Northern Woman March 2017

NORTHERN WOMAN

woman

NORTHERN

NEW LOOK NEW YOU

March 2017 £2.50/€3.95

Catwalk Style MARCH 2017

Sneak peak at Max Mara’s Belfast show

Face of NI What it is like to be a Beauty Queen

Modern Families Meet the stay-athome dads

Sarah VOLUME 33

CLARKE

ISSN 1361-2735

NUMBER 3

9 771361 273013

03

Opens up about her TV career and family life

Loft-style living

Belfast terrace gets a modern makeover

WIN

stay at d t h g i n r Ove astle an C y l l a g y l Bal rones h T f o e Gam oon tea aftern

Contents SARAH CLARKE Presenter and mum P8-13 FASHION Italian chic P36-40

FACE OF NI Beauty and soul P27-33

Inside March Publisher Independent News & Media Ltd Belfast Telegraph House 33 Clarendon Road Clarendon Dock Belfast BT1 3GB www.northernwoman.co.uk T: 028 9026 4264 Editorial Consultant Stephanie Bell Designer Robert Armstrong Manager Eileen Doherty Art Editor Helen Wright Pictures Peter Rainey Editorial Contributors Una Brankin Helen Carson Davina Gordon Lee Henry Alicia Clarke Cover Photo Khara Pringle Independent News & Media © 2016. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of Independent News & Media

✶ PEOPLE

8 SARAH CLARKE UTV’s Sarah Clarke talks about her career in journalism, family life, the celebrities she’s met, and how she came through the trauma of almost losing her dear dad, John, less just two years ago.

27 FACE OF NI In what is a beauty contest with a difference, where looks take second place to personality, we meet the girls who have clinched titles in the Face of Northern Ireland as the search for this year’s winners gets underway.

SUPERMUMS Family first P18-23

✶ SHOPPING

58 TREATS FOR MUM There is no person on earth we enjoy pampering as much as our mums and for inspiration this Mother’s Day turn to our special two page gift guide.

✶ BEAUTY

66 BEAUTY QUEEN LOOKS As the current Miss Northern Ireland Emma Carswell’s reign comes to an end, we celebrate her natural beauty.

36 FROM ITALY TO IRELAND Fashionistas are in for a treat this month when Italian fashion house Max Mara brings its new Spring/Summer 2017 collection to Belfast. We have a sneak preview of the stunning styles you can expect to see on the catwalk.

42 RELATIONSHIPS Every relationship needs some work from time to time and, whether you are struggling with yours or not, you won’t want to miss our expert guide to futureproofing your partnership.

74 MY FOOD As food blogger Lynne Crowther celebrates being nominated for a national award for her popular blog Eating Ideas, she shares her own personal food likes and dislikes.

44 MODERN FAMILIES With more mums pursuing careers after having their children, we talk to two stay-athome dads about the modern family role reversal and a Belfast husband and wife who share a career, housework and childcare.

✶ FASHION

loved getting her hands on a Belfast Victorian two-up two-down which she gutted and transformed into a trendy loft-style bachelor’s pad.

✶ MY WAY

✶ LIFE

18 SUPERMUMS Caring for a small baby can be one of the toughest jobs you will ever have but what about caring for three or four at the same time? A mum who has two sets of young twin girls, and one with teenage triplets, talk about the joys and challenges of family life.

Your new loolky month rn Northe n Woma

76 MOTHER’S DAY TREATS James Street South Chef Niall McKenna has cooked up some sweet treats to surprise your mum with on Mother’s Day.

64 HAIR FOR LITTLE ONES The latest looks for hair are not just for yummy mummies but kids too are demanding cool styles. Our hairdressing columnist Keris Weir guides you through how best to look after your little ones’ hair, that all-important first cut and also how to achieve some of the smart new styles at home.

✶ LIVING

51 A TERRACE TRANSFORMATION Belfast interior designer Frances Magee

90 NORTHERN MAN This month Lee Henry talks about the challenges of fatherhood and why his wife Mairead really does deserve to be spoilt on Mother’s Day. 85 OUR BIG DAY Four couples open their wedding albums and share memories of their special day.

PLUS Seven pages of the hottest VIP events in Northern Ireland.

Do you want to tell your story in Northern Woman? Contact us by emailing: info@northernwoman.co.uk #northernwomanmagazine

4 Northern Woman

www.facebook.com/ NorthernWomanmagazine

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Entertainment

This month

Helen Carson checks out the top events, cool places and go-sees to help you have a fun-filled March.

what’s happening

“SSSSSHH...we need some Sci-lence!”

Following on from the success of last year’s “Big Bang Theatre”, W5 is launching the Silent Science Show. Take your seats for some slapstick science in a unique black and white, silent stage show.

Prepare yourself for exciting, experimental and somewhat unusual family theatre until March 26.

Danger, humour, excitement and some very cool science combine to make a really entertaining experience.

MUSIC

DANCE

A brand new triple dance bill exploring sensitive issues such as miscarriage and infant death, relics of our past and lives lost, as well as the relationship between our physical and spiritual body is to be premiered in The Mac by Belfast dance company, Maiden Voyage Dance, this month.

The three brand new commissions will bring together local and international choreographers including the acclaimed, Rachel Lopez de al Neita from London, Oona Doherty from Bangor, Belfast based Visual artist Sharon Kelly, and writer Martelle McPartland from Lurgan.

“Every Something has a Somewhere”, created

by Rachel Lopez de al Neita, focuses on the role and importance everyday objects play in human lives when associated with loss.

The second commission, “Körper & Leib”, focuses on the relationship between our physical and spiritual self, using the two German words for the body. Körper relating to the physical body and Leib the spiritual body. This duet for two men, created by Bangor-born international dance artist, Oona Doherty, sees the dancers moving in a skilful slow meditation.

The final performance, ‘Landscapes of Loss’, is a collaborative project initiated by Sharon Kelly and writer Martelle McPartland, and developed with Maiden Voyage Artistic Director Nicola Curry, exploring the physical and emotional territory of infant death, itself a very intense, deeply personal subject.

You can catch this unique triple bill at The Mac on Friday, March 3 and Saturday March 4, and The Market Theatre, Armagh on March 9.

Tickets are available from www.themaclive. com/event or by calling the Box Office on 028 9023 5053 and www.marketplacearmagh.com or by calling the Box Office on 028 3752 1821.

FAMILY FUN

Don’t…

Miss

The Giant Wiggle, a fun-filled walk for the kids which aims to raise valuable funds for disadvantaged children, is coming to Belfast between March 20 and 26.

It takes its inspiration from the UK’s most read and much loved storybook, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Anyone can take part – children’s groups, schools, libraries, and friends – with lots of fun activities including storytelling, arts and crafts and a caterpillar conga line.

The local event is being organised by Action for Children. For more information about taking part in the Giant Wiggle and how to register, contact Julie Harvey, Action for Children Northern Ireland Fundraiser, on 028 9046 0500 or email julie. harvey@actionforchildren.org.uk.

MOTHER’S DAY CRAFTS

Make your mum smile with a truly unique gift Inspired by the Mother’s Day weekend; Young at Art is holding a very special craft workshop.

Make your mum smile with a truly unique gift. The workshops will be held in Connswater Shopping Centre on March 25 from 12-4pm and, what’s more, they are free of charge.

Irish punk legends The Undertones have just announced a headline Belfast show at The Limelight 1 on Friday December 1. Following the band’s sold out 40th anniversary tour in 2016, they are bringing their hits on the road again. Tickets costing £18.50 are now on sale from www.limelightbelfast.com and www.ticketmaster.ie.

DRAMA

Continuing its recordbreaking run at the Fortune Theatre in London’s West End, The Woman in Black is coming to the Grand Opera House as part of a major UK Tour. A lawyer obsessed with a curse that he believes has been cast over him and his family by the spectre of a Woman in Black, engages a sceptical young actor to help him tell his terrifying story and exorcise the fear that grips his soul. It all begins innocently enough, but then, as they reach further into his darkest memories, they find themselves caught up in a world of eerie marshes and moaning winds. Susan Hill’s acclaimed ghost story comes dramatically alive in Stephen Mallatratt’s ingenious stage adaptation. This gripping production, directed by Robin Herford, is a brilliantly successful study in atmosphere, illusion and controlled horror.

Show runs from March 7- 11. Contact the Box Office on 90241919.

Northern Woman 5

What’s Hot

woman

NORTHERN

NEW LOOK NEW

YOU

/€3.95

March 2017 £2.50

Catwalk Style

of NI Face t it is like to be a Wha

Sneak peak at Max Mara’s Belfast show

Beauty Queen

Modern Families

Meet the stay-at-s home dad

Sarah

Loft-style livinga

gets Belfast terrace eover modern mak

CLARKE her TV career Opens up about ily life and fam

35

ISSN 1361-27

WIN

ay at ight st and Overn lly Castle s ne Ballygae of Thro a Gam rnoon te afte

03

9 771361 273013

Welcome Bring in Spring with our bright March issue

M

arch is the month to enjoy making our mums feel marvellous and, inside this edition, we’ve lots of ideas to help you make Mother’s Day extra special this year.

Ask any mum and they will tell you that raising a child is not easy, but few of us can imagine the challenges facing those mums who experience multiple births.

This month, two very special mums – one who gave birth to two sets of twin girls within three years, and one who was shocked to find that, at just 18, she was expecting triplets – talk to us about the trials and triumphs of their busy family lives.

When she is not reporting on the latest stories in the local news, UTV’s Sarah Clarke enjoys spending quality time at home with her two children, Daniel (five) and Emma (three), and husband Rory.

In a candid interview away from the TV studio, she talks about her family life and some of the highlights of her career, as well as some of the famous people she has interviewed.

The role of mums is changing in modern society, so much so that more men are staying at home to raise the children while their wives pursue their careers. We talk to two dads who have given up work to be at home with the kids while their wives go out to work, and a couple who have found the perfect balance by sharing a joint career, childcare and housework.

We’re also delighted to announce the launch of this year’s Face of Northern Ireland contest and catch up with four local winners who did Northern Ireland proud at the Europe and World heats in 2015.

There’s also a feast of fashion, beauty, recipes and lots more inside. ✸

6 Northern Woman

Helen Carson knows what you need, what you want and what you should be doing ✶ BEST DRAMA

This spring sees the Lyric Theatre joining forces with award winning theatre company Cahoots NI to present Nivelli’s War in both Belfast and on Broadway - on 42nd Street in the iconic Times Square.

New York has been a receptive home to the Lyric for many years, and strong links were evident during its capital development campaign, the success of Adrian Dunbar in ‘Brendan at the Chelsea’ in 2013, and, more recently, Jimmy Fay directed Owen McCafferty’s ‘Quietly’ in the summer of 2016.

Meanwhile, Cahoots NI have built up a distinguished international reputation, showcasing Northern Ireland as a region with a thriving theatre industry and a skilled creative workforce.

Written by acclaimed playwright Charles Way, this spellbinding family drama unfolds through a blend of theatre, magic, illusion and original music.

The production stars Dan Gordon, who commented: “I am thrilled to be returning to the role of ‘The Great Nivelli’ and the magical

✶ BEST BEAUTY The Ritual of Cleopatra Lipstick, Tangerine Red, £16, Rituals

The Ritual of Cleopatra Nail Varnish, Candy Pink, £5, Rituals

✶ BEST FITNESS

The phenomenal popularity of yoga has seen new studios and classes continually opening across Northern Ireland.

Known for its benefits to both the mind and the body, it is also a growing practice among children and the over 50s.

Flow Yoga Studio in Belfast caters for all ages and all abilities Yoga top, £22, leggings, £32, trainers, £15, and has drop-in classes Long Tall Sally so that you can go at any time and try it out with no need to pre-book. If you’ve been wondering what all the fuss is about, get your kit on and give it a go – you might find yourself joining the millions of other devotees.

retelling of this inspiring, true story for Belfast audiences in the Lyric before we journey to Broadway. Audiences can expect to be moved and delighted by this world class production bursting with magic and history.” Set in the final days of World War II, Nivelli’s War tells the story of Ernst – a young evacuee from Frankfurt – who finds himself all alone and far away from home, when he meets and befriends a mysterious stranger with a trick or two up his sleeve.

Together, they set off to return Ernst to his family, down a road fraught with danger, hunger and uncertainty. As they continue their perilous journey through this war-ravaged land, Ernst finds that magic, friendship and hope still exist in the world. It is the story of an incredible journey and an unlikely friendship that will transform the life of its young hero forever.

Suitable for ages seven plus, the production runs from March 2-19. Contact the Lyric Box Office on 028 9038 1081 www.lyrictheatre.co.uk

✶ BEST GADGET

Enjoy your favourite tunes in the grooviest way with the eGROOVE speaker from Kreafunk. It is lightweight, compact and yet packs a powerful music punch. It features a cutting edge design with just a little sprinkling of retro chic thrown in. A powerful 1800 mAh battery ensures a strong 24 hour battery life. £49.95 from cuckooland.com This unusual little gadget has been designed for people who can’t keep their fingers still.

Marketed as a stress and anxiety reliever for children and adults, the JuYi Fidget Toy Cube can be picked up for just a couple of pounds on Amazon. It is said to be an unusually addictive desk toy designed to help you focus at work, in class or at home.

✶ BEST CONCERT

Arcade Fire is set for its Northern Irish debut at Belsonic in Ormeau Park on June 13.

Tickets priced from £45 have just gone on sale at Ticketmaster.

The Grammy award winners who hail from Montreal have been described by Rolling Stone as “The most important band of the last decade, and the music lives up to their universe-affirming mandate.”

What’s Hot

this month

what’s hot

Fresh florals with an exotic twist will take you seamlessly from the winter chill into the brighter days of spring

Flower tealight holder, £5, Sainsbury’s Home

Scarf, £25, Gerry Weber Notebook, £10, Paperchase

Mobile phone cover, £10, Dune

Cup, £4.99, TK Maxx

Elvington rose cushion, £22, Cath Kidston

Sandals, £60, Office

Dress, £60, Star by Julien Macdonald

Umbrella, £13, Paperchase Bag, £19.99, New Look

Northern Woman 7

Interview

‘I still get nerves before broadcast but you need that to do the job well’ Popular TV presenter Sarah Clarke opens up to Una Brankin about her happy family life, her father’s terrifying health scare, her career highlights and passion for reporting, and meeting the Queen...

S

arah Clarke has been out on the beat trying to doorstep Gerry Adams, to catch him for a quick no-warning interview, in other words. But given the proximity to the elections, the item has been shelved, giving her a chance to talk to Northern Woman about anything but politics: a no-go area for most reporters when they’re being interviewed themselves.

Briskly organised and motivated, the former Miss Dobson (36) speaks much faster in person than she does on screen, conscious of deadlines and toeing the ITV line, in terms of what she can disclose.

She’s also amiable and engaging, amused at the howling accompaniment my recently acquired Jack Russell is making to a ringing phone in the background.

“He thinks he’s making the ringing stop,” she explains. “That’s why they bark at the postman, too, they think they’re protecting you by making him go away.

“We grew up with dogs in Coleraine. I’d love one but it wouldn’t be fair on it. I just wouldn’t have the time.”

The UTV broadcaster now lives in the sought-after Stranmillis area of south Belfast with her husband, Rory (37), an accountant, and their children Daniel (five) and Emily (three).

They’re frequent visitors to Sarah’s parents, John (74) and Isobel (73), in Castlerock, where they often spend Christmas.

One of four, Sarah is close to both parents and was terribly distressed when told to prepare for the worst in 2015, as her father went in to hospital for major heart surgery.

“His heart was severely damaged and we were advised to say our goodbyes as he mightn’t pull through,” she says. “It was a massive shock; we’re so grateful we still have him. He’d had arrhythmia and had

8 Northern Woman

breathlessness, but he was never properly diagnosed.

“I suppose men are less inclined to talk about these things and they put off going to the doctors. He was always very healthy, all his life. It turned out to be a problem with his valves - they weren’t blocked though.

“He was very, very sick. He became bloated with fluids and was dying of heart failure, basically. Dr Albert McNeill at Altnagelvin made his case urgent for surgery; he would have passed away, otherwise.”

Mr Dobson’s surgery was performed

by Reuben Jeganathan, a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon at the Royal.

I love what I do but I wouldn’t want to be presenting full-time. I like to get out reporting “My brothers, Simon and Matthew, came home from the UK and we all gathered in the hospital,” Sarah recalls. “I’ve a sister, too, Emma. It was very traumatic, when I think about it. It makes you appreciate your parents and how fragile and precious life is.

“Mum was absolutely devastated. She’s not the most vocal about her emotions but she was distraught; she didn’t want to lose him. The staff at Altnagelvin and the Royal Victoria saved his life. He had the valve replaced.

“He’s better now but he’s very frail. We don’t know what the future holds – his heart is still badly damaged, but so far, so good. We just have to take every day as it comes. Mum’s brilliant but it’s very hard on her. It’s dad who gets all the attention but they’re a good partnership and they’re best friends.”

Like many households across Northern Ireland, the radio was on all day in the Dobson family home in Coleraine. The family would listen to Radio Ulster news during the day and watch the UTV news in the evenings. Lively debates would take place at the dinner table, sowing the seeds for Sarah’s eventual career path.

After getting excellent grades at A level, she studied law and French at Queen’s University, but her heart lay in journalism.

While still a student, she knocked on doors to gain experience and worked for Radio Ulster, the Portadown News and the Irish News. So, when her application to the Bar didn’t work out, she had a strong portfolio in reporting under her belt, which landed her a place on a postgraduate degree course in journalism at the University of Ulster.

By that stage, her then boyfriend Rory, whom she met during her first year at Queen’s when he was black and blue from a rugby tackle, was working in an accountancy practice in Dublin.

“We were back and forth on the train to see each other,” she remembers. “We had some great weekends; then he got a job up here and proposed one New Year’s Eve during a midnight walk through the quad at Queen’s.

“It was lovely and very atmospheric – he went down on one knee and said this is where we met, so this is where he was going to ask me to marry him. We went to London for my engagement ring after that.”

Continued on 10 ➤

Interview

The world is a hard enough place to negotiate. Keep smiling, don’t worry and things will work out – that’s what I tell myself

Northern Woman 9

Interview Sarah cherishes her time with her children, Daniel (5) and Emily (3)

Sarah with her UTV colleagues, Marc Mallett, Rose Neill and Paul Clark Coming from different religions, the good-looking couple chose to get married, after a two year engagement, in an ecumenical service in St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast, in January 2010. Their “fabulous” reception was held in the Merchant Hotel and they honeymooned in Thailand, where they went online to watch the big winter chill story and the Iris Robinson scandal unfold.

“Yes, you can tell I’m a newshound,” she affirms. “I love what I do but I wouldn’t want to be presenting full-time. I like to get out reporting.

“I really enjoyed being the live anchor for the Euros homecoming last year – there was such a good atmosphere and energy when the team got off the plane.

“It was lovely to celebrate something positive about Northern Ireland.

The team had really striven – is that the right word? – at the championships and the focus had been on uniting both sides of the community. I do like football; I’m no expert but

10 Northern Woman

I enjoy the big occasions and my husband’s a big United fan.”

She also admires boxing hero Carl Frampton, whom she met while judging the Sunday Life Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards.

“I also met Louis Walsh at those awards, and he was lovely, too,” she recalls. “I don’t get to meet many celebrities but I got a fleeting interview with Louis Thompson from One Direction. He gave me a big hug, which I wasn’t expecting – I would have been the envy of all the One Directioners.

“He was lovely and comes across as really down to earth. The PR had warned me not to ask about the baby – that’s a journalist’s quandary when everyone wants to know. Celebrities are entitled to their privacy but I did sneak something in at the end – they weren’t going to stop the interview at that stage.”

Eamonn Holmes once told me he thinks Sarah IS a very good presenter, along with former BBC NI news presenter Sarah Travers. The admiration

Time passes so quickly, we want to enjoy every second with the children as they aren’t young for long

Interview

is mutual; Eamonn and his wife Ruth Langsford made a big impression on this Sarah when she met them recently. “They’re excellent broadcasters and very natural,” she says. “Eamonn’s such a gentleman, and so professional. He has never lost that down-to-earth quality he has.

“Meeting the Queen when she came to the studios in 2010 was pretty cool, too.”

The only on-air blooper, of sorts, involving the polished Sarah, was a voiceover for sports roundup early in her career. Racing driver Lewis Hamilton had just crossed the finishing line in first place at a Formula One Grand Prix, but Sarah didn’t realise that the race was to be

screened later in a highlights programme, and fans wouldn’t want to know the result in advance.

“I was just trying to be a good reporter and was very committed to the facts, but I inadvertently spoiled it for the fans,” she says, only slightly cringing. “It got a lot of complaints but I lived to tell the tale. I offered a very contrite greenhorn apology at work – they saw the funny side of it.

“Other than that, I’ve had the odd coughing fit but I’ve been able to grab a glass of water between takes so I wasn’t choking on air. I do still get a little nervous adrenalin before I go on air, but as my colleague (and no relation) Paul Clark says,

you need that to keep doing your job well.”

Now a familiar face from her six years at UTV, Sarah is one of the station’s busiest and most popular female presenters, along with the well-liked Rose Neill. For childcare, she has the help of her mother-in-law Kay, who comes to look after Daniel and Emily when they’re not at nursery.

And as Rory’s job is flexible, he can usually fit in crèche and school runs.

Despite her busy working schedule, it’s clear Sarah is a devoted mother. There was no question of her fitting this interview into her time-off, which is strictly for the kids.

Continued on 12 ➤

Northern Woman 11

Interview

Sarah and Rory enjoy family time on holiday with Daniel and Emily. Top, Sarah at work in the UTV Live news studio

12 Northern Woman

“I try to walk as much as possible with the kids, its great being near the towpath in Stranmillis and I like the cafes. When I’m not working, weekends are special.

“Time passes so quickly, we want to enjoy every second with the children as they aren’t young for long. But we also need time for each other. When we get them down to sleep at night, we will relax with a glass of wine and a box-set on the sofa or a nice meal together.”

As part of ITV’s cost-cutting at Havelock House, the home of UTV, makeup artists have become a thing of the past at the studios. Sarah does her own hair and makeup, and buys her own work outfits, both designer and High Street. She has

also borrowed a Chanel dress from her mother-in-law and a “gorgeous” Jaeger suit from her mother, for work, receiving lots of compliments for both.

“There’s no real dress code to follow but I wouldn’t wear anything too distracting that would take away from what you’re saying. I go for neutrals but with a little personality. I love clothes. Some say black is too harsh on TV. I do like it but I’d go for navy, between the two, for work.

“I’ve picked up plenty of tricks of the trade over the years – you do have to wear more makeup than you usually would,” she adds. “Dry shampoo is great for adding body to your hair, especially when you’ve been out in the fields. And I always carry a

Interview

SARAH’S

Loves & Loathes

FILM

✶ LOVE: It’s a Wonderful Life (above). I watched this with Rory at the Queen’s Film Theatre when we first started going out and he bought me the DVD which I still have. ✶ LOATHE: I’ve never enjoyed horror movies.

Seeing the Blair Witch Project was one of my worst trips to the cinema.

