January 27 In the Press

The Emerson's Foundation, through the NISA MADL Fund, hands over a cheque for £1,000 to the Air Ambulance for Northern Ireland Fund.

Emerson’s Foundation hands over £1,000 donation for Air Ambulance NI

The Emerson’s Foundation in Armagh aims to help transform local communities by giving to charitable causes through its MADL Fund.

Here, members of the Foundation’s committee hand over a cheque for £1,000 and a canvas picture to the family of Lesley Ann McCarragher who died last year after being struck by a car. This donation of £1,000, from our NISA MADL Fund, will hopefully go some way in helping the McCarragher family with their fundraising targets.

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January 16 In the Press

Copyright © Kevin Cooper Photoline NUJ: Teachers' Strike to go ahead on Wednesday

Teachers’ strike to go ahead with major rally at Belfast’s QUB student’s union

THE planned teachers’ strike in Northern Ireland will go ahead as planned on Wednesday morning regardless of the situation at Stormont.

Members of the INTO were balloted before Christmas and an overwhelming majority of teachers voted in favour of strike action over the ongoing pay dispute. The INTO says it has been engaging with the Government but talks have failed. Wednesday’s strike will also include a rally at Queen’s University Belfast Student’s Union. Here’s the full story:

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December 22 In the Press

Seamus Hanna, chairman of the INTO Northern Office, says INTO teachers will strike in the New Year. IMG_0454

INTO teachers will be striking in the New Year as results of ballot are announced

INTO teachers in Northern Ireland have overwhemlingly voted in favour of strike action in the New Year according to ballot results which have been published this afternoon.

Today’s ballot reveals that strike action is supported by 78 per cent of INTO members with 94.97 voting in favour of action short of strike. The ballot turnout was 40 per cent which demonstrates the strength of feeling on this issue across the membership. Here’s the full story issues on behalf of the INTO:

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December 20 In the Press Year of Food & Drink 2016

Emerson's Supermarket in Armagh has been serving the district for over 125 years. Now it's the UK's Most Sustainable Independent Retailer of the year

UK’s Most Sustainable Independent Retailer is right here in Armagh

Emerson’s Supermarket in Armagh’s historic city centre is the UK’s Most Sustainable Independent Retailer of the Year for the second year running.

Staff retention, using renewable sources for energy, reducing food waste, food provenance, supporting local producers, supporting local families and creating new jobs are the things which makes this supermarket tick. Owner Gavin Emerson is delighted to be the recipient of this accolade again this year. Here’s the story:

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December 13 In the Press

Tom Verner, Managing Director of The Momentum Group based in Bangor, R&D specialists

There’s a pot of HMRC gold and businesses need to be dipping into says R&D specialist

Tom Verner, the Managing Director of The Momentum Group based in Bangor, is a specialist in identifying R&D activities and expenditure.

He and his team at The Momentum Group specialise in raising the bottom line for innovative and forward-thinking businesses. They do this by delivering enhanced R&D tax credit claims and/or helping clients to introduce new, innovative corporate strategies. Here’s Tom’s analysis of the Chancellor’s R&D Autumn announcement.

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December 6 In the Press Year of Food & Drink 2016

Mac Ivors Cider Co is an Irish craft cider producer based in Co Armagh.

Cider maker invests £250,000 in new press as Irish craft cider market booms

Mac Ivors Cider Co has just invested £250,000 in a new state of the art German cider press and a new 10 acre orchard.

This year Mac Ivors got silver in Blas na hÉireann for its Traditional Dry and Plum and Ginger ciders, was voted best Artisan producer in Armagh, joint best in Ulster and joint best in Ireland. The producer also picked up a Great Taste Award for Traditional Dry and Medium ciders and a silver medal at the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards.

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November 29 In the Press

Teachers' are being balloted for strike action

7,000 teachers are being balloted for strike action as fair pay rise talks fail

Thousands of teachers across Northern Ireland could be walking out of classrooms in December as part of strike action as fair pay talks break down, says union.

The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) are balloting its 7,000 members for strike action as it claims talks between employers and the Department of Education have broken down. Gerry Murphy, INTO’s Northern Secretary, says teachers have had enough and the education system is at a crisis point. Here’s the story:

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November 23 In the Press

Economy Minister Simon Hamilton has announced ten businesses, two of which are new investors are to create 100 new jobs in the North West an investment of over £5.6million in the local economy. Speaking at Invest Northern Ireland’s Timber Quay offices the Minister said: “This multi million investment by indigenous businesses and UK investors is positive news for Londonderry. The 100 new jobs being created span a range of roles and industries including software development, engineering, marketing and finance, and once in place will contribute over £2.5million in additional salaries to the local economy.” Pictured with the Minister are Des Gartland, Invest NI North West Regional Manager, Conleth Doherty from Factory Automation Systems Technologies Ltd and John Deery from Mechanical Installations & Maintenance both of who announced they would be recruiting as part of their investment plans. Photo by Simon Graham/Harrison Photography

FAST Technologies announce 17 new jobs and £1.1million investment for the North West

FAST Technologies is an innovative solutions focused company providing collaborative robotics, automation and software solutions for SMEs and large bluechip companies.

