From the pages of the Down Recorder, May 9, 2001

From the pages of the Down Recorder, May 9, 2001

5 May 2021

SEAFORDE – Angry Seaforde residents, opposed to plans to site a telecommunications mast close to their homes, have called for work on the structure to be halted.

They are outraged local planning chiefs failed to inform them the 15-metre high mast was going to be erected at the Tannaghmore Road in the village.

A large number of residents have this week signed a petition objecting to the mast which is being erected by BT Cellnet and have called on local politicians Patsy Toman, Anne McAleenan and Francis Casement to help them.

Mr Richard O’Prey, who handed over the petition on Monday night, said none of the residents who live at the Tannaghmore Road knew anything about the mast until work to erect it began last week.

He said everyone is concerned about the impact the mast could have on people’s health and are annoyed they did not receive any warning from the planners that the mast was to go up.

“We do not want this mast on our back doors and want people to help us fight this issue. That is why we have enlisted the help of the local councillors,” he explained.

CASTLEWELLAN – A Castlewellan bank has been targeted by armed robbers for the second time in less than two years.

Thieves struck at the town’s First Trust Bank shortly after 2.30pm on Wednesday afternoon and made off with an undisclosed sum of money. It is understood that no members of the public were in the premises at the time.

One man, who was described as being 5’9” or 5’10”, dressed in a cream and beige sweatshirt, light blue jeans and dark trainers entered the Main Street building wearing what police have described as a “makeshift mask”.

After threatening a member of staff with a claw hammer, cash was handed over before the man sped off in a black Vauxhall Nova car, registration number EBZ 3458, which had been waiting outside.

The vehicle was later recovered by police at the Ballydrumman Road near Ballyward.

Local police have appealed for anyone who can help with with their enquiries to contact them as soon as possible.

NEWCASTLE – The controversial merger of two Newcastle primary schools is likely to go ahead in September on two separate sites.

As the autumn deadline for the rationalisation of St Mary’s Girls’ and Boys’ primary schools approaches, sources close to the Department of Education have indicated the merged school may operate on split sites for the first academic year.

The growing likelihood that the new primary will operate on a split campus is expected to top the agenda of a meeting of the Board of Governors elected to oversee the management of the new school, tomorrow evening. 

Although no decisions have yet been taken, mixed classes are likely to be formed at Beechfield Park and Shanslieve Drive, with only primary six classes remaining unaffected by the merger to minimise disruption in their eleven plus year.

The schools have been at the centre of fierce debate since their boards of governors unveiled the amalgamation proposal in 1999.

BALLYNAHINCH – Regeneration officials in Ballynahinch will tomorrow officially launch their ambitious scheme to redevelop the historic market house in the town square.

Details of the £730,000 scheme will be mapped out during a special launch at the Millbrook Lodge Hotel attended by representatives from a range of funders.

Local planners are expected to confirm shortly they are fully behind the plan to convert the current Market House into a new civic building, complete with office space, youth facilities and a tourist information point.

The South Eastern Education and Library Board and the Youth for Christ organisation have agreed to rent part of the building, a move regeneration officials say is vital to provide them with rent to maintain the building in the future.

Regeneration group chairman, Mr Vincent Fullam, says next week’s launch marks the end of a long crusade to provide the people of Ballynahinch with a civic building and, at the same time, cement the historical importance of the town square for future generations.

KILLYLEAGH – Killyleagh is to get a new war memorial. Work on the new cenotaph at the top of High Street is expected to start later this year and could be completed before the annual Remembrance Day parade in the town in November.

News that money to finance the eagerly-awaited scheme has been secured has been confirmed by the DUP candidate in the forthcoming local government elections, Mr Billy Walker.

For the past number of months he has been working with Strangford Assembly member Jim Shannon to raise money an has this week revealed they have secured £10,000 from two sources.

However, the identities of the backers are being kept secret until the new scheme is formally launched within the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, Mr Walker said he is delighted the provision of a new memorial is now a reality. He said it will be a fitting tribute to the men and women from the Killyleagh area who made the supreme sacrifice during two world wars and other conflicts.

DOWNPATRICK – Health officials have this week confirmed they have secured additional anaesthetic cover to ensure services continue to be provided at Downpatrick’s maternity unit.

The move forms part of a rolling rescue plan the Down Lisburn Trust has had to put in place after the future of the unit was put at risk.

Local anaesthetists threatened to withdraw out-of-hours cover at the end of January and the Trust was forced to arrange additional cover provided by Belfast-based anaesthetists. Since them, it has been reviewing the situation on a monthly basis and confirmed this week that cover remains in place for this month.The news has been welcomed by South Down MP Eddie McGrady, who said the Trust has also confirmed that it has been in contact with Belfast-based anaesthetists to ascertain their long-term commitment to the provision of services at the Downe Hospital and maternity unit.

ARDGLASS – The crisis facing the fishing industry is to top the agenda at a special meeting hosted by the Province’s Agriculture Minister.

The talks with Brid Rodgers are expected to take place at her Dundonald Houses headquarters within the next few weeks and involve politicians from Down, Ards and Newry and Mourne councils.

Representatives for each of the three areas have already joined forces to draw up a plan to help beleaguered fishermen based in Ardglass, Portavogie and Kilkkeel and have been seeking a meeting with the Minister for some time to discuss the detail of a new strategy they have put together.

Miss Rodgers was unable to make space in her diary because of her heavy involvement with the foot and mouth crisis, but she has now confirmed the talks with the local politicians will take place shortly. 

ANNACLOY – A local councillor has welcomed progress on the improvement scheme for the Annacloy Road, outside Downpatrick, and has called on the Roads Service to carry out the work “as a matter of urgency”.

Cllr Margaret Ritchie said she has for some time been campaigning to have the section of the Annacloy Road from the King’s Bridge to the Belfast Road “substantially improved”.

Describing the road as “very narrow and undulating,” Miss Ritchie said that after discussions with Roads Service officials, she was pleased when they informed her last November that the road had been placed on an improvement programme.