ROYALLY REWARDED

from Ulster Tatler September 2021

FOCUS ON: EAST BELFAST

This month Ulster Tatler features a selection of photographs from those members of the community recognised in the Birthday Honours.

SHARON SMITH BEM

Sharon Smith was awarded the Order of the British Empire for services to the Girls’ Brigade and to the community in Whiterock, West Belfast.

“The Girls’ Brigade has had a huge infl uence on my life since I was three years old. In 1993, as Captain, I led a team of three Offi cers and established a new Girls’ Brigade company in St. Columba’s church, which is based in Whiterock, a socially deprived area of West Belfast, with very little at that time for girls and young women.

On the fi rst night we registered a membership of 63 girls. We grew very quickly and held a steady membership of 100-120 girls every year with a leadership team of 16 Offi cers.

Over the past 27 years our company helped out in the community, held special events, end of year displays, themed parties, had camps, we equipped the girls with life skills also facilitated a spiritual, educational and physical programme, but above all provided a safe environment to nurture the girls in our care.

I am completely overwhelmed to have been awarded a BEM for services to The Girls’ Brigade and the community of Whiterock and feel incredibly honoured that people feel I have given something back to both the organisation and the community, which I love so very much.

UP AND COMING ARTIST’S SUCCESS KEEPS ON COMING

Ulster Tatler’s Michaela Colgan speaks to up and coming artist, Alex Patterson.

Talented young artist and 14 year old Foyle College pupil from Eglinton, Alex Patterson has received recognition for her amazing artwork in a number of huge competitions including the UK category in the Creative Earth for the United Nations Climate Change Conference with her ‘’Mother Earth” piece in which she will attend the COP 26 Conference in Glasgow in November. With her passion for reducing global warming and climate change, she hopes that her art can help make an impact. Alex also came first in the Unisons National Art Schools competition with her art piece combining health eating and promoting free school meals nationally which allowed her school to receive £1000 for art materials. Her success did not stop there! MidAugust brought the exciting news of Alex’s success in the UK National Competition “Boat of Hope”. Artist Justin Eagleton called it the most outstanding piece and noted that Alex’s artwork will be seen by upwards of 800 million people worldwide. Her design will be combined and used to adorn (OBE) Bernie Hollywood’s boat as he makes his solo voyage across the Atlantic to raise money for a number of charities including Samaritans. This will be (OBE) Bernie Hollywood’s last voyage fundraiser and he has already raised 43 million. Alex has an invite to the exclusive unveiling of Bernies Boat of Hope October in London. Alex was recently asked to compile a design for the UK Royal mail design a stamp to recognise the heroes in the Covid-19 pandemic. She noted this as the most challenging piece to date as the design needed to be iconic and visually effective when reduced to stamp size, so not an easy piece to create. Alex would like to thank Foyle College for the opportunities and their continued support throughout her art journey.

Oliver and Lyndsey Parsons.

Andrew and Zoe Henderson.

SUPERCAR ROAD TRIP

The Bumblebee 1000 is the brainchild of businessmen and supercar owners Paul Smith and PJ Harte. They not only enjoy the best fast and furious machines the world has to offer, but love to drive their supercars on the best roads Ireland has to offer. So they decided to put their love of fast cars to good use by organising epic road trips with fellow supercar and sports car owners and also raising much needed funds for local charities and worthwhile causes. Benefi ting from Bumblebee 1000’s Northern Getaway adventure will be a very worthwhile cause — Air Ambulance NI.