Community stunned
Council opens books of condolence for Spence family
Mayor of Lisburn City Council, Alderman William Leathern signs the Book of Condolence, opened for The Spence Family. Looking on are Elected Representatives and Senior Council Officers. Books of Condolence have been opened at Lagan Valley Island, the Lagan Valley LeisurePlex and the Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum in the City.
FOLLOWING the tragic deaths of Noel, Graham and Nevin Spence, from Hillsborough, who died in a farming accident, Lisburn City Council has opened Books of Condolence to allow the local and wider community to mark their respects.
The books are available at Lagan Valley Island, the Council's headquarters building, at the Lagan Valley LeisurePlex and at the Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum in the City Centre.
Commenting on the decision to open Books of Condolence, the Mayor, Alderman William Leathem, said: "The scale of this tragedy; the shock, the sorrow and sadness the Spence family are enduring and the profound loss of three family members has touched all of us so very deeply.
"There are simply no words that can covey the grief for Mrs. Spence, her daughters, daughter-in-law, grandchildren and the family circle. I extend my heartfelt sympathies and prayers to the family. "We know that people want to show their support for the family and to express their personal feelings on the deaths of Noel, Graham and Nevin. On account of Nevin's high-profile rugby career we wanted a Book of Condolence to be at the Lagan Valley LeisurePlex so that people with a sporting interest, visiting the facility, can share their condolences."
"I was very relieved to hear that Emma Spence has returned home from her stay in hospital and I wish the family strength and pray that they can draw comfort from each other in the days ahead," concluded Alderman Leathem.
Two generations lost in minutes
LAGAN Valley MLA Edwin Poots has spent time with the Spence family this week following the tragic loss of two generations of the family.
"The Spence family have farmed in Drumlough for five generations and to have lost two generations of men in the space of a few minutes is incomprehensible for most of the community," said Mr Poots.
"People in the area were used to seeing Noel and Graham out and about
on tractors on a regular basis and they were always known to be very
helpful to other neighbours in their time of need."
He continued: "Nevin, of course, was a rising star in the Ulster rugby
team and without doubt had the talent to become an international star at
rugby.
"My heart goes out to Essie, Andrea, Laura and Emma at this time. They have been so gracious in how they have dealt with this tragedy and I just trust that they will be sustained even over the months and years that lie ahead."
Mr Poots paid tribute to friends and neighbours who have supported the family at this difficult time, as well as praising the emergency services for their work on the tragic night.
"I would also wish to acknowledge the neighbours who helped at the scene and subsequent to that in managing the farm and also to the emergency services, all of whom had to deal with a very difficult and traumatic situation," he said.
Details of the accident were outlined by Mr Poots who said: "Emma risked her own life to try and save her father and brothers. Physically, I don't know how she managed it because her dad is a big man.
"With the weight of the slurry and so on, she needed to muster unbelievable strength to get him pulled up. And then she went back in again, risking her life a second time."
I do know that the Spence family have a strong Christian faith and that each of them had made a personal commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ is an immense source of comfort to the family in that they have the sure and certain hope that they will be reunited in a better place," Mr Poots concluded.
Community stunned
LAGAN Valley MLA Jonathan Craig has been left "absolutely stunned" following the deaths of family friends Noel, Graham and Nevin Spence.
Mr Craig who lives nearby the Spence family farm said that his family and the Spence's go back two or three generations. The local political representative who taught both Graham and Nevin at Bible Club said he cannot take in the gravity of what has happened".
I remember them as children - full of life. All of us, not just my family but the entire district were proud of how they had grown," said Mr Craig.
They had a great sense of pride and deep faith and commitment in their Christian faith and Esmie and the girls know one day they will be reunited. Their faith is helping them through it."
"While we can sympathise with and help hold them up, only God can see them through this situation," said Mr Craig who paid a "huge" tribute to Ballynahinch Baptist church and its Pastor Rodney Stout, who he described as having "rallied around the family in their hour of need". He also praised the Spence 's neighbours who have organised a rota to help out with the farm.
"This bares testimony to the Spence family and the way they were held in such high esteem by the community," the MLA said.
Tribute must be paid to all the emergency services who responded to the scene on Saturday night. What they were met with was a harrowing sight. I am sure they were deeply stressed but the professionalism these people showed was commendable," said Mr Craig.
He concluded saying that Emma Spence is making a remarkable recovery. "She is a brave individual supporting her mother, sister-in-law and sister."
Two generations lost in minutes
Ballynahinch Baptist Church Pastor Rodney Stout with Emma Rice at the funeral of her father and brothers Noel, Graham and Nevin Spence on Wednesday
LAGAN Valley MLA Edwin Poots has spent time with the Spence family this week following the tragic loss of two generations of the family.
"The Spence family have farmed in Drumlough for five generations and to have lost two generations of men in the space of a few minutes is incomprehensible for most of the community," said Mr Poots.
"People in the area were used to seeing Noel and Graham out and about on tractors on a regular basis and they were always known to be very helpful to other neighbours in their time of need."
He continued: "Nevin, of course, was a rising star in the Ulster rugby team and without doubt had the talent to become an international star at rugby.
"My heart goes out to Essie, Andrea, Laura and Emma at this time. They have been so gracious in how they have dealt with this tragedy and I just trust that they will be sustained even over the months and years that lie ahead."
Mr Poots paid tribute to friends and neighbours who have supported the family at this difficult time, as well as praising the emergency services for their work on the tragic night.
"I would also wish to acknowledge the neighbours who helped at the scene and subsequent to that in managing the farm and also to the emergency services, all of whom had to deal with a very difficult and traumatic situation," he said.
Details of the accident were outlined by Mr Poots who said: "Emma risked her own life to try and save her father and brothers. Physically, I don't know how she managed it because her dad is a big man.
"With the weight of the slurry and so on, she needed to muster unbelievable strength to get him pulled up. And then she went back in again, risking her life a second time."
I do know that the Spence family have a strong Christian faith and that each of them had made a personal commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ is an immense source of comfort to the family in that they have the sure and certain hope that they will be reunited in a better place," Mr Poots concluded.
Family `absolutely devastated" says MP
FOLLOWING the tragic deaths of Noel, Graham and Nevin Spence last weekend, Lagan Valley MP, Jeffrey Donaldson, has said he will be raising the issue of farm safety with the Department of Agriculture.
"Having visited the Spence family shortly after this tragedy, I can
only say that this is a family that is absolutely devastated by the
events that occurred last Saturday on the family farm," said Mr
Donaldson. "Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Essie, Emma,
Laura, Andrea and her two
children.
"We cannot begin to imagine the pain and grief they must be suffering
at this time and I know the local community have rallied around and have
given the family every support possible. Equally I believe the family
will be sustained by their Christian faith, although I am sure that will
be severely tested in the days and weeks that lie ahead and it is
important we continue to support them."
Mr Donaldson continued: "I am also intending to raise with the
Department of Agriculture the whole issue of farm safety and the need
for stronger measures to be taken to improve safety around slurry pits
on farms.
"This is the second death in the Lagan Valley area in the past four months involving slurry pits and tanks and it is vital every step that can be taken is taken to improve safety for farmers and those who live on farms," he concluded.
Ulster Star
21/09/2012
