Spectator extra december 2013

LOUVRE - VENETIAN - ROLLERS - WOODEN - VELUX - ROMAN

• FREE MEASURING • FREE FITTING • FREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTE

Tel: 028 9180 0505

4

Verticals From

£99

www.reidblinds.com email:sales@reidblinds.com Unit A8, Ards Business Centre, Jubilee Road, Newtownards. BT23 4YH

PAGE 3

ON

ON

QUIT SMOKING TODAY

ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES The Vaping Lounge The World’s Favourite E Liquid

ONLY £14.99 PER KIT

e Now availabl CURLEYS WINE CELLAR, 235 Antrim Road Now open 6 days a week, Mon-Sat 11am-6pm from

SALE NOW ON

ONLY £14.99 Simply the best eCig ever

E-LIQUID www.eliquid4u.co.uk £4.99

KENNEDY Mon-Wed 11am - 5 pm • Thurs 11am - 9pm CENTRE Fri 11am - 8.30pm • Sat 11am-5pm • Sun 1pm-6pm

2

December 2013

Carnalea guides stir up a festive feast

Let it snow say 12th Bangor Guides as they enjoy some floury fun during Stir-up Sunday.

Julie Waters j.waters@spectatornewspapers.co.uk

CARNALEA guides have stirred up a festive feast with a topping of Christmas cheer for elderly local parishioners.

For the budding culinary chefs of St Gall’s 12th Bangor Guides have been baking up a

storm of Christmas cakes - in time for a Yuletide delivery.

The talented girls whipped up a host of beautiful cakes which are tingling the festive tastebuds of elderly parishioners throughout the Bangor West parish.

Claire Hawkins, St Gall’s guider, explained what inspired the girls to don their pinnies and get out their mixing bowls this festive season.

She said, “At the heart of what Guiding encourages in the girls is a desire to help

other people. When we got to thinking about it we felt at Christmas time we could do something really positive for elderly members of the parish.

“After discussion with the girls and the Rector we came up with a recipe for success.

We got out the mixing bowls and started stirring up some fabulous Christmas cakes.”

Guides Anna and Jodie were delighted to be mixing up a treat this Christmas and told the Extra, “It’s important to think of others around Christmas time and I'm glad we are getting to do some good.”

Fellow guider Rosie agreed, saying, “Part of our Guide promise is to help other people and I guess that's what this is all about.”

Reverend Michael Parker, St Gall’s rector, was delighted to see the local guides were having so much festive fun as they helped others in the parish.

He said, “Stir Up Sunday is all about getting ready for the joys of Christmas and getting a Christmas cake started.

“I’m glad that the guides have decided to make a gift of their time and talents and make some fabulous treats. They are a super bunch of girls with a real passion for guiding.”

Rev Parker said, “Their cakes are beautifully decorated and will really bring the spirit of Christmas to the homes of some of our elderly and housebound parishioners when they are delivered in December.”

Stir-up Sunday is the traditional name for the last Sunday before Advent. The title comes from the words of the collect of the last Sunday before Advent: “Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

St Gall’s 12th Bangor Guides are stirring up a festive feast for elderly parishioners this Yuletide.

GET HOME SAFE THIS CHRISTMAS with depots now in Donaghadee, Dufferin Avenue and High Street Bangor.

New option to call your cab: Download the new Bangor Cabs app

Contact Bangor Cabs for Terms and Conditions

3

December 2013

The Frying Squad App

android

apple

WIN an iPad Mini! with purchase or upgrade to any meal ĂŠ

Name: ....................................................................................................................

Address: .................................................................................................................

Postcode: ...............................................................................................................................

Email: .....................................................................................................................

Telephone: .............................................................................................................

Voucher valid from Monday 2nd December to Monday 16th December 2013, must purchase a meal or upgrade supper to a meal, does not apply to kids meals, Restrictions apply – see in store for details. One meal per voucher. Winner has to be available on either the 17/12 or 18/12 for prize presentation & local publicity.

Valid at the following branches 0 1 2 3 4 VERY GOOD

Centra Development

Unit 1B

9 Balloo Road, Bangor BT19 7PG Tel: 028 9146 1711

Rathmore Road, Bangor BT19 1DL Tel: 028 9185 9854

Opening times vary please contact your nearest store for further details.

4

December 2013

facebook.com/countydownspectator

Homeless shock Over 2,100 on waiting lists for just 110 houses Nowhere else outside of Belfast had more than 2,000 on their lists, and while North i.gray@spectatornewspapers.co.uk Down’s housing queue has come down a little in the past few months it’s still sitting at MORE than 2,100 local people are just over 2,100 people. of the problem seems to be that the stuck queuing up for just 110 Part Housing Executive has historically built more homes in North Down. two and three-bedroom places, thus leaving the system unable to meet the current The borough has Northern Ireland’s longest demand for one-bedrooms. waiting list for social housing outside of They’ve only got a total of 501 one-bed Belfast, yet we’re stuck with a crippling lack places, both occupied and of homes. unoccupied, According to the most recent count, compared to which took place at the beginning more than of October, there were a total of 1,000 two110 spare Housing Executive We aim to deliver 200 onebedroom and housing association bed units each year to help homes places across the entire a n d meet the anticipated borough. more That’s only around one increase in demand for t h a n twentieth of the amount 1,000 smaller dwellings. needed to meet demand threefrom desperate locals. bedroom Single people are particularly places. badly affected, with more than The various 1,250 of the 2,100 on the lists h o u s i n g waiting for a one-bedroom home associations around the – but there are only around 50 borough, on the other hand, have a total of empty one-bed places.

607 one-beds, 671 two-beds and 145 threeThere are 556 people on beds, plus a small handful with more than waiting lists for 44 vacant twothree bedrooms. bedroom places and 210 on It means that the stock for two and threethe list for 14 three-bedroom bedroom homes, occupied or unoccupied, homes. vastly outstrips the stock for one-beds, yet The remaining people are all waiting for four, more than half of the people queuing for five or six-bedroom houses. At the last count, houses are waiting for a one-bed. however, there was a single vacant fourThe borough’s social housing shortage was bedroom place and no empty homes with condemned by North Down MLA Peter Weir, more bedrooms. who said the figures are ‘further When the last nationwide survey was carried confirmation of the massive need for new out at the end of March, North Down had the thinking and strategy for housing’. longest waiting list outside of Belfast with “With over 2,100 applicants chasing just 110 more than 2,400 people. places, the odds are heavily stacked against

Iain Gray

“

”

LY GROW L A OC

RIS

TOO COLD in Winter TOO HOT in Summer WE HAVE THE SOLUTION

S

C

H

?

Is your Conservatory

N

L

Housing Executive

anyone seeking housing locally,” Mr Weir said.

“This problem is particularly acute in North Down, as despite the best efforts of Housing Executive staff Bangor still has longer waiting lists than everywhere except some of the Belfast offices.

“Whatever successes there have been in the past, this shows the current system is not working and needs radical reform. Nelson McCausland’s shake-up of the Housing Executive is massively needed.”

The Extra contacted the Housing Executive offering them the chance to comment on the issue.

A spokesman replied that last year evaluations concluded that North Down will need an extra 770 homes by 2017.

“As of March 31, 1412 units of social housing were on site, including 44 in-year starts,” said the spokesman. “Whilst the social housing development programme for North Down is significant, demand continues to outstrip supply.

“In the past year, the most significant increase has been in single applicants. This trend may be attributable to changes to housing benefit.”

The spokesman added that the ‘main source for new homes’ is re-letting houses as tenants move to a new home, and that every year around 250 of North Down’s new homes are re-lets.

“With the onset of the Welfare Reform Bill,” continued the spokesman, “the Housing Executive is committed to finding suitable alternative accommodation for those tenants who will have their housing benefit restricted through under occupation and wish to downsize.

“We aim to deliver 200 one-bed units each year to help meet the anticipated increase in demand for smaller dwellings.”

TMAS TR

E E

BEFORE

AFTER

At our Farm

Choose from a wide range of FRESHLY CUT Noble Fir, Nordman Fir, Lodgepole Pine and Norway Spruce trees.

Trees from 5 -12ft (1.7 - 4 metres) - suitable for all locations.

Trees netted after purchase.

Signs at entrance. Open l0am - 6pm

www.tjnoble.com Jim & Anna Noble Walworth Farm 261 Donaghadee Road Newtownards, Tel: (028) 9182 0593

Remember to recycle your tree after Christmas

FREE iPad Mini

BEFORE

AFTER

with every order placed be fore 20th Dec

• LOWER ENERGY COSTS • REDUCE GLARE • REDUCE RAIN NOISE

Solutions to suit all pockets For further details:—

BROWN CONSERVATORIES

3 MEADOW DRIVE, BALLYGOWAN Tel. 028 9752 1777 OR 07905 852 860 or visit our website www.brownconservatories.co.uk mrmbrown@btinternet.com

5

December 2013

Bangor to host ‘wealth’ of sporting greats?

https://twitter.com/codownspectator

PRE-CHRISTMAS SALE

Iain Gray i.gray@spectatornewspapers.co.uk

BANGOR could be in for a ‘wealth’ of sporting heroes over the next seven months.

That’s because hints have been dropped that the multimillion-pound leisure centre might be picked as a training ground for athletes from Team NI ahead of next summer’s Commonwealth Games.

Ulster’s top sportsmen and women will be battling against 70 other teams from around the globe in Glasgow next July and August.

The Culture Minister dropped a big hint that the Bangor Aurora leisure centre could be hosting some of the swimming team’s training sessions.

On Monday, November 25 there was a debate on the Games in the Northern Ireland Assembly, during which North Down MLA Leslie Cree asked, “Will [the Culture Minister] confirm that she is prepared to promote the magnificent Aurora swimming centre in Bangor as a training location prior to next year’s Commonwealth Games?”

Carál Ní Chuilín replied, “I would like to think so, I put millions of pounds of public money into it.

“It’s a facility that athletes across the North, not just people in [the North Down] constituency, can use. It can be used for that competition and many others.

“It is important that young people who are interested in swimming now feel that once they are in a pool – any pool, but particularly that pool given the facilities there – they can go from swimming on a Saturday morning to performing. It is really important that we support that journey.”

The minister’s comments were welcomed by

BEDS & MATTRESSES

LEATHER SUITES

12x12 room

eg

12x12 room

OAK

Bangor’s Aurora Aquatic and Leisure Complex.

Mr Cree. Speaking to the Extra after the debate, he described Aurora as ‘the best facility in Northern Ireland’ and more than deserving of the honour.

“I was very pleased by the minister’s response,” he said. “I think it’s absolutely appropriate to bring part of the training to Bangor, Aurora’s the best facility in Northern Ireland.

“It’s an amazing facility, you could almost call it tailor-made for competition training at this level. The minister, while her usual tongue-in-cheek self, made some very encouraging comments.

“While it’s not a 100% guarantee at this stage it’s certainly good to hear, and I think it’s important we keep pushing the great

facilities North Down has to offer forward.”

If the Commonwealth Games training does come to Bangor, it’ll certainly make up for one of the big disappointments in Aurora.

The leisure centre was originally meant to be a potential training ground for 2012 Olympians, with the 50m Olympic-sized pool in particular held up as being a potential draw for the world’s greatest athletes.

But repeated construction delays meant that Aurora wasn’t finished until months after the London Olympics took place, robbing Bangor of the prestigious opportunity to host the swimming world’s greats.

If the Culture Minister’s hints play out, though, it looks we might get that chance after all.

V-Groove Laminate eg

GREAT RANGE OF NEW CANE SUITES & OAK ACCESSORIES NOW IN STOCK

Oak/Beech/Walnut New Skirting/Beading, Door Bars, Underlay & Fitting

Tile Effect Laminate Floor Slate/Marble etc.

New Skirting/Beading, Door Bars, Underlay & Fitting

OAK EXTENDING TABLES & CHAIRS Newtownards Road, Donaghadee, BT21 0NL (1/2 mile from D/Dee Rugby Club)

T. 028 9188 9295

Click Laminate eg

12x12 room

Beech/Oak/Pine/Cherry New Skirting/Beading, Door Bars, Underlay & Fitting

Solid Flooring eg

12x12 room

Oak/Maple New Skirting/Beading, Door Bars, Underlay & Fitting

6

December 2013

Have you heard about our website? Join us at www.countydownspectator.com

‘Deathtrap’ roundabout still awaits safety drive W E N R E D N U IP H S R E N W O OPENING OFFERS

10% OFF ALL ORDERS OVER £15

Facebook : BangorKebabHouse

Bernard Johnston b.johnston@spectatornewspapers.co.uk

A ‘DEATHTRAP’ junction on Bangor’s busy ringroad is proving more ‘difficult’ than expected to make safer for the hundreds of schoolkids who use it every day.

Details about a possible half a million pound solution to the problems posed by the ‘nightmare’ Gransha roundabout for Bangor Grammar School pupils, were expected to be announced in November.

Instead it has emerged that it could take several more months for the ‘expert consultants’ tasked with improving safety there to come up with concrete proposals.

News of the delay emerged during a presentation by Roads Service to November’s meeting of the council’s Planning and Public Services Liaison Committee.

Deputy Divisional Roads Manager, Roy Spiers, said the consultants were still investigating the Gransha Road roundabout and would report back within ‘the next few months’.

He further acknowledged, in answer to a question from DUP councillor Peter Weir, that a solution to the safety issues at the roundabout was proving ‘difficult’.

As a result, he added, a proposal which is already in the public domain, for a new pedestrian crossing at the roundabout, might have to be changed, to place that crossing away from the roundabout.

Roads Service has already given the green light for a major project to improve safety at the roundabout and revealed that the yet to be decided upon scheme could cost upwards of £500,000.

In May it was announced that initial proposals should emerge at the latest in November, but confirmed that work would not be able to begin until the money is found to fund it.

Those developments emerged during a previous

MONDAY BANGOR Towerview Primary School, 100 Towerview Crescent Monday 5.15pm & 7.15pm Contact: Ann on 07854 787121 HELEN'S BAY Helen's Bay Presbyterian Church 10 Church Road, Mondays 7.30pm Contact: Cath on 07591 158282 PORTAVOGIE Portavogie Primary School, New Harbour Road Monday 5.30pm & 7.30pm Contact: Jill on 07709 301676 TUESDAY

CONLIG Green Road Community Centre, Breezemount Grove Tuesday 5.30pm & 7.30pm Contact: Amanda on 07766 740048 BANGOR Alderman George Green, Community Centre, Just off the Balloo Road Tuesday 5.45pm & 7.45pm Contact: Jemma on 07823 332411 BANGOR St Galls Parish Hall, Crawfordsburn Road Tuesday 5.15pm & 7.15pm Contact: Ann on 07854 787121

presentation by Roads Service to a meeting of the council’s Planning and Public Services Liaison Committee.

A traffic survey has already been conducted at the roundabout to see if council calls for road safety measures to be introduced there ‘as a matter of urgency’ are justified.

Some months ago the roundabout was also inspected by a government minister amid concerns about the dangers it posed to the Bangor Grammar School pupils and other pedestrians.

NIGHTMARE

DRD Minister Danny Kennedy visited the scene after local councillors branded it ‘a nightmare’ junction where a ‘serious accident’ was ‘waiting to happen’.

Mr Kennedy was responding to an invitation sent to him by the council after its local politicians voiced their concerns about the roundabout at an earlier meeting last November.

Independent Alan Chambers claimed there was ‘an increased chance of an accident happening’ as pupils made their way to and from the school on foot at peak traffic times.

Mr Chambers also voiced concern about traffic problems already experienced at places like Gransha, Bexley and Cranley Roads becoming ‘10 times worse’.

He added, “There are obvious road safety issues that already exist at this location and local concerns that the situation is going to get a lot worse with the additional traffic and pedestrian flows generated by the new campus.”

DUP MLA and councillor, Peter Weir, said the Gransha Road roundabout had facilitated ‘large volumes of traffic’ for many years, with many motorists from Ballyholme and beyond using it as their main route.

He added, “With the opening of the new Bangor Grammar, naturally the focus of concern has been centred on road safety for children, not just for the pupils of the school, but also those pupils who are visiting from other schools.”

THURSDAY

GREYABBEY Trinity Church, Main Street BT22 2NG. Thursdays 7.30pm Contact: Valentine on 07793 023643 DONAGHADEE Donaghadee Parish Church Hall, Church Lane Thursday MORNING GROUP 9.30am EVENING GROUP 5.15pm & 7.15pm Contact: Amanda on 07766 740048 BANGOR British Legion Hall, Hamilton Road Thursday 5.30pm & 7.30pm Contact: Karen on 07594 132499

WEDNESDAY FRIDAY

PORTAFERRY The Gallery, Castle Yard, Castle Street, Portaferry Tuesday 5.30pm & 7.30pm Contact: Concepta on 07762 282369

MILLISLE Millisle Primary School, Abbey Road Wednesday 5:45pm & 7.45pm Contact: Jemma on 07823 332411

NEWTOWNARDS Abbey Primary School, 90 Movilla Road Tuesday 5.30pm & 7.30pm Contact: Cath on 07591 158282

BANGOR MORNING GROUP St Galls Parish Hall, Crawfordsburn Road Wednesday 9.30am Contact: Ann on 07854 787121

BANGOR MORNING GROUP British Legion Hall, Hamilton Road Friday 9.30am Contact: Karen on 07594 132499

7

December 2013

More than 150 cows vanish Iain Gray i.gray@spectatornewspapers.co.uk

OUR farmers have had 154 cows stolen or go missing over the past two years.

