Families First by Families First

FREE Are you into Baking? Lot’s of Advice to get that perfect bake Page 28

The paper that families read Issue - SPRING ‘15

www.familiesfirst-uk.com www.facebook.com/FamiliesFirstNI

It’s the time of year to Spring clean

Find out all the latest tips to take the Pain out, Page 30

Guys, wash your car like a pro Pages 44

Teenagers, how to live with them Page 33

Who won the awards?

See all the winners for this year, Page 20

PLUS Lots more inside... Competition’s Galore See Page 7

2016 awards now open for nominations , send us who you think should win to Jennie@babyfacemarketing.com

Familes First NI

Private Day Care Nursery & After School Club ... Day Nursery & After School Club ...

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NI4Kids Childcare of the Year Award 2013

WINNER Families First Nursery Assistant of the Year 2015

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Highest ivate DayBoost CareBetter Nursery & After School Club ... Rated Breaks Award

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2014

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ay Nursery & After School Club ... www.bella-bambinos.co.uk

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t: (028) 9269 3228 | e: info@bella-bambinos.co.uk • 9 Lower Quilly Road | Dromore | Co. Down | BT25 1NL www.familiesfirst.ie

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SPRING 2015

Hello again,

Inside this Month:

Well, It has eventually arrived – Spring, or has it?

Tea and a Chat at the Hub - p4

Yes it has, it is official. What a long winter it’s been, wind, rain and everything else, so I hope this issue of Families First will brighten you and your families’ day is some way.

Keep your Calesterol down - p6

After much waiting, our awards, which took place on the 6th February. And what a fantastic night we all had. There were no losers on the evening, just lots of winners!!!! Go to page 20 and 21 to see everyone who attended. Over 250 people came, we were thrilled to see so many there, and already plans are underway for 2016 with almost 150 tickets to the event gone!!! So, if you know someone deserving of an award, email us with their deails, and sit back and see what happens.

19 BB Creams a Review of - p8

Stephen Jeffers lots of scrummy recipes. Really easy to make, and easy to enjoy. A feast of chocolate delights for us in this issue, if your cutting down, don’t go to this page, there are lots of scrummy recipes there, really easy to make. I know you will enjoy them.

Crafting for you and the kids - p12

Our crafting pages have become so popular, keep sending us your ideas, we love to get them. Why not get the teenagers involved in showing the younger ones how it’s done, or if you are older and would like to make your own quilt, we have included a step by step instruction on just how to do that.

Spring Cleaning - p30

Dads, again, you are included. We thought we would get you cooking for your partner with a great tried and tested easy to cook meal. Give your partner a night off with a treat from Stephen Jeffers.

Book Reviews - p34

With all the usual, fashion, beauty, books for kids and older, spring cleaning, the list goes on, so get a cup of coffee and sit down and enjoy the read.

Isobel

Tempting Chocolate Recipies - p24

Guys Gear - p42

Find us on Facebook too! www.facebook.com/FamiliesFirstNI and www.familiesfirst-uk.com

Disclaimer: While every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication and website. Babyface Marketing Ltd accepts no responsibility for any error or misrepresentation. All liability, loss, disappointment, negligence or other damage caused by the reliance on the 132.5x175_Layout 1 05/03/2015 10:51 Page 1 information contained in the publications or web site, or in any company, individual or firm mentioned , or in the event of anyNIBTSfam company, individual or firm ceasing to trade, is hereby excluded.

Introducing our new face of Sofia Beattie,

Give life to someone you don’t know Someone like Joshua. He’s 9, but when he was born blood transfusions saved his life.

Sofia is a pretty tom boy, that’s how her mum describes her. You would normally find her in the garden in a pretty dress knee deep in muck! She is very independent and also has the nickname of Diva – unfortunately it’s her way or no way! She is very caring and gets on with her big brother, always wanting hugs and kisses. She enjoys watching TV and her favourite programme is Sofia the First! She loves dressing up and has her own Supergirl outfit. Her favourite person is her Granda and loves spending time with her grandparents and would visit them everyday. www.familiesfirst.ie

Text BLOOD to 60081 Call 0500 534 666 Visit www.nibts.org Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service www.facebook.com/FamiliesFirstNI

Familes First NI

Quote for the month Age is just a number and maths, was never my thing. Helen Mirren.

Get organised...

Forget Post-it notes, - now you can organise your family the modern way. Just download free the Cozi app and you’ll be able to sync everyone’s diaries, create schedules and even share shopping lists. Just go to iTunes or Google Play today.

3 of the best

Pancakes

are fantastic for those lazy weekend breakfasts, truly indulgent, or if not breakfast maybe a teatime treat. I was given this recipe ages ago, it is fantastic. Here is one of our families favourites. Blackberry pancakes. Serves 4, preptime 5 mins cooking time 10 mins, cost per serving 0.99p Beat together 2 eggs and 284ml pot buttermilk in a jug. Add 30g melted butter then sieve over 150g plain flour, ½ tsp salt and ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda and mix. Melt a little extra butter in a frying pan, then use a paper towel to take out the excess, just leave the pan greasy not running with butter, or the pancake will go crusty around the edges. Pour in just enough batter for each pancake, then cook for 2-3 mins until bubbles appear and then flip over to the other side. Serve with blackberries stirred into vanilla yogurt, yum, yum, yum!!!!

Slogan buys – love ‘em or loathe ‘em we just can’t live without ‘em here at Families First.

1 2

3,000

Set a schedule. Every child is different – some like to get their homework out of the way straight away, while others need a break first. Once you’ve decided what works best, create a routing and stick to it. Do it three times for it to become a habit.

Tea and a chat @ the Hub Wow! Apparently the star is supposed to be embarrassed by the amount – we’re not surprised?

Want to save 1,000 calories a week? New research from Loughborough University has found by swapping your afternoon chocolate bar for a bowl of berries, you could lose up to a pound of body fat a month. Who said losing weight had to be difficult.

Statement Chic £12.99 New Looks

Give them the tools. I don’t know about you, but I love stationery! And I’m not alone – new pens, pencils and notebooks can really motivate reluctant pupils. There are some quirky ranges at Tesco, check them out!

How I Lost You, by Jenny Blackhurst £3.99 The police, the doctor and the court told Susan Webster she’d killed her baby, but she can’t remember. This controversial thriller is unsettling, unforgettable and you won’t want to put it down.

Amazing Fact One in seven married people have a secret stash of cash they are hiding from their partner. This

so called escape fund averages a healthy £7,500. Yet for more than one in six, the amount is over £10,000, research by the Money Advice Service has found. Savers said it allows them to have means to leave the relationship. We also keep debts hidden from each other too, with one in five admitting they’re hiding debt from their partner.

IN THE NEWS

Fancy arranging a mortgage in your pyjamas? You could soon be talking to your bank on a Skype-style video call under plans by Barclays, as well as the Queens bank Coutts Customer service teams will be on hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as part of plans following the announcement that many of its 1,546 branches across the UK are to close. Watch this space.

We love. Keep fruit and veg fresh for longer by popping it in a new Fresha Bag. The bag slows the ripening process naturally and creates a breathable environment for your produce, so it lasts up to 25% longer. A pack of 20 costs £3.99 – for more information, see freshabag.com

Trending Now...

Staying in is the new going out, so get in on the act and raise some cash for a good cause with Macmillan Cancer Support’s Night in. They are asking women across the country to get together in their living rooms this May and donate what they’d usually spend on a girls’ night out. It’s sweat-free, hassle-free, sponsor-free way to help women facing cancer.

The Seven Sisters By Lucinda Riley £13.99 The first in an epic new series based on the legends of the Seven Sisters star constellation follows the eldest sister. After the death of her adoptive father, Maia travels Maia on a journey of self-discovery in search of her birth mother. It’s a beautifully written love story, full of revelations.

Did you know? That heat kills the active ingredient in eye drops, hydrocortisone cream and mouthwash? That’s why it’s best to keep them in the fridge. www.familiesfirst.ie

Offer help I’m not saying that you need to become a Tiger Mum, but if they’re struggling offer subtle prompts – without answering the problem for them. Children need to reach the answer on their own to feel a much greater sense of achievement in the end.

3 great reads this month

Grab a cuppa and dip into these bite size reads for that kettle-on feet up moment.

Who? Taylor Swift What? Has insured her legs How much? £26.5 million!!!!!!

Cheats Corner...

Take it easy Patterned cushion Next £12.99

3 Steps to Happy homework - End the nightly battles with these easy steps.

Calories is how much you’ll burn this year just by cleaning. We rack up 45 miles of walking a year doing our chores according to research by Vileda.

Did you know?

Say it Loud - Gymbag, £18, Hey Holla

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A time for friends By Patricia Scanlan £7.00 New life choices and unbalanced expectations rattle best friends Hilary and Colette’s relationship. If you can identify with the feeling of being friends forever, but wondering if that’s a good enough reason to hang around, you’ll enjoy this latest page turner.

Fastfac

ion l l i m 1 . 18 have

en UK wom project raft tried a c ar.!!!! this ye

SPRING 2015

ACCORD CENTRES ACCORD counselling services are available to couples regardless of faith, denomination or none. We offer Marriage & Relationship Counselling, Marital Sex Therapy, Personal Enrichment & Fertility Management. Services are based on client need, rather than on ability to pay.

Armagh, Ballymena, Belfast, Derry, Downpatrick, Enniskillen, Maghera, Newry & Omagh.

NI Regional Office, Chapel Lane, Belfast, now available for counselling appointments. Tel: 028 9023 3002

ACCORD Marriage Preparation Programme, including Inter Church (mixed faith couples getting married in the Catholic Church), offer couples time to concentrate on their relationships. If you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t talk to each other, talk to ACCORD, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re here to help you. CONTACT US Tel: 028 9023 3002 Email: info@accordni.com

www.accord-ni.co.uk www.familiesfirst.ie

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6 What this means for you So the new advice is – reassuringlynot so different from the old advice. We have, at least, been trying to do the right things! Specialists agree on these simple guidelines: • IF YOU SMOKE, QUIT Just one cigarette a day raises your risk of heart disease by 5%. • EAT LIKE A MEDITERRANEAN A Med diet – fish, a little meat, a little cheese, wholegrain cereals

had flaws, making it hard to draw definitive conclusions. It also flies in the face of what’s already known. “We have 60 years of solid evidence that too much saturated fats raises LDL cholesterol, which makes sense in terms of what we know of underlying mechanisms,” says Bruce Griffin, Professor of Nutritional Metabolism at Surrey University. He adds, “There are many different risk factors for heart disease, so one

Is CHOLESTEROL Still key to heart health? With some reports now giving saturated fats the all clear, can we now slather on butter and help ourselves to cheese and do cholesterol levels matter? Families First investigates... New Thinking The idea that high cholesterol, caused by too much butter, cheese and meat, is the main cause of furred arteries, heart disease and stroke, has had a long run. But a spate of studies suggesting that high cholesterol might not be so harmful after all, and that saturated fats are innocent, has led to the inevitable blaring headlines: “Cholesterol isn’t to blame! And “Butter is back”! No wonder most of us are confused. So what’s the truth about cholesterol? And what should we now be eating for heart health? Blood fats explained There are two main types of blood fats – cholesterol and triglycerides. Both are needed for health but too much of either or both can increase heart disease risk. Cholesterol What is it? A soft, waxy substance found in every cell – 75 per cent is made in the liver, the rest comes from food. The more you get from food the less your liver makes and vice versa. FUNCTION Helps produce cell membranes, hormones, vitamin D and bile acids that aid fat digestion, and is vital for a healthy brain. Triglycerides What are they? The main form of fat stored in the cells. FUNCTION Exces calories are converted into triglycerides, which are stored in fat cells ready to be released for energy.

A tangled tale The cholesterol tale used to be a simple one of heroes and villains. “Bad” LDL cholesterol led to furred, narrowed arteries (atherosclerosis). “Good” HDL cholesterol swept excess LDL away.

Except it’s not that simple. There are several types of LDL globules or particles: large, floaty, fluffy ones, and others, smaller in size and density, which pose a greater risk of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Your individual mix of these different LDL particles could spell the difference between good health or a heart attack or stroke. And that mix depends both on your genes and how you live. Consultant physician Dr. Dermot Neely, and expert in blood fats and a trustee of HEART UK, the cholesterol charity, says that your lifestyle and diet affect the combination of LDL particles in your blood –and therefore your health – just as much as any genes you’ve been handed. When it can go wrong “If you’re healthy, LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) is carried around your arteries, and any excess is delivered safely to the liver for disposal,” explains Dr Neely. “But if the ‘non-stick’ lining of the arteries, called the endothelium, is damaged by lifestyle, smaller particles can slip through and stick in the artery wall, rather like a car crashing.” The body’s “recovery trucks” should come and clean up the mess but when this process also fails, LDL-C breaks down or oxidises and sets up inflammation. This in turn increases the “leakiness” of the arteries, allowing even more LDL-C particles to slip through, especially the more harmful small, dense ones. It’s a vicious circle.

ARE YOU AT RISK? Nine key risk factors account for 94 per cent of heart disease risk in women, according to the INTERHEART study, one of the largest and most important ever undertaken. They include: • The ratio of two particular proteins (that carry or clean up LDL cholesterol) • Smoking • High Blood pressure • Diabetes • Fat around the middle • Stress or depression • Low intake of vegetables and fruit • Inactivity • Alcohol intake

plus loads of pulses, veg, fruit and a little wine at mealtimes – is linked with a lower risk not just of heart disease but stroke and dementia too. • GET ACTIVE Moderate or vigorous physical activity was linked to a lower heart disease risk, especially in women, in the INTERHEART study. Exercise is especially important for lowering triglyceride levels. • WATCH YOUR MIDRIFF Fat around the middle increases your risk of heart disease (and breast cancer, according to a recent study). What’s food got to do with it? For years, we’ve been told to cut down saturated fats – the kind in red meat, butter, cream and full-fat cheese- for the sale of heart health. But this year, a large analysis of 72 studies found no significant evidence that they increase heart disease risk. However, it again turns out that’s not the whole story. For a start, a study like this is only as reliable as those on which it’s based. And some of the 72 studies involved

The bottom line? What’s also becoming ever clearer is that what you put on your plate instead of saturated fat counts. A recent Finnish study discovered that when saturated fats were exchanged for polyunsaturated fats – found in fish, vegetable oils and nuts – down went the risk of heart disease. Swapping saturated fats for carbs, however, had no effect. www.familiesfirst.ie

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type of diet may not suit everyone.” Different dietary factors affect us all in different ways, depending on genes and lifestyle. “A highsugar diet may contribute more to what’s known as cardiometabolic risk- the risk of heart disease, diabetes or stroke. It’s associated with the production of those small, dense LDL Particles, often found in obesity and diabetes. Meanwhile, reducing saturated fat may be more important to those with raised blood cholesterol.”But he cautions, “The two aren’t mutually exclusive. The truth is, both sugar and saturated fat play different roles in heart disease: it’s not a question of either/or.” Cheese please One intriguing finding is that not all high saturated fat foods seem to have the same effect. A 2011 Danish study, for example, found that, compared with butter with the same amount of saturated fat, hard cheese didn’t raise LDL cholesterol as expected. In fact, it lowered it. Scientists have yet to explain exactly why. But it’s suggested that calcium mixes with saturated fats in the gut to for m an insoluble soapy substance, which our bodies can’t absorb and is excreted. All in all, it underlines the importance of focusing on an overall health diet rather than individual foods or nutrients. Should you take statin? There haven’t been any clinical trials of statins in women only. A recent study, however, found that lower levels of oestradiol, a type of oestrogen, was linked to higher levels of those potentially harmful small LDL particles after menopause. Oestradiol is a component of combined HRT, but the story is complicated. Studies suggest that HRT patches –but not pills-may lead to production of the larger (less harmful) LDL particles and also lower those other blood fats, triglycerides.

SPRING 2015

Curious Caterpillar Rocking Animal The lovely people at Little Bird told Me have kindly given us a Curious Caterpillar Rocking Animal. Retailing at £90 but we have one up for grabs.

Award Winning Spilly Spoon – the non spill medicine spoon!! The end of pink goo on the carpet! Not all children like taking medicine and the Spilly Spoon introduces a fun element making administration easier Some children are scared of the syringe and will not take medicine from it You do not spill the medicine when administering into a Spilly Spoon as the medicine is poured into the handle and tipped into the child’s mouth It can also be laid flat on a surface to enable you to pick up the child The Spilly spoon enables a child to self administer without spilling. We have 20 of these to giveaway. To enter, like us on Facebook Families First NI - and leave a comment saying ‘Spilly Spoon’.

Recommended age – 9 months Available from www.littlebirdtoldme.co.uk and John Lewis.

To win get liking us on Facebook - Families First NI, and leave a comment saying Curious Caterpillar!! Curious Caterpillar is a huggable brightly coloured rocking caterpillar who has a softly padded integrated seat formed in the shape of an apple, offering young riders a fun supportive ride. He also delights little ones with hidden squeaks, rattles and crinkles and he comes with a separate rattle toy for little hands to play with. A lift up flap reveals a fun storage section to store toys too!

COMPETITIONS

Brilliant Bumper pack from Baker Ross of children’s arts and crafts to be won!! The fab people at Baker Ross have put together a brilliant bumper box of arts and crafts goodies for one lucky reader.

To be in with a chance to win like us on Facebook and leave a comment saying ‘Baker Ross’. Go have a look at their website for some brilliant family activites. www.bakerross.co.uk

Beautiful Wall art from Wundur.co.uk

We have a £40 voucher for one lucky reader to spend on www.wundur.co.uk. Wundur have kindly given us a £40 voucher to spend on some of their beautiful wall art for your home or office. These are a unique way to decorate and a really easy way to freshen up any room. If you would like to enter please like us on Facebook (FamiliesFirstNI) and leave a comment saying ‘Wundur’

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8 THE BODY SHOP All IN ONE BB CREAM

PHILOSOPHY BE YOUR BEST BB CREAM Price £22.50 - Buy Online Feedback: As a tinted moisturiser devotee, I’ve always been a bit sceptical of the promises made by BB creams. They all claim multiple benefits, but I,ve never really found one that does exactly what is says on the tin, until now. This Philosophy BB Cream has a lovely texture, absorbs easily and gives surprisingly thorough coverage. The medium shade was a little dark for my sun-starved skinned, so I would probably go a shade lighter next time, that’s my only complaint – it stayed put all day (including a slightly sweaty jog). Had a slightly matte finish that meant I didn’t need to add powder and made my skin look like a better version of itself. Score

REN Satin Perfection BB Cream

Price:£12 First of all, and much to my surprise, the cream initially went on white, adapting to your skin tone as you blended it in. Being able to see where you had applied the cream was great, but unfortunately the 01 cream was a bit too dark for my skin tone. After blending it in, I felt it looked more orange than undetectable, which was promised on the website. It is worth noting, however, that while it was lighter to the touch than the Estee Lauders Double cream I tried, it also didn’t cover as thoroughly. My skin can be a bit uneven and I felt that this cream made it more noticeable. As the Body Shop offers four different hues, it could be tricky to find your perfect match. But, if you are lucky and are blessed with even skin tone – this is an inexpensive option. And it smells amazing. Seriously. Score

Price: £26 I applied my usual primer then added a small amount of the REN BB cream on top using my fingertips. I instantly loved the smooth texture and felt that it was naturally a good match to my skintone. My skin almost looked flawless, which was a surprise to me as I am so used to thicker foundations. It felt like I was hardly wearing anything as the texture was so soft. I have slight blemishes on my T-zone and it covered them very effectively. I may have been convinced to step away from the foundation. Score

9/10

6/10

DR JART + PREMIUM BEAUTY BALM CREAM SPF 40 Price: £16

RIMMEL BB CREAM MATTE Price £6.99 For a product that makes so many promises, I had my reservations, but was pleasantly surprised by this bargain BB’s performance. It offers the same coverage as a light foundation and doesn’t have the tacky finish that I’ve experienced with other BB creams. It glides on with ease and mattifies without making the skin look chalky. It also lasts the distance, quite literally, as I went on a run at the end of the day and my skin still looked relatively fresh and even. The only drawback is the limited shade range - ‘light’ was still too dark for my pale English pallor. A perfect holiday pick, but would be the BB holy grail if the colour range expanded. Score

8/10

This is the premium option, with a super strong SPF 40 and higher coverage than the others. It has a lovely creamy texture and hides imperfections well to leave a uniform, even complexion. At first glance it can be quite off-putting – when you pump out a dollop of product it looks very dark;then, as you blend it starts to look grey and you panic that you are about to look very much past your sell-bydate. However, with a bit more blending it then fades seamlessly into your complexion to match your tone, with a gorgeous dewy finish that isn’t too wet and foundation like. I feel it does what the original BBs were created to do; cover, protect and moisturise in one. Score

9/10

GOSH BB CREAM Price: £9.99 This foundation/primer/moisturiser in one is a good bargain buy; it’s one of the more hydrating BB creams that I have tried and it leaves a really smooth sheen on the skin that’s quite sheer; high coverage it is not, but it does wake up tired and dull skin very quickly. It’s a shame its only SPF15 – id want a higher factor if I was going without sun cream, but id use it instead of a tinted moisturiser for the added protection. Though it doesn’t do much to cover redness and blemishes, it does leave a very glowy finish. I’m just not overly keen on the way it feels as dewy as it looks – it definitely requires a bit of setting powder.

