This weeks letters...
Letters
SIR, — Last Saturday saw the culmination of a year long planning exercise to bring the Co. Down Royal Black Institution’s annual parade to Newcastle.
The committee, comprising representatives of the local Castlewellan District No. 3 and the Co. Chapter, created plans which, on the day, save for some unforeseen minor traffic flow problems, they executed with precision to bring about a wonderful day for visiting Preceptories, bands and spectators alike.
The sheer logistics of accommodating 117 Preceptories and 110 bands and conveying them safely to the assembly field, along the main parade route and then back to their buses was no mean feat and this was achieved with very few problems.
In addition, the organisers had the objective of keeping the inevitable disruption to the lives of local residents to a minimum. Thanks to a leaflet drop, they were able to accommodate a number of requests, including ensuring that several wedding party plans were not disrupted.
The estimated crowd of around 60,000 which lined the parade route exceeded expectations and was swelled by a considerable number of holidaymakers and a big turn out of local people which was reminiscent of similar events in the 1960s and 1980s.
Feedback from visitors, participants and spectators has been very positive with many who have not visited the town recently remarking on the great changes that have taken place which would encourage them to come back.
It was a sentiment echoed by visitors to Newcastle for the recent Harry Ferguson event.
Business owners in Newcastle all appeared to be doing a roaring trade last Saturday as families and supporters enjoyed a bit of retail therapy while the marchers enjoyed a rest at Donard Park.
The organising committee would like to place on record their thanks to the PSNI, Down Council, Translink, British Red Cross, local residents and all those who helped with the planning or co-operated in any way. Many individuals put in a colossal amount of time to ensure all went smoothly and the success of the day is reward for that.
Last, but not least, we are indebted to the members of Castlewellan District and our supporters who acted as marshals, rallied round to set up and dismantle the assembly and demonstration fields to leave them the way we found them and to erect and take down flags and bunting in an astonishingly short time. What a team and many thanks to all.
As a postscript, this event is hosted every 13 years by each District within Co. Down and those detractors of the Loyal Orders should note that the event is undertaken with no financial support from local or national government and local businesses benefit enormously for the day.
When all the expenses have been cleared we will be in a position to support a local charity with £3,000 as a result of sales of demonstration booklets and badges. We are also greatly indebted to people who placed adverts in the booklets.
Yours etc.,
CLLR. DESSIE
PATTERSON,
Past District Master.
SIR, — The Downpatrick business forum is a working group that tries to represent the views and ideas of the town’s traders and business people alike.
Having representation at a local level with Down Council, the Roads Service, NI Water and other government agencies is of paramount importance.
We strongly believe that Downpatrick is not a good town, but a great town to have a business in. Downpatrick is oozing with history, prosperity and ancient trade connections.
We have been both fortunate and unfortunate as a business community, suffering recently due to the upheaval with the road and sewerage works in our town. However, we believe the work completed to date is a credit to those involved and vastly improves the appearance of our main street.
As the chairman of the Down Business Forum, I’m delighted to announce that we have been told that the two way traffic system in Market Street will be reinstated today, Wednesday, September 1.
I also would like to personally thank councillor Cadogan Enright for all his help and hard work in supporting all the traders of the town through our recent difficult time. Councillor Enright has shown true guts and determination to help the traders of Downpatrick in their hour of need.
Furthermore, a word of thanks must be extended to Margaret Ritchie for her very positive contribution to the development and future prosperity of Downpatrick while she was Social Development Minister.
Lastly, thank you to Down Council for its representation at the Downpatrick Business Form’s meeting last week. We are looking forward to the future and establishing a direct line of communication between the two organisations, for the success and well-being of the town.
We would like to encourage as many businesses as possible to get involved with the Downpatrick Business Forum, thus increasing the future prosperity of our town.
Yours etc.,
PATRICK CASSIDY,
Chairman,
Down Business Forum.
SIR, — My daughter received a conditional offer on the A-level programme at South Eastern Regional College when she went for her initial interview in June.
She was delighted when she received two As and four Bs in her GCSE results and subsequently went to enrol onto the three A-levels that she had chosen, only to be told on arrival that the college had cancelled the A-level programme in Downpatrick.
She then rushed to Belfast Metropolitan to try to enrol but was too late as all the classes were fully booked.
I can understand that classes might be cancelled due to shortage of numbers but we have since learned that A-level students were being turned away from the Downpatrick campus as early as mid August.
If my daughter had been informed of the likelihood that classes could be cancelled we would have made alternative arrangements.
As it stands we are now hunting around the county looking for a place for my daughter to continue her education as her previous school does not have a sixth form.
