Palmerston Residents Association Commemoration Campaign For William Homes Smiles and Gustav Wilhelm Wolff Founders of the Belfast Rope Works

William Homes Smiles, who founded the Belfast Rope Works in the early 1870s,was the son of Dr Samual Smiles,the author of the Victorian classic,Self Help. William Smiles lived at Westbank House on the Palmerston Road Sydenham Belfast Co Antrim Northern Ireland. Mrs Lucy Smiles was half sister to Mrs Beeton the Victorian cookery expert. The Smiles family had eleven children. William Smiles and Gustav Wolff of Harland and Wolff Belfast founded the Belfast Rope Works in the second World War one third of the ropes required by the war office (a quarter of a million tons were made at the Belfast Rope Works, in addition it manufactured 50,000 camouflage and cargo nets. The Smiles family give a lot to Northern Ireland they also give their two sons who were both killed in action 2nd Lieutenant Samuel Smiles1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles. killed in Action 16th August 1917, aged 36 years, and Captain William Alan Smiles 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, killed in Action 9th July 1916 aged 34 years Lt-Col.Sir Walter Dorling Smiles CIE DSO ( 8 November 1883-31 January 1953) was a member of Parliament for Blackburn from1931 to 1945 Smiles was re-elected in 1935 but stood for Down Northern Ireland in the 1945 Westminister election as a Unionist. The constituency was split in 1950 into North and South Down. Smiles won North Down that year and remained its MP until his death in 1953. He lost his life in the sinking of the Princess Victoria of Larne Lough in the Great Storm. The Palmerston Residents Association wants to have this great family commemorated at the site where Westbank House once stood at Palmerston Road Sydenham before it was demolished to make way for a new development. The Palmerston Residents Association have made contact with Wesley Housing Association Ltd who now own the new development seeking their agreement to have some type of commemoration at the new site to enable our children and our visitors to see where this great family once lived and to mark their place in Northern Ireland History. At present we are at odds with Wesley Housing Association where we would like the commemoration placed, they feel it would be better on the inside of the building but we feel it should take its place on the outside of the building in the grounds to enable every one to veiw it. We will keep you updated on our campaign to have this family properly commemorated for the people of Sydenham and Ireland Northern and assuring their place in our history

Gustav Wilhelm Wolff The Den Gets Spot Listed And Saved Temporarily from Demolition Palmerston Residents Association Says This Is Great News

The Palmerston Residents Association would like to thank the Environment & Heritage Service on behalf of the residents of Sydenham, the people of Northern Ireland and our Children for spot listing 2-4 Station Road The Den. We hope this listing will be made permanent. We would also like to thank Naomi Long of the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland for her out right support at the beginning of our campaign to have this building listed. Our gratitude also to the Minister of Development Sammy Wilson for his comments that built heritage provides a tangible connection to our sheared past and we should protect its best features.

The residents association is in complete agreement with this statement, we hope he acts to have Westbank House And the Smiles Family commemorated at the site of his home on the Palmerston Road, William Smiles and Gustav Wilhelm Wolff founded the Belfast Ropeworks the Biggest Ropeworks in the world where over 30,000 people were employed. We cannot replace these great men but we can commemorate them, for the good of Northern Ireland and the good of East Belfast.

Our work is not over it has only begun our history belongs to us and our children to give them something to look up to and respect, let them see how great Northern Ireland industry was and how it leads the world in Shipbuilding,Ropemaking,Aircraft and Engineering, we are only a small nation of six counties but a world leader in so many fields. We need to protect our heritage now to enable us to leave it to our children.

Gustav Wilhelm Wolff The Northern Ireland Environment has 'Spot Listed' 2-4 Station Road Known as the Den says The Palmerston Residents Association

We can confirm the Northern Ireland Environment Agency Protects Threatened Historic Buildings By Spot Listing 2-4 station Road Known as The Den The Environment Agency of Northern Say These buildings are a good example of late Victorian estate lodges which have unusually high quality interiors.

The buildings have some historic interest because of their association with Gustav Wilhelm Wolff one of the founders of the Belfast Shipyard Known as Harland and Wolff he was also a former MP for the area and also one of the founders of the Belfast Ropeworks with William Smiles of Westbank House on the Palmerston Road Sydenham Belfast Northern Ireland.

