Hi Ann,

I have to apologise to you,Ted and Tommy for not making arrangements to meet up with you in Lisburn. I was only in town on Tuesday 9th.,I saw my old friends Daphne Sloan,Davy Bell his wife Ella and Peter Ward up at Christ Church for morning coffee. After that we were dropped off at Weatherspoons and had lunch,we stayed there for about 2hrs, hoping to see a familiar face ....no luck, Doreen of course gave me 'what for'for screwing things up,by not bringing my little phone book which had some addresses as well.
I have to explain my lack of time in Lisburn, I was in extreme pain in my back and right leg, from that point of view my visit to the U.K. was a disaster,.I was wheeled around some of the time in a wheelchair....I was not a happy camper.
One bright point my friend Rod Kirk dropped me off at a restaurant in Carrick, Daphne Sloan came down to meet up with me again and brought Lily Connor (Vogan), sister Rosemary McNeill we spent a few hours going over old memories it was a great time,a really nice thing to look back on.
We arrived back yesterday, the journey was so painful, I just couldn't describe it, I was taken to the car in a wheelchair...again. Karen got me an appointment with our Doctor this afternoon, she has now referred me to a Surgeon,I don't know what will happen.
Once again I am so sorry things didn't work out, please don't hold it against me

Ann,
I am so sorry to hear of you eye problem, I hope and pray they can help you in some way.

Beano

hi beano
jean and I thought about you on your trip.
we are sorry it was a painful time for you.
at least you met up with old friend,it was nice to hear that lily,daphne and davy are still around.
we pray that the doctor you are seeing here can give you some relief.

beano,
sorry to hear about your pain problems. must be a huge regret not meeting more exiles in weatherspoons,
hope it clears up very soon good luck tom

Morning Beano Just seen my answer to your nightmare disappeared when posted,so here goes again,It is with deep regret that I read of your experience and I assure you and I'm sure I speak for the rest of your friends on the forum that we wish you a speedy return to health and they get to the bottom of your problem soon ,it is a disapointment that your intentions didn't go as planed as I had enquired both from Ann and Dabbler had they an update on your visit but none of them were aware of the sorry predicament you found yourself in and I am almost sure the Tuesday in question I was up at the market looking for Ardglass herrings but had no luck and came home again ,to get back to yourself please God your appointment goes well and you get back on your feet again soon please keep us up to date Kind Regards Ted

Hi Gregg St boy, Tom and Ted,

Thank you for your good wishes and concerns, I already have an appointment to see the Orthopedic specialist on Wed.31st....Hope he can do something, this pain is something else. If I had known I was going to have so much pain I would not have booked the trip, again thank you all.

Beano

Beano, I typed a reply to your post the other day. However, I can see that it didn't go. What I had said was that I was very disappointed not to have met you both when you were here. However, I can understand if you were in pain that you wouldn't have felt like meeting up with people for the first time. I must admit I got a shock when I realised you had been and gone, as I was still expecting some contact about a meeting. What did you think of your time here. Did you enjoy the holiday, or did the pain spoil it all for you . Did you see much change in Lisburn. When you are feeling better, come on and give us a rundown of your travels and experiences. Keep well.

Ann, Ted, etc,etc.
Herself and I are planning a wee trip to norniron soon, maybe we can meet up for a bit of craic and a few bevies in Weatherspoons or the Hilden Brewery? I plan a (final???) walk down the line to where I first saw the light of day 72 years ago. ( in the same bedroom where Hilden Boy also came into this world a few years later ). Does anyone know if there is any possibility to have a walk around Hilden mill? The back row is being rebuilt, maybe we will meet Ton Trainor, Mickey Sharkey, the slipper man or some of the characters who lived there decades ago!I still see in my dreams the "society men" milk men, "tick men",who came on Fridays to collect, also the bookies runner Pete Richard who collected the horse racing bets from the locals on Saturdays in the "buildings" In the early 50s when the mill workers had only the "twelfth week" as holidays they all came on that Friday to collect their wages in the dining room. No holidays abroad then.
donald

Donald, be sure and let us know when you come over and we'll have a bit of craic wherever you would like to meet up. I, too, would dearlyi love a walk around the mill yard and outbuildings. I don't think there is any possibility of getting inside because of Health & Safety. I haven't seen the new houses recently but they must be more or less ready. It's great to hink that Hilden Village will come to life again after all these years. Just a pity that the school was closed. Like you, I too think of former years quite a lot now. It must be an ageing thing, more to look back on than to look forward too. However, I'm jesting on this because I hope to enjoy many more enjoyable years before it all goes pear-shaped. Every Sunday morning I switch on Classic FM or Lyric FM and the music is peaceful and relaxing. I've finished peeling and cooking the spuds, cabbage, carrots and onions. I have a chicken on roasting and a silverside roast in the slow cooker. The music keeps me sane. Where would you get the likes of me?????????

Ann & Donald, Firstly I honestly think there is no chance of getting into the Mill complex as even viewing it from Mill St and the towpath your aware of its deterioration and security wont give permission because of insurance, as to your visit I would gladly love to catch up again and have a dander down the line ,Donald were you ever able to open the photographs I sent a couple of times I know they are on my Timeline on Facebook but I'm not sure if you can download them try any how and let me know the result, Bridge St is well advanced and family's have taken possession and one is aware of a new community in progress ,So in the meantime like Ann I am looking forward to your forthcoming visit and maybe a wee tooth-full Regards Ted

Sorry Donald The Hilden photographs are not on Facebook I have them on Picasa .