Archive for February, 2008
Feeling buff? Join the club
A Co. Derry nudist group is appealing for others with bare-faced cheek to join it.
James, from Garvagh, says the group consists of four couples at present and they would ideally like another four couples to expand their social set.
High on the agenda is going swimming which, in their case, involves having a pool closed to the public. Add the costs of keeping the complex running, insured and keeping on a lifeguard and it becomes pricier than the normal skinny dip.
“The cost for a night is £500-£600,” said James. “That’s why we need a few more people to make it viable.”
He says they have approached Magherafelt, Coleraine and Ballymena leisure centres already but that only Ballymena are open to playing ball.
They have also approached the National Trust about assigning a section of Portstewart Strand for naturists. “Northern Ireland is the only place in the whole of Europe that doesn’t have designated nudist beaches,” James complained.
For now, the octet’s social scene is a strictly behind closed doors affair as they get together in each other’s houses at weekends.
James says he discovered the beauty of being in his birthday suit when he and his future wife went on their first holiday together. “She stripped off on the beach and invited me to join her. I wasn’t that happy doing it at first,” he admits.
Now he compares it to the ‘good feeling’ one gets when kicking off one’s shoes after a day’s work.
“We go on holidays together and we meet lots of like-minded people from all over Northern Ireland,” said James, adding: “There are lots of naturist clubs in England and Scotland.”
He is appealing for genuine naturists to come forward. Four years ago they advertised on the internet for new members and got about 40 responses. They hired a cottage in the Glens to conduct interviews and ended up with just one couple. “Lots of men only came to see the women,” he admitted.
“We’re not out to show people our bits and we’re not asking people to go public,” he added. “We’re looking to find other, like minded people.”
Asked about the group, Garvagh MLA Adrian McQuillan quipped he hadn’t come across them yet but might be tempted to join, while Terry Diamond, manager of the Seven Towers leisure centre in Ballymena, said he wasn’t aware of any approach being made by the group. “That would have to go before the council and this is Ballymena – I can’t see it,” he added.
Training group facing closure
An invaluable Limavady based training company is facing closure unless it can generate more funding.
Now NWLLA have joined forces with Portglenone based training centre, Community Focus Learning, in a bid to raise much needed funds for these worthy charities.
Both training companies recently launched their new e-portfolio type NVQs which can provide learners with qualifications in half the time.
Those in full time employment can still gain a recognised qualification within three months in a range of courses including retail, administration and ICT, and it’s all completed on the internet.
A one day course aimed at businesses is also available giving employers and employees the opportunity to learn the basics about disability issues and discrimination at work.
Betty McNerlin, founder of NWLLA said: “We hope that we can generate some income by providing these courses, because come July we will have run out of funds and could be in bother.”
The group, which was set up in 2003 as a dedicated charity receives no funding, except from a few generous businesses and the threat of closure could have a big impact on the local community.
According to Betty: “We fulfil a definite niche in the market and if we go, who is going to replace us? Money and sponsorship is what we desperately need at the present time.”
The group recently won an All Ireland highly commended award for adult learners and are now hoping they can carry on that success and continue to provide invaluable training for the local community.
If you would like to donate funds to these charities contact Betty McNerlin on 7776 4429 or Anne McKinley on 2582 1184.
Lions pillar could be knocked down
Spectacular pillars erected outside a new house near Bellaghy may have to be tumbled after DoE chiefs refused a retrospective planning application.
The eight landmark columns with life sized lions perched on top were erected outside a new house on the Deerpark Road.
However, the pillars, walls and entrance gates to the house were built without planning permission.
And now a late application to planners has been refused meaning the striking gate posts, which cost thousands of pounds, may have to be torn down.
The decision comes just weeks after a Swatragh man was forced to knock down a brand new bungalow built without permission.
A spokesman for the Planning Service said: “An opinion to refuse was reached because the proposal was contrary to draft Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 14 - Sustainable Development in the Countryside, as the entrance pillars are obtrusive at this rural location.
“The application has now been deferred because until the revised draft policy is published for consultation, all applications received after 16 March 2006 refused under draft PPS14 will automatically be deferred at the request of the council.”
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Kilrea rallies round cancer patient
A generous community has come together recently to raise a phenomenal amount of cash for a trust fund for a Kilrea cancer patient.
Following a recent fundraising night in Kilrea GAC, a massive £18,000 was raised to help local cancer patient Peggy Madden purchase medication for her treatment.
Peggy is currently paying for her own medication with the cost of the drug coming to around £1,300 per month.
Peggy’s niece Sharon Larkin organised the fundraising night with the help of her mother and brother. She was stunned to discover they surpassed their initial target of £4,000.
“The night was a fantastic success,” she said. “A mixed community turned out to support Peggy which was just great.
“The whole family would just like to thank the entire community who gave donations on the night as well as local shopkeepers and the club for providing the fantastic facilities with no charge.”
An auction and raffle was held on the night - with many items kindly donated from local shops - and was followed up with a disco.
Sharon said: “The auction raised £4,000 alone which was just fantastic and Peggy was totally overwhelmed by the generosity of the community.
