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Issue. 8 - December 2017 www.twitter.com/@jacmedialtd
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No council tax for care leavers, says council Young people leaving care in Knowsley are to be given greater support into employment and exemption from council tax, as part of a package of additional support from the council. The move is designed to make the transition to adulthood and independent living easier for young people who have been in the care system. As well as making the young people exempt from council tax, the council plans to launch a new 12-month introduction to work placement for care leavers who are struggling to find a job. It would give them paid work experience in a role that interests them, working for the council. Cllr Joan Lilly, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “For any young person, growing up and learning to live independently is a daunting prospect, but in most cases they have help and support from parents and other family members. Some of our young people leaving care don’t have that support to count on, which is where we, as their corporate parents, have to step in. “Young people leaving care often
find themselves living independently much earlier than their peers, and on top of that, can find it more difficult to find a job because of the experiences they’ve had in childhood. Both of these things mean they are more likely to struggle financially. “By offering a bit of breathing space with the council tax exemption, and offering more support to get care leavers into work, we hope to make life a little easier for these young adults.” The council tax exemption scheme will apply to any young person currently aged between 18 and 21 years, who has left care in Knowsley, whether or not they live within the borough. The exemption will last until they are 25-years-old.
Meanwhile, the Introduction to Work scheme will see jobs created at the council for up to10 care leavers per year, in roles suited to their skills and interests. As well as giving them real, paid work experience, the young people will be supported throughout the 12-month placement with a package of support that will include a Knowsley Works mentor and a personal advisor. This programme will be initially targeted at care leavers aged 18 and 19, with plans to extend it to young people between 16-21 years old in the future. Cllr Gary See, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “It is right that we, as corporate parents, consider all
options to make life easier for young people who don’t have the support network that others might take for granted. “I’m delighted that we’re able to exempt care leavers from council tax charges – it means more money in their pockets every month and just provides one less financial worry at a time of great change for them.” And the decision is already being welcomed by young care leavers in Knowsley. At the Care Leavers’ Forum, when asked for a reaction, the feedback included: ““That will save me at least £20 a month.” “It took us a while to get what we wanted but we got it!” “We will have more money in our pockets and its one less thing to worry about.” The decision to go ahead with the council tax exemption and Introduction to Work scheme comes ahead of changes to the Children’s Social Work Act, which come into force next April, extending the responsibilities of local authorities to support care leavers from 21-years-old until the age of 25.
Thousands of presents donated in council’s Christmas gift appeal An annual Christmas gift appeal has proved successful after thousands of presents were collected for hundreds of disadvantaged children and young people across the borough. Organised by St Helens Council, the appeal saw thousands of gifts collected which will be shared between 400 children and young people in St Helens aged 0-18 years who may not otherwise receive presents this Christmas.
