Compass Newsletter - Issue 18 (Spring / Summer 2009)

The roadto change“Our ancient dignity has been restoredto us after a lapse of 107 years.”The next major change to thedivestment of local powers inCarrickfergus came about in 1926.At this time, under an amendmentto the Municipal Corporation Act(Northern Ireland) 1926, Carrickfergusbecame an Urban District Council,appointing Urban District Councillors.Our story now moves forward 23years to March 1949. At this time,Carrickfergus Urban District Councildecided to petition the Governmentto grant a Charter of Incorporationwhich would change its statusfrom that of an Urban DistrictCouncil, into a Municipal Borough.There were strict formalities to beobserved. The petition had to besigned by at least one fourth of thelocal Government electors withinCarrickfergus Urban District, andthe Council had to present thepetition through the Ministry ofHealth and Local Government forNorthern Ireland, to the Governorof Northern Ireland.At a meeting of the Privy Councilof Northern Ireland held atGovernment House, Hillsborough,on the 16 May 1949, the Petitionwas approved by His Excellency,the Governor of Northern Ireland.This was formally recognised in aletter dated 30 May 1949 - “Fromthe Ministry of Health and LocalGovernment, handing to CouncilsLetters Patent under the GreatSeal of Northern Ireland grantinga Charter of Incorporation to theCarrickfergus Urban District Councilas a Borough from 1st July next.”The fi rst meeting of the BoroughCouncil of Carrickfergus was heldon Friday 1 July 1949. Carrickfergushad been reinstated as a Borough,Joymount/Scotch Quarter,1950s.with powers to elect a Mayor,Aldermen and Councillors -“Our ancient dignity has been restoredto us after a lapse of 107 years.”The following offi cers were elected:• Mayor - Thomas J Patterson J.P.• Deputy Mayor -William McCullough J.P.• Alderman:- W. McCullough J.P.,D. Blair, J. Laird, W.E. McCartney,T. Faulkner, J.C. McQuitty• Councillors:- T.J. Patterson J.P.,J. Baird, M. Gillespie, J. McCallion,H. Millar, D. M. Rea, G. Holmes,H. McFarland, T. Hunter• Town Clerk: Thomas McVeaAfter the meeting, the Mayor hosteda luncheon for over 230 distinguishedguests in the Town Hall.COMPASS / SPRING-SUMMER 2009

1940/50 1960 19701947Jeremiah Ambler, manufacturer ofwool/worsted yarns, took over the BarnMills factory. The site had previouslybeen used for war work, manufacturingparachutes and decoy dummies.1948Messrs Courtaulds Ltd arrived inCarrickfergus. Site work commenced.1950Carrickfergus Hospital opened on thesite of ‘The Barn Cottage’, former homeof the McFerran family, owners of theBarn Mills factory.1951Production commenced at Courtauldsfor the manufacture of man made fibres,principally rayon. This factory was tobecome a major employer for thelocal community.Post warindustry andinfrastructureCOMPASS / SPRING-SUMMER 2009Top row (l-r):Prince Andrewduring hisroyal visit inOctober 1987photographingCarrickfergusCastle; TheFergus Inn inthe 1970s onthe site of thecurrent ClarionHotel; the RadarStation. Bottomrow (l-r): HerMajesty QueenElizabeth IIarriving inCarrickfergus in1961; a fancydress paradeon Albert Road,Carrickfergusduring the 1950s(reproductioncourtesy of MrsKate McIlreavey).1961Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and theDuke of Edinburgh visited Carrickfergus.1963ICI (Imperial Chemicals Industries)set up a new factory site at Kilroot,manufacturing polyester andpolypropylene yarns. This factoryattracted employment from all overNorthern Ireland.1964Carreras/Rothmans established afactory at Seapark, manufacturingcigarettes and tobacco products. Thiswas to become a large-scale employer.Princess Margaret, Countess ofSnowdon, accompanied by her husbandLord Snowdon, officially opened thefactory during their visit on Thursday25 May 1967.1967The Marine Highway was officiallyopened on 8 July 1967. Built to providebetter road access, it cut the medievalCarrickfergus Castle off from the towncentre, but created a paved walkwayfrom the Castle to Fisherman’s Quay.1967-87Carrickfergus Gasworks had opened in1855. The production of gas from coalstopped at the plant in 1967 and the siteclosed down in 1987.1971Carrickfergus Harbour Extension(west pier) was officially opened byLord Grey of Naunton, Governor ofNorthern Ireland.1972The Marine Gardens were laid outparallel to the Marine Highway alongthe seafront. The gardens combineda landscape garden area, children’splay area and a clock tower. They wereofficially opened on 26 June 1972.1973Under the Northern Ireland LocalGovernment Act 1973, CarrickfergusBorough was expanded to take inWhitehead, which had previously beenunder the jurisdiction of WhiteheadUrban District Council, and Greenisland,which had been under the jurisdictionof Larne Rural District Council.Carrickfergus Borough Council wouldnow elect 15 councillors to serve.

