well prepared for Higher Education, Further Education or employment in this ever changing world.

A SCHOOL IN THE COMMUNITY As ‘a school at the heart of the community with the community at the heart of the school’ Abbey Community College works in partnership with parents, local education providers, business and community based groups to build opportunities for community education, sports participation and family support. As an active member of Newtownabbey Learning Community, collaboration with other local schools and Northern Regional College enhances the curriculum by providing students with access to a wide range of academic and vocational courses at GCSE and Post 16.

Positive relationships with local primary schools have created opportunities for shared learning experiences. Strategic partnerships have been developed with a variety of local business and community groups to support learning achievement and personal development in variety of ways.

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CURRICULUM At Abbey Community College our team of highly qualified and experienced staff creates high quality learning experiences for students of all abilities across the curriculum.

This enthuses and motivates students towards success.

in September to help students familiarise themselves with facilities on site and build relationships with staff and their peers. Each student has a Class Tutor who meets them daily and is the first point of contact for parents. A Head of Year monitors and supports all aspects of student progress and development.

Post 16 Mentors attached to each class provide valuable support and guidance for students in the first weeks and months. They meet students in the morning and become a friendly face in the corridor, playground, canteen and on the buses. They help Year 8 students to settle in and answer questions.

By developing a wide range of skills, knowledge and understanding they are able to make informed decisions about their future. The curriculum offers each student a broad and balanced experience to challenge and support all individuals towards achieving their full potential and progressing towards a wide variety of educational and career opportunities.

STUDENT AMBASSADORS As ambassadors for Abbey Community College all students are expected to take pride in their personal appearance by wearing the correct school uniform at all times and complying with all aspects of the College Uniform Policy.

Students are encouraged to work both independently and with others, to think for themselves, make decisions and develop high levels of skills in Literacy, Numeracy and ICT across a wide variety of subject areas.

PASTORAL CARE As an inclusive, caring and child centred school Abbey Community College enhances and supports the personal, social and academic development of each individual student in all aspects of College life.

All staff play an important role, both within and beyond the classroom, ensuring that all students are given every opportunity to reach their full potential regardless of ability or background.

An Induction Programme for Year 8 students in the summer term before they enrol at Abbey Community College eases the transition from primary school and helps them to begin making friends. This continues

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES At Abbey Community College the educational experience of our young people is not just be confined to the classroom or the normal school day. Before school, at lunchtime and after the school day ends students have the opportunity to become involved in a variety of sporting and other activities which give valuable academic, personal and social development experiences.

Bridge Youth Club operates for local young people of all ages in the evenings over the course of the week.

OPEN EVENING The Principal Mrs M Quinn warmly invites prospective Year 8 students on Thursday 21 January 2016 at 6.30 - 9pm

BELIEVE ACHIEVE SUCCEED

Bridge Road, Newtownabbey, BT37 0EA www.abbeycommunitycollege.co.uk

028 9086 7431

COMMUNITY

Your Call ...

By Luke North

It may only be the start of 2016 but the thoughts of many parents are already turning to decisions to be made in the coming months, namely, choice of school for your soon-to-be-teens.

While it may seem like no time at all since you were coaxing them into their first days at primary school, post-primary days may now beckon and it’s your call, your decision. Remember, of course, the child needs to have a contributory opinion – it is he or she, after all, who will spend the next five or seven years at the desks in the new school, not yourself!

So how do we decide? How do we make the right decision? Where do we get help?

Well, in no particular order, there are a number of vital elements to the decision-making process.

legibly may well have nothing but negative comments about the school. Ask around. Keep your ears open.

Attend Open Days or Nights. Talk to friends. Talk to friends’ children who may already be at that particular school.

And why ignore the staff of the school? Why not ask if you can have a look around. Ask questions at that Open Night you’re going to. How do they approach the common curriculum? What is their view on exams and exam results? Is it important to adhere to strict uniform demands or is it a laissez-faire approach? Does that suit you or your child? What importance do they put on parental involvement? Is extra help available for your son/ daughter’s literacy difficulties?

Check out the school’s website, find out if they have a prospectus and read it. Go to the website www.etini.gov.uk if results and percentages are important to you. Read previous inspection reports and try to form a considered view.

But to be honest, you’re still taking a chance. You’re still hoping that all will be okay. You’re still taking a wee bit of a gamble.

How far away, for example, is the new school? A ten minute walk on a safe route? A forty minute bus ride with at least one change? A half hour car journey in bumper to bumper rush hour traffic?

Is it a natural feeder point from your current primary school? Does it matter if your son or daughter goes with P7 mates to their next adventure in education? Or, would you/your son/daughter prefer a fresh start? Perhaps, if your youngster has either been the victim of unwanted attention - like bullying - or has been the one dishing out the unwanted attention, then perhaps a brave, new beginning is an option.....

Your child’s needs and interests need to be met. Does he or she have special needs? Whether academically, or socially, perhaps medically, all must be considered and thought given to the school’s ability to meet these needs.

Are school clubs important? Well, yes, in terms of a wellrounded individual, they are. After-school clubs play a vital role in many aspects of teen life, not least in assuring the young person that there are other elements to school life and that lasting and meaningful friendships can arise from out-of-classroom experiences.

And what about the old favourite? Word of mouth. Of course, you’ll weigh up the comments and opinions you hear. Not everyone will ‘sing from the same hymn sheet’.

Those with an axe to grind because a particular teacher insists on the geography homework being written out

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Just remind yourself and your youngster that it’s a joint operation; it requires a satisfactory input to ensure there’s an acceptable outcome.

A child and parent with the right attitude will go a long way to making post-primary schooling a valuable and worthwhile lesson for all.

COMMUNITY COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY COMMUNITY

Flax Gallery Museumat at Museum Museum at The Mill Exhibitions TheMill Mill The New Courses and Workshops &Stacking FlaxRings & Flax Papermaking Making a Terrarium Jewellery Workshop Gallery Gallery Exhibitions Exhibitions Thursday 5 November – Saturday 28 November

Thursday 3 December – Saturday 2 January 2016

Glengormley Art Club Annual Exhibition Glengormley Art Club has been running for over 25 years and attracts Loose Thread Quilters novice, Loose Thread is a small group Sat 23 Tues 19 Jan Quilters (for 6 weeks) Jan amateur and experienced artists living in Newtownabbey and surrounding areas. The majority of works are paintings and drawings Cost: £50/£45 (concession) Cost:its£20/£18 (concession) of active quilt makers drawn from Sat 6 Feb Time: - 9pm Time: – 3pm of 11am landscapes, seascapes, still life and portraits using oils, watercolours, all over7pm Northern Ireland. Formed Cost: £40/£36 (concession) Tutor: Bill McBride Tutor: Linda O’Kane pastels, acrylics, pencil and mixed media. in 1996, the group was established Time: 10am – 4pm Age: 16 years+ Age: 16 years+ to promote the practice and art of Tutor: Diane Lyness patchwork, appliqué and quilting for Age: 16 years+ Terrariums are glass containers Following a brief outline of the the traditional quilt maker and the

with either living or artificial plants, history papermaking and the contemporary fabric Above: Sara of Maconkey - artist.

Spend a day of fun in the workshop Building Legacies arranged in attractive and decorative Above: Sara Maconkey relevance of papering in the Antrim Building Legacies The latest collection, Ploughed Fields - Parkgatecommissioned and create a pair of silver stacking Wednesday – Wednesday 29 July Ploughed Fields Parkgate layers which benefit the plants. andthe Newtownabbey area,&the course 1 July by Irish-Linen Centre Lisburn Wednesday 1 July – Wednesday 29 July rings, set with semi precious In this class we will be making an will guide you through the simple The Architectural Heritage of Charles Lanyon Museum and launching there in stones. Each participant will be The Architectural Heritage of Charles Lanyon inTale Mid processes2015, involved in the craft using October is called ‘The ofAntrim the arrangement with living succulent in Mid Antrim taught traditional jewellery making plants, they look fantastic and are traditional hand equipment.

