Newtownabbey In-touch March/April 2017 issue by In-touch Magazines

Newtownabbey

March / April 2017

WO ION rs utdoo

£50 G tcard Gif ealth H e f i 4L A Vac r your Pet fo Plan side for details see in

your community / your life / your business

Back Into The Garden

Tips on getting it into shape

The Final Countdown

Coping with the pressure of exams

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CONTENTS: 6.

6. COUNTDOWN As you read this, GCSE and A Level students are entering that final stage of readiness, working feverishly to finish off the syllabus and polishing up exam technique. We need to ‘feel their pain’, yet still offer encouragement.

18. HAYFEVER

Hay fever season is almost upon us again, causing misery to thousands in the province. Estimates suggest that 20% of the population can be affected by this each year.

18. 22.

22. GARDENING

Spring is almost here and many of you will be getting into the garden for the first time this year. We thought it would be good to share a few tips to help you make your garden one to be proud of.

44. MODDING 44.

Cars can be modified to improve performance or style. If you’re considering modifying your car or you have purchased a modified car, you need to know if they are within the law or constitute an offence.

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR Welcome to our March/April issue and we hope you are feeling the optimism of spring with signs that it is on its way. The days are getting longer and the spring buds are starting to bloom. It’s not that we hibernate in this country over winter but we naturally spend more time inside than out. If that describes you there is plenty in this issue to encourage you to venture outdoors. If you are a golfer and are about to dust of your clubs ready for a new season, Greenacres (page 17) is a beautiful course to get you back into the ‘swing of things’. Perhaps their driving range would be a good place to start. Disclaimer

For the gardener there are lots of ideas to encourage you back into the garden, and if you don’t fancy tackling the lawn yourself, why not give Greenthumb (pg 26-27) a ring. Speaking from personal experience, they will have your lawn, weed free and looking great in time for summer. There are many great causes to raise money for this spring including the Rabbit Run and Bunny Hop in support of the Northern Ireland Hospice and this event takes place on 9th April around Hazelbank Park. Off course there is also the Belfast Marathon (pg 45) in its many forms and if you are just getting started with your training (hopefully not), have a look at our running tips on pg 36.

Unfortunately for some, this time of year brings misery in the form of Hay Fever, but don’t despair as there is advice available (pg 18) and many suffers can benefit from the treatments available. We do hope you enjoy this spring issue and don’t forget to download and use our In-touch AR App to get even more from this issue.

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.

FAMILY LIFE

The Final Countdown By Luke North

The last two weeks in August may seem a long way off, but for those in the 16 to 18 age bracket, it’s either a nightmare around the corner or a case of ‘bring it on’! If your teens are waiting for GCSE or A Level results, like it or not, those dates will slowly but surely come around. Years of classroom study, coupled with countless hours of patient revision will reveal their end-product by the close of summer. As you read this, in excess of 200 schools across the province are entering that final stage of readiness with their pupils. Some 30,000 pupils will be working feverishly to finish off the syllabus in GCSEs, and a similar number are polishing up exam technique and approach for A Levels. Some GCSE practicals will have begun, with many only a matter of weeks away. And are the youngsters ready? Are their teachers ready? Has the subject syllabus been covered? Could there possibly be any more past papers which they’ve not relentlessly tackled? We place a lot of trust in our hard-working teachers. We rely upon them to make sure the course and coursework have been taught. They are experts. They know their subject area. But can they instil enough confidence and knowledge into our off-spring to enable them to perform when sat at a square exam table on their own? We can but hope so. That said, there’s still an obligation on the young students to dig deep and help themselves. Revision is neither easy, nor straightforward. It has to be seen as the means to an end. If you want to hit a target, you must aim high and you must keep practising that aim. And parents need to show an interest, take an interest, lead with guidance. Encourage a pattern, a timetable. Strive to have a period of calm or quiet which lends itself to effective study. Create a working atmosphere in the home, or at least, in one part of it. Should this not always be possible, maybe the local library is worth considering for a two hour revision slot.

Discourage evening study with the radio or television on. Focus and concentration are necessary. Set aside a time when those programmes that can’t be missed .......... may be viewed! Record for Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon viewing. Encourage sensible eating and refreshment. Regular rest and routine bedtime as well. Check with the big bookshops for past papers which your teen can have as his or her own. Many will also sell mark schemes, failing that, ask for them at school – but they shouldn’t be read through until the paper has been attempted. And don’t discard the idea of doing the same paper again, a week or two after it’s first been done. Is the BBC Bitesize site worth exploring? I think so. Lots of insightful topics, brain boosters and quick-check modules. For the visual learner, this site could be very apt. And at the risk of patronising, make sure there are enough pens, paper, mathematical devices, and good old-fashioned paper. Post-it notes or similar will be very useful for compiling bullet points and cue cards. Can we make the whole process more enjoyable? Want me to be honest? We need to work with our teens to let them see that it is all worthwhile. We need to ‘feel their pain’, yet still offer encouragement, not nagging. We need to be behind them, be on their side.

There are very few jobs where no qualification is required. Study now, or leave it till you’re in a job of some sort and realise you want more out of life. Then prepare yourself for a 5pm finish, head back out to the local college for a 7pm course running through till 9pm – perhaps three night nights a week. Or tell them to study now. Get it over with now. It really is worth it!

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FAMILY LIFE

Vaccination So Much More Than an Injection… Vaccines are one of the most common procedures we carry out here at Vets4Pets Newtownabbey. It’s quick and simple and what’s more, at the time of vaccine your pet will receive a full health check examination by our vets. This is an opportunity for us to carefully assess your pet and make sure there are no underlying problems that might affect their quality of life.

By Arthur Tyther

from communal water bowls, walking and playing in local parks and public fields, or when meeting and socialising with other dogs. This vaccine is quick and easy to administer as drops into nose.

