Family Life

F MILYLife Y AUTUMN DAYS AWAY

ALSO INSIDE STYLEEDITS FOR YOU AND YOUR HOME HEALTH, BEAUTY & EVENTS In association with

FIRST DAYS: TIPSI’DGIVE MYSELFFOR SCHOOL ANDUNI LIFE WITH A CHILD ON THE SPECTRUM Q Radio’s Ryan A on being a dad and much more....

14 September | Belfast Telegraph

Family Life | 3

Contents 4-5 Q Radio presenter Ryan A is loving fatherhood – despite his dog’s best efforts 9

38-39 All you need for a vibrant visage ... and lots of beauty sleep 40-41 Menswear to take you through the transition to your winter wardrobe 42-47 Short breaks and getaways for a much needed mood booster

8-9 Get out and about this autumn

Readyfora

freshstart?

S

eptember is full of new beginnings and it’s easier to meet them head on after a long, hot summer like this year’s than the usual damp squib.

You don’t have to have children to be conscious of the resumption of normal service – the extra traffic on the roads is enough to remind everyone that the schools are back.

In households with kids, the air is still buzzing with the excitement of getting back to school and into new routines and especially if it involves the first days at nursery or a new school.

For families with school leavers heading off to university, there’s a whole mix of emotions. For parents, it’s hard letting go and even siblings can suffer feelings of loss.

Once the heady rush of Freshers’ Week is over, students often find their new found independence is tempered by homesickness or fears about not making the most of these key years. We asked people from a mix of worlds what advice they would have for themselves as they took the big steps into primary school, big school and uni.

Masters student Alyssa Asuncion recalls how she found life at UU Coleraine and we also have some tips for students on making their money go farther.

For this Family Life, we also caught up with a Co. Down mum who talks frankly about what life has been like with a child who has challenging behaviours and her relief that the worst years appear to be behind them.

Autumn means a gradual retreat indoors and a corresponding interest in what’s been happening in the home while everyone has been outdoors all summer.

If you’re thinking of decorating any time soon, the chances are green, blue or jewel

colours are going to be on your shopping list. We look at these and the other trends the nation is loving this year, from geometric patterns to Japanese shibori.

The change of season means less reliance on barbecues and more on term time favourites. Chef Paula McIntyre shares some useful tips on serving up food that even fussy eaters will love. Fancy turning flexitarian, getting the family full of beans (and pulses) or overcoming your fish avoidance? We have lots of tips and recipes for you.

While a healthy diet is vital for keeping everyone well, it’s also vital to get out and active and we have some great ideas for days out with the kids. Go easy on carrying them though. Parents are often first to suffer back-ache, along with children weighed down by heavy schoolbags, World Spine Day in October will focus on looking after our backs.

For Gareth McGurgan, tiredness was more of a problem and he found the solution in a group of supplements called nootropics and he explains what those are.

Cancer is a blow to any family but in the case of the Thompson family, it was a double whammy as both dad James and mum Rosamund were undergoing 36 treatment simultaneously.

Sadly, James passed away and his daughters Lara and Lisa are taking on an Arctic challenge to repay charity Cancer Focus for its support through the family’s ordeal.

For most of the rest of us, trips are all about relaxing and we have lots of holiday ideas for you. It won’t be long until midterm after all!

10 Sisters in Arctic challenge for charity 12 Big step up for little feet 13 Dad Dan Williams reeling as firstborn is off to school

48-53 Home trends for AW18 54-55 It’s harvest season in the garden 56-62 Entertainments, festivals and events for all the family 50

14-15 What advice would you give yourself on the threshold of school and uni?

16 University didn’t turn Alyssa Asuncion into a social butterfly, but it helped her find her wings 18-21 Life with a child on the autism spectrum 25 What can nootropics do for you?

26 Mind your back!

Published by Belfast Telegraph Clarendon House, Clarendon Dock, Belfast, BT1 3BH FAMILY LIFE MANAGER Jackie Reid Belfast Telegraph j.reid@belfasttelegraph.co.uk

30

28-31 Food, glorious food – ideas, recipes and tableware for family mealtimes 34-35 Be bright and beautiful with our make-up and body care guide 36-37 All change for autumn fashion

EDITOR Fiona Rutherford Realtime Editing & Design NI Ltd f.rutherford@redni.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS Rebecca Petticrew, Davina Gordon, Maeve Richardson, Maureen Coleman, Alyssa Asuncion, Dan Williams, Gareth McGurgan DESIGN Susan McClean & Helen Wright INM Design Studio, Belfast PRINTING INM, Newry

4 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 14 September 2018

QRadio’sRyanAis lovinglifeasadad

BY MAUREEN COLEMAN

New arrival steals top spot in DJ’s family

F

amily life for Q Radio’s Ryan Annett of jealousy and was a menace around the used to revolve around pet French baby’s toys. Ryan and Jenny always kept a Bulldog Harvey, until baby Sophia close eye on him whenever he was around Sophia and never left the two alone for came along.

Ryan, who presents the Drive-time slot even a second. on Q, was living with girlfriend Jenny in “We tried training him but it never Bangor when the pair decided to get them- worked. He was hyper.

He would lift Sophia’s toys and wreck selves a pup. the place. He never showed signs of harm“I’d always fancied owning a French ing her and obviously we never left him Bulldog although very few people in Northern Ireland have one,” Ryan alone with her. But we knew we says. “I found out about some had to do something.

“It had been a worry, to be good breeders and Jenny and I agreed to get one honest, when Jenny found out she was pregnant. We together. just weren’t sure what to do “It was during the early about him and then when stages of our relationship and I think the baby was born and he started playing up, we knew it kept us strong together. He was our Harvey something had to change.” wee baby, a tiny ball of fur that fitted into your PAW-FECT SOLUTION hand. I’d never had a dog Not wanting to give Harvey up, Ryan when I was a kid so I was so asked his mum and step-dad if they could excited when he came along.” take the dog in a few days a week. He now But things changed when divides his time between the family home Jenny found out she was and Ryan’s mum’s house by the beach. pregnant and went on to “It’s worked out well because my step-dad have daughter Sophia. works night shifts so Harvey keeps mum Harvey began to company during the day. huff. He showed “He’s not as hyper now and when he is signs back with us, he’s better around Sophia.

She’s that little bit older and they seem to be getting on much better but we still

14 September | Belfast Telegraph

Family Life | 5

Doting dad: Ryan with little Sophia

The happy family at home

keep a close eye on them when they’re together.

“Family life is a bit different now but at least this way, we still get to have time with Harvey. It would’ve been too tough to give him up. We’re very aware of the dangers of having a jealous dog around a baby so we never take our eyes off him when he’s with Sophia. We’re always very cautious.”

FROM FAN TO PAL

Ryan, known as Ryan A on the show, was always a huge fan of radio when he was growing up and was a particular fan of a DJ called Carl Kinsman. Coincidentally, Carl now works for Q Radio and is Ryan’s best friend.

“My dad used to enter radio competitions all the time and there’s a recording somewhere of him winning one and the DJ was Carl. It’s funny to think that we’re best buddies now.”

In fact, Ryan A is carving out his own enviable reputation these days, winning international attention when his former programme was shortlisted for a huge industry award in New York last year.

The nomination was for the night time show, Q Zoo, which Ryan co-hosted with Ali Dowey. It was shortlisted in the New York Radio Festival awards in the Local Personality/Humour category and they were placed in the top five, winning a certificate.

Ryan with Jenny

HANDS ON DAD

His new drive-time slot is perfect for having quality time at home and Ryan would love to have more children with Jenny, a childcare assistant in an after-school club.

“Jenny comes from a fairly big family whereas I’m an only child,” he says. “I never really had anyone to bounce off, except my best friend Stephen whereas Jenny has an older brother and sister.

“It would be nice for Sophia to have some company, so we’ll have to wait and see what happens.”

Ryan says: “I’m a very hands-on dad. I spend time with Sophia in the morning, then in the afternoon, her granny takes her. Jenny has her then when she gets in from work and then when I get home, it’s our time.”

It would be nice for Sophia to have some company, so we’ll have to wait and see what happens.

6 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 14 September 2018 Advertising feature

Perfect your smile with PerfectyoursmilewithPhilipsZoom!

P

hilips Zoom! is a front runner in the premium teeth whitening market and with the different products available there is an option available for everyone.

There are two main categories under the Philips Zoom! range: TakeHome whitening which is administered by the patient in the comfort of their own home and at a time that suits them or In-Practice whitening which is done by a Dental professional in the dental practice.

RAPID RESULTS

In-Practice whitening is ideal for anyone who wants rapid results, for example if there is a specific upcoming event such as a wedding. This process allows the user to achieve up to six shades whiter in just one hour. The unique Philips Zoom! Lamp accelerates the whitening results and decolours stains over a shorter time period that using hydrogen peroxide alone. This option is perfect for anyone who wants instant results. The In-Practice Whitening is a good option for someone who is new to teeth whitening and would like to be guided through the process.

TAKE YOUR TIME

Take-Home whitening is ideal for patients

who are committed to whitening and would prefer to whiten at home in their own time. Although this process takes more time than the In-Practice whitening it is very effective and patients can achieve a whiter smile in just three days from the comfort of their own home.

The Take-Home method also offers a couple of options to the user, Nite White and Day White. As the names would suggest, Day White products are administered during the day whereas Nite White products are applied overnight allowing those with less free time to achieve their desired results.

FOR SENSITIVE TEETH

For those with sensitive teeth, whitening can still be an option and Philips Zoom! is a great product for you as it uses a unique ACP formula. This ACP formula is combined with the whitening gel in the product to give you the best sensitivity control and enamel protection.

If teeth whitening is for you it is important to remember that Teeth Whitening products by law are only allowed to be sold through Dental professionals in the UK. Make sure to ask your dentist for the Philips Zoom! range to achieve your whiter smile!

Before

After

8 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 14 September 2018

GET OUT AND ABOUT THIS

autumn

IT’S CONKER SEASON

T

his is the month for digging out the wellies and raincoats and going forth in search of prickly orbs. Everything about gathering conkers is fun, from searching for the best horse chestnut trees to poking through leaves looking for windfall.

The anticipation when you find an outsized one and the cheers or groans when you prise it open, depending on whether the seed inside is huge and shiny or disappointingly small. It’s one of those activities that you don’t have to bribe or blackmail kids to take part in. It’s not all about the conkers either, as quite often there are squirrels to be spotted and animal burrows to be warily approached – nothing ever does seem to jump out at you but...

Here are our tips for autumn family fun...

GET BAKING

Have some rainy day fun and tuck into the results with a clear conscience with these delicious home-made chocolate chip cookies from ‘Let’s Get Cooking’, run by the British Dietetic Association (BDA).

The scheme aims to give children and families the confidence and skills they needed to get hands-on in the kitchen and make healthier food choices. These biscuits have half the sugar of a storebought chocolate hob nob.

Apricot and Chocolate Crunchy Biscuits Makes 26 biscuits

INGREDIENTS

1 x 5ml spoon sunflower oil for greasing 100g dried ready-to-eat apricots 100g unsaturated fat spread 50g light brown sugar 1 x 15ml spoon cocoa powder 100g self-raising flour 100g porridge oats

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 170°C/150°C fan or gas mark 3.

2. Grease the baking trays with a little oil, then line with baking parchment.

RUN ALONG Parkrun on Saturday mornings are a truly family-friendly way to get fit and the 5k timed runs are free and followed by drinks and bakes. See www.parkrun. org.uk for your closest one. It’s far from a cheap day out but if you can afford it, the Jungle’s Zombie Run on October 6–7 is a lot of fun if you enjoy being chased by blood-lusting zombies over

3. Cut up the apricots into small currantsized pieces.

4. Put the spread and sugar into the saucepan. Gently melt the mixture, stirring continually, then remove from the heat.

5. Sift the cocoa and flour into the bowl and mix in the porridge oats. Add these dry ingredients to the melted mixture together with the apricots and stir well.

6. Using the teaspoon, take big teaspoon sized pieces and roll each into a ball with clean hands, then place on the tray and press flat. Leave a little space around each biscuit for the mixture to spread.

Repeat with the rest of the mixture.

7. Bake for 12–15 minutes until they are golden brown.

8. Leave on the tray for five minutes to cool and firm up before removing with a palette knife and putting onto a wire rack to finish cooling.

For lots more recipes, check out letsgetcooking.org.uk. Click on ‘Let’s get cooking at home’ and choose the recipes menu.

a muddy obstacle course. Over 16s can run 6k while on Sunday, October 7, there is a kids’ Zombie Run with 2k and 5k options for ages 6–10 and 11–17 years. The obstacles are bigger and better this year with new additions including a giant water slide. Complete the course and you get a medal, headband and a hot lunch.

Fancy dress is welcome.

Tickets cost £40 – £50 for adults, kids’ 5k, £20, and kids’ 2k, £15, book at www.thejungleni.com.

14 September | Belfast Telegraph

Family Life | 9

RIDE ON

There are dozens of family friendly cycle routes across the country where the kids can ride in safety and parents can soak up the spectacular scenery. Outdoor NI lists the best routes for families looking for somewhere traffic-free and with facilities on site or nearby such as toilets and somewhere to buy a drink. In some cases, such as the Belfast Lough Cycle Route, you can take the train home. For comprehensive details about each route, search for them by name on cycleni.org.

CO. ANTRIM – The Lagan and Lough Cycle Way is a 21 mile mostly traffic-free cycle and walking route from Loughshore Park, Jordanstown, to Union Docks, Lisburn, passing through Hazelbank Park and Minnowburn Park. There are plenty of stopping off places for refreshments.

BELFAST – Belfast Lough Cycle Route follows the shoreline of Belfast Lough, from Whiteabbey through Hazelbank Park, Duncrue Industrial Estate and onto Clarendon Dock.

CO. ARMAGH – The Craigavon Lakes MTB Trail is a 10km circular route following the natural landscape contours around the lake and through woodland while the Newry Canal Towpath is a 20 mile cycling and walking route from the Bann Bridge in Portadown to the Town Hall in Newry.

CO. DOWN – The Castle Ward Woodland Trail goes along the shores of Strangford

Lough from Audley’s Point and back.

Castlewellan Green Trail is a 2.5 mile family cycling trail around Castlewellan Lake suitable for cyclists of all ages and abilities. The Comber Greenway is a 7 mile traffic free section of the National Cycle Network which follows the old Belfast Comber Railway line.

CO. FERMANAGH – The Crom Estate is perfect for a 3.5 mile family cycle in stunning surroundings where you might spot rare wildlife like the pine marten. It goes from the visitors’ centre through flat parkland along the loughside and onto Inisherk Island.

CO. LONDONDERRY – Ballycarton Wood/ Binevenagh trail covers 3 miles along the forest track through Binevenagh Forest with great views of the cliffs and glimpses of Lough Foyle, Magilligan and Benone Strand. Castlerock to Downhill Forest is a 2 mile linear cycle route connecting the village of Castlerock and the forest with magnificent views towards Donegal.

CO. TYRONE – Dungannon Park is a traffic-free, 2 mile route, perfect for a family ride with young children, although there are some steep hills.

GO BATTY

Head to your local nature reserve. There are reserves all over the country, some run by local councils and government agencies, others by charities such as Ulster Wildlife, the National Trust and the RSPB. While they help protect our wildlife and countryside, they also welcome the public and often provide information and sometimes events to help you get more out of a visit. Some, like Castle Espie Wetland Centre, outside Comber, host unusual events like Bat Night, on September 21, when Donna Allen will give a talk followed by a chance to watch these amazing creatures’ aerial acrobatics. Bat detectors will be supplied to help identify the species that are

swooping around the reserve catching insects. Advance booking is required and tickets are £12.50 for adults, £7.50 for children. To book your places, contact Karl.Simmonds@wwt.org.uk or call 028 9187 4146. Castle Espie is also running a bird watching morning on September 26, see www.wwt.org.

Find a reserve near you at www. discovernorthernireland.com.

Fabfungiandrummagingreds

A

utumn is finally here are the orchids of the fungus – time for colourful Red Squirrel world – look for pink, green, autumn walks, red, yellow, orange, brown © Kerry O’Donnell crunching through piles and even purple! Ulster of crispy fallen leaves and Wildlife’s Slievenacloy gathering juicy blackberNature Reserve is perfect ries from the hedgerows. for a fungus foray.

Keep your eyes peeled Watch out for flocks of for radiant red squirrels as starlings performing their they forage for nuts and pine swirling whirling murmuseeds to store for the winter. rations in Belfast City Centre Head to Ulster Wildlife’s Gleas well as huge flocks of waders narm and Straidkilly Nature Reserves gathering on coastal estuaries. Auto spot them. tumn is also grey seal pupping season on Fabulous fungi will be popping-up just offshore islands, like the Copelands near about everywhere, in an array of different Donaghadee or in Strangford Lough – look colours and sizes, such as striking fly agout for their curious heads bobbing up in aric with its bright red flat cap and white the waves around the coast. spots or the puffball which as its name Love wildlife? Visit ulsterwildlife.org to suggests is a white ball shape. Waxcaps start your family’s nature adventure.

10 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 14 September 2018

SistersinArcticchallengeto thankcharitythathelpedparents throughdoublecancerordeal Lewis also took part in the kids’ version of Strictly.

“Cancer Focus NI has been so helpful to my mum and nephew, I think it’s time to give something back,” said Lisa.

Happier times: James and Rosamund Thompson

TOUGH CHALLENGE

T

wo Co Antrim sisters whose mother was diagnosed with breast cancer around the same time their father discovered his prostate cancer was terminal, are gearing up to take part in an Arctic Trek next year to raise money for charity.

Lisa Montgomery (35), and her sister Lara Thompson (41), who both live in Newtownabbey, will spend eight days in Sweden, 150km south of the Arctic Circle, to raise funds for Cancer Focus Northern Ireland.

The women decided to undertake the once-in-a-lifetime experience from March 31 to April 7, 2019, to thank the charity for its emotional support and practical help during such a challenging time for the whole family.

Dad James Thompson had first been diagnosed with prostate cancer almost 20 years ago when he was in his early 50s.

Sadly, in 2014, it spread to his bones and at the end of 2016 to his brain and he passed away last July. Lara, Lisa and a third sister Ruth were dealing with the devastating news that his cancer was terminal when their mother Rosamund was diagnosed with breast cancer. After chemotherapy and radiotherapy she had to have a mastectomy. Lisa and Lara said the Arctic Trek in northern Sweden for Cancer Focus NI would be a ‘walk in the park’ compared to what their parents had both been through.

FANTASTIC SUPPORT

“Throughout my mum’s illness and after dad passed away Cancer Focus NI were

CancerFocusNI hasbeensohelpful tomymumand nephew,Ithink it’s timetogive somethingback a fantastic support,” said Lisa. “Lara’s 13-year-old son Corum was so close to my dad, he was like a father figure. He used the Cancer Focus NI family support service and they were so supportive with him.

“The charity was great for the whole family. When mum was going through breast cancer they brought her in and treated her with such dignity. They gave her so much advice with things that seem simple like picking a bra, but when you’ve had a breast removed it’s not simple,” added Lisa. “My mother-in-law, Jean, also passed away from cancer so our family has been heavily affected over the past few years.”

Lara took part in the Cancer Focus NI Strictly Come Dancing fundraiser to help raise money for the charity. And Ruth’s son

Lara Thompson and Lisa Montgomery want to thank Cancer Focus NI for its support

“The Arctic Trek means I will be going into the unknown, somewhere cold and harsh, where you have to depend on the people around you for support. We are going to be trying to survive for eight days in the middle of nowhere. Someone going into cancer knows how that feels so this challenge had a special resonance with us.

“Lara and I aren’t very fit and it will be very physically, mentally and emotionally challenging, but not nearly as daunting as someone going through cancer.”

Lisa added: “Dad used to be involved in the Duke of Edinburgh award and loved hiking. He would have been all over this, giving us advice and telling us what gear we need to buy. He’d be so excited.

“The whole way through his illness he was laughing and carrying on. This trek is going to be a walk in the park compared to what cancer patients go through.

“Watching how my dad kept a smile on his face throughout the last months of his life and how mum recovered from breast cancer, that was our inspiration to go and do this. We’re really looking forward to it, it’ll be a real adventure.”

The trek will challenge participants’ survival instincts while allowing them to experience tranquillity and relaxation under the stars of the Arctic.

During the trek the group will take part in husky driving, ice fishing, fire lighting, shelter and snow hole building, and skiing – to name but a few.

The sisters are in the process of organising a number of fundraisers including their very own Strictly Come Dancing event.

If you’d like to make a donation visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lisa-montgomery4 or is www.justgiving. com/fundraising/lara-thompson3.