Paper Sir Charles Lanyon’s Legacy within the Thread’ and reflects the manufacture techniques such as piercing, Sir Charles Lanyon’s Legacy within the easy to lookinafter. will need to willlinen. be made from rags of linen, architectural environment Mid You Antrim of The pieces demonstrate a environment soldering, rolling, annealing and architectural in Midglass Antrim bring your own vase, roughly is significant and will be brought to light cotton and wool, dried and pressed diversity of techniques and themes and will be brought to light isthrough significant polishing, enabling you to design and this exhibition.

The accompanying 5-6” (13-15cm) in diameter and 6-10” flowers and herbs and even an old covering everything from social and through this exhibition.

The accompanying make a beautiful piece of jewellery to resource leaflet encourages you to visit the or (15-25cm) tall, it can be round pair of denim jeans.

All of the paper economic history, environment and resource leaflet encourages you to visit your the take home. No previous experience is Lanyon sites in Mid Antrim to explore square, and the opening can be at you make can beconnections. taken home.

A sites in Mid Antrim toLoose Thread Glengormley Art Club nature to family Lanyon explore yourQuilters required and all you need is an apron own built heritage. the top or front.

All other materials must for all card makers, decoupage own built heritage. and bundles of enthusiasm! are provided. enthusiasts or for anyone interested in handmade paper. All materials 10am – 4pm/16 years +/ £30/£27 (concession) Habitat provided.

Habitat Ceramics Wednesday 1 July – Wednesday 29 July Wednesday 1 July – Wednesday 29November July Saturday 21 Above: ‘The Sanskriti heritage project based This exhibition by Sara Maconkey celebrates Above: Sanskriti heritage projectcommunity based on the‘The heritage of the South Asian Tutor: Avril McCabe This exhibition by Sara Maconkey celebrates the landscapes we inhabit. It will be displayed on theitsheritage of the South Asian community and interaction with N. Ireland Participants will learn a range of 2D printing and 3D slab building the landscapes we inhabit.

It will be displayed in the Flax Gallery lobby, the perfect backdrop and its interaction with N. Ireland techniques by nature and create a range of vessels using a variety infor theSara’s Flax colourful Gallery lobby, the perfect backdrop selection of Inspired floral Basic Crochet Christmasfor Sara’s studies, colourfulagricultural selection of floral and of surface pattern printing. All work will be brought back to the studio pasture landscapes and pasture studies, agricultural landscapes and glazed for participants to collect.

Decorations for firing and returned seascapes of the North Coast.

Looking ahead ….

Saturday 5 December seascapes of the North Coast.

Looking ahead ….

Tutor: Elaine McCully Merville Newtownabbey Photographic Learn to create colourful festive Merville Newtownabbey Photographic Club Annual Exhibition decorations for your tree and home.(from the beginning) ‘Aadita’ Club Annual Exhibition ‘Aadita’ (from the beginning) Thursday 27 August – Saturday 26 September Crochet colourful Christmas light Saturday 1 August – Saturday 22 August Thursday 27 August – Saturday 26 September Saturday bulbs using one basic stitch, these 1 August – Saturday 22 August Sanskriti is an exciting heritage project based Hugo Smith can be used to hang on your Sanskriti is an exciting project based Hugo Smith ontree the or heritage of theheritage South Asian community 1 October – 31 October theitsheritage of the South Asian community strung together to create on aand festive Terrarium Stacked Rings Paper interaction and experience with that 1 October – 31 October and its interaction and experience with thatof garland for your home. Simply of Northern Ireland investigating themes Loose Thread Quilters ofmigration, Northern impact Ireland of investigating themes of constructed snowflakes, stockings, the textile industry, andbothLoose Quilters A whole range of workshops and courses for adultsThread and children is impact of the textile industry, and 5 November – 28 November the rites of passage.

Sanskriti is an ArtsEkta hearts and more …available comemigration, along on the Council website and by calling the museum on 028 9034 0129.

5 November – 28 November the rites of passage.

Sanskriti is Lottery an ArtsEkta project funded by the Heritage Fund and crochet yourself a handcrafted project funded the Heritage Lottery Fund and The RaynebyFoundation.

Christmas. www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk | museums@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk and The Rayne Foundation.

Crochet Christmas Ceramics

SAMPLE

SAMPLE SAMPLE Museum Workshops

Museum at The Mill | Flax Gallery Museum TheCarnmoney Mill | Flax Gallery MossleyatMill, Road North, BT36 5QA Mossley Mill, Carnmoney Road North, BT36 5QA

0289034 90340129 0129 028 museums@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk museums@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk

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Museum and Flax Gallery Opening Hours Museum10am and Flax Gallery Opening Monday to Wednesday 10am – 5pm | Thursday – 9pm | Friday 10amHours – 4pm Monday to Wednesday 10am – 5pm | Thursday 10am 11am – 9pm–| 4pm Friday 10am –Sunday 4pm Saturday | Closed Saturday 11amGeneral – 4pm admission | Closed Sunday is free.

General admission is free.

LAKESIDE HOTEL & CHALETS

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WINTER MIDWEEK ESCAPE ENJOY 2 NIGHTS B&B WITH ONE 4 COURSE DINNER (SUN - THURS)

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Subject to availability, certain dates do not apply. Valid to 29/02/2016.

Downshire School P6/7 pupils and their parents/guardians are warmly invited to attend our

OPEN EVENING on Monday 25th January 2016 6:30pm - 8:30pm The Principal, Mrs J Stewart, will speak to parents at 7.30pm Students interested in joining Sixth Form are also welcome to attend

Downshire School Downshire Road, Carrickfergus BT38 7DA

Telephone: 028 93364334

COMMUNITY

A Winter Wonderland

The journey to Lapland would involve some 150 unwell children; children who, in some cases, could not be given a guarantee that there’d be many more Christmases to come; others with life-threatening conditions, others who’d just been on the receiving end of unpleasant, critical but necessary surgery and lengthy hospital visits or stays.

By Luke North

As we gathered that morning in Belfast International, I couldn’t believe it was really happening. I spoke to a number of mums, dads and carers and I very quickly realised these youngsters were all I had been told about.

They had had intolerable operations; they’d been saved from the brink of near certain death; they’d put up with multiple visits to hospitals - from the Royal to Dublin for heart surgery; a number of hospitals in the north of England and in London as surgeons and doctors bravely fought to ensure these poor kids had a chance to live, or at the very least, to have some sort of quality of life.

Just looking through some Facebook posts, and a range of words which are very appropriate keep cropping up: magical, awesome, fantastic, brilliant, unbelievable.

I’m scanning through comments about the recent visit

by NI Children to Lapland Trust to see Santa Claus .......... in Lapland, up in the Arctic Circle!

Some were in wheelchairs or buggies, some with medical tubing attached to their nose or mouth, others unable to speak, some wide-eyed with wonder as they told me they were going to see Santa. As the brand new Thomas Cook Airbus A321 trundled down the runway, the excitement and thrill of anticipation was palpable.

The three hour journey was one of beaming faces, renditions of Jingle Bells, laughter and giggling, selfies, hot food .......... and smiling, attentive aircrew!

And Lapland was all those words I used in the first paragraph! From the moment we touched down and were whisked through the airport to waiting coaches. The ‘elves’ who made sure we knew exactly what we were doing, the Children to Lapland volunteers who tended to our every need, the kids who marvelled at the blanched landscape as far as the eye could see. The adults who stared in disbelief at the weather App on their phones – a stout minus 15 degrees! Brrrrr!

We played in the snow outside Santa Park, we howled with glee as the huskies hauled our sleighs through the forest trail, we pointed at the snorting reindeer ahead of our sleds and wondered which one was Prancer or Dancer! Thank goodness for the all-enveloping thermal suit and snow boots supplied by Santa Park.

I was totally knocked speechless when a kind invitation came to me in early December. Would I like to go along?

I’d see first-hand and be able to report in various ways the success or otherwise of the visit.

