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24/06/2009
Community Hall Gets Fillip
A Co Antrim community facility that was formerly used to dispense justice is to enjoy a considerable fillip with news this week of a £200,000 funding boost.
It will help transform the former court building at Glengormley's Barron Hall into a Peace and Reconciliation Centre.
Newtownabbey's Mayor, John Scott, (pictured) described the funding announcement as "fantastic news for the borough".
"Here we have a group, made up mostly of volunteers, who have been working hard for everyone in Newtownabbey. I can't praise the group enough and it is good to see they are getting their just rewards."
The International Fund for Ireland said the money, which was granted to Newtownabbey Community Relations Forum (NCRF), will help turn a rundown Antrim Road building "into a shared space for the whole community".
"It has been nearly a year since we applied for this," said Kathy Wolff of NCRF. "The money will go towards general repairs and refurbishment as we strive to turn the hall into a centre of peace and reconciliation."
The Barron Hall was built in 1884 by Rev Barron and it has served as Glengormley Primary School, and was once home to Glengormley Presbyterian Church.
In 1928 it was destroyed by fire and then rebuilt. In the 1970s it was used as a courthouse and attempts were again made to burn it down.
The building has since been used by scouts, slimmers, fitness projects and youth groups.
It is now used by Loughside Volunteers, Newtownabbey Senior Citizens Forum and Newtownabbey Community Relations Forum.
The Community Relations Forum moved into the building just over a year ago and in that time there have been setbacks.
However, the building has been targeted by vandals and has had sectarian graffiti on its walls.
"We want to make this a centre for everyone to call into," said Kathy. "It doesn't matter who you are - it's for everyone."
"Anyone who comes here always comments on how welcoming it is. The building just needs a little 'TLC' and to have received this money is unbelievable. People just won't know what this means to us.
"This money can make all the difference, not just to us, but to everyone in the area.
"We can turn it into what the Rev Barron built it for, 'the betterment of the people'. We are actively trying to bring the heart back into Glengormley. The hall is a shared space and that's what we want it to be."
Speaking as the International Fund for Ireland announced its latest funding package at its Board meeting in Belfast, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland, Denis Rooney CBE said: "The International Fund for Ireland is committed to 'breaking new ground' and creating new, sustainable interventions which will help young people throughout the island of Ireland to learn, work and live together in a shared future with mutual respect."
(BMcC/JM)
It will help transform the former court building at Glengormley's Barron Hall into a Peace and Reconciliation Centre.
Newtownabbey's Mayor, John Scott, (pictured) described the funding announcement as "fantastic news for the borough".
"Here we have a group, made up mostly of volunteers, who have been working hard for everyone in Newtownabbey. I can't praise the group enough and it is good to see they are getting their just rewards."
The International Fund for Ireland said the money, which was granted to Newtownabbey Community Relations Forum (NCRF), will help turn a rundown Antrim Road building "into a shared space for the whole community".
"It has been nearly a year since we applied for this," said Kathy Wolff of NCRF. "The money will go towards general repairs and refurbishment as we strive to turn the hall into a centre of peace and reconciliation."
The Barron Hall was built in 1884 by Rev Barron and it has served as Glengormley Primary School, and was once home to Glengormley Presbyterian Church.
In 1928 it was destroyed by fire and then rebuilt. In the 1970s it was used as a courthouse and attempts were again made to burn it down.
The building has since been used by scouts, slimmers, fitness projects and youth groups.
It is now used by Loughside Volunteers, Newtownabbey Senior Citizens Forum and Newtownabbey Community Relations Forum.
The Community Relations Forum moved into the building just over a year ago and in that time there have been setbacks.
However, the building has been targeted by vandals and has had sectarian graffiti on its walls.
"We want to make this a centre for everyone to call into," said Kathy. "It doesn't matter who you are - it's for everyone."
"Anyone who comes here always comments on how welcoming it is. The building just needs a little 'TLC' and to have received this money is unbelievable. People just won't know what this means to us.
"This money can make all the difference, not just to us, but to everyone in the area.
"We can turn it into what the Rev Barron built it for, 'the betterment of the people'. We are actively trying to bring the heart back into Glengormley. The hall is a shared space and that's what we want it to be."
Speaking as the International Fund for Ireland announced its latest funding package at its Board meeting in Belfast, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland, Denis Rooney CBE said: "The International Fund for Ireland is committed to 'breaking new ground' and creating new, sustainable interventions which will help young people throughout the island of Ireland to learn, work and live together in a shared future with mutual respect."
(BMcC/JM)
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