Apparently this is the 14th annual Ards International Guitar Festival but to be honest I have never…read morenoticed it being held before. This year they are stepping up publicity for this excellent event. Ards is the home of the Avalon Guitar factory which makes it an ideal place to host this international event. The Event itself includes live gigs from acoustic favourites such as Eilis Phillips, Sara Dylan, Sannah, Mike Donaghy and Mark Braidner plus many many more. But it is not only focused on entertainment, the festival also incorporates education running guitar workshops. They have advertised that the Avalon Factory will show the audience how to make a guitar from a skateboard. This has intrigued me. Other highlights include tours of the previously reviewed Avalon Factory, which is something that I would strongly advise , all for free. Full Access Tickets for the International Guitar Festival are priced at £40 and all information on how to purchase them can be found on the website. The Festival runs from 30th September until 3rd October, this should not be missed, it is sure to attract plenty of music enthusiasts.

Although it is tucked in one of Newtownards' lesser travelled streets (North Street to be precise)…read moreyou cannot miss the Web Theatre due to its rather bright (and suitably dramatic) yellow front. The theatre is a hub of dramatic development for young people, with classes ranging for those aged 6 months to 16. As well as acting, classes also include ballet and musical theatre- there is even a talent agency which the young people can join. Whilst this may appear to be a typical theatre school (albeit a rather expensive one) at first glance, I was surprised to learn that it is also Northern Ireland's only privately owned theatre. With shows ranging from traditional music to plays by local amateur dramatic groups, the majority of the shows are produced and performed by local talent. In recent years there have also been a number of national touring productions that have visited the theatre. It is also the home of a local amateur dramatic group which performs a pantomime each year and is well supported. The 150-seat theatre may lack the grandeur of Belfast's opera house, but its intimate atmosphere gives it a certain quaint charm. There is also a lobby area within the theatre which serves as a bar during intervals (where various wines can be purchased) as well as a cafe downstairs. The theatre is almost reminiscent of a museum, with photographs of its conversion from a 18th century factory scattered throughout. As well as plays, the theatre's stage also plays host to childrens' birthday parties- as it offers a package where children can dress up in theatrical costumes and engage in a number of party games, complete with backgrounds, sound and a special effects system. The parties are also tailored to a number of themes such as pirates, princesses and even a space setting. Although the drama lessons may be a tad expensive (especially in the current economic climate) the Web Theatre is truly one of Ards' treasures.

Had a really great experience at Movieland today. I volunteered to take my nieces to the cinema and…read moreI saw Movieland from a completely different perspective. For kids it's amazing. The car park is huge so you can get parked close to the cinema doors. They have a family pass offer allowing 2 kids and 2 adults entry to a movie for £16. Also and an absolute godsend, they have a big stack of kids booster seats, these were needed for my tiny nieces! The movie theatre itself is m slightly dated but definitely has charm. We were in screen 6 and the sound was excellent. The seats are really low so definitely grab boosters if you're with little ones. Snacks, as with most cinemas these days are very pricey. £4 for a large popcorn and £2.25 for a small drink. The shopping centre is in close proximity so I recommend picking up some snacks before you go in!

There is one really good thing about this cinema and that is the parking facilities outside - your…read morecar is a stones throw from the door so there is no walking involved on a rainy night. The snack shop inside is limited to really expensive treats such as nachos and some kind of toxic yellow dip thing that looks and smells vile. The also stock the usual cinema fodder of popcorn and vats of soft drink - you will need to remorgage your house to enjoy them though. Heres a tip: there is Asda garage a few meters away from the cinema where you can get your treats for normal prices and although the cinema frown on own purchases being bought in they tend to just turn a blind eye. I also went to the cinema recently to see inception and they had a bloody interval - i was seething as I couldn't work out if it was part of the films plot. There is also a fully kitted out chinese restaurant upstairs but don't try to eat there as it was established about four years ago but never actually opened!

The Ard's Art Centre was a surprising and rewarding find for me over the past year or so. A friend…read moreof a friend works there and had often said to call in when passing and so one day a few weeks ago I did. I discovered not only a town hall but several large spaces which are used for various events from all around Northern Ireland. There are gallery spaces for local artists to display their work, large function rooms housing everything from face painting in the summer to guitar festivals in the Autumn. The building is large, bright and welcoming so if you are in Ards for a few hours and want to know what to do call in and the friendly staff (ask for Graham!) will give you leaflets about local attractions.

