The Lord Mayor of Belfast warmly welcomed our student council to the City Hall. Mr Brian Kingston, addressed all 56 extremely excited representatives, explaining his role as Lord Mayor as well as the aims of Belfast City Council. This was followed by a Q &A session were the Lord Mayor was quizzed about things such as his ceremonial mayoral collar, the City Council’s coat of arms and motto, the number of Lord Mayors appointed and what advice would he offer to the next Lord Mayor. However, it was a P2 pupil who asked the most direct and pertinent question, which was, “When are we going to eat?!”  

So, after the much needed refreshments, our student councillors were taken on a tour of this iconic building. Pupils visited the ‘Robing Room’ and were given the opportunity to try on some of the ceremonial gowns. They were then taken to the Great Hall and the Council Chamber relishing the chance to sit on the committee benches as well as the Lord Mayor’s and Deputy Lord Mayor’s seats. Who knows, perhaps there is a future Lord Mayor or Mayoress in our midst!