Fancy joining a local history group?

DID you ever buy a mineral in Rourke's wee shop at Ballintoy harbour? Did you keep well away from Johnny Mc Clelland's cross white horse? Most of all, do you remember the exploits of Jean De Bourbon?
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Feb 2010, 10:23 BST
Updated 1st Feb 2010, 15:17 BST

Reverend Patrick Barton, Rector of Grouped Parishes of Ballintoy & Dunseverick is keen to get a local history group started, and the inaugural meeting was held last week. A very good crowd from all parts of the community turned up to what was a very enjoyable evening. The only criterion is a passion for history, and membership is open to everyone.

Rev. Patrick had invited members of Poyntzpass and District Local History Society to tell everyone how they got their successful group started.

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They have had 40 years’ experience, and in that time, the group has flourished. They advised us to get as wide a variety of local people involved, rather than only professionals, so that all people would have ownership of the history group. Many members could do research on a particular theme, and give talks. Over the years, the talks could be published in a magazine for posterity.

There is history in every stone and every field, and it was important to record this information for future generations. Because so many are interested in genealogy now, it would be useful to have a database of information for people to use in their search for family history.

The evening concluded with a cup of tea, which gave people a chance to have a chat. The next meeting is on Thursday 25th February, in Ballintoy Parish Hall, at 8pm, and it is hoped that as many as possible will come.