9/10

Score

7/10

BB Creams

Don’t underestimate the power of a good BB cream to brighten, perfect and heal your complexion. But with so many on the market, how do you find the best one for you? Here is a definitive guide to the good, the bad and the fabulous of the BB cream world.

ESTEE LAUDER CLEAR DIFFERENCE COMPLEXION PERFECTING BB CREAM SPF 35 Price: £34 With the sun shining and summer drawing nearer, I’m searching for something a little more lightweight than my foundation. Although tinted moisturiser is my favoured substitute, this BB cream definitely came a close second: particularly on days when I’m in need of a little more coverage. This is the newest edition to the Estee Lauder line up. It’s amazing for oily skin types and helps mattify and even skin tone with a subtle tint. I was pleasantly surprised. Although a little thicker in texture than I would have preferred, it’s definitely worth investing in for effective shine control, without worrying about wrecking skin in the long term by wearing foundation everyday. Score

LOREAL PARIS NUDE MAGIQUE BB CREAM

MAC PREP + PRIME BB CREAM

BOBBI BROWN BB CREAM SPF 35

£9.99 L’Oreals first self-adjusting BB Cream, Nude Magique initially comes out as a pearly, violet shade enriched with smart pigment capsules that transform into foundation on contact with the skin. Whilst initially this was quite entertaining, I quickly lost my sense of humour when I realised the colour was way too dark for my skin. The product is only available in four shades, and the lightest tone was about four shades too deep and much to orange for my complexion. In addition the cream felt stiff and rather tacky to the point where it was almost impossible to spread evenly over the face.

Price £23 Feedback This product is designed to be worn as a primer and can be used as a base to even the skin tone and help keep makeup in place. If I have to wear base, I like it to be light so I don’t feel like it’s stuck to my skin - this was quite a thick cream and I found it difficult to blend. On the plus side, my makeup did stay in place as the day progressed. However, I didn’t like the feel of the product - it felt like my skin couldn’t breathe. This is definitely more of a winter BB cream as opposed to a light summer one. I can see why other people might like this as it does give good coverage, but for me it’s just too heavy.

Price:£29 This Bobbi Brown BB Cream specified that it was ‘medium-dark’, a bit worrying considering the range of colours this could mean. I began blending it into my skin and was pleasantly surprised – it glided across my skin with ease and blended in seamlessly . It also gave excellent coverage and gave my skin a smooth matte finish without looking cakey. It lasted throughout the day and even kept my skin oil-free for longer than usual. An added bonus is that it was SPF35, making it perfect for the upcoming summer days.

Score

3/10

6/10

ESTEE LAUDER DOUBLE WEAR ALL-DAY GLOW BB MOISTURE MAKE UP SPF30 Price £29 It went on smoothly and covered up my skin imperfections, thoroughly, but it did feel heavier than my usual product. However, I may have been hyper-aware simply because this is more make up than I usually wear. I opted for the intensity 1.0 shade and it seemed to blend quite well and it stayed on all day – even through a challenging spin class. Plus as religious sun cream user, the SPF 30 was especially appreciated. Score

8/10

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Score

9/10

SPRING 2015

9 REVLON PHOTOREADY BB CREAM Price: £9.99 This BB Cream only comes in three shades – light, light/medium and medium. I opted for the medium, although it still looked far too light for my skin tone. When applying I was expecting it to make my skin look grey but was a surprisingly good match. The coverage was better than I expected, as it instantly concealed any blemishes and marks with lovely matte finish. My only issue is that I wish it lasted longer. Soon after lunch, I felt like most of it had disappeared, leaving my face bare. It also didn’t hydrate my face as much as I would have liked, as my face felt dry soon after application. Considering the price tag I suppose you can’t really complain, especially as it comes with the added bonus of SPF30. Score

6/10

MAC Prep and Prime BB Beauty Balm Compact SPF 30 Price: £23

GARNIER MIRACLE SKIN PERFECTOR DAILY ALL-INONE BB CREAM Price £6.99 Feedback My criteria is strict - it needs to be sheer so you can still see my skin through it (or I feel I look like a member of Little Mix), it needs to be luminous (can’t bear looking matte as I find it fakelooking), but not greasy. This product - at only £6.99 - does all of this, BRILLIANTLY. It was probably one of the very first BB creams on the market and in my opinion still one of the best. It leaves skin just like a naturally smoother, clearer, more radiant version of itself. I can’t speak of it highly enough - a premium product at a very pretty price. Score

11/10

CLARINS BB SKIN PERFECTING CREAM Price £30 Feedback I would love to give this lightweight BB cream a glowing review, but unfortunately for pasty paley me it’s a bit too ‘glowy’- quite orange in fact. Despite being the lightest shade in the range, the hue was impossible for me to carry off, which was a shame because texture-wise it was light as air with a smooth, even finish. The high SPF is a bonus, but the 3-in-1 formula falls short when less expensive BB creams promise up to nine skinboosting benefits. I love Clarins as a brand, but unfortunately this BB was most definitely not for me. One for olive skintones or lucky ladies with tans. Score

4/10

CLINIQUE AGE DEFENSE BB CREAM SPF 30

This BB Cream, in principle, has many strings to its bow. It preps and primes the face (as its name so cleverly suggests) it protects the skin while creating an uneven and luminous complexion plus it has the added benefit of having SPF 30. In reality, while this BB did generally deliver what it promised, I wasn’t overly impresses with the solid cream formula. Rubbing it onto skin with a sponge did feel like a slightly laborious affair and all that tugging and pulling is not something I would wish to do everyday. As much as I adore MAC, this is probably only suitable for those with an affinity to compacts and very light coverage needs.

Price: £26

Score

6/10

This BB is dense, thick and creamy – at first I thought it would be drying on my already dry skin but actually, it left a smooth texture which gave decent coverage and a natural finish. I didn’t love the feel of it on my skin – I usually use a super light moisturising foundation if anything, so having this on my face did feel slightly heavier. However, I love that it is SPF 30, so for me, it is worth it. I’d say the biggest issue with all BBs is matching the shade; I used the palest, shade 1, and though it looks slightly peach on application it luckily blended perfectly with my pale but-notporcelain complexion.

8/10

KIELHLS ACTIVELY CORRECTING AND BEAUTIFYING BB CREAM £23.50 I have to say I was really impressed with this Kiehls cream, which claims to visibly correct the appearance of skin tone irregularities. It contains SPF 50 in a lightweight, silky smooth formula that leaves a glowing dewy effect on the skin. Available in three tones, I used the fair shade, and unlike a lot of other skin cosmetics it matched and balanced my skin tone perfectly. My only slight gripe was that it didn’t provide enough coverage for me, as some of uneven skin tone was still slightly visible. As such I found it worked better for me when mixed with a small amount of foundation. However, that’s more a by-product of my own complexion rather than the product itself and I would still strongly recommend this to anybody looking to achieve that glowing ‘no makeup’ look that’s very a la mode right now. Score

9/10

BOURJOIS PARIS BB BRONZING CREAM 8-IN-1 Price: £9.99 Normally, I wouldn’t buy an all over face bronzing product considering my skin tone, as I prefer more targeted highlighting instead. However, after trying this, I may have to think again. It left my skin dewy and healthy looking and had a gorgeous tropical smell that reminded me of being on holiday. Moisturising, refreshing and a great way to lift my complexion on days when it’s feeling particularly tired-looking, I’ll definitely be using it when I fancy going more low key with my makeup. Better suited to those looking a touch of radiance rather than more intense coverage, it’s a great glow enhancer, more so if you have a darker skin tone. Score

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8.5/10

DIOR SKIN NUDE BB CREAM Price: £30 I love foundation. The full coverage, the radiant glow, the quickest way to feign flawless skin – what’s not to love? This is precisely why I have never dabbled much with tinted moisturisers, BBs or CCs – they may have their skin care benefits but I’ve always assumed that my actual skincare has all that covered. However, my cynicism towards BB creams was quickly quashed on being introduced to the Diorskin Nude BB Cream. Not only did it meet my stringent coverage needs, the quality of the formula is better than even my most pricey foundation. It glides seamlessly onto the skin, blends quickly and is void of any oiliness, stickiness or greasiness. It delivers such a natural radiance and is genuinely such a joy to apply, that I’d buy it even if it didn’t contain a single skincare benefit. Score

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10/10

Familes First NI

Blue and White jacket, Oliver Bonas, www.oliverbonas.co.uk Pink fit and flare coat, Miss Selfridge, £59

Marks and Spencer www.marksandspencer.com Wrap Jacket, marks and Spencer collection, £49.50

AX Paris, Plain collar button front jacket, £34.99

Lemon Jacket, Marks and Spencer

Spring into Style…. Transition between the seasons with statement jackets and coats…

Here is some of our favourites!!

Marks and Spencer www.marksandspencer.com

Coral coat, Marks and Spencer Collection, £45

Helena Jacket, Monsoon, £199

South Fringed jacket, Very, £160

Joy – Mireyli, £85, www.joythestore.com Mint Green Button Coat, £34.99, New Look

Biker Coat, Mint Velvet, £159 www.familiesfirst.ie

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Marks and Spencer www.marksandspencer.com

SPRING 2015

generation kids At Generation Kids we know happy kids mean happy parents. We offer a collection of fun, fashionable but still very practical shoes for your little ones feet. With 12 years of experience working with children we recognise that children love all things bright, colorful and fun. As parents it’s important that we nurture this, helping them to develop their own personalities along the way. At Generation Kids we strive to reflect this in our choice of products ensuring also we incorporate features such as Velcro and side zips to help make parents lives that little bit easier. At Generation Kids we sell brands such as Converse, Skechers, DC Shoes, Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, Garvalin, XTI and very soon we will be offering Geox and Petasil along with a range of school shoes for all ages..

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Familes First NI

3D PAPER CACTI

Make these fun plants and avoid those painful prickles!!! ✓ Green card, in different shades ✓ Glue Stick ✓ Cacti templates, draw your own. ✓ Pencil ✓ Scissors ✓ White paint pen ✓ Pink Tissue paper.

Step1

Take 3 sheets of green card and fold each in half lengthways. Glue one half of each folded sheet to the next to form a 3D card

Kids Craft

ome Paint s ns or ca empty ots to p r e flow r paper u o hold y ti!!!! cac

Step3

Add some ‘needles’ to each side of the 3D cactus with the white pen.

Step2

Step4

Lay the 3D card flat and put one of the cactus templates in the middle. Draw around the template and cut out.

Scrunch up some small pieces of pink tissue paper to make the ‘flowers, then glue them to the top of the cactus.

Keep the kids quiet on those rainy day by getting them involved with these quick and easy craft ideas.

Message in a bottle Do your children love writing secret messages? Then they’ll love making this cute little message in a bottle craft. It’s the perfect present for teachers at the end of term, or make a few for family members at Christmas. There doesn’t even need to be a special occasion to get crafty - make these bottles with your children as a weekend activity and then exchange your secret messages at the end - you’ll enjoy reading each others’ little notes! What you will need ✓ Some small glass or plastic bottles with lids or cork tops. (We got ours from eBay, but craft shops should stock these too) ✓ PVA glue ✓ Coloured beads ✓ Glitter ✓ A few pretty pins (optional) ✓ Some small pieces of paper ✓ A pencil ✓ 2 small bowls: one to put the beads in and the other to catch the excess

Step 1

ips: Safety attch

Step 3

Dip the sticky bottle into the bowl of beads, sprinkle them by hand over the tricky places..99

Gather everything you need together and place some beads in a bowl, ready for decorating your bottle.

Step 4

Now pour the glitter on liberally making sure no bare glass is left. If you do this part over a bowl you won’t waste any. Then leave to dry.

Step 2 PVA glue.

eg rou p: You wr cou i you te t ld a h if y nger e no lways ou chi te f like ldre or n, .

Step 5

Just w llows swa nobody ads! the be

Using a brush, coat the tiny bottle with

Take 2 small pieces of paper and write your message. The one for the name tag can be 1cm x 5cm and the other piece must be able to fit inside the bottle rolled up. Ours was 2cm x 5cm. The smaller piece for the name tag is going to be pinned to the top of the bottle, so your child should just address it to whomever they’re giving the bottle to. The other is for their secret message - maybe a ‘Thank You’ for teacher, ‘Happy Christmas’ for Granny or ‘I Love You’ for Dad on Father’s Day

Step 6

Roll up the piece of paper with the message on it and place it inside the bottle. Stick the pin through the name piece and press into the lid.

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Cloud Pin Board

Work doesn’t have to be boring! Brighten up your study area with this fun cloud-shaped pinboard. You’ll finally have a place for all of your fave family photos and important reminders. This is the perfect family activity for a rainy Sunday afternoon - the kids will absolutely love getting messy with the paint (you definitely won’t want to wear your best clothes for this one!). All you’ll need is a cork sheet, raindrop template, acetate and some paint, as well as a mere half an hour of your time, to transform your boring pinboard into something a lot more spectacular! Why stop at clouds? Make your pinboard into a funky speech bubble shape, or a super cute heart, following the same steps that we’ve already given you. Now you have no excuses - your desk never has to look dull again!

Time: 30 minutes

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Step1

Use saucers and side plates of different sizes to help draw a cloud shape on a large sheet of cork. When you are happy with the shape, cut out the cork cloud and set aside. Print the raindrop template onto a sheet of acetate. Carefully cut out the raindrops with a craft knife. Pour a little paint onto a saucer and dip the sponge in. Place the stencil on the cork cloud and gently sponge the paint over the cut out raindrops. Lift the stencil, and move along to repeat the design. When the cork cloud is completely decorated, leave to dry. Hang the cloud pinboard on the wall using self-adhesive picture hanging strips.

Step2 Step3

Step4

SPRING 2015

How to make a QUILT... I am sure that many of you, like me, will at some time thought of making your own quit, either for a member of the family or just for the sake of saying,’ I made that’. So this month, it’s quilting. Why not have a go….

You will n

eed: ❏ A selection of fabrics ❏ Transparent ru le ❏ A cutting mat r ❏ Rotary knife ❏ Batting (the fi

lling that goes inside the quilt) ❏ Sharp scissors ❏ Lots of pins an d ❏ A needle and th safety pins read or sewin machine g ❏ A pattern - eith er design you r own or find inspirat ion in a book or online

Step 1

Step 4

Step 7

Once you’ve decided on your design, divide it into 15-30cm squares (called blocks, made up of smaller shapes). Working on each block individually is more manageable than doing a whole quilt at once.

Join more patches until you have made a block (a block is one square portion of the whole design). Once all the blocks are completed, sew them together according to your pattern. That’s the quilt top done. Iron to flatten out seams.

Finally, make the binding, a border that protects the seams and adds a more finished look. Cut four separate strips of fabric, about 12cm wide and of the same length as each side of your quilt, plus 25mm spare.

Step 2

Step 5

Step 8

Wash and iron your fabric. Cut into the shapes needed for the pattern using your paper templates. Be sure to allow 6mm extra per square for seaming. Once you have cut out all the pieces, lay them out on the floor to check the pattern.

Spread out a plain piece of fabric, which will be the back of your quilt, and place the batting on top. Both the fabric and batting should be cut to the same size as your quilt top, which you now lay on top of the batting, right side up.

Make a 6mm fold along each of the long edges and iron it, then fold the whole strip in half, lengthways.

Step 3

Step 6

Step 9

Now it’s time to start sewing. Sandwich two patches together, with the right side of the fabric facing inwards, and using a basic running stitch, sew them together up one side.

Choose a colour of thread that goes with the quilt design, then, starting in the centre of the quilt and working outwards, sew through all three layers around the individual blocks, or in lines across your whole quilt.

Pin one side of the strip along the edge of the quilt top, then flip it over and pin the strip to the backing. Then sew both sides in place. Repeat along the other three sides of the quilt. You’re done.

Now you can say ‘Look what I made’ Well done, let us know how you got on, send up pics of the quilt to admin@babyfacemarketing.com Up against a wedding deadline and a tight budget, Helen had a go at patchwork – and hasn’t stopped stitching since www.familiesfirst.ie

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Familes First NI

From working class to top of the class – how one man’s passion for education has seen him rise to the very top Born to a working class family, Stephen Curran’s passion for education has not only seen him rise to the position of government advisor but also as the inspiration to countless of youngsters wanting to achieve their goals through learning. When Stephen was struggling to learn numbers as a 1960s schoolboy never in his wildest dreams did he believe that almost 50 years later he’d be helping to shape the maths National Curriculum.

think this was because the teaching was not systematic and structured. “This made it all very confusing. In the end I had to sort it out for myself. However, I don’t think children should have to sort it out for themselves.”

TOP OF THE CLASS: National Curriculum expert and founder of AE (Accelerated Education) Publications Stephen Curran.

Rather than flounder, Stephen pulled himself by his boot straps and found his own ways of understanding the school subjects he struggled with. So much so that he passed O-levels and A-levels with flying colours and went on to get a first class degree in Theology (his first of three degrees). Eventually becoming a teacher, Stephen never forgot those days he used to struggle at school. On paper, it could have been a lot different for Stephen. Instead of having the ears of government ministers, he could have been destined for a life of manual labour.

Fast forward five decades and as well as running a successful tuition centre and education publishing company; he is one of the nation’s top education experts. Stephen owns UK companies Accelerated Education (AE) Publications and AE Tuition and was on the panel which advised the current

government on the maths National Curriculum.

Growing up in his council house, where his dad was a railway guard and his mother a cleaner, Stephen had no books at home but he did have something equally as important – the encouragement of his parents. Stephen, who has Irish ancestry, said: “They were very caring parents and wanted my brother and me to be educated. It could quite easily have gone very wrong without their belief in us.”

