Local Youths Encouraged to Speak About the Environment

January 27, 2016

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is encouraging pupils from primary and post-primary schools across the Council area to participate in the local heat of Environmental Youth Speak 2016, which will take place in the Island Arts Centre at Lagan Valley Island on 25th February.

The winners of the local heats will represent the Council at the finals on Tuesday 8thMarch at Mossley Mill, Newtownabbey. The Junior Section is open to P6 and P7 and the Senior Section is open to Years 8 to 10.

Environmental Youth Speak has been running successfully for over 18 years and is organised by NI Councils. The competition begins at Council level and the winners from each participating Council progressing to the semi-finals and grand finals in March.

There was great success in this initiative from the two former council areas in recent years with students from the Council area having won the overall Northern Ireland Junior Competition for the past two years.

Councillor Brian Hanvey, Chairman of the Council’s Environmental Services Committee, said: “I would like to see as many schools as possible from the Council area taking part this year. The Junior Section theme is ‘The Adventures of a Waste Warrior’ and the Senior Section theme is ‘Let’s Send Our Waste to a Better Place’.

“Over the years the young people that have taken part in previous competitions have spoken passionately about the environment. It has been very hard to judge the local heats of this annual competition as the standard has been incredibly high but each year the Council looks forward to hearing how young residents would combat waste and save the environment.

“The top prize at the March final is £400 for the winning school and £100 for the winning entry and other prizes. The Council can accept one solo entry or one duet entry per school in the local February heats. Good luck to all local pupils who participate this year,” concluded Councillor Hanvey.

Applications to participate in the Council heat must be submitted to the Council’s Technical Services Unit by Friday 5th February 2016.

For further information on the competition including how to submit your school’s application click here