Derry City and Strabane District Council is advising the public of service arrangements for the upcoming May Bank Holiday on Monday 5th May 2025 Bin collections and Recycling Centres will operate as normal on Bank Holiday Monday Residents are reminded to leave out their bins for collection as usual The Council encourages everyone to continue recycling and to use Blue and Brown bins correctly to help reduce waste over the bank holiday weekend will be closed on Monday 5th May for the public holiday Registry Offices in both Derry and Strabane will also be closed on Monday 5th May The Guildhall and Tower Museum will both be open as normal and welcoming visitors over the Bank Holiday weekend Council-owned cemeteries will remain open and operational daily from 8:00am to 8:00pm throughout the Bank Holiday weekend The Council's Out of Hours Service for ongoing dog attacks on persons or animals will be available across the holiday While there is no obligation for the Council to respond to other matters outside normal hours the Dog Warden may assess and respond to serious voicemails left on this number All Council parks and greenways will be open over the Bank Holiday weekend, and the public is encouraged to enjoy the outdoor spaces responsibly, keeping areas clean and safe by using bins provided. The Alley Theatre will be open over the Bank Holiday weekend with family-friendly activities and workshops Leisure Services – May Bank Holiday Schedule: Derg Valley Leisure and Waterside Shared Village Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council encouraged everyone to enjoy the long weekend while making the most of the services available: “I wish everyone in our community a safe and enjoyable May Bank Holiday and I hope everyone enjoys the beautiful weather we are experiencing at the minute Please remember to recycle where possible and use our parks Let’s keep our city and district beautiful for everyone to enjoy this spring.” Enter your email address and get them direct to your inbox Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] Strabane Office 47 Derry Rd Strabane Tyrone © Copyright 2025 Derry Strabane District Council A Strabane man (28) appeared before a special sitting of Dungannon Magistrates court on Saturday. Jude Semple, from Delaney Crescent, is charged with sexually touching and assaulting the girl as well as causing her to engage in sexual activity. A detective constable said on April 24, Semple boarded a bus for Strabane and the teenager sat in the seat beside him. She was described as having moderate learning difficulties and during the journey Semple allegedly touched her groin, then lifted her hand and placed it on his genitals several times. It is further claimed he grabbed her face and tried to kiss her. When the girl arrived home she told her mother who contacted police. Semple was traced and arrested and admitted to drinking alcohol before boarding the bus. A defence barrister said it was the injured party who approached Semple on the bus and there’s no indication he “sought her out.” He continued: “There’s nothing to show she gets up or alerts anyone else to being in difficulty. The defendant used her phone to contact his home and gave her his real name.” The detective says CCTV shows Semple showing the injured party a piece of paper which had his details on it. As a result the complainant was able to provide Semple’s name to police who located him at the home of a family member. District Judge Alana McSorley refused bail. Semple will appear again by video-link on May 22. Facebook pageTwitter feedRSS feed@2025 The Irish News Ltd DERRY and Strabane saw a 14 per cent rise in average house prices over the past year - the strongest annual growth - according to new figures released in PropertyPal’s Northern Ireland Housing Market Update for Quarter One The Northern Ireland housing market made a strong start to 2025 with approximately 6,200 agreed sales in the first three months of the year and homes reaching 'sale agreed' 16 days faster than the historical average according to PropertyPal’s latest quarterly report DERRY and Strabane saw a 14 per cent rise in average house prices over the past year - the strongest annual growth - according to new figures released in PropertyPal’s Northern Ireland Housing Market Update for Quarter One The situation with house prices is also robust with the price of an average home in Northern Ireland increasing by eight per cent on an annual basis when comparing Quarter One 2025 against Quarter One 2024 Price growth was seen across all council areas on both a yearly and quarterly basis there were 326 agreed sales in Quarter One Average house prices increased between Quarter One 2024 and Quarter One 2025 They were up 14 per cent with the average house price in Derry City and Strabane being £204,409 in Quarter One 2025 House prices in the council area increased 3.9 per cent in the first quarter of the year alone said: "The Northern Ireland housing market has made a strong start to 2025 with approximately 6,200 agreed sales in the first three months of the year broadly in line with the long-term average taking an average of 47 days to secure a buyer and more than two weeks quicker than the historical average "This points to continued strength in underlying demand buyer enquiries per property increased by 15 per cent compared to the previous quarter signalling strong momentum that is likely to carry into Quarter Two The average property now stands at £226,000 marking an eight per cent annual increase "Recent figures from Nationwide also place Northern Ireland at the top of the UK regional growth rankings underlining the relative strength of the local market." the outlook remains mixed as economic uncertainty clouds the medium-term picture "The Office for Budget Responsibility has recently halved its UK growth forecast and new tax policies introduced by the Labour government are increasing business costs from this month rising global trade tensions may further impact economic confidence and market sentiment with earnings continuing to outpace inflation combined with expectations of further interest rate reductions should help improve affordability and sustain activity in the months ahead.” Share your opinions on Alpha Newspaper Group Stay connected to us to get the latest news and updates A STRABANE businessman has been announced as a finalist in a prestigious all-Ireland entrepreneur competiiton is one of 27 finalists in the 2025 EY Entrepreneur of the Year (EoY) Awards He is one of three Northern Ireland names in the shortlist alongside Terry Hughes from Pivotal and Martin Tierney of Seating Matters William returned from a successful actuarial and tech career in the USA in 2020 and in 2022 took over leadership of his family’s business - one of the town's largest employers - alongside his sister Established as a tearoom in Strabane in 1940 McColgan’s has evolved to become one of Ireland’s largest independent suppliers of savoury pastries slices and pies sold across Ireland and the UK William and Grainne have focused on enhancing company culture William McColgan commented: “It is a genuine honour to be shortlisted in the 2025 EoY Awards ambition and innovation amongst the finalists is incredible and it is humbling to be in such company “The recognition is also a reflection of the brilliant talented people at every level of McColgan’s who are driving the business forward collectively "I’m thrilled to be setting out on the EoY journey and look forward to getting to know the other finalists and sharing this experience together.” Twenty seven Irish entrepreneurs were amongst the list of finalists The finalists will compete in three business categories - ‘emerging’ ‘established’ – with an overall winner being announced in November at a gala awards ceremony The overall winner will represent Ireland at the World Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in Monaco next year but one of its proudest eras has to be that of the showbands which offered young aspiring stars from the city the chance to cut loose and take their talents all over the world One of those bright-eyed musicians was musician who has now written an account of his time on tour – the tame version he hints - which launched yesterday on the opening evening of this year’s City of Derry Jazz Festival Anyone who grew up in the whirl of 1960’s Derry will uncover a treasure trove of well-known characters and memories within the pages of ‘Radio Romance and Rock ‘n’ Roll’ which Colum has been working on since his ‘sort of’ retirement from BBC Radio Foyle after a busy 40-year career It’s fitting that the launch took place amidst the buzz of the Jazz Festival where many of his musician peers have proudly taken centre stage over the years who was a much-admired mentor to Colum over the years Colum was joined by fellow jazz aficionados Jim Whiteside Joseph Leighton and the Paul McIntyre Quartet on stage at the Guildhall after the launch for a show-stopping showcase of local talent to open the festival It was an opportunity to revisit the music that paved the way for a lifetime of gigging broadcasting and producing that has made Colum one of Derry’s best loved radio personalities paid tribute to the veteran broadcaster as she welcomed a crowd of family “Colum’s career as a professional musician spans an incredible 60 years Columb’s College when he got his first spot with the Willie Campbell Showband - and he’s gone from strength to strength ever since playing all over the world with some of the biggest names in the business “He leaves a fantastic music legacy for the city where he has championed so many up and coming artists over the years as a producer and sound engineer Snow Patrol’s Johnny McDaid and Brónagh Gallagher It’s so fitting that Colum launches his humorous and heartwarming memoir at the Jazz Festival alongside the musicians who feature in his fond memories of the early years on the road Romance and Rock ‘n’ Roll’ is a must read for anyone interested in Derry’s proud musical history down the years.” Colum said: “I never had any intention of publishing the book I had really just wanted to record some of these stories for my family It was my wife Sharon who took it to her book club and then came back and said - you really need to publish this I hope that the stories resonate with people and bring back a few memories “I have many happy memories over the years and I’ve worked with some fantastic people but I think my favourite moments have been the outside broadcasts I always loved getting out into the local community and letting ordinary people tell their stories Radio Foyle is very much a community station and that’s what makes it special Covering local events like the Foyle Maritime Festival and Stendhal with my great friend Mark Patterson Though I’ve been lucky enough to meet lots of big names over the years I’ve played with the Drifters and met Donovan and Suzie Quatro and I’ve had the opportunity to travel It’s been pretty amazing actually.” Colum took the opportunity on the night to pay a moving tribute to Gay McIntyre and his dear friend Gerry Anderson with whom he toured and shared the airwaves at BBC Radio Foyle for many years Romance and Rock ‘n’ Roll’ is available to buy through Colmcille Press The City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival is delivered by Derry City and Strabane District Council with support from Diageo and EY Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] Elected Members voted unanimously in favour of the notice of motion that stated: “Council will meet with BT Corporate Management to express our concern and the concerns of people across the city feel at the announcement that they will close their Derry facility.  “Council sends its solidarity to BT workers and their families and commits to do everything we can to support them “Council will meet with the CWU to offer our support.  “Council requests the Economy Minister and Invest NI work with Council and the trade union to do everything possible to support workers and employment here.” who chaired the meeting added: “News from BT Group regarding the proposed closure of their Derry office is deeply concerning “My immediate thoughts are with the 140 individuals and their families who are directly impacted by this announcement “While BT Group outlines their rationale for this decision citing a modernisation programme and consolidation of their estate the potential loss of these jobs in our city is a significant blow “Our city has a skilled and dedicated workforce and we will work tirelessly to mitigate the impact of this proposed closure and to continue attracting and retaining quality jobs in our city “I will be following up with BT Group directly to express these concerns and to advocate for them to reconsider their decision and to take all the necessary steps to protect those impacted in our community.” Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] the Alley Theatre will host a special installation piece reflecting the devastating impact of flooding on local communities ‘In at Midnight and Away by Morning: The Uninvited Guest’ is a powerful sound and light installation from the BluePrint Project capturing the lived experience of communities facing the reality of flooding and their ongoing adaptation to the impacts of climate change led by University College Cork with support from The Playhouse involved a co-creation process with flood-affected communities in Eglinton and Newtownstewart and an All-Island learning exchange with Mayo The poetic piece features the sonification of historic and predicted rainfall data and has been shaped through the voices and creativity of flood-affected communities in Eglinton and Newtownstewart.  