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Sunday, 14th March 2010

BANBRIDGE GETS THE BLING THING

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Published Date:
02 September 2009
RAPPERS such as Jay Z and 50 Cent may spend their days draped in it, but bling has become the hottest new thing recently across the district.
Hundreds of locals take a stroll down memory lane as only Banbridge natives can with the latest internet craze - Banbridge Bling.
More than 1,800 Facebook users from the Banbridge district have been busy 'blinging' their friends since the Banbridge
Bling gift application was created by local man Ady Durr three weeks ago.
The 35-year-old from the Newry Road was inspired by similar applications on the social networking site including "Culchie Prezzies" and "Lurgan Gifts" which allow users to send their friends virtual gifts tailored to a particular theme.
Banbridge Bling contains more than 14,000 gifts, many of which have been suggested by Facebook users and all of which relate specifically to the local area.
Whether it is a warning to "spot the cops speed trap on the A1" or the simple childhood memory of an "ice-cream wafer from Fuscos", people from all over the district have been sending and receiving memories of yesteryear and humorous references to the town they love so well.
Ady, who runs internet business ATD Retail, came across the gift application just under a year ago and was inspired to create a Banbridge version.
"I started thinking about things from my teenage years and they made me smile so I thought how good it would be to create lots of different gifts so people could share in the fun," he said.
"The whole idea of sending gifts on Facebook began with generic things like cuddly toys and flowers but this is much more specific and local so it's a lot funnier and easy to appreciate if you're from the area."
The application's popularity has soared during the month of August, no doubt down to the fact it is centred on fun.
"Everybody really seems to be taking it in good humour which is of course the way it is intended."
Indeed our very own world-famous strongman Glenn Ross commented on his appearance as the "a grunt from Glenn Ross" gift saying it could only be taken as a form of flattery to feature on the popular application.
Suggestions such as "Breakfast at the Patrisse" and "A ticket to see Gene in the parish centre" are sent to Ady via the Banbridge Bling homepage on the social networking site where he then sources pictures and posts the "gifts" ready to be sent to Facebook friends.
"The target age is between 25 and 35," said Ady.
"I test the suggestion on whether I remember it or think it would be universally funny to people from the area.
"Sometimes people send things in which are too obscure so I let them go but with 14,000 gifts already we are doing well.
"Some of the simplest ones are the most popular."
Having being sent or received by more than 1,220 people, "A roll down the hill after the Belmont" has proved to be the most popular gift on the site.
According to Ady the reason is straightforward.
"Everyone has done it at least once!" he laughed.
"That particular suggestion brings a smile to most people's faces."



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  • Last Updated: 02 September 2009 12:25 PM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Banbridge
 
 
 


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