County Derry Post

Local woman saves NHS £400,000

admin — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 14:38:43 +0000

By Orla McNicholl
orla@derrypost.com

A County Derry woman has been honoured after her research work saved the NHS £400,000 over a nine month period.
Marina Lupari from Magherafelt beat off stiff competition from 300 nominees to pick up the prestigious Frontline First Innovation Award for her work with the Institute of Nursing Research.
It was the mother-of-three’s research in evaluating and promoting a new model of community nursing for managing long term health conditions that impressed the Royal College of Nursing who presented her with the award recently.
Marina, a student at the University of Ulster, said she was overwhelmed by her success which she stated was not down to her alone.
“We in the health service all want to make a difference and it is the most wonderful feeling to know that your contribution has been acknowledged,” Marina said.
“This award is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of all the nurses who worked with me to make my vision a reality.”
Paying tribute to supervisors Professor Vivien Coates from the Institute of Nursing Research and Professor Gary Adamson from the School of Psychology, Marina said she would not have achieved success without their support.
“It was landmark research which has never been done on either a national or international level and I will always be grateful to Professor Coates and Professor Adamson for helping me to make all this happen,” she added.
Professor Brendan McCormack, Director of the Institute of Nursing Research at the University of Ulster, said her research was very important to them.
“I think the main thing is that Marina’s success really demonstrates how research work impacts when it’s put directly into practice,” he said.
Marina is currently working as Assistant Director for Nursing, Research and Development at the Northern Health and Social Care Trust.

Special reunion in Magherafelt

admin — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 10:23:52 +0000

A unique reunion was held in Magherafelt recently when well known driving instructor Pat Deehan met up with a former student with a difference.
Magherafelt man Pat, who continues to run a driving school in the town, met former student Jim Patterson 45 years after he helped the Kilrea native pass his driving test.
The reunion took place at the 50th anniversary of Magherafelt and District Road Safety Committee which was held recently.
The event made headlines across Ireland and England back in 1965 because Jim had earlier lost both legs and an arm after being electrocuted.
Jim was electrocuted when a ladder he was holding against a wall touched overhead wires.
In September 1965 Jim started taking lessons with Pat and by December that year the 21-year-old passed his test in the glare of a media storm.
Back in the 1960’s he also received high praise from Battle of Britain pilot Douglas Bader. The famous RAF fighter pilot was also a double leg amputee.
At the time he said: “This young man does not need any advice or help from me. He has a heart that will take him anywhere. I have never seen a boy like him.”
Pat Deehan was delighted to meet up with his old student.
He said: “Jim Patterson is a role model, not only for the handicapped, but for everyone of us who use the roads. He would have been a worthy candidate for a place in the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards.
“In my 50 years in both Road safety and driving instruction, Jim Patterson has been my outstanding pupil and it has been a privilege to have known him.”

Green light for new school site

admin — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 10:20:32 +0000

Cash for a new school in Draperstown looks set to be saved after education bosses reached a deal to buy a suitable building site.
Bosses at Saint Columba’s Primary School were beaming with delight this week after a local development firm agreed to sell them a plot of land at Sixtowns Road.
Just a month ago morale at the popular school was at an all time low when talks to buy land at Corrick Road broke down.
Then it emerged that a £2.1 million grant from the Department for Education could be lost if it wasn’t spent before March 31.
The cash seemed to be saved this week when an alternative site was found.
Although the final deal has yet to be signed and sealed it is understood all those involved are confident it will go ahead.
A spokesman for Saint Columba’s Primary School declined to reveal the cost of the alternative site but claimed it was “within budget”.
Chairperson of the Board of Governors Brian O’Kane described the development as “tremendous news”.
He said: “St Columba’s is at the very heart of our community and Parish here in Straw and our pupils, parents and teachers deserve the very best. Planning permission is in full train and, thankfully, the funding to build this wonderful new school is still in place. The project represents an investment of £2.1m and we hope to start building in April 2011, with doors opening to the first tranche of pupils in Summer 2012
“In implementing this project it was important that everything came together – site, planning, funding and community support – and great thanks for their support must go to the Board of Governors, The Design Team, local politicians, Martin McGuinness MP, MLA, Patsy McGlone
MLA, Fr Colum Clerkin and, of course, the staff and parents of Straw.”
Magherafelt councillor Kate Lagan has supported bosses at Saint Columba’s Primary School in their bid to find a new site.
The SDLP woman said: “That a new school is required was never in doubt. As a former teacher myself I understand the difficulties of mobile classrooms as learning environments for young children.
“Having had a very difficult passage in the recent past, I would hope that the modifications and all outstanding issues relating to this current application for the new school can be approved quickly.”

