Author: Julie White

An Airfyer Masterclass with the legendary Seana McAirfryer saw another full house at the Old Library Trust on Tuesday night for a culinary feast of delicacies served up through airfrying and pressure cooking.

Thanks to continued funding from Safefood as part of their Community Food Initiative project, over 50 took up the complimentary offer to come along and see Seana at work on the implement she has mastered over this past few years. There was also an opportunity to ask questions, sample the food on offer and have a night’s craic.

The event showcased how to use an airfryer, how to create simple healthy meals at low cost and the intention was to give parents and families the opportunity to learn quick and easy recipes along with nutritional support from Seana.

Served up under the Healthy Living Centre at the OLT, event organiser Julie White said she was once again delighted with the turnout from both male and females and also made mention of the broad age group who came along.

‘Once again this year we had a great turnout for the event. Our Master Chef Seana is so relaxed and makes everyone feel comfortable. That in turn made for a fun evening, and from what I was told, it was thoroughly enjoyed by all those who attended.

Julie also thanked the management of the Old Library Trust who donated three airfryers to raffle on the night.

Feedback after the event was extremely positive on Tuesday night and Julie added that it was encouraging to see so many people wanting to learn more on how they can get the most from their house appliances and, more importantly, eat well.

Speaking after Tuesday’s Masterclass, an audience participant said she not only learned so much but really enjoyed the social aspect and the food. ‘I enjoyed every minute, from the food, to the company and I could listen to that wee girl all night. It was great!’

This is one of many similar events the Old Library Trust will be running between now and Christmas.

For more information contract at reception@olt.ie or call 028 71373870.

The annual Halloween Spooky bingo 2023 was hailed a major success once again with nearly 100 local residents coming along for an evening of bingo, entertainment, craic and refreshments with a great range of cash prizes to help during these challenging times.

Our very own Wendy McLaughlin and Micheal doherty led the evening which had everyone smiling the whole way through. Micheal sang a range of different songs in between each book and had everyone on their feet dancing towards the end.

Thank you to everyone that came along and to everyone that made it happen!

Pictures and video below. Enjoy!

This ladies only programme focuses on using netball as a means to keep fit whilst getting ladies together to socialise and share stories, conversations advice and all things in daily life in general.

The ladies have branched out to include Gaelic in their weekly schedule as well as part of the Sean Dolans GAC Ladies who play Gaelic programme and now are having some social competitions in both Sports.

These are open to new people no matter what age or ability and we would encourage anyone to get involved!

Well done everyone!

The recent social golf programme has seen around 20 local people take to the driving range and the Foyle 9 hole golf course to try and improve their swing. Most of the group are absolute beginners and the craic is ninety as we say. (video included below)

If you are interested then please get in touch. Sessions continue after the Halloween break.

The Mellow DEEDS Choir performed magnificently at the City of Derry International Choir Festival on Thursday opening proceedings at Shantallow Community Centre in the company of the city’s Calgach Singers and the renowned Männerstimmen Basel Choir from Switzerland.

First held in 2013, the Festival is now established as a major event across the country and the only international choir festival of its kind in the UK.

This year’s event coincided with Positive Ageing Month which celebrates the ageing community. Mairéad Nic Bhloscaidh, Community & Outreach Coordinator for the City of Derry International Choir Festival invited Mellow Deeds to be a part of this year’s community festival.  

Sinead Devine, Deeds Co-Ordinator at Old Library Trust, said ‘The group were delighted to be invited to perform alongside the Calgach Singers and the fantastic visiting choir from Switzerland.

The lunchtime programme lasted an hour and the DEEDS social groups were invited to come along as well and  enjoy the musical feast among their friends, family and the local community.

Speaking after Thursday’s performance, Mellow DEEDS musical director Anna Nolan commented ‘Music is a wonderful connector for those living with dementia. Our Mellow DEEDS members enjoy coming together every Monday to practice and share their love of music and it’s a great way to start the working week as it is so uplifting to hear those voices and to be part of the music they love.’

Adding to those sentiments, Sinead Devine stressed the importance of connecting with the local community and said: ‘We feel these events where DEEDS reach out to connect with the community as part of our city’s festivals is an important part of the work we do as it continues to support our aim to make Derry and Strabane a dementia friendly city and district.’ The City of Derry International Choral Festival runs across the city and district from 18-22 October, 2023.

Past pupil of St. Cecelia’s Girls College and current employee at the Old Library trust Julie White completed a spinning programme with the girls of year 11 and 12. Facilitated at the healthy living centre the school and the girls enjoyed the opportunity of trying something new in terms of health and fitness.

Well done Girls!

Two specific opportunities are available for carers of those living with Dementia.

1. The monthly drop in session allows carers to come together and chat whilst getting some important information from services that deal with Dementia issues on a regular basis.
2. The Carers education programme giving carers the opportunity to understand more about the condition and its impact to the individual, family and community.

The Old Library Trust delivered another successful CFI programme in partnership with Sean Dolans GAC and local children, young people and families at the new facility in Creevagh heights.

Over 100 people came along for information sessions on good food and nutrition as well as viewing cooking demonstration and taking part in physical activity.

Julie White CFI coordinator at the OLT hailed the event a massive success stating,

‘Thank you to all those parents who took time out to support the event and ask questions to help support their children and families to make some small changes in the pursuit of a healthier balanced lifestyle. Well done to all the children for their energy in the physical activity and of course for sampling some new foods’

This event of funded by Safefood with more events later in the new year.

Food, music, socialising, quizzing and entertainment to lift the spirits of local people on World Mental Health day 2023

Thank you to everyone who attended the lunch club and the Men’s health sessions.

A great days CRAIC all round!

Over 100 local residents from the Moor ward attended the launch of the new Older adults Project ‘Loving life living longer’ at the Bishops Gate Hotel funded by the National lottery Community Fund and led by the Bogside & Brandywell health forum in partnership with Ourselves at the Old Library Trust.

This project will provide a wide range of support to older adults over the next four years to help reduce social isolation, improve community connections and get resident more social, active and mentally stronger.

Thank you to National lottery players for making this a reality and supporting older adults across the Moor ward!