I have to say, my first reaction was to turn down the invite; I felt I’d be taking up someone’s place, using a seat a child could have. I was told that that was not the case. And also my ‘thing’ about flying!

“So what’s the problem?” my wife enquired.

“Well, you know I’m not fond of flying,” I responded, rather weakly it has to be said.

To cut a long story short, what I had to listen to about my ‘bravery’ or lack of it was, probably, entirely justified.

18

And when the cold exterior became too much, there was the warmth inside of Mrs Claus’ baking, Santa’s office, Mrs Gingerbread, the Ice Gallery, and for the older and weaker among us, delicious Finnish doughnuts with our steaming coffee!

Magical, awesome, fantastic, brilliant..........truly, unbelievable.

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HEATHLY LIVING

Little Resolutions That Make a Big Difference Every New Year many people begin the year with the intention of making a change or two. Usually it is something that will improve themselves or their life. In almost every case it relates to things that we eat or drink too much of, modifying or stopping bad habits that we engage in or perhaps exercise that we know we really should engage in. The beginning of a New Year is a great time to make change. The start of a New Year is a fresh start, a new page, a blank canvas. The problem in most cases is that these New Year resolutions don’t last, and before the end of January we have given up and gone back to our old ways.

I doubt if anyone would disagree about the need for us to eat healthily, lose weight and exercise more, or, where relevant, to moderate our drinking or stop smoking. So how do we keep it up? The trick is to set achievable goals for theses resolutions. Don’t expect to loose 4 stone in 6 months or to a couch potato into doing an hour in the gym every day. These sort of resolutions are going to fail therefore set a goal that is achievable in the short term.

Weight loss Aim for weight loss by modifying your diet a little at a time, and build momentum. Aim to cut out unnecessary extra snacks or sugary drinks and watch as you start to lose maybe a pound each week. This will encourage you. Follow this up with perhaps a more structured weight loss regime by deliberately reducing calories, cutting out fat and reducing carbohydrates a little. For further weight reduction, perhaps it might be better to seek advice from a Dietitian or join a slimming club. Not only will you get professional advice, but also encouragement on a regular basis to encourage you to go further.

20

a cigarette, just wait until the next hour. It is only an hour!

“This will change your thinking about smoking.

You will begin to take control rather than allowing cigarettes to control you.

You will reduce your intake and this will then motivate you to seek advice and help about stopping. There are now many ways to stop smoking.”

Exercise Start with a brisk walk 3-4 times each week for 10 minutes and start to feel the difference. This can then be increased as you feel able. After achieving 20 minutes 3 times or more every week, it is good to start to vary the exercise and to begin to swim or cycle. This will help to prevent boredom and will also work different muscle groups. Only then would I recommend going to a Gym for an induction into a more rigorous exercise routine- if you wish. In this way you won’t waste money on a Gym membership until you are well into the swing of things and are more likely to use it. You don’t have to go to the Gym though, as walking, cycling and swimming are exercises that you can do for the rest of your life, and we would encourage you to do this.

Smoking Start to smoke by the clock instead of when you get the urge e.g. work out how many cigarettes you smoke in a day and divide that into your waking hours. For example if you smoke 1015 cigarettes daily, decide that you will only smoke on the hour every hour, but if an hour comes and you feel fine and not in need of

There are many Nicotine replacement therapies such as patches, nasal sprays, tablets, and even now e cigarettes (but not those with tobaccos in them – the so-called Hybrid e cigarette). There are tablets which are prescribable and which reduce your urges to smoke. There are various complimentary therapies like Hypnotherapy and acupuncture which may also help. There has never been a better (and potentially easier!) time to stop smoking.

You may feel that you have slipped so far into bad habits and laziness that you will never turn things around, but little changes, which are consistent, do yield results. By simply cutting out the chocolate biscuit or two that you have at your work coffee break, you might lose half a stone in 6 months.

It is a little change, but it can make a big difference.

Most people fail in their well intentioned resolutions each January because they bite off more than they can chew, so don’t make that mistake this year. Set yourself achievable goals and make 2016 the year that you made a difference to your life.

Dr. Roger Brown Consultant General Practitioner Kingsbridge Private Hospital

Specsavers’ Strong Focus on Local Community Two Special Olympics gold medal winners were the special guests St Malachy’s Disability Sport Awareness Day, which was sponsored by Specsavers Abbeycentre. The event was organised by Year 14 pupils from St Malachy’s as part of their A2 Sports Science coursework.

The event was one of a number of local community initiatives which Specsavers has supported.

Carole Catling, who won gold in the table tennis singles event at this year’s Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles, made a special appearance to support the day. She was joined by badminton player Robert Sills who also won a silver medal at the Limerick games.

The Disability Sport Awareness Day was designed to promote and contribute to the development of sports

22

HEALTHY LIVING opportunities for athletes with a disability and generate increased interest in disabled sports.

Over forty St Malachy pupils were involved in the event.

Year 8 pupils were coached in wheelchair basketball by players from the Knights Wheelchair Basketball Team as well as wheelchair rugby by the Barbarians Wheelchair Rugby Team.

Carole congratulated the pupils for their efforts; ‘It was a pleasure to be here and see the enthusiasm of the pupils and hear their passion for disability sports. I warmly congratulate these talented pupils and their teachers for a terrific event which has a wonderful purpose.’

Sponsor Tony McGinn from Specsavers Abbeycentre added; ‘We are very pleased to put our name to this lovely event. Specsavers is committed to supporting the local community and this was a most important event which was greatly enjoyed by the St Malachy’s boys.

We were delighted that Carole, who has been a patient of Specsavers Abbeycentre for three years, was able to attend the event. The store is keen to show our support for all her fantastic achievements.

Tony added; ‘Sean Quinn, who is one of the pupils from St Malachy’s and organised the event, is also a patient of the store and I think Sean and his fellow students have shown real initiative, not only in hatching the idea for this event but also for making it happen. They all deserve much credit.’

Pictured with Carole and Robert is Tony McGinn (centre) from Specsavers and Year 8 pupils of St Malachy’s Fearghal Creagh (right) and Conall Hannah (left).

HEALTHY LIVING

Diet Danger Zones Temptation is never far away when you’re trying to lose weight. But if you plan ahead and maintain a flexible attitude, diet danger zones don’t need to stop you achieving your target.

It’s the moment someone trying to lose weight dreads: your friends are heading for a takeaway after a night out.

What do you do?

Be Flexible Planning ahead should not mean being rigid about weight loss. According to Dr Mike Green, a specialist in the psychology of eating from Aston University, a flexible approach to controlling calories is much more sensible.

Dr Green explains that if you place extremely rigid restrictions on what you eat, you’re more susceptible to a reckless moment where you slip from the diet, feel guilty and become tempted to give up altogether.

Instead, Dr Green recommends a different approach. “If you find yourself in a situation where the pressure is on to eat that cake or snack, you don’t have to refuse every time,” he says. “But if you do eat the snack, limit what you have afterwards so that spread across a number of days, your calories are still reduced.”

You don’t want to look like a killjoy, but you don’t want to jeopardise the weight loss you’ve achieved so far either.

Diet danger zones are everywhere: tiredness, stress and children’s leftovers are just a few. Then there’s alcohol: a drink or two not only contains extra calories, but can also make a fatty snack seem more appealing.

So how should you handle these situations?

Danger Zone Planning “A little indulgence is fine,” says nutritionist Lyndel Costain from the British Dietetic Association.

The trick is to ensure indulgence doesn’t become the norm. You can do that by being aware of the weight loss danger zones and planning ahead.

And if you do slip up, remember you can get back on track: there’s no need to give up.

Know your eating triggers Often, it’s emotional triggers that lead to overeating.

Nicola Wraight, spokesperson for a major weight loss organisation, says the key is recognising your eating triggers.

“It’s important to identify the specific emotions that initiate overeating and develop strategies to cope without using food,” she says. “If you’re stressed, try treating yourself to a manicure or going for a walk.

“There are also trigger environments like the cinema, where you can buy popcorn, chocolate and sweets. But you can minimise the likelihood of overeating by planning ahead and taking healthier snacks with you.

