Newtownabbey
January / February 2017
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CONTENTS: 6.
6. IN DEBT It’s January, which means Christmas bills are starting to drop through letterboxes - at Citizens Advice they are only too aware that this time of the year can be a battle as families struggle to balance the finances.
14.
14. YOUR HOME
It has been such a mild winter so far, we are bracing ourselves for when it does inevitably hit. There are a number of tasks you should do to prepare your home for the winter.
28. HEALTH 42.
Is it any wonder that people get depressed at this time of year. It is a sense that we all have of the end of something good and the beginning of a hard spell ahead, but for some people it is very much more than this.
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NOTE FROM THE EDITOR A New Year is seen by many as a new start, a time to make changes, to try to do things differently perhaps. There is much in this issue to encourage you to do just that, whether it is that healthier lifestyle you would like to adopt or perhaps there are changes ahead for your family. Maybe you are hoping for a better year for your business or are you planning to take on a new challenge, something you have never tried before. Whatever it is we wish you well as you set out into 2017. Be hopeful, encouraged and full of resolve. You probably won’t have realised that January 24th is Global Belly Laugh Day. So as you lay out your plans for all those Disclaimer
changes in your life why not add one more - laughter; and on January 24th share a joke or two with your friends and colleagues. Even better, resolve to do that every day! Have you downloaded our new In-touch AR App? If not, you’re missing out on so much more than what’s on the printed pages of this magazine. Go to the App Store or Google Play and search for Intouch AR to install onto your phone. Perhaps one of your New Year resolutions is to complete a marathon for the first time and if it is, there is no better place than our own Belfast Marathon on 1st May. See page 30 - 31 for details.
Finally, if you fancy being pampered or spoilt as you ease yourself into 2017, why not enter our competitions for a £100 M&S Giftcard or a Girly Spa Treat. Entries on this occassion can only be accepted via our new In-touch Ar App. We hope you enjoy this first issue of 2017 and wish you a very Happy New Year.
Contact: Susan Gilchrist t: 028 9332 4511 e: susan@newtownabbeyintouch.com w: www.newtownabbeyintouch.com
Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate neither the publisher nor its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accidents or any other cause. Newtownabbey In-touch does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission of the publisher.
Struggling with Christmas Debt? It’s January, which means Christmas bills are starting to drop through letterboxes - at Citizens Advice they are only too aware that this time of the year can be a battle as families struggle to balance the finances - juggling the debts of Christmas with rising heating bills and other expenses.
COMMUNITY
Kathy McKenna, Project Manager of the free debt advice service, said: “Some budgets are at breaking point, with January the time when people take stock of their finances. People who have never experienced money worries before are finding their finances increasingly tight as rises in day to day spending like keeping their home warm, getting to work and putting food on the table are sending them over the edge. “Payday loans, credit cards and overdrafts are being used to top up people’s income as wages are static. There are things people can do to get on top of their finances, including making sure they’re getting all of the help available, aren’t paying over the odds for things like gas and electricity, and prioritising their spending to make sure there is money for essentials like rent, mortgage and energy bills” Nicola’s Story Nicola is a single mum in her mid-30s with one dependent child. She works part time and rents her home. Before her child was born Nicola had been working full time for a number of years, was reasonably well off and was able to pay all of her bills. However, now on a reduced income Nicola began finding it extremely difficult to pay even the minimum payments. Her debt had increased to £12,000 including a number of credit cards, a catalogue debt and a personal loan.
Marion Hill specialist Debt Adviser at Citizens Advice says there is an upsurge in clients seeking debt advice each New Year. Describing her busy workload, Marion said: “We do see more and more people in January and February, largely because people have maxed out in November and December for the Christmas season. A lot of people avoid coming to see us because they might feel ashamed about their debt but we aren’t interested in how the situation arose, we want to help and by coming to us for advice they have done the right thing.”
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In Northern Ireland, Citizens Advice are already helping more than 800 people per month with debt related issues - from credit cards, store cards, personal loans, mortgage debt and rent arrears to name but a few. There are many debt solutions Citizens Advice can help with including Debt Management plans with interest and charges stopped, negotiation with creditors, Debt Relief Orders, Individual Voluntary arrangements or even bankruptcy. The service is completely free, advisers will assess your situation and advise on all of the options available depending on individual circumstances.
Nicola answered a text from a fee charging Debt Management Company and entered into a plan to try and pay the debt off. At the time she said she felt desperate and knew of no other option. When she contacted Citizens Advice she was unhappy that most of her small monthly payment was taken up with fees and it was going to take her another 20 years to pay off the debt. Citizens Advice helped Nicola explore all of her options and Nicola decided that she would opt for a Debt Relief Order given that her circumstances were not going to change over the next number of years. Once all the paperwork was collected an adviser completed the online application at our offices. Nicola paid the one off fee of £90 at the post office. For the next 12 months Nicola’s debts are put under a moratorium and she makes no more payments. If her circumstances remain the same she will be debt free in 12 months’ time. Citizens Advice Free Debt advice is available: By Freephone (free to mobiles and landlines) on 0800 028 1881 (Monday - Friday 8.00am to 8.00pm, Saturday 9.30am - 1.00pm) By making an appointment at any of the 29 frontline Citizens Advice offices across Northern Ireland By email at debt.advice@citizensadvice.co.uk By webchat on www.citizensadvice.org.uk/nireland/debt
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COMMUNITY
Making the Most of School Open Evenings For all the league tables, glossy brochures and performance reports available to parents when choosing a school for their children, one thing teachers, parents and experts all agree on is that you can’t beat an old-fashioned stroll around the class rooms and corridors. League tables are all part of the picture, but when parents visit a school they can talk to teachers, pupils and other parents and also get a feel of the local area. But with so many schools to choose from how do you go about choosing the right one for your child? Firstly, it is important to know that the selection process is twofold. You off course will choose the school you feel is right for your child but the school will also have a selection criteria that determines which children they will accept. It is a good idea to read the selection criteria for the schools you are planning to visit beforehand as you do not want to get your child’s hopes raised about a particular school if they are not likely to be accepted. Your child’s primary school will have a copy of the transfer booklet which provides details of the admission criteria for all the local post primary schools. You can also download the Parent’s Guide for Transfer from www.eani.org.uk The admission criteria will also detail the number of applications the school received over the past three years. It is also good to look at the schools detailed inspection reports which are carried out by the school inspectorate and these can be found at www.etini.gov.uk. These reports provide valuable information on the overall performance of the school, the provision for learning and score the leadership and management of each school. Reading the inspection report will probably raise a number of questions that you can ask during your open day visit. Open nights used to be more a case of parents wanting to check there was no graffiti on the walls and that the buildings were tidy. Now parents want to know about what benefits are provided for their children, does the school have business links, ties to a university, information about how to get to the next stage of their lives? One important thing for parents to be aware of is that all post primary schools teach the same curriculum. It is a requirement by law for all schools, whether Grammar or secondary to teach the revised curriculum and there are high quality schools doing so in all sectors of education.
