East Down Advertiser 235

Dragons in the h ills

Project

c omes to an e n D

Over the last three years, the Dragons in the Hills project has sought to discover more about Northern Ireland’s little dragons – our three native amphibians and reptiles: common frog, common lizard and smooth newt.

The project, which is led by Amphibian and Reptile Groups of the UK in partnership with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and The Herpetological Society of Ireland, is now drawing to a close. Through £100,000 of funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, it has worked to improve our understanding of these beautiful but poorly understood animals across The Ring of Gullion, the Mourne Mountains and

the Strangford and Lecale AONBs.

Participants from all walks of life have got involved over the last three years, including students from 12 local schools, members from community groups and people from the business sector. Through a number of outreach events and field trips, they have helped to explore and study these creatures and their habitats and learn about the importance of conservation and monitoring. To

celebrate the programme’s success, recently the participants enjoyed a final morning exploring the ‘small places’ of Slieve Gullion Forest Park, looking for the three dragon species and taking part in some fantastic environmental games and activities.

Dr Sally Montgomery, Northern Ireland Committee Member for The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said, “We know that nature is incredibly important to National Lottery

players, and this funding for the Dragons in the Hills project means that they can play their part in preserving Northern Ireland’s significant and varied wildlife. We’re incredibly proud to be playing a role in ensuring our natural heritage is safeguarded for generations to come, but also that the projects we fund give people the chance to connect with the nature and wildlife that is on their doorsteps.”

Free pilates taster sessions for carers

Carers Week will be celebrated in the Newry and Mourne area from 5-11th June.

As part of the Month of Community, FREE workshops are on offer to those who have a caring responsibility. These free pilates sessons will take place at Market House, Ballynahinch on Monday

5 June from 10.00am – 11.00am or Thursday

8 June from 10.00am – 11.00am

In association with Carers Week these workshops are on offer to those who provide unpaid care and support to a family member or friend who has a disability, illness, mental health condition, addiction etc. No fitness

or experience is needed and it is suitable for all ages and mats will be provided for all attendees.

Pre-Booking is essential as only Limited spaces are available.

To record your interest please complete the registration form via the Link: https://forms.office. com/e/4ZVpyqRJ6G Month of Community is a time when we celebrate everything that makes our communities great. For more information see: https://www. volunteernow.co.uk/ month-of-community/

Restoration of Ancient Woodland at Delamont making progress

The first phase of a project to remove invasive woodland species from three sections of the woodland at Delamont Country Park is now complete. In this project, overseen and managed by the Woodland Trust Northern Ireland on behalf of Newry Mourne and Down District Council, just under eight hectares of invasive woodland species including Rhododendron and Cherry Laurel have been removed.

Rhododendron and Cherry Laurel are highly invasive and toxic woodland species. Rhododendron was first introduced as an ornamental plant to parks, gardens, and demesnes in Britain and Ireland in the 1700’s. The density of these plants when they grow means that they stop light from reaching the woodland floor, preventing native ground flora and other trees from growing.

At Delamont Country Park these invasive species have now been removed from three areas of the woodland to restore the woodland ecosystem. They have been cut down at ground level, extracted and the stumps treated with an approved herbicide. Removing the invasive species will allow the native woodland plants such as bluebells, and native trees to thrive with better exposure to the light.

Conor Mallon, Director

of Enterprise, Regeneration and Tourism for Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, said, “Our district is renowned for the quality and beauty of its forest parks and outdoor spaces. Now when visiting Delamont, visitors will be able to see where the work has taken place and signs that the woodland has already started to regenerate naturally.

“The restoration of the Park’s ancient woodland is just one element of a wider plan by the Council to develop Delamont’s facilities and trails, which

will improve the overall visitor experience. I look forward to seeing Delamont restored to its former natural woodland glory.

Matt Huddlestone, Senior Outreach Manager for the Woodland Trust Northern Ireland said, “We are delighted to partner with Newry, Mourne and Down District to protect and restore the ancient woodland in Delamont Country Park. Ancient woodland is precious in Northern Ireland, with just 0.04% remaining and as our most diverse habitat on land, it supports a really complex ecosystem.

“If we do not reverse some of the impacts that we’re seeing on our ancient woodland so that they have a chance to grow, then they will be gone forever. We can turn the tide on this and there’s still time to restore all the ancient woodlands of Northern Ireland, that’s why it’s so great to work with partner landowners.”

Any regrowth will be treated during years two and three to ensure that these areas remain free of these invasives species, and native tree species are given the best possible chance of re-establishing.

Coun C il Celebrates s porting s tars at n MD s ports a war D s

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council in association with the Sports Association Newry, Down and South Armagh (SANDSA) welcomed over 250 guests to the Canal Court Hotel, Newry recently for the NMD Sports Awards 2022.

The event celebrates the remarkable achievements of teams and individuals

who have made outstanding contributions to sport across the district,

as well as paying tribute to the efforts of coaches, volunteers, mentors, teachers and

parents who support our athletes and clubs and help to make Newry, Mourne and Down a healthy and active district.

This year’s recipients were nominated for their contribution in the following Junior and Senior categories: Club Team of the Year, Sports Volunteer of the Year, Club Coach of the Year and Sportsperson of the Year. With so many exceptional successes racked up by sporting stars across the district, competition was notable for the award categories.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Michael Savage said, “The NMD Sports Awards, hosted in partnership with the Sports Association Newry, Down and South Armagh (SANDSA) gives us an opportunity to celebrate the high level of sporting performances and the achievements of our remarkable local stars. I would like to congratulate all of those who have been

Carlisles Petrol Station

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Donard Service Station

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Maxol Service Station

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Todays Local

133 Main Street, Dundrum, BT33 0LX

Brennans Dundrum

12 Main Street, Dundrum, BT33 0LU

Brennans Seaforde

149 Newcastle Road, Seaforde, BT30 8PL

Ballykinlar Filling Station, 75 Commons Road, Ballykinlar, BT30 8DQ

Wilsons Annsborough Stores

44 Ballylough Road, Castlewellan, BT31 9NN

Lennons Spar

1 Newcastle Road, Castlewellan, BT31 9DP

Smyths Centre

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Ballymote Supervalu

40 Killough Road, Downpatrick, BT30 6PY

nominated over the nine award categories as the calibre of entries has been truly exceptional.

determination of our local sporting community.”

Costcutters

112 Market Street, Downpatrick, BT40 6LZ Day Today

14a Scotch Street, Downpatrick, BT30 6AQ

Gibney Stores

68 Stream Street, Downpatrick, BT30 6DF

Meadowside

25 Church Street, Downpatrick, BT30 6LH

Spar Foodstore Connolly’s

61-63 Edward Street, Downpatrick, BT30 6JH

Tels Confectionary

30 St Patricks Avenue, Downpatrick, BT30 6DW

Connolly’s Vivo Essentials

18 Downpatrick Road, Strangford, BT30 7LZ

Mace

2 Downpatrick Street, Strangford, BT30 7LZ

EuroSpar Ardglass,

5 Downpatrick Road, Ardglass, BT30 7SF

Milligans Shop,

3 High Street, Ardglass, BT30 7TU

Supervalu Crossgar

1 Downpatrick Road, Crossgar, BT30 9EW

Cllr Savage continued, “The Council is proud to support the sports community in our district. We continue to foster a culture of physical fitness and wellness and create opportunities for residents of all ages and abilities to engage in an active lifestyle, whether by increasing their daily physical activity or competing in high performance sport. I hope that the NMD Sports Awards leave you all feeling inspired by the passion, commitment and unwavering

During his speech, Councillor Savage also paid tribute to the late Mr. Jimmy Davis, who has delivered over fiftyfive years of continued support to the Carnbane Football League, formed in 1968. Working tirelessly at a grass roots level he has ensured thousands of football players have been able to play in this league throughout the years.

SANDSA

Chairperson, Oonagh Murray said, “It is a privilege to be here this evening and be part of the NMD Sports Awards. The talent in the room is incredible, and the sense of

community spirit is so evident among our sports stars, as well as many of the unsung heroes that give up their time each week to make sports available and accessible across the local community. I would like to congratulate all our winners and shortlisted finalists.”

The winners of this year’s NMD Sports Awards 2022 in association with SANDSA are:

Junior Club Team of the Year - Dundrum

Coastal Rowing Club –

U18 Team

Senior Club Team of the Year - Clonduff Camogie Club

Sportsperson of the Year with a DisabilityTom Williamson, Down

Triathlon Club

Life-Time Services to Sport - Jimmy Davis, Carnbane League

Young Sports Volunteer of the Year - Liam Toner, Downpatrick Football Club

Senior Sports Volunteer of the YearOrla Morgan, Clonduff Camogie Club

Young Club Coach of the Year - Rebecca Burke, Strangford

Coastal Rowing Club

Senior Club Coach of the YearGuinevera McGilligan, Clonduff Camogie Club

Junior Sportsperson of the Year - Anna Gardiner, East Down Athletics Club

Senior Sportsperson of the Year - Amy Broadhurst, St Bronagh’s Boxing Club

Young People Speak Out on Environmental Issues

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is delighted to announce the winners of the Environmental Youth Speak Competition 2023, which took place recently in Newcastle Community Cinema.