10 successful diet tips 1. Eating breakfast helps you control your weight 2. Eating regularly helps burn calories at a faster rate 3. Regular activity is key to losing weight 4. Eat plenty of fruit and veg - low in calories, high in fibre 5. Don’t confuse thirst with hunger and drink water.

6. Eating high fibre foods can help you feel full 7. Read food labels to help you choose healthier options 8. Use smaller plates and eat smaller portions 9. Don’t ban any foods from your weight loss plan 10. Plan your three meals a day plus snacks for the week It’s Your Choice When it comes to eating and drinking, you can always exercise choice. “Stop, think and make a conscious choice before you eat,” says Lyndel Costain.

It’s also important to remember that everyone is different when it comes to resisting such temptations.

“Really choosing whether you eat something will stop you feeling deprived and reduce the risk of destructive ‘all or nothing’ thinking that says you must either stick to an extremely rigid diet, or no diet at all.

“If you slip, remember that tomorrow is another day,” says Nicola. “The changes you’re making to your lifestyle will have long-term health benefits.”

“View setbacks as learning opportunities that help you do things differently next time. Don’t go it alone: find support and talk to your GP if you need additional help or support.”

24

Courtesy of NHS Choices :- www.nhs.uk/LiveWell/

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HEALTHY LIVING

Diary of a Reluctant Gym-Goer

By Rachel Campbell

Continuing on from the last issue of In-touch, here is my 6 week diary of my health and fitness transformational journey. Involving one weekly personal training session with Stephen Allen (owner of Core fitness, Newtownards), 3 group training sessions and a clean eating nutritional programme- it promises “twice the results in half the time.” The motivation? My wedding on 22nd December.

Week 1 I slink into Core Fitness on day one, dragging my heels in trepidation of what lies ahead. Yes, I’m no stranger to Stevie’s workout classes- but 1:1 sessions are totally different, as any fitness fanatic will tell you. All that whip cracking that is normally spread amongst a class of 10-12 is focused entirely on you- there literally is nowhere to hide.

Thankfully, the first session eased me in gently- starting off with a comprehensive lifestyle questionnaire. The idea being that your PT can get a quick snapshot of you- any medical issues/injuries, your goals, your strengths, potential barriers to your success etc…

My goals are pretty straightforward: lose weight, get fit and tone my upper arms to within an inch of their life (wedding dress is off the shoulder and I don’t want to see ANY wobble in the photos). Stevie then measures my waist, hips, weight, body fat and lean muscle weight and talks me through the numbers (and no I am not disclosing those shameful “before” figures.) I’m certainly not in the worst shape I’ve ever beenbut I definitely have work to do.

Then we get straight into boxing, barbell squats, dumbbell lunges, battle ropes, kettle-bell swings and Ab work. It is a good balance of true grit and good craic. In the past, I mostly focused on cardio workouts thinking that as long as I did 1.5-2hrs on a treadmill the calories would fly off. With Stevie, I learn that I can halve my workout, but be doubly efficient in that shorter time. I am also furnished with a clean eating diet plan that thankfully incorporates one cheat night- where I can have my beloved takeaway calzones. I leave tired and sore, but already excited about my potential results.

26

HEALTHY LIVING

Weeks 2-5 Week 2 found me hitting a major stumbling block which threatened to end my transformational programme before it had even really begun. 5 minutes from the end of my second PT session, I go over on my ankle- badly. I mean, I actually heard it snap like a carrot stick. And the pain-oh the pain!

My experience throws up an interesting point, because if you’re serious about making fitness a way of life, then injuries become more of an inevitability than a risk. And although, Stevie would be the last person to let his clients make an excuse not to train, even he concurs that the healing process cannot be rushed“With an injury, you really do need to take the time out to rest the affected limb and get the swelling down- that’s the most important thing.” he says “After that, it’s about rehab and doing the correct exercises for stretching, mobility and balance.”

Fortunately, it is just a bad, (albeit very swollen, very bruised) sprain. And once, the initial pain subsides, I am still able to hit my full quota of training sessions- with Stevie keeping a watchful eye on my form and adapting exercises if necessary.

Despite the false start, my training plan really kicked into gear in the following weeks. From week 3 onwards, I begin seeing a massive difference in my body- my face is slimmer, my clothes are loose and people are commenting everyday how much weight I’ve lost. In week 4, feeling spurred on by all the positive remarks, I brave the scales and am shocked to discover I’ve lost EIGHT pounds.

Undoubtedly, the high point of my transformational journeybut I wish I had not weighed myself so early on. The thrill of being skinny again, meant that I relaxed my clean eating programme in weeks 5 and 6- resulting in a few pounds going back on.

Week 6 By the time my final weigh-in rolls around, I am: • 5 pounds lighter (had I stuck to the diet I am confident this would have been more.)

• 3 inches smaller at the waist • 2.5 inches smaller at the hips • A dress size smaller (wedding dress had to be majorly taken in!)

• A shoe size smaller! (was not expecting that one!)

• Regularly making it to 4-6 workout sessions a week.

• Able to hold a plank for the first time ever • Able to do pull-ups for the first time ever • Faster, Fitter, Stronger and Happier Stevie thinks even my co-ordination has improved massively, whilst his assistant Paul says my “whole aura has changed”. Work colleagues and family members are continually commenting on how well I look, and I am grinning from ear to ear every time I look in the mirror.

I’ve made loads of new friends and become part of a little community, where we all support each other, have lots of banter, friendly competition and spur each other on. No other gym has ever given me this sense of belonging to such a tight-knit fitness “family” . And, this is what gets me down to the gym on those “meh” days- not the results.

I am so thrilled with the impact the transformational programme has had on all aspects of my life- that I immediately sign up for another block of PT sessions with Stevie to take me right up to the wedding. In 2016, my goal is to push my fitness even further and really commit to the nutritional aspect as well.

If you are considering making health and fitness a resolution for 2016, I urge you to do it. START TODAY. It won’t be easy, but in a few short weeks you will see tangible results and you will be glad you didn’t wait another day to make the all important change.

As Stephen Allen himself says “If you don’t make the investment in yourself, who will?”.

27

YOUR HOME

Creating a Family Photo Wall

To get the best results when spraying the frame …

• Remove the glass and back of the frame. Sand the frame lightly and clean with a damp cloth. Choose an area that is well ventilated and cover with newspaper.

• For a better finish, following the instructions on the can, apply a light coat of surface primier and leave to dry before applying the top coat.

• Apply the spray paint in multiple light coats to avoid any runs. Two or three coats will be enough.

• Leave the frames to dry for 24 hours Steps to Creating Your Photo Wall

If you have always wanted to create a family photo wall then why not have some New Year fun making it happen. This is a good time of year to be tackling this project as you probably have lots of family photos you took over the Christmas period already stored on your phone or camera.

If you’re not sure how to go about this project, here are some tips to get you started …

Some of the decisions you need to make • Will you use matching frames, all the same colour and style or mix it up with mismatched frames and different colours • What photos will go into what size of frames • What is the best way of printing your photos • What shape will the frames make when they are placed together on the wall

If you are considering having all matching frames think ahead and decide whether you will want to change your photo wall at anytime in the future. Will those frames still be available in a few years time? If you decide to go with different styles of frames you can use frames that you already have in the house or you can buy second hand frames from the charity shop or car boot sale and spray them the same colour.

28

1. Save all the photos that you want to use in a folder on your computer and write a short description of each photo on a post-it note.

2. Decide which photo’s are to be more prominent in the display and use this as your starting point. Lay out the frames on the floor and change them around until you are happy with the arrangement.

3. Place the post-it notes onto each frame to determine which photo you want to display in that frame 4. Measure each frame by laying the frame on a flat surface face down. You will see the frame has a rebate that the glass, mounts and backing fit in to. Measure the width and height of this rebate (in mm) and subtract 2mm from each side. If you want to use a mount (border) around your picture, decide on the width of mount you want to use and multiply this width by two. Subtract this from the rebate width and height to give you the measurement for your printed photo. Remember to add a blank border (20mm approx ) to your print when ordering.

