Month: May 2022

– Ulster American Folk Park will host the iconic music festival for its 30^th anniversary on 28^th and 29^th May –

– World class line-up of performers will play across three stages –

Ulster American Folk Park has announced the return of the Bluegrass Omagh music festival after a two year break due to the pandemic. Now in its 30^th year, big crowds are expected to attend across the two-day event on 28^th and 29^th May to mark this significant milestone.

Multi-award winning acts from both sides of the Atlantic will take to three stages. From international acts including The Slocan Ramblers, Seth Mulder & Midnight Run, Vivian Leva & Riley Calcagno and Aaron Jonah Lewis, to our finest local artists such as No Oil Paintings, Joshua Burnside and Cup O’Joe.

Set against the vibrant and imaginative backdrop of the Ulster American Folk Park, visitors will be transported to Appalachian America – the root of bluegrass music – to enjoy strumming on the porches, dancing on the cobbled streets, and jamming outside the General Store as the sounds of banjos, guitars and fiddles fill the air.

John-Paul Coyle, Visitor Services Manager at the Ulster American Folk Park, said: “We are delighted to welcome people back to Bluegrass Omagh to help us celebrate its 30^th anniversary. This year, we decided to host the festival in May to allow for brighter evenings, and hopefully warmer weather.

“This event is one of the best and most authentic bluegrass experiences on offer, not only in Northern Ireland, but across the world with both home-grown talent and performers from across the Atlantic coming together to share their music.

“The museum setting adds to the experience as it helps bring to life what is widely considered the beginning of the bluegrass genre, when the people who emigrated to the heartland of Appalachian America, brought their music styles to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. Bluegrass is in the depths of our DNA at the Folk Park and the distinctive style of a lot of modern-day American country, bluegrass and folk music can be traced directly back to emigrants from Ulster. It is wonderful to keep this heritage alive and continue to share the rich cultural expressions of song and dance.”

To mark the 30^th anniversary, local musicians and songwriters Rachel McCarthy, Katie Richardson and Jackie Rainey have collaborated to perform songs from the bluegrass, folk and Americana artists who have inspired them over the years. This performance will include three part harmonies and covers from a range of artists from the bluegrass and folk music genres.

Speaking about this one-off collaboration, Carolyn Mathers, Director at Snow Water, the company behind the programming of the festival, added: “It has been an immense pleasure to programme the 30th Anniversary of Bluegrass Omagh, given the incredible reputation it has established over the years. We curated a line-up that will appeal both to bluegrass purists and to those new to this rich, vibrant and colourful scene. The special collaboration between Rachel McCarthy, Katie Richardson and Jackie Rainey will bring their incredible collective musical backgrounds together to express their love of bluegrass and country music, and will add to the spirit of the occasion.”

Bluegrass Omagh has previously been nominated for ‘Bluegrass Event of the Year’ by the International Bluegrass Music Association and over its 30-year legacy has become part of the fabric of Omagh that delivers for the local economy with international visitors enjoying the town’s hospitality offerings and other tourism hotspots in the region.

The two-day festival is sponsored by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council. Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Errol Thompson, said: “As an Omagh Town Councillor I am delighted that Bluegrass Omagh at the Ulster American Folk Park, is returning this year.  The Council is pleased to be able to provide sponsorship towards the Festival which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

“The Bluegrass Festival is a significant event for the District providing a much welcome boost to the local economy and in particular the tourism and hospitality sector.  The Council is committed to ensuring that the District is an attractive place to live, work, visit and invest in, and events such as this contribute to the achievement of this.”

Festival-goers can pay homage to the heritage and legacy of the Appalachian settlers through music, but they will also have the opportunity to enjoy wholesome food, musical workshops and artisan craftwork across the weekend.

Kathryn Thomson, Chief Executive of National Museums NI, said: “It’s wonderful to reflect and see just how significant an event Bluegrass Omagh has come to be and how it has enabled us to show that museums are more than buildings and collections, but an integral part of society and our wellbeing. We’re proud of the contribution that the festival makes to the local economy and community each year with visitors coming from across Northern Ireland, Great Britain and even further afield to enjoy the experience year on year.”

The festival will take place at the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh on Saturday 28^th and Sunday 29^th May, 2022, with performances starting each day at 1pm and running to late evening. For more information and for tickets, please visit https://www.bluegrassomagh.com/.