The event saw nine talented pupils from local schools present environmentally themed speeches to a panel of judges, highlighting the urgency of sustainability issues and the role of young people in creating a better future. The annual competition, organised by the Council’s sustainability team, aims to encourage debate on sustainability issues and empower the next generation to become environmental leaders.

The response was overwhelming, with thirty-six primary and eight secondary school pupils registering to take part. The top six primary school pupils and three secondary pupils were then selected to perform their speeches in person at the final.

The judges were very impressed by how thought-provoking and informative the speeches were with each participant demonstrating a deep understanding of the importance of their topic. Primary school pupils spoke on the topic

“By 2050 there will be more plastic in the sea than fish. Let’s stop marine plastic pollution before it’s too late”, while secondary school students were asked to speak on “How can living sustainably help to ease the cost-of-living crisis”.

The judges chose Eva McKeown from St Moninna’s Primary School, Cloughogue, as this year’s junior winner and Eamonn

Murray from St Patrick’s Grammar School, Downpatrick as the senior winner.

Runners-up in the junior section were Éilis Donnelly from Annsborough Integrated Primary School and Ramona HamillDavision from Sacred Heart Primary School, Dundrum. Runners up in the senior section were Emma Welch from Blackwater Integrated College, Downpatrick

and Hannah Murney from St Louis Grammar School, Kilkeel. Highly commended in the junior section were Adhrán McCartney, St Bronagh’s Primary School, Rostrevor; James McMorrow, Holy Cross Primary School, Atticall and Louisa Gribben, St Paul’s Primary School, Cabra.

All participants received a certificate, voucher and goodie bag for taking part.

Exp E rt Advic E A t M EE ting for cA stl E w E ll A n Arbor E tu M A nd Ann E sl E y gA rd E ns

The second meeting of the Advisory Committee for the ongoing heritage project at Castlewellan Forest Park, met recently in the Park’s Arboretum and Annesley Gardens.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council was delighted to welcome key stakeholders and professionals to the meeting who have expert knowledge in the management of botanical collections and historic designed landscapes.

The Advisory Committee meets biannually to advise on elements of the ‘Re-Rooting our Past in the Future: Castlewellan Historic Demesne’ project and review the restoration

and development of Arboretum and Annesley Gardens. The project is funded by both The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Council with the overall aim of connecting people with the built and natural heritage within the Park, as well as restore and celebrate its unique biodiversity. At the meeting the Committee reviewed plans to ensure the long-term survival of the botanical/ dendrological heritage of the

landscape. It made several recommendations including the development of a policy for plant collections management, improving resilience of mature trees, historic planting styles, management of structural views and treatment of the shelterbelt that is a wind barrier and provides protection from soil erosion. Drainage and disease control were also discussed with a focus on climate change and the potential impact on the collection.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Michael Savage said, “We are delighted to be hosting an Advisory Committee meeting in Castlewellan. Attendees give their time freely to provide advice and guidance to our staff regarding the management and maintenance of the tree and plant collection. To receive advice from a wide range of stakeholders on topics such as plant health, biosecurity best practice and climate change is

invaluable.”

Angela Lavin, Senior Investment Manager at The National Lottery Heritage Fund attended the meeting and commented, “It is great to see this important heritage project at Castlewellan Demesne make a positive start to their plans for the natural environment within Castlewellan Forest Park. Thanks to National Lottery

players we are committed to supporting projects that help habitats and species thrive, reduce and mitigate impacts of climate change and increase people’s connection with nature.”

To mark the occasion of the meeting, The Irish Garden Plant Society representative Maeve Bell, OBE presented Head

Gardener, Alwyn Sinnamon, with a tree, Zelkova carpinifolia ‘Glasnevin’. The tree was grafted from one of the most notable trees in Ireland and only 12 young trees exist. The Council would like to thank the volunteers of the Irish Garden Plant Society for the gift, which will add to the rare tree and plant collection in Castlewellan.

“Beer and Bubbles” Charity

5km

to Support NI charity, PIPS

Get ready to lace up your running shoes and pop some bubbly!

M.B. McGrady & Co Chartered Accountants, one of the largest and mostrespected independent practices in Northern Ireland, is thrilled to announce the return of their charity 5km run, “Beer and Bubbles,” in support of PIPS Suicide Prevention Ireland. The event will take place on Wednesday 14th June in the stunning surroundings of Finnebrogue Woods, just outside Downpatrick. The ‘Beer and Bubbles’ charity 5km is open to competitors of all ages and

experiences, with registration opening at 5.45pm and the race starting at 6.30pm. Whether you’re an experienced runner or a first-timer, the event promises to be a fun and exciting challenge. Participants will walk, jog or run through the beautiful trails of Finnebrogue Woods, taking in the breath-taking scenery and enjoying the fresh air. “We’re encouraging not only clients, coworkers, family and friends but also those within the local community who are looking for a fun challenge

or for whom PIPS is a charity close to their heart to join us on 14th June,” comments Mal McGrady, Director at M.B. McGrady & Co Chartered Accountants.

Mal adds: “Our team is passionate about supporting the local community, and this event is an excellent opportunity to bring people together for a great cause. We hope to raise significant funds for PIPS and create a fun and memorable experience for all involved.

Thanks must go out to Ed and the team at Finnebrogue Woods for hosting the event and giving the participants unique access to the stunning hidden trails.”

All funds raised from the event will go towards supporting PIPS Suicide Prevention Ireland, a charity that provides suicide prevention and bereavement sup-

port services to individuals and communities throughout Northern Ireland. “It’s great to welcome back the M.B. McGrady & Co. 5km run for the third year, taking place in the heart of Finnebrogue woods,” said Ed Lindsay, owner of Finnebrogue Woods. “The event will provide a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of the woodland while raising funds for a really worthy cause. We’re delighted to be part of this event and look forward to welcoming everyone on the day.”

Registration is now open, and participants are encouraged to sign up quickly to secure their place. To register for the event simply search ‘McGrady Beer & Bubbles’ via www.sientries. co.uk or visit M.B. McGrady & Co Chartered Accountants on Facebook.

Action Cancer is calling on Adventurers to join its 50th Anniversary 7 Peaks Challenge

Leading, local cancer charity Action Cancer has joined forces with local construction supplier business, U Hire, to host the 2023 7 Peaks Challenge in a bid to raise vital funds in the charity’s 50th anniversary year.

Participants on the U Hire 7 Peaks Challenge will conquer seven of the highest and most spectacular peaks in the Mourne Mountains on Saturday 16th September 2023 while helping those affected by cancer in Northern Ireland.

Action Cancer Trek and Adventure Executive, Conor Brennan said: “We are delighted to be working with U Hire on our 50th anniversary 7 Peaks Challenge. Last year’s event raised a massive £20,000 which was monumental in our work supporting local people affected by cancer. In 2023 we are looking for 30 people to become Action Cancer Adventurers and join us on this amazing challenge.

We work with expert mountain guides who know the area well. They will lead the challenge, ensuring everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience. Participants will be required to train in advance, so now is the perfect time to get on board. With summer approaching it’s time to get outdoors and take advantage of the beautiful nature trails and mountains.”

During the 15-hour hike participants will trek each of the seven highest

peaks in the Mournes; Slieve Binnian, Slieve Meelbeg, Slieve Meelmore, Slieve Bearnagh, Slieve Commedagh, Slieve Donard and Slieve Lamagan.

Action Cancer is asking each participant pay a registration fee and raise £300 in sponsorship which will fund Action Cancer’s range of cancer prevention, detection and support services. These include a newly launched early detection skin cancer detection service, breast screening, counselling, complementary therapies and health improvement services.

The charity receives no regular government funding

and relies on support from the general public and local business community in order to fund its range of cancer prevention, detection and support services.

Action Cancer is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary in 2023. Since 1973 the Action Cancer charity has been offering a range of cancer prevention, detection and support services to the people of Northern Ireland. Founded by Dr George Edelstyn, an oncologist at Belvoir Park Hospital, the charity aims to fund pioneering research into chemotherapy and to support patients and their families during

treatment. The first premises in Marlborough Park in Belfast were used to provide facilities for patients awaiting treatment in Belvoir Park and recovery facilities for chemotherapy patients who had to travel long distances.

Action Cancer began to offer breast screening in 1978. This was the firsttime breast screening was introduced in Northern Ireland.

If you would like more information on Action Cancer services or the 7 Peaks Challenge visit www.actioncancer.org or contact Conor Brennan on cbrennan@actioncancer.org or 028 9080 3349.

Companion Planting.

In the broadest sense of these words,any plant that you choose to plant in your garden,in a pot,in an allotment or out in an open space,is a companion plant.

It is a lovely process to watch that special tree/ rose /flowering shrub etc you planted in memory of a passed loved one, growing, blossoming, filling your life with beauty and delight even though they have moved on.