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Another important factor is how the school staff relate to their pupils. In the end you will not choose a school for your child based on the slickest performance or PowerPoint presentation. It will be the one that paid attention to your child. Every child is different and education should be tailored to suit that individual child. Visiting during the course of an actual school day can be useful, but often this is not available to parents who instead are offered specially tailored open days and evenings. The advantage of these are that on open days teachers have time to talk to you – when classes have to be taught, you’ will not get the same attention from the individual subject teachers. The School Tour The school tour can tell you alot about a school, Is it wellorganised, chaotic, efficient or improvised? Don’t base your opinion of the school on the geeky, sullen or charming pupil who shows you around, however it does give you an opportunity to speak to them and some questions you can ask are ... • How much help do you get from teachers? • Are lessons fun, noisy, long... Are they allowed to talk in class? • What happens if someone is being a nuisance? • Is outstanding work or effort rewarded? • What happens if they don’t understand the work or find it too easy? • What do the children do during breaks, lunch and after school? Ask staff too. • Are school meals considered gourmet or ghastly? Do teachers dine with pupils? Pitfalls to Avoid • Don’t ask the pupils what they like or dislike about their school in front of teachers – they won’t tell you their true feelings. • Don’t focus on last year’s exam results – they could be a blip. Always ask to see the past three years’ exam results and the past three years’ lists of leavers’ destinations. • Don’t pass up lunch, tea ... or orange squash and biscuits in the canteen – enjoy the refreshment and above all, take advantage of the opportunity to meet other prospective parents.
Thursday Thursday19 19ththJanuary January 2017 6.30 pm -- 9 9pm pm 6.30pm
Abbey Community College 6 Sheet Final.indd 1
14/12/2016 10:49
COMMUNITY
Lights, camera, action – a new monthly movie screening will be held in Ballyclare Town Hall thanks to a local not-for-profit community group. The Picture House aims to offer great value entertainment, with easy access for people from Newtownabbey and beyond to see a great selection of quality, arthouse and cult classics with occasional Saturday afternoon films for kids.
The first film of 2017 will be in February where the Picture House will go all romantic with a special Valentine’s Day screening. March will host a classic golden age movie around St Patricks day. April will be a scary horror film and June will be a classic family friendly movie for all ages. May is a special month in Ballyclare, with the annual fair a major event and the group hopes to put on something really special involving the whole community.
“We are a group of people who just love movies and see a trip to the cinema as a fantastic social occasion. By holding special screenings once, a month, we hope people who enjoy films will come along for a relaxed night out,” explained Robert Robinson, chairman of The Picture House.
Additionally, in May they aim to show something specific to Ballyclare such as local director Archie Reid’s films and any short films relating to the May fair. These could be shown in a less formal format so people can drop in at any time during the fair and experience some really specific Ballyclare images.
In December 2016 the group showed its first movie, Frozen Sing Along which had over 100 attendees with children and parents belting out tunes and with the little ones all dressed up for one of their favourite movies.
“The Town Hall is a fabulous, atmospheric venue for movie screenings and we feel this can really turn it into a well-used centre point for people from the area. The main room has been beautifully restored and we are working in partnership with the local council to ensure a collaborative approach to events in the area,” explained Robin Sheeran, the groups secretary. “The local post-primary schools both have A level film classes – we feel there is an opportunity within the cinema to involve the young people, show their films and perhaps take a role in film education. Students will be asked to host a short film festival where talent can screen their projects on the big screen for friends and family,” he added. By showing classic films, the cinema should be great for older people who loved these films when they were first released as well as introducing a whole new audience to some of the greatest movies of all time. Within year one the group foresees introducing more ambitious, challenging programming including classic and foreign language programming with the specific aim of giving audiences something new and different to enjoy.
The group has developed a programme of events for the first six months in 2017 and also pencilled in ideas for the last half of the year. This January they plan to have a pub quiz to fundraise for the group – everyone is welcome so make sure to check out the Facebook page for upcoming details.
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“The community cinema in Ballyclare is an idea that will help build the twin ideas of community and culture in a town that is currently developing spaces that are open to everyone. The cinema will be completely inclusive and promote the ideas of film as art and discussion about artistic forms in a community setting,” Robert said. To keep up with news about upcoming screenings make sure to follow the Picture House at facebook.com/picturehouseBCC
Thursday 26th January 2017 7pm - 9pm
COMMUNITY
The Newtownabbey Voluntary Support Group of Diabetes UK The Newtownabbey Voluntary Support Group of Diabetes UK has recently celebrated their 20th anniversary with a special event in Carrickfergus Golf Club. The group was formed in 1996 and has been providing support for those with diabetes throughout this time.
Movement can help keep the mobility you have and even increase it. Your blood sugar level improves as well as your fitness and the symptons of depression and anxiety are greatly reduced. Why not join us if you need support or would like to volunteer in a range of areas.
Diabetes remains one of the biggest challenges faced by society with the potential to overwhelm and bankrupt our health service. The number of newly diagnosed cases is increasing in Northern Ireland as over 3000 people each year are recorded in the State of the Nation Diabetes Report. It is estimated that over 100,000 people are living with diabetes in Northern Ireland to day. Type 1 diabetes develops when the insulin producing cells in the body have been destroyed and the body is unable to produce any insulin. With Type 2 diabetes you still have some insulin producing cells but either not enough is produced or it doesn’t work properly in most cases. Insulin is a chemical messenger (hormone) that helps the body use glucose in your blood to produce energy. If there is an insufficient amount of insulin or if the insulin is not doing its job properly then you can become very ill. The main signs of untreated diabetes are frequent urinating, increased thirst, blurred vision, extreme tiredness, genital itching and weight loss. In the case of type 2 diabetes it is estimated that diabetes is at work in the body for 10 to 12 years before its effects are recognised. As a result considerable damage is likely to arise in other vital organs such as liver, kidneys and heart. Diabetes is not the end of the world and many who have been diabetic for many years will confirm that they continue to enjoy life so long as they follow a healthy balanced diet, which is low in fat, sugar and salt and they become more active.
