Winners announced at 2021 Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards

Economy Minister Diane Dodds announced the winners of the Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards 2021 at a virtual ceremony today (Wednesday 28 April).




Economy Minister highlights importance of North West in economic recovery plans

The Economy Minister has highlighted the important role the North West will play in rebuilding the economy during a series of visits in the area.




Lough Neagh fisherman’s Co-Operative Society Ltd given a conditional discharge for breaching Fisheries Act

Today at Magherafelt Magistrates Court, Lough Neagh Fishermen’s Co-Operative Society Ltd was given a conditional discharge for one year after being detected selling fish from a vehicle with no dealers licence and for being in possession of fish of unlawful capture (Salmon & Trout).




Magdalen Green – a further update #dundeewestend

I have recently been in discussion with both Police Scotland and City Council officers following the recent disgraceful vandalism on Magdalen Green that resulted in a table and seating being destroyed by fire.    Additionally, as the photo shows, another table was recently also vandalised although the damage was less severe than happened to the other table and chairs.    Environment management will ensure repair of this.


As I said to the media at the time of the vandalism, it is vital that the vandals do not win and I am grateful to Police Scotland for the comprehensive response I have received in relation to policing resource in relation to the Green.

The council had previously promised Friends of Magdalen Green further tables and seating and this will be provided by around 7th May.    Whilst welcome, it is vital that the possibility of a repetition of previous vandalism is minimised.    Policing is a key part of that but I have also been engaging with council environment management about the provision of static metal bins near to seating and separate static BBQ facilities to avoid portable BBQs being used on tables with predictable disastrous results.

Meantime, BBQ tables promised for the parklet area near the community fridge at the Miller’s Wynd car park should be in place hopefully this week.



Minister Poots sees the woods through the trees at Castlewellan Arboretum

Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots MLA, recently visited Castlewellan Forest Park to view the progress of work underway in the Bothy Yard and Arboretum with grant funding of £500,000, awarded to Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC), from the Rural Tourism Scheme of DAERA’s Rural Development Programme 2014-2020.