That’s according to information recently revealed in the Northern Ireland Assembly, which shows that incidents appear to be on the rise.

The figures state that 88 cattle went missing or were stolen during the 2012-13 financial year, compared to 66 the year before.

The information was published after questions were asked by local MLA Alex Easton – but it only hints at the full picture as he couldn’t get the answers he was after.

The DUP assemblyman wanted to know how many livestock thefts there have been in North Down during the past two years.

But it turns out that the authorities only record cattle, not livestock in general, and don’t differentiate

between animals that have been stolen and those that have gone missing.

Answering Mr Easton’s questions, Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill stated that the 154 on record is ‘the number of incidents involving missing or stolen cattle in the Newtownards Divisional Veterinary Office area’.

“The whole of North Down is in the Newtownards Divisional Office,” the minister said.

“APHIS [the Animal and Public Health Information System, used by the government] does not differentiate between missing or stolen cattle.

“Information involving any other missing or stolen livestock is not recorded on APHIS at present.

APHIS does not record information on a constituency basis.”

That’s angered Mr Easton, who feels that recording so little precise data makes it difficult to know just how bad the situation might actually be.

“Unfortunately we cannot get the

full picture on figures that are very worrying for farmers who lose money with missing and stolen cattle,” he said.

“But it is worrying in itself that a government body does not hold accurate information to fully explain what is happening to our farmers’ livestock.

“I am calling on the Department of Agriculture to start collating proper data so we can get the full picture on stolen and missing livestock, and I would also call on any members of the public who witness anything suspicious while driving in the countryside to report it to the PSNI. “Our farmers are in many ways the backbone of our society. They deserve to be protected by both the PSNI and the department, the latter of whom should collate proper data so we can see the full scale of the problem.”

The Extra contacted the Department of Agriculture offering them the chance the respond to Mr Easton’s comments. They did not reply by the time of going to press.

20% OFF Semi Permanent Make-Up

Full Body Spray Tan & ICON Gel Polish (Hands)

Was (from) £150

Was £42

Now £35

Now (from) £120

ICON Gel Polish (Hands) & Individual Party Lashes Was £37

Now £32 Call for our Extra Christmas Opening Hours

ICON Gel Polish (Hands & Feet) Was £36

Individual Party Lashes & MakeUp Was £43

Now £36

Now £30

NEW! Warm Lava Shell Full Body Massage Was £58

Full Body Spray Tan, Express Manicure & Individual Party Lashes

Now £48

Was £47

Now £39

Spend £50 or more on Christmas Gift Vouchers & receive £5 Gift Voucher FREE Spend £100 or more on Christmas Gift Vouchers & receive £10 Gift Voucher FREE

17 Frances Street, Newtownards BT23 7DW (028) 9181 5777

www.roamerholistic.co.uk T & C apply. Valid 1st - 31st December 2013

8

December 2013

Scout centre boost THE scout camp at Crawfordsburn is to get a new nonresidential day centre as part of a half million pound investment in the voluntary youth sector announced by Education Minister John O’Dowd. The £500,000 scheme will also see the demolition of the old main cabin.

Meanwhile the Girlguiding Centre at Lorne is to get £145,000 for refurbishment including electrics, heating and water and new ramps, internal lifts and improvements to bathrooms.

Deadly weed removed before it uproots plans

Duncan Irvine Studio of Art 41 Hogstown Road, Donaghadee

Bernard Johnston b.johnston@spectatornewspapers.co.uk

Open Studio

Drop in for a chat and maybe spot an original pain ng for Christmas.

Ongoing exhibi on of new work.

Open 10am to 5pm everyday or phone for viewing.

Tel 02891 882140

Art classes - a few vacancies now available.

A DEADLY superweed, which is so powerful it can cause fatal damage to buildings, has been removed from the site of a proposed new development in the residential heart of Bangor.

www.duncanirvine.com

Japanese Knotweed, which has been called ‘the most invasive plant in the UK’ as it grows by up to four inches a day and can burst through concrete, is spreading across the site at Thornleigh.

Now it has been killed off so that three residential garages which have already been recommended for approval for land located

between numbers 12 and 14 Thornleigh Park, can get underway.

The issue was raised for a second time at November’s meeting of North Down Borough Council’s planning and public services liaison committee by Councillor Ian Henry.

The Ulster Unionist representative revealed that the Japanese Knotweed, which he had voiced concern about at an earlier meeting of the same committee, had now been ‘dug out’.

From a Tap to a Jacuzzi From a Sink to a Wet Room Quality Bathrooms @ Prices to Suit

Deal 1

Deal 2 An excepti quality bathoronal at an afforda om ble price

The perfect a one package all in very competitivt a e price

Complete Bathroom Refurbishment

Complete Bathroom Refurbishment

£1699

£1999

Packages include: Bath, Pedestal Sink, Toilet, Taps & Tiles

Packages include: Bath, Pedestal Sink, Toilet, Taps & Tiles

Prices include - Supply, Installation & Wall or Floor Tiles Call for a FREE Quote

Splashy Bathrooms 07581 478946 55 Oughley Road, Saintfield BT24 7DB

www.splashybathrooms.com DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL

it Want to vis... m o ro w o Sh for Please call t & en tm in o p p a directions

However Mr Henry asked the planning officer, who attends the meeting on behalf of the Planning Service, how that had been carried out.

He wanted to know if any conditions had been placed upon the manner of its removal as part of the planning application, and the planning officer confirmed that there had.

She said the removal would have been carried out according to guidelines laid down by the Department Of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.

The officer said the applicant had assured her that the correct procedure had been followed for the removal of the Japanese Knotweed.

However, Mr Henry pressed the issue, adding that it would be in the applicant’s interests to say that the correct procedure had been followed.

The planning officer said the matter had now been referred to the NIEA who had promised to investigate it further.

Speaking at the previous planning meeting Mr Henry stressed he was not against the planning application which was before the council with a Planning Service recommendation for approval.

However, he said there

New shoreline path is coast of the town CAMPAIGNING residents of Millisle are on the crest of a wave after winning their battle to get a new access for disabled people to a local coastal beauty spot.

The idea for the new access from Shore Road to the nearby lagoon was first floated by the Millisle and District Community Association, who then enlisted the help of North Down MLA and councillor Alex Easton.

The tide of support soon prompted a positive response from Ards Borough Council and now the new access pathway has been installed to the delight of the campaigners.

Now Mr Easton says the new access is already proving a valuable asset to local people and visitors who experience difficulties with their mobility.

Councillor Ian Henry with Thornleigh residents Terry James, Audrey McCann and Lorraine Campbell at the site of the proposed new garages. M33-17-10 was Japanese Knotweed on the site and he asked what conditions were being put in place to ensure that it was eradicated before any building work could proceed.

Mr Henry pointed out that the weed was so powerful it could force its way through concrete and he wanted to know what could be done to ensure that it was eradicated from the site.

Mr Henry told the meeting that in other situations it had taken up to three

years ‘to get rid of’ the Japanese Knotweed, adding that he was only made aware of its presence at this particular site by objectors, adding, “It is a serious matter.”

Mr Henry said there seemed to be seeds hanging from the Japanese Knotweed at the minute and they could be scattered further afield in the wind, with the obvious repercussions.

He added, “I wouldn’t like to think this is a weed which could take over in the borough.”

Podiatry • Pilates • Yoga • Tai Chi

www.physioplusni.com 5 The Square, Comber

Christmas Gift Voucher Give that extra caring gift this Christmas Vouchers may be redeemed against any of our available treatments including:

Contact us now on

Physio, Podiatry, Classes, Massage, Holistic Therapy

02891 871701

GHD REPAIRS Vacuum Cleaner same day repairs and spares Washing Machines and Cooker Spares

Tel: 9146 6360

Vacuum Hospital 59 Church Street, Bangor

E.P. McCormick & Son Monumental Sculptor - Established 1938 -

AN INDEPENDENT FAMILY BUSINESS Large selection of Memorials on view in all classes of stone ENGRAVING - RENOVATING - CLEANING Distance no object - Personal Supervision - Artwork our speciality -

www.epmccormick.co.uk

58-60 Newtownards Road, Bangor Tel/Fax: (028) 9146 0694

9

December 2013

Donaghadee set for £2.4m facelift SOCIAL Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced a £2.4million Public Realm scheme for Donaghadee.

The scheme covering Shore Street, New Street, Bridge Street, The Parade and High Street areas will help transform the town, creating a distinct and harmonious image for Donaghadee.

The design concepts were developed in partnership with Ards Borough Council, community and business representatives.

Making the announcement, Mr McCausland said, “This

represents a considerable investment by the Northern Ireland Executive and Ards Borough Council.

“The scheme has been designed to make the most of Donaghadee’s natural assets and beauty, and to make the town centre and seafront much more attractive to both locals and visitors as a place to shop and spend time.

“This investment will make a significant contribution to improving the fortunes of the town by attracting visitors to the area and encouraging private sector investment.

“This funding demonstrates my ongoing commitment to the regeneration of Donaghadee.”

Mayor of Ards, Councillor Stephen McIlveen, welcomed the confirmation of funding, saying, "This investment

by DSD and the council will transform the visual appearance of the town centres, enhancing their appeal as places to visit and shop, with the associated positive economic impact. I look forward now to seeing the designs developed and finalised and the work beginning.”

Councillor Tom Smith, chairman of the Donaghadee Town Steering Group, added, “This is excellent news and I'm very glad that we are moving forward with this £2.4million investment in Donaghadee.

“The Public Realm Scheme will improve and enhance our town centre and seafront, making it a more attractive place to visit and do business.

“The next stage of the scheme is to move to a detailed design and public consultation. This should happen next month and I hope that local residents and traders will participate in this vital part of the process.”

Community representatives on the Donaghadee Town Steering Group, David Cochrane, John Caldwell and Noel Johnston, were delighted to learn that the funding has been approved and stated, “This is a tremendous step forward and a much-needed investment in Donaghadee's infra-structure.

“Hopefully this project, when completed, will help promote Donaghadee as a good place to live, a vibrant town to visit and a great place in which to do business.”

Gransha Fuels Oil • Coal • Gas • Batteries SAME DAY DELIVERY OR CASH & CARRY

QUALITY ALWAYS BEATS PRICE 20 Litre Emergency Oil Drums Collected from yard £16.00 each Delivered into tank from £18.00 each 6 x 20 Litre Oil Drums £100.00 Larger amounts delivered by tanker Household Coal from £12.00 50 Kg Delivered Plus Premium Coal & Premium Plus and most Smokeless Fuels in stock

• Oil Tanks • Coal Bunkers • Gas Heaters • Logs • Turf

Main picture, a suggestion for the Main Street/Bridge Street/High Street junction.

Inset, an artist’s impression of how the shorefront could look.

• Heat Logs • Emergency Oil Drums • Boiler Servicing • Oil Monitoring System • Dog Boarding

Tel: 028 9182 0484 or 07789 756 770 259 Bangor Road, Newtownards • Mon-Sat 9 am - 6 pm

DONAGHADEE GOLF CLUB Looking for the perfect body without surgery?

Special Membership Deals

this is your moment...

UltraSlim Clinics are providers of the most effective non-surgical weight loss treatments to help inches drop off and finally get rid of those stubborn areas.

2014 Membership NOW available Join, Pay & Play NOW

• Ultra sound Cavitation & RF Technology Targets, breaks down and liquifies excess fat, improves cellulite & stretchmarks helps tighten skin.

Very competitive rates - NO joining fee Special rates for under 30s Monthly Payment Option

• Weight Management Advice & Aftercare available following treatments.

Not a golfer? Be a social member of a private members club

ALSO AVAILABLE • Anti wrinkle injections from £99 OPENING OFFER 3 TREATMENTS FOR £150

• Semi Permanent make up from £80 • IPL hair removal from £20 • Crystal microdermabrasion £35 • Gift vouchers available Clinically proven. Non surgery, no needles, no pain, no pills, no downtime - Instant results first time everytime!

Find us on:

50a Grays Hill Bangor, BT20 3BB Tel: 028 9122 6375 or 07552 234887 email: bangor@ultraslimclinics.com www.ultraslimclinics.com

GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE

T: 028 9188 3624 E: office@donaghadeegolfclub.com

10

December 2013

Bangor lights up for Christmas Katie Webb, Faith Hunter, Leila Hunter, Blake Hunter and Hollie Webb at the Mayor’s Pre Christmas Light Party at Bangor Town Hall. T72-28-11 Louise, Corina Meier, Michael and Holly Martin get into the festive spirtit for the turning on of the Bangor lights. T78-28-11

Kids show off their joy at the Bangor Town Hall fireworks. T81-28-11

Christmas card winner Myah Nihell switches on the Christmas lights at Castle Park on Saturday, November 23, watched on by Mayor of North Down Andrew Muir. T75-28-11

Used Unique Boutique Making sure they get a front row viewing are Zac and Shane Lorimer, Beth Hughes and Isabella Rodgers.

T85-28-11

John McIlveen Clinical Dental Technician DipCdt RCS (Eng) DD (TO)

Affordable Secondhand furniture and goods, including dining suites, bedroom furniture, three piece suites, chairs, tables, unique items and collectables in fact anything required furnishing a home!

Delivery service is offered.

42 Mile Cross Road Newtownards BT23 4SR Tel: 07753 222536

Making Dentures Direct to

YOU!!

Key Storage Boxes Supplied & Fitted Store your spare front door key securely for emergencies or to allow access by care visitors or children

BANGOR 22 Central Ave 028 9127 0440 (24 hrs) info@havlins.com www.havlins.com

Keeping dry for the fireworks at Castle Park are sisters Katie and Amy Pollock. T84-28-11

Acrylic and chrome cobalt Dentures Implant supported dentures New ultra suction system Denture repairs and relines Pro-Tex sports gum shields Home visits (new dentures only)

Award Winning Ice Cream in Northern Ireland 57 High Street, Bangor, Co. Down BT20 5BE Tel: 028 9127 0010

02891 823095

Still the No. 1 for Ice-Cream in Bangor

75 - 77, Court St, Newtownards

Party Packs Available Ruby and Maisie Fell enjoying the fireworks in Bangor. T77-28-11

used clothing co.

Working with you today, for a brighter tomorrow.

We will buy your unwanted good quality... Clothing (All age groups), Shoes (Please keep in pairs) Belts, Hand-bags & Hats

Best Wishes for Christmas and a Happy New Year from all the staff at Mauds Ice Cream

NEWTOWNARDS Tel: 0845 520 1551 (Lo-Call Rate) Mobile or Text: 07595 417694 A7 Strangford Park, Ards Business Centre Jubilee Road, Newtownards Opening times: Monday - Wednesday 9.30 am - 5.30 pm Thursday - Friday 9.30 am - 6.30 pm

Email: bookacollection@yahoo.co.uk or visit www.usedclothingco.com

December 2013

11

12

December 2013

Shop Local

ADVERTISING FEATURE

60B HIGH STREET HOLYWOOD OPEN MONDAY TO SATURDAY 10am - 5.30pm

Window Dressing, Table Dressing and Room Dressing

Inspiration…Imagination…Transformation

Stockists of: Evening wear• Mother of the Bride • Formals • Weddings • Casual Wear

Interior design service • Hand-made furniture Wedding Gift Registry • Statement-making decorative pieces • Exciting and unusual tableware

T: 028 9042 1181 M: 07902 274 944 Check us out on

63 High St, Holywood, Coout Down, BT18 9AQ Check us on Facebook

Hollywood glamour at Dietrich

When shopping this winter, think Holywood, North Down’s unique town with beautifully kept shops all independently owned.

Holywood offers glamour to every customer, clothes you don’t see in co-operate shops, house hold items that add elegance to your home, delicious foods to sustain that busy shopping experience.

But mainly Holywood town and Holywood Town Centre Management would like to say to all... ‘Support the local independent businesses by buying local.’

By doing this you strengthen local ties as many of the businesses in Holywood are owned and run by family and friends who help build the community.

In return you get great service as local businesses hire people with a better understanding of their products and offer that personal touch that many of the larger retailers have forgotten about!

Holywood Town would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and hope to see you all soon.

Trendy salon at Purely Hair

PURELY

HAIR

PURELY HAIR CHRISTMAS OPENING HOURS

The Cape Table for beautiful home interiors

Zamba shoes for that designer look

028 9042 8900 GOOD NEWS TO START OFF THE CHRISTMAS PARTY SEASON. WE WILL BE OPEN EXTRA HOURS OVER THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD. BOOK NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT...

