From the pages of the Down Recorder, May 4, 1976

From the pages of the Down Recorder, May 4, 1976

4 May 2016

KILMORE — The 184 year-old former parish church at Kilmore is to be taken down stone by stone and rebuilt at the Ulster Folk Museum. The church is the latest addition to the folk museum’s reconstruction of a typical Irish village in its outdoor park at Cultra.

There it will take its place near to the 18th century potter’s house, close by the hip-roofed thatched cottage, the spade mill with its revolving water wheel, the hill farm, the primary school and a row of white-washed cottages from Belfast’s Sandy Row area.

The seating and furnishings have been removed and an intensive study made so that after rebuilding it will resemble its original appearance as closely as possible.

Rather than have it fall into disrepair beyond restoration, the church authorities welcome its acquisition by the folk museum and the enthusiasm being shown for its reconstruction.

A deconsecration service was held on Friday night attended by the Bishop of Down and Dromore, Dr George Quinn, the rector, the Rev Bernard Forde, his wardens, Mr George Drury and Mr George Noon, and some of the parishioners.

Dr W B Bailie, minister of the neighbouring Presbyterian church, congratulated the Church of Ireland on its wisdom and foresight in having a valuable monument of 18th century church history maintained.

SHRIGLEY — The death of Shrigley councillor, Mr Sam Osborne, has evoked widespread sorrow in the locality. Mr Osborne served for 17 years on three separate councils and was acknowledged as the man most responsible for the ambitious redevelopment project carried out in Shrigley several years ago.

His colleagues on Down District Council stood in silent tribute at a meeting this week and business was adjourned as a token of respect. The council chairman, Mr Edward McVeigh, said Mr Osborne was a friend to all the people he represented.

Mr Osborne’s funeral took place to First Killyleagh Presbyterian Church burying ground and was attended by many past and present councillors and council staff and by the many friends of the family.

BALLYNAHINCH — Fun for everyone is the theme for Ballynahinch’s first Civic Week for five years which begins on Saturday. Lady Clanwilliam will perform the opening ceremony at St Colman’s Secondary School.

Immediately afterwards the festival swings into action with the baby show in the school. For animal lovers there are the dog obedience and pony driving tests alter in the day. Music enthusiasts can crowd into the square at 7pm to listen to the RUC band, while the kids can visit one of the daily attractions at Windmill Street — the amusements.

Monday’s highlights are the waiters’ race and the dances where the beauty queens will be picked. On Tuesday the knobbly knees competition and the concert by the town’s silver band will take place.

Highlights for the rest of the week include car driving tests, ballroom dancing, the glamorous grandmother competition, motocross, novelty eating, five-a-side football, a Superstars competition and the Civic Week ball in the Millbrook Lodge Hotel.

DOWNPATRICK — Several patients at Downe Hospital were treated for shock on Saturday night after shots had been fired from the hospital grounds.

In all six shots were fired from a pistol at a police car as it left the grounds of the hospital shortly after 11.30pm. Nobody was injured, although one shot from the front mud wing on the vehicle.

A few hours later a Commer van was burnt out at Quinn’s garage at St Patrick’s Avenue. Later in the same morning, at 4.15am, another van was also burnt out at Ardpatrick Avenue. Both fires are believed to have been started maliciously.

The Official IRA have said that they will take punitive action against those responsible.

CROSSGAR — Crossgar’s tidy towners will again be out in force this year during the build-up to the Best Kept Town competition. The decision to run similar competitions to last year was taken at the first meeting of the new executive of Crossgar and District Committee Association recently.

Although details have not yet been worked out, it is likely that the events will include window dressing, garden competitions and children’s art competitions.

Also at the meeting members expressed concern at a wall in Station Road which had recently collapsed. Other sore points proved to be street lighting on the Kilmore and Killyleagh Roads and access for traffic to the Morningside sector of the Westlands housing estate.

ATTICALL — An eight year-old boy died on Saturday when he fell from the back of his father’s tractor at Atticall, near Kilkeel. The tragedy happened while the boy, Michael Murphy, and his father were working in a cornfield near the family farm.

The death happened shortly after the Department of Agriculture warned that tractors are still the greatest hazard on Northern Ireland farms.

KILLYLEAGH — Killyleagh was the venue this year for the annual St George’s Day parade for scouts, cub scouts, beavers, guides and brownie guides.

The parade, led by Killyleagh Silver Band, set off from the quay with the District Commissioner, the Rev W E Kennedy, at the head, followed by Killyleagh Parish Cub Scout Pack, who were carrying their County Flag which they won last year. St John’s Parish Church was filled to the doors with 300-400 marchers.

SAINTFIELD — Saintfield Parish Youth Club brought a successful season to a close on Friday night when a parents night was held in the parish hall. The Rev N Woodrow, vicar of Saintfield, thanked everyone who had contributed in any way to the running of the club and congratulated the members on their enthusiasm.

RAFFREY — Mrs Marie Dickson, one of the leaders of Raffrey Presbyterian Girls’ Brigade, received her 20 years Officer’s Service Award at the company’s 20th annual display on Friday night.

Miss Myrtle McCaw, another of the company leaders, received her award for 15 years’ service as an officer, while two of the company, Ruth Hanna and Hilary Gibson, received 15 years brooches.

CASTLEWARD — The theatre in the grounds of the Castleward estate, near Strangford, will be opened on Saturday with Hepzibah Menuhin, the sister of Yehudi Menuhin, giving a piano recital.

An old barn in the stable yard has been converted into the theatre which has space for more than 220 seats.

At the opening ceremony the band of the First Battalion of the Queen’s Lancashire Regiment, in their new scarlet uniforms, will play on the lawn.

CLOUGH — Members of the Co Down Amalgamated Committee of the Apprentice Boys of Derry held their annual service in Clough Presbyterian Church on Sunday. Orangefield Flute Band, Kilkeel, and Clough Accordian Band led the parade to the service. The address was given by the Rev Martin Smyth, Chaplain of the Belfast Amalgamated Committee.

GOLF — Gerry Carson, one of Downpatrick’s top golfers, helped boost Downpatrick Lions Club charities when he staged a one-man golf marathon at his local course on Friday.

Gerry, Downpatrick’s champion for the past three years, had set a minimum target of 72 holes, but after 14 hours of swinging his clubs he had completed 102 hours.

Altogether Gerry recorded 11 birdies and Magee’s Sports awarded £1 per birdie to the fund.

The Down Recorder awarded £1 for every hole played after the 72nd. Other sponsors were Bohill Dairies, the Abbey Grill and Downpatrick Golf Club.

The marathon idea came from the Lions Club. Sponsorship was sought for each hole at 20 pence. The names of the sponsors will be going into a draw for a £100 set of irons.