Greater Ardoyne Residents Collective

This sectarian poster was erected at the shops on the Crumlin Road on the day of the recent Tour of the North parade.  It was later removed but it continues to appear on the website of the Greater Ardoyne Resident Collective.

The message will be understood by most people as a clear threat of violence by dissident republicans if members of the Orange Order exercise their right of peaceful assembly.

Summer Reading Challenge

Libraries Minister, Nelson McCausland, launched this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, on behalf of Libraries NI, at Finaghy Library on Wednesday 23rd June, with a little help from the pupils of Finaghy Primary School.

Irene Knox, Nelson McCausland, David Elliott and some children from Finaghy Primary School

The Summer Reading Challenge takes place from Saturday 26th June – Saturday 4th September, and aims to keep children reading throughout the school summer holidays. This year’s theme is ‘Space Hop’ which is designed to create a ‘buzz’ around reading and all Northern Ireland libraries are preparing to launch children’s imaginations into orbit through this intergalactic book adventure.

The Challenge is simple - Children are encouraged to read six or more books of their choice during the holidays with collectable incentives and rewards, plus a certificate or medal for every child who completes the Challenge.

The Summer Reading Challenge continues to go from strength to strength every year. This exciting initiative not only encourages our children to read and enjoy books but also promotes quality time and interaction between parents, carers and children. Libraries play a vital role in the development of our children and I would encourage all parents and carers to bring their children along to their local library to take up this challenge.

The Summer Reading Challenge is an immensely popular and successful reading initiative. Now in its twelfth year, it is created by The Reading Agency, which is an independent charity working to inspire more people to read more.

Libraries NI Chief Executive, Irene Knox explains: “Research shows that children really enjoy taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge, which is a great way to keep children entertained over the holidays. More importantly, it has been proven that children who take part in the Challenge read more books and read more widely than those who don’t, with potentially life-changing results.

An interactive Space Hop (www.spacehop.org.uk) website has just been launched, linking children with top authors and illustrators, and giving them space to talk about their favourite books and to share reading ideas.

To find our more about events planned around the Summer Reading Challenge, contact any Northern Ireland library or go to the Libraries NI events website at www.librariesni.org.uk/events.

Ulster Grand Prix

The official launch of the Ulster Grand Prix was held yesterday in the civic centre in Lisburn.  Among those present were Ryan Farquhar and William Dunlop.  The UGP is now in its 88th year and brands itself as the fastest road-race in the world.

Big City Park

Ormeau Park in Belfast is the location for the filming of a new chidlren's television series, Big City Park,  for Cbeebies.  The series was created by Colin Williams, originally from North Belfast, and it is being produced by his own company.

Nelson McCausland, Rick Hill, Colin Williams and some of the characters

I visited the set in Ormeau Park to meet the production team and the characters who will feature in the series, one of whom at least has a good Ulster accent.  Each of the programme lasts for 15 minutes and there are 27 in the series.

As well as helping to support the lcoal economy, this programme will bring Ormeau Park into many thousands of homes across the British Isles and beyond.

Spellbound by gymnastics

Sports Minister, Nelson McCausland is pictured with members of Britain's Got Talent winning act, Spelbound and Mr Andy McDowell, chairman of Rathgael Gymnastics Club, Bangor. The gymnastics troupe were putting in some valuable training hours at the invitation of the club who have witnessed a marked increase in membership and participation following Spelbound's well documented recent success.

Restoration work at Belfast Central Library

Desi Miskelly, Assets Manager with Libraries NI , David Patton, chairperson of the Patton Group,

who are carrying out the repairs, and Nelson McCausland

Earlier this week I visited Belfast Central Library to see the important stonework repairs being carried out to the façade of the historic building.  Libraries NI initiated the repair works to address weather damage to the landmark grade B listed building's stonework and roof. Work is expected to be completed by the end of 2010.

The Northern Ireland Executive has committed nearly £850,000 to these restoration works in recognition of the significant role that Belfast Central Library plays in the cultural life of Northern Ireland. This work will ensure the safety of the public and also ensure that this iconic building is preserved for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations. The library is also a key part of the regeneration of the historic North West quadrant of the city.

I was accompanied on his tour of the building by Billy Martin, chairman of H&J Martin, the building firm that originally constructed the library, and a descendant of the original Martin family, and David Patton, chairman of the Patton Group, who are carrying out the repairs.

The skill of the craftsmen is remakrable as is the care that is taken in plannign the work and procuring the best materials.  The builsing was constructed of sandstone from Dumfries in Scotland and stone from the same quarry is being used in the repair work to ensure that it matches the original.

I have spent many hours in the library but this was my first opportunity to get up on to the roof and see the building from above.

Graeme McDowell

Northern Ireland golfer Graeme McDowell has become Europe's first US Open champion for 40 years after winning his first major title at Pebble Beach.  This is an outstanding achievement.

McDowell, was born in Portrush in 1979 and attended the University of Alabama from 1998 to 2002.  In 2002 he won the Haskins Award for the most outstanding collegiate golfer in the United States and in 2001 he was a member of the Great Britain and Ireland team that retained the Walker Cup at Sea Island in Georgia.  Graeme turned professional in 2002 and has enjoyed six wins on the European Tour to date.

Well done, Graeme! Northern Ireland is truly delighted!

Golf was introduced into Ulster in the late 19th century from Scotland by Thomas Sinclair, a remarkable man who was the leading Liberal Unionist of his day, the leading layman in the Presbyterian Church and the man who wrote the Ulster Covenant.  Today there is a very strong interest in golf in the province and we have magnificent courses such as Royal County Down, Royal Belfast and Royal Portrush, which are among the finest in the world.
 
This was a good weekend for some other Northern Ireland athletes and Coleraine's Richard Chambers won a gold medal for rowing at the World Cup regatta in Munich.