Recall the interview Gusty Spence did when he was “on leave” from prison after his daughter's wedding when he talked about how the people of the Falls and Shankill have suffered. Gusty Spence was imprisoned, in 1966, for murdering a Catholic barman - a charge he has always denied. Full access to all collections is a privilege of BUFVC membership. Information regarding the role of women in the UVF is limited. Address the main and immediate issue: child poverty. Whilst in prison Hutchinson took a degree in social sciences and a diploma in town planning with the Open University. Gusty Spence, who died on September 24 aged 78, was the founding father of the modern Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), but later renounced violence to seek a political solution in Northern Ireland. Gusty Spence pictured in 2007. It had been set up in Lurgan in 1972 by part-time Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) sergeant and permanent staff instructor Billy Hanna, who made himself commander of the brigade.His leadership was endorsed by the UVF’s leader Gusty Spence. Spence was the alpha and the omega of violent loyalism. Show more. Hb. Profile of Gusty Spence, UVF leader turned peace-maker. In Search of Gusty Spence An exclusive interview with Gusty Spence, an Irish Protestant convicted of murder in 1966 and kidnapped while on parole in 1972. Pic Paul Faith The UVF's official headquarters is the Shankill Road, where Chief of Staff John ‘Bunter' Graham has ruled since the 1980s. Get help as a new filmmaker and find out about NETWORK He is a journalist and writer for the Irish News, a member of the Ulster Unionist Party, a member of the Reform Group and author of several books – most notably the biography of UVF leader, Gusty Spence. In fact both Curry and Spence were closely involved in planning and executing the supposed kidnapping. If you are already a BUFVC member, please log in.Otherwise you may join now. Few people believed Gusty Spence, but he always denied that he'd murdered Peter Ward. One of the first UVF members to be convicted of murder, Spence was a senior figure in the organisation for over a decade. Gusty Spence died in hospital this weekend aged 78. A clandestine interview with the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) leader after jumping bail. Later, in September 1972, Gusty Spence said in an interview that the organisation had a strength of 1,500. Flickr photos, groups, and tags related to the "progressiveunionistparty" Flickr tag. Augustus Andrew ‘Gusty’ Spence played a number of cameos in the drama collectively known as ‘the troubles’. al. [113] Information regarding the role of women in the UVF is limited. Former Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) leader Gusty Spence has died aged 78. image caption Gusty Spence was a founder member of the loyalist UVF Martin McGuinness accuses the media of being obsessed with his past. : £16.99; ISBN 0-85640-698-8. whole: Number Of Items/reels/tapes 1. At that stage while calling for increased action against the Provisional IRA, Spence wanted to stop the UVF’s pattern of random murders of Catholics. He went to prison for murdering Catholic barman Peter Ward and for wounding two other men in gun attacks by the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) in 1966. Information regarding the role of women in the UVF is limited. Gusty Spence, who died aged 78, was a fluent Irish speaker and the apposite choice to read out the Ulster loyalist ceasefire in October 1994. Later, in September 1972, Gusty Spence said in an interview that the organisation had a strength of 1,500. A native of Belfast's Shankill Road and a nephew of Gusty Spence, Curry became involved in the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) at an early age, claiming that he had helped conceal guns in the aftermath of the June 1966 murder of Catholic civilian Peter Ward by Spence, Robert Williamson and Hugh McClean in the Malvern Arms bar on the Shankill. Former Ulster Volunteer Force leader Gusty Spence has died aged 78. Help end that suffering in all communities. In a conflict that has produced much hyperbole, Gusty Spence's reputation as a loyalist icon is not an exaggeration. Showing all 1 items Jump to: Summaries (1) Summaries. Later, in September 1972, Gusty Spence said in an interview that the organisation had a strength of 1,500. The UVF Mid-Ulster Brigade operated mainly around the Portadown and Lurgan areas. IN SEARCH OF GUSTY SPENCE [Main Title] description Object description. image caption Gusty Spence was a founder member of the loyalist UVF Martin McGuinness accuses the media of being obsessed with his past. Since his release, in 1983, he has devoted himself to the peace process in Northern Ireland. In Search of Gusty Spence (1972) Plot. This biography was written by a close friend who had access to new material and candid interviews. Highlight. An interview with the Irish Protestant who denies the murder for which he was convicted, and is being held by the Ulster Volunteer Force who kidnapped him while he was on parole. Former Ulster Volunteer Force leader Gusty Spence has died aged 78. Mr Reynolds told a television interview broadcast in Northern Ireland: “In the run up to the (IRA) ceasefire I had a copy of the statement to be used by … WIA traces him to where he is being held by the UVF, and questions him about his links with this organisation and … A British Army report released in 2006 estimated a peak membership of 1,000. image caption Gusty Spence is regarded as one of the founders of loyalist paramilitarism. [112] A British Army report released in 2006 estimated a peak membership of 1,000. A British Army report released in 2006 estimated a peak membership of 1,000. Augustus Andrew "Gusty" Spence (28 June 1933[2] – 25 September 2011) was a leader of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and a leading loyalist politician in Northern Ireland. THE self described "old UVF man", Mr Gusty Spence (64), gave a brief oration at the funeral of Mr Jim Lynch (72), a former officer commanding (OC) of the IRA, at Cootehill, Co Cavan, yesterday. Curry was driving Spence back to prison after a period of leave when their car was stopped by a UVF patrol and Spence was "abducted". Gusty Spence: Roy Garland: Belfast, Blackstaff Press, 2001 334pp. Discover how BFI NETWORK is supporting new and emerging filmmakers; I want to… See projects backed by the BFI. Contributions by David Ervine (PUP), Paddy Devlin, Louis and Elizabeth Spence, Roy Garland. Of course, the UVF had a big role to play, with a masked Geordie Orr (another pivotal UVF figure notable by his absence from the book) and others prominent at Spence’s famous interview with ITN reporter David Boulton. Gusty Spence and two other men are later given life sentences for the murder of Peter Ward. In 1977 when Spence advocated a policy of dialogue with republicans, Hutchinson and Mitchell co-authored a letter to UVF members on the outside endorsing Spence's call. Posts about Gusty Spence written by belfastchildis. When Spence was ‘abducted’ in July 1972 it was the RHC who were at the forefront of this operation. Gusty Spence during the famous World in Action interview of July 1972 Given the circumstances surrounding Friday 21 July in Belfast, when the city had been devastated by IRA bombs throughout the whole day, the security forces were heavily active on the ground. Object details Category Film Related period 1945-1989 (content) Production date 1972 Dimensions. Roy Garland is a leading Political Commentator in Northern Ireland. In their book, Abandoning historical conflict?, Peter Shirlow, et. ... Spence spent the next four months reorganising the UVF and giving a television interview.