Gemma says she wanted to show her kids that you can still do the things that feel a bit scary, even after setbacks

This is Belfast mum Gemma Massey who has returned to competitive weightlifting 12 years after her last competition.

For Gemma, a personal trainer, Bowen therapist and massage therapist, it’s proof that a back injury, ongoing nerve pain and the everyday demands of raising a family don’t have to be the end of your goals.

Gemma, 43 and from West Belfast, is mum to Charlotte and Jack. Founder of strength and recovery studio Re-Balance You, Gemma competed at The Outset Open, hosted by NI Weightlifting, on September 12 at Outset Gym, Hulls Lane, Lisburn. It’s her first competition in 12 years, having first stepped onto a competition platform 14 years ago.

In the years between, Gemma fractured her back before the birth of her daughter. The injury left her with nerve pain down one side of her body that she still lives with today.

“That injury really knocked my confidence in what my body could do,” said Gemma. “For a long time I didn’t know if I’d get back to lifting properly again, never mind competing. But with the right team around me, and a bit of time and patience, you can get back things you thought were gone for good.”

Gemma says the return to competition was about more than lifting weights. As a mum running her own business, she wanted to speak openly about how easily women can lose sight of themselves once children, work and everyday responsibilities take over.

“Nobody really talks about how, when you become a mum, you kind of drop down the pecking order of your own life,” Gemma explained. “School runs, dinner, the house, work. Everyone else comes first. Being a mum is an amazing job, but your priorities change, and it’s easy to lose track of yourself in the middle of it all.

“I wanted to show my kids that you can still do the things that feel a bit scary, even after setbacks, and when life has completely rearranged your priorities.”

Gemma runs Re-Balance You, a Belfast-based strength, movement and holistic therapy practice combining personal training, group fitness classes, Pilates, sports massage and Bowen Therapy, a hands-on treatment she is certified in through the College of Bowen Studies.

She credits her coaching team at GoLift Weightlifting Club, including coach Peter Stewart, along with the ongoing support of Louise Murphy PT, with helping her prepare for the competition: “Louise believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. Having the right people in your corner makes all the difference.”

Gemma hopes her story will resonate with other mums, and with anyone who has felt they had to put their own goals on hold. Progress, she says, is possible at any stage of life.

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Babul’s, on Market Place, stopped offering takeaways from September 14 after saying rising costs, pressure on its kitchen and abuse directed at staff had made the service increasingly difficult to operate.

But within days, the customer response made the restaurant’s team “stop and think”.

Babul’s said customers had emailed, messaged and commented about how important takeaways had become to them.

The restaurant said it heard from customers who had ordered for decades and families who made Babul’s part of birthdays, New Year’s Eve and other traditions.

Babul’s in Barnard Castle (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

It said messages from older people, customers with disabilities or health problems and carers showed that takeaways were essential, not just convenient.

In a statement, Babul’s said: “Since announcing the end of our takeaway service, the response has been far greater than we expected.

“We’ve read your comments, messages and emails, and some of the stories you’ve shared have genuinely moved us.

“We knew people enjoyed our takeaways. What we perhaps hadn’t fully appreciated was just how much the service means to some people, and the role it has played in their lives.”

The restaurant highlighted customer Malcolm Elsbury, who has launched a petition urging Babul’s to reconsider.

It added: “For some people, takeaway isn’t just about convenience; it’s the only realistic way they can continue enjoying Babul’s.

“Malcolm is one of those customers, and his story really brought that home to us. But he is far from the only person we’ve heard from.”

Babul’s stressed that the problems behind its original decision have not gone away.

The restaurant previously said online, phone and walk-in orders put kitchen and front-of-house staff under heavy pressure at busy times, risking delays for diners and takeaway customers.

It had also reported more rude and verbally abusive behaviour towards staff handling takeaway complaints.

But the business is asking whether a different model could bring takeaways back.

Customers have suggested a smaller menu, online ordering and payment, fixed collection slots, limited busy-period availability and higher prices if needed.