It was created in collaboration with artist Sara Walmsley and this immersive work explores resilience community action and hope in the face of an uncertain climate future On May 8th the Sound and Light Installation will be shared at a special event in the Alley Theatre attended by the Mayor of Derry and Strabane Mayor Barr said: “The Blueprint Project is a call to action and we must respond to this climate emergency with a renewed sense of urgency The fight against climate change requires all of us to play our part the simple changes we can all make in our everyday life can have a collective impact It’s time for us to step up as a community.” The evening will also mark the launch of the BluePrint Toolkit a resource capturing insights from this co-creation process and all-island exchange with Mayo Designed to support government and community actors the Toolkit offers guidance and inspiration for climate adaptation and flood resilience efforts across Ireland will be open to the public from 10am to 3pm on the 9th of May at the Alley Theatre Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] Car enthusiasts across the city and district are in for a treat as the Mayor's popular Supercar Saturday roars into Guildhall Square and Harbour Square on Saturday 24th May from 12-5pm Local car enthusiasts Gary and Stephen McCaul will showcase approximately 35 luxury vehicles including Lamborghini Popular local entertainer Micky Doherty will lead this family-friendly event which offers children and big kids the chance to get up close with one of Ireland's finest collections of supercars DJ Lui and DJ Richie Rich will keep the music flowing throughout the day A mobile gaming truck will provide additional entertainment for younger attendees while local food vendors will be on site serving delicious refreshments The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council said she was delighted to see this well-supported event return to the city Supercar Saturday will help to raise funds for The Bud Club the Mayor’s chosen charity for her year in office.  “I’m really looking forward to hosting Supercar Saturday This event has become a highlight in our community calendar and other luxury vehicles that Gary and Stephen have arranged is truly world-class I've had the privilege of previewing some of these fantastic vehicles “What makes this day so special is that it allows car enthusiasts to explore the spectacular vehicles they have previously only dreamt about I'm particularly proud that this event will raise funds for The Bud Club allowing our community's passion for incredible cars to directly benefit a life-changing organisation for young people with additional needs." Supercar Saturday is part of the Mayor’s One Big Weekend One Big Cause – Revved Up and Ready to Rock for Bud Club’ extravaganza which will take place on the Bank Holiday weekend of May 24th and 25th and features three incredible events designed to appeal to all ages and interests followed by a night of music and entertainment with ‘Derry Rocks for Bud Club’ in the Guildhall This event will feature The Mindbenders with the Ultimate Yacht Rock Show along with funnyman Black Paddy and musician Ritchie Remo The weekend will be brought to an epic conclusion with ‘Feel the Beat’ a night of high-energy and infectious Afrobeats at St Columb’s Hall All three events will raise funds for the Mayor’s chosen charity a life-changing organisation for young people with additional needs For more information and to purchase tickets to the ‘Derry Rocks for Bud Club’ and Afrobeats night go to www.derrystrabane.com/OneWeekend You can also keep up to date with everything that is happening on What’s On Derry Strabane and Council’s social channels Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] Strabane BID is delighted to congratulate three local establishments on their outstanding success at The Irish Restaurant Ulster Regional Awards held on April 1st at the Hillgrove Hotel in Monaghan Oysters Restaurant achieved remarkable recognition winning both the Best Restaurant award and Best Chef award for Vincent Mahon in the Tyrone category The Thirsty Filly was named Best Newcomer for Tyrone while The Banks Restaurant's Shane Breslin earned the prestigious Best Restaurant Manager award for Tyrone The award ceremony featured strong representation from Strabane A special acknowledgment goes to John McGowan from The Farmer's Home who has been shortlisted for the All Ireland Outstanding Achievement Award will attend the All Ireland awards ceremony on May 19th in Dublin Congratulating the winners the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Lilian Seenoi Barr said: "This outstanding achievements by our local restaurants showcases the exceptional culinary talent we have here in Strabane Their success not only brings recognition to these fine establishments but also highlights our town as a growing food destination in Northern Ireland I extend my warmest congratulations to all winners and nominees and wish them continued success at the All Ireland awards in May.” Echoing the Mayor’s comments Kieran Kennedy chair of Strabane BID said: "The success of our local eateries demonstrates the remarkable quality and innovation that our local hospitality sector brings to the table I'm immensely proud to see these businesses receive the recognition they deserve for their hard work These awards help put Strabane firmly on the map as a culinary destination and contribute significantly to our town's economic vitality and visitor appeal." added: "Having seven Strabane establishments nominated and three winning prestigious awards is a testament to the tremendous growth and quality of our local food scene chefs and staff to delivering exceptional dining experiences is helping transform our town centre into a vibrant destination These achievements reflect the passion and entrepreneurial spirit that make Strabane special and we're excited to support their journey to the All Ireland awards in May." For more information about Strabane BID and how it can help your business please contact Emma McGill, Town Centre Manager on [email protected] Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] The North West Tertiary Education Cluster was established to foster greater coherence and collaboration in the education and skills provision across the region and enhance the educational landscape and contribute to the economic and social development of the North West City Region The cluster has the support and collaboration of the two Councils of Derry City and Strabane District Council and Donegal County Council who are leading partners in the North West Strategic Growth Partnership that brings together the two local authorities alongside further and higher education providers and representatives from the NI Executive Office and the Irish Government to foster regional growth Cllr Lilian Barr said it was a huge honour and privilege to be recognised by the university She said: “The conferral of the honorary degrees underscores the strong and growing connections between Worcester State University and the regions of Derry and Strabane and County Donegal It also highlights the importance of international cooperation and the positive impact of dedicated civic leadership I am proud that my commitment to fostering growth promoting community cohesion and championing social justice equality and human rights has been instrumental in building bridges across communities student-centred public university committed to academic excellence and preparing students for success in a diverse and global society and it is a fantastic honour for me to receive an honorary degree from this education centre of excellence.” Niamh Kennedy said “I am deeply honoured to receive this prestigious recognition from Worcester State University The honorary degree reflects not only my own personal commitment but also the collective efforts of our region in building stronger This honour highlights the ongoing importance of collaboration between the North West Tertiary Education Cluster and the wider community we are fostering a more inclusive and prosperous future for our region Worcester State University’s dedication to academic excellence and community engagement aligns closely with our values and it’s a privilege to be acknowledged by such an esteemed institution.” Maloneys said: “We are deeply honoured to recognise Mayor Barr and Cathaoirleach Kennedy with honorary degrees – Doctorates of Humane Letters - and formally acknowledge their dedication to public service and their commitment to fostering positive relationships across borders align perfectly with the values of Worcester State University Their work serves as an inspiration to our students and the wider community Our university has a very longstanding and positive working relationship with ATU Ulster University and the wider education cluster and the honorary degrees awarded today further cement our commitment to fostering that connection.” Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Lilian Seenoi Barr has issued a statement following the passing of Pope Francis today in Rome She said: “It is with profound sorrow that I heard of the passing of Pope Frances As Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to the Catholic community across our district and the world on the passing of His Holiness “Pope Francis’ papacy was marked by a profound commitment to humility Pope Francis championed the causes of the marginalised and called for compassion and understanding across all communities His focus on dialogue and reconciliation resonated deeply especially in regions like ours that have experienced division “He was a man of huge compassion and courage with a commitment to justice and the dignity of every human being the disadvantaged and to live a life of love for everyone.  “On behalf of the people of Derry and Strabane I offer our deepest sympathies to Archbishop Eamon Martin and may his legacy continue to guide us toward compassion and unity.” Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] recently launched the solo exhibition ‘Narratives’ by Derry-born artist Eamon McAteer at the Alley Theatre in Strabane The stunning collection of paintings resonates deeply with the theme of this year's NI Mental Health Arts Festival ‘CathARTSis,’ a play on the word catharsis The launch was attended by an appreciative audience of family all gathered to celebrate Eamon McAteer's powerful body of work ‘Narratives’ offers viewers a glimpse into the artist's emotional responses and personal interpretations providing solace and sanctuary in today's often chaotic world Mayor Barr emphasised the significance of the festival saying: "The NI Mental Health Arts Festival is a powerful initiative which brings hope to many in our community The power of artistic expression cannot be understated In a world where the pressures of daily life can often feel overwhelming It offers a compassionate space where individuals can share their most personal experiences and connect with others through the universal language of art." and programmes like this remind us that seeking support and celebrating our resilience are fundamental to our collective well-being By platforming diverse stories through music the festival breaks down barriers and helps destigmatise conversations around mental health I had the pleasure of opening Eamon McAteer’s show ‘Narratives’ at the Alley Theatre and saw first-hand how much the paintings resonated with the audience The festival is a wonderful initiative which offers an outlet where mental health can be promoted in a positive Artist Eamon McAteer expressed his delight at being part of the festival saying: "I am delighted to be exhibiting my solo show of paintings ‘Narratives’ at The Alley Theatre as part of the NI Mental Health Arts Festival My work resonates with the festival’s theme of CathARTSis The work is inspired by my emotional response to a wide variety of influences I paint intuitively in the studio so that the work suggests memories and personal interpretations There is a sense of intimacy and intensity and the idea of a glimpse into a remembered reality My paintings mostly relate to the Irish expressionist landscape tradition." Co-Chair of the NI Mental Health Arts Festival highlighted the importance of such exhibitions saying: "There is no doubt that Eamon's exhibition provides a wonderful opportunity to inspire and enthuse audiences young and old Exhibitions like this help to show the power of the arts and the vital role our artists contribute to the inspiration and well-being of others." Eamon McAteer's exhibition ‘Narratives’ will continue at The Alley Theatre Strabane until May 30th The NI Mental Health Arts Festival will run from May 9th to May 20th across Northern Ireland featuring a diverse programme of events including poetry in Belfast on May 9th and in the Guildhall on May 20th Both events are free and are guaranteed to inspire providing an excellent forum for compassionate dialogue panel discussions and excellent