Northern Ireland's special connection to suffrage

On Sunday 10 June an event called PROCESSIONS commemorates a hundred years since women in the United Kingdom won the right to vote.  

This year is also the 125th anniversary since New Zealand women won that right, the first country in the world to give it, and Northern Ireland has a link to the story, as the legislation was put into place by Premier (Prime Minister) John Ballance, who was born near Glenavy in 1839.  His birthplace now houses the Ulster New Zealand Trust..... read more

Thanks to Graeme Cousins, journalist with the Newsletter, who wrote this recent article on The NI man who changed the world for women.

PROCESSIONS commemoration event

On Sunday 10 June, an event called PROCESSIONS will take place across the UK’s four capitals.  It commemorates 100 years since UK women won the right to vote, and coincides with New Zealand’s 125 years of women’s right to vote. 

There will be simultaneous marches in Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, and London.  Women and girls will hold banners and walk through the streets, wearing green, purple and white – colours of significance to the women's suffrage movement.  The idea is to create a mass participation artwork. 

All details can be found on: www.processions.co.uk It’s free to sign-up and participate in.

The High Commission is currently rallying New Zealanders in London to walk in the procession and the Ulster New Zealand Trust would be pleased if anyone reading this would also share details about the event with any New Zealand networks you know of in Belfast/ Northern Ireland, and encourage them to get involved and spread the word.  

125th Anniversary of the death of John Ballance

A New Zealand Plagianthus regius tree was planted on 27 April by Mr Paul Hewitt, Chairman of the Ulster New Zealand Trust’s Board of Directors, in the arboretum of our Patron, Mr Brian McKnight, on the 125th anniversary of the death of John Ballance. Many thanks to the McKnight’s for their kind hospitality to the Directors and friends.  Mrs Yvonne Hall presented Mrs McKnight with a beautiful home-made bouquet of roses.

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From left, Mr Brian McKnight, Patron of UNZT and Mr Paul Hewitt, Chairman of the Board of Directors UNZT

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Mr Brian McKnight with the UNZT Board of Directors and friends

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From left, Mrs Shirley McKnight and Mrs Yvonne Hall

Paul and Nick's Big Food Trip

A Northern Ireland media company is producing a cookery series 'Paul and Nick’s Big Food Trip' for UTV and STV.  They recently filmed with chefs Paul Rankin and Nick Nairn in New Zealand and interviewed Tim McIvor who wrote a biography on John Ballance.  The show is due to air on Monday nights from the 16th April and there is one programme that focuses on John Ballance (ep 4 in Wellington) which will air on 7th May.

Photo: David Cumming/Supplied

Willie-John Remembers...

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 “Arriving in Invercargill for the Lions was amazing – just like a wet day in Ballymena”

 “Where’s the Coach?” I was asked. {WJ replies } ”That’s it over there, it takes us to matches”

 “There’s this British thing – it’s not about winning or losing, it’s about taking part. Well go and tell them that in New Zealand” 

The highlight of the Commemoration at the Ballance House to mark the signing of the Waitangi Treaty was an absolutely fascinating talk by Willie John McBride recalling his tours to New Zealand with the British and Irish Lions Rugby teams both as a player and manager.

The Treaty of Waitangi was signed on February 6th 1840 – exactly 176 years ago – between representatives of the British Government and the Maori Chiefs of the North Island. The Treaty recognised the Maori ownership of their lands and gave them rights as British subjects.

Other of our guests on this auspicious occasion included – The Lord Lieutenant for County Antrim: Mrs Joan Christie, Lord Lieutenant for Co Antrim; The Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh, Mr Tim Morrow; our Patron, Mr Brian McKnight and his wife; and also two Sixth Form Tutors from Dilworth School in Auckland who are attached to Dungannon Royal School for a year.

It was an atrocious day weather-wise with several members being unable to travel on account of the state of the roads, but over 40 members of the Ulster New Zealand Trust at The Ballance House braved the weather for a most enjoyable day.  

The party began around mid-day with a very welcome glass of warm spiced apple juice in the very atmospheric 19th century Parlour at the House which was lit, as usual, only by oil lamps. Lunch was provided by Gilberry Fair, Banbridge and was introduced by Mr Freddie Hall, the Chairman of the Executive Committee.

For many years Miss Betty Wilson has decorated the lunch tables with snowdrops from her brother’s farm and after lunch these are sold off in aid of our own funds to those who wish to take a bunch home.

Once lunch was over, everybody made their way over to the Cottage Room to hear Willie John McBride reminisce and remember the highs and lows of his tours to Australia and New Zealand with the British and Irish Lions. It was a very personal account of sporting history in the making and which we were all very privileged to hear.  

The Journey of the Potato Spinner...

Late November 2017 saw Christmas arrive early at The UIster New Zealand Trust with the delivery of a new addition to our exhibits - a circa 19th Century era Potato Spinner - from a generous donor, Mr David Nesbitt and transported by our friends Marsden Recovery Specialists.   Read more about it here.

