Latest news with #Lurgan
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Cost of living: 'Forgotten about' Lurgan parents rely on £20 summer scheme
"Forgotten about" parents are calling for more financial support for children's activities during the summer comes as research by Ulster University suggests more parents are cutting back on children's sports due to the rising cost of living.A number of parents whose children attend Clann Éireann summer scheme in Lurgan, County Armagh, spoke to BBC News costs just £20 a week and is able to keep costs low as it is run mainly by volunteers. Seana McConville, who volunteers at smaller sessions in the club that are adapted for children with additional needs, like her son, said if her child was going into childcare over the summer she would have to pay for one-to-one support for said families like hers were "forgotten about"."I'm a full-time worker and every other year I would have to work term time, which is less money throughout the year in order to be able to take off the summer," she said."But that's not good for me or my son, because we are then tied to just being in the house. "I miss the social side of being at work and the rest of the year you can struggle because your wages are less." The Clann Éireann summer scheme runs for two weeks and this year 180 children are Coleman has worked at the club for 30 years and is a classroom assistant at the local said it was a lifeline for many parents."We know people are trying to cut corners on food, clothes, for basic toiletries, that's the way it's going, like back in your mummy's day nearly," she told BBC News NI. School uniforms and PE kits Ulster University surveyed 855 research suggested 37% of parents reduced spending on sports and 35% said their child had missed out because they could not afford also found 30% of parents were unable to afford clothing and equipment needed for Science lecturer at Ulster University, Maria O'Kane, said at this time of the year researchers heard a lot about the cost of school uniforms and PE kits as families were beginning to budget for them ahead of the new school year."Maybe it comes at the sacrifice of a family holiday or a family day out," she said."We heard in the interviews even going for an ice-cream is a luxury they just couldn't afford any more." Mum-of-six Natalie Geoghegan said the sharing of Gaelic kits at Clann Éireann helps keep costs down."With football, you need the latest kit, but with this gear, it's not the latest - one from four to five years ago is just the same, you've got the badge and you're part of the group," she her family, holidays are a luxury that do not happen every year."You like to try and get away because life is hard and you like to get away in the summer, but you have to cut back in general on things like clothes and [use] hand me-downs," she said."When they're in school all year, there's a routine. I'm lucky I'm at home - I'm not working - but for me to entertain them in the house and run the house, it's mundane for them for me to try and do everything." While Clann Éireann is proving to be an affordable option for these parents, Maria O'Kane said summer schemes do not always suit working families as the hours can be quite short and they can be expensive."That puts another pressure on families if their child is expected to attend," she added. Single mum Nicola Fagan said she felt many parents were "left in limbo" over the summer."Not everyone has grandparents or family who are going to cater to your needs," she works overtime to save for the summer months and her children's many activities."I try my best to make ends meet so they can get to everything they want to do and their friends are involved in," she said."It's a whole lot of pressure because you don't want them missing out on anything that everybody else is doing."I come last all the time and I wouldn't have it any other way, because you aren't going to have your kids for a very long time when they are small so as long as they are happy I can do without for another couple of years." Summer anxiety She said the summer scheme had given her children opportunities and day trips that they would otherwise not have had."It would have been an anxiety for me over how much it would be and what you are going to have to cut back on," she said."Or are you going to be caught out in a week's time thinking, 'I shouldn't have spent that money because I need diesel in the car or extra electric because Finnian hasn't turned off his PlayStation overnight?'"It's stuff like that you need to think about when it comes to money and cost of living." The survey also suggested that more limited disposable income would mean siblings had different is the case for Claire King who said: "From my older child to my younger child, he doesn't get as many days to soft play areas or trips to the zoo, things like that."Between camps, feeding them, childcare costs - they've all gone up in prices, so it is definitely more expensive than it has been in the past."