5. Write this measurement on the post-it note for this frame.

6. You can print your own photos on photo quality paper if you have a suitable printer or it might be easier and cheaper to order them online. Websites such as Photobox or Snapfish offer a professional service or you could go to your local print shop where they can print directly from your camera, phone or SD card.

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YOUR HOME down the bit, you are drilling into a timber (if not, you may feel the drill emerging out of the other side of the plasterboard). If you locate two neighbouring vertical timbers but want to hang the picture in between them, fix a horizontal wooden batten from one vertical to the other - this will give you a firm fixture to work from.

Creating a Family Photo Wall (continued) 7. Once your photos are printed, trim as necessary and place them into each frame.

Plasterboard walls are very soft and thin which means heavy items when hung can easily pull out nails and screws. In this case use a Spring toggle: Drill a hole in the plasterboard (say 8-10mm diameter) and insert (toggle end first). Once in, the end of the toggle will spring out behind the plasterboard, meaning it can’t be pulled out.

You then pull backwards so the toggle grips the wall and tighten the bolt (you may need a washer on the bolt head).

Hanging your frames Measure the length of the frames that are laid out on the floor to determine where to start hanging them on the wall.

It can be tricky to get the top edge of all your frames level if this is what you want to achieve. To do this, use a tape measure to mark the exact centre on the top edge of each frame. Then, draw in pencil, a straight line along the wall that you want the top of each frame to be level with. Place each frame in position on the wall and mark the line you have drawn at the top center of each frame.

Simple as it sounds, the most difficult part of creating your photo wall will be hanging the frames onto the wall.

The first thing you need to know is, what type of wall you are working with.

Masonry walls are hard and thus unreceptive to nails being banged in or screws that haven’t had a pilot hole drilled first. Your only option is to use a powerful drill.

Have your wallplug and a screw big enough to hold the weight of your picture on hand and then drill an appropriately sized hole. Push in the wallplug making sure it is flush with the wall and tight in the hole, then insert the screw into the wallplug. Use a pinhead or domehead screw which has an edge to hang the picture on - not a countersink screw.

Cavity walls are made from plasterboard (“drylining”) and the thin walls are attached to a frame of vertical and horizontal timbers. Locate one of these timbers to screw into and you’ll have a solid fixing for your screw or nail.

Then, place each frame face down on a flat surface. Hook a tape measure in the middle of the hanging wire attached to the back of the frame. Pull the wire up towards the top of the picture so that it is taut and measure the distance from the top of the picture to the hanging wire. If your picture has a crossbar instead of a hanging wire, measure the distance from the crossbar to the top of the picture.

When making this measurement, try to keep the line as vertical as possible.

To locate a timber tap on the cavity wall - there will be a more hollow sound between timbers. Note also that the vertical timbers should be regularly spaced, starting at the two edges of each wall. After using an electronic tester to check all is safe, drill a small hole where you want to hang the picture. If the drill comes out with wood shavings all

Measure this same distance down from the pencil mark on the wall and mark this point with another pencil mark.

This will be where you will drill your pilot hole for your wall plug and screw. Fix all your frames in a similar way using a spirit level as you go. Then, stand back and enjoy your new photo wall.

Note: Never drill above or below light switches or plug sockets, where electric cables may be concealed. Use an electronic tester to check before drilling.

32

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FAMILY LIFE

Magic Vegetable Soup The day that magical vegetable soup was invented, we had to be on our best behaviour. You see, my Mummy always says ‘best behaviour’ when Mrs Knowles comes out of her house. Mrs Knowles is our next door neighbour and my mummy wants us to calm down when we see her because she is something called ‘nice’.

It’s not the same as the way marshmallows are nice or puppies are nice. It’s the kind of ‘nice’ that means Mummy has to pretend she cleans the windows and Daddy has to open the door and smile a lot, even if he is feeling grumpy. I’m not really sure why it gets called ‘nice’ at all.

It used to make me think that Mrs Knowles must be a bit scary. I asked my mummy what she meant by ‘nice’‘It’s just, you know … she always wears a pink tweedy suit and she sets her hair in rollers and she’s so NICE.’

until snot was coming out of his nose, but Mummy ignored it and looked at her shopping list. When we got to the vegetables, Mummy stopped the trolley all of a sudden and started whispering, ‘Don’t look now, children, but Mrs Knowles is here.’

I still didn’t know what Mummy meant, but she was busy trying to force her hundreds and hundreds of frizzy curls into a hair clip and said:

William turned right around, ‘HIYA MRS NOSE!’

‘Now we need to go to the supermarket.’

‘Good morning, William. And how are we today, Mrs Duncan?’

‘Aaaaaw no!’ I said. Actually, I shouted it.

Mrs Knowles smiled and came over,

‘No way! I’m not going!’ I said.

I looked to see if there was a lady behind us, but Mrs Duncan turned out to be a name that Mummy can be called by; it’s just that nobody ever uses it. Except for Mrs Knowles.

‘Waaah!’ said William.

‘Very well, thank you,’ said Mummy.

‘Waaah!’ said William, my little brother.

‘Now time to get in the car!’ Mummy snapped.

‘NOW CHILDREN BE NICE!’ Mummy was really losing it now.

We were all standing in the porch shouting when Mrs Knowles walked past. Mummy’s grimace turned straight into a smile. She waved through the door and said,

‘Actually William has a runny nose,’ it looked like Mummy wasn’t going to explain, ‘but it’s probably just from all the screaming.’

‘Here you are William,’ said Mummy. She had fished a crumpled tissue from the bottom of her bag and was wiping his nose.

‘Lovely day we’re having.’

Mrs Knowles didn’t seem to see the snot,

William looked at me strangely. I remember thinking he was probably wondering why Mummy said we were having a lovely day when we were all just standing around yelling at each other.

‘Are you getting some lovely vegetables?’ she asked.

When we got to the supermarket William wouldn’t get in the trolley seat.

‘No, no, no!’ he said, ‘Want to walk!’

‘Yus!’ said William.

‘Wonderful,’ said Mrs Knowles, ‘do you both eat your greens like good children?’

‘No.’ Mummy went all red when I said that.

Mummy said, ‘ WILLIAM-WILL-YOU-JUST-BE-NICE!’

‘I like leeks!’ said William and he lifted a big bunch of them.

In the end William gave up and sat down. He snivelled

‘O very good,’ said Mrs Knowles, ‘does Mummy make

36

FAMILY LIFE Magic Vegetable Soup continued ... them into lovely potato and leek soup?’

‘No, silly,’ said William, ‘that comes out of a tin.’

‘Alright, William, these are my magic wands and I am going to turn you into a POO!’

Mummy turned around and started a very serious search for exactly the right bag of carrots.

‘A poo!’ said William.

‘A poo?’ said Mummy.

‘What are you going to do with the leeks?’ Mrs Knowles asked.

‘A poo,’ said Mrs Knowles.

‘These are my magic wands,’ William replied, ‘and I am going to turn you into a bum!’

Mummy stood bolt upright and gasped. Her hands were clenched around the bag of carrots so tightly that her fingers had turned white. Her eyes started bulging out of her head, ‘William!’ she said, trying very hard to sound surprised, ‘How rude!’

William looked at her with a sparkle in his eyes and said, ‘Bum! Bum! Bum!’

At first, Mummy didn’t know what to say or where to look.

Mrs Knowles was staring at her over the top of her silver spectacles, but then she couldn’t help a little laugh, and then a bigger one and pretty soon we were all laughing and laughing right there in the vegetable aisle.

Later on, when Daddy came home, he made a cup of tea and asked Mummy if it had been a good day.

‘O, yes,’ she replied, ‘we met Mrs Knowles in the shops.’

‘Really?’ said Daddy, lifting his cup to his lips.

‘Yes,’ said Mummy, ‘she turned William into a poo.’

Mrs Knowles went over to the celery and grabbed a packet.

Daddy spluttered on his tea and it splattered round the kitchen.