As a general rule we recommend your pet is vaccinated every year. However all pets differ slightly, so we might not always vaccinate your pet for all diseases every year. There are a number of things that can influence this including health status, breed, age, lifestyle, environment and travel habits. We will work with you to determine which vaccines are appropriate to keep your pet happy and healthy. Fortunately Newtownabbey has had low levels of disease in recent years, but complacency can lead to trouble. Human studies have shown when vaccination levels drop below 70% diseases can re-emerge: Wales had a measles outbreak in 2012 due to poor vaccination uptake. You could almost suggest that if the house either side of you keep up their vaccinations, you have a buffer, but its better to part of the solution. Worried about boosters? If you are worried about giving your dog a booster each year, we are able to offer a special Vac Check using Titre Testing. By taking a small blood sample, we can assess your dog’s antibody level against core diseases. The results can then help us decide whether or not to apply the booster vaccination. This blood test is a great way of ensuring we only vaccinate when we need to. If you do decide to have a Vac Check, just bear in mind that not all kennels or insurance companies accept this as proof of protection. What is a vaccine? A vaccine is usually given by an injection under the skin. As with humans, these vaccines contain small controlled quantities of the virus and are designed to stimulate an immune response that will protect your pet against the disease.

For more information about vaccinations, pop in or give us a call. We can also talk to you about our special Vac4Life health plan. For a one off-payment of just £99, your cat, dog or rabbit can benefit from booster vaccinations for life, as well as an annual vet health check, and an additional health check with a veterinary nurse 6 months after the booster. We look forward to welcoming you and your pet at Vets4Pets Newtownabbey.

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FAMILY LIFE

Divis Ridge Trail View Belfastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most spectacular viewpoint from which the city skyline, Scotland and The Isle of Man are visible. The Ridge Trail situated on Divis and the Black Mountain in the Belfast Hills offers one of the best views in Belfast on land previously inaccessible to the public.

Many famous landmarks can be seen from the summit including; Stormont, Samson and Goliath, Belfast City Hall, Titanic Belfast, Scrabbo Tower and the Mourne Mountains to name a few. See how many you can point out! Continue to follow the gravel path as it winds its way along the ridge towards Black Hill. The path leaves the ridge before

The highest peak nestled in the heart of the Belfast Hills, Divis sits at 276m/ 1,526ft. However, the best bit about the trail is that you get to enjoy the amazing views from the top without having to climb much height.

reaching Black Hill and continues to weave its way back towards the Long Barn, Crossing a couple of stiles and the Collin River along the way. Turn left when you reach the access road to return to the Long Barn.

The trail is 4.2miles and takes in neighbouring Black Mountain on relatively flat tarmac, boardwalk and gravel pathways making it perfect for anyone with a moderate level of fitness. From the car park at the Long Barn (Note National Trust car park pricing applies for this car park however there is an alternative free car park on Divis Rd 0.5 miles from the Long Barn which can also be used by walkers), follow the tarmac path towards the Divis transmitter masts. Bear right onto a section of boardwalk, shortly before reaching the lower mast. Once the boardwalk ends, turn right onto the gravel path, leading towards the summit of Black Mountain, which is marked by a trig point (A concrete pillar originally erected by the Ordnance Survey for the purposes of surveying the land). From here you can experience exhilarating views across the city and beyond.

Once your walk is completed enjoy a cuppa and sweet treat at the coffee shop at the barn. Should you want to explore Divis and the Black Mountain further, 3 other walking trails are available rnaging from 0.9 to 4 miles with the Summit Trail taking you to the summit of Divis Mountain and the highest point in Belfast. For more information including downloadable maps and route descriptions for the walk trails at Divis and the Black Mountain and indeed hundreds of other walking routes across Northern Ireland visit www.walkni.com Distance: 4.2 miles circular

Nearest town to start: Hannahstown, Belfast Facilities: Mobility parking spaces, coffee shop and toilets Terrain: This walk takes place on gravel paths and stone paving with some rough sections.

For more walks in Co. Antrim go to www.walkni.com

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FAMILY LIFE

Car Insurance Make Sure You’re Covered Car insurance is a legal requirement in the UK and gives peace of mind so should the worst happen, you will be compensated for the loss of your car. Maybe you knew that but here are a few important things that perhaps you don’t know about your car insurance. Following a ruling by the European Court of Justice, UK insurers will not be allowed to use gender as a factor when setting insurance premiums. That should mean in theory that a man and a woman whose application details are otherwise identical should pay the same premium. Fronting This is falsely listing one person as the main driver and another person as a “named” additional driver in order to get a lower overall premium -- often because the second driver is a young person. This can be a grey area, so think about whether your chosen set-up is a reasonable reflection of reality. If a particular driver uses the car more frequently, more regularly, or over longer distances than the other driver, they should be classed as the main driver. Customising If you have customised your car since your last renewal, you may need to tell the insurer or risk invalidating the policy. If you are uncertain if you need to do this, ask yourself the following three questions: Do the changes potentially reduce safety? Do the changes improve the performance of the car, particularly the speed (which can increase the chance of an accident or the likely damage if you crash)?; Do the changes make the car more attractive to thieves? Telematics Some insurers offer an up front discount if you take out a telematics policy. Telematics, or Black Box policies as they are often referred to can provide cheaper car insurance, particularly for younger drivers. Many new cars already come with telematics as standard but if not, a ‘Black Box’ can be relatively easily installed and sometimes paid for by your insurance company. This device monitors your driving, checks your speed, how aggressively you accelerate and brake and how

