The Lyric Theatre is getting ready to re-open to live audiences from the end of July 2021 with the announcement of two productions on the Lyric’s main stage. 

Having had to close the doors to live audiences for sixteen months, the team are delighted to announce details of two Lyric productions: a version of the classic Dracula by Scottish writer Liz Lochhead with actors from the Lyric’s Drama Studio, 27^th July – 1^st Aug 2021, and a brand new play by Tara Lynne O’Neill, Rough Girls 4^th – 25^th Sept 2021, telling the story of the first all-female football team set in Belfast at the end of the First World War.

The Lyric, like all other cultural venues in the region, will comply with both the latest Government and industry COVID-19 guidelines to ensure the safety of all audiences and staff members.  Itwill re-open to the public on 19^th July for patrons to enjoy the Café Bar, with the first live theatre performance scheduled to begin on Tuesday 27^th July to a socially distanced audience, one-third of the main stage’s normal capacity.

Dracula is a masterpiece of the horror genre, probing questions of identity, sanity and the dark corners of Victorian sexuality and desire.  Young actors from the Lyric’s hugely successful Drama Studio programme, which for over a decade has nurtured new talent such as Anthony Boyle, will perform a version of Dracula.  This story has been adapted from the original Bram Stoker classic by former Makar, the Scots equivalent of the Poet Laureate, Liz Lochhead.

Set in Belfast 1917 – 1921 and based on true events, Rough Girls by Tara Lynne O’Neill, is the untold story of Belfast women who stepped onto a pitch in society-shocking shorts and footie boots, a ball at their feet and a point to prove.  Rebels with a ball, who kept kicking their way through the outraged defence of a male-dominated game, they raised thousands of pounds for those returning from war.  This ambitious, large-scale production features an impressive eleven strong female cast with live music creating the heartbeat of the city at the time.  The new production is generously supported by Garfield Weston and Electric Ireland.   Audiences also have the unique opportunity to sit amongst the action, with 24 onstage tickets available each night.  This new play is not to be missed for theatre and football fans alike!

The Lyric Theatre is also delighted to announce Electric Ireland as sponsors for their production of Rough Girls.   Electric Ireland’s campaign Game Changers NI is a partnership with the Irish FA that supports and nurtures the talent and commitment of girls and women in football.  One hundred years on since the formation of the first female football team in Northern Ireland, this partnership makes the connection between the magic and skills of live theatre with the magic and skills of being on the pitch.  It also aims to bring a new sporting audience to theatre and sport to an arts audience.

Jimmy Fay, Executive producer at Lyric Theatre Belfast said:

“I am delighted to announce that our re-opening shows will be our Drama Studio production of Dracula and a brand new Lyric commissioned play, Rough Girls by Tara Lynne O’Neill. Everyone at the Lyric is grateful for the continued support of The Arts Council of Northern Ireland and is delighted to welcome Electric Ireland as a sponsor for Rough Girls.  This is all the more important after the last sixteen months and at a time when our core funding is at a stand-still for the seventh successive year.  Without a substantial rethink from funders towards venues like the Lyric which employs hundreds of artists and serves audiences of tens of thousands telling stories from the place and people where we live, then our future is likely to be as perilous as the recent past. Getting back to the electric energy of live performance is crucial for our team at the Lyric as well as for the long-term sustainability of the theatre industry. We are live and we can’t wait to welcome audiences back into the theatre in July even as we continue to provide audiences with access to the productions online.”

Noirin McKinney, Director of Arts Development, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, added: 

“I am delighted to see the Lyric open its doors to welcome the public back to enjoy live theatre once again.  There is nothing quite like the direct experience that live theatre brings and I’m sure many people have been waiting for this day to come.  As we slowly and safely emerge from this exceptionally challenging time, we look forward to better days ahead for the arts sector.”

Sponsorship Specialist with Electric Ireland, Anne Smyth, commented:

“Electric Ireland are thrilled to be part of the Lyric Theatre’s 2021 programme and to support the Rough Girls production as part of our wider Game Changers NI campaign which supports all levels of girls and women’s football here in Northern Ireland. Live theatre is just magic and we have all missed it, what better way to return than with an original production about fearless women who want to play sport. We want to bring that story to a new audience, bringing the arts to sports fans and sport to arts lovers.”

