One of the world’s longest established and most influential travel publications has labeled the Titanic centenary commemorations in Belfast as the “world’s biggest tourism story in 2012”. Fodor’s Ireland 2012 has dedicated an unprecedented eight pages of its guidebook to the Titanic, two of which focus on Titanic Belfast, the world’s largest Titanic exhibition which is set to open on March 31^st.

The book features two pages on Titanic Belfast, which it describes as a ‘Top Attraction’, and a six-page colour photograph ‘spotlight special’ on the Titanic, covering its history and the special centennial events set to take place. The section also includes information on the Titanic Quarter development and on touring the landmarks associated with Titanic, such as Titanic’s Dock and Pump-House and the Slipways.

Fodor’s Ireland has also named Belfast as one of the top 21 places in the world to visit in 2012.

Travel journalist Paul Clements, a contributing writer to Fodor’s Ireland, said:

“The New York editor of Fodor’s Ireland 2012 believes the Belfast commemorations of the centenary of the Titanic will be the biggest tourism story in the world in 2012 – even bigger than the Olympics as far as the US market is concerned.  That is quite an endorsement from one of the most respected and long-established travel guidebooks in the world – one which is a major influencer amongst US tourists when choosing holiday destinations.

“It is most unusual for a guidebook to dedicate as many as eight pages to the coverage of one topic, but this reflects the scale and depth of interest throughout America and the rest of the world in the Titanic story. The book has already hit the shelves in the US and tourists there will no doubt be reading up on Titanic Belfast and planning their trips to Northern Ireland.”

Tim Husbands, CEO of Titanic Belfast, said:

“We always knew the Titanic story was a truly global one which has captured the imagination of people around the world and the extensive coverage in Fodor’s, coming so soon on the back of National Geographic naming Belfast in the top 20 places to visit in 2012, is further evidence of this.

“Belfast will open its doors to the world more than ever before this year and we are looking forward to Titanic Belfast, the world’s largest Titanic experience, being the focal point for international visitors. We have already sold over 40,000 tickets, including to people in the US, Australia and Canada, and the excitement really is starting to gather pace as we approach the official opening on March 31^st.”

Fodor’s Ireland is the second best seller in the Fodor’s range (50,000 per year), which includes more than 300 titles around the world.  It is owned by the world’s largest publishing firm, Random House, and is revised annually by local writers – one of the few international guidebooks to reprint each year.

Siobhan McCauley, Director of Product Development at the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, said:

“Titanic Belfast and the whole range of commemorative events and celebrations in Northern Ireland across 2012 is set to provide huge positive lift and excitement. This latest accolade from Fodor’s will give another boost to our focused efforts to make 2012 an outstanding success story for tourism, and deliver more jobs and revenue for Northern Ireland. It is also a very welcome addition to a growing list of travel endorsements that have recently appeared in major international publications nominating us as a ‘must see’ destination.

“Our hope is that people throughout Northern Ireland will also be inspired by what we have already announced to reach out to family and friends abroad and encourage them to come here or come home in 2012 to experience the very many exciting events and attractions that we now offer visitors.”

Titanic Belfast is asking potential employees if they have the ‘Titanic T-Factor’ necessary to impress visitors when the attraction opens in March.  As part of the recruitment drive for 250 overall positions, a unique ‘T-Factor’ Audition Day is being organised to help track down 70 front line staff who can promote Titanic and Northern Ireland to the world.

Candidates, who must pre-register to secure a slot, will be given a script in relation to one of the nine galleries in the visitor attraction, and will then be required to give a three-minute interpretative presentation to demonstrate their communication skills and passion for the project.  Successful participants will then be asked back for a formal interview on a subsequent date.

The Audition Day for prospective front-of-house employees will be held next Saturday (January 14^th) at Grafton Recruitment’s Belfast headquarters in ‘The Boat’, Custom House Square.

Tim Husbands, CEO of Titanic Belfast, said:

“Last Autumn almost 1,500 people attended a drop-in day at Belfast City Hall with over 850 expressing a definite interest in working at Titanic Belfast.