“I believe this will start to make a huge difference to how primary school children are taught maths.”

His passion for education and helping young people reach their full potential stems from those days when, as a young working class lad Stephen was struggling to cope at school. “I was a child of the 60s when there were an awful lot of changes happening,” Stephen recalled. “There were more progressive methods being taught and I remember struggling with maths. I

With his

parents’ support, Stephen left his Technical High School in Sidcup, Kent with an impressive four A-levels. After securing his degree in Theology, Stephen went on to train as a teacher and taught at secondary schools in Surrey and London. During the recession years of the early 1990s, Stephen, like many other teachers, turned to tuition as a way to earn extra money.

Within a very short period he was tutoring around 25 students a week and by 1999 demand was so high he hired a hall to teach in.

The Shadow Minister for Schools, Nick Gibbs invited him to join discussions with other education experts on the curriculum.

There was one boy in particular who Stephen tutored, who has stayed in his thoughts forever.

And following the General Election in 2010, when Nick Gibbs became Minister for Schools, he asked Stephen to join the panel that would discuss changes to the maths National Curriculum.

“His English was appalling, he couldn’t read well and didn’t know a single times table,” Stephen recalled. “He was just six months away from the 11-plus and his mother wanted him to enter the test. I had to say to his mother, this is going to be incredibly difficult. “As I said this her son spoke up and said quite determinedly ‘I’m going to do this.’” Stephen worked with him twice a week and that boy - who could barely write and count - was the only student in his class to pass the 11 plus. Almost bristling with anger at the memory, Stephen said: “What chance would that boy have had had if someone did not give him an opportunity? You have to question what on earth his school did for five years for a very bright lad like that to not be able to read and count properly at 10 years-old.” This passion for children’s education saw Stephen Curran, in 2005, approach the then government and opposition to share his experience and views.

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That new maths curriculum, in which all children will need to know their times tables by Year 4, was launched last year. “It was one of the most contentious things I have ever done in my life but in the end a new curriculum was produced,” Stephen said proudly. “I believe this will start to make a huge difference to how primary school children are taught maths.” Stephen firmly believes improvements to education should start from the outset at primary level. “We once had one of the best education systems in the world but it has become too progressive,” he said. “Children need structure and techniques at a very early age so they can build up their knowledge. When they have the fundamentals in place then they can expand and create.

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“Give me the child at 7 and I’ll show you the man is a saying from the Jesuits. I say give me a child to educate until they are 11 and I’ll show you the grown-up.”

SPRING 2015

Excellence in Education

Our Maths â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;how-toâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; workbooks are a great way to prepare for the 11+ exams Step-by-step explanations, techniques & practice questions

Child and parent friendly Full colour pages

By knowing and applying these traditional techniques, your child will gain the confidence to find the right answer time and time again and will discover that more complex problems that follow in later years are easier to manage.

Visit our online bookshop:

aepublications.co.uk www.familiesfirst.ie

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R SS O

Preparation for 11+ exams

CLA

Answers in each book to help parents mark work

We believe in giving your child the skills to understand a method or concept and solve any mathematical problem, helping them to apply that knowledge both in the classroom and in tests.

ESTE

Familes First NI

Association for Quality Education Limited

COMMON ENTRANCE ASSESSMENT THE ASSESSMENTS THE NEXT NEXTCYCLE CYCLE THE ASSESSMENTS FOR FOR THE (2014/15) (2015/16) TAKE PLACEON ON7TH 8 th NOVEMBER, WILL WILL TAKE PLACE NOVEMBER, nd th 22 NOVEMBER and 29 NOVEMBER 2014. 21ST NOVEMBER AND 28TH NOVEMBER 2015

REGISTRATION OPENED ON TUESDAY 6 th MAY.

FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE AQE SCHOOLS, FROM THE AQE OFFICE OR FROM THE AQE WEBSITE. For further information, including details of the registration process, the list of participating schools, answers to questions parents are asking about the CEA and details of sample questions and past papers, please visit www.aqe.org.uk . The papers will reflect the English and Mathematics elements of the current Primary School Curriculum.

The Association for Quality Education Ltd., Unit 3, Weavers Court Business Park, Belfast BT 12 5GH Telephone: (028) 90224002

Email: aqeoffice1@yahoo.co.uk

The King’s Hospital - A school and a Way of Life

Rockport School

Opportunities Unlimited

A Learning Adventure

Co-educational Secondary School with a Welcoming, Caring and Supportive Environment Since 1669, The King’s Hospital has carefully maintained traditional values and combined them with modern, cutting-edge education and facilities.

OPEN MORNING Saturday 31 January 10.30 -12.00

Students discover and reach their full potential with the assistance of dedicated resident staff who offer individual personal, academic and pastoral support.

Small class sizes Excellent academic results Individual pastoral care Sixth Form from September 2015

A beautiful and inspirational 80 acre campus offers extensive facilities and opportunities including: • 28 academic subjects • Dedicated 1 to 1 study and career advice • Over 20 sports on campus • 5 and 7 day Boarding options • Easy access from Northern Ireland at M50 and M4 junction • 10 minutes from Dublin Airport

The King’s Hospital

Headmaster: John D. Rafter B.A.(Mod), B.Sc., HDipEd.

For more information please call or visit us - or if you prefer - we will travel to meet with you. Please contact 00 353 1 643 6564 or email: enquiries@kingshospital.ie www.kingshospital.ie

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INDEPENDENT CO-EDUCATIONAL DAY & BOARDING SCHOOL, 3 - 18 Rockport School, Craigavad, Holywood, Co. Down, BT18 0DD www.facebook.com/FamiliesFirstNI Rockport-advert-215x300-NOV2014.indd 1

04/12/2014 11:29

SPRING 2015

Welcome to the 10-hour week

Earn more – Work less… be successful… 8 Career women and mummies wanted as Business Partners Guaranteed more fun - less stress, relax, breathe, have more precious “quality time” travel more, work for yourself... Your own business in the “look good, feel amazing” market with hands on Help, support & training...

Your chance to reach your full potential and bang your own drum! £500 - £1200+ per month Car, Travel Opportunities • Personal care • Sports and Fitness • Weight Management • Skin care and beauty • Nutrition & supplements • Animals Philippa Symes

07966217691 https://www.facebook.com/philippa.symes philippa@globalbusinessmentors.com

Gilnahirk Primary School 148 Gilnahirk Road, Belfast BT5 7QQ Telephone: 028 9040 1697 Fax: 02890 790184 www.gilnahirkps.org.uk

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Familes First NI

“BEST NURSERY OF THE YEAR” AWARD, BALLYMENA SECTION, FAMILIES FIRST AWARDS.

Hands Up For Happy Kids

• • • • • • •

Open 5 days a week Children from 6 weeks to 11 years Safe, homely and caring environment Healthy Nutrition Learning through play jollytotsantrim.com Breakfast Club After School Club 6 Steeple Road, Antrim, County Antrim BT41 1AF Tel: 028 9442 8111

Accredited All Ireland Centre of Excellence www.familiesfirst.ie

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SPRING 2015

Choosing a nursery for your child... OKAY! So, you have negotiated the minefield of giving birth,

potty training and everything in between. You have now reached the stage where you are considering handing over the small individual who is surely one of your most loved achievements to strangers…. Choosing the right nursery can be a daunting prospect. Nurseries are a great way to help a child learn and develop, so picking the right one can have a positive effect on your child. Do you go with the nearest, so that you can walk there, or do a drop-off near your work? Do you go with the most expensive because “It’s bound to be the best”? Or, how about “It’s one that my friends recommend”? All these should be considered. ABOVE ALL IT IS CRITICAL THAT BOTH YOU AND CHILD ARE HAPPY AND CONFIDENT WITH YOUR CHOICE OF NURSERY. • Do as much research as you can on the internet. Most good nurseries have a website where you can get a good initial feel for the place. • Don’t automatically go with the nearest. Look at the route you take to work and consider all nurseries in the area. • Call your chosen nurseries to arrange a visit together with your child.Was the phone answered in a professional and friendly manner? Did the nursery accommodate the date you suggested without any hesitation or difficulty? If they couldn’t, was there a valid reason? • Make a list of questions and use the same ones for all the nurseries; you can then compare them more easily when you come to make your final decision. FIRST IMPRESSIONS. • How easy is it to park? • How does the nursery operate its entry system? • Upon answering the door was the member of staff welcoming, polite, friendly and professional? • In most nurseries the manager, deputy or room leader will show you around the nursery. This is the time when you can ask lots of questions and gather most information. Always ensure you

see the whole nursery and not just the area your child may enter when they first start. This will give you a much better picture of the whole nursery. You can also ask to speak to the person who might potentially be your child’s key person – this is the team member who will be your child’s main carer and who will build a close relationship with you. Together you will share information about how your child has been at home, any new interests, outings etc., and they will update you about what your child has been doing each day at nursery. WHILE BEING SHOWN AROUND, ASK THESE KEY QUESTIONS. • Are the indoor areas all safe, clean, welcoming and well decorated with work the children have done? • Is there a secure and clean outside area for children to play in? • Do the children in the different areas look happy, settled, and engaged in the activities? • Do the staff appear friendly, welcoming, calm, relaxed, well-presented and professional? Are they at the children’s level and engaged with them? • Is there a high turnover in staff?(not a good sign) • Does the nursery have a policy of “learning through play” or is it just play? • How do they manage the settling in process? • Do they prepare fresh food / snacks? YOU KNOW your child better than anyone else and will know where they will be happiest. I cried all the way home the first time I left my children at nursery (don’t worry, it’s completely normal) but if they are happy, and have a positive experience at nursery, you can be confident knowing that you have done all you can to give them a great start on their educational journey.

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Familes First NI

Family First Award Winners Gallery 2015 Nursery of the Year 2015

Ballymena Finalists were ;

The winner – Bella Bambinos, Dromore

sponsored by Employers for Childcare Solutions

Little Rays

Bella Bambinos, Dromore

Belfast Outer Finalists were ; Puddleducks, Cromac Street Belfast

Jolly Tots Start Smart Falls Road Belfast

Best Family Bread

Finalists – Brennans, Nutty Krust, Hovis Winner: Hovis

YMCA, Belfast

The winner – Puddleducks

Little Rays

Building Blocks

Paddington Lodge, Carryduff

Best Family Restaurant North Down Finalists were ; Building Blocks

Finalists: Makhulu 5 Bangor, Spur Steak and Grill Belfast, Governor Rocks Donaghadee, Le Winters Newtownards, Linenhill Kitchen and Deli. Winner: Spur Steak and Grill.(pic 329)

The winner – Jolly Tots Ashvale Private Day Care Newtownbreda

The winner – Start Smart pictured with Diane Hill from Employers for Childcare and Pamela Ballantine.

Little Kingdom Kids, Bangor

Best Family Event

Armed Forces Day, Ards Borough Council

Big Red Balloon

Lisburn Area Finalists were ;

Belfast Inner Finalists were ; Primacy Day Care

The winner – Big Red Balloon Little Rays, Moira Angels Daycare, Fortwilliam Belfast

An Droichead Ormeau Road, Belfast

Old Schoolhouse

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Best Activity Provider

Finalists: JEM Swim school, BSPA Winner: Belfast School for Performing Arts

SPRING 2015

Best Soft Play

Finalists: Funky Monkeys, Charlies Den, Playspace Winner: Funky Monkeys

Best Family Business

Superstar Sibling

Finalists: Ballyrobert Cars, Regency Cars Newtownards Winner: Ballyrobert Cars

Best Family Hotel

Finalists: Citynorth, Jacksons, Hillgrove, Innishowen. Winner: Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan.

Business Parent of the Year

supported by Bella Bambinos Nursery Dromore David Atkinson with sponsor Tim from Bella Bambinos

Grandparent of the Year

Childminder of the Year

Supermum

Jennie Taylor Clare Reel

Debbie Daniels

Dad of the year Barry Graham

Finalists: Ark Farm, Carnfunnock, Barrys Portrush, Streamvale Farm Winner: Ark Farm

Carer of the Year supported by St Johns Ambulance Carrie Liggott

Amazing Act of Kindness

Mr. Robert Irvine, Rosetta Primary School

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Jennifer Lynn Ranson

Campbell Rock

Sharon Morgan

Best Family Day out

Supermum

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Familes First NI

Once Upon a Time...

hose four simple words create a warm fuzzy feeling and transport most of us back to a time when we cuddled up in bed for a good story with Mum or Dad before lights out, maybe Dad’s funny character’s made you laugh, or Mum’s soft voice sent you off to dreamland with a smile on your face, but how did this simple act of parenting actually help us as we grow older, and what happens when we learn to participate in the stories ourselves? From a very young age children are taught to enjoy stories, the more fabulous and fantastical the better, The Belfast School of Performing Arts are keen to embrace this by laying the foundations for a life filled with the joy of drama by launching an exciting new element to the already hugely successful offering. BSPA Juniors is an extension to the existing schools which will now see kids aged 3 – 6 years old bring to life some of their favourite stories by taking weekly drama classes and enjoying the benefits through dancing, acting and singing. James Huish, Artistic Director, BSPA is passionate about the stage, no matter what age you are; “I was brought up in a household full of acting, singing and dancing and it’s something I always wanted to be involved in; I’ve been on stage, on TV, I’ve directed, I’ve sang and I’ve acted, but by far the most rewarding role has been working with young people and watching them grow in confidence, make friends and become wonderful happy young adults. I don’t think you are ever too young to start this process and while BSPA Juniors will be experiencing a less structured format than the older children we do hope that it will have a similar impact - creating confident and happy kids who are enjoying life and taking part in fun activities with their peers.” Drama is hugely beneficial to children, even from this young age, really pushing imaginations to the limit, benefits include; ✦ Builds confidence ✦ Encourages co-operation

✦ Creates an understanding of the world around them and introduces them to other cultures

✦ Develops emotional intelligence

✦ Increases Knowledge

✦ Assists physical development

✦ Promotes academic learning

✦ Further develops creativity Helps children to understand emotions and feelings

✦ Boosts imagination - the key to creativity

✦ Boosts thinking capacity

✦ Enhances a child’s listening skills & curiousity

✦ Increases a child’s vocabulary

✦ Nurtures friendships

new school for young children opening in belfast

Dance Dance Act Act Sing Sing in association with Belfast Operatic Company

Classes every Saturday during term time for 8-9, 10-12 and 13-16 yearClasses olds every Saturday during term time Classes every Saturday, one hour during term time for young children aged 3 - 6 yrs for 8-9, 10-12 and 13-16 year olds

1 hour of Dance 1 hour of Drama 1 hour of Singing

Dance Act • Sing

And lots of fun while we learn!!•

1 hour of Dance 1 hour of Drama 1 hour of Singing

And lots of fun while we learn!!

And lots of fun while we learn! visit us at

www.thebspa.co.uk or e-mail at info@thebspa.co.uk

✦ Develops concentration skills

BSPA Juniors, led by actress and facilitator, Sarah Lyle, recently ran a pilot masterclass in association with Little Rays Nursery which saw pre-schoolers in the Ballymena, Moira and Lisburn nurseries take part in a “Beauty and the Beast” workshop with excellent results; “The children thoroughly enjoyed being the first to experience BSPA Juniors and we had lots of very excited little Belle princesses and Beast’s running around that day! The children really interacted with the teacher and they shouted and roared, laughed, danced and sang - the team were extremely professional and I’d happily recommend BSPA Juniors to parents.” Michelle Rea, Proprietor, Little Rays Nursery. The drama experts from BSPA will use a range of tools such as; dancing, acting, singing and even puppetry to bring these stories to life and engage with the children for the hour long class every week which will run in tandem with the existing BSPA schools. BSPA schools take place every Saturday during term time in Belfast, Lisburn and Ballymena and regularly puts on sell-out productions in theatre across Northern Ireland, in 2015, audiences will be enjoying “Cats”, “Beauty and the Beast”, “Mulan” and two exciting Summer Youth projects “ Annie” and “Westside Story”. To find out more or to register your child with the Belfast School of Performing Arts or ‘BSPA Juniors’ please visit www.thebspa.co.uk or call 028 9560 8640

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in association with Belfast Operatic Company

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The Belfast School of Performing Arts is situated in the home of Belfast Operatic Company’s purpose built rehearsal studio at 22 Heron Road, visit us at Sydenham Business Park, Belfast BT3 9LE.

F: facebook.com/thebspa T: 028 9560 8640 www.thebspa.co.uk @thebspa_uk E: info@thebspa.co.uk T: 028 9266 4594

The Belfast School of Performing Arts is situated in the home of Belfast Operatic Company’s purpose built rehearsal studio at 22 Heron Road, Sydenham Business Park, Belfast BT3 9LE. E: info@thebspa.co.uk T: 028 9266 4594

SPRING 2015

Memorable moments at Chestnutt Holiday Parks

o you want your children to experience the great outdoors this summer while you sit back and enjoy the sunshine? Do you dream of relaxing in beautiful countryside without hours of travel? The good news is that Chestnutt Holiday Parks have just what you are looking for and it is only a short car drive away! With superb play parks and summer day camps that can include kayaking, bouldering, archery, a zip line through the forest and craft and dance sessions, there is always something to keep the children entertained. Chestnutt Holiday Parks offer memorable holidays for the whole family. The surrounding area offers a wide range of activities, local events and places to explore. Why not go for a stroll on our award winning beaches, try out the mountain bike trails in Castlewellan Forest Park or watch the fishermen bring in their catch at Kilkeel harbour? Set against the backdrop of the Mourne Mountains their five star Parks offer industry leading services for touring, camping, caravan hire. Or why not come regularly to your own holiday home. If you want great value breaks in luxurious accommodation or a get-away-from-it-all base for your family, then come see for you yourself at their Easter Open Days.

Call 028 4176 2653, or visit www.chestnuttholidayparks.com

Easter Open Days www.familiesfirst.ie

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Chef Stephen Jeffers...

Chef Stephen Jeffers, has run some of the best kitchens & restaurants in Northern Ireland. He has been a personal chef to the rich and famous and has cooked at the top level for over 25 years. He now works as a teacher, food. Stylist & consultant chef. You can find his food blog on www.chefstephenjeffers.com or follow him on twitter: @chef_jeffers

Family sized Chocolate Eton mess ❏ 6 egg whites ❏ 350g caster sugar Method...

Chocolate brownie & cherry trifle Custard

➤ Whisk egg whites & 1/3 cream until stiff. now add in 2/3. And keep beating

❏ 50ml Milk ❏ 50ml Cream ❏ 20g White chocolate ❏ 1 egg yolk ❏ 1 tbsp caster sugar ❏ 1/2 tsp Cornflour

until stiff. ➤ Fold last 1/3 into meringue with spoon not over working . Place into bag ,pipe into mini meringues and bake 120c for 40 minutes..

Method... ➤ In a small bowl whisk togheter egg yolk,sugar & cornflour. ➤ Now in a pot bring milk,cream & chocolate to a gentle boil. ➤ Infuse mix for 5 minutes ,add cream mix to egg mix. ➤ Now gently add this back to pot and mix over a low heat until thick.

Chantilly cream ❏ 200 ml whipping cream ❏ 1 tsp vanilla essence ❏ 20g icing sugar Method... ➤ Whisk until both are stiff ,place into piping bag ...

Chocolate sauce..