Lisa Montgomery and her dad, James Thompson

14 September | Belfast Telegraph

Family Life | 11 Advertising feature

Instantpainreliefwith Össur’skneebrace Pioneers of advanced technology, Össur’s mission is to improve people’s mobility.

A

s a global leader in non-invasive orthopaedics, they have nurtured an innovative mind-set, continuously pushing the boundaries to create the best products and services in the fields of Prosthetic, Osteoarthritis and Injury Solutions.

Established in 1972 by leading Prosthetist Össur Kristinsson, the company are true advocates of “Life Without Limitations”. Össur works with individuals, clinicians and diverse communities around the world to support a better quality of life for millions of people.

The Unloader One is a highly effective, non-invasive treatment for moderate to severe unicompartmental osteoarthritis of the knee. It works by shifting the force away from the affected side of the knee to the less affected side, thereby reducing the bone on bone contact when mobile and taking away the pain for the patient.

For some patients, the Unloader One can mean surgery is no longer a priority, as their mobility is increased and pain is reduced. For others, the brace is used

as an interim solution, John Hartson, expostponing the need for professional footballer surgery until they feel prepared for the procewears the Unloader One dure.

Patients that use the Unloader One have found it to be: * Lightweight, comfortable & easy-to-use * Cost-effective * Low profile, it can be worn under normal clothes * Has no negative side-effects when used over extended periods of time * Adjustable so you can manage the level of tension depending on activities and even weather conditions.

TESTIMONIALS “I’m looking forward to getting back on “Wearing the Unloader One has truly the training pitch and not having to have changed my life. Since it was fitted, I have surgery,” said John Hartson, ex-profession- gone from being unable to walk any disal footballer and TV pundit. tance without limping and being in great

discomfort, to having walked over nine miles on a regular basis. The Unloader One really has been a massive improvement to my quality of life and I recommend it to anyone with degenerative articular cartilage.” David “I have recently returned from a holiday of a lifetime to Canada and the USA with my wife, and I don’t believe I would have been able to enjoy the trip without wearing the Unloader One Knee Brace. With this brace on there is no pain at all! It is a tremendous bit of kit!” Gerry “I find the Unloader One amazing! I have found it very easy to get used to.

I was taking so much pain medication including co-codamol and naproxen but don’t need to take them at all now. It is so easy to put on, take off and adjust. I’m absolutely delighted. I don’t feel heavy and down now. I want to get out and do things and chase my grandchildren around”. Sheryl “After having three knee operations and hip surgery, I was faced with yet more surgery on my other knee but my consultant suggested I might try Össur’s offloading knee brace as an alternative. I have to say that it does the job. I recently played in two tennis matches on consecutive days, something that previously would have been impossible without the brace.” Christopher

12 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 14 September 2018

BIGstepup

for little feet F irst days at school are as likely to mean nursery school as P1 and parents wishing to take up the opportunity next year will be looking at different options now ahead of the applications opening in December.

It can be hard to imagine that little tot, running about in their nappy, heading off to school next September and to be honest, if they’re not completely toilet trained by then, you shouldn’t send them. Nursery schools are supposed to cater for three year olds but in areas where the population isn’t huge, they may also take in two year olds, hence the nappy conundrum.

These are schools, not childcare facilities, and the teachers, who are trained primary school teachers, aren’t supposed to be on nappy changing duty.

Each nursery school has its own

approach to the crucial settling in period, some requiring parents to stay for the first few sessions and some gradually increasing the amount of time the children stay over a number of months.

Nursery teacher Roisin Reilly says her school is considered quick by Belfast nurseries, as the children are fully immersed in the school day after two weeks. “At our school, the parents are welcome to stay the first day but we aren’t insisting that they do and depending on the children, some parents may end up staying with them for the first week or two.

“The settling in period is very important. If you don’t get it right, for instance if the family goes on holiday during that first period and then comes back, it can affect the child for the whole year. They never seem to catch up and never really settle because they have

Advertising feature

FIND A TRICK OR TREAT AT THE KENNEDY CENTRE THIS HALLOWEEN

T

here is set to be spooktacular going ons at the Kennedy Centre as all stops are pulled to bring spine tingling family fun to celebrate their annual Halloween Hoolie.

Ghosts, ghouls and a sea of witches hats are set to descend on the mall as several of the Kennedy Centre stores welcome families of all ages to take part in their Halloween festivities.

Taking place from 1pm to 4pm and all set to the musical strains from a live DJ, children and adults can take part and create their own ghoulish pumpkins, have their face painted and awards will be given out on the day for those brave enough to enter the complex’s hotly contested and eagerly anticipated fancy dress competition.

Kennedy Centre manager John Jones says he will be extending a warm invitation to one and all to celebrate half term and their Halloween break at the popular West Belfast shopping destination.

“Our Halloween celebrations are amongst our most popular of calendar events,” explained John. “A lot of planning and effort goes into making sure all our visitors and families have a day

to remember and our stores like Home Bargains, Poundstrecher, Sainsbury’s and Poundland have all your home decorations and confectionary needs sorted for the occasion and for the all important trick or treaters.

“Our mall really comes into its own during Halloween, the place is buzzing and the atmosphere is fantastic as people really enter into the ‘spirit’ of things. The team and myself really pride ourselves on the fact that the Kennedy Centre is really a one-stop shop so to speak for all shopping, recreation and dining needs over the Halloween break and the Hoolie always attracts record numbers. We look forward to welcoming families from across the city to the Kennedy Centre as the countdown to October 31 begins.”

14 September | Belfast Telegraph missed getting to understand the rules and the routines. Of course the gradual build up can make life very difficult for working parents but it is really important.”

While most run in to nursery school happily, some children are reluctant to let go of mum or dad’s hand in the mornings and when the tears start flowing, it can be a wrench for parents to walk away.

Roisin says: “You have to trust the staff.

If the child is having a tantrum, it’s best to drop them off and go because they will scream louder if the parent is there. If they haven’t settled in five minutes, we’ll tell the parent but usually after a couple of minutes they realise that they’re there to have fun and off they go.”

Many nursery schools issue parents with guidelines on the level of independence they’d like children to have before starting although it’s more of a wishlist than hard and fast rules.

It covers basics like saying please and thank you, being able to blow their nose, use the toilet and wash their hands and put on their coat and shoes.

Gaining that level of independence is part and parcel of the nursery school experience.

“The whole purpose of going to nursery is personal, social and emotional development,” explains Roisin. “A child who doesn’t have siblings or who is with adults most of the time won’t have had to learn things like sharing toys, taking turns, tidying up after themselves or even having a two way conversation where they have to listen to the other person. They are learning to be independent and to make choices for themselves.”

Family Life | 13

REELINGATTHEYEARS YEARS

Kids have an ability to turn off their worries and concerns and throw themselves head first into new challenges, chatting to other youngsters they don’t know like they’ve been friends for years and just plugging in and getting on with it in a way that puts many adults to shame.

Meanwhile, we are the ones who have the chance to panic about what’s going on. We stance.

Barring the occasional blip, talk all know that our children are of school has been met with excitein wonderful hands, and that ment. A chance to reconnect with they’ll almost certainly make friends is top of the pile, while his Alfie Williams, friends and have a great time, inquisitive mind means I’m pretty ready to embrace but it doesn’t help when our sure he’s excited to learn too. Yes, brains are working overtime school life he’s intimidated by the sheer size at night and our emotions are of what’s next, and we’ve had a couple of as stable as a jelly on a waltzer. tearful moments, but absolutely no more My mum tells me that, on my first day, than is to be reasonably expected. she was broken that I sauntered into the But what of the parents he leaves school without a second thought. That behind? was, however, a little better than the Our whirlwind summer has left us with following day when I had to be physically little chance to dwell on the fact that our dragged from her, crying and screambaby boy is growing up at a terrifying ing by the teacher as my mum tried to rate in front of our eyes. Our little lad has leave… gone from a wide-eyed cherub to a funny, I’ll be beaming with pride when I cheeky, bright young man in what feels send my little fella into the unknown like a blink of an eye. People always advise this week and he steps into school for you to cherish every moment with your the first time. He may always be my wee kids, which can feel like difficult advice man, but he’s turned into a wonderful when you’re suffering from intense sleep young gentleman, and I’ve absolute faith deprivation and can’t remember what day that he’ll also stroll into school, head it is, but it’s a cliché I’ll happily trot out to held high, without a tear in sight… Me anyone else in my situation. I have no idea however? Well that’s a different story where the time went. altogether…

Dan Williams is struggling to adapt to the reality that yes, he is dad to a schoolgoing child

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arents around the country rejoice – the small people are finally going back to school, and that long, long summer holiday is over.

While most mums and dads across the land will be glad they can get a few minutes peace again, there are another set whose joy is tinged with a couple of other emotions.

My wee man starts school this year, and the usual questions have been swimming around my head for the majority of the time since he left nursery: Will he be okay?

Will he make friends?

Will he enjoy himself?

When on earth did I get old enough to have a child at school?

A few months ago, we looked ahead to the holidays with an underlying sense of dread, unsure how we would fill the time... so much time – and keep the kids entertained. Fast-forward two months and the time has flown by, with little chance to sit down and have a rest – or to think too much about our little guy’s impending change of circum-

14 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 14 September 2018

Seasonofnewbeginnings

I

t’s seismic September – the month when there are so many small but significant shifts in households everywhere, it’s a wonder the earth doesn’t start to shake.

There are the toddlers making their first hesitant steps into the big world of nursery school, the P1s, beside themselves with excitement or screaming with terror; year 8s, full of hopes and fears for their years at big school and school leavers, relishing the prospect of university life, free from the constraints of the 9 to 3 routine, uniforms and teachers. We asked people from a number of fields to look back on those years, in the hope of extracting a few nuggets of wisdom that might be of use to schoolchildren, school leavers and stressed out families...

Shauna Collins

‘FOCUS ON YOUR STRENGTHS’ Shauna Collins is HR Director at Catalyst Inc and responsible for all things people and culture related there. She joined Catalyst Inc as PA to the CEO and after 2 years took the decision to study part-time, achieving her Advanced HR Management (postgraduate) qualification after four years. Following promotions to HR Manager and Associate Director of HR, this year, at 32, Shauna became the youngest Director to be appointed at Catalyst Inc. “It’s been an interesting journey and I’ve loved every minute of it!” she says.

dog instead of asking why it’s multi-coloured… I proudly stick it on the fridge!

AGED 11

ADVICE I’D GIVE MYSELF...

Get curious and don’t settle for traditional options.

Don’t pick subjects because you like the teacher or your friend has chosen it. Think about what you really enjoy, what are you good at and what interests you. We are living in an age of increasing automation and you could be working in a job that hasn’t been created yet! Resilience, creativity, team working, communication, problem solving are all skills you will need throughout life.

AGED 4

AGED 18

I constantly tell my 6 year old daughter Madison to use her imagination and get creative.

We shouldn’t underestimate the power of ‘play’ to develop these important skills.

When Madison brings home a picture of a multi-coloured

Aodhan Connolly with son Thomas in Berlin

Life is a constant learning curve. Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses and act on your passions now. Don’t miss opportunities waiting for the perfect time.

Take the risk and your older self will thank you for it.

‘ACCEPT YOURSELF FLAWS AND ALL’ Aodhán Connolly (42) is the Director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium.

He is father to Thomas (12) and fiancé to Maeve. Aodhán is originally from Portadown and grew up in a bilingual Irish/ English household. He now lives in the leafy suburbs of Malone. He describes himself as a political nerd and rugby fan. When not working or having his head in a book, he can be found learning languages, playing music and cooking up a storm for friends and family.

ADVICE I’D GIVE MYSELF...

AGED 5

When I was starting primary school I had my mum’s brother six years ahead of me and I used to embarrass him terribly as I went to the big playground and shouted ‘Uncle Eamonn, Uncle Eamonn!’ much to the amusement of his friends and to his frustration, so I definitely would tell 5 year old me not to do that. I would say to take a bit more interest in sports as I didn’t really get into sports until my teens.

AGED 11

Going to grammar school in the mid-’80s was interesting to say the least. I had this notion that it would be something akin to Brookfield’s school in Goodbye Mr Chips... it was not. I would tell 11 year old me that you won’t be friends with everyone and you need to stand up for yourself. I loved school and I was into everything from music to drama to debating and quizzing. I would tell grammar school me just to try everything and keep smiling!

14 September | Belfast Telegraph AGED 18

First year university me would get sat down and given a proper talking to. Going to England in 1994 was a complete culture shock as well as really the first time I had no parental controls.

I would tell him to stay in touch with your school friends.

One of the things I regret is that I lost contact with some great guys. Also, just because you can do something doesn’t mean that you should. I wish I had had a little more balance in my life. I would give the same advice my dad gave me and I didn’t take: treat university as a job. Remember your family will always be there no matter what – even if you argue with them.

Not everything is a competition so give yourself a break. Money and time are finite so use them wisely. Learn to talk to people before an annoyance becomes a crisis. And what you plan might not be the right thing for you but if it is for you it won’t pass you, as my granny used to say.

And lastly just be yourself. I would reassure 18 year old me that I would be giving the same advice to 25 year old and 30 year old me too so not to beat himself up too much about it.

But life is just so much better when you accept yourself, flaws and all.

Maureen Coleman

‘EMBRACE THE MADNESS’ Maureen Coleman is a book-loving, Bronte-obsessed freelance journalist who loves writing, long walks in the countryside, war movies and murder mysteries. She says she’s good at giving advice, not so good at taking it ...

ADVICE I’D GIVE MYSELF...

AGED 5

Maureen, your natural leadership qualities will emerge on day one of primary school when that little girl beside you wets herself and bursts into tears.

While it’s admirable that you ordered Sister Frances to fetch a bucket and mop to clean up the mess, leaving you to comfort the weeping child, try not to

Family Life | 15

let your bossiness get the better of you. Still, your handling of the situation that day endears you to your primary one teacher and you form a close bond. Treasure her and her wisdom for she’s one of a kind. Enjoy every moment of primary school and celebrate being a child. But don’t let that vivid imagination of yours land you in hot water. Those Famous Five books you love reading are just stories.

Not every adult is a suspected diamond smuggler, particularly the headmistress. She’s a nun. You’d do well to remember that.

University, make the most of the opportunity. Just don’t forget to read the course books BEFORE you go. That will come in handy when you find yourself trying to discuss Therese Desqueyroux with your exceptionally clever classmates, en Francais!

AGED 18

Well, what can I say? You’ve turned into quite an amazing young woman, bright, compassionate and determined. It seems your love of reading and writing has served you well after all and you’re about to head off to colAGED 11 lege to study journalism. You’ll You will soon have your heart love the course and you’ll pass broken for the first time, not by with flying colours. You’ll learn a boy - you’re far too young for plenty about newspaper journalthat - but by your best friend. ism from your chain-smoking She thinks you’re too childish tutor, so listen well to what she and silly and now that you’re in has to say. But don’t limit yourgrammar school, she wants to self either. If you want to work in hang about with the cool girl who television or radio, go for it. The wears eyeliner and has crimped world is your oyster. Just don’t hair. That’s ok, just don’t take it wear that purple beret when you so personally. Hearts break but audition to be a presenter for they always mend. You’ll learn a new BBC youth programme. that along the way. And don’t Not a good look. At college you’ll forget, you don’t go to school to meet people from all walks of be cool, you go to learn. I’m proud life and learn a bit more about of the fact you never changed to tolerance and respect. Embrace fit in and that you stood up to the madness. College life will those girls who tried to make your be over all too soon and you’ll school life a misery. When you’re be in full-time employment in a selected to represent your school newspaper. And that’s when the at a two-week course at Oxford fun really starts.

FRESH STARTS Seeing any child head off into the big bad world can be hard on parents, especially when their rite of passage begins with Freshers’ Week. A shift in the university calendar in the South means this year’s new intake is out the other side, hopefully with no major hangovers, while in Belfast, the fun begins next week, September 17 – 21. In England and Wales, most of the universities start towards the end of the month while in Scotland, freshers’ weeks have been going on this week in Glasgow and continue to the end of the month in Edinburgh.

Freshers’ Week is an opportunity to find your way round, make friends and get involved in the cultural life of college or uni. It can be a nightmare if you’re shy but university life can still be fun, even if you are introverted. Turn over for Alyssa Asuncion’s story...

16 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 14 September 2018

Unididn’tmake measocial butterfly,butit didgivemewings

The partying lifestyle never appealed to naturally shy Alyssa Asuncion, who moved to Belfast from the Philippines with her mother, Lolita, when she was 16 years old. However, a placement overseas saw her finally embrace her independence and she is thankful to her mum for encouraging her to make her way in the world...

M

y mum had shown me independence before even teaching it, and being an only child who grew up in a single-parent household, I have also learnt to embrace solitude. Nonetheless, I never found it lonely to be alone.

She’s barely five-foot-tall, but I’ve always associated her with skyscrapers: towering, tough, and beautiful. She’s the strongest woman I know. Her tiny frame is not proportional to the capacity of her heart. I could still remember the way I’d hold on to her in front of the school gates, tears threatening to fall from my eyes. She neither reprimanded me nor coddled me. I could cry all day, but she’d make sure I still attended class. That’s simply how she is as a mother. She does not invalidate my feelings, but she also doesn’t use it as an excuse for me to escape from my responsibilities. In a sense, I can cry. But I have to do so while standing up.

I’ve always reached for my mum’s hands whenever things overwhelmed me. It’s funny, knowing I would — without shame — unravel before her and show my vulnerability. In those times, she remained steadfast.

I’ve never heard her complain, or show any signs of fear. At least, not in front of me.

Perhaps, that was why, when I was about to leave for a teaching placement in Hungary, I was taken aback to see it was now my mum who was clinging on to me.

HUNGARY FOR MORE

I’m a late bloomer, and a painfully introverted one at that. I didn’t take advantage of the opportunities I had while doing my English degree at UU Coleraine. Instead of huge crowds and night outs, I preferred quiet moments with my classmates while talking about life. I like people in small doses. Instead of socialising and building new relationships, I preferred to keep to myself and remain in the background. Those three years — though seemingly dull — helped me mature and come out of my shell. However, I was only able to notice the change when I took my MA in TESOL – Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (quite ironic, considering my first language isn’t

Alyssa Asuncion with her mum, Lolita

Alyssa (second left) with her friends in Hungary English, and public speaking isn’t my forte).

My MA was only for a year, but it was still packed with memories. As a part of the course, we had to stay in Hungary for two months to teach English. I was more excited than afraid, perhaps because my classmates were with me. We had developed a camaraderie to the point that we all got homesick at the same time. We consoled one another and it was comforting, because I knew I wasn’t the only one feeling miserable. We all were, but we still chose to find the humour in that. Our supervisors also kept on reminding us that we were colleagues, and not competitors. We were all in the same boat, and so we had to help one another.

While in Hungary the deadly ‘Beast from the East’ hit, and getting bogged down

by SAD didn’t help us at all. But I found warmth in my housemates. I remember the four of us, all curled up in the living room, eating popcorn while watching films. It was La La Land (that story hurts me even to this day) which opened the floodgates. We all ended up in tears as the credits rolled and we talked. We showed our cracks, spilled our hearts and opened up. In a foreign country, we developed platonic intimacy.

That is something I wouldn’t have been able to build with them, had I not mustered the courage to stay abroad and be away from my mum and everything else I’m familiar with.

LESSONS FOR LIFE

I still am reserved, but I’ve really enjoyed my university experience. More than learning about language pedagogy and phonetics, I’ve learnt to embrace myself more and understand that being soft and sensitive does not make me fragile, so I’ve nothing to hide or be insecure about. I’ve started taking risks because nothing ever grows in my comfort zone. I’ve found the joy in forming bonds and to be more patient with myself.

University is more of a journey, and graduating isn’t the finish line.

It can be daunting to settle in a new environment, but it gets better. Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not; you will shine in your own way, in your own time. There’s no rush, even when you feel like you’re surrounded and the walls are closing in on you, always remember there are people who love you and they always have your back.

Don’t be afraid to depend on them. There will be moments when you’ll feel anxious and actually question if you’re on the right path, but take heart. It’s normal, so keep on walking, doing what you have to do. You’re getting refined. It’s an arduous process but the outcome will be beautiful nonetheless.

PARENTS PROTECT, BUT DON’T SMOTHER

My mum wasn’t blatantly vocal about it, but I knew she still worried about me.

Nevertheless, she still allowed me to explore

and be independent. She has always been supportive with my goals. I think it’s second nature for parents to worry, and that’s okay, as it shows just how much they love their children. But there is a difference between protecting them, and smothering them. It all goes back to that story about the man and the butterfly, in which the latter was struggling to come out of its cocoon, and the man, deciding that he should help the butterfly out, cut the cocoon and made the hole bigger. It did make the process easier for the butterfly, but it cost it its wings, which shrivelled up and as a result, it was unable to fly. Apparently, the butterfly having to struggle to get out of the cocoon was a necessity. The pressure would pump fluids from its body to its wings, thus preparing it for flight. However, the man did more harm than good, despite having good intentions.

