Combining ancient traditions with our love for our food – Pancake Tuesday #EnjoyNI16

Tomorrow is Pancake Tuesday so we thought we would look at how celebrating an ancient tradition can direct our focus to the wonderful food and drink producers in Northern Ireland.

This is the Year of Food and Drink Tourism so let’s look at how we embrace this tradition by celebrating Pancake Tuesday using locally milled flour, free range organic eggs from local farms using local dairy products and just how the actions of a housewife in 1445 is helping us celebrate our producers.

Markethill High School hailed ‘one of the best’ for attendance ahead of Open Day

Markethill High School will host its annual Open Night on January 13 where the principal, James Maxwell, will welcome parents and prospective pupils to Mowhan Road.

The school has recently been identified by the Education and Training Inspectorate as a school which is one of the best in Northern Ireland for attendance rates. Markethill High School’s attendance is a priority in the school’s Development Plan and is key in the school’s pastoral system. Here’s the story:

INTO hails £33m investment ‘a step in the right direction’ for region’s economy

The Education Minister has given approval to a scheme initiated by the Ireland’s largest teachers’ union which will see a £33million investment which will be used to refresh the education system.

Gerry Murphy, Northern Secretary, says the ‘Investing in the Teaching Workforce’ scheme is a major investment in addressing underachievement, raising standards and delivering 500 professional jobs to the economy in Northern Ireland. Here’s the full story:

Substitute teachers face another Christmas with no pay as inequality strikes again

A senior official at the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation says the rights of substitute teachers in Northern Ireland are being side-lined because employers continue to ignore their rights.

INTO says sub teachers are being held at ransom because employers are not offering them full time contracts, and, in spite of having more than four years’ teaching experience, their rights are being side-lined. Tony Carlin of INTO says equalities must be addressed. Here’s the full story:

New build school in sight as Markethill campaign continues for its pupils

The Education Authority has confirmed this week that Markethill High School remains on its priority list for a much needed new build school – a campaign which has been ongoing for over three years.

The school, headed by principal James Maxwell, has full community support for the campaign for a new build and a sixth form. Markethill High School is sustainable, viable, achieves academically and is in a strong financial position to grow. The school says a new build school must come soon.

IFEX exhibitor sees huge growth thanks to increased uptake in E-Learning training

The Training and Recruitment House Ltd in Portadown will be exhibiting at IFEX 2016 where the training and recruitment team will showcase the secrets to their success over the past year.

Business has multiplied massively for this consultancy practice as a result of its introduction to E-Learning for its clients who operate in a variety of sectors including food producers, companies in the leisure and tourism sector, engineering companies, charitable and social enterprises.

The Range Rover hybrid performance on a par with that of the mighty SDV8

The hybrid Range Rover is expensive to buy but there will be more than enough wealthy fans who will not have an issue with price, says our motoring journalist, Stephen Grant.

Hybrid models are a bit of a ‘must-have’ for manufacturers at the moment and it is incredible that Land Rover has brought this to Range Rover without compromising its legendary reputation for off-road ability combined with limousine refinement. Read The MGMPR Motor Review here and see what you think!

Canapes and cocktails at Uluru before corporate screening of 007 Spectre

Uluru Bar & Grill is a perfect location for corporate functions. It’s ideal location in Armagh’s historic city centre means businesses wishing to host a corporate event at the Marketplace Theatre, or the Omniplex Cinema, can enjoy the funky interior of Uluru.

Donnelly Land Rover, based in Dungannon, recently hosted an evening of canapés and cocktails for customers before hosting a private screening for customers of the 007 blockbuster, Spectre.

Land Rover builds one-of-a-kind Defender to mark two million milestone

Seven decades of the production of the Land Rover Defender is something to celebrate and there’s no better way than to put out a special edition to mark the momentous occasion.

In December, collectors and Defender fans will be given the opportunity to own this unique piece of Land Rover’s history when it is auctioned by globally renowned auction house, Bonhams. If you look at this picture alone – you will see why we are getting extremely excited about this.

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:

Women and country fayres go hand in hand but it’s more than just making pies

Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre attracted 2,000 people last year to celebrate the end of the harvest. This year, the fayre takes place on October 31 – Halloween Day.

Richhill Women’s Institute, who featured on the Great British Menu, will play a key role this year. Where else can you eat apples, peel apples, eat pies, enjoy cookery demonstrations, sample locally produced ciders, juices and craft beers, celebrate Halloween and buy locally produced County Armagh food?