 The sun shines on successful St Patrick's Day 2016 in the city on Thursday with thousands turning out across the city to see the St Patrick's Day parades.  You can see more photos from St Patrick's Day celebrations as our roving photographers where out capturing all the days events in the city on our Facebook: Facebook.com/DerryVibe or on our website.
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 This weekend buildings in the Derry City and Strabane District Council offices along Strand Road area to go dark in order to highlight a global campaign geared towards raising awareness about climate change.
The lights will be switched off for one hour at 8.30pm on Saturday March 19th to mark Earth Hour. Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr. Elisha McCallion encouraging businesses and households to support the campaign said she was delighted Council was on board to back the campaign. “As a Council we are always conscious of finding new ways of getting the message across about energy efficiency and how we can all do our bit for the environment. “The Earth Hour campaign provides the opportunity for everyone to show their commitment to the environment for just one hour and switch off non-essential lights and appliances to save energy. I would encourage everyone to support the campaign in whatever small way they can.” Among the ways people can get behind the campaign is to switch off all non-essential lights from 8.30pm until 9.30pm and trying something a bit more energy efficient like having a candlelit dinner, playing a board game or simply sitting and talking for an hour. Organisations taking part are encouraged to register their participation in the global WWF map by visiting- http://earthhour.wwf.org.uk/ The Council's Energy Manager Leo Strawbridge, added: “The Council has an ongoing programme of measures to increase energy efficiency and the Earth Hour switch off reinforces Council’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and playing its part in stopping climate change.” Derry’s Guildhall Clock will be among the lights which will be dimmed across the city and district as well as the Council offices on the Strand Road, Derry and Derry Road, in Strabane. You can find out more about how you or your business can take part on www.earthhour.org and show your support on your social media networks #ChangeClimateChange.  As this year's Six Nations Championship begins, a campaign has been launched to have Derry included in Ireland's bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The Rugby World Cup (RWC) is one of the biggest sporting events globally, delivering a huge financial and tourism boost to the nation that hosts it. The 2015 finals in England were estimated to have created almost £1billion of economic value and to have supported 41,000 jobs, both in the build up to and during the tournament. Ireland is one of four nations bidding to host the 2023 finals - along with South Africa, France and Italy. The French and South Africans have held the tournament previously, whilst Italy is considered one of rugby’s weaker nations. All of which makes Ireland many people’s favourites to be awarded hosting rights. The final decision on who will host the 2023 tournament won’t be taken until May 2017, but an initial proposal must be submitted by each bidding nation this coming June. And whilst a number of towns and cities around Ireland seem likely to be selected to host games in the Irish bid, Derry is the only one of Ireland's six main cities that has been completely overlooked. Steve Bradley is spokesperson for the 'Derry For 2023' campaign. As a Derryman based in the rugby-mad city of Bath, he recently studied the impact of major sporting and cultural events as part of a Masters degree in Urban Regeneration. He is concerned that Derry and the North-West is about to miss out on the economic windfall that an Irish Rugby World Cup would bring. He commented "The biggest sporting event on the planet in 2023 will be the Rugby World Cup. If it comes to Ireland it will be the biggest spectacle ever staged here, providing global exposure to the towns and cities involved. Derry has everything needed to successfully host group games in the tournament. Yet we're being completely overlooked by those behind the bid". Each bid to host the Rugby World Cup needs to identify 12 stadiums capable of holding matches in. With few rugby grounds in Ireland big enough, the GAA has agreed to make eight of its venues available. It is therefore expected that the Irish proposal will include three stadiums in Dublin, two each in Belfast and Limerick, and one each in Cork, Galway, Thurles, Killarney and Castlebar. Here is list of Stadium locations across Ireland being Considered for Ireland's 2023 Rugby World Cup Bid: "There are three simple reasons why Derry should be included : It would be good for Ireland's bid, good for the north-west region, and good for rugby.