The Palmerston Residents Association can also confirm that they are trying to have the Smiles Home and Family Commemorated at the site Known as Westbank House Palmerston Road Sydenham Belfast Northern Ireland.

This is a good day for the Residents of Sydenham and Also for Northern Ireland

Belfast City Airport Was Opened By Neville Chamberlain On The 16th March 1938 And Has Been Part Of Sydenham East Belfast Northern Ireland Ever Since V

I have heard the debates that are on going regarding George Best Belfast City Airport thinking has there never been an airport there before, yes of course there was only it was known as Shorts the First true aviation company in the world,and was a a manufacturer of the flying boats during the 1920s and the 1930s {Wikipedia} in 1936 the air ministry builds a new aircraft factory in Belfast for Short & Harland 50% owned by Short Brothers. In 1943 the Government takes over management and merges,Short Brothers with Short and Harland to form Short Brothers and Harland Ltd. In 1947 all war time factories closed and operations concentrated in Belfast{Kens Aviation.com}. In 1948 the company offices followed and Shorts became a Belfast Company in its entirety.

I have lived in Sydenham since I was a boy of 5 year old I can always remember the airport there, only in those days it was a lot different than it is today I remember that you could get to the aircraft yard on the other side of Sydenham Station, there was always a police presence at the entrance I can remember that the police man who was on the gate at that time lived in Palmerston Park Sydenham. I always went to Victoria Park to climb the bank to watch the planes land and take off, in those days it was Fighter Jets the roar from the engines was out of this world, I can remember as a boy lying in bed trying to get to sleep when they used to test the engines.

Sydenham in those days was a lot different than it is now there was more noise you had Harland and Wolff on one side hammering in the rivets, and Short and Harland on the other side testing their engines I can remember when Shorts built the MV Belfast it was the biggest aircraft I had ever seen land at Sydenham airport, every one used to talk about it when it took off and landed they always felt it was going to land on their houses. I think the best plane I ever saw was the vertical take off it was something else,When it started up you knew all about it the roar from its engines was ear-splitting but that was all part of living in Sydenham.

When aviation is part and parcel of Sydenham history how can you change it, when you think of Short Brothers as part of our history would you want to change it, when you look at what the Short brothers had achieved before coming to Northern Ireland they were world renown in 1897 brothers Eustace(1875-1932)and Oswald (1883-1970) began their collective aviation career as self-learned pilots of the coal-gas balloon.

Then in 1908 brother Horace (1872-1917)joined Eustace and Oswald in the family business and the three officially adopted the company name of Short Brothers. Following these developments the newly formed company began production in the town of Leysdon on the Isle of Sheppey where the Short Brothers became the first aircraft builders in the world.[The Pioneers:An Anthology][Http://WWW.ctie.monash.edu.au/hargrave/short.html ] they adopted Belfast as their own with Sir Edward Harland and Gustav Wolff how could we not want to be part of this great Shipbuilding and Aviation History.

We look at the George Best Belfast City Airport today ok its changed its name but it has been there since 1938, it has served Belfast for many years as Shorts employed thousands of our citizens giving jobs to many families in the Sydenham area. It supported our country in the 2nd World War and still today provides jobs to the citizens of Belfast. Once more we should look to our history in industry and be proud that we have been part of it, be proud to know we had the biggest shipyard in the world thanks to Sir Edward Harland and Gustav Wolff and one of the biggest air plane manufacturing in the world Short Brothers and Harland.

Thanks to Oswald Short, Horace Short, Eustace Short, Sir Edward Harland and Gustav Wolff, not forgetting the Belfast Ropeworks the largest in the world thanks to William Smiles and Gustav Wolff who should be commemorated. We will not see their like ever again. Our province is only six counties we have achieved a lot and are known world wide for our great industries. In 1989 Bombardier took over Shorts and are still employing our citizens in the aviation industry. Bombardier, George Best Belfast Airport only the Names have changed its our history since 1938

Gustav Wilhelm Wolff Home Still Under Threat Is The Northern Ireland Environment & Heritage Service Dragging Its Feet On This Issue Ask The Palmerston