The appeal, which has been running for a number of years, received significant contributions from residents and council staff, as well as local businesses and organisations including Hattons Solicitors, RBS, FW Marsh Funerals, North Road’s The Function Room, St Mark’s Church, Haresfinch United Reformed Church, Rainford Parish Church, and KIND Children’s Charity, which prepared and donated festive food hampers
for disadvantaged families across the a bundle of gifts which will bring borough. St Helens Council’s Cabinet some much needed joy to so many.” Member for Children, Families, Young People and Education, Councillor Jeanette Banks said: “I’d like to thank those who have contributed and those who have helped to organise the appeal – their efforts will help to ensure that hundreds of disadvantaged children and young people will wake up on Christmas day to
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Chamber Hair and Beauty Academy
celebrates its 1st Birthday St Helens Chamber’s purposebuilt training salon, The Chamber Hair and Beauty Academy, is celebrating its first year of offering hair and beauty training courses to local people. Since it opened a year ago, over 80 students have accessed a range of free hairdressing and beauty courses through the new training facility, helping them to gain new skills, increase their confidence and move on in their careers. 10 of the Academy’s younger students have now gone on to secure Hairdressing Apprenticeships at local hair salons, whilst continuing to attend ‘Day Release’ at the Academy. Louise Kelly, an Apprentice at
Amie’s Hair and Beauty Lounge, said: “After seeing the training advertised on Facebook, I decided to enrol on the course. I liked the idea of doing an Apprenticeship as it’s more hands on and you get paid while training. “It’s much better to be in a salon working and being hands on than being cooped up in a classroom all day. “The Apprenticeship has improved my people skills and helped me to grow in confidence.” As well as offering Traineeships and Apprenticeship training, the Salon also delivers a variety of free short courses in Spray Tanning, Barbering and Gel Nails for people aged 19 and over. Tracy Considine, Training Team Leader at St Helens Chamber, said: “The Chamber Hair and Beauty Academy was set up to provide a
dedicated training facility for people looking to start careers in the hair and beauty industry. “To have helped so many people on their way to employment in our first year is a fantastic achievement. The Academy has produced some excellent Apprentices this past year who are now flourishing in the workplace. “We are excited to now be offering a Level 2 Diploma in Hairdressing aimed at those aged 19 and over looking to start a career in the hairdressing industry, which will be a great addition to our current range of courses.” For more information about The Chamber Hair and Beauty Academy contact Starting Point on 01744 698800, email info@thestartingpoint. org or visit our website at www. sthelenschamber.com/hairacademy.
The grave of war horse hero is awarded Grade II listed status The grave of Blackie the war horse in Halewood has been given Grade II listed monument status by Historic England. This is the first time a war horse grave has been awarded this heritage protection and recognises the contribution Blackie made as a horse in service with the British Army during the First World War. Buried at the RSPCA Liverpool Animal Centre, Higher Road, Halewood, Blackie served with the 275th Brigade Royal Field Artillery ‘A’ Battery – 55th West Lancashire Division in most of the major battles of the First World War, including Arras, the Somme Offensive and Ypres. Blackie – thought to have been born around 1905 – belonged to Lieutenant Leonard Comer Wall, a war poet from Kirby, who requested in his will that his faithful horse should be buried with his medals and decorations. Lieutenant Wall died at Ypres in 1917, aged 21, while riding Blackie, who received shrapnel injuries from the attack. Despite this Blackie remained in service on the Western front for the rest of the war and was one of the very few war horses who returned from the front. After returning to England, Blackie served at the Territorial Army riding school and led parades through the streets of Liverpool, before being retired to the horses’ rest home in Halewood, where he died aged 37 in 1942. Blackie’s grave is one of more than 1,000 historical sites given heritage protection by Heritage England as part of its First World War centenary listing project.
Don’t fall foul of dodgy dealers Warrington Borough Council is targeting scrap metal theft after receiving reports that unlicensed mobile collectors have been seen to be operating illegally in the borough. The council’s public protection team is now urging residents to be vigilant and contact them if they see any suspicious activity. The team particularly want to hear about activity involving flat back vehicles laden with scrap metal being driven around communities. The team have received reports of
illegal collectors using transit vans to collect metal and so would welcome any information relating to this as well. Legislation was introduced in October 2013 to ensure all mobile scrap metal collectors were licensed with the local authority in the area where they collected. Cllr Judith Guthrie, executive board member for public protection, said: “Using an unlicensed dealer may result in your scrap being tipped in a field or the side of a road. If the contents of a fly-tip are traced back
to you, you could be fined or taken to court. “Please make sure you only use an approved and licensed dealer.” Dave Watson, public protection unit manager at Warrington Borough Council, said: “We’ve carried out a number of joint operations with other partner agencies to combat this problem and these operations will continue. “They not only include patrolling and actively seeking out offenders, but we will work with other agencies to deal with offences such as construction
and use of vehicles, insurance and driving offences”. If you have something that needs removing, those collectors licensed by Warrington Borough Council will do it properly. They have been checked and approved by us and their vehicle will have a dealer’s licence plate displayed. The complete list of licensed scrap metal dealers can be found on the Warrington Borough Council website: https://www.warrington.gov.uk/downloads/file/14218/ list_of_scrap_metal_dealer_licenses To report any suspicious behaviour please call 442658. Residents are also reminded that Warrington Borough Council operates a free bulky household waste collection service for white goods. To arrange for items to be collected please call 443322.