Looking for a new challenge or activity for 2018?

Have you considered volunteering?  We run 4 events each year and always need new helpers in a variety of areas.  Also, if you have experience in tour guiding, marketing and museum development we’d really like to hear from you.

Find out more about volunteering here. Have a look at our major aims for the Ulster-New Zealand Trust also.

The Second World War in Northern Ireland

Andy Glenfield has a keen interest in the involvement of Northern Ireland during the Second World War and he photographs headstones of men from New Zealand who lost their lives in Northern Ireland whilst serving in the Air Force.  

Andy's website is called 'The Second World War in Northern Ireland' and he also has a Facebook page which gives updates on additions to his website as well as Information regarding forthcoming events. There are also video and local news items connected to Northern Ireland during the Second World War.

Read more about Andy's research and his photography.

Dates for your Diary - Calendar of Events 2018

Dave Gallaher Memorial Event

A 100th anniversary memorial event will be held in Ramelton, Donegal on the 21st October, to celebrate the life and service of Dave Gallaher, a New Zealander of Donegal lineage, who was one of the famous All Blacks, and who lost his life in Belgium in 1917.  Please see the invitation below.

NOTE AN UPDATE TO THE TIME OF THE SERVICE: 2 PM.

European Heritage Open Day

Join us for 'Open House' on Sunday 10 September from 2 – 5 pm.  Visit the Ulster-New Zealand exhibition, chat to our knowledgeable guides, and see the restored farmhouse where John Ballance, former premier of New Zealand was born.  New features this year are a presentation on ‘The Shaky Isles’ from one of our New Zealanders, Ashley Eves at 3 pm, a kids’ Kiwi Treasure Hunt, and prize draw for a £20 retail voucher for the Lisburn/Hillsborough Visitor Information Centre.  Afternoon tea in our tea barn will be available from 2 – 5 pm. 

Kiwi Boys welcome High Commissioner

Yesterday three Kiwi boys from Dilworth School in Auckland, New Zealand, who are currently on a year-long exchange visit to Dungannon Royal School, welcomed the New Zealand High Commissioner on his first visit to Northern Ireland.  They performed a traditional “haka” at The Ballance House before being introduced to Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mataparae in front of distinguished guests who included Prof Sinclair Stockman, the recently appointed Hon NZ Consul for Northern Ireland and Willie-John McBride, one of the patrons to The Ballance House.  Sir Jerry, only the second Maori to hold the position of New Zealand High Commissioner in London was accompanied by his wife, Lady Janine; they were initially welcomed by the Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh, Councillor Brian Bloomfield, on one of his last official duties prior to leaving office. After the official welcome the visitors were taken on a tour of The Ballance House, the birthplace of one of New Zealand’s more distinguished premiers,  before having lunch with other friends, guests and volunteers of the Ulster New Zealand Trust.  A memorable afternoon.     

Thanks to one of our guests, McKenzie Cathcart, for the haka video.

Visit of the newly appointed New Zealand High Commissioner to the UK

The Directors of the Ulster New Zealand Trust at The Ballance House and the Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh, Councillor Brian Bloomfield will be warmly welcoming the recently appointed New Zealand High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, The Right Honourable Sir Jerimiah (Jerry) Mateparae.  

Sir Jerry will be making his inaugural visit to Northern Ireland on 15th and 16th June. The first day will be devoted to Government business at Stormont and on Friday 16th June he will visit The Ballance House in Glenavy at 12.30 pm to meet volunteers and guests, followed by a tour of the House, the Ulster-New Zealand exhibition and lunch.  Tutors from New Zealand, currently based at the Royal School Dungannon, will perform a Haka at 1.30 pm.

Sir Jerry was also born, brought up and educated in Whanganui, New Zealand – the same town in which John Ballance lived once he had arrived in New Zealand.  Ballance also represented Whanganui once he entered the New Zealand Parliament.

For further information, or if you would like to attend this function, please contact us

Upcoming Sporting Events

Football: New Zealand international friendly against Northern Ireland at Windsor Park in Belfast on 2 June.

Click here for Ticketmaster to get your tickets.

Women's Rubgy World Cup: kicks off on 9 August in Ireland

For further information and to purchase tickets click here.

Anzac Day Commemoration Service 2017

Thanks to all those who attended, supported and took part in The Ballance House Anzac Day Commemoration Service on Sunday 23 April 2017.  Photos and a write-up of the day can be found here.

ANZAC Day Commemoration at The Ballance House, Sunday 23 April 2017

 

You are invited to join us at 2 pm for our Annual Commemoration to honour and remember all those who took part in the Gallipoli landings in 1915 and other conflicts.  The Commemoration will commence at 2.30 pm with a short inter-denominational service conducted by the Reverend John Farr, Rector of Stoneyford.  During the Service wreaths may be laid by Regimental Associations and individuals.  Following the Service, light refreshments will be served.  The Commemoration will conclude with a presentation by Mr Bryan Johnston on the role of RNZAF pilots who died in the skies over Northern Ireland during the Second World War and who are buried here.   Please contact us if you would like to attend.

