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.
If you are looking for that special gift this Christmas, that offers plenty of choice then why not try the Antrim Town Gift Card?
Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Jim Montgomery is joined by Leslie Harte (Simpson’s Newsagents) and Simon Moon (Retail & Town Centre Re-opening Mobilisation Team) to launch 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
Ex RUC officer and author William Clegg releases his book Crime, Comedy & Combat.
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 13th 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.
NI Scrubs team (from left) Clara Maybin, Angeline Murphy, Chloe Dugan and Clare Caulfield. Pic: Kasia Rogowiec | Polka dot Photo
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
Christmas may look a lot different this year, however Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council still plans to share some festive cheer.
The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Jim Montgomery with Santa Claus as they launch the Council’s virtual Christmas campaign ‘Log onto Christmas’
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.”
The Northern Ireland Takeaway Association today (October 21) warned that the sector is facing devastation unless current restrictions preventing deliveries after 11pm are ended immediately.
Under the recent legislative restrictions delivery services must end by 11pm, resulting in losses, redundancies and potentially businesses being forced to close permanently.
A survey of members revealed that thousands of pounds are being lost every week, yet no financial aid is available.
“Members of the Takeaway Association are struggling as a result of this new restriction,” said Director, Michael Henderson.
“We have been there throughout the current crisis, providing an essential service, especially to the hard working key workers who often work irregular hours.
“Yet our members are being told we have to close at 11pm, for the first time since this began.”
The 11pm closing means for takeaways to get all orders out on time to customers with a high standard of food quality they would be limited to taking last orders around 9:45pm.
Mr Henderson said that in England, Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland no such restrictions are in place, even in the areas that are in the highest tier of lockdown.
“Previously the takeaway delivery trade were classed as essential workers which lead to the whole takeaway sector putting strict Covid-19 precautions in place spending hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of pounds to do so. By doing this the takeaway industry in Northern Ireland helped reduce the spread of Covid-19 with measures such as contactless deliveries and PPE equipment.”
Today the Takeaway Association has written to the Executive and MLAs to request that the 11pm delivery restrictions end in order to avoid damaging businesses. It has also sought urgent clarification to the financial package that may be offered that currently states ‘Cafe, pubs and restaurants that have been temporarily forced to close to limit their business to takeaway, delivery or outdoor service’.
Mr Henderson said that in response to a query from the Finance minister he was told that no financial aid was going to be made to the takeaway sector.
In an email to the NI Takeaway Association a colleague of Finance Minister Conor Murphy said: “I was speaking to the minister last night. He advised me that the legislation does not factor in takeaways firstly as they have not had to close, whereas restaurants and cafés do. In addition the legislation also deems them as not having lost as much custom through the legislation. The reduced delivery service is viewed as not being a hindrance to the businesses as there are no hospitality outlets (i.e bars and nightclubs) open and therefore the demand for takeaway food past 11pm is much lower than previously.”
Despite multiple attempts to meet with members of the Executive and several requests for clarification from the Executive press office Mr Henderson has said he no longer has a choice and must represent his members in the most public manner.
He added: “We were angered to learn that the attitude was that as takeaway and delivery services had been allowed to open previously they were not going to be included,” he said.
“Furthermore, it has been communicated to us that as hospitality outlets were not open the view was that takeaway and delivery services would not need to be available as there would not be any passing trade.
“This is preposterous, and the minister and the Executive should reconsider to allow the takeaway industry to continue to deliver past 11pm as a matter of priority.”
Mr Henderson also urged members to react quickly to the changing circumstances.
“We are advising everyone in the takeaway industry across Northern Ireland to spend valuable time assessing their offering and ensuring all their marketing materials are up to date and listings on online delivery platforms are current and showcase the best of your menu,” he said.
The association has created a consultation package for new and existing members can receive advice.
“From pivoting your business into takeaway, improving your current offering and human resources to legal, financial, marketing and advertising we have industry experts ready to help businesses overcome the challenges ahead,” he explained.
Calling all students! Join the University of Wonder & Imagination from the comfort of your own home for a magical experience this autumn.
This hour-long interactive digital theatre production delivered via Zoom allows families to direct the performance, based on their interaction with the performers.
The show, where magic and illusion have no boundaries, is part of this year’s Belfast International Arts Festival running from October 22nd – 25th and 29th – November 1
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.
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. For more information go to cahootsni.com or follow Cahoots NI on social media #UniversityofWonder #CahootsNI
Need something to do with your kids over the next 2 weeks?
CahootsNI’s new online Zoom show The University of Wonder and Imagination will be opening THIS THURSDAY as part of this year’s Belfast International Arts festival running from October 22nd – 25th and 29th – November 1 🎭🎟️
This immersive digital theatre experience will be bringing the magic and joy of theatre to families and young audiences at home.
The University of Wonder and Imagination is an hour-long interactive digital theatre production delivered via Zoom that allows audiences to effectively direct the performance, based on their interaction with the performers.
Audiences will interact with lively lecturers, experience themed rooms filled with illusion and magic and encounter problems and puzzles in an attempt to unlock magical powers and graduate with flying colours.