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Dressage judge trots to success Mel is designing herself a great with personal coaching start up career at Spectrum Sign and Display Chamber Member Sandra Edwards has used her unique skill set to set up and run her own personal coaching service. A former NHS podiatrist and professional development expert, Sandra has also been involved in judging and coaching dressage riders. She said: “Sandra Edwards Consulting is a professional and personal development service. It’s about helping people to become successful in any aspect of their life. I deal with health and wellbeing issues like weight loss, limiting belief, phobias, lack of confidence and help people through Neurolinguistic programming (NLP) and hypnotherapy. “I work a lot with sports people to build confidence and use sports psychology methods. I’ve got a riding and dressage background and I’ve been able to incorporate that into the business.” Sandra had a long career in the NHS as a clinical podiatrist, before moving into professional and personal development in the same field. Her passion for this aspect of her role spurred her on to undertake and complete hypnosis and NLP qualifications and set up a business. At the time of starting the business, Sandra had recently been made redundant and was referred to St Helens Chamber through her local Job Centre Plus. Sandra said: “I went to the Job Centre, but it wasn’t what I was looking for. I didn’t want a job as such, but wanted to develop my business. “I was referred to St Helens Chamber on the New Enterprise Allowance
(NEA) and it was the best thing that ever happened to me. “After being referred, I landed at St Helens Chamber on a Monday morning and the next day my Business Coach, Steve Mather, signed me up for a start-up workshop. “I would recommend anyone that has missed out on the New Enterprise Allowance to get themselves on it, it has been really good.” The New Enterprise Allowance is a package of government support worth up to £2000 to unemployed people who want to start their own business. Sandra attended a four week ‘Understanding Enterprise’ at St Helens Chamber course where she learned the fundamental principles of running a business. She said: “We sat down to do the business plan and discussed how it was going to work. The course also gave me the tools I needed to look after the marketing and finance side of things. It really made it black and white helped me to focus on how to build my business up.” As well receiving support from St Helens Chamber’s Start Up service, Sandra has also been making use
of the benefits of her Chamber Membership. She said: “I did the Business Fair as a Start Up, which really helps you to focus and get your business out there. I have also been to some of the Business Breakfast networking events. Sandra Edwards Consulting is going from strength to strength and the next few months are filling up. Sandra said: “The next 6 months are looking busy. The rider confidence workshops that I deliver have been picked up by the national body and are running in Wales, the Isle of Man and around the North West. “On the back of this I have been able to develop the personal coaching side of the business. I love one to one coaching and to see people on their own personal journeys.” For more information about the support available from St Helens Chamber to start a business, call 0845 340 9980, email startup@ sthelenschamber.com, or visit http:// www.sthelenschamber.com/startup If you are unemployed and thinking of starting a business, speak to your JobCentre Plus adviser for more information about the New Enterprise Allowance Scheme.
THINK!
before you use your phone Drivers are being reminded of the dangers of using their mobile phones whilst behind the wheel. Even if you just glance at your phone for a moment you will miss important details about the road conditions, other traffic as well as vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. The risks are great. At only 30 mph a car will travel 100ft in just 2.3 seconds – the time it takes
to just take a glance at your mobile. A short film has been made to highlight the point. This new THINK! campaign particularly aims to target drivers under 35, as research shows this age group is less likely to consider mobile phone use to be dangerous. In addition to showing what you might miss if you do glance at your phone, the campaign also highlights
the potential impact your actions can have if a collision happens. Alongside the danger posed to yourself, passengers and other road users, those caught using a handheld mobile whilst behind the wheel also face a £200 fine and 6 penalty points. Anyone caught doing this twice can face a lengthy driving ban which could also lead to a £1,000 fine.
