Thanks for the video Tom. Some lovely architecture round that spot. It's a fantastic local war memorial too, which can be easily overlooked. I stopped by after seeing the 1917 movie in the strand with my son a while ago. Very touching reading it after seeing that movie.
Hi Andrew many thanks for taking the time to post in. There is so much that is fascinating all around us but you do need to have, 'an eye for it', and you need to debvelop that, 'eye' in others too. You are doing this with your son. So many folks rush on by and never notice. I film a lot of war memorials and also film in our local cemeteries. So many sad, real, stories to be found there. Best wishes from the Castlereagh Hills Belfast.
Yes Tom, we are going to get on great my friend.. That is my fascination, the old world buildings, all with similar but unusual traits, the red brick, the marble pillars, the arch over high doors... and all across the world the same buildings lay in between the build up cities... I truly love it, thanks for this tom.. I will email you some links to videos of these buildings, I think you will really enjoy them. Keep up the great videos Tom, Thanks
Many thanks IK. Check out the video tribute I did to Belfast architect Charles Lanyon who is responsible for so many iconic Belfast buildings etc Legacy of Architect Sir Charles Lanyon to Belfast ua-cam.com/video/6Lhq0xInWOs/v-deo.html
Hi Tom, just watched this little vid, and as always, enjoyed. I made my first arrest as a young copper right outside the cinema doors in 1965. In those days, it was normal for a copper (or rozzer) to enter pubs after "last orders" to ensure no further drinks were being sold. As soon as we walked in, there's be a scattering match as we took the notebook out - we never usually took any names, but enjoyed the rush for the doors!! The first pub I ever did this in was the upstairs lounge in the Stormont Inn - fond memories. Now then Tom, the lovely War Memorial plaque. Sorry to correct you, but the Armistice was signed 11/11/18 - not 19. Although most such memorials usually (and correctly) cite 1914-18, the conflict did in fact run into 1919 in lesser-known areas, although the war between Germany and Britain ended in 1918. The words "Pro Patria" that you showed, mean "For Country." If you go further along the Holywood Road to St Mark's Cuurch, this was the church that C S Lewis attended. It is believed that he took the door-knocker's image of the lion as his Narnia character. I think there is a plaque to him inside. The police station (on the way back towards The Arches), is a dozen times larger than when I served, at which time it was a four-bedroom, double-fronted house typical of the 1930's; but the first station was right at the back of the cinema, with the entrance on a short lane fromthe main road. As usual Tom, you get around and do your thing with loads of interesting olaces. If and when this damnable lockdown comes to an end and the weather's good, I'll take my bike over and maybe we can do the Holywood Motte as you suggested some time ago, and perhaps a few others. Keep up the good work my friend. BTW, I have a lifetime pal that lives only a few hundred yards from you!
Hi Reg, I'm afraid i got mixed up again with the dates 1918/1919. I can get mixedup very very easily. Happy to be corrected. You were a policeman? I had/have a lot of friends in the RUC/PSNI. I wasn't allowed to film inside St Mark's. Ridicuous I know but you just have to accept these things! Wow you have me intrigued about your pal living close by. Another video coming up soon about Newtowbreda Presbyterian Church not being in Newtownbreda village! lol I love out of the ordinary things. studio.ua-cam.com/users/videoK48TAGNhtyg/edit C S Lewis's Church, St Mark's Dundela Belfast C S Lewis, Chronicles of Narnia, Aslan Door Knob ua-cam.com/video/Sl2oNdEb-38/v-deo.html Best wishes Tom
@@TomMcClean So, you're off to Newtonbreda in a follow-up. You certainly caught me out on the church location - my excuse is that I'm older than you and my brain worn out! Yes, Strandtown, Mountpottinger and Tennent Street as well at Knock + HQ. Used to man the crossings at Ballyhack; and Ropewoks Corner (but not at the same time)!! Born and raised in Holywood, I lived in Mount Merrion - close to Rosetta My mate and I used to finsh our shift on a Friday and scoot off to Banbridge for the local dances. To save time, we wore civvies under our uniforms and did a quick change in the car. Good old days. I knew tgose little cottages just opposite the church when they were a couple of little run-down shops. Later on, I lived in Parkgate Drive, beside the Oval playing fields. It then I was transferred .... another story! My pal lives in Gilnahirk Drive - the only pal left from before our teens. I'm sincerely hoping to get over this year, which will probably be the last time on the bike - it's a 500-mile round journey. Keep it up my friend. Reg
Wow that is interesting. A long shot. You wouldn't have come across my old mate Jimmy Duncan in your line of duty? He ran the Blue Lamp disco and was into hill walking inn a big way. Hust a thought. That is funny wearing your fancing gear under your uniforms. Did you head for the Castle ballroom in Banbridge? Or maybe the Coach Inn? That is a long drive. Remind me what your bike is. Maybe the bus and ferry would be an option or fly? Gilnahirk Drive is just down the road. We were on the lower Braniel road for decades now we are Middle Braniel.
