Slaughter In The Cotswolds, But There Is No Need To Panic

Lower Slaughter

In such an idyllic part of the country as the Cotswolds, it doesn't seem right to talk of  “brutal and violent killing, butchery, carnage” (the dictionary definition of the word slaughter). Thank goodness, the slaughter that I am referring to is not a violent act, but the name of two of the most beautiful villages in this picture post card setting.

Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter are to be found on both banks of the River Eye, which is also known locally as Slaughter Brook, a water course that eventually finds its way to the River Windrush, one of the most prominent rivers of the Cotswold area. I am glad to say that the Slaughters, as they are known locally, do not get their name because of any connection with violent killings or nefarious deeds, but from an Old English name “Slohtre” or “Muddy Place”.  Not very appealing perhaps, but certainly a lot better than the alternative!

When you visit the Slaughters, as indeed you must if you want to say that you have seen the Cotswolds at their best, you will see that in no way can the Slaughters be described as a “muddy place”, although perhaps things were different at the time that it was awarded this wonderful sobriquet. They sit today,  the epitome of Cotswold beauty, boasting a remarkable record whereby no new building has taken place since about 1906.

What is so delightful for, shall we say, the more mature tourist, is that there is nothing of discernible interest to the casual sightseer, unlike nearby Bourton on the Water which is classified as one of the “honeypot” settlements. There is a restored nineteen century flour mill at Lower Slaughter with a chimney constructed of red brick which contrasts with the warm honey coloured local limestone,  and that is about it. What they do have, however, is an innate ability to slow down the pace of your life, allowing you time to just sit back and enjoy the surroundings.

Lower Slaughter receives more visitors than Upper Slaughter, which as the name suggests is slightly further upstream. It is mere confirmation that the words Lower and Upper have no social connotation, but reflect the geography of the area. Not only is Lower Slaughter home to Lower Slaughter Manor which dates from 1658, (now a grand country house hotel), but is also home to the lovely church of St. Mary with parts dating from the thirteenth century.

Upper Slaughter counters with the church of St. Peter's  which has twelfth century connections. It can also boast the fact that the cottages that are set around the attractive square were redesigned by the famous architect Sir Edward Lutyens in 1906.

You may be visiting these two delightful villages as a lovely contrast to a hectic day in the more commercialised Bourton. Don't try and decide which is your favourite of the two Slaughters, take them as they are, a wonderful pair of truly idyllic Cotswold destinations.

£4 Million Advertising Blitz For Wales Tourism Week

Think of Wales and your mind automatically sees great countryside, dolphins, beaches and castles. All of these will feature strongly in a new £4 million advertising campaign that is starting this Saturday, which is St. David’s Day.

Also featured is music from singer Cerys Matthews who advises visitors to "pack an open mind, a sense of adventure, and an appetite for discovery". The advert will start Wales Tourism Week and will be shown across the UK and Ireland.

Abersoch Beach, North Wales

It was funded by the European Regional Development Fund, and features mountain bike track  BikePark Wales in Merthyr Tydfil, Caernarfon Castle, St Davids Bishop's Palace, Abersoch Beach and dolphins at Cardigan Bay.

The advertisement can claim a strong pedigree, being directed by Marc Evans, who worked on Welsh detective series Hinterland, and tells visitors to come fully packed and "ready for anything".
 Marc says he wanted to evoke memories of a favourite holiday and said that making the advert was a “dream job”. "It's a big little country Wales, ever changing in terms of weather and light and also in the way it presents itself to the world," he said.

"You think you know it and then it surprised you with another face. There's a lot to be proud of but it can be elusive too. A big challenge to capture in a commercial!"

Singer Cerys Matthews provided the music to accompany the TV advert, which is a modern interpretation of the traditional Welsh song 'Mil Harddach Wyt Na'r Rhosyn Gwyn'.

Wales' Economy Minister Edwina Hart hoped that it would tackle misconceptions about Wales. She said that the campaign was part of the Welsh government's commitment to tourism, which generates £5bn a year to the Welsh economy.

