Traditional Unionist Voice held its AGM last nigh and elected officers for the incoming year. The officers elected were William Ross (President), Jim Allister (Leader), Ivor McConnell (Chairman), Keith Harbinson (Vice-chair), Karen Boal (Secretary) Kenny Loughrin (Treasurer) and Samuel Morrison (Press Officer).Speaking after his re-election as leader Mr Allister said:“Tonight’s meeting showed that Traditional Unionist Voice is not going away. Our phenomenal performance in the European Election – gaining almost 14% of the total vote and 30% of Unionism – has given hope to tens of thousands of Unionists throughout our Province.“We will build on this result and go forward to victory in future elections. Much attention in the media has focused on North Antrim. However, that is far from the only seat TUV will be targeting come the Westminster election. While the DUP voted for a general election last night in the Commons everyone in Northern Ireland knows that they only did so only because the motion had no possibility of success. If the DUP were genuinely concerned about governments facing a crisis of confidence they would call an immediate Assembly election. It’s not just the Westminster administration has clearly lost the confidence of the people it is evident that a large swathe of Unionists – who are not currently represented by a single MLA – do not support Stormont’s terrorist inclusive government.”Party chairman Ivor McConnell announced the formation of a working group to examine the way ahead for the party. The working group, which will explore the strategy for future elections among other issues will report back to the party executive after the summer.
Northern Ireland Water Ltd (NIW) was given a conditional discharge for a period of two years and ordered to pay £46 court costs at Newry Magistrates’ Court today.NIW was found guilty of making a polluting discharge and making a discharge to a waterway in contravention of the Department’s consent conditions.On 17 February 2008 a Water Quality Inspector acting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (formerly the Environment and Heritage Service) found a tributary of the Clanrye River to be cloudy in appearance.The source of the polluting discharge was traced to the Rathfriland Waste Water Treatment Works.A sample taken at the time of the incident confirmed that the discharge contained poisonous, noxious and polluting matter which would have been potentially harmful to fish life in the receiving waterway.
Tory MPs are continuing to promote a Bill to abolish the minimum wage, which is due to be debated tomorrow.Usdaw is calling on its members to lobby the MPs who are supporting the Employment Opportunities Bill to withdraw their support and for David Cameron to condemn it.It follows a concerted campaign by the pressure group Wage Concern, led by John Prescott MP and supported by Usdaw and Unison. This grassroots campaign saw more than 12,000 people sign a petition or join the Facebook group; the online lobbying of more than 300 MPs and 139 MPs back an Early Day Motion calling on David Cameron to renounce the bill.All this pressure led to the bill being pulled from its original slot on May 15th after Gordon Brown told MPs during Prime Ministers’ Question Time to voteagainst it.Usdaw General Secretary and Low Pay Commission member John Hannett said:”I can’t believe that Christopher Chope is still promoting this legislation when he didn’t have the bottle to debate its consequences with me on the radio. Wewill continue to defend the national minimum wage from all those who seek to destroy it.”This Bill will leave Britain’s most vulnerable workers at the mercy of rogue employers who will pressurise them into opting out of the minimum wage. Itoffers no choice to low paid workers. Tory MPs are insulting our intelligence by suggesting that there is a human right to pay lower than the legal minimum.”This Bill will remove the floor of minimum wage protection and that means everyone’s wages will spiral downwards.”John Prescott added:”I am delighted that Tory Nigel Evans has seen sense in the face of union pressure and backed down on the bill. It is a shame that his leader has refused our call to publicly renounce this bill too.”The national minimum wage was one of this Labour Government’s greatest achievements. If this Tory bill were passed it would take us back to the badold days of poverty pay and a race to the bottom of the pay scale by employers.”