Khalil Gibran said it beautifully: ‘You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.’ It’s a poignant piece of writing which holds much truth. So, to the parents reading this, please remember you were once children, too. You experienced being in their shoes, so take this into consideration: how, as individuals, did you bloom and mature? Was it within the safety of your own home, or was it outside of your comfort zone?

It could also be a huge change when you enter their room and find it empty. My mum told me she felt the presence of my absence. And there wasn’t a day she didn’t worry about me. While I was away, I missed her, too. Nonetheless, I felt her rooting for me. She always spoke life to me, and whenever I’m on the verge of giving up, she’d remind me why I’m doing what I’m doing.

It’s very disconcerting to let your children go, and being way ahead of them, you know the possible dangers they could face. Still, have faith in them, and be confident in the way you’ve raised them. For when your children stumble, they stumble forward.

18 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 14 September 2018

ASAVVY STARTCAN SAVEMONEY WOESLATER

T

here’s nothing that drives home the reality of being an independent adult, standing on your own two feet, quite as much as that moment when those feet are in a check-out queue and the items you’re waiting to buy are household groceries. Sure, you did the big shop with your parents when they were helping you set up but going out actually on your own to buy your own bread and milk can feel as momentous as going out to buy your first car.

If you’ve just come into money through your student loan, or a deposit from the bank of mum and dad, it can be tempting to splash out on a few luxury items but try to rein it in. Once your September student

Work out how much everyone needs to contribute to the household bills loan instalment is gone, you’ll need to wait until January and then April for the remaining amounts.

The offer of a credit card or an overdraft may seem irresistible but it’s better to set your mind at trying to avoid getting into debt as far as possible. Not only does it build up very quickly, but it can affect your

credit score – miss a few payments and it can affect your ability to get a loan for the next six years. It’s all too easy to end up completely overwhelmed by the demands on your limited funds.

The National Student Money Survey 2017 by www.savethestudent.org found that 84% were worried about making ends meet. The average student monthly spend is now £821, the bulk of which goes on rent and bills. Many of the students responding to the survey bewailed their lack of education on managing their own finances, with many wishing their parents had explained it to them. And while 83% turned to their parents for help, many felt guilty about doing so.

Rather than get off to a bad start and find yourself out of your depth, set your mind on managing your finances from the outset and you won’t have to waste time and energy worrying.

Most students manage by getting part time jobs – all very well if you only have a

Supermarket own brands can be great

handful of hours in uni each week but for those with intensive timetables, that can mean very little time to relax and unwind.

Whatever income you end up with, it’s best to set a budget and stick to it. It’s easier to work out than you’d think.

If you are going to be sharing a house, get everyone to contribute to the gas/electricity and TV/broadband bills.

Add up how much you need for those household expenses, your rent and travel costs and whatever you have left is yours to live on.

The chances are it won’t be much and if it is less than you know you are going to need to keep yourself in food, it’s better to face that head on rather than bury your head in the sand. It’s tempting to plough on and ignore the money draining out of your account but when it’s gone, the stress can be immense.

Being disciplined is the key to avoiding problems and once you’ve set your mind to it, it’s amazing how little you need to eat well.

If your family normally buys the most expensive brands at the most expensive supermarkets, you’ve a whole world of cheaper options to discover. Very often supermarket value own brand products are just as good as market leaders and that goes for everything from baked beans to washing powder.

Universities and colleges have student support offices staffed by advisors for all sorts of issues, including financial advice and are worth contacting if you need to.

GETDISCOUNTS

✸of Students (NUS) for £12 a year. It offers discounts on beauty products,

Students and apprentices can buy a discount card from the National Union

travel, eating out, entertainments, fashion, groceries and more and comes with a free ISIC card, for international discounts. Students in the south can get a StudentLeap card for similar discounts.

14 September | Belfast Telegraph

Family Life | 19

Meet the

Smiths Our life with ASD

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ove, fear, frustration, helplessness, fury, anxiety, shame, distress, more love and despair. Familiar emotions to parents of some children with ASD as they struggle to

THOUGHTS ON CAUSES

No two children are the same, with or without Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and there’s no obvious cause. In the early days of autism in the 1940s, emotionally cold parenting was prime suspect but that theory was debunked as research began in the 1960s. The latest research indicates that most cases involve a complex and variable combination of genetic risk and environmental factors that influence early brain development.

New research indicates that taking folic acid before and after conception might help prevent autism and studies are also ongoing into the potential role of the immune system in cases.

For advice and support, useful organisations include Autism NI at www. autismni.org, t: 028 9040 1729 Helping Hands Autism Support Group, www.helpinghandsautism.com, t: 028 9620 6286 The NI branch of Contact, contact.org.uk, t: 0808 808 3555 The Empower project supporting families in Antrim and Magherafelt, empowernetwork.co.uk

deal with a stressed out child who might be having a meltdown one minute, be filled with remorse the next while the whole ‘show’ has just been witnessed by a bunch of strangers whose faces show how disgusted, disapproving or pitying they feel. When you’re in the thick of it and you can’t always tell whether your child is being cheeky and hormonal or acting out from a place of ASD, it can be hard to keep your spirits up. Will they ever be able to settle down in school or are they on course for the criminal justice system? However, countless families have found their own way through those tricky school years and emerged with young adults who are able to manage their condition and have fulfilling lives.

Mum Sara Smith wishes there had been more support available when her son John, whose behaviour can be extremely challenging, was going through school. She and husband James also have a teenaged daughter, Nora, and live in County Down.

We’ve changed their names to safeguard the privacy of the children.

LESSON 1 - SCHOOL YEARS AND HARD KNOCKS

In their darkest days, James and Sara barely dared to dream that John, who has ADHD, Asperger Syndrome and Oppositional Defiant Disorder, would ever have a normal life. Now reaching adulthood, he’s a friendly, busy fella, with a wide social circle and to his parents’ delight, heads off to his apprenticeship happily every morning.

“He started showing symptoms at 3,” >>

20 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 14 September 2018

He was constantly having meltdowns in school. He took a brush shaft to the headmaster one day and we had to chase him around the playground. If it wasn’t so serious it would have been funny.

<<recalls Sara. “As soon as he went to nursery school he started hitting and biting and he’d never been like that before. He’d been to mums and toddlers and was a good child - clingy as a baby. They said he had enough symptoms to be diagnosed with this ODD, Oppositional Defiance, although there was always a query about that, but he just would not do anything he was told.

It didn’t matter what you did or how you disciplined him, he just would not do it if he didn’t want to do it. It was an absolute nightmare in school. He’s very dyslexic as well, which is quite common with ASD and it didn’t help.”

Sitting or standing still was impossible for this hyperactive youngster. His P2 teacher knew how to handle him, giving him tasks to keep him busy, then working solo with him while the rest of the class were doing their work. Things went down-

SCHOOL SUCCESSES Most children with ASD are diagnosed in primary school. One secondary school teacher told us: “By the time children with ADHD and autism reach us, they are managing well and need the level of education you get in mainstream. Most of our ASD children leave school with eight GCSEs. They’re absolutely fine so long as they have a classroom assistant.

Very often in their teenage years, they seem to become much happier and their personalities are able to shine.”

hill when he had two different teachers in P3 and his difficulty sitting or standing in line became a major problem. During his P3 year, John spent two terms at a special school, where he was in a class with other children with ASD. “They found he was able to sit when they gave him clay and he could work away at it and listen during story time.”

At the same time, his mum went to an evening class, run by the local health trust, to learn more about ADHD. “That was fabulous – I learnt so much.”

COULDN’T COPE

When John returned to mainstream school, his parents brought the clay in a plastic box so his teachers could give it to him if he was anxious. “They never brought the box out and that was one reason we had to stop mainstream. They weren’t

doing anything that we’d learnt that was actually helping him.

“He was constantly having meltdowns in school. He took a brush shaft to the headmistress one day and we had to chase him around the playground. If it wasn’t so serious it would have been funny.”

The writing was on the wall when he was suspended from P4 for a month.

“We just took him out of school then. I basically had to give up work to look after him. You couldn’t give him to anyone else to look after because his outbursts were so violent.”

He was placed in a special school quite near their home, originally for one year but ended up staying there much longer.

“He still had outbursts and got suspended once or twice but only for a day or two. By p7 he was bored and fed up doing the same thing for three years and got suspended again.” It was during this time that he was assessed at the Warren Children’s Centre in Lisburn and diagnosed as having Asperger Syndrome too.

“By the end of p7 he had nowhere to go because none of the schools we’d put down for transfer would accept him. We had nowhere for him.” Eventually the Education board placed him at another special school some distance from their

home. His parents were concerned about the 30 mile car journey, however, all went well for the first two years, with John thriving in a small group setting. In his third year, the upheaval began again. “He got into a scuffle with another boy just before half term. It was nothing big and the school weren’t even going to mention it to us but over the half term, it all built up in his head to be something it wasn’t and I couldn’t get him back into school after the holiday.”

At a meeting to discuss the way forward, the headmaster took a hard line with John who, fearing he was going to be put into isolation, hit out at him. “In the end, we got him back in for the last two days of school because we didn’t want him leaving under the same cloud as primary school.

He loved the teachers and loved the staff there though.”

ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION

Having exhausted their options at mainstream and special schools, the family were referred to Alternative Education Provision (AEP). There are about six sites across Northern Ireland, supporting young people outside the school system.

“He was in AEP for the last two years and never got into trouble once. I was worried because there were no men to control him if he got into a meltdown but he didn’t have one, because of the way they treated him I think.”

The AEP covers the basic subjects and John left, armed with qualifications in Maths, English, ICT, joinery and construction as well as awards from the Prince’s Trust and Duke of Edinburgh, to his parents’ delight. “Once he got into the right place he was great, he excelled – he’s fabulous now. It just shows, you need the right setting for education and to teach these kids in small groups. They’re not stupid - some of them are really intelligent but you need something tailored for them and there’s not enough out there for them.”

LESSON 2 LEARNING TOCOPE WITHBEHAVIOURS

For some parents, having a diagnosis of one of the disorders on the autism spectrum is a blow although often not completely unexpected. John Smith was diagnosed with ADHD in P3 and Asperger’s in P7. Mum Sara says: “The diagnoses helped us from the point of view that we knew what we were dealing with. An adult with Asperger’s came out to explain why

14 September | Belfast Telegraph

John did some of the things he did, such as why he played his music and TV at house-shaking volume. He turns the TV up as high as he can because he can hear absolutely everything and he’s trying to drown out other noises. He can still hear if Nora is playing music and his TV is bouncing off the walls but he can cope better with it now as he has got older.”

Feeling too hot all the time is also part of his condition. “John used to come home from school and strip to his boxers. We might have had snow outside but he would get very warm and want to be free from clothes.

“He would go through fads too. When he was smaller he used to get all his cars and line them up on the mantelpiece and get all the control sticks and line them up. When you were shopping if he saw shelves with something out of place he had to organise them.”

BOILING POINT

It’s the uncontrolled rages that cause strain within families, however, and on two occasions, when he was in P4, John took a knife to his mum. “When he was younger he had meltdowns all the time.

When John first began acting up, we lost most of our friends. They couldn’t cope with his behaviour - I’m not the only one that’s found that. A few people have stood by us and eventually I made new friends as I went to groups that had kids the same.

“Now he has the odd meltdown from time to time but they only last about 10 minutes; it’s a massive improvement from when he used to have one or two every day which could last an hour.

He’s always exhausted afterwards and feels really sorry and gets annoyed at himself.

“I probably didn’t deal with it as well as I should have but if you didn’t give in he wrecked the whole house and then we were out a fortune trying to sort

Family Life | 21

WHATIS ASD?

stuff out. Probably I shouldn’t have given in to him but hindsight’s a great thing.

“To be quite honest, I was scared of him because when he got into a meltdown he had twice the strength he normally did.

“I could see him building up when he got angry and when you were with other people it was very hard and they’d stick their penny in. I knew how to deal with him at home – close him in his room and let him get on with it. The main thing is you don’t talk to them when they’re having a meltdown. This is what I learnt eventually. They can’t hear you and can’t focus on anything or take in what you’re saying. You have to let him get it out of his system, wait until he’s chilled down and then you can talk about it and hopefully he’ll deal better with it the next time.

“As he’s getting older he has very few but they’re still scary when he has them.”

Young people with ADHD are often prescribed stimulants to treat the chemical imbalance in the brain, however, none were found to work for John. “When he was put on heavy drugs he tried to go through a plate glass window in a temper.

He’s only on melatonin to make him sleep.

“His primary school years were all terrible.” John had to sit at the front of any gathering or he wasn’t able to cope, which meant that if things went wrong, there was nowhere to hide. “It was horrific sometimes like when he wrecked someone else’s property at a meeting once. It was my fault – I wasn’t listening and paying attention to the signs - I could have taken him out,” says his mum.

“There’s an ADHD support group in Belfast but we couldn’t go because it needed both of us to be in the house at night or all hell would break loose. The worst point was when we couldn’t get any help and he was having meltdowns all the time. That was in p6-p7 when he was very stressed with not knowing what school he was going to.

“He didn’t look as if he had been stressing but he holds it all in until he can’t hold

it any more and then has a meltdown.

“I thought I was going to have a breakdown. I tried ringing doctors and everywhere I could find but nobody could help me. When we eventually got a social worker, she had somebody come and take him out for a few hours so Nora could have some friends over. Nora was the one that suffered the most because she was good and she was ignored. I had no choice, from she was about 3 years old.”

The family were braced for even worse as John entered his teens but to their relief, he seemed to calm down with puberty.

“The difficulty is you don’t know what’s normal teenage stuff and what’s the condition.”

LESSONS LEARNT

Looking back, Sara acknowledges they got some things wrong, but others right.

“There are things I would have done differently because I know more now but you learn through your own mistakes.

“We found coping mechanisms but what is right for one parent isn’t right for another and there’s no two kids the same.

If there had been more support to give us a break, someone who was able to manage him once a month for a couple of hours, it would have been brilliant. I did most of it on my own and it was a very lonely place.”

In recent years she has been able to join a carers’ group. “I have kept friendly with some of the other parents and everyone supports each other through the rough times. I used to blame myself – I felt really guilty for blaming him for bad behaviour when it wasn’t his fault. There were times I felt he did it on purpose but he just couldn’t help it.

“It was so embarrassing because he would kick off and people would be putting their two pence in and telling us what to do or giving him sweets. People stand and stare when he’s melting and look at you as if you are a bad parent yet I know I’m a good parent because we wouldn’t have got through it if I wasn’t.”

The Department of Health reports quarterly on the number of referrals and diagnoses with about half of those under 18 who are assessed being found to have one of the conditions ranging from ADHD to Aspergers. In the year ending March 2018, there were 2,321 fresh diagnoses, equating to just over 53 children per 10,000 of the child population of Northern Ireland.

Boys are almost five times more likely to be diagnosed than girls and children living in urban areas are more likely to have a diagnosis than those in rural areas. Also, children in the most and least well off areas are more likely to have an Autism Spectrum Disorder than those from middle income families and a Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety report ‘The Prevalence of Autism (including Aspergers Syndrome) in School age Children in Northern Ireland 2015’ suggests that that is probably because both are likely to be in urban areas.

Autism Spectrum Disorders is the umbrella term for a number of conditions including Asperger Syndrome (AS), High Functioning Autism (HFA), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD).

While children with classic autism might be spotted early on, because of delays in their development, often the condition is spotted later in children with Asperger’s and High Functioning Autism who have average or above average intelligence but may struggle with issues related to social interaction and communication.

She believes there’s still a lack of understanding of children with ADHD and their family’s struggles but says a teacher or principal who understands how to deal with them can make a world of difference. “I’ve had to walk out of work to go and get my son because school had sent him home. It made it impossible to do a day’s work.

“When you get people that know how to deal with them, they can do extremely well. Even though there’s more information now about ASD, there’s only a few special needs places and what happens to the rest of the kids? We learnt you had to fight for everything. It was hard and I was rubbish at that – if James hadn’t done it I would have been in the mental hospital by now.

“When John was in his final primary school, I couldn’t go anywhere because I was always getting a phone call. I got to the place where when the phone rang I would literally shake because I thought it was going to be the school. It has taken me years to get over that.”

The passing years and the expertise of the AEP staff have seen their son calm immeasurably and when we talked, he was enjoying his new job. “He absolutely loves it and he’s good with his hands. He gets paid weekly and he’s all grown up.

“My hopes for the future? To have a life. That he’ll succeed in what he’s doing and to see him happy. To have a normal life and do things that ‘normal’ people do.

We’re starting to see the light.”

22 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 14 September 2018

OFF the SHELF

Looking for good reads to snuggle down with at the end of the day?

Here are some of the new and recent releases worth checking out....

REVIEWS BY FIONA RUTHERFORD

PARIS ECHO

by Sebastian Faulks

One of the great writers of today, Faulks takes us to modern France where an American historian, Hannah, is researching the lives of women in Paris during the occupation. She finds herself with an unexpected lodger in the form of Moroccan teenager Tariq, whose twin ambitions are to lose his virginity and find out about his Paris born mother. There’s no cliched romance between the characters, rather a mutually supportive relationship that allows Faulks to capture the immigrant experience which can mirror the human sense of seeking to belong, whether to a time, a place or a family. His exploration of the complexities of people’s attitudes during WWII towards the Germans, Jews and the resistance, shines a light on some of the lesser known heroes and horrors of that era.

IF CATS DISAPPEARED FROM THE WORLD

by Genki Kawamura

In turns comical, moving and thought provoking, this best-selling Japanese tale is translated into English and will be a surefire hit with book clubs and philosophy students. A 30 year old loner, mourning his mother and estranged from his father, discovers he is about to die and when the devil, whom he nicknames Aloha, offers him the chance to keep adding days to his life by eliminating items from the world, he is forced to decipher what makes life worth living. In the end he decides, “Just

being alive doesn’t mean all that much on its own. How you live is more important.”

Despite the heavy topic, this isn’t a hard read although there’s a sense of some of the quality of the writing being lost in translation.

THE POSSIBLE WORLD

by Liese O’Halloran Schwarz

This well written page turner weaves the stories of six year old Ben, the sole survivor of a mass murder, a highly relateable ER doctor Lucy, whose marriage is dying as she works to save lives, and centenarian Clare, reflecting on a life of loss, secrets, struggle and finally, fulfillment. Leo, a much loved character from Clare’s past, temporarily takes residence in Ben’s traumatised mind, knitting together the sequence for each of their quests to reach a conclusion. O’Halloran Schwarz’s skillful portrayal of these disparate characters from different worlds makes for an absorbing and rewarding read.

AM I UGLY?

by Michelle Elman

Having expected a glib, trite advice book from a pioneer of the body positivity movement, I was impressed by this uncompromising memoir.

Michelle Elman’s childhood was marked by multiple surgeries and her teenage years were spent in the unforgiving confines of an English boarding school. She experienced the deaths of children around her in hospital and died briefly herself.

Left physically and emotionally scarred

14 September | Belfast Telegraph by these experiences, Michelle charts her courageous journey to becoming #ScarredNotScared. A truly inspirational woman whose brave choices have created a path to self-acceptance for people everywhere.

A KEEPER

by Graham Norton

His second novel establishes Norton as a fine storyteller.

This unsettling tale follows Elizabeth Keane on a journey of discovery about the past when she returns from the States to take care of her late mother’s affairs and finds a box of letters. Far from being an ordinary widow with a child, her mum turns out to have a chilling secret past and as the mystery unfolds, Elizabeth finds her understanding of her own life is transformed. Norton has a gift for prose and for capturing that energy-sapping claustrophobia that can pertain to village life. While much of the story is infused with melancholy, there’s also a lot of warmth and the occasional funny moment when you can’t avoid hearing Graham Norton’s unmistakable voice in your ear.

FORYOUNGREADERS YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND

by Judi Curtin

One of Ireland’s favourite children’s authors, Curtin is back with a great follow-up

Family Life | 23 to Time After Time and Stand By Me Time travelling 13 year olds Molly and Beth are off to 1975 to try to reverse some wrongs which have led to Molly’s dad becoming lonely.

This heart-warming story is about sticking with your friends and hanging on to your dreams.

Advertising feature

No-flycruisingfrom Irelandgetsaboost

THE POOKA PARTY

by Shona Shirley Macdonald

This beautifully illustrated hardback is all about The Pooka, a magical shapeshifter who lives in the mountains all alone; fixing things, painting, dancing and singing.