The message is simple – Put your phone away when driving.
The second group of local graduates from St Helens Chamber’s Graduate Hub have recently come to the end of their six month placements and are going on to secure exciting permanent positions. Mel Cox is one of four other Graduates from her group to be offered a permanent position following on from the initial six months. Despite graduating from Salford University with a First Class honors degree in Graphic Design, Mel struggled to find work so turned to the Chamber for support, joining the Graduate Hub in January. Mel commented: “I found the Graduate Hub really helpful. The interview techniques in particular were useful in terms of getting me prepared for the interview stage. “The Chamber contacted a lot of
employers that I wouldn’t have thought to approach myself whilst job searching. “I’d definitely recommend the programme as it helped me to get the job I wanted in the same subject I studied.” Following on from three weeks of full time training at St Helens Chamber, Mel was interviewed by Spectrum Sign and Display Ltd and offered a placement as a Graphic Designer. Julian Robinson, Director of Spectrum Sign and Display Ltd, said: "I was contacted by the Chamber who made me aware of the graduate scheme. Previous apprenticeship schemes provided by the chamber had proved successful, so the new scheme was certainly of interest.” “Having interviewed Mel, her design ability was evident and it seemed like she could fit well within our design
team.” “There are significant costs associated with recruitment, therefore the scheme appealed to us as it gave us the opportunity to develop and assess Mel's skill base over a six month period but without a costly introduction fee.” Following on from the initial six months, Mel was offered a permanent position at Spectrum, working as one of four Graphics Designers. The Chamber’s Graduate Hub allows businesses to take on graduates on a six month training placement to ensure a good fit before offering a permanent position. All graduates on the programme are paid at national minimum wage with half of the wage being met by the Chamber, thanks to funding from the European Social Fund. The Graduate Hub is part of the Access to Work programme, which is funded by the Youth Employment Initiative and the European Social Fund. It aims to help match local graduates looking for employment with local businesses, trying to fill skills gaps. The next programme will be starting on the 23rd October in Liverpool. For more information about the Graduate Hub contact Starting Point on 01744 698800, email info@ thestartingpoint.org or visit our website www.sthelenschamber.com/ startingpoint/services-for-youngpeople/the-graduate-hub.
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Pennant Park
Golf Course Surrounded by the stunning Pennant Park Golf Course, the Pennant Holiday Lodges will delight those looking to relax and enjoy some of North Wales’ picturesque countryside. The park boasts spellbinding views of the Dee Estuary, Hilbre and the Wirral. On a clear day you can see as far as Blackpool and the Cumbrian Hills. Pennant Park is perfectly situated between Conwy and Chester, making it the ideal location for exploring the North Wales coast and all the area has to offer. Within just a short walking distant you can enjoy nature trails, rambling, horse riding and fishing. If it’s something more adventurous you’re looking for then you won’t be disappointed. North Wales is fast becoming a Mecca for adventure sports. Of course, if you’re a keen golfer then this is the perfect place to own a holiday home. Set in 110 acres of stunning parkland Pennant Park boasts a superb 18 hole golf course with greens of the highest quality and truly breathtaking signature holes. The course also has a practice putting green and a six bay driving range. You’re guaranteed a warm welcome at the clubhouse with its friendly atmosphere and fully licensed
bar and restaurant serving food daily. The luxury holiday homes are finished to the highest of standards and complete with interiors that are unique, elegant and fully customisable, so you’re sure to find one that you’ll love. Each lodge comes with a large decked veranda and parking for two cars. The small, exclusive development of 15 holiday lodges are sold with an amazing 75 year agreement and a full 12 month holiday licence, meaning they can be used all year round, as often as you like. This quiet retreat is filling up fast, with the park currently having one brand new lodge for sale and only one empty base left. However, work had now commenced on a second holiday park. This will be home to a further 18 lodges with all the amenities of our first park plus the benefit of being able to sub-let. To truly appreciate the beauty of this park seeing really is believing! Spend a day at Pennant Park, viewing the lodges, have a bite to eat and maybe a round of golf, you won’t be disappointed! Pennant Park Golf Club & Holiday Lodges. a: Whitford, Holywell, Flintshire CH8 9ER Junction 32 off the A55 t: 01745 563000 e: info@pennant-park.co.uk w: www.pennant-park.co.uk
