Eden Project Communities ambassadors Jo Brand and Eddie Izzard will be headlining the popular visitor attraction’s first online festival, which is hoping to be the “perfect antidote to lockdown” says Sir Tim Smit, Co-Founder of the Eden Project.

The Festival of Discovery on 20-21 November is funded by National Lottery and  offers a wealth of sessions FREE  aiming to help people connect from across the UK through lively discussions, fun demonstrations and inspiring stories.

Covering topics from climate change and food security to inclusive communities and wellbeing the virtual festival is hoping to bring together families and neighbours during the challenging next few weeks.

Festival-goers will be able to take  part in cooking, gardening, listen to health and well being expert advice, enjoy a virtual tour around the world-famous Eden Biomes and walk amongst the exotic plants whilst watching exclusive talks and workshops focusing on encouraging people to explore a better future, for themselves and their communities.

Guest speakers will include marathon man and comedian Eddie Izzard who will be talking about exploring identity and making humanity great again, and fellow comedian Jo Brand will be telling people about some of the things she’s personally discovered during her extraordinary life and career.

Speaking about the Festival of Discovery Eddie Izzard said: “We have to remember that this time will turn around and we need to be ready to head towards a more positive future. Eden’s Festival of Discovery is both an antidote to lockdown and a reminder to connect with others, share ideas, spread the positivity and focus on what we can do to make humanity great.”

Online performances will take place across a number of virtual stages including the Med Motivation Station where you can go from having a workout with Mr Motivator before listening to Guinness World Record holder and long-distance cyclist Mark Beaumont in conversation with Peter Stewart, Eden Project’s Executive Director.

Another guest speaker is Greg Whyte OBE, a former Olympian who has helped train numerous celebrities to undertake tough physical challenges and extraordinary feats of endurance. He mentored David Walliams as he swam across the English Channel, took Cheryl Cole, Chris Moyles and Gary Barlow up Mount Kilimanjaro and helped Radio 1’s Greg James on his five triathlons in five cities in five days. Greg explains how exercise and positivity can help anyone to achieve their goals.

On the Open Mic Stage you will be able to listen to the inspirational real-life stories of Esther Mujawayo who talks about her work helping to rebuild shattered lives and communities in Rwanda in the wake of the 1994 genocide, and Derrick Errol Evans MBE, the man behind the iconic lycra-clad fitness instructor – Mr Motivator.

Young dinosaur fans will get a treat from BBC’s CBeebies Andy Day as he entertains the kids with Jurassic raps and wild adventure themed activities. Plus, anyone with creative interests can join in virtual lantern making classes, a poetry session or learn painting skills in workshops put together by artist Alison Critchlow.

The festival is part of the Eden Project’s Communities program, all made possible by the National Lottery, and follows the first virtual Big Lunch that took place in the summer.

Grainne Mc Closkey NI Manager, Eden project Communities said: “This winter is going to be tough for everyone and we know how important it is that people feel connected and stay positive. The Big Lunch – our flagship initiative bringing people together had to be done virtually and with social distance this year and there was such a response from people looking for ways to keep connected.  So when  Eden the wonderful destination in Cornwall temporarily closed  due to the pandemic we decided to open it up virtually to people who would not be able to travel and to share knowledge, ideas and experience to people in neighbourhoods across the UK. The Festival of Discovery as the perfect antidote to lockdown. We can still bring people together to have meaningful conversations online that help us work towards a better future for ourselves, our communities and the planet.”

The free Festival of Discovery will take place over the weekend of November 20-21 with all the events taking place via www.thefestivalofdiscovery.com.

Following on from the successful inaugural event in 2019 the NI Festival of Writing is launching an online programme of content to once again encourage and support writers who want to start or develop their skills.

Throughout November and December the free online content will include interviews with local writers and content creators, panel events, workshops and masterclasses.

Director of the festival, James Murphy, said that the festival intends to become even more successful in encouraging local talent.