Fruit Jelly

❏ 200g dark chocolate ❏ 175g milk ❏ 20g honey ❏ 10g butter

❏ 20 ml Water ❏ 20 g Sugar ❏ 20 ml cherry fruit purée ❏ 1/2 Gelatine leaf(soaked)

Method... ➤ Place milk,honey & butter into small pot and bring to gentle boil. ➤ Place chocolate into a bowl and pour over hot milk mixture, gently whisk until smooth. ➤ Assemble as picture.

Method... ➤ In a small pot place water,sugar and bring to a boil for 3-5 minutes.

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➤ Now add purée,gelatine to pot and bring to gentle heat until gelatine is dissolved . 3. Place jelly in glass & leave until set well,this should take a hour. Chocolate sponge ❏ 25g self raising flour ❏ 20g chocolate powder ❏ 40g caster sugar ❏ 1 egg ❏ 50g Butter ❏ Vanilla essence Method... ➤ in a mixing bowl place all ingriendents and whisk until well mixed. ➤ add 1 tsp of hot water,now put onto a tray buttered & floured tray. ➤ Bake 180c for 15 minutes ..... ➤ Build trifle as image......

SPRING 2015

Warm Bitter chocolate, espresso pudding ❏ 100g butter ❏ 120g soft brown sugar ❏ 32g cold water ❏ 100g bitter chocolate ❏ 3 eggs separated ❏ 10 ml strong coffee ❏ Pinch of salt ❏ Cocoa powder Method... ➤ Place butter ,sugar,water over a Bain Marie and melt. Now add chocolate to this off the heat then add egg yolks & coffee. ➤ Whisk egg whites until stiff peak but not over whipped and then fold into chocolate mix. ➤ Place into small ramekins ,which have been buttered & floured. ➤ Bake in oven 180oc 15-20 minutes (dust with loads cocoa before serving)

Poached Pears in almond & chocolate sauce

Highleynded m Recom

❏ 2 pear(peeled with stem attached) ❏ 1/2 vanilla pod(deseeded) ❏ 50g caster sugar ❏ 150ml water ❏ 1 bay leaf ❏ 1 sprig of thyme Method... ➤ Place all ingredients into a pot and cover well,bring liquid to gentle boil. ➤ Now simmer with a lid on for 1/2 hour until pear is just soft...

Chocolate, Peanut butter, vanilla & buttermilk pancakes.... ❏ 150g self raising flour ❏ 120 ml buttermilk ❏ 1 tbsp smooth peanut butter ❏ 1 tsp vanilla essence ❏ 3 tbsp powder eggs ❏ 2 tbsp butter

Method... ➤ Place flour, dried eggs into a mixing bowl. ➤ Gently heat peanut butter and mix with vanilla & buttermilk. ➤ Now slowly add liquid to flour mixture, whisk until smooth . ➤ Bring a non stick pan to medium heat and add butter . ➤ Ladle a spoonful off pancake mix into pan, cook for 1 to 2 minutes each side. ➤ Place cream,chocolate, peanut butter & sugar into a small pot, bring to a gentle boil . ➤ Simmer until thick and finish with a pinch of salt... To serve ... ➤ Stack pancakes in three’s, pour over sauce & top with toasted peanuts anddiced banana ....

Sauce... ❏ 50g bitter chocolate ❏ 40ml almond milk ❏ 1 tbsp double cream ❏ 5g caster sugar ❏ 5g butter Method... ➤ Bring milk,cream,sugar to boil ,take of the heat add butter & chocolate mix until smooth. ➤ Serve pear with sauce,toasted almonds & ice cream

Chocolate heart pudding, passion fruit.... ❏ 100g milk / dark Chocolate ❏ 2 Eggs ❏ 90g plain Flour ❏ 100g Butter (diced) ❏ 80g caster sugar Method... ➤ place a Bain Marie over a medium heat,prepare baking tins. ➤ now add chocolate & butter over Bain Marie and gently melt. ➤ gently mix egg & sugar well,take the chocolate mix of the heat and add eggs mix into chocolate over 3 stages. ➤ add flour in to same make over 3 stages mixing carefully. ➤ Bake @190c for exactly 12 minutes.

Passionfruit curd ❏ 225ml passionfruit purée ❏ 3 eggs ❏ 140g butter(diced) ❏ 250g Caster sugar ❏ 1 lemon(zest) ❏ 1 1/2 tbsp corn flour Method... ➤ place all above into a sauce pan,whisk over a low heat until the curd has thickened. ➤ this can take up 10-15 minutes so don’t be rushing this or the curd will curdle . ➤ place into jars and cool keeps up too 2 months in fridge.

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For the Sauce... ❏ 100ml double cream ❏ 50g chocolate ❏ 35g peanut butter ❏ 40g soft brown sugar ❏ Maldon rock salt

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f you want to go all out, charity shops are a good source for reasonable floral Chinaware - don’t worry if the patterns are mismatched. Don’t forget your teapot, teacups, cutlery and cake slices for serving.

Setting the scene Extend your table and throw on a table cloth - if you don’t have one handy,

fabric shops sell cheap spotted, floral and striped material by the metre. While you’re at it, you could make some place-name cookies and ice them with your guests’ names. Pop them in paper bags so your guests have a little present to take away - or just snaffle them as an entrée. Make sure the sugar and milk is set on the table ready to pour your guests a cuppa as they sit down. Try to provide a variety of tea - Earl Grey, peppermint, camomile, fruit, herbal and, of course, English Breakfast Sandwiches: These require minimal effort, but

get ahead by preparing your fillings in advance and assembling just before proceedings begin to avoid the dreaded soggy sarnie. Just make them up in your chosen filling, and cover with a damp clean tea towel. Then cover with tinfoil until required.

Biscuits Shortbreads, cookies, ginger nuts… take inspiration from your childhood biscuit tin. These recipes all take less than an hour, so you can make them in the morning.

Some ideas for fillings are: Lemony crab & cucumber clubs Mini salt beef bagels Egg & bacon brioche soldiers Smoked salmon & avocado open sandwich on rye bread or just whatever your choose, don’t forget to cut off the crusts!! Scones Scones are best eaten on the day and don’t take long to whip up but if you want to get ahead, freeze a batch and defrost them in a low oven. Serve warm with lashings of jam - decant a pot of homemade preserve into a pretty bowl

How to have an afternoon tea party!

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Pâtisserie Just the mere mention of Parisianstandard pastry is enough to send shivers down the spine of your average home cook. If you’re willing to take them on, prepare the pastry or biscuits the night before.

lly! And fina rs ppe Showsto the all Pull out serve up d stops an g really somethin l. specia

Enjoying afternoon tea while perched on a gilded hotel armchair is a fine British tradition, but hardly sustainable as a regular pursuit. Throwing your own afternoon tea party means you can stick to your own budget, plus you can select your favourite finger food. We have some suggestions for throwing a soiree in style. If you own a tiered cake stand, dust it off and use it as the centerpiece of your table. Otherwise, use your best crockery and make it a little more special with lace-like doilies, folded napkins and name place signs.

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SPRING 2015

English madeleines

Cooking time: Prep: 45 mins Cook: 50 mins Makes 6 Give these French classics the British tea party treatment by baking the coconut sponges in a cone shape and serving with cherry jam glaze INGREDIENTS • 100g butter, softened, plus extra for greasing • 200g desiccated coconut • 140g caster sugar • 140g plain flour • 1 large egg • 140g full-fat coconut yogurt (we used Yeo Valley Greek-style) • 85g glacé cherries, finely chopped • 140g cherry jam

Coconut-ice marshmallows Danish pastries

METHOD Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 4. Grease 6 x 120ml madeleine moulds (see tip, below). Put 50g of the coconut in a food processor with the sugar and whizz until the coconut is as fine as the sugar. Tip into a mixing bowl with the butter, flour, egg and yogurt, and whizz with an electric whisk until smooth. Stir in the cherries, then divide between the moulds. Sit on a baking sheet and bake for 35-45 mins until a skewer poked in comes out clean. Cool for 10 mins, then turn out from the tins to cool completely. Heat the jam in a pan or microwave, then sieve to remove the cherry lumps. Tip the remaining coconut onto a plate. Trim any wonky bottoms of the madeleines so they sit flat. Brush a thin coating of jam over each and roll in the coconut to cover. Will keep in an airtight tin for up to 2 days.

Makes 40-50 depending on the size A sweet shop version of the squidgy squares, flavoured with coconut liqueur - one for the grown-ups

INGREDIENTS • 300g desiccated coconut • 10 sheets gelatine • 500g granulated sugar • 4 tsp liquid glucose • 2 large egg whites

• 1 tsp vanilla extract • 1 tbsp Malibu, or coconut liqueur • pink food colouring • a little icing sugar, for dusting

SECRETS OF SUCCESS Remember, you’re working with hot sugar – if it hits the whisk blades before the egg whites, it’ll harden on them and you’ll get into a sticky mess! You might get bored whisking the mixture, but persevere – the thicker it gets, the more air you’ve added, so your marshmallows will end up lovely and light. METHOD Toast half the coconut in a large, wide pan over a very low heat. Keep stirring the whole time so the coconut toasts evenly. When the flakes are tinged golden brown, tip into a bowl to stop them cooking any further. Line 2 square tins or dishes (18cm or 16cm) with baking parchment. Spread half the toasted coconut evenly over the base of one, and half of the untoasted coconut over the base of the other. Put the gelatine leaves, one by one so that they don’t clump together, in a large bowl of cold water and leave to soften while you make the marshmallow mixture. Put the sugar, liquid glucose and 200ml cold water in a small, deep heavy-based saucepan, so that the mixture will be deep enough to get a thermometer reading. Place over a low heat until the sugar has dissolved completely. Turn up the heat and boil until the mixture reaches firm ball stage on a sugar thermometer (about 125C) – this will take a while. If you don’t have a sugar thermometer, drop a little of the syrup into a glass of very cold water – if it sets to a firm but malleable ball, it’s ready. While the sugar is boiling, beat the egg whites in a large bowl with an electric whisk until stiff. When the syrup has reached the right stage, pour it in a steady stream into the egg whites while you continue whisking – making sure it hits the egg whites before the whisk blades. Lift the gelatine leaves out of the water, squeeze out any excess water and add, one at a time and still whisking continuously, to the mixture. Add the vanilla and Malibu, and continue whisking – the mixture will go shiny and start to thicken. Continue whisking for about 10 mins until it’s very thick, just pourable. Scrape half the marshmallow mixture into the toasted coconut tin and spread the top to flatten as much as possible, then sprinkle over the remaining toasted coconut. Add some pink food colouring to the second half of the mix, little by little and whisking all the time, until you get a nice colour. Scrape into the untoasted coconut tin, level as for the first, and sprinkle with the remaining untoasted coconut. Leave to set somewhere cool (but not the fridge) for at least 2 hrs, or until firm. One at a time, carefully ease the sheets of marshmallow away from the sides of the tins, then turn out onto a chopping board. Remove the parchment and cut into squares with a sharp knife dusted with a little icing sugar if it is sticking. Keep in an airtight container, layered between sheets of parchment to prevent sticking, for up to a month.

2 • 450g (1 lb) self-raising flour • 2 rounded teaspoons baking powder • 75g (3 oz) butter, at room temperature

• 50g (2 oz) caster sugar • 2 eggs • about 225 ml (8 fl oz) milk

4 5

6 7

Carrot Cake Always a popular cake, this American carrot cake needs to be stored in the fridge because of the masarpone topping. Walnut pieces are cheaper than walnut halves and are perfect for cakes. • 225g (8 oz) self-raising flour • 2 teaspoons baking powder • 150 g (5 oz) light muscovado sugar • 50 g (2 oz) walnut pieces, chopped • 100g (4 oz) carrots, coarsely grated • 2 ripe bananas, mashed • 2 eggs • 150 ml (5 fl oz) sunflower oil

FOR THE TOPPING • 250g (9 oz) tub mascarpone cheese • 2-3 teaspoons vanilla extract • 2 tablespoons icing sugar, sifted • about 25g (1 oz) walnut pieces, chopped Preparation time: about 15 minutes Cooking time: about 50-60 minutes Lightly grease a 20 cm (8 inch) deep round cake tin and line the base with a circle of non-stick baking parchment. Pre-heat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Measure all of the ingredients for the cake into a large bowl and mix well until thoroughly blended, an electric mixer is best for this but of course you can also beat by hand with a wooden spoon. Turn the mixture into the prepared cake tin and gently level the surface. Bake in the pre-heated oven for about 50-60 minutes or until the cake is well risen, golden and beginning to shrink away from the sides of the tin. A fine skewer inserted into the centre of the cake should come out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the tin for a few minutes, then loosen the sides of the cake from the tin with a small palette knife or blunt knife, turn the cake out and leave to cool completely on a wire rack. For the topping, mix the mascarpone cheese in a small bowl with the vanilla extract and the sieved icing sugar. Spread evenly over the top of the cake and scatter the chopped walnuts on top. Store in the refrigerator.

Devonshire Scones The secret of good scones is not to handle them too much before baking, and to make the mixture on the wet, sticky side. Either eat scones on the day of making or freeze once they have completely cooled. If time allows, thaw them at room temperature for a couple of hours and then refresh in a moderate oven for about 10 minutes. If you like large scones, this amount of mixture will make 8-10 9cm (3 ½ inch) scones.

INSTRUCTIONS

Preparation time: about 15 minutes Cooking time: 10-15 minutes Makes about 20 scones

1 2

Lightly grease two baking trays. Pre-heat the oven to 220°C/425°F/Gas 7.

Measure the flour and baking powder into a processor. Add the butter and process until a crumble, then add the sugar. Or make by hand by rubbing the butter into the flour using your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar.

Beat the eggs together until blended and make up to a generous 300ml (1/2 pint) with the milk, then put about 2 tablespoons of the egg/milk aside in a cup for glazing the scones later. Gradually add the egg/milk mixture to the dry ingredients until you have a soft dough. It is far better that the scone mixture is on the wet side, sticking to your fingers, as the scones will rise better. www.familiesfirst.ie

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and flatten it out with your hand, or use a rolling pin, to a thickness of 1-2 cm (1/2 – ¾ inch). Use a 5 cm (2 inch) fluted cutter to stamp out the dough by pushing the cutter straight down into the dough (as opposed to twisting the cutter) then lift it straight out. This ensures that the scones will rise evenly and keep their shape. Gently push the remaining dough together, knead very lightly then re-roll and cut more scones out as before.

Arrange the scones on the prepared baking trays and brush the tops with the reserved beaten egg/milk mixture to glaze. Bake for about 10-15 minutes or until the scones are well risen and golden. Cool on a wire rack, covered with a clean tea towel to keep them moist. Serve as fresh as possible, cut in half and spread generously with strawberry jam and top with a good spoonful of thick cream.

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Sunday Pudding.

From my kitchen

Spiced Rhubarb crumble 45 mins serves 6 easy. Ingredients ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏

Method • Put the rhubarb, spices, sugar and orange zest in a pan, and cook gently until just soft.

Rhubarb 400g Ground star anise a pinch Ground ginger a pinch Golden caster sugar 150 grams Orange 1, zested

• Cool slightly, then spoon into a baking dish. • Rub the flour and butter together to the consistency of breadcrumbs, stir in the oats and sugar, then spoon loosely but evenly on the top of the fruit.

Crumble ❏ Plain flour 150g ❏ Butter 150g ❏ Porridge oats 100g ❏ Demerara sugar 150g ❏ Ground cinnamon a pinch ❏ Fresh custard to serve

• Bake for 20-30 minutes or until the top is crisp and golden, Serve with lashings of custard.

Per serving: 537 KCals Carbs 83.6g Salt 0.4g

Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen Notebook (Micheal Joseph) £20

Baking tins.............

An interesting, colourful mix of recipes from Rachael Khoo’s travels around Europe. Gorgeous dishes such as slow-roasted pork belly, and pistachio and pomegranate cake, make you want to head for the kitchen. Out the 12th February.

Alex Holywood: My Busy Kitchen (Hodder& Stoughton) £25

Alex Hollywood, who is married to The Great British Bake Off’s Paul shares a lifetime of family recipes. Dig into comforting dishes such as sausage and onion pie, with English mustard or more exotic baked Chinese duck with cucumber and chilli salad. Yum Out 26th Feb.

Mary Berry at Lakeland

➤Perfect for all your 12” x 9” traybake recipes, the metal-hard, non-stick coating both inside and out retains its superior food release, even when marked with a knife; just grease the pan well before use and traybakes are released perfectly. Integral cutting guides and straight sides ensure equal slices. Cat Ref: SKU 18610 External dimensions 34.5 x 24 x 4cm H. (13½” x 9½” x 1½”). ➤With silicone loose bases and straight sides, beautifully formed individual cakes, miniature puds and

cheesecakes can be pushed out with ease. Made from non-stick-coated carbon steel, there’s no need to line before baking, just grease the pan well and results are released effortlessly once baked. Cat Ref: SKU 18613 35 x 27cm (13¾” x 10¾”). ➤Following the success of our Mini Sandwich Pan, we thought you’d love this rectangular version just as much! Making perfectly shaped carrot cakes or fruit loaves, the non-stick loose bases ensure easy release for 12 mini loaves. Cat Ref: SKU 18177 27 x 36cm (10¾” x 14”).

How to bake the perfect sponge. Cake making and baking is an intrinsic part of British and Irish Food, we are avid bakers and fiercely competitive about the lightness of our cakes. Making a feather light sponge cake has always been the sign of being a good baker; this has created many myths around the making of a sponge cake with the dread of it being less than perfect putting many off. Let me dispel those myths, making a feather light sponge is easy with just a few simple and easy tips.

Total time: 40 mins, Costs: Cheap as chips

Mary shares her favourite recipes for everything from easy Saturday night pasta to something a little more special, such as her mini beef wellingtons, which are perfect for a party. Out 26th February. Dishwasher safe, Freezer safe ➤Just like the rest of our My Kitchen Cook & Bake range, this robust, commercial-weight pan has a heavyduty construction that will not twist or warp, and a double layer of durable Quantum 2 non-stick. With 12 separate squares to turn out perfect individual slices of traybake, flapjack or fudge cake – so no more fights over the biggest slice! Cat Ref: SKU 14230 34 x 26 x 3cm H. (13 1⁄2” x 10 1⁄4”

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Saturates 13.3g Protein 6.1g

Traybakes Prep time: 10 mins, Cooking time: 30 mins

Mary Berry’s Absolute Favourites (BBC Books) £25

These are delicious crunchy flapjack treats that are perfect for lunchboxes or as an afternoon treat that both adults and kids will love. Sweet dates are sandwiched between an oaty mixture which makes these date squares a little bit special. Serve them as a dessert with ice cream or have them as a mid-morning treat with a warm cuppa. They only take 10 mins to prepare and 30 mins to cook so you’ll be able to enjoy them in no time.

Tip 4 - Temperature Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature. Cold eggs do not whip up easily and will not hold the same volume of air as a slightly warm one. Tip 5 - The Butter or Baking Spread While the cake ingredients should be at room temperature, the butter or baking spread you are using needs to be even warmer but NOT HOT. The butter should be soft but still holding together, if the butter or spread is too soft it becomes oily and the resulting cake heavy and dense. If the butter is too cold it takes a long to incorporate in to the sugar or eggs and can cause over-mixing which in turns means a heavy cake. Tip 6 - The Flour Always sift the flour into the cake mixture, or mix the baking powder with the flour and then sift. Sifting adds air and thus lightness to a cake mixture.