BOOK

✶ LOVE: The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald. I studied it for A level and have read it many times since. I also love Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights. ✶ LOATHE: The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, an international best seller but I couldn’t finish reading it.

DRAMA

✶ LOVE: The Sopranos (bottom). The best box-set by far. Also loved Downton. Who didn’t? ✶ LOATHE: I watched Bloodline on Netflix recently. The acting was really good but the script wasn’t and the premise was way too farfetched. hairbrush and lipstick in my bag for touchups.”

Always immaculate on screen, she swears

by Echinacea, vitamin C and vitamin D for keeping her in good health. Turning 40 in four years doesn’t bother her in the least.

“I suppose when I look in the mirror these days I see more wrinkles, but I have more inner confidence than I had 20 years ago,” she concludes. “With age, especially since having kids, and dad’s health scare, you don’t worry about the little things so much and you’re gentler with yourself.

“The world is a hard enough place to negotiate. Keep smiling, don’t worry and things will work out – that’s what I tell myself.” ✸

FASHION

✶ LOVE: Little Black Dress. You can’t beat a little black dress. ✶ LOATHES: Sports luxe who does that even suit?

PLACE

✶ LOVE: Rome, I loved everything about it. The architecture, the history and the food, especially the pasta and the ice cream! ✶ LOATHE: I really wasn’t impressed with Cannes.

FOOD

✶ LOVE: Pasta and chocolate. I love any kind of pasta and I know dark chocolate’s healthier but I just love milk chocolate. ✶ LOATHE: Shellfish (I’m allergic).

ANIMALS

✶ LOVE: Horses. I never had one but I used to go horse-riding as a child, until my teens.

They’re so majestic. ✶ LOATHE: Rats. I had a terrible encounter with one the size of a cat on the tow path recently. I can’t bear to think of it!

CHARACTERISTIC

✶ LOVE: Kindness and courtesy which can be lacking in the modern world.

I agree with my mother and my mother-in-law they are the most important qualities. ✶ LOATHE: Selfishness and narrow mindedness.

People need to think beyond themselves. It’s important for children to see that and it’s variety and diversity that makes the world go round.

CELEBRITY

✶ LOVE: Amy Adams (inset above) is one of my favourite actresses. I also like the comedians Tina Fey and Amy Poelher. ✶ LOATHE: Reality TV stars are pretty woeful but I’ll not mention any names.

Northern Woman 13

Style

Three page fashion special on the season’s hottest looks The 8th Sign Prism Full Skirt Dress from Littlewoods.com, £225

Littlewoods.com, Miss Selfridge Pleated Blouse, £50

Top trends Lela Rose

Zac Posen

Perfectly Peach Bon Prix, Peplum Hem Top, £9.99

Oliver Bonas, Reflect Blush Cowl Neck Top, £45

Soft and feminine, you can’t go wrong with peach this spring and summer

Littlewoods.com, Glamorous Camo Joggers, £45 Littlewoods.com, Miss Selfridges Pleated Blouse, £50

Monsoon Fur Scarf and Monsoon Print Dress £32/£89

14 Northern Woman

Glamorous Tiered Tassel Cami Dress from Littlewoods.com, £35

V By Very Spot Mesh Ruffle Dress, £48

Style

Three page fashion special on the season’s hottest looks Dune, Elecktra, £95

George at ASDA, Black Aztec Wedges, £20

George at ASDA, Leather Tan Sandals, £18

Miss Selfridge, Cream backless heels, £39

Dorothy Perkins, Pink Pom Pom Heeled Sandals, £35

Top trends Lacoste Spring 2017

Simply Be, £35

Jean Paul Gaultier Spring /Summer2017

Fabulous Feet

From platforms and wedges to soft pumps, this year sees a variety of your favourite footwear in fashion, allowing you to step out in style

Dune London, Daenerys, £90

V by Very, Cora Leather Block Heeled Mule, £35

V by Very Tiger Lilly Cut Out Point Court Shoe, £32

Jigsaw, Ayda Leather Trainer, £98

Northern Woman 15

Style

Three page fashion special on the season’s hottest looks

M&S Autograph Blue Stripe Top, £39.50

Top trends Phillip Lim Spring 2017

Tommy Hilfiger Spring 2017

Studio by Preen from Debenhams, £65

Stripes and Checks Bold and classic, stripes and checks are this season’s hot new trend

M&S Collection Top £29.50, Limited Edition Skirt, £45, T59 Shoe, £45

Red Herring from Debenhams, £26

J By Jasper Conran, Debenhams, £55

George at ASDA, Cream Stripe Long Sleeve Jumper, £14

16 Northern Woman

Multiple Births

MEET THE

Supermums Leona Carson was a carefree teenager when she found herself unexpectedly pregnant at 18 with triplets. After some challenging years juggling three sets of everything, she couldn’t be prouder of the fine young men her three boys, Jordan, Alex and Craig, now 17, have grown to become. Lee Henry reports...

W

hen Leona Carson discovered that she was pregnant with triplets in July 1999, aged just 18, she went into hysterics.

“I laughed the whole way home from the hospital,” she admits with a chuckle, even now, 18 years later, still a little affected by the crazy concept of raising three siblings at once.

It was the shock of the unexpected that had Leona (now 36) in fits. In her case, things really did come in threes. Firstly, the pregnancy with her then 16-year-old partner, Glenn Harkness, was unplanned.

Secondly, at their 12-week scan, the Omaghbased lovebirds were informed that they should expect twins.

Finally, two months down the line, the third and final surprise – the Tyrone County Hospital maternity nurses had been duped. Two little babies had been sheltering another. In the blink of an ultrasound, twins became triplets. Leona either laughed or she cried – the former seemed more fitting.

“It was only when I had three car seats lined up on the living room floor, on the day that I got my boys, Jordon, Alex and Craig, home that the reality of the situation really sank in,” she says.

“There I was, a mother of triplets. I couldn’t quite believe it. It’s been a tough journey ever since, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.’

Leona and Glenn were raised on either side of the divide. Leona, a Catholic, attended St Brigid’s (now Sacred Heart College), while Glenn, a Protestant, was a student at Omagh High School. The pair were introduced by friends in February 1998 and within weeks they were an item.

“We were young, enjoying life and certainly had no plans for settling down or starting a family, but Mother Nature had

18 Northern Woman

PICTURES BY MARTIN McKEOWN other plans,” Leona laughs. “I had been taking the contraceptive pill religiously. I didn’t miss a single one, nor did I take any antibiotics that might affect it, so I thought it was impossible for me to get pregnant.

It just shows that these things really can happen to anyone.”

While attending a course as part of her Trainee Administration role with Glen Caring at Hill View Nursing Home, she realised that she might be expecting. The beef goulash at lunch didn’t agree with her; the chef, no doubt affronted, joked that it might be more than a stomach bug. The following morning, she took a pregnancy test, and “the most ridiculous notion in the world became a reality.”

“I was absolutely shocked. I couldn’t get my head around the fact I was going to be a mum so young. I had to quit my training scheme as I was so sick, and my bump started to show pretty quickly. Glenn is a twin himself, as is his dad, Dennis, so although the 12 week scan did come as a surprise, in my heart I already knew it was possible.

“At the 18 week scan, I remember the nurse looking really seriously at the ultrasound and then she left the room, only to return with an entourage of nurses and doctors. They all stared at the screen and I could feel the excitement in the room.”

It’s been a tough journey, but I wouldn’t change it for the world

Leona was then informed that 1 in 67 births in the UK result in triplets or quadruplets. Still but a teenager, she had joined the multiple birth club.

As a result, her antenatal care was transferred to the Maternity Unit at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital. She made the journey to the capital twice a week for check-ups, and cites her partner’s mother, Liz, as a particular support during that time.

From 30 weeks, she was given a series of steroid injections to help with the development of her three boys’ lungs, and at 32 weeks, with the doctors finding it difficult to locate one of the baby’s heartbeats, it was decided that a planned caesarean section would go ahead immediately. The boys were born eight weeks premature, with Jordan weighing 3lb 14oz, Alex 4lb 4oz and Craig 3lb 4oz.

“I didn’t get to hold them or give them a cuddle until a few hours later as they were whisked away to the neonatal unit and I, the recovery ward.

“But they did great, tube fed in incubators until they gained weight and were able to regulate their own body temperature.

“The day I left the hospital to go home, however, it broke my heart. I had to leave them behind, but they were soon well enough to be transferred to a facility nearer to where I lived, and they were one month old the day I got them home. That’s when the fun and the craziness really started.”

Parenthood for the couple revolved around feeding time (‘We got through three big tins of baby milk per week’), nappies (‘Too many to mention’), and constant washing machine cycles. The family survived on income support, housing benefit and child benefit, while Glenn continued to work at Charles Hurst Tyres.

Continued on 20 ➤

Multiple Births

Leona Carson with triplets, Alex, Craig and Jordan

Northern Woman 19

Multiple Births

It was only when I had three car seats lined up on the living room floor that the reality of the situation really sank in

The triplets were premature, but thrived

Leona is so proud of her teenage sons, who are all currently studying at college “Money was tight,’ Leona admits, “but somehow we managed, as so many families do. I used to love sitting in the evening and listening to the baby monitor, hearing the boys communicate with each other. I called them my little dolphins because that’s what the noises reminded me of, and as the boys grew from babies to toddlers their personalities began to shine.”

Jordan, Leona recalls, was the sociable one, Alex the quiet one and Craig the mischievous one. Days, weeks and months went by with rarely a second’s peace to be had. The boys were particularly fond of their baby walkers, “crashing into each other like mini dodgems” she recalls, adding, “I can still hear them giggle.”

“It was great watching them grow together. They were a team. What one couldn’t achieve on their own, the others helped him to succeed, even when they were up to no good. If one did something wrong, and I would try and find out who

20 Northern Woman

the culprit was, they would close ranks, even developing their own special language, which I was not privy to.

“Toilet training sure was an experience.

I tried starting all three at the same time but it quickly became apparent that was not going to work, so I staggered the process from then on. Everything was trial and error but invariably we got there in the end.”

In 2006, sadly Leona and Glenn separated, with the former beginning a new life as a single mother. By that stage, baby Nicole had joined the brood, giving the triplets something special to focus their attention on. “The boys loved being big brothers,’ says Leona. “They were very protective of Nicole. No one was allowed to go near her as long as they were there.

‘Leave her alone, she is our sister!’ they would shout. They’re still very close today.

“Although Glenn and I were together until the boys were six and Nicole was

two, I was pretty much living the life of a single parent before then, doing most of the parenting alone, granted with great support from both my family and his.

“Life after splitting up was very tough for a long time, but every milestone the kids hit, and with every achievement, I got three times the joy. That helped a lot.”

Also in 2006, all three of the boys were identified as having mild learning difficulties and Craig was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD. Doctors prescribed medication, but Leona disagreed: “So I educated myself and learned how to manage Craig’s condition with his diet and behaviour management.

It was challenging, but we take each day as it comes.”

Today, Leona lives with three 17-year-old triplets “who have grown into fine young men. I used to call them my little men but the truth is I’m the little one these days,” she jokes, adding, “and I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

All three of the boys are currently studying at college, with Jordan training to be a chef, Alex studying IT and Craig a dab hand at bench joinery.

Having experienced the extreme pressure that parenthood can bring, Leona spends what down time she can volunteering at Omagh Riding for Disabled Centre, and fundraises for Cancer Focus NI. As they transition into adulthood, begin to get serious about the world of work and start to ponder the prospect of having children of their own, the Carson-Harkness boys have their hard-working, longsuffering mother to thank more than most for their solid foundation in life.

Leona says: “Now that they are older, life is very different. I have a lot more free time on my hands, for one thing, while the boys don’t need looked after so much.

“I’ve taken up running and, to be honest, right now, things couldn’t be much better.

We have our health, our happiness and each other, and that, at the end of the day, is what family is all about.”

Multiple Births

Eamon and Mary McBride celebrated the double whammy of multiple births, with two sets of twins, Clodagh and Naoise, and Roise and Aoibhe

With two sets of twin girls in three years, family life for Mary and Eamon McBride is certainly busy but, as these proud parents tell Lee Henry, they wouldn’t have it any other way...

PICTURES BY MARTIN McKEOWN

B

eing a community pharmacist with a large group of friends and acquaintances working in the same industry across Northern Ireland, 36-yearold Mary McBride was understandably cagey about purchasing a pregnancy test when she began to suspect that she was expecting in the autumn of 2010.

Mary and her husband Eamon, both originally from County Derry but resident at the time in Newry, a waypoint between their respective workplaces, were married a year previous and had been trying for a child for several months. If their first-born was on the way, Mary wanted to keep it low-key.

Within the space of three years, however, the McBrides would be the talk of the town, famous among friends, family, colleagues and neighbours as parents to, not one, but two sets of twins – Clodagh and Naoise, Roise and Aoibhe – all girls aged just three years apart. The multiple child double whammy; the parental royal flush.

In order to stop tongues from wagging,

though, and also as a means of breaking the good news to her busy biomedical scientist husband just coming off a shift in the nearby Craigavon Area Hospital, Mary sent Eamon a text. “Remember to pick up a Chinese on your way home,” it read. “And a pregnancy test as well. Thanks!”

The relatively carefree, party lifestyle that this ambitious young couple had previously enjoyed would soon be a thing of the past – just as soon as they got a friends’ 30th birthday weekend in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne over and done with.

The hardest part for Mary was convincing folk that she just wasn’t in the mood to drink. “If you’re not, chances are you’re pregnant,” she laughs. “In Ireland, at least.”

In January 2011, Mary and Eamon attended her first scan. Mary was “nervous, terrified at the thought of having to survive a blood test”. So much so that when the midwife called out her name, “I was already shaking from head to toe. But when she began to do the scan, and suddenly went quiet, that’s when I got really scared.”

Continued on 22 ➤

Northern Woman 21

Multiple Births

Girl power reigns in the McBride household, with twins Roise and Aoibhe, and Clodagh and Naoise, born within just three years of each other

After “what seemed like an eternity”, the prognosis was announced: not one, but two babies in the womb. Non-identical twins.

“Poor Eamon went grey,” Mary recalls. “Our families were over the moon, but, to be honest, as this was our first pregnancy, I had no idea what to expect.”

The following months went by in a flurry of scans – every four weeks to begin with, reduced to every two weeks past the 30-week mark. Mary finished work, went on maternity pay, and braced herself for impact.

“At 34 weeks I went in to Craigavon for a routine scan. I didn’t bring my hospital bag. Eamon was on call and we had a man at home fitting a carpet. It was all very normal. But there were complications.

“Following my first scan, the doctors had changed their opinion and declared the twins identical. The consultant was therefore concerned over a growth discrepancy between the two, so she turned to me and said, ‘Mary, if you follow the

22 Northern Woman

I remember ringing my mammy, asking her to light a candle and just bursting into tears. I was so scared midwife to the ward she will get you ready to deliver’.”

She says: “I remember ringing my mammy, asking her to light a candle and just bursting into tears. I was so scared. I didn’t think I was ready yet to be a mum.

We had agreed on a caesarean section and, when they put the epidural in, I burst into

tears. Eamon was made to wait outside until they were ready to go, but he was there for me when they were born. Clodagh first, weighing 4 lb 15oz, followed two minutes later by Naoise, at 4lb 3oz.”

For the first three weeks of their lives, the twins were kept apart. Clodagh was initially taken to the neonatal unit due to respiratory problems, while Naoise was able to stay with Mary. When she was finally able to visit her first-born, the new mother of two did so fighting against a rising tide of conflicting emotions.

“She looked so tiny, with all those tubes attached to her body, and I sobbed uncontrollably when I saw her,” Mary admits.

“I felt guilt as to why she wasn’t able to breathe, that it was somehow my body’s fault. I felt anger towards the consultant for the early delivery and I felt failure because my little baby was all alone in the world after being beside her twin sister for the past eight months.”

Multiple Births

I love being a mother and I know how blessed I am to have two sets of healthy twin girls

While Clodagh convalesced, Mary and Eamon were able to bring Naoise home.

Within days, the youngest of the twins had dropped down to a weight of 3.14 and Mary remembers the morning that Naoise stopped breathing altogether.

Rushed to Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry, she was subsequently diagnosed with grade four reflux. Mary recalls: “I remember her being so small, lying on a gurney beside a

You cannot be supermum.

Sometimes you have to ask for help

man who was having a heart attack.”

Finally, however, with Naoise on medication and Clodagh breathing freely, both were discharged and Mary remembers: “It was the scariest and happiest day of our lives.”

The McBrides got down to the business of parenting. They had their hands full.

Everything was times two: bottles brewed, nappies applied and removed, clothes cleaned, dummies sterilised. Eamon’s parents, Fionula and Alphonsis, made the trip to Newry as often as possible, while Mary’s parents, Patrick and Margaret Walsh, also lent a hand. “Without their help, I really feel I would not have coped,” says Mary. “I think that is important to mention – you cannot be supermum.

Sometimes you have to ask for help.”

And to parents of single children, twins, triplets or quadruplets, Mary has this solid advice: “Take all the help you can get and offers from people to let you sleep, as you will need it. And if someone offers you a night out, go!”

With Clodagh and Naoise settled, life began to even itself out. After seven months, Mary returned to part-time work – “For me the company of other adults and the return to my old routine really helped me mentally” – and spent as much time as she could raising money for Tiny Life, the premature baby charity, completing 10k runs, organising coffee mornings and other events.

“And it was when I was training with them to become a family support officer, in fact, that I found out I was pregnant again.”

It was a conscious decision, made in order to complete the McBride clan early and give the twins a sibling to play with.

“At 14 weeks, I was massive,” Mary comments. “I remember visiting a friend in Dublin and saying, ‘God, I feel like it could be twins again. What would be the odds of that?’ A few weeks later, I went for a scan at Daisy Hill. The nurse gasped – as she moved the scanner over my tummy, you could see two heads.

“I just remember walking to the car in a blur of panic and excitement. ‘We’ll be OK,’ Eamon joked. ‘I can sell a kidney.’”

Aoibhe and Roise were born on January 31, 2014, in Daisy Hill Hospital, three weeks premature but relatively fit and healthy.

Mary suddenly found herself mother to two sets of twins all under three years of age; Eamon, a keen Gaelic footballer, the only

man in a house dominated by females.

“Life is very tough with four kids, two sets of twins,” Mary concedes. “It does put a strain on your marriage, particularly with regards to finances, but we survived on tea and chocolate and the odd bottle of red wine those first couple of years. Again, when ‘the bubs’, as we call the youngest twins, were seven months, I went back to work part-time, as childcare was so expensive, and when the twins turned two we decided to move closer to home.”

Today, the McBrides are resident in Desertmartin, just a short walk from Eamon’s parents’ house. Though Mary misses the friends she made in Newry, and, in particular, their tireless former childminder Eileen O’Hanlon, she argues that, in order to raise a large family and ultimately stay sane, “you need your loved ones nearby. My parents and sister Mairead live in Derry, and I’m closer to them, and that’s great.”

The many rewards of bringing up two sets of twins so close in age have, Mary concludes, far outweighed the inevitable challenges. For one thing, the youngest girls have a constant supply of hand-me-downs stored away in the attic, and being able to learn from their older sisters has meant that the bubs have long since mastered how to ride baby bicycles, for example.

Weekdays are filled with school runs, gymnastics classes and dinners made for the week ahead, while weekends go by in a rush of chores, activities and constant choruses of Frozen’s Let It Go. At this stage, like it or not, Eamon can recite every word.

As for Mary, it has been a trying, testing half-decade, an experience of motherhood she could never have predicted, but one she “wouldn’t change for the world”.

She adds: “I love being a mother and I know how blessed I am to have two sets of healthy twin girls. I also love my job and after all that studying it would be a shame to give it up. I am due to start training for TAMBA, the Twins and Multiple Births Association, to talk at evenings dedicated to multiple parents-to-be. I feel I can help parents get an understanding of what may be ahead, and let them know that, ultimately, it will be OK.” ✸

Northern Woman 23

Sports Awards

Gail Walker, Carl Frampton, Michael O’Neill and Richard McClean

Claire McCollum and Craig Doyle

Telegraph Sports Awards Mike Todd and Jim Gracey

A galaxy of stars came together for the glittering annual Belfast Telegraph Sports Awards in the Waterfront Hall recently.

The remarkable achievements of our sporting heroes were once again put in the spotlight as the great and good from the world of sport gathered to celebrate a remarkable year for both teams and individuals.

In total, 13 awards were handed out, with Boxer Carl Frampton taking the top prize of 2016 Belfast Telegraph Sports Star of the Year, and snooker legend Dennis Taylor inducted into the Belfast Telegraph Hall of Fame.

Pamela Ballantine and Jackie Fullerton

Brian Magee and Joe Swail

24 Northern Woman

Louise Taylor and Dennis Taylor

Cristian Brown, Lauryn McKay and Eileen Rice

Sports Awards

Dame Mary Peters, Keith McGarry, Eilish Rutherford and Gillian Hetherington

Seamus, Brenda, Dennis and Louise Taylor

Len O’Hagan, Anna Armstrong and Naomi Fenton

Willie John McBride, Jackie Fullerton and Pat Jennings

Guests from Methodist College pictured at the Belfast Telegraph Sports Awards

Moyra and Mike Gibson

Paul and Janet Gray

Andrew White and Ydele White

Les Kiss and Stephen Ferris

Northern Woman 25

Healthy Eating

Curb Your Cravings Already thinking about a mid morning snack? Read on for some surprising ways to help stop you reaching for the biscuit tin

H

ow do you think Kendall Jenner keeps her supermodel figure?

It might surprise you to find that the Vogue cover girl uses a lesser-known psychological trick to keep herself from snacking… she’s painted her walls pink!

On her blog KendallJ, she explains that this particular shade of pink is known to help suppress appetite: “I decided to paint [my room] pink because while I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do with the room, I went to dinner with friends and they had just gone to the ‘Human Condition’ exhibition at a former hospital in LA. “They were telling me there’s a pink room at the exhibit that had an explanation of the colour choice: Baker-Miller Pink is the only colour scientifically proven to calm you and suppress your appetite. I was like, ‘I NEED this colour in my house!’”

Baker-Miller Pink, also known as Drunk Tank Pink, was studied in the 1980s and was found to work as an appetite suppressant.

Want to take a leaf out of Kendall’s book and stop snacking by tricking your brain?

We’ve found five more surprising ways to help you stop reaching for those biscuits:

Download Tetris Sounds a bit old school, but research from Plymouth University has found that playing Tetris can reduce cravings. Distracting yourself from your need to nibble can reinforce healthy behaviour when it comes to snacking, psychologist and best-selling author, Corinne Sweet, explains: “If you experience the urge to snack, and you act on it by grazing or nibbling or slurping, you are reinforcing the behaviour every time you do it.

“Once you become aware of this, and own up to yourself that you are doing it, you can make a choice: do I want to continue doing this? Can I do something different, more health giving? Some people decide to do something like drink a glass of water, or meditate or walk fast down the road, or do some housework. You can also sing, or dance round the room to your favourite track, or clean out a drawer.”

