A sea of red runners & walkers to take over Stormont

Northern Ireland’s only ‘Red Dress Run’ is set to return for the second year to Stormont Estate this February. Chris Henry, local and international Rugby Player joined in on the launch alongside Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke to encourage the public to dress in red and take part in the event at Stormont Estate on 10^th February 2018.

This year’s event will see hundreds of flamboyantly dressed men, women and children take part in a 5k or 10k walk or run.  The event, which was launched last year, aims to raise awareness of, as well as funds to help combat, the biggest single* killer of men and women in Northern Ireland – heart disease.

Jackie Trainor, Director of Fundraising at Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke said:  “We’re delighted to see the return of our Red Dress Run following the huge success of last year’s event.  We are calling on all men and women to join in and take part and wear anything red to walk, run, or even crawl and join in the fun.  All runners and walkers of all abilities are welcome and each will receive a medal, hearty bowl of veggie soup and fun morning out with the best craic!”

Jackie continued.  “Taking part in the Red Dress Run and raising vital funds will ensure that Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke will be at the forefront in raising awareness on heart disease.  85% of our work relies on donations from the public, without your support we couldn’t be here making a difference!”

Those who register before 15^th January will be automatically entered into a draw to win a midweek overnight stay for two at the award winning four star Clandeboye Lodge Hotel, including dinner at the Coq&Bull brasserie and a full English breakfast.

Registration is now open.  Enter online now to receive early bird rate of £10 per entry.  Register online at www.nichs.org.uk/reddressrun  for more information visit ‘Red Dress Run’ event on Facebook.

Local singer songwriter Janet Dowd returns to The Market Place Theatre in Armagh on Friday 19 January, following the success of her latest release ‘Home’.

 

All three of her albums to date have taken the Number 1 spot in Irish Music Magazine’s Top 10 Folk Albums and the track ‘John Condon’ was named ‘Song Of The Year’ on BBC Radio.

Over the years Janet has shared the stage with legends such as Ric Sanders and Chris Leslie [Fairport Convention] and Tom Leary [Lindisfarne].

Janet will be joined by her band for an evening of folk ballads and foot stomping tunes.

Tickets for this concert are priced £10, and can be booked through the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre

And to keep up-to-date with the latest news at the Market Place Theatre, you can follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/marketplacearmagh) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/mptarmagh) where you will find all the latest information, special offers and video previews.

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has launched its new Arts Guides for the spring season.

Featuring a wide range of artistic workshops, exhibitions and theatre, the new guides have lots to choose from over the next couple of months.

The launch was attended by the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Joan Baird OBE, who said: “I would encourage adults and children to start the New Year by visiting our fantastic cultural venues. We are so fortunate to have Flowerfield Arts Centre in Portstewart and Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre in Limavady, and with a wide variety of events taking place from now until March it is a great opportunity to make a visit and see what is on offer.”

Event highlights at Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre include the return of the World Illustration Awards exhibition from Saturday 10^th March until Saturday 7^th April. Local artist Amanda Walker will exhibit her work until Saturday 24^th February alongside pieces by Derry print workshop artists.

Theatrical highlights include performances from the Kabosh Theatre Company and Cahoots NI whilst music fans are in for a treat with concerts from The Fureys on Friday 23^rd February and The 4 of Us on Saturday 3^rd March.

Events at Flowerfield Arts Centre include the acclaimed O Duo! Musicians who will present a unique family event on Sunday 18^th February. Internationally acclaimed musician Jim Mullen will perform on Thursday 1^st March alongside the Ronnie Greer Organ Band. Art exhibitions include the Northern Ireland Photographic Association whose prints will be on display from Saturday 24^th February until Friday 23^rd March. Following this, a series of new paintings by local artist Sarah Carrington will run from Saturday 31^st March until Saturday 26^th May.

Call into your local Council venue to pick up your guide or download it directly to your smartphone, tablet or computer from the Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre, Flowerfield Arts Centre and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council websites

As people across Northern Ireland are already fledging on their New Year’s Resolutions an online learning and training platform has set the “Learn 31 New Things In January” challenge.

TrainingMatchmaker.com, founded by Belfast marketer Christine Watson, has launched it’s #LearnuaryNI campaign encouraging people to share one thing they’ve learned or can teach to others each day.

Research states that January is more often than not the most depressing month of the year.  Not just that, it’s also the one month every year where most people try to change their lives for the better.   From New Year’s resolutions about health, wellbeing and career choices to pledges of sobriety, ambition and learning, Christine believes January is the perfect month for people to “try something new”.

Her company TrainingMatchmaker.com offers trainers and learners a place to congregate, to search for and list training opportunities across Northern Ireland and beyond.

She said: “We’re really excited about our TrainingMatchmaker.com soft launch this month and #LearnuaryNI is the perfect opportunity for people to take the plunge and think about what they want to learn or teach in 2018.