TUESDAY 9.30 - 5.30 WEDNESDAY 9.30 - 6.30 THURSDAY 9.30 7.30 FRIDAY 9.30 - 7.30 SATURDAY 8.30 - 3.30 SUNDAY 1 - 5PM (NEW)

53 High Street Holywood BT18 9AB FOR APPOINTMENT TEL: 028 9042 8900

www.thecapetable.com

Follow us on twitter, Facebook and

www.purelyhair.com

Designer Style at affordable prices Boots and Shoes

by Gabor, Hispanitas, Rieker, Wonders, plus many more.

Handbags: Fiorelli, Fossil, Boo

94-96 High Street, Holywood. Tel 9042 6464 • 8 Kings square, Belfast 9079 7908

13

December 2013

Shop Local • • • •

ADVERTISING FEATURE

PROPERTIES AGREED WITHIN 1 WEEK BIDDING SITUATIONS HOUSES SELLING ABOVE ASKING PRICE PROPERTY SOLD OFF MARKET

We have experienced all of the above in 2013!

To arrange a FREE, NO OBLIGATION Valuation contact the Holywood branch 028 9042 8888. property@johnminnis.co.uk

O

D H

T

R

O

N

IS

Belfast: 028 9065 3333

N

W

North Down /H’Wood: 028 9042 8888

!

G

IN

V

O

M

Bangor/Ards Peninsula: 028 9188 8881

John Minnis and staff at the Holywood Branch

Sophisticated interior at Tates

❄

❄ ❄ Heidi with more gift ideas

❄ HerbalWholefood Medicines ❄

Crafts, Books Children’s Toys

❄

❄

OUR USUAL WIDE RANGE OF WOODEN TOYS

• Beeswax Candles • Cards and Books ❄

FULL RANGE OF DR HAUSCHKA & WELEDA HOLISTIC SKINCARE PRODUCTS

❄

❄

❄ ❄

❄

All the Ingredients for your Christmas Cake ❄ Including Top Quality Glacé Cherries ❄ Whole and Mixed Peel

❄

❄

❄

Christmas at IONA SHOP ❄

❄

Iona Shop ❄ ❄ 27 Church Road Holywood, Co. Down ❄ Tel: 028 9042 8597

HOLYWOOD TOWN CENTRE MANAGEMENT ENCOURAGES YOU TO

SHOP LOCAL!

❄

14

December 2013

Shop Local

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Happy face at The Frisky Bear

Support your local shops this Christmas!

The exterior of Coast

Coast

BOOK NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT

Our Christmas menu can be viewed on line or a copy picked up in the Restaurant. Served alongside our regular menus you will have plenty of choice this Christmas.

Supporting People Providing Technology

Domestic Computer and Laptop Repairs NO FIX - NO FEE Business Server Install and Support

Call us on 028 9020 2040 9 Church View, Holywood BT18 9DP

The Perfect Christmas Gift - Buy £50 in vouchers and we will give you a gift wrapped bottle of wine to take away • • •

Why not call in for a Christmas Drink?

Mulled wine, hot port, whiskey and brandy Christmas cracker offers throughout December

!! ATTENTION

Like and Share our menu on facebook for a chance to win a bottle of champagne www.facebook.com/coastholywood

PARTY ORGANISER !!

E: enquiries@coastholywood.com

As a special thank you, you will be entered into our Christmas Draw. You will have the chance to have a gouret meal for six, cooked in your home with drinks served by our staff. Treat yourself and your friends and leave the rest to us.

028 9042 3950

w: coastholywood.com

15

December 2013

The Scots have arrived in Donaghadee

Living History Ireland actors Nigel Wilson, Derek Mayne and Roy Ferguson act out the arrival of the Scots for the crowds at an Ulster Scots Festival held in Donaghadee on Friday, November 22.

T27-28-11

Sian Vance, Megan Boyel, Victoria Crawford, Hanna Martin and Ellen Moore stick together for the Donaghadee parade at the weekend. T13-28-11

Fireworks light up Donaghadee Lighthouse on Friday night. T26-28-11

Broad Stripe ‘Felt Back’ Various Colours

Re-enacting the Ulster Scots in Donaghadee. T16-28-11

Lucy McCaw holds on tight to her lantern for the parade through Donaghadee. T10-28-11

£7.70

Hard wearing

£11.99

sqm

Broad Stripe ‘Cut Pile’ Grey/Black + Beige or Purple/Black + Beige

£11.99

sqm

Bedroom ‘Cut Pile’ Lipstick Pink or Lime Green

£8.36

Stain Free carpet. 10 colours

£13.00

sqm

Laminate Flooring Starting from

£8.50

sqm

Artificial Grass!

Great for covering that slippery deck over the winter. Starting from

sqm

Heavy Saxony Pile

Daniel Bicker, Chloe Douglas, Codi Fisher, Poppy Bicker and Lucy Douglas keeping warm for the Donaghadee festivities. T14-28-11

100% Berber Wool Carpet

sqm

£15.00

sqm

Roll Ends of All the above

Local Primary School pupils line up for the start of the lantern parade in Donaghadee.. T11-28-11

Advertising Feature

Get Home Safe in Bangor this Christmas In the run up to the festive season Bangor party goers are being encouraged to "visitbangorni.com" for details of what's on in the towns pubs, clubs and restaurants.

The town centre, with its range of award winning venues really does have something to cater for everyone's tastes.

Bangor & Holywood Town Centres Ltd, in partnership with the North Down Policing and Community Safety Partnership, PSNI and North Down Borough Council, are encouraging people to have a good time in a safe and sensible manner. Planning how you're getting home is just as essential as planning what you're going to wear on your night out.

Over the past three years a number of projects have been launched with the aim of making Bangor Town Centre a safer place to relax and go out. The Get Home Safe project

encourages people to think about their journey home before they go out for the evening.

The Bangor Against Night time Disorder scheme (BAND) has been a key factor in the reduction number of alcohol related incidents in the town centre through the collective use of licences ability to "ban" certain troublesome individuals.

The Safezone team with their static base outside McCulloughs in Quay Street on Saturday evenings and their weekend roaming teams operating in High Street have proven to have a significant impact on Bangor's weekend nightlife. The team distribute bottles of water, hot chocolate, tea / coffee and biscuits and talk to members of the public, offering support to those who are distressed and vulnerable. They offer those under the influence the

opportunity to "chill and change". Safezone can also be used as a reference point by people not familiar with Bangor Town Centre.

Tips for a safer night out • Avoid walking in poorly lit areas and alone.

• Pre-book a taxi with friends before you go out for your return journey.

• Know your limit when drinking, say enough is enough.

• When out with friends take turns to be the groups designated driver • Stay with friends, look out for each other.

• Always keep an eye on your drink; drink spiking can happen to anyone.

• Walk away from trouble. Fights ruin everyone's night and you could end up banned from pubs and clubs in Bangor.

16

December 2013

I

T

hings are tricky at chez Alexander at the moment. The memsahib has decided the dining room, where I am typing this on the computer, needs a new carpet. My observation that I thought the one we had at the moment was perfectly fine was not welcomed. Indeed dismissed out of hand.

Now we have to agee on a colour. Something like we have at the moment would be nice.

........................................................... had to watch eally went overboard on the TV. We just the public, by voted as s song Elvis's most popular ITV. Next was Suspicious Always On My Mind got the top vote.

In Love. Rubbish. g Fallin Help Can't Minds, followed by Suede Shoes, Hound His best were Heartbreak Hotel, Blue from 1957. What a Dog, all from 1956 and All Shook Up was. time that ll Be The Day ( Buddy Will we ever hear the like again? That' Holly 1957).

R

...........................................................

I

wonder if the poppy thing is being overdone. It is impossible to attend the service on Remembrance Sunday, usually in my case at some chilly outpost in Donaghadee or Ballywalter in the days when I photographed the event, and not be moved by the words, "They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old ..........."

The sacrifice that so many young people made so that we the living could enjoy a life should never be forgotten. But wearing the poppy should not become some sort of politically correct gesture, almost a competition to see who is first to wear it.

For weeks it was on display on our TV screens and the poppy, I think, is in danger of becoming a sort of fashion accessory that diminshes what it represents.

“T

is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.” So said the poet, but maybe he would have amended his words if he had realised love letters would be read out in court for the delectation of the world at large.

Rebekah Brookes may have abused her position as an editor to pry into people’s private lives. Phone hacking is nasty, and unforgivable if it is merely to uncover tittle tattle but I feel for her as her passionate and quite moving letter was read out in court.

Her words will have a life of their own and go down in ‘recorded time’ or at least Wikipedia for the foreseeable future. I hope she and her new husband can enjoy a rueful drink together and put it behind them.

I can’t help but reflect if she had only followed the advice of a Connemara mother to her son: “Put nothing in writing, don’t tell them about the land, don’t give them presents they can’t eat,” how much easier her life would be now.

am an object of scorn from my friends. My enjoyment of Strictly Come Dancing, Professional Masterchef, I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here confirms their view that I am an idiot.

But the programmes are all good fun (wasn't Matthew Wright the idiot to announce all his phobias and the public is nailing him for it) and the common denominator - they are all competitions. It is that element that makes them so watchable; seeing how the contestants react to pressure.

Have you been watching Celebrity Road Trip (BBC2) at 7pm every evening? Two ‘celebrities’ aided by two experts buy antiques and sell them on at auction to see who makes or loses the most money.

It is good humoured and fascinating to see how some awful objects actually find a buyer. On Tuesday the auctioneer sold virtually all the pieces via the internet and at a substantial profit, something that had not been the case at straightforward auctions.

I wondered did the sales actually take place. The prices achieved bore little resemblance to the experts' estimates.

Certainly those who attended the auction in person never got a look in.

Shopping on the net is now so common that the future of traditional shops is at risk. What happens to rates and rents if the trend continues? A huge problem is looming and nobody in government seems to be addressing it.

...........................................................

E

verything has gone quiet on the new carpet front. I don't think it has gone away. I guess, though I'm afraid to speak, choosing the colour is the problem. The memsahib is determined, so at some stage our dining room table, covered as it is with my books, writing pads, ancient diaries, the computer and sundry items of furniture will have to be moved. Aargh.

Towerview sees the light Iain Gray i.gray@spectatornewspapers.co.uk

RESIDENTS of the Towerview area of Bangor have finally seen the light.

Bloomfield Laser Clinic

Street light that is, as after five months workmen have finally finished off a series of half-built lampposts that were keeping locals in the dark.

Back in June work began on installing a host of new lampposts on Towerview Avenue – but for much of the street only the posts went up, with the lights left lampless.

The summer came and went with no sign of the lights, but now the workmen have finally returned to put the lamps on top of the posts.

Last month all of the lights were at last switched on, and local alderman Alan Chambers welcomed the newly brightened Towerview Avenue.

“It’s my understanding that the lamppost scheme

Pre-Christmas Special!

10% OFF ALL HAIR REMOVAL TREATMENTS IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER

Are you looking for that extra special Christmas Gift?

Hair Removal 6 Treatment Packages available at 15% discount.

(Must be purchased November and December to avail of this offer!)

Full range of cosmetic procedures available - including anti -wrinkle injections, cellulite treatments, sclerotherapy (treatment for leg veins) and laser tattoo removal.

Full Dermatology Service - Consultant Dermatologist led

The Lodge, I Donaghadee Road, Groomsport BT19 6LG Tel/Fax: 028 9127 5737 www. Bloomfieldlaser.co.uk E-mail- office@bloomfield.co.uk

Bangor

Entertainment every Friday & Saturday Night 10pm - 1am THIS FRI:

Amanda SAT:

Gerry Shaw Music from 60’s, 70’s 80’s + 90’s NOW OPEN SUNDAYS

stopped because workmen reached an area where there were overhead electricity cables, and they needed clearance from NIE to continue,” Mr Chambers said. “Apparently this clearance was necessary to comply with health and safety regulations.

“While I’m glad they have finally returned to finish off the job, I’m disappointed it’s taken this long to do it.

Frankly, I would have thought that all the health and safety paperwork should have been in place before work began.

“The areas around Ashford and Towerview have had very few infrastructure improvements carried out in recent years. Footpaths need replaced and roadside weeds are a disgrace, while there are no community facilities and no children’s play areas.

“Hopefully the Roads Service will now make sure that these new lights are indeed an improvement and that they will ensure that more money goes on infrastructure improvements in this area as a matter of urgency.”

Simply the Best Indian Cuisine 2A King Street Bangor Tel. 028 9145 2439 • 028 9147 9815

Weekend Special

Two Course meal for two Both with rice and one naan and a bottle of wine from our special range Only £39.95 per couple

Book Now for New Years Eve SPECIAL £55 Two Course meal, Free bar and entertainment Purchase your ticket Now

BOOK NOW FOR XMAS Bookings over 10 people Starter, Main Rice or chips with naan Tea/Coffee Choosing and dishes from our main menu

£15.95 per person Includes Christmas and special occasions

DRINK SPECIALS

Kingfisher/ Korona

BUY ONE GET 2nd 1/2 PRICE Vodka, Bacardi, Gin and Whiskey Get Mixer Free.

Available 10.30pm to 11.30pm Friday & Saturday only

*All offers not applicable with other discount vouchers or cards

17

December 2013

Unit 6, Ballyharry Business Park, Donaghadee Road, Newtownards. Tel: 028 9182 8048 (Old Berkshire Factory Site - First Left Past Ray Graham’s Building Merchants)

MANAGER’S SPECIALS CAMBRIDGE

EXTENDING DINING TABLE +6 ROLL BACK CHAIRS (Various colours available of chairs)

RRP £799

Clearance price (while stocks last)

£499

Beautiful Walnut Colour

SOHO

EXTENDING DINING TABLE + 6 CHAIRS (Choice of Brown, Black and Ivory)

RRP £799

Clearance price (while stocks last)

£499

A matching sideboard can also be had RRP £399 Clearance price (while stocks last)

£199

18

December 2013

Have you seen our website? Visit www.countydownspectator.com

Make an appointment now!

Dr. Moyra Wilkinson, Dentist and Oral Health Awareness Champion at Brunswick Dental Practice.

Free Mouth Cancer Screening During November and December

OPEN TO ALL If in doubt - get checked out!

Sainsburys Bangor Staff members Craig Bothwell, Tony Collins and Michael Whitford were the first of 18 colleagues to have their heads shaved to raise money for Sainsburys charity of the year, the Christopher McCollum Fund. M85-14-11

Staff shave heads to support colleague BRUNSWICK DENTAL PRACTICE

028 9146 2234 38 Brunswick Road, Bangor. BT20 3DU

STAFF members at a Bangor store have taken part in a charity head shave in support of a much loved colleague currently undergoing chemotherapy.

Sainsbury’s Bangor colleagues raised £1,400 for the 'Christopher McCollum Fund' which is the store charity of the year.

Charity chairman Gerry McCollum said that he was inspired by the actions of the

Sainsbury’s colleagues in support of their co-worker and delighted at the funds raised.

Store manager Richard Heaton, recently appointed to Bangor from Sprucefield store, said, “Our Sainsbury’s colleagues are at the heart of our business and

once again have done us and our store proud with everyone coming together to support our colleague and friend.

"Special thanks to Bruce and the girls from Freak or Unique who gave up their time to shave all seventeen heads.

HOME VENTILATION SOLUTIONS HAVE BEEN SOLVING PROBLEMS LIKE THESE FOR YEARS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT US ON

NO. 1 DISTRIBUTORS OF NUAIRE DOMESTIC PRODUCTS WINDCHIME COTTAGE, 21 PIGEONTOWN ROAD, GLENAVY. BT29 4LJ. N. IRELAND T: 028 9445 3374 M: 07436 545 686 E: info@homeventsolutions.co.uk

19

December 2013

Life in the superfast lane for residents

Councillor Peter Martin and MLA Peter Weir get the download on the solution to Deanfield’s broadband woes.

Iain Gray i.gray@spectatornewspapers.co.uk

IT LOOKS like people in suburban Bangor are finally going to get the tech they need to connect to the 21st century.

Residents of Deanfield in the Ballycrochan area have repeatedly complained about being disconnected from a £1.5bn superfast broadband internet scheme.

They couldn’t get the much-publicised BT Infinity service because parts of the phone network are too old to cope with it – and when it came to ordinary broadband they got

connection speeds that were less than half the national average, too slow even for something as commonplace as YouTube.

With Ballycrochan a large suburb of one of the most heavily populated towns in Northern Ireland, residents had assumed they’d be able to benefit from last year’s £1.5bn scheme to bring superfast broadband to homes across the UK. At the time their hopes were dashed as the phone hardware in the Deanfield area wasn’t upgraded, but now it turns out that they should be able to get access to up to date internet within two years.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) is about to launch the Northern Ireland broadband improvement project, a £19m scheme to boost internet

speeds across the province.

