Linwoods Goes West

Armagh company, Linwoods are this week celebrating cracking America, as the very first shipment of Linwoods Superfoods began its maiden voyage from Belfast Docks to Baltimore Port. John Woods, Linwoods owner, Joyce Saranathan from USA food distribution giant, KLT Global and Joanne Hayden, Linwoods Sales and Marketing Manager are pictured here as Linwoods first US consignment marks the inception of a major distribution deal with American food distributors, KLT in Detroit. The deal is worth hundreds of thousands of pounds annually and the company expects to sell over a quarter of a million packets of their range of healthy and delicious superfood blends which include flaxseed, sunflower, pumpkin and sesame seeds, nuts and berries. Linwoods will have access to both the large independent retail trade plus major key account retail groups such as, Dominicks, Jewel and Trader Joes. KLT's route to market will allow Linwoods to access all states but will initially concentrate on the Mid West.

ATM Thefts Slashed

Banks last year suffered as 21 cash machines (ATMs) were ripped out and stolen across Northern Ireland, but only three such ATM thefts have occurred in 2010. The statistics were given in a response to a question posed by the SDLP MLA to PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott during a meeting of the Northern Ireland Policing Board. Mr Bradley said: "This is very good news and must be warmly welcomed. The scourge of ATM thefts across the North of Ireland in recent years has not only caused immense disruption to the general public but has also damaged local businesses. The proceeds of the theft of over 20 ATM machines in 2009 represent millions of pounds going to criminal gangs and dissident republican groups to fund their terrorist campaigns. This reduction has only come about through the efforts of the PSNI and the vigilance of the public," he said. "I wholeheartedly welcome these figures. However, the three ATM thefts which have occurred so far in 2010 still represent thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands, of pounds going into the pockets of criminals. See: : ATM Ram Raid Bags Empty Machine

NIHE Probe 'Too Late'

A Sinn Fein MLA has attacked this week's Ministerial Statement by Alex Attwood on a probe into the NI Housing Executive. Paul Maskey MLA for West Belfast said: "An 'Internal' investigation (in other words, the DSD investigating itself) into allegations of wrongdoing in the affairs of the Housing Executive is too little too late. I raised the issue of substandard work and repairs not being carried out as far back as 2008. I brought the issue to the attention of the Audit Office to highlight my concerns and in September 2009 in answer to a priority question, the then DSD Minister, Margaret Ritchie stated that it was an operational matter for the Housing Executive - basically saying that it had nothing to do with her. Despite being aware of these problems for over two years, Margaret Ritchie did nothing - therefore Alex Attwood's actions now are too little too late. We need answers now, so that Housing Executive tenants receive the standard of housing that they deserve without any further delay," he fumed. See: Fundamental Review On Way For NIHE

Dog Owners Fined

Two Belfast dog owners have been fined in court. Daniel Bell, from Madrid Street in the east of the city, was fined £10 and ordered to pay costs of £66 for allowing his dog to stray at Springfield Road on May 24 and John O'Rawe, from Wall Street in west Belfast, was fined £30 and ordered to pay costs of £66 for allowing his dog to stray at Silverstream Crescent on May 29 in prosecutions brought by Belfast City Council.

UU Academic Honoured

A University of Ulster academic has been named as one of the top three teachers of biosciences in the UK. Dr Stephen McClean from Ulster's, School of Biomedical Sciences was recently selected as finalist for 'Ed Wood Teaching Award' from the Higher Education Academy's UK Centre for Bioscience. Thanks to his pioneering introduction of an innovative teaching method, Dr McClean was in the top three for the award, now called the Bioscience Teacher of the Year Award. The award recognises top-class work of lecturers in the large and diverse bioscience field from universities across the UK.

Opera For NI

Leading figures from the arts and music world have arrived in Belfast for the launch of NI Opera. This new regional opera company will build on the strengths of the previous opera companies, Castleward Opera and Opera Fringe, to form a robust new creative enterprise, geared for the future. It has received £374K funding from the Northern Ireland Executive, through the Arts Council NI. Speaking at the launch event, held at the Ross's Auction Rooms in Belfast, Arts Minister, Nelson McCausland praised the new regional opera company for its vision and said: "This new company will make opera more accessible to local audiences and create better opportunities to develop home-grown talent. It is particularly encouraging to see that NI Opera will work with regional partners to bring touring performances to venues across Northern Ireland, which will further enhance the cultural offerings provided to local audiences," he said, noting that the new company will have an office based in the Grand Opera House in Belfast but will produce its work region-wide.

Fined For Planning Offence

A Co Tyrone man has been fined £2,000 plus £103 costs at Dungannon Magistrates' Court for non-compliance with a Planning Service Enforcement Notice. Mr Liam McKeefrey of Sherrygrim Road, Stewartstown, failed to remove waste materials from a site at 15 Sherrygrim Road, Stewartstown. Mr McKeefrey had been fined £500 previously on 14 September 2010 for the same offence, the latest case being a re-summons for non compliance. Planning Service brought the charges under Article 67A 1(a) of the Planning (NI) Order 1991, namely carrying out development without the planning permission required.

(BMcC/KMcA)