Local Women Mid-Ulster & North Coast Edition September 2020

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INTRODUCING THE DIRECTORY Have you ever struggled with sleepless nights because your baby won’t sleep?

Are you stuck for ideas for a special party?

Do you need a thoughtful gift for a loved one that shows them you really care?

I never thought I would be so glad to be back into a routine. Thanks goodness school is back!

I remember last year moaning about having to do the school run and always running late. This year I’m up early and just can’t wait to get my little darling off to school. It’s so great to see him walking into school knowing that I don’t have to entertain him 24 hours a day.

Obviously, I love my child, that goes without saying, but lockdown is an experience that I don’t want to repeat. I don’t want to be locked up with my 12 year old son ever again!

Let’s hope the new term goes smoothly and we never have to hear the words home schooling again.

How have you been getting on with all the ‘new normal’ rules? I’ve enjoyed a few nights out recently in restaurants and it’s good to see everyone adhering to the new rules. I’m quite used to wearing a mask and using hand sanitizer now. It seems quite normal.

Hopefully, things will be back to normal completely soon, particularly regarding weddings. It’s such a difficult time for brides right now with so much still up in the air. I’m delighted to see many of your weddings going ahead albeit in a scaled down version. Don’t forget we are still printing your wedding pictures, so keep sending them in so we can share your big day with our readers.

Until next month,

Cover Girls MODELS: Joanne Cathers from Mountain Salts and Jo & Co, Linen Green, Moygashel PHOTOGRAPHER: Alexandra Barfoot

SALES

Managing Editor: Kim Kelly, editor@localwomensnews.com Business Editor: Gillian Anderson,

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There are a host of talented specialists who are offering services that we felt needed a wider audience.

In The Directory, you will see some exciting new businesses that we have discovered from across Northern Ireland.

Check it out - and if you are a small business owner who wants to be showcased in The Directory, email Cara on advertising@localwomensnews.com.

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“I want my blog to help other people”

With his cheeky smile, it’s easy to see why six-month-old Tom McNeill is winning hearts. His mum Sara, from Ahoghill, is sharing the highs and lows that come when your baby has Down’s syndrome in a blog called Twenty One Tom.

A

By Lisa Smyth

s she held her baby in her arms for the first time, everything was right in the world for Sara McNeill.

After a few minor bumps during her pregnancy, culminating in the surprise early arrival of her precious baby son, Sara was excited to settle into a blissful newborn bubble.

“I didn’t want people to feel sorry for us because we don’t feel sorry for ourselves - and that’s why I started the blog.”

However, less than an hour after welcoming little Tom McNeill into the world, all her plans for her family were rocked when her doctor told her he may have Down’s syndrome.

It came as a shock – there had been no suggestion of any concerns about Tom while she was pregnant.

Looking back now, this is something 28-year-old Sara, a dentist from Ahoghill who is married to her childhood sweetheart, Peter, also 28, is grateful for now.

“It means that I was able to enjoy all of my pregnancy,” she explained.

“Everything was fairly straightforward, there were just a few wee issues, but nothing overly concerning.

“It was at about 28-weeks when they thought there could be an issue with flow through the cord, so I just wanted to see the same consultant every time for reassurance and we decided to go private and I went with Frances Stewart.

“Everything stabilised again until the very end, I went for a scan on the Tuesday and she asked me to come back in on the Thursday.

“When I went back, she told me there wasn’t much fluid around him anymore, so she decided it was the safest option 8 | Local Women Magazine

ƒ Sara, Peter and Tom at a newborn shoot

for him to be delivered.”

Sara was admitted to Antrim Area Hospital that day and Tom was born - on February 7 - almost three weeks early by caesarean section the following morning.

ƒ Tom and Sara

“I had been planning to work right up to the end and I actually missed my last day of work and literally had to jam pack everything in to tie up all the loose ends, I even missed my baby shower,” she continued.

“There was no panic though, I found the section very relaxing, I was chatting away and Dr Stewart even asked me if I wanted to see the baby being born and she pulled the screen down and I saw him coming out.

“But then I bumped into an old family friend and they looked like they were sorry for me when they saw Tom. “I didn’t want people to feel sorry for us because we don’t feel sorry for ourselves -and that’s why I started the blog.

“I just want Tom to be able to do everything that everyone else can do and not be met with barriers at every step.

“Dr Google is such a scary place, it tells you the worst-case scenario, I read about all the medical complications and words like ‘reduced life expectancy’ are really terrifying.

“But I was the internet and I came across a beautiful young mum and her adorable baby son “He was crying before his feet even came out and hour and the importance of skin to skin in the first who has Down’s syndrome. hour, so it was hard that he wasn’t there.” he had this good head of hair.

“She looked so happy and he was so lovely, it It took five days for the test results to come back really helped me, and I want my blog to help other “Everything seemed fine, he was a typical wee newborn baby, his wee face was all smushed up so and confirm that Tom had Down’s syndrome. people too.

I didn’t suspect anything.”

By this stage, Sara and Peter had come to terms “I didn’t know if it was the right thing to do and I Sara, Peter and Tom were taken to the recovery with the diagnosis. was so nervous before I put up the first post and I room and were enjoying cuddles when Dr Stewart In fact, they were more concerned about the even asked my mum what she thought. came in and told them of her suspicion. possibility that he may have health conditions “The blog is my creative outlet and I think it’s “She asked if we had any concerns about the baby linked to Down’s syndrome. important to be as honest as possible. and said that she did,” continued Sara.

Around half of babies with Down’s syndrome “I talk about the hard days because then I think are born with a heart defect and, having done people know that it’s real.

“I was actually holding Tom at the time and I remember looking down at him and then looking research on the internet, Sara was acutely “So much in the world is polished and filtered aware of the possibility this may be a reality for at Dr Stewart. to perfection, so it’s important to be honest about her precious baby.

“I was most shocked because I always thought the hard times so people know I’m telling the truth Her worst fears were confirmed when she took when I talk about how amazing Tom really is.” the chances of having a baby with Down’s syndrome were greater when you are older, I Tom to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children To follow Sara and Tom’s journey, never really thought it would happen as I was 27 for a review appointment. follow the Twenty One Tom Facebook or when I had Tom. “By this stage, all we were worried about was him Instagram page. having a heart defect,” she said.

“I didn’t know anything about Down’s syndrome, I think that’s what was the scary thing about it, I “Then they said he had a moderate to large hole had no experience with Down’s syndrome. in his heart and we were just worried that he would “I didn’t know what to say, I didn’t know what it need surgery.” would mean for Tom, I didn’t know what it would To date, doctors are pleased with Tom’s progress. mean for us.

The hole is beginning to close by itself and “Dr Stewart really put us on the right path from Sara and Peter are hopeful that he won’t need an the start, she was so keen to hold him and when operation. she did, she told me how beautiful he was and that So, while Sara’s concerns about Tom’s health are made me think it too. beginning to ease, she has turned her attention to “Then they whisked Tom away for tests and that tackling the stigma attached to Down’s syndrome. was strange.

She explained: “All our family, when they looked “I went to Jess Higgins’ Daisy Foundation active at Tom, all they saw was a wee baby and they loved birth classes and we always spoke about the golden him so much.

ƒ Six-month-old Tom is winning a legion of fans

Local Women Magazine | 9

Armoy Women’s Institute Garden Party

After a long break, Armoy WI ladies recently met for a socially distanced garden party (hats optional) at the home of President, Mrs Ruth Ramsay. Everyone brought their own cup and spaced out around the garden and adjoining garages to enjoy a chat and a cuppa. Although having all kept in touch during lockdown via WhatsApp, the ladies say it was good to meet in person for the first time since March.

‘Hats yer lot. Members wave farewell to host Ruth Ramsay.

Committee members Elaine Wilson, Lorna McClure, President Ruth Ramsay, Barbara Kirkpatrick and Secretary Ailaine Campbell .

Lorna McClure and Barbara Kirkpatrick.

Inez Richmond and Mae Crawford.

Barbara Kirkpatrick.

10 | Local Women Magazine

Armoy WI President Ruth Ramsay and Treasurer Elaine Wilson get ready to welcome members.

Isabel Barkley and Mary Thompson.

Local Women Magazine | 11

NEW COLUMN

WE’RE LENDING!

Even in these uncertain times, Cookstown Credit Union is helping its members with loans at competitive rates.

Hi everyone, I hope you are all well and getting through these challenging times.

application (if it is not a first-time loan), provided all information is brought with you. We have approved 98.6% of loan applications this year. We offer loans to existing members, members we may not have seen for a while or who’s membership might have lapsed, and of course those in our local community who have yet to become members and may be new to the idea of the credit union. For those of you who are a member of Cookstown Credit Union and those who are not, for the month of September we are running a refer a friend competition. For a chance of winning either £100 or £50, check out how you can get entered over on our social media channels Facebook (@cookstowncu) and Instagram (@ cookstown.cu).

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Credit Unions were on hand to support members in what was a very challenging and uncertain time.

Credit Unions have shown huge innovation and flexibility to continue to deliver their services. As restrictions are lifted and people plan for the future, it’s now more important than ever to let people know that we are here to support our members and the economy and that Cookstown Credit Union is lending.

No matter the loan, be it for home improvements, a car, back to school or student loan, our doors here at Cookstown Credit Union are open.

We cater for loans of all sizes and are here to support and here to lend. We continually tailor our services and products to the needs of our members and encourage anyone who is planning to take out a loan to talk to us first at Cookstown Credit Union. We offer fair and affordable loans to our members and are always happy to work with each member individually to structure loan repayments in a way that works best for their individual needs and their financial circumstances.

So, call in or contact us today and enquire because we’re lending! For further information, please contact Cookstown Credit Union on 028 8676 2840 or info@cookstowncu.com.

You can also check out or website www. cookstowncu.com * For a £3,000, 2-year variable interest rate loan with 24 monthly repayments of £141, an interest rate of 12%, a representative APR of 12.68%, the total amount payable by the member is £3,389. Information correct as at 18/08/2020.

We offer loans to suit our member’s needs.

We offer a very affordable 12.68% APR here at the Credit Union*. The majority of our loans are approved within the same day of your

Cookstown Credit Union is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Reg No. FRN574326 30D-30E Fairhill Road | Cookstown | BT80 8AG | Tel: 028 8676 2840 | E-mail: info@cookstowncu.com

www.cookstowncu.com 12 | Local Women Magazine

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Local Women Magazine | 13

THE

FEELGOOD FACTOR AFTER BEATING A NASTY BOUT OF PNEUMONIA IN HER 20S, JOANNE CATHERS WAS INSPIRED TO SET UP A BUSINESS TO PROMOTE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. HER BUSINESSES MOUNTAIN SALTS AND JO & CO HAVE BEEN RUNAWAY SUCCESSES - AND MUM-OF-THREE JOANNE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT SPREADING THE FEEL-GOOD FACTOR.

By Kim Kelly | Pictures by Alexandra Barfoot “If you’re passionate about what you do, you’ll never feel like you’re working,” says business owner Joanne Cathers, who is a shining example of someone who simply loves her job.

As owner of the award-winning Mountains Salts and newly launched Jo & Co, as well as working part time for her husband’s business and being mum to three children, Joanne from Omagh doesn’t get much time for herself.

But she doesn’t mind because she is pursuing her passion and has created two very unique businesses which encompass her love for all things healing and holistic.

Mountain Salts is a holistic boutique stocking the most incredible range of salt lamps, diffusers, and crystals while Jo & Co focuses on workshops teaching mindfulness, sustainability, and 14 | Local Women Magazine

self-care.

Joanne explains: “Creating these two businesses is my passion.Yes, I am very busy, but it never feels like working. It’s wonderful being able to do what I do, and I enjoy every minute of it.”

Joanne’s first business Mountain Salts was established in 2015 due to her belief in the healing power of Himalayan salt.

In her 20s Joanne suffered from a nasty bout of pneumonia and she believes that Himalayan salt promotes well-being.

Joanne’s husband Adrian runs an agricultural supply business and imported Himalayan salt to Northern Ireland to be used for cattle, so they were familiar with the suppliers of the product.

The idea came together, and Joanne sourced a range of Himalayan salt lamps and candles that she began to sell at Agricultural Shows, Holistic Events

and Festivals. Due in large to her passion for her products, her small business took off and soon she was sourcing more products to sell to her ever-growing customer base.

As the busines grew she was offered a stand at Castle Court Shopping Centre in Belfast where she traded for two years, winning awards for her enterprising efforts, while all the time growing her client base and product range.

Eventually the time came to take on permanent premises. On the way home from Belfast one day, Joanne took a wrong turn and ended up in Moygashel where she saw units to rent.

She thought the facilities and location were perfect and so she set up business in Linen Green, Northern Ireland’s leading shopping village.

Since Mountain Salts opened it has gone from strength to strength. Customers flock for the extensive and unique range of products they stock, from salt lamps (the biggest range in Ireland) to crystals and alternative treatments.

Mountain Salts has tapped into the desire for people to look after themselves and enjoy a little self-care.

“These days it is more important than ever to take care of yourself. We live in a busy world and now with the Covid-19 crisis, people are more aware than ever about wellbeing,” explains Joanne.

“Our customers love the products we stock. Products like salt lamps are so popular and there are many people, like me, who fully believe in their powers. Others just like the aesthetics and that is fine too.

“The secret of Mountain Salts is giving customers somewhere they can come and

spend time, browsing product they love.

I believe in the personal touch and our customers enjoy connecting with the staff.

We know exactly what our customers like. When I see a new product, I know immediately who will love it. I really love working with our customers, they are so appreciative.

“Mountain Salts is also perfect for gifts that are a little more thoughtful. We have such a great range of products and the emphasis is always on well-being. What could be nicer than receiving a lovely present that is actually good for you?”

The success of Mountain Salts led to Joanne setting up her new venture Jo & Co. Again, the emphasis is on well-being but here there are workshops and training opportunities

for those interested in learning about mindfulness,Yoga and sustainability.

Jo & Co brings together like minded people to work together in groups – however with lockdown, many plans were shelved.

But now, with the relaxing of restrictions, Jo & Co will be restarting many of its activities again soon.

Meanwhile in a post lockdown world, Mountain Salts in busier than ever.

Joanne says: “We have had so many customers coming into us saying this is the first shop they visited after lockdown.

Wellbeing is so important right now and we must do whatever we can do to make ourselves feel better and take a little time for ourselves.”

NOW O P E N AT THE LINEN GREEN

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Local Women Magazine | 15

GREAT NEWS @ KRD SAYS CLAIRE DOHERTY GM

JOIN NOW ONLINE Become a member now at KRD Credit Union using our brand new on line membership via our website

www.krdcreditunion.com Hello to all the local women readers who have I would like to share with you some lending scenarios of recently picked up this month’s September Issue.

I like to communicate to this readership what approved loans, all of which the Credit Union can offer them as though you helped to make lives that little bit easier and financially have never heard of our great service before. stress-free: DID YOU KNOW • we have provided financial • If you join KRD Credit Union Ltd you become support to parents who have an owner of a wonderful organisation and just found it a little stretched in the can get all the benefits on offer to help you budget to get those final back to school make good borrowing decisions items. This brings us great joy as we value • We do not charge you to arrange your all things educational from those pair of loans or charge you if you make a late little P1 shoes, to the university student who payment; something other lenders may do. needs a laptop to help with studies ASAP. •

That if you live or work in any of the areas • we cover, Kilrea, Ballymoney, Rasharkin, Dunloy, Cloughmills, Aghadowey or Garvagh, or their surrounding areas then we want to hear from you.

we have been part of many joyous occasions where we have provided substantial loans to help couples madly in love and planning for their dream wedding and honeymoon.

•

At its core, the Credit Union believes in • lending money at fair and reasonable rates; this is at the heart of everything we do.

•

we have approved a loan top up for a new car for the family of 5 who suddenly became a family of 6!

I am honoured that through this means of communication I get a chance to let you all know what KRD Credit Union Ltd can do to help those of us who at times need that little extra financial support to get by with the little items.

And also, what we can do to help those who • want the perhaps more luxury treats that you of course so well deserve.

11 Main Street, Ballymoney, BT53 6AN

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch via our various means of contact so that our very experienced staff can get the opportunity to speak to you and help you with your financial plans. KRD Credit Union want to hear from you.

Until next month, keep safe and stay well!

we have approved a loan for a now mature adult who had overspent on a high interest credit card who thankfully after talking to us, realised that they could pay this money back much quicker when they transferred that loan to KRD Credit Union Ltd. we were delighted to lend money for helping to buy that much longed for first home.

25/27 Church Street, Kilrea, BT51 5QU

18 Main Street, Dunloy, BT44 9AA

www.krdcreditunion.com | P: 028 2954 1007 | E: info@krdcreditunion.com Find us on Facebook and Instagram KRD Credit Union Ltd is Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. KRD Credit Union Ltd is covered by the UK Government’s Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) and the Financial Ombudsman Service.