We choose a plant because we love its shape,its colour or maybe because it will feed us or shelter us or act as a screen to block out noise and pollution.Who cannot say

that the sight of those first snowdrops you planted years ago,trembling in the harsh icy wind surrounded by snow, don’t fill your heart with hope for the year ahead.At this time of year, the hedges burst with life,golden gorse,first white blackthorn then cascades of white hawthorn,white and pink cherry blossom all set in a symphony of lime greens! Those trees which we see every day through all storms and sunny days

are companions too. Modern research is showing that trees communicate via their roots and a mycelium system of fungi across the forest floor. Trees are companions to each other;if there is an insect infestation in one tree the message is sent, via the fine roots and fungi across the wood, to release more insecticide into the leaves of all the other trees to control the insects.Trees also release

phytoncides,defensive compounds like a plant anti- biotic into the air which give us a feel good factor similar to serotonin when we take’ a walk in the woods’. Phytoncides decrease inflammation and reduce the activity of cancer cells as well as aiding lung capacity and lowering blood pressure..

Gardeners have discovered many combinations of plants which help each other grow either by controlling pests or by improving the soil. The classic companion planting is to grow french marigolds with your roses and tomatoes to repel nemotodes and white fly.Strong aromatic herbs such as rosemary, sage and wormwood protect nearby carrots or cabbages as do the

onion family,nasturtiums protect apple trees from woolly aphids,peppermint strewn or grown in pots between cabbages protects them from cabbage white butterfly, a mulch of pine needles increases the strength and flavour of strawberries.........The king of the forest,the oak is found to be hospitable to other trees and may be the best friend of every gardener-oak leaf mulch or bark repels slugs and snails!

Always harvest your plants kindly ,they are sentient like ourselves.They provide us with so much,fo od,medicine,shelter,homes.. .... we can be a companion to plants too by planting more of them!!

For herbal consultations and formulas ,contact Marian at Healing Herbals 079 4497 9511

All’s well when the lawn’s well.

Over recent years many of us have found a new appreciation for our garden spaces

They truly do provide a space for relaxation and recuperation and the best garden is enjoyed alongside a luscious green lawn. Whether your garden is large or small, we’re here to help you achieve a lawn you can all enjoy.

GreenThumb Lawn Treatment Service expertly treat lawns – turning them from tired, weed infested grass areas, to lawns you can be proud of. GreenThumb Belfast is family-owned, with a team of fully trained, local lawn operatives. We have three treatment programmes that include 5 treatments per year of unique bespoke feeds, professional herbicides, and our Oasis water conserver. Plus, additional beneficial treatments dependent on

the treatment programme.

Whatever problems your lawn may suffer from, you can rest assured we will have a solution to transform your piece of grass into a lush, weed-free centrepiece to your garden.

It’s not just when we treat your lawn, you’ll benefit from GreenThumb. You can contact us any time for advice on all things lawns, because we know the secret to a perfect lawn is working

together. Get in touch today for a FREE lawn analysis and no-obligation quote: belfastsouth@greenthumb. co.uk or 02890 357 850.

TIP: One of the most important lawn care jobs for a good-looking lawn is correct and regular mowing. As the weather warms up it’s likely your lawn will need mowing weekly. You should keep the cut between 25mm (1’’) and 40mm (1.6’’) in length.

Tullywest Manor is celebrating over 30 years in business!

Tullywest Manor is situated in a beautiful rural setting, overlooking the hills, lakes and farmlands of the Co. Down countryside.

It opened its doors to its first residents on 17th March 1989. The aim is to provide high quality services catering for the individual needs of each resident, ensuring that privacy, dignity and respect of each resident is maintained at all times.

Residents coming into care here encouraged to maintain their normal social interests, hobbies and outings with relatives and friends as well as participate in activities and outings arranged by the home

Residents views and suggestions for social activities, outings are sought at Resident meetings and actioned if appropriate

Tullywest Manor features a large lounge, dining room, entrance hall with seating area and a spacious conservatory, where residents can

circulate and meet with each other and relatives. Each tastefully decorated bedroom, most with en-suite, offers complete privacy where

residents are encouraged to express their own personal tastes.

Tullywest recognises the need for a personcentred approach to care. Encouraging staff to learn more about the Residents lives helps us tailor our care to each individual need.

Tullywest Manor recognises that residents are individuals with family and relatives of their own and encourage this bond to continue. They aim to create a comfortable atmosphere of homeliness happiness and caring. 12 Tullywest Rd,

What do you call a flock of warblers? A chorus? Or a warble?

Over centuries people have given names, sometimes called collective nouns, to groups or flocks of birds.

A murder of crows. A gaggle of geese. A charm of goldfinches (my favourite).

But the question I ask about warblers is a wee bit tongue in cheek because we seldom see them in flocks. Yes, they must ‘flock together’ to some extent when they fly here every spring from southern Europe or Africa and return in late summer, but, at least while they’re here to breed, they live separate, territorial lives. There are many warbler species, but I’m only going to cover the three most common, those you’re most likely to hear, chiffchaff, willow warbler and blackcap. And when I say ‘hear’ rather than ‘see’, that’s because they’re very good at not being seen. They’re small, and particularly chiffchaff and

willow warbler plumage is a mix of muted green, brown and yellow, enough to fade into the foliage of the woodland where they live.

Even blackcaps, which, yes, do have a black cap (females have a brown one) are hard to spot.

But their songs and calls are, for me, the essential sounds of spring when trees are in leaf. Of course, I love the songs of robins, blackbirds and thrushes, often performed where we can see them, but warblers are something else, their songs and calls echoing through woodland and waterside scrub as they proclaim their territory and seek females to join them. I particularly love the chiffchaff song, even if it’s just pretty much a repetition of its name…chiffchaff,

A new era for Lisburn Hearing Centre

Lisburn Hearing Centre is under new management as Scottish audiologist, Colin I’Anson, has bought the business from founder and owner, David Parkinson.

David founded Lisburn Hearing in 2006, and the business has served the local community ever since.

chiffchaff…because it carries such a long way.

The willow warbler’s song is much more ‘musical’, a trilling descent, repeated over and over. But the star is the blackcap, with a melodious song which is the reason for its alternative name, the nightingale of the

north.

If you want to listen to their songs, they are available at https://www. british-birdsongs.uk/ alphabetical/. Better still, get out into the countryside this spring and listen to them ‘live’.

JVA

New owner, Colin, qualified as a hearing aid audiologist in 2007 and has 16 years of experience working at House of Hearing in Edinburgh specialising in the fitting of bespoke hearing solutions and wax removal. Colin moved to Lisburn with his family in the summer of 2022 and began working part-time at Lisburn Hearing shortly after he arrived.

Colin said:

“It’s been great to be made to feel so welcome and to get to meet so many people here in Lisburn. I was immediately impressed by the friendly professionalism of the team at Lisburn Hearing and really enjoyed the interaction with the customers. Being an audiologist is very

rewarding as you get to meet so many people and you can make such a big difference to people’s hearing and quality of life.”

Colin took over Lisburn Hearing on 4th April and has no immediate plans to make major changes. “It’s really exciting to be taking over such a well established and customer focussed business. I’m delighted that David has agreed to remain working on a part-time basis to assist us in a smooth transition, ensuring Lisburn Hearing customers and families always continue to receive a first class service from us. The company has been here in Lisburn providing a valuable service through thick and thin, throughout the pandemic, despite the arrival of large chains.

Providing a personal and consistent service continues to be our priority and this

will continue to set us apart in the future.”

David says: “I know Colin will continue with the ethos of the business that I started and will bring a breath of fresh air with his youthfulness and enthusiasm. He has an excellent understanding of the brilliant hearing aids available now, with

additional benefits I couldn’t have imagined when I started in this business!” For more information Tel: (0)28 9264 0302, email lisburnhearing@ btconnect.com or see www. lisburnhearingcentre.co.uk. Lisburn hearing Centre is at 2a Smithfield Square, Lisburn, County Antrim BT28 1HT

Tax-Free Childcare can help working parents pay for registered childcare

Paying for childcare can be a significant expense for working parents. For many families, it can be more than the monthly mortgage or rent.

However, most working parents are entitled to financial support towards registered childcare costs,

even though many do not realise this.

Tax-Free Childcare

is one of the forms of support available to help pay for registered childcare. While uptake of the scheme has previously been low in Northern Ireland, this is now

growing and over the last year 30% more families have benefited from using Tax-Free Childcare. While a positive development, there are many more families who are still missing out on support they could be entitled to. Often, parents assume they are not entitled to financial support because they think their household earnings are too high, however this is usually not the case.

What is Tax-Free Childcare?

The Tax-Free Childcare scheme is open to parents of children under the age of 12 (or age 17 for children with disabilities) allowing eligible working families to claim 20% of their registered childcare costs, up to £2,000 per child per year, or £4,000 for a child with a disability, from the

Government.

To claim Tax-Free Childcare, both parents need to be in employment (or one person in a single parent household), earning between £167 per week (equivalent to 16 hours working at the National Living Wage) and £100,000 per year each. So, for example, a household where each parent is earning £95,000 (combined income of £190,000) would be eligible for support.