For Belfast’s Nikita Brijpaul a conversation with his line manager led here to the Boardroom Apprentice programme, and the challenges now see him hold three boardroom roles.

“The programme is designed to support those aspiring develop corporate responsibility by offering placements and training days so that applicants can increase their chances of sitting on boards across Northern Ireland.”

During a performance review with my then line manager I reflected upon the fact that I wanted to make a step change, challenge myself and understand strategy at a board level,” explained Nikita. “She immediately signposted me to the Boardroom Apprentice Programme.”

While the goings on in boardrooms remain shrouded behind closed doors the programme shattered misconceptions for Nikita.

“The programme demystified the boardroom experience and taught me to trust in my instinctive leadership abilities,” he said. “It has given me the confidence to believe that with time, an open mind and practise I have what it takes to be successful in the boardroom environment.”

The 46-year-old discovered that while he wanted to acquire strategic management skills it enabled him to reflect on his own life. 

“The Boardroom Apprentice programme application process caused me to delve much deeper into my own personal experiences,” he said. “Being raised in the vibrant community of Toronto and the Caribbean has taught me that diversity creates value.

“I soon realised that the key reason for me pursuing a board opportunity was that the trajectory of my life experiences had led me to a place where I am passionate about serving one’s community and bringing value in terms of diversity.”

As well as the training and one-to-one support of the Boardroom Apprentice programme there is a placement.

“I was fortunate to be selected as a Boardroom Apprentice and placed with the Board of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission,” Nikita explained. “It was a pivotal time for the organisation as it sought out its new duties under the EU Withdrawal Act 2020.

“I had the privilege of observing first hand key principles of public life upheld to the highest standards. 

“I have learnt the importance of expressing gratitude, the art of challenging and the importance of first principles. I sat through articulate discussions and witnessed courage and respectful dissent.”

That experience, as part of his development, led to further opportunities for Nikita.

“Since completing the programme I have gone on to take on three roles,” he said. “The first role I acquired soon after was the Boardroom Apprentice when I was appointed to the membership body of Mutual Energy. The second role I am currently in is as a member of the Governing Body for the Belfast Met with the third being a Director for Mediation NI.”

And that development was something Nikita had not expected.

“The most surprising thing about the programme was the realisation that this was just the start of the journey,” he explained. “It is uncommon for me to feel out of my depth; however the programme built my self-awareness. It made me realise that a real step change is needed to take a ‘helicopter view’ and that there is so much more to learn and integrate into practice.”

While recognising that wanting to serve on a board is not for everyone Nikita believes that it is rewarding, something coloured by his own family experience.

“If you are passionate about serving and unsure of your ability then this is a great place to start,” he explained “Passion is good to have but having a ‘why’ is of utmost importance.

“I think of my father who at the age of 12 was given his first pair of hand me down shoes to attend school with.

“He had to work tending rice paddies and cattle all year round. Education was a privilege and an opportunity to escape the life of a poor rural farmer in a third world country. I think about that every time I go into a board meeting at the Belfast Met.”

However, Nikita took on the challenge of the Boardroom Apprentice at a time that was personally very challenging.

“The application process was one of the most eloquent, honest and raw pieces of writing that I had ever attempted,” he said. “I applied for the programme during the onset of the pandemic.

“It was a particularly bad time for me as I was newly single and alienated from my children. Isolation was very real, especially as all of my family is in Canada. It’s safe to say that the Boardroom Apprentice programme gave me the opportunity to reflect upon my life and establish worthwhile goals to strive for. I’ve not looked back since.”

While boards are still perceived as male dominated, upper middle-class Nikita believes that Boardroom Apprentice is shattering that stereotype.

“It is exceptionally important in encouraging particularly women and ethnic minorities,” he said. “The programme acts as a springboard for those seeking to go on to serve on boards.

“It gives underrepresented groups the self-belief and self confidence that is integral. I think all boards wish to see more diversity however it’s exceedingly difficult to recruit, without the support and encouragement of the likes of Boardroom Apprentice.

“The programme has successfully demystified the goings on within the boardroom. I have concluded that I have what it takes to be in the boardroom.

“I will just need more time to learn via more exposure to the boardroom. After over 20 years of being steeped in operational roles within the corporate environment I do find it hard to grasp strategic concepts in practice. However, this is a known unknown I have identified, and will be moving forward in my journey towards leadership.”

