Lockhart welcomes Ballydown PS to Westminster

Carla Lockhart MP • March 26, 2024

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart and Lord Dodds had some very special visitors to Westminster this week, with over 40 P7 children from Ballydown Primary School, Banbridge visiting the Houses of Parliament. The group were accompanied by Vice-Principal Mr Trevor Russell and school staff.

Commenting after meeting the group in Westminster, Carla said:

 

“I always enjoy hosting visitors from home on visits to Parliament. It was especially enjoyable to welcome 43 pupils from the P7 class in Ballydown Primary School, alongside the Vice-Principal and staff.

 

It is a huge undertaking for a school to plan a trip like this but from listening to the kids it was clear that this was an experience they were thoroughly enjoying. A huge amount of credit goes to Mr Russell who really does put such a phenomenal amount of work and preparation into ensuring everything is organised, and all the staff involved in planning this trip so meticulously. It is a heavy responsibility to take so many children away to London but truly the pupils couldn’t have been in better hands, and certainly were having an absolute ball!

 

Mr Russell is very passionate about this Annual trip and really does believe passionately in showcasing the history and heritage associated with the Houses of Parliament. This is his 30th trip meaning that hundreds of children have benefited and experienced this often once in a lifetime opportunity. 

 

If anyone else is visiting London, and would like to visit Westminster, I would encourage them to contact my office and I will do my best to facilitate a visit to Parliament.”

Share

By Carla Lockhart MP March 13, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has criticised the DAERA Minister’s plans to introduce an Independent Environmental Protection Agency in Northern Ireland.
By Carla Lockhart MP March 13, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has urged the Labour Government to support agriculture rather than powering ahead with inheritance tax reforms and other bureaucratic burdens that could threaten the future of family farms.
By Carla Lockhart MP March 11, 2026
Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart and her colleagues in the Democratic Unionist Party have voted against legislation which they say risks undermining the long-standing right to trial by jury.
By Carla Lockhart MP March 11, 2026
Churches and faith-based organisations across Northern Ireland are invited to attend the relaunch of an updated Church Funding Directory, hosted by Carla Lockhart MP, at the Oxford Island Discovery Centre on Thursday 19 March at 11:00am.
By Carla Lockhart MP March 11, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has warned that Government plans to reopen proposals for Digital ID cards risk opening the door to increased state surveillance and represent a policy that the public clearly does not support.
By Carla Lockhart MP March 10, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has pressed the Chancellor to take urgent action to ease the pressure on households facing rising energy costs, particularly in Northern Ireland where a large proportion of homes rely on heating oil.
By Carla Lockhart MP March 9, 2026
DUP Agriculture spokesperson, Carla Lockhart MP, has warned that farmers across Northern Ireland are facing intense financial pressure as the cost of fuel and artificial fertiliser continues to soar as a result of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
By Carla Lockhart MP March 9, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has said that escalating global instability highlights the urgent need for the United Kingdom to prioritise national food security and protect domestic agriculture.
By Carla Lockhart MP March 9, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has called on the Government to take urgent action to protect motorists and households from rising oil prices by cutting fuel duty and removing VAT from domestic heating oil. 
By Carla Lockhart MP March 6, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has said serious allegations surrounding the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute at Hillsborough must be addressed openly and transparently in order to restore confidence within the farming community.