Magherafelt Style Festival, probably the most stylist event in Mid-Ulster, will take place in Magherafelt from Thursday 1^st November to Thursday 8^th November 2012.

Now in its second year, the Magherafelt Style Festival is bigger and better than before with a programme of exclusive workshops and events that will keep you bang-up-to-date with Autumn / Winter trends as well as secrets on how to continue looking your best throughout the year.  This will be a week of “Sensational Style” guaranteed to bring out the inner goddess of even those most style-shy.

Make sure you have a pen ready to mark these dates in your dairy, as they are events you will not want to miss!

Image Consultant Billy Dixon kicks off the festival on Thursday 1^st November at 12 noon with “Stripping it Back” a motivational lunchtime seminar tailored to give Confidence for Women in Business.

Billy specializes in helping people understand the impact of personal projection, motivational leadership and change. He has worked extensively in the political, corporate and media arenas and speaks regularly at conferences in Ireland, UK and Europe. As a recent published author (Stripping it Back) he has earned the reputation as a leader in personal marketing, coaching and image consultancy. He provides his clients with services intended to assist in the creation of positive and accepting public images within their respective markets. Well-known in UK business, he is also a personal advisor with a wide experience in the private, corporate, sporting and public sectors throughout the United Kingdom and Europe.   The seminar will take place in The Terrace Hotel, Magherafelt from 12noon to 2pm.  To book your place contact The Bridewell on 028 7631510 or email thebridewell@magherafelt.gov.uk

Next up are Style icons Emma-Louise Johnston and Lady Portia Di’Monte on Friday 2^nd November at the Local Women Celebrity Pre-Christmas Style Event at 7.30pm in The Terrace Hotel.

The long-lace gloves are off as these celebrity style queens go head to head in the fashion ring – Gok Wan style! A perfect start to the festive season, Emma-Louise and Lady Portia will ensure you sparkle throughout the party season with great looks for office parties, Christmas weddings, family get-togethers, New Years Eve celebrations and whatever you’re up to this Christmas!
And you’ll have your say too! The audience will then vote for their favourite styles hand-picked by our celebs in this battle of the biIAatches!   The evening will also showcase award-winning haute couture designs from the Northern Regional College; reveal the winner of the exclusion make-over competition; the launch of Cancer Focus NI’s fabulous “Mid-Ulster Calendar Boys” 2013 calendar; and fabulous spot prizes throughout the night!  Tickets cost £8 and include a free drinks reception and goodie bag on arrival.

Tickets are available at The Bridewell T: 7963 1510 and at The Terrace Hotel T:79634040.  Make sure you book early to avoid disappointment!

The evening will also showcase award-winning haute couture designs from the Northern Regional College; reveal the winner of the exclusive make-over competition; launch of the Cancer Focus NI’s fabulous “Mid-Ulster Calendar Boys” 2013 calendar; performances by Kirsty’s Kinetic Kidz; and spot prizes throughout the night.

Tickets cost £8 and include a free drinks reception and goodie bag on arrival.  Tickets are available at The Bridewell T: 79631510 and at The Terrace Hotel T: 7963 4040.  Make sure you book early to avoid disappointment!

The excitement continues on the Saturday morning 3^rd November with exclusive celebrity style workshops on all you need to know to look your best.

At 10am in the Terrace Hotel, Uber chic celebrity fashionista Lady Portia Di’Monte (Marcus Hunter-Neill) will host a workshop advising on make-up and skincare techniques to ensure you sparkle inside and out!

Followed by Emma-Louise Johnston will host a workshop entitled “What to Wear Wonderfully” showing you how to best dress for your body shape including recognising your assets, colour analysis, wearing the right underwear, making the most of accessories and choosing the right shoes.

Guaranteed to be fun and informative it is essential to book your free place on either workshop by contacting The Bridewell on 028 79631510 or email thebridewell@magherafelt.gov.uk.

Style takes to the streets in the afternoon on Saturday 3^rd November from 12pm to 4pm with “Magherafelt on the Move”.

All in aid of Cancer Focus NI, Magherafelt town centre will literally come alive on Saturday afternoon 3^rd November with live mannequins in shop windows and a live flash fashion show on Broad Street.  Vacant units are also being put to good use by displaying work from NRC’s fashion students.  Shoppers will also be kept amused with live music, dance and street entertainment.

Come along and make it a day out for all the family and explore what Magherafelt has to offer.

On Wednesday 7^th November at 10am the annual Visible Women Conference takes place in Magherafelt District Council Offices, Celebrating the Achievements of Women.

