Month: October 2012

The final whistle is set to blow this Wednesday, 31^st October for people to register for the Coca-Cola backed 2013 World Police and Fire Games volunteer programme.

Thousands of people throughout Northern Ireland and beyond have already signed up online via www.2013wpfg.com/volunteers and World Police and Fire Games organisers have made a final push in the build-up to Wednesday’s official closing date to encourage many more to pledge their support and join “Team 2013.”

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Alderman Gavin Robinson joined 4000^th volunteer, Banbridge Academy student Cameron Slater, Zoë Cunningham, Communications Manager at Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Games mascot Emergency Eddie to call on the public to pick up the volunteer baton and help deliver the ‘Friendliest Games Ever” next August.

Belfast Lord Mayor, Alderman Gavin Robinson said, “This is a fantastic opportunity to get involved in one of the largest sporting events ever to be held in Northern Ireland. The Games Makers at London 2012 were truly inspirational and now everyone has a chance to gain a similar once in a lifetime experience right on our own doorstep. I would encourage people of all ages and skills to register by the official deadline on October 31. The World Police and Fire Games really will be a wonderful and memorable sporting spectacle and it’s a chance not only to meet visitors from all corners of the globe but to make their stay in Belfast a memorable and unforgettable experience.”

The 2013 World Police and Fire Games (WPFG) take place from 1^st -10^th August next year and are set to attract 10,000 competitors from over 70 countries. Since September Volunteer Now have been recruiting enthusiastic and motivated people aged 16 (on 1^st January 2013) and over to get involved in a huge range of roles both on and ‘off the pitch.’ Opportunities for volunteers include roles as games ambassadors, administrators, translators, ceremonies team members, as well as within transport, venue branding, warehousing and media. Volunteer Now have  completed a highly successful “VolunTour” roadshow which travelled to destinations throughout Northern Ireland engaging with the community at grass roots level to highlight the comprehensive range of volunteer roles available.

For information on the 2013 World Police and Fire Games volunteer programme and to register online go to www.2013wpfg.com/volunteers. For any queries email 2013wpfg@volunteernow.co.uk or tel 028 9023 2020.

Draperstown event offers two days for the price of one!

GLASGOWBURY have announced their decision to expand the annual new music festival to a two-day event in 2013.

Northern Ireland’s Best Festival will link with the City of Culture in 2013 to include an exciting Derry showcase on Friday 19^th July before staging the best of the rest on Saturday 20^th July.

The ‘small but massive’ event has provided a platform for some of the best in new and emerging homegrown talent from throughout Ireland since it started over 13 years ago; most recently welcoming Therapy?, The Japanese Popstars, Fighting With Wire and over 50 others to the 2012 edition of the festival.

And, in an exciting twist, the Mid-Ulster group have also announced that tickets will be frozen at 2012 prices – which means that you get two days for the price of one.

“We understand that times are financially difficult for some people and we want to make the festival an event that everyone can afford to attend,” said organiser Paddy Glasgow.

A festival and camping ticket at £45 will now include two days of entertainment while a festival only ticket permits entry to the event on Saturday as normal.

“We’re excited to be growing the festival to offer an extra day’s entertainment and to be working with Derry as the City Of Culture to make it a reality,” Paddy added.

The line-up has yet to be announced for next year’s celebration but is expected to include some of the best new and established talent.

“Plans for next year’s festival are beginning to take shape already and we have some exciting ideas that we’re working on so watch this space.”

Glasgowbury 2013 will return to its Eagle’s Rock home across the weekend of July 19^th – 21^st.

Tickets for Glasgowbury 2013 will go on sale next week from www.glasgowbury.com and the annual submissions period will open later in November to offer artists the opportunity to submit for consideration for the festival.

For more information on all things Glasgowbury, see www.glasgowbury.com

SMALL BUT MASSIVE!

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has put together a list of 12 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland over the next week (October 29 – November 4).  For all events in ni2012 click on www.discovernorthernireland.com/events, visit your local tourist information centre or log onto http://www.facebook.com/discovernorthernireland

• Halloween Art, Ards Arts Centre, Newtownards, Co. Down, October 29.  Why not spend the day making chilling Halloween decorations that will terrify the whole family.  Also enjoy spooky storytelling and ghoulish games, suitable for children aged 6 – 12.

