Other News In Brief

Street Art And Bespoke Lighting Brightens Up Royal Avenue

Belfast City Council have funded a joint initiative by Cathedral Quarter Trust and University of Typical for a combination of specially commissioned street art and a bespoke LED lighting scheme on Royal Avenue.

Funded by the Council's Community Cluster Grant Scheme, the theme for the project was 'A year in the life of the Cathedral Quarter' and the final works, by talented local artist James Ashe, feature a range of playful scenes and moments familiar from the Cathedral Quarter area.

Councillor Ryan Murphy, Chair of Belfast City Council's City Growth and Regeneration Committee said: "It's great to see Royal Avenue and the Cathedral Quarter Area being enhanced through our Business Cluster and Community Grant Programme. We're committed to stimulating footfall in the city centre, boosting businesses and making the area more attractive and enjoyable to spend time in. Cathedral Quarter Trust and the University of Atypical's decision to commission Belfast based artist and illustrator James Ashe brings a real authenticity and energy to the project. We're looking forward to making city centre more accessible for those walking, wheeling and cycling, creating greener and more vibrant streets, making connections with surrounding communities and encouraging city centre living through A Bolder Vision for Belfast."

Director of the Cathedral Quarter Trust, Susan Picken said: "We have been looking at ways of brightening up the area for some time and this project, with the support of Belfast City Council, will bring some light and colour into the lower Royal Avenue area.

"We hope that the fun and colourful mix of shutter art, lighting and window vinyls will brighten up the day of everyone who visits and works in the Cathedral Quarter".  

In addition to bespoke LED light installations and shutter art, a series of specially designed window vinyls featuring iconic buildings from across Belfast have been installed in the windows of MACC Hair on Royal Avenue. 

Owner of MACC Hair, Ciaran Connolly, expressed how he believes it to be a positive move for the area: "It's always good to be updating the city centre. When surroundings look good, it changes people's attitudes and the way they look at things. That's why we wanted to get involved."

Ciaran, who was born in New Zealand, said the project has helped to instil a renewed sense of pride in the city.

He explained: "We've had a lot of people asking where we had it done, who the designer is. I think it's reminding people of Belfast and what's around them."

Deirdre McKenna, Project Officer at the University of Atypical, who helped to bring this project to life, said: "The University of Atypical for arts and disability are delighted to have worked with Cathedral Quarter Trust and local businesses to enhance this colourful and historical area. We hope this project will animate our street and welcome our neighbours at Ulster University's newly opened campus.

"Following an open call for submissions of interest by artists, we were delighted to have co-commissioned artist James Ashe to develop new artworks to enhance our neighbourhood alongside new programmable lighting to add a festive feeling year round."

Lead artist James Ashe said he was delighted to have been selected for the project.

"I'm thrilled to have been chosen, it's a big step up as I've never had my work utilised in a public domain setting before. There's going to be lots of colour and buzz whenever the work is finished"

"It's been very positive to see University of Atypical and Cathedral Quarter Trust put the arts at the forefront for their vision for Royal Avenue."

Also joining in the project is Lebanese restaurant Deerah. Saeb Shaath, the manager, said he is thrilled to be taking part and believes that the entire project has helped enliven and brighten the area: "I think the design on our shutter is amazing; it will attract customers to us and help in creating a positive image for this part of Royal Avenue."

Current participating venues in the project are:

• 105-107 Royal Avenue

• Deerah, 107 Royal Avenue

• 109-113 Royal Avenue - Cathedral Quarter Managed Workspace

• MACC Hair, 143 Royal Avenue

More shutter art pieces will be popping up in various Cathedral Quarter locations throughout the month of October.

Alliance Welcomes 'Positive And Proud Day' For Integrated Education In Northern Ireland

Alliance have welcomed a "positive, proud day for Integrated Education in Northern Ireland", after ther Integrated Education Act became law.

The historic day comes after a long private members bill process that brought forward new legislation to meet the growing demand for integrated education across Northern Ireland. Built into the act was a six month period to allow the Department for Education and Education Authority to prepare to deliver the law. Now the law is enacted the Dept and EA are required to deliver the Integrated Education Act.

MLA Kellie Armstrong, who introduced the bill, said: "This is a proud day for all in the Integrated Education sector, as we take a step forward in securing support for the growing number of families seeking to have their children educated integrated together in an integrated school.

"This is a day for celebration. Integrated education was enshrined in the Good Friday Agreement, yet over 20 years on provision to see our children educated together still lags behind controlled and maintained schools.

"Alliance has always supported Integrated Education. As an Alliance MLA I used my opportunity to bring forward a private members bill, now an Act, to deliver on one of our core Party policies.

"This was a hard fought for act and one which I am proud to have delivered as a private member that delivers significant change to the Education system to support Integrated Education. I look forward to seeing how we can further enhance integrated education provision locally."

SDLP Calls On Leaders To Support Joint Authority

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has urged party leaders to support Joint Authority if the Stormont institutions cannot be restored.

Mr Eastwood wrote to Stormont party leaders on Wednesday asking them to support Joint Authority from both the British and Irish governments if an Assembly and Executive is not formed in the coming months.

He said that while the SDLP's first preference was to have local politicians taking decisions on behalf of people here, there can be no return to direct rule from Westminster.

Foyle MP Mr Eastwood said: "Given the uncertainty around the future of our political institutions and speculation around a way forward in the absence of an Assembly and Executive, I think we need to have clarity for people here around the next steps if the DUP continue their boycott.

"The prospect of a disintegrating Tory party running Northern Ireland from Westminster would rightly concern people here. They have shown they are totally unfit to govern and any attempt to assert more control here in the form of direct rule would be undemocratic and could not command broad support.

"We want to see our institutions restored, we have been clear that is the best way of dealing with the issues impacting people in our communities. From the cost of living emergency to our huge health service waiting lists, people are struggling, but there appears no prospect of progress in the immediate future, with the DUP refusing to do their jobs and the outcome of negotiations between the EU and the new British government unclear.

"We cannot allow the situation to drift aimlessly and the SDLP has been firm there can be no return to direct rule from Westminster. I'm asking every party leader to acknowledge the situation facing us and to back Joint Authority from both the British and Irish governments to provide stability in the months ahead. Any failure to acknowledge the active role the Irish Government current plays in the North's affairs would be disingenuous in the extreme and I believe this solution is in keeping with the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement and gives us the best chance of finding an agreed way forward."