11 minute read
SOCIETY WEDDINGS
LOVE IN LOCKDOWN
WEDDINGS
Duggan & Cunningham
Miss Joanne Duggan, daughter of Damien and Ann Duggan from Castlewellan, married Declan Cunningham, son of Francis and Karen Cunningham from Dundrum. The wedding took place on 11th September 2021 with a reception at Canal Court Hotel, Newry.
Photography by William Studio Ballynahinch
WEDDINGS
LOVE IN LOCKDOWNTaylor & Gilmore
Miss Jennie Taylor, daughter of Deirdre Taylor and Dr George Robin Taylor from Dunraven Park, Belfast, married Chris Gilmore, son of Melanie Jane Gilmore and Stevie Gilmore from Sandhill Parade, Belfast. The wedding took place on 25th March 2021 at Leighinmohr House, Ballymena.
Photography by Jervis Wedding Photography
Love After Lockdown
Ulster Tatler speaks to Gardiner Brothers’ Michael Warke about how the family-run business adapted during the strange times of the Covid crisis and how they can provide the perfect diamonds for lovers after lockdown.
Gardiner Brothers is open for business again after lockdown, how can your customers go about visiting the store?
We are currently working on an appointment basis only, this is very much for the safety of our staff and customers. With the social distancing restrictions in place we are restricting the number of customers in store at any one time, it
always gives us time to clean rings and jewellery between customers. As guidelines are constantly changing we would advise any customers to phone our showroom fi rst, just to check on current procedures and book an appointment.
What measures have you put in place for social distancing?
We have had to make a number of changes to our showroomand how we work. We have protective screens up in all sales offi ces and till stations. There is a limit for the number of customers in store at any one time and we are cleaning stock each morning and between customers.
As an established business of over 80 years, how did you keep positive and adapt during what was an uncertain time?
I think we have come through this a lot more positively than many other businesses. A combination of a large customer base and strong online presence has meant we have been able to keep working to a certain extent during the crisis. Our customers know the extremely high quality they will receive from us, which has given them the confi dence to continue to purchase online. It has also given us time to work through bespoke designs with customers who are planning ahead for proposals in late summer.
With restrictions now lifting do you feel that there will be a surge in engagements?
Yes, we have already been extremely busy in the short time our showroom has been back open. During the lockdown we have been spending a lot of time advising customers on diff erent designs and diamond options for rings. I think there could be an end of summer boom for proposals.
What style of rings are on trend at present?
Our Aurora Diamond range has been extremely popular recently. We are constantly bringing out new styles and increasing the range to keep up with demand. We are fi nding that when they see the unique sparkle from the Aurora Diamond they instantly fall in love with it.
People who were unable to buy birthday, anniversary gifts etc over the past few months can now do so, what products do you think would make the perfect present?
Everyone’s taste is completely diff erent so it is hard to specify one style. We have an extensive range of jewellery instore which is specially selected to meet everyone’s
taste. We also off er a completely bespoke design service, this is a great way to design something completely unique for any occasion.
Jasper Castel from ‘Hellbent’ and Maurice McLean (Olive tree bakes and preserves).
David Catherwood and Natasha Hadley with schnauzer Rory. The Armstrong family from Guillemot deli are Rosie, Rachel, Oli, grandad Ashley and dad Ricky.
BANGOR MARKET
The sunshine was out for the weekly Bangor market. It is one of the largest open-air markets in Northern Ireland and meets every Wednesday morning with stalls offering a wide selection of the freshest fruit and vegetables, a fantastic range of fi sh, irresistible home-baked cakes and much, much more.
Lesley-Ann McGrath, Mya and Amy Erikson.
Jamie Clegg, Susie Clegg and Conar Macleod with dogs Callie and Cooper. Phoenix and Laura Baxter. Joan and David Jamison with Bruno.
SUMMER MUST-READS
Here we look at some of the latest releases which are sure to make it onto your spring must-read list.
DINO DARKO: THE DINOSAUR WHO WAS AFRAID OF THE DARK
Published by Across & Down Publishing and written by Belfast author Darren Walsh, Dino Darko tells the tale of one brave boy’s quest to battle the dark and make it through the night without his night light. Inspired by his twin sons, Coen and Rylee, this ‘roarsome’ childrens book will capture the imaginations of kids and adults alike with its heartwarming story and striking illustrations. This paperback book is perfect for bedtime stories and can be bought online at all good bookshops and outlets.
BREAK THE CHAINS
Jenny White, a nurse from Newtownards, has taken the time in lockdown to write and publish her fi rst novel. She describes Break The Chains as a romance with a dark twist. Jenny says that the main character, Jane is inspirational because she remained positive despite all the trials and tribulations she had experienced throughout her life. “These range from child abuse, bullying, to having an abusive partner, and when things started to look good for her sge had a miscarriage and met another abusive partner. At the end of the book she is still fi ghting, still strong and still wants a better life for herself despite meeting hurdle after hurdle.”