“While we cannot repeat last year we have worked hard to make sure we have a rich programme that aims to help develop participant’s confidence,” he said. 

“We hope that what we have planned will educate, empower and improve literacy and communications skills.”

The 2020 NI Festival of Writing which has been developed in partnership with Belfast City Council, has launched a Crowdfunding campaign.

“Whilst the events will be free, in order to increase the number and variety of events held throughout the remainder of the year, Belfast City Council have kindly offered to match-fund us to a maximum of £5,000 if we undertake a crowdfunding campaign,” James explained. 

“We have designed a range of opportunities from donations from as little as £5 through to sponsorship opportunities from £100. We have currently raised just over £1,000 and we hope to double that by the end of the crowdfunder this week.

“We know that what we will be providing will make a real impact on participant’s lives through participation, learning and even the opportunity to showcase their work.”

The 2020 programme will include in-depth interviews with local, national and international writers; a range of practical writing and creative writing workshops, online book club and reading recommendations; panel discussions; and, a regular online writing retreat.

This year the festival has joined forces with local public service television channel NVTV to make the festival more accessible to people across the country.

Simon Wood, Chairperson at NVTV said: “Northern Visions is excited to be a partner in the Northern Ireland Festival of Writing this year. One of the pleasures for many of us during these challenging times, especially during lockdown, has been being able to get lost in a book and become acquainted with books we have forgotten we actually own.

“What’s so interesting about the Festival of Writing is that it is writing in all its forms so this is a real voyage of discovery.” 

Fans of the festival can see the main NVTV broadcast on Friday November 27 broadcasting on Freeview 7 (greater Belfast) and Virgin Media 159 (across Northern Ireland).

The festival will also be streaming sessions on Facebook and running a series of online workshop sessions as well as a range of other interactive events throughout November and December.

“In addition we will launch NI Festival of Writing’s very own podcast as well as interactive advice sessions with writers, agents and publishers,” said Festival co-founder Tina Calder.

“With the support of all including our festival partners NVTV, Oranga Creative, BAM magazine, The Secret Bookshelf and my own company Excalibur Press we will make this a success and look forward to having a further programme planned for the time when safer social gatherings can take place.”

To help support the festival the Crowd Funder page can be found here: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/the-northern-ireland-festival-of-writingTo find out more at http://festivalofwriting.org

The coveted title of ‘Best Window Display’ is up for grabs as Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s annual Christmas competition gets underway.

The standard of town centre window displays has soared year after year, with bright, colourful creativity helping to attract shoppers and spread Christmas cheer. Given the challenges of recent months, this has never been more important.

One winner will be selected for each location in Bushmills, Cushendall, Dungiven, Garvagh, Kilrea, Portrush and Portstewart as well as Ballycastle, Ballymoney, Coleraine and Limavady.

A panel of independent judges will assess and score displays based on the following:

How attractive is the display?

How well designed and creative is the display?

How much does the display contribute to a positive town centre experience for local shoppers and visitors?

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Alderman Mark Fielding, said: “2020 has been a very difficult year for our town centres and local businesses. Every one of us is hoping that the Christmas season will mark a positive turning point in the fight against the pandemic, and that the New Year will see a steady recovery of our local economy.

“This Christmas season, more than ever, we are urging people to do their shopping locally by exploring the retail offering in towns and villages across the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough.

“Festive-themed windows have become a great attraction and I encourage all our town centre traders to make the most of this opportunity to embrace the season and enhance the shopping experience your business and town has to offer.”

Each town winner will receive a small trophy in recognition of their creative efforts. There is no need to formally enter the competition. Just make sure your window is beautifully dressed before 5pm on Friday 4th December. Winners will be announced on Monday 14th December 2020.

For further information please contact the Council’s Town Management team on 028 7034 7034 or email: town.management@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk.

If you are looking for that special gift this Christmas, that offers plenty of choice then why not try the Antrim Town Gift Card?