“It will make her life a wee bit easier. It’s bad enough dealing with cancer without having to pay for your treatment as well.”
The community have also helped to support Peggy by signing a petition which will be presented to the NI Assembly, calling for free treatment.
Bradley relishing acid test in Kerry
Derry’s star forward Paddy Bradley believes that this Sunday’s trip to Killarney to play Kerry will show the Oak Leaf side exactly how they are progressing.
By Chris McCann
“There are a lot of new fellas in the side and this is an acid test. We played Mayo who were down a few men and Laois are a side in transition. Sunday’s game will tell the tale. We have been missing some important players, particularly in defence with the likes of Sean Marty Lockhart, Mickey McGoldrick, Gerard O’Kane, and Kevin McCloy has only played a few minutes. It’s a chance for the new fellas to prove that they have the quality.
“One of the things that make Kerry such a good side is that there is serious competition for places. This is a great opportunity for one or two of the newer fellas to show that they really have got what it takes and that the experienced boys can’t expect to just walk back into the team when they are fit again,” said the Glenullin man.
Bradley’s only previous encounter with Kerry came in 2004 when he was part of the side that lost to the Kingdom in an All-Ireland semi-final.
“At the end of the day they are the All-Ireland Champions, they might be missing some star names in Colm Cooper and Declan O’Sullivan but they are still the best team in the country. Some of us played against them in the All-Ireland semi-final in 2004 and we were disappointed with how the game went in the second half. We were well in that game at half-time and we let it slip in the space of 10 or 15 minutes in the second half,” he said.
The Mitchel’s forward is looking forward to testing himself against the best side in the country and believes that a victory would provide a massive boost in confidence.
“I think that Kerry is maybe the only county in Ireland that I haven’t played in. It would be great to come down to their patch and leave with a win this is the sort of game you want to be playing in – against Kerry in Kerry. Things are going well and confidence is high after two wins, I wouldn’t be 100 per cent happy with my own form but it’s early in the season and I’m working hard at my game,” he said.
Twisted fire starter?
A Limavady man whose house was gutted in a weekend blaze believes a sick arsonist may have been behind the fire.
By Connla Young
Tommy McGonigle’s house was one of ten damaged in a blaze that swept along a row of houses at Woodland Walk at around 8pm on Saturday.
Three houses were damaged in the blaze which police believe started at an oil tank at a vacant property.
Last night the father of one said he believes the blaze was the work of a malicious fire starter and could have wiped out his family, including his seven-month-old baby Molly.
“I think somebody could have been behind it,” he said. “Someone said there has been 14 incidents in the area in recent months, either oil tanks or garden sheds have been set on fire.
“Someone is going to be killed so the quicker those who are behind this are caught the better.”
Mr McGonigle believes members of his own family could have died if his wife had not spotted the blaze at a neighbouring property’s oil tank.
“The two tanks are beside each other and the fire spread to my tank. My wife was making a bottle for Molly when she noticed it and called me. I went out with a hose to spray down my tank but it was no good. Then a neighbour told me to leave it before the tank blew.
“We have lost almost everything. I’m staying with my brother in law and the wife and child are staying with her mother until we can get another house.”
Limavady SDLP councillor Gerry Mullan backed the fire starter theory.
“If, as believed, this was the work of a serial arsonist, I would appeal to anyone with information to give any information to the police immediately before someone loses their life.”
PSNI Inspector Tony Callaghan said the incident was very serious.
“This was a very serious incident that could potentially have resulted in the loss of lives. We are still at the early stages of our investigation and would appeal for anyone who saw suspicious activity in the area on Saturday to contact our local CID office.”
Lavey teen scoops All-Ireland title
A County Derry teenager was on song this week when she scooped a prestigious all Ireland title.
Lavey lass Niamh McGlinchey is the toast of Lavey parish after beating off stiff competition to claim the all Ireland solo singing competition at the Scór na nÓg finals held in Athlone Institute of Technology on Saturday.
The 16-year-old wooed the judges with a unique and powerful rendition of Raglan Road.
And the people of Lavey rolled out the red carpet as the Gulladuff girl made a triumphant return on Sunday.
Dozens of locals packed into Lavey social club to welcome the champion singer home.
“I’m completely honoured to have won such a prestigious award at 16,” beamed the proud teenager. “I would like to thank everybody who supported me and all the people who lit candles for me around Lavey.
“I was brought back to the club and it was a complete shock. All my family and friends and neighbours were there and I knew nothing about. I would like to thank everyone who helped organise the party including Donal O’Kane, Sean McPeake and Joe and Mary McGurk. I will remember it for the rest of my life.”
And the fifth year pupil at Saint Patrick’s College, Maghera, says she didn’t feel a twitch of nerves before taking the stage on Saturday.
“I was as cool as a cucumber. It was the first time in my whole life I was not nervous going out on stage. I just wanted to enjoy the moment and I did. It was the most special day in my life and I will never forget it.”
Local photographer key witness
The brother of newly appointed Victims’ Commissioner Patricia McBride is set to be a key witness during an inquest into the death of a Derry City man during rioting in 1996.
Magherafelt man Oistin McBride confirmed last night he is willing to give evidence at an inquest into the death of Dermot McShane during fierce rioting in Derry in July 1996.
