March 2014 - East Belfast

Cookbook

Local News

The very latest news and community projects that are happening near you now!

Food • Cookery • Health • Beauty • Local Advice, Your Regular Faves and More!

www.bloommagazine.co.uk • @bloommag • Find us on Facebook East Belfast Issue 26 • March 2014

Turn Over a New Leaf

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Breaking news on the Sam Thompson Bridge, Slimming World, Belfast Jazz Orchestra & amazing local artists.

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BLOOM Contents

Magazinebloom

Water seems to have been the

dominant force over the last

few weeks in the form of a constant

threat of rain from above and Bloom

readers in tears as they await the next

edition. Ha. Funnily enough there are

usually a few tears at the end of the

month as we send the mag to printers.

Tears of joy, relief and confusion as

another edition becomes real. And

we’ve certainly been keeping it real

over the last few weeks uncovering

some amazing people, projects and

MARCH2014

The local groups are getting behind a brilliant sponsored slim for charity.

SLIMMING WORLD

Andrew from Dundela Photo Lab returns with his lense lessons.

It’s all the stories that are new to you and us and come in the form of news.

Local News

PHOTOGRAPHY

Cook the perfect Ulster Fry with the guidance of St George’s Bar & Grill.

cookbook

All your events and goings on neatly packaged into one fell swoop.

WHAT’S ON

Intrepid vintage explorer Rosie uncovers some Mother’s Day marvels.

GIRL LOVES VINTAGE

It’s the big opening of the Sam Thompson Bridge at Victoria Park.

the bridgeThe Secret Day Spa prepare you for the incoming summer season.

HEALTH AND BEAUTY

It’s the amazing Swing Era Saturday down at Shorts Recreation Club.

BELFAST JAZZMATAZ

4

18

20

22

26

30

32

36

38

businesses who we are sharing with

you this month. Once again there

has been a phenomenal amount

happening and it can be difficult to

cram it all in without some overspill

but we’ve certainly done our best.

And speaking of water, probably the

biggest news we have this month is

the opening of the Sam Thompson

Bridge in Victoria Park. We have been

bringing you regular updates on the

Connswater Community Greenway in

Bloom for a while now and this hugely

significant stage is a milestone at the

heart of the £35m project, connecting

Victoria Park to Airport Road, the

Harbour Estate and Titanic Quarter

but also opening up access to the 9km

Connswater Community Greenway

which is currently under construction.

Come down for the opening on the

4th April and quite simply, Get Over It!

All this and more in this month’s jam

packed edition of Bloom and for those

of you already in flood of tears waiting

for the next one, get over it!

bloommagazine.co.uk 3

Any views expressed within are not necessarily endorsed by Bloom Magazine or Newborn Media. Reference to any specific product or service does not constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by Bloom Magazine. Links and contacts are provided for user convenience and do not constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation by Bloom Magazine. Any reproduction without permission is prohibited.

@bloommag

Bloom Magazine Belfast

Editorial & Design : [email protected]: 07977 144904Advertising : [email protected]: 07719 104862Advertising & Accounts : [email protected]: 07725 621642

Bloom Magazine308 Albertbridge Road Belfast BT5 4GXwww.bloommagazine.co.uk

Printed by Nicholson Bass Distributed by Speedpost NI

Email: [email protected] Twitter: @bloommag Facebook: Bloom Magazine Belfast Web: bloommagazine.co.uk

Bloom News Local NewS &Views

EAST BELFAST WOMAN WINS £3,000 WITH CENTRA

4 bloommagazine.co.uk

East Belfast-based ice

cream manufacturer Riada,

which also supplies desserts,

patisserie and fi ne foods to NI’s

hospitality industry, has invested

£50,000 in a revolutionary

renewable heating solution

designed by local heat engineer-

ing specialists BS Holdings and

fuelled by locally produced

brites pellets. A fi rst for the ice

cream industry in Northern Ire-

land Riada is reducing its busi-

ness overheads and using these

increasing green credentials to

help them drive new business in

2014. The design and installa-

tion of the innovative BS Hold-

ings modularised biomass boiler

system is enabling this busy

ice cream producer to cut its

carbon emissions by 97% and

substantially reduce the cost

of heating at its Belfast facility

for the next 20 years through

the Renewable Heat Incentive

(RHI). Brian Hood, Managing

Director, BS Holdings said,

“Our team installed a 66kw

biomass boiler that along with

the government’s RHI will

ensure that the technology

pays for itself in less than 12

months, and will allow Riada

to get on with delivering for

their customers in a sustaina-

ble and cost-effective manner.”

For further information on how

a biomass heating system can

benefi t your business please

contact BS Holdings on

028 9073 2233 or you can

visit the website

www.bsholdings.co.uk

LOCAL BUSINESS INVESTs IN RENEWABLES

Jackie Thompson from East Belfast won a year’s worth of shopping with centra Holywood! Centra Stores joined with Cool FM and Downtown Radio to offer listeners the chance to win a year’s worth of shopping for 2014. Pete Snodden and store manager, Jonathan Boal, Centra Holywood congratulate Jackie on winning £3,000 worth of centra vouchers. Jackie listened to cool FM and identifi ed a celebrity referred to in a Centra Tannoy announcement for her chance to win. Centra gave away a total of £3,500 cash to 10 winners from across NI.

Congrats to Grosvenor Grammar School’s Medallion rugby

squad who sealed a 12-3 victory over

Coleraine Academical Institution in the

fourth round of the 2014 Danske Bank

Ulster Schools’ Medallion Shield.

Bloom News


Market proves it’s the best!

St George’s Market has been named the best in the

United Kingdom. The Victorian facility, which is

owned and operated by Belfast City Council, was

awarded the title of ‘Best Large Indoor Market’ at

the annual NABMA (National Association of British

Market Authorities) awards in Birmingham yesterday

(Thursday). NABMA is the trade body which

represents 700 local authority operated markets

across the UK, and its annual awards are regarded

as the most prestigious in the business. The ‘Best

Large Indoor Market’ is one of the most coveted

titles, and the 2014 award the most keenly contested

in the history of the competition, with St George’s

beating off internationally renowned markets such

as Billingsgate, Borough and Spitalfields to lift this

year’s crown. Operating three days a week – Friday,

Saturday and Sunday – St George’s Market is home

to more than 170 traders, some of whom have been

there for several generations, as well as six shop units

and a restaurant, and sustains 385 jobs. It attracts

approximately 600,000 visitors a year, generating

an estimated £15 million per annum for the Belfast

economy. belfastcity.gov.uk/stgeorgesmarket

The Mayor of Castlereagh,

Councillor David Drysdale will

host a charity golf day on Friday

25th April in aid of his chosen

Barnardo’s is reminding all those

successful New Year dieters from East

Belfast who are beginning to see the

benefits of their new healthy regime

that one of the best places to find

inexpensive good quality new sized

clothes is at their local Barnardo’s

stores at Cregagh Road, Kings Square

Dundonald and Connswater Retail

Park. Barnardo’s Cregagh Road store

manager Julie Greer said: “We are

seeing a trend of customers who have

lost weight on a January diet, but

because they’re hoping to lose more

weight don’t want to spend a fortune

on a whole new wardrobe just yet,

so they’re visiting Barnardo’s shops

to stock up on affordable in-between

sizes. We are delighted to be able to

provide dieters an affordable option

for new clothes. All the items sold

are quality checked and the stock

is rotated on a frequent basis. We

are also keen to receive donations

of clothes which no longer fit the

successful dieter! All the money

raised in local Barnardo’s stores

goes directly to Barnardo’s NI work

supporting local children who are

less-advantaged and vulnerable.

facebook.com/BarnardosNI

or follow @BarnardosNI

charity, Fields of Life. The event

tees off at Castlereagh Hills Golf

Course at 8.30am with a shotgun

start. £50 per person including

breakfast and lunch. To enter a

fourball, contact the Mayor’s

Office on 9049 4502 or email

[email protected]

Bloom News


Market proves it’s the best!

