Other News In Brief

Man Fined For Breaches Of Waste Management Legislation

A 45-year-old Belfast man has been fined for breaches of waste management legislation.

Laganside Magistrates' Court heard that on 5 April 2016, officers from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) conducted a visit of a site located at 95 Ballygowan Road, Ballygowan where they observed various waste types such as plastics, cardboard and paper, all in the process of being shredded or baled. Other wastes noted on site included a small amount of scrap metal and furniture.

Bruce Duncan of Windermere Park, Belfast was fined £900 for the breaches.

It is understood that Mr Duncan's site did not have a licence or exemption from the NIEA to keep or treat controlled waste. His previous exemption to store and treat waste and his licence to transport waste had expired a number of years ago.

Harryville Primary School Wins Marjorie Boxall Quality Mark Award

Harryville Primary School has been presented with the Marjorie Boxall Quality Mark Award for Nurture provision, by Education Minister, Peter Weir.

Harryville is the sixth primary school in Northern Ireland to receive a Boxall Award from the UK national accrediting body, the Nurture Group Network. Receipt of the award requires that the school's Nurture Group is operating to the highest possible standards but also looks closely at how nurturing principles are being applied across the school.

Speaking at the school, Minister Weir said: "Receiving this award demonstrates the high quality of nurture provision within the school and its commitment to the care and nurture of all pupils and how well it is helping them through the early years of school. I have been to a number of Nurture Award presentations over the past few months, and I must say I have really enjoyed meeting children and teachers and hearing how each school has made its own 'nurture journey'.

"This award is testament to the hard-work and commitment of the school to support not just those children who have come through the nurture group but all of its pupils. By working together we can help our children to unlock their full potential as they move through all the stages of school. I wish everyone well for the future."

Queen Unveils New Portrait By Artist Colin Davidson

The Queen has unveiled a new portrait of herself by Northern Irish artist, Colin Davidson, at a Co-Operation Ireland reception in London.

The portrait was commissioned to mark the Queen's visit to NI in 2012, during which she historically shook hand with Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

Artist Colin Davidson told the BBC that he was "very aware of the gravity and the responsibility involved in painting the monarch".

(MH)