The roots of the Conway Mill project start back in 1973/4 at a time when institutionalised discrimination was entrenched in the North of Ireland. West Belfast’s’ unemployment rate was the highest in Western Europe and state agencies contributed to the situation by refusing to place any real employment initiatives in Nationalist areas. Their argument always focused on the issue of land availability.

Following a concerted campaign, land at the top of the Springfield Road was eventually purchased from a local farmer by the Industrial Development Board (I.D.B.) and the Whiterock Industrial Estate was established. Three factory businesses set up in the Estate, Furniture, candle production and a metal works. The campaign group also succeeded in obtaining space within the site for community enterprises and training. A number of co-operatives and community enterprises were started and training facilities established.

Whiterock Industrial Estate was occupied by the British Army in 1979, the tenants evicted from their premises and the businesses dispersed.

An opportunity to revive the community initiative for economic and social regeneration came in 1982 when the Pound Loney Social Club purchased the Falls Flax Spinning Company Mill site in Conway Street. The Social Club had to relocate from its premises in Divis to facilitate the demolition of Divis Flats in preparation for long awaited housing redevelopment.
The Mill complex, consisting of two large mill blocks and a number of outbuildings, had lain vacant for almost a decade since the closure of the Spinning Company in 1972/73 with the loss of two hundred jobs. The Mill, originally owned by James Kennedy & Sons, was one of the longest working linen concerns in West Belfast.

The buildings were derelict and had been badly vandalised in the intervening years. Lead stripped from the roofs allowed the elements to reek havoc on the upper floors. Windows throughout the complex had been used for target practice by stone and catapult wielding youngsters. Most of them were broken or completely missing, the frames rotted and pigeons had taken up residence throughout.

The complex was too large for the needs of the social club. Having selected the two main outbuildings for its premises, the club committee leased, at a nominal rent, the two main blocks to a group of community activists who knew that the regeneration of West Belfast would only be started through community efforts. The main objectives of the project (Conway Mill, as it was renamed) were the promotion, support and facilitation of small indigenous economic enterprises and the development of Adult Education facilities. The process of clearing the buildings ready for use was slow and arduous. One floor was given over, rent free, for the provision of adult classes – academic, vocational, social, community and cultural under the auspices of Springhill Community House. Volunteers emptied, cleaned and built the classrooms, theatre and crèche. The crèche was staffed under the Action for Community Employment (A.C.E.). Voluntary organisations such as the Workers Educational Association (W.E.A.) and the Ulster Peoples College provided tutors for a wide range of courses.

Halla na Saoirse (Freedom Hall) was used for debates, discussions, conferences, community theatre, concerts and many other community activities.

While the education facility was being established, the lower floors were being prepared for use by local businesses. The facilities were not great because of the general state of the buildings – a considerable amount of finance would be required to bring them up even to a reasonable standard – but even in its dilapidated state it provided a much needed resource for people who wished to set up new businesses in an area where space was relatively scarce. The mill became an ‘incubator’ for a whole range of new and innovative enterprises and projects. It provided the space, time and support for economic, cultural and community initiatives to be thought through and established.

Throughout this time the committee was in negotiation with several government agencies in respect of development of the project. A number of small grants had been received and discussions were under way about setting up a community based business management course – a truly innovative initiative. In 1985 the ad hoc community group registered as Conway Street Community Enterprises Project Ltd, a non-profit taking company limited by guarantee.

In the same year (1985) the committee hosted a community led public enquiry into the killing of a young man, Sean Downes, at the annual anti-internment rally by a plastic bullet fired by the RUC

This precipitated the policy of Political Vetting by the then Secretary of State, Douglas Hurd. The ‘Hurd Statement’, as it was known, denied funding or support to any community organisation which in his opinion may lead to public funds finding its way to a paramilitary organisation. Shortly after the community enquiry, the committee of Conway Mill was issued with the Hurd letter. The mill was the first of several organisations to feel the weight of political vetting. The government did not have to provide any evidence to back up its claim and organisations had no right to appeal. All funding was withdrawn including wages for crèche staff and no contact was allowed by government agencies. Even the voluntary educational organisations were threatened with withdrawal of funding if they continued to support the mill.

Despite a successful libel suit against a T.V. Company for making similar claims against the project and a strong community and voluntary sector campaign opposed to the policy of political vetting, the ban remained. The influence of the ban was such that it permeated other funding sources such as European funding, International funding and some charities. However some charity foundations continued to provide grant aid, particularly for educational and cultural activities and many tutors volunteered their time and expertise. And it was not just the mill project itself that was denied funding – businesses and community organisations were informed that they would not be eligible for funding if based or set up in the Mill. Some were promised funding if they moved to other locations. Some did, some stayed until further development became impossible without adequate funding, and others remained despite the hardship caused by the ban.

The ban was eventually lifted in late 1995 – ten years after it was instated. The survival of the project during this very difficult and lean period was down to the dedication and faith of the committee members and volunteers who, without any staff, ensured that continued existence and development of this important community and heritage resource. The project was self-sustained through rental income and donations from people across the world, particularly the ‘Doors of Hope’ in America.

In 1995 there were 19 tenants employing approximately 34 people

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