Tax-Free Childcare is also available to selfemployed parents (where eligible). Households where one parent is working, and the other parent is in receipt of Carer’s Allowance or certain disability benefits can also qualify.

Unlike some other forms of support the amount of savings a household has is not taken into account

when determining if a parent is eligible for TaxFree Childcare.

Further information

As well as Tax-Free Childcare, there are other schemes which provide support with registered childcare costs (Universal

Credit, Childcare Vouchers and Tax Credits), which may be better for some families. Our team can help parents work out what form of financial support is best for them. If you would like further advice

on help with childcare costs contact our Family Benefits Advice Service for free, impartial and confidential advice. Freephone 0800 028 3008 or email hello@ employersforchildcare.org – we are here to help.

Big Summer Sale at Bowman Windows

Bowman Windows start their big summer sale on Monday 17th July 2023. With over 50 years’ experience in the Home Improvement Market, you can be confident you are dealing with a local family business who care.

With up to 30% discount on many of our products, it’s the perfect time to upgrade

to “A” rated windows, install new Fascia, Soffit and Guttering or fit a stunning low maintenance “Apeer” Composite Door. Our Story.

Over 50 years ago, a young but determined glazier called Victor decided to chase his dream of supplying top quality glazing products to the public and the building trade. Together with his

wife Helen, over the next few decades, they developed and grew the business until Bowman Windows became a household name. 53 years on Bowman Windows are still one of the leading window and door suppliers throughout Ireland. Our Offer.

• Up to 30% off sale starts Monday 17th July 2023.

• Low upfront costs – only 50% deposit secures any order.

• Easy payment by card, bank transfer, cheque or cash.

• 10 year guarantee.

• Our own Sales, Survey and Fitting Teams.

• Showroom visits can be arranged by Appointment only.

• Celebrating over 53 years of success. Our Service.

When you place an order with us, you can be sure you are in trusted hands.

From our first survey until your job is completed our dedicated sales team will look after you all the way. To help other customers, we welcome your “before” and “after” photographs, and only with your permission, do we then use them on our social media platforms.

Bowman Windows Sales Office and Showroom is located in Newry Street, Banbridge and the opening hours are Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm by Appointment Only.

Don’t Forget we Supply and Fit Manual and Automatic Roller Garage Doors.

Don’t Forget we can install your windows if you have a grant from The Northern Ireland Housing Executive or The Affordable Warmth Scheme.

Don’t Forget our Showroom is open Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm.

Bowman Windows can be contacted by telephone on 028 4066 2000, by email info@bowman-windows. co.uk, on our website www. bowmanwindowsni.co.uk or find us on Facebook and Instagram.

Hurry, Bowman Windows up to 30% Summer Sale starts Monday 17th July 2023.

Make memories at Chestnutt Holiday Parks

With the relentless pace of life, making time with family and friends is something we learn to treasure.

Chestnutt Holiday Parks is a family business who have been helping multiple generations do just that.

Situated along the Mourne Coast they operate 4 award winning caravan parks. Regularly featuring in the UK’s top 100 parks, and recent winner of the Staycation Awards they provide top class facilities. Waking up to the sound of the sea or drawing your curtains to the Mourne mountains in the morning or both, is a real possibility.

Bell’s Supervalu, Crossgar

Real food for real people: Everything you need this summer!

Having opened in 2014, Bell’s Supervalu has been proudly serving residents of Crossgar and beyond with an extensive range of services with customer care at the centre of everything that they do.

Whether you are interested in touring,

camping or caravan hire, or would prefer to own your own holiday home, there is sure to be a holiday experience to suit you!

If you are interested

in creating memories with family and friends, then contact Chestnutt Holiday Parks.

Book early by calling Chestnutt

Holiday Parks on 028 417 62653.

Online Touring Booking available @ www. chestnuttholidayparks. com

A one stop shop for all of your daily needs, you need look no further than Bell’s Supervalu for everything from fresh meat from their butchery to hot food from their delicatessen and post office services to free cash withdrawal from their ATM – they have it all.

Following a refurbishment which has enabled new refrigeration and an even wider choice of fresh ranges, look out for popular new convenience brands such as The Happy Pear or why not stop into their Hot Food Deli, with lots of variety for every mealtime!

Proudly stocking a range of locally sourced produce including fruit and vegetables, fresh meat, bread and check out their off licence for Belfast

brewed Back Yard Vodka –

Bell’s Supervalu Crossgar truly supports local businesses. A summer essential we now offer the PERFECTDRAFT kegs and draft unit. Don’t forget their delicious Moo’d Ice Cream! With a spacious forecourt, Bell’s Supervalu Crossgar offers petrol and

diesel at affordable prices as well as a wide range of household fuels, including gas for your patio heater or caravan and charcoal for barbeques!

With customer service and community at the very centre of everything that Bell’s Supervalu do, they are proud to offer a local delivery service to all of their customers, which can

be availed of by calling 028 4483 1088.

To keep up to date with all of their amazing offers and competitions, follow their Facebook page at Bell’s Supervalu Crossgar. Call in today at 1 Downpatrick Road Crossgar to peruse their wide ranging stock and discover this amazing store for yourself.

Kilkeel supermarkets spring into action for local charity, Cancer Fund for Children

The teams at two Kilkeel stores, EUROSPAR Greencastle and EUROSPAR Newcastle Road, have been hard at work to fundraise for local Northern Ireland charity, Cancer Fund for Children.

Chelsea Robinson, team leader, at EUROSPAR Greencastle, completed a different cold water challenge every day for the month of March, including submerging into rivers and lakes, being hosed and cold showers and cold baths, with the help of a few colleagues along the way.

Chelsea, who has clocked up over 200 hours of community voluntary work in the past year commented, “It was a tough challenge to complete every day for a month but the support I received from our community and my colleagues got me through it, with some members of our team even joining me for a number of the challenges, which was a big help.

“I wanted to complete the month with a big finale so on 1st April, some of the team and I braved a cold dip into the sea at Kilkeel beach to mark the end of the challenge. I want to extend thanks to my team and our amazing community for being so generous with their donations and support throughout.”

Chelsea and her team at

EUROSPAR Greencastle raised over £1,160 for Cancer Fund for Children. This brings the store’s total for the charity to almost £2,000 in the past couple of months, as a number of staff visited Colin Glen Forest Park, back in February on World Cancer Day, to take on the River Rapid zipline, raising £690 for the charity. The store was also recently named EUROSPAR Community Store of the Year at Henderson Retail’s Awards of Excellence, thanks to their efforts for local charities and organisations.

Just five minutes away at EUROSPAR Newcastle Road, Maisen Sayle, customer advisor, braved the shave, also in aid of Cancer Fund for Children, raising an amazing total of over £1,420.

Maisen, who shaved his hair off for the challenge, commented, “I want to thank my team and our generous customers for their support and donations, helping us to raise a great amount of money for such a worthy cause.”

Jordana Stoney-Wilson from Cancer Fund for Children explained the impact fundraising like

this can have, “Donations help us provide care and support for children and their families when they need it most, helping them rebuild their lives and cope with the impact cancer has had on them as a family.

“We want to thank both stores and their brave team members for their fundraising efforts and fantastic donations which will go such a long way for families here in Northern Ireland.”

To find out more about Cancer Fund for Children and how you can help make a difference, visit: https:// cancerfundforchildren.com/

Dental Practices in North Down nominated for prestigious awards!

Nigel Smith Dental Care and Holywood Dental Care were proud to that both practices were Finalists for the Northern Ireland Beauty Excellence Awards 2023!

Nigel Smith Dental Care was nominated in two categories – Cosmetic Dental Practice of the Year and Team of the year! Holywood Dental Care was nominated for Cosmetic Dental Practice of the Year!

The aim of the NI Beauty Excellence awards is to celebrate achievement across the entire aesthetics, beauty and hair industries in Northern Ireland so becoming finalists was a huge achievement in the industry! Check out their websites below to see recent smile transformations in your area!

The practices are members of the MiSmile Network, one of the largest providers for UK’s most trusted clear aligner; Invisalign! A treatment coordinator offers consultation and digital scan simulations for predicted outcomes; this is complimentary and there are appointments available every day! All of the dentists are

Invisalign Providers and as such there are no long orthodontic waiting lists! Both practices welcome patients to a friendly independent family clinic. Personal service is at the heart of what they do and both teams are always happy to welcome new patients. Both practices are Denplan and Private practice and offer NHS treatment for children. Payment plans help spread the cost and start from £12.50/month to include two exams and cleans a year with a dentist! The clinic in Bangor has recently been awarded 5-Star accreditation from Curaden for their success in educating patients about importance of oral health. All of the hygiene appointments comprise of air flow polish method, a pleasant procedure as an alternative to traditional hygiene methods and patients are providing great feedback. Both practices offer direct access hygiene appointments, meaning

you do not need to be registered to access this service. Either team would be delighted to care for you and your smile and look forward to welcoming you into their digital dentistry clinics. For more information contact the front of house teams, by phone or email!

