From the pages of the Down Recorder, July 18, 1972

18 July 2012

TYRELLA — Tyrella Beach, one of Northern Ireland’s most popular weekend playgrounds for summer motorists, has become the target for litter louts.

During the recent ‘freak’ hot spell hundreds of young children have paddled, bathed, and romped on the sand at Tyrella. And more than one mother has cursed the inconsiderate lout who smashed an empty beer bottle against a convenient rock, or carelessly discarded a jagged-edged can as she stanched the blood from a child’s slashed foot.

One resident felt strongly about the way in which some trippers misuse the beach. “We have one of the best beaches in Ireland and it attracts some of the filthiest and most inconsiderate people I know. It’s a disgrace to see how the rubbish that is left here after a hot day’s traffic from thousands of trippers,” he said.

Farmers too have their problems from the trippers. After a hot spell last year one had to use a tractor and trailer to cart away rubbish that had been dumped over a fence on to his land.

Two years ago Down County Council outlined plans they had for Tyrella under a tourist development scheme and yesterday a spokesman said they still intended going ahead. “It may be a smaller scheme than originally mooted. “The position is that the district valuer has been instructed the acquire the land.”

Cars in their hundreds clutter the beach during favourable weather and when they have gone the rubbish, the refuse, the broken bottles and the variety of empty tins remains a memorial to a section of society that likes its recreation but dumps its waste where it can.

CROSSGAR — Crossgar was cordoned off in the early hours of Tuesday morning and traffic was diverted from the village for several hours because of fear that a bomb had been planted in a pub. The Corner Inn Bar had been set ablaze at about 2.30am by four men, one of them armed, who had entered the pub an hour earlier.

The joint owner of the licensed premises, Mr. Michael Nicholson, was held for an hour by the raiders, who drove off with him. Mr. Nicholson was later released in Carryduff where local police later drove him home.

Downpatrick firemen soon had the the blaze under control, but had to stand by until almost mid-day until a thorough search revealed no explosives.

BALLYNAHINCH — Who says the age of chivalry is dead? Not the Belfast taxi driver whose vehicle was hijacked in Ballynahinch on Saturday night.

He was stopped by two men just outside the town on the Belfast Road. One, a youth of about 19, pointed a pistol and told him to get out. The other youth drove off in the car at about 9pm, leaving the driver in the custody of the gunman. The vehicle returned about midnight when the taxi man was given and keys and told to go home.

Detectives are still investigating the crime. One theory is that the vehicle was used for a ‘job’ elsewhere and by keeping watch on the driver the hijackers made sure the taxi would not be put on the security forces’ ‘wanted list.’

Still, in the present situation in the province, it’s seldom that a hijacked vehicle is returned to its owner. At least there’s one driver who is thankful for a ‘touch of the Robin Hoods’.

SPA — The Moderator of the General Assembly, the Right Rev. R. V. A. Lynas, was the preacher at a special service held on Sunday to mark the centenary of Spa Presbyterian Church.

The present minister, the Rev. C. D. Adams. is the sixth to have served at Spa church in its 100-year history. He conducted the service of thanksgiving, commemoration and dedication of gifts, and the Moderator gave a special address. Mr. Wm. Wightman was the organist and the soloist was Mr. Alistair McQuoid.

The church was first dedicated as a meeting house on July 16, 1872, at a time when the County Down village was at the height of its fame as a health resort. Other ministers have been Rev. William Wilson (1873-1879), Rev. James Knowles (1879-95), Rev. John McAdam (1895-1925), Rev. S. D. McKee (1925-46) and Rev. J. Munce Drennan (1946-55).

CASTLEWELLAN — Saturday’s Castlewellan Horse and Agricultural Show provided a particularly colourful and spectacular scene with spectators still streaming into the Forest Park during late afternoon.

The most thrilling feature in a day of outstanding performances on the part of youthful riders and their mounts was the nail-biting children’s open jump-off in which four competitors were involved. The eventual winner was Yvonne Wilson whose Black Knight registered a clear round in 44.2 seconds.

BRIGHT — The annual parish of Bright sports and garden fete were held on the parochial lawn, Killough, last week and the proceedings opened with a fancy dress parade from the old school. Over forty children took part and the parade was led by Killough Accordion Band. Mr. and Mrs. Liddy, of West Point, were the adjudicators and the competitors assumed a variety of disguises.

This was followed by children’s and adults’ events and the primary schools seven-a-side competition for a trophy kindly presented by Mr. Derek King. In the evening a dance was held in the AOH Hall, lent for the occasion by the trustees, and a social function took place in the parochial hall.

SAINTFIELD — At a meeting of Saintfield Vanguard Club it was announced that new clubs have been formed in Killinchy and Killyleagh. It was also announced that the Saintfield club will be meeting monthly in order to keep abreast with current developments. Several new members were enrolled and in addition to the monthly meetings the executive committee will be meeting as the need arises.

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