August 2008 Archives

The Palmerston Residents Association would like thank the Democratic Unionist Party and Mr Sammy Douglas MBE for their full support given to our Campaign to have a commemoration for William Holmes Smiles erected on the out side of the new building that now replaces their former home Westbank House on the Palmerston Road Sydenham. The Palmerston Residents Association has been actively involved in trying to persuade the new owners Wesley Housing Association Ltd to have a commemoration for the Smiles Family placed out side their new building, to mark what this great family did for East Belfast and the sacrifice their sons made in the second world war. The Residents Association feel this part of our history must be remembered in a fitting way, and feel Wesley Housing Association Ltd should give back to the people of East Belfast and Northern Ireland  part of their true history taken away when the Smiles family home was demolished to make way for their new development. The Residents Association are pleased by the support  from the Northern Ireland Assembly Parties in our Campaigns to have both Gustav Wilhelm Wolff and William Holmes Smiles Commemorated. Special thanks to Minster Sammy Wilson of the Democratic Unionist Party for the support he has given in spot listing The Den on the Station Road the home of Gustav Wilhelm Wolff, he has shown how important it is to protect our history for our Children and further generations.    

 The Palmerston Residents Association wish to thank Cllr Naomi Long MLA and Deputy Leader of the Alliance  Party for Northern Ireland in Her outright support for our Campaign to have a commemoration for the Smiles Family placed outside the new development, which now replaces the home of the one of the founder members of the Belfast Rope Works one of the largest in the world. The Association has been in contact with the new owners of the site Wesley Housing Association Ltd Carrickfergus, in an effort to get them to change their minds on a Commemoration for this great family being placed some where inside the new building. The Association feels this would just not be a suitable Commemoration as it would exclude the public to view it. The Association has always stated that any sort of Commemoration should be placed outside to enable our residents and our children to see the important family's who lived in our area, and how they were part of Northern Irelands great industrial history as a world leader in Shipbuilders,Aircraft Innovation and Rope Making. The Association looks to its present day Industry to support our Campaign in remembering what achievements were made in Northern Ireland, and bringing them to the fore giving our children a sense of belonging to what was once a great Industrial nation and a part of history that we should encourage them to be proud of, many Thanks Cllr Naomi Long MLA from the Palmerston Residents Association
Chairman Terry Hoey

 The Palmerston Residents Association wish to thank Cllr Sir Reg Empey MLA and leader of the Ulster Unionst Party for Northern Ireland in his outright support for our Campaign to have a commemoration for the Smiles Family placed outside the new development, which now replaces the home of the one of the founder members of the Belfast Rope Works one of the largest in the world. The Association has been in contact with the new owners of the site Wesley Housing Association Ltd Carrickfergus, in an effort to get them to change ther minds on a Commemoration for this great family being placed some where inside the new building. The Association feels this would just not be a suitable Commemoration as it would exclude the public to veiw it. The Association has always stated that any sort of Commemoration should be placed outside to enable our residents and our children to see the important familys who lived in our area, and how they were part of Northern Irelands great industrial history as a world leader in Shipbuiding,Aircraft Innovation and Rope Making. The Association looks to its present day Industry to support our Campaign in remembering what acheviements were made in Northern Ireland, and bringing them to the fore giving our children a sense of belonging to what was once a great Industrial nation and a part of history that we should encourage them to be proud of, many Thanks Sir Reg from the Palmerston Residents Association
Chairman Terry Hoey