The following five local women, representing the business sector, public sector and media world, will tell their personal stories of achievements.

Dr Janet Gray MBE

Dr Janet Gray MBE is one of Northern Ireland’s most successful athletes who has overcome much adversity to get to where she is today.
Janet currently holds the title of ‘four times World Champion Water Skier’ despite being completely blind.

Pauline McGurk

An award winning Chef/Catering Manager at St Mary’s Grammar School who enjoys outdoor pursuits such as walking/running /cycling & mountain climbing.

Pauline is also an enthusiastic fundraiser for local charities and has trekked the Himalayas and Tonkinese Alps(Vietnam); cycled through Brazil and over the Andes from Argentina to Chile; and ran marathons including the New York Marathon.

She is a very active volunteer member of the North West Mountain Rescue Team.

Emma-Louise Johnston

Well known as a travel presenter here in Northern Ireland, Emma-Louise filmed her third series of ‘Getaways’ for the BBC alongside other appearances for various series for BBC NI.  Emma-Louise has also reported for UTV, ITN and Channel 7 news, Australia. A familiar face on GMTV nation-wide, she worked for the breakfast station in the UK for five years, before coming home to get married.

Johann Muldoon

Johann is a partner in Manor Architects Moneymore. She has won many prestigious awards since graduating from Queens University Belfast with a 1^st class Bsc (hons). Most recently Johann has won Business Person of the Year at the Mid Ulster Business Awards.

Superintendent Barbara Gray

Barbara Gray is a Superintendent in the Police Service of Northern Ireland with almost 24 years policing experience. She is currently based in North and West Belfast.  She is a Silver Firearms Commander, Advanced Public Order Commander, member of the PSNI Strategic Firearms Board, Gender Implementation Group and several other external partnerships including Business in the Community and Belfast Community Safety Partnership.

After the presentations, guests will be treated to lunch where they will have the opportunity to meet each speaker, and network with others. To book your place at the Visible Women’s Conference contact The Bridewell on 028 79631510 or email thebridewell@magherafelt.gov.uk

Places limited booking essential.

Wrapping up the Style Festival on Thursday 8^th November is a fabulous Fashion Show in Magherafelt Parish Centre in association with CHARIS featuring the latest fashions from the high street and boutiques in Magherafelt.  There were also be jewellery, accessories and beauty products for sale on the night.  For further information and to purchase tickets contact Magherafelt Parish Centre on 028 79631726.

Do not forget to keep a look out for displays of work from NRC’s fashion students in vacant units in the town centre throughout the Style Festival Week.

You can be kept up to date about all the exciting promotions and competitions associated with The Style Festival via facebook.com/magherafeltstyle

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has put together a list of 12 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland over the next week (October 15 – 21).

• Belfast Fashion Week, various venues, Belfast, October 13 – 21.  Belfast Fashion Week continues to stay ahead of the crowds with the hottest trends for fashion on display from the high street, boutiques and designer stores.

• Yours Truly Jack The Ripper, The Market Place Theatre, Co. Armagh, October 18.  This drama looks at the case of Jack the Ripper through the eyes of the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police as he recounts the terrible weeks when East London was under a reign of fear.

• Nocturnal Nature Tour, Crom, Upper Lough Erne, Newtownbutler, Co. Fermanagh, October 18 – 19.  Take a tour in the 4×4 jeep and discover what lurks among the trees and foliage in Crom after dark.

• Roe Valley Folk Festival, Limavady, Co. Londonderry, October 17 – 21.  Enjoy a range of folk music, dance, song and verse, performances, concerts and sessions as well as a number of outdoor events for children and the whole community.

• In The Footsteps of Heroes from the Somme to D-Day, Strule Arts Centre, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, October 19. Follow in the footsteps of young Jimmy Ashfield played by Andrew Burnside as he enlists into the 9^th Battalion of the RIF and recounts his experiences in letters to his widowed mother, through to the battle of the Somme and his ultimate death.

• 50^th Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s, various venues, Belfast, October 19 – November 4.  This annual festival promises a world of talent right on your doorstep with dance, music, theatre, visual arts and film featuring both home-grown and international artists and performers.        

• Apple Day, Lisburn Tourist Information Centre, Lisburn, October 20.  Part of the UK wide event celebrating traditional varieties of apple with lots of family friendly activities.

• Brent Goose Bonanza, Mount Stewart House, Newtownards, Co. Down, October 20.  Marvel at the return of the thousands of Brent Geese and other waders and wildfowl that have completed their epic journeys from arctic Canada, Iceland and Northern Europe.