@@TomMcClean Sorry Tom, I knew a guy called Duncan serving in the Mount' before being transferred, but not Jimmy. We only had two clubs that I can recall, with one of them annexed to the Donegall Pass Station. Most of the guys I knew are probably all long gone by now, as a number of them were quite a bit older than me. One - Charlie Magill lived in the Braniel and would be in his late eighties if still alive. Yes, it was the Castle in Banbridge, the Top Hat in Lisburn, The Fiesta or Maxim's in Fountain Street. We used to go to a great dance hall in Dundonald, which had once been the cinema. For the life of me, I cannot remember the name! In the earlier days I played guitar for a while with Van Morrison and his group called The Green Onions; and c1960/61 I played a few rough games of footie with a guy from Cregagh Estate called Geordie Best.He live a couple of hundred yards from me, just off Mount Merrion Avenue. The 500 miles is from the South Wales coast to Belfast and back via Holyhead and Dublin. You've seen my video on "Titanic Quarter by Motorbike," but my first video was "Carmarthen to Belfast Return," and that was by bike. I was riding a Burgman 650. Sadly, when I took ill three years ago, I found the Burger too heavy, so I traded it in for a 400 - the bike I took round the Titanic Quarter two years ago. I've taken my sister from Canada over several times by air from Cardii to the City airport, but as I understand it, since Flybe went west, there are no regular flights any more - I hope I'm wrong. Thinking of Banbridge, did you know that the father of the famous Bronte sisters hailed from Loughbrickland, just a mile or two south of your old hometown? Interesting story there...I'll tell it to you if you don't already know! (we Ulstermen do get around)! Now Tom, that could make a nice addition to your list.
Ah it was a bit of a long shot about my old friend Jimmy duncn. He would be around 75. You did quite a bit of daancing back in the day and you rubbed shoulders with Van morrison and George Best too! lol I have videos on them both where they lived etc Oh yes I remember now you are on a Burgman 400. That's a good machine. Equally as good if not better than a bike for comfort and mpg Yes air travel is all 'up in the air' so to speak. Due to this supposed pandemic. I see no evidence of any pandemic. I nor any of my friends up nd down the country know nobody who has died or even been in hospital. Anyone dying has multiple major health issues and is over 80! We have had worse flu years! Anyway oh yes the Brontes. Yes I knew this but have only the one Bronte video done so far. I watched a documentary type drma on them strting writing in England. Very interesting.
I remember seeing Shallow Hal in the Strand in about 2001 on a school night, walked around from my mates house in the heavy downpour. The screen had about 8 rows of seats sand was so packed we had to stand at the back like a drowned rat. It's a great local cinema.
My grandfather, born in 1910, was reared at Cheviot Avenue, stones through away from Gelstons Corner. My mother and father had their wedding reception at The Park Avenue ( though think it was a different name at the time) in 1971. It's a beautiful building..the unionist party's premises. The East is very much in my genes 😊.
It's such a pity the Park Avenue is to be demolished. This would have been so well known to your grandfather Donna. We tend to drive by the Corner on our way to somewhere else. We aall need to open our eyes ....including me! lol
Right Donna, You might be interested to watch my video on one of Belfast's foremost architects. ( He is actually an adopted son of Belfast! ) I can't remember of I already sent you this before or not! lol Legacy of Belfast Architect Sir Charles Lanyon ua-cam.com/video/6Lhq0xInWOs/v-deo.html This guy was amazing in what he built for Belfast. Most of his buildings are still there too!
