Latest news with #Portadown
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
County Armagh: Wardrobe helps school achieve 'sanctuary' status
A "walk-in wardrobe" has helped a County Armagh school to become a School of John the Baptist's College, in Portadown, is the one of the first outside Belfast or Londonderry to achieve the accreditation.A School of Sanctuary is one which provides significant additional support to pupils, including refugees and others who need a place of Stacey Rodgers said that being a School of Sanctuary was "much more than a title, it represents a culture of welcome". BBC News NI had visited St John the Baptist's College in Portadown when it was preparing its bid for the school, in which 23 different languages spoken by pupils, has now been notified that it has achieved School of Sanctuary Rodgers said that had involved a detailed process, an external assessment and an action plan to make the school "a more inclusive and welcoming environment."The School of Sanctuary assessment team also spoke to pupils during a visit to the school."It was a rigorous enough process," Ms Rodgers told BBC News NI. 'Rigorous process' "We went about changing our signage, making sure than signage was available in all different languages."Other supports we would have would be community engagement."We would link in with community organisations to come in."For example, we would have breakfast mornings with the migrant centre."She added that the Portuguese consulate was invited in "to help with our Portuguese parents and students"."We would have additional language support." What is in the wardrobe? Although about 200 of the school's 540 pupils are newcomer pupils, Ms Rodgers said that additional support was offered to all students, especially in the school's nurture includes one-to-one mentoring support with a dedicated member of school also brings in experts to provide "emotional support for students," Ms Rodgers said."We also created a walk-in wardrobe recently for all students," she added."We have uniforms, stationery, hygiene packs, shoes."You're not just going to a cupboard or a storeroom, this is a proper walk-in wardrobe with mirrors." Ms Rodgers said that School of Sanctuary was "much more than a title, it represents a culture of welcome that runs through every corridor in our school and every classroom.""People will say when you walk into our school, you can't just see it you can feel it," she said."Every child, no matter where they're from, they need to feel safe, seen and supported."That's what School of Sanctuary is all about." The school's principal, Noella Murray, said the award was a tremendous honour for the whole school community."We are incredibly proud to receive this award. It's not just a recognition of what we do - it's a reflection of who we are as a school," she said."Creating a place where every young person feels valued, nurtured and empowered to excel."
The Sun
30-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
B&M shoppers rush to buy stylish home furniture scanning at just £5 instead of £30
SHOPPERS are rushing to B&M to get their hands on sleek kitchen furniture selling for just £5. The stylish metal barstools were originally £30, but one eagle-eyed customer picked one up for £5, saving a whopping £25. The savvy customer shared a photo of their impressive find on Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK Facebook page. Other followers tagged friends to share the huge saving. The shopper who spotted the deal was at the B&M shop in Portadown. The Aydan barstool has a chrome finish metal base and a grey velvet seat. The stool's height can be adjusted, ideal for all households. If you see something you like in the B&M sale it may be worth comparing prices online to make sure you are not missing a better deal elsewhere. Sales also vary from store to store, so just because one branch offers amazing deals on something doesn't mean they all will. You will also need to shop these offers in person as B&M does not have an online store. With that in mind, it may be worth ringing your local store ahead of time to check stock levels to avoid a wasted trip. You can find your nearest B&M by visiting Top products to always buy at B&M What other offers are available at B&M? It's not the only offer at B&M in recent weeks. If barstools aren't on the shopping list, the store also has huge savings on lounge chairs too. One bargain hunter couldn't believe her luck when she spotted a velvet chair originally priced at £100 for just £30. This works out at 70 per cent off and a huge £70 saving. When to bag yellow sticker bargains Aldi: Look for red stickers near closing time, offering up to 75% off perishable items and 30% off damaged packaging goods. Asda: Discounts happen twice daily, in the morning and evening. Early risers can find fresh produce for as low as 10p. Lidl: Price cuts occur first thing in the morning and before closing. Use the Lidl Plus app for additional weekly promotions. Marks and Spencer: Reductions often occur near closing time. Monthly in-store offers and combo deals, like the £12 Dine In for Two, provide extra savings. Morrisons: Yellow sticker discounts appear throughout the day. Register for a More Card to get specific day-based discounts, like 20% off fish on Fridays. Sainsbury's: No set discount times; look for yellow 'reduced' stickers. Register for Nectar prices for nearly 50% off weekly offers. Tesco: No fixed discount times. Check the "mark-down section" in 300 stores for reduced-price items like salads, bread, and meat. Posting in the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK Facebook group, which boasts 2.6million followers, they said: "These chairs are scanning at £30 in B&M! Bargain!" The Louise chair comes in cream or green and is the perfect accent piece for any home, adding a touch of style to your space. With a luxurious finish and wooden legs, it would fit in perfectly in a dressing room or bedroom. The chair sits at 58cm wide and 72cm high, with a depth of 68cm, and can hold weight of approximately 100kg. It is no longer available on the website, so you'll have to be quick to pick it up in your nearest store. And savvy shoppers are now racing to get their hands on the bargain buy before it sells out. .
