COUNTRY DIARY From the pages of the Down Recorder, November 2, 1941

NEWCASTLE - The A.R.P. Group Committee, drawn from Kilkeel, Newcastle and Downpatrick rural and urban authorities, was convened on Wednesday in Newcastle municipal chamber. Messrs E. K. McGrady, J.P., and J. Bailie, with Mr. M. J. Hayes, clerk, represented Downpatrick Urban Council. Messrs J. Cleland, J.P., T. McAvoy and F. McKenna, with Mr. R. J. Carr, clerk, represented Downpatrick Rural Council.
It transpired that Newcastle had refused to join the group, Mr. J. R. Watts, clerk, present merely as co-ordinator of this meeting. From the two Kilkeel urban nominees apologies were tendered. The chairman of Kilkeel Rural Council, Mr. P. J. Mooney, refused to take any part in the proceedings because his Council had not been given the opportunity to define their attitude to the group.
On the motion of Messrs McEvoy and Bailie, a resolution was passed expressing surprise at the want of personal guidance by the Home Ministry.
DOWNPATRICK - The annual meeting of Downpatrick branch of the British Legion, women's section, took place on October 20. The report noted the organising by Mrs. Sloan, vice-chairman of the Poppy Day and Soldiers', Sailors' and Airmen's collections, and by Miss F. Breen of a whist drive for St. Dunstan's, which realised £31; the investment of £20 in war savings certificates; the formation of a war savings group; assistance by several members at fruit preservation; the joining of the W.V.S. by 15 members.
Further activities included weekly whist drives and the holding of a weekly knitting class. Sixty parcels of knitted garments have been sent to local men since last Christmas and two large consignments were sent to the section comforts depot, as well as supplementary parcels to four prisoners of war from the town.
BALLYNAHINCH - The suggestion for the star-lighting of Ballynahinch, like, say, Banbridge and other towns, commends itself to a resident, who informs us of the moderateness of the probable expenditure. The fittings to the present standards would cost no more than 14s per light. Such an installation would be life-saving to groping motorists and pedestrians alike, even on the darkest nights.
PORTAFERRY - Portaferry A.R.P. personnel are alive to their responsibilities. On Monday evening Mr. T. Mahood was busy in the Market House, where the report centre is now located. At the same time at Somerset's factory Mr. A. Beatty, head warden, was conveying to the men of the fire and decontamination squads some valuable instruction, most of the group wardens being also present. Dr. A. M. Young may give another course of lectures on first aid.
KILLYLEAGH - Mrs. Morrison, of Maymore, has been apprised that her husband, Samuel Rutherford Morrison, whose parents reside at Ballygoskin, has been lost at sea as a result of enemy action. Three of his brothers are in the Forces.
DRUMANESS - On a visit to Hurst's, Drumaness, on Wednesday, members of the Textile Institute were interested in the turbo alternator, and in the various processes in the production of yarns manufactured from flax and fibro. Later they were entertained at tea by Mrs. Hurst and other ladies connected with the firm.
BELL'S HILL - A branch of Mitchelbourne Club of the Apprentice Boys of Derry Association was opened at Bell's Hill at the weekend. Visiting deputies handed over the charter, together with a set of six collarettes for the officers: President, E. McGee; vice-president, T. King; chaplain, W. McKibben; secretary, J. McClurg; treasurer, R. Shields; foreman of committee, J. Lennon.
SAINTFIELD - At a meeting in Saintfield courthouse, after an address by Mr. C. W. Magill, organiser for Northern Ireland, on the proposition of Mr. H. Armytage-Moore, D.L., a war savings committee was formed, Mr. F. W. Minnis being chairman, Mr. M. Perry, J.P., vice-chairman, and Miss Minnis, hon. sec.
NEWCASTLE - Hallowe'en was marked by several dances and social parties. It is essentially a children's festival. But, alas, for the once colourful shop windows packed with luscious fruits from sunny lands, fruits on which young eyes feasted.
As for the mystic rites, there may have been a few nuts to put on the hob, but only a few, after the excitement of finding the ring in the apple tart. Barn-brack, none. Lucky little ones sampled an orange or two, while emulous brothers or sisters only a teeny-weeny bit older stood by waiting for a suck, so that they should not altogether forget the flavour!
DOWNPATRICK - A shocking accident befell Thomas Barr, 35, married, at Quoile Bridge on Tuesday. While engaged in repairing the parapet, the coping stones of which had been displaced by a military lorry recently, he was struck by another such vehicle, sustaining a fracture to his left thigh, as well as a big scalp wound. He was taken to the County Infirmary.
KIRCUBBIN - Two men, French and Mawhinney, who ha been discovered by police regaling themselves with a pint apiece in White's public-house, Kircubbin, on a recent Sunday, when summoned to court sent a joint letter to the effect that it was worse than unkind, a violation of personal liberty in fact, to imply that men engaged in war work every day must not convivially relax on a Sunday. The measure of the R.M.'s sympathy was a fine of 40 shillings each. Nor did the plea avail that the publican's daughter, at the bar and brought from London to assist in the business, was not au fait with drinking practice. She and her father were each fined 10 shillings and the licence endorsed.
BANGOR - At Bangor Petty Sessions on Wednesday, James Nelson, merchant seaman, was fined £5 and £2 5s costs for being absent without leave from his ship at Sunderland. He said he had come home to see his brother, who had been torpedoed, and he left again one night to go back to Sunderland, but the boat was away when he reached Belfast.

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