25/09/2001

Reid opens Upperlands Business Community Centre

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Dr John Reid has officially opened the Linenhall Business and Community Centre in Upperlands.

The centre has just been completed at a cost of £1.5 million and includes a suite of halls and community rooms, a village Post Office, shop premises and industrial workshops, and a branch of the Royal British Legion which had existed on the previous site.

Opening the Centre, Dr Reid said. “This centre, which combines so much of the history and culture of this lovely mill village with the very best of modern facilities, will be a real asset to the community.

“This is the kind of project which stands as testimony to what is possible when local people come together and harness their talents and energies to work for the good of the whole community.”

Dr Reid was greeted at the centre by chairperson Eric Glasgow and vice chairperson Sally McClean. The new centre replaces a village hall which was provided by William Clark and Sons Ltd, the local mill owners, just after World War Two.

The village of Upperlands has been manufacturing fine linen and other textiles for almost three centuries. The Upperlands Community Development Group was formed six years ago to preserve and improve the social, cultural and economic aspects of the village. The new centre is the latest in a variety of projects. (MB)

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