Trick Your Taste Buds Have you ever begun to salivate after smelling tasty food? Well, you’re not alone! Corinne explains: “The taste (and smell) of food can send messages to the hypothalamus in the brain, so that we are preparing to experience the food itself – it prepares the stomach to receive the food, and gets the gastric juices flowing. If we

26 Northern Woman

want to ‘trick’ the stomach (and therefore the brain) into thinking we have satisfied our appetite, quite often people will smell some food and drink water, as a way of sending a ‘full’ message to the brain.”

There is even a new device to help.

Corinne explains how you can satisfy your cravings for sweet tastes with new Slissie (from £39.99, www.slissie.co.uk), a lipstick sized anti-snacking device.

“Slissie works in a similar way. The smell (olfactory senses) and taste (tastebuds) combine to trick the brain into thinking that the appetite has been satisfied. In fact, ‘sensory boredom’ can mean you have satisfied the craving for a particular taste and no longer need to pursue it once it is satiated,” Corinne says.

Brush Your Teeth Feeling peckish? Brush your teeth! Aside from keeping your teeth clean and free from stray bits of food, there are other

benefits to carrying a toothbrush around in your handbag.

The mint flavour of toothpaste will cleanse your palate and kill the taste of anything you’re craving. You’ll also be less likely to snack afterwards, as anything you eat won’t taste as good with the minty flavour in your mouth!

Pamper Yourself Research from Brazilian scientists has found that boosting your levels of serotonin can help suppress your hunger pangs.

Serotonin is known as your “happy hormone” which can be boosted through laughter, exercise or increasing your Vitamin B levels.

Another surprising way you can boost these levels is by treating yourself to a massage. A study from the University of Miami has found that the power of touch is not a myth, and that having a massage increases your serotonin levels by 28%. ✸

Face of Northern Ireland

Princesses with Purpose As the search for this year’s Face of Northern Ireland launches, Davina Gordon talks to four previous winners who explain why this beauty-contest-with-a-difference has had such a positive impact on their lives PICTURES BY KEVIN SCOTT Northern Woman 27

Face of Northern Ireland Anouska Black and Maria Kelly

ANOUSKA BLACK

Miss Congeniality NI, Miss Personality World and Face of UK Photographic

T

hink of beauty pageants and you’ll probably think of forced smiles, dirty looks and handbags at dawn. As a former pageant winner myself, I can attest to the hotbed of nerves and hysteria this environment breeds. Kirsten Dunst played to her strengths in twisted mockumentary Drop Dead Gorgeous, resorting to wicked tactics to take out her privileged opponent.

Gladys Leeman summed up it up perfectly when she snarled at her daughter, “show me some teeth!”

Playing to her strengths in a polar opposite way, and winning titles while battling a serious health condition is Anouska Black, a bright and remarkable young woman from Magheralin.

The dedicated single mum (27) exudes vitality. So much so, you’d be shocked to learn that she suffers from endometriosis, a chronic condition.

“It devastating,” she says. “It affects every single part of your life. I can’t have a 9-5 job as I’m often in pain. I’m also crippled with anxiety. But I’ve taken eight years to get to where I am now.”

She proves that there’s a lot more to winning a beauty pageant than showing some teeth.

She was diagnosed at 19, after enduring countless excruciating periods and being told on several occasions she was suffering from kidney infections and cystitis. On further investigation, a 7cm cyst was found in her ovary. “It’s very frustrating, all your organs are inflamed but there’s nothing you

28 Northern Woman

can do but get on with it,” she says, typical of her positive attitude.

The fact that she has a number of beauty pageant titles under her belt is highly commendable but, admirably, she is using her profile to be a champion for women.

In early February, Anouska, new director of the Face of Northern Ireland, launched this year’s competition which will be held at Corick House Hotel and Spa on July 30.

The Face of Northern Ireland is now in its fifth year and is a national heat for the Face of Europe and the World – an international beauty pageant.

Prior to her involvement, Anouska was recovering from an operation, in a limbo of “crappy TV and Facebook”, where she saw the beauty pageant advertised.

“Despite my discomfort, I thought why not?” she says.

She was not a complete stranger to the beauty world though as her striking looks had seen her become the face of a bridal shop.

Modestly, she feels that her immersion in the beauty world is by “complete accident”.

It was when a photographer friend took

Face of Northern Ireland embraces and welcomes ‘normal’

some family portraits and Anouska posted them online that her beauty career took off.

“It totally spiralled from there, “she says.

“After I posted the photographs on Facebook I was contacted by another photographer and from there my portfolio started and more and more photographers asked to work with me, and my experience grew and grew from there.

“I had loads of fun and it was a real confidence boost as I never thought of modelling as a career, especially because I’m curvy and only 5 foot seven inches tall.”

It was also around this time that she fell pregnant with her “little miracle” Bailey.

She lights up when talking about her nine-year-old son: “He’s a real mummy’s boy. He thinks I’m a princess, he is so proud,” she says.

“He’s very mature, understanding and really caring, he is always asking me if I need tablets or water.

“I want to give him a good life, good experiences, not material things. He is not spoiled.”

Taking time out from her hectic schedule and curled up in PJ’s, she tells me her views on pageants: “I’m not the model type. I’m not a stereotypical beauty. My weight can fluctuate between a size eight and size 12.

I’m curvy, with a bust.

“Face of Northern Ireland embraces and welcomes ‘normal’.

“There are no rules, you don’t have to be unmarried and, most importantly, there’s no swimwear which puts a lot of people off.

Continued on 30 ➤

Face of Northern Ireland

Northern Woman 29

Face of Northern Ireland

“It’s not about the dress; the competition is really charity-focused.

“Each finalist is required to do some form of fundraising for our charities. Effort, awareness and amount are all taken into account.”

In 2015, the Face of Northern Ireland heat finalists raised over £13,000 which was split between Headway and Downs & Proud.

This year, the beneficiary charity in Northern Ireland is Alzheimer’s UK while the UK charity is Headway. Fundraising is already underway with a ladies night to be held at Corick House Hotel & Spa on March 7.

It’s fair to say that her perceptions of beauty pageants have altered somewhat.

Anouska says: “It’s not all tantrums and tiaras. I’ve met so many beautiful women.

I really like that aspect of it. The age group is from four to 39, so women who have had their careers can take this on as a hobby. It’s wonderful.”

She is at pains to point out that in the younger section, there is no fake tan, no makeup or false lashes – “I believe that kids should be kids,” she affirms.

She heaps praise on her fellow titleholders, Maria, Ciara and Katie, all impressive in equal measure and who we get to know a little more in this article.

Last year, Anouska also found herself in the spotlight when asked to represent SuperValu Moira in the Supermum of the Year competition, in which she was awarded a runner-up title.

“The tissues were out,” she says, with a quiver in her voice. “I was certainly not expecting anything as there were so many other women with incredible stories. I was shaking. It was so humbling to get the recognition.”

The fact that Anouska has made the leap from beauty queen to director of the contest is testament to her bubbly personality and strength of mind.

“Obviously I am restricted with my illness. I’ve only been free from hospital appointments for just four weeks in an entire year but, instead of dwelling on the pain, I channel it into helping others,” she says.

Anouska is a global ambassador for endometriosis and is administrator of a support group that offers dietary, financial and relationship advice.

She says that winning her titles in the Face of Northern Ireland contest has changed her life and boosted her confidence.

Despite the obstacles in her life, she remains resilient and optimistic: “There is always somebody worse off,” she quips.

Like a chameleon she is constantly wishing to adapt and grow and, as well as directing this year’s contest, she is currently reading an introductory module in psychology at the Open University with hopes of doing the degree she had to put on hold when diagnosed with her condition as a teenager.

30 Northern Woman

Katie McGibbon, front, with, from left, Ciara De Carteret, Anouska Black and Maria Kelly

KATIE McGIBBON

Junior Face of Northern Ireland, Europe and the World

K

atie is incredibly articulate and worldly-wise for her 11 years. Still, being a precocious pre-teen, she had to beg her mum to enter the competition.

“She thought it was too exposing, she didn’t want me growing up too quickly” she says.

But Katie, from Aghalee, was determined and persuaded her mum to read the terms and conditions – “I didn’t stop nagging.”

Now, with a few prestigious titles under her tiny belt, such as Miss NI Charity and Miss Charity Overall, she says her mum is “extremely proud”.

Katie, who attends Lismore Comprehensive School in Craigavon, relished the fundraising aspect of the contest and said it felt good to know that she was helping people.

Activities she organised included sponsored walks, a raffle, crosswords and a non-uniform day at her school.

Through winning the title, she has met

You should be yourself, there’s no point in pretending to be someone you’re not

girls from all over the world. “It’s taught me how to make friends. I still keep in touch with the girls I met,” she says.

Katie made the most of her prize, which was a trip to Disneyland Paris, making sure she visited all of the city’s landmarks.

Highlights were meeting Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse.

She says that winning made her feel like a princess and that it was “magical”.

Katie is sage when it comes to beauty queen attributes. “You shouldn’t be selfabsorbed or be someone who just wants to win. You should be nice and kind and be in it for the fun of it, “she says, adding: “You should be yourself, there’s no point in pretending to be someone you’re not.”

In her spare time, the young firecracker takes to the rink for competitive iceskating practice. Despite bleary-eyed 5am starts, Katie bemoans the fact that she’s “only come second”. No doubt that dogged determination will pay dividends in time.

Katie also enjoys singing and maybe exhibits just the tiniest hint of diva behaviour when she quips that she only sings in the bath as she’s “too lazy to stand up”.

While not a huge fan of school, she admits that she loves Home Economics and is good at baking cupcakes.

When she grows up, she wants to be a lawyer, perhaps persuaded by the earning potential as they “make loads of money”, and she looks up to Kylie Jenner because “she’s really successful”.

Katie is certainly one to watch out for.

If she’s this together at 11-years-old, who knows what the future holds for this young ball of energy.

Continued on 32 ➤

Face of Northern Ireland

Northern Woman 31

Face of Northern Ireland

32 Northern Woman

Face of Northern Ireland

MARIA KELLY Teen Face of Northern Ireland

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mart and sporty teenager Maria (19) from Portadown, is another example of the type of young woman this competition seeks to foster. She thought the competition was the perfect opportunity to try something different and have some fun.

Maria (left) plays Gaelic football in her free time, although she admits that she can be “a bit lazy” at times. It’s just another thing that makes her relatable.

Winning Teen Face of Northern Ireland has taught her, ironically, that this pageant is not about beauty.

“The competition’s slogan is ‘beauty with a purpose’. It’s about your inner character,” she explains.

Maria says she was “shocked and really happy” that she won. Winning has boosted her confidence and helped her make good connections, affording her the opportunity to network with women from all over the world, including Japan and Brazil.

Since winning, plucky Maria is making a name for herself on the beauty circuit, and enjoys modelling work with The Makeup

Boudoir Training Academy, doing bridal and fashion shoots.

Like the others, she is passionate about fundraising and helping local charities.

Maria says: “It’s good for a charity that doesn’t get much funding to be in the spotlight and it’s great to see who will benefit.” Beneficiary charity Downs & Proud was set up by Aine Beatty whose son Jay has Down’s Syndrome. Maria has worked closely with Jay’s cousin in fundraising activities.

There’s much more to being a beauty queen than wearing a sash and a tiara

There’s no doubt that being a beauty queen is hard work – how does she feel about being a role model?

“It’s really good. It is character building and helps you be a better individual,” she says.

Maria is hoping to study law in September in Belfast, and is currently waiting on one A-level result from St Catherine’s College, Armagh. She will also complete her Public Services BTEC in June.

She is quick to extol the virtues of Anouska, who she, touchingly, looks up to as her role model – “She is always there to help out,” she says.

She adds: “There’s much more to being a beauty queen than wearing a sash and a tiara. It teaches you a lot about yourself, to not be materialistic and be more confident.

“I’ve metamorphosed from an introvert to an extrovert. It’s changed me completely.”

She’s certain of the qualities a beauty queen should possess: “She should be compassionate, confident and willing to help.”

She has an exuberant approach to life and her motto is ‘C’est la vie’.

CIARA DE CARTERET

Senior Face of Northern Ireland and UK Princess

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confidence: “This pageant

iara, a marketing student at Liverpool’s John Moore University, is still perplexed at the fact she currently holds the title. Being a beauty pageant winner is not what Ciara had ever imagined, never mind could vocalise.

“Pageants were never really my thing but, for some reason, The Face of Northern Ireland competition caught my eye,” she says.

The 20-year-old, currently in the throes of coursework, admits that taking part and winning the Face of Northern Ireland is one of “her biggest achievements”.

“It required me to exhaust my people skills and strive to raise as much money as possible for charity. The two charities we were involved in were very close to home.

Headway is also close to my heart as I have a great aunt who is on the long road to recovery from a brain tumour a few years ago.

has allowed me to grow r the To ente , email: as a person and discover n io it t e comp hotmail.com new passions I never i@ faceofn : @faceofni realised that I had.” : t it n vis Twee io t Among those passions a m r o e inf are reading, drawing For mor feurope.co.uk faceo and playing the ukulele.

Ciara De Carteret

I’ve discovered new passions I never realised that I had

“I am extremely proud to have taken part, but I am even more proud of the funds that we as a team were able to raise for charity.”

Ciara admits that the competition brought her out of her comfort zone, but says the whole journey has helped with her

She also has an impressive talent for “landing a cartwheel in six inch heels”.

As well as winning the Northern Ireland heat, she also won a free trip to Disneyland Paris to represent Northern Ireland in a worldwide competition, Face of Europe and the World, where she was able to make lifelong friendships.

A collective quality the girls hold is modesty.

“I’m 5 ft 2” (at a push), I’m certainly not the skinniest or the most attractive, but what I love most about the Face of Europe and the World pageant is that it’s allinclusive and non-discriminatory. Everyone has an equal opportunity to gain a title as long as you are passionate about helping others and maintain the right attitude.

“It goes to show that when you put your energy and motivation into something that you are passionate about, you can exceed your expectations and achieve much more than you originally intended to.”

Keep your eyes peeled as Ciara will soon be appearing on a popular Saturday night prime time show. This girl’s star is in the ascendant. ✸

Northern Woman 33

Victoria Square

Maria Davison, Sheila Fegan & Sarah Davison at Victoria Square

Caitlin McGinniss admires the blooms

Christie, Halle, Barney and Michael Gregg from Holywood

Maria Groves at Victoria Square

Jonas Nienaber and Juliane Maluck love the installation

Shoppers share the romance Victoria Square shared the love over Valentine’s weekend with a series of flower themed festivities.

A living flower wall installation created

by Rachel Groves and Caitlin McGinniss was unveiled, and shoppers also had the chance to take part in flower arranging master classes.

In partnership with Best Buds and The Rosehip & Berry, Victoria Square’s celebratory weekend finished with a pop-up flower market.

Carrickfergus girl Lucy Robinson selects a bloom from the display

Glengormley couple Lynsey and Sean Hunter

34 Northern Woman

Rachel Groves & Caitlin McGinniss

Colm Stanley & Mags Spain from Dublin share a kiss

Halemah Alshehei at Victoria Square

Northern Ireland School Of Modelling www.northernirelandschoolofmodellinguk.co.uk

The NI School Of Modelling recently returned to the Spanish sunshine of Marbella with Miss Winter Wonderland: Nicole McLoughlin & Miss Teen Wonderland: Corrina Hughes, for a little fun in the sun: 007 Style Ann Connor: Tel: 07877 292 189 email: annconnor10@icloud.com

Formal dresses by

18 Ballymageough Road Kilkeel, Co. Down, BT34 4HW Tel: 07756 233 388 ameliasfashionpantry@outlook.com

Killykergan House, 1 Killykergan Rd, Garvagh, Co. L/Derry, BT5 14EA Tel: 075908 13801

Hair And Beauty Unit 2, Broadmeadow Place. Enniskillen Tel: 02866 322 672

Northern Woman 35

Style

From Italy to Ireland Max Mara to unveil its latest collection in Belfast…

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Luxury Italian design house Max Mara is to bring its full Spring/Summer 2017 collection from the catwalks of Milan to Belfast City Hall on March 10 in support of leading learning disability charity, Positive Futures.

The event is being hosted by kind permission of The Right Hon the Lord Mayor Brian Kingston, who supports Positive Futures.

Nina Walls, owner of Max Mara’s Belfast store, commented: “The fashion on show will be inspired by architect, designer and intellectual, Lina Bo Bardi, in a fusion of creative, radical, passion.

Bo Bardi was a woman with a vision years ahead of her time, who embodied Latin America’s compelling take on modernism; at once rational and sensual, sleek and luxuriant, athletic and sultry, hi-tech and artisanal.

“For modern women with big ideas, the Max Mara Spring Summer 2017 collection proposes a new blend of voluptuous modernity – intelligent, audacious, sexy fashion with a lifespan as long as Bo Bardi’s designs.”

Tickets for the show are priced at £35, or £75 for a VIP experience, and are available online from www.positive-futures.net Makeup for the show will be by Charlotte Tilbury, with hair by international session stylist Richard Phillipart for BaByliss.

36 Northern Woman

Revisiting the legendary 101801 coat – a Max Mara must-have – in a completely new way is the overcoat in see-through tech mesh.

Urban jumpsuit in wool and silk with bustier top over cropped pants with pleats and detailing in tricot.

BoBag in soft leather with decoration tassels. “Lina” sunglasses. Belt in leather.

Scarf in patterned silk. Clogs in leather with straps.

Style Sweater in fluffy cotton with Lemur design, printed silk scarf, BoBag in leather with Maxi stitching and decoration tassels.

Northern Woman 37

Style Double-breasted blazer in cotton with leather Scoubidou laces at the cuffs over matching high-waisted peg-pants. As an under jacket, tech bomber jacket in stretch jersey. Scarf in printed silk twill. Chic clogs in openwork leather with wooden sole. All Max Mara.

38 Northern Woman

Style Trompe L’Oeil dress consisting of knotted shirt in cotton poplin over sheath dress in jersey Ottoman. Matching belt in leather. “Lina” mask sunglasses. Scarf in printed silk. Shoes with wooden wedge. All Max Mara.

Northern Woman 39

Style Bomber Jacket in linen fabric and cotton drill with patchwork jungle pattern and sporty collar.

Matching Longuette pencil skirt. T-shirt in tulle with jungle print. Scarf in silk twill. Clogs in leather with straps. BoBag in leather in Amazon green. All Max Mara.

All available from Max Mara Belfast, 723 Lisburn Road. Tel: 028 9038 2796

40 Northern Woman

Competition Revolutionary new treatment for women in Northern Ireland 3fivetwo Healthcare is now offering the award winning THERMiVA treatment at the Maypole Clinic in Holywood. Fresh from the USA this innovative new treatment offers a non-surgical, non-invasive solution for the alleviation of conditions associated with childbirth and the natural aging process.

Giving birth can sometimes cause stretching and loosening in women post pregnancy. The effects of the menopause can also cause physical and functional changes such as excessive dryness, pain and urinary incontinence.

Leaks prior to using the bathroom, during exercise and reduced sexual sensation are all areas of concern to many women.

Contrary to popular belief these are not just issues that affect older women and can impact younger mothers lives as well and can cause a loss in confidence.

For years’ women have suffered in silence but now a solution is available to what can sometimes be an embarrassing problem.

How does THERMiVA work?

The treatment works through the delivery of radio frequency heat through a small disposable wand to gently promote the production of collagen which slowly tightens and firms the vagina.

Treatment lasts around 30 minutes and only 3 sessions are recommended, meaning you can get back to your best in no time and at an affordable cost.

What are the benefits?

• No surgery • No downtime • No anaesthesia • Comfortable in-office treatment • Three 30 minute sessions, one month apart • May resume sexual relations same day/night • Noticeable improvement after 1st or 2nd session THERMiVA is now available at 3fivetwo Healthcare.

Sessions are carried out at The Maypole Clinic in Holywood and are carried by renowned Gynaecologist, Professor Jim Dornan.

Interested in finding out more? Call us on 028 9068 8872 or email one2one@3fivetwo.com for more information on our introductory pricing or to book your consultation.

COMPETITION Win an overnight stay at Ballygally Castle And Game of Thrones afternoon tea

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orthern Woman has teamed up with Hastings Hotels to give readers the chance to enjoy a luxurious overnight stay for two at Ballygally Castle with the delightful Game of Thrones Afternoon Tea on arrival.

Ballygally Castle is the perfect location to enjoy a short break by the coast. Perched on the tip of the famous Causeway Coastal Route, the stunning 17th century castle overlooks Ballygally Bay with uninterrupted views towards Scotland with 54 bedrooms including 18 deluxe coastal view bedrooms.

The lucky winner will check-in to one of the stunning bedrooms and enjoy the fabulous Game of Thrones Afternoon Tea with a menu inspired by the hit TV series including Lannister egg, Baratheon Bread, Little Fingers Chicken Caesar wrap and Jon Snow cakes to Dothraki Trifle with mini Dragon’s eggs. Guests will also be able to see the Game of Thrones Door at the hotel which is made from the famous Dark Hedges.

The Game of Thrones Afternoon Tea is available from 2 – 5pm Monday to Saturday and 3-5pm on Sundays for only £22 per person. Please note – the hotel requires 24 hours notice for reservations for the Game of Thrones Afternoon Tea. Don’t worry if you aren’t the lucky winner as you can contact Ballygally Castle to avail of special offers by calling 028 2858 1066 or go to www.hastingshotels.com

Win

Simply answer the following question: Q: How many bedrooms does Ballygally Castle have? a) 42 b) 44 c) 54

Competition terms & conditions Terms and conditions apply. Entrants must be over 18. Closing date for receipt of entries is Friday 31 March. Prize is as detailed, is subject to availability and excludes Sundays over public and bank holidays. Prize must be taken before 31st August, 2017.

Northern Woman 41

Relationships

15

ways to future‑proof your relationship Most couples in longterm relationships suffer problems at some stage – whether it’s a breakdown in communication or periods of frustration, anger, conflict, or even mistrust. But one thing is certain; a strong, enduring and resilient relationship takes a lot of hard work. Áilín Quinlan gets tips on how to keep things fresh and healthy from psychotherapist Isobel Mahon, and psychologist Mark Duberry 42 Northern Woman

1. Communicate

✶

Be prepared to talk to each other honestly.

Give the other person a chance to speak without interruption or judgement. “So often we hear people say, ‘If he/she would only listen to me,’” observes psychotherapist Isobel Mahon, who points out that much conflict can be solved in a relationship by one partner simply feeling heard. Sometimes, she says, rather than listening, men tend to focus in on solutions and getting to the root of the problem. “There is a tendency when they hear a problem, they need to fix it,” she explains. However, she says, what many women may want at the time is to simply air the problem – and that, she says, can leave a gap in which somebody feels unheard.

2. Make time without the children

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Of course family time is important, but try to carve out some regular adult time to give you a chance to check in with each other.

This is immensely helpful in keeping a couple connected so the relationship stays current, Isobel believes. “A lot of people get lost in the duties of parenting,” she explains, pointing out that babysitting is expensive, and an evening out can require substantial advance preparation, particularly if you have young children. “But the pay-off of heading out to a gig or something can be great – it broadens

your perspective because you move out of the functionality side of things and into a space where you can be adults together.”

