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Last night the UK City of Culture 2013 presentation bid for came across the Glenshane Pass toÌýBelfast City Hall for a glitzy media presentation. Some have saidÌýthat the distance between Derry and Belfast is shorter than the distance between Belfast and Derry. ThoseÌýchips onÌýshoulders may still be there but the message last night was this is a bid for the whole of Northern Ireland, not just the host city.

The Lord Mayor of Belfast Naomi Long, Mayor of Derry Paul Fleming, and the First and Deputy First Ministers Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness were there, and each threw their weight behind the bid. IÌýwas mc-ing the event and found myself playing musical chairs on the podium. As each speaker got up I took their seat, (you know where this is going!!!) and when it came to Peter Robinson's turn heÌýthanked everyone for being there and remarked thatÌýI was the second woman to take his seat in as many weeks! It got the biggest laugh of the night!

The bid is due in this Friday the 21st May, and for the person taking it over there'sÌýa seat booked on the plane and, belt and braces for that ash cloud, a place on the ferry.

It getsÌýa big send off in Derry tomorrow night.ÌýIt's going to beÌýsome party but the work is only just starting. The promise of the bid provesÌýthe cultural richesÌýhere.ÌýBill Drummond said toÌýme recently thatÌýthere's an assumption that LondonÌýis a cultural centre but really in his opinion it gets things handed to it. He's more interested in places outside the metropolis that have createdÌýtheirÌýown culture. That's where the real creativity is at.

For theÌýjudges of the City of Culture 2013 they have a hard job as the fourÌýbidding cities all believe they haveÌýit. Ìý