Author: whatsonni

HOLISTIC Kidz has launched its sell-out Summer Forest Camp and for the first time will be joined by some of Northern Ireland’s leading professional sportspeople to help inspire and encourage children to ‘Believe to Achieve’.

The award-winning camp will return to Barnett Demesne in Belfast from Monday 3^rd July – Tuesday 29^th August and runs Monday to Friday from 10am – 3pm.

There will be lots of action-packed fun and outdoor adventure for children aged three to 12 including forest trekking, bushcraft, mega mudslides, mud bath jumping, tree swinging, nature arts & crafts, colour run assault courses, pro-football and rugby sports star camp visits, positive affirmations & mindfulness fun, scavenger hunts, planting & potting, a weekly Pizza Co. campfire party and Friday prize giving ceremony and much more!

Northern Ireland football legend Niall McGinn is the first special guest to be announced. Whilst well-known personal trainer Neil Anderson will be returning to put the Holistic Kidz through their paces with weekly Woodland Workouts.

Colette McCartney, Founder of Holistic Kidz said: “Building confidence and inner self belief is at the heart of everything we do at Holistic Kidz and we encourage all children to ‘Believe to Achieve’. This summer, we are teaming up with some of Northern Ireland’s best known professional athletes and sports stars who will share their incredible stories with our Holistic Kidz to show how they believed in their dreams and because of this, have each gone on to achieve great success and accomplished their goals.”

“Scandinavian countries are ranked the healthiest and happiest in the world and one of the reasons behind this is that from a young age children are taught outdoors in all weather conditions. Our Summer Forest Camp takes place in the great outdoors, and rain, hail or shine, children will be able to avail of the many proven scientific benefits of this including increased energy levels, physical fitness, improved mood and focus and running around breathing in the fresh air always ensures a good night’s sleep!

There is no better place for children to thrive as they will learn new skills, build their confidence, boost their creativity and enquiring mind and develop essential problem-solving skills and independence,” Colette added.

An Holistic Kidz Weekly Explorer pass (Monday – Friday) is £127 per child and a Daily Explorer pass is £35 per child.

For further information go to www.holistickidz.com or holistic_kidz on Instagram.

The hugely popular Armed Forces Day will take place in Larne on Saturday 17 June 2023 at Sandy Bay Playing Fields, from 10am.

Every year the event is held in the United Kingdom to celebrate the service of personnel in the British Armed forces both past and present.

The action packed day will kick off with a parade to the venue and a drumhead service. The day will be filled with something for the whole family, including;

• Interactive & static military displays
• Performance from Band of the Royal Irish Regiment
• Military village
• 21 Royal Gun Salute for the King’s official birthday fired by 206 (Ulster) Battery RA
• Live music from the Music Yard, Swingtime Starlets and The Gold Tips
• Army Parachute display by Silver Stars RLC
• RAF Display team featuring BBMF Lancaster
• AAC Gazelle helicopter (static display)
• RAFP Military Working Dogs display
• Children’s entertainment
• Ulster Aviation Society static display
• STEM competition

The day will draw to a close with a Beating Retreat finale.

 

Please note; all stall and charity pitches have now been allocated

 

For further information please go to https://www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/things-to-do/whats-on/armed-forces-day-2023

 

Summer Jamm in Strabane

Saturday 17th June 2023

 

 

 12 noon – 5pm

Strabane Town Centre will come alive with live music, dance and street entertainment, on Saturday 17th June.

Check out what’s on below:

CASTLE PLACE TAKE OVER BY URBAN EXCEL

• Have a go at BMX Biking Skills
• Try out Parkour Skills under the instruction of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ Luke
• Come and try the ‘Half Pipe Ramp’ on the Stunt Scooter or Skateboard Workshops
• Graffiti Art

Music and Entertainment on Main Street: 

• Live Music
• Kidz Farm
• Interactive Fun With:
• Lough’s Agency Touch Tank
• NWRC
• Crafts Training
• Riverside Leisure Centre
• Browse an array of Market Stalls from local businesses

Come along to Flowerfield Arts Centre or Roe Mill Playing Fields for Council’s all-ability cycle events held over two days this June.