BBC News
22-05-2025
- BBC News
Marian Beattie: 'Tell me who murdered my sister 50 years ago'
The brother of a woman who was murdered more than 50 years ago has made a fresh appeal for information about her Beattie, 18, from Portadown was last seen leaving a charity dance at Hadden's Garage in Aughnacloy on 30 March was observed leaving the premises with a young man just after 01:00 but five hours later her partially-clothed body was found at the bottom of a quarry between Aughnacloy and brother Gerard Beattie said his family have never recovered. "Marian was a special person, she would have gone out of her way to help anyone out", he added: "She didn't deserve what happened to her and we know there are people out there who have information about who was involved in her murder."So we're asking again for those people to please come forward because we just want justice and the truth for Marian."This week police said they were reviewing the murder and appealed to anyone with fresh information to come Dt Insp Thompson said: "I appreciate this murder took place over 50 years ago but we would like to talk to anyone who was at the dance at Hadden's Garage on the night of Friday, 30th March 1973."Marian went there with a girlfriend to listen to her brother's band. Did you see who she was dancing with or speaking with? Did you see her leave the dance with a man? "Do you know who he was? Did you see her in the car park at the quarry any time after 1.15am on the Saturday morning?Dt Insp Thompson added: "Marian's family deserve to know what happened to her that night. I am appealing to anyone who may be able to help us progress the investigation and bring some closure to the Beattie family to come forward and speak to Detectives in Legacy Investigation Branch." What happened to Marian Beattie? In late March 1973, Marian Beattie went to a charity dance at Hadden's Garage on the outskirts of Aughnacloy with her best friend and the night she was seen dancing with a young man. She left with him after 01: body was found in the early hours of the following day at the bottom of the nearby quarry, and the police opened a murder than 50 years later nobody has ever been charged with a murder that police described at the time as a "vicious and cruel murder, with sadistic overtones". 'I was in complete shock' Gerard Beattie said he can still remember when he heard about what happened to said: "I was only 13 years old, I was out playing football and my dad called us into the house and next thing there was a priest there and he told us Marian was found dead in a quarry."I was just in a complete and utter shock, it felt like the ground had just opened up, it just felt like a complete and utter disaster." Gerard said despite the passage of time, his family will continue to campaign until they find out the truth."It was devastating for our entire family, my mother was never the same and she died of a broken heart," he said."But we'll never give up, if something happens me, my daughter will carry it on, we need to get answers for Marian."