insights from those with lived experience drawn from Health The events will be hosted by the Mayors of both cities Celebrating artists from across Northern Ireland the NI Mental Health Arts Forum is delighted Derry-based artist Bronagh Corr McNicholl’s photographic exhibition is touring between both cities – first at The Garden of Reflection in Derry and then Belfast Exposed Justine Scoltock’s exhibition Hidden Layers also features in the Garden of Reflection throughout May For more information on the NI Mental Health Arts Festival and the exciting  programme of events, please visit www.nimhaf.org Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] The programme for this year’s Workers Rights and Social Justice Week in Derry and Strabane has gone live this week with a range of events focusing on workers’ unity and activism The programme will reflect on the campaign by the workers’ rights movement down through the decades and provides an opportunity to highlight issues that are facing workforces today It will feature events hosted by Derry City and Strabane District Council (DCSDC) and by Derry Trades Union Council (DTUC) and will run from April 26th to the 5th of May Looking ahead to Workers Rights and Social Justice Week said: “I would really encourage people to support the events taking place throughout WR&SJ Week “It’s an opportunity to share learnings and raise awareness of the issues that are impacting us in our workplaces every day As a Council we support the campaign to ensure all employees are fairly paid and feel valued in their work So much has already been achieved but more needs to be done and it’s important that we to continue to work together in solidarity to progress the campaign for change.” The programme opens at 12noon on Saturday April 26th discussions and entertainment in the Guildhall exploring workers’ unity across the decades Everyone is welcome to attend this free event the Alley Theatre will play host to a special talk by Alana Moore on the work of prominent local campaigner and activist Ann Browne titled ‘Our Local Girl Loved Worldwide’. Ann Browne campaigned extensively for workers in particularly those involved in the mining and similar industries Ann first developed a love for Latin America at Queen’s University where she studied Spanish and at London's Institute of Latin American Studies During her time at university she was also an avid supporter of the civil rights movement and she took that passion with her when she worked in London and Brussels when she joined the Miners' International Federation (MIF) The talk sets the scene for the opening of a special exhibition in Ann Browne’s honour titled ‘Ann's Journey: Honouring the Life and Legacy of Strabane's Trade Union Pioneer’ The annual Noelene O’Kane Annual Walk around the City Walls will also take place on Thursday May 1st leaving Magazine Gate at 6pm with the opportunity to hear more about significant events in the working class history of the city Find out more about the full programme of events at www.derrystrabane.com/workersrights Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] Derry City and Strabane District Council has announced an open call for musicians to register for inclusion in a new database of local talent The initiative aims to connect talented musicians across the district with future networking opportunities and community programmes throughout the region The Council is seeking applications from all musicians This database will serve as a vital resource for event organisers seeking to showcase local talent and support the area's vibrant music scene Cllr Lilian Seenoi Barr urged individuals and groups to get involved: "This is an exceptional opportunity for the local musical community to gain visibility and access to performance opportunities The rich musical heritage of our area deserves to be celebrated and this database will help ensure local talent is at the forefront of our cultural programming "Music is at the heart of our cultural identity in this region and Council is committed to supporting our local artists and giving them platforms to showcase their incredible talents This database will not only benefit the musicians themselves but will enhance our community events by featuring the diverse musical talents that make our district so special I urge local musicians to register their interest today it could be the start of a really exciting journey!” Musicians interested in joining the database are required to submit basic information including their name or band name and their fee for a two-hour performance slot Applications must be submitted via the online registration form at https://forms.gle/c8yb5tZJdsKTXszK6 by Friday Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] The City of Derry Jazz Festival swings into town once again over the May Bank holiday with a stellar line up of talent all set to celebrate jazz in all its forms The Playhouse is just one of a number of dedicated Jazz Hubs with its own festival line up and this year the theatre is bringing a new jazz experience to audiences in the form of the intriguingly titled ‘No Citation’ The play is written by musician and song-writer Kyron Bourke who is a familiar face on the local Jazz circuit initially for three months to play in Larry's Piano Bar and decades later he can still be found holding court at weekends as Music Curator of the popular Bert’s Jazz Bar in the Merchant Hotel The play premiered at the Lyric Theatre Belfast before a successful run in Dublin’s Smock Alley Theatre but Kyron is looking forward to bringing the production for the first time to Derry and a new audience at Ireland’s biggest jazz celebration This unique theatrical and musical event combines powerful storytelling with original jazz compositions following the story of Jeremy d'Wolfe McCarthy a legendary piano man facing his final judgment Finding himself in the derelict Dimitri's Piano Bar McCarthy attempts to entertain with his latest songs but is haunted by ghosts from his past As he realizes this may be his final performance he desperately tries to set the record straight Born into a theatrical and literary family in Dublin transitioning from music to drama was a natural process for Kyron from a prominent theatrical family in Dublin was an actor and my mother was an opera singer My father‘s cousin was Brendan Behan Basically everybody in the family either danced or acted so from an early age I was immersed in the process,” he reflects mainly reviews for theatre companies that I worked for and once as a result of a bursary from the Royal Court I wrote a play about a famous alcoholic Shakespearean actor who had died and was looking back over his life.  “I workshopped the play and the general consensus was that I should write about subject matter closer to my own experience I took this advice on board and decided to write about a piano man who has passed over My piano man was similar to the protagonist in the first play except for the fact that the piano man had not really achieved a lot as far as fame was concerned But in terms of abusing alcohol and substances he was the same and was possessed of an equally enormous ego.” While the show features original songs penned by Kyron and delivered by a fabulous line up of accomplished jazz musicians it won’t just appeal to hard core jazz fans “The play has 10 or so songs and incidental music throughout but there’s also a good deal of dialogue and a compelling story line The style of the music is jazz but in no way is it hard-core jazz It’s a good introduction for non jazzers For those who feel that jazz is not for them the music and songs in ‘No Citation’ would be a good starting point.” Over his time at Bert’s Kyron has been immersed in the local jazz scene and is seeing a new wave of talent shaking up the industry “The scene has changed quite a lot over the past 30 years,” he explains “The calibre of musicianship of the young musicians coming up is astonishing I guess there’s better training in place It’s a very a vibrant scene - very exciting “Events like the City of Derry Jazz Festival provide an opportunity for those artists to connect with new audiences and the more jazz festivals the better as far as I am concerned “The Derry Jazz Festival is unique because there are already superb international standard jazz musicians living in and around Derry and I imagine this ever-present core of homegrown jazz musicians drives the desire to seek out genuine jazz international acts and not just random music acts I always feel there’s a good cross section of jazz styles at the Derry Festival so there is something for everybody.” who recently picked up an MBE for services to music plays one of an impressive cast of characters that appear in silhouette throughout the production to take Jeremy on a musical odyssey in his final moments Linley has worked closely with Kyron over the years and is looking forward to collaborating once again “Kyron is the real deal when it comes to music He’s an amazing vocalist and a brilliant song-writer and it’s an absolute joy to work with him again on this project He has a passion that proves that music isn’t about how you write it – it’s how you can make people feel “Kyron is one of those musicians where you just press the button and he’s in a different world and he takes you along with him As an artist he’s completely selfless in that he gives performers room to play which is unusual He provides musicians with the opportunity to play to the maximum – it’s not about him and that’s very rare I this industry Ireland there’s a very small domestic market when it comes to jazz there are only a few dedicated venues and opportunities to perform are rare But the way he works pays dividends because performers respond to him what you get is something completely unique and authentic.” The City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival is organised and funded by Derry City and Strabane District Council with support from Diageo and EY.  You can catch ‘No Citation’ at the Playhouse on Thursday May 1st at 8pm. Tickets costing £25/Concession £22, are available at www.derryplayhouse.com Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] Derry City and Strabane District Council have issued information relating to its services over the Christmas and New Year period. Civic offices - The Council’s Civic Offices on Strand Road will be closed to the public from Tuesday 24 to Monday 30 December 2024 and also on New Year’s Day 01 January 2025 Bin Collection services - To facilitate Christmas holidays some changes have been made to bin collection services.  Blue and Brown bin collections due to take place on Christmas Day will be lifted on Saturday 21 December while Black and Brown bin collections due to take place on New Year’s Day will be lifted on Saturday 28 December Blue and Brown bin collections due to take place on Boxing Day will be lifted on Sunday 22nd December There will also be some changes to Recycling Centre opening times with all sites closing on Christmas Day The following arrangements are in place over the festive period for Recycling Centres  - Tuesday 24 December 2024 (Christmas Eve): Pennyburn Newtownstewart will operate as normal from Friday 27 to Monday 30 December will operate as normal on Friday 27 and on Monday 30 but will remain closed as per normal over the weekend on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 December.  