• Countryside Walks, starts at Audley’s Castle, Strangford, Co. Down, October 31.  Grab your walking boots and explore Castle Ward with a five to six mile walk.  Please remember to bring rainwear, a snack and a drink. 

• Halloween Enchanted Garden, Mount Stewart House and Gardens, Newtownards, Co. Down, October 31.  Award-winning lighting designer Walter Holt will once again be illuminating the gardens at Mount Stewart for twilight walks.  Dust down your Halloween costumes and enjoy this truly magical night.  

• Fright Night, Jungle NI, Moneymore, Co. Londonderry, until October 31.  Begin your terrifying tour through the woods in the darkness of the night with only a lantern to light the way.  The further you walk into the forest the more unnerving it will be.

• Jackula, The Playhouse, Co. Londonderry, October 31.  Enjoy a spooktacular Halloween treat with lots of fun, magic and a juggling show.  Jackula is Dracula’s younger brother and he has an aim to become the world’s most magical vampire.

• Cartoons and Postcards of 20^th Century Ireland, Belfast City Hall, October 31.  Using political postcards and cartoons of the time, John Killen, librarian of Linen Hall Library, looks at the events that shaped life on this island in the twentieth century.

• Nightmare at Navan, Navan Centre and Fort, Co. Armagh, October 31.  Enjoy Armagh’s best Halloween party with fire jugglers, fancy dress, amusements, a scary mobile zoo, a fireworks display and much more.

• Tall Tales and Short Songs, Ranfurly House Arts and Visitor Centre, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, November 2.  Gerry Anderson will tell stories and read from his autobiography before folk singer Sean Donnelly sings songs from his much loved CDs.

• An Evening of Mystery and Intrigue, Castle Coole, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, November 3.  Come along and be a detective for the evening and discover who committed the crime in Castle Coole.  Canapés and wine included.

• Shine a Light: Paper Lampshade Design Masterclass, Antrim Castle Gardens and Clotworthy House, Co. Antrim, November 3.  We’ve all seen those round paper lampshades but did you know you can make them yourself.  This course will show you how to create your own unique design to take home.

• Book Fair, Springhill, Moneymore, Co. Londonderry, November 4.  Browse through hundreds of second hand books before taking an invigorating walk to view the stunning autumn colours around the estate.

• Belfast Music Week, various locations in Belfast, November 4 – 11.  This week of music will feature more than 250 events across 70 venues with everything from chamber music to hip hop music on offer as well as talent nights and music exhibitions.

Join the Belfast Operatic Company as they kick off the Christmas season this year with their return to the Ulster Hall for ‘A Night of Christmas Music and Song’ on Saturday 8th December.

Unlike other BOC concerts, this will be unique as they combine with the recently formed Belfast Pops Orchestra (led by Stephen Cullen) for the first time to bring you a phenomenal choral and orchestral sound delivered by some of the provinces greatest local talent.

Colin Scott, Musical Director for both the Belfast Operatic Company and the Belfast Pops Orchestra commented “The Belfast Pops Orchestra are unique in that all their players are professional musicians who donate their time to raising money for charitable causes – musicians doing what they love for a good cause, something especially important at Christmas time. Combined with the unique choral sound of the Belfast Operatic Company, this will be a concert not to be missed.”
This captivatingly festive event is set to be the ultimate Christmas musical experience this year, brought to you by one of the provinces finest operatic companies.

Esteemed Director Wilfie Pyper, who will compere the evening, commented “The Belfast Operatic Company have prepared yet another excellent programme for this years Christmas concert, ranging from traditional Christmas carols and other old favourites to contemporary Christmas show tunes, all of which are guaranteed to delight the entire family on a magical journey, evoking memories of Christmases both past and present.” – of course it just wouldn’t be a real Christmas show without an opportunity for the audience to join in with some of the nations favourite carols!

With limited seats available, early bookings are advised for what will be a unique blend of Christmas magic for all the family, both young and old. Tickets cost £15 and are available from the Ulster Hall on 028 9033 4455 or you can book online at www.ulsterhall.co.uk.