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Portadown's 2024-25 season in review
2024-25 league position: 8thPlayer of the year: Aaron McCareyHaving won the 2023-24 Championship title to secure passage back to the top flight, Portadown did well to stay comfortably clear of the race to avoid the drop. Under experienced boss Niall Currie, the Ports secured some impressive results, including a last-gasp draw with Linfield in August, two home wins over Larne in October and February and victories on the road against Crusaders and Glentoran. In the end, the Shamrock Park outfit weren't quite able to secure a top-six finish despite finishing the season with a hat-trick of wins over Loughgall, Cliftonville and Ballymena club will hope for a better showing in next season's cup competitions, however, after falling at the first hurdle in the BetMcLean Cup and Irish Cup. 2025-26 signings so far: 2025-26 departures so far: Divin Isamala (Bohemians, end of loan), Ross Redman (retired), Jordan Williamson (unattached), Dougie Wilson (Loughgall)
BBC News
17-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Fatal falls in Northern Ireland more than double in a decade
The number of people who have died as the result of a fall in Northern Ireland more than doubled over a 10-year period, according to official statistics. There were 378 fatal falls in 2022, compared to 178 deaths a decade earlier in 2013. That is an increase of 113%, a rise which the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) described as "truly shocking".Its research manager, James Broun, said RoSPA is "fully expecting this trend to continue rising if we don't start seeing the right prevention measures". Mr Broun said falls "can affect all age groups" but older people are at more risk of death from a slip or trip."That's typically because they are more susceptible to falling and when they do fall they often suffer more serious injuries," he statistics from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra) show 90% of fall fatalities in 2022 were people aged over 65. Fall 'really set me back' But even if you survive a serious fall, the consequences can be life changing. Daphne Hegarty, 82, broke her hip in a fall in 2020 and has never fully recovered. The Portadown pensioner was touring a castle in the Republic of Ireland when the accident happened."My leg just went from underneath me and I fell, and where I fell it went down into a hollow so I couldn't really get up."She was taken to hospital in Waterford, but because the first Covid lockdown began shortly afterwards, she had to spend nearly six weeks there without family visitors. "I was isolated away to a ward on my own so I didn't see anyone."Having had serious heart issues since childhood, Ms Hegarty is well used to recovering from major surgery, but said that fall changed her life "completely". "It really set me back, because I used to be able – in my own time – potter around the house and do a wee bit of gardening," she said. "But whenever I broke the hip I was completely off my feet for about six months."Half a decade later, the pensioner still feels the effects. "I haven't the same movement in my leg," she explained. "I used to love to just sit on a stool and potter in the garden but now I'm restricted – I can't get down to get close."Despite the complications the fall caused, Ms Hegarty knows she must stay active. "I do exercises every day at home. Just like armchair exercises – keep bending my knees and lifting my feet up and moving my legs."I always have done that because I always tried to keep myself limbered up." A legacy of lockdowns? So why are fatal falls becoming more common?"To be honest, it's a complex question and we're not sure we have a really simple answer," Mr Broun admitted. But he insisted the rise cannot be explained solely by the fact people are generally living longer. "The population is aging, but the population hasn't aged by the same degree that falls have increased."Mr Broun added it is a known fact that "inequality and deprivation are linked to poor health outcomes". "People who are suffering from other health problems may in turn have worse outcomes when they fall."Mr Broun said there is also "anecdotal evidence" that Covid lockdowns may have exacerbated fall risks among vulnerable people."They were staying in their house so they were losing some of their core strength by not exercising as much," he he stressed the increase "isn't just a blip as a result of Covid" because fall deaths were on the rise before the pandemic. Most fatal falls happen at home, according to the measures it is campaigning for are changes to building regulations, including safer staircase designs. Exercise can reduce risk of falling However, falling "doesn't have to be an inevitable part of getting older," according to Chris McKenna from Belfast Health Trust's Community Falls Prevention and Management physiotherapist runs weekly strength and balance classes for over 65s in Andersonstown - one of six such classes across McKenna said these classes "really empower" older people to keep their independence."We tell people it's never too late to start exercising."The team also provides home visits, which Chris calls a "one-stop shop" of fall checks include blood pressure monitoring and checking medications for side effects that could make a patient unsteady on their feet. They also assess the person's footwear, their gait and inspect their home for trip hazards. The Public Health Agency (PHA) leads fall prevention efforts in Northern said free home safety checks "are available for over 65s, families with children under five, and those who are vulnerable," subject to assessment and website also lists 10 tips to help prevent a fall at home.