‘Very well, William,’ she said, ‘Since you have turned me into a bum I think it is only right that I should turn you into something. Wouldn’t you agree, Mrs Duncan?’

‘Could you wipe that up, dear,’ said Mummy. She was concentrating on chopping the celery, leeks and potatoes for the magic vegetable soup.

‘Um, well, yes,’ said Mummy.

By Paula Matthews

It isn’t another year love?

It isn’t another year love?

I said with such gloom A year I have to consider Of all sorts, a baggage a carry With more carriages I tally As my years continue to swell

Yes, another year my love!

I say with boldness and alas You shall conquer them all As always you have been Though tough it might be Didn’t you do it before?

It’s isn’t another year love?

I try to shed my fear And to top it with my weight I have to hit the diet Or perhaps I starve An idiotic thought I say

Yes, another year my love!

How thankful would you be?

A breathe every day And many simple pleasures Fresh air perhaps Or even a heartbeat a bliss

It isn’t another year my love?

Where I work till I am blue My friend, no time I have And the family oh well They know me anyway

Yes, another year my love!

A thankful heart is all I say So rich in every teensy way Why worry with the rest He will take care of the rest Your part to live and laugh

It isn’t another year my love?

With more goings than coming As my account thirsts yet more With worry comes the sick And pills a mountain I climb

Yes, another year my love. © Newtownabbey In-touch

RECIPES

Why not make January a ‘feel good’ month and try something different to give you a boost of energy for a chilly morning!

Good-ForYou Granola Ingredients: •

2 tbsp vegetable oil

•

125ml maple syrup

•

2 tbsp honey

•

1 tsp vanilla extract

•

300g rolled oats

•

50g sunflower seed

•

4 tbsp sesame seeds

•

50g pumpkin seeds

•

100g flaked almond

•

100g dried berries

•

50g coconut

Method: 1. Heat oven to 150C/fan 130C/gas 2. Mix the oil, maple syrup, honey and vanilla in a large bowl. Tip in all the remaining ingredients, except the dried fruit and coconut, and mix well.

2. Tip the granola onto two baking sheets and spread evenly. Bake for 15 mins, then mix in the coconut and dried fruit, and bake for 10-15 mins more. Remove and scrape onto a flat tray to cool. Serve with cold milk or yogurt. The granola can be stored in an airtight container for up to a month.

(N.B. It might take longer in the oven if you want a crunchy and toasty flavour).

(Recipe by Good Food, 2006)

Go-To-Breakfast Green Smoothie Ingredients: •

2 cups of spinach (for vitamins)

•

1/2 cup of frozen pineapple (for sweetness)

•

1 cup of non - fat plain Greek yogurt (for protein)

•

2 tablespoons of chia seeds (for fiber)

•

1 cup of unsweetened vanilla almond milk (blend, baby)

•

1 teaspoon of cinnamon (this helps to regulate blood sugar levels)

•

1 teaspoon of turmeric (this is anti-inflammatory)

•

Pinch of nutmeg

Method: Add the spinach, yogurt, chia seeds, and spices to your blender the night before.

Then in the morning you only have to add the frozen fruit and almond milk.

Blend and bam! You just saved yourself 10 minutes!

(By Jess and Wendy, Food Heaven Made Easy)

38

FAMILY LIFE

Useful Numbers Medical Centres

Home Maintenance

Abbot Cross Ballyclare Glengormley Notting Hill Old School Rosehall Tramways Templepatrick

028 9036 4048 028 9332 2575 028 9084 8420 028 9080 8200 028 9086 4455 028 9083 2188 028 9034 2131 028 9443 2202

Antrim Area Belfast City Royal Victoria Whiteabbey

028 9442 4000 028 9032 9241 028 9024 0503 028 9086 5181

Pharmacies Boots (Abbey Centre) Boots (Ballyclare) Clear Pharmacy (Abbey Ctr) Dundees (G’gormley) Hightown Northcott Medicare Group Mckays (T’patrick) Gordons (Rathcoole) Flemings (Ballyclare)

028 9036 5910 028 9335 2289 028 9036 5828 028 9083 2218 028 9083 6025 028 9083 2714 028 9083 3991 028 9443 2840 028 9085 1206 028 9332 2427

Helplines 0800 555 111 028 9066 6630 0808 800 5000 028 9032 5055 0808 808 4000 08457 90 90 90 101

Airports Belfast International City of Derry George Best City

028 9448 4848 028 7181 0784 028 9093 9093

Libraries Ballyclare Library Ballymena Library Belfast Central Library Glengormley Library Rathcoole Library

07811 251936 028 9334 0144

Funeral Directors Co-Operative Funeralcare, Ballyclare Wilton (Whitehouse)

028 9335 2228 028 9036 5264

Veterinary Surgeries

Hospitals

Crimestoppers Translink NSPCC Age Concern National Debtline Samaritans PSNI Non Emergency

Ballyclare uPVC Locksmiths Ballyclare Glass & Glazing

028 9335 2269 028 2563 3950 028 9050 9150 028 9083 3797 028 9085 1157

Clare Vets (Ballyclare) Clare Vets (Abbey) Glenburn (Glengormley)

028 9332 2223 028 9036 5573 028 9084 9350

Schools Abbey Community College Abbots Cross Primary Ashgrove Primary Ballyclare High Ballyclare Nursery Ballyclare Primary Ballyclare Secondary Ballygolan Primary Ballyhenry Nursery Ballyhenry Primary Carnmoney Primary EarlView Primary & Nursery Edmund Rice College Glengormley High Glengormley Int Primary Hazelwood Int Coll Hazelwood Int Primary Hollybank Primary Jordanstown Schools King’s Park Primary Loughshore Educ Res Ctre Mallusk Primary Mossgrove Primary Mossley Primary Rathcoole Primary Rosstulla Special School St. Bernard’s Primary St. James’ Primary St. Mary’s on the Hill St. McNissis Primary Thompson Primary Thornfield House Tir-na-Nog Primary Whiteabbey Primary

028 9086 7431 028 9086 4171 028 9084 8734 028 9332 2244 028 9335 2982 028 9332 2389 028 9332 2610 028 9037 0091 028 9083 3884 028 9084 1316 028 9083 3619 028 9034 2203 028 9084 8433 028 9083 7223 028 9083 2786 028 9077 4202 028 9077 0421 028 9086 4944 028 9086 3541 028 9036 5132 028 9077 3062 028 9034 2038 028 9084 4665 028 9083 3019 028 9085 2632 028 9086 2743 028 9084 4634 028 9086 6201 028 9083 6284 028 9034 2166 028 9335 2361 028 9085 1089 028 9332 3283 028 9086 2185

39

MOTORING

All-New Nissan NP300 Navara. Born Tough Made Smarter.

Tough meets smart in the All-New Nissan NP300 Navara. With a strong, muscular exterior and cutting-edge technology to keep you connected and comfortable, the ultimate pick-up is ready for anything.

Best in Class Economy

With CO2 emissions from 167g/km and fuel consumption up to 44.9mpg, the all New Nissan NP300 Navara sets the benchmark for pick-ups, ensuring you benefit from the lowest fuel costs in its class.

MOTORING

Price from ÂŁ21,995 Superior 4WD Manoeuvrability

with switchable modes for every terrain, including a low ratio 4WD option for serious off-road capability whatever the weather, and 2WD for optimum efficiency on the road, plus a suite of advanced drive assist features like hill descent control and hill start assist. The all-new Nissan NP300 Navara ensures maxium productivity and outstanding driving performance.

Around View Monitor

Time off the road is a costly business - the all-new Nissan NP300 Navara reduces the risk of bumps and scrapes by giving the driver a full bird’s eye 360 degree view when performing tight manoevres

MOTORING

Administering First Aid at the Scene of an Accident Being involved in an accident or witnessing one can be a very traumatic experience. For many people, the opportunity to administer first aid at the scene of an accident arises unexpectedly and for most, it’s a shock to realise that they have a distinct lack of first aid knowledge.

