Northern Notes

Our vision is that every child with a serious illness should be able to enjoy their childhood.

Barretstown helps rebuild the lives of children affected by serious illness, and their families, by providing life changing therapeutic programmes in a safe, fun and supportive environment.

When a child is seriously ill, their life becomes about everything they can’t do anymore, and they can stop feeling like a regular child. Even when they physically start to get better, the psychological scars of their illness, or that of their siblings, can remain, eroding confidence, diminishing self-esteem and coping skills.

Barretstown empowers and encourages each child to step out of their comfort zone and rebuild their confidence through our medically endorsed therapeutic programmes. They start to discover the magic of being a child again.

Barretstown offers therapeutic programmes at our unique residential site in Co Kildare, and in hospitals and schools throughout Ireland. Since opening our gates in 1994, Barretstown has served 75,000 children and family members. One of the most powerful and lasting ways you can support children living with serious illness is by considering leaving a gift in your will.

All gifts left to Barretstown in wills, no matter how big or small the amount, will be combined into the Magic Fund. This Fund is a vital source of income for Barretstown, allowing us to bring more campers to Barretstown and to invest in vital capital projects we would not otherwise be in a position to undertake. Leave behind a little magic. Ensuring Barretstown can be here for future generations can be your legacy.

Your care and compassion for children will live on in Barretstown. We are grateful for every legacy gift. Whether it is a modest sum of money, or a small percentage, each gift will help bring magic into the lives of children living with serious illness.

“There is something only those who go to Barretstown understand: camp magic. The best of humanity is felt here. It is my honour and privilege to pay it back and pay it forward to a camp and country that holds a piece of my heart and soul, by leaving a legacy.” Brenda Eng, Med Shed volunteer nurse and legacy donor

WALKING FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND FUN, FRIENDSHIP, FITNESS Join the launch at SeniorTimes LIVE! in the RDS on the 23rd and 24th April

By Debbie Orme Notes

The ‘oldest clown in town’

When many 61 year olds are only thinking of retirement and putting their feet up, one 61 year old is still having a blast as the ‘oldest clown in town’! Paul, ‘Bucky’ Taylor - otherwise known as Bucky The Clown - has is still working as a clown across Northern Ireland and indeed has just finished a three week stint at the popular all-human circus, Tumble Circus, in Belfast’s Writers’ Square. But performing under dazzling lights and generating big laughs is a far cry from his humble beginnings as a struggling engineer in London, when he was made redundant along with his best friend John.

After touring the east coast of Australia, the pair returned to find London prices making living there almost an impossible task.

‘We got back to London and I couldn’t afford to live there anymore and John suggested we try Belfast,’ Paul told Northern Notes. ‘I’d been persuaded to become a mature student, and when John suggested Belfast, I began studying anthropology,’ he explained. ‘At that time I was approached to help set up a juggling club.’

A chance encounter with a lady called Margaret Eno, who was looking for four people to join a juggling club at Queen’s University in Belfast, was the inspiration for Bucky’s circus involvement.

‘We started the Queen’s juggling club in the early 90s and it’s still going big time. They meet every Tuesday and it’s been the neutral space for all. The juggling club led us into Belfast Circus and all the other circus stuff that has gone on here.’

Bucky draws his inspiration to develop his array of characters from the late Rob Torres, one of the world's most successful clowns and from figures in the comedy scene. ‘I suppose years and years of watching Monty Python and the Young Ones and being very lucky to live in London when the comedy scene hit, I always saw Tommy Cooper, Morecambe and Wise, through to Alexei Sayle, and the like. I think I’ve always been a bit eccentric.’

At the beginning of his career in Belfast, Bucky was a trainer with Circusful, formally known as Belfast Community Circus School, teaching circus skills to the next generation of Circus entertainers. Now, he’s a performer on their professional roster and also spends his time performing as a clown doctor for children with life-limiting conditions, a role he has been performing for 17 years. During his early days as a clown doctor, Bucky was accompanied by the legendary Jos Houben, an internationally acclaimed leader in Comedy and Physical who was sent by the French Theatre de Complicité to brighten up hospital visits.

Bucky visits children’s wards and hospices as his character ‘Dr Clueless’ with partner ‘Dr Muddle’, wearing a stripped back version of his usual clown attire. ‘It’s unbelievable,’ he says. ‘We go everywhere from the hospices to hospitals. We come into the wards in the morning, and we make offers of play on the wards.We don’t wear make-up, just red noses and white coats. We use our skills. ‘Obviously I have my circus skills and juggling and slapstick, but basically it’s just an offer of play and if the child takes it up great. The job is hardcore as you could be dealing with kids with broken arms and legs but, over the years, it’s been very rewarding.’ world behind. You leave everything at the door. Then when you come off, you take the nose off, disinfect it and that keeps you sane. ‘You do see some pretty awful stuff and there’s been a lot of children that we’ve got to know. '

‘You build up a relationship with a child over the years, particularly with the cancer side of things or head injuries. Often the end is really amazing and often it’s not so amazing. You lose a child but you get to know the families, the staff, and everyone involved.’

