NI Primary Schools To Take Part In Jubilee Gift Competition

Primary schools across Northern Ireland are to participate in a competition to design a unique gift for Her Majesty the Queen as part of this year's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

The Northern Ireland Office competition, launched by Minister of State Conor Burns, will offer schools the chance to design a postcard depicting a snapshot of Northern Ireland. This will then be manufactured into a rug to be sent to Her Majesty the Queen by leading Northern Ireland company Ulster Carpets.

Speaking at Hillsborough's Downshire Primary School as pupils there began to work on their entries, Minister Burns said: "This competition is a fantastic opportunity for Northern Ireland schoolchildren to get involved in producing a unique gift for Her Majesty the Queen as she celebrates this special year.

"The Platinum Jubilee year is a key occasion to acknowledge the amazing dedication and service of Her Majesty the Queen over 70 years, and I'm proud that the young people of Northern Ireland will be directly involved in commemorating it.

"I look forward to seeing the creative designs from local pupils, and the wonderful rug which will be produced by Ulster Carpets to depict the winning snapshot of Northern Ireland."

Group Managing Director of Ulster Carpets Nick Coburn said: "We are proud to offer this unique opportunity to mark the Queen's Jubilee in such a special way.

"We have no doubt that our young people will be able to demonstrate their creativity and produce a design that perfectly encapsulates Northern Ireland. We may even be able to find some talented artists who could be our future carpet designers."

The competition will be open until Friday 27 May, and the winning pupil will work with Ulster Carpets to develop their design – as well as seeing it in the production process.

The winning child and their class will then be invited to a special unveiling ceremony in the autumn ahead of the rug being sent to Her Majesty the Queen.