PRA Reg. No. NI 574095: Companies Registration No. CU76 Northern Ireland

16 | Local Women Magazine

S

www.mccloyskilrea.com

eptember is finally here and here at McCloys we’re well on our way for our Christmas preparations, yes, I know…we’re talking about the festive season already! We have some extremely exciting news to tell you all, starting with the fact that at the end of August, we launched our brand new website www.mccloyskilrea.com after three months of behind-the-scenes work at a computer screen!

com we are offering 10% discount off your first sale with the coupon code MCCLOYS10!

We can also offer personalised gift hampers, made up especially just for you!

These gifts can be made up with any items, for any occasion, at any price, beautifully presented in a With 2020 proving to be a year that’s presentation box and finished off certainly out of the ordinary, we feel that with cellophane and a bow. To place an now is the perfect time to launch our order for these, please contact us through online website. Our website will allow you our WhatsApp on 075 5492 7370. From this, to browse our fantastic selection of gifts, we will be able to discuss the intricacies of select them for click and collect and have your gift, and to minimise the time spent in them gift wrapped for collection with our store, we can even take over-the-phone complimentary gift-wrapping service. payments!

This way, we hope our website will allow Additionally, we have a set-away club everyone to plan ahead for a stress-free that runs the whole year through. It’s super Christmas shopping experience. Our easy to join, simply pop in store to select website is updated daily with the latest your items, pay a small deposit and then products, some of which include the new these can be paid off at your leisure.

Voduz Spectrum 4 in 1 Curling Tong and This October, we’re doing things Alive, the latest ladies’ fragrance by Hugo differently. Many of you will be wellBoss as well as the hottest cosmetics on acquainted with our annual Christmas the market today, such as the Eye Voltage Showcase, which is a one-day event at Eyebrow Pencils and the Let Them Talk Lip the end of October. However, this year, Collection by SOSU by Suzanne Jackson. this kind of event is not physically possible To celebrate the launch of mccloyskilrea. due to social distancing so we’ve had to

adapt. Therefore, throughout the month of September, we’re inviting you to pop in store to collect your Christmas Showcase voucher. This unique voucher will entitle you to one transaction with our event discounts in store (this excludes online).

The voucher is valid from Thursday 1st October 2020 to Saturday 31st October 2020, with one voucher per customer.

It goes without saying, that especially in the current ever-changing climate, there’s no time like the present to start your Christmas shopping early in 2020!

Please rest assured that all of us at McCloys are doing everything we can to help everyone adapt to this new normal way of life, and as we’ve said before, we will always be here to welcome you here in Kilrea! We hope to see you soon.

Shopping from home doesn’t have to be impersonal with our personal shopping experience.

We have a dedicated line for our NEW WhatsApp service. This service is designed to fit around you. Available for voice, text or video calls.

Start your experience on 075 5492 7370

1 Maghera Street, Kilrea, BT51 5QL | Phone: 028 29540247 Find us on Facebook/mccloyskilrea

Find us on Instagram @mccloyskilrea Local Women Magazine | 17

ON THE FRONTLINE

Clough grandmother Marie Semple, who worked as a frontline medic in Iraq and Afghanistan, speaks to Local Women about joining her former NHS colleagues on the frontline during the Covid-19 pandemic.

M

By Lisa Smyth

arie Semple spent part of her career as a nurse helping to save lives on the frontline in war zones.

So, it’s little wonder that as Covid-19 barrelled towards Northern Ireland, her first thought was to return to the frontline to help her former colleagues through the pandemic.

Having spent her entire working life as a nurse, Marie was enjoying her retirement with a trip to Australia with her husband, Ian (64), when Covid-19 began to emerge.

The couple managed to return home before lockdown and 62-year-old Marie immediately signed up to return to nursing.

“It wasn’t a difficult decision,” she said.

“I was ready for it and then the Nursing and Midwifery Council put out for retired nurses to help with the pandemic and I am fit and healthy, I have no commitments, I’m not responsible for anyone, so I thought ‘why not?’

“With all the redeployment, all the hospitals were well staffed and then the opportunity came up to go to care homes.”

As far back as she can remember, Marie wanted to be a nurse.

Beginning her nursing career in the 1970s means that Marie comes from the era where the matron ruled the hospital.

“I loved every minute of my training, it was totally different in those days – it wasn’t academic nursing that it is now, it was very hands on,” she said.

“I actually got married while I was training, which was unheard of in those days, and I had to ask for permission.

“In those days, everything had to be done in a certain way, the way things were folded, corners, everything was tidy.

“We did six weeks in different wards, I started out in a surgical ward, then a medical ward, then you did time in theatres and A&E.” After she qualified, Marie remained at the Royal but once she 18 | Local Women Magazine

ƒ Marie has returned to nursing during the pandemic

became a mum, she discovered that night shifts suited the family better and she took up a job in a nursing home.

She also found she enjoyed working in the care home environment and the challenge of ensuring residents enjoyed a home from home environment.

“It was like something you would want for your parents or grandparents and we tried to make it the best we could,” she explained.

“I started out at a home part-time and ended up managing it.

“While I was there, I joined the Army Reserve, it’s something I had always wanted to do but it had never happened.

“Then an inspector came to the home one day and he was a bit early so we sat down to have a cup of coffee and the Army Reserve came up and I said I would love to that but I was 41 and I was too old.

“He told me I wasn’t, his wife was in it and he got my name and number and passed it on and the next thing I had joined up.

ƒ Marie spent time in Iraq and Afghanistan

“He knows I love a challenge; I broke my kneecap in 1996 in a car accident and I had to have it wired together.

“I joined in 2001 and I was deployed to Iraq in 2003 just before the war started.

“It was the fear of the unknown that I was most worried about, at that time there was the nuclear scare and we didn’t know there wasn’t any.

“Then I slipped and had to have it done again and they told me I would never run again.

“I liked that challenge, so I actually ended up taking up running and doing six or seven marathons.”

“I didn’t really know what to expect, I was away for three months and we built our own field hospital.

After 17-years working in the care home sector, Marie decided it was time for a change and she began working in an adult centre.

“It was a 100-bed hospital built out of tents, there were so many people, so it took a few days, but it was quite basic – we made bed screens out of aprons.”

Marie spent her time in Iraq working on an infection control ward, looking after soldiers, many of whom arrived in suffering from norovirus.

“Ian was absolutely fantastic every time I went away, he knows what I’m like and he just rolls his eyes, he’s absolutely superb.

She also spent time working in a number of wards in Antrim Area Hospital and in the community before she retired at 61.

“I did two tours in Afghanistan as well, in 2008

And while she has had to give up running due to her knee, she remains active and now spends her spare time spinning and cycling.

The accommodation she stayed in was as basic and 2013. as the hospital and she shared a tent with nine “It was totally different to Iraq as we were working other people.

Of course, there hasn’t been much of that since in a stable building and it was very busy the first time coming out of retirement but her priority in recent However, she forged life-long friendships, and quieter the second time I was there. months has been to keep the residents in her care as although she admits it was a relief when she “It didn’t feel as safe, but it was fine. safe and comfortable as possible. finally returned home.

“I would absolutely recommend it to any nurse “The care homes need our help and I’m quite “I didn’t know how long I was going to be away for and I was scared before I left but once I got my or doctor or physiotherapist, or any medical happy to help and I’m working whatever they need head around it happening, I was determined to go,” professional, because there is such comradeship and at the moment, although I will be quite happy to slip she said. it’s a wonderful experience. away again once it’s all over,” she added.

Local Women Magazine | 19

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THE IMPORTANCE OF PET GROOMING

Maintaining your dog’s coat is important may give your dog’s teeth a deep clean it is for more than just appearance. Dog important that you look after their teeth at home Grooming is essential to ensure your between grooms. dog stays healthy and happy.

Long nails can be uncomfortable for your pup, may make walking awkward and can lead to HOW OFTEN DOES MY DOG NEED infections. If you are worried about cutting your GROOMED? Short coated breeds need washed regularly to dog’s nails at home chat to your groomer who remove odours, bacteria and clean their faces, will be happy to do this for you. paws, ears and hygiene areas. Long coated TIPS FOR SIMPLE AT-HOME GROOMING breeds need daily brushing, then regular grooming to trim their coats and remove any matting, plus to keep their face and paws clean.

WHERE TO START? Introduce your puppy to grooming as soon as you can so that they can get used to the concept, the sensation on their skin and the noises. Groomers are experienced in working with animals with differing levels of confidence and will make the grooming process as stress-free as possible for your pup.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PROFESSIONAL PET GROOMING? The most obvious reason to have your dog groomed is that they will be returned to you looking and smelling better than they went in, but the benefits of grooming don’t stop there.

Clipping and scissoring will help remove the excess coat which will make your pet feel more comfortable. Removing excess double coat or trimming the coat allows the air to flow through the coat, cooling the skin and allowing your pet to better regulate their body temperature.

Matts can be a big problem for owners and groomers. Bacteria can gather below matts leading to nasty skin infections. If your dog is severely matted the groomer may have to shave them, but regular grooming will help avoid this.

Make sure your groomer knows about any skin conditions your dog has, so they can use the correct products when grooming. If your pet has sensitive skin or a skin condition, they can use gentle or medicated products to help soothe the skin.

Eyes and ears are important areas to keep clean and your groomer will be able to keep on top of this every time your dog is groomed. Poor oral hygiene can lead to the loss of teeth, bad breath, and pain for your pooch. While your groomer 20 | Local Women Magazine

growth, it will be remove dead hair and will leave your dog’s coat healthy and shiny. Check out the Groom Professional range of brushes in Pet and Country.

NAIL CARE To look after your dog’s nails at home, check and trim at least every two weeks. If you can hear your pup’s paws clicking on floors – it’s definitely time to trim! Use the smaller sized plier style nail clippers and shine a torch under the nail to show the transparent area where it is safe to cut.

EYE CARE Remove the gunk from your dog’s eyes with cotton wool balls soaked in target eye solution which will help to break down dirt and oil. Keep shampoo and soap away from your pup’s eyes.

BATHING Make sure you use pet specific products on your dog. Dogs’ skin has a different pH to human skin and human products can leave their skin dry and irritated which can lead to infection. At Pet and Country we have a huge range of shampoos to target different problems and with a range of gorgeous scents.

BRUSHING Brushing at home will prevent matts in your dog’s coat. It will also distribute natural oils throughout the coat which will help promote

EAR CARE To clean your dog’s ears use tweezers to remove any hair from the ear canal. Fill the ear canal with cleaning solution and massage for 20 seconds, then use a cotton wool ball to clean the outer visible area.

ORAL HYGIENE In Pet and Country we have a range of different pet oralcare items from tooth brushes and pastes, to products whose application does not require brushing, making them really easy for use at home. All the products will remove plaque, tartar, and keep breath fresh.

If you need help or advice visit Pet & Country and chat to our staff about your at home grooming queries and we can put together a bespoke Pet Pack especially for your dog’s breed and coat type.

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www.daisymaeboutiqueni.co.uk Local Women Magazine | 21

IN A SPIN! Coleraine fitness fanatics plan a 12 -our ‘spin’ to keep the Air Ambulance rotors ‘spinning’

ƒ 12 Hour Spin Challenge with some of the participants pictured with President of the Rotary Club of Coleraine, Graeme Strachan and seated on the bike Connie Burns-Wolfe (aka) Spin Queen proprietor.

T

he Rotary Club of Coleraine, in Coleraine town centre. I like to keep fit and in partnership with the whilst I know this will be a tough challenge Spin Club in Coleraine, are it doesn’t compare to the hardship facing organising a 12-hour spin challenge in aid of Air Ambulance Northern Ireland on 31 October, 2020 from midday to midnight.

Proprietor of the Spin Club, affectionately known as the ‘Spin Queen’ Connie BurnsWolfe said: “We are extremely pleased to host the event and support this fantastic cause.

No one knows when they might need the air ambulance and if we all play our part, it’s there for us all.”

One of the participants taking on the challenge is Tracy who commented: “This is a spin with a difference as the participants taking on this mighty test of endurance will be attempting to cycle for a full 12 hours!

We’ll need a few refreshments and comfort breaks, but the wheels will be kept spinning by our local Rotary Club members at a stand

22 | Local Women Magazine

ƒ Graeme Strachan, President of the Rotary Club of Coleraine with Connie Burns-Wolfe, Proprietor of The Spin Club, Coleraine.

families whose loved one has suffered a severe trauma injury. Anyone wishing to support our gruelling 12 hours can do so on our JustGiving Page https://www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/aanispin” Graeme Strachan, President of the Rotary Club of Coleraine, added: “We look forward to raising all we can for Air Ambulance NI and we will also make a 10% contribution to the Rotary Foundation for local good causes.”

Air Ambulance NI is the local charity that provides the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service for Northern Ireland, together with its partners at the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. The service brings urgent medical assistance to anywhere in the province, operating seven days a week for 12 hours per day. It can get to anywhere in Northern Ireland in approximately twenty-five minutes.

This Helicopter Emergency Medical Service benefits those whose lives are at serious risk following significant injury or trauma.

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@edenhillinteriors Local Women Magazine | 25

MAKE DO & MEND Never has there been a more on trend way to update your interiors. Here’s a little upcycling inspo from Fabric World’s Paula Sweeney.

By Paula Sweeney at Fabric World, Maydown 2020 has seen a huge rise in our clients upcycling furniture and customising their decor to reflect their individual personality and style.

We’re all trying reduce our wastage and you can get great satisfaction from bringing a preloved piece back to life.

There is so much inspiration around, from losing hours scanning through Pinterest to watching our favourite upcyclers on Channel 4’s hit show Escape To The Chateau ‘Make Do & Mend.’

Its inspiring us to give it a go and not only learn a new skill but find a passion for it. So, get stuck in and find your new creative outlet.

So, a table will become benchseating or a filing cabinet will be transformed into a planter.

Take inspiration wherever you find it and have some fun with it.

And don’t worry if you make mistakes because a dash of paint or a simple trim will hide a multitude.

Personally, I love upcycling furniture and There are so many great products available lighting, repurposing it as a completely new for upcycling. item for a cool transformation.

Painting is such a simple way to achieve

26 | Local Women Magazine

dramatic results.

Choose from the fabulous colour range of Frenchic chalk paints and finish by adding detail with quirky ceramic knobs or stunning door knockers.

Add extra detail to plain Roman blinds and curtains by simply gluing on trimmings. A hot glue gun is best for this. Gluing fringes to outdated lamp shades to complement.

Upholstery is also a great way to make a big impact and it can be really simple to do.

Just take your time cutting and if unsure make a template in lining fabric. You can also get studs in a strip form so they go on really easily.

Upcycle chairs, headboards, footstools or pelmets and learn a great skill you will love it.

Look out for our new collections in September as we will be stocking The new Chateau collection by Angel Strawbridge and it’s really something special.

Local Women Magazine | 27

“I feel listened to and more positive�

New mental health support brings hope for stroke survivors and carers like Co Fermanagh mum Denise Watson.

28 | Local Women Magazine

C

By Maureen Coleman

o Fermanagh mum-of-three has told how specialised counselling from the Stroke Association helped her to cope with anxiety during lockdown after she suffered two strokes within a matter of weeks.

Denise Watson, 47, who lives in Belfast with husband John, daughter Emma and sons Charlie and Louis, was rushed to Antrim Area Hospital in January 2018 after experiencing stroke symptoms at home.

While undergoing tests, doctors told her she had, in fact, suffered two strokes. The news was a devastating blow to Denise, whose health seemed fine beforehand. Then in April 2019, she was rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital after experiencing similar symptoms to the second stroke. She was told she’d had a Transient Ischemic Attack or TIA, also known as a mini stroke. The doctor informed her that because they hadn’t pinpointed an exact cause of the previous two strokes, they couldn’t rule out another happening.

Afraid and anxious, Denise was referred to the Stroke Association’s counselling service in spring this year, just as Covid-19 was forcing a nationwide lockdown. But Denise was able to avail of a remote service and is now urging others who have had a stroke to reach out for that emotional support.

She was speaking as the Stroke Association announced a £48,903 funding boost for the counselling service, from The National Lottery Community Fund. The service, the first of its kind to be rolled out across Northern Ireland, will directly support people to rebuild their lives after stroke during the Covid-19 pandemic. The muchanticipated service, known as the ‘First Steps project’, will offer stroke specific emotional and psychological support to stroke survivors and carers living anywhere in Northern Ireland.

“My stroke seemed to come from nowhere really. I didn’t have any health issues or at least nothing I was aware of.”

the counselling I didn’t even say the word stroke.

Saying it just made it feel really real and I couldn’t handle that.

“It’s a great service and I know that many people who’ve had a stroke will benefit from counselling like this. Throughout all this I’m so grateful for the support of my husband and family. I just don’t think I could’ve got through this without their love and support either”.