Nigel Smith Dental Care is at 107 Hamilton Road, Bangor BT20 4LN Tel: 028 91270657 www.nigelsmithdental. com Holywood Dental Care is at 128 High Street, Holywood BT18 9HW Tel: 028 9042 3306 www.holywooddentalcare. co.uk

Sporting profile: Molly o’Connor

Molly O’Connor, a young event rider from Loughinisland, is currently Youth Ambassador for Eventing Ireland and together with Coolnaleen rebel recently won the prestigious Hillcrest 110p in Limerick! We caught up with Molly in-between competitions

Molly told East Down Advertiser:

“Hillcrest 110p was Todd’s (Coolnaleen Rebel’s) third run of the season and he felt amazing going into the dressage after working hard at home with Terry Boon we got a 31.3 so there was definitely loads more room for improvement!

Showjumping wouldn’t be Todd’s best phase but after a winter of hard work with Ian Fearon he is much improved and jumped a lovely clear with no time faults which kept us in the lead going into Cross Country. Todd flew around the course not looking at anything and taking everything in his stride to come home clear and 14 seconds inside the time to bring home a lovely win!”

Tell us about your support Team?

“We prepared for each of our events by having a dressage lesson every week after school with Terry Boon and then going to Ian (Fearon) for showjumping.

I also train with Joseph Murphy to keep my ponies fit and to keep the Xc lines on point! We also have Heather McReynolds out

regularly to have a check-up on them to make sure they are all comfortable.

I would like to thank Terry Boon and Ian Fearon and Joseph Murphy and Heather McReynolds for keeping all my ponies on top form. Thanks also to Overlander for sponsoring me and providing me with stylish horse transport. Donal from hoofprints innovation is always spoiling me with goodies to keep me and my ponies comfortable! Check out my lovely tech stirrups and my very comfortable and light fomo back protector! Irish Eventing Times are always there to catch me in the dressage and xc and showjumping and capturing amazing pictures & videos which are just great memories to have. I would like to thank Eventing Ireland for all the opportunities they have given me as a youth brand ambassador and for all the amazing events they hold!”

How do you handle the pressure of competing at such a high standard?

“I try to tell myself that I’m not nervous and try to remember that all the training myself and my

ponies have put in will work and that I just need to trust that – trusting in my own riding abilty and the abilities of my ponies is paramount . When I am getting ready I like to take that time to listen to music so it keeps me distracted from thinking about being nervous.”

What’s the one event you’d like to compete in and win?

“I would love to go back to Blair Castle as it was just such an amazing experience and venue it would just be like a dream to win at Blair as they put so much effort into every little detail.”

Tell us about your current team of ponies?

“My pony Todd is just my one in a million he tries his best in everything he does and always keeps me safe going out xc and I have no doubt in him at all and he has just got the most sweetest and funny personality in the stable and never puts a foot wrong. Patch is such a lovely mare she just loves to please everyone the swishy tail just shows how much she loves her job and her ears are always forward - she is never ever ‘marish!’ “

What’s up next?

“At the moment I am looking forward to my next big event which will be Millstreet in early June. I am so excited to take both ponies Todd (Coolnaleen Rebel) and Patch (Fernhill Mix and Match) as it has such good ground and a lovely course which you

can tell they put so much time into every little detail . The feeling of going into the big arena is just amazing!”

What advice do you have for others wanting to compete like this?

“My advice to others competing is just to have fun! I think we all get so worried about our nerves

Make a break for it at the Station House Hotel

that we forget to have fun. Each event is about making the best memories with your ‘pony partner’ and

that is what horse riding is all about! You also make a lot of strong friendships in the horse world with

people sharing the same journey and can make great memories of good and bad days.”

The Station House Hotel is a Contemporary, Boutique Family Run Hotel in Letterkenny Town Centre & in the Heart of Donegal’s Wild Atlantic Way.

Make a break for it to Donegal this Summer, base yourself at the Station House Hotel, located in Letterkenny town centre and in the heart of the Wild Atlantic Way, and as central as you can get for exploring the diversity and natural beauty of Donegal.

The hotel is built on the grounds of where the Old Station House once stood when the railway system in Co. Donegal was in operation from 1901 to 1940’s. Award winning hotel boasts 81 spacious bedrooms, offering a mixture of room types to suit your needs, all of which are vibrant with a fresh and contemporary approach to the décor and designed with your comfort in mind! The Depot Bar & Restaurant provides the perfect excuse for a pause and to pamper your palate. Offering a wide range of sumptuous dining options.

Since opening this hotel has garnered a reputation as one of the most popular hotels in Letterkenny and indeed in the greater Donegal area for hospitality at its best, quality accommodation, dining, and a true local’s local!

A place where value and top-class customer service is always assured & reflected in countless reviews on various digital platforms such as TripAdvisor and Google.

Summer is a spectacular time to visit Donegal, it’s so beautiful and there’s just so much to do and to discover! From mighty cliffs and historical sites to hidden waterfalls, breath-taking coastline, blue flag beaches, championship golf courses, retail therapy, excellent cuisines & activities for you to enjoy, and the only boundary to your relaxation will be your

imagination, and around every corner you’ll find a pub where the art of conversation comes naturally! Whether you’re looking for a shopping break, a getaway with family, to visit our historical sights and coastline, or

to explore Letterkenny town with friends, the Station House Hotel is the perfect choice for your summer escape! Book your welldeserved getaway to Letterkenny now. A warm welcome awaits you.

Children need to see their dentist regularly to maintain their oral health

Regular dental visits are essential for the maintenance of healthy teeth and gums and to help prevent long term problems. Untreated cavities can cause pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing and learning.

We are a family friendly practice and everyone, adults and children, are welcome to register as NHS patients. NHS dental care for children is free.

The dentist can check for problems that you or your child may not

see or feel as many dental problems don’t become visible or cause pain until they are in more advanced stages e.g. cavities, gum disease and oral cancer. It is important for everyone to be seen regularly but especially children to help potentially avoid preventable fillings and extractions.

In addition to NHS treatments we also offer a wide

range of cosmetic treatments for adults at very competitive prices including teeth whitening at £199, Invisalign teeth straightening from £2500 and composite bonding. Facial rejuvenation treatments are also available.

Invisalign braces are similar to clear gum shields and are a quick and subtle way of straightening your

teeth. Composite bonding is a minimally invasive technique used to disguise minor imperfections in the teeth, closing small gaps and hiding minor tooth rotations. New patients are very welcome. If you would like to register with the practice please call 02897 519055 or email us your details saintfielddentalcare@ gmail.com

Dr Brown’s bottles are a mum’s best friend

When you have a baby it is a complete minefield as to what is the best bottle on the market.

Even if you are choosing to breastfeed there will come a time you will want to try the bottle so it is always good to know which one you want to go with.

As a mum of three, I have tried and tested every bottle there is and the one that always came out on top was

Dr Brown’s. My three children all took to them so quickly and in

those early days there is nothing better than having some free time

while your partner or someone else can do a feed and give you a break.

Babies with colic can be choosier than most, so don’t be surprised if you try several bottle brands before finding the one right for your baby.

Unlike many brands that include only a small air vent, the Dr Brown’s uses a vented vacuum free feeding system –which, in practice, means a rubber vent attached to a tube and placed in the neck of the bottle underneath the teat.

The air entering the bottle is directed down the tube to the bottom, thus bypassing the milk completely.

There’s a choice of four teats for variable flow, and there is also the convenient option to remove the green vent from Dr Brown’s bottles once LO has grown out of their colic – an extra bonus meaning your bottle will last just that little bit longer.

As far as aesthetics go, the Dr Brown’s is workmanlike but well designed: contoured for a comfortable grip, and dishwasher and microwave safe.

But until you can wave a grateful goodbye to colicky evenings, the Dr Brown’s just might be your new best friend.

For more information check out all their products here www. drbrowns.co.uk

Water a id Supporter S t ake on Mourne Wall Challenge!

The local WaterAid NI Committee arranged a charity Mourne Wall Walk, which took place at Silent Valley on recently.

The walk, which took in a section of the historic Mourne Wall raised over £1,000 for the charity and the local committee would like to extend a huge thank you to RPS for coordinating the walk and to all the fantastic WaterAid supporters who took part for their generosity!

NI Water and our partner organisations are proud to support

WaterAid’s vision of a world where everyone, everywhere has access to safe water, decent sanitation and good hygiene. Funds raised from today’s walk will go to the “Deliver Life” project, which aims to improve access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene for mothers, girls and children in the Southern Region of

Malawi.

2022 marked one hundred years since the construction of the Mourne Wall and 2023 marks 100 years since the first sod cutting of the Silent Valley dam construction works.

NI Water is offering the public the opportunity to input into a community engagement project

and share their opinions on the future of Silent Valley Mountain Park. Have your say at: https:// www.niwater.com/ silent-valley/ If you would like to get involved in local WaterAid fundraising events or wish to nominate the charity for your own corporate event, please email SNI@ wateraid.org for more information.