I also wonder whether those students half way through their A-level courses at SERC have been told not to bother turning up next week as their course no longer exists?
I see from their literature that SERC have a vision of being one of the top 20 colleges in the world by 2020.
I suggest they set their sights a little lower and try being a half decent one in Downpatrick first.
Yours etc.,
Colette McIlwrath,
Killyleagh.
SIR, — In spite of the apparent success of the recent Ardglass Festival, with positive feedback from both the local community and tourists and verbal complements from Eddie McGrady and councillor Dermot Curran, the organising committee has been hit by resignations.
Following the withdrawal of Janine Byrne, Gerard Feenan recently tendered his resignation on health grounds.
Gerard has been a tireless member for several years with a particular interest in promoting pet dog ownership. In addition to offering his home as a venue for committee meetings, Gerard focused on fundraising for cancer charities and the local Chest, Heart and Stroke group.
He was generally a calming influence whenever friction arose within the committee and will certainly be difficult to replace.
In view of the resignations and with the potential for more to follow due mainly to stress and lack of support, it is vital that members of the community show the necessary spirit and commitment by attending the AGM on Monday, September 6, at 7pm, in the lounge of the Old Commercial.
The future and success of the summer festival and other local festivities held during the year depends more than ever on villagers showing a serious interest.
This opportunity should not be ignored in view of the inevitable consequences. Obviously former members prove invaluable as they would bring a wealth of experience and so help to restore the organisation’s structure and effectiveness.
Yours etc.,
GERRY CASEY,
AFA secretary.
SIR, — I write to congratulate the young people of the SEELB Alternative Education Provision Centre in Downpatrick who recently completed a mural and ‘Beer Mat’ promotion on the theme of ‘Racism’ using the word ‘Tolerance’ as its key message.
It was wonderfully refreshing to see young people challenging society’s ills and being proactive in their response. I would ask that everyone check their beer mats in the coming weeks and heed the very important message on it.
Yours etc.
CLLR. COLIN McGRATH,
Downpatrick.
SIR, — Just whose bright idea was it to use Bryansford village and the Ballyhafry Road on the morning of Saturday, August 28, as a parking place for the Royal Black Institution buses?
As a consequence, no car could reach Tollymore Forest Park, on what is usually its busiest Saturday of the year.
So much for promoting tourism in Co. Down.
Yours, etc.
N. STOREY
Ballyclander Upper,
Lecale,
Downpatrick.
The committee, comprising representatives of the local Castlewellan District No. 3 and the Co. Chapter, created plans which, on the day, save for some unforeseen minor traffic flow problems, they executed with precision to bring about a wonderful day for visiting Preceptories, bands and spectators alike.
The sheer logistics of accommodating 117 Preceptories and 110 bands and conveying them safely to the assembly field, along the main parade route and then back to their buses was no mean feat and this was achieved with very few problems.
In addition, the organisers had the objective of keeping the inevitable disruption to the lives of local residents to a minimum. Thanks to a leaflet drop, they were able to accommodate a number of requests, including ensuring that several wedding party plans were not disrupted.
The estimated crowd of around 60,000 which lined the parade route exceeded expectations and was swelled by a considerable number of holidaymakers and a big turn out of local people which was reminiscent of similar events in the 1960s and 1980s.
Feedback from visitors, participants and spectators has been very positive with many who have not visited the town recently remarking on the great changes that have taken place which would encourage them to come back.
It was a sentiment echoed by visitors to Newcastle for the recent Harry Ferguson event.
Business owners in Newcastle all appeared to be doing a roaring trade last Saturday as families and supporters enjoyed a bit of retail therapy while the marchers enjoyed a rest at Donard Park.
The organising committee would like to place on record their thanks to the PSNI, Down Council, Translink, British Red Cross, local residents and all those who helped with the planning or co-operated in any way. Many individuals put in a colossal amount of time to ensure all went smoothly and the success of the day is reward for that.
Last, but not least, we are indebted to the members of Castlewellan District and our supporters who acted as marshals, rallied round to set up and dismantle the assembly and demonstration fields to leave them the way we found them and to erect and take down flags and bunting in an astonishingly short time. What a team and many thanks to all.
As a postscript, this event is hosted every 13 years by each District within Co. Down and those detractors of the Loyal Orders should note that the event is undertaken with no financial support from local or national government and local businesses benefit enormously for the day.
When all the expenses have been cleared we will be in a position to support a local charity with £3,000 as a result of sales of demonstration booklets and badges. We are also greatly indebted to people who placed adverts in the booklets.
Yours etc.,
CLLR. DESSIE
PATTERSON,
Past District Master.