The six-month project will provide free, professional, one to one telephone or online counselling and is a direct response to the Covid-19 pandemic and calls from the Northern Ireland stroke community. Upon referral, each case will be When the medical team at Antrim Area Hospital professionally assessed and, if appropriate, offered revealed Denise had suffered two strokes, she was up to six sessions of one to one counselling, all from able to pinpoint an episode three weeks prior when the convenience of their own home. she’d lost her vision temporarily but had put it down In line with Covid-19 public health guidelines, to the effects of a very bad migraine. Denise then the project team will work with individuals to find spent about a week in hospital waiting on further the best remote communication method to suit the tests and scans. client’s needs. The counselling sessions are designed “After I came home from hospital, I just couldn’t to help clients develop emotional resilience, readjust get the fear of having a third stroke out of my to life after stroke and prepare to reintegrate into head. My fear was made worse in April 2019 when their community following the Covid-19 crisis.

I experienced similar symptoms again, numbness Marie Penney, Project Manager of the First Steps down one side of my body and speech interruption.

Emotional Support service at the Stroke Association “I felt very anxious and emotional every time I in Northern Ireland, says: “This much needed spoke about my experience. I couldn’t even say the funding has been made possible thanks to the word stroke to my friends or family. I didn’t talk to National Lottery. anyone about how I was feeling because I felt like I “We at the Stroke Association are here to support didn’t want to worry them even more. people to rebuild their lives after stroke. The impact “I’m so grateful to the staff who work on the on a person can vary depending on which part of stroke ward. They were so kind and reassuring their brain is affected. It could be anything from and it was my consultant in the Royal who tried to wiping out your speech and physical abilities, to find me ongoing support and counselling without affecting your emotions and personality. Stroke success until she was able to refer me to the Stroke survivors and carers are telling us that they are Association’s counselling service in spring this year.” struggling emotionally, and this funding will allow Denise immediately connected with her us to provide the support they need wherever they counsellor Marie and was able to open up and are in Northern Ireland. share her concerns.

“Stroke survivors are already experiencing “I could say things to Marie that I couldn’t say in isolation and fear due to having had a stroke. The front of my family for fear of burdening them with Covid-19 pandemic has turned lives upside down my problems,” says Denise. and we’re hearing every day how it affects people “I felt listened to, reassured but more importantly, emotionally and psychologically.

Paying tribute to the service for helping her come to terms with everything that has happened and alleviating her fears, Denise says: “My stroke seemed to come from nowhere really. I didn’t have any health issues or at least nothing I was aware of. I felt lighter, like a weight had been lifted off me. I’ve not long finished my six sessions of counselling and “That day I was at home, cleaning and tidying I’m feeling a good deal more positive now”. upstairs, when I felt a numbness down my right side.

As Denise’s counselling sessions were scheduled I continued what I was doing for a while but the feeling got worse and so I looked in the bathroom during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, she was mirror. I couldn’t see anything wrong but when I unable to meet face to face with Marie. Instead they tried to speak, my speech sounded very strange to talked by phone.

“Feelings of isolation, fear and a sense of a former life lost all echo the experiences commonly felt by stroke survivors and carers.

“The COVID-19 crisis is a difficult and worrying time for everyone and we know that both stroke survivors and their carers are experiencing increased feelings of anxiety, depression and isolation. We me. It was very frightening.

“I just put my headphones in and talked away,” believe everyone deserves to live the best life they “I went to my daughter Emma’s bedroom and she says Denise. “We were able to schedule the sessions can after stroke and it’s a team effort to get there”. instantly spotted that there was something seriously for when I’d have the house to myself and could To make a referral either for yourself or someone wrong. My husband John knew it too and called for really focus on my feelings and open up. else, visit www.stroke.org.uk/firststeps and complete an ambulance. While we waited, my son Charlie was “For me, to talk over and communicate my feelings the online referral form or call 02890 508020 for great at keeping me calm”. helped me to rationalise my fear and anxiety. Before further information.

Local Women Magazine | 29

Local Women Magazine | 31

Established since 2000

GOOD DENTAL HEALTH IS CHILD’S PLAY! Good diet plays a huge part in the oral health of your children. As school starts again, Michele King from Portstewart Family Dental has some ideas for meals and snacks that are tasty and healthy.

Your child’s nutrition is key to both their whole-body health and their oral health. In the current times, the health of our families is constantly on our minds. While it’s difficult to make sure they are eating the foods that are best for them when they are away from you, it’s not impossible to do so. We have put together some quick, healthy meal ideas and easy options for healthy snacks that will allow you to play a strong role in their daily health and nutrition, as well as remind them how much you love them every time they take a bite.

BREAKFAST ON THE GO! Mornings can feel rushed when kids head back to school. Getting yourself up and ready for the day before 9am is hard enough — add a child or two to the routine and providing a healthy breakfast might seem impossible. It’s not! The following are some tips that will help the whole family get the day started off right: •

Ditch the sugary cereals and doughnuts. Eggs make for a great option and are an excellent source of vitamin D, which is needed to absorb calcium for strong bones. If you don’t have time to cook them in the morning, boil some the night before for breakfast on the go.

•

Pair breakfast with milk to add calcium to your child’s diet.

•

Yoghurt is a great grab-and-go meal that will help strengthen and fortify your child’s teeth. It contains phosphates that help with remineralization. Just be careful of sugar levels in some yoghurts advertised for children, better to mix up your own plain yoghurt with fruits and berries.

•

Make sure your children end their morning meal with a firm, crunchy fruit, like an apple. They remove plaque from teeth and increase saliva flow, keeping teeth clean and shiny.

•

Best practice is to get the kids to brush their teeth before breakfast and then mouthwash afterwards. This way they are not brushing any softened enamel after breakfast and the fluoride in the mouthwash helps to harden up the enamel again.

32 | Local Women Magazine

LUNCH FILLED WITH LOVE Preparing lunch for your kids doesn’t have to be time consuming or done in a rush. A lot of prep work can be done in advance. Bento-style meals are more popular than ever and are made by filling a lunch container with teeth-healthy foods like cheese, meats, fruits, and vegetables, which you can cut and chop ahead of time. You can make lunches fun

by cutting crisp fruits and calcium-filled cheese into fun shapes with cookie cutters. Children are drawn to bright colours, so include a rainbow of fruits, veggies, meats, and cheeses. Variety will keep lunches interesting and ensure that your child is getting all of the vitamins and minerals they need to stay strong, healthy, and smiling.

FABULOUS FABRIC FINDS IN OUR HUGE REMNANT SALE SNACK ON! Kids like snacks — there’s no way around it. Three healthy meals a day is a thing of the past, which isn’t necessarily bad, but it does pose an extra challenge for parents trying to keep their littles fed well. Your kids want crisps and cookies and all of those expensive, pre-packaged treats they see on TV, which lead to tooth decay and other health problems if eaten regularly. If you are struggling to find healthy snacks that will satisfy your child’s snack tooth, consider some of the following: •

Fill up a fruit bowl with melon, pears, oranges, and pineapple.

These sweet and colourful treats will tame kids’ craving for sweets.

•

Make a veggie tray with carrots, celery, cucumbers, broccoli, and a little ranch dressing for dip. The crisp veggies will help clean you children’s teeth, and all of the vitamins and minerals will fortify their pearly whites.

•

Unsalted whole-grain pretzels are the perfect alternatives to greasy crisps. Mix in some low-salt nuts and sunflower or pumpkin seeds to add some extra protein.

•

As we mentioned earlier, cheese is a great teeth-healthy snack. Buy easy-to-grab packages of string cheese, or cube up some cheddar.

Remember that sugary beverages can also cause tooth decay. Water and unsweetened milk are the best tooth-healthy options. Too boring?

Make them fun by finding colourful or unique water bottles to put them in. Let your child pick one they will be proud to show off in the lunchroom or with friends. You can also sweeten water naturally with cucumber or berries, which are both tasty and tooth friendly.

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From all at Portstewart Family Dental we wish all the kids a healthy and happy start back to school.

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Claire McMullan BDS is a partner at Dental 32 with a special interest in Dental Implants

Stress and your teeth

W

e have all been under more stress lately, and in practice we are definitely seeing more patients with jaw pain and effects of tooth grinding. So how does stress and tooth grinding affect your teeth and jaw and how can we help prevent and treat it?

Tooth grinding and clenching can be brought on when you are stressed or anxious. It can cause some people to suffer from headaches, neck ache, disrupted sleep, and pain and stiffness in the jaw.

WHAT DOES TOOTH GRINDING DO TO YOUR TEETH? Regular grinding or clenching your teeth creates excessive wear on the teeth and any dental restorations such as fillings and crowns.

Once the enamel is worn away by grinding, it exposes the dentine – the inner part of the tooth structure.This is much softer than enamel so it wears away much quicker, hollowing out the teeth and bringing the centre of the teeth and nerves closer to the surface. This can make your teeth sensitive and uncomfortable and reduce their height making them appear flatter and shorter.

HOW CAN NIGHTGUARDS TREAT JAW PAIN? A nightguard is a simple appliance that fits on your teeth. It prevents further wear and damage to the teeth and may also help with tooth sensitivity. Nightguards also hold the jaw in a better position in order to reduce jaw muscle activity and muscle spasm, so are also used therapeutically to reduce joint pain from grinding.

Botox correctly administered can be a great tool to help alleviate pain from grinding as it will help relax the muscles that are in pain. In this case, it relaxes the masseter muscle and prevents it from overworking, both treating the pain and discomfort and having the added benefit of slimming the face by allowing the muscles to relax to their normal size.

DENTAL TREATMENTS FOR CLENCHING AND GRINDING Tooth wear isn’t always caused purely by teeth grinding – it can also be exacerbated by excessive acid in the diet, acid reflux, overaggressive tooth brushing so it’s important to see the dentist to diagnose it properly.

In mild cases, a simple jaw exercises and a nightguard may be sufficient to prevent and control the damage to your teeth. In moderate and more advanced cases, restorative treatment may be required to rebuild the teeth. Sometimes orthodontic treatment is also required to improve the tooth alignment and bite.

CAN BOTOX HELP WITH TOOTH CLENCHING? Many patients notice than the main jaw muscle (masseter) can become very tender and enlarged, causing jaw pain, muscle spasm and headaches. The muscle can be so enlarged that the face begins to look very wide and square.

Botox along with a nightguard can be a very effective long term treatment for jaw pain and disorders.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, in the first instance relax, and take some time and care for yourself.

Beyond that please contact your dentist for advice. We are happy to reply to any concerns you may have at Dental 32.

OPENING HOURS: MON, TUES & THURS: 8.30AM - 5.30PM | WED: 8.30AM - 8.00PM | FRI: 8.30AM - 2.00PM 32 RAINEY ST, MAGHERAFELT, BT45 5AQ T 028 7963 3435 | EMAIL: INFO@DENTAL32.CO.UK | WWW.DENTAL32.CO.UK 34 | Local Women Magazine

7 Linenhall Street, Ballymoney | 028 2763 9204

Get the ‘lived-in’ look

At Linenhall Hair in Ballymoney, expert hair stylist Dorothy McCook is loving a new technique for blondes and brondes that lasts for six months.

They say good things don’t last forever and when it comes to hair colour, that usually means six weeks. At this point you’re due back in the salon to touch up your highlights.

Well, not anymore. Let me explain.

Lived-in colour is the latest trend to hit the wish list when it comes to colour. It is a subtle, blended, enduring way of highlighting which is neither balayage nor ombre. It sits somewhere on the spectrum between blonde and brown and you will also hear it described as bronde or blondette.

Each strand of ashy blonde and ashy brunette works together to form the most beautiful hair waterfall of colour with a blended root created using an impressive blurring technique.

Lived-in colour is becoming increasingly popular because of its super low maintenance look. It’s the most natural look, giving you six months of impressive colour before you need to revisit the salon.

This sought-after hair trend does come with a more expensive price tag due to the appointment time and products used, but for a six month on trend hair style, I’m sure you’ll agree, it’s 100 per cent worth it.

Check out our latest lived-in looks on our Insta and Facebook pages.

Until next month,

Dorothy x Find us on Facebook: Linenhall Hair

Follow us on Instagram: linenhall_hair

Local Women Magazine | 35

SELLING SUNSET… NORTHERN IRELAND STYLE!

Move over Chrishelle, Mary and Amanza, there are three super-sassy estate agents right here in Northern Ireland – and while they don’t have the California sun, they have the connections, know-how and business flair to get your property moving.

The future of estate agencies in Northern Ireland is being rewritten by those who know how to work smarter. While The Oppenheim Group are blazing a trail in LA, here in Northern Ireland we have one company that is doing just that right on our doorstep.

Mayfair and Morgan Estate Agents, run by three local business women with a wealth of knowledge know that the industry in Northern Ireland is in need of radical change and have raised the bar by combining high levels of personal service and innovation with unbeatable prices to rock the boat on the local property market and set new standards.

Their Business Development Manager Kerry Green says “What sets us apart is our empathy, our customer service, our dedication, innovation and adaptive approach. And off course our charming personalities. Who needs the Selling Sunset cast when you have the real deal here on our own Emerald Isle!”

Karen, Kerry, and Christine are disrupting the traditional high street estate agency model by bringing property sales and lettings into the ‘New Normal’ of 2020 and beyond.

a host of other systems and processes to ensure they handled the dramatic change at a speed no other agency could compete with.

This group of highly motivated property experts know exactly what homeowners want and deliver every time. For decades, there have been estate agency offices on every street of every town, and the cost to run these inevitably is incorporated into agency fees. The world has changed and with advanced technology at our fingertips this team feel they do not need an office dotted everywhere and can pass the savings onto their clients.

The Property Manager, Karen McClurkin believes “One of the most important decisions you make is that of selling and buying property, especially if it is your family home where many factors are to be considered. This decision requires a greater understanding of lifestyle and financial implications as well as the changing dynamics of the family unit, the working life of individuals and the ladies at Mayfair & Morgan truly understand their clients and the market.”

Christine Keenan, the Financial Director explains “Property owners shouldn’t have to pay for the inflated costs of having local offices in every town, as this creates increased overheads that ultimately the client ends up paying for. During the Covid-19 crisis many of these offices were closed for many month but we remained resilient and quickly adapted our approach to selling and letting so that we could provide our services across the province without any additional cost of local offices and this increased our portfolio by 25% and we have now emerged as the strongest, forward thinking agency second to none.”

Karen, Kerry, and Christine are having a positive effect on the industry and it is their ability to connect with client’s and their genuine felt concern for their customers that makes this trio a force to be reckoned with. They are not only acquiring new rental properties and house sales every day but are securing offers within as little as 14 days from listing and exceeding the asking price for property.

With a world class hub of innovative technology and systems that creates a slick and efficient service for landlords and property sellers, Mayfair & Morgan have already started to rapidly grow across Northern Ireland with a team of local Ambassadors operating from their hub in Antrim.

The ladies at Mayfair & Morgan not only guarantee maximum exposure for property owners and provide a tailored homeowner marketing plan, but they introduced, within days of rumours of lockdown, virtual video viewings, contactless contracts, remote access door locks and

Karen, Kerry and Christine have built their reputation with their large portfolio of clients and investors all over the North by being “real”, down to earth women who love a laugh and bring sunshine to every property with their professionalism, passion and charm. These ladies get their buzz from the delight they bring to their clients and are firm believers in honesty, integrity, and getting stuck into deliver the best service the North has to offer.

Thanks to their adaptability, the team at Mayfair and Morgan can provide their customers with a faster sale and rental, higher profits and all with great professional support and service. Given that season 4 of Selling Sunset is still to be confirmed why not get your property fix from our new section covering numerous topics over the coming months or call into their hub for a chat.

23 Fountain Street | Antrim | Co. Antrim | BT41 4BG T: 028 9446 4902 | E: info@mayfairandmorgan.com mayfairandmorganproperty.com | mayfairandmorgan.com 36 | Local Women Magazine

NEW BEDDING COLLECTIONS ARRIVING SOON!

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Shop online at www.johnashannon.co.uk Local Women Magazine | 37

AUTUMN / WINTER 2020 STOCK NOW ARRIVING

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www.thefashionshopni.com 38 | Local Women Magazine

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DINING AND SOCIALISING AT ITS BEST Quality food, modern surroundings

with an extensive gin and cocktail list Millside Restaurant is a family run business situated in the rural village of Cloughmills, just off the A26 between Ballymoney and Ballymena.

Millside first opened its doors in November 2004 and has gone from strength to strength to become the 75 seated restaurant it is today.

Offering an excellent range of menus including breakfast, lunch and dinner, Millside can also provide a separate function and party menu for larger parties at very competitive rates.

RECIPE: SEAFOOD PIE INGREDIENTS • Salmon • Cod • Smoked cod • Cheese • Scallions • Fish stock • White wine • Veloute /cream • Salt and pepper • Mustard Subscribe to our YouTube channel for instrucitons on how to make.