• 1912, A Hundred Years On, Ulster Museum, Belfast, October 20.  An hour-long play telling the story of a vital year in Northern Ireland’s history through a thought-provoking drama.

• Ghost and Gourds Weekend, Rowallane Garden, Saintfield, Co. Down, October 20 – 21.  Come along for a scary day out with face painting, ghosts trails and the chance to behead, scoop and carve your very own pumpkin to take home.

• Ulster Society of Women Artists, Waterfront Hall, Belfast, until October 26.  The Ulster Society of Women was founded in 1957 at a time when no art society in Northern Ireland would accept female artists.  Today it boasts over 120 members and this is an exhibition of their works including oils, watercolours, acrylics, mixed media and sculptures.

• Escape from Witch Mountain, Ring of Gullion, Crossmaglen, Co. Armagh, until October 30.  Are you brave enough to help save all the children that are trapped on the mountain from the witch of Slieve Gullion? Join in and help solve the clues along the spine-chilling forest trail.

Down
The Banbridge District Annual Arts Festival will be swinging into town on Friday 12th October with the opening event taking place in the Old Town Hall, Banbridge. Ralph McClean will be hosting the ‘Locals Lock In’ which will include local talent performing on the night including Malojan, Matt McGinn, Warren Attwell (previous winner of BuskFest) and 20 Second Century. This will also be recorded live on the night and Ralph will be playing this on his regular Locals Lock In show on BBC Radio Ulster which features the very finest local musical talent across Northern Ireland. The festival continues until 27th October with a packed programme of events.

Tyrone
Sense of the Sperrins Festival 2012 runs from 11th to 14th October at An Creagan Omagh, with a variety of live music performances and a cycle & run, walk and Ceili Session on Sunday. Bands taking park include the Logues and Kila.

Fermanagh
Fermanagh Walking Festival will take place over the weekend of the 13th, 14th and 15th of October 2012 at various locations throughout the County. The selection of walks available includes a Family walk, an Intermediate walk, an Advanced walk for the experienced hiker as well as our our annual Inclusive walk which is specifically catered for people with disabilities, their carers, families and friends. All our walks have been carefully selected to ensure that there is a walk to suit people of all strengths, abilities and interests.

Derry
The popular Jumping Clay Workshop is coming to Magherafelt on Saturday 13th October. Jumping Clay uses the most unique, innovative and truly wonderful clay products. Come along and make your own unique model with jumping clay! Booking is essential with the Bridewell as places are limited. Only £2.50 per child. 11.00am to 12.30pm.

Armagh
Join in the Big Draw with the Ring of Gullion on Saturday 13th October – put pen to paper, brush to paint, chalk to board and help create mountain sized pieces of art that even the ‘GIANT’ Finn Mac Cool would be proud of. ‘DRAWING’ on Slieve Gullion’s history, wildlife and geology as inspiration, this ‘BIG’ art event will ensure that the whole family have a ‘GREAT’ time together creating ‘MONSTER’ pieces of art. Come dressed to get messed and ready to explore the big outdoors for ideas.

Antrim
GrassStock is a new Belfast festival planned for Saturday 13th October. A fun filled foot stomping day of bluegrass, americana, roots, blues and alt-country music at the Haymarket Arcade and Hudson Bar as well as an arts and crafts fayre.

AVOID the madness of mid-term this autumn by packing up the kids and taking a fun-filled trip to Glasgow!

With great food, amazing architecture, fantastic shopping and fun attractions just a short ferry crossing away, it’s the perfect place to shake off the winter blues.

Glasgow City Marketing Bureau’s Senior Marketing Communications Manager, Elaine Dickie, said that Autumn is certainly the season for fun seeking families to visit Glasgow.

“Each of Glasgow’s Leading Attractions has their own special offer this season,” said Elaine. “With two for one admission offers and money off vouchers, there are lots of ways for you save money on your visit.

“From the thrills and spills of the UK’s longest indoor real snow slope at Xscape to visiting Scotland’s museum of transport and travel, the Riverside Museum with over 3,000 objects on display, Glasgow has got it all and with the opportunity to see much more for less, there is no better time to get away.

“Visitors to the Riverside Museum can venture onboard The Tall Ship ‘Glenlee’ which operates an exciting programme of events and activities.

“The city also has a great network of tourist transport, so you can see it all on an open top tourist bus and hop on and hop off as many times as you like,” Elaine concluded.