Nikita urges anyone who wants to develop their skills and what they can contribute to take part in Boardroom Apprentice, as he feels that they will develop and begin, what for him is a positive stepping stone.

“The programme acts as a springboard,” he said. “It is just the beginning of a very long journey. I know I will feel intellectually uncomfortable for some time within the board environment. The public sector is very different from a boardroom view to what I’m used to. Once I understand the landscape I will be unstoppable.”

Learn more about Boardroom Apprentice and how to take part here: https://boardroomapprentice.com/

Applications are open until May 24th.

To get involved on social media use #GetOnBoard, and follow @BoardAppr on Twitter. You can also find Boardroom Apprentice on Linkedin, Instagram and Facebook.

The first ever ‘Swamp Festival’ in Belfast is expecting to attract hundreds of visitors to the Bog Meadows Nature Reserve in Belfast on Saturday 14 May.

This unique and free fusion festival of music, arts and crafts, storytelling, nature walks, cultural workshops and much more will celebrate the return of the African sedge warblers, willow warblers, house martins and swallows to Bog Meadows.

Belfast City Council and Ulster Wildlife have joined forces with leading cultural arts organisation ArtsEkta to put in place this special Swamp Festival for all the family as part of the £5.1million EU PEACE IV-funded Forth Meadow Community Greenway project, which aims to promote the greenway as a shared, welcoming, connected and safe space for all. 

With African music from Magwere, traditional Irish music and local folk band The Doone Brothers on stage throughout the afternoon, the day starts at 6am with a special Dawn Chorus and finishes with the Forth Meadow Greenway Duck Derby at 4pm. Tickets are free but must be pre-booked via ArtsEkta’s website, which contains the full programme of activities for the festival.

Rose Crozier, Director of City and Neighbourhood Services, Belfast City Council said: “We attracted a tremendous crowd for our first Greenway cultural event in March, with the Luminate Festival, so we’re hoping more and more families will join us on Saturday 14^th May for this amazing Swamp Festival to enjoy this wonderful new space being created in the heart of the city to bring people from all communities together.”

Nisha Tandon, Founder and CEO of ArtsEkta said: “We are delighted to present the first ever Swamp Festival on this island on behalf of Belfast City Council, following our inaugural Greenway Luminate Festival in March. We look forward to putting on more events throughout the Summer to bring the Forth Meadow Community Greenway to life this year.”

Deborah McLaughlin, Community Engagement Officer with Ulster Wildlife said: “Every year hundreds of feathered visitors flock to Bog Meadows from Africa to rear their young. This amazing green space, right in the heart of West Belfast, is a fantastic asset, not only for wildlife but for local people to enjoy and we look forward to showcasing it at the Swamp Festival.”

For full details of the Swamp Festival programme go to ArtsEkta’s website where tickets for this FREE festival must be booked in advance from https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/forth-meadow-community-greenway-40614725793

The Greenway is being delivered through Belfast City Council’s PEACE IV, Local Authority Action Plan. This Action Plan has been funded through the EU’s PEACE IV Programme, which is managed by The Special EU Programmes Body. Match-funding has been provided by the Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development in Ireland.

“When I was serving fish and chips in my parents’ chip shop in Portrush I never thought someone one like me would get to serve on a board in the public and third sectors.”

Reflecting back on when she was just starting out on her first Board, Eileen Mullan admitted that she found the journey daunting and exciting in equal measures.

“I wasn’t sure what was expected of me, or in fact what contribution I could make. 

“Often when I reflect back, I realise there was no training, no support and certainly no opportunity to gain experience before I took the step as a fully signed up board member. I knew that was wrong and I couldn’t understand why that was happening,” she explained.

For many people, their perceptions surrounding the makeup of boardroom members are often one of a number of determining factors which leads them not to apply. From not feeling qualified to lacking self-belief, having no experience, and feeling unable to fit the ‘Boardroom mould’ are common misconceptions that are the genesis of all that Eileen has and still continuously works tirelessly to change.

“I hear many times about Boards struggling to get board members when recruiting, the frequent statement is that people just aren’t interested in serving. 

“I know that not to be the case, my experience has been that people do want to serve, but rule themselves out for many reasons: lack of experience, being too young and not knowing what is expected of them.”

Armed with the passion and motivation to create something practical that would enable people to take their board member role from aspiration to reality, Eileen started to share her idea with Board Chairs, CEOs, Senior Civil Servants and Politicians.