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Share the magic of Christmas with Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa A festive hideaway Get wrapped up in the true magic of Christmas this season in our festive hideaway, where you will be welcomed by blazing log fires and tantalising decorations, oozing with an unmistakeable traditional charm. Our enchanting location offers idyllic country walks and is the perfect place to indulge on gourmet food, seasonal beverages and spellbinding entertainment, whether you are looking for a romantic getaway
Ja Windermere German
Christmas Market Windermere is hosting a brand new German Christmas Market on the 10th & 11th December and we're proud to be a major sponsor. Come along to the Victoria Street area of the village and get into the festive spirit with a whole day of activities that the whole family can enjoy. • A wide range of festive stalls selling fantastic seasonal gifts from knitwear to soaps. • Delicious German food & drinks offerings available all day
• Live music & on street entertainment. • Santas Grotto and reindeer! • The festivities will continue into the evening in the bars & pubs in the area. Sail and ride to the German Market Get to the market easily from Ambleside, Bowness or Lakeside or combine a scenic cruise with your day out. A special sail and ride service will run the entire weekend and will be provided by Mountain Goat Tours. This special shuttle bus service will
run throughout the day and connect Bowness Pier to the German market in Windermere village. • Cost: Adults £2, Children £1 (one-way) • The first departure from Bowness will be 10:30am and the last departure from the German market will be 3:15pm. Get your free Local Resident Discount card from our stand Windermere Lake Cruises & Lakeland Motor Museum will have a stand at the market. If you're a 'local' (living in the LA or CA postcode areas), bring along a recent bill and we'll give you a FREE resident discount card.
or a festive family gathering this Christmas. If you’d prefer to enjoy the Christmas period at home, why not join us as we welcome in the New Year? Or, simply immerse yourself in luxury between the two dates with a mid-festivity break. Each of our carefully tailored packages boast an unforgettable programme of activities including clay pigeon shooting, black tie dinners, ‘meet the hawk’ sessions and much more! For more information on our festive breaks, contact Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa via the details below: Hotel Telephone: 017687 76551 The Spa Telephone: 017687 88900
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How to pick the best bottle
of bubbly for Christmas
Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without bubbles. But with 10 zillion options vying for a place in your festive fridge, which bottle should you take home? 2015 was the year that our collective zeal for Italian prosecco reached its zenith (Brits spent £41m on own-brand versions of the stuff last year). But it was also when bright, fresh English wine started to be taken seriously (HMRC has seen a 41% increase in applications to produce English sparkling wine this year). And let's not forget the original. The fanciest. Bonedry, golden-toned champagne. First up, let's talk basics. Prosecco – This is a lovely lighter style of fizz. It's fresher and fruitier than champagne and cava, which makes it easier to drink and therefore great for parties. It's also the fizz of the moment, very trendy and obviously a cheaper alternative to champers. Cava – From Spain, cava is a great all-rounder. It’s much cheaper than champagne (about £6 a bottle) but made in exactly the same way, so the flavour profile is similar with those yeasty notes that come from the second fermentation in the bottle. Champagne – Naturally, the king of fizz, and the price reflects that. It can only be made in the Champagne region of France, and only from certain grape varieties. It has delicious brioche notes from its extended time ageing in bottle. English Sparkling – The home-grown stuff is having a great time at the moment as consumers are coming to realise its excellent quality. It tends to have similar traits to champagne as the climate of southern England, where most of the vineyards are, is very similar to that of the Champagne region in France – although the notes are more appley rather than lemony. And buying it helps the English wine industry, which is a good thing. And which fizz is best for which occasion? For Christmas nibbles and antipasti platters: prosecco wins Shellfish starter or any fried fish: try cava – the acidity cuts through the oiliness. Smoked salmon: perfect with blanc de blancs champagne. The citrus notes work beautifully with the strong flavour. For pudding: try asti, the sweet sparkling white Italian wine.