Part of that project will take place in North Down, and Deanfield’s on the list for an upgrade.

The news has delighted North Down MLA Peter Weir and councillor Peter Martin. The DUP men have been working on the issue for more than a year, pleading the case for an upgrade with BT and DETI. The investment was revealed in response to a question in the Northern Ireland Assembly from Mr Weir. Speaking to the Extra he described the DETI scheme as ‘a tremendous boost to businesses and households throughout North Down’.

“Within a relatively short period of time that virtually all premises in North Down will be able to avail of basic broadband while at least 90% of them will be on superfast broadband,” Mr Weir said.

“This is an issue that we have been pushing for some time, with my colleague Peter Martin particularly highlighting the difficulties in the Deanfield and Ballycrochan area.

“It is particularly gratifying to see delivery in that area, to go alongside the good work done in the town centre. Since contracts for the DETI scheme are expected to be signed by the end of this year, I believe we can look forward to both progress and delivery in the near future.”

Meanwhile Mr Martin thought the DETI announcement is ‘great news for the people of Deanfield’.

“I intend to write to both BT and DETI on this issue, hopefully they will fast-track the scheme in North Down,” he said.

“As the usefulness of the Internet increases so does the demand for bandwidth and therefore DETI’s roll-out of this further provision is to be warmly welcomed.

“A number of other areas of North Down are set to benefit, such as Rathmore and Cranley to give just two examples. This demonstrates that effective lobbying does work for constituents and we hope they are happy with this forward progress.”

4a Holborn Avenue, Bangor 24 Hour Service Trained, Professional Staff Price Lists & Written Estimates Members of the NAFD Dignity Funeral Plans Memorials & Floral Tributes

Telephone: 028 9127 0303

NO NEED FOR CASH AND CARRY

WE DELIVER FREE! COAL, STOVE FUELS, LOGS, OIL, SMOKELESS FUELS, TURF etc.

SPECIALIST FUEL STOVE % LONGER LASTS UP TO 40 THAN COAL!

ORDER LINE 9145 4565 DELIVERY TO BT 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23

25kg and 50kg available AL AS IT MAY CAUSE DAMAGE NEVER BUY POOR QUALITY CO OUR COAL IS TO YOUR FUEL APPLIANCE. ALL ADVISORY BOARD. RECOMMENDED BY THE COAL

ORDER ONLINE NOW - www.magrathfuels.co.uk

20

December 2013

S I E F I L L A C O L

Support your local business by shopping locally with the great independent shops and businesses in your town.

DAVID J BENNETT & CO Chartered Certified Accountants

SALES AND SERVICE CENTRE

9 Londonderry Ave Comber, Newtownards BT23 5ES 13 North St, Newtownards BT23 4DE

Located on main Ards/Bangor carriageway

Offers a Full Range of Accounting Services.

Including Accounts, Tax, Audit, Payroll Processing and VAT

TOP PRICES PAID FOR USED CARS No Waiting - No Waffle - No Messing Money in your account same day

Contact David 028 91 878563 Mobile: 079 6997 8774 davidjamesbennett@googlemail.com

Telephone 9145 5995

All our services are reliable, professional and offered on a friendly basis

20%

WWW.

O F F

Duck and Cover Jeans

BOOTCUT : STRAIGHT : SLIM INSTORE OR ONLINE Quote "hairy legs"

30% Off all Rugs, Carpets and Flooring

in stock

Ends 10th December 2013

South Street Newtownards

w w w. l i v e s t r e e t l i f e . c o m

Unit 71 Dunlop Commercial Park 1Balloo Link, Bangor BT19 7HJ Tel: 028 9127 3057

21

December 2013

It’s an actor’s life for Billy Ruth Dowds r.dowds@spectatornewspapers.co.uk

H

E enjoys an afternoon coffee with Michael Gambon, counts Derek Jacobi amongst his close friends and will next year star in what is being hotly tipped to be the biggest musical on the London stage in years.

Fair to say that stage, film and TV actor Billy Carter has come a very long way since first embracing drama lessons at Gransha Boys’ High School and cutting his teeth in the amateur world with Bangor Drama Club and Bangor Operatic Society.

Now aged 40 and living in New York, Billy paid a flying visit home to Bangor last month to meet up with his parents, four sisters, 17 nephews, two nieces and a great nephew, all of whom he laughingly says share the same haircut and live within half a mile of each other.

His career dictates that he doesn’t stay anywhere too long – from Bangor he went to London for rehearsals for his new play, Samuel Beckett’s All That Fall which opened in New York in November. It’s directed by Trevor Nunn no less and stars the aforementioned Michael Gambon along with Eileen Atkins.

PRIVILEGE Hence how he came to find himself enjoying that coffee in Piccadilly with ‘old Gambon’ as he calls him, and Eileen Atkins. “It’s one of those moments where you feel very privileged in your career because it’s a tough old one, but it’s such a privilege to spend an idle Tuesday afternoon with these two legends,” he said.

Though Billy’s worked with enough big names not to get starry-eyed in their company, he admits it nonetheless takes a little time to adjust. “With people of that calibre it takes a little second to gravitas to them – you do get a little shy because they are legends in the room really, and it’s fascinating to see them work. They are all as vulnerable as the rest of us, they’re a little nervous and very welcoming.

“With Gambon you don’t really know whether he’s telling the truth or not, he’s quite famous about telling stories, but a real hoot, and she’s (Eileen Atkins) terrific

so it’ll be great spending the next month in New York with them.”

Should things not go quite to plan there’s always ‘the Trevor hug’ to fall back on, courtesy of director Trevor Nunn who Billy worked with two years ago in a West End production of Birdsong. “It’s called the Trevor hug because when you go in in the morning he hugs everybody, just pleased that you’ve all turned up,” laughs Billy.

X FACTOR MUSICAL All That Fall runs off-Broadway until December 8, then Billy has Christmas at home in New York before relocating back to London where he has landed a lead role in Harry Hill’s much anticipated musical, ‘I Can’t Sing: The X Factor Musical’.

It will be the first time Billy has been part of a big musical machine, but he’s looking forward to having a little security in his life for a change, not to mention the opportunity to perform at the London Palladium every night for a year. “It is a little different to doing a Beckett radio play in an off Broadway theatre in New York for a few hundred people to two and a half thousand a night at the London Palladium,” he says.

Simon Cowell has put £7.5m into the X Factor parody in his capacity as executive producer and the script, by Harry Hill, is one of the funniest things Billy says he has read.

In it he plays a character called Gerard Smalls, the executive producer of the X Factor and Simon Cowell’s right hand man – “he’s based on a throwback from the 1970s’ light entertainment Thames Television world,” explains Billy.

It says much about the wackiness of the script that in one scene Billy will be wearing moon boots and a fur coat while doing a big tap number with former Eastenders star Nigel Harman; there’s also a hunchback in the show and a character based on Cheryl Cole who’s called Geordie.

Having only settled in New York last year after getting his green card on the basis of being ‘an alien of extraordinary ability’, it wasn’t in the plan to find himself back in London for a year, but he says it was an opportunity he quite simply couldn’t turn down.

“What Harry has written is pure gold Harry Hill humour.

The thing about Harry Hill’s humour is that it’s old fashioned but there’s intelligence with it. It’s smart and

that’s why he’s got such a good fanbase.

“It’s a warts and all about the whole reality of celebrity and fame and he’s got that so clearly into it. I could never walk away from it when the offer was there and it’s at the London Palladium so you can’t get any bigger than that.”

Though he will be starring in a musical that looks at the nature of fame, it has never interested Billy in his own career. “I don’t long for it. I love what I do and we’d all love a bit more money but I’ve never chased the fame.

I like to be successful within my field but when people talk about wanting to be famous it’s never really been of interest to me – to have that over you all the time.”

One of the most challenging aspects of an actor’s life, according to Billy, is the uncertainty about where the next job is coming from and it is a problem that can affect even the most famous in the business.

FAMOUS FRIENDS That includes Billy’s friend Derek Jacobi who he met several years ago while they were filming a US series called Titanic Blood and Steel. Said Billy, “He regrets certain things and he wishes he had a franchise like Ian McKellen in Lord of the Rings or Gambon for Harry Potter. Even though you assume people have got to a certain stage you’d be surprised at how few people are completely satisfied with what they’ve got, financially and in the breadth of jobs. In the same breath I know people who are doing Eastenders or Downton Abbey for six years and they are longing to get out of it but they are tied in. So we are never happy.”

Though actors are notorious for the fickleness of their friendships, Billy’s friendship with Derek Jacobi seems to be of the rarer, enduring type.

“To spend six months with Derek in Dublin and Serbia was one of the highlights so far of my career. You work in a very intense environment when you are filming like that but you get very personal relationships. He was playing my uncle and we were in almost every scene most of the time and I’ve been a great admirer of his for years.

“There’s so much invested so quickly – actors are very good at that. There always seems to be a honeymoon period and after a while you’ll not keep in touch. I’ve kept in touch with Derek I have to say back and forth.”

‘I Can’t Sing: The X Factor Musical’ opens at the London Palladium at the end of February.

BANGOR PROPERTY REPAIRS Tiles - Slates - Flat Roofs - Roof Cleaning - Power Washing - All Lead Work - Ridge Tile Pointing etc.

Gutter & Roof Cleaning -PVC Facia Boards Soffits - Guttering All aspects of building work undertaken DISCOUNT FOR OAP’s We’ll beat any price FOR FREE ESTIMATES TELEPHONE Office 9146 8047 or Mob. 07730 265724

Approved Contractors

Members of Tradesmen Association

EPDM Roofing Systems

Advertising Feature

“Curves has transformed my life and given me the confidence to do things I never thought possible”

Curves announces the finalists of its Curvette of the Year 2013 competition Curves, the UK’s leading fitness and weight-loss centre for women is proud to announce that Jeanette Barnes a member from Curves Newtownards, has won second place in the annual Curvette of the Year competition.

This is the 2nd year in a row that a member from Curves Newtownards has won the Northern Ireland competition and has come 2nd in the overall UK competition.

Beating hundreds of hopefuls to come second, Jeanette, 48 joined six regional finalists from across the UK for an all-expenses paid, glamorous Curvette experience at Champneys Henlow.

To reward her incredible achievements, Jeanette has also received a shopping spree at La Redoute, a photoshoot experience courtesy of Venture Photography and a subscription to Woman magazine.

Jeanette joined Curves in September 2012 and has since lost over 5 ½ stone, slimming down from a size 28 to a size 14/16.

Jeanette’s weight gain was gradual, a lavish lifestyle and comfort eating over the years to help her deal with some personal challenges in life the weight just kept going on. Jeanette hadn’t realised just how much weight she had gained until she looked at pictures taken on her 25th Wedding Anniversary and was embarrassed by how she’d let herself go. Her 50th Birthday was approaching and the thought of being 50 and a size 28 spurred Jeanette to make some real changes and join Curves.

Jeanette loves working out in a female-only environment and the supportive staff at Curves have helped Jeanette to realise that she can lead a full and active life without children. Curves has

helped Jeanette in so many ways; her overall health has improved and she now understands how to lose weight and keep it off. Her renewed sense of selfconfidence has improved her relationship with her husband, who is incredibly proud of her transformation.

On being a finalist in the competition Jeanette says: “I owe so much to Curves.

The team at Newtownards has helped me transform my life and taught me a different, healthy way to live. I’m so proud of everything I’ve achieved and I couldn’t have done it without them!”

Commenting on the results and Jeanette’s story, Pam McMinn the owner of Curves in Newtownards and Bangor says: “Jeanette has done extremely well to reach the final stages of the competition and we are so proud of her, she has worked so hard to achieve her goal, her story embodies what the Curves woman is all about - with determination and support, it really is possible to reach your health, weight-loss and fitness goals and turn your life around.”

Burning up to 500 calories in a session, the Curves 30-minute circuit is a proven programme of strength training, cardio and stretching suitable for women of all ages and fitness levels. Curves are currently launching Curves Complete which includes personal one to one coaching, diet, exercise and motivation.

Please see

www.curves.co.uk for more details.

8 weeks for £59!

Why wait to make your New Year’s ResoluƟon?

Get ahead, shape up and save NOW.

22

December 2013

Landmark birthday celebrations

Mayor of North Down Andrew Muir called into Holywood Care Home last month to wish resident Mabel Lawrence a happy 100th birthday where she was celebrating with family and friends. M22-07-11

Celebrating her 101st birthday is Groomsport’s Nellie Green with her daughter Ann, son-in-law David, grandchildren Stephen, Nicholas and Ruth and youngest great-grandson James.

£3m upgrade for better water Iain Gray i.gray@spectatornewspapers.co.uk

THE WATERS around Bangor are set to get even more crystal clear with a £3m investment.

NI Water started work at the end of November on a massive upgrade to the town’s sewer system, revamping their existing plant at Luke’s Point and building a new pumping station near Bangor Marina.

That should vastly improve the bathing quality of the water along the coast at Ballyholme, and work is likely to be finished off in time for summer.

And if there’s enough money available, NI Water will then look at improving the network in the Carnalea and Clandeboye Road areas.

Announcing the multimillion-pound upgrade,

Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy said, “The first phase of this improvement programme in North Down represents an investment in the region of £3.1m.

“With upgrade work planned at Luke’s Point and the construction of a new pumping station at Bangor Marina to provide extra storage capacity, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall, the bathing water quality along that particular part of the coastline is set to improve.”

NI Water’s interim chief executive, Sara Venning, stated, “The project will greatly improve the water quality in Ballyholme strand and the surrounding watercourses, whilst improving the sewerage infrastructure in the surrounding area.

“The work will also ensure that NI Water complies with Northern Ireland Environment Agency standards and EU Directives for bathing water quality.”

Sewer system bosses have warned that there’s going to be some disruption to roads while the work takes place, though they say they’ve been

working with North Down Borough Council to minimise the effect on residents, local businesses and tourism.

News of the investment was welcomed by North Down MLA Peter Weir, who described it as a boon for Ballyholme bathers.

“This is great news for North Down, an area famed for its Marina and scenic strands,” he said.

“This project will greatly benefit the water quality for bathers at Ballyholme beach, a natural asset to the local area that should be a place the local community and visitors can enjoy.

“The upgrade will improve drainage during periods of heavy rainfall by giving us extra capacity, ensuring local water infrastructure will not only surpass current standards but also be reliable and secure long into the future.

“No project of this scale could be put in place without a degree of disruption, but it is welcome that NI Water will be working closely with local authorities to ensure any disruption to residents is minimal whilst the work is carried out.”

LTH Pick up HEA your Spectator every Thursday MATTERS

WE ARE READY FOR MORE NHS PATIENTS We are ready for more NHS patients For a limited period of time we are accepting a number of NHS patients Call now to register on: 028 9146 5625 (We don’t charge a registration fee)

American boy has an ‘L’ of a time in North Down

Fellow Rockport pupils who joined Finn on a tour of Parliament Buildings.

CALIFORNIAN schoolboy Finn Duncan has found that there is literally one ‘L’ of a difference in his life since he came to study at a renowned seat of learning in North Down.

Unit 1, Jubilee Business Park, Jubilee Road, Newtownards, BT23 4YJ

Open: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Thur until 7pm & Sat 9am-4pm

Email: info@ardsfireplaces.co.uk

Telephone: 028 9182 7117 www.ardsfireplaces.co.uk

For the young student at Rockport School has swapped his home in the movie capital of the world, the Hollywood with two ‘Ls’, for the Holywood with just one!

And Finn continued to have an ‘L’ of a time recently when he accompanied his fellow pupils from Rockport on a recent visit to Parliament Buildings in

Stormont.

For their guide was North Down MLA, Gordon Dunne, who comes from the ‘Holywood’ with one ‘L’, and he was delighted to meet Finn, from the ‘Hollywood’ with two.

And it certainly proved to be an enjoyable brief encounter between the boy from the town, which is a main part player in the film industry, and the DUP man who is a veteran on the political stage.

Of course Holywood’s Mr Dunne performed his own role admirably - by showing Hollywood’s Finn and his schoolpals around the seat of government in Northern Ireland.

Ballyholme Dental Practice 22a Groomsport Road, Bangor BT20 5LN T: 028 9146 5625 E: info@ballyholmedentalpractice.com W: www.ballyholmedentalpractice.com

23

December 2013

HE A LTH MAT TERS HPC Registered Podiatrist & Chiropodist

43A Grayʼs Hill Bangor BT20 4BD About The Clinic The Foot Clinic has been based in Bangor for over 10 years however it moved to its new premises on Gray’s Hill in September 2011. All clinical staff at The Foot Clinic are registered with the Health Care Professions Council and are members of the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists. Between them they have over 25 years experience in both the private and public health sector. The Clinic offers Daytime evening and weekend appointments.

PUT THE RIGHT FOOT FORWARD Top Tips to Keep Your Feet Healthy.

It is important to start looking after your feet from a young age Check your feet daily under a good light, this will help you to find any problems such as; split skin, blisters, warts, athletes foot, colour changes, swellings, infections, discharge and injuries.