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The Newtownabbey Voluntary Support Group meets on the second Tuesday of each month in The Boardroom at Whiteabbey Hospital (excluding June, July, August and December). Meetings commence at 8 pm when a visiting speaker is invited whose topic may be diabetic or non-diabetic related. A cup of tea and biscuits are provided and meetings are completed by 9.30 pm. Support Groups are run voluntarily by people living with diabetes. The local Newtownabbey group can offer you the opportunity to get involved in a range of activities. Adjusting to the knowledge that you or a member of your family has diabetes takes time and it is helpful to meet other people who live with diabetes and have been through a similar situation. Joining the local support group is a good way of finding this help and a warm welcome is assured. For further information please contact: Mr Ken Jackson (Chairperson) on 028 9029 4967 or Mrs Patricia Kerr (Secretary) on 028 9085 2891
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YOUR HOME
Protecting Your Home from Winter Weather and Storms It has been such a mild winter so far, we are bracing ourselves for when it does inevitably hit. If you haven’t already done so, there are a number of tasks you should do to prepare your home, garden, or business for the winter weather. Whether it’s strong winds, heavy rain or freezing temperatures and snow, there are things you should do to be prepared. Ensure you are Insured Sometimes no amount of planning and preparation can prevent the weather damaging your property. Buildings insurance offers peace of mind, so ensure your policy is up to date and covers what you need it to. Avoid Flying Garden Furniture When high winds are forecast, remember that some everyday items in the garden can become ‘missiles’. Most winters we see pictures of airborne trampolines and garden furniture.
Don’t Leave Yourself Open to Frozen and Burst Pipes It’s important to make sure water pipes and water tanks in the loft are insulated with good quality lagging. If you Have a Frozen Pipe If you spot that one of your pipes might be frozen, turn off your inside stop tap. It might be under the kitchen sink, in an airing cupboard or under floorboards near the front door. It’s best to thaw out pipes slowly, by using a hairdryer on its lowest setting, hot water bottles or towels soaked in warm water. Do not use direct heat as this may cause permanent damage to the pipes and could also lead to a fire in the home. Turn on nearby cold taps (keep the stop tap turned off ) this will relieve pressure on the frozen pipe.
Check Your Roof Before it gets windy it’s also worth checking for loose tiles, slates and flashing and consider removing dead branches from old trees. Clear Your Guttering The trees have shed their leaves but are they now clogging up your gutters and drainpipes. If leaves build build up and block drains, the water will go back into the guttering and leak into the roof and sides of your house. Give your radiators some TLC Bleeding a radiator might seem like a daunting task. But it’s really very easy and will help keep your home warm on a cold winters night. If your radiators are cold at the top and hot at the bottom, they need bled. Turn off your heating and get a cloth and a bleed key ready. At the top of your radiator, turn the valve anticlockwise until you hear a hiss (don’t worry, it’s only air). Hold a rag below to catch any water that drips. Once water starts to flow, tighten the value up and you’re done.
If you have a Burst Pipe Sometimes pipes freezing and thawing can cause them to burst. If this happens, turn off the mains water supply immediately by using the stopcock. This will stop any more water getting into the water pipes. If the burst pipe is on the main water system the rush of water will stop after a short while.
Where is your Stopcock? A Stopcock is your mains water tap and you need to know where yours is located. It could be under the sink, in the Hotpress or even under floorboards somewhere. Find it now or your house could be flooded while you have no idea how to stop it.
If the rush of water does not stop or there is still a constant run of water, the problem is probably on the cold water storage system. You will need to drain down the cold water storage tank which is usually located in the roof space. This is usually best done by an experienced plumber.
If you have just moved into a new house, ask a neighbour where theirs is and yours is likely to be in the same place.
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YOUR HOME
Going From Strength to Strength
Barry McMahon, Glengormley Branch Manager Reeds Rains, one of Newtownabbey’s leading estate agency firms had a great 2016 experiencing an uplift on all major areas of the business compared to 2015.
landlord’s portal which gives our clients access to their property information 24/7 and our rent indemnity option that gives our clients total peace of mind should issues arise with their tenant. This insurance option keeps the money coming in when a tenant runs into problems with payments, we find this issue tends to be the main worry for any buy to let investor and makes us that bit different to the majority of other lettings agencies. The lettings side of the business for the Reeds Rains branch network has also enjoyed a positive improvement of just under 20% compared to 2015. NEW HOMES
Branch Manager Barry McMahon explains ‘We have had a really positive 2016 in both our sales and lettings business, which I believe is good sign that the property market in this area has turned a corner for the good. Our branch sales result alone has increased by over 40% compared to last year, mainly down to an uplift in our instruction levels and getting the asking prices correct on properties we sell from day one. Barry also advises that ‘ if you get your price wrong by 5-10% it makes a huge difference to the early interest levels/enquires and in lots of ways puts the vendor on the back foot, so it is vital vendors are realistic when it comes to setting their marketing price with their agent.’
Reeds Rains in Glengormley have been the market leader in New Homes for the last number of years having been involved in several of the areas and provinces most successful housing schemes including Foxton and Glencorr. Our new homes Director Michael Graham explains ‘We have excellent relationships with the vast majority of builders in the Greater Belfast/North Down area, this is mainly down to our high standard of service we provide them and ultimately getting them results. We feel privileged to be involved with these builder clients as they trust us with what is most important to them. We have some exciting schemes in the pipeline for the Newtownabbey/Carrickfergus area so watch this space!
LETTINGS
NORTHERN IRELANDS LARGEST INDEPENDENTLY OWNED BRANCH NETWORK
The lettings market is a very important part of the Newtownabbey/Glengormley market as a whole and is an area we take very seriously. There is strong demand from landlords in this location mainly due to the yields they achieve compared to the Belfast market and a continually strong demand from tenants looking to rent. We have worked very hard on this sector of the market over the last 5 years and our lettings income has more than doubled since 2014. Part of this success is due to the uplift in the amount of managed properties we deal with on behalf of landlords. We believe the lettings service we provide landlords in this area is second to none, we have a dedicated lettings manager in house who deals with only lettings day to day. This combined with our unique
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2016 has also been an exciting year for the Northern Ireland Reeds Rains franchise as a whole with the addition of our 7th branch in Ballyhackamore, East Belfast. This new branch is an excellent step for the Reeds Rains network in Northern Ireland and will help us showcase our property for sale/ to let to a wider audience and therefore help our clients achieve best price.
8/8A Carnmoney Road | Glengormley | BT36 6HN
There are There are many reasons many reasons for moving for moving house. house. Whatever yours are,
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Please note that if you have already instructed another agent you should check any agreement you may have to ensure that you are not liable for more than one commission by instructing us as your agent.