3. Sex is important on many levels

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On a purely physical level, intimacy stimulates oxytocin, the hormone which affects bonding and provides a feel-good factor between the couple that extends far beyond the bedroom. “Sex is really important to stay connected,” says Isobel. “It’s important to try to prioritise that intimate time together, as it creates an intimacy that extends beyond the bedroom. Regular sex is also, she believes, crucial to both parties feeling attractive – and attracted to – one another!”

4. Deal with any difficulties sooner rather than later

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If you feel like you’re hitting an intractable problem, look for help from a couples counsellor. We can’t always solve our problems ourselves and help from an outside party can halt a pattern before the point of no return.

Sometimes patterns of avoidance can become part of a relationship – it is important to seek professional help to deal with any issues that threaten to destroy the quality of your partnership, for example, addiction or aggression. Also, habits of behaviour can harden

Relationships

another on a daily basis form the foundation of the relationship. “Sometimes couples feel that because they’re not madly ‘in love’ any more, that it is the end of their relationship but, in fact, it may well be just the beginning,” says Isobel.

10. Find shared goals and projects

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Whether it’s painting a room or booking a holiday, common goals/activities are a powerful factor in relationship bonding.

Travelling and enjoying new experiences together help create memories. Creating memories in common is how we construct and nurture a life together.

11. Be tolerant of each other’s quirks

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Try to make the distinction between what’s really a deal-breaker and what you can just let go. Don’t try to win all of the arguments. It’s not worth winning all of the minor battles and then going on to lose the war. “Very often the qualities that you find cute at the beginning of a relationship can become annoying over time, but the more latitude you can give each other to be the person they are, the more you can each grow in the relationship,” Isobel observes.

12. Practise kindness and generosity

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Kindness is an underestimated quality but, when all is said and done, it’s the underlying structure of a successful relationship. Be the safe place for your partner. “It’s not a complicated thing, but it is a crucial element in keeping love alive,” Isobel reminds us. Equally, generosity doesn’t have to mean coming home with a big bunch of flowers every night – it can be a word of support or a welcome expression of confidence in your partner at a time when he or she really needs it.

and can be very difficult to change if left to become established, so the sooner you go for help, the easier things are to resolve.

5. Deal with big issues outside of your relationship

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Don’t expect your relationship to solve all of your problems. If either person has serious issues stemming, for example, from addiction or early life trauma, look for help. Relationships can sink under the weight of stuff like this.

6. Try to be an interesting person for your partner (and yourself)

✶

Develop your own passions and interests so you can be an inspiration for one another. People who are interested in life and have passions, says Isobel, are all the more interesting and inspiring as a result. Sometimes when people form a relationship together they easily settle into routine and stop growing – it is very important that outside of being a couple you stay interested in your own growth and your own friends. It’s about staying alive in a relationship, she says: “Then your partner has an interesting friend to come home to.”

7. Develop emotional independence

✶

There is a difference between healthy attachment and emotional dependence.

Healthy attachment is being able to bond, connect and share with another person in a healthy way but without losing your sense of self. Emotional dependence is more like merging with the other person and not being able to make a distinction between their feelings – such as depression – and your own feelings. In other words, the boundaries between you are blurred.

It is important to learn to connect with your feelings and know what you feel.

8. Make a decision to stay together

✶

This commitment-making applies to both marriage and informal relationships – in other words, that whatever happens you will stick with it and with your commitment to your relationship. Recognise that all relationships go through ups and downs and that you are both fully prepared to ride out any problems together.

9. Love is a choice

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Falling in love with someone and staying in love with them are two different things.

We think of love as a feeling, but in fact love is a choice and an act of will, says psychologist Mark Duberry. Love is active and you have to work at it, he explains. When the honeymoon period is over and normal life resumes, the loving ways in which you behave towards one

13. Laugh together

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There’s nothing more bonding and restorative than being able to laugh together at the problems and absurdities of life. Try to remember not to take yourselves too seriously – remember, at the end of the day nobody’s perfect. Make an effort to have a laugh together – whether it’s watching a funny film or seeing the funny side of life, it’s all good. It’s very important to have fun inside the relationship and to ensure that all the fun is not happening outside it.

14. Practise Self-Care

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Look after yourself emotionally and physically. Healthy self-esteem on the part of both partners is crucial to a healthy relationship. Whether it’s looking after your appearance or going to the gym, or reading a good book, the better you feel about yourself the more comfortable you are in your relationship.

15. Romantic gestures

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It’s so important amid the practicalities of life to show that you’ve thought about your other half and have taken the trouble to do something special just to make them happy. So often, says Isobel, it can be the small things that help so much to keep your relationship fresh in a busy world. ✸

Northern Woman 43

Working Mums

Role Reversal

PICTURES BY KEVIN SCOTT

The days are long gone when women were expected to stay at home with the kids while their husbands pursued their careers. Not only are more couples sharing childcare but an increasing number of working women are now taking on the role of breadwinner while their husbands look after the children. Una Brankin gets an insight into the everyday life of a modern couple who share the housework and childcare, and two stay-at-home dads...

M

aeve Binchy’s adored marmalade cat would pad along the long desk she used for writing in her bright study in Dalkey, Maeve at one end of the table and her husband, children’s author and scriptwriter Gordon Snell, at the other.

A recipe for disaster, I thought, having a double distraction like that, when you’re trying to concentrate. But Maeve said they could type away quite happily, something her prolific output proved.

The Belfast broadcaster and publisher Heidi McAlpin and her husband Ray Allen have a similar arrangement. And, given that they work together, on the same thing, I’m amazed they aren’t tearing strips off one another like the shopkeeping couple in Father Ted. “Oddly enough, we really don’t feel we’re in each other’s pockets,” says Heidi (45).

“We could be working on our computers in the same room and forget the other is there.

You just click into a zone.

“And it’s always nice getting your lunch or coffee made for you. Some friends can’t understand why we’re not at each other’s throats, but maybe we’re just too laid back to be bothered.”

With the exception of Thursdays, when Heidi presents her Belfast 89FM radio show with her dad, the well-known journalist Colin McAlpin, she and Ray, a former bank clerk, work on their highly successful visitor guide, Belfast & NI In Your Pocket.

44 Northern Woman

Ray is the first to get up in the mornings and organises breakfast for Scarlett and Freddie Their daily commute to work involves just a few steps from the breakfast table to the room they use as an office in their east Belfast home.

“Publishing the visitor guide means I can combine working from home with going out to meet people in the local tourism industry,” she explains. “Ray helps out with invoicing and does all the distribution, and it’s great having someone who knows the local travel scene as much as I do.

“His job in the bank was a demanding, stressful and modestly-paid role. And, as

the branch was on the opposite side of Belfast, he had to endure that dreaded rush hour. That’s something we never have to worry about now.”

When the bank gave Ray an opportunity to do payroll and accounts work from home for a similar salary, he jumped at the chance. Meanwhile, Heidi was thinking of a career change, having worked in television production for several years.

“Me and Ray had just returned from eight months travelling and I had come across In Your Pocket guides in several European cities,” Heidi recalls. “I love Northern Ireland and Belfast, and thought I could bring the magazine here. So, that’s what I did. Then, I had a baby and we got an extension to the house at the same time – so it was a bit manic!”

Scarlett, now 10, was joined four years later by Freddie (six), in the midst of the visitor guide’s growing success. The original Belfast In Your Pocket was launched in 2005 and, in 10 years, produced over 800,000 copies across 56 issues.

Now expanded as Belfast & NI In Your Pocket, the guide continues to attract huge numbers of online visitors from around the globe, a testament to Heidi and Ray’s efficient teamwork.

Heidi, however, admits she’s “definitely not a morning person”.

“Ray gets up first at 7.30am and feeds the children, I get up at 8am and help with uniforms. We take turns walking to school, then its back home and onto the emails and phones.

Continued on 46 ➤

Working Mums Heidi McAlpin and husband Ray Allen, with children Scarlett and Freddie, both work from home and share the running of the house

Northern Woman 45

Working Mums

Heidi and Ray spend much of their working day at a laptop screen, but are happy to avoid rush hour

We share the housework – if I manage to drag the brush across the floor, I feel like I’ve completed a Kim Woodburn workout “Sometimes I’ll maybe take a trip into town for a meeting or look-around, and Ray might do some off-peak grocery shopping in the early afternoon. Then it’s back to sharing the school pick-up and maybe a kids’ play date at ours.

“We share school runs and feel very lucky having the flexibility to do so. We live close enough to both Greenwood Primary School and Strandtown Primary School to walk, and there’s no sweeter scene than skipping past the queues of cars stuck in nine-to-five commuter hell.”

By sharing the daily chores and responsibilities, Heidi and Ray tend to avoid the everyday stresses and rush experienced by most working parents.

“We take turns cooking the dinner and share the homework between us afterwards,” says Heidi. “Housework is an anathema to me. If I manage to drag the brush across the floor, I feel like I’ve completed a Kim Woodburn workout.

“Happily, Ray shares my reticence, so we glide through life with the bare minimum of ironing, dusting and mopping. As for grocery shopping, Ray employs his mathematical abilities to uncover the best bargains.

“As a woman who prefers to waft through the fancy goods, acquiring scatter cushions

46 Northern Woman

and novelty mugs, I am, most definitely, surplus to requirements. Less is more!”

The biggest advantage to working from home, according to the well-travelled Heidi, is not having to commute and buy “overpriced lunches”. That said, she admits to the odd bout of cabin fever.

“Being self-employed, the ability to go wherever you want at any time is countered with the guilt of leaving the computer coalface,” she reflects. “I will spend all day working on the laptop and making calls, then realise I have descended into physical inertia ‘sofa-it is’.

“I need to force myself to get out for a change of scene but it’s a hard habit to break. And I never take for granted our ability to side-step the traffic torture. If I have a meeting, Ray will happily do the school runs. The same applies on Thursdays when I present a Belfast 89FM radio show with my dad.”

“Mind you, office Christmas dinners can be a solitary affair,” she adds. “But I also love being there for the children when they come home from school. It isn’t something I experienced, as both my parents worked, so I feel very lucky to be able to do it for them.

I don’t miss the office dynamics and feel I may be ruined for any future traditional working environment.”

Ray and Heidi got married in Greece, having travelled the length and breadth of Europe together in 2004. For Ray, financial independence is crucial for any stay-athome-dad.

“I couldn’t do it with no income,” he says.

“But working for myself and avoiding rush hour travel is a joy.”

Heidi’s advice to any couple considering working from home is simple.

“You definitely need to be able to get on with your partner, as you’re going to see a lot of them,” she concludes. “And try not to argue over money or household roles. Life is too short and, after all, you have chosen to be together - it’s not a business transaction.” www.inyourpocket.com/Belfast www.inyourpocket.com/northern-ireland

Stephen Shaw

PICTURES BY PETER MORRISON

Working Mums

S

tephen Shaw came to fatherhood later than most. Neither he nor his wife Jean, a full-time family therapist, have family living nearby, so when their daughter Lucie was born five years ago, Stephen decided he would stay at home to look after her.

An accomplished watercolour artist, Stephen moved his easel and paints from his studio in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter to the spare room in his Ormeau Road home, where he works when Lucie is at school.

Stephen says: “The alarm goes off at 7am, although sometimes we get a pre-alarm with Lucie coming in earlier. Jean gets her up and washed and gives her breakfast, then I take her on the 20-minute walk to school at 8.30am. I don’t drive, and with all the walking to and from school, Lucie keeps me fit.

“There are a few other dads at the school gates, and grandfathers. We make small talk but I’m always in a hurry to get back home. I grab some toast or porridge for

breakfast, then go upstairs to work by 10am. It’s the spare room, so it tends to be used for dumping stuff, but I have a table by the window and a very nice view stretching from the Divis Mountains to Cavehill.

“I paint – or colour in, as I call it. Every minute is precious and the time goes so fast. It’s one o’clock before I know it. I

I was the only old git with a baby at the mother-and-toddler group – mums would swap notes with me

have a sandwich for lunch or heat up some leftovers before heading out again to collect Lucie. She goes to Forge Integrated primary school.

“She’s usually tired by the time we get home. I make her a snack and do her homework with her, for all there is in primary one. I do the laundry in the afternoons and whatever dishes and tidying that needs done. Jean has such an intense job, with long hours, I like to keep the house in order and have dinner ready for her so she can come in and relax, with no mundane things to worry about.

“It’s more difficult to keep Lucie occupied in the winter time afternoons.

The crayons come out at the kitchen table and the videos, and then, of course, there’s the iPad - her generation’s dummy tit. We ration her time on it. In the summertime, she’s happy to go to the park every day and play away there. That gets us through ‘til evening.

Continued on 48 ➤

Northern Woman 47

Working Mums

Artist Stephen Shaw juggles being a stay-at-home dad to Lucie and his painting, as well as keeping the house in order for his family “I’m quite a good cook – years of practice, living on my own. Some days I’ll spend ages chopping and preparing something fancy; other times, it’s chips in the oven. Jean will cook the odd time if she feels like it, but mostly just on weekends. We very rarely have takeaways. Lucie’s a fussy eater so I make something separately for her, like pasta and cheese.

“I had a one-on-one parent/teacher meeting yesterday and I’m pleased to say Lucie got a glowing report.

“When she was younger, I took her to mother-and-toddler groups, full of screaming babies. I was the only man among all these young mums. I thought they’d be thinking, ‘who’s this old git with a baby?’ But they were great. We’d go for coffee afterwards and swap notes.

“It was a joy to see Lucie take her first steps and eat her first mouthful of solid food. Changing nappies just comes naturally but it’s still difficult to get Lucie dressed – there can often be a squirming battle but we get through it.

“When she was a baby and I had a deadline for an exhibition for the Royal Ulster Academy, she’d be on my left arm

48 Northern Woman

I cook and clean so Jean can relax when she gets in from work while I painted. It was difficult at times and I’d get slagged for becoming a ‘Sunday painter’ but I never let it hold me back.

“Jean takes over at weekends. Saturday is my day, when I do my own thing, and some Sundays, too. A few beers and a bit of football. I’m very fortunate to be able to work from home but I keep the studio downtown and go down there some Saturdays.

“On weekdays, Lucie’s bedtime is supposed to be between 8pm and 8.30pm but we rarely keep to that. Jean baths her and reads her a story in bed. Before that, she’ll go through her violin practice while I do the dishes, then I make Lucie’s lunch

with her – she likes to be involved in that and taste everything first.

“We have a great bond, which I think is very good for both of us. She has the very important job of putting Bluetack on the labels for my exhibitions - I’ve had three in the last year but Lucie comes first.

“From the start, staying at home to mind her made sense. Jean has a well-paid job; mine can bring in very little, although sometimes there’s a windfall and we’d spend that on home improvements.

“Looking back, I always liked going out to work - you get more done. You can get distracted at home; endless cups of tea and a wee TV show, and the morning’s gone. But I’m pretty disciplined.

“Mostly I get complimented for being a stay-at-home dad, as if it’s something special, but I felt a responsibility to do it and it’s not going to last forever. One chapter is already closed with Lucie going to school. I’d advise any other dads thinking of it to give it a go.

“For me, it has been a pleasure.”

For a selection of Stephen Shaw’s acclaimed portfolio, see www.stephenshaw.artweb.com

Working Mums

I was never made to feel odd – other parents are actually envious of my freedom

Philip Shields took early retirement from the Civil Service in order to look after his children

Philip Shields

PICTURES BY KEVIN SCOTT

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hilip Shields (52) and his wife Rachel, a full-time civil servant, have two children, Max (11), who has autism, and Darcy (9). From Belfast’s Newtownards Road, Philip took early retirement from his job in the civil service to look after the children, who arrived only 18 months apart. He has two older boys from his first marriage. Philip recently became a part-time classroom assistant at his children’s school.

He says: “Rachel’s career was flourishing when I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to retire from my work in 2012.

By this time, we knew our son Max had a special educational need, and both he and Darcy needed extra support at home. It made sense for me to be at home more with the children.

“I feel privileged to have had a second bite of the parenting cherry. Having been married before, I also have two fabulous older boys, Jack (27) and Callum (21). I always felt I had missed time with Jack and Callum as they grew up.

“Still, they have managed to grow in to fine young men. They get on really well

with Max and Darcy, and the wee ones love to see their big brothers when they visit.

“With Max and Darcy arriving within 18 months, and with Rachel and I both working in demanding jobs, life was fairly hectic and the kids moved from daycare to daycare until they started primary school.

“So, in November 2012, I left a career I loved since I joined at 18, and became a fulltime stay-at-home Dad. Max was in P3 and Darcy was in P1. It wasn’t a difficult choice at all; I loved the idea of taking on the homemaker’s role, helping Max and Darcy, whilst also taking some pressure off Rachel.

“I have never looked back and never for one second have I regretted the choice. I feel blessed to have been able to walk the kids to and from school, to help them with homework and make their packed lunches.

“I got to know many of the other parents and knew which parent belonged to which child. I even reached the stage where I was able to collect other children when a parent was running late. I was never made to feel awkward or strange – quite the opposite.

Other parents were actually envious of my freedom.

Continued on 50 ➤

Northern Woman 49

Working Mums

For Philip, being the lead carer for Darcy and Max also enabled him to pursue a new career, as a special educational needs classroom assistant “Max’s autism has presented him with many challenges but I have been able to be only minutes away when needed. I have also been able to devote time to Darcy, to let her knew she wasn’t just known as ‘Max’s sister’. Home life has undoubtedly been that little less stressful.

“After two years, Max’s primary school asked if any parents could help out with lunchtime supervision. I saw this as a fabulous opportunity to be able to further support Max and Darcy.

“During my career, I had been lucky enough to have worked in some schools and this stood me in good stead. I was soon asked to help out more and more in school, which was great as Max loved having me about.

“I could see him and Darcy every day during school. Although I didn’t work directly with them, I was never far away.

I got on really well with all the children and if ever Max had a problem, a quick 30 second conversation would be all that was required to sort things out.

“Now Max has just finished his P7 year.

He sat the AQE, even though he didn’t have to, and has done fantastically well. I worked

50 Northern Woman

I’m blessed to be able to walk the kids to school, help them with homework and make their lunches with fabulous people in the school and it gave me the desire to help other children, like Max, as well as my own.

“So, four years after retiring, I am now a special educational needs classroom assistant, working 26 hours a week in ‘big school’ but still able to do the school run, help with homework and take Max and Darcy to their after-school clubs. I am learning about the transition Max will face when he changes schools later this

year. I am also hoping to make him more independent, to help with that transition.

“Days are now a little more hectic for me but hopefully Max and Darcy haven’t noticed too much. I am still there in the morning and when they get home in the afternoon. I make dinner while we do homework and then, on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday, they have afterschools clubs.

“This works really well, as Tuesday and a Thursday are the heavier homework days.

The kids play hockey and swim twice a week. They also have judo and drama clubs after school.

“As for Rachel, she has just finished a Masters degree and has just taken another step up the promotion ladder. We now have more family time in the evenings and weekends, and we can take time to watch Max and Darcy. We have a good system, we’re organised and, yes, every day is still a blessing.

“If you are a dad who is lucky enough to find yourself in my position and have the opportunity to stay at home, I’d advise you to grab it with both hands, embrace it and enjoy your family. It is worth it!” ✸

Interiors

LOFTY LIVING Belfast Style

From a humble Belfast terrace to a trendy New York loft-style bachelor pad, Stephanie Bell finds out how a local designer worked her magic to transform this Victorian two-up two-down...

PICTURES BY PETER MORRISON Northern Woman 51

Interiors

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Belfast interior designer Frances Magee and the living room before (below right) and after (opposite) t looks like an ultra cool New York loft-style apartment but this trendy Belfast bachelor pad is, in fact, a two-up, two-down Victorian terrace. Belfast designer Frances Magee, who runs her own interior design business, Dress This House, worked her magic on the home of IT support analyst Nigel Dunbar (50) to create a dramatic transformation.

The terrace in Belfast’s New Lodge area is Nigel’s childhood home which he inherited when his mum passed away five years ago.

He hadn’t changed anything in the house and decided it was time to make his home his own.

I have to admit I was bit nervous when he came home and saw it for the first time but, thankfully, he was thrilled with it In what was a dream job for designer Frances, Nigel placed his complete trust in her, giving her the freedom to make all the decisions while he flew off to Australia to spend three months with his brother.

Apart from choosing his cream kitchen units from Ikea, and stipulating that he wanted soft lighting, the task of choosing colours, furnishings, fixtures and fittings was left entirely up to Frances.

She says: “It is great when a client trusts you and allows you to do your job, and it was an extra bonus that Nigel was

52 Northern Woman

in Australia while all the work was being done, it made it much easier.

“His only instructions were that he wanted to be able to feel proud of his home and I literally didn’t tell him anything.

“I have to admit I was bit nervous when he came home and saw it for the first time but, thankfully, he was thrilled with it.”

Frances was tasked with transforming the entire ground floor – an open plan kitchen/living room and the bathroom.

From the outset she knew exactly what she wanted to achieve, even if it meant taking the odd risk, as she explains: “One of the things Nigel said he didn’t want was patterned floor tiles, and I went out on a bit

Interiors

When you look outside the window it is not exactly paradise but, in here, it feels like a little oasis. I am still blown away by it of a limb and picked a pattern tile for the flooring which, I am glad to say, he loves.

“While I wanted it to be a modern, bachelor pad, I also wanted it to be warm and cosy.

“I chose a Moorish style tile in a lovely grey and terracotta to give that warm, cosy feel, a bit like being on holiday, and I think it works really well. It was a bit of a risk but it really paid off.”

While the floor tiling has that subtle, Spanish style design, the rest of the room is very cool and neutral. Frances has used light greys, creams and white on the walls, with one wall papered in a white brick pattern, again to add warmth and depth to the space.

Even though the two rooms were knocked into one some time ago, it is still a relatively small space and, for the designer, making the most of every inch was paramount.

She says: “I ripped everything out, the kitchen and the old fireplace, and threw everything out­, right down to the knives and forks and started completely from scratch.

Continued on 54 ➤

Northern Woman 53

Interiors

While I wanted it to be a modern, bachelor pad I also wanted it to be warm and cosy

The new streamlined kitchen and (bottom right) how it was before the transformation

“I wanted as much worktop space as possible in the kitchen, and also to give him as much storage as possible. The only height in there is a ÂŹ fridge and the oven section, and keeping the units off the walls made it feel more open and spacious. I used a brick wallpaper on one of the walls and tried to get as much texture into the room as possible.â€?

She also designed a bespoke fireplace wall, cladding the chimney breast in board to replicate the tongue and groove effect

54 Northern Woman

of the kitchen cupboard doors, in the same colour.

A cream electric stove adds another cosy touch and provides a focal point for the living area.

Soft lighting in the form of a tripod floor lamp and gazebo style fairy lights cleverly strung vertically from the ceiling in one corner create the cosy ambience which Frances wanted.

Because the room overlooks the street, for privacy, Frances chose a triple window

Interiors

dressing with a simple roller blind, organza curtains, layered with plain cream curtains from Ikea.