She added, “We're lucky in Wales to have such a huge range of activities, experiences and products to enjoy and share with our visitors. Some of our recent consumer research work however suggested that people aren't necessarily aware of all the great things to see and do here in Wales, so this campaign tackles that misconception head on."

                                                                    Wales Tourism

VisitEngland Has Great Ideas For Day Out Entertainment

Half term is split this year, as the English go back to school, the Welsh break up for the week. But no matter whether you are on holiday or not, our friends at VisitEngland will always find things for you to.

Their web site has great ideas for a day out, even at this time of the year, and these are five that really caught our eye.

Take a walk through history in Cranbourne, Dorset

Walk historic processional routes, discover ancient barrows and forts and perhaps unearth a treasure of your own. Have you ever found a treasure you can’t identify, wanted to learn more about the past? The stunning landscape of the Cranborne Chase is an archaeological honeypot scattered with barrows, hillforts and ancient roads.

Explore the working trawler Corsair at Hull

Corsair - last of a great fleet

The Arctic Corsair is the last survivor of Hull’s massive “Sidewinder” trawling fleet, let the crew take you on a free guided tour where you’ll hear all about life at sea and the dangers deep sea trawlermen faced in the Icelandic fishing grounds.

Lose yourself in Neverland at Nottingham Aboretum

The Arboretum just outside Nottingham’s city centre is said to be the inspiration behind J.M. Barrie’s classic children’s tale ‘Peter Pan’.  Barrie (1860 – 1937) worked on the Nottingham Journal from 1883 to 1884 and the park, which features a Victorian circular aviary, Chinese bell tower, lake and bandstand, could have formed the basis for Neverland.

Go straight to jail for family fun at Kings Lynn in Norfolk

Visit Tales of the Old Gaol House, and go back in time to experience the sights and sounds of the history of crime and punishment over the centuries. A fun and fascinating attraction for all the family; you will not be alone in the historic cells as you take an accompanying audio or written guide through the creepy areas - for costumed figures and eerie background noises will allow imaginations to run riot as to what the conditions must have been like in the original 18th Century cells.

See spectacular deer in Richmond Park, London

Don’t miss your chance to see the famous deer which have been roaming in the Royal Park since 1529. No trip to Surrey would be complete without a walk around Richmond Park. The deer have played a major role in the history of the park and have played a significant part in shaping the landscape that we know today. The park was created by Charles I in 1634 and currently contains 630 red and fallow deer.

                                                      Family Things To Do With VisitEngland

Scotland’s Islands Go Down A Storm In TripAdvisor Poll

Considering that there are many islands throughout Europe that have a higher profile, it really is a coup for Scotland to be able to provide the winner of the TripAdvisor sponsored Travellers Choice Islands Awards.

The islands of Lewis and Harris topped the European survey, beating five top rated Greek islands and the Island of Gozo in Malta and the Island of Capri in Italy. Scotland then proceeded to provide the knockout punch by adding the Orkney Islands and the Isle of Mull to the top ten.

It's not hard to believe that this is a top European island

Not content with beating the best of the European opposition, Lewis and Harris went on to claim a place in the top five islands in the world, outscoring heavy opposition from places such as Thailand, Chile and Madagascar.

As usual, the results were based on the opinions of people who had visited the respective islands. Lewis and Harris, in the Outer Hebrides, is Scotland's largest island. Lewis forms the northern part of the island, and Harris the southern part, although both are often referred to as if they are separate islands.

As well as featuring heavily in the world and European categories, Scotland also dominated the top 10 UK island list with six of the top 10 islands being located north of the border. Skye, Arran and Islay took fifth, sixth and eighth places respectively in the UK list of winners.