Defining Interiors with Vision Led Design at Ultimate Interior Design

Ultimate Interior Design was founded in Newry in 2013 by Jennifer McCreesh, a graduate from the University of Ulster, Art College, Belfast, and the British Interior Design Academy.

The company ethos is “Defining Interiors with Vision Led Design”. The aim is to meet and exceed all interior design expectations of clients. The company provides a full bespoke interior design service tailored specifically for each client.

Jennifer says:

“We love helping our clients with all aspects of commercial and residential interior design. We will use our years of expertise to design a space that suits you and your requirements.”

Since 2013 Ultimate Interior Design have been transforming residential and commercial properties. The full bespoke interior

design service from project inception and design through to final completion. With a professional team of trades Ultimate Interior Design can take the stress from your next interior project. Ultimate Interior Design initially commenced trading as an interior consultation service and has steadily grown and evolved to become a purveyor of an extensive range of fabrics, trimmings, paint, home accessories, curtains, poles, wallpapers, carpets, flooring, furniture, and lighting. The company also has a signature home fragrance collection!

The service is unique and bespoke to suit all tastes and budgets!

For more information

Tel: 07553 383978

Castlewellan s how – s ave the date

On Saturday 15th July, Castlewellan Show promises a great array of activities showing off the best of local agriculture, food, crafts and rural pursuits.

With dog agility, show jumping, cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, rabbits, pigs and home industries spread across fifty acres of Castlewellan Forest Park.

The Show offers a wonderful opportunity to enable children to get close to a range of animals with kid goats, lambs, kune kune pigs, NI Rabbit Club, hens and alpacas as well as an array of livestock. The pig section offers an opportunity to see some of the rare breeds and less familiar pigs. The rabbit and poultry tents are always busy and children can pet and hold the rabbits.

Every year over 100 dogs take part in the dog agility classes, so bring a seat along and grab a good spot beside the ring. Then head over to the Home Industries tent where you can peruse home baking, jams, crafts, photography, art and the scarecrows.

A great day out for all the family!

Scarva concert bands shine this summer!

Music lovers- make a date in your diary as the line-up has been announced for the concert bands playing in beautiful Scarva village each Sunday until 24 September.

The magnificent Victorian bandstand on Scarva Green will play host to the finest bands from the borough and beyond from 3pm – 4pm each Sunday afternoon as part of the popular concert band series.

What better way to spend a tranquil afternoon than relishing the relaxing music set amongst the award-winning floral display and watching the world go by under a sunny Scarva sky.

Keep up-to-date with Visit Armagh’s social channels as the season progresses.

As well as enjoying the marvelous music, why not take in the stunning natural

beauty of the surrounding area with a stroll or cycle along the Newry Canal Towpath and enjoy an abundance of plant and

wildlife. The children’s play area, near Scarva Park is always a big hit with families.

Further details of the

season’s programme can be viewed online –visitarmagh.com or by following Visit Armagh on social channels.

Agricultur A l Show retur NS for 2023!

Newry Agricultural society held its first Newry show in 1869.

This year, the Show returns, after a 4 year gap, to take place at 21 Searce Lane Jerrettspass Newry BT35 6LY on Saturday, 24 June. The show is a truly fantastic spectator

event and one of the foremost competitive agricultural exhibitions in Ireland.

Brian Lockhart chairman said: “It’s all systems go for 2023. There will be a great turnout

of livestock on the day, not to mention all the other fun events have now been scheduled.

T here has always been a very special farming and food heritage associated

with the Newry area. All of this will be reflected, once again, courtesy of our 2023 event. The interest of the general public in how farmers go about their business and how their food is

produced has never been greater.”

Make sure you come along and enjoy all that Newry Agricultural Show has to offer! For more information see www. newryagrishow.com

Saintfield Spinners get on their bikes for charity!

Saintfield Spinners hosted an awareness day recently Saintfield at the Orange Hall, on Main Street in preparation for their Big Event, a 4 hour Spinathon organised by Saintfield Spinners of Saintfield Community Centre!

Both events raised money for two Charities, Air Ambulance Northern Ireland and Cancer Fund for Children NI. The people in Saintfield on the day and the whole Community gave generously to the Spinners and the overall amount will be

announced on social media.

The organisers of this event would like to thank each and everyone so far for their amazing support to date! Anyone wishing to dontate can check out Saintfield Spinners on Facebook and look for a link to their fundraising page!

Summer activitie S for adult S

Everyday we see wonderful summer activity ideas for children, but what about ideas for adults?

Finding fun summer activities for adults seems to be almost impossible. Do we simply forget how to have fun as we grow older? Too often adults simply forget to have fun in the summer because it’s nothing like a summer vacation for children. Children have the luxury of having three months off, but most adults don’t have the same luxury. There are thousands of summer activities for adults that are fun, relaxing, and a great way to meet new people. This year, spend some time enjoying one of the following summer activities for adults.

Summer Activities for Adults #1: Movie Marathon

A movie marathon is a wonderful way to spend a long weekend. This is one of many summer activities that can be enjoyed alone or with friends. You can have your friends bring over their favourite movies and order pizza. Or, you could also spend the weekend watching all of your favourite movies and enjoying all your

favorite snacks. If you have a large collection of movies, you can choose from a variety of different themes. You could choose to enjoy movies that have the same actor or you could also choose your favorite genre.

Summer Activities for Adults #2: Barbeque

This is one of the most popular summer activities for adults. A barbeque is a great way to spend time with friends, family, or just your partner. Also don’t forget that this isn’t just for guys. Women can throw a barbeque just as well as guys can. Also a barbeque can be as budget-friendly or gourmet as you want it to be. You can also turn a barbeque into a pot luck, inviting your friends to bring their favorite dish to the party. Another reason to have a barbeque is because it helps your dinner guests feel more comfortable.

Summer Activities for Adults #3: Street Party

Summer activities are always more fun when there are several people to enjoy them.

Summer activities can

be a wonderful way to meet new people. This is wonderful because, unfortunately, many communities are now filled with people who don’t know many of their neighbours. Adults really will enjoy getting to know new people. This is a wonderful way to start new friendships and to create a tighter community. A community filled with people who know each other is much safer than a community filled with people don’t

know each other. The perfect time for this activity is during a major holiday, like the 4th of July. Everyone can bring one of their favourite recipes and there could also be people cooking out and serving fresh hot dogs and hamburgers. Don’t forget to include fun games.

Summer Activities for Adults #4: Come Dine with Me Competition

Come Dine with me has been extremely popular for the past few years

and continues to draw in new fans. It’s also led many adults to try new summer activities. One of those summer activities for adults is a Come Dine with me style competition. This is so easy to do. Once a winner has been selected, be sure to have a fun prize available. This is something that is affordable and fun as long as you replace the £1,000 prize with something more affordable!

Helping Children Survive Jet Lag

Travelling long distances can be extremely difficult with children, and unfortunately the troubles don’t end once you arrive at your holiday destination.

Children and jet lag are a difficult combination, and helping your children adjust to a new time zone as effortlessly as possible should be top of your travel priorities.

Children who get over jet lag quickly are happy children: those who find it difficult adjusting to a new time zone can often make the first few days of your long-awaited holiday miserable, and also find it hard to readjust once you get back home.

What is Jet Lag?

Jet lag is the fancy term we use to define a disruption of the body’s sleep patterns, or circadian rhythms. General rules dictate that every time we cross one time zone, we can suffer a day’s disruption in sleep.

That means that if you travel from London to Los Angeles, which is an eighthour time difference, it may take you eight days to get acclimated to the new time zone.

Nobody wants to spend over a week adjusting however, especially if you are only on holiday for ten days! And while adults may have special ways to help them adjust quicker, such as alcohol, sleeping pills and melatonin, children have no such things at their disposal.

Avoiding Jet Lag

While there are no foolproof ways to avoid jet lag completely, especially on long-haul journeys, there are some tried-andtested methods to help your children – and you - experience a minimum of discomfort. These tips

should help...

Keep the kids hydrated. Give your kids plenty of water throughout the flight to avoid illness, headaches and tummy upsets later, exacerbated by lack of sleep. YOU should stay away from the alcohol. Keep moving. Don’t let your kids be complete zombies on the plane. Instead, encourage them to move about as much as possible – good advice for you as well!

Stick to the new time zone. Don’t let your children sleep the night away on the plane, if they are going to arrive only to discover it’s night-time – again. Keep them up if necessary, so they’ll sleep better when you arrive at your chosen destination. Setting new sleep schedules a few days before your trip can help.

Eat healthily. Loading up on sugary food will give your children a quick high,

then a deep low. In other words, it may eventually have the opposite effect you are hoping to achieve.

Plenty of fresh fruit, veg, proteins and carbs is much better.

Coping with Jet Lag

Don’t let jet lag ruin your holiday. If you and your children are finding adjusting to a different time zone difficult, these tips should help....

Get them up at the “right” time. Don’t allow them to sleep in, even if they have had only a few hours’ sleep. You’ll be paying for it later, when they are wide awake and raring to go – at 4am.

