A special memory of former Lisburn Mayor, the late Councillor Margaret Tolerton

It was with much regret that I learned of the death of former Councillor Mrs Margaret Tolerton. She was the driving force during her year as Mayor of Lisburn for a historic visit to Whanganui, New Zealand, in June 2014 to re-sign the Declaration of Friendship between the two cities.  Whanganui was the Parliamentary constituency and burial place of John Ballance, 14th Premier of NZ (1891-93), born at Glenavy, Co. Antrim.  My original plan had been to have a CCTV link between the two locations at the actual same times i.e. supper time in Whanganui (8pm) and breakfast time in Glenavy(8am), but we didn’t have our present information systems officer (Rory) then and so this original idea failed. Margaret then suggested what seemed an equally impossible situation – to visit Whanganui to re-sign the Declaration in person. Assisted by the acting Chief Executive of the Council – Adrian Donaldson and the Chairman of the Corporate Services Committee –  Pat Catney, I was invited to accompany them. The visit was approved and the plan agreed between both Councils which was to last four days with two days travelling in each direction. 

 We flew from London Heathrow to Sydney via Guangzhou (Canton) and it was during this flight that I became aware of Margaret’s health situation. She fortunately had a chance to rest during the stop-over in Sydney before flying into Wellington and driving to Whanganui.  

Whanganui Council arranged a very busy programme for us to ensure that no time was wasted and which started on the first morning when we attended a Maori Puanga (New Year ceremony) at 5am, which was followed by a tour of Whanganui from the Maori perspective. This set the tone for the rest of this incredibly short visit and which Margaret took in her stride. The main event on the last morning was the signing of the Declaration of Friendship in the Council Offices along with Mayor Annette Main.

Later that evening we had a scheduled meeting with the local community – I was there, but no sign of the others until Adrian suddenly arrived with the news that Margaret had been admitted to hospital and was about to undergo surgery.  Adrian and Pat spent most of the night getting the news back to Lisburn, informing her family and amending the return travel arrangements. Adrian and Pat stayed with Margaret until her son was able to fly out to join her while I returned as planned, bringing the gold mayoral chain in order that the new Mayor could be installed with due custom 2 days later. 

 In spite of being unwell, Margaret went ahead with this ambitious programme as planned and was determined not to cause any disruption. She had served Lisburn Council for many years and will be sorely missed by her family and friends. She was a lovely lady and a good friend of The Ballance House. 

Photo taken in 2014 during a visit from the then NZ High Commissioner to the UK Rt Hon Sir Lockwood Smith (centre), Lisburn Mayor Margaret Tolerton, and David Twigg.

 David Twigg, Director

Ulster New Zealand Trust at The Ballance House