From the pages of the Down Recorder, May 22, 1979

From the pages of the Down Recorder, May 22, 1979

22 May 2019

ANNSBOROUGH — The villagers of Annsborough couldn’t believe their eyes when workmen turned up to begin the layout of a new playing field for the youngsters of the area. After years of pleading they could hardly wait to see the new play area taking shape.

The first stage of the work was to erect a fence cutting off the play area from a nearby cattle grazing area — but things didn’t go smoothly. Instead of fencing off the cattle the workmen fenced off the village’s main housing estate.

That was two months ago and it led to bitter exchanges between the villagers and the local cattle owner, who was blamed for the fiasco. But this week the real culprits were discovered — the boob was made by Enterprise Ulster workers.

The mistake was highlighted at a meeting of Down Council this week by Castlewellan councillor, Mr Eamon O’Neill, and Dundrum councillor, Mr Jarlath Carey, who both attacked the council’s lack of supervision in the project.

“It’s an absolutely disgraceful state of affairs and we want Enterprise Ulster back in there this week to finish the job they were supposed to do,” said Mr O’Neill.

BALLYNAHINCH — Detectives investigating the rape of a 17 year-old Ballynahinch girl at the weekend, have appealed to anyone with information to come forward.

The rape took place at Tullywest Road, near Saintfeld, in the early hours of Saturday morning and detectives are anxious to trace two youths.

The girl was savagely raped and assaulted. She was treated in hospital for injuries, including a broken nose.

DOWNPATRICK — Downpatrick’s first major festival for several years swings into action tomorrow night — and its packed programme of family entertainment has been given a firm vote of confidence from Down Council chairman, Mr Eddie McGrady.

St Patrick’s Festival, which kicks off with a challenge soccer match and continues through the Bank Holiday weekend, is expected to draw record crowds to the county town.

The festival organisers have been working non-stop over the past few months to ensure an action-packed programme which contains dozens of exciting events for young and old.

Mr McGrady said he was amazed at the efficiency with which the events have been organised and felt he had compliment the festival committee on the eve of the big occasion.

“They have mapped out a very fine programme which will cater for every taste and provide us with a really interesting and novel festival,” he said.

“These men have worked very hard since January after a not too encouraging start with lack of public interest, but they have persevered with really first class results.

“I do hope the whole of the Down community will appreciate their voluntary efforts and support as many of the events they possibly can as it will be a great community and social occasion for the people of Down.”

CROSSGAR — One of Ireland’s top trombonists, Jimmy Compton (59), was killed last weekend in a three-car pile-up on the Crossgar to Saintfield Road.

Although a native of Belfast, Jimmy was as well known around Killough, Downpatrick and Newcastle as he was in the city.

He commenced his musical career with the Belfast Military Band, but towards the end of the Second World War turned to playing dance band music. He was recognised as a top performer on the trombone and played with Louis Armstrong.

TYRELLA — A parascending club’s hopes of staging instructional courses at Tyrella and Newcastle beaches this summer have been deflated by local councillors.

Parascending — Ulster’s newest sport — in catching on fast, but councillors are reluctant to sacrifice 400-yard stretches of beach during the busiest summer spell.

Downpatrick councillor, Mr John Ritchie, said he wanted the beaches kept clear for families with young children, although he was prepared to discuss the matter further with the club.

Another Downpatrick councillor, Mr Cecil Maxwell, said he was totally opposed to allowing the club use of the beaches at a time when councillors were hoping Tyrella and Newcastle would be crowded with people.

Mr Sean Quinn agreed that such activity would be an inconvenience to the general public and in the case of Tyrella he felt there were enough cars “tearing up and down the beach”.

PORTAFERRY — A Portaferry man who slipped on a kerb stone outside his home was awarded £12,500 agreed damages in the High Court.

He is Mr James Magee, of Burn Brae, who injured his elbow when he fell and subsequently sued the Department of Environment.

KILLOUGH — Killough Festival Committee will be holding an important meeting next Monday in St Joseph’s Hall.

The festival runs from June 8-10. Those who are in charge of events are asked to come along to the meeting so that the final arrangements can be made.

The committee would like to thank everyone who helped in organising the Festival Queen dance and buffet in St Joseph’s Hall. Miss Jacqueline King was selected as festival queen.

DUNDRUM — Newcastle and District Riding Association held their annual spring gymkhana at Castle Farm, Dundrum, on Saturday. Mr Isaac Hazzard kindly provided the showground for the club and recalled that the last gymkhana held in Dundrum had taken place 22 years ago.

The day was sunny and bright for the many competitors and spectators, who came from far and near, some from Ballyclare, Belfast, Newtownards, and many other areas.

CARRYDUFF — Eight kittens were found abandoned outside the Carryduff USPCA shelter on Tuesday. The kittens were packed in a box about half the size of a tea chest.

“We will try and find homes for them,” a USPCA official said.

DROMARA — Nineteen year-old Christine Browne, from Dromara, goes forward on Monday to represent Co Down in the final of the Ulster Dairy Queen competition.

The seven finalists will spend the weekend relaxing in the Dunadry Inn, Templepatrick, prior to the Dairy Ball on Monday. Christine, representing Spa Young Farmers’ Club, will be bidding to take the crown from last year’s winner, Pamela Gallagher.

CLOUGH — A new set of drums was dedicated and presented to Clough Accordeon Band at a parade in the village last Friday night. The dedication was made by Mr Cecil Harvey, who was one of three 

guest speakers in attendance, the others being Mr Ernest Baird and Mr Reg Empey.

Addressing the crowd, Mr Baird said that in the run-up to the European election it was important that the people understood what they were voting for and why they were voting. He said Mr Enoch Powell had, quite rightly, advised people to vote for candidates who support British withdrawal from the Common Market.

BALLYKINLAR — Seaforde Young Farmers’ Club members visited Mr W Carson’s farm in Ballykinlar recently.

Mr Edward Carson and Mr S Cleland showed the members around the farm and outlined the quality of the livestock.

SNOOKER — Drumaness Billiards Club have pulled off the scoop of the season by enticing snooker star Graham Miles to take on a select team chosen from the Downpatrick and District League for an exhibition on June 8.

CRICKET — Downpatrick cricketers chalked up their first win of the new season when they had seven wickets to spare over Section 3 side Academy in Saturday’s Senior Cup first round tie at Strangford Road. Norman Fitzpatrick was the man who did most of the damage by claiming seven wickets as Academy slumped to 80 all out.