Resident creates 'Wildlife of Billy Neill MBE Country Park' display

May 18, 2021

92 year old Resident Tommy Russell has shown it's never too late for a new hobby with his drawings being showcased in the pavillion at Billy Neill MBE Country Park.

At the age of 90 and with no previous inclination towards art Mr Russell began to sketch some of the wildlife which he had observed at the park where his son, Davy, is a member of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Parks & Amenities Grounds Maintenance staff.  

Two years later, he had perfected three works of art - including pictures of the Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Yellow Hammer.  Mr Russell had chosen to sketch on pieces of scrap wood which his son then mounted an abandoned roof slate from the old farmhouse which once stood on what is now the Country Park.  Collectively the art work has been entitled ‘The Wildlife of Billy Neill MBE Country Park.’

Speaking about the display, which can be seen in the pavillion on site, Alderman Michael Henderson MBE, Chairman of the Leisure & Community Development Committee said: "Tommy is an inspiration and his artwork goes to prove that it is never too late to take up new hobbies and discover untapped talents."

His son, Davy, is rightly proud of his father’s achievements and is rumoured to have been seen practicing his own sketches in his spare time.