CHRISTMAS ARTS EVENTS
:: Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Arts and heritage service has a range of festive events lined up in the coming weeks in North Down Museum, Bangor and Ards Arts Centre, and Newtownards.
The museum’s pop-up Christmas shop runs right through to Sunday January 7 while the Creative Peninsula Christmas Fayre takes place in Ards Arts Centre on Friday and Saturday December 1 & 2.
Among other events (full details at www.andculture.org.uk) will be a Christmas Night at the Movies in the Chamber Room in Bangor Castle on Thursday December 14.
Performed and hosted by one of the north’s finest vocalists in Bangor woman Michelle Baird, the concert will feature much loved hits and themes from popular films including Elf, Love Actually and Home Alone as well as West End and chart favourites and Christmas classics.
Joining Michelle will be the talented pianist Steve Barnett, along with Stephen McClenahan on guitar and other guest performers. Tickets cost £15 including festive refreshments.
CALL FOR SCHOOL GOVERNORS
A campaign has been launched by the Department of Education and the Education Authority to encourage applications for the role of school governor, who play an important role in the management of a school, alongside the Principal and school staff.
Permanent secretary Dr Mark Browne said: “Becoming a school governor is a fantastic opportunity to promote the education of children and young people and contribute to your local community. Posts are available in controlled and maintained schools across Northern Ireland and I would encourage anyone with an interest to apply.
“You do not need to be an educational expert or be a parent to serve as a governor. You will need to have the desire to ensure children get the best possible education and bring qualities such as enthusiasm, commitment and the ability to work in a team.
“We are looking for volunteers from across the country to become school governors and make a positive difference in the lives of our young people in local schools.”
Successful applicants will be expected to take up the post for a four-year term of office from 2024 - 2028.
If you are interested in applying to become a school governor, you can find further information at www.education-ni.gov.uk/articles/school-governor-appointments or www.eani.org.uk/school-governance
WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
The Institute of Directors in Northern Ireland has joined forces once again with law firm Herbert Smith Freehills in Belfast to launch the 2024 Women’s Leadership Conference.
Returning to Belfast’s Crowne Plaza Hotel on Friday March 8, the conference is expected to be another sell-out event, attracting over 500 delegates and participants.
The theme for the 2024 event is from former COO of Meta, Sheryl Sanberg: “In the future, there will be no female leaders, there will just be leaders” and attendees will be asked to consider how they can commit to this aim within their own businesses and organisations.
Headlining the 2024 conference will be journalist and campaigner, Mariella Frostrup. Known for her appearances on Panorama, hosting Open Book on BBC Radio 4 and her role as The Observer newspaper’s resident Agony Aunt, in recent years Mariella has become increasingly involved in advocacy work, campaigning for equal rights and women’s causes in particular.
She is a gender ambassador for Save the Children, a founder trustee of The Great Initiative, a gender equality charity, and a long-term supporter of Comic Relief.
She will discuss her best-selling book ‘Cracking the Menopause’, which Mariella co-authored with writer Alice Smellie, and talk about the work she has done to encourage more women to come forward and seek out the support they need to navigate this phase of their life.
Joining Mariella on the line-up will be acclaimed chef and former Great British Menu contest Danni Barry. Now executive head chef at Ballynahinch Castle in County Galway, she is only the second ever Irish woman to hold a Michelin star and was named Irish Chef of the Year in 2016
Also returning in 2024 will be the 8th ‘Pitch Perfect’ competition where female-led startups take to the stage for a live pitching competition with audience members voting on who should take home the £4,000 prize.
Tickets are available to purchase now from the IoD NI website and more information about speakers and running order will be posted on the IoD NI’s social media channels
As well as Herbert Smith Freehills, other sponsors include NIE Networks, KPMG, Danske Bank, Henry Brothers, SONI, The Irish News and Translink.
