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Belfast Telegraph
12 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Emergency services at the scene of overturned car in east Belfast
Police and the Ambulance Service were called to the incident in the Shandon Park area of the city shortly before 9pm. On arrival, officers discovered a black Seat Leon FR overturned in the street. The Belfast Telegraph understands that the car clipped a tree before overturning. Police took one man from the scene in the back of a police car following an assessment by paramedics. Police have been contacted for comment.
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
'I find something that inspires me in every single book I read'
Authors Byddi Lee, Shane Tivenan and Hannah King tell Belfast Telegraph about their most impactful reads The childhood book I cannot forget is a book of fairy tales by Hans Christen Anderson, which contained the story 'The Tinder Box'. I don't remember the contents of the story, but I remember the sensation of holding the book and the effect it had on me. It was the first time I experienced an absolute take over by story. The way reading could rip you from your surroundings and place you in an alternative universe. The Peregrine, by J.A. Baker is my favourite classic read. A hands down masterpiece by an English writer who tracked the flight and habits of the peregrine falcon for 10 years in his home county of Essex. Within a few years he could track the birds based on instinct alone. Becoming so close to them that his mind, and writing, seemed to slip in and out of his own consciousness and that of what he obsessed over. At times he brings you fully inside the perspective of the peregrine, and gives you the felling you are looking back down from the sky at your old self. And the prose — it's at a level I haven't come across since.
Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- General
- Belfast Telegraph
Popular wildflower meadow on verge of Belfast road cut down due to ‘road safety' concerns
Residents were shocked to find the meadow cut to within a few centimetres last Wednesday, May 21, after looking forward to its annual bloom. Ryan Bradley lives close to the area — a short distance from the Forestside Shopping Centre — and had unofficially 'adopted' the grass verge in 2023 to plant a native wildflower patch to boost biodiversity among pollinators in the area. He had placed a sign on the verge asking for it not to be cut — and for the past couple of years it hadn't been, allowing wildflowers to flourish. A spokesperson for the DfI, however, said that the area in question is part of a 'sightline' and needed to be cut to 'ensure visibility for all road users'. 'The department is responsible for the maintenance of the public road network and annually cuts about 45,000km of grass verges,' they said. 'The area in question, on the Saintfield Road, is part of a sightline and was cut to ensure increased visibility for all road users. 'We are committed to protecting wildlife and promoting biodiversity, and our grass-cutting policy was amended in 2022 to reflect that. However, road safety must always be our priority.' Mr Bradley told the Belfast Telegraph that the reason he selected that particular verge was because it was far enough back from the road to ensure it did not impact motorists. "While I haven't had any official permission to do this, over the past couple of years I didn't think there had been any problems, as wildflowers had been left alone,' he said. 'They were not left to grow to a ridiculous height, and I maintain it myself. I cut it every September or early October, and every fortnight I edge the area to prevent these so-called sightline issues. 'The only motorists who would be affected would be those emerging from the junction from Breda Park, turning right towards Forestside. But there is a cycle path and a large space of pavement before you can even see the flowers, so this just doesn't make sense. 'If that was an issue, why didn't they just take the sign down? It's taller than the flowers ever get to! And the flowers hadn't even begun to bloom yet.' He added that it was even more disappointing that this happened during a well-known conservation campaign called 'No Mow May', which encourages people to refrain from mowing their lawns for the month of May to boost biodiversity and support pollinators. 'I manage grasslands for a living with a local conservation charity and anyone working in this sector would know that you don't cut this early in the year,' he said. 'The first flowers, usually the Cuckoo flower, comes out in April, and different species bloom in succession until September, the last one usually being the Devil's-bit Scabious. 'I was expecting the verge to take about five years to establish, because it takes time to maintain these sorts of meadows. But I only got two. Whoever did this clearly hadn't a clue. 'Even if it was done by accident, an apology would be great. But this won't put me off. I still hope to continue to plant wildflowers and improve the biodiversity of the area by doing so.'
Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
‘Order is not old-fashioned… it's important to learn about our culture': Junior Orange Association to mark 100 years with parade
Two teens spoke to the Belfast Telegraph about being in the organisation, keeping alive their connections to the previous generation and how the pastime is anything but 'old-fashioned'. Junior lodges from across the island of Ireland, as well as visiting contingents from Liverpool, Scotland, the Republic of Ireland, and England, will gather at Wallace Park for a midday parade through the town. Alongside traditional music, banners and uniforms, the event will include a return parade in the afternoon, with family activities, food stalls, funfairs and exhibitions taking place in the park throughout the day. Though 'informal lodges' were in place prior to 1925, the purpose of the youth organisation is to provide 'a structured environment for young members from ages 8-16 to learn about the principles of Orangeism, develop their character, and potentially transition into the adult Grand Lodge'. Organisers say this milestone moment shows that the Orange tradition is being carried forward by young people who don't see it as 'old-fashioned' at all. Adam Craig (15), from Kells and Connor, Ballymena, is a member of Ferniskey Junior Lodge 265 and will be taking part in the parade. He joined in 2015, following a long family line of Orangemen. 'My dad, uncles and grandparents were all members,' he said. 'Our family has always been part of Ferniskey LOL 115. 'My favourite thing is taking part in parades and having fun with my friends. I've made mates from other lodges right across Co Antrim and further afield.' Adam is especially looking forward to the centenary event: 'It's a landmark occasion and it will be great to see all the lodges come together for one parade. It's good for the public to see us too. It might even encourage other kids to join.' Asked whether he sees the Orange Order as something from the past, Adam is clear: 'No... it's still appealing to young people because it's good to learn about our culture and heritage.' He added that activities beyond the parades — including swimming, bowling and trips to Glasgow Rangers matches — keep it engaging. That message is echoed by Ben Templeton (13), who joined the newly formed Duke of Edinburgh Memorial Junior Lodge 621 in 2022 and now serves as its deputy master. 'I wanted to join because my father and late grandfather were both members. From I was able to walk I would've walked with them in the parades and carried the strings,' he said. For Ben, lodge life isn't just about marching; it's about teamwork, learning and shared experiences. 'We meet on the first Friday of each month. And after our meeting we do football, hockey, dodgeball. We've been on trips together too. Fundraising has also been a big part of it, which helps bring families and members closer.' Ben believes the Order continues to resonate with young people and, like Adam, doesn't think it's 'old-fashioned': 'There's still appeal. It's important that we carry on our traditions and learn about our culture. 'Normally our annual parade is in Portrush, which is always brilliant, but Lisburn is going to be a lot bigger. More bands, more lodges, and a lot more planned in Wallace Park. It's going to be a big day and I hope everyone taking part and watching enjoys it.' Colin Crawford MLA, Deputy Grand Master of the Junior Grand Lodge of Ireland, says the centenary is not just a celebration of the past but a strong signal about the future: 'This is a proud moment, not only for the Junior Orange but for the wider Orange family. 'Junior Orangeism has helped nurture values of faith, tradition and service in young people since 1925, and it continues to be relevant today.' While girls are not included in the Junior Orange Association, they have their own separate organisation. 'The Junior Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland are boys' lodges. There's a sister organisation, the Junior Orange Women's Association of Ireland, which is the girls' lodges. It sort of mirrors the adult structure,' said Junior Grand Master Wor. Bro. Joseph Magill. 'The girls' organisation will be participating [on Saturday]; it's had a number of new girls' lodges in the past few years. 'Whether it be the Junior Boys or the girls in the Junior Orange Women's Association of Ireland, it's just been a real phenomenal few years of growth for us.'
Sunday World
4 days ago
- Sunday World
Woman avoids jail after her starving XL bully is rescued from squalid conditions
Owner admits regrets having left dog to fend for itself in property 'covered in excrement' A dog owner who admitted abandoning her XL bully pooch without food or water in a house 'covered' in excrement has been spared prison. Aoife McDowell also pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the animal, which was left to chew on cans. She was handed a suspended prison term at Laganside Magistrates Court last week. It was revealed during the hearing that ratepayers have been left to foot more than £1,700 in costs relating to her prosecution. Her solicitor told the court: 'She accepts full responsibility for the offending. She says what happened to the dog has killed her inside. 'This occurred while she was in a violent and controlling relationship where she wasn't allowed to leave the house. 'She had a tooth knocked out and hair ripped out of her head. She has since left this relationship and recognises she made mistakes. 'There has been social media attention on this case and her family has been subject to abuse in the street as a result. 'She has been working with probation and is seeking to return to rehab to deal with pregabalin and cocaine issues.' Aoife McDowell outside Laganside Courts (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph) Sentencing her for what he described as a 'serious matter', District Judge George Conner handed McDowell eight months in prison, suspended for 12 months. He also barred her from keeping animals for 10 years. Belfast City Council made an application for costs totalling £2,179 but Judge Conner said he had to be 'realistic' about what she could afford and ordered her to repay £400. Previous hearings were told how a neighbour near McDowell's old address on Bell Steel Manor, west Belfast, contacted animal welfare last November after hearing prolonged barking and crying. The neighbour told council staff the dog had been left unattended in the house for nine days, apart from a 15-minute visit. When welfare officers attended the property, they found the dog in a 'very poor' condition, an earlier court was told. They said the animal was 'barking inside without food or water available' and they left a note for McDowell to contact them immediately. XL bully (Stock image) The animal welfare officers visited the following day, and again several days later, only to find the dog left in the same conditions and without access to either food or water. After gaining a court order to access the property, they were confronted with a horrifying scene. 'Every room was covered in faeces, rubbish and clutter,' prosecutors said, with the animal having 'chewed through furniture and tins of food' in search of sustenance. They continued: 'Chewing the tins may have damaged the animal's mouth, and a vet assessed the dog as experiencing suffering.' McDowell, now with an address in Woodside in Lisburn, was one of four people convicted of XL bully-related offences at Belfast Magistrates Court on the same day by the City Council. Three men were each fined hundreds of pounds for XL bully attacks on other dogs. Aoife McDowell (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph) News in 90 Seconds - May 29th