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In a 2saucepan

melt the butter. Add the sugar and Golden Syrup and stir until the sugar is dissolved Remove from the heat and mix in the rolled oats. Press half the mixture into the base of the tin. In another saucepan boil the water and add the dates. Simmer, whilst stirring until the dates and water turn into a paste Spread the paste over the mixture in the tin. Cover with the remaining mixture and press down. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until set and golden Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the tin for 5 minutes Whilst in the tin, cut into squares, and then allow to cool fully.

3 4 5

Ingredients ❏ 300g butter or margarine ❏ 50g demerara sugar ❏ 5tbsp golden sugar ❏ 400g rolled oats ❏ 50ml water ❏ 150g chopped dates Method Preheat oven to 350°F/180°C/ Fan 160°C/Gas Mark 4. Grease a 20cm square tin.

Tip 1 - Preparation Before you begin any mixing, weigh out all the ingredients for the cake so that when you come to start mixing you will be able to work quickly. Working quickly prevents you from over mixing the cake or conversely, leaving the cake mixture standing while you weigh something out the cake batter will start to loose air. Tip 2 - The Cake Tins The tins need to be greased and the bottom lined with baking parchment. If you do this in advance then once to cake is mixed the tins can be filled. Less lingering in the kitchen for the cake mix means a lighter cake. Tip 3 - The Oven Always preheat the oven before you start for the reason outlined above. Also, arrange the shelves in advance, most sponge cakes like to be in the middle of the oven unless you have a super-modern fan oven which claim cakes can be cooked anywhere in the oven.

FAT 22.1g Fibre 3.5g

6 7 8

Use a cake flour if available, cake flour tends to be finer milled resulting in a lighter cake. If you can find cake flour then proceed as above by sifting. Tip 7 - The Eggs Always use the freshest eggs possible. The white of fresh eggs with whip up into a frenzy of air, whereas older eggs struggle to hold it together. When whisking eggs and sugar together, whisk thoroughly until the mixture is almost white, this indicates that there is a good quantity of air incorporated into the mixture. Tip 8 - Enjoy the Process A happy cake baker will always produce a light cake. Making a cake for family, friends or to simply enjoy with a cup of tea is such an enjoyable process, how can it fail to be light and happy if you are. Cake mix recipe

8ozs butter 1 round tsp of 8ozs self raising flour baking powder 8ozs of caster sugar

SPRING 2015

T HE ING L IS T SHOP P

OFFERS

e have seen it on the TV, we have read about it in our daily newspapers, but when it comes right down to it which Supermarket is the cheapest. Here at families first we take the cost of living very seriously, so we put together a typical basked of everyday things, there might have been more we should have added, you might have liked other brands, but, we made a list and compared, as near to it as we could like for like, to really see what supermarket is the cheapest, at the time of going to print. Some items were not available in all the stores, but we have done our best to have as near to it as we can. We did not bring in store promotions into the comparison. I think you will find this interesting reading.

Ariel Biological Powder.........................................£5.99 2.47g Oakland For Kids Fun Size Apples............................... £0.69p Oakland For Kids Fun Size Pears................................. £0.69p Vine Tomatoes Loose...................................................... £1.29/kg Harbour Fresh 2 Melt in the Middle Fish Cakes.............£1.65 Sol & Mar Stonebaked Chorizo Pizza........................... £0.99p Robinsons Diluted No added Sugar..........................£0.79p 1L

ITEM £1.98

£1.98

£2.00

Carrots 1kg

£0.57p

£0.49p

£0.55p

Parsnips 500g

£0.39p

£0.49p

£1.00

Brocoli 335g

£0.39p

£0.49p

£0.45p

£1.50 for 4

£3.00 for 6

£2.60 for 4

11.6p for 170g

£1.00 for 5

11.9p for 175g

£1.50

£2.00

£1.50

Melon

£2.00 for 400g

£1.00 for 130 g

£2.00 for 400g

Mince

£6.08 for 750g

£4.00 for 750g

£4.50 for 450g

£4.00

£3.30

Kingsmill Pancakes

£0.75p

Tayto Variety Crisps

20 Pack £2.50

12 Pack £3.25

20 Pack £4.00

Ariel Actilift Biological Excel Gel 24 Washes

£6.98

£7.50

£4.00

Lenor Fabric Softener Pink Topaz & Magnolia

£2.00

£3.50

£1.97

Robinsons Apple & Blackcurrant

£1.59

£0.74p

£1.50

12 for £ 5.98

9 for £4.50

£16 for £6.00

Maris Piper Potatoes 2.5kg

Pink Lady Apples Bananas Red Seedless Grapes

Whole Chicken 135g

OFFERS Lucozade.................................................................. £1.00 Litre Bisto Gravy Granules...........................................£1.00 170g Uncle Ben’s Varieties.........................................2 For £2.00 Kellogs Varieties............................£1.75 each 340g-500g Doritos Varieties................................................. £1.00 200g

Andrex Classic Toilet Roll

Tropicana Varieties................................ 2 for £3.00 850ml

Thirst Pockets Kitchen Towels – 6

£3.00

£1.80 for 2

£4.50

Aquafresh Little Teeth 3-5 years

£0.97

£1.20

£1.00

Johnson’s Baby Shampoo 300ml

£1.25

£1.50

£0.89p

£1.00

Goodfella’s Stonebaked Thin Pepperoni Pizza

£1.35

£2.00

£2.50

Garlic Bread

£1.00

£1.10

Smartprice Fruit Flavoured £0.63 for 8

Tesco’s own Sherbert Ice Lollies £1.00 for 8

Sainsbury’s own Rocket Lollies £1.30 for 8

£1.08

£1.25

£0.75p

£0.89p

£1.00

Muller Bliss Corner Varieties............. £1.50 each 4x110g Spar BBQ pulled pork 380g....................................... £3.50 Birds Eye 12 Chicken Dippers..............................£1.12 220g Lemon & White Chocolate Muffins................... £1.00 4 pack

Semi Skimmed Milk 4 Pints

Ice Lollies

Domestics Thick Bleach 75ml Kingsmill Thick Sliced Loaf 800g www.familiesfirst.ie

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Familes First NI

Make your home sparkle the easy way with our top tips and hard working buys P inpoint target areas These are the places that get the most wear and tear – and where visitors will see. You could do worse than start with your doormat: it’s your front line against tacked in dirt – so give it a good beating to make sure it’s efficient at the job.

Look down Focus on high-traffic zones for stains on carpets: hit them first with Vanish Carpet Easy Clean Cleaning Kit (£25, Ocado); it requires elbow grease, but works a treat. Or consider a professional clean or hiring a Rug Doctor (around £23 for 24 hours).

Time it! Most cleaning jobs can actually be done in about ten minutes; time yourself and you’ll get speedier. Try this: do a fiveminute sweep through each room, taking a box or basket with you. Place in it anything that doesn’t belong in that room; put away anything that does belong there.

Look around Do walls/doors have any obvious stains or hand prints that need a wash down? If you’ve a pet those marks could well be at kneed level!

Look up Take an anti-static extendable duster to corners of rooms and ceiling lights before you dust/clean anywhere else in the room; work round the room in a circle.

Change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms-you should be checking them regularly, but work changing them twice a year to be safe. A pencil eraser is hand y to use for marks on grubby light switches. Blitz clutter hotspots Paper and odd bits and pieces often pile up

on the dining table or kitchen worktop. Make it a no-go zone: one piece of paper can multiply fast, so deal with paperwork, put in a to-do tray or file. And every home needs a “lost and found” box to stash odd game pieces, stray screws, batteries and buttons. When you need anything, you’ll know where to look first. Take personal care Throw away medicines with expired dates; take to your pharmacy rather than throw in the rubbish. Check your make up bag too: they might not be dangerous, but many products deteriorate after six months – how long have you had that mascara? When was the last time you had your gutters cleaned? Giving them a clear-out an save on water damage to your home!

SPRUCE UP APPLIANCES

SPR

If they’re clean they work better and last longer! Fridge/Freeze Vacuum dust and debris from behind the appliance, take everything out, check use by dates and give the interior a good clean – use antibacterial bridge/ microwave wipes to make it easy, around 99p from most supermarkets. Dishwasher Put a proprietary cleaner through (eg Dr. Beckmann Service-it Deep Clean Dishwasher Cleaner, £4.86 amazon.co.uk). Once a week, shake baking soda on a damp sponge and wipe around the machine’s edges to remove stuck on food. Coffee machine Run a descaler through, especially if you’re in a hardwater area… you’ll really notice the difference. Oven Use a brush-on wipe off cleaning gel on the

interior, then line the base with a liner so you never have that burnt-on debris again. We like Oven Pride, around £4 from most supermarkets, which comes with bags to pop your racks in, and Magic Oven Liner, £9.99, Lakeland. co.uk

without opening the door for five minutes (the steam helps loosen any stuck-on-food). Then wipe clean.

Cooker Hoods Remove and replace the paper filter if necessary. Remove the cover and soak in boiling water and either soda crystals, bicarbonate of soda or washing power; leave overnight. Go natural in the microwave Slice a lemon in half, squeeze the juice into about a half cup of water in a bowl and drop in the lemon halves. Micorwave on high power for 3 minutes, allow to stand www.familiesfirst.ie

Classy Cleaner

Arm yourself with the right gadget and housework can be a breeze!

VACUUM PACKED THE UNPLUGGED CORDLESS VACUUM

From hoover.co.uk, £229.99 is lightweight swivel nozzle and, when fully charged, runs for 60 minutes. It goes flat to the floor to get under furniture and comes with a power tool for stairs and upholstery.

MAGIC MOPPING VILEDA’S CORDLESS 100OC HOT SPRAY MOP £59.99, can be used on wood, tiles and laminate for a deep-down clean. The trigger sp rays hot water onto the microfiber pad, allowing you to control how much water you put on the floor. Then pop the pad in the washing machine. www.facebook.com/FamiliesFirstNI

SPRING 2015

3 of the best all-round cleaners BLITZ THAT MOULD £3.99, Lakeland.co.uk, is brilliant to get rid of unsightly black spot mould on tiles grouting and silicone seals. Spray on, leave for five or so minutes then wipe away! Good for plastic garden furniture, pots and ornaments, too.

BAR KEEPER’S FRIEND £3.99, amazon.co.uk, cleans tough stains from many surfaces, including stainless steel, ceramic tile, china and copper. It’s also great for stainless steel pans.

DOKTOR POWER MAGIC ERASER SPONGER £4.99, jmldirect.com, can remove scuff marks and stains from most surfaces and works with just water!

BATHROOM BOOSTS Watermarks on shower doors

Aren’t they a pain! A few ideas: train the family to squeeqee after every use. Too lazy? Spritz daily with Arm & Hammer Clean Shower, £4.99, Lakeland. co.uk. Less rigorously: rub a teaspoon of lemon oil on glass shower doors twice a month to help water to bead up and roll off.

ING

Cloudy taps Get them gleaming with vinegar

cleaning

– first wipe with a damp cloth, then soak a cloth or paper towel with vinegar and wrap it around the tap. After an hour, remove the wrappings and give a final rub.

Limescaled loos The vinegar trick can work here, too, though we do love Harpic 100% Limescale Remover, £2.30 for 750ml – it does exactly what it says!

Grey grout Freshening up tiles is like a

facelift for your bathroom., Scrub grout with a toothbrush and a bleach solution (test on an inconspicuous section of grout and tile first). If the grout still looks grey, it really is worth using a proprietary grout whitener/reviver; they come in tubes and do take a while to apply but it’s easy and so worth it!

25 Shortcuts and time savers WINDOW VAC BY KARCHER Streak-free windows The ads don’t lie: from £79.99, is fab. Spray on the detergent then wipe with micro-fibre cloth giving your window a good clean. Hold the Vac in the other hand, press the button and the rubber lip will expertly vacuum up the excess liquid. You can adjust the lip so it gets up the edge, leaving your window streak free. Use on show screens and mirrors – great for condensation.

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Before

After

Familes First NI

Jane Gilmore Trainer, Employers For Childcare Safety First – First Aid Training As a trainer for over 7 years, I have been very fortunate to turn my passion for First Aid and Training into a rewarding and worthwhile career with Employers For Childcare. Training First Aid enables me to impart the knowledge and skills I have learned with so many people from various sectors within the community. My passion for Paediatric Training has helped me in my personal life, having had to put my skills to use on my two, very inquisitive, daughters as they grow! From choking to minor cuts and bumps, I have been able to alleviate serious situations. I can’t begin to explain the importance of having simple life saving skills but as the saying goes:

“It’s better to have a skill and not need it, than need it and not have it” Knowing First Aid is a simple skill which is available for everyone and can have an incredible impact. Becoming a first aider and learning these skills for your own peace of mind enables you to give initial help to someone who has become injured or suffered a sudden illness.

Having such skills can help save lives, recognise potential dangers and take the correct action when faced with an emergency situation.

Workplace First Aid

What We Provide

Workplace First Aid is a mandatory requirement of the Health and Safety law, where by employers must ensure they have adequate and appropriate facilities, equipment and trained personnel available should an emergency situation arise. In the UK, workplace incidents accounted for nearly 1.2 million people suffering injuries and illnesses between 2013 and 2014. This led to 26.4 million working days being lost throughout the economy. The cost to employers was estimated to be a massive £3.1 billion. Having the correct provision and training in place to suit your workplace environment could help lower these figures. An awareness and desire to

At Employers For Childcare we offer a range of First Aid courses from HSE 3 day First Aid at Work, Level 2 Emergency First Aid at Work, Level 3 Paediatric First Aid and Basic Paediatric First Aid (aimed at parents, grandparents and childminders). This training can be carried out at our Training Suite or with the option of in-house training depending on group numbers. Our highly qualified, experienced and motivated trainers are happy to assist you when choosing a course best suited to your individual needs or work requirements. We will guide you through your chosen Qual

Safe accredited course (which is recognised by CCEA) and the Health and Safety Executive NI (3 day First Aid at Work and Basic Paediatric First Aid), ensuring you gain the skills, knowledge and confidence to react appropriately in the event of an incident.

“Brilliant training! Really enjoyable, lots of participation and interaction”

Recent participant

“Jane is fantastic at her job. Would definitely come back to do more training and recommend to others”.

Recent participant

Paediatric First Aid Although we aim to be proactive in assessing risks within our everyday lives, accidents do happen. Every year in the UK more than 1 million children under the age of 15 attend A&E departments after being injured in or around the home. The potential hazards are vast in every home, from hot water and household chemicals to fireplaces and sharp objects. Young children are unable to assess or recognise these risks until it’s too late and this can often result in them being injured. As a parent or grandparent, having Paediatric First Aid training can greatly increase your family’s safety and wellbeing within the home, giving you the confidence to react promptly and calmly when faced with a First Aid incident.

Looking for Childcare Solutions

be accident free can help reduce the number of casualties and accidents.

Who We Are Employers For Childcare delivers a range of accredited training courses at competitive prices, tailored to suit your needs. We understand the importance of maintaining a safe environment at home and at work that will ultimately help save lives and prevent major injuries. We are a self-financing organisation, and every penny of profit that we generate is invested into providing vital services for working families in Northern Ireland. For further information on all of our courses, please contact us on 028

9267 8200.

email solutions@employersforchildcare.org or visit our website www.childcaresolutionsni.org. Facebook: www.facebook.com/childcaresolutionsni

Advice about Family Benefits

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Information about Childcare Vouchers

SPRING 2015

ith a little thought on both W sides you can live happily with your teenager. For most of

us, living with a teen can often feel like a stranger has moved in. The long summer holidays can be a particularly tense time, when teens want to kick back and relax after end of term exams. They want to sleep in late and party till the small hours with their mates. You may feel you’re drowning in their mess. So, what do you do? Paula Hall, Relate counsellor, psychotherapist and mum of two teenage daughters, says living together happily through the teen years works best if clear boundaries are set early. “Decide what your ‘bottom line’ is and stick to it,” says Paula. “In our house the rule for my daughters is: tidy up after yourself and cook one evening a week.”

Paula recommends setting aside a space for your teenager in the house, where they know they can relax and spend time with their friends while you’re at home. That way, neither of you should feel you have to ‘retreat’ to your bedroom, and it should make for a more relaxed atmosphere. “It could be anywhere – maybe the garden in summer, or the dining room if you have one.” “You also need to set boundaries on time and numbers of friends. Decide on a limit of how many friends can visit or stay at any one time, and make it clear how long for. Agree between you the time by which they need to be out of the house – maybe by the time you get back from work, whatever suits you – and that they leave the place tidy. If not – then you issue a ban on friends until they’re prepared to keep within the boundaries.”

Will it be difficult going from being one of the oldest primary school students to one of the youngest in your ‘new’ school?

Advice on living with teenagers UNTIDY BEDROOMS Much as you want to, going in and roaring at them to: “Clean this mess up NOW!” rarely works. You can’t magically train your untidy teenager to be tidy - but you can limit the damage. Try these ideas: Remember that your teen is entitled to their privacy, and they should be responsible for their own room. Try not to dwell on the state of the room. If you’re going to go in, give a fair warning so they can tidy away anything they don’t want you to see. For the rest of the time, close the door. Set boundaries, for example: “Dirty clothes will be washed if they go into the laundry basket; we all do our own ironing; we all vacuum our own bedrooms.” If your teen refuses to keep to the boundaries, then it may be necessary to withhold a benefit they currently enjoy – maybe pocket money, or being able to have friends round. Says Paula: “Children should understand from quite young that running a home is something we all do together, and that a contribution from everyone is essential.” Try negotiating: for example: you won’t go in searching for the missing mugs and dinner plates if they bring them downstairs to be washed up without being asked.

Be wary of always paying for chores – otherwise you run the risk of having kids who won’t do anything without money at the end of it. There may be other chores over and above for a bit of extra money, but it’s best to establish a rota for regular jobs. Throw in the occasional extra request as well, to reinforce the idea that you all contribute to running the home and that you’ll do things for each other without expecting payment: for example: “Would you mind just popping some washing in the machine for me while I’m out?”

MONEY FOR CHORES Paula says: “Encourage your kids to tidy away after themselves from at least a year or two before they reach their teens. That way, they’re less likely to always expect payment for doing anything around the house.” Ask what they feel would be reasonable to do around the house, then say what you’d like them to do. From there, it should be possible to find a mid-way point you both agree on.

Remind your teen to store school items in their room, where they are easily seen and available when they dash out to school in the morning. Teens are great ones for blaming each other when you try to get to the bottom of who’s left the mess. Get around that by making it clear to guests of your teen – as well as your child – that you hold them all responsible for putting the place tidy afterwards.

CLEARING CLUTTER Even if you have a dishwasher, chances are your sink or counter top is full of dirty crockery after your teens have had anything to eat. The rule to establish: put things back where they belong after use – especially food items that should be stored in the fridge. Have a laundry house rule – for example, all clothes going into the laundry basket get washed but not otherwise – and stick to it. Sue’s daughter had a habit of leaving her clothes in a pile outside her bedroom door. In the end, says Sue: “I just left them there. The pile grew and then there was an emergency for clean underwear. She doesn’t do that any more.”

More living together tips... *Designate each teen some space in the bathroom for their own toiletries and insist they put things away after use.

Let teens change their own beds and be responsible for cleaning their room. If they share a room they’ll have to learn how to negotiate – an excellent skill to have.

Put a reminder on the fridge that they need to check you don’t have any plans for the food inside before scoffing it. Or label anything that should not be eaten as you need it for the next meal.

