Paul Allison, Museum and Heritage Services Manager, addressing the audience at the community update on 13 June.
On Thursday 13 June 2024, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council officers provided the local community with an update on Hilden School’s Refurbishment and Reinvigoration Delivery 2024-27. The session included contributions on the social enterprise plans for the site from Denis Paisley, Regeneration Manager at Resurgam Trust, and an update on the appointment of contractors from Colum Surginor, Capital Projects, Capital Projects Manager Regeneration & Growth.
Paul Allison, Museum and Heritage Services Manager, outlined how substantial funding received from The National Lottery Heritage Fund enabled this exciting delivery stage of the Hilden School Project. The planned heritage programme will provide a permanent heritage display in the new café area, an annual programme of events, and bespoke training for Volunteer Heritage Advocates.
Dr Collette Brownlee, Education Services Officer, provided an overview of how programme plans will be developed with the local community. Working with Resurgam Trust and Hilden Community Association, a History Advisory Group (HAG) and a Children’s Research Advisory Group (CRAG) will recommence meetings in September 2024. As with the previous development stage of the project, participants in the HAG and CRAG will help inform Hilden School events and programmes going forward.
Denis Paisley discussing the role of Resurgam Trust in the project.
A significant focus of the reinvigoration of Hilden School will involve Lisburn Museum working with Resurgam Trust to offer accredited training for Volunteer Heritage Advocates (VHAs), community heritage guides for Hilden School and trail.
Denis explained the role Resurgam Trust will have in the regeneration and reinvigoration of the school, underlining the importance of continuing partnership working between the community and Lisburn Museum. Colum gave an overview of the process of selecting a contractor and will issue updates once the appointment and start date of construction is confirmed. Paul thanked the Rev. David Luckman for agreeing to host this and future Hilden School community updates in Hilden Community Church Hall.
Colum Surginor giving an update on selection of a contractor.
Thirty local people, including elected representatives, attended the event. The next update at Hilden Community Church Hall will take place in September – date to be confirmed.
Anyone interested in joining the HAG or CRAG are asked to contact Emma Breadon, Assistant Education Officer, for further information.
Email: emma.breadon@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk
Tel: 028 9266 3377
Information on the Hilden School Regeneration and Reinvigoration project can also be found here.
David Smyth, Hilden Community Church, showing a print of the original E.M.B. (Elise Milne Barbour) Hall
which was on the site of the church hall.