BreakingNews.ie
4 days ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Police investigating two arson incidents in Derry and Armagh
Police in Northern Ireland are investigating two incidents of arson in the early hours of Saturday morning. Detectives are appealing for information and witnesses after a report of a fire at flat in Derry shortly after 5:15am. Advertisement Emergency services attended the Clon Elagh area where damage was caused to the inside and outside of the flat. A second flat also sustained 'minor damage', police said, adding: 'Thankfully, there was no-one in either property at the time.' The incident is being treated as 'arson with intent to endanger life' and investigators are asking witnesses to contact them using reference 273 of 19/7/25. Detectives are also investigating a separate incident in Lurgan. Advertisement They are appealing for information after a report of a fire at a property in Windsor Avenue shortly after 1am. Detective Sergeant Lewis said: 'Officers along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service attended and the fire was extinguished, however significant damage was caused to the property. 'A number of residents, who were evacuated while emergency services tackled the blaze, have been allowed to return to their homes. 'This is being treated as arson and I am appealing to anyone who witnessed anyone suspicious in the area, or to anyone with CCTV or other footage that could assist with the investigation, to contact detectives on 101 quoting reference 74 19/07/25.' Advertisement
BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
Lurgan: Windsor Avenue residents return home after arson attack
Residents in Lurgan, County Armagh, have returned to their homes after an arson attack on Saturday happened at a derelict property in Windsor Avenue at about 01:00 BST.A number of residents had to leave their properties while the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) tackled the injuries were reported, NIFRS said, but significant damage has been caused. DUP councillor Peter Haire told BBC News NI that "somebody could have been killed"."We are lucky there were no injuries," he said."There are businesses and houses right beside and we could be looking at a different story today."This is a listed building and it was once beautiful to look at. "The owners don't live in the country. It's devastating."I appeal to those behind this arson attack to stop."
BBC News
7 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Lurgan: Harv Smyth to become next head of Royal Air Force
A former fighter pilot from County Armagh is to become the next professional head of the Royal Air Force (RAF).Air Marshal Harv Smyth, who was born and educated in Lurgan, is to to take up the role of chief of the air staff in Secretary John Healey confirmed on Wednesday that the King had approved the appointment. AM Smyth will succeed Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton following his promotion to chief of the defence staff.. AM Smyth joined the RAF in 1991 as a direct entrant after leaving school. He spent 15 years as a frontline Harrier pilot and weapons instructor and flew hundreds of operational missions over Bosnia, Kosovo, Serbia, Iraq and chief of the air staff is responsible for the strategic planning and delivery of all RAF operations, people and capability. The position is accountable to the defence secretary for the fighting effectiveness, efficiency and morale as well as the development and sustainment of the Smyth said he was "deeply honoured to have been selected". The appointment comes at a transformative time for the RAF as it moves to warfighting readiness following the publication of the Strategic Defence Review. "The Strategic Defence Review makes clear the need for us to rapidly evolve and modernise to meet current and future threats and I am enormously proud to lead the Service at such a crucial point in our history", he added. 'Flying the flag' Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart welcomed AM Smyth's appointment. "This is an incredible achievement and a truly proud moment for his family," the Democratic Unionist Party politician said his journey from Lurgan to the top of the RAF was a "powerful reminder of what can be achieved with determination and integrity". "He is flying the flag high for Lurgan, for Upper Bann and for Northern Ireland", she said.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Teen battles jellyfish and strong currents to swim North Channel solo
A 15 year old has become the youngest swimmer to complete the North Channel swim from Northern Ireland to Scotland solo. Oscar Black, from Lurgan, County Armagh, swam from the Gobbins to Portpatrick last Wednesday in 16 hours and 38 minutes. Advertisement As the crow flies, the two locations are 35km (21.7 miles) apart but due to strong currents Oscar swam a total of 46km (28.5 miles). The Lurgan College student said it was "hard to explain" the emotions he was feeling after his record-breaking swim. The Gobbins cliff-face runs from Whitehead to Portmuck Harbour in County Antrim [Getty Images] When he was 14, he completed the channel swim as part of a relay team. He told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme that he had to overcome jellyfish, strong currents and swimming in the wrong direction to set a new record. He had up to 20 jellyfish stings, "all over my body, from my feet to my nose", he said. "There was a few times when I was contemplating why am I doing this," he added. Advertisement "It was more of a mental challenge than an actual physical challenge." But Oscar says "it was all worth it in the end". Jessica Robson supported Oscar during his swim [BBC] Jessica Robson was Oscar's support swimmer for the challenge. She said it was her job to "get in and swim with him to make sure he was sane". "It was a very emotional swim to watch," she said. "I got in with him from hour four to five and hour eight to nine. "I had to swim into Scotland with him as he started going the wrong way." 'Tired and exhausted' After finishing the open water swim and standing upright on the shore in Scotland, Oscar found out that he had to swim back to the boat. Due to shallow water, the boat was unable to dock close to the shore. "I couldn't believe it, I was tired and exhausted," he added.