If you notice any of these problems when inspecting your feet, contact your podiatrist, GP or practice nurse immediately so that they can be treated promptly to avoid the problem developing into a foot ulcer. If you are unable to bend, put a mirror on the floor and hold each foot over it so you can see the reflection in the mirror. If your eyesight is poor ask a family member, carer or friend to examine your feet for you.

Nail Care: If you cannot manage your own nail care or you do not have a family member or friend who will do this for you, contact your Podiatrist.

Corns and Hard skin (callus): Small corns and hard skin may be managed by regular gentle filing and a daily application of emollient cream such as E45 if advised by your podiatrist. Regular visits to a podiatrist will ensure safe removal of callus and corns. Make sure they are registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC). Never use corn remedies or corn plasters as these can be dangerous if you have diabetes.

Handy Hints to Keep Feet Healthy: Avoid sitting too close to fires, radiators or putting hot water bottles directly on your feet.

Always test bath water with your elbow first to ensure it is not too hot, as you may not feel it if your feet burn. If the weather is very cold outside, keep your feet warm with woollen socks or tights and fur lined boots. If you notice any bleeding or weeping areas on your feet, cover them with a sterile dressing and contact your podiatrist, GP or practice nurse straight away. Never walk barefoot, wear a light shoe with a firm sole, rather than a soft slipper, when in the house to protect your feet from damage.

Be careful if on holiday when walking on hot sand or pavements, make sure you have something on your feet to protect them from burns or injuries, don't forget the tops of your feet when frequently applying high factor sun cream. Avoid soaking your feet for long periods of time, wash daily and dry carefully especially between the toes. If the skin is moist between the toes, wipe this with some surgical spirit on a piece of cotton wool, rather than using talc.

Areas of dry skin should have a moisturising cream applied daily to avoid itching or cracking, but do not moisturise between the toes.

Further information at www.feetforlife.org

Dental Implants?

Opening hours: Monday 9am-6pm; Tuesday 9.30am-5.30pm; Wednesday: 5pm-9pm; Thursday: 9am-5pm; Friday: 2pm-6pm; Saturday: 9am-1pm

Late night and Saturday appointments available IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR PACKAGES, PLEASE EMAIL OR CALL US ON

info@footclinicni.com www.footclinicni.com ON-LINE BOOKING AVAILABLE

Tel: 028 9147 1296 Mobile: 07856 549 266 Don't suffer with foot and heel pain phone the foot clinic today

The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists

1b Station Square, Helen’s Bay, Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland.

Tetl: 028 9185 3304 :: Fax: 028 9185 3681 www.helensbaydental.co.uk or info@helensbaydental.co.uk

24

December 2013

Maeve’s healing hands FOR osteopath Maeve Kennedy bringing relief to a child that is crying and uncomfortable is just one of the highlights of her work.

Speaking to Junior, the Bangor based mum of two, said, “There is nothing more satisfying than helping a baby that is crying and uncomfortable and their poor parents feel so helpless.”

Whilst many people may know that osteopaths manipulate bones, few Junior readers may realise what cranial osteopathy is and how it can be used to heal children’s illnesses such as colic, reflux, constipation, sleeplessness, excessive crying, agitation and recurring infections.

After qualifying as an osteopath from London’s University of Westminster, with BSC Hons Osteopathic Medicine 1999 and has studied continuously over the years concentrating on cranial. Maeve built up a successful practice in Dublin before she moved to Bangor after meeting her husband Stuart.

Now a devoted mum of two, Maeve is delighted to now be building up a local practice, based in her Bangor West home, bringing relief to babies, children, parents and grandparents alike.

However, while osteopathy may have been embraced across Europe and in Great Britain, Maeve explained that the practice was less well known across Northern Ireland.

Maeve said, “In many countries babies are checked by an osteopath as soon as they are born, so in effect it is a preventative treatment.

However there are few osteopaths in Northern Ireland, particularly those who specialise in cranial.”

Osteopathy The local mum took time to explain to Junior just how this noninvasive treatment works saying, “Osteopathy involves looking at body structure and function. If structure is affected, be it bones or muscles, this in turn affects nevers and blood supply, so function is affected.

“Cranial osteopathy involves a more in-depth look at the bones of the head and at the connection between the head and the pelvis, as this affects the connection between the brain and the spinal chord.

“A baby’s bones become

compressed during the birth process and while the skull and pelvis are designed to take the temporary compression of the birth canal, any extra trauma at birth may result in this compression going uncorrected.

“Often the baby’s first cry is enough to allow the skull to expand fully and the body’s first movements restore the pelvis, but this may not always happened.”

There are a number of factors during labour and delivery that could lead to these problems.

Maeve explained, “A traumatic birth, including ones where labour is very long, or indeed very rapid or where interventions such as forceps or vacuum are used.

“The head size in relation to the mother’s pelvis size is a factor and bone compression can also be caused by the pre-birth position or if the cord is around the baby’s neck.

“If these compressions go uncorrected, they impinge on nerves. the typical symptoms are colic, reflux, constipation, sleeplessness, excessive crying, agitation and recurring infections, such as chest infections.”

She said, “These babies are not ‘sick’ as such, their symptoms are because of what’s happening to their nervous system.

“Often the things that need correcting are quite simple, and while we don’t ‘fix’ anything, we gently put the bones in a better position so the body can release itself. The earlier the treatment is done the better.”

Maeve explained that mums can also reap the rewards of osteopath during pregnancy. “In pregnancy it is fantastic for turning babies who are breach.

“It is non-aggressive and it is all about looking at the pelvis and back and getting into the best shape possible for labour. You would not need a huge amount of treatment when you are pregnant, but it good to get checked.”

Treatment Maeve explained what parents could expect the first time they bring their child for cranial osteopathy. “I

would take a baby’s case history, such as how long the birth was, then look at where the restriction lies, it could be the baby does not sleep, it has reflux, is constipated or is just not happy.

“I assess them first, look at their skin, their movements, their head movements, how they are holding their heads.”

Maeve said, “I would hold the baby’s head either as they are lying on the couch or the parent is holding the baby. Sometimes the babies can be upset and we do not want to traumatise them by lying on the couch.

“When I cradle their heads, what I am looking for is the movement within the bones of the skull. It is like the inflation and deflation of a balloon, I feel for symmetry. It is very gentle, it is like holding a balloon filled with water, and you are just holding and feeling it, just influencing the movement.”

Maeve explained that each session would last around 40 minutes. “It really depends on the child, sometimes it can be a matter of minutes, for others it is longer. It could be about four sessions but it depends on the severity of the problem. Sometimes I would only see a child once, but the average is about three to four times.

Mum of two Celine Archer travelled from Lisburn to have both her children treated by Maeve. She said, “Maeve really has helped our whole family. She was most helpful with my daughter Annabelle, who just cried non-stop after she was born.

“The doctors couldn’t find out what was wrong with her, so out of desperation I took her to Maeve when she was nine months old. After three sessions she was sorted.

“The craniology showed that as she moved down the birth canal her head had been cramped, so she had probably been getting migraines. We were so relieved and were eventually getting some sleep. It changed our whole family dynamic.”

Celine again returned to Maeve after her son Lucas fell out of a bunk bed and developed a limp. “We had

taken him to the hospital twice and he was still limping. Even the mums at school said I should take him somewhere.

“One leg was just not working. So he was running with one leg and dragging the other behind him.

Again Maeve sorted him out. The craniology showed his tail bone had moved. He had sustained an injury like a snowboarder who falls on their bottom, so it was just a case of moving it (his tail bone) again.”

During her time in Dublin, Maeve also successfully treated a baby who was suffering with both colic and constipation. His condition was so severe, the young boy received daily doses of laxatives and a specialist had arranged for investigations of his bowel.

Two hours after being treated by Maeve, the youngster went to the toilet naturally for the first time in months, and continued to do so in the following days. Maeve was also able to teach this concerned mother how to gently massage her son’s back and abdomen to ease any further problems.

Adults Maeve explained that cranial osteopathy may also be beneficial to adults, especially for whiplash or other neck injuries, headaches, back or pelvic problems.

She explained, “90% of the time I would see the children and babies, and then I would often see the mums and dads as well with sports injuries and headaches, so it becomes like a family practise.”

Maeve is delighted that her healing hands are bringing comfort to local families, in her homely practice surroundings.

She said, “I love it, I have always had the children here with me, so I feel it is a really family orientated practices. I want it to feel comfortable as well as professional.”

Maeve Kennedy’s healing hands can bring relief to children and parents alike.

Contact For further information contact Maeve Kennedy on telephone:

028 9185 2304

www w.harbinson-m . ulholland.com

A you involved Are in the Charity and Not for Profit Sector?

As advisors to the charity and not for profit sectorr, we haave recently published a brief guide to the forthcoming Charity Commission registration.

“Belf Belffast a & Lisburn Woomennn’’s Aid have worked with Harbinson Mulholland for almost 13 years now w.

They have been invaluable advisors to uss, working quickly to help us to identify and solve problems and we have developed an excellent working relationship with them over the years.

If yyou ou w would ould o lik likee to find out what this w would ould mean copyy of our ffor o or yyour our organisation, organisation, pplease rrequest equest a cop guide from Treena Clarkee – bbyy phone on 9044 5100 from T reena Clark tclarke@harbinson-mulholland.com e@harbinson-mulholland.com or bbyy email,, tclark

&

DORMAN DORMAN MACKENZIE & DORMAN Solicitors 94/96 Holywood Road Belfast BT4 1NN DX 3021 NR Holywood Arches www.macdor.co.uk Telephone: Fax:

(028) 9067 3211 (028) 9067 1751

COMPENSATION CLAIMS Mackenzie & Dorman can trace its roots to 1904. We are proud of our history and our tradition of service, quality and results for both our private and business clients.

We specialise in compensation claims to include the following: • Industrial Disease / Deafness Claims • Road Traffic Accidents • Accidents at Work • Medical Negligence Contact us for a FREE initial interviw. In cases where the accident or claim is not your fault your costs will normally be covered by the other partyʼs insurance company.

Contact Details: Colin Bates 94-96 Holywood Road, Belfast BT4 1NN

Kare ren Mahony, y, Belfast & Lisburn Women’ o s Aid

To find out more about our work in the charity and not foor profit sector please visit harbinson-mulholland.com

MACKENZIE MACKENZIE

Tel: 028 9067 3211 Fax: 028 9067 1751 Email: cb@macdor.co.uk Web: www.macdor.co.uk

Professional Pr ofessional Ser Services, vices, ices,, Practical Solutions

Harbinson Mulholland, IBM House 4 Br uce Street Belfast BT2 7JD T: 028 9044 5100 F: 028 9044 5101

Established 1904 Partners: C. Bates J.E. Hutchinson Solictors: J.L. McDowell C.S. Watts

D &

25

December 2013

Old boys gather at new school FORMER pupils of Bangor Grammar recently gathered in the atrium of the new school at Gransha Road for their annual dinner.

The event was organised by Bangor Grammarians and attracted an attendance numbering some 115, who arrived from all parts.

Many were attracted by a first opportunity to see around the £23m complex – which opened in January 2013 – having attended the previous year’s dinner in the assembly hall of the old school at College Avenue, a matter of months before bulldozers razed their alma mater to the ground.

Billy McCoubrey, Paul Blair, Paul Weir join Bangor Grammar principal Stephen Connolly and chairman of the Board of the Governors Ian Henderson for the annual dinner at the school. T24-21-11

The guest speaker was Headmaster Stephen Connolly, who brings his 12 years at the school to a close on December 31 (when current vice-principal Elizabeth Huddleston will take charge).

Following a speech which combined wistful reflection on his time at the school with great humour (no big surprise given his enthusiastic membership of Helen’s Bay Players), Mr Connolly was the grateful recipient of a first edition copy of Charles Dickens’ Dombey and Son, dating from the late 1840s.

The gift was handed over by Grammarians chairman Dr Paul Weir who thanked the retiring

headmaster for the support he had given the old boys’ association during his years at the school and for his unstinting efforts to ensure he was leaving behind a school that held a highly respected position of both academic and sporting excellence.

Also on view to many for the first time was the restored clock from the Crosby Building at College Avenue. This gift from Bangor Grammarians to the new school was made possible thanks to extensive fundraising efforts, including those held during the 2012 dinner. Funds raised at the 2013 dinner will go towards display cases for items from the school’s extensive archives.

Former Bangor Grammar pupils Ken Best, Brian Gordan, Cecil Worthington, Brian Kelly, Alastair Good and Mervyn Roulston attending the Grammarian Dinner at the school on Friday night.

T26-21-11

Got an old comfortable chair or sofa that has seen better days?

If it’s still comfortable why get rid of it?

Why not get it reupholstered to suit your present décor?

Even if it is an antique chair we can sympathetically reupholster it back to it’s former glory.

BEFORE

AFTER

Peter Blair, David Humphreys, David Greene and Simon Mercer at the Bangor Grammar dinner. T2721-11

Got an old table with a ‘wonky’ leg?

We can fix it with our expert woodturning service. We can do all types – barleycorn, claw foot,gate leg etc.

Damaged staircase? We also do bespoke spindles for bannisters.

13 Market Street, Bangor BT20 4SP

We can work in most types of wood and can get a great match for your existing woodwork.

Contact us on: 9146 9632 or 07592 349 300

Sam Beckett, Terence and Geoffrey Bowman chat before the Grammarians annual dinner at Bangor Grammar. T25-21-11

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Time to bring in the New Year Chime!

Bring in the New Year with a Chime!

Clock Services can repair that antique clock or watch that may have been in your family for generations. After all if anything else in your house broke

down you would get it repaired.

Antique clocks and watches are not just decorative but are a legacy from past generations to be cherished and cared for to be passed on to the next generation. Did you know that they are a great investment for you and the generations to come as they are exempt from inheritance tax? This make them ideal as not only

something great to look at and use but as a stake in your son’s or daughter’s future.

So don’t leave them in a dusty old drawer or a neglected corner in a room contact Clock Services on 9146 9632 and bring them back to life!

Time standing still?

GRANDFATHER CLOCK REPAIRS – ANTIQUE WATCHES POCKET WATCHES – CARRIAGE CLOCKS – BAROMETERS Large, unusual & musical movements • Quality & unusual clocks cleaned & repaired • Musical boxes serviced – Unusual clocks purchased • ALL WORK GUARANTEED

CLOCK SERVICES 028 9146 9632 OR 07592 349 300 WWW.YELL.COM/CLOCKSERVICESNI

opening hours: mon - fri: 9:00am - 5:30pm, sat: 9am - 4pm

The Disability Centre - Now Open!

Specialising in all Disability Equipment, Supplied & installed also Complete Bathroom refurbishments

Disabled Products: • Walk in Baths with doors • Level access, easy access, shower tray enclosures • Easy remote control stair lifts • All disabled equipment supplied, installed and serviced • Loler safety inspections carried out periodically.

T: 028 4272 8580 M: 07802 298 910 Unit 1 Castle Yard, Castle Street, Portaferry. BT22 1NZ

Easy Baths, Showers, Stair Lifts and Leisure

26

December 2013

Elim Relief Association 25 High Street, Newtownards Registered Charity No. 251549

HELPING PROJECTS ACROSS AFRICA Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland

Saturday 30th November

SPECIAL OPENING OF OUR NEW 1ST FLOOR SHOWROOM at our Charity Shop, 25 High Street, Newtownards SPECIAL GUESTS WILL BE PRESENT AT 11.00AM LARGE RANGE OF END OF LINE SUITES – REFURBISHED – DONATED SUITES QUALITY HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE WITH RANGE OF NEW QUALITY BEDS MADE SPECIALLY AND DONATED BY “STARPLAN” ONE OF OUR MAJOR SPONSORS. VISIT US AND SUPPORT OUR MANY PROJECTS ACROSS AFRICA MANY GREAT OFFERS ON ALL FURNISHINGS

PROCEEDS OF ALL SALES ON SATURDAY 30th NOVEMBER WILL GO TO HELP WITH THE PHILIPPINES DISASTER FUND – YOUR SUPPORT CAN MAKE A MAJOR DIFFERENCE

Showing His Love – Carrying His Message – Telling His Story

Major new hospital theatre being built at Elim Hospital in Zimbabwe Pastor Raymond Cotter, who is the Irish Missions Director of the Elim Pentecostal Church in Ireland, has joined forces with Mr Victor Garrett and Vision International Ministries Registered Charity, to help with many projects across Africa. In September, Pastor Ray and Victor spent two weeks in Malawi, visiting many projects being

supported by both Charities. At Chikombe, Vision has opened the Emily Garrett School and Church, with an orphan home at present built for 12 orphans. On Saturday 23rd November, Pastor Cotter and Raymond Williamson returned from Zimbabwe after a two week trip to visit many projects in this needy land. A major

project at present is the building of the Hospital Theatre sponsored by the Charity.