“We’re encouraging people to join the conversation on social platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest and Snapchat.  Whether people are making observations about their day and what they have learned along the way or whether they are offering snippets of learning from their online training courses or face to face workshops we hope they will use our #LearnuaryNI hashtag to inspire others taking part in the campaign either as learners, educators or spectators.”

She added: “Don’t panic if you were not on board from January 1st or if you can’t commit to a daily learning or teaching. The campaign will run until February 14 to give people the opportunity to share 31 individual posts.”

 

To get people ready for their #LearnuaryNI campaign here are Christine’s top 3 social media sharing tips:

1. Challenge your creativity

When creating your #LearnuaryNI posts don’t forget to use all the formats available for creating content.  From sharing photographs, word based statuses and memes to gifs, video and Live. Being diverse with your content will help capture the attention of your followers. Most social media platforms have their own free online training courses from Facebook Blueprint to Google Digital Garage and Snapchat Explore all of which you can find links to on TrainingMatchmaker.com.

2. Don’t break the rules

Each social media platform has its own set of rules that, if broken, can penalise your profile or page and your content in terms of its visibility on users’ newsfeed’s.  For example, late in December Facebook announced new penalties for users requiring shares and tags in posts.  You can find more information on how to keep your digital skills up to date on TrainingMatchmaker.com throughout January.

3. Cramming is ok

If you have a big contract, holiday plans or are worried about being present on social media every day in January think about using scheduling tools such as Hootsuite, Buffer and even Facebook’s pre-scheduled post options to fill in the blanks.  To learn more information on scheduling tools and how to use them check out TrainingMatchmaker.com throughout January.

For more information log onto www.TrainingMatchmaker.com/LearnuaryNI or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn or SnapChat.

 

Titanic Belfast is again opening its doors to help locals beat the January blues by giving away complimentary tickets for local residents for the 14^th January 2018.

Titanic Belfast’s NI Citizens’ Day event on 14^th January will provide the opportunity for over 2,000 locals to visit or re-visit the world-class landmark right on their doorstep. Golden ticket winners will get the chance to enjoy the Titanic Experience, which tells the story of the Titanic, from her conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, through her construction and launch, to her famous maiden voyage and tragic end, as well as SS Nomadic, free-of-charge.
Judith Owens, Chief Executive of Titanic Belfast, said, “At Titanic Belfast, we have continued to go from strength to strength, having been awarded the title of World’s Leading Tourist Attraction at the prestigious World Travel Awards last year and are currently experiencing our busiest year to date – we know we couldn’t have done it without local support. To say thank you and to show our appreciation, we are throwing our doors open for ‘golden ticket’ winners on 14^th January to encourage those who have or haven’t visited to be a tourist at home and enjoy the world-class experience on their doorstep!”

Tickets will be allocated via a prize draw. To enter to win these golden tickets to beat the January blues and experience one of the World’s Leading Tourist Attraction, visit www.titanicbelfast.com/citizensday and register before midnight 7^th January. Winners will be notified week commencing 8^th January 2018.

Described by The Guardian as “an inspiring testament to the Titanic and the city that built it”, more than four million people from around the world have already visited Titanic Belfast since opening in 2012. For more information, visit www.titanicbelfast.com.

BANISH THE WINTER BLUES AT THE EUROPA HOTEL FROM ONLY £95 PER ROOM

Includes overnight accommodation for two and full Irish breakfast

The Europa Hotel has launched a fabulous flash sale giving people the chance to enjoy an overnight getaway in January from only £95* per room.

This great price includes luxurious overnight accommodation for two people and full Irish breakfast the following morning.

The Europa Hotel is superbly located in the heart of Belfast city centre, boasts a delightful choice of dining options for guests and is the perfect base to enjoy a spot of sightseeing, shop ‘til you drop or a night at the theatre.

This fantastic offer is available on selected dates in January and can be booked by calling the Europa Hotel on 028 9027 1066 and quoting FLASHBB.

 

*Subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply. Based on two people sharing a classic room.

The Rock ’N ’Roll Years and Dance Hall Days show is back at Armagh’s Market Place Theatre on Saturday 13 January with a brand new show featuring George Jones, Clubsound and four wonderful singers.

The show will transport you back to the nostalgic days and incredible music and artistes of 50’s and 60’s, with over forty classic songs.

Combining evocative love ballads with the greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll hit songs of the era, this show will carry the audience back to a time when dance halls were full and the youngsters danced, jived and rocked to The Four Seasons, The Shadows, Neil Sedaka, Dean Martin, Patsy Cline, Elvis and many, many more!

Tickets priced £20 are available from the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre

And to keep up-to-date with the latest news at the Market Place Theatre, you can follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/marketplacearmagh) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/mptarmagh) where you will find all the latest information, special offers and video previews.

Introducing the show described as ‘Fiercely serious and bruisingly hilarious’ by the New York Times. Catch The Love-Hungry Farmer at the MAC from 1-3 February 2018.