Everyone should agree to keep family rooms free from clutter – this works both ways. Teens won’t want to be embarrassed by your mess when they bring their friends home.

Laundry: don’t just do it all. Show your teen how to use the washing machine, check labels and iron if necessary. It’s a skill they’ll need when they leave home.

Take control of late hours. If your child persistently comes home late, Paula Hall recommends: “Tell your child that when they next have someone to stay, however late it is, you will take their friend home. But you must be prepared to carry this out, even if it’s 3am.

“Doing this stopped my daughter coming home at all hours without arranging it with me first, because her friend’s parents were livid when she was brought home so late. Sometimes you have to be prepared to put yourself out to prove that you won’t accept them pushing the rules.”

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If you’re having thoughts like these, you’re not alone: Lots of other ‘newbies’ are feeling the same way you are — you’re all starting out in a new place. With that in mind, here are a few topics that commonly worry incoming first years and some things you might want to know about them. Starting Out at a New School You may not know a lot of people when you start secondary school. Maybe your friends from Primary school are going to a different school. Even if you know other people, you might feel nervous that you don’t know any of the older students. How are you going to make friends among this sea of unknown faces? Most secondary schools hold new starts orientation before school actually starts. These are helpful not only because you learn your way around the building and get to meet some of your teachers, but you also get to meet fellow classmates. That way, when you show up on your first day of school, you may already recognise a few familiar faces. When you talk to your classmates, you’ll probably find that a lot of them are feeling just like you are. They’re all new to the school and don’t know what to expect. Talking about a common concern with your classmates can spark new friendships. Learning Inside the Classroom How about the workload in secondary school — is it a lot harder? Again, this is something your classmates are probably worried about, too. The work in secondary school builds on what you learned in Primary school, giving you a more advanced knowledge of many academic subjects. So you may find you have more work to do or that it’s a bit more challenging. But these challenges can make you feel less bored with the usual routine — it feels great when you’ve mastered something really tough. Maybe you’ll find a new appreciation for biology or discover a passion for literature. If you ever find your work too

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overwhelming, teachers and tutors are available for extra help. While you have more independence as a secondary school student than you might have had in primary school, there are still many resources to fall back on if you feel the work is too much. Extracurricular Activities Secondary school also has more extracurriculars than Primary school did, such as clubs, music and theatre groups, student council, and sports teams. This is a fantastic time to explore your interests and try new things. Who said school has to be all work and no play? These activities may take place before or after school, or during free periods or study periods. Because of this, it helps to sharpen your time management skills in your first year. Extracurricular activities are great, but remember to leave free time for yourself. Everybody needs some downtime. Learning Outside the Classroom Secondary school is a time of increasing independence and responsibility. As in primary school, you or your friends may encounter some tough times. But if you ever find that personal issues get really overwhelming, find someone to talk to. Just because you’re becoming more independent does not mean you’re alone. Friends and parents can be great resources, but sometimes that’s not enough. School counselors or other therapists can be very helpful if you want to talk with someone outside of your friends and family. So many people are available to help you. Primary school taught you the basics of academics, time management, and social skills while providing you with a little extra support and guidance — kind of like a bicycle with stabilisers. Secondary school gives you the chance to take off those stabilisers and learn how to be more independent. It’s perfectly OK if you’re nervous at first. Even if you don’t get off to the best start, that’s normal, too — everybody’s a bit wobbly the first time they take off their stabilisers. Just be patient and keep trying. Once you’ve adjusted to your new independence you may find you can go farther than you ever imagined.

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BOOK

Reviews

For Toddlers................ Where the Wild Things Are By Maurice Sendak - £3.99

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak is a loud, bold attention-grabbing picture book with massive toddler appeal. The combination of stunning illustrations, stomping, riotous story, badly-behaved young boy and larger-than-life monsters who roar and gnash their terrible teeth all over the place guarantee the book an enduring popularity, especially now it's been made into a film, too! Toddlers from 1+ will love this paperback edition of the much-loved classic.

3 years......................... Marshmallows for Martians By Adam Guillain £6.99

The longawaited sequel to Spaghetti with the Yeti, this picture book finds George heading on a hunt for Martians to find out what kind of sweets they like best - with hilarious consequences! Written by Adam and Charlotte Guillain and illustrated in a vibrant, eye-catching style by Red House Children's Book Award winner Lee Wildish, the story follows George as he blasts into space and meets some Bangbots from Waabangatoo as he embarks on his on his mission. After landing on Mars, the courageous young explorer is worried as there are no Martians around. But what's that he hears? Could it be a parade of alien musicians? Marshmallows for Martians is a very funny adventure for children aged 3 and over.

5 years......................... Winnie the Witch Fiction Collection 16 Books (Collection) - £16.99 Winnie the Witch has always been a big favourite with Book People customers and this bewitching selection of young fiction books and short stories, presented in a stylish slipcase, will enchant any fan of Winnie and her long-suffering cat Wilbur! Perfect paperback books for

those who have grown up with Winnie and are now looking to move onto longer stories starring a familiar character, throughout the books Winnie gets into all kinds of of hilarious situations as she tries to cast her spells - from trouble in ancient Egypt to living in a sandcastle and shearing sheep to taking to the stage - Winnie does it all! With 16 books to choose from, let Winnie become the perfect partner for your child's bedtime reading - this is a simply magical collection from Laura Owen with every book featuring Korky Paul's iconic illustrations!

My Giant Colouring Pad: Dinosaurs Set 2 Books (Collection) - £3.99 Your budding little artist will love these giant colouring pads featuring two ever-popular subjects dinosaurs and vehicles that move! With bold outlines and an appealing bright colour cover, the massive books are sure to entertain children as they go about colouring in all the exciting scenes. The finished artwork can also be easily torn out so their finished masterpieces can proudly be displayed on the wall for all to see!

6 years......................... Fashion Fairy Princess Set 6 Books (Collection) - £6.99

Meet Violet, Bluebell, Buttercup, Rosa, Fern and Honey -your new favourite fairies... This exciting sixbook collection is full of magic and two of the books even come with exciting stickers to decorate a picture of the fairy who starred in the story! Throughout the books, the Fairy Princesses get invited to a ball in Dream Mountain, the coronation of a new princess in Jewel Forest and a party in Glitter Ocean. They also enjoy a birthday sleepover for for Fern’s birthday in Star Valley, organise a fashion show and head off on a summer holiday - but something always disrupts their plans, will your child be able to help them get back on track? Full of fun and wonderfully illustrated The Fashion Fairy Princess books are full of friendship, fashion and wonder. They’re sure to appeal to any fan of the Rainbow Magic series www.familiesfirst.ie

EXCITING & FUN! Pizza for Pirates! By Adam & Charlotte Guillain Illustrated by Lee Wildish

7 years

SWITCH Collection 12 Books (Collection) £11.99, By Ali Sparkes

George’s Amazing Adventures, beginning with Spaghetti with the Yeti and continuing with Marshmallows for Martians, Doughnuts for a Dragon and now Pizza for Pirates have been shortlisted for a slew of awards including: the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, Oscar’s First Book Prize, the Junior Design Awards and the Oldham School Book Award. Each book follows George – an intrepid explorer who seeks out exciting creatures and characters –on a new adventure. And he usually brings a yummy treat as well! A boy called George had a wonderful plan To search for a real pirate crew So he packed up a pizza, his favourite feast And rowed across the wide ocean blue.

Sci-fi adventures for children aged 7 and over, we know that your children will love the SWITCH series - written by Blue Peter Book of the Year Award-winning author Ali Sparkes. When brothers Josh and Danny have a run-in with the crazy scientist Petty Potts, they find themselves turned into spiders by his dangerous yet incredible serum... But that's only the beginning - throughout the 12 books, the boys will become geckos, alligators and beetles! With illustrations by Royal Mail Book Award winner Ross Collins and activities at the back of the books to add extra interactivity to the exciting stories, these books are perfect for those children who love Beast Quest, How to Train your Dragon and other exciting stories!

Meadow Vale Ponies 4 Books (Collection) - £5.99 By Che Golden This four-book set of Meadow Vale Ponies stories will delight children aged 7 and above who long for a pony of their own. A wonderful fact-filled series, these hilarious books are packed full of fun, adventure and mischief that ponymad children will love. Join Sam and her favourite pony, Mulberry, on some wonderful adventures. Mulberry is a bad-tempered pony and everyone thinks shy Sam is mad for signing them up to the Meadow Vale Summer... But Sam has a secret... she can talk to horses. Will the pair be able to work together to ready themselves for the show? Illustrated by the brilliant Kate Greenway Medal-shortlisted illustrator Thomas Docherty, readers will not be able to resist the charm and personality of their new fourlegged friends Mulberry and her owner, Sam. Utterly enthralling reads for animal lovers.

9 years............... Awful Auntie By David Walliams £6.99

A new children's novel from David Walliams is always cause for celebration - and Awful Auntie continues his winning streak! Aunt Alberta is desperate to cheat Lady Stella Saxby out of her inheritance - the beautiful Saxby Hall. Stella sets about www.facebook.com/FamiliesFirstNI

on making a plan with her friend Soot, the mischievous ghost of a chimney sweep, to ensure she will be able to claim what is rightfully hers... With hilarious Roald Dahl-style hijinks, soon-to-be classic characters and a simply heart-warming message of how friendship can appear in the most unlikely of places, Awful Auntie will delight all of Walliams' many, many fans.

11 years....................... Geek Girl By Holly Smale - £3.49

Harriet knows that a cat has 32 muscles in each ear and that the average person laughs 15 times a day, but it's a mystery to her as to why she is so disliked in school. Then she is spotted by a top modelling agent and her world is turned upside down. Could this be the making of Harriet? Or will the world of fashion be even crueller than her old life? As Harriet tries to hold everything together she finally begins to reveal her true self in this funny and feisty story. Winner of of multiple awards and shortlisted for Queen of Teen 2014, Holly Smale's debut is full of smart and sassy writing and also has an important message that will be sure to strike a chord with plenty of children aged 11 and over.

TimeRiders By Alex Scarrow - £3.49 In TimeRiders, by Alex Scarrow, three teenagers who should all have died -Liam on the Titanic in 1912; Maddy in a plane crash in 2010; Sal, in a fire in 2029 - are rescued at the last minute by a mysterious stranger saying "Take my hand." But they have been rescued for a purpose: to travel in time and protect us from people plotting to destroy the world. Relentlessly exciting, it's no wonder that our older readers have found this a top thriller! Readers from 11+ who adore suspense-filled adventure stories will love this.

SPRING 2015

Books for teenage girls Books for teenage boys “Feuds”

by Avery Hastings age range 12-18 years In an alternate future that is harshly segregated, Davis, a “Prior,” and Cole, an “Imp” could not be more different. Davis is part of an elite group of humans with enough money to genetically modify themselves into perfection. She gets the best education, goes to the hottest parties, and has the freedom to concentrate on her passion—ballet. Cole lives in the Slants with the other poor, imperfect humans. He is a fierce opponent in the FEUDS, an underground cage-fighting competition run by Priors. When Cole’s FEUDS sponsor, a political rival to Davis’ father, blackmails him into infiltrating a Prior party, everything changes. Cole becomes aware that a deadly virus covered up by the government is killing off Priors. He never meant to become involved, and he certainly never meant to fall in love with his mark. Feuds is fast-paced and plot-driven. While readers will naturally see Davis and Cole as star-crossed lovers, Davis is unaware of Cole’s background until the end of the book. Hastings has created a fascinating society where the so-called ideal humans start dying off from a virus that is directly related to the modifications that made them perfect. Hopefully, the world-building and characters will be further fleshed out in future books. While the premise is not entirely unique, the story is executed well. Feuds ends with an unexpected cliff-hanger.

“Sway”

by Kat Spears age range 14-17 In Kat Spears’s hilarious and often poignant debut, high school senior Jesse Alderman, or “Sway,” as he’s known, could sell hell to a bishop. He also specializes in getting things people want—term papers, a date with the prom queen, fake IDs. He has few close friends and he never EVER lets emotions get in the way. For Jesse, life is simply a series of business transactions.

“Being Audrey Hepburn”

Jekyll’s Mirror

That’s just one small example of the moving dialogue between 15-year-old Mickey, the protagonist of Tim Bowler’s new YA novel, and his younger sister Maggie. We all have days when we feel like hiding in a wardrobe but Mickey (Michael Molyneux) has them all the time. The novel could be totally bleak - “No root cause, no trigger. You’re born terrified, you live terrified, you probably die terrified.” – Mickey says. That it’s not is down to the wonderful way that sister and brother do what they should do: help each other through the worst of things. There is also an engaging humour to the protagonist (he dismisses his shrink for talking “big crazy b-----s”) an unusual and interesting boy who finds solace in reading Moby Dick and Charles Dickens. When Mikey feels ready to face the world outside, something goes horribly wrong and he witnesses a savage crime. The gang knows where he lives. What happens next is gripping and scary.The depiction of Mickey is shrewd and tender and it makes an interesting counterpoint to the melodrama that follows. Although it’s a short novel, it’s powerful and exciting and contains scenes as claustrophobic as Mickey’s small wardrobe.”

Comedian Dylan Moran wrote recently about the impact of the 24hour digital world. “This permanent illuminated shop window, the horror of now,” he called it. William Hussey’s supernatural YA horror story Jekyll’s Mirror takes Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1886 novel Jekyll and Hyde as its theme and brings personality distortion into a 21st-century setting - by way of modern social media. Sam Stillhouse is one of the maladjusted teens recruited by English teacher Miss Crail to take part in ‘Project Hyde’, to interact online with a series of avatars and get involved with trolling. At first he is fascinated by the project: a social networking site where you are urged to anonymously speak your mind about people. But the more time he spends on the site, the nastier he gets. The site becomes a dangerous outlet for all the anger (which he calls the Wrath) buried inside himself since the murder of his mother. The consequences are a cautionary tale. Jekyll’s Mirror is a pacy read which has important things to say about cyberbullying and the stresses and strains facing youngsters in this permanently illuminated modern world.

by Tim Bowler

by Mitchell Kriegman

The story of a 19-yearold girl from Jersey who finds herself thrust into the world of socialites after being seen in Audrey Hepburn’s dress from the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s Lisbeth comes from a broken home in the land of tube tops, heavy eyeliner, frosted lip-gloss, juiceheads, hoop earrings and “the shore.” She has a circle of friends who have dedicated their teenage lives to relieve the world of all its alcohol one drink at a time. Obsessed with everything Audrey Hepburn, Lisbeth is transformed when she secretly tries on Audrey’s iconic Givenchy. She becomes who she wants to be by pretending to be somebody she’s not and living among the young and privileged Manhattan elite. Soon she’s faced with choices that she would never imagine making - between who she’s become and who she once was.

“All the Rage” by Courtney Summers age range 14-18

The sheriff’s son, Kellan Turner, is not the golden boy everyone thinks he is, and Romy Grey knows that for a fact. Because no one wants to believe a girl from the wrong side of town, the truth about him has cost her everything-friends, family, and her community. Branded a liar and bullied relentlessly by a group of kids she used to hang out with, Romy’s only refuge is the diner where she works outside of town. No one knows her name or her past there; she can finally be anonymous. But when a girl with ties to both Romy and Kellan goes missing after a party, and news of him assaulting another girl in a town close by gets out, Romy must decide whether she wants to fight or carry the burden of knowing more girls could get hurt if she doesn’t speak up. Nobody believed her the first time-and they certainly won’t now-but the cost of her silence might be more than she can bear. www.familiesfirst.ie

“Game changer”

A darker shade of magic by Ve Schwab

Fans of fantasy (adults and young adults) will enjoy A Darker Shade of Magic, the new novel from Victoria ‘VE’ Schwab. Unusually for YA it has a male lead – the confident magic man Kell, with his jet black eyeballs – in an action-packed adventure ranging across four different Londons. Grey, Red, White and Black. The depictions of the dirty and crowded Grey London (home to the bonkers King George III) are particularly strong.

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by William Hussey

Liccle Bit by Alex Wheatle

“Some girl called me Liccle Bit in Year 7 and it stuck,” says 14-year-old Lemar, the protagonist of Alex Wheatle’s debut YA novel. The humour is strong and edgy. A boy called McKay teases Liccle Bit about his “Oompa-Loompa height and slavery days haircut”. Someone overweight is called a “fat salad-hater”. The novel shows how easy it is for an inner-city youngster to get drawn into a bad situation. Manjaro, who manipulated Lemar, is a menacing gang figure. Although the parts about a turf war on an estate are very bleak (victims of killings are referred to as having been “deleted” or “blazed”) the book does contain strong messages about love and loyalty.

Familes First NI

WHATS ON...

Castle Ward Easter Fair Sunday 5 & Monday 6 April Enjoy another family fun packed Easter weekend Castle Ward. Solves the clues on the Cadbury’s Easter trail * Take part in the Easter Egg Hunt* on Sunday and Monday afternoon, chicken run race and Easter egg roll. Don’t miss out on a range of great local crafts and food stalls.

Animal Farm Hunt Date: 1 March – 30 April Price: FREE Venue: Learning Space, Fountain Centre, Belfast All day every day throughout March and April. Follow the clues to find all the hidden animal puzzle pieces placed throughout the store and match them up to your Animal Farm puzzle page. Find and match all the animals and get a little surprise. For more info: www.learningspaceni.co.uk

Normal Admission / Members Free

Spring Fair Dates: 18 Apr 2015 - 19 Apr 2015 A weekend of family fun with activities on an environmental theme: • free admission • flowers, animals and birds, entertainment and environmental activities. There is no parking at Barnett Demesne. Free park and ride shuttle buses are running from the Mary Peters Track to the event. To help care for the environment please consider using alternative methods of transport to the fair. No dogs (except assistance dogs) allowed in event area. 1.30pm – 5.30pm

Call 028 4488 1204 for details *additional charges apply

nationaltrust.org.uk/castle-ward

Easter Carnival Games Date: 28 March – 12 April Join W5 this Easter from 28 March – 12 April for an old fashioned, fun family day out, with a modern technology twist! Throw balls to knock down virtual milk bottles, pop virtual balloons or smash virtual plates! Can you get a high enough score to unlock the “Dunk the Clown” bonus round? Step right up and take part in the Giant Buzzer challenge. A steady hand is all that’s needed. Keep the loop off the wire to reach the end without setting off the buzzer, then see how many rabbits you can catch with our bunny themed reaction timer! Roll up, roll up for some science showmanship! Watch as the W5 demonstrators perform feats of science magic before your very eyes. Is it science or is it magic, you decide! Easter Carnival Games is free with admission to W5. For further information visit www.w5online. co.uk

Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages Date: 25th & 26th April Come along and enjoy family fun at Cockle Row Cottages, Groomsport Harbour. Free entertainment from 2pm - 4pm includes: Saturday 25 April: Jumping Clay, Children’s crafts Sunday 26 April: Casey’s Creatures, Face painting Cottages open to the public 11am-5pm. Free admission.