Mike Cantlay, chairman of VisitScotland said: "With hundreds of islands, each with their own unique character, diverse landscape and rich wildlife, it's no surprise that these islands have been recognised in the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Islands awards. It's always great to get this kind of recognition and I'm sure it will help encourage even more people to visit these incredible islands in 2014, the year Scotland Welcomes the World."

James Kay, TripAdvisor spokesman said: "An island holiday usually conjures images of faraway palm-lined beaches, white sand and crystal clear water but the results of this year's awards reveal that the ideal island getaway might be closer to home than you think."

TripAdvisor's Top 10 European islands

•    1. Lewis and Harris, Scotland
•    2. Naxos, Greece
•    3. Island of Gozo, Malta
•    4. Orkney Islands, Scotland
•    5. Milos, Greece
•    6. Cephalonia, Greece
•    7. Santorini, Greece
•    8. Island of Capri, Italy
•    9. Isle of Mull, Scotland
•    10. Paros, Greece

                                                                              Lewis
                                                                              Harris

Stories Of Intrigue and Betrayal At Corfe Castle

Our rather turbulent and unsettling history has not only kept students of the subject engrossed for generations,  but has also left an indelible mark on our landscape. Prominent buildings that have survived such as Westminster Abbey and Canterbury Cathedral have a majesty all of their own, but in many ways, equally captivating are buildings that over the years have seen times of violence and conflict and have been treated rather badly as a result.

The Reformation carried out by Henry VIII to curb the power of the religious leaders has created a plethora of ruined and semi ruined buildings that really take your breath away. From Fountains Abbey and Whitby Abbey in the north to Tintern Abbey on the Welsh borders, it is hard not to be moved by the magnificence of buildings that once had a majesty of their own, and now stand defiant, challenging us not to forget their illustrious past. The English Civil War and the Wars of The Roses have also had a defining effect on the country's infrastructure.

Never a dull moment at Corfe Castle over the years

On my travels around the country, one ruin that never ceases to tug at my heart strings is Corfe Castle set in the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset. Of course, if you know the area, you will appreciate that Purbeck is not an island at all, but more a peninsula. Rich in history and eye catching beauty, it is majoritively an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and also includes part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Jurassic Coast, as well as bordering Poole Harbour, the second largest natural harbour in the world. In modern tourism terms, therefore, it is something of a big hitter, a reputation enhanced by nearby Weymouth being used as the venue for sailing at the 2012 Olympics.

Corfe Castle is set in the village of the same name and has a prominence and a beauty that results from its elevated position. When started in the eleventh century it was one of the first English castles to be constructed of stone rather than the earth and timber structures that had prevailed up until then. Major reconstruction works were carried out in the twelfth and thirteen centuries.

Peaceful now after an eventful history

Sir John Bankes, who was Attorney General to Charles I, came into ownership in 1635. The English Civil War turned out to be a turning point in the history of the castle, which continued to support the Royalist cause as Dorset became increasingly under Parliamentary control. In 1643, Sir John Bankes was away in Oxford, leaving his wife, Lady Mary Bankes and their family at the castle. She managed to smuggle supplies in to the castle as it came under siege and even increased the garrison to up to 80 people. The siege against up to 600 Parliamentary forces continued for six weeks before Royalist reinforcements arrived.

As Parliamentary control of the country increased, Corfe became one of the remaining Royalist strongholds, and was once again besieged, this time by Colonel Bingham in 1645. A member of the garrison, a Colonel Pitman colluded with Bingham, and convinced the defending Royalists that he was going to break the siege and return with reinforcements numbering one hundred Royalists, Regrettably the troops that he returned with were Parliamentary forces in disguise, and when the next assault came, the defenders of the castle were attacked from both inside and outside.

Lady Bankes and the defending forces were allowed to leave, and the castle was slighted, leaving it in the condition that is instantly recognisable today. The standard of the structure meant that it was impossible to demolish the castle completely, and whereas as some of the other castles throughout the country were used as stores, the local community were allowed to make use of the fine Purbeck stone to enhance the village.

