Schools in Carrickfergus are being urged to gain recognition for their environmental activities by entering this year’s SuperValu Best Kept School Awards.

In 2011 over 200 schools entered the compeition, run by the Northern Ireland Amenity Council, with Greenisland’s Silverstream Primary School one award-winner.

“It has long been said that the future of our environment is in the hands of today’s children; with that in mind the SuperValu Best Kept School Awards were established to get more young people interested in the environment, in the hope that this early enthusiasm would carry through to adulthood,” said Doreen Muskett MBE, Chairperson of NIAC.

“The number and quality of entries to the awards shows us that schools, teachers and pupils put a huge amount of work into their environmental programmes and we will be recognising the best initiatives again this year.”

There are three award categories based on the age group of pupils: pre-primary school (3 - 5 years), primary school (5 - 11 years) and post-primary school (11 - 18 years).

Category winners and runners up will be selected in each of the five Education and Library Board areas, and judges will also choose an overall Best Kept School for Northern Ireland.

The prize money for winning schools is £300 each, with runners up getting £120. The overall winning school receives an additional £200.

As well as cash prizes all category winners receive a personalized sign and a perpetual trophy and runners up will be recognised with a certificate.

The Awards will be judged during April and May and winning schools will be presented with their prizes in June. Entry forms are available from NIAC on 9040 3681 or go to www.niacbestkept.com for more information.

The closing date is Friday March 2.

]]> 1.3525008 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:49:16 +0000 http://www.carrickfergustimes.co.uk/small_business_boost_1_3523451

a NEW 1p broadband and phone deal to help small and medium businesses in Carrickfergus get more value from their communications spend has been announced.

Business broadband from BT features speeds of up to 40Mbps with its fibre option (dependent on line and location) and unlimited Wi-Fi minutes giving access to over 142,000 Northern Ireland hotspots.

James Devlin, head of BT Business in Northern Ireland, said: “Our 1p business deal provides great value along with the quality and reliability of service that customers expect from our phone and broadband packages.

“The combination of landline phone, mobile and broadband is vital to a business and by offering it for just a penny we are pleased to be making these services even more accessible to customers.”

NAME: Jennifer Ireland

BUSINESS: Jennifer Ireland Make-up Artistry

What is your business?

As a professional freelance make-up artist I offer a variety of make-up services ranging from bridal make-up and private make-up lessons to editorial photo-shoots. I use the highest quality of products and tools, and pride myself in my artistic background as the basis for my work. Every application from bridal to high fashion catwalk is given the same attention to detail and I strive to ensure my clients feel totally pampered. Make-up artistry is a delicate balance of a variety of factors, all of which have one common aim; to create something spectacular

Tell us a little about yourself and how you ended up doing what you are doing now?

I have always been a very visual person. The subjects I enjoyed most at school were art and photography and I went on to university to study a degree in Fine and Applied Art. I liked to draw, play with colour and experiment with pattern. My art explored the aesthetic and toyed with human perception. Upon finishing my degree I merged my love of make-up (which at the time was just a hobby) with my love of art and studied to become a make-up artist.

The majority of my work would be private client bookings; applications for special occasions, make-up lessons, bridal make-up, etc. To be invited into somebody’s home on the morning of their wedding and be part of the magic is just wonderful, such a satisfying part of my job. But my career highlight so far is working alongside London-based make-up artist Jo Adams at the MTA EMAs in Belfast last November, it was amazing! Such a fantastic opportunity for a Northern Ireland-based make-up artist, and we attended the official after show party in the Europa which was a great perk of the job!

Did you always want to run your own enterprise?

Throughout school and university I wasn’t sure of what I wanted to do for a career, but I had always imagined that I would eventually be my own boss! Life is too short to be unhappy so at school I chose subjects that I enjoyed doing, and likewise at university I took pleasure in the experimentation of my art and what it produced. If you are passionate about what you do then it will undoubtedly be achieved to an extremely high standard. I knew when I set up my business that it was going to be hard work and tough at times but it makes me happy, and I hope that is reflected onto my clients.

What skills/qualifications do you require for the role?

Skills and qualifications would include experience, a natural artistic flare, good communication and punctuality, amongst other things such as an understanding of client concerns, interpersonal skills, excellent hygiene standards and confidence in what you are doing. A make-up artist must also be able to open their mind to new ideas and new technologies, and be willing to constantly learn. I learn something new from every job, and from other make-up artists’ opinions. There are certain ‘dos and don’ts’ with make-up but the rest is down to individual opinion and reflecting your personality.

Has your business been affected by the current recession?

I started my business during a recession and have seen a continual increase of sales since opening. With regards to the type of work there has been a shift in pattern. There isn’t a huge fashion industry in Northern Ireland compared to mainland UK or Ireland, and when those few magazines and designers, etc. do not make their sales then unfortunately they have to cut budgets. I do still get fashion-based work – I have worked on the last three editorial shoots for Ireland’s Wedding Journal – but it has slackened which is unfortunate. On the other hand, my private client bookings are booming, especially weddings; no matter how tough times are couples will save that extra bit harder to have the day they always dreamed about.

What were the biggest challenges you faced when setting up and what support did you get?

Knowing where to invest my money with regards to advertising etc. was tough to figure out at the beginning, but after having done the ‘Go For It’ course at Carrickfergus Enterprise I now realise that for my business the best form of advertising is through word of mouth and recommendation. I do quite a lot of work for free; photo-shoots to build my portfolio, assisting on shoots or fashion shows etc. and in return I gain experience and have built relationships with others in the industry who can help point you in the right direction or recommend you for jobs they may be working on; some of my best jobs have come through meeting a photographer or hairstylist on a Sunday afternoon portfolio shoot.

