All Present & Correct . . .

A new nature-friendly Christmas Santa visit has just been launched. A long time ago before Santa wore a red suit, his clothes were green, blending in with his surroundings and at one with nature. So Mother Nature & Father Christmas will team up to bring a greener approach to the festive season at this unique grotto event, at Crawfordsburn Country Park, near Bangor, County Down (5-7 December 10.30am to 5.00 pm).

The event is hosted by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and supported by Translink. Crawfordsburn Country Park Manager, Nikki Ardill commented:

“I love Father Christmas and it is a very special treat that he is visiting Crawfordsburn for a three-day fun-packed event”.

Each Santa visit must be pre-booked online through the Santa’s Red Letter Days site. At a cost of £15 per child the visit includes a small gift and two ‘selfies’ – one with our green-suited Santa & one with a real Lapland owl; a small make and take recycled craft and facepainting, plus the chance to decorate a Christmas biscuit to enjoy with a soft drink or to take home and hang from your tree! Children not visiting Santa get free admission.

Adults and guardians go free, however older children and big children alike are not forgotten as the environmental art team will help visitors craft a bespoke recycled decoration to take away for £3 with a donation of £1 per decoration going to Mission Christmas to help fund fun for others less fortunate this year.

As a special treat, Sunday 7 December also includes a free admission green Christmas fair. Exhibitors include local environmental and animal charities, sustainable gifts, upcycled and vintage stalls. Make and take workshops for bat & bird box construction, fat ball snacks for our feathered friends and festive print making by Seacourt Print Workshop will be available on Sunday (small donation to cover resources will apply to these activities).

Should you wish to leave your car at home, Translink will help keep your carbon footprint to a minimum and once you arrive at the event upon receipt of a valid train ticket you will receive a £2 discount off one entry to Santa’s Red Letter Day’s plus a free selection box will be given to each child travelling to the event by train. A free NIEA pickup service is available from Helen’s Bay Train Station to the Crawfordsburn Visitor centre from 10.00am to 4.30pm by contacting 028 91 853621.

Translink’s Lynda Shannon said: “Translink has a range of great value tickets including a third-off day return train tickets for travel after 9.30am as well as our Friends & Family discount ticket* to get you to Helen’s Bay Train Station with onward travel provided by NIEA to Crawfordsburn Country Park when you pre-book.”

From Monday 17 November the event will be promoted at Central Station, Belfast, using a special backdrop reminiscent of Sergeant Pepper, depicting the various landmarks on the way to Crawfordsburn and offering a free make and take craft experience to station visitors from 2.30 pm to 5.30pm on Thursday 20 November.

And don’t forget your green Santa
experience would not be complete without breathing in the great outdoors – follow a trail in the Crawfordsburn country park, in the woodlands, on the beach or a visit to the waterfall.

The event is an official Mission Christmas present drop-off point for Cash for Kids, from Monday 17 November to Friday 19 December. Individuals and organisations are invited to donate toys between these dates and Cash for Kids will collect and distribute all donations from the visitor centre in time for Christmas.

For further information and updates about visiting or exhibiting please phone 028 9073 0195 or visit the website: www.santasredletterdays.co.uk

whatsonni.com have 10 passes up for grabs! Enter free  HERE

Steeped in history and legend, with majestic highlands, lush rivers and rugged valleys, County Tyrone and the Sperrin Mountains is one of Northern Ireland’s most unspoilt and wild areas.

The county is well known for its spectacular countryside, stunning mountain ranges, traffic free wide open spaces and beautiful, largely undiscovered landscapes making Tyrone and the Sperrins ideal for a break in the outdoors, especially in the crisp winter weather.

The region is ideal for those who like to get outside in the fresh air, whether that’s to enjoy a gentle stroll around the Sperrin foothills or a more exhilarating mountain walk.  After an invigorating walk there are lots of cosy pubs and restaurants where visitors can enjoy a drink and rest their feet beside a roaring fire. From walking and cycling to more adventurous pursuits, there’s something to suit all interests and abilities.