“Such has been the interest that it’s been necessary to appoint an agency to assist in the company’s overall recruitment process.  Grafton Recruitment will bring a track record of working throughout Northern Ireland and across disciplines to help us secure the right people.

“We’re conscious that everyone working at Titanic Belfast will be an ambassador, not just for ourselves, but for Belfast and Northern Ireland as a whole.  This is a unique project with unique potential to promote Belfast to the world, so we need people with that special Titanic ‘T-Factor’.  The Audition Day will give prospective employees a chance to let their true personalities shine through.

“Titanic Belfast provides a great employment opportunity and we will continue to work hard with Belfast City Council and DEL to ensure that as many people as possible have access to the positions.”

When it opens next March Titanic Belfast will be one of the largest employers in the local tourism industry. It’s also expected to be one of the largest job recruiters in Northern Ireland during 2012.

Belfast City Council and the city’s partnership boards have already held a series of information days and a drop-in-day in City Hall.  Around two thirds of those who expressed an interest at that event were from Belfast, with interest generated equally from the North/West and South/East of the city.  Other people travelled in from as far afield as Aughnacloy and Castlederg.

In addition, as part of Belfast City Council’s community access campaign, two employment programmes, specifically tailored to Titanic Belfast, will provide 36 candidates with a recognised qualification and a guaranteed interview.

Belfast Mayor, Niall Ó Donnghaile, said:

“The level of interest from people keen to work for such an iconic project as Titanic Belfast has been staggering.  Belfast City Council and the Department for Employment and Learning have been working very closely with local training organisations, jobs and benefit offices and job assist centres to ensure information about these jobs reach right across our local communities.

“Pre-employment programmes, funded by the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) and Belfast City Council (BCC) have been put in place to ensure local people are job ready in time for the recruitment campaign.  In providing these programmes we are ensuring that potential employees are aware of the level of skills required and are suitably equipped with the right level of skills for the jobs.  To facilitate this, a Titanic Quarter information page has been set up on both the BCC and DEL websites.

“Belfast City Council and the Department for Employment and Learning are delighted to be at the forefront of this recruitment campaign and to be working so closely with Titanic Belfast on this iconic project. Ensuring the provision of training and employment opportunities for disadvantaged communities right across the city must continue to be the cornerstone of our development of Titanic Quarter. Improving the standard of life for people in Belfast is our priority.”

Cathy McCorry, Managing Director, Grafton Employment Group, Ireland, said:

“Grafton Recruitment is thrilled to be working with Titanic Belfast to secure candidates for this eye-catching project. There are a wide variety of roles available and all employees at Titanic Belfast will be charged with ensuring that everyone visiting the attraction enjoys a friendly and knowledgeable experience.

“With an increasingly competitive job market, these auditions are a unique procedure as part of the overall recruitment process of Titanic Belfast to suit a growing candidate pool. This is a great opportunity for anyone who has a keen interest in the Titanic story and the history of Belfast, so if you are interested in working with Titanic Belfast, please contact us.”

Among those Titanic Belfast has already recruited include a marine biologist to manage the attraction’s Ocean Exploration Centre, which will include live footage of underwater explorations by Dr. Robert Ballard, the oceanographer who discovered Titanic.  Titanic Belfast will also recruit maintenance, ticketing, retail, finance, catering and event staff.

Alan Clarke, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board said:

“Following the phenomenal success of the MTV awards late last year the tourism industry is keenly awaiting the next big event, the opening of Titanic Belfast in the spring. This new attraction is set to give another massive boost to tourism and to Northern Ireland’s reputation around the world.

Job creation and economic regeneration are at the heart of the tourism strategy for Northern Ireland, and NITB welcomes this latest recruitment initiative by Titanic Belfast and its partners, designed to ensure we offer the best possible experience to visitors. This is a unique opportunity to work at a state of the art attraction that is set to rival other global, iconic attractions and I wish all candidates, of all ages and interests, every success in finding employment.”