The large leather corner sofa fits the space in the lounge area exactly and Frances has dressed it with cushions in a large tartan pattern and a luxury fur throw, which was a special touch of nostalgia for her home owner as she explains: “Nigel had told me his mum had a thing for throws and bought loads of them.

“We gave a lot of them to charity but kept this one and I placed it where her chair would have sat in the living.”

A large mirror hung on the wall behind the sofa helps to create the illusion of space, and Edison style industrial lighting on the ceiling in the kitchen and living room is another modern touch.

Floating shelves in the alcoves on each side of the fireplace add further depth to the room as well as storage.

Spa styling in the bathroom and (inset left) as it was before The bathroom was also completely gutted and transformed into a contemporary, spa-like space.

Frances wanted to give Nigel as much storage as possible to avoid clutter and achieved this with a wall to wall high gloss white vanity unit with built-in toilet cistern.

A new bath and modern tiling completes the minimalist look in the room.

She says: “The bathroom was really tired looking and I tiled it from floor to ceiling and installed a new suite. I wanted clean lines and surfaces which is why I put storage in, so that there would be nothing sitting about.”

Having left home for Australia to return to a completely new home, what did Nigel make of the changes? He says: “I had no idea what to expect. It is just a two-up two-down in the New Lodge and it always needed work, but we never had the money to do it.

“I thought it would be great to get something done and have a reasonably nice place. Frances did the bathroom first and I was completely blown away by it and decided to let her do the rest.

“She didn’t tell me anything and the only stipulation I had made was that she didn’t want patterned tiles on the floor.

“When I opened the door and looked down and saw the tiles my heart sank but, when I went inside and saw everything she had done and how it all worked together, it made sense and I thought it was just brilliant. It feels like a sunshine floor because of the Spanish style and it brings that sunshine into the room.

“When you look outside the window it is not exactly paradise but, in here, it feels like a little oasis. I am still blown away by it.

“It is such a small space and now it feels so much bigger, and I don’t know how she did that, but it is amazing and I am enjoying chilling out in it.” ✸

Northern Woman 55

Interiors

Transform your room with a ceiling rose

A quick and easy way to lend more character to your home is to fit a decorative ceiling rose, particularly if a room has coving or cornicing, as the two look lovely together says Julia Gray

1

Decorative ceiling roses come in lots of different designs, so look for one that matches the period of your home and the style of the light fitting. You probably don’t want an intricate Victorian-style ceiling rose with a contemporary ceiling light, for example. Also, consider the proportions of the room – a big room with a high ceiling will suit a large ceiling rose, but a smaller room with a lower ceiling may not – and the style of the coving or cornicing. Plain coving goes best with a simple ceiling rose, such as one with concentric circles, and more elaborate designs suit each other.

2

Ceiling roses are also available in different materials. The easiest to fit is an expanded polystyrene ceiling rose because it will be really lightweight – all you need is suitable adhesive.

However, polystyrene ceiling roses come in a fairly limited range of designs and aren’t for everyone.

3

Original ceiling roses are made of plaster, and modern replicas of original designs are available, but, like anything made of plaster, they’re heavy. They’re so heavy, in fact, that it pays to get a professional to put them up, because they could do a lot of damage – and even injure someone – if they weren’t fitted properly and fell down as a result.

4

Perhaps the best choice for DIYers is a polyurethane or hard resin ceiling rose, because it will be sturdy but relatively lightweight and, so, straightforward to fit. It can be glued with suitable adhesive, but gluing and screwing is a much better option. Screwing the ceiling rose into the joists above (the screws can be countersunk and filled over for a neat finish), gives the most secure fixing and allows the adhesive to set properly.

56 Northern Woman

Spring B

Interiors

A decorative ceiling rose can transform a room (right). PA Photo/thinkstockphotos. Stanley STHTO 77363 Inspection Camera from Screwfix (above). PA Photo/Handout

5

Fitting a decorative ceiling rose often involves moving the electrical ceiling rose – if you’re not confident about doing this, get a qualified electrician to do it. While it’s sometimes possible to fit the decorative ceiling rose over the electrical ceiling rose (by removing the white cover), this isn’t a good idea because you won’t be able to get to the wires easily if something goes wrong with the light. An electrician may be able to fit a junction box above the ceiling light (in the loft, for example) so you don’t need the electrical ceiling rose, but, again, it’s less accessible if there’s a problem.

Some decorative ceiling roses have a flat bit in the middle – without this, the electrical ceiling rose won’t sit flat or look good. If you want to leave the electrical ceiling rose in place, choose a decorative ceiling rose with a hole in the middle – it should

Spring Bridal A4 2017.indd 2

simply slot over the electrical one.

It can be hard to judge if a particular decorative ceiling rose will be the right size for a room, but you can get a good idea without having to buy

it first. Measure it out on the ceiling around the electrical ceiling rose and mark the edges with a little masking tape, then you can see if it’s going to be too big, too small or just the right size.

16/02/2017 10:26

Mother’s Day

If your mum has green fingers she will love this Beach Hut Herb Planter from prezzybox. com, price £19.95

When one glass just isn’t enough! Give a fun gift with this unique wine glass bottle.

Price £14.95 from prezzybox.com

Bathe in beauty with these cute cupcake styled cocoa butter bath melts which are handmade in England from all natural ingredients and come in either Clementine & Prosecco, Gin & Lime for those who like the taste of a tipple, or Luxury Lavender and Gorgeous Geranium for those who fancy a floral flavour. Bathe in a beauty bonanza, £5.95 from www.prezzybox.com

These handmade cosmetic and brush bags come in velvet, felt or 100pc Japanese cotton. They are hand sewn by the owner of the online company potjani who learned her seamstress skills from her Thai grandmother. All the materials are ethicallysourced. The bags retail at £16 and you could easily fill them with your mum’s favourite perfume, nail varnish or chocolate bars to give her a real treat. Available at www.potjani.com

Handmade Nougat £6 / 160g, M&S

Mother’s Day Gifts Surprise your mum on Mothering Sunday, March 26 with one of these special presents, sure to put a smile on her face 58 Northern Woman

Mother’s Day If your mum is a coffee lover then this original, beautifully designed Ecoffee cup is not only a practical gift but it also happens to help reduce consumer waste.

Made with natural, organic and biodegradable bamboo fibre, the Ecoffee Cup is sturdy yet light and comes in a wide range of vibrant designs. The recently launched limited edition William Morris collection costs £11.95 for a 14oz cup. Go to www.ecoff.ee

Just in time for Mother’s Day, Jo Malone has brought out this lovely limited edition set of perfumes. The collection includes Blue Hyacinth, Garden Lilies, Leather & Artemisia,Tobacco & Mandarin, and Whisky & Cedarwood. Each 30ml bottle costs £46. Available from Jo Malone, Victoria Square, Belfast from March 1

Tribute to Mum Charm, £35, Pandora

This beautiful Petals Fruit Bowl in dusky pink is sure to delight. It costs £47 from be&liv

Love for Mother Charm, £35, Pandora

A Selection of Sweet Treats, £10 / 400g, M&S This pretty tea cosy is handmade using designer Poppy Treffry’s distinctive and quirky freestyle machine embroidery, from cotton with cotton ticking lining. It costs £48 from www.poppytreffry.co.uk

Northern Woman 59

Advertorial

Shopper’s Paradise

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It’s the Bond Street of Belfast, a bustling designer hub known for its elegant stores, exclusive brands, designer fashion and luxury goods

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he Lisburn Road has long been a mecca for not just shoppers but, at night, it is alive with visitors relaxing and sampling the delights of its many trendy restaurants and wine bars.

Part of the city’s affluent BT9 area, the Lisburn Road has always had a cosmopolitan feel, no doubt helped by its close proximity to Queen’s University.

Its easy access to the M1 and city centre has helped make it popular with visitors from all parts of Northern Ireland.

It is a shopper’s paradise. A plethora of smart independent stores give it a unique identity, helping to make it one of the province’s most exclusive shopping destinations. Fashionistas flock to the Lisburn Road to feast on a selection of unique worldwide brands from an extensive range of bespoke boutiques.

The street is also popular for its arts and crafts, health and beauty, homes and interiors as well as fine jewellery and a host of world class services.

A modern cafe society means you could easily while away the day here, relaxing in one of its many gourmet coffee houses or treating yourself to lunch or dinner in one its popular fine restaurants or chic wine bars.

Over the pages is a sample of just some of the special shops which lure visitors to the area over and over again.

Photo Mark Pearce/ Presseye.com

60 Northern Woman

Shopping on Lisburn Road...

The Lisburn Road is the perfect place for shopping and dining out. It has a wide range of boutique shops with a range of outlets, eateries and entertainment venues

Advertorial

framar health

370 Lisburn Road Belfast Tel: 028 90 662020 www.ekeyewear.com

EK Eyewear We are offering £50 OFF our exclusive Tom Ford Lisburn Rd Private Collection eyewear offer ends June 30th 2017

E

K Eyewear on Belfast’s Lisburn Road is renowned for its exclusive ranges from all over the world with something to suit all face shapes and budgets.

Among its top brands is Lindberg, the lightest titanium frames in the optical world; several vibrant and colourful ranges from Face-a-Face; La Font for the petite face and for the discerning gentleman, Orgreen.

The company is also proud exclusive stockists for the Tom Ford Private Collection, a special edition of sunglasses and optical frames designed for the eyewear connoisseur. The 11 styles in the Collection commemorate Tom Ford’s 11 years of making exceptional eyewear.

370 Lisburn Road Belfast Tel: 028 90 662020 www.ekeyewear.com

We are offering £50 OFF our exclusive Tom Ford Private Collection eyewear offer ends June 30th 2017

Advertorial

Rejouir Lisburn Rd

Maven Lisburn Rd

Maven 4a Maryville Avenue Belfast Tel: 028 9066 5176 www.wearemaven. co.uk

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treasure trove of beautiful products for lovers of interiors, Maven is a furniture and lifestyle shop based just off the Lisburn Road in the charming red brick Reid Memorial Hall.

At Maven, sisters Catherine and Patricia have curated a selection of largely Scandinavian and Irish products including brands such as Hay, Muuto, Ferm Living, Mourne Textiles and Superfolk.

With a belief that everyday items should be enhanced by great design and that shopping should be all about the friendliness, a visit to Maven will make your heart beat a little faster and ensure you leave with a smile.

Templeton Robinson 563 Lisburn Rd, Belfast Tel: 028 9066 3030 www. templetonrobinson. com

Templeton Robinson Lisburn Rd T

empleton Robinson is one of the longest established businesses on the bustling Lisburn Road and is a landmark business in this thriving area of the city.

The professional and motivated team are experts at turning property dreams into a reality, handling resales, new developments, rentals and property management.

The Lisburn Road office has two of the founding partners at the helm and is the core of the company, which also has five key regional offices around Northern Ireland.

62 Northern Woman

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Rejouir 573 Lisburn Rd, Belfast Tel: 028 9066 6487 www.rejouirskinclinic. com

amela Ferguson has just celebrated one year in business with Rejouir, a unique skin clinic specialising in results-driven treatments and skincare.

The clinic opposite Cranmore Park which is open five days a week and offers clients an extensive skin treatment menu in a luxurious environment.

A ground floor retail shop also offers a range of top skincare brands including Environ, Image Skincare, Cosmedix and Heliocare as well as the amazing anti-ageing supplement Lumity.

Pamela specialises in a “less is more� approach to skin care and understands that most clients want results without the downtime.

Clients return for her fabulous results-driven facials or for more advanced skin treatments. Others want help to treat more specific skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, eczema and psoriasis.

New Life Teeth Lisburn Rd

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New Life Teeth 743 -745 Lisburn Road Belfast Tel: 028 9521 7533 | belfast@newlifeteeth. co.uk

ew Life Teeth has opened its first dedicated hi-tech clinic on Lisburn Road.

The brain child of Stuart Lutton this purpose built state of the art cosmetic dental clinic offers everything from initial consultation, surgery, lab work and final fittings as well as follow-up appointments all under one roof.

New Life Teeth strives to be at the forefront of digital dentistry and patient care through continual training and investment in its equipment, its practices, and its people. At the heart of everything this innovative practice does is the aim for the patient journey to be as seamless as possible.

Advertorial

Maryville House B&B Lisburn Rd W

Evelin Brandt Lisburn Rd

ith the evenings now starting to stretch, why not take advantage of a special spring offer from Maryville House and treat yourself to a relaxing two night break.

Guests booking the “Spring offer 2017”will be treated to a complimentary glass of refreshing homemade lemonade & shortbread on arrival and the break also includes two nights B&B and a mini afternoon tea.

Maryville House is a quaint Victorian property which offers individually styled bedrooms furnished with comfortable beds and en suite facilities for an elegant and intimate experience.

You can take a moment to relax and indulge with the sumptuous afternoon tea, served in the elegant tearooms.

The offer of two nights plus mini afternoon tea Maryville costs £210,based on House B&B two people sharing Maryville park a double room and Belfast BT9 6LN T: 028 90681510 runs from Sunday to E:info@ Thursday and is valid maryvillehouse. for stays from March co.uk 1 until May 31. Bookings must be made by May 10.

The Rosh Collection Lisburn Rd

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velin Brandt is a Evelin Brandt, contemporary Cadogan House, 322 boutique on the Lisburn Road (opposite Lisburn Road M&S), Belfast, BT9 6GH. in Belfast. A T: 028 9020 7020. E: spacious and info@evelinbrandt. attractively co.uk presented store, it boasts a wide range of modern fashion labels. These include Evelin Brandt, Bitte Kai Rand, Alembika, Crea Concept, Cristina Gavioli, More & More, Mos Mosh Jeans, Sarah Pacini and Summum Woman.

The shop offers an eclectic mix of fashions for work or play and for women of all ages. To complement your outfit chose from a wide range of keenly priced accessories, including jewellery and bags. The friendly, expertly trained team are on hand to assist with any fashion dilemmas, ensuring that you are dressed to impress whatever the occasion. The shop’s full Spring Summer collections are available to view online at www.evelinbrandt.co.uk, where you’ll also find an informative Style Blog offering lots of inspirational ideas. You can also follow Evelin Brandt on facebook, www.facebook.com/evelinbrandtbelfast for details on all new season arrivals and in-store promotions.

The Rosh Collection 667 Lisburn Road, Belfast Tel: 028 90 660101 www.theroshcollection. com

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ur aim at The Rosh Collection is to offer our customers “something that little bit different”, something that cannot be purchased elsewhere. We source a wide range of clothing, footwear, accessories and jewellery from leading designers across Europe, such as Sara Roka, D-Ross, Corinna Caon, Giada Fratter and many more.

We travel to all the top exhibitions and showrooms in order to offer our customers the latest from the catwalk, ensuring unique one off pieces.

With over 25 years in the fashion business, the owner Roisin O’Donnell handpicks each garment to ensure exclusivity, edginess and elegance.

See for yourself when The Rosh Collection showcases at the Fabulous Fashion Teas in the Merchant Hotel on Saturday March 18th.

Northern Woman 63

Hair

Keris

he r of t resse he Year d r i a dH of t g Irelan esser essin thern nd Hairdr ish Hairdr Ladies r o N a is a ritish a Brit ll Irel and A he is also ampion, B ell Master s Year S h . w C los s d l rida time d Gol h hair three n, British B mpion an oping wit cmillan pio Cha en c e Ma Cham Blow-dry elps wom cer, via th ll her at h n & ca o a t s c n u l a r C he a t fo ou c et an rist. S treatmen ospital. Y 543 to g t u o l o 5 a f H C o 2 n t 3 e l o t 8 u v 3 ca d es ga as a r re at Crai ue, tel 028 which is lo see n Cent ir Boutiq salon n. You ca a a t the MG H ntment a eet, Lurg rk on her r i o appo Union St Keris’s w Weir 153e mples of ge, Keris pa exa book Face

Cool Cuts for Kids We are often asked in the salon about kids’ hair and how to keep it healthy, writes Keris Weir. It is so important to look after our little ones’ crowning glory and follow a good cleaning and styling regime. Below are some of the queries most frequently raised by parents When is the right time for that first hair cut?

When your child’s hair is starting to look uneven and out of shape or is getting hard to maintain it is ready for its first cut.

At this stage it is just a simple matter of cutting off the longer strands to even out the length and improve the overall shape of the hair. Some parents are afraid to cut toddlers’ hair for fear it might not grow back or they don’t

64 Northern Woman

want to cut their beautiful first curls in case the hair grows back straight. This is not the case.

Getting it trimmed into shape to maintain it every 8/12 weeks will improve both the look and health of your child’s hair.

The first trip to the salon can be a daunting experience for your toddler so be prepared with snacks or a favourite toy to help distract them.

It is also important to establish your child’s hair type as your stylist can advise on how to care for it at home.

How can I keep my child’s hair healthy?

Deciding on a healthy hair care regime for your child at the start is key. Healthy

hair doesn’t just happen by accident – it is the result of proper care and maintenance.

And don’t stress as caring for your child’s hair doesn’t have to be complex or expensive. It is worth setting some time aside to develop a proper routine to keep your child’s hair as healthy as possible.

Your little one’s basic hair care regime should incorporate the following:

SHAMPOO

Shampooing your child’s hair and scalp is a must. Washing twice a week is sufficient if their hair isn’t excessively dirty.

Some great natural and gentle hair shampoos for kids: ✶ Johnson and Johnson Baby Shampoo ✶ L’Oréal Kids Shampoo ✶ Neutral Kids’ Shampoo

DETANGLING

Detangling can be difficult as it

Hair interchangeably with a regular conditioner. Some people choose to deep condition every week, however, once or twice a month is acceptable as well. Try warming up the conditioner (not too hot though, you don’t want to burn their scalp) and apply it to the hair after it has been washed and conditioned. Let it sit for about 30 minutes to an hour and then rinse. You can also apply the conditioner to their hair and have them sit under a hooded dryer on medium heat for about 10 minutes.

Some great deep conditioners to use in your child’s hair regime: ✶ Shea Moisture Deep Treatment ✶ Aussie 3 Minute Miracle ✶ Palmers Coconut Oil Repair Treatment

TRIMMING

can cause a little bit of discomfort for your child. Gently removing tangles from your child’s hair helps retain length and dodge those nasty single-strand knots.

Here’s how you should tackle those stubborn tangles.

After rinsing out the shampoo, apply a very generous amount of a cheap conditioner on soaking wet hair. You can use your fingers or a tool such as a wide tooth comb or Tangle Teaser to gently ease out the tangles. Make sure you rinse all of the conditioner out of the hair.

Some great conditioners to use for detangling your child’s hair: ✶ Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture Conditioner ✶ Aussie Moist Conditioner ✶ VO5 Strawberries & Cream Conditioner ✶ Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Conditioner ✶ Garnier Fructis Haircare Hydra Recharge Fortifying Conditioner

DEEP CONDITIONING Deep Conditioning can be used

If you are starting to see a lot of damaged split ends, notice hair balls at the ends of the hair or hear a lot of snapping or popping of hair strands during detangling, then it is time for a trim. Please do not confuse a trim with a haircut.

Trimming only removes about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch of hair. Only trim the minimum amount needed to get rid of these damaged ends using shearing scissors or have a professional do this.

For best results, know your child’s hair type.

True hair type does not usually develop until your child is around two years old.

The main hair types are: ✶ Straight ✶ Curly ✶ Wavy ✶ Spiral curly The density of a child’s hair can also be a concern for some parents. This usually develops between the ages of six and 11-years-old.

The three main densities are: ✶ Thick ✶ Normal ✶ Fine The texture is also a big factor in creating the right maintenance regime.

Your child’s hair will be one of the following: ✶ Silky ✶ Coarse ✶ Normal With fine hair do not overload on conditioners as this will make it appear oily. On normal hair always choose products made especially for “normal hair”. Coarse hair will need regular deep conditioning and try to use sulphide-free products to help prevent dehydration. ✸

Styling Your Child’s Hair

Here are some simple styles you can recreate at home which are simple and quick to do ✶ FOR THE GIRLS

The Brainless Braid This is simple and effective. Start at the front of the hairline corners and take a triangular section into the back off the crown and fix into a ponytail and secure with a tie.

Avoid using elastic bands as these will damage the hair.

Next take a two inch section from under your first ponytail and comb up to the first ponytail, catch the first ponytail in this section and secure with ties. Continue this to the bottom of the hair line, leaving the last ponytail at the nape of the neckline. Add a few more ties to keep hair tidy and sleek.

The Mini Mouse Bun This popular style is simple to do and fun to wear.

Put the hair into two ponytails high up on the head and level at either side. Start with one piece and twist loosely into a bun shape and secure with a bony pin. Make sure you don’t twist too tight into a knot as you want to keep the volume. Repeat this with the other ponytail and use a fixing spray or gel spray to secure.

✶ FOR THE BOYS

Most parents choose to keep boys’ hair short and tidy, usually tapered or layered. Boys like to have style too. Regular trips to the salon are key to maintaining shape and manageability. Softer wax and water based gels are a good choice for teasing hair into place.

The sleek comb over has been a big trend recently as seen on Romeo Beckham and, when textured, this cut can be versatile. Invest in a good stylist that will help keep your child’s hair in great shape. A bad cut can really make its mark.

Northern Woman 65

Beauty

Get fresh this spring Turn over a new leaf with the vibrant beauty palette this season and unleash rainbow hues.

By Helen Carson

Stroke of genius: Bobbi Brown Art Stick Liquid Lip, £21, House of Fraser

I Fifties flair: Bobbi Brown Illuminating Cheek Palette, £35, House of Fraser

t’s time to lighten up the mood with bright beauty buys which channel the spring time.

The new season’s collections have colour at their core, from Bobbi Brown’s Havana Brights which is inspired by the retro cool of Cuba to MAC’S daring palette which is awash with brilliant blues and sunshine yellows.

So, don’t be a shrinking violet... embrace the gorgeous array of skin flattering shades.

A dash of orange to the lips and accent of daring red will up the drama. ✸

In the pink: blusher, £9.95, Kiko Milano

Green with envy: Mavala Mini colour Nail Polish, Peacock Green, £4.50, Boots and Superdrug

True blue: Makeup Obsession Eyeshadow, Azure, £2, Boots

Stark Loo

The Ritual of Cleopatra Magic Powder Blush, Soft Pink, £16.50, Rituals

As Miss Northern Ireland’s reign comes to an end we celebrate her natural beauty

Benefit Gimme Brow Volumising Brow Gel, £20, Boots

Autograph Flash Gel Nails, Plush, £7.50, M&S

a Emm ell w Cars

66 Northern Woman

Cleaning up: Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, £26, Boots

Lancome Hypnose Doll Mascara Waterproof, Black, £24.50, Boots, Debenhams, House of Fraser

Yves Saint Laurent Le Teint Touche Eclat Foundation, 30ml, £33.50, Boots, Debenhams, House of Fraser

Beauty

You little BEAUTY!