Put them to bed at the “right” time. And that means even if that means keeping them up, or putting them to bed “early”.

Adhering to the new schedule will make all the difference.

Keep them outside in the sun. If they’re sleepy and

lethargic, take them for a walk outside in the bright sunlight. Don’t let them laze in front of the telly in a darkened hotel room. Keeping them out and about enjoying the bright rays of the sun will make the adjustment easier. Be strict. If your child is wide awake in the middle of the night after you arrive, be strict. If you allow them a full night’s entertainment – complete with television programmes, Nintendo games and yummy snacks –you can be sure they’ll wake the following night. Make things as boring as possible.

Plan Ahead

Jet lag is never fun, and when it comes to children, it’s even less enjoyable. In fact, having a toddler or small child up in the middle of the night for several nights in a row is a sure-fire way to ruin the beginning of a holiday, so do all you can beforehand to minimise disruption.

Be safe in the sun

It’s nice to enjoy any sunshine we get, but you should be aware that too much time in the sun is dangerous.

It can damage your skin and lead to skin cancer in later life. It’s important to be sensible in the sun and protect yourself. Remember, you don’t have to be abroad to be exposed to harmful ultra-violet (UV) rays.

Skin cancer and ageing

Too much exposure to the sun will speed up the ageing of your skin, making it leathery and wrinkled.

Taking care in the sun will also help to protect you from skin cancer. It is a potentially preventable and curable disease if detected and treated early.http:// www.nidirect.gov.uk/ index/informationand-services/leisurehome-and-community/ support-and-safetyin-your-home/safetyat-home/hot-weatheradvice.htm

Use sunscreen

You should apply

sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before going out in the sun and re-apply every couple of hours throughout the day.

Remember to re-apply when you have been in the water and never use sunscreen to extend the time you would normally spend in the sun.

Wear sunscreen with an sun protection factor of at least 15 that also provides UVA and UVB protection, and re-apply

frequently.

You should always: seek out shade, particularly when the sun is at its hottest drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses that are UVA and UVB protective cover up with clothing and a wide-brimmed hat never let your skin burn give kids extra care –

use sunscreen, clothing and shade keep babies out of the sun

It’s important for everyone to examine their skin regularly and to watch for any changes to your skin.

If you notice a lump, a sore which does not heal, a mole which changes shape, size, colour or bleeds easily, or if you have any concerns, seek advice from your GP.

The VW Touran’s success s T ory

main-beam control. “More than a family car” was the claim for the Touran market launch on 14 March 2003. The compact van is a multivariable family, leisure and business car with the best all-round characteristics. And, with more than 2.6 million units now sold, it is one of the most successful multi-purpose vehicles

(MPV) in the world.

The second generation of the Touran was launched in 2015. It is VW’s first van based on the Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB). This basis now enables the Touran to undergo extensive technical upgrading and model updating.

Numerous driver assistance systems on board Standard features include Active Cruise Control (ACC) with speed limiter, Autonomous Emergency Braking Front Assist, Lane Assist lane departure warning and Side Assist lane change assist. This range of assistance and infotainment systems is usually only found in higher vehicle classes – thanks to MQB, they are also used in the Touran.

The standard equipment

now includes, among other things, PreCrash at the rear.

Volkswagen has upgraded the popular compact van and further improved its technology to the state of the art. The Touran celebrates its 20th birthday this year and continues to impress, thanks to a spacious and variable interior, efficient engines and agile handling. In addition to a wide range of standard safety systems, the optional IQ.DRIVE incl. IQ.LIGHT assist package now also includes the Travel Assist and the Dynamic Light Assist

The system uses the sensor technology of the Side Assist lane change assist. Radar sensors detect the position and speed of cars behind the Touran. If PreCrash at the rear detects an imminent rear-end collision due to the position of the following vehicle and the excessive speed difference between the two vehicles, the proactive occupant protection system is activated – not only while driving, but also while stationary with the engine running or in start/stop mode.

Comfort also gets an upgrade Volkswagen has not only upgraded the Touran in terms of assistance systems. The family van has also received

an upgrade in terms of comfort: with a latestgeneration steering wheel including contact detection, the freely programmable Basic instrument cluster (20.3 centimetres or 8 inches) and the air conditioner control console with touch controls at the front and rear (both optional).

In addition, with optional functions such as Easy Open & Close (closing the trunk lid by foot movement) and Keyless Access (keyless locking and starting system), the Touran is also state-ofthe-art in terms of user friendliness.

Even more efficient drives

Efficient drives are also available for the bestseller: among other things, Volkswagen has continued to develop its

best-selling 1.5 TSI petrol engine and is now also using the latest generation in the Touran – the TSI evo2 with 110 kW / 150 PS04Maximum suitability for everyday use for up to seven people

The Touran impresses with a large and multivariable interior –with five to seven seats, depending on customer preference. The enormous interior width is particularly appealing to families, with enough space for three child seats fitted side by side in the rear. In terms of steering and running gear, the Touran impresses with the handling of a Golf.It is agile, the steering is sensitive, the optional adaptive running gear (DCC) ensures a high level of driving comfort and the turning circle is only 11.6 metres.

Car insurance tips for new drivers

Passing your driving test is an exciting time for any new driver, but it’s easy to forget all the essential steps that are required of you before you can legally get behind the wheel.

Searches for ‘insure young driver’ have increased 856% over the past five years, alongside searches for ‘cheap new driver insurance seeing a 523% increase.

Finding and understanding car insurance for new drivers can be confusing and overwhelming, which is why insurance experts at A-Plan Insurance have revealed a tell-all guide for any new driver looking to insure their car.

This guide will help new drivers to make more educated decisions about insurance.

What type of insurance is required by new drivers?

Whether you’ve been driving for years or are a new driver itching to get on the roads, the law requires you to have third-party insurance at a minimum. You can be prosecuted, fined or even face court if you are caught driving without insurance, and it’s possible your car could be taken or destroyed.

New drivers who may struggle to afford a car or policy can be added to another person’s policy as a named driver. This person does not have to be a family member or relative!

How much is it to insure a car for a new driver?

Car insurance for new drivers, especially those aged between 17-25, can be expensive, so it’s important to look around and explore

all the options before choosing which insurance policy to go for. There are several factors that will determine the cost of the insurance; these are:

• Age

• Type of vehicle

• Where the car is kept

• How the vehicle will be used (if it will be used to commute)

• Driver behaviour (does the driver have any previous claims or points on their license)

• How safe and secure the car is (how likely the car is to get into an accident or get stolen)

Although you can become a new driver at any age, it is particularly common for young drivers to be charged more for insuring their car.

In the UK, young drivers are expected to pay an average of £1,800 per year to insure their vehicle.

Young drivers are charged more to insure a car due to lack of experience, meaning they are deemed high-risk.

What insurance is best for a new driver?

By knowing all three types of insurance, you will have a better understanding of what is best for you as a new driver:

• Fully Comprehensive

– This type of cover will pay out if you damage your own car and someone else’s car, regardless of who is at fault for the accident. It also covers you if you injure someone else in an accident and protects you against fire and theft.

• Third-Party Only – This type of cover only covers the damage done to another person’s car and any injuries caused by an accident. This is the minimum amount of insurance a driver can have and usually is the cheapest option.

• Third-Party, fire and theft

– This covers everything third-party only covers, as well as protection against fire damage to your car and theft.

To make insurance

cheaper, you can pay for the year’s policy upfront; however, if this is too much of costly payment to make at one time, you can opt to pay monthly.

There are also ways that a young or new driver can reduce the cost of insurance premiums; these can include:

• Insure a car with a smaller engine – a smaller engine is less likely to be involved in high-speed accidents as they are less powerful.

• Add-ons might not be the cheapest way of coverage – shop around for coverage! You don’t have to add on things like breakdown cover from one insurer; shop around until you find the best deal.

• Talk to an insurance broker – By talking to an insurance broker, they will be able to advise you about the best options for you as a new driver.

See more about A-Plan Insurance at https://www. aplan.co.uk/

New look 2023 Mazda2 makes Spring debut

The ever-popular Mazda2 has received a substantially revised new look with fresh exterior styling and new cabin trim treatment.

Across the four newly named trim grades: Centre-Line, Homura, Exclusive-Line and Homura Aka - the 2023

Mazda2 features a new grille, a sleeker bumper design, decorative dash panels and two exterior colours that make their Mazda debut on the supermini: Aero Grey and Air Stream Blue.

For the 2023 Mazda2, Mazda’s designers have focused on new design features that give the different models a more distinctive appearance to allow customers the opportunity to reflect their individuality with a wider choice of colour combinations across the four model grades. The Mazda2’s personality has been redefined with Centre-Line and Exclusive-Line focusing on a fun and casual nature, while the Homura and Homura Aka have been designed to give the Mazda2 a sportier look and character.

