Mayor launches `Time For Caring' poetry competition
The Mayor, along with daughter Hollie and Primary 7 pupils from Fort Hill Integrated Primary School; Mark Leitch and Hannah Kirkpatrick, launch the Mayor's Poetry Competition called 'A lime for Caring'. Also pictured are Anne Blake, Chairperson of the Carers Forum on Learning Disability and Chairman of the Council's Corporate Services Committee, Councillor William Leathem.
THE Mayor of Lisburn, Alderman Paul Porter, launched his Christmas Poetry Competition called 'A Time for Caring', earlier this week, with all proceeds going to the Mayor's charity.
The theme of the competition ties in with the Mayor's chosen charity, The Carers Forum on Learning Disability' and is open to all Primary 7 children in the Lisburn City Council area.
Speaking about the competition, the Mayor said: "I am delighted to be launching this competition for many reasons. The theme links in with the charity I have chosen to support during my term in office and this competition gives children throughout the City an opportunity to express their creativity and tell us what 'A Time for Caring' means to them. The timing of the competition is especially relevant as Thursday, October 7 marks National Poetry Day 2010. That campaign is designed to promote and celebrate poetry nationally, and my poetry competition atms to do the same within our local area.
"The winner of the competition will join me on stage at the Christmas
Switch On Event, helping me turn on Lisburn's Christmas lights and also
reading their winning poem to the gathered crowds. Like most competitions
there will only be one overall winner, however a range of the poems
submitted will be published in a unique booklet and proceeds from the sale
of this will go directly to
the Mayor's charity. I would encourage all the P7 children to enter the
competition and wish them the very best of luck."
Anne Blake, Chairperson of The Carers Forum on Learning Disability said: "This is a great way of getting the younger people in our area to think about the whole tssue of caring. It means different things to different people and this competition gtves the children a chance to share their feelings with the Mayor and indeed the people of Lisburn. I am looking forward to judging the entries, along with the Mayor and Councillor Leathem, and producang what will be a very special booklet with a special collection of meaningful poems."
Chairman of the Council's Corporate Services Committee, Councillor William Leathem added: "I am pleased to announce the date of this year's Christmas Switch On is Friday, November 19. This year's theme is 'Lisburn Lights up for Christmas' and it promises to be a great family night out. The parade of lights will comprise of local school children showcasing the lanterns and props that they have created at workshops in their school, spectacular illuminated carnival pieces, costumed characters and professional entertainers."
The closing date for the Mayor's Poetry Competition is Friday, October 15 and the judging panel will then have the difficult task of judging all the entries. The winner will be announced at the end of October.
Ulster Star
24/09/2010