After waking up with a stinking hangover the last thing I wanted to do was leave the house but…read moreafter much convincing we decided to go and explore Mount Stewart with my sister and my lovely nieces. I hadn't been to Mount Stewart for years and wasn't really sure what to expect. Being a National Trust site i knew it would be well maintained but I was shocked at the level of beauty of the grounds. There's lakes, forests, trees to climb and plenty to see including a statue of a white stag and a historic walled garden. The walled garden is pretty much as it was - any history enthusiasts will love it's authentic state. Since my last visit facilities have been upgraded. There's a lovely wee café serving coffee and cakes. They even serve coffee in takeaway cups so you can get a £2 filter coffee for your journey round the grounds, as I did. You can also bring dogs as long as they are kept on the lead. Handily there's loads of water points for your four legged friends too. This school trip favourite really is a gem, well worth a visit!

Super place to spend a lovely sunny afternoon and because it is owned by the Trust, it is…read moreimmaculately kept. Great walks of the lake where red squirrels can be seen and the formal grounds of the house itself are brilliant. £8 entry but get money back if join the National trust as a member...! Always things going on too, this weekend there is a craft fair and jazz festival and be on look out in August for outdoor showing of Jurassic park...

Queens Hall on West street in Newtownards is a half library half events centre In the heart of the…read moretown. From the outside the place looks quite drab and it is beginning to look its age. Queens Hall was in fact opened by the Queen herself way back in the day when she looked fit on 2p's. The days of Queens Hall being the centre of a thriving market town are long gone but this is still a venue that can host some cultural evenings and play a vital role in Newtownards capabilities for hosting large events such as the recent International Guitar Festival. Queens Hall is also available to hire for private parties, concerts and weddings. It is owned by the local Council so the best way to enquire about hiring this venue is to contact them. All in all if this place got a lick of paint and a bit of a spring clean I think it could be restored to its former glories and be once again fit for royalty.

I like funny stories. Funny haha or funny peculiar - either will do. Of course, the unparalled…read morefunny story contains these two aspects; the best of both worlds. The funny haha bit of this story is really that I know nothing about art or framing. I'd like to think I'd know a good frame when I see one, but that really couldn't be guaranteed. The actual painting or photograph is an entirely different story. I really haven't got a clue. This story one circles around a painting of a building in Toronto, which apparently is quite a good one. Of course, I wouldn't know. This painting came to us through a friend of my dad's. He'd picked it up in a charity shop and thought of us as he did so. It replaced a dodgy old picture of something-or-other (having not really had an interest in art, I'd never really paid attention you see), and looked quite well in our hall. Until (cue the funny peculiar part), it fell off the wall, completely randomly, and the glass cover smashed. Thankfully, someone who knows a great deal more about art and frames are Sheldon. The exceptionally friendly lady told my dad and I that she could have the glass replaced with 3 hours (at a very good price, might I add), as well as providing us with a new cord to hang the picture with. There was me thinking we'd need a new frame and everything, but thankfully not. Interestingly, the lady didn't believe there to be anything wrong with the original cord. Mmm, strange. Less than 3 hours later, a phonecall came through, alerting us to the fact that our picture was ready. They had even stayed open slightly later than usual to accomodate us. What nice people. The new glass looked...sturdy, and the picture has remained in tact for 2 months, so we're pretty hopeful. If, by any chance, you should have any picture issues, the lovely people at Sheldon will happily get you sorted. Despite my lack of knowledge of art etc, I never doubted the expertise of this lot.

Sheldon gallery is based in Newtownards and I have used this shop on several occasions. As a…read morepainter who likes to give away my attempts at art I often use the shop to frame my pieces. They have a wide selection of different frames, in different colours, thicknesses and materials. The ladies who work there are all very experienced and they will sit with you to help you choose just the right frame. They do a very clean neat frame, which doesn't cover up the edges of the work - sometimes this happens in other places. The job they do is well worth the price, which I find is reasonable for good service. Sheldon's also sell art by local artists as well as prints, cards and other decorative items. I enjoy calling in for a browse, to pick up ideas and have previously purchased artwork for a good price in their excellent sale, which seems to be on all year round.

The Battletown Gallery is actually a bit of a nightmare to find, despite its address being listed…read moreas being in Newtownards it is probably closer to Millisle and when it says on the Gallery description that it is set in the rolling hills, it is more like it is set in the most rural location it can possible be. Now that the formalities are out of the way, what is so special about the Battletown Gallery? Well firstly the location, it is all on its own giving the exhibitions an extra hint of tranquillity and giving visitors a chance to drift away. The Gallery is currently showcasing about 4 artists but the most notable is local man Malcolm Bennett "Bennett lives on the Ards Peninsula but draws much of his inspiration from journey's throughout Ireland and abroad" This pretty much sums up the Battledown, local artists work that can be displayed in a modern contemporary setting. The Gallery is open to visitors Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm but do not worry about making an appointment, it is an open door policy.

From the owner: Always mention Yell when replying to this advertread more