Across all models the 2023 Mazda2’s new grille sees the signature Mazda wing surround pass beneath rather than below

the number plate, leaving space to accentuate the new sportier lower bumper trim and shape. Additionally, to give a sharper look, the signature wing grille surround cuts into the leading edge of the headlight rather than passing underneath, while asymmetrically placed colour accent tabs feature on the front grille and rear bumper across all models.

The Centre-Line and Exclusive-Line have a front-end design that features a large coloured panel across the lower section of the grille, which combined with the new front bumper design and more prominent lower grille section with a gloss black signature wing surround, gives the 2023 Mazda2 an unmistakable new look. With the aim of giving customers more colour combination choices, on Soul Red

Crystal, Snowflake

White, Platinum Quartz, Polymetal Grey and the new Air Stream Blue the grille panel is body coloured, while on Machine Grey, Deep Crystal Blue,

Ceramic Metallic and the new Aero Grey colour, the grille panel is in Jet Black to give a smart contrasting look. Jet Black cars also have a Jet Black grille panel.

All Centre-Line and Exclusive-Line cars feature a small yellow accent tab in the grille, something that’s repeated at the back where the revised rear bumper features a now full width black lower moulding with the yellow accent tab. Centre-Line cars feature 15-inch silver alloy wheels as standard, while Exclusive-Line steps up to 16-inch bright alloy wheels.

Inside, the CentreLine and Exclusive-Line

cars there’s a similar colour combination style with a new decorative dash panel that is mint coloured on Air Stream Blue and Ceramic Metallic cars for example. On Soul Red Crystal, Snowflake White, Platinum Quartz and Polymetal Grey cars the dash panel is pure white, while the remaining exterior colours get a mirror black finish. The Homura and Homura Aka 2023 Mazda2 take a different approach and have been designed to be a more sporty interpretation of the Mazda2. Taking advantage of the Mazda2’s well-proportioned Kodo design and the new sleeker bumper

design, the Homura has a black honeycomb grille with a red accent tab, matched to gloss black door mirrors, 16-inch black alloy wheels and a black shark fin roof antenna. At the back, the red accent sits on the lower right hand side of the black bumper trim strip.

Priced from £17,750 the 2023 Mazda2 range goes on sale from late spring. Thanks to being sold alongside the Mazda2 Hybrid, Mazda has a pair of distinctive and premium contenders in the supermini segment, meaning Mazda offers the biggest choice in this sector of the small hatchback market.

Searching for roller garage doors that offer unmatched quality at unbeatable prices?

Then look no further than Garolla, the UK’s first nationwide roller garage door installer.

Transform the appearance of your exteriors and improve the security of your home all in one by updating to a Garolla garage door. Handmade by a team of skilled craftsmen, every Garolla garage door is made from only the very best materials and to your home’s exact

specifications. From start to finish you will only work with your own local installer, guaranteeing no pushy salesmen in sight. As well as installing your garage door, your local installer will also conduct the initial survey of your property and will always be on hand to answer any questions you might

have. Offering style as well as substance, Garolla electric garage

Home Inter I or Summer colour trend S for 2023

Summer Lawn Care

The colour palette got even larger lately Leading paint Manfacturer Farrow & Ball alone introducing 11 new colours recently ( the first alteration to their collection since 2018.) There is a move towards bold and brash colours that lend themselves to exaggerated statements and also an array of neutral and natural tones that embody a sense of calm and containment. Here are just a few ideas to get you in the summer mood!

Deep reds

In 2023, reds are rich and pigmented, Graham and Brown also chose a moody and romantic red as their colour of the year. When decorating with red, consider how susceptible the colour can be to natural light. The colour takes on

slightly different tones throughout the day and the seasons. It can be vibrant and fresh in the morning, cosy and rich in the evening

The new plaster pink We’re seeing a resurgence in the popularity of raw plaster, and with that has come a demand for a finish that mimics the appearance of fresh plaster. Farrow & Ball’s Setting Plaster launched a thousand Instagram posts in 2022 their newer Templeton Pink is a deeper and richer take. Pink may divide opinion; however, over the past few years, this versatile shade has boomed in popularity. Pink provides a more elegant, more playful alternative to grey, it creates incredible warmth and an alluring appeal and looks fab in kitchens!

Nothing beats a beautiful lawn in making the garden look completely stunning.

Wheat field neutrals

Whilst there is still more than a hint of a Scandinavian colour palette here, wheat field neutrals introduce undertones of yellow and gold that add considerable warmth.

Dulux’s Wild Wonder is a nature-inspired update on the theme.

Don’t be afraid to go big and bold with rich warm coloured furniture to complement Wild Wonder walls. Pair it with Yellow and golds to warm up this new neutral backdrop – and sofas and footstools can really

make a statement in your living space in brighter accent shades. Alternatively, you can easily start to layer in this colour with smaller accessories, such as cushions and throws, adding hints of yellow to your existing interiors.

But all too often people start to mow the grass in spring and they find bare patches, ugly weeds and slippery moss instead of thick green turf that’s a pleasure to walk on. Renovating your lawn in the spring won’t take a long time or cost a fortune.

hints and tips for better lawns

1. Fertilise. Feed your lawn with a fertiliser.

2. Mow the grass regularly – at least once a week. Don’t cut it too short, especially in dry weather. Trim the edge of the lawn

whenever you mow to keep crisp lines that clearly show the care you are taking.

3. Water the grass only when it desperately needs it. Then water thoroughly so the roots are well watered. If you just wet the top you will encourage roots at the surface which are much more vulnerable to drought damage.

4. If you feed the lawn again in a couple of months time it will remain strong and healthy all summer. In July you will have a summer lawn to be proud of!

Make your Summer Shine!

Bring the Outdoors

Inside

Nothing says summer like lush green trees and blooming flowers. To bring your home into harmony with the summer interior design trends in 2023, try decorating with tall, standing house plants, like a monstera or a snake plant. These sturdy house plants are like living art, adding a vibrant pop of color to any room. If you don’t have a green thumb, try to use realistic-looking fake plants.

That way, you can feel like you have a little piece of a garden in your home, yet never worry about forgetting to water the plants. Now that the trees outside have fully bloomed again, why obstruct your view of nature’s beauty? If you’re lucky enough to get sunlight shining through a window in your kitchen, consider

the summer a perfect opportunity to grow a window sill herb garden! Nothing represents the ideal intersection of function and style better than a decoration that you can also add to your lunch. No matter what the season, one thing is for sure: plants will never go out of style.

Metallics Shine

Who doesn’t love a bit of glitz and glam? This season’s summer interior design trends embrace warm metallics, like bronze, copper, brass, gold, and rose gold. When it comes to metallic accents, get creative. Think candleholders, picture frames, lampshades, decorative bowls, plant pots – let it all shine! As you apply these metallic summer interior design trends, feel free to mix and match different tones. For example, if your kitchen is already

loaded with your favourite stainless steel appliances, try matching that cooltoned silver with a warmer bronze colour for your dishes, silverware, sink hardware, wine rack, or cabinet door handles.

If your home is sporting that classic all-white look, make it modern with the summer interior design trends of 2023 – add bright bronze or rose

gold accents, breathing new life into a tired, monochromatic room.

If you’re on a budget or seeking a craft project to keep you busy, consider adding these metallic accents yourself – buy some metallic paint and get busy painting your existing candle holders, plant pots, picture frames, and other decors.

Bold Patterns

Whether it’s florals or

animal prints, the right pattern can change the ambiance of a room.

Think boldly, and consider options like a two-tone geometric rug, or an up-close print of a flower.

When in doubt, larger scale prints beat smaller ones – opt for a pillow cushion with a handful of palm trees and pineapples decorating the surface, rather than a granny chic print of tiny

Create an Outdoor Meditation Room

Meditation is a way to quiet your thoughts to tap into the creative force in your life.

It can refresh the mind, lift the spirits and help you feel more connected. Meditation can be as simple as sitting in a chair and quietly praying, or it can be as disciplined as Zen practices. However you meditate, having a space that’s set aside for that purpose is helpful. Given good weather, a place outside can be ideal.

Find a quiet area that will allow you to feel peaceful and calm. A shady space is advisable. Before you do anything with the space, sit in it and check out how it looks, sounds and feels.

You want it to be out of the wind and quiet. If you like the space but find it a bit noisy, consider placing plants around it to help block out the sounds or playing soft music. A water feature can create soothing white noise.

Define the area with a comfortable outdoor chair where you can read before praying, a woven mat where you can sit

while you meditate or stretch when you’re finished, inspirational statuary, lanterns if you like to meditate in the evening and a small

daisies.

In minimalist interiors, the right choice of bold patterns can elevate your style while reserving an elegant simplicity. If you’re up for the challenge, you might even consider using mixed patterns in similar colour palettes –perhaps a tropical print could match a thin, subtle striped print. You’ll never know until you try it out!

storage chest where you can keep pillows to support your back, a blanket and your books. Arrange these items in a harmonious way with

your plants and water feature. Choose colours that will enhance your meditation. Soothing, cool colours such as

light blues, greens and greys can ease you into meditation. Use these colours in your fabrics and accents. If you have a favourite item

or picture that you use during your practice, put it in a prominent spot.