STENA Line has been voted the top ferry company for a record 20^th time at the annual Northern Ireland Travel and Tourism Awards.  The ‘Best Ferry Company’ award was presented at a glittering awards ceremony at the Slieve Donard Resort in Newcastle.

Northern Ireland Travel News has been organising the awards for the past 21 years and this year’s ceremony was hosted by TV personality Roy Walker with more than 400 VIPs from the local travel and tourism industry attending.

Paul Grant, Route Director for the Belfast – Cairnryan route collected the award on behalf of the company.

“It’s been a busy year for Stena Line as we celebrate 50 years in business, so it is a real honour to pick up this prestigious award as we mark such a memorable milestone,” said Paul. “The travel industry is used to seeing innovation and high levels of customer service so when they say once again that we are the Best Ferry Company it underscores that the high standards we set ourselves lead the industry.”

“Next month also marks the first anniversary of our Belfast to Cairnryan route which introduced two new vessels, Stena Superfast VII and Superfast VIII, the largest ships to sail between Northern Ireland and Scotland,” he continued.

“Following a £40M acquisition of the Belfast to Liverpool ferry route from DFDS last year, we have now completed a major ship upgrade programme with a £4M refit investment in sister ships Stena Mersey and Stena Lagan. ”

Stena Line is the market leader on the Irish Sea, offering the biggest fleet and the widest choice of routes from Ireland to Britain, including Belfast to Cairnryan, Belfast to Liverpool, Belfast to Heysham, Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead, Dublin Port to Holyhead and Rosslare to Fishguard.  The company carries approximately three million passengers on its Irish Sea routes each year, more than its rival ferry operators combined.

A number of free business workshops and networking events are taking place over the next few months, facilitated by Belfast City Council.

The events are being run through the Belfast Entrepreneurs Network (BEN) which is a discussion forum for small and medium-sized businesses across Belfast who also have a chance to network and build contacts.

The first of these events got underway on Thursday at The Basement in McHugh’s Bar when Stephen Magorrian from Botanic Inns and Lara Goodall from Lara Goodall Consulting gave a joint talk on the importance of developing “innovative and achievable marketing techniques” that could boost your business.

The next BEN event will take place on Thursday 15 November at The Belfast Barge beside the Waterfront Hall where the guest speaker is David Horn from Tick Tock Design. His talk entitled ‘Understanding the basics of Search Engine Optimisation’ will guide businesses to work on and “progress their websites up the rankings” by focusing on getting the basics right.

Another BEN event will be held on Tuesday 22 January in the Great Hall of the City Hall. This will be a joint networking evening with the Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce and will be an opportunity for businesses to network and make new contacts.

The final event will take place on Thursday 7 February in the MAC where the guest speaker is Leonard Brown from Profit Analytics Ltd. Entitled ‘Profit from Numbers’, his talk will look at opportunities to increase profits for small and medium-sized businesses.

All of the BEN events will take place in the evening from 5.30pm-7.30pm and are open to small and medium-sized businesses in the Belfast City Council area. Registration is essential.

To take part in the upcoming BEN events, businesses should email economicdevelopment@belfastcity.gov.uk

Alderman Christopher Stalford, Chairman of Belfast City Council’s Development Committee, said: “Set up five years ago, the Belfast Entrepreneurs Network continues to go from strength to strength. Part-funded by Belfast City Council, BEN provides an excellent opportunity for small or medium-sized businesses across the city to come together, network and share their business experiences. BEN members are also given valuable advice on business development by an expert line-up of business speakers.”

BEN is also financed by the European Regional Development Fund under the European Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland.

Dust off your broomsticks and capes and visit one of the National Trust Spooktakular events in Mid Ulster this Hallowe’en!

The Argory, Moy will offer a unique Hallowe’en experience at Pumpkins and Potions on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 October from 12-5pm. The out houses of the Courtyard will come alive with story-telling, games and crafts accompanied by some strange characters from Hallowe’en past.