Strathfoyle will close at 4pm while Glendermott Road Council Street Cleansing staff will continue to work over the festive period and will be operating in the city centre right through the holiday period, including Christmas morning from 5am to 9am. All Council Cemeteries and Parks will be opened and closed as normal over the Christmas period while the Registration of Births and Deaths office will be closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. The Guildhall and Tower Museum will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. The facilities will open as normal from Friday 27 December to Tuesday 31 December. The Alley Theatre Strabane will close at 2pm on Christmas Eve and be closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day as well as Friday and Saturday 27 and 28 December It will reopen on Monday 30 December and Tuesday 31 December (New Year’s Eve) from 10am to 4.30pm but will be closed on New Year’s Day reopening as normal on Thursday 02 January All Council owned community centres will close from Monday 23 December to Friday 03 January with the exception of Lincoln Courts Community Centre which will close from Wednesday 18 December to Monday 06 January; Top of the Hill CC (Hillcrest) from Wednesday 25 December to Monday 06 January and Springhill Community Facility from Wednesday 25 December to Friday 03 January Cllr Lilian Seenoi Barr encouraged the public to familiarise themselves with the schedule to ensure they leave their bins out for collection on the correct day over the Christmas period She said most council services were operating with just a few minor amendments and she hoped everyone would get a well-deserved Christmas break “We are all very grateful to out front-line service staff and would appeal to the public to ensure they leave their bins out on time The festive period can be a very busy time for our recycling centres and we would really appreciate it if everyone using these services is respectful of staff when availing of the services I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt thank you to the Council staff for their services throughout the year and to extend my best wishes to everyone to enjoy the Christmas break.” The public are urged to download the newly updated Derry Strabane Recycling App to keep up to date with all recycling services over the festive season For more information on the opening hours for Christmas, please visit www.derrystrabane.com/opening-hours Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] Organisers of this year’s City of Derry Jazz & Big Band Festival are delighted to launch the Guinness Jazz Trail making it easier for guests to plan and enjoy their weekend of music Let the Guinness Jazz Trail do all the work for you this year showing you around the many exciting performances that are taking place in the city The City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival will fill venues across the walled city with world-class performances and thousands of music lovers attending from Thursday 1st until Monday 5th  May The Guinness Jazz Trail is now live and will be your go-to guide to all that’s happening throughout the five-day music spectacular which this year features an impressive 400 musical performers taking place across 65 venues The entire line up can be accessed online via the official website while daily listings will be posted on social media making it easy and accessible for everyone said they were delighted to launch the Guinness Jazz Trail and hoped it helped everyone make the most of the weekend “This year’s festival line-up is jammed packed with incredible international artists travelling in from across the globe to deliver what we believe will be the biggest festival yet Festival goers will be spoilt for choice with our list of alfresco concerts dance workshops and jazz parades taking place over the entire city from Thursday until Monday “The Guinness Jazz Trail is the perfect guide to help our audiences navigate their way around the many gigs and ensure they make the most of their time visiting the festival whether that’s by going to see their favourite artists or by checking out exciting new acts There is a fabulous array of talent to take in and we don’t want anyone to miss out Martin Venning from Diageo said it would be an unforgettable weekend “Diageo is delighted to continue supporting this fantastic festival which celebrates the vibrant cultural scene here in the North West “It’s the perfect platform for both established local performers and new up and coming talent who join world class artists from across the world for a show-stopping weekend that brings so much value to the local.” You can find the Guinness Jazz Trail online at cityofderryjazzfestival.com along with the entire programme follow City of Derry Jazz Festival on all social media platforms Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] led by the Executive Office (TEO) launched the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) Strategic Framework 2024-2031 The Strategic Framework has been co-designed with people and organisations from right across government and society representing different backgrounds and perspectives The Change Fund is a fundamental part of delivering the EVAWG Strategic Framework and also focuses on the Prevention Outcomes; It’s part of a wider £3.2m investment for Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) Local Change Fund announced by the First Minister and deputy First Minister last month in which £2m has been made available across the 11 Councils in Northern Ireland of which £165k has been allocated to Derry and Strabane Derry City and Strabane District Council has announced that its Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Change Fund 2025-26 (Tier three) is now open for applications As part of the allocation to Derry City and Strabane District Council £50,000 has been allocated to Tier three Change Fund Grants Grant between £15,001 and up to £25,000 to support significant programme of activity which include collaboration with and/or mentoring/ support to other community-based organisations Derry City and Strabane District Council is inviting applications from not-for-profit community and voluntary organisations across the Council area who can deliver significant programmes of activity aimed at ending violence against women and girls Applications will be open at 10:00am on Monday 3rd February 2025 and close at 3:00pm on Friday 21st February 2025 Cllr Lilian Seenoi Barr said the funding is vital to support Community & Voluntary organisations working at grassroots level to play their part in helping to end the epidemic of violence against women and girls “I am very pleased that the Local Change Fund grant aid provided by The Executive Office will provide funding to our local community organisations to play a proactive role in educating communities and promoting safe and healthy relationships and environments for women and children to feel safe.” For more information on the fund and to apply for the grant visit – https://www.dcsdcgrantaid.com/ Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] Derry City and Strabane District Council has published a detailed independent analysis of the engagement that was carried out in 2023 relating to the issue of Constitutional Change and its implications for the Council area and the North West A total of 242 responses were received as part of the public consultation exercise that were subsequently screened and categorised into subthemes with commentary used as supporting evidence to capture the diverse perspectives and to provide a comprehensive understanding of the overall exercise The outcome of the analysis highlighted that while there is a wide range of perspectives on constitutional change the majority of views expressed in the survey were positive Professor Slevin in his report said:  “While most participants supported reunification as a means to promote equality other expressed concerns about economic stability identity preservation and political instability.” Professor Slevin said the findings emphasised the need for careful planning inclusive dialogue and a transparent process such as a Citizens Assembly to accurately address the aspirations and fears of everyone He said participants in the engagement exercise stressed the need for lessons to be learned from the Brexit process and for all voices and views to be heard He said participants were of the view that “to create a fair and stable transition process economic analysis and social inclusion needed to be prioritised.” The five themes identified in the analysis was – Support for Irish Unity; Economic and Infrastructural Development; Governance and Political Reform; Social Justice and Historical Grievances and Concerns and Opposition to Change Under the first theme of Support for Irish Unity many participants expressed support for Irish unity referencing potential economic social and cultural benefits with many viewing it as an opportunity to address inequalities that some have seen to be caused by partition Some participants viewed it as an opportunity to restore Ireland’s position within the European union and to create new and effective governance structures with some saying it was a pathway towards fairness whilst highlighting the need for inclusivity and democratic planning to ensure a successful transition process The second theme of Economic and Infrastructural Development emerged as a very central theme in the engagement process with many participants arguing that Irish unity would go some way towards addressing economic deficiencies created by partition and the duplication of services and would improve current infrastructure and transport attract international investment and streamline governance Many of the participants in the engagement process expressed their dissatisfaction with the political structure under Stormont and Westminster and were of the view that a united Ireland would provide better governance accountability and policy-making under the third theme of Governance and Political Reform while under the Social Justice and Historical Grievances theme the need for social justice and for historical grievances to be acknowledged Many respondents cited systematic inequalities in education as well as a legacy of discrimination as issues that could be addressed as part of Constitutional Change Under the theme of Concerns and Opposition to Change a few respondents expressed concerns about the impact on economic stability identity preservation and political instability Unionist perspectives were a recurring theme with some participants opposing change outright while others highlighting the need for inclusive planning and dialogue to address fears and opposition to any constitutional change Professor Slevin in his conclusion of the analysis report cautioned on the limitations of the engagement exercise saying that the sampling of those taking part was opportunistic and self-selecting and for that reason the views expressed could not be generalised to the wider population He said: “The nature of the issued being explored may have impacted on who chose to engage with the survey and this means that themes can be identified but their overall significance and importance cannot be assessed.” It was agreed at the March meeting of Full Council that the results of the Engagement would be made public for the public to access via the website at – https://www.derrystrabane.com/Constitutional-Change It was also agreed at the meeting that representative organisations would be invited to attend further meetings of the Unity Working Group that was set up for elected members to discuss this issue and that a third tranche of engagement with the community would be considered subject to a further report with details and costings Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Lillian Seenoi Barr met with a delegation from UMass Boston at the weekend The delegation included the Chancellor UMass Boston Marcelo Suárez-Orozco and the Executive Director UMass Boston who visited Derry as part of a wider Northern Ireland visit “I was hugely honoured extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to the esteemed Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Boston to our city We were delighted to host him in our vibrant and historic city This visit presented a valuable opportunity to explore potential collaborations in education and cultural exchange between our region and UMass Boston We deeply value the strong connections we share with Boston and look forward to fruitful discussions that will benefit both our communities and foster even closer ties in the years to come." In addition to attending a civic meeting with the Mayor the group attended several engagements during their stay including a visit to Acorn Farm where they heard all about the work being done to deliver an urban food growing hub and the green skills academy.  They attended an Entrepreneurship & Innovation roundtable discussion on STEM entrepreneurship including student research Collaboration &  Innovation including Derry City & Strabane’s City Region Growth Deal and community and citizen driven research and innovation before attending a Uniting Communities Celebration event hosted by the Manchester United Foundation in partnership with the International Fund for Ireland at the John and Pat Hume Building at Ulster University The group attended a number of private meetings and availed of the opportunity to explore the city by taking part in a walking tour of the Derry Walls and the Guildhall Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] Derry City and Strabane District Council is advising the public that the ongoing severe weather conditions continues to have an impact on some of our services today While our refuse collection services are operating please expect some delays and be advised that there are some areas householders are advised to leave out their bins as normal and our teams will endeavour to service them when it is safe to do so over the coming days The City Cemetery will remain closed for today due to the conditions on both roads and pathways with snow and ice For those visiting our other Cemeteries please err on the side of caution and stay on the main treated roads and be very cautious when walking on untreated pathways The public are advised to expect some disruption to Recycling Centres across the Council area today.  While there was a slight delay in opening some of our facilities this morning with the exception of Park are now open and operational We will continue to monitor this situation and would urge users to access the sites with extreme caution.  