Tag Archives: family

Belfast City Guide

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If you have never been to Belfast before and are planning to go then you will be in for a treat…


Belfast Facts

A thriving city which always has something going on: Belfast is the largest city in Northern Ireland.

Belfast may be a small city but it is big on excitement.

There is a population of only 286,000 in the city of Belfast but what it lacks in size and population it more than makes up for in history, events and fun things to do.

First Thoughts on Belfast

Your first impressions of the city is just how beautiful it is. The accent of the resident will also leave an impression. The Irish accent is know to be beautiful and lyrical, as is the friendliness of the Irish people.

Then there will be so much stuff to do that you won’t know where to start.

If you are a Game of Thrones fan then you are certainly in for a treat as the hit fantasy TV show is filmed in Belfast and the rest of Ireland.

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You can take a tour of Titanic Studios in Belfast where it is filmed. You can also take a Game of Thrones location tour and get a picture of yourself sitting on the throne.

For something else that will also inspire a high amount of awe you might want to go for some real-life history and see the Titanic Belfast. Titanic Belfast is the largest Titanic visitor experience in the world. It is situated right beside the real historical site where the world’s most famous doomed ship was constructed. The 6-floor building will also have all of the information you could ever need to know about the Titanic, from her construction to the very tragic end.

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Because there is so much to do in Belfast and you will be surprised at just how amazing the city is, the best thing to do is to sort out your accommodation first. Find a good hotel from Hotel Direct before you leave so you can just relax and enjoy the rest of your visit. After you have dropped your stuff off the first thing you should do is grab a guinness. A trip to Ireland is not fully complete until you have tried this famous beverage.

Whats happening in Belfast?

There are also a number of festivals that happen in Belfast throughout the year.

Check ahead before you leave and you won’t miss out.

Festivals range from Red Bull Music Weekend, Sound of Belfast and the Belfast Restaurant Week.

You can take your pick depending on when you visit but there is usually at least a few great festivals or events running in the city. Catch some live music and you might hear the next big thing. A lot of famous artist have come our of Northern Ireland like Snow Patrol, Ash, Van Morrison, Therapy?, The Divine Comedy and The Undertones.

What about food?

You will also have a good choice when it comes to eating out.

There is a substantial amount of good restaurants in Belfast. Try and have a traditional dish like Irish Stew, Colcannon (a traditional Irish dish which generally consists of mashed potatoes with kale or cabbage) or soda bread.

Family fun

Belfast Zoo Credit: flikr

There is also plenty of things to do for families. The Belfast Zoo is a good place to start and the W5 interactive science museum will have hours of educational fun to entertain you and your children. For the more sporty and energetic there is the T13 Urban Sports Academy.

Here there is a good range of exciting and sporty things to do: BMX, skateboarding, kick scooter, break dancing, urban art and DJing. Rather handy, the T13 Urban Sports Academy is opposite the Titanic Belfast. So you can catch both star attractions on the same day if you have time.

All in all, Belfast is a wonderful place to visit, not only will it make a good first impression on you, but it will also leave a good lasting one, with wonderful memories and an urge to go back again and again. What are you waiting for?

 

 

Pregnant Farzana Parveen Stoned To Death By Own Family In Pakistan

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A pregnant woman, Farzana Parveen, has been stoned to death by more than 20 members of her own family in front of the high court of Lahore. She was only 25 and three-months pregnant.

The group included her father and brothers. They attacked her and her husband with batons and bricks. The attack happened in broad daylight.

Hundreds of women are killed every year in honor killings but public stoning is rare.

Police investigator Rana Mujahid said the woman’s father has been arrested for murder and that police were working to apprehend all those who participated in the “heinous crime.”

Another police officer, Naseem Butt, said she was killed because she married Mohammad Iqbal against her family’s wishes.

Her father, Mohammad Azeem, had filed an abduction case against Iqbal.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, a private organisation, said in a report last month that some 869 women were murdered in honour killings in 2013.

Zia Awan, a prominent lawyer and human rights activist, said: “I have not heard of any such case in which a woman was stoned to death, and the most shameful and worrying thing is that this woman was killed in front of a court.”

He said Pakistanis who commit violence against women are often acquitted or handed light sentences because of poor police work and faulty prosecutions.

“Either the family does not pursue such cases or police don’t properly investigate. As a result, the courts either award light sentences to the attackers, or they are acquitted,”

Her husband survived the attack. Iqbal, 45, said he started seeing Parveen after the death of his first wife, with whom he had five children.

“We were in love,” he told The Associated Press. He alleged that the woman’s family wanted to fleece money from him before marrying her off. “I simply took her to court and registered a marriage,”

Parveen’s father called the murder an “honor killing” and surrendered after.