The Audition Day will take place between 10am and 5pm on January 14^th, with available positions including full-time, part-time, casual and seasonal. Those wishing to attend must pre-register by calling into Grafton Recruitment between 3^rd and 13^th January or registering online at www.graftonrecruitment.com which also provides full details of the positions available.

Claire Bradshaw, Head of Sales and Marketing, Titanic Belfast, spreads the news that there are now just 100 Days until the official opening of Titanic Belfast, the world’s largest Titanic visitor attraction. Work on the internal fit-out of the iconic building is ahead of schedule and will be completed ahead of the official opening on 31st March, 2012 . To mark the milestone Titanic Belfast is offering 100 lucky members of the public the chance to win free tickets to Titanic Belfast by visiting the Belfast Welcome Centre in Donegall Place, where Titanic Belfast tickets are on sale

It is now just 100 days until the official opening of Titanic Belfast, the world’s largest Titanic visitor attraction. Work on the internal fit-out of the iconic six-floor building in Titanic Quarter, Northern Ireland’s largest ever tourism project, is ahead of schedule and will be completed ahead of the official opening on 31^st March, 2012.

To mark today’s milestone (Thursday 22nd, December) Titanic Belfast is offering 100 free tickets (50 pairs) to lucky members of the public who can win them by visiting the Belfast Welcome Centre on Donegall Place, Belfast city centre, where Titanic Belfast tickets are on sale, today.

Claire Bradshaw, Head of Sales and Marketing, Titanic Belfast, said:

“The wait is nearly over – in just 100 days from now Titanic Belfast will officially open its doors to the world and Belfast can finally begin to reclaim its place at the centre of one of the most captivating global stories in history. Interest in Titanic Belfast has been building steadily for years now, but there has been a massive surge in recent months, with enquiries and group bookings from across the world arriving with us on a daily basis.

“Worldwide interest in the Titanic story is huge and we have already secured nearly 35,000 visitors through pre-booked tours and over 100 event bookings at the Titanic Suite.  Tickets are also selling well online, with buyers from Australia, the US, Canada, Germany and Spain having already purchased tickets. They will be among the 400,000 plus visitors we expect to attract in our first year, 110,000 of who will be out of state, placing Belfast very firmly at the forefront of global tourism.”

Work on the Titanic Belfast building began in May 2009 and since then over 1,000 workers have worked on site during construction. The building’s iconic hulls are covered in 3,000 aluminium panels, of which two thirds are unique in design, and the hulls are the same height of Titanic from keel to deck

One hundred Christmas shoppers will today have an opportunity to get their hands on free tickets to Titanic Belfast. The first 50 people arriving at Belfast Welcome Centre on Donegall Place between 4pm-5pm will win a pair of tickets to the attraction.

Alan Clarke, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Tourist Board, commented:

“As we move towards the completion of this iconic building, we prepare to mark the beginning of a new time of opportunity for the tourism industry here.  The local economy is set for a big boost in Titanic’s centenary year as a result of the opening of Titanic Belfast and the unique programme of celebratory events in 2012.

“It has the capacity to drive significant numbers of new visitors to Belfast and Northern Ireland, increase visitor spend and create new jobs.  I am delighted that we have an opportunity to capitalize on one of the world’s most globally recognized brands and help put Belfast and Northern Ireland firmly on the global tourism map.”

Meanwhile, Christmas Eve will mark the conclusion of the ‘Twelve Titanic Days’ campaign, which has seen 12 lucky people buying Titanic Belfast tickets online since they went on sale on 12^th December  receiving a 5% discount and entered into a daily prize draw. Prizes have included highly sought-after tickets to the MTV concert taking place on Titanic’s slipway next April, along with VIP tickets to the attraction’s opening ceremony and a chance to meet Dr. Robert Ballard, the Oceanographer who discovered the Titanic wreck.

Tickets for Titanic Belfast can be bought online at www.titanicbelfast.com. Tickets are also available via telephone on +44 (0)28 90 766399 or in person at the Belfast Welcome Centre on Donegall Place, Belfast, ranging from £5 for school groups through to £13.50 for adults. Discounts are available for groups, families, students and OAPs.