Selling & Letting Homes Effectively Since 1868 Y OU R L O C& A L BRA NCH ES Homes Effectively Since 1868 Selling Letting Glengormley 028 9084 3427 Y OUR L O CA L BRA NCH ES Carrickfergus 028 9335 1727 Glengormley 028 9084 3427 Carrickfergus 1727 Newtownards Belfast Lisburn028 9335 Bangor
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Responsibilities • Maintenance of existing client accounts • Developing a prospect list to secure new clients • Development and execution of Sales plan for the territory • Ensure excellent customer service through friendly, accurate field communication and good administrative practices • Aware and be able to provide accurate and relevant information on competitor activity • Accurately complete administration tasks, including customer calls, sales and orders • High level of customer satisfaction
The Ideal Person • The successful candidate will have 3 years experience within a professional sales environment • Track record of consistently exceeding sales targets • Strong commercial awareness • Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills • Ability to deliver results and work on own initiative with minimum supervision • Excellent organisational skills • Experience working in a small business and experience developing new sales processes • A full clean driving licence
To apply for this role, please send your CV along with a covering letter to editor@newtownabbeyintouch.com or contact Gareth Gilchrist on 028 9332 4511 for further information. Closing date for applications: 26th January, 2017
YOUR HOME
Make It or Break It! By Luke North
According to Wikipedia.com, a New Year’s resolution is a tradition, “most common in the Western hemisphere” in which a person “resolves to change an undesired trait or behaviour”. The concept, regardless of creed, is to “reflect upon self-improvement annually”. Typical resolutions include • Improve physical well-being: eat healthy food, lose weight, exercise more, eat better, drink less alcohol, quit smoking, stop biting nails, get rid of old, bad habits • Improve finances: get out of debt, save money, make small investments
Interestingly, if not unsurprisingly, a recent study by a university in England showed that some 88% of those who set New Year resolutions fail! Your guess is as good as mine for that failure, but I suppose it has to be something to do with no longer being bothered, becoming fed up with the whole idea, or maybe the target was too difficult and therefore, too unrealistic. Is there such a thing as realistic targets? Achievable resolutions? Well, yes, I think so. If we don’t genuinely want to stop biting our nails to the quick, then I reckon all the resolutions in the world won’t change our determination to keep nibbling. Willpower might be a more accurate approach?
We could all perhaps give some serious thought to goals in and around our home. What about a rota? A system for helping out and doing one’s turn at making the tea? At clearing the table. Washing the dishes. Drying them and then putting them away. That’s five tasks, often laid at the door of just one person. Gathering up dirty washing, sorting it out, loading the machine, emptying said machine, hanging garments on the clothes line, bringing them in, ironing them, putting everything away correctly...... There’s another eight tasks, often left as sole responsibility for that same person! • Improve career: perform better at current job, get a better job, establish own business • Improve self: become more organized, reduce stress, be less grumpy, manage time, be more independent, perhaps watch less television, play fewer sitting-down video games • Volunteer to help others, give to charity, volunteer to work part-time in a charity organization • Get along better with people, improve social skills, enhance social intelligence • Spend quality time with family members • Settle down, get engaged/get married, have kids • Pray more, be closer to God, be more spiritual • Be more involved in sports or different activities • And to bring us slap, bang up-to-date in the 21st century, spend less time on social media! All of the above are highly commendable, desirable even, but to what extent do you, or do I, achieve any of them?
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Who puts the bin out on the right day? Who puts the right bin out on the right day!? A group approach to exterior tidiness; filling and maintenance of plant pots, brushing or washing the doorstep, sweeping around the garden path, cutting the grass, taking the mown grass to the recycling centre. Leaving some seeds out for our feathered friends...... Whose turn is it to straighten up the garage? Or the spare room? Near enough endless possibilities, and all concerned with everyday, mundane tasks around the house, but tasks which contribute enormously to the smooth running of our home. So! If losing weight is beyond you, if staying off Facebook is a bridge too far, if giving up gnawing the end of your fingers and thumbs is something you simply couldn’t do without – then why not make your New Year resolution something achievable, something desirable, something which will earn respect and admiration from those within your four walls? Now, where’s that brush and shovel?
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HEALTHY LIVING
Making Sure Your Eyes are Roadworthy We’ll ensure our car is regularly serviced and checked, but what about our eyes? Specsavers Newtownabbey’s optometrist and store director Tony McGinn says it’s vital your eyes are just as roadworthy as your car. Are your eyes fit for driving? If you drive, it’s likely that it is one of the most potentially dangerous tasks you do on a regular basis so it’s vital that you make sure your eyesight is up to scratch. Poor vision can significantly impact your ability to drive safely, which can put you and other people at risk.
in clear conditions. If you can’t meet this standard your insurance will be invalid. ‘However, the only time a motorist’s eyesight is checked is when they take their driving test. ‘The current system relies on drivers to self-test and keep up-to-date with their eye examinations, which not everyone does,’ ‘The law also states that certain eye conditions, such as cataracts and glaucoma must be reported to the DVLA and drivers must be able to see clearly out of the corners of their eyes when driving in the dark.’ Advice for drivers Always carry a spare pair of glasses or lenses with you, especially on long journeys or when driving abroad
Some styles of glasses are better than others for driving. For example, thin rims and high sides improve all-round vision. Varifocal lenses provide a seamless transition in your vision from the road ahead to the dashboard. Polarising lenses reduce glare, making them ideal for driving during bright daylight hours Keep your windscreen clean on the inside, check the washer bottle regularly and keep your windscreen wipers in good order “It’s possible to lose much of your peripheral vision before you actually notice there is a problem. Such visual loss can occur with conditions such as glaucoma, which is often symptomless, so it’s vital that drivers have their eyes tested every two years, or sooner if they notice a change in their eyesight”, said Abbeycentre optometrist and store director Tony McGinn. Eyesight, driving and the law In order to meet the legal requirement for driving, all drivers need to be able to read a licence plate from 20.5m
Make an appointment Specsavers Abbeycentre has been looking after the eyes and ears of the local community since 2002 and proudly supports local charities and worthwhile causes. The professional team of 6 optometrists and 1 audiologist is led by Tony McGinn with over 27 years’ experience. To make an appointment, visit www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/newtownabbey or call 028 9036 9569 and bring this voucher to the store for a free eye test.