We are sorry to report to our residents that we have no contact from the Northern Ireland Environment & Heritage Service, with regard to having the home where Gustav Wilhelm Wolff once lived listed as part of our Historic Buildings on behalf of the residents of East Belfast. The Northern Ireland Environment & Heritage Service contacted the residents association on the 28th March 2008 and since then we have had no contact with them, in that correspondence they stated that they hoped to be in a position to provide us with a substantive response to our correspondence in the next few weeks to date the residents association has not received any such response.
We feel this issue should have been dealt with long ago as this home is part of the history of Northern Ireland and our great shipbuilding history. Gustav Wilhelm Wolff one of the founders of Harland & Wolff also co founder of the Belfast Rope Works, was a resident of The Den Station Road Belfast Northern Ireland. He achieved great work for the people of East Belfast, he supported the Ulster Hospital for Sick Children he was also involved in the establishment of ballymacarret, although Gustav Wilhelm Wolff was born in Hamburg on the 10th October 1843 he was a true son of East Belfast
The Residents of East Belfast have nothing to commemorate this great man as he is buried at the Brompton Cemetery. Gustav Wilhelm Wolff received the freedom of the city of Belfast on the 18th February 1911 he died at 2.00am on 17th April,one day and one year after the sinking of the Titanic (Clara May's Diary Notes) out of respect to his memory, the flag at the City Hall was flown at half mast and a special meeting of the Belfast Corporation Committee a Resolution was passed expressing deep sympathy with the relatives and admiration for Mr Wolff's independence and nobility of character
The Residents Association feels that Sydenham was the home of Gustav Wilhelm Wolff and East Belfast Is the home of Harland & Wolff a ship from the H&W yard was a Belfast Boat,as affectionately referred to by the workforce. Gustav Wilhelm Wolff was referred to by the Belfast Corporation Committee as Nobility of Character. Dedication by Gustav Wolff and Sir Edward Harland and the great workforce went into each and every ship built in the yard this is Northern Irelands History and we should be proud of it WE ASK THE NORTHERN IRELAND ENVIRONMENT & HERITAGE SERVICE TO PROTECT OUR HISTORY AND OUR CHILDRENS HISTORY PROTECT THE DEN ON STATION ROAD AS PART OF THEIR HISTORY AND FOR THE MEN WHO LOST LIVES AND FOR THE MEN WHO WORKED IN THE BIGGEST SHIPYARD IN THE WORLD HARLAND AND WOLFF ALSO FOR THE PROUD PEOPLE OF SYDENHAM DISTRICT

The Palmerston Residents Association Fears For The Trees At Victoria Park If Road Widening Takes Place On The A2 Sydenham Bypass

In widening the A2 Sydenham Bypass from a dual 2-lane carriageway to a 3 lane carriageway involves limited land take from Victoria Park we are concerned that trees that stand on this land will be lost, the Residents Association feels that if the trees are removed from the park it will change the whole concept of the park leaving it unprotected from any new In widening the A2 Sydenham Bypass from a dual 2-lane carriageway to a 3 lane carriageway involves limited land take from motorway lane that is built. Victoria Park was first suggested by the Harbour Commissioner in 1854 and the Park was opened to the public in 1906 due to its rich variety of wildlife, the open water in Victoria Park is part of the Belfast Lough and is an area of special scientific Interest. Today Victoria Park is home to a range of water birds such as swans, geese, ducks, herons, and migrant waders,the main features to the park is the lake and its two islands which are home to some of the wildlife that live in the park. The park is ideal for walking and covers approximate 1mile to walk round its river with the tree planting that has taken place over the years, it has many pleasant tree lined walks which also give shelter for many small birds.

Victoria Park also sits beside Harland and Wolff and the Shorts Aircraft Building where you can get some great photo shots of the Harland and Wolff cranes Samson and Goliath. The park also has two bowling greens and pavilion one of which is under threat if the A2 widening takes place it also has Football Playing Fields, car parking,cycle/bmx tracks,flower beds,model boat lake, rose beds, tennis pitch, children's play area and band stand,we have watched this great park fall into decline over the past few years we have seen one of its great islands being washed away without being rebuilt and protected. We have seen our children's play area fall into decline and the lakes becoming overgrown by weeds and grass.