Heartbreak of missing man’s family

admin — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 16:45:05 +0000

The heartbroken family of a County Derry pensioner who vanished almost a year ago held an emotional service to celebrate his life at the weekend.
Garvagh Kenneth Thompson disappeared in October last year during a trip to Ballycastle Harbour.
The 65-year-old had been due to travel to Australia to visit his sister Valerie just weeks after he went missing.
His disappearance sparked a massive land, air and sea search as dozens of volunteers and a PSNI dog team searched for clues.
The retired lab technician was last seen on October 17 and his car was recovered close to the ferry terminal at Ballycastle on October 20.
Despite the massive search, which involved the Royal Navy and PSNI, no trace of the missing man has been found.
Family and friends Mr Thompson gathered at Garvagh First Presbyterian Church on Saturday for a service of reflection and thanksgiving to remember the father-of-two.
The missing man’s brother Valerie travelled from Australia for the service while his brother Ivan made the journey from England to take part in the moving service.
Mr Thompson’s son Andrew thanked everyone for the support they have shown over the past year.
He said: “A few people said a few words. It’s been a tough time. I would just like to thank everyone who took part in the search for my dad at the time and for the friends and family who have lent their support during this difficult time.”
Mr Thompson was involved in his local church and was an organist at the Christian Workers Mission Hall for many years.
During the service his friend Harry Caskey of Dam Head Miniature Railway Society, of which Mr Thompson was a keen member, paid tribute to the missing man.
Andrew Watson of First Garvagh Presbyterian Church choir, of which Mr Thompson was a member, also spoke kindly of his friend.
A spokesman for the PSNI last night said the hunt for Mr Thompson has not been given up.
He said: “We would still appeal for anyone who was in the Ballycastle area on October 17 to get in touch.”

Hannah backs new health initiative

admin — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 16:44:10 +0000

A south Derry woman is spearheading a drive to encourage people to take part in National Trails Day next month.
Kilrea woman Hanna Shields, who has climbed Mount Everest, is urging people across the North to rise to the occasion and get active on October 3.
Over 10,000 people took part in a range of activities during the event last year.
This year’s event includes activities such as hill walking, cycling, horse riding and canoeing.
The aim of the day is to celebrate the wonderful variety of trails available for everyone to enjoy in some of Ireland’s most beautiful countryside, forests, mountains and lakes.
This year The National Trust, Forest Service of Northern Ireland, Canoe Association of Northern Ireland (CANI), privately owned activity providers and other independent organisers will all be waiving entrance fees and offering activity events totally free of charge.
Hanna Shields says local people should get out and admire the beauty of our countryside.
She said: “National Trails Day is all about getting all sorts of folks outdoors enabling them to discover the natural gems on their own back doorstep. I know I take inspiration from this area every time I get out walking or running so it will be great to see more people taking advantage of all the free events and experiencing the outdoors for themselves on National Trails Day.”
Chris Armstrong from the Countryside Access and Activities Network said the event has something for everyone.
He said: “Northern Ireland offers a wide range of unique trails both on land and water. The main aim of the day is to encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to get outdoors and make use of their local trails. We are also hoping to promote the idea that we need to protect and maintain our natural environment and National Trails Day will also hopefully raise awareness of the great work of the key agencies who strive to do this.”
CAAN is organising National Trails Day with the support of financial partners Inland Waterways of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Waterways Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland. All events organised for National Trails Day 2010 will be listed on www.nationaltrailsday.co.uk with full contact information of the organisers.
For some of the events, places are limited so anybody interested in taking part in an event is encouraged to get in touch with the relevant event organisers ahead of the day so as not to be disappointed.
For more information visit www.countrysiderecreation.com.