St George’s Market has been named the best in the

United Kingdom. The Victorian facility, which is

owned and operated by Belfast City Council, was

awarded the title of ‘Best Large Indoor Market’ at

the annual NABMA (National Association of British

Market Authorities) awards in Birmingham yesterday

(Thursday). NABMA is the trade body which

represents 700 local authority operated markets

across the UK, and its annual awards are regarded

as the most prestigious in the business. The ‘Best

Large Indoor Market’ is one of the most coveted

titles, and the 2014 award the most keenly contested

in the history of the competition, with St George’s

beating off internationally renowned markets such

as Billingsgate, Borough and Spitalfields to lift this

year’s crown. Operating three days a week – Friday,

Saturday and Sunday – St George’s Market is home

to more than 170 traders, some of whom have been

there for several generations, as well as six shop units

and a restaurant, and sustains 385 jobs. It attracts

approximately 600,000 visitors a year, generating

an estimated £15 million per annum for the Belfast

economy. belfastcity.gov.uk/stgeorgesmarket

The Mayor of Castlereagh,

Councillor David Drysdale will

host a charity golf day on Friday

25th April in aid of his chosen

Barnardo’s is reminding all those

successful New Year dieters from East

Belfast who are beginning to see the

benefits of their new healthy regime

that one of the best places to find

inexpensive good quality new sized

clothes is at their local Barnardo’s

stores at Cregagh Road, Kings Square

Dundonald and Connswater Retail

Park. Barnardo’s Cregagh Road store

manager Julie Greer said: “We are

seeing a trend of customers who have

lost weight on a January diet, but

because they’re hoping to lose more

weight don’t want to spend a fortune

on a whole new wardrobe just yet,

so they’re visiting Barnardo’s shops

to stock up on affordable in-between

sizes. We are delighted to be able to

provide dieters an affordable option

for new clothes. All the items sold

are quality checked and the stock

is rotated on a frequent basis. We

are also keen to receive donations

of clothes which no longer fit the

successful dieter! All the money

raised in local Barnardo’s stores

goes directly to Barnardo’s NI work

supporting local children who are

less-advantaged and vulnerable.

facebook.com/BarnardosNI

or follow @BarnardosNI

charity, Fields of Life. The event

tees off at Castlereagh Hills Golf

Course at 8.30am with a shotgun

start. £50 per person including

breakfast and lunch. To enter a

fourball, contact the Mayor’s

Office on 9049 4502 or email

[email protected]

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Bloom News

Individual Barneys wearing jumpers with the name of each knitter attached will be raffled later in the year in aid of Barnardo’s NI work with local children. Pictured with bears modeling their knitting creations are (l-r) Michelle Armstrong, Etta Moore, Martha Moore and Margaret Stewart from East Belfast. The team of

knitters worked with Barnardo’s NI to develop a knitting pattern for Barney which will be made available for other library Knit and Natter groups across Northern Ireland. Sarah Crowther from Libraries NI Health in Mind project said:“Knitting and doing good are two fantastic ways to look after your well-being. Libraries NI has over 80

knitting groups meeting regularly in libraries across Northern Ireland and we are delighted to bring them together in support of Barnardo’s Barney Bear initiative. It promises to be a truly rewarding experience for everyone involved.“ For further information about Barnardo’s Big Knit for Barney please contact your local library.

Ballyhackamore knitters get involved in Barnardo’s NI Big Knit for Barney

email : [email protected]


Mark Brotherstone: “I’m very proud to have been selected as the NI Conservatives’ candidate for this year’s European Parliamentary election. It’s an exciting challenge. I come from east Belfast originally and my father worked all his life in the shipyard. I now develop the curriculum at Belfast Metropolitan College and I’m a director of Argyle Business Centre, where I specialise in European Projects. I’ve also served my country for more than 25 years as a soldier. Through these experiences, I’ve become convinced politics in Northern Ireland is ripe for change. NI Conservatives are on the centre-right of politics and we’re proudly Northern Irish, but we’re also a full part of the UK Conservative Party. That’s why David Cameron recently addressed a business reception in the Park Avenue hotel in East Belfast, and spelled out his commitment to changing politics here. I think people here are sick of parties which are Orange, Green or something in between. They’re fed up with waste, inaction and division. We believe the focus should be on jobs, health and education instead. Naturally, in this election, European issues are critical. Northern Ireland benefits from the UK’s membership of the EU. However people deserve a bigger say and I’ll be the only candidate in Northern Ireland whose party can deliver a referendum on EU membership to voters. This election can also act as a referendum on whether people in Northern Ireland want more of the same, or whether there is an appetite for real politics, tackling issues and involvement at all levels of government. Wouldn’t it be great if, instead of staying at home, voters used next May’s European Election to give a clear message that they want better politics and change? That’s what I’m offering in my campaign and I hope that as many people in East Belfast as possible will get involved.”

NI CONSERVATIVES CANDIDATE EXPRESSES PRIDE

Members of the Ballyhackamore Library Knit and Natter Club have joined forces with Barnardo’s NI to help create a range of unique jumpers for the charity’s Barney Bear.

**Beds, Drawers and Bedside Lockers made to match**Sliding ROBeS, WardROBeS, Walk-In WardROBeS

2 Door Sliding Mirror Robe

from £750

Based on 1.8mtrs w

ide (6ft)FU

SION

amazing

sliding

ward

robes

ROBeS

QualityA�ordableStylish

Showroom at 6 - 8 Castlereagh Road, Belfast, BT5 5FP

[email protected] www.fusionrobes.co.ukContact 028 9008 0068

Contact us to arrange a free design consultation or to request a brochureAuthorised Agents for Komandor Sliding Wardrobes


Fusion Robes Ltd are introducing bedrooms with the widest range of colours, wood effects and design flexibility to Belfast and NI. Their new showroom opened at the end of Oct 2013 and they have already seen a great demand for their new exciting range and choice of Sliding Wardrobes and Walk-In Wardrobes. Sharon and Marcus, the directors of Fusion Robes Ltd, have been preparing for the business for quite some time, carefully seeking out the right products, materials and premises for the business and are delighted with the showroom opening on Castlereagh Road amidst local business, some of whom have been there over 40 years. Sharon says “We plan to live up to the reputation of the area and have a lifelong business presence as long as our neighbours.” Fusion Robes Ltd., were awarded the Belfast agency from Komandor Sliding Wardrobes systems in Sept 2013. Komandor Sliding Wardrobes is possibly the largest Bedroom Furniture Manufacture internationally, they manufacture in 27 factories, employing thousands in their workforce worldwide and supply their products in showrooms to over 30 countries. Originating from Canada, they are now being brought into the centre of East Belfast by Fusion Robes Ltd. Fusion’s newly opened showroom consist of a number of spacious Sliding Wardrobes, with a variety of doors in mirrors, wood effect and coloured glass. All wardrobes are made to order to any size and designed to any requirements, space or budget. Beds, Bedside lockers and Drawer Chests are available to match. Fusion Robes Ltd., are also specialists in Walk-In Wardrobes, whether this be a small unused box room or a specially designed room attached to your bedroom, they can create the storage solutions that’s right for you. So if your bedroom is looking tired and outdated or your moving home and just need new wardrobes, pay a visit to see what Fusion Robes have to offer. 6-8 Castlereagh Road, 028 9008 0068 fusionrobes.co.uk

Bloom News BEDROOM SPECIALISTs FUSION ROBES LTD OFFER BESPOKE STORAGE AND MUCH MUCH MORE!

Bombardier announces $230m order. The Canadian company’s east Belfast factory is responsible for the design and manufacture of the CS300’s wings and over £500m has been invested in it in preparation for the new plane.Last year, the Prime Minister David Cameron opened a new facility at the plant specifically built for the fabrication of the new components for the plane. The latest announcement, worth $228m, puts the order book to over 200 for the firm which has also received commitments from potential custom-ers for another 250 planes. While the latest customer has asked not to be identified, it’s thought the order has come from a commercial airline or operator. Seating between 100 and 150 people, it is hoped the new plane will help the company muscle its way into the smaller aircraft market dominated by industry leaders Airbus and Boeing. The aircraft is currently in the testing stages of development.

email : [email protected]

Alexis JamesProfesional Semi permanent Make up artist

I am a fully qualified insured semi permanent make up artist with over 200 procedures successfully achieved. If you want to make your self look 10 years younger, why not try semi permanent make up. You can have a FREE CONSULTATION and mineral test and get your eyebrows waxed and shaped so you get a preview of what they will be like with the semi permanent make up. Limited appointment available.

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EYEBROWS £150Do you wish you didn’t have to spend hours in the morning with the eyebrow pencil? You can choose between hair stroke or a soft textured look. Once the procedure is complete you can swim, sunbathe or take part in any sporting activities without worrying about your eyebrows.

LIP LINER AND BLUSHING £150You can choose to enhance the shape and colour of your lips to produce a subtle and beautiful natural effect, The procedure can reduce lipstick bleed and make your lips look fuller.