08Education, education, educationFollowing theSecond World War, awidespread constructionprogramme wasimplemented for newschools, as well asthe modernisation andimprovement of existingschools in the district.CarrickfergusCollege picturedduring the1960s.Carrickfergus Councillors appealedfor priority to be given to the town,due to its expanding population andurgent need for educational facilities:• The Carrickfergus TechnicalSchool was established in theformer home of the Johns familyat Joymount Court.• Carrickfergus Grammar Schoolwas built on the site of ‘ThornfieldHouse’, the former home of theKirk family, on the North Road.• Carrickfergus Intermediate(Carrickfergus College) was builton an adjoining site at North Road.• New primary schools were builtat Sunnylands, Central, Model,Woodburn, Victoria, Woodlawn,Oakfield and Mount St Nicholas.• Greenisland:Greenisland and Silverstream PS• Whitehead:Whitehead and Lourdes PS• 1960s:Downshire Community School• 1990s:Acorn Integrated Primary Schooland Ulidia Integrated CollegeThissporting lifeCarrickfergus has along tradition of sportingexcellence,as characterised by themany achievementsof its sports clubsand residents:The aluminiumbungalows atFairymountOrlits duringthe 1960s.On the home front1976Carrick Rangers Football Clubwon the Irish Cup Trophy.1982Carrickfergus Rugby FootballClub won the CentenaryProvincial Town’s Cup and wasthe only Junior Club to reach thefinals of the Senior Cup.1997Marina hosted the WorldOptimist Dinghy Championships.From the late 1940s until the 1960s,new housing was urgently neededto provide homes for the workersin the new factories that werespringing up around Carrickfergus.The Northern Ireland HousingTrust began an extensive buildingprogramme on the former ArmyCamp at Sunnylands and VictoriaRoad. In the late 1940s, provisionwas made for the erection ofaluminium bungalows at Taylor’sAvenue, Fairymount and Eden(Orlits). Lands were developed atGreenisland and Whitehead to meetthe demand for homes in the area.Throughout the 1970s and into the1990s, Northern Ireland HousingExecutive schemes were developedat Glenfield, Oakfield, Woodlandsand Northlands and in Greenisland.Private developments were alsobuilt throughout the Borough.COMPASS / SPRING-SUMMER 2009

09One footin the pastGiven its rich andvaried history, itis no wonder thatCarrickfergus haslong been a magnetfor archaeologists.Notable excavationswere carried out inthese periods:1970sExtensive excavations were carriedout under the leadership of Dr TomDelaney (Queen’s University ofBelfast) and his team, including thesites at Joymount and High Street.1990sFurther excavations wereconducted under Ruairi Baoill andhis team, including sites in WestStreet and Lancasterian Street.Many artefacts from these digsare on display in CarrickfergusMuseum. Today, any new buildingwork within the Town Centre musthave an archaeological surveycarried out on the site.Top right:BBC Promsin the Park inSeptember 2007;bottom left:some of theexcavateditems currentlyon display inCarrickfergusMuseum;bottom right:three shots ofthe televisionprogramme‘It’s a Knockout’during the ‘BackCarrick Week’during the1980s.Fun and leisuredown the yearsAnnuallyMusic festival held in Town Hall.1963 ‘Son et Lumiere’ - sound and light show in CarrickfergusCastle telling the history of the Norman Castle and town.1980 800th anniversary of the founding of the town.1980s‘Back Carrick Week’ - fun and entertainment programme.Carrickfergus took part in the television programme‘It’s a Knockout’, staged in the Harbour Car Park.1990 June marked the Tercentenary (300th) anniversary ofKing William III landing in Carrickfergus. Events includeda re-enactment and pageant, plus the unveiling of a statueof King William III in Quay Lane.1990-1996 Carrickfergus Classic Sail, which at its height, attracted100,000 people over a ten day period.2005 Outdoor theatre first introduced in Shaftesbury Park.2007 BBC Proms in the Park hosted by Carrickfergus BoroughCouncil. This was the first time the event was held outsideBelfast and succeeded in attracting its largest ever crowds.WWW.CARRICKFERGUS.ORGCelebrating 60 Years of Partnership and Vision