Merry Christmas with
Hutschenreuther Gift collection „Merry Christmas“ by Hutschenreuther Merry Christmas! That is also the name of the new Christmas collection from Hutschenreuther, with finely detailed decorations, eye-catching greetings and three exquisite and traditional colour schemes. Nordic Red, for example, features accented lettering, stars, sledges and reindeer, beautifully positioned on the cream-coloured material of
the collection. For a more refined look, the Shiny Gold colour scheme presents angelic figures and a black band around the circumference, with gold stars and lettering. Charming Grey joins the new Christmas collection with typical Scandinavian reserve. In soft greige (a mixture of grey and beige) snowflakes and crystals float over cups, plates, bowls and Advent candlesticks. A stylised stag and branches are also
present, along with striking lettering. All three colour schemes can be combined in any way you like, and you can complete the collections with the appropriate napkins, candelabra and baubles. A selected range of undecorated, cream-coloured pieces such as animal figurines, two new house façades with tealight inserts and various tree ornaments offer more ideas for decorations.
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Whatsapp warning from Halton Council trading standards officers after voucher scam A Runcorn woman has received two scam WhatsApp messages from two different friends who were convinced they were genuine. Both messages say that a big name supermarket is giving away a £250 voucher and contain the web link to enter the prize draw. In both cases a real friend has forwarded the message to the 48-year-old. The web link looks genuine but careful readers will notice that there’s a very subtle difference – one letter has been replaced by a symbol. In the example below the ‘d’ in Asda has been replaced with this symbol ‘đ’. The other message was identical apart from the name of the supermarket that was supposedly running the draw. The scammer had replaced the letter ‘o’ in Tesco with this symbol Ó. By substituting one letter with a symbol, the scammer is able to make the web address appear genuine. Clicking on the link will take you to the scammer’s website Halton Borogh Counci’s Executive Board Member for Trading Standards, Cllr Dave Cargill, said: “These texts are scams. If you receive one of these messages, or anything similar, delete it without clicking on any links. “If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams. ” If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.
Volair gift card – the perfect gift
Are you looking for inspiration for a birthday or Christmas gift? We can help! A range of Volair gift cards are available to suit everyone’s interests and budgets, starting at just £35 for a three month Volair swim or junior membership. If it’s just swimming that interests you, we have a gift card for that, or if it’s full access to one of the five gyms across the borough, we can help with that too! You can purchase a Gold 3 month membership (unlimited access) for just £75 and silver (offpeak) for just £65. Keep a look-out for special Christmas membership deals too on Volair’s website which will offer a month’s membership at great value for money prices. With more investment in leisure facilities in Knowsley, including the recently refurbished gym and opening of the new 3G football pitch at Kirkby Leisure Centre, along with a vast array of fitness classes to choose (free for Gold and Silver members) from including Mossa Group Fight, spinning, aqua aerobics and circuits, there’s never been a better time to visit a Volair centre. For the full range of gift cards on offer, visit Volair’s website or call Volair on 0151 443 2200.