"The North-west has a huge amount to offer Ireland's bid. Derry is the fourth biggest city on the island, with a unique tourism product. We've shown through the Fleadh, City of Culture, Clipper Race and the Halloween Festival that we can hold major events here. In Celtic Park we have a city-centre stadium with the potential to hold group-stage games, which would cost less to upgrade than some of the other GAA grounds proposed. And with the IRFU emphasising the cross-border nature of the Irish bid as a positive, adding Ireland's only cross-border regional capital would make perfect sense. Derry and the North-west belong in Ireland's Rugby World Cup bid, and it would be a weaker proposal without them". The campaign is calling for every resident, politician, sports lover and business owner across the north-west - including Donegal, Fermanagh and Tyrone - to recognise the opportunity that the Rugby World Cup would bring to the region, and to support the call for Derry to be included. Mr Bradley concluded "If the eyes of the sporting world are looking at Ireland in seven years time, we must ensure Derry won't be left in the shadows. It's just too big an opportunity to let slip by". To find our more about the campaign and to add your support visit www.DerryFor2023.com. There is also a Facebook page : www.facebook.com/DerryFor2023, and on Twitter at @DerryFor2023.  Who would like to have Mayor Elisha's Golden Ticket to see Brick Wonders Exhibition currently in Nerve Centre ? We so would love to have that golden ticket but you could... Launching details of her Legenderry Licks Golden Ticket giveaway, Mayor, Cllr Elisha McCallion said she will be handing out Legenderry Licks chocolate bars to children and young people when she is out and about at her Mayoral engagements and events, with the lucky recipients getting the chance to secure one of five Golden tickets to the exhibition. The chocolate bars are made locally by Legenderry Licks and are available at the Visit Derry offices. Mayor McCallion says the initiative is a fun way of promoting the local chocolate company as well as creating a buzz and excitement around theBrick Wonders exhibition that is currently in the city until 06 May.
The Mayor says the Brick Wonders Lego Exhibition in Derry is its only Irish showcase and is the ideal event for families over the mid-term break and Easter holidays. As well as viewing the 70-piece exhibition, families can create their own fantastic LEGO creations in the play and create area or take part in some of the workshops organised to complement the event in the city. The Mayor has a message for kids all over the Council area who are keen to get their hands on a Golden Ticket. “If you see me out and about over the coming weeks, make sure and be on your best behaviour as I will be keeping an eye out for good boys and girls who deserve a Legenderry Licks chocolate bar and who knows you could be a Golden ticket winner!” Those interested in attending the Brick Wonders Exhibition are encouraged to book in advance by contacting the Nerve Centre at www.nervecentre.org The Brick Wonders Exhibition is part of the City of Culture Legacy Programme and further events are planned in February including the Space Camp at the Tower Museum on Saturday 20th and the Colour of Science at the Foyleside Shopping Centre on Saturday 27th.  The Mayor of Derry and Strabane District Council, Cllr Elisha McCallion has expressed her heartfelt sadness at the untimely death today of former Derry City FC striker Mark Farren who has passed away after a long illness.
Paying tribute to Mark, the Mayor said she was devastated at his passing and expressed her sympathy to the Farren and Holmes family to their loss. “This is a very sad day for the people of Derry and Donegal. Mark was a true gentlemen in every sense of the word. He loved sport and was a real ambassador for soccer across the North West. The top goal scorer for Derry City FC, Mark Farren was a true legend of Derry City FC and a fantastic role model for young people across the city and region. Everyone associated with soccer across the city and region will be devastated at this tragic news today. “I had the honour of hosting a reception for Mark, his wife Terri and his extended family members last year in the Guildhall. I was deeply touched by their resilience and determination to do all they could to help Mark battle against his illness and at the positive way in which they coped. The support from the public for Mark was truly phenomenal, everyone got behind him and the efforts he and his family made to battle against his illness. He will be greatly missed and my thought and prayers go out to his wife, Terri , his parents Michael and Kathleen, his sisters Bridget and Katrina, brother Philip and wider Farren and Holmes families in Derry and Greencastle on their sad loss. Rest in peace Mark,” she added.  Derry's most attraction sites include Guildhall and Tower Museum for tourists to visit as they are continuing to draw a growing number of visitors each year according to annual figures.
