Page 2 June 2011 The Heraldor 048 71 886759 (From ROI) To Advertise 71 886759(NI)
To Advertise 71 886759(NI)The or 048 71 886759 (From ROI) Herald June 2011 Page 45
Sign up for ‘Strabane’s Got Talent’ at Christy’s Bar As the dust begins to settle after another series of ITV’s ‘Britain’s Got Talent’, the judges can now book themselves in for another session of Botox, tanning and lessons in spontaneous tear-jerking.
ing – be it singing, telling jokes, dancing or even making toast montages of the Christy’s bar staff! Basically if you think you can entertain an audience, get your name into the mix! ‘STRABANE’S GOT TALENT’ will take place in Christy’s over a nine week period, consisting of six heats, two semi finals and then a grand final. And if at first you don’t succeed, you will have the Meanwhile, Christy’s Bar in Strabane opportunity to re-enter and try again is about to begin their very own ver- in any of the first six heats prior to the sion of the talent contest this Satur- semi-finals. day, June 25 and is looking for YOU, THE PUBLIC, to sign up, get involved The prize for the eventual WINNER will and show the world that ‘STRA- be a week for two in the sun. Second BANE’S GOT TALENT’. prize is a weekend for two at ShanAs is the nature of the show, the non Key West Hotel, including bed organisers are looking for anyone and breakfast, an evening meal and with any particular talent in entertain- a free bottle of wine. Further prizes
will be announced during the competition. Anyone interested in participating is asked to contact Christy’s bar either before the heats begin or show up on the night. If you are looking to sing, the Two Amigos will be at hand with the Karaoke machine ready to play your backing track, which you can even bring along with you. Overall, it promises to be a highly entertaining nine weeks competition in Christy’s, hopefully with a healthy mix of the good, the bold and beautiful. Do you think you’ve got what it takes to be a star? Get your name down now! HEAT ONE of ‘STRABANE’S GOT TALENT’ takes place at Christy’s Bar on SUNDAY, JUNE 26.
Talented? Christy’s Bar is looking for you, no matter how young or old! (Ed: Don’t worry the baby drummer has not entered the competition, you can breathe a sigh of relief!
Newtownstewart
Golf Club Roundup
Cpt Trevor McFarland, Brian and Dymphna Garrity (Sponsors B.G.I.) pictured with prize winners in the B.G.I. Challenge Open S/ford competition at Newtownstewart Golf Club
Cpt Trevor McFarland pictured with 1st Team in the recent 3-Ball Scramble Competition
Cpt Trevor McFarland, Danny Ball (Sponsor) pictured with prize winners in the B&D Construction Open Stroke.
Cpt Trevor McFarland, Ronnie Jack (Prentice Motors Omagh) with prize winners in the Prentice Motors Open Team competition at Newtownstewart Golf Club
Cpt Trevor McFarland with prize winners in the McNamee Motors Open S/ford
NEW FAMILES NEEDED TO HOST CHERNOBYL CHILDREN It didn’t attract much media attention but this yearw marked 25 years since one of the darkest days in European history. By Kevin McAnena A set of experiments by nuclear technicians to test backup electrical supplies to a reactor resulted in a massive explosion which tore apart the town of Chernobyl in Belarus, releasing tonnes of radiation across much of Europe and killing 31 people in the short term. In the long term it’s estimated that as many as 200,000 people have died as a result of contamination, while many more are permanently disfigured. Dangerous levels of radiation still pollute much of the ground in Belarus and parts of neighbouring Ukraine – scientists estimate that it will be 600 years before it is safe to populate Chernobyl itself again, though the effects of 26 April 1986 will still resound for a staggering 48,000 years. The many health implications for the people of Belarus and Ukraine are too abundant to men-
tion but despite swimming against a colossal tide a number of local people continue to support the children of Chernobyl in their struggle for a better quality of life. One such person is retired Our Lady of Mercy school teacher, Kate Kelly. The Plumbridge woman is a director of Chernobyl Children’s Appeal Northern Ireland, a charity which brings scores of affected children from Belarus and Ukraine to Ireland every summer. Having got involved with the charity in 2000 after seeing other local families host children, Kate became one of the organisation’s six directors five years ago. In light of the recent anniversary she is hoping the eyes of the world can again turn to the plight of so many people who continue to suffer on a daily basis. A short three week visit to Ireland sends the children home rejuvenated and acts as a welcome boost to their health and immune system. Kate remains as enthusiastic as ever about the work her organisation carries out and is always on the lookout for new host families. She explained to The Strabane Herald what the scheme involves. “The children usually come for three weeks in mid-July to the first week in August,” she said. “In total we have 78 new children coming in July
this year, and there are also 13 returnees – those are children than have been here before but host families then fund them to come over themselves, because they want the children to come back. Our policy is to take children that hasn’t been out of Belarus or Ukraine ever before, so should a returnee come that is the financial responsibility of the host family.” She added: “An interpreter comes with each group. They look after them and get them through the airports and that kind of thing. I’ve hosted an interpreter here as well. They visit the families and iron out any wee problems that might arise, and they’re on call 24 hours a day while they are here.” “There’s no real language problem with them, you can put your thumb up or down, you can give signals, and you have a phrasebook that comes in handy. They settle in well and there are no problems with them, and they just love Ireland. It’s a great change for them because Belarus and Ukraine are very flat countries, so here they just love the scenery and the fresh air and the food.” While in Ireland the children meet up in groups at least once a week for various events and activities in their own region, as well as one large Fun Day in Portglenone where everyone comes together. To be involved to the extent Kate is, it’s obviously
something which she finds rewarding. So far she has hosted 10 different children, including some on return visits. Her role as a director involves visiting the villages affected, and carrying out research with the children’s schools and families so that they can be matched with a suitable host family here. “This year’s group come from a very poor area of Ukraine. When we went there we had to get to the village by horse and cart, but I have to say that the people are very hospitable and when they heard we were coming they prepared food and everything for us. Things aren’t going to change for them any time soon, it’s just a fact of daily life for them but it’s important that we continue to help them as much as we can. It’s great to see their wee faces and see how much they appreciate it,” she said. She added: “If anyone is interested it’s only three weeks during the summer and it would be great if anyone could come forward and help to bring another family over. Our group in Omagh meets once a month to organise fundraising and other things, so it’s not difficult to get on board.” To find out more about Chernobyl Children’s Appeal NI, visit their website at www.ccanireland. com, where you can find contact details and other information.