“I was just one woman with an idea and lots of motivation and passion but I knew I couldn’t do it on my own”

However, Eileen soon faced a number of obstacles that left her nearly giving it all up.

“There was no money, I had hoped a pilot could be funded, but that wasn’t going to happen as Stomont had just fallen.

“So, I brought together a small group of committed individuals who were supportive of the idea and wanted to help. We met in the Boardroom at the Belfast City Hospital. 

“I shared with them where I had got to in my many discussions and I offered the group three options: Firstly I stop now, and I’ll never mention this initiative again and I’ll just let it go.

“The second is that we can wait until Stormont is back up and running (this was in 2017) and see if they are prepared to fund it. 

“And thirdly, I asked them to give a little bit more, do this on goodwill and get a pilot up and running and test it. They all said yes to the last one.”

After that, Eileen had a pilot programme ready to recruit in May 2017, with the programme beginning in September. 

“There were 24 Host Boards signed up for the first programme and to my surprise over 200 applications. I couldn’t believe it. I sat at home with my printer that did 5 pages a minute to print out over 200 applications.

“The pilot was a huge success, so we delivered a second programme. In 2018, I had an opportunity to meet with Sue Gray, the then Permanent Secretary for the Department of Finance. 

“I shared the Boardroom Apprentice story with Sue and she was struck by its aims and wanted to help. Since 2019, the programme has been receiving support from the Department of Finance. 

“I never wanted Boardroom Apprentice to be something people had to pay to do. I know how it feels to not be able to afford to go on a training course. It just creates another barrier for people not to be able to take part in the way they want to.” 

Boardroom Apprentice is an eclectic collaboration between the public, third and private sectors providing a wealth of skills, experience and knowledge which makes this programme an incredibly unique initiative.

Now in its sixth year, the Boardroom Apprentice has helped 223 candidates across Northern Ireland to begin their Boardroom journey. 

This year’s programme offers a Boardroom Apprentice a choice of 58 host boards from across the Charity or Public Sector. They get the opportunity to be a part of a board to learn in a safe way.

Year on year, Eileen has had the pleasure of watching what was once a dream, have real tangible outcomes across Northern Ireland’s Boardroom landscape.

“We know the Boardroom Apprentice is working. The follow up tracker is showing that more than 50% of the first three cohorts are actively involved in Boards. We track them 12 months following completion, so we know what we set out to do is working.

“I’m also getting feedback from host boards who are also seeing the benefits for their whole teams and saying that our Boardroom Apprentices are opening up their eyes in terms of the things they need to be thinking about how they work to enable others to be at the table.”

“I never expected Boardroom Apprentice to be where it is today. I am very proud of the small group of committed individuals who help make Boardroom Apprentice what it is. When the Boardroom Apprentices go on to realise their aspiration and serve, I couldn’t be prouder – you know you are doing something right.

For those thinking of applying to this year’s programme, Eileen is keen for prospective applicants to ‘only apply if you want to do this for the right reasons’. Take your time with the application form, prepare the responses to the questions in advance and remember this is a highly competitive programme – your ‘why’ must stand out.

“It’s not about having a few learning days. It’s a significant commitment – same as you would have to give as a board member. The ideal applicant has to be passionate, motivated, looking at this from the position that you want to serve – not in 20 years but in the next 1 to 3 years. My expectation is that you will be on a board giving back and deploying your skills, knowledge and experience you have been gifted,” she explained.

“This is hard work. Being a board member is hard work. If you want to serve, then this programme will enable you to learn how to do just that, but you’ve got to put in the work.”

“Being a Boardroom Apprentice is a gift. You get the programme as a gift with the expectation that you give it back. Being a Boardroom Apprentice is about preparing you for public service, which is about you playing your part.”

For more information on Boardroom Apprentice visit https://boardroomapprentice.com 

Applications are open until May 24th. 

To get involved on social media use #GetOnBoard, and follow @BoardAppr on Twitter. You can also find Boardroom Apprentice on Linkedin, Instagram and Facebook.

Armagh Craft Fair returns for its tenth anniversary year to the wonderful surroundings of The Market Place Theatre and Arts Centre in Armagh on Saturday 28 May, with an exciting programme of creative activities for visitors of all ages to enjoy, making this year’s craft fair a date for your diary.

