From the pages of the Down Recorder, October 19, 1976

From the pages of the Down Recorder, October 19, 1976

19 October 2016

DOWNPATRICK — Down councillors have again been warned that they may soon be faced with a “massive social problem” on the Model Farm estate in Downpatrick.

Mr Sean Quinn told the council on Monday night that the problem would arise because the very large number of houses in the estate had a minimal amount of services and amenities for the residents.

Mr Quinn was speaking during a discussion on the future of a site on the estate which had been laid aside for a play area.

The council recently received a letter from the Housing Executive which proposed to reduce the area of this ground from an agreed 2.8 acres to 1.8 acres. The Executive said they were going to use the other acre for an extension of the area scheduled for commercial development.

At Monday’s meeting councillors expressed strong opposition to the Executive’s plan, pointing out that this was the only area of green left in the area.

The council chairman, Mr Eddie McGrady, said that this green space must be preserved to prevent the creation of just one massive housing complex and he reminded councillors that once land was built on it could not be recovered.

SAINTFIELD — A Presbyterian minister in Saintfield has again attacked paramilitaries “on both sides of the Ulster jungle.”

The Rev David McKee, of First Saintfield Presbyterian Church, has warned the leaders of the Peace Movement that they must not, even by implication, “equate the peace-keeping work of the security forces with the murderous violence of the paramilitaries.”

The Rev McKee has also called for a throughout inquiry into a number of “questionable incidents” involving the Army. He said that the clearly published findings of such an inquiry could only be of benefit both to the community and the security forces.

Of the Peace Women he said: “These courageous women have done a noble thing in calling us to think, talk and pray for peace. They require even greater courage now to stand fast and not be too disappointed when superficial followers start running for cover.”

KILLYLEAGH — There will be no lying down on the job for members of Killyleagh Presbyterians’ Bible Class on Saturday. They are going to undertake a sponsored bed push and for many of them a lie down might be just what they will feel like at the end of the day.

They are going to push a bed, specially modified for the occasion, for 20 miles in an effort to raise money to help old people in their district. Their route will take them from Killyleagh through Downpatrick to Strangford, and then over to Portaferry.

So anyone who thinks he is dreaming if he sees a single bed go past him in the street on Saturday in any of these places need not pinch himself — though he put like to put his hand in his pocket and donate something.

The bed was loaned by Mr and Mrs C Henderson, of Clea, Killyleagh, and the work on it — weather proofing and decoration — was done by members of the Bible class.

NEWCASTLE — A 23 year-old Newcastle woman, who had just completed a post-graduate course in Scotland, was killed in a road crash in Edinburgh. Miss Carmel McManus, of Downs Road, was the driver of a Mini car which was in collision with a lorry on the East Lothian Road last Thursday.

CASTLEWELLAN — A Lisburn’s firm’s plans to build a roadhouse near Castlewellan are being fraught by the Housing Executive, who are hoping to build houses on the site. Both have been given outline planning permission for the site at Lower Clarkhill Road and it now remains for them to decide who is going to proceed.

The three rows of derelict houses which are presently standing there have become an eyesore. The ground around them is being used as a dump and is strewn with old cars. The houses were once proud, neat little terraces, owned by the local mill and inhabited mill workers, but now they are a blot on the countryside.

They are now only crumbling ruins, which is disappointing to people who remember the houses as they once were. One man said they used to remind him of a “model village.” 

KILLINCHY — Northern Ireland Spinners Ltd in Killinchy have special reason to be proud of their employee, Brian Magee, of Downpatrick. As well as successfully completing his foundation course examination with the Institute of Export, he also received two special prizes for his papers on cargo insurance and international trade and freight.

Brian received his certificate and prizes at a recent Institute of Export luncheon. The prizes were sponsored by the Ulster Bank, Hughes Tool Company and International Shipping Ltd.

DRUMAROAD — A Castlewellan girl, Breida Doherty, has won her way through to the Miss Ireland Beauty contest next week. Breida won the Miss Co Down title at Drumaroad on Saturday night and automatically goes through to the money-spinning national final.

Breida pipped Teconnaught girl Una Davey, while Rathfriland’s Geraldine McNeill was third. Judge for the occasion was Downtown Radio disc jockey Brian McSherry.

This was the first time Drumaroad was chosen to stage the official heat. Breida will take part in the Miss Ireland final in the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin, on October 30. It will be televised live on RTE.

GRANSHA —La Mon House Hotel at Gransha has unveiled its Christmas box of festivities. An enormous programme catering for all tastes — in both cuisine and entertainment — has been prepared to ensure that it will be one of the busiest hotels in the province.

International stars such as Kenneth McKellar and Frankie McBride top a list of star attractions who cram in a full December diary. With prices ranging from £3.60 to £7 there is something for everyone.

BALLYNAHINCH — Ballynahinch Temperance Silver Band continued its jubilee celebrations with a special dinner in the Drumkeen Hotel on Friday night. More than 100 people attended the function, making it a night to remember.

Mr W J Caughey, the band’s chairman, welcomed Mr Frank Kirk, one of eight founder members still living. Mr Kirk, who received a special jubilee tie, was until recently the official mace-bearer for the Lord Mayor of Belfast.

Thanks were expressed to Mr J Dickey, assistant secretary, for organising the dance, and to Mr W J M Mateer for the part he has played in organising the various other jubilee events.

COMBER — Comber’s long battle to get a car park is continuing, but there is still no sign of an early victory. The proposed park would be sited between Castle Street and Bridge Street.

A recent meeting of Ards Borough Council recommended that the Planning Department should grant approval to the application. However, a planning officer reported to the council that objections had been raised by local people.

Similar problems have been experienced in Saintfield where local residents are expressing for the provision of a car park.

POTATOES — Co Down farmers are facing serious problems with their potato crops – and they are turning for help to school headmasters.

They cannot get potatoes gatherers and if the bad weather continues it could mean heavy financial losses, not to mention dearer potatoes. Now headmasters are to be approached to allow children time off school to help gather in the crop.

The problem was highlighted at a recent meeting of the Ulster Farmers’ Union Donard Group when members complained that they have as yet gathered in only about a quarter of the crop. They fear that the damp weather may turn to frost before they can get their potatoes out of the ground.

One farmer summed up the feelings: “Schools do not have holiday periods coming up so we will have to contact headmasters to see if something can be arranged. We do not want.”