Tickets for Dracula and Rough Girls will be on sale on Friday 25 June 2021.  For further details visit www.lyrictheatre.co.uk.  Follow the Lyric on Twitter and Instagram @LyricBelfast and Facebook @LyricTheatreBelfast.

The Lyric Theatre is supported by Arts Council of Northern Ireland National Lottery funding, Belfast City Council and Garfield Weston Foundation.

The Woodland Trust Northern Ireland today has asked the public to name its new woodland in the Belfast Hills.

Set next to Cave Hill Country Park the 98 hectare site will be developed over the next five years with open treed areas, hedgerows, upland wet heath and species rich grassland; the first of over 150,000 native trees will be planted later this year with hopes to open up the new woodland to the public for free as soon as the end of 2021. The new site in the Belfast hills was purchased thanks to funding from Biffa Award, as part of the Landfill Communities Fund, NIEA and private donations.

As this new woodland is a blank canvas, the Woodland Trust wants to encourage local residents to get involved and help them develop a destination that is fit for the purpose of its visitors – to do this the charity is co ordinating a community consultation. The consultation seeks input on types of events the public would like to get involved in, volunteering opportunities, access points and pathways, and even help to choose the name for the site. Details of this community consultation are available at http://www.woodlandtru.st/zIKcw

Gregor Fulton, Senior Outreach Manager for the Woodland Trust Northern Ireland said:

“As part of our plans to launch our new site in the Belfast Hills we are running a community consultation. We really want the local community to get involved in their new woodland and we value the ideas and comments from our new neighbours and from everyone who wants to visit our new site.”

To get the conversation started, the Woodland Trust has already pre-selected a choice of names reflecting the geography, history and location of the new woodland including Bellevue Wood, Collinwood, Glas-na-bradan and Hazel Hill. Members of the public are invited to vote on their favourite or submit a wild card choice of their own.

The new site is in Collinward and borders Cave Hill Country Park, which attracts over 270,000 visitors every year from Belfast and the surrounding areas and will link existing pathways through Divis and the Belfast Hills. It will also be a vital piece of the jigsaw linking current Woodland Trust sites at Carnmoney Hill, Monkstown Wood and Throne Wood, providing free outdoor spaces for the local community in North Belfast, Newtownabbey, South Antrim and the greater Belfast area.

Northern Ireland currently has the lowest tree cover within Europe, with just 8% cover; of which 4% are native trees and 0.04% ancient woodland. The Woodland Trust aims to create new native woodland for wildlife, people and the climate. With the addition of the new site in the Belfast Hills, the Woodland Trust has created woodland in Northern Ireland on a landscape scale for a second consecutive year. In 2020, the woodland conservation charity created the single largest native woodland to date on 60 hectares at Aughrim Hill.

The consultation will run from 21 June to 16 July, to have your say, you can complete the survey at http://www.woodlandtru.st/zIKcw

There’s no better way to celebrate the longer, warmer days of summer than packing a picnic and catching up with friends and family.

With miles of coastline, acres of countryside and numerous gardens and parks the National Trust cares for some of the best spots in the country for eating al fresco and drinking in the stunning views. 

For those whose picnic hampers have a bit of room left, there are also plenty of ways to make it extra-special with the delicious local, seasonal food on offer at National Trust cafés.

And of course, should you forget anything the National Trust shop has a host of eco-friendly picnic accessories, including bamboo cutlery and crockery as well as bees wax wraps and reusable straws. 

Here are some of the top picnic spots and places to stop for a tasty treat this coming National Picnic Week (19-27 June):

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lists/perfect-picnic-spots-in-northern-ireland

Please note: Advance booking for visits helps us keep everyone safe and socially distanced. At quieter times such as weekdays, booking shouldn’t be necessary, but to guarantee entry we recommend booking in advance, especially at weekends and bank holidays. Please check the property webpage before you visit and follow government guidance.

