Crafting cherished childhood memories
Armagh Craft Fair returns for the ninth year to the the Market Place Theatre and Arts Centre. Bringing high quality craft to the heart of Armagh City, this annual event offers something for everyone. The Market Place Theatre and Arts Centre will transform into a vibrant hub of high quality craft, art and design activity for the day.
The fair will feature over 35 craft stalls from makers across Northern Ireland and Ireland.
Free craft demonstrations from master crafters throughout the day including hands on creative craft making experiences for adults and children.
The experience also includes free children’s drop-in creative craft sessions, family workshops, musical entertainment, great food and much more.
Crafts on show at this year’s fair include printed and woven textiles, jewellery, wood, paintings, handbags, glass, soaps, candles, ceramics and artisan foods.
The event takes place on May 25 and the fair is open from 10.30am-5pm. Entry is free. For more info: Phone: (028) 3752 1821
Email: christine.donnelly@marketplacetheatre.com Web: www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre
Facing darkness to bring hope
Darkness Into Light (DIL) is Pieta House’s flagship annual fundraising and awareness event. In 2009, in the Phoenix Park in Dublin, 400 people set-off on the inaugural Darkness into Light 5km walk to raise funds for Pieta House. From small beginnings, the movement has grown year on year and in 2018 over 200,000 people took part in 150 locations, in 16 countries across 5 continents. Each year the walk provides an opportunity for people to show their support for those who have been bereaved by suicide. A team of volunteers, in Ireland and overseas, return year on year to help make the experience a rewarding one. This year it will take place on Saturday, May 11. You can register this year at https://www.pieta.ie/darkness-into-light-2019
Dangers of having a ball
Ball pits provide a lot of fun for children – but it turns out they can pose dangerous health risks including skin infections, pneumonia and meningitis.
New research has found that the rainbow coloured pits are riddled with dangerous bacteria linked to the likes of bladder infections, blood stream infections, meningitis and even sepsis.
Scientists at the University of North Carolina tested balls from several play areas and found a startling amount of bacteria present – 31 different kinds, to be exact.
They are now suggesting the areas should be avoided as the study found that the dirtiest ball pit contained 170,818 bacteria, all of which can lead to the aforementioned diseases and infections.
The frightening results have led to researchers warning that sterilising and decontamination practices need to be consistent in play areas to make sure that children aren’t exposed to dangerous germs.