In the interests of health and safety all Council grass pitches are closed today due to the poor weather conditions In terms of our outdoor sports facilities and courts these are subject to regular inspections and again user groups will be contacted directly the public are asked to note there will be delays in opening some of the our parks and play areas due to the icy conditions and to advise that many pathways will be slippy and caution must be taken by users Some of the Council play parks which are locked overnight will only open when it is safe to do so While all our Leisure centres will remain open users are asked to check with their centre directly in relation to specific classes and events We have no reports of any closures but users are urged to access all centres with extreme care due to ice on roads car parks and pathways Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has announced that the final phase of safety improvements at the Bellspark Road and Orchard Road junction is planned to start in early April 2025 This junction has been the location of a significant number of collisions and the scheme builds on the earlier work to improve visibility at this junction It will involve the realignment of the Bellspark Road and the creation of a staggered junction on the Orchard Road The Prospect Road will also be realigned and footways will be incorporated into the project  Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said:  “This is a substantial investment for the Strabane area which will deliver significant benefits for residents and road users The investment will improve road safety in the town and it demonstrates my commitment to investing in and improving our road and active travel network, as  well as connecting our businesses and communities. I would like to thank residents local businesses and commuters for their co-operation and  patience in getting this important scheme to this final phase. Getting infrastructure right and investing in it can create the foundations for better rural and urban communities.“  The Department has programmed the work operations and traffic management arrangements to minimise inconvenience however whilst steps have been taken to accommodate local access road users should expect some delays and are advised to allow additional time when travelling in the vicinity of the works Road users are asked to comply with all temporary traffic restrictions which will be required at a number of phases of the work.  the works are anticipated to be completed by summer 2025 The Department will however keep the public informed of any change.   Strabane is set to play host to thousands of fishing enthusiasts in March when the North West Angling Fair returns to the Melvin Sports Complex The annual celebration of angling will host some of the UK and Ireland’s leading fly dressers casters and angling specialists and the programme will include professional casting and fly fishing demonstrations on the River Mourne “Our Fisheries and Angling Improvement Strategy underscores our commitment to enhancing angling experiences for everyone in our catchments Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] Communities Minister Gordon Lyons MLA has announced funding worth almost £7m for a transformational Public Realm Scheme in Strabane Town Centre which is being funded in partnership with Derry City and Strabane District Council (DCSDC) aims to re-imagine and rejuvenate the town centre through the creation of a high quality and attractive environment that seeks to maintain existing footfall levels and helps to revitalise and regenerate an area that has suffered disproportionately in recent years The Council will lead on the delivery of the project which plans to transform areas of the town centre The works will include improvements to footpaths along with planting of semi-mature trees and the installation of public artwork It will also see enhancements to the junctions at Railway Street/Abercorn Square/Derry Road/Canal Street as well as the junctions at Market Street/Butcher Street/Church Street and Main Street/Market Street/Bridge Street resulting in a realignment of traffic flows and the creation of new public space in Abercorn Square on the opposite side of the street to where it is currently located It also will incorporate the relocation of the bus stop and taxi rank as well as improvements to on-street parking and service areas “This project is a significant enhancement scheme for core streets within Strabane Town Centre The current quality of the town centre environment has deteriorated over the past number of years; however making it a more attractive place for people to live “My department’s £6.27m investment in this public realm project is an important pre-cursor to the planned £102m City Deal investment in Strabane and accordingly will be the first phase of the significant regeneration of the wider town centre.” “This is wonderful news for the people of Strabane and the surrounding areas who will benefit significantly from these improvements There has been a lengthy campaign for the funding to help Strabane realise its potential and this investment will go some way towards the revitalisation of the town “I want to thank the minister for his recognition and support of the ambitions for this area and also acknowledge the work that has gone into securing this funding by Council and the Strabane business community It will complement the wider City Deal regeneration plans and assist in creating a vibrant and modern urban centre that’s appealing to visitors The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s hugely successful ‘Our Guildhall where young people from across the Council area have come together to enjoy a night of music and entertainment is being extended next month to include their parents grandparents and family members and older adults from across the Council area as part of a wider Intergenerational Celebration of Youth Mayor Cllr Lilian Seenoi Barr says she wants to make the Youth Initiative event even more inclusive with an invitation to older persons across the Council area to come along and join in the celebration of young people Our Space’ event is scheduled to take place at the Guildhall on Saturday from 6pm to 9.30pm and young people registering to attend are being encouraged to bring their parents An invitation is also being extended to older persons groups across the Council area who want to be part of this unique celebration Mayor Barr said: “I want this to be an intergenerational celebration of young people in our Council area and for people of all generations to join together for a fantastic night of music I have been hosting this youth initiative during my Mayoral year and it has been a huge success The young people involved really love it and have been so positive about the experience that I wanted to give others the opportunity to be part of this unique experience.” The night promises to be fantastic night of entertainment and music for everyone with live performances from local music legend Ritchie Remo games and entertainment with comedian and entertainer Fabu D aka The Black Paddy alongside the opportunity to dance the night away with Q Radio’s Tyree Patton on the decks On top of all that there will be delicious food served The event is open to young people between the age groups of 12 and 20 years of age grandparents or family members and to older persons groups across the Council area Mayor Cllr Lilian Seenoi Barr said next Saturday’s event is a unique celebration of young and old coming together to share the joy of laughter and music in the historic setting of the Guildhall  “I want to invite parents and adults across our council area to meet with young people and explore ways to support their growth in a relaxed and welcoming setting and inspire them than members of our own community They are facing challenges that are very different from what many of us experienced growing up and believe in their ability to thrive right here in our city and district  “This intergenerational event is all about bridging the gap between young people and adults It’s a chance to engage in open discussions Let’s show them that they’re not alone are here to support them every step of the way.” The Mayor added that the ‘Our Guildhall Our Space’ events also demonstrate the commitment by Council that decision makers at all levels in the district are making to young people on the journey towards UNICEF UK Child Friendly Community Status It also coincides with the Council’s support for Intergenerational week which is 24th April to 30th April when the Council offices on Strand Road and the Alley Theatre in Strabane will be lit up Pink The event on Saturday 12th April is the second last in the series with the final one scheduled to take place on 17th May To secure your place you must register now and submit your consent form at -  www.derrystrabane.com/mayorshub Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] recently hosted a special reception in honour of local man Ciaran Gallagher who is a long-serving member of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) Ciaran who works as an Emergency Medical Technician was hosted by Mayor Barr at the Guildhall to receive his Queen’s (Emergency Duties) Long Service and Good Conduct Medal from Ian Crowe Lord Lieutenant for the County Borough of Londonderry The medal is presented to staff who have served 20 years on frontline duties within the Ambulance Service Colleagues who have worked alongside Ciaran requested that this special presentation take place due to Ciaran’s current ill health He was joined at the event by his long-term colleague Ian Duncan and both men were presented with the King’s Coronation Medal and commemorative coin.  Welcoming Ciaran and his family to the Guildhall Mayor Barr said: “I was honoured to host this reception for Ciaran in recognition of his dedication for more than two decades to the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service Thank you Ciaran for all you have done for the people of the Northwest over your tenure.” A spokesperson for the NIAS explained: “Ciaran joined NIAS in 2001 as a member of the Patient Care Service the Emergency Medical Technician course in 2003 who by that stage had already completed 20 years’ service “They remained crewed together until Ciaran’s own illness intervened they have touched the lives of thousands of people across the region They have been known for their willingness to go the extra mile and always brought empathy and respect to those patients whose care was entrusted to them.” They were joined at the presentation by colleagues and family said he was honoured to have attended the ceremony and thanked Ciaran and Ian for their commitment to the people of Derry and beyond also praised both men saying they always set an example to others in terms of dedication and care for patients Ciaran and Ian were each presented with the King’s Coronation Medal and commemorative coin In recognition of 40 years’ service to the NIAS Ian was also presented with a framed certificate and piece of crystal said: “I want to pass on my thanks to all those who played a part in organising this event Working for the ambulance service and with patients has been an absolute honour and I know that whilst I may no longer be able to do it the staff in Altnagelvin Station will continue to do so in the manner in which they have always done.  I want to say a special thanks to my mentor Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] The death has taken place May 3rd 2025 at Altnagelvin Hospital of Joe Timoney 25 Knockavoe Crescent Nigel and the late Eileen and brother of George and the late Ena Billy and Michael.Reposing at his home on Sunday (May 4th) from 12 noon Funeral leaving his home on Monday (May 5th) at 9.25a.m Interment afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.Deeply regretted by his sorrowing sons brother and family circle.Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on his soul.Family time please from 10p.m to 11a.m.The Requiem Mass can be viewed live via the Parish Webcam http://www.melmountparish.com/webtv.html View Share this sad news with friends and loved ones Visit Website [email protected] Link Sales of the ‘Love Strabane Gift Card’ have risen by almost 50% in the last year thanks to the dedication of people in the town choosing to spend their money with local businesses Sales of the gift card totalled £43,900 in 2024 This fantastic level of support means that this £43,900 will now be spent in local businesses who accept the gift card The ‘Love Strabane Gift Card’ is an initiative of Strabane BID and the increase in sales in 2024 comes following a focused marketing campaign and Christmas video promotion featuring local businesses and well-known faces around the town Councillor Lilian Seenoi Barr welcomed the rise in spend saying: “It’s wonderful to see the success of the ‘Love Strabane Gift Card’ is rising year-on-year The increase in sales of 45% reflects the choice of people in Strabane to ensure their money is going into local hands and local homes and that is a real testament to the community spirit which I know exists in the town.  