CLONCA CHURCH NEAR CULDAFF

This is the earliest known image of the hurling bat and ball in ireland.

ME AND MY MOTOR-GRETA McTAGUE

Greta McTague from Muff drives a 2001 Volkswagen Bora 1.4 petrol. She likes to think of it as her shy Aston Martin. Greta uses her car every day to drive to St Cecilia’s College in Derry where she is head of Drama. Her driving career has seen a catalogue of rather unassuming, (but surprisingly nippy) cars starting with her first car, a Ford Fiesta. An Astra and Peugeot 106 followed but with a growing family there was a need for more space and the Bora fitted the bill.


How long have you had the car?
Two and a half years.

Any plans to change?
Not really but any financial donations to help me upgrade to a newer car wouldn’t be met with rejection!

Is it reliable?
My baby Aston has never let me down. I did have a bit of a starter motor problem, which made awful squealing noises when the engine was turned over. Thankfully that was fixed last week when it had a service.

Best thing about the car?
It works! I also love the two cup holders. These are vital for helping you start the day with a cup of coffee.

Why no wheel trims?
After the NCT my son Eoghan put the trims back onto the wheels. Hours later one disappeared. I decided to take the others off to balance the look of the car. If anyone has the wheel trim in their garden could I have it back please!


How often do you wash it?
It’s nearly Christmas so it must be due another wash. Actually my father can’t bear to see the car dirty so when it gets too bad he usually attends to its hygiene needs.

What would you do to help motorists given the chance?
I would like to see the Zig Zag etiquette that the German road network has. When in a line of traffic you would let out one car from a junction, the car behind you would do the same and so on. It is considerate to other motorists and keeps the traffic moving.

What would you really like to be driving around in?
Well, I quite like to pass other cars so something with good acceleration. (wellie!) My granddad had an old rusty Ford Anglia, which I really liked. Maybe if I could have a customised version of that with extra large fins on the back, a massive sound system and a really big engine. That would be unassuming wouldn’t it?

ST PATRICKS DAY PARADE IN BUNCRANA

A fabulous display of the floats on show at the St Patricks day parade in Buncrana.

GARDEN STATUE

CHRISTMAS TREES

CHOOSING A CHRISTMAS TREE

Yes, with Christmas round the corner, it’s time to choose the Christmas tree. Do you like the synthetic option or are you a real tree fan? I have tried unsuccessfully for years to get a plastic tree, but I am out voted three to one so it will be off to fill the car (and the living room) with pine needles. There are plenty of types to choose from, so maybe we can get one that doesn’t end up naked before the big day.

Photo: Bonnie shows us her inflatable Christmas tree!

Norway spruce are the trees most likely to be sticking their needles into the soles of your feet, they do smell nice though. For non-drop ones try the Nordman Fir, these have large soft needles and they tend to stay on the branches. The Fraser Fir is similar but a bit bigger at the base. Scots Pines retain their needles and give a lovely pine smell to any room. And let us not forget the Noble fir. This makes up for about 60% of all tree sold in Ireland.

CONTAINERS
If you feel sad about putting a chopped down tree in the front room, try buying one with the roots intact. The tree can be planted outside after Christmas. If you buy a small one it could be used for a few years until it gets too big for the house.

SELECTION AND CARE OF YOUR TREE

When you are selecting your Christmas tree always bear in mind where you are going to put it. For most modern homes a 6ft Christmas tree will do.

Make sure it has a straight stem, even dense branches and a fresh colour. When you bring your Christmas tree home, cut an inch or two off the bottom of the stem and stand it outside in a bucket of water. Shake off any loose needles before you bring it inside and stand it in a special Christmas tree stand or in a bucket of wet sand with a water bowl to which you should add a pint of water daily (avoiding the electrics!). Try not to let the tree dry out, as the base will re-seal itself and stop taking in water. Water is important as it prevents the needles from drying and dropping off and the branches from drooping. Water also keeps the tree fragrant. Place the tree in the coolest part of the room away from fires and radiators, as central heating is the worst enemy of a tree.