Launched this week by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council in conjunction with Antrim Town Team, the gift card aims to encourage people to spend more locally and in turn, help businesses recover from the recent pandemic. The card works the same as other shop gift card schemes and can be pre-loaded with any amount from £5 up to £500.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Jim Montgomery said: “Together with the Council’s Back in Business campaign we want the card to encourage local spend and help our businesses recover from the Covid-19 crisis. People who use the card will be able to discover new shops and businesses which they may not have tried before, whilst also visiting some of their favorite places. The gift card can be redeemed through multiple transactions at over 30 participating businesses within Antrim Town, making the perfect gift for a colleague, friend or family member.”

If you are a business owner who has a till system that accepts Mastercard and would like to get involved please email karen.uprichard@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk. For more information including a list of businesses that accept the gift card or to purchase one, visit www.antrimgiftcard.co.uk

After serving for 21 years in the RUC William Clegg today releases his story of life in the frontline as a serving officer in his début book, Crime, Comedy and Combat.

From his earliest memories, through to joining the force in 1978 in Enniskillen William’s heartfelt telling of his and his colleagues experiences during some of the darkest days in Northern Ireland’s history.

William regards himself as privileged to have worked in and survived the challenges inherent in high risk, hostile, urban and rural environments throughout the province.

Now living in Indonesia he said the book was a way to explain his experiences.

“It is an anthology for people of all ages of how life changed for a young person prior to, during and subsequent to joining the RUC,” he explained. It is about how ‘we’ were during that bleak period, how we coped at that time and how the incidents and emotions resonate to this day.

“I feel that anyone, whether security services or others, will have a feel of true events, episodes, characters and emotions personally experienced by me.

Tina Calder of publishers Excalibur Press said that it was a privilege to bring William’s tale to the public.

“As we now live in relatively peaceful times we forget the horrors that were part of daily life,” she said. “William has been able to encapsulate the experiences of so many RUC officers who had the daily job of a police officer dealing with crime, whilst also under constant threat.

“No matter your allegiances this is the human story of that time, told compassionately.”

In Crime, Comedy & Combat William tells his story for people of all ages, how a young person’s life changed during the Troubles, joining the RUC, and the incidents and emotions that coloured his life.

Crime, Comedy and Combat, published by Excalibur Press is available from Amazon and excaliburpress.co.uk 

Author James Murphy has released the final part to his crime thriller trilogy, Dark Light, on Excalibur Press.

Previous books in the series, The Rise of Terror and The Terror Within, earned praise from fans and reviewers alike.

Dark Light concludes the series with the Farset Investigations team forced to set aside previous differences to solve murders in Northern Ireland and save an abducted child in the US from the evil cult, The Enlightenment and prevent a killing spree in the name of their greatest nemesis, Terror.

“I’ve been thrilled by how well received the first two books have been and am delighted that so many people are eagerly anticipating this release,” said James. “I know that the shock factor of my endings have become a trademark of my writing.

“I hope that they will be happy with the conclusion but they should be warned that the shock value will be present in the last page as always.”

Dark Light is the conclusion of James’ Terror trilogy, he believes it works as a standalone novel.

“I have been very careful to construct each of the books in a format similar to that of a standalone,” he explained. “The result, each book can be read and enjoyed as a standalone, with each whetting the reader’s appetite to read the others.”

As James was completing Dark Light during the Covid-19 crisis, he admits it did affect the final product.

“Although the themes of identity and change run through all three books, the inspiration has evolved each time,” he said. “This time around, the inspiration reflects the moving on from a period of trauma and developing a new life. Partially written during lockdown, it was inevitable that adjusting to a new normal was going to be a feature. It was never a conscious one though.”

Publisher, Tina Calder of Excalibur Press said: “Since James joined Excalibur Press four years ago he has grown as an author. His books are a series of gripping tales linked together by a core plot line.

“We are absolutely delighted to be publishing the third book in the Terror Trilogy – Dark Light this month.

“Fans of the crime fiction genre will not be disappointed by not just this book but the entire series.