“The county is a land of mystery and discovery, it has it all,” said Pauline Gormley, NITB’s Destination PR Officer.  “You can visit a Neolithic monument set in breath-taking scenery in the morning, immerse yourself in the unforgettable stories of mass emigration in the afternoon before a relaxing meal at an award-winning restaurant in the evening.”

Pauline continued:  “The range of activities, outside pursuits and forest walks is irresistible for lovers of the great outdoors and the county also has lots to offer those wanting to combine shopping, pampering and sampling delicious food.

“The arts and culture scene is alive and interesting, full of fascinating places such as the Hill of The O’Neill and Ranfurly House Arts and Visitors Centre and talented artists including Mairead McClean who recently won the MAC Live art title.  Famous sons and daughters include professional golfer Darren Clarke, country songstress Philomena Begley and theatre director and dramatist, Brian Friel, whose upbringing in County Tyrone gave them a unique view of the world that made them successful.”

Get outdoors

Todds Leap in Dungannon is the ideal day out for outdoor enthusiasts who want to try something that will give them an adrenalin rush and get the blood pumping through their veins. The list of exciting activities is endless and includes archery, clay pigeon shooting, JCB driving, rodeo bull, blindfold driving, climbing wall and off road driving.

Davagh Forest in Cookstown is an untouched rural landscape of rolling hills and sweeping forests. Outdoors enthusiasts will love the mountain biking and walking trails as well as the impressive 16km trail with some challenging rock slab drops. There is even more mountain biking available in the form of a 13km trail around the beautiful grounds of the Blessingbourne Country Estate in Fivemiletown and visitors to the estate can stay at the recently opened quaint ‘Gate Lodge’ cottage.

For people who like to be out on the water Blackwater Canoe Trail is perfect as it allows visitors to enjoy an amazing journey through the stunning countryside of Co. Armagh and Co. Tyrone. The river leads into Lough Neagh and canoeists should keep an eye out for the range of wildlife available to see including kingfishers, otters, herons and owls.

Visitors who like to take it a little bit easier can use their car to explore Co.Tyrone and experience one of the Sperrin’s four scenic driving routes which are included in the National Geographic’s prestigious list of the world’s top 101 scenic drives for 2012. The routes encompass the central, south, east and north areas of the Sperrins and offer the perfect way to explore and uncover this unique region.

Spectacular views are apparent throughout the county and stand out locations include the Owenkillew Valley and Butterlope Glen as well as Pigeon Top Mountain near Omagh.   Mullaghcarn which rises above Gortin Glen Forest Park and Bolaght Mountain near Castlederg are renowned for their beauty and Robbers Table outside Omagh is also an excellent off road hill walk with breathtaking views of the Bluestack and High Sperrin Mountain ranges.

Historical Tyrone and Sperrins

Co. Tyrone is brimming with historical sites and information on heritage and tradition. There is nowhere more atmospheric than standing in amongst the Beaghmore Stone Circles which consists of seven stone circles discovered during peat cutting in the 1940’s. Tullyhogue Fort is an area full of historical significance and attracts hundreds of visitors every year and Harry Avery’s Castle in Newtownstewart is a must see for any budding historians. The castle was built around 1320 by a local chieftan of the O’Neill clan but named after Harry Avery. The castle is known for its unusual design as Irish Chieftans of the time rarely built stone castles.

Guests to the county should also visit the Clogherny Wedge Tomb at Plumbridge which is a Scheduled Historic Monument.

Days Out

Nestled in a quaint and tranquil setting in Omagh is An Creagán which offers a range of facilities and activities for families, couples, individuals and corporate groups. This modern building presents a unique blend of stunning landscapes, wildlife, exciting outdoor activities and family fun. Activities available include walking, cycling, rally driving, music, dance and storytelling.

If travelling near the Moy, The Argory is the perfect destination for an exciting day out over the winter months as visitors can step back in time in this house which was built in 1824 and has not changed since the turn of the century. Alternatively try Lissan House in Omagh which is an enchanting country residence set within a 250 acre demesne of ancient woodland and forestry.

Visitors can learn lots about their history and immerse themselves in the story of Irish emigration at The Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh. The park is a great family day out and has so much to explore from the thatched cottages of Ulster to a full scale emigrant sailing shop to log cabins of the American Frontier.