“I killed my daughter as she had insulted all of our family by marrying a man without our consent, and I have no regret over it,” Mujahid, the police investigator, quoted the father as saying.

Six Tickets To The Work and Family Show To Giveaway

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competition21st & 22nd February 2014 – ExCeL London

Next month the first ever Work & Family Show, sponsored by My Family Care and Sky Broadband Shield, will take place, giving working parents on the lookout for a new challenge in 2014 access to a wealth of ideas and opportunities. We have six tickets to giveaway. The speaker line-up is quickly taking shape, with Jenny Willott, Minister for Employment Relations and Consumer Affairs, confirmed as a key speaker on the main stage.

Born out of the demand from families in need of help when returning to work or starting up their own business, the show aims to give practical advice, inspiration and ideas to help create a happy and healthy work-life balance.

Driving confidence to get back into work, the event will be packed with inspirational experts and employment opportunities. Participants include Red Magazine, The Women’s Business Council and The Family & Childcare Trust, while the likes of The Post Office and franchise companies including Stella & Dot and Yogabellies will be on the search for motivated individuals to sign up.

There will be employment advice available at The Career Surgery (brought to you by Sky Recruitment) from the team at Inspired Mums, Thinking Potential, Workingmums.co.uk and the National Careers Service while there will be an array of experts on hand to give practical solutions help create an ideal work-life balance.

The show will be an interesting and engaging event full of lively debates, inspirational expert advice, and confidence-building ideas that will leave visitors eager to make their next move.

Organised by Clarion Events and working in conjunction with My Family Care, it is set beside the hugely successful Baby Show and is expected to attract over 10,000 visitors.

Oliver Black, Director of My Family Care says: “Over 2.2 million are not working in order to look after their family. More than 60% of these are looking to return to work but do not know how to and don’t appreciate the number of family friendly businesses that are out there. This is exactly who this show is for – helping talented parents find businesses and services who see the efficacy of installing family friendly working practices.”

Guardian Careers are the headline sponsor, while Sky will sponsor The Sky Broadband Shield Community Café – a lively and informative place for parents to meet with like-minded people on the lookout for inspiration. Here, parents will be able to learn more about Sky Broadband Shield which is a brand new tool that helps parents choose which websites are accessible in their home to ensure their children are kept safe online. Working Families, the charity that helps working parents and carers find a healthy work-life balance, are the official show charity.

Nicole Muller, Portfolio Director of Clarion Events says: “We’re very excited to be organising the first ever Work & Family Show and the response from businesses and parents keen to come to the show has been very positive. There is a real need for an event of this kind from those wanting to successfully balance work and family, especially with the recent ongoing changes to equality in the workplace, shared parenting, flexible working and childcare.”

The Work & Family Show will include the following dedicated areas:

• Recruitment & Employers – Work Opportunities (sponsored by workingmums.co.uk)

• Career Advice & Personal Development – Education & Advice

• Image, Style & Media Resources – Personal Branding & Development

• Family Services, Enablers & Networking – Support Systems

• Franchise, Self-Employment & Start Up Business – Going it Alone

Tickets are available from www.theworkandfamilyshow.co.uk from just £12, and people coming to the neighbouring Baby Show will have free entrance*.

Opening times:

February: 9am – 5pm (trade and press entry from 8.30am on Friday for a networking

Saturday 22nd

February: 10am – 5pm

For your chance to win, follow @Frostmag on Twitter and Tweet, “I want to win tickets with @Frostmag” or like us on Facebook. Alternatively, sign up to our newsletter or like us on YouTube.

 

 

“When I Was a Lad…” Britain’s Favourite Childhood Memories

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“When I Was a Lad…” Britain’s Favourite Childhood Memories

 

Growing up, you tend to go through spells where you have your favourite cartoons that you never miss, the weekly kick around with friends after school, your favourite computer game and the CDs you would spend hours listening to. As you get older however, these trends change, new activities take their place and you outgrow certain things – that’s life and it’s part of growing up.

 

In just about every room in the house, you probably had things that you loved at the time, but cringe about now. Possessions can be just like fashion and hairstyles: they’re great at the time, but horrendous when they go “out of style.” Betta Living, the home retailer, have performed a survey recently that involved asking people from around the UK about their favourite childhood memories from around their homes, and you can find out more by visiting their page.

 

childrenOver the years, different items have been classed as “must haves” while others have been popular for years, only going out of style because another manufacturer has come along with a new “must have”. There are items on the list that just about everyone has owned at some stage in their life. For instance, one of the most popular childhood items was the lava lamp, which had people captivated for hours on end, while magnetic fridge letters were both fun and educational, allowing you to spell out words on the fridge while waiting for dinner to cook after a long day at school!