The Sport & Well-being Team and Town & Village Management Team have collaborated on these events to offer inclusive cycling, fun games, activities and sensory taster sessions will be available.

The new electric accessible cycles, purchased through the Covid Recovery & Revitalise Programme, will be used during these events; participants will also be there for the official unveiling of the recently acquired Mobile Accessible Changing Units.

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Steven Callaghan welcomed the events saying: “I am delighted that Council can offer these accessible family events to its residents.

“The funding we have received for the new accessible electric bikes, and our Mobile Accessible Changing Units, has enabled us to continue with our commitment to provide services and support to all.

“I’d like to thank The Department for Infrastructure (DfI), Department for Communities (DfC) and Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) for providing this support via the Covid Recovery Revitalise Programme.

“I’d encourage everyone to come along for what promises to be a very enjoyable two-day programme.”

Book your place by emailing sportsdevelopment@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk, events are being held at:

• Flowerfield Arts Centre; Monday 12 June 6.30pm – 8.30pm
• Roe Mill Playing Fields; Tuesday 13 June 6.30pm – 8.30pm

Family friendly events to take place on site at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium this summer

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium has announced a number of family friendly events that will take place on site during the summer holidays of July and August 2023.

These will include:

Planet Roar Live Dinosaur Show. Running at 10:30am, 12:30pm and 3:00pm from 18^th July until 23^rd July, the show takes a prehistoric leap into the world of the dinosaurs with LOC-DOWN EVENTS and their fun filled educational live dinosaur show!

The Ultimate Bubble Show. This one hour long interactive experience will run on 26^th July and 27^th July at 10:00am, 11:30am, 1:00pm, 2:30pm and 4:00pm on both days. Be amazed by this unique performance showcasing the best in bubble magic and infusing this with conjuring and circus sideshow acts adding exciting elements of drama.

Bakineering in Space Special Event is a one off, not to be missed event, running at both 11:30am and 3:00pm on Thursday 3^rd August. Hosted by Netflix star and The Great British Bakeoff finalist, Andrew Smyth, it explores the surprising connections between the everyday bakes and the extraordinary engineering that helps keep astronauts alive. Expect tasters in this interactive event where your curiosity will be whisked, stirred and shaken in a show that is out of this world.

The Science of Dragons with Scientific Sue. This live show will run from 15^th August until 17^th August at 10:30am, 12:30pm, 1:45pm and 3:30pm. The interactive event is perfect for all the family, and especially those who dare to create their very own dragon! Join Scientific Sue on this most historical and creative journey of scientific discovery which is based on the book written by Cressida Cowell: How to Train Your Dragon.

Solar Superstorms is a Dome Show running daily at 4:00pm from 1st July until 30th August. Narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch, it takes a look at the interior of our star. A fury is building on the surface of the Sun – high-velocity jets, a fiery tsunami wave that reaches 100,000 kilometers high, rising loops of electrified gas. What’s driving these strange phenomena? How will they affect planet Earth? Find out during the Dome Show!

Jurassic Ark Encounters bring their reptile friends to meet you for an interactive workshop! Get up close and personal with some of nature’s most fascinating and amazing animals, like snakes, lizards, tortoises and many more. This is an educational learning session about nature’s most fascinating family, reptiles! This event will run daily from 4^th July until 9^th July at 11:00am, 11:45am, 12:30pm, 1:45pm,2:30pm, 3:15pm and 4:00pm. Each workshop lasts for 30 minutes.

The Bricks 4 Kidz Workshop is a fun space-themed brick-building workshops, where kids

can make their very own cosmic creations out of colourful LEGO® bricks. A great way to

have some fun with science, the Bricks 4 Kidz workshops are always popular with the kids

and help build confidence and creativity as well as developing problem-solving skills and

critical thinking. The workshop will run daily from 11 th July until 16th July at 10:45am,

11:45am, 1:45pm, 2:45pm, 3:45pm, as well as a relaxed show at 9:45am.

Helen McLoughlin, Education Officer at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, says, “We can’t wait to host visitors over the summer months!”

“Armagh Observatory and Planetarium is a globally renowned centre for astronomical research and we aim to inspire Northern Ireland’s next generation of STEM leaders. With this in mind, we have created a jam-packed summer schedule to entertain the whole family, and stimulate the young minds of the future.”