“Gripping, suspenseful and intense – Dark Light is definitely a standout book for me this year.”

Dark Light, published by Excalibur Press is available for pre-order at excaliburpress.co.uk

Bigger, better and set to be burgeoning with the best of music is the promise of Belfast City Blues Festival as the 2021 dates are confirmed.

The iconic festival will return to have the streets, pubs and clubs alive with the blues from Friday, June 25 to Sunday June 27.

Festival Director, Seamus O’Neill, pledged to bring a “bit of light in people’s lives” after the lockdown killed off live music from mid-March.

“It’s been so tough this year, but I think the prospect of live music is what we need,” he said.

“We are planning to make our 13^th festival the best yet, bringing the best local, national and international talent to Belfast.”

The 2020 festival took place online, with people checking in from across the world, and while the festival has contingency plans should restrictions remain in place Seamus and the festival team are ready to return Belfast City Blues Festival come back in style.

“We’ve been working hard behind the scenes during these very uncertain and trying times to create the best and biggest festival for our great city, its citizens and many friends around the world in 2021,” he said “Our mission is to bring back that smile once again that we see on people’s faces at our many gigs, and the connections and friendships that result and, of course, great music.”

And, his message to the musicians is “We haven’t forgotten you! We’re ready to welcome you back on stage to once again celebrate Belfast hosting one of the biggest blues festivals in the land.

“Our mission is to say, Belfast, we are back. Three days of great music with great people in a great city.”

You can play your part in making sure the festival continues to thrive.

“We created the 2020 online festival with no funding from sponsors or funders and so far we’re in the same position for 2021 as Belfast gets back on its feet.”

The festival is appealing for donations to keep the music alive. 

You can register for the festival to be kept up to date with developments and artist announcements or make a donation at https://bit.ly/3oH8NY8.

The mammoth effort of pulling together thousands of people to sew scrubs, scrub hats and gowns for hospitals, hospices, care homes and other caring professionals has drawn to a close with 106,000 items delivered to key workers throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

The brainchild of Clara Maybin at the start of the first lockdown, when nursing and care staff were facing shortages, it grew from an appeal to become an army of 9,000 sewers, including Great British Sewing Bee contestant, Angeline Murphy.

In addition a total of £75,000 was raised to purchase the material to make the items.

Now hospitals have said they have sufficient stocks but Clara believes NI Scrubs has started something great.

“The sheer sense of community we have created will last for a long time,” she said. “We have built a real sewing community in Northern Ireland where people have made friends and ask for sewing advice every day. It is a truly invaluable group to a lot of people, in so many ways.”

Angeline also believes the legacy will live on: “It was a great campaign that helped more than just the front line staff. It helped thousands of stitchers rediscover their skills, meet new friends and give back to society.”

It all started when Clara began collecting unused scrubs from dentists that were closing in lockdown.

“When I said I was doing that people started to say they could sew,” she explained.

“Overnight we had far too many people for the WhatsApp group and I had to set up a Facebook group

“The next day we had 80, the next week we had 800 and now we have nearly 9000.”

It was a challenge that consumed every waking hour for Clara.

“When I sit and think about it, it is madness,” she said. When I think of how tough it was it is very overwhelming.  Every day got harder and harder, as more messages came through it was very hard to manage. And getting fabric to people up and down the country was so hard during the lockdown.”

Angeline became involved initially to join the scrub sewing army, but then realised her TV appearance meant she could do more.

“I initially got involved to start sewing but realised that to make an impact I would be better suited to helping raise awareness of it from my profile on Sewing Bee and social media so I was able to get my followers on my pages to help,” she explained. 

And, while NI Scrubs is winding down Angeline wants to continue supporting the sewing community.

“I feel I have a duty to keep the stitchers together and use their skills for the greater good,” she said “I have formed another group NI Big Community Sew in line with the UK wide campaign to make face coverings for the vulnerable in society.”

As for Clara she said she now plans to rest, and can reflect on the wider benefits of NI Scrubs.

