Meadowbridge pupils enjoy role as first citizen
Rebekah MacAuley from Carr
Primary School and Kate Gordon from Meadow
Bridge Primary School accompany the Mayor of
Lisburn, CIIr James Tinsley, on his official
duties on Wednesday 18th June, after winning
the short story competition If I was Mayor
for the day'.
TWO schoolchildren have got an idea what it
would be like to be Lisburn's Mayor - for one day anyway.
Kate Gordon from Meadowbridge Primary School
and Rebekah Macauley from Carr Primary School were selected by
the real Mayor, Cllr James Tinsley, to join him in being First
Citizen for the day on Wednesday.
The girls were selected from a total of 13
local Primary Schools who sent in their short stories of what
they would do if they were the Mayor for the Day, as part of the
2008 programme of Primary School visits to meet the Mayor and
learn about his role and that of Lisburn City Council.
In
her story, Kate said that she would declare it 'Lisburn
Children's Day' and first thing in the morning she would call an
immediate debate to discuss facilities for children and young
people in Lisburn. Her day would finish with a special 'Lisburn
Together' party at Lagan Valley Island and she would go home for
a long, and well-deserved, sleep.
On the other hand, if Rebekah was the Mayor
for a day, she would take all the young carers of Lisburn on a
day trip to Newcastle to free them up from their caring
responsibility for .one day and would send in a grown up carer
in place. She thinks this would be a great visit for the
children, as some of them may never have been to the sea. Cllr
Tinsley said he appreciated all the help on the day.
"There was no better or busier day than
Wednesday to show Kate and Rebekah first hand what is required
from the Mayor" he said.
"The day was packed with events, including
the official reopening of Castle Gardens anc the Lisburn Half
Marathon and Fun Run.
"The girls even managed to fit in a visit to
the local community radio station, BFBS, to see how the station
works and meet the presenters."
"As my mayoral year draws to an end, it was
very fitting that I could share my experience with some of the
younger members of our community. Who knows it may even give
them a taste for pursuing a life in politics.
"The enthusiasm they displayed is to be
admired and I would like to sincerely thank them for all their
hard work on the day. I wish them both the best of luck with
their education and career that follows, no matter what they
decide to do."
Ulster Star
20/06/2008
|