Suddenly, none of this seems fun any more, the Pooka realises that its lonely and hasn’t seen its friends in ages!

Join the Pooka as it attempts to throw the Pooka party of the century in this fun picture book. It’s a madcap tale of what to do if you feel sad and lonely, starring one shapeshifting hero with some musical monsters, flying cakes and a guest appearance by the Moon.

Due in October

I

rish Travel Company JMG Travel and UK cruise company Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) joined forces in 2017 to offer direct cruises from Ireland. Due to the success of the its first two years of operation the number of departures for 2019 has been increased significantly.

Family-owned JMG Travel is the tour operating division of well known Donegal Coach holiday operator McGinley Coach Travel and started to offer cruise holidays in 2011. Most Irish departures will be onboard Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ 1250 guest medium-sized cruise liner Magellan, which features a wide range of comfortable lounge areas, well-appointed facilities and expansive

panoramic viewing, ideally suited to these scenic cruise programmes.

Starting in July 2019 and continuing into 2020 there will be 16 departures from Dublin and Cobh ports; each of these can be booked in the knowledge that you don’t need to go near an airport. Complimentary coach transfers are included from Belfast so nothing could be more convenient.

There is a varied selection of exciting cruise itineraries. See the accompanying advert for options up to January 2020.

Following that, options include: March 23, 2020, for 14 nights Azores, Madeira & Portuguese Highlights April 6, 2020, for 7 nights - Easter River Seine Experience April 13, 2020, for 11 nights - Treasures of the British Isles April 24, 2020, for 13 nights - Portugal & Seville Fiesta Prices includes en-suite accommodation, all meals on board, entertainment, port taxes and coach transfers to and from the ship. Check www.jmgcruise. com or call 00353 74913 5201 for a brochure.

24 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 14 September 2018 Advertising feature

StairliftSolutions,nationalandlocal BusinessAwardswinner-Heretoserveyou!

S ince opening their new showroom in Bangor, Stairlift Solutions have just been going from strength to strength.

Having been nominated for several awards at both the Bangor Business Awards and the Federation of Small Business Awards, they came away winning the award for Business Development at the Bangor event and also winning the ultimate award at the FSB Awards, coming away with the title of Best Small Business in Northern Ireland.

As Michael Wallace from Stairlift Solutions says, the company has two main strands to its success.

“Number one is we have fantastic staff, it wouldn’t be possible to do what we do without them,” he said. “Number two is our focus on after-sales care. That’s big for us; we need to make sure our customers are happy with the product they have and ensure they know they can come to us if there are any issues.

“If you look at our website more than 200 people have left testimonials praising their experience with Stairlift Solutions and each one of them is very gratifying to read. To us, each one of them is proof that we’re doing our jobs well.”

This hasn’t all just happened overnight as the company have been going since Michael’s father Ken started it from his garage

at home in Donaghadee in 2000.

Based at Unit 21, Innotec Drive (beside The Signal Centre) on Bangor’s Balloo Road, the new showroom is the ideal location for them to display a new line of mobility aids that are now available.

Michael said: “Stairlifts, from straight or curved, new or reconditioned, even indoor or outdoor, will remain at the core of our company. However, our team here at Stairlift Solutions have listened to what our 2,000+ customers have had to say – and we’ve responded by adding equipment such as scooters, rollators and wheelchairs to our ever-expanding list of mobility products.”

He added: “We are aware of just how important independent living is to those with a disability or mobility problem and with an aging population, it’s important for us to not just promote independent living, but also to enhance it. So along with walking aids, we have also started selling bathroom and toilet equipment, as well as riser recliner chairs and more.”

For more information or if you have any questions on their new mobility products, simply call in and meet the team, or phone 028 9188 2249 where you can also arrange a FREE, no obligation survey of your staircase. Or why not visit their excellent website at www.stairliftsolutionsni.com.

Winner of Business Development at Bangor Business Awards: (l-r) Pete Snodden, compere, Randle Anderson and Michel Wallace, Stairlift Solutions, and Councillor Trevor Cummings, who presented the award

From left are Nick Fullerton, SONI, presenter Wendy Austin, Michael Wallace and James Dowling, Stairlift Solutions, on the occasion of winning Best Small Business NI at the FSB Awards

14 September | Belfast Telegraph

Family Life | 25

Feeling foggy?

FIND YOUR CAREER MATCH AT KEENAN HEALTHCARE

K

BY GARETH MCGURGAN

A

utumn is in full-swing, and for many of us, that means a full schedule.

Some people find a group of supplements called nootropics helpful for battling brain-fog, improving mood and getting the most out of every day.

Nootropics are, broadly speaking, any substances that have been shown to provide a cognitive boost without significant side effects. Despite the modern sounding name, nootropics have actually been around for decades, but have become increasingly more popular among students and people with high-stress careers in recent years, after movies like ‘Limitless’ gave the public a glimpse (albeit a highly exaggerated glimpse, with a lot of Hollywood pizzazz) of what so-called smartdrugs could do.

The chances are that you’re on one of the most popular nootropics in the world right now - caffeine! We know it as that faithful friend that helps us get through our work day, but caffeine is a gateway to the world of nootropics. Taken on its own, caffeine can really help pull us out of an afternoon

slump, but the downside is the inevitable crash. There are a number of ways to help smoothe out your body’s absorption of caffeine so that you can enjoy a long-lasting, slow-release energy boost without the usual jitters, but one of the most effective ways is to take it along with L-Theanine.

L-Theanine is a compound found naturally in green tea, and is responsible for the ‘umami’ flavour found in green tea products, but it also lends a number of physiological and cognitive benefits; it boosts our attention span, increases the efficiency of working memory and relieves some of the physical symptoms associated with stress. L-Theanine also stimulates our brains to produce alpha waves, which are associated with deep meditative and restful states, which is why people report feeling

much calmer, yet focussed, when combining L-Theanine with caffeine.

For optimising sleep, the compound ‘5-Hydroxytryptophan’ is found naturally in our bodies, and is a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin – sometimes called the ‘feel good chemical’. A deficiency or lack of sensitivity to serotonin can cause feelings of depression and anxiety, as well as disrupt sleeping patterns. Many people report having much more vivid dreams and feeling more ‘well rested’ after supplementing 5-HTP, and this is said to be a consequence of achieving a deeper, more beneficial sleep states.

L-Theanine and 5-HTP are available from online and high-street health food shops, but always consult with your pharmacist before trying a new supplement.

eenan Healthcare is a market leading and top-tier contracted, multi award-winning Employment and Recruitment Agency based in Belfast, specialising in Health and Social Care Recruitment throughout Northern Ireland.

Business owner and Managing Director Aideen Duggan links Keenan Healthcare’s success to providing exceptional customer service with 100% customer loyalty, candidate retention, 212% year on year business growth, and longevity of contracts.

Keenan Healthcare’s attention to detail sees all Consultants being REC accredited, the business being ISO 9001 accredited and holding prestigious membership of various business associations. This has enabled the team to build strong foundations and leading edge services across all contracts.

At this busy time for Health and Social Care, the company is recruiting across a wide range of areas, from social workers to allied health professionals, Testimonials can be found at www. keenanhealthcare.co.uk/Testimonials For more information on applying for work through Keenan Healthcare please call the team on 028 9051 1480 or email your CV to info@keenanhealthcare.co.uk.

26 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 14 September 2018

Put your back into staying pain free

B

acks come to the fore at many stages of life, from schoolchildren labouring under heavy school bags to pregnant women trying to balance a growing bump to elderly people who may be aware of a lack of strength.

For the unfortunate ones, the ongoing strain can lead to a painful injury, however, even dull aches can be a warning sign that your back needs some tlc.

You might not even be aware of doing anything to harm your back, such as shifting heavy objects or doing a marathon gardening stint. Simple, everyday non-events like spending hours sitting at your desk, poor posture, wearing high heels, or doing a major housework session can create problems.

According to health experts, being inactive or overweight are also factors in back pain.

WORLD SPINE DAY

8

TIPS FOR EASING THE PAIN

1. Wear comfortable, low heeled shoes 2. Make sure your work surface or desk NHS guidelines for helping you avoid is at a comfortable height backache include: • Watch your posture, particularly if you 3. Use a chair which supports your lower back sit down a lot - take regular breaks to walk around and stretch out 4. Avoid bending over repeatedly or for • When lifting anything, bend your long periods knees, keep your stomach pulled in and 5.

If you stand for long periods, alter hold the item close to you position frequently or try resting one • Stay within the normal weight range foot on a low stool or thick book for your height - excess weight puts pressure on your spine 6. If you sit or drive for long periods, • Stay active - walking and swimming are try a rolled up towel in the hollow of great for keeping your back in shape your back and take frequent breaks • If you work at a desk, your feet should to walk around be flat on the floor or suitably support7. Trouble sleeping? Try lying on your ed • On long car journeys, put a cushion back with a pillow under your knees behind your back and take breaks to or on your side with knees bent and a stretch your legs pillow between your knees • Save high heels for special occasions as 8. Avoid lifting where possible. they put a strain on your spine.

October 16 is World Spine Day and this year #LoveYourSpine will highlight the importance of physical activity, good posture, responsible lifting and healthy working conditions as people are encouraged to look after their spines and stay active.

✸

An article in the British Journal of Pain highlights the findings of a major survey of over 4000 children aged 8–13 in Malta which found that over 70% had a schoolbag that exceeded the recommended 10% bag weight to body ratio and 32% complained of back pain.

A similar survey in Ireland looked at 529 children aged 10 years and found that fewer than 10% carried backpacks that were under 10% of their body weight. Just over 63% reported back discomfort, particularly the shoulders.

28 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 14 September 2018

Bringsomething newtothetable

M

aking sure everyone in the family is eating healthily can be one of the toughest challenges of home life. Trying to please everyone from the vegan to the fussy eater, the sweet toothed to the spice-lover can be a royal pain.

It’s easy to end up falling into a rut, serving up the same middle-of-the-road dishes

month in, month out, however, it’s always worth experimenting with different recipes in the hopes of finding a new favourite that everyone will enjoy.

Popular TV and radio chef Paula McIntyre says: “The danger of cooking for families is that the kitchen situation can end up like a restaurant! Rather than pander to

individual likes and dislikes, find common ground.

“Avoid heavy sauces and try and incorporate pulses and wholegrains as much as possible. We tend to allow our kids to make choices without them even trying things.

“A good tomato sauce base is the perfect place to start.

“If you blend the ‘sofrito’ of vegetables at the beginning (celery, onion, garlic and carrots) then no one can complain about ‘bits’ in the sauce – apparently this is what puts a lot of kids off!

The nutrition is there but it’s hidden.

Add the tomatoes and stock and simmer for an hour to get lots of flavour.

14 September | Belfast Telegraph

Family Life | 29

FEELYOURPULSE

M

any of us know we should be eating more pulses but if you aren’t used to these particular superfoods, it’s hard to know where to start. Beans, lentils, chickpeas and split peas are the most commonly used pulses and they’re low in fat but very high in iron, fibre and protein, especially important if

“Blend this and then use it as a base for meat sauce for pasta, add spices to make a chicken or vegetable curry, use as a base for stew or add beans or lentils to have with grilled meats. Fresh chilli or herbs can be added or omitted. Make a big batch and freeze it.

“I’m not a gardener,” Paula added, “but I do grow fresh herbs in pots – they elevate dishes when added at the end. A few sprigs of thyme added to a roast chicken with some garlic, fennel seeds and lemon will make a beautifully zingy gravy.

“When you’re frying meats or fish, add fresh herbs and lemon into the pan. Finish with good olive oil for an all-in-one sauce, rather than stodgy cream and flour laden ones.

“Asian supermarkets are brilliant for unusual spices and ingredients. I love using Korean gochujang paste – it’s fragrant without being too spicy. I marinated chicken thighs in it recently with garlic, oil, soy and lemon and cooked on the barbecue. My nephew and niece pronounced them “better than Kentucky” – the ultimate compliment apparently (and no, I don’t know how they’re related to me!). Push the boundaries a bit with flavours and add some spices, citrus and chilli on a small scale to begin with.

“Ultimately, remember it’s a family you’re running and not a restaurant!”

L

Go fish

ots of us stay clear of fresh fish, fearing we don’t know how to cook it properly, but it is about the quickest and easiest thing to cook, whether you pan fry it for a minute or two, pop it under the grill or in the oven. If it’s fear of one of the children choking on a bone that’s putting you off, try hake.

As well as being delicious, fish is incredibly nutritious, being rich in protein, vitamins and minerals and according to SafeFood, emerging evidence suggests that eating fish reduces the risk of cancer and arthritis. Oily fish, with its Omega 3 fatty acids, is great for the brain and nervous system – unfortunately canned tuna doesn’t count, as the fatty acids are destroyed during processing.

GRILLEDJOHNDORY WITHSAVOURYBUTTER

This easy recipe from chef Brian McDermott’s Donegal Table includes savoury butter which will keep for three weeks wrapped in the fridge – perfect for a back up when you need to produce something tasty in a hurry. The recipe uses John Dory but you can use any white fish. Serve with potatoes and green veg or salad.

you are trying to foster a flexitarian attitude to food in your home. There’s no need to soak split peas or lentils and you can buy canned beans and chickpeas if you don’t want to go to the bother of soaking them yourself.

While most of us are familiar with them as a soup mix, there’s lots more ways to

MEDITERRANEANBEAN ANDBROCCOLIPASTA This simply, hearty dish is perfect for getting greens and beans into the family and is from The Mediterranean Dish (www. themediterraneandish.com). Sign up for recipes and you get a free e-Cookbook full of exciting Greek, Turkish and Egyptian style dishes.

It uses Aleppo pepper but this is increasingly hard to come by so a substitute, according to Pepper Scale (www.pepperscale. com) is to mix four parts sweet paprika to one part cayenne and add a tiny pinch of salt.

It also uses Za’atar spice blend which you can buy in many high street and Asian supermarkets. (Also, you can buy a set of four essential spices/blends from The Mediterranean Dish – Za-atar, Aleppo style pepper, Harissa and Sumac for $34.)

It’s tossed in olive oil, fresh parsley and favorite spices. A sprinkle of grated Parmesan and some toasted pine nuts seal the deal!

INGREDIENTS

π 3/4 lb elbow macaroni, whole wheat if possible π 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

incorporate them into meals, such as adding beans to a casserole, pasta or salad and lentils to your curries.

Chickpeas (and all pulses) are a big part of the heart-healthy Mediterranean diet and are often eaten by people in those regions of the world known for their longevity.

METHOD

π 1 small red onion, finely chopped π 6 to 8 garlic cloves, minced π 1/2 tsp dried oregano π 1/2 tsp Aleppo pepper π 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper, more if you like spicy π 1 lb frozen broccoli florets, thawed π 1 can Cannellini beans, drained and rinsed π salt and pepper π 2 cups chopped fresh parsley leaves π 1 1/2 tsp Za’atar spice blend, more for later π 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese π 1/3 cup toasted pine nuts

1 Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package until al dente. It’s okay to add a little olive oil to the cooking water. Before you drain pasta, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water for later.

2 In a large pot, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add chopped onions and cook for 2 minutes, stirring regularly, until translucent. Add garlic, oregano, Aleppo pepper, and crushed pepper flakes. Stir until fragrant.

3 Now add thawed broccoli florets. Cook for 4 minutes, tossing regularly.

4 Add cannellini beans and season with salt and pepper. Cook for another 3 minutes or so, tossing regularly.

5 Add the cooked pasta and about 1/3 cup of the reserved cooking water into the pot. Add fresh parsley, za’atar spice, and Parmesan cheese. Toss to combine. If you need to, add a little bit more of the pasta cooking water to help combine everything.

Taste and adjust seasoning. Cook until everything is well warmed through.

6 Transfer to serving bowls. Sprinkle toasted pine nuts, more za’atar spice, and more crushed red pepper flakes on top. Enjoy!

Serves 4

FOR THE BUTTER

π 12 capers π Pinch of fresh dill π 1 clove of garlic, chopped π Freshly ground black pepper π 250g butter, softened π 1 lemon π Few drops of Worcestershire sauce π 12 fresh basil leaves

METHOD

1 Place the capers, dill, garlic and a few twists of pepper into a blender and blitz. Add the softened butter, zest of the lemon and the Worcestershire sauce and give it another quick blitz 2 Chop the basil leaves and sprinkle on a sheet of greaseproof paper. Spread the butter mixture on the paper and roll into a cylindrical shape.

Refrigerate for an hour until it hardens.

FOR THE FISH

π 75g plain flour π 600g John Dory fillets π 25g butter, melted π Drizzle of rapeseed oil π Black pepper

3 4

5

Canadian TV chef Stefano Faita recommends this versatile dish. You can try any combination of fish and seafood, fresh or frozen and serve it with bread, pasta or potatoes.

INGREDIENTS π 3 tbsp. of olive oil Heat the grill π 1 small onion, diced Season the flour with pepper, pat the John Dory π 1 carrot, diced fillets in the flour and place on a flat, oiled tray π 2 stalks celery, diced Brush the fish with melted butter and place π 2 garlic cloves, chopped under the grill for eight minutes π 1 cup dry white wine (225ml) Remove and place on warmed plates. Cut π 1 cup jarred clam juice or fish stock slices of the butter the thickness of a coin and π 1 cup canned diced tomatoes (175g) place 3 slices on each portion of fish to melt π 1 bay leaf Add a good squeeze of the zested lemon just π 1 pinch saffron (optional) before serving. π 16 large shrimp, peeled and deveined

METHOD 1 2

SEAFOODRAGU

π 8 large scallops π 4 squid, sliced π Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste π 2 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley π 1 baguette, sliced and grilled, for serving PREPARATION 1 Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery and garlic and sauté until vegetables are soft, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

2 Add white wine, clam juice, tomatoes, bay leaf and pinch saffron. Bring to a boil over mediumhigh heat. Reduce heat to medium low and let simmer, about 10 minutes.

3 Add shrimp and scallops, cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add squid and cook for 1 to 2 minutes.

Do not over cook squid or it will be tough.

4 Taste and adjust seasoning. Finish with chopped parsley.

Serve with grilled baguette slices.

30 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 14 September 2018

MEAL TIME

magic

Meal times are vital for building relationships within families and especially for supporting teenagers through what can be tricky years. Make everyday meals special with funky and functional table settings.

Imperial Blue Vinyl Mats and Coaster 12 piece set by Denby, £20, retailers including Smyth Patterson, www. smythpatterson. co.uk

Rural retreat table cloth, £18, Sainsbury’s

Flamingo Bay glasses and for little ones, Flamingo Bay bamboo plate and tumbler, £4.95 each, www.rexlondon.com

Stylish and functional, Leander high chair in natural, £159, www. cuckooland.com

Easy clean matt vinyl coated tablecloths can be picked up and cut to size from many fabric shops. Dove Love Mustard tablecloth, from £12.99, www.justwipe.co.uk

Ellen DeGeneres Cobalt Blue Chevron 16 piece Dinner Set Royal Doulton, £155, www. smythpatterson. co.uk

Make the most of those quiet moments when you get peace to read the paper....Black Toast Enamel Coffee Pot 1L Emma Bridgewater, £59.95

Black Toast Enamel Milk Jug 1L Emma Bridgewater, £22.95, retailers including Smyth Patterson

14 September | Belfast Telegraph

Family Life | 31

Advertising feature

HAFNER’SSAUSAGES-

FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS…

sausage reflected then, as it still does today, this flavour expertise.

The distinctive peppery taste and unique spicy flavour caused quite a stir in the Dublin of the early 20th century. It is the stuff of folklore how the queues weaved down Georges Street for Mr Hafner’s sausages.

Hafner’s quickly became known throughout Ireland and a visit to Dublin was not complete without a trip to one of Hafner’s three shops. Many Northern Irish folk remember relations travelling back North on the Dublin train, laden down with their prized Hafner’s sausages – sometimes hidden in their petticoats!

Today, the recipe remains true to the original, 100% Irish prime cuts of pork and fresh spice and seasoning. As lives get busier the humble sausage plays a versatile role in most families, saving many a rumbling tum with a quick bangers and mash or a tasty sausage bap in front of the telly. Use the 50p coupon to save 50p off a purchase afner’s is one of Ireland’s longest of a 1lb pack of Hafner’s Sausages and try established Sausage brands. The them for yourself. And why not try our HafHafner family originally hailed ner’s Brunch in a Pan recipe this weekend from the Hohenlohe region of – a real crowd please for all the family!

Germany and they came from a long line of Master Craft Butchers. Many butchers from this region of Germany emigrated during the late 19th century to escape war and to make a better life for their families in other European countries. Some settled in the North of England and before long had established thriving butchers’ business.

