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“Finding Autumn” – The Down about Down Podcast with Killyleagh author, Becky Grattson

In this podcast, host Chris Scott speaks to Becky Grattson about her debut novel titled “Forever Autumn.” This fantasy novel with elements of folklore, set in County Down, has been inspired by a love story of Mother Nature and Father Time.

Becky, who works in the nursing profession and lives in Killyleagh, talks to Chris at length about her background and career. She is originally from Saintfield, studied nursing at Queen’s University and went to England. She would later move back to Northern Ireland with her husband Paul, and they settled in her native County Down. Becky is a learning disability nurse trained to provide specialist healthcare to people with learning disabilities. For the majority of her career she has worked in mental health services.

Becky was diagnosed with dyslexia at an early age and she recalls how she avoided reading and writing during her childhood years. She talks at length about her experiences with dyslexia and her early learning experiences at school. It would be in her teenage years that she got into reading when she picked up a copy of “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” This was her introduction to the world of reading, and she enjoyed the experience.

“Five years ago I wouldn’t have thought of myself of being able to write a book.” That would soon change for Becky. She explains how she grew up on Irish folklore mythology with stories like ‘The Children of Lir’ and ‘The Red Branch’. She liked the similarities between Greek, Roman and Irish mythology. That, coupled with the inspiration from sailing around our rugged coastline, viewing the mountain ranges and absorbing the beautiful views around the shores of Strangford Lough, Becky’s first novel was underway.

Becky explains how she started to research local legends and myths. “I loved learning about the original placenames and the Irish, mythology and how the Celts moved around the world with their language and culture,” she told Chris.

“Finding Autumn” is set in Killyleagh, and features the castle, Strangford Lough, and Delamont. The story setting moves to the beautiful Mourne mountains, down to Rostrevor, Carlingford and Malahide, Dublin. Inspiration for the book was drawn from the relationship between Mother Nature and Father Time. It is set in an era when witches were hunted and the world in which the main characters, Éabha and Clan, lived was encompassed by magic and dark forces. Clan believes Éabha is the witch he has been looking for but he is mistaken, and later discovers her true identity. Their journey of self-discovery includes battling with their enemies and uncovers their deep connections which may change their destinies.

“Finding Autumn” is the first in a series of four books. Becky has the ending formulated for book four, but there is still work to do to complete the series.

“All four books will take us through the creation of each season. How Mother Nature and Father Time learn and grow together to become such concreted spirits or elements within our world today,” explained Becky during the podcast.

Becky wanted the cover of the book to look timeless and traditional and she left this project in the hands of her talented cousin, Niamh Conlon came up with the unique design.

Chris finds out about some of Becky’s ventures as she travelled round various independent bookshops seeking bookshelf space for her handiwork.

Becky’s book, ‘Finding Autumn’ can be purchased at Waterstones Online and Amazon. Other local outlets include the Newcastle Visitor Information Centre and the Sir Hans Sloane Centre, Killyleagh.

You can follow Becky on Instagram, TikTok and her new Facebook page – “Rebecca Grattson Author.”

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Sunshine, Sunflowers and Song

The Down about Down Podcast at the 2024 Corner Stone Fest, Sunflower Cottage, Annacloy, County Down

On Saturday 10th August Chris popped along to the 3rd annual Corner Stone Fest, held in the beautiful surroundings at Sunflower Cottage, Annacloy, County Down.

Those who attended were treated to ten musical acts on stage from 12 noon through to 9pm. This was event that not only showcased local talent but raised much needed funds for the local LCCL Charity based in Downpatrick. The charity provides much needed services to help people overcome their mental issues, social isolation and addiction by offering a warm and welcoming environment for everyone of any age and background.

The sun shone brightly on Saturday, and the sunflowers in the adjacent field were beginning to show their faces! A nice touch to this well organised family orientated event.

Ten musical acts took to the stage across the day and entertained those who attended this year’s festival. Each of the singers and musicians had given their time entirely free of charge.

Conal Montgomery, the organiser of the event, told Chris “I’m totally blown away by the turnout and by the musicians. There’s a peace about this place and everybody’s chilled.”

The idea for a Corner Stone Festival was formulated after Conal had a chat with the late Nigel Blair on Belfast 89FM. “It was Nigel who said to me on my first radio interview with him, he asked me what would I like to do in the future to get the word out. I said I would like to play a festival. He lent over the table and said - Just go and run your own son.” The seed was sown. Conal takes pride in the fact that he can give those in the local music scene a platform to hear their music, when opportunities have been limited for them in the past.