What three tips could you offer those considering starting their own business?

When starting your own business you must have confidence in the service/product you are offering, yes certainly you may be nervous and I would still get a bit nervous on some jobs but believe in what you are doing. Grab every opportunity that arises; I worked all hours and days of the week for the first year (and would still do now some weeks!) to get my name out; you just never know who you could meet and what could come out of it. And lastly, do your market research. Having done the Go For It course I now know my target audience, how to maximise the impact of my advertising and how to stand out from the crowd, amongst other things such as good book-keeping etc.

What are your plans for the next 12 months?

I hope to build on my reputation; it’s very important in my industry that clients are 150% happy with my products, skill and professionalism as I need good word of mouth to continue to grow my business. I introduced airbrush make-up into my kit last year and hope to really push it this year; it has really taken off with make-up artists behind the scenes in studios and on set with the introduction of HD TV and film. I would also like to train in make-up and special effects for TV and film as the filming industry is really beginning to grow in Northern Ireland.

What do you get up to in your free time?

The nature of my work requires me to work in the evenings and at the weekends so when I get time off it’s really important to me to see friends and spend quality time with my family. I’ve started attending Bikram Yoga with my girlfriends and it’s amazing for relaxing and keeping fit – plus we get a good gossip and catch up after class! Other than that I like to spend time reading fashion magazines and keeping up to date with current trends, and of course shopping! With the addition of Victoria Square to Belfast there are now so many make-up counters to prowl.

If you could swap places with anyone who would it be and why?

Jessie J’s make-up artist, without a doubt! Or maybe Lady Gaga’s...I’d be kept busy but I can’t even begin to imagine the fun I’d have.

business in the Community is inviting Carrick entries for the 2012 Regional Impact Awards for responsible companies.

This year’s award categories are: Northern Ireland Responsible Company of the Year, sponsored by Allstate Northern Ireland; Environmental Improvement, sponsored by Translink; Sustained Impact, sponsored by InvestNI; Employer of Choice, sponsored by BT; Local Community Impact, sponsored by LBM; Education Partner, sponsored by Northgate Managed Services; Most Responsible Small Business, sponsored by Electric Ireland; Community Leader (nomination award), sponsored by Northern Bank; Mark Pollock Award for Hope (nomination award), sponsored by PwC

Applications can be made online at www.bitcni.org.uk

Entries close on Thursday 30 March with the gala awards ceremony taking place in Titanic Belfast on Thursday 31 May.

Carrick has strengthened its Titanic connection with a blue plaque honour at Boneybefore for renowned Ulster writer William Ruddick Millar.

The author and playwright was orphaned at the age of five after the death of his father Thomas Millar, a deck engineer on the famous liner. Ruddick and his older brother, also called Thomas, were sent to live with their father’s aunt at 33 Boneybefore just before the tragedy.

The 250-year-old cottage, known as Fool’s Haven, is owned by Alison and Robbie Brennen, who operate it as a holiday let. The plaque was unveiled last Wednesday by Alderman Sean Neeson, a member of the Nomadic Charitable Trust, during a ceremony attended by a number of Ruddick Millar’s relatives.

Other guests included John M Andrews, Belfast Titanic Society President; Meg Katsumi, Deputy US Consul; and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board’s Seaneen McGrady.

Ruddick’s grand-daughter, journalist and Titanic Tours operator Susie Millar, spoke of the family’s long-standing connection with the area.

“The Millars have been in Boneybefore since time immemorial,” Susie said. “My grandfather’s great-aunt already lived in the cottage with her children when he and his brother came to them, and members of the family have lived in Maida Vale, the house directly across the street from the cottage, as well.

“It was really through Alison and Robbie’s hard work that the Ulster History Circle agreed to a blue plaque in Ruddick’s honour, and it means so much to the family to have him remembered in this way,” said Susie, whose book The Two Pennies relates the story of Ruddick and Thomas after their father’s death.

A well-known author in the 1930s, Ruddick wrote a number of books, while his plays were performed at the Grand Opera House in Belfast.

His self-penned tourist’s guidebook Irish Tours 1931 includes a poem about Boneybefore, where the author relates he was brought up. Significantly, a section on Belfast’s shipbuilding heritage notes the prowess of the Olympic and the Brittanic ocean liners, but does not mention the Titanic.

“Family members have told us that it was difficult for Ruddick to talk about Titanic, the ship he lost his father on,” said Robbie, who along with Alison has begun a collection of Ruddick’s writings and is exploring the Millar family story.

“However, bus tours are now going to pass Boneybefore on their way through Carrick because of the plaque and the Titanic connection; our wish is that guests, visitors and those passing by Fool’s Haven take the time to reflect and think how this tragedy at sea had an effect on the people left behind like Ruddick Millar.”

Ruddick’s daughter Gillian was among those who attended the unveiling, where she gave an emotional account of her memories of her father, who died in 1952.

“I spent most of my childhood sitting at my father’s feet as he wrote; he lived a colourful life and the house at Boneybefore was always full of other writers, playwrights and actors,” she said. “He was a wonderful father and I still miss him dearly.”

Meanwhile, Thomas Millar senior, whose remains were lost at sea, is commemorated at a Millar family plot in Victoria Cemetery.