The Hafner’s brand in Ireland can be traced back to 1882 when Frederick Hafner opened his first butcher’s shop on Dublin’s South Great Georges Street. The Hafners of Dublin became big importers of spice and peppers and developed a real expertise in meat seasoning. The Hafner’s

H

SUNDAY MORNING COOKUP

SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS

1 packet Hafner’s pork sausages 250g baby waxy potatoes 2 tablespoons of olive oil

1 red onion, finely sliced 250g button mushrooms, cut in half 60g baby spinach leaves 160g tomatoes 4 eggs A little salt and pepper

METHOD

π Lay the sausages onto a grill pan and grill under a high heat for 10 minutes until golden, turn every few minutes as they cook. π Cut the baby potatoes in half and plunge into a saucepan of boiling salted water to partly cook for 5 minutes, then drain. π Heat half the olive oil in a large frying pan or shallow casserole and fry the baby potatoes for 10 minutes, stirring all the time until crisp.

Sprinkle red onion slices and mushrooms into the pan and cook with the potatoes for a further 5 minutes. π Stir the spinach and cherry tomatoes into the pan and cook for a few minutes before adding the cooked sausages to the pan. π Use a large frying pan and the remaining oil to gently fry the eggs, then arrange them on top of the sausages, potatoes, red onion, spinach and tomatoes. Season with a little salt and pepper before serving. π Bring the casserole dish to the table and serve with crusty bread.

32 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 14 September 2018 Advertising feature

Searching for your perfect products can be a ‘mare – especially when nothing seems to tame those knots, frizz and dry ends. Well, fear no more. Mane ’n Tail is the hair saviour you’ve been looking for. Originally made in the USA for equine manes and tails, the updated formula has won legions of fans – including a number of the world’s top celebrities who have revealed it from time to time as one of their hard kept secrets of beautiful hair.

Read on for the full Mane ’n Tail low-down...

Discoverthesecretofbeautiful hairwithOriginalMane‘nTail best-selling brand on Amazon.co.uk. A full range of shampoos, conditioners, detangling, strengthening, and shine products has been developed, alongside the original formula, with luxurious ‘Colour Protect’, ‘Deep Moisturising’, ‘Herbal Essentials’ and ‘Gentle Clarifying’ variations included, each designed for different hair types including dry, coloured and oily formulations.

The shampoo contains high lathering agents, fortified with moisturisers, to leave hair soft and ultra clean. Protein enriched conditioner helps nourish and aid growth, leaving hair lustrous and silky. Priced from just £5.99 for regular 355ml shampoo and conditioner, Mane ‘n Tail is now available in Gordon’s Chemists, Medicare, Superdrug and Boots as well as online.

SMALL APPLICATION, BIG RESULTS!

Mane ‘n Tail takes just a small application for long-lasting results. As well as improving texture and promoting growth in all hair types, Mane ‘n Tail’s Deep Moisturising Shampoo can also be used on hair extensions, and helps match the texture of the extension to that of the natural hair.

DEEP CONDITIONING

The moisturising range of Mane ‘n Tail shampoos and conditioners is very effective as a treatment mask on hair, and can be used once a month, for 20 minutes, on hair wrapped in a warm towel.

G

ive your hair added ‘swish’ with the multi-award winning Mane ‘n Tail treatment. You’ll feel the difference from the moment you start to wash until you finish and style as this hair range, now developed to perfectly suit human tresses, has been proven to give you fuller, stronger and healthier hair.

Developed in New Jersey 40 years ago, Mane ‘n Tail started life as a horse grooming product which delivered high gloss, increased nourishment, and stronger hair growth. Clever horse owners tried Mane ‘n Tail on their own hair, and soon discovered that with just the tiniest amount of this ultra-rich formula, they too enjoyed outstanding results and amazing improvement in dry and damaged hair.

Mane ‘n Tail is now a multi-award winning product in beauty trials around the globe and has overtaken a multinational, well-known brand, as the

✸THE ORIGINAL RANGE Fast-track your way to a good hair day with The Original Mane ’n Tail Shampoo, £5.99, and Conditioner, £5.99 – the perfect combo for thicker, fuller and healthier- looking locks.

For use on non-coloured hair; to nourish, fortify, and promote healthy hair growth, as well as balance the natural oils on the scalp.

The protein formula will leave your hair soft and shiny without stripping out those natural oils.

MANE ‘N TAIL HAIRCARE ✸ SHAMPOOS:

COLOUR PROTECT SHAMPOO: Now with an

enhanced formulation with UV and Thermal protection for use on dry coloured hair; to nourish, improve texture and for healthier hair.

HERBAL ESSENTIALS SHAMPOO: For use on

all hair types; fortifies and promotes hair growth, and also good on coloured hair that has oily tendencies.

GENTLE CLARIFYING SHAMPOO: is a light,

replenishing formula designed to restore, revitalise and recondition for a renewed, silkier, healthier look and feel. It’s gentle enough to use every day while completely removing daily build-up.

✸ CONDITIONERS: COLOUR PROTECT CONDITIONER: Intensive conditioning for dry, coloured hair.

HERBAL ESSENTIALS CONDITIONER: For all hair types, particularly coloured hair with oily tendencies. Helps to nourish and fortify the hair and promote growth.

GENTLE REPLENISHING CONDITIONER: A

weightless conditioner that provides hair with just enough moisturising benefits to detangle without build-up.

✸ MOISTURISING HEROES Thanks to the

added vitamin E, Mane ’n Tail Deep Moisturizing Shampoo, £6.99, gently cleanses and repairs the damaging effects of styling. Deep Moisturizing Conditioner, £6.99, locks in moisture and nourishes the hair from root to tip. Use as a moisturising treatment for dry, damaged, brittle hair, only once or twice a week, and as a monthly leave-in treatment, if required. Also, for use on hair extensions.

The outcome? Soft, silky hair to take you from morning latte to evening dinner date.

14 September | Belfast Telegraph

Family Life | 33 Advertising feature

✸ As well as hair care solutions for longer, stronger, fuller, thicker hair, there is also Mane‘n Tail Hoofmaker, a multi-purpose moisturising cream for dry and cracked skin, which produces great results on hands, elbows, and feet. Priced at £7.99 for 175ml, Hoofmaker helps maintain strong and flexible nails, softens calluses, and conditions areas of rough skin by restoring vital nutrients.

THE DAILY ESSENTIALS ✸✸✸

MEET THE EVERYDAY HAIR HEROES THAT SHOULD BE TOP OF YOUR WISH LIST... ✸ HAIR STRENGTHENER

An advanced daily leave-in conditioning treatment that provides essential protection to help achieve longer, stronger, healthier looking hair. Also acts as a protection layer preventing heat damage from hair straighteners and hair dryers.

Apply Mane ’n Tail Hair Strengthener, £11.99, before heat styling. It’ll also tackle split ends and add moisture.

✸ DETANGLER

Mane‘n Tail’s Detangler, £7.99, makes styling effortless for all hair types, producing shiny sleek hair that brushes through with ease. A leave-in conditioning treatment, producing silky tresses that are effortless to style.

Liberally spray onto damp hair and brush through with ease, no matter how matted the hair.

TORI’STIPS TOP DUBLIN HAIRSTYLIST, BLOGGER AND A REGULAR ON IRISH TV, TORI KEANE IS A MANE ‘N TAIL AMBASSADOR. WE ASKED HER WHY SHE TOOK SUCH A ‘SHINE’ TO THE USA MADE PHENOMENON...

HOW DID YOU COME ACROSS MANE ‘N TAIL?

I’m a horsey girl and I remember going into the big horse riding shops with my dad and seeing it on their shelves, it really stood out in the blue and yellow packaging. We definitely used it on our horse for shows etc..... In recent years, I was going on holidays and was grabbing my last few holidays bits and saw it on the shelves, I couldn’t believe it and just had to try it – it works even better on humans!

DOES IT LIVE UP TO THE HYPE?

For anyone I have recommended it to it certainly does. People can’t get enough of it. The brand has really expanded its range in the last few years so there’s something for every hair type. It can’t fail.

AFTER A HOT SUMMER, THE AUTUMN RAIN IS SET TO PLAY HAVOC WITH OUR HAIR. WHAT ARE YOUR TIPS FOR KEEPING HAIR LOOKING HEALTHY?

Both sun and rain are hair enemies for different reasons.

If you feel your hair has suffered from sun damage and dryness I highly recommend using Mane ‘n Tail Deep Moisturising Conditioner on your midlengths and ends teamed with whichever Shampoo suits your hair type best, Gentle Clarifying Shampoo for fine hair/ oily hair OR Mane ‘n Tail Original for dry/coarse hair.

If the damp weather is your worst nightmare then prep your hair for the elements by using Mane ‘n Tail Herbal Essentials Shampoo and Conditioner followed by (here’s the good bit) Mane ‘n Tail Hair Strengthener. This is a little miracle in a spray bottle that doesn’t cling onto the hair. It absorbs and creates a barrier against the elements, protecting your blow-dry – genius!

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST HAIR PROBLEMS PEOPLE FACE COMING INTO WINTER?

Frizzy hair caused by wind and rain.

Unfortunately we get plenty of that here, we’ve become good at managing it

Don’ttakeourwordforit...

though I think and we’re getting better with product knowledge and knowing what suits us. The question I ask people mostly as a hairstylist is, “Why would you spend so much money getting your hair coloured or blow dried and then not use the right products?” To me using the right products for your hair type is essential and thankfully Mane ‘n Tail is stocked in most pharmacies now including Boots and Superdrug so there’s no need to grab and buy whatever’s handy, Mane ‘n Tail is right there.

WITH ALL THE FUNKY COLOUR TRENDS FROM PASTELS TO DEEP REDS HOW DO WE MAINTAIN OUR COLOUR ONCE WE LEAVE THE SALON?

Coloured hair, whatever colour your hair may be, needs a colour shampoo, that should be the rule.

If you have colour in your hair it can be washed away by not using the right shampoo. Mane ‘n Tail Color Protect Shampoo and Conditioner boasts about keeping your colour fresh looking for up to eight weeks! It contains an anti-fade system that will lock in your colour and maintain shine.

WHAT HEAD TURNING HAIR TRENDS DO YOU PREDICT FOR AW18?

It seems this year has been the year of the woman and I’m predicting ‘rebellious’ hair as seen on the Dior catwalks.

Meaning hair that’s blow dried but not too done, neat but not tidy, bend but don’t curl, using hair’s own natural flow and texture. Slightly turned ends and flowing waves, more late ‘60s, early ‘70s, with flat caps and the occasional messy bun. Mane ‘n Tail detangler can be used on wet or dry hair and I love using it to give hair texture on dry hair.

GENUINE TESTIMONIALS ON AMAZON BY PEOPLE WHOSE PURCHASES HAVE BEEN VERIFIED.

People have said my hair is getting really long thick and healthy now I have got less split ends and I have noticed it is growing a lot faster than usual.

My wife says it’s working miracles with our 3yr old daughter’s thin wispy blonde hair. After only a few weeks use her hair is so much thicker and stronger...

NIKITTA

JYF

It works ...I have spent a fortune over the years on shampoos and hair treatments to help my fine hair. My hair looks thicker...

MACKENZIE

34 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 14 September 2018

Born This Way Absolute Perfection Foundation, £29, Too Faced

Studio Fix Fluid in NC12, £26, MAC Magic Away Concealer, £24, Charlotte Tilbury

Born This Way Setting Powder, £20, Too Faced

Illuminator in Snowflake, £34.99, OPV

Born This Way MultiUse Sculpting Concealer, £24, Too Faced

Luminous Skin Stick, £29.50, ARTDECO

Eclipse Foundation, £28, Diego Dalla Palma

Your Skin but Better CC + OilFree Matte with SPF 40, £30, IT Cosmetics

Skin Illusion, £30, Clarins

Magnetic Eye Pencils, £20, Nudestix

All things

&

bright

23 Charlotte’s Genius Magic Powder, £33, Charlotte Tilbury

beautiful

Blossoming Cheek Colour in Love Affair, £18, Mii cosmetics Moisturising Lip Lover in Smile, £14.95, Mii cosmetics

BY DAVINA GORDON

A

s the leaves fall, creating a sea of red, purple and gold, it’s time to usher in a brand new season.

Chances are, you’ve neglected your skin somewhat over the humid summer months, so now’s the time to get back into a routine to get your moisture-starved skin glowing again.

Thankfully, there are ways to cheat your way to clear, luminous skin, which is as important as ever if you want to copy the look seen on the runways in the four fashion cities. If you want to emulate healthy radiance, it’s all in the prep. Invest in a good primer and strobe cream, to give your your skin a divine dewiness. Then, make sure you use a foundation that evens out skin tone and hides blemishes. We love IT Cosmetics CC+Oil-Free Matte with SPF 40. This magic in a tube is developed by plastic surgeons and offers colour-correcting full-coverage, anti-aging skincare and SPF40 in one simple step. Other excellent options come from Too Faced, MAC and Clarins.

Now for illuminator, which should be applied to the apples of your cheeks and outer contours of your eyes to reflect light and detract from dark circles. We love Luminous Skin Stick by ARTDECO and Illuminator in Snowflake by OPV. Glitter is back for AW18 and it’s not just for eyes, it can be added to cheekbones or even to lips. If you’re usually conserv-

Colour Booster Lip Balm, £15.25, Artdeco

Warm Brown Obsessions, £25, Huda Beauty

Defining Eye Pencil in Hypnotic, £8.95, Mii cosmetics

ative when it comes to eye make-up, why not shake things up with a look-at-me eyeliner? Pale blue, neon pink, lilac and silver were colours sported by models. If you love a smokey eye, add an exaggerated flick as there’s a nod to the swinging Sixties this season. Make your eyes stand out even more by using a dark eyeliner on the waterline.

Keep brows textured but not overly defined. In fact, there’s a move away from painstaking contouring with the onus on subtlety. Less is definitely more. You can also ditch mascara in favour of an eyeshadow to make your eye colour pop.

For lips, wine-stained, matte brown and glossy berry lips were order of the day but you can also opt for nude lips.

If you’re colouring your hair this season, go red. It’s good news if you can’t live without your weekly blow dry; this is definitely your season as gorgeous, glossy locks are bang on trend. If you’re a low maintenance gal, that’s cool too as top knots and deconstructed ballerina buns adorned with slides will give your look an edge. You can also add interest to your updo with bright, plastic headbands.

There really is something for everyone, whether you use colour to express yourself or if you prefer to let your natural beauty shine through. Most importantly, love the skin you’re in and don’t be too shy to try something different. Be bold, be beautiful but most of all, be you.

Graphic Lips in Blazing Sun, £5.50, Zoeva

Joli Rouge Graduation Lipstick in Plum, £22, Clarins

Pure Decadence Eye Palette, £25, Mii cosmetics

Uplifting Cheek Colour in Cheer, £16.50, Mii cosmetics

Glamorous Trio Bronzing Face Finish in Treasure, £23.50, Mii cosmetics

Supra Volume Mascara, £22, Clarins

Waterproof Gel Eyeliner, £26.50, Clarins

14 September | Belfast Telegraph

Sevenbodyboosters

BY MAEVE RICHARDSON

Rose Jam Shower Gel, 100g, £5.95, Lush

T

hese treats are packed full of essential oils, designed to soothe and nourish dull, dry skin as the season turns, guaranteed to refresh both body and mind! Cowshed’s Wonder Balm is a moisturiser, salve and body butter – all in one pot.

Lush’s Sleepy body lotion is fantastic for those who need a little extra help switching off. Plus, Crabtree & Evelyn’s Hand Therapy’s radianceboosting formula is great for giving neglected hands much-needed TLC. Aura Mugler Body Lotion blends juicy notes of pear with hibiscus seeds, tiger liana, white vanilla tahitensis and iris root in a non-greasy, easily absorbable moisture-boosting formula with a scent that’s impossible to resist.

Wonder Balm, 50ml, £38, Cowshed

Family Life | 35

Gardener’s Anti-Ageing Hand Therapy, 70g, £19, Crabtree & Evelyn

Lavender & Espresso Calming Body Lotion, 250ml, £19, Crabtree & Evelyn

Sleepy Body Lotion, 215ml, £13.95 Lush

Feeling Knackered Gift Set, £25, Cowshed

Aura Mugler Body Lotion, 200ml, £35, Mugler Fragrances

36 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 14 September 2018

Allchangeforautumn!

BY REBECCA PETTICREW

I

t’s transition time again. Just when we’ve got the hang of dressing for warmer weather our summer staples get consigned to the back of the wardrobe, making way for pieces to see us through unpredictable autumn weather.

Staying stylish and comfortable in fluctuating temperatures, often with a rain shower thrown in for good measure, can seem daunting but with some strategic layering, you can take on the most changeable season and emerge with your style-credentials intact.

The top four autumn trends look best worn together, so style it up – throw a tweed overcoat over a leather skirt, wear a sequinned top with animal print trousers, pair your plaid trousers with metallic loafers. The look is only limited by your imagination.

Light Grey/Leopard Print Knitted Jumper, £24.99, H&M

GoWild:

Hugo Zebra Print Suede Boots, £89, Topshop

Leopard Print Midi Dress, £65, Oliver Bonas

Animal print was all over the AW18 catwalk, with designers including Givenchy, Calvin Klein, Balenciaga and Tom Ford featuring zebra print, tiger stripes and everything else between.

Be as bold as you like and go head to toe leopard print or give the trend a nod with a snakeskin belt, the choice is yours. One thing is for certain, you won’t go wrong with a wild hide.

Snakeskin trousers with side taping, £29.99, Zara

GettheGloss: The future is here and it’s shiny. Modern manufacturing techniques make materials like latex, vinyl and plastic functional and comfortable in everything from shoes to shirts. Metallic palettes will brighten any outfit, emulate Chanel by choosing gold hues and pairing with print. Practical and ontrend, grab a glossy rain-proof trench to keep you dry when showers strike. Team your gloss with a tactile fabric like a cable knit sweater or tweed jacket and you’ll be at the front of the fashion pack.

Rose Gold Sequin T-Shirt, £30, Dorothy Perkins

Silver Sequin Dress, £35, Tu at Sainsbury’s

Wet-Look Trousers, £24, H&M

Oversized Vinyl Mac, £90, ASOS

Sequinned skirt, £45, Principles

Gene Metal Saddle Trim Backless Loafer, £75, Dune

14 September | Belfast Telegraph

Family Life | 37

Heritage-chic:

Channel your inner Lady of the Manor in tweed and checks. Stay cozy in an oversized tweed coat, as seen on the Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton catwalks, or add some Scottish style with tartan or plaid which featured in the Calvin Klein collection. From slouchy to sharply tailored, anything goes with this trend.

Pocket Tweed Jacket, £59.99, Mango Tweed lock tote bag, £35, Next Camel Checked Double Breasted Wool Coat, £150, Urban Outfitters Check Wide Leg Trousers, £45, Warehouse

Vibrant check coat, £69, Red Herring at Debenhams

A Twist On Tweed Ankle Boots, £52.95, Joe Brown’s

Hellforleather: Goldenburg Leather Trousers, £225, French Connection

From skirts to shirts, trousers to trench coats, it’s all about leather. Feel free to go faux; your wallet will thank you. No need to stick to traditional black. Be inspired by the colours seen on the catwalk, from petrol green at Givenchy to royal blue at Stella McCartney to tan at Loewe. Again, mixing textures will make sure you’re hitting the right style notes. Team a leather top with a knife-pleat midi skirt in a floaty fabric, go for a cozy knit with a leather skirt, or wrap up warm with an oversized tweed coat over leather trousers.

Burgundy leather look pencil skirt, £19.99, New Look

Nine by Savannah Miller, £45, Debenhams

Leather shell top, £89, Jigsaw

Biker jacket, £65, Principles

Checked Blouse With Ruffle Trim, £29.99, Zara

Leather Look Slip Dress, £39, Topshop

38 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 14 September 2018

15

Nourishing Lip Treatment, 5ml, £25, ESPA Use on its own to hydrate or add over lipstick for a glossy shine that’s impossible to resist!

1

Be Pure Silver Mask, 75ml, £18.50, diego dalla palma Detoxes and purifies for instantly brighter, fresherlooking skin.

14

Hydrating Eye Cream, 15ml, £33, Bobbi Brown Moisturises and acts as a base under make up for a flawless finish that’s hard to beat.

2

Calm Water Gel, 50ml, £44.50, Dermalogica A weightless water-gel moisturiser which hydrates dry, sensitive skin and creates a barrier against environmental assault.

3

ageLOC Radiant Day, 25ml, £57.60, Nu Skin This silky-smooth formula contains ingredients that protect against sun damage and stimulates cell turnover delivering radiant, flawless skin.