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your 8 page christmas pull out inside
From golf resorts to hidden gems, enjoy Northern Ireland’s park life Northern Ireland may be famed for its championship links golf but it also possesses glorious parkland courses. Beyond capital Belfast’s five parkland beauties there’s a wealth of inland courses for golfers to play throughout the region. Some of them are at golf resorts where the fairways are just steps away from your room, while others are unsung jewels just waiting to be discovered by visitors. There are three golf resorts in Northern Ireland, all of them offering extensive golf facilities as well as accommodation, bars, restaurants, recreational activities – and fullservice spas with massage treatments, to help ease those aching muscles after a round or prepare the body for the next golfing foray. Just 20 minutes from Belfast, and only 10 minutes from Belfast International Airport, the Hilton Belfast Templepatrick Golf & Country Club incorporates a 129room four-star hotel and a par-72 golf course that stretches to over 7,000 yards. Designed by former European Tour pros David Jones and David Feherty, it opened in 1999 and challenges golfers with a mix of lakes and mature trees. Other golf facilities include a floodlit driving range, short game practice area and two practice putting greens. The resort also has a spa and health club, both of which were refurbished in 2014. Located on a 600-acre peninsula between Lower Lough Erne and
Castle Hume Lough in the Fermanagh Lakelands, Lough Erne Resort comprises a five-star hotel and the Faldo Championship Course – sixtime Major winner Sir Nick Faldo’s first design in Ireland – that opened in 2009, as well as a second 18-hole course, the Castle Hume. The resort also has a golf academy featuring a private golf studio equipped with video and ball-tracking analysis. Lough Erne Resort opened in 2010 and has 120 rooms, suites and loughside lodges. Its Thai Spa offers a dual treatment room ideal for couples, with treatments including a two-hour Golfers Tonic massage. The resort’s Catalina Restaurant is named after the World War II flying boats that were based on Lough Erne. Lough Erne Resort welcomed world leaders including Barack Obama, Vladimir Putin, Angela Merkel and David Cameron when it hosted the G8 summit in 2013. Roe Park Resort lies in the beautiful surroundings of the Roe Valley Country Park. It is just a short drive from 2019 Open Championship venue Royal Portrush and other top links layouts as well as the Causeway Coast’s world-class visitor attractions, among them the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 18-hole parkland course gives golfers views of the Sperrin Mountains and Lough Foyle from elevated holes. Its par-3 6th hole recently underwent extensive work including a new
two-tier green as part of £1 million renovations to the course. Facilities also include an academy and hightech indoor teaching studio. Formerly a stately country house dating to 1729, Roe Park Resort’s four-star hotel opened in 1995 and offers 118 rooms and suites, two restaurants, including its restored 18th century Coach House, and a spa that is a teaching academy for Elemis. The resort offers a Couples Escape package that includes dinner, bed and breakfast plus a mud skin treatment for two followed by a couples massage. Although not connected, Galgorm Resort & Spa is close by for those playing golf at Galgorm Castle Golf Club and it features a new riverside Thermal Village. A couples package includes bubbly and truffles on arrival, use of the Thermal Village and a Deluxe Duo treatment, with optional four-course meal and a cocktail or glass of wine. The resort was the host hotel for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in 2017, played at Portstewart Golf Club. Galgorm Castle Golf Club is laid out through mature wooded grounds in the heart of the 220-acre Galgorm Castle Estate, alongside its 17th century castle. It stages the annual Northern Ireland Open, part of the European Tour’s Challenge Tour. More than 40,000 people watched the free-to-enter tournament in 2017, a record for the tour. A new Fun Golf
Area at Galgorm is aimed at families and features a six-hole pitch and putt course and the Himalayas putting green, a scaled replica of the famous St Andrews attraction. Among Northern Ireland’s best-kept golfing secrets, Kilkeel Golf Club is a picturesque parkland layout at the foot of the Mourne Mountains in the far south-west that has played host to qualifiers for the British Amateur and Senior British Open events. The region boasts several centenarians outside of Belfast. They include: Massereene Golf Club, established in 1895 and offering a challenging course on the shore of Lough Neagh; Newtownstewart Golf Club, founded in 1914 and laid out through venerable oaks and beech trees in the Baronscourt Estate, home of the Duke of Abercorn; Tandragee Golf Club, dating back to 1911 on the Duke of Manchester’s Estate with bunkers including some resembling America’s Great Lakes that were designed by the Cincinnati-born Duchess of Manchester; and Omagh Golf Club, which was extended from a nine-hole course built in 1910 to 18 holes in 1983. Other gems include County Down golf clubs Rockmount, St Patrick’s, Warrenpoint, Edenmore and 36hole Clandeboye, County Antrim’s Lisburn Golf Club and Country Tyrone’s Dungannon Golf Club. Several excellent seaside courses lie in the shadows of renowned venues.