Beyond Skin Clinic

A Deeper Understanding of Skin Care

A Budget Friendly Guide to Anti-Ageing Treatments

Annabel Rivkin falls in love with an all-in-one

E

veryone wants to look their best at every age. At Beyond Skin we offer options for all ages and all budgets. Two key components to help your skin stay youthful are Hyaluronic Acid and Collagen.

Both naturally occurring substances in the body that give skin it’s plumpness and fullness, but they are lost with age. There are a number of ways to replace this lost volume to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and promote healthy, fresh skin.

COOL MASK

A current celebrity trend, this sheet mask floods your skin with Hyaluronic Acid which draws moisture to the skin. Can be applied either in clinic following another treatment, or at home (15 minutes).

£10

LED RED LIGHT THERAPY

M

ake-up palettes feel like a good idea at the time.

They wink at you. They flirt. But then you get the little tray of wonders home and only use one of the slabs. Not so with Charlotte Tilbury’s Instant Look In A Palette, £49, House of Fraser. If I had a party to go to and only this, a foundation and a mascara in my arsenal, I would not panic.

This little beauty has seven shades: three for eyes, four for face.

There’s a bronzer that sculpts, a highlighter for glow, a sweeping blush to add health and a popping blush to kiss the apples of your cheeks. For the eyes: a primer to colour-correct the lids with a rosegold swoosh, an enhancer shade to elongate and open the eye and then a smoke shade to add definition and intensity.

This is intermediate standard make-up. It’s not for absolute beginners who might be intimidated by the idea of a full face. It’s not for fussy connoisseurs who pride themselves on having a kind of fine-wine cellar of slap, all ‘discontinued so I bulk buy on eBay’ and ‘I blend three shades and then add some sweet almond oil and finish with a spritz of hyaluronic acid’ and so on.

This is make-up for people whose confidence is growing.

Charlotte’s online tutorials (no ignorant blogger she, but a titan with one eye fixed on real life) are the way to hone your technique towards a five-minute, fully polished, alluring and flattering finish.

So, if you’re feeling ready to take your beauty regime to the next level have a make-up lesson with a virtual Charlotte and this, her aptly named Seductive Beauty palette. It will be love. ✸

Coloured light is beamed over the skin which stimulates fibroblasts to naturally produce collagen, plumping out fine lines resulting in plumper, smoother skin. A perfect lunchtime treat (30 minutes).

£50

LASER COLLAGEN BOOST

Medical Grade lasers penetrate the skin to 3mm, stimulating collagen & elastin production. Great for targeting areas such as around the eyes and lips where skin is thinner and prone to creasing. A non-surgical option with no downtime and immediate results (60 minutes).

£130

8 POINT LIFT

Referred to as the ‘non-surgical facelift’ or ‘fluid facelift’ this treatment uses Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Fillers injected into 8 places in the face to restore volume and natural shape. Results can last up to 18 months without having to go under the knife (90 minutes).

£800

Beyond Skin offer these and many other treatments to reduce the signs of ageing, call our skincare experts on 028 9033 3858 today and book a complimentary consultation.

14 College Street, Belfast. T: 028 9033 3858 • www.beyondskinclinic.com

Northern Woman 67

Fitness

Kaja: A force for change Originally from Poland and now living in Belfast, Kaja Choma tells Northern Woman how her love of fitness inspired her to ditch the office job and chase her dream career as a personal trainer

T

his time last year, Kaja (25) felt trapped in an office job she hated and realised she wasn’t cut out for sitting at a desk all day. Deciding to turn her love of fitness into a career, she didn’t have the luxury of being able to give up her job to study full-time and, instead, looked for a course at Belfast Met which would allow her to continue to earn an income while gaining the qualifications she needed.

Fast forward 12 months and she is starting off on her new career as a fully qualified personal instructor, and she recently launched a new fitness initiative for Polish women in Dungannon.

“Within a year, I have reinvented my career,” she says. “Last January I was working in human resources and I hated it. I didn’t enjoy sitting at a desk for eight hours a day and was really unhappy. I’ve always been interested in fitness and health and was still training a lot, so I decided to see if there was a way I could qualify as a fitness professional.”

Kaja found an intensive seven-day training course at Belfast Metropolitan College which she completed last Easter, qualifying as a level one fitness instructor.

She made such an impression during the course that her tutors recommended her for the World Skills Show in Birmingham where she competed against the UK’s top five gym instructors – she won and returned home with gold.

World Skills is the largest skills, apprenticeships and careers event in the UK, and Kaja’s success in the competition led to her being sponsored to take part in a month-long course in London in December where she qualified as a personal trainer.

Now equipped with a whole new set of skills, instead of dreading going into work every day, she is excited about what the future holds.

Kaja also has her own website and launched the Polish Fitness Initiative in Dungannon which she now hopes to extend to Belfast, as well as rolling out fitness

Kaja Choma is helping women achieve their fitness goals thanks to her new job as a personal trainer classes for others here. She says: “I have lots of ideas for what I want to do and, while still working in my office job last year, I decided to launch classes in Dungannon.

Many Polish women find it hard to access gyms because of the language barrier – some just don’t have the confidence.

“But I have the skills and knowledge to help them and I thought it would be a chance to give something back.

“I chose Dungannon because my family live there and I know the Polish community in the town.

“I wanted the classes to be an opportunity for women to socialise as well as look after their health.

“I want to encourage them to exercise and take care of their bodies, and have set

Get fit for summer with Kaya’s top tips

✶

There is no magic pill: healthy eating and daily movement is the only way to achieve sustainable results.

✶

Focus on becoming healthy, not skinny.

Losing excess weight is a side effect of a healthy, strong body.

Eat like you TRULY love yourself. If you respect your body, you take care of it, you don’t feed it junk food.

Your body is a machine – without good quality ingredients it will start falling apart. Make sure your body is your best friend and not your greatest enemy.

✶ ✶

up a Facebook page with health tips and ideas to help them make healthier lifestyle choices.”

Aside from the health benefits, Kaja’s classes can provide a valuable network of support to women who may otherwise feel isolated.

“It is also a chance for them to get away from the kids and all the stresses of life, and focus on themselves for an hour.

“I would like to build on it and launch something similar in Belfast for the Polish community there. Of course, I also want to work with local people and possibly link-up with gyms in the city.”

As a teenager whose family was one of the first from Poland to settle in Northern Ireland, Kaja struggled for some years to adjust to her new life and admits to being very unhappy in her mid-teens until she discovered fitness.

At 16, she joined a local judo club and says that exercise proved a turning point.

“I was a really popular, funny, outgoing person in Poland and suddenly found myself stuck in a place where I didn’t understand anyone and was being bullied and laughed at,” she recalls.

“I went from being a really lively, happy person to being quiet and depressed.

“It was awful for me and it wasn’t until I joined a judo club that things started to change and I began to feel really alive through movement and exercise.

“Now I want to share my passion for fitness with others. And, I’m grateful to have that chance and look forward to what the year ahead holds.” ✸ Details of Kaja’s classes can be found on her new website, www.zdrowylifestyle.com

68 Northern Woman

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14/02/2017 16:12

Sports Safety

Tackling injuries

HEAD ON W

hether it is a major championship game or even a school team clash, to an alarming extent rugby players now suffer head injuries as a matter of routine.

And more violent hits are inevitable with the current Six Nations tournament underway.

Concussions are believed to account for 25% of injuries in rugby at the top level, and are the number one cause of long-term injury in schools.

Conor Murray, the Munster and Ireland scrum half, appeared to many observers to be concussed in a match against Glasgow in recent weeks. After being assessed, he was allowed to play on.

Professor Mick Molloy, former chief medical officer to the International Rugby Board, told Northern Woman: “I believe Murray should not have been allowed to go back on the field. In a case where a head injury is suspected, a player should be taken off the pitch.”

There is little research into injuries in schoolboy rugby in the State. However, a disturbing study of schools rugby in Northern Ireland concluded that there is now a “high incidence of severe injuries”.

The report in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that 37pc of adolescent players at schools here suffered at least one injury in the season.

Concussion was the most common reason for the schoolboy players to stop playing for over four weeks. What is alarming for parents is that children are much more vulnerable to brain injuries than adult players, according to doctors.

Professor Molloy said: “Children are at high risk of head injury. Children have big heads in comparison to their bodies that are very easily damaged.

“We have to allow children to play sport, but we need to minimise the risks.”

It is no surprise that parents have mixed feelings about allowing their children to continue with rugby. They wouldn’t allow their child to travel in a car without a seat belt, so they wonder how responsible it is to send their children out to chase the oval ball when there is a risk of a violent thump to the head.

Novelist Sinead Moriarty says she is always more worried when her 10-year-old son plays rugby than when he plays other sports. Last year, he had to stop playing rugby for three weeks after he got a bang to

70 Northern Woman

Parents dream of their child being the star of the rugby team – and that they will grow up to be the next Johnny Sexton. But as they watch the gladiatorial combat of a top-level game on TV, they can only wince at the sheer bone-crunching force of a collision – as another player is laid out cold

the head and suffered concussion playing rugby at school.

“I love rugby but when I watch my kids play I am worried about the injuries because of the nature of the game – colliding, tackling and falling. I think all the parents feel the same.

“Fortunately, when my son was injured the school did the right thing and they stopped him playing for three weeks.”

There is no doubt that the rugby authorities are much more aware of the dangers of concussion. The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) was keen to emphasise that mandatory concussion management and education seminars were provided to all coaches involved in this year’s Schools Cup competitions.

The schools were briefed on how referees will enforce laws to penalise dangerous play.

Two cases have served to highlight the dangers of the game at schoolboy level and are uppermost in the minds of the rugby authorities.

The family of 14-year-old Ben Robinson, who died while playing rugby in Northern Ireland, recently issued legal proceedings against the IRFU and World Rugby.

Ben, from Carrickfergus, County Antrim, died after suffering concussion in a match in 2011. He was in several heavy tackles before collapsing near the end of the game.

Under 11’s Rugby Coach at Clontarf Rugby Club, Shane Meehan’s sons, Andrew and Matthew, enjoy playing the sport. Pic: Steve Humphreys Dr Elaine Kelly, neuropsychologist for the brain injury association Headway, says the rules of rugby should be changed at

Sports Safety

underage level to restrict tackling. “We should be protecting children who can’t make an informed decision about playing, because their brains are much more vulnerable than those of adults.”

Dr Kelly describes the physiological effect on the brain of the violent crashball collision in rugby and other sports.

“The brain is like a firm jelly floating in cerebrospinal fluid.

When we get very violent hits, that soft floating brain slams against the skull. The white matter in the brain gets squeezed, stretched and sometimes it tears. It’s like the wiring of the brain becoming disrupted.”

While 85% of those suffering concussion recover, 15% may continue to show symptoms, according to Dr Kelly.

“Every concussion is different, but there are common symptoms.

“There are definite physical signs. People may have fatigue, headaches and dizziness.

“There are cognitive symptoms. They

might have difficulty with their attention, memory or decision-making.

“You also have emotional symptoms.

They might be more irritable, moody or extremely anxious, and there could be changes in sleep patterns.”

These symptoms are exacerbated if players are returned to play too quickly and the brain injury is not properly managed.

The toll of carnage in rugby has led to growing calls for tackling to be banned at schoolboy level.

Allyson Pollock, professor of public health at Newcastle University, is among a group of 70 doctors, academics and health professionals who signed a letter to governments and sporting authorities calling for the ban in Britain and Ireland.

Professor Pollock has argued that if rugby was a drug, it would not be allowed on the market because of the alarming risks. She started looking at rugby injuries after her own son smashed his cheekbone, broke his

We have to allow children to play sport, but we need to minimise the risks

nose and fractured his leg playing rugby.

She has described some of the collisions in the sport as equivalent to smashing through a car windscreen.

She says: “All the evidence shows that most concussions occur as a result of tackling. There is still too much emphasis on managing concussion rather than preventing it. Children’s brains are very soft, so they are very vulnerable.”

Knowing what she knows now, Prof Pollock says she would never have allowed her son to play rugby.

Not all doctors agree that banning tackling at youth level is a good idea, however. Dr Cliff Beirne, former Irish rugby team doctor and a consultant at the Santry Sports Surgery Clinic, says: “There is an inherent danger in banning tackling up to a certain age. As a result kids may not develop the right tackle technique, and they might be more prone to injury.”

Like Professor Mick Molloy, Dr Beirne has strong reservations about the way some players at elite level are allowed to continue playing when there may be a suspicion of concussion. But he says he would still encourage kids to play rugby.

“The benefits far outweigh the reasons for not playing. The key is to allow children to play in as safe a way as possible.” ✸

Northern Woman 71

NI Year of Food & Drink Awards

Richard McClean, Mary Blake, Hilary McClintock and Terence Brannigan

Caroline Redmond and Stephen McMurray

Food and Drink Awards Uel Mackin, Natalie Brown, Brian Bloomfield, and Riki Neill

Wendy Gallagher, Maura Hickey, George Nelson and Richard Connor

Mollie Cunningham, Chloe McCullough and Kelly Millar

Tracey Hamilton, Tim Acheson and Clare Forster

72 Northern Woman

Simon Dougan, Joris Minne, Gail Walker and John Best

The Northern Ireland food industry celebrated its first major awards at a glittering black tie event in the Culloden Hotel recently.

More than 300 people came together for the celebration of the first Tourism NI Northern Ireland Food and Drink Awards in association with the Belfast Telegraph.

The biggest award of the night – Destination Delicious – was presented to Derry/Londonderry and the North West, while many other locations, from Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon to Comber, the Causeway Coast and the Sperrins, also celebrated awards success.

NI Year of Food & Drink Awards

Shauna McFall and Laura Goodall

Danny Millar, Sarah Travers and Paula McIntyre

Julienne Elliott and Joanne McLaughlin

Lynn Savage and Lucy Cairns

Graeme Millar, Anne-Marie Clarke and Jarlath Watson

Sarah Little and Jackie Reid

Phil Ervine and Caroline Wilson

Jennifer O’Donnell and Louise Millsopp

Jill McLernon, Riki Neill, Jolene Kelly and Natalie Brown

Northern Woman 73

Living

My Food…

LYNNE CROWTHER

Lynne Crowther is a communications consultant and food blogger who has just been shortlisted in the Food and Drink category of the 2017 UK Blog Awards.

Lynne started her blog, Eating Ideas, in 2011 as an outlet for her passion for food. In it, she shares recipes, tips, ideas and new ways to enjoy food.

She lives in Drumbo with her partner Ian and their three pet chickens

What is the meal you will always remember?

So many to choose from but I think it has to be dinner at the River Cafe in Brooklyn. My sister, mum and I were in New York and we visited the restaurant to celebrate mum’s 80th birthday.

We chose Brooklyn as she and my dad had lived there when they first got married. The restaurant enjoys a unique location, right on the river below the Brooklyn Bridge and with stunning views of Manhattan. The food was out of this world and it was a truly memorable occasion. I would love to go back and would recommend it to anyone visiting New York. It’s not cheap but it certainly is memorable.

What was your defining food experience?

I entered a competition to create a soup recipe for New Covent Garden Soup. There was a public voting process and I ended up winning. My Bacon and Bean Winter Warmer was produced and sold

74 Northern Woman

around the UK. I was thrilled that people had voted for it and it was so exciting when I saw people posting pictures on Facebook of them buying my soup in their local stores all over the UK. I hadn’t been writing Eating Ideas for very long at that stage and it gave me a confidence boost to believe that my recipe creations on the blog might really be of interest to people. Other food defining experiences were learning to bake with my mum and baking homemade traditional wheaten, soda and treacle bread with my Grandmother. I still make the bread today using my Great-Grandmother’s old stone jam jars to bake them in, which results in lovely circular slices of bread. It’s a miracle that those jars have survived for so many years.

from the “Touch of Natural Goodness“recipe book produced by the Dairy Council for Northern Ireland to encourage people to use local milk, butter and cheese. I loved that recipe book. It was packed full of delicious dishes and I worked my way through most of them. The Chicken Supreme dish was topped with cheese which is always a winner in my book.

I pride myself on making fresh tasty dishes, cooked from scratch

What was the first dish you ever cooked?

I always enjoyed helping my mum in the kitchen but I do remember the first dish I cooked by myself.

It was a Chicken Supreme recipe by Liz Ritchie

What is your comfort food?

Definitely Chilli Con Carne or Curry. I love spicy food. The recipes are never the same; I am always tweaking the spices in a quest to make the dishes even better. It’s also hard to beat a slice of cheese on toast.

The amazing thing is that everybody has their own favourite way of making it with so many choices available – what type of bread, which cheese, sliced or grated, toasted on one side or both, added ingredients. It’s a minefield! I am always asking people how they make theirs.

Do you drink?

I enjoy white wine with a meal and have never knowingly turned down a glass of Prosecco.

Living

Lynne Crowther’s passion for food has fuelled her successful blog, Eating Ideas

My go-to drink is a gin and tonic and I particularly love the locally produced gins that we have in Northern Ireland, Shortcross, Jawbox and Copeland gins. Most of my friends enjoy a tipple too so my willpower to refuse is zero!

What is your hangover cure?

The only guaranteed method is not to have a drink but, failing that, lots of water before bed and tea, tea and more tea in the morning. A bacon sandwich helps too!

If you could only eat three things for the rest of your life, what would they be?

I find it very hard to limit myself to three as there are so many things that I love, such as cheese, chicken, chickpeas and baked potatoes. If I have

to limit myself to just three, I would choose my mum’s Sunday roast beef with all the trimmings, chicken curry with raita, mango chutney and poppadoms, and a really good pasta Bolognese with parmesan.

How important is food to you?

I love food. In my blog, I create recipes, write restaurant and product reviews, make videos and run foodie giveaways. I am a co-host of #FoodNIhour every Monday night on Twitter and a member of the Foodies 100 network.

My favourite thing to do is enjoy a great meal with

family or friends. It doesn’t matter if it is eating out or dining in at home; it’s a really enjoyable thing to do. In fact, what could be better? When I am cooking food or coming up with recipes for Eating Ideas, I love to use locally produced ingredients.

We have some amazing artisan producers and it is important to support them. I love a good local food market and am a regular at the Inn’s Food Market in Belfast which takes place on the first Saturday of every month. It is great for meeting local producers and making some fantastic foodie finds.

Name some of your favourite restaurants.

I have loads to choose from. We are very lucky that the restaurant scene in Belfast is so vibrant and the standard of food is so high. For Indian I would choose Safa in Belfast city centre, for Thai, a new favourite is Camile on the Lisburn Road, for Asian, I would choose Zen in Adelaide Street and for Italian, Il Gusto. If I just fancy pub grub, it’s hard to beat the Pheasant in Annahilt and, for a special occasion, I like James Street South in Belfast. I have plenty more restaurants that I love but can’t list them all.

What is your guilty pleasure?

As a food blogger, I pride myself on making fresh tasty dishes, cooked from scratch. Having said that, if I am feeling poorly, I love a bowl of Heinz Tomato soup with some cubes of cheddar in it.

It really does make me feel a little less sorry for myself. My favourite guilty sharing snack is Tortilla chips with chilli, salsa, guacamole, sour cream, cheese and jalapeños. Totally delicious but should be kept as a treat.

If you decide to eat healthy, what is your regime?

I try to up the exercise and reduce the intake. I cut down on carbs, reduce alcohol and aim for low fat options. I do try but there are just so many delicious distractions! I don’t have much will power – in fact, it has been said that I have the breaking strain of a KitKat! ✸

Northern Woman 75

Recipes

Mother’s Day Treats Spoil your mum on Mother’s Day with these mouth watering recipes created by award winning Belfast chef Niall McKenna of James Street South

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asy to make and guaranteed to impress, keep your mum sweet this Mother’s Day with these delicious creations. And if you want to learn how to bake like an expert James Street South is planning to hold a bespoke bakery class entitled simply “How to Make a Cake”. The four-hour master class covers baking, filling, icing and decorating. You can find out more at cookinbelfast.co.uk

76 Northern Woman

Recipes

✸French Apple Tart – Tarte Aux Pommes

✸Plum and almond sponge

1 packet pre-rolled butter puff pastry Plain flour for dusting 250g cooking apples 2 tblsp sugar 1 egg Dash of milk 5 eating apples Apricot jam

Unless you are a really passionate cook, and have the time (and patience) to make your own pastry, I recommend using shopbought as the results are generally as good.

Start by peeling, coring and chopping 250g of cooking apples for the compote. I suggest Bramleys as they have the perfect level of tartness. Put the chopped apples in a pot, adding 1-2 good sized tablespoons of sugar and 2 tablespoons of water on a gentle heat until dissolved. You may want

to add a little more sugar at this stage depending on personal taste. Leave to cool and store in an air-tight jar in the fridge.

Preheat the oven to 200C. Dust your work surface with flour, unroll the pastry and cut into 2 long thin slabs and place on a baking tray. Leaving a border of ƒ an inch around the edge, prick the pastry all over with a fork.

Next you want to spread a thin layer of the compote on top of the pastry, again leaving the ƒ inch border.

Break the egg into a bowl and beat with the milk, then using a pastry brush wash the ƒ inch border with the egg.

Now you peel, core and very thinly slice your five eating apples as these will form the topping. Layer the sliced apple on top of each other as per the photo, you should get 4 to 5 rows of apples on the pastry, leaving a little gap in between.

Place in the oven and cook for 20 minutes until the apples and pastry are golden in colour, then remove and leave to cool on a wire rack.

Put two tablespoons of the apricot jam into a small pan with one tablespoon of water and heat gently, taking care not to burn. Once warmed, brush over the top of the apple and leave to set.

Serve in sections as per the picture and enjoy!

8 ripe plums Pinch of cinnamon Zest of 2 lemons 200g butter 200g light brown sugar 4 eggs 200g strong flour 1tblsp baking powder 1tblsp baking soda 150g ground almonds 100g roasted crushed almonds

Start by quartering and de-stoning the plums, keeping the skin on. Toss in the cinnamon and the lemon zest. Keep them in a bowl and cover in cling film and leave to the side to marinate for up to one hour.

Next you want to whisk together the butter and sugar until all the sugar has dissolved. Add in the eggs one by one and mix thoroughly. In a separate bowl, sift in the flour and add the baking powder and baking soda. Add the ground almonds and fold into the wet mixture, mixing to make a batter consistency.

Tip the batter into a greased round baking tin and scatter in the marinated plums and the roasted, crushed almonds. Place in the oven and bake at 180deg C for 40 minutes. Check that the sponge is cooked through by using a needle to check the centre. I have added some plums on top of the sponge when serving.

Northern Woman 77

Recipes

✸Lemon Meringue Pie 300g Digestive biscuits 100g butter, melted 390g condensed milk (in a tin) 3 eggs, separate yolk from white, and keep both 4 lemons, juiced and zest grated 165g caster sugar

Start by heating the oven to 160°C. Place the biscuits into a blender and blend until completely crumbly.

Melt the butter in a pot and add in the crumbed digestive biscuits. Once mixed in, press into the base of a tart tin and cool.

To make the lemon mix, place the egg yolks into a large bowl and whisk using an electric whisk for up to a minute. Add in the condensed milk and whisk again, this time for 3 minutes, then add the zest of the lemons and the juice and whisk again. Pour into the cooled base and place back into the oven and cook for 15 minutes. Let it cool and then chill in the fridge.