V ibrant Visage

13

Expert Skincare Q10 Anti-Age Serum, 200ml, £4, Boots Boots’ new range contains CoEnzyme Q10, which works to energise the skin to encourage repair and keep skin cells hydrated for a bargain price!

12

Power Duo Face Serum, 15ml x 2, £110, W=HB2 Developed by leading skin care experts in Switzerland, this two-step formula promises to nourish and revitalise tired skin. Plus, it’s vegan and fragrance free so it’s perfect for sensitive types.

BY MAEVE RICHARDSON

4

Bye Bye Redness Calming Moisturiser, 60ml, £35, IT Cosmetics Sensitive skin sufferers rejoice, this magic formula was developed with plastic surgeons and neutralises and soothes, reducing redness and providing deep hydration. It is gentle enough for even the most sensitive and dry skin.

5

Brilliance Facial Oil, 30ml, £39, Emma Hardie This oil moisturises and balances while protecting the skin from environmental damage, use at night or add a few drops to your day cream for an added boost.

September is the time when most of us refresh our wardrobes... but don’t forget to update your skincare routine 11 too! Here are 15 wonder products that will give your skin the boost it needs after a long, hot summer, providing nourishment and protection against the elements.

No. 50 Serum, 30ml, £37, IT Cosmetics A hydrating primer and serum in one, infused with more than 50 beneficial ingredients, including anti-ageing peptides and proteins.

8

Longue Vie Decollete 50ml, £58.75, Guinot This firming neck, decollete and bust cream acts like an invisible support bra and is just the ticket for a silky smooth finish.

10

Pore Control Serum, 30ml, £45, Clarins This serum creates an immediate blur effect upon application, creating a smooth base for your make up but also contains active ingredients to minimise pores long-term.

7 6

CBD Stem Cells & Algae All Night Cream, 50ml, £80, MGC Derma Blending powerful natural ingredients with anti-ageing CBD stem cells, this rich, luxurious cream will give your skin a new lease of life by morning.

Lift & Sculpt Firming Neck Treatment, 40ml, £65, Emma Hardie This luxurious serum has a unique roller applicator which helps lift, sculpt, firm and tighten the skin on the neck and décolleté – an area most of us often ignore!

9

Time-Flash Primer, 30ml, £35, Filorga Skin-relaxing hexapeptide, a collagen booster, a peel-like active ingredient and a hyaluronic acid booster combine to smooth and tighten fine lines, creating the perfect

14 September | Belfast Telegraph

Family Life | 39

A blissful night’ssleep

4

Peptide4 Thousand Flower Mask, 75ml, £37, Elemis This cooling, velvety mousse mask contains a willow complex which gently exfoliates away dead skin cells to improve skin radiance and revitalise dull skin.

These luxurious products help body 3 and mind unwind and are fantastic if you’re in need of a little help to transport you to the land of Nod.

Sound Sleep Cocoon, 50ml, £72.50, Dermalogica This gel-cream formula contains motion-activated essential oils, which work through the night to promote a restful sleep for healthier-looking skin by morning.

1

Sleep Experience, £39, ESPA This deeply soothing collection (serum, night cream, bath oil and body oil) contains pure essential oils that ease body and mind, nourishes skin and promotes inner calm.

2

Peptide4 Eye Recovery Cream, 15ml. £38, Elemis Elemis’s Peptide4 eye cream contains seed oil from Night Scented Stock – rich in Vitamin E and essential fatty acids, it smooths and firms delicate skin.

5

Time Control Moonlight Cream, 50ml, £37, diego dalla palma A total collagen complex, hyaluronic acid and multivitamins combine to tone mature skin and imbue a youthful glow.

40 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 14 September 2018

Tipstotake T youthrough transition

he sweltering hot summer has finally relented, taking with it the World Cup, shorts and the need to unstick yourself from every seat you sit on.

However, before you go throwing your entire summer wardrobe into storage and bringing out your winter woollies, there are a few pieces you’ll want to pick up to help with the gradual transition into the colder months.

BOOT UP

Navy windowpane suit, £699, SuitSupply

Starting from the bottom, it’s time to give your favourite pair of trainers a breather and step into a pair of sturdy boots that are better equipped to deal with the cold, wet weather.

For days in the office and more formal occasions go for a pair of Chelsea boots or brogue boots. They will keep you warmer on your way there and back while having you looking just as sharp as a lower cut smart shoe would.

On every other day you can’t go wrong with a pair of lace-up boots. Go for leather over suede – as it will deal better with the rain – and pick up a darker colour to make the upkeep easier. If hiking is your thing, you’ll be spoilt for choice as hiking boots look set to become the ‘height’ of fashion this year.

Desert boot, £100, Clarks

Hale brogue boots, £65, Topman The classic DM, £130, Dr Martens

Tenor Chelsea boots, £195, Reiss

14 September | Belfast Telegraph DON’T DITCH THE DENIM

A denim jacket is the ideal piece to have for layering during the temperamental temperatures of autumn.

As it did during the summer, a denim jacket will do the job as your outermost layer during the fleeting flutters of heat that come about (as is tradition when the schools start back). Moreover, it will also work well as an insulating mid-layer under a coat when the cold winds pick up heading nearer to winter.

Stonewashed and lighter colours tend to look better in spring and summer so instead look for a classic blue, indigo or black number. The less distressed the jacket the better it will look with your smarter outfits, however don’t be afraid to go with a shearling lining or collar – you will be especially happy with it when winter arrives.

Family Life | 41 Bajio Denim Jacket, £118, AllSaints

CHECKS YOUR MATE

Rather than a single piece to pick up, checks are a pattern you are going to want to cash in on over the next few seasons for both in and out of the office.

No longer solely the work wear pattern of lumberjacks, check patterns have been popping up in offices as check suits and formal shirts become increasingly common.

A Prince of Wales or windowpane patterned suit in a tonal colour is a sure-fire way to pull off a confident look that will turn heads without having you looking like a TV with a signal problem.

Alternatively if you’d prefer

Trucker Jacket, £90, Levi’s

Black Oversized Borg lined denim jacket, £75, Topman

Twisted Soul denim jacket with jersey hood, £34.99, Blue Inc

not to shell out on a new suit, a tightly patterned check shirt will stand out nicely against your go to navy or charcoal outfit.

Be a bit more cautious if you plan on adding checks to your leg wear, however.

Go for a solid coloured jumper that matches with a secondary colour from the check in your trousers to make sure you don’t draw attention for the wrong reasons.

However if you are looking to stand out from the crowd this autumn, a bold check overcoat is the statement piece you are looking for. Pair it with anything from your smart casual outfits to jeans and a hoodie to instantly brighten up your go-to outfits.

Frais checked overcoat, £379, Ted Baker Signature gingham shirt, £34, Next

Stunning checks from Baumler’s AW18 collection.

Visit SD Kells for more

42 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 14 September 2018

Go with the flow for the ultimate in

decided to explore the town, rather than the water, until dinner time. Repurposing old buildings appears to be a characteristic of Carrick-on-Shannon, not least the former courthouse, the Dock Design Centre which houses a decent gift shop which may already stock some of the art work being created by a class brushing up on their skills on the steps that day.

The energetic sounds of a 15 strong ceili band practising above Cryan’s Bar, their rhythm-keeping foot-tapping threatening to bring down the ceiling, had us loitering in the street for longer than was respectable so we ducked in next door to Coffey’s Pastry House for wonderful freshly baked scones and coffee.

Apart from a good mix of shops, some stocking the locally made Leitrim Crystal, there are a lot of places to eat, drink and stay in this charming and welcoming town.

The Oarsman had been recommended to us as a great spot for dinner, however, we’d been booked into St George’s Terrace, which occupies a big old building formerly used by a bank. The front of house manager, Fiona, was friendly and helpful and even overlooked the fact that I was still wearing my trainers, although other than that we’d managed to look presentable and thankfully so.

This is obviously where the locals go for special occasions, judging by the way most of the other diners were dressed, but it was extremely affordable and we agreed, among the best meals either of us had including how to start ever had. We took our the boat at the wheel time over the three downstairs as well as courses and savouring the one up on deck. each morsel, from Everyone who hires the lobster (me) a cruiser gets about and salmon (him) an hour’s instruction starters to the hake which was excellent, and steak mains. In welcome and much between were little needed. Normally happy treats – a trio of breads, to champion equality, for an eggshell scooped out once I was happy and filled with sweet to play the useless My starter at St George’s Terrace – curry foam and tiny female as this lovely Asparagus, crumbed lobster legs, fried onion pieces, vessel wasn’t going velvet cloud yoghurt and cucumber miniature 99 cones to be wrecked on my and tiny caramel watch. and chocoloate lollies. We entrusted Fiona My husband is used to canoes and while with selecting wines to complement our you might not think that particularly food and she didn’t disappoint and best helpful in this situation, it turns out that of all, she reminded diners what was reversing a boat into a berth is a lot like on their plates each time one arrived. I guiding a canoe or reversing with a trailer can’t be the only person who struggles – proper man’s stuff, except that you’re to identify caramelised salsify puree or about 20 foot higher than where the action candied aubergine, so was grateful for the is, way down underwater. reminder as well as the healthy helpings of Thankfully the lesson included Seamus champ and chips provided. And the chilled coming with us on our first excursion and Riesling, of course. showing us how to read the navigation Music of all sorts filtered out through markers as well as the large, laminated doorways as we made our way out into the map created by Waterways Ireland. evening air and we went into Cryan’s this time, to pay homage to some of the trad musicians who appeared to be drinking LAND EXPLORATION copious amounts of tea and water between By the time we had berthed again, the songs. Having been up before dawn, we threatening rain had arrived and we only stayed for a few tunes before dodging Our home for the night, the gaggles of hens and stags between us thanks to Le Boat, and our boat and bed. www.leboat.com While the town has a reputation for parties, it wasn’t rowdy but good natured and not even audible from the marina, and it was a very contented couple who settled down in our huge triangular bed in the bow for the night.

relaxation Hidden away in the quiet heart of Ireland, Carrick-on-Shannon is famed for its hospitality but its unspoilt scenery was the draw when Fiona Rutherford was offered a cruiser for a weekend’s exploration of the great sweeping expanse of the River Shannon.

E

ven before we crossed the Fermanagh border into Leitrim you could feel the pace slow.

Winding roads meandered through miles of lush green countryside with barely a car to be seen for long stretches but suddenly we were at Carrickon-Shannon, a lively and attractive spot with some superb eateries and a quirky line in historic sites, from Ireland’s Taj Mahal to a Famine Graveyard and Workhouse.

There weren’t any signposts for the marina but as is the nature of these things, if you keep going long enough, you are bound to come across water in this country and so the first boats loomed into view, all lined up St Tropez style. All that was missing was the blistering heat.

Our cruiser was courtesy of Le Boat, an international firm, and the staff directed us to our home for the night, Consul 1, a sleek cruiser – large but not terrifyingly so, and with no fewer than two bathrooms, complete with showers. It had two cabins that would comfortably have slept at least four people, and a well equipped galley and lounge area. We climbed aboard and awaited further instructions, torn between nerves and excitement.

After a few minutes, our tutor in the form of a very friendly former boatmaker, Seamus, arrived up to show us the ropes – and all the other bits and pieces,

CASTAWAYS

Sunday morning brought a mild, dry day and after breakfast we unhitched the ropes

The smallest chapel in Ireland and second smallest in the world is the Costello Memorial Chapel in Carrick-onShannon. Dubbed Ireland’s Taj Mahal, it too was built by a grieving widower.

The coffins of Edward Costello and his beloved wife Mary Josephine, are displayed under glass in the floor and set off onto the majestic Shannon.

Seamus had given us a steer on the tides and locks so we decided to head south to the historic village of Jamestown, a cruise of three hours there and back.

Even though there was more boat traffic on the Shannon than we’d seen on the Leitrim roads, the quiet thrum of the engine was the only sound for our leisurely passage through this ever changing landscape. Damselflies raced by, swifts swooped over fields and water, the occasional heron lurked at the water’s edge, swans glided by and the mighty river widened, narrowed and curved its way through the countryside.

The mesmerising scenery was enhanced by the fantastic cloudscape reflected in the glassy water which was liberally edged with reeds and water lillies.

As we relaxed into it, tea and biscuits were in order, along with suitably uplifting music streamed from our own phones through the excellent sound system and of course, I took my turn at the wheel.

It was romantic, it was relaxing and best of all, there were plenty of moorings to choose from after we had ended our circuit back at Carrick-on-Shannon, having been beaten to the moorings at Jamestown. The designated skipper had no bother reversing in and the designated crew (me) managed to not fall in while tying the ropes.

For a longer stay, there’s plenty to see within easy cruising or driving distance with the Arigna Mining Experience just down the road. And while Athlone would be a week’s cruising, it’s about an hour’s drive away, as are Sligo, Enniskillen and Cavan.

There’s no doubt that any landlubber could get the hang of navigating these beautiful waterways and enjoy a memorable holiday, free from noise, traffic and pollution. The other boat users were unfailingly friendly without being invasive and having had a taste of cruiser life, we will definitely be casting off again.

Our trip was courtesy of Failte Ireland for Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.

14 September | Belfast Telegraph

Family Life | 43 Advertising feature

UNCOVERING IRELAND’S HIDDEN HEARTLANDS Beara Breifne Way

F

or a holiday that’s off the beaten track, where natural beauty abounds and where activity and relaxation are centred around rural communities, head for the Hidden Heartlands, from Leitrim down to East Clare and extending through Longford, Roscommon, East Galway, as well as parts of Westmeath, Cavan, North Tipperary and Offaly.

It’s an area packed with natural gems scattered through a lattice of land and water trails from the Beara Breifne Way to Roscommon’s Lough Key; the hills and woodlands of Drumshanbo in Leitrim; Lough Derg in Portumna, Co. Galway; as well as Lough Oughter in Cavan and the River Shannon flowing through Athlone Town in Westmeath.

There is an infinite variety of things

to do for all ages along the length of the River Shannon, by the many beautiful lakes in the area or along the many quiet rural byways that criss-cross this picturesque part of Ireland.

The water offers leisurely boat trips, water sports and great fishing, and there are numerous walks, cycle trails and pony trekking trails that allow you to take in the views, or explore together the rural heartlands and small villages in this quiet, relaxing part of the country.

Or try a section of the Beara Breifne Way, Ireland’s longest inland walking and cycling trail, following the route taken by Gaelic armies during the early 17th century.

For more information head to www.failteireland.ie/ IrelandsHiddenHeartlands

VisittheIrishNational Stud&Gardens

N

owhere better symbolises all that is great about County Kildare, the beating heart of Ireland’s thoroughbred industry, than the Irish National Stud & Gardens, a unique attraction of outstanding natural beauty that is home to some of the most magnificent horses and sumptuous gardens to be found anywhere in the world.

From horses to horticulture, the Irish National Stud & Gardens offers you a unique experience that can be enjoyed at your own leisure or as part of a guided tour. Come to the Stud and share with us one of Ireland’s true treasures.

Open seven days a week from February to November the Irish National Stud & Gardens offers something for everyone: * Daily guided tours of the Stud * World famous Japanese Gardens * Wild Irish St Fiachra’s Garden (pictured) * Horse Museum (Includes the skeleton of the legendary Arkle) * Living Legends - Visitors are welcome to view equine superstars such as Hurricane Fly, Kicking King Hardy Eustace, Beef or Salmon and Rite of Passage. * School Tours - Choose from three

different trails. * Restaurant - locally sourced food and home baking * Playground * Free car parking For best rates book online. Family ticket is only €28 (includes two adults and four children); adult €11.50; students / over 60s €9; Children €6.50 (5-15 years) Check out our website www. irishnationalstud.ie facebook page or twitter to keep up to date.

44 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 14 September 2018 Kilkenny Castle is a striking backdrop for the Savour Kilkenny Festival

Takeabreakand fitinafestival...

I

t won’t be long before the trees are turning gold and red, the leaves are crackling underfoot and the chilly air begins nipping at the skin. It’s a wonderful season for getting away and exploring new places. There’s no need to wait until mid-term either, as many of the most stunning places, north and south of the border are within an easy drive for an overnight stay.

Dig out your hiking boots, golf clubs, swimming gear, the bikes, canoes or whatever makes your heart sing and start planning. With the peak summer season fading into the past, hotel deals are decidedly tempting and you might just be tempted to leave the kids with granny and have a special weekend away, just the two of you, relaxing in luxurious surroundings. Book in for a couple’s spa, take a leisurely stroll along coast or

ANCIENT EAST CASHEL ARTS FESTIVAL, SEPTEMBER 20 – 23 Cashel in County Tipperary is famous for the ancient and iconic Rock of Cashel. This four-day festival features a fine selection of contemporary arts events set amongst the dramatic backdrop of significant heritage sites in the town.

CULTURE NIGHT AT HOOK LIGHTHOUSE, SEPTEMBER 21 For the third year running, Hook Lighthouse will be offering special guided tours of the lighthouse as a part of Culture Night.

WRITE BY THE SEA, SEPTEMBER 28 – 30 Write By The Sea is a literary festival set in the fishing village of Kilmore Quay, County Wexford, which gives readers and would-be writers the opportunity to hear authors explore and explain their writing processes.

NEW ROSS PIANO FESTIVAL, SEPTEMBER 26 – 30 The New Ross Piano Festival is a big festival in a small and friendly town. It

country paths and end the day with a sumptuous dinner and cocktails.

Or embrace the opportunity to have quality time as a family and bring the children with you. It’s never too early or too late to introduce them to the delights of the Causeway Coast or County Cork, to Dublin or Donegal. Windy days are perfect for flying a kite, or book a session at an outdoor adventure park.

Whatever you decide to do, there’s something particularly memorable about an extra holiday to break up the term-time routine. And who’s to say it won’t be educational, with a wealth of heritage sites, museums, folk parks and attractions to choose from. If festivals are your thing, check our guide to what’s on in Northern Ireland on pages 56-62. Here’s a taster of what’s on offer elsewhere over the coming months...

is four days packed wall to wall with piano, piano, and more piano.

CARLOW AUTUMN WALKING FESTIVAL 2018, OCTOBER 5 – 7 The Carlow Autumn Walking Festival provides the perfect opportunity to get out and explore the gorgeous Carlow countryside whether you are a serious rambler or just like to stretch your legs and enjoy the view.

EUGENE O’NEILL INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF THEATRE, OCTOBER 10 – 14 The life and work of the award-winning Irish-American playwright will be celebrated in New Ross, Wexford, this October at the Eugene O’Neill International Festival of Theatre.

Fireworks for Wexford Spiegeltent Festival

14 September | Belfast Telegraph

Family Life | 45

WEXFORD SPIEGELTENT FESTIVAL, OCTOBER 12 – 16 Upon approaching the beautiful surroundings of the Paradiso Spiegeltent, you’ll sense the unique and enticing atmosphere as olde worlde meets contemporary arts.

SAVOUR KILKENNY 2018, OCTOBER 25 – 29 Set against a backdrop of the beautiful medieval city in south east Ireland, Savour Kilkenny brings together local and national top quality produce, not to mention some of Ireland’s most talented chefs.

HALLOWEEN AT WELLS HOUSE AND GARDENS, OCTOBER 26 – 31 Wells House and Gardens, Wexford, welcomes the return of the Dare to Scare Halloween tour with more midterm mayhem planned!

CORK FILM FESTIVAL, NOVEMBER 9 – 18 Ireland’s largest film festival returns to Cork city for its 63rd year. As one of Ireland’s premiere cultural events, Cork Film Festival celebrates the best in local, national, and international film.

HIDDEN HEARTLANDS MOUNTSHANNON TRAD FESTIVAL, SEPTEMBER 28 - 30 Mountshannon, situated on the shores of Lough Derg, Co Clare, will host its 10th Traditional Irish Music Festival.

The weekend comprises pub sessions, workshops, singing sessions from Friday evening to Sunday night.

Killaloe is the stunning setting for Kincora Trad Festival

KINCORA TRAD FESTIVAL, KILLALOE, OCTOBER 12 - 14 The sixth Kincora Trad Fest takes place in Killaloe and Ballina. The festival takes its name from the ‘Palace of Kincora’ the home of the High King of Ireland Brian Ború which stood on ‘The Green’ in the heritage village of Killaloe. www. discoverkillaloe.ie

WILD ATLANTIC WAY DONEGAL BAY AND BLUESTACKS FESTIVAL, SEPTEMBER 27 – OCTOBER 7 This is the 18th year of the Donegal Bay and Blue Stacks Festival with a packed programme of theatre, music of all kinds, spectacle, literary and visual events throughout south and south-west Donegal.

Donegal Bay and Bluestacks Festival

AUTUMN WRITERS RETREAT, SEPTEMBER 24 – 30 Enjoy writing classes, accommodation and breakfast, Gaeilge language and Irish ceildhe dancing classes, music concerts, island boat ride and guided walk along the beautiful hills, lakes and rugged Wild Atlantic Way coastline of west Donegal.

