Other News In Brief

Parade Expected To Disrupt Traffic In Newtownabbey

A parade organised for Newtownabbey this evening, Friday 28 June, is expected to affect the flow of traffic.

The event will begin at 6.45pm at Cloughfern Orange Hall. The main areas affected will be Doagh Road, Rathcoole, O'Neill Road and Rathfern.

Diversions will be in place and motorists are advised to expect delays.

L'Derry Festival To Showcase Young Artistic Talent

The best of local artistic talent in L'Derry will get a unique platform to exhibit their work as part of the City and District's biggest ever youth arts festival.

The Rewire Festival- an action packed 12 day celebration of youth culture from June 26 to July 07- will feature hundreds of events and include performances, exhibitions and discussion forums.

It is the flagship event of Youth 19, Derry City and Strabane Council's year long programme of events and activities focussed and dedicated to young people aged 12 – 24.

The celebration will include an eclectic range of activities and events including music gigs, a spoken word/hip-hop festival, film screenings, discussions, fashion masterclasses, street art and digital.

The art element of the programme will include exhibitions in the Garden of Reflection in Bishop Street, the Gasyard Centre on Lecky Road and the Void Gallery on Patrick Street.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council said the events will not only offer exposure for up and coming artists but can inspire more young people to get creative and create art of their own in the future.

"I am delighted that the Rewire Festival has placed such a strong emphasis on art by hosting exhibitions of exclusively local young people's work," she said.

"The festival is offering an ideal platform for young people who have never exhibited their art before as well as some of the more up and coming artists who are studying artistic disciplines as part of their education and training.

"Art takes a wide range of forms including painting, sculpture, photography and film and can play a key role in helping people develop mentally, socially and emotionally so I would encourage as many young people as possible to visit the venues and explore the what's on show."

NI Firm Wins Key Contract In Leeds

Northern Ireland firm GRAHAM has secured a major contract to refurbish a riverside office block in Leeds.

Work has started on site in Sovereign Street to strip out and refurbish the former Sovereign House.

The development will serve as the new head office of Leeds Building Society, bringing together more than 800 Society colleagues currently spread across three city centre locations.

Karen Wint, Leeds Building Society's Chief Operating Officer, said: "Our new home is a significant investment in the future of the Society and a major commitment to Leeds in the long term.

"We're pleased to be working with GRAHAM on this important project and it's exciting to see the work start on site after many months' planning and preparation. We've been able to use Leeds-based professional skills in designing our new home, collaborating with businesses including DLA, Hoare Lea, Sweco and Gardiner & Theobald.

"We've been particularly focused on how our move enables us to cut our carbon footprint – replacing the building's façade will improve thermal and lighting performance and all our power needs will be met from renewables.

"This site's excellent location was another factor – its good transport links are another way to help us reduce our environmental impact."

Mark Gibson, Managing Director - GRAHAM interior fit-out, added: "We are delighted to be working with Leeds Building Society on the delivery of their new home. This 80,654 sq ft refurbishment is a signature project for our Leeds delivery team and a further example of our growth and long term commitment to the region. We are grateful to Leeds Building Society and the wider project delivery team for trusting GRAHAM to be their construction partner on this iconic office development."

The work is expected to be completed in early 2021.



(JG/CM)