COCKTAIL: CLOVER CLUB

The Millside offers a modern concept in socialising and dining with a commitment to deliver first class food in relaxed surroundings both in our restaurant and our new cocktail lounge. We are a licensed restaurant with bring your own bottle facilities.

GIN LOUNGE

The Millside Gin Lounge is one of the areas most popular locations. With a comprehensive selection, it really is a gin lovers delight.

COCKTAILS AT MILLSIDE

What can you possibly say about the cocktails at the Millside Restaurant apart from delicious! Mixed to perfection, the Frederico Tongue Please, Millside Mojito and Clover Club to name but a few will have you clambering for more.

SUNDAY LUNCH

Sunday Lunch at the Millside is a veritable treat - it is without doubt Sunday lunch at its very best! There’s an amazing selection from traditional roast irish beef served in rich roast gravy and homemade yorkshire pudding to a trio of meats (£3 extra) turkey and ham, stuffed bacon roll, slice of roast beef, yorkshire pudding, cocktail sausages and rich gravy and roast stuffed chicken ballotine served with a creamy bacon and mushroom sauce. With such a wide variety of dishes on the menu there really is something for everyone. Generous helpings, quality food and superb attention to detail will ensure everyone will go home satisfied. A full cocktail and wine menu is available.

MILLSIDE TAKEAWAY

Millside also offers a take-away and delivery service which is available to the local area.

Why would you even consider cooking when you can have a fabulous family night in for £22.95.

INGREDIENTS • 25ml Lemon Juice • 20mls Raspberry Puree • 20mls Egg White • 40mls Beefeater • 10mls Antica Formula • 10mls Sugar Syrup Subscribe to our YouTube channel for instrucitons on how to make.

You can get a 15” pizza, a portion of breaded goujons and choice of dip, a portion of battered goujons and choice of dip, a choice of two side orders, a choice of any tub of sauce and one large bottle of drink - what family wouldn’t be satisfied after this.

Search Millside Kitchen on www.youtube.com www.facebook.com themillsidecloughmills www.instagram.com/millsidecloughmills

Subscribe to Millside kitchen YouTube channel for full recipe and cooking instructions Local Women Magazine | 39

DETOX YOUR WARDROBE AND CREATE A

Capsule Collection W

e’ve all been there – staring into our wardrobe at a sea of contrasting colours and prints and claimed we have nothing to wear. We all know we’re being dramatic; our wardrobes are bursting at the seams (pardon the pun).

We have lots to wear, it’s just that it doesn’t work very well together.

don’t make us look or feel good, but we keep them anyway. Why? Get rid of all the clutter and make room for versatile, good quality pieces that will last a lifetime.

Be specific

Be ruthless with what you have and what you want to add to your wardrobe. Don’t In this month’s column, we’re going to give you just say you need jeans - be specific some top tips on how to detox your wardrobe, with the colour, cut and length. Don’t and the must-have items that will make getting say you need a few tops - be specific with neckline, colour and sleeve dressed much easier in the morning. length.

Take out everything

Take everything out of your wardrobe and inspect it all individually – is it faded? Bobbled?

Do you still love it? When was the last time you wore it?

Not only will this remove a lot of old junk, but it will also remind you what you have and what you’ve got to work with when creating a capsule wardrobe. It might be time-consuming but it’s worth it.

Figure out what colours/ patterns/shapes make you look and feel good Try on everything in your existing wardrobe and figure out what makes you look and feel good, so you know what to keep and what to look for when shopping. A capsule wardrobe should be functional and make you feel great in everything you wear.

No one knows you and your shape more than you do, so make sure you’re specific with what you want.

This will make the shopping trip a lot easier.

Build a wardrobe that suits your actual life, rather than your ideal life While it might be tempting to create a wardrobe that is filled with glitz and glamour, does that suit your 9-5 lifestyle?

Make sure your capsule wardrobe reflects your normal life. You should be able to reach into your wardrobe and pick something that will be perfect for your day, We all have those pieces in our wardrobe that whatever you’re up to.

40 | Local Women Magazine

Capsule Wardrobe Essentials White shirt Jeans to suit your style – skinny, straight, mom etc.

Striped t-shirt Statement blouse Floral Dress Mac Coat White Trainers Fine knit Tailored trousers in a neutral colour – black, navy, camel Leather jacket

Call in store and our friendly team will be glad to help you create a capsule wardrobe. Sale now on in store.

Ferryquay Street | Derry~Londonderry | 028 7126 1326 @kularfashion

kularfashion

@kularfashion

kularfashion Local Women Magazine | 41

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42 | Local Women Magazine

Landscape Design to suit every project and budget Tobermore has launched a range of new Landscape Design packages and services to suit all sizes of projects and budgets; whether you have a large garden and driveway in need of some inspiration or a small outdoor area to transform for your children to play, our designers will help turn these ideas into reality.

What online design services are available?

Paving Creator

Paving Creator is a free and easy-to-use online tool which allows you to select Tobermore products and view how these look in various garden or driveway scenes.

Simply select the type of project you are considering (patio or driveway), pick the products you like and select the outdoor scene which looks most like your home. You will be able to view lots of different products to help you decide which will suit your project best.

Visit the Tobermore Homeowner website and click on the Paving Creator tool to get started.

Paving Visualise

If you can’t decide which Tobermore products you would like to use on your project, our Paving Visualise Service can help. Our experts can provide you with a visualisation of what your favourite Tobermore products could look like at your own home. Simply send us a photo of your driveway or patio area and a description of what colours/products you would like included in your project.

Visit the Tobermore Homeowner website to book the Paving Visualise service

What landscape design packages are available?

How do I book a design package?

All you need to do is to decide which design package suits your project best - our Silver, Gold or Diamond Package.

All of our Landscape Design Packages can be booked by contacting your local paving centre directly.

When you make a booking you will receive a confirmation email with details of the information required by the Landscape Designer before your appointment – including measurements and photographs of your outdoor area.

Following your design consultation appointment you will receive a drawing of your designed area and a quotation for the Tobermore products included .

Contact your local paving centre today to book a design package and get your project underway.

Silver package

• A 90-minute consultation with a qualified Landscape Designer • You will receive a 2D computer-generated plan of your landscape project for one area (Driveway or Patio).

Gold package

• A 2-hour consultation with a qualified Landscape Designer.

• A design for two areas is included in this package (e.g patio and driveway) • You will receive a 2D computer-generated plan of your entire project.

Diamond package

• A 2-hour consultation with a qualified Landscape Designer • You will receive a 2D computer-generated plan, a 3D visualisation and product portfolio of all the recommendations for your new outdoor area.

Outdoor Living Is your driveway, patio or garden space looking a bit tired? Do you fancy giving your home a little facelift but you’re not quite sure what you want? Tobermore holds the answer to your problems with their inspirational landscape design services!

Call us today to discuss your project:

Tobermore Paving Centre Tel: 028 7964 2411

Bangor Paving Centre Tel: 028 9185 2545 Local Women Magazine | 45

Tobermore Releases New employee Wellbeing App World-class paving and walling manufacturer, Tobermore has released a new health and wellbeing app for staff. Employees now have access to 24/7 support through the Tobermore Connect app.

T

he Tobermore Connect Health and Wellbeing app provides employees with access to 24/7 GP appointments and a trusted team of medical staff.This means that Tobermore staff can avail of comprehensive and specialist support wherever needed - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Now more than ever,Tobermore is committed to developing a healthy workplace culture.With over 300 staff employed throughout the UK and Ireland,Tobermore recognises that their employees are their greatest asset.

By adopting a systematic approach to wellbeing,Tobermore hopes that their new Connect app will contribute to the company’s success.

David Henderson, Managing Director of Tobermore, commented on the new app: “I am proud to launch our new Tobermore Connect app which provides health and wellbeing support for our employees. All of us can experience pressure from different parts of our lives, from time to time, whether it is personal, work or financial.These factors can make life difficult, so it is essential we have the necessary tools and support available. By providing our team with the best support, everyone can reach their full potential.

We want our staff to know that whatever mental, physical, emotional or financial struggles they face,Tobermore is here to help.”

If you are interested in joining Team Tobermore, you can view their current career vacancies here: www. tobermore.co.uk/careers/

TRANSFORMING MINDSETS AND PHYSIQUES Meet Local Women’s new columnist, Personal Trainer Gordy Elliott from Ballymoney, who has transformed the lives of hundreds of women.

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THE BACKGROUND TO YOUR CAREER. I was in the army for 12 years, reaching the rank of sergeant at the age of 25 and I completed tours of Iraq and Afghanistan as a commander. I left to become a personal trainer in a gym in Ballymena, then moved back to Ballymoney and worked in another gym that helped me grow my brand and led to me opening GEHQ Gym. I have levels two and three in Personal Training and level three in Counselling.

TELL ME ABOUT HOW YOU GOT STARTED AT GEHQ? It was initially only going to be a small gym for personal training, but it grew faster than I had imagined and now we are a huge facility facilitating training for all kinds of clients and members. We are a business that has 15 staff working and earning a living. the right coach that suits them. It’s all WHAT WAS YOUR AIM WHEN YOU about the individual approach, we run STARTED TO WORK WITH WOMEN? yearly family events and competitions to give back to those who help support us.

To help educate women specifically in HOW DID LOCKDOWN AFFECT their weight loss and fat loss goals.

YOUR BUSINESS? WHAT IS THE KEY TO YOUR During lockdown we SUCCESS WORKING WITH WOMEN? My PT career rocketed with my ability to get and work with female clients, changing their mindset and physiques. I've done many a transformation and even taken clients as far as winning competitions and competing at and placing at British level in physique competitions. I also grew the well-known Valkyrie package which stated with 10 females and now sees 100+ women signing up each month. It has been a huge success for those taking part and also the gym.

IS GEHQ JUST FOR WOMEN? Not at all. GEHQ is a gym that fits for all with the vast array of trainers we have.

Covering all aspects of health and fitness, we ensure each member and client gets

started Facebook group which attracted over 2000 people and there we did daily workouts and even went as far as providing weekend entertainment with local talent including the great Rodd Hogg and the Gin Bar favourite Ricky Lorimer.

We adapted the facility during lockdown to make it as safe as we possibly could for our members, so much so that we attracted BBC radio to interview us about our procedures and we are proud to say all clients and members are following them.

a

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS? Over the course of the next few months I want to help educate women on the benefits of correct nutrition and training styles and help clear up some common mistakes that get made early on.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO ANYONE READING THIS WHO WANTS TO GET FIT BUT IS SCARED IT ISN’T FOR THEM? I firmly believe everyone can work hard and can find the right determination when they need.

It’s not always about finding the 'perfect information' as there is plenty of great info out there for people and it’s all relevant.

However, the key is finding and educating yourself and finding what gym/PT is right for you and this is how you succeed. You must be comfortable and be willing to invest for great things to happen.

BALLYBRAKES BUSINESS PARK | BALLYMONEY | BT53 6LW T: 028 2766 4094 Follow us on Facebook/GEHQBallymoney Local Women Magazine | 47

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Christmas Gi�t Guide ChristmasGi�t Gi�tGuide Guide Christmas Christmas Introducing the sculptors who are displaying their work at Gallery 1608, Bushmills.

for ArtLovers Lovers forArt Lovers for Give art this this year year Givea loved a lovedone onethe thegift giftofofstunning stunning local art

It has been a busy month at Gallery 1608, Northern Ireland’s premier art gallery.

Customers are getting used to the social distancing guidelines and have been enjoying viewing the new pieces that have arrived.

a sculptor and further developed her technique of working with bronze. Through her work at Pangolin Editions, she was exposed to the work of other sculptors and also had the opportunity to work on bronze pieces by notable sculptors, such as Lyn Chadwick.

Sara Cunningham Bell

Give a loved stunning local this year Give a loved oneone thethe giftgift of of stunning local artart this year withGallery Gallery1608’s 1608’sChristmas Christmas Gift Guide. with Guide. with Gallery 1608’s Christmas Gift Guide. with Gallery 1608’s Christmas Gift Guide.

Local Art… Local Art… As ever Gallery 1608 is at the forefront of Northern Ireland’s art scene with new works arriving on a daily basis.

Her own bronze sculptures, whether they feature figures or animals, as her subject matter are characterised by their elegant modelling and As well as paintings and drawings, Gallery 1608 With Christmas just around the corner, this month With Christmas just around the corner, this month has some amazing sculptures available from highly distinctive and unique patination, a skill With Christmas just around the corner, this month we have picked our favourite Christmas gifts from With Christmas around the corner, this month we have just picked our favourite Christmas gifts from some of the finest artists inartists. theChristmas country. that she still employs for Cast Foundry in Dublin. some of our top Irish This year, why not we have picked our favourite gifts from we have picked ourtop favourite Christmas gifts why fromnot some of our Irish artists.

This year, avoid the homogenous high street presents and buy some of our top Irish artists.

This year, why not This month we learn a little more about some ome ofavoid our top artists. This year, whypresents not and buy ANNETTE HENNESSY the Irish homogenous high street which is both unique and collectable for ofavoid thesomething sculptors whose beautiful creations are the homogenous high street buy avoid the homogenous high street presents and buyandfor something which is both unique and presents collectable Annette Hennessy is from Cork your loved ones.

A bit of extra thought will provide a available at Gallery 1608. something which is both unique and collectable omething which both and collectable your loved isones.

Aunique bit of extra thought willfor providefor a now living in North Antrim. gift which keeps your loved ones.

Agiving. bitonthought ofgiving. extra thought will provide a your loved ones.

Akeeps bit ofon extra will provide a gift which She is a sculptor who has Freda Gilmore gift which keeps on giving.

Top of our list this year are limited edition prints by gift which keeps on giving. worked internationally, and on Top of two our of listIreland’s this year are limited edition prints by mostare well-known artists.prints Belfast Top of our list this year limited edition by public sculpture commissions twolist ofartist, Ireland’s most well-known Belfast op of our this year are limited editionartists. prints byworkers and Terry Bradley’s depiction of dock two of Ireland’s most well-known artists.

Belfast Ireland. She has artist, burlesque Terry Bradley’s depiction of dock workers andwe throughout wo of Ireland’s most well-known artists.

Belfast type women are always popular and Maguire, Robert Spotten, NUA, JG, NI Silver, Ghost, artist, Terry Bradley’s depiction of dock workers and broad experience in NUA, working burlesque women always popular and we Maguire, Robert Spotten, JG, NI Silver, Ghost, artist, Terry Bradley’s of dockprints workers and havetype all ofdepiction his mostare recent in stock.

Bonesetter and Spirit Jewellery. burlesque type women are always popular and we with Maguire, Robert Spotten, NUA, JG, NIinSilver, Ghost, wax and bronze particularly have all of his most in stock.

Bonesetter and Spirit Jewellery. burlesque type women arerecent alwaysprints popular and we Maguire, Robert Spotten, NUA, JG, NI Silver, Ghost, limited edition work also very haveKeith all ofDrury’s his most recent prints in isstock.

Bonesetter and Spirit Jewellery. figurative sculpture.

Local Ceramics… have all of his most recent prints in stock.

Bonesetter and Spirit Jewellery.

Keith Drury’s limited also veryHis work collectable andedition popularwork withisour clients. is Annette was a former Executive Ceramics are also a very popular gift and again we Keith Drury’s limited edition work is also very both and quirky andwork contemporary, different collectable popular with our clients.

His work is Keith Drury’s limited edition is also verydepicting Member of Association of Artists. can accommodate all budgets.

Pieces range from Ceramics arethe also a very popular gift and again we collectable and popular withbrought our clients.

His work is local scenes seamlessly together in one piece. Ceramics are also a very popular gift and again we bothand quirky and contemporary, depicting diff ollectable popular with our clients.

His work is erent pottery bespoke sculptural pieces. canfunctional accommodate alltobudgets.

Pieces range from both The quirky and contemporary, depicting diff erent Ceramics are also a very popular gift and again we CUNNINGHAM BELL artwork has appeared on television’s Thepiece.

Fall and SARA can accommodate all budgets.

Pieces range from localand scenes seamlessly brought together both quirky contemporary, depicting diff erentin one Represented are names such as Sharon functional pottery tohousehold bespoke sculptural pieces. localisscenes seamlessly brought together in Prints one piece. can accommodate all budgets.

Pieces range from FREDA GILMORE even in the collection of Princess Anne. from Sara is a North Irish artist functional pottery toRory bespoke sculptural pieces.and The artwork has appeared on television’s Fall and ocal scenes seamlessly brought together in one The piece.

Reagan, Ian Carty, Shearer, Leona Devine Represented are household namespieces. such as Sharon The artwork hasnow appeared on television’s The Fall functional and who pottery bespoke Freda Gilmore, aofretired teacher a sculptor both artists can be bought framed or isunframed. works to out hersculptural North Represented are of household names such as Sharon is even in appeared the collection Princess Anne. from he artwork has on television’s The FallPrints and PatrickIan Colhoun.