 

This is the story of John Bosco McLane, a bachelor of ‘indeterminate’ age and according to his own assessment, ‘past his best’ and evidently still a virgin. McLane’s amorous adventures range from the hilarious to the pitiful. Des Keogh, one of Ireland’s foremost actors and entertainers, stars in this hugely successful and award-winning show.

The Love-Hungry Farmer has been one of the most popular shows to tour on the island of Ireland in recent years.

Book Now (https://themaclive.com/event/the-love-hungry-farmer).  £25-£12.50

 

NORTHERN Ireland’s leading collection of hotels has launched the 2018 Digi-Talk: The Forum, a monthly event that allows for shared learning of the fast-moving digital industry.

The innovative monthly forum, organised by Hastings Hotels, starts on Wednesday 24^th January with Digital Trends for 2018.

Each month a different expert will cover a topic of relevance providing local organisations with the opportunity to learn more about the growing realm of digital marketing and how it can be applied to help businesses.

Hannah Corbett, group digital strategist for Hastings Hotels said: “We are delighted to launch the 2018 Digi-Talk: The Forum and have secured a fantastic programme of speakers who will share their knowledge and provide plenty of topical information. People scroll three hundred feet a day on their phone and we only have 1.7 seconds to stand out on social media so the forum provides a great opportunity for local businesses, especially smaller ones who might not have budget to invest in digital personnel, to learn more about digital marketing and how it can help.”

Throughout the year a range of topics will be covered including writing for the web, how to succeed at social media, digital PR and social media influencers, video production and the new General Data Protection Regulation.

Delegates will have the opportunity to interact and learn from local experts, ask questions and have access to the slides from each presentation.

Clara Killen, digital marketing & development manager at the SSE Arena added: “I have been a member of the Digi-Talk: The Forum since its inception and I have found the monthly events really helpful. The subjects have all been very topical and the speakers always offer a great insight into digital marketing. I would recommend the forum to all local businesses wishing to increase their knowledge and learn from likeminded professionals.”

Further information on the 2018 Digi-Talk: The Forum can be found at www.hastingshotels.com/digitalk, call Hannah Corbett on 028 9067 4168 or email hannah@hastingshotels.com

CastleCourt has become the first shopping centre in Northern Ireland to have a Changing Places facility installed, and is the first facility of its kind in Belfast City Centre.

The Changing Places Consortium has welcomed the new, fully accessible toilet facilities for people with profound disabilities that have been installed at the centre.

The new toilets, which represent a significant investment by the owners are wheelchair accessible and offer a height-adjustable adult-sized changing bench, a ceiling track hoist, and plenty of space for carers.

It is hoped the addition will significantly help people with disabilities and their carers to be able to get out more around Belfast City Centre and in CastleCourt with the confidence that there are adequate toilet facilities nearby.

According to Muscular Dystrophy UK and the Changing Places Consortium, over a quarter of a million people with severe disabilities need access to Changing Places facilities. These toilets provide a safe and clean environment for users to use the toilet in a safe, clean and dignified manner.

Without Changing Places toilets, many thousands of disabled people, their families and carers, are denied equal access to the services that most people take for granted.

Paul McMahon, Centre Director for CastleCourt said:

“The new Changing Places facilities are an important addition to CastleCourt. Part of our centre’s commitment is to be accessible to everyone and the Changing Place facility is a massive part of that commitment.

“We have listened to feedback from customers and fully understand that standard disabled toilets do not meet the needs of all people with a disability. We’re delighted to be able to offer this new facility and hope it will have a positive impact on many people with disabilities, their family and carers.”

Nic Bungay, Director of Campaigns, Care and Information at Muscular Dystrophy UK said:
“Muscular Dystrophy UK and the Changing Places Consortium are delighted that the CastleCourt shopping centre has made its facilities accessible to profoundly disabled people.   Without access to Changing Places toilets, over a quarter of a million people who have severe disabilities are faced with a choice of not going out, or being changed on a toilet floor.

“Seeing a Changing Places toilet sign shows that a shopping centre, airport or tourist attraction is fully accessible for a disabled person. We hope others will follow CastleCourt’s lead, so we can see many more of these important signs going up all over the UK.

“By building more Changing Places toilets, we can help to tackle the exclusion many disabled people face.”

Michaela Hollywood, user of the Changing Room facilities and a Trailblazers Campaign Officer with Muscular Dystrophy UK spoke of the new facilities at CastleCourt:

“I’m over the moon that CastleCourt is home to the first Changing Places in a shopping centre in Northern Ireland and the first for shoppers in Belfast City Centre. I’m unable to use any toilet which doesn’t have a hoist and bench. I frequently shop in CastleCourt which is a great location during these winter months. Until now, I couldn’t spend a penny when out shopping – so I had to restrict my fluid intake, and this impacts on my enjoyment of a day out with family.”

To be registered as a Changing Places toilet it must include the right equipment; offer enough space; and provide a safe and clean environment.

It is estimated that there are around 250,000 people in the UK who cannot use standard accessible toilets. This includes people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy.