The programme of talks for the 2023-2024 season once again covers a wide range of interesting heritage subjects, as listed below.
2023
14th September:
BELFAST AND THE SLAVE TRADE – Clifton House is engaged in major research into this somewhat neglected but important aspect of our history and CHRISTINE DONNELLY, a retired business executive, who is now a volunteer at Clifton House and a tutor in Belfast Metropolitan College, will provide us with a detailed account of their findings. (Re-scheduled from last year)
12th October:
1,000 YEARS OF THE STRANGFORD FERRY – JAMES ELLIOT, Chair of the Portaferry and Strangford Trust and local maritime historian, will talk about the history of the ferry that crosses the Narrows at the entrance to Strangford Lough from the first recorded reference until the introduction of the roll-on roll-off car ferries that we all know.
9th November:
SHADOWING MISS GRIMSHAW – DIANA GLEADHILL, writer and adventurous traveller will describe the life of Beatrice Ethel Grimshaw (1870-1953), another writer and adventurer, as she travelled from Ireland to the South Pacific to live in Papua New Guinea. Diana’s recent book about Beatrice Grimshaw was commended in the Irish Times.
2024
11th January:
BLAIR MAYNE AND HIS S.A.S. WAR DIARIES 1941-45 – historian PETER FORBES will talk about Blair Mayne, local man and founder member of the SAS, and his exploits in the Second World War on a poignant date – the 109th anniversary of Blair Mayne’s birth.
8th February:
NEW DISCOVERIES FROM THE COASTAL HERITAGE LIDAR SURVEY OF THE NORTH DOWN AND STRANGFORD AREA – COLIN DUNLOP, Marine Historic Environment Adviser at DAERA, will look at some of the most interesting and previously unidentified archaeological heritage sites found along the Ards Peninsula and around Strangford Lough in a recent highly detailed aerial survey.
14th March:
THE OWLS OF NORTHERN IRELAND – Katy Bell, Senior Conservation Office at the Ulster Wildlife Trust, will be introducing us to the owls of Northern Ireland as well as the important conservation work that is being carried out to help our local barn owls.
11th April:
STEEL CHEST, NAIL IN THE BOOT AND THE BARKING DOG – Bronagh McAtasney of Northern Ireland Screen will show this important documentary telling the story of Belfast’s Harland and Wolff shipyard. The unusual title is derived from the nicknames of the many Billy’s and Sammy’s who worked there.
Preceded by a brief Annual General Meeting
IMPORTANT NOTE: All the talks will take place on THURSDAY evenings in the STUDIO in the SAINTFIELD COMMUNITY CENTRE at 8.00 p.m.
Please note that there will be no talk in December.
Members are cordially invited to bring family or friends to any of the talks.
Non-members are also very welcome to attend.