Mussenden Temple, Downhill, County Antrim

For a picnic with a view, you can’t beat Mussenden Temple at Downhill Demesne. With panoramic views of the famous Antrim coast, this clifftop walk is the ideal place for kite flying. There are picnic tables in the apple orchard or take shelter in the shaded Black Glen woodland and go in search of the small lake hidden in the valley.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mussenden-temple-and-downhill-demesne

Minnowburn, County Down

Close to Belfast, Minnowburn is an idyllic picnic spot in the heart of Lagan Valley Regional Park. Enjoy riverbank, meadow and woodland walks and see if you can spot a kingfisher as you picnic by the water’s edge. Following an Italian sunken garden style, with Art Deco and Arts and Crafts influences, Terrace Hill Garden has a range of seating fashioned from the old decking of the Lagan weir bridge. Take a seat, take in the sights and smells and enjoy panoramic views of the valley.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/minnowburn

Castle Ward, County Down

Part gothic castle and part classical Palladian Mansion, this unique 18th century house is famed for its mixture of architectural styles, while the wider estate offers plenty to explore from the Georgian farmyard to the shores of Strangford Lough. Dragonflies and damselflies, exotic flowers and sweet garden scents will surround you if you roll out a picnic rug in the Victorian Sunken Garden. Alternatively, stroll along the shore, relax by the quayside with a picnic and see if you can spot any seals in Strangford Lough.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/castle-ward

The Argory, County Armagh

Work up an appetite with a stroll along River Blackwater and up through Lime Tree avenue. Let the kids run wild in the woods, before exploring the fabulous gardens. Picnic on the rolling lawns in front of this Irish gentry house or seek shelter and solitude in the shade.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/the-argory

Crom, County Fermanagh

Lying on the southern shores of Upper Lough Erne, the Crom estate is the ideal spot to while away a summer’s day. Wend your way through the cool shade of ancient woodlands to seek out castle ruins, or ramble across meadows in search of butterflies and dragonflies. If you fancy seeing things from a different viewpoint, hire a boat from the Visitor Centre to row out across the lake to enjoy the cool breeze. Then when you’re ready for lunch, indulge in something from the tearoom or make use of the picnic benches perched by the water’s edge.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/crom

Murlough National Nature Reserve, County Down

Summer and the seaside go hand in hand and where better to soak up the sun than Murlough National Nature Reserve. Follow the trails and boardwalks through the ancient dunes, before emerging onto the sandy Blue Flag beach with its crystal clear waters that are perfect for swimming. Pack a picnic along with your bucket and spade and enjoy a family day by the sea.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/murlough-national-nature-reserve

Rowallane Garden, County Down

Just a short drive from Belfast, Rowallane is a beautiful setting for a walk and picnic. With acres of garden filled with interesting plants to see and smell, Rowallane has plenty of sturdy benches available, or take a blanket and find your own hidden corner among the blooms. Top locations include the grassy knoll near the Visitor Centre which is surrounded by large rhododendrons and the beautiful iron bandstand that provides perfect cover if you experience a summer rain shower.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/rowallane-garden

Every single visit supports the National Trust’s conservation work, looking after special places for people to enjoy for years to come.

FANS of Line of Duty might be missing the action from Superintendent Hastings, Detective Inspector Arnott and DI Fleming, but now we’re sucking diesel, as Hastings Hotels and McComb’s Coach Travel have created the very first tour of filming locations from the hit TV series.

The Line of Duty Experience, begins with lunch in the Grand Café in the Grand Central Hotel, before an action packed guided tour onboard a luxurious coach, taking in some of the most recognisable filming locations and finishing the afternoon with an AC12 cocktail or Wee Donkey mocktail in the Observatory, Ireland’s tallest cocktail bar. Guests will also receive the Hastings’ Line of Duty duck which has been designed with some of Northern Ireland’s best-known sayings.  

Julie Hastings, like the battle, Marketing Director of Hastings Hotels said: “Given our namesake with everyone’s favourite Superintendent, we had to be the first to launch a Line of Duty Experience. We are delighted to team up with McComb’s Coach Travel to create this unique tour which takes in some of the most exciting filming locations across Belfast City Centre, a light lunch and finishing off with Line of Duty inspired cocktails in the Observatory. And while you may not float up the Lagan in a bubble, you will certainly enjoy the best views of Belfast and beyond.”