Stay over and relax

Visitors to the town of Ballygawley should take some time out at Lavender Day Spa which is perfect for a relaxing day out with friends or family and offers a wide range of soothing treatments from facials to massages and reflexology.  Corick House Hotel and Spa in Clogher is also a great destination for those looking for complete relaxation and a special treat and with eight luxurious treatment rooms including a couples room, visitors will go away feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. Corick House also offers luxurious accommodation and guests can relax in one of the forty three Georgian style bedrooms.

Shop ‘til you drop

For a little seasonal shopping, Co Tyrone is full to the brim with busy streets offering varieties of shops ranging from cutting edge designer to high street. The Linen Green Designer Village in Dungannon is perfect for those looking for a day of shopping with everything they need in the one place and both Cookstown and Dungannon town centres are known for their variety of places to shop, relax and unwind and are perfect for shopaholics.

If local craft or something homemade is what you’re after Carol Kinloch Beaded Designs is situated just outside Omagh and produces unique hand stitched beaded jewellery from her workshop.

Other craft shops available include Dasalee Textile Art which is based in Dungannon and offers a unique array of mounted or framed artwork and Michelle Butler Ceramics in Omagh which hosts a range of handcrafted ceramic items from large pots to jewellery.

Food glorious food

Foodies will delight in the range of delicious restaurants that Co.Tyrone has to offer including The Brewers House in Donaghmore, Viscounts in Dungannon, Tullylagan Country House in Cookstown and the award winning Oysters in Strabane. Food enthusiasts will also enjoy the Tyrone Food Trail which showcases food producers, restaurants accommodation providers and tourist attractions across the Tyrone region. The Deli on the Green in the Linen Green Designer Village in Dungannon is renowned for its delicious food and is perfect for shoppers who want to take a break after a hard day of retail therapy.

For an abundance of local seasonal produce Dungannon and Omagh both have Farmers Markets which host a wide variety of delicious food including vegetable stalls, bakery goods, farm quality pork, beef and lamb as well as stalls from local bakerys.

For information and for your chance to win a weekend break at Corick House Hotel and Spa log onto http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/sperrins/

Deliciously decadent Emcee Peter Quigley is our mercurial Master of Ceremonies at the Courtyard Theatre Cabaret Club.

Over three special evenings our mirror ball will seductively shimmer around our house band; our spotlights fix on two sensational singers; and finally four cheeky cabaret dancers will complete the breathy mix as the ensemble perform a popular cabaret and party mix in salute to 2014.  You will be directed to your table by one of four willing waiters bursting to break out in song.

New Year’s Eve will be a particularly heady evening as we bid farewell to the old year.  Dress Code: decadent dress encouraged.

Mon 29 Dec – Wed 31 Dec

Tickets £16.50 (29 and 30 Dec)  £22 (31 Dec)

Time: Sun & Tue 8:30pm Wed 9pm

North Down is getting ready to light up for Christmas with a series of special Christmas events planned across The Borough.

The Bangor Christmas Switch On will commence at 5.30pm on Saturday, 22 November, when crowds will gather in Castle Park in front of The Town Hall to watch the skies above Bangor come alive with a spectacular fireworks display choreographed to all your favourite Christmas classics, before the Christmas tree lights are ceremoniously switched on.

This year, the lights will be switched on in front of a packed Castle Park by The Mayor of North Down, Councillor Peter Martin.

Commenting on the event, Alison Stobie, Tourism Manager, North Down Borough Council, said, “The switching on of the Bangor Christmas tree lights is the perfect event to make everyone in the family feel like the festive season has arrived, wrap up warmly and come along and enjoy the show.” She went on to say; “On a more serious note, please make sure to follow all safety instructions on the night. As well as producing an amazing show, safety is our priority at this event, so it is extremely important that you obey health & safety rules and co-operate fully with the marshals. Remember also that due to the volume of people it may be necessary to close some roads and the Omniplex cinema and The Aurora should be temporarily accessed from the Gransha Road between 5pm and 6pm.”

Then on Saturday 29 November, there will be more family festive fun in Holywood with their annual Christmas Light Switch On Event. Featuring a Christmas Market, activities in the library, a visit from Santa and even some Singing Elves, the event promises to be a great day out for the whole family. The market trades 11am – 6pm and the lights will be switched on by The Mayor of North Down, Councillor Peter Martin at 4.30pm.

