Polish Celebrate

The Taste of Polska event is coming up as part of the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival. Taking place on 8 May (noon to 5pm), Taste of Polska is part of the yearly celebrations of the Polish Cultural Week and is a new addition to the yearly celebrations of Polish culture and arts. It is a large-scale picnic in Custom Square with a rich and varied programme of events and activities focusing on families, children and young people. Performance by Trebunie Tutki – one of the oldest Polish folk bands, 'Orleta'- the Polish traditional group from London, Polish Saturday Schools in Northern Ireland and international guests including Belfast Circus, Irish and Ulster-Scots dancers, Bollywood show and Chinese Dragon are on offer. See: www.polishculturalweek.com/

Sailors Saved

Three people have had to be rescued after they got into difficulties in Lough Swilly on Tuesday. Their boat's propeller became stuck on a lobster pot, and the vessel then drifted onto rocks before sinking near Carrickcullen. The couple and their son, who are believed to be from Londonderry, were left stranded on a rocky outcrop near the North West Golf Club. They were brought to safety by the Lough Swilly lifeboat.

Robbery Gets Robust Response

Bank customers have helped foil an armed robbery in south Belfast. Around 11.30am on Tuesday, a man armed with a knife and with a scarf across his face, entered a bank on the Upper Lisburn Road and demanded cash from staff. However, the luckless robber was instead detained in the bank by customers until police arrived. The PSNI said a 27-year-old man was arrested and has been charged with attempted robbery and possession of an offensive weapon. He was to appear in court later in the week.

TinyLife Praised

The Stormont Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has visited premature baby charity, TinyLife, in Carryduff. TinyLife provides practical and emotional support to parents of premature and ill babies. The organisation is also committed to funding medical research into the causes of premature birth, stillbirth and miscarriage. The Minister met with staff and had an opportunity to speak to parents and volunteers and said: "The birth of a premature baby is not only daunting and traumatic for parents, but can also be a time of significant stress and disruption for families. TinyLife provide a source of guidance and support which is vital for all the family. The organisation also carries out important research aimed at ensuring that every pregnancy has the best chance of a healthy outcome. This is of course an objective shared by my Department."

Birth Damages Agreed

A Health Trust has paid out substantial damages after admitting it was responsible for leaving a Tyrone woman brain damaged at birth. The money is to cover future 24-hour care requirement as part of a settlement reached at the High Court. The woman's parents, who cannot be identified, had fought a 12-year legal battle to prove medical negligence, following the birth of their daughter 25 years ago. It was argued there was an unacceptable delay in delivering their daughter at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, following an amniocentesis test in 1985. A spokesman for the Health and Social Care Board, which has now succeeded the Eastern Board, declined to comment on the case.

Armagh Agriculture On Show

Armagh County Agricultural Show was launched this week at a reception for sponsors and supporters held at Armagh Rugby Club. Guest speakers included the Mayor of Armagh City and District, Thomas O'Hanlon, the newly elected President of the Farmers Union, John Thompson and the Editor of Farming Life, Ruth Rodgers. Preparations are now well under way for the event, which will be held at Gosford Forest Park on Saturday, June 12.

(BMcC/GK)