Ballynahinch residents get an insight into Great War

Ballynahinch residents get an insight into Great War

20 June 2012

A GROUP of residents from the Langley Road estate in Ballynahinch visited the Somme Heritage Centre recently.

The visit to the centre outside Newtownards for 50 adults and children was organised by the Langley Road Community Group, supported by the Down Community Safety Partnership.

The locals were joined by Strangford MLA Simon Hamilton and Ballynahinch councillor Garth Craig.

Mr. Andrew Steenson, chairman of the Langley community group, said he was pleased so many local people were able to visit the Somme Centre to learn a bit more about their heritage.

He continued: “To be able to gain a better understanding of why the Great War happened, why men enlisted and what life was like in the trenches during the visit to the centre which is close to where so many men of the 36th Ulster Division trained before heading to France, made the experience more real.

“The community group believes it’s important for us all to understand our heritage and organising a visit like this was perfect. I would like to thank the DUP Advice Centre in Ballynahinch for helping us organise the trip and especially thank Mark Kent and the Down Community Safety Partnership for its financial support which made the visit possible.”

Mr. Steenson said the Ballynahinch group hopes to build on the success of the recent visit and arrange further trips to Stormont and Belfast City Hall.

Mr. Hamilton described the Somme Centre as a “terrific facility” which can teach people about the sometimes forgotten history of this part of the world.