And the Christmas fun doesn’t end there! Project 24 is also hosting a whole array of fantastic Christmas events which will be fun for the whole family taking place at various locations around the town. Called “The Fairy Tale of Bangor,” the fun starts on Friday 28 November at 4pm in Ward Park where children can enjoy an afternoon of fairy tale entertainment, story-telling and lantern-making in “The Enchanted Garden.”

Then at 5.30pm, the Lantern Parade will leave Ward Park and guided by rainbow lights will make its way back to Project 24 via Prospect Road and High Street for the Christmas Light Switch on and Winter Wonderland.

Browse the Festive Market for some Christmas shopping, get creative and make your Letter to Santa, visit Santa’s Grotto and deliver your letter personally! And don’t miss Santa on his sleigh with his reindeer

and so much more including a bouncy castle, photo booth, face painter and live music!

The Grand Switch On will take place at 6.30pm with The Mayor of North Down & Special Guests.

Watch out for Fairytale Characters giving away chocolates throughout the locations – find the Golden Ticket to receive VIP Treatment for ‘Movie in the Hub’

The village of Groomsport will also be switching on their lights on Friday, November 28. There will be a short carol service for children and adults starting at 6.30pm in Groomsport Presbyterian Church, then The Mayor of North Down will switch the lights on at 7pm.

Please note these are primarily outdoor events, please dress appropriately. All events are subject to change. Admission and activities are all FREE.

For further information, please phone our Tourist Information Centre on: 028 9127 0069 or visit www.northdowntourism.com

This year take the advice of Santa’s Elves, and pop into Bangor Visitor Information Centre for a stress free Christmas shopping experience!

With an array of ideas for gifts and stocking fillers we can help make light work of any Christmas shopping list.

Bangor Visitor Information Centre located at Tower House on Quay Street, opposite Bangor Marina stocks beautiful jewellery, unusual stocking fillers, unique Guinness and Titanic gifts as well as a range of candles, leather goods, local history books and so much more!

We have a great selection of locally made goods from delicious jars of Irish whisky marmalade by the Off Beat Bottling Company to Bog Standard candles, scented sachets and car air fresheners.

We are also stockists of Northern Irish ‘sayings’ cards, mugs, coasters and key rings made by local Bangor man Jeff Meredith, gifts that are proving to be a massive hit at St Georges Market!

During December our friendly staff will be delighted to offer you a complimentary gift wrapping service to make this a hassle free shopping experience from beginning to end.

Opening Hours:

Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri: 9.15am-5pm
Wed: 10am-5pm
Sat: 10am-4pm

Sun: Closed

Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

For more information on the range of gifts available at the Visitor Information Centre call 028 9127 0069 or visit www.northdowntourism.com

Mayor of Newtownabbey, Alderman Thomas Hogg teams up with pantomime frontrunner Mr.Hullabaloo ahead of their charity performance of Sleeping Beauty on the 2^nd December.

All proceeds raised for this special charity performance will go to the Mayor’s three amazing charities: Alzheimer’s Society, NI Hospice and SANDES.

The creative team that brought you Jack and the Beanstalk, Snow White, Aladdin and Cinderella and now Sleeping Beauty will take you and the family on a mystical adventure that will have everyone clapping along! Featuring a fantastic cast of live performers, puppetry, stunning sets and extravagant costumes, children of all ages can join in the excitement and enter a fairy-tale world, watching as the magical story unfolds.

Ticket prices of Sleeping Beauty’s charity performance remain at £9.50. Sleeping Beauty will run at The Courtyard Theatre Friday 28^th November to Saturday 20 December. We would be delighted if you could join us for this special charity event. Book your tickets as normal at www.TheCourtyardTheatre.com or by calling our Box Office on 028 90340202

This festive season, Northern Ireland’s favourite vintage event, the fabulous Frock Around The Clock Vintage Fair, will be visiting Lisburn on Saturday 6^th December for a Christmas extravaganza of vintage and handmade treasures for sale and a big helping of timeless glamour, reminiscence and fun.

