Pupils’ proud input to ‘a piece of history’

Budding young military historians have spoken of their pride at seeing their work being put on public display at Carrickfergus Cenotaph.
Members of the project team hard at work restoring the tank to its former glory. INCT 30-708-CONMembers of the project team hard at work restoring the tank to its former glory. INCT 30-708-CON
Members of the project team hard at work restoring the tank to its former glory. INCT 30-708-CON

Carrickfergus College and Downshire School pupils along with members of the North Irish Horse Light Cavalry Squadron, the Railway Heritage Society of Ireland and North Irish Horse Regimental Association teamed up on the restoration of a World War 11 Churchill Tank.

Following completion of the work, it was officially unveiled during Armed Forces Day.

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College Year 11 pupil Ryan Jeavons, who was involved in the restoration, stated: ‘The project was fun to work on, it was a completely different activity from what we normally do in school. To see the Churchill tank placed in our home town will allow me to have a piece of history I can relate to for as long as it is there.”

Pupils from all schools, members of the restoration team, the assisting agencies and some local dignitaries were present at the unveiling.

It was also viewed by Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Ivan Lewis during a recent visit to the borough.

Mr Lewis described the project as “quite amazing, fantastic”, The Labour politician went on to speak of the importance of finding “whatever turns young people on to learning”.

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