EYE LINER, TOP & BOTTOM £120 or both £150Eye liner can help make the most of your eyes. Whether you want dramatic or subtle, great long lasting looks can enhance the look of your eyes. Look at our before and after photos to see the effect semi permanent make up can change the way you look.

FREE CONSULTATION& MINERAL TEST!

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JK Autospares

• A FREE windscreen wiper fitting service. We also stock a large selection of bulbs, air fresheners, floor mats, cleaning products & key fob batteries.• All we need is your registration number and we can supply all the parts you need for servicing and mot failure etc. We deal with all makes and models and our door is open to everyone. WE’RE HERE TO HELP!

Our staff have over 40 years experience to share with you when you need us, providing friendly & helpful advice on all car related matters. Each and every customer is made to feel very welcome.

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Bloom News email : [email protected]

Anna Spiers, Principal Alison Mungavin and Hayley Lanyon check out the new app.

Ashfield Girls SCHOOLIn Touch with Technology!

School App - Ashfield Girls’ High School in East Belfast has become the first school, locally, to launch its own smart phone app. The app, which is free of charge on iPhone and Android enables parents to stay in touch with school, keep up-to-date with term dates, news and events. Information will now be automatically avail-able on their mobile device. Show My Homework The launch of the new app coincides with the school being the first in N Ireland to pilot Show My Homework - a simple, online homework calendar which allows teach-ers to set homework in advance and, more importantly, enables parents to monitor which homeworks are being set-and completed! Teachers post homeworks to the school calendar, and to the student’s calendar which appear on the student’s to do list. Once completed, the student can remove them. GCSE Pod Another exciting and innovative initiative which the school has invested in is GCSEPod which consists of over 3,500 audio-vis-ual podcasts to aid learning and revision at GCSE level. This too is accessible on mobile device and tablets as well as PCs and it enables students to create personal podcast playlists to listen to in the run-up to exams or to help with homework. Consistent use in just 10 minute chunks is proven to support achievement right up to A* With the publication of their smart phone app, Show My Homework and GCSEPod, Ashfield Girls’ High School demonstrates that it is confident with the new technology to aid learning and revision-as well as communication-and is encouraging its pupils and parents to be confident too. Principal, Alison Mungavin says, ‘Ashfield Girls constantly seeks to improve learn-ing opportunities for its girls and these new innovations will support both pupils and parents.”

A new craft event takes place in Belfast at the Ramada Plaza on Sunday 9th March,

when TOTAL STITCH FEST – THE ALTERNATIVE CRAFT SHOW. Brought

to you by the creative folks behind Frock Around The Clock, the new event brings to-gether a community that fosters a burgeon-ing handmade and DIY culture, and will be the perfect place to shop for one-of-a-kind

goods made right here in Ireland. The curated marketplace features around 60

designer makers and artisans who combine new and traditional craft techniques to

produce fresh, innovative work not found at mainstream craft shows. The marketplace will include suppliers of craft materials as well as many stalls selling a wide variety

of high quality, unique handmade products including clothing and fashion accessories, furniture, home décor & soft furnishings, art & photography, jewellery, gifts, toys,

artisan foods, bath & beauty products, can-dles, and much more! 12-5pm on Sunday 9th March.Ramada Plaza, 117 Milltown Road, Shaws Bridge, BT8 7XP. Adm £5. frockaroundtheclockvintagefairs.com

facebook.com/frockaroundtheclockvintagefairs

Slipper Bathroom Suite (Pictured Below)Sold complete as display including taps etc £649

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• Both suites on display at Brae Bathrooms Showroom

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The week kicked off with a 1920s themed tea dance at East Belfast Network Centre with music, dancing and some 1920s fancy dress. This was followed on Tuesday by a family health day at Willowfield Church which was supported by parents from Nettlefield Primary School. Lots of local people called in for free health checks, information, Turkish shaves for the men and make up demonstrations for the ladies. Wednesday saw Skainos host EBCDA’s Alternative

Approaches” event which highlighted emotional wellbeing, mental health and suicide. There was a drama performance by Belfast Samaritans and free taster sessions of activities which have been shown to improve emotional wellbeing including craft, yoga, boxercise, gardening, massage and other complementary therapies.This was followed by men’s health event at The Royal British Legion Centre on Montgomery Road on Thursday with

lifestyle advice, healthy hearts information and social activities. The week of events was rounded off with “Feel-good Friday” at Short Strand Community Centre; an event aimed at community workers in East Belfast featuring pampering, healthy eating and quizzes and games.

To find out more about the work of EBCDA’s Health Development and Connections Programme visit www.ebcda.org or call 028 9045 1512.

The Health Development and Connections Programme at East Belfast Community Development Agency (EBCDA) delivered a week of health themed events in East Belfast from Monday 3rd to Friday 7th February.

A Week of Health Events HELD In East Belfast

Greenwood House Assessment Centre celebrates its fiftieth anniversary this month having first officially opened its doors to pupils with undiagnosed special education needs, and speech and language disorders in March 1964. The school has always catered for children from all sides of the community making this landmark even more special. Staff at the school have decided to celebrate their success in style and have been working hard fund raising to enable everyone who has been part of the history of Greenwood House has the chance to join in the celebrations. Principal Mrs Susan Sterling said: “Many of our pupils and their families have kept in contact over the years, and on the very special occasion of the anniversary of the school, we would love to meet up again with anyone who has memories of Greenwood House.” The current pupils will be celebrating with a school birthday party, a children’s theatre production, a circus skills demonstration and a trip to the Folk and Transport Museum. The school will be holding an open evening on 3rd March for all past pupils and staff to come along to catch up with old friends and staff past and present. Located in Green-wood Avenue, behind Greenwood Primary School, it has been extensively modernised but is still based in the original Victorian house. So far, the house has been traced back to 1901 by staff, however, they are finding it difficult to gather any information prior to that date and would appreciate if anyone has any information about the history of the building or photographs to please contact the school. 028 9047 1000.

A fresh voice, from the council chamber to the cabinet table What we stand for :

■ Fighting for hard-working people . ■ Giving Northern Ireland a voice at the top of UK politics. ■ Creating jobs and enterprise for East Belfast. ■ Saving your money and cutting waste in local government. ■ Combatting segregation and building a shared, stable society. ■ Holding Stormont to account for waste and inaction. ■ Giving people a say on the UK’s membership of the European

Union.

How to contact your local East Belfast NI Conservatives’ team

Write to us: PO Box 537, Belfast. BT16 1YF

Email: [email protected] To Join: www.eastbelfastconservatives.com

Tel: 07808238714

Mark Brotherston, prospective Euro candidate and Grant Shapps MP, chairman of the Conservative Party. David Cameron at Park Avenue Hotel.

Scan me to learn more

Promoted by Owen Polley, on behalf of NI Conservatives, both of 84 High Street, Bangor, Co Down. BT20 5BA.

@EBCA on Twitter

East Belfast Conservatives Facebook


Green’s is a real Belfast

institution and has been

serving arguably the best pizza

in Northern Ireland for 18

years from its first restaurant

on the Lisburn Road. It’s well

known for its signature dish,

the wonderful dragon’s tongue

bread and Greens famous salad

dressing. It’s the perfect recipe

for a great night out. Owners

Manus McConn and William

Clark, who also own Cafe Conor

on Stranmillis Road, always

put food and customer service

as the top priority. Their ethos


THE ENGINE ROOM GALLERY : MARCH EXHIBITION

Gerry Devlin. Gallery 1: Survey Selected Works 1999 –2012

Gallery 2: New Works 2013/14

Join the preview of Gerry Devlin’s exhibition at The Engine

Room Gallery on Thursday 6th March from 7pm to 9.30pm

The exhibition continues until Saturday 29th March

Tuesday–Saturday 10am to 4pm. 414 Newtownards Road,

Belfast, BT4 1HH. Tel: 02890 455184

[email protected]

Happy Birthday Green’s Pizza!Green’s Pizzeria in Ballyhackamore is celebrating its first year of serving fantastic food, fun and a friendly atmosphere in East Belfast. Plans are underway for the birthday celebrations in late March so keep an eye on the Facebook page to find out about upcoming special offers and fun family events facebook.com/GreensPizza.

is Great at Greens – and it’s a

motto they live by. “We believe

that a meal out in a restaurant

shouldn’t just be good – it

should always be great. From

the food, to the service to

the relaxed atmosphere,” Mr

McConn explained. “We listen

to what our customers want

and have brought in new types

of pizzas and different sauces.”