GREENACRES GOLF CENTRE A beautifully manicured course, 3 miles from Corrs Corner on the B56 Road to Ballyclare
WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN GREENACRES • • • • • • •
Get 14 Months Membership for the Price of 12 It’s For all Levels - Beginners to Advanced European Tour Teaching Professional Available Club Competitions Throughout the Year No Bar Levy No Top-Up Fees Pay £150 deposit (Juniors £50) with remaining balance due by 31st March 2017 • Membership can be Paid Monthly by DD
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HEALTHY LIVING
Are You Feeling Sad? Christmas is over, the kids are back at school. Even though the dark nights are getting shorter it may not seem like it and there are still a few cold months to weather before the early signs of Spring start to show. Is it any wonder that people get depressed at this time of year. It is a sense that we all have of the end of something good and the beginning of a hard spell ahead, but for some people it is very much more than this. There is a type of Depression which has been recognised and properly evaluated and even has an entry in the DSM 5 - the 5th Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of psychiatry. It is called Seasonal Affective Disorder. This is defined as “ a sub-type of depression with a seasonal pattern that begins in a specific season and ends in a specific season, with no episodes of depression at other times, for at least 2 years”. It is estimated that 2 million people in the UK suffer from SAD syndrome as it has become known, and the main symptoms are low mood and a lack of interest in life. Some people also lose interest in things and others have disordered sleep pattern. It is also sometimes known as Winter depression, and the worst months are December and January typically. The exact cause is not known, but it is thought to be associated with reduced exposure to sunlight. Sunlight affects us by helping us to produce vitamin D through exposure to our skin, but is also has helpful affects on a part of our brains called the Hypothalamus,which controls mood, appetites and sleep. Stimulation of the retina by sunlight is associated with production of brain hormones and it is thought that a lack of sunlight therefore can have negative effects, by reducing production of these brain hormones, mainly Melatonin and Serotonin. Serotonin in particular has a key role in our mood and how we are feeling. Melatonin is important for our sleep. If you suspect that you might be suffering from SAD it might be worth speaking to your family doctor about this. Your GP may want to check a few simple blood tests to rule out other reasons for low mood, and may want to ask you some questions which will help to assess your mood and any degree of depression. This is something that you might like to do for yourself if you are not sure, and one of the common assessment tools is available online through various websites. Patient.co.uk is a site where you can find this PHQ 9 questionnaire, but also some helpful information about depression, and SAD.
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SAD is difficult to live with and does affect people significantly and their quality of life is greatly reduced. Light treatment with “ artificial sunlight” through a light box or lamp is used successfully by many people. A GP colleague of mine in the past had one on his desk for his own use in the winter months! These should be supplied by a reputable firm, as certain wavelengths of light are required, and it is not thought to be safe for the retina of our eyes to be exposed to certain wavelengths of light, so please beware and choose carefully. Your GP may be able to help you with this. Another treatment gaining popularity due to its lack of side effects and positive results is a type of Psychological intervention called Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). There are options too with various antidepressants that your GP may be able to offer too. Please don’t despair if you think that you may suffer from this condition. Your GP will know about it and can help you if you cannot help yourself by exercising, focussing on hobbies and interests and family, and even getting yourself a Light box. A helpful website in addition to Patient.co.uk is the NHS choices website, and more specifically for Depression and SAD a website called Living life to the full.com.
By Dr. W.R, Brown Consultant GP Kingsbridge Private Hospital
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FAMILY LIFE
The Belfast City Marathon On Bank Holiday Monday 1st May, over 17,500 runners are expected to hit the streets of North, South, East and West of the City. The 26.2 mile Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon will start at the Belfast City Hall at 9am and finish at Ormeau Park. It follows the same route as the Wheelchair Race and the Team Relay Event. The route covers all areas of Belfast to include plenty of support from all the local residents. All runners must complete the course in less than 6 hours. Mencap is the Official Nominated Charity for 2017. General Instructions • Entrants for the Marathon Run must be 18 years of age or over on the day of the event. Marathon Team Relay and Marathon Walk entrants must be 16 years of age or over on the day of the event. • There is no minimum age for the Fun Run. However, entrants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. • Relay captains must ensure they include all details of their team members and in the correct order. You can change these details up until Friday 21st April 2017. • It is recommended that potential participants not
currently involved in physical sporting activity should seek medical advice on their suitability to participate in any of the Belfast City Marathon Events. • The initial closing date for entries is Friday 31st March 2017. All Marathon, Team Relay and Walk Entries received after this date but before Friday 14th April will be subject to a £20 late entry surcharge. Any Fun Run entries will attract a late entry surcharge of £5. • No refunds given including for duplicate entries. • All race numbers and timing chips for those entered before Friday 31st March 2017 will be posted out to participants in advance of Race Day. Entries received after this date up until Friday 14th April will be required to pick up their packs at the Expo in Podium 4 Sport on Sunday 30th April 2017.
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• Please make sure your address given during registration is correct as organisers will not be held accountable for any loss of packs. • No packs can be collected on Race Day Get Training: Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon in partnership with ASICS are proud to offer training advice for all entrants, with tailored training plans being available for each individual. MY ASICS is a free online service that helps you achieve your running goals. It allows you to set up individual training schedules to cover distances from 5k and 10k to half marathon and marathon distances. In addition to the individual planning, you can also log your runs, find useful information and communicate and share your progress with other runners via the MY ASICS Facebook app; a timeline filled with support and advice that will keep you motivated every step of the way to your goal. Download the free app onto your smart phone and start tracking your runs today at www.my.asics.co.uk/
How to Enter: Online Entries are now open at: www.belfastcitymarathon.com/enter Alternatively you can download the 2017 Entry Form from our website: www.belfastcitymarathon.com or print an entry form and post it to the Marathon Office at: Marathon Office | Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park | Upper Malone Road | Belfast | BT17 9LA. For further information contact us on: 028 9060 5933 or info@belfastcitymarathon.org
BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY 1st May 2017
MARATHON RUN TEAM RELAY 8 MILE WALK FUN RUN
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FAMILY LIFE
Two Faced Love By Luke North
6.55pm He was early. Only by five minutes mind, but better to create a good impression. Unbelievable the amount of people still making their way home. And yet he’d had time to grab a piece of toast and a quick shower. Is that her? No, too rushed. Too flustered. Just another commuter. 6.58pm Maybe he should’ve bought a paper. Pretended to read. Cut a hole halfway up! Yeah right, Sam Snake, Private Investigator. There! Over by the phones. She’s certainly having a look around. But empty-handed. Not her. He felt a little ….. obvious. Near seven and here he was, jerking his head nervously round the concourse trying to spot someone spotting him. A farmyard hen. 7.01pm Well she did say by the clock. Like something you’d read in a gushy book. Quick check of the watch. Nope, the station clock’s correct. And she was right, it is like Big Ben, only the flat screen version, tall and slim.
