A WORD of warning for any Manchester City fans in the borough suffering from globophobia after their recent deflating experience in the FA Cup...

A charity balloon release will take place at the DeCourcy centre tomorrow (Friday at 2.00pm).

Everyone is welcome with the exception of small bespectacled Swedes issuing the order “kill the balloons”.

The Ritchie and tetchy show

THE spin doctor accompanying Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie to the borough last week was anxious to ensure that she remained ‘on message’.

Following the well-worn route of Ministers or Prime Ministers who escape politicial crisis by a visit to Carrick (previous successes include Mo Mowlam and John Major), the only member of the SDLP Assembly party to vote in support of the new Programme for Government was here to announce funding for a town centre initiative.

However, a representative from 19 North Street was granted an interview with her on the strict understanding that only questions relating to the purpose of the visit were allowed.

Perhaps the ‘minder’s’ nervousness was justified as the Mayor offered Ms Ritchie a “warm welcome after a heavy couple of days” while wags in Greenisland claimed they considered not allowing in the Minsister responsible for the controversial decision to cut funding for a Conflict Transformation Initiative in Belfast.

Black and white but Red all over

DURING her trip to Greenisland Ms Ritchie was presented with a copy of a local history book.

Bet her ‘minder’ didn’t know ‘Greenisland - Between Knockagh and the Lough’ was launched by TV’s most notorious loyalist, Red Hand Luke!

Bully to you

PROVING quite a hit with the ladies is a local lensman - all in the line of duty, it must be emphasised.

Carrick Ladies Hockey players usually score when he arrives at the leisure centre - in the net that is.

Alas, he has the opposite effect at nearby Taylor’s Avenue with players failing to find the target.

Last week in his absence Carrick Rangers brought a three-match losing streak to an end with the striker hitting a hat-trick.

Frankly speaking, the invitiations to lunch at Woodlawn on match day might explain Carrick RFC’s form of late.