Chris chats to well-known TV and radio broadcaster, Robin Elliott who popped along to lend his support. Local Killyleagh artist, Duxy Leahy, was also lending his support in both manual labour and artistic talent. He has donated two unique paintings, which will be put up for raffle soon, with all proceed going to LCCL. The paintings feature two well-known lighthouses – Fastnet and St. John’s, and they have been painted onto two offcuts from the stage at the festival.

Also included in the chats with Chris are Ted Ellison, Zac Mac, Short Circuit, Rikki Jordan, Nicky Brown and Barry Shields.

The complete bill included Conal Montgomery & Co., First Ted on the Moon, Every March, Short Circuit, Rikki Jordan band, Take it Easy, Charlie Hanlon, The Thing is, Zac Mac and Black Dog Moon.

Conal is hoping that the Corner Stone festival will go from strength to strength in the years ahead. He told Chris, “Hopefully we can make this grow and give them (LCCL) more every year and make more and more people aware of that hub that is on our doorstep, because you don’t know when you’re going to need it.

Eva Rowan, singer and guitarist from “The Thing Is,” also spoke to Chris about how the idea for the Sunflower Cottage and the subsequent Sunflower Cottage Fest came about. The area is owned by her family. There are five weekends set aside when the public can visit and “explore winding paths” in the sunflower field together with some live music from local artists. The event is in support of Cancer Fund for Children and Chest Heart and Stroke.

For further details on the events at Sunflower Cottage go to –

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085277680028

The Down about Down Podcast can be contacted via email at downaboutdown@outlook.com

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From Goal to Goal – The Down about Down Podcast with Kaitlyn Morrison. Dundonald’s International Ice-Hockey, Inline and Ball-Hockey player.

In this podcast Chris speaks to 21-year-old Kaitlyn Morrison from Dundonald about her career and successes both on and off the rink.

Kaitlyn was introduced to the ice rink at the tender age of four by her dad Mark Morrison, who was one of Belfast’s local sporting legends with the Belfast Giants.

Kaitlyn talks about her early career with the Junior Belfast Giants who had teams regularly playing in the Scottish League. She was fortunate to be selected for Team Scotland Under 15’s and within a few years had played games with Solway Sharks Under 16 girls at the age of 13 and she was also selected for Great Britain Under 16’s. This was a first for a female ice-hockey player from Northern Ireland.

Whilst playing for the Scottish Conference Team in a tournament at Sheffield in 2017, Kaitlyn was spotted by a representative of the Ontario Hockey Academy which led to a scholarship and placement at the academic-athletic developmental hockey training school in Canada. She told Chris “It is an amazing opportunity for anyone who gets the chance.” She made the Under 18 Great Britain Women’s team and played in the World Championships held in Dumfries where she attained a bronze medal. Kaitlyn returned to Northern Ireland in 2019 and played with the Junior Belfast Giants Under 20 team and Belfast Giants Scottish National League team.

Kaitlyn continued to pursue her studies and attained her A-Levels which secured her a place on a Sport and Exercise Science degree course at the University of Ulster. She will be starting her final year in September despite a busy schedule on both national and international rinks during this next season.

Kaitlyn scored her first international ice-hockey goal for GB Under 18 team in November 2019 at a four-nation tournament held at Dumfries, Scotland. She also represented Great Britain at the 2023 FISU World University games held in Lake Placid. In July 2023, Kaitlyn travelled to Belgium with the senior Inline Hockey Ireland women’s team to play at the European Championship. It was during this event that she made history, scoring a goal which gave her and the team their first international goal.

Kaitlyn signed for Whitley Bay Beacons, a women’s ice-hockey team, at the beginning of the 2023 season. This ensured she was playing ice-hockey on a regular basis at the highest level in the UK and at the end of the season Kaitlyn picked up the team’s ‘Best Defence Award.’ Inline Hockey Ireland recently awarded her with ‘Female Player of the Year Award 2024.’

Kaitlyn talks to Chris about her up and coming attendance at the trials in August for the Senior GB Women’s Ice-Hockey team and her selection in April to represent Team Ireland Senior Women Inline at the forthcoming World Skate Games this September in Italy.

A podcast not to be missed with a determined lady who not only scores goals but attains them!

The Down about Down Podcast can be contacted via email –

downaboutdown@outlook.com