Other News In Brief

PSNI Appeal For Information On Distraction Burglaries

The PSNI have issued an appeal for information following reports of distraction burglaries in Co Antrim.

Police are trying to identify a man and woman who have targeted elderly couples in at least two incidents in Carrickfergus and Ballymena on 01 - 02 May.

It is understood that the pair called to the door of an elderly woman living in sheltered accommodation. The woman distracted the resident while the man entered the house and stole her belongings.

The man and woman are believed to have made a number of other approaches to sheltered accommodation. According to reports, when challenged the pair claim to be visiting a resident. It is understood that they both speak in broken English.

They were both described as being around 30-years-old and spoke poor English, possibly with an eastern European accent, and are believed to have been travelling in a small blue car.

Historic Holywood Building To Be Restored

Alliance Councillor Andrew Muir has said that he is "delighted" that One Stewart's Place in Holywood is to be restored.

Welcoming the news that plans to preserve the historic building have been approved, Councillor Muir said: "Stewart's Place is part of our local heritage dating back to about 1840, named after the first post-master of Holywood, Hugh Stewart.

"Number 1 and 3 Stewart's Place are part of a pair and were both listed in the 1970s with Number 3 restored as a Residential Building in 1993.

"I'm delighted to have been one of the voices championing this local cause alongside Holywood Conservation Group and look forward to watching Stewart's Place returned to its former glory when work gets underway later this year."

Castlewellan Arboretum And Annesley Garden Awarded IDS Plaque

Castlewellan Arboretum and Annesley Garden has been awarded the prestigious IDS Plaque in recognition of its tree collection.

The International Dendrology Society (IDS) presented the plaque to Forest Service, who now own and maintain the garden as part of Castlewellan Forest Park.

Speaking at the presentation, Forest Service Chief Executive John Joe O'Boyle said: "This is truly a prestigious honour which recognises the unique nature of the Castlewellan Arboretum and Annesley Garden. It is a place of unquestionable beauty in all seasons and particularly at this time of year as the blooms are emerging.

"It is also a place of great history, as many of the trees here are more than a century old and have grown through World Wars, momentous events and times of great upheaval. The arboretum and gardens also have great scientific value as the specimens here represent a horticultural collection of unequalled diversity."

(MH/LM)