Other News In Brief

Book Of Condolence Opens At Belfast City Hall

A Book of Condolence for the victims of the accident in Berkeley, California, in which six people died, has been opened at Belfast City Hall.

The book will be available for signing in the main entrance hall of the City Hall during normal business hours every day this week.

Strangford Harbour To Be Upgraded

£650,000 improvement works are to start at Strangford Harbour in Downpatrick.

The improvements will happen in advance of the delivery of the new Strangford Lough Ferry Service vehicle ferry in Autumn 2016.

Construction work to re-grade the Strangford slipway is scheduled to commence in late Autumn 2015 and is due to be complete in six to eight weeks. Installation of the new moorings is currently scheduled to commence in early 2016 and is due to be complete in four weeks.

The next stage of the project will be to submit the necessary planning applications for the works.

Farming Families Urged To Focus On Child Safety Over The Summer

Ulster Unionist MLA for Mid Ulster Sandra Overend, has urged local farming families to focus on child safety over the summer months, following the launch of 'Child Safety on Farms Week' from 22-28 June.

Mrs Overend said: "With schools almost finished for summer, in rural areas many of our young people are sure to be spending much more time on the farm. Whilst the holidays are a great opportunity for children and young people to learn how farm businesses work – and perhaps earn some extra pocket money by helping out – it is important that they are aware of the dangers on the farm, and that necessary precautions are taken.

"We have seen too many tragedies involving young people on our farms, especially at this time of year when the weather is good and children are keen to get involved and help out. The natural curiosity of children leads them to enjoy watching the tractors and machinery in action when farmers and contractors are busy with silage and hay-making.

"The lure of big machinery and lots of heavy work going on is exciting for young minds, but the dangers must be discussed and reinforced time and time again. Sometimes these discussions refresh the minds of the everyday dangers for our working farmers as well."

(CD/MH)