Every Saturday morning as I convert the family car into a taxi and begin a marathon round of kids drops offs and pick ups, I tune into Radio 5 Live and I have the hilarious Danny Baker for company. This Saturday as post office party eh, dehydration, was also on the cards, Danny let us know what he thinks of the news. He reckoned that all news broadcasts should be banned until a week after Christmas when they could start up again, and be as bad as ever, but at least we would all have had a break from the anxiety. Danny’s view was that the FTSE Top 100 figures mean nothing to the ‘ordinary man on the street’ so why insert them into every bulletin? Reflecting on the news cycle in Northern Ireland over the last week I could see what he meant.

This past week the Audit Office report into the Tourist Board signature projects was released, on the day that tickets went online for the Titanic Belfast building, which will open its doors next April. Talk about bad timing. The audit office questioned the viability of the yet to open building and whether it will meet its ambitious sales targets. In a report which missed the whole point of the exercise by a mile, the boffins of the Audit Office managed to throw a cloud over some of our best hopes for economic regeneration. Naturally elements of the media lapped it up and some commentators, including in this newspaper, took great delight in picking over the bones of a project which has yet to be built, never mind opened. Since the report was published tickets to Titanic Belfast have gone on sale and at the time of writing well in excess of 60,000 have been sold, with more than 300 tourist parties having reserved their place for 2012.

In this column some 5 years ago I questioned whether there was the will within central and local Government to get a suitable Titanic tourist project open prior to the centenary celebrations. At the time of publication there was a lot of talking going on, with not a shovel in sight. It was an opinion piece which earned me a not so gentle rebuke from City Hall officials and I am delighted and relieved to be able to say that my misgivings were misplaced. Through the PR role of the company for whom I work for in my day job I have had a chance to get a tour of the new Titanic Belfast building and it is quite simply stunning. The enthusiasm of those behind the project is infectious and there is no doubt that this venture can succeed. A bit of goodwill will help along the way.

Do you recall the Kevin Costner movie “Field of Dreams”? It’s one of my favourites and over the Christmas holiday season I am likely to re watch it. It features an Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella who hears a voice urging him to construct a baseball field with the words, “If you build it, they will come”. Titanic Belfast may or may not get the 290,000 visitors it has targeted each year but one thing is for sure, if we hadn’t built it, they wouldn’t come. At least we now have a shot at capturing a decent share of the tourist market next year and beyond.

For those begrudgers who decry the public funding, I really have no time. A couple of months the same people were complaining that the MTV awards cost the Council £1m. So what? Had it been double that it was still worth the money. What Northern Ireland needs right now from those in public office and from the entrepreneurs in society, is courage and imagination, not the spectre of the risk adverse Audit Office and Public Account Committee lurking on their shoulder and discouraging investment. Of course there is a balance between investing money and wasting it, but with the projects under scrutiny last week – which also included the Giants Causeway centre – we are talking about infrastructure projects which can help us make a mark in the international tourism sector.

On the day that I had the pleasure of seeing inside Titanic Belfast I also had a tour of the new Metropolitan Arts Centre which will also open next April. There is another piece of emerging infrastructure which is breath-taking. It is actually difficult to remember that you are not on holiday somewhere overseas when you realise what the MAC is going to be like, and the works which will be on display in St Anne’s Square.

The future of Belfast and of Northern Ireland can be great; there is no question about that. But let’s not have the cynics take over, this is a time to be confident and ambitious in our targets for our new society. In a few years to come, 2012 can be one we look back on as the year we turned the corner.

I only hope that with all these new attractions on our doorstep, I still have time for good old Danny on a Saturday morning.

The Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Niall O'Donnghaile, helps Rebecca Throne get her hands on one of the first tickets for Titanic Belfast, the world’s largest Titanic visitor attraction.