The Strand is not just a cinema but also an important arts centre supporting local artists, running workshops and promoting culture in East Belfast. Without their involvement the building would probably have been closed and demolished
That whole area has been gentrified over the last decade or so for better or worse . Lots of investment but possibly at the expense of the local people who can't afford £200k apartments or afford to eat at the fancy restaurants which replaced their down to earth pub on the corner. It's like the new Lisburn Road what was once a greengrocers is now haute couture fashion shop.
Yes more and more apartments going up everywhere. I reckon shops will go too now. Amazon etc rule the world. But cheap and online and next day delivery. You can't compete with that. I don't think these big companies pay proper tax either so all profit.
Pus and hotels have been struggling everywhere for some time Emma. The shut down was and still is the death knell for so many of them. The Park Avenue had been given a make over and was looking great. I was really surprised when it was sold to be knocked down. But there is far more immediate money to be made from socila and private housing. It 's all about the money I'm afraid. The people involved don't care about community or facilities or culture. Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.
I used to walk round that corner in the morning's to go to my work, and I never noticed that war memorial. Daddy nicknamed it gallopers corner. Because of the number of people who used to run like he'll trying to catch the bus so they wouldn't be late for work. Little sis
The red brick building of the Unionist Party, used to be a children's clinic for a while, where babies were weighed, checked and given their vaccinations.
I i do need help John! Yes I had heard that from someone, some time ago. You seem to remember lots of what was there and abouts, back in the day. If you were agreeable, I would love to hear and video the reminiscences of someone like yourself. I'd even buy you a cuppa and a tray bake to compensate! lol Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.
Thanks for the video Tom. Some lovely architecture round that spot.
It's a fantastic local war memorial too, which can be easily overlooked. I stopped by after seeing the 1917 movie in the strand with my son a while ago. Very touching reading it after seeing that movie.
Hi Andrew many thanks for taking the time to post in. There is so much that is fascinating all around us but you do need to have, 'an eye for it', and you need to debvelop that, 'eye' in others too. You are doing this with your son. So many folks rush on by and never notice. I film a lot of war memorials and also film in our local cemeteries. So many sad, real, stories to be found there. Best wishes from the Castlereagh Hills Belfast.
Yes Tom, we are going to get on great my friend.. That is my fascination, the old world buildings, all with similar but unusual traits, the red brick, the marble pillars, the arch over high doors... and all across the world the same buildings lay in between the build up cities... I truly love it, thanks for this tom.. I will email you some links to videos of these buildings, I think you will really enjoy them. Keep up the great videos Tom, Thanks
Many thanks IK. Check out the video tribute I did to Belfast architect Charles Lanyon who is responsible for so many iconic Belfast buildings etc
Legacy of Architect Sir Charles Lanyon to Belfast
ua-cam.com/video/6Lhq0xInWOs/v-deo.html
Hi Tom, just watched this little vid, and as always, enjoyed. I made my first arrest as a young copper right outside the cinema doors in 1965. In those days, it was normal for a copper (or rozzer) to enter pubs after "last orders" to ensure no further drinks were being sold. As soon as we walked in, there's be a scattering match as we took the notebook out - we never usually took any names, but enjoyed the rush for the doors!! The first pub I ever did this in was the upstairs lounge in the Stormont Inn - fond memories.
Now then Tom, the lovely War Memorial plaque. Sorry to correct you, but the Armistice was signed 11/11/18 - not 19. Although most such memorials usually (and correctly) cite 1914-18, the conflict did in fact run into 1919 in lesser-known areas, although the war between Germany and Britain ended in 1918.
The words "Pro Patria" that you showed, mean "For Country."
If you go further along the Holywood Road to St Mark's Cuurch, this was the church that C S Lewis attended. It is believed that he took the door-knocker's image of the lion as his Narnia character.
I think there is a plaque to him inside.
The police station (on the way back towards The Arches), is a dozen times larger than when I served, at which time it was a four-bedroom, double-fronted house typical of the 1930's; but the first station was right at the back of the cinema, with the entrance on a short lane fromthe main road.