Babul’s said: “Perhaps the question isn’t simply: ‘Should Babul’s bring takeaways back?’

“Perhaps it’s: ‘Is there a better way of doing it?’

“If takeaway were to return, it couldn’t simply return exactly as before.”

The restaurant said limiting dishes and collection slots could control demand, with orders stopping when capacity was reached.

It added: “But if those changes allowed us to offer takeaway again without compromising our restaurant, our standards or our team… would you support it?”

Mr Elsbury’s “Bring Babul’s Takeaways Back!” petition says customers understand the pressures on the independent business and are not demanding the old system back unchanged.

Instead, it suggests online-only ordering, fixed collection slots, a smaller menu, higher prices, selected takeaway times and minimum orders.

The petition says older residents, disabled people, carers and families with young children can find eating out difficult.

It also says people in rural communities around Barnard Castle have fewer alternatives for food.

Mr Elsbury wrote: “We are not demanding that the old takeaway system simply comes back unchanged. We are asking for a conversation.

“We are asking whether there is a middle ground that protects the restaurant, protects its staff and still allows an important service to remain available to the community.”

When Babul’s announced the end of takeaways, it left open a return if a reliable, financially sustainable model could be found.

The restaurant has urged customers to sign the petition and suggest how a revised service could work.

It said: “Nothing about the challenges we originally spoke about has changed, but your feedback has made us think differently about how we might solve them.

“Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to contact us and share their story.

“We’re listening.”

Paul Kelly, from Clostoken, died following a slurry incident on a farm in Loughrea on Wednesday, with tributes flooding in for the beloved father-of-one

A father who lost his life in a tragic farming accident in Co Galway has been remembered as a “kind, wonderful person”.

Paul Kelly, from Clostoken, passed away following a slurry incident on a farm in Loughrea on Wednesday.

The Health and Safety Authority has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.

In a notice on RIP.ie, Paul’s family said: “[We] would like to express their sincere thanks to all their extended family, neighbours and friends for all their kindness and help, at this very sad time. May Paul’s gentle soul rest in peace.”

The father-of-one will be laid to rest at Clostoken Cemetery following his funeral mass at the Church of the Holy Family, Clostoken, at 12pm on Monday, reports the Irish Mirror.

He will repose at Kilboy’s Funeral Home, Loughrea on Sunday from 3pm to 5pm. His funeral notice reads: “Predeceased by his loving father Vincent and mother Bernadette.

“Paul will be deeply mourned and sadly missed by his daughter Tia and her mother Jana, brothers Richard, Kenneth and Gerard, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, extended family, relatives and many friends.”

An outpouring of tributes has emerged for the Galway man, who has been fondly described as “kind, funny and helpful”.

One heartfelt tribute reads: “To his beautiful girl Tia his pride and joy to Jana and the extended Kelly and Killilea families at this very sad time. Fond memories and chats with Paul he was such a kind and caring gentleman.”

A friend recalled: “I have the fondest of memories with Paul from our days in school, University and then as our neighbour.

“One of the hardest workers I ever knew who loved his family beyond measure and was a kind, wonderful person and friend. He will be very sadly missed around the roads of Clostoken.”

Another pal reflected: “He was always so friendly and hardworking. May his kind and gentle soul rest in peace.”

While a fourth mourner shared: “Paul was a lovely, friendly man who always stopped for a chat in the morning. He had a warm and kind nature that will be fondly remembered by all who knew him. Paul adored his beautiful daughter, Tia, and was immensely proud of her. Paul is back in the arms of his beloved parents Bernadette and Vincent.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with you all as you grieve the loss of a deeply loved father, partner, brother, family member and friend. May the many happy memories you shared with Paul bring you comfort and strength in the difficult days ahead. RIP Paul.”

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By OLIVIA ALLHUSEN, FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER

Published: 01:42 BST, 20 September 2026 | Updated: 02:19 BST, 20 September 2026