Titanic Belfast tickets go on sale to the public for the first time today (December 12^th) as part of the visitor attraction’s ‘Twelve Titanic Days of Christmas’ campaign. For ‘Twelve Titanic Days’ between now and Christmas Eve, anyone buying Titanic Belfast tickets online will not only receive a 5% discount, but will also be entered into a daily prize draw.   Prizes include highly sought after tickets to the MTV Concert taking place next spring at Titanic’s slipway, as well as a unique opportunity to meet Titanic explorer, Dr. Robert Ballard, when he speaks in Titanic Belfast on April 14^th, the centenary of the night Titanic struck that infamous iceberg.

Winners will also be to hoping to lay their hands on VIP tickets to special previews before Titanic Belfast’s official opening on March 31^st as well as a number of major gala banquets planned for the building’s 1,000-seater Titanic Suite.

Claire Bradshaw, Titanic Belfast’s Marketing Manager, said:

“With just 12 days to go before Christmas we think that tickets to Titanic Belfast will be an ideal present for young and old alike.  This is the world’s largest Titanic attraction and will be one of the most exciting and engaging visitor experiences to open anywhere in the world in 2012.

“If that wasn’t incentive enough, we’re offering those buying tickets online the chance to win never-to-be-repeated prizes tied into Titanic’s centenary year and the official opening of Titanic Belfast.”

Claire Bradshaw, Titanic Belfast’s Marketing Manager, The Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Niall O'Donnghaile, and Gerry Lennon, CEO of Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau, celebrate the Titanic Belfast tickets going on sale to the public for the first time from 12th December.

In addition to the ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’, Titanic Belfast has also revealed the new iconic image for its national and international advertising campaigns devised by Belfast-based Ardmore Advertising. The striking image which combines both Titanic Belfast and RMS Titanic is expected to start appearing on billboards, magazines and newspapers in January.

Claire Bradshaw added:

“We are currently receiving on average of 150-200 enquiries per week through Facebook and the Titanic Belfast website.  People, both locally and from across the world, have been eager to ensure that they are among the first to visit Titanic Belfast in 2012 while others have been keen to buy tickets as a Christmas gift for family and friends.”

Tickets for Titanic Belfast can now be bought online at www.titanicbelfast.com where visitors can avail of a 5% discount.

Tickets are also available via telephone on +44 (0)28 90 766399 or in person at the Belfast Welcome Centre on Donegall Place, Belfast, ranging from £5 for school groups through to £13.50 for adults. Discounts are available for groups, families, students and OAPs.

Titanic Belfast expects to attract in excess of 450,000 visitors next year of whom 150,000 are expected to come from outside Northern Ireland.

 Deborah has been working with Stakeholder for 6 years, between the company’s Belfast headquarters and the local Newry office. Recently appointed as Vice President of Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade among her clients are some well known Newry businesses including The Quay’s Shopping Centre, Parker Green International, Autoline Insurance Group, Jack Murphy Jewellers as well as the Southern Area Hospice Services. Deborah also works with established regional names, Sainsbury’s, BBC TV Licensing and the Metropolitan Arts Centre.

Deborah said she was delighted to receive the award, for which there was some very stiff competition.

“There were 8 of my PR colleagues from firms right across NI who were shortlisted and to be honest I was delighted to be named amongst them. To win was absolutely fantastic and it is a reflection on the strength of the team which Tom Kelly has established at Stakeholder.”

Deborah is pictured, left, receiving her award from Jane Wilson, CEO of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.

A globally-renowned travel publication has named Belfast among the world’s top 20 travel destinations for 2012. National Geographic’s ‘Traveler’ magazine included the city in the Top 20 ‘Best of the World’ list in its November edition, describing Belfast as ‘a capital city of Titanic ambition that is redefining itself in the eyes of the world’.

National Geographic named the Titanic Belfast visitor experience, the world’s largest Titanic exhibition which is set to open in March 2012, as the main attraction for visitors to look forward to next year.

Celebrating the announcement, Tim Husbands, CEO of Titanic Belfast, said:

“We are absolutely thrilled that National Geographic has named Belfast as one of its top 20 destinations to visit in 2012. To be named alongside established tourist locations such as California, New Zealand, Croatia, Thailand and Iceland is a proud moment for a city that has gone to great lengths to prove itself as a cultural capital.

