wayyyyyyy heyyyyyyyyyyy

Project finially completed - after a sleepless night (not impressed), really for Tom to disect to bits !!!!!!!! May he be merciful !!!!!!!!!!

Relieved for now !!!!

Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency

Introduction to the Quaker faith

Bessbrook village south armagh on BBC hearts and minds TV programme

Walking !!!

Taking (dragging) family around Bessbrook tomorrow so I can: take pictures, expole Bessbrook by foot and use my husband as a protection shield in the forest !!!! Hopefully, I will be able to post pictures !

Cancelled

After preparing for the interview it was cancelled due to sickness.  Disappointed yet an occurrence that cannot be helped. Therefore, striving to locate another reliable source - not easy !!!!!

Interview preparation

I am preparing for my interview which will be informal (I hope !!!).  After telephoning Bessbrook library, the librarian agreed to meet me on Friday to speak about the development of Bessbrook under the guidance of John Richardson.

The questions I have constructed are:

1. Prior to the arrival of John Richardson, how would you define Bessbrook as a landmark?
2. What was John Richardson's primary objective when he purchased the Mill from Nicholson in 1844?
3. Did his religious creed of Quakerism influence his characteristics?
4. Are the any descendants of the Richardson family still living in Bessbrook?
5. Are Sabbath day worship services still held regularly?

hmmm, may need some more consideration !!!



referred back to mindmiester - way of track !!!! oop's

The Quaker Church in Bessbrook

Such a majestic building - looking forward to visiting.

Evaluation of Bessbrook Library

I decided to locate and visit Bessbrook library to source more relevant information to enhance my project further.  After visiting the library, I evaluated it externally and internally.

SOURCES EVALUATION CHECKLIST

LOCATION:  Bessbrook Library

Staff  Upon arrival, a staff member asked if I required assistance (think the load of papers in my arms was an indication !!!).  The staff members, who consisted of two, were helpful, friendly and very informative.  However, at times, the librarian sat with me which encumbered my investigation.	Accessibility Opening Hours   Monday Closed Tuesday 14:00 - 20:00 Wednesday 10:00 - 17:00 Thursday Closed Friday 10:00 - 17:00 Saturday 11:00 - 15:30  The library is easily accessed in the Village of Bessbrook There are signposts to direct the general public. Externally, it is equipped for individuals who require disabled parking with the provision of two disabled parking spaces.
Resources As a library, Bessbrook had a good variety of resource in relation to my assignment.  Some of which were unique to the library. The Library also hosted two photocopiers and five computers for the publics convenience. It has a service of pre-ordering books.  It had a large area of table space to make research more viable.	Ambience  At first it was a quiet setting but upon arrival of school children it became noisy, which was distracting. It did not enforce a no mobile phone policy.
Building The building is well sitauted within the village of Bessbrook. As a building it is well equipped with windows projecting natural light. The building is very modern with adaquate spacing for wheelchair access.	Other comments:  The visit was very productive yet, due to the noise levels, it was hard to concentrate as distractions occurred reguraly with the automatic doors opening frequently.

So, in conclusion, it was a prosperous days research as I gained invaluable information and discovered that a librarian is a member of the Historical Society of Bessbrook. Therefore, I am striving to interview her - have to phone tomorrow - RESULT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Study Day with a twist !!!!!

Today, I decided to be constructive and visit not one but two libraries !!!! During the morning period, I revisited Newry SRC Library to avail of its computers, to further enhance my project.  However, as any  viable information had be exhausted by myself, I decided to visit Bessbrook Library, aspiring for new material to add to my project.

In relation to my visit to Bessbrook Library, it was a very productive day with the attainment of several literary resources to avail of. 

Safety

Whilst it was my aspiration to visit Bessbrook and take pictures of various locations, an incident in the Derramore Forest has prohibited my visit. Therefore, I have to wait until I have company !!!!!!! If this is to no avail I may have to resort to images placed upon the internet.

This is one image I located online however, it is proving difficult to locate suitable images - therefore,  a walk on the wildside is required !!!!!!

Infomation at my door !!!

Whilst on the internet, I located the Society of Friends web page http://www.quakers-in-ireland.ie/ and as I read its contents I noted a link to send an e-mail.  I then forwarded an e-mail to ask there advice in relation to the origins of Quakerism in Ireland and John Richardson and the village of Bessbrook. 

To my dismay I never received an email from the Society however, I was sent books and pamplets in relation to the formation of the Society which were informative, interesting and invaluable to my knowledge.  I was so delighted with the items sent !!!!!!

