CHARITY CALLS ON PEOPLE TO HELP SAVE NATIVE FLORA

the last decade.

A former luxury cruiser on Lough Erne, the Lady of the Lagan can accommodate up to 60 passengers and crew and will operate all year round, with Belfast-born Captain Alan Gilfillan at the helm. The vessel will also be available for private hire functions in the evening, with a licensed bar to host a variety of events.

Waterways Belfast founding director Peter Lavery said: “It has always been a passion of mine to see the sights and sounds of Belfast Lough being brought to a wider audience in the form of a quality maritime experience.

“After many months of searching, we were able to secure the MV Lady of the Lagan and, after considerable investment of approximately quarter of a million pounds, I’m absolutely delighted with the results.

“We now have a fully licensed river cruiser which will offer a unique insight and experience into Belfast’s expanding maritime history tourism product. And in Captain Alan Gilfillan we have a highly experienced and personable member of the team who will help bring the unique story of Belfast Lough to life for all of our guests,“ he added. Sailing times for the MV Lady of the Lagan are 1000hrs, 1200hrs, 1400hrs, and 1600hrs from the Big Fish monument at Donegall Quay, with tours costing £30 for adults and £20 for children.

Booking details are available at www. waterwaysbelfast.com and via the Visit Belfast tourist information centre and website.

Built in 1998, the Lady of the Lagan is a 160hp passenger vessel with a maximum speed of 10 knots. The vessel is 16 metres in length and 5 metres wide with a capacity to hold 60 guests and crew.

The launch of the new cruise service isn’t Peter Lavery’s only link to Belfast’s maritime tourism industry.

The entrepreneur is also one of the directors behind the launch of the new Titanic Distillers whiskey distillery and visitor centre, which is based at the historic Titanic Pumphouse, in the heart of Belfast’s Titanic Quarter.

The city’s first working whiskey distillery in almost 90 years opened its doors to the public on Friday April 28, 2023 and gives guests a chance to explore the site where Titanic last rested on dry ground, before her maiden voyage.

Plant conservation charity, True Harvest Seeds, is calling on people to donate to help raise the £200k needed by August 31st 2023 to save its seed bank.

Situated in Kilclief, the new structure will be purpose built to preserve the seed of the island of Ireland’s native flora in the event of de-habitation or climate change.

There are hundreds of native flowers and plants in NI and ROI and the seed bank exists both to preserve them and to research their DNA. It is currently situated within a set of temporary structures that are reaching the end of their lifespan.

True Harvest Seeds wishes to secure the future of the seed bank. To do so, the charity must raise funds by August 31st for a permanent structure to house its growing indigenous seed collection. The organisation also wishes to further develop its native botanical gardens, to protect and showcase endangered and beautiful flora.

Debbie Gillies, CEO at True Harvest Seeds, says, “True Harvest Seeds is essentially a gene bank for our indigenous wild plants. We harness the science of seed conservation to safeguard our native species for future generations.

“We preserve seeds collected from populations of wild plants of native origin in our seed bank and it is of the utmost importance that we are able to secure a permanent, purpose-built structure, to allow us to continue our work safely and effectively for the long term.

“The Seed Centre will be open to the public and the seeds in the seed bank can be withdrawn for restoration or research upon application. As a charity, True Harvest Seeds and its seed bank are owned by the people of NI and ROI for use now and long into the future, as seed collections can last for thousands of years in deep storage. “I would encourage donations from people across County Antrim to help us raise the £200k that is urgently needed in order to secure the site by August 31st.”

Debbie is accompanied by one other member of staff at True Harvest Seeds, along with seventeen dedicated volunteers who help with all aspects, from governance, to collecting, to growing and storing the seed.

Michael Thompson, Trustee and Marketing Director at True Harvest Seeds, adds, “Conserving endangered plant species is vital to the preservation of our ecosystems. Many plant species are currently facing extinction, both locally and globally, and it is vital for us to help protect them before it is too late.

“One of the ways that we aim to achieve this at True Harvest Seeds is by seed banking and our members are working tirelessly to raise money to build the necessary infrastructure to continue our efforts.

“We need to raise £200k by August 31st to secure a permanent building for our seed bank and I would call on people across County Antrim to help us protect our indigenous plants from genetic degradation, hybridisation or extinction by donating.”

To donate to True Harvest Seeds, visit: https:// trueharvestseeds.org/donate/