I would like to extend my thanks to everyone who chose to support their local traders over the last 12 month by purchasing a ‘Love Strabane Gift Card’.” “We are really delighted to report such strong sales of the ‘Love Strabane Gift Card’ during 2024 We know many people recognise the benefits of purchasing the gift card as a present as it means the recipient has an incredible range of over 70 local businesses to choose where they can spend the gift card “The first few months of the year can be difficult for many businesses so it’s reassuring to know that there is £43,900 already pledged to the local economy and I would encourage anyone with a gift card to consider spending it over the next few months to help businesses at this difficult time of the year Remember there is a huge variety of businesses where you can spend your gift card so why not use it for your lunches during January buy that item you've had your eye on or do a weekly shop all of these purchases and many more can be made with the ‘Love Strabane Gift Card’ “We would love to see sales of the gift card rise again during 2025 so please think about purchasing one the next time you are buying a present for someone Spending our money locally helps to create a thriving town which we can all benefit from.” Strabane Gift Cards can be purchased in a variety of amounts and are available from O’Neill’s Sportswear, The Alley Theatre, or online at www.lovestrabane.com. You can also view a list of all the participating businesses online Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Planning Committee has warmly welcomed the formal Direction received from the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) to proceed with the adoption of the Council’s new Local Development Plan (LDP) Plan Strategy (PS) Communication was received from the Department on December 17th after the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) found the LDP draft PS to be ‘Sound’ setting out Council’s Planning strategy in relation to the development and use of land across the City and District with the whole range of strategic Planning policies to guide our developments up to 2032 and beyond The Adoption of the LDP Plan Strategy is now anticipated in April – May 2025 following the completion of a number of pre-adoption tasks including the preparation of a series of Supplementary Planning Guidance documents Capacity building has already commenced in order to assist the immediate implementation of the LDP Plan Strategy This will require a programme of familiarisation/training sessions for key consultees and Members Principal Planning Officer with the Council told members at yesterday’s monthly meeting of the Planning Committee that the Direction from DfI was another key milestone in the process of delivering the Council’s own LDP to manage the development of our City and District in a positive and sustainable way The Committee was advised that the policies in the LDP Plan Strategy will commence to be applied This will be delivered in accordance with legislation Full implementation of the LDP PS will apply immediately upon its Adoption and the existing Planning Policy Statements and strategic policy elements of the existing Area Plans will no longer be material even for planning applications that are already in the system (SPPS para 1.11: Transitional Arrangements) commended the work that had gone into the Plan to date “This has been a lengthy and thorough process and I want to acknowledge the work and expertise that has gone into developing this framework which will shape the future development of our Council area until 2032 and beyond,” he said “Well done to all our Planning officers and all the Councillors who have shaped our new LDP and also a big thank you to the public and the other stakeholders who have contributed throughout the various stages of the consultation process.” Council’s Planning team will now work to progress the required actions to move towards the formal Adoption of the LDP Plan Strategy as soon as is reasonably practicable More information can be found on Council’s LDP webpage, including a summary explanation and the LDP PS & Direction documents, at https://www.derrystrabane.com/subsites/ldp Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has announced that a £260,000 road improvement scheme will commence on the A5 Victoria Road The scheme which will commence on Tuesday 5 November 2024 is part of a £1million package of measures to improve safety on the existing A5 The resurfacing works will extend from north of the junction with Ash Avenue for a distance of 400 metres and will deliver significant improvements to both the structural integrity and surface quality of this road “While work is ongoing to progress the upgrade of the A5 Western Transport Corridor scheme I have been clear that I am committed to doing what I can to improve safety on the existing road I have allocated just over £1million this year for a package of measures and this £260,000 scheme for the A5 Victoria Road is part of the improvement works being delivered This significant investment demonstrates my commitment to improving our rural road network local businesses and commuters for their patience while this essential infrastructure work is carried out and I would urge everyone to slow down and exercise caution when travelling in the vicinity of the works.” To help ensure the safety of those using the road and to facilitate the first phase of the works it will be necessary to operate a lane closure on the A5 Victoria Road between Ash Avenue and Grangefoyle Road between the hours of 9:30 am to 4:30 pm This phase will commence on Tuesday 5 November until Friday 8 November 2024 The second phase will require a full road closure and will commence on Saturday 9 November through to Sunday 10 November 2024 between the hours of 8:00 am to 6:00 pm During the road closure a signed diversionary route will be in place Northbound traffic will be diverted off the A5 at Strabane onto the A38 and through Lifford onto the A40 Foyle Road Londonderry South bound traffic will be diverted off at Newbuildings via the B48 to Donemana and onto the B49 to Artigarvan All work will be carried out in line with current public health and health and safety advice with safe systems of working in place for staff and contractors The Department has programmed the work operations and traffic management arrangements to minimise inconvenience while steps have been taken to accommodate local access throughout the scheme road users should expect some delays and are advised to allow additional time when travelling in the vicinity of the works and are asked to comply with all temporary traffic restrictions In order to help ensure the safety of road users and road workers the public is asked to comply with all temporary traffic restrictions and to drive with extra care when travelling in the vicinity of the works For traffic information about this and other improvement schemes visit: Trafficwatchi Derry City and Strabane District Council and Repair and Share Foyle are highlighting ways to repair household electrical items and keep them out of landfill as part of NI Repair Week workshops and tutorials are being hosted across Northern Ireland to celebrate Repair Week from March 3rd to 9th and encourage people to consider repairing their old items and learning the skills needed to do it This was one of over 40 projects funded by Material Focus the not-for-profit leading the Recycle Your Electricals campaign who provided £30,502 to support this project as part of their Electricals Recycling Fund a repair cafe will be held this weekend at the Repair and Share Foyle Headquarters in Rathmore Business Park A successful repair café event also took place at the weekend in Strabane’s Fountain Centre urged the public to consider ways they can reduce their own electrical waste “Electrical waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the world,” she noted “Many household items such as handheld fans TVs and white goods are presenting longevity and repairability challenges “Many of these items can be repaired or used for parts which keeps them in use for longer rather than committing them to landfill “The workshops being hosted locally this week are an opportunity to learn more about safely repairing some of those items which can benefit the environment and your pocket by saving you money on purchasing replacement items.” Repair and Share Foyle launched their first repair café in 2022 and are led almost entirely by volunteers They have embraced waste head on by sharing skills and resources in the community including the North West’s first tools and equipment library the ‘Library of Things’ The group accept donations of small working household electricals for their ‘rehome your electricals’ campaign and encourage community groups to sign up as redistribution partners "We are pleased to support Switch to Repair that addresses the pressing issue of e-waste.” said Scott Butler "By investing in improved collection and drop-off services and exploring new we are taking a significant step towards creating a more sustainable future by making it easier for 10 million more people to recycle their electricals." In addition to small household electricals Repair and Share Foyle’s in-house ‘Laptop Doctors’ have been collecting unwanted laptops from drop-off points across the district The laptops are professionally wiped of data before being given a new lease of life and a new battery or charger explained more about their service: “If you or someone in your community is in need of say a kettle your local community organisation can make a request to us for a donation of such an item if we have it in stock,” she said “Donated items can be dropped off to our workshop at the RathMor Business Park Monday through to Saturday or during Repair Café events.” To learn more and stay up to date with Repair and Share Foyle you can subscribe to their e-newsletter via their website at linktr.ee/repairandsharefoyle The Repair Cafe will take place this Saturday March 8th at Repair and Share’s premises in Rathmore from 10.30am to 12.30pm Items that can be fixed include small household electricals sewing machines and small pieces of furniture Unwanted laptops can be dropped off at the Foyle Hospice Furniture Outlet Strahans Road Recycling Centre and the Alley Theatre Full details about how NI Repair Week is being marked locally are available at derrystrabane.com/repair Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] Council continues to work with local agencies in the ongoing emergency response to Storm Éowyn which has resulted in some damage to roads and property throughout the City and District Staff continue to be on site carrying out health and safety inspections and providing services from early this morning Teams from across all Council services have been meeting and co-ordinating efforts throughout the weekend and this work will continue over the coming days The health and safety of both staff and the general public is our first priority and for that reason we would encourage the public to be patient and to expect some delays to services As we continue to work with partner agencies work to assess and remedy damage caused by Storm Éowyn members of the public should exercise caution when close to obvious debris and damage The public are also advised to take note of further yellow weather warnings in place over the weekend relating to winds snow and ice and to take the appropriate measures to keep them and their property safe Altnagelvin and Strabane Cemeteries are all open to the public Users are strongly advised to take due care and attention at all facilities both for fallen trees and for slippery pathways The public are urged not to visit historical sites. Our staff are on site to clear all main arterial routes at our facilities as a priority All Council Leisure Centres are open as normal All of our Leisure Centres are open and available to the public who are without power or water and who require assistance with heat, tea/coffee and phone charging and shower facilities. We have extended the opening hours at Templemore Melvin and Derg Valley Leisure Centre to 10pm tonight Foyle Arena and Melvin will be open from 9am – 6pm while Riversdale and Derg Valley Leisure Centres will open from 1pm – 6pm Tower Museum and the Alley Theatre are open and operating as normal Our street cleansing teams have been out and about from this early morning servicing the city and towns and working with grounds maintenance teams to make sure Council facilities are safe to access All Council grass pitches and 3G pitches will remain closed for the weekend Ongoing health and safety inspections are ongoing today to get as many of our parks play areas and greenways open to the public There are several trees down at the Bay Road and Strathfoyle greenways and a number of other parks we have teams out on site carrying out clearance and repair works The public are asked to avoid areas where there are trees and to take due care and attention as there may be debris or fallen branches etc the public are asked to be patient and expect some delays to opening of facilities after the storm to allow these checks and possible clean-up work to be carried out Please take note of further weather warnings in place over the weekend including a YELLOW warning for SNOW & ICE for Northern Ireland between 1800hrs on Saturday 25th and 1000hrs on Sunday 26th January 2025: MEDIUM Likelihood of LOW Impacts and a YELLOW warning for WIND for Northern Ireland between 1000hrs and 1900hrs on Sunday 26th January 2025: MEDIUM Likelihood of LOW Impacts potentially disrupting transport and infrastructure Further information:  UK weather warnings - Met Office Flooding Incident Line - 0300 2000 100 NI Electricity Networks – 03457 643 643 NI Gas Emergency Service – 0800 002 001 Report a blocked road – 0300 200 7891 Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] An incredible weekend of sensational music and entertainment will have Derry rocking as Mayor Lilian Seenoi Barr marks the end of her year in office with a massive fundraising extravaganza in aid of the Bud Club One Big Cause – Revved Up and Ready to Rock for Bud Club’ extravaganza which will