I AM looking forward to joining the fun at tomorrow's open day hosted by the Lighthouse Trust.
The Trust holds an eight week summer school every year in the Parish Hall Donaghadee designed especially for children with cerebral palsy, a condition which is the result of damage or abnormal development of the brain resulting in a lack of co-ordination.
At the summer school, group members and their teachers learn through fun aimed at developing each child's potential and self esteem.
Mobility is important aspect, as are social skills. Since last month, singing has filled the air not only to please but to improve breathing and memory, puzzles enhance concentration and hand function and the obstacle course improves balance and strength.
Each child has a teacher and an assistant, mostly volunteers, and they all come together for a nutritious lunch – important as they play hard to achieve!
And it works. The other day, one little boy was heard to say: "This is the best place ever!"
Open Day is between 10am and 12.30pm tomorrow and everyone is welcome. For more details, visit Lighthouse-trust.org.
Crafty Work in Co Down
IT'S billed as our premier celebration of art and craft and certainly the organisers have presented the public with a marvellous Creative Peninsula extravaganza running until August 14.
This is the 15th year of the event and it's bigger and better than ever, with opportunities for the public to go behind the scenes to meet creative men and women.
Discover artists, spinners, those who create stain glass panels, learn to recycle copper and have a go at building a 'face', muscle by muscle to form an expression and then smooth skin over the top.
Once you have completed your bust you can take your piece of 'face art' home to show the family.
Alan McCluney is a Bangor based potter who will be manning his potter's wheel to demonstrate his craft, the products of which he sells in local shops and online.
He taught himself and now achieves fine china-like stoneware which is remarkably thin yet dishwasher safe.
Alan told me: "The Ambassador to Thailand recently contacted me through Facebook and came to see me at my studio one Sunday.
"He liked my work and asked could he order some as his Ambassadorial gifts to the Thai Cabinet and dignitaries.
"I, of course, agreed, and he collected over 40 pieces of my work last month."
His range includes bowls of various sizes, oil burners, mugs, espresso cups and a breakfast set.
No two pieces are ever the same size, shape or colour – unique craftsmanship indeed.
Imagine watching and learning from such a special artist.
The 2016 Creative Peninsula brochure is available to download at Visitardsandnorthdown.com/creative-peninsula. Tickets for bookable events are also available from this website.
Go directly to Gaol
HERE'S another suggestion: Go to jail for a good meal.
Last week, Cuffs Bar and Grill opened at Crumlin Road Gaol, a very old part of the old prison now converted into a restaurant with low ceiling, soft lighting and comfy pastel upholstery.
Half a million people have already visited the gaol since it was converted into a tourist attraction but for the first time they can now relax over a good meal and a few drinks.
On the way in, you pass through cases of memorabilia: leather handcuffs, rusty keys, the birch which administered 12 strips to under 14s and the whipcord Cat O' Nine Tails for those over 21 – for them, 18 lashes on the flogging rack.
Kieran Quinn, Managing Director of Crumlin Road Gaol said, "Crumlin Road Gaol is the ideal location for Cuffs Bar & Grill that we hope will become a friendly face for locals and visitors alike.
"The building itself is a local landmark and one of the most popular attractions for tourists visiting Belfast. We look forward to welcoming guests in for a taste of Cuffs Bar & Grill as we are sure the restaurant and the locally inspired and sourced menus will become well-known with the local area."
Under the watchful eye and culinary skills of head chef Damien Blaney, this is a great development for North Belfast where good restaurants are hard to come by – especially as there are plans to hold regular 'Live At The Crum' concert nights.
The menu boasts steaks, fish, chicken and for me a very tasty vegetarian dish, plus wine, spirits, beers and cocktails, all of which make this a welcome addition to fine dining in Belfast.
There's more about all the events going on in the Gaol and about Cuffs Restaurant at Crumlinroadgaol.com.
To make a reservation at Cuffs, call 028 9075 5822 or e-mail cuffsgrillbar@crunlinroadgaol.com