The company employs 30 people and exports products across the UK, the Republic of Ireland, Asia, Scandinavia and the US. Today, FAST Technologies announced a £1.1million investment for the North West with the creation of 17 new highly skilled jobs. Congratulations to FAST Technologies on this announcement. Here’s the story:

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November 23 In the Press

Students at Markethill High School support Putting Pupils First Campaign

Principal says Sixth Form must be ‘an unstoppable force’ in Putting Pupils First Campaign

Markethill High School’s principal, James Maxwell, says the Putting Pupils First campaign continues its push for Sixth Form.

Mr Maxwell was speaking directly to parents, pupils, teachers, DUP MLA Emma-Little Pengelly and the media when he described the status quo in relation to post-16 provision for pupils from the Protestant Controlled community as ‘a disgrace, unequal and unfair’ and said it was time the status quo was ‘condemned to the dustbin of history’. Here’s the story:

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November 9 Comment In the Press

Worldwide Financial Planning's Peter McGahan on a post election analysis

Worldwide Financial Planning’s Peter McGahan with his post election analysis

Some might say the dust is far from settling. Some might say the storm is just starting to gather momentum.

Peter McGahan, owner of Worldwide Financial Planning, which has offices in Fermanagh, Truro and Southampton, looks back at the last 24 hours and analyses what has happened and what does this mean. Donald J Trump has been elected by the American people to be the 45th president and not too many people are happy about it. Here’s what Peter has to say:

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November 8 In the Press

Peter McGahan of Worldwide Financial Planning looks at the impact of the US elections on jobs and money

Peter McGahan examines the impact the US election will have on jobs and money!

Peter McGahan is the owner of independent advisor company, Worldwide Financial Planning. Here, Peter takes a look at the impact of the US elections globally.

As the owner of the independent financial adviser firm, which has offices in Kesh, Truro and Southampton, Peter looks at the impact of the markets globally, challenges thoughts on both candidates and reflects on what these elections will mean for you and I. We’ll have to see what tomorrow brings. Here’s Peter’s view:

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October 25 In the Press

Emma Heatherington hosts a literacy evening for Year 8 pupils at Markethill High School. MGMPR_01

Author praises Markethill High School for placing high value on literacy for pupils

Emma Heatherington is a Co Tyrone based author, scriptwriter of short films, plays and musicals, and busy mum, who is gearing up to have her ninth novel published.

Markethill High School, a Co Armagh school renowned for putting its pupils first, invited Emma to host an interactive literacy workshop for Year 8 pupils and their parents at a recent literacy evening. Emma has praised the school for placing such a high emphasis on literacy for all of the children attending Markethill High School.

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October 25 In the Press Year of Food & Drink 2016

Ann Henderson is the owner of Back of Beyond - a casual dining restaurant in Caledon, Co Tyrone.

A crafty cook turns old potato shed into the Back of Beyond in Caledon

A crafty cook has turned an old potato shed into a casual dining restaurant in the Georgian village of Caledon in Co Tyrone.

Ann Henderson saw an opportunity to make an impact on the rural community by turning something very old into something really new. Ann decided to get creative and turn the potato shed into a 24-seater casual dining restaurant which serves food which is produced locally, has created a few new jobs and is a place where local people can congregate.

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October 4 In the Press Year of Food & Drink 2016

Caledon Village Georgian Festival welcomed the Side Saddle Association of Ireland to the festival.

Thousands of pounds raised as Caledon village steps back to celebrate Georgian era

The Caledon Village Georgian Festival which took place on October 1 was a fantastic display of all things Georgian and raised thousands of pounds for the local community.

The event was officially opened by the Earl of Caledon KCVO and was attended by Terence Brannigan, chairman of Tourism NI, members of the community and visitors. This event was a massive community effort which shows how small communities can make a big impact by working together.

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September 7 In the Press Year of Food & Drink 2016

The Caledon Village Georgian Festival

Caledon steps back in time as community organises village Georgian festival

Caledon is a beautiful village on the borders of Tyrone, Armagh and Monaghan. The community are taking a step back in time to host the Caledon Village Georgian Festival.

The festival, which will take place on October 1 from 10am-4pm, will include Georgian themed children’s activities, a food and drink courtyard, side saddle demonstrations, historical walking tours of the village and much more. Traders and members of the public can dress in the Georgian theme for the festival.

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