From the pages of the Down Recorder, September 26, 1972

26 September 2012

DOWNPATRICK — A number of Downpatrick businessmen are worried that the absence of adequate car parking facilities in their end of the town may prejudice trading prospects.

They feel that when a large supermarket complex is in operation in Lower Market Street shoppers will no longer wish to walk to the upper end of town — traditionally the shopping centre because of parking space.

When a number of shops and flats were constructed in the course of the Bridge Street redevelopment scheme, it was decided to landscape an area in front of them, rather than make it into a car park.

Church Street grocer, Mr. Osfred Hamilton, feels that something should be done before the trade in his end of the town is paralysed through lack of car parking facilities.

Mr. Fred Muldrew, chemist, says: “We can always use more car parking facilities. One off Church Avenue would be of benefit to everyone, the traders and the shoppers. It might not make the area look good as well as at present, but it would certainly help in other ways.

Mr. David Coburn, draper, said: “We would certainly be better off with extra parking spaces. Many of my customers have to walk long distances to get to my shops. That’s not the way to have a trading centre organised.”

CROSSGAR — Mystery still surrounds the circumstances in which St. Joseph’s Hall, Crossgar, was completely destroyed by fire late on Wednesday night. The possibility of the outbreak having been maliciously started is being investigated, but it is not whether it happened accidentally or whether it was caused by a small explosion or by an incendiary device.

It is believed that the blaze started close by the stage, below which many theatrical props were stored. At least one window was broken and one theory is that if the hall was maliciously burned the arsonists entered by this window and left by a side door which was found to be open.

When firemen from Downpatrick arrived to deal with the blaze they could not readily obtain water supply. After considerable time they located a man to have a hydrant turned on, but they had difficulty getting adequate water.

KILLYLEAGH — A yachtsman wishing dispose of old distress flares let them off into the sky at Killyleagh on Wednesday evening and caused a Coastguard call out. The flares were seen by local people, who phoned the police and the Coastguards with the result that two Land Rovers, one from Killough and one from Bangor, sped to the scene believing there was a genuine distress call.

An irate Coastguard official said later: “Yachtsmen, above all, should have more common sense than this. Apart from the nuisance, the cost could have been much greater had a helicopter been called out as well. It could easily have happened that in the event of a genuine case of distress happening at the same time our service could have been impaired by this nonsense.

“Yachtsmen should know that this is the least desirable way of disposing of outdated flares. If one cannot sink them in deep water then give them to the Army for disposal.”

SAUL — Saul branch of the East Down Tenants Association, in a statement this week, say they have had drawn to their attention the unfair allocation of houses over a long period, especially in the Raholp area.

“We wish it to be made known publicly that we are making our own representations to the Housing Executive on this matter in the near future,” the Association states.

BALLYNAHINCH — The Countess of Clanwilliam, who opened the fashion show promoted by 1st Magheradroll Cub Scouts on Friday evening, congratulated the local youth leaders for their energetic work for young people. She was full of praise, especially for Mrs. Nan Greer and her assistant, Miss May Nixon, the cub leaders, whose effort was remarkably good and were largely responsible for the promotion of the fashion show in aid of cub scout funds. It was sponsored by Mrs. A. E. Douglas, Main Street, Ballynahinch, and Mrs. Iris Chandler, of Spa, was the commere. The Rev. C. W. M. Cooper, rector, welcomed the capacity attendance to the parish hall and Lady Clanwilliam was presented with a bouquet by little Tom Hart.

CASTLEWELLAN — The Castlewellan conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society received the gift of a new twelve-seater Ford mini-bus on Sunday. The conference, which works in conjunction with the Particular Council of Kilmegan, has had many transport problems in visiting and entertaining in the hospitals, old people’s homes and institutions in County Down.

Now those problems will be resolved and the conference will be able also to continue to help the Newcastle Gateway Club in its excellent work for the mentally handicapped. The donor of the bus wishes to remain anonymous. The vehicle was blessed by Father McGrath CSSR and Very Rev. Fr. A. R. McNabb, spiritual adviser to the conference.

BARNAMAGHERY — There was a large attendance at the Barnamaghery Sabbath School service on Sunday evening conducted by Dr. W. D. Bailie, minister of Kilmore Presbyterian Church. The Rev. R. L. Hutchinson, rector of Tyrella/Rathmullan parishes, gave an inspiring address to the children and to the adults. The organist was Miss Margaret Woods and the offering was in aid of SS funds.

BOARDMILLS — Saintfield police are investigating a break-in at Carrickmaddyroe, Boardmills, where a number of items including lamps, figurines and horse brass to the value of £40 were stolen. The cottage is owned by 1st Boardmills Presbyterian Church

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