SIR, — The Downpatrick business forum is a working group that tries to represent the views and ideas of the town’s traders and business people alike.
Having representation at a local level with Down Council, the Roads Service, NI Water and other government agencies is of paramount importance.
We strongly believe that Downpatrick is not a good town, but a great town to have a business in. Downpatrick is oozing with history, prosperity and ancient trade connections.
We have been both fortunate and unfortunate as a business community, suffering recently due to the upheaval with the road and sewerage works in our town. However, we believe the work completed to date is a credit to those involved and vastly improves the appearance of our main street.
As the chairman of the Down Business Forum, I’m delighted to announce that we have been told that the two way traffic system in Market Street will be reinstated today, Wednesday, September 1.
I also would like to personally thank councillor Cadogan Enright for all his help and hard work in supporting all the traders of the town through our recent difficult time. Councillor Enright has shown true guts and determination to help the traders of Downpatrick in their hour of need.
Furthermore, a word of thanks must be extended to Margaret Ritchie for her very positive contribution to the development and future prosperity of Downpatrick while she was Social Development Minister.
Lastly, thank you to Down Council for its representation at the Downpatrick Business Form’s meeting last week. We are looking forward to the future and establishing a direct line of communication between the two organisations, for the success and well-being of the town.
We would like to encourage as many businesses as possible to get involved with the Downpatrick Business Forum, thus increasing the future prosperity of our town.
Yours etc.,
PATRICK CASSIDY,
Chairman,
Down Business Forum.
SIR, — My daughter received a conditional offer on the A-level programme at South Eastern Regional College when she went for her initial interview in June.
She was delighted when she received two As and four Bs in her GCSE results and subsequently went to enrol onto the three A-levels that she had chosen, only to be told on arrival that the college had cancelled the A-level programme in Downpatrick.
She then rushed to Belfast Metropolitan to try to enrol but was too late as all the classes were fully booked.
I can understand that classes might be cancelled due to shortage of numbers but we have since learned that A-level students were being turned away from the Downpatrick campus as early as mid August.
If my daughter had been informed of the likelihood that classes could be cancelled we would have made alternative arrangements.
As it stands we are now hunting around the county looking for a place for my daughter to continue her education as her previous school does not have a sixth form.
I also wonder whether those students half way through their A-level courses at SERC have been told not to bother turning up next week as their course no longer exists?
I see from their literature that SERC have a vision of being one of the top 20 colleges in the world by 2020.
I suggest they set their sights a little lower and try being a half decent one in Downpatrick first.
Yours etc.,
Colette McIlwrath,
Killyleagh.
SIR, — In spite of the apparent success of the recent Ardglass Festival, with positive feedback from both the local community and tourists and verbal complements from Eddie McGrady and councillor Dermot Curran, the organising committee has been hit by resignations.
Following the withdrawal of Janine Byrne, Gerard Feenan recently tendered his resignation on health grounds.
Gerard has been a tireless member for several years with a particular interest in promoting pet dog ownership. In addition to offering his home as a venue for committee meetings, Gerard focused on fundraising for cancer charities and the local Chest, Heart and Stroke group.
He was generally a calming influence whenever friction arose within the committee and will certainly be difficult to replace.
In view of the resignations and with the potential for more to follow due mainly to stress and lack of support, it is vital that members of the community show the necessary spirit and commitment by attending the AGM on Monday, September 6, at 7pm, in the lounge of the Old Commercial.
The future and success of the summer festival and other local festivities held during the year depends more than ever on villagers showing a serious interest.
This opportunity should not be ignored in view of the inevitable consequences. Obviously former members prove invaluable as they would bring a wealth of experience and so help to restore the organisation’s structure and effectiveness.
Yours etc.,
GERRY CASEY,
AFA secretary.
SIR, — I write to congratulate the young people of the SEELB Alternative Education Provision Centre in Downpatrick who recently completed a mural and ‘Beer Mat’ promotion on the theme of ‘Racism’ using the word ‘Tolerance’ as its key message.
It was wonderfully refreshing to see young people challenging society’s ills and being proactive in their response. I would ask that everyone check their beer mats in the coming weeks and heed the very important message on it.
Yours etc.
CLLR. COLIN McGRATH,
Downpatrick.
SIR, — Just whose bright idea was it to use Bryansford village and the Ballyhafry Road on the morning of Saturday, August 28, as a parking place for the Royal Black Institution buses?
As a consequence, no car could reach Tollymore Forest Park, on what is usually its busiest Saturday of the year.
So much for promoting tourism in Co. Down.
Yours, etc.
N. STOREY
Ballyclander Upper,
Lecale,
Downpatrick.