“The opening of Titanic Belfast in March next year, which will launch a two-week festival marking the centenary of RMS Titanic’s maiden voyage, will bring Belfast to the forefront of global tourism. We are planning an exciting programme of spectacular events for this significant period in Belfast’s history, making it a fantastic time for tourists to either visit the city for the first time or make a return trip to see the strides Belfast has made.

“Belfast has increasingly developed a world-class reputation for hosting large international events, from the Tall Ships in 2009 to the phenomenal success of the recent MTV European Music Awards, with upcoming celebrations including the Olympic Torch Relay next year and the World Police and Fire Games in 2013. Belfast’s cultural redevelopment continues apace and this recognition from National Geographic of Belfast as an international must-see destination is testament to the collective effort made by all tourism stakeholders.”

It was confirmed today that Northern Ireland-based Farrans (Construction) Ltd has won the contract to deliver the new terminal. The 50-acre facility will initially support the construction of the West of Duddon Sands offshore wind farm – a 50/50 joint venture between DONG Energy and ScottishPower Renewables. The facility will then be utilised by DONG Energy for its future Irish Sea operations.

Work on the terminal, now underway, will take 750,000 man hours to complete before it opens in 2013.  The development is the first bespoke offshore wind installation and pre-assembly harbour in the UK, and is part of Belfast Harbour’s wider plans to create a renewable energy hub. 

Welcoming the DETI and DRD Ministers, along with representatives from DONG Energy and ScottishPower Renewables to a site visit, Len O’Hagan, Chairman of Belfast Harbour, said:

“This is one of the most important developments in the history of Belfast Harbour, providing a platform from which to market Northern Ireland as one of the UK’s leading green hubs.

“DONG Energy and ScottishPower Renewables are world leaders in renewable energy and their decision to invest in the Harbour is a major coup.  That decision was the result of a long-term investment strategy by Belfast Harbour and we are already proactively pursuing other commercial opportunities from within the green sector.

“The appointment of Farrans to develop this major marine engineering project is great news for Northern Ireland’s hard-pressed construction sector, but the potential to promote Belfast as a centre for renewable energy projects may yield even greater rewards for the wider economy.”

Eamonn Sweeney, Farrans MD, added:

“We were delighted to have been awarded this project by Belfast Harbour with whom we have had a long-term relationship through the construction of many major marine projects in the past. The project is a much needed boost for Farrans in these difficult times and will provide employment for many within the company and in the supply chain.

“It is a massive scheme requiring in excess of 100,000 tonnes of concrete and 500,000 machine hours, and it is very satisfying to see a local company win this ahead of stiff international competition.”

The new facility, designed by Northern Ireland firm, Doran Consulting, is one element of a £1.6bn investment by DONG Energy and ScottishPower Renewables to develop an offshore wind farm known as West of Duddon Sands.  Located nine miles from the Cumbrian coast at Barrow-in-Furness, the site will generate 389MW, enough to meet the energy requirements of 300,000 homes, when it becomes operational in 2014.

The £50m cost of the terminal will be funded entirely by Belfast Harbour which will, in turn, lease the facility to DONG Energy.  Welcoming the start of construction work, Christian Skakkebæk, Senior Vice President and UK Country Manager for DONG Energy Renewables, said:

“The Irish Sea is an important centre of wind power in the UK and this project will provide Belfast with one of the region’s most important logistics facilities. 

“The new terminal underlines our close working relationship with Belfast Harbour and our long-term commitment to offshore wind in the UK, including projects in the Irish Sea.  Our presence will further support DONG Energy’s position as UK’s market leader within offshore wind.”

Also attending today’s announcement in Belfast was Charles Jordan, ScottishPower Renewables’ Project Director:

“As part of the largest wind energy company in the world, Iberdrola, we know the importance of the ongoing development of the UK’s offshore wind potential.

“Offshore wind provides a major opportunity to diversify and secure energy supplies, but, as this investment demonstrates, it will also act as a major economic stimulant for other sectors such as construction.”

