Jungle Book Swings

A spectacular jungle complete with vines, a river and trees has covered the Northern Bank Stage of the Lyric Theatre as the venue opens for its first family show, a new musical adaptation of The Jungle Book. Lorraine Lauder, Service Manager at Northern Bank Limited watched the final dress rehearsal and said: "I found myself transported to the jungle while watching the dress rehearsal of Jungle Book at the Lyric Theatre. The great set, lighting and visuals were used to maximum effect by the talented cast who acted, sang, played music and in one case performed acrobatics. All in all it was an exciting play, with a strong moral message to be enjoyed by adults and children alike." The Jungle Book runs at the Lyric Theatre on the Northern Bank Stage until 14 August 2011. Lorraine is pictured here as Karen Law and Gwyneth McClune 'monkey around' on the set.

Belfast Mela Returns

Now in its fifth year, the shimmering saris, fabulous food, and inspiring music and dance are back for Northern Ireland's largest multi-cultural festival, the Belfast Mela. Getting underway on Sunday 28 August, in Belfast's Botanic Gardens, this year's festival will feature over 20 top class international and home grown acts from the world of music, dance, visual arts and cookery including renowned Canadian act Delhi to Dublin and famed celebrity Chef Manju Malhi among others. This year's Mela will feature seven zones including a world food market incorporating a global cookery theatre, a community showcase area featuring local artistic talent.

There will also be the popular global bazaar and shopping area, ethnic circus and street art shows, a health zone offering alternative therapies and herbal treatments from across the world along with Culture Land - an interactive cultural learning experience for young people. The official launch is being held next week, with further details on the event expected to emerge closer to the time.

Belfast Reveals 'City Dressing'

The first of 400 new patterned banners were unfurled this week at East Bridge Street in Belfast and these will now be rolled out (literally) at more than 260 sites across the city. Featuring 12 themed patterns, the eye-catching banners aim to provide a sense of welcome as well as making Belfast's streets more colourful and attractive. They are themed on patterns unique to Belfast including the Dome of City Hall, the stain glass window of Clonard Monastery and Harland and Wolff's iconic cranes. The City Dressing Plan has been developed by Belfast City Council in partnership with Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau, Belfast City Centre Management, DRD Roads Service and the Department for Social Development. Costing £81,000, the quirky banners will be sited in the centre of Belfast and on arterial routes into the city. They will be hung from now until November, and will remain on site for three years. New patterns will be introduced at Christmas and throughout 2012 and 2013.

Sports Board Winners

The NI Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilín has announced the appointment of three new members to the Board of Sport Northern Ireland (Sport NI). Hilary McGrady, Ross Carr and Paul Cummings have been appointed for a term of four years, with effect from 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2015. "The Board of Sport NI will have a crucial role in promoting the vision of 'a culture of lifelong enjoyment and success in sport'. This vision forms the basis of my Department's 10-year Sport Strategy, 'Sport Matters'. Included in this is the delivery of the 'Stadium Build Programme', which is the key capital priority for my Department," she said this week. "I look forward to working with the new members and the Board as a whole, on taking forward this challenging programme of work."

Organ Donor Call

Belfast's first citizen has urged the people of the city to 'give the gift of life' and become organ donors. Sinn Fein Councillor Niall Ó Donnghaile called on people to sign up to the Organ Donor Register as he announced details of the opening ceremony for the 2011 Westfield Health British Transplant Games, which take place in Belfast over the weekend of 4 - 7 August. More than 600 athletes will parade through the city centre in two weeks time, from the City Hall to the Belfast Waterfront for the opening ceremony, after which they will go on to compete in more than 20 sports, as well as associated social events, over the following three days.

Frauds Fined

Two people were convicted at Londonderry Magistrates' Court this week for claiming benefits they were not entitled to. Neil Gormley (35) of Crawford Square, Londonderry was fined £100 and ordered to pay court costs of £34 for failing to declare employment while claiming Job Seekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £237. Gormley is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency. Peter Bonner (54) of Corick Road, Dungiven was given a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs of £85 for failing to declare capital while claiming Job Seekers Allowance and Rates Relief totalling £3,169. Bonner has repaid all outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

(BMcC/GK)