As usual Tom, you get around and do your thing with loads of interesting olaces. If and when this damnable lockdown comes to an end and the weather's good, I'll take my bike over and maybe we can do the Holywood Motte as you suggested some time ago, and perhaps a few others. Keep up the good work my friend. BTW, I have a lifetime pal that lives only a few hundred yards from you!
Hi Reg,
I'm afraid i got mixed up again with the dates 1918/1919. I can get mixedup very very easily. Happy to be corrected.
You were a policeman? I had/have a lot of friends in the RUC/PSNI.
I wasn't allowed to film inside St Mark's. Ridicuous I know but you just have to accept these things!
Wow you have me intrigued about your pal living close by.
Another video coming up soon about Newtowbreda Presbyterian Church not being in Newtownbreda village! lol I love out of the ordinary things.
studio.ua-cam.com/users/videoK48TAGNhtyg/edit
C S Lewis's Church, St Mark's Dundela Belfast
C S Lewis, Chronicles of Narnia, Aslan Door Knob
ua-cam.com/video/Sl2oNdEb-38/v-deo.html
Best wishes Tom
@@TomMcClean So, you're off to Newtonbreda in a follow-up. You certainly caught me out on the church location - my excuse is that I'm older than you and my brain worn out!
Yes, Strandtown, Mountpottinger and Tennent Street as well at Knock + HQ. Used to man the crossings at Ballyhack; and Ropewoks Corner (but not at the same time)!!
Born and raised in Holywood, I lived in Mount Merrion - close to Rosetta
My mate and I used to finsh our shift on a Friday and scoot off to Banbridge for the local dances. To save time, we wore civvies under our uniforms and did a quick change in the car. Good old days. I knew tgose little cottages just opposite the church when they were a couple of little run-down shops.
Later on, I lived in Parkgate Drive, beside the Oval playing fields. It then I was transferred .... another story!
My pal lives in Gilnahirk Drive - the only pal left from before our teens. I'm sincerely hoping to get over this year, which will probably be the last time on the bike - it's a 500-mile round journey.
Keep it up my friend. Reg
Wow that is interesting. A long shot. You wouldn't have come across my old mate Jimmy Duncan in your line of duty? He ran the Blue Lamp disco and was into hill walking inn a big way. Hust a thought.
That is funny wearing your fancing gear under your uniforms. Did you head for the Castle ballroom in Banbridge? Or maybe the Coach Inn?
That is a long drive. Remind me what your bike is. Maybe the bus and ferry would be an option or fly? Gilnahirk Drive is just down the road. We were on the lower Braniel road for decades now we are Middle Braniel.
@@TomMcClean Sorry Tom, I knew a guy called Duncan serving in the Mount' before being transferred, but not Jimmy. We only had two clubs that I can recall, with one of them annexed to the Donegall Pass Station. Most of the guys I knew are probably all long gone by now, as a number of them were quite a bit older than me. One - Charlie Magill lived in the Braniel and would be in his late eighties if still alive.
Yes, it was the Castle in Banbridge, the Top Hat in Lisburn, The Fiesta or Maxim's in Fountain Street. We used to go to a great dance hall in Dundonald, which had once been the cinema. For the life of me, I cannot remember the name! In the earlier days I played guitar for a while with Van Morrison and his group called The Green Onions; and c1960/61 I played a few rough games of footie with a guy from Cregagh Estate called Geordie Best.He live a couple of hundred yards from me, just off Mount Merrion Avenue.
The 500 miles is from the South Wales coast to Belfast and back via Holyhead and Dublin. You've seen my video on "Titanic Quarter by Motorbike," but my first video was "Carmarthen to Belfast Return," and that was by bike. I was riding a Burgman 650. Sadly, when I took ill three years ago, I found the Burger too heavy, so I traded it in for a 400 - the bike I took round the Titanic Quarter two years ago. I've taken my sister from Canada over several times by air from Cardii to the City airport, but as I understand it, since Flybe went west, there are no regular flights any more - I hope I'm wrong.
Thinking of Banbridge, did you know that the father of the famous Bronte sisters hailed from Loughbrickland, just a mile or two south of your old hometown? Interesting story there...I'll tell it to you if you don't already know! (we Ulstermen do get around)! Now Tom, that could make a nice addition to your list.
Ah it was a bit of a long shot about my old friend Jimmy duncn. He would be around 75.
