From Street Warriors to Screen Watchers: what happened to the children?
also, Ambassadors FC announce new home at Brownlow Leisure Centre pitches
Ask any of the - and we use the term loosely - ‘older folk’ in Armagh and they will tell you of a time when summer holidays meant football in the streets, building dens and tree-houses, days spent in fields, water fights and cycling from one town to the next to see friends.
From morning until the streetlights flickered on, kids filled the air with laughter and adventure. But as we fast forward to the present day, we find a stark contrast between the dusk to dawn summers spent in the streets and the digitally-driven lifestyle of modern society.
Related: State-of-the-art play park plans granted for tiny Co Armagh village
So where did all the children go? Although our thoughts might be slightly premature given that the summer holidays have just begun we don’t see too many kids up around Palace Stables flying a kite or kicking a football down at People’s Park in Portadown?
We all complain about it… kids stuck in front of screens. Parents can be heard caterwauling: “There’s a life out there and you’re missing it!” But it didn’t happen by accident. It has to be said, as a parent, there’s a certain allure to the silence of screentime and the lack of physical injury to boot!
Related: Five ABC play parks to benefit from over £150k Levelling Up fund
We are all guilty of it… half the day slips away before you realise you’ve done little else than watch cute cat videos. So, what are your plans for the summer? How will you be encouraging the kids outdoors?
Headlines
Ambassadors FC announce new home at Brownlow Leisure Centre pitches
Portadown charity desperately seek premises after fundraising shop ‘incinerated’
Driver in ‘critical condition’ after two-vehicle Lurgan crash
‘Extraordinary achievements’ of healthcare staff recognised at Nurse of the Year Awards
How Portadown estate agent Libby Clarke kept positive after brutal farm attack
Public bodies deny ownership of overgrown Killylea tree despite property threats
Lurgan man subjected mother to ‘absolutely horrific’ litany of abuse
‘Cornerstone of the community’ Tandragee Library celebrates 50 years
Family home to research centre: The 400-year evolution of Loughgall Manor House and Country Park
Nathan’s journey from teenage drug user to newly-crowned Nurse of the Year
Contamination fears among issues raised as Portadown drive-thru on car wash site refused
Shane Whitla murder accused who absconded on previous release re-admitted to bail
Giveaway
On the subject of getting the kids out and active, Armagh I has teamed up with GetactiveABC to give away a summer family funday pass for a family of up to 5 for activities at Craigavon Golf and Ski Centre. Here’s a taste of what’s on offer. Your family pass will entitle you to Tubing and Footgolf, duration 1 hour 30 minutes in July and August.
ENTER HERE TO WIN A FAMILY PASS FOR UP TO 5 PEOPLE!
If you don’t like taking your chances or you don’t mind going twice, click the button below to book activities at the centre.
Congratulations to Paul Hewitt - you are the winner of a family pass to “Bad Dad” compliments of the Market Place Theatre. Check you emails for information on how to obtain your tickets. This draw was randomly generated, no assumptions here!
Armagh Jobs
Check out jobs with ABL Group here. Health and Safety Officer required at Re-Gen Waste Ltd. ASEE are recruiting for a number of role including Marketing Manager. Check out all roles at ASEE
If you are a business recruiting and want to talk to us contact us on 02837443043 or email us on marketing@armaghi.com
I'd rather see them all in front of a tv, instead of the packs of early teens, trying to assert their dominance and start a confrontation by walking into and shouldering of adult pedestrians. Both traditional northern Irish and foreign nationals play this 'game'. Are we to be subjected to this yob behaviour or will society act and police enforce order, before once again we see attacks by gangs of youths upon vulnerable individuals who fall prey to them.