At present the Theatre has just been roofed. A team will leave from Ireland in May to do electrical, plumbing, joinery work and tiling at the Theatre. At present, Pastor Cotter is sourcing building material to be sent out early December in a 40ft

container from Ards. They particularly need 400 metres of floor tiles, 400 metres of ceiling boards and special hospital equipment. Pastor Cotter is looking for donors to help. Already all the plumbing and electrical goods have been donated.

Visit us in our Ards Shop, 25 High Street or 2-5 Flagship, Bangor.

27

December 2013

Book travels back in time along Old Holywood Road

Author Aidan Campbell with Lord Wallace Browne and Robin Mercer of Hillmount Garden Centre at the launch of his new book.

AN HISTORIC trip down memory lane around old Holywood is among the memorable features of a new book which has just been published by a local author.

Aidan Campbell takes his readers on a journey back in time at local landmarks like Holywood Golf Club, Palace Barracks and Redburn House, the opulent seat of the Dunville family.

His style is to travel retrospectively along

one of the main arterial routes from east Belfast to Holywood, the Old Holywood Road, focusing on some of its milestone locations on the way.

And so his route takes in another Dunville mansion, Garnerville House at Knocknagoney and its sister property at Redburn, once heralded as ‘the most opulent of all North Down mansions’.

His historic drive then takes in Palace Barracks, where he delves into a rich military history, before arriving at the other end of the road where Holywood Golf Club is traced back in time.

This is the latest of Aidan’s books, which are described as spoken and illustrated histories telling how an area has developed over the past 150 years - with the help of old photographs.

All of them take the form of a journey along an arterial route from east Belfast, examining how and when it developed and who were the people who transformed a largely rural setting into an urban landscape.

In addition to the Old Holywood Road the new book also looks at Belmont Road, Circular Road and Massey Avenue, all of which have given the book its title ‘Belmont.’

It examines the history of many of the other grand old houses and their families along the way, including Schomberg, Netherleigh, Belmont, Lismachan and Glenmachan.

Aidan has previously published seven east Belfast history books entitled ‘Beaconsfield’, ‘Knock’, ‘Cherryvalley’, ‘Gilnahirk’, ‘Castlereagh’, ‘Cregagh’ and ‘Stormont’.

The books retail at £10 each and are available from Hillmount Garden Centre, Gilnahirk, and Marie Curie Hospice. Profits are donated to local charity.

Aidan regularly gives illustrated talks to local groups and societies and has already confirmed that he has more local history books in the pipeline.

Veteran sports pavilion gets a new lease of life ONE of Holywood’s oldest sporting fixtures is getting a new lease of life, which will leave it in a much healthier shape for the future.

The Seapark Pavilion has played host to generations of good sports since the 1940s or ‘50s - including footballers cricketers, bowlers and tennis players.

But time has taken its toll on the building and it is now in both a relatively poor state-of-play and in need of a major refurbishment.

Now such a scheme has been put in place to do just that and the plans will

kick-off at the ageing pavilion in the very near future.

The upgrade is set to include updated kitchen and catering equipment, improved toilet and changing facilities and new flooring and other internal works.

The upgrade was approved at November’s meeting of North Down Borough Council’s leisure and community services committee.

It is hoped that the news will herald a start to the rest of the proposed developed for the extensive Spafield site, which currently hosts Holywood Rugby Club and redundant council allotments.

Crawfordsburn Country Park

RE-OPENING anagement Under New M

Sun 1st Dec 2013 Open Mon - Sun 10am - 4pm

£1.00

Tea or for Filter Coffee

WITH THIS VOUCHER

Voucher valid until 24th Dec 2013

28

December 2013

On the catwalk IT was with a tinge of sadness that, last year, the Ulster Siamese & All Breed Cat Club bade farewell to the old Bangor Castle Leisure Centre that had served them well for over eight years.

But on to bigger and better things, and with a state of the art venue at the new Aurora Aquatic and Leisure Complex, the only thing they could do was to try and ensure that the 34th Championship Show, held on Saturday and sponsored by North Down Borough Council, would be bigger and hopefully better than any show held previously.

This year there were 160 cats and kittens entered with exhibitors coming from England,

Chloe Winter in cat costume. MG 8761

Scotland and Ireland as well as from the length and breadth of Northern Ireland.

As usual the competiton was fierce as all the cats and kittens exhibited had been perfectly groomed and were all looking stunning. From the outset it was always going to be a difficult decision to decide on an overall winner.

It was down to the dedication and vast experience of the three Best in Show GCCF judges that the final Best in Show exhibits were chosen.

From the seven pedigree winners the final judging came down to three cats - a two year old blue Burmese adult - CH Emer Silverwillow, from NI, a one year old black Sphynx Sphynx Antiquus X-Qlusive from ROI, and Pr Misskin Goody Gumdrops, a two year old fawn colourpointed British Shorthair from NI. The overall winner this year

turned out to be the stunning Emer Silverwillow – the blue Burmese adult.

The household pets and nonpedigree cats were represented too. Like their pedigree counterparts they had to undergo strict judging to be awarded their rosettes and Master Cat titles.

The overall Best in Show Pedigree Pet winner was Imperial Grand Master Cat Dawn Patrol, a three year old cream longhair from Scotland, and Tigger, a two year old tabby shorthair from NI, became the Best in Show Household Pet winner.

Congratulations must also go to Lara Curry’s beautiful five month old rescue white kitten, Reuben, who won the Spectator Stakes platter.

The club was grateful to North Down Mayor Andrew Muir who gave up his Saturday afternoon to come along and present the

prizes to all our feline winners and also the winners of the children’s colouring competition.

This truly was a show that had something for everyone.

Running beside the cat show was a Holistic, Food and Craft fair where the public and cat owners could start a little early Christmas shopping or relax with a soothing holistic treatment or sample some wonderful home produce. Many small uprights also prowled the hall in their painted guises as cats.

The committee of the Ulster Siamese and All Breed Cat Club wish to thank their exhibitors, sponsors, and many volunteers for helping us organise such a family friendly event.

Thanks also go to the people from Bangor and beyond who came along and helped the club make it such a successful day.

Michael Smyth in Lion costume

Quality Potatoes

FOR SALE

The packed hall at Aurora.

NORTH DOWN CLEARANCE SERVICE

British Queens Pentland Dell Kerr Pinks Maris Piper Navan

FAST, FRIENDLY

WE DUMP YOUR JUNK & RELIABLE

Contact James on

WHY PAY MORE FOR A SKIP WHEN WE CAN DO IT ALL

07889 358 650 75 Windmill Road, Donaghadee

Sophia Duncan in cat costume.

We remove old kitchens, bathrooms, etc

Scrap Metal Collected OF CHARGE

FREE

Free disposal of scrap metal and car batteries

Includes old boilers, washing machines, cookers, etc.

Full house clearances, small removals, garages and lofts cleared.

Fully licensed waste carrier Mayor of North Down Andrew Muir with Spectator stakes winner Lara Curry. MG 9138.

07821 918 197 www.northdownclearance.co.uk

DALLAS ELECTRICAL & BOILER SERVICES Sisters Lydia (L) and Katie Bingham with their entries sheerbliss Edwintin and sheerbliss Mr Chips.

MG 8809

PROFESSIONAL OIL FIRED BOILER SERVICING (£40 inc new nozzle and electronic efficiency testing and report)

PROMPT BREAKDOWN REPAIRS OFTEC Registered

ELECTRICAL WORK UNDERTAKEN Domestic & Commercial Rewires - New Builds - Alterations

Approved Contractor

TURN TO PAGE 3

Best foreign entry phynx Antiquus XQlusive.

Contact: David Dallas 07724 809 875 Bangor 028 9147 9248

December 2013 Advertising Feature

Molly Brown’s Kitchen & Bar have 2 reasons to celebrate at the minute. Firstly they’ve been bought back by their former owners, now called The Horatio Group, and secondly they’re celebrating their 5th birthday.

It’s been a very successful 5 years for Molly Browns and they’ve become one of the best bars and restaurants in County Down.

They’ve won Best Neighbourhood Pub and Best Family Friendly pub in County Down in the Pubs of Ulster Awards.

Supporting the local community is very important to Molly Browns.

They’ve raised thousands of pounds for local charities and have hosted lots of events for local groups and organisations.

To celebrate their birthday they’re going to be having a big birthday party on Friday 29th November. There’ll be a kids party between 5pm – 8pm and from 8pm a drinks reception, live music, complimentary finger food and of course birthday cake!

They’d like everyone to help celebrate their birthday and good news, so they’re offering a free cocktail to everyone between 21st November and 6th December 2013. Simply cut out the voucher below and give to a member of staff.

It’s not just the birthday they’re looking forward to, they’ve got lots of great plans for the Christmas period.

You can enjoy a 2 course lunch for £13.95 or 3 course lunch for only £16.95 in December between 12-5pm. Or a 4 course Christmas dinner Sunday – Thursday for £19.95 or on Fridays and Saturdays its £24.95.

If you’ve got kids don’t forget to bring them down to see Santa!

Santa will be visiting Molly Browns every Sunday at 3pm from 8th – 22nd December, handing out presents and chatting to children. And what makes this even better is kids eat for free every Sunday.

On Boxing Day they’ll be screening the Live Premiership football from 3pm and there’ll be live music from 9pm with Shine.

See in 2014 in Molly’s this year. They’ll be serving their normal ala carte menu from 5pm and you can dance the night away with Impact!

But you’ll have to book quickly as their New Year’s Eve celebrations are always very popular.

It may be getting colder now but you can keep hot in Molly’s by enjoying a beautiful quality Northern Irish steak on one of their

e e e r C l b at s volcanic rocks. Cook your steak at your table on a 430 degree volcanic rock.

If you’ve a special birthday, anniversary or if you fancy organising your own private Christmas party, you can hire the Live Lounge. For only £295 you get the room, dj and buffet.

It doesn’t have to be a special occasion though to enjoy a great meal or drinks in Molly Browns and for great prices too! Monday – Friday 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. in December you can enjoy 2 courses for only £10 and you can enjoy £3 cocktails Sunday - Friday. Don't miss their new Candy Cocktails that include cocktails such as Candy Cane and After Eight!. So you can treat yourself to a great night out on any date!

29

that the ground beneath the building wasn’t very supportive. It was made up of quarry dust and various types of sand and clay and water was only 1.60 metres below the floor of the building. They also told us that they had to drill 19.20 metres below the floor of the building before they found solid ground.

It became clear that our building needed to be supported underground and as a result we piled the building.

At this point we discovered the fascinating tale of Molly Brown and we felt that the name was very appropriate as the bar is now as unsinkable as the woman and her legend!”

There’s definitely something for everyone at Molly Brown’s Kitchen and Bar and the staff are looking forward to welcoming you soon. To keep up to date with all events at Molly Browns you can follow them on Facebook and on Twitter or you can telephone on 02891 821444.

So why is the bar called Molly Brown’s Kitchen and Bar and just who is Molly Brown?

Well Molly Brown was born in 1867 in Hannibal, Missouri and she was the daughter of Irish immigrants. Rising from rural poverty, she made her fortune with her husband in the silver and

gold mines of Colorado.

An advocate for feminism and children’s rights, Molly was also involved with local charities and was the first woman to stand for political office in the U.S. But Molly Brown’s real claim to fame was that she was a survivor of the s voucher Titanic. Nicknamed “The Unsinkable below and present thi Simply fill in the details Molly Brown” her heroism in assisting to a member of staff. other survivors and getting people to ........................ safety was recognised after her to ................................................

Name .................................... return to America and she was ............................. awarded the French Legion of Honour. ................................................

Email address................

Molly Brown died in 1932 in New York. voucher per person per visit. for one free cocktail. Only one refuse But that’s not the only reason why it’s Terms & Conditions. Voucher is ent reserve the right to agem Man her. vouc th this use to mber You must be aged 18 or over from 21st November to 6 Dece called Molly Brown’s! valid is her Vouc y. appl rules e ability. avail to ct n and usual hous issio subje adm Offer ed. offer Stephen Magorrian, Managing alternative will be 2013. No cash alternative or drink any other promotion. Photocopies of vouchers will not with Director of The Horatio Group told us Cannot be used in conjunction like to tell you about special offers, promotions and ld “When we started construction work on be accepted. Molly Brown’s wou not wish to be contacted by Molly Brown’s do news. Please tick this box if you the ground floor of the building we were via email informed by the structural engineers

This voucher entitles you to one free cocktail at Molly Browns.

FREE COCKTAIL

at

30

December 2013

£1,760 ‘cheque-in’ in memory of devoted dad Bernard Johnston

Keith Anderson’s life was cut tragically short by cancer.

b.johnston@spectatornewspapers.co.uk

THE tragic death of a popular young Bangor father-oftwo from cancer has inspired his family, friends and work colleagues to raise £1,760 for charity in his memory.

HOUSES BOUGHT FOR CASH Want a guaranteed 7 day hassle-free sale?

• Any area - Any condition • No estate agency fees • All legal fees paid • No sales preparation costs • Complete confidentiality

Tel. 028 9187 4444 or 07956 082 423 Mark Simpson Electrical

Keith Anderson, who lost his brief but brave battle against stomach cancer on May 31, aged just 27, was a devoted dad to his two children, Bethney aged five and baby Ben who is just eight months old.

His family, friends and work colleagues recently got together to organise a fundraiser in his memory for a charity which provides invaluable help to cancer sufferers and their families.

They held a charity fivea-side football tournament at Eddie Irvine’s pitches and now the £1,760 they raised, has been presented to Marie Curie at the request of Keith’s loved ones.

The cheque was presented to the charity

by Keith’s dad, Alan, who said family had been ‘absolutely stunned’ at the amazing generosity

Mark Simpson Electrical

Mark Simpson Electrical is focused on providing high-quality service and customer satisfaction - we will do everything we can to meet your expectations.

We are electricians that cover Newtownards, Belfast, Bangor North Down, and all of Northern Ireland With a variety of offerings to choose from, we're sure you'll be happy working with us. Look around our website and if you have any comments or questions, please feel free to contact us.

We cover every thing from an extra socket to fitting a light , so no job to small.

We also cover. . .

About Us We are electrical contractors with over 21 years experience.

Our company is based on the belief that our customers' needs are of the utmost importance. Our entire team is committed to meeting those needs. As a result, a high percentage of our business is from repeat customers and referrals.

We would welcome the opportunity to earn your trust and deliver you the best service in the industry.

1 Copeland Point, Edgewater Donaghadee, BT21 0JY

Faults Rewires Security alarms and lighting Fire alarms Lighting Test and inspections Pat testing Garden power & lighting Please contact us for free quotation

Telephone:

07802 396 405 028 9188 4655

Email: markmse1@aol.com, www.marksimpsonelectrical.com Hours: Mon - Fri: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sat: 10 a.m. - 1p.m. Sun: Closed

of their friends and neighbours as well as local businesses to the charity appeal.

He said, “We cannot believe how generous people have been. We expected to get maybe a couple of pounds at a time but they have been giving tenners, twenties and even £30.

“There was a collection bucket in one of the local businesses and I was amazed at how much money was in it. Then they told me they had already filled two other buckets with donations.

“It’s incredible really. It shows how much Keith meant to other people around him. He had a wide range of friends which was shown by the number of people who attended his funeral.

“He was also very well liked by all the customers at Centra and then The Frying Squad and by his workmates too. It is them who organised the charity five-a-side.

“Marlow Cleaners also very kindly donated a trophy for the tournament which was very much appreciated by all of the family.”

Keith’s relatives and friends now hope that the fundraiser in his memory

Keith’s dad Alan presents the £1,760 cheque to Marie Curie Hospice Administrator Cathy Mehaffy. will become an annual event.

His loss had a devastating impact on the members of his extended and loving family, including his parents Alan and Janet, his sister Lynsey and brother

Alan.

Keith, who lived in the Pembrooke area of the town, was very well known as he worked for two well known local businesses on Balloo Road, Centra and later The Frying

Squad.

The huge turnout at Keith’s funeral was testimony to his popularity and gave considerable comfort to his grieving relatives and close friends.

North Down Boilers Oil and Gas Heating • Boiler Services

OIL BOILER SCRAPPAGE

SCHEME Why scrap now?

Register now to scrap your old boiler and save money

Installer of

An old boiler can waste up to 40% of the fuel it burns Modern ‘A’ Rated condensing boilers are over 90% efficient Home heating oil is currently 40% more expensive than natural gas You could qualify for a generous grant when you upgrade to a new high efficiency natural gas central heating system

T: 028 9186 1377 M: 07730 450 450 E: info@northdownboilers.co.uk W: northdownboilers.co.uk

31

December 2013

Those were the days - 1973 Ruth Dowds r.dowds@spectatornewspapers.co.uk

THE year 1973 was a deeply troubled one across the province as a whole and North Down certainly suffered its share of challenging times with bombings, riots and death threats, not to mention the havoc caused by the energy crisis and dwindling water supplies due to a summer drought.