Annette Hennessy Reagan, Carty, Rory Shearer, Leona Devine and is even in the collection of Princess Anne.

Prints from Represented are household names such as Sharon in bronze. As a teacher young children for many Coast studio, herRory figurative Reagan, Ian Carty, Shearer, Leona Devine and both can be bought framed or unframed. s even years, inboth theartists collection ofbePrincess Anne.

Prints from Patrick Colhoun. artists can bought or importance unframed.

Freda is very familiarframed with the of sculptural Reagan, Ian Carty, Rory Shearer, Leona Devine and and painting practice Local Books…

Patrick Colhoun. both artists be bought framed or unframed. play.can “People often bemoan the loss of children's Patrickendeavours Colhoun. seek thefails beauty and strength.

The gift of atobook never and at Gallery 1608 we games of the past. I have portrayed some of Media applied are diverse from bronze to steel, have perhaps the largest selection of Irish Art Books these in Ring a'rosies, Hopscotch, swinging round calcined The gift of aclay booktonever fails and at work Galleryhas 1608 we oil been under onea roof the paint. whole ofHer Northern Ireland.

The gift of bookinnever fails and at Gallery 1608 we the lamppost, skipping etc,” she says. have perhaps the fails largest selection of Irish Art Books The giftprivately of a book never and at Gallery 1608 we commissioned internationally. have perhaps the largest selection of Irish Art Books under one in the whole ofofNorthern Ireland.

Smaller pieces bear witness to Freda’s own have life perhaps theroof largest selection Art Books Irish Paintings… under one roof in whole of Irish Northern Ireland.

Sara studied atthe Edinburgh College of Art David McGlynn experiences like children playing street games.under oneFinally, our painters have been working tirelessly roof in the whole of Northern Ireland. receiving the Andrew Grant Award for her Last year a piece depicting children playing from degree to ensure we later have new works available for the work, representing Ireland at the our painters have been working tirelessly the series ‘No Toys Just Us’ toured Ireland as part Finally, Christmas season and the range and quality of ourin Petr Holecek Finally, our painters D'Aujourd have been working tirelessly Grands et Jeunes Hui Salon 2000 ensure we have new works available for the of the Local art collection of Finance and Personnel.Finally,toour Jewellery… current show is amazing. painters have been working tirelessly to ensure we have new works available for the Paris, Luxembourg, Japan.

Christmas season and the range and quality of our If jewellery is more your idea of to ensure we have new available for the Christmas season and range andthe quality of our ANNA CAMPBELL Remember, we works can offthe er 10 months interest free Her work is held in collections of Edinburgh current show is amazing. a gift why not support our local Christmas season and the range and quality of our current show is amazing.

Anna Campbell is an Irish sculptor, born in Newry, on all pieces over £100 and you can University, credit Fraser-Smallwood, Bass Ireland, If jewellery is more youraidea makers?

We have wideofrange of currentCauseway show is amazing. but who nowislives and works If jewellery more your ideainofDublin. She studied takeand the work away immediately.

Remember, we can off erGlens 10 months interest free Coast Council.

Remember, we can offer 10 months interest free jewellery availableour at many different a giftiswhy not support sculpture the Crawford College f jewellery your idea ofourlocal a giftmore whyatnot support local Aall great wayover to spread the cost 10 MONTHS INTEREST credit oner £100 and youofcan Remember, can off 10pieces months interest free price points, ranging from costume credit onyear all pieces over £100was and you can Inwethe last Sara's work selected makers?

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We have a wide range of diff jewellery available at many different A great way to spread theallcost 10 INTEREST PLUS YOU TAKE HOME We would like to wish our ofof We have sourced many of Ireland’s Luxembourg, Sligo, take theAwork away immediately. great wayDublin. to spread the cost 10MONTHS MONTHS INTEREST price points, ranging costume England, where shefrom worked price points, from costume ewellery available at ranging many diff erent Christmas.

FREE LOANS NOW THE PIECE TODAY customers a very happy Christmas fi nest jewellers and have work available A great way to spread cost ofsculpture as10 MONTHS FREE LOANS NOW AVAILABLE AVAILABLE INTEREST for four to years Pangolin jewellery moreatbespoke pieces.

Presently Sara Christmas. is working on athe kinetic jewellery to more bespoke pieces. price points, ranging from costume and a peaceful New Year! from well-known names such as Louise PLUS YOU TAKE HOME Editions, Gloucester.

It of was Christmas.

FREE LOANS NOW AVAILABLE We would like to wish all our We have sourced many Ireland’s a learning tool for genocide victims.

Her last public PLUS YOU TAKE HOME We would like to wish all our have bespoke sourced many ewelleryWe to more pieces.of Ireland’s PIECE TODAY here that she gained customers aavery happy Christmas finest and have sculpture Towards Tomorrow has been short listedPLUSTHE THE PIECE TODAY YOU TAKE HOME customers very happy Christmas fisourced nestjewellers jewellers and havework workavailable available We would like to wish all our We have many of Ireland’s valuable experience as Anna Campbell aapeaceful New from for the Irishand Sculpture Concrete Award.

THE PIECE TODAY and peaceful NewYear!

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83-85 Main Street, Bushmills, Co. Antrim, BT57 8QD customers a very happy Christmas T: 028 2073 1324 E:info@gallery1608.co.uk W:www.gallery1608.co.uk and a peaceful New Year!

83-85 Main Street, Bushmills, Co. Antrim, 83-85 Main Street, Bushmills, Co. Antrim, BT57 BT57 8QD 8QD 83-85 Main Street, Bushmills, Co. Antrim, BT57 8QD T:T:028 0282073 20731324 1324 E:info@gallery1608.co.uk E:info@gallery1608.co.uk W:www.gallery1608.co.uk W:www.gallery1608.co.uk

nest jewellers and have work available rom well-known names such as Louise

T: 028 2073 1324 E:info@gallery1608.co.uk W:www.gallery1608.co.uk

48 | Local Women Magazine

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HERN T R O N D’S N A L E IR EST LARG RY GALLE

Kyle Barnes

Petr Holecek

Josephine Kelly

Markey Robinson

Robert McLearnon

Emma Spence

Will Collins

William Mullan

Charles McAuley

Samantha Jones

Andrzej Mazur Colin Gibson

Charles Harper

David McGlynn

Ivan Daly

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Local Women Magazine | 51

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52 | Local Women Magazine

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A SHARED PLATFORM FOR PCOS SUFFERERS Maureen Busby has set up an online forum to help women affected by Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

W

hen Maureen Busby was first diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), there was no help for her.

Back 35 years ago when she first started to experience symptoms, she was simply told by her doctor not to worry about it and come back to him when she wanted to start a family.

Sadly, Maureen believes the situation is not vastly different these days and so she has set up a non-profit organisation, PCOS Vitality, to help women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - a little known endocrine-metabolic disorder that can also affect women’s fertility and long term health.

She says: “Over the last 35 years I’ve grown more frustrated as I realised nothing ƒ Maureen has changed. There is little support or information for people with PCOS and so irregular menstrual cycles, hirsutism, the concept of PCOS Vitality was born. infertility/subfertility and pregnancy “We have a website and are active on social complications and metabolic features media - the group brings together people such as insulin resistance, metabolic who are suffering from similar symptoms syndrome, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, so they can share their experiences and so and cardiovascular risk factors. they don’t feel so alone.”

Often, the condition is regarded as a The aim of PCOS Vitality is to raise fertility issue but PCOS affects every awareness of this little-known condition. system of the body and does not go away Many people, including healthcare at menopause. professionals, are not aware that PCOS is Maureen believes awareness of the a lifelong endocrine-metabolic condition. condition is vital as women need to take PCOS is common, affecting as many as one in five women. Women with PCOS can care of their health across their lifespan, experience a host of symptoms although not just during reproductive years.

Maureen explains: “What drives me to everyone is different. Symptoms can include and are not limited to anxiety, make a difference in PCOS is my family, depression, body image concerns, they are my driving force. PCOS tends to

56 | Local Women Magazine

run in families and I think it is important that there is support available for people like me and for future generations. I have a background in psychology and am extremely passionate about mental health and wellbeing. It is important to me to highlight the psychological impact PCOS can have as this is often overlooked.

“I hope that PCOS Vitality will be a shared platform to give women’s health a voice.

We are gender diverse and fully inclusive and welcome everyone with PCOS. “We post content regularly on our Facebook Page, Instagram and Twitter @pcosvitality. We also have a private Facebook group called PCOS Vitality Peer Support. We hope to soon arrange our first support group meeting in Belfast city centre as nothing beats chatting with people who understand and really get what it is like to have PCOS. “It is both a challenging and exciting time for us. Challenging due to the restrictions of the pandemic but also exciting as it pushes us to develop novel ways to engage with other women and keep moving PCOS awareness forward together. PCOS Vitality Facebook peer support group has been great during lockdown. Due to the online nature of the group we have been able to continue to support one another, share tips, book recommendations, recipes and to have some fun and moral support all through the pandemic.”

If you would like to get involved you can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @pcosvitality everyone with PCOS is welcome.

Local Women Magazine | 57

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Losing 4 stone changed my life FOREVER! New Local Women Health and Wellness columnist Karen Daly (Msc) shares her weight loss journey and reveals how she has kept it off for over 10 years and still manages to fit in two businesses, two sons and hubby Frank.

Welcome to my column, I am super excited to educate, excite and empower you into better health over the coming months - but first here’s a little more about me.

store 11:11 Bang on Trend.

For most of my 20s I can remember trying every pill and potion to lose a few pounds, and despite a sporty lifestyle, my weight seemed to be forever increasing. I would lose a couple of pounds here or there, but it all went back on again and more. Then is June 2008 I gave birth to my first little man Aaron and, in a new baby bubble, I was oblivious to my weight.

I am a 44-year-old girl with a huge passion for life with three amazing men in my life.

Two little monkeys Aaron (12) and Jamie (9) and hubby Frank who I’ve been with for 21 years and married for 13. Together we own and run The Academy Masterplan That was until I went to a friend’s wedding and have also just opened our new fashion in September and I can remember getting dressed up in the house and heading off feeling on top of the world. We arrived in the hotel, checked in and rushed to the room to drop of our bags and head to the bar for a little drink. I remember feeling so excited about spending our first day out together after a crazy few months, but in an instant that joyous feeling disappeared….

of myself in a large full-length mirror and my heart sank. The reflection I saw was not the same as the vision in my head, the gorgeous red dress was hideous, and I felt horrendous.

I started to cry and of course Frank told me I looked amazing, but it didn’t matter I certainly wasn’t feeling it. But hey, there was nothing I could do right then so off to the bar I headed As I headed out of the room, I got a glimpse and vowed that I would never feel like that

again and that was it the moment my life changed forever.

I started to eat better not less and in eight months I had lost over four stone and better still I was feeling on top of the world encouraging everyone I knew to make a change too.

I got so excited and loved every second of cooking amazing food for me and our young family, and even now I am super proud that Frank and the boys enjoy the most amazing home cooked meals always.

I enjoy the most amazing foods ever, Thai curries, taco chips even zinger burgers and there is nothing I can’t have. I have learned to eat to my goals, and I love nothing more that a wee glass of wine come the weekend!

My passion turned into a career and I started to help other people to lose weight too. Then in 2015 I returned to college to complete my Masters in Weight Management. My new passion was now officially my new business and now I love every second of changing lives. The joy in helping someone to lose weight and feel amazing is the best feeling EVER and knowing that you are helping someone become not only lighter, but to know that they are also becoming healthier, happier and very often living longer too!

Since then I have been helping men and women across Ireland and since 2019, when we launched online, we have been able to help clients across the world. We now have clients in Australia, USA, Dubai, Canada and all across the UK and Ireland and we can help you too!

We offer six-week online courses which will teach you how and what to eat whilst motivating and supporting you along the way. With our own app we offer live weekly sessions at the touch of a button and you can watch along live or back in your own time.

Having lost weight myself, I completely understand all the trial and tribulations of changing habits of a lifetime and I am here to help! My key focus is not simply to help you lose weight but to have you feeling great FOREVER! My Masters research project was on long term sustainable weight loss and that is my area of expertise.

If I can lose weight and keep it off FOREVER, then so can you! I am so excited to share my learnings, tips and motivations with you over the coming months and here’s to a healthier, happier YOU! Join me next month as I share my top tips for success, and I’ll be giving you a little three-day taster plan to try.

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www.theacademymasterplan.com Theacademymasterplan @mydalymasterplan

Local Women Magazine | 61

Wry

Ramblings

AS HER CHILDREN RETURN TO SCHOOL, LOCAL WOMEN COLUMNIST EMMA-LOUISE JOHNSTON REFLECTS ON THE PAST SIX MONTHS OF INCREDIBLE CHANGE AND LOOKS TO THE FUTURE.

THE SOUND OF SILENCE

A

handed out tablets to the kids. My Dad doesn’t fly

s I write this column there is silence.

My home is silent for the first time in nearly six months. I may hear cars in

so every year when we were kids we travelled to the South of France. (Rosslare - Le Havre, then a

the distance, the sound of a mower a few houses

12 hour drive south) four of us squeezed in to the

down, the drip of my kitchen tap and a wasp

back of a Ford Cortina. For the first four hours my

buzzing at my window, but there is no laughter,

siblings and I would entertain ourselves by fighting.

protest shouts or overzealous singing, no requests

Then we played car games like “How many red

for drinks or snacks and no yelling for a lost trainer.

cars?” and “I spy another motorway sign.” This

I dropped my three children to school for the first

was swiftly followed by a chorus of “I need a pee,

time ever this morning. I say ‘the first time ever’

I need a pee” or my personal favourite as I was a

because my youngest was at nursery until March,

bad traveller “I’m going to be sick”; throw in the

and today was her first day at primary school. As

classics of “He hit me” and “Are we nearly there

I waved goodbye, I saw other parents’ emotional

yet?” and you’ve your perfect car journey. I’m

farewells with tears in their eyes, not me - I’m

not sure kids know how to be bored these days.

made of strong stuff. If you did happen to see me pull over outside the school to wipe my eyes, I think it may have been allergies. It certainly had nothing to do with the huge emotion brought on by the beginning of this new era where all my children are now in the education system and need me that little bit less.

I’m unsure how their day will go as P1s learn so much through play based learning and although I’m sure there’ll still have some of this, the toys and blocks will be in boxes and not passed between them; no holding hands with your new friend and I dread when the winter comes and there are the usual coughs and sneezes, but we will get through this. I’m also interested to see how effective my efforts at homeschooling have been, as they begin this new school year. No doubts some children

Back to school!

When mine even whisper the “B” word I explain that boring people get bored and luckily they aren’t boring so clear off and entertain yourself,

will have done very little for various legitimate

I’m not responsible for every single second of your

reasons...some less legitimate. Other kids may have

entertainment. My dad used to bring us to test

done far more than mine. It was always hard to tell

cricket for flips sake - I know about being bored!

if you’d got the balance right.

Boredom was part of my childhood, you learnt to

As the laughter leaves my house and fills the classrooms, I’m optimistic and hopeful. Children are robust and incredibly adaptable, so I do not worry, they will cope fine. It’s me that has to get my head around this ‘new normal’ that is

use your imagination and develop your creativity, so on our next car journey, not to Cork, but maybe to Granny’s, there’ll definitely be no iPads just a lovely game of “spot the road works.”

increasingly just becoming ‘normal’. It’s like the first time I entered a shop with my mask, I felt a bit self-conscious but now it’s car keys, shopping bags, mask. I went to a restaurant for the first time a couple of weeks ago and being asked to sanitise my hands on entering and holdback my fringe so that they could take my temperature, seemed a small price to pay to get the special treat of eating out.

We cancelled our holiday way at the beginning of all this and put the idea of going anywhere, that wasn’t Ireland, to bed. We did travel to Cork and had a fantastic time. Naturally it rained but with the car was packed to capacity with every piece of clothing that you might need for beach fun, rain fun, winter fun and nice dinner out fun;

Cork in the rain 62 | Local Women Magazine

we may not have got the weather but we had the right clothing. It was a long drive so guiltily I

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with Anna Nelis

H

ey peeps, it’s Anna here! OMG! I’m going back to school on the 24th of August. I am so excited!! Okay, let’s move on to the real stuff here. This month I went to circus school for a week and I loved it so much that I didn’t want to leave. I made the coolest group of friends and had the funniest coaches ever. They made me feel comfortable straight away and that was good, because I was really nervous about going.

On the first day, we were given our own square to practise in and we all had our own bag of hand tricks so that we weren’t sharing. This was okay. I know that Coronavirus has changed the way we do some things to stop us spreading germs.