cautiously you drive, and also whether you are on the road at perceived dangerous times - i.e. the early hours of the morning. Your insurance company rewards you for careful driving and they can cut premiums substantially once you start proving you are a good driver. Fully Comprehensive or Third Party? Fully comprehensive insurance can be cheaper than third party. Many drivers choose third party insurance because it offers the lowest level of cover so people assume it is the cheapest option. But this is not necessarily the case. Third party cover is popular with young drivers but they are more likely to make a claim on their insurance than more experienced drivers. As a result the cost of third party premiums has risen significantly in recent years and you may find that a fully comprehensive policy is actually cheaper. Shop Around Car insurance premiums vary significantly so it pays to shop around. Even if you think you got a good deal last year it does not mean your insurer’s renewal quote will be competitive. Be careful though. When shopping around for car insurance, it’s important to make sure that you are comparing like-for-like. Some policies may seem cheaper, but you may find you don’t have the same level of cover when you have to make a claim. Why use an Insurance Broker? Insurance brokers are experts in the market and have a talent for finding the best cover at the best price! Brokers are independent and work with a carefully selected group of insurers that they have regular contact with and are usually able to secure exclusive deals. Using a broker doesn’t cost more than going direct. Insurance brokers can help you find the right policy for whatever you want to insure and save you time if you need to make a claim. CIP are one of the leading independent insurance brokerage companies in Northern Ireland. We as an independent Insurance broker continually compare prices to give our customers the best deals on the market.

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FAMILY LIFE

March is Make a Will Month Make a Will Month will take place province wide from 1st - 31st March. During this month, 30 local participating solicitors will not charge for their will making service and you will be invited to make a donation to the NI Hospice instead at your discretion. Scan the code on this page with In-touch AR to see a list of participating solicitors. Not only does your donation make a a real difference to the life of a hospice patient but having a will also makes it much easier for your family or friends to sort everything out when you die – without a will the process can be more time consuming and stressful.

Having a Will Is Important Having an up to date will is the only way to ensure that your family, friends and the causes you believe in are provided for in the way you wish after you die. It is vital to have a will because: • • If you die without making a will or without making a valid will, you are said to die intestate. Your possessions will be distributed according to strict intestacy rules not necessarily how you would wish. Under the Law of Intestacy if you are unmarried and have no close relatives your Estate will automatically pass to the Crown (government) if there is no valid Will in place • If you are not married or in a civil partnership, your partner will not automatically inherit your estate if you do not have a valid will

• If you have dependent children, but do not have a valid will then you will have no control over who looks after them, should anything happen to you Why is it important to keep your will updated? Once you have a will, it’s important to keep it up to date. Major changes to your marital, family or financial circumstances should be reflected in your will. Is using a solicitor important? We recommend that you use a solicitor when making or updating your will to ensure that all legal procedures are followed. The process needn’t be lengthy or expensive.

After your initial meeting with a solicitor, you should arrange a follow up appointment to check that your will has been drafted according to your wishes and to have it witnessed and signed. Sorting out misunderstandings and disputes after your death may result in considerable legal costs, which then reduces the amount of money in the estate. What about tax? Inheritance tax is paid if the value of your estate exceeds the threshold set by the government – currently £325,000. Inheritance tax of 40% is paid on the amount that exceeds this threshold. What’s more, gifts to charities are generally exempt from Inheritance Tax. If you leave a charitable gift it will be deducted from your estate before Inheritance Tax liability is calculated.

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During March 2017 participating solicitors will waive their will making fee in return for a donation to Northern Ireland Hospice. For more details or for a list of participating solicitors please contact our Legacy Officer on 028 9078 1836, email fundraising@nihospice.org

Charity Number: NIC102337

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We’ve Got Our Eyes on Great Causes

HEALTHY LIVING

At Specsavers Abbeycentre, as well as looking after the local community’s eyes and ears for 15 years, we are passionate about supporting local charities. At Specsavers Abbeycentre, we endeavour to be very much part of the community, providing great value in glasses, contact lenses and hearing aids. The team enjoy getting behind great causes and we love to celebrate our local heroes. Once again this year we are the title sponsor of the wonderful Sunday Life Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards where we celebrate local everyday heroes. Do pay a visit to Specsavers Abbeycentre for more information on how you can nominate your local hero. At this time of year, our thoughts naturally turn to the wonderful cause that is Comic Relief. Recently hundreds of Specsavers’ official Red Nose Day glasses arrived in our store so customers can get in the spirit of Comic Relief. The glasses, which have a waving hand on each side, come in both children’s and adult sizes and are just £2. Customers are also being encouraged to take a waving selfie while wearing the glasses and share it on social media using the hashtag #giveusawave.

This is the third year that Specsavers Abbeycentre is supporting the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice Rabbit Run and Bunny Hop – an event that has already raised over £25,000. If you’re not familiar with the Rabbit Run and Bunny Hop, it’s an annual 5K Rabbit Run and one mile children’s race around the picturesque Hazelbank Park located in the heart of Newtownabbey along the beautiful coast of Belfast Lough. It takes place this year on Sunday 9th April. Children and adults alike can take part in this fabulous event – www.therabbitrun.co.uk for further information.

Specsavers is an official partner of Red Nose Day and all the proceeds from the £2 glasses sold in store goes to Comic Relief. Projects being backed this year include supporting people with dementia, helping people suffering from anxiety disorders and paying for life-saving medical attention for severely ill children in Uganda. Go on, give us a wave for a great cause! It’s incredible to think that Red Nose Day has raised more than £1 billion globally since its launch in 1985, according to organisers Comic Relief. So for excellent eye care, professional hear care and a team that supports worthy charities you know what they say, you should’ve gone to…. www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/newtownabbey or call 028 9036 9569 and bring this voucher to the store for a free eye test.