CELTIC FRINGE FESTIVAL, SEPTEMBER 22 – 24 This unique festival in Sligo retells the fascinating story of the ill-fated Spanish Armada voyage of 1588 through the medium of music, song, dance and much more.

STRANDHILL FOOD FESTIVAL, OCTOBER 6 - 7 The second Strandhill Food Festival, at Sligo Airport, will showcase the very best of local and emerging food companies, as well as attracting some of Ireland’s leading food producers and suppliers to the Northwest.

SLIGO INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL, NOVEMBER 16 – 18 One of Ireland’s top choral festivals, choirs from all over Ireland and abroad converge on Sligo to compete in competitions in a dizzying array of musical styles.

SLIGO LIVE 2018, OCTOBER 24 – 29 Sligo Live celebrates folk, roots, and indie music and is one of the most relaxed, friendly and enjoyable music festivals in Europe, having hosted major international and Irish folk, roots and indie artists in intimate indoor venues for 12 years.

MAYO DARK SKY FESTIVAL, NOVEMBER 2 – 4 A three-day exploration of both the beautiful county of Mayo and the skies above it. During the day time there are plenty of events including talks and workshops on astronomy, environmental matters, astrophysics, astronomical heritage and art, science shows, photography, rocket workshops, planetarium shows and lots more.

For further information about these events, as well as the many activities and attractions on offer, visit www.discoverireland.com, www. irelandsancienteast.com and www. wildatlanticway.com and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

46 | Family Life

A

break at this time of year can be an action-packed affair.

The weather’s still good enough for outdoor activities, the events calendar is bursting with things to do, but all that aside, sometimes all that’s required is four wheels, stunning scenery, good food (that you haven’t had to cook) and a luxurious mattress to sink into.

Rest and relaxation are the order of the day, as well as some pottering about on

Slow thepace...

Belfast Telegraph | 14 September 2018

The Isle of Inisfree at Lough Gill the Antrim Glens, the Causeway Coast, the Mournes, the Sperrins or the Wicklow Mountains.

Take in the sights, enjoy quality time with the family, enjoy a challenging game of golf, swim to your heart’s content in the hotel pool and sleep as late as you like in the morning.

Slow the pace and see a new side of some old favourites...

Inch Wildfowl Reserve in the shadow of the Grianán of Ailleach fort in Co Donegal

is home to a wildlife spectacle every year, from October to April. Just before sunset, thousands of greylag geese come in to roost on the lake. It’s a sight to behold, while the area is perfect for walks, runs and bike rides.

Cullenamore Strand in Col Sligo is also a sanctuary for nature-lovers and those with a passion for archaeology. Take a walk with a Seatrails maritime archaeologist to find out about ancient feasts here and enjoy a meal prepared for you by chefs from local

seafood restaurant Trá Bán. The glorious landscape of Sligo will be forever associated with William Butler Yeats and there’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in his world with a meal to remember at Broc House in a spectacular location overlooking Lough Gill. Here you’ll learn all about the celebrated poet - and be able to catch a glimpse at some of the landmarks made famous in his poetry. The meal is sourced from ingredients grown in the restaurant’s own garden.

Staying in the west, explore the boggy, mountainous vastness of Mayo with Terra Firma Tours. Stop off at some of the county’s most photographable landscapes and tread on ancient pilgrim paths on this cultural walking tour with a difference.

The Burren, Co. Clare, is one of five magnificent National Parks along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way and it is justly famed for its extraordinary wild flowers. One great way to get acquainted with this special place is with the help of the forager-cooks at Wild Kitchen. You’ll learn how to identify plants, what not to eat or touch, what’s in season - and, of course, you’ll get to taste how delicious and nutritious they can be at an al fresco picnic overlooking the ocean.

The west coast is celebrated for the quality of the seafood and there’s nothing quite like catching your own fish. Join the seasoned fishermen of Fish and Stay to go fishing from Carrigaholt Harbour where your bounty may well include ray, plaice and turbot. Look out for bottlenose dolphins and superb views of Mount Brandon.

Co. Kerry’s Valentia has long attracted lovers of all things maritime and the uninhabited Beginish Island is a beguiling ref-

14 September | Belfast Telegraph

Family Life | 47

The Burren

Malahide Castle

uge from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

With the help of local tour guide Tommy of Valentia Harbour Tours, you can stroll its unspoilt sandy beaches and imagine what life must have been like for those who called it home until very recently - as well as those inhabitants from an earlier age, the Vikings. Staying in Kerry, the area around Ballinskellings is part of the International Dark Sky Reserve due to the lack of light pollution. Astronomy enthusiasts from Kerry Dark Sky Tourism will help you

get the most out of your visit by pointing out planets and picking out star systems and even seeing the international space station moving across the skyline.

If history is your thing, aim for Newgrange and Knowth in Co Meath. These Megalithic passage tombs are older than both Stonehenge and Egypt’s pyramids.

In Co Carlow, the Brownshill Dolmen features a capstone that is an estimated to weigh more than 100 tonnes. At Lough Gur, Co Limerick you can explore the im-

Kilkenny Castle

posing hillforts and megalithic tombs that surround this serene lake, and even walk to the Grange stone circle, the largest in Ireland.

Spend some time around Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare for a superb mix of places to go and things to see. For fascinating tours, Malahide Castle, Dublin, is well worth a visit, as is Russborough House, near Blessington, Co Wicklow, where you can also enjoy the impressive art on display.

Kilkenny Castle is another must-see.

Having stood by the banks of the Nore for 900 years, it’s a key part of the city’s Medieval Mile, an area brimming with buildings of national historic importance. Further south, in Co Wexford, Enniscorthy Castle boasts an imposing keep, built in the 17th Century. If it’s tales of conflict and conquests you’re after look no further than Athlone Castle, built at the Shannon and the focal point of the Siege of Athlone in 1690-91.

Meath is still known as the Royal County - and with good reason. It’s an area that will be forever associated with the High Kings of Ireland, and their royal seat was at the Hill of Tara.

And for more recent leaders, a visit to the Kennedy Homestead in Dunganstown, New Ross, gives a sense of JF Kennedy’s family history and his lasting legacy.

For more ideas about how to make the most of an autumn break, see www.discovernorthernireland.com, www.wildatlanticway.com and www.irelandsancienteast.com

48 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 14 September 2018 Shibori is among the striking designs from Transylvanian wallpaper designers Mind The Gap Wallpaper. Papers are easy to hang, using either paste the paper or wall methods, are colourfast and washable with a soft cloth. Sold in sets of three rolls, each 52cm wide and 300cm long giving approx 4.65m2 total, £150, www.mindtheG.com Nomad geometric tassel cushion, £8, Matalan Jim geometric pendant light, £119, Dutchbone, www.cuckooland.com

12 piece rose gold effect dinner set, £45, Next

Shibori pattern cushion, £7. www.wilko.com

Round geometric wall clock, £14.99, Very.co.uk The Catalina lamp has a ceramic, scalloped base and white linen shade, £145, www.sohohome.com

Hone your home

T

here’s space for all tastes in today’s interiors with lots of the most popular developments falling under the Mid Century label. Picking up many of the key features of the 1950s and 1960s, it features sturdy furniture, an abundance of wood and patterns like herring-

Pom pom stripe cushion, £12, Next

Marl pom pom throw, £30, Next

Stoned Triangular Marble Serving Board in pink, £40, Amara

bone and geometrics. Alongside creams, tan and ochres, there’s a rising tide of colour and while muted shades of burnt orange, sienna, olive and teal have been to the fore, the tones are getting stronger and deeper with purples and dark blues and greens added to the mix for greater depth and richness. Pile on the layers for autumn cosiness with lots of chunky rich textiles – if a few pom-poms are thrown in, so much the better.

WOOD YOU

Painted wood is stylish but where it’s left natural, the darker and richer tones are to the fore now.

GO GEO

Geo diamond rug, £55, Next

Chunky knit cushion, £14, Next

Ochre geo print Geometric patterns are everywhere. They cushion, £16, are useful for adding interest to a neutral Next scheme or for bringing lots of colours into

Louise multi cotton rich duvet set, £14.99 – £24.99, Harry Corry, www. harrycorry.com play. You’ll find them in everything from light fittings to carpets. “Layering patterned, geometric rugs adds visual interest to the home while also upping comfort levels,” says Rebecca Snowden, of Furniture Choice. Big patterns this year also include beautiful vintage herringbone and the scallop or fish scale – perfect for grown up mermaids.

14 September | Belfast Telegraph

Family Life | 49

Rich jewel tones and the essential plant from House of Fraser for AW18

London based designer Abigail Ahern brings her lush, opulent style to Debenhams’ Abigail Living collection

Chinese pine, teal lacquered ladies’ cabinet, £1195, www.orchidfurniture.co.uk

Ottone marble and acacia wood console table, £425, Anabela abstract lamp base, £85, Boolu vase, £34, Oliver Bonas

Fern ochre cushion cover, £3 – £19.50, Harry Corry, www. harrycorry.com

The Nordic fields inspired this spectacular wallpaper design, printed over 3 rolls, approx 4.65m2 total, £150, www.mindtheG.com

Aruba duck egg table lamp, £25, Harry Corry

Gold and black geometric cushion, £9.99, British Heart Foundation, www.bhf.org.uk/shop

LUXURY

Decadence and opulence pervade the luxe look this season with dark purples and black, and lustrous metallics. Rich velvets and burnished gold add a baroque feel to a room.

Scott Green velvet armchair, £499, EZ Living Interiors, www. ezlivinginteriors.co.uk

SCANDI/NORDIC

The Danes call it hygge, the Norwegians, kosige but the essence of Scandi style, with its emphasis on form and function, instills calm and serenity with blues, greens and pinks added to the natural textures.

SHIBORI

The rise of blue coincides beautifully with the arrival of shibori patterns – a Japanese tie dye style.

Palma botanical votive holders, set of 4, £22, www.artisanti.com

Batavia ‘S’ table, £89, Ez Living, www.ezlivinginteriors.co.uk

BOTANICALS

Who doesn’t love houseplants? They enrich and enliven our interiors and clean the air of toxins. Apart from the real thing, you can also introduce them in faux form and as a pattern everywhere from the walls in.

Fringe cushion, £14, Next

Light botanical adult 90cm diameter bean bag, £220, www.tillyanna.co.uk

50 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 14 September 2018

Andra large chunky knit bean bag, teal, £149, MADE.com

Swanagegreen table lamp & linen shade, £67.50, www. thefarthing.co.uk

Berlin square cushion in Antibe and Provence, £29.95, www.anniesloan.com

Moody blues

Greens and blues in all sorts of shades are calming and so versatile they can be incorporated in many ways, from wall colour to flooring, soft furnishings to seating and wall furniture.

Pay homage to the season with some autumnal finishing touches...

Autumn Flowers collograph by Fiona Ingham, £25, www.fi-artistatwork.com

Kolton Rocking Chair Mineral Blue, £549, MADE.com

Adjustable Malibu metal and bamboo swivel bar stool in turquoise, £109, www.cuckooland.com Bring a touch of luxury into the home with this set of Copper Coasters from Libra. Add a unique feature to your set with an engraving, maximum 20 characters. Set of 4, £17, www.farrar-tanner.co.uk

Avocado throw by Swedish textile artist Simon Key Bertman, size 130 x 180cm, £139, www. urbanavenue.co.uk

Roulette cot comes in grey, white, teal or pink and coverts to a bed, £795, urbanavenue.co.uk

Pale Blue Ceramic Wave Design Picture Frame £14.99, www.tch.net

Falling for...

Peacock Arte Chair Cobalt and Meadow Green Velvet, £299, MADE.com

Moroso, supernatural chair in turquoise /caramel, £170, Amara Form stainless steel bar stool in teal for a designer look without the price tag, £109, www.danetti.com

Bohemia Moroccan teal pouffe, £126, www.bohemiadesign.com Silk rugs in a range of styles and sizes from Rightprice Coleraine, www.rightprice.co.uk

Autumn Leaf Candleholder, €7.50, from MyHiddenPalace on etsy.com

Time for a walk linen mix draught excluder, featuring a Black Labrador, Golden Retriever, Jack Russell, Springer Spaniel, Yellow Labrador.

Measures 87cm x 20cm and is made from a Polyester and Linen Mix, £16.95, www.athomeinthecountry.co.uk

52 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 14 September 2018 Purple and green Northern Lights Wall Mural, from £29, from pixers.uk

Furniture Chevron Stripes vinyl pattern decal for your furniture decor hack, €21, cutnpasteshop on Etsy.com

NEW ANGLE

✸

We love this idea from Ikea for setting off a corner...

“Some room angles stand out more than others. Why not go even further?

Get a set of matching frames, use placement for added effect – and create something so visible you can’t take your eyes off it.

STICKY FIXES Autumn inspired watercolour seamless pattern £12, pixers.uk

I

f you’re fed up with a worn out piece of furniture but don’t have the time or funds to do much about it, why not upcycle it the easy way with a stick-on fix?

You can get self-adhesive wall or furniture decals in all sorts of styles, from shabby chic to vintage, eclectic to contemporary.

They’re great for jazzing up a boring surface, disguising damage or flaws or simply adding a splash of colour where required.

They come in a variety of materials and with instructions and many can be re-used – great for switching things up when you need to. The makers will often provide a bespoke service, so you can get exactly the shape and size you need.

Check out the range on Etsy (www.etsy.com) or Pixers (pixers.uk).

If you have plain occasional furniture like the Lack table from Ikea, you can customise it with the Lack table veneer in a range of styles (left).

Dresser decals, €15.07, from Quote It Wall Quotes on Etsy.com

Frame with poster, set of 8 Knoppang, £29, Vattenmynta fabric £5/metre, Ikea

14 September | Belfast Telegraph

Family Life | 53

GBGroup:youronestop shopforbuildingservices Advertising feature

GB Group’s enior management team (l-r): Robert Steele, Senior Contracts Manager, Glen Balmer, Managing Director; Maurice Clarke, Business Development Manager

A

s GB Group NI celebrates its 10th anniversary milestone, Managing Director Glen Balmer reflects on its growth during those formative years.

From humble beginnings as an electrical contracting business the company has developed to now offer a completely holistic approach to building services, meeting the demands of its existing client base and new customers alike.

“Through continued investment in equipment, key personnel and the provi-

sion of the correct training, the company now directly employs tradesmen who assure a quality installation service across Building, Mechanical and Electrical services, all under one roof,” Glen comments.

“The high standard of care and workmanship has been recognised by industry standard regulating bodies for oil, gas and electrical installations – which we are extremely proud of – and as such the company holds accreditation with OFTEC, Gas Safe and the NICEIC.” Confidence in the Group’s ability and

unique approach to delivering excellence has also been recognised by its supply chain partners. Glen continues: “Ideal Boilers have bestowed the accolade of approved installer status and Fitzgerald Lighting have entrusted the group with their product aftercare in Northern Ireland, all of which boosts the confidence of our customer base as they know they are entrusting their projects to a contractor who cares passionately about what they deliver.”

Successfully securing additional work throughout 2017 has enabled the company to expand and develop new positions for 2018 with the introduction of a dedicated contract operations manager and business development manager.

“The group’s expertise now covers installation works from domestic to commercial, industrial, health, entertainment, hospitality, housing and educational sectors.

“GB Group NI can offer over 30 years experience in the contracting industry.

Anyone wishing to discuss current or future projects is assured of our best

The Contracts team (back, l-r): Robert Steele, Senior Contracts Manager, Maurice Clarke, Business Development Manager; (front, l-r): Darren Doherty, Electrical Contracts Manager; Thomas Magill, Building Contracts Manager; Glen Balmer, Managing Director; Gareth Flanagan, Mechanical Contracts Manager attention at all times.”

To discuss how GB Group NI may be of service with your next project, telephone 028 9084 4300 or e-mail info@gbgroupni.co.uk.

54 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 14 September 2018

Onions

Take hardwood cuttings of gooseberries

T

his is a busy season in the fruit and veg garden, with lots to do with this year’s crop as well as getting organised for the best results next year.

Keep an eye on fruit trees and remove any rotting pears, apples or plums to avoid spreading disease.

Maximise a tomato crop by pinching out

GROWING YOUROWN? cordons now to get the plant to produce ripe fruit.

Continue feeding and watering French beans and runner beans, harvesting little and often to prevent them setting seed.

Once the crop is finished, cut beans and peas at ground level and allow the roots to break down in the soil.

Plant garlic bulbs for cropping next

year at the end of September and begin planting autumn onion sets now.

This is also the perfect time to order next year’s strawberries, raspberries, blackberries or currant bushes as these plants are best planted during their dormant season.

Of course, if you already have strawberries, you can pot up runners or plant out

Yummy home-made plum jam

Howto make themost ofyour harvest

Dry herbs by hanging them in a bunch

✸

For anyone growing their own fruit and veg, September is very much the season of mellow fruitfulness.

In fact, a productive fruit and veg patch can feel a little overwhelming.

If you have more than you need, take a leaf from the history books and try storing produce so that you can enjoy it throughout the winter.

Freezing and pickling are also good options.

To store crops, find a place that is dry, ventilated and safe from mice and avoid storing fruit and veg together. Don’t try to preserve anything that is damaged or diseased and be careful not to bruise fruit when you are wrapping it.

runners that have already rooted. Get rid of used straw as this can harbour diseases over winter.

Cut back the fruited canes of your summer raspberries, leaving the new green canes for next year’s crop. Tie in next year’s raspberry canes to support wires or fencing.

Increase your stock of currants and gooseberries by taking hardwood cuttings.

Select one or two healthy stems from the base of each bush and cut with secateurs, then reduce the cutting to 25-30cm long, trimming just below a bud at the base, and above a bud at the top. Remove soft growth at the stem tip. With redcurrants, whitecurrants and gooseberries, remove all but the top three or four buds to create a clear stem. Leave all the buds on blackcurrants.

Plant cuttings about 20cm apart in a sunny spot with good drainage.

For further details check out www.rhs. org.uk or www.gardenersworld.com.

Apples wrapped in newspaper and placed in wooden or cardboard containers should last for months so long as you keep an eye on them and get rid of any that are going off.

Freezing is a good option for berries of all sorts, or you could make your own jam. Pick plums this month and preserve the ones you don’t need by washing, halving and stoning them, before laying them out on a tray in the

freezer. Once frozen, pack them into freezer bags.

While root veg are usually fine left in the ground, if you want to store them, leave some of the leaves on and put them into boxes with sand to stop them drying out. Cut the foliage off potatoes at ground level a few weeks before lifting them, then lay them out to dry for a few hours before storing in a cool, dark place, in

hessian or thick paper. Cutting the foliage will help firm the skin and prevent blight spores infecting them. Discard any damaged or diseased potatoes if you don’t want to lose the lot.

Onions and garlic prefer very dry conditions.

You can make the most of a herb crop by drying or freezing it. Dry them by hanging them in a bunch or spreading them on a tray in a warm spot until they’re thoroughly dried out and then put them in brown paper.

Another great tip is to freeze fresh herbs in ice cube trays – perfect for jazzing up those winter caseroles. It’s also a good idea to pot some of them up and grow them indoors throughout the winter.

14 September | Belfast Telegraph

Family Life | 55

Plantingand planningkey toautumn

L

ate summer and early autumn mean keeping an eye on what’s currently happening in the garden, as well as planning ahead for the future.

The still warm, but usually wetter days of September make ideal conditions for planting new trees, shrubs and perennials as well as biennials such as digitalis (foxglove), colourful erysimum (wallflowers) and borage. These are among the many biennials that self seed, adding a splash of colour to all sorts of nooks and crannies as the years go by.

It’s possible to prolong the colourful displays in borders, hanging baskets and containers right up to the first frost by continuing to deadhead and feed plants, from annuals like sweetpea to roses.

Keep borders looking brighter for longer by planting up autumn star performers such as sedum and chrysanths.

For next year, sow hardy annuals this month and divide herbaceous perennials now. This will not only give you new plants for free, but also improve the condition of crowded perennials.

This is a good time to plant foxglove This is also the ideal time to plant spring flowering bulbs like crocus, hyacinth and daffodils and summer flowering bulbs, such as lillies, crocosmia and alliums. It’s better to wait until November to plant tulips.

Collect rain water and treat acid-loving

camellias and rhododendrons to lots of it and next year’s buds will benefit.

GO TO WASTE

Don’t chuck your garden waste into the council bins. Make a compost heap for your fruit and veg scraps, tea bags, coffee

ground, egg shells and grass cuttings. The autumn leaf fall makes a great addition to the heap.

Don’t add diseased material however as the spores may affect your plants – it can safely go to the council’s commercial heap.