Other attractions include Glasgow Science Centre where there are hundreds of hands on science exhibits, shows and challenges in an amazing building on the River Clyde; the ever-popular Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum which features interactive exhibits especially designed for children and The Hampden Experience where 14 galleries will take you through the development of modern football in Scotland.

VisitScotland, the national tourism agency, has leant its weight to the drive to attract visitors to Glasgow and is promoting the city as an ideal location for enjoying some of the country’s most beautiful scenery and countryside.

Ian Baillie, Stena Line Marketing Manager believes that the short trip across the Irish Sea is an ideal way of entertaining the kids this autumn.

“Your break really does begin as soon as you step onboard one of our Superfast ferries,” said Ian.

“Parents can relax in our onboard spa, teenagers can take advantage of our iPads and games systems and for younger children, Curious George will ensure that everyone is entertained!

“Add in onboard shopping and fantastic food from our new Kevin Woodford menu and you will be fully relaxed and ready to enjoy all that Glasgow has to offer,” he added.

Hotel breaks with Stena Line to Glasgow begin from only £49* per adult per night (including travel) or take your car from only £79* for car and driver. Visit www.stenaline.co.uk /Glasgow for a list of offers and downloadable vouchers.

*Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability.

Things get spooky at the National Trust whenever Hallowe’en creeps upon us.

From spooky story-telling to fearsome face painting, frightening fancy dress and ghoulish games, you can experience spine-chilling thrills at some of the most hauntingly atmospheric houses and gardens across Northern Ireland.

Bring your little monsters along to Rowallane Garden’s Ghost and Gourds Weekend on 20-21 October.  Get your face painted as scarily as you please and follow the Ghost Trail…if you dare.

Ghoulish guided tours and other eerie delights will make a night to remember at Hezlett House from 26 to 29 October – remember to come in fancy dress.  Or why not come along for an afternoon of family fun at Springhill on 28 October.  Carve out a pumpkin to take home, take part in some ghoulish games and hear spooky tales of Springhill’s eerie past.  Come in your most frightening costume to The Argory’s Pumpkins and Potions on 27 and 28 October – enter the spook shed for chilling tales and discover the haunted trail and graveyard.  Carve a pumpkin to take home and enjoy traditional Hallowe’en activities.

The Hallowe’en Fest and Craft Fair on 28 October at Florence Court will provide Hallowe’en fun for all the family.  Watch the magician perform spell-binding tricks before your very eyes, take a spooky tour, have your face painted and relax to live music.

Complete the Hallowe’en festivities at Mount Stewart on 31 October for a truly magical night.  With story tellers, twilight tours of the mansion and a few spooky surprises, this is your chance to see Mount Stewart as you never have before.

Enjoy a delightfully eerie, hocus-pocus-filled Hallowe’en with the National Trust.

For more details of events visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ni

Fun, Food & Fireworks

Venue: Seapark Recreation Grounds, Holywood

Date: Saturday 27^th October

Time: 4pm – 8pm

Cost: FREE

Seapark Recreation Grounds in Holywood are the place to be on Saturday 27 October! The fun starts at 4pm with a children’s fun fair and food stalls and at 6pm live music from local band “The Jukes” playing popular music from recent years. Following “The Jukes” performance the skies will come alive with another of North Down’s spectacular fireworks displays starting at 8pm.

Cockle Row Cottages Halloween Fun

Venue: Cockle Row Cottages, Groomsport

Date: Sunday 28^th October

Time: 1pm – 4pm (Cottages open 11am – 5pm)

Cost: FREE

On Sunday 28^th October there’s something chilling in the air and some spooky goings-on at Cockle Row Cottages! Cockle Row Cottages, Groomsport will be open from 11am-5pm, with free family fun including Casey’s creepy creatures, JungleWorld animals, ghoulish crafts, traditional music & balloon modeling taking place from 1pm-4pm.

Have a Spooky Halloween at North Down Museum

Venue: North Down Museum, Bangor

Date: 27^th & 28^th October

Time & Cost: Various – See Event details

Don’t miss out on the variety of activities we have planned for Halloween this year – guaranteed to please all your little ghosts and ghouls! We are determined to  have a creepy Halloween, with a range of activities guaranteed to appeal to all ages including storytelling, crafts, face painting and a treasure hunt!

Halloween Family Festival

Venue: Ulster Folk & Transport Museum , Cultra

Date: Wednesday 31^st October

Time: 10am – 4pm

Cost: Admission Costs

Experience the ancient festival of Halloween with a murderous twist. This Halloween why not have some spooky family fun at the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum?