Memorable Waitangi Lunch commemoration

Waitangi Day was celebrated at the Ballance House on Friday 3rd February with a Lunch followed by an illustrated presentation by one of our Directors, and a New Zealander, Mr Ashley Eves.

This year we were able to welcome the new Honorary Consul for New Zealand in Northern Ireland, Professor Sinclair Stockman and his wife, Carmel, on their first visit to the Ballance House. It was also a very great pleasure to welcome our Patron, Mr Brian McKnight and his wife to the Lunch but unfortunately our other Patron, Mr Willie John McBride, was in London on rugby business. It was also a very great pleasure to welcome the Mayor and Mayoress of Lisburn and Castlereagh and also three members of the New Zealand Ireland Association who had travelled up from Dublin to be with us. In all 62 friends and members sat down to a delicious lunch once again provided by Gilberry Fayre from Gilford. The now traditional sale of snowdrops after lunch, which had been picked on the previous day in the most atrocious conditions by Betty Wilson,  raised £60.

After lunch Ashley Eves gave us an absolutely fascinating illustrated presentation on “The Shaky Islands” Having been brought up in New Zealand he was able to include his own reminscences of being caught in an earthquake as well as how the geological plates react with each other, sometimes fairly near the surface, as happened in the recent disaster at Christchurch. What very few of us realised is how many tremors in various degrees of severity there have been since the original earthquake. For those who were unable to be present, Ashley has agreed to give his talk again on European Heritage Day on Sunday 10th September. The last event of a very full day  was the presentation of a copy of an 18th century map of New Zealand which shows the North Island as “New Ulster” by Mr Bryan Johnstonalong with details of his research into the deaths of New Zealand airmen in Northern Ireland during the 2nd World War.    

Annual Waitangi Lunch

The Waka crews take part in the celebrations on a wet and cold Waitangi Day held at Waitangi, Northland. Photo / Dean Purcell

The Waitangi Lunch commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi on 6th February 1840 between representatives of the British crown and  various chiefs of the Maori people of New Zealand and this date is now commemorated as New Zealand’s National Day.  As a result of the signing of the Treaty, New Zealand became a British colony and the Maori people gained the rights of British subjects.  The Treaty was eventually signed by over 500 Maori chiefs from the North Island but the English and Māori versions of the Treaty differed significantly, so there is no consensus as to exactly what was agreed, which continues to be a source of some grievance on the part of the Maori people to this day.

This year The Ballance House Waitangi Lunch is being held on Friday 3rd February.  If you would be interested in attending, please email info@theballancehouse.com.

12 - 12.30 pm Reception

12.30 - 2 pm  Lunch

2.15 - 3 pm  Presentation:  Mr Ashley Eves, a Director of the Ulster New Zealand Trust.  The subject of his presentation will be "The Shaky Isles".  

Tickets: £25 Single, £45 Double

Volunteering... do you have some time to spare? Then come and join our friendly team!

The volunteers at The Ballance House have varied roles, all of which aim to provide a friendly welcome at the restored farmhouse and ensure you have an enjoyable and informative visit.  This is where John Ballance, who went on to become one of New Zealand’s more enlightened Premiers, was born.

How you could get involved

You could get involved in tasks such as a Helper or Guide for visiting community and school groups or you might enjoy helping out with the children’s crafts and face-painting, or the tea barn catering, car parking and setup teams at events.  If you have existing experience and skills for example in areas such as first aid, catering or customer service for example you may particularly enjoy being involved at our events.  Maintaining the property is another job that keeps the volunteers busy looking after The Ballance House for our visitors.

We can also give you access to training in areas such as first aid or food hygiene.

Whether you are interested in a one-off activity or a longer-term commitment, we would like to talk to you.

Reasons to volunteer

·   Do something different and learn new skills

·  Do a few hours once a month and help at our busy and fun events

·    Be a part of the conservation of our historic property

·  Meet like-minded people and make new friends.

Mayor recognises Volunteers' contributions

A big thank you to the Right Worshipful the Mayor, Councillor Brian Bloomfield MBE of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, the Mayoress, Rosalind Bloomfield, and council staff who received our volunteers for an evening recently in Lagan Valley Island. The Mayor spoke about the many merits of volunteering in the community and how The Ballance House thrives from the time and efforts that volunteers give – and yes, Ireland-New Zealand rugby was mentioned! We were treated to a delicious meal prior to the Mayor and Mayoress giving us a tour of the Council Chamber and the Mayor’s Parlour where we viewed most interesting exhibits and artworks. We were pleased to be able to support the Mayor’s charity, TinyLife, the premature and vulnerable baby charity. Many thanks for a lovely evening.