Evaluation of SRC Newry

To gain more infomation and to gain further direction I visited the SRC library in Newry on a weekday morning.  In conclusion to my visit, I evaluated the library internally.

SOURCES EVALUATION CHECKLIST

LOCATION:  SCR library

Staff ·         The staff in the library are located upon enterance. ·         Open approaching the sign in desk, a member of staff greeted me ·         Help was only offered when sought.	Accessibility ·         The library is easily accessed upon the first floor with a lift located on the ground floor. ·         No signposted so directions may be required for visitors.
Resources ·         The library was limited in resources valid to my assignment. ·         As a library, SRC hosts a wealth of reseources available to all students and staff. ·         Pre-ordering available. ·         Photocopier available at a charge. ·         Computers, with internet access, readily available. ·         Private study rooms availble upon pre-booking ·         The library has individual study desks. ·         Toilets located just outside the library building.	Ambience ·         The library enforces a no mobile phone, no food and no drink, besdies water, policy. ·         The library enforces a quiet , tidy enviroment with makes it easier to concentrate.
Building ·         The library is located in a newly built building. ·         It is a bright and vibrant building with adaquate natural lighting.	Other comments: The SRC library is a well equipped resource library that provides an enviroment which is student friendly.

Evaluation of Armagh Irish Library

Upon deciding that Bessbrook was an area I wanted to reserach in relation to its establishment, I decided to travel to the Irish Library to gain infomation which would assit me in the construction of my project.

SOURCES EVALUATION CHECKLIST

LOCATION:  Armagh Historical Studies Library

Staff Upon entry, three staff members were behing the desk, which created a welcoming atmosphere Once I had signed in, a staff member asked if she could be of assistance to me. After my topic was discussed, the librarian located books, maps and newspaper articles in relation to my topic. Very helpful, friendly and informative.	Accessibility The opening hours range from 9:30am - 1pm and 2pm - 5pm on  Mon/Tue/Fri & Sat.  On a Thursday the library is open until 8pm. Directions to the library are signposted upon entrance to Armagh and, therefore, the library is easily located. For convenience, the library has an onsite car park which is equipped to facilitate a number of visitors.
Resources The library contained a variety of material to assist me in relation to journals, newspaper articles, pictures, books and official records. Whilst i did not avail of any services, the library has computers, a photocopier and a facility where you can phone before arrival and the staff will have resources waiting upon arrival.	Ambiance The library had an established atmopshere which was peaceful and relaxing; thus making it an ideal location to study. Reception located external to the study area, therefore, I was not interupted by telephone calls.
Building An old building with character yet modernised by the inclusion of a lift to assist with additional requirements.	Other comments:   The library is a well resourced venue with a quiet atmosphere where the student is respected and silence is maintained in relation to this.  It is a library I will revisit many times.

Beginning !!!!!!!!!!

So with my synopsis approved, by my tutor, I commence upon my project !! I am confused as to where to begin so I have decided to visit the Irish library in Armagh for guidance.

As for the blogging - well, it couldn't be as hard as mastering the mindmap devise !!??!!

Synopthesis

Decisions, decisions, decisions .......

The topic I aspire to investigate relates to the deceased, John Grubb Richardson of Bessbrook. Whilst,  Richardson developed the single nucleus street of Bessbrook in 1845, brought social and economical prosperity to Bessbrook, I seek to examine this development in relation to his Quaker ethics. As a Quaker, Richardson strived to create and establish a community based upon Quaker principles and ethics relating to acceptance, assistance and harmony. Ultimately, Richardson has been acclaimed for creating the 'model village' through his ideology.

Therefore, i want to examine Quakerism, how it, as a religion, prompted its congregant, John Richardson, to form his ethics and the impact such ethics had upon the colony of Bessbrook.  Whilst investigating this, i aspire to discover the number of Quakers in Bessbrook at that time and how its expanding populace responded religiously - did the religious congregation extend in numbers ? To discover this , I plan to locate the Friends Meeting House and try to locate a Quaker member who may converse with me about the Church and avail of any knowledge they have in relation to John  Richardson.
To further enhance my project, i plan to visit The Society of Friends Organisation, located in Dublin to develop my knowledge and attain further information through their resources.  In relation to resources, I also plan to attend the SRC Library, Armagh Irish Library and Armagh central library.  Whilst gaining literary resources from these locations, I also plan to take photographic evidence of my visits in relation to the locations I visit.
Therefore, I have may aspirations to attain and await my tutor's approval before I truly commence upon my research.