What shall we do with the drunken farmer.. early on sunday morning?

A CLAN of lively farmers have caused £2,000 in damaged property to a Co. Down hostel in a drunken incident of “horseplay”.

The Young Farmers Club of Ulster members were having their annual conference in Newcastle and 35 members were staying at the Corn Mill Complex at Annalong at the weekend when the incident occured.

“Fire extinguishers were used in and outside the property; there is a broken window frame; a burnt-out tumble dryer and broken beds,” said Martin McMullan.

“There was quite a lot of broken glass and vomit.”

The club have promised to pay for the damage caused by the rowdy members and will carry out a full investigation into the matter.

Belfast actress considered ‘well in’

BELFAST belle Rachel Tucker is the bookmakers favourite to win the role of Nancy in the West End production of Oliver.

Paddy Power has tipped the 26-year-old north Belfast girl a favourite to win, following several outstanding performances on BBC talent show I’d Do Anything.

Rachel who is a professional singer and actress is joined by Bangor teenager Niamh Perry, another hot contender in the competiton.

A Desperate Twist Too Far?

FANS of Desperate Housewives have been shocked by internet rumours which suggest the popular US show might fast-forward by five years at end of the fourth season.

Creator Marc Cherry has teased viewers by hinting the final episode of the current run will have a huge twist ending, as well as wrapping up the central mystery of why new neighbour Katherine Mayfair is acting so strangely all the time and crying at cracks in the floor.

Armed youth stopped at Stormont

SECURITY staff at Stormont stopped a youth, carrying a five inch blade, from entering Parliament buildings today.

The youth was searched as part of new security measures put in place at the government halls.

New systems were implemented following a security breach at the Northern Ireland Assembly by loyalist Michael Stone, over a year and a half ago.

Tube Protest Over New British Film

BY ROBYN CLARE SCOTT – robyn@ragazine.co.uk

Members of a Tube Union will protest at the Leicester Square premier of a new British film.

Three and Out tells the story of a train driver purposely trying to find someone who will commit suicide under his train so he can receive compensation.

The comedy, which stars Mackenzie Crook of The Office fame and former Deep Space Nine star Colm Meaney, goes on general release this week.

Festival Feast – Get it while it’s hot!

BY DONNA MCGARRY – donna@ragazine.co.uk

WE’RE nearly into the month of May and the feast of talent awaiting gig lovers over the next few months can only be described as the ultimate musical indulgence.

Ireland has never been hotter than it is right now and those of you who attended last year’s Oxegen festival will know I’m not talking temperature wise.

Our small island despite it’s political differences has broken down the musical barricades to set the stage for the cream of the entertainment crop.

Suzie McBoozy looks at the Manhattan

BY SUSAN MCCULLOUGH – susan@ragazine.co.uk

THE cocktail was said to have been invented in the early 1870’s at the famous Manhattan club in New York City. Winston Churchill’s mother, Jennie Jerome was throwing a banquet in honour of presidential candidate Samuel J Tilden and requested a special cocktail to be mixed.

The original cocktail included American whiskey, Italian Vermouth and Angostura bitters. The drink became highly fashionable after the success of the banquet and people began to request it by the name of the club where it originated.

HM celebrates 82nd B’day

FLAGS were flown from government buildings across the UK today, to mark the Queen’s birthday.

Her Majesty, who also has a second official birthday in June, is said to be celebrating in private this evening at Windsor Castle.

The 82 year old Monarch, who is head of state in 16 Commonwealth countries, may be receiving an unexpected gift from the Government, in the form of an amended precedence in the line of succession.

Belfast shapes Presidents’ future

BY GREGG NICHOLL – gregg@ragazine.co.uk

 

NEVER mind Nixon,  roll over Reagan and say goodbye Bush, the real Presidents of The United States of America are hitting Belfast in what is sure to be another historical hootenanny.

 

Forgetting to let sleeping presidents lie, Ragazine woke up lead singer Chris Ballew as his tour bus travelled to London’s Astoria Theatre, for a brief interview. 

 

Ballygowan film maker set for festival premiere

BY COLIN YOUNG – colin@ragazine.co.uk

BALLYGOWAN media student Lesley-Anne Davidson is ready for her big screen debut when she premieres her first film at the Queen’s Film Theatre (QFT) next week.

Along with fellow media students from Belfast Metropolitan College’s Millfiield Campus they will launch the inaugural Met Movie Festival on Thursday 24 April. The festival is set to be a showcase for young film makers, displaying their skills in digital film production and animation.