The Ballyhackamore restaurant

occupies 1300 square feet and

seats 50 customers. The walls

are adorned with paintings from

Belfast artist Neil Shawcross,

giving a contemporary energetic

feel to the restaurant. And Mr

Clark added: “We’re really

pleased with the response from

the people of East Belfast to the

restaurant. We’ve always aimed

to be a part of the community

and to serve people meals that

will make them happy.”

Greens Pizzeria is located at

283-285 Upper Newtownards

Road, BT4 3JH.

For more information ring

Greens on 028 9065 0600 or

visit the website

www.greenspizza.com.


Green’s is a real Belfast

institution and has been

serving arguably the best pizza

in Northern Ireland for 18

years from its first restaurant

on the Lisburn Road. It’s well

known for its signature dish,

the wonderful dragon’s tongue

bread and Greens famous salad

dressing. It’s the perfect recipe

for a great night out. Owners

Manus McConn and William

Clark, who also own Cafe Conor

on Stranmillis Road, always

put food and customer service

as the top priority. Their ethos


THE ENGINE ROOM GALLERY : MARCH EXHIBITION

Gerry Devlin. Gallery 1: Survey Selected Works 1999 –2012

Gallery 2: New Works 2013/14

Join the preview of Gerry Devlin’s exhibition at The Engine

Room Gallery on Thursday 6th March from 7pm to 9.30pm

The exhibition continues until Saturday 29th March

Tuesday–Saturday 10am to 4pm. 414 Newtownards Road,

Belfast, BT4 1HH. Tel: 02890 455184

[email protected]

Happy Birthday Green’s Pizza!Green’s Pizzeria in Ballyhackamore is celebrating its first year of serving fantastic food, fun and a friendly atmosphere in East Belfast. Plans are underway for the birthday celebrations in late March so keep an eye on the Facebook page to find out about upcoming special offers and fun family events facebook.com/GreensPizza.

is Great at Greens – and it’s a

motto they live by. “We believe

that a meal out in a restaurant

shouldn’t just be good – it

should always be great. From

the food, to the service to

the relaxed atmosphere,” Mr

McConn explained. “We listen

to what our customers want

and have brought in new types

of pizzas and different sauces.”

The Ballyhackamore restaurant

occupies 1300 square feet and

seats 50 customers. The walls

are adorned with paintings from

Belfast artist Neil Shawcross,

giving a contemporary energetic

feel to the restaurant. And Mr

Clark added: “We’re really

pleased with the response from

the people of East Belfast to the

restaurant. We’ve always aimed

to be a part of the community

and to serve people meals that

will make them happy.”

Greens Pizzeria is located at

283-285 Upper Newtownards

Road, BT4 3JH.

For more information ring

Greens on 028 9065 0600 or

visit the website

www.greenspizza.com.

Reading & Spelling

Literacy and Dyslexia Support

Comprehension

Ages 6 - 18

English & Maths

Key Stage 3, GCSE & A-Level

Preparation for CEA & Multiple Choice Transfer Tests

Individual Programmes of Study

SEPTEMBER AGAIN!Book now and prepare your child for any educational stage from P2 to Upper Sixth

Book now and prepare your child for ANY educational stage from P2 to Upper Sixth.

Freda’s Press & Mend124a Castlereagh Road BT5 5FSIs your ironing piling up?

Not enough hours in the day?IRONING SERVICES SPECIAL OFFER!30 items £18

Large items priced seperately

We also do garment alterations, repairs, laundry & dry cleaning

TEL 028 9045 5858 / MOB 077 8953 4849Call in & see Freda!

CROSSNACREEVY NURSERIES

FULLY INSURED • QUALITY ASSURED FREE ESTIMATES • ALL WASTES REMOVED

Commercial & Domestic Garden MaintenancePower Washing, Patios, Drives, EtcColoured Pebbles supplied & laidDecorative Flagging, Paving & WallsHedge Cutting & Tree Pruning/FellingLawns scarified & Resowed/FeedingNew Lawns Laid/Sowed/TurfedAll Types of Fencing ErectedFields/Paddocks/Large Grass Areas Grass Topped/CutMini Digger Work UndertakenGeneral Tidy Ups - Grass Cutting

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East Belfast photographer, Michael Kerr, is exhibiting an intriguing series of images in March at The John Hewitt Bar, located in Cathedral Quarter Belfast. ‘My exhibition, The State of Things, is all about looking a little dif-ferently at the world on our doorstep’ says Michael. ‘The intricate details of our natural environment never cease to amaze me. Day to day, most of us nev-er notice the complex architecture of a spider’s web or the dense fibres that make up a buttercup, but they’re there! The macro photography I love to do is my response to the scale and spectacle

of the tiniest details around us. In fact, many of the subjects of the exhibition actually hail from my own garden. Macro photogra-phy is often very scientific but my focus is always find-ing a great picture. For me, a successful macro image is about texture, colour and form. It’s about finding the unfamiliar in the everyday. Some of the images in the exhibition are renowned standards of beauty like the

delicate butterfly or the col-ourful poppy. I hope some, like the spiders and insects I’ve photographed, will chal-lenge people to find beauty in non-traditional places…in the state of things.’The State of Things exhibi-tion will run from 3rd March until month end.

michaelkerrphotography.com facebook.com/michaelkerrphotography@MKerrPhotos

City Centre Exhibition for Local Photographer

Northern Ireland Hospice are holding an ‘Operation Purple’ Collection Day along the Newtownards Road and Ballyhackamore on Friday 14th March between 10am and 6pm to raise much needed funds to continue caring for terminally ill patients and their families, and are looking for enthusiastic locals to get involved. Ballyhackamore restaurants - Greens Pizzeria, Graze, Horatio Todd’s and II Pirata, are getting involved by asking customers to add £1 to their bills on 14th March which will go directly to Northern Ireland Hospice. The charity are also calling on local people to give up an hour of their time to help collect on the day. If you would like to get involved by helping to collect on 14th March, or if you would like more information on fundraising/volunteering opportunities, please contact Deirdre Melly on 07711377328 or email [email protected].

GET INVOLVED WITH OPERATION PURPLE

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283/285 Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast

028 9065 0600www.greenspizza.com

Great at Greens!

@ Ballyhackamore

@greenspizza

Check out our special offers on

Facebookevery Monday.

BirthdayCelebration!B

£2.50 OFF when you spend £30£5 OFF when you spend £50

Cut out and present this voucher when ordering.Valid until 31st March, 2014

Greens turns one this month,so celebrate with us bycutting out and presentingthis Money-saving Voucher!

WEDDING

DRESS SALE!

VISIT OUR SALE ROOM FOR DISCONTINUED AND EX SAMPLE GOWNS*Selected Styles Only

MOTHERS OUTFITS HALF PRICE

BRIDES PLUS SIZES AVAILABLE

Bridal gown/bridesmaids alterations service also available

ALL FORMAL AND EVENING WEAR HALF PRICE

VISIT OUR VISIT OUR AND EX SAMPLE GOWNSAND EX SAMPLE GOWNSAND EX SAMPLE GOWNSVISIT OUR AND EX SAMPLE GOWNSVISIT OUR AND EX SAMPLE GOWNSAND EX SAMPLE GOWNSAND EX SAMPLE GOWNSAND EX SAMPLE GOWNSAND EX SAMPLE GOWNSVISIT OUR VISIT OUR AND EX SAMPLE GOWNSAND EX SAMPLE GOWNSAND EX SAMPLE GOWNSAND EX SAMPLE GOWNSAND EX SAMPLE GOWNSAND EX SAMPLE GOWNSAND EX SAMPLE GOWNSAND EX SAMPLE GOWNSAND EX SAMPLE GOWNSAND EX SAMPLE GOWNSAND EX SAMPLE GOWNSAND EX SAMPLE GOWNSAND EX SAMPLE GOWNSAND EX SAMPLE GOWNSAND EX SAMPLE GOWNSAND EX SAMPLE GOWNSVISIT OUR VISIT OUR AND EX SAMPLE GOWNSAND EX SAMPLE GOWNS