For the egg whites, whisk in a large, clean bowl until they form large peaks, add in the sugar a little at a time and continue to whisk until the mix is thick and glossy. Place on top of the lemon mix and, for this image I have used a serrated knife to get the flattened look.

Place in the oven and bake for a further 10 minutes – it should go slightly browned. Remove, cool and serve.

78 Northern Woman

Recipes

✸Pavlova with Berries 4 egg whites 250g caster sugar 2 tsp cornflour ½ vanilla pod, seeds scraped out 1 tsp white wine vinegar

Pre-heat the oven to 150°C. Whip the egg whites into soft peaks and slowly add in the sugar while gently whipping and then add the vanilla seeds. Fold in the vinegar and then sieve the cornflour in – this needs to be done very gently.

Shape the mixture into rounds using two spoons and place on a tray with greaseproof paper. Place in the oven for 30 minutes, then turn off the oven but leave the tray in for a further 30 minutes until it goes cold. Then you can remove the tray. These can be stored for up to five days in an air-tight container.

To serve, place the pavlova on a plate or bowl and serve with your own choice of berries. You can also add a little bit of pouring cream.

Northern Woman 79

Food

Nuts About Butter Not that long ago, the only choice when it came to nut butters was smooth or crunchy peanut butter. Now the preserves shelves in health food shops offer a choice of almond, cashew and Brazil alternatives – but what are the health benefits?

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snack with a low glycaemic index to help you feel fuller for longer and help suppress appetite.

You can easily make your own, just by blitzing nuts (pre-roast for a few minutes if you like) in a food processor until the natural oils are released to form a buttery texture. But if you go for shop-bought, check the label to find one that has no hidden nasties like sugar or palm oil.

Dr Sally Norton, NHS weight loss consultant surgeon, health expert and founder of www.vavistalife.com sets out the pros and cons of the nut butter aisle:

PEANUT:

Not a true nut, but a legume, we have included it here as it is conventionally grouped with other tree nuts to consumers.

Pros: A good source of protein; highest folic acid content (useful during pregnancy) and high in healthy monounsaturated fats and vitamin E. Cons: Some brands have a little added sugar but these days many have none added.

hile nuts may contain a seemingly high amount of CASHEW: calories and fat, Pros: Highest in zinc, copper and iron – naturally they can play a sweeter than many other nut butters. role (in the right Cons: Less protein than other nuts. portions!) in a well-balanced, healthy diet.

ALMONDS: tters Most of the fat in Pros: One of the lowest in u b t u n st rate TIP: Mo nuts is the healthy calories and the highest lly sepa a ir ic e t s h t ri t e charact is doesn’t affec bine unsaturated type, in protein, fibre and ored; th ir to com plus they are a calcium. when st alue, simply st nal v ing. fabulously wellCons: Some brands t a e nutritio re befo STIONS rounded source can have a bitter r SUGGE fo G ie h IN t V o R o TER SE ur morning sm of protein, aftertaste.

T U B r.

T longe 3 NU l to yo vitamins E and B el fuller r poonfu o fe s u a le e o p t y p a a lp s of o he ✶ Add group, minerals BRAZIL: on slice n rotein, t added p spoonful thinly lps to slow dow including Pros: Good for men, a e e it. h t r ru a e f t d t e a u h t b re ✶ Sp re in nut ars from yer copper, zinc and as 1-2 nuts deliver g ib u f s e f h o t thin la rption pear – magnesium, plus your recommended nd abso t spread with a estion a s a sliced a ig o h d t it in w d fibre. They are daily intake of the ra e g p le p o o h t t ✶W hy no r and a great on-the-go mineral selenium, which ut butte breakfast or w of pean t a . g re n g li il a f is h may help protect against a ic n w a d n n a b as a sa prostate cancer and heart try this disease.

Cons: The most expensive option when it comes to nut butters.

WALNUT:

Pros: One of the few vegetarian sources of the omega-3 fatty acid, some of which can be converted to long chain omega 3 known to be involved in heart health.

Cons: Bitter aftertaste, slightly lower protein and slightly higher in fat than some other nut butters.

HAZELNUT:

Almond nut butter

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Pros: One of the lowest percentages of saturated fat (along with pine nuts and almonds); highest proanthocyanidins (PACs) content of all nut butters. The antioxidant capabilities of PACs are likely to be 20 times more potent than vitamin C and 50 times more potent than Vitamin E. Cons: Often found to be coupled with chocolate spreads so read the label carefully! ✸

Healthy Blueberry Muffins Nuts are not only packed with healthy nutrients but the fatty acids they contain will help optimise energy levels, boost your mood and relax mood swings.

They are also a great alternative to junk food as they are packed with sodium which will reduce bloating.

Below is the perfect comfort food recipe for blueberry muffins made using a special Pip and Nut almond butter sachet available this month from the online girl’s gift specialist, Bettybox.

INGREDIENTS: 80g Pip & Nut Almond Butter 200g Greek yoghurt 1 large ripe banana 1 large egg 1 tsp vanilla extract 120g light brown sugar 220g plain flour 50g rolled oats 1 tsp baking powder ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda ½ tsp salt 65g blueberries 75g medjool dates

METHOD: 1. Heat your oven to 160 degrees.

2. Put the almond butter, yoghurt, banana, egg, vanilla and sugar into a bowl and beat until a batter is formed.

3. Stir in the oats, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and salt until just combined.

4. Stir in the blueberries and dates.

5. Spoon the batter into lined muffin tins to about ¾ full. Sprinkle each muffin with light brown sugar, flaked almonds and seeds (if you want to).

6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, then leave to cool in the trays.

Red Nose Day

Throw on your apron and make your bake matter for Red Nose Day Northern Ireland’s Nadine Coyle is proud to wear hers in aid of Comic Relief

A

galaxy of stars, including Northern Ireland’s own Nadine Coyle, is encouraging people to get baking for Red Nose Day. The campaign fronted by the Hairy Bikers, Si King and Dave Myers is being supported by Londonderry pop star Nadine and other top celebrities including Pearl Lowe, Nadiya Hussain, Jodie Kidd, Susanna Reid, Kimberley Wyatt, Lesley Joseph & Linda Robson, Una Healy, The Hemsley Sisters, Ella Mills (Deliciously Ella), Fay Ripley, Vogue Williams and Tim Lovejoy.

The well known faces have each donned a special apron designed in aid of Comic Relief by celebrity photographer Rankin.

Many have also shared their favourite recipes to help families get creative in the kitchen for a good cause and, today, Cold Feet Star and food author Fay Ripley shares one of hers with Northern Woman readers.

HomeSense partnered with the renowned fashion and

Fay Ripley’s Strawberries & Cream Cakes

All you need is…

200g butter, softened 200g caster sugar 2 large eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract 200g self-raising flour 3 tbsp milk 12 small strawberries, hulled Tea on a rolling lawn, Wimbledon, regattas… or sitting in the garden, these perfect English cakes will make you feel like you are to the Manor Born.

For 12

Prep time 15 mins Cook time 20 mins Suitable for freezing (cake only) Fay Makes It Easy:100 delicious recipes to impress with no stress, by Fay Ripley is published by HarperCollins, £20.

Topping 300ml whipping cream 2 tbsp icing sugar

Equipment 12-hole muffin tin and paper muffin cases

All you do is...

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan), 200°C, gas mark 6. Line the muffin tin with paper muffin cases. Using an

portrait photographer Rankin to create these exclusive aprons in support of Comic Relief.

With all the ingredients to become a design classic, the apron features a selection of unique, quirky and quintessentially British animal portraits including Rankin’s own dog.

HomeSense is an official Red Nose Day partner for the third time and a host of celebrities lined up to be photographed by iconic photographer Rankin wearing the apron to help raise money for Comic Relief.

The range also features a new children’s apron encouraging the whole family to join in the bake sale action by getting creative in the kitchen.

With at least £5 from every adult apron sale going to Comic Relief, the money will help people living incredibly tough lives in the UK and across Africa.

Further products in the collection include a tea towel, also designed

by Rankin, as well as a leather journal and a colouring-in notebook.

The adult apron, priced at £12.99, is available to buy in HomeSense and TK Maxx stores, and online at tkmaxx.com and rednoseday.com. ✸

electric whisk, cream the butter and caster sugar together until fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, with the vanilla, beating in between. Fold in the flour and then the milk.

2. Divide among the cases and bake for 20 minutes until golden and firm. Cool for two minutes in the tin then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

3. Carefully cut a 1p coin-size hole in the top of each cake with a small, sharp knife (the spare bits are the cook’s perk). Now gently push a whole strawberry into each hole.

4. To make the topping, with an electric whisk, whip the cream and icing sugar until fairly stiff. Spoon the cream into a large food bag and snip a little hole in one corner. Pipe the cream topping in whirly round swirls onto the cakes.

Northern Woman 81

Sullivan Upper

Andrew Woods, Peter Purcell, Harry Eves and Ross Moore

Jonny and Danielle King

Lesley Maltman and Nicola Kelly

Mark and Rhonda Jenkins

Karen McCandless and Karen Tharma

Rebekah Eves, Jemma Moore, Gill Stewart, Andrew Smyth, Laura-Ann Hann and Fiona Elliott

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Helen Bell, Ann McCarthy, Maurice and Isobel Walker and Olive O’Connor

Sullivan’s star-studded gala ball Former Sullivan Upper pupils Mark Simpson and Alison Fleming hosted a star-studded gala ball in Titanic Belfast to celebrate the Holywood school’s 140 year history, and raise funds for new sports facilities.

Among the 600 guests who attended were Great British Bake Off star Andrew Smyth, Sky’s Dermont Murnaghan and former Linfield Manager David Jeffrey who was auctioneer for the night.

As well as a prize Blotto draw, guests were treated to video messages from some of the school’s most famous former pupils including golfing super star Rory McIlroy and rugby hero Darren Cave. Entertainment was provided by Flash Harry.

Sara Lyons, Cathryn Shilling, Heather Dunlop and Hilary Quish

Sullivan Upper

Andrew Smyth and Dermot Murnaghan

Kursheed Dustagheer and Nick Bass

Colin Carnson, Jane Byrne, Andy Orr, Stacey Irvine Herald and David Kennedy

Barry and Louise Sheridan

Gill Stewart and Laura-Ann Hann

Helen Moore and Darren Cave

Caitlyn Adair, Aisla Orr and Tory Hutchinson

Debbie Topping, Corrin Warmington, Wendy Dundas and Lizzie Burgess

Neville and Karen Rodgers

Northern Woman 83

Eastside Awards

Simon Seaton, Katie Pedlow and Tara Mills

Michelle Hatfield, Krizzah Policarpio and Tara Mills

Brian Kingston, Michelle Hatfield, Tara Mills and Jonathan McAlpin

Steven McGuinness, Sarah Patterson and Tara Mills

Eastside Awards – winners celebrate the best of east Belfast

Winners of the first Eastside Awards in association with George Best Belfast City Airport were announced at a glittering ceremony in the heart of east Belfast, hosted by BBC presenter Tara Mills.

More than 200 guests gathered at Hastings Stormont Hotel to recognise all that is good about the area.

On arrival, guests were entertained by musicians from Grosvenor Grammar School and treated to dancing by NiStars. Following the awards presentation, The Ronnie Greer Blues Band performed with special guests Ken Haddock and one of east Belfast’s much loved singer songwriters, Anthony Toner.

The top accolade for Outstanding Contribution was awarded to highly respected east Belfast businessman James Brown MBE. The unanimous decision to honour James recognises the outstanding contribution he has made to the area throughout his life.

Eastside Awards was supported by George Best Belfast City Airport, Avec Solutions, Belfast Telegraph, Connect Telecom, East Belfast Enterprise, The Foundry, Charles Hurst Fleet Financial, McGuinness Fleck, Millar McCall Wylie, NIJobfinder.com, Phoenix Natural Gas Ltd, Solv Group and Ulster Bank.

Mimi Turtle, Fiona Flynn and Tara Mills

Mark Reilly, Lorraine Bell and Tara Mills

Mark Reilly, Fiona Flynn, Jonathan McAlpin and Darwin Templeton

Geri Wright, Dawn Simons and Tara Mills

Steven McGuinness, Stephen Kane, Niamh and Mel Boyle

Jonathan McAlpin, Clare Caughey and Tara Mills

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Lord Mayor of Belfast Alderman Brian Kingston joins the winners of the inaugural Eastside Awards at Hastings Stormont Hotel

Wedding

OUR DAYS

The beautiful wedding albums of four Northern Ireland couples Northern Woman 85

Wedding

Miss Vicki Maguire and Mr Jason Rea Mr and Mrs Rea

Wedding Dress – McElhinneys Bridesmaid Dresses – McElhinneys Flower Girls – Monsoon Groom and Groomsmen Suits – SD Kells Rings – Ernest Jones Flowers – Flowers by Jude Hair and Make up – Jenny Magee and Lady Unicorn Photography – Isobel O’Brien Videography – Gavin Quinn Cake – Groom’s Granny Evelyn Short, Teresa Martin

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icki (27) and Jason (30) from Omagh first met at high school but fell for each other four years ago on a night out. While shopping in Belfast one day Jason took Vicki to Ernest Jones Jewellers and asked to see some engagement rings. The assistant asked when the pair had got engaged and when Vicki explained that they weren’t, Jason popped the question.

After choosing a ring they celebrated by going out for dinner and champagne.

On the wedding morning, four years to the day since, the pair started dating, the bridal party, Vicki’s sister Wendy and three of her best friends from school, got ready together, with personalised pyjamas and glasses.

Less than two years later Vicki, a support worker, and Jason, a builder, said “I do” in front of 265 of their family and friends in Edenderry Church of Ireland, Omagh.

They celebrated into the early hours of the morning at the newly renovated Silver Birch Hotel.

Vicki and Jason settled on a vintage and farmyard theme. They named the tables at the reception after tractors and had Royal Albert cups on arrival. The centrepieces were teapots with flowers. The theme ran from start to finish, with vintage invitations and cake and even a decorated bike on the big day. The best part of the day for the couple was that they were marrying their best friend, and having her kids Katie (7) and Alex (2) there to celebrate.

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The new Mr and Mrs Rea travelled to Blackpool for their honeymoon.

Children were central to the big day and the couple did their utmost to ensure they were entertained. There was a sweet cart, a face painter, a balloon modeller and even a caricature artist.

Vicki says: “I did my best to keep the kids

entertained as I know how long a wedding day can be for them. But it seemed that the adults enjoyed the entertainment more than the children!”

Special touches included large LOVE letters and a photo frame adorned with hearts for guests to sign in place of a guest book.

Wedding

Miss Michelle Corcoran and Mr Gareth Neely Mr and Mrs Neely

Wedding Dress – McElhinneys Flower Girls – Monsoon Groom and Groomsmen Suits – Tweedy Acheson Rings – H Samuel Flowers – Mother of the Bride Hair and Make up – Del Loughran, Omagh Photography – Erica Irvine Videography – Stevie Lawn, Coolisk Digital Video Cake – Philip Campbell

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ichelle (28), a playgroup assistant in Castlerock, originally from Mountfield, and Gareth (36), a farmer originally from Limavady, first met at a rally over seven years ago and have been inseparable ever since. On the day Gareth and Michelle’s dads were both rallying.

As Big Ben chimed on New Year’s Eve and rang in 2012, Gareth got down on one knee and asked Michelle to be his wife. And of course she said yes!

Five years later the pair tied the knot at The Manor House, Kiladeas with 110 of their closest family and friends. As Gareth is a farmer they decided to add a few extra touches to the venue. These included a bale of hay, a milk pail and even a few pairs of wellies!

The happy couple are hoping to jet off this summer for their honeymoon.

The only regret that Michelle and Gareth had is that it was all over so quickly.

Michelle says: “The whole day was amazing, from start to finish. We would do it all over again in a heartbeat and we wouldn’t change a thing.”

Gareth’s Bestman was Kieran Mailey,

his best friend since he was a boy. Gareth says: “The funniest part was probably the best man’s speech. Kieran had everyone in stitches.”

Although the wedding took place at the end of October, Michelle and Gareth were blessed with mild and dry weather (for most of the day anyway!)

Michelle’s mum Margaret Corcoran was florist for the day and, together with the bridesmaids, Michelle’s sister and two cousins, they decorated the hotel.

Michelle and Gareth were delighted that their two daughters, Grace and Jessica, took part in their day and almost stole the show as flowergirls.

Northern Woman 87

Wedding

Miss Joanne Quigley and Mark McKenna Mr and Mrs McKenna

Bridal Gown – My Fair Lady Bridesmaid Dresses – ASOS Junior Bridesmaid Dress – Coast Flowergirls Dresses – Monsoon Groom and Groomsmen Suits – Louis Copeland and T W Menswear Rings – Fields Flowers – Clare Flower Hair and Make up – Eden Co and Emma McQuaid Makeup artistry Photography – Photography by Ciara Videography – Hatch Wedding Films Cake – The Cake Cuppery

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oanne (31), a midwife in the South West Acute Hospital who is from Roslea in Enniskillen, and Mark (36), a milkman and farmer from Ballinode in Monaghan, first met on a night out in Monaghan 12 years ago. Joanne was studying in England at the time and the pair met up when she came home for breaks from studying.

Joanne recalls: “Mark jokes and says I came over to stay one weekend and never went home. Which is half true, I guess!”

Five years later, in 2015, the duo got engaged while on a summer holiday in Sorrento, Italy. They hired a boat and sailed to Capri and, although Joanne was worried about getting lost in the Mediterranean, they had a perfect, romantic proposal.

On November 18, Joanne and Mark got married in St Tierney’s Church, Roslea and held their reception in Ballymagarvey Village in County Meath.

Joanne says: “We didn’t even look anywhere else for a venue. We stumbled on Ballymagarvey by mistake one day and just knew we had to have our reception there.”

Mark adds: “The staff were so good.

They helped us out in any way they could and helped make the day a really special occasion.”

Joanne and Mark invited 184 of their friends and family to join in their celebrations. Although it snowed heavily the night before the wedding, fortunately it had all cleared up by the morning and guests avoided having to drive and walk through the downfall. The day still felt magical and, with Christmas decorations in Ballymagarvey Village, there was a real festive spirit. Joanne and her dad Con travelled to the church in a chauffeur driven vintage van and Joanne and Mark travelled to the reception in a vintage Morris Minor,

88 Northern Woman

all supplied by Perfect Day Wedding Cars.

Joanne had three bridesmaids, her sister, Fiona, her best friend, Sam, and her cousin, Cassie. Joanne’s other sister Leah was also a junior bridesmaid, and her three nieces, Eabha, Hollie and Emma, were flowergirls who were so excited that they didn’t get to sleep until 2am the night before the wedding.

Struggling to settle for one cake, Joanne and Mark opted for a whole cake table.

There was a salted cameral drip cake, a gold foil two tier cake, and local lady, Loretta McGuiggan, baked a rocky road cake and cupcakes which were all gone before Joanne even got to try one!

Joanne and Mark stayed in the Galgorm Hotel before jetting off to London for their honeymoon.

They are also planning on celebrating their new title of Mr and Mrs on a holiday this summer.

Wedding

Miss Sarah Jane Cairnduff and Mr David Adams Mr and Mrs Adams

Bridal Gown – Reflections Lisburn Bridesmaids’ Dresses – Reflections Lisburn Flowergirl’s Dress – Handmade by Strawberry Lane Designs Groom and Groomsmen’s Suits – McCalls of Lisburn Rings – H Samuel Flowers – Lou Lou Belle Hair – Rebecca Saulters Hair Make up – Sharlyn Gardner Photography/Video – Maxine Eleanor Cake – Personal Touch Weddings and Events

S

arah (28), a hairdresser originally from Belfast, and David (30), a process coordinator from Magheralin, were first introduced on a night out 13 years ago by Sarah’s friend Deborah Young, who is David’s sister.

The duo saw each other every week when Sarah visited Deborah but, up until 2013, Sarah and David both had other partners.

David says: “We both say we always liked each other but the timing wasn’t right.”

In April 2015, Sarah and David welcomed their son Noah into the world. Then on Christmas Eve that year Sarah opened a card which said: “Mummy, will you marry Daddy?”

Fast forward to February 11, 2017 and the happy family celebrated their wedding with 130 of their friends and family at La Mon Hotel. The couple settled on a vintage theme with floral arrangements in birdcages and lanterns decorating the ceremony and reception.

Together they chose to have an understated style.

Sarah says: “I didn’t want an over-thetop wedding, I love simple but effective and went for lace overlays on the tables and birdcages with flowers in them on some tables and mason jars with flowers on others, all sitting on wood. I didn’t want the normal chairs with covers on them so I went for chiffon chairs with more lace tied round them. I spend hours on Pinterest looking for things. My table plan was old fashion ladders with photo frames on them.”

As a surprise for the groom, Sarah decided to have half their wedding cake decorated in the style of Liverpool Football Club.

The ceremony room was decorated with

two flower walls and blossom trees and the whole day ran smoothly thanks to the bride’s mum and dad, Paula and Stephen, who helped with any request Sarah had.

Sarah’s bridesmaids also helped make the day extra special – the original matchmaker, Deborah, and friends Janine Currie and Brianna Wilson. Sarah’s God Daughter

Jodie-Leigh Gray and her sister Brooke Gray also took part as Bridesmaids. Janine’s daughter Sofia Burton was flowergirl and danced the night away with Noah.

To celebrate their new title as Mr and Mrs, Sarah and David have decided to take their son Noah on a trip to Disney Land in Florida.

Northern Woman 89

Male Order

A NORTHERN MAN Lee Henry on why wife Mairead deserves the very best Mother’s Day

Burton Menswear London, Khaki Military Double Breasted Coat, £85

Lee Henry, with son Patrick (3), is in awe of wife Mairead’s parenting skills, which eclipse his own

I

am become what I always criticised my own father for being – the pushover parent.

Our son, Patrick, is three-years-old and savvy as hell. He has long since sussed my weakness – hugs. He will sally up to me and deliver the snuggest of squeezes and I’ll melt.

Thus conquered, he only need whisper the words ‘chocolate biscuit’ and I’m tearing open another pack of Gold Bars 10 minutes before dinner.

(He likes the top of each biscuit wrapper to be ripped open just a little. If you remove the biscuit entirely, he won’t eat it. It will go in the bin. So you just rip it open a little bit…)

I watch as he disappears into the living room, victorious – sucking on his bounty like Napoléon on a cigar – and turn to face my wife, Mairead, uncomfortably close, hands on hips, thick black smoke issuing from either ear.

She saw it coming, even before he was born.

“I’ll be the tyrant,” she predicted. “Cracking down on tantrums in the middle of Primark, enforcing the naughty chair rule when he’s big enough to knock me over. You, on the other hand, will be soft as butter. A total sucker. He’ll have you wrapped around his little finger and you’ll undo all of my good work. It’s a cert. Just you wait and see.”

Now, if Patrick’s gaze is fixed on mine as he ponders spilling his cereal on the carpet, for example, or jumping on daddy’s phone, I’ll admonish with my keenest threat: “Mammy will

shout!” I’m utterly pathetic and he knows it.

