From the pages of the Down Recorder, August 17, 1994

From the pages of the Down Recorder, August 17, 1994

14 August 2024

BALLYNAHINCH – The Fair Green in Ballynahinch has been given a new lease of life.

Over the past few years, the Green, on the former site of the town’s cattle market, had become run down and derelict.

But under the DoE regeneration scheme, Down Council has transformed the area which was formally commissioned by its chairman Mr Jim Cochrane, on Friday.

The site is divided into two terraces, linked by a planed area with steps, creating a new a access into the town. Seating has also been provided.

In a bid to reflect the character and history of the area, local materials have been used, while the Cross of Down has been used as a paving feature at the junction of the Belfast and Crossgar Roads.

The trees around the Green, which had been in poor condition, have also been given new life, with the help of surgery. In addition, eight new trees have been planted.

NEWCASTLE – Increased safety measures on one of the most popular access routes into the Mourne Mountains are unlikely to prevent more accidents occurring, it has been claimed.

An accident serious enough to merit the callout of the local Mountain Rescue Team has occurred on the Glen River path every year for the past four years, but both rescue team members and forestry officials agree that more safety measures are not the answer.

The latest accident, on the steep portion of track between the former Donard Lodge and the second bridge over the Glen River, occurred just two weeks ago, when a 16 year-old Belfast youth who was swimming in a pool with friends fell and struck his head.

On that occasion the Mountain Rescue Team was called out, but the youth was removed to the Downe Hospital without any need for specialist assistance at the scene.

Warning to walkers already exist along the track. At either end of the dangerous section, there are clear signs erected by the Department fo Agriculture’s Forestry Division to warn of the deep ravines, overhangs and treacherous path. There are also other signs at dangerous points along the route. 

CROSSGAR  – Men of violence will not destroy Down District’s good community spirit, local councillors have pledged.

Their commitment was made during Monday night’s council meeting, which was adjourned as a mark of respect for Crossgar butcher, Trelford Withers, who was murdered by the IRA last week.

Father of five, Mr Withers (47), was  a part-time solider in the Royal Irish Regiment who died shortly after a lone gunman opened fire in the Downpatrick Street shop.

“Branding the killers “scum” and “psychopaths”, chairman Mr Jim Cochrane, who proposed the adjournment, said they had to be taken out of society, locked up and the key thrown away.

Condemning the murder as “callous and brutal” Ulster Unionist, Mr Albert Colmer, who was  a personal friend of the murdered man, urged the constitutional parties to work together for the well-being of the entire community – a sentiment echoed by Mr Withers’ widow, Jean, who had spoken to him just minutes before the council meeting. 

CASTLEWARD – It was during the dark days of the World War Two that 14-year old Hubert McGreevy from Saul started work at Castleward as a house boy to Lady Bangor.

On Friday he retired from his job as an outdoor warden with the National Trust, after notching up over 50 years service.

Affectionately known as “the wee gardener” by the thousands of visitors who spend time a the estate on the shores of Strangford Lough, Mr McGreevy is the longest serving National Trust employee in Northern Ireland, having completed 51 years.

His retirement, one day before his 65th birthday, means the end of an era for Castleward.

And among his fondest memories are chauffeuring Lady Bangor around Co Down in an Austin Princess and tending the electricity generator which lit up the big house.

To mark the event a retirement presentation was held on the estate on Thursday afternoon, attended by Mr McGreevy’s family and friends as well as staff.

Thanking Mr McGreevy for his hard work over 51 years Professor Buchanan said it was a record of cheerfulness, happiness and good humour.

DOWNPATRICK – Two women suffered a terrifying ordeal last week when they were mugged in Downpatrick in broad daylight. 

The couple, who are both retired, were getting out of their car at Racecourse Road around 2.30pm on Friday afternoon when they were attacked by two youths.

After opening the car doors, the thugs grabbed two handbags, which contained cheque books, cards and cash, as well as personal items, and made off.

One woman was injured in the attack and both suffered from shock.

A police spokesman said it had been a ‘shocking ordeal” for the women and enquiries were being made about the brutal attack.

And he warned all motorists to keep valuables, such as handbags and wallets, out of view of would-be thieves.

“Everything should be put out of sight and the car doors locked,” he said. 

KILLYLEAGH – Killyleagh’s Alan Morrison makes his 1994 moto-cross debut this weekend.

Morrison, the former British 125cc champion, heads a list of top class riders for the Magee’s Bar sponsored Tommy Stewart Memorial meeting at Bell’s Hill, near Crossgar on Saturday.

Morrison quit the moto-cross scene to concentrate on short circuit racing, but he’s coming out of retirement in a bid to win his fifth Tommy Stewart trophy.

Morrison certainly won’t have things all his own way. Up against him are Castlewellan’s Brian Steele, the current championship leader, Hillsborough’s Philip Neill, Comber duo David White and Stephen McCreery, plus third-placed Willie Simpson from Saintfield.

ARDGLASS – A Downpatrick teenager is being hailed a hero this week after he plucked a 10 year-old boy out of murky waters at Ardglass harbour.

Chris Mulhall (14), who was staying with his grandmother during the village’s festival celebrations, was in his dinghy when the drama unfolded prior to the popular “rope across the dock” event.

He had planned to go snorkelling but had a change of heart and powered his way over to the dock area where he saw hundreds of people waiting for the event to start.

“I was making my way across to the dock when I heard people shouting at me,” said Chris, pointing to the area where the10 year-old from Belfast had lost his footing and slipped in.

“At first it was difficult to see what the problem was, but as I moved closer I saw the young boy clinging to some ropes and he was shaking. It was clear he was frightened and his hair was soaking wet – he had obviously gone under for a time after he slipped.”

Chris, who lives at the town’s Saul Road, and who is a pupil at St Colman’s School in Newry, spends a lot of his time in Ardglass, but admits that he has never been involved in a real-life rescue drama before.

SEAFORDE – The men of violence have been told their “murderous deeds” will not divide the community in Down District and that peace will come to the Province.

The message was delivered to the gunmen during last week’s peace vigil in Seaforde, which was organised by the Women Together For Peace movement.

Over 300 people gathered outside the Young Farmers’ Hall just a a few miles from the scene of the Loughinisland massacre, which claimed the lives of six innocent Catholics who were watching the World Cup game on television last June.