Niblock Family Search

Niblock Family Search Request
I wonder whether you can help me?
I am currently investigating my wife's family history:
My wife was born Sheila Niblock in 1946 in Bangor, Co Down.
Her father was Robert Niblock, who was born on The Hill in Groomsport in 1911.
He was the second youngest of 9 children, the others being Jim [1895] Alex [1897] William [Billy] [1899] Maryanna [1900] Marion [Mamie] [1904] John [Jack] [1906] Margaret [Maggie] [1909] and Kay [Kitty] 1911]I believe there was also an adopted son Robert [Bob] Dunbar who I think was born about 1891I believe that my father-in-law, Robert [Bob] Niblock was a bus driver in and around Bangor and Newtownards before moving with his wife and children to live in England in about 1951. The family settled and still live in Shropshire. Bob died many years ago, but his widow, my mother-in-law, formerly Margaret Graham from Newtownards, is still alive and aged 91.We are trying to establish as much information as we can about the family and life as it was in Groomsport in the eighteen and early to mid 1900's.My wife's grandfather, Alexander [Alex or possibly Sandy] Niblock was born in Groomsport in about 1870. He married Maggie McIlwrath in 1893 and was a sailor/fisherman, as was his father Robert Niblock, who we think was born about 1825 and married Jane Heyburn in 1849.It was rumored in the family that Alexander Niblock died either 'at sea' or in Scotland and we have only just recently discovered that he was actually found dead on the arrival of a train in Glasgow Central Station in July 1913 due to peritonitis, aged just 43. We would love to know more about his life and the circumstances of his death. Sheila and I had the pleasure of visiting your area about 6 years ago.We walked up The Hill, where Sheila remembers visiting her grandmother and her father's brothers and sisters on family holidays - particularly William [Billy] who lived in a house just before the Hill cottages, and Margaret, who married Alex Clegg.Looking at photographs on the Groomsport website www.covebay.net, we saw on a photograph of the Orange Lodge, Springwell Road, Sheila's two cousins Brian and Joe Clegg.If you have any information on our Niblock Family, or are related, we would like to hear from you
Thanks
Ian & Sheila Bullock
01952 252005
iansheila.bullock@btinternet.com

Polite Tsunami Warning?

Warning signs, on 2 metre high poles, have appeared on Groomsport beach.

Is this a polite Tsunami Warning, or just political correctness gone mad?

What do you say?

The original Japanese term literally translates as "harbor wave." Tsunamis are a frequent occurrence in Japan; approximately 195 events have been recorded.
Due to the immense volumes of water and energy involved, tsunamis can devastate coastal regions.
Casualties can be high because the waves move faster than humans can run.
Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other underwater explosions (detonations of nuclear devices at sea), landslides and other mass movements, bolide impacts, and other disturbances above or below water all have the potential to generate a tsunami.

Greenbelt levy for Cove Bay - Is it worth it?

Residents of Cove Bay have received details of the appointed landscape management company Greenbelt Group Ltd, and its plans for maintaining the Cove Bay development.

The arrangement is funded by payment of an Annual Management Charge from each homeowner in Cove Bay. In return, the Greenbelt will carry out the management of the open spaces and associated features.

Some residents are unhappy at paying for the upkeep of the development, others agree it is very necessary in order to maintain the excellent appearance of Cove Bay.

Greenbelt say: "Greenbelt’s Greenspace arrangement is acceptable to the developer and the local authority because it is secure in the long term and ensures that all property owners pay an equal and fair sum towards the ongoing management and maintenance of the open spaces and features on their development."

What Do You Think? Post your comments here.

Groomsport Development

"Dear Sir, I would just like to say that the Village Association are 20 yrs too late in protecting, retaining the character of the Village.Cove Bay being one.The house built on Tank hill,which had a Green Belt on it. The Apartments built beside the Groomsport Inn, and all the other Appartments built and being built.The beach is a disgrace,with the grass banks growing closer to the sea. The list could go on" -Gary Beattie

Selling Your Home Privately

Increasingly, homeowners are making use of the Internet to find a buyer. With the internet, it's never been easier to sell your home. As more and more people decide to sell their property privately, property websites are invaluable in reaching thousands of potential buyers. The traditional way to sell a home is via an Estate Agent. Their fees are normally between 1.5 and 3% of property's sale price. So, if your house sells for say £250,000, you will pay them anything from £3,750 - £7,500 in commission. Even Tesco is now offering an Internet package to sellers. For £199 a property advert is displayed online until your property is sold subject to contract. See Tesco Property
Related Links: Selling Your House Privately, Fish4Homes
Have you tried selling privately? Are Estate Agents good value?

Welcome To Cove Bay Blog

Living in Cove Bay, or Groomsport area?

Help us to keep you, and all your neighbours informed, entertained, and up to date with local information.

Our website http://www.covebay.net/ can only work if YOU contribute, comment, criticise!

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We are waiting to hear from YOU. Post your message here, or contact me

Editor editor@covebay.net

Sailing Around Ireland

Norman Gray a resident of Cove Bay is setting off on early Thursday morning 14th June 2007, for a month long sail around Ireland in his "unsinkable" 30 ft yacht Bentim Buoys.
Norman and his crew John Campbell, William Skelly, and Adrian Watson are all retired, and see this trip as a great adventure. All on board are experienced sailors, and looking forward to sailing new horizons. Their route is clockwise around Ireland, taking full advantage of the tides. The seas around Ireland are not easy sailing, and the Atlantic weather will decide their speed.
We hope to keep in touch with the "Bentim Buoys" during the voyage, and report on their progress. Bon Voyage!
Leave your message here for the "Bentim Buoys"!