I learnt how to do hand tricks, unicycling and tightrope walking. I practised all week and now I know how to go on the unicycle. I was really proud of myself, as I worked hard all week until I could do it! I am asking for a unicycle for Christmas, and I can’t wait to show all of my friends my new skill.

I can’t do all of the hand tricks yet, but I can do the platespinning and the diabolo. I am still mastering the juggling and flower-sticks.

My cousin Ava came with me and she had fun to. She l o v e d the diabolo and was really good at it. Ava told me if I mess up just move on. She is older than me and gives me some lovely advice.

On the first day I drunk 2 litres of water in one-hour LOL. I’ll never do that again, because I spent the whole time running to the toilet!

I want to go back because it was so much fun. Have confidence in yourself and don’t be afraid to try something new. I was scared to go, but now I want to go every week!

66 | Local Women Magazine

T

his month, we loved the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’! My favourite was when we went out to a pizza parlour called, ‘Noonas’. I loved my pizza. Beaut!

Back to School

On 24th August, after five and a half loooong months, I finally went back to school. I was so excited to see my friends and teachers. Everybody in my class looks so much older and has changed. My teacher measured all our heights and I am now 5ft 3inches! I am the tallest pupil now in the whole school. Haha I was very nervous about going back to school because of this whole Covid thing. We now have to queue, hand wash and hand sanitise before we go in, and then do that a few more times during the day. We all have to bring in tissues and I have my own hand sanitiser too. We are only in half days for two weeks and then we are back full time, so I still get to play loads outside. It feels nice to be back to a bit of normal life. My Mummy is happy that she doesn’t have to be my teacher anymore, and I am glad too!

Cinnamon Swirls My wee brother, Faolán, absolutely loves cinnamon swirls. He calls them, ‘swimming in swirls’. Haha He is so cute! So we made these buns for him, but we all love them anyway, so I wasn’t letting him eat them all!

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Mmmm…so good!!

• • • •

•

Local Women Magazine | 67

68 | Local Women Magazine

Local Women Magazine | 69

The Discovering

Kids Graduation

The children from Discovering Kids Playgroup in The Loup held their pre-school Graduation last month after Covid-19 restrictions meant their ceremony was postponed in June.

D

iscovering Kids Playgroup is a charity cross-community pre-school based in The Loup, Co Derry. Set up in 2001, the setting has provided a warm, caring and educational environment to hundreds of local pre and pre-pre-school children for almost 20 years. With both a dedicated and professional team of staff and voluntary committee, it continues to grow from strength to strength despite facing some difficult challenges in recent years, most notably a theft and break-in in 2018, but most importantly the death of their long-standing and much-beloved colleague Siobhan McVey in 2019. DKP aims to continue to provide a safe, caring and nurturing environment and is looking forward to celebrating its 20th anniversary next year.

70 | Local Women Magazine

Local Women Magazine | 71

72 | Local Women Magazine

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Local Women Magazine | 75

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Follow us on Facebook/@ELiteTravelNI Local Women Magazine | 77

SCRUBBING UP WELL!

Local Women pays tribute to the 9,000 people who got involved in the NI Scrubs Group and created much needed PPE for our NHS heroes.

W

ith an unprecedented pandemic and a shortage of PPE for front line workers, Omagh woman Clara Maybin called for an army of volunteers to assist with the pandemic throughout Northern Ireland. Hundreds of volunteers answered the call and the NI Scrubs Group was created, which in total had over 9,000 members.

Volunteers fundraised to purchase material to create much-needed PPE and deliver these items to front line medical staff as they battled to save their patients from the clutch of Covid 19.

Volunteers included cutters, drivers, material donators, monetary funders, sewers and hub organisers who managed all administration duties.

The group turned out 26,485 sets of scrubs, 606 scrub tops, 364 trousers, 23,465 bags, 4,985 hats, 926 gowns, 13,300 masks, 2,667 headbands, 4,500 visors, 228 ear protectors and 580 rainbows, a total of 104,491 items donated in total.

North Coast and Ballymena

L

inzi McGaughey was the founder of the Ballymena and Antrim Group which included volunteers from Ballycastle, Larne, Greenisland, Carrickfergus, Whiteabbey, Ballyclare and everywhere in between.

Linzi stated “when I first started the Ballymena & Antrim group of NI Scrubs, I never thought in a million years that we would be able to achieve so much. After 11 weeks we provided over 3000 sets of scrubs and over 26,500 as part of the overall group.

78 | Local Women Magazine

Clara stated: “When I started the group it was The group made PPE for Hospital wards, GP for the purpose of a handful of stitchers to keep In Surgeries, children’s wards, nursing homes, touch as WhatsApp was getting too hectic. dental agencies, day-care centres and many more After a night of the group going live, we had 80 essential services. join! Within a week there was 800 and 12 weeks The community was at the heart of this later there was nearly 9000. mission, volunteers who had never met before I really didn’t think it would go to the scale it did. quickly formed bonds and learnt to work quickly It has been the busiest thing I’ve ever done… busier together to get orders out, often speaking to other than having a baby! It’s just nice to be able to help volunteers more than their family members. The and to see the faces of the people you are helping Ni Scrubs Group have gained friends for life and treasured memories, each member played their is amazing. part in the history of the Covid 19 pandemic in Requests for scrubs came in all shapes and sizes Northern Ireland. and child-friendly material was used for children’s Northern Ireland is a nation of stitchers with an wards and child community teams. Spare sheets, amazing array of talent. Without these people, pillowcases, duvet covers, and curtains were used none of this would be possible. To the cutters, in addition to material donations. designers and delivery folk, everyone has played an Many volunteers put personal notes in the pockets imperative role in making NI Scrubs the success it of scrubs to encourage medical staff and thank has been We hope to keep the momentum of sewing them for their service – a stranger reaching out to up throughout Northern Ireland as we’ve developed keep another stranger a little safer. an amazing community of talented people.”

We met new people, developed new skills and loved every minute of it” Claire Caulfield, another coordinator for the area was perfect woman for this job as she usually works as a Project Manager for the Unite Union. Her family were shielding due to health issues, so Claire worked from home throughout lockdown and with the support of her employers, who saw the merit in her voluntary work, she was permitted to make Ni Scrubs her primary focus.

Claire stated “Initially Linzi and I were utterly overwhelmed by the enormity of the task, the group covered a 30-mile radius and it was a huge logistical operation.

In the early days of lockdown, this was

problematic, thankfully we added Barbara to

The Ballymena and Antrim group raised just under £19,000 with huge amounts coming in from Unite the Union Branches, DJ Mark Ritchie, PowerNi, Cleary Contracting and Ballymena United Supporters Clubs. The Ballymena United players also fundraised by growing moustaches and called it ‘Cash4Tache’. Everyone wanted to donate, there was great community spirit. Overall the Ballymena and Antrim group had nearly 250 amazing volunteers ranging in age from 11-87. The group had over 200 orders from wards, departments and community teams.

No one was turned away.

the team who run the Antrim Hub from her business Fairy-tale Wedding and Events at Junction 1. The group also had another hub at The Salvation Army Church in Ballymena where Linzi, Doreen and her volunteers run a very tight ship. In the first couple of weeks of the lockdown the police stopped the drivers regularly, but quickly moved them on with thanks and best wishes when they realised they were delivering scrubs. A huge team came onboard from Larne/Carrick & Greenisland. Sewers quickly formed and drivers were assigned to them. It was a logistics nightmare which turned into a slick

worked tirelessly, no one looked for praise or

In total the group turned, 4500 scrub sets, elevation, everyone just got their head down machine. The group welcomed the SixMile 2600 bags, 2200 scrub hats, 3000 masks, Seamstresses serviced by Dave Snoddy as and sewed until their hands ached or their 200 gowns, and 500 headbands, a total of demand grew. The whole Ni Scrubs team machine gave up. It was a joy to behold.” 13,000 items.

North West

T

he Derry NI Scrubs group was headed up by Shauna McCloskey, a sister of Grainne Quinn who managed the County Down group. Both sisters hail from Trillick in Co Tryone. Shauna previously worked for the NHS and so too had many other members of the Derry group. These volunteers gave up their time in solidarity with their former colleagues. The group was made up of 97 people, a bag of dolly mixtures including community sewing groups, people shielding, furloughed staff, parents juggling home-schooling, retired pensioners, drivers and a busy foster parent. Volunteers ranged from young to old, professional dressmakers, costume designers, interior designers and some hobby stitchers who have stepped up to the challenge. All with one thing in common- their unbelievable generosity! Volunteers spanned from Draperstown, Maghera, Dungiven, Limavady, Feeny, Eglinton, Ballykelly, Park, Glenullin, Derry city, New buildings, and a few angels from across the border in Donegal.

The group was supported by Paula Sweeney from Fabric World, The White Oaks Rehabilitation Centre in Muff, donations from good citizens everywhere like hand creams from Bernie Rafferty at Forever Living, Keeping Us Moving, Eunan

Doherty from Top Quality Blinds, Tommy and Steven from the scouts, and the amazing volunteer bikers group who were essential to distribution.

Financial support was also given by the Derry branch of Unite the Union, Limavady Rotary club and Derek Warnock in addition to fabric bought with the central fund.

Shauna stated “The scrubs ended up in all parts of the North-West! Hospitals (Altnagelvin, Gransha, Roe Valley, and Letterkenny) Health centres (Claudy, Limavady, Feeny, Great James streets, Waterside and Carndonagh) Numerous care homes in Limavady and Derry, and Community Nurses and carers for several organisations throughout the area.”

In total, the group turned out 1068 completed scrub sets, 852 bags, 779 masks, 326 scrub caps, 313 hairbands, 50 ear protectors, 179 single scrub tops, 14 scrub bottoms.

Local Women Magazine | 79

Mid Ulster, Armagh and Enniskillen

T

he County Armagh group was coordinated by Kerry Collins and Joanne Wallace, with Angeline Murphy as group fundraiser Co-Ordinator.

Angeline stated “It’s crazy what’s been achieved in a matter of weeks, over 20,000 meters of fabric has went out from my own home. A special word of thanks to Bedwins in Kilkeel for material and Colin’s Aerospace for creating pre-cuts which were distributed throughout the province to stitch up.

A special word of thanks to my employers firmus energy, who donated £10k to buy material which went a long way in clothing our NHS heroes and the Eric and his team at Zip Yard for volunteering to assist the group whilst on furlough.”

it even the early morning messages. I have met some amazing ladies throughout Omagh and Fermanagh that I would never have met otherwise and hope to keep in touch with many of them in the future.

None of what we all achieved as a group would have been possible without Clara and every single person who gave up their time freely during a very difficult time. There were so many people throughout our wee community who dedicated weeks and months of their time to helping our frontline workers in both the NHS and community social care. To have been part of this from the start and watch it grow into the epic group it became was heart-warming. If I had to go back in time, I’d choose to help again.

Kasia Rogowiec managed the Dungannon area, the group had massive support from the entire community and deputy first minister Michelle O’Neil and Archbishop Eamon Martin visited the hub to offer support to proceedings. Kasia of Polka Dot photos Dungannon wanted to create a lasting memory of the NI Scrubs Group and created a collage of photos including the faces of thousands of Volunteers who gave up their time to help throughout the Pandemic.

Joanne Wallace stated, “My little shed has been a hive of activity throughout this. With no sewing skills at all its been a steep learning curve and I now know what bias binding is. It’s been a crazy time trying to balance home-schooling, my own business “I have been working tirelessly over the past two and what turned out to be a mini manufacturing line months coordinating and managing volunteers but I’ve met some wonderful people along the way” within the Mid-Ulster NI Scrubs group.

Kerry Collins stated “we are exceptionally proud “We are very lucky to have a fabulous bunch of of all of our volunteers and it’s been lovely to meet local volunteers and I wanted to use my own skills so many stitchers in our area. Our friendship has to say thank you and create a lasting memory for crossed communities and brought the whole of the group.

Northern Ireland together, this is our legacy.”

In total. the Portadown and Craigavon group Joanne Chambers who managed the Omagh and turned out 1347 sets of scrubs, 2146 masks, 64 Fermanagh group stated “It was hectic, frantic and headbands, 1490 bags, 160 hats and 164 ear thoroughly enjoyable, it got me through the first 8 protectors. weeks of lockdown in a blink. I loved every minute of

Belfast and Lisburn

C

hloe Dougan, a costume designer based in Belfast and owner of Call me Sophia along with Rachael Wright from Lisburn Coordinated the Belfast and Lisburn area scrub group.

Chloe recalls “I drove around the country

80 | Local Women Magazine

leaving off bundles of materials in car parks, driveways and to other members of the group in all the counties throughout Northern Ireland. My geography is much better after this experience. I also used my contacts to fundraise on behalf of the group and by the second day, I had already raised over £1,000 which eventually turned into £12,000. I was very conscious of social distancing and

cleanliness and was nicknamed the Dettol queen as everything was sprayed with Dettol before being passed to other members. My contact Sew n sew from Belfast delivered the material to me and they were absolutely amazing throughout the campaign.”

The sub-group turned out 6504 scrubs, 6823 bags, 264 ear savers, 66 gowns, 50 headbands, 194 theatre caps, 606 masks, a total of 21,014 pieces in total.

South Down

C

ounty Down had its own team of heroes based in Annalong, the team was a dozen strong and on average, made 160 scrub sets a week.

Volunteers set about fundraising for material for their seamstresses, one of its most fruitful fundraisers was from a local male volunteer, who dressed as Borat and walked down Annalong street in a mankini collecting money, he raised over £6000 for material. An additional £2000 was donated by the local community in aid of material out in every box to show that they cared. and the remainder of the funds was Grainne Quinn from Iconic Interior Design pledged to Newry Hospice. was a hub coordinator for the Annalong team.

The stitchers of Annalong became the heart Volunteering became a real family effort. Her of the community and a knitted heart went young daughters who are 8 and 10 years old packed and sorted completed scrubs to get them ready for Grainne to deliver. Grainne drove around the country in her white van delivering material to stitchers and collecting supplies and completed PPE. She regularly met other group co-ordinators from other subgroups to share supplies. Grainne stated “I had so many completed items returned to my home that I set up a wheelbarrow at the end of my lane and wheeled the returns home to be sorted. I’m so proud of the volunteers in my area and the part that we played in helping in the pandemic” In total the group turned 2502 scrub sets, 2622 scrub bags, 2,200 Masks, 4800 Visors, 265 Headbands, 655 Ear protectors, 289 Gowns 142 Knitted Hearts Local Women Magazine | 81

Yanna’s dressed for success Randalstown student Yanna Scott’s winning dress design to be made by designer to the stars Kevan Jon

B

elfast Met Fashion student Yanna Scott, 20, from Randalstown, has created a winning design which will be made by top fashion designer Kevan Jon.

The former pupil of St Patrick's College, Maghera has just completed her second year BSc Hons in Fashion Production and Business at Belfast Met and she spoke about how much the award meant to her: "I was really delighted when I got the news that I had won the competition, I couldn't believe it. My sister encouraged me to enter, and even though I was very busy with course work I was able to set aside some time to focus on my design submission.

"I've always loved fashion and followed my passion by choosing the Fashion degree course at Belfast Met, which is the best decision I have ever made. I really enjoy all aspects of the course and would love to go on to design houses in London and New York, and eventually open my own design business."

Roisin McCaffrey, Curriculum Area Manager for Art and Fashion at Belfast Met, said, "I would like to congratulate Yanna on behalf of the College for winning Blush Boutique's design competition. The Fashion Department is really delighted with her success which displays the core strengths of our fashion programmes that provide students with the opportunity to develop a range of skills across the three themes of Design, Technical, and Business. The commercial awareness that is developed across our programmes is so important when developing a design that is to go into commercial development and production."

Caoimhe Curran, Manager of Blush Boutique Belfast who organised the competition confirmed: "The initiative behind our competition was to offer focus, creativity, inspiration and a general feel good factor to our social media followers and wider community during Lockdown.

"We were completely overwhelmed at the standard and volume of entries. The independent judges narrowed the incredible 250 entries down to just six finalists, who then went head to head for votes on the Blush Instagram page. “Yanna's beautiful design won with a unanimous vote, and we were so excited to hear that she is a design student from Belfast Met. We cannot wait to see the finished product when our award-winning UK based designer Kevan Jon makes Yanna's dress for her, which will then be showcased at our next fashion show."

82 | Local Women Magazine

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PAYMENT PLANS AVAILABLE Local Women Magazine | 89

PAULA’S EATING OUT TO HELP OUT! With the ‘wet pubs’ still closed Local Women’s food and drink columnist Paula Gracey tries out a little pre-dinner ‘on street drinking!’

S

o, did you eat out to help out during August? We certainly did our best to bolster the economy as we took dishy Rishi Sunak up on his offer of

FLAVOURS OF THE MONTH

half price meals Monday to Wednesday as much as

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humanly possible – who wouldn't?