Without the early training and support from Circusful, Bucky believes he wouldn’t have achieved half of what he has done throughout his career. ‘I have to mention Circus School as they’ve facilitated a lot of our early training. We had training from the top notch clowns in France where they came and did our first early workshops with the first group of clown doctors. '

‘I’ve also been privy to workshops with Rob Taries, the street clown. It’s been fabulous. I love the madness of it,’ he says. ‘It looks like chaos, but you’d trust the team at Tumble Circus with your life – it’s mad. They let me do what I want, be an idiot and let me off the reins. It’s the only non-scripted anarchic place I could inhabit. They might complain about my lack of underwear but, other than that, I have free rein.'

From his first tentative steps in Belfast, Bucky is firmly rooted in the Northern Irish capital and proud to be a part of the internationally-recognised Circusful. ‘I stay here for my kids and the buzz,’ the 61 year old explains. ‘Belfast is small and the community looks out for each other. It’s tight knit. Everybody around the world knows about the Circus School. John and I do a lot of travelling and you meet people and they all know about the circus in Belfast.’

Bucky in final act

Care for carers’ project launched

The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Graham Warke (centre) launches the Care for Carers Project

The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Graham Warke (centre) launches the Care for Carers Project. Derry City and Strabane District Council have launched a free virtual programme of activities and awareness sessions to help carers improve their physical and mental health.

The Care for Carers Project is supported by the Public Health Agency (PHA) and delivered in partnership with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and the Western Health and Social Care Trust. The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Graham Warke, welcomed the programme and urged carers to consider accessing the resources.

‘Carers are often so busy looking after someone else that they can neglect their own health and wellbeing which can exacerbate an already challenging environment,’ he said. ‘This programme will encourage carers to take some well-earned time away from their role to relax and focus on themselves. There are lots opportunities to develop news skills and connect with new people through group activities so I'd encourage carers to get involved by accessing the online programme.’

Access and Inclusion Co-ordinator at Council, Caitriona Doherty, explained more about the initiative. ‘The aim of this project is to provide an online platform where carers can socialise and empathise with each other, while focusing on their own self-care,’ she said. ‘There is a wide range of engaging, educational and fun workshops, activities and information sessions available. Carers will be given the opportunity to take part in Tai Chi, photography, cookery workshops and arts and craft workshops among other activities."

If you are a carer and would like to find out more information about accessing the project, visit www.derrystrabane/inclusion or contact inclusion.culture@derrystrabane.com.

The Vikings are coming!

Ards and North Down Borough Council and Newry Mourne and Down District Council have announced the launch of the Strangford Lough Viking Festival, which is being held from 24-27 March

‘We are delighted to support this exciting new festival,’ said Ainsley McWilliams, Regions Manager at Tourism NI, who are funding the festival, ‘which will explore the Viking links within Strangford Lough as well as showcase a wide range of authentic experiences and entertainment suitable for everyone. Events like this are crucial to our local economy and help boost the profile of tourism in Northern Ireland. I have no doubt that the addition of the Strangford Lough Viking Festival to the festival programme for 2022 will create new and exciting reasons to visit Portaferry and Strangford.’

With the main activity taking place in Portaferry and Strangford, from Thursday 24 - Sunday 27 March, the festival will highlight the strong Viking links rooted within Strangford Lough and showcase a wide range of experiences and entertainment for all ages. Portaferry and Strangford will see Viking camps, open 10am-4pm Saturday and Sunday, with re-enactors telling the Viking story and showing how they lived in the area more than a thousand years ago. They will also be displaying their full-sized replica long ships both on land and water, with sailors from the “Vikings” TV series discussing their adventures. Demonstrations will include blacksmithing, woodworking, pottery, weaving, jewellery making, birds of prey and Rune Reading. Visitors can try their hand at axe throwing, archery and spear throwing and hear “Skalds” tell Viking sagas, participate in children’s treasure hunts and see fierce warriors do battle.

For full festival details, log on to visitardsandnorthdown.com or visitmournemountains.co.uk

Councillor Mark Brooks (second left) and Councillor Cathy Mason (centre) help launch the Strangford Lough Viking Festival.

Mayor joins 100th birthday celebrations for Tillie Virtue

100 up: Tillie Virtue

The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has made a special presentation to a Coleraine resident who marks a milestone birthday this week. Councillor Richard Holmes visited Tillie Virtue at her home ahead of her 100th birthday which took place on Friday 11 February 2022. Born in County Tyrone a century ago, the mother of seven has three daughters and four sons who all live in Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Germany. Her husband Bobby passed away over 20 years ago. ‘I would like to thank Tillie and her extended family for inviting me to be a part of her 100th birthday celebrations,’ the Mayor said. ‘I was delighted to offer my good wishes on behalf of the Borough. I greatly enjoyed my chat with her, a truly amazing lady who is much loved by her family and friends. I hope she enjoys continued good health and contentment.’

Meeting Place

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