take place on the Bank Holiday weekend of May 24th and 25th features three incredible events designed to appeal to all ages and interests As the sun sets that evening the iconic Guildhall will host a star-studded night of music and comedy featuring outstanding performers from various genres The night will begin with local favourite Ritchie Remo the talented musician has a wide repertoire of tunes and is guaranteed to have the crowd on their feet Next up funnyman Black Paddy will bring his own unique blend of comedy to the event – expect a high-octane performance and laughs aplenty Bringing this incredible evening to an end will be The Mindbenders with The Ultimate Yacht Rock Show Featuring some of the greatest artists to come out of the 70s and 80s it’s time to immerse yourself in tunes from The Doobie Brothers When the curtain comes down on this epic Saturday you will certainly leave the Guildhall with a smile on your face and a tune in your heart The weekend concludes with the ultimate club night at St Columb's Hall featuring the best in Afrobeat creating infectious grooves and high-energy vibes and unity will bring together music lovers from all backgrounds for a night of non-stop dancing "I am absolutely thrilled to invite everyone to join us for what promises to be an unforgettable weekend," said Mayor Lilian Seenoi Barr "These events represent everything I've tried to champion during my time in office – bringing our community together through shared experiences while supporting those who need it most Bud Club does extraordinary work supporting young people with additional needs and I can't think of a better way to cap off my term than by raising funds for this incredible organisation My thanks are extended to the Garvan O’Doherty Group for sponsorship of the Afrobeats evening Your support allows even more funds to go towards supporting Bud Club and is very much appreciated “From luxury cars to live music and dancing there's something for everyone to enjoy So make sure you have ‘One Big Weekend One Big Cause – Revved Up and Ready to Rock for Bud Club’ in your calendar and let's make this a weekend to remember while supporting a cause that makes a real difference in young people's lives!" All proceeds from the weekend's events will directly benefit the Bud Club charity For more information and to purchase tickets to the Guildhall concert and Afrobeats night go to https://www.derrystrabane.com/OneWeekend Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] Derry City and Strabane District Council’s regeneration vision for Newtownstewart has this week been formally launched at the town’s 2000 Centre by Deputy Mayor of Derry and Strabane The Newtownstewart Town Centre Regeneration Framework document identifies a number of indicative actions for the next 5 to 10 years with the aim of enhancing the economic social and environmental well-being of the town The launch of the final draft of the document follows a detailed research and analysis period by Council that included engagement with local stakeholders and government agencies to identify challenges and opportunities for the health and vitality of the town centre The document was approved by Elected Members of Council’s Environment and Regeneration in late summer 2024 Deputy Mayor Guy welcomed the formal publication of the document and encouraged the public to read it and play their part in the regeneration of the town “I am delighted for the people of Newtownstewart that the blueprint for the town’s growth and regeneration in the short medium and long term has been completed,” he said “The Framework will be an important document that assist all of the partners in identifying and securing external funding opportunities in order to deliver the actions identified.” The Framework document covers a wide range of themes including traffic management pedestrian/cycle infrastructure and connectivity explained more about the format of the document Derry City and Strabane District Council are seeking volunteers to take part in a special Tree Planting Day at Bay Road Park The event on Saturday February 22nd from 10am to Midday will see hundreds of trees being planted as part of the Life Project where a sapling tree is planted to mark the registration of significant life events in the Council area Over 10,000 trees have been planted since the initiative started seven years ago and sees every birth civil partnership and marriage registered in the District Registration Offices in Derry and Strabane marked by the planting of a sapling tree The project forms part of a wider Council strategy to improve air quality and the public’s mental health encouraged local people of all ages to get involved in the event by registering their attendance online “The Life Tree project is a poignant means of marking and remembering the registration of birth civil partnerships and marriages in our City and District “The Tree Planting Day at Bay Park is an ideal way to get out into the outdoors and contribute to a project that can help improve our air quality and the local landscape “I would encourage people to register now and get involved.”  Spades will be provided on the day and volunteers are advised to wear appropriate footwear Helpers will be on hand on the day to give tree planting advice The tree planting site is adjacent to Bay Road Soccer and those attending on the day can park on spaces on the Bay Road Further information on the Life Project is available at www.derrystrabane.com/lifeproject where you can also share your experiences of planting your trees If you would like to volunteer, please register now at [email protected] or contact Environmental Health Department by calling 028 71 253253 Please register early as places are limited We use some essential cookies to make this website work We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK remember your settings and improve government services We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports Speaking after the official signing of Derry-Londonderry and Strabane City Region City Deal Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn said: I am delighted that the Derry-Londonderry and Strabane City Region City Deal is proceeding as planned and proud to sign the deal on behalf of the UK Government It’s going to provide support to so many important initiatives which will positively impact the lives of local people including the regeneration of the waterfront in Derry The digital and innovation projects which the UK Government is investing in through this deal will deliver a fantastic economic boost and opportunities for residents of the entire North West region Exciting projects such as the £39 million new combined Cognitive Analytics and Digital Robotics Centre (CADRC) will deliver cutting-edge research and innovation A new School of Medicine/ Personalised Medicine Centre will develop research capabilities at Ulster University’s Magee Campus complemented by educational facilities at Altnagelvin Hospital campus I congratulate everyone involved for their hard work and dedication over many years to reach this important milestone I look forward to seeing the positive impact this investment will have on local people and businesses For the full Derry-Londonderry City and Strabane press release click here Link added to full Derry-Londonderry City and Strabane council press release Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details Bennigans Bar was the perfect location to get the jazz vibe going with the launch the City of Derry Jazz Festival 2025 was joined by Martin Venning from event sponsors Diageo for the launch at one of the festival’s most popular jazz hubs This year’s event marks 24 years of Ireland’s biggest Jazz extravaganza and final preparations are now well underway to deliver an unsurpassable programme featuring over 320 performances and brimming with musical talent from around the world Music legend Billy Ocean tops this year’s bill performing in the Millennium Forum on Saturday and Sunday May 3rd and 4th which is organised by Derry City and Strabane District Council Mayor Barr said she couldn’t wait to get her dancing shoes on “I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love the City of Derry Jazz Festival,” she declared “It’s a wonderful time to visit Derry as the city comes alive with music in every bar and on every street corner The energy is infectious and the atmosphere is just incredible “The festival is the perfect warm up for the summer and it’s an event that people of all ages can enjoy You don’t have to be a jazz fanatic - we have performers here from all over the world and a real medley of musical genres to enjoy And don’t forget the majority of the entertainment is free!” This year’s programme includes old jazz favourites ready to deliver five days packed with entertainment from jazz workshops to live concerts and drama performances There will be beats on the streets with a variety of al fresco acts bringing the vibrant sound of jazz to the entire city Festival goers can also look forward to an exciting mix of jump ensuring there’s something for every music enthusiast A highlight of the festival is the Live Music Now Schools Programme which aims to inspire and educate the next generation of musicians through interactive performances and workshops in local post-primary schools Young performers will have the chance to show off their talents performing live on the Gay McIntyre Stage showcasing some of the finest jazz talent in the historic Guildhall Square Jazz Festival coordinator with Derry City and Strabane District Council said: “May is fast approaching and we have had so much interest this year from acts from all over who have heard about the City of Derry Jazz Festival and the brilliant welcome the performers enjoy We have some really exciting new performers this year and of course we can’t wait to welcome our headline act Billy Ocean.” who join world class artists from across the world for a show-stopping weekend that brings so much value to the local economy It’s the only place to celebrate the May Bank Holiday.” So join us for an unforgettable celebration of jazz and culture at the 2025 City of Derry Jazz Festival For more information go to cityofderryjazzfestival.com and for regular updates follow the City of Derry Jazz festival on Facebook Instagram and X @derryjazzfest Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] has announced the launch of a Young Person’s Bursary – a £500 contribution aimed at supporting the growth and development of one young person with a talent or skill they wish to nurture but who may lack the financial means to do so Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] one of Ireland's most respected folk artists will take the stage with his long-time collaborator Annie Kinsella at The Alley Theatre known for their stunning harmonies and heartfelt song writing are set to deliver an unforgettable evening of folk music that has captivated audiences around the world This performance is part of The Alley Theatre’s Spring 2025 programme and promises to be an evening of pure musical magic with songs from their critically acclaimed album Oh recorded in New York with eight-time Grammy-winning engineer Kevin Killen underpinned by the beautiful vocal harmonies that Goss and Kinsella are known for having earned a reputation for his moving lyrics and emotive performances whose distinctive voice and musical talent have brought a fresh dynamic to Goss’s songs has resulted in a musical collaboration that resonates deeply with fans of all ages Their performances are celebrated for their intimacy and emotional depth creating a shared experience that connects with audiences on a personal level Don't miss the opportunity to see two of Ireland’s finest musical talents live in Strabane Tickets for the performance are £25 available now at The Alley Theatre’s website: www.alley-theatre.com or call the box office on 028 71 384444 Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] As we gear up for the third annual Love LegenDerry Food Month the programme is even bigger and better with a tantalising selection of food experiences to look forward to Already a highlight of the culinary calendar this celebration of the city’s thriving food and drink scene offers more unique ways than ever to indulge and connect with the region’s vibrant culinary culture The programme is delivered by the LegenDerry Food Network with support from Derry City and Strabane District Council and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Regional Food Programme The Network brings together the finest local producers restaurateurs working together to put the City and District on the map when it comes to the finest produce and creative culinary experiences If you fancy something a bit more creative then why not Paint Your Partner at Offing Coffee brings the quirky Paint Your Partner event at Offing Coffee This light-hearted experience invites couples or friends to try their hand at painting each other’s portraits while enjoying locally roasted coffee and delicious treats promising a unique and memorable afternoon Theis new addition joins a packed calendar of events with highlights including the Oyster & Stout Festival Seafood Supper and the Derry By Fork Food Tour Whether you’re savouring fresh seafood or exploring the city’s rich culinary history this February promises to