January witnessed a dramatic sea rescue when the runaway Dutch coaster ‘Tide’ forged towards the Co Down coast, a blazing fire astern cutting off access to the engine and bridge. In severe cold and gale force winds nine people, including the captain’s wife, spent five hours on the open foredock before a protracted and

difficult rescue operation involving coastguard and naval personnel, merchant shipping and local fishermen brought them safely to Bangor.

‘Tide’ had been making passage under ballast from Sligo on the west coast of Ireland to St Austell Bay in Cornwall to pick up a cargo of china clay. At about 1am on Sunday 21st, with most of the crew below deck – the captain himself had just gone off watch – fire was discovered in the after part of the ship, in accommodation including the galley and mess. All hands turned out for fire fighting but despite strenuous efforts to bring it under control the blaze spread, forcing the entire complement onto the exposed fore-deck.

When the crew of the burning ship was forced to leave the bridge, ‘Tide’ was left dangerously out of control.

Fire prohibited steering either from the bridge or from the rudder and no-one could reach the engine room to stop engines. ‘Tide’ ploughed through heavy seas and winds gusting to gale force 8 at half speed ahead, with no-one at the wheel for five hours.

At daylight, with ‘Tide’ in imminent danger of driving aground, Lt Charles Freeman, commander of the minesweeper ‘Bronnington’ organized a rescue by dinghy. The nine people, tired but cheerful, were taken to the Royal Hotel and equipped with clothing from Bailies High Street shop.

Specialists in Shot Blasting & Metal Finishing

Unit 22, 149 Glen Road, Comber BT23 5QU Rustbusters, located just 10 minutes outside Belfast, is a company that believes in providing fast, high quality finishes whatever your requirements.

Refurbishment of Gates & Railings Using a 3 step process, Rust Busters can leave your gates and railings looking as new! Powder coating is available in a wide range of colours to suit customer requirements.

Gates/Railings • Alloys • Brass Fittings • Garden Furniture Motorcycle Frames • Alloy Head Casings • Radiators • Car Chassis

028 9044 8033 www.rustbustersni.co.uk

Wardrobes NI Sliding Mirror Wa rdrobes

Sliding Wardrobes at Competitive Prices MANUFACTUERS OF

QUALITY

FITTED & FREESTANDING BEDROOM FURNITURE art Prices st e as tl from as lit

£6fi5ttin0g inc

14 The Parade, Donaghadee. BT21 0AE Tel: 028 9188 2824 Mob: 07525 645 404 www.wardrobes-ni.co.uk

N ewtownards Lions Club

We are a group of local people open to all who are dedicated to help and improve the lives of those in the local community by way of a varied range of fundraising events and projects such as:

Senior Citizens Christmas Party Diabetes screening School spelling initiative 5 mile road race challenge We would invite you to join us and see how you may be able to help.

For further information please contact:Tony Hepworth 075 9637 4582 or email newtownardslions@aol.com

Newtownards Lions Club

Respecting Tradition - Encouraging Change MD 105 I Identity No 3955 Club No 020133 Recognised as a Charity by H M Revenue and Customs under reference: XR90123

RAMPAGE In February there were ‘unprecedented scenes in Bangor’ as 12 people were arrested after a mob went on the rampage during the 24 hour Loyalist strike on Wednesday, February 7. During the day police were stoned at Main Street, petrol bombs were thrown at a number of private houses, shots were heard in the town and there was a small explosion at Clandeboye Road. Miraculously no-one was injured.

The morning had begun quietly enough with most shops and factories either closing voluntarily or shutting after receiving threatening calls. The real action began after lunch when hundreds of tartan youths protested outside the police station as part of a province-wide picket of RUC stations at the detention of two Protestants in Belfast earlier in the week.

During the afternoon a number of youths threatened two Spectator photographers and demanded the film from their cameras. Police said later that in the mob there were between 50 and 100 hard-core rioters, some of them recognized as being from Newtownards.

In February petrol bombs completely destroyed the small downstairs lounge of Holywood’s Maypole Bar, but the Fire Brigade put the fire out before it had a chance to spread to the main bar. The Maypole was owned by Mr Edward Carty and sons. One of his sons, Brian Carty, said his father was rather shocked at the incident, particularly as all the family were very well known and had been living in Holywood for years.

Many residents had expressed deep concern to them, he said, and they were very grateful for this.

DEATH SENTENCE Also in February the mandatory death sentence was imposed at Belfast City Commission on 28 year old Glengormley man Albert Edward Browne, who was convicted of murdering Bangor policeman, Constable Andrew Gordon Harron, the previous October.

Constable Harron died of a head wound four days after being shot at Rathcoole. Aged 32 he lived with his wife Edith and two year old son Gareth at Drumglass Avenue. He formerly served at Bangor police station but was a member of the RUC Traffic Branch at the time of his death.

In March work began on the £600,000 dual carriageway between Bangor and Newtownards, due to be completed in the autumn of 1974. A North Down branch of the Samaritans was formed at Hamilton House, Bangor, on Friday, March 9. There were queues to volunteer for service and to give donations.

DEATH THREATS On a more sinister note, three families living in Kilcooley estate were forced to flee after receiving death threats in the post. In one of the letters, reproduced in the Spectator on March 23, the McNeill family were warned, “Don’t treat this as a joke. You will die and so will your family. 24 hours if you are lucky.” The letter was signed “Yours KDC” (Kilcooley Defence Core). The couple and their son decided to start afresh in Scotland.

Easter Tuesday descended into carnage in Bangor with 39 police officers, one traffic warden and several civilians, including children, injured. In all there were 43 arrests and damage was caused to six police vehicles.

The culprits were said to be hooligans who accompanied Orange lodges and bands to Bangor – the actual parade was reported to be a peaceful and colourful spectacle in bright sunshine. Trouble flared up in the High Street area at around 1.30pm. Rival gangs began fighting and police broke them up – but then the gangs united to attack the police with bottles, stones, pieces of grating and with their boots.

Captain John Tooke (centre with striped jersey) and Mrs Tooke with the crew of the Dutch coaster ‘Tide’ coming ashore at Bangor’s North Pier from Mr Jack Miller’s fishing boat ‘Ros Mur’ in January. Jack Miller is looking out of the cabin and Mr J Rodgers, District Officer of Coastguard, is in the background. 43/13-62 Violence erupted again and again, police moving in to break up and disperse terror gangs and engaging in running battles with young thugs in Main Street, High Street and the seafront. Police attributed the violence solely to hooligans coming into Bangor from Belfast and district.

NO WATER On June 29 the Spectator reported that as of Monday water supplies to Bangor householders would be turned off every night for approximately 12 hours. The restrictions were necessary not because of the small amount of water in Bangor’s own reservoirs, but because no supplies were available in the Mournes while the drought continued. Water was being pumped from Clandeboye Lake and supplies were also coming to Bangor from Newtownards. Every effort was being made to maintain a 24 hour supply to Bangor Hospital.

In September a Bangor man was shot in the leg at Ward Park in the early hours of a Sunday morning. The victim of the shooting was Robert Heron of Gray’s Hill. Blood on the path at the Gransha Road end of the tennis courts indicated that the 26 year old man dragged

himself, or was dragged from the vicinity of the bushes towards the telephone kiosk at the foot of Bloomfield Road.

HAIR INJUNCTION

There were vacant desks in Bangor Grammar’s Lower and Middle Sixth in September when some boys defied an injunction to have their hair cut and others, after being to the barber, were turned away because their style still did not comply with an “above the collar” regulation. At one stage there were three boys left in one class and only between 20 and 30 in the whole sixth form.

On September 28 the Spectator reported ‘Business as Usual’ following a bomb explosion at the junction of Holborn Avenue and High Street the previous Saturday night. The bomb, though small, could have caused serious injury had it reached its objective – a bar in the Ormeau Arms. But a venetian blind stopped the missile and it exploded in the street.

The year ended on another down note when late night shopping in Bangor town centre was cancelled on Friday, December 21 because of the energy crisis.

CAREMARK IS LOOKING FOR CARE AND SUPPORT WORKERS Caremark is a home care provider, offering support for you to remain as independent as possible. Our services are designed around your personal needs and wishes, assisting with successfully living at home and in your community.

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL BENEFIT FROM • COMPETITIVE RATES OF PAY • ON GOING SUPERVISION • FLEXIBLE HOURS • CAREER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES • FULL INDUCTION AND TRAINING • FULL SUPPORT OF YOUR ROLE Must be drivers with access to a reliable car

We are keen to hear from you! Call us on

028 9146 7004

www.caremark.co.uk

32

December 2013

EXTRA CLASSIFIEDS

START HERE

Chimney Sweeps

CLEAN SWEEP (Coal Advisory Registered) BIRDCAGES & CAPS FITTED WOOD BURNING STOVES CLEANED VACUUM & BRUSH REDUCTION FOR OLD AGE PENSIONERS

Horizon Power Flushing Why Power-Flush your Central Heating System?

N. JAMISON 9146 2973 / 07949 050468

HOW ABOUT SAVING UP TO 40% ON YOUR ANNUAL FUEL BILLS??

NORTH DOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL

Changes to Kerbside Collection Arrangements: Christmas and New Year 2013/14 Please note that there will be NO Domestic Refuse Collection on the following dates: Christmas Day, Wednesday 25 December 2013 Boxing Day, Thursday 26 December 2013 New Year’s Day, Wednesday 1 January 2014

North Down Alternative Schedule Borough Council Town Hall, The Castle Wednesday 25 December 2013 will be collected on Saturday 21 December 2013.

Bangor, Co. Down Thursday 26 December 2013 will be collected BT20 4BT For Further Information contact us on 0845 111 3334 or email us via enquiries@northdown.gov.uk You can find out more information about recycling in North Down by visiting www.northdown.gov.uk/recycling

Where and When Power Flushing is Required:-

FUEL WASTAGE: Debris accumulation within the boiler reduces heat transfer potentially leading to a third of fuel bills wasted.

COLD SPOTS: Temperature difference across radiator may indicate a build-up of sludge restricting the flow of heat.

FREQUENT BLEEDING REQUIRED: May indicate hydrogen build-up, a by-product of corrosion more common in un-treated heating systems.

For further information and a free quotation: Tel: (028) 4065 0728 07854 521049 PROVINCE-WIDE SERVICE! IN ASSOCIATION WITH FERNOX.com

on Saturday 28 December 2013.

Wednesday 1 January 2014 will be collected on Friday 3 January 2014.

Please ensure that the appropriate bin(s), are presented for collection at the kerbside by 7.00am with the bin lid closed. No additional waste will be lifted.

Please note that both Balloo and Holywood Recycling Centres will be closed on Wednesday 25 December 2013, Thursday 26 December 2013 and Wednesday 1 January 2014.

Both centres will be open on Tuesday 24 December 2013 (8.00am-5.00pm) and Friday 27 December 2013 (9.00am-5.00pm).

Business Services

David J Bennett & Co

Chartered Certified Accountants 9 Londonderry Ave Comber, Newtownards BT23 5ES 13 North St, Newtownards BT23 4DE

Offers a Full Range of Accounting Services.

Including Accounts, Tax, Audit, Payroll Processing and VAT Contact David 028 91 878563 Mobile: 079 6997 8774 davidjamesbennett@googlemail.com

All other dates in December and January are as normal.

T Polley BA MBA Chief Executive & Town Clerk

Building Services & Repairs

Miscellaneous

All our services are reliable, professional and offered on a friendly basis

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Flawless Central Heating with the help of Horizon HOW does Power Flushing work?

Power Flushing is the most efficient and effective method of cleansing a central heating system. The principle is to create a powerful fresh water flow under controlled conditions to remove debris from the system.

By connecting the powerful flushing unit to the heating circuit in place of the system pump, boiler or radiator, the circuit can be thoroughly cleansed of lime scale, sludge and corrosion debris.

When used in conjunction with a specialist Fernox cleaner, a typical power flush can be completed in just 1 day.

Cleaning and treating Central Heating systems...

All new systems should be pre-commission cleansed in accordance with BS7593:1992 and Benchmark.

This ensures flux residues, excess jointing compounds, mineral oil and other contaminants which can affect the performance of the system, are removed.

It is important when installing new boilers into old systems that all sludge is first removed from the system or this could accumulate to cause premature failure.

Additionally, in hard water areas, existing systems will have accumulated lime scale together with corrosion deposits in the heat exchanger, which could reduce boiler efficiency by over five percent.

Problems with an untreated system can be affected by a variety of problems including radiator cold spots and air pockets, boiler noise, pump seizure or failure, all of which could lead to costly repairs or replacements. Trouble shooting & fault finding service also available.

For more information on system Power Flushing and water treatments, contact Horizon Power Flushing on 028 4065 0728 or 07854 521 049.

Wanted Articles

WANTED FOR SPOT CASH Greens 85A Moss Road, Ballygowan. BT23 6LF Modern old fashioned or antiques bought.

House contents cleared. Good clean Chesterfield Suites Fridges, Washing Machines, Paintings Tables and Chairs etc etc.

Also scrap gold, silver, copper, brass, lead bought.

Bangor Blue Slates If we can sell it, we will buy it

Ring 028 9181 3437 Mobile 07860 547578 • 07543 981815

WE BUY AND SELL Antiques, quality furniture, collectables, books, vintage and retro goods?

House clearance and single items sought.

www.oboyleaccounting.com Tel 07725 613 308 or 028 9145 3212

Contact 075 1309 5474 or 028 9127 4082

Removals Dial-A-Van Removal Services. Tel: 028 91 451666 or 07774 633

For Sale Diamond Bedroom Systems. Tel: 028 91 470272

Painting & Decorating Domestics

SPATS

Th e D r y C l e a n e r s

97 Groomsport Road, Bangor, BT20 5NG Curtain Take-Down Service Shirt Service Duvets Laundered etc.

Tel: 028 9145 3264

MCD Painting & Decorating

• Professional Painter & Decorator • All Work Guaranteed

• Free Estimates • All Interior & Exterior Work

Special Rates for OAP’s Tel: 028 9048 5569 or 07930 635 405

Gavin McCormick Painting & Decorating

ALEX EASTON MLA Tel: 028 9188 9620 Email: alex.easton@mla.niassembly.gov.uk 7 High Street, Donaghadee BT21 0AA

Gardening Glendarragh Garden Services. Tel: 077 8055 0018 Landscape Supplies.

Tel: 028 91 820422 or 077 1255 7373

TV & Electrical Bill & Ben The Aerial Men. Tel: 028 91 820528 or 078 5064 2082 DB Satellite Services.

Tel: 028 91 473440 or 077 0659 8672 DVV Cabling Ltd. Tel: 028 91 271754 or 079 6610 2104 Electrocare. Tel: 077 5370 8998 Picture Perfect: Tel: 079 6272 6835

Wanted Articles

To view our stock or sell your items...

Practical & Proactive accounting helping you to cut costs, claim all your allowances and save tax

DJ Joinery. Tel: 028 91 479186 or 077 8812 0379 J B Engineering (NI) Ltd. Tel: 028 91 274742 or 077 1180 0850 Roofguard. Tel: 028 91 270061, 078 7644 3371 or 070 7427 0061 Scrabo Tar Contracts.

Tel: 075 6141 1892 or 075 2623 8403 Top Notch Joinery. Tel: 028 91 889587 or 07775 500 720 WH Roofing. Tel: 028 90 282063 or 077 6553 8209

All aspects of paint & decorating work carried out.

Power Washing Service Also Available Please ring mobile no: 07708 651 129

John Moore & Sons Painting & Decorating

WANTED Collector will buy medals, badges and war souvenirs. Police, military, fire service and prison service items wanted. Bangor 91468007

Plumbing & Heating A.C. Boiler Services.

Tel: 028 91 458719 or 077 0846 8988

Bangor Oil Boiler Services Tel: 078 5135 Brian Evans Plumbing & Heating. Tel: 028 91 810640 or 028 91 819136.

Clifford Brown Bathrooms. Tel: 028 427 72891 or 078 5046 4830 P&L Plumbing & Heating. Tel: 077 8872 2490 or 028 91 466354 Perfect Plumbing & Heating. Tel: 078 9452 5656

Painting & Decorating Gavin McCormick Painting & Decorating.

Tel: 077 0865 1129 John Moore & Sons Painting & Decorating.

Tel: 078 0395 8432 or 028 91 882233

‘Interior and Exterior All Types of Spraying’ Also on Facebook.