The tour starts at Belfast’s Grand Central Hotel in Bedford Street which is located beside the Invest NI building – the setting for AC-12 HQ. There will be various stops across the City Centre including ‘Pelbury House’ the headquarters of the Central Police force which provided the backdrop of Ted Hastings famous peaked-cap adjustments; ‘Kingsgate Printing Services’, the building used as a front for members of the OCG (Organised Crime Gang); the Lorry Park where Kate shot Ryan Pilkington before doing a runner with Jo Davidson in Series 6 and of course the iconic Subway location, the favourite meeting point for Steve and Kate to have their secret rendezvous, and perhaps the most striking spot to get that LOD selfie! 

There’ll be the chance to visit the sites of some of the most memorable car chases including the crash from Series 6 when DC Chloe and DI Arnott had been transporting Jimmy Lakewell from prison to AC-12 HQ to interrogate him when the police convoy was attacked by the OCG as well as the bridge where DI Fleming dramatically fired an assault riffle at a fleeing four-wheel drive, killing her dodgy partner and crime gang mole, Dot Cotton.

Other filming locations on the tour include Brentiss Prison which viewers watched prisoners being escorted to, including Detective Superintendent Jo Davidson after her arrest; Tresco Storage, the company used in Series 3 by Danny Waldron to store the decapitated head of Linus Murphy which was later discovered by Steve; and who could forget the incident in the opening episode of Series 6 that first made viewers suspect that DCI Davidson was a bent copper, when enroute to raid the address of a suspect in the murder of Gail Vella Hickies, she redirected the convoy to Hickey’s Bookmakers for what she ‘suspected’ was an armed robbery.

The Line of Duty Experience takes place 3^rd, 17^th & 31^st July; 14^th & 28^th August and 11^th & 25^th September and is £49pp. To book go to www.mccombscoaches.com or call 028 9086 6162.  

Leading ferry company Stena Line has confirmed details that it will be operating a new temporary weekend service between Belfast and Holyhead, starting on Fri 25^th June.  The extra capacity on the new route from Belfast will be available until Sunday 18 July.

Stena Estrid, one of Stena Line’s newest ships, will provide the service which will accommodate a mix of freight and leisure traffic, with an estimated crossing time of approximately 8 hours.

Stena Line is currently experiencing very high demand on its Belfast routes to Cairnryan and Liverpool so the addition of the temporary service will provide much needed additional capacity to and from Northern Ireland. 

Furthermore, with present travel restrictions between Britain and Ireland in place, this new route will provide an additional travel option for people who might be considering ferry travel for the first time or who wish to visit Britain, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Lead in fares on the new service start at £130 for a car and driver with sailings departing Holyhead at 23:30hrs (Friday and Saturday nights) and departing Belfast at 09:30hrs (Saturday and Sunday mornings).

Paul Grant, Stena Line Trade Director (Irish Sea), said: “We are delighted to be able to announce details of our new temporary service between Belfast and Holyhead.  The much-anticipated summer rebound for travel is beginning and we are hugely encouraged by current  booking trends.  The current travel restrictions between Britain and Ireland have created a lot of pent-up travel demand so hopefully the addition of this new route will help provide another option for people visiting friends, relatives or taking a break as well as being an attractive option for our freight customers.”

Stena Line is the largest ferry operator on the Irish Sea, with the biggest fleet offering the widest choice of routes including, combined passenger and freight services from Belfast to Cairnryan and Liverpool, Dublin to Holyhead, and Rosslare to Fishguard as well as a freight only route from Belfast to Heysham, a total of up to 238 weekly sailing options between Britain and Ireland. Stena Line also offers a direct service from Rosslare to Cherbourg with 12 crossings per week.

Country superstar Brett Eldredge has announced UK tour dates, which includes a show at the Ulster Hall, Belfast on Tuesday 3 May 2022.

Tickets are on sale this Friday, 18 June at: www.ulsterhall.co.uk and www.ticketmaster.ie

Award-winning, platinum selling country music star Brett Eldredge is returning to the UK for a run of headline dates including Glasgow, Leeds, Birmingham, Manchester, London and the Ulster Hall, Belfast.

