From the pages of the Down Recorder, July 17, 1979

From the pages of the Down Recorder, July 17, 1979

17 July 2019

CASTLEWELLAN — Stormont officials were keeping tight-lipped this week about the prospect of finding new employment for 100 workers who have been dramatically paid off at two textile factories in the Castlewellan area.

Redundancy notices went sent out last week to employees of the Moss Lane Spinning Company in Castlewellan and Standard Mills of Annsborough — but there is a chance they may be re-employed if moves to attract a new company to the vacated premises are successful.

The official receiver, Mr Noel Stewart, who is the man heading the search for a new owner, said the two factories — operating as a joint company — had been plagued by “catastrophic losses” during the last 18 months.

He stressed that he was optimistic that a new owner will be found and said the Department of Commerce had indicated that it will give every assistance to get the factories open again.

A spokesman for the Department would only say that efforts were being made to get factories re-opened, but would not state the level of success.

“We are trying to get another company to move into the premises at Castlewellan and Annsborough, but I am not prepared to say more than that at the moment,” he said.

Castlewellan councillor, Mr Eamonn O’Neill, slammed the decision to close the factories and said it was a disaster for the area.

Mr O’Neill said he wanted immediate action to cope with the grim unemployment problem facing the people of Castlewellan and Annsborough.

“The overall situation was poor before this dramatic turn of affairs, but the close of these two factories makes the situation disastrous,” he said.

“There is now no worthwhile employment opportunity on any reasonable scale in the area. This is a situation which calls for immediate action by all relevant government departments, public bodies and interested parties to encourage, promote and attract new employment to the area,” he added.

BRYANSFORD — On a day when there were ten separate attacks on Post Office property throughout the province, Bryansford Post Office was the target for a terrorist bomb and several post office cables in the area were cut.

Last Tuesday the telephone operator received an anonymous call 

from a male at 1.15am warning that a bomb had been planted at the post office. 

Local police went to the scene where they found that a booby-trap bomb had been left in a waste paper basket outside. An Army technical officer later arrived and the bomb was successfully defused.

Around the same time Post Office cables were cut at Dromara Road and Castlewellan Road in Clough.

NEWCASTLE — Fears that Newcastle would be overwhelmed by a wave of crime and vice during the holiday period proved unfounded, with the resort enjoying an “extremely quiet period.”

The RUC said before the Twelfth holidays began that they would be swamping the province’s major holiday resorts, including Newcastle, in a bid to crack down on the growing problems of teenage drinking and drug-taking.

Newcastle had no major incidents or arrests, except for four Belfast youths who are helping police with their inquiries into shoplifting at the Gift House of Mourne on July 12.

A police spokesman stressed, however, that patrols were stepped up during the holiday period, especially during weekends, chiefly because the population of the resort doubled during the summer months.

Police said violence was the most common side effect of teenage drinking and they had asked publicans, off licence owners and hotels to be extra vigilant.

The spokesman added that the police determination to crack down could only succeed with the help of the people who sold the drink.

KILLYLEAGH — The Dunmore Hotel in Killyleagh changed hands over the holiday period and it may also be changing its name. The new owners are Mr Paul Green and his wife Nancy, from Killinchy, and they have taken over the hotel from Mr Harry Briggs.

The hotel was sold for an undisclosed sum of money, but it is believed to be in six figures. The new owners intend to extend and renovate the hotel, but hope that all work can be carried out without closing down the hotel.

The short term plans include adding nine new bedrooms at the rear and extensively renovating the present accommodation.

The owners intend to keep the present name for the time being, but they are contemplating reverting to the original name of the hotel, ‘The Trees’.

STRANGFORD — Shore sports proved every bit as popular as the sailing events at Strangford Regatta last week.

Hundreds of holidaymakers flocked to the village to watch people of all age groups taking part in a host of events in the hot summer sun.

The wide spectrum of events made it a day of fierce competition and fun for competitors and spectators alike and the organisers say they were amazed at the success of the sporting programme.

Events included a fancy dress competition, round the houses race, rowing race and races for married men and women. Amusements were also provided for the children.

PORTAFERRY — The Strangford to Portaferry swim was one of the highlights of Portaferry Gala Week, which began on Sunday and continues through until Saturday.

The swim against the current, which is believed to be one of the fastest in Europe, took the most out of all eight competitors, who ranged in age from 15 to 47.

But for Jacqui McIntyre, of Bangor Swimming Club, the swim proved comparatively easy. With her time of 12 minutes and 41 seconds, she won the ladies’ section and also recorded the fastest time overall.

The gala began on Sunday with a fun run and boat sea angling competition. It concludes this Saturday with the final of the talent competition and an open air dance.

MOURNES — The Mourne Mountains are alive to the sound of music — music with a message which is about building bridges across the world.

The area was the cockpit for an international roadshow arranged and rehearsed at break-neck speed around camp fires. More than 100 YMCA members were given seven days to prepare themselves for their song and dance routine.

They were at the YMCA’s Green Hill complex perched at the foot of the Mournes above Newcastle. It is the first time that the camp, with participants coming from Holland, Spain, Germany, Australia, America, Britain and the Republic of Ireland, has been staged there.

SAINTFIELD — A 13 year-old Saintfield boy was taken to Downe Hospital last Tuesday after he had been involved in an accident. Patrick Clarke, from Ballynahinch Road, ran from a laneway into the path of a car which travelling along Comber Street.

CROSSGAR — Crossgar’s David McClurg won the Jersey Cup at Tyrone Farming Society’s annual show. David lifted the cup for the best Jersey animal and also achieved first place with his Jersey cow in the pedigree section.

GOLF — Captain’s Day at Ardglass Golf Club went down a treat with Oliver McMahon’s 42 points winning the major prize in a very enjoyable competition.

Once again the Captain’s Day lived up to all the traditions of a happy and memorable day. The captain, Dr Dan McDaniel, the members, guests and visitors all had a great time.

The competition began at 6am with the appearance of a magnum of champagne on the first tee — much to the delight of the starter, Ivor Ray, and the first two contestants, Brendan Rodgers and Basil Coburn.

GAA — Down’s minor footballers go in search of their second Ulster title in three years when they play Tyrone in the final at Clones on Sunday.

This is a game that has all the ingredients of a thriller. In last year’s semi-final Down, then reigning All-Ireland champions, surprisingly went under to Tyrone at Casement Park, so now the Mourne boys have a chance to get revenge.