MCM Belfast Comic Con Date: 2 May – 3rd May 2015 Venue: Kings Hall, Belfast A great weekend of comic con goodness. Special guests, games, movies, anime, retailers, cosplay competitions and, of course, a host of brilliant comic book artists and writers will all be waiting for you, so come along for the second ever Northern Ireland event! Tickets are available from www.mcmexpostore.com Spring into Easter Over the Easter bank holiday weekend, Belfast City Hall will be bursting with free family activities from arts and crafts to Easter themed chocolate workshops, Maypole dancing and a chance to meet farmyard animals. It’s a cracking good way to spend the Easter holidays! Please note that a number of activities have limited spaces and must be pre-booked through the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre. To book your free tickets, contact the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre on 028 9024 6609 or call into the centre at 9 Donegall Square North, just across the road from Belfast City Hall. Free activities take place from Saturday 4 April to Tuesday 7 April, 12noon to 5pm. No booking required. Belfast Photo Festival, Disney Photo Booth, Tea and Tales, Crafty workshops, Inside and outside No festival would be complete without face painters, balloon modellers and walkabout acts. Keep your eyes peeled each day for festival treats or pose for a caricature or portrait to take home. www.familiesfirst.ie

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The Big Finish - Festival of Fools Date: 2 – 4th May Venue: St Annes Square, Belfast If you’re wondering what to do over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend, visit Belfast city centre, where the Festival of Fools promises a weekend packed with dare devil feats, fast paced acrobatics, mesmerising object manipulation, and out of this world comedy. Each evening finishes with The Big Finish - a variety style show featuring highlights from the day’s acts in the relaxed surroundings of Saint Anne’s Square.

SPRING 2015

Mar / April / May 6pm - 7pm each evening. Free event, however donations are welcome. For more information on the Festival of Fools, visit www.foolsfestival.com

community groups, schools, Women’s Institutes, Young Farmers’ Clubs, farmers and food producers. For younger enthusiasts there’s the chance to hold, stroke and feed the baby animals within the Children’s Farm and to take a spin on one of the many fun packed rides in the Balmoral Show Funfair. What’s more, visitors can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Showground from the Ferris Wheel. This is family entertainment at its best!

Cockle Row Cottages Groomsport

Discounted pre show tickets are now on sale. Visit www.balmoralshow.co.uk for further information. Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom Date: 16th – 17th May Venue: Grand Opera House, Belfast Price: £13.50-£18.50 Join in with Holly a young Fairy Princess, whose magic doesn’t always go according to plan, and Ben the Elf in their adventure packed full of games, songs and laughter, this wonderful tale follows Ben and Holly’s adventures with Gaston, Nanny Plum and King Thistle. Sat: 1pm & 4pm Sun: 10am & 1pm

What’s on in Northern Ireland for teenagers? Free Weekend Entertainment 2pm – 4pm

Dundonald Ice bowl Teenagers can enjoy a great day out at Dundonald International Ice Bowl with an abundance of activities all under one roof! They can choose to ice skate at Northern Ireland’s only public Olympic size ice rink, have fun in the Xtreme Tenpin Bowling Centre or go wild for the adventure and excitement of the Indiana Land play kingdom. It’s the perfect venue for a fun group outing, family day or a corporate event with a range of exciting activities for adults and children! For further information, contact 9080 9100. Strangford Sea Safari Boat Trips Venue: Strangford Telephone: 028 437 23933 Web Address: www.strangford-seasafari.com Start Date: Sunday 3rd May 2015 10:00 End Date: Sunday 3rd May 2015 17:00 Duration: 45 minutes Entrance Fee: £20 per adult or £17 per child, Family ticket £69.00 (2&2) for Narrows Voyage. Upgrade to our ‘whirlpool special’ tickets £25 per adult and £22 per child or Family ticket (2&2) £84.00. Disabled Access: No For all ages from 3 to 103, everyone loves our exhilarating sightseeing boat tour of Strangford Lough! See the SeaGen, Angus Rocks Lighthouse, surface whirlpools and some of the many seals at Cloughy Rocks Nature Reserve! You might even get to see a pod of porpoises or even a Basking Shark! An excellent trip available to anyone, young or old, which never fails to please. Age 3 years +. Trips leave from Strangford Pier. Why not upgrade to one of our Whirlpool Specials for a really impressive trip?! Call us for more information. Pre-booking essential, call 028 437 23933 or email fun@strangford-seasafari.com. Balmoral Show Wednesday 13th – Friday 15th May Balmoral Park, Lisburn For showmanship, spectacle and super family fun, Northern Ireland’s biggest agricultural event never fails to disappoint. The 47th Balmoral Show promises yet another extravaganza of colour and competition, combining old family favourites, such as classes of livestock, prize winning animal parades and equestrian displays, with novel new and exciting attractions. There is scarcely a corner of Northern Ireland that is not represented in some shape or form at this event, thanks to the extensive involvement of

Cottages Open: 11am-5pm Weekends only, April - May Daily, 1 June - 6 September

All events subject to change. Event photography will take place during events.

Eddie Irvine Sports www.eddieirvinesports.com Perfect place for teenage outing or birthday event with various activities to do and also package deals! Karting -PACKAGE EXAMPLES Arrive & Drive Prices from £12 per driver Touring Karts Prices from £30 per driver Sprint Prices from £35 per driver Superpole Prices from £35 per driver Team Endurance Prices from £40 per person Mini Grand Prix Prices from £40 per driver Works Grand Prix Prices from £50 per driver Formula 1 Prices from £60 per driver

028 9127 0069

visitardsandnorthdown.com

SIMPLY THE BEST

Paintballing Our indoor paintball arena has recently been revamped, so why not take on the challenge? Indoor Paintball - only 15 minutes from Belfast Jump on the train from Belfast, take the short drive or let us arrange the transport for you. Either way, we’re only 15 minutes from Belfast on the outskirts of Bangor. Prices are based upon a minimum of 10 people in your group. Please note that all players must be over 16 and ID may be required. It is advisable to bring old footwear and a change of clothing. Showers and changing rooms are available if required. Each of the following prices includes safety equipment, camouflage suit, mask, paintball marker and free air fills. A full safety briefing and weapon demonstration is provided. Package 1 - 3 Games from £25 Per Person Package 2 - 5 Games from £35 Per Person

THE ARK OPEN FARM BANGOR ROAD NEWTOWNARDS WAS VOTED IN BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC AS BEING THE BEST FAMILY DAY OUT IN THE FAMILY FIRST AWARDS AT THE STORMONT HOTEL. WE WISH TO THANK ALL THOSE WHO VOTED FOR OUR OPEN FARM AND A VERY BIG THANK YOU TO OUR VERY FRIENDLY DEDICATED STAFF FOR MAKING A VISIT TO THE ARK A GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR CHILDREN TO GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTERACT AND GET UP CLOSE TO ALL OUR TAME AND FRIENDLY ANIMALS .

Bubble football This fantastic new activity to Eddie Irvine Sports is the BEST way to enjoy 60 minutes of your life! What is Bubble Football? The beautiful game of FOOTBALL in an inflatable bubble! SILKY SMOOTH FOOTBALL SKILLS ARE NOT REQUIRED. In order to score a goal you will need to bash into each other, resulting in some hilarious bounce offs and rolls. 100% laughter guaranteed! Bubble Football is the PERFECT activity for Corporate events, Team Building, Stag/Hen groups and Birthday Parties (12yrs +). Laser combat £10 per person per hour. Min of 10 people, suitable for Adults & Children from 8 years old. Our Laser Combat is set in an Urban themed Field and while camouflage suits will be provided - All patrons are advised to wear old clothes and old footwear. We want all of our customers to experience the combat zone, to hit the dirt and to get fully involved. To speak to one of our experienced sales team call 02891451457 www.familiesfirst.ie

Ards and North Down Borough Council

WE ARE OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND FOR VISITORS, SCHOOL GROUP FOR EDUCATIONAL TOURS AND GROUPS OF ALL KINDS, BIRTHDAY PARTIES ARE A SPECIALITY WE ALSO OPEN LATE NIGHT FOR GROUPS OF VISITORS FIFTEEN OR MORE. CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE OR FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK...

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Familes First NI

2 out of 3 MS sufferers have one thing in common. They’re women. There are around 100,000 multiple sclerosis sufferers in the UK1. In fact it’s one of the 5 most common critical illnesses claimed for2. What’s more, it affects twice as many women as men3. MS is also very difficult to diagnose. That’s why many providers use the standard definition from the Association of British Insurers to make decisions on a claim. But at Bright Grey, the definition is better than that and means you don’t have to wait as long for your diagnosis to be confirmed. Just over

77,000

women in the UK have been diagnosed with MS1

is the average age of women who claimed for MS2

1 in 14 of all women’s critical illness claims paid were for MS2

So, if you’re thinking about critical illness cover, choose an insurer that acts sooner rather than later to help MS sufferers. Sources: 1. www.mssociety.org.uk, June 2014. 2. Royal London UK intermediary protection claims paid, 1 January – 31 December 2013. 3. www.mstrust.org.uk, June 2014.

What’s next? Talk to QUANTUM3 FINANCIAL SERVICES. We'll help you identify your individual protection needs and guide you through Talk to <your company name>. the various types of cover available to make sure you get the right cover at the right price.

We’ll help you identify your individual protection needs and guide you through the types of available to help20702 you get the right cover at the right price. Call various DAVID BANNON oncover : 028 9077 0703 / 077381 QUANTUM3 FINANCIAL SERVICES 644 ANTRIM Call <your ROAD name> on <your number>. BELFAST ANTRIM BT15 company 5GP <your name> DAVIDBANNON.Q3FS@BTCONNECT.COM <your address> <your email address> <your web address>

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SPRING 2015

CARERS STORY Debra Murphy cares for her mum Maureen who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2013. They both attend the Memories Café in St Mark’s Parish Centre in Newtownards. When Maureen was Diagnosed Debra says ‘It was a shock at first I never thought this would be something that would happen to her. She was always very active. I had heard of it but I really wasn’t aware of the full extent of the disease until we had a home visit from a Dementia Support Worker from the Alzheimer’s Society who spoke at length with us giving us information and encouraged us to come along to the Café.’ Debra who looks after her mum 24/7 knows all too well how important getting support is. She feels the café has thrown both of them a lifeline as they get the chance to socialise with others for a few hours. Knowing her mum is meeting with her peers, making new friends and catching up over a cup of tea helps Debra relax for a bit. She has noticed Maureen’s mood has improved and it is now possible for her to get out an about more. Debra also gets the chance to talk with other carers as well as staff and volunteers and is learning more about how to cope and what other support there is in the community. ‘The Memories Café has helped so much in my mum’s life and for me to know I am not alone. If I need help I know all I have to do is ask the staff and they will support me. The information I receive has been invaluable for

helping me understand mums behaviours and moods and I wouldn’t have gotten this anywhere else’ It’s not just about socialising at the cafes as every week there is a different activity that is not only enjoyable but also therapeutic. Music and dancing are firm favourites with everyone who attends but none more so than Maureen who has been known to get up and teach everyone a few moves such as the jive. ‘As you can see mum is still active and she still sees herself as happy go lucky, just a little forgetful’. One activity they both really enjoy are the day trips. ‘They are great’ says Debra with a smile, ‘We all went to the Walled Garden in Bangor the other week for a walk in the fresh air and tea and tray bakes after and Mum was delighted to meet up with the others and just being out and about. Castle Espie and the Planetarium were lovely also as Mum enjoys learning about different things so that was great. She especially loved standing beside the life sized Spaceman she found that funny and got her photo taken.’ On a more serious note Debra would like to see more being done by the Government to support people with Dementia and their carers. She is aware that new funding has been announced by Stormont and that the Government’s around the world are putting in place a strategy to combat the increase in people

being diagnosed. ‘I have watched my friends care for their parents and they struggled, it puts a real strain on relationships. I get a little support from family and without that I would never get out; I would have no social life.’ As a result of the support Debra and Maureen received at the Café Debra recently organised a Pool Competition in Bangor and raised £405.00 which she donated to the Alzheimer’s Society. A huge thank you and well done Debra. If you would like to find out more about the Café’s or would like to come along then please contact the Coordinators on:

028 9181 6742 for Belfast, Comber and Newtownards

028 3025 2746 for Armagh, Banbridge and Kilkeel

The Alzheimer’s Society provides Outreach Support, Carer Support Groups and Carer Information Programmes throughout the year to support people with dementia and their carers. Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading support and research charity for people with dementia, their families and carers. The organisation provides information and support to people with any form of dementia and their carers through publications, a website (www.alzheimers.org.uk) and more than 2,000 local services. They also have a low-cost, National Dementia Helpline on 0300 222 1122.

When you call into a Memories Café you can be guaranteed great fun and a good laugh where everyone is caring and friendly and looking forward to that day’s activity.

0300 222 1122 www.alzheimers.org.uk Helpline

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MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU

POOL YOUR PENSIONS We now have between five and nine jobs in our working lives, so that can mean we leave behind several pension pots. Unless they’re in final salary schemes, pool them into one low-cost scheme, to take advantage of new lower charges. Opt for a SIPP (self-invested personal pension). • Ask the scheme trustees for a transfer value and get them to transfer the fund directly to another pension, so you keep the tax benefits. • To find old pensions, contact the Pension Tracing Service at gov. uk/find-lost-pension

MAX YOUR STATE PENSION Defer it to earn more later on as a result and, if possible, take it when you are a lower rate taxpayer. What you get in extra pension will depend on when you are due to retire: • If you reach State Pension age on or before 5 April 2016, your State Pension will increase by 1% for every 5 weeks or 10.4% for every full year you put off claiming. So, if you get the full State Pension of £113.10 per week (2014/15 rate) by deferring for a year, you’ll get an extra £611 (10.4% of £5,881.20). Or you can get a one off lump sum. • If you reach State Pensions age on or after 6 April 2016, you will only get a 1% boost for every 9 weeks you put off claiming – or 5.8% for a year. But the new pension will be higher. So assuming you get the full State Pension of £148.40 per week (£7,716.80) a year) – or possible higher when the rate is set – by deferring for a year, you’ll get an extra £446 (just under 5.8% of £7,716.80).

BOOST YOUR ENTITLEMENT The current state pension will be replaced for those reaching state pension on or after 6 April 2016 (women born on or after 6 April 1953), with: • A flat-rate pension of around £150 a week or around £7,800 a year. • You’ll need 35 years of National Insurance (NI) contributions or credits (up from 30 years) to qualify for the full amount. Otherwise you’ll get a smaller amount. • Find out when you can claim your state pension at gov.uk/ calculate-state-pension • If you don’t qualify for a full pension, you could top it up by up to £25 a week by making additional Class 3A voluntary NI contributions (women can only do this if born on or before 6 April 1953. WARNING If you were in a contracted out company pension (most were) tht meant you paid less NI contributions, you may NOT get the full flat-rate pension of £150 a week. When you ask for a pension statement, it will tell you if and how you can top up your contributions to qualify for the full amount. Contracting out of additional state pensions ends on 6 April 2016, and it means that some employees will pay more NI as a result – you are more likely to be contracted out if you work in a public sector organisation such as the NHS, as a teacher or for a local council.

CUT THE COSTS High pension fund charges have been costing retirees thousands, but from April, the Government is capping them at 0.75% annually for workplace pensions. Other types of pensions such as SIPPs (pensions you manage yourself) are under pressure to cut charges. Check your scheme’s charges. Older charges can eat away 1.5% or more of your pension pot each year.

KNOW ABOUT DEATH TAX CHANGES Instead of a 55% tax on unused pension assets, you can now inherit it tax free if the deceased is under75; if they’re over 75, you can draw money that’s taxed at your tip rate as if it were income (so at 20%, 40% or 45% rather than 55%). This only applies to pension funds that haven’t been converted to an annuity.

New Pension Rules What’s best for you?

Take control of your future – money expert Niki Chesworth reports on the new rules that start on 6 April (although) you still qualify for one 25% of total tax-free lump sum). Also, those in final salary schemes are generally better of sticking with their employer scheme – if they want to switch to a more flexible scheme to access their retirement cash, they will need to get financial advice as they could pay a hefty penalty for wanting to raid their fund. Also, anyone who has already retired and bought an annuity is trapped.

SHOULD YOU RAID YOUR PENSION?

Want to pay off your mortgage? Help your kids on to the property ladder? Set up your own business? Invest in a buyto-let? New Rules say… From the age of 55, you can now take 25% of your pension as a tax free lump sum. Or you can take out a series of large chunks of cash – to spend as you wish – with 25% of each of these cash sums tax free. Before the changes, you only had one chance to take 25% tax free, and the rest of your fund had to be used to provide you with an income for life. Remember, you don’t have to retire to take advantage of these rules. Also, you can still pay into a pension and get tax relief, although the amount will be capped at £10,000 a year once you access a tax-free lump sum. Who can’t take cash? Many public sector schemes will still pay a pension, and you won’t be able to switch to a scheme that lets you take your pension flexibly

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safe, just take the 25% tax-fee lump sum and invest the rest. What is an annuity? An annuity is a financial product that converts your pension savings into a regular income for life. Once it’s converted, you can access the lump sum. A quote for an annuity will be given as a percentage. So, if you have £100,000 in your pension pot, and are offered an annuity rate of 4%, you’ll get an income of £4,000 a year.

What to watch out for? WHAT IF YOU DON’T Tax – only 25% is tax free, you could pay 40% or more tax on the HAVE A PENSION? rest (£15,000 on a £50,000 lump You are not alone. Four in ten do sum), as a pension lump sums can not and not everyone needs one. push you into a higher rate tax Lower rate taxpayers and those bracket. Avoid this by taking the close to retirement should pay cash out over successive years into an ISA. If you’re five years or in a series of smaller lump sums more from retirement, consider a – or delay raiding your pension mix of cash and investment funds until you are a lower rate – to maximise the opportunity for taxpayer. That way, growth. you can limit any tax you pay to If you work for yourself, 20%. Also, paying into your own put money pension makes sense, Anyone planning to raid their you release employer pension will receive as it can reduce the “guidance”. However, this is not from your amount of tax you independent financial advice – pay pension pay from your selfan adviser if you have a substantial into an employed earnings. amount, to make sure it is the best ISA. Unlike option for your future – unbiased. co.uk has a list of independent pension If you are near advisers. income retirement but a 40% (which is taxpayer, a pension taxable), income still makes sense. Investing from ISAs is free of £10,000 will only cost you £6,000 tax and you can invest £15,240 this after tax relief (claim the higher tax year. rate tax relief using your tax return). You can then take out the Biggest Pitfall £10,000 (or more if it has grown in The gamble with the new reforms is value) with £2,500 of this tax free. that millions will raid their pensions If you are a 20% taxpayer at the and have little left to support them time, you will pay £1,500 tax on in a retirement that can easily last the rest, leaving you with £8,500 20 or 25 years – around half your - £2,500 more than your pension working life. If you want to play cost you.

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TIP

SPRING 2015

How Smart is Your TV?

The latest streaming boxes and sticks IF you have wi-fi at home, these clever mini gadgets will turn a standard telly into a Smart TV (internet-connected), allowing you to watch films and box sets, via online streaming services – you can also access catch-up. They won’t rejuvenate really old sets though – check that you have HDMI sockets on the back

Roku Streaming Stick

There have never been so many ways to watch TV- but if you’re googled by the box, our foolproof guide is here to help.

Not much bigger than a USB memory stick, the purple Roku will discreetly transform your TV. Just plug it into an HDMI slot at the back of your set and connect it to your wi-fi for instant streaming of popular services including NowTV and Netflix, plus iPlayer etc. £49.99, roku.com/uk

3 ways to go CONTRACT-FREE Avoid pricey monthly commitments with these options.

Google Chromecast

If you only have an aerial - Freeview is the standard way to watch free-to-view TV via an aerial and is built in to all new televisions. If you want to do any fancy stuff – record programmes or pause or rewind live TV – then you can buy a Freeview+ doesn’t offer catch up TV, but with the handy Series Record function, you’ll never miss a crucial episode of a must see show.