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1a Madison Avenue East, Holywood Road, Belfast, BT4 1PGT: 028 9047 1101/ 028 9065 5479 E: [email protected] www.belfastbridalwear.com 1a Madison Avenue East, Holywood Road, Belfast, BT4 1PGT: 028 9047 1101/ 028 9065 5479 E: [email protected] www.belfastbridalwear.com T: 028 9047 1101/ 028 9065 5479 E: [email protected] www.belfastbridalwear.com T: 028 9047 1101/ 028 9065 5479 E: [email protected] www.belfastbridalwear.com 1a Madison Avenue East, Holywood Road, Belfast, BT4 1PG1a Madison Avenue East, Holywood Road, Belfast, BT4 1PGT: 028 9047 1101/ 028 9065 5479 E: [email protected] www.belfastbridalwear.com

ALL FORMAL AND EVENING WEAR HALF PRICE

1a Madison Avenue East, Holywood Road, Belfast, BT4 1PG1a Madison Avenue East, Holywood Road, Belfast, BT4 1PG1a Madison Avenue East, Holywood Road, Belfast, BT4 1PG1a Madison Avenue East, Holywood Road, Belfast, BT4 1PGT: 028 9047 1101/ 028 9065 5479 E: [email protected] www.belfastbridalwear.com T: 028 9047 1101/ 028 9065 5479 E: [email protected] www.belfastbridalwear.com T: 028 9047 1101/ 028 9065 5479 E: [email protected] www.belfastbridalwear.com T: 028 9047 1101/ 028 9065 5479 E: [email protected] www.belfastbridalwear.com T: 028 9047 1101/ 028 9065 5479 E: [email protected] www.belfastbridalwear.com 1a Madison Avenue East, Holywood Road, Belfast, BT4 1PGT: 028 9047 1101/ 028 9065 5479 E: [email protected] www.belfastbridalwear.com 1a Madison Avenue East, Holywood Road, Belfast, BT4 1PG

BelfastBRIDAL WEARHALF PRICE DRESSES

30 Belmont Road • 028 9067 1914 • secretdayspa.co.uk

Health & BeautyBY THEEXPERTS

Spring is Here!Warmer weather means it’s time to say goodbye to dark

winter beauty looks and embrace a new, fresh makeup

routine. Here are the top spring beauty trends you

need to switch to:

1.The Cat Came Back

3.Think Pink

2.Coral ReefBrighten up your cheeks with a coral shade to keep

your skin looking fresh and dewey. The idea is to hide

that dull, pale winter complexion until the sun naturally

adds colour to your face.

4.The Windows to your soul

Finish your whole look by layering on mascara to make your eyes pop

5.Don’t forget about your nails

Loose the rich reds and opt for a paler colours like greens or yellows


The new eyeliner trend for spring is a cat eye shape. Wing out

the ends of the eyeliner to make your eyes look bigger. Not only

is it easy to apply, but the look can work for daytime and evening.

Think of it as casual glamour.

Winter was all about dark reds and deep purples. Spring moves away from those luscious tones and into a bright look: Pink. You can’t go wrong with this colour no matter what the shade. Here’s a tip: Add a little bit of lip gloss in the middle of your lips on top of your lipstick to tone down the colour and make it more neutral.

All products available to buy : www.shop.thesecretdayspa.co.uk + free p&p

Youngblood eyeliner £9 Gel liner £16

Youngblood crushed mineral eyeshadow £16

Shellac Nails £25

Crushed mineral blush - £17

93 Bloomfield Road Belfast

BT5 [email protected]

SALE PROPERTIES URGENTLY REQUIRED DUE TO HUGE DEMAND!Fixed price sale fee £850 + vat

Tel: (028)90 763189£0.00 finders fee for LANDLORDSon managed properties

www.century21uk.com/belfast Local, National, International

each office is independently owned and operated

Dedicated to providing buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants the

highest quality of service.


Visit www.slimmingworld.com or telephone Deborah on 07708 373567

M embers from Slimming World groups

across East Belfast, which are held every

week, are taking part in a national Slim for

Good campaign running across all 11,000 Slimming

World groups in the UK and Ireland. The aim of the

six-week drive, is to help people to lose weight and

improve their health while raising money for a good

cause in their local area.

Deborah Long, who runs the group in Bloomfield

Presbyterian Church, says the Slim for Good

campaign will give members of the group an added

incentive to achieve their weight-loss dreams. She

says: “New Year’s resolutions can often become a

bit of a distant memory by now and the motivation

that you might have had at the start of January can

begin to dip. If anyone’s feeling that way, I’m hoping

getting sponsored to slim will give them the lift they

need. When it’s a cause close to your heart, like

Segal House Nursery (run by mencap) for so many of

us in the Bloomfield group, it’s even more of a push.

We know that making healthy lifestyle changes to

the way you eat and your activity levels makes a big

difference to you, including improving your health

and confidence, but it also impacts on your family

and friends too as they enjoy the ‘new you’ and often

get encouraged to become healthier themselves.

Thanks to Slim for Good, members will also be able

to benefit their wider local community by raising

funds for their group’s chosen charity. Their weight-

loss will literally become their charity’s gain!” As

a group of consultants in East Belfast we are also

inviting other people in the local community to

join our groups slimmers in their fund-raising bid. If

you’ve struggled with your weight for a long time,

then making that decision to take control and slim

down can be a big one but hopefully knowing that

every pound you lose will go towards helping a

good cause and will be a great incentive to make

that step. And I would assure anyone who’s thinking

about losing weight that Slimming World is the

very best way to get started. Not only will you be

able to follow a simple healthy eating plan that

means you’ll never have to go hungry and be able

to enjoy hundreds of healthy foods like fruit and

veg, pasta, rice, lean meat, fish and more without

weighing, counting and measuring, you’ll also get

the best support to develop healthy habits for life

and overcome any potential pitfalls in your journey

so you really can lose weight and keep it off for

good. So, by the end of the six-week campaign you

could be nearly a stone lighter and on your way to a

slimmer, happier, healthier you.”

...And slim for good!A group of big-hearted slimmers from East Belfast are doing their bit for the local community

and their own health by taking part in a sponsored slim to raise money for charity.

Join Slimming World...

The ROOMSewingYOUR COMPLETE SEWING SERVICE

• Bespoke Curtains • Soft Furnishings• Roman Blinds• Bridal Alterations

OpenMon, Wed Fri: 9-6Tues & Thurs: 9-7Sat: 9-5

Unit 16, Hanwood Business Park, Old Dundonald RdTel: 9048 9642 or Mob 077 0615 6331

ALL GARMENT ALTERATIONS

When you get a new digital camera, spend a little time acquainting

yourself with its features. It will all have an “AUTO” setting; choose this initially and most of your photos will turn out fine. But learning the different modes will give you more control and ultimately better results. All cameras nowadays have auto-focus and this is fine in most situations. The most important functions can be altered depending on what sort of photo you’re taking are:•SHUTTER SPEED – the shutter opens and closes again (this only takes fractions of a second) to let light through the aperture – the shutter speed determines how long the shutter is open for, which determines how much light gets into the camera to form the image. Shutter speed is expressed in fractions of a second.•APERTURE SIZE – the size of the tiny hole which light reflecting off the subject passes through to get into the camera and form the image. Aperture size will

determine your depth of field. Larger aperture, smaller depth of field - the distance between the nearest and farthest objects in the picture which appear in focus. Aperture size is expressed in “F-stops” – the bigger the F-stop, the smaller the aperture.•ISO SETTING – this determines how sensitive the camera is to light – a higher ISO number is more sensitive to light. A lower ISO number means less sensitive to light and will give a smooth, sharp image. Higher ISOs (more sensitive to light) are needed for low light conditions, but will make the image more grainy.Adjusting any of these will change how the photograph comes out, and different permutations of each will be best for different situations. Cameras s do all the thinking for you – there will be different settings for different conditions. The common ones are Landscape, Sports, Portrait and Macro. •LANDSCAPE – (obviously) best for landscape pictures – both foreground and background stay

in focus. Also use this setting for taking pictures through glass to prevent the camera from occasionally locking focus on the glass itself.•SPORTS – captures a fast moving subject without appearing blurred.•PORTRAIT – great for close-up images and will give a softer effect to the background.•MACRO – used for very close up shots such as flowers or insects - allows you to get close to the subject without going out of focus.Have a play about and see how the different settings effect the end result. That’s the great thing about digital cameras – you can delete anything you don’t want. Once you get the shots you want, the best way to make them last forever get them printed “to keep it, print it!”

Dundela Photo Lab is in-house at Dundela Pharmacy, 17-19 Belmont Road. From 10p each for 6”x4” prints on 24 hour service.Fast service is also available. If you need any advice, pop into Dundela Photo Lab and ask Andrew!