The Good DayTour will feature songs from his critically acclaimed recent album Sunday Drive, as well as fan favorites from his previous albums, which include #1 smash songs like Don’t Ya, Beat of the Music, Wanna Be That Song, Love Someone and more.

Eldredge is playing outdoor festivals and a 21-date US city tour this year before the UK and Europe dates in 2022.

“We’re gonna show the world what it feels like to be alive again, and I’m gonna kiss that stage when I walk on it every night because there’s nothing like it and I’ll never let it go,” said Eldredge “See you on the road!”

TICKETS ON SALE THIS FRIDAY AT 10am.

Lifestyle changes bring lockdown business success

When a difficult time in her life left Jessica Thompson struggling with mental health problems, she thought she would never be able to recover, but now she is at the helm of a new company, Benergy with her partner Ben Cochrane.

The nutritious snack company aims to bring foods to boost physical health and mental health, promoting better lifestyle and positivity.

 It all started when Jessica and Ben’s plans to hike across the Himalayas were scuppered by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“When we first met, Ben’s health and wellbeing weren’t good and neither were mine,” she explained. “He had a dreadful diet, even though he was working as a chef. 

 “From my own perspective, my weight was fluctuating drastically over the years and it was only when Ben started to look at the internal processes, as well as the external ones, such as his diet and lifestyle, that I realised that I also needed to change the way I was living. 

 “We looked at a lot of different lifestyle changes but realised very quickly that our diet and lifestyle was the first thing that needed to change. As lockdown went on, we increasingly realised that those who were eating a clean diet were so much more active. We took a really close look at how we were living and eating.”

The link between diet and mental health is one that the couple realised was more crucial than many realise.

“Your mental health is not something to be taken lightly,” said Jessica. “Neglecting your mind can have a disastrous impact on every aspect of your life and on those of others in your life as well.

 “It was only after I’d gone through a really bad period in my life that I realised that my mind and body were in a really bad place. I couldn’t understand why one day I’d feel great, and the next I’d feel terrible.”

 After meeting, 23-year-old chef Ben Cochrane, Jessica began to look at both herself and her choices and led her to monitor what was going on in her life.

 “When I met Ben, he was starting out on his own journey where he’d started looking at his lifestyle and his diet in particular.

 “Ben had spent two years in hospitality, working as a chef for some well-known restaurants. He was working four fourteen-hour shifts a week, plus an additional half day. Most weeks he was working between 60 and 70 hours a week. 

 “We started going out on walks and began eating healthily and I began to realise how much I was able to focus on my mind and how I was feeling. 

 “I’d love to say that I just changed my diet and everything was fine,” said Jessica, who was born in Belfast, but grew up in Australia, before moving back to the province, “but that was not the case.

“It was a long, long road out of the darkness. But I am so happy to say that my sad days are becoming few and far between and my mood is the best it has been in years. 

“I do still experience panic attacks from time to time, but that is to be expected. I’m only human, but I’m always trying: the healing process is a long one.”

Jessica, whose background is in digital marketing and technical SEO, first met Ben in 2018 and realises how much their lives have changed since that first, meeting.

Spurred on by the positive changes in their own lifestyles, the couple decided to pass their new-found knowledge on to others by creating a range of breakfast pots and snacks for those ‘on-the-go’ moments.

“We’re not simply a nutrition company,” Jessica continued. “We’re all about educating people about food – particularly food that will benefit people both physically and, most importantly, mentally, because that’s where good health really begins. 

“You don’t have to be an international sports star or be heading out to the gym every day to eat the right things and get the best out of your life. Good nutrition is for everyone and should be a very basic part of everyday life.

“Our products are all plant-based, gluten and dairy free, which is very unique as vegan is the world’s fastest growing food market in the world today. We don’t just want to cater for one dietary requirement, we want to combine them all. 

“Our snacks include protein balls, healthy doppelgangers of the favourite blondies, brownies and truffles, and our new breakfast pots that have proved to be our biggest hit yet in the trials with some of Northern Ireland’s big names in personal training.