Free eye test voucher We’ll give you an eye test FREE

Valid for one test on or before 30 June 2017. Present voucher at time of test. Cannot be exchanged for cash, used with other vouchers or eye-health clinic appointments, or redeemed by customers already entitled to a free NHS-funded eye test. One per person, at named Specsavers stores only. Abbey Centre Newtownabbey. Tel 028 9036 9569 specsavers.co.uk

GREENACRES GOLF CENTRE A beautifully manicured course, 3 miles from Corrs Corner on the B56 Road to Ballyclare

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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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There is an optional charge of £40 to join Greenacres Golf Club which allows members to receive a GUI membership and play in club competitions.

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HEALTHY LIVING

Scan with In-touch AR

Are You Affected by Hay Fever? Hay fever season is almost upon us again, causing misery to thousands in the province. Estimates suggest that 20% of the population can be affected by this each year.

During the pollen season, plants release pollen early in the morning. As the day gets warmer and more flowers open, pollen levels rise. On sunny days, the pollen count is highest in the early evening.

The “ syndrome “ consists of some or all of the following symptoms: runny nose, sneezing, itchy and watering eyes, an itchy throat and general congestion of the ear nose and throat.

Hay fever sufferers typically have a high level of a specific antibody called Immunoglobulin E. This is the same antibody shared by asthma and eczema sufferers and can be inherited through families.”

It is caused by an exaggerated allergic response to plant allergens, which are proteins that the body recognises as foreign tissue, and produces a substance called “Histamine”.

There’s currently no cure for hay fever with treatment being the only way to relieve symptoms to a certain extent. As with most allergies the best way of treating them is to avoid whatever triggers it, but obviously it is difficult to avoid pollen during the spring/summer months. There are a number of effective treatments available and it’s important to find out what works best for you.

Histamine causes all of the symptoms, and the main treatment of this condition is an “Antihistamine “ which is available as a tablet, a nasal spray or eye drops. Other treatments include steroids, which dramatically reduce the body’s response in severe cases, and Homoeopathy which treats this by exposing the body to tiny quantities of the allergen and by doing so “desensitising “ it to the allergen. There are different plant allergens which cause this misery to affected people in the spring, summer and Autumn, which all come under the banner of “hay fever” but are not all caused by Hay.

If anyone suspects that they are being affected by hay fever they could visit their community pharmacist for advice and be sold one of the many over the counter treatments available today. In more severe, persistent or resistant cases the family GP could provide some more help and advice, some stronger medications or even a referral to a specialist allergy clinic.

Grass, tree and other plant pollens cause this, and also the spores which are shed from trees in the Autumn. Sufferers experience hay fever symptoms if they have an allergic reaction to pollen, which is a fine powder, released by plants as part of their reproductive cycle. When these tiny particles come into contact with the cells that line the mouth, nose, eyes and throat, they irritate them and trigger an allergic reaction. Sufferers can have an allergy to: • Tree pollen, released during spring (late March to mid-May) • Grass pollen, released during the end of spring and beginning of summer (mid-May to July) • Weed pollen, released end of June to September The weather also plays a part in how much sufferers are affected by Hay Fever. The sun affects how much pollen is released by plants and the wind affects how much it is spread around. On humid and windy days, pollen spreads easily. On rainy days, pollen may be cleared from the air, causing pollen levels to fall.

By Dr. W.R, Brown Consultant GP Kingsbridge Private Hospital

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YOUR HOME

Getting Back Into The Garden Spring is almost here and I can’t wait to hear the birds’ singing, seeing the little lambs in the fields and plants coming to life again! Many of you will be getting into the garden for the first time this year so we thought it would be good to share a few tips to help you make the most of the longer days and look forward to a garden to be proud of.

March is also the month for PRUNING fruit trees such as apples, cherries and raspberries. In order to protect fruit trees from mites and borers it is necessary to spray the trees before they begin to bud out. Some of the organic INSECTICIDES that are recommended by horticultural experts include Rotenone, Pyrethrum, Neem, Entrust (spinosad), Surround (kaolin clay), insecticidal soaps and oils. Always remember to prune off and dispose of all dead, diseased, and broken parts of the trees. HOUSEPLANTS will also enjoy the longer days and you will start to see new growth in them. Start watering them a little more and also feed them with a good quality plant food such as organic liquid seaweed or soil extract fertilizer. Do not forget to repot your houseplants to improve their health.

Start working on the WEEDS while they are small and easily controlled by either pulling them by hand or spot spraying them with a herbicide. Visit your local garden centre to obtain a more specific weed killer as some cannot be used on areas you expect to plant seeds in. For PLANTING it is important to use soil that is well drained, therefore wait until the ground dries a little before starting to work on your beds. If the soil sticks to your fingers it may still be too wet to use. Remember raise beds provide better drainage for wet heavy soils and adding compost also promotes nutritious growth.

Do you know that St. Patrick’s Day is the traditional time to start planting peas and Irish potatoes? It is also the right time to plant rhubarb, asparagus, radishes, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower and onions. A good quality SOIL is the foundation for good plant growth therefore testing the soil before planting, especially in a new area is essential. Purchase a soil test kit to check the acidity, soluble salts and other nutritional values in the soil.

In April we begin to see the beautiful picture of SPRING COLOURS in our gardens. It is the month for flowers such as redbuds, magnolias, daphnes, pussywillow and spirea to begin to bloom! Although pansies, for example, look fragile they can withstand the freezing temperatures and can therefore be planted outdoors in containers or in the garden at this time. However if they have been in a greenhouse they should be kept outdoors for a while prior to planting in the garden. April is also the time to prune and feed most evergreen plants before their growth in mid-spring, however those that are about to flower can be left until flowering has finished, eg. Camellia, Rhododendron, Daphne and Buxus. After pruning it is worth applying a general purpose fertiliser that will provide the plants with good nutrients for growth and yields. MULCHING is also recommended to improve the soil around plants whilst giving your garden a neat and tidy appearance. One to three inches of mulch helps to prevent weeds and diseases. It also keeps the moisture in the garden and maintains the temperature. Use biodegradable mulches such as garden compost, leaves, wood chippings and manure or non-biodegradable such as sea shells, tumbled glass, or even crushed CDs. The rule of thumb is one to three inches of mulch a few inches from the plant stems to prevent roots from rotting. Copyright: Newtownabbey In-touch

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YOUR HOME

Spring Your Lawn Back to Life!