13Carrickfergus Marina is already one ofthe town’s greatest commercial successstories. Having created over 500 full andpart time jobs, it also attracts some twomillion visitors per annum and generatescirca £500 thousand in rates income.The Marina currently holds the prestigious5 Gold Anchor and European Blue Flagstatus, so its upgrade has been designedwith the most discerning sea-goersin mind. Not only have the services inthis prime facility been improved, but itcontinues to provide the same stringentstandards of customer service previouslyoffered to berth holders, offering a modern,attractive and accessible facility.The Marina’s commitment to qualityincludes high standard pontoons andexceptional facilities, including showersand toilets, laundry and fuel facilities, boatvaleting and winterizing. There is also24-hour, 7 days a week staffi ng andsecurity from experienced, trainedpersonnel. And because it’s so importantto keep in touch, the Marina also offersWiFi throughout, for ease of communication.For our sea-borne visitors, Carrickfergusoffers so much more. Situated on theedge of Belfast Lough, beside therenowned Norman Castle, this is a superbvisitor destination, with great festivalsand quality hotels, bars and restaurantsto be enjoyed. So, for serious sailors andboating enthusiasts alike, it all adds upto a great experience in a spectacularsetting - Carrickfergus Marina.To fi nd out more about CarrickfergusMarina, including information about thesurrounding area and details of how to getthere, please visit www.carrickfergus.orgWWW.CARRICKFERGUS.ORGCelebrating 60 Years of Partnership and Vision

14TheAmphitheatreA new leisure centrefor CarrickfergusCOMPASS / SPRING-SUMMER 2009

15The multimillionpound CarrickfergusAmphitheatredevelopment iswell under way.Carrickfergus Amphitheatre representsa major part of the Council’s visionto transform sporting provision inthe Borough and demonstrates theCouncil’s commitment to sport and therecreational needs of the community.It will be the home of cultural andrecreational activities in the Borough,promoting a healthy balance of themind, body and spirit.Members will enjoy full accessto all the world class facilities onoffer including the Fitness Suite, FreeWeights Area, Swimming Arena, Steam& Sauna Suite and Kinesis Room.Fitness is sweetin our Fitness SuiteOur Fitness Suite offers state-of-the-artwellness equipment from Technogym.This provides each user with their ownpersonal training key, television screenand iPod docking stations. Train onthe same equipment used by Olympicathletes and receive expert advice fromour fully qualified staff. Your personaltrainer key will provide you with anexercise programme that’s tailored to yourspecific needs and your wellness goals.Our aim is to help you achieve yourfitness and lifestyle goals and we willprovide you with all the support andencouragement you need to keepmotivated. The Fitness Suite has beenspecifically designed to enhance yourenjoyment and we are confident thatyou will have fun getting into shape inour relaxed and friendly surroundings.WWW.CARRICKFERGUS.ORGCelebrating 60 Years of Partnership and Vision

16Our aim is to help you achieveyour fitness and lifestyle goalsand we will provide you with allthe support and encouragementyou need to keep motivated.The key topersonal trainingWhen joining the Fitness Suite, allnew members are issued with afree Technogym Key. Our qualifi edinstructors will design a programme,which will be specifi cally tailored toyour individual needs, abilities andgoals. Your key holds a memorychip containing your personal data,including your training programmeand medical history. When the keyis inserted into the relevant gymequipment, your programme begins.Simply follow the instructions fromthe key, telling you which piece ofequipment to use next. It will storeand display every workout youhave ever done and will guide youthrough each workout. Once youhave completed your programme,you can obtain statistics and reportson how well you have done. Thissystem not only helps you, it alsoenables us to monitor your progressand help with encouragement andchanges when needed.COMPASS / SPRING-SUMMER 2009

17Splash out in theSwimming ArenaThe Swimming Arena boasts a25m x 12m pool. Lessons andcoaching are available for allages and abilities, with intensiveswimming lessons deliveredthroughout the year. For the youngat heart, there’s a themed kid’s pool.Thermal Steam& Sauna SuiteIntegrated wellness meansspending premium time relaxingand recharging your batteries. TheThermal Suite allows you to simplymelt away the stresses and strainsof everyday life in utter relaxation,leaving you feeling completelyrevitalised and in equilibrium. Inhale....exhale...relax. We’ll do the rest.Kinesis RoomThe objective of Kinesis is to replicatethe movements and exercises thatmost naturally fit the needs of thehuman body and mind to give:• Increased strength• Greater flexibility• Improved resistance• Better coordination• Improved posture control• Better breathing controlWhether performed individually orin groups, people of all ages canuse Kinesis - for general healthimprovement, sports training, muscletoning, rehabilitation and more.The unique design of our KinesisRoom allows for over 200 differentexercises and an infinite varietyof movements, addressing thewellness needs of the broadestpossible range of users.Memberswill enjoy thewide rangeof sportingequipment onoffer at thenew gym in theAmphitheatre.Finding your wayThe ‘Amphitheatre’ brand utilisesbright, positive yellows and reds.This use of strong vivid coloursis reflected in the interior designof new Amphitheatre, helping toidentify the zones within the Centre.MembershipWellness prepaid memberships giveyou the freedom to use the facilitieswithout paying each time you visit.Simply pay a one-off annual fee ora monthly Direct Debit and enjoyunlimited use.WWW.CARRICKFERGUS.ORGCelebrating 60 Years of Partnership and Vision

18A-Z Council contacts directoryAAccess to Countryside 028 9335 8053Air Pollution 028 9335 8071Alcohol Free Zones 028 9335 8071Amusement Permits 028 9335 8071Arts Development 028 9335 8053BBusiness Improvement 028 9335 8003Bins Collection (Wheeled) 028 9335 1192Births, Deaths & Marriages 028 9335 8047Building Services 028 9335 8061Booking Bowling Green 028 9335 1711Booking Sports Pitches 028 9335 1711Bye-Laws 028 9335 8053CCemeteries Maintenance 028 9335 1192Civic Events 028 9335 8012Collection of BulkyHousehold Waste 028 9335 1192CommunityCentre Bookings 028 9336 4747Community Relations 028 9335 8053Community Safety 028 9335 8053Community Services 028 9335 8053Consumer Safety 028 9335 8071Council Members 028 9335 8014Council &Committee Services 028 9335 8014Customer Services,General 028 9335 8000DDangerous Structures 028 9335 8061District Policing Partnership 028 9335 8053Dog Fouling 028 9335 8071Dog Licensing 028 9335 8000Dogs/Lost/Found/Dangerous 028 9335 8071Dog Warden 028 9335 8071EEconomic Development 028 9335 8053Election Services 028 9335 8002Entertainment Licences 028 9335 8069Environmental Health 028 9335 8071Equality Scheme 028 9335 8003Events 028 9336 6666FFinance 028 9335 8011Food Safety(food complaints, premises) 028 9335 8071GGolf Course (Bentra) 028 9337 8996Grave Purchase 028 9335 8024HHealth & Safety 028 9335 8071Human Resources 028 9335 8012IIllegal Dumping 028 9335 8071Information Technology 028 9335 8019LLegal Services 028 9335 8002Leisure Development 028 9335 8053Litter Removal 028 9335 1192Lottery Registration/Renewal 028 9335 8071MMaritime Area Development 028 9336 6666Marketing & Public Relations 028 9336 6666Marriages 028 9335 8047Mayor’s Office 028 9335 8002Museums & Heritage 028 9335 8053NNoise Nuisance 028 9335 8071PParks Management 028 9335 1192Pest Control 028 9335 8071Petroleum Licences 028 9335 8069Planning Schedules 028 9335 8014Playground Maintenance 028 9335 1192Playing Fields Bookings 028 9335 1711Policy 028 9335 8003Property Certificates 028 9335 8066Public Toilets 028 9335 1192RRecycling 028 9335 1192Refuse Collection 028 9335 1192Registrar’s Office 028 9335 8047SSports Development 028 9335 8053Street Cleansing 028 9335 1192Street Naming 028 9335 8062TTennis Court Bookings 028 9335 1711Tourism Development 028 9335 8053Town Centre Management 028 9335 8053Tourist Information 028 9335 8049Town Twinning 028 9335 8012UUnauthorised Building Works 028 9335 8062WWaste Collection (Bulky, 028 9335 1192Commercial, Wheeled Bins)COUNCIL FACILITIES/VENUESAmphitheatre 028 9335 1711Andrew Jackson Centre 028 9335 8053Bentra Golf Club 028 9337 8996Bowling Green 028 9335 1513Castleview Pavilion 028 9335 3325Childrens’ Play Areas 028 9335 1192Dog Pound 028 9335 1639Harbour 028 9336 6666Greenisland Social Centre 028 9086 0851Marina & Waterfront 028 9336 6666Museum & Civic Centre 028 9335 8000Oakfield CommunityDevelopment Centre 028 9336 4747SunnylandsCommunity Centre 028 9335 0900Town Hall 028 9335 8000Whitehead Boat Park 028 9336 6666WoodburnCommunity Centre 028 9336 9280SERVICES WHICH ARE NOT THECOUNCIL’S RESPONSIBILITYCarrickfergus Castle(Environmentand Heritage Service) 028 9335 1273Crimestoppers (PSNI) 0800 555 111Education and Libraries 028 2565 3333Electoral Office 028 9034 2263Electricity (NIE) 028 9066 1100Emergency Pollution (DOE) 0800 807 060Flame Gasworks Museum 028 9336 9575Flooding (24 Hour)(Roads Service) 0845 7440 088Flooding - RiversAgency (DARD) 028 9260 6100Land Registry 028 9025 1555NI Housing Executive 0844 8920 900NI Water Limited 0845 7440 088Ordnance Survey 028 9025 5755Planning (DOE) 028 2565 3333PSNI (Exchange) 028 9065 0222Rates 028 9025 2525Roads (DRD) 028 9025 3000Septic Tanks 028 9025 4863Street Lighting(Fault Reporting) (DRD) 028 9025 3051Water Pollution (DOE) 0800 807 060COMPASS / SPRING-SUMMER 2009