When the monarchy was restored in 1660, the Bankes family had their properties returned to them. By choice, they decided not to rebuild Corfe Castle, but instead built the fine seventeenth century country house at Kingston Lacey near Wimborne. It is perhaps appropriate that both buildings are now in the care of the National Trust, giving us a very vivid idea of the family and how their fortunes altered over this turbulent time in our history.

These days it remains a reminder of how powerful a building Corfe Castle was in its time. Investigations have discovered an appearance door installed for Henry I, leading experts to suggest that this was an important castle at that time. Invariably in the top ten for National Trust visitor numbers, it is also suggested that Enid Blyton used the castle as an inspiration for “Kirrin Island” which is portrayed as having a castle that is very similar. Nowadays it is a Grade I listed building and a Scheduled Monument.

It is a delight to write about a holiday attraction that is a personal favourite, but if you can find time to visit Corfe Castle, I think that it will become a favourite of yours too.

                                National Trust Web Site With All The Gen On Corfe Castle


A visit to Corfe Castle could be one of the highlights of your holiday break if you decide to pass some time in Dorset.

Brit Breaks offers a number of splendid holiday cottages, many within easy striking distance of Corfe Castle.

Fancy spending some time in a Grade II listed seventeenth century cottage with beams, stone walls and flag stone floors. Intrigued to know more ? Then follow the link below:

                                                                Snook's Cottage, Dorset

Cornish “Ghost Town” To Be Reborn As Luxury Resort

Spirit Of The West, a disused Wild West theme park near St. Columb in Cornwall, is about to undergo a transformation into a £50 million luxury holiday resort later this year.

The old Wild West has a brighter future

Located at Winnard’s Perch, the cowboy themed park closed its swing doors for the last time in 2009. Now the Retallack Resort and Spa, which owns the land, is to start work in September on an indoor leisure village, for which Cornwall Council granted planning consent last year. Interestingly for the local tourist industry, there are also plans to set up an academy to train young people hoping to pursue a career in tourism.

The Retallack Resort already has a portfolio of more than 100 five-star self-catering properties, along with a health club, spa and a FlowRider artificial surf wave machine.
Retallack Resort director Jason Keyter said: "With planning consent secured, this allows us to move forward in our detailed discussions with partners on finalising the funding package for the development.

Mr Keyter said that the holiday resort would provide jobs and training: "It's said wages in Cornwall are 25 per cent below the rest of the region. If we can get this development off the ground, then we'll be able to play a part in helping to combat this by raising standards and skills, providing people with meaningful qualifications and actual work experience."

The park became the centre of attention from the media after a series of spooky photographs were published in the national press showing how the once popular Western-themed tourist destination had been left deserted. Unfortunately, curious sightseers starting to visit the derelict site, and the owners have warned people against trespassing, saying the buildings are likely to be unsafe and have been damaged by vandalism.

Mr Keyter said: "The Spirit of the West theme park closed in 2009 and was a fantastic attraction in its day. The buildings are now structurally unsound and it's an unsafe area. The plans will provide new investment in the area and the Cornish economy. We're very excited to be able to start a new chapter in the life of this site."

Malcolm Bell, head of county tourism body VisitCornwall, said he welcomed the news. "Although people may think fondly of the Wild West theme park, it's yesterday's tourism," he said. "What does it have to do with Cornwall? It would maybe fit in in Colorado, but it's not for here. Most people come to Cornwall for Cornwall.

"Retallack and its resorts are important providers in high-quality holiday accommodation. Lots of people prefer to go to resorts like that instead of hotels. It fits a demand in the market for quality facilities, without being a hotel, and that's what we need: accommodation across all sectors to fulfil people's needs."

Changes Afoot At Top Somerset Attraction

The freehold of West Somerset Railway, one of Somerset's major tourist attractions, could be sold after a decision by the county council which owns the land. Councillor David Huxtable, Cabinet Member for Resources, has decided to dispose of the freehold – subject to necessary consents and approval by the Secretary of State.

