From the pages of the Down Recorder, February 21, 2011

From the pages of the Down Recorder, February 21, 2011

24 February 2021

CROSSGAR – The closure threat hanging over Crossgar RUC station has been removed.

The part-time Saintfield Road station has been eliminated from a so-called ‘hit list’ of 15 stations which are to be closed within the next two years as part of a major cost-cutting exercise.

Successive RUC commanders responsible for the Crossgar area have consistently made strenuous efforts to keep the station open, conscious of the key role it plays in what is one of Down District’s largest growth areas.

It appears their attempts, in tandem with intense political pressure, have paid off with the removal of the Crossgar base from a closure list aimed at reducing the RUC’s property costs by £4m.

However, the future of Carryduff station remains uncertain after confirmation that local police commanders have been asked to investigate “alternative locations for community access to police.”

Down Council chairman, Mr Albert Colmer, who has spearheaded a campaign to keep the doors of the Crossgar base open, said while he is disappointed the future of the Carryduff base remains uncertain, he is delighted “common sense has prevailed” and Crossgar’s station will remain open.

He said people in the Crossgar area were “totally opposed” to any moves to close the local station which continues to play an increasingly important role in the life of the local community.

BRYANSFORD – A major outdoor education centre in Bryansford is to close its doors within weeks.

The F H Ebbitt Centre in the heart of the village, which has been a focal point for students from across the province for over 25 years, will close in April.

The closure, with the loss of nine jobs, will top the agenda at tomorrow’s meeting of the South Eastern Education and Library Board.

Around £400,000 is required to carry out major improvement work at the centre to ensure it meets stringent health and safety standards.

Maintenance officials also “significant ongoing maintenance” problems at the Cabra Towers outdoor centre near Hilltown, the Seaboard Sailing Centre in Killyleagh and the Ardnabannon Centre at Annsborough outside Castlewellan.

But it is the investment required at the F H Ebbitt facility which has prompted education chiefs to recommend its closure until a major review of residential education provision across the Board’s area has been completed.

CASTLEWELLAN – Republicans in the area have launched a bid to erect a second memorial in the district on land belonging to Down Council.

The South Down Commemorative Committee has lodged plans to erect what is being described as a commemorative memorial at the Lower Square area in Castlewellan.

Planning chiefs had initially agreed to pave the way for the memorial to be erected, but their decision was withdrawn at Monday night’s meeting of Down Council when it emerged the local authority had not been consulted about the proposal.

And it was also confirmed that neither the Equality Commission nor the Human Rights Commission had been asked for their views on the proposal by the South Down Commemorative Committee.

The Planning Service will now reconsider the application before making a further recommendation to the council.

DOWNPATRICK – The De La Salle Brothers’ leadership of a Downpatrick school will draw to a sudden end this summer.

The close association of the Order with St Patrick’s Grammar School will end in June when the present principal quits his post, making way for the school’s first lay principal.

Dr Fergus McArdle’s replacement by a professional from outside the Order will signify the end to almost 70 years of the Brothers direct leadership of the school.

His departure from St Patrick’s will come just one year after the Assumption Grammar School in Ballynahinch also introduced its first lay principal following the departure of Sr Maureen Carville.

Dr McArdle, who became headmaster of St Patrick’s in 1985, has now been appointed as education secretary for the De La Salle Brothers.

ARDGLASS – Television weatherman Declan Teague was at the centre of a minor storm when he boomed a drive off the sixth tee at his home golf course in Ardglass, the High Court heard last week.

The ball driven by the BBC forecaster struck a stone marker and rebounded, striking another player, last week’s hearing was told.

Mr Teague (33), a familiar face on BBC news bulletins, was sued for negligence in a case brought by 66 year-old Thomas Noade, a fellow member of the Ardglass club.

Both men were taking part in a club competition in June 1998 when the accident happened on the par-five sixth hole.

KILLYLEAGH – A Killyleagh guest house has received a prestigious recognition for first-class services to local tourism.

The Dufferin Coaching Inn, recently received a certificate of commendation from the Ulster Tourist Development Association after being placed second in the Guest House of the Year awards for the second time.

Down councillor, Mr Patsy Toman, presented the certificate to the owners, Kitty Stewart and Morris Crawford, who said they were very pleased with the recognition of the excellent facilities offered.

NEWCASTLE – From the foothills of the Mournes to the elite catwalks of Milan, one Newcastle woman has become synonymous with the international world of fashion.

For Helen Fitzpatrick is creating pieces of fine embroidery and jewellery for some of the world’s leading fashion houses and designers including Prada, Nina Ricci, Oscar de la Renta, Bruce Oldfield, Gucci, Valentino and Armani – all from her home off the Tollymore Road.

Two of her biggest fans are Hillary Clinton and her daughter Chelsea, who were presented with two sets of jewellery made by Helen during the Clinton family’s last presidential visit to Northern Ireland last December.

KILLINCHY – Killinchy Young Farmers’ Club celebrated its 70th birthday at the weekend.

Members, old and young, past and present, gathered at La Mon House, near Ballygowan, on Friday for a glittering birthday party.

Killinchy Young Farmers’ Club has proved a popular social outlet for young since it was founded in 1931.

Hundreds of people from farming backgrounds have been involved in the group which meets every two weeks at the Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church hall in the village.

KILCLIEF – Visitors to St Malachy’s Primary School, Kilclief, were amazed last week to see famous book characters like Harry Potter sitting in the library.

To celebrate a special school literacy day on Thursday, pupils and teachers dressed up as their favourite character from their most treasured book.

The day was organised by Mrs Freda Sharvin, teacher, who said it was a great opportunity to encourage pupils to read more, instead of playing computer games and watching television.

A number of people came along to the school to read stories to the children and teachers, such as Downpatrick librarian Lorraine Dunn, along with a number of parents and grandparents.

COMBER – A Comber man has just received the prestigious appointment of life vice-president of the UK Pony Club.

Mr Ernest McMillen was unanimously voted into the acclaimed position earlier this month by the Pony Club Council for his contribution over the years and his ongoing efforts for the equestrian organisation.

Mr McMillen has played a major role throughout the work of the Pony Club both at home and abroad. He has been an area representative, chairman of finance, vice-chairman for ten years and chairman between 1985 and 1991.

DRUMANESS – Down Council has this week been asked to help clear litter from farmland in Drumaness.

The appeal has been made by Down councillors Margaret Ritchie and Patsy Toman who have already met farmers in the Cumber Road area in a bid to find a solution to the problem.

The councillors say the rubbish was washed into fields during the recent wet weather which resulted in major flooding in the area.