This highly popular event always brings discerning Lisburn shoppers out in their hundreds to browse and shop for quality vintage & handmade treasures from a superb selection of handpicked Irish vintage dealers, designers and crafters. Now on 6^th December you will have another chance to get your hands on unique gifts, collectibles and crafts not found on the high street!

The Christmas event will be appearing in a new venue – The Wallace, Riverside Pub & Eatery on Bridge Street – where visitors will find an amazing line-up of 30 Irish vintage dealers and creative designers offering a fantastic array of vintage, handmade and upcycled fashion, jewellery, furniture, homewares, collectibles, sweet treats art, crafts, gifts and much more – it’s the hottest shopping destination to find the coolest Christmas gifts on the planet as well as treats for you, your wardrobe and your home.

The impressive exhibitor list will include Norma Jean Vintage selling authentic vintage fashion accessories and collectibles, Emily Loves Vintage, designer of gorgeous handcrafted jewellery, The Tea Emporium offering a beautiful range of vintage china, handmade aprons and bunting, B-Louise, specialising in exquisite crocheted fashion  accessories, Strombolitwo designer of jewellery and fashion accessories crafted from vintage kimono silks, Shabbie showcasing quirky and colourful cushions, throws and quilts, The Tea Boutique with a scrumptious selection of cupcakes and baked goods, I Of The Needle, purveyor of fantastic haberdashery and craft supplies, Gracefully Vintage, specialising in a fine assortment of vintage-inspired art and crafts, and Vintage Heirlooms by Gillian Shaw, creator of decadent handcrafted lamps and candles!

Local Lisburn author Norah Humphreys will also be in attendance at the fair selling her first novel ‘No Greater Love’, having obtained a publishing deal at the age of 79! Set against the backdrop of The Troubles in Northern Ireland, the book centres around Rob Hampton, who suffers a bereavement as a young boy of 9 and traces how it affects him and his family through four generations. It is a powerful story of love, betrayal and tragedy, yet one of hope and the ultimate power of forgiveness. Norah’s second novel ‘The House on Waring Street’ will be released on 28^th November in time to be promoted at the fair on 6^th December, and also promises to be a real page turner!

Visitors will also be able to relax and revive with delicious afternoon teas in The Wallace restaurant overlooking the river. Afternoon tea must be booked in advance by calling the restaurant on 028 9264 1155.

Frock Around The Clock organiser Becky Moore comments ‘we are very excited to bring Frock Around The Clock back to Lisburn as we always receive such a warm reception and it is a wonderful day for shoppers and sellers alike. We are delighted to announce that thanks to our sponsors Lisburn City Centre Management (LCCM) we are once again able to make this a free admission event so visitors can come in and browse without it costing them a penny. But don’t forget your purse as you will be blown away by the unique vintage treasures and handmade designs on offer!’

The Frock Around The Clock Very Christmassy Vintage Fair will take place on Saturday 6^th December from 11am to 5pm at The Wallace Riverside Pub & Eatery, 88 Bridge Street, Lisburn BT28 1XY, and admission to the event will be free.

More information on the event and the exhibitor list can be found online at www.frockfairsni.com.

Are you from Mid-Ulster or just looking to broaden your network throughout Northern Ireland?  If so, join us for a networking morning where you will have the opportunity to do just that.

Assisted by WIBNI Regional Ambassador and Award winner, Jacqueline McGonigle, Owner of whatsonni.com, facilitated networking and lunch will be provided.

Our speaker for the pre-Christmas event is the inspirational Denise McNally BSC, AMAC.

Denise McNally has extensive experience in the field of Training and Personal Development.  Since 2005 Denise has successfully established herself as a highly respected, multi-skilled trainer, facilitator and mentor.  In addition on an employed basis she manages a successful Business Park boasting a successful property portfolio and training facilities.

Denise has acquired a Teaching Certificate, a Certificate in Management and Teaching of Literacy, and a Certificate in Coaching and First Line Management. She has acquired a First Class BSc Honors in Social Psychology.

Denise is a trained Dance Fitness Professional and Holistic Therapist; she is continually acquiring new skills in the field of Positive Psychology and brings these new strategies and techniques to all her clients. Denise combines body work, energy release and talking therapies as part of a whole person context to get her clients to “dance to the beat of their own drums” and acquire personal and business success.

