Mill statue plan backed by public

Support for his proposal of a bronze statue attracted many comments, some of which we publish below.

Johnny himself says he was amazed at the response from the local public.

“People seem to think it would be a good thing to have this monument in the town. I’ve met so many people over the past few days who’ve seen the story in the paper and every one of them gave it their backing.

“I would really like to see the Borough Council take the idea forward. Surely we have enough talent in Ballymena to make this a home town project? In my opinion they should involve the local schools and the Northern Regional College - why not have a locally based design competition?

“You would think that this could be done sooner rather than later,” says Johnny.

Ballymena Times Editor, Des Blackadder, echoed these sentiments.

“Community involvement would be the key to such a project. Virtually every family with real roots in Ballymena and district has some link to the linen industry of yesteryear.

“If their ancestors didn’t work in one of the mills, then they worked in supporting industries. The role of the millworkers in creating the subsequent wealth of this town is something which everyone can relate to,” he added.

R. J. Lilley MBE: “I would wholeheartedly agree with Mr MacRory’s suggestion of a statue to mark the memory of the Braidwater Mill workers of Ballymena.

“The thousands of workers employed there over the years made a significant contribution to the early life of the town and they deserve to be remembered. It is very easy to forget just how important the Braidwater Mill was to Ballymena in providing employment to so many people, during the less affluent times gone by.

“I met some English visitors last week who had seen the Seven Towers wall as they came into the town and they wanted to know what were the Seven Towers.

“I had to explain how it came about and that, sadly, there were now only three, with the demise of the Ballymena Castle, Ist Ballymena Church tower, The Old Town Hall and of course, the Braidwater Mill chimney. It is only too easy to have these things pass away and no recognition or record of there ever having been a mill and the part it’s workers played in the prosperity of the town.

“I trust that the powers that be will give this matter some consideration so that future generations can see what there forefathers contributed.”

Colum Best: “As a person who spent their childhood in Harryville - Chichester Park to be precise I feel the idea to commenorate the Braidwater spinning mill is an excellent idea.I feel that this would be a tribute to the workforce and the number of others who benefited from the mill. A committee should be set up to take forward this idea and to obtain funding for such a project.”

Harryville Partnership: “We would be very supportive of any move to commemorate the Mill workers. Some time ago, we put together a historical mural about the Braidwater which can be viewed at King George’s Park. Obviously the statue idea would be a great addition to local history trails and we would be happy to place our support behind any such project.”

Robin Swann: “A great idea - for inspiration please come and see the mill worker statue already in Kells."

Kathryn Johnston: "That's a really good idea, Ballymena is very short of public works of art, well, any sort of art really!"

Wilbert Gilmore: “I agree with Johnny's sentiments as I am also from a mill family and also worked in the mill and found my wife there over 50 years ago! Hard work but good times and I wish Johnny well.”

Hugh McCrory (Norfolk): “As an exiled Ballymena man and a frequent visitor to my home town, I would like to add my support to Johnny Macrory's request for a memorial to the Mill Workers of yester year.

I myself worked in the Mill for many of my early years on leaving school. My father and mother met and married whilst working there and my grandfather and Grandmother and four generations of my family were also employed there for many years.

The Mill was unique in the employment and benefits it offered, providing a workers Canteen and Social center which was a first for Ballymena, and one of the earliest in Northern Ireland.

Not only did it provide much needed work for the whole surrounding area, but rows of "Mill houses" for it's workers. Patrick Place, James Street and Alfred Street were all entirely "Mill houses".

Generations of families were employed, with fathers requesting jobs for off spring and therefore keeping the continuity of generations answering the early call of the "Mill Horn"

To miss this opportunity to remember the history of Ballymena would be a tragedy and a sad reflection on the town. Many of the workers are now gone and the remaining ex employees now in their latter years.

We should not forget the contribution the Mill made to the development of Ballymena, it was the largest contributor to the Borough Council Rates, by far. The largest contributor to local charities, the biggest supporter to local sports and societies, and with the largest wage bill of any company outside of Belfast.

The Mill could not have operated without the many thousands of Mill workers, many walking to work from as far away as Ahoghill, Raceview, Kells and all of the greater Ballymena area. Spinners worked in their bare feet for 8 to 10 hours a day and many workers lost limbs and lives through the dangerous conditions, no Health and Safety then.

I would urge the residents of Ballymena to support this wonderful opportunity to mark the passing of the Mill and it's workers and I know that many descendants of Mill workers are still residents of the wonderful City of The Seven Towers.”

John Joe Lynch: Greetings from New Zealand! I just happened to come across your online newspaper article on the mill workers. I fully agree with the Johnny Macrory’s story. I used to work at a cotton plant in Lisnaskea in CO. Fermanagh. I have been in NZ for 20 years. I have met people from all over Ireland, and the best people come from CO. Antrim. Most CoO. Antrim people can be found in country areas.Eg.Hamilton and Morrinsville. I love country and western music and sometimes I go to a fabulous show in Morrinsiville. As Co. Antrim people say we love to meet people from home. Any singers coming this way could do a few songs at Morrinsville Country Music Club.