Giving your house a spring clean is a popular activity this time of year and your garden deserves the same attention if you want it to look its best. When we do venture back outside, we are often faced with overgrown shrubbery and under-loved lawns, and bringing your garden back to life can seem like a daunting task. But it doesn’t have to be! As the temperatures gets milder, now is the perfect time to give your lawn some much needed TLC to keep it healthy and weed free in the months ahead. Last year’s milder winter means that your lawn has probably continued growing all year and could have done with attention a little earlier than usual.

Before First things first, it pays to take care of any bare patches that may have appeared. The best way to deal with them is to carefully rake the patch and then sow some grass seeds mixed with a little top-soil. It’s important not to let the seeds dry out so keep them well watered and you should see some sprouts appearing within a few days. Grass needs as much direct sunlight as possible to stay healthy and green so raking up any dead leaves and twigs is another important job and can be a great way to get the kids involved and develop their ‘green thumbs’! As a rule of thumb, the first dry and sunny day in March is the ideal time to give your lawn its first cut of the year. Cutting the grass too short, too soon can attract unwanted weeds and moss so to avoid that happening, make sure you use the highest blade setting on your lawnmower.

Special fertilisers are available to use at this time of year to give grass the essential nutrients it needs to grow strong and give it a vibrant colour; these seasonal treatments have been specially developed to work in cooler temperatures. Spring weather conditions tend to result in a flourish of young weeds, and selecting a treatment that includes a herbicide can help to control broad-leaf weeds such as daisies, clovers, dandelions and buttercups. Once you’ve carried out basic maintenance on your lawn, it pays to plan ahead to prevent all your hard work in the spring going to waste and to guarantee a beautiful lawn you can enjoy all summer long. Hotter weather and dry spells over the summer can lead to your lawn turning

After yellow and drying up. There are some really effective treatments out there that can help keep grass stay greener for longer, such as the Oasis treatment from local lawn care specialist GreenThumb. The surfactant attaches itself to the molecules in the soil to conserve any moisture, helping to reduce the amount of watering needed. Where soil type is mainly clay, which is common in the our area, the amount of water needed to keep grass green can be reduced by up to 80% so you can spend less time watering and more time enjoying your lawn. Give yourself another reason to be cheerful this spring and take care of your lawn now to enjoy the benefits of a luscious, green lawn all summer long. By Hugh and Harry Gaston (GreenThumb, South Antrim)

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YOUR HOME

Love Your Garden

By Luke North

In spite of colds, snuffles and flu-like symptoms doing the rounds, summer months are calling and before we know it, more pleasant weather will be here. (Note, I didn’t say ‘warmer’ weather will be here, because, in truth, who knows!)

relaxation! Or some of that garden chair and sofa combination? Rattan, I believe, is the correct term. It’s relatively weatherproof, can be made quite comfortable with scattered cushions, you can even put your feet up without too many disapproving looks!

But one thing we can say about ourselves in this part of the world, is, if nothing else, we are optimists! We constantly talk up the weather, we persistently look towards the heavens, we keep our fingers crossed, and we hope!

If that sounds quite revolutionary, what about a nice arbour? A slim roofing of clematis over your head. Or a south-facing pergola, resplendent in creeping honeysuckle with its uniquely delicious fragrant scents?

And to that end, let’s think ahead to May, June, July and August. Strictly speaking, our summer is June to August, but as we well know, May often turns out to be our summer! Any plans for our outdoor space? No? We’re always so grateful when the skies turn a lighter shade of blue, when the biting edge comes off the wind, when the sun does genuinely appear a little earlier and hang around a little longer. So what about giving thought to outdoor improvements?

Most of us have that faded plastic table and four chairs out the back. I often wonder what type of plastic they use in countries like Spain, when here in Northern Ireland, our new green patio table looks like something rescued from a skip after one summer season and four days of use! Wood is a nice alternative, and in environmental terms, probably looks better. Yes, it needs care; a lick of varnish every September, storage in a shed, but it’s probably more aesthetic on the eye. Be even more adventurous, get a joiner to price up an area for decking, wooden decking, on which your newly varnished table can rest. But there are other additions worthy of consideration .... A hammock? Slung between two trees, or from the washing line to the fence! Surely the ultimate in exterior

A garden pond is also a favourite, though I would urge very careful consideration if you have children in the home, or likely to visit. There is an obvious danger there. Additional garden accessories for your enjoyment might include a brick-built BBQ? Your chance to experiment with bricks to match the house? And if your ‘pointing’ isn’t up to bricklayer standards, who’s to know?? A mini greenhouse is useful for whiling away the hours, as is a store-bought gazebo. What do you do in a gazebo? Well, that would be entirely up to yourself. If it stands as four ‘poles’ with a canvas cover, then what you do is open for all to se. But if it’s more the three walls affair, then it becomes your place of escape; a reading room, a sewing room, a private phone call room, a sun room, a snoozing room! And don’t forget our feathered friends. A bird feeder, perhaps a nesting box mounted on a tree. Other recent inventions for the 2017 garden include a wasp catcher! A peculiar shaped bottle, filled with a sugary substance, which allows pesky wasps to get in, but not out! Finally, if you’ve a good bit of space, a playhouse for the youngsters. Hours of entertainment for them while you get to know the hammock/rattan sofa/wasp catcher/ gazebo – delete where appropriate! A few ideas for you, all you have to do now is persuade Barra Best to use his best influence and coax the Gulf Stream into best behaviour from May onwards!