Enter the spook shed for some ghoulish tales with Nanny McPhee and visit the Witches Kitchen to see what’s brewing. Follow the graveyard trail around the estate and carve out a Jack O’ Lantern to take home. Enjoy some witches brew and take a tour of the 1820’s house and complete the ghost trail. Prizes will be given for the most Spooktakular fancy dress!

The spooks don’t end there as Springhill in Moneymore prepares for a day of fun and frights at the Springhill Spooktakular on Sunday 28 October from 1-5pm. Follow the Goblin, the Scarecrow and the Troll around Springhill to find the ingredients to make Witches Potion. Carve a pumpkin to take home and enjoy ghoulish games and crafts. Take a tour of Springhill House, home to one of Northern Ireland’s most documented ghosts, Olivia Lenox-Conyngham… who know’s you might even catch a glimpse of her on your visit!

A weekend of fantastic frights and fun for all the family in Mid Ulster. Both events, Normal Admission, National Trust Members Free. For more information contact The Argory on 028 87 784 753 or Springhill on 028 86 748 210. Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ni or follow at Facebook/NationalTrustMidUlster

Ghosts and ghouls descend on The District of Magherafelt on Saturday 27^th October 2012 as Magherafelt District Council and Magherafelt Arts Trust prepare for Halloween with a Spooktactular programme of events.

The freaky fun and scary shenanigans begin at 2.00pm, at Meadowbank Sports Arena which will be buzzing with ghoulish happenings at the children’s Halloween Hooley from 2.00pm to 5.00pm.  Open to all ages, children can join in the fun, watch Fizz Wizz Pop’s magic show or fancy a puppet show? Meet mischievous characters, burn off some energy on the extra-large inflatables or try out our children’s karaoke.  Be early and watch out, as you never know who is about!!!!

Then on Wednesday 31^st October at 7.00pm, come along to Maghera Leisure Centre and join Magherafelt District Council as the skies explode into a fantastic fanfare of colour and lights at the annual fireworks display.

Admission to all these events is free of charge.

Sharon Arbuthnot, Arts and Events Officer with Magherafelt District Council said “This year’s variety of activities spell a weekend of themed events with enough chills and thrills to keep all the family amused.”

“The children’s Halloween Hooley which is always hugely popular is being held this year again at the Meadowbank Sports Arena to accommodate increased activities and a larger number of children.”

Sharon continued, “We would encourage families in the district to come along and enjoy the annual Fireworks Display at Maghera Leisure Centre. However, we would ask that those coming to enjoy the display will use the official car parks for parking and not main roads to help prevent traffic disruptions and to aid safety measures.”

Car Parking

The car park in front of Maghera Leisure Centre can accommodate 40 cars and will also facilitate drivers with disabilities (those who have a blue badge displayed on the windscreen, issued by the Department of the Environment).

‘No Waiting’ cones will be placed by the PSNI on the Coleraine Road to allow emergency vehicles in and out.

Information for Nearby Residents

Residents in the Sunnyside, Tamney Crescent, Crawfordsburn Drive, Coleraine Road and The Hawthorns will receive a hand – delivered letter from Magherafelt District Council advising them of safety precautions that they should adhere to before and after the display.

• DO NOT walk across the football field on Wednesday 31^st October 2012

as there will be live fireworks located in the field.  Please bring this to the attention of all children.

• Do not watch the display from your home, particularly not from your back door.  A change of wind could mean that you could be hit by fallout.  If you want to watch the fireworks display, then you should enter the football field from the entrance on the Coleraine Road.

• Children should not be allowed to attend the display by themselves, and therefore must be accompanied by an adult.

• Pets could be frightened by the fireworks display.  It may be advisable to move them to another location for the duration of the display.  You may also want to discuss the issue with your local veterinary surgeon.

First Aid

The first aid organisation Emergency Medical Care will be present with an ambulance and trained First Aid Volunteers.

So make sure to come along and join Magherafelt District Council and Magherafelt Arts Trust once again with something frightful and fun for all to enjoy. To obtain further information on any of the events, please contact Magherafelt Tourist Information Office, Tel: 7963 1510,                              E:thebridewell@magherafelt.gov.uk, visit www.magherafelt.gov.uk or follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/magherafeltcouncil