By Anne Kelly A special all inclusive deal for access to leisure centres in the North West has been announced by Derry City and Strabane District Council. The Christmas promotion is offering discounted three month all inclusive membership packages for its leisure centres for £85 or £65 concessionary. All inclusive members who sign up to
By Sean Kelly The Western Trust had a total of 249 compulsory admissions related to mental illness in the past year, according to new data from the Department of Health. Of those, 20 were in the Waterside hospital, and a further 89 were at Grangewood, according to statistics released by the Department of Health. In
By Ramy Abou-Setta Victims of domestic abuse in the Derry City and Strabane District area will be offered home and personal security items to help keep them safe. These items come as an addition to the CCTV cameras from the prior year and includes personal safety alarms and motion detectors. This is a Derry &
By Laura O’Neill Desk job to designer! Derry woman Lisa McLaughlin will showcase her eco-friendly children’s bedding and accessories brand at her local craft fair in the Guildhall this November. After 20 years as a civil servant Lisa returned to education to study Textiles at North West Regional College. During the Covid pandemic, after deciding
By Liz Kearney Supports for conserving thatched roofs and promoting the Irish language are among the initiatives that will be the focus of a new Culture and Creativity Strategy to be launched by Donegal County Council this year. The strategy will invest in resources and arts workers, and enable public engagement in culture and creativity.
By Dave Bradley The School Bikes for Africa Appeal is back and the call has gone out for unwanted mountain bikes to be dropped off at local recycle centers. From there they will be refurbished by prisoners studying bike mechanics in Loughlan House Co Cavan before completing their journey to children in Africa. A spokesperson
By Sean Kelly John Hume almost quit politics the year before the Good Friday Agreement. The Nobel Laureate and former SDLP leader went as far as to type up a letter of resignation in 1997, according to a new book by BBC Journalist Stephen Walker. Following a period of mounting criticism, John Hume faced a
Victims of upskirting and downblousing – where someone surreptitiously takes an intimate photo using a mobile phone – now have full legal redress. Perpetrators could face up to two years in prison and up to 10 years on the Sex Offenders Register. Changes also include enhanced laws to deal with people who threaten to share
By Dave Bradley An initiative which aims to showcase the best of Donegal products and services has been launched by the County Council. Over the last few years, #BuyDonegal has showcased more than 300 businesses to a global audience of 13.9 million across more than 70 countries on social media. The launch featured a range
By Liz Kearney Handbags made of recycled leather are among a unique range of sustainably made accessories that will be showcased at this month’s Guildhall Craft Fair. Orla Vera Accessories was founded and developed by Buncrana fashion designer Orla O’Hagan in 2020 during the pandemic. Her lockdown project of making purses and handbags quickly
