Sir Hans Sloane Centre puts on a tea party to celebrate the 365th birthday of Killyleagh-born Sir Hans Sloane
The Sir Hans Sloane Centre has just celebrated the birthday of Kilyleagh’s famous son, Hans Sloane, who was born there 365 years ago on the 16th April 1690. He died in London on 11th January 1753.
This amazing native of Killyleagh was a great collector, leaving around 70,000 items for the British Museum which he founded along with the Natural History Museum in London.
A man of huge intellect, Hans Sloane studied in Killyleagh Castle and went on to study medicine and eventually became the royal physician for two monarchs.
But his contribution to science is probably his most important feature and he contributed enormously to the classification of plants. And today the Sir Hans Sloane Centre runs a number of events and short courses continuing his love of knowledge, nature and science through the STEM subjects (Science, technology, Engineering and Mathematics.)
He also established the Chelsea Physic Garden in London and even brought chocolate to Europe from the West Indies. His influences are far and wide.
Dr Elizabeth Crilly who manages the centre in Killyleagh said that the friends and supporters of the centre held a tea party in honour of his birth and added: “I was delighted that so many people turned up to celebrate Sir Hans’ birthday at the Sir Hans Sloane Centre.
“His contribution to science is very significant and I’m delighted that so many people supported the science and educational events we have been running recently and will be continuing through the summer.
“The centre is very dynamic. There is always a lot going on thanks to our volunteers who really enjoy being in the centre. They get so much from it.
“We would love to develop the patio botanical garden space and that is a project we hope to complete in the future. It will have plants that Sir Hans was familiar with and that will create a social space right in the heart of Killyleagh where people can chill out and have a cuppa.
“If anyone is interested in volunteering, please contact me at:
Email: [email protected] .”
Volunteer Noreen Cairns said: “Since I moved to Killyleagh and got involved in the Sir Hans Sloane Centre I have learned so much.
“I just never realised it is a relatively small community but has a huge amount of history which connects back to the origins of the British Museum and the fascination for science.”
Kyrs Szpakowska who also volunteers in the centre said: “I have spent some time in London and used to walk past the Sir Hans Sloane Square daily without realising its significance.
“It was when I came to Killyleagh that I recognised him and now have learned so much more about his life and works. He has had such a great influence on science and the growth of knowledge.”
Dr Elizabeth Crilly added: “Like most community-based groups we have to be constantly fundraising. Thankfully we have a dedicated band of volunteers and if anyone wishes to volunteer their services they are very welcome.
“We have been very fortunate to have a painting donated by Neil Shawcross MBE RHA RUA which will help us raise vital funds through the year by running a draw which wil take place in December.
“It would make someone a lovely Christmas present. The painting is called ‘Malbec‘, so this is a rare opportunity to acquire one of his works.
“To purchase a ticket you can call into the Centre at anytime we are open or attend any of our events through the year.
“The Centre also provides Science Workshops, a meeting and training room, office space. Please contact the centre for further information.”
Curator of the Sir Hans Sloane Centre, Thomas Anton Ierubino, said that “there are a number of period artefacts on show in the centre dating back to the time of Sir Hans.
“Our aim is to develop the patio botanical garden at the back of the centre. For that we will require substantial funding. It’s on a slope and the idea is to create a zig-zag pathway with rest areas surrounded with the plants that Sir Hans collected on his travels and was familiar with.
“I am currenly providing tours of the centre so please contact the centre to book at: [email protected]
“We are very focussed on community and the centre is already quite busy with a number of social and learning events with a particular emphasis on the STEM subjects. All ages are welcome to join in the learning experience.”
There is a science club on Saturday mornings for the 7-14 year-olds and parents can stay with the younger ones.
The Sir Hans Sloane Centre offered classes in French and Italian in April, and provides English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. But it’s’ a vibrant and stimulating place to be… there is a book club, science and craft workshops, curator tours, painting and in March there was a wine tasting evening which went down a treat!
And there is even a Little Hans Club for children from 9 months to pre-school age to help foster inquiring minds.
On the 4th of June, local historian Clive Scoular who is a Sir Hans buff, will be doing a historical tour of Killyleagh, and introducing broader people who have made their mark in Killyleagh and farther afield such as Harry Clarke who designed incredible stained glass works which were previously made in the continent.
And Dr Elizabeth Crilly will be giving two talks in early July (2nd and 9th from 3-4pm) on Sir Hans as a modern day scientist and his links to the British and History Museums.
And the Sir Hans Sloane Centre provides internet access FREE to anyone who requires it.
Clive Scoular, local historian, said: “To quote Sir Hans, he said that he wanted to be ‘a do-er and not a talker.’
“He made an incredible contribution to knowledge through his collections and classification of plant and indeed medicine. He was an amazing collector and his works founded the British Museum.
“He came from a humble background and mixed with royalty and the upper class but also provided medical attention to ordinary people too. Therefore, you can see the links today in how we approach promoting the STEM subjects in education. His enlightened mind was at the forefront of this new thinking.”