The move is not unexpected as it is in line with the council's policy of reducing its property portfolio to save money and reduce liabilities. However, as the heritage railway line is of economic and social importance to the county, a sale will only go ahead if certain criteria are met.

The West Somerset Railway is a top regional attraction

It is clear that there are two rival bidders, West Somerset Railway plc (WSR), a not-for-profit company which operates the railway, and the West Somerset Railway Association (WSRA), a charity which gives: "moral, financial and voluntary support" to the railway.

The operating company has a lease which runs until 2087, and had been negotiating with the council to buy the freehold since 2011.

The WSRA threw its hat into the ring last year, arguing it would be risky for the WSR to own the freehold, as if it went into liquidation the land might have to be sold off to pay creditors and no longer be available for a railway. The WSRA said it offered a risk-free option and the WSR would continue as the operator.

But there are issues surrounding the sale. A Light Railway Order to operate the railway must be in place at all times to avoid possible closure. At the moment the Order names the county council or West Somerset Railway plc. If the land was sold to a third party other than the current operating company the line would be closed until a new operating licence naming the new owner was obtained.

A WSR statement said: "As the current operator of the railway WSR is already holder of the statutory operating rights and a transfer to the plc would avoid this problem." The WSRA declined to comment.

Mr Huxtable said: "We've always said the council isn't in the railways business and it makes sense to consider selling the West Somerset Railway to a dedicated group who can completely focus on maintaining and improving the line.

"I've received a large number of letters overwhelmingly backing my decision today and in support of the West Somerset Railway Association proposals for the freehold. This isn't a decision aimed at making money, it's to make sure this valuable asset is preserved."

The council will meet any interested parties to ensure they meet the criteria for a sale and mitigate any risks.

                                                                West Somerset Railway

Take in the experience of riding on the West Somerset Railway during your next holiday break in the Somerset and North Devon area.

Linnets at Fitzhead close to Wivelscombe is a great place to spend a relaxing holiday break, complete with swimming pool and summer house. There is wheelchair access too.

Check out the property on the link below:

                                                                    Linnets at Fitzhead

Take In Nottingham’s Fine Shops And Do A Bit Of Caving At The Same Time

You can almost see it on the shopping list can't you.  Having saved up your errands for that regular trip to the city centre, set against mundane things such as  “return book to library” and “pick up new watch strap from the jewellers”, the residents of Nottingham can add “spend half and hour or so at the caves”.

For indeed, there they are, slap bang in the centre, and accessed by the upper mall in the Broadmarsh Centre, one of the more unlikely tourist attractions in Britain. Just five minutes from the main train station, they have been brought about because of the fact that Nottingham itself sits on a sandstone ridge that is easily worked with the most straightforward of hand tools, and records suggest that they have existed for over a thousand years, with credible documentation mentioning them as far back as 893AD. Records suggest that the first occupation for living purposes could have been as early as the eleventh century.

The result of this is that none of the caves, said to number up to 400,  are natural, all having been formed by the actions of mankind. I was particularly taken by a quotation that I came across apparently dated as late as 1870 which said  “If a man is poor he had only to go to Nottingham with a matlock, a shovel, a crow, an iron, a chisel or a mallet, and with such instruments he may play mole and work himself a hole or burrow for his family.”

A seminal moment in life of the caves came in 1845 when the St. Mary's Enclosure Act forbade the  rental of caves and cellars as homes for the poor, although judging by the previous quotation, underground occupation continued as usual.

When the Broadmarsh Shopping Centre was first commenced in the late 1960's, plans to fill the caves with concrete had people up in arms and thankfully a detailed study resulted in the caves being declared as being an ancient monument, with the consequent redesigning of the development plans to ensure their protection. Further progress was made in 1978, when the caves were cleared by volunteers from a local school as well as air training corps, and the first public tours undertaken by Friends of Nottingham Museum.