7.18pm Ok, two more minutes. Twenty past. Any longer and he was going to look really daft. Now starting to blush with discomfort, with stupidity. Final look around. What would he say in the morning? “Didn’t turn up? Did you even go? Cold feet had we?”
7.05pm More nervous now. Anxious even. Another failed blind date? Another silly, stupid prank by a smirking female? Was she peering now from behind a gang of giggling office staff?
7.21pm Resigned himself to never again try online dating. Never. A glance at the flower. Gentle but deliberate crushing with his fingers. Consign to bin, the one where dozens had discarded their rubbish. Unwanted rubbish.
He’d thought long and hard. Never a winner in the game of courtship, always second to more suave guys, fitness freaks, worryingly handsome colleagues. All he wanted was a chance to show he was good fun, nice to be with, GSOH as the small ads said.
The desperate walk towards Brownlow St exit. Please don’t let me meet anyone I know.
7.12pm Shuffling uncertainly. No sign. Shirt collar now feeling uncomfortable. Small but expensive red rose causing an itch in his damp palm. She said she’d have one too. It’s how they would know each other. It was how they would be sure. Now looking more and more like he’d been stood up, again.
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On the reverse side of the station clock, Orla dabbed at her nose. The cold, nothing else. And the disappointment, etched into her drawn face. He said he’d carry a rose. He said at the clock. He said he’d not be late. Tossing her rose onto the marbled floor, she tearfully made her way back through the exit to James Street. What a waste of an evening.
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Reasons ... In the summer of 1979, English singer/songwriter Ian Dury – he of the ‘Ian Dury and the Blockheads’ fame – wrote and released a song which would make number 3 in the UK Top 40. It was a track, inspired by a near fatal accident in Italy while the rock band was on a European tour, an accident which almost led to electrocution for one band member when he was setting up for a sound check on stage. Often described as a ‘shopping list’ song, it is, quite simply, a list of reasons to be cheerful. Hence, its title: ‘Reasons to be Cheerful’! Among the reasons, given in the lyrics, to be cheerful: Buddy Holly, Piccadilly Circus, the Marx brothers.......... and wine! Oh, and there’s a mention of porridge as well, though I’m not convinced if you’re MADE to eat that particular breakfast cereal, you’d necessarily agree!
As 2017 settles in, as we become familiar with writing 2017 on a cheque, as we feel more at ease with using the ‘17’ as part of a date, I wonder do we have any ‘reasons to be cheerful’? Go back to January 2016, and the ultimate ‘rebel’ of the 60s and 70s, David Bowie passed away. Huge musical contributions for many of us: Rebel Rebel, Golden Years, Life on Mars. Will we ever forget Major Tom in Space Oddity? Hard to believe that one was a hit in 1969! In the same month Harry Potter and Die Hard actor, Alan Rickman plus Eagles guitarist Glenn Frey. Nancy Reagan, Keith Emerson, Sylvia Anderson, Paul Daniels and Ronnie Corbett would have their names added to the obituary list before the end of March. And it continued relentlessly with Prince, Muhammad Ali, our very own Henry McCullough, George Michael, Debbie Reynolds ...... Elsewhere, on a world stage, extremists have continued without mercy their selfish interpretation of their equally
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FAMILY LIFE
selfish and small-minded beliefs. Young and old have suffered. Parents and children. And children are so vulnerable, not always the intended target, but almost always suffer the side effects, they can be the so-called ‘collateral damage’. Bombs exploding in a street in a faraway city, aircraft under threat of hijack, Christmas shoppers cut down by a large vehicle as they browse for last minute gifts..... So where’s the ‘reasons to be cheerful’ now?? Strangely, they’re listed above. While grief has come to us all, while we’ve all suffered unexpectedly, while we’ve all experienced awful news, each day is a new day, each day a new dawning. Each day is another reason to get up and try and make the most of what we have, what we’ve been given, what fate or destiny has prescribed for us.
Glancing through social media posts a week or two back, it was staggering how many local people posted comments about how dreadful 2016 had been. How they’d had such traumatic and difficult events in the last twelve months. How they were glad to see the back of 2016. How I admire the youth of today, not afraid to express their feelings with acronyms like YOLO, FOMO and the ubiquitous LOL. However, they were all looking onwards and upwards to 2017, not over their collective shoulders. Let’s try to do the same. Let’s try to steal a page from the book of youth. Let’s skim back through that list of names who said goodbye in 2016 and let’s remember them fondly, whether from the world of film or song, politics ..... or the friendly face from down the road. And let’s be thankful that we’re looking forward to 2017. Ian Dury wasn’t far wrong. As our children and grandchildren freely post on social media – YOLO. By Luke North
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FAMILY LIFE
Global Belly Laugh Day Tuesday January 24th March brings us ‘British Pie’ week, whether a juicy steak pie or a smaller apple offering takes your fancy, and in June we have ‘National Wrong Trousers Day’….. I would suggest you don’t ask too many questions about this one, heaven knows how it might end up in your work – but the slug line on the awareness events web page talks of this being “your chance to don your craziest trousers, all for a great cause”. I’m not entirely sure what the ‘good cause’ is but I’m sure you could think of something! Your line manager will no doubt look forward to your expanding on that! Or why not wait until September for ‘International Day of Peace’ or later that same month ‘Roald Dahl Day’, a chance to relive dreams of being locked in a chocolate factory or imagine yourself with a dad who spent much of his time poaching pheasants from the thoroughly nasty Mr Victor Hazell.
Why not just jump in with both feet in a couple of weeks’ time for – no! not ‘National Dress Your pet up for the Day’ day, but rather ‘Global Belly Laugh Day’! As the organisers say, “there are thousands of spoken languages in the world…..but laughter unites everyone? Medics will tell us that having a good chuckle causes increased blood flow, and that in turn makes us feel more positive, happier and more energetic. The big day - ‘Global Belly Laugh Day’ - is Tuesday 24 January 2017 so make some plans now! But with caution. Your wife has just returned from the hairdressers. She asks what you think. It’s 24 January. Forget ‘Global Belly Laugh Day’.