19Introducing your CouncilKNOCKAGH MONUMENTKILROOTCARRICK CASTLEAldermanMay M BeattieT 028 9336 6188M 07939 634 348(Democratic Unionist Party)AldermanBilly AsheT 028 9336 9753M 07773 095 133E billyashe@btinternet.com(Democratic Unionist Party)CouncillorDarin FergusonM 07939 634 370E darinf@carrickfergus.orgE darinfer@aol.com(Ulster Unionist Party)CouncillorRoy Beggs MLAT 028 9336 2995M 07801 067 929E roy.beggs@btopenworld.com(Ulster Unionist Party)CouncillorJim BrownT 028 9336 1510M 07939 634 369E seejbrown@hotmail.comCouncillorBilly S HamiltonM 07718 762 892(Independent)CouncillorMark S Cosgrove(Deputy Mayor)M 07740 063 726E msc@redhead-int.com(Ulster Unionist Party)CouncillorTerence ClementsT 028 9336 2997M 07841 103 024(Democratic Unionist Party)AldermanDavid Hilditch MLAT 028 9332 9980F 028 9332 9979M 07713 103 746E davidh@carrickfergus.org(Democratic Unionist Party)CouncillorStewart C DicksonT 028 9086 8330M 07785 598 452E scdickson@aol.com(Alliance Party)CouncillorIsobel DayT 028 9337 2604M 07841 103 022E isobeld@carrickfergus.org(Alliance Party)AldermanPatricia McKinney(Mayor)T 028 9335 9023M 07792 647 976(Democratic Unionist Party)CouncillorJim McClurgT 028 9086 0166M 07939 634 364E mcclurgjames@hotmail.com(Democratic Unionist Party)CouncillorEric FergusonT 028 9337 3338M 07939 634 356E ericf@carrickfergus.org(Ulster Unionist Party)CouncillorSean Neeson MLAT 028 9336 4105F 028 9336 6133Office 028 9335 0286E charlesehilditch@hotmail.com(Alliance Party)CouncillorLouise MarsdenM 07790 360 501E louise16marsden@yahoo.com(Democratic Unionist Party)CouncillorLynn McClurgT 028 9086 0166M 07841 103 021E lynnmcclurg@hotmail.com(Democratic Unionist Party)WWW.CARRICKFERGUS.ORGCelebrating 60 Years of Partnership and Vision

Carrickfergus Museum & Civic CentreAntrim Street, Carrickfergus BT38 7DGT 028 9335 8000F 028 9336 6676E info@carrickfergus.orgwww.carrickfergus.org