If you haven’t undertaken any official first aid training there are some important points to consider when administering first aid at the scene of an accident.

Assess the Scene There are some simple measures you should always consider and some of them occur prior to any actual first aid being administered. Of utmost importance is the assessment of the accident scene, this will ensure your own safety and therefore enable you to help others.

• Look at the accident scene and assess that there is no ongoing danger - If moving traffic is nearby, alert them to the accident however you can and ensure the flow of traffic is of no further danger to yourself or others.

• Look for assistance - Check if there is anyone able to help you and get them to call emergency services if you have not already done so.

• Stay calm - remember to remain calm as your temperament and emotional state may affect any victims who are in shock or who have been injured.

Assessing the Casualties Once the accident scene is secured you need to assess any casualties and also whether you need to call emergency services and what those services should be.

• Always deal with those that are non responsive first.

Though you may feel it would be best to deal with those crying out in pain, if an accident casualty is unconscious, they may be in a more serious condition and therefore need help first.

• Check for visible injury signs. If you are aware of injuries outwardly it may make it easier to understand how to treat them.

42

• keep the casualty warm and make them as comfortable as possible without moving them unnecessarily as they may have broken bones or spinal injuries.

Follow First Aid Laws As with any first aid treatment, follow the first aid laws of Response and Breathing. Check the victim for response, are they conscious and lucid? Can the victim breathe or are they struggling? Is the victim bleeding? The best way to check for consciousness is to tap on the collarbone whilst asking them to open their eyes, perhaps try a question or two (how many fingers do you see). If no response is gained you should check breathing and if need be administer the first aid ABC. A. Airway. Check the victims Airway. Only do this however if the victim appears to have no neck or back injuries as movement may cause further injury.

B. Breathing. Once the airway is seen to be clear, check the victim is actually breathing. You can do this by listening, or feeling for breathe. You can also check if the chest is moving.

C. Circulation. If a person is breathing, speaking or moving then circulation issues should be at minimum. If however they are not you may need to perform CPR. If you have not been trained in CPR or are worried about giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to a stranger, you can do chest compression-only (or hands-only) CPR. How to carry out a chest compression CPR: • Place the heel of your hand on the breastbone at the centre of the person’s chest. Place your other hand on top of your first hand and interlock your fingers.

• Position yourself with your shoulders above your hands.

• Using your body weight (not just your arms), press straight down by 5–6cm on their chest.

• Repeat this until an ambulance arrives.

• Try to perform chest compressions at 100-120 chest compressions a minute.

• When you call for an ambulance, telephone systems now exist that can give basic life-saving instructions, including advice on CPR. These are now common and are easily accessible with mobile phones.

If the casualty is bleeding, you can help by putting pressure on the wound with a dressing if one is available or by making a dressing from a piece of clothing if not.

It’s a great idea to carry a first aid kit in your car to ensure you’re prepared for any emergency situation.

Knowing that you may be the key to saving someone’s life is a very powerful tool. Take a first aid course if you can, or read a first aid book to help aid your knowledge.

Courtesy of www.safermotoring.co.uk

All & m mak ode es ls

NO ONW

Min im 6M Wa onum on all rra th use nt dc y ar s*

Clearance JANUARY

er v O 0 s 30 car only

A small selection of our stock

bert Ballyro

2014 Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDi GTD 5dr Red, 14k miles, Available at Mallusk

O N LY

£19,995 rt Ballyrobe

2012 Citroën DS3 1.6 e-Hdi Airdream DStyle 3dr Blue, 47k miles,

Available at Mallusk

O N LY

£7,495

11 Audi A3 2.0 TD Sport Sportback 5dr Red, 68k miles £9,495 11 Audi A4 2.0 TDi 4dr Black, 42k miles £10,995 10 Audi A5 3.0TD quattro S Line 2dr S-Tronic 4WD Black, 47k miles £16,995 12 Audi TT 1.8 Sport Roadster 2dr White, 11k miles £14,995 11 Audi TT 2.0 TDi Sport Quattro 3dr Black, 49k miles £14,895 10 Audi TT 2.0 TFSI Sport 3dr White, 78k miles £11,995 11 BMW 5 Series 2.0 520d M Sport 4dr Black, 95k miles £13,995 12 BMW 5 Series 2.0 520d M Sport 4dr Grey, 48k miles £16,495 13 BMW X1 2.0 20d M Sport sDrive 5dr White, 43k miles £13,995 12 BMW X1 2.0 xDrive20d M Sport 5dr White, 70k miles £13,995 12 Citroen DS3 1.6 e-HDi Airdream DStyle 3dr Blue, 47k miles £7,495 12 Citroen DS3 1.6 VTi DStyle 3dr Red, 14k miles £8,495 12 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso 1.6 HDi Platinum 5dr Blue, 45k miles £9,495 14 Dacia Sandero Stepway 1.5 dCi Laureate 5dr White, 12k miles £8,995 14 Fiat 500 1.2 S 3dr (start/stop) Red, 15k miles £6,995 14 Fiat 500 1.2 S 3dr (start/stop) Red, 14k miles £6,995 14 Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost Titanium 5dr (start/stop) White, 38k miles £8,495 14 Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost Titanium 5dr (start/stop) White, 25k miles £8,995 14 Ford Fiesta 1.25 Zetec 5dr Red, 11k miles £8,295 13 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi Titanium 3dr Blue, 21k miles £8,295 11 Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi Zetec 5dr Blue, 63k miles £6,495 14 Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi Zetec Navigator 5dr (start/stop) Silver, 27k miles £10,795 12 Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi Zetec S 5dr Black, 38k miles £10,395 14 Ford Grand C-Max 1.6 TDCi Zetec 5dr (7 seat) Black, 7k miles £11,495 15 Ford Grand C-Max 1.6 TDCi Zetec 5dr (7 seat) Blue, 16k miles £12,495 11 Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi Zetec 5dr White, 51k miles £10,995 15 Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi Zetec 5dr Black, 15k miles £16,995 14 Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi Zetec Powershift AWD 5dr White, 26k miles £15,995 13 Hyundai i20 1.2 Active 5dr Grey, 15k miles £6,495 12 Kia Sportage 1.7 CRDi 2 2WD 5dr Silver, 44k miles £12,495 13 Mercedes-Benz C Class 2.1 C200 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY AMG Sport 7G-Tronic Plus 4dr (Map Pilot) Silver, 21k miles £16,995 08 Mercedes-Benz C Class 2.1 C220 CDI Sport 4dr Grey, 80k miles £9,495 13 Mercedes-Benz E Class 2.1 E220 CDI SE 7G-Tronic Plus 4dr Grey, 37k miles £17,995 12 Peugeot RCZ 1.6 THP GT 2dr Black, 27k miles £12,495 13 Peugeot RCZ 1.6 THP Sport 2dr Brown, 10k miles £12,995 15 Renault Captur 1.5 dCi ENERGY Dynamique 5dr (start/stop, MediaNav) Silver, 4k miles £12,295 11 Renault Clio 1.2 16v Dynamique 5dr (TomTom) Silver, 50k miles £4,495 12 Renault Megane 1.6 16v Dynamique 5dr Blue, 28k miles £5,995 14 Seat Leon 1.2 TSi S 5dr (start/stop) Red, 29k miles £8,495 12 Seat Leon 1.2 TSi SE Copa 5dr Black, 15k miles £8,595