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‘A Rocha’, What is That? You Say By Bertie Sterling

My journey with A Rocha started in 2004 when I was using Google to find some conservation contacts. A Rocha Portugal was one of the many names that appeared and appealed to my thinking. I began to volunteer at the conservation centre in western Algarve. It was, and still is an amazing place to be. Surrounded by beautiful, unspoilt countryside and working with people from all over Europe, the experience was overwhelming. It was later when I learned about A Rocha UK and the work they were doing. A Rocha Portugal was the first A Rocha Project started by Anglican rector, Peter Harris in 1983. The name is derived from the association with a large promontory rock on the Portuguese site, Peter Harris and Peter the disciple; in Portuguese ‘A Rocha’ means ‘The Rock’ This would probably be a good point to say that we describe ourselves as a Christian organisation engaging communities in nature conservation. Now A Rocha International supports A Rocha National Organisations and Associated Projects around the world, publicising the work at an international level and fostering the emergence of new initiatives. It is governed by a Board of Trustees with qualifications in life sciences, relief and development, and financial and risk management. Each A Rocha National Organisation is a separate, independent, legal entity. A Rocha is active in 20 countries: 19 A Rocha National Organisations: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Ghana, India, Kenya, Lebanon, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Portugal, South Africa, Switzerland, Uganda, UK and USA. 1 A Rocha Associated Project in Nigeria (Eden Creation Care Initiative) A Rocha UK has completed two community projects in west London, where they have taken two derelict pieces of ground and with the help of the local community, removed all the rubbish and turned them into beautiful local parks and gardens where wildlife and people can be in closer contact. They also support many conservation

projects throughout UK and just recently have begun to set up an ecological research centre in Suffolk. A Rocha responds to the global crisis of biodiversity loss through community-based conservation projects. Via residential field study centres, site-based projects and wider advocacy, A Rocha: • Carries out ecological monitoring and research in areas of high value for wildlife • Spearheads practical measures for conserving and restoring habitats and their fauna and flora • Encourages appreciation of nature and participation in its conservation, through environmental education and community outreach • Provides a forum for understanding the relevance of the Christian faith to environmental issues. As with most things, it is taking longer to reach Northern Ireland. For over six years now I have been talking about A Rocha and slowly folks are becoming aware of our presence. We encourage and support churches to care for ground around or near their building in a way that helps any living creatures from the bacteria in the soil to the eagles overhead. We believe that the first commission God gave to man when he put him on earth was to be part of and look after His creation here on earth. As Christians this has to be part of our worship to our Creator. We have forged co-operative links with Christian Aid, and Friends of the Earth, Eco-congregation Ireland and others. We are currently looking at four pieces of land in County Antrim with the intention of their development for wildlife enrichment. We work mainly with churches and faith-based organisations and in co-operation with other local community projects. We would be happy to talk to any group or organisation who would be interested to learn more. For more information look at our website: www.arocha.org or contact me at bertie.stirling@arocha.org

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Becoming a New Mum Sunday 26th March Nothing ever really prepares you for first-time motherhood. In the weeks and months before the birth you listen to friends who are parents, and your own parents, telling you how having a baby will change your life and turn everything upside down. But you tell yourself, “Surely not? How can one small person have such a big impact? I won’t let that happen to me. Baby will have to fit in around how I live my life.” Now, the term ‘wishful thinking’ springs to mind. Myths Becoming a mum for the first time isn’t always helped by the many myths surrounding motherhood. The first, of course, are the myths surrounding the birth. Some people say women instantly forget all about it afterwards. Perhaps some do, but I still remember every moment! There is also that work of fiction called ‘the Birth Plan’. Mine included, among other things, making herbal tea, taking a warm bath, and cooking myself a comforting pasta supper in the early stages of labour. Fat chance! It all happened so quickly I just about managed to get to the hospital in time. So if I had any advice for expectant firsttime mums, it would be this: don’t plan too hard, because, in the end, you simply have to go with what happens. And, more importantly, remember it’s a natural process and your body will know what to do. Unexpected discoveries Then there are those discoveries you weren’t expecting to make… There’s the body shock. Images of smiling, tummy-tucked celebrities leaving hospital looking svelte and immaculate led me to assume that once I’d had the baby I would instantly spring back to my pre-pregnancy shape. How wrong can a person be? Not only did I still look pregnant, but my arms and legs had swollen to balloon-like proportions. Something similar happened to my chest too. Then there are the visitors. Just as you are feeling at your least attractive ever, suddenly the whole world is on your doorstep, desperate to see the new arrival. At its worst

point, I was preparing a meal for 12 people, having had no sleep for three nights solid, and surging between massive adrenaline-bursts of joy and hormonal weepiness. That said, friends and relatives can be enormously helpful. I don’t know how I would have got through the first few weeks if it hadn’t been for my husband, mum and dad, and my in-laws, cooking and cleaning and maintaining some semblance of normality in my otherwise topsyturvy world. Values At the heart of it all, there’s a new baby, a new little life, demanding to be fed, changed, loved, cuddled and comforted. The first night after giving birth my little girl and I sat staring at one another, eyes wide open, both trying to get our heads around the amazing thing that had just happened. I don’t know which of us was most surprised! The sheer amount of joy and love felt towards this new little person is immense. Having my daughter has been a revolution in my life, as it has helped me realise what love really is. It’s self-sacrificial and all-encompassing. It was something I hadn’t truly experienced before giving birth to my daughter. I’m learning so much about the vital role we have as parents. Being a mum or dad involves giving your child the opportunity to be the best person they can be. A child also teaches you about love and compassion.