“

SNAPHAPPY

CAPTURINGTHE BESTIMAGE:LOCALEXPERT ADVICE

Our photographic expert Andrew Foster has covered the importance of backing up and printing your images, and explained why a proper camera will give better results than phones or other mobile devices. This month he shares advice on how to capture the best image.


NOW PRINTING DIRECT FROM ALL PHONES SMART PHONES & TABLETSDundela Pharmacy Ltd 17-19 Belmont Road BT4 2AA Tel: 9047 2845

FULL DIGITAL SERVICE & STILL PROCESSING FILM!

ALL PLUMBING AND HEATING REPAIRS SERVICE - REPLACEMENTS

111 Mealough Road, Carryduff, BT8 8LTTel: 028 9081 7899 / 028 9081 7901 E: [email protected]

What a Transformation!

FOR FREE QUOTATIONS:

www.rjspatterson.com

Have a look at our bathroom transforations. If youd like your new bathroom to look this good give us a ring to set up a free visit and consultation.

• Plumbing • Electrics • Joinery

Our refurbishments include:• Building Work• Removal & Disposal of Old Bathroom VERY

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220-258 York Street, Belfast BT15 1GZ Tel: 028 9075 4461208 - 210 Castlereagh Road, Belfast BT5 Tel 028 9045 2790

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Sydenham Parent & Toddler Mon 10-11.30 £1 per familyTea/coffee/juice/toast.Inverary CC BT4 1RNTel: 028 9047 1456St Finnians10-11.30 Cregagh Park, BT6 9LF028 9079 2793.Wandsworth Mums & Chums10-11.45amWandsworth CC26a Belmont Church Rd BT4 3FF £1 per family. Calvary Mums & Toddlers.10.30-12.00am. £1 per family.100 Dee St, BT4 028 9073 2331

Albertbridge Congregational10.30-12.15Woodstock Link Donation £1CFC Mops & Tots9.30-11am (term time - alternate Tuesdays) £1 for one child, £1.50 total for more. Tea, coffee, juice and snacks provided.CFC Mops9.30-11am (term time - alternate Tues-days) £3.50 per mum including breakfast and creche provided.10 Belmont Rd, BT4 2ANTel: 028 9067 1838www.thisiscfc.comMersey Street Presb.Parents & Toddlers10-11.45am term timeMersey St Pres BT1 1EXTel: 028 90 [email protected]£1 donationSt Donards Church10am-12 Bloomfield Avenue Tel: 028 9065 2321www.stdonards.com

£1 for adults. Tea/coffee/juiceStrandtown Baptist Tots10.00- 11.30am (term time)Strandtown Baptist Church, 1 Clonallon Court BT4 2ABTel: 028 9080 8380 £1 per adultTots & Co10.15- 11.45am (term time)Cregagh Methodist Church£1.50 per family per morning (incl juice/snack & tea/coffee/snack for the adults. 28-30 Cregagh Rd BT6 9EQTel: 028 9045 7564

Busy Bees 10 -11:30am Knock Methodist Church, Knock Road, BT5 6JATel: 028 9065 3413Luncheon ClubFor senior citizens. Cregagh Methodist.12 noon. £1.50. Pre bookm meals at the church office on 028 9045 7564. Orangefield Baptist Church37 North Road, BT5 5NEMothers & Toddlers 10.30-12smallTALK @ orangefield10-11.45am O’field Church & Community, 464 Castlereagh Road BT5Tel: 07745 076911www.orangefield.org.ukWillowfield Mother & Toddler10-12pm W’stock Rd, BT6 8PRTel: 028 9045 7654

[email protected]

Bloomfield Methodist Church10-11.30am £1 per family

Grand Parade 028 9065 8946.Cregagh Mums & Tots10-12pm Cregagh CCMount Merrion AvenueTel: 028 9040 1444Kirkpatrick Memorial PresbParents & Toddlers. 10-11.30amUpper Newtownards Rd £1 donationwww.kirkpatrickmemorial.org

Knock Parent & Toddler10-11.45am Knock Presbyterian53 Kings Road, BT5 6JHGillian 07803 117619. knockpresbyterian.co.uk

Tots ‘R’ Us10.30am House of Worship127a Orby Drive, BT5 6BBTel: 07791 776307/07980 984506St Columba’s Mums & Tots9.45-11.45 (term time)St Columba’s Parish Church29 Kings Road 028 9065 1412

Ballyhackamore Library1-3 Eastleigh Drive 028 9050 9204Books R Us 9-11 yr olds reading group (third Mon of month) 3.30-4.30Knit & Natter (2nd & 4th Mon) 2-4pmBedtime Stories. 7pm. Me Time (Last Mon) Group for busy womenBean BlessedBloomfield Ave Congregational ChurchFREE tea/ coffee, scones & pastries.10.30-12 Everyone welcome. Harding MemorialRainbows girls age 4-7 Monday 6pm, Brownies girls age 7-10 Monday 7pm Guides girls aged 10-14 Mondays 7pm. Contact Clare 07905 556825.Orangefield BaptistLadies Coffee Morning. First Monday of each month. 10.30am. All welcome. 37 North Rd. BT5 7NE. 028 9065 7876

Skainos Building skainos.orgBadminton 2-3pmCrosslinks - Cross Community Arts 7-9pm 14-21 yr olds. Contact Andy Hill.

Strand Cinema & NI StarsHolywood Road, BT4 .nistars.comSingling & dancing 7-8pm

Wednesdays

Tuesdays

Thursdays

What’s OnMondays

MONDAYS

Fridays

Toddler Groups

Events Etc

KEEPINGYOUBUSY


www.connswater.co.uk

| P e r f u m e | F l o w e r s | G i f t s | C a r d s |

Mothers Day Sunday 30th March

Count on Connswater this Mother’s Day

for the perfect gift.

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CM

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6765.006 March Bloom AD Mother’s Day ART.pdf 1 19/02/2014 16:48

Belcanto School of Singing 10-1pmLine DancingBloomfield Ave Congregational Church£3 per person.

Skainos Building skainos.orgFusion - Weekly programme of games, crafts & fun for p1-p7’s. 6.30-8pm £1 per person. Contact Tanita Robinson.Free Zumnba tasters 7th &1 4th March 11.30am-12.30pm

Wandsworth CommunityBusybees musictime for babies 9.45am-10.45am £3.95 per family.Computers for beginners 10am-12 and 1-3pm, Childrens Ju Jitsu 7-8pm Fitness & Boxing Class 8.30-9.30pm

Shiloh Hall 07712 299206, 76 The Mount, BT5 4NDCoffee Morning 10:30-12 Children welcome.

Orangefield Baptist Church37 North Road, BT5 5NESearchlight Club p1-p7. 10.30-12.Skainos Building skainos.orgWalking Trips from 10amUlster Scots Cultural Night 8th Mar 7pmStrand Cinema & NI StarsHolywood Road, BT4Stage school 10-1pm www.nistars.comWandsworth Community028 9065 1668Jump Jiggle & Jive 9.30-12.30, Childrens Art Class 10am-11am & Ignite teens dance 1.30-4.30pm

SD Bells-Java Jive Jazz Brunch516 Upp N’Ards Rd. 028 9047 1774 - 11amStrand Cinema & NI StarsHolywood Road, BT4Singling & dancing 1.30-3.30pm www.nistars.com

Newbridge Football ClubThe club invite 5/6/7 year old boys and girl to play football. Training every Wednesday at Avoniel Leisure Centre 7-8pm. Everyone welcome.

Wandsworth CommunitySewing Group 10am-12noonFlower Arranging 1.30-3.30pm, Yoga 7-8.30pm

Ballyhackamore Library1-3 Eastleigh Drive 028 9050 9204Rhythm & Rhyme (first & third Thurs-days of the month) 11.15am Book Pack (1st Thur) Adult reading groupGame On 6-8pm for games galore

Belmont Towerwww.belmont-tower.co.ukArt classes 10am-1pmBaby Sensory Classes7-13 mths Thurs 10-11am0-7 mths Thurs 11.30-12.30 Yoga with Sharon 6-8pmE Belfast Historical Society 13th Mar Newtownards Road Grav Yard

Skainos Building skainos.orgVibe Academy - Weekly streetdance programme. p1-p4 3.30-4.30pm P5-P7 4.30-5.30pm 1st yr+ 6.45-8pm. £6 per class. Contact Lisa 07736 315420.Compass Mens Group 7-9pm50+ Gardening & Crafts Thurs 1-2.30pm

Wandsworth Community028 9065 1668LA Dance (kids Hip Hop) 5-6pm Aero-bics 7-8pm. Core Combat 8.30-10pm

Albertbridge Congregational6 Woodstock Link 028 9045 7434Friday Friendship - Everyone is invited for a cuppa and a chat anytime between 10.30am - 12.30pm. Ballyhackamore Library1-3 Eastleigh Drive 028 9050 9204Chill Out Family Story Time. 3.30pm.

