From the pages of the Down Recorder, June 21, 1995

From the pages of the Down Recorder, June 21, 1995

18 June 2025

DOWNPATRICK – Plans to build a new acute hospital in Downpatrick took a major step forward yesterday morning when the Eastern Health Board pledged its public support for the £13.5m plan.

Its members gave their backing in principle to the comprehensive business case prepared by the Down and Lisburn Trust which paves the way for the new hospital being built at the Downshire Hospital site.

But the Board has reserved judgement on the finer details of the business paper and has called for closer dialogue between its officers and senior Trust officials in the weeks and months ahead to “fine tune” the development proposals.

Attention will now inevitably focus on the political front with South Down MP Eddie McGrady expected to lobby Health Minister Malcolm Moss to make the cash available for the new hospital over a three or possibly four-year period.

Although the message to come out of the meeting is a positive one, the Board has made it clear that its support for the business case and a new acute hospital in Downpatrick is “subject to continuing discussions about future service provision.”

SEECONNELL – A £1.8m scheme to bring tourists and jobs to an isolated rural area near Castlewellan came to fruition yesterday with the official opening of a regeneration project at Seeconnell.

The community-based regeneration scheme has been funded by the International Fund for Ireland, the Rural Development Council, the Department of Agriculture as well as the European Community.

Based in the Dromara foothills, amid superb views, the scheme breathed new life into derelict houses at Clanvaraghan Road, which have been converted into 10 modern self-catering holiday homes.

The ambitious initiative also includes the Slieve Croob Inn, which offers farmhouse accommodation and restaurant facilities for tourists and locals alike. An equestrian centre is also planned for later this year.

WATER – Just over £6m is to be spent by the Department of Environment’s Water Service on a number of improvement schemes throughout Down District during the present financial year.

The news was relayed to councillors during a special session on Monday evening when it was announced that almost half of the cash, around £3m, is to be spent replacing parts of the Mourne conduit.

Water Service officials say the existing conduit is over 90 years old and nearing the end of its life expectancy. Work on replacing three stages is expected to start this year with the Department saying the move is also necessary because of the increase in demand.

Councillors were told the expensive and major 

project is at the tender stage and have welcomed news 

of the pipe’s replacement to allow the Water Service to meet the demands 

of consumers.

DOWNPATRICK – Steve McVeigh got a bit of a shock recently when he switched on the radio in his car and heard Radio Ulster playing If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body.

Because it wasn’t Dr Hook singing the classic country song – it was himself.

The song is one of 12 tracks recorded by the Downpatrick singer for his new CD, Bound to Cry, and already it’s been picked up by a number of local radio stations and given extensive airplay.

“It’s a strange feeling to hear yourself singing on the radio for the first time,” he says. “Radio Ulster didn’t even announce beforehand that it was me. They just played the song, and I suddenly realised that it was off my CD.”

The album, which veers between country and smooth pop with a sprinkling of the Garth Brooks style, has also been picked up by other stations.

Downtown Radio have aired a few tracks and on Sunshine Radio south of the border you can hear Steve McVeigh singing up to six times a day. At the moment, he’s the 15th most popular artist on their playlist.

KILLYLEAGH – Plans to double the number of people using the Seaboard Sailing Centre in Killyleagh have been welcomed by the Province’s Secretary of State.

Sir Patrick Mayhew was in the town last week and was given an insight into the activities on offer to young people at one of Northern Ireland’s leading outdoor education centres.

The centre is managed by the South Eastern Education and Library Board and it plans to double its usage to provide facilities for even more young people.

Opening in 1977, the centre can accommodate 44 young people and leaders and is open seven days a week for 50 weeks of the year. It has an annual turnover of more than 6,000 bed nights and is used extensively by school and youth groups, and individuals.

Its attractions include sailing and canoeing as well as the opportunity to study the wildlife in and around the Strangford Lough area.

Sir Patrick was welcomed to Killyleagh by the chairman of the South Eastern Education and Library Board, Mr Ronnie Small, and the chief executive, Mr Tom Nolan.

Sir Patrick spent several hours in Killyleagh during which time he said outdoor education has a major role in the overall development of young people.

“I have been impressed with what Killyleagh has to offer all the young people who come to the Seaboard Sailing Centre,” he said. “It provides challenging and exciting programmes which support the Northern Ireland Curriculum and also that of the Youth Service.”

The Secretary of State said he was also interested to learn of the Board’s plan for the future development of the centre.

CROSSGAR – St Colmcille’s High School in Crossgar is the best secondary school in the South Eastern Education and Library Board area.

The 400-pupil school came top of the Board’s secondary school league tables and managed to secure second place in Northern Ireland, it was disclosed during a visit on Thursday.

Mrs Marian McGreevy, principal, said she was pleased with the school’s position, but said she wanted pupils to do well in a range of subjects and examination results only reflected one facade of a child’s education.

She said Mr Ancram, who met teachers and pupils, got the chance to view a successful secondary school on a typical working day.

During the tour the Minister visited the new technology suite, which opened in December, 1993, and viewed the construction of four new science rooms. Built at a cost of just under £250,000, the new block is expected to be finished at Christmas.

STRANGFORD – Strangford-based film and television director Lionel Mill has been commissioned to direct a 30-minute film as part of the Irish Film Board’s Short Cuts scheme for RTE.

Titled The Big O, the film is ed by Clare Dowling and follows the rites of passage of a young hairdresser in a salon in Derry.

The film features six strong female roles and will be produced by Hugh Farley for Straight Forward Productions.

It’s currently the only film in the Short Cuts scheme to come from Northern Ireland.

Meanwhile, Lionel will also direct a film for BBC Bristol’s 10x10 season, which should be screened around October.

DOWNPATRICK – After months of upheaval, the heart of Downpatrick’s commercial centre is back in business following a major facelift.

Market Street, the town’s main shopping thoroughfare, is now set to provide a much more pleasant place for locals who prefer the convenience and personal touch of shopping at home.

The completion of an environmental improvement scheme, which began in the New Year, has allowed greater access for shoppers with the establishment of wider footpaths and an improved flow of traffic along the street.