Hanson announces members of Nomadic Trust - 11 October 2006
The members of the proposed charitable trust, tasked to oversee the restoration and fundraising for the SS Nomadic, have been announced.
Minister for Social Development David Hanson MP said: “My Department, Belfast City Council, Belfast Harbour Commissioners and Belfast Industrial Heritage Society have all proposed representatives to form the trust.
“We have also received support from the business community, with the Institute of Directors nominating Mr Denis Rooney and Mr Ian Savage. I am particularly pleased to announce that Mr Rooney has agreed to chair the Trust.
“The return of the Nomadic to Belfast has been greeted by high levels of goodwill and interest, both locally and internationally. The Trust now has important fundraising work to do in order to restore Nomadic back to her former glory and so she can take her place as a unique example of Northern Ireland’s maritime heritage.
“I wish the Trust well with its task and would ask for widespread support to ensure the success of this important project.”
The cost of purchasing and returning Nomadic to Belfast was £582,000, with a further £107,000 spent on carrying out essential restorative maintenance work.
Mr Hanson said: “Government has spent this money in response to widespread support to save the Nomadic. It is now up to the Trust and those who have campaigned to save Nomadic, to secure the funding for her restoration and maintenance.”
Notes to editors
- The Department for Social Development (DSD) nominees are: Mr Denis Rooney to chair the Trust and Mr Ian Savage, as a member proposed by the Institute of Directors; Councillor Sean Neeson MLA, the Northern Ireland representative on the UK National Maritime Heritage Committee; ACC Duncan McCausland, PSNI; Roy Snowden, World Ships Society; Jackie Johnston, DSD.
- Belfast City Council nominees: Councillor Nelson McCausland MLA, chair of the Development Committee, and Councillor Paul Maskey, Deputy Chair of the Development Committee.
- Belfast Harbour Commissioners nominee: Trevor Anderson, commercial director.
- Belfast Industrial Heritage Company nominees: Mrs Kathleen Neill and Mr John Moore.
- Belfast Titanic Society nominee: Mr Brian Patterson
- These are not public appointments being made by DSD.
- The cost of purchasing Nomadic and associated costs was £263,000. The transportation, associated costs and mooring Nomadic in Belfast was £319,000. Essential restorative maintenance repairs and associated costs was £107,000.
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