 

Different regions also have different favourite possessions, as you might expect. Quite often what’s ‘cool’ in London might not be cool in Manchester, for example, while Scottish women might have different tastes to Scottish men. It’s all down to interpretation and personal choice, and that’s what made our childhoods so different. If we all had the same things, played the same games, listened to the same music and shared the same pastimes, we wouldn’t be the people we are today.

 

A lot of our development will have been affected by the kind of possessions we had around the home or at school growing up. Whatever the circumstances, we probably all sat down at the same time in the evening, ate similar meals and watched the same television shows – so we’re not completely different after all!

Sir David Frost Dies Aged 74

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Legendary journalist and broadcaster Sir David Frost has died aged 74 after giving a speech aboard the Queen Elizabeth cruise ship. Sir David was famous for his political interviews, including the time he challenged US President Richard Nixon about Watergate. The episode was later made into a film, Frost/Nixon.

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Sir David was born in 1939 in Kent and went too study English at Cambridge University. He was also a member of the legendary Footlights, where Hugh Grant and Hugh Laurie also got their start. He has done many TV shows including The Week That Was and his own The Frost Report. He also became big in America thanks to Frost on America and The David Frost Show.

Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: “My heart goes out to David Frost’s family. He could be – and certainly was with me – both a friend and a fearsome interviewer.”

Sir David married Lady Carina Fitzalan-Howard in 1983, she is the second daughter of the Duke of Norfolk. They had three sons.

Our thoughts go out to his friends and family. May he rest in peace.

How To Keep The Kids Entertained on Long Car Journeys

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bigstock_Family_travelling_by_car_6563169With the warmer weather now upon us (thank goodness!), it’s likely that most parents are starting to cast their thoughts forward to the summer holidays – but I just don’t mean the trip abroad, golden sands, and blue seas kind of summer holiday (because if you’re anything like me, then you’ll be more than ready for that), I’m referring to that probably little more dreaded kind of summer holiday; the children’s 6 week break from school kind of summer holiday. Ah.

Just what on earth are you going to do with them for the whole duration that won’t mean breaking the bank?

Well, one of the most fun and cost effective ways to keep your little ones occupied throughout the summer holidays is to go on a family road trip.

Now, I know what you’re thinking, quick short journeys to school or the supermarket are stressful enough with the constant echoing of “are we nearly there yet?” every 5 minutes. But, believe it or not, there are ways to keep everyone entertained to ensure that your ride runs as smoothly as possible.

So, if you’re planning a long car journey for this year’s summer holiday period, then here are a few ways to do exactly that:

In-Car Entertainment

There are plenty of cars out there with a screen built into the back of the front seats, which mean the kids can watch a DVD while in the car. So, if you’re a family that travels on the road a lot, then it may be worth investing in such a car for the future. Take a look at used car dealership in San Antonio to see what’s available.

Load the car up with DVDs and let the kids choose what they want to watch. A film should keep them quiet for a couple of hours.

Car Games

If you want to be a little more traditional with your games then perhaps think of one that the whole family can play…

Yellow Car

This is where family members get points if they are the first one to spot a yellow car. Bonus points for yellow Minis and yellow Beetles. Whoever has the most points at the end of the journey wins!

I-Spy

This is a traditional game that doesn’t need much explanation. It might not be the best game for very long journeys but it’s a good starting point.

Hangman

If you have a paper and pen on you then you can play hangman. If that’s not everyone’s cup of tea then dots or noughts and crosses might be an option. There are plenty of games like this that can be played, you can even get kids books with the basics already filled out.

Guess The Song

Who can be the first to guess the song on the radio from the opening bars? This also works if you have a new compilation CD. Make sure you hide the case, though!

Computer Games

This might be on a handheld console, smartphone or tablet. Give the kids a few games to play. The educational ones are particularly good for long journeys. A lot of games aimed at children will be able to teach them something.

Just Chat

Talking to your children can be a great way to pass the time. Long journeys are a great time to bond. There’s always the temptation to distract the children with games and DVDs but just chatting might be entertaining for all of you.

Take Your Time

If you’re not in a rush to get to your destination then perhaps take your time. Stop off at exciting destinations that will break up the journey to make it more interesting. It might be stopping at the side of the road to look at sheep in the field or it might be stopping at a pub with a great play area for a spot of lunch.

Write

You can get your kids to do something creative by getting them to write a story. It could be collaborative with the whole family joining in or it can be down to them to write something that you’ll read at the end. This can be a great challenge that will definitely get them thinking. Perhaps give them a topic on which to write about.

Finding the Right Car for You

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Buying a new car is a daunting task, whether you are a first-time buyer or have had several cars over the years. Like buying a house or a holiday, buying a new car is a big commitment, takes up a lot of time and effort and can cost you quite a bit.

