Context 156 - September 2018

C O N T E X T 1 5 6 : S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 21 IHBC ANNUAL SCHOOL Built in 1865–67 for John Riddel and Son, the listed warehouse was a supplier of iron and steel to Victorian Belfast. The building was later acquired as part of Musgrave Street Police Station and served as a store room ‘security buffer zone’ during the Troubles. This building, another one in limbo, summed up our tour and highlighted to delegates the importance (and delight) of interim uses for buildings, with an open mind towards creativ- ity. Through experimenting and testing differ- ent uses, both charitable and commercial, an informed plan of repair can be gained, securing a future use for the building, which could even simply be further meanwhile or pop-up uses. I can’t wait to go back! Devon Decelles Historic North Belfast: heritage-led regeneration in a challenging place Led by Shane Quinn, Belfast Buildings Trust, and Paula Reynolds, Belfast Charitable Trust The theme of the tour was heritage-led regen- eration in what were referred to as ‘interfaces’ between communities, where heritage-led regen- eration projects are taking place. In this context, the tour focused on the uses of historic buildings to serve the communities, not only to bring the buildings back into use, but to provide valuable services and possibly stimulate employment. Although the projects were not aiming so far as to integrate the separate communities, that may occur as a welcome by-product. The most interesting point of the tour was also the most controversial, focusing on the heavily barricaded Orange Hall on Clifton Street. The Orange Hall, symbolising the Protestant Orange Order, is located just south of the Crumlin Road and the New Lodge housing estate, renowned for having predominantly Catholic residents. The Orange Order is responsible for the marches through Belfast every 12 July that The heavily barricaded Orange Hall on Clifton Street (Photo: Tim Jefferies) Delegates inspect Orange Order paraphernalia inside the Orange Hall (Photo: Roy Lewis)