Just around the coast from the celebrated Royal County Down, the short but spectacular Ardglass Golf Club links hugs the rocky shore and cliffs, with several holes offering views across the bay to Coney Island. Golfers can enjoy the craic after their round in the bar of the oldest clubhouse in the world, originally built as a castle over 600 years ago and with cannons pointing out over the fairways just in front. Kirkistown Castle Golf Club, on the Ards Peninsula, is the closest links course to Belfast and was designed by legendary architect James Braid, while Ballycastle Golf Club, a mix of parkland and links, lies opposite Rathlin Island on the Causeway Coast alongside the ruins of 500-year-old Bonamargy Friary. Cairndhu Golf
Club is a parkland course with several holes right by the sea, its signature, par-3 2nd hole ending in a green perched on a rocky headland. However, few courses can match the historic connection enjoyed by Foyle Golf Centre, on the outskirts of Derry below the Donegal Hills. Its championship parkland course is named after aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. She made an emergency landing at the end of her historic flight in 1932 on what is now the 6th green of the Earhart Course. Whatever your preference, Northern Ireland’s park life golf is a hit. For more information on Northern Ireland and its golf, visit: www. discovernorthernireland.com
Barba Ready For Tough Pre-Season Ben Barba knows how important pre-season is for him to hit the ground running in 2018. The star fullback showed glimpses of what he is about at the back end of Saints’ campaign – and now is ready to kick on for more. “It’s all about getting in condition to be right to play,” he said. “I have done a few pre-seasons now and know what it takes. I’ve done all mine in 30 degree weather in Australia though so I don’t know what to expect with this one! “It will be strange as there are 11 guys that won’t be here because they are at the World Cup. But I
know it will be tough. There are times during those training sessions when you question why you put yourself through it but it is worth it at the end of the day. “If you put the work in early in the off-season then it isn’t as difficult. If you let yourself go a little in the break then you will fall behind some of the other guys. I’m looking forward to it. I’m pleased I’m getting a pre-season in St Helens colours and glad the season starts in February. “Pre-season is important for me. I have always played by best rugby when I’ve had a good pre-season and focused hard on training. I have
worked out what I need to do to get into peak fitness. I want to do it and when February comes I can’t wait to show the St Helens fans what I can really do.” Barba was a much heralded signing when he joined the club in 2017 but fans had to wait until the end of the year to see him in action. He admits he felt pressure early on but now is fully part of Justin Holbrook’s squad. He continues: “There was a bit of pressure being a ‘marquee’ player when I first joined the club but now I don’t feel any more important than any of the other guys in the side. “Alex Walmsley, James Roby, Jonny
Lomax, Mark Percival and all the young guys coming through; you don’t win comps with just one player. “It doesn’t matter how good you are, you need a good 16 other guys around you to take to the field each week. I don’t feel any sort of pressure being the ‘marquee’ player. With so many great players in the side, it’s easy.” Ben is signed up for 2018… are you? Memberships for 2018 are now on sale and are the best way of watching your Saints next season. Not only do they offer savings on matchday prices but they come with a whole host of other benefits, offers and discounts too.
Each Edition of the St Helens Local has a print run of 2,025 copies. Published by JAC Media Ltd, Foxhall Lodge, Foxhall Road, Nottingham, NG7 6LH.