“The sheer sense of community we have created will last for a long time,” she said. “Not only have we helped front line staff, I have had several messages from those helping saying we have helped their mental health through lockdown, which is amazing.”

Angeline believes that it has also made a difference beyond the scrubs.

“Together we have made a big difference and all though seen as a dying art sewing is making a comeback,” she explained. “It also proved that when people work together great things can be achieved.”

Northern Ireland-based children’s theatre company Cahoots NI’s latest show The University of Wonder & Imagination will end its successful run at the Belfast International Arts Festival this weekend.

Running until November 1 the immersive digital theatre experience will be delivered via Zoom direct to young audiences at home.

The University of Wonder and Imagination is an hour-long interactive digital theatre production that allows audiences to effectively direct the performance, based on their interaction with the performers. In this ambitious and innovative undertaking, Cahoots NI will broadcast from an extensive, purpose-built set in Belfast, where magic and illusion have no boundaries.

Limited to pre-booked audience numbers per performance, guests will assemble with their fellow University students and, led by the mysterious Professor Bamberg, will embark on a journey where nothing is quite what it seems. 

Starring actors Sean Kearns (Newry), Hugh Brown (Bangor), Philippa O’Hara (Belfast), Lata Sharma (Bangor) and magician Caolan McBride (Armagh) audiences will interact with lively lecturers, experience themed rooms filled with illusion and encounter problems and puzzles in an attempt to unlock magical powers and graduate with flying colours.

Speaking about the new production, Paul Bosco Mc Eneaney, Creator/Director of The University of Wonder and Imagination, and Artistic Director of Cahoots NI, said: “The technology we are using for the production is intricate, but it will be seamlessly blended with physical sets and magical illusions. Our audiences haven’t seen anything like this from Cahoots NI before, and we believe it will be a fun-filled, thrilling experience for children, for their families and for our cast and crew to be a part of.” 

The University of Wonder and Imagination is supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

Cahoots NI is at the forefront of Northern Irish theatre and is the leading professional theatre company producing work for children. Since beginning operations in 2001, Cahoots NI has produced original, critically acclaimed work for children including Under the Hawthorn Tree, Secrets of Space, Shh! We have a Plan and has toured its work internationally including in China and the USA.

For more information go to cahootsni.com or follow Cahoots NI on social media #UniversityofWonder #CahootsNI

To book your place go to https://bit.ly/CahootsUOWI 

Christmas may look a lot different this year, however Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council still plans to share some festive cheer. 

A ‘Virtual Christmas’ will be organised for each of the Christmas tree ‘switch ons’ across the seven District Electoral Areas (DEA’s): Antrim Town, Ballyclare, Crumlin, Glengormley, Mossley, Randalstown and Rathcoole. Plans for this festive programme ‘Log onto Christmas’ include an interactive children’s story with Mr Hullabaloo, radio presenter, live music, Santa, lots of prizes and many more sparkling surprises.

Reluctantly the Council has decided not to proceed with the annual flagship event, Enchanted Winter Garden. Given the nature of the event, the current circumstances relating to the NI Executive restrictions and the significant uncertainty about what might exist in November/December, a decision was made to bring the event back in 2021 bigger and better than before, circumstances permitting.

This award-winning event has grown annually to become one of Northern Ireland’s flagship Christmas experiences which attracted 85,000 visitors to Antrim Castle Gardens last year, with several thousand visitors attending each evening of the three week event run.

The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Jim Montgomery said “I am looking forward to the Council’s virtual Christmas programme and the Christmas spirit it will bring to the many households across the Borough.

“We have all became more digital savvy during the recent months, and this innovative virtual programme will bring us all together during this particularly special time of year.

“It is unfortunate that Enchanted Winter Garden has had to be put on hold until next year. Public safety is paramount and I look forward to a bigger and brighter Enchanted Winter Garden Experience in 2021.”

Full details of our ‘Log onto Christmas’ virtual programme are available on our website; www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/Christmas