Londonderry Jobs Shock

An Ulster Unionist Foyle councillor, Alderman Mary Hamilton, (pictured) has expressed sadness at news that Londonderry engineering company, Arntz Belting, is expected to close with the loss of over 100 jobs. "To see a company with a 40 year history falling prey to the economic crisis is terribly sad and deeply worrying," she said yesterday. "I have no doubt that management have long been fighting the company's corner, but that the pressures they faced were just too great. For those staff facing 90 days' notice of redundancy, I can only offer my heartfelt sympathies. These are trying times, but I am glad that Arntz Belting has pledged to meet its commitments to employees. This is a further blow that Londonderry could well have done without. However, I would urge those suffering the consequences of this decision to seek out the appropriate support, as regards new employment or indeed re-training," she concluded.

Parks In The Picture

Belfast City Council is launching its third annual Parks Photographic Competition and with a theme entitled 'Belfast Parks' the field is wide open for you to choose a scene that best represents parks to you. The competition is open to all amateur photographers and prize money will be awarded for the best photo by a club photographer, best photo by a member of the public and best under-16 photo. Bloomingdale Nurseries are the sponsors again. More information on the competition rules, the closing date and how to enter are available on the website www.belfastcity.gov.uk/parks or by contacting the parks department on 028 9027 0467.

Concern For Larne Photographer

Ulster Unionist MLA for East Antrim, Roy Beggs Jnr, has expressed his concern and sympathy for the newspaper photographer Philip Coburn, a fellow native of Larne, who has been seriously injured in a bomb attack in Helmand province in Afghanistan. "My thoughts are with Mr Coburn and his family and they come to terms with the severe injuries he has suffered in Afghanistan," he said, yesterday. "My sympathy also goes out to the family of Mr Hamer the Mirror correspondent who lost his life in the same bomb attack." See: Larne Photographer Hurt In Deadly Blast

Blood Needed

The Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service is appealing for people to come forward immediately and donate blood due to a significant fall in the number of donors attending over the past number of weeks, and a major increase in demand since the New Year. "We have experienced very poor weather for three weeks, which has hampered the normal operation of our mobile donation teams, and prevented donors getting to sessions. Over recent days our problems have been compounded by a major increase in demand from hospitals, which at one stage saw several critically ill patients bleeding quite badly," stated a spokesperson for the Service, Paul McElkerney. "We need to boost the number of donations right away," he added.

Thaw Shocker

SDLP East Derry candidate Thomas Conway said the thaw is welcome, but many people are now discovering burst water pipes. "I am aware that many people who are having trouble with burst pipes may not have house contents insurance. It is perhaps understandable that in tough times people put off hard decisions and allow their insurance to lapse, but it is very unwise. House contents insurance is relatively cheap right now and can be got for around £100 a year. That may be hard to find for many people, but anyone who has seen serious water damage to a house will know that it is a good investment," he said.

Burst Pipes?

Stormont Regional Development Minister, Conor Murphy is supporting NI Water's (NIW) appeal for property owners to continue to check their premises for any leaks resulting from burst pipes. "Due to on-going thaw conditions in some areas, NIW is experiencing burst watermains and is working hard to restore any subsequent interruptions to water supplies. Property owners are reminded that they are responsible for any leaks on their premises and should check their homes and outbuildings, including vacant premises and animal drinking troughs. Any leaks and bursts should be reported to NIW on 08457 440088," he said.

(BMcC/GK)