From the Down Recorder January 4 1942

From the Down Recorder January 4 1942

1 April 2012

DOWNPATRICK — As has been said, wars have come and wars have gone, and Christmas has survived them all. The magic of the festival touched Down Infirmary, thanks to the enthusiastic efforts of Dr. Robb, the matron, Miss McFaddin, and the nursing staff, with the assistance of kind-hearted friends.

The wards were gaily festooned and studded with sprigs of holly. In the morning, carols; in the afternoon, a jolly good dinner, and then the distribution of toys, hung on a tree from Lady Reid’s garden. Dr. Taylor ably filled the role of Santa. In the evening a concert was enjoyed. The local artistes were ‘The Six Gals’ in song and dance, and Miss Eileen Smyth, soloist, Miss Marie Henry being the accompanist. Then came a sing-song in the nurses’ home. On the following day, staff dinner and dance.

The spirit of the season pervaded Down Mental Hospital and Dr. Lothian and the staff carried out an extensive programme of entertainments, beginning on Christmas Eve when Santa Claus brought his gifts and concluding on New Year’s Day with the staff dance in the Great Hall.

Downpatrick workhouse was not without its tokens of good cheer and good will, and the Brownies as fairy visitors were heartily welcomed. Throughout the district the welfare staff of the Home Ministry, helped by the W.V.S., entertained refugee children, and parcels were sent to places where it was not possible to bring the dispersed young people together for parties.

BALLYNAHINCH — Mr. Ervine, J.P., remanded Patrick J. Haughan, of Dundalk, on heavy bail, until January 27, pursuant to a charge under the Food Order. In the luggage part of a car driven by the defendant hereabouts Constable Moore found two 10st. bags of flour, and two 4st. bags below the rear seat, besides four loaves and 7lb. of tea on the seat. The constable said that other charges were pending.

NEWCASTLE — The conversion of the palatial Slieve Donard to other than hotel purposes kept away many visitors accustomed to spending Christmas at Newcastle. One outspoken genial fellow to whom we talked found quarters in the town to his great satisfaction. As a weekend golfer on a muddy city course, after a round here on Boxing Day he swore that the Newcastle links were unsurpassable. Nor was he less complainant about the local cinemas

STRANGFORD — The dance in the Cuan Hall, Strangford, on Boxing Night realised £26 in aid of the County Infirmary. Good was the cause, good was the response, good was the night’s fun. Mr. James Tomelty, a Radio Eireann artist, rendered two pleasing numbers. Dance prizes were won by Miss N. Caher, Ballynoe, and Mr. J. Kelly, Drumroe, Corporal Wright and Miss Sharvin, and Mr. D. Mullan and Miss McHenry, Portaferry. Mr. S. Sharvin Jr. was a capable M.C.

MONEYREA — Mr. W. McMordie, president, and his fellow members of Moneyrea Ploughing Society on Saturday welcomed the presence of Mr. Andrews, the Premier, Lord Glentoran, Minister of Agriculture, and Dr. Little, M.P., at the tractor ploughing competition. The occasion was seized upon, in the face of the worsening war situation, to emphasise the need for full-scale provincial farming. Harder work is the rule in every phase of the war effort.

CASTLEWELLAN — A native of Castlewellan, Canon T. O’Donnell, Ballymena, has died in his 88th year. Ordained at Maynooth in 1876, he was appointed professor in St. Malachy’s College, Belfast, and later curate among others places at Ballymoney, Kilkeel and Belfast. It was in 1909 that he went to Ballymena where he was responsible for equipping the church and erecting a parochial house, hall and schools at a cost of £30,000.

BALLEE — Gate crashing was essayed on the occasion of Ballee Tennis Club’s annual popular dance on the 26th in the Assembly Hall, Downpatrick, enjoyed by a muster of 300, and the proceeds were devoted to the funds of the Forces Entertainments Committee. The music was by Albert Gray’s band and the committee was by the Ulster Menu Company. At the close Mr. Jim Kelly expressed the season’s familiar greetings.

BALLYLOUGH — Nurse S. McGeown, who was trained in Down Infirmary, had the misfortune, when walking with her sister and two friends in the darkness towards her home at Ballylough, to be knocked down by a car and spinally injured.

RALEAGH — Any war mindedness on the part of country folk was cast aside on Boxing Day at the gladsome sight of the Staghounds. Starting from McCune’s corner, Raleagh, riders view-halloed over a fair bit of country, soon to be brought under the plough.

DUNDRUM — Under the presidency of the rector, Rev. H. O’Connor, in Dundrum parochial hall, over 90 children under 12 years of age received gifts from a Christmas tree given by Miss Forde, and the Sunday school teachers served refreshments. Carols, songs and recitations followed.

SAINTFIELD — Saintfield Guild Hall was the scene of a thronged khaki dance on New Year’s Eve, to music by the Blue Aces Band, and the catering was undertaken by the N.A.A.F.I. At midnight Sergeant Mills as Father Time faded out of the hall to make way for dainty Miss Barbara Jones, a sergeant major’s daughter, typifying 1942.

BALLYGOWAN — John A. Taylor, of Ballyhackamore, while driving one of the United Cable Company’s lorries towards Ballygowan on the afternoon of December 31 went over a hedge at Ballycloughan as he was attempting to overtake a car.

RATIONING — Northern Ireland householders are enjoined to be sparing with fuel, even at this the most rigorous period of the year. Except for a slight change in the meat ration, and for a reduction in the price of sugar, there is no special new year message on the food front.