The figures were revealed in a paper presented to the Council’s Business and Culture Committee, and Museums Services Manager Michelle Murray said she was delighted to see the rise in numbers. “It’s fantastic to see that we continue to build on our visitor numbers. Since the renovation of the Guildhall we have seen a major increase in visitors which is rising each year. The increase is testimony to the work of our dedicated team who go out of their way to provide a warm welcome to everyone who comes through our doors, as well as the increasing offer we provide in terms of hosting events and exhibitions. “As we continue to find new ways to utilise our buildings as top class venues for a wide variety of events and functions, we will hopefully continue to reach out to new audiences and create new experiences for people visiting the city.” During 2015 the Guildhall welcomed 312,704 visitors through its doors amounting to a 5% increase on the previous year. The building, which underwent a £10m regeneration completed in 2013, is used as a venue for major events such as St Patrick’s Day, Culture Tech, Halloween and the Craft Fair, as well as hosting weddings and concerts. During peak months figures show that the main influx of visitors to the attractions are from America, with a strong representation of European visitors. However the domestic/UK market forms the highest percentage of visitors during off peak season. In 2015 the Tower Museum welcomed 22,749 visitors which again resulted in a 5% increase on the previous year.  The popular 212 Belfast to Derry service is about to get an upgrade. Twelve new high spec vehicles Goldline were put on display in Stormont on Monday as Translink invests around £4.4million on the Derry-Londonderry to Belfast service which carries over 800,000 passengers every year. The new coaches will have full leather seating throughout and with added extra's including seat charging points for your mobile and tablet devices which will be popular with commuters, Free Wifi, Automatic Climate Control and will have low floor accessibility. Speaking at the launch in Stormont Transport Minister, Michelle McIlveen has said: “This year the popular 212 Belfast to Londonderry service will be celebrating its 25th Anniversary in April and I am especially pleased to announce such a significant investment in new buses for this route.  A look at the new Translink Goldline Bus Pic: Ith.org.uk Here's a look at one of the new buses Translink will be offering customers above in which will now offer full leather seating and charging points but will you find these new features useful? Share your views on what you think on the new buses that Translink have announced this week in our poll:  The Mayor of Derry and Strabane calls on local people to support the campaign against Cervical Cancer as the council offices turn teal for the month of January to help raise awareness for Cervical Cancer. Led by Team Sorcha, the campaign is asking people to share their stories and experiences of the illness in a bid to make the public more aware of the signs and symptoms of Cervical Cancer, which is the most common cancer in the UK for women under the age of 35.  The Council offices on Strand Road have turned teal for the month of January and Mayor Elisha McCallion said she hoped that local women would support the campaign and share their stories to help others. “Team Sorcha are doing an amazing job in raising the profile of this illness and I want to reaffirm my own support for the campaign. In lighting up the Council buildings we hope to make the public aware that many young women are oblivious to the risks as the signs and symptoms can often go undetected. “By telling personal stories the campaign hopes to make the risks more real and as a result make women more aware of the importance of attending routine Cervical Smear Tests and going to their GP if they have any worries.” The council offices will be lit throughout the rest of the month in supporting the campaign to raise awareness for local women in the area and also highlight the great work being done by local group the Pink Ladies and Team Sorcha.  Sorcha Glenn lost her life to cervical cancer in 2014 after she was initially denied a cervical smear test as she was under the age of 25. Cancer charity CLIC Sargent have just named a room after the inspirational young Derry woman in their new Home from Home facility in Belfast which offers accommodation travelling to Belfast for cancer treatment.
Sorcha’s family and friends continue to campaign in her memory and you can find out more about their efforts Follow Team Sorcha's page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/teamsorcha.  Tickets Go On sale for LEGO Exhibition Fans will be happy hear that tickets for LEGO Exhibition go on sale tomorrow morning from Nerve Centre. The exhibition opens on February 6th, and the celebration of all things LEGO will run until May 2th 2016, featuring the stunning brick creations of Warren Elsmore. Over 70 LEGO models depicting the Wonders of the World, old and new, will go on display.
And local LEGO heads still have a few days to complete their own creations by showcasing their building skills through the Brick Wonders competition, which closes on January 22. LEGO builders from around the country have been invited to construct the ‘Wonder of their County’ using LEGO bricks and take part in regional heats. The final heat will take place in the city, and will be exhibited in a special LEGO Trail throughout Derry-Londonderry and Strabane Council areas. Tickets for the Brick Wonders Exhibition go on sale tomorrow at 10amvia the Nerve Centre box office on 028 71 260 562 and online www.nervecentre.org For More details on the exhibition visit: http://www.nervecentre.org/events/other/brick-wonders-exhibition#.VpOqTPmLSM9g/events/other/brick-wonders-exhibition#.VpOqTPmLSM9  Fans of Justin Bieber and Adele are warned by Police that fake tickets are been sold via Gumtree to people online and not known until they've bought the tickets for the concerts. They maybe two of the biggest music stars with sold out shows in Dublin and Belfast, but people are online trying to sell fake tickets to fans who are desperate to see the acts perform. But we'd like to advice anyone wanting tickets for shows to use sites like Ticketmaster or a local music shops like Cool Discs on Foyle Street to purchase tickets. We wanna hear your stories if you bought a fake ticket from Gumtree or ways you've got tickets that aren't fake. We love to hear your stories get in contact via Facebook, Twitter or comment below. |
