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Belfast Telegraph
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
NFL star from Co Down graduates alongside his mother
Charlie, who has just celebrated his 24th birthday, heads back to the US later this week to resume his career with the New Orleans Saints as NFL teams begin their summer training camps ahead of the new season in September. He will be returning with an MSc in sport and PE for young people in his back pocket. And to make his day even more special, he graduated alongside his mum, Julie, who has completed a master's in education. Earlier this year, Charlie agreed a two-year deal which will keep him under contract for that duration if he makes the Saints' 53-man roster in August. The former Down Gaelic footballer missed out on the active roster five months ago but did secure a place in the Saints' practice squad, which kept alive his NFL ambitions after being picked up through the NFL international player pathway (IPP) programme. 'Right now, all it guarantees me is that I've got another off-season with the Saints, and hopefully this time I can make the 53,' he said after signing the deal. 'I've got a whole lot better since I started this with the Saints and I feel that there's a reason why they want me back. Let's just roll with it and keep making kicks.' First up for the place-kicker's team when the new NFL season kicks off will be a game against Arizona Cardinals in the Caesars Superdome on September 7, against whom he landed a match-winning field goal five seconds from time during a pre-season match last August. Meanwhile, at Queen's University Belfast there was also graduation joy for two young mums of children with learning difficulties. Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Nelisiwe Shabalala, graduating with a degree in sociology, returned to education as a mature student and single mother caring for her son, who has a learning disability. 'Driven by my love of learning and a desire to build a better future, I took a leap of faith,' she said. 'Balancing motherhood and study was never easy, but I reminded myself daily why I was doing it — for a rewarding career and to set an example for my son.' News Catch Up - June 30th 2025 A highlight of her final year was completing her dissertation, basing the project on her own lived experience, exploring how background and income affect how young people with learning disabilities in Northern Ireland feel about the quality of public services like healthcare. Co Down mum Jamie-Lee Beggs, meanwhile, is graduating with a degree in social policy with quantitative methods, having balanced her studies as a mature student with being a full-time carer to her daughter Freya, who has autism and learning disabilities. 'I had previously worked as a carer and support worker for people with disabilities,' the Bangor woman said. 'It was always something I enjoyed, and I wanted to study something which may lead me back to that area of work someday. 'Graduating really does mean a lot to me. I had always regretted not going to university, so I decided to begin studying an Access course part-time when my daughter was younger, hoping it would then lead me to university. 'It really has not been an easy journey for many reasons, but I was very determined to keep going. To have now finished it, with a higher grade than I had expected, has just made it so worthwhile, and I hope it will show my own daughter that it is never too late to return to something you want to achieve.' Jamie-Lee has excelled in her degree, being awarded two prizes for her academic performance. She also took part in a group project in collaboration with the Children's Heartbeat Trust, researching and evaluating good practice in how siblings of children experiencing a serious illness can be nurtured and protected, awarded the highest mark in her module. Looking forward, Jamie-Lee is now considering returning to postgraduate study linked to disability or special education.
Belfast Telegraph
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
DUP leader celebrates ‘east vs north' wrestling win at party's BBQ gathering
The east Belfast politician faced off against party colleague Philip Brett during the festivities at the DUP's annual BBQ in Lurgan's Brownlow House. The party's politicians and their families gathered at Grade A listed 19th century estate at the weekend, with other councillors and members of the DUP also sharing snaps. Mr Brett is MLA for North Belfast, having been elected to the Assembly in May 2022. Sharing the win to Facebook, Mr Robinson joked: 'In the arena of East vs North, only one could stand. Phillip Brett came as a challenger but I left as a champion. 'Delighted East Belfast took the win this time, but always up for a rematch. 'And for those asking … yes, Phillip is taller than me! Just maybe not on this occasion.' We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Mr Brett joined in on the joke, adding: 'Gavin Robinson now holds the title of DUP Champion 2025. My socks — and my pride — are still airborne.' The pair weren't the only two enjoying themselves at the BBQ over the weekend, many of the DUP's other notable figures came to Lurgan for the day out. East Antrim MP, Sammy Wilson shared a number of photos of himself cooking burgers for his party colleagues and friends during the day. He also shared photos of the crowd laughing and chatting together, and one of Mr Robinson enjoying some ice cream with his wife, Lindsay, adding: 'A great day at the DUP BBQ at Brownlow House!' News Catch Up - Monday 23rd June It marks a happier public image for the party following reports about internal strife among the grassroots. Last week this newspaper reported complaints that the leadership of the DUP 'had stopped listening' in the wake of the recent defeat of Communities Minister Gordon Lyons for the position of party secretary at its annual general meeting. It was also reported that councillors in the party are at loggerheads with the leadership whom they accuse of 'disrespecting them' and denying them their 'democratic voice', adding that there may be a 'grassroots uprising' if the upper echelons don't pay heed to their views.