56 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 14 September 2018

What’son

THIS AUTUMN

Shania Twain

Even if you’ve missed out on tickets for U2 or Snow Patrol at the SSE Arena, there’s still plenty of entertainment to choose from over the next few months.

Here’s our guide to the hottest picks... ✸September 20

Jason Derulo, SSE Arena,

The US star’s legions of fans hits like Want to Want Me, Don’t Wanna Go Home and the World Cup theme Colors will have the roof well raised, if the screams of thousands of fans don’t do it first.

years in the business and he’s still going strong after an incredible 103 album releases, 123 single hits and the equivalent of 20 years spent in the UK chart.

✸October 7

The Supervet, SSE Arena,

I Am, Millennium Forum, September 23 Derry worship group I Am are launching their debut album, ‘Fight The Good Fight’ in front of their home crowd.

Using the latest in creative technology, Channel 4 Supervet Professor Noel Fitzpatrick showcases his innovative treatments within a virtual theatre, using high-tech gadgetry to bring his ideas to life on stage.

✸September 25

✸until September 30

✸

Albert Hammond, Millennium Forum,

Inducted into the World Songwriters Hall of Fame, Albert Hammond has worked with everyone from Johnny Cash, Whitney Houston and Tina Turner to Roy Orbison and Willie Nelson and written hits such as It Never Rains in Southern California, The Free Electric Band, The Air That I Breathe, When I Need You, and Nothin’s Gonna Stop Us Now. It’s a rare opportunity to see a legend in concert.

✸

Shania Twain, SSE Arena, September 29 The queen of country pop is on tour with her latest album ‘Now’.

✸

Cliff Richard SSE Arena, September 30 Bachelor Boy Sir Cliff is celebrating 60

Good Vibrations, The Lyric,

This stage musical version of the popular movie charting the life of Belfast punk legend Terri Hooley, is running at The Lyric all month. It has been adapted for the stage by the same writing team behind film biopic – Colin Carberry and Glenn Patterson – for which the pair were nominated for Outstanding Debut at the 2014 BAFTA Film awards.

✸September 11 – 22

Jersey Boys, Grand Opera House,

The internationally acclaimed Jersey Boys has won major awards and tells the true life story of four boys from the wrong side of the tracks who went on to sell 100 million records worldwide. It features hits including December 1963 (Oh What A Night), Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Walk

Customs and Exiles Like A Man, Bye Bye Baby and Big Girls Don’t Cry and is a story full of heart and humour. It’s suitable for over 12s and there are accessible performances including audio described and signed on Wednesday, 19th.

✸Forum, September 26 – 27

Customs and Exiles, Millennium

A darkly comedic look at life on the border in 1988 and covers everything from politics

to the pursuit of local sexual congress on a global scale!

✸September 20 – October 6

Three’s a Shroud, Belfast Waterfront,

This comedy by Stephen Large and directed by Martin Lynch centres on the veteran undertaker, Gerry McSorely, who finds his Catholic customers being stolen by young Protestant rival, Basil Gray. The undertaking war that breaks out can only

14 September | Belfast Telegraph

Family Life | 57

I Am

Jersey Boys

get worse when young Polish woman, Irena Bukowski’s cut-price, new-age, interdenominational funeral home usurps them both…

Armagh, on September 28, Burnavon Theatre, Cookstown, September 30, Ulster Hall, October 12 and Millennium Forum, Derry~Londonderry, on October 26.

✸

✸September 27 – October 7

Donna Taggart on tour Having shot to fame through her online recording Jealous of the Angels, which has had over 150 million stream plays, the Omagh singer-songwriter’s tour takes in the Marketplace Theatre,

Under the Hawthorn Tree, The MAC,

Award-winning children’s theatre company Cahoots NI and the MAC present a new stage adaptation of Under the Hawthorn Tree.

Based on the internationally acclaimed book by award-winning author Marita Conlon-McKenna and published by The O’Brien Press, Under the Hawthorn Tree follows the journey of three brave siblings as they fight for survival during the Potato Famine in Ireland, 1845.

When their father goes to find work and their mother leaves to find him, Eily, Michael and Peggy, starving and faced with the workhouse, embark on

a treacherous journey to find the great aunts they have heard of only in stories.

This remarkable story of endurance, in a defining moment of Irish experience, is told like never before in a new play by Charles Way, directed

by Paul Bosco McEneaney with a stirring live original score from Garth McConaghie.

Under the Hawthorn Tree is perfect for families and children age 7+.

58 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 14 September 2018

Joanna Lumley

Why Don’t We

tragic account of her fall from grace along with characters like habitual scrounger Tina the Tap, heavy smoker Big Bridie and her husband Jimmy the Tadpole, Norris the Gnome, and cross-eyed Matilda and her partner, Dublin’s hairiest man, Christy.

✸October 6

Joanna Lumley, Belfast Waterfront,

The wonderful Joanna Lumley is on her first ever live tour, taking audiences through her hilarious and interesting adventures from a career spanning more than four decades. Her friend and producer Clive Tulloh will put questions from the audience to Joanna, making the show, ‘It’s All About Me’, a unique and hilarious night to remember.

Donna Taggart

✸

Van Morrison, The Europa Hotel, October 2 – 4 The legendary singer returns to the Belfast hotel for three performances with jazz organist and vocalist Joey DeFrancesco.

Tickets start at £250 and include a sumptuous dinner before the show.

✸October 4 – 6

Myra’s Story, Millennium Forum,

This moving and funny portrayal of a Dublin street drinker is by critically acclaimed Derry playwright Brian Foster.

Myra, played by Fíonna Hewitt-Twamley gives us a hilarious, moving, and ultimately

✸Crumlin Road Gaol, October 8

The Illegals with Niamh Kavanagh,

After two sell out shows last year, this talented tribute act bring the sounds of the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac to north Belfast.

and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita tells the story of Eva Peron, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Peron. With more than 20 major awards to its credit, and the Oscar winning film version starring Madonna and Antonio Banderas, it features the classics Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, On This Night of a Thousand Stars, You Must Love Me, and Another Suitcase in Another Hall.

✸

Belfast Girls, Belfast Waterfront, October 9 – 20, Millennium Forum, October 28 The online sensation, written by and starring Michael Mulcahy, is coming live to the Waterfront stage for the first time. The show will feature favourite characters Big Bernie Greene, Michelle, Shankill Joe and Ma, as well as some new characters.

✸October 10

Marti Pellow, Belfast Waterfront,

The voice of Wet Wet Wet performs a mix

✸October 8

Kylie, SSE Arena,

Michael English, Ulster Hall, October

One of the top country dance bands, Michael English is back with a concert tour, with special guest Brendan Shine.

✸October 13

Lush Classical, SSE Arena,

A 60-piece symphony orchestra, worldrenowned DJs and live vocalists perform floor fillers from the past 20 years all produced in conjunction with Kylie Minogue’s musical director. The last two events sold out the SSE Arena in advance with people aged 18 to 65 dancing the night away to classics like For An Angel, Insomnia and Such A Good Feeling.

Why Don’t We, Belfast Waterfront,

The Amercian boy band, comprised of five strong vocalists, are set to have their Belfast fans, and their mums, ‘Hooked’.

✸October 15

Editors, Ulster Hall,

Evita, Millennium Forum,

Bill Kenwright’s production of Tim Rice

✸11; Millennium Forum, October 17

✸October 13

Pop queen Kylie brings her ‘Golden’ tour to Belfast. Her famously glam live show will include a brand new extravaganza based around her new album, ‘Golden’ and include lots of hits from her back catalogue as well.

✸October 9 – 13

of his own music and covers from his long career in this Private Collection tour.

Evita

Catch tracks from the band’s new album, Violence, as well as their hugely successful indie rock back catalogue.

14 September | Belfast Telegraph

Family Life | 59

The Nutcracker

Harlem Gospel Choir seventies and eighties – including hits they wrote for artists such as Celine Dion, Diana Ross and Dolly Parton.

✸Orchestra, Belfast Waterfront,

Jools Holland & his Rhythm & Blues

You Win Again

October 21 Following a triumphant show at the Waterfront last year, Jools Holland will return with his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, special guest Marc Almond and also featuring Gilson Lavis, Ruby Turner & Louise Marshall.

✸

✸

Mark Kermode Film Night: The Breadwinner, Queens Film Theatre, October 20 Film Critic, broadcaster and journalist Mark Kermode returns to Cinemagic for his annual Film Night to introduce and discuss The Breadwinner, his 2018 festival pick.

Mark will be delving into what he sees as the current new “Golden Age” of animation, sharing his thoughts on the year’s new film releases and talking about the importance of independent and cultural cinema as QFT celebrates its 50th anniversary, all before answering questions from the audience.

Based on Deborah Ellis’ award-winning novel, director Nora Twomey’s The Breadwinner tells the story of Parvana, an 11-year-old girl growing up under the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2001. When her father is wrongfully arrested, Parvana disguises herself as a boy in order to support her family and ultimately risks her life to discover if he is still alive.

Equal parts thrilling and enchanting, The Breadwinner is a timely and inspiring tale about the transcendent power of stories, and their potential to unite and heal us all.

✸October 18; Ulster Hall, October 20 You Win Again, Millennium Forum,

Direct from London’s West End, You Win Again – Celebrating The Music of The Bee Gees. Prepare to experience the distinct sound of one the greatest bands to have ever graced the stage in this unforgettable concert spectacular. Immerse yourself in the brothers’ music through the sixties,

Magic of Motown, Belfast Waterfront, October 22; Millennium Forum, October 23 Seen by over a million people, it’s no surprise that the show is one of the biggest success stories in British theatre history.

Prepare yourself for 40 back-to-back classic Motown hits, glittering costume changes, dazzling dance moves and

outstanding musicianship in this explosive concert experience.

✸

The RAF in Concert Centenary Tour, Belfast Waterfront, October 23 This centenary salute features the Central Band of the RAF playing military marches, toe-tapping big band numbers and timeless classical pieces as part of the official RAF100 series of events.

✸October 28

Harlem Gospel Choir, Ulster Hall,

Get ready to tap your feet, clap your hands, and even dance on stage to their highenergy, joyous and exuberant performance.

✸October 29

Joan Armatrading, Ulster Hall,

Joan has written and recorded new music for this tour and sings many of those songs as well as your favourite classics from her 46 year career.

The RAF in concert

Shrek at the Grand Opera House

✸

The Nutcracker on tour Ballet Ireland’s production of the festive classic, performed by an international cast of world-class dancers, appeals to audiences of all ages. With its fairytale magic, Tchaikovsky’s sumptuous score, beautiful costumes and a tale of wondrous adventure – this is one of the most delectable Christmas confections imaginable. Catch it at Millennium Forum, November 2; Riverside Theatre, Coleraine, November 8; The Theatre at the Mill, Newtownabbey, November 9; The Burnavon, Cookstown, November 11; The Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen, November 12.

✸MAC, November 9

Aon by Ériu Dance Company, The

Former Riverdance principal dancer Breandán de Gallaí’s latest creation, Aon (Gaeilge for One; Single; Alone), explores what it’s like to be unattached in the digital age of internet-dating. He has teamed up with a stellar cast of Irish dancers and spins an intriguing narrative delivered through dramatic Irish dance with a modern twist, and performed to a wonderful, but all too familiar, soundtrack. Aon encourages us to throw off our masks, to shed our armour, and to join in a dance of liberation.

✸November 13 – 24

The Band, Grand Opera House,

It’s 1992 and for five 16 year old girls, the band is everything. Once inseparable, they reunite after 25 years apart and try once more to fulfil their dream of meeting the boyband whose music became the soundtrack to their lives.

The Band features the music of Take That, whose songs include Never Forget.

Back for Good, A Million Love Songs, Greatest Day, The Flood, Relight My Fire, Shine and Rule the World and is coming to Belfast en route to the West End. Starring the winners of the BBC’s Let It Shine, Five to Five, The Band has now become one of the most successful musical theatre tours ever.

60 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 14 September 2018

Looking for ideas for days out or special treats for the little ones? Soak up the atmosphere at an autumn festival or take the kids to a show. Here’s our pick of the bunch... ✸

Cirque Berserk!

FUNforalltheFAMILY

for everyone from the Giant Wheel and Wacky Worm Roller Coaster to Bungee Trampolines, kids’ rides and much more...

Book online at www.planetfun.co.uk 24 hours before you plan to go and you can get the same prices as 21 years ago!

E

njoy a weekend of food, flowers and free family fun as the annual Autumn Fair returns to Belfast’s stunning Botanic Gardens this weekend, September 15. Sit back and relax with live music, an array of children’s activities, local food, award winning prize blooms, must-see street performers and more.

Belfast Castle Estate and Cavehill Visitor Centre is hosting the Bohemian Bazaar on the afternoon of September 30.

Around 50 exhibitors will be offering an inspirational range of services and products covering health and beauty, holistic and spiritual, food and drink, fashion and accessories, home and garden, as well as hobbies and play, rest and relaxation.

✸

Dippy, the Natural History Museum’s iconic Diplodocus dinosaur skeleton,

✸

Showcasing the finest in traditional circus thrills and skills, Cirque Berserk! celebrates the 250th anniversary of the invention of Circus by bringing this treasured form of live entertainment bang up-to-date in a jaw-dropping spectacular created especially for the theatre. Combining contemporary cirque-

style artistry with adrenaline-fuelled stunt action, this astoundingly talented international troupe includes over 30 jugglers, acrobats, aerialists, dancers, drummers and daredevil stuntmen. It also features the world’s most hair-raising circus act – the legendary motorcycle ‘Globe of Death’. Catch it at the Millennium Forum, Derry, on October 1 – 3.

✸

Following a record-breaking UK and Ireland Tour, the smash hit blockbuster Shrek is back at the Grand Opera House from October 9 – 21. Based on the story and characters from the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, this hilarious and spectacular production is an allsinging, all-dancing, musical comedy, guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages.

✸

Cirque Du Soleil OVO is at the SSE Arena, on October 17 – 21. After touring the States for the past two years, this insectthemed show is full of acrobatic feats.

✸

Armagh Food and Cider Festival, right in the heart of the Orchard County, begins on Thursday, September 20. This year’s festival is brimming with fine foods, sharing plates, foraged lunches, artisan markets, art tuition, fiction and even a murder mystery set amongst the apple laden orchards. Combine all this with award winning ciders and stunning surroundings and you’re in for a harvest season treat.

✸

Based on the smash DreamWorks animated motion picture, Madagascar – A Musical Adventure follows all of your favourite crack-a-lackin’ friends as they escape from their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo for the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar. It’s at the Millennium Forum from November 6 – 10.

✸

Planet Fun, Europe’s largest portable Fun Park is celebrating its 21st anniversary and will be based at to S13 on the Boucher Road, Belfast, until Sunday, September 23. There’s something

moves to Belfast’s Ulster Museum on September 28, where he will remain until January 6. The full 292-bone skeleton in its displayed pose is an impressive 21.3 metres long, 4.3 metres wide and 4.25 metres high.

The exhibition will also highlight some of the best from the Museum’s own extensive Natural Sciences collection. While the exhibition is free, booking is recommended due to high demand, www.nmni.com

Sarah, Poppy and Grace having a blast at Planet Fun

✸

Disney On Ice presents Dream Big at the SSE Arena on November 2 – 4.

Disney princesses and pyrotechnics make for an exciting day out for little ones.

62 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 14 September 2018

#BELFEST2018 GLOBALACTSENROUTEFOR#BELFEST2018

B

elfast International Arts Festival, on October 16 to November 3, will bring artists from across the world to the city for a programme of theatre, performance and visual art, dance, talks and music.

With the uplifting theme of Art Forever – For Everyone, this year’s festival includes 12 premieres among over 120 events from 12 countries over the course of 19 days at a range of venues, from noon until night.

Headline acts at the Grand Opera House for this year’s festival include humanitarian and Grammy Award winner Angélique Kidjo, from west Africa, who will bring her high energy performing style to the songs from Talking Heads’ iconic album Remain In Light, folk and blues legend Eric Bibb and Hollywood actress Isabella Rossellini in a one woman show, Link Link, with her dog.

Joining them is rising star Freya Ridings, the Belfast Music Society’s Northern Lights Mini-Fest, The Harlem Gospel Choir, the Open Arts Community Choir and the Ulster Orchestra.

Among the many theatrical shows is the premiere of Marie Jones’ poignant play Dear Arabella, while audiences can also enjoy Radhouane El Meddeb’s dance piece Facing the Sea, For Tears to Turn into Laughter, actress Josette Bushell-Mingo in the critically acclaimed Nina – A Story About Me & Nina Simone and Stroke Odysseys, a colourful dance and music show performed by an ensemble of people living with the effects of stroke.

Festival artist-in-residence Suzanne Lacy, from the USA, focuses on the border area for Across & In-Between while other special events include famed poet Paul

Angelique Kidjo

Eric Bibb

Muldoon’s translation of the great Irish language love poem, The Lament of Art O’Leary with music from some of the members of Horslips. Manchester Arena tribute poet Tony Walsh is at the Strand Arts Centre on October 19 at the corrected time of 8pm and the street show with a message, Handle With Care, is in nearby CS Lewis Square (28th) as well as Falls Park the previous day. Cultural walking tours of Belfast and the Open House Belfast from PLACE NI celebrate the arts on our doorstep.

Film screenings include Together and Suffragette as well as a screening of Bernstein conducting Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony at St Anne’s Cathedral to mark the maestro’s centenary.

Visual arts highlights include artist Neil Shawcross’s exhibition on Writers of Belfast, Yummertime in The Naughton Gallery and the 137th Royal Ulster Academy

exhibition in the Ulster Museum.

Talks & Ideas programme includes former Irish President Mary Robinson as well as Una Mullally, Mark O’Halloran, Lisa McInerney & Elaine Feeney discussing the Repeal the 8th campaign, authors Carys Davies and Cathy Rentzenbrink, journalist Ed Vulliamy, philosopher Julian Baggini and rebel Conservative MP Dominic Grieve.

The closing show features a lot of pink tutus and a surprising amount of testosterone, courtesy of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, the all male Trocks, famed for their fun and flawless dance.

Artistic Director and Chief Executive Richard Wakely encourages everyone to “enjoy, engage and get inspired!”

For details of the programme see belfastinternationalartsfestival.com and follow #BelFest2018 for updates.

CultureNightturns10!

S

ave the date Friday, September 21, as Culture Night Belfast is back for the 10th year of free, family friendly fun, events, shows and happenings.

Last year, over 100,000 people flocked to attend the extravaganza, with similar numbers expected this year.

This year’s theme is ‘Love’, with the evening falling upon the UN International Day of Peace, and you’ll certainly love the programme.

From Street Countdown and the Camper Van of Dreams to the Culture Night PWU Wrestling Championships, circus performers to ballroom dancing and street flamenco, the city is set to come alive for an evening of exploration and adventure.

This year, Culture Night has not one, but two world stages, urban sports, a tap-dancing world record attempt, Culture Bites galore, live music, talks, tours, walks, children’s activities and weird and wonderful events aplenty from The Big Fish to City Hall and Royal Avenue to St Anne’s Cathedral, with organisers promising “something new and surprising around every corner”.

This year also sees the launch of the first ever Culture Night Belfast App, with goodies, extras and a brand new Culture Night Belfast planner, to design your very own personalised Culture Night experience!

Find out more at www.culturenightbelfast.com

Belfast International Arts Festival will showcase new work from six playwrights as part of the Lyric Theatre’s New Playwright’s Programme, a six-month writing development programme, aimed at emerging playwrights to create new work, an initiative supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

Audiences will have the chance to see these new works for the first time, presented in dynamic double-bill readings on November 1-3.

Alice Malseed, Breman Rajkumar, Lee Coffey, Martha Barnett, Meghan Tyler and Shirley-Anne Bonner were selected from a record breaking number of submissions to take part in the New Playwrights Programme, developing new work with the support of the Lyric’s Literary Manager Rebecca Mairs.

ASPECTSIS BACK T

here’s no shortage of words for Bangor in September.

The seaside town is following its excellent Open House Festival with the annual literary festival, Aspects.

Myra Zepf The programme has something for everyone and every age, from poetry to prose, from journalism to wellbeing, from drama to the visual arts.

Events take place at venues across the town, not least the Festival Yurt in the beautiful Walled Garden opposite the Aurora Centre. Among the highlights is an appearance by best-selling author Maggie O’Farrell, at Bangor Castle on September 20.

This year’s Young Aspects offers many family-friendly creative events aimed at inspiring young imaginations, from Sepember 25-30, including Autism friendly readings and workshops with Children’s Writing Fellow for NI, Myra Zepf at North Down Museum on September 30.

For details see aspectsfestival.com