During their illustrious and rather surprising history the caves have been put to many uses. As well as places of inhabitation, they have been used as pub cellars, factories and even air raid shelters as happened in the Second World War. Some have inevitably been destroyed by works prior to their protection, and a surprising number remain in private ownership.

The current tours have been carefully planned to take in separate dedicated sections starting with the oldest part where medieval wells can be found. In the fifteenth and sixteenth century, what is known as the Pillar cave was the centre of a thriving tanning industry as Nottingham became increasingly important in the leather industry, including harnesses, gloves, boots and belts. You will be told how the stench was so bad that even the rats stayed away. The manufacture of glass and armour was also undertaken.

Equally startling is the recreation of the slums of Drury Hill, which was one of the worst streets in the city, being demolished in 1968. Also fascinating is the section dealing with the most recent reoccupation of the caves, which took place during the air raids in the Second World War by German bombers. There are fine displays including wartime memorablia and even an Anderson shelter.  Sand from the area was used to supply sand bags for the city.

With half term fast approaching, you may be looking for something just a little bit different to capture their imagination. When you think that Nottingham and the surrounding area is well known for the fresh air of the Sherwood Forest and its captivating connections with Robin Hood, what could be more contrasting than visiting the Nottingham Caves and seeing how some of the population were living while Mr. Hood was running around dressed in Lincoln green giving the Sheriff of Nottingham what for!

                                                       Learn about the Nottingham Caves

New Hope For Three Denbighshire Leisure Sites

Last week, Clwyd Leisure announced that it was closing Rhyl Sun Centre, Prestatyn's Nova Centre and the North Wales Indoor Bowls Centre because of funding issues. Now there is renewed hope that they could be reopened and run by Denbighshire Council.

The council is carrying out a full condition survey of the sites to see if they could reopen. The 125 staff under threat would be the first to be offered jobs, it said

New hope for Rhyl's Sun Centre

Having been established thirteen years ago by the council to run these facilities on its behalf, Clwyd Leisure had its funding of £200,000 for the year 2014/15 withdrawn because of concerns over the way it was being run. Trustees of the not-for-profit organisation had been in discussions with the authority for months over a possible takeover, but they ended without resolution on Friday.

Clwyd Leisure said it had no choice but to close the company down and shut the facilities with immediate effect. Denbighshire council's corporate director, Rebecca Maxwell, said members of the authority felt they had done all they could to help.

"The council has worked closely with Clwyd Leisure over recent years to try and help address the issues that have been raised around the management and running of the facilities," she said.
"We feel that we have done our utmost to assist the company.  Once the keys have been handed over to the council, our staff will be carrying out a full condition survey. That will allow us to determine if we are going to be able to get them open."

Ms Maxwell said the council recognised this was an unsettling time for staff, but said should it decide to take over the running of the facilities, current Clwyd Leisure staff would be considered first.  70 full time staff and 55 part-time employees are affected by the closure.

Denbighshire council will also look at promoting suitable vacancies within the council if they become available, she added.

Huw Jones, the council cabinet's lead member for leisure and tourism, said visitors had not been impressed by facilities such as the Sun Centre. "The comments we get back from visitors are that they won't go back to the Sun Centre ... we're trying to address that," he said.

"The plans we have put in place for Rhyl and the plans we have got for Rhyl are very ambitious but the Sun Centre unfortunately have let themselves and Rhyl down."

Mark Your Diaries – Bannockburn Live Has A Date Change

"Bannockburn Live", an event to mark the 700th anniversary of the famous battle was to have been a three-day event over the last weekend of June.  However, it has now been confirmed by VisitScotland that it will take place on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 June, with the hours extended by two hours until 7pm. Ticket prices start at £20 for an adult and organisers said they had sold about 2,000 so far.

The Battle of Bannockburn on 24 June 1314 is one of the most significant events in Scottish history. It was here that Robert the Bruce led the Scots to a decisive victory over the forces of King Edward II of England at the battle site near Stirling.