My little daughter, who is not yet five months old, has a ready smile for anyone she meets. She has not yet learned to hate, or to fear, or to judge others by their age, skin colour or religion. So with every generation, we have a new opportunity – the values we give to our children are the values society will grow with. That is both an awesome and exciting responsibility. When I look at my beautiful baby daughter – her perfectly-formed fingernails, her little eyelashes and her tiny toes – it’s impossible to think of her as anything other than a miracle. And yet I know, in my heart of hearts, that she is no more a miracle than any other person. Because everyone has value and everyone is precious. By Rebecca Lowe courtesy of Care for the Family www.careforthefamily.org.uk

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Running Tips for Beginners With the lighter nights and better weather hopefully returning, many of you will be inclined to dust down the trainers and hit the roads for some outdoor exercise. Running is a favourite, it’s free, you can do it anywhere, and it burns more calories than any other mainstream exercise. Regular running can reduce your risk of chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke. It can also boost your mood and keep your weight under control.

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This guide is designed to make running a safe and enjoyable experience for beginners, and to provide you with tips on how to stay motivated. Before you start: If you feel out of shape, or you’re recovering from injury or worried about an existing condition, see your GP before you start. If you’ve not been active for a while, you may want to build your fitness levels gently with our guide to walking for health before you move on to running. Starting out To avoid injury and enjoy the experience, it’s essential to ease yourself into running slowly and increase your pace and distance gradually over several outings. Start each run with a gentle warm-up of at least five minutes. This can include quick walking, marching on the spot, knee lifts, side stepping and climbing stairs. Start walking for an amount of time that feels comfortable (anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes). Once you can walk for 30 minutes easily, include some running intervals of one to two minutes into your walking at a speed that feels comfortable. As time goes on, make the running intervals longer, until you’re running for 30 minutes continuously. Give yourself a few minutes to cool down (to bring your heartbeat back to normal) after each run by walking, followed by gently stretching your leg muscles. Research a post-run stretch routine. Regular running for beginners means getting out at least twice a week. Your running will improve as your body adapts to the consistent training stimulus. It’s better to run twice a week, every week, than to run half a dozen times one week and then do none for the next three weeks.

Five ways to stay motivated. Set yourself a goal Whatever your level, setting goals is important for staying focused and motivated. Make your goals realistic to avoid becoming demoralised. Training for a race, such as a 5K, or a charity run is a good way to keep going. For more information on running events and training for a run, go to runbritain or parkrun. Run with a friend It really helps to have someone about the same level of ability as you to train with. You’ll encourage each other when you’re not so keen. You’ll feel you don’t want to let your jogging partner down, and this will help motivate you. Keep a diary Keep a diary of your runs. Note down each run, including your route, distance, time, weather conditions and how you felt. That way, whenever your motivation is flagging, you can look back and be encouraged by how much you’ve improved. Check out Real Buzz’s running blogs. Mix it up Keep your running interesting by adding variety. Running the same route to many times can become boring. Vary your distances and routes. Use Real Buzz’s route planner to find, record and share your favourite running routes. Join a club A running club is the perfect way to commit to running regularly. Most clubs have running groups for different levels, including beginners. Clubs are also a great way to find running partners to run with outside of club sessions.

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Lamb and Lentil Curry with Kale By: Justine Pattison www.bbc.co.uk/food

Not many of us find it easy to cook Kale, let alone make it appetising! I remember when we went to visit my gran, she’d make stew and top it with boiled kale. Bless her but I don’t think at that time I appreciated the nutritional value of kale and only ate to please her! Now that I’m a lot older and think more about healthy living, I admire grans choice of food regardless of how she cooked it. Perhaps that’s why she lived to the grand old age of 98. This tasty recipe (with some well needed spices!) has been tried and tested by my young children and reminds me of my gran. (Susan Gilchrist)

Ingredients • 2 tbsp sunflower oil • 500g/1lb 2oz lamb neck fillets, trimmed, cut into 3cm/1¼in chunks • 2 onions, roughly chopped • 3 large garlic cloves, roughly chopped • 3 tbsp medium curry paste • 1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes • 150g/5½oz dried split red lentils, rinsed and drained • 1 tsp salt, plus extra to season • 75g/2½oz curly kale (or mature spinach leaves), rinsed, shredded, any tough stalks discarded • Freshly ground black pepper • Steamed rice or naan bread, to serve

Method 1. Heat the oil in a large, lidded, non-stick

saucepan over a medium heat. Add the lamb, onions and garlic and fry for 5-6 minutes until lightly browned, stirring regularly.

2. Add the curry paste and stir well to coat the lamb and onions.

3. Continue to cook for 1-2 minutes,

stirring well, then add the tomatoes, lentils, 500ml/18fl oz water and salt.

4. Bring the mixture to the boil. Reduce the

heat until the mixture is simmering, then half-cover the pan with the lid and simmer very gently for 45-50 minutes, stirring regularly, until the lamb is very tender. (Add a little extra water if the curry is beginning to look dry before the lamb is tender.)

4. Season with salt and pepper, stir in the

kale and simmer for a further 2-3 minutes, or until tender.

5. Serve in bowls with steamed rice or warm naan bread.

Apology. Thank you for your emails highlighting the spelling error in our Jan/ Feb recipe that slipped through our usually stringent proof reading. Thanks again to Darina Allen from Ballymaloe Cookery School for providing the recipe.

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Modding: What You Need to Know Cars can be modified to improve performance or style. If you’re considering modifying your car or you have purchased a modified car, you need to know if they are within the law or constitute an offence. Safety first Staying safe and legal is extremely important when modifying your car. It is essential to remember that too many modifications can affect the road handling of your car. It could also put you on the wrong side of the law and perhaps your insurance company. In-car entertainment Over the last few years there has been a huge increase in the amount of in-car entertainment devices that have become available for the motorist. However, it’s important to remember that as technology improves, the driver of the car still has the most important job to do - and that means they must not get distracted by in-car entertainment, such as watching a TV screen in the rear-view mirror, or rummaging around with an MP3 player. Moving images within view of the driver are illegal.