5 9 4 , 3 £

m fro

14 Seat Leon 1.6 TDi SE (Tech Pack) 5dr (start/stop) Red, 17k miles £11,995 14 Toyota Avensis 2.0 D-4D Active 4dr White, 32k miles £10,795 14 Vauxhall ADAM 1.2 VVT 16v JAM 3dr Black, 15k miles £7,695 14 Vauxhall Agila 1.2i ecoFLEX 16v SE 5dr (a/c) Red, 5k miles £7,495 11 Vauxhall Astra 1.3 CDTi ecoFLEX 16v Exclusiv 5dr White, 73k miles £5,995 15 Vauxhall Astra 1.6i VVT 16v Elite 5dr Black, 12k miles £9,995 11 Vauxhall Astra 2.0 CDTi ecoFLEX 16v Elite 5dr (start/stop) Blue, 35k miles £7,295 11 Vauxhall Astra 2.0 CDTi ecoFLEX 16v Elite 5dr (start/stop) Blue, 37k miles £7,295 15 Vauxhall Astra GTC 1.6 ecoFLEX SRi 3dr (stop/start) Blue, 10k miles £11,495 12 Vauxhall Astra GTC 1.7 CDTi 16v SRi 3dr (start/stop) White, 15k miles £8,995 12 Vauxhall Astra GTC 2.0 CDTi 16v SRi 3dr (start/stop) Red, 24k miles £9,295 13 Vauxhall Corsa 1.0i ecoFLEX Energy 3dr Red, 18k miles £5,795 15 Vauxhall Corsa 1.0 T ecoFLEX SRi 5dr (start/stop) Silver, 10k miles £8,995 13 Vauxhall Corsa 1.2i 16v Limited Edition 3dr (a/c) Orange, 17k miles £6,995 15 Vauxhall Corsa 1.2i 16v SE 5dr (a/c) Silver, 13k miles £7,295 15 Vauxhall Corsa 1.2i 16v SXi 5dr Silver, 11k miles £7,295 15 Vauxhall Corsa 1.4i VVT Turbo ecoFLEX SRi 5dr (start/stop) Silver, 9k miles £9,295 11 Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 CDTi 16v Exclusiv 5dr Blue, 72k miles £6,295 11 Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 CDTi 16v SRi 5dr Grey, 39k miles £7,795 14 Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 CDTi ecoFLEX Elite 5dr (start/stop) White, 25k miles £12,995 15 Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 CDTi SRi VX-Line 5dr White, 11k miles £15,995 11 Vauxhall Meriva 1.4i 16v Excite Ltd Eds 5dr (a/c) Silver, 45k miles £6,495 12 Vauxhall Meriva 1.4i 16v SE 5dr (a/c) Blue, 18k miles £6,595 14 Vauxhall Mokka 1.6 VVT 16v Exclusiv 5dr (start/stop) Brown, 5k miles £11,695 12 Vauxhall Zafira 1.6i VVT 16v Exclusiv 5dr Grey, 37k miles £6,495 13 Vauxhall Zafira 1.6i VVT 16v Exclusiv 5dr Black, 15k miles £7,995 15 Vauxhall Zafira Tourer 2.0 SRi 5dr (stop/start) White, 7k miles £14,595 14 Volkswagen Golf 1.2 TSi (BMT)(s/s) S 5dr Silver, 32k miles £10,995 13 Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDi BlueMotion Tech SE 2dr White, 20k miles £11,795 12 Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDi GT 5dr Silver, 62k miles £9,995 14 Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDi GTD 5dr Red, 14k miles £19,995 12 Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDi BlueMotion Tech SE 5dr Grey, 74k miles £9,495 12 Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TDi BlueMotion Tech GT 3dr White, 25k miles £14,995 12 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDi BlueMotion Tech Sport 5dr (start/stop) White, 20k miles £15,995 09 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDi SE 4Motion 5dr Black, 86k miles £8,495

1 Mallusk Road BT36 4XS

MALLUSK

028 9570 4452

see all our cars online at www.ballyrobert.co.uk

Official Government Test Environmental Data. Fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km). Vauxhall range: Urban: 14.4 (19.6) - 76.3 (3.7), Extra urban: 27.4 (10.3) - 91.1 (3.1), Combined: 18.0 (15.7) - 85.6 (3.3). CO2 emissions: 373 - 88g/km.# #Official EU-regulated test data are provided for comparison purposes and actual performance will depend on driving style, road conditions and other non-technical factors. Cars shown for illustration purposes only. Calls may be recorded for monitoring and training purposes. *Ask for full details.

MOTORING

How to Prevent Your Car Being Stolen According to the most recent PSNI figures there were over 5,500 reported instances of thefts from or of a motor vehicle in the last recorded year. In other words, your car and its contents aren’t as safe as you might think.

“But my car has an alarm and an immobiliser,” you say. It is true that modern cars come with sophisticated security systems but even with that, it is surprising how easily your car can be stolen. The good news is that by taking some simple precautions you can prevent your car from being targeted.

Double Check it’s Locked Modern cars usually have a visual confirmation that they’re locked such as a flash of their indicators. Get into the habit of looking at your car as you press the key fob.

If the lights don’t flash then there could be a problem with your locking system and you should physically check that the doors are locked. Thieves could be watching as you leave your car and can use a remote locking jammer preventing the signal from your fob reaching the car.

You walk away thinking your car is locked and they steal whatever’s inside.

Watch Where you Park You’re obviously not going to park somewhere you think is unsafe but even in the ‘nicer’ areas there are precautions you can take to keep your car safe. For example, try to find somewhere that’s well lit and if it’s possible to park under a street lamp, do so, even during the day - if your car’s left there longer than you’re expecting, it’ll be lit when darkness falls.

When leaving your car try to park as close as possible to an occupied building. If you’re going out to a restaurant or pub, try and park where there’s a view of your car from inside. Even if you’re not able to get a seat by a window, someone else might notice a would be thief.

At the shops, try to park close to the main entrance and in amongst other cars – thieves are more likely to strike a car that’s on its own at the end of a car park than one that’s mixed in with all the rest with shoppers walking past.

Don’t Leave your Belongs In View Sounds like an obvious one but you’d be amazed how many people don’t bother. Satnav systems are the most obvious valuable left on display, but mobile phones, wallets and cash are also theft magnets. Don’t just think in terms of valuables, either. Bags, coats, and even jumpers are all attractive to a thief, even if they aren’t worth much, because of the possibility that they are concealing something that is, so don’t leave them in view

44

on the seats as you may end up paying for a new window.

Also be aware of leaving important paperwork on view, so that it isn’t targeted for the purposes of identity theft.

Modern cars come with an alarm and an immobiliser, but there are plenty of other ways to protect an older car.

Steering wheel, gearstick or pedal locks aren’t infallible, but they do provide a deterrent for opportunistic thieves.

If you can afford to spend a little more money why not consider a tracking device? You’ll pay upfront for the device to be installed and a small annual subscription fee, but if your car is stolen, the police will be able to locate it.

You can also consider installing security for your drive or parking space such as a small home CCTV system or if you’d rather have something cheaper, a motion-activated home security lamp that shines down on your driveway could help put thieves off.

Use the Built In Security Features of your Car Modern cars have clever security features, but you may not be aware of them or use all of them. For example, many modern cars have systems which enable them to lock automatically as you pull away? Enabling this will help protect you against carjackings – one of the scariest and increasingly likely ways of having your car stolen.

Where Do you Keep your Keys?

Car security systems have advanced so far now that the easiest way for a thief to steal the car is often to steal the keys themselves. This can mean picking them from your pocket, or even stealing them from your house.

So think about which pocket you’re keeping your keys in when you’re out and about and when you’re at home, make sure you don’t leave your keys near to an open window, or even within reach of the letterbox. Don’t take your keys upstairs to bed with you however, this could lead to you being threatened when a thief hasn’t found the keys they wanted downstairs.

Even your Number Plates!

Thieves are stealing car number plates and then fitting them to their own similar-looking cars to perform crimes, such as filling up with fuel at a petrol station and then driving off without paying. If it does happen to you – you should report it to the police immediately.

Crime statistics show that often a car is stolen becasue the owner has left the keys in the ignition. This seems unbelievable but if it does happen to you it is unlikely that your insurance company will pay out - so don’t do it - even if you’re just nipping into the petrol station to pay for fuel, or defrosting your car on the driveway during the cold winter months.

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Plan for the future with a Pre-Arranged Funeral Plan Save on the rising costs associated with a funeral service with a prearranged funeral pl an. Our professional l y trained staff can arrange an appointment to discuss the options and your requirements — without any obl igation on your part. Contact your l ocal branch for detail s and if you wish, we wil l cal l with you to discuss your requirements in the comfort of your own home.

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