Belfast Telegraph
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Belfast crafter goes viral after photo of Wallace and Gromit postbox topper proves an online hit
Debbie Thompson's crocheted creations sit on a postbox on the Glen Road in the west of the city, and her colourful design has gained attention around the world after she shared a photo in a popular craft group. The topper features characters Wallace and Gromit, with 'new topper in progress' spelled out in yarn. Debbie explained that she hadn't expected such a reaction, as it's a temporary piece placed to show that a new summer topper is being made. She said: 'In between seasons, some people put cones out to show a new topper is on the way. I wanted to put my own twist on that. 'I created a Wallace and Gromit, with Gromit knitting on the topper just because he's known for having a wee knit. 'It was always meant to be temporary until the summer one is finished, but the reaction on social media has been crazy since I posted it. Every time I look, the likes and comments have grown.' Debbie has been knitting since she was a child, learning at school and from her mother. She later taught herself to crochet by following instructions in a book. Although her recent craft has gained massive attention for its detail, Debbie had only made two other postbox toppers. 'I started making them at Easter. Someone on a local community site mentioned that the person who looks after the toppers nearby was wanting two bunny rabbits, so I offered to make them. 'Then I noticed a nearby postbox had nothing on it, so I decided to give it a go too. 'There is an online community for toppers, and I decided to post my creations in those groups. 'I shared it on the UK Post Box Toppers site to see the reaction and it got 2,000 likes. 'I thought, 'Flip me, that's absolutely brilliant', but I never expected the most recent one to get the attention that it has.' News Catch Up - Tuesday 17th June Debbie added that she finds creating the quirky designs 'therapeutic' and that crochet is a way for her to unwind. 'I have neurological problems and other health issues, and sometimes when I'm in pain, crocheting helps clear my mind and takes my focus away from it. 'Now, I can't sit without my crochet, I find it to be really relaxing. I love sitting in the evenings once everything's done and settled, just crocheting. That's my thing.' Debbie added: 'We're all very stressed out at the minute about what's going on in the world around us. 'I find the postbox toppers to be a nice wee light-hearted joy.'
Belfast Telegraph
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Mourners pay tribute to former NI Civil Service titan Sir Kenneth Bloomfield during funeral service
Friends and family of the former head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service and NI Victims Commissioner attended the Service of Thanksgiving, alongside Stormont politicians and Jayne Brady – the current Civil Service chief. Other guests at the service paying tribute to Sir Kenneth included Ulster Unionist Party leader Mike Nesbitt, former Ulster and Ireland rugby player Trevor Ringland and the Lord-Lieutenant of Belfast Dame Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle. Sir Kenneth died peacefully on Friday at the age of 94. He was the much loved and loving husband of Lady Elizabeth Bloomfield and a devoted father of Caroline and Tanya as well as a highly respected father-in-law of Boyd. Sir Kenneth joined the Civil Service in 1952 and would rise through the ranks to head the organisation in 1984. After standing down in 1991, he would later become the BBC's National Governor for Northern Ireland. In 1997, he would be tasked by the then Secretary of State, Mo Mowlam, to take on the role of NI Victims Commissioner. While at their home in Crawfordsburn in 1988 and while he was still the head of the Civil Service, he and his wife would become targets of an IRA bomb attack outside their home. Neither of them were injured in the Co Down blast. NI leaders paid tribute to Mr Bloomfield over the weekend. 'I was sorry to learn of the passing of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield. He gave many years of service to Northern Ireland and did so with thoughtfulness and dedication,' said the DUP leader, Gavin Robinson. 'His calm approach, even when targeted by the IRA, earned respect across the board, and his contribution to public life will not be forgotten. 'My thoughts and prayers are with his family and all who knew him at this sad time.' News Catch Up - Thursday 12th June Also sharing her condolences was the Alliance Party leader, Naomi Long. 'Sir Kenneth had a distinguished career in public service over many years and in many roles,' said the Justice Minister. 'He and his wife were personally targeted in the Troubles, when their home was attacked by an IRA bomb, but he did not allow it to deter him from his enduring commitment to public service. 'In the decades since his formal retirement, he continued that commitment, offering his skills and experience in the service of the community, most particularly in his work as Victims' Commissioner in the early days of the Assembly, a role which he notably described as being a 'painful privilege'. 'I know that he kept in touch with political developments and was especially supportive of efforts to ensure the devolved administration was put on a firm and stable footing. 'On behalf of myself and Alliance, I would wish to extend our deepest sympathies to Lady Elizabeth and the family circle on their very personal loss." UUP leader Mr Nesbitt described Sir Kenneth as a 'great intellect' and 'one of our finest'.
Belfast Telegraph
11-06-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
PSNI seize large quantity of drugs from £500k Lurgan cannabis farm
Police said a cannabis farm was discovered on the property which housed plants with an estimated street value of £500,000 and was described as 'fundamentally dangerous'. The PSNI said three men aged 69, 55 and 27 have been arrested on suspicion of the cultivation of cannabis. Detective Inspector Conor Sweeney of the PSNI's Organised Crime Branch said 'This is the most sophisticated cannabis farm I have encountered.' News Catch Up - Wednesday 11th June 2025 'A substantial degree of engineering and investment has gone into the construction and concealment of this underground facility, which housed plants with an estimated street value of £500,000; however, this set-up is fundamentally dangerous and we have availed of the expertise of several partner agencies to make the site safe for officers to properly examine the scene and remove plants and equipment.' Anyone with information about suspected drug-dealing in their area is encouraged to contact police on the non-emergency number 101.
