Ex-Sirocco staff hail revival of prizefundfor new engineers
FORMER employees of the Sirocco factory in Belfast met to celebrate a new £100,000 fund to inspire new engineers.
The famous Sirocco works beside the Lagan was founded by pioneering inventor Sir Samuel C Davidson in the late 19th century and was at the heart of Belfast’s industrial boom.
The site is now being redeveloped into a £450m housing and office scheme.
In the past, apprentices would be awarded the Walter B Kelly (vice-chair of Sirocco) medal along with cash prizes to reward their progress.
The first ever recipient was 18-year-old apprentice fitter Douglas Hewson in 1961.
Mr Kelly personally presented him with his medal after he finished top of his year.
Last Friday, Mr Hewson and other former Sirocco workers were surprised to be presented with expertly made replica medals forged by lecturer Ken Barr in the foundry of Belfast Metropolitan College’s Millfield site.
This comes ahead of the resurrection of the Walter B Kelly award, with a trust fund of £100,000 for new students.
This has been funded by the engineering firm Howden UK, who succeeded Sirocco.
Howden closed their Belfast operation in 2015 but former employee David McMinn helped to persuade them to dedicate the money in a trust fund to students Former Sirocco workers from left, Ross Harte, Terence Mills, Martin Dunn, Victor Chestnut, Allen Nelson, Victor Pickering and Bertie Savage
at Belfast Metropolitan College.
The rewards will include a top prize of £5,000 towards their educational costs.
Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Mr Hewson said he and his former colleagues were delighted the legacy would continue.
“I remember being a youngster and being in awe when I was brought into the room with Mr Kelly and the other top managers at Sirocco,” he said.
“I sat there like a scared rabbit, but it was fantastic to get the medal and a sum of money. It certainly made my summer holi-
days more pleasurable.”
Joining him was Ross Harte, who received his own medal 10 years later in 1971.
Chris Corken, head of department for science, engineering and construction at Belfast Metropolitan College, said the prize fund would be a fantastic incentive for his students.
“From our perspective, the history of Sirocco goes so far back in Belfast so to resurrect this award for our students is phenomenal.
“We will have a major first prize of £5,000, quite a boost from the original sum of £10. That goes towards their fund for
higher education.”
It’s hoped the first new student will be awarded this November.
To carry on the tradition, a brand new medal will be designed and made in the college’s foundry for future winners.
Mr McMinn has said he and Belfast Metropolitan College is also keen to hear from any surviving relatives of Walter B Kelly.
Last month, a group of ex-Sirocco workers told the Belfast Telegraph of their campaign to keep the Sirocco story alive with a permanent memorial at the former Sirocco site.