Local history is brought to life

The historic Moira Railway Station building will open to the public as one of many buildings featuring in the 2014 European Heritage Open Days weekend event on Saturday September 13 .
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Aug 2014, 12:16 BST
Judy Hewitt, Lisburn Buildings Preservation Trust, Kenneth Shilliday, NIEA, artist Wendy Ward and Brenda Collins, Lisburn Buildings Preservation Trust, pictured at the old railway halt office at Moira which is opening to the public on European Heritage Day. US1434-546cd Picture: Cliff DonaldsonJudy Hewitt, Lisburn Buildings Preservation Trust, Kenneth Shilliday, NIEA, artist Wendy Ward and Brenda Collins, Lisburn Buildings Preservation Trust, pictured at the old railway halt office at Moira which is opening to the public on European Heritage Day. US1434-546cd Picture: Cliff Donaldson
Judy Hewitt, Lisburn Buildings Preservation Trust, Kenneth Shilliday, NIEA, artist Wendy Ward and Brenda Collins, Lisburn Buildings Preservation Trust, pictured at the old railway halt office at Moira which is opening to the public on European Heritage Day. US1434-546cd Picture: Cliff Donaldson

Judy Hewitt and Brenda Collins from Lisburn Buildings Preservation Trust and Kenny Shilliday from Northern Ireland Environment Agency recently visited the local station to review plans for the Open Day with Artist in Residence for the day Wendy Ward, who will be supported by Brenda Turnbull from Lagan Canal Trust.

“As a local artist I am really looking forward to spending the day at this fascinating heritage building, complete with Station Masters Ticket Office and original waiting rooms where I will be displaying some of my contemporary ceramic ware and demonstrating my craft skills,” said Wendy.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I am hoping that not only commuters travelling by train will step off the platform to see the secret interior of this most public facing building but others will come to enjoy the atmosphere of the historic building, animated with my new creations.”

Also enlivening the scene both in person and with the aid of information leaflets will be Brenda Turnbull from the Lagan Canal Trust, which aims to re-open the Lagan Navigation from Belfast Harbour to Lough Neagh. “I’m looking forward to meeting people who will also have the opportunity to comment on our plans,” she said.

Kenny Shilliday from NIEA will be in attendance at NIEA Moira Workshops on the Northern side of the platform at Moira Railway Station which are also open on Saturday 13th for European Heritage Open Days.

Kenny thanked the representatives from local charitable group Lisburn Buildings Preservation Trust for coming up with the idea of an artist in residence at the Railway Station Building, which is maintained by NIEA.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Volunteers from Lisburn Buildings Preservation Trust will also be in attendance at the former Hilden Primary School building, Bridge Street, Hilden, near Lisburn. If you plan to let the train take the strain on European Heritage Open Days why not also hop off at Hilden Rail Halt and call in to see an intact Edwardian school building and find out what class rooms used to be like a hundred years ago.