Denise will be delivering an uplifting and reflective talk on the role of women in today’s society. She will reference amazing writers and poets that have inspired her and will discuss the unique journey of the feminine in all her roles.

Register your place now at www.womeninbusinessni.com

Peter Hain has a rich political history, as Leader of the House of Commons from 2003 to 2005 to Secretary of State for Northern Ireland from 2005 to 2007.

However he has also received over 16 author and editior credits, his most recent being a biography of Nelson Mandela.

Hain spent the majority of his childhood in South Africa during a time when the Apartheid regime (a system of racial segregation) was becoming ever more prominent on South African society. He therefore became highly involved in the movement of opposition to the Apartheid regime with the influence of his passionate parents who were jailed, banned and forced into exile to Britain in 1966.

The struggle his parents suffered has a massive impact on Hain, becoming involved in politics to take up the fight against injustice. Following his arrival into Britain he become involved in anti-Apartheid protests resulting in his position as chairman of the Stop The Seventy Tour Campaign which effectively used non-violent direct action to isolate white South Africa from international sport.

An Audience with Peter Hain guarantees to be a night of very interesting conversations.

To purchase tickets contact the box office on

028 9034 0202 or book online at www.theatreatthemill.com

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With over 7,000 seats already sold and counting, The 2014 pantomime at The Market Place Theatre, Armagh has been officially launched and the cast and artistic team were in town to tell all mums and dads to get their skates on for the spectacular ‘Scrooge’s Christmas’ which runs from Monday 1^st to Sunday 21^st December.

This is the enchanting story of the meanest miser of them all, based on the Charles Dickens’ seasonal classic, ‘A Christmas Carol’. Christmas, the most wonderful time of the year? Not for the miserable, miserly Ebenezer Scrooge! However, Scrooge is soon to be shown the error of his ways when the three ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future pay him a visit one cold and wintry night. Will their visits make him realise that a kind heart and generous spirit make the world a happier place for everyone? With a bit of panto magic, and a lot of help from the audience, maybe anything is possible!

This much-loved story perfectly captures the magic of Christmas and positively sparkles on stage with an ensemble cast playing the many memorable characters – Scrooge, his nephew Fred and the beautiful Lucy he wishes to marry, the Cratchits complete with Tiny Tim, a trio of hilarious ghosts, plus a myriad of colourful characters in a gloriously funny version of the spellbinding tale. And of course, there’s the dame! No pantomime would be complete without her… she’ll put Scrooge right! OH YES SHE WILL!

‘Scrooge’s Christmas’ promises an unforgettably festive experience coupled with The Market Place Theatre’s renowned reputation for high quality, professional pantomimes that are acclaimed as among the best in Ireland… Ideal for children aged 5 to 95!

There are public performances on: Fri 5 Dec 6.30pm | Sat 6 Dec 11.00am & 3.00pm & 6.30pm | Sun 7 Dec 1.00pm & 4.30pm | Fri 12 Dec 6.30pm | Sat 13 Dec 1.00pm & 5.00pm | Sun 14 Dec 1.00pm & 4.30pm | Mon 15 Dec 6.30pm | Tues 16 Dec 6.30pm | Thurs 18 Dec 6.30pm | Fri 19 Dec 6.30pm | Sat 20 Dec 11.00am & 3.00pm & 6.30pm | Sun 21 Dec 1.00pm & 4.30pm  

Tickets for ‘Scrooge’s Christmas’ are priced £13.00 & £11.00 [conc] with a FINAL WEEK TICKET OFFER…£10.00 & £8.00 [conc] for performances on Mon 15 Dec 6.30pm | Tues 16 Dec 6.30pm | Thurs 18 Dec 6.30pm.

There is also a Captioned Performance on Thurs 18 Dec at 6.30pm and a BSL Signed Performance on Sat 13 Dec at 5.00pm

The pantomime is presented in association with Ulster Theatre Company and is written and directed by Michael Poynor with music by Mark Dougherty, designed by Elroy Ashmore and choreography by Deborah Maguire.