The event will include a large-scale "brutally realistic" re-enactment involving 300 people, taking place three times each day. The battles will be choreographed by Clanranald who have worked on Hollywood blockbusters such as Gladiator, Robin Hood and Thor 2.

Also featured during the two day festival will be a clan village, a food & drink village and 'Storyville' where Scotland's story will be told through music, song and spoken word. The Main Stage will feature folk and contemporary music throughout the day.

The new Battle of Bannockburn visitor centre, which should be opening some time in March, will not be open to general admission ticket holders during the Bannockburn Live event.  The visitor centre will only be open to Bannockburn Live 'King's Ticket' ticket holders who will be permitted exclusive access as part of their ticket package.

                                                                     Bannockburn Live

There's Something Fishy Going On In Hull

A visit to the North York Moors and the Yorkshire coastline is full of preconceived ideas of day trips to rugged moorland, picturesque market towns and villages, and sweeping cliff tops dotted with coastal settlements ranging from atmospheric coves right through to Victorian resorts such as Scarborough.

Quite rightly so too, if we wanted something different we would go somewhere else. This part of Yorkshire does exactly what it says on the tin, and nobody does it better.

However, drop slightly to the south of the region and you come to Hull, or Kingston upon Hull to give it its proper name, where you will find one of Britain's top tourist attractions, guaranteed to entertain everyone in your party, no matter what their age.

I'm talking about The Deep, which purports to be “The World's Only Submarium”. Having opened its doors over eleven years ago, the attraction has already welcomed over three million visitors. It is home to in excess of three and a half thousand inhabitants which includes seven different species of shark.

Set where the River Hull joins the Humber Estuary, the striking appearance alone makes it different from many other aquariums. A stand out feature is the thirty feet deep tunnel, and an underwater lift.  The best time to be there is the early afternoon  session when divers feed the rays and the sharks.

The interactive area could be a favourite with the kids, where there is the chance to learn how to control an under water diving vessel.

The Deep also  portrays the journey from the beginning of time to the present day, to show how the oceans have evolved, while over thirty thousand school children visit each year for a range of educational presentations.

So maybe your holiday break in Yorkshire may offer something a little bit out of the ordinary.

                                                               Learn about The Deep

Northern Ireland Sprucing Itself Up For The Big Race

There is a definite sound of cash being splashed in Northern Ireland this week, with news that the princely sum of £145,000 is being split between five places that will be involved in the exciting Giro d’Italia cycle race which takes place in the province in May.

While Yorkshire and Cambridgeshire have been banging the drum about their success in attraction stages of the Tour De France this year, Northern Ireland has been quietly going about its business, preparing for the Giro, which is widely recognised as the world’s second biggest cycle race.

Five Northern Ireland towns and cities have been awarded money by the executive to help in their individual preparations. Much of this will be spent sprucing up the appearance of properties and sites along the race routes. Armagh is to receive £82,000, Glengormley £16,650, Ballycastle £15,750, Larne £18,000 and Carrickfergus £13,500, thanks to the award which was made by Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland.

Northern Ireland will be taken for a ride this year

The race begins in Belfast on May 9th, with the first two days being in that area. The second day is routed through County Antrim, with the third stage on 11th May starting in Armagh and finishing in Dublin.

Mr McCausland said: "This is another huge opportunity for all the people of Northern Ireland to show their support for sporting events here which will have a worldwide audience. I share with my executive colleagues our delight in being able to stage this prestigious event, which will attract mass interest and media coverage across so many of our towns.

"Ensuring we do our best to create welcoming and attractive town centres for the many visitors and tourists expected to arrive in support of these elite cyclists is essential. The funding will be used to improve business premises, buildings and derelict sites which may be seen by millions of viewers across the globe. We want to make sure that Northern Ireland can deliver these types of events and that local areas gain benefits that are lasting."

The total cost to Northern Ireland of staging the Giro is expected to be in the region of £4.2m.

                                                               Giro d'Italia 2014