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Each week, the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Pat Convery, provides an insight into his role and duties as mayor.His latest post is below and you can also view previous posts in his blog archive.
I'm hosting a garden party and everyone's invited!
27 August 2010
In Belfast, we are fortunate to have some of the loveliest parks and open spaces for all to enjoy. Throughout the summer, they have been packed with locals and visitors enjoying the great outdoors and a variety of events for all ages.
And, this week, I was pleased to take some time out at a photocall to enjoy Belfast's picturesque Botanic Gardens
I was there to help publicise next month’s Taste Northern Ireland Garden Party – just one of the many activities in a packed calendar of activities across the city.
It will be hosted over the weekend of Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 September and will feature the finest food from the best local producers. Cookery demonstrations, live music and children's
entertainment are all lined up as part of the programme.
Alongside the food and entertainment will be our Autumn Flower Show, the biggest in Northern Ireland. Now in its 29th year, it will feature displays of thousands of colourful prize blooms, alongside exhibits of monster-size vegetables and prize-winning fuchsias, bonsai, cacti and other delights from local gardens, allotments, greenhouses, wine cellars and beehives.
One of the most popular events staged in the city, it is a highlight of both the culinary and gardening calendars. This year will have more local producers than ever before, and I am delighted that it has the added benefit of offering free admission.
The event is also tipped to be the most environmentally-friendly in the city this year, with all the food and drink served in recycled or biodegradable containers and ample recycling facilities available on-site.
Visitors are encouraged to bring their own bags and to use public transport or pedal power in getting to and from the event and cycle racks will be provided. Council staff will be on hand to give advice on recycling, home composting and other environmental issues.
I would urge everyone to come along to the Taste Northern Ireland Garden Party on 18 and 19 September. Opening hours are 11am to 6pm (12.30pm to 6pm for the Autumn Flower Show) each day and admission is free.
Botanic Gardens will remain open throughout the event. You can also check out our events section for the full list of exciting events happening across Belfast now and for the rest of the year.
More information is also available by visiting the Belfast Welcome Centre in Donegall Place or calling them on 028 9024 6609.
Lord Mayor's photo gallery
The Flickr gallery below shows Lord Mayor, Councillor Pat Convery taking part in various events and activities as part of his role as Lord Mayor.To view the gallery, you must have Adobe Flash Player 10 installed on your computer. To start the slideshow, press the play button. If you click on a photo, you will be taken to a full description of it on our Flick channel