Jenny believes people will be able to relate to the strength of people and especially the strength of women encapsulated in the book.
Break The Chains by Jenny White Published through Amazon
A SHORT, HOPEFUL GUIDE TO CLIMATE CHANGE
This is the story of humans and fi re and how we’ve changed the world. It’s a story about our civilisation and our environment, about wildfi res and glaciers, war and wilderness. It’s about tiny ocean creatures, giant machines, and teenagers protesting on city streets. It’s about climate change, and the millions of people who are already taking action to do something about it.
Written in a conversational style with a narrative arc, and illustrated with cartoons, A Short Hopeful Guide To Climate Change is, above all an expression of Oisín McGann’s fascination with how the world works. Published in collaboration with Friends of the Earth Ireland, this might be the most eco-friendly children’s book ever published! Vegan inks, no plastic components and all fully recyclable: this book is part of the solution.
A Short Hopeful Guide to Climate Change by Oisín McGann Published May 2021, Little Island Books
SPREADING THE NEWS
We look at some of the stories making headlines this month.
RESERVE2SERVE
Ross Porter and JonJo Power.
Hospitality Ulster is pleased to appoint Reserve2Serve as an offi cial Hospitality Ulster Partner.
The Reserve2Serve system delivers an endto-end solution that will help operators across the hospitality industry coordinate and execute their reopening plans while helping build back customer confi dence.
Reserve2Serve is a great example of cross sector collaboration based on consultation and innovation and is refl ective of the grit, resilience and ingenuity across our hospitality industry and its robust supply chains. This system can play a key role in reopening hospitality when restrictions allow, while the built-in functionality of the system will help businesses to predict, react and adapt to the inevitable challenges ahead.
As we chart a course to economic recovery from the devastating pandemic, few industries face as daunting a challenge as the hospitality sector which has suffered more than most as a result of several lockdowns and the continued turbulence presented by ongoing mutations of the deadly virus, growing vaccine scepticism and disrupted vaccine supply chains across the continent”.
JonJo Power, Founder R2S says;
“As the hospitality industry eyes a return to trading in the shadow of COVID (which has exposed the industry as vulnerable) we will be operating in a new environment of regulatory framework and altered consumer behaviours. R2S was conceived, developed and brought to market in order to boost consumer confi dence and help encourage footfall across all hospitality businesses with compliance, confi dence and traceability at the forefront.
Ross Porter, Founder R2S, Podium Apps comments;
“Locally developed and uniquely Northern Irish, R2S operates as a multi-platform booking system, a covid compliance rating feature, full track and trace functionality and a ‘kitty’ generator for the customer which creates a guaranteed minimum spend for the operator, turning expensive no shows into profi t.”
LADIES FIRST
Lough Erne Resort has become the fi rst 5-star venue in Northern Ireland to boast an all-female General Manager and Deputy Manager team following the recent appointment of Roisin McFadden as Deputy General Manager. With guests now booking even longer stays this summer, the resort’s leadership team has been working hard to ensure that there is so much more to help guests to recharge and enjoy a relaxing escape in the Roisin McFadden and Joanne Walsh. countryside when the time is right. Joanne says: “I think that good old female attitude of rolling up the sleeves and making it happen took over after the initial chaos in March and we’ve been very busy planning.
Roisin adds: “2021 is set to be the year of the staycation and our goal is to create a guest experience that is second to none.
“As well as all the activities in the resort there is lots to explore in the local area with Enniskillen Castle, the ‘Stairway to Heaven’ at Cuilcagh Boardwalk plus many more attractions on our doorstep.”
Summer prices for self-catering in one of the resort’s luxury lodges start from £995 for 3 nights, £1,475 for 5 nights and £1,995 for 7 nights. Hotel accommodation this summer starts from £199 per room.
ON CLOUD NINE
Northern Ireland digital accountancy specialist Exchange Accountants has achieved Platinum Partner status with market-leading cloud accountancy software provider Xero. Lisburn-based Exchange Accountants director, Conor Walls. Exchange was the fi rst accountancy practice in Northern Ireland to be recognized as a Xero Gold Partner and the company has now been awarded the highest level of partner status, having introduced more than 500 clients to Xero’s groundbreaking software system.
Conor Walls, Director of Business Development at Exchange Accountants, believes that the company’s elevated Xero status will benefi t both the practice and its clients.
“We recognised at a very early stage where accountancy was headed digitally and made a company decision to enhance our digital and cloud accountancy offering to clients,” said Mr Walls. “That decision is now standing us in good stead as world events have rapidly accelerated the uptake of digital and cloud services - not to mention the further roll out of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax which is due in April 2023.