Belmont Towerwww.belmont-tower.co.uk

Wandsworth Community028 9065 1668Zumba 6-7pm Aerobics 7-8pm Yoga 8.15-9.30pm

Belmont Towerwww.belmont-tower.co.uk Core fitness 9.30am-10.30amChildrens dance classes 4-7pm Zumba Classes 6-7.15pm Pregnancy Yoga 7.30-8.30pmSkainos Building skainos.orgCompass Womens Group 7-9pmZumba 12.30-1.30pmLily’s Bistro223 Castlereagh Rd. 028 9045 4287 Curry & Quiz Night - First Tues of each month.

Wandsworth CommunityKids Irish dancing 4-6.30pm, Aerobics 7.15-8.15pmTai Chi 8.15-9.30pm

Girls BrigadeBloomfield Ave Congregational ChurchAges 3-7 yrs 6.15 pmAges 8 yrs upwards - 7.30 [email protected] girls welcome.Over 60’s Lunch ClubBloomfield Methodist Church12.30pm. 3 courses for £3. Grand Parade. Tel: 028 9065 2314 to book.Skainos Bulding skainos.orgCompass Kidz Gap - Parents, guardians, toddlers - crafts, games, stories 10am-12Going Green Gardening 2-4pmYoga 5.30-7pm

Strand Cinema & NI StarsHolywood Road, BT4Drama 6-8pm www.nistars.com

Belmont Towerwww.belmont-tower.co.ukBaby massage 10am-1pmYoga with Eleanor 5.45-7.45pm39th Old Boys 7-9pm

Tuesdays

Thursdays

Fridays Sundays

Wednesdays

Saturdays

[email protected]

What’s OnKEEPINGYOUBUSY


259 Castlereagh Road, BT5 5PL028 9045 4448

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Don’t flip your bacon too early, wait for the colour to appear on the edges first. Colour = flavour. If you’re after something a bit healthier, grilling it is a good option. Either way, cook it until it’s crispy, but not brown and burnt.

The breads are above all what sets the humble fry up apart from the famous Ulster Fry – Perfectly prepared potato bread, made as our grandparents would have in their parlour kitchen and of course the wonderfully sumptuous soda bread. We source our bread from Chrissie, a local baker and stall-holder at the Market who uses old-fashioned, recipes using butter milk, delivered from the local milk man, all hand-made, on her farm on Ballymacashen road in Killinchy. These two are your next ingredients to add, place them in the pan to absorb the wonderful flavours. The soda will soak up the delicious favours and the potato bread will brown on the outside and soften wonderfully the in the middle.

If you can buy them on the vine do so, as they retain their firmness and flavour for longer, and delicious on your plate. A juicy red tomato not only adds colour to your

THE PERFECT ULSTER FRY!

plate but also a real contrast in flavour.Tomatoes should always be a little crispy. This will be achieved if you place them alongside your breads and cook for several minutes.

The Black Pudding is an acquired taste, but the flavour and texture is so rich and interesting. White pudding is very similar to black pudding, but does not include blood. Consequently, it consists of pork meat and fat, suet, bread, and oatmeal formed into the shape of a large sausage and sliced. Pop both your black and white pudding in the pan and continue to cook everything for a couple more minutes – after 2-3 minutes, flip everything over.

After a further 2 minutes cooking, move all the ingredients into a warmed oven, on a warmed plate to keep hot while you quickly clean your pan.You want fresh oil to fry your eggs. Crack two free-range eggs into your pan, pop a lid on to cook the top, voila!

Served up by St Georges Bar and Gri l lIt’s the meal that made Ulster. The traditional fry up that set

up millions for a day of hard

work or play. Two fried eggs, the

all-important lightly browned

potato and soda bread, perfect

pork sausages, crispy bacon, black

and white pudding and a juicy red

tomato– a great start to any day.

It’s also the perfect recovery the

morning after an evening of over

indulging in the legendary Ulster

hospitality. But getting an Ulster

Fry just right is a very delicate

art. To celebrate their brand new

sumptuous brunch menu and

Sunday opening, one of Belfast’s top

restaurant’s, St George’s Market Bar

& Grill, is seeking to teach people

We pan fry in cold pressed rape seed oil. It’s clean, taste free, has numerous health benefits and has an extremely high burning point which is important when cooking all of your ingredients in one pan. It is best to place your large heavy based frying pan on a low and slow heat, producing a light sizzle, and above all you do not want your oil spitting. Cook your ingredients thoroughly which takes time.

We source our sausages, bacon, black and white puddings from local, free-range farm Pheasants Hill – their ethical approach to farming, combined with flavour is second-to-none. Begin with your small drizzle of rapeseed oil in the pan, when it’s hot, place your two sausages in gently, turning occasionally to colour all the way round for a nice even flavour, do this for approximately eight minutes.

Bacon is next in the pan. Add two rashers of bacon to the pan – we use thick-cut back bacon, as it’s less fatty than streaky, but everyone has their preferences.

how to cook Ulster’s favourite dish

by launching an easy-to-follow

guide. Head Chef James Bell

stresses the importance of using the

right ingredients to get the perfect

end result. He said: “The Ulster Fry

has always been one of our top

selling meals at the restaurant –

and one which we are very proud

to serve. Tourists and locals flock to

us on a Friday and Saturday for an

Ulster Fry – and we are continually

asked for tips on creating the dish,

which is why we have launched

this easy to follow guide. The secret

is using the absolute best quality

products available to us – we have

sampled and selected the very best,

local suppliers all available right on

our door step at St George’s Market.

You won’t find cut-price sausages,

supermarket breads or any second-

rate ingredients. What you will find

is the best Ulster produce, cooked to

perfection. The real skill in a great

end result is cooking the entire meal

in the one pan, thus securing and

sealing the flavour throughout

the whole cooking process. Timing

and preparation is the key — play

around and see how you like your

breakfast and adjust your timing

accordingly. So to get your bacon

crispy, your sausages brown, your

breads crispy and not dripping in oil

and your tomatoes firm not soggy,

follow our guide to mastering the

ultimate Ulster Fry.”

1. The Oil

2. Sizzling Sausages

3. Beautiful Bacon

4. Brilliant Breads

5. Tasty Tomatoes

6. Black & White Pudding

7. Excellent Eggs

St George’s Bar and Grill is nestled in the eaves of one of Belfast’s oldest and most beautiful buildings, St George’s Market featuring high beamed ceilings, discreet booths and outdoor terrace area For menus and bookings visit: www.stgeorgesbargrill.com

THE METHOD

James concluded: “The beauty of

the Ulster Fry is that it can be eaten

for breakfast, alunch or dinner.

But while eating one is one of life’s

delights, cooking one perfectly is no

easy task, which is why we have

produced this easy-to-follow guide.”

bloommagazine.co.uk 31 30 bloommagazine.co.uk

T he opening of this

bridge signifies a very

important milestone for

the £35 million Connswater

Community Greenway (CCG).

The Sam Thompson Bridge will

not only connect Victoria Park

to Airport Road, the Harbour

Estate and Titanic Quarter but it

will also open up access to the

9km Connswater Community

Greenway which is currently

under construction.

The landmark footbridge was

named Sam Thompson Bridge

after you, the public, were

asked to ‘Name the Bridge’ last

year. Sam Thompson (1916-

1965) was a local east Belfast

shipyard worker and playwright.

His plays including ‘Over the

Bridge’, cover themes such as

school days, neighbourhood

friendships, life in the shipyard

and the trade union movement.

The Connswater Community

Greenway is one of only three

‘living landmarks’ in the UK that

successfully received funding

from the Big Lottery Fund. It

is also funded by Belfast City

Council, and the Department

for Social Development. Some

elements of the East Belfast

Flood Alleviation Scheme

have been integrated into the

Greenway project which has

been developed by Rivers

Agency and is funded by the

Department of Agriculture and

Rural Development.

We encourage everyone to join

in on the celebrations by visiting

Victoria Park on the day, crossing

the Sam Thompson Bridge; being

one of the first to ‘get over it’.

There will be lots to see and do

in the park including the chance

to win some amazing spot prizes!

