Other News In Brief

Autumn Fair To Return To Botanic Gardens On 23-24 September

Belfast City Council has announced the return of the Autumn Fair to Botanic Gardens on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 September.

The annual family event, organised by the council, takes place from 12.30pm to 6pm each day and both young and old will be treated to lots of fun-filled activities, live music, food and more.

Among the highlights is the Autumn Flower Show, showcasing spectacular prize-winning autumnal blooms and floral art displays, as well as a display of giant seasonal vegetables.

A variety of food and craft stalls will be selling arty delights and local produce, and the Sustainable Living Emporium will be showcasing sustainable fashion and lifestyle choices.

There will be plenty of free family-friendly activities to enjoy over the weekend including bouncy castles, balloon modelling, facepainting, autumn themed arts and crafts, sports games, bubble bike, walkabout acts and pumpkin carving.

There will also be a funfair zone including Tea Cup and Safari Train rides, as well as a Bungee Trampoline.

Launching the event at Botanic Gardens, Lord Mayor, Councillor Ryan Murphy, said: "The Autumn Fair is one of our top seasonal events where we get to celebrate the best that nature has produced, as well as all the fun of the fair with live music, food and crafts and fun activities for young and old to enjoy.

"Come along and help us mark the change of season in the city and enjoy Botanic Gardens' other top attractions – the Palm House and Tropical Ravine, while you're there."

New Belfast 'Hometel' Opens Exhibition Call For Local Artists

room2 Belfast has called on artists to submit their work for exhibition in their new gallery space.

room2 is Belfast's first 'Hometel' with 175 rooms, four collaborative event spaces, a restaurant and bar, tea experience room and lobby.

The Hometel's is also committed to "blazing the trail towards a greener future" as a 100% electric and low-energy space.

Making its call to artists, room2 Belfast said: "In synergy with our commitment to a greener future, we would like to invite local artists to showcase their work in our 'One Home' Art Gallery.

"The art should reflect our beliefs and values of our planet, our home, our 'One Home'.

"We've made it our business to have a positive impact by empowering others to live sustainably. We are creating a way of living that promotes caring for the planet, the home and the self. Our mission is to decarbonise our home, reduce waste and care for our people and their happiness."

Submission Guidelines & Deadline: Monday 11th September

To be considered for our hotel gallery exhibition, please follow these submission guidelines:

• Artwork: Submit up to five (5) pieces of your most suitable artwork along and a short bio via email. Additionally, please include the artwork size, the title and a short description of each piece, sharing the inspiration or message behind it taking into account the 'One Home'

• Contact Information: Don't forget to include your full name, email address, phone number, and social media handles (if applicable) for communication purposes.

• Please email your submissions to woodhall@lamingtongroup.com & michelet@room2.com with the subject line "room2 Belfast – Gallery Submission – [Your Name]." We'll review all submissions carefully, and our team will reach out to selected artists with further details.

• Display Ready: If you are successful, we will require each piece of art to be supplied to us ready for display, whether that means via canvas or pre-framed.

• Printed Copies: We will also require a small stock of print versions available for customers to purchase which will need to be supplied by the artist and pre-packaged. Profits would go back to the artist, minus a commission of 25% which would cover Lamington Groups handling time and management of the sales.

Grassroots Sports Funding Cuts 'Ticking Time Bomb' – Alliance

The Alliance Part has described the loss of funding for grassroots sports in NI as a "ticking time bomb that will have to be paid for by the NHS down the line".

The party's sports spokesperson David Honeyford said the ending of funding of sports projects under the Executive's Central Good Relations Fund, part of the Together: Building a United Community strategy had affected support for grassroots programmes led by a host of sports from hockey to badminton and netball, and including PE lessons for schools.

Mr Honeyford said: "Pulling the rug out from under these sports projects can only have a negative effect on physical and mental health in the community.

"Doing so is taking away half a million pounds meant to address issues like childhood obesity, self-esteem, health and wellbeing and general fitness. This amounts to a ticking time bomb that will have to be paid for by the NHS down the line.

"Alliance opposes these cuts, which have been made without the involvement of Ministers due to the intransigence of the DUP and their boycott of the devolved institutions.

"As the Northern Ireland Office says in its own guidance document: 'any major change of an existing policy, programme or scheme should normally be left for ministers to decide or agree'. That has not been the case in this instance and it is local people who will suffer as a result."