Trad music already has the ingredients for DUP Lord Mayor's vision for ‘Fleadh with a twist' in Belfast
I hadn't expected to see DUP councillor Tracy Kelly live on TG4 on Sunday night, but I probably should have.
The Lord Mayor of Belfast was on stage as part of the handover formalities for next year's Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann which will take place in Belfast.
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Belfast Telegraph
16 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
‘Poignant' VJ Day service held at Belfast City Hall to mark 80th anniversary
The bravery of a submariner from west Belfast who was awarded the Victoria Cross was also marked at the special event in the city. Leading Seaman James Magennis was awarded the prestigious military honour for valour for his actions on July 31, 1945, when he exited his midget submarine in Singapore harbour to attach mines to the hull of a Japanese cruiser vessel, the Takao. A memorial in his honour stands in the grounds of Belfast City Hall. Lord Mayor of Belfast Tracy Kelly placed a wreath at the foot of the memorial, before the Last Post was played by bugler Louise Bell of the 1st Old Boys Silver Band. Those in attendance bowed their heads for a two-minute silence. The wreath-laying came after a reflective event inside City Hall that included historical discussions about the conflict in the Far East and music from the City of Belfast Youth Orchestra. The event also included a sit-down conversation, hosted by Belfast actor Dan Gordon, with Lt Colonel Mark Scott and Inniskillings Museum curator Maeve Cadden. Speaking at the event, Ms Kelly remarked on the bravery of those who joined the battlefield, which was 'important for the people of Belfast to remember'. 'VJ Day is celebrating 80 years today from the war ended, but it's not really a day for celebration,' said the DUP councillor. 'VE Day is different to VJ Day. VJ Day is more about reflection, and I think we had a lovely reflection service this morning and listened to some very poignant tales of some of the things that those soldiers went through in the war. 'It was a very heart-warming and very poignant service. And it was just very, very important for the people of Belfast to remember those, especially James Magennis, who fought so bravely, so young, and for him to be recognised with the Victoria Cross. 'He was a celebrity for a short time, but it wasn't all good for him. But it was very, very important for me as Lord Mayor to reflect on those things today.' Meanwhile, at a national service of remembrance in Staffordshire, King Charles and Camilla joined Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and 33 veterans aged from 96 to 105 who served in the Far East and Pacific. VJ Day on August 15 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the six-year war, but much of the celebration in 1945 focused on VE (Victory in Europe) Day in May, with those who served in the Far East labelled The Forgotten Army. Yavar Abbas, who was a captain in the 11th Sikh Regiment, took to the stage at the National Memorial Arboretum to read extracts from his diaries during his time in Burma in 1945, but first took a moment to pay tribute to his 'brave King'. The ceremony was hosted by actress Celia Imrie and featured readings by actor Robert Lindsay and veterans, as well as musical performances from the National Children's Choir of Great Britain, violinist Jennifer Pike and The Pipes and Drums of The Royal Corps of Signals. Ahead of the service, the King, in a pre-recorded audio address to the nation, vowed that the sacrifice of heroes who fought and died in the campaigns 'shall never be forgotten'. He also acknowledged the devastation caused by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki which led to Japan's surrender, describing the 'immense price' paid by its citizens as one 'we pray no nation need ever pay again'. After the service of remembrance, which started with a two-minute silence and a Red Arrows flypast, the King made his way to the Far East corner of the arboretum, where he met Silas Sarbah and Khadak Chettri, the grandsons of Second World War soldiers, as well as William Slim, the great-grandson of General Bill Slim, who led the so-called Forgotten Army.
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Police warn traffic diversions in place for Belfast Mela parade this weekend
Police have warned there may be traffic disruption in Belfast with the multi-cultural Mela Carnival making its way through the city this Saturday. The carnival – which marks the start of the diverse cultural celebrations – will assemble around Writers Square at noon, before following a route through the city at 12.30pm. Revellers will make their way from the square to Waring Street, Bridge Street, Castle Place, Donegall Place and then into the grounds of the city hall. Police said the parade will disperse at approximately 1pm. Motorists' access will be restricted along the parade route as it takes place. To accommodate this, Hill Street will be closed between 1.30pm and 3.15pm. Last month the 19th Belfast Mela was officially opened at Tetto – the Bullitt Hotel's rooftop restaurant – by Lord Mayor Tracy Kelly and Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald. The event opened with a performance by Kenyan-born musician Njambi, as well as a cross-cultural dance performed by the South Asian Dance Academy and Irish Entertainment Group. Last year's 18th annual Mela saw almost 60,000 people turned up for the festivities. This year will see events taking place up until August 24, celebrating diversity through food, dance, music and other cultural practices. Belfast History Explained: Who was Mary Ann McCracken? The disruption with the Mela parade also comes on the same weekend as the M3 is scheduled to be closed from Bridge End to the M2 Foreshore over the weekend. Traffic will be diverted through the city centre. 'This will cause additional delays, and we would strongly advise all motorists to plan in advance leaving additional time for their journey,' a PSNI spokesperson said. 'Please seek an alternative route where possible. 'Police will have an appropriate and proportionate policing operation in place to ensure the safety of all.'
Belfast Telegraph
4 days ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Trad music already has the ingredients for DUP Lord Mayor's vision for ‘Fleadh with a twist' in Belfast
Organisers of the 2013 festival in Derry fully embraced cross-community ethos I hadn't expected to see DUP councillor Tracy Kelly live on TG4 on Sunday night, but I probably should have. The Lord Mayor of Belfast was on stage as part of the handover formalities for next year's Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann which will take place in Belfast.