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By Luke North
Friends call to show photographs of their newly re-decorated living room. The wallpaper is shocking pink with gaudy dark red stripes, they absolutely love it. It’s 24 January. Forget ‘Global Belly Laugh Day’. You return to your car which you left for a moment some twenty minutes ago on a double yellow line. There’s a redfaced, red-coated Traffic Attendant with notebook in hand waiting. He asks did you not see the two big lines. It’s 24 January. You’ve never heard of ‘Global Belly Laugh Day’! Be positive. Get those lips flexed and ready to crack into a beaming smile, followed within a second or two by a good hearty chuckle, mushrooming into a heartfelt belly laugh, a global belly laugh. Search the internet for those daft pictures which you receive in your emails. Have a trawl back through some of those you receive from particular friends who seem to know where to find them. If you’re on Facebook, keep an eye out for less risqué posts about what makes a good husband/wife/partner etc. Share with your fellow email
contacts, post like crazy on FB. Have a good hoke through old family photos; the clothes you wore 10 years ago and wouldn’t dream of wearing now; the hairstyles, the glasses, the smooth unblemished skin. Was that really me??!! Here’s one to email come 24 January: An 82 year-old man, Henry, went to the doctor to get a physical check-up. A few days later, the doctor saw Henry walking down the street with a gorgeous young woman on his arm A week later, he spoke to Henry and said, ‘You’re really doing great, aren’t you?’ Henry replied, ‘Just doing what you said, Doctor: ‘Get a hot mamma and be cheerful.’’ His doctor answered, ‘I didn’t say that, I said, ‘You’ve got a heart murmur; be careful’!!
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FAMILY LIFE
The Croaghan Walk Nestled within the Antrim Coast & Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), home to some of the most beautiful and varied scenery in Northern Ireland, Croaghan Mountain is part of a recognisable series of hills dominating the Ballymoney skyline. Expect stunning views from the very beginning as the start of the walk is located at Altrarichard viewing point on the
setting means you can also expect to be treated to dramatic sharp drops of high ground as the Glens drop down to the sea. Once you’ve taken time to soak in the view follow the waymarkers down the other side of the hill to the edge of Breen Forest. Continue into the forest along a grassy track until you reach a formal forest path, following the waymaker to meet with the main Breen Forest path adjoining the Moyle Way for a short distance. As you make your way along the forest trail with fine views keep your eyes peeled for wandering resident wildlife including deer, badger, fox and stoat. Where the Moyle Way continues to the left, follow the path straight ahead to the end. Waymarkers will then guide you along a rough track onto a stretch of open hill and back into Altarichard Forest. Exit the forest and make your way back to the car park where you can enjoy a well deserved bite to eat at the sites picnic facilities.
Orra Scenic Drive between Magherahoney and Cushendall/ Cushendun. Walkers should begin by following the Breen Forest Trail red waymarkers uphill until reaching a stile. This section may be marshy underfoot so sturdy waterproof footwear is required. After the stile make the steep ascent up heather clad hills to the summit of Croaghan where you will be rewarded with spectacular panoramic views including Croaghan’s bigger neighbours Knocklayd and Slieveanorra, the stunning Sperrins and the cliffs of Rathlin Island. On a clear day the tops of Trostan and Tievebulliagh are visible with the distant Paps of Jura also within eyes reach. Of the famous “Nine Glens of Antrim,” Croaghan Mountain lies between Glenshesk, which means Glen of the reeds or sedges, and Glendun or Glen of the brown river. Such a
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For more walks in Co. Antrim go to www.walkni.com
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Useful Numbers Medical Centres
Home Maintenance
Abbot Cross Ballyclare Glengormley Notting Hill Old School Rosehall Tramways Templepatrick
028 9036 4048 028 9332 2575 028 9084 8420 028 9080 8200 028 9086 4455 028 9083 2188 028 9034 2131 028 9443 2202
Hospitals Antrim Area Belfast City Royal Victoria Whiteabbey
028 9442 4000 028 9032 9241 028 9024 0503 028 9086 5181
Pharmacies Boots (Abbey Centre) Boots (Ballyclare) Clear Pharmacy (Abbey Ctr) Collinward Pharmacy Dundees (G’gormley) Hightown Northcott Medicare Group Mckays (T’patrick) Gordons (Rathcoole) Flemings (Ballyclare)
028 9036 5910 028 9335 2289 028 9036 5828 028 9059 9333 028 9083 2218 028 9083 6025 028 9083 2714 028 9083 3991 028 9443 2840 028 9085 1206 028 9332 2427
Helplines Crimestoppers Translink NSPCC Age NI Money Advice Service Samaritans PSNI Non Emergency
0800 555 111 028 9066 6630 0808 800 5000 028 9032 5055 0800 028 1881 08457 90 90 90 101
Airports Belfast International City of Derry George Best City
028 9448 4848 028 7181 0784 028 9093 9093
Libraries Ballyclare Library Ballymena Library Belfast Central Library Glengormley Library Rathcoole Library
028 9335 2269 028 2563 3950 028 9050 9150 028 9083 3797 028 9085 1157
Veterinary Surgeries Clare Vets (Ballyclare) Clare Vets (Abbey) Glenburn (Glengormley)
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COMMUNITY
028 9332 2223 028 9036 5573 028 9084 9350
Ballyclare uPVC Locksmiths Ballyclare Glass & Glazing Bitmac Tarmac FonaSkip Premier Pest Control NI
07811 251936 028 9334 0144 07860 544331 028 9335 2134 07923 261050
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Nursery/Primary Schools Abbots Cross Primary Ashgrove Primary Ballyclare Nursery Ballyclare Primary Ballygolan Primary Ballyhenry Nursery Ballyhenry Primary Carnmoney Primary EarlView Primary & Nursery Fairview Primary Glengormley Int Primary Hazelwood Int Primary Hollybank Primary King’s Park Primary Mallusk Primary Mossgrove Primary Mossley Primary Rathcoole Primary St. Bernard’s Primary St. James’ Primary St. Mary’s on the Hill St. McNissis Primary Thompson Primary Tir-na-Nog Primary Whiteabbey Primary
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RECIPES By: Darina Allen: BBC Food
Winter Leak & Potato Soup Of the winter soups, leek and potato is one of the most comforting and familiar - and Darina Allen’s makes the most of seasonal, local veg.
Cooking Time: Ready in 40-50 mins Ingredients (Serves 6-8) • 50g butter • 450g potatoes • , peeled and cut into 1cm pieces (try Golden Wonders or Kerr Pinks) • 1 small onion • , cut the same size as the potatoes • 450g white parts of leeks • , sliced (save the green tops for another soup or stock) • 850ml-1.2litres/1½-2pts light chicken • or vegetable stock • 142ml carton whipping cream • 125ml full-fat milk • To finish • the white part of 1 leek • a small knob of butter • finely chopped chives
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Method 1. Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan. When
it foams, add the potatoes, onion and leeks and toss them in the butter until they are well coated. Season well with salt and freshly ground pepper and toss again. Put a disc of greaseproof paper (called a cartouche by chefs) on top of the vegetables to keep in the steam), then cover the pan with its lid. Cook over a gentle heat for 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft but not coloured.
