What a welcome we received ! The Northern Irish have certainly set the benchmark for our UK activities!

Louise McLean, our Regional Coordinator, her colleague Veron and public relations friend, Geri, have helped in no uncertain manner to set the scene for SP8 of the Art in Northern Ireland.

From the moment we touched the Northern Irish turf at Belfast airport we were royally entertained by teachers, school children, the Flowerfield Arts Centre, local radio and local press. To cap it all (and for future reference for those of us visiting Northern Ireland on genuine SP8 of the Art business) the Magherabuoy House Hotel, Portrush gave us full hospitality for the length of our stay as a magnificent sponsorship gesture.

The visit on the 17th to Carnalridge Preparatory Scholl in Portrush, the most modern of its type in Northern Ireland, was particularly entrancing and moving. We were given a folio of drawings done by the pupils for Mark. The senior pupils 7 – 10 years watched the CD of Mark’s Smart activities in their main hall and applauded him. The Headmaster, David Miller gave a presentation to me of a much prized toy bear (for excellent performance) and a pen to accompany it. To talk to the children about Mark was very touching.

The same day we met the Head of Art at North West Regional College (formerly known as the Limavachy College Further and Higher Education) where Louise McLean began her art career journey. It was agreed that as this was a College incorporating Art Foundation course in all categories that a Mark Speight SP8 of the Art Foundation Award would be instigated in 2009. Louise will monitor the progress of the event which will lead to substantial promotion, publicity and credibility for the Foundation.

The evening event was the star attraction for the Foundation at the Flowerfields Art Centre, Mocasquin. SP8 of the Art stickers on everyone’s clothing. SP8 on walls ,award certificates and theatre screen. The purpose of the evening was for SP8 to launch an exhibition of 185 paintings by the junior pupils of Mocasquin Preparatory school. These paintings to be bought by the parents with the award going to charity. Hopefully, some of it to SP8. The publicity was enormous, the Mayor opened the proceedings and I followed suit. The children’s choir was delightful and the highlight, Mark’s CD on a 20 foot screen. The audience gave him a standing ovation. As a souvenir of the occasion I was presented with a specially labelled O liver Speight SP8 of the Art bottle (12 years) of Bushmill’s malt whisky – say no more!)

What a trip! A flying visit to the World Heritage Causeway site adjacent to Portrush costal golf club, the home of the British Golf Open Championship, completed the proceedings. Departure from Portrush on Thursday the 18 at 4am exercised the mind!

Many congratulations and sincere thanks to Louise and her team for a magnificent start to the SP8 Foundation’s career. We will raise a wee glass over Christmas to your continued success!