The award winning photographer was in the city to cover the rioting which erupted in the hours after members of the Orange order were forced down Portadown’s Garvaghy Road at the end of a tense, week long stand off at Drumcree.
Mr McShane was killed when hoarding he was standing behind was rammed by a heavily armoured British army vehicle.
Mr McBride was standing just yards from the victim when he was struck and captured a series of dramatic pictures as the injured man lay dying.
During a preliminary hearing held last week coroner Brian Sherrard said he intended to write to media outlets in a bid to identify press witnesses to the incident.
Mr McBride says he will give evidence at the full inquest.
“I intend to be there on whatever days I’m required,” he said. “I really couldn’t have been much closer unless I was driving the tank. We were on top of the action and saw him being killed. The pictures bear that out.”
Mr McBride’s sister, Patricia, was recently appointed to one of four Victims’ Commissioners positions.
O’Connor called into Ireland squad
The Stairway to Heaven isn’t meant to be this short. It’s not even a year since Drumsurn fly-half Niall O’Connor signed professional terms with Ulster but yesterday his meteoric rise to rugby stardom was boosted further when he was called into Eddie O’Sullivan’s Ireland squad ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations clash with Scotland.
By Cahair O’Kane
The 21-year-old former Limavady Grammar student has earned rave reviews in his first full season as a professional and was given the man-of-the-match award after he kicked 12 points to get Matt Williams’ reign as boss off to the perfect start with a 38-13 win over Newport Gwent Dragons at a packed Ravenhill.
That was the beginning of a dream week that got better on Monday when he found himself rubbing shoulders with Brian O’Driscoll and co having been drafted in as cover for the injured Geordan Murphy.
O’Connor said on Monday that he is thoroughly enjoying the experience while admitting that he is unlikely to figure in O’Sullivan’s 22 as the Irish look to maintain their hopes of a third Triple Crown in four years, though he is hopeful of being part of the ‘A’ side which will take on the Scots at McDiarmid Park on Friday night.
“It was a bit of a shock to get the call yesterday, but training went well this morning, it was really enjoyable. It is definitely another step up, training is very fast and the skill level is really high but so far I have really enjoyed it.
“I am hoping to be involved with Ireland ‘A’, this weekend so this is great experience.”
New Ulster coach Matt Williams lauded O’Connor’s influence on that victory over Gwent in the aftermath of Friday night’s game and hopes that the Limavady man is one that he’ll be keeping hold of for years to come.
“He didn’t kick as well, I think he was fatigued because he was running but with ball-in-hand, I thought it was a great display and I though he defended very well too.”
“I think we have a real good ‘un in Niall at 10.”
No commentsDerry wary of wounded Laois
Derry selector Martin Heaney believes that, having been on the wrong end of a narrow defeat on the National League’s opening weekend, Laois will be gunning for the Oak Leafers as they prepare to visit O’Moore Park for the second game of the campaign.
By Cahair O’Kane
sport@derrypost.com
Derry’s campaign started with a 2-09 to 1-09 victory over Mayo at Celtic Park, while Laois’ trip to Galway ended in a narrow defeat in Galway. Heaney knows that Laois will be desperate to win their home games and nothing will come easy in Portlaoise.
“Every team in this division will be looking to win their home games. Laois are a big, strong, powerful running side. They gave us a bit of a whipping down there in the league two years ago, they were very impressive that day.
“I saw a bit of the game with Galway and they almost got something from it, there was only a point in it with a couple of minutes to go. They got beat a bit around the middle of the field and that’s not like Laois, they’re usually big and strong in there so they’ll be looking to fix that.”
Since Laois knocked Derry out of the championship at Croke Park in 2005, they have met three times, with one win each and one draw. The last meeting was a classic encounter in last July’s qualifier, which Derry won by 1-18 to 2-11 in Breffni Park.
“We met them in the league last year and Conleith Gilligan pulled us out with a late free that made it a draw, then we met in the championship and it was one of the games of the season, we just sneaked through. No question, they’ll be looking to avenge that defeat and they’re targeting it as a game they need to win.”
Heaney admits, the past encounters they’ve had with Laois won’t have much bearing on Saturday. Derry are depleted by injury and Laois have been rocked by a series of early retirements – Chris Conway, Fergal Byron, Tom Kelly, Joe Higgins and Gary Fitzpatrick have stepped down from county colours.
“You can only play with the hand you’ve been dealt. If you look at our championship team from last year, you’ll see around 12 names of players we’ve been without at the start of this season.”
Among those names is Niall McCusker, who should return from the bruised ribs that have kept him out for five weeks. Conleith Gilligan is available for selection again and Paul Murphy has also recovered from a niggle.
But Derry’s plans were dealt a blow at training on Tuesday night when Eoin Bradley suffered an ankle injury and had to be carried off the turf at Owenbeg. Original fears of a break were unfounded but ligament damage will see him miss the Laois game.
Kevin McCloy is expected to return to form part of a formidable full-back line which still lacks the presence of Sean Marty Lockhart and Michael McGoldrick, while McCusker and Gilligan may also return.
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