The thing is, hubby and I always like to go for a drink somewhere before our meal and as the so called ‘wet pubs’ weren't open we had to sit outside some of our favourite hang outs for a pre-dinner tipple.

What can I say? Street drinking just isn't me! Not unless we are sitting outside our local bar in Spain in the belting heat as we watch the world go by. It’s a slightly different story here, sat outside The Cloth Ear with me directly under the heater and spending most of my time jumping up to hit the button every time it went off! Suitably chilled, like the excellent Pinot Grigio we sipped, it was as well we were only crossing the road for a taste of Spain in the hugely popular 2Taps. Their tapas are legendary, and I can especially recommend their massive seafood and chorizo paella, as good, if not better, than some we’ve been served up on our Costa hols. Total cost of meal and wine, a Rioja, of course? Under £25. Amazing (but you do need to book).

new post-lockdown menu, devised by chef Matthew Moore… three of us were only too glad to help ourselves to cod and chips twice and giant sausages with bacon chop and champ, plus another bottle of Pinot Grigio, for £42.

We were also very glad to see Novelli at City Quays

Another evening, in the interests of supporting the

in the Marriott Hotel re-open and we spent a very

hospitality industry, we met up at Fountain Lane on the

pleasant sunny summer evening there with lovely views

Belfast city centre street of the same name and it was

of the Titanic Building… the only disappointment was

actually pleasantly warm as we enjoyed a glass of Rose

that the main attraction, the lovely Jean Christophe

while people watching - until our peace was shattered

Novelli of TV fame, wasn’t personally supervising that

by the obligatory booze bike blasting out 80s music.

night as he often does.

From there it was on to a relatively new spot earning

How is everyone getting on wearing face masks,

rave reviews - Ben Madigan’s on the Cavehill Road

by the way? Personally, I absolutely hate them as I

where hubby raved about his delicious daube of

am claustrophobic but needs must, so I wear one

beef with creamy parmesan mash while I enjoyed

with well-hidden gritted teeth, but not one of those

a butternut squash and chickpea hotpot with hot

blue surgical ones – oh no, mine have to be fancy.

sourdough bread – scrummy, and all for just

I actually have one with a cat's nose and whiskers

over £30 with starters and wine, a Merlot

on it (as befits a crazy cat lady) and in keeping

recommended by our very pleasant server,

with my obsession with animal print, I’ve also

Karen, who boosted hubby’s ego no end by

got snake, leopard and zebra… I look like I’m

telling him he hadn’t changed a bit

on day release from Belfast Zoo.

from when he used to frequent another restaurant where she worked – 20 years ago!

The Dirty Duck in Holywood

The biggest bore is that being such a make-up junkie, I keep forgetting and putting my lippy on, then having to cover it with a mask! You really need to ramp up the eye make-up cos that's all

is another favourite spot of ours

anyone can see these days – and learn to smile

and delivered great value on their

with your eyes!

90 | Local Women Magazine

If you prefer a white wine with a bit more body to it try a Viognier. They are a more medium to full bodied white wine, fragrant and fruity and go really well with Asian food – try the award-winning La Linda Viognier from Direct Wine Shipments (£11.95) and the Viognier Gres du Trias 2018 from The Wine Society (£9.95 online).

Viognier also works will with crab dishes, anti-pasta and cheeses – but you can very easily enjoy it on its own.

For gin lovers, I have discovered a new flavour of my beloved Spanish Larios Gin – I can generally drink my own body weight in Larios is all its forms when we are in our house on the Costa. Pink Larios is distilled through Andalucian strawberries and is delish but hubby nipped over (pre-quarantine) for a few days and made a new discovery in Malaga Duty Free – Larios Provenzal for €14.95. It is the first retail exclusive for Larios, flavoured with fresh Mediterranean citrus fruits and herby notes of Rosemary, Thyme and Basil.

This new addition to the Larios family is meant to be a "taste of summer wherever you are" – I can vouch for that!

Salud!

Local Women Magazine | 91

GREAT SAVINGS ON A LARGE RANGE OF STOC K Unit 15d | Station Road Industrial Estate | Magherafelt | BT45 5EY E: stationroadcarpets@yahoo.co.uk | T: (028) 7930 0550 Local Women Magazine | 93

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94 | Local Women Magazine

FOG FREE VISION BEHIND THE MASK

Since the wearing of masks was introduced, glasses wearers are struggling with ‘fogging.’ The experts at John Laverty Opticians are here to help.

Attention all glasses wearers. With the introduction of face coverings, it has presented a new problem for glasses wearers. When the wearer’s breath escapes from the top of the face covering it condenses on the lenses and makes them impossible to see through.

This fog is a pain and rest assured it will happen right when you need your vision the most.

We have been exploring solutions to this since PPE was first introduced in April and I wanted to share some advice I’ve learned with your readers which will make their vision fog-free for longer.

cloths are fantastic. This specialist cloth we’ve sourced is used on clean lenses to create a hydrophobic barrier which prevents misting whilst shopping or doing day to day tasks.

•

THE MASK •

The mask needs to cover the mouth and nose.

•

Ensure your mask is well fitted. A metallic strip along the bridge of the nose or a toggle will help reduce air rushing up to your glasses.

•

The mask should be fitted high up the nose which again creates a better seal.

•

The mask must be tight against your nose and cheeks. Medical masks can be double looped before the ears to create a better seal.

•

A deeper plastic style frame will create a better seal compared with a narrow frame.

SOME SOLUTIONS •

We have used “No Fog” sprays which are good but the “No Fog”

WINNER OPTICIANS OF THE YEAR

For people who are troubled with fogging in the work place the next level of protection is buying lenses with a “No Fog” treatment built into the lenses. These lenses are used with a “No Fog” cloth and have been getting great feedback.

TIPS: Don’t use soap on glasses as it can have damaging effects on certain types of lenses.

We have some customers moving into contact lenses which has fixed their problem.

Moving your glasses slightly away from the face will increase air flow and reduce fogging.

“Even before these face masks my glasses steamed up when I got into the car, I’m so glad you recommend this cloth, it definitely works well.” Mrs Hunter The cloth is kept in a plastic pouch and has around 200 applications.

We have them in stock.

Call us today on 028 7034 2624 Ballymoney | Coleraine | Garvagh www.JohnLaverty.co.uk Local Women Magazine | 95

96 | Local Women Magazine

Local Women Magazine | 97

Signature Dish

INGREDIENTS •

Chilli garlic and prawn puttanesca

•

Preparation / recipe

•

half teaspoon minced garlic

•

Half teaspoon chopped anchovie

•

Half teaspoon chopped olives Half teaspoon chopped chilly

•

10 prawns

•

5 cherry tomatoes halved

•

100 mil tomato Passata

•

2 tablespoons olive oil

•

300 grams cooked Linguinee

•

20 gram grated Parmesan

•

Chopped basil to garnish

Method • • • • •

Heat pan add olive oil ,garlic , chili, anchovies and olives cook out for one minute then add prawns cook for further 1 minute then add tomato Passata and pasta devide between 2 bowls garnish with Parmesan and basil Enjoy

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98 | Local Women Magazine

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Local Women Magazine | 99

WHAT COLOURS ARE TRENDING ON THE CATWALKS FOR AUTUMN WINTER 2020 Hello to all my readers it is hard to believe the Autumn winter is almost upon us so I thought this month I would give you a small insight to what is trending this season with colour, style and designers on the famous catwalks so I have done a little research just to keep you all updated with the world of fashion around us from the London catwalks, to Milan fashion week and not forgetting Newyork and Paris.

LILAC

I just love Autumn fashion it has endless styling opportunities available because of the simple way that you can layer your clothes and look so chic and stylish with little effort. So what colours are trending this season on the runways you might ask ? Here is a few that I have found just to enlighten you.

You cannot go wrong with silver it is the party season colour every season ,that’s if we will all be still party popping this Christmas, one likes to hope! However shades of silver dominated the catwalks paired with fun injected whites, greys and even blacks, shown by Givenchy and Mode . I Have to say I love the combinations used and the separate block colours combined into each outfit.

The power of purple was all over the runways with layers of suiting up showcased from designers like Boss and Alberta , it is a great colour to give your skin tone a lift however not everyone can wear the darker shades so I am always careful to buy the mid tones as they are easier to match up.

STATEMENT SILVER

BROWN AND PEACH

This fabulous combination of colours was spotted repeatedly on the catwalk for this season I have to say it was one of my favourites, Chloe, Bogetta , Venta were one of few designers that showcased baggy pants, flared bottom cut trousers ,dresses with pvc coats it was all BROWN AND BLACK COMBINED happening with modern cuts and twists It is now the trendy colour of the season pairing both brown and black into your outfit. Whether it is a single piece with the MAXI RED combination of black on top and brown Yes full blown vibrant red took over the on the bottom this duo is the ultimate style catwalks for this season with Alexander for Autumn Winter . Prada, Christopher Mc queen and Bottega Venta sporting kane, Bregazzi they all incorporated maxi dresses, trousers suits, top , skirts pairing and layering, single pieces and you name it there was no holding back tones for this season. I will be taking out on this colour . Get that vibrant lipstick my black boots now with my brown back out ladies with this Vibrant red you trousers knowing if Prada can do it well will be bang on trend ! so can I. 100 | Local Women Magazine

LIQUID LINER BLACK

Alexander McQueen took the deep plunge of darkness with his liquid black sheens of vinyl, silk and even rubber to add layers of texture to his pieces, he certainly showed off a complete head to toe look of this midnight look . It would not be for everybody I think I would look like a vampire if I wore this style and rubber liquid liner.

Lets hope we will all get to dress up this winter and feel good about ourselves , these unprecedented times are very hard on everybody especially the old and the vulnerable but please be assured here at Gasp we are doing our utmost best to look after all out daily customers while keeping safety

regulations our highest priority .

We look forward to you all popping in to browse our New Autumn Winter collection I may not have a Holographic sheen skirt in stock but I certainly have an array of beautiful stock for you to view all at affordable prices and a great service.

Until next time stay safe Regards

Ann Doyle

Proprietor of Gasp Boutique Armagh

HOLOGRAPHIC SHEEN

It wouldn’t be one of my favourite colours but Holographic pieces were showcased for this season by the designers Mode and LaPointe they came in deep greys, whites etc so the colour tone was not overworked however I have to say I also associate Holographic colours with outer space themes foe some reason ,maybe I am showing my age but it tends to be a colour for the younger generation .

Local Women Magazine | 101

EMBRACE AUTUMN ADVENTURE WITH AN ENCHANTING BREAK

It’s safe to say 2020 has been an unforgettable year, bringing our lives to a standstill like we never could have imagined. But with this reflective period, many of us have come through the experience with a more positive outlook, a deeper appreciation of everyday life and the realisation of how important quality time with our family and friends truly is.

Now that normality is resuming with the kids returning to school, the welcome reopening of retail and hospitality outlets, and healthy flying initiatives firmly in place for travel within the UK, why not book a short autumn break and feed your soul with some adventure. You can soak up fun and exploration on a family trip, unwind on a romantic retreat with your partner, or let your hair down with friends after what may have been a long period apart.

For anyone who feels ready to travel, you can avail of some fabulous short UK breaks from City of Derry Airport with fares available from just £9.99pp one way.

Flights to charming Edinburgh and lively Liverpool are available with Ryanair and regular services to the iconic capital of London and the cultured city of Glasgow are available with Loganair. Loganair offer an allinclusive fare system whereby 15kg hold baggage and 6kg hand luggage readily available at all key customer points in the airport for anyone who would like to subtly communicate that they may require some extra are included within your flight cost. assistance or time as they travel through.

A number of new health and safety precautions have been introduced at City of Derry Airport including the mandatory wearing of face coverings, Passengers can also enjoy airport parking for as little as £2 per day after social distancing measures and the provision of temperature scanning on the first day at City of Derry Airport, and you can start your trip in style in the entry to the terminal building so you can be assured of safe, friendly and Amelia Earhart Lounge, rated the most cost-effective airport lounge in the UK at only £12.50pp, where you will be looked after by the lounge team convenient journey through the airport. with drinks and refreshments whilst enjoying private television entertainment The City of Derry Airport team offer fantastic customer services with the and exclusive views of the airfield and surrounding countryside. availability of pre-familiarisation visits for anyone feeling nervous about travelling, a special passport and activity book for passengers with autism, Embrace Autumn with some adventure…book a short UK as well as the recent addition of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard break today at www.cityofderryairport.com.

102 | Local Women Magazine

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Find us on Facebook

THE

DIRECTORY

If you are a small business owner who wants to be showcased in The Directory, email Cara on advertising@localwomensnews.com.

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THE

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If you are a small business owner who wants to be showcased in The Directory, email Cara on advertising@localwomensnews.com.

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A treat box that looks as good as it tastes!

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School of Creativity..

A Genre of Creative Arts balanced with the Therapeutic process, to heal through the Arts. For all abilities aged from Nursery to retirement who have the freedom to create,express in a safe, non-judgemental environment.

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Healing Arts with Melissa Nugent

After suffering a personal trauma, Melissa Nugent from Dungannon was inspired to start a business to help others through creativity and art.

HOW DID HEALING ARTS COME ABOUT?

stage set up. I also completed a Female Entrepreneur Business programme with the Dungannon Enterprise Centre called Inspire to Innovate where I got help and support to drive my business forward and help with setting up my website and putting myself on the map.

Healing Arts evolved from my passion of therapy and creative arts combined.

In 2018 I was at a point in my life where I had experienced a very traumatic event and felt that my life experiences to date could really reach out to people. I felt that if I shared my story on how I survived the storm and am still surviving every day with a completely positive outlook, then just maybe I could help people turn their frown upside down. I made a list one day and started to make notes of what would be a really good name to suit my ethos and values of what I wanted to convey to my targeted clients - Healing summed up the Psychotherapy aspect along with the Arts meaning all things creative.

WHAT IS THE CONCEPT BEHIND HEALING ARTS? Healing through the arts. A collaboration of the therapeutic process balanced with the creative mediums. I deliver six-week bespoke workshops to suit the needs of the individual/group following my experience and passion within Drama, Art, Play, Dance, Creative Writing and Coaching/ Counselling Therapy.

WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND?

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB? Helping people creatively and seeing a change in moods and behaviours in such a short time frame. For example, in my Lego Workshops I love seeing the kids who are usually (according to the parents) misbehaved, but in my sessions they are focused, calm and well behaved. A parent recently arrived into the session and said, “Is that my child?”

That’s a fantastic breakthrough. coaching and counselling opportunities. I am completing a coaching qualification and a Dance Movement Psychotherapy Course and hope to complete my next level of counselling with Ulster University to be a qualified counsellor for 2021. I am also a Lego therapy facilitator and have taught English to Italian kids in the beautiful region of Vittorio Veneto in northern Italy in the Summer of 2018 and Summer 2019.

HOW DID YOUR BUSINESS I am a Drama graduate with a strong GET STARTED? awareness and passion for the arts and education. I have gained considerable experiences (both within a paid and voluntary capacity) over the years working within admin and alongside youth groups/children and young people with a disability, both in UK and America delivering

For years I wanted to run my own side business with the experience that I had, but it wasn’t until I was hired through a very supportive friend to do some creative work with a well-established drugs and alcohol organisation that I realised I could do this.

That was the ‘aha’ moment in my early

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE? My plan is to have premises for a School of Creativity where everyone can attend and express themselves through the Creative Arts and be a safe place for them to be their authentic selves. I have already started a Best Crest Competition and will be choosing a winner to then invite to cut the ribbon on the school.

ADVICE TO SOMEONE STARTING THEIR OWN BUSINESS. Just go for it! If you have an idea, do not sit on it, make it happen. Write it all down and vision yourself doing that job. I would seek advice from your local council and enterprise centres as they really help and support you especially when you are at early stage as it can be very scary.

www.healingartsni.co.uk Local Women Magazine | 107

WIN - AN ENHANCED HAIR SYSTEM WORTH OVER £1000 September is Alopecia Awareness Month and Enhanced Hair Studio is offering one lucky reader a brand-new Enhanced Hair System valued at over £1000.

With over 30 years of hairdressing experience and 10 years specialising in hair loss, more and more people are turning to the experts at Enhanced Hair Studio in Belfast and Newry.

September is Alopecia Awareness Month and the experts at Enhanced Hair Studio want to help one lucky Local Women reader achieve their hair dreams.

They are offering an Enhanced Hair System worth over £1000, plus an Enhanced Hair Creations goodie bag of products worth £150 to someone who is currently suffering from hair loss.

To win this prize you must be prepared to be photographed before and after your treatment to appear in November’s edition of Local Women.

BEFORE

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER AFTER

If you are happy to do this, then book a free consultation where Enhanced Hair Studio will assess your suitability for this prize.

Send an email to info@enhancedhairstudio. com with ‘Local Women competition’ as the subject line to arrange your free consultation before September 30, 2020.

