New local history talks series

On Tuesday 21 September the popular local historian continues the theme he began in the springtime by looking at more aspects of the lives of the people in North Antrim down the centuries beginning with “A Bit O’ Learning”.

“A bit o’ learnin’ is easily carried” was a familiar saying in North Antrim. People valued education and saw it as a way of advancement. Many families were happy to struggle and deny themselves luxuries in order to pay for a son or daughter to go to college.

This talk deals with the interest in learning which has prevailed over so many years and outlines the ways in which this was delivered. There will be a mention of book clubs and libraries as well as many types of schools including private schools and free schools and it will also look at how education progressed from elementary or primary to secondary, grammar and university. Ballymoney was a pioneer in the establishment of Model and Technical schools in Ireland and this will be given special attention. This talk will be wide ranging and of interest to everyone who still cherishes a love of learning and an interest in the story of our schools.

The series continues on Wednesday 3 November with “The Desire to Worship” and concludes for 2010 with “The Way we Talk,” on Thursday 9 December.

All talks take place in Ballymoney Town Hall at 8pm and admission 2 includes refreshments. The series is promoted by Ballymoney Borough Arts Committee in conjunction with Ballymoney Museum.