“Put simply, we want to break down the stigma around food restrictions and to provide products that can be enjoyed by everyone. Nutrition is not just for those that are involved heavily in the gym; all you have to care about is your mind and you can go from there.

“There is such a gap in the nutrition market. Products, for example, that are marketed a lot of the time aren’t great for you yet use the words ‘skinny’ and ‘high protein’ and people will opt for them even though they’re packed with other nasties and will often leave people suffering in other areas.

“It is so important to let people know that many studies have found a correlation between a diet that’s high in refined sugars and impaired brain function. While it’s important to understand this, it’s just as important to understand the benefits.”

Jessica explained that the link between healthy eating and mental wellbeing is being backed up by the science.

“Research undertaken by MIND in people suffering from depression showed that after they ate a banana they felt better,” she said. “This is because bananas contain tryptophan: a type of protein that the body turns into serotonin, which makes you relax and generally feel happier through an elevated mood.” 

The Benergy range contains a great selection of breakfast pots to start the day off well, and a fabulous mix of treats to keep people going in between meals. 

“Mental health applies to both Ben and me in different ways,” Jessica explained. “I suffered tremendously with my mental health through negative experiences, while Ben’s mental health took a hit through poor nutrition a few years ago when he was blissfully unaware and travelling, not to mention working so many crazy hours. 

“Since we got together almost three years ago, we’ve made small, consistent changes and the results have been genuinely incredible, especially in the last year.

 “I believe that physical health is just as important as mental health, but I believe that they are linked in more ways than a lot of people are aware of.

“The pressure that weight – or a lack thereof – can put on the body’s ability to function is tremendously misunderstood. Every day, I am learning something new that leaves my jaw on the floor. I think that everything starts with the mind – your perceptions, your thoughts, your function – everything happens internally first. I think getting yourself in check internally leads to a better ability to look at your physical health and reassess your goals. 

“Good nutrition is the first step to your physical health.

“The benefits to your mental health are an added bonus.”

To find out more about Benergy Nutrition and their delicious range of healthy snacks head to https://benergynutrition.com/

Volunteers from St John Ambulance are walking and running 999km throughout June in a monumental feat, to raise funds to replace the organisation’s life-saving defibrillators.

With more than 150km already completed, volunteers from St John Ambulance Head Quarters Transport Division have dedicated yet more of their time and take on the challenge.

Interim Unit Manager Neil Fusco of St John Ambulance explained that their four emergency frontline ambulances and rapid response vehicle are all vital.

“These vehicles are all equipped to the same standard as the statutory ambulance service,” he said. 

“Sadly, their defibrillators are coming to the end of life and the division needs to buy new ones. Each defibrillator costs around £1,500 and five are needed.”

With the walk underway Neil said it is an extreme challenge.

“Trust us, after chatting to some of the volunteers we can concur that their challenge to walk 999km is no easy feat to achieve,” he said. 

“That is more than 620 miles, but all are willing, even if there may be some blisters to treat.”

St John Ambulance Head Quarters Transport Division based in Carryduff is a well-recognised sight at events like the Ulster Rugby and out and about supporting the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.

“During the Covid crisis the St John volunteers stepped forward to assist in many ways including responding to calls for Emergency Ambulance Control and transporting Covid positive patients, explained Neil. 

“Since the pandemic began the division has assisted NIAS on over 162 shifts, attending to 427 patients, covering 10,799 miles, over 1,082 hours.”

To help keep each vehicle at the standard required they will need to replace the equipment.

“Any donation, no matter how small, will help the unit to buy these new life-saving defibrillators,” he said. 

“Every donation, no matter how small, is greatly appreciated.”

If you’d like to know more or donate, please visit the division’s fundraising page at  https://bit.ly/2T1oFto. 

For more information on the vital work that St John Ambulance undertakes visit  https://sjani.org. 

Causeway Coast Dog Rescue, a local dog rescue charity has been experiencing a huge change to both fundraising and an increase in enquiries to rehome dogs since lockdown started in 2020. No longer able to fundraise in their usual way, local businesswoman Thelma Smyton decided to run a competition to fundraise for her two favourite charities, one of which was the CCDR in Coleraine the other was Coleraine Cats Protection.