Please include brief details of the problems you have been experiencing.

Enhanced Hair Studio will pick a winner who will be notified directly. Their decision is final. No other prize or cash alternative is offered. Please note, not everyone will be suitable for this prize.

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BEFORE

AFTER NEWRY

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165 YORK ROAD BELFAST | BT15 3HB 028 9543 3220

www.enhancedhairstudio.com 108 | Local Women Magazine

If you’re struggling with a baby who won’t sleep or you can’t get your kids into a routine again post lockdown, read on. Sleep consultant Helen Farmer is here to help you get your children settled and you can finally get a good night’s sleep.

Unless you have experienced the sleep deprivation of being a new mum or carer for a baby, you will never understand why anyone would need a sleep nanny.

The endless nights stretching ahead, with brief snatches of sleep before you are wrenched out of your slumber by a crying infant. The toddler who wants to play at 3am, the baby who stares at you with its beautiful big eyes at 4.30am telling you that it’s time to get up!

And it’s not only the nights that are insufferable, a day without sleep feels torturous as you try and get on with your life. Both you and the little one are frazzled, exhausted and desperate.

But this is where Sleep Nanny Helen Farmer comes in. As a qualified sleep consultant, she knows the importance of sleep for children reaching their full potential.

Helen explains: “I work with families where sleep is a challenge for their little ones. I use gentle and effective techniques to teach babies and children the skill of self-settling. I always consider what is developmentally appropriate depending on the age of the little one. Sleep training generally is only effective after a baby is four months old, at the earliest and I work with children right up to the age of six years old.”

As mum to four beautiful kids Tom, 10, Ronan, 6, Aidan, 5 and Tara, 2, Helen’s own experiences inspired her to become a sleep consultant.

After muddling through with her three boys, when little Tara came along, she knew she had to take action.

Helen says: “None of my own kids ever had great sleep skills as babies and when my youngest, Tara came along I wanted to protect her older brothers’ sleep (especially because they were going to school in the mornings) so I did everything to keep her quiet during the night. That often included feeding her back to sleep and soon she didn’t know any other way. It wasn’t sustainable as I was returning to my job as a Paediatric OT at the time and couldn’t be with her during the day in day-care to feed her to sleep each time. So, it was kinder to her and really in both our interests that we had to change things.”

While researching online, Helen discovered a company called The Sleep Nanny in England, founded by Lucy Shrimpton.

After further research and speaking with Lucy, Helen knew almost immediately this was something she wanted to train to do, and so she commenced comprehensive but highly enjoyable training, working to improve

Tara’s sleep along the way.

She says: “I qualified, and now more than a year and a half later I have proudly helped dozens of families to reach the sleep goal for their little one.

Each journey with a family is unique, and each baby has different needs, but ultimately when we say goodbye, it is so rewarding to see the progress they have made.

“My service (online) includes a face-to-face consultation and follow up support to guide you through your tailored plan.

“Lockdown was a busy time for me. I was lucky in that I am already used to working from home and conducting my service online. Lots of families saw those months as the perfect opportunity to work on this issue. There was nowhere to go, less demands on a busy family, and parents were often working from home with the kids there too.

“I’m hoping there are lots more families out there, who are keen and ready to restore all things sleep in their home. I often suggest to parents that getting sleep on track for your children is an investment for their future. Think of all the benefits of sleep for children’s development. I don’t think anyone could ever regret working to improve the sleep skills of their child.

“I see myself comparable to a personal trainer- I can help to tailor a specific plan for your little one, guide and support you through it, tweak it when necessary, and then hold you accountable to reach your desired goal. And there’s no time like the present to start!”

Follow Helen on Instagram @ helensleepnanny or search Helen Sleep Nanny on Facebook.

To contact Helen send her an email on helenfarmer@sleepnanny.co.uk or on helenfarmer.kartra.com/page/JWL2 or call her on 07930 669944.

LITTLE CARMEN SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT…FINALLY! Carmen’s parents are delighted that their little girl now has a regular sleeping pattern thanks to Helen.

“We contacted Helen as we were genuinely struggling to cope with our situation. Our 14-month-old girl would waken multiple times throughout the night and had only ever been fed or rocked to sleep. I was back at work fulltime, no proper childcare, lockdown etc.

All this contributed to the fact that this was no longer sustainable for us and starting to affect our mental health! I am so pleased to report that 10 days into our sleep plan our daughter slept through the night for the first time ever!

Naps fell into place soon after and we haven’t looked back!”

“For anyone struggling with sleep, you should definitely contact Helen. She is brilliant and provided great support throughout the process. This has been life changing for us.”

MARTINE AND RYAN

T: 079 3066 9944 | E: helenfarmer@sleepnanny.co.uk | Helenfarmer.kartra.com/page/JWL2

@bcocare bco_care

SISTERS WHO CARE…

Meet the three sisters from Derry who were inspired to start a business during lockdown.

Self-care is so important these days – particularly during these testing times.

So that’s why three sisters, Bronagh, 37, Clare, 34, and Órla, 31 knew they had a great idea for a business that brings self-care straight to your door.

During lockdown the three sisters set up B & CO Care, a company that sends little packages of love to customers who need a little pick me up.

HOW DID THE IDEA FOR YOUR BUSINESS COME ABOUT?

B & CO Care was actually a Covid-19 inspired business. Bronagh received a care package from her employer in thanks for supporting people in her community during lockdown. It really lifted her spirits and she was so appreciative of the gesture that she thought this was something that she would like to send to her friends and family in Derry. The care pack she received came from England and she was really looking for a local provider but couldn’t find one. From there the idea of B & CO Care was created. Bronagh then pitched the idea to Clare and Órla who brought their business background into the mix and the dream became realised.

WHAT IS THE CONCEPT BEHIND YOUR BUSINESS?

The concept behind our business is to bring self -care into the lives and homes of our customers for themselves or a loved one. Very seldom do people remember to take some time out for selfcare, so we wanted to create a product and a brand that both highlighted its importance and encouraged people to do more of it. The packs contain not only little luxuries to help you take the time to relax, but also books that will help you learn how to do this on an ongoing basis.

AFTER YOU HAD THE INITIAL IDEA, HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?

The three sisters met over Zoom and brainstormed a few ideas of what we personally would like to receive in a care pack. We explored different themes, researched different providers and carried out some market research with friends and family, which led to the self-care and pregnancy packs being realised. We created Instagram and Facebook pages and twisted the 110 | Local Women Magazine

arm of one our marketing friends to help to create our logo, brand and website. It was also during these discussions that the name was created, B & CO Care, i.e. Bronagh, Clare and Órla. Before we launched, the nerves and excitement definitely kicked in, but after an hour of it going live and seeing the response from everyone, we knew we had made the right decision and we couldn’t be happier with how things have progressed.

HOW DID LOCKDOWN AFFECT YOUR BUSINESS?

happiness as we drive away. Following the deliveries, we receive a lot of messages from our customers saying that the pack made their day or picked them up if they are having a hard time.

Being on the receiving end of this, gives us the affirmation that we are on the right track and the motivation to continue to develop B & CO Care.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE BUSINESS?

We have big plans!!We have had meetings with North West Enterprise who are providing us the Lockdown was the reason our business began! We support we need to take our business one step noticed so much on social media that everyone further. We just really want to send our thanks and wanted to look after each other from afar; friends, gratitude to everyone for their support so far, so family, partners and they have entrusted B & CO make sure to watch this space!

Care to deliver this message to their loved one.

We have had the privilege of writing beautiful WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO ANYONE personal messages to recipients, expressing love WHO IS READING THIS AND THINKING and support, it really has been overwhelming to OF STARTING THEIR OWN BUSINESS? us that our care packages have been used in this Do it! We recently posted this quote on our Instagram page - “Playing down your brilliance way and we are grateful to be part of it. and hiding your talents in the name of ‘modesty’ WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR does not serve you or the rest of the world.

JOB/WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST? You are gifted. own it.” This might be a push Having the opportunity and platform to raise for anyone reading our interview today and awareness and the importance of self-care, doubting themselves, never did we think that we which we are very passionate about, as three would have created a business during a world busy women. Also, often when we deliver the pandemic! But here we are, B & CO Care and packages, we are greeted at the door by very loving it! surprised, happy and at times overwhelmed men Checkout our B & CO Instagram, Facebook and women, who just needed that little gesture and website of care in their lives at that moment. It can also www.bcocare.co.uk. be overwhelming for us and fills our hearts with

MEET THE EXPERTS:

THE COPPER SHAKERS A love of hospitality and cocktail-making is the perfect mix for new business owners Áine O’Kane and Thomas Cavanagh.

Co. Derry duo Áine O’Kane and Thomas Cavanagh have found a great recipe for a business idea.

With a love of mixology and years of experience in hospitality, Áine and Thomas wanted to create a cocktail bar hire service in Northern Ireland.

And so, they launched The Copper Shakers – adding a touch of class to events with a smooth and hassle-free service.

Here we find out more about the business that’s causing a stir across the country!

HOW DID THE IDEA FOR YOUR BUSINESS COME ABOUT? We both have entrepreneurial drive and a love for hospitality and mixology! We wanted to incorporate both of these things and go out on our own, trying something new. We both have a huge passion for cocktail-making and decided this was the perfect route to try.

WHAT ARE YOUR WORK BACKGROUNDS? We have both worked in a bar for approximately five years, this also includes experience in some of the best country clubs in the US. Thomas is currently studying Electrical Engineering and Áine has just graduated from International Hospitality Management.

We began the business in the midst of our studies.

WHAT IS THE CONCEPT BEHIND YOUR BUSINESS? We provide a bespoke cocktail service for private events, such as birthdays, hen parties, weddings and corporate events.

AFTER YOU HAD THE INITIAL IDEA, HOW DID YOU GET STARTED? It took a lot of work (maybe more than we expected) to get the business started. Around five months of planning and preparation was put into place before the business was launched. We had to take some risks and we were nervous about it in the beginning! special. We are constantly learning and growing, in terms It was a big step for us both, but thankfully it has paid off and we of both the business aspect and in regard to mixology. We like to have a great rapport with our customers, we believe couldn’t be happier. We love what we do. a huge part of providing an exceptional service is not just in HOW DID LOCKDOWN AFFECT YOUR BUSINESS? high quality products but in customer service too. We always Lockdown came as a surprise of course and we were have good banter with our customers and ensure they’ve disappointed to cancel events with our customers. However, had an evening to remember. it was a blessing in disguise for a business of this nature. As WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE BUSINESS? people are appreciating spending more time at home with friends and family, and garden parties are becoming the new In the future we want our business to grow of course. We normal, we bring the bar to you. Our high quality, affordable want to train new staff to join us in the business that we love. service is perfect for these events and for people to be able We could provide new employees with the same great experience we have every week, enjoying what we do. to have the same experience as if they were out!

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO ANYONE WHO IS READING We both agree that the best aspect of the business is knowing THIS AND THINKING OF STARTING THEIR OWN BUSINESS? WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?

we have provided a premium service, gaining new satisfied To anyone thinking of starting a new business: do it! There are customers every week. We provide a service that is different always going to be risks, but this can create greatness. You and something for everyone to enjoy. Making an event extra will never know if you don’t try.

07592 315 059 | info@thecoppershakers.co.uk | www.thecoppershakers.co.uk Local Women Magazine | 111

To celebrate the reopening of Northern Irelands Newest west and most exclusive Day head,,, Le Jardin are off f ering ff Spa. We are encouraging a healthy relaxed season ahead,,, offering mfort of their velvet draped a Herbs and Hedgerows Spa Special. Relax in the comfort d body bliss as you sip on a post treatment room after a day of botanical face and seasonal gin or herbal infusion......autumn has just become our favorite season!

Inspired by the wild hedgerows and nourishing autumnal fruits its and berries...Le Jardins Herbs and Hedgerows Special is a fusion of fruits and decadent scents,,, nts,,, transform your spa day to become the epitome of luxury extending your time, by upgrading ading with an afternoon aft f ernoon tea and ft freshly decanted take home gift. f . ft

Herbs & Hedgerows 1Hr access to the Thermal Facilities ties Gentle pumpkin enzyme facial with refreshing apple ple spritzer. (30min) Hot stone targeted back massage (20min) 20min) Full body signature gin scrub and oil treatment. atment. (40)

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SHE’S ONE EL OF A WOMAN

Hilltown fitness fanatic El Fegan has scaled new heights with her toughest challenge yet but it was worth it all in the end, as she tells Local Women’s MAUREEN COLEMAN

A

s a polercise instructor who takes classes in Belfast and Dundalk, El Fegan epitomises fitness and strength.

And she had to call on that strength, both mental and physical, when she recently completed a mammoth challenge – climbing to the top of Carrauntoohil mountain in Co Kerry, every day for 30 days over the month of July.

Irrespective of the weather conditions, the Hilltown woman, who celebrated her 40th birthday in lockdown, set out early each morning and walked to the summit of Ireland’s highest mountain. Some days she walked alone in heavy rain and biting wind; other days she was joined by family members and friends.

In total, El climbed the equivalent height of three Mount Everests – a staggering 360km distance over 150 hours, to raise funds for local charity, Moving Mountains.

Standing tall at 1,039 metres with stunning views across Co Kerry and the Killarney lakes, Carrauntoohil is a popular destination for mountain trekkers like El, who has climbed it twice before.

This time was different though. Knowing she was raising money for charity meant she couldn’t take a day out from her challenge, no matter how difficult the conditions or how exhausted she was. It was all or nothing for El. Now she’s home again, easing herself gently back into polercise and reflecting on the monumental fundraiser she set herself.

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ƒ El was supported by her friends and family

“I feel absolutely elated to be home, having successfully completed my charity challenge,” says El. “I’ve had some time to reflect on my feat, and read through messages of encouragement and support from friends, family and strangers.

“I feel completely blessed to be in a position to give back physically and to give time and energy to raise much needed funds for charitable causes. But I’m also delighted that I’ve been able to motivate and inspire even one person to get out there and set themselves some challenges and goals. That is truly satisfying. However big or small that challenge may be, everyone has their own Everest.”

So far El has raised over £4,500 (including gift aid) for Moving Mountains Trust and the cash is still coming in. The money will be used to feed around 100 street children for seven months.

El, who is also a member of the Co Down based outdoor pursuits group, the Feel Good Factor, likes to routinely test herself. For the last few years, she has set herself various fitness challenges including climbing Kilimanjaro and closer to home, Slieve Donard. She also climbed the highest mountain of every county in Ireland.

“I just like to make up my own challenges,” El explains. “It’s something I enjoy doing; pushing myself. And then to hold myself accountable, I choose a charity to ensure that I complete the challenge.

“That way, if there are days that I don’t really feel like doing it, I’m motivated to keep going.”

It was while doing her County High Point challenge five years ago, that she first encountered Carrauntoohil. Then two years ago, she returned to the mountain with her nephew, who was keen to give it a go.

With her plans to mark her 40th birthday thrown into disarray as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown, El decided to put her free time to good use.

“I had been planning to go on lots of holidays for my birthday but that obviously couldn’t happen,” she says.

about.

“And when the weather was decent, it could get quite busy at the top. I never felt alone really. And it’s been amazing the support I’ve had, from family, friends and people on Facebook who wanted to join in.

“I started to feel a bit restless in lockdown on my own, so thought it would be a good idea to set myself another challenge and climb Carrauntoohil for 30 consecutive days.”

“Local legend and mountaineering hero John Lenihan also came out with me, which was great.”

Some days were tougher than others, as rain lashed down and the mist set in. Pouring water out from her hiking boots became a regular thing. But on the days the sun shone down on the cross at the top of Carrauntoohil, El was able to see for miles across Kerry, taking in the county’s natural beauty and the stunning Killarney lakes.

Well used to her adventures, her family and friends were encouraging, and many joined her on the daily treks. On the days she climbed alone, she was able to go at a faster pace but was glad of the company on other days.

ƒ El undertook the challenge for charity

Having to step away from her polercise classes for five months due to lock-down, El says she feels like a student again. Given her fitness levels and determination though, it won’t be long before she’s back in pole position and teaching once more.

And she’s not planning to rest on her laurels any time soon as she’s already looking ahead to her next project.

ƒ Reaching the summit

“Next year, all being well with Covid free travel, I plan to travel to Nepal or Kenya to see first-hand what and where the funds raised go towards,” she says.

“I wasn’t nervous at all going up on my own,” she says. “I’ve climbed “I’d also like to volunteer some of my free time to the Moving it before and then as the days went on, I got to know the Devil’s Ladder Mountains Trust and the work they do over there.” route pretty well.

“The great thing about the mountain is that you’re never really alone.

Even on the worst days, weather wise, there was still plenty of people

To donate, go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/30daytrek

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A SHEER DELIGHT Voiles offer a gorgeous alternative to curtains, letting light flood into your home and offering privacy.

The experts at Elle Designs have a range of stunning options.

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