2. Uncover the pan and discard the paper.
Pour in 850ml/11⁄2 pints of the stock, bring to the boil and simmer until the vegetables are just cooked – about 5 minutes. Do not overcook or the soup will lose its fresh flavour.
3. Purée in a blender until silky smooth, in
batches if necessary, then taste and adjust the seasoning. Return the soup to a clean pan and stir in three quarters of the cream and all of the milk.
4. To finish the soup, finely shred the white
leek and gently cook it in the hot butter for a few minutes until it is softened but not coloured. Reheat the soup to a gentle simmer (add some extra stock at this point if the soup is too thick for your liking), then pour into warmed bowls. Drizzle the remaining cream over each serving, top with a little pile of buttered leeks and a scattering of chives and black pepper and serve at once.
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MOTORING
The 2017 Mazda3 2017 Mazda3 Hatchback’s revamped exterior design conveys power, beauty and dynamic motion in every detail. Through further advancements in our renowned SKYACTIV Technology, 2017 Mazda3 further enhances the driving experience, providing you with an unmatched level of driving enjoyment, whilst still achieving excellent fuel economy.
The Impressibely spacious, luxurious redesigned cabin equipped with with sport-styled seats, electronic parking brake, and soft-touch materials provides the comfort you need to enjoy the drive. The newly designed instrument panel and the leather-trimmed, heated steering wheel and chrome-look dials on the air vent rings enhance the look of the luxurious cockpit.
Car and Driver in perfect harmony At Mazda we believe the car should feel like an extension of you, a pure, intuitive relationship, creating a bond that words cannot describe. Like horse and rider working as one - we call this ‘Jinba Ittai.’
Innovation: Here’s what makes Mazda3 so great Introducing Mazda’s evolved i-ACTIVSENSE system, which utilises cameras and sensors to detect potential hazards around you, whether driving in the busy city or on the open road. 2017 Mazda3 provides you with generous levels of safety, security and comfort ensuring that you can fully immerse your senses in Mazda’s fun to drive experience.
Jinba Ittai - the connection between a horse and rider is a unique synergy we engineer into every Mazda. From the smallest bolt to our SKYACTIV Technology, everything creates a harmonious relationship between car and driver, enhancing the power of those sitting behind the wheel. An exhilarating and sporty Hatchback with a distinctive human-centric interior The 2017 Mazda3 Hatchback creates an impression of powerful, forward movement through its dynamic sculpted form with its contoured, muscular body conveying power
• Blind Spot Monitoring System (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) • Traffic Sign Recognition • Lane-Keep Assist helps your steering if you are about to leave your lane • Driver Attention Alert monitors your driving behaviour and prompts you to take a break • The Advanced Smart City Brake Support that prevents collisions
and fluidity to help deliver a more dynamic and enjoyable driving experience. The strong, broad stance gives a clue to the thrilling driving performance and manoeuvrability.
Maximum speed: 130mph* | 0-62mph in 8.1 seconds* | Fuel Consumption Combined: 48.7 -74.3 mpg** CO2 emissions: 99 - 135 g/km
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* Figures based on 2.2 SKYACTIV-D diesel (150 PS) 6MT
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BALLYROBERT MAZDA COMING SOON BALLYROBERT MAZDA 1 Mallusk Road Newtownabbey BT36 4XS The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the Mazda MX-5 range: Urban 30.4 (9.3) – 35.8 (7.9). Extra Urban 51.4 (5.5) – 57.6 (4.9). Combined 40.9 (6.9) – 47.1 (6.0). CO2 emissions (g/km) 161 – 139. The fuel consumption figures quoted are sourced from official EU-regulated test results obtained through laboratory testing. These are provided for comparability purposes only and may not reflect your actual driving results. Test drives subject to applicant status and availability.
MOTORING
New Laws That May Affect Motorists in 2017 Carlton Boyce looks into a range of new motoring legislations predicted for 2017 The pressure on drivers and motorists is expected to continue into the New Year, with a range of new motoring legislation thought to come into force in 2017. While some of these changes are only my predictions at the moment, the smart money would be on all of them becoming law within the next twelve months. Mobile phone points double The UK Government is expected to react to growing concerns that motorists continue to use their mobile phones behind the wheel by doubling the number of penalty points for those caught red-handed.
Car tax changes The changes to the car tax rules in 2017 have left a lot of commentators – me included – bewildered. While I accept the need to address falling revenues as motorists flock to buy low-emission vehicles, punishing those that drive more environmentally sensitive cars while simultaneously cutting the cost of owning a midprice gas guzzler does seem a rather odd thing to do. Because, as I pointed out at the time the changes were announced, more than 90% of the extra income will come from drivers of cars that emit less than 130g/km of CO2. Changes to the driving test The Government recently consulted on changes to the UK driving test. The consultation period has ended, and the following changes are expected to come into force in 2017. To increase the duration of the ‘independent driving’ element part of the test, during which the examinee drives following road signs and verbal directions, from 10 to 20 minutes. The candidate will also have to follow directions from a sat-nav for part of the 20-minute drive. To replace the ‘reverse around a corner’ and ‘turn in the road’ manoeuvres with more real-life scenarios like driving into and then reversing out of a parking space.
“We all have a part to play in ensuring our family and friends do not use their phones while driving,” said Chris Grayling, the minister for transport. He went on to say that he would announce “a tougher new penalty regime shortly”. The on-the-spot fine is also predicted to double in value, so anyone caught using a mobile phone while driving will potentially face a £200 fixed penalty plus six points on their driving licence. (It’s worth pointing out that this is much harsher than the changes proposed by David Cameron when he was prime minister of a £150 fine and four penalty points.) The changes would mean anyone caught using their phone twice would face a minimum six-month driving ban under the ‘totting up’ procedure. They would also be summoned to appear in court where they could be fined up to £1,000.
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To ask one of the two vehicle safety questions - known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions - while the candidate is driving. These questions might include real-life scenarios such as turning on the heated rear screen. As the DVSA Chief Driving Examiner, Lesley Young, put it: “Candidates will be given more responsibility for making decisions during the test. We want them to show they can cope with distractions and assess risk without the intervention of their instructor or examiner.” Parking on kerbs Finally, ministers are said to be considering making it illegal to park on the pavement or kerb. While it is already illegal to park in such a way as to cause an obstruction, extending this to include a ban on all pavement parking seems like a common sense move, even if some motoring pressure groups warn that the changes could be seen as something of a cash cow for local authorities keen to make up for deficits in their budget. Courtesy of www.saga.co.uk
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