With all this and more there’s nowhere quite like North Down to enjoy a “ghoulish Halloween” so come on down and join in all the spooky festivities.

For more information on all activities in North Down this October please contact Bangor Tourist Information Centre on T: (0)28 9127 0069 E: tic@northdown.gov.uk or visit our website northdowntourism.com

Stena Line car-cation survey reveals the majority of people would like to holiday with the future Queen.

VOTED the most stylish woman in the world, the Duchess of Cambridge has also been revealed as the most desirable ‘celebrity’ people in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain would like to car-cation with, according to Stena Line.

Northern Ireland’s leading ferry company ran a series of Facebook polls amongst customers in the UK and Ireland to discover people’s car-cation habits. The car-cation trend centres around using the family car as one of the main focal points of the holiday and the freedom it provides to bring unlimited luggage.

Forty one per cent of people chose Prince William’s wife Kate as their ideal travel companion with Irish pop duo Jedward coming second at 25 per cent.

With unrestricted baggage when travelling by ferry, many people revealed bizarre and personal items they took with them on a car-cation. These included everything from the sentimental giant teddy bear to a life-size cardboard cut-out, a bag of potatoes and amazingly a washing machine!

While it takes most people a week to unwind on a holiday abroad, with a car-cation in the UK and Ireland, 70 per cent of people said they can relax straight away.

Stena Line’s Head of Marketing Orla Noonan said the research results revealed that people now like to create a ‘home from home’ on holiday and the car-cation is the perfect way to do this.

“The results show that ferry travel is one of the most relaxing ways to holiday. It’s such a unique, enjoyable and stress-free travel experience. As the survey shows, 70% of people unwind immediately when travelling on a car-cation while it often takes much longer to unwind if you experience stressful travel queues and hidden costs,” said Orla.

“The wonderfully wacky items people bring on their car-cation is fascinating, as it’s important they are comfortable travelling and bring everything they need with them. With a car-cation you can even take the kitchen sink, or rather the washing machine!

“Whether you are travelling for the weekend, a week or longer, visiting friends or family or simply taking a leisurely break – a car-cation is the easiest way to getaway.

“When travelling with Stena Line, Kate can bring as many different outfits as she needs to and Jedward don’t have to worry about running out of hair gel, they can just take it all with them!” Orla added.

To book a car-cation click on www.stenaline.co.uk, call 08447 70 70 70 or contact your local travel agent.

Derry based dance company, Echo Echo, are on tour with a new production which sees them merge visual arts, music and dance with outdoor pursuits- all inspired by a hidden cove near Shroove, on the North Donegal coast.

The director, Steve Batts, discovered the Port-a-Doris cove a few years ago. It became the setting for one of the company’s 2011 projects and proved to be a magical, inspiring place- looking out towards Downhill beach on the other side of Lough Foyle.

During that site-specific project, many local residents came to visit and told stories of the cove having been a place where people proposed to their sweethearts and carved their names. They came to dance there too, many years ago, in secret. Interesting that Echo Echo had returned in 2011 to dance too.

In 2012, the dancers have taken it one step further and created an original performance inspired by their memories and experience of Port-a-Doris. The production will include set design by acclaimed Belfast-based visual artist Dan Shipsides and an original music score by talented local composer Christopher Norby- who has composed for Ulster Orchestra and NI Opera.

Echo Echo Company Manager, Ailbe Beirne, said:

“Echo Echo’s team of artists and collaborators are of the highest professional level for this project so we must thank the Legacy Trust for the funding support to make it possible. The company has built up a very loyal and interested local audience but I think there are many more people out there who will enjoy this live performance work. It’s very cutting edge and combines different art forms, music, theatre, video, lighting, to make something that is very difficult to describe in words. Maybe that’s what quality work should be, and it’s hopefully what we will see a lot more of in 2013 and in years to come.”

Echo Echo is considered to be one of Ireland’s leading dance companies and is known for it’s innovative projects and unique performance style. The Cove will be in Black Box, Belfast on Friday 12th October, Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick on Saturday 13th before finishing the tour in Echo Echo’s hometown Derry-Londonderry at The Millennium Forum on Wednesday 17^th October.

The Cove is funded through Legacy Trust UK’s Challenge Fund, which is managed by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. Legacy Trust UK is creating a lasting impact from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games by funding ideas and local talent to inspire creativity across the UK.

For full details about the performance or any of the work that the company does, visit www.echoechodance.com