London 2012's Cultural Olympiad Races Ahead In The North

Four new London 2012 Inspire marks have been awarded in the North.

Congratulating the latest recipients of the London 2012 Inspire Marks, Culture Minister Nelson McCausland said: "I am very pleased to see local organisations engaging with the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games so enthusiastically.

"The Inspire mark process brings a different dimension to how new projects are driven forward. The requirement to demonstrate innovation combined with excellence and the development of new partnerships is very stimulating.

"The legacy will be how those new partnerships develop in the future and the way in which Inspire mark activity contributes to the delivery of local objectives.

"I would encourage everyone to look at their future projects and consider using the London 2012 Games as an inspiration to raise their profile and enhance the experience of their participants."

The Volunteer Development Agency has two new projects - GoldMark and Creating Volunteer Champions - which will support and enhance the quality and experience of volunteers for major sports and arts events including the London 2012 Games.

There is good news for the ImagineAction Project led by Beam (Bardic Educational Arts and Media) in Donaghmore.

This is the first Legacy Trust program to be awarded a London 2012 Inspire mark. The Legacy Trust Programme 'Connections' will help deliver a lasting legacy from 2012 through inspiring young people and sharing best practice with the arts and sports sectors.

Libraries NI has the fourth project approved for the Inspire Mark. 'All our Saturdays' which is a celebration of the North's sporting excellence, is based around the former sporting newspaper, "Ireland's Saturday Night".

Roisin McDonough, Chief Executive of the Arts Council, which leads on the Legacy Trust programme and the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad said: "I would like to congratulate the latest recipients of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad Inspire Marks.

"These activities are at the forefront of bringing the cultural values of the Olympic movement right to the heart of Northern Ireland and making sure all of us get a chance to participate in the run up to the celebrations in 2012."

Irene knox, Chief Executive of Libraries NI added: "I am delighted that our proposal for a travelling exhibition has been selected for an Inspire Mark, by London 2012. The exhibition will showcase many of this country's sporting heroes as portrayed over the years in the pages of Ireland's Saturday Night.

"I know that it will generate much debate and discussion, particularly among those who queued every Saturday evening to secure a copy of the paper and I am sure it will bring back many happy memories. We will also be using the exhibition to stimulate a range of activities with our young people to inspire and encourage them to strive to achieve their own personal best just like the Olympians will be doing in London in 2012."

Wendy Osbourne, Director of the Volunteer Development Agency which liaises with London 2012 on its plans for recruiting Games Time Volunteers said: "Creating Volunteering Champions is about helping organisations recognise the importance of volunteer involvement and supporting them to make a commitment to good practice in volunteer management; therefore improving their existing and new volunteers' experiences.

"By engaging with Creating Volunteering Champions organisations are commencing on a journey to fully commit to creating a culture that values, protects and empowers volunteers."