You did quite a bit of daancing back in the day and you rubbed shoulders with Van morrison and George Best too! lol I have videos on them both where they lived etc
Oh yes I remember now you are on a Burgman 400. That's a good machine. Equally as good if not better than a bike for comfort and mpg Yes air travel is all 'up in the air' so to speak. Due to this supposed pandemic. I see no evidence of any pandemic. I nor any of my friends up nd down the country know nobody who has died or even been in hospital. Anyone dying has multiple major health issues and is over 80! We have had worse flu years!
Anyway oh yes the Brontes. Yes I knew this but have only the one Bronte video done so far. I watched a documentary type drma on them strting writing in England. Very interesting.
The STRAND is something you would see in West Hollywood Blvd.!
lol Socal. I believe this area was named Strandtown because it looked down towards a long beach or strand way below.
I remember seeing Shallow Hal in the Strand in about 2001 on a school night, walked around from my mates house in the heavy downpour. The screen had about 8 rows of seats sand was so packed we had to stand at the back like a drowned rat. It's a great local cinema.
lol no health and safety back then limiting numbers etc Happy days!
My grandfather, born in 1910, was reared at Cheviot Avenue, stones through away from Gelstons Corner.
My mother and father had their wedding reception at The Park Avenue ( though think it was a different name at the time) in 1971.
It's a beautiful building..the unionist party's premises. The East is very much in my genes 😊.
It's such a pity the Park Avenue is to be demolished. This would have been so well known to your grandfather Donna. We tend to drive by the Corner on our way to somewhere else. We aall need to open our eyes ....including me! lol
@@TomMcClean 😁 another 'thing' I have is for historical architecture.. I look 👀 up a lot 😊..that includes the sky too!
Right Donna, You might be interested to watch my video on one of Belfast's foremost architects. ( He is actually an adopted son of Belfast! ) I can't remember of I already sent you this before or not! lol
Legacy of Belfast Architect Sir Charles Lanyon
ua-cam.com/video/6Lhq0xInWOs/v-deo.html
This guy was amazing in what he built for Belfast. Most of his buildings are still there too!
The Strand is not just a cinema but also an important arts centre supporting local artists, running workshops and promoting culture in East Belfast. Without their involvement the building would probably have been closed and demolished
Yes indeed. They are a big part of keeping that community alive.
That whole area has been gentrified over the last decade or so for better or worse . Lots of investment but possibly at the expense of the local people who can't afford £200k apartments or afford to eat at the fancy restaurants which replaced their down to earth pub on the corner. It's like the new Lisburn Road what was once a greengrocers is now haute couture fashion shop.
Yes more and more apartments going up everywhere. I reckon shops will go too now. Amazon etc rule the world. But cheap and online and next day delivery. You can't compete with that. I don't think these big companies pay proper tax either so all profit.
I find it a shame that the Stormont Inn was demolished. And now Park Avenue. There is hardly a pub or a hotel left in the entire area.
Pus and hotels have been struggling everywhere for some time Emma. The shut down was and still is the death knell for so many of them. The Park Avenue had been given a make over and was looking great. I was really surprised when it was sold to be knocked down. But there is far more immediate money to be made from socila and private housing. It 's all about the money I'm afraid. The people involved don't care about community or facilities or culture. Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.
I used to walk round that corner in the morning's to go to my work, and I never noticed that war memorial. Daddy nicknamed it gallopers corner. Because of the number of people who used to run like he'll trying to catch the bus so they wouldn't be late for work. Little sis
lol little sis all the old memories are flooding back! You were too busy thinking about catching that bus to think about the memorial! lol
The red brick building of the Unionist Party, used to be a children's clinic for a while, where babies were weighed, checked and given their vaccinations.
Thanks Emma. Yes a number of posters have mentioned that.
It is pronounced gelston not gelSTONES tom! ...
Oh dear John! Sorry about this! Aaaaah! Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.
@@TomMcClean no problem Tom..happy to help a good cause! Did you know there also used to be a dentist in that building?
I i do need help John!
Yes I had heard that from someone, some time ago.
You seem to remember lots of what was there and abouts, back in the day. If you were agreeable, I would love to hear and video the reminiscences of someone like yourself. I'd even buy you a cuppa and a tray bake to compensate! lol Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.