The venue will transform into a vibrant hub of high-quality craft, art and design activity for the day. Visitors can shop at thirty craft stalls from makers nationwide, experience traditional and contemporary craft demonstrations with some hands-on craft making opportunities. You will find printed and woven textiles, jewellery, wood, fine art, leather, glass, soaps, candles, ceramics and artisan foods.

Children will enjoy getting creative at the FREE drop-in art sessions throughout the day making this fun event a must for all families.

Live musical performances during the fair will keep you entertained as you shop for beautiful craft products, relax with a refreshing drink or simply enjoy the atmosphere.  We look forward to celebrating 10 years of this wonderful fair with all the talented makers and our visitors.

This year’s Craft Fair will run from 10.30am to 4.30pm at The Market Place Theatre. Entrance is free, as are all craft demonstrations. For further information, bookings and to download the full programme go to www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre You can also follow developments on Facebook (www.facebook.com/marketplacearmagh) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/mptarmagh) for the latest information and video previews.

May is a month of music at Seamus Heaney HomePlace and next Sunday 15 May sees one of the most significant Irish Trad musicians – the amazing Martin Hayes – perform, and while in conversation with Liam O’Connor of the Irish Traditional Music Archive / Taisce Cheol Dúchais Éireann, share notes on his story of getting to the very heart of music.

Martin Hayes is regarded as one of the most significant talents to emerge in the world of Irish traditional music. His unique sound, his mastery of his chosen instrument – the fiddle – his acknowledgement of the past and his shaping of the future of the music, combine to create a formidable artistic intelligence.

He has drawn inspiration from many musical genres, but remains grounded in the music he grew up with in East County Clare, creating a unique and insightful interpretation of Irish music.

Martin has toured and recorded with all the great artists, has played with Sting and Paul Simon and performed for Barak Obama at the White House. He founded the seminal Irish American band, The Gloaming, with whom he tours internationally and with whom he shared the prestigious Meteor Prize in 2014 for their debut album. His autobiography ‘Shared Notes’ was published to great acclaim in 2021 and tells his own unique story of getting to the very heart of music.

In this unmissable event, Martin will chat with Liam O’Connor, director of the Irish Traditional Music Archive, about his life, career and autobiography, before performing some of his best-loved pieces.

Tickets are on sale now at www.seamusheaneyhomeplace.com

Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival is back this year from May 27^th – June 5^th with 10 days of exciting seafaring fun to look forward to.

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is working with Ballycastle Community Development Group and Rathlin Development and Community Association to bring you this hugely popular celebration, with a packed programme of activities on both dry-land and at sea, inspired by the Rathlin Sound – the body of water connecting Rathlin Island to the mainland in Ballycastle.

Visitors can look forward to live music performances, ‘have a go’ activities, crafts, walks, talks and lots of artisan produce which celebrate the area’s rich local history, culture, music, and food.

There’ll also be a special visit from tall ship ‘The Leader’, a traditionally rigged sailing vessel, who will moor in Ballycastle throughout the festival. Get on board for a tour, enjoy a sail around the bay or simply admire the beauty of this majestic boat from the harbour.

In addition, thanks to Causeway Coast Maritime Heritage Group, you’ll get to see traditional fishing boats like drontheims and currachs take to the water, including the Colmcille, one of the largest vessels of its type in Northern Ireland.

In other programme highlights, look out for the blessing of the boats, an appearance by the Vikings, a colourful kite display and an exciting demonstration from Red Bay RNLI to mark its 50th anniversary.

Looking ahead, the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Richard Holmes, said:

“Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival is about inspiring a passion for the sea, as well as celebrating Ballycastle and Rathlin Island’s shared nautical heritage. It is a fantastic showcase of the area’s unrivalled tourism product and it brings a unique vibrancy which has been enjoyed by thousands of visitors since it first began.

“I know it is highly anticipated every year as a highlight of our Borough’s events calendar, and Council is very grateful to the local community volunteers who play a central role in its success.”

The full programme will be published on the festival’s website soon so please visit www.rathlinsoundmaritimefestival.com for the latest updates or contact Ballycastle Visitor Information Centre by ringing 028 2076 2024.

Please note, details are subject to change due to tides and weather conditions, so visitors are advised to follow the Festival’s Facebook (@RathlinSoundMaritimeFestival) and Twitter (@RathlinSoundMF) channels for the most up-to-date announcements.

