18th April 2008

Titanic Memorial at Belfast City Hall.

On the 15th April, the Society held its annual commemoration service at the Titanic Memorial in the grounds of Belfast City Hall. Present were John Andrews, President & great nephew of Thomas Andrews, Susie Millar, great grand daughter of Tommy Millar, of the "Two Pennies" story and Belfast Lord Mayor, Jim Rogers. It was a quiet, simple family occasion when relatives, on behalf of the Society, laid a wreath in memory of those who died in the sinking. The Lord Mayor laid one on behalf of the citizens of Titanic city, Belfast. A period of silence followed the laying of the wreaths, to allow private contemplation of the events 96 years ago. It was a very dignified event. The pictures show how the Memorial is now dominated by the overshadowing "Belfast Big Wheel". Our concerns about this have been addressed by Belfast City Council. We have been assured the wheel is not a permanent fixture and will be moved by the end of the year. Signs have now been put up to point out and explain the importance of the Memorial. As family who have relatives mentioned on it, both John & Susie are very unhappy with the current situation but look forward to the day the Memorial will be returned to its former peace and quiet.