Grandfather inspired by woodland is in training to run Dublin Marathon

A 67-YEAR-old landowner from Co Armagh is preparing to run his first ever marathon this year after being inspired by a woodland which was planted on his land three years ago. Trevor Knipe, of Ballymartrim Wood, planted over five hectares of native Irish trees, which he has since opened up to the public for walking and fundraising events.

The Forest Expansion Scheme grant is up to 100 per cent funded and attracts an annual income of up to £425 for 10 years and can be in addition to Single Farm Payments.

DAERA say Forest Expansion Scheme plans to go-ahead ‘irrespective’ of Brexit

A WOODLAND consultant who celebrated planting her one millionth tree in Northern Ireland last year is welcoming news from DAERA that the Forest Expansion Scheme is expected to go ahead next year in spite of the looming uncertainty of Brexit.

Woodland consultant Carolyn Trimble says she is delighted the Department  confirmed it fully plans to open the scheme again next year, irrespective of Brexit, and is encouraging landowners to avail of the grants to plant woodlands.

Siblings and surfboards – Skunkworks brothers to speak at Family Business Forum

THERE are lots of projects happening at Skunkworks Surf Co right now but Ricky and Chris Martin will be taking time out of the factory to join a panel of business people to speak at the next NI Family Business Forum.

On April 24, the two surfing brothers who are revolutionising the surfboard industry, will speak to an audience at ‘Meet The Family – The Chairmen of the Board’ at the Europa Hotel. Next week however, these guys are announcing something pretty spectacular.

Submissions, submissions and more submissions as awards season is upon us!

There are so many people in Northern Ireland doing fantastic things and our hats go off to anyone who owns their own business – it’s hard work and we know it only too well.

Now is your chance to celebrate your achievements by entering awards because behind every good business there are great people. Entering awards presents many opportunities and we have seen this at first hand with our clients. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

NW200 announce partnership with Live It Experience It ahead of 2017 road race

Live It Experience It is a group of very cool tourism businesses working together to promote Northern Ireland to our visitors.

The organisation launched with an announcement in The Arcadia in Portrush that it is to be a tourism partner with the Vauxhall International North West 200 for 2017. The race last year attracted 100,000 spectators. This year organisers want to tell those spectators what there is to do, where they can stay and tell stories of our fantastic food and drink.

Final call for Northern Ireland’s 20 Most Inspiring Women 2016 nominations

MGMPR Ltd, a multi-media PR agency which uses brand journalism as a powerful communication tool, is the sponsor of Northern Ireland’s Top 20 Most Inspiring Women feature.

The deadline to receive nominations is July 22 so if you haven’t voted yet please do before the deadline. This feature is an opportunity to celebrate women who are doing great things in the world of business and who are deemed inspirational by their colleagues, customers and peers.

It’s awards season. Here are EIGHT reasons why your business should enter awards!

It’s that time of year when businesses are gearing up to compete among the best of the best as annual awards are opening up for entries.

Our team at MGMPR write submissions on behalf of companies who, year on year, reap the rewards of competing among the best. Here are EIGHT reasons why you should enter awards if you have an established business. Don’t miss out on opportunities to profile your business. Click here for the full blog:

Cycle Sperrins – 90-year-old cyclist urges tourists to ‘get on yer bike’

Annie Slane is a 90-year-old woman who has lived in the Sperrins all of her life. Annie loves the Sperrins and continues to cycle every day in the rustic mountain range which she says is keeping her young.

Annie recently attended the launch of Cycle Sperrins – an initiative which is aimed at attracting international touring cyclists to the Sperrin Mountains.

We interviewed Annie who tells us her story of her love for cycling in the Sperrins.

Armagh in top nine tourism destinations as harvest fayre crowned a huge success

Terence Brannigan has described Co Armagh as one of nine key designated visitor destinations in Northern Ireland and said he was proud to stand side by side with the people of the Orchard County at this year’s Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre.

The Tourism NI chairman, was guest speaker at this year’s fayre, which celebrates the end of the harvest and showcases what County Armagh food and drink producers have to offer. The Fayre is an authentic celebration which connects us with our land.

Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre to contribute to export growth says Tourism NI boss

Terence Brannigan, the chairman of Tourism NI says food and drink producers in Armagh county will play a significant role in turning tourism from an £800million industry to a £1billion industry over the next five years.

Tourism is currently an £800million industry but Tourism NI expect this to grow to become a £1billion industry over the next five years. It is hoped the sector will be responsible for 50,000 jobs in our region as our development towards a growth in export continues to be a major focus.

Tourism boss praises Sperrins cluster as key to meeting NI’s global agenda

Cycle Sperrins is a new tourism led initiative which aims to attracts touring cyclists from across the globe to the Sperrin Mountains.

Terence Brannigan, chairman of Tourism NI, launched the initiative at the Broughderg Tourism Centre alongside speciality food producers, farm businesses, tearooms and quality accommodation providers based along the world-class four day cycle route. Cycling and mountain biking is estimated to be worth around £100million to the NI economy.

Tourism consortium to launch mythic cycling tours in soulful Sperrins

The Sperrin Mountains are set to become a major tourist attraction for touring cyclists thanks to a group of businesses who have joined together as a consortium to promote the area.

The Cycle Sperrins Consortium, which is made up of speciality food producers, farm businesses, tearooms and quality accommodation providers based along the world-class four day cycle route, will welcome Tourism NI’s chairman to officially launch Cycle Sperrins. Here’s the full story:

Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre launches in line with BBC’s Great British Menu

Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre attracted over 2,000 last year which was the first year of the event which celebrates artisan food and drink producers.

This year’s event celebrates food and drink, the Centenary of one of the most powerful organisations in the UK – the Women’s Institute and also Halloween. To top if off, the fayre has been launched this year in line with the BBC’s Great British Menu which will feature last year’s fayre as part of its WI celebrations. Here’s the full story:

PR agency in Northern Ireland celebrates third anniversary

MGMPR Ltd is a multi-media PR agency which uses Brand Journalism as a powerful communication tool.

Today we celebrate being three years old! For three years we have delivered consistently for our clients, we are honoured to represent the companies and organisations we work with and we are proud to continually demonstrating the power of brand journalism as part of business strategies for our clients and indeed for ourselves. Have a read;

Major coup for Goal Line as Asda Foundation funds multi sensory discovery room

The Asda Foundation is all about transforming communities and changing lives and so far this year has donated £2,475,342 to different causes across the UK.

Here in Northern Ireland, the Asda Foundation has funded a new multi sensory discovery room so children of all abilities can now benefit from a state of the art equipment at the Goal Line Youth Centre based in the grounds of Portadown Rugby Club. Here’s the story of the launch.