You can access the bridge via

Victoria Park or Airport Road.

To find out more about the

‘Get Over It’ event visit:

•communitygreenway.co.uk/

GetOverIt

•facebook.com/

ConnswaterCommunityGreenway

•Twitter @ConnswaterCG

#GetOverIt

On Friday 4th April the Connswater Community Greenway will officially open the landmark Sam Thompson Bridge. Join in the celebrations and be one of 2014 people to ‘get over it’ anytime between 12noon - 4pm.

Sam Thompson Bridge at Victoria Park...

...Opens on 4 April 2014 - Get Over It!

GetOVERIT

Photography by Jonathan Clark


scan here or visit the website to read Alix’s story

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MONDAYGLENBURN CHURCHHALLGlenburn Methodist Church Hall6 Glensharragh Gardens, BT6 9PE5:30pm & 7:30pmContact: Ann 07889 256259

ROSETTAKnockbreda Methodist Church, 60-66 Rosetta Road, BT6 0LU 5:30pm & 7:30pmContact: Kerrie 07895 668311

DUNDONALD METHODIST CHURCHIslay Gdns (off Rank Rd) Dundonald BT16 2WZ5:30pm & 7:30pmContact: Iris 07752 980720

TUESDAYBALLYHACKAMOREBloomfield Collegiate School, Astoria Gardens BT5 6HW5:30pm & 7:30pmContact: Sally 07738 713436

CASTLEREAGHThe Royal British Legion, Montgomery Road, BT6 9JD5:30pm & 7:30pmContact: Esther 07804 095409

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With a nod to its dance

hall past, on the 22nd

March, the venue will

host a ‘Swing Era Saturday’, with

afternoon Dance Workshops and

an evening ‘Big Band Cocktail

Club’, presented by the Belfast Jazz

Orchestra and featuring Swing Diva,

Caroline Brown. In a special twist

to the night, mixologists will serve

up amazing cocktails, to match

the vintage theme, which will also

show case performances from Swing

Belfast, and International Showgirl,

Missy Fatale.

The Belfast Jazz Orchestra have

dedicated their 24 year history to

the performance and nurture of Big

Band Swing and Jazz music. They

are guaranteed to have you dancing

your socks off, or tapping those toes

to a rousing set of timeless classics

from the American song book,


including the music of Count Basie,

Glen Millar, and Duke Ellington.

There’s just something about swing

music which still strikes a chord

today. The melodies, the lyrics, the

old Hollywood glamour….all create

an appeal which spans generations.

The band’s last event, thronged with

dancers from 20 to 70 years old,

all having the time of their lives,

because when the music is this

good, age just becomes irrelevant.

Swing Dancing is a growing

scene in Belfast, with several groups

offering weekly classes. Classes

are fun, friendly and attended

by a wide range of people. With

a little patience, many become

hooked, and stock their wardrobes

with vintage clothing, which they

show off at events like the Big

Band Cocktail Club. It is a thriving

community, which is why Swing

Look beyond the façade of the Shorts Recreation Club on the Hollywood Road, and you will find a dance venue, waiting to fill with the sounds of the Swing Era.

Belfast will host dance workshops

on the afternoon of 22nd March.

London based Hayley Harvey

(Missy Fatale), Swing Dance

teacher, and exclusive International

Showgirl,will be teaching a series

of workshops, on Ladies Burlesque,

Solo Jazz and Lindy Hop. Classes

will finish at 5.15pm, just in time to

pin up those victory rolls, or slick

that Bryl cream for the Big Band

Cocktail Club opening its doors at

8.30pm until 1am with a late bar).

Big Band Cocktail Club – Tickets, £10 from swingbelfast.com, skiddle.com visit-belfast.com or from at Shorts Recreation Club.facebook.com/BelfastJazzOrchestraSwing Dance Workshops – Start at £10 from skiddle.com, or at Swing Belfast classes. swingbelfast.com orfacebook.com/pages/Swing-Belfast

SWINGTIME

Big Band Cocktail Club and Dance Workshops

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Girl Loves VintageBLOG: www.girlovesvintage.tumblr.com TWITTER: @GirLovesVintage

Rosie x

If you’re anything like me, you have a sweet and selfless Mum who, no matter

what you get her, always says ’you shouldn’t be doing that’ when you buy

her a gift! But, like many people, I take my Mum for granted all too often and I

enjoy getting her a little something that she will love on Mother’s Day.

Mums the Word!

Whatever you find for your Mum this Mother’s Day, she will undoubtedly love and appreciate it. And your gift, no matter how large or small, will show her how much you love and appreciate her too!

Selection of vintage sewing items, £1.25

from Re:Store, Newtownards

Road

Gardener’s diary, 99p from Barnardos NI, Connswater

Just a hop and a skip down the Newtownards Road is one

of my favourite charity shops, Re:Store. It’s always full of

treats and treasures and the staff never fail to have time

for a chinwag! I picked up some interesting sewing bits

and bobs which had previously belonged to a friend of one

of the assistants in the shop. With the recent resurgence

in sewing, Mums who have a love of needlework will

appreciate these useful items and love the fact they’ve been

much loved and treasured over the years.

A Gardeners delight

OH SEW BEAUTIFUL

And while in Re:Store, I also found this vintage enamel brooch. It’s

a (welcome) reminder that spring is just around the corner. Even

though the enamel is faded in places, it’s merely a nod and a wink

to the fact that it has been treasured for years by someone else and

is now moving on to another happy home!

BROOCH THE SUBJECTVintage enamel brooch.£1.50 from Re:Store,


Having a root though your local charity shops often makes you think outside the box

for gifts. It’s simple to order some flowers or buy a box of chocolates, but a charity shop

present takes time and thought. On my recent thrifty travels, I popped into the Barnardo’s

NI shop at Connswater and found a really pretty hardcover 4-year gardener’s diary for

green-fingered Mums. It’s full of beautiful illustrations and room for lots of notes. It

would be perfect with a selection of bulbs or seeds on Mother’s Day.

Girl Loves VintageBLOG: www.girlovesvintage.tumblr.com TWITTER: @GirLovesVintage

Rosie x

If you’re anything like me, you have a sweet and selfless Mum who, no matter

what you get her, always says ’you shouldn’t be doing that’ when you buy

her a gift! But, like many people, I take my Mum for granted all too often and I

enjoy getting her a little something that she will love on Mother’s Day.

Mums the Word!

Whatever you find for your Mum this Mother’s Day, she will undoubtedly love and appreciate it. And your gift, no matter how large or small, will show her how much you love and appreciate her too!

Selection of vintage sewing items, £1.25

from Re:Store, Newtownards

Road

Gardener’s diary, 99p from Barnardos NI, Connswater

Just a hop and a skip down the Newtownards Road is one

of my favourite charity shops, Re:Store. It’s always full of

treats and treasures and the staff never fail to have time

for a chinwag! I picked up some interesting sewing bits

and bobs which had previously belonged to a friend of one

of the assistants in the shop. With the recent resurgence

in sewing, Mums who have a love of needlework will

appreciate these useful items and love the fact they’ve been

much loved and treasured over the years.

A Gardeners delight

OH SEW BEAUTIFUL

And while in Re:Store, I also found this vintage enamel brooch. It’s

a (welcome) reminder that spring is just around the corner. Even

though the enamel is faded in places, it’s merely a nod and a wink

to the fact that it has been treasured for years by someone else and

is now moving on to another happy home!

BROOCH THE SUBJECTVintage enamel brooch.£1.50 from Re:Store,


Having a root though your local charity shops often makes you think outside the box

for gifts. It’s simple to order some flowers or buy a box of chocolates, but a charity shop

present takes time and thought. On my recent thrifty travels, I popped into the Barnardo’s

NI shop at Connswater and found a really pretty hardcover 4-year gardener’s diary for

green-fingered Mums. It’s full of beautiful illustrations and room for lots of notes. It

would be perfect with a selection of bulbs or seeds on Mother’s Day.

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

A5_Flyer_front (1).pdf 1 14/11/2012 18:32

Terra Firma Tile & BathGrand Parade Belfast

BIG TILE EVENT

Now on!Whatever your budget • Whatever your style • Whatever the room

74 Grand Parade, Belfast BT5 5HH Telephone: 02890 403000

[email protected] www.TerraFirmaNI.co.uk

VISIONPROPERTY

Vision_Bloom Mar 14_print.indd 1 16/02/2014 23:09

March 2014 - East Belfast

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