Belfast woman Mary Anne Farenden, 29, is set to appear in episode three of RTE’s popular horticulture show ‘Super Garden’ tonight Thursday May 5.

The architect graduate, artist and singer joins four other budding designers from across Ireland who are battling it out to secure a coveted garden spot at Ireland’s leading garden festival, Bord Bia’s ‘Bloom’. 

This year’s series sees the designers transform Riverside in Kells, a new social housing development built by Meath County Council where they will each be given an identical plot in the estate as their blank canvas to create a spectacular show garden for the residents.

The self-employed creative described how her love for design started at a young age despite growing up in a household of engineers: “I would say I have been artistic since I can remember. I loved making little spaces and one thing my mum always said was I would make little nests. 

“I think with most of the family being engineers, they need to solve problems and you can’t help but absorb it but I knew from an early age I wasn’t a mathematical person.

“When I finally got the house I’m in now I had a little yard and it was like the Garden of Eden. It was concrete with an oil tank but it was outside space. I enjoyed trying to create the perfect little haven in the middle of an alleyway.”

Mary Anne currently is a small business owner of Mary Anne Designs and Chalkboard Art Belfast creating bespoke illustrations for restaurants throughout Belfast.

In terms of design, Mary Anne takes inspiration from a broad range of gardens including cottage, fairy woodland and zen gardens and loves to create her own unique blend of them all.

With only five weeks and a budget of €15,000 to bring her idea to life, Mary Anne described how ‘blood, sweat and tears’ went into making the show garden for the Devine family who have three young children and two dogs.

“It was extremely hard work and 100% blood sweat and tears went into it. Most days I was there from 9 to 11 at night just working right up until the very last moment” she explained.

Tonight’s episode showcases Mary Anne’s ‘Enchanted Playland’ design which combines natural woodland and suburbia.

Packed full of unique touches from a willow lined gravel path leads to a log playhouse surrounded by toadstools, Mary Anne hopes to win over the family with her fairy inspired design.

Under the canopy of trees, Mary Anne has included a tyre climbing frame, swing and slide to please the young children.

The adults also haven’t been forgotten with Mary Anne creating a timber decking that leads directly from the house to a picnic bench and table under a wooden pergola with a protective Perspex roof perfect for summer socialising.

However, not only does Mary Anne have to win over the residents, her designs have to capture the attention of Super Garden’s acclaimed judges, Gary Graham, Monica Alvarez and Brian Burke who each have years of horticulture experience worldwide.

Tune in tonight at 8:30pm on RTE to see if Mary Anne can pull off a Bloom worthy garden and impress the nation.

Applications for this year’s Boardroom Apprentice programme are now open and available on the official Boardroom Apprentice website.

Open to those aged 16 or over from all backgrounds and all abilities, this unique board learning and development programme is looking for a diverse range of Boardroom Apprentices to take a seat at one of 58 host boards and attend a suite of learning days throughout the year.

Founded by Eileen Mullan in 2017, the programme is now in its sixth year and has helped 223 individuals across Northern Ireland make their aspiration of sitting on a board a reality whilst helping to diversify boardrooms in the public and third sector.

Eileen Mullan, Boardroom Apprentice founder, said: “I decided to create a programme that brings together three key elements – knowledge and understanding, experience and support. Over a twelve-month window Boardroom Apprentices will get practical board experience, a suite of learning days and support to fully equip them to serve on a board in the public or third sector.

“Being a Boardroom Apprentice is a gift. You get the programme as a gift with the expectation that you give it back. Being a Boardroom Apprentice is about preparing you for public service, which is about you playing your part.”

With support from the Department of Finance, the Boardroom Apprentice provides apprentices with the opportunity to expand their skill set through a suite of learning days on topics such as finance, governance and communication.

Boardroom Apprentice Nikita Brijpaul believed his time in the 2019 programme was just the beginning of his journey. 

“It is exceptionally important in encouraging particularly women and ethnic minorities,” he said, adding: “The programme acts as a springboard for those seeking to go on to serve on boards.

“It gives underrepresented groups the self-belief and self confidence that is integral. I think all boards wish to see more diversity however it’s exceedingly difficult to recruit, without the support and encouragement of the likes of Boardroom Apprentice.”

2017 Boardroom Apprentice Brendan Morrissey felt that his expectations of the learning days were exceeded and thanks to them, he was able to enhance his skills further.

