Life

Knotweed a growing issue for gardeners

SINCE writing last week about the dangers of the Japanese Knotweed plant, the Belfast Hills Partnership held a seminar on invasive species last Wednesday, proving just how important this subject is to the environment and the gardener.

If you missed it and have a query or want some advice, Belfast Hills Partnership's telephone number is 028 9060 3466

Ever Onward

Dear Anne

Almost three years ago we opened a charity shop in Portaferry - ReNeW for Cancer Research UK and you wrote a great piece about us.

Just wanted you to know that nearly three years later we now have two shops and our income has just passed £100,000. Isn't that amazing?

Because of us, and with our help, another cancer charity shop, Rummage, was set up in Strangford and it has now passed £20,000. Thank you and your readers for all the support - it has been a very worthwhile venture. Regards, Allison

UK Award

Dear Anne, I read a letter which you published on your page quite some time ago and was impressed that the reader took the time to write. It was about a young man named Matthew who worked in Dominos, Armagh and how impressed she was and you wished him all the best in his future career.

This from Julie in Banbridge who recently ordered from the Armagh branch of Dominos and when going through their Facebook page for the phone number, found an update saying that it had just been officially announced that the UK and Ireland joint Manager and Driver of the Year Awards went to Matthew and his colleague Francis O'Neill.

I talked to Francis who, out of

40,000 drivers throughout the Dominos chain, had been praised not only for being best driver but also for helping customers, for service to the community and a good telephone manner. "I've been driving for many years but with this company for three and I'm very pleased with the recognition."

His manager Alice Todd added how delighted she was about the honour to Francis and Matthew McGrath who now works in the Banbridge Dominos.

Julie also mentions in her letter that she has discovered that a lot of staff participate in local events so, she says, no one can say that the young people of today don't do good work. "These workers could be our ambassadors of the future. Thanks to the reader who sent you the letter in the first place, she really got me thinking about the youth of today and it changed some of my thoughts and opinions I had about youth. I know stories with good deeds and kind words make everyone feel good."

Accentuate the Positive

It's true, we need people to talk about the positives. I'm still wearing my pink Giro d'Italia wristband because I want to hold on to that happy weekend when I walked through Belfast in the rain with my shocking pink feather boa Around my neck and no-one stared - on the contrary, we all chatted and called out to one another.

At the Giro stand at Belfast City Hall two young women were selling very good-value kits of a child's pink vest, bag, hat and clapping hand for £5.

As I transacted my business I noticed her colleague being chatted up by a handsome young man. It transpired that he came from Glasgow and it appeared he had fallen in love.

I told them of my grandmother who served in a cafe in Donegall Street when she was a girl and during the Glasgow Week when Belfast played host to many people from Scotland, a young man sat over a cup of tea for most of every day.

Finally, he plucked up enough courage to ask my grandmother to marry him - she didn't.

The girl at the City Hall then told the young man he was very nice but wasting his time. We all fell about laughing and the mood was great.

I like hearing of good things happening and there are many more good news stories than bad. People say to me that they hate the headlines, always bad news, never good.

That's not true. If you take any newspaper, radio or television output over a week, there are more words and minutes devoted to positive happenings in Northern Ireland than you think. We've a lot to be thankful for. Same with hospitals. We hear the bad news - but look deeper. Within the last couple of weeks I have seen the caring side in the Royal Victoria Hospital, the Mater, the Royal Maternity and the City.

Each department was cheerful and bright despite the criticism of the health service; it must be difficult for staff to keep their morale high when blame comes down on an entire hospital like a wet blanket.

Rings A Bell?

Dear Anne, I was at a funeral recently when someone's phone went off. It was embarrassing, especially for the woman involved.

It transpired that it wasn't her ring tone, she had in fact turned the phone off.

It was an alarm call for an appointment she had but she'd forgotten to turn it off. It made me think. If you have a mobile phone alarm to waken you up or to remind you of something, it rings whether the mobile is turned on or off.

There must be many occasions when this happens and the person gets blamed, especially in church or at the theatre or a meeting. So it's not enough to remember to turn it off, in future check if you have your alarm on. AP, Belfast

And Finally

The Ulster Hall is the place to be on June 26 and 27 for the 2014 Pipeworks Festival when the wonderful 150 year old Mulholland Grand Organ will star in two special concerts.

Also a Pipeworks Festival concert in St Peter's Cathedral on Wednesday June 25.

Details from belfastcity.gov.uk/tourism-venues/ulsterhall/ulsterhall.aspx.

* TOP AWARD:

Delivery driver Francis O'Neill

PICTURE:Mal McCann