When my own long-suffering mother lit on my petulant little sister for slamming a door or nipping a baby – there was always a touch of the sinister about our Alex – my dad would instantly melt at her crocodile tears and draw her in for a princess hug.

There was no united front and she cannily exploited that weakness for all it was worth.

Today, she is 25 and still living at home. She owes my dad a fortune.

And here I am, allowing history to repeat itself, governed by a person who doesn’t yet reach my waistline, bending to every wish at even the hint of a doe-eyed frown. When he starts asking for expensive designer football boots, I won’t have a leg to stand on.

Mairead puts me to shame.

Even though we went through a version of Hell in the early days – with Patrick’s milk intolerance as-yet-undiagnosed and our days and nights filled with his agonised screaming and our hopeless tears – Mairead hasn’t let that influence her parenting style. She goes about it the right way, denying when necessary, rewarding when deserved.

It is that quality that I now appreciate in her more than most. She has become the parent I always hoped she would: solid, forceful, fun, a friend, tickling him to tears, scolding him to silence. I stand back and watch and remind myself that this Mother’s Day, she deserves only the very best of everything we can give her. ✸

Jigsaw, Garment Dye Oxford Granddad Shirt, £69

Topman, Khaki Shorts, £30

He’ll have you wrapped around his little finger and you’ll undo all of my good work. It’s a cert.

Just you wait and see

90 Northern Woman

Burton Menswear London, Camel Military Shirt, £35

Male Order Burtons, Coat £85, Shirt £20, Bomber £25, Jeans £25, Boots £25

Jigsaw, Heavy Cotton Striped Long Sleeve T-Shirt, £49

Jaeger Parka Jacket, £275

Modern MILITARY Be bang on trend in 2017 with some key styles inspired by the forces. Colours such as Khaki and olive, and elements of leather inserts, will be popular in men’s fashion this spring/summer

Aight Designer Snap On Watch in Green from Cuckooland. com, £49.95

Jigsaw, Garment Dye Pique Polo, £45

Jigsaw, Italian Garment Dye Military Overshirt, £119

Next, Badge Bomber Jacket, £75

Northern Woman 91

Travel

Port St Goustan, Auray, Brittany, France

Vive la Foodie For years people have enjoyed the freedom of taking their cars to the continent, even with the 260 mile drive from Belfast to Cork. With world-famous wine and Michelin star eateries, the ferry to France is a ticket to paradise on a plate, says Caroline Crawford

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perfect opportunity to soak up the local rittany may be famous for atmosphere while enjoying some classic its wild coastline scattered French fare – including the locals’ favourite with medieval towns, but it is dish, stuffed artichoke. fast becoming a gastronomic Roscoff is proud of its heritage and local hub with a host of culinary produce, especially its famous pink onions. delights – from Michelin-star The old harbour town is the home restaurants to casual cafes and artisan of the Onion Johnnies, the brewers making the most of fine men in striped tops and local produce. berets who, for many, are Taking the ferry means the typical image of you can tour the region ithin Bretagne. Thousands by car, offering tourists w , ll e W ke! d by the er you li of these men and the perfect opportunity Whatev ge is only limite liday ho ga y g boys travelled to sample this French rr lu . fe .. n a o reas boot on urn journey, from the port to smorgasbord. Sailing our car t y f re o e g e h n t iz s lo wine on coats a r the UK selling from Cork with Brittany in fo l ra u t f h (help has pack lig onions, becoming a Ferries, our tasting trail ades – it r erwise, h p t s O d n ). a o to uckets articula b stereotypical French began pretty much as p e is h h t t h n wit in o image made famous soon as we left the boat. own to ra sula. been kn in pen

by English cartoonists.

Roscoff is an oftHowever, the workers overlooked stop for never actually wore the ferry travellers, with many famous tops, which were bypassing it immediately as they reserved for seamen at the time. A venture south. But this picturesque festival (the fête de l’oignon rosé) is held town is a far cry from its busy ferry port. each August in honour of the onion, with a Gathered around a 16th-century quay, a parade through the cobbled streets. warren of narrow cobbled streets is dotted In Roscoff, the impressive Hotel Le with cafés and restaurants. These offer the

O PACK WHAT T

Travel of the restaurant lies with local produce.

“Each morning, I see my fisherman sail out.

I call him up and work my menus around the fish he has caught.”

It’s a relationship which works well for the restaurant, with innovative lobster dishes proving a huge hit with diners who enjoy the delights as they watch the sun set over the bay.

While Roscoff holds plenty of charm, the nearby Ile de Batz, sees a busy mix of tourists a 15-minute stopping off for a seafood feast boat ride away, Brittan and local restaurateurs who oozes it. This y Ferrie fastest s call daily to pick up their quaint little direct fe ’ Pont Aven of fers the rr France, taking ju y crossing from produce. island, st 14 ho returns Ir eland to urs (it le to Cork Further on, at Maison home to 600 a o v n Saturd es from include ays). and du Cidre in Argol inhabitants, shoppin pool and bar are Onboard facil ities g ma as, two (maisonducidredebretagne. truly is a cinema Sailings lls, spa treatm s, ents an fr), Hélène Gibiat and hidden gem, start fro d f m re £115pp re e Wi-Fi. four sha Jean-Baptiste Rollo are boasting turn, ba ring. bri sed on ttanyfe changing how we view cider. exquisite rries.ie.

The couple set up their organic beaches, farm seven years ago, producing leisurely walks cider that tastes nothing like the and great views mass-produced versions. “People think from the top of the they know what cider tastes like, but most lighthouse. The main have never tasted real cider that isn’t full attraction is its exotic garden, Jardin of additives and sugar. We want to change Georges Delaselle, which has more than that,” says Jean-Baptiste. The couple also 2,000 species of plants from all five run an organic crêperie on the farm where continents. But the real charm of the island guests touring the orchards and cider press can be found while cycling or walking can enjoy lunch. along its narrow streets, finding a hidden Brittany’s rugged 3,500km coastline beach, enjoying the views from the 11thmakes it ideal for sailing trips. The coastline century Chapelle Ste-Anne, or climbing around Crozon boasts some of the most the 198 steps to the top of the lighhouse for spectacular beaches – so plentiful that 360-degree views and the perfect picnic it’s easy to find a quiet piece of paradise, spot. even in the summer. Discovering these Leaving Roscoff behind and driving gems by boat adds to the delight and, from southwards along the Brittany coastline the port town of Morgat, there are ample gives an opportunity to find hidden opportunities to do just that. Ile Vierge treasures of your own. Each little village is considered one of the most stunning seems more charming than the last, with beaches in Europe thanks to its crystal-clear sidewalk cafés offering rustic French water surrounded by steep cliffs. While it cuisine and classic wines for next to can be reached by a one-hour walk through nothing. a field path, sailing there at sunset only For those looking for finer dining adds to its beauty. options, the town of Ploudier sees foodies Erwan Rognant runs gourmet sailing flock to another Michelin-starred eatery at trips to the cove, allowing guests to take the La Butte Hotel and restaurant run by the helm of a 12m catamaran or just sit Nicolas Conraux (labutte.fr). From seafood back and enjoy a feast of oysters and local delights, like abalone and lobster, to foie seafood delicacies washed gras and their famous buckwheat pancake, down with Maison du the restaurant mixes fine dining with Cidre brews, while a laid-back, relaxed atmosphere. enjoying the sun Guests here can enjoy setting over the cookery classes, and the Crozon peninsula. restaurant also hosts 801; -7 7 2 4 1 rries (02 ) also offers Erwan set an ‘épicerie’ (fine food e F y n a Britt olidays up Catavoile29 boutique) featuring £200pp ies.ie/h m rr ro f fe y e c n n britta f four (catavoile29. products used by the chef. ys in Fra family o e g holida campin hts, based on a Se fr) a few years You can also make the most ). y it il b ig a n il a for 14 ct to av ee and ago to make a of the stunning scenery in je s b o u t s (s t g sharin m for lo living from his Abers by exploring by bike – rism.co la. tanytou t peninsu ri b e h t passion for sailing. with a gourmet picnic packed do on He enjoys showing by the hotel. visitors that such Driving on towards Crozon experiences do not have gives the perfect opportunity to to cost the earth. stop off and sample the local seafood “This amazing scenery is on at Viviers de Terrenez, a small seafood our doorstep and we have so many local wholesaler perched on the side of a cliff. producers offering fantastic food and drink, It does a roaring trade in shellfish and it’s all right here,” he says. ✸ homemade smoked trout. The tiny business

GETTIN G THER E

Roscoff, Finistere region, Brittany, France

Each little village seems more charming than the last

TO STAY E R E H W

Brittany (hotel-brittany.com) is home to Le Yachtman, a Michelin-star restaurant. The chateau was originally located in southern Brittany, but the ancestors of the current owner had it moved brick by brick in the 1900s. It now offers weary travellers utter luxury and incredible dining in an 18thcentury manor house.

Head chef Loic Le Bail offers a refined version of Breton cuisine, focusing on seafood specialities. He believes the success

Northern Woman 93

Books

Love of language Words and a love of language have shaped children’s author Claire Savage’s life and with a new fantasy novel inspired by the North Coast due out this month, she tells Lee Henry how writing Magical Masquerade allowed her to unleash her imagination 94 Northern Woman

Books

“I

can’t remember a time when I didn’t read,“ says Claire Savage, journalist and copywriter turned children’s author, who next month celebrates the launch of her debut book, Magical Masquerade.

“We were always read to at home, my sister, brothers and I. Our parents, Ruth and James, encouraged us to go to the library from a young age, and I loved book fairs and second-hand book shops. It set me off on the paths I now follow.”

Words and a love of language have shaped the 34-year-old’s life and career in more ways than one. After gorging on adventure novels by the likes of Enid Blyton and Bonnie Bryant as a young girl, she graduated to crime and horror as a teenager, spending her evenings and weekends in the company of Stephen King and Anne Rice.

A happy secondary education was completed at Rainey Endowed Grammar School in Magherafelt, before she completed a degree in Speech and Language Therapy at the University of Ulster in Jordanstown and later studied Newspaper Journalism at the North West Regional College in Derry.

These days, Claire mainly makes a living writing copy for businesses, and arts journalism for the website CultureNorthernIreland.org. When you love the written word as much as she does, writing up a feature on a playwright one day and a press release about sausages the next, every job is a pleasure.

“And my favourite thing about writing Magical Masquerade was being able to unleash my imagination,” she adds. “That’s partly why I love the fantasy genre so much, anything can happen. Nothing is out of reach in terms of the narrative.”

Magical Masquerade is a fantasy adventure novel aimed at children aged 8-12 and is loosely inspired by the myths and legends of the North Coast. It tells the story of Felicity Stone, an audacious 10-year-old who “went to the beach one sparkling spring day, picked up a pebble and was whisked away”.

Summoned by the Pebble People to a world that mirrors her own, Felicity must use her wits to survive. Befriended by Bob, a bookish brownie, and Hatchet, a kidnapped hobgoblin, she soon finds herself lost in a shadowy kingdom cloaked in secrecy and enchantments.

It is, according to the acclaimed novelist Carlo Gebler, ‘a rich, dream-like story full of adventure and phantasmagorical creatures’.

Having been raised in Bushmills, Claire spent much of her childhood playing and daydreaming at the Giant’s Causeway. She admits that that otherworldly, mystical part of the world ultimately helped to shape her fiction.

“I wanted to write something for children which had a similar effect to what Enid Blyton’s The Enchanted Wood had on me as a child,” she explains. “I loved that book,

capable of more than they usually think. and am still a fan, and it’s probably the one “I wanted to write a story which, story I re-read most growing up. although set in a magical world, depicts “When it came to writing Magical very real problems and forces our heroine Masqeurade, I found a lot of inspiration to solve them imaginatively and overcome when out walking my dog, Reuben, an various obstacles in lots of different ways.” excitable red cocker spaniel, along the She “very much enjoyed” her first author North Coast early every morning and late visit to a classroom in late February, when every evening. Of course, the books I’ve she spent the afternoon with P5-P7 pupils read in the past also inspired me, but as the at Kilross Primary School near Tobermore, story grew, I found myself incorporating and will be reading from the novel, as well elements of the landscape around me and as from some of her short stories published being inspired by the myths and legends I in journals including The Gastling, at know about the area.” an event in Derry’s St Columba Heritage While she spends the majority of her Centre on March 8 to mark International working days writing copy optimised to Women’s Day. suit Google, for example, or On March 11, she will according to a house style travel to Dublin with 50 to entertain and inform an other members of the adult audience of art lovers, Women Aloud NI group to with Magical Masquerade take part in a mass reading she enjoyed the challenge and participate in a panel of writing specifically for discussion on the subject of younger readers. self-publishing/marketing/ She cites the likes of JK editing books, at the Irish Rowling when pondering Women’s Centre, a must the delicate balance for anyone interested between writing in making a living down to an audience through writing in the and writing for an digital age. audience. “I think She admits she is getting the balance Magical Masquerade by Claire constantly learning, right is very important.

Savage (left) introduces young always happy to My research showed readers to heroine, Felicity discover new styles, that most kids really Stone, and her adventures in an experiment in writing don’t like things being alternate world for different platforms, and dumbed down and even find inspiration in new writers. prefer to have big or unusual Aspiring scribes, she advises, should words in the text, so that they can develop a thick skin and be willing to work look them up and learn. I found that the with others and take constructive criticism biggest challenge, though, was just to make if they hope to produce work worth the story exciting and a page-turner.” reading. “How can you expect people to buy By placing Felicity in difficult, often your work if you haven’t made it the best perilous situations, Claire wanted to instil that it can be and produced it to the same in the reader a sense of hope, an awareness standards as other books?” she asks. that teamwork and persistence can pay off, “Emma Dunne, my editor on Magical and the knowledge that heroes come in all Masquerade, was really brilliant in shapes and sizes. highlighting plot inconsistencies that “And there is definitely quite a feminist needed to be ironed out and helping me theme running throughout. I wanted to to identify scenes that could easily be cut have a strong female lead because I feel that to reduce word count and keep the story these days, more than ever, it’s important moving. Her feedback and advice have that young girls have positive role models been pivotal in making my book more in their lives and understand that they are streamlined and professionally presented.

“Some authors dread editorial feedback and resist changes, but I really welcomed it.

“That’s why I also hired a professional book cover designer, Andrew Brown from Design for Writers, because I wanted to make the book eye-catching as well as an enjoyable read. I’m very happy with the combined results.”

From writing diary entries as a young girl to fulfilling a lifelong ambition to publish a novel, Claire’s career in communication continues apace. One of Northern Ireland’s hardest-working writers is sure to surprise, inform and entertain for many years yet.✸

My research showed that most kids really don’t like things being dumbed down and even prefer to have big or unusual words in the text, so that they can look them up and learn

Magical Masquerade publishes in April and is available from Amazon and selected bookstores

Northern Woman 95

Health

Simple steps to surviving your monthly cycle Is it that time again? Not only can the menstrual rollercoaster give us cramps, but many women suffer mood swings, and it can even put a dampener on our night’s sleep. To help you get one up on Mother Nature, we have asked our experts for their top tips on how to power through your period 96 Northern Woman

Health 1. Curb the cravings Cravings can sometimes tie in with Mother Nature’s monthly delivery of a period.

A woman’s appetite usually increases, particularly during the second half of the menstrual cycle. Instead of reaching for all the chocolate bars in the house, try healthier carbs – your body will thank you for it!

“The most crucial dietary change you can make is to keep your blood sugar levels steady – the higher your sugar intake the more severe your symptoms are likely to be. And you will be caught in a vicious cycle in that the more your blood sugar fluctuates, the stronger the sugar/ food cravings you have and the more your blood sugar fluctuates,” explains Dr Marilyn Glenville, leading Nutritionist and author of Natural Alternatives to Sugar.

“My advice is to cut out sugar completely.

Don’t add it to drinks or cereal or anything else. Avoid sweet foods such as chocolate and refined foods such as white flour, and watch out for hidden sugars by reading labels.”

“To help beat cravings, try a snack including protein and complex carbohydrates. Try eating a boiled egg with some vegetable sticks, or some oat cakes with nut butters,” adds Shona Wilkinson, Nutritionist at SuperfoodUK.com While psychologist Corinne Sweet advises: “It is entirely possible to retrain yourself to break old, bad habits and adopt new, positive ones, to help you curb your food cravings. You need to identify your behaviours and make a decision to stop them. Then replace them with a positive strategy for curbing old habit patterns.

This may take effort and time, as we often hang on to what is familiar, but if you stick to it, you will soon be reaping the rewards for a little thoughtful decision-making, retraining and application of willpower.”

2. Don’t spend all day curled up You may feel like you want to spend the day tucked up under a duvet, but try not to be a couch potato. “Regular exercise is important as it lowers cortisol production, as long as it is not too intense. Exercise also increases the levels of those feel good brain chemicals called endorphins, which can improve your mood,” explains Shona.

3. Prevent feeling like the size of a house When surfing the crimson wave, you may feel more bloated than usual.

Marilyn advises: “Cut down on salt to reduce bloating and water retention. Don’t be tempted to limit your intake of fluids, which can actually increase bloating. Your body will think it needs to conserve water, which exacerbates the problem. Water is a natural diuretic and it should be drunk as frequently as possible, particularly when you are retaining water.”

4. Clear your diary for some ‘you time’ “Set aside regular time to do something

barrier, leaving the tryptophan behind.

“But, if a meal contains a starchy carbohydrate as well, the situation is very different.

Carbohydrates cause your body to release insulin and the insulin makes use of the other amino acids, leaving the tryptophan to dominate.

“It is interesting that when we are feeling depressed we tend to want to eat bread, cakes, sweets and sugary foods, all of which are starchy carbohydrates. However, what is important here is the type of carbohydrate. Healthy, whole carbohydrates provide a sustained release of energy, while refined foods cause a rise in insulin and blood sugar fluctuations.”

6. Go green

Whenever you feel low and need a lift, spend time with your family and friends to mellow down and feel instantly better that you love and that makes you feel good: reading a good book, watching your favourite television programme, going for a massage, or having a long bath. Doing things that we love naturally lowers our stress hormones,” says Shona.

5. Put away the tissues One minute you’re hysterically laughing, the next minute you’re hysterically crying. Ring any bells? Marilyn suggests the following combo to help prevent soaring mood swings: “Combine protein (vegetable or animal) with unrefined starchy carbohydrates. Tryptophan is an important amino acid for depression.

Your body makes serotonin (the ‘feel good’ brain chemical) from an amino acid called tryptophan. Tryptophan occurs naturally in foods such as dairy products, fish, bananas, dried dates, soya, almonds and peanuts.

“Protein is made up of long chains of amino acids. When you eat protein your body breaks it down into its different amino acids, which then travel into your bloodstream to reach your brain. You have a blood-brain barrier, which controls what gets into your brain, so a competition starts to take place. There are fewer tryptophan molecules than the other amino acids.

Therefore, other amino acids get across the

“Green tea is an excellent healthy mood booster. It contains some caffeine, which gives you a bit of a lift, but also contains the amino acid theanine. Theanine can have a relaxing effect and may help to relieve anxiety and mental stress, potentially by increasing your levels of serotonin, dopamine (responsible for reward and pleasure), and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA, which has a relaxant effect),” says Shona.

7. Catch up with a friend after work If you’re feeling down in the dumps, spend time with a loved one. “Oxytocin is another ‘feel good’ hormone, released when we bond socially and feel general trust, comfort and love. This hormone is just as powerful as serotonin. Whenever you feel low and need a lift, spend time with your family and friends to mellow down and feel instantly better,” says Shona.

8. Have an early night According to the National Sleep Foundation, some women are more likely to struggle to achieve some shut-eye at night during their period as the core temperature can rise by almost half a degree after ovulation, which can make you feel less sleepy.

Feeling irritable and tired is not a great start to a happier period, so put down that to-do list and get tucked up. To help you feel relaxed and ready for bed try to include plenty of magnesium-rich foods in your diet, such as pumpkin and sunflower seeds, fish and leafy green vegetables.

You could also take a supplement such as KalmAssure Magnesium Powder, by Natures Plus (£24.50, www.naturesplus. co.uk). This is a naturally chelated magnesium which is very easy to absorb and easily delivered to the body’s tissues.✸

Northern Woman 97

Last Thing Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

“I will never tire from the high that comes with a job well done”

A Day in the Life of

JoanneWalsh

Joanne Walsh (46) from Enniskillen is Business Development Manager with Lough Erne Resort.

Joanne is married to Seamus McGovern (59), an Estate Agent, and they have four children, Emma (25) who lives in New Zealand, Danny (24) who is in North Carolina, Hannah (20) who is at University in Manchester and Joseph (17) who is studying for his A levels.

Tell us about your job?

My job is to increase business in all aspects of the hotel. I am responsible for weddings, events, corporate golf events and corporate business which includes conferences, meetings and incentive business. I really enjoy selling the resort, and am very proud of what I have watched grow here – literally from the ground up! It’s like home to me and it’s fantastic to show off this stunning property. I love chasing new leads and impressing clients when they visit the resort and enjoy meeting the guests who stay with us and chatting to them while they are with us. We meet people from all over the world – many of them are return visitors.

How did you end up in this role?

It’s an exciting time to be working at Lough Erne Resort. I was originally involved in launching the resort 10 years ago and spent three years employed as Business Development Manager.

After seven years working in a similar role but different industry, opening orthodontic practices, I decided to return to the resort.

The new owners have a real passion for hospitality, and with their investment and exciting plans for the resort I could not miss the opportunity to go back when they approached me.

What’s your typical day?

I don’t really have a typical day. I do however have to be well organised as the role is so varied.

My time is divided between client meetings (conferences, weddings, etc) to office based work, such as drafting proposals, chasing business and coordinating the sales team who are both office based and on the road. Most days will involve strategy meetings and preparing reports and often I will attend trade shows and networking events within Ireland and the UK.

98 Northern Woman

Joanne Walsh and, below, with husband, Seamus McGovern, and Executive Head Chef, Noel McMeel The hospitality business can be seasonal, for example summer is incredibly busy at Lough Erne for weddings.

How do you attract guests on a year-round basis?

I work closely with our marketing department to create campaigns that drive demand in what would typically be quieter periods for the hospitality industry. We have a fantastic Thai Spa, championship golf course and luxurious accommodation, as well as award-winning food from Noel McMeel and his amazing team, so our guests know they are guaranteed five star luxury whatever they choose to do, at whatever time of the year.

What are your top tips for making the most of a luxury break?

Turn off your phones and gadgets as soon as you arrive and let the staff see to your every need!

How do you manage the work/life balance?

I really do make the most of my time off, spending precious time with my family, and I always remind myself that work will be there tomorrow!

I really enjoy selling the resort, and am very proud of what I have watched grow here What makes a really great day?

Winning a really great piece of business, like a large event, and then seeing it carried through by the operational staff at the resort to the highest level. It’s always incredibly satisfying when the client has a successful event, with high praise for our team. I will never tire of the high that comes from a job well done.

If you could have a different career what would it be?

I would love to work in the fashion industry in some way – maybe running my own chain of designer shops! ✸

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