Search “Alex Easton”

Cherrypicker Available at No Extra Charge

Contact: 078 0395 8432 or 028 9188 2233

Storage McGimpsey Brothers Secure Storage. Tel: 028 91 456222

33

December 2013

EXTRA Classifieds Building Services & Repairs

KITCHEN UPDATE replace • refresh • renew 10 Kitchen Doors + 4 Drawer Fronts MEASURED, SUPPLIED AND FITTED

on full kitchen refurbishments with this voucher

FOR ONLY

£499

(Terms and conditions apply)

(Normally £699)

Tel: (028) 9048 0014 Mob: 07527 232 708 BASED IN DUNDONALD

• New roofs, slate, concrete, fibre, cement, rubber, butyl flat roofs • Roofing & Building Maintenance • Chimney repointing & lead flashing • Aluminium seamless guttering • UPVC soffit & fascias • UPVC windows & doors • Reglazing • Conservatories & refurbishments

Call ROOFGUARD 1st For Flat Roofing 20 YEAR GUARANTEE

Also all types of Roofing Repairs ROOFS POWERWASHED AND SEALED, GUTTERS, TILES, SLATES, CHIMNEYS, FLASHING ETC. INSURANCE WORK UNDERTAKEN. FREE SURVEY AND QUOTATION * We will beat any price * Butyl sheets made to order RING OFFICE 9127 0061 - MOBILE 07876 443 371 or 07074 270 061

JOINER

Garage Door Repairs and Servicing New Cables, Locks, Springs etc.

JOINERY AND MAINTENANCE

QUALITY WORK Specialising in: All Aspects Of Carpentry & Joinery ALL TRADES PROVIDED Domestic & Commercial maintenance & repair services Shop Fit Outs • Building renovations • Home improvements House extensions Loft conversions

Tel: 9186 3556 Mob: 07926 186 539

JB Plastering Skimming • Plasterboarding Domestic & Commercial Punctual & Reasonable All Work Guaranteed For FREE Quotations contact Johnny: 07955 868 307

DJ

JOINERY Doors, Floors, Flat Packs, Fencing and Decking No Job Too Small FREE ESTIMATES PH 9147 9186 or 07788 120 379

AFFORD-A-BUILD

Top Notch Joinery THE DOOR SPECIALIST 4 Internal Doors from £225.

Supplied & Fitted All Joinery work undertaken.

Free Estimates.

Reliable Service Call 9587/07775 Call 9188 9147 1437 / 07775 500720 500720

Trades & Services

HOME REPAIR & MAINTENANCE SPECIALISTS AT VERY AFFORDABLE PRICES - FROM £25.

Tel: 07747 065 343

KnockBuilding.co.uk • All building and House Repairs Undertaken • Joinery - Plastering • Roof Repairs - P.V.C Windows & Facia • Repointing is our Specialty • Previous work can be inspected ALL WORK GUARANTEED Please visit our website

T: 028 9048 1772 M: 07563 947769

www.brianblakelycontractsni.co.uk

B LA K E LY TARMAC DRIVEWAY SPECIALISTS • Paths & Parking Areas • Brick Pavng Steps & Walls • Digger Hire • Kerbing & Alterations • Sealing & Spraying of Driveways FREE ESTIMATES - FULLY INSURED email brian@blakelycontracts.co.uk 07836 290234

028 9186 1736

Call Paul Allen: Tel: 028 9146 5527 07561 411892 / 07526 238403

Telephone:07746 548 445 or 028 9107 3471 www.macwal.co.uk

Email: jb-plastering@hotmail.co.uk

ABBEY GARAGE DOOR SERVICES OF NORTH DOWN

Brick Paving, Tarmac, Patios, Steps, Fences, Sealing.

Fully Insured 15 Years Experience

Fully Qualified - CSR Approved - Fully Insured Plastering

ROOF PROBLEMS???

Quick - Clean - Affordable

CLADMASTER Roofing & Building Maintenance

SCRABO TAR CONTRACTS

Newtownards

WH Roofing

Slates, Tiles and Pots Replaced, Chimneys and Ridge Tiles Repointed, All Gutter Work, Cowls Fitted, All Sewer Work KEENEST RATES AND FREE ESTIMATES

Phone: 028 90 282 063

25 Years experience in the building trade.

No Big overheads, saves you money.

Extensions and Renovations.

Damp problems - No problem.

Chimney & Roof Repairs. Gutters & drains cleared & repaired.

All joinery work and repairs.

Plastering and brick work.

Cracked windowsills repaired / replaced Fence / gates / sheds repaired.

Tel. Michael 9145 5603 or 07724 299 998

Fixed Price Assembly

NO JOB TOO SMALL

Flat Pack Solutions Hassle free Flat Pack Construction Contact us for a free quote 028 9146 4079 / 07766 131 293 www.flatpacksolutions.com email: sales@flatpacksolutions.com

Mob: 077 6553 8209 JONATHAN LEWIS JONATHAN LEWIS

JOINERY

ALL ASPECTS OF JOINERY & HOME IMPROVEMENTS

r EFDLJOH r EPPST GSBNFT r GFODJOH r LJUDIFOT r TLJSUJOH CPBSET r TUBJSDBTFT r XPPEFOáPPST r áBUQBDLT • loft ladders

803,."/4)*1 (6"3"/5&&% FOR A NO OBLIGATION FREE QUOTATION

Tel: 028 9186 1508 Mob: 07850 946 747 $43 3FHJTUFSFE r $3# "QQSPWFE

Plans

WATER’S WATER’S

EDGE

ARCHITECTS ARCHITECTS

IMPROVE DON’T MOVE

PLANS DRAWNred Full

y Insured

Free initial consult

Registe Architect

Domestic extensions Interior redesign our speciality

Phone: 07790 154 964 or 028 9188 9123

34

December 2013

EVEN SANTA KNOWS WHERE TO GO FOR HIS WINTER TYRES!

CTS COMBER TYRE SERVICES ON A BUDGET? Part worn at a fraction of the price of new tyres • • • •

New tyres Wheel alignment Punctures Brake pads, discs etc.

81 Killinchy Road, Comber, Newtownards BT23 5LX Tel: 02891 872 455 Mob: 07813 010 791

35

December 2013

For Sale

(Any

Plumbing & Heating

Perfect Plumbing & Heating

size - Selected Fabrics)

Oil Fired Boiler Services from ÂŁ30

EVENING APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE

25% OFF ALL OTHER BLINDS

4 VERTICALS ÂŁ140

ANY SIZE

also WOOD EFFECT VENETIANS, WOOD VENETIANS & ROLLERS AVAILABLE AT EXCELLENT PRICES

+MACHINE WASHABLE

ONLY

Free Quotation

FREE FITTING 3 LOWER BALLOO ROAD, BANGOR BT19 6LU TEL. 9188 8118

SLIDING MIRROR WARDROBES Vat8ft Free 12 ÂŁ720 ft. from from ÂŁ735 plus fitting fitting Including

SHOWROOM: 21K Enterprise Road, Bangor (Beside TK Motors) Tel. 9147 0272 Tues-Fri. 9am-5pm; Sat. 9am-1pm

DIAMOND BEDROOM SYSTEMS

Oil Tanks • Bathrooms • Power Flushing etc.

Contact James on 07894 525 656

Bangor Oil Boiler Services

07851 354 055 Prompt Local Reliable BLINDS

P & L PLUMBING & HEATING

North Down’s leading blind manufacturer

Gas installations. Boiler Services.

Landlords safety certicates.

Bathrooms and leaks.

No job too small • Gas Safe Registered

Phone: Lee 07788 722 490 or Bangor 9146 6354

WOODEN VENETIANS

ROLLER BLINDS

ROMAN BLINDS

www.belfastmobility.com

ÂŁ160

4

VERTICAL BLINDS FROM (choice of fabrics and colours)

Quality leather and electric rise/recline chairs ÂŁ490 - Delivered Walking frames ÂŁ35. Rollators ÂŁ90 Adjustable walking sticks from ÂŁ17 Battery chargers from ÂŁ40 Adjustable underarm crutches ÂŁ42 Hand grabber ÂŁ10.

(No more stooping or reaching) Wheelchairs from ÂŁ160.

Free demonstration

Extensive range of Vertical fabrics including easy wipe and solar coated for conservatories and offices. Large selection of Roller and Roman blind fabrics including designer ranges and black out. Real Wood and Wood Effect Venetians, Pleated blinds and Velux Roof Window blinds.

Visit our showroom or for an in-home consultation phone:

(028) 9145 7772

Send us your photos straight from your phone to photographic@ardschronicle.co.uk

We will endeavour to use the best ones.

PLUMBING & HEATING www.stevenharrison.co.uk t: 028 9146 4263 M: 07999 334 536

Free Brochures

Tel: 028 9083 8111

Unit 55 Dunlop Commercial Park, Balloo Drive, Bangor

anytime

• Oil Boiler - Service £45 • Repairs and Replacements • Stoves and Flues • HETAS Trained Installer • Powerflushing Service Available • Grant Work Undertaken

TV & Electrical

Aran Carson, 9 Beatrice Road, Bangor. Co. Down Tel: 9145 8719 Mobile: 07708 468 988

DVV

‡ 79 $(5,$/6 ‡ 57( ‡ )0

‡ 6A7(//,7( ,16TALLA7,216 6.Y +'

‡ +20( &,1(0A 6281' ,16TALLATIONS ‡ 6833LY ,16TALL 3/$60A /&' TVS DIGITAL-VOICE-VISION ‡ 7(/(3+21( (;7(16,216 029(6

Cabling Ltd

Freeview & RTE aerials installed Satellites installed & repaired Extra phone points installed FreeSat, Freeview & Sky multipoint systems Plasma & LCD tv’s wall mounted Fully insured

WINTER OFFER

F OFIALS 0 AER ÂŁ1ITAL

Same day service Top quality materials (no rust) CAI Trained Installer

DIG

7(/

0RE www GYYFDEOLQJ FRP %((&+),(/' &5(6&(17 %$1*25

DB 9147 3440/07706 598672 SATELLITE SERVICES

Contact David Black:

Sky Digital & Aerial Specialist Multiroom Link Ups, RTE, FM & Free View Aerials, Dish Resites, Moving Home, Phone Extensions, Foreign Satellite & BT Vision FREE ESTIMATES - INSTALLATIONS

EXTRA ADVERTISING SALES • SERVICE • REPAIRS • UPGRADES www.sasgroupni.co.uk info@sasgroupni.co.uk

T: 028 9127 1096 M: 07724 025 002

Tel Paul: 07962 726 835 ELECTROCARE

Bill & Ben

Installations, Sales and Repairs of • Digital Aerials & Satellite Systems • BBC, RTE, FM • Sky + HD N E • Freesat • CCTV RIAL M E  A E H T • LCD TV Fitting and Wall Tracking

N’ards 028 9182 0528

Mobile: 07850 642 082

Repairs to Repairs to WASHING COOKERS MACHINES, WASHING COOKERS, MACHINES INSTALLATION,etc. etc.

NoINSTALLATION call out charge Tel. T. CAULFIELD Bangor 9147 2145 or M. 07753 708998 anytime

Plumbing & Heating

BRIAN EVANS All household plumbing and heating repairs and replacements

GETS RESULTS

OIL-COAL-STOVES OIL-COAL-STOVES-SOLAR

Tel: 028 9127 0270

Oil Boiler and Natural Gas Oil Services, Installation and breakdown andServicing renewal.

Clean and efficient workmanship

Linked systems a speciality

Tel: 9181 0640/9181 9136 www.bevansph.com 50 Gregstown Park, N’ards

CLIFFORD BROWN!!

BATHROOMS TO PERFECTION

QUALITY DESIGN • SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION since 1977 All trades. Unbeatable prices. Old suite recycled.

LEAKING SHOWER?? HEATING SYSTEM BALANCE?? SEWERS??

DRIPPING TAPS • FAULTY TOILETS • RADIATORS • SINKS www.cliffordbrownbathrooms.co.uk or just google it - leaking showers Belfast

BANGOR 07850 464 830 • 028 4277 2891

36

December 2013

December 2013

37

38

December 2013

Motor Vehicles

Gardening

CL VERHILL

doubleM landscapes

TREE AND GROUND SERVICES All work carried out by NPTC Certified Arborists

• Fencing and decking • Patios and paving • Lawn maintenance • Pressure washing

• Tree thinning/pruning • Conifers/hedges trimmed & shaped • Tree felling & stump removal • All Debris removed from site • No job to small • FREE estimates

• Driveway restorations

Call Neill 07833 502 513

• Hedge and conifer maintenance

Commercial work welcome

Free estimates - Tel: Jonathan

RPC

BUILDING and LANDSCAPING

All the trades under one roof, let us take the stress out of your landscaping, maintenance or building project, with our team of skilled and certified tradesmen.

Landscaping • Building • Plumbing Joinery • Electrical • Plastering • Painting General Repairs to full builds - we do it all Telephone Paul: 07868 733 250 email: rpcbuildingni@aol.com www.rpc-building-landscaping.co.uk

EXTRA ADVERTISING GETS RESULTS

Tel: 028 9127 0270

Greenday Garden Services Winter Tidy ups.

Snow Clearance.

Hedges cut and tidied.

Conifers topped, trimmed and felled.

All Tree Services.

Fencing and Powerwashing.

Free Quote Phone Glenn 07907 527 903 10% Discount to over 60s

Glendarragh Garden Services Firewood For Sale Snow Clearance

NOW BOOKING REGULAR GRASS CUTTING FROM £5

All ages & abilities welcome Marie Emerson Trained to teach ABRSM & Trinity Guild Hall

Tel: 028 9182 1830

YOUR CAR AS DEPOSIT

£79

PER MONTH NO FINAL PAYMENT

2010 KIA PICANTO

BOOK YOUR WINTER TIDY UP Free estimate Call Michael

T: 07780 550 018

CONTRACT WORK WELCOME

1.1 2 5 DOOR

YOUR CAR AS DEPOSIT

£89

PER MONTH NO FINAL PAYMENT 3 YEARS WARRANTY

LOGS • DE-ICING SALT Sticks • Turf • Firewood 274 Bangor Road, Newtownards BT23 7PH Tel: 028 9182 0422 Mob: 07712 557373 www.landscapesuppliesni.co.uk

Tuition

Piano & Theory Tuition

Patios, Fencing & Decking Gutters and PVC Cleaning Power Washing

1.4 5 DOOR

HO AD US DI EH TIO OL N D AL FU EL S

07859 075 053/028 9185 3783

2009 KIA RIO

Removals

VALUE REMOVALS AND JUNK DISPOSAL REMOVALS - Single Items to Full House Moves From only £15

Scrap Cars. Tel: 07588 600 220

JIM

• Help with dismantling and re-assembly • Collections and Deliveries • Short Notice • Furniture - Flatpacks etc., delivered and assembled

EXTRA

M

Junk and Rubbish Disposal from only £10 • House - Garage and Garden Clearance • Cheaper than Skip Hire and we do the work!

• Kitchens - Bathrooms - Woodwork - Carpets removed Available Anytime - including weekends

ADVERTISING GETS RESULTS

Tel: 028 9127 0270

TYRES & BATTERIES

RR

Open: Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat 8 a.m.-noon Family run business with over 30 years experience . Knowledgeable & Honest Service & Advice

9754 1637

Tel Ian 07545 549 142 or 028 9187 8191 Miscellaneous

5 BEGINNERS LESSONS £75 Intensive Courses to suit you CHRISTMAS GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE

GARY JAMISON (ADI) Tel: 07714 091 722

For Hire

REM

item to e n o m o r F emovals r e s u o h full

S Donnan & Son TYRES - BRAKES - SERVICING

WINTER CHECK £15 inc all lights and levels checked, brakes, supension and tyres 1A Windmill Row, Newtownards. BT23 7DZ

Mob: 07774 633 418

MAN AND VAN FOR HIRE

• Removals • Part Loads • Single Items • Store Collections • Flat Pack Building • Courier Service with Same & Next Day Available • Friendly, Reliable Service at Low Cost Contact David 079 3838 2829 info.dmx@aol.co.uk www.dmxni.co.uk

59 Lisbarnett Road, Comber

SCRAP CARS

9145 1666

N PASS-TIME DIAL-A-VA S SCHOOL OF MOTORING E RV I C E S L A V O

W

CAR, COMMERCIAL, PLANT

028 9181 2045 s.donnan@msn.com :: www.sdonnan.co.uk

Storage

SECURE STORAGE

ES VANS, MoT FAILUR LY LIFTED IMMEDIATE All disposable documents completed Other vehicles considered Call Billy on - 07588 600 220

Quinns of Portaferry

1st FOR NISSAN Servicing Qashqai, Note and Juke Tel 028 4272 8911 Castle Street, Portaferry

... and it’s on your doorstep!

WE COLLECT & DELIVER IN N.IRELAND, ROI, UK & ISLE OF MAN

For ALL your STORAGE & SELF STORAGE Business / Commercial / Domestic Keenest Rates Guaranteed!

EXTRA

Call now! - 028 9145 6222

ADVERTISING GETS RESULTS

www.mcgimpseys.com

Tel: 028 9127 0270

McGIMPSEY BROTHERS (REMOVALS) LIMITED

VEHICLE SERVICING AND REPAIRS We use MAHA diagnostic and testing equipment as used by the MOT Centre Telephone: 028 9181 0500 Unit 1, Glenford Way, Newtownards BT23 4BX

December 2013

39

40

December 2013

OTHERS COPY - NONE COMPARE