This clever HDMI stick wirelessly transfers (the tech term is ‘casts’) apps including film, video and photos from your phone or tablet direct to your television. So if you already watch iPlayer Netflix and the like on your tablet, it’s a good choice. Other people can cast from their tablets too, so if you have teenagers at home, expect to find weird YouTube videos on your TV £30, currys.co.uk

GOOD FOR: Simple watching and recording. And being able to rewind if you miss a bit of dialogue or pause during a programme if the phone rings. YOU NEED: Freeview+ HD recorder for £130, freeview.co.uk

Can you avoid the licence fee? A report found that nearly half a million households don’t pay the £145.50 fee, but check carefully at tvlicensing.co.uk if you’re thinking of opting out - you can be fined up to £1,000 You don’t need a licence: If you only watch on-demand and catch-up TV and never watch programmes as they are being broadcast. If you are over 75 Students living away from home

Connecting to your aerial and broadband, the box gives you access to seven day catch-up on BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, 4OD, Demand 5 and Yesterday. The box records up to 300 hours of standard TV (or 150 hours of high-definition). The YouView app lets you set recordings via your mobile, so if you’re running late, you won’t miss anything. GOOD FOR: Watching the latest films and hit series via paid-for streaming services such as Netflix and Sky Store. YOU NEED: YouView+ box, from £159.99 or as part of a broadband package from TalkTalk or BT. A minimum broadband speed of 3MB is recommended – check your speed at www.youview.com

If you have a redundant satellite dish perched on your roof, or want to end your Sky contract, Freesat could be for you. By buying a box or a TV with a built in Freetime, you’ll have subscription-free access to 130 satellite TV channels. You won’t get Sky Atlantic, but you will find classic series on CBS Drama (Cheers and Knots Landing anyone?) and pay per view films from Curzon Home Cinema. GOOD FOR: Seven day catch-up on 26 channels, plus you can record via the Freesat app.

are covered by their parents’ licence as long as they watch on a mobile or tablet that is not plugged in to the mains or to an aerial socket.

STREAM ON

You do need a licence:

Netflix.com Hit shows like the US series House of Cards premiered here. Good for fans of box sets and classic films.

If you watch ‘live TV’ online at the same time it is being broadcast (e.g. watching EastEnders on your tablet via BBC iPlayer while it’s actually on TV). This includes watching +1 channels and repeats. If you record a programme, you need a licence, as you are still accessing it while it’s being broadcast.

Streaming is the term for watching a film or listening to music direct via the internet without downloading it.

Nowtv.com Access to the Sky Movies 30 day pass. Ideal for families – there’s a huge choice of films listed by genre.

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Amazon Fire TV

YOU NEED: Freesat+ HD with Freetime box, from £159, freesat.co.uk

Playgoogle.com Ideal for streaming films from Google Play to your TV via the Chromecast stick. Curzonhomecinema.com Independent and foreign films as shown in Curzon cinemas. A good choice for culture lovers. Amazon.co.uk/instantvideo More than 15,000 films and programmes for you to browse. Brilliant for choosy types.

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This clever box has voice search, so you can just tell it what programme, or even actor, you want to see….. it has the most popular film and music streaming services. Members of Amazon Prime – which gives free one-day delivery on Amazon purchases for £79. A year – have unlimited access to films and TV on Prime instant Video for free, Box £79 amazon.co.uk

TopTIPhich

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Familes First NI

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 15D

Alienware 17 A brute of a machine in every way, the Alienware 17 weighs as much as four MacBook Airs and probably frags harder than 10 of them. Core 17 Haswell processor at 3.4GHz, Nvidia GeForce graphics, up to 32GB of RAM From £1,500 Best for: Serious Gamers.

Lenovo’s latest contortioning computer is hefty, which is handy in that you get a full keyboard and Apple MacBook 15inch screen, but a bit of an issue in terms of portability – and it Air 13 Display means the 1366x768 resolution 2014 update. Nothing’s changed on the outside, and looks a little soft. It stands up under the skin there’s just a nicely for movie slight processor boost from 1.3GHz watching, though. to 1.4GHz, but combined with a price cut From £470 of £100 on each model . The very top model Best for: which comes with a 256GB SSD, is now just Literal flexibility. under a grand too. From £750

Ausus Zenbook UX302 Asus has done a wonderful job of creating an ultra-slim laptop that’s as far removed from Apple’s influence as possible, while maintaining a stylish and unique aesthetic. The 13.3in display is razor – sharp and colourful From £950.00

Guys Gear

HP’s done a fine jo b with the 11 (ignoring the faulty power supply recall)): it’s small light and everything a neo-netbook should be. However, the Chromebook 14 has since launched on the HP store and is worth a look if you want a bigger screen. From £220

Choosing between Air and Pro is getting harder. Both now run on Haswell chips, but the Pro is faster, with a 2014 processor boost. There’s a 4K – capable Thunderbolt 2 port, and then tat Retina screen, one of the most gorgeous you’ll see From £1,000 Best for: everything except the price.

Acer Aspire S7

The Aspire S7 is almost the perfect Ultrabook – it matches the MacBook Air for weight, beats it for slimness by 6mm, and has a gorgeous 1920x1080 touchfriendly screen. Disappointed that the batters only lasts 5 hours. From £900

Sat Nav - where to... GO 6000 The four – figure model name marks this as an ‘Always connected device with a SIM card for live traffic updates, while the ‘6’ in the name refers to it’s crisp 6in, 800x480 screen it’s rather good, if huge. Smartphone – connected versions (600 500, 400) are cheaper From £250 Best For: Total Traffic Knowledge.

Garmin

Google

Maps Navigation Apple’s Maps app remains pretty, but flawed. With Google Nav now back in the iTunes Store, there really is one solid choice for both iOS and Android users and this is it. Street View, accurate public transport info, cycle maps, and decent traffic warnings. Bingo!

A Windows laptop and 10.1inch tablet for just £300? This seriously flexible bundle is Asus’ best hybrid yet. Only a bit heavier that a MacBook Air, the square-edged ergonomics and battery life are issues, but as a whole package it make a lot of sense. From £300

HP Chromebook 11

Apple MacBook Pro with Retina Display 13 in (2014)

Tom Tom

Acer Aspire Switch 10

Here are some of this month’s hottest laptops

nuvi 3598 LMT-D Still pricier than the TomTom the flagship Garmin has a similarly crisp ( 5inches) 800x480 screen, with clever photo-realistic junctions and 3D terrain. The DAB traffic works fine, but the extra cable is a nuisance. From £250

Camcorders GoPro Hero3+ Silver edition You may well wonder why the Flagship Black Edition of the Hero3+ isn’t in this slot, but we believe for your money, the extras don’t quite justify the extra expense. We believe that the Silver Edition is the current hero of the range. From £170 Best for: Adrenaline Junkies.

Sony PJ530 When quality footage matters, you’ll be glad you splashed out on the superb PJ530. We haven’t seen a better camcorder at this price. It captures excellent footage in all sorts of environments, with a colossal zoom and built – in projector into the bargain. From £465 Best for: Topquality home movies

From £free Best for: Budget travellers. www.familiesfirst.ie

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Canon XA10 Canon’s ultra-compact XA10 handles fine detail superbly due to its f/1.8lens and 2.37MP chip. It might not look hefty enough to play with the big boys, but twin XLR inputs on it’s detachable handle give wouldbe filmmakers professional prowess out of the box. From £1260 Best For: Serious Shooters.

SPRING 2015

Talk to QUANTUM3 FINANCIAL SERVICES. We'll help you identify your individual protection needs and guide you through the various types of cover available to make sure you get the right cover at the right price. Call DAVID BANNON on : 028 9077 0703 / 077381 20702 QUANTUM3 FINANCIAL SERVICES 644 ANTRIM ROAD BELFAST ANTRIM BT15 5GP DAVIDBANNON.Q3FS@BTCONNECT.COM www.familiesfirst.ie

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13 14

Wash the car section by section, starting at the top. Circle around the car several times, washing lower areas with each round.

Use a long, skinny wheel-brush for cleaning the openings of the wheels. If the wheels are very glossy, instead use a sponge or a mitt to clean them just as you would the car body after hosing off as much of the extra dirt.

Park the car out of direct sunlight. This prevents premature drying which can leave splotches on the paint.

Fill a bucket with water and add car wash soap in the quantity directed on its bottle.

Fill another bucket with plain water. Check that all windows are closed and retract the antenna.

Rinse the dirt out of the wash mitt or sponge in the bucket with plain water frequently.

After one section is washed, rinse it with the hose before moving on. You don’t want the soap to dry on the paint and stain it.

EVERY SO OFTEN, TOUCH UP AND PROTECT THE CLEAN CAR • Remove rust from the car and touch up the paint if there is significant damage, or easily stabilize and seal small scrapes and rust spots with rust converter. Wash off any grit or corrosive pre-treatment chemicals, allow rust converter time to dry and cure, and do not wax a fresh paint finish.

Clean the tire sidewalls with a plastic brush.

At some point rinse the bottom of the car, from various angles, with a spray nozzle. This is particularly important when the car has been exposed to salt.

Dry the vehicle with fresh towels.

• Adhesive accessories such as door, door-edge (i.e., other guy’s door) and bumper guards and reflective patches stick best to a clean, dry, not-too-waxy car. • Wax (or similar polish) should be applied to a clean, dry car. Failure of water to stand up in beads or small pools repelled from the surface is the traditional sign to re-wax. Abrasive polishes are rarely, if ever, needed with modern car paints and risk unexpected damage scouring through a clear coat: Leave them for experts and/or extreme cases.

MEET THE NEW

CORSA

Hose off the car to loosen and soften the dirt. Don’t use a strong jet, as this can rub grit over the paint and scratch it. Try to aim the jet downwards on all surfaces. Aiming upwards around windows may cause water to dribble into the car if there are flaws in the rubber seals.

NEW CORSA 1.2 LIMITED EDITION 3 DOOR

As you progress, keep the entire car wet, as this will prevent droplets from drying on the paint and leaving water-spots. You want to be able to dry the car with towels before it air-dries.

Heated windscreen, IntelliLink audio system with digital radio, body styling kit, 17-inch black alloy wheels.

£169 PER MONTH OVER 35 MONTHS WITH £485 ADVANCE RENTAL*

Pull the windshield wipers away from the windshield until they click into their propped position, away from the glass.

“BRILLIANT NEW CORSA. SUPER-ADVANCED SUPERMINI” Auto Express Contact your local Vauxhall Retailer to book your test drive today.

11 6

Scrub the lower body and the wheels last, as these are the dirtiest, grittiest parts. It’s a good idea to use a separate wash mitt or sponge on the bottom.

Soak a large wash mitt or sponge in the soapy water, being certain to wash out any dirt in it, and begin applying it to the car. Do not use a brush on the car body -- this will leave little scratches.

Newtownabbey 1 Mallusk Road BT36 4XS Tel: 0845 362 5202

Bangor 402 Belfast Road BT19 1UE Tel: 0845 362 5205

www.ballyrobert.co.uk Official Government Test Environmental Data. Fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km). Vauxhall New Corsa range: Urban: 36.2 (7.8) - 76.3 (3.7), Extra-urban: 57.6 (4.9) - 94.2 (3.0), Combined: 47.1 (6.0) - 88.3 (3.2). CO2 emissions: 140-85g/km.# *Personal contract hire offer on New Corsa Limited Edition 1.2 3dr on orders received between 1 January 2015 and 1 April 2015, subject to availability and status. Age 18+ only. Figures for New Corsa Limited Edition based on a non-maintenance contract hire package with advance rental of £485, then 35 monthly rentals of £169. Excess annual miles over 5,000 charged at 4.57ppm. Excess charges also apply if you breach manufacturer servicing or maintenance guidelines or if the car exceeds BVRLA Fair Wear & Tear guidelines for its age/mileage when it is returned to Vauxhall Leasing. Package includes Road Fund Licence and Vauxhall Assistance. Guarantee/indemnity may be required. Prices and details are subject to change without notice. If you choose personal contract hire, you will not own the car at the end of the agreement. For full specification and Ts&Cs contact your local Retailer. Ballyrobert Limited is a credit broker and not a lender. Finance provided by ALD Automotive Ltd., trading as Vauxhall Leasing, BS16 3JA. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. #MPG figures are official test data and may not reflect real driving results.

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SPRING 2015

Top 5 Family Hatchbacks More than 29 million Golfs have been sold since 1974 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

The standout component of the Ford Focus has always been its handling

Seat offers five engines for the Leon, ranging from a 104bhp 1.2 petrol to a 181bhp 2.0 diesel

The SkyActiv platform features ultra-high-strength steel, offering greater strength and less weight

The 308 marks the first time a carryover name has been applied to an all-new Peugeot

FORD FOCUS

SEAT LEON

MAZDA 3

PEUGEOT 308

VAUXHALL ASTRA

You have to hand it to Vauxhall: you’d not catch Volkswagen producing a UK-specific steering tune for the Golf, but this is precisely what British Astra drivers enjoy.

country roads found in a Golf. Also, the electric power steering while impressively accurate, lacks the feel required for a truly interactive driving experience.

Then again and thanks to the limitations in the Astra’s suspension configuration already explained in the design section, there’s a lot of catching up to be done if it is even to come close to the standards now routinely expected of its twin nemeses, the Golf and Focus.

And nowhere are the compromises in the car’s design felt more keenly than in its ride quality. Again it’s not bad, indeed on most surfaces the Astra is commendably comfortable. But as conditions deteriorate so too does the Astra’s ride degrade, and at a faster rate than that of the class leaders.

In the end and regardless of which model you drive – including the GTCs with their bespoke suspension tune – it’s the same story we’ve been telling about the Astra’s dynamics relative to its rivals that we’ve been telling for years: it’s close – perhaps closer than you might expect given the raw material – but not close enough to mount a convincing challenge. Unsurprisingly the car you’ll enjoy driving most – and excepting the VXR as a special case – is the SRi. In fact we like its firm but still compliant set up quite a lot. It makes the car feel quick, controlled and manageable on a good road, backed by unfailingly precise and well weighted steering. GTCs are better still, particularly in higher powered versions where you really do notice the reduction in torque steer. However what all versions of the Astra fail to do is provide that same almost liquid sense of fluidity and fluency across the many differing the difficult surfaces provided by the British

CAR REVIEW

of 88.3mpg and 85g/km.

The fact is that, like in so many other areas of endeavour, the Astra is little or no better than average for this class. Among the petrol powered Vauxhall Astras, the cheaper the model the less impressive relatively speaking the its fuel consumption will be. The cheapest 1.4 has just 85bhp and manages 51.4mpg. Compare that to its turbocharged sister that provides 138bhp at the cost of just 3.6mpg.

It never becomes unruly but while the best in this category are easily good enough to challenge standards now being set by the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, the Astra still lacks the sophistication to be able to compete at that level. If you choose an EcoFlex 1.3 diesel with stop/start fitted, Vauxhall will tell you it’s capable of 72.4mpg, which is actually a pretty average number for such a car. The EcoFlex 1.7-litre raises this figure to 76.3mpg, and lowers CO2 emissions to under the magic 100g/km mark – which would have been all very impressive a while back - but is now humbled by the latest BlueMotion Golfs that manage official figures www.familiesfirst.ie

Residual values depend very much on what you pay for the car in the first place. Expect to be able to negotiate a substantial discount on all models save the poverty-spec, headline grabbing Expression, but expect too for it to lose more money over the course of your ownership than a Volkswagen Golf, so avoid expensive goodies that will be worthless come resale time. The Vauxhall Astra is a car you want to like because every time you see one, you realise what an attractive car it is. And every time you sit in the car you are reminded that it offers both the space and the perceived quality of a car from the class above.

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But cars are for driving and those that put their best foot forward while parked in a showroom are missing this point to some considerable extent.

While we applaud its space, styling and quality, an ability to transport its occupants from one place to the next in comfort while entertaining the driver will always count for more to us. And here the Astra lags as far behind the best as has its many previous generations. It doesn’t matter whether you judge its all round performance, economy, ride or handling, nowhere does it mount a convincing challenge for class leadership. So a bridesmaid it stays. And until Vauxhall bites the bullet and accepts what Ford and VW had known for many years, namely that such cars simply have to have the substance to back up their style, a bridesmaid it is likely to remain for a while yet. e panoramic glass roof and keyless entry as standard.

Familes First NI

Hot Wings-blue cheese & celery i Ingredients

Hot Wings-blue cheese & celery... ◆ Toss chicken in flour ,deep fry @135 for 10 minutes now raise temp @175 cook until crispy and toss in hot sauce...

gs(washed & 6 chicken win plucked) flour seasoned rice wine 1 tbsp of Red r vinega ato 1 tbsp of Tom p ketchu asco sauce 1 tsp of Tab sauce 1 tbsp of Hot cheese 20g Roquefort cream ur 1 tbsp of So onnaise ay M of 1 tbsp inely 1/2 Shallot (f d) pe chop chopped) Chives (finelycester sauce 1 tsp of Wor

Sauce... ◆ Simply mix all ingredients in a small bowl and place in fridge until using.. Blue cheese dip... ◆ Simply using the back of spoon break down cheese,add mayo,sour cream & Worcester sauce. ◆ Now add chives & shallots Celery ... ◆ 2 ribs of celery cut into strips.

FOOD FOR

Spicy Pork Noodles i Ingredients ince 250 g Pork m oil e m sa Se p bs 1t iced) 1/2 Shallot (d(grated) e 3Garlic clov 3 scallions Coriander inger 1 tsp fresh G (cooked) es 1 pkt Noodl Soy sauce

MEN

◆ In a small pot gently fry shallot,ginger & garlic in oil until soft without colour. ◆ Now add pork and cook futher 10 minutes until well cooked. ◆ Add tomatoes cook another five minutes,add noodles,coriander & season.

Pork & Pineapple Kebabs ◆ Season all above well,place on skewers pork/pineapple/ onion&pepper and repeat 3 times. ◆ now set a grill to a high heat & grill 5 minutes on each side... ◆ Serve with basmati rice & crisp salad

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i Ingredients diced) 2 pork chops( eled &diced) pe 1 red onion( (large dice) 1/2 pineapple (diced) 1 red pepper er Oil,salt & pepp

SPRING 2015

Families First

Mini Directory applies to new customers only

www.accord-ni.co.uk

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Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Challenge kids helping kids JUST ONE DAY OF JOY TO FORGET A LIFETIME OF SUFFERING. WE CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOUR HELP! Would your school like to make a dream come true for a very sick child? PreCore Active can do it for you! We will create a unique fundraising day to support the NI Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust.

PreCore Active Through Fitness and Drama weâ&#x20AC;Ś

The Trust aims to fulfil the dreams of terminally ill, long term ill and deserving children by taking them to see Santa at his home in Build Confidence - Promote Healthy Body Image - Create Healthy & Active Children - Make kids happy - Make Memories - Get Kids Lapland and now also to visit Disneyland Paris in the spring! Moving - Encourage Healthy Eating PreCore Active's highly qualified fitness and drama workshop leaders will create a unique fundraising day using a range of songs, games and fun activities with the goal of getting kids moving, encouraging them to be active and give them the feel good factor - All the while raising funds to help those children who really need it!

Help us fulfil the dreams of terminally ill, long term ill and deserving children by giving them and their families wonderful experiences and memories that they will never forget. Find out how your school can get involved by calling

Maeve on 07753222003 or find out more at

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