News Regarding Park Naming
Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2014 10:59 am
Hello Friends/Fans.
I'd like to bring you up to date regarding the possible naming of a new park in the 'The Village' the area where Ruby was born, bred and educated. I was requested to write a letter to the Councillor in charge of Parks & Gardens within the Belfast City Council. It is hoped that if enough 'persuasion' is heaped upon him he just MIGHT consider naming the new park in 'The Village' after RUBY. The park is due to be opened in the New Year. Here is a copy of the letter that I dispatched to him,-
Mr. A. Hassard, Director of Parks and Leisure,
Belfast City Council,
Adelaide Exchange,
2426 Adelaide Street,
Belfast BT2 8GD
Re : = NAMING OF THE NEW LOCAL PARK IN 'THE VILLAGE' AREA
There were many stars that were from Northern Ireland but none shone brighter than the young, shy, husky voiced female vocalist/entertainer from Belfast RUBY MURRAY. Her unique voice rocketed her to STARDOM in the early 50s when her records sold in millions. In an International poll of female singers Ruby's name came second only to that of Doris Day the International singing and movie star. Ruby topped the British list of Female Singers TWICE. She still holds the WORLD RECORD of having 5 hit records in the charts all at the same time. She holds 2 WORLD RECORD awards in the Guinness Book of Records which they have recently compiled. She appeared at the world famous LONDON PALLADIUM starring with Norman Wisdom and appeared in The ROYAL VARIETY COMMAND PERFORMANCE attended by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, she also appeared in other Royal shows, including '40 YEARS OF PEACE' at The Palace Theatre in the London's West-end Attended by PRINCESS ANNE. Ruby was awarded The Daily Mirror -AWARD OF MERIT two years in succession - 1955 and 1956. To this day these two silver statuettes are still proudly standing on my living room shelf.
My name is BERNIE BURGESS I am the late Ruby Murray's ex husband. I flew into Belfast recently to contribute to a commemorative show that was staged at Fane Street School, where Ruby attended school, in the neighbourhood where she was born and raised. I also flew 'our' two children with me, Tim and Julie, so that the 3 of us could perform as a quartet, a 'complete family vocal group', by singing with Ruby's recorded tracks. During the performance of this packed concert it was put to the audience - 'Would you be in favour of naming the NEW PARK after Belfast's own RUBY MURRAY?, - the response was an resoundong - 100% YES!
Sadly, the house where Ruby lived was demolished, how very sad, it was hoped that her house could be saved from demolition but it was not to be, re-development won in the end. However, she undoubtedly thoroughly deserves to be remembered. There are still neighbours in the locality of Ruby's old house and home who still remember Ruby, their neighbour, with great affection. By naming the new park in her name Ruby will deservedly be remembered, it will indelibly write her name into the history of the local Neighbourhood as well as Belfast itself and in Northern Ireland. Ruby never lost her love of her homeland, her husky voice and her undoubted charm together with the Northern Ireland accent won her millions of fans around the world.
From my contacts in Belfast, I understand that the park,which is in the 'Village Redevelopment' area, will be handed over to the Council by Fold Housing Association early next year. I would therefore ask the Council to please consider naming of the new park as ' Ruby Murray Park' or 'The Ruby Murray Park' and that this proposal be placed on the agenda at the next meeting of the Parks and Leisure Committee.
Most Sincerely
B, Burgess.
P.S. HINT ... IF ENOUGH PERSUASION IS PLACED UPON THE COUNCILLOR IN CHARGE HE MIGHT BE PERSUADED ................
I'd like to bring you up to date regarding the possible naming of a new park in the 'The Village' the area where Ruby was born, bred and educated. I was requested to write a letter to the Councillor in charge of Parks & Gardens within the Belfast City Council. It is hoped that if enough 'persuasion' is heaped upon him he just MIGHT consider naming the new park in 'The Village' after RUBY. The park is due to be opened in the New Year. Here is a copy of the letter that I dispatched to him,-
Mr. A. Hassard, Director of Parks and Leisure,
Belfast City Council,
Adelaide Exchange,
2426 Adelaide Street,
Belfast BT2 8GD
Re : = NAMING OF THE NEW LOCAL PARK IN 'THE VILLAGE' AREA
There were many stars that were from Northern Ireland but none shone brighter than the young, shy, husky voiced female vocalist/entertainer from Belfast RUBY MURRAY. Her unique voice rocketed her to STARDOM in the early 50s when her records sold in millions. In an International poll of female singers Ruby's name came second only to that of Doris Day the International singing and movie star. Ruby topped the British list of Female Singers TWICE. She still holds the WORLD RECORD of having 5 hit records in the charts all at the same time. She holds 2 WORLD RECORD awards in the Guinness Book of Records which they have recently compiled. She appeared at the world famous LONDON PALLADIUM starring with Norman Wisdom and appeared in The ROYAL VARIETY COMMAND PERFORMANCE attended by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, she also appeared in other Royal shows, including '40 YEARS OF PEACE' at The Palace Theatre in the London's West-end Attended by PRINCESS ANNE. Ruby was awarded The Daily Mirror -AWARD OF MERIT two years in succession - 1955 and 1956. To this day these two silver statuettes are still proudly standing on my living room shelf.
My name is BERNIE BURGESS I am the late Ruby Murray's ex husband. I flew into Belfast recently to contribute to a commemorative show that was staged at Fane Street School, where Ruby attended school, in the neighbourhood where she was born and raised. I also flew 'our' two children with me, Tim and Julie, so that the 3 of us could perform as a quartet, a 'complete family vocal group', by singing with Ruby's recorded tracks. During the performance of this packed concert it was put to the audience - 'Would you be in favour of naming the NEW PARK after Belfast's own RUBY MURRAY?, - the response was an resoundong - 100% YES!
Sadly, the house where Ruby lived was demolished, how very sad, it was hoped that her house could be saved from demolition but it was not to be, re-development won in the end. However, she undoubtedly thoroughly deserves to be remembered. There are still neighbours in the locality of Ruby's old house and home who still remember Ruby, their neighbour, with great affection. By naming the new park in her name Ruby will deservedly be remembered, it will indelibly write her name into the history of the local Neighbourhood as well as Belfast itself and in Northern Ireland. Ruby never lost her love of her homeland, her husky voice and her undoubted charm together with the Northern Ireland accent won her millions of fans around the world.
From my contacts in Belfast, I understand that the park,which is in the 'Village Redevelopment' area, will be handed over to the Council by Fold Housing Association early next year. I would therefore ask the Council to please consider naming of the new park as ' Ruby Murray Park' or 'The Ruby Murray Park' and that this proposal be placed on the agenda at the next meeting of the Parks and Leisure Committee.
Most Sincerely
B, Burgess.
P.S. HINT ... IF ENOUGH PERSUASION IS PLACED UPON THE COUNCILLOR IN CHARGE HE MIGHT BE PERSUADED ................