There are a few simple things to remember when buying a new car that should make the whole process go a lot smoother. Here is a quick guide to help you avoid the common mistakes when buying a car and help you make the right decision first time.

New vs. Used

First you need to decide whether you want to buy new or used. The process with each is quite different and so you need to be aware of what you’re getting into before you start. The positives with buying new are that you can pick exactly which specifications you want plus new cars often come with incentives such as interest free purchase and fuel discounts. The downside is you often pay more overall. Used cars may limit your choices but you can often find a great bargain and you avoid the initial depreciation of the car since it has already left the showroom.

What do you want?

When it comes to buying a new car it seems that every man and his dog has an opinion about what, how and where you should do it. But when it comes down to it, who do you trust? The important thing is to figure out what you want from your new car, not what everyone else thinks you want. If you are searching for something small and fuel efficient to drive around a city with, or a big family car that is economical as well as safe, then the places you look for cars is going to be quite different. Before you even start looking for a new car, decide exactly what it is that you are looking for. This will save a lot of stress further down the line and help to keep you on track.

Reputation

When you are buying your car, you want to go to a place that has a trusted name and a strong reputation for good customer service and after-sales. Online review sites are a vital part of this process and can be instrumental in finding the right purchase for you. Check trader websites for their testimonial and review pages, as well as their sales to build up an idea of the company itself. Websites that have pages such as Reviews of Big Motoring World for example, are a great way to get an overall idea of the standard practices of a business.

Do Your Research

In the end, the simplest advice is the best – do your research. As with any big purchase, don’t feel rushed to buy the first thing that comes along. Take your time, mull it over and make sure your buying the right car for you.

KIDS DON’T JUST SAY THE FUNNIEST THINGS…THEY EAT THEM TOO

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Toddlers’ eating habits cost UK families millions of pounds in damages a year, but what is the real cost to their health?

A SURVEY RELEASED today reveals that the nation’s toddlers regularly have mouths full of mum’s jewellery and chew on family essentials like car keys and cameras – with the average toddler costing mum and dad £60 in damages during their first three years[1], equating to a shocking nationwide loss of over £14.5 million a year[2].

Cow & Gate Growing Up Milk, who commissioned the survey to highlight the hard to get nutrients required to support toddler growth and development, found 21 per cent of parents’ bundles of joy caused more damage in the home than the family pet1! With 86 per cent of children spending up to 30 minutes per day1 chewing or sucking on household items like remote controls, which came top of the carnage list of items most commonly damaged1.

In light of additional research reporting that the typical UK toddler is more likely to have eaten a burger than broccoli[3], the new poll shows that a supper of crayons, keys and toys is commonplace for our little ones.

Released to coincide with Cow & Gate’s new TV advert, the survey also reveals that inquisitive taste buds are not limited to the household, with creepy crawlies also appearing on this unusual menu of toddler fare, with a quarter of children chowing down on between five and fifteen insects, worms and slugs in their first five years1. It’s not just the celebrities participating in Bushtucker Trials it seems!

Whilst “mouthing” is not to be discouraged, Doctor Leanne Olivier, nutritionist and spokesperson for Cow & Gate, comments: “It’s common for little ones to put weird and wacky things in their mouths, from cushions to remote controls, but they won’t find the essential nutrients they need to support their amazing growth there! A healthy balanced diet including just two beakers of Growing Up Milk[4] each day is a simple way to provide little ones with the hard to get nutrition that they need.”

Dr Richard Woolfson, child psychologist for Growing Up Milk, adds: “The results of this survey confirm that “mouthing” is very common amongst toddlers. It’s simply another form of exploration and discovery. Mouthing lets curious and inquisitive toddlers learn about the object’s texture, resistance, taste and structure. That’s why you need to watch closely – your toddler will happily mouth anything they get their hands on, big or small, safe or hazardous.”

Toddler Tasting Tactics – Some bitesize facts:

· The top ten items that toddlers most commonly put in their mouths are: toys (17%), crayons and pencils (16%), remote control (13%), keys (11%), camera, phone and iPod (10%), soft toys (9%), plastic plates and bowls (6%), items of clothing (5%), security blanket (4%) and jewellery (3%)1

· Over a quarter (28%) of toddlers have eaten more than five insects, worms and slugs in their first five years1

· 30 per cent of toddlers mark their territory and display the first signs of ownership by sucking on their beloved security blankets, soft toys and toys1

· More than half of parents (57%) say that their toddler has damaged something in the home as a result of “mouthing” 1

· 7 per cent of frustrated parents state that their toddler frequently causes damage in the home, causing destruction more than four times a month1