Seen here donating a cheque for the princely sum of £800.00 to the Chair of the CCDR charity, Maggie Dimsdale-Bobby, Thelma came in, to volunteer during a closed day to customers and discuss what had been achieved by everyone involved. Thelma and her colleague Tina McDaid, a local artist collected a staggering number of prizes which were kindly donated by local individuals and businesses on the north coast.  “we are both passionate about animals and always want to help out where we can. Since Covid-19 hit our community, so many people have forgotten about the animals and the charity’s work to support those animals which is why we both wanted to do our bit”.

Thelma continued, “We had an amazing response, I couldn’t believe how everyone wanted to donate and support the charities which included Paul Thompson solicitors; The Belfry Deli; Ls Gels; Wood turning Wizadry; McCloskey Hardware; TC Grooming; Pets at the Port; Asda, Sainsburys; Moods Hairdressing; Bob & Berts Limavady; Kawasaki; Martin Cole; Gordons Chemist and so many more, twenty-two in total! So, I would like to say Thank you to them all”.

“Both Tina and I were overwhelmed at the response”.  

Tina kindly donated the main prize which was a personalised portrait of whatever the winner requested as a commission.

Accepting the cheque, Chair Mrs Dimsdale-Bobby said, “I would like to thank Thelma and Tina for their support and to everyone who donated, on behalf of the charity I thank you for your kindness.  “The requests for help from our local community, received by the charity is increasing on a weekly basis and as we haven’t been able to fundraise, this donation is gratefully received. 

“The charity continues to provide a valuable service to those in Coleraine and surrounding areas and we are all looking forward to developing our relationships. Our charity shop is open again to the public and encourage shoppers to come along to the Diamond Centre in Coleraine as we are located on the ground floor, as we are raising funds to help as many dogs as possible.”

For more information on the charity and dogs for rehoming, please follow on facebook, twitter or Instagram @causewaycoastdogrescue and thank you for your support.

Department of Agriculture back innovative product

Kann O&M plans a three-year £250,000 investment after they received grant aid of £19,425 from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs that was used to assist with the purchase of the leading solar panel cleaning system on the market today.

The Sunbrush system is used to wash large-scale solar farms to improve their performance, and it is the only one of its type across Ireland and Northern Ireland.

David Woodend of Kann O&M said that there was a need for the system as the number of solar farms across Northern Ireland was growing as the government and private sector strive to meet reduced carbon output goals.

“At present solar farm operators in NI have limited options when it comes to cleaning their sites and have to bring contractors from mainland UK or resort to manual cleaning which is a long, labour intensive process with variable results,” he explained. 

“Dirty panels as a result of ineffective or no cleaning at all results in reduced electricity output from the farm.

“The Sunbrush system can clean up to 20,000 solar panels across a 30-acre site in a day.”

Samuel Knox of Kann O&M, said the team has long experience in solar technology, having been involved in the construction of several solar farms, as well as dealing with connecting to the NIE grid.

“Building and managing a solar farm is a big undertaking,” he added. “Both David and I are used to dealing with the challenges that are required and investing in the Sunbrush system is the next step.

“Ultimately the grant aid from the department will mean that we can continue Kann O&M growth. That includes plans for a £250,000 investment across the next three years, leading to six new jobs.”

Minister for Agriculture, Edwin Poots said: “Kann O&M Ltd received financial support totalling £19,425 under the NI Rural Development Programme. This investment services an industry which is making a positive contribution to our environment and the mechanised service will improve productivity and efficiency for both Kann O&M Ltd and the solar farms. I wish them every success for the future.”

Kann O&M provides services in the renewable energy sector, with David and Samuel’s experience in solar starting with work on the first large-scale solar farm in Northern Ireland in 2016. The company also provides land management services to the solar sector which aim to improve biodiversity and provide additional environmental benefits to the local area.  

“While we are both electricians we are also both farmers and live in rural backgrounds,” said David. “That means that we understand that while solar farms are a key part of the zero carbon future, we want them to have as little impact as possible, and even enhance the wildflower and native species growth.