showcase the very best of Derry’s food scene if you haven’t booked your place yet Love LegenDerry Food Month offers something for everyone - from creative workshops to indulgent dinners - all against the stunning backdrop of one of Northern Ireland’s most dynamic cities For full event listings and booking details, visit www.legenderryfood.com/events Or explore Visit Derry for things to see and do, accommodation. Plus, for places to eat and drink www.visitderry.com Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] https://www.derrynow.com/section/1245/advertise-with-us All the latest breaking local news from Derry and County Derry Keep up to date with the latest sports news Read all the latest crime & court news in Derry and County Derry Read all the latest Irish news and updates from around Ireland Catch up on all the latest business news in Derry and County Derry Find whats happening in and around Derry and County Derry Enjoy our award winning photos and picture galleries taken in Derry and County Derry Read about the latest properties available in Derry and County Derry Enjoy our latest and up to date motoring review and news in Derry and County Derry Derry and County Derry Met Eireann Weather Forecast Recent death notices and obituaries from Derry and County Derry Latest environmental and climate change news in County Derry Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter Support our mission and join our community now you can subscribe for as little as €0.50 per week which will also give you access to all of our premium content and archived articles Thank you for supporting Ireland's best local journalism Deprivation is higher in Northern Ireland than in regions of England research by Queen’s University Belfast has found Researchers compared census data on deprivation by employment The researchers found two local authorities in Northern Ireland – Derry and Strabane and Belfast – have more deprived areas than any of the other 374 local authorities in England Scotland or Wales and the rest of Northern Ireland The study also highlighted that Belfast has the worst levels of self-reported health deprivation in the UK – Northern Ireland has the highest level of the most deprived areas in the UK at 25%; – The north east of England has the second highest levels of deprived areas at 21%; – The West Midlands (England) has the third highest levels at 16.5% The researchers also examined data on health deprivation This data was self-reported by those who responded to the census – Health deprivation is particularly high in Northern Ireland with nearly 28% of areas ranked among the most deprived by poor health across the UK; 23% of areas were among the most deprived by poor health; This was the case for 16% of areas in north-east England Researchers said levels of health deprivation were lowest in London with just 1.5% of areas ranked most deprived by poor health The level was also low in the east of England at 2.65% Professor Christopher Lloyd from the School of Natural and Built Environment at Queen’s said: “Our research shows education and health vary within and between the four nations of the UK “This type of analysis is important for everyone in our society as it allows us to see how our local authority areas are affected by deprivation and how this compares to other areas in the UK “The insights are critical for informing public policy “Our study will allow policy makers to make a case for funding or to better direct resources given a knowledge of how their areas compare to other areas within their region The researchers used 2021 census data from England Wales and Northern Ireland and 2022 census data from Scotland The project was funded by the Nuffield Foundation and the University of Leeds and deprivation.org were partners " + $(".testo_articolo").html().replace(//g please subscribe and support local journalism Subscribing will allow you access to all of our premium content and archived articles To continue reading this article for FREE,please kindly register and/or log in Registration is absolutely 100% FREE and will help us personalise your experience on our sites You can also sign up to our carefully curated newsletter(s) to keep up to date with your latest local news Derry BT redundancy payments capped at one year The role offers an attractive package for the right candidate Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman and our staff operate within the Code of Practice of the Press Council Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie The entrepreneurial spirit of businesses in Strabane was celebrated at a special networking event held in the town recently Hosted by Derry City and Strabane District Council the event showcased the vital support available to local businesses through Go Succeed NI and Strabane BID this was an opportunity to hear first-hand stories of growth while also learning about resources which are available to help businesses grow and prosper Local business owner Ursula O’Neill from Bejeweled at Soul was the keynote speaker at the event she also joined Niall Speak from the Eco Basket and Kevin Clarke from Oysters Restaurant to take part in a panel session Each of them provided an insight into how their businesses originated and evolved and answered questions from attendees Details of the exciting and transformational capital projects secured for Strabane Town Centre including the £7 million Strabane Public Realm Scheme and the £102 million Strabane Town Centre Regeneration Project Thanking the local businesses and individuals who attended the event “This was a really important event for everyone in the business community in Strabane a new business the chance to speak to more experienced business owners and learn about some of the challenges and pitfalls they may experience in the months and years ahead This type of mentorship is invaluable to someone who is only finding their feet in the business world and we are very grateful to those who took the time to share their stories and experiences “For the more established businesses there was the opportunity to get a really good look at some of the exciting plans which are in the pipeline and which have the potential to really transform Strabane town centre Once completed the Strabane Public Realm Scheme and Town Regeneration Project will have a huge impact on businesses in the town so the more informed traders are about the plans the better “There are exciting times ahead for Strabane and the business community has a really important part to play in leading this transformation Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the event and we look forward to working with you all.” Attendees were also able to hear about the success of the Go Succeed programme locally and to find out what funding is available “It was wonderful to see so many businesses coming together to share ideas and learn from each other I’d like to remind all of them about the support they can avail of from the Go Succeed programme All support has been designed to provide entrepreneurs and businesses with the right tools to either get off the ground or grow their organisations - and boost the wider economy peer networks and opportunities to access grant funding and a business plan and are tailored to support the needs of the specific service users Please get in touch today to see how Go Succeed can help your business.” Go Succeed is the Entrepreneurship Support Service for Northern Ireland, funded by the UK Government. To find out more about Go Succeed, the help on offer, and to see a calendar of upcoming events and workshops, visit www.go-succeed.com For further information on the support programmes available to set up and grow your business through Derry City and Strabane District Council visit derrystrabane.com/business.  Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District today congratulated the official winners whose work will feature in the 2025 Age Friendly Calendar The ‘Your Happy Place 2025’ Calendar is a joint initiative involving the Western Health and Social Care Trust Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and South West Age Partnership The calendar will feature work submitted by the older community highlighting a range photos paintings and sketches capturing local places that are special to them Entrants over the age of 50 were invited to take part in the initiative which aims to promote health and wellbeing as well as encourage creativity and celebrate local talent This year’s calendar will feature works by Connie O’Kane whose pieces all caught the attention of the judges and they received a special presentation in acknowledgement today from the Mayor Mayor Barr said the calendar captured an array of treasured memories and experiences “The ‘Your Happy Place’ calendar is a wonderful platform for local artists to showcase their work,” she said “The fact each piece has a special association for the artist makes it an emotive and personal collection which I am delighted we are able to share in “The initiative is a great way to engage older people who might have more time to explore their creativity I want to congratulate and thank everyone for taking part and acknowledge the effort that went into producing such beautiful and reflective works.” The calendar is based on the Five Ways to Wellbeing initiative Health Improvement Officer for Suicide Prevention and Emotional Health and Wellbeing from the Western Health and Social Care Trust explained more about the project the Age Friendly calendar provides an opportunity to highlight the talent and creativity of our over 50’s and this year is no exception.  Using a different ‘Take 5’ theme each month and with a focus on supporting mental health it provides an abundance of information about local services helplines and events that everyone in the family can avail of  I would like to thank everyone who took part in 'My Happy Place' competition and who contributed photographs and artwork for the calendar I am sure those who receive a copy will enjoy using it throughout the year.” Council will distribute the calendars across the Derry and Strabane area to community and voluntary groups, community centres, libraries and healthy living centres and leisure centres. Copies can be posted to homes on request by contacting [email protected] Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected] Final preparations are underway to make this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in Strabane bigger and better than ever The theme for this year’s parade is ‘Celebrating Our Heritage’ and over the last few months local schools bands and individuals have been working hard creating eye-catching costumes and props and practicing their dances and tunes in readiness for the 17th March Schools taking part in this year’s parade include St Catherine’s PS Among the groups who will be participating are Sion Swifts Niamh Browne-McGranaghan Academy of Irish Dance Much Ado Performing Arts Academy and Class Act Theatre Group Preparing the young people to step out with confidence on St Patrick’s Day are Streetwise Community Circus and the North West Carnival Initiative Streetwise have been working with the local schoolchildren to teach them a variety of circus skills including juggling and stilt walking they have also been guiding them in the intricacies of prop design Around 120 children from local schools will take part in the parade each will carry a prop they have created especially for the occasion The North West Carnival Initiative have been working with the local sports clubs and dance/drama groups in preparation for their part in the day They have been working with the groups to help them build props costumes and banners which will be showcased during the parade Providing music on the day will be a number of talented local bands.  Encouraging people to come out and enjoy the fabulous St Patrick’s Day Parade the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Lilian Seenoi Barr said: “We’ve all had enough of the cold dark days of winter and we are ready to welcome the warmer days of Spring – what better way to greet the new season than with an incredible St Patrick’s Day Parade full of fun “I would encourage everyone in Strabane to come out and celebrate our wonderful heritage and traditions with this special day Please give your support to all the young people and individuals who have worked so hard to create this wonderful event for you to enjoy I can guarantee even if the sun doesn’t shine that you’ll have a smile on your face!” This year’s parade will depart from Holy Cross College at 2pm it will make its way down the Melmount Road past Abercorn Square and along Railway Road before finishing at Dock Street There will be activity in the Alley Theatre from 1.30-4.30pm with live music from CRAIC face painting and Barry McGowan Art.  Later that evening the Strabane Drama Festival will continue at the Alley Theatre with The Whiteheaded Boy by Lennox Robinson presented by the Bart Players. Tickets for this performance and further information about the Drama Festival is available at www.alley-theatre.com Full details of the Strabane St Patrick’s Day celebrations are available at www.derrystrabane.com/stpatricksdaystrabane and follow St Patrick’s Day Strabane on Facebook for all the latest information Derry Office 98 Strand Road Derry, BT48 7NN Tel: (028) 7125 3253 [email protected]