Man arrested over RUC man’s murder

admin — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 16:43:17 +0000

A County Derry man has been arrested by police investigating the shooting of an RUC man in Magherafelt 29 years ago.
The 54-year-old man was arrested in Swatragh on Monday morning and taken to Antrim PSNI holding centre for questioning.
John Proctor was shot dead in the car park of the Mid Ulster Hospital on September 14, 1981, minutes after visiting his wife and new born baby son.
The dead man, who was from Upperlands, had been a member of the RUC Reserve for two years.
The father-of two was killed just hours after carrying the coffin of his neighbour and friend Alan Clarke.
A full time member of the UDR, Mr Clarke was shot dead by the IRA as he walked along Hall Street, Maghera, two days earlier, on September 12.
The 20-year old lived with his parents at Alexander Park in Upperlands.
A female witness told an inquest in 1982 that she saw the passenger of a car, dressed in Khaki and holding a riffle, drive past her. Seconds later she saw Mr Clarke lying at the side of the road.
According to the witness the young man called for help before drifting into unconsciousness.
In October 1981 an open air service in memory of the two men was held in Upperlands under the auspices of the Royal Black Preceptory.
The two friends died just weeks before the end of the 1981 Hunger Strike.
An increase in violence during the year led to the deaths of 117 people across the North.
The South Derry Brigade of the IRA admitted responsibility for killing both men and threatened to intensify its campaign against the RUC and British Army.
The Deputy Chief Constable of the RUC at the time, Michael McAtamney, claimed that reinforcements were being sent into South Derry in a bid to deal with the rising republican threat.
The day after Mr Proctor’s death James Prior took up his new post as Secretary of State.

New project to support local migrants

admin — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 16:42:24 +0000

A new initiative has been launched to help people from ethnic minorities who have moved to the Magherafelt area.
The Magherafelt Ethnic Support Programme was launched at the offices of Magherafelt District Council last week.
The programme, which has been funded by the European Union’s Peace III project, aims to provide support and advice to anyone from an ethnic minority background living in the Magherafelt district.
Advice clinics are held weekly in Magherafelt Library on Tuesdays from 6pm to 8pm, in Draperstown on Tuesdays from 6pm to 8pm and Maghera Library on Thursdays from 6pm to 8pm.
These will be manned by professional interpreters who can sign post individuals to Magherafelt Advice Services if necessary or to other appropriate agencies.
Another aspect of the project is to target eight community organisations in the Magherafelt district who want to open their doors and welcome people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds into their group.
These can be sports groups, arts groups, community groups, fishing clubs, church groups or anyone who thinks that it is impossible to act as a host organisation.
Host organisations will be entitled to a grant to organise a function which will welcome members of the migrant community into their activities.
Last week’s launch was attended by more than 30 people from ethnic backgrounds as well as a range of community leaders.
Gerry Lynch, manager of the new project, introduced the new Welcome Mid-Ulster website which would be developed and promoted throughout Mid-Ulster as the project rolled out.
“I hope that it will be a valuable tool by which councils, statutory and voluntary agencies and businesses can advertise their services, job vacancies, or major events directly to the ethnic community.
“These could be automatically translated into a range of languages. “Those who attended the launch from the ethnic community were very enthusiastic about the programme and promised to ensure that all of their friends would soon register to be part of the programme.”
If anyone is interested in the project they can contact Gerry Lynch on 07980906425 or can ring Josie at 02879301606 any day between 1pm and 4pm.