Over 100 turbines, each with a rotor diameter of 120m, will be shipped to Belfast before being transported using two purpose-built installation vessels.  West of Duddon Sands will be one of the world’s largest offshore wind farms when it is commissioned in 2014.

The UK has plans to develop 11,000 new offshore wind turbines at a total cost of £100bn.  Almost a quarter of these are expected to be built within 150 nautical miles of Belfast.

Ballyclare primary school teacher, Mr. McAllister, has been named Belfast Harbour Green Teacher of the Year 2011

A primary school teacher from Ballyclare has been named Belfast Harbour Green Teacher of the Year 2011 at an exciting Challenge Day at W5 attended by The Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Niall Ó Donnghaile. Mr McAllister, from Fairview Primary School, Ballyclare, scooped the top prize in the Northern Ireland-wide search for the primary school teacher who showed most leadership and took most responsibility for the environment. Second prize was rewarded to Mr Black from Phoenix Integrated Primary School in Cookstown. Two Belfast schools reached the final stage with Mrs Phoenix from St Colman’s Primary School claiming third prize and Mr Moran from Holy Child Primary School receiving the runner-up award.

The unique competition, sponsored by Belfast Harbour and organised through Action Renewables, called on primary school pupils across Northern Ireland to help find the region’s ‘greenest teacher’ by nominating their teacher and explaining, in no more than 100 words, the hard work their teacher does to look after the environment and educate children about ‘eco’ issues. The Green Teacher of the Year 2011 Awards came to an exciting finale at an environmental challenge day at W5 on Wednesday, during which the six shortlisted teachers and their classes enjoyed an interactive ‘Talking Rubbish’ show and designed, built and trialled their own wind-powered racing machines – as well as meeting Webster the Port Monster, Belfast Harbour’s Environmental Guardian.

Speaking at the Challenge Day at W5, The Mayor of Belfast said:

“I would like to congratulate every school, pupil and teacher who has participated in Belfast Harbour’s Green Teacher of the Year award. The huge number of entries this year is a testament to our schools’ commitment to teaching environmental knowledge and responsibility to our next generation of leaders.

“It is fantastic to hear about the environmental work local teachers are involved in, such as setting up eco clubs, reducing energy in school, and even creating wormeries at school. The environment is extremely important to everyone and Belfast City Council has a sustainable action plan to protect our environment. We are currently working on recycling, reducing our energy using and exploring sustainable travel methods.”

The entries were judged by a panel of experts, including David Knott, Environmental Manager, Belfast Harbour, and Laura Coey, Primary School climate change teacher, Action Renewables, as well as sustainability representative, Jackie Gibson from Graham Construction.

Roy Adair, Belfast Harbour CEO, said:

“Belfast Harbour would like to congratulate all of the individual entries for this year’s award along with our skilled panel of judges – the competition was again so strong, that choosing the six finalists from over 320 entries was an extremely difficult job. We would like to extend particular praise to Mr McAllister for his success, along with the finalists who came from schools all over Northern Ireland.

“Belfast Harbour is actively committed to fulfilling our environmental responsibilities and highlighting the benefits of reducing waste and energy consumption to a wider audience. The Green Teacher initiative is a key element of our extensive engagement with schools as we believe it is important to educate children at a young age on green issues and actively reward those who bring the benefits of environmental responsibility to the forefront of education.”

As well as enjoying the Challenge Day, the successful teachers also won large hampers, goodie bags and tickets for their class to see the Ulster Orchestra perform the music to the Christmas classic ‘The Snowman’ at the Ulster Hall. The other finalists were Mr Black from Phoenix Integrated Primary School in Cookstown, Mrs McCann from Glengormly Integrated Primary School, and Mrs Griggs from Spires Primary School in Magherafelt. All other finalists received goodie bags in addition to a workshop with the Ulster Orchestra.