Lights or reflectors Headlamps must show a substantially white or yellow light. Rear position lamps must show a steady red light to the rear only. Tinting of rear reflectors which will reduce efficiency in darkness is not permitted Wheels and tyres Changes to wheels and tyres can significantly alter your car’s behaviour on the road. Important points to consider when fitting bigger wheels and tyres is to: • ensure they are approved by the vehicle manufacturer • provide adequate clearance between tyre and bodywork

Suspension Modifications to the suspension which is the fitment of stiffer springs and lowering kits, should be only be done where the car’s road handling will not be compromised. This work must be carried out by a competent engineer. Brakes Modifications to your car’s brakes must at all times be carried out by a competent engineer. Before parting with your money, seek advice from independent suppliers and the vehicle manufacturer to ensure that the brakes you intend fitting are approved and will not involve any major modification of existing mounting points. Number plates must: • not misrepresent the characters and be spaced properly • be displayed in a prominent position • White to the front, yellow to the back Exhaust system All exhaust silencers must be maintained in a good and efficient working order. You will be breaking the law if you remove a silencer or make any modification that would

make that vehicle emit a noise louder than the original exhaust before it was modified. Insurance You must inform your insurance company of any modifications or changes to your vehicle, whether you carry them out yourself or if the mofifications were already installed when you purchased the vehicle. Some examples of this are any non-standard or upgraded wheels and fitment of spoilers, wings and body kits. www.nidirect.gov.uk

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The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the Mazda range: Urban 28.0 (10.1) - 74.3 (3.8). Extra Urban 51.4 (5.5) - 88.3 (3.2). Combined 39.2 (7.2) - 83.1 (3.4). CO 2 emissions (g/km) 167 - 89. Motability sales only. Subject to availability at participating dealers only on vehicles ordered between 01.01.17 and 31.03.17. £0 Advance payment is available on specific Mazda2 and 2017 Mazda3 models. Advance payment from £599 on Mazda6 models. Advance payment from £499 on Mazda CX-5 models. Advance payments on the Motability Car Scheme are for those individuals receiving the higher rate personal independence payment or mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance, the war pensioner’s mobility supplement and armed forces independence payment. Subsequent rental payments are made by the diversion of this component of the living allowance. Additional charges may be applicable, including excess mileage, insurance excess and early termination charges. Models shown: 2017 Mazda3 120ps SE, OTR from £17,595. Mazda6 Saloon 150ps SE Diesel, OTR from £22,295. Mazda CX-5 165ps 2WD SE-L Nav, OTR from £23,195. Models shown feature optional metallic paint: 2017 Mazda3 model shown features optional free-of-charge Arctic White solid paint. Mazda6 model shown features optional Soul Red Metallic paint (£680). Mazda CX-5 model shown features optional Crystal White Pearlescent paint (£560). On the road prices include number plates, delivery, first registration fee, 3 year or 60,000 mile warranty and 3 years’ European Roadside Assistance. °Test drives subject to applicant status and availability. Details correct at time of going to print. Not available in conjunction with any other offer unless specified. Ballyrobert Cars and Ballyrobert Limited, trading as Ballyrobert Mazda is a credit broker not a lender for this financial promotion. We can introduce you to a limited number of carefully selected finance providers and may receive a commission from them for the introduction.

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The All New Skoda Kodiaq The new ŠKODA Kodiaq reimagines what is possible with an SUV. An impressive combination of powerful design, generous space, great functionality, state-ofthe art assistance systems and innovative connectivity solutions means the everyday journeys will never feel quite the same again. As ŠKODA’s first car to offer seven seats, thanks to its optional third row, the ŠKODA Kodiaq can adapt to suit your needs. Its sturdily-built exterior stresses its impressive off-road capabilities, while an unparalleled 2,065 litres of storage space (with the rear seats folded down) makes it an ideal companion for larger families. Alongside cutting edge accessible technology, a package of Simply Clever features and imposingly sophisticated looks, the Kodiaq is perfectly adapted for wherever your journey’s headed. COMFORT Aside from uncompromised space, the luxurious quality of the materials and the effective soundproofing helps to bring a touch of home to the great outdoors. Impressive features such as a heated steering wheel and the three-zone air conditioning* add an invaluable touch of sophistication, while all controls are thoughtfully designed to be within reach of your fingertips. A FULLY-CONNECTED ŠKODA Even in the great outdoors, the connectivity features available on the new Kodiaq and a host of mobile devices and applications mean you’ll never be lost in the wilderness. ŠKODA Connect is a brand new feature providing up to the minute information on 6.5” or 8” glass-design capacitive displays.

SPACIOUSNESS While ample space is a given for any roadworthy SUV, the generosity of the ŠKODA Kodiaq’s spaciousness and the option of seven seats mean you’ll always have room for extra passengers. The unparalleled capacity of up to 2,065 litres with the rear seats folded down offers the largest boot within its class. SAFETY Safety is always our first priority, and the ŠKODA Kodiaq introduces a range of safety features to the SUV range which are normally reserved for high-end cars. The use of highstrength steel contributes to a comprehensive package of safety features to enhance you and your family’s safety. ENGINE The Kodiaq is available with a choice of two diesel engines and three petrol engines in either a powerful 1.4 litre (125PS and 150PS) engine or a 2.0 litre (180PS) engine, the new generation of TSI comes complete with direct fuel injection and a turbocharger, providing all the power you’ll need while maximising efficiency. Whichever engine you choose, the ŠKODA Kodiaq is designed to boost efficiency with a range of innovative technology, including the start-stop system, gear recommendation, driving mode select, and brake energy recovery. Book a test drive at:

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