From the pages of the Down Recorder, August 1, 2001

From the pages of the Down Recorder, August 1, 2001

28 July 2021

DOWNPATRICK – The Down County Museum has been officially recognised as one of the best in the province.

The English Street complex has secured eagerly-awaited regional status, which recognises the provision of the highest possible standards and services in the key fields of museum and heritage provision.

But politicians and council officials are concerned that despite securing the new registration, the outcome of a major review of museum and heritage provision across Northern Ireland could impact on enhanced Government support and special designated funding for the Downpatrick museum.

They are concerned the review paper, which has been issued for widespread public consultation, could result in the Downpatrick facility not being able to access the same level of funding currently enjoyed by Armagh Museum which secured its regional status some time ago.

Politicians have warned the report does not go into specifics about future Government support for regional museums and say the issue has to be clarified, particularly as speculation is mounting about the levels of future financial support which will be available.

Miss Sharon O’Connor, the council’s Director of Cultural and Economic Development which is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Downpatrick museum, said the local authority had hoped securing regional status would allow it to access mainstream Government funding.

KILLOUGH – A Killough house, which was once the temporary refuge for hundreds of children from troubled backgrounds, is set to reopen early next year.

Kinder Community House, which offered holidays breaks for disadvantaged children throughout Northern Ireland since the early 1990s, was closed following a severe flooding problem last winter.

But following a £174,000 grant from the Department of Education, the house will soon reopen for business.

Hundreds of children have spent time at the Killough house since it was first purchased by the Dutch-based group Pax Christi Kinderhulp in the early 1990s.

The building was bought by the charity in an effort to increase its work promoting peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

Pax Christi Kinderhulp first directed its energy at children affected directly by the Troubles, but in more recent years, has been helping entire families through difficult times.

When the centre finally reopens next year, it will boast its first ever manager who is expected to further broaden the scope of the local venue.

DRUMANESS – Roads Service officials have this week been criticised for delaying work on a major new safety scheme in Drumaness.

Work on the project to provide a series of speed ramps and other safety measures will not start until the autumn and local councillor Mr Patsy Toman said he is concerned at the delay.

Roads Service officials have confirmed the delay is because the contractor appointed to oversee the work is currently in the process of working on a mould which will be used to provide speed ramps.

They say there has been problems with their construction and finished profile in the past and explained that the contractor is currently working on these.

Mr Toman said the need for safety measures in Drumaness is a key issue and warned there must be no delays in a scheme which should have been in place by now.

KILLYLEAGH – Down Council has this week confirmed it plans to erect a new security fence at the Dibney River in Killyleagh.

The move comes after increasing pressure by residents in Braeside Gardens to force the local authority to put up a fence similar to one already in place along another part of the river bank.

It was erected a number of months ago by the Housing Executive and some residents had expressed concern the council had not moved with the same speed as the housing body.

Work has been due to start on the new council fence some time ago, but was put on hold as a result of the widespread foot and mouth restrictions imposed across the district.

A council spokesman confirmed on Monday that an internal memo seeking a start date has been issued and hopes it will start as soon as possible.

The Dibney River was last year plunged into the headlines when a young child playing near council-owned sports pitches toppled into the swollen river and had to be pulled to safety. 

Mr Patrick McCluskey the local authority’s Sports Development Officer, said he hopes work will start soon to erect a new fence, even though some foot and mouth restrictions are still in force.

NEWCASTLE – Down District is bracing itself for a major increase in the number of tourists to the area.

Tourism officials are convinced the unparalleled success of the Senior British Open Golf Championship in Newcastle has catapulted the area into the spotlight on the global stage.

Live pictures of four days of brilliant golfing action were beamed across the United Kingdom and Europe, but more significantly, breathtaking views of the Royal County Down course and the Mountains of Mourne were broadcast into the home of over 225 million Americans.

Giant United States television network company ABC set up a base in the resort for the championship and it punctuated breaks in play with various packages shot on location across the district.

Coast to coast, people in America were able to sample a brief taste of life in the area and view stunning shots of Castlewellan and Tollymore forest parks, Ardglass marina, Strangford village and the ferry crossing to Portaferry, Dundrum and the new multi-million pound St Patrick Centre in Downpatrick.

Down Council officials Angela Gilchrist said the almost world-wide coverage can only benefit the area and revealed the television and media exposure was beyond their wildest dreams. 

BRIGHT – A leading Down District golf course has this week unveiled plans to provide new start-of-the art facilities.

Building work is currently underway at Bright Castle Golf Club on superb new premises which will featured a new licensed restaurant, shop and changing facilities.

The scheme will also result in the provision of a specious new function room, bar, kitchen, office space, lounge, male and female toilets and a number of stores.

The official opening of the near 5,000sq.ft. development has been pencilled in for next Easter to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the 150 acre course.

Contractors moved on site a number of months ago at the Coniamstown Road course and brothers Gordon and Arnold Ennis can’t wait for the official opening.

Gordon Ennis said the family had always planned to provide a purpose-built course at Bright Castle and explained work on the project began last year.

“The course has now matured and we are delighted with the way it is playing. Membership is increasing and we are confident more people will want to join once the building work has been completed,” he said. 

DELAMONT – A blueprint for the future development of Delamont Country Park is to be drawn up by Down Council.

As its core will be ways in which the economic potential of the park, which nestles on the shore of Strangford Lough, can be fully exploited to provide the area with a major boost.

The local authority is currently considering plans for the location of Ireland’s first ever reptile zone at the park outside Killyleagh and politicians also hope a unique world of owls project will set up its new base at Delamont.

A major new caravan park has already opened for business at the park which last year attracted over 100,000 visitors and politicians believe there is much more that can be done to maximise the potent of the sprawling estate.

Miss Sharon O’Connor said that while the reptile zone plan is a good project as it stands, there is a need for future discussions on the way forward, with a number of local authority officials working together to produce a new vision for Delamont.