Most event tickets include exhibition entry. Children Under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

To book tickets for these events, visit: https://armaghobservatoryplanetarium.ticketsolve.com

The popular ForM Sculpture Exhibition has returned to Bangor Castle Walled Garden for the whole month of June. This awe-inspiring showcase will delight art enthusiasts and nature lovers alike as visitors experience this unique fusion of art and nature.

This is the twelfth annual ForM Sculpture Exhibition, and it is a fantastic opportunity for artists to create pieces as a response to the garden.

Visitors are invited to wander through the beautiful setting and immerse themselves in a stunning display of artistic talent. With over 30 sculptures thoughtfully positioned within the garden, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on the relationship between art and nature and promises to stimulate the senses and ignite the imagination.

ForM was officially opened by The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Karen Douglas on Thursday 1 June. At the launch event, the winners of the 2023 ForM Competition were announced and presented with prizes. The competition was judged by a panel of experts. The winners are: 1st Place – Brendan Jamison, 2nd Place – Alison Hanvey, 3rd Place – Sandra Robinson. Kate O’Neill and Rosalind Lowry were both Highly Commended.

Speaking about ForM, The Mayor said: “I am delighted to welcome ForM Sculpture Exhibition back to Bangor Castle’s Walled Garden. The artworks this year are just stunning, well done to all of the artists involved and to the Competition winners. The exhibition will enhance any visit to the garden, and I am sure visitors will thoroughly enjoy it.”

Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Arts Officer, Patricia Hamilton said; “ForM Sculpture Exhibition provides the opportunity for artists to challenge themselves to create work for a unique environment and be inspired by the stunning setting of Bangor Castle Walled Garden. The exhibition, creates an excellent opportunity for our local artists, some of whom are at the start of their artistic careers, to exhibit alongside established artists.”

ForM will remain open until 30 June and admission is free. Some of the sculptures are for sale and maps are available at each of the garden’s entrances to guide visitors around the exhibition.

Bangor Castle Walled Garden is open from 10am – 8pm Monday to Thursday, and 10am – 6pm Friday to Sunday.

For more information, visit: www.andculture.org.uk

It’s all happening in Strabane next month as the final plans are put in place for the latest celebration of the sensational Strabane Summer Jamm outdoor festival.

This year’s event takes place on June 17^th with a fantastic line up of entertainment for all ages, from live music and arts and crafts to cute critters and BMX biking.

Launching the programme today, Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Sandra Duffy, said the festival would offer fun for all the family. “The programme for this year’s Summer Jamm is fantastic with a diverse range of fun activities for all ages. There will be the usual brilliant line up of live music to get everyone into the swing, as well as street animation, petting zoos, market stalls, circus skills and much more throughout the day.

“Strabane town centre will be absolutely buzzing with visitors and the festival provides a fantastic boost to the local economy. Summer Jamm brings out the very best in the town with its strong community spirit and vibrant cultural scene. It’s just the perfect day out for families and the perfect way to welcome in the summer.”

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BALLYGALLY Castle has been named by Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel site, as one of the top 10% of hotels across the world.

The stunning property, located on the causeway coastal route, has been given the prestigious accolade as part of the 2023 Travellers’ Choice Awards which celebrates businesses that have consistently received great reviews from guests on Tripadvisor over the last 12 months, placing these winners among the 10% of all listings on Tripadvisor globally.

Scott Weatherup, General Manager of Ballygally Castle said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been named as one of the top hotels worldwide. The fact that the winners are based on continued feedback and reviews from hotel guests from around the world makes this award extra special – as they have experienced first-hand the first-class accommodation and service we provide. Our guests are at the heart of everything we do and our teams work very hard to make sure each and every visitor has a memorable experience from the moment they step foot in the hotel.

As we approach the peak summer season, which is already set to be a very busy one for Ballygally Castle, this award is a fantastic boost for staff as it’s recognition that their hard work and dedication is appreciated. We’re proud to be the travellers’ choice.”

John Boris, Chief Growth Officer at Tripadvisor said: “Earning a Travellers’ Choice Award demonstrates that Ballygally Castle has provided great experiences to those who matter most: your guests. Cheers to another successful year!”