Nicola Murphy, New Business Developer, Action Renewables, said:

“Action Renewables is delighted to have teamed up with Belfast Harbour for the third year of this extremely successful competition, recognising primary school teachers’ continued commitment to environmental projects while educating children about green issues. The Challenge Day is a great way to reward both pupils and their teachers while allowing children to learn about local and wider environmental issues in an innovative and exciting way, such as creating a wind-powered racing machine.

“It was tremendous to see so many schoolchildren interact with each other at the Challenge Day and be educated about the importance of caring for their environment in a fun-filled way. From speaking to teachers and pupils here today, it is encouraging to see so many Northern Ireland teachers and pupils with genuine enthusiasm about creating a greener environment.”

Peter Robinson is correct in his assumption that there will be no reward for simply surviving a term at the next elections.  To paraphrase, Bill Clinton; its results, stupid!’  Now even Martin McGuinness acknowledges that politicians need to lift their game if they don’t want to raise the apathy of an increasingly sceptical public. Keeping your job while tens of thousands lose theirs is not really an achievement. The recently published “Programme for Government’ is high on aspiration but anything emanating from Stormont that raises our ambition higher than pot holes and cow suckler premiums is to be welcomed. The target of 25,000 new jobs is high and will only come about with a fairly aggressive overseas pitch but while Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is big picture thinking, Northern Ireland is as Jim Allister points a small business economy and small businesses are haemorrhaging jobs due to our banking inertia. FDI is not a panacea but if Northern Ireland is to change its destiny then we need an announcement about corporation tax to turbo charge our international offering.  There should be no more dithering on this issue.

Sinn Fein and the DUP deserve credit for sticking with the decision to reduce the number of councils to eleven and not fifteen. Yet given the implementation of the Review of Public Administration stalled because of narrow party political considerations one would hope that the protagonists have since grown up. To be frank, Northern Ireland is so over governed we could survive with six county councils and perhaps two city councils and still achieved the type of synergies, community identity and savings that politicians harp on about. At the moment we have councils, which straddle county borders where the locals have no shared identity.  The devil of course is in the detail but politicians at Stormont should not think the public would wear ‘golden handshakes’ for departing or retiring councillors.  Across all parties many deadwood councillors, long beyond their sell dates sought and fought the last election in the hope of a payout.

While being a councillor is admirable it is not a job and losing out on boundary changes does not entitle one to compensation. A token payment of a year’s stipend would be fair but the much rumoured talked about £15k -£25k payments will stick in the craw of many voters.  Council employees who stand to lose their day jobs will not look favourably on their political masters looking after their own when cutting loose thousands of ordinary workers.

The Executive has said the focus will remain the economy and there is no doubt that Peter Robinson, Sammy Wilson and Arlene Foster are the right people in the right jobs if that focus is to gather any momentum. While John O’Dowd is by light years a better Minister than his predecessor, the failure to lance the boil over the issue of academic selection is regrettable as children- albeit by parental choice- are being put through trial by multiple examination, particularly in Greater Belfast. The establishment of yet another advisory panel to advise the Minister for Education is fudge.

Alasdair Mc Donnell makes a valid point about there being very little in the Programme for Government aimed at tackling long term, systemic unemployment.  It is easier to talk about job creation than deal with job leakage or conveniently forgetting about economic blackspots, such as Derry or West Belfast. Of course, in some areas attitudes to State dependency is as deeply culturally in- grained as sectarian attitudes are in other parts of Northern Ireland. Thinking has to be radical to make access to opportunity a level playing field for all immaterial of their postcode.

To be fair this Programme for Government deserves merit for the leadership that is being shown by the two big parties. The minority parties in the Executive by tag along or drag along methods will have behave like team members for the time being. Given we have the oddest coalition in Europe, if not the World, it is crazy to go about stifling minority opposition voices within the Assembly. Actually it’s farcical to allow members from the Executive parties to tear into their Ministerial coalition partners-if they are from another party- but exclude speaking time to those who are outside of the cosy political cartel.  Jim Allister is not my cup of tea, nor is he necessarily constructive but his questioning is forensic and holding to account is a cornerstone of democracy. Not withstanding our financial woes- free speech still costs nothing.