The streets of Banbridge will be paved with gold on Saturday 20th June 2009 for the much anticipated Banbridge Buskfest competition which, with a tempting £3000 prize pot, is expected to attract over 100 buskers from across Ireland and beyond. If you want to strike gold with your busking act, then don’t leave it too late - the event organisers are now making a final call for entries! Anything goes at Banbridge Buskfest, which is a Banbridge District Council event supported by Tesco, whether it’s mime, street theatre, dancing, music or even playing the comb, as event organiser, Paul Tamati explained;“Banbridge Buskfest attracts talent of all types and ages, and it really doesn’t matter what your act is – if you have the X Factor you’ll shine out from the crowd! The junior competition is for those aged between 10 -16 years and for the open competition entrants must be aged 17 years or over. Judges will be looking for a number of things including skill and ability, passion, entertainment value and audience interaction. However, the best advice I can give is to show off your personality, play to your audience and just be yourself. We are now making a final call for entries – our website www.buskfest.com has all the registration details or you can call the event information line on 028 4066 0626 to secure a busking spot.”The fun and entertainment doesn’t stop when the busking ends, a free outdoor concert and prize giving ceremony will take place in the grounds of Banbridge Leisure Centre. Starting at 5pm -10.30pm, immediately after the Banbridge Buskfest Competition on 20th June, the ‘Gig on the Rig’ will be headlined by acclaimed Dublin rock band, Aslan and supported the superb Lee Hedley Blues Band and popular local group, Last Known Addiction.To find out more about Banbridge Buskfest event on 20th June 2009 visit www.buskfest.com or contact the information line at Banbridge District Council on 028 4066 0626Banbridge Buskfest is a Banbridge District Council event supported by Tesco.
Pupils from six local primary schools had their work on exploring their local townlands commended by the Chairman of Omagh District Council, Councillor Martin McColgan at the opening of the annual Schools Place Names Project exhibition at Strule Arts Centre on Monday 8 June 2009. Key Stage 2 pupils from Drumduff Primary School, Gibson Primary School, McClintock Primary School, All Saints Primary School, St Teresa’s Primary School Loughmacrory and St Patrick’s Primary School Eskra, have spent recent weeks researching the names of the townlands in which they live and go to school, exploring their history, interesting or historic features and well known people or personalities who lived in their locality in the past.Speaking at the launch of the Place Names exhibition, the Chairman of Omagh District Council, Councillor Martin McColgan commended the schools on the enthusiasm with which they participated in the project and congratulated the pupils on the excellence of the research they carried out which contributes to the vital work of preserving and promoting this rich part of our heritage. “Omagh District Council places great value on the rich cultural heritage which our place names and townland names provide. Your cultural heritage defines who you are and I see the townlands and placenames as being central to that sense of identity. These projects are a reminder of the rich culture and history associated with the town lands and place names of the Omagh District and I hope they have given you a greater understanding of and interest in where you come from”, he added.The Schools Place Names Project is organised by the Arts & Tourism Department of Omagh District Council and the exhibition will continue until the 30 June 2009.
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster recognised the positive impact businesses have on Northern Ireland society, at the Business in the Community annual awards.Business in the Community, (BitC) seeks to help business become socially responsible and it supports companies by developing campaigns and programmes focused on the environment, the workplace, and social and economic impacts.The Minister congratulated the winners at the fourth annual BitC awards in the Waterfront Hall and said: “By adopting socially and environmentally responsible behaviour, businesses can make a significant contribution to boosting wealth creation and employment, fostering social justice and protecting the environment.“Corporate Social Responsibility should be on the agenda of every company and the BitC awards are evidence that this is increasingly the case in Northern Ireland.”Commenting on the economy Arlene Foster said: “In the current global economic downturn the Executive is working to support businesses in Northern Ireland. The £15million Short Term Aid Scheme that I announced last month will help viable companies that are experiencing short term pressure to prepare for the upturn when it comes.Arlene Foster recognised the important work of BitC and concluded: “BitC, not only, contributes directly towards achieving economic growth, our top priority in the Programme for Government but also towards the promotion of tolerance, inclusion and well being, as well as the protection and enhancement of our environment and natural resources.”