From the pages of the Down Recorder, May 16, 1978

From the pages of the Down Recorder, May 16, 1978

16 May 2018

DOWNPATRICK — Race Club officials are to press ahead with their plans to site a Nutts Corner-style market at Downpatrick Race Course.

It was revealed this week that such a market could net the club £50,000 a year — more than enough to ensure that racing stays alive at the Co Down course.

But club officials are anxious not to offend Downpatrick’s shopkeepers and they are looking for a meeting as soon as possible with Downpatrick and District Chamber of Trade.

The idea of an open market was raised at a recent meeting between club officials and Down Council and was put forward as one of three ‘promotions’ which would increase the club’s income.

Officials also believe that the formation of a members’ club and construction of licensed premises would help finances, as would the reintroduction of the Tote facilities.

Race Club official Major William Brownlow said that when the Government grant ends this year the race club could exist on a shoestring budget provided total sponsorship for all races could be found.

This, however, did not take account of the capital expenditure necessary to repack fences, repair and replace stabling and repair tarmac areas.

Major Brownlow told councillors that the club’s promotions manager had resigned that a replacement was vital if the course was to be developed to its full potential.

Meanwhile, the Secretary of State has repeated that the Government grant will not be continued whether or not racing is kept alive at Downpatrick.

NEWCASTLE — A group of swimmers are to tackle a swim with a difference in Newcastle this summer.

Members of the Irish Long Distance Swimming Association are planning to arrive at Newcastle beach from St John’s Point, about two miles away.

At the moment the swim is only in the planning states, but organisers are hoping to have plans completed in time to feature the event at the height of the tourist season in August.

They have already asked Down Council to consider giving financial assistance to cover expenses for overseas competitors, safety crews and prizes.

Council officials have decided to wait and see if help is likely to come from the Northern Ireland Sports Council.

ARDGLASS — Ardglass councillor Dermot Curran has attacked a statement by the Northern Ireland Harbour Authority that £230,000 is to be spent on Ardglass harbour.

Mr Curran told a meeting of councillors this week that the money to be spent is not for improvements, but for maintenance which is already long overdue.

“Not one penny is being spent on making Ardglass a safe harbour,” he said. “It is imperative that the harbour is deepened. Boats are damaging their bottoms as they come in to land their fish at low tide.

“The fact is that if the harbour was improved the 100 people employed there now could be doubled or even trebled. New processing plants could be set up and new investment invited to Ardtglass.

Mr Curran continued: “We have the second highest figures for landings which show that the fishermen prefer Ardglass to elsewhere.

“The Harbour Authority must now go ahead with the suggestion to draw up an improvement plan so that the harbour facilities will enable bigger and better landings and that Ardglass will be a safe all-weather port.”

KILLYLEAGH — The first pinemartin in local natural history records was found at Killyleagh Castle at the weekend by a local resident, Mr Brady McClurg.

The pinemartin, which is Ireland’s rarest mammal, had been run over by a motorist when it was found by Mr McClurg, who intends to keep it.

Mr Malcolm McKee, a natural history expert at the Ulster Museum, said that it was one of the first sightings of the creature in the area.

The pine martin, which extremely rare but is yet not protected by law in Ireland, is a rich chocolate brown colour with a cream patch on its throat and has a bushy tail. It resembles a ferret or stoat, or even a small cat.

“They are pretty common in a few districts, notably Co Clare, and we had an unconfirmed sighting in Finnebrogue in 1953, but this is the first comforted sighting in the area,” Mr McKee said.

“This sighting means that there could be a small population in the Killyleagh area and it is unlikely that this pinemartin is an escaped pet.”

COMBER — Fifty Comber traders, who say they are facing the prospect of being forced out of business because of a lack of parking space in the town, have joined together in a new pressure group to protect their interests.

As a first step they have rented the car park behind the town’s cinema and thrown it open to the public.

They now intend to take their case to the Department of the Environment’s Roads Service branch to push for the immediate development of the new £80,000 town centre to be built between Bridge Street and Castle Street.

“We have to do something,” said Mr Robert Finlay, owner of an electrical shop in Castle Street and chairman of the new group. “In a year’s time there will be very little trade left in Comber.

“Business in the town has slumped because people can’t find a place to park. They now drive on through to do their shopping in places like Newtownards or Belfast.”

KILLOUGH — The owners of a tyre depot in Killough have lost their last hope of getting approval in a decision by the Planning Appeals Commission to ref ruse planning permission for their site.

The depot, which is on Station Road, was ruled to be a “substantial intrusion” into an open site.  The Commissioners also pointed out that the site had been zoned for special amenity protection.

PORTAFERRY — Portaferry police are investigating a spate of burglaries which occurred in the area during the past week.

A police spokesman several summer houses had been burgled recently and an “extensive inquiry operation” is now being carried out.

“People are coming down to their holiday homes at the weekend and finding that they have been broken into. This is disturbing and we would like anyone who can help us with our inquiries to contact us.”

CROSSGAR — The latest summer styles for men and women were on display at a well attended fashion show in Crossgar War Memorial Hall last Wednesday evening.

Over 200 people attended the show and helped raise £80 for the organisers, Kilmore Rec and Boys’ Club.

Fashions were from Raymar Fashions, Downpatrick Street, Crossgar, and Robb’s Male Gear, Cross Street. The commere was Mrs Davina Ferris, who drew the audience’s attention to the wide range of styles in fashion this summer.

DRUMANESS — A special ceremony to mark the dedication of Drumaness Recreation Hall to the memory of the late councillor, Mr Dan Rice, will beheld in the hall next Tuesday night. The ceremony will include the unveiling of a commemorative plaque in memory of Mr Rice.

MOURNES — A  15 year-old schoolboy had to be rescued from the Mourne Mountains on Saturday evening after he had been reported suffering from exposure.

Gary Woodburn had been up the mountains with a party when he collapsed near Lough Shannagh. The Mourne Mountain Rescue Team and members of the RUC Rescue Team brought the boy safely down and he later recovered.

BALLYNAHINCH — A car hit a bank and overturned in Ballynahinch on Friday night. The accident occurred at Lisburn Road and although the car was extensively damaged, the driver escaped unharmed.

LISBANE — Over £1,000 to help the physically handicapped in Northern Ireland was raised at a barbecue at Lisbane, near Comber, on Friday evening.

In spite of the very cold weather more than 350 people turned out to enjoy the ‘nosh ’n splash’ event on the Lisbarnett Road. The evening was organised by the Northern Ireland Council for Orthopaedic Development.