The residents association fears further for the park if the decline is not stopped we need to see the entrance to the park made safer, the underpass between Sydenham and Victoria Park cleaned up and made safe by installing new lights and the gates to the park moved to the entrance of the underpass and gates erected on the slipways from the Sydenham Bypass. The under pass also needs a footpath for pedestrians, wheelchair users and young mothers. The Residents Association has been fighting for a year now to have the toilet block opened up again after it was closed 9 years ago, the need for toilets in the park is great and the need for disabled toilets is of even greater importance. The Residents Association feels that the Belfast City Council are missing a great opportunity in the park by not leasing out space to a coffee kiosk and newspaper kiosk to raise funds for the park it could also be used to hold outdoor events as it has rail links, airport links, road links,and is also sitting by The Connswater Community Greenway Project.
In widening the A2 Sydenham Bypass from a dual 2-lane carriageway to a 3 lane carriageway involves limited land take from Victoria Park we are concerned that trees that stand on this land will be lost, the Residents Association feels that if the trees are removed from the park it will change the whole concept of the park leaving it unprotected from any new motorway lane that is built. Victoria Park was first suggested by the Harbour Commissioner in 1854 and the Park was opened to the public in 1906 due to its rich variety of wildlife, the open water in Victoria Park is part of the Belfast Lough and is an area of special scientific Interest. Today Victoria Park is home to a range of water birds such as swans, geese, ducks, herons, and migrant waders,the main features to the park is the lake and its two islands which are home to some of the wildlife that live in the park. The park is ideal for walking and covers approximate 1mile to walk round its river with the tree planting that has taken place over the years, it has many pleasant tree lined walks which also give shelter for many small birds.

Victoria Park also sits beside Harland and Wolff and the Shorts Aircraft Building where you can get some great photo shots of the Harland and Wolff cranes Samson and Goliath. The park also has two bowling greens and pavilion one of which is under threat if the A2 widening takes place it also has Football Playing Fields, car parking,cycle/bmx tracks,flower beds,model boat lake, rose beds, tennis pitch, children's play area and band stand,we have watched this great park fall into decline over the past few years we have seen one of its great islands being washed away without being rebuilt and protected. We have seen our children's play area fall into decline and the lakes becoming overgrown by weeds and grass.

The residents association fears further for the park if the decline is not stopped we need to see the entrance to the park made safer, the underpass between Sydenham and Victoria Park cleaned up and made safe by installing new lights and the gates to the park moved to the entrance of the underpass and gates erected on the slipways from the Sydenham Bypass. The under pass also needs a footpath for pedestrians, wheelchair users and young mothers. The Residents Association has been fighting for a year now to have the toilet block opened up again after it was closed 9 years ago, the need for toilets in the park is great and the need for disabled toilets is of even greater importance. The Residents Association feels that the Belfast City Council are missing a great opportunity in the park by not leasing out space to a coffee kiosk and newspaper kiosk to raise funds for the park it could also be used to hold outdoor events as it has rail links, airport links, road links,and is also sitting by The Connswater Community Greenway Project.
The Residents Association has also ask Translink to look at the reinstatement of Victoria Halt on the Bangor Track as this would enable passengers from all over Northern Ireland to use Victoria Park and the Greenway Project. The Residents Association feels Victoria Park could be and should be as good as central park in New York it is an asset that Belfast needs to go along side the Titanic Quarter also creating jobs for East Belfast the Residents Association ask all our residents to lobby your councillors and MLA's to put more funding into regenerating this great asset and stop its decline as the only danger victoria park faces is Vision and Funding

Palmerston Residents Association Say Thank You To The Sydenham Methodist Church And East Belfast Community Development Agency And The Department Of So

The Palmerston Residents Association would like to thank The Sydenham Methodist Church for letting them erect the first community notice board in their car park. The residents association would also like to thank the East Belfast Community Development Agency and the Department of Social Development for sponsoring us. This board is one of three to be erected in the area, we would also like to thank the Church of Ireland on the Larkfield Road and the Victoria Park Primary School for agreeing to let us erect boards on their sites. The Residents Association decided to erect the notice boards to keep the local community updated on events taking place in the area and also to advertise local jobs we feel this will be community building and the boards are the first of their kind in the area