Exhibition raises £3,300 for fund

Exhibition raises £3,300 for fund

4 March 2015

A MAJOR military exhibition in Ballynahinch has generated over £3,300 for the town’s war memorial restoration fund.

On Friday and Saturday both floors of the Market House were transformed into a military museum. Downstairs there were displays contributed by Ballynahinch, Spa, and Drumlins primary schools, by St.Colman’s High School, Ballynahinch Air Cadets, and the North Irish Horse regiment.

Upstairs the exhibits were of museum caliber. A number of military enthusiasts had very generously brought along the bulk of their private collections for display. On Thursday night they worked into the early hours setting up the display and for two days in a row they gave expert commentary on the exhibits to a horde of eager visitors. 

On Friday school parties came to visit from Ballynahinch High School, St. Colman’s High, Spa primary, St Patrick’s primary, and Drumlins integrated primary.

As in all best museums, it was hands-on access. So bugles blared, cymbals clashed, an air raid siren growled, and a platoon-sergeant’s whistle shrieked. Once they got their hands on the .303 Lee-Enfield rifle, 10-year old boys worked the bolt action with an expertise born from years of watching multiple war movies.

And the girls weren’t behind the door. Some of them took to bayonet practice with a will. Others gamely hefted a WW2 Bren light machine gun – which weighed 22 lbs.

On Saturday the exhibition was busy with adults and families. Outside on the Square there was a display of vintage military vehicles from the North Irish Horse. Inside a very sprightly Colonel WF Gillespie — formerly of that regiment – held an impromptu reunion with some of his men from the 1940s and 50s. 

There was great interest when Hugh McAuley — veteran of Ballynahinch Fire Service — arrived wearing both his own WW2 medal, and his father’s medals from WW1. In the afternoon two members of the Bellehoppers taught dance steps from the 1940s, to the tune of “GI Blues”.

This event involved a lot of hard work for the War Memorial Restoration Committee, but it was well worth it. By Sunday night the ever-efficient committee secretary Margaret Armstrong reported a total figure generated of £3,367.02, €10 and 30 cents! This included collections of £1,296, and £1,430 in sales of granite square setts.

There are a lot of generous sponsors out there, supporting this worth cause.