“My expectations of the learning days were exceeded as it just blew my mind in terms of how much I learned and how much I developed. 

“Even my self worth and confidence had developed so quickly over a short period of time. I didn’t expect to feel just as strongly about all of that as I did at the end of it.”

The programme seeks to enable a wider diversity of individuals within boardrooms across Northern Ireland and challenges preconceived stereotypes of the makeup of boardrooms.

Brendan explained: “I think the Boardroom Apprentice is essential because a lot of people including myself think that they haven’t got what it takes but boards are crying out for people and want a more diverse board and this programme is opening a gateway for that.”

“If being on a board giving your time and sharing your skills is something you aspire to do, but are not sure how to do then Boardroom Apprentice will enable you to do just that,” said Eileen.

This year’s programme will run from 01st September 2022 – until 31st August 2023 in adherence to all relevant Covid-19 guidance.

Applications are now open, to apply go to https://boardroomapprentice.com/how-to-apply/ 

For more information on Boardroom Apprentice go to https://boardroomapprentice.com 

The manager of the Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District has called statutory agencies in the city to re-consider the impact of a thriving and growing Cathedral Quarter on baseline service provision.

Damien Corr, CQ BID manager, said: “There is a growing feeling among businesses in the cathedral quarter that we may be overlooking the basics such as street cleansing, lighting and the upkeep of the general infrastructure of the area as we look to develop our city to reach its full potential among its regional and international peers. 

“For example the UU campus is set to welcome over 15,000 people in September of this year…that’s like dropping the population of Armagh into the area.

“We currently have around 3,500-4,000 students now living in the cathedral quarter as well as more student accommodation developments planned.

“Notwithstanding the current cost of living rises, we are beginning to see a more optimistic and confident outlook among many of our businesses. Within the last year 10 new businesses have opened up in the Cathedral Quarter, with another six looking good for the next 12 months and five longer term major developments in the pipeline.”

Within the last year the cathedral quarter has welcomed the opening of Lebanese food outlet Deerah, Neighbourhood cafe, Never Never mens clothing, The Academy restaurant at the university, Cathedral Pizza on Donegall Street and a number of other businesses such as The Quarter by Warren tourism accommodation. 

Cathedral Quarter BID Chair Les Hume said: “The business community have voted with their feet and are investing in our area but they want assurance that at the very least our public realm will be fit for purpose when people return. 

“We are committed to working in partnership with business and statutory partners to ensure that streets are safe, clean and welcoming…these baseline services should be a given, he said.

In a 2021 survey commissioned by CQ BID, 90% of respondents cited increased footfall as a key target.

Since then the BID has part-funded events such as Tumble Circus’ Winter Circus, The Belfast Children’s festival, The Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, Festival of Fools and Hit the North. 

Damien explained that these initiatives have brought “tens of thousands of visitors back to Cathedral Quarter”.

He added: “We readily acknowledge the support provided by Belfast City Council, PSNI, Department for Communities and Department for Infrastructure in preparing the area for  events to take place and clearing up afterwards. 

“We fund these events to act as a catalyst to encourage people to come back to the Cathedral Quarter and our feedback and subsequent evaluation show that visitors enjoy and feel safe at these events.

“More needs to be done to encourage all visitors to come to the cathedral quarter and to feel safe and welcome whilst doing so.

“This is why baseline services such as street cleansing, lighting and the upkeep of the general infrastructure of the area must remain consistent, not just when events are happening or when someone makes a formal complaint.”

Last month following a series of complaints made by local businesses a meeting was organised by the Business Improvement District where all group party leaders at Belfast City Council were invited to send a representative to speak with the businesses and hear their concerns.

“Unfortunately only Alderman Jim Rodgers (UUP), of the eight parties invited, turned up on the day (SDLP and Green Party gave apologies – the other five did not acknowledge the invite or subsequent reminders)” said Damien.

“The businesses who took time out of their busy schedules commended Alderman Rodgers but were disappointed to say the least with the other parties’ failure to attend.

“We need political support and leadership to ensure that these baseline services are delivered consistently across the city centre which will in turn provide a good foundation for the City’s key strategies to build upon.

“The Cathedral Quarter BID is committed to working in partnership with elected representatives, Statutory agencies and other sector organisations. We are now calling on our councillors to engage meaningfully with city centre ratepayers.”

For more information about the Cathedral Quarter or CQ BID go to cathedralquarterbelfast.com