Bravery award for local schoolboy

admin — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 16:25:50 +0000

A north Derry schoolboy has received a prestigious award after battling against Leukemia.
Little Ethan McLaughlin received the child of courage award this summer after being nominated by two of his teachers at Saint Canice’s Primary School, Feeney.
The 8-year-old was diagnosed with the blood condition when was just three-years-old and has spent the following three years undergoing a grueling round of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments.
The popular schoolboy’s determination to overcome his illness prompted his teachers Anne Marie O’Hagan and Joanne Mooney put his name forward for the award.
Last night Ethan’s mum Jacqueline praised the bravery for her little son.
She said: “You just don’t have any idea how proud we are, he is a credit to us. He is the type of wee fellow who never complained, he just got on with it. He still attends the clinic every three months and will continue to until he is older. He missed his first day at school, in fact he missed all of P1. During this time he received home tuition.”
Even when he was sick he was always smiling. He deserves this award and he even said to me ‘I’m not brave because I cried sometimes’. That says it all really.”
Jacqueline says Ethan has been helped in his journey by his friends.
“He loves school now and is a normal fun loving young boy, even his doctors say he is just a fun loving wee man. He plays football with all his friends and is a big fan of the Xbox, he loves playing games.
“When he was in hospital his closest wee friends would have visited him and they really cheered him up during the very bad days. They never treated him any differently, that’s the thing about children, they make no distinction.”

McGuinness visits Castledawson residents

admin — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 16:23:38 +0000

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has met with Castledawson residents opposed to the destruction of local homes to make way for a controversial link road.
The Stormont chief, who is also MP for Mid Ulster, met with worried residents in Castledawson last week.
Local people are opposed to Department for Regional Development Road Service plans to drive a link road through a residential area as part of the Toome to Castledawson dualling scheme.
Road service officials have been accused of acting in bad faith by local people after it emerged they plan to knock down local man Shiv Chada’s Bell’s Hill Road home.
The Deputy First Minister’s visit to Castledawson has been described by Sinn Féin officials as a “fact finding mission”.
Bell’s Hill Road resident Anne Young says local people welcomed the opportunity to discuss their concerns with their MP.
She said: “We welcomed the fact that the Deputy First Minister accepted our invitation and took time out from his duties to meet with us, however as an elected MLA for the area we found it necessary for him to be brought up to date with events. It was a fact finding exercise for Mr Maguinness to hear first hand our concerns and the fact that this proposal for the link roads and flyover could actually have the least impact on the people and their property if it were to be located to the large green area on the opposite side of the road (Bellshill North) already recommended by the Inspector in March 2008.
“We thought it very important to make him aware of the Inspectors proposal from 2008 and the controversy it has created as we the residents have been kept in the dark that it was an actual recommendation. He was also informed that Roads Service have threatened to return to the 2007 proposal should this revised 2009 not get passed at planning. This would have a great impact on those residents genuinely affected on the Annaghmore Road. We feel that Roads have not treated us with the respect and consideration we deserve.”
Mr McGuinness was joined at the meeting with Mid Ulster assemblyman Francie Molloy and Magherafelt Councillor Ian Milne.
Mr Milne backed the concerns voiced by of local people.
He said: “I am very supportive of the residents’ plight. What they are trying to do here is wrong and as far as I am concerned people should always be put before property.”

Craigbane woman had model ambitions

admin — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 16:22:11 +0000

A County Derry woman is sending out an SOS to people across the county to help her live the dream of strutting her stuff on the catwalk.
Craigbane woman Annemarie Nicholas hopes to become the Angel Face of the North West when the competition final is held in Derry’s City Hotel later this month.
Anne Marie, who is a children’s nurse at Alnagelvin Hospital, will pocket a cash prize and be the face of the Richmond Centre if she beats off the competition to claim top spot.
The 22-year-old is calling on friends, family and people across North Derry to give her their vote and help her realise her dream of becoming a model.
She said: “About 200 people entered the competition and we are down to the last 12 now. I would love to be a model, I think every girl would like to do that. This is my first time entering a competition like this.
“I’m trying to get people around the area to support me. I’m glad to be part of the final but I would like to win it now that I’m in it.”
The Angel Face of the North West final will take part in the City Hotel in Derry on September 26.
If you want to vote for Annemarie call 09056521251 and quote 10055. You can also text face 10055 to 81108.